The present invention relates to a plant container that forms an attachable/detachable quarter section of a 360° stackable planting system layer. Said quarter section engaged and coupled with two identical quarter sections forms a 270° radially aligned Post or external corner mounted or stacked and mounted Planter. The quarter section engaged and coupled with one identical quarter section forms a 180° radially aligned wall mounted or stacked and mounted planter or singularly offers a plant container suited to mount within the confines of a 90° corner of two converging walls.
Various forms of plant pots are known for growing plants. Typical plant pots are either of generally cylindrical, frustoconical or rectangular prism form. Frustoconical type plant pots are advantageous over cylindrical or rectangular prism type pots in that they are often able to be located at least partially within each other for transport, storage and display, thereby realising considerable space savings. Generally, they cannot, however, be stacked on top of each other in any suitable manner for use.
Many pot plant enthusiasts like to arrange several pots in a generally vertical relationship for particular aesthetic appeal and saving of space. Such an arrangement currently typically depends on use of a separate stand to mount the pots or hanging of one pot from another with chains or the like.
Several attempts have been made to provide stackable plant pots. One such attempt is disclosed in Australian patent No.634522 in the name of Gromax Systems, Inc. This patent discloses a multiplicity of plant pots having an essentially square-shaped cross section. The plant pots can be stacked one on top of another by having each plant pot rotated approximately 450 about a common axis relative to an adjacent plant pot. The adjacent plant pots are seated one on top of the other, thereby requiring that the individual plant pots (Particularly those located towards the bottom) are particularly strong and rigid.
This arrangement provides only a very small useable area for growing plants, namely, the small corner portions which protrude beyond the pot immediately above. Also, this arrangement of plant pots is not adapted to be hung or suspended.
Australian patent No.586493, in the name of Stephen Fraknoi, also discloses an arrangement of stacked plant pots. Each pot is adapted to be seated upon a pot located immediately beneath it. In order to support the weight of a series of stacked pots, each individual pot must be particularly strong so that pots near the base of the arrangement are not squashed or deformed. Also, the particular design and construction of each individual pot is quite complex and it would be difficult and expensive to manufacture. This particular arrangement of plant pots is also not adapted to be hung or suspended.
European patent No.0 142 471, in the name of Werner Gerber, discloses a plant pot adapted to be stacked one on top of another. The plant pot of this disclosure is relatively flimsy and the stacking of three or more plant pots (especially if they contain soil) is likely to cause the lower pots in the arrangement to collapse or deform. The pots of this disclosure have connecting means comprising protruding tabs extending from an upper rim of each pot for insertion in a corresponding slot in a base of an adjoining pot. This arrangement for connecting adjacent pots is awkward for a user, given the relatively small sizes of the corresponding protrusions and slots. The arrangement also provides no added strength to the arrangement of pots. In all of the plant pots described above, the means for securing one pot on top of another is very flimsy and/or quite difficult to align. The weight imposed on a pot by a series of pots stacked above it can be substantial and can cause a degree of compression which may be sufficient to break the securing means and break or deform the lower pot(s). In the context of this specification the term “stackable” means able to be arranged on top of one another.
Australian Patent of John Keats Pat. No. 726469 discloses a stackable plant pot that singularly forms a layer of a stackable planting system that can be hung and his U.S. Pat. No. 7,730667 B2 discloses a similar plant pot that provides a self-watering feature and hydroponics application. Mr. Keats also discloses a wall mounted stackable plant pot PCT/AU2009/000847 that has a 180° radial alignment.
However none of the above stackable planting systems allow for the stackable planting system layers to become segmented and detachable to provide a plant pot container that can perform the tasks of all types of plant pots whether in its singular form or an attached plurality.
The present invention is directed to ameliorating the abovementioned. Restrictions and, in particular, to providing a corner wall plant pot that singularly can be mounted snuggly within the confines of a 90% corner of two converging walls forming a right angle, and by attaching an identical segment the container transforms into a wall planter with a 180° alignment, that may be stacked and mounted, an outward projecting corner wall planter or post mounted planter, an outward projecting corner wall planter or post mounted planter that may be also stacked, the same configuration may also be free standing offering a stackable planter with a 270° radial alignment and position flat against a wall and configurable to form a stackable planting system layer which is capable of holding plants and being simultaneously stacked on top of another substantially identically configured stackable planting system layer holding plants.
The invention is further intended to provide a stackable planting system layer which can be stacked with two or more other stackable planting system layers in a stable arrangement, such that the addition of several stackable planting system layers does not substantially adversely affect the shape of the lower pots in the stack or the stability of the stack. The invention is also directed to providing a plurality of attached segments forming a stackable planting system which in use can be suspended by a chain, cord or rod and or the whole system can be irrigated through a channel formed at the epicentre of the fully engaged and attached segments that form the stackable planting system layers.
