US20050274069A1 - Packaging for wrapping a floral grouping with a wrap having a wrap opening - Google Patents

Abstract

A wrap having a wrap opening formed through a portion thereof for wrapping a floral grouping having a bloom end and a stem end. The stem end of the floral grouping is inserted through the wrap opening in the wrap and the wrap is formed about the floral grouping and encompasses a substantial portion of the floral grouping while a portion of the stem end of the floral grouping remains extended through the wrap opening in the wrap.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
• This application is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 10/441,800, filed May 20, 2003; which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Ser. No. 09/970,589, filed Oct. 4, 2001, now abandoned; which is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 09/532,990, filed Mar. 22, 2000, now abandoned; which is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 08/767,168, filed Dec. 16, 1996, now abandoned; which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Ser. No. 08/469,033, filed Jun. 6, 1995, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,615,774, issued Apr. 1, 1997; which is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 08/347,611, filed Nov. 30, 1994, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,526,932, issued Jun. 18, 1996; which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Ser. No. 08/165,215, filed Dec. 10, 1993, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,373,943, issued Dec. 20, 1994; which is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 08/040,330, filed Mar. 30, 1993, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,311,991, issued May 17, 1994; which is a divisional of U.S. Ser. No. 07/906,089, filed Jun. 29, 1992, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,205,108, issued Apr. 27, 1993; the entire contents of each of which are hereby expressly incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
• The present invention relates to a wrap for a floral grouping and a method for wrapping a floral grouping with such wrap and, more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to a wrap having a wrap opening formed through a portion thereof wherein a stem end of the floral grouping is extended through the wrap opening and the wrap then is wrapped about the floral grouping.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• FIG. 1 is a plan view of the upper surface of a wrap constructed in accordance with the present invention.
• FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the wrap ofFIG. 1, taken substantially along the lines2-2 ofFIG. 1.
• FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the wrap ofFIGS. 1 and 2 showing a floral grouping having the stem end thereof initially inserted through a wrap opening in the wrap.
• FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the wrap ofFIGS. 1, 2 and3 showing the wrap formed and wrapped about the floral grouping.
• FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a wrap similar to that shown inFIG. 3, except the modified wrap shown inFIG. 5 has adhesive on the opposite surface of the wrap as compared to the surface of the wrap having the adhesive thereon shown inFIGS. 1 through 4.
• FIG. 6 is a sectional view of another modified wrap, similar toFIGS. 2 and 5, except the wrap shown inFIG. 6 has adhesive on only a portion of an upper surface thereof.
• FIG. 7 is a sectional view of still another modified wrap, similar toFIG. 6, but the modified wrap shown inFIG. 7 has adhesive on only a portion of a lower surface thereof.
• FIG. 8 is a sectional view of a wrap constructed exactly like the wrap shown inFIG. 6, except the modified wrap show inFIG. 8 comprises two sheets of material having a draw string laminated therebetween.
• FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the wrap ofFIG. 8 shown wrapped or formed about a floral grouping.
• FIG. 10 is a sectional view showing the wrap ofFIGS. 1 through 4 orFIG. 5 orFIG. 6 orFIG. 7 orFIG. 8 wrapped about a floral grouping and having a portion of the wrap connected to a water vase.
• FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a floral sleeve utilized in accordance with the present invention.
• FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the wrap ofFIGS. 1-4 showing the wrap formed and wrapped about the floral grouping, and the sleeve ofFIG. 11 holding the wrap in position about the floral grouping.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
• The present invention relates to a packaging comprising a wrap10 (FIGS. 1, 23 and4) for wrapping a floral grouping12 (FIGS. 3 and 4) having abloom end14 and astem end16. Thewrap10 has an upper surface18 (FIGS. 1, 2 and3) and a lower surface20 (FIGS. 2, 3 and4). Thewrap10 also has an outer periphery22 (FIGS. 1-4).
• As shown inFIGS. 1-4, thewrap10 is generally circularly shaped. However, thewrap10 may be rectangularly shaped or square shaped or any other geometric shape.
• Thewrap10 is constructed of a sheet of material or a plurality of sheets of material where the sheets of material are laminated to each other or laid or disposed simply one on top of the other. Thewrap10 may be constructed from a variety of materials. Thewrap10 is constructed from any substantially flat, flexible suitable sheet of material that is capable of being wrapped about thefloral grouping12. Preferably, thewrap10 is constructed of paper (untreated or treated in any manner), cellophane, foil, man-made organic polymer film, fabric (natural or synthetic), burlap, cling material, claff material, denim or laminations or combinations thereof.
• The term “man-made organic polymer film” means a man-made resin such as a polypropylene as opposed to naturally occurring resins such as cellophane.
• A man-made organic polymer film is relatively strong and not as subject to tearing (substantially non-tearable), as might be the case with paper or foil. The man-made organic polymer film is a substantially linearly linked processed organic polymer film and is a synthetic linear chain organic polymer where the carbon atoms are substantially linearly linked. Such films are synthetic polymers formed or synthesized from monomers. Further, a relatively substantially linearly linked processed organic polymer film is virtually waterproof which may be desirable in many applications such as wrapping a floral grouping.
