Packaging system for long-distance shipping of floral compositions, and related assembly method

Abstract

Packaging system (1) for long-distance shipping of floral compositions, comprising: - a floral composition (2) formed by one or more types of flowers mutually joined along their respective stems by at least one ribbon (3), - a vase (5) containing said floral composition (2), including a base portion (5'), an intermediate portion (5") and an upper portion (5"') from which the floral composition (2) protrudes, wherein inside said upper portion (5‴) is formed a retaining wall (6) defining a passage opening for the stems of the floral composition (2), - a plurality of water gel beads (8) disposed inside the vase (5) to hydrate said floral composition (2), - a packaging box (4) inside which said vase (5) containing said floral composition (2) is positioned, wherein the packaging box (4) in the final assembled configuration comprises a bottom wall (4'), a plurality of side walls (4"), and a top wall (4‴), dimensioned to accommodate the vase (5), with the floral composition (2), vertically disposed inside the box (4), so that the flowers protrude from the vase (5) and face the top wall (4"), - wherein the packaging box (4) comprises internally a support structure to lock the vase (5) in position inside the box (4), said support structure including at least one support box element (11,12) fixed along a respective portion of the box (4) and provided with a through opening (11',12') to receive a respective portion of the vase (5), - an elastic retaining device (7) to block the flowers inside the vase (5) in case of overturning of the box (4), comprising hook portions (7‴) fixed along respective parts of a lower end edge of the retaining wall (6).

Description

Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a packaging system for long-distance shipping of floral compositions, particularly floral compositions formed by one or more types of live flowers, and a related assembly method.Prior Art

[0002] To date, various e-commerce platforms for purchasing floral compositions to be delivered to a recipient are widely known. To cover particularly vast territories, these platforms rely on an extensive network of local florists distributed across the territory, so that, based on the recipient's location, the florist closest to the recipient is automatically contacted to ensure faster delivery times and optimal flower freshness.

[0003] Precisely concerning the freshness of the flowers to be delivered, it has proven particularly complex and problematic to ensure optimal delivery of fresh floral compositions over long distances using traditional packaging systems; the main difficulty lies in maintaining the flowers' freshness unaltered during transport in a box and ensuring impeccable presentation upon delivery to the final recipient.

[0004] The present invention therefore stems from the desire to develop a packaging system for long-distance shipping of live floral compositions, capable of withstanding impacts, overturning, as well as the absence of fresh water supply during the journey to the recipient.Object of the Invention

[0005] The object of the present invention is therefore to propose a packaging system and a related assembly method that enable long-distance shipping of live floral compositions while meeting the aforementioned needs.Summary of the Invention

[0006] To achieve one or more of said objects, the invention relates to a packaging system for long-distance shipping of floral compositions, comprising: a floral composition formed by one or more types of flowers mutually joined along their respective stems by at least one ribbon, a vase containing said floral composition, including a base portion, an intermediate portion, and an upper portion from which the floral composition protrudes, wherein inside said upper portion is formed a retaining wall defining a passage opening for the stems of the floral composition, a plurality of water gel beads disposed inside the vase to hydrate said floral composition, a packaging box inside which said vase containing said floral composition is positioned, wherein the packaging box in the final assembled configuration comprises a bottom wall, a plurality of side walls, and a top wall, dimensioned to accommodate the vase with the floral composition vertically disposed inside the box, so that the flowers protrude from the vase and face the top wall, wherein the packaging box includes internally a support structure to lock the vase in position inside the box, said support structure including at least one support box element fixed along a respective portion of the box and provided with a through opening to receive a respective portion of the vase, an elastic retaining device to block the flowers inside the vase in case of box overturning, comprising hook portions fixed along respective parts of a lower end edge of the retaining wall.

[0007] Further features of the invention are indicated in the attached claims and in the following description.Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings, provided by way of non-limiting example, wherein: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a packaging system for long-distance shipping of live floral compositions, including a packaging box, Figure 2 is a partially sectioned view of the system, highlighting a vase containing a floral composition to be delivered, disposed inside the box, and a plurality of water gel beads disposed inside the vase, Figure 3 is a perspective view illustrating further features of the packaging box of the previous figures, Figures 4A-4C illustrate preferred embodiments of a support structure for locking the vase in position inside the box, and Figure 5 is an assembled view of the packaging system, highlighting the support structure. Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments

[0009] In the following description, various specific details are illustrated for a thorough understanding of examples of one or more embodiments. The embodiments can be implemented without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, etc.

[0010] In other cases, known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring various aspects of the embodiments. Reference to "one embodiment" in this description means that a particular configuration, structure, or feature described in relation to the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment.

[0011] Therefore, phrases such as "in one embodiment," possibly present in various places in this description, do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment.

[0012] Furthermore, particular configurations, structures, or features may be suitably combined in one or more embodiments and / or associated with the embodiments differently from what is illustrated here, so that, for example, a feature exemplified here in relation to one figure may be applied to one or more embodiments exemplified in a different figure.

[0013] The references illustrated here are only for convenience and do not therefore limit the scope of protection or the extent of the embodiments.

[0014] In the attached drawings, reference numeral 1 indicates as a whole a packaging system for long-distance shipping of floral compositions 2. The floral composition 2, illustrated by way of example in Figure 2, is formed by one or more types of live flowers, mutually joined along their respective stems by at least one ribbon 3.

[0015] The system 1 comprises a packaging box 4 inside which is positioned a vase 5 containing the floral composition 2 to be delivered. As will be evident from the following description, both the box 4 and the vase 5 have peculiar features to ensure long-distance shipping of live floral compositions, ultimately being suitable for withstanding impacts, overturning of the box 4, as well as the absence of fresh water supply during the journey to the recipient.

[0016] As illustrated by way of example in Figures 1, 2, 5, the vase 5 comprises a base portion 5', an intermediate portion 5", and an upper portion 5‴ from which the floral composition 2 protrudes. In one or more embodiments, the vase 5 progressively narrows from the base portion 5' toward the upper portion 5‴. According to the illustrated embodiment, the base portion 5' has a cylindrical shape, the intermediate portion 5" has a truncated conical shape, and the upper portion 5‴ has a cylindrical shape with a diameter smaller than that of the base portion 5', as a result of the progressive narrowing of the intermediate portion 5".

[0017] According to a further feature of the vase 5, inside the upper portion 5‴ is formed a retaining wall 6, preferably truncated conical, defining a passage opening for the stems of the floral composition 2. The retaining wall 6 extends from the upper edge of the vase 5 to a height of the vase substantially corresponding to the boundary between the upper portion 5‴ and the intermediate portion 5". According to a preferred embodiment, illustrated particularly in Figure 2, the truncated conical retaining wall 6 progressively narrows the vase opening from its upper edge toward its interior. As will be evident from the following description, the retaining wall 6 is thus formed for mutual engagement with an elastic retaining device 7 to block the flowers inside the vase 5 in case of overturning of the packaging box 4.

[0018] According to a further feature of the system 1, illustrated in Figure 2, inside the vase 5 are disposed a plurality of water gel beads 8 to hydrate the floral composition 2 during the journey inside the box 4. Water gel beads are widely known in the field, being commonly used instead of liquid water for the hydration of plants and / or flowers. As illustrated in Figure 2, the water gel beads 8 are positioned inside the vase 5 to fill the entire base portion 5' and the intermediate portion 5", up to the lower end of the retaining wall 6.

[0019] Thanks to this feature, the flowers can thus be continuously hydrated, even during long-duration journeys-even several days-without the use of liquid water, which would certainly be dispersed due to box overturning or other unfavorable conditions caused by the delivery service.

[0020] As mentioned earlier, the system 1 comprises an elastic retaining device 7 to block the flowers inside the vase 5 in case of overturning of the packaging box 4.

[0021] According to the embodiment illustrated in Figures 2, 5, the device 7 is an elastic clip with a substantially triangular shape, comprising a main retaining portion 7' having two opposite ends from which extends respectively an inclined portion 7" terminating in a hook portion 7‴. The hook portions 7‴ are designed for fixing along respective parts of a lower end edge of the retaining wall 6, the inclined portions 7" are designed to extend at least partially along a respective surface portion of the retaining wall 6, and the main portion 7' is designed to extend substantially horizontally across the stems of the flowers protruding from the vase 5. The inclined portions 7" are also elastically deformable between a mutually spaced rest position and a closer position following pressure exerted on the inclined portions 7". In use, to hook the elastic clip to the vase 5, the user exerts pressure on the inclined portions 7" to bring them closer together, so as to insert the clip inside the vase opening; once the clip is positioned with the hook portions 7‴ at the correct height, the clip is released so that the hook portions 7‴ are fixed to respective parts of the lower end edge of the retaining wall 6. The elastic clip will thus be stably locked inside the upper portion of the vase. In one or more embodiments, the elastic device 7 is fixed to the vase 5 so that the ribbon 3-which joins the flower stems-is positioned below the main retaining portion 7'. In this way, in case of overturning of the packaging box 4 containing the vase 5 and the floral composition 2, the flowers remain blocked inside the vase 5 because the part of the stems inside the vase is at least partially constrained by the water gel beads 8 filling the vase, and especially due to the interference between the stem portions joined by the ribbon 3 and the main retaining portion 7'.

[0022] In the following, further features of the packaging box 4 containing the vase 5 and the floral composition 2 are now described.

[0023] In one or more embodiments, the packaging box 4 in the final configuration for shipping comprises a bottom wall 4', a plurality of side walls 4", and a top wall 4"'. The box 4 is dimensioned to accommodate the vase 5 (with the floral composition 2) vertically disposed inside the box, so that the flowers protrude from the passage opening of the vase 5 and face the top wall 4".

[0024] In one or more embodiments, the packaging box 4 in the final assembled configuration is shaped as a rectangular parallelepiped with a square base.

[0025] In one or more embodiments, one or more walls of the packaging box 4 are provided with a plurality of apertures 9 for the passage of air and light inside the box 4. More particularly, with reference to the embodiment illustrated in the attached drawings, one or more side walls 4" comprise a plurality of apertures 9, preferably arranged side by side.

[0026] In one or more embodiments, as illustrated in Figures 3,5, the box 4 comprises a plurality of corner inserts 10 spaced at the angles formed by two adjacent side walls 4", so as to provide a specific resistance to compression along the vertical direction of the box 4. Preferably, these corner inserts 10 extend over the entire height of the box 4, i.e., from the top wall 4" to the bottom wall 4'.

[0027] According to a further distinctive feature, the packaging box 4 comprises internally a support structure to lock the vase 5 in position inside the box 4. In one or more embodiments, said support structure includes at least one support box element 11,12 fixed along a respective portion of the box and provided with a through opening 11', 12' to receive a respective portion of the vase. Said at least one box element 11,12 has a main wall 11",12" parallel to the bottom and top walls 4',4‴ of the box 4 in the final assembled configuration of the system 1 illustrated in Figure 2, on which is formed the through opening 11',12', having dimensions corresponding to those of the bottom and top walls 4',4‴ of the box 4. Said at least one box element 11,12 further comprises side walls 11"',12"' mounted adjacent to the side walls 4" of the packaging box 4, wherein each side wall 11‴,12‴ is provided with an opening to accommodate a mounting tab for fixing the box element 11,12 in position inside the packaging box 4. To establish the connection with the mounting tab (not shown), the side walls 4" of the box 4 are provided with a respective opening 13 to receive said mounting tab. Therefore, as is evident from the preceding description, the vase will be locked to said at least one box element 11,12, which in turn is stably locked in position inside the box 4.

