FR2940008A1 - Package for conservation, packaging, transporting and presentation of e.g. fresh flower bouquet in shop, has cords, where tightening of cords, leads tightening of buckle causing bottleneck around film sheet to seal water pocket - Google Patents

Abstract

The package has a container (6) provided with a bottom (7) including a styling trap (8) on which an impermeable flexible film sheet (9) is fixed, where the film sheet is made of Cellophane(RTM: transparent sheet). The container is equipped with cords (14, 15) on opposed lateral faces (10, 11). The cords are interlocked at inside of the container by forming a closed buckle (17), where tightening of the cords, by mechanical action, leads tightening of the buckle causing a bottleneck around the film sheet to seal a water pocket (20) in the bottom of the container.

Description

The invention relates to a packaging with an integrated water reserve, for the packaging, the presentation, the preservation and the transport autonomous bouquets of fresh flowers and floral arrangements. TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to the technical sector of water reserve packaging, for the presentation, preservation and transport of bouquets of fresh flowers and floral compositions. BACKGROUND ART In the prior art, there is a distinction between packaging, presentation, preservation and transport of bouquets of fresh flowers and floral arrangements in the water supply, two major types of packaging. However, these offer imperfect solutions relating only to a part of the need; we mean by necessity, all the steps necessary for the life of bouquets of fresh flowers and floral arrangements intended for the general public marketing. These steps are carried out upstream, in the person skilled in the art, downstream, at the final recipient and are as follows: ## STR2 ## In the person skilled in the art Making up the water supply L packaging of the bouquet in reserve of water The presentation of the bouquet in store BI After the purchase by the consumer 25 The transport of the bouquet The reception of the bouquet by the final recipient

The devices, according to the inventions of the prior art, propose in fact solutions relating either to the system of maintaining the bouquet of fresh flowers and floral compositions in a water reserve with the aid of a stabilizing and self-supporting element. either on the system of carrying the bouquet to reserve water with a bag or the like, or proposes to combine the two needs but only manages to do so by the superposition of complex devices.

Regarding the solutions for maintaining the bouquet of fresh flowers and the floral composition in a water reserve, they may take the form of a plastic frame which is fixed by snapping around the stems of the bouquet, the everything being intended to be wrapped by a waterproof packing sheet commonly called Cellophane. It will be possible to refer in particular to the patent EP1038478 and FR2813594 (CHARRIN) which describe such a package. It can also be in the form of a semi-rigid material container, in which is placed a sheet of impermeable polypropylene flexible film. The film, once filled with water, will thus take the form of the interior volume defined by the plane of cutting and folding of said container; it is single-walled as that described by the patent FR2778177 (BENICH) or double-walled with a base system for holding the water pocket, as well as that described by the patent FR2837803 (Lantier).

For all of these inventions proposed by the prior art, only really is the question of the proper maintenance of the water reserve and, when a carrier solution is proposed jointly, as in the patent FR2813594 (CHARRIN ) or FR2837803 (LANTIER), it is always with the aid of a reported gripping element. Thus, for the two aforementioned patents, the carrying solution is respectively in the form of two handles equipping the sheet surrounding the plastic frame and the bouquet or in the form of a rigid material frame such as a cardboard side, equipped strips and attached to the container by interlocking.

As regards the proposed responses for the carrying of bouquets of fresh flowers and floral compositions, they consist in particular to propose a paper bag or cardboard comprising a receiver of the bouquet in the form of a stiffened bottom and two openwork side portions thus appearing the upper part of the bouquet so as not to crush the flowers and / or the leaves as described in patent FR2816601 (LANTIER). However, with regard to flowers and fresh floral compositions, this carrying solution is totally dependent on the technologies for maintaining bouquets in water reserve described above and in particular patents EP1038478 and FR2813594 (CHARRIN). This alienation is all the weakness of these propositions.

