GB2257109A

GB2257109A - Label for plant pot

Info

Publication number: GB2257109A
Application number: GB9212756A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Everad Tarbatt
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1991-06-18
Filing date: 1992-06-16
Publication date: 1993-01-06
Also published as: GB9212756D0

Abstract

A plant pot system includes a pot (10) having slots (26) formed in a rim to receive a flexible label (28) having a main body (30) on which information relating to a plant in the pot (10) can be printed on one or both sides, and a locating part (32). The latter is so designed and dimensioned relative to the slots (26) that the label (28) can have the locating part (32) passed through a respective slot (26) from one side and flexed into a position preventing inadvertent removal of the label (28) from the pot (10). In that position the body (30) extends from the respective side of the pot (10) so that the information is visible. The locating part (32) comprises a head (36) which has an arcuate edge (38) and is joined to the main body (30) by a neck (34). To fit the label, one end of the head (36) is inserted through the slot (26) and the remainder of the head is then inserted by rotary movement accompanied by flexing. <IMAGE>

Description

Horticultural Container Systems This invention is concerned with improvements in or relating to container arrangements and particularly arrangements including horticultural containers such as plant pots.

According to the present invention there is provided a container arrangement including a container having a peripheral wall or walls capable of retaining particulate material in the container, and one or more apertures formed in the container wall or walls towards an upper end thereof, the arrangement- further including information display means locatable within the aperture of a selected one of the apertures to be securable to the container and have a main body part extending to one side of the respective container wall, the profile of the or each aperture and the profile of a locating part of the information display means being adapted to enable manual. location of the locating part through the aperture but to then coact to prevent inadvertent removal of the information display means from the container.

Preferably the or each aperture may be in the form of a slot extending substantially parallel to an upper edge of the container and spaced therefrom. The or each slot may have a length of 30 mm and a width of 3.25 mm, with the ends of the slot being rounded. Preferably five slots may be formed in an equi-spaced relation around the container wall or walls, and each slot may be located between a respective pair of strengthening ribs formed on the container.

The container is preferably in the form of a plant pot having an open upper end and, for example, having a circular, square or rectangular cross-section tapering from the upper to the lower end and formed of a plastics material. The or each aperture may be formed in a rim of the plant pot, and further drainage apertures may be provided at the lower end of the wall or walls of the pot.

The information display means may have the form of a label of a flexible material and of a thickness less than the width of the or each aperture in the container.

The label preferably has the locating part connected to the body part by a neck having a width less than that of the body part and less than that of the slot length, and may have a head mounted on the neck and extending beyond each side of the neck, the overall width of the head being greater than the length of the slot. The head preferably has an arcuate edge remote from the body part and a straight edge towards the body part, straight edge sections joining with the neck at each side thereof by way of an inclined edge whereby to form a recess between the neck and each side of the head.

The present invention also provides an information display for use with a container comprising a peripheral wall or walls capable of retaining particulate material in the container, and one or more apertures formed in the container wall or walls towards an upper end thereof, the information display means being locatable within the aperture or a selected one of the apertures in the container to be securable to the container and have a main body part extending to one side of the respective container wall, the profile of a locating part being adapted to enable manual location of the locating part through the aperture but to then coact with the aperture to prevent inadvertent removal of the information display means from the container.

Preferably the information display means comprises a flexible planar member having the locating part connected at one end to the body part by way of a neck of a width less than that of the body part and also less than that of the aperture. The locating part may comprise a head provided on the neck and extending beyond either side thereof. The head may have a maximum width greater than the width of the aperture, and may have an arcuate edge remote from the neck and straight edge sections towards the body part. The straight edge sections preferably each connect to the respective side of the neck by way of an inclined edge.

A through hole may be formed in the head between the neck and the arcuate edge of the head.

The invention further provides a method of attaching information display means to a container comprising a peripheral wall or walls capable of retaining particulate material in the container, and one or more apertures formed in the container wall or walls towards an upper end thereof, the information display means comprising a flexible planar member having a main body part and a locating part connected thereto at one end the locating part being connected to the body part by way of a neck of a width less than that of the body part and also less than that of the aperture, the locating part comprising a head provided on the neck and extending beyond either side thereof, the head having a maximum width greater than the width of the aperture, an arcuate edge remote from the neck and straight edge sections towards the body part, the straight edge sections each connecting to the respective side of the neck by way of an inclined edge, one side of the head being initially located through an aperture from one side of the container and the member then being effectively rotated to move the arcuate outer edge of the head through the aperture until the respective recess receives a respective end of the slot, further movement engaging the straight edge section on said one side of the head with a face of the container on the other side thereof and yet further rotation moving the arcuate edge towards engagement with the other end of the aperture, the head then being flexed to move fully through the aperture whereby the straight edge sections then can coact with the faces of the container to prevent inadvertent removal therefrom.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a plan view of a plant pot; Fig. 2 is a section on A-A of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 shows the plant pot in elevation with an information display label attached thereto; and Figs. 4A to 4D are diagrammatic illustrations of the attachment of the information display label to the plant pot.

