GB2266439A - Plant package; method of forming plant package. - Google Patents

Abstract

The package has a support 10 which can have holes 11 through which can penetrate roots 21 of one or more growing plants 12-15, the support 10 and plants 12-15 being disposed within an envelope 17 containing a body of water alone or in a body of water absorbent material; the envelope 17 is waterproof at least at a lower part thereof. Plants may be salad vegetables and/or foliage or flowering plants. As shown, envelope 17 is a bag with handles 19 and support 10 is an open top tray. Water absorbent material may be soil or foam. Individual containers may be placed in the tray (see Figures 7-9). Various modifications are disclosed and details of packaging methods are given. <IMAGE>

Description

-DRAFT Plant Packaging This invention relates to the packaging of plants.

Although the invention will be primarily applicable to the packaging of vegetables, and even more specifically in relation to salad vegetables, the invention is equally applicable to foliage and/or flowering plants.

The invention does have particular application in cases where a group of plants is desired to be provided, generally for short term use and/or display.

It is known, in relation to the sale of salad vegetables, to package vegetables such as lettuce and other salad crops which have been cut or removed from the ground and washed. Such goods have been sold for many years and they have various advantages and disadvantages. Cut vegetables can usually be stored and used for a considerable time if their value lies in their roots.

However, in the case of vegetables valued for their leaves, useful store times after cutting or harvesting are generally rather short. In relation to foliage or flowering plants, such items can be sold in pots growing in compost or similar medium and will last for many months if not years. However, such a process is quite impractical in relation to salad or other vegetable crops which are usually consumed very quickly. The cost of pot growing and sale could not be justified. Further, when collections of plants have to be or are desired to be provided, pot growing is generally impractical as different plants often grow in different circumstances, for example in high temperatures or in low temperatures or in high or low humidity, so that to grow several plants together in a container of compost or the like is quite impractical.In such circumstances, cut flowers and vegetables are the only practical solution. However, cut flowers have the disadvantage that they fade and die very quickly. This may have its advantages for the florist but disadvantageous for the user! It is well known that the vegetables from lettuce to cabbage have a relatively short lives after cutting.

When it is desired to provide a set of different sorts of plants all the above problems come into play, and it is not possible effectively to market a selection of vegetables which are comparable in size, and which can be bought together by the consumer. For example, in relation to salads, the consumer must buy several different sorts of lettuce or plants such a spring onions, radish, endive and the like as separate packages. It would be desirable if a group of such vegetables could be provided as a group and sold together.

In the past it has been known to sell a lettuce, grown hydroponically, in an open topped container such as a plastics bag with its root still attached. If a small degree of moisture or a moisture retentive body is provided in the base of the bag the lettuce itself can remain alive for some time. A purchaser can be instructed to place such a lettuce into a dish containing water whereafter it will live without other nutrient for perhaps one or two weeks.

A further attempt to provide a set of vegetables in a pack (particularly salad vegetables) has been to select perhaps three or four different sorts of salad vegetables (for example two or three lettuce varieties and a variety of other vegetables such as onion or endive, cut them under very hygienic conditions and place them in a sealed package with inert gas or specially filtered air. Such a pack, if sealed, will last for some time.

However, such a pack once opened, will rapidly be subject to the action of bacteria such as the listeria bacteria which can make them poisonous. As it is dead plant material which is prone to bacterial and other attack this method has its dangers. In order to try avoid the possibility of contamination packers and supermarkets go to great lengths to exclude bacteria, effecting their packaging, cutting and sealing within sterile over pressure rooms. However, still such cut vegetables are often referred to as "listeria lettuce".

It is an object of the present invention to provide a method of packaging plants whereby the above described disadvantages can be reduced or minimised.

The invention provides a package including a plant support, a growing plant with roots and a body of water, an envelope surrounding the support and plant and being water proof at least at a lower part thereof, a body of water provided adjacent the roots.

Desirably the envelope is wholly or partial transparent to display the plant.

There can be a plurality of plants in the package. The support can be a single support for one plant or one for each plant, or a support can serve to support a number of plants.

The envelope can be closed but is desirably open (eg upwardly or perforate) so as to allow air to reach the plant. The envelope can be upwardly open and provided with handles adjacent such upwardly open side. The body of water can be simply a small amount of water around the support and/or within the envelope.

Alternatively, a small body of absorbent material can be disposed in contact with the roots to contain said water. This body can be a small quantity of soil or compost, a pad of foamed plastics material or the like.

The plant support can be perforated to enable the roots of the plant(s) to pass therethrough so as to become united with the support. Alternatively the support can be imperforate so as to provide a water-retaining reservoir. The support can be in two parts, a first part which is perforate and engaged with the plant and a second part forming an imperforate water reservoir, the first part being disposed within the second part.

There can be several plants within the package. The plants can be the same or different.

The invention also provides a method of forming a plant package for sale including the steps of providing a plant support, engaging a growing plant complete with roots so that the said roots are disposed within said support, placing said support and associated plant within an envelope and providing a body of water for said roots.