In summary, all the technologies proposed in the prior art are imperfect to the extent that: Either they must add to make viable the needs dictated by the steps necessary for the life of bouquets of fresh flowers and floral arrangements for marketing general public (example: structure of maintenance of the bouquet in reserve of water at a first supplier + bag of portage at a second supplier) Either they propose solutions integrating upstream the structure of maintenance of the bouquet in reserve of water + solution of portage, but the offered solutions cumulate technologies and complex techniques of implementation, forcing the one and the other actor of the chain, florist and / or consumer to a lot of manipulations. Moreover, the proposed solutions are rarely aesthetic because too servile of the technology on which they depend. No invention takes into account the ecological question posed by these disposable consumer goods, proposing in particular by packaging designed at least, the reduction of household packaging waste that they, once consumed, will generate.

Finally, all the aforementioned packaging being imperfect, they must, to be able to cover all the sizes of bouquet of fresh flowers and floral arrangements, propose a wide range of dimensional in their product offer, which multiplies the references and makes the supply these packaging tedious, expensive and binding for those skilled in the art.

In conclusion, in the current state of the solutions proposed by the prior art, there is no autonomous conditioning (that is to say independent of any contribution of additional technologies) and unique and solidary (that is, that is to say, in one piece), making it possible to present, preserve, and transport bouquets of fresh flowers and floral arrangements in reserve of water.

This is what the present invention proposes to solve.

In addition, the eco-design of the packaging of the present invention ùfrom the stage of its manufacture, to its distribution and consumptionù proposes to meet an ecological imperative packaging minimization that had been, until now, never addressed by the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Thus, the object of the present invention proposes an "all-in-one" packaging solution, in the form of an integrated water reserve packaging for packaging, presentation, preservation, and autonomous transportation of bouquets of fresh flowers and floral arrangements.

It thus satisfies, in a single packaging, simple and compact, the needs dictated by the stages necessary for the life of the bouquets of fresh flowers and floral arrangements intended for the general public marketing. These qualities will be particularly appreciated in a period where ecology is a major economic asset.

By bouquets of fresh flowers and floral arrangements, here is meant any bouquets, without distinction of form and style, which can include all kinds of plant elements, including fruit. The designations bouquets of fresh flowers and floral arrangements and bouquets will include in the description that follows, the above definition.

By the person skilled in the art, the florist or any person in charge of making the bouquet or floral arrangement is designated here.

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the accompanying drawings, given by way of nonlimiting example of one of the embodiments of the subject of the invention:

Figure 1 shows, in perspective view, the container assembly made with the cellophane sheet unfolded in the perimeter of the loop that forms, within the container, the intersection of the cords. FIG. 2 represents the plane of cutting, grooving, folding and gluing of the container, allowing its manufacture in the industrial phase. FIG. 3 shows, in a flat view, after manufacturing in the industrial phase, a sidewall of the container with the cellophane sheet of which a bent pan has emerged. Figure 4 shows the folding plane of the cellophane sheet before folding and gluing, in industrial phase, on the bottom of the container. Figure 5 shows, in perspective view, an explanatory diagram of the manual spacing of the loop located inside the container before unfolding the Cellophane sheet. Figure 6 shows, in perspective view, an explanatory diagram of the container mounted with the cellophane sheet deployed, ready to receive water. FIG. 7 represents, in perspective view, an explanatory diagram of a bouquet placed in the container. FIG. 8 represents, in perspective view, an explanatory diagram of a suggestion of highlighting the packaging on the container. place of sale and / or at the end consumer. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Figures 1, 2, 3 The packaging, object of the present invention, comprises a container 10 6, consisting of four side faces and an automatic said bottom 7, that is to say a bottom that lowers and starts in place automatically when the container is formed by pressing on the two edges 21 and 22 located at both ends of the sidewall 23.

The container may be made in a range of different sizes, shapes and colors and possibly include, on its outer faces, printed decorative motifs, customizable mentions such as logo, address, advertising message, or decorative piercing.

The container according to the invention is in the form of a square, a rectangle, a diamond, a trapezium, a round, or any suitable form.

The depth and width of the container may depend on the volume and height of the flower bouquets and flower arrangements, but in a preferred embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings, the square section container has a remarkable flexibility of tolerance. to accommodate various sizes of bouquets and floral arrangements.