• Additionally a relatively thin film of substantially linearly linked processed organic polymer does not substantially deteriorate in sunlight. Processed organic polymer films having carbon atoms both linearly linked and cross linked, and some cross linked polymer films, also may be suitable for use in the present invention provided such films are substantially flexible and can be made in a sheet-like format for wrapping purposes consistent with the present invention. For example, one man-made organic polymer film is a polypropylene film.
• A decorative pattern, such as a color and/or an embossed pattern, and/or other decorative surface ornamentation may be applied to theupper surface18 and/or thelower surface20 of thewrap10 or portions thereof including, but not limited to printed designs, coatings, colors, flocking or metallic finishes. Thewrap10 also may be totally or partially clear or tinted transparent material.
• Thewrap10 may be constructed of a single layer of material or a plurality of layers of the same or different types of materials. Any thickness of thewrap10 may be utilized in accordance with the present invention as long as thewrap10 is wrappable about thefloral grouping12 as described herein. Additionally, an insulating material such as bubble film, preferable as one of two layers, can be utilized in order to provide needed protection for thefloral grouping12. In a preferred embodiment, thewrap10 is constructed from two polypropylene films (a 20″×15″ sheet of Mobil 270 ABW white, opaque film laminated to a 20″×15″ sheet of Mobil 220 AB clear film) having a thickness in a range of from less than about 1.0 mil to about 30.0 mil, and more preferably to about 10.0 mil.
• “Floral grouping” as used herein means cut fresh flowers, artificial flowers, other fresh and/or artificial plants or other floral materials and may include other secondary plants and/or ornamentation which add to the aesthetics of the overallfloral grouping12. The term “floral grouping” as used herein also is intended to include a single flower or plant.
• “Cling Wrap or Material” as used herein means any material which is capable of connecting to the sheet of material and/or itself upon contacting engagement during the wrapping process and is wrappable about thefloral grouping12 whereby portions of the cling material contactingly engage and connect to other portions of the wrapping material for generally securing thewrap16 wrapped about at least a portion of thefloral grouping12. This connecting engagement is preferably temporary in that thewrap10 may be easily removed without tearing same, i.e., the cling material “clings” to thewrap10. A wrapping material which remains securely connected to and about the wrapped item until the wrapping material is torn therefrom.
• The cling material is constructed from polyethylene such as Cling Wrap made by GLAD®, First Brands Corporation, Danbury, Conn., and treated, if necessary. The thickness of the cling material will, in part, depend upon the thickness of the sheet of material utilized, i.e., generally, the thicker and therefore heavier sheet of material may require a thicker and therefore stronger cling material. The cling material will range in thickness from less than about 0.2 mil to about 10 mil, and preferably less than about 0.5 mil to about 2.5 mil and most preferably from less than about 0.6 mil to about 2 mil. However, any thickness of cling material may be utilized in accordance with the present invention which permits the cling material to function as described herein.
• A wrap opening24 (FIGS. 1-4) is formed through a portion of thewrap10. In one embodiment, thewrap opening24 is formed through a central portion of thewrap10; however, thewrap opening24 may be formed through any portion of thewrap10. Thewrap opening24 intersects the upper andlower surfaces18 and20 of thewrap10 and is spaced a distance from theouter periphery22. Thewrap opening24 may be one or more shapes, such as but not limited to, a circle, square, rectangle, triangle, hexagon, polygon, or other geometric or non-geometric shapes, or thewrap opening24 may be one or more slits in thewrap10, as long as thewrap opening24 intersects the upper andlower surfaces18 and20 of thewrap10 and is spaced a distance from theouter periphery22, and as long as the wrap opening24 functions in accordance with the present invention.
• Abonding material26, such as an adhesive or cohesive material, may be applied to the a portion of theupper surface18 of thewrap10. As shown inFIGS. 1, 2 and3, thebonding material26 is applied substantially to the entireupper surface18 of thewrap10. Thebonding material26 can be applied to thewrap10 in strips or spots and may cover only a portion of the upper and/orlower surfaces18 and20. The thickness of thebonding material26 is exaggerated inFIGS. 1-3 for illustration purposes. However, it is to be understood that thewrap10 may be free of bonding material.
• In operation, the stem end16 of thefloral grouping12 is inserted through the wrap opening24 to a position wherein a portion of thestem end16 extends through thewrap opening24 and a distance beyond thelower surface20 of thewrap18. Thewrap10 then is formed about thefloral grouping12 with theupper surface18 of thewrap10 being disposed adjacent thefloral grouping12 and thewrap10 encompassing a substantial portion of thefloral grouping12 while a portion of the stem end16 of thefloral grouping12 remains extended through thewrap opening24, as shown inFIG. 4. In one preferred form, thewrap10 will substantially encompass thebloom end14 of thefloral grouping12, although thebloom end14 is shown inFIG. 4 extended above thewrap10 for illustration purposes. It should be noted that, in some applications, thebloom end14 of thefloral grouping12 may extend upwardly beyond thewrap10, as shown inFIG. 4.
• Preferably, thewrap10 is tightly folded or wrapped about the stem end16 of thefloral grouping12 and portions of thewrap10 with thebonding material26 thereon are brought into contact and bonded with other portions of thewrap10 having thebonding material26 thereon for cooperating to secure thewrap10 tightly wrapped about the stem end16 of thefloral grouping12. Further, as thewrap10 is formed about thebloom end14 of thefloral grouping12, portions of thewrap10 having thebonding material26 thereon are brought into contact and bonded with adjacent portions of thewrap10 with the bonding material thereon to form bonded overlapping folds28 to secure thewrap10 loosely wrapped about thebloom end14 of thefloral grouping12. Portions of thebonding material26 also are brought into contact with and bonded with portions of the stem end16 of thefloral grouping12 thereby bonding thewrap10 to thefloral grouping12 generally about a portion of the stem end16 for securing thewrap10 to thefloral grouping12 and for substantially preventing thefloral grouping12 from sliding or moving within or out from thewrap10. The overlapping folds28 are formed by portions of thewrap10 overlapping and engaging adjacent portions of thewrap10 with thebonding material26 bonding the overlapping and adjacent portions.
