GB2162817A - Container for flowers or plants - Google Patents

Abstract

A blank for a container principally for storing flowers or pot-plants is divided into at least three, preferably four, panel members 1 - 4 by means of fold lines 5, 6, 7, at least one of the panel members 2 including a lower flap 9 which can be affixed to one or more of the other panel members to form a base. Each panel member 1 - 4 has an upper flap 17 having two side edges 29 whereby adjacent side edges can be brought closer together, each of said upper flaps including a portion 19 provided with means 20, 22 capable of fastening the portions together in a fully assembled position to form a rim which defines an aperture capable of receiving, e.g. flowers, in the fully assembled container. The interior surface may be waterproofed or waterresistant and the exterior may carry a decorative design or other information. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Blank and container for receiving articles This invention concerns a blank and a container formed therefrom which is suitable for receiving articles for storage and/or display and/or transportation.

More particularly the invention is concerned with such a blank and container especially for storing and/or displaying flowers either in loose form as in a bouquet or in pot plant form.

Flowers are conventionally displayed and delivered according to the following description. For display the containers used are usually made of pottery or plastic in the shape of buckets or vases.

For delivery to customers a paper backing and transparent plastics film frontpiece is used for carrying a bouquet of loose flowers or atlernatively boxes which have transparent plastic covers and/or bases.

Retail florists generally receive flowers in bulk from the growers or wholesalers in large flat boxes without water. Subsequent handling can be divided-into four distinct phases.

First handling: Flowers are removed from growers' boxes and placed in deep buckets for recovery after travelling. This requires staff time for display.

Second handling: When a sale is concluded the flowers are removed from the deep bucket and arranged in a delivery package without water. This also requires staff time for display.

Third handling: After delivery the flowers are removed from the delivery package and arranged in the recipient's own container providing one is available and water is then required. This occupies the recipient's time or other persons' time for display purposes Fourth handling: After completion of their life span the flowers are removed from the recipient's container and discarded. This leaves a dirty container requiring time for cleaning.

The invention seeks to provide a blank for a container that is suitable for receiving articles for display and delivery purposes.

According to this invention there is provided a container blank comprising a piece of material divided into at least three panel members by predetermined upper, lower and longitudinal fold lines the panel members arranged to have two longitudinal edges which can be sealed together in abutment at least one of said panel members including a lower flap extending from a lower fold line and which can be affixed directly or indirectly to one or more of the other panel members to form a base at the lower fold line of the panel members each panel member having an upper flap extending from its upper fold line having two side edges whereby adjacent side edges can be brought closer together, each of said upper flaps including a por tion provided with means capable of fastening the portions together in a fully assembled position to form a rim which defines an aperture capable of receiving articles in the assembled container.

The invention includes within its scope a partially assembled container blank wherein said two longitudinal edges of the panel members are sealed in abutment.

There is also included within the scope of the present invention a container in fully assembled form wherein said two longitudinal edges of the panel members are sealed in abutment and the upper flap portions are fastened together forming a rim. Furthermore, the invention includes within its scope the combination of a fully assembled container and (i) articles, such as flowers, contained therein and/or (ii) a supplementary receptacle suitable for retaining water.

It is preferred that the material be water resistant, at least on the interior surface of the blank.

The whole blank may be in the form of a disposable gift-box container blank optionally partially assembled in which the exterior surface carries decorative design(s) or lettering and /or other information relating to the intended contents. Suitable materials may be, for example, waterproofed card or stiff paper, plastic coated card or preferably aluminium foil-lined card wherein the foil lining is attached to part or all of the interior surface and possibly up to the level of the upper fold lines. In one possible construction the material may be of plastics. The blank may be of such dimensions and configurations that in the fully assembled position it has the shape of a flatsided vase. Various sizes can be prepared according to intended use. Preferred are constructions utilising an even number of panel members, preferably four but possibly six or even eight.

Preferably one longitudinal edge of a panel member includes an extension flap that can be suitably adhered to the interior surface of that panel member having the other said longitudinal edge, whereby said two edges can be sealed in abutment.

More than one of the panel members may be provided with lower flaps and each such lower flap need not be identical. The lower flap, or in the case of a plurality of lower flaps, one of the lower flaps is preferably provided with an extension flap which can be secured to a panel member. In this way a suitable base contacting and extending around the lower perimeter of the container, in fully assembled position, can be obtained.