The water can be plain water or can contain nutrients.

Desirably there are a plurality of plants within the package.

The invention also provides method of forming a plant package including the steps of growing a step of plants, growing each plant in the set so that it reaches maturity at the same time as the other plants in the set, providing a plant support, transferring each mature plant from its growing position to the support in a growing condition with roots, placing the support and the set of plants within an envelope and providing a body of water for the roots.

By maturity it is to be understood that this does not mean that the plant itself has reached what might be termed its own maturity, that is to say a flowering or maximum size, but rather it is intended to mean a desired stage in its growth process at which it is suitable for sale.

In the case of salad vegetables such as lettuce and the like different varieties growing at different speeds can be planted and grown under conditions which bring them to "maturity", (which in this case can mean a comparable and usable size) at the same time. It is desirable that if the support is such as to enable the plants to be supported thereby after removal of the envelope a purchaser can be directed to remove the envelope and place the support within a dish or saucer in a convenient place such as a kitchen window sill in which condition the plants will continue to grow and can be consumed (in the case of salad or like vegetables) over a short period of time. Alternatively, the plant support can itself form a saucer or shallow tray capable of supporting the plants and supplying water and/or nutrients thereto. This can be particularly useful in the case of decorative plants such as flowers wherein the appearance is of importance.

The invention is applicable to plants which are grown in soil, compost or like medium or in relation to plants which are grown hydroponically. The invention does, however, have particular application in relation to plants grown hydroponically, there is no root ball of soil associated with such plants and they can be placed in the container simply and easily. The plant can not become contaminated with soil or compost during transportation which makes it much more acceptable to the user. Of course, in the case of plants grown conventionally it would be possible to wash the roots before introduction into the package.

The invention will be described further, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein; Figures 1 to 5 are schematic perspective views illustrating a preferred method of the invention; Figure 4 shows a preferred package of the invention; q Figure 5a is an enlarged cross sectional view through the package shown in figure 5; Figure 7 shows a plant in a individual container; Figure 8 shows further possible package; Figure 9 is a view similar to figure 8 but showing a variation; and Figure 10 shows a further possible variation.

Before referring to the drawings, it should be emphasised that although in the following the description will refer to salad vegetables such as lettuce, it will be appreciated that the invention is applicable to many types of plants, for example foliage or flowering plants, edible vegetables or even mixtures of the two. The invention, does, have particular application in packaging and selling of sets of vegetables which can be purchased as a set and kept alive by the purchaser and consumed over perhaps one or two weeks. The intention is to provide the consumer with a perfectly fresh lettuce or like vegetable without the user having to grow the plant and without the need for the elaborate procedures necessary when cut leaves are packaged.

Again, hydroponically grown plants are particularly suited to the present method as they have a clean root. However conventionally grown plants having had their roots washed can be used.

Returning now to the drawings in figure, 1 there is shown a support (10) in the form of a shallow open top tray having drainage holes (11). The tray (10) can be conducted sequentially past from for growing stations where respective plants (12), (13), (14) and (15) are growing and the plants transferred into the support (10) from their growing position (supported with their roots in a stream of nutrient solution). Alternatively all the various plants can be brought to the support (10). It would be convenient if the roots of the plants are caused to engage the holes in the support (10) as this can anchor them firmly. As shown in figure 6 the container (10) with the plants therein is then placed within an envelope (17) which is water proof at least at its lower end, and which desirably has an open top (18). For ease of handling the top (18) can be provided with handles (19).

Between the base of the container (10) and the waterproof portion (16) of the bag (17) there is provided a body of water which may -N or may not contain nutrient. The water can simply be a small quantity loose within the bag (16), or can be absorbea on a pad of foam (20) or the like. Here it will be appreciated (figure 5a) that if the roots (24 of the prants protrude,from the apertures within the tray they have a better chance of coming into contact with the body of water (20).

If the roots of the plants cannot be effectively intertwined with the container, it is desirable if the container is sufficiently tall and shaped in relation to the plant base so as to form a stable support therefor. When the user has purchased the package shown in figure 6 the user will be encouraged to follow instructions, remove the support and plant from the envelope and place them within a saucer, bowl or comparable container in a suitable growing position such a kitchen window sill. Alternatively, the envelope could be cut at about the level of the top of the support (10) to form a reservoir for water. The envelope could also be in two parts having a lower part forming a reservoir and an upper part simply serving as protection for the goods during storage, purchase and transit.

The upper part could be separable from the lower part so as to enable the plant foilage to be picked and used and to grow in good conditions.

Particularly when plants are grown hydroponically it can be useful if the plants are grown in the hydroponic medium in association with a support. Figure 7 shows one such possibility wherein a plant (21) is grown with its lower portion (22) inside an individual container (23), roots (24) passing out through an aperture (25) in the container. This engagement of the plant through the container anchors the plant quite firmly to the individual container. At the stage shown in figures 2 to 4 individual plants (21) can be placed with their individual containers (23) in a larger common tray (26). The tray (26) can contain a body of foam or like absorbent material (27) containing water with or without nutrient.In figures 7 and 8 the individual containers (23) are shown as having outwardly extending formations (28) which can engage and unite firmly with corresponding formations (29) in a larger tray (26). This can provide a stable package with good support for the plants when moved from the envelope.

