IES20140020A2 - A barrier for a plant pot - Google Patents

Abstract

A barrier for a plant pot is described. The barrier comprises a barrier element having a mesh structure for obstructing soil or plant roots from penetrating a base of the plant pot. The barrier element may also act as an obstacle to insects entering the plant pot from beneath.

Description

A barrier for a plant pot Field of the Invention The present teaching relates to a barrier for a plant pot In particular, the present teaching Is directed to a barrier configured for obstructing soil or plant roots from penetrating a base of the plant pot. Furthermore, the barrier may provide an obstacle to insects entering the plant pot from beneath the base thereof.

Background Plant pots are containers in which plants are cultivated. Typically, plant pots comprise a housing having a base with side walls extending the reform which together with the base define a hollow interior region for accomodating soil or the like therein. To facilitate drainage the base of the plant pot is provided with a plurality of apertures to enable water to be discharged from the hollow interior region. Such pots are used for example for small plants, flowers, bulbs etc. Due to the apertures in the base of the plant pots, there Is invariably compost slippage through the base leading to poor presentation of the plant pot to customers at a horticulture market, for example. In addition, when placed on the ground, the base of the pots enable roots from the pot to penetrate through the bottom of the pots and into the adjoining ground surface and further a field. Additionally, the drainage apertures in the base of the pots allow ants and other harmful insects to enter the hollow interior region from the ground surface. Such pests may eat the foliage and damage the plant. Furthermore, an infestation of insects could occur if an insect infested potted plant is brought into a dwelling.

There Is therefore a need for a barrier which addresses at least some of the drawbacks of the prior art.

Summary The present teaching relates to a barrier for a plant pot which is configured for obstructing soil or plant roots from penetrating a base of the plant pot. Furthermore, the 886409 barrier may provide an obstacle to insects entering the plant pot from beneath the base thereof.

Accordingly, the present teaching relates to a barrier for a plant pot as detailed in claim 1. Furthermore, the present teaching relates to a plant pot assembly as claimed In claim 30. Advantageous embodiments are detailed in the subsidiary claims In one embodiment there is provided a barrier for a plant pot; the barrier comprising: a barrier element having a mesh structure for obstructing soil or plant roots 10 from penetrating a base of the plant pot.

In one aspect, the barrier element is made of a non-organic material· In one example, the barrier element is flexible. Advantageously, the barrier element is foldable from a non-folded configuration to a folded configuration. Ideally, the barrier element has an 15 inherent resilient biasing to automatically spring from the folded configuration to the no refolded configuration.

In a further aspect, the mesh structure defines a plurality of interstices. Advantageosuiy, the interstices are sized to prevent plant roots penetrating through the 20 barrier element. Ideally, the interstices are sized to prevent soil penetrating through the barrier element.

In one example, the barrier element is of a plastic material. Ideally, the plastic material comprises high-density polyethylene.

In one aspect, the barrier element has a foot print which substantially corresponds to a foot print of a base member of the plant pot. In another aspect, the barrier element has a foot print which substantially corresponds to a foot print of a base member of a tray associated with a plant pot.

Advantageously, the barrier element is provided as an insert, in a further arrangement, the barrier element is integrally formed with the plant pot. In yet another example, the barrier element is integrally formed with a tray associated with a plant pot.

In another aspect, a rim element extends around the perimeter of the barrier element. Advantageously, the rim element and the barrier element are Integrally formed.

Perferably, the rim element is configured for mating with the outer edges of the barrier element.

In a further aspect, the barrier element comprises one or more barrier regions where the interstices are located. Advantageously, the barrier element comprises a plurality of barrier regions. Advantageously, the barrier regions are located equi-distances apart.

In one aspect, the interstices define a pattern. Advantageously, the pattern defines a zig-zag arrangement or an open weave type net arrangementor circular holes. Ideally, the pattern includes diamond shapes. Preferably, the respective interstices have an area of 0.066cm2. Advantageously, the respective interstices have an area tn the range of 0.05cm3 to 0.07cm2. In a further aspect, the barrier element is planar. tn one arrangement, the barrier element Is treated or impregnated with an antiinsecticide, Advantageously, the barrier may be used as an anti-insect device.

