GB2446041A

GB2446041A - Horticultural container

Info

Publication number: GB2446041A
Application number: GB0724189A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Kenneth John Davies
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-01-27
Filing date: 2007-12-11
Publication date: 2008-07-30
Anticipated expiration: 2027-12-11
Also published as: GB0701584D0; GB2446041B; GB0724189D0

Abstract

A horticultural vertical planter 1 comprising a thin walled vessel 2 formed from a thin sheet of rectangular waterproof material the long edges of which are joined to form the vessel and the bottom of which is provided with a means of closure 10. The vertical surface of the vessel is cut at intervals forming openings 7 into which thin walled retaining inserts 8 can be secured. When assembled the vessel can be filled with compost or other growing medium and planted at the top and through the openings in the surface with a variety of flowering plants, fruits or vegetables. First and second containers may optionally be used together to achieve a different effect. When not in use, the planter can be disassembled for storage as flat sheet material.

Description

HORTICULTURAL CONTAINER

This invention relates to a plant container, especially a horticultural vertical planter.

Vertical planters are well known in the field of horticulture, with early examples being Victorian chimney pots, which essentially provide a vertically elongate vessel in the top of which plants could be grown.

Subsequent developments include a Strawberry Planter' which resembles a chimney pot but has side openings to facilitate planting at various heights down the length of the vessel.

Such planters and their derivatives were originally made from terracotta clay, (or similar) and subsequently with the development of plastics from ridged thermo plastics. These planters are however relatively expensive, bulky and often heavy and take up considerable space, both when and when not, in use.

GB2222063 describes a.plant container assembly having a tub-like or bucket-shaped container having a wall provided with apertures into which can be inserted inserts which form cup-shaped extensions. In the embodiment described, the tub-like or bucket-shaped container is said to be of synthetic resin plastics material, and is apparently relatively thick. The container is bulky and relatively heavy.

The invention provides a plant container having a circumferentially extending wall defining an elongate vertically extending receptacle for receiving growing medium, and having a multiplicity of planting openings provided laterally in said wall for receiving one or more plants, wherein the circumferentially extending wall is formed by a flexible sheet of material of which opposed edges are joined to one another to define said elongate receptacle, and the lateral planting openings each comprise an aperture in the sheet material and a flexible member that is insertable in said aperture. * -2-

The lateral planting openings advantageously each comprise a cupped region extending laterally of the wall for receiving growth medium, the flexible members being so inserted in the apertures that they are retained in cupped configuration. In that way, there is formed a planting region of cupped configuration extending beyond the outer surface or envelope of the tube wall, containing growth medium which forms a continuation of the body of growth medium contained within the wall. The planting region may thus be filled either by virtue of growth medium introduced into the receptacle from the top or, instead or as well, by addition of growth medium directly into the cupped structure. Plants may be planted in all, or in selected, planting openings.

In certain preferred embodiments, the wall and the flexible insert members are provided with cooperating, for example, interlockable, structures for permitting the flexible insert members to be affixed to the wall. The cooperating structures may comprise at least one tab and at least one slot for receiving said tab. For example, the wall may comprise at least one tab at or in the vicinity of each aperture and each flexible insert member comprise at least one through-opening located for interlocking with said tab. In one preferred embodiment, one or more open-ended slots of the flexible member cooperate with an edge defining the aperture and at least one tab provided at the aperture is located in a slot provided in the insert member.

The lateral plating openings may be randomly distributed but are preferably arranged to be in vertically extending rows. The number of vertically extending rows may be, for example, from one to five, especially three to four, with from five to twelve openings advantageously being provided in each row.

It is an important feature of the present invention that the container is formed by a flexible sheet of material of which opposed edges are joined to one another to define an elongate receptacle. That makes it possible, if desired, for the container to be manufactured and sold in the form of a flat pack, made up of a flat sheet for forming the wall and a multiplicity of flexible members for forming the planting openings.

The sheet of material can be thin, for example, 0.5 to 1mm thick, and is flexible. In the planter, when assembled, the internal stresses resulting from resiliently curving the material into a tubular configuration contribute to the strength of the planter. It is, in particular, surprising that the planter of the invention has acceptable strength, whilst allowing for a very substantial (for example about 80%) reduction in the mass of material per unit area of wall, as compared with GB 2222063A, and simplifying and reducing the cost of manufacture.

