Figure 1 is a perspective view of the apparatus of the present invention.
Figure 2 is a view in partial section of the apparatus of Fig. 1, taken generally along line 2-2 of Fig. 1.
Figure 3 is a view in partial section showing the apparatus of Fig. 1 in a different embodiment.
Figure 4 is a view in partial section of the apparatus of the present invention showing still another embodiment.
Figure 5 is a plan view of the apparatus of the present invention.
Figure 6 is a perspective view illustrating the assembly of the apparatus of the present invention.
Figure 7 is a perspective view illustrating the beginning of the transformation of the apparatus of the present invention from one embodiment to another.
Figure 8 is a perspective view of the apparatus of the present invention showing sequentially the transformation of the apparatus following the showing of Fig. 7.
Figure 9 is a perspective view of the apparatus of the present invention illustrating sequentially the transformation of the apparatus of the present invention following the showing of Fig. 8 and as shown in Fig. 4.
Figure 10 is a perspective view showing the nearly completed transformation of the apparatus of the present invention following the showing of Fig. 9 into the embodiment shown in Fig. 3.
Figure 12 is a perspective view showing another alternate embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention.
Figure 13 is a perspective view of a portion of another alternate embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Figure 1 is a perspective view offlower package apparatus 10 of the present invention. Theflower package apparatus 10 comprises a generally conically cylindrical container having four primary sides, with each side composed of a plurality of panels. The conically cylindrical container is relatively long or elongated, and is relatively narrow. It is designed primarily to hold a single flower and a stem tube for providing nutrients for the flower. However, in a larger form, obviously several flowers could be held by the apparatus. The container orpackage apparatus 10, as shown in the drawing, is in the general configuration of an elongated or truncated pyramid. The apparatus is preferably made of relatively lightweight material, such as heavy paper or thin carboard, or the like.

Figure 2 is a view in partial section taken generally along line 2-2 of Fig. 1, showing theflower package apparatus 10 with aflower 2 shown in phantom disposed within thepackage apparatus 10. Theflower 2 includes a bud or petal portion 4, and a stem 6. The bottom of the stem 6 is disposed within astem tube 8. Thestem tube 8 is disposed at the bottom of thepackage apparatus 10. The top of thepackage apparatus 10 is preferably open for air circulation purposes.

Figure 3 is a view in partial section of theapparatus 10 illustrating thepackage apparatus 10 in a folded position so that the bud or petal portion 4 of theflower 2 is disposed outwardly from, or above, thepackage apparatus 10. In the configuration shown in Fig. 3, thepackage apparatus 10 is in its bouquet configuration or embodiment.

Figure 4 is a view in partial section of another configuration of thepackage apparatus 10 in which thepackage apparatus 10 defines a self-supporting or free-standing vase. Thestem tube 8 is disposed at the bottom of the apparatus, and the petal or flowering portion 4 of theflower 2 is also disposed outwardly and above theapparatus 10, as in the bouquet embodiment of Fig. 3.

In Figs. 1 and 2, thepackage apparatus 10 comprises a transport embodiment or configuration; in Fig. 3 theapparatus 10 is illustrated in its bouquet embodiment or version; and in Fig. 4 theapparatus 10 is in its stand or vase configuration. The differences among the three different versions or embodiments is in the manner in which the apparatus is folded. These will be explained in detail below.

Figure 5 is a plan view of theapparatus 10, illustrating the blank from which theapparatus 10 is made. The blank is disposed flat in its cut configuration prior to folding the blank into the package configuration. Figure 6 is a perspective view of thepackage apparatus 10, illustrating the assembly of theapparatus 10 from the original, blank configuration illustrated in Fig. 5.

