JP2005255620A - Method for processing plant and tool for processing plant - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a readily realizable method by which discoloration, fading, wrinkles, shrinkage, or the like, can be suppressed irrespectively of the species of a plant to be processed in the method for processing in order to dry the plant. <P>SOLUTION: A sheet-like desiccating agent 21 is placed in a vessel 11 having the opened top surface and sand 22 and a natural flower 3 are further placed so as to bury the natural flower 3 in the sand 22. A cover 23 is mounted on the vessel 11 so as not to leak the sand 22. The whole of the vessel 11 and the cover 23 is placed in a hermetically sealing bag 24 and air in the hermetically sealing bag 24 is decompressed and deaerated to hermetically seal the bag. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a plant processing method for processing a raw plant, and a plant processing tool used in the plant processing method.

Dried flowers are known as a method for preserving flowers. Dried flowers can be made by drying fresh flowers, but as they dry, the flowers remarkably shrink and a large number of wrinkles appear on the surface of petals, leaves, stems, and the like. Furthermore, the color may change to yellow or yellowish brown, or the color may fade significantly. Due to these changes, the appearance of dried flowers is completely different from fresh flowers.
Therefore, various methods have been proposed for producing beautiful dried flowers that are similar in appearance to fresh flowers by suppressing the shrinkage, wrinkles, discoloration, and fading described above.

For example, there has been a method in which fresh flowers are strongly cooled in a short time and dried in a frozen state. According to this method, there is an advantage that the discoloration of the flower due to drying can be suppressed. However, since this method requires the use of a special coolant, a very large and expensive device is required, which causes a large cost burden and cannot be easily implemented.
Further, for example, there has been a method of removing moisture by immersing fresh flowers in a special solvent. However, this method has a problem that it cannot be carried out easily because it requires careful handling of the solvent.

In addition, for example, there has been a method of creating dried flowers by embedding fresh flowers in granular silica gel and drying them. This method has the advantage that the flowers can be dried in a relatively short time and can be easily realized.
However, in this method, since the silica gel particles contact the petals and absorb moisture, the silica gel particles and the petals may adhere firmly. In this case, an operation of peeling the silica gel particles from the petals or the like is necessary. However, the operation may cause the petals to be broken by being pulled by the silica gel particles, and the operation must be carefully performed. For this reason, flowers with thin petals that are easily broken (for example, Kyoka) are considered unsuitable for the above-described method, and other flowers have a problem in that they are inefficient because they take time to work. Moreover, this method dries the whole flower in a short time by the particle | grains of a silica gel entering into gaps, such as a petal. As a matter of course, since it is not possible to put silica gel particles in a gap narrower than the silica gel particle size, it is not suitable for making dry flowers of small flowers (lace flowers, etc.).
As described above, the method using granular silica gel has a problem that the working efficiency may be deteriorated and is not suitable for certain kinds of flowers and plants.

  Thus, the present invention is a processing method for drying raw plants, which can suppress discoloration, discoloration, wrinkles, shrinkage, etc. regardless of the type of plant to be processed, and can be easily realized. It aims to provide a method.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention has the following features. In the following description, a configuration corresponding to the embodiment is shown as an example in parentheses. Reference numerals and the like are reference numerals for drawings to be described later.

  The present invention embeds a plant to be processed (for example, fresh flowers 3 and 3a to be described later) in a granular material (for example, sand 22 to be described later), and the desiccant (for example, a sheet-shaped desiccant 21 to be described later) together It is a processing method of a plant characterized by sealing a granular object and the above-mentioned plant.

  In the present invention, the granular material, the plant, and the desiccant are placed in a container (for example, a container 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 and a sealing bag 24 described later). The container may be sealed.

  In the present invention, the container may be sealed by degassing the air in the container under reduced pressure.

  In the present invention, the granular material may have a particle size of 0.5 millimeters or less.

  Moreover, in this invention, it is good also considering the particle size of the said granular material as 0.1 mm or more and 0.3 mm or less.

  Further, in the present invention, the granular material includes one or more of sand, baked sand, metal particles, glass particles, ceramics formed into granules, and synthetic resin formed into granules. Also good.

  In the present invention, a weight (for example, a weight 27 described later) may be placed on the granular body and sealed together with the granular body, and the weight may be left in a state where the weight is located on the upper side of the plant.

  Moreover, in this invention, you may make it bury the said plant in the said granular material in the state which pressed the said plant with the press body (for example, the holding net 29 mentioned later).

  In the present invention, the desiccant may include any of calcium chloride, calcium oxide, lithium chloride, magnesium chloride, and their hydrates, anhydrous magnesium sulfate, and silica gel.

  In addition, the present invention provides a sealable container that accommodates a plant to be processed, an amount of granules that can fill the periphery of the plant in a state where the plant is accommodated in the container, and a desiccant, Is a plant processing tool.

ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, a plant can be quickly dried by absorbing the water | moisture content contained in a plant with a desiccant in the state which buried the plant in the granular material. For this reason, a plant can be dried in a short time to such an extent that no discoloration or discoloration of the plant occurs, for example, a dried flower. In addition, during drying, each part of the plant (petals, petals, etc.) is pressed by the weight of the granular material and supported so as to maintain the shape and size before drying, so that no wrinkles occur in the drying process. Shrinkage is effectively suppressed. In addition, plants have narrow gaps, such as between petals and petals, but because granular materials enter these gaps, multiple parts of the plant do not adhere to each other The air permeability in these gaps is maintained. Therefore, the plant can be dried without breaking the shape of the plant. Furthermore, since the plant can be pressed and supported by the granular material over the details, wrinkles and shrinkage can be reliably suppressed.
Moreover, in the processing method of the plant of this invention, each material of a container, a desiccant, and a granular material is used. None of these materials are exceptionally expensive, and none of them requires careful handling in terms of safety. That is, according to the present invention, a material that can be easily handled solves all aesthetic problems such as wrinkles, shrinkage, discoloration, and discoloration that occur when a plant is dried. Can be made.

