WO2022058987A1

WO2022058987A1 - Flower pot

Info

Publication number: WO2022058987A1
Application number: PCT/IB2021/058585
Authority: WO
Inventors: Angelo MICHI; Fabio LUCARELLI; Silvano CHECCHI
Original assignee: Nuova Pasquini & Bini S.P.A.
Priority date: 2020-09-21
Filing date: 2021-09-21
Publication date: 2022-03-24
Also published as: EP4213615A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a container for nursery gardening which allows the optimal growth of plants, avoids the spiraling of roots, allows adequate aeration thereof, and avoids the stagnation of water and moisture. The container is of universal use for any type of plant and is also easily moldable, colorable, stackable, and transportable.

Description

CONTAINER FOR NURSERY GARDENING

★★★★★★★

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of nursery gardening, and more specifically relates to a container for nursery plants, particularly adapted to transport, store, maintain, cultivate, and grow plants during the temporary placement thereof before the positioning in the final destination thereof, such as setting them in the intended soil, for example.

PRIOR ART

As is known, there is widespread use in nursery gardening of various types of containers, in which the plants are cultivated and grown before being definitely set in the soil or other intended container.

Usually, the specific geometries, profiles and various openings usually are carefully studied and designed when designing the most evolved and highest quality containers.

This is particularly important because the container firstly should ensure an increased capacity for oxygenation/aeration of the plant roots. This is usually obtained by providing specific, variously located and obtained holes on the structure of the pot; there are varied choices: from positioning them only on the bottom to the side positioning thereof or the positioning thereof along the grooves of the pots or at the feet, or solutions combining those indicated.

Such holes should also allow the correct drainage of the excess water and the products usually employed during the cultivation of the plant (for example liquid fertilizers) so as to avoid the formation of persistent moist areas which could result in the roots rotting.

A further important feature of the container should be that of being able to prevent the roots from spiraling; such a spiraling indeed results in suffering of the plant, which is forced in the growth thereof inside the rigid rope created by the spiraling itself, with negative effects not only on the growth, but also on the possibility thereof to survive and correctly develop once repotted or set in the soil.

From an industrial viewpoint, such containers should also be easily stackable on one another to simplify both the steps of warehouse storing and product handling, and therefore to allow for example a reduction of the transport volumes thereof, thus reducing the related costs. Therefore, in addition to effective geometries to meet the technical requirements which are indispensable for the intended functions, at the same time the containers also need to have shapes which allow them to be easily stacked, a sufficient lightness to reduce the transport costs thereof and simplify the handling operations thereof, as well as finally a sufficient rigidity, especially in the vicinity of the pot edges, to ensure the safe handling, also by means of forklifts, without accidental breaks occurring.

These desired design features then need to find a compromise with the constraints set by the industrial manufacturing technologies for making both the containers and the related molds so that such containers are also easily moldable without excessive production costs or recurring defectiveness.

Naturally, it would be desirable for the geometries imposed by meeting all the above requirements to be in containers which are also aesthetically pleasing and perhaps easily colorable and decorable on the outer surface thereof.

Therefore, it is apparent how the identification of shapes, geometries and dimensions which are able to simultaneously meet this plurality of requirements is not at all trivial.

The field to date indeed is characterized by increased R&S activities aiming to constantly optimize the current solutions on the market.

Containers for nursery plants having various shapes and which have one or more of the contrivances listed above are available on the market.

For example, solutions are known from the prior art such as those described in documents EP 2 570 023 A1 , WO 2006/016100 A1 ; WO 2016/100854 A3; US 1 047 0376 B1 ; WO 2018/229486; US2020/0008365 A1 ; US2020/0128759 A1 ; and EP 3 047 723 A1 .

For example, the use of radial protrusions inside the container to avoid spiraling is known from documents EP 2 570 023 A1 , WO 2006/016100 A1 , WO 2018/229486; and US 1 047 0376 B1.

Moreover, the presence of the variously located holes obtained on the structure of the pot is known, for example from documents EP 2 570 023 A1 and US 1 047 0376 B1 , which particularly describe holes on the bottom of the container, and document WO 2006/016100 A1 which particularly describes holes on the bottom and openings made in the side wall to obtain the air pruning of the roots. All the pots described in the documents indicated have non-uniform side walls, some due to the section of the container, others due to the presence of openings, ribbings, or protrusions on the outer portion of the side walls.

Document DE202014005009 describes a plastic flower pot provided with sliding elements prepared on the surface of the inner wall to promote the sliding properties in an injection molding process. In particular, the pot in hand provides a profile on the inner side walls provided with sliding elements, made from a plurality of longitudinal ridges alternated by recesses which create a design with corrugated development on the inner wall of the pot. Such sliding elements serve the function of promoting the sliding of the material injected during the molding process. On the other hand, the pot is externally provided with a smooth wall. The pot has a base with feet and a middle-raised portion. There are holes for draining liquids both on the raised portion and on the feet. The presence of holes even on the feet of the pot results in a stagnation of water in such a support area, thus creating possible rotting of the roots in that portion.

The solution proposed in document EP1527676 relates to a pot having a bottom provided with a recess located almost centrally, having one or more openings for draining liquids to avoid stagnation on the bottom following watering. Such pots are particularly effective for epiphyte plants, such as Phalaenopsis orchids, for example. Here, the roots are raised off the bottom and rot is avoided, however the peripheral edge which serves as continuous foot highly limits the aeration of the roots, given that there are no openings for air exchange.

