GB2522961A

GB2522961A - A terrarium

Info

Publication number: GB2522961A
Application number: GB1420501.7A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Lucy Jane Serafi
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2013-11-20
Filing date: 2014-11-18
Publication date: 2015-08-12
Anticipated expiration: 2034-11-18
Also published as: GB201320535D0; GB201420501D0; GB2522961B

Abstract

The present invention provides apparatus, 1 for containing a plant, 16, comprising a container, 2 with at least one first layer, 6 of granular material located in said container, wherein the at first layer comprises a binder that hardens over a period of time to secure first layer in the container. There may be a further layer, 4 of a finer grained material which is secured by the coarser first layer, with at least one recess, 14 within the first layer for locating a plant pot or a decorative object 8. The first layer maybe gravel, the further layer maybe sand and the binder maybe epoxy resin. Claims for a method and kit of parts of the same are also provided.

Description

A TERRARIUM

The present invention relates generally to containers for plants and in particular, but not exclusively, to a form of vivarium known as a terrarium.

A vivarium is an area, usually enclosed, for keeping and raising animals or plants for observation or research. Often, a portion of the ecosystem for a particular species is simulated on a smaller scale, with controls for environmental conditions. A vivarium may be small enough to sit on a desk or table or hang from a ceiling or on wall, such as a terrarium or an aquarium, or may be a very large structure, possibly located outdoors. A vivarium can also be used as a form of interior/exterior decoration, utilised for interior design.

A terrarium is a container often used for housing insects or plants. The container typically has at least one transparent side for allowing sunlight into the container and for viewing the contents inside. A terrarium may be any suitable shape for its contents, such as cuboidal, spherical, or the like, and may be glass or plastic, for example. The terrarium may be formed from wall portions which are joined together by suitable joining techniques, such as gluing or soldering, or the container may be one-piece by blowing glass, for example.

Terrariums are often used to contain plants including succulents, air plants, cacti, ferns, flowers. Terrariums may also be used to contain non-living objects such as fake plants, candles, shells, crystal, or the like.

A conventional terrarium contains a substrate to form a suitable foundation in the bottom of the terrarium. Suitable substrates include soil, sand, gravel, pebbles, peat, or the like. A number of layers are often present in a conventional terrarium for plants. Sand is sometimes found at the bottom of the terrarium container which can be of differing colours and grain size to cause a layering effect when viewing the terrarium from the side. The sand is often the first material to be placed in the terrarium container. Gravel which can be of differing colours and grade can be placed on top of the sand or a layer of soil can be located between the sand and gravel. Charcoal may also be used to absorb any excess water in the terrarium.

However, when made up, terrariums are particularly fragile in view of the loose nature of the sand/soil/gravel layers and the plants contained therein. This results in the completed terrarium being particularly difficult to move from one location to S another, such as in the home, or to transport further afield, such as from one country to another or from one location to another, without the layers becoming disturbed and/or damage occurring to the terrarium. Such disturbance undesirably requires the terrarium to be reassembled or renders the terrarium useless if the substrate has become disturbed during said movement and/or transportation. Where a terrarium container includes an opening for inserting substrate and plants inside the container and for watering the plants, substrate can easily fall out of the container during movement and/or transportation. Furthermore, when a plant is to be replaced, the substrate layers must be removed from the container and new substrate layers placed in the container before a new plant and/or objects are located therein. The maintenance of the original aesthetics is often essential and thus time consuming.

It is an aim of certain embodiments of the present invention to provide a terrarium which can be fully assembled and transported safely and securely without the risk of the contents of the terrarium becoming dislodged, mixed together and/or damaged.

It is an aim of certain embodiments of the present invention to provide a terrarium which is simple and quick to assemble.

It is an aim of certain embodiments of the present invention to provide a terrarium which allows a plant to be easily inserted in, removed from and/or replaced in a terrarium.

A first aspect of the present invention provides a method of assembling a terrarium, comprising: locating at least one first layer of granular material in a container; wherein the at least one layer comprises a binder that hardens over a period of time to secure the at least one first layer in the container.

Aptly, the method further comprises: locating at least one further layer of granular material in a base region of the container prior to locating the at least one first layer on the at least one further layer.

Aptly, the at least one further layer comprises a binder that hardens over a period of time. Aptly, the first and further layers are structural layers.

Aptly, the method further comprises: prior to the first layer hardening, providing at least one recess in the first layer.

Aptly, the method further comprises: locating a pot in the at least one recess for containing soil and a plant.

Aptly, the method further comprises: locating at least one decorative object in the at least one recess.

Aptly, the binder comprises an epoxy resin.

A second aspect of the present invention provides apparatus for containing a plant, comprising: a container having a base region; and at least one first layer of granular material located in the container; wherein the at least one first layer comprises a binder that hardens to secure the at least one first layer in the container.

Aptly, the apparatus further comprises: at least one further layer of granular material located in a base region of the container and wherein the at least one first layer is located on the at least one further layer.