Another advantage is that, if desired, the container can be disassembled and both the wall and the flexible members be stored in flat form. Thus, the wall and the inserts are preferably made of resiliently defonnable sheet material. Preferably, the flexible sheet of material from which the wall is formed is substantially rectangular.

For the avoidance of doubt, the term "rectangular" as used herein includes "square".

The flexible sheet from which the wall is formed is of a substantially waterproof material. Suitable materials must be selected having regard to the need for flexibility and for adequate tear- resistance under the conditions of use. Many different materials may be used and selection of suitable materials will be a routine matter for those skilled in the art, with examples of suitable sheet materials including, by way of illustration only, polypropylene, polyethylene, and polyvinyl chloride. The wall is preferable thin-walled. Accordingly, sheet materials of thickness 0.5 to 2 mm, especially 0.6 to 1mm, are particularly suitable.

In practice, two opposed edges of the substantially rectangular sheet will be provided with closure elements, for retaining the wall in its assembled form. Any suitable form of closure elements may be used, such elements being well-known in the art, for example, cooperating elements including cooperating tab elements, cooperating tabs and slot arrangements; adhesive strips; detachable fabric strips.

Whilst it is possible for the flexible insert members to be of a different material from the wall, it is preferred that they be of the same material.

In one embodiment, at least one closure element is provided at or in the vicinity of a lower end of the planter, whereby said lower end can be at least partially closed.

Such closure means may instead, in some circumstances, serve to assist the stacking of two containers one above the other to form a continous vertically extending channel extending through both containers.

According to the present invention there is also provided a horticultural vertical planter comprising a thin walled vessel formed from a thin sheet of rectangular waterproof material, the long edges of which are joined to form the vessel and the bottom of which is provided with a means of closure, with the vertical surface of the vessel being cut at intervals with openings into which thin walled retaining inserts can be secured.

Moreover, the invention provides a kit of parts for forming into a container according to the invention, the kit of parts comprising a flat, substantially rectangular sheet having a multiplicity of apertures therein and a multiplicity of insert members each being in flat form and comprising retention elements for retaining the insert members in said apertures in the assembled container.

Furthermore, the invention provides a blank for use in a container or planter according to the invention, the blank comprising opposed edges having cooperating engagement means for forming a seam in the assembled tube and having a multiplicity of apertures for receipt of inserts, the apertures being formed with at least one tab for engaging with the inserts in the assembled container or planter.

The invention enables the planter to have considerable versatility. As mentioned above, in certain preferred embodiments it may permit a second container of the invention to be placed above a first, forming a continuous vertical channel for receiving growth medium. Moreover, the it may be possible for two containers according to the invention to be placed back-to-back, forming a wider planter having a width substantially double that of the individual containers. The wider planter may, for example, be arranged to stand on the ground (optionally fastened to a support). If desired, the containers may, instead of being supported on a base, for example on the ground, be hung using a chain or other elongate arrangement from a point above the container, for example from a projecting element provided on a ceiling or wall. Where the containers are hung from above, it is preferred for their length to be relatively short, for example, they may be provided with columns each containing five or fewer, preferably four or fewer, planting openings.

Three embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of illustration only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a front view of a plant container according to a first embodiment of the invention; Fig. 2 is a front view of a plant container according to a second embodiment of the invention: Fig. 3 is a plan view of a flat sheet for forming into a wall of the container of Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a plan view of an insert for use in the container of Fig. 2; and Fig. 5 is a front view of a pair of containers of the invention arranged back-to-back.

Referring to Fig. I, a horticultural vertical planter comprises a thin sheet of rectangular material, The long edges of the rectangular sheet are secured together releasably, for example by tabs or other means (not shown), to form a thin-walled tube 1 having a circumferentially extending waIl 2 and a seam 3.

The top edge 4 of the vessel has a raised portion 5 at the back to act as a splash back when watering. The raised portion includes one or more apertures 6 by means of which the planter may be secured to support means to prevent its falling over, for example, in adverse weather conditions. * -6-

The circumferential wall 2 of the vessel is cut at intervals to form apertures 7 the bottom edges of which, are closed off with thin walled inserts 8. The inserts 8 are concavely curved to form cup-shaped planting regions 9 which are in communication with the interior of the tube 1. The cup-shaped planting regions 9 extend laterally beyond the wall 2. One or more plants can be planted in the planting regions, with at least part of the plant superstructure being outside the envelope of the wall 2.

A means of closure (not shown) is provided at the base 10. The closure means advantageously at least partly closes the bottom of the tube 1, but permits drainage of water from the vessel.

