AU2017100036A4 - Improved planter bag - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to bags for the cultivation of plants (including trees, flowers, vegetables, herbs and the like), typically used prior to, and for, the sale of such plants by horticultural suppliers and nurseries. There is disclosed a planter bag including a base and at least one side wall forming an enclosure suitable for containing soil and a plant, wherein the at least one side wall includes: an opening to inspect the soil and/or plant contained in the enclosure; and a flap to cover the opening, the flap having a lower edge securably fastened to the at least one side wall and one or more upper edges releasably fastened to the at least one side wall to permit selective opening and closing of the flap when inspection of the soil and/or plant is desired. 1s 4 s 1

Description

1 2017100036 10 Jan 2017

IMPROVED PLANTER BAG FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to bags for the cultivation of plants (including trees, flowers, vegetables, herbs and the like), typically used prior to, and for, the sale of such plants by horticultural suppliers and nurseries.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Horticultural suppliers may use a planter bag to grow plants in prior to sale. Planter bags may be used in place of rigid plant pots. Planter bags are often formed of laminated woven high density polyethylene or polypropylene with a circular, square or rectangular cross section. They are relatively simple to manufacture and can be folded flat for transport and storage.

One problem that is faced with existing planter bags is that it is difficult to inspect the root formation of the plants growing inside. Ensuring roots are growing correctly is necessary to ensure the roots are not restricted, which may otherwise effect the later growth and development of the plant. Removing, and then reinserting, a plant into the bag to inspect the roots is difficult, and soil loss arises.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a broad form, the invention provides a planter bag that includes an opening in at least one side wall to permit inspection of the roots.

In one form, there is provided a planter bag for the cultivation of plants, the bag including a base and at least one side wall forming an enclosure suitable for containing soil and a plant, wherein the at least one side wall includes: an opening to inspect the soil and/or plant contained in the enclosure; and a flap to cover the opening, the flap having a lower edge securably fastened to the at least 2017100036 10 Jan 2017 2 one side wall and one or more upper edges releasably fastened to the at least one side wall to permit selective opening and closing of the flap when inspection of the soil and/or plant is desired.

The flap may be releasably fastened to the at least one side wall by a hook/loop fastener, such as Velcro®. The lower edge of the flap may be securably fastened to the at least one side wall by stitching the flap to the side wall. Such an arrangement is relatively simple to manufacture and easy to use.

In a preferred form, the flap may be of a square or rectangular shape. The opening may be approximately 10-20cm wide and 15-30cm high, preferably approximately 15cm wide and 27 cm high.

The improved planter bag permits a user to look at the root growth of a plant in the bag without having to remove the plant from the bag. The soil and roots do not spill out of the opening in the bag during normal use, and the arrangement of the flap allows a user to selectively open the flap completely or only partially without significant loss of soil.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

An illustrative embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying figures. Further features and advantages of the invention will also become apparent from the accompanying description.

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a planter bag according to one embodiment of the invention, with the flap opened.

Figure 2 shows a side view of the planter bag of Figure 1.

Figure 3 shows a side view of the planter bag of Figure 1 with the flap closed.

Figure 4 shows a plan view of the planter bag of Figure 3. 3 2017100036 10 Jan 2017

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The figures show a planter bag 1 having a base 2, a side wall 3 and an open top 4. The base 2 and open top 4 are each of a circular shape, resulting in the bag 1 having a circular cross section along its height. A side seam 5 is formed along the side wall 3, and two upper handles 6, 7 are stitched (or otherwise secured) into the side wall 3.

