WO1999060841A1

WO1999060841A1 - Container for flowers and plants in general with an interspace to hold water for automatic watering

Info

Publication number: WO1999060841A1
Application number: PCT/IT1998/000162
Authority: WO
Inventors: Roberto Covini
Original assignee: Roberto Covini
Priority date: 1998-05-26
Filing date: 1998-06-18
Publication date: 1999-12-02
Also published as: ITMI981165A1

Abstract

Container (80) for flowers and plants (26) in general with sides and bottom consisting partially or entirely of a double wall and of a double bottom in a single piece of plastic material, with one or more holes (84) for passage of the water intake head (35) for automatic watering devices (30), especially of the depression type, and consisting of an inner flower pot and an outer pot of various materials so as to create an interspace (83) utilizable for storing a considerable reserve of water (23).

Description

Container for flowers and plants in general with an interspace to hold water for automatic watering

Various automatic systems exist for watering the earth in single flower pots or groups of pots in special containers. The best known and most widely used have a store of water in a bowl under the pot or placed near a pot container, from which water is carried to the earth by a variety of watering arrangements. One known type consists of water traps containing earth at the bottom of the pot, open above and with holes at the bottom through which water is transferred by capillary attraction from the earth in the trap to that in the pot.

In other, and improved systems, watering is done by depression using a hollow oblong earthenware carrot-shaped body, hermetically sealed by a tube at the top that leads down to a take-off point in the water store where the tube is rendered stable by means of a weight.

By pushing the oblong body into the earth at the top and placing the receiving end of the tube in the water store, depression created by progressive loss of humidity from the oblong body as water is transferred to the earth, automatically causes more water to be drawn up from that in the store and spread throughout the earth in the pot.

This is clearly a simple, convenient and low-cost watering method. Its drawback however consists in the fact that, for reasons of appearance, the store of water is usually limited to a kind of bowl under the pot, or else a bowl is placed near the pot with no possibility of coordinating its appearance with that of the pot.

This creates a real problem as plants serve a decorative purpose and such watering arrangement will probably conflicts with this. Further, the small quantity of water that a bowl can hold affects plant health as most plants require their earth to be kept constantly damp. The above invention solves both the problem of a satisfactory quantity of water, and that of appearance, as the technical solutions adopted remain substantially within the outline of the pot, or pots in a container, as will be explained.

Subject of the invention is a container for plants in general, the sides and bottom of which are partially or entirely formed of a double wall and a double bottom. This creates an interspace to be used for water storage having at the top one or more holes for passage of a water intake head for an automatic watering device..

Automatic waterers may advantageously be the well known type in which a depression is formed of a cylindrical substantially hollow earthenware body to be pressed into the earth connected by a watertight tube to the water intake head held stable by a weight.

The inner and outer walls of the container may be made of earthenware, ceramic, plastic material or some other.

The inner wall and bottom are firmly joined to the external wall and bottom by fitting the suitably projecting upper end of the inner wall into the inside upper end of the outer wall, or by welding together said upper ends of the inner and outer walls, or by other means. The container may advantageously be formed of an inner pot with a solid base placed inside an outer pot. The upper hole through which the water intake head passes is made at the upper end of an outward expanding piece on the wall of the inner or outer pot, joined to the interspace.

In one type of execution the double wall and double bottom with the interspace so formed, are created by a plastic flower pot placed inside an outer pot, this too of plastic material.

The hole through which the water intake head passes is made in an outer ex-pansion created on the edge of the outer pot with a watertight join to the interspace. In another execution the double wall and double bottom with consequent formation of the interspace, are created by a plastic flower pot placed inside an outer earthenware pot.

The hole through which the water intake head passes is made in an expansion created at the upper end of the pot joined to the interspace by a water-tight connection.

In a further execution the double wall and double bottom with consequent formation of an interspace, are created by an earthenware flower pot placed inside an outer pot of plastic material. The hole through which the water intake head passes is made in an expansion created at the upper end of said outer pot with a watertight connection to the interspace.

