NL1001153C1 - Item with peripheral flange - has flange movable between curved position and second stable one - Google Patents

Abstract

In the first curved position, the flange (7) is curved, typically forming the top edge of a flowerpot (1), or the edge of a dish accommodating the latter. It is so joined to the item that it can be brought into a second free stable position on it. In the curved position the flange can bear on the inside against a supporting portion protruding from the pot etc. and halfway between the free edge and the edge joined to the pot. The joint to the latter can be formed by a portion of the flange which at the most is half the thickness of the remainder, and it can be arranged to hinge on the pot.

Description

Object with flange protruding therefrom, and device for manipulating a portion of that object.

The invention relates to an object with a flange protruding therefrom. More particularly, the invention relates to a plant or flower pot with a water collecting tray located at the bottom. However, the invention is not limited thereto. For example, the invention also applies to the outwardly facing collar part along the top edge of a flower or plant pot as well. In addition, the invention naturally relates to objects other than flower or plant pots, and those objects can be both hollow and solid.

Curly flanges protruding from an object are, for example, difficult to manufacture in injection-molded manufacture and the space between the flange and the object is often difficult to reach for, for example, cleaning purposes. Reason why such a flange, for example as an integral part of a water collection tray at the bottom of a pot, is manufactured as a separate part 20 which can easily be detached from the object. For manufacturing, however, this means that two separate parts must first be manufactured and then assembled. This involves relatively high investments and a lot of time. Also, the flange, once detached from the object, can be lost.

The present invention aims to provide an article with a curly protruding flange which can be manufactured at a lower cost and with less time, for example in injection molding, whereby the area between the article and the flange can be made more accessible during use of the article 30, for example for cleaning, and there is further less risk of losing the flange. To this end, an article according to the combination of measures as set out in the appended claim 1 is proposed.

The flange can now occupy two free, equilibrium positions. One is an equilibrium position to act as the upright outer edge of a water collector, for example, and the other position for easier manufacturing and access to the space between the flange and the object, while the flange is an integrated part 10 0 1 1 53 · 2 of the object. However, it is still possible to keep the flange separate from the object and easily detachably connect to the object. However, it is then no longer necessary to detach the flange from the object in order to make the space between the object and the flange more accessible. A further advantage can be achieved in that with the flange in one or the other free equilibrium position the object can be given two different appearances. It could also make the object itself applicable in two modes of use; 10 for example an upright position and an upside-down position. The flange does not have to protrude from the outside of the object, but with a hollow object the flange could also protrude inwards.

Particularly in the case of relatively large dimensions of the flange, it has been found that a tight, undulating appearance of the flange can be effectively achieved in at least one of the two free equilibrium positions by supporting the flange with its inner side until it is out of the object excellent support element. Thus, the free top edge of the flange is elastically held at pretension so that creases and waves have as little opportunity as possible to form. In order to achieve the best possible elastic pre-tensioning of the flange while minimizing the use of material, it is then preferred that the support element is located closer to the flange edge 25 connected to the object. Preferably, the support member rests against the flange at a distance approximately from 1 to 1 of the flange width, measured from the flange edge connected to the object. Also, in connection with the use in the water collecting bowl, preferably at the bottom of the pot, with this advantageous arrangement of the support element, the effective volume of the water collecting bowl is disadvantaged as little as possible.

In order for the flange to be reliably brought from one free equilibrium position to the other free equilibrium position and vice versa, it is preferred that the flange be moved via a preferably a thinned bridge part, which bridge part defines a hinge connection, is connected to the object. Advantageously, in one of the two free equilibrium positions of the flange, that bridge part determines a substantially right angle thereto. In connection with the application to the water collecting tray at the bottom of a pot, this means that the bridge part runs downwards at an angle from the bottom of the pot relative to the center axis of the pot. In addition, the bridge part with that center axis encloses an angle of about 15 ° to 60 °.

It will be clear that the flange, but also the object, can take various mutually adapted shapes, for instance substantially circular or elliptical, but also triangular, quadrangular or polygonal, for example hexagonal or octagonal. Furthermore, it will be clear to the skilled person how, by means of calculations and tests, to arrive at the suitable combination of wall thickness for the flange and the possible bridge part, and the suitable material properties (elastic limit, elongation at break, visco-elastic behavior, etc.) to to be able to bring the flange without, or substantially without, permanent (plastic) deformation or tearing from one free equilibrium position to another free equilibrium position. The use of injection-moldable polypropylene has proved suitable.

The invention also relates to a device for manipulating a part of the object. This device according to the invention is particularly suitable when used with a plant pot with an integrated water saucer at its base, the peripheral edge of that water saucer being movable between two extreme positions, one of which is the use position, and with that device the circumferential edge of that water saucer can be moved from one to the other extreme and / or vice versa.

