GB2495737A - Flowerpot Insulator - Google Patents

Abstract

A flowerpot insulator comprises of a sack or bag made from a wool liner 1 with a hessian outer cover 2. The wool liner may be covered with a microporous regranulated recyclable plastic. The bag may have a drawstring top 3. The bag may be thermal and hydroscopic. It is designed for winter insulation of container and greenhouse plants in cold frosty weather. It ultilises the unique qualities of wool to protect those container and greenhouse specimens subjected to temperature fluctuation and soil freezing at a level incompatible with their survival.

Description

I

Introduction

An example of the invention will now be described by referring to the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 shows a container plant affected by frost damage.

Figure 2 shows a container plant protected by the flowerpot insulator illustrating component parts.

Figure 3: shows a wool fibre (thermal and hydroscopic construction).

Figure 4 shows the outside view of a container plant in the flowerpot insulator.

Description

My invention relates to an outdoor flowerpot insulator.

It is a thermal and hydroscopic sack with drawstring top constructed from wool, microporous regranulated recyclable plastic and hessian for winter insulation of container plants and plants in greenhouses in cold frosty weather.

When containerised plants remain outside over winter they are particularly vulnerable to root death in prolonged periods of frost. In recent winters this has applied additionally to plants in greenhouses. (see Fig.! -1(1) Plant affected by winter damage. 1(2) Frostlsnow. 1(3) frozen soil in container).

In order to provide dedicated root protection, the present invention proposes to harness the thermal and hydroscopic qualities of wool as an insulator.

The unique natural ability of wool to maintain steady temperature under frosty or cold and wet conditions will give support to vulnerable root systems.

Preferably, the wool will be encased in microporous regranulated plastic and thus will retain its shape as well as its thermal integrity, whilst still being ultimately recyclable.

(see fig.2 (I)) Preferably, the wool and plastic liner will have a natural hessian outer skn (see fig2 (2)) with rope drawstring top (see fig.2 (3)) to give additional insulation.

The last two winters have proved unexpectedly harsh with prolonged periods of frost.

Traditional methods of frost and cold protection such as bubble wrap, frost fleece and straw baling have been inadequate for a whole generation of gardeners raised to believe that climate change would mean milder winters. Melting of the polar ice-caps and subsequent movement of the mute of the gulf stream around the UK may in fact lead to colder winters.

Plants and greenhouse specimens previously considered hardy or borderline hardy in all but the coldest areas of Britain have died in large numbers. Cordylines, hebes, pittosporums, pensternons, osteospermunis, dieramas, correas, bays, palms, olives, and salvias are good examples and under glass we have formerly been able to overwinter sollya, morning glory, lemon verbena, gerberas, gazanias, jasmine and pelargoniums, to name only a few. Additionally, any plant, whether hardy or not, needs a small uptake of water even in the dormant season and thus any container plant may suffer if soil is frozen for more than a short period and water therefore unobtainable. As soil freezes much more quickly in the confned area of a pot than it does in open ground, pot specimens are at significant risk.

The particular properties of wool can provide thermal and hydroscopic insulation for container plants, by enclosing them in a structured wool liner which will maintain and increase temperature for a longer period than is possible with other methods and other materials. While the exterior layer of a wool fibre is hydrophobic (water-resistant), its inner layer, its cortex, is hydrophilic (water-loving). Wool insulation has a very low conductivity which means that the cold outside does not easily pass to the warmer soil inside nor the warmth of the soil inside easily disseminate tough to the cold outside.

Once the wool becomes damp, as obviously it will over the winter season, its insulation properties are actually increased as wool is a hydroscopic material, meaning that it can absorb moisture without becoming cold and wet to the touch. In fact when wool fibres absorb moisture they generate tiny amounts of heat. To enhance this effect still further, the wool cortex can absorb up to 35% of its own weight in moisture, releasing energy in the form of heat and raising the ambient temperature accordingly. (see fig. 3 -A Wool Fibre) A length of woollen waste from the UK wool industry is sewn Into a soft cylinder shape in a variety of sizes to accommodate a range of commonly used pot dimensions.

Four sizes are envisaged, from small "greenhouse geranium" size to large "olive tree" Size.

The wool is encased in regranulated recyclable microporous plastic to retain integrity of shape and to prevent saturation of the wool.

The wool and plastic liner is then sewn into a loose-weave bio-degradablc hessian outer cover with an adjustable drawstring top in order to accommodate any type of container plant, from a wide foliage to a single stem. The roots of the plant are therefore enclosed whilst pennitting fill spectrum light to reach any leaves. This invention steps ahead of existing insulation applications by focussing on the survival of the plant root system. (see fig. 4 -Whole structure).

The whole construction is then presented as a bio-degradable and recyclable entity maintaining thermal and hydroscopic balance of temperature and moisture, maximising whatever warmth may be available from the soil by early application of the sack (i.e. before a frosty night threatens) and also allowing some drainage. p

Legend Figure 3 Title: Structure Of Wool Fibre Wool has a complex physical and chemical structure A -Keratin molecure B -Protofibrils C -Nuclear remnant D -Microfibril F -Macrofibril F -Cortical cell G -Paracortex H-Orthocortex I -Endocuticle J -Exocuticle K-Epicuticle L -Cuticular scale M-Cortex

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Claims (1)

1. <claim-text>SClaims 1: A thermal and hydroscopic wool and hessian outdoor or greenhouse flowerpot insulator for the protection of plant root systems in cold or frosty weather (see fig 2 (1) thermal and hydroscopic wool liner 2(2) hessian outer layer).</claim-text> <claim-text>2: A wool liner according to claim 1 whIch is covered by microporous regranulated recyclable plastic (see fig 2 (1)).</claim-text> <claim-text>3: A wool and plastic liner according to claim 2 which is sewn into a hessian outer covering with top drawstring (see fig 2(3)) and the whole constructed from bio-degradable or recyclable materials (see figs 2 and 4).</claim-text>