In another aspect, the barrier element is of a moulded material.

The present teaching is also directed to plant pot assembly comprising: a plant pot; and a barrier as defined in any preceding claims.

Advantageosuly, the plant pot assembly, further comprises a tray for supporting the plant pot thereon.

Brief Description Of The Drawings The present teaching will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a plant pot housing a barrier in accordance with the present teaching; Figure 2 is a plan view of the barrier of Figure 1; Figure 3 is an underneath plan view of another embodiment of a barrier in accordance with the present teaching; Figure 4 is an underneath plan view of another embodiment of a barrier in accordance with the present teaching; Figure 5 is a plan view of another embodiment of a barrier in accordance with the present teaching; Figure 6A is a perspective view of another embodiment of a barrier in accordance with the present teaching with the barrier incorporated into a tray for placing beneath 10 the plant pot; Figure 6B is a perspective view of a plant pot assembly which incorporates the barrier, the plant pot and the tray; Figure 7 A is a perspective view of another embodiment of a barrier fn accordance with the present teaching with a mesh structure integrally moulded to an outer ring; and Figure 7B is a perspective view of a plant pot housing the barrier of Figure 7A therein.

Detailed Description of the Drawings The present teaching will now be described with reference to some exemplary barriers for plant pots. It will be understood that the exemplary barriers are provided to assist in an understanding of the present teaching and is not to be construed as limiting in any fashion. Furthermore, features or elements that are described with reference to any one Figure may be interchanged with those of other Figures or other equivalent elements without departing from the spirit of the present teaching.

Referring to the drawings and inti ally to Figures 1 and 2 there is provided a barrier for a plant pot 10 in accordance with the present teaching. The barrier comprises a barrier element 14 having a mesh structure for obstructing sori or plant roots penetrating therethrough. The plant pot 10 comprises a side wall 11 extending upwardly from a base 12. The side wall 11 and base 12 together define a hollow interior region. Soil or similar compost like material is charged into the hollow interior region so that the plant may anchor its roots therein. The base 12 has a plurality of circular drainage apertures 13 disposed around the periphery of the base 12. The barrier element 14 is positioned adjacent the base above the aperatures 13 in the hollow interior region. The barrier element 14 prevents the seepage of soil from the hollow interior region downwardly through the drainage apertures 13. The mesh structure of the barrier element 14 includes a plurality of interstices 16, The Interstices 16 are sized to allow water to drain from the soil located in the hollow interior region but prevents soil seeping therethrough. The interstices may also be dimensioned to prevent plant roots penetrating therethrough. As a consequence, the plant roots are prevented from exiting the plant pot 10 through the aperatures 13 of the base 12.

The barrier element 14 may also acts as an obstacle to insects from entering the hollow inter region via the aperatures 13 from the ground beneath the plant pot 10, In this way, the barrier also acts as an anti-insect device for preventing ants and other harmful insects from attacking the potted plant. In the exemplary arrangement, the barrier is provided as an insert which abuts the base 12 of the plant pet 10. In use, the barrier element 14 Is located Intermediate the soil contained in the hollow interior region and the base 12 of the plant pot .

In the exemplary arrangement, the barrier element 14 has a foot print which substantially corresponds to the footprint of the base 12. Thus the outer edge of the barrier 20 element 14 is flush around the inner lower part of the plant pot 10. The barrier element 14 14 may be shaped to conform to the shape of the base 12. In the example of Figure 1, the barrier member 14 rs provided as a circular disc which is seated on the circular base 12 of the plant pot 10. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that It is not intended to limit the barrier element 14 to a particular shape as it may be provided in any desired shape.

While the barrier element 14 has been described as an insert, it is not intended to limit the barrier element to such an arrangement as it may be integrally formed with the plant pot 10, tor example. In an alternative configuration, the barrier element 14 may be fixed to the underside of the base 12 of the plant pot 10 instead of being seated thereort.

