FLORAL ARRANGEMENT MECHANICS AND METHODS

Abstract

A floral arrangement product includes a pouch comprising a membrane, and an expandable medium in a compressed state contained within the pouch. The expandable medium expands upon hydration and fills the pouch, and the membrane has an interface for inserting plants and/or flower stems into the expandable medium.

Claims

1. A floral arrangement product comprising: a pouch comprising a membrane; an expandable medium in a compressed state contained within the pouch, and wherein the expandable medium expands upon hydration and fills the pouch; wherein the membrane comprises an interface for inserting plants and/or flower stems into the expandable medium.

2. The product of claim 1, wherein the membrane comprises a Poly Lactic Acid (PLA) based polymer.

3. The product of claim 1, wherein the membrane comprises one of wax paper fibers, or cotton based textiles.

4. The product of claim 1, wherein the membrane comprises a thickness in the range of 10 micrometers to 60 micrometers.

5. The product of claim 1, wherein the membrane comprises pre-perforated openings.

6. The product of claim 1, wherein the membrane comprises a water permeable membrane.

7. The product of claim 1, wherein the membrane comprises a perforable membrane.

8. The product of claim 1, wherein the pouch comprises a top sheet, and a bottom sheet and wherein said top and bottom sheets comprise edges sealed together.

9. The product of claim 1, wherein the expandable medium comprises materials compressed in pellets, bricks or granules.

10. The product of claim 1, wherein the expandable medium comprises wood compressed in pellets, bricks or granules.

11. The product of claim 1, wherein the expandable medium comprises coir compressed in pellets, bricks or granules.

12. The product of claim 1, wherein the expandable medium comprises an amount calculated by:
Vf=Vm*Cr/Em, wherein Vf=Volume of compressed expandable medium, Vm=Maximum volume available inside the pouch without stretching the membrane, Cr=Residual compression coefficient of the membrane, Em=Vw/Vd, wherein Vw=wet volume of nominal amount of expandable medium fill once it stops absorbing water, Vd=dry volume of the nominal amount of expandable medium fill before hydrating with water.

13. The product of claim 1, comprising a plurality of pouches detachably attached to each other and arranged in linear, circular, two-dimensional or three-dimensional structures.

14. A floral arrangement product comprising: a vessel; an expandable medium in a compressed state contained within the vessel; a membrane at least partially enveloping the expandable medium and comprising an interface for inserting plants and/or flower stems into the expandable medium; and wherein the compressed expandable medium expands upon hydration.

15. The product of claim 14, wherein the membrane comprises a Poly Lactic Acid (PLA) based polymer.

16. The product of claim 14, wherein the membrane comprises one of wax paper fibers, or cotton based textiles.

17. The product of claim 14, wherein the membrane comprises a thickness in the range of 10 micrometers to 60 micrometers.

18. The product of claim 14, wherein the membrane comprises pre-perforated openings.

19. The product of claim 14, wherein the membrane comprises a water permeable membrane.

20. The product of claim 14, wherein the membrane comprises a perforable membrane.

21. The product of claim 14, wherein the membrane comprises a pouch and envelops entirely the expandable medium.

22. The product of claim 14, wherein the pouch comprises a top sheet, and a bottom sheet and wherein said top and bottom sheets comprise edges sealed together.

23. The product of claim 14, wherein the vessel comprises one of a vase, bowl, or tray.

24. The product of claim 14, wherein said vessel comprises sustainable sourced rapidly renewable plant fibers.

25. The product of claim 24, wherein said vessel comprises sugarcane fibers.

26. The product of claim 24, wherein said vessel comprises recycled paper fibers.

27. The product of claim 14, wherein the membrane covers and seals an opening of vessel.

28. The product of claim 14, wherein the expandable medium comprises an amount calculated by:
Vf=Vm*Cr/Em, wherein Vf=Volume of compressed expandable medium, Vm=Maximum volume available inside the vessel without stretching the membrane, Cr=Residual compression coefficient of the membrane, Em=Vw/Vd, wherein Vw=wet volume of nominal amount of expandable medium fill once it stops absorbing water, Vd=dry volume of the nominal amount of expandable medium fill before hydrating with water.

29. A method for a floral arrangement comprising: providing a pouch comprising a membrane and an expandable medium in a compressed state contained within the pouch, and wherein the expandable medium expands upon hydration and fills the pouch; hydrating the compressed expandable medium and causing it to expand; and inserting plants and/or flower stems into the expandable medium through an interface of the membrane.

