NL2021030B1

NL2021030B1 - Method and apparatus for producing a package with flower bulbs.

Info

Publication number: NL2021030B1
Application number: NL2021030A
Authority: NL
Inventors: Nicolaas Hendricus Van Der Sman Johannes
Original assignee: Gardenvision Int B V
Priority date: 2018-05-31
Filing date: 2018-05-31
Publication date: 2019-12-04
Also published as: WO2019231315A1; CN111448140A

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method and instal— lation for producing a package with flower bulbs. In ac— cordance with therewith a package is provided for holding, storing, transporting and direct planting into the ground 5 a plurality of flower bulbs which allows for pre—planting, off—the—shelf selection by the consumer of flower bulbs of possible differing' variety, biocompatibility and. colour, which provides a means to hold bulbs at their optimal in— ter—bulb spacing at a correct position. The package has 10 high flexibility and. high possibilities for customizing and displaying.

Description

B65B 9/02 (2018.01) B65B 25/02 (2018.01) A01G 9/029 (2019.01) A01G 22/35 (2019.01) B65D 65/46 (2019.01) B65D 75/40 (2019.01) B65D 85/52 (2019.01) (30) Voorrang:

(73) Octrooihouder(s):

Gardenvision International B.V. te VOORHOUT ^7) Aanvraag ingeschreven:

december 2019 (72) Uitvinder(s):

Johannes Nicolaas Hendricus van derSman (43) Aanvraag gepubliceerd:

te VOORHOUT

Octrooi verleend:

december 2019 (74) Gemachtigde:

ir. F.A. Geurts c.s. te Den Haag (45) Octrooischrift uitgegeven:

december 2019

54) Method and apparatus for producing a package with flower bulbs.

57) The present invention relates to a method and installation for producing a package with flower bulbs. In accordance with therewith a package is provided for holding, storing, transporting and direct planting into the ground a plurality of flower bulbs which allows for pre-planting, off-the-shelf selection by the consumer of flower bulbs of possible differing¹ variety, biocompatibility and colour, which provides a means to hold bulbs at their optimal inter-bulb spacing at a correct position. The package has high flexibility and high possibilities for customizing and displaying.

NLB1 2021030

Dit octrooi is verleend ongeacht het bijgevoegde resultaat van het onderzoek naar de stand van de techniek en schriftelijke opinie. Het octrooischrift wijkt af van de oorspronkelijk ingediende stukken. Alle ingediende stukken kunnen bij Octrooicentrum Nederland worden ingezien.

Method and apparatus for producing a package with flower bulbs .

The present invention relates to a method and installation for producing a package with flower bulbs.

Various varieties of flower bulbs are used to decorate the landscape or gardens. A common practice with respect to planting bulbs is to select one or more varieties of bulbs. Subsequently a hole is dug and the flower bulb is placed therein. The bulb is covered with soil and then usually watered depending on the humidity of the soil. Separate bulbs of separate varieties may be planted accordingly at predetermined distances from each other and in different combinations of varieties to create a desired landscape or pattern of flowers in the garden.

This practice however may lead to difficulties for persons that are not familiar with gardening. It may be difficult to plant bulbs in a particular pattern, such as a colour pattern of a particular shape of area, because it may be difficult to visualize on the basis of bulbs that all have a similar colour how the pattern of flowers will eventually look like. This difficulty is enhanced because bulbs of one variety may flower in a particular time of the year while others flower in a different time of the year .

In addition, bulbs of different varieties may require different conditions. For instance, some flower varieties may not be biologically compatible.

It may also be difficult and time-consuming to position bulbs correctly in the abovementioned pre-dug hole to ensure that the bulb is in the optimal position to grow, especially when one intends to plant a large number of bulbs .

Bulbs of different varieties may also require different inter-bulb distances in order to allow for healthy growth. Bulbs of a certain species may require a larger distance between bulbs than bulbs of other species.

Because of these difficulties and required technical knowledge, a person that is not familiar with gardening might be hesitative towards planting bulbs in the ground.

Description of the invention

Therefore there is a need for packages with flower bulbs which can be directly planted into the ground and which allow for off-the-shelf selection by the consumer of flower bulbs of possible differing variety, biocompatibility and colour, and which provide a means to hold bulbs at their optimal inter-bulb spacing at a correct position.

In one aspect the invention relates to a method for producing a package with flower bulbs, comprising the steps of providing a bottom sheet of flexible extensible material comprising fibres, providing a top sheet of flexible material comprising fibres, punching the bottom sheet at predetermined spatially separated areas so as to emboss into said bottom sheet a number of spatially separated cup portions; placing a predetermined number of flower bulbs in said cup portions on the upper surface of the bottom sheet; applying a glue on at least an area surrounding said cup portions on said bottom sheet; placing and pressing the top sheet onto the upper surface of the bottom sheet such that the bottom sheet and upper sheet at least contact each other at areas surrounding said cup portions with glue applied thereon, to seal spatially separate areas with flower bulbs enclosed therein so as to obtain an elongated mat with spatially separate areas with flower bulbs enclosed therein.

The package with flower bulbs is provided for holding, storing, transporting and direct planting into the ground a plurality of flower bulbs.

The material of which the sheets are made is preferably essentially composed of said fibres. A person of ordinary skill will acknowledge that a material that is essen tially composed of a particular substance may also contain unavoidable impurities or additives depending on the desired properties of the material. Therefore, such impurities or additives should represent less than 5 weight %, preferably less than 1 weight %, most preferably less than 0.1 weight % of the material.

In a preferred embodiment, the material forming the sheets is essentially composed of cellulose fibres. Cellulose fibres provide strength and prevent the material from tearing. Such material essentially composed of cellulose fibres is preferably paper, in particular recycled paper. Paper is available in any size from rolls or stacks of sheets and is cheap compared to other materials. Preferably recycled unbleached paper is used because this way less harmful compounds will leach into the ground. The sheet material is permeable for water and nutrients, because if the package produced in accordance with the method of the invention is in the soil it softens immediately, allowing bulbs to be in contact with water and nutrients immediately after planting. After planting, the material from which the package is produced may decompose in the ground. It is in this respect preferred that the package and fibres are biodegradable.

The sheets used to produce the package should have flexibility properties that allow for easy and compact folding or rolling of the package. For instance, cardboard (with a grammage of >180 g/m) is a too rigid material for these purposes. Due to its flexibility, the package may be stored in an economically attractive way. This can be realized by rolling or folding sheets of packages with multiple spatially separate areas with flower bulbs enclosed therein. This makes the cost price substantially lower than that of the packages known in the art .

It is preferred that during the steps of the method the bottom layer (with bulbs and top layer depending on the stage of the method) is driven in a direction along which the steps of the method take place. It is therefore preferred that the steps of the process take place on or along a conveyor track. This can for instance be done by use of a conveyor belt of by use of rails on both sides of the sheet(s) which are configured to drag the sheet(s) forward over the conveyor track. It is preferred to use rails because this facilitates the inclusion of functional components, such as punching means, glue spraying means, drying means etc. in a production installation.

The method of the invention comprises a step of punching the bottom sheet at predetermined spatially separated areas so as to emboss into said bottom sheet a number of spatially separated cup portions of predetermined dimensions protruding from the lower surface of the bottom sheet. Because of the cup portions in the bottom sheet flower bulbs can be placed and kept into place due to the raised edges of the cup portions. This way the bulbs maintain their preferred spatial distribution and orientation throughout the production steps. The bottom sheet is preferably punched by means of one or more mold sets which comprise a cup shape at the lower surface of the bottom sheet and a punch with a convex shape matching said cup shape. The cup portions may have any shape, such as circular, rectangular, square or any other predesigned decorational shape, for instance a star shape. In a preferred embodiment the cup portions have circular shape. It is preferred that multiple cup portions, for instance 4 or 6 are punched simultaneously.

The step of punching requires that the material of the bottom sheet is extensible to some extent. It is therefore preferred that the bottom sheet is of extensible paper. In a preferred embodiment the bottom sheet is of extensible paper which is extensible to at least 5%.

In order to keep the flower bulbs in place and to keep the the spatially separated cup portions in shape it is preferred that the bottom sheet is form-retaining to a certain extent. This can be realized by relatively thick paper. Therefore, in a preferred embodiment the bottom sheet is of extensible paper with a grammage between 75 and 150 g/irb, such as between 90 and 120 g/m², such as for example about 100 g/nb.

Although the top sheet may be of the same material as the bottom sheet, it is preferred that the top sheet is made of thinner material than the bottom sheet . This saves costs and the flower bulbs are held in place by the cup portion. In a particular suitable embodiment the top sheet has a grammage between 40 and 80 g/m². It is preferred that the top sheet comprises two layers of paper glued on top of each other. This results in enhanced strength. In a particularly suitable embodiment the top sheet comprises two layers of tissue paper, for instance with a grammage of 28 g/rb, glued together.

Once the cup portions are formed, a predetermined number of flower bulbs is placed in said cup portions on the upper surface of the bottom sheet. The number of flower bulbs depends on the size of the cup and the size of the bulbs. Although it is possible to place the bulbs in to the cup portions manually, it is preferred to place the bulbs by means of a flower bulb counting machine. Such machines are commercially available and are specially designed for counting all varieties of flower bulbs in large numbers. These machines can make a large buffer of bulbs through use of a pre-count system and are provided with a discharge side which can be adapted to distribute the bulbs into the cup portions of the bottom layer.

In order to seal spatially separate areas with flower bulbs enclosed therein a glue is applied on at least an area surrounding said cup portions on said bottom sheet. Glue is preferably applied by means of spraying glue, for instance by use of glue nozzles.

After placing and pressing the top sheet the top sheet onto the bottom sheet with flower bulbs placed therein the top layer is then glued to the areas of the bottom layer that are covered with glue so as to obtain an elongated mat with spatially separate areas with flower bulbs enclosed therein.

In a preferred embodiment glue is applied from above on the flower bulbs in the cup portion and the surrounding portion of the bottom sheet. This ensures full adhesion of the top sheet to the bottom sheet. In addition it also ensures adhesion of the top sheet to the bulbs, so that the bulbs are stably kept in place in their preferred spatial distribution and orientation throughout the subsequent production steps. For this reason it is also preferred that the glue is applied from above on the bottom sheet before placing the flower bulbs in the cup portion. This way the bulbs retain a predetermined position from the moment they are placed in the cup portions, which is in particularly advantageous in an automated process.

In a preferred embodiment the bulbs are pressed onto the bottom sheet after placing them in the cup portions, in particularly when glue is applied from above on the bottom sheet before placing the flower bulbs. This enhances fixation of the bulbs in preferred position. Pressing the bulbs onto the bottom sheet may be done manually or automatically by any suitable pressing device.

A particularly suitable glue is is a water based cold glue. A cold glue is an adhesive that set at room temperature, i.e. 20°C. Such glues cure fast without necessitating a very high temperature which would be detrimental to the bulbs. After placing and pressing the top sheet onto the upper surface of the bottom sheet, in a preferred embodiment the method comprises a step of drying the glue at elevated temperature. In this embodiment the assembly of the sheets and bulbs is exposed to an elevated temperature which is not detrimental to the bulbs, such as 30 °C, for a predetermined period of time, such as 8-10 seconds, to accelerate curing of the glue.

The glue used in the process of the invention may suitably be a biodegradable glue.

After applying and curing the glue an elongated mat with spatially separate areas with flower bulbs enclosed therein is obtained. The full mat can be transported to a retailer who can separate the mat into individual packages, wherein each package contains a single sealed area with flower bulbs enclosed therein.

In a preferred embodiment the method of the invention aims to provide ready-to-use consumer packages with flower bulbs. Therefore it is preferred that after applying and curing the glue the method comprises a further step of separating one or more of said spatially separate areas with flower bulbs enclosed therein from said elongated mat.

It is preferred that the method of the invention results in single ready-to-use consumer packages with flower bulbs enclosed therein. Therefore it is preferred that after applying and curing the glue the method comprises a further step of separating comprises separating said spatially separate areas with enclosed flower bulbs into single packages with flower bulbs enclosed therein, each derived from single spatially separate areas with flower bulbs enclosed therein.

For purpose of separating individual flower bulb packages it is preferred that at least the bottom sheet is provided with perforation lines between said spatially separate areas with enclosed flower bulbs. This can be realized by providing a pre-perforated bottom sheet or by implementing into the method a step of providing at least the bottom sheet with perforation lines between said spatially separate areas with enclosed flower bulbs. The top sheet may also be provided with perforation lines which match the perforation lines of the bottom sheet when the top sheet overlays the bottom sheet. The method may also contain a step of making perforation lines through the bottom and top sheet when glued together.

When the bottom sheet or both the bottom sheet and top sheet comprise perforation lines, it is preferred that said step of separating comprises tearing along said perforation lines.

In order to realise separation of individual readyto-use packages it is preferred that each separate area with enclosed flower bulbs is surrounded with a perforation line applied in at least the bottom sheet portion of said area and that separate areas with enclosed flower bulbs are separated from the elongated mat by applying pressure on the top sheet side of said separate areas to punch them out of the mat along their surrounding perforation line to obtain single packages with flower bulbs enclosed therein, each derived from a single spatially separate area with flower bulbs enclosed therein. Such pressure can be applied for instance by using one or more hollow or semi-hollow punch matching the dimensions of an individual package, for instance matching the perforation lines surrounding said separate areas.

It is well possible to provide the package with a decorative pattern. In one embodiment therefore the top layer is pre-decorated with a decorative pattern applied thereto, or the method comprises a further step of applying a decorative pattern on the top surface of the top layer .

The method may further comprise a step of putting the separated individual packages in a further package or holder for display purposes. Such a holder may be formed of a folded piece of material rendering protective sheets for a single package with flower bulbs.

In accordance with the method of the invention a package is provided for holding, storing, transporting and direct planting into the ground a plurality of flower bulbs which allows for pre-planting, off-the-shelf selection by the consumer of flower bulbs of possible differing variety, biocompatibility and colour, which provides a means to hold bulbs at their optimal inter-bulb spacing at a correct position. The package has high flexibility and high possibilities for customizing and displaying.

In a second aspect the invention relates to an installation for producing a package with flower bulbs, a first supply means configured to supply a bottom sheet of flexible material; a first punching means equipped with one or more punches of predetermined shape and positioned at predetermined distance from each other, said punching means being located downstream of said first supply means and being configured to emboss into said bottom sheet spatially separated cup portions of predetermined depth protruding from the lower surface of said bottom sheet of flexible extensible material; a flower bulb distribution device located downstream of said punching means and comprising a flower bulb counter and a means to place a predetermined number of flower bulbs into said spatially separated cup portions; a conveyor means comprising a conveyor track and a driving means capable of moving said bottom sheet from said first means for supplying a bottom sheet over or along said conveyor track; one or more glue spraying means equipped with one or more glue nozzles located above said conveyor track one or more glue spraying means equipped with one or more glue nozzles located above said conveyor track and configured to apply a glue on at least an area surrounding said cup portions on said bottom sheet; a second supply means configured to supply a top sheet of flexible material downstream of said one or more glue supplying means and configured to supply said top sheet onto said bottom sheet; pressing means downstream of said second supply means and above the conveyor track, and configured to press said top sheet onto said bottom sheet.

In a preferred embodiment the installation also comprises a drying tunnel positioned downstream of said pressing means over a part of the conveyor track, and configured to cause temperature induced drying of the glue between the top and bottom sheet.

In a further preferred embodiment the installation also comprises a second punching means equipped with one or more punches of predetermined shape at predetermined distance from each other, said punching means being located downstream of said pressing means and of said drying tunnel if present and configured to punch out packages of predetermined shape with flower bulbs enclosed between said bottom and top sheet.

It is preferred that the installation further comprises a drying tunnel positioned downstream of said pressing means over a part of the conveyor track and upstream of said second punching means if present, and configured to cause temperature induced drying of the glue between the top and bottom sheet. This accelerates drying of the glue so that the packages can be processed faster.

It is preferred that the above defined installation is used to perform the method of the first aspect of the invention .

As mentioned above, it is preferred in the method of the invention that glue is applied from above on the bottom sheet before and after placing the flower bulbs in the cup portion. Therefore, the installation according to the invention preferably comprises also one or more glue spraying means equipped with one or more glue nozzles located upstream and downstream of said flower bulb distribution device.

As single ready-to-use packages with flower bulbs made in accordance with the method of the invention preferably are circular in shape, it is preferred that said first and second punching means are equipped with one or more punches of circular shape. It is preferred that multiple cup portions, for instance 4 or 6 are punched simultaneously and therefore the first and second punching means are preferably equipped with multiple punches, for instance 4 or 6.

As mentioned above a decorative pattern may be applied on the top surface of the top sheet. The installation may therefore comprise a means for applying a decorative design onto the top of the top sheet, for instance a paint brush device.

Although bulbs in the cup portions of the bottom layer may be pressed into the cup manually, it is preferred to do this automatically. The installation therefore preferably also comprises a means to press flower bulbs into said cup portions upstream of said second supply means. This can be done by rollers of press plates or any other device capable to press said flower bulbs into said cup portions .

Short description of the figures

Fig.l A-I: Schematic side cross-sectional representation of steps of an exemplary embodiment of the method of the invention.

Fig.2: Perspective view of examples of individual packages separated from a mat of packages.

Fig.3 A-C: Example of a package produced by means of the method of the invention.

Fig.l: Schematic perspective view of of an exemplary embodiment of the installation of the invention.

Detailed description of the drawings

The invention will now be further elucidated in the attached drawings. The following explanation is meant to illustrate and explain the invention and not to limit the claims. It is noted that the dimensional ratios of the components depicted in the figures do not necessarily match the actual dimensions. For instance, for the sake of explanation the bottom and top sheets are represented much thicker in relation to the other components depicted that they would be under actual working circumstances.

Fig. 1 A-I shows in a side cross-sectional view how packages with flower bulbs can be made in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the method of the invention.

Referring to Fig. 1 A, first a bottom sheet 1 of extensible paper (for instance Fibreform 100 g/m2) is provided from a roll 2 of said paper onto a supporting structure 3. Perforation lines 4 have been applied in the bottom sheet in order to facilitate separation of individual packages. The bottom sheet is driven over the support structure along and by conveyor rails (not shown) on both sides of the supporting structure in the direction of the arrow.

Fig. 1 B shows that subsequently bottom sheet 1 is transported by the conveyor rails to a punching area, where it is punched at predetermined spatially separated areas so as to emboss into said bottom sheet a number of spatially separated cup portions 5. The cup portions 5 are made by means of a number of aluminium punches 6 which punch the paper into an aluminium a punching mold 7 so that the paper at that place adapts the shape of the mold. In the present case the punches 6 have a convex shape and the molds 7 have a circular cup shape matching the dimensions of the punches.

Fig.l C shows that subsequently bottom sheet 1 is transported by the conveyor track to an area where nozzle 8 sprays a layer 9 of glue on the full upper surface of the bottom sheet.

Fig. 1 D shows that after the application of said glue 9 flower bulbs 10 are distributed by means of an automatic flower bulb distribution device into the cup portions 5.

Fig. 1 E shows that after placing the flower bulbs into the cup portions and pressing and arranging the bulbs in a preferred position a further step of applying glue 9 with a further glue nozzle 11 takes place, so that also the bulbs 10 are covered with glue.

Fig. 1 F shows that after this second step of glue application, a sheet 12 of paper is placed onto the bottom sheet 1 with the flower bulbs 10 from roll 13 to form a top sheet. The top sheet is pressed by rolls 14 onto the bottom sheet 1 and the flower bulbs 10 in order to provide optimal contact with the glue 9 on the bottom sheet 1 and the bulbs 10. This way the bulbs 10 maintain their preferred position throughout the full procedure.

Fig. 1 G shows that after application and pressing the top sheet 12 onto the bottom sheet 1 and the flower bulbs 10 spatially separate areas with flower bulbs sealed therein are realized.

Fig. 1 H shows that after application of the top sheet 12 the glue is dried by means of heat elements 15.

Fig. 1 I shows that after drying the glue 9 separate areas with enclosed flower bulbs 10 are separated from the elongated mat in a punching area 17 by applying pressure on the top sheet side of said separate areas by means of a punch 16 to punch them out of the mat along their surrounding perforation line 4 to obtain single packages 18 with flower bulbs enclosed therein, each derived from a single spatially separate area with flower bulbs enclosed therein .

The result of the last step is further shown in Fig. 2, which depicts single packages 18 with flower bulbs enclosed therein, separated from the remaining paper mat 19 of top layer glued to bottom layer.

A single package with flower bulbs enclosed therein produced in accordance with the steps above is shown in Fig. 3. Fig. 3 A shows a side cross section of the package 18, comprising bottom layer 1 covered by top layer 12 to enclose a number of flower bulbs 10 which are glued to the bottom and top layer by means of glue 9.

Fig. 3 B shows a perspective view of the package of Fig. 3 A.

Fig. 3 C shows how the primary package of Fig. 3 B can be put in in a further package or holder 20 for dis play purposes. Such a holder 20 may be formed of a folded piece of material rendering protective sheets for the primary package with flower bulbs.

The method according to the invention can be carried out by means of an installation according to the invention .

Fig. 4 shows a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the installation according to the invention. The installation of Fig. 4 has a first supply means in the form of a roll 2 configured to supply a bottom sheet 1 of extensible paper. The bottom sheet is moved away from said supply means by a conveyor means comprising a conveyor track and a motor to move said bottom sheet from the roll along said conveyor track. In the present embodiment the bottom sheet is conveyed by conveyor track 20 which is driven by a motor (not shown) and comprised of conveyor rails on both sides of the bottom sheet. The bottom sheet is dragged forward by using clamps on the rails which keep the bottom sheet in the rails.

A first punching means 21 equipped with four aluminium punches of circular and convex shape and positioned at predetermined distance from each other and located downstream of said roll 2 is configured to emboss into said bottom sheet 1 spatially separated cup portions 5 of predetermined depth protruding from the lower surface of said bottom sheet.

After punching said cup portions 5, glue is applied over the full top surface of the bottom sheet 1 by means of glue spraying means 22 which is equipped with some glue nozzles 8 located above the bottom sheet.

After application of this first layer of glue a flower bulb distribution device located downstream of said first punching means 21 which comprises a flower bulb counter 23 and a means 24 to place a predetermined number of flower bulbs into said spatially separated cup portions is provided to fill the cup portions 5 with flower bulbs

10. The bulb distribution device is equipped with a reservoir 25 configured to contain a large buffer of bulbs.

After application of the bulbs 10 in the cup portions of the bottom sheet, a further step of glue application takes place by means of glue application device 11. This way, also the bulbs 10 are covered with glue. A control panel 26 is provided to enable control of the installation in accordance with the user's wishes.

As the bottom sheet moves forward along the conveyor track, a second supply means in the form of a roll 13 then supplies a top sheet 12 onto said bottom sheet . The top sheet 12 is pressed onto the bottom sheet and the bulbs by means of two rolls 14 to ensure that the bulbs 10 are sealed between the bottom and top layer.

Subsequently, the elongated mat of bottom and top layer moves forward though a drying tunnel 27 positioned downstream of said rolls 14 over a part of the conveyor track to cause temperature induced drying of the glue between the top and bottom sheet.

After drying of the glue a second punching means 28 equipped with punches 16 punches out separate areas with enclosed flower bulbs 10 from the elongated mat in a punching area 17 by applying pressure on the top sheet side of said separate areas by means of a punch 16 of circular shape to punch them out of the mat along their surrounding perforation line 4 to obtain single packages 18 with flower bulbs enclosed therein, each derived from a single spatially separate area with flower bulbs enclosed therein. The punching area 17 is arranged such that punched out packages drop into an area below punches 17 to be collected and further processed or marketed

The remaining paper mat 19 of top layer glued to bottom layer is removed subsequently and may be recycled for further purposes.

Claims

CONCLUSIONS

A method for producing a package with flower bulbs, comprising the steps of providing a bottom sheet of flexible extensible material comprising fibers;

2.1. Installation for net. producing a flower bulb package according to any of claims 18 to 20, further comprising one or more glue spraying means, equipped with one or more glue sprayers placed upstream and downstream of the flower bulb dispensing device.

Plant for producing a package with flower bulbs according to one of claims 18 to 21, wherein the first and second stamping means are equipped with one or more stampers of circular shape.

Installation for producing a package with flower bulbs according to one of claims 18 to. 22, further comprising a means for applying a decorative design to the top of the upper ve 1.

An installation for producing a flower bulb package according to any of claims 18 to 23, further comprising a means for pressing flower bulbs into the core portions upstream of the second feed means.

The method of any one of claims 1 to

17, carried out by means of the installation according to one of claims 18 to 24.

FTssT ⁵⁰ * 4 4¾

The method of claim 1, further comprising

25 a further step of separating one or more of the. spatially separated areas with embedded flower bulbs of the elongated mat.

The method of claim 2, wherein the dispersed

The step of separating comprises separating the spatially separated areas with flower bulbs embedded therein in single packages with bulbs embedded therein, each coming from a single spatially separated area with flower bulbs enclosed therein.

A method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein at least the bottom sheet is provided with perforation lines between the spatially separated areas with enclosed flower bulbs, or wherein the method comprises a step of providing at least the bottom sheet with perforation lines between the spatially separated areas with enclosed flower bulbs

The method of claim 4, wherein the step of separating as defined in claim 2 or 3 comprises tearing along the perforation line.

5 providing a topsheet of flexible material comprising fibers;

stamping the bottom sheet on predetermined, spatially separated areas to emboss a number of spatially separated bowl sections in the bottom sheet;

Placing a predetermined number of flower bulbs in the core portions on the upper surface of the lower surface;

applying an adhesive to at least one area that surrounds the core portions on the bottom sheet;

15 placing and pressing the topsheet on the upper surface of the bottom sheet such that the bottom sheet and the bottom sheet. topsheet at least in areas with glue applied thereon that surround the core portions are in contact, around spatially separated areas, with therein enclosed.

20 to seal flower bulbs in order to obtain an elongated mat with spatially separated areas with enclosed flower bulbs.

The method of claim 4, wherein each separate area with enclosed flower bulbs is surrounded with

20 a perforation line provided in at least the bottom sheet portion of the region, and wherein individual regions with enclosed flower bulbs are separated from the elongated mat by applying pressure to the topsheet side of the individual regions to stamp them out of the mat along the surrounding perforation line thereof to obtain some packages with flower bulbs embedded therein, each originating from a single spatially separated area with flower bulbs enclosed therein.

30

A method according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a step of placing the separate individual packages in a further package or container for display purposes.

35

A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the topsheet is provided with a decorative pattern applied thereon, or wherein the method comprises a further step of applying a decorative pattern to the upper surface of the topsheet

The method of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the bottom and top sheets are paper sheets, and wherein the. base sheet of extensible paper.

The method of claim 9, wherein the bottom sheet is extensible paper that is extensible to at least 5%.

The method of claim 9 or 10, wherein it bottom sheet · made of extendable paper with a grammage in between 75 and 150 g / m ² . 15 12 :. Method ¹ according to one of the claims 9 until 11, the topsheet being a grammage between 40 and 80 g / m ² has. 20 13. Method according to one of the claims 9 until 12, the topsheet being two on each; ar glued layers pa

pier.

14. Method according to one of the preceding claims

25, wherein glue is applied from above to the flower bulbs in the bowl portion and to the surrounding portion of the bottom sheet.

A method according to any one of the preceding claims wherein glue is also applied to the bottom sheet from above prior to applying. placing the flower bulbs in the bowl section.

A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the glue is a water-based cold glue.

The method of any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a step of drying the glue at elevated temperature.

5

18. Plant for producing a package with flower bulbs, comprising a first supply means, configured to supply a bottom sheet of flexible material;

a first stamping means, equipped with one or more stampers of predetermined shape and placed at predetermined distance from each other, the stamping means being placed downstream of the first feed means and configured to form spatially separated bowl sections of predetermined depth in the bottom sheet embossing from the bottom surface of the bottom sheet of flexible extensible material;

a flower bulb distributing device, placed downstream of the first stamping means and comprising a flower bulb counter and a means for placing a predetermined number of flower bulbs in the spatially separated core portions;

a conveying means, comprising a conveying track and a driving means capable of moving the bottom sheet from the first feed means for supplying a bottom 25 sheet, over or along the conveying track;

one or more glue spraying means, equipped with one or more glue sprayers, placed above the conveyor track and configured to apply an glue to at least a portion that surrounds the core portions of the bottom sheet;

A second feed means configured to feed a top sheet of flexible material downstream of the one or more glue spray means and configured to apply the top sheet to the bottom sheet; and pressure means, downstream of the second feed means and above the conveyor belt, and configured to press the topsheet onto the bottom sheet.

The plant for producing a package of flower bulbs according to claim 18, further comprising a drying tunnel, placed downstream of the pressure means over a portion of the conveyor belt and upstream of a second stamping means if a second stamping means is present, and configured for temperature-induced drying of the glue between the upper and lower surface.

20. Plant for producing a package with flower bulbs according to claim 18 or 19, further comprising a second stamping means, equipped with one or more stampers of predetermined shape at a predetermined distance from each other, the second stamping means being placed downstream of the printing means , and downstream of the drying tunnel if the drying tunnel is present, and is configured to stamp out packages of predetermined shape with flower bulbs enclosed between the topsheet.

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