Phosphorescent composition applicable to a living plant, use of such a composition and method of illuminating a living plant

Abstract

The invention relates to a composition intended to be applied to at least one part of a living plant comprising at least a plurality of phosphorescent inorganic pigments and a food substance belonging to the group comprising at least: - starch; - egg white; - corn, rice or wheat starch; - casein. The invention also relates to a method for illuminating a part of a living plant by applying said composition and the use of said composition as a coating of a surface.

Description

Title of the invention: Phosphorescent composition applicable to a living plant, use of such a composition and method of illuminating a living plant Field of invention

[0001] The invention relates to the field of decoration and in particular to exterior decoration.

[0002] More specifically, the invention relates to a phosphorescent composition intended to be applied to a part of a living plant, its use as a coating of a surface and a corresponding method of illuminating a living plant.

[0003] The invention finds application in particular for the illumination of municipal or private Christmas trees, installed outside, in a square or on a roundabout. The invention can also be implemented to cover an artificial plant or flower or to cover an interior or exterior surface of a building, the surface of a sign or a window or any other surface visible to the public. Prior art

[0004] It is known for example from document FRI 152369 to cover with phosphorescent paint at least part of the plants and trees or the lawn of a park, a garden or an open-air theatre serving as a setting for a show to give this place a magical appearance.

[0005] This paint based on zinc sulfide doped with copper or cobalt or phosphorus containing radioactive ions has the disadvantage of being toxic to plants and constitutes pollution for the surrounding natural environment due to its radioactivity.

[0006] Another disadvantage of this known painting technique is that zinc sulfide is very sensitive to humidity and can only shine for 10 minutes.

[0007] In order to at least partially overcome these drawbacks, document NL1030472 C2 proposed using a paint, ink or dye containing phosphorescent pigments composed of strontium, calcium or barium aluminates doped with rare earths, which can glow for several hours in the dark, which are non-toxic and safe for the handler, which are non-radioactive and, moreover, which are less polluting because they are chemically inert.

[0008] A disadvantage of these known paints, inks or dyes is that they contain resins or polymer-based binders which will form a barrier that blocks the stomata or lenticels of the plants and will prevent photosynthesis. This is why document NL1030472 C2 limits their use to artificial plants. or to cut flowers or tree branches.

[0009] Document FRI 152369 envisaged adding sodium nitrochlorophyll to phosphorescent paint in order to enable plants in the ground to withstand a deposit of paint on their surface. However, this solution proves to be ineffective and expensive.

[0010] There is therefore a demand for a phosphorescent product which can be effectively applied to living plants without causing them to die and which is not polluting. Objectives of the invention

[0011] The invention therefore aims in particular to overcome the drawbacks of the state of the art cited above.

[0012] More specifically, the invention aims to provide an effective phosphorescence composition having suitable intensity and persistence, i.e. a duration during which it emits light in the dark, and which can be applied to living plants without damaging or causing these plants to die.

[0013] An objective of the invention is also to provide a composition which is environmentally friendly.

[0014] Another objective of the invention is to provide such a composition which is resistant to bad weather and in particular to rain and snow.

[0015] An objective of the invention is also to propose such a composition which has a reduced cost price and which is simple to implement. Statement of the invention

[0016] These objectives, as well as others which will appear subsequently, are achieved using a composition intended to be applied to at least one part of a living plant comprising at least a plurality of phosphorescent inorganic pigments and a food substance belonging to the group comprising at least:

[0017] - starch;

[0018] - egg white;

[0019] - corn, rice or wheat starch;

[0020] - casein.

[0021] Unexpectedly, the inventor found that by mixing phosphorescent pigments with a food thickener, a substantially fluid paste was obtained in which the pigments were distributed in a substantially homogeneous manner and which had suitable adhesion to the leaves, stems, needles or branches of a plant. Furthermore, the inventor observed that this composition did not damage the plant and that new shoots could form. Furthermore, she was surprised to find that this composition resisted heavy rain.

