EP3730426B1

Movatterモバイル変換

Info

Publication number: EP3730426B1
Application number: EP20169808.1A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Miro Bergnach; Vitomirka Bergnach
Original assignee: Paperflex d o o
Current assignee: Paperflex d o o
Priority date: 2019-04-18
Filing date: 2020-04-16
Publication date: 2024-03-06
Anticipated expiration: 2040-04-16
Also published as: SI25822A; EP3730426C0; EP3730426A1

Description

Field of the invention

The present invention belongs to the field of products made of paper, more precisely to the field of flower and plant packaging. The invention relates to a paper packaging for plants.

Background of the invention and the technical problem

Floriculture has from its beginnings in the 19th century developed into a dynamic, global and fast growing industry. It includes growers, distributers and sellers, which whome the buyers are mostly in contact. When a plant or flowers are purchased, they often have to be wrapped, either to protect the plants from environmental conditions, either to make them look as a gift. As florists sell a wide variety of plants, namely individual cut flowers, boquets, potted plants and plants without pots, packaging has to be adjusted accordingly. Typically, a larger sheet of paper is used in order to wrap any kind of purchased plants. Such solutions are described in documentsUS5666784 andUS2008264552. DocumentUS2005082353 for example discloses pre-prepared sheets for packing flower boquets, wherein the sheet is folded and glued in a particular way. This solution is useful for wrapping cut flowers and boquets, while it is less appropriate for potted plants. Recently different versions of packaging have been developed, mostly in the shape of bags or sheats of varous sizes with regards to potted plants and cut flowers. The problem of these types of packaging is in their manufacture, as they are made from several parts of paper or the material is non-economically used, thereby creating lots of waste.
The technical problem, which is solved by the present invention, is thus design of a simple paper packaging into which a plant in a pot can be insterted and protected against environmental conditions, while the packaging itself will also function as a decoration. The aim of the invention is also the design of a suitable device for manufacturing said packaging, as known solutions differ significantly in their design. The invention has to be suitable for different sizes of potted plants and for different types of paper.

State of the art

DocumentUS6796104 discloses a packaging system for plants, which comprises a protective and decorative part that can be separated after the protective part has done its role. Patent applicationUS2005000158 describes a method of plant packaging, which includes tubularly shaped packaging attached with sticky material. DocumentDE2514093 describes a method for manufacturing conical packaging for flowers, which are open on both ends, wherein the packaging is made from two parts of translucent plastic foil heat-welded together. The shape of this packaging differs from the present invention.
DocumentKR20170057475 discloses a device for manufacturing a sheet for flower packaging. A mesh sheet is taken from a feeder and transferred to a binding device with a net made by a special device. When the sheet moves in the binding device, the reinforcement fibers and mesh are joined into a structure, which is then fixed and dried. After that the sheet may be cut to the desired dimensions.
Utility designCN203623034 disloses equipment for manufacturing paper for wrapping fresh flowers. The equipment comprises an expansion device, a frame and shape cutter below the paper, whereas the frame is located above the paper. Obtained products have the shape of an upside-down turned umbrella, while its bottom part is in the shape of a cup. The equipment enables reliable and fast manufacturing of packaging for fresh cut flowers.
Patent applicationKR101471812 describes a solution for packaging flowers, according to which a two-part packaging from synthetic materials is placed in a manner to receive a flower boquet or a plant pot. After that both parts of the packaging are joined using a device for packaging, so that they tightly enclose the flowers or the plant.
DocumentUS 2002/0069614 A1 discloses a package according to the preamble ofclaim 1.
All described solutions are despite their usefulness very complex, which increases the costs of the packaging. As flower industry is widespread and lots of packaging is needed, its price has to be reduced as much as possible. The present invention differs from the state of the art documents in that it ensures simple single-piece packaging produced with less steps and less complex equipment.

