NL1019111C1 - Plant pot, comprises air permeable inner pot protected by outer pot with closed outer wall - Google Patents

Abstract

The plant pot (1) comprises an outer pot (2) with an essentially closed outer wall (8) and an inner pot (3) with an essentially air permeable wall (13). Independent claims are also included for (a) a combination of the plant pot and a dish for securing to the pot, (b) a plant cultivation device comprising at least one receptacle with a cover containing an opening, the receptacle being capable of receiving at least one pot so that the openings are effectively sealed, the pot being provided with openings in its length wall to enable the plant in the pot to be ventilated, and (c) a method for cultivating plants, in which a plant or seedling in a pot of growth medium is pushed through an opening in a cover so that the length wall of the pot protected by the cover from the surrounding light, the pot having openings in its length wall in order to ventilate the plant or seedling, where watering is carried out via these openings and/or the pot base.

Description

Title: Plant pot and improved cultivation method.

The invention relates to a plant pot.

Plant pots are known and are used for growing plants in greenhouses and the like. These plant pots, which are generally made of plastic, have a bottom provided with openings and a closed wall adjoining the bottom. A culture medium such as soil, glass or rock wool, oasis or coconut is placed inside the plant pot, in which a seedling, cutting or plant to be grown is placed. The plant pot is then placed on a culture bottom, for example an ebb and flood bottom, on which the plant pot alternately stands dry and in water, at least with a lower end. Water can then enter the culture medium through the openings for growth of the plant. Because the wall is closed, that is to say light and moisture-tight, root growth is stimulated and water is enclosed within the pot, at least in the growing medium. Undesirably strong evaporation is simply prevented.

However, aeration of the roots is virtually impossible here.

The object of the invention is to provide a plant pot in which the aforementioned disadvantages of the known plant pots are avoided, while maintaining the advantages thereof. To that end, a plant pot according to the invention is characterized by the features according to claim 1.

By using an inner pot and an outer pot, wherein the inner pot has at least one wall that is at least partially air-permeable, the advantage is achieved that aeration of the roots is particularly simple. The outer pot thereby ensures that the inner pot and thus the roots are protected, whereby root growth is positively influenced, while the plant pot retains an attractive appearance. Air can simply flow between the inner pot and the outer pot and be absorbed through the growth medium, at least through the roots. With sufficient permeability of the wall of the inner pot, even air roots can grow up to between the inner pot and the outer pot.

A plant pot according to the invention preferably has an inner pot with a wall which is for instance mesh-shaped, at least provided with series of openings. It is particularly advantageous here if the inner pot and the outer pot are formed in one piece, in particular by injection molding. As a result, no assembly is required and it is prevented that the inner pot is separated from the outer pot. In an alternative embodiment, the inner pot is manufactured separately from the outer pot and is suspended in the outer pot, at least supported, the bottom of the inner pot extending at a distance from the underside of the outer pot. The outer pot is preferably provided with an almost completely open underside, so that water and air can easily flow into the outer pot. For this purpose, openings or recesses are provided in the lower longitudinal edge of the wall of the outer pot. Said lower longitudinal edge can for instance be of slightly tilting design.

A plant pot according to the invention is particularly suitable for growing plants. However, it is also possible to combine a plant pot according to the invention with a dish on which water can be applied. Thus, a plant pot according to the invention is also suitable for use, for example within a house, as a decorative pot. In such an embodiment it is preferred that the plant pot and the dish can be connected to each other, for example by clamping means, click means, screw means or the like. However, a plant pot according to the invention can also be placed separately on such a dish. The outer pot can be made light-tight, but in some cases, for example with plants with air roots, such as orchids, the outer pot can also be made light-transmitting. The inner pot can be made from a water-absorbent or absorbent material, preferably a natural material, wherein the inner pot can optionally be placed in the ground after growing a plant.

The invention further relates to a device for growing plants, characterized by the features of claim 15.

Such a device has the advantage that plants can be grown in a particularly simple manner with a particularly good root system, while lighting, aeration and watering are very easily possible and controllable. Moreover, the pot with the openings in the longitudinal wall can be used well in a plant pot according to the invention.

The space covered by the or each cover element is preferably light-tight, after placement of the or a number of pots, so that light is kept away from the roots. Aeration is easily possible through the openings. The pot is preferably somewhat basket-shaped.

The invention further relates to a method for growing plants, characterized by the features of claim 19.

With such a method, plants can be grown in a simple manner with good root systems since aeration is easily possible, as well as watering, while the roots are well protected from light.

