NL2008764C2 - CUTTING DEVICE AND METHOD FOR CUTTING A PLANT STEM. - Google Patents

Description

CUTTING DEVICE AND METHOD FOR CUTTING A PLANT STEM

The invention relates to a cutting device for cutting a plant stem, such as a flower stem. Such cutting devices are used, for example, for separating flower and flower bulb, for inoculating plants and for cutting off a flower stem before it is placed in a vase. From practice, cutting devices are known with a through opening into which the plant stem must be inserted. A knife of the cutting device then cuts the stem. Such cutting devices have the disadvantage that, prior to cutting a bunch of flowers, the bunch has to be taken apart to introduce the flower stems into the cutting device one by one. The flowers must therefore be arranged again after cutting. Moreover, with a bouquet originally arranged by a florist, this will generally lead to a less professional result.

In addition, it appears difficult to cut the individual plant stems to the same length. For example, this causes flowers of a bouquet of different lengths to protrude from a vase, which looks careless.

Furthermore, with conventional devices it appears to be difficult to cut the flower stem obliquely. It is well known that obliquely cutting flower stems significantly extends the life of flowers. The limitations of conventional cutting devices therefore lead to an unnecessary and undesirable short vase life of flowers.

2

It is an object of the invention to remedy the above problems or at least to reduce them and to provide a cutting device with which a plant stem that is part of a bundle of plant stems can be cut obliquely without the bundle having to be taken apart.

This object is achieved by a cutting device for cutting a plant stem according to the invention, comprising: - a handle; - a hook part coupled to the handle which defines a recess which is open in a passage direction for receiving the plant stem to be cut into the recess; and - a knife with a cutting surface movable in a cutting direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of passage, with respect to the hook part, or with the hook part with respect to the handle, wherein the cutting surface of the knife is arranged at an angle 20 with respect to of the passage direction such that in use the plant stem is cut obliquely.

The hook part makes it possible to select a flower stem in a bunch of flowers. For this purpose the hook part is hooked behind a stem, such that the stem is brought into the recess. This means that each stem in the forest can be cut diagonally without having to dismantle the forest.

An additional advantage of the cutting device according to the invention is that the cutting direction is substantially perpendicular to the passage direction, so that no force component acts in the passage direction during cutting. This prevents the plant stem from shifting during cutting. This ensures that 3 plant stems can be accurately cut to the desired length.

Due to the slanting position of the cutting surface, a plant stem can be inserted straight into the recess, while the plant stem is still cut obliquely.

This ensures that the cutting device does not have to be held at a non-right angle by a user. This makes the cutting device according to the invention practical in use. In addition, a good cutting angle is always guaranteed in practice.

The invention can be used, for example, for cutting flower stems or for inoculating plants, such as vines. Moreover, the invention appears to be advantageous in separating a flower from its flower bulb. Conventional cutting devices are unsuitable for this, since the stem cannot be led through the aforementioned opening due to the presence of the flower bulb. Because the cutting device according to the invention is equipped with a hook part, this problem is solved with the invention and the cutting device can also be used in this application.

For example, the recess is defined between the handle and the hook part, and the handle and hook part are movable relative to each other in the cutting direction.

The recess is reduced by this displacement. In this example the knife is mounted on the hook part or the handle, and cuts the plant stem during the movement.

However, the knife is preferably arranged movably in or on the handle, wherein the handle and the hook part are preferably not movable relative to each other, that is, rigidly connected to each other.

Preferably the cutting angle is between about 10 ° and 60 ° and more preferably the cutting angle is 45 °.

4

By cutting off plant stems at an angle, the surface area for water absorption by the plant is increased. In particular, an angle of 10 ° -60 °, more specifically an angle of 45 °, appears to realize an increased water absorption.

5 This extends the life of cut plants.

In a preferred embodiment the cutting device comprises a drive coupled to the knife for moving the knife relative to the hook part or moving the knife and the hook part relative to the handle.

For example, the displacement is realized by an electric drive. For this, use is made, for example, of a rechargeable battery or accumulator. Preferably, however, the displacement is realized by a manual drive. This results in a user-friendly and durable cutting device that functions under all circumstances.

