WO2018186908A2

WO2018186908A2 - Tie-down planter systems and method

Info

Publication number: WO2018186908A2
Application number: PCT/US2017/056832
Authority: WO
Inventors: Shaun KUMAR
Original assignee: Kumar Shaun
Priority date: 2017-04-05
Filing date: 2017-10-17
Publication date: 2018-10-11
Also published as: WO2018186908A3

Abstract

A planter which includes a container, a plurality of anchors attached to the container, and a plurality of tie-downs fastened to the plurality of anchors. The planter is useful for improving plant growth by fastening branches of a plant to the container in a desired distribution of positions using the tie-downs to attach the branches to individual anchors.

Description

TIE-DOWN PLANTER SYSTEMS AND METHOD

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[1] The following includes information that may be useful in understanding the present disclosure. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art nor material to the presently described or claimed inventions, nor that any publication or document that is specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[2] The present invention relates generally to the field of flowerpots of existing art and more specifically relates to foliage-training planters.

RELATED ART

[3] A flowerpot is a container in which flowers and other plants are cultivated and displayed. While traditionally constructed of terracotta, flowerpots may be made from plastic, wood, stone, or sometimes biodegradable material. An example of biodegradable pots are ones made of heavy brown paper, cardboard, or peat moss in which young plants for transplanting are grown. Flowerpots have numerous uses including transportation, display, seedling cultivation, and indoor growing.

[4] Flowerpots may be available in a variety of shapes or configurations, such as seedling flats, which usually take the form of trays with cells, or window boxes, which usually include a rectangular flowerpot with hangers for attaching to a windowsill. Additional features are often incorporated into flowerpots as well. For example, many flowerpots contain holes in their bases to drain excess water, and may include a saucer to contain drainage. Some flowerpots may even integrate automated watering systems.

[5] However, many flowerpot systems lack desirable qualities for plant cultivation regarding growth potential. Traditional flowerpots generally provide suitable support for the roots of a plant, but do not offer advantages for supporting the rest of the plant. In particular, plants housed in traditional flowerpots may not flourish as desired due to a lack of structure and framework necessary to manipulate the spreading of branches and other mechanisms useful for encouraging plant growth.

[6] U.S. Publication No. 2014/0259911 to Samuel Joseph Davis relates to low-stress plant training. The described low-stress plant training includes a low stress plant training receptacle having a container with a closed bottom and an open top, the later having a rim, and a plurality of pairs of branch training means formed and positioned about the rim to accept and retain the lower plant branches of a plant placed in the container to spread the branches apart from one another substantially horizontally to stimulate the plant to produce interior growth, increasing the plant strength, diameter, canopy and yield.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[7] In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known flowerpot art, the present disclosure provides a novel tie-down planter system. The general purpose of the present disclosure, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a tie- down planter system. [8] A planter for housing and training a plant with branches is disclosed herein. The planter includes a container, a plurality of anchors, and a plurality of 'tie-downs'. The container may include a base which is integrated with one or more sidewalls forming a single basin with an open top. The anchors are attached to the outside of the sidewall of the container, and the tie-downs may be attached to the anchors. In use, the tie-downs may fasten branches of the plant to the anchors. Other tying down means may be used.

[9] According to another embodiment, a method of planting a plant in the tie-down planter system is also disclosed herein. The method includes first planting a plant in the planter, and then subsequently tying a branch of the plant to an anchor using a tie-down once the plant has reached the proper maturity. The method may also include attaching a tie-down stake between the branch of the plant and the anchors using the tie-downs, and repeating the previous steps of planting and tying down additional branches to the anchors. Alternatively, garden tape may be used in lieu of the tie-down stake to fasten the branches to the anchors. In this method, the garden tape is used either to tie a branch and anchor to the tie-down stake, or to tie the branch directly to the anchor.

[10] For purposes of summarizing the invention, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the invention have been described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any one particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. The features of the invention which are believed to be novel are particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings and detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[11] The figures which accompany the written portion of this specification illustrate embodiments and methods of use for the present disclosure, a tie-down planter system, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present disclosure.

[12] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the tie-down planter during an 'in-use' condition, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[13] FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of the tie-down planter of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[14] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the tie-down planter of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[15] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the anchors and tie-down stakes of the tie-down planter of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[16] FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of use for housing and training a plant, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[17] The various embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[18] As discussed above, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a flowerpot and more particularly to a tie-down planter system as used to improve the housing and training of a plant.

[19] Generally, the tie-down planter system includes a fabric planter that can be used by gardeners, dispensaries, caregivers, recreational growers, and expert hobbyists to increase a plant's yield. The planter includes a container having a plurality of anchors and tie-downs which may be used to attach plant branches to the side of the planter as desired by a gardener. In this way, the plant may be 'forced' to spread its branches, thus encouraging growth. This method also increases functional growing space, lateral shoot development and light distribution to the plant's leaves.

[20] The planter further provides a growing container that enables users to create an ideal 'shape' for their plants. The planter may be fibrous, enabling the roots to be aerated or air pruned so no root rot will occur from over watering. Alternatively, the planter may be constructed of a watertight container suitable for hydronics applications. A preferable volume is between one and ten gallons. The planter preferably includes non-toxic plastic tie-down anchors that resemble D-rings. These anchors are securely fastened and evenly spaced on the exterior of the pot in three tiers: top, middle, and bottom. The branches of the plant can be tied off to the tie-down anchors. The quantity of tie-down anchors may vary in embodiments of varying size and shape. The branches may be tied to the rings using fasteners such as string, garden tape, or twist ties. The spreading of the branches exposes each individual branch to more sunlight, thereby improving growth. [21] Referring now more specifically to the drawings by numerals of reference, there is shown in FIGS. 1-4, various views of a planter 100.

[22] FIG. 1 shows a planter 100 during an 'in-use' condition 50, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Here, the planter 100 may be beneficial for use by a user 40 to house and train a plant 10 having branches 15. As illustrated, planter 100 is configured to suitably house plant 10 having a plurality of branches 15. Planter 100 includes container 110, plurality of anchors 120, and plurality of tie-downs 130. Container 110 including a base 112 integral with at least one sidewall 114; container 110 being configured to contain soil 20. Plurality of anchors 120 is attachable to at least one sidewall 114. Plurality of tie-downs 130 comprise fasteners configured to attach plurality of branches 15 to plurality of anchors 120, as shown. Upon reading this specification, it should be appreciated that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as user preferences, design preference, structural requirements, marketing preferences, cost, available materials, technological advances, etc., other structural arrangements such as, for example, various shapes, anchor locations, container types, etc., may be sufficient.

[23] According to one embodiment, the planter 100 may be arranged as a kit 105. In particular, the planter 100 may further include a set of instructions 107. The instructions 107 may detail functional relationships in relation to the structure of the planter 100 such that the planter 100 can be used, maintained, or the like, in a preferred manner.

[24] FIG. 2 shows the planter 100 of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As above, the planter 100 may include container 110 and plurality of anchors 120. Plurality of anchors 120 further includes first tier of anchors 122, second tier of anchors 124, and third tier of anchors 126 in preferred embodiments. Plurality of anchors 120 each preferably comprise recycled polymer material. Plurality of anchors 120 include D-shaped ring 121 pivotably mounted to container 110. Planter 100 further includes tie- down stake 132 connecting branch(es) 15 to plurality of anchors 120, anchors comprising tie-down rings 123. Planter 100 is preferably able to be aerated. Plurality of anchors 120 is arrayed about an exterior of at least one sidewall 114 of planter 100. Plurality of anchors 120 may be detachable from container 110.

[25] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the planter 100 of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Base 112 of planter 100 and at least one sidewall 114 of planter 100 define a cavity 116 configured to contain soil 20 (FIG. 1) about roots of plant. Planter 100 comprises a fabric material. Container 110 is watertight, container 110 being configured to house a hydroponics system.

[26] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the planter 100 of FIG. 1 detailing tie-down rings 123, tie-down stakes 132, and plurality of tie-downs 130, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Tie-down stake 132 further includes a proximal end 136 and a distal end 138. Tie-downs fasten proximal end 136 of tie-down stake 132 to branch. Tie- downs fasten distal end 138 of tie-down stake 132 to tie-down rings 123. Plurality of tie- downs 130 may further comprise strings and alternatively twist-ties or other suitable equivalent means for tying, spreading and securing.

[27] FIG. 5 is a flow diagram 550 illustrating a method 500 for housing and training a plant 10, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In particular, the method for housing and training a plant 500 may include one or more components or features of the planter 100 as described above. As illustrated, the method for housing and training a plant 500 may include the steps of: step one 501, planting a plant in the planter; step two 502, tying a branch of the plant to a plurality of anchors using a plurality of tie-downs; step three 503, attaching a tie-down stake between the branch of the plant and the plurality of anchors using the plurality of tie-downs; and step 504, repeating the previous steps for alternative branches.

[28] It should be noted that steps 503 and 504 are optional steps and may not be implemented in all cases. Optional steps of method of use 500 are illustrated using dotted lines in FIG. 5 so as to distinguish them from the other steps of method of use 500. It should also be noted that the steps described in the method of use can be carried out in many different orders according to user preference. The use of "step of" should not be interpreted as "step for", in the claims herein and is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112(f). It should also be noted that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other methods for spreading, adjusting, tying, housing and training a plant, are taught herein.

[29] The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention. Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims:

1. A planter configured to house a plant having a plurality of branches, the planter comprising: a container including a base integral with at least one sidewall, the container being configured to contain soil; a plurality of anchors attachable to the at least one sidewall; and a plurality of tie-downs comprising fasteners configured to attach the

plurality of branches to the plurality of anchors.

2. The planter of claim 1, wherein the plurality of anchors further includes a first tier of anchors, a second tier of anchors, and a third tier of anchors.

3. The planter of claim 1, wherein the plurality of anchors each comprise recycled polymer material.

4. The planter of claim 1, wherein said plurality of anchors include a D-shaped ring pivotably mounted to the container.

5. The planter of claim 1, wherein the planter further includes a tie-down stake

connecting the branch to the plurality of anchors, said anchors comprising tie-down rings.

6. The planter of claim 1, wherein the planter is aerated.

7. The planter of claim 1, wherein the plurality of anchors is arrayed about an exterior of the at least one sidewall of the planter.

8. The planter of claim 1, wherein the base of the planter and the at least one sidewall of the planter define an interior region configured to contain soil about roots of said plant.

9. The planter of claim 1, wherein the planter comprises a fabric material.

10. The planter of claim 1, wherein the container is watertight, the container being configured to house a hydroponics system.

11. The planter of claim 1, wherein the plurality of anchors is detachable from the container.

12. The planter of claim 1, wherein the tie-down stake further includes a proximal end and a distal end.

13. The planter of claim 12, wherein the tie-downs fasten the proximal end of the tie- down stake to the branch.

14. The planter of claim 12, wherein the tie-downs fasten the distal end of the tie-down stake the tie-down rings.

15. The planter of claim 12, wherein the plurality of tie-downs may further comprise strings and alternatively garden tape and alternatively twist- ties.

16. The planter of claim 1, wherein the container comprises a plastic five-gallon bucket.

17. A tie-down planter system configured to house a plant having a plurality of branches comprising: a container including a base integral with at least one sidewall, the container being configured to contain soil; a plurality of anchors attachable to the at least one sidewall; and a plurality of tie-downs comprising fasteners configured to attach the

plurality of branches to the plurality of anchors; wherein the plurality of anchors further includes a first tier of anchors, a second tier of anchors, and a third tier of anchors; wherein the plurality of anchors each comprise recycled polymer material; wherein said plurality of anchors include a D- shaped ring pivotably mounted to the container; wherein the planter further includes a tie-down stake connecting the branch to the plurality of anchors, said anchors comprising tie-down rings; wherein the planter is aerated; wherein the plurality of anchors is arrayed about an exterior of the at least one sidewall of the planter; wherein the base of the planter and the at least one sidewall of the planter define an interior region configured to contain soil about roots of said plant; wherein the planter comprises a fabric material; wherein the plurality of anchors is detachable from the container; wherein the tie-down stake further includes a proximal end and a distal end; wherein the tie-downs fasten the proximal end of the tie-down stake to the branch; wherein the tie-downs fasten the distal end of the tie-down stake to the tie- down rings; and wherein the plurality of tie-downs comprise strings and alternatively twist- ties.

18. The planter of claim 17, further comprising set of instructions; and wherein the planter is arranged as a kit.

19. A method of improving plant growth, the method comprising the steps of: planting a plant in the planter; and tying a branch of the plant to a plurality of anchors using a plurality of tie- downs.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising the steps of attaching a tie-down stake between the branch of the plant and the plurality of anchors using the plurality of tie-downs; and repeating the previous steps for alternative branches.