shaper for the presentation of bouquets of flowers

Abstract

The invention relates to a shaper (1) for presenting a bouquet (20) of flowers, said shaper (1) comprising a hollow body (2) of generally truncated cone or cylindrical shape, said body (2) being provided at one of its ends with a system (3) for locking the bouquet (20) to the body, said locking system (3) being capable of carrying out at least one radial clamping of the bouquet (20) in order to keep it substantially vertical inside the body (2) and secured to the latter. The body (2) is formed of at least three coaxial rings (41, 42, 43) axially offset along said body (2) and of uprights (5) connecting the rings (41, 42, 43) to each other, at least one (41) of the rings (41, 42, 43) is split and the locking system (3) is housed at least partially inside one (41) of the rings (41, 42, 43). Figure for abstract: Fig. 2

Description

Title of the invention: Shaper for presenting a bouquet of flowers

[0001] The present invention relates to a shaper for presenting a bouquet of flowers.

[0002] It relates in particular to a shaper for presenting a bouquet of flowers, in particular for making a bubble bouquet, said shaper comprising a hollow body of generally truncated or cylindrical shape, said body being provided at one of its ends with a system for locking the bouquet to the body, said locking system being intended to achieve at least one radial clamping of the bouquet in order to keep it substantially vertical inside the body and secured to the latter.

[0003] The making of bubble bouquets, that is to say bouquets whose packaging contains the water necessary for the preservation of the plants, is a field well known to those skilled in this art. There are now several shaping devices for holding the bouquet in position inside the packaging containing water in order to give said bouquet its bubble shape and to prevent the stems or thorns of the plants from piercing said packaging.

[0004] This is the case of patent FR2 891126. Current conformers require the installation of two links or elastics or the manual closing of an articulated connection and the installation of a link or elastic. These solutions have various drawbacks. Thus, the installation of two links requires a significant assembly time. The same is true of the presence of an articulated connection which also limits the type of materials that can be used.

[0005] An aim of the invention is to propose a conformer of the aforementioned type whose design makes it possible to use a large number of materials for the production of a conformer without increasing the quantity of material for the production of said conformer.

[0006] To this end, the invention relates to a shaper for presenting a bouquet of flowers, said shaper comprising a hollow body of generally truncated cone or cylindrical shape, said body being provided at one of its ends with a system for locking the bouquet to the body, said locking system being capable of carrying out at least one radial clamping of the bouquet in order to keep it substantially vertical inside the body and secured to the latter, characterized in that the body is formed of at least three coaxial rings offset axially along said body and of uprights for connecting the rings together, in that at least one of the rings is split and in that the locking system is housed at least partially inside one of the rings. The production of the body with rings and uprights allows the body to be lightened without compromising its mechanical strength. The integration of the locking system allows the conformer to be compact. The positioning of the locking system allows for simplified production of the conformer.

[0007] According to one embodiment of the invention, the locking system is integrated, preferably molded, with the body of the conformer and forms a monolithic assembly. This results in simplicity of production.

[0008] According to one embodiment of the invention, the ring, inside which the locking system is housed at least partially, is split.

[0009] According to one embodiment of the invention, the locking system comprises at least one elastically deformable clamp having an insertion opening inside said clamp and a member for at least partially closing the insertion opening of said clamp.

[0010] According to one embodiment of the invention, the at least partial closing member of the insertion opening of said clamp forms an entry guide inside said opening. This design allows for simplification of production and the use of materials of different natures, including easily recyclable materials.

[0011] According to one embodiment of the invention, the clamp is Omega-shaped (Q) with the curved branches of the Omega each formed by a tab and the opening of the Omega oriented towards the split part of the ring inside which the locking system is housed at least partially, the opening of the Omega forms the opening for introducing the clamp, the clamp is coupled to the ring inside which the locking system is housed at least partially by its part opposite the opening and the closing member is arranged opposite the opening of the clamp. Locking can be carried out in a single movement, without fatigue of the operator and in a short time.

[0012] According to one embodiment of the invention, the Omega is arranged, at least partially, in a coplanar manner with the plane formed by the ring inside which the locking system is housed at least partially or in a plane parallel to said ring.

