WO2016120000A1 - Method for transporting plants - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for transporting plants (1), at least one plant (1) being placed in a transport container (3) filled with water (2) and being transported together with the transport container (3). Prior to transport, a preferably not water-soluble product (5), in particular a first product (5), which floats on the water surface (4), is applied in the liquid state to the water surface (4) in the transport container (3) and the product (5) solidifies.

Description

 Method for transporting plants

The invention relates to a method for transporting plants, wherein at least one plant is set in a transport vessel filled with water and transported together with the transport vessel.

In the prior art it is known plants during the period of a

Transporting water and nutrients in different ways. This is particularly important in plants that lack roots or root ball, i. to be transported with trimmed trunk or stem. Here the possibility must be provided to ensure a sufficient water supply over the cut point of the plants.

Accordingly, the plants to be transported within the meaning of the invention are understood as meaning especially so-called cut flowers, cut herbs, ready-arranged bouquets but also other plant types not mentioned here. In particular, the invention should allow the transport of such plants, which have no substrate enclosed root ball, so far in particular so-called non-potted plants.

In the prior art it is known for the purpose of supplying water to the plants during transport, for example, to insert the plants into a water-soaked depot, for example in the form of a sponge.

CONFIRMATION COPY Although the binding of the water needed for the supply has in one

sponge-like depot the advantage that the water can not be spilled during transport, the disadvantage of such a depot, however, that on the one hand, not all plants are supplied in the same way with water, the capacity of such depots is regularly very low and thus only An adequate supply is ensured for small transport times and the delivery of water to the plants is uneven or inadequate, especially when the spongy depot is dehydrated.

As the discharge of water proceeds, the air contained in such a sponge-like depot also complicates water transport based on capillary action. Furthermore, direct contact between vascular bundles of the plant and water is not guaranteed.

For the transport of individual plants or individual cut flowers, it is known in the art to adjust such a plant with the truncated stem in a water-filled transport vessel, the stalk of the plant penetrates a rubber cap, which has an upper end of the

Transport vessel forms and this against water leakage during the

Transportes seals.

With such transport vessels, however, not more plants,

In particular, not several cut plants or cut flowers are transported at the same time or even whole bouquets, since on the one hand the

Capacity of such a known transport vessel for the several plants is not sufficient and on the other hand with the rubber cap not more plant stems or strains can be sealed at the same time.

It is therefore an object of the invention, a method in which at least one plant is adjusted in a water-filled transport vessel and transported together with the transport vessel, such that a

basically any number of in a water-filled transport vessel adjusted plants can be transported while reducing the

Risk of water leaking out of the transport container during transport. Furthermore, it is preferable to allow transport with a reduced risk of microbial contamination.

This object is achieved according to the invention with a method of the type mentioned, in which further before transport to the

Water surface in the transport vessel on the water surface

floating, preferably not water-soluble agent, in particular a first agent, is applied in the liquid state and solidifies the agent after application.

In the context of the invention, solidification is at least understood to mean that the viscosity of the liquid applied agent floating on the surface of the water increases, in particular that the agent changes from the liquid phase into a solid phase, i. stiffens.

With regard to this method step, it is irrelevant for the invention whether first the at least one plant is set in the transport vessel and then the agent is applied to the water surface in the transport vessel or if first the agent is applied to the water surface in the transport vessel and then the at least one plant in this is set.

In a first general aspect, the invention is based on the idea that the water surface applied and solidified agent already affords calming of the water surface, even if the agent floats only in the form of one or more islands after solidification on the water surface. Already hereby it is achieved that when transporting the plant with such a prepared transport vessel, the risk is reduced that spills over the upper edge of the transport vessel during movements of the transport vessel water. In a particularly preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, however, it is provided to apply the agent, in particular the first agent in an amount so that it forms a surface covering the water surface in the liquid state, which covers the inner wall of the

Transport vessel contacted and contacted the stem or stem of at least one plant / encloses and hereafter solidifies, in particular solidifies.

