WO2010069067A1

WO2010069067A1 - Seed marker and carrier

Info

Publication number: WO2010069067A1
Application number: PCT/CA2009/001850
Authority: WO
Inventors: Karine Theberge
Original assignee: Karine Theberge
Priority date: 2008-12-18
Filing date: 2009-12-18
Publication date: 2010-06-24

Abstract

The present document describes a tag for attachment to a product using an attachment device. The tag comprises: a base made of a receptor material having a given rigidity and a planting portion adapted for insertion into a plant growing medium; organic matter involved in a germination process comprising at least one of a plant for planting and a fertilizer; and the base further comprising a plant section for receiving the organic matter and an attachment part for receiving the attachment device. After insertion of the tag into the plant growing medium, the plant for planting starts a germination process while the fertilizer, if present, supports the germination process.

Description

File no. P1143PC00

SEED MARKER AND CARRIER

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This is the first application filed concerning the present description.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] This description relates to the field of tags. More particularly, this description relates to tags for attachment to a consumer product.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a tag for attachment to a product using an attachment device. The tag comprises: a base made of a receptor material having a given rigidity and a planting portion adapted for insertion into a plant growing medium; organic matter involved in a germination process comprising at least one of a plant for planting and a fertilizer; and the base further comprising a plant section for receiving the organic matter and an attachment part for receiving the attachment device. After insertion of the tag into the plant growing medium, the plant for planting starts a germination process while the fertilizer, if present, supports the germination process.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0004] Further features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in combination with the appended drawings, in which:

[0005] Fig. 1a is a top view of a tag according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0006] Fig. 1b is an isometric view of the tag of Fig. 1a in a folded configuration;

[0007] Fig. 2a is a top view of a tag according to another embodiment of the invention;

[0008] Fig. 2b is top view of the tag of Fig. 2a in a folded configuration; File no. P1143PC00

[0009] Fig. 3a is a top view of a tag according to another embodiment of the invention;

[0010] Fig. 3b is an isometric view of the tag of Fig. 3a in a folded configuration;

[0011] Fig. 4a is a top view of a tag according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0012] Fig. 4b is an isometric view of the tag of Fig. 4 in a folded configuration; and

[0013] Fig. 5 is a top view of a tag according to an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0014] Now turning to Fig. 5, there is shown a top view of a tag 500 for attachment to a consumer product using an attachment device according to an embodiment of the invention. The tag 500 comprises a base 501 made of a receptor material having a given rigidity and a planting portion 502 adapted for insertion into a plant growing medium (not shown).

[0015] The receptor material used for the base 501 includes at least one of paper, cardboard, cardboard paper or glossy paper, blotting paper, textile, agglomerated paper, plastic or other types of products known to the person skilled in the art of pulp and paper or the art of making tags. The construction material can also include recycled materials and be made with elements having biodegradable properties.

[0016] The composition of the material provides the product with sufficient rigidity to facilitate insertion into a plant growing material such as earth or compost.

[0017] The tag 500 further comprises organic matter 503 involved in a germination process. The organic matter 503 comprises at least one of a plant for planting and a fertilizer.

[0018] "Plants for planting" means any part of a plant that is intended to be planted such part of a plant includes, without limitation, tree, aquatic plant, plant product, File no. P1143PC00

plant material, shrub, vine, fruit, rhizome, sod, vegetable, seed, bulb, stolon, tuber, corm, pip, cutting, scion, bud, graft or fruit pit, plants produced by tissue culture, cloning or from stem cell cultures or other prepared media culture.

[0019] The plant for planting can be of the following types: floral, cereal, agricultural, vegetable, fruit, forage, medicinal or other plants having an environmental aromatic, medicinal or ornamental purpose such as grass, including dry seeds, aqueous seeds, flowers, fruits, vegetables, annuals, semi-annuals, shrub, aquatic plants, as well as those lasting several years but not limited thereto.

[0020] The plant for planting can be inserted or attached by themselves, in multiple varieties or assorted varieties, combined with a fertilizer, or any other substance fostering flowering, the abundance of germination, the strength of the colors, an increase in scent, the dormancy, the conservation time or even the modification of an aspect in totality or in part of all or certain characteristics or many aspects of the future culture.

[0021] Returning to Fig. 5, the base 501 further comprises a plant section 504 for receiving the organic matter and an attachment part (not shown) for receiving the attachment device. The tag 500 further comprises an indicator part 505 which includes a representation of the plant for planting attached to the tag 500.

