GB2056410A - Flower transporting container - Google Patents

Abstract

A container (1) for transporting cut flowers comprises a tapering flexible bag formed of sheet plastics material and provided with handles (7). The bag is formed by folding a sheet of e.g. polythene about a fold line (2) and securing the overlying sheets together as by welds (3, 4). In use, a small quantity of water is put into the bag to form a reservoir into which the stems of the flowers extend. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATIONFlower transporting method and apparatusThis invention relates to the transporting of flowers, and in its preferred embodiment provides a method and apparatus for enabling flowers to be transported in a manner in which they remain fresh and suffer a minimum of damage.

Traditionally cut flowers are packed at the time of retail sale by being wrapped in paper. This provides a package which is difficult to carry and as a result the flowers may be damaged by being dropped or inadvertently crushed. Further, the cut ends of the flower stems are out of water and this can lead to rapid deterioration in the condition of the flowers.

According to the present invention there is provided a method of transporting cut flowers which comprises providing a flexible waterproof container having handles at its upper end, placing a supply of water in the lower end of the container, and inserting the cut flowers into the container to below the level of the handles whereby the handles may be manually grasped to carry the flowers in the container with the cut ends of the flowers in the water.

The invention also provides a container for use in carrying out the above method, the container comprising a flexible bag having handles at its upper open end and a waterproof pocket at its lower end, the container tapering inwardly from the open end towards the closed lower end.

The above and further features and advantages of the invention will become clear from the following description of a preferred embodiment thereof, given by way of example only, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, wherein the single Figure shows a side elevation of a preferred embodiment of the invention.

Referring to the drawing a container 1 for use in transporting cut flowers is shown. The container is formed by bending a sheet of polythene about a fold 2 and securing the free edges of the polythene sheeting together by means of welds 3, 4 whereby the fold 2 and weld 3 and 4 define a waterproof container having an open upper end 5 and a closed lower end 6. The container tapers inwardly from the open end 5 to the closed end 6 and is provided at its open end with carrying handles 7 secured to opposite sides of the open end by welds 8.

Whilst in the preferred embodiment preformed plastics handles 7 including a bar 9 which is welded to the polythene sheeting are preferred, other forms of handle may be provided, for example handles formed integrally with the polythene sheeting by cutting apertures in opposite sides of the sheeting.

In order to transport cut flowers a small quantity of water is poured into the open end 5 of the container 1 to form a reservoir of water at the lower end of the container. The cut flowers are then placed in the container, with the cut ends of the stems extending into the water reservoir. The length of the container is such that the flower heads are located in the broad portion of the container immediately below the handles 7. The container is then grasped by the handles 7 enabling the flowers to be carried within the container 1 with their cut stems extending into a reservoir of water.

The container 1 is preferably made from clear polythene sheeting, but may be of other suitable flexible waterproof material.

The capacity of the container may if desired be increased by the provision of gussets along the opposite sides of the container at least in the region of the upper ends thereof.

It should be appreciated that whilst the invention is primarily intended for transporting cut flowers it may, however, be used in the transporting of other plants or portions of plants.

1. A method of transporting cut flowers comprising providing a flexible container having a waterproof pocket at its lower end and handles at its upper end, placing a supply of water in the lower end of the container, and inserting the cut flowers into the container to below the level of the handles whereby the handles may be manually grasped to carry the flowers in the container with the cut ends of the flowers in the water.

2. A container for use in carrying out the method of claim 1, the container comprising a flexible bag having handles at its upper open end and a waterproof pocket at its lower end, the container tapering inwardly from the open end towards the closed lower end.

3. A container according to claim 2 wherein the flexible bag comprises two substantially planar sheets of plastics material secured together along the bottom and sides of the container.

4. A container according to claim 3 wherein the flexible bag is formed by folding a sheet of plastics material so that the fold forms one side of the container, and securing the resultant overlying sheets together in a waterproof manner along the other side and along the base of the container.

5. A container according to claim 4 wherein the top and the bottom of the container are substantially parallel and the fold is substantially perpendicular to the top and the bottom of the container.

