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Title:
HYDRATION RESERVOIR FOR A BUNCH OF CUT FLOWERS
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2016/148567
Kind Code:
A1
Abstract:
A hydration reservoir (1) for a bunch of cut flowers (5) having a bundle of elongated stems (6) is provided with an exterior wall (10) which comprises an upper side and an opposite bottom side between which an interior space is defined for containing water. A first sleeve- shaped water barrier (30) and a second sleeve-shaped water barrier (40) are provided, wherein the first water barrier and the second water barrier are situated in each other's axial extension and thus form an insertion channel with a center line (S) for the bundle of stems (6). The exterior wall, due to its threedimensional shape, has sufficient shape stability for, down from the second water barrier, keeping the insertion channel (axis S) oriented at an oblique angle to a base when the reservoir (1) is laid flat on said base.

Inventors:
HOOGENDOORN MARINUS (NL)
HOOGENDOORN CORNELIS (NL)
Application Number:
PCT/NL2016/050179
Publication Date:
September 22, 2016
Filing Date:
March 14, 2016
Export Citation:
Click for automatic bibliography generation   Help
Assignee:
HOOGENDOORN MARINUS (NL)
HOOGENDOORN CORNELIS (NL)
International Classes:
B65D85/50; B65D30/10; B65D33/02
Foreign References:
US20140096444A12014-04-10
BE1009645A61997-06-03
US3874115A1975-04-01
NL1034574C22009-04-09
US3481075A1969-12-02
FR2067799A51971-08-20
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
GEURTS, Franciscus Antonius (Koninginnegracht 19, 2514 AB Den Haag, NL)
Download PDF:
Claims:
CLAIMS

1. Hydration reservoir for a bunch of cut flowers having a bundle of elongated stems, wherein the hydration reservoir has been provided with an exterior wall extending all round and comprises an upper side and an opposite bottom side in between which an interior space has been defined for containing water, a first sleeve-shaped water barrier in the interior space which at or near its upper side has been connected to the exterior wall so as to be watertight all round, and oriented to the bottom side with its end opening spaced apart from or within several centimetres' distance from the bottom side of the exterior wall, and a second sleeve-shaped water barrier which at its upper side has been connected to the exterior wall so as to be watertight all round, and oriented to the bottom side with its end opening within the first water barrier, wherein the first water barrier and the second water barrier are situated in each other's extension and thus form an insertion channel for the bundle of stems, of which insertion channel the consecutive end openings of the water barriers situated in the interior space bound the passages or narrowest passages, wherein the hydration reservoir is intended for sitting on a base with one side of the exterior wall, wherein the exterior wall, due to its spatial shape, has sufficient shape stability for, down from the second water barrier, keeping the insertion channel oriented at an oblique angle to the base.

2. Hydration reservoir according to claim 1, wherein the insertion channel extends at an oblique angle of 10-45 degrees, preferably 10-30 degrees to the base.

3. Hydration reservoir according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second water barrier is at least partially nested in the first water barrier and has a smaller circumference at the same cross-section of the insertion channel.

4. Hydration reservoir according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first water barrier tapers towards the bottom side.

5. Hydration reservoir according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first water barrier is a straight cone.

6. Hydration reservoir according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first water barrier has been made of foil.

7. Hydration reservoir according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second water barrier tapers towards the bottom side.

8. Hydration reservoir according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second water barrier is a straight cone.

9. Hydration reservoir according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second water barrier has been made of foil.

10. Hydration reservoir according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the exterior wall has been made of foil.

11. Hydration reservoir according to claim 10, wherein the foil comprises several layers, wherein one exterior layer forms a fusion layer.

12. Hydration reservoir according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the exterior wall has been provided with a first connection edge extending along the bottom side, to which connection edge the edges of the foil defining the opposite sides of the exterior wall, have been fused or secured to each other.

13. Hydration reservoir according to any one of the claims 10-12, wherein the exterior wall has been provided with a second connection edge extending from the bottom side to the upper side, to which connection edge the edges of the foil defining the opposite sides of the exterior wall have been fused or secured to each other.

14. Hydration reservoir according to any one of the claims 10-13, provided with a third connection edge, where the upper side of the first water barrier has been fused or secured to the exterior wall.

