Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
  • A01G—HORTICULTURE; CULTIVATION OF VEGETABLES, FLOWERS, RICE, FRUIT, VINES, HOPS OR SEAWEED; FORESTRY; WATERING
  • A01G3/00—Cutting implements specially adapted for horticultural purposes; Delimbing standing trees
  • A01G3/02—Secateurs; Flower or fruit shears
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
  • A01G—HORTICULTURE; CULTIVATION OF VEGETABLES, FLOWERS, RICE, FRUIT, VINES, HOPS OR SEAWEED; FORESTRY; WATERING
  • A01G3/00—Cutting implements specially adapted for horticultural purposes; Delimbing standing trees
  • A01G3/02—Secateurs; Flower or fruit shears
  • A01G3/033—Secateurs; Flower or fruit shears having motor-driven blades
  • A01G3/037—Secateurs; Flower or fruit shears having motor-driven blades the driving means being an electric motor

Definitions

• the invention relates to a cutting device for cutting a plant stem, such as a flower stem.
• a cutting device for cutting a plant stem, such as a flower stem.
• Such cutting devices are for instance used to separate flower and bulb during grafting of plants and for cutting a flower stem before it is placed in a vase.
• An object of the invention is to obviate or in any case reduce the above stated problems and to provide a cutting device with which a plant stem forming part of a bunch of plant stems can be severed at an angle without the bunch having to be taken apart.
• This object is achieved with a cutting device for cutting a plant stem according to the invention, comprising:
• a hook part coupled to the handle and defining a recess which is open in a passage direction for the purpose of receiving the plant stem for cutting in the recess;
• the cutting surface of the blade is arranged at an angle relative to the passage direction such that in use the plant stem is severed at an angle.
• the hook part makes it possible to select a flower stem in a bunch of flowers.
• the hook part is hooked behind a stem such that the stem is carried into the recess.
• Each stem in the bunch can hereby be severed at an angle without the bunch having to be taken apart.
• the angled position of the cutting surface enables a plant stem to be inserted straight in the recess, while the plant stem is nevertheless severed at an angle. This achieves that the cutting device need not be held at a non- right angle by a user.
• the invention can for instance be applied for cutting flower stems or for grafting plants such as vines.
• the invention is moreover found to be advantageous in separating a flower from its bulb. Conventional cutting devices are unsuitable for this purpose since the stem cannot be placed through the opening intended for the purpose due to the presence of the bulb. Because the cutting device according to the invention is equipped with a hook part, this problem is solved with the invention and the cutting device can also be utilized for this application.
• the recess is for instance defined between the handle and the hook part, and the handle and hook part are
• the blade is arranged on the hook part of the handle, and cuts the plant stem during the movement.
• the blade is however preferably arranged displaceably in or on the handle, wherein the handle and the hook part are preferably non-displaceable relative to each other, i.e. are connected rigidly to each other.
• the cutting angle preferably lies between about 10 ° and 60 ° , and more preferably the cutting angle is 45 ° .
• Severing plant stems at an angle enlarges the surface area for water uptake by the plant.
• An angle of 10° -60°, more specifically an angle of 45°, is particularly found to realize an increased water uptake.
• the lifespan of cut plants is hereby increased.
• the cutting device comprises a drive coupled to the blade for displacing the blade relative to the hook part or for displacing the blade and the hook part relative to the handle.
• the displacement is for instance realized by an
• the drive preferably comprises a sgueeze mechanism as manual drive.
• An electrical drive is for instance activated by the squeeze mechanism.
• the drive is however preferably a fully manual drive, wherein the force exerted on the squeeze mechanism is transmitted for displacement of the blade relative to the hook part or for displacement of the blade together with the hook part relative to the handle.
• the device has a type of pistol form.
• the hook part is located in this case at the outer end of the barrel of the pistol form.
• the pistol form is particularly advantageous in combination with a drive comprising a squeeze mechanism. This combination provides for an intuitive and ergonomic operation of the cutting device.
• the blade is disconnectable by means of an uncoupling mechanism.
• the blade can be coupled to and uncoupled from the cutting device in relatively simple manner using the uncoupling mechanism.