Embodiment of FIG.5
• Shown inFIG. 5 is a modifiedwrap10awhich is constructed exactly like thewrap10 shown inFIGS. 1-4 and described in detail before, except thewrap10ais provided with abonding material26adisposed on thelower surface20aof thewrap10a. Thewrap10ais wrapped about the floral grouping in a manner exactly like that described before with respect to thewrap10, except thebonding material26awill not bond to the stem end16 of thefloral grouping12. Rather, overlapping folds like the overlapping folds28 are formed in thewrap10agenerally about thestem end16 and the overlapping folds cooperate to secure thewrap10atightly wrapped about thestem end16.
Embodiment of FIG.6
• Shown inFIG. 6 is a wrap10bwhich is constructed exactly like thewrap10 shown inFIGS. 1-4, except the wrap10bis provided with abonding material26bdisposed on theupper surface18bof the modified wrap10badjacent the wrap opening24b, and thebonding material26bextends a distance from the wrap opening24b. The wrap10bis wrapped about the floral grouping in a manner exactly like that described before with respect to thewrap10, with thebonding material26bcooperating to tightly secure the wrap10babout the stem end16 of thefloral grouping12, except the overlapping folds formed in the wrap10bextending generally about thebloom end14 of thefloral grouping12 are not bonded since thebonding material26bdoes not extend to theouter periphery22b. Thebonding material26bextends only from the wrap opening24ba distance outwardly toward theouter periphery22band is spaced a distance from theouter periphery22b.
Embodiment of FIG.7
• Shown inFIG. 7 is a wrap10cconstructed exactly like the wrap10bshown inFIG. 6, except the wrap10cis provided with abonding material26cdisposed on thelower surface20cof the wrap10c.
Embodiment of FIGS.8 and9
• Shown inFIGS. 8 and 9 is another modifiedwrap10d, thewrap10dbeing only partially shown inFIG. 8. Thewrap10dis constructed exactly like the wrap10b(FIG. 6) or the wrap10c(FIG. 7) except thewrap10dspecifically comprises two sheets ofmaterial30 and32 (FIG. 8) laminated together with anopening34 being formed between the two sheets ofmaterial30 and32 near and spaced a distance from theouter periphery22dof thewrap10dand with adrawstring36 extending through theopening34 between the two sheets ofmaterial30 and32 and with the opposite ends of thedrawstring36 extending outwardly throughopenings38 and40 in thewrap10d, as shown inFIG. 9.
• In this embodiment, thewrap10dis tightly wrapped about thestem end16 and secured thereto via thebonding material26bor26cin a manner exactly like that described before. Thewrap10dis loosely secured about thebloom end14 of thefloral grouping12 by pulling thedrawstring36 and then tying thedrawstring36 after thewrap10dhas been loosely gathered and secured about thebloom end14 of thefloral grouping12.
Embodiment of FIG.10
• Shown inFIG. 10 is awrap10ewhich is constructed exactly like thewrap10,10a,10b,10cor10ddescribed in detail before except awater vase42 is secured to the wrap opening24e. Thewater vase42 has anopening44 for receiving and accommodating water and acap46 with acap opening48 formed thereto secured to an upper end of thewater vase42. Thecap46 is constructed of a flexible material preferably.
• Thewater vase42 may be secured to thewrap10eprior to forming thewrap10eabout thefloral grouping12 or thewrap10emay be secured to thewater vase42 during the wrapping operation.
• In those instances where thewater vase42 is secured via the bonding material (not shown) to thewrap10ewith theopening44 of thewater vase42 being aligned with the wrap opening24e, the stem end16 of thefloral grouping12 is inserted through the wrap opening24eand through acap opening48 and into theopening44 in thewater vase42 with the stem end16 being secured to thewrap10evia the engagement with thecap46. Thewrap10ethen is wrapped about thebloom end14 and loosely secured thereabout in the manners described before.
• In those instances where thewrap10eis not initially connected to the water vase42e, the stem end16 of thefloral grouping12 initially is inserted through thecap opening48 and into theopening44 of thewater vase42. Then, thewater vase42 along with thefloral grouping12 is inserted through the wrap opening24eand thewrap10eto a position wherein a portion of thewater vase42 along with a portion of the stem end16 of thefloral grouping12 extends through the wrap opening24eand extends a distance beyond thelower surface20eof thewrap10e. In this position, thewrap10eis tightly secured to thewater vase42 via the bonding material (not shown) and thewrap10eis loosely wrapped and secured about thebloom end14 of thefloral grouping12 in any one of the manners described before.
Embodiment of FIGS.11-12
• Shown inFIGS. 11 and 12 is asleeve100 that may be utilized in accordance with the present invention. Thesleeve100 is provided with anupper end102, alower end104, an outerperipheral surface106, an innerperipheral surface108 and a retainingspace110. Thelower end104 of thesleeve100 may be open or closed.
• Thesleeve100 may be utilized to hold thewrap10 in a secure position about thefloral grouping12 when thewrap10 is not provided with a bonding material disposed thereon. In one method of use, thewrap10 is wrapped and formed about thefloral grouping12 as described herein before, and then thewrap10 andfloral grouping12 are inserted through theupper end102 of thesleeve100 into the retainingspace110 of the sleeve. The innerperipheral surface108 of thesleeve100 is disposed adjacent thelower surface20 of thewrap10 such that thesleeve100 closely surrounds and encompasses thewrap10 containing thefloral grouping12. Thelower end104 of thesleeve100 is disposed adjacent the stem end16 of thefloral grouping12, while theupper end102 of thesleeve100 is disposed adjacent thebloom end14 of thefloral grouping12. A potion of thebloom end14 of thefloral grouping12 may extend beyond theupper end102 of thesleeve100, or thebloom end14 of thefloral grouping12 may be substantially encompassed by thesleeve100.
• Changes may be made in the construction in the operation of the various components, elements and assemblies of the wrap described herein and changes may be made in the steps or the sequence of steps of the methods described herein without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.

Claims (8)

1. A packaging comprising:

a floral grouping having a bloom end and a stem end; and

at least one sheet of material having an upper surface, a lower surface and an outer periphery, the sheet of material having an opening formed through a portion of the sheet of material intersecting the upper and the lower surfaces of the sheet of material and spaced a distance from the outer periphery of the sheet of material, the stem end of the floral grouping being inserted through the opening in the sheet of material to a position wherein the stem end of the floral grouping extends a distance beyond the lower surface of the sheet of material and the sheet of material being formed about the floral grouping with the upper surface of the sheet of material being disposed adjacent the floral grouping and the sheet of material encompassing a substantial portion of the floral grouping while a portion of the stem end of the floral grouping remains extended through the opening in the sheet of material.

2. The packaging ofclaim 1 further comprising:

a water vase having an opening extending therethrough forming an open upper end and forming a space for receiving and accommodating water and a cap with a cap opening secured to the open upper end of the water vase, the stem end of the floral grouping extending through the cap opening in the water vase with the cap engaging portions of the stem end of the floral grouping for securing the floral grouping in the water vase.

3. The packaging ofclaim 1 wherein the sheet of material is further defined as being constructed of a material selected from the group consisting of paper, foil, polymeric film, fabric, burlap, denim and combinations thereof.

4. The packaging ofclaim 3 wherein the sheet of material is further defined as being constructed of a synthetic fabric.

5. The packaging ofclaim 3 wherein the sheet of material is further defined as being constructed of at least one sheet of synthetic fabric and at least one sheet of polymeric film.

6. The packaging ofclaim 3 wherein the sheet of material has a thickness in a range of from about 1.0 mil to about30 mil.

7. The packaging ofclaim 1 wherein the sheet of material is tightly wrapped about the stem end of the floral grouping.

8. The packaging ofclaim 1 wherein the sheet of material is loosely secured about the bloom end of the floral grouping.

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