As shown in Figure 1, an opening 8 is formed in the side wall 3. The opening 8 is located in the side wall 3 at a position that allows inspection of the root growth of the plant. The position and size of the opening 8 will be dependent upon the size of the bag 1. Preferably, the opening is approximately 10-20cm wide and 20-30cm high, more preferably approximately 15cm wide and 27 cm high. The opening is preferably positioned in the mid-height along the side wall of the bag such that the opening does not extend all the way to the base of the bag. This assists with less spillage of soil as the flap is opened. A cover taking the form of a flap 9 is secured to the lower edge of the opening 8, for example by stitching the lower edge of the flap 9 to the side wall 3. In Figures 1 and 2 the flap 9 is shown in the open position. In Figure 3 the flap 9 is shown in the closed position. A tape of hook/loop fasteners, such as Velcro®, is secured to at least the two side edges 9a, 9b of the flap 9 but preferably also the top edge of the flap 9c. The corresponding hook/loop fastener tape is secured to the side wall 3 around the opening 8. Other connection means could be used, such as a zipper, press studs, eyelets with threaded elasticised string, or buttons, but hook/loop fasteners are preferred for their ease of use. This particular arrangement of the flap covering the opening allows a user to selectively partially open the flap, or fully open the flap, without significant spillage of soil.

As shown in the figures, the planter bag may include handles 6, 7 at the open top attached to the bags to assist with both filling the bag with potting mix and transporting the filled bag. For a smaller sized bag, two handles may be used, 4 2017100036 10 Jan 2017 and for a larger sized bag, four (or more) handles may be used. The handles may be sewn or otherwise secured into the side wall 3 of the bag.

The illustrated embodiment shows a circular shaped base and cross section. However, the invention can equally work with other cross sectional shapes that allow for some or all of the same advantages as described above, for example square, rectangular, triangular, hexagonal, octagonal or elliptical cross sections. In some embodiments, the diameter/size of the base may be larger or smaller to the diameter/size of the open top.

Small holes may also be included in the side walls to assist with ventilation and growth of the plants.

The bag may be constructed from any suitable materials known to a person skilled in the art. The preferred material is laminated woven high density polyethylene or polypropylene. The bag may be constructed in three parts, the base, the side wall and the flap, with the base and side wall sewn or stitched together at the base and one vertical line along the side wall. In alternative embodiments the side wall may be comprise more than one part.

The planter bag may also include a drawstring around the top opening of the bag. A drawstring will allow the opening of the bag to be closed around the base of the plant, which would mitigate weed growth in the top of the bag and stop significant spillage of the potting mix during transport. The drawstring may be inserted into a channel formed around the top of the bag by folding down material adjacent the open top.

Reference throughout this specification to ‘one embodiment’ or ‘an embodiment’ means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearance of the phrases ‘in one embodiment’ or ‘in an embodiment’ in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. 2017100036 10 Jan 2017 5

Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more combinations. It will be appreciated that persons skilled in the art could implement the present invention in different ways to the one described above, and variations may be produced without departing from its spirit and scope.

Any discussion of documents, devices, acts or knowledge in this specification is included to explain the context of the invention. It should not be taken as an admission that any of the material forms part of the prior art base or the common general knowledge in the relevant art, in any country, on or before the filing date of the patent application to which the present specification pertains.

Claims (5)

1. THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS:

   1. A planter bag for the cultivation of plants, the bag including a base and at least one side wall forming an enclosure suitable for containing soil and a plant, wherein the at least one side wall includes: an opening to inspect the soil and/or plant contained in the enclosure; and a flap to cover the opening, the flap having a lower edge securably fastened to the at least one side wall and one or more upper edges releasably fastened to the at least one side wall to permit selective opening and closing of the flap when inspection of the soil and/or plant is desired.
2. 2. A planter bag according to claim 1, wherein the flap is releasably fastened to the at least one side wall by a hook/loop fastener, such as Velcro®.
3. 3. A planter bag according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the lower edge of the flap is securably fastened to the at least one side wall by stitching the flap to the side wall.
4. 4. A planter bag according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the flap is of a square or rectangular shape.
5. 5. A planter bag according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the opening is between approximately 10-20cm wide and 15-30cm high, preferably approximately 15cm wide and 27 cm high.