PLANT PACKAGING SYSTEM AND PARTS THEREOF
A modular plant package assembly including a housing box defining an interior space, a root system assembly positioned in a first region of the interior space, and a shoot system assembly positioned in a second region of the interior space is described. The root system assembly includes a retention member having one or more members at least partially defining an open space sized to receive a plant pot and/or plant roots therein. The shoot system assembly includes two panel walls angling towards one another and including a bottom edge positioned in the interior region to interface or engage with at least one of the retention member or the plant pot when the plant pot is received in the open space of the root system assembly.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/420,993 filed on Oct. 31, 2022, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein, in its entirety, by this reference.
TECHNOLOGICAL FIELDThe present disclosure relates generally to shipping boxes. More specifically, the present disclosure is a modular plant packaging and parts thereof that preserve the structure and integrity of a plant and\or plant pots.
The present disclosure is directed to a plant packaging system and parts thereof.
The term plant as used hereinafter in the specification and claims is used in its broad meaning, and includes potted plants (i.e., a container with growing media with a plant growing therein), pot-less root/bulb-plants (i.e., a bouquet of plants, e.g., flowers, with their roots/bulbs however not planted in a container), and flowers with a vase. The term plant pots refers to containers for holding plants such as traditional plant pots, vases, or any other type of receptacle/container configured to hold the plant root system therein.
BACKGROUNDPlants are often shipped from one location to another. There is a need for improved plant packaging assembly to better protect plants during shipping, particularly from a retailer to an individual consumer.
SUMMARYEmbodiments disclosed herein include plant packaging systems and parts thereof. In an embodiment, a modular plant package includes a package housing, a root system assembly, and a shoot system assembly. The package housing is made of board material and defines a package space therewithin. The package housing, when in a folded closed position, includes a base wall, a top wall opposite the base wall, two opposite side walls, a back wall and an opposite front wall. The root system assembly and the shoot system assembly are positionable within the package space of the package housing. The root system assembly is configured with a bottom base configured to support a plant thereon and comprising a retention member being configured to support a root system of the plant in a plant pot and prevent at least lateral displacement thereof. In accordance with an embodiment, the base is part of the packaging housing or the insulation material. The shoot system assembly includes at least two panel walls configured to accommodate a shoot system of the plant. The free bottom edges of the at least two panel walls of the shoot system assembly partially rest against top edges of said root system assembly and/or the plant pot, and the top edges rest against a top wall of the package housing. This positioning arrests the root system assembly and/or the plant pot within the root system assembly and prevent at least axial displacement thereof.
In an embodiment, a modular plant package assembly includes a housing box, a root system assembly, and a shoot system assembly. The housing box defines an interior space. The root system assembly is positioned or positionable in a first region of the interior space of the housing box. The root system assembly includes a retention member having one or more members at least partially defining an open space sized to receive a plant pot and/or plant roots therein. The shoot system assembly is positioned or positionable in a second region of the interior space of the housing assembly adjacent to the first region of the interior space. The shoot system includes two panel walls angling towards one another and including a bottom edge positioned or positionable in the interior region to interface or engage with at least one of the retention member or the plant pot when the plant pot is received in the open space of the root system assembly.
Features from any of the disclosed embodiments may be used in combination with one another, without limitation. In addition, other features and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art through consideration of the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings.
The drawings illustrate several embodiments of the present disclosure, wherein identical reference numerals refer to identical or similar elements or features in different views or embodiments shown in the drawings.
The present disclosure is directed to a plant package and parts thereof designed for easy packing the plant whilst adequately protecting the plants and its receptacle (if present) it and eliminating or substantially reducing potential damage to the plant and plant pot while being transported in any orientation, and yet easily unpacking.
Among variables that may dictate whether the shipping is a success are the amount of time between packaging of the plant and its delivery, temperature within the shipment container often dictated by the insulation that maintains a desired temperature, shock absorption to maintain the integrity and preservation of the plant and its pot or a vase if used for shipment etc.
The disclosed subject matter relates to protecting plants and fragile objects often used to ship the plant, such as ceramic ware and glass ware, from the damaging effects of physical impact, shock and jarring unavoidably inherent in any shipping operation. The modular system of the disclosed subject matter allows for cushioning and absorbing any mechanical shocks or impacts imparted to the package and dampen their effects on the contents of the package. The modular system is further configured to regulate the effects of the environment surrounding the package, e.g. temperature control, humidity, etc.
The disclosed subject matter is directed to a modular packaging that is configured to ensure the plants and plant pots may be effectively protected throughout a shipment process while minimizing the amount packing material required to protect these.
