AU599928B2 - Artificial plant - Google Patents

Description

PAU-Al 6 10N2 PCT WORLD INTELLECTA YO N INTERNATIONAL APPLICATION PUBLISHED I NDER THE PATENT COOPERATION TREATY (PCT) (51) International Patent Classification 4 A41G 1/00, A61L 9/12 (11) International Publication Number: WO 87/ 01565 A (43) International Publication Date: 26 March 1987 (26.03.87) (21) International Application Number: PCT/GB86/00567 (22) International Filing Date: 22 September 1986 (22.09.86) (31) Priority Application Number: 8523316 (32) Priority Date: 20 September 1985 (20.09.85) (33) Priority Country: GB (71) Applicant (for all designated States except US): MEDI- CAL EXPRESS LIMITED [GB/GB]; London Production Centre, Broomhill Road, London SW18 4JQ (GB).

(72) Inventor; and Inventor/Applicant (for US only) BUTCHER, Gregory, Miles, Standish (GB/GB]; 43 Knollmead, Tolworth, Surrey (GB).

(74) Agent: MARCH, Gary, Clifford; Herbert J. W. Wildbore, 146a Queen Victoria Street, London EC4V

(GB).

(81) Designated States: AT (European patent), AU, BE (European patent), CH (European patent), DE (European patent), FR (European patent), GB (European patent), IT (European patent), LU (European patent), NL (European patent), SE (European patent), US.

Published With international search report.

Before the expiration of the time limit for amending the claims and to be republished in the event of the receipt of amendments,

I

,i (54) Title: IMPROVEMENTS IN ARTIFICIAL PLANTS A.O. J. P. 14 MAY 19872 tlf PU; -ti-C; (57) Abstract Artificial plant comprises a stem connected to one or more leaves and/or petals has exterior surface part(s) in communication or direct contact with means for supplying odoriferous substance in any required physical state and optionally inactive until subsequently activated by fluid, the substance either releasing a desirable or useful odour or cap.

able of subsequent release at 'he exterior .srface part, Encapsulated substance may be employed or a separate reservoir containing the fragrance or activating fltid as described. The stem and/or its interior may communicate the substance through a variety of capillary or absorbent substrates to achieve required flow and output, i i Li S87/01565 PCT/G B86/005 6 7 i WO 87/01565 1 "Improvements in Artificial Plants" This invention is concerned with improvements.in artificial plants including flowers, and more particularly with imparting desirable or useful odours, e.g. fragrance to artificial plants.

This invention may also serve to impart odoriferous medicaments, insect repellants, insect attracta~ts, pheromones, insecticides, anti-fungal agents, anti-bacterial agents, or other liquids and vapours. The term "odoriferous substance" is used to embrace all the aforesaid materials, and is used preferably to denote a desirable perfume or fragrance in any physical state.

Artificial plants are well known substitutes for real ones and they can be kept for a considerable time, but have n'-fragrance. It is from a consideration of this drawback that has led to the present invention.

The invention is based on imparting, e.g. a fragrance to an artificial plant, e.g. an artificial flower, wherein the fragrance is applied in liquid, solid or even vapour form, such as a powder, directly to one or more specific stem, leaf, flower or petal regions collectively .ferred to as 'emanatora' as a liquid or solid and/or in encapsulated form capable of subsequent fragrance release, and/or supplied in liquid or vapour form by the stem from a reservoir spaced from the leaves or petals to reach one or more leaves and/or petals, and/or where fluid from the reservoir activates or catalyses initially inert fragrances previously applied at required location(s).

2 S Cz.' r 1937 POT/GB 3 6% '7 -2- If solid fragrance is employed it may be of the type which is iert in the dry state but subsequently activated by applying a liquid., for example water, which may give the desirable impression of watering genuine plants.

According to this invention there is provided an artificial plant comprising a stem connected to one or more leaves and/or petals, a leaf or petal being secure. to the stem at a junction characterised in that such junction comprises fluid transfer material solely suppor'.ing that leaf or petal to the stem wherein other support means therefor are absent, or comprises projecting extension of fluid transfer material contained within or located upon the stem, or comprises fluid transfer matezial in the form of a fibrous plug having head and projecting body parts, an exterior surface part of the plant capable of communicating or directly contacting means for supplying odoriferous substance or an~ activating fluid therefor whereby an odour can be released at the said exterior surface part.

The invention includes an artificial plant as defined above wherein free liquid or solid fragrance has been applied directly to one or more specific stemn, leaf or flower regions, (ii) wherein liquid or solid fragrance in encapi-,ulated form has been applied to one or more specific stem, leaf or petal regions, and (iii) in combination with a fluid reservoir remote from the leaves or petals and wherein the stem is constructed or otherwise adapted to trazifer fragrance or liquid, etc.

1- ?4 I par PC1/33 ,6/C;5j7 -2z.from the reservoir to one or more leaves and/or petals either by using the interior of the stem, the exterior of the stem, or internal and/or external stem transference.

Basically, therefore, odiferous substance preferably as a fragrance is applied to the exterior surface of one or more of the stem, petals, flower buds or transported to or via the stem, petals,flower buds, etc. These direct and indirect routes may SUBSTSTJ- ::1TJ, Z RI*' VI I~ *lilt*r WO 87/01565 PCT/GB86/00567 j

"I

Ll be used in combination, e.g. solvent is transported to a location of solid fragrance causing it to release its pleasant odour.

Such artificial plants may then be used in conjunction with real flowers, to help accentuate the smell of the real flowers, either by emanating similar or supplementary fragrance.

The stem may be made from a liuid-absorbent material or it may carry liquid-absorbent material on its exterior surface.

Alternatively or additionally the stem may be hollow with or without tube(s) therein and means can be provided to cause liquid fragrance to be transferred from the reservoir along the stem. In place of the stem having a single hollow tube the stem may be provided with one or several tubes or capillaries?- The stem may be hollow and comprise a wick of absorbent material along which liquid, e.g. odoriferous substance or activating liquid may flow.

The junction between stem and leaf or stem and petal may comprise liquid-absorbent material, which said material may furthermore if required be in contact with any liquid-absorbent material on the stem (if such is present) or, alternatively, in contact with a liquid-absorbent stem (if such is present).

The word "stem" is used herein to include not only the principal stem to the main flower(s) on che plant but also all lengths of supportive material in the artificial plants such as the main stem, the stem from which a leaf extends and the individual central portion within a leaf or petal providing support.