Description of the solution of the technical problem

The technical problem is solved by a packaging according toclaim 1, wherein dependent claims define preferred embodiments of the invention.
The paper packaging according to the invention is designed in the shape of a truncated cone arranged to receive a plant with or without a pot, wherein the paper packaging is made from a basic sheet in the shape of an isosceles trapezoid with base sides of different lengths and two legs of same lengths, wherein the final packaging is obtained in the following manner:

the basic sheet is folded along an axis crossing both base sides so as to form a right-angle trapezoid, the axis being moveable left or right so as to leave an edge, wherein the folded edge forms a short leg of the right-angle trapezoid and the outmost leg of the basic sheet forms a long leg of the right-angle trapezoid; from which
a frist triangle is cut off along a cut line crossing the long leg and the corner formed by the longer base side and the folded edge to form a second sheet; from which a second smaller triangle is cut along a cut line crossing the long leg of the right-angle trapezoid and the corner formed by the innermost leg of the basic sheet and the longer base side to obtain a third sheet;
the third sheet being formed by, in counter-clockwise order: the folded edge, the shorter base side comprising a double thickness portion and a single thickness portion of the width of the edge, the remaining part of the long leg of the right-angle trapezoid, the cut line of the second triangle, and the remaining part of the cut line of the first triangle; wherein the edge is then provided with glue, folded over the innermost leg of the basic sheet onto the opposite side to be glued onto it so as to form the final packaging.

After that the packaging approximately shaped as a truncated cone is obtained, into which a plant with or without a pot can be inserted. Dimensions of individual base sides and legs are arbitrary and can be in different combinations, so that various sizes of packaging is obtained in order to pack plants or potted plants of different sizes. The paper material used for the said packaging may be any suitable for floral industry, wherein paper from pure cellulose resistant to moisture is particularly useful. The unfolded base of the packaging is prepared by cutting a larger sheet of material, preferably with a device that enables cutting under different angles. The cut shape is then folded along the middle into a right-angled trapezoid. In case the shape is unfolded, the basis has a shape of an isosceles trapezoid. Glue is applied to one of the trapezoid legs and then both legs are glued to each other. Thereby a packaging is created, into which a plant or a potted plant can be inserted. Cutting into the right-angled trapezoid as well as gluing may be performed manually, but the preferred option is to use suitable devices, which allow cutting into desired shapes and automatic application of glue on appropriate surfaces.
For illustration purposes only, the manufacturing method of the said paper packaging thus includes the following steps:

a) Cutting several layers of paper or any other suitable material;
b) Cutting with a bar with knife in the selected groove in the upper part of the table to obtain paper basis attached with said bar, which covers the edge of the equilateral trapezoid on the left and right side of the bar;
c) Manual folding of the free edge of the first trapezoid and pressing with a regular ruler;
d) Manual folding of the free edge of the second trapezoid and presing with a regular ruler;
e) Releasing the bar to obtain two groups of trapezoid shaped sheets having the edge equal to the half of the bar;
f) Transfer of the first group of sheets into the cutting table, where the upper part of the sheet is obliquely cut;
g) Moving the equipment and cutting the part with a free straight edge;
h) Transfer of the cut group of papers to the table with a gluing mechanism;
i) Application of glue to the pre-prepared bottom straight edge of the paper sheet with trapezoid shape;
j) Folding the sheet in a manner that covers the glue applied in step i);
k) Opening the upper aperture of the packaging obtained after gluing, the packaging being stacked onto the previously prepared packaging;
l) Stacking manufactured packagings one onto another by opening the upper aperture as described in step k).