In one type of execution the double wall and double bottom, with consequent formation of an interspace, are created by an earthenware flower pot placed inside an outer earthenware pot on whose base, close to the walls, are radial spacers whose presence leaves a central free area for the flower pot ensuring that this latter is properly centered. In one type of execution the double wall and double bottom, with consequent formation of an interspace, are created by an earthenware flower pot placed inside an outer pot of plastic material on whose base are angular radial spacers present both to maintain, by their horizontal part, a space between the bottom of the outer pot and inner pot permitting a large store of water to be kept, and also to ensure that the flower pot is centered in relation to the outer pot by the vertical part of said spacers. The spacers can be made in one piece with the flower pot or in one piece with the outer pot, or be separate.

Separate spacers can be associated together by circular rings. In one type of execution the double wall and double bottom, with consequent creation of an interspace, are formed of a single body of plastic material made by rotational moulding or by blowing, the internal wall and internal bottom of said single body creating the flower pot and the external wall and external bottom creating the outer pot. In one type of execution the double wall and double bottom, and conse- quent interspace, are created by an outer pot of a single hollow plastic body made by rotational moulding or by blowing.

The internal dimensions of said body correspond to the lower external dimensions of a flower pot of earthenware or of another material which therefore fits in a stable manner into the upper part of the outer pot. The hole for passage of the water intake head is made at the upper end of said outer pot.

In one type of execution the double wall and double bottom, with consequent formation of an interspace, are created from a single plastic body made by rotational moulding or by blowing, of a shape corresponding to that of flower pot containers on the market inside which pots of plants can be placed as desired, or else said container can be filled with earth and the plants planted direct into said earth.

Holes for passage of the water intake head can be made on the upper edge of said single body. The cross section of the described container can be circular, square, oval, rectangular, polygonal, and the container itself be made of any of the materials, shapes and sizes possible for this type of article. In particular both the inner and outer pots can be made of all the materials and in all the shapes and sizes possible for this type of article. The invention offers evident advantages.

Due to the interspace created between the walls and bottom of ordinary flower pots and those of ordinary flower pot containers, and due to the apertures at the top of said interspaces permitting free passage of the water intake heads for depression-type watering, a steady supply of water can be assured for the plants, at the same time preserving the desired decorative features as the interspace can form part of ordinary flower pots and flower pot containers. Automatic watering, even over a long period and without continuous attention can thus be assured without problems and at a low cost. Characteristics and purposes of the invention will be made still clearer by the following examples of its execution illustrated by diagrammatically drawn figures. Fig. 1 Container comprising a flower pot placed inside an outer pot, both of plastic material, sized so as to create an interspace at the sides and bottom, with a hole made in an inward facing expansion at the top of the pot for passage of a water intake head for automatic watering, longitudinal section. Fig. 2 As above, plan view.

Fig. 3 As above, with the inner pot removed from the outer pot, longitudinal section.

Fig. 4 The flower pot in Fig. 1 containing a plant and automatic watering device, longitudinal section. Fig. 5 Variant with a plastic flower pot and ceramic outer pot, longitudinal section.

Fig. 6 As above, with the flower pot removed from the outer pot. Fig. 7 Variant showing an earthenware flower pot and plastic outer pot with a hole above for passage of the water intake head, made in a lateral and upper expansion in the outer pot, longitudinal section.

Fig. 8 As above, with the flower pot removed from the outer pot, longitudinal section.

Fig. 9 As above, plan view. Fig.10 Variant showing a ceramic flower pot and outer pot with side spacers on the bottom to keep the flower pot central, longitudinal section. Fig.1 1 As above, with the flower pot removed from the outer pot, longitudinal section.

