The invention is in the field of potting accessories. More particularly, the invention is a base plate adapted for insertion into the interior of an empty flowerpot. In use, the plate is placed atop the interior surface of the bottom of the pot and is then covered with soil. A semi-enclosed area beneath the plate's top surface will then function to enable proper drainage and aeration of the soil within the pot.
The design of the plate allows it to be used in most conventional pots, irrespective of the existence or location of any drain holes. The plate can be used in any pot that has a maximum interior diameter/width equal to, or greater than, the maximum diameter/width of the plate.
There are a number of different types of receptacles that may be used for holding a growing plant. Examples of such receptacles include window boxes, square or rectangular planters, and frusto-conical and cylindrical flowerpots.
Most plant receptacles will typically feature one or more drain holes to enable water to drain from the soil contained within the receptacle. The drain hole(s) also function to provide a flow path for air into, or out of, the bottom of the receptacle. To effectively achieve these functions, the drain hole(s) must be located in, or proximate, the bottom of the receptacle.
A significant problem experienced with the above-described prior art plant receptacles results from the manner in which the drain hole(s) are covered. Prior to filling the receptacle with soil, it is a common practice to place pot shards or stones within the receptacle to partially cover the drain hole(s). These objects function to prevent the soil within the receptacle from escaping via the hole(s). However, if a drain hole is excessively covered, the roots will rot due to insufficient drainage and aeration. If too little of a drain hole is covered, a significant amount of soil may escape from the receptacle.
In an effort to overcome the above-noted problem, it is known in the art to employ a specially-designed plant receptacle system. The system includes a unique plant receptacle and a shaped plastic plate. The plate fits within the receptacle and sits above the receptacle's drain hole. The plate features a plurality of downwardly-extending support legs that are received within complementary sockets in the receptacle's bottom surface. When the receptacle is filled with soil and a user applies water to the surface of the soil, perforations in the plate's top surface allow the water to flow through the plate. The water can then exit the receptacle via the receptacle's drain hole. The plate's perforations are of a small enough size to substantially prevent the flow of soil through the plate.
One important aspect of the above-described system is that the plate's diameter must exactly match the inner diameter of the receptacle, as measured at a point just above the receptacle's bottom surface. If a tight fit is lacking, the soil will flow past the perimeter of the top of plate, travel beneath the plate, and then escape the receptacle via the drain hole. This effectively prevents the use of the plate in any conventional plant receptacle where there would be a gap between the receptacle's sidewall and the perimeter of the plate.
While most plant receptacles having one or more drain holes, this is not the case for plant receptacles that are “self-watering.” A self-watering plant receptacle has no drain holes and instead features a dedicated liquid reservoir and a wick structure that functions to deliver the water from the reservoir into the soil above the reservoir. The advantage of a self-watering receptacle is that frequent watering of the plant is not required. Once a user fills the reservoir, the receptacle will maintain the soil in a moist state for an extended period of time. However, this type of receptacle can be quite expensive and may therefore not be readily available and/or practical.
The invention is an aerating base plate for a plant receptacle. The design of the plate allows it to be used in any conventional plant receptacle that has a maximum inner diameter/width equal to, or greater than, the maximum outer diameter/width of the plate. In the preferred manner of use, the plate is positioned in the bottom of the plant receptacle.
The plate is preferably circular in shape and has a convex top portion that includes a large number of perforations. The perforations extend completely through the top portion. Preferably, located amidst the perforations, are a number of elongated openings that also extend completely through the top portion. The perforations, as well as the elongated openings, are sized to permit the flow of liquid and air through the plate, while substantially preventing any flow of soil.
The plate also includes a sidewall that extends downwardly, preferably at an outward angle, from the perimeter of the plate's top portion. The sidewall is preferably relatively thin and has a height of about one to three inches. At intervals along the length of the sidewall are narrow thru-openings that provide access to the area within the plate. Each opening is formed in the bottom edge of the sidewall, and is sized to permit the flow of liquid and air while substantially blocking any flow of soil. In the preferred embodiment, the openings are grouped in sets of three, and the sets are regularly spaced along the length of the sidewall.
The sidewall functions to elevate the plate's top portion above the bottom surface of the receptacle. As a result, a drainage and ventilation area is created within the plant receptacle beneath the top portion of the plate. The narrow openings in the sidewall allow water to flow between the drainage and ventilation area and any soil that is located between the plate's sidewall and the inner surface of the receptacle's sidewall. Instead of a large volume of water collecting in the soil, the water will collect in the drainage and ventilation area. In pots that have one or more drain holes, the water can then exit said area by flowing or evaporating out of the receptacle via the receptacle's drain hole(s). In a plant receptacle that does not have any drain holes, use of the plate will create a combination drainage/ventilation area and fluid reservoir in the bottom of the receptacle. The soil located adjacent the plate's sidewall will act to wick the water upwardly into the soil above the plate.
