FR3079730A1 - SUPPORT DEVICE FOR FLORAL COMPOSITION - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a support device (10) configured for producing a device for packaging a floral composition with a water reserve, comprising a support element (1), structural, comprising a base (2) substantially circular from the perimeter of which extend a plurality of elongate elements (3), said base (2) and the elongated elements (3) forming a plastic element in one piece, said elongate elements (3) s extending substantially upwards when the base (2) rests on a horizontal surface and when no stress is exerted on said elements. According to the invention, said support device comprises a flexible means (4) non-removably integral with said watertight support element (1) extending between said elongated elements, and configured so as to form with said element supporting (1) a container with said water supply (7).

Description

The present invention relates to a support device configured for the production of a device for packaging a floral composition with water reserve.

The invention also relates to a packaging system for floral arrangement having a support device according to the invention, as well as a decorative sheet. The invention also relates to a method for producing a floral composition by means of a packaging system according to the invention.

The field of the invention relates to the field of flower bouquet packaging, and more specifically packaging with water reserve.

In general, such packaging devices for flower bouquets comprise a waterproof packaging film of plastic material, typically of polypropylene intended to constitute a water reserve, and a structural support element, very often of plastic material. rigid or semi-rigid, intended to give its shape to the packaging and to allow the stable maintenance of the packaging on a horizontal surface. Once the packaging has been formed, the waterproof film wrapped on the support element, and the water reserve constituted, a ligature makes it possible to bind the sheet to the support, maintaining the stems of the bouquet.

Document EP 0 881 167 A1 describes such a packaging device which comprises a support element having a substantially circular base with a raised edge and around the perimeter of which extend a plurality of elongated elements in the rest position. This element is typically an injection molded plastic element in one piece. The elongated elements are flexible and can be elastically deformed to be grouped towards the central axis of the base, in a position where the free upper ends of the elongated elements bear on the bouquet stems, said elongated elements being held in this position by placing a link.

In the rest position, these elongated elements follow a geometrical configuration in the form of a truncated cone, which allows them to be stacked one inside the other, during storage, and with a view to limiting their bulk.

For the production of a floral composition with water reserve, and as illustrated in FIG. 4 of document EP 0 881 167 A1, this support element is associated with a waterproof polypropylene sheet enveloping the support element, by grouping together the elements elongated towards the central axis of the base against the stems of the bouquet of the floral composition, and by placing a ligature forming the neck of the floral composition. The propylene sheet typically includes a surplus of material, above the neck, with the formation of a flare protecting the flowers of the bouquet.

In such packaging, the function of the support element is to ensure the stability of the floral composition when placed on a horizontal surface, the ends of the elongated elastically deformed elements coming to bear with the stems of the bouquet. This deformed support element forms a structure giving its shape to the polypropylene sheet, below the neck of the bouquet.

On the other hand, the water reserve function is ensured by the polypropylene sheet which must necessarily be waterproof.

Such a state of the art according to EP 0 881 167 A1 requires two plastic elements, namely the support element, typically injection molded, as well as the waterproof sheet, typically polypropylene which must be large in size to wrap this support element, with the formation of a flaring leaf above the neck of the bouquet. Polypropene sheet serving as a decorative sheet, a large number of references are necessary, with different colors and patterns, in order to meet market demand.

According to the inventor's findings, this large number of plastic references is not ideal in that the polypropylene sheets are not easily recycled.

Document FR2 946 025 A1 also discloses a packaging device suitable for producing a floral composition with a reserve of water.

This device notably comprises two sheets of flexible material, glued to one another, one decorative provided with a flange, the other sealed integral with a frame. The bonding of the two sheets is such that it creates a sheath for a tightening link, the two ends of which pass through a push guide.

The frame has in its central part a cylindrical axis, and stiffeners articulated via flexible hinges at the central part. A conformator made of rigid material has a base in the form of a disc with a hole intended to receive the axis of the frame. This hole ensures the centering of the conformator on the frame. The conformator further includes slats projecting from the disc.

The stiffeners of the frame extending substantially flat in the rest position, and come when the link is tightened, bearing on the slats of the former to give its shape to the packaging and as illustrated in FIG. 3 of this prior art . This anticipation thus facilitates the formation of the floral composition. However, this device, which comprises several distinct materials glued together (the decorative sheet, the waterproof sheet, and the frame) is not easily recyclable at the end of its life.

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a support device configured for the production of a packaging device of a floral composition with water reserve, which overcomes all or part of the aforementioned drawbacks.

