WO2017208008A1

WO2017208008A1 - Plant self-watering device

Info

Publication number: WO2017208008A1
Application number: PCT/GB2017/051584
Authority: WO
Inventors: Christof Walter Schneider; Markus Ulrich SCHNEIDER
Original assignee: Christof Walter Schneider; Schneider Markus Ulrich
Priority date: 2016-06-01
Filing date: 2017-06-01
Publication date: 2017-12-07
Also published as: EP3462837A1; GB201609591D0

Abstract

A composite product that can be used to water one or more plants, the composite product comprising: a. a bucket for holding water, the bucket being defined by one or more walls that extend from a closed end to an open end, wherein the closed end can be used to support the bucket on a floor or another surface; and b. an insert, wherein at least part of the insert is secured within the bucket, the insert being suitable for supporting plant growth medium and one or more plants, the insert comprising: • a tray that at least partially extends in a plane, the tray having a top face and a bottom face, and being provided with a mouth that extends from the top face to the bottom face; and · a body which is elongate and hollow and has an inner surface and an outer surface, the body being defined by one or more side walls that extend from a proximal end to a distal end, wherein the proximal end of the body is secured to the mouth of the tray such that the inner surface of the body can be accessed from the top face of the tray by the mouth, and wherein one or more openings are provided in said side walls at or near the distal end, said openings making up a total of from 0.1 to 25% of the surface area of the side walls and each opening individually making up no more than 10% of the surface area of the side walls, and wherein the distal end is substantially closed; wherein the insert is secured within the bucket such that the plane of the tray is substantially parallel with the closed end of the bucket, at a location such that the distal end of the body is located closer to the closed end of the bucket than the open end of the bucket, such that plant growth medium can be provided to the insert and retained in the hollow body, and a plant can be planted in the plant growth medium, and water can be drawn from the bucket into the plant growth medium in the hollow body through the openings.

Description

PLANT SELF-WATERING DEVICE

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to the watering of plants, and in particular provides a new product which helps keep plants sufficiently watered for an extended period, such as one or two weeks or more.

Background of the Invention

Many people choose to grow plants in containers; these may be indoor plants or outdoor plants and include plants grown in a garden or other outdoor area, plants grown in a greenhouse or another outbuilding such as a shed, and plants grown within a house or any other premises, whether domestic or commercial.

For the majority of plants, it is important that the soil or other medium in which the plant is grown is neither under-watered nor over-watered in order to maintain efficient plant growth. In other words, it is desired to maintain a healthy status for the plant due to appropriate watering.

Traditional methods of watering plants in containers include using a watering can or other vessel to pour water onto the soil from above. This process can require extensive labour, particularly where there are many plants to water. It may also be difficult for the inexperienced horticulturist to correctly judge when plants need watering, or how much water is required.

In addition, if these methods are relied on, plants are likely to become under-watered during times when the proprietor is away and has to leave the plants unattended. During the summer months it is traditional to holiday and therefore leave plants unattended for periods such as one or two weeks; however at that time of year conditions can be hot and dry and so the required frequency of watering is highest. This therefore exacerbates the problem.

Current systems which have been developed to address this issue include automatic irrigation systems, which control a flow of water to the plants based upon time or physical conditions. For example, they may use a computer-controlled pump or valve for transferring water to the plant at selected times or when selected conditions are met. It may in particular be appropriate to measure the humidity in the soil to determine when to irrigate. However, such systems are typically too expensive and too difficult to assemble and maintain for all except the very keen amateur or professional horticulturist. They can also be wasteful of water.

Another alternative is to use devices which control the release of water over time from an elevated reservoir, such as a bottle, into the soil or other medium in which the plant is grown. These products are designed to dispense water individually to plants and therefore one device is needed per plant. They have the limitation of being time consuming to fill, especially where many devices are used to water a number of plants. The product is also only designed for watering plants during the absence of the proprietor and so may be viewed as spoiling the aesthetics of decorative potted plants if used as a long term solution for avoiding over- or under-watering, rather than just being used as a temporary solution to the problem of watering unattended plants. A system of this type is described in US 7 845 1 10.

An alternative device is described in GB 2 499 225 A. This device has a water reservoir underneath a container of soil or other plant growth medium and uses a spike that extends from the reservoir to convey water under capillary action towards the container. There is a risk that the upwardly extending spikes could break or be damaged, or could themselves cause damage, due to being described as having a blade portion at the distal end for cutting through a container wall or wet earth. The products are also of relatively intricate construction and hence have increased manufacturing and retail costs.

US 2010/162624 describes a capillary hydration system for facilitating the growth of plants. The system comprises a base unit for holding water, and an insert portion. The insert portion is supported on the base unit by engaging with an upper edge of a horizontal wall that runs around the top of the base unit. The insert portion comprises at least one downwardly extending plant receiving depression that is capable of holding soil or the like. The plant receiving depression has capillary openings provided at its bottom face, such that when the capillary opening is in liquid communication with water in the base unit, water is wicked to the soil by capillary action. US 2013/067812 describes a plant container which is divided into a top half which is an upper soil chamber filled with soil in which a plant is planted and a bottom half which is a lower water- reservoir chamber containing water. A divider that engages with the side wall of the plant container divides the container into these upper and lower chambers and therefore the upper soil chamber is supported at the location where the divider engages with the side wall. A water-uptake conduit, which is an open-ended tube, is arranged to interconnect the upper soil chamber and the lower water-reservoir chamber so that water is wicked up through soil located in the water-uptake conduit.

KR 100824272 describes a hydroponic flower pot, which has an outer bucket-shaped container that can be filled with water and an inner bucket-shaped container that can contain the plant. There is a small open-ended passage provided at the bottom of the inner container which provides the water supply from the outer container. Summary of the Invention

The present inventor has appreciated that there is a need for an improved system to water plants. An important feature would be an ability of the system to be able to water unattended plants, e.g. when left for a period such as one or two weeks or longer. However, the system is generally aimed at addressing the problem of making the watering of potted plants easier, whether or not they are to be left alone. Having a system that can be used to provide an adequate water supply to potted plants, without under-watering or over-watering, is desired.

It would be desirable for the system to be simple to use. It would also be desirable for the system to not detract from the aesthetics of the plant.

The present invention provides, in a first aspect, a kit for a composite product that can be used to water one or more plants, the kit comprising:

a. a bucket for holding water, the bucket being defined by one or more walls that extend from a closed end to an open end, wherein the closed end can be used to support the bucket on a floor or another surface; and

b. an insert which is configured such that at least part of the insert can be secured within the bucket, the insert being suitable for supporting plant growth medium and one or more plants, the insert comprising:

· a tray that at least partially extends in a plane, the tray having a top face and a bottom face, and being provided with a mouth that extends from the top face to the bottom face; and

• a body which is elongate and hollow and has an inner surface and an outer surface, the body being defined by one or more side walls that extend from a proximal end to a distal end, wherein the proximal end of the body is either secured to the mouth of the tray or is configured such that it can be secured to the mouth of the tray, and wherein one or more openings are provided in said side walls at or near the distal end, said openings making up a total of from 0. 1 to 25% of the surface area of the side walls and each opening individually making up no more than 10% of the surface area of the side walls, and wherein the distal end either is substantially closed or is configured such that it can be substantially closed by engagement with another component part of the composite product;

such that when the composite product is in use:

- the proximal end of the body can be secured to the mouth of the tray, such that the inner surface of the body can be accessed from the top face of the tray by the mouth, and - at least part of the insert can be secured within the bucket such that the plane of the tray is substantially parallel with the closed end of the bucket, at a location such that the distal end of the hollow body is located closer to the closed end of the bucket than the open end of the bucket, and

- the distal end of the hollow body can be substantially closed,

such that plant growth medium can be provided to the insert and retained in the hollow body, and a plant can be planted in the plant growth medium, and water can be drawn from the bucket into the plant growth medium in the hollow body through the openings in its side walls.