Further advantageous embodiments of a plant pot, device and method according to the present invention are given in the further subclaims. To clarify the invention, exemplary embodiments of a plant pot, device and an assembly according to the invention will be further elucidated with reference to the drawing. It shows:

Figure 1 is a sectional side view of a plant pot according to the invention in a first embodiment;

Figure 1A shows a part of an upper edge of a plant pot 30 according to figure 1, in an alternative embodiment with bearing edge; 1 0 t S t 1 1 4

Figure 2 is a sectional side view of a plant pot according to the invention in a second embodiment;

Figure 3 is a sectional side view of a plant pot according to the invention with a saucer; Figure 4 shows a further alternative embodiment in partly sectional side view;

Figure 5 is a perspective top view of a device according to the invention for growing plants;

Figure 6 is a side view, in partial cross-section, of a device 10 according to Figure 5; and

Figure 7 is a side view, in partial section, of a device according to the invention in an alternative embodiment.

In this description, the same or corresponding parts have the same or corresponding reference numerals.

Figure 1 shows in cross-section a plant pot 1 according to the invention, comprising an outer pot 2 and an inner pot 3 enclosed therein. The plant pot has an open top side 4 and a bottom side 5, at least as far as the outside pot 2 is concerned. substantially truncated cone-shaped with a cross-section decreasing in the direction of the open top side 4. The inner pot 3 is also substantially frusto-conical with a cross-section decreasing in the direction away from the open top 4 towards a bottom 6. The space 7 between the outer pot 2 and the inner pot 3 therefore increases in the direction of the open underside 6.

In this embodiment, the outer pot 2 and the inner pot 3 are injection molded together, so that a one-piece plant pot 1 is obtained. The outer pot 2 has a longitudinal wall 8 which is substantially closed, at least light-tight. The lower longitudinal edge 9 of the wall 8 is designed to be tilted, so that recesses 10 are obtained. If the plant pot 1 rests with the lower longitudinal edge 10 on a culture bottom 11, such as an ebb and flood bottom, air and water can enter through the said recesses 10 into the inner space 7 of the plant pot 1. The inner pot 3 has a bottom 6 and a wall 13. Openings 14 are provided in the wall 13, for example in that the wall 13 is meshed with a buckle. The bottom 6 can be closed 5, but can also be mesh-like, just like the wall 13. Other openings can also be provided, for example perforations. Of particular importance is that growth medium 12 (Figure 3) cannot pass through the openings 14 from the inner space of the inner pot 3, or at least not to an undesirable extent.

Figure 1A shows an upper part of a plant pot 1 according to figure 1, in which a bearing edge 23 is received. With this supporting edge 23 the plant pot can easily be picked up, for instance with spoons of a forklift truck or a planting machine or other device known per se, designed for this purpose.

Figure 2 shows, in cross-sectional side view, a plant pot 1 according to the invention, again provided with an outer pot 2 with a substantially closed wall 8 and an inner pot 3 provided with a wall 13 with a perforated structure. In this embodiment the inner pot 3 with a flange 16 extending outward from the upper longitudinal edge is suspended on the upper longitudinal edge 17 of the wall 8 of the outer pot 2. The inner pot 3 can therefore easily be removed from the outer pot 2. Incidentally, these can also be mutually connected, for example by welding after the inner pot 2 has been placed in the outer pot 3. For this purpose, for example, clamping means, gluing means or other fixing means can be used. By forming the inner pot 3 and the outer pot 2 separately, the advantage is achieved that greater design freedom is obtained. In the embodiment shown, the inner pot is approximately cylindrical 3.

Figure 3 shows, in cross-sectional side view, a further alternative embodiment of a plant pot according to the invention, largely constructed similar to a plant pot according to figure 1 or 2, wherein the inner pot 3 is provided with slot-shaped openings 14. In this embodiment the plant pot with the lower longitudinal edge 9 connected to a tray 19 arranged below, with the aid of clamping means 20 which are arranged on the bottom 21 of the tray 19. In such an embodiment, a plant 22 can be grown in the plant pot 1, to a desired size, after which the plant pot 1 can be fixed on the tray 19 and can be used, for example, as a house plant.

The plant 22 can easily be supplied with water on the tray 19.

