GB2482173A

GB2482173A - A variable aperture planter

Info

Publication number: GB2482173A
Application number: GB201012334A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Peter John Cherry
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-07-23
Filing date: 2010-07-23
Publication date: 2012-01-25
Also published as: GB201012334D0

Abstract

A planter or planter module has a one or more apertures 1 for plants. At least one aperture is variable in size. The planter or planter module may comprise first and second laminar members 3,4 disposed one over the other, each member 3,4 containing one or more suitably sized and shaped openings 5,6 such that an opening in the first member cooperates with a respective opening in the second member to define an aperture 1 in the planter. The first member 3 is moveable relative to the second member 4 thereby to vary the size of the aperture 1. The members may each have the form of a substantially cylindrical sleeve and are rotatable about their axis relative to one another or are axially slidable. At least one opening may have a cushioning member provided along an edge thereof.

Description

A VARIABLE APERTURE PLANTER

The present invention relates to a planter or planter module which incorporates a means for varying the size of apertures through which plants are planted and grow.

A "planter" is a receptacle in which plants may be grown. Existing planters which are intended for use on a vertical orientation or for use inclined from the horizontal use a fixed size of planting aperture (typically 40 mm in diameter). The size of the aperture is necessarily a compromise between the aperture being large enough for the plant root ball to be inserted but small enough to prevent too much growing medium from falling out when the planter is vertical or inclined from the horizontal. This compromise in practice means that it is often very difficult or even impossible to insert the plant root ball through an aperture of the planter without squashing and potentially damaging the roots. Also, the aperture will not fully seal around the stem, so some growing medium will inevitably fall out, particularly immediately after the planter is watered.

Summary

The present invention provides a planter or planter module having one or more apertures for plants, wherein at least one aperture has a variable size.

As is the case with known planters, a planter of the invention has a planter housing (or body) for containing soil or another plant growth medium. The planter housing is provided with one or more apertures, and usually several apertures, for receiving the root stock or root ball of a plant that is to be planted in the growth medium contained in the planter. The present invention overcomes the problems described above by employing at least one aperture that may be varied in size. The aperture may be fully opened to allow easy insertion of the plant root ball, and then reduced down in size until the edges of the aperture touch the plant stems and thereby provide a virtually soil-tight seal around the plant stem. This prevents soil (or other plant growth medium) from falling out (in the case of vertical or inclined planters) and also reduces water evaporation around the plant stems.

The plants are planted when the clearance of the aperture is at its greatest, then the apertures are reduced, as described above, to seal around the plant stems, thus minimising the spillage of growing medium and minimising water evaporation when the planters are in use.

The present invention prevents growing medium (soil, compost or artificial medium) from falling out of the planter when the planter is used vertically, or inclined from the horizontal.

The present invention also reduces the amount of water evaporation at any incline, compared with open' planters and those with fixed size planting holes.

The invention may be applied to a planter or to a planter module for use in a connected series of planter modules that is intended to rest in use on the ground or a suitable support.

Alternatively, the invention may be applied to a planter or to a planter module for use in a connected series of planter modules that is intended to to be mounted vertically, or away from the horizontal. In this case the planter or assembled planter modules may be suspended at its upper end or may be attached in a generally vertical orientation to a structure such as a wall of a building or a fence. In both cases, the variable apertures for receiving plant root balls may be provided on one or more sides (faces) of the planter or planter module(s).

The planter may comprise first and second laminar members disposed one over the other, each member containing one or more suitably sized and shaped openings such that an opening in the first member cooperates with a respective opening in the second member to define an aperture in the planter; and wherein the first member may be moveable relative to the second member thereby to vary the size of the aperture.

One of the members may comprise part of the planter housing.

Alternatively, the first and second members may both be movable relative to the planter housing.

The first and second members may rotate relative to one another about an axis that is substantially perpendicular to the plane of the members.

The first and second members may each have the form of a sleeve, and may be rotatable about their axis relative to one another Alternatively the first and second members may be slideable relative to one another.

The first and second members may each have the form of a sleeve, and may be axially slideable relative to one another.

At least one member may have a cushioning member provided along edges of the openings.

For example, soft rubber or polymer members may be fitted to the leading edges of the apertures to minimise damage to plant stems and provide a better seal around plant stems to reduce growing medium spillage and reduce water evaporation.

Preferred embodiments of the invention will be described by reference to the accompanying figures in which: Figure 1.1 is a front view of a planter according to one embodiment of the present invention showing the apertures open at their maximum extent; Figure 1.2 is a cross-section through a face of the planter of Figure 1.1; Figure 2.1 is a front view of the planter of figure 1.1 showing the apertures open at a reduced extent; Figure 2.2 is a cross-section through a face of the planter of Figure 2.1 showing the apertures open at a reduced extent; Figure 3.1 is a front view of a planter according to another embodiment of the present invention showing the apertures open at their maximum extent; Figure 3.2 is a cross-section through a face of the planter of Figure 3.1; Figure 4.1 is a front view of the planter of figure 3.1 showing the apertures open at a reduced extent; Figure 4.2 is a cross-section through a face of the planter of Figure 4.1 showing the apertures open at a reduced extent; Figure 5.1 is a plan view of a planter according to another embodiment of the present invention; Figure 5.2 is a front view of the planter of figure 5.1 showing the apertures open at a reduced extent; Figure 6.1 is a plan view of a planter according to another embodiment of the present invention; Figure 6.2 is a front view of the planter of figure 6A showing the apertures open at a reduced extent; Figure 7.1 is a plan view of a planter according to another embodiment of the present invention; Figure 7.2 is a front view of the planter of figure 7.1 showing the apertures open at a reduced extent; Figures 1.1 to 2.2 illustrate a planter according to one embodiment of the present invention.