Figure 7 is a perspective view of theapparatus 10 illustrating the initial folding procedure of a portion of thepackage apparatus 10 in order to transform thepackage apparatus 10 from its transport version or embodiment, as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, to either the bouquet version or embodiment illustrated in Fig. 3 or the free-standing vase version or embodiment illustrated in Fig. 4. Figure 8 is a sequential view, illustrating the next step sequentially, after the step illustrated in Fig. 7. Figure 9 is a continuing sequential step illustrating, in a perspective, a portion of theapparatus 10, the continued folding of theapparatus 10. Finally, Fig. 10 shows the last sequential step illustrating the completion of the folding of the lower part of thepackage apparatus 10 to its fully folded position, which defines the bouquet version or embodiment, as shown in Fig. 3.

For the following explanation of thepackage apparatus 10, reference will be made primarily to Figs. 1-10.

Thepackage apparatus 10 includes four upper panels, including anupper panel 20, anupper panel 30, anupper panel 40, and anupper panel 50. Theupper panel 20 includes atop edge 22, afree edge 24, which is a side edge, a side edge or foldline 26, and a bottom edge or foldline 28. Theupper panel 30 includes atop edge 32, and a bottom edge or foldline 36. It also includes a side edge or foldedline 34. Thefold line 26 is common to both the

panels

20 and 30.

Theupper panel 40 includes atop edge 42 and a bottom edge or foldline 46. Thepanel 40 also includes a side edge or foldline 44. The side edge or foldline 34 is common to both theupper panel 30 and theupper panel 40.

Theupper panel 50 includes anupper edge 52 and a lower edge or foldline 56. Thepanel 50 also includes a side edge or foldline 54. The side edge or foldline 44 is common to both theupper panel 40 and theupper panel 50.

Secured to theupper panel 50 by virtue of the side edge or foldline 54 is afastening tab 58. Thefastening tab 58 is substantially the same overall length or height as the

panels

20, 30, 40, and 50, but its width is much narrower. The purpose of thefastening tab 58 is to secure theapparatus 10 together, as best illustrated in Fig. 6. Appropriate adhesive may be disposed on the outer side of thefastening tab 58. The inside of theupper panel 20, adjacent to the outer orfree edge 24, is then disposed against thefastening tab 58, with the freeouter edge 24 of theupper panel 20 disposed adjacent to the fold line orouter edge 54 of thepanel 50. When the four

upper panels

20, 30, 40, and 50 are secured together by thefastening tab 58, thepackage apparatus 10 assumes a generally elongated pyramidal or cylindrical configuration, with the "cylinder" having four sides.

As best shown in Fig. 5, the

panels

20, 30, 40, and 50 are substantially identical in configuration and dimension, and accordingly a relatively long or elongated square cone, or pyramidal cylinder, results.

Extending downwardly from the bottom or lower portions of the four upper panels, and secured thereto by the respective bottom edges or fold

lines

28, 36, 46, and 56, are four middle or center panels. The four middle or center panels include apanel 60, apanel 70, apanel 80, and apanel 90.

Thepanel 60 includes aside edge 62 and aside edge 64, and a bottom edge or foldline 66. The upper edge of thepanel 60 is thefold line 28.

Thefold line 36 of thepanel 30 is common with themiddle panel 70. In addition to its upper edge or foldline 36, themiddle panel 70 includes aside edge 74 and aside edge 72, and a bottom edge or foldline 76.

Themiddle panel 80 includes a pair of side edges 82 and 84 and an upper edge or foldline 46, which it shares with thepanel 40. Themiddle panel 80 also includes a lower edge or foldline 86.

Thepanel 90 includes a pair of side edges 92 and 94 and an upper edge or foldline 56. The upper edge or foldline 56 is, of course, common with thepanel 50. Thepanel 90 also includes a bottom edge or foldline 96.

The four

middle panels

60, 70, 80, and 90 are substantially identical in configuration and dimension, and continue the generally tapered configuration of the

upper panels

20, 30, 40, and 50, from which they extend. The side edges of the panels are generally aligned.

Thepackage apparatus 10 also includes four lower or bottom panels, including a lower orbottom panel 100, a lower orbottom panel 110, a lower orbottom panel 120, and a lower orbottom panel 130. The

panels

100, 110, 120, and 130 are substantially identical in configuration and in dimensions, and they continue the tapering configuration of their respective

upper panels

20 and 60, 30 and 70, 40 and 80, and 50 and 90.