Further optional and preferred features of the invention will become apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment, illustrated by the accompanying drawing and in which: Figure 1 is a plan view of a flat, foil-lined container blank, and Figure 2 is an isometric view of a fully assembled container in combination with a supplementary receptacle.

As shown in Figure 1 the container blank comprises a flat sheet of card material, the interior surface thereof being coated with foil (or plastics film or other waterproofing substrate), as shown by large dotted lines, up to the upper fold lines 5. The card is divided into four panel members 1, 2, 3, 4 by pre-scored fold lines. The upper fold lines 5 are located towards the top of the blank and separate the panel members from the upper flaps 17. Prescored longitudinal fold lines 7 are marked into the card as shown. The blank has two longitudinal free or outside edges 8, one of which is located on the exterior surface and comprises the junction between panel member 4 and its associated extension part 8a.Upon folding the part 8a inwardly towards panel 3 the free ends 8 can be sealed in abutment, the part 8a conveniently being glued to the interior surface of panel 1. A partially assembled container is thereby obtained.

The blank also has lower pre-scored fold lines 6 which define the lower extremity of panels 1, 2 and 3. Panel 4 has a free lower edge 28. It is not necessary for each panel member to have a lower fold line, nor for each panel to have two longitudinal fold lines. In this illustrated embodiment three lower flaps 9, 10, 11 are provided which extend from the lower fold lines 6. Only one lower flap is essential however. The lower flap is preferably able to form an effective closure for the lower perimeter of the container when fully assembled.

This could be achieved by using flap 9 alone since the rectangular base formed thereby (by securing extension part 14 to the interior surface of panel 4 adjacent its lower free edge 28) would contact and extend around the lower perimeter of the assembled container.

The extension part 14 is separated from lower flap 9 by pre-scored fold line 15, and may be provided with contact adhesive or other glue which may require activation.

In a less preferred modification (not illustrated) the lower flap 9 may be constituted by two flaps each approximately one half (or less) of the size of illustrated flap 9 and having free edges parallel to their corresponding lower fold lines 6. One flap would extend as shown from panel 2 the other flap extending in similar fashion from the edge 28 of panel 4. The flaps then being allowed to rest upon, for example, other lower flaps provided in the blank for the purpose of forming a base.

Extending from each upper fold line 5 is an upper flap 17 having two free side edges 29. During folding the adjacent edges 29 can be brought closer together and possibly abut as shown in Figure 2. A slight gap between said edges 29 is not detrimental to the function of the container although perhaps more aesthetically pleasing if they abut to form a closure.

A further fold line 18 separates the upper flap 17 from a portion 19 which has two quandrant shaped extensions 20,22. These extensions can be folded about fold lines 21 and 23 respectively and are provided with co-operable slots 24,25. One such slot 24 extends downwardly of fold line 21 whereas the other 25 extends upwardly of fold line 23. This slot arrangement could be reversed for each portion 19.

When the blank is folded into a fully assembled position, as depicted in Figure 2, the extensions 20 are fastened to the extensions 22 by mutual engagement of the co-operable slots, whereby the extensions become tucked inside the interior surface of the material. This consequently avoids the need for any glue or other fastening means The rim defining the aperture 30 for receiving flowers is thus comprised by the continuous formation of portions 19, the tucked-in extensions holding the edges 29 of the upper flaps close together or even in abutment.

The lower flap extension 14 and panel member extension 8a may be coated with an adhesive that simply requires contact pressure to become active and adhere these flaps to their intended panel members.

Lower flaps 10 and 11 can be provided with slots 13 and 12 that can engage and provide a raised surface above the base 9 of the container, as depicted in Figure 2. Also shown is a supplementary receptacle in the form of a standard square tray 26 having side edges 27 which bear against the inte riorsurface of the panel members 1,2,3 and 4.

This receptacle may contain water and/or water retaining medium such as 'oasis'. A water supply for flowers inserted through aperture 30 for storage and/or delivery and/or display is thus provided.

The receptacle is optional since the container may be constructed to be substantially water tight.

The blanks can either be stored flat in fully dismantled form, or flat in partially assembled form for these embodiments having an even number of panel members. most preferably four. This minimizes occupation of space. The containers formed from the blanks are intended for use at the second handling stage, the first handling stage being similar or identical to the earlier description thereof.

