Preserved flower preparation treatment liquid and method

Abstract

The application discloses a kind of immortal flower preparation with treatment liquid and immortal flower preparation method, it is related to the field of flower processing, comprising: bleaching liquid, with the total volume of the bleaching liquid as measurement reference includes the following components: methanol 95~99%(v / v), sodium chlorite 1.2~1.8%(w / v), citric acid 0.15~0.25%(w / v), ammonium sulfate 0.08~0.12%(w / v);Displacement dyeing liquid, with the total volume of the displacement dyeing liquid as measurement reference includes the following components: methanol 80~90%(v / v), polyethylene glycol 13~17%(v / v), glycerol 0.5~0.75%(w / v), penetrant 0.05~0.11%(w / v), anhydrous sodium sulfate 0.01~0.04%(w / v);The treatment liquid, by limiting the percentage range of component in bleaching liquid, makes the proportion of each component of bleaching liquid in the interval of synergistic effect, to realize sufficient decolorization to flower material at lower temperature, reduce excessive oxidative damage to flower material fiber, reduce the risk of product embrittlement.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to flower processing technology, specifically to a treatment solution for preparing preserved flowers and a method for preparing preserved flowers. Background Technology

[0002] Preserved flowers are processed flowers created by chemically replacing the water in fresh flowers or foliage with moisturizing substances, while retaining their original shape and texture. The process involves first using bleach to decolorize the flowers, and then using a replacement dyeing solution to replace the water and add color.

[0003] In existing preserved flower production processes, the formulations of bleaching solutions and replacement dyeing solutions largely rely on experience, with unclear or imprecise proportions of each component. For example, an improper ratio of sodium chlorite to citric acid in the bleaching solution can easily lead to incomplete bleaching or excessive oxidation, causing the petals to become brittle. Similarly, an unreasonable ratio of polyethylene glycol to glycerin in the replacement dyeing solution can cause the finished product to yellow, crack, or fail to maintain its shape properly in the later stages. Furthermore, due to the lack of standardized formulations, the quality of preserved flowers produced in different batches varies significantly, making it difficult to meet the quality stability requirements of industrial-scale mass production.

[0004] Therefore, how to provide a preserved flower treatment solution with precise component ratios that can improve the stability of finished product quality is a technical problem that urgently needs to be solved in this field. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide a treatment solution for preparing preserved flowers and a method for preparing preserved flowers, so as to solve the problem that the inaccurate formulation of the preserved flower treatment solution in the prior art leads to unstable quality of the finished product.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution:

[0007] In a first aspect, the present invention provides a treatment solution for preparing preserved flowers, comprising:

[0008] The bleaching solution, measured by its total volume, comprises the following components: 95-99% (v / v) methanol, 1.2-1.8% (w / v) sodium chlorite, 0.15-0.25% (w / v) citric acid, and 0.08-0.12% (w / v) ammonium sulfate.

[0009] The replacement staining solution, measured by its total volume, comprises the following components: 80-90% (v / v) methanol, 13-17% (v / v) polyethylene glycol, 0.5-0.75% (w / v) glycerin, 0.05-0.11% (w / v) penetrant, and 0.01-0.04% (w / v) sodium sulfate.

[0010] The methanol content in the bleaching solution should be 95%–99% (v / v). Below 95%, it may affect the solubility and penetration efficiency of sodium chlorite; above 99%, it increases cost and volatility, requiring more stringent operating conditions. The sodium chlorite content should be 1.2%–1.8% (w / v). Below 1.2%, the bleaching ability is insufficient, requiring extended treatment time; above 1.8%, it may cause excessive oxidation of the flower fibers, leading to brittle petals. The citric acid content should be 0.15%–0.25% (w / v). It works synergistically with sodium chlorite to adjust the pH value to optimize bleaching activity; too low a content results in a high pH and decreased bleaching efficiency; too high a content leads to excessive acidity, potentially damaging the flowers. The ammonium sulfate content should be 0.08%–0.12% (w / v). As a buffer and catalyst, it helps stabilize the bleaching reaction.

