Inventor and businessman Robert Hamley founded Forever Flowers to market his patented innovation–a floral preservative kit that extends the shelf life of flowers and preserves their color and scent. Robert Hamley’s invention is sold globally through the Home Shopping Network and QVC.
Flowers can be meaningful gifts for various occasions. However, cut flowers have short lifespans and typically die after several days. Over the years, efforts have been made to develop solutions to this problem: Various approaches to flower preservation–such as hand drying, freeze-drying, the use of silica gel, and spraying of preservative mixtures–have been attempted. However, none of these methods have succeeded in extending the shelf life of flowers.
Mr. Hamley’s product succeeds where others have failed, by using low-temperature paraffin and saccharides as floral nutrients and preservatives. The low-temperature paraffin is heated to 130 degrees Fahrenheit until it is liquefied. Then, the saccharide is added–and in some cases, colored dyes and scents are added as well.
The head of the flower is then dipped into this mixture for three seconds, after which the flower is allowed to dry. The dried flower can be used immediately, or can be left to hang upside down for up to three weeks to further prolong its shelf life. Floral paint may also be sprayed on the flower to add shine, and to ensure that the color of the flower remains realistic.
Mr. Hamley’s invention was granted a patent on November 22, 2005, and has been sold on television for seven years.
Robert Hamley 