Aptly, the at least one further layer comprises a binder that hardens over a period of time.

Aptly, the apparatus further comprises: at least one recess in said first layer for locating a plant pot.

Aptly, the at least one recess extends into the further layer.

Aptly, said first layer comprises a set of first granules and said further layer comprises a set of further granules, wherein said first granules are larger than said further granules.

Aptly, said further layer comprises sand.

Aptly, said first layer comprises gravel.

Aptly, said binder comprises epoxy resin. Aptly, said binder cures to be colourless and transparent. Alternatively, said binder may be coloured.

Aptly, said container is glass or plastic. Aptly, said container tapers inwardly towards an opening via which the at least one first layer of granular material is locatable in the container.

A third aspect of the present invention provides a kit of parts for assembling a terrarium, comprising: a container; at least one first granular material for locating in the container; and a binder for mixing with the first granular material that hardens over a period of time to allow the at least first granular material to be secured in the container.

A fourth aspect of the present invention provides a terrarium comprising: a container having a base region; and at least one first layer of material located in the container; wherein said first layer comprises a binder that hardens to secure the first layer in the container.

Certain embodiments of the present invention may provide the advantage of enabling a terrarium to be fully assembled and transported safely and securely without the risk of the contents of the terrarium becoming dislodged, mixed together and/or damaged.

Certain embodiments of the present invention may provide the advantage of enabling a terrarium to be simply and quickly assembled.

Certain embodiments of the present invention may provide the advantage of enabling a plant to be easily inserted in, removed from and/or replaced in a terrarium. This is made possible as the granular material, such as gravel, and binder mix does not touch the soil in which the plant is located. In contrast to a conventional plant pot for example, a plant is located in a small pot which itself is located in a recess formed in the uppermost layer of the terrarium before the upper layer hardens. As a result, the soil and plants are not fixed into the terrarium with the gravel/ binder mix. The soil is also fully exposed and not covered by the gravel/ binder mix in order to allow for accurate watering of the plants as they often require water to be poured directly onto the soil and not any part of the plant itself.

Certain embodiments of the present invention may provide the advantage of easily locating at least one granular layer comprising a binder into a container that tapers towards an opening such that when the binder is cured/hardened, the at least one granular layer is securely located in the container by the granular/binder layer when the binder is cured/hardened and is prevented from leaving the container via the opening. The granular/binder layer also provides a secure surface for supporting pots and/or decorative objects and/or plants on and/or in the granular/binder layer when the binder is cured/hardened.

Certain embodiments of the present invention may provide the advantage of simple removal/replacement of plants and other items, such as crystals, bark, wood, chippings or the like, without disruption of the cured granular layer. This also provides the option of cleaning the inside of the container without disruption of the granular layers.

Description of the Drawings

Figure 1 illustrates a plan view of a terrarium in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 illustrates a section through the terrarium of Figure 1; and Figure 3 illustrates a side view of the terrarium of Figures 1 and 2.

Detailed Description

As shown in the Figures, a terrarium 1 comprises a substantially spherical glass vessel 2 containing an optional base layer of sand 4. Alternatively, the vessel may be any suitable or desirable shape, such as square, tubular, or the like, and may be one-piece, such as blown glass, or may be formed from a number of sections joined together, such as pentagonal glass sections having metal frames soldered or welded together.

The vessel 2 has a circular opening 5 for inserting and removing the contents of the terrarium. Of course, the opening may be closed after assembly of the terrarium with a lid, door, or the like. A layer of gravel and epoxy resin 6 is located on top of the sand. The gravel and epoxy resin mixed layer may be the only granular material layer included in the base of the container. However, if a base layer of, for example, sand is present, the sand substrate is also mixed with binder to ensure it is fixed securely to the inside surface of the glass vessel. The granular/resin layers act as structural layers to securely locate the respective layers against the inner surface and inside the vessel. A lower granular/resin layer also supports an upper granular/resin layer and may also provide a solid and stable surface for locating an upper layer on top of a lower layer when the terrarium is being assembled.

The grade of gravel may be around 3-10mm, or more. The percentage of resin to gravel may be around 5-20% and aptly around 5-8%. Alternatively or additionally, sand, pebbles, shells, balls, beads, crystals, or the like may be used instead of gravel and the grade size may of course be more or less than 3-10mm.

Stones 8 and wood decoration 10 are located in the gravel/epoxy resin layer 6. Moss 12 is also located on the gravel/epoxy resin layer. A recess is provided in the gravel/epoxy resin layer 6 and a suitable container 14, such as a small pot, is located in the recess for containing soil. A plant 16, such as a succulent or airplant, is S placed in the soil container. Alternatively, a first pot may be used to form the recess in the first upper layer of gravel/epoxy resin and left in position to be secured in the top layer when the resin therein cures. A second pot containing soil and a plant can then be removably located in the first pot. Desirably, the soil is never in contact with the gravel/epoxy resin layer, particularly when the same is hardening. Further pots containing respective plants may be selectively located in the recess or first pot as and when desired and as such plants can be easily removed and interchanged according to certain embodiments of the present invention. Furthermore, no gravel/binder mix comes into contact with the soil as typical plants placed in terrariums, such as succulents, cacti and airplants or the like, require water poured directly on to the soil and desirably not on the leaves of the plants to ensure the leaves do not rot.