Moreover, document EP2281442 describes pots provided with feet and draining openings. In particular, the pots comprise angled recesses arranged radially around the bottom portion of the pot for engagement with corresponding angled protrusions on a tray. Such elements serve to obtain a correct self-alignment of the pot on the tray. In particular, the shape of the bottom of the pot, i.e., the profile thereof and the reduced thickness thereof, create tearing problems in the anti-algae sheets on which the pots are put on. Moreover, such a shape and profile of the base do not give the structure the required stability, with the consequence of increased risks of the bottom of the pot collapsing, which would cause the flattening thereof on the supporting base, with apparent negative consequences in terms of the aeration and drainage of the roots. Therefore, none of the containers in any case allows the plurality of aspects mentioned above to be effectively solved.

Moreover, quite often it is ascertained how the employment of one type of container, which perhaps is highly effective for certain plant varieties, may not be just as adequate for the cultivation of others.

Therefore, not only does fine-tuning a container which may have all the abovedescribed requirements remain an open matter, but so does it also having the features of universality of employment, such as to make it effectively usable for any type of plant.

Therefore, it is the object of the present invention to solve the problems left by the known art with a container for nursery plants which has such a shape as to solve the aspects listed above and overcome possible disadvantages of the known solutions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the invention was achieved by a container as defined in claim 1 .

By virtue of the structural features thereof, the container according to the invention may be employed with any type of plant, allows the growth times thereof to be considerably reduced and, once the plant is repotted or set, it takes root securely and with healthy and immediate growth by virtue of a well-developed root system which has no type of spiraling.

In particular, the system of inner ribbings of the container, which serve as a barrier, indeed prevent the spiraling of the roots, thus allowing the root system of the plant to expand longitudinally.

The peripheral root system of the plant therefore is not stressed and the growth of the stem is faster and more vigorous than that of normal nursery pots or even of the plants generated outdoors.

The container of the invention is also easily and affordably moldable and producible, as well as stackable and movable, it is aesthetically pleasing and may even be colored as desired without resulting in defectiveness on the finishing thereof.

The pot according to the present invention simultaneously solves all the problems of pots of the prior art by providing a pot with anti-spiraling features, with good drainage of liquids, good aeration of the root system and good storage of the antialgae sheet on which the pots usually rest. The advantages, combined with the features and methods of use of the present invention, will become apparent from the following detailed description of preferred practical embodiments thereof, shown by way of non-limiting example.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference is made later in this description to the figures in the accompanying drawings, in which:

• Figure 1 shows an overall perspective view of a pot according to the present invention,

• Figures 2 and 3 show two different side views of the pot according to the present invention,

• Figure 4 is a bottom view of the pot in Figure 1 , according to the present invention,

• Figure 5 is an overall perspective view of a pot according to the present invention, in an overturned position with respect to the view in Figure 1 ,

• Figure 6 is a sectional view of the view shown in Figure 2,

• Figure 7 shows an overall perspective section view of the pot in Figure 1 ,

• Figure 8 is a sectional view of the view shown in Figure 3,

• Figure 9 shows an overall perspective section view of the pot in Figure 1 , with respect to a different section plane,

• Figure 10 is a top view of the pot in Figure 1 , according to the present invention,

• Figure 11 is a bottom view of an alternative embodiment of the invention, having a different geometry, number, and position of the holes in the inner disk portion 22, and

• Figure 12 is an image of the results of use of the pot in Figure 1 for growing a Portuguese laurel plant, clearly showing its roots which are perfectly vertical and without any type of spiraling.

The components according to the present description have been depicted in the drawings, where suitable, with conventional symbols, showing only those specific details which are pertinent to the understanding of the embodiments of the present invention, so as not to highlight details which will be immediately apparent to those skilled in the art, with reference to the description provided below.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The solution of the present invention is now described with the aid of the drawings. The invention herein described relates to a container for nursery plants indicated as a whole by numeral 10.

Container 10 comprises a base 20 which defines the bottom of container 10, a truncated cone body 30 which extends upwards from base 20, and a strip gripping portion 40 connected to the upper edge 32 of the truncated cone body 30.

The truncated cone body 30 comprises a plurality of parallel longitudinal ribbings 34 spaced apart from one another, which extend radially towards the inside of container 10 from the inner wall PI of the truncated cone body 30. These longitudinal ribbings 34 on the inner wall PI of container 10 serve to avoid the roots of the plant from spiraling during growth. In particular, the presence of the longitudinal ribbings 34 promotes the orderly vertical growth of the roots (so-called "primary roots") and guides the downward growth thereof, that is towards the bottom of the container defined by base 20, to make the successive setting of the plant more effective.

The number of said longitudinal ribbings 34 is never less than 4, preferably is in the range between 6 and 26, more preferably is in the range between 8 and 24.

Said number of ribbings is a function of the capacity of the pot, preferably the number of ribbings/liter varies from 0.1 to 8.

In preferred embodiments, such as the embodiment in Figure 1 , for example, the longitudinal ribbings 34 are also equally spaced apart from one another.

