WO2003067963A1

WO2003067963A1 - Plant pots

Info

Publication number: WO2003067963A1
Application number: PCT/AU2003/000176
Authority: WO
Inventors: Tamati James Pearse
Original assignee: Tamati James Pearse
Priority date: 2002-02-13
Filing date: 2003-02-12
Publication date: 2003-08-21
Also published as: AUPS051802A0

Abstract

This invention relates to a set of pots (2), and an assembly of pots (2) from the set. Each of pot (2) has a walls (4) defining a body with a cavity (6) capable of holding soil and plants. The body defines a footprint which is an integer multiple of a basic footprint. At least one pot (2) of the set and assembly includes a corner (3), having a recessed vertex, for receiving a basic footprint that is part of the arrangement of another pot (2) in the set and assembly, such that gaps between the assembled pots are substantially eliminated.

Description

PLANT POTS

Field of Invention

This invention relates to pots and, more particularly, pots for containing plants.

Background of the Invention

Pots containing plants are often set in configurations such that the aesthetic appeal of the plants in the pots is enhanced by contrasting or matching them with other plants in other pots in the configuration and by spatial arrangement of the various plants. While the plants have their own aesthetic appeal, the appearance of the pots plays a significant role in the overall look of the pot plants. Accordingly, having neighbouring pots which leave unsightly gaps between each other, tends to derogate from the overall attractiveness of the group of pot plants. These gaps also allow dirt and dead plant material to fall between the pots, thereby further detracting from the aesthetic nature of the pot configuration and thus the overall appearance of the plant arrangement.

These gaps are generally formed between neighbouring pots that both have rounded edges, or between a straight edge pot and a rounded edged pot, or even between three or more straight edged pots which have incompatible dimensions that, in various arrangements, leave gaps.

It is therefore an object of this invention to overcome, at least in part, the shortcomings of previous plant pots.

Summary of the Invention

In accordance with the first aspect, the invention provides a set of plant pots, each pot having a body that defines a footprint, which footprint is an integer multiple of a basic footprint, the footprint of at least one pot including a corner, having a recessed vertex, for receiving a basic footprint that is part of a footprint of a second pot in the set and that complements the footprint of the at least one pot, whereby the pots of the set are capable of assembly such that gaps between the assembled pots are substantially eliminated when the basic footprint of the second pot is received in the corner.

The second aspect of the invention provides an assembly of plant pots, the assembly comprising a plurality of pots from the set according to the first aspect, the plurality including the pot that includes the corner having the recessed vertex, and wherein the plurality of pots are assembled with the basic footprint of the second pot received in the corner such that gaps between the assembled pots are substantially eliminated.

The basic footprint, preferably, is a size which enables a pot, comprising a single basic footprint, to accommodate a plant. It is preferable for each pot to have a drip tray that is smaller than the footprint of the pot. Moreover, each pot may accommodate the drip tray in a recess in a base of the pot. In order to provide some variation, it is preferable that each pot is formed in a range of heights. This will provide a user with the opportunity to create various configurations of pots by utilising their range of shapes and heights.

In the preferred embodiment, the basic footprint is square and each pot is formed as one of the following shapes: square, rectangle, right angle, F-shape, C- shape, L-shape, T-shape, cross-shaped, cruciform or a pair of rectangles joined to define a step. In alternative embodiments, the basic footprint is rhombic or triangular.

Brief Description of the Drawings

A preferred embodiment will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of one particular plant pot assembly formed from a first set of plant pots in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention. Figure 2 is a perspective view of another particular plant pot assembly formed from a second set of plant pots in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the invention.

Figures 3A to 3J are top plan views of pot footprints, where Figure 3A is the basic footprint, and Figures 3C to 3J are examples of footprints for the pot including the corner having the recessed vertex.

Figures 4A to 4F illustrate the placement of drip trays relative to the various footprints shown in Figures 3A to 3F where the footprints have the same reference letter in both Figures.

Figures 5A to 5F are top plan views of that arrangement of drainage surfaces in pots corresponding to the footprints of Figures 4A to 4F.

Figure 6 is a top plan view of the pot in Figures 4B and 5B.

