NL1023920C2 - Transport container for cut flowers, has hollow upper container which extends from upper surface of manually removable hollow base accommodating watertight inner container receiving stems of cut flowers, to surround flowers - Google Patents

Abstract

The transport container has a watertight inner container (10) for receiving stems of cut flowers, and an outer container comprising a manually removable hollow base (20) which surrounds the flowers. The inner container is placed into the outer container from upper surface of outer container. A hollow upper container (30) which extends from upper surface of base, surrounds the flowers over a part of their length. An independent claim is also included for base/sleeve/collar/inner container of transport container.

Description

Transport container for cut flowers and a component for that.

The present invention relates to a transport container before cut flowers comprise at least one at least substantially watertight first holder part for receiving therein the cut flowers with their stalk, and a second holder part which at least largely surrounds the cut flowers, at least during transport.

In order to keep cut flowers fresh during transport, the cut flowers are preferably transported on water, in particular with regard to transport over greater distances. In addition, the flowers are preferably also transported in transport containers to protect the flowers against damage. This usually involves a transport container in the form of a cardboard box, on a bottom of which a watertight bucket is placed. The bucket then forms a first holder part and is filled with water to receive the flowers with their stems therein. The box forms a second holder part and is height-adjusted to the length of the flowers, so that they are hidden therein during transport and are thus protected against damage.

A drawback of this known transport container is that water from the bucket often enters the package, for example as a result of shocks and shaking during transport and transfer, whereby the cardboard package softens, which is at the expense of the stability of the package. In addition, the flowers must be unpacked at the destination, which is not only time-consuming but also leaves a lot of packaging waste behind.

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The present invention has for its object, inter alia, to provide a transport container of the type mentioned in the preamble which obviates these drawbacks.

In order to achieve the intended object, a transport holder of the type mentioned in the preamble has the feature according to the invention that the second holder part comprises a hollow base part in which the at least one first holder part is at least largely accommodated from an upper surface thereof, and that the base part on the upper surface 10 239 20

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I is detachably connected by hand to a hollow tube part which is from the top surface I

I proceeds from the base part thereof and is capable of the cut flowers at least over a part of I

I to surround their height. Such a transport container can be made from I

I any suitable material, in particular from plastic, and therefore does not lose to I

Stability in contact with water. Because the transport container is made of separate parts, I

I, the container can be taken apart after use and relatively compact I

I stowed away. The container is then suitable for repeated use and thus gives an I

less large waste tax. I

The base part and first holder part can be made in one piece, but in an I

In a preferred embodiment, the transport container according to the invention has the feature I

that the base part is provided on the upper surface with an opening in which it comprises at least I

A first holder part abuts releasably at least practically. More in the I

I particularly has an embodiment of the transport container according to the invention as I

Characterized in that the first holder part comprises a releasable bucket which is in the base part I

I stabs. By thus starting from a detachable first holder, in which the cut flowers I

I with their stems, the flowers can be put together with the first holder in the I

transport container can be placed and taken out without flowers etc. I

I need to be touched individually. This is not only due to the condition of the I

I 20 flowers for the better, it also saves time. The transport holder can thus also be after I

I use can be disassembled in more parts and be stored away relatively compact. I

The base part of the transport container according to the invention comprises one cavity about I

at least partially receive the first holder, but otherwise serves the first holder I

25 to keep it stable. With an eye to weight and material savings, an I

particular embodiment of the transport container according to the invention as I

characterized in that the base part is provided with I depending from the top surface

walls that are open over part of their surface. In practice, it appears in the I

base part of openwork walls can be assumed without being substantial to I

30 stability. The flowers are nevertheless protected within the first holder I

and the tube part of the transport container. I

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The transport container according to the invention is suitable for repeated use. This means that for transport from, for example, an auction to a retailer or other end-user, the transport holder must be returned after use to be filled again. In order to keep the required return freight capacity low for this purpose, a special embodiment of the transport container according to the invention has the feature that one or more of the base part, the tube part and the first holder part can be nested at least in an empty state with a further base part, tube part or first holder part respectively . The different parts of the transport container can thus be pushed into each other in the empty state and then only take up little volume. In a specific embodiment, the transport container has the feature in this respect that one or more of the base part, the tubular part and the first holder part extend widening over at least a part of their height, at least in cross section. In that case corresponding parts are pushed over at least a part of their height with their wound ends into the wide end of a further part.

