Aquapac

Abstract

This invention relates generally to an apparatus for shipping flowers that provides moisture and nutrients to the flowers during shipping which significantly increases their life expectancy provides protection to the fragile stem ends.

Description

BACKGROUND

1. Field of Invention

This invention relates generally to an apparatus for shipping flowers that provides moisture and nutrients to the flowers during shipping which significantly increases their life expectancy and a method of using same.

2. Prior Art

U.S. Pat. No. 3,552,059 Moore 1971 disclosed a block of absorbent floral foam enclosed in a cardboard box with a large opening at the top which is covered by a thin, flower stem penetrable plastic film. The foam is soaked in water and flower stems are individually punched through the plastic film and buried into the water soaked foam. This system is prone to leakage and is limited in that the flowers must be individually inserted, the boxes and film are expensive to make and time consuming to use and the foam dries up over time.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,115,915 Harris 1992 aftempts to resolve these problems by providing a water filled or a water soaked floral foam filled container with cut flower stems inserted and a rigid, non-absorbent, foamed in-place block of material to seal the moisture in the bottom section and provide support to the cut flower stems. This system is also relatively expensive and time consuming.

2005/0138862 O'Conner 2005 discloses another approach to solve the problem of moisture leaking from a water well with flower stems inserted by providing a foam block with openings through it, slightly larger than the flower stems in question inserted, in a flexible ring above water surface. After the flower stems are individually inserted into their individual channels the ring is radially compressed, sealing each stem in its own passageway. Again this is a time consuming and expensive system to utilize.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,335,475 Weder et al. 1994 discloses a simpler less expensive system by providing a sheet of moisture absorbing and releasing material to be soaked in water and wrapped around a group of cut flower stems and secured with a rubber band. This product often allows the flower stems in the center a bundle to be out of contact with the moisture-carrying sheet of material or crushed by rough handling or packing and allows the onset of stenosis before the flowers are delivered.

SUMMARY

An object of the present invention is to provide a leak free apparatus and a method of using same for providing moisture at the cut end of the stems of flower bundles during shipping.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a leak free apparatus and a method of using same for providing moisture at the cut end of the stems of flower bundles during shipping which allows a single flower stem or the full bundle to be entered into the moisture carrying medium with just one insertion.

A further object is to provide a leak free apparatus and a method of using same for providing moisture at the cut end of the stems of flower bundles during shipping wherein the moisture carrying medium is encased on all sides and the perimeter of the bottom with an impervious barrier, leaving the top surface open for floral insertion and the center of the bottom surface open for excess moisture drainage before bagging.

A further object is to provide a leak free apparatus and a method of using same for providing moisture at the cut end of the stems of flower bundles during shipping wherein various sizes and shapes of moisture carrying medium apparatus are provided for different size and groupings of cut flowers.

A further object is to provide a leak free apparatus and a method of using same for providing moisture at the cut end of the stems of flower bundles during shipping wherein the flower stems are inserted into the moisture carrier medium and soaked in water until moisture carrier medium is saturated and flower stems have absorbed as much moisture as they can, and packaged for shipping in an economic and efficient process.

A further object is to provide a leak free apparatus and a method of using same for providing moisture at the cut end of the stems of flower bundles during shipping wherein the moisture carrying medium is highly compressible or compatible, reducing landfill disposal requirements.

A further object is to provide a leak free apparatus and a method of using same for providing moisture at the cut end of the stems of flower bundles during shipping wherein the cut ends of the flower stems to be shipped are protected from bruising or crushing that would block the flow of moisture into the cut ends of the stems.

A further object is to provide a leak free apparatus and a method of using same for providing moisture at the cut end of the stems of flower bundles during shipping wherein the moisture carrying medium is not crushed by insertion of the cut flower stems either by providing clearance wells or by giving the displaced material room to move and floral foam block stability is enhanced by the banding effect of shrink-wrapping the perimeter walls.