The disclosed subject matter may accommodate a variety of plants (including flower arrangements) with or without pots and vases and varying sizes thereof. The disclosed subject matter further allows additional items to be included with the package without compromising the safety of the plant.
According to an embodiment of the present disclosure there is provided a modular plant package comprising: a package housing made of board material and defining a package space therewithin, the package housing when in a folded closed position comprising a base wall, a top wall opposite the base wall, two opposite side walls, a back wall and an opposite front wall; a root system assembly; a shoot system assembly; wherein the root system assembly and the shoot system assembly being positionable within the package space of the package housing; wherein said root system assembly being configured with an impact resistant bottom base configured to support the plant thereon and comprising a retention member being configured to snuggly support the plant root system and prevent at least lateral displacement thereof; wherein said shoot system assembly comprises at least two panel walls configured to accommodate the shoot system of the plant; and wherein free bottom edges of the at least two panel walls of the shoot system assembly partially rest against top edges of said root system assembly and the free top edges rest against a top wall of the housing thereby arresting the root system container within the root system portion and prevent at least axial displacement thereof.
In accordance with another embodiment of the disclosed subject matter, the present disclosed subject matter relates to a packaging for plant pots. The packaging comprises a housing made of board material and defining a package space therewithin, the package housing when in a folded closed position comprising a base wall, a top wall opposite the base wall, two opposite side walls, a back wall and an opposite front wall; a plant pot assembly positionable within the package space of the package housing; wherein said plant pot assembly being configured with an impact resistant bottom base configured to support the plant pot thereon and comprising a retention member being configured to snuggly support the plant root system and prevent at least lateral displacement thereof.
It will be appreciated that in the description terms plant pot assembly and root system assembly are used interchangeably to describe the features and function of the assembly directed to protect the receptacles with or without the plant.
Any one or more of the following features, designs and configurations may be applied to a plant package according to the present disclosure, separately or in various combinations thereof: the base member and the retention member may be integrally formed; the plant package may be configured with thermal insulation; the root system container may be configured for accommodating a plant's root system with or without a pot/container; the board material of the package housing and the root system container may be made of solid sheet material or multi-sheet material; the board material of the package housing and the root system container may be made of cardboard, corrugated cardboard, carton, plastic materials, laminated materials, and various combinations of materials; the package housing may be erected out of a single development sheet of board material; the root system assembly may be erected out of a single development sheet of board material; at least some of one or both of the package housing and root system assembly may be made of transparent or translucent material (that is advantageous for plant photosynthesis, for reviewing the contents of the plant package, and have an eye pleasing effect); at least some of one or both of the package housing and root system assembly may be made of, or coated with, liquid impermeable/liquid repelling/hydrophobic material; the package housing may be configured with one or more carrying handle; the root system assembly may be configured with a shock absorbing assembly at least at the bottom base thereof; the root system assembly may be configured with pot cradling liner; the side wall portions of the root system may be configured for at least partially embracing side wall portions of a plant pot received therein; the shoot system portion may be configured with shoot system support, such as paper wrap, shrink wrap, inflatable media, fibrous material, etc., so as to keep the shoot system intact while in the plant package; a shoot system of a plant received in the plant package may be wrapped or received in a protective sleeve; a wall of the package housing may be configured as an information board, such as a greeting card, user instructions, plant care instructions, etc.; a package space may be configured to accommodate a container with a plant growing additive; the package space may be configured to accommodate a plant stand; the package housing may have a tubular polygonal cross section shape, or a cylindrical cross section shape; the root system may have a shape corresponding with that of the package housing, or have a shape with a cross section having an inscribed polygon snugly supported by inside wall surfaces of the package housing; the root system portion may be configured for arresting a root system container of different sizes; the shoot system assembly may be provided with ventilation openings; the shoot system assembly may be provided with an arrangement for holding accessories; and/or the shoot system assembly may be provided with foldable flabs configures to rest on the top edge of the root system assembly.
In accordance with the disclosed subject matter a modular plant package is disclosed herein. In the following detailed description, terms of orientation such as “upper,” “lower,” “top”, “bottom”, “longitudinal,” “horizontal,” “vertical,” “lateral,” “midpoint,” and “end” are used here to simplify the description in the context of the illustrated examples. Because other orientations are possible, however, the present subject matter should not be limited to the illustrated orientation. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that other orientations of the various components described above are possible.
