CA2147222A1 - Container for plants - Google Patents
Container for plantsInfo
- Publication number
- CA2147222A1 CA2147222A1 CA 2147222 CA2147222A CA2147222A1 CA 2147222 A1 CA2147222 A1 CA 2147222A1 CA 2147222 CA2147222 CA 2147222 CA 2147222 A CA2147222 A CA 2147222A CA 2147222 A1 CA2147222 A1 CA 2147222A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- container
- soil
- support member
- extending
- bottom wall
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
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
- A01G27/00—Self-acting watering devices, e.g. for flower-pots
- A01G27/04—Self-acting watering devices, e.g. for flower-pots using wicks or the like
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Water Supply & Treatment (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Environmental Sciences (AREA)
- Cultivation Receptacles Or Flower-Pots, Or Pots For Seedlings (AREA)
Abstract
There is provided a plant container wherein there is an insert adapted to be placed within the container, the insert having a soil supporting member spaced from the bottom of the container, the soil supporting member having a plurality of apertures formed therein. There is at least a first liquid outlet from the container which is located between the bottom wall and the soil supporting member and also provided are gas communication means to permit gaseous communication to a space intermediate the liquid outlet and the soil supporting member.
Description
- ~1 47222 The present invention relates to a gardening system and a container for plants.
Container planting is well known and widely practiced. Its uses vary from locations wherein other types of gardening are impossible such as in urban settings including high rise buildings to its use for decorative and aesthetic purposes such as flower boxes. Container gardening is also widely practiced for purposes of space utilization and design such as for patios, solariums and the like.
To date, most container gardening has consisted of placing a desired amount of soil in a container and using it for plants. There have been attempts to devise specific types of structures and thus, one may refer to Canadian Patent 263,518 which discloses a flower box which permits a circulation of air and drainage. Structures for attaching the containers are also known such as that shown in Canadian Patent Application 2,003,178. Feeding systems for plants are also known such as shown in Canadian Patent 2,018,923.
However, to date, none of these systems have taught an integrated gardening system which addresses the needs for all plants.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel container for plants wherein an integrated approach to plant growth is provided.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a novel gardening system which helps to maximize plant growth.
According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a plant container which comprises a bottom wall and at least one side wall extending upwardly therefrom. An insert having a soil supporting member which is spaced from the bottom wall and which has a plurality of apertures formed therein. There is also provided a liquid outlet located between the bottom wall and soil supporting member and a gas inlet or communication means to permit gaseous communication to a space intermediate the liquid outlet and the soil supporting member.
In a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a gardening system which comprises a container having a bottom wall and a side wall extending upwardly therefrom with a soil support member having apertures therein spaced from the bottom wall to define a space between the bottom wall and the soil support member. A
liquid outlet extends from a lower portion of the space while gas inlet means communicates with an upper portion of the space. A non-soil growing medium is placed on the soil support member and on top thereof, a soil is placed. An upper support member extends transversely across an upper portion of the container and there is at least one vertical plant support member extending from the soil support member and being supported both by the soil support member and the upper support member.
~I.q7~22 The container of the present invention may be formed in any number of different configurations. Thus, it may be a conventional rectangular configuration or if desired, it could be formed into other configurations for esthetic purposes. The functioning of the container, however, irrespective of the shape, is the same.
In one particular embodiment of the invention, the container is adapted to be divided into different sections wherein each section may accommodate different types of plants. The plants may all have the same growing requirements or alternatively, different soil mediums may be provided for varying plant requirements.
A feature of the present invention is the use of an insert in the container and which insert is adapted to support the soil in a spaced relationship from the bottom of the container. The bottom of the container is designed to retain a certain amount of liquid and air in the bottom thereof. As such, the base of the container will preferably be of a waterproof nature.
As mentioned, the insert is adapted to support the soil in a spaced relationship from the bottom of the container. As such, there may be provided support means on the walls of the container for supporting the insert in such a relationship. Preferably, the insert includes one or more cavities of any shape and form therein and which cavities extend downwardly into an area where water may be contained.
These cavities are adapted to be filled with a non-soil ~14722~
medium as will be seen in greater detail hereinbelow.
One may use a single insert or a plurality of such inserts. The inserts may be of a different size and thus allow for different types of plants. The inserts will contain a plurality of apertures to permit passage of roots therethrough. Preferably, the aperture area will consist of between 25 to 85% of the total area of the insert.
There are provided various fluid communication means between the space between the soil support member and the exterior of the container. Preferably, there is provided at least one communication means for liquid and one communication means for gas. Thus, when the plants are growing, a lower portion of the space between the soil support member and the container bottom is adapted to contain water with an upper portion of the space adapted to permanently contain air. For this reason, the water outlet is situated such that when the water reaches a certain level (below the level of the soil support member) it will automatically overflow such that the air space is maintained and the overflow of water can be kept aside in another container for the next watering, so that no minerals or micro-organisms from the soil should ever be lost from the container or network of containers. Such a liquid outlet may be incorporated by a conduit extending through either the bottom wall or a side wall.
There is also provided a gaseous communication means such that air may freely flow in the space between the soil support member and the water. Again, a suitable conduit may be provided which extends upwardly through the soil or alternatively, may extend through a side or end wall of the container.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, there is provided a second outlet which is situated proximate the bottom wall of the container. This second liquid outlet can serve two functions. In a first roll, it can provide liquid communication between adjacent containers when a plurality of such containers are employed. Secondly, it can serve as a liquid outlet during the initial stages of plant growth when a lesser amount of water may be desired in the bottom of the container. During the later stages of plant growth, this second liquid outlet can be closed to allow water retention in the space between the soil support member and the bottom wall of the container.
The container of the present invention is intended to be suitable for growing a number of plants and many of which such plants need support - i.e. tomatos, etc. To this end, there is provided a support arrangement which utilizes a two point support. A first point of support is provided by the insert in the container while there may be an upper support member which extends between container walls and to which the plant support member is secured.
The system of the present invention includes an arrangement wherein a non-soil medium such as vermiculite, perlite, a particulated foam, etc. is utilized so as to be - ~14~222 in contact with the water in the container and on top of which soil is placed. In conjunction with the above, various wicking means such as strips of material could be provided between the apertures and the bottom of the container to allow for moisture to enter the soil by capillary action when roots are not mature enough for water uptake from the bottom of the container.
The material of which the container is formed may be any suitable. Thus, one could employ various woods, plastics, ceramics, metals, etc. Desirably, those portions which are continuously in contact with water such as the insert are made of an inert and water resistant material such as a plastic or styrofoam.
The containers may be linked together either in a vertical or horizontal manner or combinations thereof.
Having thus generally described the invention, reference will be made to the accompanying drawings illustrating an embodiment thereof, in which:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a plurality of containers in an interconnected system;
Figure 2 is a perspective view, partially in cutaway, of a container according to the present invention;
Figure 3 is a top plan view thereof;
Figure 4 is a side elevational view, partially in cutaway, of the container; and Figure 5 is a sectional view taken along the lines 5-5 of Figure 4.
Referring to the drawings in greater detail and by reference characters thereto, there is illustrated a container according to the present invention and which container is generally designated by reference numeral 10.
Container 10, in the illustrated embodiment is of a generally rectangular configuration and has a bottom wall 12, a pair of opposed side walls 14 and 16, and opposed end walls 18 and 20. Mounted on the interior surface of side walls 14 and 16 are side support members 22 and 24 (Figures and 6) respectively. Side support members 22 and 24 extend longitudinally along the inner surface of side walls 14 and 16.
A plurality of inserts 26, are adapted to be placed in the interior of container 10. Each of the inserts is similar and thus, only one wlll be described in detail herein.
Insert 26 includes a planar top wall 28, a lower surface 30 (Figure 5) thereof being adapted to seat on side support members 22 and 24. Insert 26 also includes a pair of cavities 32 and 34; each of cavities 32 and 34 is substantially identical and only one will be described herein.
Cavity 32 is defined by a pair of opposed side walls 36 and 38 and opposed end walls 40 and 42. A bottom wall 45 is angled between side walls 36 and 38. In this respect, it will be noticed that side wall 36 extends downwardly a distance greater than side wall 38.
-- 21~7222 A plurality of apertures 44 are provided in top wall 28 as well as in end walls 40, 42; side walls 36 and 38; and bottom wall 45 for reasons which will become apparent hereinbelow.
Extending through end wall 18 is a conduit 46. A
similar conduit may extend through end wall 20 (Figure 4).
Conduit 46 provides fluid communication between the interior of container 10 and the exterior thereof. In this respect, conduit 46 is spaced upwardly from bottom wall 12.
An upper conduit 48 extends from planar top wall 28 upwardly to near the top of wall 14, again for reasons which will become apparent hereinbelow. In this respect, it will be noted that conduit 48 is placed such that fluid communication is provided with one or more of apertures 44.
A lower conduit 50 extends through bottom wall 12 and also provides fluid communication between the interior and exterior. In this respect, it will be noted that the upper end of conduit 50 is spaced below planar upper wall 28 and above conduit 46.
As may be seen in Figure 2, a transparent insert 52 is provided in side wall 16. Transparent insert 52 is preferably located proximate the bottom of the container - i.e. in the space below top wall 28 of insert 26.
In the illustrated embodiment, the container also includes a plurality of transverse dividers indicated by reference numeral 54. Transverse dividers 54 extend between side walls 14 and 16 and are supported by top wall 28 of -- 21~7222 inserts 26.
A plurality of upper support members 56 are provided with each upper support member 56 extending between a pair of transverse dividers 54 or a transverse divider 54 and an end wall as applicable.
Each upper support member 56 includes a tenon 58 and a mortise 60 at an opposed end thereof. The end containing mortise 60 includes a groove 62 formed in the bottom thereof such that upper support member 56 will seat on transverse divider 54 or end wall 18, as appropriate.
Upper support members 56 also have one or more apertures 64 formed therein. Apertures 64 are sized to receive vertically extending plant supports 66. In this respect, it will be noted that supports 66 extend through apertures 64 and also are adapted to seat in one of the apertures 44 provided in top wall 28.
Supports 66 also include apertures 68 through which one or more strings 70 may extend.
As shown in Figures 4 and 5, a screen 72 may be provided on the upper surface of top wall 28 for reasons which will become apparent hereinbelow.
In operation, inserts 26 are placed inside the container with top wall 28 being supported by side support members 22 and 24. The arrangement is such that after being placed in the container, the bottom wall 45 of cavities 32 and 34 is spaced from bottom wall 12 of container 10. A
soil-less medium 74 such a vermiculite is then placed within ~147222 cavities 32 and 34 and screen 72 placed thereover. A
further layer of non-soil medium 74 may then be placed on top of screen 72 (see Figure 6).
Subsequently, soil 76 is placed on top of non-soil medium 74.
Initially, plants or seeds are placed in soil 76 with a minimum amount of water being provided to the bottom of container 10. Subsequently, after roots have grown sufficiently to pass through apertures 44 such that they are visible through transparent insert 52, conduit 46 would have a plug placed therein and water would be permitted to fill the bottom of the container up to the level of the top of conduit 50. Any excess water would, of course, flow through conduit 50. In this respect, it is noted that conduit 50 is below the level of top wall 28.
In growth, different types of roots will form and which roots will spread throughout soil 76. Certain roots, are water seeking and will extend through the soil-less medium 76 in order to exit the lower member through its apertures and down into the water in the bottom of container 10. Still other roots will form and occupy the space between the top of the water in the container and the top wall 28 - i.e. in the portion wherein air is provided.
Roots specialized for seeking nutrients will grow in the planting medium.
It will be seen from the above that there is provided a container which provides both soil with its 21 ~7222 nutrients, an aqueous zone, and an air zone. Combinations of these various zones allow for the maximum development of the plant into a well balanced soil ecosystem contained in the planter.
The system also provides for maximum flexibility.
Thus, with the use of transverse dividers 54, one can grow different plants having different requirements in the same container. As may be seen, the support members are extremely solid as they are supported at two different points.
As shown in Figure 1, a plurality of the containers may be connected in a horizontal manner. Thus, in a typical arrangement on a depth D having railing R, a plurality of containers 10 are provided and suitably supported. Conduits 46 may be utilized for interconnecting the containers to provide for free passage of water from one container to another. If desired, vertical connections could also be employed.
Still further, it will be understood that conduits 46 could be used to direct any excess water to a container for reuse. Thus, in watering the plants in container 10, any nutrients leeched from the soil by the water as it passes therethrough will collect in the bottom and it would be desirable that any excess water be collected for such reuse.
It will also be understood that the bottom of the containers, could, if desired, have different forms such ~1~7222 that one end of the container would have a greater depth of water than the other end. This would permit the placing of plants having different requirements in the same box. Thus, carried to the extreme, one could have, for example, tomato plants at one end of the container wherein the water reservoir is relatively deep while at the other end one could grow plants requiring arid conditions such as cacti.
It will be understood that the above described embodiments are for purposes of illustration only and that changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
Container planting is well known and widely practiced. Its uses vary from locations wherein other types of gardening are impossible such as in urban settings including high rise buildings to its use for decorative and aesthetic purposes such as flower boxes. Container gardening is also widely practiced for purposes of space utilization and design such as for patios, solariums and the like.
To date, most container gardening has consisted of placing a desired amount of soil in a container and using it for plants. There have been attempts to devise specific types of structures and thus, one may refer to Canadian Patent 263,518 which discloses a flower box which permits a circulation of air and drainage. Structures for attaching the containers are also known such as that shown in Canadian Patent Application 2,003,178. Feeding systems for plants are also known such as shown in Canadian Patent 2,018,923.
However, to date, none of these systems have taught an integrated gardening system which addresses the needs for all plants.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel container for plants wherein an integrated approach to plant growth is provided.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a novel gardening system which helps to maximize plant growth.
According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a plant container which comprises a bottom wall and at least one side wall extending upwardly therefrom. An insert having a soil supporting member which is spaced from the bottom wall and which has a plurality of apertures formed therein. There is also provided a liquid outlet located between the bottom wall and soil supporting member and a gas inlet or communication means to permit gaseous communication to a space intermediate the liquid outlet and the soil supporting member.
In a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a gardening system which comprises a container having a bottom wall and a side wall extending upwardly therefrom with a soil support member having apertures therein spaced from the bottom wall to define a space between the bottom wall and the soil support member. A
liquid outlet extends from a lower portion of the space while gas inlet means communicates with an upper portion of the space. A non-soil growing medium is placed on the soil support member and on top thereof, a soil is placed. An upper support member extends transversely across an upper portion of the container and there is at least one vertical plant support member extending from the soil support member and being supported both by the soil support member and the upper support member.
~I.q7~22 The container of the present invention may be formed in any number of different configurations. Thus, it may be a conventional rectangular configuration or if desired, it could be formed into other configurations for esthetic purposes. The functioning of the container, however, irrespective of the shape, is the same.
In one particular embodiment of the invention, the container is adapted to be divided into different sections wherein each section may accommodate different types of plants. The plants may all have the same growing requirements or alternatively, different soil mediums may be provided for varying plant requirements.
A feature of the present invention is the use of an insert in the container and which insert is adapted to support the soil in a spaced relationship from the bottom of the container. The bottom of the container is designed to retain a certain amount of liquid and air in the bottom thereof. As such, the base of the container will preferably be of a waterproof nature.
As mentioned, the insert is adapted to support the soil in a spaced relationship from the bottom of the container. As such, there may be provided support means on the walls of the container for supporting the insert in such a relationship. Preferably, the insert includes one or more cavities of any shape and form therein and which cavities extend downwardly into an area where water may be contained.
These cavities are adapted to be filled with a non-soil ~14722~
medium as will be seen in greater detail hereinbelow.
One may use a single insert or a plurality of such inserts. The inserts may be of a different size and thus allow for different types of plants. The inserts will contain a plurality of apertures to permit passage of roots therethrough. Preferably, the aperture area will consist of between 25 to 85% of the total area of the insert.
There are provided various fluid communication means between the space between the soil support member and the exterior of the container. Preferably, there is provided at least one communication means for liquid and one communication means for gas. Thus, when the plants are growing, a lower portion of the space between the soil support member and the container bottom is adapted to contain water with an upper portion of the space adapted to permanently contain air. For this reason, the water outlet is situated such that when the water reaches a certain level (below the level of the soil support member) it will automatically overflow such that the air space is maintained and the overflow of water can be kept aside in another container for the next watering, so that no minerals or micro-organisms from the soil should ever be lost from the container or network of containers. Such a liquid outlet may be incorporated by a conduit extending through either the bottom wall or a side wall.
There is also provided a gaseous communication means such that air may freely flow in the space between the soil support member and the water. Again, a suitable conduit may be provided which extends upwardly through the soil or alternatively, may extend through a side or end wall of the container.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, there is provided a second outlet which is situated proximate the bottom wall of the container. This second liquid outlet can serve two functions. In a first roll, it can provide liquid communication between adjacent containers when a plurality of such containers are employed. Secondly, it can serve as a liquid outlet during the initial stages of plant growth when a lesser amount of water may be desired in the bottom of the container. During the later stages of plant growth, this second liquid outlet can be closed to allow water retention in the space between the soil support member and the bottom wall of the container.