More particularly, the invention makes it possible to obtain a floral composition with a reserve of water, advantageously without requiring a waterproof sheet of a size such as to hide the support device, or even to form a flaring of the sheet above the floral composition.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a packaging system for floral arrangement comprising a support device according to the invention with a water reserve function, as well as a removable decorative sheet.

In particular, the aim of the present invention is to propose such a packaging system which is easily recycled, and compared to state-of-the-art packaging.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for producing a floral composition by means of a packaging system according to the invention.

Other objects and advantages will appear from the following description which is given for information only and which is not intended to limit it.

Also the invention relates first of all to a support device configured for the production of a device for packaging a floral composition with water reserve, comprising a support element, structural, comprising a substantially circular base from the perimeter from which extend a plurality of elongated elements, said base and the elongated elements forming a single piece of plastic, said elongated elements extending substantially upward when the base rests on a horizontal surface and when none stress is exerted on said elongated elements then in the rest position, said elongated elements being configured to be elastically deformed towards the central axis of the base, in the direction of the stems of the bouquet during the production of the floral composition.

According to the invention, said support device comprises a flexible means non-removably integral with said support element, waterproof extending between said elongated elements, over the entire periphery of said support element, from said base and on all or part of the height of said elongated elements, and configured so as to form with said support element a container with said water reserve.

According to one embodiment, the flexible impermeable means is a separate element from said support element, added by welding, gluing or fusion of material to the elongated elements and to said base of said support element.

According to optional features of this embodiment, taken alone or in combination:

- The flexible means comprises a flexible film welded to said elongated elements and to said base;

- said support element is a molded part, the flexible means attached to said elongated element being obtained by the labeling technique in the mold;

- The flexible means is a flexible tubular element, having an upper, circular base, linked to the elongated elements in several discrete positions of its perimeter and a lower, circular base, tightly linked to said base over its entire perimeter in order to ensure a water tightness between the base and said flexible tubular element;

- Alternatively, the flexible means is a flexible pocket having a side wall and a bottom, and an upper opening, the side wall being fixed to said elongated elements;

- Said support element and the attached waterproof flexible means are made of the same material.

According to another embodiment, said base, the elongated elements and the impermeable flexible means form a molded plastic element in one piece, the flexible means extending between the base and the elongated elements being constituted by veils of material s extending respectively between the base and the elongated elements, of thickness less than said elongated elements and said base.

According to one embodiment, said flexible means extends over the entire periphery of said support element, from said base over all or part of the height of said elongated elements, without exceeding said elongated elements. Alternatively, said flexible means extends over the entire periphery of the support, from said base over the entire height of said elongated elements, with a part projecting beyond the free ends of the elongated elements.

According to one embodiment, the base comprises a disc, as well as a projecting peripheral rim from which extend said elongated elements.

According to another embodiment, the elongated elements respectively have, from their base, a first section of rigid length, taking up the curvature of a sphere while widening, followed by a second section of flexible length, configured to so that when said elongated elements are grouped towards the central axis, said elongated elements assume the configuration of a sphere. The lower ends of the elongated elements can be advantageously distributed alternately over two distinct diameters: this makes it possible to facilitate the positioning of the folds of the decorative sheet during its shaping around said support element.

According to an advantageous characteristic, the elongated elements and the flexible means extend from the base, flaring, configured so as to allow stacking of the same support devices in one another.

The invention also relates to a packaging system for floral composition comprising a support device according to the invention with a water reserve function, as well as a decorative sheet, removable from the support device, of sufficient size to wrap said support device by hiding it, with flaring of the decorative sheet above the neck of the floral composition, said decorative sheet being in a material that is not waterproof, such as paper.

The invention also relates to a method for producing a floral composition by means of a packaging system according to the invention, comprising the following steps:

- obtaining the decorative sheet, not waterproof,

- obtaining the support device with water reserve function,

- filling the water supply of said support device,

- insertion of the stems of the bouquet in the water reserve,

- shaping of the decorative sheet around the support device, with grouping of the elongated elements towards the central axis of the base, against the stems of the bouquet,

- ligature of the decorative sheet around the bouquet with flaring of decorative sheet extending above the neck of the floral arrangement.

The invention also relates to a process for manufacturing a support device according to the according to the invention obtained by labeling in the mold, said process having the following steps:

- provide a shaped mold for the molding of said support element with its base and its elongated elements extending from said base,

- dispose in the mold said leaktight flexible means in the form of a flexible tubular element,

- Molding said support element by injecting plastic into the mold and melting the elongated elements and the base of said support element with the flexible flexible means with obtaining a sealed connection between said lower base of said tubular element and said base of said support element on its entire perimeter in order to ensure a water tightness between the base of said support element and said flexible tubular element.