Figure 7 is a cut away perspective of the pot in Figure 6, without the drip tray.

Figure 8 illustrates a vertical cross section in the plane Y-Y in Figures 6 and

7, with the drip tray.

Description of Embodiments.

An assembly of plant pots 2 is shown in Figure 1. Each pot 2 in the assembly is selected from a set of plant pots 2. Each pot 2 in the set has a footprint defined by a body formed from walls 4. The footprint of each pot 2 is formed from an integer multiple of a basic footprint. In this case, the basic footprint is a square and the footprints of the pots have the component basic footprints arranged side-to-side. Furthermore, the footprint of at least one pot 2a, 2b in the set includes a corner, having a recessed vertex, for receiving a basic footprint that is part of a footprint of a second pot in the set. For example, in Figure 1 , the pot 2a has corner 3, having a recessed vertex, for receiving a basic footprint that forms part of the footprint of pot 2b. Similarly, pot 2b has a recessed corner receiving part of pot 2a. Receipt of the basic footprint forming part of the footprint of pot 2b in the corner 3 of pot 2a enables assembly of the pots 2a, 2b such that gaps between the assembled pots 2a, 2b are substantially eliminated.

An alternative assembly of pots is illustrated in Figure 2, in which equivalent features have like numbering denoted with a prime('). Again, a set of pots 2 according to an alternative embodiment is employed to form this assembly. The basic footprint is a square, but the pots 2' of this set have footprints in which the component basic footprints are arranged corner-to-corner. In this manner, the pot 2a' has a corner 3', having a recessed vertex, for receiving a basic footprint that is part of a footprint of the pot 2b', such that gaps between the pots 2a' and 2b' are substantially eliminated.

Figure 3 shows footprints for several different pots 2 that might be included in a set according to the side-to-side embodiment of Figure 1. The pots 2 each comprise an integer multiple of the square basic footprint shown in Figure 3A. As this footprint has particular dimensions, then the footprints of the other pots 2 are merely integer multiples of the particular dimensions of the basic footprint. Accordingly, the various pot 2 footprints are adapted to fit with each other, whereby, due to the correspondence in dimensions, the pots 2 in the set will fit in the corners 3 of other pots 2 in the set, without leaving a substantial gap between the assembled pots. For example, pot 2a in Figure 1 has a cross-shaped footprint (Figure 3J) that is complemented by the surrounding pots 2 received in each of the corners 3. The surrounding pots 2 respectively have the footprints of Figures 3C, 3B and 3A. Many variations in pot 2 configurations are derived from combining a plurality of pots 2 of the same or different footprints, in an assembly of pots 2 such that the gaps between the pots are substantially eliminated.

The basic footprint in each embodiment is a size which enables a plant, for instance commonly used domestic pot plants, to be accommodated in a pot comprising a single basic footprint.

The side edges of the square basic footprint of Figure 3A may be, for example, of a length in the range 8cm to 200cm. Some of the various basic footprint arrangements which may be generated in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention are depicted in Figures 3A to 3J (where the basic footprints defining each arrangement are separated by dotted lines) and include the following arrangements: square (3A), rectangular (3B), right-angle (3C), T- shape (3D), C-shape (3G), L-shape (3H and 31), stepped rectangular (3E and 3F) and a cross (3J). Additional arrangements include E-shape and F-shape footprints. Alternative embodiments are based on different basic footprint shapes, eg. rhombic or triangular, and generate different footprint arrangements .

Each pot 2 has walls 4 which terminate in a rim 8 and define a cavity 6 in which potting mixture and, perhaps, other associated potting materials, such as a geo-textile drainage fabric, are placed, along with a number of plants selected by a user. The walls 4 are vertical and vary in height to provide a number of pots with identical footprints but different heights to provide the consumer with greater scope in using the pots to generate various pot 2 assemblies, including assemblies stepped in height as exemplified in Figures 1 and 2. Generally the pots 2 have a height in the range 8 to 100cm.

Each footprint in the set is the basis for three pots 2, each having a different height. In one embodiment where the square basic footprints has a side length of 8.5 cm, the three heights of the pots 2 are 8, 12 and 16 cm. Where the square basic footprint has a side length of 11.5cm, the pot 2 heights are 12cm, 16cm and 20cm. Pot 2 heights of 16cm, 20cm and 24cm are used where the square basic footprint has a side length of 16cm.

