JPH01180801A - Production of dry flower - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain dry flowers maintaining beautiful color and shape for a long period of time, by putting flowers in an aqueous solution of a metallic salt such as copper sulfate, absorbing the aqueous solution in the flowers, further applying a solution of a resin containing an ultraviolet light absorber to the flowers or immersing the flowers in the solution and drying. CONSTITUTION:Flowers are put in an aqueous solution having dissolved a small amount of copper sulfate, copper chloride or ferrous chloride, the solution is sufficiently absorbed in the flowers and chlorophyll of green component of flowers is stabilized as copper chlorophyll or iron chlorophyll. Then the flowers are extracted from the solution and put in an aqueous solution having dissolved a small amount of a sodium salt, preferably sodium hydrogencarbonate, the solution is enough absorbed in the flowers, which are then dried. Then the flowers are wholly coated with a solution of a resin containing a very amount of an ultraviolet light absorber or the entire flowers are immersed in the solution and the flowers are dried to give dry flowers. By this method, the flowers can be completely isolated from the outside air and are extremely slightly influenced by ultraviolet light.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] Industrial Application Field This invention relates to a method for producing dried flowers by drying cultivated flowers such as roses and orchids and wild flowers, and is used for decoration, interior decoration, etc. Ru.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The current method of producing dried flowers is generally to hang them in a place with good visibility and allow them to dry naturally over a long period of time.

There is also a method of rapid drying using a desiccant such as silica gel.

Problems to be Solved by the Invention The currently used dry flower production methods have the following drawbacks in the dried flowers produced.

1), Dried flowers produced by natural drying (1),
Due to the long drying time, the flowers fade and become dirty. In addition, the leaves and stems are brown due to destruction of chlorophyll.

(2) It easily absorbs moisture in the air, which can cause stagnation, especially during the rainy season.

(3) Because it is dry, leaves, flowers, etc. will tear or fall off just by touching it.

2) Dried flowers produced by burying and drying them in a desiccant such as silica gel (1) This method dries quickly and the flowers have beautiful colors and shapes. However, since it dries very quickly compared to natural drying, it is particularly easy to absorb moisture in the air, and if it absorbs moisture, it will quickly become useless. Therefore, it is necessary to store it in a glass container and add a desiccant agent, or to vacuum it.

(2) Due to rapid drying, there is almost no moisture and the flowers are crisp and fall apart with just a touch. Therefore, I have no choice but to store it in a container and display it.

Means for solving the problem 1) A flower is placed in an aqueous solution in which a small amount of a metal salt, such as copper sulfate, copper chloride, or ferrous chloride, is dissolved to absorb the solution sufficiently. In this way, chlorophyll, which is the green component of flowers, is distributed in the cells of plants.
is stabilized as copper chlorophyll or iron chlorophyll.

2) The flower whose chlorophyll has been stabilized as copper or iron chlorophyll by the treatment in the previous section is further treated with sodium salt,
For example, flowers are placed in an aqueous solution containing a small amount of sodium bicarbonate, sodium hydroxide, sodium silicate, etc., so that the solution is sufficiently absorbed. In this way, copper or iron chlorophyllin becomes a very stable state.

In particular, the effect of ultraviolet rays is greatly reduced.

3) Next, dry this flower with stable chlorophyll.

4) First, a dilute solution of extremely flexible resin, such as polyurethane or silicone resin, to which a trace amount of an ultraviolet absorber, such as a benzophenone derivative or a benzotriazole derivative, is added is applied or immersed in the solution. This is permeated into the cells of the flowers, coated on the surface, and dried.

In this way, the flowers are completely isolated from the outside air and are greatly less affected by ultraviolet rays.

Effect 1) Stability of 0 chlorophyll In conventional dried flowers, the leaves and stems lose their green color and turn brown during drying or storage because the chlorophyll is destroyed.