The present invention, in its several embodiments, meets the above mentioned objectives.

Still further objects and advantages will become apparent from a consideration of the ensuing description and accompanying drawings. In the description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part thereof, and in which are shown, by way of illustration, four specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments will be subscribed in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice this invention, and be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. In the accompanying drawings, like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views.

DRAWINGS

In order that the invention may be more fully understood it will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying exemplary drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a foam cylindrical block.

FIG. 1A is a top perspective view of a sleeve type shrink-wrapped cylindrical block of floral foam with no overlap on top.

FIG. 1B is a bottom perspective view of a sleeve type shrink-wrapped cylindrical block of floral foam with no overlap on Bottom.

FIG. 1C is a top perspective view of a sleeve type shrink-wrapped cylindrical block of floral foam with an overlap on top.

FIG. 1D is a bottom perspective view of a sleeve type shrink-wrapped cylindrical block of floral foam with an overlap on bottom.

FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of a foam cubical Block.

FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of a twice-required length cylindrical block of floral foam.

FIG. 3A is a top perspective view of a shrink-wrapped twice-required length cylindrical block of floral foam.

FIG. 3B is a bottom perspective view of a shrink-wrapped foam cylindrical block severed into two equal parts.

FIG. 3C is a bottom perspective view of a shrink-wrapped foam cylindrical block severed into two equal parts with drain holes in the bottom of the shrink-wrap material.

FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of a twice-required length rectangular block of floral foam.

FIG. 4A is a top perspective view of a shrink-wrapped twice-required length rectangular block of floral foam.

FIG. 4B is a bottom perspective view of a shrink-wrapped foam rectangular block severed into two equal parts.

FIG. 4C is a bottom perspective view of a shrink-wrapped foam rectangular block severed into two equal parts with drain holes in the bottom of the shrink-wrap material.

FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of a foam cylindrical block with flower stems inserted.

FIG.6 is a front view of a foam block with flower stems inserted being soaked in moisture loading tank.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a soaked foam cylindrical block with flower stems inserted in a plastic bag, ready for shipment.

FIG. 8A is a perspective view of a cubical plastic case with living hinge snap-seal lid, open with a cubical block of floral foam inserted.

FIG. 8b is a perspective view of a cubical plastic case with living hinge snap sealed lid closed, with a cubical block of floral foam inserted.

FIG. 8C is an enlarged partial section view showing the snap details on the inside edge of the lid and mating detail on the outside of the plastic case.

FIG. 8D is a bottom perspective view of a cubical plastic case with a cubical block of floral foam inserted without a drain hole.

FIG. 8E is a bottom perspective view of a cubical plastic case with a cubical block of floral foam inserted with a drain hole.

FIG. 8F is a top perspective view of a cubical plastic case with a cubical block of floral foam with a pattern of stem wells inserted.

FIG. 9A is a perspective view of a cylindrical plastic case with a closed snap sealed lid with a cylindrical block of floral foam inserted.

FIG. 9B is bottom perspective view of a cylindrical plastic case with a closed snap sealed lid with a cylindrical block of floral foam inserted with a drain hole in the bottom surface.

FIG. 9C is a perspective view of a cylindrical plastic case with a closed snap sealed lid with a cylindrical block of floral foam with a pattern of stem wells inserted.

FIG. 10A is a top perspective view showing a cylindrical block of floral foam with stem wells.

FIG. 10B is a front perspective view of a shrink-wrapped foam cylindrical block with a pattern of stem wells.

FIG. 10C is a front perspective view of a sleeve type shrink-wrapped cylindrical block of floral foam with a pattern of stem wells.

FIG. 11A is a front perspective view showing a cubical block of floral foam with stem wells.

FIG. 11B is a front perspective view of a shrink-wrapped foam cubical block with a pattern of stem wells.

REFERENCE NUMERALS

The same reference numbers are used to refer to the same or similar parts in the various views.