Figure 9 shows how a similar effect can be obtained by a careful sizing of individual containers (30) within a tray (31). In this case frictional engagement between the containers (30) and the tray (31) forms a stable support.

Figure 10 also shows a further possibility wherein plants (32) have been grown with their roots passing into and intimately engaged with porous pads (33). After root growth such pads are firmly attached to the plants and can themselves engage within a tray (34) forming a suitable support. In this case the pads (33) also serve as appropriate reservoirs for water.

Instead of simply resting within the tray (34) the pads (33) would be a clip or press fit therein, appropriate ribs or other formations being provided within the tray (34) to engage and locate the pads (33)..

The invention is not limited to the precise details of the foregoing and variations can be made thereto. For example the plants could be sold in strips, in numbers other than four, and in various different types of containers or trays. In the case of strips individual interlocking containers could be provided to form a strip of any desired length. The invention can be applied to decorative plants such as flower or foliage plants as well as to vegetables. In relation to vegetables it is expected that use would be confined to plants which are consumed gradually in a leaf by leaf manner rather than a whole plant at a time.

Other plants such as spring onions can also be treated in the same way. The user selecting individuals from a bunch or group for use as desired.

Many other variations are possible within the scope of the invention.

Flowers for cutting by flower arrangers can be advantageously sold in such a way.

Claims (32)

Claims

1. A package including a plantsupport, a growing plant with roots; an envelope surrounding the support and plant and being waterproof at least at a lower part thereof and a body of water provided adjacent the roots.

2. A package as claimed in claim 1, wherein the envelope is wholly or partial transparent to display the plant.

3. A package as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein there can be a plurality of plants in the package.

4. A package as claimed in claim 1,2 or 2 wherein the support is a single support for one plant or one for each plant.

5. A package as claimed in claim 4, and including a plurality of plants, each with a support.

6. A package as claimed in claim 4, and including a support common to a number of plants.

7 A package as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the envelope is closed.

8. A package as claimed in any of claims 1 to 6 wherein the envelope is open, upwardly or perforated so as to allow air to reach the plant.

9. A package as claimed in claim 8 wherein the envelope is upwardly open and provided with handles adjacent an upwardly-open side.

10. A package as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the body of water is an amount of water around the support and/or within the envelope.

11. A package as claimed in any of claims 1 to 9 wherein a quality of absorbent material is disposed in contact with the roots to contain said body of water.

12. A package as claimed in claim 11 wherein this material is a quantity of soil or compost, a pad of foamed plastics material or a like capillary acting water storing mass.

13. A package as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the plant support is perforate to enable roots of the plant(s) to pass therethrough so as to become united with the support.

14. A package as claimed in any of claims 1 to 12 wherein the support is imperforate to provide a water-retaining reservoir.

15. A package as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the support is in two parts, a first part which is perforate and engaged with the plant and a second part forming an imperforate water reservoir, the first part being disposed within the second part.

16. A package as claimed in any preceding claim wherein there are several plants within the package, the plants can be the same or different.

17. A plant package as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the or some of the plants are edible.

18. A plant package substantially as described with reference to the accompany drawings.

19. A method of formv a plant package for sale including the steps of providing a plant support, providing a live plant complete with roots so that the said roots are engaged within said support, placing said support and associated plant within an envelope and providing a body of water for said roots.

20. A method as claimed in claim 19 whereon provision of the plant involved placing and/or growing in situ in the support.

21. A method as claimed in claim 19 or 20 wherein the water is plain water contains nutrients.

22. A method as claimed in any of claims 19 to 21 wherein there are a plurality of plants within the package.

23. A method as claimed in any of claims 19 to 22 wherein one or more of said plant is edible.

24. A method as claimed in any of claims 19 to 23, wherein some or all of said plants are decorative.

25. A method of forming a plant package including the steps of growing a set of plants, growing each plant in the set so that it reaches maturity at the same time as the other plants in the set, providing a plant support, transferring each mature plant from its growing position to the support in a growing condition with roots, placing the support and the set of plants within an envelope and providing a body of water for the roots.

26. A method as claimed in claim 25 wherein maturity means a desired stage in a plants growth process at which it is suitable for use.

27. A method of forming a plant package substantially as described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

28. A method as claimed in any of claims 19 to 28 including directions to a purchaser to remove the envelope and place the support in a reservoir in a convenient place in condition in which the plants will continue to grow and can be consumed and/or admired over a period of time.

29. A method as claimed in claim 28, wherein the plants to be supported thereby after removal of the envelope.

30. A method as claimed in any of claims 19 to 29 wherein the plant support itself forms or can form a reservoir capable of supporting the plants and/or supplying water and/or nutrients thereto.

31. A method as claimed in any of claims 19 to 30 wherein some or all of the plants are grown hydroponically.

32. a plant package made by the method of any of claims 19 to 31.