Abstract: A floral arrangement assembly according to the present invention embodiments provides protection and maintenance of a floral arrangement during display, transport and/or shipping. The floral arrangement assembly includes a floral retaining structure, a base to secure the floral retaining structure and a cover. The floral retaining structure includes a floral holding material secured to a platform via a suitable adhesive. A plurality of prongs may further be secured to the platform and utilized to engage the floral holding material. The floral retaining structure may further include a plate secured to the assembly base with the platform secured to the plate via a plurality of ties. Alternatively, the floral retaining structure may be secured directly to the assembly base via the plurality of ties. The floral arrangement assembly may be placed within a water proof bag or other containers, where optional cooling and absorption materials may be placed underneath the assembly.

Abstract: A modular container stores and/or displays various objects, such as, for example, cut flowers. The container comprises a body portion having a convoluted outer wall with alternating lobes and recesses spaced around the perimeter. The lobes and recesses are configured so that two or more of the containers may be interconnected. Various container configurations and accessories may be provided to create a wide variety of useful and decorative container arrangements.

Abstract: A Christmas tree transport system formed of a folding polyethylene plastic sheet tarpaulin apparatus which allows a user to easily enclose and transport a Christmas tree. The apparatus fastens with VELCRO brand hook and loop fasteners, and allows the user to place a natural Christmas tree within the apparatus without spilling the needles. The re-useable apparatus includes attached handles and wheels, allowing a user to quickly and easily enclose and move the Christmas tree. After use, the Christmas tree transport system folds compactly to store in a small space.

Abstract: A packaging carton box for flower and plant transportation is disclosed. The flower and plant packaging carton box comprises a main body having a bottom surface, wherein the bottom surface comprises at least a first pore hole. While plural of the packaging carton boxes are piled up, an air flow channel is formed by the first pore holes at the bottom surfaces of the main bodies, so as to cooperate with the transport carrier having a cold air flow blowing from bottom to top. Therefore, the cold air flow may enter the interior of each of the main body of the packaging carton box through the first pore hole and the air flow channel for adjusting the interior temperature and humidity of the packaging carton box.

Abstract: Packaging for protecting or for sending of plants or plant containers in which the packaging is formed from at least two parts. A lower part is connected to an upper part in such a manner that a recess is present between a wall of the lower part and an inner wall of the upper part and in which recess a plant container is secured against movement or displacement.

Abstract: A sheet of material is provided that is pre-folded and pre-glued for the wrapping and packaging of flower bunches and flower bouquets. The sheet of material contains a plurality of lines scored therein. The scored lines are arranged to create a pre-defined folding sequence that forms the desired floral packaging or wrapping. Visual indicia arranged to illustrate the pre-defined folding sequence and markings arranged to compliment the folded shape of the sheet are also provided. A fastening means is provided to secure the folded packaging. The sheet of material is made by scoring the sheet in particular places to mark the fold lines and to facilitate easy and consistent folding. The sheet is then folded across the scored lines and secured.

Abstract: A carton having two opposed crush-lock ends, a flat bottom and opposed top with a substantially central opening which can accommodate receptacles having necks of varying diameters. The carton is designed to be shipped as a flat partially assembled blank which can be erected into a substantially rectangular box by pushing inwardly on the edges so the side panels of the box lock in substantially flat configuration. The top opening has outwardly radiating cut lines to define wedge shaped segments with an arcuate score line intersecting the segments whereby the segments can deflect and accommodate different sized receptacles.

Abstract: A transport container for cut flowers includes at least one substantially watertight first container part (10) for receiving stems of cut flowers and a second container part (30), which at least during transport at least largely surrounds the cut flowers. The second container part includes a hollow base portion (20) which substantially receives the first container part on an upper surface thereof. The manually removable base portion (20) connects with a bottom of the second container part (30) and surrounds the cut flowers at least over a part of their length. Optionally, a collar element (40) is placed on the sleeve element.