In use the insert is loaded with and supports plant growth medium (e.g. soil or compost), with plant growth medium being held within the hollow body. One or more plants are planted in the medium, in much the same fashion as planting in a traditional plant pot, which is well known to those skilled in the art. The roots of the plant will be naturally drawn to grow down into the hollow body. As noted above, in use the distal end of the body is located closer to the closed end of the bucket than the open end of the bucket. Therefore if the bucket is filled with water to a level closer to the open end of the bucket than the closed end of the bucket, i.e. the bucket is more than half full, water will be drawn into the plant growth medium in the hollow body via the one or more openings located in the side walls at or near the distal end, and thus the roots of the plant can receive water. It is straightforward for the user to fill the bucket with water to a level where the bucket is at least half full.

In the present invention, unless the context indicates otherwise it will be appreciated that the reference to an "end" is intended to be the end itself, and therefore is in respect of a substantially x-y area, rather than being an end portion that extends for a significant distance in the z direction. In particular, the distal end and the proximal end of the body are not intended to include portions of the one or more side walls but rather represent the end locations of those walls.

The skilled person will appreciate that the closer the distal end of the body to the closed end of the bucket than the open end of the bucket, the less water that will be required in the bucket in order for the distal end to contact the water. In other words, the distal end of the body may be located relatively close to the closed end of the bucket (e.g. the distance from the distal end of the body to the closed end of the bucket may be 25% or less, or 15% or less, of the distance from the open end of the bucket to the closed end of the bucket) and therefore filling the bucket only a third full or a quarter full (or even less) may be sufficient to allow the distal end to contact the water. In one preferred embodiment, the distance from the distal end of the body to the closed end of the bucket is 25% or less, or 15% or less, or 10% or less, or 5% or less, of the distance from the open end of the bucket to the closed end of the bucket. Equally, the skilled person will appreciate that it may be desirable to have the initial water level significantly higher than the location of the distal end of the hollow body, such that as the water level decreases, due to the water being drawn into the plant growth medium and used by the plant, and/or due to evaporation, the distal end continues to contact the water. This is specially the case if the user is intending to leave the plant unattended for a period of time, such as a week or more, or two weeks or more. The longer the plant will be unattended, the higher that the water level should be above the location of the distal end of the hollow body, so as to give a sufficient reservoir of water for the plant's roots to draw on over that period of time.

It is straightforward for the user to note the location of the distal end within the bucket and ensure that the amount of water added to the bucket is such that the water level is higher, and preferably significantly higher, than this location. For example, it may be that the distance from the distal end of the body to the closed end of the bucket is 25% or less, or 15% or less, of the distance from the open end of the bucket to the closed end of the bucket, and the user may choose to fill the bucket at least half full, or at least two thirds full, or at least three quarters full.

The design of the insert is crucial to the function of the invention by permitting water to pass from the bucket into the plant growth medium being held within the hollow body in a controlled manner, and this water is then accessible to the plant's roots. Thus the plant or plants that are planted in the plant growth medium receive water, and so are not under-watered, but do not suffer from over- watering, because the water is not added directly to the plant growth medium and so the medium is not over- saturated. Instead, water will naturally be drawn from the bucket into the plant growth medium as the plant growth medium dries out due to uptake of the water by the plant's roots and/or due to evaporation. Therefore in use this design provides sufficient water to the plants to sustain the plants, while preventing excessive provision of water which would traditionally result in over-watering and/or wasted water.

Hence, the present inventor has devised a composite product which is able to provide water to one or more plants in a straightforward manner. The product can be used to water plants on a regular basis, and in this regard it has the technical benefit of helping avoid over-watering or under- watering of the plant, which is useful for the less-experienced or less-competent plant grower. However, in a further technical benefit the product can also be used to water unattended plants, e.g. plants left unattended for a period of a day or more, such as one or two weeks or longer, by being capable of holding a sufficiently large reservoir of water and permitting the water to be drawn into plant growth medium as needed. The composite product has the further advantage of being simple to install and use.

In one embodiment the tray and the body are integral with one another, such that the insert may be of one-piece construction. This facilitates design and production and ease of use of the composite product. The insert may, for example, be a one-piece injection moulded product.

In an alternative embodiment the tray and the body are separate pieces. They may be permanently secured together, or they may be releasably securable. Thus in one embodiment the insert is provided as a kit comprising the tray and the body, and the tray and the body are permanently or releasably secured together before the product is used. They may be secured together using any known securing means, for example, male and female connectors (including bayonet fit connectors, click fit connectors, and snap fit connectors), adhesive, or screws.

In the present invention it is important that the one or more openings provided in the side walls make up a total of from 0.1 to 25% of the surface area of the side walls, with each opening individually making up no more than 10% of the surface area of the side walls. This means that each opening is small enough to avoid significant loss of plant growth medium from the hollow body, while the overall amount of openings is sufficient to permit water to be drawn from the bucket into the growth medium. It is also important that the distal end either is substantially closed or is configured such that it can be substantially closed by engagement with another component part of the composite product.

Prior art products use hollow tubes that have open ends that are not closed in use, or depressions that have multiple capillary openings located at the end, thus meaning the end is not substantially closed.

In the present invention, in use the distal end of the hollow body must be substantially closed. This serves to avoid significant loss of plant growth medium from the hollow body. Thus if the distal end is not substantially closed when the composite product is provided, it must be substantially closed by engagement with another component part of the composite product when the product is used. In one embodiment the distal end is substantially closed by engagement with the bucket. The bucket is of course another component part of the composite product. In one embodiment the distal end is substantially closed by engagement with the closed end of the bucket or a protrusion therefrom.

In one preferred embodiment the distal end is substantially closed by engagement with a protrusion from the closed end of the bucket.

This arrangement is beneficial in terms of providing greater product stability. The plant and growth medium are better supported by there being contact and engagement with a protrusion from the closed end of the bucket. There is reduced risk of the tray deforming due to the weight of the growth medium and the plant. There is also improved ease of use.

The composite product is therefore simple to install and use.

For example, the closed end of the bucket may be provided with a protrusion that is sized and shaped to engage with the distal end of the hollow body when the insert is secured within the bucket. The protrusion may engage with the distal end of the body due to the protrusion of the bucket abutting the distal end of the body, or due to the protrusion of the bucket extending into the body via the distal end of the body.

It can also be envisaged that the protrusion could include a recess, and that the protrusion may engage with the distal end of the body due to distal end of the body extending into the recess within the protrusion.

It will be appreciated that in these embodiments where the distal end is substantially closed by engagement with the protrusion from the closed end of the bucket, there may be a complete closure of the distal end, with the dimensions of the protrusion being such that a seal is created. However, this is not essential and in other embodiments there is a channel defined between the protrusion and the distal end through which water can flow.

In one embodiment, the central part of the distal end is fully closed by engagement with the protrusion and a channel is left around some or all of the perimeter of the distal end. The skilled person will appreciate that in the present invention it is required that one or more openings are provided in the side walls at or near the distal end, said openings making up a total of from 0. 1 to 25% of the surface area of the side walls and each opening individually making up no more than 10% of the surface area of the side walls. This feature should be present in use of the product. Therefore although the engagement of the protrusion with the distal end may involve the protrusion extending into the distal end, or the distal end being received into a recess in the protrusion, this engagement must not serve to partially or fully close any of the openings at or near the distal end to an extent that the requirement for these openings to make up a total of from 0.1 to 25% of the surface area of the side walls is no longer met. Therefore whilst it is envisaged that the engagement might, in one embodiment, partially or fully close some openings provided at or near the distal end, this must not be to an extent that these openings no longer make up a total of at least 0.1% (preferably at least 0.5%, e.g. at least 1%) of the surface area of the side walls. In an alternative embodiment, it may be that when the insert is secured within the bucket the distal end of the hollow body extends down to contact with the closed end of the bucket, and this contact serves to substantially close the distal end.

In another embodiment the distal end is permanently substantially closed; for example the body may have been formed with the distal end closed or with only a small opening.

In another embodiment the distal end is substantially closed by being provided with a cap or cover, which may optionally be removable. The cap or cover may be secured to the distal end using any known securing means, for example, male and female connectors (including bayonet fit connectors, click fit connectors, and snap fit connectors), or adhesive, or screws. The cap or cover is another component part of the composite product.

In all embodiments, where reference is made to the distal end being substantially closed this means that 65% or more of the surface area of the distal end is closed, such as 70% or more, preferably 75% or more, or 80% or more, or 85% or more, or 90% or more, or even 95% or more.

