WO2011010929A1

WO2011010929A1 - Plant stem support

Info

Publication number: WO2011010929A1
Application number: PCT/NL2010/050484
Authority: WO
Inventors: Huibert Van Der Starre
Original assignee: Van Der Starre, Bart
Priority date: 2009-07-24
Filing date: 2010-07-26
Publication date: 2011-01-27
Also published as: EP2456295A1; NL2003273C2

Abstract

Plant stem support (7) preferably to be used with a pot plant (1). This plant stem support consists of a stake (9) which is to be inserted into a substrate or to be attached to a plant pot and is provided with a connecting part (12) for supporting the stem or stems (5) of a plant (4). This connecting part consists of a helix (13) which extends substantially at right angles to the stake and delimits a path inside which the stem can be moved. By means of a simple circular helical movement of the stem of the plant, the latter can be moved from the inlet of the helix to the end point of the helix according to a path. This connecting part can also be embodied as a label carrier and can, in addition, be vertically adjustable with respect to the stake. In this way, the presentation of the plant to the consumer at the point of sale is improved and falling over can be prevented, as a result of which the appearance of the presentation space is maintained. By grasping the plant stem support, the pot plant can readily be lifted up.

Description

Plant stem support.

The present invention relates to a pot plant according to the preamble of Claim 1. A pot plant of this type is known from US 2002/0073614 Al . In this document, a plant stake is described which can be connected to the pot. Arms extend from said plant stake which are provided with a helical plant surround at their free ends. Due to the flexible attachment of the arms to the stake, it is possible to fit this plant surround around the stem. The desired positioning will be achieved by bending the arm. Introducing the stem into the surround does not involve more than moving the stem along two free ends thereof.

GB 752211 discloses a stake which can be inserted into a substrate and along which an annular part can be displaced, which annular part serves to support the plant.

GB 299113 discloses a plant support which consists of metal wire which has been twisted together.

British patent 1029525 describes a plant support provided with helical parts which are rigidly connected thereto for accommodating the plant inside.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved plant stem support which is, on the one hand, simple to install and which, on the other hand, ensures that the plant cannot be damaged. Such damage occurs, for example when plants fall over at the point of sale. It is a further object to improve the handling of the pot plant to which the plant stem support is attached. In addition, it is an object of the present invention to provide a plant stem support, the appearance of which is attractive to the end user.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a plant stem support which is stable, that is to say which provides optimum support to the plant stem. In addition, it is an object of the present invention to provide a plant stem support in which the support can be adjusted depending on the state of growth of the plant. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a plant stem support in which the plant stem can be attached to the connecting part without causing damage.

This object is achieved with a plant stem support as described above which has the features of Claim 1.

According to the present invention, the stake is provided in any desired way with a helical part which delimits a path along which the stem of the plant can be moved. This path is such that the plant can be manipulated from the inlet of the helix to the centre. This is a relatively simple operation and therefore there is never any risk of the stem of the plant being damaged due to lack of expertise. Once the stem has reached the end point of the helix, i.e. the centre thereof, the inclination to turn back on itself is very small. In this case, it is not necessary to tilt or otherwise manipulate the connecting part with respect to the plant stem, so that there is no risk of damage. By displacing the plant stem through a significant angle of at least 270 degrees, it is possible to achieve, on the one hand, a secure positioning thereof, while, on the other hand, enabling a firm support thereof. Fixing the position can be assisted further according to an

advantageous embodiment of the invention by providing obstructions in the path which act in one direction. By arranging the connecting part in such a manner that it is displaceable with respect to the stake, it is possible, on the one hand, to provide for adjustment to different types of plants or plants in different stages of growth, respectively, and allows, on the other hand, a particularly stable attachment. Due to the fact that the path extends substantially in a single plane, the stability of the support and the ease of introduction of the plant are further enhanced. The stake needs to be fixed very firmly with respect to the root part. The simple introduction of a pin into the soil of the substrate, in which the root part is situated, is not sufficient for this purpose. After all, as has been described above, the stake should not come out of the substrate when the plant falls over. An example of such a firm fixing is the attachment of the stake to the pot.

