10051347230* ;Patent No. 5 Our Ref: 50266NZP00 ;Patents Act 1953 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION ;PLANT BOWL ;I/We, Monika Leithold, a citizen of Germany of Altweg 101, D-79356 Eichstetten, GERMANY ;hereby declare the invention, for which l/we pray that a patent may be granted to me/us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement- ;Total Fee Paid: NZ$250.00 - by Direct Debit (as per covering letter) ;500884403_1 .DOC/6858 ;iponz ;JUN2006 ;- la - ;Plant Bowl ;Description ;The invention relates to a plant bowl for accommodating more than one plant. ;Any discussion of the prior art throughout the specification should in no way be 5 considered as an admission that such prior art is widely known or forms part of common general knowledge in the field. ;Plant bowls in which a number of plants can be arranged as desired by virtue of the bowl being filled with soil and each plant being planted in this soil are known. Quite apart from the tasks of selecting the plants and putting them together, these tasks of 10 arranging the plants and planting them require a lot of time and work. In addition, the tasks of selecting the plants and putting them together are subject to certain restrictions because not all plants have the same requirements in respect of their immediate surroundings, e.g. they need different types of soil and/or different quantities of watering liquid. These disadvantages are particularly noticeable in the case of herbs, which have 15 very different requirements. It would make sense, for example, for plants to be put together generally by theme, in particular for herbs to be put together according to recipes, and thus offered for sale. This would make the job of the cook much easier since, up until now, the individual herbs, which are often supplied individually in small plant pots, have to be selected and put together by the cook himself or herself. It is 20 frequently also the case that herbs are supplied in bunched form, which has the obvious disadvantage, over herbs in plant pots, that the plants quickly wither, and consequently lose quality just as quickly and thus, as far as possible, should be consumed on the day in which they are cut. ;The known plant bowls have a flat base, with comparatively small surface area, 25 as a standing surface and a side wall which extends with pronounced curvature from the base to the top border. ;INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE OF N.Z. ;2 4 NOV 2006 received ;-2- ;The object of the a preferred form of the invention is to provide a plant bowl in which a number of plans which are normally supplied individually in plant pots can be put together, and also cared for, by theme, e.g. according to recipes, in a manner which reduces the amount of work and time required and takes account of the respective 5 requirements of the plants for, for example, soil or watering water. ;According to the invention, there is provided a plant bowl for accommodating more than one plant, characterized by a side wall which extends rectilinearly from the base of the plant bowl to the open border of the latter, and by a lid-like insert or attachment which is retained in the vicinity of the border and in which are provided a 10 plurality of (more than one) opening, of which the diameter is dimensioned for accommodating in each case one plant potwith a lid-like insert or attachment in which are provided a plurality of (more than one) openings, of which the diameter is dimensioned for accommodating in each case one plant pot, characterized in that the openings show extensions as an engagement means and that the height of the bowl as 15 well the diameter of the openings are dimensioned such that plant pots inserted into the openings end up resting or butting against the border of the openings in a state in which they are suspended at a distance above the base of the bowl. ;It is thus possible for a number of plans which are usually supplied individually in their plant pots to be put together quickly and simply as required, e.g. by theme or 20 according to recipes, without further actual planting work, and in the process contact with soil, being necessary. The plants can be exchanged just as quickly, they can remain, in accordance with their respective requirements, with the correct soil and can be supplied individually with watering water as required; they remain fresh and appetizing for a longer period of time and, in the case of herbs in particular, can be used 25 in a freshly cut state. ;If the side wall extends at ninety degrees, or at an angle which is directed only slightly outwards from ninety degrees, in relation to the open border, the space within the plant bowl can be utilized well for the arrangement of a number of plant pots without the latter obstructing one another. Preferably provided beneath the border is an inwardly ;30 ;"^^ECTUALROP ERTY" OFFICE OF N.z. ;2 4 NOV 2006 ;-received ;- 3 - ;oriented protrusion which serves as a rest for the lidlike insert. ;The lid-like attachment can also rest on the border and 5 can be fixed on the border by a snap-in connection. ;During transportation in particular, it is then not possible for the attachment to shift, or become detached altogether from the bowl, accidentally. ;10 The diameters of the openings are dimensioned such that plant pots inserted therein, end up resting on the border of the openings by way of their collar. ;If the height of the bowl is then also dimensioned such 15 that plant pots inserted in the openings end up resting or butting against the border of the openings in a state in which they are suspended at a distance above the base, excess watering water can collect on the base of the bowl ana forms an integrated water-storage 20 means. ;A so-called dome in the form of a hollow-cylindrical, inwardly oriented extension may 5 be provided on the base, and its cavity passes through the base. It is 25 thus possible to determine the maximum level of an integrated water-storage means. ;The openings in the lid-like insert or attachment preferably have convexities which serve as an 30 engagement means, this making it very much easier for the plant pots to be inserted, removed and exchanged. ;The border may have a flange formation, and insertion slots, for labels or openings for a carrying handle may 35 be arranged thereon. ;Feet or a standing ring may be provided on the base of the bowl. ;- 4 - ;If, in addition, drainage holes are provided in the base, the plant bowl becomes multifunctional and normal cultivation can also be carried out in a conventional manner therein. ;5 ;If a drainage means for excess watering water is provided in the base of the bowl, be this drainage means in the form of drainage holes or in the form of a so-called dome, a stand should be used in order to 10 avoid water stains or other such drawbacks. According to the invention, such a stand can advantageously be fixed on the base by a snap-in or clamping-action connection. ;15 For this purpose, inwardly oriented indents may be provided in the base, while a stand has stubs which correspond to the indents and fit with clamping action into the indents on the base. ;20 As an alternative, the base may contain a groove or recess into which a stand fits with clamping action by way of its border. ;The side wall preferably has ribs or grooves or curved 25 lines formed in it for reinforcing purposes. ;It is also possible for the underside of the lid-like insert to have reinforcing ribs which run between the openings. ;30 ;An expedient supplement to the plant bowl may be a removable cover, which covers the bowl in the upward direction. This cover may serve for protecting the plants and, moreover, can provide a climate which is 35 advantageous in order for the plants to thrive and stay fresh. Particularly if seeds are used in the plant bowl, the climate which forms beneath the cover assists the germination of the seeds. ;- 5 - ;If the cover can be fixed on the top border of the plant bowl with the aid of a snap-in device, on the one hand it cannot fall down and, on the other hand, it can nevertheless be removed, if required, with one simple 5 action. ;Handling is facilitated by a gripping means or engagement holes on the cover. The engagement holes may serve, at the same time, as aerating holes, which would 10 otherwise have to be provided. ;The invention is described in more detail hereinbelow with reference to the attached drawings, in which: ;15 Figure 1 shows the perspective view of a plant bowl with insert according to the invention, ;Figure 2 shows a vertical section through the plant bowl according to Figure 1, ;20 ;Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the intended use of the plant bowl, ;Figure 4 shows a vertical section through another ;25 embodiment of the plant bowl, ;Figure 5 shows the plan view of an insert of the plant bowl, ;30 Figure 6 shows the view of the insert according to Figure 5 from beneath, ;Figure 7 shows the view into a plant bowl from above, ;35 Figure 8 shows the view of the plant bowl from beneath, ;Figure 9 ;shows a view through a filled plant bowl with