When the vessel has been assembled it is placed on the ground, and it can be prevented from toppling by means of securing at the top (not shown) through holes 6.

The vessel can then be filled with compost or other growing medium and planted at the top and through the openings in the surface with a variety of flowering plants, fruits or vegetables, with the thin walled inserts 8 preventing spillage of the growing medium and acting as supports during plant root development.

Watering and feeding of plants is achieved by a single application of water (which can contain plant food) through the top opening of the vessel.

When not in use, the growing medium can be removed and the vessel 2 and thin walled inserts 8 disassembled for storage as flat sheet material.

In a second embodiment, shown in Fig. 2, the vessel is similar in many respects to that of Fig. 1, and the same reference numerals indicate corresponding parts.

A blank for making the tube portion 1 of the embodiment of Fig. 2 is shown in Fig. 3. The blank is in the form of a flat sheet of polymer material, which in one embodiment may be for example polypropylene sheeting of about 0.8 mm * -7-thickness. The sheet has opposed longitudinal edges 11, 12 and opposed transverse edges 13, 14. In the assembled planter, the opposed longitudinal edges 11, 12 are fastened together releasably at seam 3 (see Fig. 2). For that purpose one of the longitudinal edges 11 is provided with protruding tabs 15 and with internal tab portions 15' each defined by a shaped cut. The other longitudinal edge 12 is provided with longitudinally extending lines of slots 16, 16' positioned to be engageable with the tabs 15, 15' respectively. The transverse edge 13 is for forming the upper edge of the tube 2 and includes two protruding portions 17, 17'which in the assembled planter cooperate to form the splash back portion 5. Pairs of elongate slots 6 are provided on each of the portions 17,17' positioned to overlie one another in the assembled tube.

The transverse edge 14 is for forming the lower end of the tube 1, and is provided with a multiplicity of truncated triangular extensions 18 which are foldably connected to the main portion of the sheet at fold line 19. The triangular extensions 18 are, in the assembled planter, folded inwardly in order partially to close the bottom opening of the tube 1. The sheet is provided with a number of apertures 20, each of substantially semicircular shape, having a curved bottom edge 21 and a top edge 22. In a central region of the bottom edge 21 the edge is shaped to include a curved detent 23.

Referring to Fig. 4, an insert for insertion into each aperture is in the form of a portion of flat sheet material, advantageously but not necessarily of the same sheet material as the tube. The insert has a top edge 24 and a lower curved edge 25. An elongate slit 26 is provided in the insert in the region of the lower edge 25, and two open-ended slots 27, 27' are provided in the vicinity of the ends of the lower edge 25.

The sheet material is flexible, and the longitudinal edge 11 can be manually curved round to overlie the region of the sheet adjacent edge 12. In that position, the tabs can be engaged in the slots 16 and tabs 15' in slots 16' to form the seam 3 thus forming an elongate tube. The triangular extensions 18 are folded inwardly in order * -8-partially to close the bottom end of the tube. The lower edge 25 of insert 8 is inserted into the apertures 20, the slit 26 being slid over detent 23. The open-ended slots 27, 27' are located to embrace the edge 21 of the aperture 20. In order to engage the slots as described, the insert is manually curved into a cup-shape, which is retained in the assembled planter by virtue of engagement of the slit 26 with tab 23 and the open-ended slots 27,27' with the opposed upper portions of edge 21.

Other inserts 8 are inserted into other apertures 20 in corresponding manner. The assembled planter may be attached to a support by the use of fixing devices, for example, nails, screws, strips or any other suitable means inserted through the holes 6.

In one illustrative embodiment, the dimensions of the sheet of material are of the order of Im by 50cm, and there are from 8 to 10 lateral planting openings in each of three vertical columns.

The invention offers various possibilities in terms of how the planter is used. For example, it is possible to put a second planter on top of a first planter, thereby forming a double-length vertically extending column of growth medium. That may be achieved by disengaging one or more of the flanges 15, 15' and co-operating slots 16, 16' at the top of the lower planter thereby making the wall sufficiently flexible to receive the bottom of the upper planter, in the form of downwardly extending extensions 18. The limit of penetration of the upper planter is determined by the inwardly extending edges of the inserts 8.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 5, there are two containers, each of which is substantially as described with reference to Fig. I except that the height of the container is less and there are fewer (only three) planting regions 9 in each column of planting regions. The containers are arranged back-to-back, with the regions containing the vertically extending seams 3 abutting each other. The bottom of each container is in the case of the embodiment of Fig. 5 substantially closed. For the purposes of versatility, the closure means may include, for example, triangular extension portions 18 as shown in, and described with reference to, Fig. 3. That S -9-enables the containers, at the option of the user, to be placed on the floor, as described above, or to be hung. Where they are hung, it is preferred to provide a planar member shaped to be received in the bottom of the container. The planar member, which is advantageously of the same sheet material as the container, may be secured in place by any suitable means, for example a suitable adhesive. The arrangement is preferably such that excess water can drain from the hung container, for example, drainage apertures may be provided in the planar member, or drainage perforations may be made around the bottom of the container wall.