Preferably, the longitudinal ribbings 34 extend from the upper edge 32 of the truncated cone body 30 and end at the height of base 20, but in alternative embodiments, they could also be shorter and be positioned differently along the vertical comprising them.

Said longitudinal ribbings 34 preferably have a width between 0.5 and 4 mm, more preferably about 1 mm, and a depth between 0.5 and 5 mm, more preferably about 1 mm.

For the purposes of the present invention, depth of the longitudinal ribbings 34 means the dimension of the distance between the contact point of the ribbing on the inner wall of the pot and the end thereof taken in the direction pointing towards the centerline axis of the container.

In particular, depths less than 0.5 mm would not significantly stop the spiraling of the roots and depths greater than 5 mm would not allow effective stacking of the pots during the handling and transport thereof. In particular, the protruding longitudinal ribbings 34 are arranged on the inner wall of the pot, alternated by intermediate curvilinear portions 35 of inner wall PI, with are recessed with respect to the protruding longitudinal ribbings 34. The number of longitudinal ribbings 34 is a function of the capacity of the pot (larger pots will have a greater number of longitudinal ribbings), but it is in any case apparent that the longitudinal ribbings 34 occupy a small part of the inner wall PI. Indeed, the curvilinear portions 35 have a width which goes from a minimum of 30 mm up to a maximum of 140 mm, preferably between 35 and 80 mm, even more preferably between 40 and 73 mm, if measured at the height of the upper edge 32 of the inner wall PI of the truncated cone body 30. Preferably, the pot needs to have at least one curvilinear portion 35 with a width between 30 and 140 mm, preferably between 35 and 80 mm, even more preferably between 40 and 73 mm, if measured at the height of the upper edge 32 of the inner wall PI of the truncated cone body 30.

The width of the curvilinear portions 35 is defined as the curvilinear distance between two adjacent longitudinal ribbings 34, and in particular from the left edge of the first ribbing to the right edge of the second ribbing, i.e., the successive ribbing. In particular, such a distance is the portion of circumference between the end of one ribbing and the beginning of the successive ribbing, and is not the rectilinear cord which joins two adjacent ribbings. In particular, the distance between two adjacent longitudinal ribbings 34 is in the range between 30 mm and 140 mm, preferably between 35 and 80 mm, even more preferably between 40 and 73 mm, when measured at the height of the upper edge 32 of the inner wall PI of the truncated cone body 30. Naturally, the distance between two adjacent longitudinal ribbings 34 (or alternatively the width of the curvilinear portions 35) at the bottom of the truncated cone body 30 may be slightly less due to the narrowing of the pot towards the bottom, it being a truncated cone body.

Therefore, the protruding longitudinal ribbings 34 obtain discontinuities of the inner wall PI and the distance between two adjacent longitudinal ribbings 34 is such as to perform the anti-spiraling task. Therefore, in addition to the dimensions (width and thickness) of the longitudinal ribbings 34 themselves, the interval or frequency with which they are obtained on the inner wall of the pot is also very important.

Solutions providing too few longitudinal ribbings or adjacent ribbings which are too far from one another are not effective and the roots spiral all the same. Conversely, solutions which provide too many longitudinal ribbings or adjacent ribbings which are too close to one another risk creating a sort of concentric and "continuous" second inner surface in which the root does not perceive the presence of interrupting ribbings which are an obstacle for spiraling.

Therefore, the distance between two successive ribbings is decisive for the antispiraling effect.

The inventors of the present invention have thus discovered that a distance between the ribbings between 30 and 140 mm, preferably between 35 and 80 mm, even more preferably between 40 and 73 mm, intended as width of the curvilinear portions 35, as better specified above, allows the desired anti-spiraling effects to be obtained.

Container 10 also has longitudinal flaps 90 in the bottom portion 20, which extend radially towards the inside of container 10 from the inner wall PI of the lower portion 38 of the truncated cone body 30. Said longitudinal flaps 90 also serve the purpose of acting as barrier for spiraling and promoting the orderly and longitudinal growth of the roots.

Moreover, the outer wall PE of the truncated cone body 30 is a "substantially smooth" flat wall, devoid of holes or side windows.

The aeration of the root system is therefore obtained by suitably sizing the surfaces of the holes located on the bottom of the container, as better detailed below, while keeping the surface of the outer wall PE devoid of holes or side windows.

For the purposes of the description of the present invention, "substantially smooth" wall should mean a regular and uniform wall in which the possible presence of grooves, ribbings, projections, or roughness does not exceed the depth of 1 mm.

Thereby, the outer wall PE of container 10 may be colored and decorated as desired without resulting in defectiveness on the finishing thereof by virtue of the fact that the outer wall is flat, substantially smooth, and therefore devoid of irregularities. For example, aesthetical finishing of the sandblasting, photogravure or various polishing type may be applied to the whole outer surface of the pot or parts thereof, such as only on the gripping band 40 thereof, for example.

Moreover, the fact that said outer wall PE of the truncated cone body 30 of container 10 is smooth and devoid of irregularities also allows the container to be produced with a simple molding operation. Finally, having the outer wall PE of the truncated cone body 30 of container 10 substantially smooth makes the container easily stackable and movable, both manually and employing forklifts.

In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 10, container 10 substantially is circular in cross-section.

Embodiments in which container 10 substantially is square in cross-section may also be provided.

The truncated cone body 30 comprises an upper portion 36 and a lower portion 38 which connects said upper portion 36 of the truncated cone body 30 to base 20. Preferably, such a lower portion 38 has a smaller diameter with respect to said upper portion 36.

In the embodiments shown in the drawings, the base 20 of container 10 is formed by an inner disk portion 22 which is concentric to an outer circular crown portion 24, which are placed on two different parallel planes and therefore at different height from the ground, and are connected to each other by means of a connection portion 23 which provides an inclined sliding wall.

Said outer circular crown portion 24 and said connection portion 23, which provides an inclined sliding wall, are interrupted by the openings 80 defined below. Therefore, under the condition in which the pot rests on base 20 thereof, the inner disk portion 22 is raised with respect to the outer circular crown 24 and is facing the upper opening or mouth 50 of container 10.

Said inner disk portion 22 is raised at least 8 mm from the ground. Preferably, it is raised by a value between 8 and 78 mm according to the capacity of the pot; conventionally, the higher the capacity, the higher such a value.

For the purposes of the present invention, the term capacity means the capacity of the container, i.e., the volume thereof, expressed in liters.

Advantageously, the value of the ratio between the capacity of the container (expressed in liters) and said raised value, which corresponds to the internal height of foot 70 defined below (expressed in mm), is between 0.07 and 1 .60 liters/mm.

The fact that said inner disk portion 22 is raised allows and facilitates the aeration of the roots, thus contributing to the health of the root system.

Moreover, base 20 comprises, on the inner disk portion 22 and on the connection portion 23 thereof, a plurality of openings 60 and 62 for draining water. The draining openings 60 are obtained at the inner disk portion 22 and the draining openings 62 are obtained at the connection portion 23 which provides the inclined sliding wall. The total surface of the openings 60 advantageously represents from 10 to 60% of the value of the total surface of the inner disk portion 22; preferably from 20 to 55%. The total surface of the openings 62 advantageously represents from 15 to 55% of the value of the total surface of the connection portion 23; preferably from 30 to 40%.

The overall surface of the openings 60 and 62 in general increases as the capacity of the pot increases.

Said preferred surface values allow an optimal aeration of the root system and effective drainage of water and the fertilizers or of the other additives employed, to be obtained, thus avoiding the stagnation thereof in the roots as well as again ensuring the correct structural support for the pot and the right support for the plant therein contained.

With reference to the embodiment in Figure 4, the openings 60 obtained at the inner disk portion 22 are arranged on circular sectors 25 and there are three substantially rectangular windows 60a, 60b and 60c for each circular sector 25 in the embodiment shown. The three substantially rectangular windows 60a, 60b and 60c are arranged radially and centered on three different concentric circumferences. The outermost openings 60a are larger, gradually decreasing into the innermost openings 60b and 60c. The central portion 21 of the inner disk portion 22 preferably is devoid of openings.

Preferably, the openings 62 obtained at the connection portion 23 are also substantially rectangular, as in the case of the embodiment in Figure 4, more preferably having equal dimensions and equally spaced from one another. Preferably, there are 2 at each circular sector 25.

Alternatively, the openings 60 may be circular, as in the embodiment in Figure 1 1 . Base 20 and the truncated cone body 30 are shaped so as to define, in the connection portion 37 thereof, between the lower edge of the upper portion 36 of the truncated cone body 30 and the outer circular crown portion 24 of the base, a plurality of feet 70. The feet 70 serve to keep the inner disk portion 22 of container 10 and the openings 60 and 62 on both the inner disk portion 22 and on slide 23 raised so as to allow both an optimal aeration and improved drainage of the excess water and the products usually employed during plant cultivation (for example liquid fertilizers). This to avoid the formation of persistent moist areas which could result in the roots rotting. Said feet 70 are preferably 3 to 8 in number, more preferably there are 4 in number. Said feet advantageously also have a width between 1 and 10 cm, preferably between 2 and 7 cm according to the capacity; such a width of the feet 70 allows them not to be deformed over time and not to perforate the antialgae sheet on which they usually rest and which in ordinary use, is subject to perforation precisely in the vicinity of the support points of the container due to their weight. For the purposes of the present invention, width of the feet should mean the dimension thereof, taken in the radial direction, i.e., from the outer circumference of the container towards the centerline axis. Moreover, even more advantageously, said feet have beveled corners so as to further reduce the possibility of said antialgae sheets being perforated.

The feet 70 also result in the presence of the openings 80 at which the two upper 36 and lower 38 portions of the truncated cone body 30 are connected to each other by means of a connection portion 37. Vice versa, the upper portion 36 seamlessly joins with the lower portion 38 of the truncated cone body 30 at the feet 70. Therefore, where there are no openings 80, the truncated cone body 30 continues up to base 20 and joins with the outer circular crown portion 24 by means of a connection portion 39. The openings 80, which make the feet 70, form interruptions in the outer circular crown 24, thus obtaining circular sectors 26 which make the feet 70.

The measurement of the width of said openings 80 is particularly important because it also determines the passageway of the gap and therefore, the extent to which it reaches the root system. The dimension of these openings 80 measured along the outer circumference of the container and along the lower base thereof (that is in contact with the soil) varies according to the capacity of the container, between 25 and 170 mm, preferably between 30 and 160 mm.

The feet 70 are made by means of openings 80 made on the lower portion 38 of the truncated cone body 30 and the openings 80 define radial recesses having two side walls 82 which extend from the lower portion 38 of the truncated cone body 30 and extend radially towards the inside of container 10, and an inclined upper closing ridge 84 having circular sector which closes opening 80 at the top and which extends from the truncated cone body 30 towards the inside of container 10, thus joining with the inner disk portion 22 of base 20. Openings 64 for draining water are prepared in container 10, on the upper closing ridge 84. In the embodiment shown, for example in Figure 3, there are two openings 64 in the form of substantially rectangular windows for draining water on each inclined circular sector which forms the upper closing ridge 84.

The sum of the surfaces of the openings 64 represents from 10 to 40% of the value of the overall surface of the upper closing ridges 84 having inclined circular sector, preferably from 12 to 35%.

Advantageously, the total surface of the openings 60, 62, 64 represents from 10 to 60% of the value of the total surface of base 20.

The value of the external height of foot 70 corresponding to the lower portion 38 of the container is particularly important and also determines the inclination and the surface of the upper closing ridges 84; if such a height is well sized in ratio to the capacity of the container, the rotting of the outer roots of the plant may be avoided. Preferably, the value of the ratio between the capacity of the container (expressed in liters) and said height (expressed in mm) is between 0.03 and 0.70 liters/mm. Advantageously, said height will not be less than about 30 mm.

The strip gripping portion 40 which height conventionally varies between 15 and 110 mm according to the dimensions of the container and therefore of the capacity, is shaped so as to define, in the connection portion with the truncated cone body 30, a protruding edge 42 which creates an angle at the base useful for stacking, lifting, and handling container 10.

In order to transport several containers together, forklifts provided with a comb tool, which engages the edges of the containers to handle large quantities thereof, are indeed usually employed.

Such a comb tool is inserted below the protruding edge 42 which thus needs is to be suitably dimensioned to support the weight of the overlying pots and the stress due to the grip itself of the forklift during transport.

According to the present invention, advantageously the measurement of the depth of the protruding edge 42 is at least 5 mm. More advantageously, said depth has a value between 5 and 12 mm for pots with capacities up to 15 liters, and from 10 to 30 mm for capacities greater than 15 liters and up to 100 liters.

Finally, the container also has an upper edge 91 which thickness advantageously is between 1 and 6 mm and which serves the function of giving the container increased resistance to crushing. Advantageously, the container according to the invention has a value of the ratio between the measurement of the diameter of the mouth of the pot, expressed in mm, and the measurement of the diameter of the bottom (that is of the diameter of the inner disk portion 22) of the pot, expressed in mm, comprised in the range from 1 .7 to about 2.7, preferably about 2.

Advantageously, in a particularly preferred embodiment, the pot according to the present invention has such a shape such that the truncated cone body 30 comprises a plurality of longitudinal ribbings 34 which extend radially towards the inside of container 10 from the inner wall PI of the truncated cone body 30, and base 20 and the truncated cone body 30 are shaped so as to define a plurality of feet 70 having a width between 1 and 10 cm and an external height greater than 30 mm. In such a preferred embodiment, base 20 consists of an inner disk portion 22 which is concentric to an outer circular crown portion 24, and such an inner disk portion 22 and outer circular crown portion 24 are placed on two different parallel planes. Again preferably, the inner disk portion 22 has openings 60 for draining water, in which the total surface of the openings 60 represents from 20 to 55% of the value of the total inner disk portion surface 22.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, container 10 has such a shape such that the truncated cone body 30 comprises a plurality of longitudinal ribbings 34 which extend radially towards the inside of container 10 from the inner wall PI of the truncated cone body 30, and base 20 and the truncated cone body 30 are shaped so as to define a plurality of feet 70. Preferably, base 20 consists of an inner disk portion 22 which is concentric to an outer circular crown portion 24, which are placed on two different parallel planes and are connected to each other by means of a connection portion 23 which provides an inclined sliding wall. In such an embodiment, the inner disk portion 22 has openings 60 for draining water, and the connection portion 23 also has openings 62 for draining water, and the total surface of the openings 62 represents from 15 to 55% of the value of the total surface of said connection portion 23.

The container according to the invention is universal, that is it may be used for a plurality of plants, thus succeeding in generating optimal conditions of light, aeration, moisture and draining ability such as to generally promote the growth of any type of plant. In particular, it may be effectively used for growing plants from the Fagaceae family, such as Quercus ilex and Quercus robur, or plants such as Acer japonicum, Cortaderia selloana, or Olea europaea.

The container according to the present invention can also be made by simple molding at affordable production costs and, as will be apparent from the following example, in multiple capacities, preferably in capacities of 2 or more liters.

When the container of the present invention has a capacity of 2 liters, preferably the depth of the protruding edge 42 is between 5 and 9 mm, preferably it is 7 mm, the distance between two consecutive feet (upper side) is between 26 and 28 mm, preferably it is 27 mm, the external height of foot 70 is between 43 and 47 mm, preferably it is 45 mm, the internal height of foot 70 (that is the distance of the inner disk portion 22 from the ground) is between 16 and 20 mm, preferably it is 18 mm, the ratio between the total surface of the holes 60 and the total surface of the inner disk portion 22 is between 13 and 33%, preferably it is 23%, and the ribbings 34 have a depth between 0.5 and 2 mm, preferably 1 mm.

When the container of the present invention has a capacity of 3 liters, preferably the depth of the protruding edge 42 is between 5 and 9 mm, preferably it is 7 mm, the distance between two consecutive feet (upper side) is between 29 and 33 mm, preferably it is 31 mm, the external height of foot 70 is between 49 and 53 mm, preferably it is 51 mm, the internal height of foot 70 (that is the distance of the inner disk portion 22 from the ground) is between 18 and 22 mm, preferably it is 20 mm, the ratio between the total surface of the holes 60 and the total surface of the inner disk portion 22 is between 13 and 33%, preferably it is 23%, and the ribbings 34 have a depth between 0.5 and 2 mm, preferably 1 mm.

When the container of the present invention has a capacity of 4.5 liters, preferably the depth of the protruding edge 42 is between 6 and 10 mm, preferably it is 8.5 mm, the distance between two consecutive feet (upper side) is between 33 and 37 mm, preferably it is 35 mm, the external height of foot 70 is between 57 and 61 mm, preferably it is 59 mm, the internal height of foot 70 (that is the distance of the inner disk portion 22 from the ground) is between 21 and 25 mm, preferably it is 23 mm, the ratio between the total surface of the holes 60 and the total surface of the inner disk portion 22 is between 13 and 33%, preferably it is 23%, and the ribbings 34 have a depth between 0.5 and 2 mm, preferably 1 mm. When the container of the present invention has a capacity of 7 liters, preferably the depth of the protruding edge 42 is between 8 and 12 mm, preferably it is 10 mm, the distance between two consecutive feet (upper side) is between 40 and 44 mm, preferably it is 42 mm, the external height of foot 70 is between 61 and 65 mm, preferably it is 63 mm, the internal height of foot 70 (that is the distance of the inner disk portion 22 from the ground) is between 23 and 27 mm, preferably it is 25 mm, the ratio between the total surface of the holes 60 and the total surface of the inner disk portion 22 is between 23 and 53%, preferably it is 33%, and the ribbings 34 have a depth between 0.5 and 2 mm, preferably 1 mm.

When the container of the present invention has a capacity of 10 liters, preferably the depth of the protruding edge 42 is between 9 and 13 mm, preferably it is 1 1 mm, the distance between two consecutive feet (upper side) is between 46 and 50 mm, preferably it is 48 mm, the external height of foot 70 is between 73 and 77 mm, preferably it is 75 mm, the internal height of foot 70 (that is the distance of the inner disk portion 22 from the ground) is between 27 and 31 mm, preferably it is 29 mm, the ratio between the total surface of the holes 60 and the total surface of the inner disk portion 22 is between 23 and 53%, preferably it is 33%, and the ribbings 34 have a depth between 0.5 and 2 mm, preferably 1 mm.

When the container of the present invention has a capacity of 12 liters, preferably the depth of the protruding edge 42 is between 9 and 13 mm, preferably it is 1 1 mm, the distance between two consecutive feet (upper side) is between 47 and 51 mm, preferably it is 49 mm, the external height of foot 70 is between 77 and 81 mm, preferably it is 79 mm, the internal height of foot 70 (that is the distance of the inner disk portion 22 from the ground) is between 28 and 32 mm, preferably it is 30 mm, the ratio between the total surface of the holes 60 and the total surface of the inner disk portion 22 is between 23 and 53%, preferably it is 33%, and the ribbings 34 have a depth between 0.5 and 2 mm, preferably 1 mm.

When the container of the present invention has a capacity of 15 liters, preferably the depth of the protruding edge 42 is between 9 and 13 mm, preferably it is 1 1 mm, the distance between two consecutive feet (upper side) is between 48 and 52 mm, preferably it is 50 mm, the external height of foot 70 is between 79 and 83 mm, preferably it is 81 mm, the internal height of foot 70 (that is the distance of the inner disk portion 22 from the ground) is between 29 and 33 mm, preferably it is 31 mm, the ratio between the total surface of the holes 60 and the total surface of the inner disk portion 22 is between 23 and 53%, preferably it is 33%, and the ribbings 34 have a depth between 0.5 and 2 mm, preferably 1 mm.

When the container of the present invention has a capacity of 18 liters, preferably the depth of the protruding edge 42 is between 10 and 14 mm, preferably it is 12 mm, the distance between two consecutive feet (upper side) is between 52 and 56 mm, preferably it is 54 mm, the external height of foot 70 is between 85 and 89 mm, preferably it is 87 mm, the internal height of foot 70 (the distance of the inner disk portion 22 from the ground) is between 32 and 36 mm, preferably it is 34 mm, the ratio between the total surface of the holes 60 and the total surface of the inner disk portion 22 is between 23 and 53%, preferably it is 33%, and the ribbings 34 have a depth between 0.5 and 2 mm, preferably 1 mm.

When the container of the present invention has a capacity of 25 liters, preferably the depth of the protruding edge 42 is between 12 and 16 mm, preferably it is 14 mm, the distance between two consecutive feet (upper side) is between 60 and 64 mm, preferably it is 62 mm, the external height of foot 70 is between 97 and 101 mm, preferably it is 99 mm, the internal height of foot 70 (that is the distance of the inner disk portion 22 from the ground) is between 36 and 40 mm, preferably it is 38 mm, the ratio between the total surface of the holes 60 and the total surface of the inner disk portion 22 is between 23 and 53%, preferably it is 33%, and the ribbings 34 have a depth between 0.5 and 2 mm, preferably 1 mm.