Second handling using container of invention: The blank is made up into fully assembled position by securing any pre-glued flap extensions to their corresponding panel members and tucking in the portion extensions to close the rim. Flowers are inserted therein ready for instant sale. Subsequently the display is covered with transparent plastics film such as that sold under the trademark 'cellophane' prior to delivery. This requires staff time in display.

however, time can be utilised more evenly as displays can be arranged with less haste.

Third handling as described previously becomes entirely optional and is preferably avoided since the container serves the purpose of a receptacle.

Fourth handling: After completion of the life span of the flowers, both container and flowers can be simultaneously-discarded neatly and cleanly. This is particularly advantageous in hospitals, offices and hotels.

Further advantages of the invention will be summarised hereunder: (a) The container and blanks allow for advertising by the retail florist.

(b) Containers can serve as point-of-sale stands.

(c) Flower sales can be promoted by improved display presentation in a retail florist outlet, and on delivery to customer. In this respect buckets are not particularly attractive.

(d) Minimizes excessive handling of the flowers which can result in damage and/or spoiled presentation.

(e) Allows for improved use- of florist staff time spent in displaying flowers, facilitating attractive displays and more beneficial pricing of the finished product.

(f) A pre-arranged container-based display of flowers can be provided which is convenient for recipients away from home such as in hospitals, offices and hotels.

(g) Easy and clean disposal of the complete container and flower display combination is permitted when flowers have completed useful lifespan. This is also convenient for situations away from the home.

(h) The fully assembled container can maintain a continuous moist environment for cut flowers during their life- span.

(i) Since the blanks are flat initially and can still be flat in partially assembled condition. reduced storage space is required prior to construction in fully assembled form.

(j) Any flap portions requiring securing to another part of the blank can be pre-gummed with contact or similar adhesive so that no additional means need be required for full construction.

A further preferred embodiment of the invention resides in the form of a pot-plant cover. In a shorter and wider version of the form illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, a convenient point-of-sale potplant cover is provided optionally together with a water retaining receptacle such as an aluminium foil drip tray to be arranged inside the container, resting on or near the base thereof. Such an em bodiment can also fulfill the advantages specified in (a), (b), (f), (i) and (j) above. It is possible that such a container in suitably waterproofed form could even serve as the 'pot' for the plant.

Claims (17)

1. A container blank comprising a piece of material divided into at least three panel members by predetermined upper, lower and longitudinal fold lines. the panel members arranged to have two longitudinal edges which can be sealed together in abutment, at least one of said panel members including a lower flap extending from a lower fold line and which can be affixed directly or indirectly to one or more of the other panel members to form a base at the lower fold lines of the panel members, each panel member having an upper flap extending from its upper fold line having two side edges whereby adjacent side edges can be brought closer together, each of said upper flaps including a portion provided with means capable of fastening the portions together in a fully assem bled position to form a rim which defines an aperture capable of receiving articles in the assembled container.

2. A container blank as claimed in claim 1.

wherein at least the interior surface of the material of the blank is water-resistant.

3. A container blank as claimed in claim 1 or 2 made from waterproofed card, stiff paper, plastics coated card or plastics material.

4. A container blank as claimed in any preced ing claim made from plastics film - or foil - lined card wherein the lining is attached to part or all of the interior surface.

5. A container blank as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the exterior surface carries decorative design(s) or lettering and/or information relating to intended contents.

6. A container blank as claimed in any preceding claim comprising an even number of panel members.

7. A container blank as claimed in claim 6 comprising four, six or eight panel members.

8. A container blank as claimed in any preceding claim. wherein one longitudinal edge of a panel member is provided with an extension flap.

9. A container blank as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the lower flap, or one of the lower flaps, is provided with an extension flap.

10. A container blank as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the means capable of fastening the portions together comprise co-operable slots formed in extensions of the said portions.

11. A container blank as claimed in any preceding claim including two lower flaps having slots which engage to provide a raised surface above the base.

12. A container blank as claimed in any preceding claim in partially assembled form wherein two longitudinal edges are sealed in abutment.

13. A container as claimed in any one of claims 1 - 11 in fully assembled form, wherein two longitudinal edges are sealed in abutment and the upper flap portions are fastened together to form a rim.

14. A container as claimed in claim 13 in combination with flowers or a "plot-plant" stored therein.

15. A container as claimed in claim 13 in combination with a supplementary receptacle suitable for retaining water with or without flowers or a "pot-plant".

16. A container blank substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

17. The combination of a container substantially as herein described and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings and flowers or a "potplant".