Fig.12 As above, plan view. Fig.13 Variant showing a ceramic flower pot inside a plastic outer pot with spacers at the side and on the base, so that water can also be stored at the bottom, to keep the flower pot central.

Fig.14 As above, with the flower pot removed from the outer pot, longitudinal section. Fig.15 As above, plan view.

Fig.16 Variant with flower pot and outer pot in a single piece of plastic material, longitudinal section.

Fig.17 As above, plan view. Fig.18 The container with plants in it and automatic watering device, longitudinal section.

Fig.19 Variant with ceramic flower pot and outer pot made of a hollow body of plastic material in one piece, complete with automatic watering device, longitudinal section. Fig.20 As above, plan view.

Fig.21 Variant showing a large double-walled plastic flower pot container inside which a number of flower pots are placed served by automatic watering devices, longitudinal section.

Fig. 22 As above, plan view. Fig. 23 As above, cross section.

Fig. 24 Variant showing the flower pot container in Figures 21 -24, placed inside an outer earthenware container (1 1 1) filled with earth (28) in which plants (29) are planted, longitudinal section.

The container 10 of plastic material in Figures 1 -4, comprises a flower pot 1 1 with an upper crown 12 and adequately projecting peripheral rim 13 with a downward facing edge 14, and an outer pot 20 of plastic material, the internal diameter of whose side 21 is substantially the same as the outer diameter of the crown 12 of the flower pot 1 1 so forming between the two an interspace 22 for storing water. At the upper end of one side of the flower pot 1 1 is an expansion 15 open above and below to form a substantially cylindrical hole 16 for free passage of a tube 33 to a water-intake head 35 held down by a weight

31 , for a depression watering device 30.

Said watering device comprises a diffuser 32 consisting of a hollow earth- enware body with a head 34 joined to said tube 33 by a watertight connection.

The inner and outer pots are welded or fitted together, or joined by some other means as preferred. Figure 4 shows the described flower pot 10 in use with a plant 26 planted in the earth 25 with which the pot has been filled.

The water intake head 35, to supply the diffusion watering device 30, passes through the hole 16 into the interspace 22 filled with water 23. The diffuser 32 is pushed into the earth 25 in the pot 11 so providing continuous drop-by-drop watering due to the depression generated by the hollow body that takes up water from the water store as the earth loses its humidity. Figures 5 and 6 illustrate a container 40 substantially similar to the one described, except that the outer pot 41 is of ceramic or earthenware.

Figures 7-9 show a container 45 consisting of an earthenware truncated- cone shaped flower pot 46 with an upper crown 47 and projecting edge 48 so that it rests on the edge 51 of the outer pot 50 of plastic material. On the upper edge of said outer pot 50 is an outwardly projecting expan- sion 52 creating a substantially cylindrical hole 53 that freely communicates with the interspace 54 formed between the inner and outer pots. The water intake head can pass through said hole 53 into the water contained in the interspace to supply the automatic watering device. In Figures 10-12 a container 60 comprises a flower pot 61 and outer pot 65 both of earthenware.

An interspace 62 for water storage is formed between the inner and outer pots

The flower pot is kept centered by raised radial spacers 66 that create a central area at the base substantially corresponding to the lower dimen- sions of the flower pot.

It will be clear that the water intake head 35 of a watering device 30 can easily be inserted in the interspace between the flower pot 61 and outer pot 65, while the diffuser 32 of the watering device 30 can be pressed into the earth in the flower pot 60. Figures 13 -15 show a container 70 substantially similar to the one 60 already described except that the flower pot 71 is of earthenware while the outer pot 75 is of plastic material. On its base is a set of substantially angular radial spacers 76, having a substantially horizontal side 77 and a substantially vertical side 78, this shape keeping the flower pot centered and well up from the bottom. The spacers 76 are made in a single piece with the outer pot 75. Figures 16 and 18 illustrate a container 80 of plastic material comprising a flower pot 81 and outer pot 82, made in one piece by rotational moulding or by blowing, to form an interspace 83 at the base and at the sides. At the upper end of said interspace 83 is a hole 94 to allow passage of the water intake head 45 for the depression watering device 30 as will be seen in Figure 18. Figures 19 and 20 illustrate a container 90 consisting of an earthenware flower pot 91 and of a plastic outer pot 92 with a double wall to form an interspace 93 at both the base and sides, introduction of the water intake head 35, for a depression watering device 30 already described, being made through the upper hole 94. The outer pot 92 is made in a single piece by rotational moulding or by blowing.

