Potting table

Abstract

An apparatus for use in potting plants includes a tray upon which potting materials may be placed. The tray has a generally planar base portion with a peripheral edge. A support mechanism is secured relative to the upper surface of the tray and is rotatable about a rotation axis. A plate structure sized to support a plant receptacle is supported on the support mechanism for common rotation therewith. In one form of the invention, a rim extends upwardly from an upper surface around a majority of the edge so that a gap exists in the rim. In another form of the invention, the plate structure has a retaining element positioned to engage the support mechanism to resist radial displacement during rotation. The tray may include a handle. The rotational axis may be offset from the center of the tray to provide a work area for placing the potting materials.

Description

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention broadly concerns the care and maintenance of plants, especially household plants. More particularly, the present invention is directed to potting and repotting of household plants in their respective receptacles. The invention specifically concerns apparatus to facilitate the potting and repotting of plants.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Plants are appreciated for many reasons and it is understandable that people wish to remove them from their natural habitat in order to display and nurture them in a wide variety of locations. One common means of providing plant portability is to put the plants in pots or receptacles which can then be selectively placed in a home, office, floral nursery or outdoors. These receptacles can come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and materials. Oftentimes the receptacles can be quite large and bulky to handle.

To provide such portability the plant needs to be placed in the pot, along with the soil and possibly drainage gravel, fillers, watering lines and any other items. This typically involves locating a work surface for the pot and the required materials and then going through the process of inserting and positioning the soils, gravels, fillers, and plants within the pot.

This procedure has its problems. A first problem is that one does not always have a dedicated work area or table set aside for plant potting and so a kitchen table or other multi-use area is chosen for the task. The soils, water, gravels, and such can spill over onto the work area and floor creating a mess. Another problem stems from the fact that the pot can be heavy or large and thus hard to position and move to gain access to all regions of the pot's perimeter, whether for the plant potting or for decorating the pot with paint or attachments or for wrapping, etc. In these cases, one has to bend over the pot or reach around it to gain such access. This can be annoying and time consuming at the least and lead to back or shoulder injury at the worst. In addition, many pots are rough on their bottom surface and can scratch the surface they are placed upon or tear covers, such as newspaper or plastic sheet, used to protect the work surface.

Accordingly, there is a need to alleviate the aforementioned problems and make plant potting a simple and more enjoyable process. It would be desirable to have a portable, easily storable, work surface which can be placed on a table or countertop and which would contain or confine the potting materials and the subsequent mess that the task can produce. It would further be desirable to have a means of easily accessing the full perimeter of the pot by supporting it on a rotatable turntable. The present invention is directed to meeting these needs, among others.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a new apparatus and method that is useful in the potting of plants.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus that can support a plant receptacle and potting materials for a plant to be potted in the plant receptacle.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus that allows rotation of a receptacle for a plant such that potting and/or other planting materials can be distributed easily to all regions of the receptacle.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus that effectively protects a support surface to reduce the likelihood of damage from a plant receptacle, tools and/or potting materials during the potting or repotting of a plant.

Still a further object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus useful in the potting or repotting of a plant that is simple to use and easy to store when not in use.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus useful in the potting or repotting of a plant that is relatively inexpensive so as to be available for a large segment of the population.

According to the present invention, then, an apparatus is adapted to support a plant receptacle and potting materials for a plant to be potted in the plant receptacle. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a tray that is adapted to be placed on a support surface for supporting potting materials thereon. The tray includes a generally planar base portion having and upper surface, a lower surface and a peripheral edge. The tray also includes an upstanding rim portion extending upwardly from and around a majority of the peripheral edge of the base portion. This rim has a gap formed therein. A support mechanism is secured relative to the upper surface of the base portion of the tray and is rotatable about a rotational axis that is generally perpendicular to the base portion. A plate structure is then adapted to be supported on the support mechanism for common rotation therewith when in the supported state. The plate structure is sized and adapted to support a plant receptacle thereon for common rotation therewith such that the plant receptacle may be rotated relative to the tray. The support mechanism may have a rotational bearing and a platform that is affixed to the bearing for rotation therewith. This platform, in the disclosed embodiments, is in the form of a flat disk. Optional registrations marks helpful to align a plant receptacle on the plate structure may be provided.