[0013] According to one embodiment of the invention, the closing member comprises two elastically deformable branches each forming, at the level of the split part of the ring inside which the locking system is housed at least partially, an extension of one end of the ring, said branches forming a V between them, this V pointing in the direction of the opening of the clamp. This embodiment allows, in a simple and rapid manner, the locking of the bouquet to the conformer. The elastically deformable branches of the V are configured to be elastically returned to a position close to each other.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the invention, the uprights and the rings are made from a single piece and form a monolithic assembly.

[0015] The invention also relates to a device for the presentation and preservation of individual bouquets of flowers of the type comprising at least one shaper allowing said bouquet of flowers to be kept in a substantially vertical position, an envelope made of waterproof material placed to cover said shaper and shaped in the form of a bubble to constitute a water reserve and a member for clamping said envelope made of waterproof material on the shaper, characterized in that the shaper is of the aforementioned type. Brief description of the drawings

[0016] The invention will be better understood on reading the following description of exemplary embodiments, with reference to the appended drawings in which:

[0017] [Fig-1] represents a perspective view of a device for the presentation and preservation of bouquets of flowers incorporating a former in accordance with the invention in the locked position of the bouquet inside the former;

[0018] [Fig.2] represents a perspective view of a former according to the invention during the locking of the bouquet in the former;

[0019] [Fig.3] represents a top view of a former according to the invention during the locking of the bouquet in the former;

[0020] [Fig.4] represents a top view of a former according to the invention in the locked position of the bouquet in the former.

[0021] As illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the shaper 1 comprises a hollow body 2 of general shape here truncated cone but this hollow body 2 could, in an equivalent manner, have been made cylindrical. This body 2 has two ends and develops longitudinally from one of the ends towards the other of the ends. When the body 2 is cylindrical, each end is formed by one of the end faces of the body 2. When the body 2 is truncated cone, generally, the small base of the cone and the large base of the cone each form one end of the body 2. This body 2 is formed of at least three coaxial rings 41, 42, 43 offset axially along the longitudinal axis of the body 2 and of uprights 5 for connecting the rings 41, 42, 43 to each other. In the case of a truncated cone body 2, as illustrated, the rings are of different dimensions.The dimension of these rings decreases from the large base of the truncated cone, that is to say here from one of the ends of the truncated cone towards the opposite end, that is to say the small base of the truncated cone. Body 2 rests at . ground by the large base of the cone in the operating configuration. In the case of a cylindrical body 2, the rings are of identical dimensions.

[0022] The uprights 5 are three in number, in the example shown. The uprights 5 and the rings 41, 42, 43 are made from a single piece and form a monolithic assembly. The uprights 5 and the rings 41, 42, 43 are made from synthetic material, in particular polypropylene or biodegradable material such as PLA (polylactic acid).

[0023] In the configuration of use, the body 2 rests by one of its ends on any support surface. In the case of a truncated cone configuration, it is the large base of the truncated cone which forms the support end of the body 2. Thus, the lower ring 43 forms the ground support ring of the body 2. The intermediate ring 42 is arranged between this lower ring 43 and the upper ring 41.

[0024] To allow the lateral introduction of a bouquet 20 of flowers into the body 2, at least one of the rings is split. In particular, at least the upper ring 41 is split. In the example shown, the upper ring 41 and the intermediate ring 42 are split. The split parts are arranged one above the other in the configuration of use of the former 1. Thus, the bouquet of flowers, represented schematically by a cylinder in the figures, is moved parallel to itself in the upright state to be introduced into the former 1.

[0025] The shaper 1 comprises a system 3 for locking the bouquet 20 to the body 2. This locking system 3 is capable of performing at least one radial clamping of the bouquet 20 of flowers in order to keep it substantially vertical inside the body 2 and secured to the latter. This radial clamping allows the reception of bouquets of flowers of different dimensions. This locking system 3 is housed at least partially inside one of the rings.

