Display assembly for flowers, plants and alike and enclosure for use therein

The invention firstly relates to a display assembly for flowers, plants and alike.

It is noted that in the following description the reference to flowers also encompasses items such as, for example, plants.

The sales results of flowers depend from a number of factors, such as for example the manner in which these items are presented to customers and the condition of these items.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved display arrangement for flowers, plants and alike.

Thus, in accordance with the present invention a display assembly for flowers, plants and alike is provided comprising a movable flower trolley with reception means for receiving and supporting flower receptacles and an enclosure for housing and enclosing said movable flower trolley, wherein the enclosure is provided with cooling means for creating a cooled atmosphere within it.

The movable flower trolley may be loaded with flowers or flower receptacles while still outside the enclosure. This makes the process of loading easy to perform (and thus more efficient) due to the enhanced accessibility of the flower trolley. When the desired amount of flowers has been loaded onto the trolley, latter is moved (wheeled, if provided with wheels, or otherwise moved) into the enclosure, where the cooled atmosphere promotes the condition of said flowers (i.e. prolongs the life span).

The flower trolley used in combination with the enclosure may be of a standard type, or alternatively may be specially designed for this purpose. The flower receptacles, which may be of any known type (e.g. buckets), may be filled with flowers while present in the reception means, or the flower receptacles already may be filled with flowers before being inserted into the reception means of the flower trolley.

In a preferred embodiment of the display assembly the enclosure is provided with a movable wall which can be moved, e.g. pivoted, between an open position and a closed position.

When the movable wall is in its open position the passage of the flower trolley into and out of the enclosure is allowed. In its closed position the movable wall prevents an unauthorised removal of the flower trolley. The movement of the wall may be a pivot movement, but also other movements (e.g. a sliding movement) are conceivable.

Preferably, then, the movable wall is a front wall and extends upwardly from substantially ground level over only part of the height of the enclosure.

Such a partial wall effectively prevents an unauthorised removal of the flower trolley, while at the same time offering an excellent view on and accessibility to the flower trolley and the flowers loaded thereon. The height to which the wall extends, may be chosen as an compromise between a good cooling performance (greater height) and a good accessibility and view (smaller height).

In a special embodiment of the display assembly according to the present invention, the enclosure comprises one side intended for the passage of the flower trolley and comprising a closure member for closing said side of the enclosure, such as for example a roller shutter.

At one hand the use of such a closure member makes it possible to create an optimised cooling atmosphere within the enclosure, because it now is substantially fully closed. On the other hand such a closure member may prevent the unauthorised removal of the flower trolley or the unauthorised removal of flowers (for example outside business hours or when the removal of flowers should occur only by authorised personnel). Such a closure member may be partly transparent such as to allow to see the flowers within the enclosure.

The cooling means may comprise an internal cooling unit. This means that the enclosure itself comprises such a cooling unit integrated therein. Such an internal cooling unit may operate autonomously (for example being powered by batteries) or may need a connection to the power mains.

As an alternative, the cooling means may comprise at least one outlet opening for cooled air at the end of a respective conduit for cooled air which can be connected to an external cooling unit. Such an embodiment provides a very simple construction of the enclosure.

To improve the cooling performance of the enclosure, it may be provided with insulated walls.

In a special embodiment of the display assembly according to the invention, the enclosure has a modular construction. Such a modular construction means that it can be erected and knocked down easily and that its components can be replaced by other, similar components with differing dimensions (for example for coping with flower trolleys with different sizes).

It is noted that the display assembly may be provided with additional means for enhancing its performance, such as for example lighting means, means for presenting commercial items such as banners, etcetera.

In a second aspect the present invention relates to an enclosure for use in a display assembly according to the present invention.

Hereinafter the invention will be elucidated while referring to the drawing, in which

• Figure 1 shows an embodiment of the display assembly in a first position;
• Figure 2 shows a side elevational view of the display assembly of figure 1;
• Figure 3 shows an embodiment of the display assembly in a second position, and
• Figure 4 shows a side elevational view of the display assembly according to figure 3.

Referring to the drawings, a display assembly for flowers, plants and alike is illustrated, comprising a movable flower trolley 1 with reception means 2 for receiving and supporting flower receptacles (not illustrated) and an enclosure 3 for housing and enclosing said movable flower trolley 2.

In the illustrated embodiment the flower trolley 1, in a side view, is triangular and the enclosure 3 has a corresponding shape with triangular side walls 4. In general the shape and dimensions of the constitutive components (i.e. walls) of the enclosure 3 will depend upon the shape and dimensions of the flower trolley and may be varied within wide limits.

Further the enclosure 3 preferably has a modular construction, such that it can be erected and knocked down easily and that its components (e.g. walls 4) can be replaced by other, similar components with differing dimensions (for example for coping with flower trolleys 1 with different sizes).

The enclosure 3 is provided with cooling means (not visible) for creating a cooled atmosphere within it. For example, such means may comprise an internal cooling unit (operating autonomously or connected to the power mains), or alternatively said cooling means could comprise at least one outlet opening (indicated schematically at 7 in figure 1) for cooled air at the end of a respective conduit (not illustrated) for cooled air which can be connected to an external cooling unit. Such at least one outlet opening 7 then debouches into the internal space of the enclosure 3.

For increasing the cooling performance, the enclosure may be provided with insulated walls.

At its front part the enclosure 3 is provided with a movable wall 5 which can be moved, e.g. pivoted, between an open position (figures 1 and 2) and a closed position (figures 3 and 4). In the illustrated embodiment the movable wall 5 can be detached entirely from the remainder of the enclosure 3.

Said movable wall 5 extends upwardly from substantially ground level over only part of the height of the enclosure 3.

In figures 1 and 2 the movable wall 5 is in its open position and the trolley 1 is in the process of being moved into, or out of, the enclosure 3.

In figures 3 and 4 the flower trolley 1 has been positioned within the enclosure 3. It is noted that in figures 3 and 4 the reception means 2 of the trolley 1 still project beyond the limits of the enclosure 3; it is conceivable, however, that these reception means 2 are positioned fully within the limits of the enclosure (for example when the trolley 1 is moved further into the enclosure 3, if possible). When, indeed, the reception means 2 do not project, it would be possible to close the open side of the enclosure 3 above the movable wall 5 by means of an appropriate closure member, for example a roller shutter (illustrated schematically at 8 in figure 2).

Figures 1 and 3 further illustrate an inclined surface 6 supporting promotional items, such as banners or alike. Promotional items, however, also may be provided on other components of the enclosure (as shown, for example, on the side walls 4). Further other means for enhancing the performance of the display assembly may be provided, such as for example lighting means.

The construction of the flower trolley 1 is such that it can pass with its sides between the inclined surface 6 and the side walls 4 of the enclosure 3.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, which may be varied widely within the scope of the invention as defined by the appending claims.