AUTOMATED SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SHRINK WRAPPING PLANTS

Abstract

The present invention relates in general to an automated, high through-put system and method for shrink wrapping potted plants for packaging and shipping. In particular, the system provides the ability to shrink wrap plants by utilizing a conveyor system and a heating area with heating units having adjustable, directional nozzle heads. The system may safely shrink wrap a variety of plant container sizes and types without causing damage to the plant in the process.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates in general to a system and a method that provides for high volume, high through-put, automated shrink wrapping around plants (“SWAP”). In particular, the SWAP system provides the ability to safely shrink wrap plants while minimizing stress by utilizing heat shields, a conveyor system, and a heating area with heating units having adjustable, directional nozzle heads. Such heat shields further provide protection to the plants during transport and shipping.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to the automated and high through-put packaging of plants for shipping and storage. There are several major problems encountered in providing for the shipment of flowers and plants so that they arrive at their destination in fresh condition after a journey of many hours and considerable handling. The first problem is that current shipping systems typically utilize manual labor for the packaging of plants. Such manual systems are slow, low through-put and time-consuming, thus, adding unnecessary stress to the plants. The second problem is that the delicate flowers or plant foliage must be securely held and protected during shipment. A desirable solution is to provide a protective covering (e.g. a plastic sleeve which is heat shrinkable about a potted plant and requires no additional securing device). However, difficulties arise when heat shrinking the plastic sleeve around the plant as the plant can be stressed and even damaged during the heat shrinking process. The present invention solves the above problems in a manner not disclosed in the known prior art by utilizing heat shields to deflect heat away from the plant as it travels on an automated conveyor system through a heating area to safely apply the shrink wrapping for shipping and transportation.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, it is a principal object, feature, and/or advantage of the present invention to overcome the aforementioned deficiencies in the art and provide an automated shrink wrapping system for plants that does not damage or stress the plant while shrink wrapping in a high through-put manner.

A further object, feature, and/or advantage of the present invention is to provide a means of shipping articles such as plants over long distances of many hours duration under rough handling conditions so that they arrive at their destination in a fresh condition.

An additional object, feature, and/or advantage of the present invention is to provide a heat shield around the plant as it travels through the heating area of the automated shrink wrapping system to deflect heat away from the plant and protect it from stress and damage.

Another object, feature, and/or advantage of the present invention is provide a plant container for potting a plant inside the container, a heat shield disposed about the potted plant, and a shipping tube for receiving the potted plant therewithin including means for holding the potted plant in a stable condition during shipping.

A still further object, feature, and/or advantage of the present invention is to provide that the heat shield disposed about the plant is formed from shrink-wrap plastic and includes an upper vented portion supporting the plant and a lower portion wrapped around the plant container in shrink-wrap relation.

Yet another object, feature, and/or advantage of the present invention is to provide that the heat shield is formed from a single panel, each panel including a tear perforation to facilitate removal of the sleeve from the plant and the plant container.

An additional object, feature, and/or advantage of the present invention is to provide an environment with a constant, stable temperature for the plant and a separate environment for shrink wrapping heat shrinkable material around the plant and the plant container, wherein the environments are separated by a heat shield.

It is another object, feature, and/or advantage of the present invention to provide that the shipping tube include a bottom wall and peripheral side walls, and the means holding the plant container include means extending between the shipping tube and the plant container.

According to one aspect of the present invention, a system is provided to shrink wrap potted plants by utilizing heat shields, a high through-put conveyor system and an automated heating area with heating units having adjustable, directional nozzle heads.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a method of packaging plants for shipment can include placing water-containing absorbent material in the lower portion of a plant container; potting the plant in the water absorbent material; covering the potted plant with a heat shield of shrink wrap plastic; applying heated air to the heat shield to connect it to the plant and plant container; and, fitting the plant container into a shipping tube.

Different aspects may meet different objects of the invention. Other objectives and advantages of this invention will be more apparent in the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the figures. The present invention is not to be limited by or to these objects or aspects.

DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

FIGS. 1-4 represent examples of systems of the present invention, and a method of utilizing the present invention.

FIG. 1 is an assembly line view of the system of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flow diagram of the method of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a frontal view of the system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a view of the different environments of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention contemplates a system and a method that provides for high volume, high through-put, automated shrink wrapping around potted plants for transportation and shipment. The term “potted plant” as used herein means a plant and the pot or plant container, such as a flower pot, within which the plant is contained. The term “plant container” means any type of floral container used to hold a botanical item. Examples of plant containers used in accordance with the present invention include clay flower pots, plastic flower pots, Ellepots, and flower pots comprised of other natural or synthetic materials. The plant container has potting soil or any other growing medium or filler, such as foam, known in the art to secure a plant or other botanical item within the plant container. The term “growing medium” as used herein means any liquid, solid or gaseous material used for plant growth or for the cultivation of plants, including organic and inorganic materials such as soil, humus, perlite, vermiculite, sand, water, and including the nutrients, fertilizers or hormones or combinations thereof required by the plants for growth. One end of the plant is secured in the plant container and the other end exposed through the opening in the plant container. The potted plant has an exterior surface comprising the outer surface of the plant container, about which a cover may be placed or applied. The term “plant” as used herein means a natural or artificial herbaceous or woody plant, taken singly or in combination. The term “plant” also means any portion or portions of natural or artificial herbaceous or woody plants including stems, leaves, flowers, blossoms, buds, blooms, cones, or roots, taken singly or in combination, or in groupings of such portions such as a bouquet or cut flowers.

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a side assembly view of the SWAP system (10) and method of the present invention. The SWAP system comprises a first conveyor (12) driven by a motor (14). The motor (14) can be electric, hydraulic, pneumatic, or other like motors with variable speed control. The motor (14) may be connected to a gear box (not shown) such as a right angle gear box or variable gear box with a compatible gear ratio such as 60 to 1, 50 to 1, or between 40-80 to 1. In another aspect of the present invention the gear ratio is a variable ratio. In preference, chain sprockets (16) may be attached to an output shaft (18) of the gear box and a drive shaft (20) of the first conveyor (12). These two chain sprockets (16) can be connected by a drive chain (22) to form a continuous loop. When initiated, this continuous loop allows the motor (14) to turn the first conveyor (12) for the SWAP system (10).

Slots (24) may be mounted or configured on the first conveyor (12). Slot sizes (24) may be modified via interchangeable chains or sections to fit shrink-wrap plastic tubular heat shields (26) of various diameters. Slots (24) include two steel flat bar stock panels. In one aspect, the panels can be 5″ high, 1″ wide, and ⅛″ thick. These panels ensure that heat shields (26) remain in an upright position on the first conveyor (12) with an opening at the top of each heat shield (26). Furthermore, each of these slots (24) may include a height adjustable pedestal. The height adjustable pedestal may be 1″ in diameter, more preferably ½″ in diameter, and most preferably ⅜″ in diameter. The head of the adjustable pedestal may be in the range between ⅜ to 2″, preferably with a ½″ mushroom head. This pedestal may be height adjustable (e.g. 1″ to 2″ above the first conveyor) to compensate for plant containers of various types (e.g. soft-sided Ellepots or rigid containers) and various sizes (e.g. 2″×2″; 3″×3″; 3.5″×3.5″; 4″×4″; 4.5″×4.5″; 30 mm; 45 mm; 60 mm; 65 mm; 80 mm) being used in the SWAP system. For instance, soft-sided Ellepots require more of a bottom surface to be surrounded by the heat shields to ensure protection when shipping, whereas rigid containers only require their sides to be covered to be adequately protected.

FIG. 1 further illustrates that the SWAP system may have height and width adjustable side rails (28) located on each side of the first conveyor (12). The side rails (28) may be between 5-10″ in height above the conveyor (12). The side rails (28) are preferably made of sheet metal covered with Teflon™ tape. Side rails (28) serve a dual purpose of maintaining heat shields in an upright position and eliminating static cling that is intrinsic to shrink-wrap plastic film.