Thus, it is thereby achieved that the water surface during transport is evenly calmed in uncontrolled movements of the transport vessel, spilling over of water from the transport vessel is prevented and the transport vessel against leakage of water is ensured by the fact that the solidified on the water surface floating, especially if necessary ,

mechanically fixed means forms a seal. The water is thus encapsulated between the agent and the transport vessel wall.

In addition, the invention can also provide for additionally mechanically securing the at least one set plant, in particular so that relative

Movements of at least one plant relative to the transport vessel prevented or at least reduced. A transport of plant and

Transport vessel can also be lying or even over the head, without causing water leakage from the transport container.

For example, it may be intended to be between plant and

Transport vessel at least one mechanical stabilizing element

to be used, e.g. at least one element which acts on the plant (for example on the stem) and the transport vessel wall or its upper edge. Also, a stabilizing holder may be provided in a package in which the transport container with the at least one plant is located. The holder can attack the plant and / or the transport vessel.

According to the invention, it is intended to select an agent which is buoyant on water in the liquid and solid state, ie a density smaller than 1 g / cubic centimeter. The agent is preferably not soluble in water and more preferably hydrophobic.

The invention may provide for raising the water level in the transport vessel to a cross-sectional taper, in particular in the upper region. In this way it can be achieved that the means only a comparatively small

Water surface must cover, so therefore means can be saved.

In a preferred embodiment, it can be provided here as an agent to be used which is biodegradable, in particular at least according to OECD 302, preferably according to OECD 301.

In a preferred embodiment it can be provided that the agent, in particular the first agent is formed by a fat, a fatty acid or the like or a mixture of at least two of the aforementioned substances. It may be provided according to the invention in general that the agent and preferably the fat, a fatty acid or the like or a corresponding mixture is heated above its melting point and applied in the molten state to the water surface.

Here, preferably, the melting point of the agent or of the fat, the fatty acid or the mixture chosen so that the agent at the expected during transport ambient temperature in the solid state, that is solidified according to the invention and preferably further so that the melting point below such Temperature levels is at which damage to the

Plant would occur, ie in particular less than 60 ° C, more preferably less than 50 ° C and even more preferably less than 40 ° C.

Especially by setting the mixing ratio at two

Components, in particular of two different fats or fatty acids or the like formed with different melting points, a specific desired melting point of the liquid to be applied agent depending on the existing or expected environmental condition can be selected. Generally, the invention may preferably provide for selecting an agent having a melting point between 25 and 40 degrees Celsius.

Fats suitable for carrying out the process for forming the liquid-applied and solidifying agent are, for example, vegetable fats such as preferably palm kernel fat having a melting point in the range of 25-30 ° C, or coconut fat having a melting point in the range of 18-23 ° C or Palm oil with a melting point in the range of 30-37 ° C.

Animal fats may also be used as a liquid and solidifying agent, such as beef tallow having a melting point in the range of 40-50 ° C, lard with a lard

Melting point in the range of 28-40 ° C or butter with a melting point in the range of 28-38 ° C.

Also animal or vegetable fatty acids whose melting points are preferably in the aforementioned preferred melting point range are suitable.

According to the invention, it can be provided to set a desired melting point of the mixture by selecting at least two different components of fat and / or fatty acid, each having different melting points, to be mixed.

To a particularly good distribution of the agent, in particular first agent and preferably the fat, the fatty acid or a mixture of the aforementioned

In order to achieve substances on the water surface for the formation of a layer completely covering the water surface, the invention may further provide for adding auxiliaries to the agent and / or the water in the transport vessel which promote the distribution of the agent on the water surface, in particular those which determine the surface tension of the water. When using a fat, a fatty acid or a mixture of at least two components of the aforementioned substances as inventive means, it may be provided, for example, the detergent and / or water in the transport vessel to add a surfactant in order through this

Surface tension of the water and to reduce the interfacial tension between water and the agent.