water-storage means, and ;- 6 - ;Figures 10 and 11 each show an embodiment of a further development of the plant bowl. ;5 Figures 1 and 2 show a preferred embodiment of the plant bowl in a perspective view and in vertical section. The plant bowl has a base 1 (see also Figures 7 and 8) which is considerably larger than that of the known plant bowls and from which the side wall 2 10 extends rectilinearly to the open border 3, at an angle in relation to the latter which differs only slightly from ninety degrees, the border preferably having a flange formation 4. For the purpose of reinforcing the side wall 2, for example projecting ribs 5 or grooves 15 may be provided thereon, and curved lines and the like may also be suitable. A radially inwardly oriented protrusion 6 is integrally formed on the inside of the side wall 2, beneath the border 3, and serves as a rest 6 for a lid-like insert 7. Provided in this insert 7 20 are a plurality of, in the illustrated example three, circular openings 8, of which the diameter is dimensioned such that a conventional plant pot as is used, for example, for supplying various herbs with root balls can be inserted into such an opening 8 ana, 25 in the process, can be seated on the insert 7 by way of its collar 9 which is normally located at the top border. This is represented by way of example in Figure 3 in a perspective view of the plant bowl with a plant pot 10 inserted. ;30 ;As can best be seen from Figures 5 and 6, the openings 8 may have a convexity 11 as an engagement means 11. This makes it easier for individual plant pots 10 to be inser-ted into the bowl and, even more, removed 35 therefrom or exchanged. ;Figure 5 shows the lid-like insert 7 from above, and Figure 6 shows it from beneath. Reinforcing ribs 12 of Lhe insert 7 which run between the openings S can also ;- 7 - ;be seen in Figure 6. According to Figure 8, the base 1 may be designed with feet 13, e.g. in the form of integrally formed protuberances 13. ;5 A plurality of, in the illustrated example three, individual plant pots 10, as are frequently supplied individually at present, combined by theme or according to recipes or other uses can be arranged in a small number of rapid actions in this plant bowl with insert 10 7 and thus offered for sale, e.g. as a pasta bowl or barbecue bowl or spring bowl, etc., in which case there is no need for any additional planting work with soil or any other material or equipment. The arrangement can also be put together directly at the sale point in 15 accordance with a customer's requirements, without, for example, anyone having to come into contact with soil. The task of filling the plant bowl with the desired selection is rationalized and the set-up time is shortened to a considerable extent. ;20 ;Since the individual plants remain in their respective plant pots 10, in which they are supplied with the most suitable soil in each case (e.g. rich or rather more sandy), it is also possible for plants with different 25 requirements to be combined in one plant bowl. It is also possible for the individual plants to be correctly supplied individually with the correct quantity of watering water and thus remain fresh and appetizing for a longer period of time. ;30 ;The individually plant pots 10 end up resting, by way of their collar 9, on the insert 7, or the solid border enclosing the openings 8, and can thus be introduced into - the plant bowl in a state in which they are 35 suspended on the insert 7, i.e. at a distance from the base 1. This counteracts overwatering of the plants since excess watering water can flow out through the drainage holes which are generally provided in plant pots 10, collect on the base 1 of the plant bowl and ;- 3 - ;form an integrated water-storage means 15 (see Figure 9), which is very much desired in some cases and can contribute to an advantageous climate in the plant bowl. The care of the plants is thus facilitated. ;5 ;In order, however, that excess watering water collecting on the base of the plant bowl, or the abovementioned water-storage means 15, cannot exceed a certain level, it is possible, in accordance with an 10 advantageous development of the plant bowl according to Figure 4, to provide a so-called, inwardly projecting dome 14 on the base 1 of the plant bowl, preferably in the centre of the base. Such a dome 14 is' an inwardly projecting hollow-cylindrical extension 14 through 15 which excess watering water which collects on the base 1 and exceeds the height of the dome 14 can drain out. In this case, it is recommended for the plant