In the disclosed embodiments, the base portion is generally polygonal in shape with the base portion and rim having common vertices. The gap is located, then, at one of the vertices. The tray may also include a tray handle that is disposed proximately to the rim portion. Further, the tray may be constructed of a material such as plastics, masonite and lexan. The rim portion may be formed of as an upturned extension of the base portion.

Further, in the disclosed embodiment, the base portion has a central axis that extends perpendicularly from the upper surface. The rotational axis of the support mechanism is generally parallel to and offset from the central axis. Here, the plate structure and the base portion are sized so that, when the plate structure is in the supported state, the upper surface of the base portion has an exposed working area that is sufficiently sized to allow access to potting material placed thereon.

The plate structure, in the disclosed embodiment, has a lower plate surface adapted to engage the support mechanism and an upper surface opposite the lower surface. Here, the plate structure is removably supported on the support mechanism. The plate structure may have a lip that extends upwardly from its upper surface with this lip surrounding the peripheral plate edge. This lip is formed and sized to allow the support plate to be inverted and placed over the support mechanism thereby to enclose the support mechanism for storage in a storage state. Means are provided for retaining the support plate in the stored plate. For example, this retaining means may be magnets or clips. Where magnets are provided, such magnets may also help retain the plate structure in the supported state.

The plate structure may also include a retaining element disposed on the lower surface and positioned to engage the support mechanism thereby to resist radial displacement of the plate structure relative to the rotational axis during rotation thereof. For example, these retaining elements may be in the form of posts adapted to nestably receive the platform of the support mechanism. Alternatively, the retaining element may be a circular ridge that can nestably receive the platform. Further, as noted above, the retaining elements can be one or magnets disposed on either platform of the support structure or the plate structure itself.

The present invention also contemplates a method for potting a plant. The method may include any of the steps inherent in the above-described structure. Broadly, however, the method includes the step of providing a tray that includes a rotatable support mechanism thereon. The method then includes the step of supporting a receptacle for a plant on the rotatable support mechanism and placing potting materials and tools onto a working area located on an upper surface of the tray. The method further includes the step of positioning a plant in the receptacle and transferring potting materials from the work area to the receptacle thereby to pot the plant in the receptacle.

These and other objects of the present invention will become more readily appreciated and understood from a consideration of the following detailed description of the exemplary embodiments when taken together with the accompanying drawings, in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention shown on a support surface and itself supporting potting materials, a tool and a plant in a receptacle;

FIG. 2 is an exploded side view in cross-section of the first embodiment of the present invention FIG. 1 with a plant receptacle thereon;

FIGS. 3(a) and 3(b) are side views in cross-section of the first embodiment of the present invention FIG. 1 respectively showing a receptacle in a supported state and with the apparatus in the stored state;

FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b) are plan views of the first embodiment of the present invention respectively showing the apparatus in a state ready to support a receptacle and with the apparatus in the stored state;

FIGS. 5(a) and 5(b) are enlarged side views in cross-section of the first embodiment of the present invention FIG. 1 respectively showing a receptacle in a supported state and with the apparatus in the stored state;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the tray shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a bottom plan view of the first embodiment of the plate structure;

FIG. 8 is a bottom plan view of the second embodiment of the plate structure;

FIG. 9 is an exploded, partial sectional view of a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a partial sectional view of a second embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention showing a receptacle in the supported state; and

FIG. 11 is a partial, sectional view of the second embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention in the stored state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

The present invention generally concerns a potting table which is portable and may be placed on an existing work surface such as a table or counter top. Furthermore, the present invention concerns a potting table which can support a plant receptacle, or pot, and which provides for a working area where soils and tools may be placed and contained during the potting process. In addition, the present invention concerns a plant receptacle support which can freely rotate with respect to the table and thus provide a convenient means for inserting plants and materials into the pot. The present invention also concerns a potting table which can be conveniently stored when not in use.