[0026] In this case, this locking system 3 is arranged at the level of the uppermost ring, that is to say the upper ring 41 in the configuration of use of the shaper in which the body 2 rests by one of its ends on a support surface. The locking system 3 is molded with the body 2 of the shaper 1 and forms a monolithic assembly. The upper ring 41, inside which the locking system 3 is housed at least partially, is split. The locking system 3 comprises at least one elastically deformable clamp 7 having an opening 8 for introducing the bouquet of flowers inside said clamp 7 and a member 9 for at least partially closing the opening 8 for introducing said clamp 7 forming an entry guide inside said opening 8.

[0027] In the examples shown, the clamp 7 is in the shape of an Omega corresponding to a lowercase Omega Q with the curved branches of the Omega each formed by a tab 10. The opening 11 of the Omega, oriented in the direction of the split part of the ring 41 inside which the locking system is housed at least partially, forms the opening for introducing the clamp 7. The clamp 7 is coupled to the split upper ring 41 by its part opposite the opening 8 and the closing member 9 is arranged opposite the opening 8 of the clamp 7 at the split part of the ring 41. This closing member 9 comprises two elastically deformable branches 12 each forming, at the split part of the upper ring 41 inside which the locking system 3 is housed at least partially, an extension of one end of the ring 41 in the direction of the inside of the ring 41. The closing member 9 is housed inside the ring 4L. The branches 12 form a V between them, this V pointing in the direction of the opening 8 of the clamp 7 so that the opening 8 of the clamp 7 is partially closed by the tip of the V in the unstressed state of the branches of the V.This V is housed inside said ring. The branches of the V are elastically returned to a position close to each other. The Omega is arranged at least partially, in a coplanar manner with the plane formed by the upper ring 41, inside which the locking system 3 is housed at least partially, in a plane parallel to said ring 4L. In the example shown, this Omega has a part arranged in a coplanar manner with the plane formed by the upper ring 41 and a part extending above said ring 41 to ensure that the bouquet 20 is held at a sufficient height.

[0028] In practice, the operator holding the bouquet of flowers in the upright state positions the flower stems of the bouquet opposite the split parts of the rings to introduce, by simple pushing, the bouquet inside the rings into the interior of the clamp where the bouquet is held in the upright state by elastic clamping. During this introduction, as illustrated in Figures 3 and 4, the branches 12 of the V deform by moving away from each other and then the curved branches of the Omega deform by moving away from each other to allow the bouquet to reach the interior of the Omega where it is held by elastic clamping of the curved branches of the Omega which exert a constricting force on the flower stems of the bouquet.

[0029] Once the bouquet 20 has reached the inside of the clamp 7, the curved branches of the Omega move towards each other to surround the flower stems of the bouquet, while maintaining a permanent opening at the clamp 7. This opening is partially closed by the tip of the V of the closing member, the branches of which are also elastically returned to the close position. Thus, a risk of the bouquet of flowers accidentally leaving the Omega in the event of failure of the radial clamping is prevented. The end of each branch of the V is, on the tip side of the V, arranged on a circle with a center corresponding to the center of the circle formed by the rounded part of the rounded curved branches of the Omega of the clamp. The end of each branch of the V on the tip side of the V extends opposite the opening 8 for introducing the clamp 7. The introduction of the bouquet of flowers and its maintenance in position inside the conformer are therefore obtained simply by deformation of elastic parts.

[0030] The making of such a bubble bouquet by means of a former 1, as described above, is carried out as follows. The bouquet of flowers is introduced into the body 2 of the former 1 through the split part of the rings. For reasons of convenience, when introducing the bouquet, the stems of the plants composing the latter may have been previously secured to each other by means of a tie for example. During the introduction of the bouquet of flowers into the split parts of the rings, the branches of the V of the closing member 9 move away from each other, as do the branches of the Omega before each time tightening elastically, once the bouquet has passed through the V of the branches and the opening of the clamp.

[0031] Once the bouquet of flowers and the former are secured, the assembly is placed on an envelope, generally formed from a sheet of waterproof material which is folded so as to form a pocket forming a water reserve around the former. A tightening member, such as a tie or a clip or an elastic band, is then placed around said envelope and the former so as to secure the envelope and the former and to close the pocket. Before or after closing, water is introduced from above the former so as to fill the pocket. The introduction of water can be carried out by means of a pipe slipped between the stems of the bouquet or directly onto the stems of the flowers.A device is thus produced for the presentation and preservation of an individual bouquet of flowers of the type comprising at least one shaper 1 allowing the bouquet of flowers to be held in a substantially vertical position, an envelope 2 made of waterproof material placed to cover said shaper 1 and shaped in the form of a bubble to constitute a water reserve and a member 22 for clamping said envelope 21 made of waterproof material on the shaper, the shaper 1 being in accordance with the invention.