  In addition, when the container is sealed by degassing the air in the container, moisture contained in the air is removed by the decompression degassing, so that the plant can be dried quickly and efficiently. Moreover, the granular material and plant inside a container will be pressed by atmospheric pressure by pressure reduction deaeration. For this reason, since the plant buried in the granular material is pressed with a force exceeding the weight of the granular material, the wrinkles and shrinkage of the plant can be more reliably suppressed. Moreover, since the water | moisture content contained in a plant becomes easy to discharge | release outside when a plant is put under a pressure-reduced environment, a plant can be dried in a short time. Furthermore, since the amount of oxygen that comes into contact with the plant by vacuum degassing becomes extremely small, the oxidation of the plant is strongly suppressed. Thereby, discoloration and fading of a plant can be prevented reliably.

  Furthermore, when the particle size of the granular material is 0.5 mm or less, or 0.3 mm or less, the particle size of the granular material is small, so a very narrow gap such as a gap between petals in a small flower, for example. Granules can also be put in, and even small plants can be processed without any problems. Furthermore, if the particle size is 0.1 mm or more, there is an advantage that sufficient air permeability can be ensured in a place where the granular material exists.

  In addition, when the granular material includes any one or more of sand, baked sand, metal particles, glass particles, ceramics formed into particles, and synthetic resin formed into particles, Since there is almost no function of adsorbing and removing the moisture of the plant, the granular material does not adhere firmly to the petals of the plant. For this reason, it is very easy to remove the granular material from the plant. For example, even if the petal is thin and easily broken, it can be processed without any problem.

  In addition, when a weight is placed on a granular material and sealed together with the granular material, and the weight is left in a state of being located above the plant, a force exceeding the weight of the granular material can be applied to the plant being dried. Thereby, generation | occurrence | production of the wrinkle and shrinkage | contraction in a plant can be suppressed more reliably.

  Moreover, when a plant is embedded in a granular body in a state in which the plant is pressed by a pressing body, the processed plant is slightly crushed from a raw state. For this reason, for example, when a flower is processed, a tasteful dried flower like a pressed flower can be made.

[First Embodiment]
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
1 and 2 are views for explaining a first embodiment to which the flower processing method of the present invention is applied. Fig.1 (a)-(d) and FIG.2 (a)-(c) show each process in the processing method of the plant based on 1st Embodiment.

  In the plant processing method according to the first embodiment, the container 11, the sheet-like desiccant 21, the sand 22, the cover 23, and the sealing bag 24 are used.

The container 11 is a rectangular parallelepiped container whose upper surface is open, and can withstand the weight of the sand 22 and the like used in the plant processing method according to the first embodiment and the pressure applied when performing vacuum degassing described later. It has the strength that can be obtained (not destroyed).
The sheet-like desiccant 21 is a sheet having a drying function. For example, the sheet-like desiccant 21 is obtained by adhering various desiccants to paper or cloth, or by processing various desiccants into sheets.
The sand 22 is sand having a predetermined density and particle size.
The cover 23 is a cover for preventing the sand 22 from flowing out of the container 11 by covering the surface of the sand 22 and has a predetermined air permeability. Therefore, it is preferable that the cover 23 has fine holes (eyes) as compared with the particle size of the sand 22.

  The sealing bag 24 is a bag made of synthetic resin having airtightness. Since the sealing bag 24 needs to be sealed as will be described later, it is preferable that the sealing bag 24 be welded by heat or that a fastener for sealing is formed.

A specific procedure will be described with reference to FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 1A, first, as a first step, a sheet-like desiccant 21 is laid on the bottom of the container 11, and then a small amount of sand 22 is added as a second step.
The sand 22 put in the container 11 in the second step is for stabilizing the fresh flower 3 by filling the lower end of the fresh flower 3, and the amount thereof is not particularly limited, but the amount of the sand 22 put in the second step is too large. Then, since the fresh flower 3 protrudes from the upper end of the container 11 and the amount of the sand 22 is too small, the fresh flower 3 cannot be stabilized. Therefore, it is desirable to determine the size of the container 11 and the fresh flower 3 in consideration. .

  Then, as shown in FIG.1 (b) and FIG.1 (c), the fresh flower 3 is put on the sand 22 as a 3rd process. Here, it is preferable to stabilize the fresh flower 3 by burying the lower end of the fresh flower 3 in the sand 22. In addition, the position of the fresh flower 3 is good to make it the substantially center of the container 11 so that the fresh flower 3 may not contact the inner surface of the container 11.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 1 (d), as the fourth step, the sand 22 is put into the container 11 until the fresh flowers 3 are completely filled. In the fourth step, it is preferable that the sand 22 enters the narrow gaps of the fresh flowers 3, for example, between the petals and the petals and between the petals and the sepals, so that the surroundings of the fresh flowers 3 are completely buried in the sand 22. Further, it is more preferable that the upper surface of the fresh flower 3 is completely buried in the sand 22 and the operation of leveling the upper surface of the sand 22 is performed after the introduction of the sand 22 is completed.

Then, in a 5th process, as shown to Fig.2 (a), the sheet-like desiccant 21 is put on the upper surface of the sand 22. FIG. Further, as shown in FIG. 2 (b), in the sixth step, the cover 23 is covered and fixed to the container 11 so as to cover the upper part of the container 11. In the sixth step, for example, the side surface of the container 11 may be tied together with a cover 23 with a string or a rubber band so that the sand 22 in the container 11 does not spill outward.
In the seventh step, the entire container 11 and the cover 23 are put in the sealing bag 24, and the air in the sealing bag 24 is forcibly degassed to seal the sealing bag 24 in a decompressed state. To do. When the air in the sealing bag 24 is deaerated under reduced pressure, a vacuum pump, an exhaust pump, or the like may be used. Further, as a method for sealing the sealing bag 24, for example, a method in which the opening end of the sealing bag 24 is heated and welded, or a fastener portion is provided in advance in the opening of the sealing bag 24 and the pressure is reduced. The method of closing a fastener is mentioned.

  The state where the above first to seventh steps are completed is shown in FIG. In this state, the fresh flowers 3 are dried by being left for several hours to several days to several weeks. After the drying is completed, the sealing bag 24 is opened, and the fresh flower 3 is taken out from the sand 22 to obtain a dried flower. The sand 22 presses and supports the petals and the like of the fresh flowers 3 while ensuring air permeability, and does not absorb the moisture of the fresh flowers 3 and dry the fresh flowers 3. Therefore, the sand 22 does not adhere firmly to the fresh flowers 3, and the sand 22 that has entered the gaps of the petals of the fresh flowers 3, for example, is shaken by turning the fresh flowers 3 upside down or removed with a brush. Can be easily removed.

  Note that while the seventh step is completed, the sealing bag 24 may be opened, and the degree of dryness of the fresh flowers 3 may be checked depending on whether the sand 22 contains moisture. Here, when the fresh flowers 3 are not sufficiently dried, a new sheet-like desiccant 21 may be added or the sheet-like desiccant 21 may be replaced with a new one. In this case, after the above operation is completed, the air in the sealing bag 24 is forcibly degassed again to seal the sealing bag 24, and then left for several hours to several days to several weeks.

  FIG. 3 is a chart showing the results of measuring the shrinkage of the processed flowers for an example in which the plant processing method according to the first embodiment was actually tried. FIG. 3 (a) shows a measurement method, and FIG. 3 (b) shows measured values and calculated values related to flower shrinkage.

The result shown in FIG. 3 is that a cylindrical container having a height of 8.1 cm (centimeter), a diameter of 8 cm, and a capacity of 270 ml (milliliter) is used in place of the container 11, and a sheet 24 of 4 cm × 28 cm is used as the sheet-like desiccant 21. It is the result in the example which processed the rose flower of about 4g in weight using about 300g (gram) baked sand as a sand 22 using a sheet | seat.
The sheet-like desiccant 21 used in this example is obtained by cutting a 22 cm × 28 cm rectangular product (commercially available product). This sheet-like desiccant 21 can absorb about 15 g of water with 12 rectangular sheets of 22 cm × 28 cm, and the amount used in this example (24 sheets of 4 cm × 28 cm) is about It corresponds to an amount capable of absorbing 5.5 g of water. In this example, in order to put the rectangular sheet-shaped desiccant 21 into a cylindrical container, the sheet-shaped desiccant 21 was wound in a cylindrical shape and accommodated along the side surface of the cylindrical container. And after putting the sheet-like desiccant 21, according to the procedure mentioned above, the sand 22 was thrown in, and the fresh flower 3 and the sand 22 were thrown in subsequently.

  As a contrasting example, FIG. 3 shows the result of processing a similar flower (rose flower weighing about 4 g) by a method using silica gel particles. In this example, about 300 g of granular silica gel was used.

上記式（１）により求められる収縮率は、収縮によるサイズの減少分の指標であり、収縮率が低いほど、縮みが少ないといえる。 Now, when calculating | requiring the shrinkage | contraction of a flower, as shown to Fig.3 (a), the height of the flower (code | symbol A in the figure) was measured. Before and after processing the flower, the size indicated by the symbol A was measured, and the calculation shown in the following formula (1) was performed using the measured value to obtain the shrinkage rate.

The shrinkage rate obtained by the above formula (1) is an index of a decrease in size due to shrinkage. It can be said that the lower the shrinkage rate, the less the shrinkage.

As shown in FIG. 3 (b), in the example of processing roses by the method according to the first embodiment, the size indicated by the symbol A in FIG. 3 (a) is 4.21 cm in the state of fresh flowers. However, it was 3.32 cm for dried flowers. The shrinkage was determined to be 21.1%.
On the other hand, in the example of processing rose flowers by a method using granular silica gel, the size indicated by the symbol A in FIG. 3 (a) was 4.17 cm in the state of fresh flowers, but was 3.11 cm for dried flowers. became. The shrinkage rate was determined to be 25.4%.

  From the results shown in FIG. 3 (b), a significant difference was observed in the shrinkage rate between the plant processing method according to the first embodiment to which the present invention was applied and the conventional method using granular silica gel. It is done. That is, according to the plant processing method according to the first embodiment, it can be said that the flower contraction is clearly suppressed as compared with the conventional method, and a dried flower closer to the size of a fresh flower is obtained.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 3, the dried flower obtained when the plant processing method according to the first embodiment is tried has a very good shape, size and color in the state of fresh flowers, It became beautiful. In particular, the shape was clearly close to the state of fresh flowers compared to the dried flowers obtained by the method using silica gel particles as a control example. This is because the fresh flowers 3 are naturally supported by the sand 22.

As described above, according to the plant processing method according to the first embodiment, when a fresh flower 3 is dried to create a dried flower, the fresh flower 3 is included in the fresh flower 3 in a state of being buried in the sand 22. By absorbing moisture with the sheet-like desiccant 21, the fresh flowers 3 can be quickly dried. For this reason, it can be made into a dry flower in a short time to such an extent that discoloration and fading of the fresh flower 3 do not occur. In addition, during drying, each part of the flower 3 (petals, petals, etc.) is pressed by the weight of the sand 22 and is supported so as to maintain the shape and size before drying, so that no wrinkles occur in the drying process. Shrinkage is effectively suppressed.
In addition, the fresh flower 3 has narrow gaps such as between petals and petals, but sand 22 enters these gaps, so that a plurality of parts of the fresh flower 3 are in close contact with each other. The air permeability in these gaps is maintained. Therefore, the fresh flowers 3 can be dried without breaking the shape of the fresh flowers 3. Furthermore, since the fresh flowers 3 can be pressed and supported by the sand 22 over the details, wrinkles and shrinkage can be reliably suppressed.
Further, the sand 22 itself has almost no function of adsorbing and removing moisture from the fresh flowers 3. For this reason, the sand 22 does not adhere firmly to the petals or the like of the fresh flowers 3, and it is extremely easy to remove the sand 22 from the fresh flowers 3. Therefore, even if the petals are thin and easily broken, they can be processed without any problems. Furthermore, if the particle size of the sand 22 is small, the sand 22 can be put into a very narrow gap in a small flower. Since it is extremely easy to procure sand 22 having a small particle diameter, even small flowers can be processed without any problems.