When the container of the present invention has a capacity of 50 liters, preferably the depth of the protruding edge 42 is between 17 and 21 mm, preferably it is 19 mm, the distance between two consecutive feet (upper side) is between 85 and 89 mm, preferably it is 87 mm, the external height of foot 70 is between 135 and 139 mm, preferably it is 137 mm, the internal height of foot 70 (that is the distance of the inner disk portion 22 from the ground) is between 50 and 54 mm, preferably it is 52 mm, the ratio between the total surface of the holes 60 and the total surface of the inner disk portion 22 is between 33 and 63%, preferably it is 43%, and the ribbings 34 have a depth between 0.5 and 2 mm, preferably 1 mm.

When the container of the present invention has a capacity of 100 liters, preferably the depth of the protruding edge 42 is between 23 and 27 mm, preferably it is 25 mm, the distance between two consecutive feet (upper side) is between 1 14 and 118 mm, preferably it is 1 16 mm, the external height of foot 70 is between 179 and 183 mm, preferably it is 181 mm, the internal height of foot 70 (that is the distance of the inner disk portion 22 from the ground) is between 66 and 70 mm, preferably it is 68 mm, the ratio between the total surface of the holes 60 and the total surface of the inner disk portion 22 is between 43 and 73%, preferably it is 53%, and the ribbings 34 have a depth between 0.5 and 2 mm, preferably 1 mm.

Example.

Various formats were made of the pot in Figure 1 , testing them for use in growing Portuguese laurel plants. In particular, pots were made having a capacity of 2, 3, 4.5, 7, 10, 12, 15, 18, 25, 50, and 100 liters.

Table 1 below shows the value of the main size parameters of the pots made according to the related capacity.

Table 1 - value of the various size parameters of the container in Figure 2 according to the related capacity.

All the pots have proven to be high performing during use, demonstrating over time a well-developed, healthy, and orderly "primary" root system of the plants therein cultivated, without any indication of spiraling.

An example is shown in the image in Figure 12.

These results were also obtained for various types of plants, this demonstrating the universality of the employment of these pots for a plurality of species. Thus, the container according to the invention is a container adapted to meet a large number of needs, including the elasticity of application to a plurality of plants, the ability to allow the development thereof in a quick and healthy manner, thus obtaining well-structured and vital root systems, being easily usable, transportable, stackable, and movable, as well as colorable and decorable with various finishings to obtain pleasant aesthetical effects. The above description of the embodiments of the invention is capable of showing the invention from a conceptual point of view so that others, using the known art, will be able to modify and/or adapt, in various applications, such specific embodiments, without further research and without departing from the inventive concept, and therefore it is understood that such adaptations and modifications are considered as equivalents of the specific embodiments.

The means and materials for obtaining the various described functions can be of various types without departing from the scope of the invention.

The expressions or terminology used are merely intended for descriptive purposes and therefore are not limiting.

Of course, without prejudice to the principle of the invention, the construction details and the embodiments may widely vary relative to the above disclosure described merely by way of example, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Where the constructional features and techniques mentioned in the following claims are followed by references symbols or numerals, such reference symbols were introduced for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims themselves, and accordingly such reference symbols have no limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of mere example by such reference symbols.

Claims

1. A container (10) for nursery plants comprising a base (20) which defines the bottom of the container (10), a truncated cone body (30) which extends upwards from said base (20), and a strip gripping portion (40) connected to the upper edge (32) of the truncated cone body (30), wherein said truncated cone body (30) comprises a plurality of longitudinal ribbings (34) which extend radially towards the inside of the container (10) from the inner wall (PI) of said truncated cone body (30), wherein at least two of such adjacent longitudinal ribbings (34) are spaced apart from each other by a minimum of 30 mm up to a maximum of 140 mm at the height of the upper edge (32) of the truncated cone body (30), and wherein the outer wall (PE) of said truncated cone body (30) substantially is a smooth flat wall, devoid of holes or side windows, so as to create a regular and uniform outer surface of the container (10).

2. The container according to claim 1 , wherein said container (10) is substantially circular or square in cross-section.

3. The container according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the number of said longitudinal ribbings (34) is in the range between 6 and 26, more preferably is in the range between 8 and 24.

4. The container according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said longitudinal ribbings (34) are equally spaced apart from one another.

5. The container according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said longitudinal ribbings (34) have a width between 0.5 and 4 mm and a depth between 0.5 and 5 mm.

6. The container according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the base (20) consists of an inner disk portion (22), which is concentric to an outer circular crown portion (24), wherein said inner disk portion (22) and outer circular crown portion (24) are placed on two different parallel planes, and wherein said inner disk portion (22) and outer circular crown portion (24) are connected to each other by means of a connection portion (23) which provides an inclined sliding wall.

7. The container according to claim 6, wherein said inner disk portion (22) is raised by a value between 8 and 78 mm.

8. The container according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the base (20) comprises a plurality of openings (60, 62) for draining water, wherein said draining openings (60, 62) are made at the inner disk portion (22) and the connection portion (23) which provides said inclined sliding wall.

9. The container according to claim 8, wherein the total surface of the openings (60) of the inner disk portion (22) represents from 10 to 60% of the value of the total surface of the inner disk portion (22).

10. The container according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the total surface of the openings (62) of the connection portion (23) represents from 15 to 55% of the value of the total surface of the connection portion (23).

11. The container according to one or more of claims 8 to 10, wherein the openings (60) obtained at the inner disk portion (22) are arranged on circular sectors (25) and comprise a number of substantially rectangular windows (60a, 60b, 60c) for each circular sector (25), wherein the substantially rectangular windows (60a, 60b, 60c) are arranged radially and centered on different concentric circumferences, and wherein the outermost openings (60a) are larger, gradually decreasing in the innermost openings (60b, 60c).

12. The container according to one or more of claims 8 to 10, wherein the openings (60) obtained at the inner disk portion (22) are circular.

13. The container according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the base (20) and the truncated cone body (30) are shaped so as to define a plurality of feet (70) in the connection portion (37) thereof between the lower edge of the upper portion (36) of the truncated cone body (30) and the outer circular crown portion (24) of the base.

14. The container according to claim 13, wherein said feet (70) are preferably 3 to 8 in number and have a width between 1 and 10 cm.

15. The container according to claim 13 or 14, wherein said feet (70) are made by means of openings (80) made on the lower portion (38) of the truncated cone body (30), wherein said openings (80) define radial recesses having two side walls (82) which extend from said lower portion (38) of the truncated cone body (30) and extend radially towards the inside of the container (10), and an inclined upper closing ridge (84) which closes the opening (80) at the top and which extends from said truncated cone body (30) towards the inside of the container (10), joining said inner disk portion (22) of the base (20).

16. The container according to claim 15, wherein the value of the external height of the foot (70) corresponding to the lower portion (38) of the container (10), determines the inclination and the surface of the upper closing ridges (84) and has a value greater than 30 mm.

17. The container according to claim 15 or claim 16, wherein the measurement of the width of said openings (80) measured along the outer circumference of the container (10) and along the lower base thereof varies between 25 and 170 mm.

18. The container according to one or more of claims 15 to 17, wherein drainage openings (64) are prepared on the upper closing ridge (84) in the shape of substantially rectangular windows, and the sum of the surfaces of the openings (64) represents from 10 to 40% of the value of the overall surface of the upper closing ridges (84).

19. The container according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said strip gripping portion (40) is shaped so as to define, in the connection portion with said truncated cone body (30), a protruding edge (42) which has a depth of at least 5 mm.

20. The container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein longitudinal flaps (90) are present in the bottom portion (20), which extend radially towards the inside of the container (10) from the inner wall PI of the lower portion (38) of the truncated cone body (30).

21. The container (10) for nursery plants comprising a base (20) which defines the bottom of the container (10), a truncated cone body (30) which extends upwards from said base (20), and a strip gripping portion (40) connected to the upper edge (32) of the truncated cone body (30), wherein said truncated cone body (30) comprises a plurality of longitudinal ribbings (34) which extend radially towards the inside of the container (10) from the inner wall (PI) of said truncated cone body (30), wherein the base (20) and the truncated cone body (30) are shaped so as to define a plurality of feet (70) having a width between 1 and 10 cm and an external height greater than 30 mm, wherein the base (20) consists of an inner disk portion (22) which is concentric to an outer circular crown portion (24), wherein said inner disk portion (22) and outer circular crown portion (24) are placed on two different parallel planes, and wherein said inner disk portion (22) has openings (60) for draining water, wherein the total surface of the openings (60) represents from 10 to 60% of the value of the total surface of said inner disk portion (22).

22. The container (10) for nursery plants comprising a base (20) which defines the bottom of the container (10), a truncated cone body (30) which extends upwards from said base (20), and a strip gripping portion (40) connected to the upper edge (32) of the truncated cone body (30), wherein said truncated cone body (30) comprises a plurality of longitudinal ribbings (34) which extend radially towards the inside of the container (10) from the inner wall (PI) of said truncated cone body (30), wherein the base (20) and the truncated cone body (30) are shaped so as to define a plurality of feet (70), wherein the base (20) consists of an inner disk portion (22) which is concentric to an outer circular crown portion (24), wherein said inner disk portion (22) and outer circular crown portion (24) are placed on two different parallel planes and connected to each other by means of a connection portion (23) which provides an inclined sliding wall, wherein said inner disk portion (22) has openings (60) for draining water and wherein said connection portion (23) also has openings (62) for draining water, wherein the total surface of the openings (62) represents from 15 to 55% of the value of the total surface of said connection portion (23).

23. The container (10) for nursery plants comprising a base (20) which defines the bottom of the container (10), a truncated cone body (30) which extends upwards from said base (20), and a strip gripping portion (40) connected to the upper edge (32) of the truncated cone body (30), wherein said truncated cone body (30) comprises a plurality of longitudinal ribbings (34) which extend radially towards the inside of the container (10) from the inner wall (PI) of said truncated cone body (30), wherein such longitudinal ribbings (34) are present in number from 0.1 to 8 ribbings per liter, and wherein the outer wall (PE) of said truncated cone body (30) substantially is a smooth flat wall, devoid of holes or side windows, so as to create a regular and uniform outer surface of the container (10).