IL168825A - Opaque container with cover for growing plants - Google Patents

Description

168825/4 Opaque Container with Cover for Growing Plants o>htt* bvm nt tt tjy OWN Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a device for growing plants, and more particularly the invention is concerned with a device such as a flowerpot, vessel, bag or container and to a cover for such a device. Specifically, but not exclusively, the invention is concerned with a device and cover that accompany the plant throughout its growth process, from the first stage in which the plant is a young sprout or seedling until the adult stage in which the plant becomes mature, a bush or tree.

Background of the Invention Various types of containers, of different sizes, exist and are used by plant growers. For the purpose of growing plants, especially industrialized growing, it is usual to use two main types of containers: growth pots and growth bags.

Pots for growing plants exist in a variety of shapes and sizes, from simple growth pots made of cheap, thin plastic to decorative flowerpots made of rigid materials such as ceramics, wood or strong plastic. The essence of the present invention mainly refers to that group of flowerpots known as growth pots. These pots are used for commercial growing purposes and are, in general, inexpensive pots made of rigid or semi-rigid plastic, in most cases thin plastic. The shape of these pots is rectangular or round, and they are available in a variety of sizes, in accordance with requirements and the size of the seedling. These pots accompany the seedling during its initial stages of growth and their purpose is to provide a home for the seedling in which to grow and strengthen its roots before it is transferred to its permanent location, either in the ground or in a permanent flowerpot.

Growth bags for plants are available in a number of sizes and volumes, in accordance with requirements and the seedling. These growth bags accompany the seedling from its first stages of development, and their purpose is to provide a home for growth that .allows the seedling to flourish and strengthen its roots before it is transferred to a permanent location, either in the ground or in a flowerpot. The growth bags are used for commercial growing, mainly in plant nurseries and hothouses where seedlings are grown in large quantities. Contrary to pots, the growth bags are mostly used only once. The earth and the seedling are placed in the bag for the growth period and when the plant is transferred to its permanent location, the bag is torn off, thus terminating its use. The main characteristics of the growth bag are expressed in its soft, flexible structure, which results from the use of soft material, plastic sheeting that is welded and connected to form a bag having a base. When it is empty, the bag is flat and thin. Its three-dimensional shape is obtained only when the earth is placed into the bag. The growth bags come in dark colours, so that the sunlight will not penetrate into the roots of the plant. Drainage holes are scattered over the bottom and sides of the bag to allow the earth to breath and water to drain out. This combination of features creates an inexpensive commercial growth container that is comfortable and efficient, allowing the seedling to flourish.

Summary of the Invention The present invention concentrates on a main characteristic that is common to both growth pots and bags: the upper opening of the container. This is the opening through which the container is filled with earth and the seedlings are planted, and through this opening, the earth inside the container is exposed to light, wind, water, heat and cold. The wide opening of the container, exposing the earth to sunlight, wind and water, renders it a fertile medium not only for the growth of the seedlings, but also for weeds.

Disclosure of the Invention It is therefore a broad object of the present invention to assist the growth process of the plant within pots, vessels, containers or growth bags and to improve the process of plant growth.

It is a further object of the present invention to significantly reduce the growth of weeds in the growth container by preventing light rays from reaching the growth 3 168825/2 media of the growing container, resulting in the saving of working hours, a reduced number of workers, and a reduction in weed killing poisonous sprays that penetrate into the earth and the seedlings.

It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide a solution to the weed growth problem, which will ease the growth of the seedling, provide more efficient use of the water in the container and also make the grower's job easier.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a cover for a plant growing container which decreases evaporation of irrigation water.

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a plant growing container comprising: at least one piece of opaque material forming a body of the container that is configured to accommodate a plant therein and has an upper edge abutting a cover that is adapted to fold inside said upper edge of the container above a growing media, so as to cover the container and form a shallow basin or a depressed area at the top of the container for maintaining irrigation water sprayed thereon; said cover further having an opening for accommodating a protruding stem of the plant.

There is further provided a cover and a cover for a plant growing container having an upper open portion, comprising at least one piece of opaque material having at least one edge defining the size and configuration of a surface fitting inside said upper portion of the container above a growing media, so as to cover it, and means for coupling said surface to the upper portion of said container.

Brief Description of the Drawings The invention will now be described in connection with certain preferred embodiments with reference to the following illustrative figures, so that it may be more fully understood.

With specific reference now to the figures in detail, it is stressed that the particulars shown are by way of example and for purposes of illustrative discussion of the preferred embodiments of the present invention only, and are presented in the cause of providing what is believed to be the most useful and readily understood description of the principles and conceptual aspects of the invention. In this regard, no attempt is made to show structural details of the invention in more detail than is necessary for a fundamental understanding of the invention, the description taken with the drawings making apparent to those skilled in the art how the several forms of the invention may be embodied in practice.