To this end, the device according to the present invention for manipulating at least a part of the object according to the present invention has elements, preferably hook elements, in order to be able to engage freely on the outer circumferential edge of the water dish, or correspondingly between extreme positions movable part of the object to retain said peripheral edge in at least one direction of movement, the device further comprising a driving element for engaging the object to propel said object in that one direction to attempt to extend said peripheral edge beyond said retaining elements to move.

10 0 1 1 534

In the following the invention is further elucidated on the basis of a non-limiting exemplary embodiment with reference to the attached drawing. Hereby shows:

Figure 1 is a side sectional view of a bottom detail of a flower pot with a water collecting tray on its bottom, the flange or bowl edge being shown in its first free equilibrium position;

Figure 2 "is the view according to Figure 1, showing the flange or shell edge in its second free equilibrium position;

Figure 3 is a side view, partly in section, of an embodiment variant of the device for bringing the water saucer on the flower pot from its one, active, extreme position into its other extreme position, with the device shown in a rest position;

Figure 4 shows a top view of figure 3, along the line IV-IV; Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 3, with the device shown in two positions;

Figure 6 shows a view corresponding to figure 5, with the device shown in two further positions;

Figure 7 shows an embodiment of the device according to the present invention, for instance to bring a water saucer on a plant pot from its one extreme position into its other, active, extreme position, with the device shown in a starting position in side view, partly in section;

Figure 8 is a view corresponding to Figure 7, wherein the device is shown in an intermediate position; and

Figure 9 is a view similar to Figure 7, showing the device in an end position.

The drawings show a bottom detail of a round pot 1, seen in top view, at a distance below its lower edge 30 9 is the water collecting tray 3. The water collecting tray 3 also defines the bottom of the pot 1. However, it is also possible, in placing the pot 1, running between the bottom edge 9, a "floating" possibly perforated bottom (not visible) above the dish 3.

The water collecting tray 3 is connected to the lower edge 9 with lip-shaped spacers 4. In or between said spacers 4 there are openings or holes for the free flow of water. At the outer edge of the circular water collecting tray 3 there is an all-round supporting lip 5. This extends slightly obliquely relative to the further 10 01 1 53 · 5 flat water collecting tray 3, preferably at an angle of approximately 5 °. Furthermore, a relatively thin bridge section 6 is connected to the water collecting tray 3, through a flange 7 which is also all around. The bridge section 6 has the flange 7 hingedly connected to the water collecting tray 3. As shown, the bridge section 6 is at least 50% thinner than flange 7. The bridge part 6 runs downwardly from the water collecting bowl 3 with respect to the center axis 8 of the pot 1. The bridge part 6 is attached to the water collecting tray 3 at a location 10 which is diametrically offset slightly inwardly with respect to the bottom edge 9 or the transition between the possible "floating" bottom and the upright wall 11 of the pot 1.

As shown, the flange 7 can be resiliently moved elastically between two free equilibrium positions. In the position of use of the pot 1 (figure 2), the flange 7 rests with its inner side firmly against the lip 5, so that the free top edge of the flange 7 is preferably elastically tensioned. The point 12 where the lip 5 bears against the flange 7 is closer to where the flange 7 is bonded to the bridge 6. Furthermore, in this position the flange 7 with the bridge part 6 encloses approximately a rectangle.

In a currently advantageous embodiment, the point 10 determines a diameter of 64 mm., The point 9 a diameter of 66 mm., The bridge part 6 is 0.3 mm thick, the flange 7 is 0.7 mm thick, the radius of curvature of the flange 7 is approximately 15 mm and the center of said arc radius is located at a diameter of 96 mm, 2.5 mm above the bottom of the shell 3 and the free top of the flange 7 in the position of figure 2 is flush with the bottom edge 9 of the pot 1, which bottom edge 9 extends approximately 6.5 mm. above the bottom of the scale 3.

Figures 3-9 show devices, in different operating positions, for manipulating the flange 7 to move it, mechanically actuated, between its two extreme positions (Figures 1 and 2).

Figures 3-6 show an apparatus 13 for bringing the flange 7 from the position shown in figure 2 to the position shown in figure 1. For this purpose, pots 1, one of which is shown in Figure 3, are successively moved in the direction of the arrow λ along a support 14, to pass the device 13 one by one, and to be manipulated by the device 13. The support 14 10 01 1 536 consists, for example, of two elongated bars, which run substantially parallel to each other, which are located on either side of the pots 1, and from which the pots 1 hang with their outwardly inverted top edge 15.