The SWAP system and method of the present invention is a high volume, high through-put system capable of automatically running approximately 10-50 plants per minute through at any given time. The system of the present invention further comprises a standard automated industry shrink wrap film machine (30) known in the art and commercially available, such as those manufactured by Uline, U.S. Packaging & Wrapping, and Astroseal. The shrink wrap film machine further comprises a photo eye (32). An electrical signal from the photo eye (32) triggers the shrink wrap film machine (30) to automatically dispense a preformed heat shield (26) into the slot (24) between each flat bar stock panel when the panels pass by the photo eye (32). The preformed heat shield (26) may comprise a tubular shape (e.g. cylindrical, square, octagonal, trapezoidal, etc.) having an open upper end, a lower end, and an interior space. The heat shield (26) comprises a shrinkable material which, in a preferred embodiment, is made up of shrink wrap or heat shrinkable material. The shrinkable material can be shrunk by a heat source to constrict or crimp the heat shield such that when a plant (34) and plant container (36) are disposed within the heat shield (26), the shield is held or secured about the plant (34) and plant container (36). The heat shield (26) may be detachable from the plant and plant container via perforations, tear strips, weakened areas, or zippers. The upper portion of the heat shield may also be detachable and have an extended portion for serving as a handle or support device.

The heat shield (26) may be constructed of a single sheet of material or a plurality of sheets. Any thickness of the sheet of material may be utilized in accordance with the present invention as long as the sheet of material may be wrapped about at least a portion of a plant container, as described herein. The heat shield (26) may have a thickness of less than about 1 mil to about 30 mils. Typically, the heat shield (26) has a thickness in a range of less than about 0.2 mils to about 10 mils. In a preferred embodiment, the heat shield (26) is constructed from one sheet of man-made organic polymer film having a thickness in a range of from less than about 0.5 mils to about 2.5 mils.

The heat shield (26) may vary in color. Further, the heat shield (26) may consist of designs which are printed, etched, and/or embossed; in addition, the heat shield (26) may have various colorings, coatings, flocking and/or metallic finishes, or be characterized totally or partially by pearlescent, translucent, transparent, iridescent, or the like, characteristics. Each of the above-named characteristics may occur alone or in combination. Moreover, each surface of the heat shield (26) may vary in the combination of such characteristics.

The heat shield (26) may further comprise at least one scent. Examples of scents utilized herein include (but are not limited to) floral scents (flower blossoms, or any portion of a plant), food scents (chocolate, sugar, fruits), herb or spice scents (cinnamon), and the like. Additional examples of scents include flowers (such as roses, daisies, lilacs), plants (such as fruits, vegetables, grasses, trees), foods (for example, candies, cookies, cake), food condiments (such as honey, sugar, salt), herbs, spices, woods, roots, and the like, or any combination of the foregoing. Such scents are known in the art and are commercially available. The scent may be disposed upon the heat shield by spraying the scent thereupon, painting the scent thereupon, brushing the scent thereupon, lacquering the scent thereupon, immersing the sheet of material to scent-containing gas, or any combination thereof. The scent may be contained within a lacquer, or other liquid, before it is disposed upon the sheet of material. The scent may also be contained within a dye, ink, and/or pigment (not shown). Such dyes, inks, and pigments are known in the art, and are commercially available, and may be disposed upon or incorporated in the sheet of material by any method described herein or known in the art.

Plants (34) are pre-potted in the plant containers (36) and inspected by an operator for quality assurance. As heat shields (26) automatically travel down the first conveyor (12), the pre-potted plants (34) are manually loaded (38) by the operator into the opening at the top of each heat shield (26) at a preferable rate of approximately thirty plants per minute. Thus, a heat shield (26) may extend entirely circumferentially about the plant (34) in its plant container (36). Although the present invention discloses manual placement of the plants (34) into the heat shields (26), it is contemplated that robotics may be utilized instead. At this point the plants (34) located within the heat shields (26) automatically continue down the first conveyor (12) to the heating area (40).