6. A container according to any of claims 2 to 5 wherein the handles each comprise an integral plastics member secured to the flexible bag.

7. A method of transporting cut flowers substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.

8. A container for use in carrying out themethod of claim 1 substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawing.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (8)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Flower transporting method and apparatus This invention relates to the transporting of flowers, and in its preferred embodiment provides a method and apparatus for enabling flowers to be transported in a manner in which they remain fresh and suffer a minimum of damage. Traditionally cut flowers are packed at the time of retail sale by being wrapped in paper. This provides a package which is difficult to carry and as a result the flowers may be damaged by being dropped or inadvertently crushed. Further, the cut ends of the flower stems are out of water and this can lead to rapid deterioration in the condition of the flowers. According to the present invention there is provided a method of transporting cut flowers which comprises providing a flexible waterproof container having handles at its upper end, placing a supply of water in the lower end of the container, and inserting the cut flowers into the container to below the level of the handles whereby the handles may be manually grasped to carry the flowers in the container with the cut ends of the flowers in the water. The invention also provides a container for use in carrying out the above method, the container comprising a flexible bag having handles at its upper open end and a waterproof pocket at its lower end, the container tapering inwardly from the open end towards the closed lower end. The above and further features and advantages of the invention will become clear from the following description of a preferred embodiment thereof, given by way of example only, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, wherein the single Figure shows a side elevation of a preferred embodiment of the invention. Referring to the drawing a container 1 for use in transporting cut flowers is shown. The container is formed by bending a sheet of polythene about a fold 2 and securing the free edges of the polythene sheeting together by means of welds 3, 4 whereby the fold 2 and weld 3 and 4 define a waterproof container having an open upper end 5 and a closed lower end 6. The container tapers inwardly from the open end 5 to the closed end 6 and is provided at its open end with carrying handles 7 secured to opposite sides of the open end by welds 8. Whilst in the preferred embodiment preformed plastics handles 7 including a bar 9 which is welded to the polythene sheeting are preferred, other forms of handle may be provided, for example handles formed integrally with the polythene sheeting by cutting apertures in opposite sides of the sheeting. In order to transport cut flowers a small quantity of water is poured into the open end 5 of the container 1 to form a reservoir of water at the lower end of the container. The cut flowers are then placed in the container, with the cut ends of the stems extending into the water reservoir. The length of the container is such that the flower heads are located in the broad portion of the container immediately below the handles 7. The container is then grasped by the handles 7 enabling the flowers to be carried within the container 1 with their cut stems extending into a reservoir of water. The container 1 is preferably made from clear polythene sheeting, but may be of other suitable flexible waterproof material. The capacity of the container may if desired be increased by the provision of gussets along the opposite sides of the container at least in the region of the upper ends thereof. It should be appreciated that whilst the invention is primarily intended for transporting cut flowers it may, however, be used in the transporting of other plants or portions of plants. CLAIMS

1. A method of transporting cut flowers comprising providing a flexible container having a waterproof pocket at its lower end and handles at its upper end, placing a supply of water in the lower end of the container, and inserting the cut flowers into the container to below the level of the handles whereby the handles may be manually grasped to carry the flowers in the container with the cut ends of the flowers in the water.

2. A container for use in carrying out the method of claim 1, the container comprising a flexible bag having handles at its upper open end and a waterproof pocket at its lower end, the container tapering inwardly from the open end towards the closed lower end.

3. A container according to claim 2 wherein the flexible bag comprises two substantially planar sheets of plastics material secured together along the bottom and sides of the container.

4. A container according to claim 3 wherein the flexible bag is formed by folding a sheet of plastics material so that the fold forms one side of the container, and securing the resultant overlying sheets together in a waterproof manner along the other side and along the base of the container.

5. A container according to claim 4 wherein the top and the bottom of the container are substantially parallel and the fold is substantially perpendicular to the top and the bottom of the container.

6. A container according to any of claims 2 to 5 wherein the handles each comprise an integral plastics member secured to the flexible bag.

7. A method of transporting cut flowers substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.

8. A container for use in carrying out themethod of claim 1 substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawing.