JPWO2021236432A5 - - Google Patents

Claims (19)

1. A method for making and composting a floral arrangement, comprising:
the method comprising the steps of: piercing the combined biodegradable floral arrangement support media article with cut ends of stems of a plurality of flowers, whereby the plurality of flowers are held in place by the combined biodegradable floral arrangement support media article, thereby forming a floral arrangement ;
composting said plurality of flowers and said combined biodegradable floral arrangement support medium article together at least four days after formation of said floral arrangement ;
said bound biodegradable floral arrangement support medium article comprising a mixture of at least (i) a matrix of natural or inert inorganic fibers and/or powders, and ( ii ) a water-insoluble, meltable, compostable binder;
A method wherein the mixture is heated to a temperature sufficient to fuse the binder with the matrix and cooled or allowed to cool prior to the piercing step to form the bonded biodegradable floral arrangement support media article. The method of claim 1, wherein the matrix of natural or inert inorganic fibers and/or powders in the mixture constitutes 30-90% by weight of the mixture on a dry weight basis. The method of claim 1, wherein the matrix of natural or inert inorganic fibers and/or powders in the mixture constitutes 40-75% by weight of the mixture on a dry weight basis. The method of claim 1, wherein the matrix of natural or inert inorganic fibers and/or powders in the mixture constitutes 50-65% by weight of the mixture on a dry weight basis. The method of claim 1, wherein the matrix of natural or inert inorganic fibers and/or powders in the mixture comprises one or more materials selected from the group consisting of coconut fibers, hemp fibers, cotton fibers, cellulose fibers, peat, waste from natural fiber processing, tannin powder, wood flour, waste from wood processing, rice husks, soybean husks, waste from grain processing, bentonite, montmorillonite, vermiculite, kaolin, perlite, rock wool and blends thereof. The method of claim 1, wherein the water-insoluble meltable compostable binder in the mixture comprises 10-70% by weight of the mixture on a dry weight basis. The method of claim 1, wherein the water-insoluble meltable compostable binder in the mixture comprises 25-60% by weight of the mixture on a dry weight basis. The method of claim 1, wherein the water-insoluble meltable compostable binder in the mixture comprises 35-50% by weight of the mixture on a dry weight basis. The method of claim 1, wherein the water insoluble meltable compostable binder in the mixture comprises one or more selected from the group consisting of polylactic acid, polycaprolactone, compostable polyester, polyhydroxyalkanoate, crosslinked thermoplastic starch, and blends of compostable polymers. The method of claim 1, wherein the water-insoluble meltable compostable binder in the mixture has a particle size that allows it to flow through a 100 mesh sieve (0.149 mm) before fusing with the matrix. The method of claim 1, wherein the combined biodegradable floral arrangement support medium article further comprises one or more additives selected from the group consisting of water, surfactants, flower food, chemicals to promote the life and appearance of cut flowers, and antimicrobial materials. The method of claim 1, wherein the mixture is heated above the melting point of the water-insoluble, meltable, compostable binder to fuse the binder with the matrix. The method of claim 1, wherein the mixture is heated using a steam chamber, a convection oven, microwave radiation, infrared radiation, or a heated screw conveyor to fuse the binder with the matrix. The method of claim 1, wherein the mixture is placed into a compostable form before being heated to fuse the binder with the matrix. The method of claim 1, wherein the mixture is placed into a mold before being heated to fuse the binder with the matrix, and the combined biodegradable floral arrangement support media article is demolded from the mold after the mixture is cooled or allowed to cool to form the combined biodegradable floral arrangement support media article, prior to the cut ends of the stems of the flowers. The method of claim 1, further comprising allowing the bonded biodegradable floral arrangement support medium article to absorb water. The method of claim 1 , wherein the matrix comprises coconut fiber and the water insoluble meltable compostable binder comprises polycaprolactone. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of flowers comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of roses, gerberas, and chrysanthemums. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein said bonded biodegradable floral arrangement support medium article is in the form of a brick.