WO2004043822A1

WO2004043822A1 - Package with feeding materials for cut flowers _____

Info

Publication number: WO2004043822A1
Application number: PCT/NL2002/000727
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jan Janssen; Paul Thomas Dirk Herman
Original assignee: Enhold B.V.
Priority date: 2002-11-12
Filing date: 2002-11-12
Publication date: 2004-05-27
Also published as: AU2002343238A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a sachet, in particular a sachet assembly, comprising a closed bag (2) which is formed from water-permeable material and a water-disintegratable coating, and a solid substance (3) comprising a preparation for cut flowers which is contained in the bag and is at least partially water-soluble. In particular, the preparation comprises a nutrient and/or conditioning agent and/or disinfectant and/or biocide and/or growth agent. The water-disintegratable coating prevents the contents of the bag during handling and storage prior to the intended use. The invention also relates to a packaging assembly comprising a waterproof, or at least moisture-proof, outer packaging containing a large number of sachets according to the invention. The invention also relates to the use of a sachet as described above for administering a preparation to cut flowers which are standing in water.

Description

PACKAGE WITH FEEDING MATERIALS FOR CUT FLOWERS

The present invention relates to a sachet, in particular a sachet assembly, comprising: a closed bag which is formed from water-permeable material and - a substance which is contained in the bag and is at least partially water-soluble.

A sachet assembly of this type is known. One could think, for example, of a tea bag, which is formed from a filter paper, also known as tea bag paper, in which a certain quantity of optionally comminuted tea leaves is packaged. A tea bag of this type is, as is known, generally provided with a string which can be used to hang it in a tea cup or tea pot so that, once the tea has brewed sufficiently, the string can be used to remove it again from the cup or tea pot.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a preparation for cut flowers in an administration form which is such that it is ensured and can be checked that a specific dose has been administered to the water in which the cut flowers are standing.

According to the invention, this object is achieved by the fact that, in the sachet of the type described in the introduction, the water-soluble substance comprises a preparation for cut flowers. A sachet of this type can be placed in the water in a container (vase or other recipient) holding cut flowers which are standing in water, after which the water can enter the bag via the material from which the bag is formed, so that the preparation is dissolved, and then carries the preparation out of the bag in dissolved form. Since the bag is closed, administration of one bag ensures that a specific dose is administered. Furthermore, the bag will remain present even after it has been administered to the water, which makes it easy to check that the preparation has been administered. Therefore, it is possible for both the purchaser, such as a florist, supermarket or consumer, to see that the cut flowers which have been purchased are in water which has been appropriately treated, and also it is possible for an inspection body to establish, in a simple and efficient way, that a specific dose has been administered to cut flowers. An inspection body of this type may, for example, be a body which checks the quality of goods on behalf of a professional association of cut-flower traders, but may also, for example, be a supplier or purchaser of cut flowers who wishes to check whether the cut flowers which he has supplied are treated correctly. It is a further object of the invention to provide a sachet that quickly releases its contents after insertion in water and at that is robust during handling and storage prior to the intended use. The substance contained in the present bag preferably is a solid or semi-solid substance. An example of a semi-solid substance is a substance in the form of a paste. Most preferably, the substance is a solid substance. The term "substance" as used herein encompasses both chemically pure compounds as well as (complex) mixtures of compounds. In a preferred embodiment the present bag contains at least 0.05 g of a preparation for cut flowers, more preferably at least 0.2 g of said preparation.

It is highly desirable that upon insertion of the present sachet into water (or flower water), water can quickly enter the closed bag and the dissolved contents can equally quickly leave the bag. Consequently, it is preferred to employ a bag material that has a high water permeability. However, a high water-permeability is normally associated with a large pore size and as a result with an enhanced risk of losses of the contents of the bag prior to use. The risk of such losses is enhanced by the fact that the contents of the present bag are preferably present as relatively small particles, e.g. with an average particle size in the range of 100 to 400 microns, as such small particles dissolve more quickly than large particles. Other drawbacks associated with the use of permeable bag material are the risk of deterioration of the bag's contents under the influence of external moisture and the risk of direct skin contact.

It was found that these drawbacks may effectively be avoided, without significantly compromising the bag's water permeability, by providing the interior and/or exterior of the closed bag with a water-disintegratable coating that prevents the substance contained therein from passing through the water-permeable bag material. The water- disintegratable coating is preferably applied to the interior of the closed bag since the coating is more easily damaged when applied to the exterior of the bag.

The term water-disintegratable refers to the property of the coating to loose its coherency when it is exposed to excess water, e.g. as a result of dissolving or simply by falling apart. The water-disintegratable coating may be prepared from any material that dissolves relatively quickly in water at temperatures within the range of 2-25°C. Preferably the water-disintegratable coating will dissolve essentially completely in water at a temperature of 20°C within 4 hours, more preferably within 2 hours. The coating preferably contains a synthetic or natural polymer as such polymers are particularly effective in covering the pores present in the bag materialfilter paper. Preferably the coating contains at least 10 wt.%, more preferably at least 30 wt.% and most preferably at least 50 wt.% of a synthetic or natural polymer.