[0022] Finally, the tag 500 includes an information portion 506 which is used to give information about the organic matter. The information may also include the nature, price, contents, brand, washing instruction, barcode, logo, manufacturing information, style number, size, color, etc. of the consumer product to which the tag 500 is to be attached.

[0023] After insertion of the tag 500 into the plant growing medium, the plant for planting starts a germination process while the fertilizer, if present, supports the germination process. File no. P1143PC00

[0024] Now turning to Fig. 1a, there is shown a top view of a tag 100 for attachment to a consumer product using an attachment device according to an embodiment of the invention. The tag 100 comprises a base 101 made of a receptor material having a given rigidity and a planting portion 102 adapted for insertion into a plant growing medium (not shown). The tag 100 further comprises a fold line 107.

[0025] The tag 100 further comprises organic matter 103 involved in a germination process. The organic matter 103 comprises at least one of a plant for planting and a fertilizer.

[0026] The base 101 further comprises a plant section 104 for receiving the organic matter and an attachment part 105 for receiving the attachment device. Finally, the tag 100 includes an information portion 106 which is used to give information about the organic matter and/or the consumer product.

[0027] After insertion of the tag 100 into the plant growing medium, the plant for planting starts a germination process while the fertilizer, if present, supports the germination process.

[0028] Now turning to Fig. 1 b, there is shown an isometric view of the tag 100 in a folded configuration. The tag 100 is folded along fold line 107.

[0029] Now turning to Fig. 2a, there is shown a top view of a tag 200 for attachment to a consumer product using an attachment device according to an embodiment of the invention. The tag 200 comprises a base 201 made of a receptor material having a given rigidity and a planting portion 202 adapted for insertion into a plant growing medium (not shown). The tag 200 further comprises a fold line 207.

[0030] The tag 200 further comprises organic matter 203 involved in a germination process. The organic matter 203 comprises at least one of a plant for planting and a fertilizer. File no. P1143PC00

[0031] The base 201 further comprises a plant section 204 for receiving the organic matter. Finally, the tag 200 includes an information portion 206 which is used to give information about the organic matter and/or the consumer product.

[0032] After insertion of the tag 200 into the plant growing medium, the plant for planting starts a germination process while the fertilizer, if present, supports the germination process.

[0033] Now turning to Fig. 2b, there is shown top view of the tag 200 in a folded configuration. The tag 200 is folded along fold line 207.

[0034] Now turning to Fig. 3a, there is shown a top view of a tag 300 for attachment to a consumer product using an attachment device according to an embodiment of the invention. The tag 300 comprises a base 301 made of a receptor material having a given rigidity and a planting portion 302 adapted for insertion into a plant growing medium (not shown). The tag 300 further comprises a fold line 307.

[0035] The tag 300 further comprises organic matter 303 involved in a germination process. The organic matter 303 comprises at least one of a plant for planting and a fertilizer.

[0036] The base 301 further comprises a plant section 304 for receiving the organic matter. Finally, the tag 300 includes an information portion 306 which is used to give information about the organic matter and/or the consumer product.

[0037] After insertion of the tag 300 into the plant growing medium, the plant for planting starts a germination process while the fertHizer, if present, supports the germination process.

[0038] Now turning to Fig. 3b, there is shown an isometric view of the tag 300 in a folded configuration. The tag 300 is folded along fold line 307.

,[0039] Now turning to Fig. 4a, there is shown a top view of a tag 400 for attachment to a consumer product using an attachment device according to an embodiment of File no. P1143PC00

the invention. The tag 400 comprises a base 401 made of a receptor material having a given rigidity and a planting portion 402 adapted for insertion into a plant growing medium (not shown). The tag 400 further comprises a fold line 407.

[0040] The tag 400 further comprises organic matter 403 involved in a germination process. The organic matter 403 comprises at least one of a plant for planting and a fertilizer.

[0041] The base 401 further comprises a plant section 404 for receiving the organic matter. The base 401 also includes wedge fold lines 408.

[0042] Finally, the tag 400 includes an information portion 406 which is used to give information about the organic matter and/or the consumer product.

[0043] After insertion of the tag 400 into the plant growing medium, the plant for planting starts a germination process while the fertilizer, if present, supports the germination process.

[0044] Now turning to Fig. 4b, there is shown an isometric view of the tag 400 in a folded configuration. The tag 400 is folded along fold line 407. The tag 400 is also folded along wedge fold lines 408 which form a wedge shape of the planting portion 402.

[0045] According to an embodiment, the product can have any shape which facilitates insertion into the plant growing material and which can induce or start the germination process at, possibly, different periods.