• 12—Aquapac System
• 14—cylindrical floral foam block
• 15—cylindrical floral foam block with stem wells
• 16—cubical floral foam block
• 17—cubical floral foam block with stem wells
• 18—twice-required length cylindrical foam block
• 19—Plastic shrink-wrap
• 20—twice-required length rectangular foam block
• 21—Plastic sleeve shrink-wrap
• 22—cut flower stems
• 24—plastic bag
• 26—bag top fasteners
• 28—soak tank
• 30—foam block top surface
• 32—foam block bottom surface
• 34—foam block perimeter wall
• 36—flower bundle
• 38—preservative packets
• 40—preservative solution
• 42—living hinges
• 44—lid snap-latch bead
• 46—case snap-latch bead
• 48—lid
• 50—cylindrical plastic case
• 52—individual stem wells
• 53—cubical plastic case
• 54—cubical plastic case with hinged snap-sealed lid
• 56—shrink-wrapped twice-length cylindrical floral foam block
• 58—severed segment of shrink-wrapped twice-length cylindrical floral foam block
• 60—shrink-wrapped twice-length rectangular floral foam block
• 62—severed segment of shrink-wrapped twice-length rectangular floral foam block
• 64—cubical plastic case assembly
• 66—cylindrical plastic case assembly
• 68—severed segment of shrink-wrapped twice-length cylindrical floral foam block with stem wells
• 70—severed segment of shrink-wrapped twice-length rectangular foam block with stem wells
• 72—cylindrical plastic case assembly with stem wells
• 74—cubical plastic assembly with stem wells
• 76—excess water drain hole
• 78—sleeve shrink-wrapped cylindrical foam block with top overlap
• 80—sleeve shrink-wrapped cylindrical foam block with bottom overlap
• 82—sleeve shrink-wrapped cylindrical foam block with no top overlap
• 84—sleeve shrink-wrapped cylindrical foam block with stem wells with no bottom overlap
• 86—cubical plastic case assembly with drain hole
• 88—cylindrical plastic case with drain hole
• 90—cylindrical plastic case assembly with drain hole
• 92—cylindrical block of floral foam sleeve shrink-wrapped with stem wells
• 94—severed segment of shrink-wrapped twice-length cylindrical floral foam block with drain hole
• 96—severed segment of shrink-wrapped twice-length rectangular floral floral foam block with drain hole

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Four embodiments of Aquapac 12 will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying FIGS. 1 through 11B.

The first preferred embodiment is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and 5-7. FIGS. 1 and 2 show floral foam blocks 14 and 16 in cylindrical and cubic shapes respectively. Floral foam blocks 14 and 16 can be cut from an extruded block of fine open cell floral foam such AQUAFOAM® from Syndicate Sales, Inc. in various predetermined diameter or diagonal dimensions. Blocks 14 and 16 are sized to have sufficient cross-sectional areas to receive cut flower stems 22 of the desired size shipping flower bundle 36. They also are sized to contain sufficient moisture carrying capabilities to provide the moisture and or nutrients required allowing flower bundles 36 to arrive at their destinations in a hydrated state. Blocks made from this material crush to a powder form, dramatically reducing landfill disposal requirements.

Operation:

Foam blocks 14 and 16, plastic bags 24, preservative packets 38 and bag top fasteners 26 are delivered to florist or wholesaler for use in packing flowers, maximizing their life expectancy.

Cut flower stems 22 are inserted through foam block top surface 30, as shown in FIG. 5, and buried in floral foam block 14 and 16.

Flower bundles 36 with their cut stems 22 buried in floral foam blocks 14 and 16, as shown in FIG. 5, are then submersed in soak tank 28. FIG. 6 shows a front view of same. Floral foam blocks 14 and 16 with cut stems 22 inserted are left in soak tank 28 a sufficient time for floral foam bock 14 and 16 to become saturated and for cut flower stems 22 to become as fully hydrated as possible. Typically this occurs overnight but would vary with different size bundles and different species of flowers. Soak tank 28 is preferably filled with preservative solution 40. Solution 40 can be of cool water or a mixture of water, nutrients and preservatives.