The invention will be better understood on reading the following description accompanied by the appended figures among which:

- Figure 1 is a perspective view of a support device for which the impermeable flexible means is a separate element from said support element, relative to the elongated elements and to said base of said support element, and according to the invention according to a first embodiment production, the support device possibly being obtained by labeling techniques in the mold,

- Figure 2 is a top view of Figure 1,

- Figure 3 is a schematic sectional view, along a vertical plane, illustrating the packaging system with said support element, with a water reserve function receiving the stems of the bouquet, the elongated elements being elastically deformed towards the axis of the base, resting on the stems of the bouquet, the non-waterproof sheet (ie paper), enveloping the support element, a link enclosing the non-waterproof sheet while maintaining the elongated elements grouped together with the formation of a collar, and flaring of leaf above the neck.

- Figure 4 is a schematic view of a support device according to the invention according to a second embodiment for which the base of the support element, said elongated elements and the webs of said flexible means form a plastic element of a in one piece, typically injection molded.

- Figure 5 is a view according to section IV-IV of Figure 4, illustrating the thick sections forming the elongated elements, and the angular wall sections, of lesser thickness forming flexible webs of the waterproof flexible means,

- Figure 6 is a view of a third embodiment of the invention.

Also, the invention relates to a support device 10 configured for the production of a device for packaging a floral composition with water reserve, comprising a support element 1.

This support element 1 is structural and makes it possible to maintain the floral composition during the production of a package. This structural element comprises a substantially circular base 2 from the perimeter of which extend a plurality of elongated elements 3, said base 2 and the elongated elements 3 forming a plastic element in one piece, typically injection molded.

Said elongated elements 3 extend substantially upwards when the base 2 rests on a horizontal surface and when no stress is exerted on said elongated elements then in the rest position.

Said elongated elements 3 are configured to be elastically deformed towards the central axis of the base 2, in the direction of the stems T of the bouquet when the floral composition is produced. The free ends of the elongated elements 3 then come to bear on the stems of the bouquet held in this position by a link.

Notably, said support device comprises flexible means 4 integral with said support element 1, in a non-removable manner.

The flexible means is impermeable to water extending between said elongated elements, over the entire periphery of said support element 1, from said base 2 and over all or part of the height of said elongated elements 3: the waterproof flexible means is configured to so as to form with said support element 1 a container with said water reserve 7.

Preferably, the elongated elements 3 and the flexible means 4 can extend from the base 2, flaring, for example in a truncated cone configuration. It becomes possible to stack the support devices 10 one inside the other. The elongated elements are thus preferably configured (in the rest position) so as to allow stacking Ep one inside the other of the identical support devices. The base of a support element of the device 10 is then inserted between the elongated elements 3 and the flexible means 4 of the other support device, and as illustrated in FIG. 6.

According to one embodiment, illustrated by way of nonlimiting example in FIGS. 1 and 2, the flexible waterproof means 4 is a separate element from said support element 1, relative to the elongated elements 3 and to said base 2 of said support element 1.

The non-removable attachment of the flexible means to the base 2 and to the elongated elements 2 of the support element can be produced by welding, such as for example ultrasonic welding, by gluing, or even obtained during molding by the labeling technique in the mold (in English "In Mold Labeling" or IML). During molding, the injected plastic merges on the flexible means previously inserted in the mold.

The flexible means 4 comprises for example a flexible film welded to said elongated elements 3 and to said base 2. The flexible means 4 can be a flexible tubular element 40, having an upper circular base 41 linked to the elongated elements 3 in several discrete positions of its perimeter and a lower base 42, circular, tightly connected to said base 2 over its entire perimeter.

The connections between the upper base 41 and the elongated elements 3 can be produced by welding, after molding of said support element 1. Alternatively, these connections are obtained during molding by the labeling technique in the mold.

The flexible tubular element 40 can be printed beforehand.

Similarly, the circular continuous connection between the lower base 42 of the flexible means 4 and the base 2 can be produced by welding after molding of said support element 1. Alternatively, this connection is obtained during molding by the labeling technique in the mold . In both cases, the watertightness is ensured, on the one hand, by the flexible means 4, on the upper part of the container and, on the other hand, by the base 2 of the support device (itself watertight), in the lower part of the container and which are necessarily tightly and continuously connected around the perimeter of the base in order to ensure water tightness between these two components, namely between the base 2 of said support element 1 and said tubular element.