[0046] The shape of the product can include any shape which comprises cutting, folding or piercing instructions which will enhance the insertion of the product into the plant growing medium.

[0047] The organic matter which includes at least one of a plant for planting and a fertilizer can be received on the tag in many ways. These include, alternatively or in combination: File no. P1143PC00

- introducing it into a paste or pulp during a step preceding the shaping of the product;

- placing it between two sheets of the same material or of two different materials;

- adding it to or attaching it to the surface using a coating for bonding to the surface;

- laying it on the surface and covering it with a compound thereby providing a surface seal for retaining the seeds, bulbs, or fertilizer;

- previously covering it or dipping it into an adhesive substance which will provide surface adhesion;

- previously covering it or dipping it into a substance prior to introducing them into the paste or pulp in order to provide new properties, modify their aspect, their color, their dormance time, their conservation time or any other aspect or virtue or property;

disposing it on the surface randomly or in a predefined fashion, or they can even form a pattern or print; and

- adding it to an ink, a finishing product and laid on the surface using a printing method in a random fashion, a predefined fashion or according to a pattern.

[0048] According to an embodiment, the organic matter is inserted, laid on, or glued to the receiving material in a section of the receiving material which will be inserted into the plant growing medium such as earth, compost or other material.

[0049] According to an embodiment, an identification of the plant species is printed, engraved or otherwise shown on the receiving material so that it will still show once the tag is inserted into the plant growing material. File no. P1143PC00

[0050] When inserted into the plant growing material, the final product (tag) includes an information portion that stays outside the plant growing material thereby providing an indication of where the germination process will take place. This identification and localization feature will help the consumers in the creation of floral or vegetable arrangements.

[0051] The tag can also include a predefined lay-out plan which will facilitate the disposition of the tags in the plant growing medium.

[0052] The look of the finished product is defined as a tag, index card, . booklet, leaflet, badge, insignia, cardboard identification or a small sign which will indicate the nature, price, contents, brand, washing instruction, barcode, logo, manufacturing information, style number, size, color, etc. which can be fixed, glued, hooked on, tied on, or pinned on the consumer product.

[0053] The tag can then be inserted into the plant growing medium for germination. The result is a reduction in the ecological footprint for the manufacturer and the consumer. The tag will also be commercialized under the coop tagging principal. This means that many businesses participating in the making of the product can have their information associated to the consumer product using a single tag which will have a second life by contributing to increase vegetation and quality of air on earth.

[0054] This form of coop tagging will help in considerably reducing the number of trees felled in the world by using the tag described herein.

[0055] All printing on the tag can be made using vegetable ink to eliminate any chemical composition or composites in the making of the final product.

[0056] While preferred embodiments of the invention have been described above and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, it will be evident to those skilled in the art that modifications may be made therein without departing from the essence File no. P1143PC00

of this invention. Such modifications are considered as possible variants comprised in the scope of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS :

1. A tag for attachment to a product, the tag comprising:

- a base made of a receptor material having a given rigidity and a planting portion adapted for insertion into a plant growing medium;

- organic matter involved in a germination process comprising at least one of a plant for planting and a fertilizer; and

- the base further comprising a plant section for receiving the organic matter; wherein after insertion of the tag into the plant growing medium, the plant for planting starts a germination process while the fertilizer, if present, supports the germination process.

2. The tag of claim 1 , further comprising an information portion which remains visible after insertion into the plant growing medium.

3. The tag of claim 2, wherein the information portion comprises at least one of information about the organic matter and information about the product including at least one of nature, price, contents, brand, washing instruction, barcode, logo, manufacturing information, style number, size, and color.

4. The tag of claim 1 , wherein the tag is attached to the product using an attachment device and the base further comprises an attachment part for receiving the attachment device.

5. The tag of claim 1 , wherein the planting portion comprises a wedge shape.

6. The tag of claim 1 , wherein the planting section for receiving the plant seeds is comprised in the planting portion.

7. The tag of claim 1 , wherein the receptor material comprises at least one of paper, cardboard, cardboard paper or glossy paper, blotting paper, textile, agglomerated paper, and plastic.

8. The tag of claim 1 , wherein the section adapted for bonding the plant seeds comprises one of: a glue for bonding the organic matter directly on the surface of the receptor material; an insertion of the organic matter directly in the receptor material during fabrication process; an insertion of the organic matter between the receptor material and another material; and an insertion of the organic matter into an ink printed onto the receptor material.