The barrier element 14 may be made of a non-organic material such as plastic to prevent it being contaminated from mould, mildrew, fungi, or the like. When plants are located in certain environments, the combination of soil and moisture provides ideal conditions for fungi such as mould to grow which can harm the plant Moulds are microscopic organisms which are present virtually everywhere. Moulds digest organic material and gradually destroy whatever organic medium they grow on. For example, if the barrier element 14 was made of an organic material such as paper or the like, mlcoscoplc organisms over time would digest the paper thereby allowing soil to seep through and insects to enter the potted plant from underneath throughs the drainage aperatures 13.

The barrier element 14 may be made of a flexible material for facilatrng handling and locating the barrier on the base of plant pot 10. When the barrier element 14 is flexible, it may be bent or folded during handling by the gardener and will automatically spring to a planar configuration on release from the gardeners hold. The inherent flexible characteristic allows the barrier element 14 to automatically assume a planar configuration when released from a folded configuration. It will therefore be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the barrier element 14 has an Inherent resilient biasing to automatically spring from a folded configuration to a non-folded configuration. Alternatively, the barrier member may be rigid in order to support a heavy soil load. In such a scenario, the barrier element may be provided as a metal, such as aluminum, stainless steel, or the like. However, as metal may rust and degrade overtime, It is particularly advantageous to provide the barrier element 14 using material which do not degrade over time when exposed to oxygen and water. Thus plastic, fibreglass ora polymer are particularly suitable materials for the barrier element 14. In one example, the barrier element 14 Is made of a plastics material such as high-density polyethylene.

The Interstices 16 define a pattern which may be of a zig-zag arrangement or an open weave type net arrangement. In the exemplary arrangement, the pattern includes diamond shapes. In one example, the interstices 16 have an area in the range of 0,05cm2 to 0.07 cm2. In the preferred arrangement the interstices 16 have an area of 0.0666cm2. In the exemplary mesh structure which is illustrated in Figure 2, an area of 4cm2 contains ten diamonds wide by six diamonds high. Thus the area of the respective interstices are 0.0666cm2. When the barrier is used as an anti-insect device It may be treated or impregnated with an anti-insecticide to discourage insects from attacking the potted plant.

Referring now to Figure 3, there is provided another barrier for a plant pot which is also in accordance with the present teaching. In this embodiment, a barrier element 20 provides the central part of the base 12 of the plant pot. An outer rim 11 of the base 12 is connected to the barrier element 20. Thus the barrier element 20 Is integrally formed with the base 12 through a moulding process or the like. The barrier element 20 is substantially similar to the barrier element 14 except that it is integrally formed with the plant pot 10. The barrier element 20 includes a plurality of interstitial spaces (interstices) 21. Since the base 12 of the ptant pot contains interstitial spaces 21 there is no need to provide the drainage apertures 13 in the plant pot. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the barrier element 20 prevents soil or plant roots from penetrating the base of the plant pot. The barrier element 20 may also act as an antFinsect device In a similar manner as previously described with reference to the barrier element 14.

Referring now to Figure 4, there is provided a further barrier for a plant pot which is also in accordance with the present teaching, in this embodiment, a plurality of barrier elements 30 are incorproated into the base of the pot 10 and define corresponding barrier regions 31,32 wherre the interstices are located. The barrier regions may correspond for example to the regions where the drainage apertures 13 were previously located. It will be appreciated by those skilled In the art that the barrier regions prevents soil or plant roots from penetrating the base of the plant pot The barrier regions may also act as an antiinsect device in a similar manner as previously described with reference to the barrier element 14. The embodiment thus provides a plant pot having a base and said base comprising at least one region having a plurality of Interstitial spaces. It will be appreciated that during manufacture of a plant pot, It would be possible to heat weld or glue the barrier element of mesh material to the bottom of the plant pot so that it is flush over the apertures 13 in the base.

Referring now to Figure 5, there is provided a further barrier for a plant pot which is also in accordance with the present teaching. In this embodiment, the barrier element 14 is produced having a solid rim 40. in an exemplary arrangement, the rim 40 is about 5mm in width around the circumference of the barrier element 14. Therefore, the rim could be produced as a round circular annular rim 40, similar to a washer, and the barrier element 14 of mesh material may be welded or fixed to the ring/rim and then it can be positioned in the plant pot. Otherwise, the barrier operates in a similar fashion to the barrier of Figure 1.