The planter has one or more apertures 1 for plants provided in at least one face 2, so that in use the root ball of a plant may be inserted into an aperture of the planter. At least one of the apertures 1 has a variable size, and preferably all of the apertures 1 have a variable size.

When a root ball is inserted into an aperture of the planter, the aperture may be opened fully to allow easy insertion of the plant root ball and to minimise the risk of damage to the root ball. After the root ball has been fully inserted into the aperture, the size of the aperture may then be reduced, preferably until one or more edges of the aperture just touch the plant stem and thereby provide a virtually soil-tight seal around the plant stem. This prevents soil from falling out of the planter (in cases where the planter is installed with its face vertical or inclined from the horizontal) and also reduces water evaporation through the aperture around the plant stems.

In the embodiment of figures 1.1 to 2.2 the planter comprises first and second laminar members 3, 4 disposed one over the other, each member containing one or more suitably sized and shaped openings 5, 6 such that an opening 5 in the first member 3 cooperates with a respective opening 6 in the second member 4 to define an aperture 1 in the planter.

The first member 3 is moveable relative to the second member 4 thereby to vary the size of the apertures 1.

The members 3, 4 may be rigid or flexible laminar sheets.

In the embodiment of figures 1.1 to 2.2 the members 3,4 are arranged to slide relative to one another. When one member is made to slide relative to the second member, an aperture through the combined sheets is reduced or increased in size. Figs 1.1 and 1.2 show the members arranged to provide apertures 1 at their maximum possible size, and figures 2.1 and 2.2 show the members arranged to provide apertures 1 at a reduced size.

In the embodiment of figures 1.1 to 2.2 one member 4 forms part of the planter housing (that is, is part of the body of the planter) while the other member 3 is arranged to slide relative to the planter housing. The sliding member 3 may for example be arranged to slide in groves (not shown) formed within the housing, or be retained by brackets provided on the member 4. One of the sheets 3 may optionally have a grip 7 to allow the user to hold and slide the member 3.

In a modified embodiment (not shown) it would be to have both the two laminar members 3, 4 able to slide relative to the housing of the planter. This arrangement would the advantage of making it possible to maintain the centre point of an aperture (relative to the planter housing) fixed, irrespective of the size of aperture, which may allow for easier planting in some circumstances.

In the embodiment of figures 1.1 to 2.2 the two members 3, 4 are able to slide relative to one another. The invention is not however limited to this. Figures 3.1 to 4.2 show an embodiment in which the two members 3,4 are able to rotate relative to one another, about a pivot that has a pivot axis that is perpendicular, or substantially perpendicular, the plane of the members 3, 4. In figures 3.1 to 4.2 one member 4 forms part of the planter housing and the other member 3 is free to rotate about a pivot 8. The apertures 1 are varied in size by turning the upper sheet 3 about its pivot 8, and Figs 3.1 and 3.2 show the members arranged to provide apertures 1 at their maximum possible size while figures 4.1 and 4.2 show the members arranged to provide apertures 1 at a reduced size. Figures 3.1 to 4.2 show a planter with a circular cross-section, with figures 3.1 and 4.1 being a view of the front of the planter, and figures 3.2 and 4.2 being a cross-section through the top face of the planter.

While Figures 3.1 to 4.2 show an embodiment in which one member 4 forms part of the planter housing, it would alternatively be possible for both members 3, 4 to be mounted on the planter housing so that they may rotate relative to the planter housing.

The member 3 may be provided with a suitable grip (not shown).

In the embodiment of figures 1.1 to 2.2 and 3.1 to 4.2 the members are substantially flat, but in other embodiments they may alternatively be curved or formed into a tube. For example, figures 5.1 and 5.2 show a further embodiment of the invention in which the members 3, 4 have the form of a sleeve, so that the two members can slide relative to one another along their axis. Figures 5.1 and 5.2 show an embodiment in which the sleeves have a square cross-section, but the sleeves may have virtually any cross-section as long as the planter housing is prismatic in form.

Figures 5.1 and 5.2 show an embodiment in which the inner member 4 forms part of the planter housing, but it is alternatively possible to have two sleeves that may each slide axially relative to the planter housing.

Figures 6.1 and 6.2 show a further embodiment of the invention. This embodiment corresponds generally to that of figures 5.1 and 5.2, except that the members 3,4 have the form of cylindrical sleeves. This embodiment allows apertures on the surface of a cylindrical planter to be varied in size. As for the embodiment of figures 5.1 and 5.2, the inner sleeve 4 may form the planter housing, or there may be two cylindrical sleeves that are able to slide axially relative to the planter housing.