[0032] The manufacture of such a bubble bouquet can possibly be automated. For this, it is advantageous to have a gripping surface on the conformer in order to be able to immobilize it effectively with a machine. Thus, the base of the body of the conformer can have a generally conical shaped bead so as to be mechanically clamped easily, in particular to facilitate the installation of the conformer in a machine.

Claims

Claims

1. Shaper (1) for presenting a bouquet (20) of flowers, said shaper (1) comprising a hollow body (2) of generally truncated cone or cylindrical shape, said body (2) being provided at one of its ends with a system (3) for locking the bouquet (20) to the body, said locking system (3) being capable of performing at least one radial clamping of the bouquet (20) in order to keep it substantially vertical inside the body (2) and integral with the latter, characterized in that the body (2) is formed of at least three coaxial rings (41, 42, 43) offset axially along said body (2) and of uprights (5) for connecting the rings (41, 42, 43) together, in that at least one (41) of the rings (41, 42, 43) is split and in that the locking system (3) is housed at least partially inside one (41) of the rings (41, 42, 43).

2. Shaper (1) for presenting a bouquet (20) of flowers according to claim 1, characterized in that the locking system (3) is integrated, preferably molded, with the body (2) of the shaper (1) and forms a monolithic assembly.

3. Shaper (1) for presenting a bouquet (20) of flowers according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the ring (41), inside which the locking system (3) is housed at least partially, is split.

4. Shaper (1) for presenting a bouquet (20) of flowers according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the locking system (3) comprises at least one elastically deformable clamp (7) having an opening (8) for introduction inside said clamp (7) and a member (9) for at least partially closing the opening (8) for introduction of said clamp (7).

5. Shaper (1) for presenting a bouquet (20) of flowers according to claim 4, characterized in that the member (9) for at least partially closing the opening (8) for introducing said clamp (7) forms an entry guide inside said opening (8).

6. Shaper (1) for presenting a bouquet (20) of flowers according to one of claims 4 or 5, characterized in that the clamp (7) is in the shape of an Omega (Q) with the curved branches of the Omega each formed by a tab (10) and the opening of the Omega oriented towards the split part of the ring (41) inside which the locking system (3) is housed at least partially, in that the opening of the Omega forms the opening (8) for introducing the clamp (7), in that the clamp (7) is coupled to the ring (41) inside which the locking system (3) is housed at least partially by its part opposite the opening (8) and in that the closing member (9) is arranged opposite the opening (8) of the clamp (7).

7. Shaper (1) for presenting a bouquet (20) of flowers according to claim 6, characterized in that the Omega is arranged, at least partially, in a coplanar manner with the plane formed by the ring (41) inside which the locking system (3) is housed at least partially or in a plane parallel to said ring (41).

8. Shaper (1) for presenting a bouquet (20) of flowers according to one of claims 4 to 7, characterized in that the closing member (9) comprises two elastically deformable branches (12) each forming, at the level of the split part (6) of the ring (41) inside which the locking system (3) is housed at least partially, an extension of one end of the ring (41), said branches (12) forming a V between them, this V pointing in the direction of the opening (8) of the clamp (7).

9. Shaper (1) for presenting a bouquet (20) of flowers according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the uprights (5) and the rings (41, 42, 43) are made from a single piece and form a monolithic assembly.

10. Device for the presentation and preservation of individual bouquets of flowers of the type comprising at least one shaper (1) allowing said bouquet of flowers to be kept in a substantially vertical position, an envelope (21) made of waterproof material placed covering said shaper (1) and shaped in the form of a bubble to constitute a water reserve and a clamping member (22) of said envelope (21) made of waterproof material on the shaper (1), characterized in that the shaper (1) conforms to one of claims 1 to 9.

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