• the blade can be removed and for instance replaced by means of the mechanism.
• the blade for instance comprises an opening and the cutting device comprises a resilient element which fits into this opening. When the blade is placed in the cutting device the resilient element extends through the opening, whereby the blade is coupled to the cutting device. For the purpose of removing the blade the resilient element is pressed in so that it no longer extends through the opening, and the blade can be removed .
• the cutting device comprises a blade holder placeable over the cutting surface of the blade, with an element configured for co-action with the uncoupling mechanism.
• the element configured for co-action with the uncoupling mechanism ensures that, when the blade holder is placed over the blade, the blade is uncoupled from the cutting device.
• the element is for instance a protruding part of the blade holder co-acting with for instance a resilient element of the uncoupling mechanism.
• the handle of the cutting device comprises a recess for removable placing of the blade holder therein.
• the blade holder is accommodated in the handle.
• the user hereby has the blade holder ready to hand at all times.
• the user takes the holder out of the handle and removes the blade from the cutting device using the blade holder.
• the cutting device comprises releasable locking means for respectively locking the displacement of the blade relative to the hook part and the displacement of the blade with the hook part relative to the handle.
• the cutting device is safeguarded by being locked, so that a person cannot accidentally cut him/herself.
• the cutting movement is after all blocked when the cutting device is locked. This is also important during cleaning of the blade. In addition, this is important during changing or removal of the blade in a currently preferred embodiment in which the blade is removable. A cutting movement is also undesirable in these cases, and is prevented with the locking .
• the hook part is preferably also disconnectable from the cutting device. Because the hook part can be uncoupled, the blade of the cutting device can be replaced more easily. The blade is more easily accessible in the uncoupled
• hook part itself can be replaced.
• a different hook part is for instance applied depending on the type of stem and the dimensions thereof.
• the hook part is preferably substantially U-shaped.
• the hook part has a decreasing width and/or thickness in the direction toward its free outer end.
• the free outer end of the hook part can be easily hooked behind a stem, even when the stem forms part of a bundled bunch of stems, such as in a bouquet.
• the free outer end for instance tapers or narrows to a point.
• the invention further relates to a method for cutting a plant stem, comprising of providing a cutting device as described above, placing the plant stem in the recess, and displacing the blade such that the plant stem is severed at an angle.
• the method according to the invention has the same advantages and effects as described above for the cutting device .
• figure 1 shows a partly cut-away view of a cutting device according to the invention
• figure 4 shows the cutting device of figure 1 with the blade in the extended position
• figure 6 shows the device of figure 1, wherein the nose has been removed and the blade holder is shown
• figure 8 shows a front view of the device, wherein the nose has been removed.
• Cutting device 2 (figure 1) comprises a nose 4 which is substantially U-shaped and defines a recess 6.
• a flower stem 8 can be placed in recess 6.
• the U-shaped nose 4 comprises a contact surface on the side facing toward recess 6.
• the recess 6 provides space for a flower stem with a maximum diameter of 14 mm. Larger or smaller dimensions of recess 6 are however also possible, depending on the desired application.
• flower stem 8 When flower stem 8 forms part of a bouquet, flower stem 8 can be placed in recess 6 by hooking the hook part 10, which forms the free outer end of nose 4, behind flower stem 8.
• Nose 4 moreover comprises a groove 12 for receiving blade 14.
• Blade 14 lies at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis of flower stem 8.
• Blade 14 is coupled to a slide 16, 18.
• the front part 16 of the slide takes a rectangular form, while the rear part 18 takes a tubular form. Parts 16 and 18 form one whole.
• Device 2 comprises a rear handle part 20 which is connected via hinge 22 to the front handle part 24.
• Rear part 18 of the slide comprises a protrusion 26 positioned in a recess of rear handle part 20.
• Handle 20, 24 further comprises a spring 28.
• Cutting device 2 moreover comprises a locking element 30 (figures 2 and 3) .
• the locking element co-acts with protrusions 32 and 34 of the slide.