The invention relates to a plant pot which, in use, is adapted to be attachable and detachable and may be stacked with one or more other similar configurations, wherein: each individual plant pot forms a section of either a coupled pair, trio or four identical attachable/detachable quarter sections to form a coupled layer of a stackable planting system and shall be known hereafter as quarter section plant pots or just quarter sections each having a base section, an outwardly projecting or lobed front wall/s and two side walls intersecting at a right angle all forming a cavity or container for the purpose of growing plants which in use the individual sections may be positioned singularly detached from each other and mounted snugly within a corner where two vertical surfaces intersect at an inward converging right angle, with the side walls of each said quarter section pot fashioned in such a manner as to alternatively allow two quarter section pots to interlock and bond securely together by any means suitable forming a whole larger plant container having an extended back wall, two outwardly projecting walls or lobed sections each with base sections and two upper cavities with a side wall of each coupled quarter section pot interconnecting forming a central partitioned wall of that union and in so doing converts the two corner wall mountable split quarter section pots into a whole flat backed wall planter configuration that can to be mounted and or stacked on the offset with other sections and coupled sections and jointly mounted within a 180° radial alignment onto any vertical surface.
The quarter sections may a further interlock with one of a coupled two quarter section pots allowing a formation that can be mounted and or stacked on the offset with other quarter sections and coupled quarter sections and either positioned free standing against a wall or jointly mounted onto a post or outward projecting right angled corner within a 270° radial alignment.
Two quarter sections coupled and interlocked forming the said flat backed wall planter configuration may further interlock back to back with an identically configured flat backed wall planter to form a 360° arrangement comprising 4 quarter sections resembling a single partitioned layer of a 4 lobed stackable plant pot and in fact can be stacked on the offset with any number of other identical configurations forming a free standing stackable planting system.
The quarter sections singularly detached can substantially nest within each other without interference to conserve storage and transport costs and may be promoted, marketed and sold singularly as a single corner wall planter or as an attachable/detachable add on pot to an already coupled system of multiple quarter section pots.
A preferred embodiment of said quarter section has a base section with drainage overflow holes passing through the base section side walls, an outwardly projecting or lobed front wall/s with an upper lip section and two side walls intersecting at a right angle all forming a cavity or container for the purpose of growing plants with each side wall supporting a series of outwardly extending tabs and tab receiving bays or cut outs adjacent to the pots upper edge fashioned to except a corresponding series of tabs and side wall tab receiving bays or cut outs in an interlocking manner of those of an identical quarter section pot of the preferred embodiment.
This preferred embodiment has an (A) side wall and a (B) side wall with (A) side wall tabs directed downwards (B) side wall tab receiving bays or cut outs directing upward or a combination of up and down on each side wall in a corresponding manner so as when (A) side wall tabs of one quarter section lock into (B) the tab receiving bays or cut outs of another quarter section and vice versa and when both side walls are forced in different directions upward or downward the two corresponding side walls of each quarter section interlock and form a secure bond adjacent to their upper edge.
The base of a preferred embodiment has an outwardly projecting or lobed front wall, two side walls and intersecting at a right angle and a recessed bottom wall that is fitted with a with a slide bolt action hooked locking mechanism passing through and held firmly in place by the bottom recessed wall with said locking mechanism fashioned with a pair of elongated hooked barbs and an opposing locking mechanism receiver formed to interlock with said hooked barbs allowing the slide bolt action hooked locking mechanism to engage with an opposing locking mechanism receiver located on the bottom wall adjacent to the bottom edge of side wall of an identical quarter section providing an extremely secure bond between both quarter section side walls top and bottom when all corresponding tabs, side wall tab receiving bays or cut outs and said locking mechanism/receiver are fully engaged.
In addition the recessed bottom wall of the said base section on the preferred embodiment is provided with a centrally located and further recessed channel extending from the front region of the recessed bottom wall back to the rear intersection of the side walls and running between the slide bolt action hooked locking mechanism adjacent to side and the corresponding locking mechanism receiver adjacent to side on the preferred embodiment of the quarter section, with said channel fashioned to saddle over and seat securely upon the upper edge of a quarter section or the upper edges of the engaged side walls of two quarter sections when positioning on the offset and producing a stacked formation of quarter sections The point of intersection of the side walls forming a right angle on a preferred embodiment of a quarter section is modified to form a profiled channel running from the top edge of the intersecting sidewalls down the entire spine of the said intersection to the base section which will enable the formation of a tube like passage when all four quarter sections of said plant pots are arranged and engaged into a 360° radial alignment allowing the user to pass an elongated body through or fixture within the formation when in the coupled and or stacked formation, and such elongated bodies may include chain, rope, rod, supports, irrigation tubing, irrigation equipment and/or any such device that will aid in the preservation and wellbeing of the plants contained within the plant pots.
The recessed base section can be fitted with a moisture retention device or water retention material which may incorporate any of the following: Super Absorbing Polymers, Perlite, Vermiculite, Zeolite, Coir, Sphagnum Moss, Sponge or any moisture retentive compound or mineral suitable for the task.
In another preferred embodiment the base section may form a water storage reservoir that is separated from a soil holding region by means of a separation plate or perforated grid with excess drainage holes located above the uppermost tidal line of the water reservoir.