FIG. 1 shows a first exemplary embodiment of the apparatus 10 that is adapted to support a plant receptacle and potting materials for a plant to be potted in the plant receptacle. Here, apparatus 10 is illustrated resting on a support surface 12 such as a counter top, table top or the like, and is situated near an edge 13 thereof. Apparatus 10 includes a tray 22 and a plate structure 50 described more thoroughly below. A plant receptacle 16 with plant 14 potted therein is depicted in a supported state wherein receptacle 16 is rotatably supported on plate structure 50. Potting material 18 and tool 20 are shown in this figure resting on working area 44.

The structure of apparatus 10 may be more fully appreciated in reference to FIGS. 1, 2, 3(a), 3(b), 4(a) and 4(b). In these Figures, it may be seen that tray 22 is polygonal in shape. Here, specifically, tray 22 is rectangular so as to have four vertices 34 at the corners of a generally planar base portion 26. Although the tray 22 shown in this embodiment is rectangular in plan, one can appreciate that other planar shapes, such as a square, hexagon, or other polygon can be utilized. The tray 22 may be constructed of a variety of light yet relatively stiff materials including Masonite, Lexan, plastic and the like.

An upstanding rim portion 28 extends around a majority of the peripheral edge 29 of the base portion 26 of tray 22. The rim portion 28 is formed upwardly of the base portion 26 and is sized to provide a side wall in order to help retain the potting materials 18, water, tools 20, and any other items conventionally used in potting or repotting the plant 14 in work area 44 of apparatus 10. The rim portion 28 contains a gap 30 placed at one of the vertices 34 and is sized to allow any loose materials and liquids to drain off of the base portion 26 when the tray 22 is to be cleaned. Naturally, more than one gap 30 can be formed on the rim portion 28. A handle 24 having a hand-hold opening 25 is formed proximate to rim portion 28 and may be an extension of the rim portion 28 that projects generally parallel to the base portion 26. Handle 24 offers a convenient means for carrying the tray 22. In addition, tray 22, including base portion 26 and rim portion 28, may be formed as a one-piece, integral molded construction.

With reference now to FIGS. 2, 3(a) and 5(a), it may be seen that apparatus 10 includes a support mechanism 36 and a plate structure 50. The support mechanism 36 includes a bearing 38 and platform 40 and is intended to provide a means of supporting the plate structure 50 and to provide its free rotation with respect to the tray 22. The bearing 38 is any one of a variety of commercially available turntable bearings such as those found in “lazy susans.” As is known to the ordinary skilled artisan, these bearings are mechanisms which attach to two planar surfaces and provide a load-bearing support of one upon the other and allow a low-friction rotation of one with respect to the other.

Referring to FIG. 2 and 5(a), the bearing 38 is affixed by screws 72 to the base 26 of tray 22 and by screws 73 to platform 40. In this manner, the bearing 38 carries the loads placed upon the platform 40 and allows rotation of platform 40 and the associated load with respect to the tray 22 about rotational axis “R” that is generally perpendicular to the base 26. One skilled in the art can appreciate that means other than screws 72,73 are available for affixing the bearing 38 and platform 40 including adhesives, bolts and direct forming of the bearing 38 onto the tray 22 and platform 40 during manufacturing. The platform 40 is a circular disc with an upper platform surface 42 and a peripheral platform edge 43 and may be constructed of a variety of light yet relatively stiff materials including Masonite, Lexan, and plastics. The platform 40 also includes one or more magnets 66 mounted within the platform 40 and positioned to be flush with the platform surface 42.

Plate structure 50 fits upon the platform 40 of support mechanism 36 in two different states: in a supported state as shown in FIGS. 1, 3(a), 4(a) and 5(a) and in a stored state as shown in FIGS. 1, 3(b), 4(b) and 5(b). When in the supported state, the plate structure 50 is intended to hold a plant receptacle 16 (and any plant potted therein) for rotation about axis “R”. When in the stored state, the plate structure 50 is inverted and retained on tray 22 with support mechanism 36 enclosed thereby. To this end, the plate structure 50 is circular and dish-shaped in configuration. Also, as seen in FIGS. 5(a) and 5(b), base portion 51 of plate structure 50 has an upper surface 52 and a lower surface 54. A frusto-conical sidewall 53 extends upwardly from base portion 51 and terminates in an outwardly turned lip 56. Sidewall 53 provides a barrier to contain loose potting materials that may spill from the plant receptacle 16 during the potting process.

With reference to FIGS. 2, 4(b), 5(a), 5(b) and 7, the plate structure 50 may be seen to have an engagement element in the form of a circular ridge 60 located on the lower surface 54 to define a cavity 61 which nests with the platform 40 to secure the plate 50 from sliding with respect to the platform 40 while in use in the supported state. As shown in FIG. 4(a), the upper surface 52 of plate structure 50 has a series of concentric centering marks 64 inscribed or painted onto the surface 52 which act as a visual aid for centering the plant receptacle 16 onto the plate 50. These marks 64 can have radii chosen to match the base radii of conventional plant receptacles.

As mentioned, FIGS. 1, 3(b), 4(b) and 5(b) show the plate structure 50 in the stored state. In this stored state, the plate 50 is inverted and placed over the support mechanism 36 thereby enclosing it. The plate 50, along with sidewall 53, is sized and shaped such that the lip 56 contacts the tray base 26 and the upper surface 52 of plate 50 contacts the platform 40 when in the stored state. In this embodiment, the plate 50 is constructed of a ferro-magnetic material such as steel or iron. Thus, the magnets 66, mounted within the platform 40, magnetically retain the plate structure 50 onto the platform 40. These magnets 66 also contact the lower surface 54 of plate 50 when in the supported state and serve to aid in holding the plate 50 onto the platform 40.

The bearing 38 is located on the base 26 of tray 22 such that it provides a conveniently sized working area 44 on base 26. FIGS. 1, 2, 3(a), 3(b), 4(a) and 4(b) show this relationship. In FIGS. 2, 3(a), 3(b), 4(a) and 4(b) it is seen that tray 22 has a central axis “C” which extends perpendicular to the base 26. The bearing 38 is mounted such that its axis of rotation “R” is offset from axis “C” and is positioned close to the rim 28 of tray 10. Plate structure 50 is sized such that its lip 56 is positioned close to, but within the confines of, the rim portion 28 of tray 22. As also illustrated in the Figures, handle 24 of tray 22 is located on an edge of the rim portion 28 opposite of the location of rotational axis “R”.

As previously discussed, when in the supported state, the engagement element of plate structure 50 mates with the platform 40 of support mechanism 36. In the first exemplary embodiment, the engagement element is shaped as a concentric ridge 60 which forms a plate cavity 61 within which the platform 40 fits when the plate is in the supported state. The ridge 60 is sized and shaped such that the support surface 42 contacts the lower surface 54 of plate 50 and ridge 60 encloses the platform edge 43. In this manner, the plate 50 is secured from sliding with respect to the platform 40 while in use in the supported state.

A second embodiment of an apparatus for supporting a plant receptacle and potting materials for a plant is shown in FIGS. 8-11. This embodiment varies from the first exemplary embodiment in the engagement structure of the plate on the rotatable platform and in the retention of the plate in the stored state. With reference to these Figures, then, apparatus 110 includes a tray 122 and a plate structure 150. Tray 122 has a base portion 126 and an upstanding rim portion 128 similar to tray 22. A bearing 138 is fastened to base portion 126 by suitable screws so that support platform 140, and a supported receptacle 16 may rotate relative to tray 122. The engagement of the plate structure 150 onto support platform 140, when in the supported state, is accomplished by four posts 162 positioned concentrically around the lower surface 154 of plate structure 150 such that the posts 162 nestably capture the platform edge 143 of support platform 140 and center the plate structure 150 upon the support platform 140. This second embodiment also includes lock tabs 166, attached with screws 172 to the base portion 126, wherein the lock tabs 166 serve to releasably secure the plate structure 150 to the base 126 when in the stored state, as shown in FIG. 11. The lock tabs 166 are Z-shaped flexible, plastic tabs with a latch portion 168 which captures the lip 156 of the plate structure 150 and which can be pulled back with a digit of the hand to either insert the plate structure 150 in the stored position or to release it from the stored position. As indicated in FIG. 10, the lock tabs 166 are sized such that they do not interfere with the rotation of the plate structure 150 when in the supported state.