Abstract: Flower shipment packaging includes a generally cylindrical outer container with a lid. A support for the vase of a floral arrangement is inserted at the lower portion of the inner chamber of the outer container. This support is preferably made of a plurality of flat pieces of cardboard that are slotted so they may be assembled together with eight peripheral edges engaging the inner periphery of the outer container and defining a central sub-chamber sized to snugly receive the vase. Above the vase support, a bouquet support is provided consisting of a blank cut out of a piece of cardboard and including a plurality of peripheral fins that may fold up at scoring locations to create a bouquet support and a central region that includes a plurality of radially extending slots that meet centrally to define a plurality of triangular portions that may be bent downwardly when a floral arrangement is pushed through them.

Abstract: A handle includes highly flexible locking tabs at opposite ends. Each of the opposed ends includes a generally triangular tab with a longitudinally extending slit aligned with the longitudinal axis of the handle for allowing the triangular tab to deflect for ease of insertion into an aperture in a tray or pot. The handle ends also include a secondary locking tab which is spaced in alignment with the longitudinally extending slit inwardly of the generally triangular tab. The locking ends include inwardly extending slots which define shoulders which engage a side of the tray or pot opposite the triangular tab for stabilizing the end of the handle in its locking engagement with the tray or pot.

Abstract: A method for extending freshness of Agaricus bisporus mushrooms is described. In one embodiment, the method includes providing a modified atmosphere in contact with Agaricus bisporus mushrooms. The modified atmosphere includes from 14% to 18% by volume of oxygen and from 5% to 9% by volume of carbon dioxide.

Abstract: Stackable plant trays may be sized with inside dimensions which are the same as conventional flats, but with sides that are substantially taller, thereby permitting plants to be protected when multiple trays of the present invention are stacked together. The sides of the trays may be formed in a lattice or mesh pattern, thereby allowing air and light to freely move through the tray, even with a second tray stacked on top thereof. The present invention provides an improvement over conventional plant trays, which may have sides that are just tall enough to hold the plant pots in place and would not allow for the stacking of one on top of the other.

Abstract: A tree root ball wrapping apparatus (100) includes a circular platform (109, 113) for supporting a separable, open-frame, root-containment structure (103, 105, 107) having an inverted conical shape. A group of pivot joints (201, 203, 205, 207) are located at an upper section of the root-containment structure for separating the root-containment structure into half sections. In practice, the group of pivot joints can be opened during tree transplantation for providing removal of a root ball from the wrapping apparatus by opening the sections at the group of pivot joints for easily facilitating removal of the wrapping apparatus (100) from within a transplantation hole.

Abstract: Packaging systems, apparatuses, and methods are provided for improving handling and shipment of plantlets. A carton carrier for transporting trays of plantlets may be provided. The carton carrier may include a bottom panel for receiving plantlet trays having first and second ends and first and second sides. The carton carrier may also include supporting side walls extending upwardly from the first and second sides of the bottom panel. The supporting side walls each define a support surface or shoulder at the top thereof. The carton carrier may also include end wall panels extending outwardly from the first and second ends of the bottom panel. The end wall panels may be configured to be foldable upwardly from the bottom panel to form end walls.

Abstract: A sealed container system for packaging and displaying a live plant for sale. The system has a subcontainer that is partially filled with a hydrogel, or has a divider lid that separates the hydrogel from the rest of the container system. A lid covers the subcontainer, where the lid has a tapered or elongate lumen to accommodate the plant roots while preventing the leakage of the hydrogel. The clear or transparent container, with the hydrogel, allows the container to operate as a miniature greenhouse allowing the plant to be displayed for an extended period of time without the need for interventional care by a human.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an inexpensive disposable tree cover system particularly useful for enclosing trees to catch shed leaves and needles. One embodiment is directed at a disposable tree cover system that may be attached at the base of the trunk of the tree then extended up and around the tree to provide a shed-proof enclosure for the tree. The material forming the cover system may be inexpensive fabric, cloth, or plastic. If the material is strong enough, handles may be provided on the enclosure to facilitate handling of the tree. The handles also facilitate manipulating the cover system during enclosing of the tree. The disposable tree bay may also be used in other areas, such as shipping of live trees, where the bag would serve as protection for the tree. If desired, the bag may be manufactured of sturdier material so as to be reusable instead of disposable.