15. Hydration reservoir according to any one of the claims 10-14, wherein the exterior wall has been provided with a fourth connection edge extending along the upper side, to which connection edge the edges of the foil defining the opposite sides of the exterior wall have been fused or secured to each other.

16. Hydration reservoir according to claims 12 and 15, wherein the first connection edge and the fourth connection edge intersect each other transversely.

17. Hydration reservoir according to any one of the claims 10-16, provided with a fifth connection edge extending along the upper side of the exterior wall, where the edges of the foil defining the opposite sides of the exterior wall have been fused or secured to the second water barrier .

18. Hydration reservoir according to claims 15 and 17, wherein along the upper side, the fifth connection edge forms a continuation of the fourth connection edge.

19. Hydration reservoir according to any one of the claims 15, 16 or 18, wherein the fourth connection edge extends upright towards the second water barrier.

20. Hydration reservoir according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second water barrier has been continued beyond the upper side of the exterior wall and defines an insertion spout of the hydration reservoir.

21. Hydration reservoir according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the exterior wall and/or the first water barrier and/or the second water barrier has been made of synthetic material, preferably based on a polyolefin .

22. Hydration reservoir according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the exterior wall and/or the first water barrier and/or the second water barrier has been made of High-density Polyethylene (HDPE) , Low-density Polyethylene (LDPE) , Polyamide (PA), Polyurethane (PU) , Polycarbonate (PC), Polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC) , Polypropylene (PP) , Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) , Polyethylene terephthalate glycol-modified (PETG) ,

Polystyrene (PS) , Polymethyl acrylate (acrylate) , Polyoxymethylene (POM) , Polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) , Nylon, Acrylic fibres or a mixture therewith.

23. Hydration reservoir according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the exterior wall and/or the first water barrier and/or the second water barrier has been made of a silicon-based synthetic material.

24. Hydration reservoir according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the exterior wall and/or the first water barrier and/or the second water barrier has been made of Addition Silicone (HTV) or Condensation Silicone (LSR) or a mixture therewith.

25. Hydration reservoir according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the exterior wall and/or the first water barrier and/or the second water barrier has a wall thickness of 0.1-2.0 millimetres.

26. Assembly comprising a bunch of cut flowers having a bundle of elongated stems and a hydration reservoir according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the stems have been accommodated in the insertion channel.

27. Assembly according to claim 26, comprising a shipping box in which the stems of the bunch of cut flowers are situated in the insertion channel of the hydration reservoir.

28. Device provided with one or more of the characterising measures described in the attached description and/or shown in the attached drawings.

Description:
Hydration reservoir for a bunch of cut flowers

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to a hydration reservoir for a bunch of cut flowers, such as hydrangeas.

Hydrangeas are transported over long distances to the market. Bunches of hydrangeas, the stems of which have been bundled, are then placed in an elongated box. The bundled stems are then oriented to the centre of the box. The hydrangeas are moisturised by placing the stems in a tray containing a liquid-absorbing medium. The tray will be disposed of after transport. The liquid-absorbing medium is required to prevent water from leaking while on an aeroplane. The liquid-absorbing medium is the main reason why the costs for such a tray are a substantial part of the cost price of the bunch of flowers. Apart from that transporting cut flowers in full water is beneficial to the quality of the hydrangeas.

It is an object of the invention to provide a packaging for cut flowers, with which cut flowers can be transported with their stems fully in water without water considerably leaking away.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides a hydration reservoir for a bunch of cut flowers having a bundle of elongated stems, wherein the hydration reservoir has been provided with an exterior wall extending all round and comprises an upper side and an opposite bottom side in between which an interior space has been defined for containing water, a first sleeve-shaped water barrier in the interior space which at or near its upper side has been connected to the exterior wall so as to be watertight all round, and oriented to the bottom side with its end opening spaced apart from or within several centimetres' distance from the bottom side of the exterior wall, and a second sleeve-shaped water barrier which at its upper side has been connected to the exterior wall so as to be watertight all round, and oriented to the bottom side with its end opening within the first water barrier, wherein the first water barrier and the second water barrier are situated in each other's extension and thus form an insertion channel for the bundle of stems, of which insertion channel the consecutive end openings of the water barriers situated in the interior space bound the passages or narrowest passages, wherein the hydration reservoir is intended for sitting on a base with one side of the exterior wall, wherein the exterior wall, due to its spatial shape, has sufficient shape stability for, down from the second water barrier, keeping the insertion channel oriented at an oblique angle to the base.

The hydration reservoir according to the invention has an interior space which can be filled with water through the first water barrier and the second water barrier. Nutrients and conditioning substances may have been included in the water. In the lying position, the exterior wall keeps the insertion channel, considered from the second water barrier, oriented obliquely downward towards the bottom side, as a result of which the water can no longer run back out of the hydration reservoir via the first water barrier and the second water barrier. The bundle of stems can then be inserted into the insertion channel so as to stand fully in water near the bottom side. Due to the size of the flowers, the bundle of stems approximately has the same oblique direction so that the hydration reservoir also retains its shape after the insertion. As a result, the water remains confined. The end opening of the first water barrier is situated near the bottom side, as a result of which a small fraction of the water situated in the interior space is also able to flow in and out of the first water barrier. Said fraction can therefore be fully absorbed by the bundle of stems.

When the bunch of cut flowers is tilted together with the hydration reservoir, such that the bottom side is raised, the end opening of the first water barrier will end up fully above the water line. As a result, the small fraction of water in the first water barrier is isolated from the large fraction of water which remains confined between the exterior wall and the first water barrier. When tilting further, the small fraction of water flows further upwards towards the second water barrier, the end opening of which is situated higher than the upper side of the exterior wall. The small fraction of water can be fully confined there in the area situated within the exterior wall around the second water barrier. As a result, the water cannot flow out of the hydration reservoir passing along the bunch of stems. When the hydration reservoir is tilted back into the initial position, the small fraction of water flows back to the large fraction of water.

The hydration reservoir according to the invention enables a bunch of cut flowers to be transported with the bundle of stems fully in water. When tilting, or even when holding the bunch upside down, the water remains behind the system of sleeve-shaped water barriers. The bunch of cut flowers can then be transported safely. The same hydration reservoir can be used throughout the entire chain from breeder, via carrier, wholesaler's and florist to the consumer .

In one embodiment the insertion channel extends at an oblique angle of 10-45 degrees, preferably 10-30 degrees to the base. Said angle corresponds with the angle of a bunch of stems of an average bunch of cut flowers. As a result, the hydration reservoir will hardly be deformed by inserting the bundle of stems.

In one embodiment the second water barrier is at least partially nested in the first water barrier and has a smaller circumference at the same cross-section of the insertion channel. In that way a water compartment is formed around the second water barrier, for containing the small water fraction.

In one embodiment the first water barrier is a straight cone, as a result of which its end opening forms a smallest passage of the insertion channel.

In one embodiment the first water barrier tapers towards the bottom side, so that ultimately it connects well to the bundle of stems.

In one embodiment the first water barrier has been made of foil, as a result of which it flexibly moves along when introducing the bundle of stems, also when the stems stand slightly apart at their outer ends.

In one embodiment the second water barrier tapers towards the bottom side, so that ultimately it connects well to the bundle of stems.

In one embodiment the second water barrier is a straight cone.

In one embodiment the second water barrier has been made of foil, as a result of which it flexibly moves along when introducing the bundle of stems, also when the stems stand slightly apart at their outer ends.

In one embodiment the foil comprises several layers, wherein one exterior layer forms a fusion layer to make connection edges by fusing them.

In one embodiment the exterior wall has been provided with a first connection edge extending along the bottom side, to which connection edge the edges of the foil defining the opposite sides of the exterior wall, have been fused or secured to each other. In one embodiment the exterior wall has been provided with a second connection edge extending from the bottom side to the upper side, to which connection edge the edges of the foil defining the opposite sides of the exterior wall, have been fused or secured to each other.

In one embodiment the hydration reservoir has been provided with a third connection edge, where the upper side of the first water barrier has been fused or secured to the exterior wall.

In one embodiment the exterior wall has been provided with a fourth connection edge extending along the upper side, to which connection edge the edges of the foil defining the opposite sides of the exterior wall, have been fused or secured to each other.

In a combined embodiment the first connection edge and the fourth connection edge intersect each other transversely. The first connection edge, situated low above the base, will then be able to counteract rolling over so that the fourth connection edge will be erected to keep the second water barrier above the base, amply higher than the first connection edge.

In one embodiment the hydration reservoir has been provided with a fifth connection edge extending along the upper side of the exterior wall, where the edges of the foil defining the opposite sides of the exterior wall, have been fused or secured to the second water barrier.

In a combined embodiment, along the upper side, the fifth connection edge forms a continuation of the fourth connection edge.

In one embodiment the fourth connection edge extends upright towards the second water barrier.

In one embodiment the second water barrier has been continued beyond the upper side of the exterior wall and defines an insertion spout of the hydration reservoir. Said insertion spout can widen to the outside so that the bundle of stems can easily be placed into it. In one embodiment the exterior wall and/or the first water barrier and/or the second water barrier has been made of synthetic material, preferably based on a polyolefin. Said material can be used to manufacture the hydration reservoir through injection moulding, thermoforming, vacuum forming or dedicated foil manufacturing .

In one embodiment the exterior wall and/or the first water barrier and/or the second water barrier has been made of High-density Polyethylene (HDPE) , Low-density Polyethylene (LDPE) , Polyamide (PA) , Polyurethane (PU) , Polycarbonate (PC) , Polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC) , Polypropylene (PP) , Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) , Polyethylene terephthalate glycol-modified (PETG) , Polystyrene (PS) , Polymethyl acrylate (acrylate) , Polyoxymethylene (POM) , Polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) , Nylon, Acrylic fibres or a mixture therewith.

In one embodiment the exterior wall and/or the first water barrier and/or the second water barrier has been made of a silicon-based synthetic material.

In one embodiment the exterior wall and/or the first water barrier and/or the second water barrier has been made of Addition Silicone (HTV) or Condensation Silicone (LSR) or a mixture therewith.

In one embodiment the exterior wall and/or the first water barrier and/or the second water barrier has a wall thickness of 0.1-2.0 millimetres.

The invention further relates to an assembly comprising a bunch of cut flowers having a bundle of elongated stems and a hydration reservoir according to the invention, wherein the stems have been accommodated in the insertion channel.

In one embodiment thereof the assembly comprises a shipping box in which the stems of the bunch of cut flowers are situated in the insertion channel of the hydration reservoi . The aspects and measures described in this description and the claims of the application and/or shown in the drawings of this application may where possible also be used individually. Said individual aspects may be the subject of divisional patent applications relating thereto. This particularly applies to the measures and aspects that are described per se in the sub claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be elucidated on the basis of a number of exemplary embodiments shown in the attached drawings, in which:

Figures 1A and IB show a view in perspective and a side view of a hydration reservoir with water for cut flowers according to a first embodiment of the invention in the regular position of use;

Figure 2 shows the hydration reservoir according to figures 1A and IB in a horizontally tilted position;

Figure 3 shows the hydration reservoir according to figures 1A and IB in a tilted-through position;

Figure 4 shows the hydration reservoir according to figures 1A and IB upside-down; and

Figure 5 shows a side view of a hydration reservoir with water for cut flowers according to a second embodiment of the invention in the regular position of use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figures 1A and IB show a hydration bag or hydration reservoir 1 according to a first embodiment of the invention. The hydration reservoir 1 is intended for a bunch of cut flowers 5, such as hydrangeas, the cut stems 6 of which have been bundled together using one or more bands 7. When the bunch of cut flowers 5 sits on a straight horizontal base 2, the centre line of the stems 6 is oriented obliquely downward at an angle of approximately 10- 30 degrees, due to the large size of the flowers. The bunch of cut flowers 5 is transported in said resting position, for instance in an elongated box having a flat bottom in which the bunches of cut flowers 5 are situated with the flowers at the narrow head ends and the stems 6 are oriented towards the centre, optionally intersecting each other. In said resting position the hydration reservoir 1 provides the cut flowers 5 with sufficient water and nutrients dissolved in it .

The hydration reservoir 1 comprises an exterior wall 10 made of a watertight synthetic foil 11. The foil 11 is tough and rather flexible. The foil 11 has a wall thickness of 0.1-2.0 millimetres. In this example the foil 11 is transparent. The foil 11 has for instance been made of a polyolefin-based synthetic material, such as polyethylene, in particular LDPE The foil 11 can be configured multi- layered, wherein one outer layer adheres onto itself when fused, whereas the opposite outer layer counteracts such adhesion at the same fusion temperature.

The exterior wall 10 has been formed by making a slight fold 12 in a rectangular strip of foil 11 having straight edges, and fusing the meeting side edges 13 to each other at one side, as a result of which a watertight first welded edge 14 is formed at the bottom side. The meeting end edges 15 are also fused to each other as a result of which the first welded edge 14 is continued in a watertight second welded edge 16. The use of a fold 12 or a welded edge 14, 16 in the exterior wall 10 is determined by the basic shape and the orientation of the starting material, for which several alternatives are possible. The exterior wall 10 may for instance also have been formed using a cylindrical foil sleeve of which in transverse direction, portions have been cut off in order to form the future exterior wall 10. Of said portions the lower sides are fused to each other in order to form the first welded edge 14 only.

At the inside of the exterior wall 10, the hydration reservoir 1 comprises a first water barrier 30 made of the same synthetic foil 31 as the exterior wall 10. The first water barrier 30 has the form of a straight cone, wherein at the largest end the first water barrier 30 has the same circumference as the exterior wall 10. Along its upper edge 32, in this example at a distance of a few centimetres from the side edge 17 situated opposite the first welded edge 14, the first water barrier 30 has been fused all round to the exterior wall 10, as a result of which a circumferential, watertight third welded edge 33 has been formed. The end opening 34 at the opposite side is situated at a distance of a few centimetres from the first welded edge 14, in this example 1-6 centimetres.

The hydration reservoir 1 comprises a second water barrier 40 made of the same synthetic foil 41 as the exterior wall 10. The second water barrier 40 has the form of a straight cone, wherein the smallest end opening 42 is situated inside the exterior wall 10 and inside the first water barrier 30. The edges 17 situated opposite the first welded edge 14 are oriented transversely thereto and have been arranged against the second water barrier 40. Subseguently said side edges 17 have been fused to each other and to the second water barrier as a result of which a watertight fourth welded edge 18 has been formed transversely intersecting the first welded edge 14. The fourth welded edge 18 then forms the upper side of the exterior wall 10. At the connection to the second water barrier 40, the fourth welded edge 18 locally splits into two fifth welded edges 23 with which the second water barrier 40 has been fused all round and watertight with the exterior wall 10. The synthetic foil 41 forming the second water barrier 40 may be continued beyond the fifth welded edge 23 in order to form an insertion spout 43 of the hydration reservoir 1.

The first water barrier 30 and the smaller second water barrier 40 have the same orientation and have partially been symmetrically nested into each other. In that way they form an insertion channel with a centre line S for the bundle of stems 6. The straight first welded edge 14 forms the widest part of the hydration reservoir 1 counteracting that the hydration reservoir 1 rolls over on the straight horizontal base 2. The upright fourth welded edge 18 that is oriented transversely thereto, together with the adjacent foil 11 provides sufficient form stability or rigidity to keep centre line S at the oblique angle A of 10- 30 degrees above the base 2. In the area adjacent to the first welded edge 14, the exterior wall 10 will then define a sidewall 19 situated above and sidewall 20 situated below, which in the direction of the fourth welded edge 18, via a slight central fold, gradually merge into an increasingly sharper fold 21, 22 at the third welded edge 33 and fourth welded edge 18.

The inside of the exterior wall 10 and the outside of the first water barrier 30 together bound a first water compartment 50 starting at the first welded edge 14 and ending at the third welded edge 33. The inside of the first water barrier 30 bounds a second water compartment 51 starting at the opening 34 of the first water barrier 30 and ending at the fourth welded edge 18. Prior to inserting the stems 6, the hydration reservoir 1 is filled with water up to approximately one third of the overall internal volume. The exterior wall 10 then slightly expands. A liquid- absorbing medium may be included in the first water compartment 50. The liquid-absorbing medium may have been made of rock wool, glass wool, floral foam or of spongy material made of various polymers, such as polyethylene or polypropylene, or of a spongy material composed with cellulose, sodium, sulphate crystals and hemp fibres. The liquid-absorbing medium may form one cohesive unity or for instance be granular.

In the regular position of use, as shown in figures 1A and IB, the opening 34 of the first water barrier 30 is situated low in the interior space as a result of which the first water compartment 50 and the second water compartment 51 are connected to each other for water via said opening 34. As a result, there is a common water line Wl . As a result, the cut flowers 5 can absorb all the water.

In a horizontally tilted position as shown in figure 2, in which the centre line S of the insertion channel extends approximately horizontal to the base 2, the opening 34 of the first water barrier 30 has risen above the original common water line Wl . As a result, the first water compartment 50 and the second water compartment 51 are separated from each other as regards the water, each having its own water line W2, 3. The water in the first water compartment 50 remains confined in there. As the water volume left behind or ended up in the first water barrier 30 is much smaller than the water volume still situated in the first water compartment 50, the water line W3 in the second compartment 51 is lower than the water line W2 in the first compartment 50. The smallest opening 42 of the second water barrier 40 is also amply above the water line W3 in the second compartment 51 as a result of which it remains confined. As a result, no water can run out of the insertion spout 43 passing along the stems 6.

In the tilted-through position as shown in figure 3 the situation of the smallest opening 42 of the second water barrier 40 being situated amply above the water line W3 in the second compartment 51, remains preserved, as a result of which no water can run out of the insertion spout 43 passing along the stems 6.

Even if the hydration reservoir 1 is turned completely upside-down as shown in figure 4, the centre line S of the insertion channel being vertically oriented, the water still remains confined in the second water compartment 51.

Figure 5 shows a hydration jar or hydration reservoir 101 according to a second embodiment of the invention. The parts corresponding with the first embodiment according to figures 1-4 have been provided with reference numbers increased by 100. The bunch of cut flowers 5 and its stems 6 are the same.

The hydration reservoir 101 comprises a straight conical exterior wall 110 made of a watertight synthetic foil having a wall thickness of approximately 1 millimetre as a result of which it is form-rigid. At its upper side, the hydration reservoir 101 has been provided with an upper wall 160 connected watertight with the exterior wall and at the bottom side has been provided with a bottom wall 161 connected watertight with the exterior wall and made of the same material. There is a central opening 162 in the upper wall 160.

At the inside of the exterior wall 110, the hydration reservoir 101 comprises a first water barrier 130 of the same material. The first water barrier 130 has the form of a straight cone. Along its upper edge 132, the first water barrier 130 is connected watertight all round with the upper wall 160, so that it is connected watertight with it to the exterior wall 110. The end opening 134 at the opposite side is situated at a distance of a few centimetres from the bottom wall 161. The hydration reservoir 101 comprises a second water barrier of the same material as the exterior wall 110. The second water barrier 140 has the form of a straight cone, wherein the smallest end opening 142 is situated inside the first water barrier 130 and inside the exterior wall 110. At the upper side, along the central opening 162, the second water barrier 140 merges into the upper wall 160 in order to be connected watertight with it to the exterior wall 110. The connection to the first water barrier 130 is situated between the exterior wall 110 and the central opening 162. The first water barrier 130 and the second water barrier 140 have the same orientation and have partially been nested symmetrically into each other. In that way they form an insertion channel with a centre line S for the bundle of stems 6. The exterior wall 110 has sufficient form stability or rigidity per se to keep the centre line S at the oblique angle A of 10-30 degrees above the base. The water barriers 130, 140 and the upper wall 160 have sufficient form stability or rigidity to keep the water barriers in the nested position.

The inside of the exterior wall 110 and the outside of the first water barrier 130 together bound a first water compartment 150 starting at the bottom wall 161 and ending at the upper wall 160. The inside of the first water barrier 130 bounds a second water compartment 151 starting at the opening 134 of the first water barrier 130 and ending at the upper wall 160. Prior to inserting the stems 6, the hydration reservoir 101 is filled with water up to approximately one third of the overall internal volume. The operation of the hydration reservoir 101 in terms of tilting and retaining water is the same as in the first embodiment .

The hydration reservoirs 1, 101 according to the invention enable bunches of cut flowers 5 to be transported with the stems 6 fully in water instead of in a tray of water-absorbing medium. The box in which the cut flowers 5 including the hydration reservoir 1 are situated, can be held in any position without the water running out of it. This enables cut flowers to be transported fully in water for instance by aeroplane.

The above description has been included to illustrate the operation of preferred embodiments of the invention and not to limit the scope of the invention. Starting from the above explanation many variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention will be evident to an expert.