  Further, in the plant processing method according to the first embodiment, the entire container 11 and the cover 23 are put in the sealing bag 24 and degassed under reduced pressure to seal the sealing bag 24. As a result, the moisture contained in the air in the sealing bag 24 is removed, so that the sheet-like desiccant 21 only needs to absorb only the moisture of the fresh flowers 3. For this reason, the fresh flower 3 can be dried quickly and efficiently. Moreover, the sealing bag 24, the sand 22 and the fresh flower 3 inside the bag 24 are pressed by the atmospheric pressure due to the vacuum degassing. For this reason, since the fresh flower 3 embedded in the sand 22 is strongly pressed by the force more than the weight of the sand 22, the wrinkle and shrinkage of the fresh flower 3 can be suppressed more reliably. In addition, since the fresh flowers 3 are placed in a reduced pressure environment, moisture contained in the fresh flowers 3 is easily released to the outside, so that the fresh flowers 3 can be dried in a short time. Furthermore, since the oxygen in contact with the fresh flowers 3 becomes extremely small by degassing the air in the sealing bag 24, the oxidation of the fresh flowers 3 is strongly suppressed. Thereby, discoloration and fading of the fresh flower 3 can be reliably prevented.

And the processing method of the plant which concerns on 1st Embodiment uses each material of the container 11, the sheet-like desiccant 21, sand 22, the cover 23, and the bag 24 for sealing. None of these materials are exceptionally expensive, and none of them requires careful handling in terms of safety.
That is, according to the plant processing method according to the first embodiment to which the present invention is applied, all the aesthetic problems such as wrinkles, shrinkage, discoloration, and fading are solved by a material that can be easily handled, Very beautiful dried flowers can be made. In addition, even a small flower or petal that is thin and easily broken can be easily made into a dried flower.

[Modification]
Here, the modification of 1st Embodiment is demonstrated with reference to FIG.4 and FIG.5.
FIG. 4A shows an example in which a plurality of substantially cylindrical containers 12 are used. That is, by the operations in the first to sixth steps, a sheet-like desiccant 21 (not shown), sand 22 and fresh flowers 3 are put in each of the plurality of containers 12 and the cover 23 is covered. In the seventh step, a plurality of containers 12 covered with a cover 23 are arranged, the plurality of containers 12 are put in one sealing bag 24, and the air in the sealing bag 24 is forcibly degassed under reduced pressure. The sealing bag 24 is sealed.
According to the modification shown in FIG. 4 (a), a plurality of flowers can be processed by performing the vacuum degassing and sealing operations in the seventh step only once, and therefore, particularly suitable for processing a large number of flowers. Yes.

  FIG. 4B shows an example in which a plurality of fresh flowers 3 are put into a rectangular parallelepiped container 13 and processed. The operations in the first to seventh steps can be performed in exactly the same manner except that the number of fresh flowers 3 is different. The example shown in FIG. 4B is also suitable for processing a large number of flowers.

  FIG. 4 (c) shows an example of processing a fresh flower 3a cut leaving a long stem. When the fresh flowers 3a have a slender shape as a whole as in this example, a plurality of fresh flowers 3a can be arranged in a rectangular parallelepiped container 14 and processed by performing the operations of the first to seventh steps.

  5A to 5C show an example in which a deep bottom cylindrical container 15 is used. In this example, as shown in FIG. 5 (a), it is possible to process a single flower 3a having an elongated shape as a whole, as shown in FIGS. 5 (b) and 5 (c). It is also possible to arrange and process the fresh flowers 3 in the height direction. In this case, as shown in FIG. 5 (b), the fresh flowers 3 may be partitioned by a sheet-like desiccant 21 formed in accordance with the bottom shape of the container 15. As shown in c), the space between the fresh flowers 3 may be filled with sand 22.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 (b), 4 (c), 5 (b), and 5 (c), when processing a plurality of fresh flowers in one container, the fresh flowers and the fresh flowers are mutually connected. If you do not touch it, you can expect a better finish.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment to which the flower processing method of the present invention is applied will be described.
6 and 7 are views for explaining a second embodiment to which the flower processing method of the present invention is applied. FIGS. 6A to 6C and FIGS. 7A to 7C show the respective steps in the plant processing method according to the second embodiment.
Note that, in the second embodiment and the modifications described later, the same components as those in the first embodiment and the modifications are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

  In the plant processing method according to the second embodiment, the container 17 is used in addition to the sheet-like desiccant 21 and the sand 22. The container 17 is a wide-mouth bottle made of glass or synthetic resin. The upper end surface of the container 17 is open, and the opening is sealed with a lid 18. That is, the container 17 can be kept airtight by the lid 18.

A specific procedure will be described with reference to FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 6A, first, as a first step, a sheet-shaped desiccant 21 cut into a rectangle in accordance with the inner dimensions of the container 17 is placed along the inner surface of the container 17. . In addition to the sheet-like desiccant 21 on the inner surface of the container 17, a circular sheet-like desiccant 21 may be placed on the bottom surface of the container 17.

  Subsequently, the operations of the second step and the third step are performed as in the first embodiment. That is, the sand 22 is put in as the second step, and then the fresh flowers 3 are put on the sand 22 as the third step, as shown in FIGS. 6 (b) and 6 (c). In addition, the one where the quantity of the sand 22 put into the container 17 in a 2nd process is larger than 1st Embodiment is preferable.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 7A, as the fourth step, the sand 22 is put into the container 11 until the fresh flowers 3 are completely filled. In the fourth step, it is preferable that the sand 22 enters the narrow gaps of the fresh flowers 3, for example, between the petals and the petals and between the petals and the sepals, so that the surroundings of the fresh flowers 3 are completely buried in the sand 22. Further, if the sand 22 is completely buried in the sand 22 until the fresh flower 3 reaches the upper end and further reaches the opening of the container 17, the space in the container 17 is reduced and the fresh flower 3 is oxidized. Since oxygen decreases, it is more preferable.