1 ILCL llli~ L_ S2 3 Oc,"ber 1987 The junction part or fibrous plug may occupy an area of or less than the area of the particular leaf or petal supported.

The or each stem may comprise a structure for fluid transfer, or deposition of solid or encapsulated material. This structure may include the root, the connector between a leaf and flower bud and/or petal, the primary vein(s) in a leaf or petal and the centre of a flower bud.

"Liquid" is used to embrace solvent, fragrance, perfume, insecticide, anti-bacterial agent, anti-fungal agent, pheromone or solvent containing pheromone, insect attractantsdoriferous medicaments etc., or a mixture of any of these provided in a liquid physical state. "Fluid" embraces both liquid and gaseous media.

The terms "leaves", "petals", "flower buds" are used as their common description of various flower parts. There may be protrusions, additions to pnd subtractions from the basic shape of the stem(s), in the form of a leaf, petal or flower bud.

As will become apparent from the following description of embodiments, the present invention includes within its scope methods of imparting odoriferous substance to an artificial rlant and artificial plants constructed on the basis of these methods to impart fragrance. Briefly summarised, the techniques include impregnation, encapsulation, use of a hollow stem or a stem U WO 87/01565 PCT/GB86/00567 5 comprising tube(s), fibres, or other material for fluid transport in any direction, and (iv) use of a stem whose, exterior is adapted to facilitate travel, in any direction, of liquid whereby the stem is used to communicate fluid from a reservoir to one or more leaves and/or petals.

I; order that the invention mai be illustrated and readily carried into effect, non-limiting embodiments and examples thereof will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings by way of example only and wherein: Figure 1 shows an artificial flower based on impregnation and/or encapsulation techniques, Figure 2 shows an artificial flower arrangement Airtein the stem interior is used to effect fragrance transfer, Figure 5 shows a detail of one form of reservoir communicating with a plurality of stems, Figure 4 shows an alternative form of reservoir including different means to effect li4uid/fragrance movement, Figure 5 shows an artificial flower wherein the stem has been modified to effect liquid/fragrance transfer, Figure 6 illustrates an artificial flower arrangement ielying on gravity for liquid/fragrance transfer, Figure 7 shows a multiple apertured stem and leaf, Figures 8 show arrangements of fibres in and on the stem, and 9 Figures 10 respectively show single and multiple fine and 11 bore tubes, Figure 12 illustrates a fibrous plug in the form of a nail, Figurps 13 show a fibrous plug secured within or and 14 around a stem, Figure 15 shows a petal adapted to be carried by a fibrous plug, Figure 16 shows flower petalb secured to a stem, Figures 17 show modified or alternative stems, to 19 tubes or fibres in cross-section, Figures 20 show modified or alternative single tubes and 21 or stems in cross-section.

Figures 22 show a modified reservoir and stem and 23 arrangement, and Figures 24 show different ways of connecting and together adjacent stem paxts Referring firstly to Figure 1, an artificial flower comprises a stem 1, which is taken to include the main stem portion texminating at the flower head and the portions which carry leaves, and furthermore the portions from which the leaves and petals themselves extend. The leaves 3 and petals 2 are made of any suitable absorbent material preferably, although non-absorbent 3 material may be effective. Specific exterior surface parts 4 of the stem or leaf or petal have received a liquid fragrance.

A

23 1937 2; K) S~Y7 I- The liquid fragrance has been applied directly to the inside or outside of a petal, the underside or topside of a leaf and/or on the surface of the stem or supporting material.

The regions may be, for examiple, soaked i the fragrance o-c it may be applied by spraying. The -t I I 'S I I' WO 87/01565 PCT/GB86/00567 7 fragrance could be applied by pressing or if the portions are printed at the same time as colour printing by using, e.g.

fragranced ink. Such.method and flower arrangement may not be preferred because the major proportion of ifragrance may evaporate quickly and fragrance output can then significantly decrease.

In an alternative but similar method which is not shown in Figure 1, the fragrance is applied in encapsulated form.

Discrete capsules or microcapsules of fragrance may be secured to any required portion of the artificial flower. Fragrance can then be released by causing the encapsulation to break, e.g.

by squeezing, pressing, rubbing or using a peel-off strioTormat.

Alternatively, the fragrance may be encouraged to be expelled by shaking, rubbing or scratching the capsules, or by general decay of encapsulation material.

Referring next to Figure 2, an artificial flower arrangement is shown which utilizes the stem for effecting transfer of liquid.

This drawing may be considered with reference also to Figures 3 and 4 whiuh illustrate reservoirs which may be attached to the form of flower shown in Figure 2. The stem in this arrangement 1 comprises a hollow bore 5 which terminates at a transfer junction allowing the liquid fragrance to flow onto the petals 2.

The transfer junction may comprise an absorbent material to assist fragrance dispersion, Although a single hollow interior bore is shown this may be replaced with one or more capillaries or a WO 87/0 1565 PCT/GB86100567 hollow bore tube which has an increased surface area or fibres, or mixtures of one or more thereof. The capillaries, if used, may be sufficiently fine to enable fragrance or other liquid to flow by capillary'action. The material of the petals 2 or leaves 3 may be absorbent and so assist the transfer mechanism.

4 This tube could also contain w form of "wick" of absorbent material or other material to facilitate fluid motion by absorbtion or osmosis. This material could consi&'t of a natural or synthetic open celled focam, e.g. a phenol formaldehyde foam.

As shown in Figures 3 and 4, examples of liquid reservoir are shown. The reservoir 6 in Figure 3 may, for example, be pressurized or, alternatively, the exterior walls of thefreservoir 6 containing fragrance or activating liquid 7 may be constructed so as to tend to contract. A seal 8 is provided at the mouth of the reservoir in which three apertures 9 are provided and wherein a corresponding number of stems 1 are inserted with their lowermost ends contacting the liquid 7. The stems I as shown comprise a hollow bore 5 which may or may not have a separate tuba located therein. Alternatively or additionally, the bore of~ eaoh stem may have a number of fine capillaries.

Referring to Figure 4, a reservoir containing liquid 7 and a seal 8 Js provided, the seal additionally having a plunger mechanism 11 wherein a flush plunger 12 exerts a force on the liquid 7 therein by gravity. The plunger arrangement 11 is P. tight fit within an aperture 10 in the aeal The rate of liquid transer WO 87/01565 PCT/GB86/00567 9 may be varied according to the mass of the flush plunger and depending upon whether additional manual force is applied thereto.