The container may be made of paper, cardboard, polypropylene or any suitable material. The materials, such as paper or cardboard, may, in a particular embodiment, receive an impregnating treatment in the industrial phase.

According to the present invention, the automatic bottom 7 is composed of four parts assembled by gluing during the industrial manufacturing phase, three of these parts being in the form of flaps 24, 25, 26 and the fourth part in the form of a hatch. styling 8.

The floor of the container is thus provided by the specific automatic bottom 7, that is to say by the integral assembly that form the three flaps 24, 25, 26 and the hatch 8.

The mounting of the container is done by simply pressing on the two edges 21 and 22 located at both ends of the sidewall 23. The container thus mounted forms a self-supporting structure with a flat bottom.

When mounting the container by pressure on the two edges 21 and 22 located at both ends of the flank 23, the flaps 24, 25, 26 are folded and are positioned flat to form the base of the bottom, while the hatch 8 s simultaneously depresses to form both the bottom reinforcement and the surface that will serve as a support for bonding the Cellophane sheet 9.

This hatch 8 completely covers the flaps 24, 25, 26 and thus constitutes the visible part of the bottom when looking inside the container.

It is this integral and inseparable assembly which ensures the perfect solidity of the floor of the container, the solidity of the bottom being a quality inseparable from the present invention of a conditioning for fresh flowers and floral arrangements with integrated water reserve, it is that is to say intended to receive a relatively large load due to the addition of the weight of the water and that of the bouquet On the hatch 8 is positioned, a flexible plastic sheet and completely sealed 9.

In a preferred embodiment, this sheet is a flexible polypropylene film (PP), of square shape, commonly used by all the florists who will be called Cellophane ™, which will constitute, during assembly of the packaging in phase manual, the future pocket water reserve.

Figure 4 The Cellophane 9 sheet has been, before bonding to the bottom of the container, previously folded and marked in a specific plane, these three folding operations, marking and gluing being performed in industrial phase. In a preferred embodiment, the folds 1, 2, 3 and 4 will be established according to a plan to facilitate the unfolding of Cellophane by the skilled person in the manual phase.

The marking of the cellophane sheet is intended to guide those skilled in the art, when it unfolds, during assembly of the packaging. This marking is carried out by the implementation of stickers-type markers or any other means of appropriate signaling, which will have been affixed, in industrial phase, Cellophane 9 according to a specific plan.

In a preferred embodiment, the markers, four in number, are in the form of mini stickers of round shape 27, 28, 29 and 30. The sticker 27 is affixed to the upper left corner of the sheet and is thus placed along the first free edge that will be grasped when unfolding the Cellophane sheet in the container. The stickers 28, 29, 30 are affixed respectively in the center of the free edge located on the opposite side of each fold, borders that will be grasped when unfolding the other sides of the cellophane in the container (Figure 4) On each of the opposite lateral faces 10 and 11 of the container 6 is threaded, respectively by the passage in a pair of eyelets 12 and 13 of the inside of the container to the outside, a cord whose ends 2 are joined, after passing through the eyelets, by a grouting element 18 and 19, thus forming the two cords 14 and 15 which will be used to carry the container.

In a preferred embodiment, the two pairs of eyelets are rimmed with metal, thus adding to the aesthetics and smooth running of the two cords in their housing. The grouting elements 18 and 19 of the cords may be made of metal or plastic.

Inside the container 6, the two loops formed by the two cords 14 and 15 are interconnected by two end caps of round section 16 pierced from one side to the other, thus forming two intersections. A third loop, 17, resulting from these intersections, is thus created inside the container.

The cords may be made of cotton, polyester, rolled paper, raffia, plastic or any other suitable material.

In a preferred embodiment, the end caps of round section will consist of a plastic spherical ball provided with a through hole. The choice of plastic combines flexibility and strength. In order to allow the unfolding of the Cellophane sheet 9, once the container 6 has been mounted, it will first be necessary to ensure that the space defined inside the third loop 17 is widened to the maximum. The widening of this perimeter is carried out manually by those skilled in the art by removing this loop formed by the intersection of the two cordelières located inside the container 6 as shown in FIG. 5.10 The Cellophane sheet unfolds. upwards, in the order indicated by the stickers 27, then 28, 29 and 30, within the perimeter defined by this third loop 17 previously enlarged, then unfolds in a corolla above and around it thereby forming an orifice leading to the pocket 20 for receiving the water.