[0011] The methanol content in the replacement dyeing solution is 80%–90% (v / v), serving as the main solvent and dehydrating agent. If the methanol content is too low, polyethylene glycol and glycerin may precipitate; if the methanol content is too high, the moisturizing components are relatively insufficient, and the finished product is prone to cracking. The polyethylene glycol content is 13%–17% (v / v), acting as the core replacement agent, with PEG400 or PEG600 being the preferred molecular weight. If the content is below 13%, replacement is insufficient, and the finished product is prone to wilting; if the content is above 17%, the flowers feel too soft, and their shape retention ability decreases. The glycerin content is 0.5%–0.75% (w / v); below 0.5%, the moisturizing effect is insufficient; above 0.75%, the surface of the flowers may become too sticky. The penetrant content is 0.05%–0.11% (w / v), helping the solution quickly penetrate the interior of the flowers; if the content is too low, penetration is uneven; if the content is too high, it may affect pigment adhesion. The content of sodium sulfate is 0.01% to 0.04% (w / v), which is used as a dyeing accelerator to help the pigment be dyed evenly.

[0012] The cleaning solution contains 95%–99% methanol (v / v) and 1.2%–1.8% sodium bisulfite (w / v). Sodium bisulfite, acting as a reducing agent and dechlorinating agent, effectively neutralizes residual active chlorine on the bleached flowers, preventing yellowing of the finished product. A soaking time of 10–15 minutes is sufficient for dechlorination; too short a time will result in incomplete dechlorination, while too long a time may cause additional swelling of the flowers.

[0013] Furthermore, in the replacement staining solution, the polyethylene glycol is PEG400 or PEG600.

[0014] Furthermore, in the bleaching solution, methanol accounts for 98% (v / v), sodium chlorite accounts for 1.5% (w / v), citric acid accounts for 0.2% (w / v), and ammonium sulfate accounts for 0.1% (w / v);

[0015] The replacement staining solution contains 85% (v / v) methanol, 15% (v / v) polyethylene glycol, 0.63% (w / v) glycerol, 0.08% (w / v) penetrant, and 0.025% (w / v) sodium sulfate.

[0016] Secondly, the present invention provides a method for preparing preserved flowers using the above-described treatment solution for preparing preserved flowers, comprising the following steps:

[0017] S1. Immerse the floral materials in the bleach solution and treat them under constant temperature conditions of 35℃~45℃.

[0018] S2. Immerse the treated floral materials in the replacement dye solution and treat them under constant temperature conditions of 35℃~45℃.

[0019] S3. Dry the flowers after constant temperature treatment to obtain preserved flowers.

[0020] Furthermore, for white preserved flowers, after the flowers are removed from the bleach solution, they are first soaked in the cleaning solution for 10-15 minutes to remove chlorine, and then soaked in the replacement dyeing solution.

[0021] Furthermore, based on the total volume of the cleaning solution, the cleaning solution contains: 95-99% (v / v) methanol and 1.2-1.8% (w / v) sodium bisulfite.

[0022] Furthermore, the treatment time of the bleaching solution is: 3.5 to 4.5 hours for flowers and 22 to 26 hours for leaves; the treatment time of the replacement dyeing solution is 24 to 40 hours.

[0023] Furthermore, the drying is carried out at a temperature of 25°C to 55°C and a relative humidity of 30% to 50%.

[0024] Furthermore, the treatment under constant temperature conditions all adopts an indirect water bath heating method; the indirect water bath heating method is as follows: a container one containing flowers and solution is placed in a container two containing water, and the solution in container one is indirectly heated by heating the water in container two.

[0025] This method ensures uniform heating of the solution, avoiding localized overheating caused by direct heating. Furthermore, since methanol is flammable, indirect water bath heating reduces the safety risks associated with open flames or direct contact between the heating element and the solution. The constant temperature range of 35℃ to 45℃ is a result of considering both reaction rate and floral material protection: below 35℃, the bleaching and displacement reactions slow down significantly, prolonging the processing time; above 45℃, some floral materials (such as delicate petals) may suffer heat damage.

