H:\tw\Interwoven\NRPortbl\DCC\TW\544865 11. doc-6/09/2013 AQUATIC PLANT LABELLING DEVICE Background of the Invention [0001] The present invention relates to a device for labelling aquatic plants. Description of the Prior Art [0002] The reference in this specification to any prior publication (or information derived from it), or to any matter which is known, is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgment or admission or any form of suggestion that the prior publication (or information derived from it) or known matter forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavour to which this specification relates. [0003] Live aquatic plants are commonly sold in the pet supplies industry for planting in aquariums. Aside from improving the visual appeal of an aquarium, live aquatic plants can provide an additional source of food for aquatic creatures such as fish inhabiting the aquarium, and furthermore, can produce oxygen and perform a natural water filtration function within the aquarium. [0004] A large variety of different aquatic plant species may be suitable for aquarium use and pet and/or aquarium supply shops carry an ever increasing range of species for sale to aquarium owners. As the range of available species has grown, it has become difficult for staff to easily identify all of the different species based on appearance alone. This can result in problems in correctly charging a customer purchasing a particular species of aquatic plant or tracking stock levels. Furthermore, incorrect species identification may prevent customers from being properly advised on suitable species for their particular aquarium, and in some cases customers may inadvertently purchase aquatic plants that are toxic to their fish. [0005] In view of the above, it is desirable to provide labels for allowing aquatic plant species to be more readily identified. However, providing labels suitable for use with aquatic plants has so far been problematic because these labels need to stay underwater for prolonged periods but also need to be readily removable after the aquatic plant has been purchased, since customers will not typically wish to have a label attached when the aquatic plant is H:\tw\Interwoven\NRPortbl\DCC\TW\544865 11.doc-6/09/2013 -2 planted in their aquarium. Presently, if aquatic plant labels are provided at all, these are often provided in an ad-hoc manner utilising makeshift tags and waterproof ink. [0006] It is also noted that many species of aquatic plants are supplied in bunches having multiple stems which typically need to be secured together using a tie. One popular form of tie is provided in the form of a length of soft metal wire which can be wrapped around a lower portion of the stems, and can also help to anchor the aquatic plants to the aquarium floor. Whilst these wire ties may be formed from non-toxic metals to avoid contamination of the aquarium water, it can nevertheless be undesirable to leave wire ties in place when planting the aquatic plants in an aquarium as these may cause rot in the stems. However, when the tie is removed from a bunch, the stems, being no longer secured together, will be free to separate and can be difficult to successfully plant. [0007] Thus it is also desirable to provide an improved means of securing bunches of aquatic plants in a manner that can continue to be used after planting. Summary of the Present Invention [0008] The present invention seeks to ameliorate one or more of the problems associated with the prior art. [0009] In a broad form the present invention seeks to provide a device for labelling one or more aquatic plants, the device including: a) a securing portion for allowing the device to be secured to the one or more aquatic plants using a securing device; and, b) a label portion extending from the securing portion, the securing portion and the label portion being formed from a water resistant material, and the label portion being detachable from the securing portion. [0010] Typically the device includes a perforated region between the securing portion and the label portion for allowing detachment of the label portion from the securing portion. [0011] Typically the securing portion and the label portion are integrally formed from a layer of plastic material.
H:\tw\Interwoven\NRPortbl\DCC\TW\544865 11.doc-6/09/2013 -3 [0012] Typically the layer of plastic material is sufficiently thin to allow the securing portion to be at least partially wrapped around the one or more aquatic plants when the securing portion is secured to the one or more aquatic plants. [0013] Typically the securing portion includes at least one indentation for assisting in positioning the securing device when the securing portion is secured to the one or more aquatic plants using the securing device. [0014] Typically the securing portion includes a plurality of indentations provided on opposing edges of the securing portion. [0015] Typically the securing portion includes a shoulder region located between the label portion and an indented region of the securing portion having the at least one indentation. [0016] Typically the securing portion includes an attachment aperture for allowing the securing device to be attached to the securing portion. [0017] Typically the device is provided with the securing device pre-attached to the securing portion. [0018] Typically the securing device is an elastic band. [0019] Typically the label portion includes markings. [0020] Typically the markings are defined using a water resistant marking medium [0021] Typically the markings are defined using a water resistant ink. [0022] Typically the label portion includes at least one of: a) a barcode region having barcode markings; b) a species identification region having species markings indicative of an aquatic plant species; c) an instruction region having instruction markings; and, d) a branding region having branding markings.