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the heating area (40) can be divided into a first heating unit (42) and a second heating unit (44). Heating units (42, 44) can include, for example, electrical ducts; fans; heating coils; electrical air flow switches; air cylinders; exhaust pipes; exhaust (damper) flaps; and, rotatable, adjustable, directional nozzles. In one example, each heating unit (42, 44) can include one 6″×6″×24″ NEMA electrical duct; one squirrel cage fan with an output of 130 CFM; two 2200 watt, 220 volt, single phase resistant heating coils encased in a cylindrical 10″ ceramic pipe capable of withstanding 2600° F.; one electrical air flow switch; two air cylinders; two 2.5″ diameter standard automotive exhaust pipes; two agricultural implement exhaust (damper) flaps; and, two rotatable, adjustable, directional nozzles. The adjustable directional nozzles can be in any shape advantageous for directing airflow, but preferably either circular in shape, wedge shaped, and/or with extensions that prevent air flow from traversing upwards or downwards. In one aspect, heating unit (42, 44) can be configured so that a first set of up to six adjustable, directional nozzles (46) are positioned on opposite sides of the first conveyor (12) at a first elevation to discharge heated air towards a lower portion of the heat shield (26) to heat shrink or constrict the shield around the plant container (36) while the shields are traveling past the heating units on the first conveyor (12). In this aspect a lower extension can be included on the nozzle to prevent air flow from traversing downwards. In another aspect, heating unit (42, 44) can be configured so that a second set of up to six adjustable, directional nozzles (48) are positioned on opposite sides of the first conveyor (12) at a second elevation to discharge heated air towards an upper portion of the heat shield (26) to heat shrink or constrict the shield (26) around the plant (34). In this aspect an upper extension can be included on the nozzle to prevent air flow from traversing upwards. In at least one example, the first heating unit (42) can be configured so that a pair of rotatable, adjustable, directional nozzles (46), including lower extensions, are positioned on opposite sides of the first conveyor (12) at a first elevation to discharge heated air towards a lower portion of the heat shield (26) to heat shrink or constrict the shield around the plant container (36), including the bottom of the plant container (36), while the shields are traveling past the first heating unit (42) on the first conveyor (12). The second heating unit (44) can be configured so that a second pair of rotatable, adjustable, directional nozzles (48), including upper extensions, are positioned on opposite sides of the first conveyor (12) at a second elevation to discharge heated air towards an upper portion of the heat shield (26) to heat shrink or constrict the shield (26) around the plant (34) while the shields are traveling past the second heating unit (44) on the first conveyor (12). In another example, the heat shield (26) on the first conveyor (12) travels past the first heating unit (42) wherein heated air heat shrinks or constricts the shield (26) around the plant container (36) before the heat shield (26) travels past the second heating unit (44) wherein heated air heat shrinks or constricts the shield around the plant (34).

Returning to FIGS. 1 and 2, an operator may conduct a pre-heating process for the SWAP system prior to starting the first conveyor (12). For instance, squirrel cage fans (50) may be turned on to trigger the air flow switch and activate the heating coils (not shown), thus forcing air over the heating coils at a controlled rate. During this pre-heating process, damper flaps (52) will be fully opened by the de-activated air cylinders (54) and heated air will be discharged through openings in the exhaust pipes (56).

After the operator initiates the first conveyor (12) to begin the heating process, the air cylinders (54) may be activated and the dampers (52) closed to pre-determined incremental settings. Thus, heated air will now flow at a controlled rate through the adjustable, directional nozzles (46, 48) onto the first conveyor (12). This rate may be adjusted by changing the size of the openings of the exhaust pipes (56) via the dampers (52). Changing the size of these openings allows for a temperature drop at the nozzles (46, 48) directed at the heat shields (26) (i.e. a larger opening at the exhaust pipes creates greater air flow, thus lowering the temperature at the nozzles). Thus, fully opening the dampers (52) allows heated air to escape through the exhaust pipes (56) and create a vacuum that pulls cool air back through the nozzles (46, 48) to create an instant on/off effect. This also makes it possible for the first conveyor (12) to shut down with plants (34) directly in line with the nozzles (46, 48) as there is no need to remove the plants (34) from the first conveyor (12) to prevent heat damage. This also makes it possible for an instant restart without loss or delay of production. As a result, the unique design of the SWAP system allows for the first conveyor (12) to be stopped without having to also shut down the heating units (42, 44).