The present disclosed subject matter is a modular plant package and parts thereof that securely positions a plant (or e.g. a plant receptacle such as a pot) within the package for transportation. In accordance with an example, the plant package of the present disclosed subject matter accommodates a variety of potted plants. However, it will be appreciated that only a plant receptacle of a pot may accommodated in the package with appropriate adjustments as will be discussed in more detail hereinbelow. More specifically, the present disclosed subject matter prevents the plant (with or without a vase or a pot) or just the plant receptacle from sliding and moving within the package and without damaging the plant and\or the plant pot if present. The present disclosed subject matter preserves the integrity and structure of the plant and\or the plant pot.
Attention is now directed to
The housing (in whole or parts thereof) may be made of any rigid board material e.g., paper, cardboard, corrugated cardboard, carton, plastic materials, laminated materials, and various combinations of materials. The chosen material for constructing the various elements may be any substantially rigid material. It will be appreciated that, although denominated as rigid, the chosen material would preferably have a certain amount of flexibility in the cases of extreme physical impact. In the present embodiment, the material is a single wall corrugated C-flute cardboard.
The board may be singly-ply or multi-ply and may be made of transparent or translucent material or comprise transparent or translucent portions.
As used herein the “board material” may be processed paperboard material, organic material, non-organic material or composite material.
Package Housing Box
The package housing box 120 protects and houses the root system assembly 140 and the shoot system assembly 160, and a plant P (shown here with a plant pot PP) received within the housing space S defined by the package housing box 120 made of board material. Although shown as a rectangular box in the drawings, the housing box 120 may include other shapes and configurations having circular, triangular, square, or other polygonal cross-sectional shapes.
The box 120 in accordance with the example is in the form of a rectangular prism, made of any rigid board material e.g., paper, cardboard, corrugated cardboard, carton, plastic materials, laminated materials, and various combinations of materials. The chosen material for constructing the housing box 120 may be any substantially rigid material. It will be appreciated that, although denominated as rigid, the chosen material may have a certain amount of flexibility in the cases of extreme physical impact. In the present embodiment, the material is a single wall corrugated C-flute cardboard.
The board may be singly-ply or multi-ply and may be made of transparent or translucent material or comprise transparent or translucent portions. Further, the package housing may be made of, or be coated with, liquid impermeable/liquid repelling/hydrophobic material. Furthermore, the package housing may be at least in part thermally insulated either by choice of material or by an add-on layer of thermally insulating arrangement (e.g., a layer of insulating material on the inner or outer side of the package or parts thereof).
The plant package has a base wall 122A, a top wall 122B opposite the base wall 122A, two opposite side walls 124A and 124B, a back wall 126A (not seen) and opposite front wall 126B (seen here in an open position as comprising four flaps respectively extending from the base, top and side walls, while configured to fold to close the opening between said walls to form a confined housing space S). One example of such a housing box 120 is illustrated in
The development sheet of the housing box 120 has a generally rectangular shape. However, it will be appreciated that the shape of the development sheet of the housing box 120 is determined in accordance with the desired overall shape of the packaging assembly. The appropriate shape and size of the housing box 120 may be tailored to suit a particular application. For example, the product to be packaged may dictate the final size and shape of the packaging assembly.
In the present example, the development sheet comprises the side wall panels 124A and 124B, top wall and bottom wall panels 122A and 122B, closing panels forming the back wall 126A and the front wall 126B, seen here as comprising four flaps respectively extending from the base, top and side wall panels. In the presently exemplified box, the development sheet is further provided with an extension flap 128 configured to connect the opposite sides of the sheet so as to form a closed structure having four walls defining the space of the box as seen in the erected configuration in
With reference to
It will be appreciated that any type of housing box may be used in conjuncture with the packaging parts as will be described hereinafter and fitted in shape and dimensions to the desired overall structure.
A Root System Assembly
The root system assembly is configured to protect a plant root system or a plant receptacle such as a vase or a plant pot. The root system assembly may be used in conjuncture with the shoot system assembly when transporting a plat or separately therefrom in which case the packaging pox will we adjusted in size and shape to snuggly receive the root system assembly with the receptacle therein (not shown).
As seen in
The root system assembly 140 is configured with a bottom base 142 (
The retention member 144 is configured to snugly enclose the plant root system (e.g. plant pot PP) and prevent unintentional movement of the plant P received therewithin and prevent mechanical damage, e.g. from lateral impact. It will be also appreciated that the retention member 144, when snuggly enclosing the plant pot PP, spreads the impact energy thereby reducing the impact to the plant pot PP. The root system assembly 140 is thus configured to protect the plant root system by dampening any impact imposed thereupon whether from vertical direction or lateral direction.