Referring to the drawings, a plant pot 10 formed, for example, of a moulded plastics material, has a substantially circular cross-section the peripheral wall 12 of which tapers from an open upper end 14 to a closed lower end 16. The latter is provided with a plurality of drainage apertures 18 and the peripheral wall 12 is provided with further drainage apertures 20 at the lower end thereof. At the upper end the pot is formed with a peripheral rim 22 and radially extending strengthening ribs 24 equi-spaced around the periphery of the rim 22 at intervals generally of 36 .

During manufacture, the pot 10 is formed with five through slots 26 in the rim 22 with centres, the slots 26 being equi-spaced around the rim 22 with centres at 720 intervals, and each slot 26 being formed between an adjacent pair of the strengthening ribs 24. Each slot 26 is preferably formed to have a length of 30 mm and a width of 3.25 mm, with the ends of each slot 26 being rounded.

A flexible label 28, for example of plastics, is formed with a main body 30 of any suitable shape, such as a 'pear' shape as shown in the drawings, and a locating part 32 provided on one end of the body part for location through one of the slots 26.

The locating part 32 is connected to the body 30 by way of a neck 34 of a width, for example 10 mm, less than that of the body 30 (for example maximum width of 68 mm), and also thus less than that of the slot 26, and includes a head 36 provided on the other end of the neck 34. The head 36 extends to either side of the neck 34 and has a maximum width, for example 42 mm, greater than the width of the slot 26. An edge 38 of the head 36 remote from the neck 34 is arcuate, while edges 40 of the head 36 facing the body 30 are straight. The straight edges 40 each connect to the respective side of the neck by way of an inclined edge 42, whereby to define a substantially triangular recess 44 between the neck 34 and each side of the head 36. A through hole 46 is formed in the head 36 between the neck 34 and the arcuate edge 38 and substantially on a centre line of the neck 34.The edges 40 are each preferably 10 mm in length, and are preferably spaced from the body 30 by 9 mm. The spacing of the mid point of the edge 38 from the edges 40 is preferably 17 mm.

In one way of locating the label 28 on the plant pot 10, one side of the head 36 is initially located substantially endways through a respective one of the slots 26 (Fig. 4a) from externally of the pot. The label 28 is then effectively rotated to move the arcuate outer edge 38 of the head 36 through the slot 26 until the respective recess 44 locates on a respective end of the slot 26 (Fig. 4b). Thereafter, the straight edge 40 on said one side of the head 36 engages with the inner face of the container wall 12 while further effective rotation of the label 28 moves the arcuate edge 38 towards engagement with the other end of the slot 26 (Fig. 4c). Further movement of the label 28 in the same direction flexes the head 36 to move the latter fully through the slot 26.Thereafter, the label 28 cannot be pulled through the slot 26 because of engagement of the straight edges 40 with the inner face of the container wall 12 to the respective sides of the slot 26 (Fig.

4d). Although relatively difficult to remove, it will be appreciated that when the label 28 is intended to be removed from the plant pot 10, manual flexing of the head 36 will enable reverse movement of the label 28 to that described above and therefore the label 28 can be removed from the plant pot 10. The hole 46 in the label 28 enables fixing of the latter to the plant when the latter is removed from the pot 10 to be planted elsewhere.

When a plant within a suitable growing medium is contained within the pot 10, it will be appreciated that the label 28, marked to identify the plant in question, can be attached to the pot 10 as described above. The shape of the label 28 provides a relatively large surface area for display wording and photographs or the like (not shown) identifying the plant. It will be appreciated that as the labelling system is dependent on the profile of the head 36 and not the body 30, the latter can be varied in shape and size and therefore accommodate as much information as is desired. The height of the label may be 73 mm. Also the attachment of the label 28 by way of the head 36 on the neck 34 enables a person to move the label 28 relative to the pot 10 so that information can be displayed on both sides of the label 28 and be easily read.

As an alternative, the label may be located on the plant pot 10 from internally thereof with the same action as previously described. In this arrangement the straight edges 40 of the label engage with the outer face of the container wall to prevent inadvertent removal. This arrangement is particularly suitable where plant pots 10 are grouped together, when otherwise labels arranged to be suspended outwardly of the walls of the containers may be trapped between adjacent containers and be difficult to see. In the alternative arrangement, the labels can effectively be upstanding from inside the container above the growing medium, and information relevant to the plant in question can again be printed on both sides of the label, possibly on that side which beomes visible when the label is bent outwardly of the container.

There is therefore provided a plant pot arrangement by way of which a plant in the pot can be identified by a label providing a relatively large surface area for identification information, with such a label being easily attached to the pot, yet being prevented from being inadvertently removed or displaced from the pot.

The label effectively enhances the appearance of the product to be sold and yet can be removed when necessary from the pot and indeed attached to the plant when the latter is replanted. It will be appreciated however that the invention is not restricted to use with the type of plant pot described and shown and can be utilised for all sizes and shapes of containers of the horticultural type, in any suitable material, both rigid and non-rigid.

Also, the size and number of the slots in the pot may be varied, provided the slots are profiled to be able to cooperate with the profile of the label.