In a particularly preferred embodiment the present bag is formed from paper, fabric, film or a combination of these materials. The term "film" is used herein to describe a sheet of, optionally polymerised, material that is water-permeable, e.g. due to the presence of micropores that are sufficiently large to allow the passage of water therethrough.

In another preferred embodiment the water-disintegratable coating contains a thermoplastic polymer. More preferably the coating contains at least 30 wt.%, most preferably at least 50 wt.% of a thermoplastic polymer. The use of a thermoplastic polymer offers the advantage that the coating may be applied as such by means of e.g. extrusion, lamination, spraying or soaking. For instance, polyvinal alcohol may suitably be laminated in molten form onto a bag made out of filter paper. The coating can suitably be applied as a seal medium in the packaging process. Local heating of the packaging material, including the coating, may be employed to seal the bags/sachets.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention the polymer in the present coating is selected from the group consisting of synthetic and natural polymers such as polyvinyl alcohol, gelatine, starch or starch derivatives (e.g. gluconates or lactonates) and combinations thereof.

In yet another preferred embodiment the water-disintegratable coating essentially consists of biodegradable material. The use of a biodegradable material offers the important advantage that the flower water can be treated as organic waste water.

In general it was found that losses of the contents of the closed bag may be minimised effectively by employing a water-disintegratable coating with an average thickness within the range of 1-30 microns, preferably within the range of 2-20 microns, most preferably within the range of 3-10 microns. Advantageously, the preparation in the sachet according to the invention will comprise a nutrient and/or conditioning agent and/or disinfectant and/or biocide and/or growth agent. In this context, the term conditioning agent is understood in particular as meaning an agent which is used to adjust the state of the water, such as its hardness and pH. The term "disinfectant" or "biocide" is used herein to describe an agent which inhibits the growth of micro-organisms and which may thus prevent that microbial growth will hamper uptake of water and nutrients by the cut flowers. The term "growth agent" refers to both growth inhibitors and growth promoters and is used herein to describe an agent that can suitably be employed to prevent post-harvest problems. For instance, a growth agent can be utilised to decrease the ethylene sensitivity of cut flowers which will increase the vase life (longlevity).

Furthermore, in the sachet according to the invention, it is advantageous if the bag material is semi-permeable. In this context, the term semi-permeable is understood as meaning in particular permeability to particles up to a maximum size of 400 μm, preferably up to a maximum size of 100 μm.

With a view to ease of production, it is advantageous, in the sachet according to the invention, if the bag is rectangular in shape. In connection with the final administration of a sachet of this type to a container, such as a bucket, holding a quantity of water of the order of magnitude of 1 to 5 litres, although sometimes more litres, it is in this case preferable if the rectangular bag has dimensions of 20 to 80 mm wide by 20 to 200 mm long.

Furthermore, in a sachet according to the invention, it is advantageous if the bag is provided on the outside with an image, in particular obtained using a printing technique. Paper, e.g. filter paper, is eminently suitable for an image to be applied thereto. The image may in this case be applied to e.g. the paper before the paper is formed into a bag. In this way, it is possible to provide the bag with an advertising message. In particular, however, it is advantageous for the bag in this way to be provided with instructions for use or application. However, it is also highly useful and advantageous for the bag to be provided with an indication of the preparation contained therein in this way. Such an indication may, for example, be a brand name, but may also be a list of the ingredients or active constituents. It is also possible to provide the bag with warnings in this way.

Furthermore, in the sachet according to the invention, it is advantageous if the bag is made from a material which, when it takes up water, becomes transparent or translucent, in such a manner that the contents become visible. In this way, it is possible to check, when the bag has been put in water, that the contents are present in the bag. In this case, it is also advantageous if the entire contents are water-soluble. This is because in this way it is possible by visual inspection to determine whether the sachet is still active. This also makes it possible to prevent errors, since it can be determined visually whether an empty or used bag/sachet assembly has been added to the cut flowers. For this purpose, it is also possible to use an ink which changes colour when the active substances have been exhausted. In this regard, consideration may be given, for example, to pH indicators, such as litmus.

Furthermore, in the sachet according to the invention, it may be advantageous if the water-soluble material is hygroscopic.

The invention also relates to a packaging assembly comprising a waterproof, or at least moisture-proof, outer packaging containing a large number of sachets according to the invention. A packaging assembly of this type can be used to ensure that the sachets arrive at the user in good condition and, moreover, can be stored in good condition for a certain time by the user. The outer packaging will in this case preferably be a waterproof or at least moisture-proof recloseble outer packaging.

The invention also relates to the use of a sachet as described above for administering a preparation, such as a nutrient, and/or conditioning agnt and/or disinfectant and/or biocide and/or growth agent, to cut flowers which are standing in water.