Figures 7.1 and 7.2 show a further embodiment of the invention. This embodiment corresponds generally to that of figures 6.1 and 6.2, except that the members 3,4 (which again have the form of cylindrical sleeves) are able to rotate relative to one another about their axis. . As for the embodiment of figures 6.1 and 6.2, the inner sleeve 4 may form the planter housing, or there may be two cylindrical sleeves that are able to rotate relative to the planter housing about a longitudinal axis.

The shape of the opening in each sheet is shown as substantially square in the Figures, but is not limited to this shape. The invention may in principle use opening of any shape, for example diamond shaped, rectangular, triangular, circular, oval, or elliptical openings, in the members 3,4. Moreover, although the figures show both members 3,4 having openings of the same shape and size as one another this is only for illustration. One of the members 3 may have openings that are of a different shape, and/or that are of a different size, to the openings in the other member 4.

The members 3, 4 may be arranged so that simple friction will retain the members in place relative to each other. Alternatively a simple locking mechanism (not shown in the figures) may be provided to lock one member relative to the other. If the friction between the sheets is relatively low and no locking mechanism is deployed then, as the plant stems protruding through the apertures grow larger in diameter, the plant stems can push the members 3, 4 so that the apertures gradually increase in size, thus avoiding any constriction in plant growth over time.

The leading edges or jaws' of the opening 5,6 may optionally have a cushioning member (not shown) attached, to provide an enhanced seal around the plant stems and minimise any possible damage to the plant stems. If provided, this member may for example be made of soft rubber or a similar flexible polymer.

In all embodiments of the invention one or both of the members may be provided with a suitable grip to allow a user to move the members relative to one another. Alternatively the members may be caused to move relative to one another by means of a suitable mechanism (not shown), of which a knob turning a threaded rod inside a threaded collar is one example.

The embodiments of the invention have been described with regard to a "stand-alone" planter. The invention may however also be applied to a planter module for use in a modular planting system.

In the above description and figures the planters of the invention are shown arranged with their long axis substantially vertical. A planter or planter module of the invention is not however limited to use in this orientation and the planter or planter module may be oriented such that the surfaces containing apertures may be oriented horizontally or vertically, or at any angle from the horizontal, depending on the method of mounting the planter or planter module. (The planter or planter module may be mounted in any suitable way, and detailed description of possible mounting methods has not been included in this specification.) Moreover, in the case of a planter or module according to one of figures 1.1 to 4.2, more than one face of the planter may be provided with the members 3,4 so that more than one face of the planter is provided with one or more apertures 1 of variable size.

In the embodiment of figures 1.1 to 2.2 the members 3,4 are shown as substantially flat.

However this embodiment may alternatively be implemented using members 3,4 that are curved in one dimension, by providing the members 3,4 with curvatures that are complementary to one another.

In the embodiments shown in figures 5.1 to 7.2, the housings of the planters are shown with open tops. In order to allow these planters to stand or be mounted horizontally, a simple blanking plate could be added near the top of the planter to retain soil or other growing medium within the planter housing. In all embodiments of the invention the preferred, but not only, method of planting is to insert the root balls through the variable apertures at maximum aperture, then reduce the apertures, as described in this specification, then add soil or other growing medium around the root balls through a suitable access door in the planter/planter module housing. These access doors have not been shown in this

specification.

Claims

Claims: 1. A planter or planter module having one or more apertures for plants, wherein at least one aperture has a variable size.
2. A planter or planter module as claimed in claim 1 wherein the planter comprises first and second laminar members disposed one over the other, each member containing one or more suitably sized and shaped openings such that an opening in the first member cooperates with a respective opening in the second member to define an aperture in the planter; and wherein the first member is moveable relative to the second member thereby to vary the size of the aperture.
3. A planter or planter module as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein one of the members comprises part of the housing of the planter or planter module.
4. A planter or planter module as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the first and second members are both movable relative to the housing of the planter or planter module.
5. A planter or planter module as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 4 wherein the first and second members can rotate relative to one another about an axis that is substantially perpendicular to the plane of the members.
6. A planter or planter module as claimed in claim 5 wherein the first and second members each have the form of a substantially cylindrical sleeve, and are rotatable about their axis relative to one another
7. A planter or planter module as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 4 wherein the first and second members can slide relative to one another.
8. A planter or planter module as claimed in claim 7 wherein the first and second members each have the form of a sleeve, and are axially slideable relative to one another.
9. A planter or planter module as claimed in any of claims 2 to 8 wherein at least one member has a cushioning member provided along an edge of the opening.
10. A planter or planter module substantially as described herein with reference to figures 1.1, 1.2, 2.1 and 2.2 of the accompanying figures, or substantially as described herein with reference to figures 3.1, 3.2, 4.1 and 4.2 of the accompanying figures, or substantially as described herein with reference to figures 5.1 and 5.2 of the accompanying figures or substantially as described herein with reference to figures 6.1 and 6.2 of the accompanying figures, or substantially as described herein with reference to figures 7.1 and 7.2 of the accompanying figures.