The shape of the device 13, in plan view, is adapted to the shape of the shell 3 and the flange 7. The device 13 has a number of retaining fingers 16 which are movable to and from the longitudinal center axis of the device 13. For a circular, or substantially circular, scale 13 and flange 7, the retaining fingers 16 will be arranged radially. For other shapes of shell 3 and flange 7, other arrangements of fingers 16 can be chosen to believe. It is important that the retaining fingers 16 can engage with the flange 7 in such a hooking manner that with the retaining fingers 16 a movement of the flange 7 in the direction of the arrow B (i.e. 15 vertically upwards in figure 3-6) is stopped. On the basis of this information it will be clear to the skilled person how the retaining fingers 16 should be formed, how much to use and how their arrangement should be. Because the retaining fingers 16 are movable to and from the central longitudinal axis of the device 13, they can assume a release position (figure 3), in which the retaining fingers 16 can move up and down freely along the flange 7, in order to move a pot 1 into and out of the device 13. In this embodiment variant, the retaining fingers 16 are each biased with a spring 17 towards the longitudinal center axis of the device 13, while the retaining fingers 16 are pivotally movable about a respective hinge 18. Of course, an embodiment variant is also conceivable, in which the retaining fingers 16 are formed of, for example, easily bendable material, so that a separate hinge 18 is not required. In combination or separately from this, an embodiment of the retaining fingers 16 with important resilient elastic behavior under bending could also be chosen, so that an inherent bias, directed towards the longitudinal center axis of the device 13, can be generated in the retaining fingers 16 without the need for a spring element 17 and / or a hinge member 18.

A spreading element 19 is arranged between the retaining fingers 16, which in the embodiment shown can be moved up and down vertically, i.e. in the direction of the arrow B. In its low position (figure 5 right), the spreader element falls into a recess 20 at the bottom of the retaining finger 16, so that the retaining finger 16 is free to move towards the longitudinal axis of the device 13. In its high position, the spreading element 19 keeps the retaining fingers 16 pressed outwards (right part of figure 6).

The device 13 further comprises a drive element or ram 21, which is also movable to and fro in the direction of the arrow B. As shown in Figures 5 and 6, this ram 21 is suitable for engaging the bottom of the shell 3. Piston / cylinder combinations 22, 23, 24 are arranged as shown 10, for energizing the retaining fingers 16, the spreading element 19 and the ram 21. These piston / cylinder combinations 22, 23, 24 may, for example, be of the pneumatic or hydraulic type.

The operation of the device 13 is as follows: It is started from the position shown in figure 3, wherein the piston / cylinder assemblies 23 and 24 are fully retracted, and the piston / cylinder assemblies 22 are fully extended. From that position, the ram 21 is moved against the underside of the shell 3 by extending the piston / cylinder assembly 24. The piston / cylinder assembly 23 is then extended so that the retaining fingers 16 protrude above the rim 7 . Now the position shown in figure 5 on the left has been reached. From that position, the piston / cylinder assemblies 22 are retracted so that the spreader element 19 moves downward and reaches the retaining fingers 16 at the level of the recess 20. As a result, the free upper ends of the retaining fingers 16 move towards the center longitudinal axis of the device 13, and engage behind the flange 7. Now the situation shown in Figure 5 on the right has been reached. The piston / cylinder assembly 23 is now energized to retract and thereby move the retaining fingers 16 downward in the direction of the arrow C. Since the level of the impact element 21 remains unchanged, the retaining fingers 16 will pull the flange 7 in their downward movement to move to its other position shown in Figure 1. Now the situation shown in figure 6 on the left has been reached. From that position, the piston / cylinder assemblies 22 are re-energized to extend, so as to drive the retaining fingers 16 apart with the spreading element 19, to release the flange 7. The situation shown in figure 6 on the right is thus achieved.

By now re-energizing the piston / cylinder assembly 24 to slide it in, the initial position of the device 13 shown in Figure 3 can be reached again. The 5 pot 1 processed in the device 13 can now move further in the direction of the arrow A, and a subsequent pot 1 can then be received in the device 13.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the piston / cylinder assemblies can be replaced by equivalent linear actuators, such as, for example, electrically powered screw spindles, and the like. Furthermore, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that two or more of the linear actuators can be combined by a larger stroke linear actuator, thereby occupying three positions during operation of the device 13; the two extreme positions and a middle position. The control 15 becomes more or less difficult in connection with occupying the middle position. Another sequence of successive actuation of the piston / cylinder assemblies 22, 23 and 24 is also conceivable, in order to allow the device 13 to carry out the intended series of operations. In that connection it is also possible, for example, instead of the retaining fingers 26 pulling on the flange 7 in the direction of the arrow C, that the ram 21 tries to move the pot 1 in the direction of the arrow B. flange 7 is retained by the retaining fingers 16. In that embodiment, the pot 1 with its collar 15 will release from the support 14, unless a vertically movable support 14 can be moved up and down, which can follow the vertical movement of the pot 1. For example, this can be achieved by designing the support 14 as, for example, tightly tensioned strings, which provide sufficient support for the pot 1, but allow the pot 1 to move up and down sufficiently. Furthermore, if the support 14 is sufficiently sturdy, the tappet 21 could be omitted. The retention of the pot 1 is then entirely for the account of the collar 15, while the retaining fingers 16 move downwards in the direction of the arrow C and carry the flange 7, as shown on the left in figure 6.