In a preferred embodiment 75% or more, or 80% or more, or 85% or more, or 90% or more, or 95% or more of the surface area of the distal end is closed. In use, at least part of the insert is secured within the bucket such that the plane of the tray is substantially parallel with the closed end of the bucket, at a location such that the distal end of the body is located closer to the closed end of the bucket than the open end of the bucket. Therefore the distance from the distal end of the body to the closed end of the bucket is less than 50% of the distance from the open end of the bucket to the closed end of the bucket.

Preferably, the distance from the distal end of the body to the closed end of the bucket is 40% or less of the distance from the open end of the bucket to the closed end of the bucket, such as 30% or less, or 25% or less, or 20% or less, or 15% or less, or 10% or less, or 5% or less. The body may be any shape. However, in a preferred embodiment the body tapers, such that the cross-sectional area is larger at the proximal end than at the distal end. This assists with retention of plant growth medium in the body and assists a suitable flow of water from the bucket into the plant growth medium.

In one preferred embodiment the cross-sectional area of the proximal end may be greater than the cross-sectional area of the distal end by 60% or more; or 70% or more; or 80% or more; or 90% or more; or 100% or more (i.e. it is at least twice as big).

In one preferred embodiment the length of the body is 50% or more of the height of the bucket (i.e. the distance from the closed end of the bucket to the open end of the bucket), such as 60% or more or 70% or more, or 75% or more. In one embodiment it is from 50 to 95% of the height of the bucket, e.g. from 60 to 90% or from 70 to 85%.

This design is advantageous because the roots of the plant will be naturally drawn to grow down into the hollow body. Thus a tapered hollow body that extends down for most of the height of the bucket encourages good root growth for the plant.

As previously discussed, the tray and body are either provided as one integral part or as two separate parts. If the body and tray are provided as two separate parts, they must be secured together before use. This must be done before plant growth medium is loaded into the hollow body via the mouth.

In use, the distal end must be substantially closed. Thus if it is provided in a form where it is configured such that it can be substantially closed by engagement with another component part of the composite product, then before the product is used the distal end must be moved into engagement with said component part of the composite product. This must be done before plant growth medium is loaded into the hollow body via the mouth.

Accordingly, in a second aspect, there is provided a composite product that can be used to water one or more plants, the composite product comprising:

b. an insert, wherein at least part of the insert is secured within the bucket, the insert being suitable for supporting plant growth medium and one or more plants, the insert comprising: a tray that at least partially extends in a plane, the tray having a top face and a bottom face, and being provided with a mouth that extends from the top face to the bottom face; and

a body which is elongate and hollow and has an inner surface and an outer surface, the body being defined by one or more side walls that extend from a proximal end to a distal end, wherein the proximal end of the body is secured to the mouth of the tray such that the inner surface of the body can be accessed from the top face of the tray by the mouth, and wherein one or more openings are provided in said side walls at or near the distal end, said openings making up a total of from 0.1 to 25% of the surface area of the side walls and each opening individually making up no more than 10% of the surface area of the side walls, and wherein the distal end is substantially closed;

wherein the insert is secured within the bucket such that the plane of the tray is substantially parallel with the closed end of the bucket, at a location such that the distal end of the body is located closer to the closed end of the bucket than the open end of the bucket,

such that plant growth medium can be provided to the insert and retained in the hollow body, and a plant can be planted in the plant growth medium, and water can be drawn from the bucket into the plant growth medium in the hollow body through the openings. In a third aspect, there is provided a method of watering one or more plants, the method comprising providing a composite product according to the second aspect.

It will be appreciated that the step of providing a composite product according to the second aspect may be fulfilled by providing a kit according to the first aspect and forming the composite product from the kit by:

- ensuring that the proximal end of the body is secured to the mouth of the tray, such that the inner surface of the body can be accessed from the top face of the tray by the mouth, and

- ensuring that at least part of the insert is secured within the bucket such that the plane of the tray is substantially parallel with the closed end of the bucket, at a location such that the distal end of the body is located closer to the closed end of the bucket than the open end of the bucket, and

- ensuring that the distal end of the hollow body can be substantially closed,

Once the composite product has been provided, the method comprises providing plant growth medium (e.g. soil or compost) to the insert, such that the plant growth medium is held within the hollow body. The hollow body is partly filled, preferably more than half filled, more preferably more than 75% filled, such as more than 90 or 95% filled, with plant growth medium. One or more plants are then planted in the medium. It may be preferred to locate existing plant roots within the hollow body. Thus the composite product is then provided in a form where one or more plants, planted in plant growth medium, are supported by the insert, and plant growth medium is held within the hollow body.

Water is provided to the bucket. Water may be provided to the bucket before and/or during and/or after the steps of providing plant growth medium and planting one or more plants in said medium.

Water should be provided to the bucket to a level closer to the open end of the bucket than the closed end of the bucket. This is discussed in more detailed above. In one embodiment the bucket is more than half filled with water, e.g. more than two thirds filled, or more than three quarters filled.

The water in the bucket will then be drawn into the plant growth medium via the openings in the hollow body.

Detailed Description of the Invention

The present invention is designed to allow one or more plants to be watered. Plants include those which are grown to be harvested for flowers or food, and plants which are grown for decorative purposes. Plants also include shrubs, trees, mosses and grasses. Plants also include entities which are intended to grow to become plants, such as seeds, seedlings and cuttings. The invention may be used for indoor plants or outdoor plants and can be used to water plants grown in a garden or other outdoor area, plants grown in a greenhouse or another outbuilding such as a shed, and plants grown within a house or any other premises, whether domestic or commercial.

The present application refers to watering plants and to providing water in the bucket. It will be appreciated that this may be tap water or rain water or water from other sources, e.g. river water or spring water or pond water. Some plants grow in salt water (e.g. seawater) or brackish water and therefore such water types may be chosen if appropriate for the plant that is being grown.

The water may contain other chemicals which are not damaging to the plants that are being grown. It may be that the water has added chemicals, e.g. fertilisers, such as liquid fertilisers. These may provide major nutrients, e.g. selected from nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), sulphur (S) and combinations thereof. However, it is preferred that these chemicals, e.g. fertilizers, are added in a minority amount, e.g. at a level of 10wt% or less, such as 5wt% or less, or 2wt% or less, by weight of the water. The present application refers to using plant growth medium. This may be any material which can be used to sustain the life and growth of plants, for example soil, compost, expanded clay aggregate, growstones, coir peat, parboiled rice husks, or mixtures thereof. The plant growth medium may be supplemented with chemicals which are not damaging to the plants that are being grown. It may be that the plant growth medium has added chemicals, e.g. fertilisers. However, it is preferred that these are added in a minority amount, e.g. at a level of 10wt% or less, such as 5wt% or less, or 2wt% or less, by weight of the plant growth medium.

The product of the invention includes as one of its component parts a bucket. The bucket may be any suitable size and shape.

In general the size of the bucket is decided taking into account the size of the plants to be grown. The intention is that the bucket should be large enough to (a) provide a support base for supporting the insert, which in turn supports the plant(s) and growth medium, and (b) hold a reservoir of water sufficient to sustain the growth of the plant(s) for a desired period of time, e.g. a day or more, or a week or more, or ten days or more, or two weeks or more.

In one embodiment, the bucket may have a capacity of 1 litre or more, preferably 2 litres or more, e.g. 5 litres or more, or 10 litres or more, such as 15 litres or more, or 20 litres or more. When considering ease of use by the user, it is preferred that the bucket has a capacity of 100 litres or less, such as 80 litres or less or 60 litres or less. However, it can be appreciated that large size buckets could potentially be used to grow a large number of plants in one device. In one embodiment, the bucket has a capacity of from 5 to 60 litres, such as from 15 to 50 litres. As discussed above, the design of the present invention can provide a very stable product. It can provide good and steady support for the plant and growth medium. Therefore the design can readily be scaled from small to large size products.

When considering ease of use, however, it is preferred that the bucket has a maximum dimension (width, length, height; i.e. x, y and z directions) that is no more than lm, preferably 80cm or less, such as 70cm or less or 60cm or less. In one embodiment, the bucket has a minimum dimension (width, length, height; i.e. x, y and z directions) that is at least 10cm, preferably 15cm or more, such as 20cm or more, or 25cm or more, or 30cm or more. In one embodiment, each of the width, length, and height of the bucket is independently in the range of from 10cm to lm, such as from 15cm to 80cm or from 20cm to 70cm.