The construction of the pots 2 will now be described with reference to the pot 2 in Figures 6 to 8, which is also shown in Figures 4B and 5B. Referring firstly to Figure 6, the pot 2 has a rectangular footprint deriving from the arrangement of two basic square footprints along a side of each square footprint. The walls 4 are joined at rounded corners 9 and collectively define an internal cavity 6 in which the potting mix, plants and associated materials may be placed.

The bottom of the pot 2 is closed by a floor 13 having inwardly and downwardly inclined drainage surfaces 14 which operate to funnel water into one or more drainage apertures 12 formed along the centreline 16 of the floor 13. The floor 13 is spaced from the base of the walls 4 to form a recess 18 in which a drip tray 10 is receivable. The particular arrangements of drainage surfaces 14 and drainage apertures 12 for some pots 2 are shown in Figures 5A to 5F.

Referring to Figure 8, the drip tray 10 has a base 24 with a raised perimeter

26 to retain water run-off from the pot 2, along with any loose dirt falling through the drainage aperture 12. The drip tray 10 is shaped and dimensioned to fit within the recess 18 of pots 2 having footprints of Figures 4B to 4F. Having a driptray 10 which fits within the recess 18 of a number of pots 2 in the set enables production cost to be lowered. However, a different drip tray 10 is required to fit with a pot having the footprint in Figure 3A.

It will be appreciated that placement of the drip-tray 10 within the recess 18 allows the walls 4 of neighbouring pots 2 to be kept in substantially flush contact, thereby substantially eliminating gaps between adjacently assembled pots 2. The minimised gap itself improves the appearance of pot 2 assemblies due to the orderly assembly of the pots 2. It also inhibits loose soil and plant detritus from falling between adjacent pots 2 in the assembly, thereby minimising the extent to which the aesthetic appeal of the pots is diminished.

The pots 2 consist of terracotta or other suitable clay-based material, but may alternatively be formed from any other suitable material, for instance, plastics, wood, concrete or cement. Preferably, the terracotta pots 2 are formed from moulds and the plastics pots 2 are formed by injection moulding.

It will be understood that the invention disclosed and defined in this specification extends to all alternative combinations of two or more of the individual features mentioned or evident from the text or drawings. All of these different combinations constitute various alternative aspects of the invention.

Claims

1. A set of plant pots, each pot having a body that defines a footprint, which footprint is an integer multiple of a basic footprint, the footprint of at least one pot including a corner, having a recessed vertex, for receiving a basic footprint that is part of a footprint of a second pot in the set and that complements the footprint of the at least one pot, whereby the pots of the set are capable of assembly such that gaps between the assembled pots are substantially eliminated when the basic footprint of the second pot is received in the corner.

2. A set of plant pots according to claim 1 , wherein the basic footprint is a size which enables a pot, comprising a single basic footprint, to accommodate a plant.

3. A set of plant pots according to claim 2, wherein pots comprising more than one basic footprint have the basic footprints arranged with adjoining sides or corners.

4. A set of plant pots according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the basic footprint is a square.

5. A set of plant pots according to claim 4, wherein the square basic footprint has side lengths in the range of 8cm to 200cm.

6. A set of plant pots according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the pots have any one or more of the following shapes: square, rectangle, right angle, E- shape, F-shape, C-shape, L-shape, T-shape, cross-shaped, cruciform or a pair of rectangles joined to define a step.

7. A set of plant pots according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the basic footprint is a rhombus or triangle.

8. A set of plant pots according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the pots are formed with rounded corners.

9. A set of plant pots according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the pots are formed in a range of heights to enable the assembly of the pots into assemblies stepped in height.

10. A set of plant pots according to claim 9, wherein the pot heights are in the range of 8cm to 100cm.

11. An assembly of pots, the assembly comprising a plurality of pots from the set according to any one of claims 1 to 10, the plurality including the pot that includes the corner, having the recessed vertex, and wherein the plurality of pots are assembled with the basic footprint of the second pot received in the corner such that gaps between the assembled pots are substantially eliminated.