[0026] Bleaching time: Flowers (such as hydrangeas and carnations) generally require 3.5–4.5 hours, while foliage, due to its high cellulose content, requires 22–26 hours. Replacement time: Flowers generally require 24–40 hours, while foliage can be replaced up to about 40 hours. Judgment criteria: For bleaching, flowers are ready when they appear pure white or nearly pure white; for replacement, petals or leaves should feel soft and elastic to the touch, and the color should be uniform.

[0027] Drying steps: Hot air ovens or drying rooms can be used for drying. Hanging is recommended to maintain the flower shape. The drying temperature should be 25℃~55℃, and the relative humidity should be 30%~50%, adjusted according to the different flowers. Natural air drying can also be used, but it should be placed in a cool, ventilated place, avoiding direct sunlight. When mixing colors, it should be considered that the color will lighten after air drying.

[0028] Compared with existing technologies, the present invention provides a treatment solution and method for preparing preserved flowers. By limiting the volume percentage or weight / volume percentage range of methanol, sodium chlorite, citric acid, and ammonium sulfate in the bleaching solution, the proportions of each component in the bleaching solution are kept within a synergistically effective range. Within this range, sodium chlorite maintains stable bleaching activity in the weakly acidic environment provided by citric acid, methanol acts as a solvent to ensure penetration efficiency, and ammonium sulfate acts as a buffer to stabilize the reaction system. This allows for thorough decolorization of the flower materials at a lower temperature (35℃~45℃), while reducing excessive oxidative damage to the flower fiber and lowering the risk of brittleness in the finished product. Attached Figure Description

[0029] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application or the prior art, the drawings used in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments recorded in this invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings.

[0030] Figure 1 This is a schematic block diagram of the components of the treatment liquid provided in an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0031] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the technical solution of the present invention, the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0032] As shown in Appendix 1:

[0033] Example 1:

[0034] This invention provides a treatment solution for preparing preserved flowers, comprising:

[0035] Preparation of bleach solution (solution A)

[0036] The components of the bleach solution are prepared according to their volume percentage (v / v) or weight percentage (w / v). For example, to prepare 10000ml of bleach solution: measure 9800ml of methanol (purity ≥97%) and add it to a container; weigh 150g of sodium chlorite, 20g of citric acid, and 10g of ammonium sulfate, and add them to the methanol in portions while stirring until completely dissolved. After preparation, seal the solution and store it away from light for later use.

[0037] Preparation of replacement staining solution (Solution B)

[0038] The components of the replacement staining solution are prepared according to their volume percentage (v / v) or weight percentage (w / v). For example, to prepare 10,000 ml of replacement staining solution: Measure 8,500 ml of methanol (purity ≥97%) and add it to a container; measure 1,500 ml of polyethylene glycol (PEG400 or PEG600) and add it to the methanol, stirring until homogeneous; weigh 63 g of glycerin, 8 g of penetrant JFC, and 2.5 g of sodium sulfate, and add them to the above mixture in portions, stirring constantly until completely dissolved. If colored preserved flowers are required, an appropriate amount of alcohol-soluble pigment should be added according to the target color. The amount of pigment can be adjusted according to the color intensity, for example, 1–10 g of pigment per 10,000 ml of replacement staining solution. After preparation, seal the solution and store it away from light for later use.

[0039] Polyethylene glycol (PEG) of PEG400 or PEG600 is preferred, as both molecular weights allow for good penetration into flower cells and water replacement, maintaining the finished product's supple texture. The addition of glycerin helps retain moisture in the flowers and prevents them from cracking.

[0040] The preparation of colored hydrangea flowers includes:

[0041] (1) Pre-treatment of flowers: Select hydrangeas that are in good bloom and free from pests and diseases, remove excess branches and leaves, place the flowers in a thin plastic flower tray, fix the bottom with cotton thread, and keep the flowers in a natural and relaxed shape.

[0042] (2) Bleaching Treatment: Immerse the fixed flowers in the prepared bleach solution, ensuring complete submersion. Use an indirect water bath heating method: Place the glass container containing the bleach solution and flowers into a larger stainless steel container, adding water to the stainless steel container; use a non-flame heating device (such as a temperature-controlled plate heater) to heat the water in the stainless steel container to 40℃±2℃ and maintain a constant temperature. The heat of the water indirectly heats the bleach solution in the glass container, stabilizing its temperature at around 40℃. Seal the glass container and let it stand for 4 hours to bleach. Observe the whiteness of the flowers during the bleaching process; it is ready when the petals turn completely white.