As illustrated in FIGS. 3-4, the heat shield (26) creates separate, temperature controlled environments around the plant (34) as it travels through the heating area (40) of the automated, high through-put SWAP system. The heat shield (26) is critical to the safety of the plant (34) by creating a barrier between shrink wrap environments (T^C, T^D) and plant environments (T^A,T^B). Shrink wrap environments (T^C, T^D) typically combine high temperatures and air flow rates (68, 70), generated by heating units (42, 44) and discharged through adjustable, directional nozzles (46, 48), needed to shrink wrap the heat shrinkable material around the plant (34), plant container (36), and the bottom of the plant container (36). Fixture (37) allows the heat shield (26) to wrap around the bottom of plant container (36) as it traverses through the SWAP system. Temperatures in shrink wrap environments (T^C, T^D) typically range between 50 to 500° F. Moreover, heat shrink environment (T^C) may be set at a different temperature level then heat shrink environment (T^D), according to the preferences of the operator. Likewise, heat ranges and air flow rates (68, 70), emitted from the heating units (42, 44) and discharged through the adjustable, directional nozzles (46, 48), may also be set at different parameters according to the preferences of the operator. Thus, the heat shield (26) protects the plant (34) from the stressful shrink wrap environments (T^C, T^D) that could potentially damage the plant (34) during the shrink wrapping process. The heat shield (26) accomplishes this by deflecting heat and air flow (68, 70) away from the plant and thus creating a stable, temperature controlled plant environment (T^A,T^B). Temperature levels in plant environments (T^A,T^B) are consistently between the ranges of 50 to 100° F., and more preferably ambient temperature. This is illustrated in Table 1, which compares temperatures in plant environments (T^A,T^B) to shrink wrap environments (T^C, T^D) as plants (34) traverse through the SWAP system.

	TABLE 1
	Prior to Heat	Heat	After Heat
	Shrink	Shrink	Shrink
Temperature in Plant	78.0° F.	89.0° F.	90.0° F.
Environments (TA, TB)
Temperature in Shrink Wrap	78.0° F.	150.0° F.	89.0° F.
Environments (TC, TD)
Soil Temperature	70.0° F.	82.0° F.	87.0° F.

The automated, high through-put process of the present invention generates product movement on the first conveyor (12) so that plants (34) are only in front of the adjustable, directional nozzles (42, 44) for brief intervals. In one aspect the plants (34) are in front of the nozzles (42, 44) for two brief intervals between 1-5 seconds per interval. This process raises the temperature of plant environments (T^A,T^B) approximately 1-15° F. above ambient temperature, more preferably 6-10° F., thus, causing no adverse effect on the plant. Moreover, plant environment (T^A) may be set at a different temperature level then plant environment (T^B), according to the preferences of the operator.

As shown in FIG. 1, after the plants (34) travel through the heating units (42, 44) and the heat shields (26) are heat shrunk safely around the plants (34) and plant containers (36), each plant and its respective container is picked up by a second conveyor (58) comprising one to four belts, preferably two. Thus, one belt may be positioned on each side of the first conveyor (12). These belts may be fabricated from a very soft durometer material so that plant root balls will not be damaged while gripped by the belts. As the plant (34) enters the center of these belts the plant (34) is lifted from the first conveyor (12) and transferred to the end of the second conveyor (58) wherein the plant (34) is deposited into a funnel (60). Once the plant (34) enters the funnel (60) it sits at the bottom in an upright position. At the same time the plant (34) is released into the funnel (60), a third conveyor (64) can position a shipping tube (66) under the funnel (60). The shipping tube (66) can be configured with a diameter larger than the plant's root ball. When in this position, the shipping tube (66) can also sit over an assortment of holes connected to a vacuum system (not shown). The vacuum system then pulls the plant (34) into the shipping tube (66).

