Patent US4075786A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4075786A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Container for safely retaining a living plant during transit and display
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1976-07-23
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Granted: 1978-02-28
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Expires: 1996-07-23
Abstract
Abstract A low cost arrangement for displaying a small, rooted plant in a highly attractive manner, with such arrangement also serving as a moisture-retaining shipping container for the plant. The construction of the container is such that without modification from the mode used for displaying the plant, it can serve to hold the plant and a small quantity of associated earth in a safe and intact condition throughout a shipping procedure. This invention also includes a novel method of packaging a small living plant for display and/or shipment at minimal cost.
Inventors
- 👤 Bernard van Zyl
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 15:21
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D85/00; B65D85/50; B65D85/52; A; A01; A01G; A01G9/00; A01G9/02; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S206/00; Y10S206/813
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
141 words
A shipping and display arrangement for a small rooted plant comprising: a. a box of transparent material having separate top and bottom portions, said portions each being equipped with interfitting edge members. b. planting material as well as the roots of the plant, disposed in the bottom portion of said box, c. a pad covering the planting material, for retaining same in the bottom portion of the box, d. at least one strip of tape for securing said pad to the bottom portion of said box, with the ends of said strip of tape extending out between said interfitting edge members, e. the interception of said tape ends by said interfitting edge members causing adherent portions of tape to adhere tightly to the bottom portion of the box, thus to prevent displacement of the pad and the planting material during transit.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
141 words
A shipping and display arrangement for a small rooted plant comprising: a. a box of transparent material having separate top and bottom portions, said portions each being equipped with interfitting edge members. b. planting material as well as the roots of the plant, disposed in the bottom portion of said box, c. a pad covering the planting material, for retaining same in the bottom portion of the box, d. at least one strip of tape for securing said pad to the bottom portion of said box, with the ends of said strip of tape extending out between said interfitting edge members, e. the interception of said tape ends by said interfitting edge members causing adherent portions of tape to adhere tightly to the bottom portion of the box, thus to prevent displacement of the pad and the planting material during transit.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The shipping and display arrangement as defined in claim 1 wherein said pad is of soft plastic material, that is configured to accommodate the stem of the plant.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The shipping and display arrangement as defined in claim 1 wherein said top portion of the box is of sufficient height to accommodate a small plant.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
214 words
An arrangement for enabling a living plant to be displayed as well as shipped utilizing the same low cost container, comprising a container having interfitting top and bottom portions, said bottom portion being adapted to receive a small quantity of planting material as well as the roots of a living plant, a pad for covering the planting material and being cnfigured to accommodate the stem of the plant, at least one strip of tape of greater length than the lateral dimension of the bottom of the box, such that the ends of the strip or strips of tape can extend beyond the confines of the bottom of the box, the top portion of said box being of a height to accomodate a plant set out in the bottom of the box, and having lower edge members that tightly interfit with the upper edge members of the bottom portion of the box, the edge members of the top portion of said box intercepting the tape ends when the box portions are interfitted, causing them to move into adhering contact with edge portions of the bottom of the box, and hold said pad tightly in a planting material-retaining position, the presence of such tape ends further enhancing the interfit of the top and bottom box portions.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
214 words
An arrangement for enabling a living plant to be displayed as well as shipped utilizing the same low cost container, comprising a container having interfitting top and bottom portions, said bottom portion being adapted to receive a small quantity of planting material as well as the roots of a living plant, a pad for covering the planting material and being cnfigured to accommodate the stem of the plant, at least one strip of tape of greater length than the lateral dimension of the bottom of the box, such that the ends of the strip or strips of tape can extend beyond the confines of the bottom of the box, the top portion of said box being of a height to accomodate a plant set out in the bottom of the box, and having lower edge members that tightly interfit with the upper edge members of the bottom portion of the box, the edge members of the top portion of said box intercepting the tape ends when the box portions are interfitted, causing them to move into adhering contact with edge portions of the bottom of the box, and hold said pad tightly in a planting material-retaining position, the presence of such tape ends further enhancing the interfit of the top and bottom box portions.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The arrangement as defined in claim 4 in which the top and bottom box portions are of transparent material.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
The arrangement as defined in claim 4 wherein the lower edge members of the top portion of the box fit inside the upper edge members of the bottom portions of the box.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The arrangement as defined in claim 4 in which the tape has adherent material on only one side.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The arrangement as defined in claim 4 in which double faced tape is utilized, with adherent material used on both faces.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The arrangement as defined in claim 4 in which the pad for covering the planting material is of plastic foam.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
224 words
A method of packaging a small, living plant for display as well as shipment, utilizing a box having a bottom and an interfitting top, comprising the steps of placng a small quantity of planting material as well as the root portions of the plant in the bottom of the box, placing a pad to serve as a covering for the planting material in the bottom of the box, with such pad being configured to permit the plant to reside without interference in approximately the center of the box, applying at least one strip of tape to the upper surface of the pad, with each such strip of tape being of greater length than the lateral dimension of the bottom of the box, as will permit each end of each strip of tape to extend somewhat beyond the bottom of the box, and thereafter placing the top and bottom portions of the box together, with the lower portions of the box top coming into direct contact with the overhanging tape ends and causing them to tightly adhere to the upper edges of the bottom of the box, and thus hold the pad of covering material such that it will prevent dislodgement of the planting material, with such tape ends additionally serving to increase the tightness of the interfit of the top and bottom box portions.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
224 words
A method of packaging a small, living plant for display as well as shipment, utilizing a box having a bottom and an interfitting top, comprising the steps of placng a small quantity of planting material as well as the root portions of the plant in the bottom of the box, placing a pad to serve as a covering for the planting material in the bottom of the box, with such pad being configured to permit the plant to reside without interference in approximately the center of the box, applying at least one strip of tape to the upper surface of the pad, with each such strip of tape being of greater length than the lateral dimension of the bottom of the box, as will permit each end of each strip of tape to extend somewhat beyond the bottom of the box, and thereafter placing the top and bottom portions of the box together, with the lower portions of the box top coming into direct contact with the overhanging tape ends and causing them to tightly adhere to the upper edges of the bottom of the box, and thus hold the pad of covering material such that it will prevent dislodgement of the planting material, with such tape ends additionally serving to increase the tightness of the interfit of the top and bottom box portions.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method as defined in claim 10 in which the top and bottom box portions are of transparent material.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method as defined in claim 10 in which the tape has adherent material on only one side.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method as defined in claim 10 in which double faced tape is utilized, with adherent material used on both sides.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-02-27 | 1981-08-29 | 1982-02-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-02-27 | 1985-08-29 | 1986-02-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-02-27 | 1989-08-29 | 1990-02-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |