EP2335528A1 - A container serving as a substantially closed fluid reservoir for feeding a cut flower and a method of manufacturing a container - Google Patents
A container serving as a substantially closed fluid reservoir for feeding a cut flower and a method of manufacturing a container Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP2335528A1 EP2335528A1 EP09179964A EP09179964A EP2335528A1 EP 2335528 A1 EP2335528 A1 EP 2335528A1 EP 09179964 A EP09179964 A EP 09179964A EP 09179964 A EP09179964 A EP 09179964A EP 2335528 A1 EP2335528 A1 EP 2335528A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- container
- sheet
- flower
- previous
- folded
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47G—HOUSEHOLD OR TABLE EQUIPMENT
- A47G7/00—Flower holders or the like
- A47G7/02—Devices for supporting flower-pots or cut flowers
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47G—HOUSEHOLD OR TABLE EQUIPMENT
- A47G7/00—Flower holders or the like
- A47G7/02—Devices for supporting flower-pots or cut flowers
- A47G7/06—Flower vases
- A47G7/063—Flower vases foldable
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D75/00—Packages comprising articles or materials partially or wholly enclosed in strips, sheets, blanks, tubes, or webs of flexible sheet material, e.g. in folded wrappers
- B65D75/02—Articles partially enclosed in folded or wound strips or sheets, e.g. wrapped newspapers
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D81/00—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents
- B65D81/18—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents providing specific environment for contents, e.g. temperature above or below ambient
- B65D81/22—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents providing specific environment for contents, e.g. temperature above or below ambient in moist conditions or immersed in liquids
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D85/00—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials
- B65D85/50—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials for living organisms, articles or materials sensitive to changes of environment or atmospheric conditions, e.g. land animals, birds, fish, water plants, non-aquatic plants, flower bulbs, cut flowers or foliage
- B65D85/505—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials for living organisms, articles or materials sensitive to changes of environment or atmospheric conditions, e.g. land animals, birds, fish, water plants, non-aquatic plants, flower bulbs, cut flowers or foliage for cut flowers
Definitions
- the invention relates to a container serving as a substantially closed fluid reservoir for feeding a cut flower, comprising a container wall formed from a sheet material, the container wall being provided with an aperture structure for receiving a stem end of a flower.
- Such containers are known for preserving flowers, in particular cut flowers, more in particular cut flowers having long stems such as the anthurium (Araceae), Orchids, the Cymbidium, the Aronskelk and the Gerbera, for temporal storage and transport.
- Japanese patent publication JP 8172910 discloses such a container serving as a substantially closed water reservoir feeding the cut flower.
- the container comprises a water reservoir and an opening receiving the stem end of the flower.
- the opening is surrounded using an elastic shrinkable string.
- a tube can be inserted into the opening.
- a stem end of the flower is inserted into the opening of the reservoir.
- problems arise in localizing the opening and in suitably inserting the tube and the flower end, especially in the process of automating the step of filling the reservoir with water and the step of inserting the flower stem end.
- the opening closes substantially free of leakage, so that the flower and the water reservoir can be stored and/or transported in a mainly horizontal position.
- the container according to the invention is integrally formed.
- the container By forming the container as one piece, it is not required to assemble separate elements, thereby saving production steps, so that the containers can be formed at lower costs.
- the sheet material includes plastics material only, thereby saving even further costs in the manufacturing process.
- the sheet is folded over in overlapping arrangement, such that free ends of the folded sheet are contiguous at a bottom of the container, thereby providing an efficient manufacturing process for the container.
- an integrated and strengthened gripping section can be formed for gripping the container during the process of filling the reservoir with a fluid and during inserting the flower stem end through the aperture structure.
- the gripping section can thus be formed as two 2-ply flaps.
- the aperture structure can remain in a fixed position when gripping the two 2-ply flaps, thereby facilitating the process of finding the aperture structure for filling the reservoir with a fluid and for inserting the flower stem end.
- the aperture when releasing the two 2-ply flaps, the aperture can be closed substantially free of leakage. Due to the flap geometry, the flaps sheet assists in closing the aperture.
- the invention relates to a method of manufacturing a container.
- Figure 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a container 1 according to the invention, serving as a substantially closed fluid reservoir for feeding a cut flower.
- the container 1 comprises a container wall 2 formed from a sheet material that is provided with an aperture structure 3 for receiving a stem end 4 of a flower 5.
- the container 1 is integrally formed from a single material.
- the sheet is made from a flexible, fluid impermeable material such as a plastic foil material, so that the position and orientation of the wall 2 may be adjusted to a specific stem end 4 geometry. More preferably, a fluid impermeable material is used for forming the container wall 2.
- the sheet foil comprises polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) or metallocene linear low density polyethylene (m-LLDPE) having a thickness between approximately 50 micrometer and approximately 125 micrometer, thereby providing a cheap, light and compact basic material.
- PE polyethylene
- PP polypropylene
- LLDPE linear low density polyethylene
- m-LLDPE metallocene linear low density polyethylene
- a m-LLDPE foil material has the advantage of providing a relatively high and uniform material quality, providing good elasticity and stretch characteristics, and having a relatively low heat shrinkage.
- the container wall 2 is a stretch foil, thereby facilitating that the stem end 4 can be inserted in the container 1 in a relatively easy way.
- the foil stretches during the process of inserting the stem end 4 in the container 1 and then retracts around the stem end perimeter to provide a fluid tight sealing, so that the container and the stem can be stored and/or transported in a mainly horizontal position without substantial loss of the fluid in the container.
- the principle of the water tightness of the film surrounding the stem is based on the rather high level of elastic and inelastic deformation of the plastic film material in combination with sufficient high tear strength.
- the film deformation When a stem end is pushed through a pre-formed initiation spot in the film, the film deformation will be partly elastic, inelastic and plastic. Under the condition that no tearing occurs, the elastic and inelastic deformation will cause a circumferential stress on the stem and herewith the water tightness of the water container.
- the elastic and inelastic deformation is proportional to the strain at yield.
- the strain level at yield of the film applied is preferably at least 5 % and more preferably exceeding 15 %.
- the force that is required for pushing a stem through a pre-formed initiation spot is determined by the thickness and the drawing stress of the film material.
- hardly stretched flexible PE (polyethylene) films having a thickness between about 75 and 125 micrometer provide a cheap, light and compact choice of film material.
- PE polyethylene
- Stretched, also called oriented, flexible films can also be applied but require special measures during the production of the container by welding to prevent dramatic shrinkage. Stretched films will be more appropriate when the container is obtained by a low temperature bonding process, for example adhesive bonding.
- plastic film based on PP polypropylene
- EVA ethylene vinyl acetate
- TPE thermoplastic elastomer
- the container sheet is folded over in overlapping arrangement, such that free ends of the folded sheet are contiguous at a bottom of the container.
- the folded sheet forms a single overlap in a main section 6 of the container.
- the folded sheet is folded back on itself in a gripping section 7 of the container.
- the gripping section 7 is used for gripping the container and fixing the aperture structure in a stable position. Then, the reservoir can be filled and the flower stem end can be inserted through the aperture structure.
- the strengthened and integrated gripping section is formed by a double overlap including two 2-ply flaps 14, 15.
- the reservoir is formed by welding the folded sheet at bottom and longitudinal edges.
- the container includes a main section 6, also called sachet, forming a reservoir during use of the container, and a gripping section 7 that are mutually connected via a connection line 8 that may be implemented as a folding line.
- the sachet is provided with an adhesive layer on the outer surface for connecting the container to a storage or transport box.
- the main section 6 When positioned upright, the main section 6 constitutes a bottom part of the container 1 that may be filled with a fluid such as water W optionally including nutrients while the gripping section 7 constitutes a top part of the container 1.
- the gripping section 7 is arranged for gripping the container 1 near the aperture structure 3.
- the main section 6 includes two overlapping wall sections, viz. an upper section 9 and a lower section 10 that are interconnected via an interconnection structure including interconnection side sections 11, 12 and an interconnection bottom section 13.
- an interconnection structure including interconnection side sections 11, 12 and an interconnection bottom section 13.
- the interconnection structure may be realized by sealing the upper foil section 9 to the lower foil section 10, thus forming a weld.
- other interconnection structure can be formed, e.g. by mutually gluing the upper and lower sections 9, 10.
- the reservoir section 6 is closed at a top side, in the shown embodiment by the folding line 8.
- the gripping section includes two gripping parts 14, 15 extending away from a plane P wherein the main part 6 of the container 1 extends.
- the gripping parts 14, 15 include a common top layer 16 that is folded back along the folding line 8 and includes the aperture structure 3.
- the aperture structure is located on a folding line of the folded back sheet to provide an aperture that can easily be found and opened when the gripping flaps are gripped and that can be closed substantially free of leakage when the gripping flaps are released after inserting the stem of the flower.
- the common top layer 16 is connected to corresponding bottom layers 17, 18 to form the gripping parts 14, 15. In the shown embodiment, the connection is performed by side connection structures 19-22 and folding lines 23, 24.
- connection types may be used to connect the common top layer 16 with the corresponding bottom layers 17, 18.
- other connection types may be used to connect the common top layer 16 with the corresponding bottom layers 17, 18.
- the gripping parts may be formed by a single layer.
- the strength of the gripping section increases and any chance of damage of the container 1 in the gripping process is reduced.
- the container 1 can in an advantageous manner be realized using a single foil sheet as is explained in more detail below.
- the container wall 2 is substantially constant in cross section with respect to a longitudinal axis L of the container 1, thereby simplifying the production process of the container 1.
- other geometries can be designed, e.g. having a main part 6 that is provided with a downwardly tapered bottom part 13.
- the container may have a T- or Y-shaped form.
- the extending gripping parts 14, 15 form the upper segment or upper arms of an Y-shaped form, the intersection point 25 of the Y coinciding with the connection line 8.
- the aperture structure 3 is realized in the common top layer and can be formed in several ways.
- the aperture structure includes an aperture or opening that may be formed in a punching or cutting process.
- the aperture diameter is preferably less than approximately 3 mm.
- the aperture structure may include a puncturable area that is e.g. realized by locally pre-treating or weakening the common top layer 16.
- the aperture structure 3 is located in a container wall section that is sealing free, thereby improving sealing properties of the aperture structure after inserting the stem end 4 of the flower 5.
- the aperture structure 3 is located in a sheet area that is free of sealing, so that the sealing properties of the aperture are not deteriorated.
- FIG. 2 shows a schematic perspective view of a second embodiment of a container 1 according to the invention.
- the gripping parts 14, 15 also called flaps, are interconnected at their side connection structures 19-22, so that, in a cross-section along the longitudinal axis L of the container 1, the container has an 1-form, thereby saving a gluing or sealing step.
- FIG. 3 shows a schematic perspective partial view of a third embodiment of a container 1 according to the invention.
- the common top layer 16 is shaped as a funnel 26 by realizing tapering folding lines 27, 28 between the aperture structure 3 and side edges 29, 30 of the main part 6.
- the container can be filled by inserting a tube through the aperture structure 3 and by flowing a fluid through the tube into the container reservoir.
- the gripping section 7 is provided with gripping openings 31, 32 for improving the process of gripping the container 1.
- the gripping openings 31, 32 are sealed to prevent fluid leakage from the container.
- the folding lines 23, 24 can be provided with a specific edge profile such as a staggered pattern.
- FIG. 4 shows a flow chart of method steps according to the invention.
- the method is used for manufacturing a container 1 serving as a substantially closed fluid reservoir for feeding a cut flower.
- the method comprises a step 100 of providing a strip of sheet material, a step 110 of creating an aperture structure 3 for receiving a stem end 4 of a flower 5 in the container 1, a step 120 of folding the sheet over in overlapping arrangement, such that free ends of the folded sheet are contiguous at a bottom of the container, and a step 130 of connecting bottom and longitudinal edges of the folded sheet to form the substantially closed fluid reservoir.
- a single foil may be folded along folding lines separating the upper foil section 9 and the lower foil section 10 from the corresponding bottom layer 17 of the gripping parts 14, 15.
- the foil can be folded along a folding line 23 between the bottom layer 17 and the common top layer 16, along a folding line 24 between the common top layer 16 and a further bottom layer 18, and along a central folding line 8' in the common top layer 16.
- the entire container 1 may be realized from a single foil, either in flat form or on a roll.
- a container is provided that is very compact in terms of volume during storage and transport before being used.
- the method according to the invention is at least partially performed by machine operations, such as the folding process, the connecting process using gluing or sealing technology, and/or the process of providing the aperture structure.
- the container can be filled with a fluid such as water, optionally provided with conditioning elements for conditioning the flower 5.
- the fluid filling procedure may include gripping the gripping section, inserting a needle through the aperture structure and feeding the fluid into the container 1.
- the stem end 4 of a flower 5, preferably a cut flower having a long stem having a smooth surface and a mainly circular or mainly oval cross section may be inserted, through the aperture structure 5, into the container.
- the fluid filling step and/or the stem end inserting process can be performed using machine operations.
- the container may be pre-filled with a fluid before storage and/or transport. In principle, the container can also be filled with the fluid after the flower stem end has been inserted.
- Figure 5 shows a schematic view of a sequence of containers 1 that have been realized on a strip of foil material 50 separated by a perforation contour 51.
- the strip can be winded to form a roll containing the containers 1, so that the sequence of containers constitute the roll.
- the strip can also be folded, e.g. in a zigzag configuration, for storage in a box. Otherwise, the containers can be placed on top of each other to form a stack of containers 1. Longitudinal edges may form cut or separation lines.
