GB2366280A

GB2366280A - A label for plants

Info

Publication number: GB2366280A
Application number: GB0021564A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Alan Sutton
Original assignee: Improved Marking & Label Co
Current assignee: Improved Marking & Label Co
Priority date: 2000-09-02
Filing date: 2000-09-02
Publication date: 2002-03-06
Also published as: GB0021564D0

Abstract

A plant label 20 comprising a planar member, having a flexible portion 32 which is flexed against a resilient bias from a first position into a second position to open an elongate slot 26 to define an opening 24, which receives a portion of the plant 36, whereby moving the flexible portion back to its first position inhibits removal of the label from the plant. The elongate slot 26 preferably extends from the label periphery to the opening periphery, having two adjoining sections which may be connected by an arcuate profile 26, 31. At the outwardly extending end of the slot there may be a receiving portion consisting of an arcuate cut-out 30 which is preferably semi-circular. The label may have a layered construction consisting of two connected and overlapping leaves, the leaves being connected integrally and hinged along a perforated section. Each of the said leaves may have the aforementioned slot and opening to receive a portion of the plant.

Description

A Label

Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a label for a plant and a method of attaching a label to a plant. Background of the Invention Bunches of flowers may be wrapped within a sheet layer, for example a clear plastic material. An adhesive label 10 displaying information relating to the flowers may be adhered to the sheet layer and display the type of flowers, price etc, as shown in figure 1. Such labels may also provide an area 12 for a short message to be written or simply to identify the name of the sender and the name of the receiver. Accordingly, such adhesive labels require the sheet layer since it is not practical to adhere them directly to the flowers. The label may contain an area 14 which may be peeled from the label in order for a message to be written or further information to be displayed. Alternatively a label 15 may be attached to the stem of a plant through the use of string or wire tied arcund in to a loop 16, as shown in Figure 2. However, such. labels are time consuming and difficult to attach. In addition if over-tightened the string or wire may damage the plants. The term plant is used to refer to produces comprising plants or flowers, for example a bunch cf flowers or a pot plant.

It is an aim of the present invention to overcome at least one problem associated with the prior art whether referred to herein or otherwise. Summary of the Invention According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a plant label comprising a flexible portion movable from a first position against a resilient bias to a second position in which, in the second position, an opening in the label can be moved to a position in which a part of a plant can be moved into the opening in the label, with movement of the flexible portion from the section position towards the first position inhibiting removal of the label from the plant. According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a plant label attached to a plant in which the label comprises a flexible portion movable from a first position against a resilient bias to a second position in which, in the second position, an opening in the label can be moved to a position in which a part of the plant can be moved into the opening in the label, with movement of the flexible portion from the second position towards the first position inhibiting removal of the label from the plant. Preferably the label cooperates with an upwardly extending portion of the plant on opposed portions of the portion of the plant to inhibit downwards movement of -he label relative to the plant. Preferably the portion of the plant comprises a stem of the plant.

Preferably, the label projects outwardly from the plant. Preferably, the label projects outwardly at an angle relative to the plant. The angle may be less than 90 and preferably less than 75 and may be more than 10 and preferably is more than 25 and preferably is in the region of 45 . Preferably movement of the flexible portion from the second position towards the first position results from the resilient bias. Preferably the opening is substantially circular. Preferably the label includes a slot. Preferably the slot extends from the periphery of the label to the periphery of the opening. Preferably the slot extends in a direction which is substantially normal to the periphery of the label. Preferably the slot extends in a direction which is substantially normal to the opening. The slot may extend through an angled path. The slot may comprise at least a first section and a second section. Preferably the first section extends at an angle relative to the second section. The angle may be an acute angle and may be in the region of 60 to 90 and preferably in the region of 70 to 80 . Preferably the slot may comprise an arcuate section which locates between the first section and the second section. Preferably the label comprises receiving means which may receive a part of the plant. The receiving mans may