The large volume of air in the drainage and ventilation area created by the plate facilitates upward aeration of the soil within the receptacle. In pots that feature one or more drain holes, this functionality is enhanced since a flow path for air is created between the drain hole(s) and the drainage and ventilation area located beneath the top of the plate. In the preferred manner of use, the maximum height of the plate will be greater than the height of any drip pan or saucer into which the receptacle is placed. This will result in there always being an air pocket within the plate's drainage and ventilation area. This air pocket will prevent, or at least minimize, any damage to the plant's roots that would result from overwatering of the plant.
Therefore, in plant receptacles having one or more drain holes, the base plate avoids or minimizes the need to partially block the receptacle's drain hole(s) with pot shards or stones. In a receptacle without drain holes, use of the base plate can enable a self-watering functionality for the receptacle whereby a fluid reservoir, substantially isolated from the plant's roots, is created within the receptacle. As a result, the base plate, in accordance with the invention, can be employed in most types of plant receptacles to provide improved drainage and ventilation at a low cost.
Referring now to the drawings in greater detail, wherein like numbers refer to like parts throughout the several figures, there is shown by the numeral 1 an aerating base plate in accordance with the invention.
The plate 1 is preferably circular in shape. The plate may alternatively be of any other shape, including square, rectangular, oval, etc. The plate includes a top portion 2 and a circular sidewall 4. In the preferred embodiment, the plate is about three to sixteen inches in diameter and is made of a plastic material, such as PVC, PETG, polyurethane, or styrofoam. When a material such as PVC is used, the thickness of the plate's top portion and sidewall would be approximately one-eighth to one-quarter of an inch. Alternatively, the plate can be made of other materials, including ceramic or metal. While a rigid material is preferred, a semi-flexible material can also be employed.
The plate's top portion 2 is preferably convex and includes a number of perforations in the form of circular openings 6 that extend completely through said portion. Each of the openings 6 is preferably one-eighth to one-quarter of an inch in diameter.
Also located in the plate's top portion 2 are a number of elongated openings 10. These openings extend completely through portion 2. In the preferred embodiment, each of the openings 10 has a length of about one to two inches and a width of about one-sixteenth to one-quarter of an inch.
To separate the plate into discrete areas, to break up the soil, to add strength, and to help direct water flow, a number of ribs 12 are employed. The ribs extend upwardly from the top surface 14 of the plate's top portion 2. Each rib has a height of approximately one-quarter of an inch and a length that is equal to, or slightly less than, the radius of the top portion 2. It should be noted that the ribs are optional, and while six ribs are shown, a fewer or greater number of ribs may be employed.
The plate's sidewall 4 extends downwardly, at an outward angle, from the perimeter of the top portion 2. In the preferred embodiment, the sidewall's height, the distance from the sidewall's bottom edge 16 to the top of the sidewall, is preferably in the range of approximately three-quarters of an inch to three inches.
A number of flow channels, in the form of openings 18, are spaced along the length of the sidewall. Each opening is preferably in the shape of a rectangular slot, and has a width of approximately one-eight to one-quarter of an inch and a height of approximately one-quarter of an inch to one inch. Other shapes and/or sizes of openings may alternatively be employed, as long as the openings 18 are sufficiently narrow to prevent the passage of a substantial amount of soil when the plate is in use.
As shown, the openings 18 are grouped in sets of three. The sets of openings are equidistantly spaced along the length of the sidewall. Since each opening is relatively narrow in order to substantially prevent the passage of soil, there is the possibility that at least one of the openings could become clogged by a stone or by a piece of plant matter. Having sets of multiple openings negates this problem since the redundancy of openings in each area enables adequate drainage even if one or two of the openings in each set becomes clogged. While four sets of openings 18 are shown, a greater or fewer number of sets of openings 18 may be employed. Preferably, there is one set of openings for each approximately four linear inches of sidewall. It should be noted that while sets of openings 18 are preferred, non-grouped openings 18 may also be employed.
The basic function of each flow channel/opening 18 is to provide a flow path for air and/or water into, or out of, a drainage and ventilation area 20 located within the plate 1. The top portion 2 of the plate forms the top boundary for area 20, while the plate's sidewall 4 provides a side boundary for the area. When the plate is installed in a plant receptacle, the bottom boundary of area 20 is formed by the upper surface of the bottom of said receptacle.
A hollow, perforated watering spike 34 is shown inserted in the soil to enhance the aeration of the soil and to facilitate watering of the plant. A full description of the spike may be found in U.S. Pat. No. 5,692,338. The spike is optional, but in conjunction with the base plate 1, creates an improved potting system that may be employed in almost any conventional plant receptacle.
The receptacle 24 features a center-located drain hole 36. When a person waters the plant, the water will travel downwardly through the soil 30. When the water reaches the top portion 2 of the base plate 1, it will pass through said top portion via the openings 6 and 10. Any water located adjacent the plate's sidewall 4 will enter the interior area 20 of the plate by passing through one or more of the openings 18, as shown by the arrows in the figure. Once any water is within area 20, it can then exit the plant receptacle via the drain hole 36. At the same time, ambient air can ventilate/aerate the soil by traveling upwardly through the drain hole, through the area 20 within the plate 1, and then into the soil via the openings 6, 10 and 18. Air can also travel downwardly through the soil, following the same flow path as previously described for water drainage. It should be noted that in this figure, the maximum width/diameter of the plate is approximately equal to the maximum width/diameter of the receptacle's interior area in the area adjacent the plate. Alternatively, but not shown, the same plate 1 could be employed in a bigger receptacle of the same type, whereby a larger gap would exist between the plate's sidewall and the receptacle's sidewall.
A plurality of drain holes 48 are located in the receptacle's base 44. It should be noted that in this figure, the maximum width/diameter of the plate is less than the maximum width/diameter of the receptacle's interior area in the area adjacent the plate. Alternatively, but not shown, the same plate 1 could be employed in a smaller receptacle of the same type, whereby a gap may not exist between edge 16 of the plate's sidewall and the receptacle's sidewall.
As in the previous embodiment, when a person waters the plant located within the receptacle 42, the water will initially travel through the soil. The water located atop the top portion of the plate 1 will pass through the openings 6 and 10 in the plate's top portion, enter the area 20 within the plate, and then exit the receptacle via the drain holes 48. Any water in the soil adjacent the base plate's sidewall 4 can enter area 20 via one or more of the openings 18, and then exit the receptacle via the drain holes 48.
The aeration/ventilation of the soil within the plant receptacle 42 can follow the same path, or a reverse path, as previously described for the water drainage. For example, the air can enter the pot via the drain holes 48, and then flow into the soil by flowing through the openings 6, 10 and 18.
A plurality of drain holes 58 are located in the receptacle's sidewall 60. It should be noted that in this figure, the maximum width/diameter of the plate is less than the maximum width/diameter of the receptacle's interior area in the area adjacent the plate. Alternatively, but not shown, the same plate 1 could be employed in a smaller receptacle of the same type, whereby a gap may not exist between the edge 16 of the plate's sidewall and the receptacle's sidewall.
As in the previous embodiment, when a person waters the plant located within the receptacle 52, the water will initially travel downwardly through the soil. The water located atop the top portion of the plate 1 will pass through the openings 6 and 10 in the plate's top portion and enter the area 20 within the plate. The water will then flow out of the area 20 via the openings 18, pass through the soil located adjacent the plate's sidewall, and then exit the receptacle via the drain holes 58. Any water that flows directly into the soil located adjacent the base plate's sidewall 4 can also exit the receptacle via the drain holes 58.
The aeration/ventilation of the soil within the plant receptacle 52 can follow the same path, or a reverse path, as previously described for the water drainage. For example, the air can enter the pot via the drain holes 58 and then flow into the soil by flowing directly upwardly through the soil located adjacent the plate's sidewall. The air can also enter the area 20 via the openings 18 and then flow upwardly into the soil via openings 6 and 10. It should be noted in this embodiment that while the plate 1 does not overlie the drain holes, its proximity to the drain holes will help to minimize the flow of soil out of the drain holes.
It should be noted that in this figure, the maximum width/diameter of the plate is less than the maximum width/diameter of the receptacle's interior area in the area adjacent the plate. Alternatively, but not shown, the same plate 1 could be employed in a smaller receptacle of the same type, whereby a gap may not exist between the edge 16 of the plate's sidewall and the receptacle's sidewall.
In this embodiment, the receptacle does not include any drain holes in its sidewall or base. As a result, any water that is applied to the top of the soil, or into the water spike, will flow downwardly through the soil and collect in the bottom of the receptacle. The water located atop the top portion of the plate 1 will pass through the openings 6 and 10 in the plate's top portion and enter the area 20 within the plate. The figure shows the water attaining a level 70. One should note that the majority of the liquid is located in area 20. Even though there is a gap between the sidewall of the plate 1 and the sidewall of the pot, only a relatively small amount of soil will be located in said gap. In this manner, the amount of soil in continuous contact with the pool of liquid is minimized. The soil in the gap will function to wick the water upwardly into the soil above the liquid level 70.
The aeration/ventilation of the soil within the plant receptacle 64 can follow the same path, or a reverse path, as previously described for the water drainage. In most instances, the area 20 will not be completely filled with liquid. In this manner, some air will be located within the area 20 and act to aerate the soil above the plate.
The preferred embodiment of the invention disclosed herein has been discussed for the purpose of familiarizing the reader with the novel aspects of the invention. Although a preferred embodiment of the invention has been shown and described, many changes, modifications and substitutions may be made by one having ordinary skill in the art without necessarily departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as described in the following claims.
This application is a Continuation of patent application Ser. No. 09/591,282 that was filed on Jun. 09, 2000, now abandoned.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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20020174599 A1 | Nov 2002 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 09591282 | Jun 2000 | US |
Child | 10193027 | US |