- Figure 6 shows a schematic perspective view of the container shown in Fig. 1 .
- the gripping section 7 including the gripping parts 14, 15 are clearly visible.
- the gripping parts 14, 15 are connected via a central folding line 8'.
- the aperture structure 3 is located on said folding line 8'.
- Fig. 6 shows the folding lines 23, 24 forming borders of the gripping parts 14, 15.
- the invention is not restricted to the embodiments described herein. It will be understood that many embodiments are possible.
- the container wall can be formed by either a single layer sheet or a multilayer sheet.
- the container may include a multiple number of materials, e.g. a first foil material and an integrated part made of a second foil material.
- the integrated first and second foil material e.g. a two-layer structure wherein the individual layers have been made from different foil material, then form a sheet from which the container is constructed.
- the container wall can be formed as a flexible or a rigid structure.
- the gripping section may be provided with a single gripping part or with three or more gripping parts.
- the gripping parts may also include one or more rigid elements for further facilitating gripping the container.
- the container may be formed using more than two foil layers, e.g. three or more foil layers.
- the container can also be filled with other fluids such as an aqueous solution or a solvent.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Botany (AREA)
- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Evolutionary Biology (AREA)
- General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Marine Sciences & Fisheries (AREA)
- Toxicology (AREA)
- Zoology (AREA)
- Packging For Living Organisms, Food Or Medicinal Products That Are Sensitive To Environmental Conditiond (AREA)
Abstract
The invention relates to a container (1) serving as a substantially closed fluid reservoir for feeding a cut flower (5). The container (1) comprises a container wall (2) formed from a sheet material, the container wall (2) being provided with an aperture structure (3) for receiving a stem end of a flower (5), wherein the container (1) is integrally formed. The invention also relates to a method of providing a container. The method includes the steps of providing a strip of sheet material, creating an aperture structure for receiving a stem end of a flower in the container, folding the sheet over in overlapping arrangement, such that free ends of the folded sheet are contiguous at a bottom of the container, and connecting bottom and longitudinal edges of the folded sheet to form the substantially closed fluid reservoir.
Description
- The invention relates to a container serving as a substantially closed fluid reservoir for feeding a cut flower, comprising a container wall formed from a sheet material, the container wall being provided with an aperture structure for receiving a stem end of a flower.
- Such containers are known for preserving flowers, in particular cut flowers, more in particular cut flowers having long stems such as the anthurium (Araceae), Orchids, the Cymbidium, the Aronskelk and the Gerbera, for temporal storage and transport.
- Japanese patent publication
JP 8172910 - For the purpose of filling the reservoir with water, a tube can be inserted into the opening. Similarly, a stem end of the flower is inserted into the opening of the reservoir. However, it appears in practice that problems arise in localizing the opening and in suitably inserting the tube and the flower end, especially in the process of automating the step of filling the reservoir with water and the step of inserting the flower stem end. Further, after removing the tube and after inserting the flower stem end, it is highly desirable that the opening closes substantially free of leakage, so that the flower and the water reservoir can be stored and/or transported in a mainly horizontal position.
- In view of the total production costs of cut flowers, it is desirable that the price of manufacturing containers for cut flowers decreases.
- It is an object of the invention to provide a container according to the preamble that can be realized at lower costs. Thereto, the container according to the invention is integrally formed.
- By forming the container as one piece, it is not required to assemble separate elements, thereby saving production steps, so that the containers can be formed at lower costs.
- Preferably, the sheet material includes plastics material only, thereby saving even further costs in the manufacturing process.
- In an advantageous embodiment according to the invention, the sheet is folded over in overlapping arrangement, such that free ends of the folded sheet are contiguous at a bottom of the container, thereby providing an efficient manufacturing process for the container. By folding the folded sheet back on itself, in an elegant way an integrated and strengthened gripping section can be formed for gripping the container during the process of filling the reservoir with a fluid and during inserting the flower stem end through the aperture structure. The gripping section can thus be formed as two 2-ply flaps.
- Further, by locating the aperture structure on a folding line of the folded back sheet, the aperture structure can remain in a fixed position when gripping the two 2-ply flaps, thereby facilitating the process of finding the aperture structure for filling the reservoir with a fluid and for inserting the flower stem end. In addition, when releasing the two 2-ply flaps, the aperture can be closed substantially free of leakage. Due to the flap geometry, the flaps sheet assists in closing the aperture.
- Further, the invention relates to a method of manufacturing a container.
- Other advantageous embodiments according to the invention are described in the following claims.
