Spill-Proof Cut Flower Container With Funnel Closure Hydration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cut flowers face dehydration and spoilage due to inadequate water access during transportation and display, leading to wilting and increased waste, while existing containers often result in spillage, posing a slipping hazard and failing to maintain hydration effectively.
Innovation Solution
A spill-proof container with a funnel-shaped structure and radial slitted disc member that allows stem insertion while preventing liquid spillage, combined with a secondary closure to secure stems and prevent leakage, facilitating hydration and display.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If cut flowers are transported without water access, then shipping time is reduced and handling is simplified, but the flowers wilt and quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements nesting by placing a collapsible water reservoir inside the shipping container, which is then positioned around the flower stems. The reservoir nests within the container structure, creating an integrated hydration system that provides continuous water access during transport without increasing external dimensions or complicating handling procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-assembling the water reservoir and positioning it within the container before inserting the flowers. The reservoir is prepared in advance with water, and the entire hydration system is configured beforehand, allowing flowers to be simply placed into the pre-prepared environment, thus maintaining quality without extending shipping time.
2Reliability
If open buckets are used for flower display, then flowers have continuous water access, but water spills on the floor creating slipping hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes a flexible collapsible reservoir that can be sealed and contained within the shipping container. This flexible membrane structure allows the reservoir to be filled and sealed without spillage, and can be positioned to provide water access to flowers while containing any potential leakage within the container boundaries, eliminating the slipping hazard associated with open buckets.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the water containment function from the display function by using a separate sealed reservoir that interfaces with the flowers through controlled openings. This segmentation allows the water supply to be isolated in a spill-proof container while still providing necessary hydration access, thus maintaining flower hydration without creating floor spillage hazards.
3Reliability
If water is added to buckets during display, then flower hydration is maintained, but employee time and effort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by providing a pre-filled, sealed water reservoir that is ready for use when the flowers are placed in the container. The water supply is prepared in advance during the packaging process, eliminating the need for employees to repeatedly add water during display periods, thus maintaining hydration reliability while preserving employee productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies self-service by designing a sealed reservoir system that automatically maintains water levels and hydration conditions without requiring employee intervention. The reservoir is configured to provide continuous water access to flowers throughout the display period, making the hydration system self-regulating and eliminating repetitive employee tasks for water replenishment.
4Ease of manufacture
If traditional containers are used for shipping, then manufacturing is simple, but flowers cannot withstand rough handling and dehydration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent maintains manufacturing simplicity by using a standard shipping container structure while nesting a collapsible water reservoir inside it. This nested configuration adds the necessary hydration and protection functions without requiring a completely new container design, thus preserving ease of manufacture while significantly improving flower viability through continuous water access and enhanced protection against rough handling.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention is directed toward a spill- and leak-proof container for floriculture items including cut flowers, stems, other horticultural items, and the like. More specifically, the invention includes a receptacle having funnel-like primary closure. The funnel-like primary closure includes a wider opening generally adjacent to and contiguous with the mouth of the receptacle. The narrower opening of the funnel-like primary closure is positioned in the interior of the receptacle. A secondary closure atop the wider opening of the primary closure ensures no liquid can spill.