GB2361165A

GB2361165A - Enclosure for growing plants

Info

Publication number: GB2361165A
Application number: GB0009022A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Elizabeth Jane Jenkins
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-04-12
Filing date: 2000-04-12
Publication date: 2001-10-17
Anticipated expiration: 2020-04-12
Also published as: GB2361165B; GB0009022D0

Abstract

An enclosure (1) for growing plants comprises a peripheral wall (2) enclosing a rectangular area (4), and a light-transmitting element (6, Fig 11) to cover over the area enclosed by the peripheral wall so as to define a chamber in which to grow one or more plants. The peripheral wall (2) comprises an inflatable structure (5) and is made from plastics material. The inflatable structure (5) may comprise two inflatable tubular members arranged parallel to and secured to each other and air vents (7) are provided between adjacent tubular members. Weight means (8) may be provided at the base of the inflatable structure and comprises a flexible pipe (10) which can be filled with water. The base of the inflatable structure (5) may be provided with a floor (20) comprising a layer of mesh of plastics material, of a fineness sufficient to prevent slugs from passing through it, bonded to the bottom of the inflatable structure. A removable base portion (30, Fig 3) of rigid material may be provided and engages the peripheral wall (2) internally against the resiliency of the inflatable structure (5). The removable base portion (30) comprises a peripheral frame (32) constituted by a multiplicity of interconnecting parts which can be disconnected for storage.

Description

Enclosures for growing plants 2361165 This invention relates to enclosures

for growing plants.

Known enclosures for growing plants include the familiar garden frame used outdoors and plant propagators used indoors or outdoors. Garden frames and plant propagators both comprise a peripheral wall enclosing an area, and a light-transmitting element to cover over the area enclosed by the peripheral wall so as to define a chamber in which to grow one or more plants. They are particularly useful for raising seedlings in spring but have the disadvantage, however, of being cumbersome to store should the user decide that he or she has no further use for them until the following year.

The problem underlying the invention is to provide an enclosure for growing plants which, when out of use, is easier to store than the known garden frames and plant propagators.

The present invention provides an enclosure for growing plants, the enclosure comprising a peripheral wall enclosing an area, and a lighttransmitting element to cover over the area enclosed by the peripheral wall so as to define a chamber in which to grow one or more plants, characterized in that the peripheral wall comprises an inflatable structure.

The use of an inflatable structure for the peripheral wall solves the above-mentioned problem in that the inflatable structure can be inflated for use deflated for storage. Inflatable structures are, in general, particularly light and easy to store. Such a construction is suited to use as either a garden frame for outdoor use or as a plant propagator for indoor or outdoor use.

Preferably, weight means is provided at the base of the inflatable structure. By that means, any tendency of winds to blow away the enclosure when used outdoors can be counteracted.

Advantageously, the weight means comprises a pipe which can be filled with water. Such a construction has the advantage that the pipe can be emptied again for storage. If desired, iced or warm water can be introduced into the pipe according to the nature of the plants to be grown. Alternatively, the pipe can be filled with fine sand instead of water.

Preferably, the base of the inflatable structure is provided with a floor comprising a layer of mesh of a fineness sufficient to prevent slugs from passing through it. By that means, the enclosure can be sited in the garden without the slugs from the surrounding soil being able to enter the chamber.

Preferably, a removable base portion of rigid material is provided. By that means, the stability of the enclosure in use can be improved and yet the base portion can be removed for storage.

Advantageously, the removable base portion engages the peripheral wall internally. simple means of retaining That provides a very the base portion on the inflatable structure - the inflated inflatable structure will have resiliency and will grip the base portion located within it.

Advantageously, the removable base portion comprises a peripheral frame constituted by a multiplicity of interconnecting parts which can be disconnected for storage. Again, storage when the enclosure is not needed for use is facilitated.

Advantageously, the removable base portion includes a collapsible trellis provided within and engaging the peripheral frame. The trellis adds rigidity, a level floor and weight to the enclosure but, because it is collapsible, it is easily stored when the enclosure is not needed for use. The trellis also serves to raise the pots of plants above ground level.

Preferably, the peripheral frame comprises elongate tubular members having an open edge in which the trellis engages. That provides a simple and effective way of interconnecting the trellis with the peripheral frame.

Preferably, the light-transmitting element is supported, in use, by the removable base portion. By that means, the light transmitting means can be mounted more stably than if it rested on the inflatable structure.

Preferably, the light-transmitting element is supported by support members engaging the removable base portion. That provides a simple means of supporting the light-transmitting element.

Advantageously, the support members comprise resilient flexible rods of plastics material which bend to form support arches when engaging the removable base portion. When the rods are removed to store the enclosure, they can return to an initial straight shape and be easy to store.

Advantageously, the flexible rods engage joint elements forming a part of the removable base portion. By that means, joint elements can serve a dual function in holding the peripheral frame together and mounting the flexible rods.

Preferably, the light-transmitting element comprises a flexible cover of plastics material. The flexible cover may be so thin as to be rolled up for storage or it may be thicker so as to be bendable to a particular shape for use and then flattened again for storage.

The light-transmitting element may comprise a mesh screen allowing the passage of air and light but preventing the entry of insects.

Instead, the light-transmitting element may comprise a sheet of transparent plastics material.

The sheet of transparent flexible material may include vent holes.

The light-transmitting element may comprise a sheet of bubble wrap plastics material. Such material is cheap and easily available and replaced.

Advantageously, the 1 ight- transmitting element is provided with one or more tubes which can be filled with water to weight the lighttransmitting element. By that means, the stability and wind resistance of the enclosure can be further improved.

The inflatable structure may include air vents for the chamber. Such vents not only improve ventilation but can also reduce wind resistance.

The inflatable structure may comprise a plurality of inflatable tubular members arranged parallel to and secured to each other.

Air vents may be provided between adjacent tubular members.

The number of parallel tubular members may be two.

A single inflation point may be provided for the whole of the inflatable structure. By that means, inflation and deflation of the inflatable structure is made easy.

Instead, the inflatable structure may comprise a plurality of independent inflatable members each with a respective inflation point. By that means, a puncture at one point will not result in deflation of the whole inflatable structure.

A removable liner member may be provided to create a watertight trough. Such a trough can be used for immersing plants in pots in a bath of water when it is desired to soak the soil in the pots thoroughly.

The enclosure may include an electrical heating element for warming the chamber.

Solar cells may be provided for supplying the heating element with electrical energy.

The enclosure may be rectangular or square in plan.

An enclosure for growing plants in accordance with the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the wall of the enclosure and components attached thereto; Figure 2 is a perspective view showing a base portion fitted within the wall of the enclosure; Figure 3 is a perspective view of a part of the base portion; Figure 4 is a perspective view showing the wall, base portion and support members; Figure 5 is a perspective view of member for a support member; Figure 6 is a detail view in plan to an enlarged scale showing components of the of the enclosure; Figure 7 is a plan view illustrating the expansion of a collapsible trellis; Figure 8 is a plan view illustrating the compression of the collapsible trellis; Figure 9 is a plan view of a joint of the trellis; Figure 10 is a perspective view of a joint of the trellis with the length of a joint pin exaggerated for the purposes of illustration; Figure 11 is a view of a first form of lighttransmitting element for the enclosure; Figure 12 shows a detail of the element of Figure a movable mounting Figure 13 is a cut-away view of a second f orm of light-transmitting element; Figure 14 is a cut-away view of a third form of light transmitting element; and Figure 15 is a perspective view showing a removable liner member positioned within the wall of the enclosure.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, an enclosure 1 for growing plants comprises a peripheral wall 2 enclosing a rectangular area 4, and a light-transmitting element 6 (shown in Eigures 11, 13 and 14) to cover over the area enclosed by the peripheral wall so as to define a chamber in which to grow one or more plants. The peripheral is made fr inflatable wall 2 comprises an inflatable structure 5 and om plastics material. The manufacture of the structure being generally similar to that employed in the making of children's inflatable paddling pools, for example. The plastics material is of sufficient to avoid damage by sharp gravel.

A preferred ratio for the sides of the rectangle is 7:11 with the long side being about 1.5 metres.

The inflatable structure 5 comprises two inflatable tubular members arranged parallel to and secured to each other and air vents 7 are provided between adjacent tubular members. A respective inflation point (not shown) of known form is provided for each tubular member the inflatable structure 5. Preferably, the inflation points include valves of the type used for bicycle inner tubes.

Weight means 8 is provided at the base of the inflatable structure and comprises a flexible pipe 10 of about 2 cms in diameter which can be filled with water by means of a funnel (not through loops 12 of soft pI the base of the wall 2 so as a gauge shown). The pipe 10 is threaded astics material attached to to follow a serpentine path within the area 4 and the ends 14 and 16 of the pipe point upwards, are left open, and held in clips 18 attached to the wall 2 at two opposite edges thereof.

The base of the inflatable structure 5 is provided with a floor 20 comprising a layer of mesh of plastics material, of a fineness sufficient to prevent slugs from passing through it, bonded to the bottom of the inflatable structure.

A removable base portion 30 of rigid material is provided (as shown best in Figures 2 and 3) and engages the peripheral wall 2 internally against the resiliency of the inflatable structure 5.

The removable base portion 30 comprises a peripheral frame 32 constituted by a multiplicity of interconnecting parts which can be disconnected for storage. The removable base portion 30 includes a collapsible trellis 34 (shown best in Figures 3 and 7 to 10) of rigid plastics material provided within and engaging the peripheral frame 2.

Figure 6 reveals that the pipe 10 is located beneath the mesh floor 20 and the trellis 34 is located above the mesh floor The peripheral frame 32 comprises elongate tubular members 35 (two long and two short) having an open edge 36 in which the trellis 34 engages. Figures 7 to 10 show how the trellis 34 can be expanded to fit within the peripheral frame 32, how it can be compressed for storage, and how joint pins 40 make the trellis collapsible by articulating it.

The light-transmitting element 6 is supported, in use, by the removable base portion 30 and is supported by support members 50 engaging the removable base portion. The support members 50 comprise resilient flexible rods of plastics material which bend to form support arches when engaging the removable base portion. The flexible rods engage joint elements 52 forming a part of the removable base portion 30. The joint elements 52 are corner joint pieces into which the ends of the tubular members 35 are fitted and each include an upwardly-facing receive the end of a flexible rod. mounting elements 56 (as shown separately in the form of rings of rigid plastics material aperture 58 to receive the end of a flexible rod are slidably mounted on the long sides of the peripheral frame 30.

The light-transmitting element 6 comprises a rectangular flexible cover of plastics material of which three alternative forms are shown in Figures 11, 13 and 14.

The lighttransmitting element 6 shown in Figure 11 comprises a mesh screen allowing the passage of air and recess 54 to Movable Figure 5) in each with an light but preventing the entry of insects (such material is sometimes called a "fly screen").

The light-transmitting element 6 shown in Figure 13 comprises a sheet of transparent plastics material and includes vent holes 60.

The light-transmitting element 6 shown in Figure 14 comprises a sheet of bubble wrap plastics material.

In all three cases, the light-transmitting element 6 is of a size and flexibility to cover over the top of the enclosure when positioned on the top of the support members 50.

The light-transmitting element 6 is provided on each of its long sides with a respective tube 62 of flexible plastics material which can be filled with water to weight the light-transmitting element. As shown best in Figure 12, each tube is provided with a stopper 64 to retain water in the tube, the tube being otherwise closed. The stopper and its associated opening are of such a size that the tubes 62 can be filled with sand extra weight is desired.

As shown in Figure 15, a removable liner member 70 of shaped thick polyethylene can, if desired, provided to create a watertight trough, useful for giving plants a "summer soak". The liner member 70 is shown tied at 72 to the support members 50. If desired, the long sides of the liner member 70 can instead overhang the sides of the enclosure and be provided water-filled weighting tubes or pockets (not shown).

When the enclosure is deflated and dismantled for storage, all the components can be stored in a bag of moderate size and are not too heavy even for an elderly person to handle.

The illustrated enclosure can be modified in many ways without departing from the scope of the For example, omitted and defined in the appended claims. and the support members 50 can be enclosure placed upside-down over the light transmitting element 6 t the tied to surrounding stakes to keep The pipe 10, although useful inverted structure.

invention as the pipe 10 the seedlings as a cloche, hen being located over The inverted enclosure can be it in position. itself for heating by means of warm water, can be replaced by and/or supplemented by and an electrical heating element (not shown) for warming the chamber defined by the enclosure. If desired, solar cells (not shown) can be provided for supplying the heating element with electrical energy.