Figure 1 shows the chemical structural formula of chlorophyll. As shown in the figure,
Chlorophyll has a magnesium ion (M9+) in the center of its structural formula.
There is 2). It is shown in (1). This magnesium ion is very unstable, and it replaces two atoms of hydrogen and turns into pheophytin, which is brown, causing browning and discoloration. Moisture in the air, oxygen, and ultraviolet light accelerate this reaction.

In the present invention, this problem was solved by the following method.

(1) The aqueous solution of the metal salt is sufficiently absorbed into the flowers,
Magnesium replaces copper, iron, etc. and becomes stable as steel chlorophyll.

(2) First, an aqueous solution of metal salts is absorbed into flowers to produce steel chlorophyll.

Then, by absorbing the sodium salt, hydrolysis of chlorophyll occurs due to alkali, (Na+),
The phytol and methyl group separate to form chlorophyllin. In Figure 1, phytol is (2) and methyl group (
3).

This results in steel chlorophyllin, which is also very stable and has increased resistance to UV radiation.

The main component of flower pigments is anthocyanide, which is a stable substance and is completely unaffected by metal salts and sodium salts.

(3) It gives flexibility to dried flowers and completely blocks them from the outside air.

When you touch conventional dried flowers, they fall apart and the leaves fall off.

In the present invention, in order to solve this problem, after stabilizing the chlorophyll, dried flowers are infiltrated with a highly flexible resin and coated. For example, in the case of polyurethane, the film elongation after drying reaches 15 times. Therefore, the flowers are supple and do not become puffy.

(4) It is isolated from the outside air.

It is coated with resin, and the spaces between the cells after drying are filled with resin. Therefore, moisture, oxygen, etc. in the air, which promote changes in dried flowers, are completely blocked.

(5) By adding an ultraviolet absorber to the coating resin, the resin film absorbs ultraviolet rays, prevents changes in the pigments of flowers, and significantly extends the lifespan.

(6) Anthocyan, which is a flower pigment, gradually fades due to humidity and ultraviolet rays, but in the present invention, this is completely prevented, so the color retains its bright color for a long time.

Embodiment FIG. 2 shows the dried flower shown in claim 1.
A flow diagram shows the manufacturing sequence of

In the figure, the flowers are manufactured in the following order: A-4B-0→D→Dried flowers.

A...Place a flower in an aqueous solution containing a small amount of metal salt,
This is a device that sucks up the solution.

B: This is a device that dries the flowers that have absorbed the solution by hanging them upside down using far infrared rays.

However, drying may be done by immersing it in a desiccant such as silica gel or zeolite.

C: This is a device that sprays a coating agent containing an ultraviolet absorber over the entire surface of dried flowers while hanging them upside down.

However, it may also be immersed in a coating agent.

D: Equipment for drying the resin film.

FIG. 3 shows the dried flower shown in claim 2.
A flow diagram shows the manufacturing sequence of

A-4a -B-+O→D→Dried flowers are produced in this order.

This flow is exactly the same as that shown in Section 1 except that a is added between A and B.

A is a device in which flowers are placed in an aqueous solution containing a small amount of sodium salt, and the solution is sucked up.

About Part A 4. Solution tank 5. Solution 6. Support plate 7. Flowers and flowers in Part B 8. Drying room 9. Hanging fittings 10. Flowers 11. Far-infrared radiation plate 12. Temperature Wind circulation fan 13. Exhaust duct 14. Regarding damper 0 part 15. Film agent spray room 16. Flowers 17. - Spray nozzle 18. - Hanging fittings 19.. Exhaust fan 20.. Exhaust duct 21.・About the damper D section 22..Drying room 23..Hanging fittings 24..Flowers
25. Exhaust fan 26. Air intake port a section 27. Solution tank 28. Solution 29. Support plate 30. The flower method shows an example of dry flower production based on the type of flower.

1) A case according to claim 1 regarding a flower that absorbs water well (the most common) like a rose.

A rose is placed in a 4% copper sulfate aqueous solution and allowed to absorb the solution for about 6 hours. Next, far-infrared drying is performed for about 4 hours.

