WO2003039241A1

WO2003039241A1 - Method and installation for making floral bouquets

Info

Publication number: WO2003039241A1
Application number: PCT/FR2002/003803
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jean-Pierre Lebreton; Christophe Martignat; Patrick Rangeard
Original assignee: Jean-Pierre Lebreton; Christophe Martignat; Patrick Rangeard
Priority date: 2001-11-06
Filing date: 2002-11-06
Publication date: 2003-05-15
Also published as: FR2831766B1; EP1446003A1; FR2831766A1

Abstract

The invention concerns a method which consists in positioning the plants (2) constituting the bouquet in a receptacle (1), and in intertwining the stems of said plants before completely bundling the stems on a specific zone of their height, to obtain a round bouquet . The process for bundling the plants may be carried out manually, but is preferably performed by automatic means. After the plant stems have been mechanically bundled, the method consists in automated setting of an attachment or ligature around said stems, on the bundling zone or proximate to said zone. Preferably, the inventive method consists in mechanically twisting or curling the base of the bouquet, while using the means for bundling the plant stems to obtain a round bouquet with a curled base , The invention concerns also the installation for implementing the method, to obtain floral bouquets, and in particular round bouquets with curled base .

Description

METHOD AND INSTALLATION FOR MAKING BOUQUETS

FLOWERS

The present invention relates to a method and an installation for making tight tufts of plants consisting of a combination of flowers, plants, herbs and / or various foliage on stems, commonly and generically called "bouquets of flowers ”.

Obtaining an aesthetic bouquet of flowers takes time and requires minimal technicality. Indeed, after having made a judicious choice of plants, it is still necessary to know how to organize these plants in relation to each other, and also to be able to structure, that is to say to shape the bouquet, especially when these are bouquets with a round top and twisted or twisted foot, commonly known as “round bouquets” in the technical field concerned. This is why labor costs represent a significant part of the cost price of a bouquet of flowers presented for sale at florists or in more general stores.

On the other hand, due to the preponderance of human and manual interventions, it is not very easy to obtain repetitive products in large numbers, which is however increasingly demanded in particular by wholesalers or central shopping.

Already known, in particular from document EP-0 286 017, is an installation comprising a structure for receiving plants and means for automatically placing a link to obtain a ligated bouquet. But the bouquets produced are very simple and do not offer an optimal aesthetic.

The present invention provides an original method and installation for making bouquets of flowers automatically or semi-automatically, thereby reducing the cost of these bouquets by limiting the labor required for their development, and also allowing to obtain bouquets of structured form offering an attractive aesthetic, and this in a repetitive and standardized way. The method according to the present invention consists in positioning the plants constituting the bouquet (flowers, plants, herbs and / or various foliage) in a receptacle, and in making an intercrossing of the stems of said plants before the complete tightening of these stems on an area determined by their height, to obtain a bouquet of the “round bouquet” type after extraction of said receptacle.

The clamping operation of the plant stems can be carried out manually, but it is preferably carried out by automatic means. Preferably, after the mechanical tightening operation of the plant stems, an automatic link or ligation is placed around these stems, on the tightening zone or near this zone, to keep the bouquet in shape. However, it is also possible to consider clamping the plant stems between them directly by means of the link or ligation placed automatically, or alternatively, after mechanical tightening, placing the link or ligation manually.

Still preferably, the process consists, after having cut the stems of the plants to the desired length, in positioning these stems vertically or substantially vertically in the receiving receptacle, then in carrying out the aforementioned tightening and tying operations.

According to another characteristic, the method consists in positioning the stems of the plants per unit or in small groups in a plurality of suitable housings arranged in the reception receptacle, in particular to allow precise structuring of the bouquet. Still according to another characteristic, the method consists in moving the receptacle which receives the plant stems and the means for clamping these stems apart, by a relative translational movement, in order to extract the bouquet formed from said receptacle.

According to yet another particularity, to obtain a “round bouquet with twisted foot” the method consists in performing a mechanical twisting or twisting of the base of the bouquet, while implementing the means of tightening the stems of plants. This twisting or twisting of the base of the bouquet is advantageously obtained by placing the plant stems individually or in small groups in a plurality of suitable housings arranged in the receiving receptacle, then by combining a rotational movement of this receptacle around a vertical axis, and a vertical translational movement between said receptacle and the clamping means of said rods.