Fig. 1 shows a diagrammatic and perspective, partially cut-away view of a sachet assembly according to the invention; and

Fig. 2 shows a diagrammatic and perspective, partially cut-away view of a bucket holding cut flowers, which contains a sachet assembly according to the invention. Fig. 1 shows a sachet 1 according to the invention. The sachet 1 according to the invention comprises a bag 2 comprising water-permeable paper, fabric or film. The bag 2 is composed of a rectangular upper panel 4 and a rectangular lower panel 5, which panels are joined together along their periphery, for example by an adhesive bond (= sealing medium). A preparation 3, which is partially shown in a cut-away section, is situated in the bag 2. This preparation 3 contains in particular a nutrient and/or a disinfectant and/or a biocide. The preparation 3 may be a powder or granules, but may also be a semi-solid substance in some other form e.g. a paste. The preparation 3 may be entirely water-soluble, but may also be partially water-soluble. In particular, it is conceivable for the preparation 3 to comprise a substrate which is not water-soluble, in which substrate the soluble preparation is situated. Then, when the substrate comes into contact with water, the preparation will be dissolved and will be released from the substrate.

As shown in Fig. 1 for the upper panel 4, the bag 2 may be printed. In the example illustrated, the printing represents instructions for use, namely "put sachet without opening in 2 litres of water".

The length L of the sachet which is illustrated by way of example in Fig. 1 is approximately 90 mm, while its width W is approximately 50 mm. However, it should be clear that these dimensions, which are given by way of example for the length L and width W, are purely illustrative. These dimensions may vary within wide limits. By way of example, the dimension for the length L may vary in a range from 20 to 160 mm, although smaller or larger dimensions for the length L are also conceivable. The width dimension W may, for example, vary in a range from 20 to 100 mm, although in this case too, both smaller and larger width dimensions are conceivable.

It should be noted that, although Fig. 1 shows a rectangular sachet, the sachet may also be square, round, triangular or trapezium-shaped, or whatever other form may be desired. Fig. 2 shows, by way of example, a bucket 10 containing cut flowers 12 standing in water 11. A sachet 1 according to the invention is situated in this bucket.

Fig. 3 shows, by way of example, a string 15 according to the invention comprising a multiplicity of sachets 1 according to the invention.

Fig. 4 shows, by way of example, a web 16 according to the invention comprising a multiplicity of sachets 1 according to the invention. The web 16 can be considered as being composed of a number of parallel strings 15 as shown in Fig. 3 which are joined together at their sides. Providing the sachets according to the invention in web, sheet or string form has the considerable advantage of increasing the ease of handling, in particular for automated processing, of the sachets considerably.

Fig. 5 shows, by way of example, a cross-sectional view of a portion of the bag 2, comprising water-permeable paper, fabric or film 20 and water-disintegratable coating 21.

Claims

1. Sachet (1) comprising: a closed bag (2) which is formed from water-permeable material (20), and - a substance (3) comprising a preparation for cut flowers, which substance is contained in the bag and is at least partially water-soluble, wherein the interior and/or exterior of the closed bag is provided with a water disintegratable coating (21).

2. Sachet (1) according to Claim 1, wherein the water-disintegratable coating (21) contains a thermoplastic polymer.

3. Sachet (1) according to Claim 1, wherein the average thickness of the water- disintegratable coating (21) is within the range of 1-30 microns.

4. Sachet (1) according to Claim 1, wherein the preparation comprises a nutrient and/or conditioning agent and/or disinfectant and/or biocide and /or growth agent.

5. Sachet (1) according to Claim 1, wherein the bag is formed from semi-permeable material.

6. Sachet (1) according to Claim 1, wherein the water-disintegratable coating will dissolve essentially completely in water at a temperature of 20°C within 4 hours.

7. Sachet (1) according to Claim 6, wherein the bag has dimensions of 20 to 80 mm wide by 20 to 120 mm long.

8. Sachet (1) according to Claim 1, wherein the bag is provided on the outside with an image, in particular obtained using a printing technique.

9. Sachet (1) according to Claim 8, wherein the image comprises instructions for use or application.

10. Sachet (1) according to Claim 9, wherein the bag (2) is made from a material (20) which, when it takes up water, becomes transparent or translucent, in such a manner that the contents (3) become visible.

11. String (15) comprising a large number of sachets (1) according to Claim 1 which are joined together to form a string (15).

12. Sheet or web (16) comprising a large number of sachets (1) according to Claim 1 which are joined together to form a sheet or web (16), which sheet or web (16) may optionally comprise a number of parallel strings (15) according to Claim 11 which are joined laterally to one another.

13. Packaging comprising a waterproof, or at least moisture-proof, outer packaging containing a plurality of sachets (1) according to Claim 1.

14. Method of administering a preparation, such as a nutrient and/or conditioning agent and/or disinfectant and/or biocide and/or growth agent, to cut flowers (12) which are standing in water (11), wherein said method comprises introducing the sachet (1) according to Claim 1 into said water (11).