H:\tw\Interwoven\NRPortbl\DCC\TW\544865 11. doc-6/09/2013 -4 Brief Description of the Drawings [0023] An example of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [0024] Figure 1 is a schematic view of an example of a device for labelling aquatic plants; [0025] Figures 2A to 2D are schematic views of the device of Figure 1 in different stages of use with an aquatic plant; and, [0026] Figure 3 is a schematic view of a device for labelling plants depicting an example of markings provided on a label portion of the device. Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments [0027] An example of a device 100 for labelling aquatic plants will now be described with reference to Figure 1. In general terms, the device 100 includes a securing portion 110 for allowing the device 100 to be secured to one or more aquatic plants using a securing device 101 and a label portion 120 extending from the securing portion 110. The securing portion 110 and the label portion 120 are formed from a water resistant material and the label portion 120 is detachable from the securing portion 110. [0028] It will be appreciated that forming the securing portion 110 and the label portion 120 of the device 100 from a water resistant material will ensure the device 100 is suitable for use in labelling aquatic plants underwater, such as when these are displayed in an aquarium in an aquarium supply shop or the like. The label portion 120 may be provided with a blank surface 121 for allowing markings to be applied when desired, or alternatively, the surface 121 of the label portion 120 may be marked with a range of different types of markings, examples of which will be discussed in further detail below. In any event, it will be understood that the device 100 provides a convenient means for aquatic plant labelling. [0029] The device 100 can also provide a useful function of securing stems of the one or more aquatic plants together in a bunch when the securing portion 110 is secured in place. For example, when the securing device 101 is used to secure the securing portion 110 to the one or more aquatic plants, the securing device 101 can be wrapped around a plurality of H:\tw\Interwoven\NRPortbl\DCC\TW\544865 11.doc-6/09/2013 -5 stems of a single aquatic plant or multiple separate aquatic plants to secure these stems together in a bunch. The bunch of stems of will remain secured whilst the securing portion 110 is secured to the aquatic plant. [0030] Accordingly, the device 100 can conveniently provide a label for allowing markings to be provided, such as an identification of the aquatic plant species and/or a barcode for facilitating the purchase of the bunch of aquatic plants, whilst simultaneously removing the need for separate means for securing the bunch, such as a soft wire tie or the like. [0031] Moreover, the device 100 can continue to be useful even after the bunch of aquatic plants has been purchased and removed from a retail environment such that labelling of the aquatic plant may no longer be required, in view of the detachable label portion 120. In particular, the label portion 120 can be detached from the securing portion 110 and removed from the device 100, such that only the securing portion 110 remains secured to the bunch. Thus, the bunch can remain secured using the securing portion 110 and securing device 101 without the need to continue having the label portion 120 attached. [0032] The bunch of aquatic plants can be planted in an aquarium with the securing portion 110 still secured after removal of the label portion 120. It will be appreciated that the remaining securing portion 110 can be hidden from sight after planting by ensuring this is positioned below a surface of a substrate on the aquarium floor, such as gravel or the like, into which the aquatic plant is planted. Accordingly, the device 100 can also eliminate traditional problem of having bunches of aquatic plants separate when planted after wire ties or the like have been removed, in a visually discrete manner. [0033] As depicted in Figure 1, the device may include a perforated region 130 between the securing portion 110 and the label portion 120, the perforated region 130 being provided for allowing the detachment of the label portion 120 from the securing portion 110. It will be appreciated that such a perforated region 130 can provide a convenient means of detachment by having a user tear the label portion 120 from the securing portion 110 using the perforated region 130. The perforated region 130 can be provided in the device 100 using a stamping process or the like. In some examples the securing portion 110 and the label portion 120 can H:\tw\Interwoven\NRPortbl\DCC\TW\544865 11.doc-6/09/2013 -6 be formed from a layer of material and the perforated region 130 can be formed in that layer of material in the same manufacturing process. [0034] It should be appreciated, however, that a perforated region 130 is not essential and in alternative embodiments the label portion 120 may be detached from the securing portion 110 using other means. For example, the label portion 120 could be attached to the securing portion 110 using a non-permanent adhesive which would still facilitate easy detachment. Other suitable alternative configurations of the securing portion 110 and the label portion 120 which nevertheless allow detachment of the label portion 120 will be apparent to a person skilled in the art. [0035] The securing portion 110 and the label portion 120 may be formed integrally from a layer of plastic material. In this particular example, the securing portion 110 and the label portion 120 are formed together from the same sheet of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), although it will be understood that a range of suitable plastic materials can be used. In any event, the integral construction of the securing portion 110 and the label portion 120 allows the device 100 to be easily and cheaply manufactured, and it will be appreciated that a perforated region 130 as discussed above can be provided in a straightforward manner under such an integral configuration. [0036] Preferably, the layer of plastic material used to form the securing portion 110 and the label portion 120 will be sufficiently thin to allow the securing portion 110 to be at least partially wrapped around the one or more aquatic plants when the securing portion 110 is secured thereto. In this example, the sheet of PVC used to form the securing portion 110 and the label portion 120 has a thickness of 0.05mm, which has been found to be sufficiently thin. By providing a relatively flexible securing portion 110 formed from thin plastic material, this can allow the securing portion 110 to at least partially surround the bunch of stems in use and thus provide additional protection against the securing device 101 damaging the stems. [0037] Although the use of a single layer of material is described in this example, it is noted that the use of a single layer of material is not essential, and in some examples multiple layers of materials may be used. For example, the device 100 may be formed from a layer of paper, card, or the like sandwiched between outer layers of transparent water resistant plastic film.