One example of the root system assembly is shown in
The root system assembly 140 is configured with a bottom base 142 configured to resist at least vertical impact and support the plant thereon and comprises a retention member 144 which is configured to snuggly support the plant root system and prevent at least lateral damage thereof. The retention member 144 as will be discussed herein is configured to absorb lateral impact forces while maintaining the plant in a substantially vertical configuration. The retention member 144 allows for a lateral displacement of the retaining structure while securely retaining the plant P therewithin. In the illustrated example the retention member 144 is integrally extending from the bottom base 142.
The root system assembly 140 (e.g., retention system) as seen in
As seen in
The bottom base 142 of the root system assembly 140 fits snuggly within the housing box 120 when received therein and prevents the root system assembly 140 from sliding within the housing box 120, and the retention member 144 maintains the desired position of the plant root system within the housing box 120 (as seen in
The bottom base 142 may be in the form of impact resistant structure (e.g., shock absorbing assembly) and comprises a structure having a cage-like reinforced support truss with a central load-bearing element L configured to bear at least vertical loads.
The impact resistant structure is provided with the top base plate T extending over the load-bearing element at a substantially horizontal configuration. In accordance with an example of the disclosed subject matter, the support truss is configured to bear loads at various impact angles, e.g. vertical loads from the top or the bottom sides of the structure, loads applied at an angle to the cage-like reinforced support truss etc.
The arrangement being such that at the event of an impact applied thereto, such as from above or from the bottom, the support truss and the central load-bearing element L are configured to withstand the load (e.g. vertical load) applied thereto, whilst at least the top base plate T is supported in a configuration availing it to collapse slopingly downwards from the central load-bearing element L towards any one or both side edges thereof. The collapsing base plate T is supported from below to prevent it from complete collapsing into the cage base 142, thus the plant root system (e.g. the plant pot) when received thereon continues to be supported at least on the base plate T portion extending over the central load-bearing element L. It will be appreciated that the bottom panels of the bottom base 142 (e.g., base member) are supported in a configuration availing it to collapse to collapse inwards into the cage to absorb the vertical impact if applied respectively from the bottom side.
The cage-like support truss of the bottom base 142 comprises a top base plate, two side walls extending downwards from the base plate, a load-bearing assembly having a vertical load-bearing element (e.g., central load-bearing element L) spaced apart from the side walls, a horizontal load-bearing element (e.g., top base plate T) extending over the vertical load bearing element, two load-bearing surfaces substantially extending from the horizontal load-bearing element towards the bottom edge of the at least two side walls. As seen in
The overall configuration of the aforementioned components allows a potted plant to be safely and securely contained within a shipping box and configured to absorb lateral and vertical impact that might be applied during shipping and transportation.
In the present example, the development sheet comprises the retention member and integrally formed base member, such that the sheet comprises a central panel provided with a fold line and interconnecting the retention member and the base member, with the retention member comprising eight panels including a central back wall panel, side panels and front closing panels. The bottom base 142 integrally extends through the central panel, respective portion of which forms the top base panel (e.g. when folded) and is further provided with the panels forming the cage like impact resistant structure discussed herein (e.g. with reference to
With reference to
A Shoot System Assembly
As seen for example in
The panels 162 each have a top edge 166, a bottom edge 168 and a front edge 169. The top edge 166 of the panels 162 is configured to rest against the underside of the top wall 122B of the housing box 120, the front edges 169 are configured to rest against the fold between the respective side wall 124A, 124B and the front wall 126B of the housing box 120, while the bottom edge 168 of each panel 162 is configured to rest over the top edge of the walls of retention member 144 and/or the plant pot PP.
When assembled and received within the housing box 120 (e.g., as seen in
In accordance with an example of the disclosed subject matter, at least the bottom edge 168 of the panels 162 is provided with a foldable flap 164, which, when assembled, may be folded so as to provide for a surface area larger than the perimeter of the edge 168. The flap 164 may be folded away from the angular space configured to accommodate the shoot system of the plant and to rest over the top edges of the retention member 144 and/or the plant pot (as seen in
With reference to
Turning now to
The shoot system assembly may be provided with ventilation opening(s) e.g., designated 930 in
In accordance with another example of the disclosed subject matter the shoot system designated 900 in
As used herein, the term “about” or “substantially” refers to an allowable variance of the term modified by “about” by ±10% or ±5%. Further, the terms “less than,” “or less,” “greater than”, “more than,” or “or more” include as an endpoint, the value that is modified by the terms “less than,” “or less,” “greater than,” “more than,” or “or more.”
While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments are contemplated. The various aspects and embodiment disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting.