• protrusion 32 comes into contact with stop surface 36, whereby sliding in direction A is blocked.
• protrusion 32 is no longer blocked and can move freely under dome-shaped element 38, whereby the slide is movable as a whole in the cutting direction .
• Protrusion 34 serves as stop for movement in the direction B. In both the locked position (figure 2) and the released position (figure 3) protrusion 34 comes into contact with the underside of locking element 30, blocking further movement in the direction B.
• a squeezing movement can move the rear handle part 20 in the direction of the front handle part 24 (figure 4) by rotation around hinge 22.
• This squeezing movement acts counter to the spring force of spring 28.
• the slide is guided by guides 40, 42.
• Blade 14 moves through nose 4 and severs the flower stem 8 at an angle. In the shown embodiment the angle formed between the blade and the stem is 45 degrees.
• Figure 1 shows that a protrusion 44 of rear handle part 20 makes contact with slide 16, 18.
• protrusion 44 pushes the slide in direction A.
• Protrusion 26 of the slide here moves into the recess in rear handle part 20, as can be seen in figure 4.
• the spring force of spring 28 moves the rear handle part 20 in direction B relative to handle part 24.
• Slide 16, 18 and blade 14 hereby also move in direction B until protrusion 34 rests against the underside of locking element 30.
• Protrusion 26 prevents the rear handle part 20
• Protrusion 43 is moreover provided for this purpose on handle part 20, this protrusion 43 hooking into front handle part 24 as clearly shown in figure 5.
• protrusion 26 protrusion 34 and
• protrusion 43 which prevent handle part 20 detaching from handle part 24.
• fewer or more than three of such protrusions may be provided, for instance one or two of said protrusions.
• Nose 4 (figure 5) comprises on its side facing toward handle 20, 24 chamfered plates 48, 50 between which an opening 52 for passage of blade 14 is present.
• the handle comprises an unlocking means 54 for uncoupling nose 4 from handle 20, 24.
• Unlocking means 54 comprises a protruding tongue 56 which fits into opening 58 of lower plate 48.
• the nose can be uncoupled from the handle by sliding the unlocking means.
• the uncoupling of nose 4 preferably takes place when the movement of blade 14 is blocked using locking element 30, as can also be seen in figure 5.
• Slide 16, 18 is moreover lockable in the situation where blade 14 is extended (figure 6) .
• Protrusion 32 is then situated on the left-hand side of locking element 30 in the figure so as to block movement in direction B. In this situation blade 14 extends beyond handle 20, 24 so that blade 14 is easy to remove.
• Handle 20, 24 comprises a recess 60 for a blade holder 62.
• Blade holder 62 can be uncoupled from device 2 as shown in figure 6. Blade holder 62 can then be used to remove the blade. Blade holder 62 is placed for this purpose over blade 14 (figure 7) . Blade 14 is held in place by a tongue extending through an opening 64 in blade 14. The tongue of the device can be pressed out of opening 64 by means of a second tongue 66 of blade holder 62 so that blade 14 is uncoupled. Force is exerted for this purpose on pressure point 68 of blade holder 62. Tongue 66 of blade holder 62 moreover ensures that the blade remains in the holder.
• locking element 30 is operated so as to lock the cutting device in the
• blade holder 62 It is optionally possible to accommodate a spare blade in blade holder 62.
• This spare blade has to be removed from the holder before blade 14 can be removed from the device with the holder.
• the spare blade can then be arranged in the device using holder 62.
• figure 8 shows a front view of cutting device 2 according to figure 6, i.e. without nose 4. It can be clearly seen here that during use blade 14 forms an angle of 45 degrees with the flower stem (direction C) .
• embodiments relate to flower stems for increasing vase life, but the invention can also be applied for the purpose of grafting plants and removing bulbs from plants.

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• Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
• Biodiversity & Conservation Biology (AREA)
• Ecology (AREA)
• Forests & Forestry (AREA)
• Environmental Sciences (AREA)
• Knives (AREA)
• Scissors And Nippers (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (2)

Family

ID=48741447

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (2)

Cited By (1)

Family Cites Families (3)

• 2012
  • 2012-05-07 NL NL2008764A patent/NL2008764C2/nl not_active IP Right Cessation
• 2013
  • 2013-05-07 WO PCT/NL2013/050345 patent/WO2013169105A2/fr not_active Ceased

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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