Abstract: The present invention relates to apparatuses and methods for providing decorative covers, decorative collars and decorative cover collar combinations for covering a flower pot. The methods and apparatuses are formed from a variety of configurations of heat shrinkable sheet of material placed over all or a portion of a peripheral surface of the flower pot and then heated to shrink the sheet of material into a pressing engagement against the outer peripheral surface of the flower pot.

Abstract: A box for shipping temperature sensitive or perishable goods made from a double walled combined web having an inside barrier layer, a first paper liner bonded to the inside barrier layer, a first paper flute medium bonded to the first paper liner, an outside barrier layer, a second paper liner bonded to the outside barrier layer, a second paper flute medium bonded to the second paper liner, and a sandwich of a barrier layer bonded between third and fourth paper liners. The flute mediums are bonded, respectively, to the third and fourth paper liners.

Abstract: A box, a blank that can be easily formed into the box via an intermediate box assembly, and methods for generating and using the box allows one to quickly and easily package flowers and accessories for shipment to a consumer without bending, bruising or otherwise damaging the flowers. The box includes an insert that extends from a side of the box and is pivotable into an interior of the box. The insert includes a divider that extends from the insert and can be attached to a side after the flowers have been placed in the interior to extend between two sides and divide the interior into two compartments. One compartment contains the flower portion of the flowers while the other compartment contains the stem portion of the flowers and the accessories. The blanks allow one to quickly and easily generate the boxes and ensure that the box generated will have an insert to protect the flowers during shipment.

Abstract: A stackable deep-drawn plastic container has an at least slightly conical wall and a bottom connected to the conical wall. The wall has a rim area remote from the bottom. The rim area has a first ledge and a second ledge located below the first ledge. It also has an intermediate support area having a first end connected to the first ledge and a second end connected to the second ledge. A stacking spacing of the deep-drawn plastic container when stacked in a stack is determined by the first and second ledges. The first and second ledges in a plan view onto the rim area overlap at least partially. The intermediate support area has a first width at the first ledge that is smaller than a width at the second ledge. The intermediate support area has a wave shape at least at one of the first and second ends.

Abstract: A plant pot system includes an inner pot and an outer coded container pot. The inner plant pot includes a lip lock ridge and belt. The outer coded container pot includes a lip lock band and groove; and has one of a range of appearances. The inner plant pot containing a plant is placed within the outer pot and locks into place by engagement of the ridge in the groove so the combined pots have the appearance of the selected outer pot.

Abstract: An artificial Christmas tree and storage cover a trunk and progressively larger branches from the top to near the base of the tree. The tree trunk rests in a central bore of a frustoconical base and has at least three swivel castor wheels mounted on the lower wall, providing movable support for the tree assembly. At least one castor wheel has a foot-operated brake. A conical cover covers the standing, decorated tree and attaches to the base. The cover has flaps spaced along one vertical edge of the cover and receiving mating patches spaced along an opposite edge the flaps and mating patches having VELCRO, hook and loop material on the mating surfaces thereof. The cover has three triangular portions each having mating flaps and patches in turn. The base and the lower end of the cover have mating strips of hook and loop material.

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

Abstract: Vessels, or housings, and covers therefor are detailed herein. Loads and load-bearing surfaces exist principally at the periphery of the covers, by contrast with centralized loading utilized in other designs. In some versions of the vessels, a cover is sandwiched, at its periphery, between a cap assembly formed of both a jack ring and an upper component or cap and thus carried on and off the associated vessel when the cap is placed onto or removed from the vessel, respectively.

Abstract: A method for wrapping a wrapper about a floral grouping wherein the wrapper is a sleeve having a cinching tab or strip of bonding material or both, a reservoir disposed in the interior space of the sleeve, a closure flap for closing the sleeve and optionally a detaching element such as perforations for detaching a portion of the sleeve or sheet of material. The cinching tab is preferably attached near an edge of the sleeve. The cinching tab when present preferably has a bonding material disposed thereon which, when the cinching tab is pulled tightly about the wrapper, causes the wrapper to be crimped and tightly bound about the stems of the floral grouping.