This reservoir could contain activating fluid such as an inorganic and/or organic solvent which would flow through the 4 tube, capillary or wicking to "flua out" a fragrance which has already been placed in the stem of the artificial flower or to activate initially inert fragrance on any exterior part of the plant.

In the arrangements of Figures 2 to 4 the stem may be provided with exits (see Figure 7 through which the activating liquid or fragrance 7 may be discharged and, if desired, Vrsbsequently absorbed across to the petals and/or leaves and/or other exterior surface pax+s of the artificial flower.

The modification of Figure 5 is that the stem has an exterior la constructed of a liquid-absorbent material. The petals 2 and leaves 5 may be of an absorbent material to aid transfer of activating liquid or fzagrance. Thus, liquid may be transferred from the base of tho stem, from e.g. a reservoir (not shown) along the exterior surface of the stem to the locations required. The absorbent material la on the exterior of the stem may be permanently affixed to the flower Whereby liquid may be transferred from the sterm(s)'to tither other absorbent material which has been subsequently added to the petals or leaves or, alternatively, directly oato the petals and leaves constructed of absorbent material* WO 87/01565 PCT/GB86/0567 10 Referring to Figure 5, a further modification is to construct the stem(s) la mainly or solely of absorbent material. Transfer of liquid from a reservoir (not shown) may occur in similar fashion.

Referring to Figure 6, a method of conferring fragrance to an artificial flower is shown by ude of gravity feed. A reservoir 6 containing, e.g. activating liquid or fragrance 7, is provided in communication with a stem 1 having a hollow bore 5 terminating at transfer junction 6a where discharge of the liquid 7 onto petals 2 occurs. Alternatively, the stem may comprise one or more capillaries. The transfer junction 6a is situated below the level of the liquid in the reservoir whereby givity eds liquid onto the petals.

Further preferred or optional features are now described, not all of which have been illustrated.

Where the liquid is transferred up the or down the stem there are a number of optionally preferred transfer media or substrates.

Glass capillary tubes may be used, as may glass fibres. Glass has the advantage of being very resistant and absorption is less likely to occur. Tubes of regular diameter have the advantage of yielding repeatable, controlled rates of release. Other media include microtubes of polyethylene terephthalate, polyesters, polyblefin, acrylioo polyatmi~s organ Additives to enhance capillary ation Fuh a urfactants and heat stabilizers iv the j~q '2ere approprite.

WO 87/01565 PCT/GB86/00567 11 Figure 7 shows a stem or fine bore -ube 1 attached to petal 2 or leaf having an end aperture 14 and a plurality of radial apertures 13 which are capable of discharging activating fluid or odiferous substance on the petal or leaf emanator 2. Apertures 13 may be omitted if not required, so relying upon discharge from end aperture le.

Figure 8 showi an array of longitudinal dense fibres protruding from the end of a stem or tube 1 for subsequent attachment or contact to e.g. a petal, leaf or bud. The fibres 15 may extend along the exterior surface as shown in Figure 9.

These fibres would then take over transfer action of fluid/ substance from the stem or tube.

In a further variation shown in Figures 10 and 11 the end aperture(s) 14 of a single or multiple fine bore tube (acting as or within the stem) may discharge the odour from the artificial plant without necessarily discharg4ig fluid onto the petal or leaf.

To secure a petal or flower head arrangement onto a suitable stem e.g. to communicate with the stem interior whether the stem contains fibres and/or tubes or not, a fibrous plug may be used in the form of a nail shown in Figure 12. A head part 16 has a projecting Wndty 15 optionally with protruding fibres 17 arranged to assist friu lonal fitting. A pair of close fitting washers 18 may be used to sandwich therebetwee a flower petal arrangement such ais subsequently dqscribed with reference to Figure WO 8701565PCT/GB86/00567 12- The washers may be of highly absorbent material e.g. compressed felt or fibres. As previously mentioned, the fibrous plug may be in the form of a nail and this may comprise previously degreased and hard pa.cked fibre6 which may be bonded nylon and/or bonded polyester and/or bonded acrylic and/or bonded cavbon fibres ahd/or extruded plastic or otfher material. The head or flat of the fibrous nail may be shaped and/or coloured so as to give the appearance of a flower part. Also these fibrous nails can be further modified as described and illustrated towards the end of the description where they may act as joining sections.

Potential use of the Plug 15, which instead of being fibrous or in addition to being fibrous could be of capillary ao*en material, is shown in Figure 13 where the nail body 15 is inserted into a stem or tubG 1 or in Figure 14 where the stem or tube enters the nail. A plurality of tubes could enter a single fibrous plug. In Figure 15 the petal arrangement 2 has a central part 20 from which extend a plurality of radial slits 1'j providing an openable and closable aperture. Alternatively, a small central hole could be deployed. Means are subsequently provided to connect the petal arrangement 2 to a stem or tube, for example the fibrous plug of Figure 12.

For embodiments usine a plastic sheath or other coating around .within 'the stem interior, and assuming the stem interioxr was arranged at or near optimum density for capillary action, then if a fibrous plug is used to secure the petal ot leaf emanators WO 87/01565 PCT/GB86/00567 etc. the said sheath or coating should allow for subsequent expansion upon insertion and not interfere with capillary; or other transfer mechanism by throttling it. The petal or any other emanator may be constructed from polyester, silk or other fabric material.

The radial slits Iq are prefe~ied as material around them can be forced into contact with the stem or tube by the action of the plug. Stem and emanator parts can be of the same material if WO 87/01565 PCT/GB86/00567 1' otF C rl- po rOruSUre P pe ^rl4O $oppAlein+em A -I-er' iyrhcut to reqnd by-ehmaterial useful as an emanator.

An external connector 19 supports petals 2 on stem 1 in Figure 16. The connector may be a pladtic cupport and a fibrous plug (not shown) may be used on the interior. Alternatively or additionally, petals or leaves could be more self supporting by employing thick material or coating in a resinous or adhesive substrate for strength.

The stem may be or comprise irregular cross-sections as indicated in Figures 17 to 21, In thpe ase of lengths of fibres or tubes, a bundle thereof 15 may be employed for capillary and/ or absorption transfer as arranged in Figure 17, a pluralrty of.

hollow fibres 15 having longitudinal slits and a central cavity 5a insert, through which a coloured liquid may flow, as in Figure 18 or closed semi-hollow fibres 15 with such cavity 5a as in Figure 19. Bi-d.omponent, concentrically oriented fibres could be used comprising inner and outer layers and the outer layer may be removable by/e.g. heat. In such arrangements of irregular cross-section ,6apillary action may be inhibited within the fibre and may be e hanced in compact vertical cavities between them.