bowl to be placed in a stand, in order to avoid water stains on an underlying surface. There is no need for the height 20 of the dome 14 to be fixed from the outset. Since the preferred material which may be used for the bowl is plastic, it is possible for the dome 14 to be provided, during production, with a maximum height which can then be adapted to the intended use by being shortened 25 (cut). The maximum water height in the integrated water-storage means 15 can thus be optimally adapted. ;In order to avoid water stains, it is possible, according to a further development of the plant bowl, 30 to provide, in the outer surface of the base 1, a recess into which a clamping-action stand 25 can optionally be clipped, it being possible for this stand to accommodate watering water which passes out, for example, through the dome 14. As an alternative, it is 35 also possible for at least one or more inwardly oriented indents 18 to be provided in the base 1 and corresponding stubs 26 to be provided in the stand 25 (see Figure 10), it being possible for the stub or stubs to snap into the indent(s) 18, e.g. by means of ;- 9 - ;annular grooves 19 provided in the indent or indents 18. If, instead of feet 13 on the base 1, a projecting annular border is provided as a standing surface on the base 1, it is also possible to provide, in- the side 5 surface of such an annular border, one or more recesses, e.g. a groove 22 (see Figure 11), into which a clamping-action stand 25 can be snapped by way of its border. The plant bowl and clamping-action stand thus form a unit which is easy to shift from one location to 10 another. ;As an alternative to the dome 14, it is also possible to provide one or more drainage holes 17 in the base 1. In this case too, the clamping-action stand 25 15 constitutes an expedient supplement. The plant bowl thus becomes multifunctional; as an alternative to the intended use described here, it is then also possible for normal cultivation (with soil) to be carried out in it. ~ ~ ~ ;20 ;The border 3 of the plant bowl may preferably be designed to be wide enough, e.g. 15 mm, for insertion slots 16 for insertable labels to be provided therein. It is also possible for openings for a carrying handle 25 to be provided in a border 3 widened in this way. ;A further expedient development of the plant bowl described is achieved by way of a cover 20 ,see Figures 10 and 11) which can be fitted or positioned on 30 the plant bowl from above and is preferably provided with a gripping means 21 or engagement holes 24 in order to facilitate handling. The engagement holes 24 may serve, at the same time, for aerating purposes. A snap-in device 23, e.g. in the form of resilient lugs 35 23, may be arranged on the bottom border of the cover 20, it being possible for this device to be used to snap in the cover 20 on the border of the plant bowl in order that the cover 20, on the one hand, cannot fall down but, on the other hand, can easily be removed, if ;- 10 - ;required, with one simple action. The cover 20 protects the plants arranged in the plant bowl and provides them with an advantageous climate in order for them to thrive and stay fresh. This has a particularly 5 advantageous effect if seeds are used in the plant bowl; the climate which forms beneath the cover assists the germination of the seeds. ;Plant bowls according to the invention can be produced 10 in different sizes, adapted to their intended use. The diameter of the bowl overall may preferably be 20 cm to 50 cm with the matching inserts 7. The number of openings 8 in the insert 7 can vary from 2 to 10, the diameter of these openings being from 5 cm to 15 cm. ;15 ;Plastic is used, in particular, as the material for the plant bowl, although other materials, e.g. clay, ceramics, etc., are likewise possible. ;20 The plant bowl is preferably intended, first and foremost, for the arrangement of herbs, e.g. according to recipes. Of course, it is also possible to use the bowl for the arrangement of all other types of plants, e.g. decorative plants, by theme to provide, for 25 example, a birthday bowl, spring bowl, etc. ;List of designations ;- 11 - ;1 Base ;2 Side wall ;3 Border ;4 Flange formation ;5 Ribs ;6 Protrusion/rest ;7 Insert ;8 Openings ;9 Collar ;10 Plant pot ;11 Convexity/engagement means ;12 Reinforcing ribs ;13 Feet protuberances ;14 Dome ;15 Water-storage means ;16 Insertion slots ;17 Drainage holes ;18 Indent ;19 Annular grooves ;20 Cover ;21 Gripping means ;22 Groove ;23 Snap-in closure ;24 Engagement holes ;25 Clamping-action stand 2 6 Stub *