Apparatus and method for receiving and transporting flowers

Abstract

One embodiment is a container for receiving and transporting flowers. The container includes a receptacle having a stem end and a blossom end, wherein the stem end comprises a water-resistant bottom surface and wherein the blossom end defines a blossom end opening configured to receive a plurality of flowers. The container also includes a lattice comprising a plurality of strips, the lattice positioned substantially at the stem end of the receptacle, the lattice having a plurality of lattice openings, each of the lattice openings being configured to receive the stem end of at least one of the flowers and wherein the lattice is configured to substantially limit movement of the stem end of the flower within the container.

1 . A container for receiving flowers, said container comprising: 
 a receptacle having a stem end and a blossom end, wherein said stem end comprises a water-resistant bottom surface and wherein said blossom end defines a blossom end opening configured to receive a plurality of flowers; and    a lattice comprising a plurality of strips, said lattice positioned substantially at said stem end of said receptacle, said lattice having a plurality of lattice openings, each of said plurality of lattice openings being configured to receive the stem end of at least one of said flowers and wherein said lattice is configured to limit movement of said stem end of said at least one flower.    
   
   
       2 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein said strips of said lattice are configured to limit movement of said stem end of said at least one of said flowers to substantially within one of said lattice openings.  
   
   
       3 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein said blossom end opening defines a substantially circular shape.  
   
   
       4 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein each of said plurality of lattice openings includes at least one corner.  
   
   
       5 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein said blossom end opening of said receptacle is larger than said stem end of said receptacle and wherein said receptacle is tapered from said blossom end to said stem end.  
   
   
       6 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein said receptacle is configured to receive a second receptacle into said blossom end opening so as to stack said second receptacle within said receptacle.  
   
   
       7 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein said receptacle comprises four sides, each of said sides comprising a surface extending from said stem end to said blossom end, wherein each of said surfaces is connected to at least two other of said surfaces and to said water-resistant bottom surface, and wherein said surfaces define said blossom end opening.  
   
   
       8 . The container of  claim 7 , wherein said lattice is connected to said bottom surface and said side surfaces.  
   
   
       9 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein said opening defines a substantially rectangular shape.  
   
   
       10 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said plurality of said strips comprises an opening configured to allow water to flow between at least two of said plurality of lattice openings.  
   
   
       11 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein said lattice is fixed to said bottom surface of said receptacle.  
   
   
       12 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein said lattice is removably connected to said receptacle.  
   
   
       13 . A method of manufacturing a container for receiving flowers, said method comprising: 
 forming a receptacle having a stem end and a blossom end, wherein said stem end comprises a water-resistant bottom surface and wherein said blossom end defines a blossom end opening configured to receive a plurality of flowers; and    forming a lattice comprising a plurality of strips, said lattice positioned substantially at said stem end of said receptacle, said lattice having a plurality of lattice openings, each of said lattice openings being configured to receive the stem end of at least one of said flowers and wherein said lattice is configured to limit movement of said stem end of said at least one of said flowers.    
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said lattice is formed integrally with said bottom surface and said side surfaces.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 13  further comprising forming at least one opening in at least one of said strips configured to allow water to flow between at least two of said plurality of lattice openings.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said lattice is formed so as to be removably connected to said receptacle.  
   
   
       17 . An apparatus for receiving flowers, said apparatus comprising: 
 a lattice comprising a plurality of strips configured for use with a receptacle having a stem end and a blossom end,    said lattice configured to be positioned substantially at said stem end of said receptacle, said lattice having a plurality of lattice openings, each of said plurality of lattice openings being configured to receive a stem end of at least one of a plurality of flowers and wherein said lattice is configured to limit movement of said stem end of said at least one flower.    
   
   
       18 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein said strips of said lattice are configured to limit movement of said stem end of said at least one of said flowers to substantially within one of said lattice openings.  
   
   
       19 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein each of said plurality of lattice openings includes at least one corner.  
   
   
       20 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein said lattice is configured to be removably connected to a receptacle.  
   
   
       21 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein at least one of said plurality of said strips comprises an opening configured to allow water to flow between at least two of said plurality of lattice openings.  
   
   
       22 . A container for receiving flowers, said container comprising: 
 means for receiving and containing at least one flower, said means for containing comprising means for supporting the stem ends of said at least one flower; and    means for defining a plurality of openings and limiting movement of the stem ends of said at least one flower to substantially within one of said plurality of openings.