The paper packaging for plants according to the invention enables simplified packaging of potted plants, wherein the manufaturing process for obtaining the packaging is simpler and more economical (efficient) than already known processes, which are complicated and multi-step methods. Obtained packaging is used so that it is opened and a potted plant or a plant is insterted into the packaging. The dimension of the packaging depends on the diameter of the pot and on the height of the plant. In case the packaging is too high, it can be cut and thus shortened. This is particularly useful for short plants with wide pots.
The invention will be described in further detail based on exemplary embodiments and figures, which show:

Figure 1: Holder for rolls of paper with a table for cutting according to the invention
Figure 1a: Pushing bar with wheels for straightening multiple layers of paper
Figure 2: Ground plan of the holder for rolls of paper with the table for cutting
Figure 2a: Ruler with the cutting knife
Figure 3: Schematic view of the holder for rolls of paper with the table for cutting
Figure 4a: Table for cutting the base paper sheet A in the shape of a trapezoid
Figure 4b: Side view of the table for cutting the base paper sheet A in the shape of a trapezoid
Figure 4c: Elevation view of the table for cutting the base paper sheet A in the shape of a trapezoid
Figure 5a: Mechanism for gluing edges of the paper basis into the packaging
Figure 5b: Ground plan of the mechanism for gluing edges of the paper basis into the packaging
Figure 5c: Side view of the mechanism for gluing edges of the paper basis into the packaging
Figure 6a: Shape of the paper basis for the packaging according to the invention
Figure 6b: Folded paper packaging
Figure 6c: Paper packaging after the first cut
Figure 6d: Paper packaging after the second cut

Figures 1 to 5 show embodiments not according to the invention, which are included for illustration purposes only to better understand the preparation of the paper packaging according to the invention.
The device for manufacturing the paper packaging for plants in addition to drive units for individual electronically controlled mechanic drives comprises:

a holder (1) for rolls of paper with a cutting table;
a table (3) for cutting the paper sheet basis; and
a mechanism (6) for gluing edges of the paper basis into the packaging with an outlet handle for sorting finished packaging.