The container of the present invention is intended to be suitable for growing a number of plants and many of which such plants need support - i.e. tomatos, etc. To this end, there is provided a support arrangement which utilizes a two point support. A first point of support is provided by the insert in the container while there may be an upper support member which extends between container walls and to which the plant support member is secured.
The system of the present invention includes an arrangement wherein a non-soil medium such as vermiculite, perlite, a particulated foam, etc. is utilized so as to be - ~14~222 in contact with the water in the container and on top of which soil is placed. In conjunction with the above, various wicking means such as strips of material could be provided between the apertures and the bottom of the container to allow for moisture to enter the soil by capillary action when roots are not mature enough for water uptake from the bottom of the container.
The material of which the container is formed may be any suitable. Thus, one could employ various woods, plastics, ceramics, metals, etc. Desirably, those portions which are continuously in contact with water such as the insert are made of an inert and water resistant material such as a plastic or styrofoam.
The containers may be linked together either in a vertical or horizontal manner or combinations thereof.
Having thus generally described the invention, reference will be made to the accompanying drawings illustrating an embodiment thereof, in which:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a plurality of containers in an interconnected system;
Figure 2 is a perspective view, partially in cutaway, of a container according to the present invention;
Figure 3 is a top plan view thereof;
Figure 4 is a side elevational view, partially in cutaway, of the container; and Figure 5 is a sectional view taken along the lines 5-5 of Figure 4.
Referring to the drawings in greater detail and by reference characters thereto, there is illustrated a container according to the present invention and which container is generally designated by reference numeral 10.
Container 10, in the illustrated embodiment is of a generally rectangular configuration and has a bottom wall 12, a pair of opposed side walls 14 and 16, and opposed end walls 18 and 20. Mounted on the interior surface of side walls 14 and 16 are side support members 22 and 24 (Figures and 6) respectively. Side support members 22 and 24 extend longitudinally along the inner surface of side walls 14 and 16.
A plurality of inserts 26, are adapted to be placed in the interior of container 10. Each of the inserts is similar and thus, only one wlll be described in detail herein.
Insert 26 includes a planar top wall 28, a lower surface 30 (Figure 5) thereof being adapted to seat on side support members 22 and 24. Insert 26 also includes a pair of cavities 32 and 34; each of cavities 32 and 34 is substantially identical and only one will be described herein.
Cavity 32 is defined by a pair of opposed side walls 36 and 38 and opposed end walls 40 and 42. A bottom wall 45 is angled between side walls 36 and 38. In this respect, it will be noticed that side wall 36 extends downwardly a distance greater than side wall 38.
-- 21~7222 A plurality of apertures 44 are provided in top wall 28 as well as in end walls 40, 42; side walls 36 and 38; and bottom wall 45 for reasons which will become apparent hereinbelow.
Extending through end wall 18 is a conduit 46. A
similar conduit may extend through end wall 20 (Figure 4).
Conduit 46 provides fluid communication between the interior of container 10 and the exterior thereof. In this respect, conduit 46 is spaced upwardly from bottom wall 12.
An upper conduit 48 extends from planar top wall 28 upwardly to near the top of wall 14, again for reasons which will become apparent hereinbelow. In this respect, it will be noted that conduit 48 is placed such that fluid communication is provided with one or more of apertures 44.
A lower conduit 50 extends through bottom wall 12 and also provides fluid communication between the interior and exterior. In this respect, it will be noted that the upper end of conduit 50 is spaced below planar upper wall 28 and above conduit 46.
As may be seen in Figure 2, a transparent insert 52 is provided in side wall 16. Transparent insert 52 is preferably located proximate the bottom of the container - i.e. in the space below top wall 28 of insert 26.
In the illustrated embodiment, the container also includes a plurality of transverse dividers indicated by reference numeral 54. Transverse dividers 54 extend between side walls 14 and 16 and are supported by top wall 28 of -- 21~7222 inserts 26.
A plurality of upper support members 56 are provided with each upper support member 56 extending between a pair of transverse dividers 54 or a transverse divider 54 and an end wall as applicable.
Each upper support member 56 includes a tenon 58 and a mortise 60 at an opposed end thereof. The end containing mortise 60 includes a groove 62 formed in the bottom thereof such that upper support member 56 will seat on transverse divider 54 or end wall 18, as appropriate.