  In the subsequent fifth step, a lid 18 is attached to the container 17 to seal the sheet-like desiccant 21, sand 22 and fresh flowers 3.

  FIG. 7B shows a state where the first to fifth steps are completed. In this state, the fresh flowers 3 are dried by turning the container 17 upside down as shown in FIG. 7C and leaving it for several hours to several days to several weeks. After completion of drying, the dried flower can be obtained by opening the lid 18 and taking out the fresh flowers 3 from the sand 22.

  In addition, while the said 5th process is completed and it is left to stand for several hours to several days thru | or weeks, the lid | cover 18 may be opened and the dryness degree of the fresh flower 3 may be investigated by whether the sand 22 contains moisture. It is also possible to add a new sheet-shaped desiccant 21 or replace the sheet-shaped desiccant 21 with a new one. In this case, the lid 18 may be closed again after the above operation is completed and left for several hours to several days to several weeks.

  FIG. 8 is a chart showing the results of measuring the shrinkage of the processed flowers for an example in which the plant processing method according to the second embodiment was actually tried. FIG. 8 (a) shows the measurement method, and FIG. 8 (b) shows the measured values and calculated values related to flower shrinkage.

  The result shown in FIG. 8 is a result of an example in which the plant processing method according to the second embodiment is tried in the same manner as the example described with reference to FIG. 3 in the first embodiment. That is, in this example, a container 17 having a height of 8.1 cm, a diameter of 8 cm, and a capacity of 270 ml is used, 24 sheets of 4 cm × 28 cm are used as the sheet-like desiccant 21, and about 300 g of baked sand is used as the sand 22. A rose flower weighing about 4 g was processed. The sheet-like desiccant 21 used in this example was obtained by cutting a 22 cm × 28 cm rectangular commercial product, and an amount capable of absorbing about 5.5 g of water was used as described above.

  In addition, in FIG. 8, the result at the time of processing the same flower (the rose flower of about 4 g in weight) by the method using the particle | grains of a silica gel as a control example is shown. In this example, about 300 g of granular silica gel was used.

  In obtaining the shrinkage of the flower, the height of the flower indicated by the symbol A in FIG. Before and after processing the flower, the size indicated by the symbol A was measured, and the calculation shown in the above formula (1) was performed using the measured value to obtain the shrinkage rate.

As shown in FIG. 8 (b), in the example of processing roses by the method according to the second embodiment, the size indicated by the symbol A in FIG. 8 (a) is 3.98 cm in the state of fresh flowers. However, it was 3.01 cm for dried flowers. The shrinkage rate was determined to be 24.4%.
On the other hand, in the example of processing rose flowers by a method using granular silica gel, the size indicated by the symbol A in FIG. 8A was 4.17 cm in the state of fresh flowers, but was 3.11 cm in the dried flowers. became. The shrinkage rate was determined to be 25.4%.

  From the results shown in FIG. 8 (b), a significant difference was observed in the shrinkage rate between the plant processing method according to the second embodiment to which the present invention was applied and the conventional method using granular silica gel. It is done. That is, according to the plant processing method according to the second embodiment, compared to the conventional method, it can be said that the contraction of the flower is suppressed and a dried flower closer to the size of the fresh flower is obtained.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 8, the dried flower obtained when the plant processing method according to the second embodiment is tried has a very good shape, size, and color in the state of fresh flowers, and is very It became beautiful. In particular, the shape was clearly close to the state of fresh flowers as compared to the dried flower obtained by the method using silica gel particles as a control example. This is because the fresh flowers 3 are naturally supported by the sand 22.

As described above, according to the plant processing method according to the second embodiment, the same effect as in the first embodiment can be obtained.
That is, a dried flower can be made in a short time that does not cause discoloration or discoloration of the fresh flower 3, and each part of the fresh flower 3 is pressed by the weight of the sand 22 during drying, so that no wrinkle is produced in the drying process. Moreover, shrinkage is effectively suppressed. Moreover, since the sand 22 enters the gap between the fresh flowers 3, the fresh flowers 3 can be dried without breaking the shape of the fresh flowers 3, and wrinkles and shrinkage can be reliably suppressed. Moreover, since the sand 22 does not adhere firmly to the petals or the like of the fresh flowers 3, even if the petals are thin and easily broken, they can be processed without any problems. Even small flowers can be processed without any problems into dried flowers.

  Moreover, according to the processing method of the plant which concerns on 2nd Embodiment, since the operation | work of the 1st-5th process is completed, since the container 17 is turned upside down, the fresh flower 3 becomes downward and the 2nd process The fresh flower 3 is pressed downward by the sand 22 of the amount inserted at. Thereby, since the pressing force by the sand 22 is especially applied to a portion having a large area such as a petal, generation of wrinkles in the fresh flowers 3 can be suppressed.

  Furthermore, according to the processing method of the plant which concerns on 2nd Embodiment, the sheet-like desiccant 21, sand 22, and the fresh flower 3 are put in the container 17, the cover 18 is closed, and it is left upside down. Good. An extremely beautiful dried flower can be easily produced by an extremely simple operation without using a particularly expensive material or a material requiring attention in terms of safety.

[Modification]
Here, a modification of the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIGS. 9A to 9D show an example in which a deep-bottom cylindrical container 15 is used. The container 15 can be sealed with a lid 19.

  In the example shown in FIG. 9A, the fresh flowers 3 are arranged near the bottom of the container 15, and a large amount of sand 22 is placed on the fresh flowers 3. In the state shown in FIG. 9A, since the weight of the sand 22 located above the fresh flower 3 is applied to the fresh flower 3, sufficient pressure is applied to the fresh flower 3 without turning the container 15 upside down. Generation can be suppressed.