[0022] It will be noted that in the context of the invention, the term "plant" is understood in its common meaning, namely a plant organism having roots, a stem or a trunk and leaves and possibly flowers or fruits, which includes trees.

[0023] Furthermore, by "phosphorescent pigments" is meant luminophore pigments which have a luminescence in the visible spectrum which persists after they have been illuminated. In other words, these pigments accumulate a certain "energy potential" when they are illuminated, which they release in the form of visible light when they are placed in the dark. These pigments are preferably chosen from known pigments so that they are non-toxic, inert in order to preserve the environment and not very sensitive to humidity.

[0024] Preferably, said phosphorescent pigments are aluminates or carbonates of alkaline earth metals doped with rare earths.

[0025] Thus, a phosphorescent composition is obtained which has a relatively high persistence and luminous intensity, which allows them to glow for several days in the dark. Furthermore, these pigments are advantageously non-toxic to humans and animals and are safe for the environment.

[0026] It should be noted that the pigments may consist of a single type of aluminate or carbonate or of a plurality of different aluminates and / or carbonates.

[0027] In a particular embodiment of the invention, said phosphorescent pigments are strontium aluminates doped with europium and co-doped with dysprosium.

[0028] This produces a composition which emits a green, blue or red light depending on the degree of oxidation of the europium.

[0029] In a variant of this particular embodiment of the invention, the strontium aluminate may be co-doped with any other suitable lanthanide, such as pra-seodinium, samarium or holmium.

[0030] In a particular embodiment of the invention, said starch is potato, cassava, or yam starch.

[0031] The invention also relates to a method of illuminating at least a part of a living plant comprising the following steps:

[0032] - mixture of at least one powder of phosphorescent inorganic pigments with a food substance belonging to the group comprising at least:

[0033] - starch;

[0034] - egg white;

[0035] - corn, rice or wheat starch;

[0036] - casein,

[0037] so as to obtain a substantially homogeneous fluid paste;

[0038] - application of said fluid paste on said part of said plant;

[0039] - illumination by a light source of said part of said plant on which a said mixture was applied.

[0040] In the context of the invention, the term "fluid paste" means a preparation having a reduced viscosity allowing it to flow easily. It will be noted that the light source may be a light source emitting in the infrared, in visible radiation or in the ultraviolet.

[0041] In particular embodiments of the invention, during said mixing step, said phosphorescent inorganic pigment powder and said food substance are mixed with water.

[0042] The addition of water is particularly necessary when starch, starch or casein in powder or dehydrated form is used.

[0043] According to a particular aspect of the invention, said application step comprises a step of spraying said mixture onto said part of said plant.

[0044] In variations of this particular embodiment of the invention, said plant may be coated with said mixture with a brush, or any other suitable known tool, or applied by dripping said mixture onto said part of said plant.

[0045] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, said plant is a fir tree.

[0046] This fir tree can thus, thanks to the invention, be illuminated at night, in particular during the holiday season, with a limited amount of light, which reduces overall electrical energy consumption.

[0047] The invention also relates to the use of a composition comprising at least a plurality of phosphorescent inorganic pigments and a food substance belonging to the group comprising at least:

[0048] - starch;

[0049] - egg white;

[0050] - corn, rice or wheat starch;

[0051] -casein,

[0052] as a coating of a surface, such as the surface of a part of a plant.

[0053] an interior or exterior surface of a building, the surface of a panel or a display window List of figures

[0054] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly on reading the following description of embodiments of the invention, given as simple illustrative and non-limiting examples, and the single appended drawing:

[0055] [Fig-1] illustrates, in a synoptic manner, the steps of an embodiment of a method of illumination of a Christmas tree according to the invention in the form of a block diagram. Detailed description of the invention

[0056] Examples of embodiments of a composition in the form of a fluid paste according to the invention are presented below. Example 1

[0057] 110g of YmO-10W phosphorescent pigment powder from the company Arcolris (registered trademark) emitting a green light consisting of strontium aluminates doped with europium and co-doped with dysprosium are mixed in a container with 1kg of corn starch distributed under the brand name Maïzena (registered trademark) in proportions, so as to distribute the phosphorescent pigments in a substantially homogeneous manner in the corn starch matrix.

