Flower Bunch Support with Elastic Base for Simplified Packaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing supports for bunches or bouquets of flowers are laborious to package manually, especially when preparing multiple arrangements, due to the difficulty in folding arms around stems and tying raffia cordage.
Innovation Solution
A support with an elastically deformable base element that transitions from a convex to a concave shape, allowing arms to automatically adjust around flower stems, simplifying packaging by enabling easy closure without the need for constant arm tension and facilitating manual or automatic operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the arms are made elastically foldable and restrained with cordage, then the flowers can be kept in vertical position, but the packaging operation becomes laborious and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure performs the closing action automatically through its own elastic mechanism. When the bottom wall is pressed, the arms elastically fold inward and self-restrain against the flower stems without requiring manual intervention to tie cordage, making the system serve itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic arms are pre-configured with restraining teeth and cordage arrangement capabilities before use. When activated by pressing the bottom wall, they automatically perform the closing and restraining actions in advance of manual packaging steps, eliminating the need for separate cordage tying operations.
2Reliability
If manual folding and tying of arms is required, then flower bunches can be secured, but the process becomes difficult and laborious especially for multiple arrangements
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure performs the closing action automatically through its own elastic mechanism. When the bottom wall is pressed, the arms elastically fold inward and self-restrain against the flower stems without requiring manual intervention to tie cordage, making the system serve itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The bottom wall's deformability parameter is utilized to trigger the transformation from open to closed state. By changing the bottom wall from convex to concave shape through simple pressure, the arms automatically adjust their position and tension, making operation easy while maintaining secure closure.
3Ease of operation
If the bottom wall is made elastically deformable, then automatic arm closure is enabled, but the base element structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The base element is segmented into functional zones: the bottom wall provides elastic deformability for activation, while the arms provide the closing mechanism. This segmentation allows each part to have a specific function, simplifying the overall design despite the elastic requirement.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the activation mechanism (elastic bottom wall) with the closing mechanism (arms) into a single integrated base element structure. This combination eliminates the need for separate actuators or complex mechanisms, achieving automatic closure without excessive complexity.
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
Simplifies the packaging process by allowing easy adjustment and closure of arms around flower stems, reducing manual effort and enabling quicker preparation of floral arrangements, even for smaller or lighter bunches without the need for raffia cordage.
Implementation Method 1
the bottom wall of the base element is elastically deformable between a stable convex shape, at which the free ends of the arms are in a position distal from the central axis perpendicular to the bottom wall of the base element, and a stable concave shape at which the free ends of the arms are in a position proximal to the central axis perpendicular to the bottom wall of the base element
Data Source
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AI summary
A support used to exhibit and preserve bunches or bouquets of flowers, is described. The support allows keeping flowers in vertical position, in the center of the support, to create the desired floral arrangements. The support comprises a base element (10) having a bottom wall (20) and a plurality of arms (30) extending from the base element (10) and distributed along the perimeter of the base element (10). The bottom wall (20) of the base element (10) is elastically deformable between a stable convex shape, at which the free ends (32) of the arms (30) are in a position distal from the central axis (C) perpendicular to the bottom wall (20), and a stable concave shape at which the free ends (32) of the arms (30) are in a position proximal to the central axis (C) perpendicular to the bottom wall (20).