GB2085702A - Growing trays - Google Patents

Abstract

A growing tray 1 made of substantially rigid plastics material is divided into individual cells 4 by partitions 5, 6. Each cell is open at the top and has an outlet 13 at the bottom and lines of weakness 7 are provided across or along the tray so that batches of cells can be torn away leaving one side or end of each cell open, restraining means 10 being provided to minimise the risk of soil and plants falling out as tearing is effected. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in plant growing apparatus This invention relates to the provision of a tray to contain soil in which seeds or plants can be grown.

In this specification the tray is called a growing tray and the word soil is intended to cover any material in which seeds or plants can be grown for example seed growing compost.

Various prior proposals have been put forward for the provision of growing trays divided into a number of individual cells and althouth the provision of a satisfactory tray may appearto be a simple matter experience has shown that there are several difficulties. Some prior proposals have involved the provision of a growing tray which was too weak to retain its shape if it was lifted when filled with soil. Other prior proposals have suggested that cells may be broken away from the growing tray when desired but the tearing operation has usually left a jagged edge and there has been a tendency for the plants to fall out of the cells during tearing. It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved growing tray.

According to the present invention there is provided a growing tray made of substantially rigid plastics material which can be handled conveniently even when it is filled with soil, the tray being divided by longitudinal and horizontal partitions into a number of individual cells arranged in rows along the tray and columns across the tray, each cell being open at the top and having an outlet opening at the bottom, characterised in that lines of weakness are provided across or along the tray so that each column or row of cells can be torn away from the tray with a substantially clean break when it is desired to remove plants from the cells, the lines of weakness being so arranged that on tearing away a row or column of cells each cell has one side or end open to facilitate removal of the plants from the cells and further characterised in that restraining means is provided to minimise the risk of soil and plants falling out as tearing is effected.

In order that the invention may be more clearly understood reference is now directed to the accompanying drawings given by way of example in which: Figure lisa plan view of a first embodiment of a growing tray in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 is a cross section on the line A-A of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a longitudinal section on the line B-B of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a detail view of a modification; Figure 5 is a pictorial view showing a tray, with growing plants, one column of cells having been broken away; Figures 6,7 and 8 are views, similar to Figures 1, 2 and 3, of a second embodiment of a growing tray in accordance with the invention.

Referring now to Figures 1 to 3 in the drawings in more detail, it will be observed that a growing tray 1 has ends 2 and sides 3. The tray 1 is divided into rows Y of cells 4 extending along the tray and columns Z of cells 4 extending along the tray. Each cell 4 forms a compartment in which a single seed or plant may be planted in well known manner so that a single plant may grow in each cell 4. The longitudinal and transverse divisions are formed by partitions 5 and 6 respectively which may differ in height to facilitate watering. The longitudinal partitions 5 are weakened at or near to the top by the provision of slits or other lines 7 of weakness, the outer side walls being regarded as outer partitions 5.The bottom 8 of the tray 1 is also weakened at spaced apart intervals across the width of the tray by the provision of recesses 9 substantially in the same vertical plane as the upper lines 7 of weakness. These upper and lower lines of weakness 7 and 9 make it possible for a column or columns Z of cells to be broken away from the tray 1 with a substantially clean break. By a substantially clean break we mean that the break leaves a more or less smooth break line and not a jagged line. The break line is preferably vertical but may be inclined if the lines of weakness are not exactly in the same vertical plane. When it is desired to transplant plants growing in the cells 4 a column Z of cells 4 may easily be broken away from the tray 1 by manual manipulation.

The act of breaking away a column Z of cells 4 e.g.

the left hand column Z in Figure 1 will leave the right hand end of each cell shown in Figure 1 open, the partition 6' remaining in the tray. Naturally if the right hand column Z in Figure 1 be torn away it will be the left hand end of each cell that is open. This arrangement, of leaving one end of each cell of a torn away column of cells open, is to facilitate removal of the growing plants from the cells which can be effected in a sideways movement by pushing each plant out through the open end of the cell. This method of removal of the plants is important because it minimises the risk of damage to the plant during removal. Alternatively plants can be removed upwardly the open end of each cell facilitating man ipulation of each plant with its ball of soil and root complex.

To minimise the risk of plants andlor soil falling outthroughthe open end before planting out we provide restraining means to assist in holding the plants and the soil in position. In the first embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 to 3 the restraining means is in the form of projections or lugs 10 extending inwardly into the cells from the partitions 5 so that the projections or lugs 10 form substantially vertical ridges, preferably increasing in size from top to bottom, extending down the partitions 5 adjacent to the lines of weakness 7.

In a modification illustrated in Figure 4 the retaining means is provided by shaping each cell so that the open end of the cell is of reduced width after a column of cells have been torn away, the shaping of the cells being effected by inclining the walls of the partitions 5. If desired a combination of both methods may be used.