Abstract: A device and method for preparing a vase or other container to receive a floral arrangement. The device includes a grid cover that is placed around the open end of a vase or similar container. The grid cover has a flat top surface and a peripheral wall that extends downwardly from the edge of the top surface. The grid cover is made of elastomeric material and is initially smaller than the open top of the vase. The grid cover is stretched over the open top of the vase, wherein the peripheral wall of the grid cover passes over the edge of the vase's open top and retains the stretched grid cover element in place. A plurality of openings are distributed throughout the top surface of the grid cover. As the grid cover is stretched over the top of a vase, the openings become positioned across the open top of the vase.

Abstract: A method of forming a plurality of floral sleeves having a uniform design or pattern and printed about a lower end thereof without requiring the waste of significant portions of sheet material is provided. The method includes the step of sealing and severing a pair of web portions along lines defined by coextensive first side edges and coextensive second side edges of decorative portions. In another aspect, the method includes the step of sealing and severing a pair of overlapping web portions provided with a plurality of decorative portions along a plurality of lines which traverse the decorative portions and each of the corresponding undecorative portions to form a plurality of sleeves wherein each sleeve has an upper portion and a lower portion with the lower portion having a decorative portion extending about the exterior circumference of the lower portion of the sleeve while the upper portion is free of any printing contained in the lower portion of an adjacently formed sleeve.

Abstract: A sealed container system for packaging and displaying a live plant for sale. The system has a subcontainer that is partially filled with a hydrogel, or has a divider lid that separates the hydrogel from the rest of the container system. A lid covers the subcontainer, where the lid has a tapered or elongate lumen to accommodate the plant roots while preventing the leakage of the hydrogel. The clear or transparent container, with the hydrogel, allows the container to operate as a miniature greenhouse allowing the plant to be displayed for an extended period of time without the need for interventional care by a human.

Abstract: The shipping system envelopes plants within their containers in perforated plastic. The perforations of the plastic are sized and spaced to allow respiration but to prevent the plant from becoming dislodged from their container. The container can be a tray having multiple cells holding a plurality of plants, or a single pot. The perforated plastic is used as an over wrap of the plant within its container. The plants are placed within a shipping container. Inserts are placed within the container and prevent the plant from becoming crushed if the shipping container becomes inverted by supporting the edge of the plant container and preventing the plant material from contacting any surface which would damage the plant.

Abstract: A method of covering a pot wherein the cover is a flattened sleeve which comprises a lower portion which is tapered and an upper portion which is detachable from the lower portion via a detaching element, leaving a non-linear upper peripheral edge in the lower portion. The cover may be bondingly connected to or crimped about the pot.

Abstract: A film wrapped container is disclosed including a container having no human-readable visible display markings thereon; and a heat shrinkable PVC or PETG film wrapping having human-readable display markings thereon is heat shrunk on the container in a manner such that the heat shrunk film wrapping is fixedly attached to the container without applying any adhesive and is removable, if desired, to reveal the container with no information about the product recognizable to a human. Additionally, a process for producing such a film wrapped container and a process for marketing the container are provided.

Abstract: A transplanting system including both methods and specific types of transplant apparatus such as propagule transplant trays(3, 4, 5, 6) addresses the need for the use of a propagule punch machine (8) on a variety of adolescent tray configurations (9, 11, 12, e.g.) and the increased operational efficiency that such enhanced operational capability affords. The system may involve at least one areally continuous propagule tray (3, 4, 5, 6) that is operationally compatible with a numerically significant number of adolescent plant trays. Other embodiments of the invention disclose punch pins (59) for use in a plant punch machine transplanter that are user-detachable and differentially designed so that plant punch elements of a certain design may be installed as part of the machine to customize the transplant process for a given species and transplant modality. The invention also provides for a consultable collection (such as printed documents or an electronic database, e.g.