receive a part of the plant and may guide the part of the plant into the slot. Preferably the receiving means comprises a cut out portion on the periphery of the label. The receiving portion may be arcuate and preferably is semicircular. The label may comprise at least a first leaf and a second leaf. Preferably the configuration of each leaf is substantially identical. Preferably the first leaf is integral with the second leaf. Preferably the first leaf is secured to the second leaf through a hinged section. The label may comprise a weakened section such as a perforated section between the first leaf and the second leaf. Preferably each leaf comprises a slot and an opening. Preferably each leaf comprises receiving means. Preferably at least one of the slot, opening or receiving means of each leaf are coextending when the leaves are folded onto each other. Preferably a flexible portion of both leaves is movable from a first position again a resilient bias to a second position, with movement of the flexible portions from the second position towards the first position inhibiting removal of the label from the plant. Preferably the label comprises a resilient material. Preferably the label comprises a plastics material. According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of attaching a label to a plant, the method comprising moving a flexible portion. of

the label from a first position against a resilient bias to a second position, and, in the second position, moving an opening in the label in order for a part of the plant to locate in the opening, and enabling the flexible portion to move from the second position towards the first position in order to inhibit removal of the label from the plant. The method may comprise abutment of the label with the plant and relative movement of the label and the plant causing the flexible portion to move from the first to the second position. Preferably the method comprises attaching the label to an upwardly extending portion of the plant and preferably to the stem of the plant. Preferably the method comprises moving the label along in lateral and longitudinal directions relative to the stem of the plant. Preferably the method comprises flexing a part of the label. Brief Description of the Drawings The present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanyina drawi-cs, in which: Figure 3 is a preferred embodiment of a label accordance with the present invention.

Figure 4a - 4d shows perspective views of an embodiment of a label being attached to a stem of a plant. Description of the Preferred Embodiment As shown in Figure 3, a label 20 comprises a planar member providing a display area 22 on a first face for displaying information relating to the product to which is to be attached. The product may comprise a bunch of flowers or a pot plant::and the information may relate to the type of flowers or pot plant. On the second face the label may provide further information, for example instructions relating to the care of the pot plant or flowers. In addition, the second face may provide an area for writing a message, for example from the receiver to the sender. The label 20 is arranged to be directly secured to the stem of the pot plant or flowers. The attachment means for the label comprises a retaining aperture 24 which is arranged, in use, to locate around the periphery of the stem. The aperture 24 is substantially circular. The attachment means comprises a guide means which guides the stem into the attachment means in order for the aperture 24 to locate around to periphery of the stem. The auide means comprises an elongate slot extending from. __:e periphery of the label 20 to the periphery of -^e retaining aperture 24. The elongate slot comprises a first section 26 and a second section 28. 7_'1e f_rst section 26 is located at an angle to the second section 28. The angle is an acute angle and may be in the reg_on of 70 to 80 .

The first section 26 is connected to the second section through a curved section 31 which preferably curves around an acute angle. In addition, the label 20 has a receiving section 30 which initially receives the stem of the pot plant or flower and directs the stem into the guide means. The receiving section 30 comprises a cut out section located on the periphery of the label 20. The cut out section may be semicircular. The receiving section 30 results in the stem being quickly and easily located in the guide means. In addition, the use of a receiving section 30 also results in less damage to the stem of the flower or plant. The first section 26 of the guide means is preferably arranged to be normal to the receiving section. Again, this reduces damage to the stem of the flower or plant which may be caused as a result of a slicing action whilst trying to locate the stem into the guide means. Similarly the second section 28 is arranged to be normal relative to the retaining aperture 24. As shown in Figures 4a to 4d, in order to attach the label 20 to a stem 36 the label 20 is both moved in a direction along a lateral axis of the label and also in a longitudinal axis relative to the stem. Accordingly, the edge of the label 20 does not simply abut the stem 36 from a perpendicular direction. The longitudinal movement causes the retaining section 32 to flex and enables the stem 36 to locate within the first section 26 of the guide means. The label is moved further until the stem reaches the curved section 31 of the guide means. The stem 36 can then be moved relative to the label in a straight path

along the second section 28 of the guide means. Once the stem 36 is located in the retaining aperture 24 the retaining section 32 will return to its original position assuming that the circumference of the retaining aperture 24 is greater that the circumference of the stem 36. The label 20 may comprise two leaves (not shown) with each leaf having the identical attachments means located thereon. The first leaf and second leaf may be connected to each other through `1,a hinged joint. The hinged jcin-#may be perforated in order for the first leaf to be detached from the second leaf. The slot and openings of the leaves may be located such that they are substantially coextending with each other when the leaves are folded onto each other. This may enable both leaves to be simultaneously attached to a plant. The label comprises a resilient material, which is a resilient plastic material. The flexibility of the material must be such that the attachment of the label to a stem does not significantly damage the stem,, for example as a result it being too rigid. The reader's attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous ,o this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such tapers and documents are incorporated herein by reference. A11 of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or a11 of the steps of any method or

process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed'sis one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extend to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Claims