- By way of example only, embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying figures in which
-
Fig. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a first embodiment of a container according to the invention; -
Fig. 2 shows a schematic perspective view of a second embodiment of a container according to the invention; -
Fig. 3 shows a schematic perspective partial view of a third embodiment of a container according to the invention; -
Fig. 4 shows a flow chart of method steps according to the invention; -
Fig. 5 shows a schematic view of a row of containers shown inFig. 1 ;
and -
Fig. 6 shows a schematic perspective view of the container ofFig. 1 . - The figures are merely schematic views of preferred embodiments according to the invention. In the figures, the same reference numbers refer to equal or corresponding parts.
-
Figure 1 shows a schematic perspective view of acontainer 1 according to the invention, serving as a substantially closed fluid reservoir for feeding a cut flower. Thecontainer 1 comprises acontainer wall 2 formed from a sheet material that is provided with anaperture structure 3 for receiving astem end 4 of aflower 5. Thecontainer 1 is integrally formed from a single material. Preferably, the sheet is made from a flexible, fluid impermeable material such as a plastic foil material, so that the position and orientation of thewall 2 may be adjusted to aspecific stem end 4 geometry. More preferably, a fluid impermeable material is used for forming thecontainer wall 2. - Typically, the sheet foil comprises polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) or metallocene linear low density polyethylene (m-LLDPE) having a thickness between approximately 50 micrometer and approximately 125 micrometer, thereby providing a cheap, light and compact basic material. However, also other foil materials and/or other dimensions can be applied. A m-LLDPE foil material has the advantage of providing a relatively high and uniform material quality, providing good elasticity and stretch characteristics, and having a relatively low heat shrinkage. Preferably, the
container wall 2 is a stretch foil, thereby facilitating that thestem end 4 can be inserted in thecontainer 1 in a relatively easy way. More preferably, the foil stretches during the process of inserting thestem end 4 in thecontainer 1 and then retracts around the stem end perimeter to provide a fluid tight sealing, so that the container and the stem can be stored and/or transported in a mainly horizontal position without substantial loss of the fluid in the container. - The principle of the water tightness of the film surrounding the stem is based on the rather high level of elastic and inelastic deformation of the plastic film material in combination with sufficient high tear strength. When a stem end is pushed through a pre-formed initiation spot in the film, the film deformation will be partly elastic, inelastic and plastic. Under the condition that no tearing occurs, the elastic and inelastic deformation will cause a circumferential stress on the stem and herewith the water tightness of the water container. The elastic and inelastic deformation is proportional to the strain at yield. The strain level at yield of the film applied is preferably at least 5 % and more preferably exceeding 15 %.
- The force that is required for pushing a stem through a pre-formed initiation spot is determined by the thickness and the drawing stress of the film material. Typically, hardly stretched flexible PE (polyethylene) films having a thickness between about 75 and 125 micrometer provide a cheap, light and compact choice of film material.
- PE (polyethylene) films, especially flexible ones, which are hardly stretched during production, show excellent sealing and welding capacity. Stretched, also called oriented, flexible films can also be applied but require special measures during the production of the container by welding to prevent dramatic shrinkage. Stretched films will be more appropriate when the container is obtained by a low temperature bonding process, for example adhesive bonding.
- Besides PE, other types of plastic monolayer and multilayer films can be applied for the production of the container, for example plastic film based on PP (polypropylene), EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate) and TPE (thermoplastic elastomer).