[0043] (3) Replacement dyeing: Remove the bleached flowers from the bleaching solution and drain off excess liquid. Without rinsing, immerse them directly in the prepared replacement dyeing solution (containing red pigment). Use the same indirect water bath heating method to maintain a constant temperature of 40℃±2℃, and seal for 24 hours. During this time, check the firmness and color of the petals. Replacement is complete when the petals feel soft and the color is uniform and saturated.

[0044] (4) Drying: Take out the flower material after replacement and dyeing, hang it in a hot air oven, set the temperature to 40℃ and the relative humidity to 40%~50%, and dry for 18 hours until the surface of the flower material is dry and the shape is stable, and obtain the red hydrangea preserved flower.

[0045] Example 2:

[0046] This embodiment is basically the same as Embodiment 1, except that;

[0047] Preparation of the cleaning solution: Taking the preparation of 10000ml of cleaning solution as an example: Measure 9800ml of methanol (purity ≥97%) and add it to a container; weigh 150g of sodium bisulfite and add it to the methanol in portions, stirring until completely dissolved. According to this ratio, the final concentrations of each component in the cleaning solution are: methanol 98% (v / v), sodium bisulfite 1.5% (w / v). Seal and store after preparation. In actual production, the scale can be increased or decreased accordingly.

[0048] Preparation of white preserved flowers (high purity white):

[0049] (1) Pre-treatment of flowers: Select lisianthus that are in good bloom and free from pests and diseases, remove excess branches and leaves, place the flowers in a thin plastic flower tray, fix the bottom with cotton thread, and keep the flowers in a natural and relaxed shape.

[0050] (2) Bleaching treatment: Immerse the fixed flower materials in bleaching solution and use indirect water bath heating method to maintain a constant temperature of 40℃±2℃ for 5 hours (the petals of lisianthus are thinner, so the bleaching time is slightly longer than that of hydrangea, and can be adjusted appropriately according to the whiteness).

[0051] (3) Cleaning and dechlorination: Remove the bleached flowers from the bleach solution, drain them, and then immerse them in the cleaning solution. Seal and soak for 12 minutes to remove any residual chlorine from the flowers. After cleaning, remove them and drain them.

[0052] (4) Replacement treatment: The cleaned flowers are immersed in a replacement dye solution without pigment, and the temperature is kept constant at 40℃±2℃ for 30 hours using an indirect water bath heating method.

[0053] (5) Drying: Take out the flower material after replacement treatment, hang it in a hot air oven, set the temperature to 30℃~40℃ and the relative humidity to 35%~45%, and dry for 20 hours to obtain white preserved flowers.

[0054] Example 3:

[0055] This embodiment is basically the same as Embodiment 1, except that a green alcohol-soluble pigment is added to the replacement staining solution.

[0056] Preparation of preserved flowers using eucalyptus leaves as an example:

[0057] (1) Leaf pretreatment: Select eucalyptus leaves that are intact and free from pests and diseases, remove excess petioles, place the leaves in a thin plastic tray, and fix them with cotton thread to keep the leaves spread out.

[0058] (2) Bleaching treatment: The fixed eucalyptus leaves were immersed in bleaching solution and treated at a constant temperature of 40℃±2℃ for 24 hours using an indirect water bath heating method. The leaves have a high cellulose content, so a longer bleaching time is required to achieve the ideal whiteness.

[0059] (3) Replacement dyeing: After bleaching, the leaf material is taken out of the bleaching solution, drained and directly immersed in the replacement dyeing solution (containing green pigment). The indirect water bath heating method is used to treat it at a constant temperature of 40℃±2℃ for 40 hours.

[0060] (4) Drying: Take out the dyed leaves and hang them in a hot air oven. Set the temperature to 45℃~50℃ and the relative humidity to 30%~40% and dry for 36 hours to obtain green eucalyptus leaf preserved flowers.