Upper support members 56 also have one or more apertures 64 formed therein. Apertures 64 are sized to receive vertically extending plant supports 66. In this respect, it will be noted that supports 66 extend through apertures 64 and also are adapted to seat in one of the apertures 44 provided in top wall 28.
Supports 66 also include apertures 68 through which one or more strings 70 may extend.
As shown in Figures 4 and 5, a screen 72 may be provided on the upper surface of top wall 28 for reasons which will become apparent hereinbelow.
In operation, inserts 26 are placed inside the container with top wall 28 being supported by side support members 22 and 24. The arrangement is such that after being placed in the container, the bottom wall 45 of cavities 32 and 34 is spaced from bottom wall 12 of container 10. A
soil-less medium 74 such a vermiculite is then placed within ~147222 cavities 32 and 34 and screen 72 placed thereover. A
further layer of non-soil medium 74 may then be placed on top of screen 72 (see Figure 6).
Subsequently, soil 76 is placed on top of non-soil medium 74.
Initially, plants or seeds are placed in soil 76 with a minimum amount of water being provided to the bottom of container 10. Subsequently, after roots have grown sufficiently to pass through apertures 44 such that they are visible through transparent insert 52, conduit 46 would have a plug placed therein and water would be permitted to fill the bottom of the container up to the level of the top of conduit 50. Any excess water would, of course, flow through conduit 50. In this respect, it is noted that conduit 50 is below the level of top wall 28.
In growth, different types of roots will form and which roots will spread throughout soil 76. Certain roots, are water seeking and will extend through the soil-less medium 76 in order to exit the lower member through its apertures and down into the water in the bottom of container 10. Still other roots will form and occupy the space between the top of the water in the container and the top wall 28 - i.e. in the portion wherein air is provided.
Roots specialized for seeking nutrients will grow in the planting medium.
It will be seen from the above that there is provided a container which provides both soil with its 21 ~7222 nutrients, an aqueous zone, and an air zone. Combinations of these various zones allow for the maximum development of the plant into a well balanced soil ecosystem contained in the planter.
The system also provides for maximum flexibility.
Thus, with the use of transverse dividers 54, one can grow different plants having different requirements in the same container. As may be seen, the support members are extremely solid as they are supported at two different points.
As shown in Figure 1, a plurality of the containers may be connected in a horizontal manner. Thus, in a typical arrangement on a depth D having railing R, a plurality of containers 10 are provided and suitably supported. Conduits 46 may be utilized for interconnecting the containers to provide for free passage of water from one container to another. If desired, vertical connections could also be employed.
Still further, it will be understood that conduits 46 could be used to direct any excess water to a container for reuse. Thus, in watering the plants in container 10, any nutrients leeched from the soil by the water as it passes therethrough will collect in the bottom and it would be desirable that any excess water be collected for such reuse.
It will also be understood that the bottom of the containers, could, if desired, have different forms such ~1~7222 that one end of the container would have a greater depth of water than the other end. This would permit the placing of plants having different requirements in the same box. Thus, carried to the extreme, one could have, for example, tomato plants at one end of the container wherein the water reservoir is relatively deep while at the other end one could grow plants requiring arid conditions such as cacti.
It will be understood that the above described embodiments are for purposes of illustration only and that changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
Claims (14)
1. A plant container comprising a bottom wall and at least one side wall extending upwardly therefrom, at least one insert within said container, said insert having a soil supporting member, said soil supporting member being spaced from said bottom wall having a plurality of apertures formed therein, a liquid outlet from said container, said liquid outlet being located between said bottom wall and said soil supporting member, and gas communication means to permit gaseous communication to a space intermediate said liquid outlet and said soil supporting member.
2. The container of Claim 1 wherein said insert has an upper horizontally extending wall forming said soil supporting member, at least one cavity extending downwardly from said upper horizontal wall, and a plurality of apertures in walls defining said cavity.
3. The container of Claim 2 wherein the bottom of said cavity is spaced from said bottom wall of said container.
4. The container of Claim 1, said container including a second liquid outlet, said second liquid outlet being spaced from said bottom wall a distance different from said first liquid outlet.
5. The container of Claim 1 wherein said gas communication means comprises a conduit extending between one of said apertures in said soil supporting surface and the exterior of the container.