Further it is to be appreciated that the shape and configuration of the label is not restricted to that described and shown, again provided the profile of the label is such as to be able to cooperate with the slots in the pot.

Various other modifications may be made without departing from the invention.

Claims

Claims:

1. A container arrangement including a container having a peripheral wall or walls capable of retaining particulate material in the container, and one or more apertures formed in the container wall or walls towards an upper end thereof, the arrangement further including information display means locatable within the aperture of a selected one of the apertures to be securable to the container and have a main body part extending to one side of the respective container wall, the profile of the or each aperture and the profile of a locating part of the information display means being adapted to enable manual location of the locating part through the aperture but to then coact to prevent inadvertent removal of the information display means from the container.

2. An arrangement according to Claim 1, wherein the or each aperture is in the form of a slot extending substantially parallel to an upper edge of the container and spaced therefrom.

3. An arrangement according to Claim 2, wherein the or each slot has a length of 30 mm and a width of 3.25 mm, with the ends of the slot being rounded.

4. An arrangement according to Claim 2 or 3, wherein five slots are formed in an equi-spaced relation around the container wall or walls.

5. An arrangement according to any of Claims 2 to 4, wherein each slot is located between a respective pair of strengthening ribs formed on the container.

6. An arrangement according to any of the preceding Claims, wherein the container is in the form of a plant pot having an open upper end and a cross-section tapering from the upper to the lower end.

7. An arrangement according to Claim 6, wherein the or each aperture is formed in a rim of the plant pot.

8. An arrangement according to Claim 6 or 7, wherein the pot has a circular, square or rectangular cross-section.

9. An arrangement according to any of the preceding Claims, wherein the container is formed of a plastics material.

10. An arrangement according to any of the preceding Claims, wherein the information display means has the form of a label of a flexible material and of a thick ness less than the width of the or each aperture in the container.

11. An arrangement according to Claim 10, wherein the locating part of the label is connected to the body part by a neck having a width less than that of the body part and less than that of the slot length.

12. An arrangement according to Claim 11, wherein the locating part has a head mounted on the neck and extending beyond each side of the neck, the overall width of the head being greater than the length of the slot.

13. An arrangement according to Claim 12, wherein the head has an arcuate edge remote from the body part and a straight edge towards the body part, straight edge sections joining with the neck at each side thereof by way of an inclined edge whereby to form a recess between the neck and each side of the head.

14. An arrangement according to any of Claims 10 to 13, wherein the label is formed of a plastics material.

15. An information display for use with a container comprising a peripheral wall or walls capable of retaining particulate material in the container, and one or more apertures formed in the container wall or walls towards an upper end thereof, the information display means being locatable within the aperture or a selected one of the apertures in the container to be securable to the container and have a main body part extending to one side of the respective container wall, the profile of a locating part being adapted to enable manual location of the locating part through the aperture but to then coact with the aperture to prevent inadvertent removal of the information display means from the container.

16. A display according to Claim 15, comprising a flexible planar member having the locating part connected at one end to the body part by way of a neck of a width less than that of the body part and also less than that of the aperture.

17. A display according to Claim 16, wherein the locating part comprises a head provided on the neck and extending beyond either side thereof.

18. A display according to Claim 17, wherein the head has a maximum width greater than the width of the aperture.

19. A display according to Claim 17 or 18, wherein the head has an arcuate edge remote from the neck and straight edge sections towards the body part.

20. A display according to Claim 19, wherein the straight edge sections each connect to the respective side of the neck by way of an inclined edge.

21. A display according to Claim 19 or 20, wherein a through hole is formed in the head between the neck and the arcuate edge of the head.

22. A display according to any of Claims 15 to 21, wherein the label is formed of a plastics material.

23. A display according to any of Claims 15 to 22, wherein the label is printed on one or both sides thereof with selected information.

24. A method of attaching information display means to a container comprising a peripheral wall or walls capable of retaining particulate material in the container, and one or more apertures formed in the container wall or walls towards an upper end thereof, the information display means comprising a flexible planar member having a main body part and a locating part connected thereto at one end the locating part being connected to the body part by way of a neck of a width less than that of the body part and also less than that of the aperture, the locating part comprising a head provided on the neck and extending beyond either side thereof, the head having a maximum width greater than the width of the aperture, an arcuate edge remote from the neck and straight edge sections towards the body part, the straight edge sections each connecting to the respective side of the neck by way of an inclined edge, one side of the head being initially located through an aperture from one side of the container and the member then being effectively rotated to move the arcuate outer edge of the head through the aperture until the respective recess receives a respective end of the slot, further movement engaging the straight edge section on said one side of the head with a face of the container on the other side thereof and yet further rotation moving the arcuate edge towards engagement with the other end of the aperture, the head then being flexed to move fully through the aperture whereby the straight edge sections then can coact with the faces of the container to prevent inadvertent removal therefrom.

25. A container arrangement substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

26. An information display for use with a container substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

27. A method of attaching information display means to a container substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

28. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter disclosed in the foregoing Specification or Claims and/or shown in the drawings, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding Claims.