Referring to Figures 20 and 21, the stem or its interior tube 1 m4a be hollow and have a series of radial internal projections 6 of substantially increased surface area. Such stems/or tubes may be produced by using known laser cutting freSo\As -ethar K? A l* 1 .2 (1 I IL- Figure 22 shows a modified reservoir and stem arrangement based on a plurality of internal capillary tubes. A reservoir 6 in the form of a double-walled arrangement, or a single walled reservoir within an outer casing, contains odoriferous substance com!,pising fragrant liquid 7. The end 22 of the plant stem 1 is securely contained within a bore in a bung 21 conveniently of rubber. The sealing arrangement permits control of flow of liquid 7 in terms of 'on' and 'off' by raising or lowering the stem from the bore. With suitable modification it would be possible to control the rate of flow of liquid to the emenators.

Figure 23 shows an alternative stem arrangement for controlling flow of liquid or odoriferous substance. Within the reservoir 6 the stem 1 is positioned having an internal wire 23 secured at one end to bung 21 having sheath or covering 24. The wire can be raised to close the flow whereby the bung seals the end 22 of the stem, the sheath 24 partly enclosing the stem exterior, and lowered to commence and control rate of flow. Alternatively, the bung could be pierced to activate capillary flow.

A further alternative arrangement to control flow is to provide the end of the stem with an angled edge and cause this to be i I seated upon a correspondingly angled platform. The two end faces can sealingly engage in abutment and by twisting the stem relatlu to the platform a gap therebetween would be formed and so allow fluid or substance access to the stem for flow. Repositioning the stem would then close the flow.

Ur'; d t 2f;C 3 1 PCT t fi ton I L 1 j l -li Ma i* Z oc-ri.qeA I 7 t4-b- In order to secure together two parts of a stem or two stem segments in a manner to provide fluid communication an arrangement such as shown in Figure 24 may be used. This shows a fibrous nail 15 (having no intermediate head) one end of which is embedded into an end 26 of the lower stem segment 1 and the other sharp end proudting, capable of being inserted into the facing end 26 of the upper stem segment 1. The embodiment includes a sheath 25 wrapped around the joint to help maintain the connection. The sheath may comprise plastic or rubber tubing for example. Such an arrangment shows a connection between two stem segments of indentical or similar diameter. The method may be employed to connect together stem parts of different diameter as shown in Figure 25. This represents a cross-sectional view of a plant stem connected to smaller, subsidiary stems. In this drawing the larger, loose stem 1 has several subsidary stems connected in liquid communication by means of fibrous plugs in the form of double-ended fibrous nails 15. Although at the actual junction between base to subsidiary stem a head 16 is provided, this is optional and may be omitted, using e.g. a form of plug as shown in Figure 24.

The fibrous plugs, in connecting together one stem (part) to another stem (part) assist in communication across the join and provide a means of location. Supporting sheaths may be used where possible.

aikii *7:l WO 87/01565 PCT/G B86/00567 The material of which the entire plant is made could be bio-degradable which may be useful in insect-controlling applications in agriculture and eliminate any need for collection and disposal. Examples of open-celled foams for inducing capillary action include phenol-formaldehyde or polyurethane foams. Instead of or in additionto using fibres for transfer of fluid or odoriferous substance one may use acetal or material known to be useful as the felt medium in felt-tip pens.

Examples of artificial plants constructed according to the invention are described below together with data from supplementary experimentation.

Example 1: An artificial flower was produced which had microcapsules of fragrance placed on leaf, petal and stem areas. These were broken by various methods, rubbing, scratching, and pressure.

This was carried out on either individual exterior surface areas and more than one area.

It was noticed that this allowed a controlled amount of fragrance to be released at required times for a long period of time.

Example 2: The stem was filled with capillary tubing which allowed fragrance in a medium to travel up the inside of the stem and be released from either just the petals, or petals and leaves together or from these and other parts of the plant.

r-'l F4L 'r I I I Al i ^l^W^t WO 87/01565 PCT/GB86/00567 -16 xample 3: Carried out in similar fashion to Example 2 but the fragrance was already placed in or on parts of the plant and was released by a solvent e.g. an alcohol, which travelled up the stem by capillary ction/adsorntion/absorbtion/osmosis/reverse osmosis.

Example 4: The stem was filled with or consisted of a hollow bore tube or tubes which allowed the fragrance to travel up the stem by capillary action or adsorption which was then released at various parts of the plant.

Example Carried out as Example 4 but using a hollow bored tubE or- tubes with an increased internal surface arpa (which was produced at the time of extrusion) which facilitated faster fluid movement.

1 Example 6: The stein was filled with a wicking material, which in one case consisted of cellulose acetate fibres (which are resistant and inert to selected nerfumes). The liquid in the liquid reservoir at the bottom of the plant either already contained fragrance or a solvent was used which caused fragrance already in the plant to be carried to areas where it could be released to the atmosphere.

Exa.ple 7: Rach of the above Examples were performed using a capillary flow of )doriferous substance comprising the following ingredients; thanol SUBSTITUTE SHkET 1 14~ ~CI II I WO 87/01565 PCT/GB86/00567 17- Allantoin Salicylic acid Perfume Deionised Distilled Water Example 8 Carried out in similar fashion to Example 5, using solid fragrance which was put onto various exterior surface parts of the artificial flower. This was either already perfumed or the fragrance was initially inert and then activated by suitable activating liquid transferred according +o any of the above examples.

Exarmple 9: A mixture of agar (alginate) and salt was formed around a central stem. The bottom of this stem was placed in liquid and slowly (over seven days) the liquid was seen to rise several inches up the coated stem by osmosis.

More relevant to the use of the exterior for liquid transport is the employment of certain powder-like materials which can be bonded together to allow capillary action to occur through the gaps.

-xperiments were carried out using water repellant adhesive Mowlith DH (trade mark) from Harco Chemical Co. which glued vermiculite particles onto lengths of wire. The rise of liquid up these lengths was then monitored. Other adhesives were also tested e.g. from Vinyl Products Ltd. and National Adhesives Ltd. The vermiculite used was SUBSITUT

SHOE-

WO 87/015'65 PCT/GB86/0056.7 -18either in its crude form, or exfoliated, of various grades.