The lower orbottom panel 100 includes a pair of

outer edges

102 and 104. Thepanel 100 also includes an upper edge or foldline 66, which it shares with themiddle panel 60. At the bottom of thepanel 100 is a bottom edge or foldline 106.

Thepanel 110 includes a pair of side edges 112 and 114, and an upper edge or foldline 76. Thepanel 110 shares thefold line 76 with thepanel 70. Thepanel 110 also includes a bottom edge or foldline 116.

Thepanel 120 includes a pair of side edges 122 and 124. Thepanel 120 also includes an upper edge or foldline 86, which it shares with thepanel 80. Thepanel 120 further includes a bottom edge or foldline 126.

Thepanel 130 includes a pair of side edges 132 and 134, and an upper edge or foldline 96. The upper edge or foldline 96 is shared with thepanel 90. Thepanel 130 also includes a bottom edge or foldline 136.

At the bottom of the

lower panels

100, 110, 120, and 130, are four cup panels or

tabs

140, 142, 144 and 146, respectively. Thefold line 106 is shared between thelower panel 100 and thecup panel 140. Thefold line 116 is shared between thelower panel 110 and the cup panel 142. Thefold line 126 is shared between thelower panel 120 and thecup panel 144. Thefold line 136 is shared between thelower panel 130 and thecup panel 146.

Extending outwardly from thecup panel 146 is afastening tab 148. Thefastening tab 148 is appropirately secured to the inside of thecup panel 140, substantially the same as thefastening tab 58 is secured to the inside of theupper panel 20. Thefastening tab 58 accordingly secures the bottom four

cup panels

140, 142, 144, and 146 together. The two

fastening tabs

58 and 148 comprise the elements that secure together theflower package apparatus 10.

It will be noted that the four

upper panels

20, 30, 40, and 50 define a four-sided element that is closed at its four outer edges. However, the four

middle panels

60, 70, 80, and 90 are each separated at their side edges, as are the four lower or

bottom panels

100, 110, 120, and 130. The fourmiddle panels 60...90 and the fourlower panels 100...130 are secured to their respective adjacent panels by the fold lines.

The side edges of all of the panels are aligned, as shown best in Fig. 5 and as can be understood from Figs. 1 and 6. The fourcup panels 140...146 define a cup at the bottom of thepackage apparatus 10. The cup defined by the four cup panels comprises a receptacle for receiving the bottom of thestem tube 8. This is best shown in Figs. 2, 3, and 4.

When the blank of theapparatus 10, as shown in Fig. 5, is appropriately folded along the

side fold lines

26, 34, 44, and 54, and with thefastener tab 58 secured to thepanel 20, so that theedge 24 of thepanel 20 is adjacent to the fold line or edge 54 of thepanel 50, and when thefastener tab 148 is appropriately secured to thecup tab 140, theapparatus 10 is in the general configuration shown in Fig. 1. In this configuration, with theupper panels 20... 80, themiddle panels 60...90, and thelower panels 100...130 appropriately aligned, thecontainer apparatus 10 is in its transport mode or embodiment. In that mode or embodiment, a flower, such as theflower 2, together with astem tube 8, may be placed into thepackage apparatus 10 for transport purposes.

As indicated above, the top, defined by the four

top edges

22, 32, 42, and 52 of the

upper panels

20, 30, 40, 50, respectively, is left open. If desired, a covering of some type may be disposed thereon. However, it is deemed preferable, in most cases, to leave the top open. Theflower 2, as disposed within theapparatus 10 in its transport configuration, as shown in Fig. 2, is well protected.

In order to maintain theapparatus 10 in its transport configuration, a band orring 160 is slipped over the bottom end of the apparatus and moved upwardly until it is disposed over or around themiddle panels 60...90. This is shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The band orring 160 is, of course, a four-sided band, with the width of the sides appropriately dimensioned to fit snugly around the lower portion of the center panels. Thering 160 includes sides or

side panels

162, 164, 166, and 168, as shown in Fig. 6.

