Container systems for floral arrangements

Details Container systems for floral arrangements Container systems for floral arrangements

1999-04-09

2001-01-30

Poon, Peter M. (Department: 3644)

Plant husbandry

Flower holder

Stem forced into penetratable holder

C047S041010, C047S041110, C047S079000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06178688

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to container systems for floral arrangements and more particularly to container systems for presenting cut flowers and the like in an attractive manner.
2. Description of the Prior Art
One previously proposed method of presenting cut flowers and the like involves the use of an open cell foam of relatively friable structure which can be easily pierced by the stem of a flower so that the flower stem is supported within the foam which also constitutes a reservoir for water, the foam standing within a shallow tray which constitutes a reservoir for further water and which also serves to carry a mesh-like support which retains the foam in position. Such a foam may be referred to as a florist's foam and one well known type of foam suitable for this purpose is sold under the trade mark “OASIS”. The assembly consisting of tray, foam, and mesh can be stood within an outer decorative container, for example of cardboard suitably shaped and decorated to form an attractive package.
One significant disadvantage with the system proposed above is that the trays are only able to hold a restricted volume of water and require frequent topping up. It is not practicable to increase the water holding capacity just by increasing the size of the tray as this, then, results in restrictions in the range of outer container sizes which can be used and also reduces the inherent versatility of the system.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the present invention, there is provided a container system for a floral arrangement, comprising a waterproof container having a base portion which can act as a water reservoir, and a separate insert locatable from above into a lower part of the container, said insert acting to confine from above water within the reservoir, said insert carrying a porous water-retaining material lying within the reservoir, said porous material extending upwardly through the insert so that an upper portion of the material is exposed to receive the stems of cut flowers and the like.
Advantageously the porous material consists of a block of a foam material of a type which is sufficiently friable that it can be pierced by the stems of cut flowers so that the stems are held by the foam material.
Preferably, the block of foam material is anchored within the insert so that the block is held firmly between the insert and the base of the outer container.
Advantageously the insert is configured to be a relatively tight sliding fit with the interior of the container so as to minimise the risk of leakage of water from the reservoir past the edges of the insert. Advantageously the insert is formed with one or more access ports, preferably adjacent the foam block, and through which the reservoir can be filled with water.
In one particularly preferred form of the invention, the container is of box-like form erected from a blank of board material, for example a cardboard material, made watertight by a waterproof liner applied to the interior surface of the container prior to, or during, installation of the insert. The insert may be formed from a waterproof or water-resistant material, for example a semi-rigid plastics sheet material capable of being cut and folded. Preferably, the insert is formed to provide tabs which may be bent to rigidify the sheet and also, possibly, engage the base of the container to support the insert therefrom.


REFERENCES:
patent: 2774187 (1956-12-01), Smithers
patent: 2830405 (1958-04-01), Nydegger
patent: 3552059 (1971-01-01), Moore
patent: 3867789 (1975-02-01), Jacobson
patent: 4600612 (1986-07-01), Litwin et al.
patent: 4936046 (1990-06-01), Miller
patent: 4941572 (1990-07-01), Harris
patent: 5515644 (1996-05-01), Weder et al.
patent: 8191629A (1996-07-01), None
patent: 99004716/01 (1998-10-01), None

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