6. The container of Claim 1 wherein said container is of a substantially rectangular configuration having a pair of side walls and a pair of end walls, and a plurality of transverse dividers extending between said side walls, said transverse dividers having a depth extending upwardly from said soil supporting member.
7. The container of Claim 6 further including at least one upper support member, said upper support member extending substantially parallel to said side walls.
8. The container of Claim 7 further including at least one plant support member, said plant support member being supported by said upper support member and at a second point by said insert.
9. The container of Claim 1 further including a transparent section in said side wall, said transparent section permitting visual inspection of a portion of said container beneath said soil supporting member.
10. The container of Claim 1 further including a screen member placed on top of said soil supporting member.
11. The container of Claim 2 wherein said aperture is comprised between 25% and 75% of the total area of said soil supporting member and said walls.
12. A gardening system comprising a container having a bottom wall and a side wall extending upwardly therefrom, a soil support member having apertures therein spaced from said bottom wall to define a space between said bottom wall and said soil support member, a liquid outlet extending from a lower portion of said space, gas inlet means to an upper portion of said space, a non soil growing medium on said soil support member, a soil on said non-soil medium, an upper support member extending transversely across an upper portion of said container, and at least one vertical plant support member extending from said soil support member and being supported by both said soil support member and said upper support member.
13. The system of Claim 12 wherein said non-soil growing medium is vermiculite.
14. The system of Claim 12 wherein said soil support member comprises a upper horizontally extending wall and at least one cavity extending downwardly therefrom, said cavity containing said non-soil medium therein.
Priority Applications (3)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2147222 CA2147222A1 (en) | 1995-04-18 | 1995-04-18 | Container for plants |
| PCT/CA1996/000243 WO1996032834A1 (en) | 1995-04-18 | 1996-04-17 | Container for plants |
| AU52668/96A AU5266896A (en) | 1995-04-18 | 1996-04-17 | Container for plants |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2147222 CA2147222A1 (en) | 1995-04-18 | 1995-04-18 | Container for plants |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2147222A1 true CA2147222A1 (en) | 1996-10-19 |
Family
ID=4155671
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2147222 Abandoned CA2147222A1 (en) | 1995-04-18 | 1995-04-18 | Container for plants |
Country Status (3)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| AU (1) | AU5266896A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2147222A1 (en) |
| WO (1) | WO1996032834A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO1999040775A1 (en) * | 1998-02-13 | 1999-08-19 | Marc Andre Valiquette | Improvements in plant husbandry |
| NL1009780C2 (en) | 1998-07-31 | 2000-02-01 | Peter Hubertus Elisabeth Van D | Plant pot. |
Family Cites Families (9)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE2061201A1 (en) * | 1969-12-12 | 1971-06-24 | Svanebergs Miljoefoerbaettring | Plant growing box |
| FR2088657A5 (en) * | 1970-04-21 | 1972-01-07 | Meynier Pierre | |
| IT1039896B (en) * | 1975-07-17 | 1979-12-10 | Reflex Spa | POT FOR PLANTS |
| FR2485329A1 (en) * | 1980-06-27 | 1981-12-31 | Techniflore Ste Civile | Multiple plant-growing trough - is supported by hollow feet with apertures in water below trough bottom |
| ES294250Y (en) * | 1986-05-09 | 1987-10-16 | Cabre Roige Luis | PERFECTED GARDENER |
| US4897958A (en) * | 1988-10-24 | 1990-02-06 | Ronald Brydges | Window-box and support |
| CA2018923A1 (en) * | 1990-06-13 | 1991-12-13 | Shan P. Liou | Flower pot with automatic water feeding system |
| IT1262070B (en) * | 1993-02-10 | 1996-06-19 | Bruno Buora | SELF-CIRCUITING DEVICE FOR POT AND SIMILAR CULTURES |
| DE9314223U1 (en) * | 1993-09-21 | 1993-11-25 | Gebr. Lippert GmbH, 63755 Alzenau | Flower box |
-
1995
- 1995-04-18 CA CA 2147222 patent/CA2147222A1/en not_active Abandoned
-
1996
- 1996-04-17 WO PCT/CA1996/000243 patent/WO1996032834A1/en active Application Filing
- 1996-04-17 AU AU52668/96A patent/AU5266896A/en not_active Abandoned
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| WO1996032834A1 (en) | 1996-10-24 |
| AU5266896A (en) | 1996-11-07 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| FZDE | Dead |