[0028] In one or more embodiments, said at least one box element 11,12 comprises a lower box element 11 (Figures 4A,5) fixed along a lower portion of the box 4, provided with a through opening 11' configured to receive the base portion 5' of the vase 5. The vase 5 will thus rest on the bottom wall 4' of the box 4 and be locked in position by means of said at least one box element 11,12.

[0029] In one or more embodiments, said at least one box element 11,12 comprises an intermediate box element 12 (Figures 4B,5) fixed at an intermediate portion of the box, provided with a through opening 12' configured to receive the upper portion 5‴ of the vase 5.

[0030] According to a further feature illustrated in Figures 4C,5, the packaging box 4 further comprises an upper box element 14 fixed at an upper portion of the box 4, configured to stiffen the upper part of the box 4 and protect the flowers in case of vertical stress, for example due to the load of other boxes on the top wall 4"'. Preferably, the upper box element 14 has a main wall 14' with dimensions corresponding to those of the bottom and top walls 4',4‴ of the box 4, and side walls 14' mounted adjacent to the side walls 4" of the packaging box 4, wherein each side wall 14" is provided with an opening to accommodate a mounting tab for fixing the box element 14 in position inside the packaging box 4. Also in this case, to establish the connection with the mounting tab (not shown), the side walls 4" of the box 4 are provided with a respective opening 13 to receive said mounting tab.

[0031] In accordance with the above-described features, the present invention provides a method for assembling a packaging system 1, comprising the following steps: preparing a floral composition 2 formed by one or more types of flowers mutually joined along their respective stems by at least one ribbon 3, placing the water gel beads 8 inside the vase 5, positioning the floral composition inside the vase 5, fixing the elastic retaining device 7 to the vase 5, inserting the vase 5 inside the packaging box 4, locking it in a vertical position by means of said at least one support box element 11,12, and closing the packaging box 4.

[0032] In light of the described features, it will be evident from the foregoing that the system 1 according to the present invention is suitable for long-distance shipping of live floral compositions, being capable of withstanding impacts, overturning, and preserving the flowers fresh inside the packaging box, even for a relatively extended period.

[0033] Naturally, the details and embodiments of the invention may be widely varied with respect to what has been described and illustrated, without thereby departing from the scope of the present invention as defined in the following claims.

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0009]In the following description, various specific details are illustrated for a thorough understanding of examples of one or more embodiments. The embodiments can be implemented without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, etc.

[0010]In other cases, known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring various aspects of the embodiments. Reference to "one embodiment" in this description means that a particular configuration, structure, or feature described in relation to the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment.

[0011]Therefore, phrases such as "in one embodiment," possibly present in various places in this description, do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment.

[0012]Furthermore, particular configurations, structures, or features may be suitably combined in one or more embodiments and / or associated with the embodiments differently from what is illustrated here, so that, for...

Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a packaging system for long-distance shipping of floral compositions, particularly floral compositions formed by one or more types of live flowers, and a related assembly method.Prior Art

[0002] To date, various e-commerce platforms for purchasing floral compositions to be delivered to a recipient are widely known. To cover particularly vast territories, these platforms rely on an extensive network of local florists distributed across the territory, so that, based on the recipient's location, the florist closest to the recipient is automatically contacted to ensure faster delivery times and optimal flower freshness.

[0003] Precisely concerning the freshness of the flowers to be delivered, it has proven particularly complex and problematic to ensure optimal delivery of fresh floral compositions over long distances using traditional packaging systems; the main difficulty lies in maintaining the flowers' freshness unaltered during transport in a box and ensuring impeccable presentation upon delivery to the final recipient.

