Capillary Tube Vase Insert for Stem Hydration Without Beveling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing flower vase designs do not ensure an optimal liquid supply to flowers without the need for beveling the flower stems, as they rely on immersion methods that may not provide sufficient hydration through conventional stem insertion techniques.

Innovation Solution

The device features sharpened upper ends on the tubes inserted into the support surface, allowing for water supply through capillary action when water is filled in the vase, eliminating the need for beveling and ensuring improved fluid delivery to the flowers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If conventional stem insertion techniques are used, then the device structure is simple, but liquid supply to flowers is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveliquid supply to flowersVSAvoiddevice structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs capillary tubes with porous structures that enable liquid transport through capillary action. The tubes have specific inner diameters (0.5-2mm) and wall porosity that facilitate water uptake and delivery to flower stems without requiring complex pumping mechanisms, thus improving liquid supply while maintaining structural simplicity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces mechanical liquid delivery systems (pumps, pressure devices) with passive capillary action-based liquid transport. The capillary tubes automatically draw water from the reservoir to the flower stems through surface tension and capillary forces, eliminating the need for mechanical components while ensuring sufficient liquid supply

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Quantity of substance

If beveling of flower stems is performed, then liquid supply is improved, but additional processing steps are required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveliquid supply to flowersVSAvoidflower preparation process
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The capillary tube system performs the liquid supply function automatically without requiring external intervention or preparation of the flower stems. The tubes self-regulate water delivery based on capillary forces and the water level in the reservoir, eliminating the need for users to bevel or otherwise prepare the flower stems, thus simplifying the overall process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Quantity of substance

If immersion methods are used, then device structure is simple, but hydration efficiency is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehydration efficiencyVSAvoiddevice structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention divides the liquid delivery system into multiple capillary tubes (typically 3-10 tubes) that are distributed among the flower stems. This segmentation allows each tube to deliver water directly to individual stems, significantly improving hydration efficiency compared to a single immersion point, while the overall structure remains relatively simple and easy to assemble

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This solution ensures a consistent and sufficient hydration of flowers by leveraging capillary action, enhancing the liquid supply without the need for beveling the flower stems, thus maintaining flower freshness and health.

Implementation Method 1

When the flower stems are placed on the tubes which are pointed at the upper ends according to claim 5, the flowers are supplied with water by capillary action when water is filled into the vase

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Data Source

PatentEP4101289B1Device for inserting a bouquet into a vase
Publication Date: 2024.02.14 AABBADI HAFIDA
  • EP4101289B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3

AI summary

A device (1) for inserting a bouquet of flowers into a vase, comprising - an upper support surface (2), - an end wall (3) adjoining the underside of the support surface (2) and - several thin-walled tubes (4) inserted into the support surface (2), open at one end at their lower end, closed at their upper end and having at least one lateral opening (5) in the region of their upper end.