From the foregoing, it should also be appreciated that the present invention contemplates a method for potting a plant. This method may include any steps inherent in the above-described structures. Broadly, though, the method includes the step of providing a tray that includes a rotatable support mechanism thereon. The method then includes the steps of supporting a receptacle for a plant on the rotatable support mechanism and placing potting materials and tools onto a working area located on an upper surface of the tray. The method includes the steps of positioning a plant in the receptacle and transferring potting materials from the work area to the receptacle thereby to pot said plant in said receptacle.

Accordingly, the present invention has been described with some degree of particularity directed to the exemplary embodiments of the present invention. It should be appreciated, though, that the present invention is defined by the following claims constructed in light of the prior art so that modifications or changes may be made to the exemplary embodiments of the present invention without departing from the inventive concepts contained herein

Claims

1. Apparatus adapted to support a plant receptacle and potting materials for a plant to be potted in the plant receptacle, comprising: (A) a tray adapted to be placed on a support surface for supporting potting materials thereon and including (1) a generally planar base portion having an upper surface, a lower surface and a peripheral edge and (2) an upstanding rim portion extending upwardly from and around a majority of the peripheral edge of said base portion, said rim having a gap formed therein; (B) a support mechanism secured relative to the upper surface of said base portion and rotatable about a rotational axis that is generally perpendicular to said base portion; and (C) a plate structure adapted to be supported on the support mechanism for common rotation therewith when in a supported state, said plate structure sized and adapted to support a plant receptacle thereon for common rotation therewith whereby the plant receptacle may be rotated relative to said tray.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said base portion is generally polygonal in shape with said base portion and said rim portion having common vertices.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the gap is located at one of said vertices.

4. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said tray includes a tray handle disposed proximate to said rim portion.

5. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said tray is constructed of a material including plastics, masonite and lexan.

6. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said rim portion is formed as an upturned extension of said base portion.

7. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said base portion has a central axis extending perpendicularly from the upper surface thereof and wherein the rotational axis of said support mechanism being generally parallel to and offset from the central axis, said plate structure and base portion being sized such that, when said plate structure is in the supported state, the upper surface of said base portion has an exposed working area that is sufficiently sized to allow access to potting materials placed thereon.

8. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said plate structure has a lower plate surface adapted to engage said support mechanism and an upper surface opposite the lower surface, said plate structure being removably supported on said support mechanism.

9. Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said plate structure includes a lip extending upwardly of the upper surface and surrounding a peripheral plate edge.

10. Apparatus according to claim 9 wherein said lip is formed and sized to allow said support plate to be inverted and place over said support mechanism thereby to enclose said support mechanism for storage in a stored state.

11. Apparatus according to claim 10 including means for retaining said support plate in the stored state.

12. Apparatus according to claim 11 including at least one magnet disposed on one of said platform and said plate structure, said magnet operative to help retain said plate structure on said platform when in both the supported and stored states.

13. Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said plate structure includes a retaining element disposed on the lower surface and positioned to engage said support mechanism thereby to resist radial displacement of said plate structure relative to said rotational axis.

14. Apparatus according to claim 13 including a plurality of retaining elements in the form of posts adapted to nestably receive said platform.

15. Apparatus according to claim 13 wherein said retaining element is defined by at least one magnet disposed on one of said platform and said plate structure, said magnet operative to help retain said plate structure on said platform when in the supported state.

16. Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said support mechanism includes a platform affixed to said support mechanism and adapted to support said plate structure.

17. Apparatus according to claim 16 wherein said platform is formed as a flat disc.

18. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said plate structure including centering marks on an upper surface thereof.