The unfolding and unfolding of the Cellophane 9 sheet is done manually by those skilled in the art. The water reserve pocket is thus created in the lower part of the container and ready to receive, in order: the water then the bouquet of fresh flowers or the floral composition.

The water is poured into the orifice leading to the water bag 20, using a container of the bottle or pitcher type or simply by positioning the orifice under the jet of the tap in the manner illustrated on the drawing. figure 6.

The bouquet of fresh flowers or the floral composition is inserted into the orifice to be deposited in the water pocket 20 formed from the tight film that is the cellophane sheet deployed in the space offered by the container 6.

The cut stems thus bathe in the pocket of water out of which emerges the aerial part of the bouquet

The last manipulation, once the water is introduced, then the bouquet put in place in the water pocket, consists of tightening the Cellophane leaf around the bouquet using the cords.

The tightening is carried out around the bouquet or the floral composition, in the space comprised between the median part of the stems and the part situated under the aerial part of the bouquet or the floral composition, by simultaneously pulling mechanically on the parts cords 14 and 15 located on the two opposite outer lateral faces of the container 6.

The maintenance of the bouquet is thus ensured by the tightening of the loop 17 around the rods, resulting from the intersections connected by the two spherical tips 16 located inside the container. These two endpieces have a dual function: firstly a guide function that allows the maintenance of the loop that forms the crossing of the two cords 14 and 15 inside the container, and also a locking function to prevent the cords to loosen once the bouquet put in place and the water introduced.

Figures 3,5,6,7 respectively illustrate the packaging of the present invention in its finalized form: flat, implemented by those skilled in the art (spacing of the loop, introduction of water, then set up of the bouquet), and Figure 8 illustrates the situation of the packaging at the point of sale or at the end consumer. Upstream, the packaging, is delivered flat, according to Figure 3, with its cellophane sheet folded and pre-glued and equipped with its cords, the total of these operations being carried out at the stage of industrial manufacture as indicated above .

The assembly of the automatic bottom packaging and the installation of the water bag by those skilled in the art is carried out in six steps that are summarized as follows: I - Press the edges of the package, the container is formed II - Spread the loop inside the container III- Grasp the Cellophane at the first sticker, then unfold it, following the order of the stickers and taking care to check that this action is done in the space of the loop that forms the intersection of the cords inside the container.

IV- Now unfold the Cellophane towards the outside of the container V - Pour water, then insert your bouquet VI- Pull simultaneously on the two outer cords to tighten the Cellophane around the bouquet and create the gripping elements. The invention thus proposes to those skilled in the art an ultra simplified and rapid implementation of the packaging for the presentation and preservation of its bouquets of fresh flowers and floral arrangements in water supply at the point of sale , without the addition of any other packaging element or external technologies. The invention provides, once the bouquet set up in its packaging, an aesthetic presentation bouquets of fresh flowers and floral arrangements at the point of sale. In a particular embodiment, one skilled in the art may, for the presentation of the bouquet or the floral composition at the point of sale,

choose to gather the cords on one of the two sides of the container allowing it to obtain a type gift knot figure 8.

Downstream, after the purchase by the consumer, the packaging, equipped with its cords (re) setting portage mode, becomes a bag and allows the transport of bouquets of fresh flowers and flower arrangements safely, especially for long journeys, on foot, by car, train, or any other mode of transport allowing the transport of liquids.