30. A method for a floral arrangement comprising: providing a vessel comprising an opening; adding an expandable medium in a compressed state into the vessel through the opening; enveloping the expandable medium at least partially with a membrane, wherein the membrane comprises an interface for inserting plants and/or flower stems into the expandable medium; hydrating the compressed expandable medium and causing it to expand; and inserting plants and/or flower stems into the expandable medium through the membrane interface.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0038] Referring to the figures, wherein like numerals represent like parts throughout the several views:

[0039] FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a single flower arrangement pouch before hydration, according to this invention;

[0040] FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the expanded single flower arrangement pouch of FIG. 1A after hydration;

[0041] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a flower arrangement “pouch chain”, according to this invention;

[0042] FIG. 3A is a perspective view of a “Ready Made Compote” for flower arrangements, before hydration;

[0043] FIG. 3B is a perspective view of the “Ready Made Compote” of FIG. 3A, after hydration;

[0044] FIG. 4A is a section view of a “Hydrating Compote” for flower arrangements, before hydration;

[0045] FIG. 4B is a section view of the “Hydrating Compote” of FIG. 4A, after hydration;

[0046] FIG. 5 depicts an example of a flower arrangement pouch filled with dry pellet fill, before hydration;

[0047] FIG. 6 depicts the cut-through flower arrangement pouch of FIG. 5, after hydration and expansion of the pellet fill material;

[0048] FIG. 7A-FIG. 7C depict the flower arrangement pouch of FIG. 5 at various stages of expansion after hydration;

[0049] FIG. 8 depicts decomposition of the membrane of the flower arrangement pouch of FIG. 5, after two weeks;

[0050] FIG. 9 depicts decomposition of the membrane of the flower arrangement pouch of FIG. 5, after three weeks;

[0051] FIG. 10 depicts a flower arrangement pouch of this invention used as a standalone flower arrangement mechanic;

[0052] FIG. 11 depicts a flower arrangement pouch of this invention used as a flower arrangement mechanic inside a container;

[0053] FIG. 12 depicts a set of chained flower arrangement pouches of this invention used for creating novel flower arrangements;

[0054] FIG. 13 depicts the set of chained flower arrangement pouches of FIG. 12 used for creating a circular flower arrangement;

[0055] FIG. 14 is a plot of the evaporation rate versus time for different type of membranes used in the flower arrangement pouch of FIG. 1;

[0056] FIG. 15 depicts a longevity test for flower arrangement pouches with different amendments and filler materials compared to existing flower arrangement mechanics;

[0057] FIG. 16 depicts another embodiment of a flower arrangement pouch of this invention that utilizes a wax paper membrane;

[0058] FIG. 17 depicts another embodiment of a flower arrangement pouch of this invention that utilizes a cotton mesh membrane.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0059] The present invention relates to a novel floral arrangement mechanic that includes an expandable medium and a membrane which at least partially envelops the medium and provides an interface for plant and flower stems to be inserted into, or through the medium. These basic components can be delivered in several embodiments of the invention, for example by having the membrane form a pouch or by adding the expandable medium into a vessel and then varying the size, shape and arrangement of the vessel to best suit several applications of the invention. The composition of the medium is varied to affect its expansion properties and to enhance its nutrition or hydration properties.

[0060] The medium is packaged in the vessel or pouch and delivered to the user in compressed and dry form, thereby reducing the space and expense associated with storage and transportation. The membrane is water permeable, pre-perforated or perforable. During preparation, the vessel or pouch contents are hydrated for a short amount of time, during which the medium expands and the tightened membrane acts to counterbalance expansion, resulting in an optimally rigid mechanic. As the membrane tightens it becomes easier to insert the flower stems with minimal stress or damage to the stems. The rigidity of the medium in expanded form allows the proper support to keep the stems in their desired, arranged position. An added benefit from the current invention is the tendency for the membrane to form a dome shape in its tightened form, which provides an ideal form for plant and flower stems to be inserted so they are radially exhibited in the arrangement. The hydrated medium supplies water and nutrition to the stems, thereby extending their longevity. During use, the membrane further helps to prevent evaporation and excessive drying of the medium.

[0061] In one embodiment, the invention provides a petrochemical free alternative mechanic to be used as an alternative to floral foam, thereby reducing the negative effects on health and environment that are associated with the manufacture, transport, use and disposal of the majority of mechanics that are currently available in the art. In order to accomplish this, the raw materials for each component of the embodiments that are described below are selected for their non-petrochemical source, safe use and eco-friendly disposal.

[0062] In one example, the membrane is made of Poly Lactic Acid (PLA) based polymers which are polyesters produced by fermentation under controlled conditions of a carbohydrate source like corn starch or sugarcane. These PLA materials are supplied in an ideally thin and penetrable membrane. In other examples, the membrane is made of waxed paper fibers, or cotton based textiles, among others.