The drive preferably comprises a pinch mechanism as a manual drive. For example, an electric drive is activated by the pinch mechanism. Preferably, however, the drive is a completely manual drive, wherein the force exerted on the pinching mechanism is transmitted for displacing the knife relative to the hook part or for moving the knife together with the hook part relative to the handle .

In a preferred embodiment according to the invention, the device has a kind of gun shape.

The hook part is in this case located at the end of the barrel of the gun shape.

The gun shape is particularly advantageous in combination with a drive comprising a pinch mechanism. This combination ensures intuitive and ergonomic operation of the cutting device.

In a preferred embodiment according to the invention the knife can be uncoupled by means of a decoupling mechanism.

The knife can be coupled relatively easily with the uncoupling mechanism and can be uncoupled with the cutting device. The blade can be removed and replaced by, for example, the mechanism. For example, the knife comprises an opening and the cutting device comprises a resilient element which fits into this opening. When the knife is placed in the cutting device, the resilient element extends through the opening, whereby the knife is coupled to the cutting device. To remove the knife, the resilient element is pressed in, so that it no longer extends through the opening and the knife can be removed.

In a further preferred embodiment the cutting device comprises a knife holder which can be placed over the cutting surface of the knife, with an element which is arranged for cooperation with the release mechanism.

This allows the knife to be safely removed from the cutting device. For removal, the knife holder is placed over the cutting surface of the knife. As a result, a user cannot cut at this cutting surface. The element 25 which is adapted to cooperate with the release mechanism ensures that when the knife holder is placed over the knife, the knife is disconnected from the cutting device. For example, the element is a protruding part of the knife holder which cooperates with, for example, a resilient element of the release mechanism.

In a further preferred embodiment the handle of the cutting device comprises a recess for detachably placing the knife holder therein.

6

The knife holder is housed in the handle. This means that the user always has the knife holder to hand. When a knife is to be removed, the user takes the holder out of the handle and removes the knife 5 from the cutting device with the aid of the knife holder.

It is possible to provide a spare blade in the knife holder.

In a preferred embodiment according to the invention the cutting device comprises releasable locking means for locking the displacement of the knife relative to the hook part, respectively the displacement of the knife with the hook part relative to the handle.

Locking the cutting device secures it so that cutting cannot be done unintentionally. After all, the cutting movement is blocked when the cutting device is locked. This is also important when cleaning the knife. In addition, this is important when changing or removing the knife in a presently preferred embodiment in which the knife is removable. In these cases too, a cutting movement is undesirable, which is prevented with the locking.

The hook part is preferably also detachable from the cutting device. Because the hook part can be uncoupled, the knife of the cutting device can be replaced more easily. The blade is more accessible in the uncoupled state. In addition, the hook part itself can be replaced. For example, a different hook part is used depending on the type of stem and the dimensions thereof.

The hook part is preferably substantially U-shaped.

7

In a preferred embodiment according to the invention the hook part has a decreasing width and / or thickness in the direction towards its free end.

This ensures that the free end of the hook part can simply be hooked behind a stem, even when the stem forms part of a bundled bunch of stems, such as with a bouquet. The free end is, for example, tapered or tapered.

The invention furthermore relates to a method for cutting a plant stem, comprising providing a cutting device as described above, placing the plant stem in the recess, and moving the knife so that the plant stem is cut obliquely.

The same advantages and effects, as described above for the cutting device, apply to the method according to the invention.

Further advantages, features and details of the invention are elucidated on the basis of preferred embodiments thereof, wherein reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which: figure 1 shows a cutting device according to the invention in a partly cut-away representation; Figures 2 and 3 show in detail the locking means of the cutting device of figure 1, respectively in the locked and unlocked condition; figure 4 shows the cutting device of figure 1 with the knife in the extended position; Figure 5 shows in detail the coupling of the head of the device; Figure 6 shows the device of Figure 1 with the head removed and the knife holder shown separately; figure 7 shows the removal of the knife; and Figure 8 shows a front view of the device with the head removed.

Cutting device 2 (Figure 1) comprises a head 4 which is substantially U-shaped and defines a recess 6. A flower stem 8 can be placed in recess 6. The U-10-shaped head 4 comprises a contact surface on the side facing the recess 6. In the embodiment shown, the recess 6 offers space for a flower stem with a maximum diameter of 14 mm. However, larger or smaller dimensions of the recess 6 are also possible, depending on the desired application.

