# US 2015/0143744 A1 · Method of preserving cut flowers > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2015/0143744 A1 - Document ID: US20150143744A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/088,240 - Filed: 2013-11-22 - Published: 2015-05-28 - Earliest claimed: 2013-11-22 - Inventors: KELLY TOOKES - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20150143744A1 ## CPC - A01G 5/06: Devices for preserving flowers - A01G 5/04: Mountings for wreaths, or the like; Racks or holders for flowers - A01N 3/00: Preservation of plants or parts thereof, e.g. inhibiting evaporation, improvement of the appearance of leaves {or protection against physical influences such as UV radiation using chemical compositions} (preservation or chemical ripening of fruit or vegetables A23B7/00); Grafting wax - A01G: HORTICULTURE; CULTIVATION OF VEGETABLES, FLOWERS, RICE, FRUIT, VINES, HOPS OR SEAWEED; FORESTRY; WATERING (picking of fruits, vegetables, hops or the like A01D46/00; propagating unicellular algae C12N1/12) - A01N: PRESERVATION OF BODIES OF HUMANS OR ANIMALS OR PLANTS OR PARTS THEREOF (preservation of food or foodstuff A23); BIOCIDES, e.g. AS DISINFECTANTS, AS PESTICIDES OR AS HERBICIDES (preparations for medical, dental or toiletry purposes which kill or prevent the growth or proliferation of unwanted organisms A61K); PEST REPELLANTS OR ATTRACTANTS; PLANT GROWTH REGULATORS ## Abstract A method of preserving cut flowers includes the following steps. Provide a first material for forming a rigid, impermeable structure. Then define a hollow inner space by making a rigid, shaped, impermeable exoskeleton form defining a hollow inner space from the first material. Then fill the hollow inner space with a moisture retaining material. Finally, mount at least one flower stem through the rigid, shaped, impermeable exoskeleton. into the hollow inner space ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of preserving cut flowers by the steps comprising: A. providing a first material for forming a rigid, impermeable structure; B. then defining a hollow inner space by making a rigid, shaped, impermeable exoskeleton form defining a hollow inner space from the first material; C. then filling the hollow inner space with a moisture retaining material; and D. then mounting at least one flower stem through the rigid, shaped, impermeable exoskeleton into the hollow inner space. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein the first material is selected from the group consisting essentially of plastic pellets or a thin, rigid, layer of an impermeable material such as expanded polystyrene foam, or a molded pulp or an environmentally sustainable material with a density driven by the size of the part to be molded. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein the moisture retaining material is selected from the group consisting essentially of a gel in the form of pellets or beads of a flower gel or a water gel, or shredded floral foam, paper pulp or an environmentally sustainable alternative. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The method of claim 2 wherein the moisture retaining material is selected from the group consisting essentially of a gel in the form of pellets or beads of a flower gel or a water gel, or shredded floral foam, paper pulp or an environmentally sustainable alternative. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The method of claim 3 wherein the moisture retaining material is selected from the group consisting essentially of a gel in the form of pellets or beads of a flower gel or a water gel, or shredded floral foam, paper pulp or an environmentally sustainable alternative. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 including performing a step after step B comprising: making a matrix of holes through the rigid, shaped, impermeable exoskeleton into the hollow inner space during the manufacturing method. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The method of claim 6 wherein the first material is selected from the group consisting essentially of plastic pellets or a thin, rigid, layer of an impermeable material such as expanded polystyrene foam, or a molded pulp or an environmentally sustainable material with a density driven by the size of the part to be molded. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7 wherein the moisture retaining material is selected from the group consisting essentially of a gel in the form of pellets or beads of a flower gel or a water gel, or shredded floral foam, paper pulp or an environmentally sustainable alternative. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8 wherein the moisture retaining material is selected from the group consisting essentially of a gel in the form of pellets or beads of a flower gel or a water gel, or shredded floral foam, paper pulp or an environmentally sustainable alternative. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein the impermeable exoskeleton is formed by either injecting plastic pellets into a mold and heating or by heating a thin layer of impermeable material in an open mold. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10 wherein the first material is selected from the group consisting essentially of plastic pellets or a thin, rigid, layer of an impermeable material such as expanded polystyrene foam, or a molded pulp or an environmentally sustainable material with a density driven by the size of the part to be molded. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein the step of mounting at least on flower stem into the hollow inner space through the exoskeleton is performed by inserting the at least on flower stem into the hollow inner space through the exoskeleton forming through holes either directly using the stem to pierce the form, or piercing the exoskeleton with a hand tool. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein the step of defining the hollow inner space is performed by the steps comprising: making a rigid, shaped, hollow, impermeable exoskeleton form from the first material by making a hollow, patterned, multiple part, exoskeleton form with a shape, comprising at least two parts by either injecting plastic pellets into a mold and heating; or by heating a thin, rigid layer of impermeable material in an open mold; and then followed by joining the parts of the exoskeleton form together, or bonding the parts together, producing the form with the hollow inner space therein. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13 wherein the step of mounting flower is performed by inserting the at least on flower stem into the hollow inner space through the impermeable exoskeleton forming through holes either directly using the stem to pierce the form, or with a hand tool. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13 wherein the impermeable exoskeleton is composed of polystyrene foam. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein the impermeable exoskeleton is formed with a rigid frame surrounded by an impermeable material. ### Claim 17 Apparatus for preserving cut flowers comprising: a rigid, shaped, impermeable exoskeleton form composed of a first material defining a hollow inner space, the hollow inner space being filled with a moisture retaining material; and at least one flower stem hole being provided through the rigid, shaped, impermeable exoskeleton into the hollow inner space; whereby a flower stem can be mounted in the flower stem hole reaching into the hollow inner space. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the first material is selected from the group consisting essentially of plastic pellets or a thin, rigid, layer of an impermeable material such as expanded polystyrene foam, or a molded pulp or an environmentally sustainable material with a density driven by the size of the part to be molded. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the moisture retaining material is selected from the group consisting essentially of a gel in the form of pellets or beads of a flower gel or a water gel, or shredded floral foam, paper pulp or an environmentally sustainable alternative. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein a matrix of flower stems holes is provided through the rigid, shaped, impermeable exoskeleton into the hollow inner space.