Figure 4 shows in partial cross-section a further alternative embodiment, wherein an inner pot 3 not shown in cross-section is arranged inside an outer pot 2, which outer pot is comparable to that shown in Figure 2. However, in this embodiment the outer pot is near the upper longitudinal edge 17 on the inner side provided with a thickening 18 which extends somewhat conically, such that the inner pot 3 can connect to it and cannot pass it. Openings 14 are provided in the inner pot 3, wherein a closed bottom 6 is provided. Moreover, a lower part 6a of the wall of the inner pot is closed. In this embodiment the inner pot 3 is made of a water-absorbing material, in particular made of natural fibers such as coconut, jute or peat. The bottom 6 thereby rests at least substantially on the culture bottom 11 because the bottom 6 is located near the plane defined by the lower longitudinal edge 9 of the outer wall 2. This means that water which can pass through the inner pot 3 through the openings 10 through the inner pot 3 can be aspirated and transferred to the culture medium 12 (not shown).

The upper longitudinal edge 17 is passed outwards into a flange 23 which can function as a bearing edge as described with reference to Figure 1A.

1 n 1 to 111 7

FIG. 5 schematically shows, in perspective top view, a device 30 according to the invention for growing plants, in particular suitable for indoor pots 3 according to the invention. This device comprises a space 31, divided by partitions 32 into a number of trough-shaped subspaces 33. The space 31 is covered at the top by a cover element 34 with openings or holes 35. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 5, the cover element 34 is substantially flat and divided into two parts. The space 31, at least the subspaces 33, are sealed off light-tightly by the cover element 34, apart from the openings 35. Pots such as inner pots 3 can be arranged or suspended in these openings 35, the openings 35 being chosen such that they are covered by the pots 3. can be closed almost completely, for further light-tight closure of the space 31. The height of the space 31 and / or the dimensions of the holes 35 are thereby chosen such that the longitudinal wall 13 of the pot 3, in which openings 14 are provided as far as the holes 35 extend that these openings H extend at least substantially below the cover element 34, in the space 31, at least one subspace 33. Air and / or water can be passed through the subspaces 33, at least the space 31 for humidifying and / or aerating of the plants, at least the roots thereof in the pots 3. As a result and due to the light density of the space 31, a particularly good root formation is obtained.

It will be clear that the device 30 according to the invention can be designed in various ways, in all kinds of suitable materials, while moreover containers other than the said pots can also be arranged and / or suspended in the openings. Such a device can thus also be used for, for example, growing roses on substrate in bags.

The trough-shaped parts can for instance also be designed as individual troughs or as interconnected troughs, formed by profiling of plate comparable to corrugated plate, dovetail plate and the like.

Two variations are shown by way of example in Figs. 6 and 7. This should not be construed as limiting in any way.

Figure 6 shows, in partly sectional side view, an (inner) pot 3 as shown in Fig. 1, suspended in an opening 35 in substantially flat cover plate 34. The cover plate is supported on the upper edges of gutter-shaped profiles 36 formed by placing a plate, for example steel plate. The pot hangs with an upper longitudinal edge 16 on the peripheral edge of the opening 35, such that the bottom 6 extends slightly above the bottom 37 of the relevant trough 38. The gutters 38 can be standard gutters used in, for example, flowers and plants.

Fig. 7 shows a further variant of a device according to the invention, in which a second trough profile 39 is arranged "upside down" in a trough 38, such that a slightly hexagonal space 33 in cross-section is obtained. The openings 35 are provided in the bottom 40 of the second trough profile 39, so that a relatively high pot 3 can nevertheless be arranged in a relatively low trough 38. In this embodiment, a pot 3 is shown as shown in Fig. 3. The pot 3 rests approximately on the bottom 37 of the lower gutter profile 38. The openings 14 in the pot extend below the bottom 40 in the space 33, shielded of ambient light.

With a device according to Figs. 5-7, in particular with the methods described, plants with good root systems can be easily cultivated, whereafter the pots can for instance be used as inner pots 3 of a plant pot according to the invention. The advantage here is that the plants with the pots are simply prevented from falling over, while watering, fertilizing and aeration remain simple.

1019111 9

It will be clear that different combinations of inner pots and outer pots according to the invention, in particular as shown in the figures, can be applied, while any of these pots, in particular the inner pots 3, can be used in a device 30 according to the invention. . For example, also with the plant pot 1 according to figure 1, the bottom 6 and a lower part of the longitudinal wall of the inner pot 3 can be of closed design, for better carrying of medium or for retaining a part of the water. In each embodiment, the bottom of the inner pot can be placed such that during use the bottom rests on the ground or is situated at a distance therefrom. Any combination of parts and features of embodiments shown in the drawing is considered to fall within the scope of the invention as set forth in the claims and to be incorporated herein.