[0058] Water is then gradually added while mixing the mixture under shear with a beater, whisk or paddle mixer at a speed of 40 rotations / minute for a sufficient time to obtain a homogeneous fluid paste.

[0059] This paste is then poured into a bottle for later use. Example 2

[0060] 90g of phosphorescent pigment powder YmO-10D from the company Arcolris (registered trademark) emitting a green light with IL of egg white are mixed in a container with a mixer, a whisk or a paddle mixer at a speed of 15 rotations / minute for a sufficient time to obtain a fluid gel in which the pigments are distributed homogeneously. Example 3

[0061] A fluid paste giving off a red light is obtained by mixing in the tank of a mixer 1 kg of YmR phosphorescent pigment powder from the company Arcolris (registered trademark) with 6 kg of potato starch until the pigments are homogeneously distributed in the starch matrix, then gradually adding water while continuing to mix the mixture under shear at a speed of 100 rotations / minute.

[0062] [Fig.l] illustrates, in the form of a block diagram, the steps of an exemplary embodiment of a method for illuminating a Christmas tree planted in a pot according to the invention.

[0063] In this particular embodiment of the invention, a fluid paste corresponding to the paste of example 1 was obtained after mixing (step 11) phosphorescent pigments YmO-1OW of the Stradust brand (registered trademark) with corn starch to which water was added (step 111), in the proportions of example 1.

[0064] In a step 12, this fluid paste is sprayed in the form of micro-droplets onto the needles of the fir tree with a garden sprayer, or atomizer.

[0065] At nightfall, the tree is lit (step 13) with three white light projectors regularly placed every 120° around the tree for one minute. The projectors are then switched off and the tree remains lit (step 14). Steps 13 and 14 are repeated approximately every 10 minutes, which allows the tree to be kept lit by lighting it less than 10% of the time.

[0066] In variants of this embodiment of the invention, it is also possible to spray different parts of the tree with different compositions according to the invention, each giving off a different colored light, which makes it possible to do without light garlands to decorate the tree.

[0067] It should be noted that if this tree is intended to illuminate an outdoor location, the fluid paste can withstand rain for several days. In addition, it should be noted that the fluid paste does not cause the needles to fall and does not damage the branches of the tree and therefore, it can be replanted after use and produce new shoots.

Claims

Claims

1. Composition intended to be applied to at least one part of a living plant comprising a plurality of phosphorescent inorganic pigments and a food substance belonging to the group comprising at least: - starch; - egg white; - corn, rice or wheat starch; - casein.

2. Composition according to claim 1, characterized in that said phosphorescent pigments are aluminates or carbonates of alkaline earth metals doped with rare earths.

3. Composition according to claim 2, characterized in that said phosphorescent pigments are strontium aluminates doped with europium and co-doped with dysprosium.

4. Aqueous composition according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said starch is potato, cassava or yam starch.

5. Method for illuminating at least one part of a living plant comprising the following steps: - mixing at least one powder of phosphorescent inorganic pigments with a food substance belonging to the group comprising at least: - starch; - egg white; - corn, rice or wheat starch; - casein, so as to obtain a substantially homogeneous fluid paste; - applying said fluid paste to said part of said plant; - illuminating by a light source said part of said plant to which said mixture has been applied.

6. Illumination method according to claim 5, characterized in that during said mixing step said phosphorescent inorganic pigment powder and said food substance are mixed with water.

7. Illumination method according to any one of claims 5 and 6, characterized in that said application step comprises a step of spraying said fluid paste onto said part of said plant.

8. Illumination method according to claim 5 to 7, characterized in that said plant is a fir tree.

9. Use of a composition comprising at least a plurality of phosphorescent inorganic pigments and a food substance belonging to the group comprising at least: - starch; - egg white; - corn, rice or wheat starch; - casein, as a coating for a surface, such as the surface of a part of a plant.

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