In one embodiment the bucket has a cross sectional shape that is circular or square or rectangular. However, the invention is not limited to any particular shape. In one embodiment the cross sectional area is a shape with three or more sides that can tessellate, e.g. a regular triangle or a square or a regular hexagon.

The composite product has an insert, where in use at least part of the insert is secured within the bucket such that the plane of the tray is substantially parallel with the closed end of the bucket, at a location such that the distal end of the body is located closer to the closed end of the bucket than the open end of the bucket.

"Substantially parallel" refers to the plane of the tray being at an angle to the plane of the closed end of the bucket of 10° or less. For example it may be 5° or less; or 2° or less; or 1 ° or less.

It will be appreciated that not all of the insert needs to be located within the bucket, provided that: (a) the insert is secured sufficiently that the insert can support the weight of plant growth medium and one or more plants and (b) the distal end of the body is located closer to the closed end of the bucket than the open end of the bucket. The insert may suitably be secured by engagement with the bucket, e.g. by the insert and bucket being correspondingly shaped and sized to allow the insert to be lowered inside the bucket and to stop in a desired location by the formation of a securing interface. Thus in one embodiment, in order to secure the insert within the bucket the insert may press fit or snap fit within the bucket.

Alternatively, there may be one or more ledges provided inside the bucket, on which the insert can rest and be supported. The ledges may be continuous or discontinuous around the inner surface of the bucket. In one embodiment the ledge is discontinuous. The ledges may be formed solely for the purpose of supporting the insert but in one preferred embodiment there are a number of strengthening structural features, such as ribs or buttresses, provided on the inner surface of the bucket and the upper surfaces of these features may be aligned in a plane so as to form a discontinuous ledge. Therefore the strengthening structural features provide the dual function of strengthening the bucket and providing a support surface on which the insert can rest and be supported.

Other fitting arrangements can also be contemplated, for example the insert could be lowered into the bucket and then clips or screws or pins or other securing means can be used to secure the insert in position. Preferably the insert is releasably securable within the bucket but in another embodiment the insert is permanently fixed in place. The distal end of the body is located closer to the closed end of the bucket than the open end of the bucket. Therefore the distance from the distal end of the body to the closed end of the bucket is less than 50% of the distance from the open end of the bucket to the closed end of the bucket. It is within the skilled person's ability to arrange any such fitting arrangements in a manner such that the distal end of the body is located closer to the closed end of the bucket than the open end of the bucket. This is a straightforward matter of considering the length of the body, the height of the bucket from the open end to the closed end, and the location of the tray (and thus the proximal end of the body) within the bucket once the insert is secured. Preferably, the distance from the distal end of the body to the closed end of the bucket is 40% or less of the distance from the open end of the bucket to the closed end of the bucket, such as 30% or less, or 25% or less, or 20% or less, or 15% or less, or 10% or less, or 5% or less.

In a preferred embodiment, in use the insert is located fully within the bucket when it is secured. This allows for a simple yet secure design. For example, it may be secured within the bucket in a push fit manner, or there may be a ledge inside the bucket, on which the tray of the insert rests and is supported thereby. Securing means such as clips, screws or pins may be used to further secure the tray. In an alternative embodiment, in use the insert is partially secured within the bucket, with the tray of the insert resting on and being supported by the open end of the bucket and the body extending into the bucket. Securing means such as clips, screws or pins may be used to further secure the tray. It is preferred that the composite product is provided with one or more water access holes through which water can be provided into the bucket. These are not essential if the insert is releasably securable within the bucket, as in that embodiment the insert can be removed, water provided into the bucket, and then the insert is releasably secured in place. However, it is preferred that in all embodiments the composite product does have one or more water access holes, as this assists with ease of use of the product. These water access holes allow the user to provide water into the bucket without needing to move the insert. This is particularly beneficial when looking to provide water into the bucket after the plants have already been planted, e.g. when topping up the water levels after they have been depleted over time, by evaporation and/or being used by the plants.

In one embodiment one or more water access holes are provided in the walls of the bucket. Preferably they are located at or near the open end of the bucket, e.g. the distance from the water access holes to the open end of the bucket may be 25% or less, or 15% or less, or 10% or less, or 5% or less, of the distance from the open end of the bucket to the closed end of the bucket. This allows the majority of the volume of the bucket to be filled with water without it overflowing out of the access holes.

It may be that from one to twenty water access holes are provided, e.g. from one to ten. In one embodiment two or more water access holes are provided, such as three or more, or four or more, or five or more, or six or more, or seven or more, or eight or more. The one or more water access holes may each be any suitable size and shape to allow water to be provided into the bucket. It may be that they are sized and shaped to receive a water hose. It may be that they are sized and shaped to allow water to be poured into the bucket via a watering can spout. It may be that they are sized and shaped to allow water to be poured into the bucket via a jug or funnel.

In one embodiment the one or more water access holes are provided with a lower lip that channels water into the bucket. The lip may optionally be curved or angled to aid the flow of water into the bucket. The insert includes a tray. In one embodiment the tray has containment arms extending beyond its top face to aid retention of plant growth medium. These may provide a rim or lip that extends partially or fully around the perimeter of the tray.

The tray has a mouth. In one embodiment it has only a single mouth, and this design is both convenient and easy to use and is easy to manufacture. However, it is envisaged that there could be two or more mouths, e.g. three, four or five mouths. Each mouth must be provided with a corresponding body which is elongate and hollow. Thus in one embodiment the insert comprises more than one body and more than one mouth, and each pairing of mouth and body can provide a location for planting one or more plants.

The tray extends in a plane and in this regard part of the tray may be substantially planar. This substantially planar portion provides the top face and the bottom face of the tray and has the mouth of the tray provided therein. The mouth of the tray may be located substantially centrally within the substantially planar portion. This is especially convenient when there is only a single mouth per tray. If there is more than one mouth then a regularly spaced arrangement of the mouths on the top face is preferred. The mouth of the tray is intended to be sufficiently large to allow plant growth medium (e.g. soil or compost) to be placed into and held within the corresponding hollow body that extends from the mouth. Thus, for example, plant growth medium may be provided on the tray and may enter into the hollow body via the mouth and be retained within the hollow body. The hollow body may be substantially filled with plant growth medium. Thus there may be a continuum of plant growth medium between the top surface of the tray and the openings towards the distal end of the body. This allows flow of water from the bucket to the plant via the water being drawn into the plant growth medium. As the plant growth medium dries out due to evaporation and/or use of the water by the plant, more water will naturally be drawn into the growth medium from the bucket via the openings as long as the openings remain in contact with the water in the bucket.

The mouth of the tray may be any suitable size. In one embodiment the mouth has a maximum dimension of 0.5 cm or more, or 1 cm or more, or 2 cm or more, such as 5cm or more. In one embodiment the mouth has a maximum dimension of 50cm or less, or 30cm or less, or 20 cm or less, or 15 cm or less. In one embodiment the mouth has a maximum dimension of from 1cm to 30cm, such as from 2cm to 20cm or from 3cm to 15cm. In one embodiment the mouth has a cross sectional area of 500cm² or less, such as 400cm² or less or 300cm² or less or 250cm² or less, e.g. 200cm² or less or 100cm² or less. For example, the mouth might have a cross sectional area of from 1 to 250 cm² _^ such as from 2 to200 cm² or from 3 to 150 cm² or from 5 to 100 cm²

In one embodiment the mouth has a cross-sectional area of 1% or more, or 2% or more, or 5% or more, or 7% or more, or 10% or more, of the total area of the top face of tray. In one embodiment the mouth has a cross-sectional area of 50% or less, or 30% or less, or 25% or less, or 20% or less, or 15% or less of the total area of the top face of the tray.

The tray may be any suitable size. In one embodiment the tray is sized with the maximum width and the maximum length (i.e. x and y directions) each independently being no more than lm, preferably 80cm or less, such as 70cm or less, or 60cm or less. The tray may be sized with the maximum width and the maximum length (i.e. x and y directions) each independently being at least 10cm, preferably 15cm or more, such as 20cm or more, or 25cm or more, or 30cm or more. In one embodiment, each of the width and length are independently in the range of from 10cm to lm, such as from 15cm to 80cm or from 20cm to 70cm.

Preferably the cross sectional shape and size of the tray substantially corresponds with the cross sectional shape and size of the bucket, such that the tray can be located in, and supported by, the bucket. In one embodiment the tray has a cross sectional shape that is circular or square or rectangular. However, the invention is not limited to any particular shape. In one embodiment the cross sectional area is a shape with three or more sides that can tessellate, e.g. a regular triangle or a square or a regular hexagon.

The tray may optionally be provided with strengthening structural features, such as ribs.

As noted above, the tray and the body are either secured together or are able to be secured together. In one embodiment the tray and the body are integral with one another, such that the insert may be of one-piece construction. This facilitates design and production and ease of use of the composite product. The insert may, for example, be a one-piece injection moulded product.

In an alternative embodiment the tray and the body are separate pieces. They may be permanently secured together, or they may be releasably securable. Thus in one embodiment the insert is provided as a kit comprising the tray and the body, and the tray and the body are permanently or releasably secured together before the product is used. They may be secured together using any known securing means, for example, male and female connectors (including bayonet fit connectors, click fit connectors, and snap fit connectors), adhesive, or screws. The body has side walls and there are one or more openings provided in the side walls.

The one or more openings provided in the side walls make up a total of from 0.1 to 25% of the surface area of the side walls. For example, the one or more openings provided in the side walls may make up a total of from 0.5 to 25% of the surface area of the side walls, such as from 0.5 to 20%, or from 1 to 20%, or from 2 to 20%, or from 2 to 15%, or from 5 to 20%.

Each opening individually makes up 10% or less of the surface area of the side walls. In one embodiment each opening might make up 8% or less of the surface area of the side walls, such as 7% or less, or 6% or less, or 5% or less. In one embodiment each individual opening might make up from 0.1 to 10% of the surface area of the side walls, such as from 0.2 to 8% or from 0.5 to 7%.

It will be appreciated that each opening may independently be sized within a range from as small as is permitted by manufacturing tolerances up to significantly larger dimensions. For example, each opening might have a maximum dimension of 10 cm or less, such as 8 cm or less, or 6cm or less, or 5cm or less. In one embodiment the maximum dimension of each opening is from 0.1cm to 10cm, such as from 0.2cm to 8cm or from 0.5cm to 6cm.

It may be that each opening has a cross sectional area of 100cm² or less, such as 70cm² or less or

60cm 2 or less or 50cm 2 or less, e.g. 40cm 2 or less or 30cm 2 or less or 20cm 2 or less. For example, each opening might have a cross sectional area of from 0.01 to VOcm^ such as from 0.1 to 60cm² or from 0.2 to 50cm² or from 0.5 to 40cm² or from 1 to 30cm² or from 2 to 20cm².

In one embodiment there are from one to twenty openings, such as from one to fifteen or from one to ten openings, e.g. two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight or nine openings.

The one or more openings provided in the side walls are at or near the distal end. In this regard, each opening should be at a location that is closer to the distal end than the proximal end. Preferably, the location of each opening is at a distance from the distal end that is 40% or less of the distance from the proximal end to the distal end, such as 30% or less, or 25% or less, or 20% or less, or 15% or less, or 10% or less, or 5% or less.

The openings may be any suitable shape. In one embodiment they are circular or oval or arch shaped. These can be beneficial due to ease of manufacture and by the lack of sharp angles encouraging water flow. In general, shapes comprising curves are preferred. In one embodiment the openings are arch shaped and located at the distal end, i.e. such that they extend from the distal end.

The distal end of the body is substantially closed or is configured such that it can be substantially closed by engagement with another component part of the composite product. Where reference is made to the distal end being substantially closed this means that 65% or more of the surface area of the distal end is closed, such as 70% or more, preferably 75% or more, or 80% or more, or 85% or more, or 90% or more, or even 95% or more. In one preferred embodiment the distal end is substantially closed by engagement with the bucket. The bucket is of course another component part of the composite product. In one embodiment the distal end is substantially closed by engagement with the closed end of the bucket or a protrusion therefrom. In one embodiment the distal end is substantially closed by engagement with a protrusion from the closed end of the bucket. As noted above, this provides a stable product with the plant and growth medium being well-supported.

For example, in a preferred embodiment the closed end of the bucket may be provided with a protrusion that is sized and shaped to engage with the distal end of the hollow body when the insert is secured within the bucket. The protrusion is aligned with the distal end of the body. In the embodiment where there is a single body it is preferred that the body extends downwardly from substantially the centre of the tray and that the protrusion extends upwardly from substantially the centre of the closed end of the bucket.

The protrusion may be shaped and sized to reach the distal end but not extend into the body. In other words, the upper surface of the protrusion abuts the distal end. The protrusion may have an upper surface that is sized and shaped to fully close the distal end, i.e. the upper surface is the same size and shape as the distal end or is bigger.

Alternatively, the protrusion may have an upper surface that closes off 65% or more of the surface area of the distal end. In this regard, the upper surface of the protrusion may be the same shape as the distal end but smaller, or it may be a different shape, meaning that there are parts of the distal end that are not closed off. For example, the distal end may be circular and the upper surface of the protrusion may be a cross shape, or a square or rectangle, or a triangle. Equally, the distal end may be square or rectangular and the upper surface of the protrusion may be a cross shape, or a circle, or a triangle. In one embodiment one or more channels are defined between the perimeter of the protrusion and the perimeter of the distal end.

Alternatively, the protrusion may be shaped and sized to extend into the body, and in such an embodiment it may therefore act as a cork or stopper. However, it does not necessarily have to form a seal, with a complete closure of the distal end; in one embodiment there is a channel defined between the protrusion and the distal end through which water can flow. It is important that when the protrusion is engaged with the distal end this does not serve to block off openings at or near the distal end to an extent that the requirement for openings making up a total of from 0. 1 to 25% of the surface area of the side walls is no longer met. The protrusion may have a constant cross section or it may taper.

As another alternative, the protrusion may include a recess which is sized and shaped to receive the distal end of the body, and it may therefore act as a cap or cover. However, it does not necessarily have to form a seal, with a complete closure of the distal end; in one embodiment there is a channel defined between the recess of the protrusion and the distal end through which water can flow. It is important that when the protrusion is engaged with the distal end this does not serve to block off openings at or near the distal end to an extent that the requirement for openings making up a total of from 0.1 to 25% of the surface area of the side walls is no longer met. The recess may have a constant cross section or it may taper.

Alternatively, it may be that when the insert is secured within the bucket the distal end of the hollow body extends down the full height of the bucket, to contact with the closed end of the bucket, and this contact serves to substantially close the distal end. In another embodiment the distal end is permanently substantially closed; for example the body may have been formed with the distal end closed or with only a small opening. In another embodiment the distal end is substantially closed by being provided with a cap or cover, which may optionally be removable. The cap or cover may be secured to the distal end using any known securing means, for example, male and female connectors (including bayonet fit connectors, click fit connectors, and snap fit connectors), or adhesive, or screws. The cap or cover is another component part of the composite product.

In one embodiment the distal end is fully closed. In another embodiment, the central area of the distal end is fully closed and one or more channel is defined around some or all of the perimeter of the distal end. For example, it may be that the central part of the distal end, where this is the quarter, or the third, or the half, or the two thirds, or the three quarters, of the area of the distal end that is closest to the centrepoint of the distal end, is fully closed. In another embodiment, some of the central area of the distal end may remain open. It is preferred that the central part of the distal end, where this is the quarter, or the third, or the half, or the two thirds, or the three quarters, of the area of the distal end that is closest to the centrepoint of the distal end, is 75% or more closed, such as 80% or more or 85% or more or 90% or more closed.

The body of the insert may be any shape. However, in a preferred embodiment the body tapers, such that the cross-sectional area is larger at the proximal end than at the distal end. This assists with retention of plant growth medium in the body and assists a suitable flow of water from the bucket into the plant growth medium.

For example the cross-sectional area of the proximal end may be greater than the cross-sectional area of the distal end by 10% or more; or 20% or more; or 30% or more; or 40% or more; or 50% or more. This assists with retention of plant growth medium in the body and assists a suitable flow of water from the bucket into the plant growth medium. In one embodiment the cross-sectional area of the proximal end may be greater than the cross-sectional area of the distal end by 60% or more; or 70% or more; or 80% or more; or 90% or more; or 100% or more (i.e. it is at least twice as big).

Such a tapered hollow body that extends down for most of the height of the bucket encourages good root growth for the plant.

In an alternative embodiment the body tapers such that the cross-sectional area of the body is smallest at a location between the distal end and the proximal end. In another alternative embodiment the body tapers such that the cross-sectional area is largest at a location between the distal end and the proximal end. In another alternative embodiment the body remains at a substantially constant cross-sectional area along its length.

The body may be any suitable size. In one embodiment it has a maximum diameter of 0.5 cm or more, or 1 cm or more, or 2 cm or more, such as 5cm or more. In one embodiment the body has a maximum dimeter of 50cm or less, or 30cm or less, or 20 cm or less, or 15 cm or less. In one embodiment the body has a maximum diameter of from 1 cm to 30cm, such as from 2cm to 20cm or from 3cm to 15cm. In one embodiment the body has a maximum cross sectional area of 500cm² or less, such as

400cm 2 or less or 300cm 2 or less or 250cm 2 or less, e.g. 200cm 2 or less or 100cm 2 or less. For example, the body might have a maximum cross sectional area of from 1 to 250 cm^ such as from 2 to200 cm² or from 3 to 150 cm² or from 5 to 100 cm² The length of the body, i.e. the distance from the proximal end of the body to the distal end of the body, may be of any suitable length, when taking into account that the distal end of the body must, when the insert is secured, be located closer to the closed end of the bucket than the open end of the bucket. In one embodiment the length of the body is 40% or more of the height of the bucket (i.e. the distance from the closed end of the bucket to the open end of the bucket), such as 50% or more or 60% or more or 70% or more or 75% or more. In one embodiment it is from 50 to 95% of the height of the bucket, e.g. from 60 to 90% or from 70 to 85%.

In one embodiment, the length of the body is from 10cm to lm, such as from 15cm to 80cm or from 20cm to 70cm.

In a preferred embodiment the composite product involves a single bucket and a single insert. This allows for a simple design of product that is easy to manufacture. In an alternative embodiment the composite product involves a single bucket and more than one insert supported in that bucket, or more than one bucket and a single insert supported by that plurality of buckets.

In one embodiment one or more (and preferably all) of the body, the tray and the bucket are substantially rigid. This provides for a stable and easy to use product.

In one embodiment one or more (and preferably all) of the body, the tray and the bucket are formed from polymeric material. The polymeric material used for each of the body, the tray and the bucket which may be the same or different. The polymeric material could be thermoplastic, or elastomeric, or thermosetting. It may be that one or more of the body, the tray and the bucket are formed from one or more polymers selected from the group consisting of: polystyrene; polypropylene; polythene; polyamides; terephthalate; acrylonitrile butadiene styrene; polyvinyl chloride; and combinations and blends thereof. It will be understood that other materials could, however, be used, for example ceramics, such as pottery. It will be appreciated that the composite product has the advantage of potentially being cheap to produce, as it can be formed from relatively cheap and readily available polymers.

The body, the tray and the bucket may each be formed by conventional techniques. In one embodiment the body, the tray and the bucket are each independently formed by thermoforming; and/or injection moulding; and/or extrusion.

It will be appreciated that the composite product has the advantage of being simple to produce, as straightforward and well known techniques can be used. Each of the component parts of the product is a shape that can be readily manufactured in bulk quantities.

The body, the tray and the bucket can be made any suitable thickness. However, it will be appreciated that each of these component products does not need to be particularly thick - e.g. each may be something in the region of from 0.1mm to 0.5cm thick, e.g. 0.5mm to 2cm thick. This means the products can be lightweight, and thus easy to transport and easy to carry by the end user.

In one embodiment it is intended that two or more products of the invention can be used together. They may be used together in an array. The array may be a " 1 by n" array, where n is an integer such as 2, 3 , 4, 5 or 6. The array may be an "m by n" array, where m is an integer such as 2, 3, 4 5 or 6 and where n is an integer such as 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6.

In one embodiment the products are provided with connectors to permit two or more products of the invention to be connected together. This allows the products to occupy a compact footprint. This is particularly beneficial when using products where the cross sectional area is a shape with three or more sides that can tessellate, e.g. a regular triangle or a square or a regular hexagon.

The connectors may suitably be located on the outside of the buckets, e.g. at or near the open end. These may be provided at regularly spaced intervals around the perimeter of the bucket, e.g. where the bucket has a cross sectional area that is a shape with three or more sides that can tessellate, e.g. a regular triangle or a square or a regular hexagon, one or more connector may be provided on each side. In one embodiment each bucket has one or more male connectors and/or one or more female connectors. In one such embodiment, each bucket has one or more male connectors and/or one or more female connectors on each side of the bucket. In one preferred embodiment connectors may be used with the dual purpose of securing the products together and allowing flow of water from one bucket to another. Thus the connectors may be designed to provide channels linking adj acent buckets. This facilitates the provision of water to the buckets, as the water can be added to one bucket and allowed to overflow into the adjacent bucket, rather than needing to fill each bucket individually.

Furthermore, the connectors may be designed to also provide the water access holes discussed above. Thus water can be provided into the bucket via channels presented by the connectors, e.g. via a hose pipe or watering can or jug or other vessel. In one embodiment there may be raised profile sections in the tray which align with the connectors when the product is in assembled form to provide a larger cross sectional area for the channels, so as to improve the ease of access for a user looking to pour water into the buckets, e.g. when using a hose pipe or watering can or jug or other vessel. It will be appreciated by the skilled person that a grow bag provides plant growth medium (e.g. soil or compost) contained within a flexible outer packet which has an upper face and a lower face, where it is intended that one or more cuts are made in the upper face to provide cut open locations where plants can be planted in the plant growth medium. In one embodiment the composite product is sized to substantially correspond with the size (in terms of width and length, i.e. the x, y dimensions) of a grow bag. Thus the grow bag can be placed on the insert of the product to provide additional plant growth medium. This does not replace the need for plant growth medium to be held within the hollow body of the insert, so as to allow water to be drawn into the plant growth medium via the opening. However, it will be appreciated that the growbag can be cut open at a location on its lower face which will substantially align with the location of the mouth of the insert, so as to provide a continuum of plant growth medium from the grow bag to the hollow body and therefore water can be drawn into the plant growth medium inside the growbag via the plant growth medium in the hollow body. Plants can then be planted into cut open locations on the upper face of the growbag. In another embodiment the composite product is sized such that two or more products can be placed together in an array, where that array is sized to provide a combined set of inserts that substantially corresponds with the size (in terms of width and length, i.e. the x, y dimensions) of a grow bag. Thus the grow bag can be placed on the combined set of inserts to provide additional plant growth medium. This does not replace the need for plant growth medium to be held within the hollow body of each insert, so as to allow water to be drawn into the plant growth medium via the openings. However, it will be appreciated that the growbag can be cut open at locations on its lower face which will substantially align with the locations of the mouths of each insert, so as to provide a continuum of plant growth medium from the grow bag to the hollow bodies and therefore water can be drawn into the plant growth medium inside the growbag via the plant growth medium in the hollow bodies. Plants can then be planted into cut open locations on the upper face of the growbag. Therefore the composite product may have width and/or length dimensions which are a fraction of normal grow bag dimensions, such that an array of two or more composite products may be used to support a grow bag. For example, the width and/or the length of each composite product might be approximately equal to one half, one third, quarter, one fifth, or one sixth of the normal dimensions of a grow bag. It may be that one of the width and the length is such a fraction of the equivalent normal dimension of a grow bag, and the other of the width and the length substantially corresponds to the equivalent normal dimension of a grow bag. Thus the array is a "1 by n" array, where n is an integer such as 2, 3, 4 5 or 6. Alternatively, it may be that both of the width and the length are a fraction of the equivalent normal dimension of a grow bag. Thus the array is an "m by n" array, where m is an integer such as 2, 3 , 4 5 or 6 and where n is an integer such as 2, 3, 4 5 or 6.

The normal length of a grow bag may be from 50 cm to 2 m, for example from 75 cm to 1.5 m, or from 80 cm to 1.2 m, or from 90 cm to 1. 1 m. The normal width of a grow bag may be from 10 cm to 60 cm, for example from 15 cm to 50 cm, or from 20cm to 45 cm, or from 25 cm to 40 cm. In this context "approximately equal" is intended to cover tolerances of +/- 10 cm, for example +/- 5 cm, as it will be appreciated that a growbag could still be supported by a composite product or an array of composite products that were slightly larger or smaller than the growbag.

In one embodiment, therefore, in use, one or more composite products are used to support a grow bag.

Detailed Description of the Drawings

The invention will be further illustrated in a non-limiting manner by the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure la is a perspective view of a composite product according to the invention.

Figure lb is a perspective view of an alternative composite product according to the invention. Figure 2a shows the composite product of Figure l a in exploded form, such that the component parts of a bucket and an insert can be more clearly seen.

Figure 2b shows the composite product of Figure lb in exploded form, such that the component parts of a bucket and an insert can be more clearly seen.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of multiple composite products of Figure l a connected together.

Figure 4 is a side view of multiple composite products of Figure l a connected together.

Figure 5 is a plan view of multiple composite products of Figure l a connected together.

Figure 6 is a cut-through view along the line A-B of the multiple composite products of Figure 5.

Figure 7 is a cut-through view along the line C-D of the multiple composite products of Figure 5.

Figure 8 is a perspective cut-through of the composite product of Figure lb.

Figure 9 is a cut-through view of the composite product of Figure lb, where the insert can be seen ready to be placed into position in the bucket.

Figure 10 is a cut-through view of the composite product of Figure lb, when water has been filled into the bucket and growth medium has been added to the insert.

Figures l a and lb each show a composite product 1 according to the invention, which can be used for watering plants.

The composite product 1 comprises a bucket 2 which can hold water and which has an open end and a closed end. The bucket as illustrated has these ends connected by four walls and has a square cross section, but it will be appreciated that other numbers of walls /cross sectional shapes could also be used.

The bucket may have any suitable dimensions but an example of specific dimensions that could be used are 337 mm (width) x 337 mm (length) x 300 mm (height).

The composite product 1 also comprises an insert 3. The insert 3 comprises a tray 4 and a hollow elongate body 5. In the illustrated embodiment the insert is of one-piece construction. The tray 4 includes a planar section with a top face 4a and a bottom face. The tray is square in cross section, consistent with the shape of the bucket. Substantially centrally within the tray there is a mouth 6 that extends from the top face 4a to the bottom face. The mouth 6 provides access to the inner surface of the hollow body 5. The tray 4 has a plurality of ribs 7 to provide structural support. The tray 4 also has an outer rim 8 extending upwardly around its perimeter to aid retention of plant growth medium.

It can be seen that the size of the mouth 6 is greater in the embodiment of Figure lb, and the ribs 7 are smaller.

Figures l a and lb depict the composite product 1 in a "ready to use" configuration, where the insert 3 is secured within the bucket 2 such that the tray 4 is substantially parallel with the closed end of the bucket. However, the component parts (the bucket and the insert) of the composite product may be provided in the form of a kit which can be assembled by the end user when they are ready to use the product. The two component parts can be seen more clearly in Figures 2a and 2b.

As can be appreciated from Figure 2a/2b, which shows the product in exploded form, the elongate hollow body 5 extends from the mouth 6 and has an inner surface and an outer surface. The body 5 is circular in cross section (although other shapes could also be used) and tapers from a proximal end at the mouth 6 down to a distal end provided with openings 10. The taper is such that its cross- sectional area is larger at the proximal end than at the distal end.

In Figure 2a the degree of taper is substantially constant, whilst in Figure 2b the degree of taper is greater towards the proximal end than towards the distal end.

There are four arch-shaped openings 10 provided at the distal end of the body 5. In the embodiment of Figure l a these openings make up a total of from 5 to 20% of the surface area of the side walls. It can be seen that in the embodiment of Figure lb the arch-shaped openings 10 are smaller and so take up a smaller proportion of the side walls. Each opening 10 individually makes up no more than 5% of the surface area of the side walls.

On each side of the bucket 2, the inner surface of the bucket 2 is provided with a number of strengthening structural features in the form of buttresses 9. The upper surfaces 9a of these buttresses 9 are aligned in a plane so as to form a discontinuous ledge. This presents a support surface on which the tray 4 can rest and be supported, as in Figure l a/lb. Therefore in Figure l a/lb the insert 3 is located within the bucket 2, with the bottom face of the tray having a size and shape that matches the inner size and shape of the bucket at the location of the upper surfaces 9a of the buttresses 9, such that the tray can engage with and be supported by the bucket 2 and buttresses 9. In this configuration, the body 5 extends down towards the closed end of the bucket 2, and the distal end of the body 5 is located relatively close to the closed end of the bucket 2 (e.g. the distance from the distal end of the body to the closed end of the bucket may be 15% or less, or 10% or less, of the distance from the open end of the bucket to the closed end of the bucket). As can be seen more readily in Figures 5 to 7, 8 and 10, the distal end of the body 5 is substantially closed by engagement with a protrusion 13 that extends from the closed end of the bucket 2. This protrusion is sized and shaped to engage with the distal end of the hollow body 5 when the insert 3 is secured within the bucket 2, with the tray 4 supported on the upper surfaces 9a of the buttresses 9.

The protrusion 13 engages with the distal end of the hollow body 5 by extending into the hollow body 5 via its distal end. The protrusion 13 has an upper surface 14 that is sized and shaped to close off 65% or more of the surface area of the distal end. In the illustrated embodiment, the distal end is circular in cross section and the upper surface 14 of the protrusion 13 is also circular in cross section, but is smaller in size. It will be appreciated that other sizes and shapes of cross section may also be used. The protrusion 13 may have a substantially constant cross section, as in the illustrated embodiment, but it could alternatively be tapered and thus be shaped like the frustum of a cone. In the illustrated embodiment, the protrusion 13 closes off the central part of the distal end but does not form a seal. Instead, the protrusion 13 and the distal end of the hollow body 5 are sized and shaped such that when the insert 3 is secured within the bucket 2 a channel 15 is formed between the protrusion 13 and the distal end of hollow body 5, between the perimeter of the protrusion 13 and the perimeter of the distal end. Water 16 can flow through this channel 15 in addition to flowing through openings 10. As can be appreciated, because there is no direct contact between the protrusion 13 and the side walls, none of the openings 10 in the side walls are blocked off by the engagement of the protrusion 13 with the distal end of the hollow body 5.

The bucket 2 is provided with connectors 1 1 to enable two or more products of the invention to be connected together in an array. The connectors 1 1 are provided on each of the four sides of the bucket and therefore, as can be appreciated from Figures 3-7, a product of the invention can be connected with further such products in both the x direction and y direction. Therefore two or more products of the invention can be used together. This may be in a rectangular array, such as a "1 by n" array, where n is an integer such as 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6, (as in Figures 4-7) or an "m by n" array, where m is an integer such as 2, 3, 4 5 or 6 and where n is an integer such as 2, 3 , 4, 5 or 6. Other non-regular shapes of array, e.g. an "L" shaped array (as in Figure 3) or a "U" shaped array or an "0" shaped array, are also possible.

Although Figures 3-7 illustrate the composite product of the embodiment of Figure l a, it will be appreciated that the composite product of the embodiment of Figure lb can likewise be connected together in an array. In the illustrated example the bucket 2 has six female connectors 1 1 a and two male connectors l ib. The male connectors l ib are configured to engage with the female connectors 1 1 a to secure more than one composite product 1 together, as depicted in Figures 3-7.

The connectors 1 1 also present channels in the sides of the bucket 2 and therefore also serve the purpose of being water access holes through which water can be provided into the bucket. These are located at or near the open end of the bucket. These connectors 1 1 are further designed to provide channels linking adjacent buckets. This facilitates the provision of water to the buckets, as the water can be added to one bucket and allowed to overflow into the adjacent bucket, rather than needing to fill each bucket individually.

It will be appreciated from Figures 1 -3 that there are raised profile sections 12 in the trays 4 which align with the connectors 1 1 when the product is in assembled form to provide a larger cross sectional area for the channels, so as to improve the ease of access for a user looking to pour water into the buckets, e.g. when using a hose pipe or watering can or jug or other vessel.

In use the insert 3 is loaded with and supports plant growth medium (e.g. soil or compost) 17, with plant growth medium being held within the hollow body 5. Figure 10 shows the insert 3 having been loaded with growth medium 17. One or more plants are then planted in the medium, in much the same fashion as planting in a traditional plant pot, which is well known to those skilled in the art. The roots of the plant will be naturally drawn to grow down into the tapered elongate hollow body 5.

The user can fill the bucket with water 16 via one or more of the water access holes provided at the location of the connectors 1 1. Figure 10 shows the bucket 2 having been filled with water 16 to a level that is more than a third full.

As noted above, and as is clear from Figures 6 and 7 and 8 and 10, in the assembled form the distal end of the body 5 is located significantly closer to the closed end of the bucket 2 than the open end. Therefore if the bucket is even only a fifth full - and certainly if it is more than a quarter full or more than a third full or more than half full - the distal end of the hollow body 5 will contact the water 16 and water will be drawn into the plant growth medium in the hollow body 5 via the one or more openings 10 at the distal end, and thus the roots of the plant can receive water.

As the water is naturally drawn into the plant growth medium, rather than the user soaking the plant growth medium, the risk of over watering is avoided. Further, as the user can choose to fill the bucket 2 with water to a level much higher than the level of the distal end of the hollow body 5 - e.g. the user could fill the bucket half full or more, such as two thirds full or more or three quarters full or more - the product can be used to keep the plants watered for a period of time, because for as long as the water level in the bucket remains higher than the level of the distal end of the hollow body 5, the plant growth medium can draw water through the openings 10 as it dries out due to evaporation and /or the water being used by the plants. Therefore the product also avoids the risk of under-watering, whether due to the user misjudging the watering required, or forgetting to water the plants, or due to the plants being left unattended, e.g. due to holidays or business travel.

The arrangement as shown with the body 5 engaging a protrusion 13 is beneficial in terms of providing greater product stability. The plant and growth medium are better supported by there being engagement between the body 5 and the protrusion 13 from the closed end of the bucket 2 as well as the tray 4 being supported by engagement with the buttresses 9. There is reduced risk of the tray 4 deforming due to the weight of the growth medium and the plant. There is also improved ease of use. Further, the arrangement as shown, with a tapered hollow body that extends down for most of the height of the bucket, encourages good root growth for the plant. The roots of the plant will be naturally drawn to grow down into the hollow body.

Claims

1. A kit for a composite product that can be used to water one or more plants, the kit comprising:

• a tray that at least partially extends in a plane, the tray having a top face and a bottom face, and being provided with a mouth that extends from the top face to the bottom face; and

· a body which is elongate and hollow and has an inner surface and an outer surface, the body being defined by one or more side walls that extend from a proximal end to a distal end,

wherein the proximal end of the body is either secured to the mouth of the tray or is configured such that it can be secured to the mouth of the tray,

and wherein one or more openings are provided in said side walls at or near the distal end, said openings making up a total of from 0.1 to 25% of the surface area of the side walls and each opening individually making up no more than 10% of the surface area of the side walls, and wherein the distal end either is substantially closed or is configured such that it can be substantially closed by engagement with another component part of the composite product;

such that when the composite product is in use:

- the proximal end of the body can be secured to the mouth of the tray, such that the inner surface of the body can be accessed from the top face of the tray by the mouth, and

- at least part of the insert can be secured within the bucket such that the plane of the tray is substantially parallel with the closed end of the bucket, at a location such that the distal end of the body is located closer to the closed end of the bucket than the open end of the bucket, and

- the distal end of the hollow body can be substantially closed, such that 65% or more of the surface area of the distal end is closed, such that plant growth medium can be provided to the insert and retained in the hollow body, and a plant can be planted in the plant growth medium, and water can be drawn from the bucket into the plant growth medium in the hollow body through the openings.

2. A composite product that can be used to water one or more plants, the composite product comprising:

b. an insert, wherein at least part of the insert is secured within the bucket, the insert being suitable for supporting plant growth medium and one or more plants, the insert comprising:

• a body which is elongate and hollow and has an inner surface and an outer surface, the body being defined by one or more side walls that extend from a proximal end to a distal end,

wherein the proximal end of the body is secured to the mouth of the tray such that the inner surface of the body can be accessed from the top face of the tray by the mouth,

and wherein one or more openings are provided in said side walls at or near the distal end, said openings making up a total of from 0.1 to 25% of the surface area of the side walls and each opening individually making up no more than 10% of the surface area of the side walls, and wherein the distal end is substantially closed, such that 65% or more of the surface area of the distal end is closed;

such that plant growth medium can be provided to the insert and retained in the hollow body, and a plant can be planted in the plant growth medium, and water can be drawn from the bucket into the plant growth medium in the hollow body through the openings.

. The kit of claim 1 or composite product of claim 2, wherein the distal end of the body substantially closed by engagement with a protrusion from the closed end of the bucket.

4. The invention of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the body tapers, such that the cross-sectional area is larger at the proximal end than at the distal end.

5. The invention of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cross-sectional area of the proximal end is at least twice the cross-sectional area of the distal end.

6. The invention of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the length of the body a) 60% or more, or

b) 70% or more, or

c) 75% or more

of the height of the bucket.

7. The invention of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the composite product is provided with one or more water access holes through which water can be provided into the bucket.

8. The invention of claim 7, wherein the distance from the water access holes to the open end of the bucket is

a) 25% or less, or

b) 15% or less, or

c) 10% or less,

of the distance from the open end of the bucket to the closed end of the bucket.

9. The invention of any one of the preceding claims, wherein one or more connectors are provided to permit two or more composite products to be connected together.

10. The invention of claim 9, wherein each bucket has one or more male connector and/or one or more female connector.

1 1. The invention of claim 9 or claim 10, wherein the connectors are designed to, in use, provide channels linking adj acent buckets, such that water can be allowed to flow from one bucket to another via said channels.

12. The invention of any one of claims 9 to 1 1 , wherein the connectors are also water access holes through which water can be provided into the bucket.

13. The invention of any one of the preceding claims, wherein:

a) 70% or more; or

b) 75% or more or more

of the area of the distal end of the body is closed.

14. The invention of any one of the preceding claims, wherein 75% or more of the central part of the distal end of the body is closed, where said central part is the half of the area of the distal end that is closest to the centrepoint of the distal end.

15. The invention of claim 14, wherein 75% or more of the central part of the distal end of the body is closed, where said central part is the three quarters of the area of the distal end that is closest to the centrepoint of the distal end.

16. The invention of claim 14 or claim 15, wherein 85% or more of the central part of the distal end of the body is closed.

17. The invention of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the distance from the distal end of the body to the closed end of the bucket is:

a) less than 40%; or

b) 25% or less, or

c) 20% or less, or

d) 15% or less

18. The invention of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the one or more openings provided in the side walls make up a total of from 1 to 20% of the surface area of the side walls.

19. The invention of any one of the preceding claims, wherein each opening individually makes up 5% or less of the surface area of the side walls.

20. The invention of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the location of each opening is at a distance from the distal end of the body that is 25% or less of the distance from the proximal end to the distal end.

21. The invention of any one of the preceding claims, wherein one or more ledges are provided inside the bucket, on which the insert can rest and be supported

22. The invention of any one of the preceding claims, wherein a rim or lip is provided that extends partially or fully around the perimeter of the tray.

23. The invention of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the tray and the body are integral with one another, such that the insert is of one-piece construction.

24. A method of watering one or more plants, the method comprising the steps of:

a) providing a composite product according to any one of claims 2 to 23 ; and then b) providing plant growth medium to the insert, such that the plant growth medium is held within the hollow body; and then

c) planting one or more plants in the medium;

wherein the method also comprises the step of providing water in the bucket, before and/or during and/or after any of steps a), b) or c).

25. The method of claim 24, wherein the step of providing a composite product is fulfilled by providing a kit according to any one of claims 1 and 3 to 23 and forming the composite product from the kit by:

- ensuring that the distal end of the hollow body can be substantially closed.