- The container sheet is folded over in overlapping arrangement, such that free ends of the folded sheet are contiguous at a bottom of the container. The folded sheet forms a single overlap in a
main section 6 of the container. Further, the folded sheet is folded back on itself in agripping section 7 of the container. Thegripping section 7 is used for gripping the container and fixing the aperture structure in a stable position. Then, the reservoir can be filled and the flower stem end can be inserted through the aperture structure. The strengthened and integrated gripping section is formed by a double overlap including two 2-ply flaps - The container includes a
main section 6, also called sachet, forming a reservoir during use of the container, and agripping section 7 that are mutually connected via aconnection line 8 that may be implemented as a folding line. Optionally, the sachet is provided with an adhesive layer on the outer surface for connecting the container to a storage or transport box. When positioned upright, themain section 6 constitutes a bottom part of thecontainer 1 that may be filled with a fluid such as water W optionally including nutrients while thegripping section 7 constitutes a top part of thecontainer 1. Thegripping section 7 is arranged for gripping thecontainer 1 near theaperture structure 3. - In the embodiment shown, the
main section 6 includes two overlapping wall sections, viz. anupper section 9 and alower section 10 that are interconnected via an interconnection structure includinginterconnection side sections 11, 12 and aninterconnection bottom section 13. By interconnecting edge sections of overlapping foil material a water impermeable container wall is realized. The interconnection structure may be realized by sealing theupper foil section 9 to thelower foil section 10, thus forming a weld. However, also other interconnection structure can be formed, e.g. by mutually gluing the upper andlower sections reservoir section 6 is closed at a top side, in the shown embodiment by thefolding line 8. - In
Fig. 1 , the gripping section includes twogripping parts main part 6 of thecontainer 1 extends. Thegripping parts common top layer 16 that is folded back along thefolding line 8 and includes theaperture structure 3. The aperture structure is located on a folding line of the folded back sheet to provide an aperture that can easily be found and opened when the gripping flaps are gripped and that can be closed substantially free of leakage when the gripping flaps are released after inserting the stem of the flower. Further, thecommon top layer 16 is connected to corresponding bottom layers 17, 18 to form thegripping parts folding lines main section 6, other connection types may be used to connect thecommon top layer 16 with the corresponding bottom layers 17, 18. It is further noted that, instead of using acommon top layer 16, also separate top layers may be used for realizing thegripping parts container 1 in the gripping process is reduced. Further, thecontainer 1 can in an advantageous manner be realized using a single foil sheet as is explained in more detail below. - As shown in
Figure 1 , in the described embodiment of thecontainer 1 according to the invention, thecontainer wall 2 is substantially constant in cross section with respect to a longitudinal axis L of thecontainer 1, thereby simplifying the production process of thecontainer 1. Also other geometries can be designed, e.g. having amain part 6 that is provided with a downwardly taperedbottom part 13. - In a cross-section along the longitudinal axis L of the
container 1, the container may have a T- or Y-shaped form. In the embodiment shown inFig. 1 the extendinggripping parts intersection point 25 of the Y coinciding with theconnection line 8. - The
aperture structure 3 is realized in the common top layer and can be formed in several ways. As an example, the aperture structure includes an aperture or opening that may be formed in a punching or cutting process. The aperture diameter is preferably less than approximately 3 mm. Alternatively, the aperture structure may include a puncturable area that is e.g. realized by locally pre-treating or weakening thecommon top layer 16. Preferably, theaperture structure 3 is located in a container wall section that is sealing free, thereby improving sealing properties of the aperture structure after inserting thestem end 4 of theflower 5. - Preferably, the
aperture structure 3 is located in a sheet area that is free of sealing, so that the sealing properties of the aperture are not deteriorated. -
Figure 2 shows a schematic perspective view of a second embodiment of acontainer 1 according to the invention. Here, the grippingparts container 1, the container has an 1-form, thereby saving a gluing or sealing step. -
Figure 3 shows a schematic perspective partial view of a third embodiment of acontainer 1 according to the invention. Here, thecommon top layer 16 is shaped as afunnel 26 by realizing taperingfolding lines aperture structure 3 and side edges 29, 30 of themain part 6. By providing a funnel-shaped structure, the process of finding the aperture structure for filling the container with a fluid such as water and/or inserting the stem end of the flower is simplified. The container can be filled by inserting a tube through theaperture structure 3 and by flowing a fluid through the tube into the container reservoir. Further, as an option, thegripping section 7 is provided withgripping openings container 1. The grippingopenings folding lines -
