received by the International Bureau on 14.05.2018

CLAIMS

1. Flower bulb, for example hyacinth, tulip and daffodil, provided with a wax layer, in particular a colored wax layer, wherein the bulb at least near root area thereof, shows a zone that is kept free of wax, and wherein the zone that is kept free at least for the largest part coincides with the root zone of the bulb.

2, Flower bulb according to the preceding claim, wherein the cut-off at the top of the bulb is scraped off, at least located at the upper side is provided with a relatively thin layer of wax.

3. Flower bulb according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the zone that is kept free typically has an at least substantially regular circular shape, in particular such as may be the case by grabbing with aid of a suction cup.

4. Flower bulb according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the wax layer is processed at the top end of the bulb, in particular on or around the sprout point of the bulb is provided with a weakening of the wax layer.

5. Method for providing flower bulbs with a layer of sealant like a paraffin layer, wherein a root zone of a flower bulb is kept free from sealant by a grabbing means, such as with grabbing by a suction cup or a ring such as of an upright standing cylinder, wherein the grabbing means take up the root zone, at least cover the root zone, such that at immersion in or with sealant the root zone remains free from sealant.

6. Method according to claim 5, wherein the bulb is engaged such that at least a part, preferably the major part of the root zone of the bulb at immersion remains free of sealant.

7. Method according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the suction cup is connected to a mechanical air suction, in particular to an under pressure created by ab air pump.

8. Method according to one of the claims 5-7, wherein the bulb is manually or mechanically applied to a suction cup.

9. Method according to one of the claims 5-8, wherein the suction cup is surrounded and near its outer edge supported by a cylindrical holder, at least support to the suction cup.

10. Method according to one of the claims 5-9, wherein the bulb and suction cup, either manually or mechanically, in particular by means of a turning mechanism, for the purpose of immersion in sealant are jointly turned so that the bulb is passed upside down through a bath, or at least is immersed therein.

1 1. Method according to one of the claims 5-10, wherein the bulb while caught by a soft surface, is released falling by interruption of air suction.

12. Method according to one of the claims 5-1 1 , wherein the soft surface is formed by, at least wherein the catching is performed with water, in particular cooling water.

13. Method according to one of the claims 5-12, wherein the bulb before being caught by said soft surface and after immersion in paraffin, under continuous engagement by the suction cup is brought into immersion of cooling water.

14. Method according to one of the claims 5-13, wherein a plurality of bulbs are included axially next to each other, at least axially staggered in the rotating mechanism.

15. Device for waxing of flower bulbs, especially for carrying out a method according to one or more of the claims 5-14, which device comprises wax application means for immersion of bulbs in or with wax, and which device is provided with one or more ring shaped free from wax retaining elements for receipt therein of the root circle of the bulb, such as a suction cup or the end of a cylinder, in particular for keeping the root zone of the bulb free of wax during the waxing thereof.

16. Device according to claim 15, which device is provided with one or more suction cups for grabbing a flower bulb, said device further comprising an air pump for evacuating the suction cups, said suction cups for this purpose being included in pneumatic connection with the air pump.

17. Device according to one of the claims 15-16, wherein the suction cup is included in a relatively rigid cylinder, such that an end of the cylinder supports the suction cup near a radial outer end thereof during operation.

18. Device according to one of the claims 15-17, wherein in the pneumatic connection is included a controllable valve.

19. Device according to one of the claims 15-18, wherein the device comprises a turning mechanism, and wherein the pneumatic connection comprises a rotary coupling for pneumatically connecting, via a pivotable conduit or holder part, the suction cup with a central, fixed pneumatic line, connected to the air pump.

20. Device according to one of the claims 15-19, wherein the conduit or holder part in the apparatus is included in the device beyond an axial end of the rotating mechanism, in particular of a physical axis thereof.