[0063] The expandable medium is based on natural products which are capable to be compressed to bricks, pellets or granules in order to facilitate transport and deployment. Wood is compressed into pellets in very large quantities worldwide for the use for heating and biomass energy. Wood used in pellet production has the advantage of containing a high natural lignin content which helps bind the compressed materials without the need for any adhesive additives. Environmentally conscious pellet manufacturers use renewable sources of wood. Similarly, the Coconut Coir Pith industry takes advantage of the natural lignin content of coir to compress their product for ease of transport and deployment in agriculture, potting and other industries. Although Peat Moss has very similar compression and beneficial characteristics, it was found to not be a renewable source, since its extraction rate far exceeds its slow re-growth in peatbogs. The products ultimately selected expand with great ease when hydrated and are ideal media to be used in the present invention.

[0064] The trays and bowls used in the embodiments below were made from a sustainable sourced, rapidly renewable plant fibers like sugarcane or from 100% recycled paper and fiber content which are produced with minimal ecological impact such as the use of elemental chlorine free (ECF) bleach or eliminating traces of Perfluorosulfonic acids (PFSA) from water resistant coatings.

[0065] FIG. 1 depicts one of the embodiments of the invention, wherein a pouch 101 is shaped from one or more sheets of membrane 102 for which a home compostable Polylactic Acid (PLA) starch-based bioplastic film was selected. The size of the resultant pouch can vary substantially depending on the flower arrangement needs, with a practical preference for a pouch which is between 20 mm to 500 mm wide and between 20 mm to 500 mm long. In this embodiment the pouch is 140 mm by 200 mm. The practical membrane thickness is in the range of 10 microns to 60 microns, with a preference for 28 microns. The properties of the membrane or alternatively, selective perforation, allow water or other hydrating fluid to reach the interior of the pouch, allow easy penetration by weaker plant stems while optimally containing the medium and preventing excessive evaporation once the mechanic is in use. In the present embodiment the membrane has been pre-perforated with a pattern of holes 104, each between 0.1 mm and 7 mm in diameter (1 mm was preferred for this fill) and spaced between 1 mm and 40 mm apart, with a preference for 25 mm apart. The edges of the membrane sealed at their periphery to form a pouch; which in this embodiment is achieved by using heat sealing apparatus to form a seal 105. Prior to completely sealing all sides, the medium 103 is added to the pouch.

[0066] In the present embodiment, coconut coir pith has been selected as the medium and supplied in granular form, with granules up to 10 mm in approximate diameter and between 10 microns and up to 5 mm in thickness. The fill amount is calculated such that, during hydration, the medium's expansion inside the membrane will optimally result in a residual compression which is at once sufficiently rigid to support flower stems in place, and at the same time results in a tightening of the membrane so the stems can be inserted through the membrane and medium with ease and without damaging the stems. In this embodiment, the hydration liquid enters the pouch through the openings 104 and is absorbed by the fill medium 103. In other embodiments, membrane 102 is semipermeable and allows the hydration liquid to diffuse into the pouch where it is then absorbed by the fill medium 103.

[0067] An added benefit from the current invention is the tendency for the membrane to form a dome shape in its tightened form, which provides a novel and ideal surface for plant and flower stems to be inserted so they are radially exhibited in the arrangement. In order to optimally reach the benefits outlined by this invention, the medium fill calculations are performed using the formulas below:

Vf=Vm*Cr/Em, where

Vf=Volume of compressed medium required in the pouch
Vm=Maximum Volume available inside the container without stretching the membrane
Cr=Residual Compression coefficient
Em=Medium expansion coefficient, where

Where

[0068]
Em=Vw/Vd, and

Vw=wet volume of nominal amount of fill once it stops absorbing water
Vd=dry volume of same nominal amount of fill before hydrating.

[0069] Since the values of Cr and Em are very dependent on the selection of membrane and fill, these are calculated and optimized for each case and by practical experiment. Practical values of Cr are between 0.9 (fill is not under compression when expanded and membrane is not under tension) and 1.4 (fill is under compression when expanded and membrane is under tension) and values of Em between 1.0 (no fill expansion) and 8.0 (fill expands 8 times its dry volume). In the present embodiment, using compressed granules of coir pith and a 28 micron PLA membrane, the calculated values are Cr=1.0 and Em=4.0. This is suitable for a variety of floral arrangement needs and pouch sizes. In a different embodiment using wood pellets and a 50 micron PLA membrane, the values obtained are Cr=1.05 and Em=2.0.

[0070] Once the correct amount is determined, the pouch is filled and sealed. This can be done by any suitable means, and preferably utilizing a heat sealer or existing production machines such as Vertical Form and Fill and Seal (VFFS) equipment.

[0071] In FIG. 2 is shown a Pouch-Chain embodiment of the invention wherein two or more pouches 201 are concatenated to provide a novel delivery of the pouch mechanic. By adding semi-perforations 202 in between the pouches of a chain, one or more pouches can be detached from the rest and used separately. Several pouches can be combined to form interesting and unique shapes, outlines, or constructs; or accommodate floral arrangements for other more traditional shapes like circles, hearts, crosses and others.