It was possible to cause capillary action to occur., Some grades were found to induce better i,e. faster capillary action.

The glue was mixed with water to see whether this improved matters.

Specifically the Vermiculite used was (Grades E199, E212, E230 and Micron) supplied by Mandoval Ltd., a division of R.T.Z.

The adhesive was Mowlith DHW.

Vermiculite was tested as a wicking agent for artificial flower fragrance.

The feasibility of producing a vermiculite ba coating capable of being used as a wickin agent for artificial flowers was evaluated.

Example Initially a 25% Mowlith DHW/79/o ater solution, by mass, was used as the adhesive in the following: The wire 'stem' was coated with adhesive and then rolled in the loose vermiculite.

This produced an uneven, incomplete coverage, especially with the coarser E2 1 2 and Micron grades. After curing, the adhesion to the wire was found to be poor.

The wire 'stem' was coated with adhesive and rotated slowly whilst vermiculite was sprinkled over it producing a more even coverage. Agaih the E212 and Micron did not work as well. The fina. dried 'item' did appear to have the vermiculite adhering to it more securely. The two above methods were repeated using I; WO 87/01565 PCT/GB86/00567 -19the Mowlith DHW in differing concentrations from 100% Mowlith down to 30% Mowlith and 7Wo water falling in steps pf Concentrations above 60% showed various degrees of sagging/ running, but did produce very good adhesion between the wire and vermiculite. Adhesive concentrations below 50% did not allow such goou adhesion between the wir'and the vermiculite. This adhesive therefore appeared to give the best results, in both terms of coverage/appearance and adhesion, at concentrations of between 50o and The finer grades of vermiculite, E199 and E230, overall produced a more uniform coating, but very thin. To gain the desired stem thickness (1 2 mm) the coating processes O-ere repeated several times. The larger grades, E212 and Micron, built the coating thickness up better, but gave more uneven coating.

When the finished 'stems' were placed in a shallow dish with some water, the ones with finer vermiculite wicked much more quickly. Those of coarser grades were very slow, and in several cases water did not even reach the top of the 'stem' after 3 days or more.

During the test to see if the atoms wicked, the adhesive was not seriously affected with regards to its hold on the vermiculite. Iowever, when other adhesives were used instead of Mowlith DHW those sold under the other trade marks Revacryl 602, Revacryl 313, Revacryl 491, Vantao 315, Vantac 294 WO 87/01565 PCT/GB86/60567 20 and Vantac 506) the bonding that the adhesives produced was seriously reduced when water was present.

1Example 11: The final method tried was to mix the vermiculite and adhesive into a slurry. The following ingredients were used: 20.15 g Mowlith DEW 15.04 g Water 0.04 g Foamer 10.00 g Vermiculite This produced a consistency in the slurry which allowed a uniform coating to adhere to the wire. After curing, a good, strong, even surface had been produced on the wire, but it prevented any wicking at all from occuring.

Separately it was found that when polymer acetate glues were tested, while they were resistant to water they were not resistant to et 1'nol, hence cross linking glues such as those based on butbdiene-styrene copolymer have an advantage in their resistance to ethanol.

To improve capillary action the external area of fibre or internal area of tube may be of a valley and hills shape, generally shown in Figures 17, 20 or 21. The surface material could be absorbentcoated.

When exterior' transport is described the stem exterior may be formed from some or all of the materials described for use in the SUBSINTUTE. SHEET WO 87/01565 PCT/G B86/00567 21 Sinterior. The exterior may be of wicking material and/or fine tubes and/or fibres.

When considering fibres and tubes generally the factors considered were: which density would provide the best capillary lift, yet would be least to be cut off should there be any absorption or adsorption occuring. The degree of absorption or adsorption is related to the individual solvent and fragrance; moat commonly therefore the selection would depend upon the particular fragrances used in the solvents.

Cellulose acetate fibres or tubes are convenient in view of low aost. They have the disadvantage of being attacked, by certain liquids (including many essential oils as used ih fragrances) and adsorption can occur. Cellulose acetate because of ito availability has been used in many of our experiments and examples presented herein.

Experimento have shown the following relationship between -density and capillarity.

DENSITY CAPILLARITY g.cm- 3 17.5 cm W.G.

0.4 g.cm 51,0 cm W.G.

0.47 g.cm- 3 42.0 cm W.G.

w water gauge) One way of Increasing the density is to spirally twist or screw the fibres forcing them closer together. While this increases the overall distance which the liquid has to rise WO 87/01565 PCT/G B86/00567 22 (due to the spiral screw effect), the liquid still achieved faster rise per unit height than untwisted fibre of, 0.47 g.cm- 3 Thus the density could be higher than 0.47 g.cm 3 and faster capillary draw may occur. The density at which this ceases to be true was not calculated because it is desired that there be slightly more space (less density) i'Ghan the optimum, due to (i) possible adsorption cutting down space available and (ii) the affect of crinking of the outside sheath if the stem is bent.

Density was worked out as follows: Density Fibre Weight volume ress wrap Volume (of fibre fill) 'WL(D-2T) 2 4 Where T Thickness of wrap (wrap being the sheath/coating etc. enclosing the fibres) L Length D Overall diameter Pye Polyester fibres appear to have a lower capillarity, though inaccuracy in standardisation of manufactured samples has made this hard to confirm.

The density and type of fibres/tubes/etc. (the stem material) can be used in products where they need to be bent in arranging artificial flower stems and bending to desired shape) without 'c.inking' the stem in such a way as to inhibit capillary action.

One way of achieving this .a to extrude the wire with the WO 87/01565 PCT/G B86/00567 23 stem material. This is possible where e.g. cellulose acetate fibres are being used. If glass fine bore tubes are being used the stem is less flexible, but is more sturdy thus the wire support is not essential. If glass fibres are being used or fine bore tubes with increased internal surface area of an acetal material then wire support ts advisable (dependant upon weight which stem mu- support, position of stem, and thickness of stem, i.e. a hew'rier set of emanating petals on top of a stem which is leaning at 450 will need a stronger stem support than one that has a lighter set of emanating petala and stands vertically, assuming similar relative bending strengths of the stem material) and absence of factors such as strong aii.-Nlow.