When receiving the bouquet by the final recipient, the latter may choose either to keep it in its original packaging with integrated water reserve, or to release it from its original packaging to come and place it in a box. traditional vase.5 If it chooses to keep it in its original packaging, it will then become a beautiful case for the bouquet simply by reconnecting the two cords on one of the two sides of the container allowing the figure 8. If chooses to release the bouquet of its original packaging, the user will, to clear the bouquet, simply come and place his hands on both sides of the loop that encloses the stems of the bouquet or floral arrangement, located, inside the container, and remove it to release the bouquet. 15 20 25 30

Claims (10)

REVENDICATIONS1. Packaging with built-in water reserve for the packaging, presentation, preservation and transport of bouquets of fresh flowers and floral arrangements, characterized in that it comprises a container 6 and an impermeable flexible film sheet 9 which, once unfolded, will act as a water pocket 20; this container being equipped, on its two opposite lateral faces 10 and 11 of two cords 14 and 15 whose clamping by mechanical action causes, inside the container 6 a tightening around the sheet of flexible film previously deployed 9, thereby closing the water pocket 20 around the stems of the bouquet in the lower part of the container. 2. Packaging with built-in water reserve for the packaging, presentation, preservation and transport of fresh flower bouquets and flower arrangements "all in one" according to claim 1 characterized in that it offers a self-contained package ( that is to say, independent of any contribution of additional technologies) and unique and united (that is to say in one piece), allowing to pack, preserve, present and transport the bouquets of fresh flowers and floral arrangements during all the stages necessary for their life, from the making by the art man to the general public marketing. 3. Packaging with built-in water reserve for packaging, presentation, preservation and transport of bouquets of fresh flowers and flower arrangements, according to claims 1 and 2 characterized in that the three main elements which constitutes it: the container 6, the cellophane sheet 9 and the two cords 14 and 15, are assembled, in industrial phase, so as to form an integral whole and inseparable. 4. Packaging with built-in water reserve for the packaging, presentation, preservation and transport of bouquets of fresh flowers and floral compositions according to claims 1 and 2 characterized in that the container 6 is provided with a bottom automatic 7 including a hatch 8 on which is fixed integrally, by industrial phase gluing, an impermeable flexible film sheet 9, previously folded to a predetermined plane, which, once unfolded and deployed will act as water reserve 20. 5. Packaging with built-in water reserve for the packaging, presentation, preservation and transport of bouquets of fresh flowers and floral compositions according to claims 1 and 2 characterized in that the container 6 is provided with a bottom automatic 7 consisting of four parts assembled by gluing industrial phase, three of these parts being in the form of flaps 24, 25, 26, and the fourth part in the form of a hatch 8 allowing the solidity of the bottom capable of receiving a additional charge of liquid and a bouquet of fresh flowers or a floral arrangement. 6. Packaging with built-in water reserve for the packaging, presentation, preservation and transport of bouquets of fresh flowers and floral compositions according to claim 1 characterized in that the container 6 is equipped on two opposite side faces 10 and 11 of two cords 14 and 15 which intersect inside the container forming a closed loop 17; this being the resultant of two points of intersection respectively joined by a tip 16 pierced from one side to the other, acting as a clamping guide. 7. Packaging with built-in water reserve for packaging, presentation, preservation and transport bouquets of fresh flowers and floral compositions according to claim 1 characterized in that the mechanical action of pulling on the cords 14 and 15, involves two concomitant actions that are the tightening of the closed loop 17 around the cellophane sheet 9 previously unfolded, and the creation, on two of the opposite side faces 10 and 11 external container 6, gripping elements. 8. Packaging with built-in water reserve for the packaging, presentation, storage and transport of bouquets of fresh flowers and flower arrangements according to claim 1 characterized in that the water reserve bag is guaranteed to be watertight. when the package is put in transport mode once the cords 14 and 15 are pulled, by automatically tightening the closed loop 17 around the stems of the bouquet. 9. Packaging with built-in water reserve for packaging, presentation, preservation and transport of bouquets of fresh flowers and flower arrangements according to claim 1 characterized in that the portion containing is in the form of a square, a rectangle, diamond, trapezoid or round shape, or any form adapted to its function. 10. Packaging with built-in water reserve for packaging, presentation, storage and transport of bouquets of fresh flowers and flower arrangements according to claim 1 characterized in that it is available folded flat, it is to say in two dimensions and whose assembly is done by manual action.