Thus, a complete coverage of the water surface with the agent used and in particular a fat, a fatty acid or a mixture can be achieved by using such an adjuvant with small amounts and layer thicknesses of the agent, so to apply by applying such an adjuvant, the amount of material to be applied to liquid and solidifying agent can be reduced.

When using an agent which solidifies by cooling below its melting point after the order on the water, it can in particular for

Prolonging the time required for the means to go from the liquid to the solid phase be provided that the water in the transport vessel during the application of the agent, in particular the first agent on the

Ambient temperature is heated, in particular to a

Temperature level is heated above the ambient temperature and below the melting temperature of said, in particular first means, such as

for example, the fat or fat mixture.

It can be prevented so that a liquid heated above the melting liquid abruptly cools and solidifies when applied to the water surface, so that more time is available in the liquid medium to a on the

Water surface closed layer form, which is close to both the inner wall region of the transport vessel and the

Plant stalks or trunks at the height of the water level creates and only then solidifies. Accordingly, it may be provided for the purpose of transport already preheated water to introduce into the transport vessel. A comparatively long solidification time can also be achieved by selecting the melting temperature only slightly above, in particular smaller than 10 degrees Celsius, above the ambient temperature or water temperature.

An embodiment that could also be combined with said pre-tempering can also provide for actively cooling the water in the transport vessel after application of the agent, in particular below the ambient temperature or

Cooling room temperature to accelerate the process of solidification after the formation of a closed layer. For example, can do that for

Transport vessel are placed with the plant together in or on a cooling device, in the simplest sense, e.g. in a water bath with colder water than the water in the vessel, e.g. in a water bath with ice / ice cubes.

The invention may also provide, in a further preferred embodiment, for the layer formed entirely by the agent and completely covering the water surface to act as a support layer for applying a second second sealing agent thereto.

In this case, the agent described in the introduction, and in particular a fat or fat mixture in the sense of the invention, forms a first agent to which

in particular after its solidification at least a second agent is applied in the liquid state, which is a full surface of the first layer

overlapping second layer forms, in this case again contacted in particular the inner wall region of the transport vessel and the stalk or trunk of the therein at least one plant contacted, preferably encloses and thereafter solidifies, in particular solidifies.

Such a two-layer structure has the advantage that the first layer of the first means can be thinner compared to the second layer of the second means, since this only has to perform a support function for the second means and the actual sealing layer formed by the second means becomes. Thus, the amount of material of the first agent, which optionally has disadvantages such as lower biodegradability, higher costs, poorer availability, etc., than the second agent, can be minimized. Essentially therefore only the layer which is produced by the second means can actually perform the sealing function and optionally one

Stabilizing function of plants during transport meet.

The process variant of the invention for the purpose of transport to build two layers above the water surface therefore has the advantage that such a second liquid can be applied and solidifying agent can be used, which on the water surface, if necessary. Not

is buoyant. Thus, this process aspect opens up a multitude of secondarily usable second means which would not be present if only one single agent was used, which must necessarily be buoyant. For example, a second agent can be used which has a significantly better biodegradability than the first agent, in particular according to OECD 301.

The invention may provide here that the second layer formed from the second means in at least 2 times, preferably at least 3 times the thickness of the first layer of the first agent form.

The invention may further provide for the second agent, after the liquid application, to gel on the first layer, ie to form a solidified gel out of the liquid phase. Most preferably, the second agent may be selected to form a water-based gel, with water preferably making up the majority of the second agent.

Thus, it may also be provided, as well as those means which do not gel but which are based on other processes such as polymerization, that the second agent is mixed before application to the first agent layer of at least two separate components. Here, the components may be selected such that the process of

Solidification, especially the gel formation only by the mixture of

Components is set in motion. Preference can also be given here by the

Ingredients of the components and or their mixing ratio, the time are determined within which the second agent is liquid, that is not fully solidified into a gel.