Figures 7-9 relate to an apparatus 25 for moving the flange 7 from the position shown in Figure 1 to the position shown in Figure 2. For example, the devices 13 and 25 may be integrated, for example, together with an automatic planting device. Both the device 13 and the device 14 are particularly suitable for handling the flange 7 when the pot 1 has already been planted. After all, both the device 13 and the device 25 engage below the top edge of the pot 1, so that the plants remain free from the device 13 and 25, respectively.

The device 25 has a plurality of retractable retainers 26 for engaging the support lip 5 as shown. The fingers 26 can for instance be arranged radially, in accordance with, for example, the radial arrangement of the retaining fingers 16 of the device 13 (figure 4). It will be clear to the skilled person that any retaining element is suitable for engaging the supporting lip 5 to stop movement of the pot 1 in the direction of the arrow D. In the illustrated embodiment, the fingers 26 are extendable and retractable by means of piston / cylinder assemblies. Other 15 linear actuators can also be selected. The fingers 26 need not be linearly extendable and retractable; they can also be hinged, for example, to move between an active and a release position. The device 25 further has a grid 27, on which the pot 1 can be placed on top in the position shown in figure 1. Below the grating 27 is a ram element 28 driven by a piston / cylinder assembly 29.

The ram element 28 has a grooved top surface so that, through the grid 27, it can engage the flange 7 to move it up in the direction of the arrow D.

After a pot 1 has been placed on the grid 27 (figure 7), the fingers 26 are brought into engagement with the support lip 5.

Thereafter, the ram element 28 is driven upwards and presses the flange 7 into its position shown in Figure 2. To this end, the grid 27 also moves upwards (see figure 8). Thereafter, both the ram element 28 and the fingers 26 are retracted and the pot 1 can be removed from the device 25 (see Figure 9). For transporting to and from the device 25, the pot 1 can for instance rest with its outwardly flanking top edge 15 on tensioned strings 14 arranged on either side, as can for instance also be used in connection with the device 13. In that context, application of a support grid 27 in the device 25 is not absolutely necessary. The strings 14 allow the fingers 26 to push the pot 1 down slightly, for example. This downward movement can even be sufficient to bend the flange 7 with the ram element 28 without further upward movement of the ram element 28. Use of the grid 27 is preferred with relatively high downwardly directed loads on the pot 1, since the collar 15 is often unsuitable for carrying such relatively high loads.

10 01 1 53

Claims (8)

1. Object with a flange running along at least a part of its circumference in a first, curly position, for instance the outer edge of the collecting bowl or the top edge of a plant pot, wherein said flange is connected to the object such that said flange is in a second free equilibrium position can be brought to the object. 2. An article according to claim 1, wherein said flange in said first curly position rests its inner side against a support element protruding from the object, said flange preferably supporting against said support element in an area halfway between the free edge and the edge of the flange connected to the object or closer to the edge of the flange 15 connected to the object. Object according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the flange is connected to the object via a part of smaller thickness, preferably at most half as thick as the flange. 4. Object according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the flange is hingedly connected to the object. Object according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the flange is connected to the object by a plate element likewise protruding from the object, which, with the flange in the first position, encloses substantially a right angle therewith. An article according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the flange and optionally also the article has a substantially elliptical, circular, triangular, quadrangular or polygonal shape. An article according to any preceding claim, wherein the flange has a curly shape in both the first and second positions. Device for mechanically manipulating the said flange on the object according to any one of the preceding claims, to bring said flange from its first free equilibrium position to its second free equilibrium position and / or vice versa, provided to and from the center axis of the device 35 movable retaining members for restrained engagement with the object in the vicinity of said flange (7) for movement of that object in the direction substantially parallel to the direction in which the flange is between the first and second free equilibrium positions K movable, retaining or propelling, and provided with a ram element (21, 28) for engaging an area of the object because object is respectively movable or retained in the direction substantially parallel to the direction in which the 5 flange (7) is movable between the first and second free equilibrium positions. 1001153