In a further preferred embodiment, the transport container according to the invention has the feature that the tubular part is provided with a bottom with an opening in which the first container part abuts substantially fittingly. In this case, the first holder part 20 is accessible from the tubular part and can be placed or taken out of the base part via the opening in the bottom of the tubular part. A further special embodiment of the transport container according to the invention has the feature in this connection that the first container part is provided on an upper side with a laterally extending upper edge which falls over an edge of the opening in the bottom of the tubular part. In this case, the first holder part is advantageously taken out of the base part or placed therein in the same operation in which the sleeve part is removed or fitted. Not only does this save an extra act, it also prevents unnecessary contact with the often vulnerable content.

The mutual detachability between the different parts of the transport container can be realized in itself in various ways. In a particularly practical 1023920

I ~ 4 ~ I

In one embodiment, however, the transport container according to the invention is characterized

Because the base part and the sleeve part on a top surface and a bottom, respectively

I are provided with a longitudinal slot and a bayonet member protruding therein, wherein I

The slot has a first part that releases the bayonet member and a second part that the I

Encloses bayonet member, which are in line with each other. Such an I

I bayonet coupling requires only a relatively simple and short-lived operation to complete the I

To achieve the desired coupling or decoupling between the parts. A further I

I preferred embodiment of the transport container according to the invention in this case

I regard the feature that the slot extends radially about a common axis of I

The base member and the sleeve member, wherein both the bayonet member and the I

I follow a radius of curvature along the slot. The bayonet coupling is installed in that and I

I canceled by a rotational movement about the center line. Not only is not for this or I

I hardly requires any extra space, this can also become very stable and reliable

I carried out. I

I I

In a further preferred embodiment, the transport container according to the invention has I

Characterized in that the base part and the tubular part can be stacked with one another in the filled state

I because the base part with a lower edge at least practically fits into an I

I top edge of a tube part of a further transport container. Have cut flowers in I

In general, a length that does not exceed a length around 500-700 millimeters. The I

transport holder need therefore not be higher in such cases. To be I anyway

I to be able to use the available height in a load-on storage space is in I

In this embodiment the transport container is stackable so that that height is as much as I

I could possibly be exploited. In a special embodiment, the transport container is I

For this purpose characterized in that the base part is provided with an I on a bottom side

circumferential rib and thus encounters the upper edge of the sleeve part. Thanks to this rib I

it is prevented that an upper transport container can fall into a lower one, whereby I

the cut flowers in the lower holder could be damaged. I

A (basic) length of the tubular section is adjusted to the length over which the cut flowers I

usually protrude from the first holder part and therefore need to be protected. To I

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In order to be able to process even longer cut flowers equally efficiently, a further preferred embodiment according to the invention has the feature that the tubular part is provided on at the top with at least one attachment part which may or may not be directly manually connected to the tubular part. Such an attachment piece at least substantially connects to the circumference of the transport container. By arranging one or more of such attachments on the tubular part, the tubular part can thus be extended as required, depending on the actual length of the cut flowers. A particularly practical modular system is thus created which starts from the same first holder parts, base parts and sleeve parts supplemented as required with an add-on parts which can themselves also be uniform. The number of different components in the system can thus be kept relatively limited, without compromising on practical deployment. A particularly practical embodiment of the transport container according to the invention has the feature in this connection that the attachment part is connected to the tubular part by manually disengaging through a snap connection.

A further preferred embodiment of the transport container according to the invention is characterized in that the sleeve part is provided with a number of attachment parts which are mutually manually detachably connected, like the manually detachable connection of a first attachment part with the sleeve part. By thus starting from the same coupling as used for the connection of an attachment to the sleeve part for the mutual connection of the add-on parts, all add-on parts can be of uniform design and are fully exchangeable.