Figures 21 -23 show a rectangular-shaped body 100 this being a kind of double-walled tank 101 consisting of a single piece of plastic material made by rotational moulding or by blowing in which an interspace 108 sufficient for an ample store of water 23 is created, there being holes 102-106, made round the upper edge 107 of said tank, through which the tubes with water intake heads 35 can pass to supply the depression watering device 30. In the variant seen in Figure 24, the container, placed in an outer earth- enware container 1 1 1 , is filled with earth 28 and the plants 29 planted direct into the earth.

The diffusers 30 for watering can be pressed either into the earth 25 in the flower pots or into the earth 28 with which the container is filled.

Claims

1 . Container (10, 40, 45, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 1 10) for flowers and plants (26, 29) in general, characterized in that the walls and bottim are partially or entirely made of a double wall and a double bottom so as to form an interspace (22, 42, 54, 62, 72, 83, 93, 108) utilizable for storing a considerable quantity of water (23), there being at the top one or more holes (16, 53, 84, 94, 102- 106) for passage of the water intake head (35) for automatic watering devices (30) 2. Container (10, 40, 45, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 1 10) for flowers and plants (26, 29) in general, as in claim 1 , characterized in that the automatic watering devices (30) are of the well- known depression type formed of a substantially cylindrical earthenware body (32) to be pressed into the earth (25, 28) joined, by a watertight con-nection through a tube (33), to water intake head (35).

3. Container (10, 40, 45, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110) for flowers and plants (26, 29) in general, as in claim 1 , characterized in that its inner and outer walls are made, as the case may be, of earthenware, ceramic or some other material. 4. Container (10, 40, 45) for flowers and plants (26, 29) in general, as in claim 1 , characterized in that the inner wall and inner base are stably joined to the outer wall and outer base of said container by fitting the adequately projecting upper crown (12) of the inner wall inside the upper edge (21) of the outer wall.

5. Container (10) for flowers and plants (26, 29) in general, as in claim 1 , characterized in that the inner wall and inner base are stably joined to the outer wall and outer base by welding the upper parts (12, 21) of the inner wall to those of the outer wall. 6. Container (10, 30, 45, 60, 70, 90, 100, 110) for flowers and plants (26, 29) in general, as in claim 1 , characterized in that it is formed of a flower pot (1 1 , 46, 61 , 71 , 91 , 109) with a blind base and of an outer pot (20, 41 , 50, 65, 75, 92, 11 1).

7. Container (10, 40, 45) for flowers and plants (26) in general as in claims 1 and 5, characterized in that the upper hole (16, 53) for passage of the water intake head (35) is made at the upper end of a peripheral expansion (15, 52) facing outward from the wall of the flower pot (1 1) or of the outer pot (50) and is connected by a watertight join with the interspace (22, 54).

8. Container (10) for flowers and plants (26) in general, as in claim 1 , characterized in that the double wall and double bottom, with consequent creation of an interspace (22), are formed of a flower pot (1 1) of plastic material comprising an upper crown (12) of a larger diameter placed inside an outer pot (20) of plastic material whose internal diameter at the upper end (21) corresponds to the external diameter of said crown (12), the hole (16) for passage of the water intake head (35) being made in a peripheral expansion (15) at the edge (12) of the pot and connected with the interspace (22).