The invention also relates to the installation for implementing the aforementioned method, for making bouquets of plants, which installation comprises a receptacle for the vertical or substantially vertical positioning of the plants, as well as means which make it possible to intersect the stems of said plants to obtain a bouquet of the "round bouquet" type after clamping between them said plant stems in a determined area of their height.

Preferably, this installation comprises means for clamping the plant stems between them over a determined area of their height.

These means may consist of means for laying a link or a ligature which surrounds said rods, or even a system of pliers or mechanical jaws arranged opposite. Preferably, these clamping means consist of a system of pliers or mechanical jaws, associated with means for placing a link or a ligature which encircles the plant stems.

Still preferably, the installation comprises a system of two clamps or jaws of the male / female type, able to come to nest together to optimize the tightening and limit the alteration of the plant stems. According to yet another particularity, the installation comprises means for allowing a relative movement of separation by vertical translation between the means for tightening the bouquet and the receptacle for receiving plant stems, in order to extract the bouquet from said receptacle.

According to yet another characteristic, the receptacle is provided with a plurality of housings for individual reception or by small groups of plant stems, in particular to allow precise structuring of the bouquet. Still according to the invention, in order to obtain a “round bouquet with a twisted foot”, the installation comprises means for twisting or twisting the base of the bouquet, simultaneously with the implementation of the tightening means. For this, the installation preferably includes: - a receptacle provided with a plurality of housings for the individual or small group reception of plant stems,

- Means for allowing a relative movement of separation by vertical translation between the means for clamping the bouquet and the receptacle for receiving the stems of plants, and - means for ensuring a rotation of the reception receptacle about a vertical axis or substantially vertical.

The twist or twist of the base of the bouquet is then obtained by combining a rotational movement of the receptacle and a translational movement between this receptacle and the means for tightening the rods. Preferably, at least some of the receptacle receptacle housings have a generally tubular shape whose axis is inclined relative to the vertical to optimize the twist operation of the base of the bouquet. According to a particularly advantageous embodiment, the receptacle is provided with a plurality of tubular housings distributed substantially on concentric crowns, the axis of said housings being inclined according to the same slope on each of said crowns, and this inclination being produced substantially on the tangent of said crowns, the slope of the axis of said housings decreasing from the center of the receptacle outward.

However, the invention will be further illustrated, without being in any way limited, by the following description of a particular embodiment, given solely by way of example and shown in the appended drawings in which:

- Figure 1 is a general schematic view of an installation for making a "round bouquet twisted foot" according to the present invention; - Figure 2 is a perspective view of the receptacle which allows the reception of the plant stems; - Figures 3 to 7 illustrate, in five steps, the method according to the present invention for the preparation of a "round bouquet twisted foot".

The installation illustrated in the appended figures is particularly suitable for the production of bouquets with a round top whose foot is twisted or twisted, that is to say bouquets made up of plants whose stems cross at the level of the tightening fitted with a tie or holding ligature.

The installation shown diagrammatically in FIG. 1 comprises: - a receptacle 1 for the vertical or substantially vertical reception of the plants 2 which it is desired to group in clumps (these plants 2 are here represented in dotted lines in the form of flowers) ,

- a system of two clamping jaws 3, 4 arranged above the receptacle 1, mounted on a chassis 5 movable in vertical translation, and - means 6, 7 for placing a link or a ligature around the base of the bouquet formed, these particular means being located substantially at the level of the clamping zone of said jaws 3, 4.

The receptacle 1 comprises a plurality of housings 10 of generally tubular shape which allow individual or small group reception of the plant stems. The height of these housings 10 is adapted so as to maintain the plants in a vertical or substantially vertical position, compatible with the size and shape of the jaws 3, 4. Their size, number and distribution depend on the plants used and the desired bouquet structure; one can for example provide 35 to 40 housings 10 in the receptacle 1.

The bottom of all the housings 10 is preferably located in the same horizontal plane, this plane serving as a reference level for cutting the plant stems 2 to length beforehand, according to the desired structure of the bouquet. The receptacle 1 is rotatably mounted on a support 12, around a vertical or substantially vertical axis 13. The corresponding rotation is subjected to the action of suitable mechanical means, here illustrated in the form of a rack 15, movable under the effect of a jack 16, and meshing with a toothed pinion 17 secured to receptacle 1.