FIG. 7 shows saturated block 14 or 16 with cut flower stems 22 inserted, placed into plastic bag 24 with several preservative packets 38 wrapped around the top of the bag and secured by bag top fasteners 26 such as wire ties or rubber bands. Bag top fasteners 26 hold preservative packets 38 in place. They also seal the top opening of plastic bag 24 tight enough to flower stems 22 to prevent leakage or evaporation of the needed moisture, but not so tight as to collapse the moisture carrying capillaries in cut flower stems 22. The hydrated bouquet in Aquapac 12 package is then placed in a shipping container, not shown or part of this invention.

The second preferred embodiment is shown in FIGS. 1A-1D, 3-3C and 4-4C and is processed in the same manner as the first embodiment above except it provides another step in evaporation prevention. FIGS. 3 and 4 show floral foam blocks 18 and 20 in cylindrical and rectangular forms respectively that are twice as long as required. Floral foam blocks 18 and 20 are then shrink-wrapped using conventional total enclosure shrink-wrap materials 19 and processes; or are shrink-wrapped utilizing the conventional sleeve type of shrink-wrapping materials 21 and processes.

The conventional shrink-wrapping process creates shrink-wrapped twice-length cylindrical floral foam block 56 and shrink-wrapped twice-length rectangular floral foam block 60 respectively as shown in FIGS. 3A and 4A. These shrink-wrapped floral foam block assemblies 56 and 60 are then severed into two approximately equal length cylindrical segments 58 and cubical segments 62 respectively as shown in FIGS. 3B and 4B. This operation leaves foam block bottom surface 32 and foam block perimeter walls 34 impervious to moisture and foam block top surface 30 open for insertion of cut flower stems 22. Shrink-wrap materials 19 on the bottom and perimeter walls 32 and 34 reduce exposed surface area and proportionally reduce evaporation of absorbed moisture. FIGS. 3C and 4C show drain hole 76 may be cut in the bottom of shrink-wrap material 19 of severed segments 94 and 96 to allow any excess preservative solution 40 to drain from foam before it is placed in plastic bag 24 and sealed with bag top fasteners 26.

A sleeve type shrink-wrapping process option eliminates the severing operation and drain hole 76 cutting process steps by using a cylindrical sleeve of shrink-wrap material 21 that may be sized to shrink to the exact length of the cylindrical foam block 14 used or slightly longer than cylindrical floral foam block 14 that is being encased. The excess material can be wrapped either on top or under cylindrical floral foam block 14 or some overlap allowed on both top and bottom surfaces 30 and 32 respectively as is shown in FIGS. 1A-1D and 10C.

Operation:

Shrink-wrapped foam segments 58, 62, 78, 80, 82, 84, 94 and 96, plastic bags 24, preservative packets 38 and bag top fasteners 26 are delivered to florist or wholesaler for use in packaging flowers, maximizing their life expectancy.

The process of floral insertion, soaking and bagging is then the same as in embodiment one above.

The third embodiment replaces the shrink-wrap encasements 58, 62, 78, 80, 82, 84, 94 and 96 from embodiment two above with cylindrical plastic cases 50 and 88 with drain hole 76 or cubical plastic cases 53, 54 or 86 with drain hole 76, with snap-on lids 48 with openings through which to insert cut flower stems 22 as shown in FIGS. 8A-E and 9A and 9B. In this embodiment, floral foam blocks 14 and 16 are inserted into plastic cases 50 and 86, or 53, 54 and 88 respectively and lids 48 are snapped into place, forming cubical plastic case assemblies 64, 74 and 86 and cylindrical plastic case assemblies 66, 72 and 90. A preferred snap detail is shown in the enlarged cross section view of FIG. 8C where bead 46 runs around the outside of perimeter walls 34 close to the top of the case. An overlapping or snap-over bead 44 is located on the inside bottom edge of lids 48. Either cylindrical case 50 and 88, or cubical cases 53, 54 and 86 can be easily molded with lids 48 attached to case walls 34 with living hinges 42 as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B or with separate lids 48 as shown in FIGS. 8D-F and 9A-C and any of the standard plastic case lid fasteners would suffice.