Using sampleo we have shown that generally 1: decreasing susceptibility to bend are; fine bore glass tubes, fine bore acetal tubes, glass fibres, cellulose acetate fibres. However, these stem materials normally require to be kept in either plastic sheaths (especially the fibres in order to retain their density and prevent capillary seepage) or held togetv.oir by other means. This sheathing or holding together can affect the strength of the stem but mostly does not provide (unless it is of a special shape maintaining material) the shape maintenance of a wire length. The wire length is normally inserted within the stem inside the sheath with the fibres, if a sheath is present) for the aforementioned reason that this internal insertion help3 preant 'orinking' where capillary action is inhibited.

I I WO 87/01565 WO 87/ 1565PCT/G B861 00567 24 Rigidity of stem and ability of stem to hold positions once bent into those positions was possible by the addition of a wire along the stem. The most economical manufacturing method of doing this was to co-extrude the wire with a capillary tube if the capillary tube was being used, the capillary tube would for exrample contain cellulose acetate fibres and have a thin wall polypropylene plastic exterior, the wire would be inside the tube. Because the wire would probably be exposed to liquids then aluminium, copper, stainless steel, hold an advantage as they are less likely to corrode. When cost is considered mild steel has an advantage, soft iron is flexible and holds position well and can be galvanized, a plastictoated iron wire may be used inside a tube of cellulose acetate fibres in a polypropylene sheath. However it may corrode at the ends of the plastic tube unless these are individually sealed.

Stainless stell when annealed is in the region of three times stronger than soft iron, therefore thinner steel wire can be used. A mixture of 1 eo chromium stainless zteel (BS97c, EN56A or EN58 (18:8) chromium stveel) with a low oarbon content suits the requirements o: flexibility, maintenance of position, low corrosion potential and reasonable cost reasonab.ly well.

Commercially pure aluminium can corrode and build up bulky aluminium by-prdducts, hence is not preferred. As there are a number of alternatives with various advantages, the major influeaicing factor is whether the above are used in a situation WO 87/01565 PCT/GB86/00567 25 exposed to a fragrance, corrosion resistance to the individual fragrance, therefore selection of wire substrate may be made according to the particular items which may be added to the mix of solvent, fragrance base or activating liquid.

Integrated metal wire when in certain plastics may exhibit plastic deformity, with virtually no tendency to restore, to achieve this the ratio of wire strength to plastic strength can ue corrected. The wire may be treated to impart greater flexhiility e.g. by annealing.

The 'emanators' may be manufactured from a variety of materials, to perform their function they would preferably be of an absorbent material of low adsorption with a large surface area. 'Where cost, ease of manufacture, ability of material to be pressed and maintain shape into the shape of a leaf, showing the central vein/stem of the leaf and where the two leaf sides are angled slightly together on the top side), ability to be dyed with permanent or non-permanent ink, (note: while use of non-permanent dye: lay be useful for amusement or aesthetic benefit, they may lead to clogging or hardening of the emanators, and the permanent dyes used should maintain performance even after continued exposure to the liquid/frangrano), are the primary selection criteria, then polyester, silk, taffeta, pongee, satin or wood fibre or other fabric are preferred materials.

The leaves and petals may for ease of manufacture be of the same material (even though only the petals may be used as emanators).

Manufactured in a material such as polyester (alternative materials which have an emanating effect including taffeta, pongee, satin, silk, other fabric d fibre, SUBSTITUTE

SHEET

WO 87/01565 PCT/GB86/00567 26 mixtures of materials and materials in different layers, and woild.

achieve the desired results nay be employed), the leaves and petals may not require support over all their top and/or bottom surfaces.

If a support is used therefor it may comprise a resinous coating or plastics material. Rather they may (dependant upon the size of the leaf/petal and thickness of material, i.e. a large thin leaf needs more support than a small thick leaf) need a small support from the stem.

The cross over of liquid from the stem to the emanator/s should facilitate effective passage across one to the other. There is preferably a large interface between the emanator and the stem, and that this interface will be where the two substrates are pushed tightly together. If both substrates are fibrclis the gaps between the fibres of separate substrates should be small so th~a~ capillary action and/or absorbtion may continue. The effect of this inter- face may be enhanced using a fibrous plus as shown in Figure 12.

The absorbent material of these washers may be packed hard against the underside of the nail head or nay be packed either side of the emanator. In this case the two respective washers 18 would be spaced apart.

In the case of items for consumer sale, they may need transport to a distribution warehouse, to retail outlet, to a consumer's home.

In the case of the consumer sale, considerable time may elapse between construction of the artificial plant and ultimate use.

It is undesirable, in terms of waste, for the liquid or fragrance to be emitting from the point of manufacture. Furthermore, a vacuum or low pressure area is preferably prevented from forming in the reservoir because of the slow lowering of the SUBSTITUTE SHEET WO 87/01565 PCT/GB86/00567 27 liquid content through capillary action as this would inhibit capillary action. Also where a plant was exposed to strong sunlight or other sources of heat, vapour pressure may build up in the reservoir. One of the simplest methods of preventing the plant from activating normally and allowing evaporation from the emanator petals is to enclose it in a plastic bag which could lead to a high concentration of vapour existing in the bag which in turn should slow down the release of further fragrant odour.

The reservoir preferably contains a two-way air valve which prevents liquid from entering or escaping, an air permeable and water impermeable membrane may be used. Cither methods of inhibiting unwanted odour release while in transit include: havi.g a rubber bung or ringed rise on the base of the pot into which the stem fits initially when manufactured, the rubber bung or ringed rise would prevent entry of liquid into the bottom of the stem. The consumer may elevate the stem slightly to allow the liquid access. Alternatively, a layer of cling,-film type material can be placed round the stem to separate it from the liquid when the stem would be a certain distance from the bottom of the reservoir, so that when the stem was pushed hard down it broke the cling-film and the liquid had access to it. Various alternatives are possible; ideally the stem should end up in a position so that entry into the stem is gained at the lowest level of liquid so that all the liquid .MI i I s. WO 87/01565 PCT/GB86/00567 28may be used up. Any valve used should prevent the liquid from leaking as should all other items used or connected with the reservoir.

In other embodiments the bulbous head of a flower or leaf section or the stem itself may act as a reservoir, either of the liquid or of a concentrated foA of the fragrance in liquid cr solid form.

Certain modifications may be desired such as strengthening the stem to support the liquid/solid inside it or in the leaf section of flower bud. if the liquid is stored very close to the area from which its fragrant odour is to be released, the vapour thereof may simply pass out through the walls of the flower petals which enclose it i.e. emanate through them and/or if in the case of a leaf bud, the leaf material may act as the emanator.