By means of the present invention, the plant can develop unhindered following the fitting of the plant stem support, while at the same time preventing damage to the stems of the plant caused by insufficient support. The path preferably extends substantially at right angles to the stake, that is to say substantially perpendicular to the stem of the respective plant. In this manner, it is possible to introduce the plant in a simple manner. According to the present invention, the combination of stake and connecting part is provided first as described above while the plant may be arranged in the pot in any desired way, and thereafter the stem of the plant can be moved into the helix. AU this is carried out without there being any risk of damage at any time. In addition, it is possible to remove the stem from the helix again in a simple manner. In order to further secure the stem with respect to the helix, according to an advantageous embodiment, the distance between adjacent turns of the helix is such that the "width" of the path decreases in the direction of the inlet up to the end point of the helix. That is to say that, on the one hand, the stem can readily be introduced into the inlet as a result of the inlet being relatively wide, while, on the other hand, it is securely retained inside the helix.

In addition, it is possible to fit any desired structure near the end point which prevents the stem from moving back out of the end point. By way of example, a flexible end of the helix is mentioned which makes movement towards the centre readily possible, but renders movement in the opposite direction more difficult.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the stake is connected to the pot. This can be achieved by means of a clip construction, an example of which can be found in the Dutch patent 2001232 in the name of Boomkwekerij van der Starre B. V. Other structures are obviously also possible. With the latter embodiment, that is to say the one in which the stake is fixedly connected to the pot, it is possible for the other end of the stake to be provided with a carrying handle. As a result thereof, the pot can be grasped at a higher spot with the carrying handle in any way. Then, the stake obviously has to be attached to the pot in such a manner that it can carry the respective weight. Even when such a carrying handle is missing, the user can grasp the pot plant at a higher spot on the stake than, for example, at the connection between connecting part and stake. Grasping the pot at a relatively high position prevents it from falling over when it is taken off the shelf and put back on the shelf. It is possible to connect the connecting part to the stake in any desired way. Thus, all this can be embodied as a single (injection-moulded) part. According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the connecting part is arranged so as to be displaceable relative to the stake. More particularly, the connecting part is displaceable relative to the stake. If a carrying function is intended, a locking mechanism is present. In addition, the connecting part or the stake may be embodied as a label carrier. More particularly, this comprises the part which is situated near the stake. The connecting part can have any desired shape and may be embodied as having more than one helix for supporting more than one stem. If several helical parts are present, then each of these may comprise a connecting part or a common part may be used. These connecting parts and/or the paths of the helical parts thereof can be situated in one or in several planes. Preferably, the construction of the plant stake and helical parts is of such a rigid embodiment, that the helical part in particular is more rigid than the plant stem. That is to say that effective support is provided at the plant stem and only by moving the plant stem according to the helical path can it be brought to the desired position.

The invention will be described in more detail below with reference to an exemplary embodiment illustrated in the drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 diagrammatically shows a perspective view of the pot plant provided with the plant stem support according to the invention;

Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of a detail of the connecting part from Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 3 diagrammatically shows a top view of a helix according to the invention during the introduction of a stem; and

Fig. 4 shows a modified embodiment of the connecting part. In Fig. 1, a pot plant is denoted by reference numeral 1. It comprises a pot 2 filled with substrate 3 into which a plant 4 has been placed. This plant 4 has roots 8, two stems 5 and flowers 6. By way of example, a Phalaenopsis is mentioned, but it will be understood that any other kind of plant having relatively long and/or delicate stems is suitable for the invention. The pot may also be embodied in any conceivable manner.

A stake 9 is connected to the pot 2 and extends along one of the sides of the pot on the inside thereof and is attached to the peripheral edge of the pot 2 by means of a clip 10.

The part of the stake 9 which extends beyond the pot 2 ends in a handle 11. The presence thereof is optional. A connecting part 12 is fitted on the stake in such a manner that it can be vertically adjusted. The combination of the stake 9 and the connecting part 12 is denoted as plant stem support 7. The connecting part 12 consists of a slide 18 which can be displaced along the stake 9 and from which two helices 13 extend. As is shown in Fig. 2, the slide 18 is also provided with a label carrier 15 to which a label 16 can be attached.

Fig. 3 shows that each helix 13 consists of a curved part which delimits an inlet 19 and a central part or end point 20. In between these, a path 14 extends along which the stem

5 of a plant has to be moved, as illustrated in Fig. 1, according to arrow 17 in order to move from a non-supported state to a supported state in the end point 20. If desired, the end part 22 of the helix is provided with a flexible flap 21 which allows movement in the direction of the arrow 17, but blocks the return movement. As a result thereof, the stem is retained in the end point 20. This effect can be supported further by steadily reducing the width (b) of the path in the direction of the arrow 17.

When travelling along the helical path according to arrow 17, preferably a whole circle is covered, but at least part of a circle, such as at least 270°.

In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the path 14 extends exactly at right angles to the stake 9, i.e. at right angles to the stem or stems 5. It will be understood that said path can also be arranged at a slight angle to the stems, which has a further clamping or securing effect on the stem.

In the embodiment of the helix 13 illustrated in Fig. 4, a number of obstructions 23 are present, the length of which is smaller than in the exemplary embodiment from Fig. 3. The present invention makes it readily possible to provide a plant in the final stages of cultivation, for example three weeks before delivery to a point of sale and while it is already in the pot 2, with the plant stem support. This is due to the fact that the plant stem support can simply be click-fitted onto the stake 9 on the edge of the pot 2. As a result of the round shape of the helices 13, there is no risk of damage to the stems and/or the plant. Thereafter, each of the stems can be moved by means of a simple operation in the direction of arrow 17 according to path 14 towards the centre of the respective helix. This is an operation which does not require much training and which does not pose any risk of damage to the stems.

It will be understood that many variants of the present invention are possible without departing from the scope of the attached claims. Thus, it is possible to fix the stake 9 relative to the pot in a different manner. In addition, more than one stake 9 can be used and each stake can be provided with one or more separate helices.

Claims

1. Pot plant (1) comprising a pot (2) provided with a plant (4) and a plant stem support, said plant stem support (7) comprising an elongate stake (9) fixed relative to the root part (8) of a plant (4) on one side and provided with a connecting part (12) for attachment to a plant stem (5) of said plant on the other side, wherein said connecting part (12) comprises a helical part (13) comprising a path (14) delimited between the turns of the helix (13), wherein said helix is arranged in such a manner that a plant stem can move inside said path (14), characterized in that said connecting part (12) is arranged thereon so as to be displaceable in the longitudinal direction of said stake and in that said path (14) extends substantially in a single plane, and said path comprises at least 270° from an inlet (19) up to an end point (20).

2. Pot plant according to Claim 1, wherein said path extends substantially at right angles to said stake.

3. Pot plant according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said connecting part (12) is displaceable relative to said stake (9).

4. Pot plant according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said stake and said connecting part comprise a plastic injection-moulded part.

5. Pot plant according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said connecting part comprises a label carrier (15).

6. Pot plant according to Claim 5, wherein said label carrier (15) is arranged adjacent to said stake (9).

7. Pot plant according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said connecting part comprises two helical parts (13) for two plant stems.

8. Pot plant according to Claim 7, wherein said helical parts are situated substantially in a single plane.

9. Pot plant according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a handle (11).

10. Pot plant according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said stake is connected to said pot.

11. Pot plant according to Claim 10, wherein said stake comprises a handle and the stake is attached to said pot plant in such a manner that it does not fail when said pot plant is carried by said handle.

12. Pot plant according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said connecting part (12) comprising the helix part ( 13) is more rigid than said plant stem (5).

13. Pot plant according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a lock (21) is provided in said path which acts in one direction.

14. Pot plant according to Claim 9, in which said handle (11) comprises a part which is separate from said stake (9).