| Systems and methods for packaging trays of plantlets -> Monitor Keywords |
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  Systems and methods for packaging trays of plantletsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20080053854. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
TECHNICAL FIELD [0001]The subject matter described herein relates generally to systems, apparatuses, and methods for transporting plantlets. More particularly, the subject matter disclosed herein relates to the packaging of plantlets for transport employing carton carriers on which trays of plantlets may be placed. BACKGROUND [0002]Shipping of plantlets, such as small or fragile plants, seedlings, cuttings, or the like, that have yet to reach maturity has always posed certain challenges for growers, distributors, and retailers. Keeping the plants in a viable condition and protecting them from handling damage are primary concerns during shipping. Further, distributors need to be able to ship plantlets in bulk to help maximize efficiencies associated with delivery and handling to lower the cost associated with each plantlet. [0003]Often, multiple trays of plantlets are stacked within a box container for bulk shipment of plantlets. The trays provide a holding area for soil to provide nutrients and water to each plantlet during shipment. To prevent the plantlets from being crushed or damaged by the stacking of the trays, the trays are often placed on stackable carton carriers that are insertable and stackable within the box container. While carton carriers may be made of many different materials, corrugated fiberboard carton carriers are typically used due to the fact that they are sturdy and inexpensive. Prefabricated corrugated fiberboard carton carriers that are reinforced on their bottoms and sides provide great durability. Such prefabricated carton carriers also greatly increase cost of the shipment of the plantlets due to their preassembly and bulk. [0004]Unassembled flat sheets of corrugated fiberboard, typically referred to as blanks, may also be used to create cartons that are stackable within boxes for holding trays of plantlets. Blanks may be used that provide support on all sides and the bottom of the carton carriers when assembled. However, these blanks have complex folding instructions and are often complicated to assemble. The number of folds to be made and the specific order in which the folding of the blanks must occur to create these carton carriers greatly impede the packaging of plantlets within the fields and green houses where the plantlets are to be packed. Therefore, the cost of assembly greatly increases the shipment cost associated with the plantlets. [0005]Simple blanks have been developed that can be formed into carton carriers having two walls which run parallel to each other. These carton carriers are easy to create from their corresponding blanks. The workers who load the plantlets can easily form a carton carrier by folding a first side and a second side of the blank to create the two parallel walls. In this manner, the carton carrier is formed by the parallel side walls having a bottom panel disposed between the side walls. The bottom panel provides a surface on which the tray of plantlets may rest. The side walls may also provide support for other carton carriers to be stacked above. By easily forming a carton carrier having two side walls, loading efficiencies can increase, thereby decreasing loading times and shipping cost associated with the plantlets. [0006]While blanks used to form these two-sided carton carriers can increase loading efficiencies, other problems arise with these carton carriers when they are used to ship trays of plantlets. Due to the nature of the plantlets and plantlet trays to be shipped, these two-sided carton carriers tend to bend along the bottom panel of the carton carrier parallel to the side walls. This bending of the carton carriers leads to an increased chance of plant damage and the collapsing of stacks of carton carriers within the shipping box. [0007]Also, the plantlet trays help to hold moisture within the soil in which the plantlets are placed to help sustain the plantlets. This moisture often evaporates within the box. The fiberboard of the carton carriers absorbs this moisture causing the carrier to lose strength. This is especially true on the bottom panel on which a plantlet tray rests. The weight of the plantlet tray causes the now moist bottom panel to sag. The sagging bends the carton carrier and the trays under its own weight, thereby increasing the chances of the sagging carton carrier to collapse and also causing the trays to bend inward which can lead to damage of the plantlets. [0008]In light of the above, a need exists for improved handling of plantlet trays within transport boxes, particularly with regard to decreasing the likelihood of damage to the plantlets within the transport boxes, while not negatively effecting loading efficiencies of these boxes. SUMMARY [0009]In accordance with this disclosure, novel packaging systems, apparatuses, and methods are provided for improving handling and shipment of plantlets. [0010]It is a principal purpose of the present disclosure therefore to provide novel packaging systems, apparatuses, and methods for transporting trays of plantlets, such as within carton carriers and plantlet transport boxes. This and other purposes as may become apparent from the present disclosure are achieved, at least in whole or in part, by the subject matter described herein. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0011]A full and enabling disclosure of the present subject matter including the best mode thereof to one of ordinary skill of the art is set forth more particularly in the remainder of the specification, including reference to the accompanying figures in which: [0012]FIG. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of a carton carrier according to the present subject matter; [0013]FIG. 2 shows a schematic vertical cross-sectional view of the embodiment of the carton carrier of FIG. 1 along lines I-I; [0014]FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a blank used to create a carton carrier according to the present subject matter; [0015]FIG. 4 shows a schematic perspective view of the blank of FIG. 3 used to create a carton carrier according to the present subject matter; [0016]FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the blank of FIG. 3 folded to form at least a portion of a carton carrier according to the present subject matter; [0017]FIG. 6 shows a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of a carton carrier used in a packaging system according to the present subject matter; [0018]FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a packaging system according to the present subject matter; [0019]FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of the packaging system according to FIG. 7; [0020]FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of the packaging system according to FIG. 7; Continue reading... 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