Of course, the means for rotating the receptacle 1 can take other forms. Preferably, the receptacle 1 is removably mounted on the support 12 (or the pinion 17). We can then consider making a choice from several different receptacles available, used depending on the size and / or type of bouquet that we want to make.

As shown in detail in Figure 2, the housings 10 of the receptacle 1 have a particular configuration which is adapted to optimize the twisting or twisting of the plant stems during the shaping of the bouquet, and in particular to avoid, or at least limit as much as possible the deterioration of plants.

In fact, for this, the axis 10 'of each housing 10 is oriented as best as possible according to the inclination that will take the stem of the plant it receives in the finished bouquet.

Thus, in FIG. 2, it can be seen that the housings 10 are substantially distributed over concentric rings centered on the axis of rotation 13 of the receptacle 1. On each of these different crowns the axis 10 'of the housings 10 is inclined by the same value with respect to the vertical, and this tangentially or substantially tangently with respect to said crown; and the corresponding angle of inclination is increasing on the different crowns, starting from the center towards the outside.

On each ring, the axes 10 ′ of the housings 10 can also be slightly oriented converging upwards. The axis of the central housing, if there is one, is placed on the axis of rotation 13.

The general orientation of the axes 10 ′ of the housings 10 is of course a function of the direction of rotation of the receptacle 1 for shaping the twisted bouquet; for this purpose, the embodiment of the receptacle 1 illustrated in FIG. 2 takes account of the direction of rotation defined by the orientation arrow 18.

Above the receptacle 1, the two jaws or clamps 3, 4 are positioned symmetrically with respect to the vertical axis 13; they are all the two subjected to the action of maneuvering means 19 which allow their tightening and their spacing as required, in a plane or on an axis perpendicular to the vertical axis 13.

The corresponding operating means here have the form of hydraulic cylinders 19 mounted on the chassis 5, but any other equivalent principle can be envisaged.

The two jaws 3 and 4 are adapted to tighten between them the stems of the plants 2 over a determined area of their height which is advantageously between 2/5 ^th and a third of the height of the plants, starting from their end. lower.

Preferably, these jaws are of the male / female type, that is to say, as illustrated in FIG. 1, that they have the possibility of being nested one in the other so as to limit the alteration of plant stems during tightening. Note in fact on the schematic representation of Figure 1, the female jaw 3 and the male jaw 4 opposite, allowing to apply clamping pressures in the same plane or on the same area to avoid breakage or bending the rods.

In general, the shape and size of the jaws are adapted to obtain optimum and non-destructive tightening of a well-defined area of the base of the bouquet; preferably this tightening is carried out on a maximum height of the order of 1 to 2 cm.

The chassis 5 which carries the clamping jaws 3 and 4 is movable vertically under the effect of means of displacement in translation, illustrated here in the form of a hydraulic jack 20. The corresponding displacement allows in particular the extraction of the stems from the plants of their housings 10 when the bouquet is shaped.

Of course, the means for maneuvering in vertical translation of the carrying frame 5 can be in other forms, such as motorized worm, rack or other ... The means 6, 7 for placing the link or the ligature around the foot bouquet have been shown schematically in Figure 1, in association with the two clamping jaws 3 and 4. These particular means may consist of any ligating device known per se (strapping apparatus, twist-fastening apparatus, etc.). The link system used can be a thread of any material adapted to limit the alteration of plant stems; it may be a plastic material, a metallic material, a metal wire coated with plastic material, a vegetable material (raffia for example), or even an elastic link.

In Figure 1, there is the coil 21 for storing the wire material 22 allowing the corresponding link or ligature. The ligating means 6, 7 can be adapted to place the link or the ligature just below the clamping level by the two jaws 3 and 4, as shown in FIG. 1. One can also consider performing the ligature on the corresponding tightening zone, or just above.

Depending on their structure, the means 6, 7 for laying the link or the ligature can be arranged directly on the chassis 5; as the case may be, they can also be placed on an independent support structure.

The movements of the receptacle 1, of the jaws 3, 4 and of the chassis 5, as well as the fitting of the link or of the ligature are advantageously managed automatically by a programmable automaton, or equivalent, in the detailed manner below in relation to the figures 3 to 7.

The rotation of the receptacle 1 and the translational movement of the chassis 5, in particular, can be linked mechanically.

As can be seen in FIG. 3, the first step in making the bouquet consists in manually positioning the plants 2 in the receptacle 1. As a general rule, a single plant stem is placed in a receptacle in the receptacle; but it is also possible to envisage grouping the plants in pairs or in threes in each accommodation or in only some of the accommodation.