In the drawings: Fig. 1 illustrates a first embodiment of an open, empty growth container having an integral cover of a single flap, according to the invention; Fig. 2 shows the container of Fig. 1 with the cover in its closed state; Fig. 3 illustrates a second embodiment of an open, empty growth container having an integral cover comprised of two flaps; Fig. 4 shows the container of Fig. 3 with the cover in its closed state; Fig. 5 illustrates a third embodiment of an open, empty growth container having an integral cover comprised of a multiplicity of flaps; Fig. 6 shows the container of Fig. 5 with the cover in its closed state; Fig. 7 illustrates a cover for a prismatic plant growth pot, according to the present invention; Fig. 8 illustrates a cover for a cylindrical pot, according to the present invention; Figs. 9 to 11 illustrate further embodiments of covers for prismatic pots, according to the present invention; Fig. 12 illustrates an open growth flexible container having an integral cover comprised of a single flap; Fig. 13 shows the growth container of Fig. 12 in its closed condition; Fig. 14 illustrates an open, empty growth container having an integral cover comprised of two flaps; Fig. 15 shows the container of Fig. 14 in its closed state, and 168,825/2 Figs. 16 to 18 illustrate a further embodiment of a flexible container according to the present invention, having an integral cover in its open and closed states.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments Figs. 1 and 2 illustrate a first embodiment of the present invention showing a plant growing container 2 made of an opaque, at least semi-rigid material, having an integral cover shown generally as 4 that closes the upper portion of the container 2. The opaque material is intended to prevent light from passing therethrough, and thus, prevent the growing of weeds. The container 2 in these Figures, is prismatic and the cover 4 is configured to fit the inside upper rim portion of the container. The cover 4 is advantageously coupled to one side of the container by means of a strip 6 having two spaced-apart weakening lines 8 and 10 acting as hinges, facilitating the folding of the cover over the inner surface area on top of a growing media (not shown) inside the upper portion of the container 2, so as to form a shallow basin or a depressed area at the top of the container, as clearly seen in Fig. 2. This depressed area is utilized for maintaining the irrigation water sprayed thereon. The strip 6 also functions to more positively hold the cover portion in place. The cover 4 is made with a slot 12 leading from the edge opposite the strip 6 to about the center thereof, where it mergers with an enlargement or opening 14, the size of which is determined with respect to the size of the stem of a plant which is to be planted in the container, as illustrated in Fig. 2. The cover 4 is also furnished with one or more perforations or holes 16 through which irrigating water, e.g., water applied by spraying, can penetrate. In the embodiment shown, the cover 4 is also provided with tongues 18, 18' for retaining the cover 4 in place in its operative state.

Referring to Figs. 3 and 4, there is illustrated a further embodiment in which the cover 4 is constituted by two cover portions 4' and 4", optionally, each attached to the container by strips 6, 6'. The cover portions 4', 4" are fitted with interlocking means such as tabs 22, 22', respectively, adapted to engage slots 24, 24'. Recesses 26, 26' are made in facing edges 28, 28' of the cover portions 4', 4", which recesses form an 6 168,825/2 opening 30 when folded into place, as seen in Fig. 4. The cover portions 4, 4' may be so sized as to leave an open narrow slot 32 between them when folded, for allowing irrigating water to enter into the container 2. Additional irrigating holes 16 may also be provided.

A modification of a 2 and cover is illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6. To the upper edges of the pentagonal container 2' there are hingedly attached five flaps 34, which upon folding and interlacing, assume the disposition as illustrated in Fig. 6. A plant protrusion central opening 36 formed upon the folding of the flaps and an irrigation hole 16 are also seen. Naturally, the same arrangement can also be embodied with a different number of container side walls and a corresponding number of flaps 34.

While in Figs. 1 to 6 there are illustrated containers with an integral cover or cover portions, Figs. 7 to 11 illustrate embodiments of non-integral covers, configured and sized to match and cover the upper surface area of growing media disposed in containers of various shapes.

Fig. 7 shows a square cover 40 formed as a tray having a bottom surface 42 and side walls 44, extending substantially normal to said surface. Also seen are the slot 12 leading to the central opening 14 and the irrigation hole 16. A similar circular cover 46 for engaging a circular container 2a is shown in Fig. 8. Both covers 40 and 46 are configured to sink into the upper portion of their respective containers and are held in this position, at least partly, by virtue of the slanted or conical shape of the containers and of their side walls 44 and 44a.

Cover portions 48, 48' attached to the prismatic container 2 is shown in Fig. 9. The cover portions are each provided with a bottom surface 50, 50', an upright wall 52, 52' and fold-over sections 54, 54' in the direction away from the bottom surfaces 7 168,825/2 48, 48'. The upright walls and the fold-over sections constitute means for coupling the surface to the container and facilitate positive gripping of the cover portions to the upper rim sections 56, 56' of opposite sides of the prismatic container 2.