1. A plant label comprising a flexible portion moveable from a first position against a resilient bias to a second position in which, in the second position, an opening in the label can be moved to a position in which a part of a plant can be moved into the opening in the label, with movement of the flexible portion from the second position towards to first position inhibiting removal of the label from the plant. 2. A plant label attached to a plant in which the label comprises a flexible portion movable from a first position against a resilient bias to a second position in which, in the second position, an opening in the label can be moved to a position in which a part oz the plant can be moved into the opening in the label, with the movement of zhe flexible portion from the second position towards the first position inhibiting removal of the label from the plant. 3. A label according to claim 1 or claim 2 in which z- :e label cooperates with an upwardly extending portion of the plant on opposed portions of the portion of the plant to inhibit downwards movement of the label relative to the plant. 4. A label according to claim 3 in which the portion. of the plant comprises a stem of the plant. 5. A label according to any preceding claim in which t-: e label projects outwardly from the plant.

6. A label according to any preceding claim in which movement of the flexible portion from the second position towards the first position results from the resilient bias. 7. A label according to any preceding claim in which the opening is substantially circular. 8. A label according to any preceding claim in which the label includes a slot. 9. A label according to claim 8 in which the slot extends from the periphery of the label to the periphery of the opening. 10. A label according to claim 8 or claim 9 in which the slot extends through an angled path. 11. A label according to any preceding claim in which the label comprises receiving means which receives a part or the plant. 12. A label according to claim 11 when dependent upon any of claims 8 to 10 in which the receiving means receives a part or the plant and guides the part of the plant in to the slot. 13. A label according to any preceding claim in which t@:e label comprises at least a first leaf and a second leaf. 14. A label according to claim 13 in which the configuration of each leaf is substantially identical.

15. A label according to claim 13 or claim 14 in which the first leaf is integral with the second leaf. 16. A label according to any of claims 13 to 15 in which the first leaf is secured to the second leaf through a hinged section. 17. A label according to any of claims 13 to claim 16 in which the label comprises a weakened section such as a perforated section between the first leaf and the second leaf. 18. A label according to any of claims 13 to claim 17 in which each leaf comprises a slot and an opening. 19. A label according to any of claims 13 to claim 18 in which each leaf comprises receiving means. 20. A label according to claim 18 or claim 19 in which a-. least one of the slot, opening or receiving means of each leaf are coextending when the leaves are folded onto each other. 21_ A label according to any of claims 13 to 20 in which a flexible portion of both leaves is movable from a first position against a resilient bias to a second position, with movement of the flexible portions from the second position towards to the first position inhibiting removal of the label from the plant. 22. A label substantially as herein described w- t^ reference to, and as shown in any of Figures 3 and Figures 4a - d.

23. A label attached to a plant substantially as herein described with reference to, and as shown in any of Figure 3 and Figures 4a - d. 24. A method of attaching a label to a plant, the method comprising moving a flexible portion of the label from a first position against a resilient bias to a second position, and, in the second position, moving an opening in the label in order for a part of the plant to locate in the opening, and enabling the flexible portion to move from the second position towards the first position in order to inhibit removal of the label from the plant. 25. A method according to claim 24 in which the method comprises abutment of the label with the plant and relative movement of the label and the plant causing the flexible portion to move from the first to the second position. 26. A method according to claim 24 or claim 25 in which the method comprises attaching the label to an upwardly extending portion of the plant. 27. A method according to any of claims 24 to 26 in which the method comprises moving the label along in lateral and longitudinal directions relative to the stem of the plant. 28. A method according to any of claims 24 to 27 in wh_c:r: the method comprises flexing a part of the label.

29. A method of attaching a label to a plant substantially as herein described with reference to, and as shown in any of Figures 3 and Figures 4 a - d.