WO2024091713A1 - Récipient pour bulbe de fleurs - Google Patents

Récipient pour bulbe de fleurs Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2024091713A1
WO2024091713A1 PCT/US2023/065765 US2023065765W WO2024091713A1 WO 2024091713 A1 WO2024091713 A1 WO 2024091713A1 US 2023065765 W US2023065765 W US 2023065765W WO 2024091713 A1 WO2024091713 A1 WO 2024091713A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
container
reservoir
sidewall
bowl
flower bulb
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2023/065765
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Joep Paternostre
Original Assignee
Bloomaker USA, Inc.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Bloomaker USA, Inc. filed Critical Bloomaker USA, Inc.
Publication of WO2024091713A1 publication Critical patent/WO2024091713A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
    • A01G—HORTICULTURE; CULTIVATION OF VEGETABLES, FLOWERS, RICE, FRUIT, VINES, HOPS OR SEAWEED; FORESTRY; WATERING
    • A01G9/00—Cultivation in receptacles, forcing-frames or greenhouses; Edging for beds, lawn or the like
    • A01G9/02—Receptacles, e.g. flower-pots or boxes; Glasses for cultivating flowers
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47G—HOUSEHOLD OR TABLE EQUIPMENT
    • A47G7/00—Flower holders or the like
    • A47G7/02—Devices for supporting flower-pots or cut flowers
    • A47G7/06—Flower vases
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
    • A01G—HORTICULTURE; CULTIVATION OF VEGETABLES, FLOWERS, RICE, FRUIT, VINES, HOPS OR SEAWEED; FORESTRY; WATERING
    • A01G22/00—Cultivation of specific crops or plants not otherwise provided for
    • A01G22/35—Bulbs; Alliums, e.g. onions or leeks

Definitions

  • the disclosure herein pertains to cultivating flower bulbs generally, and particularly pertains to a container for use in connection with stabilizing and cultivating a flower bulb.
  • Flower bulbs are typically grown in a container capable of supporting the bulb upright throughout the life of the bulb. Maintaining an upright orientation of the bulb is necessary to ensure the bulbs are growing healthy because the less a bulb needs to support itself upright, the more the bulb can focus its energy on growing larger and more colorful flowers.
  • containers are typically filled with a substrate material that surround the flower bulbs. In other situations, the flower bulbs are placed on a support device that is then placed into the container to support the flower bulbs in an upright orientation.
  • flower bulbs require a constant source of nutrients for healthy growth, so flower bulbs are often shipped in containers that have either a nutrient-rich substrate or a nutrient solution or both.
  • containers must support the bulb within the container, preferably in an upright orientation, and also must retain any nutrient-rich substrate or nutrient solution within the container, preferably below the bulb. This is a challenge for those who wish to ship hydroponic flower bulbs, because during transportation, these containers will be subjected to various unpredictable forces which may cause the nutrient-rich substrate, the nutrient solution, or both to spill from the container.
  • some hydroponic containers include lids to prevent the nutrient-rich substrate, nutrient solution, or both from cresting about the opening of the container and spilling out of the container. Because substrates located in the container, which may be nutrient rich or not, provide stability for the flower bulb, as substrate spills from within the container, the less stable the flower bulb will be and the more likely the flower bulb will tip over.
  • the present disclosure was conceived and one of its objectives is to provide a container for holding flower bulbs in an upright orientation, throughout the life of the plant.
  • the aforesaid and other objectives are realized by providing a container for retaining and supporting a flower bulb upright throughout growth.
  • the container includes a reservoir, a waist portion, and a bowl in fluid communication with each other.
  • the reservoir is formed by a bottom base with a first sidewall extending upwardly from a periphery of the base and forming an open end at the top of the reservoir.
  • the waist portion is formed by a narrow portion joining the open top end of the reservoir to the bottom opening end of the bowl.
  • the bowl is formed by a second sidewall extending upwardly from the open top of the waist portion such that the bowl is situated above the reservoir. The second sidewall terminates at a top surface of the bowl forming an angularly biased top opening.
  • the angularly biased top opening is defined by a rim formed having a shallow sidewall section and a steep sidewall section.
  • the top surface of the bowl may be planar or undulating forming one or more peaks and valleys.
  • an outer surface of the base defines a planar surface
  • the first sidewall is a curved convex sidewall forming a bulge geometry in the reservoir.
  • the open top end of the reservoir preferably defines the waist having a width narrower than the bulge geometry of the reservoir.
  • the waist of the container is configured to support a flower bulb above the reservoir and allow a portion (i.e., a root system) of the flower bulb to rest and propagate into the reservoir.
  • the waist of the container defines an opening dimension that is less than a top opening dimension of the angularly biased top opening of the bowl, such that the bowl can retain the flower bulb which will seat within the waist portion of the container and the flower bulb remains centrally positioned above the reservoir for optimal growth of the bulb’s root system.
  • Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of the flower bulb container.
  • FIG. 2 pictures a front view of the flower bulb container.
  • Fig. 3 depicts a back view of the flower bulb container.
  • Fig. 4 demonstrates a right-side view of the flower bulb container.
  • Fig. 5 illustrates a left-side view of the flower bulb container.
  • Fig. 6 features a top plan view of the flower bulb container.
  • Fig. 7 shows a bottom plan view of the flower bulb container.
  • Fig. 8 illustrates a cross-sectional right side view of the flower bulb container as seen along lines 8-8 of Fig. 2.
  • any references to advantages, benefits, unexpected results, or operability of the present disclosure are not intended as an affirmation that the disclosure has previously been reduced to practice or that any testing has been performed.
  • use of verbs in the past tense is not intended to indicate or imply that the disclosure has previously been reduced to practice or that any testing has been performed.
  • Figs. 1-8 depict a preferred embodiment of a flower bulb container 10 according to the present disclosure.
  • the flower bulb container 10 includes a reservoir 20, waist 30, and a bowl 40, all in fluid communication, preferably such that the bowl 40 is positioned above the reservoir 20.
  • the reservoir 20 may be defined by a bottom base 21 as seen in Fig. 7 forming a first sidewall 23 extending upwardly from an outer edge, or periphery 22 of the base 21 to form an open top end 24.
  • the waist 30 which joins reservoir 20 to bowl 40 may have a concave shape with an upper wider portion 31 , a central narrow portion 32, and a lower wider portion 33.
  • the lower wider portion 33 joins with the open top end 24 of reservoir 20 and the upper wider portion 31 joins with a bottom opening 41 of bowl 40.
  • the bowl 40 is formed by a second sidewall 43 extending above the open top end 24 of the reservoir 20 and terminating at a top surface 44 forming an angularly biased top opening 45.
  • the angularly biased top opening 45 is defined by a rim 46 having a shallow sidewall section 47 that terminates a distance lower than a steep sidewall section 48.
  • the bowl 40 is in fluid communication with the reservoir 20 via waist 30.
  • the waist 30 such as seen in Figs. 3 and 6 is preferably the component of the flower bulb container 10 having the narrowest width in comparison to the reservoir 20 and bowl 40.
  • the base 21 includes an inner base surface 25 and an outer base surface 26 and defines a closed end of the reservoir 20 as shown in Fig. 8. In other embodiments (not shown), the base 21 may define one or more apertures to allow nutrient solution to seep into or out of the reservoir 20 via the one or more apertures. As shown in the Figures, the base 21 may be formed having a circumferential edge or periphery 22, but as would be understood in alternative embodiments (not shown) the base 21 may be any shape and may include more than one outer edge.
  • the outer base or bottom surface 26 is preferably planar to allow the flower bulb container 10 to rest upright when the container 10 is placed on a flat surface (not shown).
  • the first sidewall is preferably planar to allow the flower bulb container 10 to rest upright when the container 10 is placed on a flat surface (not shown).
  • the first sidewall 23 curves outwardly from base 21 and extends upwardly and curves back inwardly proximate open top end 24 to form a waist 30 between the reservoir 20 and the bowl 40.