Operation:

Plastic case assemblies 64, 66, 72, 74, and 86, plastic bags 24, preservative packets 38 and bag top fasteners 26 are delivered to florist or wholesaler for use in packaging flowers, maximizing their life expectancy.

Bundles of cut flower stems 20 are then inserted though the openings in lids 48 and buried in foam blocks 14 and 16. The process of soaking and bagging is then the same as in embodiments one and two above. The additional rigidity of plastic cases 50 and 86, or 53, 54 and 88 provides an extra measure of crush and or bruise protection to the relatively fragile cut ends of the flower stems 22 which must remain open to allow moisture flow into stems 22.

The fourth embodiment entails adding stem wells 52 into the floral foam blocks to minimize crushing of the foam material from flower stem insertion as illustrated in FIGS. 8F, 9C, 10A-10C and 11A and 11B.

Addition of stem wells 52 in floral foam blocks 15 and 17 is shown in FIGS. 10A and 11A respectively. Stem wells 52 provide clearance for stems 22, maximizing the moisture absorption capability of these foam blocks by reducing the crushing of the floral foam from forcing flower stems 22 into solid floral foam blocks. This modification entails forming stem wells 52 in a pattern to fit the size and number of stems 22 in the intended bundle 36 to be shipped. Stem wells 52 are preferably formed starting at top surface 30 and progressing to a depth of approximately one half of perimeter wall 34 length. Stem wells 52 preferably have an appropriate diameter such that the stem 22 walls remain in contact with the moisture bearing floral foam. The pattern of stem wells 52 needs to be such as to keep an inscribed annular ring of approximately 2 cm. in width clear of any stem wells 52 to maintain stability of foam blocks 15 and 17. Although stem wells 52 can be sized to provide a light slip fit to individual stems 22, they also can provide for an easier insertion into the dry foam of a bundle of flower stems by giving the displaced foam from stem insertion a place to move without crushing.

FIGS. 10B, 10C and 11B show similar modifications to shrink-wrapped cylindrical floral foam block with stem wells 68, to shrink-wrapped cubical floral foam block with stem wells 70, and to sleeve shrink-wrapped cylindrical floral foam block with stem wells 92 that provide similar crush reduction and moisture absorption improvements.

FIGS. 8F and 9C show case assemblies 74 and 72 with similar patterns of stem wells 52. Sufficient clearance between the outboard tangents of the well diameter and the I.D. of the lid 48 opening are required to keep flower stems 22 from riding on the plastic lid 48 edge. FIGS. 8E-F shows optional cubical case design 53 without living hinges 42.

Operation:

Foam blocks 15 and 17, shrink-wrapped foam segments 68, 70, 92, 94, and 96, plastic case assemblies 72, 74, 86 and 90, plastic bags 24, preservative packets 38 and bag top fasteners 26 are delivered to florist or wholesaler for use in packaging flowers, maximizing their life expectancy.

This embodiment with the individual stem well 52 patterns requires a little more care in the insertion of stems 22 into wells 52 but provides more beneficial contact between the stem 22 walls and the moisture bearing floral foam when individual stems 22 are inserted into the individual stem wells 52. The ease of insertion of an entire bundle of stems 22 is also enhanced even if the stems 22 do not fit into wells 52 because the foam material displaced by the penetrating flower stems 22 has a space in which to relocate provided by the stem wells 52. After flower stem 22 insertions, the rest of the soaking, bagging and shipping process is the same as in previously described embodiments.