  In the example shown in FIG. 9B, the fresh flowers 3 are arranged on the upper part of the container 15. That is, in the second step, the sand 22 is put up to the top of the container 15 and the fresh flowers 3 are arranged. In this example, as shown in FIG. 9B, when the container 15 is turned upside down after the lid 19 is closed, the weight of the sand 22 added in the second step is added to the fresh flowers 3. For this reason, sufficient pressure is applied to the fresh flowers 3 to suppress wrinkles.

  In the example shown in FIG. 9 (c), the fresh flowers 3 are arranged near the bottom of the container 15, a large amount of sand 22 is placed on the fresh flowers 3, and a weight 27 is placed on the sand 22. Yes. The weight 27 is a lump having a predetermined weight made of rock, ceramics, metal, synthetic resin or the like. In the fourth step, the sand 22 is put in the upper part of the container 15 leaving a space for the weight 27 to enter. In the state shown in FIG. 9 (c), the weight of the weight 27 is added to the fresh flower 3 in addition to the weight of the sand 22 located above the fresh flower 3, so that the container 15 is sufficient without being turned upside down. Pressure is applied and the generation of wrinkles can be suppressed.

  In the example shown in FIG. 9 (d), in the second step, the weight 27 is put in the bottom of the container 15 before the sand 22 is put, and then the sand 22 is put up to the top of the container 15 and then the fresh flowers 3 are arranged. Is. As shown in FIG. 9D, when the container 15 is turned upside down after the lid 19 is closed, the weight of the sand 22 put in the second step and the weight of the weight 27 are added to the fresh flowers 3. For this reason, sufficient pressure is applied to the fresh flowers 3 to suppress wrinkles.

  As described above, in the example shown in FIGS. 9A to 9D, since a particularly strong pressure can be applied to the fresh flowers 3 by using the deep cylindrical container 15, wrinkles are likely to occur. It is suitable for processing flowers.

In FIG. 10 (a), the operations of the first to fourth steps are completed, and with the sheet-shaped desiccant 21, sand 22 and fresh flowers 3 in the container 17, as shown in FIG. 7 (a), An example in which the entire container 17 is put in a sealing bag 24 to seal the sealing bag 24 and a weight 27 is placed thereon is shown. That is, in this example, the sheet-like desiccant 21, the sand 22 and the fresh flowers 3 are sealed by the sealing bag 24 instead of closing the lid 18 and then the pressure is applied from above the sand 22 by the weight 27.
In the example shown in FIG. 10A, since the lid 18 is not necessary, a container without a lid can be used. Further, even when there is no room in the size of the container and a sufficient amount of sand 22 cannot be put on or below the fresh flower 3, a sufficient pressure can be applied to the fresh flower 3 by the weight 27. For this reason, any container can be used as long as the sand 22 and the fresh flowers 3 can be reliably held and the upper surface is open. Therefore, the container can be selected according to the size of the fresh flowers 3. .

  FIG. 10B shows an example in which a plurality of fresh flowers 3 are placed in a rectangular parallelepiped container 13 and a plurality of flowers are processed simultaneously. It is suitable for processing a large number of flowers. In addition, in the example shown in FIG. 10B, when it is desired to suppress wrinkles by applying a stronger pressure to the fresh flowers 3, the weight is applied to the upper surface of the sand 22 according to the example shown in FIG. 27 can be placed.

FIG. 10C shows an example in which the cushion material 28 is inserted between the upper surface of the sand 22 and the lid 18 in the state where the first to fourth steps are completed (FIG. 7A). The cushion material 28 is an elastic body that is elastically deformed by a pressing force and exhibits a restoring force. For example, urethane, silicon rubber, synthetic rubber, or the like can be used.
In the example shown in FIG. 10C, in the fourth step, when the sand 22 is put to the vicinity of the upper surface of the container 17, the distance between the upper surface of the sand 22 and the lid 18 is made smaller than the height of the cushion material 28. To do. When the lid 18 is closed, the cushion material 28 is sandwiched between the sand 22 and the lid 18 and elastically deformed. Then, pressure due to the restoring force of the cushion material 28 is applied to the sand 22.
That is, according to the example shown in FIG. 10C, when using a container capable of closing the lid, the pressure exceeding the weight of the sand 22 can be applied to the fresh flowers 3 without using the weight 27. it can. Therefore, it is possible to easily apply a strong pressure to the fresh flowers 3 and suppress the occurrence of wrinkles in the fresh flowers 3.

[Third Embodiment]
Next, a plant processing method according to a third embodiment to which the present invention is applied will be described.
11 and 12 are views for explaining a third embodiment to which the flower processing method of the present invention is applied. Fig.11 (a)-(c) and Fig.12 (a)-(b) show each process in the processing method of the plant based on 3rd Embodiment.

  Note that in the third embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to the same components as those in the first embodiment and modifications thereof, and description thereof will be omitted.

The plant processing method according to the third embodiment applies the plant processing method according to the first embodiment, and presses the fresh flowers 3 to create a dried flower with a taste of pressed flowers. To do.
In the plant processing method according to the third embodiment, a thin rectangular parallelepiped container 16, a sheet-like desiccant 21, sand 22, and a sealing bag 24 are used to further press the fresh flowers 3. A holding net 29 is used for this purpose. The holding net 29 is a flat net made of synthetic resin or metal, and the size of the eyes is larger than the particle size of the sand 22.

A specific procedure will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12.
As shown in FIG. 11A, first, as a first step, a sheet-like desiccant 21 is laid on the bottom of the container 16, and then a small amount of sand 22 is added as a second step.

  Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 11B, as a third step, the fresh flowers 3 are placed on the sand 22, and the presser net 29 is placed on the fresh flowers 3 to press the fresh flowers 3.