A further embodiment of the transport container according to the invention has the feature that each attachment part has a height of approximately 10 centimeters. The transport container can thus be extended stepwise with jumps of approximately 10 centimeters, which fits well with increasing cutting lengths of flowers. A further preferred embodiment of the transport container according to the invention is characterized in that the base part has a height of approximately 20 to 30 centimeters and the tubular part is approximately 300 to 400 millimeters high to provide a 1023920 in mutually stacked state

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I height to be measured between approximately 500 and 700 millimeters. These dimensions are consistent with an I

I base length of cut flowers, so that an important part of them can be used

I processed, while the height of the base part is adjusted to a desired height of I

I the first holder part. A further embodiment of the transport container according to I

The invention is characterized in that the base part and the sleeve part at least in a flat part

I cross-section are at least substantially rectangular and have a maximum outer dimension I

I of approximately 400 by 300 millimeters. Although for the basic part of divergent I

I designs can be assumed, whether or not aesthetically inspired, offers an I

I rectangular cross section as here an optimum packing density and stability in an I

I 10 usually rectangular storage or loading space. I

In a further preferred embodiment, the transport container according to the invention has I

Characterized in that the first holder part comprises a standard bucket which is releasably I

I is included in the basic part. With regard to the first holder part, I is hereby used

I assumed a standard bucket as already used in the aforementioned I

I conventional transport container was used. The transport container according to I

The invention can in that case be implemented in an existing environment without I

I lead to significant divestments. I

The invention also relates to a base part, sleeve part, top piece or first I

I holder part for use in the transport holder described above and will now I

I will be further elucidated on the basis of an exemplary embodiment and an associated I

I drawing. In the drawing: I

Figure 1 shows a partly transparent perspective view of an embodiment of a transport container according to the invention;

Figure 2 shows a top view of the tube part of the transport holder of figure I

I I

Figure 3 shows a first side view of the tube part of the transport container of I

Figure 1;

Figure 4 shows a second side view of the tube part and the first holder part of the I

I transport container of figure 1; I

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Figure 5 shows a top view of the base part of the transport container of figure 1; figure 6 shows a first side view of the base part the transport holder of figure 1; figure 7 shows a first side view of the top part of the transport container of figure 1; Figure 8 shows in a second side view the transport container of figure 1; figure 9 shows a cross-section of a stack of the transport container of figure 1; figure 10 shows a stack of empty tubular parts in cross-section; and figure 11 shows in cross-section a stack of empty base parts.

The figures are not always drawn on the same scale. Corresponding parts are designated as far as possible in the figures with the same reference numeral.

The embodiment of a transport container according to the invention shown in Figure 1 comprises a first container part 10 in the form of a standard bucket as it is frequently used in existing wet flower packaging. The first holder part is located almost completely in a base part 20 of the transport holder, on which a sleeve part 30 is placed on an upper surface. The upper surface of the base part and a bottom of the tubular part are provided with an opening into which the bucket 10 at least substantially fits. The tube part 30 is hollow and offers protection to cut flowers if they with their stems protrude into the first holder part 10 but otherwise protrude above it. For longer cut flowers, the tubular member 30 in this embodiment is extended with an attachment member 40 that is manually releasably snapped onto it or otherwise secured. The different parts of the transport container are made of a shock-resistant plastic. To this end, in particular, an injection molding process is suitable with which the various parts can each be formed as a whole.