The corresponding positioning of the plants depends on the structure of the bouquet that one wishes to achieve. This individual positioning allows very precise structuring of the bouquet, and the configuration of housing 10 (in particular their distribution and their inclination) prepares the bouquet for the subsequent twisting operation of its foot.

The plants 2 can be introduced into the receptacle 1 on the shaping station, between the jaws 3 and 4. It is also possible to carry out this operation on one or more independent preparation stations, then to manually or automatically transport the loaded receptacle to 'at the shaping station between said jaws 3 and 4.

Once the receptacle 1 has been correctly placed on the bouquet shaping station, an operator controls the start of the cycle. The two jaws 3 and 4 begin to tighten by activating the control means 19 (FIG. 4), then while continuing this tightening, the receptacle 1 begins to rotate on itself, by actuation of the rack 15, to initiate the twist operation of the bouquet foot (Figure 5). The rotational movement of the receptacle 1 stops at the moment when the jaws 3, 4 exert an action such that the plant stems can no longer move or organize themselves relative to each other, or just before this moment.

Simultaneously with the twisting operation, and / or just after, the bouquet formed begins to emerge from the receptacle 1 by the movement in vertical translation of the chassis 5 (FIG. 6). The link 24 can be placed when the jaws 3 and 4 exert their maximum tightening on the plant stems, to obtain the knotted round bouquet illustrated in FIG. 7. The twisting or twisting operation of the base of the bouquet entails an intersection of the plant stems 2 at the level of the link 24. The jaws 3 and 4 then loosen their grip to return to the inactive position. The tied bouquet is removed manually or by appropriate mechanical means for storage or packaging. The coordination of the various movements which have just been described is adapted to obtain the best possible result in terms of aesthetics and preservation of the plants. The upward movement of the chassis 5 is adapted to ensure the total extraction of the bouquet from the receptacle 1; the rotation of this receptacle 1 to obtain a bouquet whose foot is properly twisted or twisted can be of the order of a U-turn.

It will be understood that the inclination of the housings 10 of the receptacle 1 promotes the organization of the plant stems to obtain a bouquet with a twisted foot, and this inclination limits the alteration of the plant stems during the corresponding twisting operation.

The precise positioning of the plants in the receptacle 1 allows great repetitiveness of the general aesthetics of the bouquets produced; it is thus possible to obtain identical or almost identical bouquets in large numbers, if one has a raw material having regular characteristics.

All the housings 10 of the receptacle 1 are not necessarily used for making the bouquets. It will be noted here that in order to avoid overloading the attached drawings, the plants 2 used to form the illustrated bouquet have been shown in small numbers and little fleshed out. In reality, bouquets will be obtained from a substantial number of well "leafy" plants to form a dense aesthetic whole.

In the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the operation of extracting the bouquet from the receptacle 1 is carried out by a vertical translation of the chassis 5. Equivalently, this extraction can be carried out by a combination of movements between the frame 5 and the support 12 of the receptacle 1. One can also envisage an installation in which the jaws 3 and 4 would be carried by a fixed frame, only the receptacle 1 being mounted on a vertically movable support. On the other hand, depending on the flexibility characteristics of the plant stems, in particular, it is conceivable to use a receptacle 1 provided with tubular housings 10 all having vertical axes parallel to the axis of rotation 13; in this case, however, the twist operation of the base of the bouquet is not optimized. In a simplified bouquet shaping installation, the link or ligature can be positioned manually, after mechanical tightening by means of jaws 3 and 4. On the other hand, one can also consider using the system for placing the link or ligature to gradually tighten the base of the bouquet, thus avoiding the presence of mechanical clamping jaws.

Also, in other types of simplified installations, it is possible to envisage dispensing with means for rotating the receptacle 1, if it is desired to obtain bouquets with non-twisted feet, or if the simple inclined configuration of the housings 10 is sufficient. to obtain a twist of the bouquets feet at the time of the vertical translation of the chassis.

Claims

1.- Method for making a bouquet of plants consisting of a combination of flowers, plants, herbs and / or various foliage on stems, which method consists in positioning the plants (2) constituting the bouquet in a receptacle (1), clamp between them the stems of said plants (2) on a determined area of their height in order to shape said bouquet, and to extract said bouquet from said receptacle (1), characterized in that it consists in making an intersection of the stems of said plants (2), before complete tightening, to obtain a bouquet of the “round bouquet” type.