[0072] In FIG. 3a is shown a Ready Made Compote, an embodiment of the present invention wherein a bowl or tray 301 partially contains the medium and acts as a ready-made container for a floral arrangement. In this embodiment, the dry, compressed medium 305a is added to the tray, and the membrane 303a is attached to the tray lip 302 by any suitable means, and preferably using heat sealing apparatus which is readily available for other packaging applications. In FIG. 3b is shown the tray after hydration and expansion of the medium 305b which has caused the membrane 303b to tighten and provide the stem insertion, residual medium compression and dome effect benefits previously described in other embodiments of this invention.

[0073] In FIG. 4a is shown a Hydrating Compote as an embodiment of the present invention wherein a vessel 401 contains the medium 403 which in this case is used solely as the support for the plant and flower stems, while the space 407 in the vessel below the medium can be filled with water in order to feed the stems. The upper membrane 402 and lower membrane 404 are both permeable, for example by pre-perforation, to allow hydration of the medium and percolation of water into the cavity 407. The medium is contained between the upper and lower membranes and is supplied in dry, compressed form as in other embodiments previously described. The edges of the membranes are sealed to each other and affixed to the rim of the container 406, in the present embodiment by using heat sealing apparatus. FIG. 4B shows the condition once the mechanic is hydrated and the medium expands providing adequate stem support 411. During insertion, the plant and flower stems penetrate the tight upper membrane 409, travel through the support medium 411, through the tight lower membrane and into the water 408. The stems tips 410 are submerged and can draw water directly from the reservoir. This novel design optimally combines some of the benefits of the previously described embodiments while ideally feeding the stems with water and nutrients as may be added during hydration; it allows the container to be transported without spilling and the membranes still serve to provide residual medium compression, as well as a dome effect and help to minimize evaporation of the water during use.

[0074] As is the goal of this invention, the above described embodiments result in flower arrangement mechanics that are novel, can be principally sourced from natural, eco-friendly and renewable resources, are efficient to transport and store and provide the necessary functions required for this application.

[0075] In another embodiment the pouch 101 is filled with dry pellet fill 103, as shown in FIG. 5. The membrane is made of a bio-plastic material and it has perforations 104 that have a diameter of 0.5 mm and are 1 inch apart. Upon hydration the dry pellet fill 103 expands, as shown in the cut-through pouch of FIG. 6.

[0076] FIG. 7A-FIG. 7C depict the flower arrangement pouch of FIG. 5 at various stages of expansion after hydration. As shown, in the fully hydrated state of FIG. 7C, the membrane achieves a dome shaped outer surface that enhances the stem insertion properties and provides an ideal surface for plant and flower stems to be inserted so they are radially exhibited in the arrangement.

[0077] FIG. 8 depicts decomposition of the bio-plastic membrane of the flower arrangement pouch of FIG. 5, after two weeks and FIG. 9 depicts decomposition of the membrane of the flower arrangement pouch of FIG. 5, after three weeks.

[0078] FIG. 10 depicts a flower arrangement pouch used as a standalone flower arrangement mechanic and FIG. 11 depicts a flower arrangement pouch used as a flower arrangement mechanic inside a container.

[0079] FIG. 12 depicts a set of chained flower arrangement pouches of this invention used for creating novel flower arrangements. In one example, the set of chained flower arrangement pouches is used for creating a circular flower arrangement, as shown in FIG. 13.

[0080] FIG. 14 depicts a plot of the evaporation rate versus time for different type of foams or membranes used in the flower arrangement. Examples of the foam and membrane materials shown in FIG. 14 include OASIS® (A), 8×5 OSHUN (B), 8×7 OSHUN (C), FIN SEAL (D), SMALL HOLES (E) and PSILLIUM (F). As shown, the rate of water loss is higher for the state of the art OASIS® (A) floral foam as compared to the membranes used in the present invention.

[0081] FIG. 15 depicts a longevity test for flower arrangement pouches with different amendments and filler materials compared to existing flower arrangement mechanics. The amendments and filler materials include Citric acid (A′), Chrysal flower food (B′), water (C′), OASIS® floral foam (D′), water and sugar (E′), Earth (F′), Sugar and Citric acid (G′), OASIS® and Chrysal (H′). As shown, the longevity of the flowers is affected by the choice of the expandable medium and the additives that are supplied.

[0082] FIG. 16 depicts another embodiment of a flower arrangement pouch of this invention that utilizes a wax paper membrane and FIG. 17 depicts another embodiment of a flower arrangement pouch of this invention that utilizes a cotton mesh membrane.

[0083] Several embodiments of the present invention have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims.