Title of Invention: Biocompostable bag for plant production and method of manufacturing thereof

[0001] The present invention relates to a biocompostable bag for plant production and a method of manufacturing thereof.

Technical Field

[0002] Ceramic, wooden, metal or plastic pots are commonly used to produce plant seedlings. The use of biodegradable pots is a great convenience, as these types of pots allow plants to be finally planted into the ground with the pot, without having to remove them from the pot.

[0003] The body structure of said pot is gradually loosened, and this process accelerates when the pot is already in the soil. The loosened pot structure constitutes no barrier to the plant roots, which grow freely through the pot and continue their growth in the soil. The advantage of using biodegradable pots is that the growth gap caused by damage to the roots of the seedling when it is removed from the pot is avoided, resulting in longer adaptation of the seedling to the new growth conditions. Furthermore, controlling the biodegradation time of such a pot has a significant impact on plant vegetation.

[0004] The body structure of said pot cannot constitute a barrier to the developing roots, so the biodegradation process should occur in parallel with the root growth process. Different types of plants have different vegetative phases and therefore pots with a maximum biodegradation time of up to 7 years should be used for optimal plant growth. After the vegetative phase of the plant, the residue of the biodegradable pot becomes a component of the soil. However, the materials currently used do not allow the biodegradation phase to be adapted to the plant's vegetative phase.

[0005] Biodegradable pots are currently manufactures from peat and other natural fibrous materials such as coconut or palm fibres. The disadvantage of peat pots are that they have low mechanical strength especially after wetting, and that they cause soil acidification due to the acidic properties of peat. Therefore, for optimum mechanical strength, pots have thick walls, which causes excessive increase in their weight and acts as a barrier to root growth. Moreover, such pots should also be biocompostable, meaning that the material from which they are made decomposes into water, carbon dioxide and other nutrients. Unlike the biodegradation process, the biocomposting process also allows a specific time interval to be defined for its duration.

Background Art

[0006] Biodegradable pots are known in the art. P.424867 discloses a biodegradable pot in which the walls are made of crushed biocarbon mixed with an added fibrous material and bonded with a biodegradable binder in the form of a resin, e.g. urea-formaldehyde or collagen protein cross-linked with formaldehyde. Additional mineral salts for plant nutrition are also introduced into the porous biocarbon grains in the pot.

[0007] JPH06276862A discloses another biodegradable pot where an aliphatic polyester resin such as polyhydroxybutyrate, polyglycolic acid, polylactide, etc., is used as the biodegradable material. Starch contained in maize, potatoes, rice, wheat, etc., containing a plastic such as polyester as a binder, can also be used.

[0008] US10314246B2 discloses a plant receptacle comprising walls made of a biodegradable permeable sheet material, said material being made of a blend of threads comprising a first type of fibre of a monofilament PLA based fibre and a second type of fibre made of a PLA thread covered with a flexible aliphatic polyester.

[0009] KR101826394B1 discloses an environmentally friendly plant cultivation vessel, with the bottom part and a partition wall part connected to the bottom part and forming an internal space for accommodating the plant. The vessel is made of biodegradable polymers blend (PLA/PBAT blend). Moreover, the biodegradable material is coated with a polymer decomposition promoter (e.g. calcium hydroxide, calcium carbonate), that promotes the hydrolysis of the biodegradable polymer.

[0010] JP2001258399A discloses a biodegradable vessel for cultivating plants such as trees that can be planted in soil without taking them out from the vessel. The biodegradable vessel for cultivating plants is manufactured by subjecting a biodegradable polylactide foam board to secondary molding processing with a thickness of 0.5-3 mm.

[0011] US2009292042A1 discloses a biodegradable plant container made of a polymeric material derived from cellulosic material that is coated with a reinforcement to facilitate biodegradation of the container. The biodegradable material is a polylactide.

[0012] US 10716264B2 discloses a biodegradable container for the containment of plants and plant seedlings. The containers are made by injection molding that uses materials selected from the group consisting of cellulose esters, polylactide, biobased polyethylene compounds, and mixtures thereof.

[0013] WO2014006256 Al is also known in the art, which discloses a container for compostable plants constituted by a substantially cylindrical or polygonal body made of recycled plant-derived polylactide (PLA). The vertical walls of the body present a plurality of cuts or small perforations suitable for the roots to pass through the walls of the container.

Summary of Invention

[0014] The prior art solutions are therefore mainly focused on the biodegradation process. As a result, the limitation is that it is not possible to control the decomposition time of the pots, particularly when they are in the soil. The uncontrolled biodegradation process leads to impaired development of the root system and ultimately to the wither of the plant. Currently used materials are usually mixtures of different raw materials and have a heterogeneous structure, which only makes this process more difficult to control. For example, known solutions use aliphatic polyesters, which, when introduced into the soil, contaminate it further. Such materials are therefore (bio)degradable, but not biocompostable.

[0015] A purpose of the invention is to provide a biocompostable bag for plant production and a method of manufacturing thereof, which overcomes the indicated limitations by using a biocompostable material, the decomposition of which takes place in a substantially defined and controlled time, i.e. after 3 years, after 5 years and after 7 years. Thus, the purpose is to reduce environmental pollution through the use of a biocompostable material that decomposes into low-molecular- weight compounds with the participation of microorganisms in the soil. Moreover, the invention enables to plant plants or seedlings directly in the bag according to the invention, i.e. without having to separate (remove) the bag from the root system of the plant.

[0016] Moreover, a purpose of the invention is to provide a biocompostable bag for plant production which does not require the use of weed control agents, which is permeable to water and nutrients so that the microorganisms in the soil remain active and which has a high stability to UV light. A further purpose of the invention is to provide a low manufacturing cost and the possibility to easily adapt the bag to the plant by individually adjusting its dimensions to the specific plant. A further purpose of the invention is to provide a biocompostable bag for plant production that maintains constant moisture and root ball temperature.

[0017] The above problems are solved by the present invention. An object of the invention is a biocompostable bag for plant production composed of a biocompostable material comprising a bottom with holes, a body with at least two handles in the form of cutouts in the upper part of the body opposite the bottom characterised in that the body is at least single-layer, the biocompostable material has a fibrous structure and the body in the upper part opposite the bottom is provided with a hood with a central opening.

[0018] Preferably, the object is a biocompostable bag according to the invention, wherein the body is single-layer or multi-layer.

[0019] Preferably, the object is a biocompostable bag according to the invention, wherein the biocompostable bag comprises ears instead of handles in the body.

[0020] Preferably, the object is a biocompostable bag according to the invention, wherein the biocompostable material is generally pure polylactide (PLA) with a non-woven fabric basis weight in the range of 100 g/m ² to 250 g/m ² .

[0021] Preferably, the object is a biocompostable bag according to the invention, wherein PLA is of plant origin. [0022] Preferably, the object is a biocompo stable bag according to the invention, wherein PLA has high UVA stability.

[0023] Preferably, the object is a biocompo stable bag according to the invention, wherein the PLA non-woven fabric basis weight is 100 g/m ²

[0024] Preferably, the object is a biocompo stable bag according to the invention, wherein the PLA non-woven fabric basis weight is 200 g/m ²

[0025] Preferably, the object is a biocompo stable bag according to the invention, wherein the PLA non-woven fabric basis weight is 250 g/m ²

[0026] Preferably, the object is a biocompo stable bag according to the invention, wherein the decomposition phase of the biocompostable material is 3, 5 or 7 years.

[0027] Preferably, the object is a biocompostable bag according to the invention, wherein the multi-layer body consists of an inner layer of the body, an intermediate layer of the body and an outer layer of the body.

[0028] Preferably, the object is a biocompostable bag according to the invention, wherein the intermediate layer of the body is a biocompostable material or a biodegradable material selected from grass straw, coconut straw, palm leaf straw, reed straw and animal-derived hair. Preferably, the object is a biocompostable bag according to the invention, wherein animal-derived hair is sheep wool, cashmere, alpaca wool, angora or mohair.

[0029] Preferably, the object is a biocompostable bag according to the invention, wherein the bottom, the body and the hood are connected by ultrasonic welding and/or sewing using biocompostable threads.

[0030] Preferably, the object is a biocompostable bag according to the invention, wherein the hood is provided with a drawstring material.

[0031] Preferably, the object is a biocompostable bag according to the invention, wherein the drawstring material being selected from the group including string, tape, strap, rope or line.

[0032] Preferably, the object is a biocompostable bag according to the invention, wherein the bottom, the hood, the drawstring material and optionally the threads are made of the same biocompostable material as the body - in the case of a single-layer body, or as the inner layer and the outer layer of the body - in the case of a multi-layer body.

[0033] Preferably, the object is a biocompostable bag according to the invention, wherein the biocompostable bag is provided with a sensor for root ball management measuring the moisture, temperature, acidity and alkalinity in the root ball surroundings.

[0034] Preferably, the object is a biocompostable bag according to the invention, wherein the body and the hood constitute one pass and the bottom constitutes a second pass.

[0035] Preferably, the object is a biocompostable bag according to the invention, wherein the non-woven fabric basis weight of which the body is constructed, in the case of a single-layer body, or the inner layer and the outer layer of the body, in the case of a multi-layer body, and the hood and the non-woven fabric basis weight of which the bottom is constructed, are the same or different.

[0036] Preferably, the object is a biocompo stable bag according to the invention, wherein the biocompo stable material in the form of a permeable non-woven fabric is smoothed after being unrolled, the permeable non-woven fabric is then mechanically cut into bottom, body and hood elements, the bottom, body and hood elements are then joined by sewing and/or ultrasonic welding.

[0037] In a further aspect, the object of the invention is also a method of manufacturing a biocompostable bag for plant production characterised in that the biocompo stable material in the form of a permeable non-woven fabric is smoothed after being unrolled, the permeable non-woven fabric is then mechanically cut into body, bottom and hood elements, the body, bottom and hood elements are then joined by sewing and/or ultrasonic welding.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0038] The object of the present invention in embodiments is illustrated in the drawing, in which:

Fig.l

[0039] [Fig.l] shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a biocompostable bag for plant production according to the invention comprising a single-layer body.

Fig.2

[0040] [Fig. 2] shows a view of the passes of a variant of the biocompostable bag for plant production according to the invention, where [Fig. 2A)] shows the body pass and [Fig. 2B)] shows the bottom pass.

Fig.3

[0041] [Fig.3] shows a cross-section of an embodiment of a biocompostable bag for plant production according to the invention.

Fig.4

[0042] [Fig.4] shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a biocompostable bag for plant production according to the invention comprising a three-layer body.

Fig.5

[0043] [Fig.5] shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a biocompostable bag for plant production according to the invention comprising a multi-layer body.

Description of Embodiments

[0044] Only details necessary for understanding the invention are shown in the figures. Constructions and details that are not necessary for understanding the invention, but are obvious to a person skilled in the art, have been omitted from the figures in order to highlight only the characteristic features of the invention.

[0045] In one variant, a biocompo stable bag for plant production according to the invention, together with reference numbers to the individual components, is shown in [Fig.l], wherein:

1. is a body

2. is a bottom with holes

3. is a handles in the body

4. is a hood

5. is a draw string material

In the embodiment shown in [Fig. 2], the biocompo stable bag for plant production with its components: body 1, bottom 2 and hood 4 is made of biocompo stable material. [0046] In the embodiment shown in [Fig.3], the biocompo stable bag according to the invention comprises an ear 6 for transporting the bag instead of the handles 3 cut in the body 1. Preferably, the bag according to the invention comprises a pair of ears 6.

[0047] In the embodiment shown in [Fig.4], the biocompo stable bag according to the invention comprises a multi-layer body 1, particularly a three-layer body. The multilayer body 1 consists of an inner layer la of the body, an intermediate layer lb of the body and an outer layer 1c of the body. In the sense of the present invention, the bio- compostable material decomposes within a defined time interval under the influence of microorganisms, humidity and temperature to water, carbon dioxide and nutrients. This represents a significant difference to biodegradable material. A biodegradable material decomposes under the influence of microorganisms, but this decomposition occurs in a spontaneous and uncontrolled manner. A biocompo stable material, while decomposing significantly, does not deteriorate the environment, which is not always the case with biodegradable materials. Controlling the time of biodegradation is important from the point of view of the development of the root system, because the material of the bag or pot cannot be a barrier to the developing roots, so the process should occur in parallel with the root growth process.

[0048] In the embodiment shown in [Fig.5], the biocompo stable bag according to the invention comprises a multi-layer body 1. The multi-layer body 1 consists of an inner layer la of the body, two intermediate layers lb of the body and an outer layer 1c of the body. In this embodiment, an additional inner layer la is present that is located between two intermediate layers lb of the body and is a layer which separates said two intermediate layers lb of the body.

[0049] The biocompo stable material used in the present invention is generally pure polylactide (PLA). Preferably, the minimum PLA content of the material is 99%. The biocompostable material is of plant origin.

[0050] The biocompostable material used in the present invention has a fibrous structure. The used non-woven fabric basis weight is in the range of 100 g/m ² to 250 g/m ² . This range of basis weight provides the appropriate properties of the biocompo stable material. First of all, it ensures optimum rigidity. Such a basis weight means that the material used is neither too hard, which allows it to be processed (e.g. by sewing or welding), nor too soft, which allows it to be formed into the shape of a bag according to the invention.

[0051] The combination of the used raw material (i.e. generally pure PLA of plant origin), the fibre structure and a suitable basis weight allows to ensure the biocompostability properties of the plant production bag according to the invention.

[0052] The use of a suitable basis weight allows control the decomposition phase of the bio- compostable material used in the bag for plant production according to the invention. The lower the non-woven fabric basis weight of the biocompostable material, the shorter its decomposition phase. For example, by using plant-derived polylactide (PLA) with a basis weight of 100 g/m ² as a fibrous biocompostable material, a decomposition time of 3 years is obtained, the use of plant-derived polylactide (PLA) with a basis weight of 200 g/m ² as a fibrous biocompostable material results in a decomposition time of 5 years, while the use of plant-derived polylactide (PLA) with a basis weight of 250 g/m ² as a fibrous biocompostable material results in a decomposition time of 7 years. This refers to the decomposition process carried out under optimal conditions for the biocompostability process, i.e. at 60°C and 90% relative humidity. Preferably, the biocompostable material has a decomposition phase of 3, 5 or 7 years. The biocompostable bag according to the invention may have the same or different non-woven fabric basis weight of which the body 1 and the hood 4 are constructed and the non-woven fabric basis weight of which the bottom 2 is constructed. Preferably, the basis weight of all the components composed of the biocompostable material used in the present invention is the same.

[0053] The biocompostable material used in the present invention also has high UVA stability.

[0054] The body 1 of the biocompostable bag according to the invention is either singlelayer or multi-layer.

[0055] Where the body 1 is single-layer, it is composed entirely of biocompostable material, preferably pure PLA with a non-woven fabric basis weight in the range of 100 g/m ² to 250 g/m ² .

[0056] When the body 1 is multi-layer, it is composed of an inner layer la of the body, an intermediate layer lb of the body and an outer layer 1c of the body. The inner layer la and the outer layer 1c are constructed of the same material as the body 1 in the singlelayer bag according to the invention, that is, entirely of a biocompostable material, preferably pure PLA with a non-woven fabric basis weight in the range of 100 g/m ² to 250 g/m ² . And the intermediate layer lb of the body can be a biocompo stable material or a biodegradable material selected from grass straw, coconut straw, palm leaf straw, reed straw and animal-derived hair. Preferably, the animal-derived hair is sheep wool, cashmere, alpaca wool, angora or mohair.

[0057] The hood 4 of the body 1 of the biocompo stable bag has a drawstring material 5 which prevents evaporation of water during plant transport and weeding. The drawstring material 5 is selected from, but not limited to, string, tape, strap, rope or line.

[0058] The biocompo stable bag according to the invention with its components: body 1, bottom 2, hood 4, drawstring material 5 and optional ears 6, is made of the same bio- compostable material - in the case of a single-layer bag. In the case of a multi-layer bag, the following components of the bag are made of the same biocompostable material: inner layer la of the body, outer layer 1c of the body, bottom 2, hood 4, drawstring material 5 and optional ears 6.

[0059] Preferably, the biocompostable bag according to the invention comprises a sensor for root ball management measuring the moisture, temperature, acidity and alkalinity in the root ball surroundings.

[0060] The biocompostable bag according to the invention together with its components: body 1 and hood 4 constitute one pass, while the bottom 2 constitutes a separate component and a second pass. Optionally, in one embodiment of the biocompostable bag according to the invention, another separate component element is the ears 6.

[0061] The components of the biocompostable bag according to the invention are connected by ultrasonic welding and/or sewing using biocompostable threads.

[0062] The method of manufacturing a biocompostable bag for plant production includes the step of smoothing the biocompostable material in the form of a permeable non-woven fabric after it has been unrolled, mechanically cutting the permeable non-woven fabric into elements of the body 1, bottom 2 and hood 4, and joining the elements of the body 1, bottom 2 and hood 4 by a sewing or ultrasonic welding technique. In one embodiment, there is an additional step of joining the ears 6 to the body 1.

[0063] Example 1

[0064] The present example concerns carrying out of a biocompostable bag for plant production according to the variant of the invention shown in [Fig.l].

[0065] The biocompostable bag for plant production according to the invention has a bottom with holes 2, a body 1 with two handles 3 cut into it and a hood 4 with a drawstring material 5 in the form of a draw string. All components are made of the same fibrous biocompostable material, plant-derived polylactide (PLA) of 100 g/m ² . The decomposition time of the bag is 3 years under optimal conditions for the biocomposting process, 60°C and 90% relative humidity. The components are connected by ultrasonic welding. In other embodiments of the invention, either the joining of the structural elements by biocompo stable threads or both methods of joining can be used simultaneously. The material has high UVA stability. The body is single-layer which provides protection against weeds and adequate load-bearing capacity for the plant to be transported.

[0066] Example 2

[0067] The biocompo stable bag for plant production according to the invention in Example

2 as in Example 1, except that the PLA non-woven fabric basis weight is 200 g/m ² . The decomposition time of the bag is 5 years under optimal conditions for the biocompostability process, 60°C and 90% relative humidity.

[0068] Example 3

[0069] The biocompo stable bag for plant production according to the invention in Example

3 as in Example 1, except that the PLA non-woven fabric basis weight is 250 g/m ² . The decomposition time of the bag is 7 years under optimal conditions for the biocompostability process, 60°C and 90% relative humidity.

[0070] Example 4

[0071] The biocompo stable bag for plant production according to the invention in Example

4 as in Example 1, except that the biocompo stable bag for plant production according to the invention has a sensor for root ball management measuring the moisture, temperature, acidity and alkalinity in the root ball surroundings.

[0072] Example 5

[0073] The method of manufacturing a biocompo stable bag for plant production is carried out in such a way that the biocompostable material in the form of a permeable nonwoven fabric is smoothed after being unrolled, then the permeable non-woven fabric is mechanically cut into elements of the bottom 2, body 1 with handles 3 and hood 4, then the elements of the bottom 2, body 1 and hood 4 are joined by sewing or ultrasonic welding.

[0074] Example 6

[0075] The present example concerns carrying out of a biocompostable bag for plant production according to the variant of the invention shown in [Fig.4].

[0076] The biocompostable bag for plant production according to the invention has a bottom with holes 2, a body 1 comprising an inner layer la of the body, an intermediate layer lb of the body and an outer layer 1c of the body, two handles 3 cut into the body and a hood 4 with a drawstring material 5 in the form of a draw string. The structural elements in the form of the bottom with holes 2, the inner layer la of the body, the outer layer 1c of the body and the hood 4 are made of the same fibrous biocompostable material, plant-derived polylactide (PLA) of 100 g/m ² . The intermediate layer lb of the body is made of sheep wool, which ensures that the humidity and temperature of the root ball of the plant being produced is kept constant.

[0077] The decomposition time of the bag is 3 years under optimal conditions for the biocomposting process, 60°C and 90% relative humidity. The structural elements are connected by ultrasonic welding. In other embodiments of the invention, either the joining of the structural elements by biocompostable threads or both methods of joining can be used simultaneously. The material has high UVA stability.

[0078] The body is three-layer (inner layer, intermediate layer, outer layer), but the bag can be provided with more intermediate layers, e.g. two (four-layer bag), three (five-layer bag), etc., depending on the expected properties of maintaining temperature, humidity and stiffness and load-bearing capacity of the bag according to the invention.

Industrial Applicability

[0079] The invention is particularly useful for planting plant seedlings without removing them from the bag which prevents damage to the roots of the seedling when removing them, resulting in longer adaptation of the seedlings to the new growth conditions. Furthermore, the invention allows to reduce the environmental pollution caused by containers made of prior art materials (e.g. plastic). Moreover, the invention optimises the cost and transport time of the plants.

[0080] All technical and scientific terms used in this document have the meaning as commonly understood by a person skilled in the art.

[0081] It will be understood by the person skilled in the art that the features included in this description and illustrated by the accompanying figures constitute non-limiting variants of the present invention, the scope of which is defined by the patent claims. The features illustrated or described in relation to one embodiment may be combined with features from other embodiments to the extent that such features are compatible and not alternative features. The scope of the present invention covers such modifications and variations.

[0082] Example embodiments of the invention are discussed above to outline the principles of construction, function, manufacture and use of the devices and methods disclosed in the present description. References used in the description correspond to those shown in the individual figures and examples.