GB2327179A

GB2327179A - Cover for hanging baskets and other plant containers

Info

Publication number: GB2327179A
Application number: GB9714886A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Linda Valerie Liousias
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1997-07-15
Filing date: 1997-07-15
Publication date: 1999-01-20
Anticipated expiration: 2017-07-15
Also published as: GB9714886D0; GB2327179B

Abstract

A cover for a hanging basket or plant container comprises a bag (1) made from a single sheet of material which is folded over to form a tube, the ends of the material being secured together by a stitching seam (2). External gussets (3, 4) are formed in the sides of the bag by folding in the sides and running a stitching seam (5) along an edge to form the bottom of the bag. A tube (6) is formed at the remaining edge of the bag by folding over the edge and securing it with a stitching seam (7). A draw string (9) is threaded through the tube (6), a gap (8) being left in the tube (6) to permit the ends of the draw string to extend from the tube. In use, the bag is opened out, drawn upwards over a hanging basket or the like and then secured by pulling on the draw string.

Description

Title: COVER FOR BASKETS AND CONTAINERS This invention relates to hanging baskets and plant containers.

A major problem encountered by gardeners and horticulturalists is that of late frosts which can kill plants in hanging baskets and plant containers if they are put out of doors too early in the season. In the spring, space in glass houses is at a premium and, from the plant growers' point of view, the earlier that plants can be planted out the better, both from the point of view of creating space in the glass houses and also for achieving early flowering of the plants. However, if the plants are put out too early, they are susceptible to late frosts.

The present invention aims to provide a solution to this problem.

According to the invention, there is provided a cover for a hanging basket or plant container which comprises a bag made from a material which is permeable to light and air but which is capable of providing thermal protection, said bag being adapted to fit over a hanging basket or plant container and being provided with means for securing it in position.

Preferably, the bag is made from horticultural fleece or agricultural crop protector. This material is permeable to light and air and is capable of giving thermal protection down to -3 C.

The securing means preferably comprise a draw string or cord which is provided at an open end of the bag.

The invention will now be further described, by way of example, with reference to the drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a side elevation of one embodiment of a cover according to the invention; Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the cover illustrated in Fig. 1 but showing the cover opened out at its open end ready for use; and Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing the cover in use on a hanging basket.

Referring to the drawings, a cover according to the invention comprises a bag 1 made from horticultural fleece or agricultural crop protector. The bag is made from a single sheet of material which is folded over to form a tube, the ends of the material being secured together by a stitching seam 2. External gussets 3 and 4 are formed in the sides of the bag by folding in the sides and running a stitching seam 5 along the edge adjacent to the seam 2 to form a bottom for the bag. A tube 6 is formed at the remaining edge of the bag by folding over the edge and securing it with a stitching seam 7. A draw string or cord 9, which may be made of nylon braid, is threaded through the tube 6. A gap 8 of some 2cm is left in the seam 7 to permit the ends of the draw string 9 to project from the tube.

These ends of the draw string are secured together by a knot 10.

When the cover is required for use, its open end is opened out as shown in Fig.

2. The cover is then carefully drawn upwards over a hanging basket 11 and secured in place simply by pulling the draw string 9 to draw the open end of the bag close to chains 12 supporting the hanging basket so that the bag surrounds the basket and can give it protection. The ends of the draw string are secured together by a suitable knot. The material from which the bag is made is comparatively stiff so that it can be pulled away from plants in the hanging basket to give room for the plants to grow. To remove the cover from the basket, it is merely necessary to pull out the open end and draw the bag downwards.

It will be seen that a cover according to the invention can readily be fitted to or removed from a hanging basket. The cover can thus be fitted at night when frost is likely or under inclement weather conditions such as heavy rain or strong winds in order to protect the plants in the hanging basket. The cover also serves as protection against pests and birds. However, the cover can readily be removed during the day and/or when the weather is mild and sunny.

The cover according to the invention can also be used to protect plants in containers. In this case, canes or sticks should be pushed into soil in the container, preferably around the edges of the container, after which a cover can be fitted by lowering the cover over the canes or sticks and the container. The cover is again held in place by pulling on the draw string, which is located adjacent to the base of the container, and securing the string with a suitable knot.

The upper ends of the canes or sticks should desirably be fitted with cane protectors not only to protect the eyes of a user but also to prevent the material of the cover from being torn by the sharp ends of canes or sticks.

The cover according to the invention can be made in any suitable size depending on the size of the hanging basket or container which is to be protected. For a hanging basket of 12 inch (30cm) diameter or a container having the same diameter, the cover should be made from a sheet of material measuring 140cm by 60cm. The gussets 3 and 4 should have a width or depth of approximately 8cm and the tube 6 should have a width of about 5mm.

The cover may have any suitable colour but white is preferred. In this case, white polyester thread is desirably used to forum the stitching seams 2, 5 and 7.

The draw string or cord 9 desirably has a diameter of about lmm.

It will be seen that a cover according to the invention can readily be fitted to a hanging basket or container in order to give plants adequate protection from heavy rain, strong winds, pests, birds and frosts down to -3 C. At the same time, light and moisture can penetrate the material of the cover. Hanging baskets and plant containers can therefore be put out earlier because the plants will be adequately protected by covers according to the invention.

The invention is not restricted to the above-described embodiment but variations and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A cover for a hanging basket or plant container which comprises a bag made from a material which is permeable to light and air and which is capable of providing thermal protection, said bag being adapted to fit over a hanging basket or plant container and being provided with means for securing it in position.

2. A cover according to claim 1, wherein the bag is made from horticultural fleece or agricultural crop protector material.

3. A cover according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the securing means comprise a draw string or cord which is provided at an open end of the bag.

4. A cover according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the bag is made from a single sheet of material which is folded over to form a tube, the ends of the material being secured together.

5. A cover according to claim 4, wherein the ends of the material are joined together by stitching.

6. A cover according to claim 4 or claim 5, wherein the bag is provided with external gussets which are formed in the sides of the bag by folding in the sides and securing the folded-in sides to the bottom of the bag.

7. A cover according to claim 6, wherein the folded-in sides are secured to the bottom of the bag by a stitching seam.

8. A cover for a hanging basket or plant container, said cover being substantially as described herein with reference to the drawings.

9. A method of making a cover for a hanging basket or plant container, said method comprising folding over a single sheet of material to form a tube, securing the ends of the material by a stitching seam forming external gussets in the sides of the tube by folding and securing the folded-in sides along one edge by a stitching seam to form the bottom of the bag and forming a tube in the remaining edge of the bag by folding over the edge and securing it with a stitching seam.