The tube part of the transport container of figure 1 is shown in more detail in figure 2 in top view. The tubing part is obtained integrally from a suitable plastic by injection molding. For the tubular section 30, a height of approximately 300-400 millimeters is typically assumed, geared to an average free length of cut flowers. The sleeve part measures approximately 300 by 400 millimeters at its top and is 1023920

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I provided with closed walls 31 all around which start from a bottom 32 and thereby light I

I walk out. A central aperture 33 is provided in the bottom that accommodates the I

Bucket 10. The opening further comprises two bayonet slots 34, each with an I

I relatively wide first part 34A and a narrower second part 34B. The two longitudinal slots 34 I

I extend along a radius of curvature about an imaginary center line of the I

I tube part, which is perpendicular to the plane of the drawing of figure 2. I

Figure 3 shows a side view of the tube part 30. The tube part 30 is on an I

I top side on both sides with handles with which the whole is easy

I 10 can be lifted. The walls 31 of the tubular section know, as seen in I

I cross section, a slightly conical or tapered, at least rejuvenating, course so that the I

Tubular part 30 in the empty state can be nested with a similar further tubular part, I

What is further specified in Figure 10. Unused, empty tube parts can thus be I

I can be stowed away relatively compact or sent back. I

I I

The bucket 10 is provided on an upper side with a laterally extending edge I

11 which falls over an edge of the opening 33 in the tube part 30, see figure 4. As a result I

I rest the bucket 10 with the edge 11 on the bottom 32 of the tube part 30 and the I

I bucket 10 together with the sleeve part 30 in one movement of the base part 20 of the I

Transport container are taken. The bucket is practically in line with the I

Opening 33. I

Figures 5 and 6 show the base part 20 of the transport container in more detail

I in a top view and a side view, respectively. The base part 20 is just like the I

Tubing part 30 formed by injection molding in one piece from a suitable plastic. I too

The base part 20 is, at least in side view, slightly conical, at least rejuvenated

I and therefore mutually nestable with a comparable base part, which is further illustrated in Figure 11

I is indicated. The base part has a height of approximately 25 millimeters and measures at its I

I base around 300 by 400 millimeters. I

I 30 I

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Around the base part 20 is provided with open walls 21 that depend on an upper surface 22. The top surface 22 is centrally provided with a round opening to provide passage for the bucket 10 when it is placed in the base part. The upper surface additionally comprises two bayonet members 24 which correspond to the 5 bayonet slots 34 in the sleeve part. The bayonet members 24 both comprise upright longitudinal ribs extending from the upper surface 22 and projecting into the slots 34. The longitudinal ribs are widened transversely at their free end, see figure 8, and project with this widened end beyond the bottom 32 of the tube part 30. The longitudinal ribs 24, like the slots, have an imaginary radius of curvature around an axis of the whole. In an assembled state, see Figures 1 and 8, the ribs 24 are located in the narrow portion 34B of the respective bayonet slots 34 and the ribs are confined therein. The whole is then linked to each other. By advancing a small rotational movement with respect to the base part 20 with the sleeve part 30, the ribs 24 slide from the relatively narrow parts 34b of the slots 34 to the relatively wide part 34A to be released therein. The sleeve part 30 can in that case be taken off the base part 20, taking the bucket 10 with it.

To extend the sleeve part, a top part 40 is placed thereon, which is further shown in Figures 7 and 8 in mutually orthogonal side views. The attachment part follows the circumference of the tube part 30 and connects thereto virtually seamlessly. In order to be able to connect the attachment part 40 to the sleeve part, the attachment part is provided on both sides with snap members 42 which depend on it. The snap members snap into the handles 35 in the tube part 30, so that both parts can thus be easily clicked to each other, see figure 8. The attachment parts are in turn provided on their opposite side with the same, at least comparable handles 45 as the tube parts 30 so that the add-on parts can also be coupled to each other. This example is based on add-on parts with a height of approximately 10 centimeters, so that the whole can thus be extended stepwise with lengths of 10 centimeters.