Referring now to Figures 6A and 6B there is provided a further barrier for a plant pot which is also in accordance with the present teaching. In this embodiment, the barrier element 14 Is integrated into a tray 30 on which the base 12 of the plant pot 10 sits. Figure 6B illustrates a plant pot assembly comprising the plant pot 10; the barrier element 14, and the tray 30. If desired the barrier element 14 which is integrated with the tray 30 maybe nested into a decorative plant pot, for example. Otherwise, the barrier operates in a slmuilar fashion to the barrier of Figure 1.

Referring now to Figures 7A and 7B there is provided a further barrier for a plant pot which is also in accordance with the present teaching. In this embodiment, the mesh structure of the barrier element 14 is moulded to an outer ring 40 to form a single unit which may be placed into the plant pot 10. Otherwise, the barrier operates in a similar fashion as previously described.

The advantages of the present teaching are many. The barrier will substantially reduce or eliminate roots of plants from penetrating through the base of the plant pot However, the mesh structure of the barrier element will enable water and moisture to penetrate through the base of the plant pot for faciltating drainage. One of the great difficulties In the horticulture market place is that there is considerable spillage of compost from plant pots through the apertures in the base of the plant pot The barriertherefore provides a solution to the ongoing problems of compost spilling out of the base of a plant pot. The barriers provide effective anti-insect devices for preventing harmful insects attacking plants. Furthermore, the barriers are reusable. Additionally, the barriers may be hand washed or the like prior to being reused.

The present teaching may be achieved through either the provision and use of a mesh type insert barrier for placing into or onto a plant pot or alternatively forming the base with a mesh structure, at lease in one region, to provide a plurality of interstitial spaces.

While the present teaching has been described with reference to exemplary arrangements, it will be understood that it is not intended to limit the teaching of the present teaching to such arrangements as modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, it is envisaged that the barrier element may include a mesh in the form of netting for round or square plant pots, in fact the barrier element may be provided in any desired shape. It is not intended to limit the barrier element to be made from a particular material. It is envisaged that the barrier element may be made from the following non-exhaustive list of materials, which are provided by way of example only, plastic, metai mesh, firerglass mesh, polyester mesh, nylon, plastic disc impregnated with holes, plastic material made in a weave pattern with holes, fabric material impregnated with holes, rubber material with holes, laminated and moulded plastic. While a barrier element having mesh netting In the form of a zig-zag web or open weave were found to provide optimium results. Alternative configurations such as circular or square holes may also be used to implement the present teaching. Thus is is not intended to limit the present teaching to the diamond pattern which is described In the exemplary embodiments. The barrier element may be provided in any desired colour. For example, the barrier element may be a white colour for providing a hygienic aesthetic appearance. Typically, the base of circular plant pots have one of the foilowing diameters 9cm, 10cm, 12om, 14cm, 17.5cm. It is envisaged that the barrier element may be dimensioned such that Its footprint g corresponds to any desired dimension, shape or configuration. In this way it will be understood that the present teaching is to be limited only insofar as is deemed necessary in the light of the appended claims.

Similarly the words com prises/oomp rising when used in the specification are used to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more additional features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof.

Claims (5)

Claims

1, A barrier for a plant pot; the barrier comprising: a barrier element having a mesh structure for obstructing soil or plant roots from penetrating a base of the plant pot,

2. , A barrier as claimed in claim 1, wherein the barrier element is made of a nonorganic material, and is flexible.

3. , A barrier as claimed in claim 2, wherein the barrier element is foldable from a nonfolded configuration to a folded configuration, and has an inherent resilient biasing to automatically spring from the folded configuration to the non-folded configuration.

4. , A barrier substantially as described hereinbefore with reference to the accompanying drawings.

5. , A plant pot assembly comprising; a plant pot; and a barrier as claimed in any preceding claims.