Although, the enclosure is shown rectangular in plan, it can be square or virtually any other desired shape. For example, the enclosure could be circular and have a base portion provided with radial spokes, alternatively a roll-up base portion of semi-rigid plastics material could be used. The enclosure can be made with large or small dimensions as desired for outdoor or indoor use.

If desired, a perforated flexible mat of plastics material which can be rolled up can be used in place of the trellis 34.

If desired, different order, the for the mesh floor 20 bu Instead of two any number can appropriate for base layers can be arranged in a example, the pipe 10 could be above t below the trellis 34. inflatable tubular members, virtually be used, for example, one or many as the size of enclosure being made.

Claims

C L A I M S:

1. An enclosure for growing plants, the enclosure comprising a peripheral wall enclosing an area, and a light-transmitting element to cover over the area enclosed by the peripheral wall so as to define a chamber in which to grow one or more plants, characterized in that the peripheral wall comprises an inflatable structure.

2. An enclosure as claimed in claim 1, wherein weight means is provided at the base of the inflatable structure.

3. An enclosure as claimed in claim 2, wherein the weight means comprises a pipe which can be filled with water.

4. An enclosure as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the base of the inflatable structure is provided with a floor comprising a layer of mesh of a fineness sufficient to prevent slugs from passing through it.

5. An enclosure as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a removable base portion of rigid material is provided.

6. An enclosure as claimed in claim 5, wherein the removable base portion engages the peripheral wall internally.

7. An enclosure as claimed in claim 6, wherein the removable base portion comprises a peripheral frame constituted by a multiplicity of interconnecting parts which can be disconnected for storage.

8. An enclosure as claimed in any claim 6 or claim 7, wherein the removable base portion includes a collapsible trellis provided within and engaging the peripheral frame.

9. An enclosure as claimed in claim 8, wherein the peripheral frame comprises elongate tubular members having an open edge in which the trellis engages.

10. An enclosure as claimed in any of claims 5 to 9, wherein the lighttransmitting element is supported, in use, by the removable base portion.

11. An enclosure as claimed in claim 10, wherein the light-transmitting element is supported by support members engaging the removable base portion.

12. An enclosure as claimed in claim 11, wherein the support members comprise resilient flexible rods of plastics material which bend to form support arches when engaging the removable base portion.

13. An enclosure as claimed in claim 12 when dependent on claim 7, wherein the flexible rods engage joint elements forming a part of the removable base portion.

14. An enclosure as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the lighttransmitting element comprises a flexible cover of plastics material.

15. An enclosure as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the lighttransmitting element comprises a mesh screen allowing the passage of air and light but preventing the entry of insects.

16. An enclosure as claimed in any of claims 1 to 14, wherein the lighttransmitting element comprises a sheet of transparent plastics material.

17. An enclosure as claimed in claim 16, wherein the sheet of transparent flexible material includes vent holes.

18. An enclosure as claimed in any of claims 1 to 14, wherein the lighttransmitting element comprises a sheet of bubble wrap plastics material.

19. An enclosure as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the lighttransmitting element is provided with one or more tubes which can be filled with water to weight the light-transmitting element.

20. An enclosure as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the inflatable structure includes air vents for the chamber.

21. An enclosure as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the inflatable structure comprises a plurality of inflatable tubular members arranged parallel to and secured to each other.

22. An enclosure as claimed in claims 20 and 21, wherein the air vents are provided between adjacent tubular members.

23. An enclosure as claimed in any of claims 20 to 22, wherein the number of parallel tubular members is two.

24. An enclosure as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a single inflation point is provided for the whole of the inflatable structure.

25. An enclosure as claimed in any of claims 1 to 23, wherein the inflatable structure comprises a plurality of independent inflatable members each with a respective inflation point.

26. An enclosure as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a removable liner member is provided to create a watertight trough.

27. An enclosure as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the enclosure includes an electrical heating element for warming the chamber.

28. An enclosure as claimed in claim 2T, wherei solar cells are provided for supplying the heating element with electrical energy.

29. An enclosure as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the enclosure is rectangular or square in plan.

30. An enclosure for growing plants, the enclosure being substantially as herein described with reference to, and as illustrated by, the accompanying drawings.