# US 5,701,721 A · Shipping carton and method for shipping floral groupings > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 5,701,721 A - Document ID: US5701721A - Status: Granted - Kind: A - Application number: 08/463,800 - Filed: 1995-06-05 - Granted: 1997-12-30 - Earliest claimed: 1991-04-26 - Assignees: Southpac Trust International, Inc. - Inventors: Donald E. Weder; Sue Corbett - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5701721A ## CPC - B65D 85/52: for living plants; for growing bulbs - B65D 5/50: Internal supporting or protecting elements for contents - B65D 5/5054: {formed by a plurality of layers contacting each other, e.g. multiple layers of corrugated cardboard} - B65D 5/5059: {Paper panels presenting one or more openings or recesses in wich at least a part of the contents are located (B65D5/5038, B65D5/5052, B65D5/5057 and B65D5/5286 take precedence)} - B65D 5/5073: {U-shaped elements supporting the articles locally at their sides} - B65D 65/14: with areas coated with adhesive - B65D 71/0085: {Packaging elements adhered to the articles, e.g. a carton sheet (adhesive tapes B65D63/1009)} - B65D 85/42: for ampoules; for lamp bulbs; for electronic valves or tubes - B65D 85/505: {for cut flowers} - B65D 75/14: in sheets or blanks folded-up around all sides of the contents from a portion on which the contents are placed - B65D 85/44: for crockery - B65D 2313/10: Adhesive or cohesive means for holding the contents attached to the container - B65D: CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES ## Abstract A shipping carton including a box assembly and a plurality of pots containing floral groupings. A bonding material is applied to the base of the box assembly and the pots containing floral groupings are disposed in the retaining space of the box so that the bonding material engages and connects each of the pots containing floral groupings. Retaining inserts may be disposed in the retaining space of the box to retain the growing medium contained in the pots within the pots during movement or shipment of the box assembly. The retaining inserts may be secured to the inner surface of the side walls of the box through a securing means such as a clip to prevent displacement of the retaining inserts during movement or shipment of the box assembly. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for securing floral groupings for shipment, comprising the steps of: providing a base comprising an upper surface and a bonding material, the bonding material disposed on at least a portion of the upper surface of the base; providing at least one floral container having an open upper end, a lower end and a retaining space sized to receive and retain a floral grouping therein, the floral grouping being disposed therein; and disposing the floral container upon the upper surface of the base such that the lower end of the floral container engages the bonding material disposed on the upper surface of the base, the bonding material bondingly connecting the floral container to the base and serving as substantially the only means for securing the floral container and wherein the floral container is free from support by any other floral container secured to the base. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of placing a cover over the base whereby the base and the floral container containing the floral grouping are substantially covered. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The method of claim 2 further comprising the step of securing the cover in closed position with an adhesive tape or other securing means. ### Claim 4 A method for securing floral groupings for shipment, comprising the steps of: providing a base comprising an upper surface, a bonding material disposed on at least a portion of the upper surface of the base; providing at least one floral container, the floral container having an open upper end, a lower end and a retaining space sized to receive and retain a floral grouping therein, the floral grouping disposed therein; disposing the floral container on the upper surface of the base; and positioning the floral container such that the lower end of the floral container engages the bonding material to bondingly connect the lower end of the floral container to at least a portion of the upper surface of the base for substantially preventing movement of the floral container on the base during movements of the base wherein the bonding material serves as substantially the only means for securing the floral container and wherein the floral container is free from support by any other floral container secured to the base, the floral container being removable from the base by disconnecting the floral container from the bonding material. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The method of claim 4 further comprising the step of providing a providing a cover; and moving the cover to a closed position whereby the base the floral container containing the floral grouping are substantially enclosed. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The method of claim 5 further comprising the step of securing the cover in a closed position with an adhesive tape or other securing means. ### Claim 7 A method for securing floral groupings for shipment, comprising the steps of: providing a base comprising an upper surface, an adhesive or cohesive bonding material disposed on at least a portion of the upper surface of the base; providing at least one floral container, the floral container having an open upper end, a lower end and sized to receive and retain a floral grouping therein; disposing the floral container upon the upper surface of the base; and positioning the floral container such that the lower end of the floral container engages the adhesive or cohesive bonding material to bondingly connect the lower end of the floral container to at least a portion of the upper surface of the base for substantially preventing movement of the floral container on the base during movements of the base wherein the bonding material serves as substantially the only means for securing the floral container and wherein the floral container is free from support by any other floral container secured to the base, the floral container being removable from the base by disconnecting the floral container from the adhesive or cohesive bonding material on the base. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7 wherein in the step of providing a base, the base further comprises a cover, and the step of: placing the cover over the base the base and the floral container containing the floral grouping are substantially enclosed. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8 further comprising the step of securing the cover in a closed position with an adhesive tape or other securing means. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein the bonding material disposed on the base is an adhesive or cohesive bonding material. ### Claim 11 (depends on 4) The method of claim 4 wherein the bonding material disposed on the base is an adhesive or cohesive bonding material.