Abstract: The invention concerns a bag for transporting flower bouquets or plants. It comprises a support for receiving the bouquet or the plant, forming the bottom of the bag, and two substantially parallel lateral portions comprising at least one cutout over at least one of the lateral portions.

Abstract: The invention concerns a portable packaging device for a floral bouquet, comprising a support element (14) for maintaining the bouquet (12), and a packaging film (16) made of soft material designed to enclose the support element (14). The packaging film (16) is provided with carrier means (18) designed to be fixed when the sheet (16) is laid flat in unfolded state, and to be positioned in a state to be grasped when the sheet (16) encloses the lateral surface of the support element (14). The carrier means (18) are formed by a couple of handles (18a, 18b) fixed to the packaging film (16) with securing members (20a, 20b).

Abstract: A floral transport apparatus to facilitate the transportation and delivery of floral arrangements is disclosed. The floral transport apparatus includes a hard plastic container housing a support carriage having a set of longitudinal elastic bands and a set of lateral elastic bands stretched tightly over a box frame to form an upper and lower mesh. The floral arrangement is held securely in the gaps between the tensioned bands of the upper and lower mesh to prevent lateral displacement which would otherwise result in tipping of the floral arrangement. The floral transport apparatus provides a means for carrying many floral arrangements of various sizes simultaneously. Moreover, the floral transport apparatus is easily portable and manageable by a single delivery person and can be washed to keep the apparatus attractive in view of floral customers and potential floral customers.

Abstract: A method of forming a plurality of floral sleeves having a uniform design or pattern and printed about a lower end thereof without requiring the waste of significant portions of sheet material is provided. The method includes the step of sealing and severing a pair of web portions along lines defined by coextensive first side edges and coextensive second side edges of printed portions. In another aspect, the method includes the step of sealing and severing a pair of overlapping web portions provided with a plurality of printed portions along a plurality of lines which traverse the printed portions and each of the corresponding unprinted portions to form a plurality of sleeves wherein each sleeve has an upper portion and a lower portion with the lower portion having a printed portion extending about the exterior circumference of the lower portion of the sleeve while the upper portion is free of any printing contained in the lower portion of an adjacently formed sleeve.

Abstract: Novel methods, apparatus and kits to provide a new presently-untapped market for state-of-the-art artificial flowers presently sold only as part of artificial plant assemblies that include artificial stems, branches, leaves, etc., the invention comprising various novel improved means, as well as kits including such means, for attaching such artificial flowers to non-blooming (pre-bloom, post-bloom or never-bloom) live vegeation having live stems, branches, leaves, etc., to simulate blooming thereof, for easy care-free instant yard beautification, said kits being devoid of artificial plant stems, branches, leaves, etc.

Abstract: A plant packaging and covering system including a floral sleeve having a decorative pattern thereon. The sleeve may have a lower portion sized to cover a pot and an upper portion which can surround a plant disposed in the pot and which can be detached after the protective function of the upper portion is complete or which can be used to support the sleeve from a support device prior to use. The decorative pattern preferably has an arcuate upper boundary in the flattened condition which when opened, gives the sleeve the appearance of having an upper edge which is parallel to the upper rim of the pot disposed within the sleeve.

Abstract: The invention provides a Christmas tree bag comprising a sheet having mating closure means on opposing sides thereof such that when the closure means are mated, the sheet forms a bag, open on each end, of a size to accommodate a Christmas tree therein. Drawstrings along each opposing end of the sheet are operable to substantially close each open end of the bag. The bag may be used as a tree skirt, thereby catching fallen needles, or easily removed from the tree after installation in the tree stand and replaced for disposal. The bag is reusable, durable and washable.

Abstract: A self-contained portable display for use in displaying decorative or informational objects in the home, office or the like. The display includes a base portion including a top surface and a bottom surface and an integral sheath which serves both as a storage cover and as a decorative skirt. In a preferred form of the invention, the sheath includes a first layer and a second layer, between which is arranged the base portion, and a hem extending about a peripheral edge. Arranged within the hem and extending around the peripheral edge, is a drawstring which serves both as a closure and as a handle for the display when placed in a storage configuration. In addition, a plurality of support points are arranged on a bottom portion of the base for attaching a respective plurality of removable support members.

Abstract: An Entertaining Growth System that utilizes the growth of a seedling within its design to create an entertaining and interesting device of chance. In its simplest form it allows the user to ask a “question” of the Entertaining Growth System and receive an “Answer” by observing the Dynamic Growth of a plant, in this case as seedling, through labeled holes in a lid.

Abstract: A sealing machine for sealing plant material disposed within a heat-sensitive bag comprises a first platen, a second platen movable with respect to the first platen between open and closed positions, and a compressible member disposed in a gap between said first and second platens. As the second member moves towards the closed position, the compressible member contacts and applies a pressure to bag, and evacuates substantially all of the air from within the bag without damaging the plant material. A sealing strip heats the bag, while an opposing pressure strip directs a pressure to the bag.

Abstract: The present invention relates to apparatuses and methods for providing decorative covers, decorative collars and decorative cover collar combinations for covering a flower pot. The methods and apparatuses are formed from a variety of configurations of heat shrinkable sheet of material placed over all or a portion of a peripheral surface of the flower pot and then heated to shrink the sheet of material into a pressing engagement against the outer peripheral surface of the flower pot.

Abstract: A legged pot has a pot body and at least one leg. The leg has a fluid conduit in fluid communication to and from the pot body. The legged pot can be used with a fluid source, a plastic film, or a tray to reduce watering cost, labor and material cost, water and fertilizer lose, environmental contaminate, and soil in use, and to avoid plant damage by water.

Abstract: A flower cup having a flared bell-like shape has a flared rim, tapered sides and a substantially flat base. The rim, sides and a portion of the base have a plurality of perforations running from the rim to the base, where the perforations meet a plurality of lines which radiate from the center of the base. The plurality of side perforations can be six and the plurality of base lines six. The side perforations align with the base lines. The plurality of base lines are partly perforated and partly cut, or half of the base lines are fully cut and the other half of the base lines are partly cut and partly perforated. The flower cup can have a stippled finish. A flower-stem protector has a straw sized to accommodate flower stems and having at least one rib on its proximal end, and a collar affixed to the proximal end of the straw.

Abstract: A film wrapped container is disclosed including a container having no human-readable visible display markings thereon; and a heat shrinkable PVC or PETG film wrapping having human-readable display markings thereon is heat shrunk on the container in a manner such that the heat shrunk film wrapping is fixedly attached to the container without applying any adhesive and is removable, if desired, to reveal the container with no information about the product recognizable to a human. Additionally, a process for producing such a film wrapped container and a process for marketing the container are provided.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention relates to a tray and its modifications for housing growth plugs in a stabilizing environment. A second aspect of the present invention relates to a method of forming trays for housing growth plugs, comprising the steps of extruding plastic through a die and cutting the extruded plastic periodically at an angle perpendicular to the direction of extrusion.

Abstract: The present invention is a modular system for packaging articles for shipment. In particular, a potted plant is placed in a cover, then automatically deposited into a protective sleeve. The potted plant thus packaged is ready for containment within a shipping carton. Various components of the system may be adapted for various packaging needs and circumstances.

Abstract: A floral transport apparatus to facilitate the transportation and delivery of floral arrangements is disclosed. The floral transport apparatus includes a hard plastic container housing a support carriage having a set of longitudinal elastic bands and a set of lateral elastic bands stretched tightly over a box frame to form an upper and lower mesh. The floral arrangement is held securely in the gaps between the tensioned bands of the upper and lower mesh to prevent lateral displacement which would otherwise result in tipping of the floral arrangement. The floral transport apparatus provides a means for carrying many floral arrangements of various sizes simultaneously. Moreover, the floral transport apparatus is easily portable and manageable by a single delivery person and can be washed to keep the apparatus attractive in view of floral customers and potential floral customers.

Abstract: Flexible polymeric materials having a cloth-like appearance suitable for use in the formation of flower pot covers, floral wrappings and ribbon materials are disclosed.