While this invention has been described with reference to four illustrative embodiments, it will be understood that this description is not limiting as to size, scale or construction materials. Rather, the scope of this invention is defined by the following claims.

Claims

1-6. (canceled)

7. A packing apparatus for bundles of flowers with cut stems that provides moisture to cut ends of said cut stems during shipping comprised of:

a floral foam block with a top surface, a bottom surface, perimeter walls and a volume of moisture absorbing fine cell floral foam chosen from a group consisting of cubical and cylindrical blocks;

said top surface has sufficient cross sectional area as to receive all said cut flower stems of said bundle of flowers;

said volume of fine cell moisture absorbing foam sufficient to provide the required moisture to allow said predetermined size bundle of flowers to survive its given shipping times and allow said bundle of flowers to arrive at their destination hydrated;

a soak tank wherein said blocks of floral foam with said cut flower stems inserted into said blocks of floral foam are soaked until said floral foam blocks are saturated and said cut flower stems are fully hydrated in a solution chosen from a group of plain water, water with floral nutrients, or water with floral preservatives and nutrients;

a plastic bag to enclose said saturated block of floral foam with said cut ends of said flower stems inserted;

a plurality of packets of floral preservative wrapped around outside of top of said plastic bag; and

a bag top fastener wrapped around top of said bag and preservative packets, securely fastening top of said bag around said bundle of flower stems and attaching said preservative packets selected from a group of wire ties, rubber bands or plastic slip latches,

whereby evaporation of said moisture is minimized and cut flowers arrive fresh, healthy and hydrated.

8. A packing apparatus for bundles of flowers with cut stems that provides moisture to cut ends of said cut stems during shipping as in claim 7 further comprising:

stem wells in said floral foam blocks where a pattern of said wells is selected from a group of patterns that match the quantity and diameter of flower stems to be packaged or patterns that provide for minimized crushing of said floral foam during insertion when said stems are not aligned with said wells prior to said insertion;

said wells are at an approximate depth from said top surface as approximately one half of the length of said perimeter walls; and

said wells outer wall tangents to be sufficiently inboard of said blocks outer walls as to maintain the stability of said foam blocks.

9. A packing apparatus for bundles of flowers with cut stems that provides moisture to cut ends of said cut stems during shipping comprised of:

a floral foam block with a top surface, a bottom surface, perimeter walls, a volume of moisture absorbing fine cell floral foam chosen from a group consisting of twice-required length rectangular and cylindrical blocks and required length cylindrical blocks;

said twice-length rectangular and cylindrical floral foam blocks are shrink wrapped with typical shrink wrap plastic materials and processes and severed into two approximately equal length shrink-wrapped segments with said severed surface open for flower stem insertion and said bottom surface either having a drainage hole opened in said bottom surface of said shrink-wrap plastic material whereby excess preservative solution is allowed to drain prior to bagging operation or said bottom surface is left sealed whereby evaporation of absorbed preservative solution is minimized and floral foam blocks are protected from breaking and falling away from said flower stems during insertion or shipping by the banding effect of said shrink-wrap;

said required length cylindrical floral foam blocks are sleeve type shrink-wrapped with materials that either shrink to the exact height of said required length cylinder of floral foam or overlap either the top and/or bottom of said cylindrical floral foam block leaving said top surface open for flower stem insertion and said bottom surface open whereby excess preservative solution is allowed to drain prior to bagging operation and evaporation of absorbed preservative solution is reduced, and floral foam blocks are protected from breaking and falling away from said flower stems during insertion or shipping by the banding effect of said shrink-wrap;

said top surface has sufficient cross-sectional area as to receive all said cut flower stems of said bundle of flowers;

said volume of fine cell moisture absorbing foam sufficient to provide the required moisture to allow said bundle of flowers to survive its given shipping times and allow said bundle of flowers to arrive at their destination hydrated;