When flower stem 8 is part of a bouquet, the flower stem 8 can be brought into recess 6 by hooking hook part 10, which forms the free end of head 4, behind flower stem 8. Head 4 furthermore comprises a slot 12 for receiving knife 14.

The cutting surface of knife 14 is at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of flower stem 8. Knife 14 is coupled to a shifter 16, 18. The front part 16 of the shifter is of rectangular design, while the rear part 18 is of tubular design . Parts 16 and 18 form one whole.

Device 2 comprises a rear handle part 20 which is connected via hinge 22 to front handle part 24. The rear part 18 of the slider comprises a cam 26 which is positioned in a recess of rear handle part 20. The handle 20, 24 further comprises a spring 28.

Cutting device 2 furthermore comprises a locking button 30 (figures 2 and 3). The locking button 9 cooperates with cams 32 and 34 of the slider. In the locked state (Figure 2), cam 32 touches stop surface 36, thereby blocking the shift in direction A. In the unlocked state (figure 3), cam 32 is no longer blocked and can move freely under dome-shaped element 38, so that the slider can be moved in its entirety in the cutting direction.

Cam 34 serves as a stop for movement in direction B. Both in the locked state (Figure 2) and in the unlocked state (Figure 3), cam 34 touches the underside of lock button 30, as a result of which further movement in direction B is blocked.

In the unlocked state, the rear handle part 20 can be moved towards the front handle part 24 by means of a pinching movement (Figure 4), by rotation around hinge 22. This pinching movement acts against the spring force of spring 28. During the movement of the shifter in direction A, the shifter is guided by guides 40, 42. Knife 14 moves through head 4 and cuts the flower stem 8 obliquely. In the example shown, the angle that the knife makes with the stem is 45 degrees.

Figure 1 shows that a cam 44 of rear handle part 20 contacts shifter 16, 18. When the handle is moved from rest position (Figure 1) to pinched state (Figure 4), cam 44 pushes the shifter in direction A Thereby, cam 26 of the slider moves in the recess in rear handle part 20, as can be seen in figure 4. When no more force, or at least less force, is exerted by the user, rear handle part 20 moves due to the spring force of spring 28 in direction B relative to handle part 24. Shifter 16, 18 and knife 14 therefore also move in direction B, until cam 34 rests against the underside of locking knob 30.

By means of cam 26 it is prevented that due to the spring pressure of spring 28 in the condition with retracted knife 14 (figure 1) the rear handle part 20 comes loose from handle part 24. For this purpose cam 43 is furthermore provided on handle part 20, which cam 43 hooks into the front handle part 24, as can be clearly seen in figure 5. There are, in short, three cams, cam 26, cam 34 and cam 43, which prevent handle part 20 from coming loose from handle part 24. Alternatively, fewer or more than three are provided with such cams, for example one or two of said cams.

Head 4 (Fig. 5) comprises slanted plates 48, 50 on its side facing handle 20, 24, between which an opening 52 for passage of knife 14 is present. The handle comprises a release means 54 for disconnecting head 4 from handle 20, 24. The release means 54 comprises a protruding lip 56 which fits into opening 58 of lower plate 48. By sliding release means, head 20 can be detached from the handle. The disconnection of head 4 preferably takes place when the movement of the knife 14 is blocked with the aid of locking button 30, as can also be seen in figure 5.

Shifter 16, 18 can furthermore be locked in the condition in which the knife 14 is extended (Figure 6).

Cam 32 is then located on the left-hand side of lock button 30 in the figure to block movement in direction B. In this condition, knife 14 extends beyond handle 20, 24, so that knife 14 can be easily removed.

Handle 20, 24 comprises a recess 60 for a knife holder 62. Knife holder 62 can be disconnected from device 2, as can be seen in figure 6. Subsequently knife holder 62 can be used for removing the knife. For this purpose, knife holder 62 is placed over knife 14 (Figure 7). Knife 14 is held in place by a lip extending through an opening 64 in the knife 14. By means of a second lip 66 of knife holder 62, the lip of the device can be pushed out of opening 64, so that knife 14 is disconnected. For this purpose, force is exerted on pressure point 68 of knife holder 62. The lip 66 of knife holder 62 moreover ensures that the knife remains in the holder.