[0004] The present invention therefore stems from the desire to develop a packaging system for long-distance shipping of live floral compositions, capable of withstanding impacts, overturning, as well as the absence of fresh water supply during the journey to the recipient.Object of the Invention

[0005] The object of the present invention is therefore to propose a packaging system and a related assembly method that enable long-distance shipping of live floral compositions while meeting the aforementioned needs.Summary of the Invention

[0006] To achieve one or more of said objects, the invention relates to a packaging system for long-distance shipping of floral compositions, comprising: a floral composition formed by one or more types of flowers mutually joined along their respective stems by at least one ribbon, a vase containing said floral composition, including a base portion, an intermediate portion, and an upper portion from which the floral composition protrudes, wherein inside said upper portion is formed a retaining wall defining a passage opening for the stems of the floral composition, a plurality of water gel beads disposed inside the vase to hydrate said floral composition, a packaging box inside which said vase containing said floral composition is positioned, wherein the packaging box in the final assembled configuration comprises a bottom wall, a plurality of side walls, and a top wall, dimensioned to accommodate the vase with the floral composition vertically disposed inside the box, so that the flowers protrude from the vase and face the top wall, wherein the packaging box includes internally a support structure to lock the vase in position inside the box, said support structure including at least one support box element fixed along a respective portion of the box and provided with a through opening to receive a respective portion of the vase, an elastic retaining device to block the flowers inside the vase in case of box overturning, comprising hook portions fixed along respective parts of a lower end edge of the retaining wall.

[0007] Further features of the invention are indicated in the attached claims and in the following description.Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings, provided by way of non-limiting example, wherein: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a packaging system for long-distance shipping of live floral compositions, including a packaging box, Figure 2 is a partially sectioned view of the system, highlighting a vase containing a floral composition to be delivered, disposed inside the box, and a plurality of water gel beads disposed inside the vase, Figure 3 is a perspective view illustrating further features of the packaging box of the previous figures, Figures 4A-4C illustrate preferred embodiments of a support structure for locking the vase in position inside the box, and Figure 5 is an assembled view of the packaging system, highlighting the support structure. Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments

[0009] In the following description, various specific details are illustrated for a thorough understanding of examples of one or more embodiments. The embodiments can be implemented without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, etc.

[0010] In other cases, known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring various aspects of the embodiments. Reference to "one embodiment" in this description means that a particular configuration, structure, or feature described in relation to the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment.

[0011] Therefore, phrases such as "in one embodiment," possibly present in various places in this description, do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment.

[0012] Furthermore, particular configurations, structures, or features may be suitably combined in one or more embodiments and / or associated with the embodiments differently from what is illustrated here, so that, for example, a feature exemplified here in relation to one figure may be applied to one or more embodiments exemplified in a different figure.

[0013] The references illustrated here are only for convenience and do not therefore limit the scope of protection or the extent of the embodiments.

[0014] In the attached drawings, reference numeral 1 indicates as a whole a packaging system for long-distance shipping of floral compositions 2. The floral composition 2, illustrated by way of example in Figure 2, is formed by one or more types of live flowers, mutually joined along their respective stems by at least one ribbon 3.

[0015] The system 1 comprises a packaging box 4 inside which is positioned a vase 5 containing the floral composition 2 to be delivered. As will be evident from the following description, both the box 4 and the vase 5 have peculiar features to ensure long-distance shipping of live floral compositions, ultimately being suitable for withstanding impacts, overturning of the box 4, as well as the absence of fresh water supply during the journey to the recipient.

[0016] As illustrated by way of example in Figures 1, 2, 5, the vase 5 comprises a base portion 5', an intermediate portion 5", and an upper portion 5‴ from which the floral composition 2 protrudes. In one or more embodiments, the vase 5 progressively narrows from the base portion 5' toward the upper portion 5‴. According to the illustrated embodiment, the base portion 5' has a cylindrical shape, the intermediate portion 5" has a truncated conical shape, and the upper portion 5‴ has a cylindrical shape with a diameter smaller than that of the base portion 5', as a result of the progressive narrowing of the intermediate portion 5".

[0017] According to a further feature of the vase 5, inside the upper portion 5‴ is formed a retaining wall 6, preferably truncated conical, defining a passage opening for the stems of the floral composition 2. The retaining wall 6 extends from the upper edge of the vase 5 to a height of the vase substantially corresponding to the boundary between the upper portion 5‴ and the intermediate portion 5". According to a preferred embodiment, illustrated particularly in Figure 2, the truncated conical retaining wall 6 progressively narrows the vase opening from its upper edge toward its interior. As will be evident from the following description, the retaining wall 6 is thus formed for mutual engagement with an elastic retaining device 7 to block the flowers inside the vase 5 in case of overturning of the packaging box 4.