According to another embodiment not shown, the flexible means alone ensures the water-tightness of the container, by being formed of a pocket having a side wall fixed to said elongated elements 3 of the support element 1, and a bottom optionally fixed to the base 2 of said support element 1. The flexible means 4 can be fixed inside the support element 1, in particular on the walls of the elongated elements 3 facing inwards, the bottom resting on the base 2 , or fixed to the latter. Alternatively, the pocket envelops the support element 1 from the outside, being fixed to the walls of the elongated elements 3 facing outwards, or even the bottom of the pocket fixed to the base.

Also, the invention also relates to a process for manufacturing a support device according to the invention obtained by labeling in the mold, said process having the following steps:

- provide a mold molded for the molding of said support element 1 with its base 2 and its elongated elements 3 extending from the base,

- have the sealed flexible means 4 in the mold, preferably in the form of a tubular element 40, flexible,

- Molding said support element by injecting plastic into the mold and melting the elongated elements and the base of said support element with the flexible flexible means with obtaining a sealed connection between said lower base 42 of said tubular element 40 and said base 2 of said support element 1 over its entire perimeter in order to ensure a water tightness between the base 2 of said support element 1 and said flexible tubular element 40.

Said support element 1 and the flexible waterproof means 4 attached are preferably made of the same material, for example polypropylene.

According to another embodiment, said base 2, the elongated elements 3 and the impermeable flexible means 4 form a plastic element molded in one piece, obtained for example by injection molding. Such an embodiment is illustrated by way of example in FIGS. 4 and 5.

The flexible means extending between the base 2 and the elongated elements 3 then consists of webs 43 of material extending respectively between the base 2 and the elongated elements 3. These webs 43 are of thickness less than the thickness elongated elements 3 and at said base 2.

According to an illustrated embodiment, said flexible means 4 extends over the entire periphery of said support element 1, from said base 2 over all or part of the height of said elongated elements 3, without exceeding said elongated elements. Alternatively, and according to an example not illustrated, the flexible means may comprise a part projecting beyond the free ends of the elongated elements.

According to one embodiment, the base 2 comprises a disc 20, as well as a peripheral rim 21 projecting from which extend said elongated elements 3.

According to the elongated elements, 3 respectively have, from their base, a first section of rigid length 30, taking up the curvature of a sphere while widening, followed by a second section of flexible length 31, configured so that when said elongated elements are grouped towards the central axis, said elongated elements assume a spherical or even ovoid configuration. According to this embodiment, the lower ends of the elongate elements can be distributed alternately over two distinct diameters, which will facilitate the position of the folds.

The invention also relates to a packaging system for floral composition comprising a support device 10 according to the invention with water reserve, as well as a decorative sheet 5, removable with respect to the support device 10.

The decorative sheet is of sufficient size to wrap said support device 1 by hiding it, with the creation of a flare 50 of the decorative sheet above the neck 6 of the floral composition. The decorative sheet 5 is preferably made of a non-waterproof material such as paper. The decorative sheet can be a printed sheet.

The invention also relates to a method for producing a floral composition by means of a packaging system according to the invention, comprising the following steps:

- obtaining decorative sheet 5, preferably not waterproof,

- obtaining the support device 10 with a water reserve function 7,

- filling the water reserve 7 of said support device 10,

- insertion of the T stems of the bouquet into the water reserve,

- shaping of the decorative sheet 5 around the support device 1, with grouping 10 of the elongated elements 3 towards the central axis of the base, against the stems of the bouquet,

- ligature of the decorative sheet around the bouquet with flaring 50 of decorative sheet 5 extending above the neck 6 of the floral composition.

At the end of life, the floral composition can be easily and entirely recycled, the decorative sheet 5, removable, recycled with paper waste, the support device 10 mono material with plastics, the bouquet with green waste.

NOMENCLATURE

10. Support device,

1. Support element,

2. Base,

20. Disc,

21. Ledge,

3. Elongated elements,

30. First length section,

31. Second section of length,

4. Soft medium,

4L Upper base,

42. Lower base,

43. Sails

5. Decorative sheet,

50. Flare,

6. Collar (flower arrangement),

7. Water reserve

Ep. Stack of support devices

Claims (17)