Claims
1. A modular plant package, comprising:
- a package housing made of board material and defining a package space therewithin, the package housing, when in a folded closed position, comprising a base wall, a top wall opposite the base wall, two opposite side walls, a back wall and an opposite front wall;
- a root system assembly; and
- a shoot system assembly;
- wherein the root system assembly and the shoot system assembly are positionable within the package space of the package housing;
- wherein said root system assembly is configured to support a plant thereon and comprises a retention member being configured to support a root system of the plant in a plant pot and prevent at least lateral displacement thereof;
- wherein said shoot system assembly comprises at least two panel walls configured to accommodate a shoot system of the plant; and
- wherein free bottom edges of the at least two panel walls of the shoot system assembly partially rest against top edges of said root system assembly and/or the plant pot and the top edges rest against a top wall of the package housing, thereby arresting the root system assembly and/or the plant pot within the root system assembly and prevent at least axial displacement thereof.
2. The modular plant package of claim 1, wherein the root system assembly includes a bottom based that is configured to support the plant thereon and includes a shock absorbing assembly.
3. The modular plant package of claim 1, wherein the root system assembly is configured for accommodating a plant's root system with or without the plant pot.
4. The modular plant package of claim 1, wherein side members of the root system assembly are configured for at least partially embracing side wall portions of the plant pot received therein.
5. The modular plant package of claim 1, wherein the root system assembly includes board material, and the board material of one or both of the package housing and/or the root system assembly is made of solid sheet material or multi-sheet material.
6. The modular plant package of claim 1, wherein the root system assembly includes board material, and the board material of one or both of the package housing and/or the root system assembly is made of cardboard, corrugated cardboard, carton, plastic materials, laminated materials, and various combinations of materials.
7. The modular plant package of claim 1, wherein one or both of the package housing and the root system assembly is erected out of a single development sheet of board material.
8. The modular plant package of claim 1, wherein at least portions of one or both of the package housing and root system assembly are made of transparent or translucent material.
9. The modular plant package of claim 1, wherein at least portions of one or both of the package housing and root system assembly are made of, or coated with, liquid impermeable or liquid repelling or hydrophobic material.
10. The modular plant package of claim 1, wherein the package housing is configured with one or more carrying handles.
11. The modular plant package of claim 1, wherein the root system assembly is configured with pot cradling liner.
12. The modular plant package of claim 1, wherein the shoot system assembly is configured with a longitudinal back support.
13. The modular plant package of claim 1, wherein the shoot system of a plant receivable in the plant package is wrapped or received in a protective sleeve.
14. The modular plant package of claim 1, wherein the root system assembly has a shape corresponding with that of the package housing, or has a shape with a cross section having an inscribed polygon supported by inside wall surfaces of the package housing.
15. The modular plant package of claim 1, wherein the root system assembly has a shape corresponding with that of the package housing, or has a shape with a cross section having an inscribed circle supported by inside wall surfaces of the package housing.
16. The modular plant package of claim 1, wherein the root system assembly has a shape at least partially corresponding with that of the plant pot, or has a shape with a cross section supporting the walls of the plant pot.
17. A modular plant package assembly, comprising:
- a housing box defining an interior space;
- a root system assembly positioned or positionable in a first region of the interior space of the housing box, the root system assembly including a retention member having one or more members at least partially defining an open space sized to receive a plant pot and/or plant roots therein;
- a shoot system assembly positioned or positionable in a second region of the interior space of the housing assembly adjacent to the first region of the interior space, the shoot system including two panel walls angling towards one another and including a bottom edge positioned or positionable in the interior region to interface or engage with at least one of the retention member or the plant pot when the plant pot is received in the open space of the root system assembly.
18. The modular package assembly of claim 17, wherein:
- the two panel walls of the shoot system assembly include a top edge interfacing a top wall of the housing box;
- the root system assembly includes a bottom base interfacing a base wall of the housing box, the bottom base including a top plate positioned to at least partially define open space to receive the plant pot, one or more bottom plates spaced from the top plate, and one or more walls extending between the top plate and the one or more bottom plates.
19. The modular package assembly of claim 18, wherein the retention member includes multiple columns or multiple side members extending between the bottom edge of the two panel walls and the bottom base, the multiple columns or the multiple side members positioned to interface a portion of the plant pot when the plant pot is received in the open space.
20. The modular package assembly of claim 17, further comprising an insulating material disposed between a top wall of the housing box and a top edge of the two panel walls, a bottom wall of the housing box and the root system assembly, and between sidewalls of the housing box and the root system assembly and the shoot system assembly, the insulating material including a front flap sized to be positioned over the root system assembly and the shoot system assembly.
Type: Application
Filed: Oct 30, 2023
Publication Date: May 2, 2024
Inventors: Lior AHARONI (Tel Aviv), Rina Berezovski (Tel Aviv), Yonatan Aldouby (Tel Aviv)
Application Number: 18/497,498