Theholder 1 has two rows ofside carriers 11mountings 111 for two pairs of sixtubes 10 for rolls ofpapers 10a, the latter can be manually spread onto the table 2. Theupper plate 20 of the table 2 is divided into two equally sized parts 20a and 20b with grooves for cutting preferably twelve layers ofpaper 10a. Between the parts 20a and 20b is a narrow part 20c. As shown infigure 2 theupper plate 20 of the table 2 has oblique grooves D4, D3, D2 and D1 on the part 20a and oblique grooves D4', D3', D2' and D1' on the second part 20b of the table 2. Thepaper 10a on thetubes 10 is mounted into the moutings on theside carriers 11, so that thepaper 10a is rolled downwards and lead to the table 2 on the bottom part of thetube 10. This ensures equal spreading and flattening the paper on its way to table 2, where a pair ofwheels 211a is mounted via ahandle 211, fixed into acarrier 21. Thebottom part 211b of thecarrier 21 is screwed in the corner of the table 2 (Figure 1a).
On the part 20a of theupper plate 20 of the table 2 abar 23 is provided, the bar being installed via afirst hinge 23a and wherein thebar 23 has alongitudinal carrier 23b with a groove for moving ahandle 23d with a blade. At the end of thebar 23 is thehandle 23c for raising thebar 23 upwards and/or left or right, wherein this movement is enabled by thehinge 23a. The first bar with the blade enables cutting the papers along grooves D1, D2, D3 and D4. On the part 20b of theupper part 20 of the table 2 a second bar 23' is fixed using asecond hinge 23c', the said second bar having a longitudinal holder with a groove for moving the bar with the blade. At the end of thebar 23 is ahandle 23c, with which thebar 23 can be lifted upwards and/or left or right, which is enabled with thehinge 23a. The second bar 23' with the blade enables cutting papers along grooves D1', D2', D3' and D4'. On the right edge of the table 2 arestrictor 24 is attached, wherein the saidrestrictor 24 may be moved along thegroove 24a and may be attached at a required place with ascrew 24b (Figure 2b).
The table 3 for cutting the basic paper sheet A has on acarrier 31a fixedupper plate 31. Perpendicularly to theplate 31 is a restrictor 32, which is in the vicinity of aknife 34. Theknife 34 with theblade 34a is fixed into ahinge 341, which enables raising and lowering theblade 34a along the edge of theupper plate 31 of the table 3. The end of theblade 34a is provided with ahandle 34b for easier manipulation with theknife 34. Through thelegs 31a and 31b two distancinglegs 33a are mounted, which are via amechanism 33c movable left and/or right from the edge of the table 3. Thelegs 33a are perpendicularly fixed into therectangular plate 31. Thefirst restrictor 32 is parallel to theplate 33b of thesecond restrictor 33, both of which form an opening, through which the cut-off parts of the sheet A fall into a reservoir. Theupper plate 31 of the table is equipped with alonger rod 35a attached withscrews 35a' and across-like part 35b of theaccessory 35, the cross-like part is attached with ascrew 35b'. Thecross-like part 35b is placed and attached to theplate 31 so that one leg is parallel to one side of theplate 31, while the other leg is parallel to the adjoining side, which is perpendicular to the first side. Thelonger rod 35a is rectangularly shaped with a rectangular cutout and is with regards to the cross-like part indented for an angle α, which may be from 110° and 120°, preferably 115°. Theaccessory 35 enables cutting of the first triangle A' and then the second triangle A" from the paper sheet A.
The gluing mechanism for gluing the edges of the paper basis into the packaging is shown infigures 5a, 5b and5c. The table 4 is a regular table placed in proximity of the table 5, where the main part of thegluing mechanism 6 is installed. The end of the table 5 is equipped with an inclined table 8, where all finished products are accumulated. The table 5 has on its upper part uniformly distributed fivetransport belts 5a. On the outer edge of the table 5 is a mechanism comprising abottom transporter 61 of sheets A2, wherein the right part of the transport is provided with acylinder 61a below the mechanism andcylinder 61c above the mechanism. On the other side thetransporter 61 has acylinder 61b and above it acylinder 61d. Adrive band 62a is installed on thecylinder 61b, wherein the said drive band is rotated with thedrive motor axle 62. The first part of the table 5 comprises the mechanism for applying glue along the upper part of the sheet A2. Approximately in the middle of the table 5 is amechanism 9 for folding the lower band to the upper part of the sheet A2 provided with glue. This is a phase of gluing the sheet A2 into a cone-line shape, which is also the final product or the packaging. At the end of the table 5 is asimple mechanism 7 of two blades with a common front flat side. Theblades 7a and 7b are made of a spring element and designed so that theblade 7a is turned upwards and theblade 7b downwards. The finished product is freely led along the inclined table 8 to asimple carrier 8a so that theblades 7a and 7b open the product and place the product on the carrier. Next products are one by one opened with theblades 7a and 7b and placed on the previous product on the carrier. In this way the set of sheets A2 is stacked into a set of products. This enables easy counting of produced packages and packaging into boxes for delivery.
As shown infigure 6a the paper packaging for plants according to the invention is designed as a basic sheet A shaped as a right-angled trapezoid with base sides a1 and a2 having different lengths and two side legs b1 and b2 having the same length. The basic sheet A is cut on the table 2 along the oblique grooves marked with D and D'. During cutting of the twelve layers of paper to sets of basic sheets are obtained, wherein one set is in the position of a large letter A, while the second set is in the position of a large letter A rotated for 180°. Common sides are on the line of the cut made by thebar 23. This creates an edge A3 with a width of approximately two centimetres. The width of the edge A3 depends on the width of the bar edge and knife in the middle of the bar. The axis Y is moved for the width of the edge A3, into the left for the left set and into the right for the right set. When thebar 23 is still fixed, the outer edge with the leg b1 is manually folded to the edge of thebar 23. The same is performed for the second set of basic sheets A, wherein both sets are pushed with a ruler along the fold line from one end to another, in order to create the fold d1. Thus prepared sets of sheets A are moved to table 3. Lengths of base sides and legs are arbitrary and based on the required dimensions of the packaging. Preferred dimensions of sides of the packaging are shown in Table 1 below.Table 1
Dimension of the basic sheet d1 in cm b2' in cm a4 in cm a5 incm
1. A cut along D1, D1' 60 42 13 2
2. A cut along D2, D2' 70 50 15 2
3. A cut along D3, D3' 86 65 24 2
4. A cut along D4, D4' 86 70 30 2
On the table 3 the fold d1 of the set of sheets A is put on thelonger bar 35a of anaccessory 35, wherein the beginning of the fold d1 is moved to the edge of the table 3. Because theaccessory 35 is inclined at an angle α, the beginning of the fold d1 is placed on the edge of the restrictor 32, while the remaining part is pushed under therestrictor 32. By raising thehandle 34b and lowering theblade 34a of theknife 34, the first triangle A' is cut, thus creating sheet A1 as shown infigure 6c. The whole set of the sheets A1 is moved so that the second triangle A" may be cut, thus creating set of sheets A2. The sheet A2 has a fold d1, bottom double side a4 and bottom single side a5, which is the width of the edge A3'. The set of sheets A2 is moved to the table 4 with the mechanism for gluing the edges of the paper base into the packaging.
The paper packaging for plants is designed as a basic sheet A shaped as a right-angled trapezoid with base sides a1 and a2 having different lengths and two side legs b1 and b2 having the same length. The basic sheet A is folded from the beginning fo the edge A3, wherein the folded edge is the side d1; that for the width of the edge A3 the Y-axis is moved to the left or the right; that a first triangle A' is cut in order to obtain sheet A1; that the second triangle A" is cut in order to obtain sheet A2, witht the side d1, bottom double side a4 and bottom single side a5, which is the width of the edge A3'; that the sheet A2 after application of glue onto the edge A3', folding the said edge onto the other side and gluing becomes the final packaging.
The glue for gluing may be any suitable glue, preferably starch-based glue suitable for paper and which is environmentally friendly. This glue is also used in food industry. Material for the packaging may be any material suitable for floral industry and it may also have any pattern or perforation for easier removal after use.