In embodiments of the invention which use a liquid reservoir which is sealed in the context that the contents are not directly exposed to the atmosphere, the liquid may be caused to move along/ across the stem by applying an external force such as manually squeezing the said reservoir.

Within our experimentation we have evaluated solvents, acting as a solvent for the odoriferous substance or as an activating liquid, selecting those which have acceptable capillary lift.

Acetone had the advantage of being very volatile, probably too volatile for the fragrances used. Methyl Ethyl keytone worked i well but has its own undesirable odour. Methyl Alcohol worked well but is poisonous. Chlorinated solvents can be abused and rendered toxic by smoking. Ethanol worked well but is highly f lammable.

Water works reasonably well, does not wet out as much as ethanol/methyl alcohol/acetone etc. thus the capilla-ry action is slower. The water should be deionised otherwise salts may be formed and certain perfume ingrediants may be precipitated.

Esters worked but typically had unattractive odour.

From the standpoint of safety, availability, cost and capillary action a mixture of water and ethanol has been most preferred, e.g. containing 15-85%, more preferably 55-85% of water based on the weight (or volume) of the composition.

Unless partitioning is the desired effect. components should beselected to avoid this. The liquid components used are preferably of a similar- solubility, they should preferably not interact, lead to adsorption or separate over time. In terms of the liquid components it is possible to complex the items which would separate out, by using a complexing agent such as EDTA.

The complex should be very soluble so that it does not precipitate and inhibit the capillary action.

Where fragrances are used these would typically be oils and therefore would not contain solids. Though they may need stabilisers if' they are attacked by for example heat or sunlight, the ethanol and water mix when used should be used at a relative concentration whereby any additiv~s are fully soluble. This WO 87/01565 PCT/GB86/00567 30 point should allow for temperature changes. The water used is preferably deionised water. There is a wide range of relative mixtures of ethanol and water which were acceptable, the selection criteria would depend upon the end use. If one wanted to increase volatility one would increase the percentage of ethanol relative to water, to ddecrease flammability one would increase the percentage of water. To increase solubility of, for example, a fragrance in the mixture one would increase the percentage of ethanol relative to water.

In cases where the plants are to be exposed to the elements, or other harsh environmental affects, the emanators may be shaped to give best protection in strong winds the leavesdpetals are smaller than normal and/or the stem is stronger). The petals and/or leaves can be made from two different materials one only of which emanates and/or the material is cloated in such a way so that only part emanates and the leaf/pstal is shaped so as to protect that part from the hazard/s such as water flow or strong wind. Other harsh environmental factors may include sunlight or excessively warm temperatures. Excessively warm temperatures may have a damaging effect on the liquid e.g. if the liquid contained fragrance, the fragrance could be broken down by excessive heat and/or by variations in extertil temperature.

To help prevent'this damage the reaervoir may be double walled (ideally though not necessarily with a vacuim in between) and/or coated in reflective silver material, and/or coated in polystyrene- WO 87/01565 PCT/GB86/00567 51type material, and/or made in a way so that if the reservoir is to be placed in a pot, it is formed when manufactured with the pot, or they are sealaed together and the pot forms the second skin; and/or stabilisers/fixing chemicals may be used to stop the liquid being damaged.

If the surface area of the emaftator/s is very very large relative to the cross-sectional area of the stem (where the capillary action draws the liquid from the reservoir, and delivers it to the emanators), then the majority of the exposed area of the emanator may dry out. 1f this is undesirable then the cross-sectional area of the stem effecting; capillary action can be increased, or the area of the emanators responsib lefor emanation decreased. Influencing additional factors include the amount of capillary draw of the stem material and the emanator, and external vapour/air movement over the emanators.

Assuming other factors (such as no high air pressure or low air pressure area in the reservoir etc.) are absent or minimal relative to the afore-mentioned factors$ then an equation for ensuring that the emanators are fully supplied with liquid is: Where there is one stem: DxX Y I n x a'x b or where there is more than one stem: mx X xy 1 nxaxb n x a x b WO 87/01565 WO 87/ 1565PCT/GB86/00567 -32where: m umber of stems DC stem y capillary draw of stem (quantity of liquid delivered per unit time) n no~ of emanators a emanator b =capillary draw of emanator (quantity of liquid emanated per unit time).

For example where there is 1 stem, of which the capillary draw isO. 50 cc per 6 hours there axe 3 emanatorst the emanation of each iso.10 per 6 hours.

1 x 0.3 -1 AJlterratively: b Xxy and: b m x xy Where there was one stem with a capillary draw of 0.6, two emanators of unknown emanation then: b 1 xO.6 2 .b must be equh.l 0.3 or less to be fully supplied with liquid.

To achieve this, factors such as the emanator surface area may be increased or aeoreased. (Assuming there is no escape from VWO 87/01565 PCT/GB86/00567 3355 the stem walls of liquid and that the emanators have become saturated with liquid to the degree at which they will be functioning.) The liquid may be changed or refilled, the emanators may be substituted or increased/decreased as may the plant foliage.

The stems may be substituted by ne$ stems or increased/decreased.

If a consumer fragrance product, the fragrance could be updated, so a f2agrance of spring scents lead to summer scents, to autumn scents etc. The plants may have their colours changed.

Certain ga,-eous/semi-gaseous freons) /highly volatile chemicals may be used in the reservoir. That is all the above may be performed, but where the liquid is substituted b-gaseous/ semi-gaseous/highly volatile chemicals. Where this was the case certain modifications could be made, such as any air-valve in the reservoir would need to be entry only, i.e. to allow ingressive air only and not vapour going out (unless for example as a safety requirement an out-going valve was needed), or there need be no valve. A highly volatile liquid will typically be affected by heat, and the proportir of liquid (relative to gas) rising up the stem and through the emanators will vary accordingly. This invention may also be used for containing a volatile solid, whereby again the capillaries of the stem and emanators would be used to allow the passage of vapour/gas. These alternative contents could be in a sep'ate part of the reservoir to the liquid ov used instead thereof, or placed in the same reservoir as the

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WO 87/01565 PCT/G B86/00567 34 liquid; or added at the appropriate moment, this addition may lead to a chemical reaction and/or occurrence which is desired. The reservoir may be separated into two parts whereby they can be mixed together when, for example, there is only a low wall separating them into two parts where)'y they can be mixed together. Mere mixing at the point of use may be the desired effect, alternatively there may be another or additional use, such as the production of a gas, which can either speed the rate .t which liquid is forced out of the reservoir up the stem; or the gas is forced up the stem, or a mixture of gas/liquid vapour/liquid droplets is forced up the stem.