  • the waist 30 is preferably the narrowest portion of the container 10 defining an opening dimension 71 as seen in Fig. 8.
  • the waist 30 is configured (sized, shaped, and otherwise capable) to support a flower bulb (not shown) above the reservoir 20 such that a root system (not shown) of the flower bulb may rest and propagate into the reservoir 20 without the flower bulb falling into the reservoir 20.
  • the base 21 and the waist 30 are separated a distance of approximately 2.47 inches (+/- 0.5 inches).
  • the distance between the base 21 and the waist 30 may be more or less than 2.47 inches, depending on the desired volume of the reservoir 20.
  • the first sidewall 23 is integrally formed from the outer edge, or periphery 22 of the base 21 and defines a first sidewall inner surface 27 and a first sidewall outer surface 28 as best seen in Fig. 8.
  • the first sidewall 23 defines the size and volume of the reservoir 20.
  • the first sidewall 23 is convex forming a bulge geometry in the reservoir 20, such that the bulge geometry is wider than the base 21 and the waist 30, as demonstrated by bulge geometry width 12 in Fig. 5.
  • the first sidewall 23 is not convex, and the reservoir 20 does not include the bulge geometry.
  • a flower bulb container 10 having a bulge geometry will form a reservoir 20 with a larger volume, whereas a flower bulb container 10 having a narrower bulge geometry, or no bulge geometry, will form a reservoir 20 defining a smaller volume.
  • the necessary volume of the reservoir 20 depends on the size of a flower bulb to be placed in the bowl 40, the size of the root system of the selected flower bulb, and the amount of substrate and/or nutrient solution (not shown) necessary to support the flower bulb to ensure healthy growth.
  • the first sidewall 23 is convex and has a radius of approximately 1.90 inches (+/- 0.25 inches).
  • the reservoir 20 is configured to retain a nutrient solution, substrate, and the root system of a flower bulb.
  • the reservoir 20 defines the maximum volume of substrate and/or nutrient solution that can be retained within the reservoir 20.
  • the open top end 24 of the reservoir 20 is preferably configured (sized, shaped, and otherwise capable) to prevent the contents retained within the reservoir 20 from cresting above and spilling out of the reservoir 20.
  • the waist 30 will inhibit the substrate and/or nutrient solution from cresting above the open top end 24 of the reservoir 20.
  • the open top end 24 of the reservoir 20 is substantially plugged, further inhibiting the substrate and/or nutrient solution from spilling out of the reservoir 20.
  • the waist 30 is configured (sized, shaped, and otherwise capable of) to support a flower bulb (not shown) above the reservoir 20 while allowing a root system (not shown) of the flower bulb to rest and propagate in the reservoir 20.
  • the waist 30 is preferably the narrowest portion of the container 10 and defines the open top end 24 of the reservoir 20 which is configured to receive the root system of the flower bulb.
  • the bowl 40 is formed of the second sidewall 43 extending upwardly from a bottom opening 41 and terminates at a top surface
  • the second sidewall 43 defines a second sidewall inner surface 49 and a second sidewall outer surface 50 as seen in Fig. 8.
  • the second sidewall 43 defines the size and volume of the bowl 40.
  • the second sidewall 43 is convex forming a bulge geometry in the bowl 40, such that the bulge geometry is wider than the base 21 and the waist 30, as demonstrated by bulge geometry width 14 seen in Fig. 5.
  • the second sidewall 43 is not convex, and the bowl 40 does not include the bulge geometry.
  • a flower bulb container 10 having a bulge geometry will form a bowl 40 with a larger volume, whereas a flower bulb container 10 having a narrower bulge geometry, or no bulge geometry, will form a bowl 40 defining a smaller volume.
  • the angularly biased top opening 45 defines a top opening dimension 70 configured (sized, shaped, and otherwise capable) to receive a flower bulb (not shown) having similar dimensions.
  • the top opening dimension 70 of angularly biased top opening 45 is larger than both the opening dimension 71 of waist 30 and the opening dimension 72 of the open top end 24 of the reservoir 20 to enable a flower bulb to be placed in the bowl 40 without the flower bulb falling into the reservoir 20.
  • the flower bulb would seat within bowl 40 resting atop waist 30 such that the root system of the flower bulb would extend within reservoir 20.
  • the angularly biased top opening 45 and rim 46 allows for exposure of a portion of the flower bulb during placement, allowing a user to easily place a flower bulb within the bowl 40 of the container 10 and position the root system of the flower bulb through the waist 30 and into the reservoir 20.
  • top opening dimension 70 of bowl 40 defines a diameter between, and inclusive of approximately 1.50 inches to 5.00 inches (+/- 0.25 inches). In the preferred embodiment, the top opening dimension 70 defines a diameter of approximately 3.87 inches (+/- 0.50 inches).
  • the bowl 40 is configured to receive and support a flower bulb within the bowl 40 and the second sidewall 43 is configured (sized, shaped, and otherwise capable) to prevent the flower bulb from tipping over as a shoots portion (not shown) of the flower bulb grows vertically. Since the shoots portion of the flower bulb tends to lean in one direction, due to a phenomenon called differential growth, the flower bulb may be rotated within container 10 to lean away from the stimuli and towards the steep sidewall section 48 of the second sidewall 43 which will provide more support than the shallow sidewall section 47 of the second sidewall 43.
  • the slope 80 between the shallow sidewall section 47 and steep sidewall section 48 may vary depending on the flower bulb and structural support necessary to maintain the flower bulb upright.
  • the rim 46 may taper at a constant slope such that the top surface 44 of the bowl 40 is planar. In other embodiments, not shown, the rim 46 may not taper at a constant slope, rather slopes undulating between the steep sidewall section 48 and the shallow sidewall section 47.
  • the slope 80 between the shallow sidewall section 47 and steep sidewall section 48 of the second sidewall 43 may be between approximately ten degrees (10°) and seventy degrees (70°), and ideally may be between approximately twenty degrees (20°) and sixty degrees (60°). In the most preferred embodiment, as shown in the drawings, the slope 80 between the shallow sidewall section 47 and the steep sidewall section 48 is approximately forty- five degrees (45°).
  • Embodiments defining a steeper slope 80 may provide more support for the flower bulb compared to embodiments defining a more gradual slope 80, such as ten degrees (10°).
  • Embodiments defining more a more gradual slope 80, such as ten degrees (10°) may expose more bulb surface area which may be appealing for consumers.
  • the flower bulb container 10 may be manufactured of any material and most preferably of plastic, glass, metal, or any other similarly manufactured material.
  • the container 10 is preferably manufactured as a unitary body to enhance aesthetics, increase the integrity, and reduce the cost of manufacturing of the container. It shall be understood that components and
  • first and second sidewalls 23, 43 define a thickness of approximately 0.10 inches, but in other embodiments the first and second sidewalls 23, 43 define a thickness larger than 0.10 inches.