The present invention is by no means limited to the exemplary embodiments given in the description and the drawing. Many variations thereof are possible within the scope of the invention as set forth in the claims.

A plant pot according to the invention can for instance have a different horizontal cross-section, for example square, rectangular or the like.

Moreover, the inner and / or outer pot can be cylindrical. The inner pot and / or outer pot can also be manufactured in a different way, for example by vacuum forming, deep-drawing or the like, and can be made from others. materials are formed. Plant pots according to the invention can also be used in a different way, for instance on different culture media, and other culture media can be used. Devices according to the invention can simply be designed differently, for example as buckets with a lid plate with suitable opening, breeding tables or floors with gutters arranged upside down as shown in Fig. 7, box-shaped tables with cover plates 34 as shown in Fig. 5 and the like . Conventional watering and aeration systems can also be used herein, for example an ebb and flow system, and substrates can be laid in the gutters. All suitable materials can be used, such as metal, wood, plastic and the like.

These and many comparable variations are understood to fall within the scope of the invention as set forth in the claims.

1019111

Claims (21)

1. Plant pot provided with an outer pot and an inner pot, wherein the outer pot has a substantially closed outer wall and the inner pot comprises a substantially air-permeable wall. 2. Plant pot according to claim 1, wherein the outer wall of the outer pot is substantially light-tight. 3. Plant pot according to claim 1, wherein the outer wall of the outer pot is substantially light-transmitting. 4. Plant pot as claimed in any of the claims 1-3, wherein the outer pot has an at least partially open underside with which the plant pot can be arranged on a growing surface, in particular an ebb and flood bottom. 5. Plant pot as claimed in any of the claims 1-4, wherein the inner pot is at least partially manufactured from moisture-absorbing or absorbent material and is at least partly with the lower side near, preferably in a plane defined by a lower longitudinal edge of the outer pot located. A plant pot according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the inner pot is made from a natural material such as coconut, peat, jute or bioplast. 7. Plant pot according to any one of claims 1-6, wherein said wall of the inner pot is provided with openings for the passage of air and moisture, the openings being designed such that culture medium such as soil, glass or rock wool, oasis, coconut or the like can be carried in the inner pot. 8. Plant pot according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said wall of the inner pot is substantially mesh-shaped. 9. Plant pot as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the inner pot tapers slightly conically in the direction of the bottom and the outer pot tapers slightly conically in the direction remote from the bottom. 1019111 ' 10. Plant pot according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the inner pot and the outer pot are together produced in one piece, in particular by injection molding. 11. Plant pot as claimed in any of the claims 1-9, wherein the inner pot 5 is suspended within the outer pot, in particular with an upper longitudinal edge. 12. Plant pot as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the outer pot has a lower longitudinal edge in which recesses are accommodated for admitting air and moisture along the underside in the outer pot. 13. Plant pot according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the outer pot and / or the inner pot are provided with means for cooperation with a dish, such that water can be carried in the dish and can flow into the space between the inner pot and the outer pot during use. . Assembly of a plant pot according to claim 13 and a dish, wherein the dish is adapted for attachment to the plant pot. 15. Device for growing plants, provided with at least one holder and a cover element closing off the holder, wherein openings are provided in the cover element, wherein at least one pot is provided which can be arranged with the opening, such that said opening is substantially is completely closed, wherein the pot is provided with openings in the longitudinal wall, which, when the pot is placed in the opening, extend substantially below the cover element and provide for aeration requirement of and plant in the pot. Device as claimed in claim 14, wherein the pot is an inner pot as described in one of claims 1-13. Device according to claim 15 or 16, wherein the space covered by the cover element is substantially light-tight. 18. Device as claimed in any of the claims 15-17, wherein the or each holder is substantially channel-shaped, wherein a series of openings is provided in the cover element, such that a series of pots can be arranged next to each other in said holder. 19. Method for growing plants, wherein a pot with growing medium and a seedling or plant is inserted through an opening in a cover element, such that the longitudinal wall of the pot is at least substantially shielded from ambient light by at least said cover element, if pot is used a pot which is provided with openings in the longitudinal wall, such that the seedling or plant is aerated at least through said openings and is at least periodically moistened by the soil and / or said openings. 20. Method as claimed in claim 19, wherein a holder with one or more trough-shaped parts is used, which are covered at the open top by one or more cover elements, all such that rows of openings extending next to each other are provided in which sets of pots are provided. stabbed. A method according to claim 19 or 20, wherein the or each pot is removed from the relevant opening after some time and is used in, for or as a plant pot according to any one of claims 1 - 13. 1019111