19. Apparatus adapted to support a plant receptacle and potting materials for a plant to be potted in the plant receptacle, comprising: (A) a generally planar base having an upper surface and adapted to be placed on a support surface and to support potting materials thereon; (B) a support mechanism secured to said base and rotatable about a rotational axis that is generally perpendicular to said base; and (C) a plate structure having an upper surface and a lower surface and adapted to be removably supported on the support mechanism for common rotation therewith, said plate structure including at least one retaining element disposed on the lower surface thereof and positioned to engage said support mechanism thereby to define a supported state and to resist radial displacement of said plate structure relative to the rotational axis, the upper surface of said plate structure being sized and adapted to support a plant receptacle whereby the plant receptacle may be rotated relative to said base.

20. Apparatus according to claim 19 wherein said tray includes a tray handle disposed on an edge of said base portion.

21. Apparatus according to claim 19 wherein said support mechanism includes a platform affixed to said support mechanism and adapted to support said plate structure.

22. Apparatus according to claim 19 wherein said base has a central axis extending perpendicularly from the upper surface thereof and wherein the rotational axis of said support mechanism is generally parallel to and offset from the central axis, said plate structure and base being sized such that, when said plate structure is in the supported state, the upper surface of said base has an exposed working area that is sufficiently sized to allow access to potting materials placed thereon.

23. Apparatus according to claim 19 wherein said plate structure is generally configured as a circular dish including a lip extending upwardly and outwardly from a central dish portion.

24. Apparatus according to claim 22 wherein said lip is formed and sized to allow said support plate to be inverted and place over said support mechanism thereby to enclose said support mechanism for storage in a stored state.

25. Apparatus according to claim 24 including means for retaining said support plate in the stored state.

26. Apparatus according to claim 19 including a plurality of retaining elements in the form of posts adapted to nestably receive said platform.

27. Apparatus according to claim 19 wherein said retaining element is defined by at least one magnet disposed on one of said platform and said plate structure, said magnet operative to help retain said plate structure on said platform when in the supported state.

28. Apparatus adapted to support a plant receptacle and potting materials for a plant to be potted in the plant receptacle, comprising: (A) a generally planar base having a peripheral edge and adapted to be placed on a support surface, said planar base having a central axis extending perpendicularly from an upper surface thereof; (B) a support mechanism secured to said base and rotatable about a rotational axis that is generally parallel to and offset from the central axis of said base; and (C) a plate structure having an upper plate surface, a lower plate surface and a surrounding plate edge, said plate structure adapted to be supported on the support mechanism in a supported state for common rotation therewith and sized to support a plant receptacle thereon whereby the plant receptacle may be rotated relative to said base, said plate structure and said base being sized such that, when said plate structure is in the supported state, the upper surface of said base has an exposed working area that is sufficiently sized to allow access to potting materials placed thereon.

29. Apparatus according to claim 28 wherein said base is a tray including an upstanding rim extending upwardly from and around said peripheral edge, said rim having at least one gap formed therein.

30. Apparatus according to claim 29 wherein said tray is rectangular having vertices wherein said gap is formed at at least one of said vertices.

31. Apparatus according to claim 28 wherein said tray includes a tray handle affixed to said rim and located distal to said rotational axis.

32. Apparatus according to claim 28 wherein said support mechanism includes a bearing adapted to provide said rotation about said rotational axis and a platform affixed to said support mechanism and adapted to support said plate structure.

33. Apparatus according to claim 28 wherein said plate structure includes a lip extending upwardly and outwardly from a surrounding plate edge.

34. Apparatus according to claim 33 wherein said lip is formed and sized to allow said support plate to be inverted and place over said support mechanism thereby to enclose said support mechanism for storage in a stored state.

35. Apparatus according to claim 34 including means for retaining said support plate in the stored state.

36. A method for potting a plant comprising: (A) providing a tray that includes a rotatable support mechanism thereon; (B) supporting a receptacle for a plant on the rotatable support mechanism; (C) placing potting materials and tools onto a working area located on an upper surface of said tray; (D) positioning a plant in said receptacle; and (E) transferring potting materials from the work area to the receptacle thereby to pot said plant in said receptacle.