[0018] According to a further feature of the system 1, illustrated in Figure 2, inside the vase 5 are disposed a plurality of water gel beads 8 to hydrate the floral composition 2 during the journey inside the box 4. Water gel beads are widely known in the field, being commonly used instead of liquid water for the hydration of plants and / or flowers. As illustrated in Figure 2, the water gel beads 8 are positioned inside the vase 5 to fill the entire base portion 5' and the intermediate portion 5", up to the lower end of the retaining wall 6.

[0019] Thanks to this feature, the flowers can thus be continuously hydrated, even during long-duration journeys-even several days-without the use of liquid water, which would certainly be dispersed due to box overturning or other unfavorable conditions caused by the delivery service.

[0020] As mentioned earlier, the system 1 comprises an elastic retaining device 7 to block the flowers inside the vase 5 in case of overturning of the packaging box 4.

[0021] According to the embodiment illustrated in Figures 2, 5, the device 7 is an elastic clip with a substantially triangular shape, comprising a main retaining portion 7' having two opposite ends from which extends respectively an inclined portion 7" terminating in a hook portion 7‴. The hook portions 7‴ are designed for fixing along respective parts of a lower end edge of the retaining wall 6, the inclined portions 7" are designed to extend at least partially along a respective surface portion of the retaining wall 6, and the main portion 7' is designed to extend substantially horizontally across the stems of the flowers protruding from the vase 5. The inclined portions 7" are also elastically deformable between a mutually spaced rest position and a closer position following pressure exerted on the inclined portions 7". In use, to hook the elastic clip to the vase 5, the user exerts pressure on the inclined portions 7" to bring them closer together, so as to insert the clip inside the vase opening; once the clip is positioned with the hook portions 7‴ at the correct height, the clip is released so that the hook portions 7‴ are fixed to respective parts of the lower end edge of the retaining wall 6. The elastic clip will thus be stably locked inside the upper portion of the vase. In one or more embodiments, the elastic device 7 is fixed to the vase 5 so that the ribbon 3-which joins the flower stems-is positioned below the main retaining portion 7'. In this way, in case of overturning of the packaging box 4 containing the vase 5 and the floral composition 2, the flowers remain blocked inside the vase 5 because the part of the stems inside the vase is at least partially constrained by the water gel beads 8 filling the vase, and especially due to the interference between the stem portions joined by the ribbon 3 and the main retaining portion 7'.

[0022] In the following, further features of the packaging box 4 containing the vase 5 and the floral composition 2 are now described.

[0023] In one or more embodiments, the packaging box 4 in the final configuration for shipping comprises a bottom wall 4', a plurality of side walls 4", and a top wall 4"'. The box 4 is dimensioned to accommodate the vase 5 (with the floral composition 2) vertically disposed inside the box, so that the flowers protrude from the passage opening of the vase 5 and face the top wall 4".

[0024] In one or more embodiments, the packaging box 4 in the final assembled configuration is shaped as a rectangular parallelepiped with a square base.

[0025] In one or more embodiments, one or more walls of the packaging box 4 are provided with a plurality of apertures 9 for the passage of air and light inside the box 4. More particularly, with reference to the embodiment illustrated in the attached drawings, one or more side walls 4" comprise a plurality of apertures 9, preferably arranged side by side.

[0026] In one or more embodiments, as illustrated in Figures 3,5, the box 4 comprises a plurality of corner inserts 10 spaced at the angles formed by two adjacent side walls 4", so as to provide a specific resistance to compression along the vertical direction of the box 4. Preferably, these corner inserts 10 extend over the entire height of the box 4, i.e., from the top wall 4" to the bottom wall 4'.