Figure 4 shows a flow chart of method steps according to the invention. The method is used for manufacturing acontainer 1 serving as a substantially closed fluid reservoir for feeding a cut flower. The method comprises astep 100 of providing a strip of sheet material, astep 110 of creating anaperture structure 3 for receiving astem end 4 of aflower 5 in thecontainer 1, astep 120 of folding the sheet over in overlapping arrangement, such that free ends of the folded sheet are contiguous at a bottom of the container, and astep 130 of connecting bottom and longitudinal edges of the folded sheet to form the substantially closed fluid reservoir. A single foil may be folded along folding lines separating theupper foil section 9 and thelower foil section 10 from the correspondingbottom layer 17 of thegripping parts folding line 23 between thebottom layer 17 and thecommon top layer 16, along afolding line 24 between thecommon top layer 16 and a furtherbottom layer 18, and along a central folding line 8' in thecommon top layer 16. As such, theentire container 1 may be realized from a single foil, either in flat form or on a roll. As an advantage, a container is provided that is very compact in terms of volume during storage and transport before being used. Preferably, the method according to the invention is at least partially performed by machine operations, such as the folding process, the connecting process using gluing or sealing technology, and/or the process of providing the aperture structure. - After the container has been formed, the container can be filled with a fluid such as water, optionally provided with conditioning elements for conditioning the
flower 5. The fluid filling procedure may include gripping the gripping section, inserting a needle through the aperture structure and feeding the fluid into thecontainer 1. Then, thestem end 4 of aflower 5, preferably a cut flower having a long stem having a smooth surface and a mainly circular or mainly oval cross section, may be inserted, through theaperture structure 5, into the container. It is noted that also the fluid filling step and/or the stem end inserting process can be performed using machine operations. Further, the container may be pre-filled with a fluid before storage and/or transport. In principle, the container can also be filled with the fluid after the flower stem end has been inserted. -
Figure 5 shows a schematic view of a sequence ofcontainers 1 that have been realized on a strip offoil material 50 separated by aperforation contour 51. The strip can be winded to form a roll containing thecontainers 1, so that the sequence of containers constitute the roll. However, the strip can also be folded, e.g. in a zigzag configuration, for storage in a box. Otherwise, the containers can be placed on top of each other to form a stack ofcontainers 1. Longitudinal edges may form cut or separation lines. -
Figure 6 shows a schematic perspective view of the container shown inFig. 1 . Thegripping section 7 including thegripping parts intersection point 25, the grippingparts aperture structure 3 is located on said folding line 8'. Further,Fig. 6 shows thefolding lines gripping parts - As an example, the container wall can be formed by either a single layer sheet or a multilayer sheet. Further, instead of realizing the entire container from a single material, the container may include a multiple number of materials, e.g. a first foil material and an integrated part made of a second foil material. The integrated first and second foil material, e.g. a two-layer structure wherein the individual layers have been made from different foil material, then form a sheet from which the container is constructed. It is also noted that the container wall can be formed as a flexible or a rigid structure.
- It is further noted that the gripping section may be provided with a single gripping part or with three or more gripping parts. The gripping parts may also include one or more rigid elements for further facilitating gripping the container.
- According to an aspect of the invention, the container may be formed using more than two foil layers, e.g. three or more foil layers.
- It is further noted that instead of filling the container with water, the container can also be filled with other fluids such as an aqueous solution or a solvent.
- These and other embodiments will be apparent for the person skilled in the art and are considered to lie within the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.
Claims (14)
- A container serving as a substantially closed fluid reservoir for feeding a cut flower, comprising a container wall formed from a sheet material, the container wall being provided with an aperture structure for receiving a stem end of a flower, wherein the container is integrally formed.
- A container according to claim 1, wherein the sheet material includes plastics material only.
- A container according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the sheet material includes PE, PP, EVA, TPE, LLDPE or metallocene LLDPE foil material.
- A container according to any of the previous claims, wherein the sheet is folded over in overlapping arrangement, such that free ends of the folded sheet are contiguous at a bottom of the container.
- A container according to any of the previous claims, wherein the folded sheet forms a single overlap in a main section of the container.
- A container according to any of the previous claims, wherein the folded sheet is folded back on itself in a gripping section of the container.
- A container according to any of the previous claims, wherein the gripping section is formed by two 2-ply flaps.
- A container according to any of the previous claims, further comprising welds at bottom and longitudinal edges.
- A container according to any of the previous claims, wherein the aperture structure is located on a folding line of the folded back sheet.
- A container according to any of the previous claims, wherein the common top layer is shaped as a funnel.
- A container according to any of the previous claims, wherein, in a cross section across the longitudinal axis of the container, the container has a T- or Y-shaped form.
- A method of manufacturing a container serving as a substantially closed fluid reservoir for feeding a cut flower, including the steps of:- providing a strip of sheet material;- creating an aperture structure for receiving a stem end of a flower in the container;- folding the sheet over in overlapping arrangement, such that free ends of the folded sheet are contiguous at a bottom of the container; and- connecting bottom and longitudinal edges of the folded sheet to form the substantially closed fluid reservoir.
- A method according to claim 12, further including the step of:- folding the folded sheet back on itself for forming two 2-ply flaps.
- A method according to claim 12 or 13, further including the steps of:- filling the container with a fluid; and- inserting the stem end of the flower into the container through the aperture structure.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
EP09179964A EP2335528A1 (en) | 2009-12-18 | 2009-12-18 | A container serving as a substantially closed fluid reservoir for feeding a cut flower and a method of manufacturing a container |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
EP09179964A EP2335528A1 (en) | 2009-12-18 | 2009-12-18 | A container serving as a substantially closed fluid reservoir for feeding a cut flower and a method of manufacturing a container |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP2335528A1 true EP2335528A1 (en) | 2011-06-22 |
Family
ID=42165497
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP09179964A Withdrawn EP2335528A1 (en) | 2009-12-18 | 2009-12-18 | A container serving as a substantially closed fluid reservoir for feeding a cut flower and a method of manufacturing a container |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP2335528A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JP2012126418A (en) * | 2010-12-15 | 2012-07-05 | Kobayashi Kk | Flowering plant packaging bag |
Citations (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
FR1362019A (en) * | 1963-04-16 | 1964-05-29 | Remy & Cie E P | Bag with flat gusseted bottom |
JPH08172910A (en) | 1994-12-28 | 1996-07-09 | Nippon Taanaa Kk | Method for feeding liquid to plant |
NL1017980C1 (en) * | 2001-05-02 | 2001-05-18 | Iisyou B V | Disposible vase, assembled by folding piece of paper with waterproof coating and embossed fold lines |
DE20216052U1 (en) * | 2002-10-18 | 2003-01-09 | Heinz, Edmund, 54619 Großkampenberg | Drinks holder formed from condom has wire support to hold condom after filling |
US6783277B2 (en) * | 2001-01-12 | 2004-08-31 | Scholle Corporation | Stand up bag |
DE202009011607U1 (en) * | 2009-08-25 | 2009-11-19 | Rex, Olaf | Folding vase with pockets |
-
2009
- 2009-12-18 EP EP09179964A patent/EP2335528A1/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
FR1362019A (en) * | 1963-04-16 | 1964-05-29 | Remy & Cie E P | Bag with flat gusseted bottom |
JPH08172910A (en) | 1994-12-28 | 1996-07-09 | Nippon Taanaa Kk | Method for feeding liquid to plant |
US6783277B2 (en) * | 2001-01-12 | 2004-08-31 | Scholle Corporation | Stand up bag |
NL1017980C1 (en) * | 2001-05-02 | 2001-05-18 | Iisyou B V | Disposible vase, assembled by folding piece of paper with waterproof coating and embossed fold lines |
DE20216052U1 (en) * | 2002-10-18 | 2003-01-09 | Heinz, Edmund, 54619 Großkampenberg | Drinks holder formed from condom has wire support to hold condom after filling |
DE202009011607U1 (en) * | 2009-08-25 | 2009-11-19 | Rex, Olaf | Folding vase with pockets |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JP2012126418A (en) * | 2010-12-15 | 2012-07-05 | Kobayashi Kk | Flowering plant packaging bag |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US10597195B2 (en) | Methods of making gusseted flexible package with shaped sides | |
US20120070105A1 (en) | Woven polymeric bag and a method for closing and sealing | |
US6076968A (en) | Easy open flexible pouch | |
US8790229B2 (en) | Method and machine for the continuous manufacture of packages made from flexible material and resulting package | |
KR101510157B1 (en) | packaging bag | |
NL2005355C2 (en) | Bag, in particular for bag-in-box packaging. | |
CN102892452A (en) | A catheter assembly comprising a receptacle accommodating a catheter and a wetting fluid pouch | |
CN108349637B (en) | Bag-type wrapper and associated method for adapting such wrapper | |
EP1371569A1 (en) | Bag | |
CN103781711B (en) | Funnel component, employ the packing container of funnel component | |
US20110211775A1 (en) | Mesh bag for automated filling and method for making same | |
EP2335528A1 (en) | A container serving as a substantially closed fluid reservoir for feeding a cut flower and a method of manufacturing a container | |
US20180346218A1 (en) | Bags with tear lines | |
CN112739531B (en) | Method and device for producing a storage bag and storage bag | |
JP2007284136A (en) | Bag having spout | |
US20180148256A1 (en) | Receptacle liner | |
US20110206301A1 (en) | Bag with membrane | |
JP5239537B2 (en) | Spout for cylindrical pouch and pouch with spout | |
JP6082208B2 (en) | Inner bag for drum can, inner bag unit and filling method | |
JP4333847B2 (en) | Net bag | |
JP5973623B1 (en) | Packaging bag and manufacturing method thereof | |
JP2014031218A (en) | Polyethylene packaging box with portion openable by linearly tearing seal opening, and method of manufacturing the same | |
JP3247068B2 (en) | Container and bag-filling method | |
KR101511122B1 (en) | a method of manufacturing the packaging bag | |
CA2904525C (en) | Reinforced bags |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
PUAI | Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: A1 Designated state(s): AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO SE SI SK SM TR |
|
AX | Request for extension of the european patent |
Extension state: AL BA RS |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION IS DEEMED TO BE WITHDRAWN |
|
18D | Application deemed to be withdrawn |
Effective date: 20111223 |