1. Support device (10) configured for the production of a device for packaging a floral composition with water reserve, comprising a support element (1), 5 structural, comprising a base (2) substantially circular from the perimeter of which extend a plurality of elongated elements (3), said base (2) and the elongated elements (3) forming a plastic element in one holding, said elongated elements (3) extending substantially upward when the base (2) rests on a horizontal surface and when no stress is exerted on said elongated elements 10 then in the rest position, said elongated elements being configured to be elastically deformed towards the central axis of the base, in the direction of the stems of the bouquet during the production of the floral composition, characterized in that said support device comprises a flexible means (4) integral in a non-removable manner with said support element (1), waterproof extending between said elongated elements, over the entire periphery of said support element (1), from said base (2) and over all or part of the height of said elongated elements (2), and configured so as to form with said support element (1) a container with said water reserve (7). 2. Support device according to claim 1, in which the impermeable flexible means (4) is a separate element from said support element, added by welding, gluing or melting of material to the elongated elements (3) and to said base (2) of said support element (1). 3. Support device according to claim 2, in which the flexible means ( 4) comprises a flexible film welded to said elongated elements (3) and to said base (2). 4. Support device according to claim 3, wherein said support element (1) being a molded part, the flexible means relative to said elongated element being obtained by the labeling technique in the mold. 5. Device according to one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the flexible means (4) is a flexible tubular element (40), having an upper base (41) connected to the elongated elements (3) in several discrete sound positions perimeter and a lower base (42) tightly connected to said base (2) over its entire perimeter in order to ensure a water tightness between the base (2) and said flexible tubular element (40). 6. Support device according to claim 2, wherein the flexible means is a flexible pocket having a side wall and a bottom, and an upper opening, the side wall being fixed to said elongated elements (3). 7. Support device according to one of claims 2 to 6, wherein said support element (1) and the flexible means (2) waterproof attached are made of the same material. 8. Device according to claim 1 wherein said base (2), the elongated elements (3) and the flexible flexible means (4) form a molded plastic element in one piece, the flexible means extending between the base ( 2) and the elongated elements (3), consisting of webs (43) of material extending respectively between the base (2) and the elongated elements, of thickness less than said elongated elements and said base. 9. Device according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein said flexible means (4) extends over the entire periphery of said support element (1), from said base (2) over all or part of the height of said elements elongated (3), without exceeding said elongated elements. 10. Device according to one of claims 1 to 8 said flexible means extends over the entire periphery of the support, from said base over the entire height of said elongated elements, with a part projecting beyond the free ends of the elongated elements. 11. Device according to one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the base (2) comprises a disc (20), as well as a peripheral flange (21) projecting from which extend said elongated elements. 12. Device according to one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the elongated elements (3) respectively have, from their base (2), a first section of rigid length (30), taking up the curvature of a sphere flaring, followed by a second flexible length section (31), configured so that when said elongated elements are grouped toward the central axis, said elongated elements assume the configuration of a sphere. 13. Device according to claim 12, wherein the lower ends of the elongated elements (3) are alternately distributed over two separate diameters. 14. Device according to one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the elongated elements (3) and the flexible means (4) extend from the base (2), flaring, configured so as to allow stacking (Ep) one in the other of the identical support devices. 15. A packaging system for flower arrangements comprising a support device (10) according to one of claims 1 to 14 with a water reserve function, as well as a decorative sheet (5), removable with respect to the support device ( 10), of sufficient size to wrap said support device (1) by hiding it, with flaring (50) of the decorative sheet above the neck (6) of the floral composition, said decorative sheet (5) being in a material not waterproof like paper. 16. Method for producing a floral composition by means of a packaging system according to claim 15, comprising the following steps: - obtaining the decorative sheet (5), not waterproof - obtaining the support device (1) with water reserve function (7) - filling the water reserve (7) of said support device (1), - insertion of the stems (T) of the bouquet in the water reserve - shaping of the decorative sheet (5) around the support device (1), with grouping of the elongated elements (3) towards the central axis of the base, against the stems of the bouquet. - ligating the decorative sheet around the bouquet with flaring (50) of decorative sheet (5) extending above the neck (6) of the floral composition. 17. A method of manufacturing a support device according to claim 4 and 5 obtained by labeling in the mold, said method having the following steps: - provide a shaped mold for molding said support element (1) with its base (2) and its elongated elements (3) extending from said base, - have said flexible means (4) sealed in the mold in the form of a flexible tubular element (40), 5 - molding said support element (1) by injecting plastic into the mold and melting the elongated elements (3) and the base (2) of said support element (1) with the flexible flexible means (4) with obtaining a watertight connection between said lower base (42) of said tubular element (40) and said base (2) of said support element (1) over its entire perimeter in order to ensure a watertight seal between the base (2) of said support element (1) and said flexible tubular element (40).