For example, a second agent based on sodium alginate can be used. In such an embodiment, a second component comprising, for example, two components may be provided in a first component

Sodium alginate and water, preferably distilled water, and optionally adjuvants, such as glycerol and / or pigments with thickening effect, such as preferably highly disperse silica and / or a Zeitverzögerer, such as tetrasodium diphosphate decahydrate.

A second component may provide, for example, calcium ions dissolved in water, preferably distilled water, as a reactant for the sodium alginate, such as a solution of calcium sulfate dihydrate in water. Here, the skilled person can determine the gel time or gel time of a mixed water-based gel of these two components in a conventional manner by the amounts of time retarder or Caicium reactants.

According to the invention, other gelling agents, in particular water-based gelling agents, may also be used as second agents or in a second agent, even those which require heat activation, such as e.g. Gelatin or agar-agar. Also

Mixtures of different gelling agents are possible.

A further development of the invention can additionally provide that on the first and second layers which are formed from the first and second means, at least one further layer is applied by an agent in the liquid state, which subsequently solidifies. Here, for example, to form this at least one further layer again the initially mentioned first means are used, so for example, a fat or a fatty acid or a mixture of the aforementioned substances, so that the layer of the second agent, such as a water-based gel between two layers of the same first means or at least two similar, for example, two fat-based agents is included. For example, such premature drying of the water-containing gel can be prevented.

The process according to the invention has the advantage that plants transported in the transport vessel, in particular cut flowers, can be easily freed from the layers formed from the agents at the end of the transport and the remainders of the agents can be disposed of, for example in the usual household waste.

The use of the method according to the invention has the additional advantage that the water is hermetically encapsulated in the transport vessel after application of at least one agent, optionally of several of the above-described means to the environment and thus no further contamination of the water is to be expected during transport.

In this respect, the invention can also provide for use in the

Transport vessel sterilized water, for example, boiled or treated by UV radiation water or even osmosis water use.

The water in the transport vessel can be added in other, also combinable design, with freshness preservatives and / or nutrients, in particular the so the plant in addition to the water in a continuous time are available.

Embodiments of the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the following figures.

Figure 1 shows a bouquet of several individual cut flowers 1, which are set in a container 2 filled with water transport vessel 3. in this connection are in a known manner, the cut surfaces of the cut flowers 1 below the water surface. 4

According to the invention, it is now provided a first agent, such as a vegetable fat based on coconut oil above its melting point, for example, of about 30 ° to heat and apply in the liquid phase thus present on the water surface 4 in the transport vessel 3.

Due to the fact that coconut fat has a density of less than 1 g / cubic centimeter, the liquid coconut fat layer floats on the water surface 4, distributes itself there to a layer with a uniform layer thickness, contacts both the inner wall of the transport vessel 3 at the level of the water surface 4 and the stems 1a of the cut flowers 1 and solidifies thereafter due to the cooling, in particular to the ambient temperature, wherein usually the melting temperature of the first agent used is chosen so that it is above the ambient temperature, but is so low that the plants on contact with the heated means 5 are not damaged.

Already such a prepared transport vessel 3 can be transported in the water-filled state together with the cut flowers 1 set therein without the risk that emerges during transport water from the transport vessel 3. At the end of the transport path, for example, the cut flowers 1 can be pulled out of the layer of the agent 5, in particular the fat layer, and be freed from the residues of the agent 5.

By contrast, Figure 2 shows a preferred embodiment in which, as in Figure 1, a first layer of a first agent 5, such as a fat-based agent (e.g., coconut oil) on the

Water surface 4 is applied. In addition, preferably after solidification of the layer of the first means 5 on this layer, a second agent 6 is applied in the liquid phase, preferably in a greater layer thickness than in the layer of the first means 5, wherein the second means 6 solidifies after application , Especially after the second means has contacted the inner wall transport vessel 3 and the flower stem 1 a. This can be ensured by speaking selection or preparation of the second agent and the concomitant time needed for the second agent 6 to solidify.