An embodiment having a single cover the type illustrated in Fig. 9 is shown in Figs. 10 and 11. Accordingly, there are provided only one upright wall 52, a fold-over section 54 and a surface 58 sized to cover the entire upper inner portion of the container 2 above the growing media. The slot 60 made in the bottom surface is, in this embodiment, not linear as in the other embodiments, but curved.

Whereas in Figs. 1 to 1 1 the containers and covers are made of at least semirigid materials, similar containers and covers can also be produced from thin plastic materials rendering it more flexible. Thus, the embodiment shown in Figs. 12 and 13 corresponds to the embodiment of Figs. 1 and 2, except for the material of which it is made and the shown additional draining holes 62 made in the bottom portion of the flexible container, which draining holes may, of course, also be made in the containers of the previous embodiments. Similarly, with respect to the major features, the embodiments of Figs. 14 and 15 correspond to those of Figs. 3 and 4 but having the additional corner ribs 64 and the U-shaped fastening element 66 for fastening the two cover portions 4', 4" to the earth inside the container 2.

Slight modifications of the previously described embodiments are illustrated in Figs. 16 to 18. Here, the container 2, made of at least a semi-rigid material, and the flexible cover 4a are formed as a bag. The cover 4a is configured as a sleeve and is, optionally, made with a passage 68 in which a thread 70 is strung. The latter is utilized for restricting the large opening 72 made for filling the container with a growing media and planting one or more seedlings 74 (Fig. 17). The cover can then be folded along the folding line 76 separating the at least semi-rigid container from 8 168825/2 the flexible cover, into the container, as shown in Fig. 18. The restricted opening 72 serves also for allowing irrigating water to enter into the container.

It is important to point out that even though the present invention is focused on growth pots, it may also be used for permanent and decorative flowerpots.

Claims (18)

9 168825/4 WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A plant growing container comprising: at least one piece of opaque material forming a body of the container that is configured to accommodate a plant therein and has an upper edge abutting a cover that is adapted to fold inside said upper edge of the container above a growing media, ' so as to cover the container and form a shallow basin or a depressed area at the top of the container for maintaining irrigation water sprayed thereon; said cover further having an opening for accommodating a protruding stem of the plant.

2. The plant growing container as claimed in claim 1, wherein the opening is at least partially in the form of a slot.

3. The plant growing container as claimed in claim 1, further comprising at least one hole formed in said cover for admitting liquid into the container.

4. The plant growing container as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cover further comprises at least one tongue for tucking inside the container so as to close the container.

5. The plant growing container as claimed in claim 1, wherein the upper edge abuts the cover via a strip of material integrally connected to the edge and extending substantially normal thereto.

6. The plant growing container as claimed in claim 5, further comprising a wall section made integral with said strip and folded over in the direction away from the cover.

7. The plant growing container as claimed in claim 6, wherein at least an upper portion of the container and the wall section are conical or outwardly slanted. 10 168825/3

8. The plant growing container as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cover comprises two cover portions attachable to opposite sides of the container and sized to cover an upper open portion of the container.

9. The plant growing container as claimed in claim 8, wherein said cover portions are integrally attached to opposite sides of the container.

10. The plant growing container as claimed in claim 8, wherein each of said cover portions is provided with means for inter-engagement with the other portion.

11. The plant growing container as claimed in claim 8, wherein edges of said cover portions have recesses forming said opening when facing each other.

12. The plant growing container as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cover comprises a plurality of cover portions each integrally attached to a rim portion of a container, said cover portions being shaped and sized to be folded and interlaced inside the upper inner open portion of the container, so as to form a contiguous surface while forming an opening in the center of said surface.

13. The plant growing container as claimed in claim 1, wherein said cover and/or container are made of a rigid, semi-rigid or flexible material, or a combination thereof.

14. The plant growing container as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the cover is integral with the container.

15. The plant growing container as claimed in claim 14, wherein: the container comprises a generally tubular portion made of a flexible material having a perforated bottom surface and a top rim, and 11 168825/3 the cover comprises a sleeve made of opaque material attached at one end to the top rim of the container, said sleeve having at its second end a passage and a pulling thread strung therein.

16. An integral cover and container as claimed in claim 15, wherein said tubular container is made of at least a semi-rigid material and said sleeve is made of a flexible material.

17. A plant growing container according to claim 1, substantially as hereinbefore described and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

18. An integral cover and a container according to claim 15, substantially as hereinbefore described and with reference to the accompanying drawings. For the Applicant WOLFF, BREGMAN AND GOLLER