In the embodiment of Fig. 5, the assembled planter is hung using a chain 28, having a hook 29 which may be hooked onto a suitable support, for example a ring or other projection from a wall or ceiling. The assembled planter forms a wider planting receptacle with a greater number of planting regions than the individual containers, giving a different and pleasing aesthetic effect.

Although the foregoing invention has been described in detail by way of illustration and example for purposes of understanding, it will be obvious that changes and modifications may be practised within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

* -10- CLAIMS

1. A plant container having a circumferentially extending wall defining an elongate vertically extending receptacle for receiving growing medium, and having a multiplicity of planting openings provided laterally in said wall for receiving one or more plants, wherein the circumferentially extending wall is formed by a flexible sheet of material of which opposed edges are joined to one another to define said elongate receptacle, and the lateral planting openings each comprise an aperture in the sheet material and a flexible insert member that is insertable in said aperture.

2. A container according to claim 1, in which the lateral planting openings each comprise a cupped region extending laterally of the wall for receiving growth medium, the insert members being so inserted in the apertures that they are retained in cupped configuration.

3. A planter according to claim 1 or claim 2, in which the wall and the insert members are provided with cooperating structures for permitting the insert members to be affixed to the wall.

4. A container according to claim 3, in which the cooperating structures comprise at least one tab and at least one slot for receiving said tab.

5. A container according to claim 4, in which the wall comprises at least one tab associated with each aperture and each insert member comprises at least one slot located for interlocking with said tab.

6. A container according to claim 4 or claim 5, in which one or more openings are provided in the insert member and are so located that they are able to engage the wall at an edge thereof defining the aperture and at least one tab of the insert member is located in a slot.

7. A container according to any one of claims 1 to 6, in which the flexible sheet of material from which the wall is formed is substantially rectangular.

8. A container according to any one of claims 1 to 7, in which the flexible sheet from which the wall is formed is of a substantially waterproof material.

9. A container according to any one of claims 1 to 8, in which at least one closure element is provided at or in the vicinity of a lower end of the container, whereby said lower end can be at least partially closed. -Il-

10. A container according to any one of claims Ito 9, in which the sheet material is thin-walled.

11. A container according to claim 10, in which the sheet material is a rectangular sheet material of thickness 0.5 to 2 mm.

12. A container as claimed in any one of claims Ito 11, in which, at an upper end, the wall comprises raised portion at the back to act as a splash back when watering.

13. A container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a means for securing a top portion of the container to a support to prevent toppling.

14. A container according to any one of claims ito 9, which is stackable upon another like container, whereby a continuous elongate void is defined extending along both containers one above the other.

15. A horticultural vertical planter comprising a thin walled vessel formed from a thin sheet of rectangular waterproof material, the long edges of which are joined to form the vessel and the bottom of which is provided with a means of closure, with the vertical surface of the vessel being cut at intervals with openings into which thin walled retaining inserts can be secured.

16. A planting arrangement comprising first and second containers or planters according to any on of claims I to 15, the first and second containers being arranged in abutment to one another and being fastened together.

17. A planting arrangement according to claim 16, in which the first and second containers are in abutment along the joined edges of each said container.

18. A planting arrangement according to claim 16 or claim 17, in which the first and second containers are releasably joined to each other.

19. A kit of parts for forming a container according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a flat, substantially rectangular sheet having a multiplicity of apertures therein and a multiplicity of insert members each being in flat form and comprising retention elements for retaining the insert members in said apertures in the assembled container.

20. A blank for use in a container or planter according to any one of claims 1 to 15, the blank comprising opposed edges having cooperating engagement means for forming a seam in the assembled tube and having a multiplicity of apertures for receipt of inserts, the apertures being formed with at least one tab for engaging with the inserts in the assembled container or planter.