Here it can provide the invention as a second means to choose a mixture of 2 components. By way of non-limiting example, the first component may be formed by a mixture of sodium alginate, for example 0.5 g thereof, tetrasodium diphosphate decahydrate, for example 0.3 g thereof, glycerol, for example 1 ml thereof and water, in particular distilled water, for example 90 ml thereof.

The second component of the second agent 6 can be formed, for example, again by water, in particular distilled water, for example 10 ml thereof and calcium sulfate dihydrate, for example 0.525 g thereof.

Here, the second component of the second agent forms the reaction partner for the sodium alginate, the tetrasodium diphosphate decahydrate a

Delay forms over which the gel time or gel time of the water-based gel formed from the two components after mixing is influenced.

After mixing these two components, the second agent 6 thus formed is applied to the already formed and preferably solidified layer of the previously applied agent 5, after which it solidifies by gelling.

Figure 3 shows a comparison with the method according to Figure 2

further developed embodiment, in which also all process steps, as described for Figure 2, are performed, in particular with the same means, and finally being applied to the gel layer formed by the means 6, a further 3rd layer of an agent, which in the present embodiment again by the means 5 so preferably a fat such as coconut fat may be formed. As a result, the gelled or possibly gelling agent 6 is completely enclosed.

Such a formed transport vessel with flowers set in it can be easily transported over long distances and times without water through the transport, especially in uncontrolled movements

Loss of spillage or fear of contamination of the water, since the water in the transport vessel is preferably hermetically sealed from the environment.

Claims

claims 1. A method for transporting plants (1), wherein at least one plant (1) in a water (2) filled transport vessel (3) is adjusted and transported together with the transport vessel (3), wherein before transport to the water surface (4) in the transport vessel (3) a preferably non-water-soluble agent (5) floating on the water surface (4), in particular a first agent (5), is applied in the liquid state and the agent (5) solidifies, in particular solidifies, characterized in that the one formed by the means  Water surface completely covering layer serves as a support layer on which a further second used for sealing means (6) is applied. 2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the means (5), in particular the first means (5) is applied in an amount so that it forms a water surface (4) over the entire surface covering layer in the liquid state, which the inner Wall of the transport vessel (3) and the stem (1a) of the at least one plant (1) contacted and hereafter solidifies, in particular solidifies. 3. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the means (5), in particular first means (5), preferably a fat, a fatty acid or a mixture of the aforementioned substances, is heated above its melting point and in the molten state to the  Water surface (4) is applied and cooled there. 4. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the water (2) in the transport vessel (3) during the application of the means (5), in particular of the first means (5) is heated above the ambient temperature, in particular to a temperature level above of the Ambient temperature and below the melting temperature of the particular first agent (5), in particular the fat or fat mixture or  Mixture of the aforementioned substances. 5. The method according to any one of the preceding claims 2 to 4, characterized  in that the second means (6) is applied in the liquid state, which forms a second layer which completely covers the first layer and then solidifies, in particular solidifies. 6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that the second means (6) is mixed before application of at least two separate components. 7. The method according to any one of the preceding claims 5 or 6, characterized  characterized in that the second layer forms at least twice, preferably at least three times, the thickness of the first layer. 8. The method according to any one of the preceding claims 5 to 7, characterized  in that the second means (6) gels onto the first layer after the liquid application. 9. The method according to any one of the preceding claims 5 to 8, characterized  characterized in that on the first and second layer at least one further layer of a means (5), in particular the first means (5) is applied in the liquid state and then the agent (5) solidifies. 10. Use of a molten fat for application to the  Water surface (4) of a plant transport vessel (3) for the purpose of forming a support layer for applying a further means for sealing the transport vessel (3) against water leakage during transport, in particular for stabilizing the plant / s (1). 11.Use of a preferably water-based gellable agent (6),  in particular comprising sodium alginate, for application to a, in particular solidified, base layer floating on the water surface (4) of a plant transport vessel (3) for the purpose of sealing the transport vessel (3) against water leakage during transport, in particular also for stabilizing the plant (s) (1) ,