Claims

Paper packaging for plants in the shape of a truncated cone arranged to receive a plant with or without a pot, wherein the paper packaging is made from a basic sheet (A) in the shape of an isosceles trapezoid with base sides (a1, a2) of different lengths and two legs (b1, b2) of same lengths,characterized in that the final packaging is obtained in the following manner:
the basic sheet (A) is folded along an axis crossing both base sides so as to form a right-angle trapezoid, the axis being moveable left or right so as to leave an edge (A3), wherein the folded edge forms a short leg of the right-angle trapezoid (d1) and the outmost leg (b2) of the basic sheet forms a long leg of the right-angle trapezoid; from which
a first triangle (A') is cut off along a cut line crossing the long leg (b2) and the corner formed by the longer base side (a1) and the folded edge (d1) to form a second sheet (A1); from which
a second smaller triangle (A") is cut along a cut line crossing the long leg (b2) of the right-angle trapezoid and the corner formed by the innermost leg (b1) of the basic sheet and the longer base side (a1) to obtain a third sheet (A2);
the third sheet (A2) being formed by, in counter-clockwise order: the folded edge (d1), the shorter base side (a2) comprising a double thickness portion (a4) and a signle thickness portion (a5) of the width of the edge (A3), the remaining part of the long leg (b2) of the right-angle trapezoid, the cut line of the second triangle, and the remaining part of the cut line of the first triangle (A'); wherein the edge (A3) is then provided with glue, folded over the innermost leg (b1) of the basic sheet onto the opposite side to be glued onto it so as to form the final packaging.
Paper packaging for plants according to claim 1,characterized in that it can be made in different sizes.
Paper packaging for plants according to any of the preceding claims,characterized in that the packaging is made from waxed paper.
Paper packaging for plants according to any of the preceding claims,characterized in that the glue is any suitable glue, preferably starch-based glue.