In Figures 1 to 3 the cells are more or less of tradi tional flower pot shape being fully open at the top 11 with downwardly tapering side and endwallsto a substantially closed bottom 12 with a hole or holes 13 to allow excess moisture to escape. We provide the holes 13 of predetermined size and we also pro vide a relatively weak membrane 14 surrounding the or each hole 13 so that holes 13 can easily be manu ally enlarged if desired. Preferably we surround each hole 13 with a strengthened collar which is disposed between the hole 13 and the membrane 14. In use plants are grown in the cells in the usual way then, for planting out, a column of cells is broken away from the tray e.g. by downward pressure applied to the column in question while holding the rest of the tray firmly in position.The plants may then be eased out of the cells through the open end as shown in Figure 5.

Instead of having slits 7 to weaken the partitions, cutouts or other lines of weakness may be provided and instead of having the lines of weakness extending across the tray 1 the lines of weakness may extend longitudinally so that rows of cells may be broken away instead of columns in which case the position of the projections 10 if used will be changed so that the projections are on the transverse partitions 5 and the weakening lines also in the transverse partitions 5. In a further alternative lines of weakness and restraining means may be provided in both partitions so that individual cells may be broken away.

The second embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figures 6,7 and 8 is similar to the first embodiment except that the tray is larger and more but smaller cells are provided. However in the second embodiment only the upper lines of weakness are provided. In this embodiment the slits are sufficient to ensure that a clean break can be effected. It will be noted that the restraining means are positioned so that the four columns of cells at the left hand end of the tray should be broken away from the left and the four columns of cells at the right hand end should be broken away from the right. In other words looking from either end the restraining means are positoned outwardly of the slits so that when breaking is effected the restraining means are adjacent to the open end of each cell.The same references are used in Figures 6,7,8 as in Figures 1 to 5.

Although we have illustrated trays of rectangular shape it will be understood that trays of square shape in plan may be used.

Any suitable relatively rigid plastics material may be used but we preferto use expanded polystyrene.

It will be understood that an important feature of the invention is the provision of means whereby the base hole in each cell can be manually enlarged if desired. Enlargement of the base hole greatly facilitates removal of a plant from a cell. Even with the open end or side provided in accordance with the invention removal of a plant without damaging the plant or its root system is sometimes difficult and neat removal can be facilitated by enlarging the hole by breaking the membrane manually or by a tool.

After the hole has been enlarged insertion of a finger or a rod through the hole assists in removal of the plant.

Claims (13)

1. A growing tray made of substantially rigid plastics material which can be handled conveniently even when it is filled with soil, the tray being divided by longitudinal and horizontal partitions into a number of individual cells arranged in rows along the tray and columns across the tray, each cell being open at the top and having an outlet opening at the bottom, characterised in that lines of weakness are provided across or along the tray so that each col umn or row of cells can be torn away from the tray with a substantially clean break when it is desired to remove plants from the cells, the lines of weakness being so arranged that on tearing away a row or column of cells each cell has one side or end open to facilitate removal of the plants from the cells and further characterised in that restraining means is provided to minimise the risk of soil and plants falling out as tearing is effected.

2. Atray according to claim 1 wherein upper and lower lines of weakness are provided.

3. A tray according to claim 2 wherein the upper lines of weakness are in the form of slits or the like formed in the partitions e.g. in the longitudinal partitions.

4. A tray according to claim 2 or 3 wherein the lower lines of weakness are in the form of spaced apart recesses in the bottom of the tray.

5. A tray according to claim 2 wherein the upper and lower lines of weakness are in substantially the same vertical plane.

6. A tray according to any of the preceding claims wherein some of the partitions are lower than others to facilitate watering.

7. Atray according to any of the preceding claims wherein the restraining means comprise lugs or projections extending inwardly into the cells from the partitions e.g. from the longitudinal partitions.

8. A tray according to claim 7 wherein the lugs or projections form ridges extending down the partitions.

9. A tray according to claim 8 wherein the lugs or projections increase in size from top to bottom.

10. Atray according to any of the preceding claims 1 to 6 wherein the restraining means is provided by shaping each cell so that the open end of the cell is of reduced width after a row or column of cells has been torn away.

11. A tray according to any of the preceding claims wherein each cell is fully open at the top with downwardly tapering side and end walls to a substantially closed bottom with a hole to allow excess moisture to escape, a relatively weak membrane being provided surrounding the hole so that a hole can be manually enlarged if desired.

12. A tray according to claim 11 wherein in each cell the hole at the bottom is surrounded by a marginal strengthening collar between the hole and the membrane.

13. A tray substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.