The base part 20 falls with a lower edge 26 within an upper edge 36.46 of a tubular part 30 or attachment part 40 of a further transport holder, so that the

Transport container in filled condition that can be stacked with each other, see figure 9. To I

I avoid an upper transport container thereby being too far or skewed in a lower one I

I transport container located sinks away and thus the flowers contained therein could be I

I, the base parts 20 are provided on their underside with a circumferential rib I

27 with which a base part encounters an upper edge of the transport container situated below. I

A particularly stable stacking is thus obtained. I

Although the invention is thereby based on only a single exemplary embodiment

I was explained in more detail below that it will be clear that the invention is by no means an I

The exemplary embodiment described is limited. On the contrary, for a person skilled in the art, I

I many variations and forms are conceivable without going beyond the scope of the I

Invention. For example, the sizes, materials used and design of the I

I different parts can be adjusted to your wishes. The invention can also be used without I

I add-on part or with more add-on parts. The invention always offers an I

I 15 particularly practical, flexible, versatile and reusable transport medium for I

I cut flowers. I

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Claims (20)

1. Transport holder for cut flowers comprise at least one at least substantially water-tight first holder part to receive the cut flowers with their stalk therein and a second holder part which at least largely surrounds the cut flowers, at least during transport, characterized in that the second holder part comprises a hollow base part in which the at least one first holder part is received at least largely from a top surface thereof, and in that the base part on the top surface is detachably connected to a hollow box part which extends from the top surface of the base part thereof and is capable of at least over a cut flower part of their height. 2. Transport container as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the base part is provided on the upper surface with an opening in which the at least one first holder part 15 abuts releasably at least substantially. Transport container as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first holder part comprises a releasable bucket which protrudes into the base part. 4. Transport container as claimed in one or more of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the base part is provided around with walls hanging from the top surface and which are open over a part of their surface. 5. Transport container as claimed in one or more of the foregoing claims, characterized in that one or more of the base part, the tube part and the first holder part can be nested at least in empty condition with a further base part, tube part or first holder part. 6. Transport container as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that one or more of the base part, the tube part and the first holder part extend widening at least in cross-section over at least a part of their height. 1023920 I -12 ' 7. Transport container as claimed in one or more of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the tubular part is provided with a bottom with an opening in which the first holder part abuts substantially fittingly. I 8. Transport container as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that the first holder part II is provided on an upper side with a laterally extending upper edge which falls over an edge of the opening in the bottom of the tubular part. I 9. Transport container as claimed in one or more of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the base part and the tubular part are respectively provided on a top surface and a II bottom thereof with a longitudinal slot and a bayonet member protruding therein, II wherein the slot has a first part which releasing the bayonet member and a second part I that encloses the bayonet member, which are in line with each other. I 15 Transport container as claimed in claim 9, characterized in that the slot extends radially around a common axis of the base part and the sleeve part, wherein both the bayonet member and the longitudinal slot follow a radius of curvature. I 11. Transport container as claimed in one or more of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the base part and the tubular part are mutually stackable in the filled state because the base part with a lower edge falls at least substantially fittingly within an upper edge of a tubular part of a further transport container. I 12. Transport container as claimed in claim 11, characterized in that the base part is provided on an underside with a circumferential rib and therefore abuts the upper edge of the tubular part. I 13. Transport container as claimed in one or more of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the tubular part is provided on at the top with at least one attachment part which is connected to the tubular part detachably or directly directly or indirectly. I 1023920 -13- 14. Transport container as claimed in claim 13, characterized in that the attachment part is connected to the tubular part manually by means of a snap connection. 15. Transport container as claimed in claim B or 14, characterized in that the tubular part is provided with a number of attachment parts which are mutually manually releasably connected to the manually releasable connection of a first attachment part to the tubular part. Transport container according to one or more of claims 13 to 15, characterized in that each attachment part has a height of approximately 10 centimeters. 17. Transport container as claimed in one or more of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the base part has a height of approximately 20 to 30 centimeters and the tubular part is approximately 300 to 400 millimeters high in order to have a height between approximately 500 and 700 millimeters when stacked together. measure. | j i 18. Transport container as claimed in one or more of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the base part and the tubular part are at least in a flat cross-section at least substantially rectangular and have a maximum outer dimension of approximately 400 by 300 millimeters. 19. Transport container as claimed in one or more of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the first holder part comprises a standard bucket which is detachably received in the base part. 20. Basic part, sleeve part, top piece or first holder part for use in the transport holder according to one or more of the preceding claims. 1023920