Here, as shown in FIG. 11 (c), as a fourth step, the sand 22 is put into the container 16 until the fresh flowers 3 are completely buried in a state where the fresh flowers 3 are pressed by the holding net 29.
In the fourth step, a better finish can be expected by arranging the shape of the fresh flower 3 while pressing the fresh flower 3 through the presser net 29. Further, if the size of the presser net 29 is a size that can cover the entire pressed surface of the fresh flower 3, a better finish can be expected, which is preferable.

Then, in a 5th process, as shown to Fig.12 (a), the sheet-like desiccant 21 is put on the upper surface of the sand 22, and the container 16 is beaten. It is more preferable that the sheet-like desiccant 21 used in the fifth step is formed according to the inner dimensions of the container 16 and can cover the upper surface of the sand 22.
Further, the operation of tapping the container 16 in the fifth step stabilizes the sheet-like desiccant 21 on the sand 22 by leveling the upper surface of the sand 22, and is sufficient in the mesh of the holding net 29. This has the effect of allowing the sand 22 to spread.

  Thereafter, in the sixth step, the entire container 16 is put in the sealing bag 24, the air in the sealing bag 24 is forcibly degassed, and the sealing bag 24 is sealed in a depressurized state. When the air in the sealing bag 24 is deaerated under reduced pressure, a vacuum pump, an exhaust pump, or the like may be used. Further, as a method for sealing the sealing bag 24, for example, a method in which the opening end of the sealing bag 24 is heated and welded, or a fastener portion is provided in advance in the opening of the sealing bag 24 and the pressure is reduced. The method of closing a fastener is mentioned.

  FIG. 12B shows a state where the first to sixth steps are completed. In this state, the fresh flowers 3 are dried by being left for several hours to several days to several weeks. After the drying is completed, the sealing bag 24 is opened, and the fresh flower 3 is taken out from the sand 22 to obtain a dried flower. The dried flower obtained here has a taste like a pressed flower because it is pressed through the presser net 29.

  In addition, while the sixth step is completed and left for several hours to several days to several weeks, the sealing bag 24 is opened, and the degree of dryness of the fresh flowers 3 is checked based on whether or not the sand 22 contains moisture. It is also possible to add a new sheet-like desiccant 21 or replace the sheet-like desiccant 21 with a new one. In this case, after the above operation is completed, the air in the sealing bag 24 is forcibly degassed again to seal the sealing bag 24 and left for several hours to several days to several weeks.

As described above, according to the plant processing method according to the third embodiment, the same effects as those in the first embodiment can be obtained when the fresh flowers 3 are dried to produce dried flowers.
That is, a dried flower can be made in a short time that does not cause discoloration or discoloration of the fresh flower 3, and each part of the fresh flower 3 is pressed by the weight of the sand 22 during drying, so that no wrinkle is produced in the drying process. Moreover, shrinkage is effectively suppressed. Moreover, since the sand 22 enters the gap between the fresh flowers 3, the fresh flowers 3 can be dried without breaking the shape of the fresh flowers 3, and wrinkles and shrinkage can be reliably suppressed. Moreover, since the sand 22 does not adhere firmly to the petals or the like of the fresh flowers 3, even if the petals are thin and easily broken, they can be processed without any problems. Even small flowers can be processed without any problems.

  Furthermore, in the plant processing method according to the third embodiment, the entire container 16 is put in a sealing bag 24 and degassed under reduced pressure, and the sealing bag 24 is sealed. Thereby, the fresh flower 3 can be dried quickly and efficiently. Moreover, since the sealing bag 24 is pressed by atmospheric pressure and the fresh flowers 3 are strongly pressed by the sand 22 by the vacuum degassing, the wrinkles and shrinkage of the fresh flowers 3 can be reliably suppressed. Moreover, when the fresh flower 3 is placed in a reduced pressure environment, moisture contained in the fresh flower 3 is easily released to the outside, and the fresh flower 3 can be dried in a short time. Furthermore, since the amount of oxygen that touches the fresh flowers 3 is extremely small, oxidation of the fresh flowers 3 is strongly suppressed, and discoloration and fading of the fresh flowers 3 can be reliably prevented.

  In addition, by planarly degassing the air in the sealing bag 24 and sealing the sealing bag 24, a planar pressing force against the fresh flowers 3 is continuously applied via the presser net 29. Thereby, since the force which presses the whole flatly and continuously is added with respect to the fresh flower 3, the fresh flower 3 can be processed into a planar shape, without crushing and destroying the petal etc. of the fresh flower 3. Thereby, the dried flower which has the unique taste and the outstanding aesthetics which cannot be obtained by the creation method of the conventional dry flower and the creation method of the conventional press flower can be created.

  In the above-described embodiments, examples of the material constituting the containers 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, and 17 include synthetic resins such as acrylic, polypropylene, and polystyrene, wood, paper, aluminum, and stainless steel. Any material can be used as long as there is no shortage of strength. The sizes of the containers 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, and 17 may be arbitrarily determined according to the size of the flower to be processed, the number of flowers to be processed at a time, and the like. Furthermore, the shape of the containers 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, and 17 is not limited to a shape having a solid surface such as a rectangular parallelepiped or a cylindrical shape, but the fresh flowers 3, 3a, the sheet-like desiccant 21 and the necessary ones. What is necessary is just to be able to maintain a fixed shape in the state which put sand 22 of quantity. Therefore, for example, it may be a bag formed by forming a flexible film into a substantially cylindrical shape, a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, or a substantially spherical shape. In this case, if the bag can be sealed, the function as the containers 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, and 17 and the function of the sealing bag 24 can be provided.

  Moreover, although the case where the fresh flowers 3 and 3a were processed was demonstrated in said each embodiment, naturally this invention can be applied not only to a flower but to the whole raw plant. Therefore, it is possible to process not only a cut flower such as the fresh flower 3 or a flower cut while leaving a stem long like the fresh flower 3a, but also a leaf or a leaf and a stem.

