Plant husbandry – Process
Reexamination Certificate
2001-03-15
2001-11-27
Poon, Peter M. (Department: 3643)
Plant husbandry
Process
Reexamination Certificate
active
06321485
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a floral fluid exchange system and method.
Floral displays of flowers to be sold are usually arranged in a cooler within a plurality of vases. It is desirable to provide fresh fluid to those vases so as to maintain the flowers in a fresh condition.
Various methods have been provided in the prior art for creating a fluid exchange within a floral display system. One prior art method utilizes water troughs or tubes which extend horizontally across the display system and which are stacked above one another. Each of the tubes include openings for receiving vases which have slots or perforations in their bottom wall. The troughs or tubes are filled with the fluid, and the fluid enters the vases through the slots in the bottoms of the vases. One disadvantage of this prior art method is that the troughs or vases harbor and collect bacteria and debris. This necessitates frequent cleaning of the insides of the troughs or tubes.
Another disadvantage of this prior art method is that large quantities of fluid are required to fill the troughs, thereby necessitating larger quantities of floral preservatives for the system.
Therefore, a primary object of the present invention is the provision of an improved floral fluid exchange system and method.
A further object of the present invention is the provision of a floral fluid exchange system which minimizes the harboring and collection of bacteria and debris.
A further object of the present invention is the provision of an improved floral fluid exchange system which permits the periodic removal of the fluid from the vases so as to minimize the generation of bacteria and debris.
A further object of the present invention is the provision of an improved floral fluid exchange system and method which permits periodic cleaning of the vases individually and which maintains the remainder of the system free from debris.
A further object of the present invention is the provision of an improved floral fluid exchange system which reduces the amount of water and preservative needed per vase from what was required in prior art methods and systems.
A further object of the present invention is the provision of an improved floral fluid exchange system and method which is economical to manufacturer, durable in use, and efficient in operation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The foregoing objects may be achieved by a floral fluid exchange system comprising at least one container having a bottom, side walls, and an open top forming a container chamber. A feed tube includes a first end positioned within the container chamber for dispensing fluid into the chamber, and having a second end connected to a fluid source. An evacuation tube has a first end in communication with the vase chamber adjacent the bottom of the vase. A valve is connected to the evacuation tube. The valve is moveable from an open position making the evacuation tube operative to remove substantially all of the fluid from the vase chamber to a closed position making the evacuation tube inoperative to remove fluid from the vase chamber.
In one embodiment of the invention the evacuation tube is a drain tube adapted to drain fluid from the vase chamber by gravity.
In another embodiment of the present invention the evacuation tube is a vacuum tube having a first end in communication with the vase chamber adjacent the bottom and having a second end connected to a vacuum source.
A further modification of the present invention comprises a supply-drain assembly which includes a drain conduit with an inlet opening and a fluid supply conduit with an outlet opening. The vase includes side walls, a bottom wall and an open top, with the bottom wall having an aperture extending therethrough. The vase is mounted in a mounted position relative to the supply drain assembly with the supply drain assembly extending upwardly through the aperture in the bottom wall of the vase so that the inlet opening of the drain conduit and the outlet opening of the fluid supply conduit are in communication with the vase chamber. A seal provides a fluid tight seal between the bottom wall of the vase and the supply drain assembly. The vase can be removed from the supply drain assembly merely by lifting it upwardly so that the supply drain assembly slips out of the aperture in the bottom wall of the vase.
The foregoing fluid exchange system may be used with a single vase or with a plurality of vases mounted in horizontal rows. When the system is used with a plurality of vases, a feed connector connects all of the ends of the feed tubes to the fluid source; an evacuation connector connects all of the second ends of the evacuation tubes to a drain; and a drain connector connects all of the second ends of the over flow tubes to a drain.
The method of the present invention comprises introducing a fluid into the vase chamber through a feed tube having a dispensing end positioned within the vase chamber. The height of the fluid is limited within the vase chamber by an over flow tube having a inlet opening positioned at a predetermined height within the vase chamber. Periodically, the fluid is removed from the vase chamber through an evacuation tube having a first end within the vase chamber adjacent the bottom thereof. The method may comprise using an evacuation tube which is a drain tube for draining fluid by gravity, or the method can comprise using a vacuum tube connected to a vacuum source for drawing the fluid out of the vase chamber.
In yet another embodiment of the present invention a manifold assembly comprises a fill manifold connected to a fluid source and a drain manifold connected to a drain. The manifold assembly includes a manifold opening therein. A vase includes a side wall and a bottom wall forming a vase chamber. A vase opening is formed in the side wall a predetermined distance above the vase bottom wall.
An external ell has a vase end connected to the vase opening and a manifold end fitted within the manifold opening of the manifold assembly. The external ell includes a fill conduit and a drain conduit each having a first end in communication with the vase chamber and a second end exiting through the manifold end thereon.
A drain tube includes an upper end connected to and in communication with the first opening of the drain conduit and having a lower end adjacent the bottom wall of the vase.
The second end of the fill conduit is in communication with the fill conduit and the second end of the drain conduit is in communication with the drain manifold.
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Borgen Arden L.
Merrill Cleon C.
Rockwell Damon E.
Borgen Margaret Platt
Jakel Kevin
Poon Peter M.
Zarley McKee Thomte Voorhees & Sease
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