[0027] According to a further distinctive feature, the packaging box 4 comprises internally a support structure to lock the vase 5 in position inside the box 4. In one or more embodiments, said support structure includes at least one support box element 11,12 fixed along a respective portion of the box and provided with a through opening 11', 12' to receive a respective portion of the vase. Said at least one box element 11,12 has a main wall 11",12" parallel to the bottom and top walls 4',4‴ of the box 4 in the final assembled configuration of the system 1 illustrated in Figure 2, on which is formed the through opening 11',12', having dimensions corresponding to those of the bottom and top walls 4',4‴ of the box 4. Said at least one box element 11,12 further comprises side walls 11"',12"' mounted adjacent to the side walls 4" of the packaging box 4, wherein each side wall 11‴,12‴ is provided with an opening to accommodate a mounting tab for fixing the box element 11,12 in position inside the packaging box 4. To establish the connection with the mounting tab (not shown), the side walls 4" of the box 4 are provided with a respective opening 13 to receive said mounting tab. Therefore, as is evident from the preceding description, the vase will be locked to said at least one box element 11,12, which in turn is stably locked in position inside the box 4.

[0028] In one or more embodiments, said at least one box element 11,12 comprises a lower box element 11 (Figures 4A,5) fixed along a lower portion of the box 4, provided with a through opening 11' configured to receive the base portion 5' of the vase 5. The vase 5 will thus rest on the bottom wall 4' of the box 4 and be locked in position by means of said at least one box element 11,12.

[0029] In one or more embodiments, said at least one box element 11,12 comprises an intermediate box element 12 (Figures 4B,5) fixed at an intermediate portion of the box, provided with a through opening 12' configured to receive the upper portion 5‴ of the vase 5.

[0030] According to a further feature illustrated in Figures 4C,5, the packaging box 4 further comprises an upper box element 14 fixed at an upper portion of the box 4, configured to stiffen the upper part of the box 4 and protect the flowers in case of vertical stress, for example due to the load of other boxes on the top wall 4"'. Preferably, the upper box element 14 has a main wall 14' with dimensions corresponding to those of the bottom and top walls 4',4‴ of the box 4, and side walls 14' mounted adjacent to the side walls 4" of the packaging box 4, wherein each side wall 14" is provided with an opening to accommodate a mounting tab for fixing the box element 14 in position inside the packaging box 4. Also in this case, to establish the connection with the mounting tab (not shown), the side walls 4" of the box 4 are provided with a respective opening 13 to receive said mounting tab.

[0031] In accordance with the above-described features, the present invention provides a method for assembling a packaging system 1, comprising the following steps: preparing a floral composition 2 formed by one or more types of flowers mutually joined along their respective stems by at least one ribbon 3, placing the water gel beads 8 inside the vase 5, positioning the floral composition inside the vase 5, fixing the elastic retaining device 7 to the vase 5, inserting the vase 5 inside the packaging box 4, locking it in a vertical position by means of said at least one support box element 11,12, and closing the packaging box 4.

[0032] In light of the described features, it will be evident from the foregoing that the system 1 according to the present invention is suitable for long-distance shipping of live floral compositions, being capable of withstanding impacts, overturning, and preserving the flowers fresh inside the packaging box, even for a relatively extended period.

[0033] Naturally, the details and embodiments of the invention may be widely varied with respect to what has been described and illustrated, without thereby departing from the scope of the present invention as defined in the following claims.

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0009]In the following description, various specific details are illustrated for a thorough understanding of examples of one or more embodiments. The embodiments can be implemented without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, etc.

[0010]In other cases, known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring various aspects of the embodiments. Reference to "one embodiment" in this description means that a particular configuration, structure, or feature described in relation to the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment.

[0011]Therefore, phrases such as "in one embodiment," possibly present in various places in this description, do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment.

[0012]Furthermore, particular configurations, structures, or features may be suitably combined in one or more embodiments and / or associated with the embodiments differently from what is illustrated here, so that, for...

