Modular bucket system for displaying fresh cut flowers

Abstract

A system for displaying flowers having a display platform having a plurality of coded receptacles for receiving coded flower containers, a plurality of coded flower containers located within corresponding coded flower receptacles, and a characteristic code on each coded receptacle and each coded flower container identifying a flower characteristic. The coded flower containers are constructed of disposable, water-impermeable material, and the characteristic code identifies aspects such as price, species, and freshness or expiration date of flowers. The characteristic codes on the coded receptacles and the coded flower containers enable a salesperson to quickly set up a flower display by placing the coded flower containers in the coded receptacles having matching characteristic codes.

1 . A system for displaying flowers, comprising: 
 a display platform having a plurality of coded receptacles for receiving coded flower containers;    a plurality of coded flower containers located within corresponding coded receptacles; and    a characteristic code on each coded receptacle and each coded flower container identifying a flower characteristic.    
   
   
       2 . The system for displaying flowers as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the coded flower containers are constructed of disposable, water-impermeable material.  
   
   
       3 . The system for displaying flowers as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the characteristic code identifies a species of flower.  
   
   
       4 . The system for displaying flowers as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the characteristic code identifies a price of flowers.  
   
   
       5 . The system for displaying flowers as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the characteristic code identifies a freshness expiration date of a flower.  
   
   
       6 . The system for displaying flowers as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the characteristic code on a coded flower container includes a Universal Parcel Code (UPC) sticker.  
   
   
       7 . The system for displaying flowers as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the characteristic code on a coded flower container includes a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Integrated Circuit (IC) chip.  
   
   
       8 . The system for displaying flowers as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the display platform includes a flower cooler.  
   
   
       9 . The system for displaying flowers as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the display platform includes a table.  
   
   
       10 . The system for displaying flowers as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the coded receptacles include a colored ring for positioning a coded flower container thereon.  
   
   
       11 . The system for displaying flowers as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the coded receptacles include a hole for receiving the coded flower container therein.  
   
   
       12 . The system for displaying flowers as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the coded flower containers are buckets made of disposable, water-impermeable material.  
   
   
       13 . The system for displaying flowers as set forth in  claim 12 , further comprising: 
 a flower wrapper surrounding a group of flowers, wherein the flower wrapper and the group of flowers are placed within a coded flower container, and the flower wrapper includes a characteristic code.    
   
   
       14 . A system for displaying flowers, comprising: 
 a display platform having a plurality of coded receptacles for receiving disposable coded flower containers;    a plurality of coded disposable flower containers, each coded disposable flower container contained within a coded receptacle;    at least one flower contained within each coded disposable flower container; and    a characteristic code on the coded receptacles and the coded disposable flower containers identify a flower characteristic.    
   
   
       15 . The system for displaying flowers as set forth in  claim 14 , further comprising: 
 a wrapper surrounding at least one flower, wherein the wrapper is contained within a coded disposable flower container.    
   
   
       16 . The system for displaying flowers as set forth in  claim 15 , wherein the wrapper includes a characteristic code.  
   
   
       17 . The system for displaying flowers as set forth in  claim 16 , wherein the wrapper is comprised of a polypropylene sleeve.  
   
   
       18 . The system for displaying flowers as set forth in  claim 14 , wherein at least one receptacle includes a hole.  
   
   
       19 . A system for displaying flowers, comprising: 
 a cooler for displaying flowers in a retail environment, the cooler including a plurality of receptacles for receiving disposable flower buckets;    a plurality of disposable flower buckets located within receptacles of the cooler; and    a flower type code on the receptacles and the disposable flower buckets, thereby enabling a salesperson to quickly and easily identify which disposable flower bucket goes in each receptacle.    
   
   
       20 . The system for displaying flowers as set forth in  claim 19 , wherein the characteristic code includes a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Integrated Circuit (IC) chip which identifies a freshness expiration date of a flower.  
   
   
       21 . The system for displaying flowers as set forth in  claim 19 , wherein the characteristic code on a includes a Universal Parcel Code (UPC) sticker.  
   
   
       22 . A method for displaying flowers, said method comprising the steps of: 
 grouping flower bunches by a predetermined characteristic;    assigning a characteristic code to each flower bunch;    placing the flower bunches into corresponding disposable coded flower containers having characteristic codes matching the characteristic codes of the flower bunches;    sending the flower bunches within the disposable coded flower containers to a seller for display and sale; and    placing the disposable coded flower containers holding the flower bunches into coded receptacles of a flower display having characteristic codes matching the disposable flower containers.