The band orring 160 applies tension to secure the lower portion, comprising the middle and bottom panels, together. Otherwise, since the middle nad bottom panels are open on the sides, they could fold outwardly, as will be discussed below in conjunction with the embodiments of Figs. 3 and 4, and as illustrated in Figs. 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10.

Thering 160 also applies tension to the panels and through the panels to thestem tube 8. This helps to hold thestem tube 8 securely within thepackage apparatus 10.

In addition to being a securing ring to hold the apparatus together, the ring orband 60 may be used for a third purpose. Before the ring orband 160 is placed on the package, it, of course, may be flat, with its four side edges or fold lines pre-scored for easy folding. In such configuration, or while flat, with at least two adjacent sides of the band available for writing, the ring orband 160 may be used as a note, or the like, on which a message may be written.

For displaying theflower 2, with the bloom or bud 4 disposed out of thecontainer 10, thebottom panels 100...130 may be folded upwardly and disposed within thelower panels 60...90. This is shown in Fig. 3. In such configuration, thestem tube 8 is supported upwardly on the fourcup panels 140...146, so that the bloom or bud 4 of theflower 2 is disposed upwardly or out of thepackage apparatus 10. In this fashion, theapparatus 10 becomes a bouquet holder.

To insure that theapparatus 10 remains in the bouquet configuration or embodiment, thering 160 is placed over themiddle panels 60...90, after the bottom panels have been folded upwardly. In order to accomplish the upward folding of thebottom panels 100...130, thering 160 must be removed from the middle panels so that the middle panels may flex outwardly. The outward folding of the middle panels allows the lower or bottom panels to fold upwardly, as shown in Figs. 7 and 8. After such folding has taken place, and themiddle panels 60...90 are again in their aligned positions, as shown in Fig. 3, appropriately aligned with their respectiveupper panels 20...50, thering 160 is again slipped into place over themiddle panels 60...90. Thering 160 then holds thepackage apparatus 10 in the bouquet configuration by applying tension on thepanels 60...90.

To comprise a self-supporting or free-standing vase, theband 160 is removed and the middle orcenter panels 60...90 are moved outwardly. The outward movement allows thepanels 60...90 to pivot on their

respective fold lines

28, 36, 46, and 56, relative to their respective

upper panels

20, 30, 40, and 50, as shown in Fig. 5. Thebottom panels 100...130 also pivot outwardly and downwardly. Depending on the extent or degree of outward movement of the middle panels, the

bottom panels

100, 110, 130, and 140, may be in any of several positions. The positions range from the maximum down or bottom position of the lower panels, as shown in solid line in Fig. 4, which is also a maximum outward pivoting of themiddle panels 60...90, to a minimum outward pivoting of thepanels 60...90. The minimum outward pivoting of thepanels 60...90 results in the maximum upward pivoting of thebottom panels 100...130. This is shown in phantom or dotted line in Fig. 4. The maximum upward pivoting of thelower panels 100...130 depends on the extent of the stability of theapparatus 10. In other words, depending on the particular flower, the free-standing vase embodiment of Fig. 4 may actually vary between the position shown in solid line in Fig. 4 to the position shown in dotted line in Fig. 4. The stability and the desired vertical lifting of the flower are the two primary factors involved in determining the precise position of the middle and lower panels in the vase embodiment. The wider the spread of themiddle panels 60...90, the lower the flower, and the narrower the spread of thepanels 60...90, the higher the flower.

In Fig. 6, the blank of Fig. 5 is shown being assembled, with the

fastening tabs

58 and 148 being positioned adjacent to the inner surfaces of theupper panel 30 and thecup panel 140, respectively. The stippling on the

fastener tabs

58 and 148 indicates that an adhesive may be placed on the fastening tabs for securing theapparatus 10 together. Thering 160, with its four

sides

162, 164, 166, and 168, is shown spaced apart from the bottom or lower portion of theapparatus 10.

After theapparatus 10 is assembled, the apparatus may sequentially be folded by movement of the middle and lower panels to either the free-standing vase configuration, as shown in Fig. 4, or to the maximum folded bouquet position shown in Fig. 3. This folding procedure is illustrated sequentially in Figs. 8, 9, and 10. As indicated above, for the folding procedure, thering 160 is removed from the package cylinder. In use, the package cylinder, with thering 160 secured thereto, is used to transport a flower. When the flower is to be presented to its recipient, or is to be displayed, then the user has the option of removing the flower completely, or of using thepackage apparatus 10 as a bouquet holder or as a free-standing vase. To transform the package cylinder into either the free-standing vase or the bouquet versions, the steps of folding the apparatus are shown sequentially in Figs. 7, 8, 9, and 10.

As shown in Fig. 7, the cup receptacle at the bottom of the cylinder, defined by the four

panels

140, 142, 144, and 146, are moved directly upwardly, substantially coaxially with the center of the upper four panels. The fourupper panels 20...50 remain in their secured-together state. The middle and lower panels fold or pivot on their respective fold lines so that themiddle panels 60... 90 pivot outwardly from their upper portions, and thelower panels 100...130 pivot outwardly from their lower portions.

A continued upward movement of the lower cup receptacle, as shown in Fig. 8, leads to the vase embodiment, as shown in Fig. 9. A continuing upward movement of the cup receptacle and thelower panels 100...130 from the position shown in Fig. 9 results in the inward pivoting of themiddle panels 60...90 once the maximum outward pivoting of the middle panels has been accomplished. The maximum outward pivoting of the upper panels is accomplished when the bottom panels are substantially horizontal, or about as shown in Figs. 4 and 9. From the position shown in Figs. 4 and 9, an upward movement of the cup receptacle, the fourcup panels 140...146, causes the lower portion of the middle panels to move inwardly to their regular, aligned position, as shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3. In this position, the cup receptacle is at its highest, and thus any flower disposed within theapparatus 10 will be extending above theapparatus 10 to a maximum height. As indicated above, to insure that theapparatus 10 remains in this, the bouquet embodiment, thering 160 is again fitted onto the middle panels, as shown in Fig. 3.

Figure 11 is a top view of a three-sided container apparatus 200. Thepackage apparatus 200 includes three

upper panels

210, 212, and 214, and three

middle panels

220, 222, and 224. and three

lower panels

230, 232, and 234. The configuration of a triangular cylinder or pyramid is the minimum panel configuration that would provide a stable base. That is, a minimum of three legs are required to provide a stable base in the vase configuration. It will be noted that the four-sided embodiment ofpackage 10 includes four legs, or one leg for each side. The triangular or three-sided package apparatus of Fig. 10 provides three rows of aligned panels, vertically, of which the bottom two sets of panels, or the middle and lower panels, on each side, define the three supporting legs in the vase configuration or embodiment. A cup receptacle at the bottom, not shown, will also be provided in the three-sided embodiment 200.

While three sides is the minimum for providing a stable base or stand for the vase position, it is also the minimum sided figure that will provided a container, or which defines a package for receiving a flower. On the other hand, the four-sided container apparatus 10, as illustrated in Figs. 1-10, is not the maximum number of sides which may be used. For example, in Fig. 12, and in Fig. 13, respectively, six and eight sides are shown. Obviously, the number of sides may be increased, as desired, to provide both a larger container or package and a more nearly conically shaped container apparatus. That is, as the number of sides increases, the more nearly round or conical shaped the apparatus becomes. Thus, from a minimum triangular cylindrical container of Fig. 11, to a four-sided container from Figs. 1-10, to a six-sided cylindrical container of Fig. 12, and up to an eight-sided cylindrical configuration of Fig. 13, the number of sides may increase as desired. However, for practical purposes, or practical considerations, perhaps a six-sided package apparatus, as shown in Fig. 12, or an eight-sided package or container as shown in Fig. 3, may be the maximum number of sides desired.

In Fig. 12, a six-sided package apparatus 250 is shown. Thepackage apparatus 250 includes

upper panels

251, 252, 253, 254, 255, and 256. Obviously, theupper panels 251...256 have their middle and lower counterparts, and theapparatus 250 also includes a bottom cup receptacle. Afastener tab 257 is used to fasten thepanels 251...256 together.