Next, in a spray room, a 4% acetone solution of polyurethane resin to which a benzophenone derivative (ultraviolet absorber) has been added in an amount of about 0.5 to 1% of the resin amount is sprayed over the entire surface. Then, dry it for about 10 minutes at room temperature. In this way, dried rose flowers are completed.

2) For flowers that are difficult to absorb water, such as hydrangeas and orchids, according to claim 2, the flowers are placed in a 3% iron chloride aqueous solution and allowed to absorb the solution for about 10 hours. Then 0
Replace with 3% 11um silicate aqueous solution and let the solution suck up for about 6 hours.

Next, it is buried in silica gel powder, heated to about 40° C., and dried for about 8 hours. Next, it is immersed for about 1 hour in a 4% acetone solution of silicone resin to which a benzotriazole derivative (ultraviolet absorber) is added in an amount of about 0.5 to 1% of the resin amount. Then, dry it for about 10 minutes at room temperature.

In this way, dried flowers such as hydrangea are completed.

Effects of the Invention The present invention will be described in detail by comparing the method of producing dried flowers currently announced and the method of the present invention.

l) 6 The dried flowers of the present invention have vivid colors and maintain their natural state for a long period of time.

The color of flowers comes from chlorophyll in the leaves and stems, and anthocyanins in the flowers.

In the present invention, metal salts I, iron, etc.) are first absorbed into the cells of leaves and stems together with water, thereby converting them into stable chlorophylls such as copper and iron. Furthermore, by absorbing sodium salts, it is converted into chlorophyllins, such as copper and iron, which are particularly resistant to ultraviolet rays.

On the other hand, in the dried flowers currently available, the chlorophyll changes during drying or storage and changes to pheophytin, resulting in a brown color.

-The flower color is anthocyan, which is more stable than chlorophyll. Therefore, even with conventional methods, the color will not fade rapidly, but if it absorbs moisture or ultraviolet rays, the color will fade rapidly, and in severe cases, mold may grow.

On the other hand, in the case of the present invention, as described below, the cells are completely coated with the coating agent during the manufacturing process, and the spaces between the cells are completely filled with the coating agent.

Additionally, an ultraviolet absorber is added to the coating agent. Therefore,
It maintains its freshness for 3 to 4 years without being affected by humidity or ultraviolet rays.

2) 8 Both the leaves and flowers of the dried flower of the present invention are flexible, and especially the leaves do not break or fall apart even when bent by hand. However, the flexibility can be freely selected according to need.

On the other hand, the dried flowers that are currently available have both leaves and flowers damaged or falling off, and are not pliable at all.

In particular, dried silica gel has such a tendency that it must be stored in a container with a desiccant added or vacuumed.

3)0 The dried flower of the present invention is coated with a coating agent over the entire surface of the flower. This coating is extremely thin and has a suitable luster, giving it a natural-looking feel. Further, the degree of gloss can be freely selected.

In contrast, the dried flowers that are currently being released have a lackluster and dry appearance, and their appearance and shape gradually collapse.

Thus, the dried flower of the present invention eliminates all the drawbacks of currently available dried flowers and retains its beautiful color and appearance for a long period of time.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 shows the chemical structural formula of chlorophyll. FIG. 2 shows, by a flow diagram, the order of manufacturing the dried flower shown in claim 1. FIG. 3 is a flow diagram showing the order of manufacturing the dried flower as set forth in claim 2.

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) After placing a flower in a dilute aqueous solution of a metal salt and allowing it to fully absorb the solution, it is dried, and then a resin solution containing a trace amount of an ultraviolet absorber is applied or immersed in the solution. , a method for producing dried flowers characterized by drying them. (2) Place a flower in a dilute aqueous solution of a metal salt and let it fully absorb the solution, then replace the flower with a dilute aqueous solution of a sodium salt and let it fully absorb the solution, then dry it, and then A method for producing dried flowers, which comprises coating or immersing a resin solution to which a trace amount of an ultraviolet absorber has been added, and then drying.