2.- Method according to claim 1, characterized in that it consists in clamping between them the stems of the plants by mechanical means (3, 4; 6,

7).

3.- Method according to claim 2, characterized in that it consists, after the mechanical clamping operation of the plant stems (2), to automatically place a link or a ligature (24) around said stems, on the tightening zone or near this zone, to keep the bouquet in shape.

4.- Method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it consists, after cutting the stems of the plants (2) to the desired length, to position them vertically or substantially vertically in the receiving receptacle (1), then perform the tightening and tying operations of said rods.

5.- Method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it consists in positioning the stems of the plants (2) per unit or in small groups in a plurality of housings (10) adapted, arranged in the receiving receptacle (1).

6.- Method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it consists in moving the receptacle (1) for receiving the plant stems (2) and the clamping means (3, 4) from these rods, by a relative translational movement, in order to extract the bouquet formed from said receptacle (1).

7.- Method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it consists in effecting a mechanical twisting or twisting of the base of the bouquet, while implementing the clamping means (3, 4) of plant stems (2), to obtain a bouquet of the “round bouquet with twisted foot” type.

8.- Method according to claims 5, 6 and 7 taken together, characterized in that it consists in carrying out a twisting or a twisting of the base of the bouquet by combining a movement of rotation of the receptacle (1) for receiving plant stems (2) around a vertical axis (13), and a vertical translational movement between said receptacle (1) and the clamping means (3, 4) of said rods.

9.- Installation for making a bouquet of plants according to the method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, which installation comprises a receptacle (1) for the vertical or substantially vertical positioning of the plants (2), characterized in that it includes means which allow the stems of said plants to be crisscrossed (2), in order to obtain a bouquet of “round bouquet” type after clamping said plant stems between them over a determined area of their height.

10.- Installation according to claim 9, characterized in that it comprises means (3, 4; 6, 7) for clamping between them the stems of the plants (2) on a determined area of their height.

11.- Installation according to claim 10, characterized in that the means for clamping between them the stems of plants (2) consist of means (6, 7) for laying a link or a ligature (24) coming belt said rods.

12.- Installation according to claim 10, characterized in that the means for clamping between them the stems of the plants (2) consist of a system of pliers or mechanical jaws (3, 4) arranged opposite.

13.- Installation according to claim 10, characterized in that the means for clamping the plant stems between them consist of a system of thin or mechanical jaws (3, 4) arranged opposite, associated with means laying (6, 7) of a link or a ligature (24) which surrounds said rods.

14.- Installation according to any one of claims 11 or 12, characterized in that it comprises a system of two clamps or jaws (3, 4) of the male / female type, able to come to nest together to optimize tightening and limiting the alteration of plant stems (2).

15.- Installation according to any one of claims 9 to 14, characterized in that it comprises means (5, 20) to allow a relative movement of separation by vertical translation between the clamping means (3, 4) of the bouquet and the receptacle (1) for receiving plant stems (2), in order to extract said bouquet from said receptacle (1).

16.- Installation according to any one of claims 9 to 15, characterized in that it comprises a receptacle (1) provided with a plurality of housings (10) for individual reception or by small groups of plant stems ( 2).

17.- Installation according to any one of claims 9 to 16, characterized in that it comprises means for twisting or twisting the foot of the bouquet, simultaneously with the implementation of the clamping means, to obtain a bouquet of the “round bouquet with twisted foot” type.

18.- Installation according to claims 13, 14 and 15 taken together, characterized in that at least some of the housings (10) of the receiving receptacle (1) have a generally tubular shape whose axis (10 ') is inclined by vertical to allow or optimize the twist operation of the base of the bouquet.

19.- Installation according to claim 18, characterized in that it comprises a receptacle (1) provided with a plurality of tubular housings (10) distributed substantially on concentric rings, the axis (10 ') of said housings (10 ) being inclined according to the same slope on each of said crowns and this inclination being produced substantially on the tangent of said crowns, the slope of the axis (10 ') of said housings (10) decreasing from the center of said receptacle (1) towards the 'outside.

20.- Installation according to any one of claims 9 to 19, characterized in that it comprises means for ensuring a rotation of the receiving receptacle about a vertical or substantially vertical axis (13).