Triangular Foam Stem Wrap for Cut Flower Hydration
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for transporting cut flowers fail to effectively keep stems hydrated during shipment, leading to wilting and flower death due to uncontrolled temperatures and inadequate water delivery, despite existing techniques like water reservoirs and preservatives.
Innovation Solution
A triangular shaped stem wrap made of polyisocyanate foam material, secured with an elastic band and placed in a plastic bag, which absorbs and directs water to the stems, maintaining hydration and using diphenylmethane diisocyanate foam with specific pore sizes for efficient water retention and aeration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If cut flowers are wrapped in newspaper or shredded paper during shipment, then the flowers are protected from physical damage, but the stems fail to receive adequate water and nutrients leading to dehydration and wilting
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a porous foam material with controlled pore sizes (10-200 microns) that allows water and nutrients to pass through to the flower stems while providing physical protection. The porous structure enables capillary action to deliver hydration directly to the stems, resolving the contradiction between protection and hydration.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a composite wrapping system combining foam material with specific pore characteristics that integrates both protective and hydrating functions. The foam's porous structure acts as both a physical barrier and a water delivery medium, eliminating the need for separate protection and hydration systems.
2Device complexity
If cut flowers are stored under uncontrolled temperatures during shipment, then transportation is simplified, but the flowers dehydrate and die due to temperature fluctuations
Solution Approach 1:
The foam wrap is pre-saturated with water and nutrients before shipment, creating a reservoir that actively delivers hydration to the stems throughout the journey. This preliminary action ensures flowers receive continuous water supply without requiring controlled temperature environments during transport.
Solution Approach 2:
The porous foam material self-regulates water delivery to the stems through capillary action, automatically adjusting hydration without external control systems. This self-service mechanism allows simplified transportation while maintaining flower viability through active water supply.
3Quantity of substance
If a foam wrap with small pore sizes is used to retain water, then water retention is improved, but aeration to the stems is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies optimal pore size parameters (10-200 microns) that balance water retention and aeration. This parameter optimization allows the foam to hold sufficient water through capillary action while maintaining adequate air flow to the stems, resolving the contradiction between water retention and aeration.
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
The foam wrap ensures consistent hydration of cut flowers during shipment, extending their life by maintaining water and nutrient delivery to the stems, while being easy to use, inexpensive, and adaptable to various stem sizes.
Implementation Method 1
The wrap is constructed of a sterile diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI) foam material having at least 50% of its pores ranging in size from 10 to 200 microns
Implementation Method 2
A number of devices have been used for supporting and shipping cut flowers... In shipping the cut flowers are often stored under uncontrolled temperatures which can cause dehydration and destruction
Data Source
AI summary
A horticultural cut flower container assembly having a triangular shaped piece of flexible foam material with the ends of the triangular shaped foam material being adapted to be folded over the stem ends of a bunch of cut flowers. An elastic band is placed over the folded foam material to hold foam material in a folded configuration and an outer plastic bag is placed over the folded foam material and stem ends.