In Fig. 13, an eight-sided package apparatus 260 is shown. The eight-sided apparatus 260 includes eight

upper panels

261, 262, 263, 264, 265, 266, 267, and 268. In addition, afastening tab 269 is shown secured against the inside of thepanel 261.

The upper panels of the

apparatus embodiments

250 and 260 include corresponding middle and lower panels and cup receptacles at the bottom of the lower panels, where the lower panels are fastened together. The primary differences between the embodiments of Figs. 1-10, Fig. 11, Fig. 12, and Fig. 13, lies in the number of sides for the flower package apparatus there illustrated. The general philosophy of the secured-together upper panels and the aligned middle and lower panels, with their free side edges, and secured together only at the bottom edges of the lower panels, continues with the embodiments of Figs. 11, 12, and 13.

As will be understood, while package apparatus showing five and seven sides is not illustrated, such package apparatus may be constructed, if desired. Again, as with the package apparatus illustrated in Figs. 1-13, the five and seven-sided embodiments would also include secured together upper panels, with folding or pivoting middle and lower panels with free sides or edges, and a cup receptacle at the bottom of each of the embodiments. The folding or pivoting panel arrangement of all such embodiments defines a free-standing vase, a bouquet holder, and a transport package. Moreover, a ring would be used for both the package or transport package embodiments and the bouquet embodiments to secure each package apparatus together.

Returning again to Fig. 5, the phantom or dotted line panels adjacent to the

panels

20, 60, and 100, indicate the possible additions of panels as, for example, the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 13. For illustrative purposes, four sets of additional panels are shown, suggesting the embodiment of Fig. 13. For convenience, the dotted line upper panels in Fig. 5 have been given the reference numbers corresponding to the final four

panels

265, 266, 267, and 268 of Fig. 13. Thus, Fig. 5 is correlated with Fig. 13 to illustrate an eight-sided or octagonal package apparatus. In addition, the middle, bottom, and cup panels for the eighth row of panels have been given the

respective reference numerals

278, 288, and 298. The aligned

panels

268, 278, 288, and 298 define the eighth side of an octagonal package apparatus, such as theapparatus 260. Thereference numeral 260, with phantom dotted lines, is also shown in Fig. 5 adjacent to the dotted line panels.

It may be possible to have a circular conical upper portion instead of having discrete panels for the upper portion. From the circular conical upper portion, there would be a transition to tapering or rectangular panels for the number of legs desired, such as three or four, etc. The transition from circular to tapering or rectangular portions would be rather difficult to provide in an inexpensive and aesthetically pleasing manner.

It will also be noted that the panels need not be tapered, as shown in the drawing. If desired, the panels could be rectangular. Such rectangular configuration would probably not be aesthetically pleasing, but may be desirable under some circumstances. The tapering panels, as shown, appear to be preferable for reasons of both aesthetics and practicality.

It will further be noted that in the transport configuration of all the embodiments, the upper, middle, and lower panels are appropriately aligned. This is shown in Figs. 1, 2, 5, and 6. In the bouquet holder configuration, the upper and middle panels are appropriately aligned. This is shown in Figs. 3 and 10.

In the bouquet holder configuration, the middle panels comprise continuations of the upper panels, thus elongating the cylinder defined by the upper panel into a bouquet holder. In the transport configuration, both the middle and lower panels comprise continuations of the upper panels, thus further elongating the cylinder defined by the upper panels into a transport package.

While the principles of the invention have been made clear in illustrative embodiments, there will be immediately obvious to those skilled in the art many modifications of structure, arrangement, proportions, the elements, materials, and components used in the practice of the invention, and otherwise, which are particularly adapted for specific environments, and otherwise without departing from those principles. The appended claims are intended to cover and embrace any and all such modifications, within the limits only of the true spirit and scope of the invention. This specification and the appended claims have been prepared in accordance with the applicable patent laws and the rules promulgated under the authority thereof.