  Moreover, the desiccant used for the sheet-like desiccant 21 is arbitrary. For example, it has a property of chemically binding or reacting with water molecules or a property of physically adsorbing water molecules. Specifically, calcium chloride, calcium oxide (quick lime), lithium chloride, magnesium chloride, hydrates of these compounds (for example, magnesium chloride dihydrate), anhydrous magnesium sulfate, Silica gel or the like can be used.

Furthermore, the place where the sheet-like desiccant 21 is disposed in the container is not limited to the bottom surface or side surface of the container, the top surface of the sand 22 or the like. Since the sand 22 has air permeability as described above, the sheet-like desiccant 21 can remove moisture contained in the fresh flowers 3 and 3a as long as it is sealed together with the fresh flowers 3 and 3a. It is possible to absorb. Therefore, the sheet-like desiccant 21 can be disposed at an arbitrary place.
Furthermore, when sealing the sheet-like desiccant 21 together with the fresh flowers 3, 3a and the sand 22 using the sealing bag 24, the sheet-like desiccant 21 arranged outside the container is put in the sealing bag 24 together with the container, The sealing bag 24 may be sealed.

  Moreover, although the quantity of the sheet-like desiccant 21 sealed with the fresh flowers 3 and 3a is arbitrary, it is desirable that the water | moisture content contained in the fresh flowers 3 and 3a can fully be absorbed. Therefore, if the sheet-like desiccant 21 that can absorb two to three times the total moisture contained in the fresh flowers 3, 3a is sealed together with the fresh flowers 3, 3a, the fresh flowers 3, 3a are surely dried. Can do. In general, it is said that the moisture contained in the flowers occupies about 70% of the total weight of the flower, so that it is a sheet that can absorb moisture equivalent to about 1.4 to 2.1 times the weight of the flowers. It can be said that it is sufficient to seal the desiccant 21 together with the flowers.

  In each of the above embodiments, the sheet-like desiccant 21 is used. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and desiccants having other shapes can be used. Here, the desiccant having another shape is, for example, one in which the above-mentioned various desiccants used for the sheet-like desiccant 21 are formed into, for example, granules and sealed in a breathable exterior (bag or the like). is there.

In each of the above embodiments, the sand 22 has an effect of suppressing the occurrence of petals, leaf shrinkage and wrinkles by pressing the fresh flowers 3 and 3a being dried as described above, and the fresh flowers 3 , 3a as long as it has air permeability to absorb the moisture of the sheet-like desiccant 21, so that the density by which gravitational pressure can be effectively applied to the fresh flowers 3, 3a, And what is necessary is just to have a predetermined particle size. Therefore, the material of the sand 22, that is, the kind of mineral contained in the sand 22 is not particularly limited, and instead of sand, a granular material obtained by processing metal particles, glass particles, ceramics or synthetic resin into particles may be used. Is possible. In addition, when it replaces with the sand 22 and the particle | grains of the thing which absorbs the water | moisture content of the fresh flowers 3 and 3a and dries the fresh flowers 3 and 3a (namely, desiccant) are used, these grains are on the surface of the fresh flowers 3 and 3a There is a possibility to adhere firmly. Therefore, as a substitute for the sand 22, a sand 22 that does not have a water absorption capacity to function as a desiccant is preferable.
Moreover, the particle size of the sand 22 is preferably 0.5 mm (millimeters) or less in that a trace that can be confirmed with the naked eye is hardly left on the surfaces of petals and leaves. In addition, it is possible to ensure sufficient air permeability and to enter narrow gaps such as petal gaps when the fresh flowers 3, 3a are general ornamental and ornamental flowers, It is more preferable that the particle size of the sand 22 is in the range of 0.1 to 0.3 mm.
In addition, since the processing method of the flower as each said embodiment is a method for drying the fresh flowers 3 and 3a, when the sand (what is called baked sand) from which the water | moisture content was removed previously is used as the sand 22, More preferable.

  In addition, as the material constituting the cover 23, paper, cloth, nonwoven fabric, or the like can be used, but it is also possible to use a very fine mesh made of fibers such as synthetic fibers, or made of synthetic resin. The film may be used.

It is a figure which shows the processing method of the plant which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the processing method of the plant which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a graph which shows the shrinkage | contraction of the flower at the time of trying the processing method of the plant which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the modification which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the modification which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the processing method of the plant which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the processing method of the plant which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a graph which shows the shrinkage | contraction of the flower at the time of trying the processing method of the plant which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the modification which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the modification which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the processing method of the plant which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the processing method of the plant which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 Container 17 Container 18, 19 Lid 21 Sheet-like desiccant 22 Sand 23 Cover 24 Sealing bag 27 Weight 28 Cushioning material 29 Holding net 3, 3a Flower arrangement

Claims (10)

  A plant processing method comprising embedding a plant to be processed in a granule and sealing the granule and the plant together with a desiccant.   The plant processing method according to claim 1, wherein the container is sealed by putting the granule, the plant, and the desiccant in a container.   The plant processing method according to claim 2, wherein the container is sealed by degassing the air in the container under reduced pressure.   The plant processing method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a particle size of the granule is 0.5 millimeter or less.   The plant processing method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a particle size of the granular material is 0.1 mm or more and 0.3 mm or less.   The granular material includes one or more of sand, baked sand, metal particles, glass particles, ceramics formed into granules, and synthetic resin formed into granules. The processing method of the plant in any one of 1-5.   The plant processing method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a weight is placed on the granular body and sealed together with the granular body, and the weight is left in a state of being positioned above the plant.   The plant processing method according to claim 1, wherein the plant is embedded in the granular body in a state where the plant is pressed by a pressing body.   The said desiccant contains any one of calcium chloride, calcium oxide, lithium chloride, magnesium chloride, and their hydrates, anhydrous magnesium sulfate, and silica gel. The processing method of the plant of description. A sealable container for storing the plant to be processed;
An amount of granules capable of filling the periphery of the plant in a state in which the plant is accommodated in the container;
A desiccant,
A plant processing tool comprising:

Images