9. Container (40) for flowers and plants in general, as in claim 1 , characterized in that the double wall and double bottom, with consequent creation of an interspace (42), are formed of a flower pot (11) of plastic material comprising a crown (12) at the top of a greater diameter placed inside an outer earthenware pot (41), the hole (16) for plassage of the water intake head (35) being made in an expansion (15) created at the upper end of the pot (1 1 ) and connected with the interspace (22).

10. Container (45) for flowers and plants in general, as in claim 1 , characterized in that the double wall and double bottom, with consequent creation of an interspace (54), are formed of an earthenware flower pot (46) comprising an upper crown (47), placed inside an outer pot (50) of plastic material, the hole (53) for passage of the water intake head (35) being made in an expansion (52) created at the upper end of said outer pot (50) and connected with the interspace (54). 1 1 . Container (60) for flowers and plants in general, as in claim 1 , characterized in that the double wall and double bottom, with consequent creation of an interspace (62), are formed of an earthenware flower pot (61 ) placed inside an earthenware outer pot (65) on whose base next to the walls are radial spacers (66) to keep the flower pot (61 ) centered. 12. Container (70) for flowers and plants in general, as in claim 1 , characterized in that the double wall and double bottom, with consequent creation of an interspace, are formed of an earthenware flower pot (71) placed inside an outer pot (75) of plastic material, whose base comprises angular radial spacers (76), the horizontal section (77) of said spacers (76) permitting the presence of a large store of water below, while the vertical section (78) of said spacers (76) ensures a central position for the flower pot (71) in relation to the outer pot (75). 13. Container for flowers and plants in general, as in claim 12, characterized in that the spacers are made in one piece with the flower pot (71).

!4. Container for flowers and plants in general, as in claim 12, characterized in that the spacers are made in one piece with the outer pot (75).

15. Container for flowers and plants in general, as in claim 12, characterized in that the spacers are made separately.

16. Container for flowers and plants in general, as in claim 12, characterized in that the spacers are separate and are associated to- gether by circular rings.

17. Container (80,1 10) for flowers and plants (26) in general, as in claim 1 , characterized in that the double wall and double bottom, with consequent creation of an interspace (83, 108) are provided with a single body of plastic material, made by rotational moulding or by blowing, said single body creating, with the internal wall and internal bottom, a flower pot (81), and, with the external wall and external bottom, an outer pot (82).

18. Container (90) for flowers and plants in general, as in claim 1 , characterized in that the double wall and double bottom, with consequent creation of an interspace (93), are formed of an outer pot (92) of plastic material made in a single hollow piece by rotational moulding or by blowing, within which is placed a flower pot (91) of plastic or other material, the hole (94) for passage of the water intake head (35) being made at the upper end of said outer pot (92).

19. Container (100, 1 10) for flowers and plants (26, 29) in general, as in claim 1 , characterized in that the double wall and double bottom, with consequent creation of an interspace (108), are formed of a single hollow body (101) of a substantially rectangular shape, of plastic material made by rotational moulding or by blowing, its shape corresponding to that of an ordinary container for plants sold on the market, on whose upper edge are holes (102-106) for passage of water intake heads (35) for the automatic depression-type watering devices (30), it being therefore possible to place flower pots (109) in said con-tainer (100) or fill it with earth (28) and plant the plants direct in the earth.

20. Container for flowers as in claim 19, characterized in that the single body of plastic material is placed inside an outer container (1 1 1 ) of earthenware, ceramic, cement or any other material suitable for this purpose.

21 . Container for flowers, as in claim 1 , characterized in that its transversal section is circular, oval, square, rectangular, polygonal or any other possible for this type of manufactured article. 22. Container for flowers, as in claim 1 , characterized in that it is made of all possible materials, and in all shapes and sizes possible for this type of manufactured article.

23. Container for flowers, as in claim 6, characterized in that both the flower pot and the outer pot are made of all possible materials and in all possible shapes and sizes.