The vessel may be hung from a ceiling, lintel, window frame, or the like, or may be simply placed on a window sill or table, for example. It will be understood that the vessel may be any suitable shape and may be sealed when assembled or may comprise more than one opening. The vessel may be glass or plastic, or the like.

During assembly of the terrarium, the gravel and epoxy resin are mixed before the epoxy resin has cured. Typically, the curing time is around one hour and depends on the surrounding temperature. This allows the gravel/epoxy mix to be easily inserted into the vessel and pressed into place to seal securely against all interior sides of the vessel. A further layer of granular material, such as sand, gravel or the like, may also be mixed with epoxy resin and located in the vessel before the gravel/epoxy resin layer is located in the vessel on top of the further layer.

Decorative objects can also be easily pressed into the gravel/epoxy layer when the epoxy resin is soft. A suitable recess can also be formed in the gravel/epoxy layer for locating the soil container 14 in a concealed manner. When the gravel/epoxy layer has cured and set solid, the epoxy is colourless and is not visible.

Alternatively, the epoxy layer may be coloured for aesthetic purposes and/or may

S

contain other objects, such as glitter, crystals etc. The gravel/epoxy layer seals securely to the sides and base of the container. The decorative objects are secured in the gravel/epoxy layer. The soil container 14 can be removably inserted in the preformed recess for ease of soil and/or plant replacement and/or for easy watering/feeding in view of there being no gravel/ binder mix in contact with the soil in which the plant is located. In particular, the gravel/epoxy layer 6 allows for safe and secure movement and/or transportation of the terrarium from one location to another. For example, the terrarium may be manufactured and assembled at a first location and transported to another location without the contents of the terrarium becoming disturbed or damaged. This may be particularly desirable where the terrarium is manufactured and assembled in one country and sold in a different country or if it is simply being moved within a logistical supply chain from one location to another. This allows the fully assembled terrarium to be manufactured and distributed within retail supply chains.

It will be understood that materials other than epoxy resin may be used to bind the gravel together and secure the gravel layer in situ for safe and secure transportation.

Other suitable materials to bind the gravel together include adhesives, thermosettable polymers, or the like, and which cure to be colourless and clear. All layers of granular materinal placed within the container are mixed with the epoxy resin to ensure that the full internal surface area of the container that the respective granular material/ binder layer touches has the mixture securely fixed to it.

The epoxy resin also acts to retain heat in the vessel and particularly around the roots of a plant located in the soil container. This aids the growth of the plant.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A method of assembling a terrarium, comprising: locating at least one first layer of granular material in a container; wherein the at least one first layer comprises a binder that hardens over a period of time to secure the at least one first layer in the container.
2. The method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising: locating at least one further layer of granular material in a base region of the container prior to locating the at least one first layer on the at least one further layer, wherein the further layer comprises a binder to secure the at least one further layer in the container.
3. The method as claimed in claim 1 or 2, further comprising: prior to the at least one first layer hardening, providing at least one is recess in the first layer.
4. The method as claimed in claim 3, further comprising: locating a pot in the at least one recess for containing soil and a plant.
5. The method as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising: locating at least one decorative object in or on the at least one first layer.
6. The method as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said binder comprises an epoxy resin.
7. Apparatus for containing a plant, comprising: a container having a base region; and at least one first layer of granular material located in said container; wherein the at least one first layer comprises a binder that hardens over a period of time to secure the at least one first layer in the container.
8. The apparatus as claimed in claim 7, further comprising: at least one further layer of granular material located in a base region of the container, wherein the further layer comprises a binder and the at least one first layer is located on the at least one further layer.s
9. The apparatus as claimed in claim 8, further comprising: at least one recess in said first layer for locating a plant pot.
10. The apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the at least one recess extends into the further layer.
11. The apparatus as claimed in any of claims 7 to 10, wherein said first layer comprises a set of first granules and said further layer comprises a set of further granules, wherein said first granules are larger than said further granules.
12. The apparatus as claimed in any of claims 7 to 11, wherein said further layer comprises sand.
13. The apparatus as claimed in any of claims 7 to 12, wherein said first layer comprises gravel.
14. The apparatus as claimed in any of claims 7 to 13, wherein said binder comprises epoxy resin.
15. A kit of parts for assembling a terrarium, comprising: a container; at least one first granular material for locating in the container; and a binder for mixing with the first granular material that hardens over a period of time to allow the at least first granular material to be secured in the container.