H:\tw\Interwoven\NRPortbl\DCC\TW\544865 11.doc-6/09/2013 -7 This can allow markings to be printed on the paper using traditional printing techniques without requiring the use of water resistant ink or the like, and yet provide an effective water resistant material for forming the device 100. [0038] As can be seen in Figure 1, the securing portion 110 may include at least one indentation 111 for assisting in positioning the securing device 101 when the securing portion 110 is secured to the one or more aquatic plants. It will be appreciated that when the securing device 101 is wrapped around the securing portion 110 and the bunch of stems, the securing device can settle in the indentations. The securing device 101 will have a tendency to remain in the indentations and will be substantially prevented from moving along the length of the stems, particularly when the securing device 101 is applied under tension. Thus, indentations can help to ensure the securing portion 110 and the stems of the bunch remain secured together by the securing device 101 in use. [0039] In this particular example, the securing portion 110 includes a plurality of indentations 111 provided on opposing edges of the securing portion 110. Thus, a series of indentations 111 and intermediate protruding portions 112 are provided along the opposing edges of the securing portion 110, which in turn provides multiple positions into which the securing device 101 can settle. This allows multiple wraps of the securing device 101 around the securing portion 110 and bunch of stems to be maintained in suitable positions for ensuring the bunch is well secured without uneven compression of the bunch, which could otherwise cause damage to the aquatic plant. [0040] The securing portion may also include a shoulder region 113 located between the label portion 120 and an indented region of the securing portion 110 in which the indentations 111 are provided. The shoulder region 113 can help to ensure the securing device 101 is only used in the indented region so that the label portion 120 will not be wrapped around the stems in the same manner as the securing portion 110. Thus, the surface 121 of the label portion 120 can remain substantially flat so that markings on the surface 121 of the label portion 120 can still be easily discerned. Furthermore, the shoulder region 113 can help to ensure that the securing device 101 does not obstruct the perforated region 130, which could otherwise cause difficulty in removing the detachable label portion 120.
H:\tw\Interwoven\NRPortbl\DCC\TW\544865 11.doc-6/09/2013 [0041] The securing portion 110 may also include an attachment aperture 114 for allowing the securing device 101 to be attached to the securing portion 110. Thus, the securing device 101 can be retained with the device 100 to allow it to be readily secured. In one convenient embodiment, the device 100 may be provided with the securing device 101 pre-attached to the securing portion 110. By supplying the securing device 101 pre-attached, this removes the need for suppliers of aquatic plants to carry separate securing devices 101 and also reduces the time required to apply the device to aquatic plants. [0042] The securing device 101 is preferably an elastic band, which can be attached to the attachment aperture 114 by forming a loop through the attachment aperture 114. A securing device 101 in the form of an elastic band can allow a suitable compression to be provided on the secured stems by selecting the number of times the elastic band is wrapped around the stems and the securing portion 110. The elastic band will typically be wrapped and looped around the securing portion 110 so as to remain in place with the elastic band under tension, and this tension will tend to cause the elastic band to naturally settle in the indentations 111. However, it will be appreciated that other securing devices could be used. [0043] An example of an embodiment of the device 100 having a perforated region 130 for allowing detachment of the label portion 120 and using an elastic band as the securing device 101 in use with an aquatic plant 201 will now be described with reference to Figures 2A to 2D. [0044] Figure 2A shows the device 100 secured to a bunch of stems of the aquatic plant 201 by having the elastic band providing the securing device 101 wrapped around the securing portion 110 and the stems. As can be seen, the elastic band has been wrapped several times and at least some of the wrappings are positioned in the indentations 111 defined along edges of the securing portion 110. The shoulder region 113 has effectively constrained the securing device 101 to the indented region. [0045] It should be noted that the indented region of the securing portion 110 will usually at least partially wrap around the stems under the elastic band, and this can help to ensure that the securing device 101 is mainly in contact with parts of the securing portion 110 rather than engaging with the stems and potentially causing damage.