a soak tank wherein said blocks of floral foam with said cut flower stems inserted into said blocks of floral foam are soaked in a preservative solution until said floral foam blocks are saturated and said cut flower stems are fully hydrated in said preservative solution and any excess moisture is allowed to drain from said saturated blocks of floral foam;

said preservative solution is chosen from a group of plain water, water with floral nutrients, or water with floral preservatives and nutrients;

a plastic bag to enclose said saturated block of floral foam with said cut ends of flower stems inserted;

a plurality of packets of floral preservative wrapped around outside of top of said plastic bag; and

a bag top fastener wrapped around top of said bag and preservative packets, securely fastening top of said bag around said bundle of flower stems and attaching said preservative packets selected from a group of wire ties, rubber bands or plastic slip latches,

whereby evaporation of said moisture is minimized and cut flowers arrive fresh, healthy and hydrated.

10. A packing apparatus for bundles of flowers with cut stems that provides moisture to cut ends of said cut stems during shipping as in claim 9 further comprising:

stem wells in said floral foam blocks where a pattern of said wells is selected from a group of patterns that match the quantity and diameter of flower stems to be packaged or patterns that provide for minimized crushing of said floral foam during insertion when said stems are not aligned with said wells prior to said insertion;

said wells are at an approximate depth from said top surface as approximately one half of the length of said perimeter walls; and

said wells outer wall tangents to be sufficiently inboard of said blocks outer walls as to maintain the stability of said foam blocks.

11. A packing apparatus for bundles of flowers with cut stems that provides moisture to cut ends of said cut stems during shipping comprised of:

a floral foam block with a top surface, a bottom surface, perimeter walls and a volume of moisture absorbing fine cell floral foam chosen from a group consisting of cubical and cylindrical blocks;

plastic boxes for encasement of said floral foam blocks with snap on lids with openings to allow access to said top surface of said floral foam blocks for said cut stem insertion where said box shapes are selected from the group of cubic or cylindrical boxes, with and without bottom drains, whereby cut stem ends are protected by said boxes against bruising or crushing during shipping;

said lid openings have sufficient cross sectional area as to receive all the cut flower stems of said bundle of flowers;

said volume of fine cell moisture absorbing foam is sufficient to provide the required moisture to allow said bundle of flowers to survive its given shipping times and allow said bundle of flowers to arrive at their destination hydrated;

a soak tank wherein said blocks of floral foam with said cut flower stems inserted into said blocks of floral foam that are inserted in said plastic boxes are soaked until said floral foam blocks are saturated and said cut stems are fully hydrated in a solution chosen from a group of plain water, water with floral nutrients, or water with floral preservatives and nutrients;

a plastic bag to enclose said plastic box with said saturated block of floral foam with said cut ends of flower stems inserted;

a plurality of packets of floral preservative wrapped around outside of top of said plastic bag; and

a bag top fastener wrapped around top of said bag and preservative packets, securely fastening top of said bag around said bundle of flower stems and attaching said preservative packets selected from a group of wire ties, rubber bands or plastic slip latches,

whereby evaporation of said moisture is minimized and cut flowers arrive fresh, healthy and hydrated.

12. A packing apparatus for bundles of flowers with cut stems that provides moisture to cut ends of said cut stems during shipping as in claim 11 further comprising:

stem wells in said floral foam blocks where a pattern of said wells is selected from a group of patterns that match the quantity and diameter of flower stems to be packaged or patterns that provide for minimized crushing of said floral foam during insertion when said stems are not aligned with said wells prior to said insertion;

said wells are at an approximate depth from said top surface as approximately one half of the length of said perimeter walls; and

said wells outer wall tangents to be sufficiently inboard of said blocks outer walls as to maintain the stability of said foam blocks; and

said wells outer walls to be sufficiently inboard of said blocks outer walls as avoid said cut flower stems abrasion against said openings in said plastic lids.