All conveyors (12, 58, 64) in the SWAP system are automated, high through-put, and may run in a continuous loop and may be driven by the same motor (14). However, the third conveyor (64) may be configured to move slower as compared to the first and second conveyors (12, 58) to allow twice the amount of time to load the plant (34) into the shipping tube (66). After the shipping tube (66) is loaded with a plant (34) the third conveyor (64) removes the shipping tube (66) from under the funnel (60) wherein it exits the SWAP system for shipping and transportation. This process may run continuously without manually stopping and starting the conveyors.

The automated, high volume, high through-put SWAP system and method of the present invention are universally applicable to plants and plant containers of all shapes and sizes, makes, models, and manufacturers. Furthermore, the SWAP system can be used with any standard manufacturer shrink wrap film machine. Although the invention has been described and illustrated with respect to preferred aspects thereof, it is not to be so limited since changes and modifications may be made therein which are within the full intended scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A system of shrink wrapping a plant, the system comprising:

a motor;

a conveyor connected to the motor;

a shrink wrap film machine;

heat shields comprising heat shrinkable film, wherein the shrink wrap film machine deposits the heat shields onto the conveyor;

plants potted in plant containers, wherein a plant and a plant container are deposited inside a heat shield;

a heating area comprising a first and second heating unit with adjustable, directional nozzles, wherein the first heating unit discharges heated air towards a lower portion of the heat shield and the second heating unit discharges heated air towards an upper portion of the heat shield through the nozzles;

a vacuum, wherein the first and second heating units allow for an instant on-off effect at the nozzles by creating the vacuum that pulls air back into the nozzles; and

wherein the heated air safely secures the heat shrinkable film of the heat shield around the plant and plant container without damaging the plant in preparation for transport and shipping.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the heat shields are individually deposited into slots on the conveyor to maintain the heat shields in an upright position, wherein the slots are formed by flat bar stock panels.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the slots further comprise height adjustable pedestals.

4. The system of claim 2, further comprising side rails located on each side of the conveyor to further maintain the heat shields in an upright position.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein said first and second heating units comprise an electrical duct, a squirrel cage fan, heating coils, an electrical air flow switch, air cylinders, exhaust pipes, and dampers.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the shrink wrap film machine further comprises a photo eye to trigger dispensing a heat shield onto the conveyor as the panel passes by the photo eye.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein adjusting the dampers located on the exhaust pipes controls flow rate of heated air through the nozzles.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the heating area only raises plant temperature 6-10° F. above ambient temperature while heat shrinking the heat shield around the plant and plant container.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the heat shields contain perforations, tear strips, weakened areas, zippers, colors, designs, and/or scents.

10. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a second conveyor, wherein the second conveyor comprises two belts;

a funnel, wherein the second conveyor grips the plant between the two belts, removes the plant from the first conveyor, and deposits it inside the funnel; and

a third conveyor comprising shipping tubes, wherein the plant is removed from the funnel into a shipping tube for transport and shipping.

11. A system of shrink wrapping a plant, the system comprising:

a motor;

a first conveyor connected to the motor;

a shrink wrap film machine;

heat shields comprising heat shrinkable film, wherein the shrink wrap film machine deposits the heat shields onto the conveyor;

plants potted in plant containers, wherein a plant and a plant container are deposited inside a heat shield;

a heating area comprising a first and second heating unit, wherein said heating units each comprise an electrical duct, a squirrel cage fan, heating coils, an electrical air flow switch, air cylinders, exhaust pipes, dampers, and adjustable, directional nozzles, further wherein the first heating unit discharges heated air towards a lower portion of the heat shield and the second heating unit discharges heated air towards an upper portion of the heat shield through the nozzles;