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  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Environmental Sciences (AREA)
  • Cultivation Receptacles Or Flower-Pots, Or Pots For Seedlings (AREA)

Abstract

Un récipient pour maintenir un bulbe de fleur droit et empêcher un bulbe de fleur de basculer au fur et à mesure que la partie de pousse du bulbe de fleur croît verticalement. Le récipient comprend un réservoir pour maintenir un substrat et/ou une solution nutritive et une cuve située au-dessus du réservoir. La cuve et le réservoir sont en communication fluidique par l'intermédiaire d'une extrémité ouverte du réservoir. Le réservoir est formé par une première paroi latérale s'étendant à partir d'une périphérie d'une base du réservoir et forme une extrémité ouverte au niveau de la partie supérieure et une extrémité fermée au fond du réservoir. La cuve est formée d'une seconde paroi latérale s'étendant à partir de l'extrémité ouverte du réservoir et se termine au niveau d'une surface supérieure formant un rebord ayant une section peu profonde et une section raide. La section peu profonde et la section raide du rebord forment une pente entre dix et soixante degrés.
PCT/US2023/065765 2022-10-28 2023-04-14 Récipient pour bulbe de fleurs WO2024091713A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US202218050820A 2022-10-28 2022-10-28
US18/050,820 2022-10-28

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2024091713A1 true WO2024091713A1 (fr) 2024-05-02

Family

ID=90831723

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US2023/065765 WO2024091713A1 (fr) 2022-10-28 2023-04-14 Récipient pour bulbe de fleurs

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WO (1) WO2024091713A1 (fr)

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1545640A (en) * 1923-06-02 1925-07-14 Dentraygues Leon Growing-plant receptacle
US2814910A (en) * 1954-01-04 1957-12-03 Ver Glasfab Packing case for a bulb glass
US4926584A (en) * 1987-03-31 1990-05-22 Hiroshi Horibata Apparatus for hydroponic farming
US20030097790A1 (en) * 2001-11-27 2003-05-29 Ronald Vahrmeyer Container for cut flowers
US20060242897A1 (en) * 2005-05-02 2006-11-02 Paternostre Lilian System and method for displaying and marketing indoor flower bulbs
US20210353078A1 (en) * 2020-05-15 2021-11-18 C.I. Toyota Tsusho de Colombia S.A. Plant transportation system

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1545640A (en) * 1923-06-02 1925-07-14 Dentraygues Leon Growing-plant receptacle
US2814910A (en) * 1954-01-04 1957-12-03 Ver Glasfab Packing case for a bulb glass
US4926584A (en) * 1987-03-31 1990-05-22 Hiroshi Horibata Apparatus for hydroponic farming
US20030097790A1 (en) * 2001-11-27 2003-05-29 Ronald Vahrmeyer Container for cut flowers
US20060242897A1 (en) * 2005-05-02 2006-11-02 Paternostre Lilian System and method for displaying and marketing indoor flower bulbs
US20210353078A1 (en) * 2020-05-15 2021-11-18 C.I. Toyota Tsusho de Colombia S.A. Plant transportation system

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
ANONYMOUS: "Sweetest Most Charming Little Hand Painted China Ruffled Vase Blue Forget Me Knot Flowers Miniature Bud Vase Artist Signed Ethel Dated 1973", ETSY, 13 July 2023 (2023-07-13), XP093168389, Retrieved from the Internet <URL:https://www.etsy.com/listing/1508416888/sweetest-most-charming-little-hand?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=bulb+vase&ref=sr_gallery-42-47&frs=1&sts=1&organic_search_click=1> *

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