[0061] Example 4:

[0062] Based on practical experience in Kunming, Yunnan, the recommended treatment parameters for different floral materials are as follows. The bleaching solution and replacement dyeing solution prepared in Example 1 were used, and the procedures in Example 1 were followed, with adjustments only made to the treatment time and drying parameters.

[0063] Thick petal type Roses, camellias, ranunculus, sunflowers 4～5 30～40 40～45 30～40 Multi-petal type Carnations and gerberas 3.5～4.5 24～30 45～50 35～45 Slim Hydrangea 3.5～4.5 20～28 30～40 40～50 ultra-thin Phalaenopsis orchids, cherry blossoms 4～6 40～72 25～35 30～35 Waxy / Thick Leaf Material Eucalyptus leaves, palm leaves 22～26 36～48 45～55 30～40 Thin and soft leaf material Ginkgo leaves, ferns 22～26 24～30 25～35 35～45

[0064] The altitude, humidity, and leaf thickness of the flowers and foliage vary from region to region. Adjustments can be made accordingly based on the specific region.

[0065] The processing solution and preparation method for preserved flowers of the present invention can be used for the industrial production of preserved flowers from various flowers and foliage such as roses, hydrangeas, carnations, ranunculus, orchids, and eucalyptus leaves. The processing solution has a clear ratio, and the process conditions are controllable, making it suitable for mass production. Those skilled in the art can reproduce the present invention and obtain preserved flowers with good morphology and color based on the description in this specification.

[0066] The foregoing has only described certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention by way of illustration. Undoubtedly, those skilled in the art can modify the described embodiments in various ways without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the foregoing drawings and descriptions are illustrative in nature and should not be construed as limiting the scope of protection of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A treatment solution for preparing preserved flowers, characterized in that, include: The bleaching solution, measured by its total volume, comprises the following components: 95-99% (v / v) methanol, 1.2-1.8% (w / v) sodium chlorite, 0.15-0.25% (w / v) citric acid, and 0.08-0.12% (w / v) ammonium sulfate. The replacement staining solution, measured by its total volume, comprises the following components: 80-90% (v / v) methanol, 13-17% (v / v) polyethylene glycol, 0.5-0.75% (w / v) glycerin, 0.05-0.11% (w / v) penetrant, and 0.01-0.04% (w / v) sodium sulfate.

2. The treatment solution for preparing preserved flowers according to claim 1, characterized in that, In the replacement staining solution, the polyethylene glycol is PEG400 or PEG600.

3. The treatment solution for preparing preserved flowers according to claim 1, characterized in that, The bleaching solution contains 98% methanol (v / v), 1.5% sodium chlorite (w / v), 0.2% citric acid (w / v), and 0.1% ammonium sulfate (w / v). The replacement staining solution contains 85% (v / v) methanol, 15% (v / v) polyethylene glycol, 0.63% (w / v) glycerol, 0.08% (w / v) penetrant, and 0.025% (w / v) sodium sulfate.

4. A method for preparing preserved flowers using the treatment solution for preparing preserved flowers according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: S1. Immerse the floral materials in the bleach solution and treat them under constant temperature conditions of 35℃~45℃. S2. Immerse the treated floral materials in the replacement dye solution and treat them under constant temperature conditions of 35℃~45℃. S3. Dry the flowers after constant temperature treatment to obtain preserved flowers.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that, For white preserved flowers, after removing the flowers from the bleach solution, first soak them in the cleaning solution for 10-15 minutes to remove chlorine, and then soak them in the replacement dyeing solution.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that, Based on the total volume of the cleaning solution, the cleaning solution contains: 95-99% (v / v) methanol and 1.2-1.8% (w / v) sodium bisulfite.

7. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that, The treatment time for the bleaching solution is 3.5–4.5 hours for flowers and 22–26 hours for leaves; the treatment time for the replacement dye solution is 24–40 hours.

8. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that, The drying process is carried out at a temperature of 25℃ to 55℃ and a relative humidity of 30% to 50%.

9. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that, The treatment under constant temperature conditions all adopts an indirect water bath heating method; the indirect water bath heating method is as follows: a container containing flowers and solution is placed in a container containing water, and the solution in container one is indirectly heated by heating the water in container two.

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