It is noted that the following steps are therefore followed to remove a knife: the locking button 30 is operated to lock the cutting device in the condition according to figures 1 and 2, in which the knife is retracted. Then head 4 is removed (figure 5). The cutting device is then unlocked and brought into the condition with the knife extended (Figure 6). In this state, the device is blocked by operating the lock button 30. Then, with the aid of knife holder 62, the knife 14 is removed (Figure 7), cleaned or replaced. Finally, the blocking is unlocked again. It is optionally possible to accommodate a spare knife in knife holder 62. This spare knife must be removed from the holder before knife 14 with the holder can be removed from the device. Subsequently, the spare knife can be fitted in the device with the aid of the holder 62.

Finally, figure 8 shows a front view of the cutting device 2 according to figure 6, i.e. without head 4. It can clearly be seen that knife 14 in use makes an angle of 45 degrees with the flower stem (direction C).

In the following, the cutting of a flower stem will be explained with reference to the figures. To this end, the end 10 of hook part 4 of device 2 is hooked behind a flower stem 8, so that flower stem 8 is placed in recess 612 (Figure 1). The flower stem 8 is then in a direction C, perpendicular to the cutting direction A. If the cutting device is blocked, it is unblocked by operating button 30. Subsequently, the user squeezes the handle, as in figure 4, so that the rear end handle part 20 is moved forward and with it shifter 16, 18 in direction A. This also moves knife 14 in direction A, passing through opening 52 and slot 12. Because the knife is at an angle with respect to the flower stalk, the stalk is cut obliquely (Figure 8). The user then reduces the force with which he squeezes the handle, causing the knife to move in the direction B by means of spring 28 to the retracted position. Optionally, device 2 is subsequently locked again with button 30.

The invention is by no means limited to the above described preferred embodiments thereof. The rights sought are defined by the following claims within the scope of which many modifications are conceivable. The embodiments shown relate to flower stems to prolong the vase life, however, the invention is also applicable for inoculating plants and unfolding plants.

Claims (12)

A cutting device (2) for cutting a plant stem (8), comprising: 5. a handle (20, 24); - a hook part (4, 10) coupled to the handle that defines a recess (6) that is open in a passage direction for receiving the plant stem to be cut into the recess; and - a knife (14) with a cutting surface that is movable in a cutting direction (A, B) substantially perpendicular to the direction of passage (C), with respect to the hook part, or with the hook part with respect to the handle, such that in use a plant stem placed in the recess is situated substantially perpendicular to the cutting direction and during cutting substantially no force component acts in the passage direction, wherein the cutting surface of the knife is arranged at an angle 20 with respect to the passage direction such that in use the plant stem is cut diagonally. 2. Cutting device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the angle is between approximately 10 and 60 degrees, and preferably 45 is 25 degrees. 3. Cutting device as claimed in claim 1 or 2, comprising a drive (20, 22, 24, 28) coupled to the knife for displacing the knife relative to the hook part, or with the hook part relative to the handle. The cutting device of claim 3, wherein the drive comprises a pinch mechanism (20, 24). The cutting device according to any of claims 1-4, wherein the device has a gun shape. The cutting device according to any of claims 1-5, wherein the knife is releasable by means of a releasing mechanism (64). 7. Cutting device as claimed in claim 6, comprising a knife holder (62) that can be placed over the cutting surface of the knife, with an element (66) which is adapted to cooperate with the disengaging mechanism (64). 8. Cutting device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the handle 15 comprises a recess (62) for detachably placing the knife holder therein. 9. Cutting device as claimed in any of the claims 1-8, comprising unlockable locking means (30, 32) for blocking the displacement of the knife with respect to the hook part, respectively the displacement of the knife with the hook part with respect to the handle . 10. Cutting device as claimed in any of the claims 1-9, 25, wherein the hook part is detachable. Cutting device according to any of claims 1-10, wherein the hook part has a decreasing width and / or thickness in the direction towards its free end (10). 12. Method for cutting a plant stem (8), comprising providing a cutting device (2) according to one of the claims 1-11, placing the plant stem in the recess (6), and displacing the knife (14) such that the plant stem is cut obliquely.