A combination of one or more of the above methods of transfer (and/or normal and/or reverse osmosis) may be employed whereby an artificial flower arrangement can be constructed embodying more than one of the basic techniques. It is preferred that the artificial flowers and/or reservoirs are refillable. It is also preferred to increase the shelf life of the artificial flower arrangement by incorporating an ;ctivatinp mechanism whereby commencement of fragrance discharge can be controlled by the user, the vendor, the installer or the lilke.

The advantages offered by the present nvention include the provision of fragrance to artificial flowers, the pro-tision of fragrance onto specific regions of the artificial flower to expel SUBSTITUJTE

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WO 87/01565 PCT/GB86/00567 35 the fragrance into the surroundings, the conveying greater reality, the recognition and association of flowers and their characteristic scents by careful selection of liquid, solid or gaseous fragrances. Artificial flowers can be constructed without requiring additional support beyond that which may be used at leaf to stem dr petal to stem transfer junctions.

To improve capillary rise in any embodiment the fibre/a, tube/s or other material used preferably has low or no grease on the contact surfaces. By reducing the contact angle of the liquid against the surface of the substrate, capillary act/ be aided. Generally this may be summarised as.

Height of liquid rise from the 4 x surface tension x contact angle free surface of the liquid in density x acceleration x diameter of container (in centimetres) due to gravity capillary In a small, vertical, open tube of circular section a column of liquid will stand at a height greater or less than that corresponding to the static head at the foot of the column by the amount.

H 4 C. cos G cm gD (pl p2) Here (f is the surface tension, dynes/om.; D is the diameter, cm; pi and p2 are the densities, of the liquid and gas (or light liquid), respectively; g 901 cm./seo.

2 approximately; and is the contact angle subtended by the heavier fluid. If l_ J JJL tL .if JI_ o LL 11 ttl[if WO 87/01565 PCT/GB86/00567 36 it is desired to express H and D in inches, the units of the other quantities being unchanged, the factor 4 of the a.)ove formula should be replaced by 0.62. This formula is fairly accurate only if the tube is small enough for the meniscus to be substantially spherical, To best achieve capillary rise the substrates selected should have a low grease content on their con+att surface and/ or .should be manufactured to minimise the grease content.

Alternatively the substrate co. be de-greased, soak capillaries in fresh chromic acid for 24 hours, wash in distilled water and deionised water then in dilute hydrochloric acid Lwhere water used in dilution was distilled and deionised). This will lower contact angle virtually to zero. An alternative day of increasing capillary rise is to increase the surface tension of the liquid, however, most methods of performing this have the effect of increasing denaity also. What is preferred is to increase the ratio of surface tension to donsity, not merely to increase surface tension; (note the ratio of surface tension to density is less for water thanxi for ethanol).

SU S't |TUir SHEET

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Claims (5)

1. An artificial plant comprising a stem connected to one or more leaves and/or Petals, a leaf or petal being secured to the stem at a junction characterised in that such junctioni comprises fluid, transfer material solely supporting that leaf or petal to the stem wherein other support means therefor are absent, or comprises projecting extension of fluid transfer material contained within or located upon the stem, or comprises fluid transfer material in the form of a fibrous plug having head and projecting body parts, an exterior surface part of the plant capable of communicating or directly contacting means for supplying odoriferous substance or an activating fluid therefor whereby an odour can be released at the said exterior surface part

2. An artificial plant as claimed in 04 A~im 1 in which two adjacent stem parts are secured together 'ay r~eans of a fibrous plug with or without a head part

3. Plant as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the exterior surface part is in direct contact with liquid or solid odoriferous substanoe whereby its odour can be released at the point of contact.

4. Plant as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a stem, leaf or petal is in contact with non-odour releasing substance capable of subsequent odour release by the action of an activating fluid. Plant as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein thq stem is in commruniation with a reservoir which can supply odoriferous substajace or an activating fluid to the stem and/or the ster interior and/or the stem exterior and/or the exterior surface part of the plant. [T" "No, T/ 7 3 POTi 23 2

33- 6. Plant as claimed in claim 5, wherein the stem comprises wholly or partly liquid-absorbent material or is provided with an internal or external wick of absorbent material. 7. Plant as claimed in claim 6, wherein the absorbent material comprises open-celled natural or synthetic foam or fibrous material. 8. Plant as claimed in any preceding claim in which the stem is hollow with at least one internal hollow tube. 9. Plant as claimed in claim 8, in which the stem or hollow tube(s) have an irregular cross-section and/or inwardly directed protrusions increasing internal surface area. Plant as claimed 'n any preceding claim, including an external wick secured thereto and bonded with particulate matter capable of transferring odoriferous substance or activating liquid. 11. Plant as claimed in any preceding claim in ',hich the stem is provided with spirally twisted, compacted fibres optionally contained within an outer sheath. 12. Plant as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the odoriferous substance, or activating fluid comprises ethanol and water 13. Plant as claimed in claim 12 in wuich the substance or fluid contains 15 bo 85;j of water, preferably 55 to 85% of water based on the weight (or volume) of the composition. 14. Plant as claimed in any one of claims 5 to 13 in which the reservoir or plant is provided with means to initiate and/or SUBSTITUTE a control and/or terminate flow of odoriferous substance or activating fluid to or along the plant stem. Plant as claimed in any preceding claim incorporating non-fibrowis material, such as acetal, for capillary flow of substance or fluid. 16. Plant as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 15 in which the fibrous plug is shaped or coloured to form a visible component. 17. Plant as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 16 in which the fibrous plug incorporates washers of .Lbs ?:bent material. 18. Plant as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 17 in which a leaf or petal or the total leaves or petals are supported solely by the fibrous plug or plugs whereby other supporting means therefor are absent. 19. Plant as claimed in any preceding claim in which the junction part or fibrous plug occupies an area of 10% or less than the area of the particular leaf or petal supported. Plant as claimed in any one of claims 5 to 19 in which the material on, of or within the stem for capillary flow is substantially free o grease or has been subjected to degreasing. .Ai c >unctin part of fi occupies aaaf0ol the araoi atclrla rptlspotd