Compostable tags and method of manufacturing thereof
OwnerMichelle DIXON, Rick VULGAMOTTinventors
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Abstract
A horticultural tag formed from a biodegradable, plant-based material, wherein the tag is free of a silicone surface treatment to facilitate printing on one or more sides of the tag. The tag may be adapted for hanging or attachment to a plant. The tag may also be adapted for at least partial insertion in soil surrounding a potted or planted plant.
Claims21
A horticultural tag formed from a biodegradable, plant-based material, wherein the tag is free of a silicone surface treatment to facilitate printing on one or more sides of the tag.
The horticultural tag of any of the preceding claims, wherein the plant-based material includes poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT).
The horticultural tag of any of the preceding claims, wherein the tag is printed on both a first side and an opposing second side.
The horticultural tag of any of the preceding claims, wherein the plant-based material is corona treated to further facilitate printing on the one or more sides of the tag.
The horticultural tag of any of the preceding claims, wherein the tag has a thickness of about 0.25 mm to about 1 mm.
The horticultural tag of any of the preceding claims, wherein the plant-based material is free of any paper material.
The horticultural tag of any of the preceding claims, wherein the plant-based material is free of metal.
The horticultural tag of any of the preceding claims, wherein the tag includes a mineral additive to increases rigidity (e.g., stiffness), improve thermal behavior at heightened temperatures, or both.
The horticultural tag of any of the preceding claims, wherein the tag is die cut from a film.
The horticultural tag of any of the preceding claims, wherein the plant-based material is a plant-based plastic.
The horticultural tag of any of the preceding claims, wherein the tag includes one or more creases, perforations, one or more score lines, or a combination thereof.
A method of manufacturing the horticultural tag of any of the preceding claims, comprising:
- (a) forming the plant-based material into a film;
- (b) corona treating one or more surfaces of the film;
- (c) printing on the one or more surfaces of the film;
- and
- (d) cutting the film to form the tag,
- wherein the method of manufacturing is free of a silicone surface treatment.
The horticultural tag of any of the preceding claims, wherein the tag is adapted for hanging or attachment to a plant.
The horticultural tag of any of the preceding claims, wherein the tag is adapted for at least partial insertion into soil surrounding a potted or planted plant.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.