Claims

1. Packaging system (1) for long-distance shipping of floral compositions, comprising: - a floral composition (2) formed by one or more types of flowers mutually joined along their respective stems by at least one ribbon (3), - a vase (5) containing said floral composition (2), including a base portion (5'), an intermediate portion (5") and an upper portion (5"') from which the floral composition (2) protrudes, wherein inside said upper portion (5‴) is formed a retaining wall (6) defining a passage opening for the stems of the floral composition (2), - a plurality of water gel beads (8) disposed inside the vase (5) to hydrate said floral composition (2), - a packaging box (4) inside which said vase (5) containing said floral composition (2) is positioned, wherein the packaging box (4) in the final assembled configuration comprises a bottom wall (4'), a plurality of side walls (4"), and a top wall (4‴), dimensioned to accommodate the vase (5), with the floral composition (2), vertically disposed inside the box (4), so that the flowers protrude from the vase (5) and face the top wall (4"), - wherein the packaging box (4) comprises internally a support structure to lock the vase (5) in position inside the box (4), said support structure including at least one support box element (11,12) fixed along a respective portion of the box (4) and provided with a through opening (11',12') to receive a respective portion of the vase (5), - an elastic retaining device (7) to block the flowers inside the vase (5) in case of overturning of the box (4), comprising hook portions (7‴) fixed along respective parts of a lower end edge of the retaining wall (6).

2. Packaging system (1) according to claim 1, wherein the base portion (5') has a cylindrical shape, the intermediate portion (5") has a truncated conical shape, and the upper portion (5‴) has a cylindrical shape with a diameter smaller than that of the base portion (5').

3. Packaging system (1) according to claim 2, wherein the retaining wall (6) extends from an upper edge of the vase (5), up to a height of the vase substantially corresponding to the boundary between the upper portion (5‴) and the intermediate portion (5").

4. Packaging system (1) according to claim 1, wherein said retaining wall (6) is substantially truncated conical in shape, so as to progressively narrow the opening of the vase from its upper edge inward.

5. Packaging system (1) according to claim 1, wherein the device (7) is an elastic clip with a substantially triangular shape, comprising a main retaining portion (7') having two opposite ends from which extends respectively an inclined portion (7") terminating in one of said hook portions (7"), wherein the inclined portions (7") are configured to extend at least partially along a respective surface portion of the retaining wall (6), and the main portion (7') is configured to extend substantially horizontally across the stems of the flowers protruding from the vase (5).

6. Packaging system (1) according to claim 1, wherein the box (4) comprises a plurality of corner inserts (10) spaced at the angles formed by two adjacent side walls (4").

7. Packaging system (1) according to claim 1, wherein said at least one box element (11,12) has a main wall (11", 12"), on which is formed the through opening (11',12'), and side walls (11‴,12‴) mounted adjacent to the side walls (4") of the packaging box (4), wherein each side wall (11‴,12‴) is provided with an opening to accommodate a mounting tab for fixing the box element (11,12) in position inside the packaging box (4).

8. Packaging system (1) according to claim 7, wherein to establish the connection with the mounting tab, the side walls (4") of the box (4) are provided with a respective opening (13) to receive said mounting tab.

9. Packaging system (1) according to claim 7 or 8, wherein said at least one box element (11,12) comprises: - a lower box element (11) fixed along a lower portion of the box (4), provided with a through opening (11') configured to receive the base portion (5') of the vase (5) resting on the bottom wall (4') of the box (4), - an intermediate box element (12) fixed along an intermediate portion of the box (4), provided with a through opening (12') configured to receive the upper portion (5‴) of the vase (5).

10. Method for assembling a packaging system (1) according to any of the preceding claims, comprising the following steps: - preparing a floral composition (2) formed by one or more types of flowers mutually joined along their respective stems by at least one ribbon (3), - placing the water gel beads (8) inside the vase (5), - positioning the floral composition inside said vase (5), - fixing said elastic retaining device (7) to the vase (5), - inserting the vase (5) inside the packaging box (4), locking it in a vertical position by means of said at least one support box element (11,12), and - closing the packaging box (4).

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