a vacuum, wherein the first and second heating units allow for an instant on-off effect at the nozzles by creating the vacuum that pulls air back into the nozzles;

a plant environment and a separate shrink wrap environment, wherein the heat shield acts as a barrier between the environments, further wherein the plant environment is stable and temperature controlled to protect the plant from stress and damage from the heated air;

wherein the heated air safely secures the heat shrinkable film of the heat shield around the plant and plant container without damaging the plant in preparation for transport and shipping;

a second conveyor, wherein the second conveyor comprises two belts;

a funnel, wherein the second conveyor grips the plant between the two belts, removes it from the first conveyor, and deposits it inside the funnel; and

a third conveyor comprising shipping tubes, wherein the plant is removed from the funnel into a shipping tube for transport and shipping.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the shrink wrap film machine further comprises a photo eye to trigger dispensing a heat shield onto the conveyor as the panel passes by the photo eye.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the heat shields are maintained in an upright position on the conveyor via slots and side rails.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein adjusting the dampers located on the exhaust pipes controls flow rate of heated air through the nozzles.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the heating area only raises plant temperature 6-10° F. above ambient temperature while heat shrinking the heat shield around the plant and plant container.

16. A method of shrink wrapping a plant, the method comprising:

providing a conveyor with slots and side rails, wherein the conveyor is driven by a motor with variable speed control;

providing a shrink wrap film machine with a photo eye;

providing heat shields comprising heat shrinkable film;

depositing a heat shield onto the conveyor via the shrink wrap film machine, wherein the heat shield is deposited in an upright position between the slots and side rails of the conveyor;

placing a pre-potted plant into a top opening of the heat shield;

providing a heating area comprising a first and second heating unit, wherein said heating units each comprise an electrical duct, a squirrel cage fan, heating coils, an electrical air flow switch, air cylinders, exhaust pipes, dampers, and adjustable, directional nozzles;

transitioning the plant in the heat shield into the heating area via the conveyor;

discharging heated air towards a lower portion of the heat shield through the nozzles of the first heating unit and further discharging heated air towards an upper portion of the heat shield through the nozzles of the second heating unit, wherein the heated air safely secures the heat shrinkable film of the heat shield around the plant and plant container without damaging the plant;

providing a vacuum, wherein the first and second heating units allow for an instant on-off effect at the nozzles by creating the vacuum that pulls air back into the nozzles; and

exiting the plant from the heating area via the conveyor for shipping and transport.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising:

providing a second conveyor comprising two belts;

providing a funnel;

providing a third conveyor comprising shipping tubes;

wherein the second conveyor removes the plant from the first conveyor by gripping the bottom portion of the plant between the two belts and transporting it to the funnel where it is deposited therein;

further wherein the plant is removed from the funnel into a shipping tube on the third conveyor for transport and shipping.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising controlling flow rate of heated air through the nozzles by adjusting the dampers located on the exhaust pipes.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein plants are in front of the nozzles discharging heated air for about two second intervals.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the heating area only raises plant temperature 6-10° F. above ambient temperature while heat shrinking the heat shield around the plant and plant container.

21. A system of shrink wrapping a plant, the system comprising:

a potted plant;

a heat shield comprising heat shrinkable film, wherein the potted plant is inserted into the heat shield;

a plant environment surrounding the potted plant, wherein the plant environment has a first temperature;

a shrink wrap environment, wherein the shrink wrap environment has a second temperature;

a conveyor, wherein the potted plant moves in and out of the shrink wrap environment via the conveyor;

a barrier between the plant environment and the shrink wrap environment formed by the heat shield;

wherein the first temperature of the plant environment is stable and causes no adverse effect on the potted plant;

wherein the second temperature of the shrink wrap environment is at least hot enough to shrink the heat shrinkable film of the heat shield;

further wherein the second temperature secures the heat shrinkable film of the heat shield around the potted plant without damaging the plant in preparation for transport and shipping; and

wherein the temperature of the shrink wrap environment can be instantly reduced via a vacuum effect while the potted plant is within the shrink wrap environment.