H:\tw\Interwoven\NRPortbl\DCC\TW\544865 11.doc-6/09/2013 -9 [0046] As shown in Figure 2A, the device 100 has been secured to the aquatic plant 201 so that the label portion 120 extends from the securing portion 110 in a direction that is generally aligned with the length of the stems and away from roots of the aquatic plant 201. Thus, the securing portion 110 is secured to a lower portion of the aquatic plant 201 in a natural planting orientation and the label portion 120 is positioned above this lower portion. [0047] As can be seen in Figure 2B, this positioning of the device 100 allows the aquatic plant 201 to be planted with the securing portion 110 and the lower portion of the aquatic plant 201 substantially buried under a substrate 202. It will be appreciated that the aquatic plant 201 may be planted in this manner for display in an aquarium supply shop or the like to allow the label portion 110 to be clearly visible to potential customers above the substrate 202 surface. [0048] The stems of the aquatic plant 201 can remain secured in a bunch as the plant is displayed, and when the aquatic plant 201 is selected for purchase by a customer, the entire bunch can be easily extracted from the substrate 202 and the aquatic plant 201 can be removed from the aquarium. The purchase process can be greatly streamlined if a barcode or the like is marked on the label portion 120, as this will allow the barcode to be scanned at the checkout. However, it will be appreciated that other means of identification can be provided to otherwise facilitate the purchase process, such as a species name, a unique species identification number, or the like. [0049] In any event, the customer can purchase the aquatic plant 201 with the device 100 still secured thereon, and if desired, the customer could transfer the aquatic plant 201 to their own aquarium and plant it with the label portion 120 still attached to the device. Nevertheless, it will usually be more desirable to avoid displaying retail markings such as barcodes in a customer's aquarium, and having any portion of the device 100 visible after planting may distract from an otherwise naturally adorned aquarium environment. [0050] Accordingly, the label portion 120 will usually be detached from the securing portion 110 when the aquatic plant 201 is planted in the customer's aquarium, as shown in Figure 2C. This can be done easily by tearing the label portion 120 away from the securing portion along the perforated region 130.
H:\tw\Interwoven\NRPortbl\DCC\TW\544865 11.doc-6/09/2013 - 10 [0051] The aquatic plant 201 can then be planted in the customer's aquarium with the securing portion 110 buried beneath the substrate 203 surface so that no portion of the device 100 remains visible after planting. Thus, the aquatic plant 201 can be retained in a bunch, preventing undesirable separation of the stems, without any visible evidence above the substrate 203. [0052] Figure 3 shows a further example illustrating markings which may be provided on embodiments of the device 100. As will be appreciated from Figure 3, the label portion 120 may include a range of markings, which may be defined on the surface 121 of the label portion 120 using a water resistant marking medium. [0053] In one example, the markings may be defined on the surface 121 using a water resistant ink. However, it will be appreciated that other water resistant marking techniques may be used, such as laser printing or etching. Furthermore, as discussed above, embodiments of the device 100 may be formed from multiple layers of materials to allow printing on an intermediate layer between water resistant layers, so that a water resistant marking medium is not required. [0054] In any event, the surface 121 of the label portion 120 may include different marking regions which can include different types of markings. In the present example, the label portion includes a barcode region 301, a species identification region 302, an instruction region 303 and a branding region 304. However, it should be understood that any combination and layout of marking regions can be used and the particular arrangement shown in Figure 3 is for the purpose of illustration only. [0055] The barcode region 301 may be provided with barcode markings, which may be in the form of a one-dimensional barcode as depicted, a two-dimensional barcode such as a QR code, or any other suitable form of barcode or visual means for allowing the label portion 120 to be scanned to allow convenient computer input of data for identifying the aquatic plant. The species identification region 302 may have species markings indicative of an aquatic plant species, to allow rapid identification of the species, such as by staff or customers. As shown in this example, the label portion 120 may include an instruction region 303 having instruction markings for instructing the customer how to remove the label portion 120 before H:\tw\Interwoven\NRPortbl\DCC\TW\544865 11.doc-6/09/2013 - 11 planting the aquatic plant to which the device 100 is attached. The branding region 304 may include branding markings for identifying the supplier of the aquatic plant or providing branding of the retailer. [0056] It will be appreciated that other types of markings can be provided, such as markings indicating suitable planting conditions, planting suggestions, toxicity warnings, links to supplier's websites or the like. [0057] As mentioned previously, other embodiments of the device 100 may be provided with a blank label portion 120, upon which markings can be provided as desired. These markings can be provided using a water resistant ink or alternatively, markings could be provided by adhering stickers to the surface 121 which themselves have water resistant markings provided thereon. [0058] In any event, it will be understood that the device 100 offers an improved means of labelling aquatic plants which will be particularly useful in the retailing of aquatic plants in aquarium supply stores and the like. The device 100 also provides a convenient means of securing stems of the aquatic plants after purchase and when the aquatic plants are finally planted in a customer's aquarium, which helps to mitigate other problems associated with traditional securing means such as wire ties. [0059] Throughout this specification and claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers. [0060] Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that numerous variations and modifications will become apparent. All such variations and modifications which become apparent to persons skilled in the art, should be considered to fall within the spirit and scope that the invention broadly appearing before described.