The separation plate or perforated grid has downward formed perforated depressions that well down into the water reservoir extending the soil holding region within the perforated depressions and allowing water to enter the soil holding region but preventing the soil from entering the water reservoir region providing a self-watering effect on the soil holding region via the soils own capillary action on the fluid seepage through the perforations in these downward depressions.
In yet another preferred embodiment the water reservoir and separation plate are separate parts forming their own separate container and are removable from the quarter section pot giving the user the choice of a self-watering option or a free draining option.
A coupled and or stacked formation of said quarter section pots may be provided with a support means in the form of a drainage overflow tray or saucer positioned under the lowermost pots of a coupled and or stacked formation with said tray or saucer having a raised centrally located opening allowing said elongated bodies to pass through from below its bottom surface while being shielded from any excess drainage held within the saucer. The coupled and or Stacked formation may be further provided with a I and seats over and upon a water or solution catchment tank or its drainage or feeding channels to facilitate an integrated hydroponics or aquaponics system incorporating mains powered, rechargeable battery powered and or solar assisted powered parts e.g. pump, timer oxygenator etc. This water solution catchment tank or larger support means is a water storing plant growing container/s stand combination drainage tray modified to securely house and position a battery powered or assisted submersible pump or submersible pump with a perpetual movement or solar powered submersible pump within its reservoir area, comprising a bottom wall and a side wall/s and an opened cavity forming catchment tank that includes overflow drainage outlets passing through the said side wall/s at its upper region with both bottom and side walls supporting a water drainage tray spanning across its upper opening of its cavity and resting upon its upper edge, lip or step/s immediately above and adjacent to said side wall overflow drainage outlets and when in use provides a water storing self-reticulating watering system irrigating said supported plant growing container/s operating independently in any location without the requirement of mains power
Preferred forms of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings:
According to this invention there is provided a plant pot which, in use, is adapted to be attachable and detachable and may be stacked with one or more other similar configurations, wherein: each individual plant pot that forms a section of either a coupled pair
The quarter sections may further interlock with one or a coupled two quarter section pots allowing a formation that can be mounted and or stacked on the offset with other quarter sections and coupled quarter sections and either positioned free standing
Two quarter sections coupled and interlocked forming the said flat backed wall planter
The quarter sections singularly detached can substantially nest within each other
A preferred embodiment of said quarter section has a base section (1.) with drainage overflow holes passing through the base section side walls (6.)
This preferred embodiment has an (A)side wall (3A.) and a (B) side wall (3B.), with (A) side wall tabs directed downwards (B) side wall tab receiving bays or cut outs directing upward or a combination of up and down on each side wall in a corresponding manner so as when (A) side wall tabs of one quarter section lock into (B) the tab receiving bays or cut outs of another quarter section and vice versa and when both side walls are forced in different directions upward or downward the two corresponding side walls of each quarter section interlock and form a secure bond adjacent to their upper edge.(11.)
The base of a preferred embodiment (1.) has an outwardly projecting or lobed front wall, (12.) two side walls (3.A) and (3.B) intersecting at a right angle (8.)and a recessed bottom wall (13.) that is fitted with a with a slide bolt action hooked locking mechanism (14.) passing through and held firmly in place by the bottom recessed wall (15.) with said locking mechanism fashioned with a pair of elongated hooked barbs (16)
In addition the recessed bottom wall (13.) of the said base section (1.) on the preferred embodiment is provided with a centrally located and further recessed channel (19.) extending from the front region (12.) of the recessed bottom wall back to the rear intersection of the side walls (20.) and running between the slide bolt action hooked locking mechanism (14.) adjacent to side (3B) and the corresponding locking mechanism receiver adjacent to side (3A) on the preferred embodiment of the quarter section, with said channel fashioned to saddle over and seat securely upon the upper edge of a quarter section(21.) or the upper edges of the engaged side walls of two quarter sections (22.) when positioning on the offset and producing a stacked formation of quarter sections
The point of intersection of the side walls forming a right angle on a preferred embodiment of a quarter section is modified to form a quadrant profiled channel (23.) running from the top edge (21.) of the intersecting sidewalls (8.) down the entire spine of the said intersection to the base section which will enable the formation of a tube like passage (24.) when all four quarter sections of said plant pots are arranged and engaged into a 360° radial alignment allowing the user to pass an elongated body through or fixture within the formation when in the coupled and or stacked formation, and such elongated bodies may include chain, rope, rod, supports, irrigation tubing, irrigation equipment and/or any such device that will aid in the preservation and wellbeing of the plants contained within the plant pots.
The internal recessed base section (1.) can be fitted with a moisture retention device or water retention material which may incorporate any of the following: Super Absorbing Polymers, Perlite, Vermiculite, Zeolite, Coir, Sphagnum Moss, Sponge or any moisture retentive compound or mineral suitable for the task.
An alternative Pot embodiment
The base section of this altered pot embodiment is reconfigured to allow a different seating connection when the quarter section pots are grouped and in the stacked formation whereas; the centrally located and further recessed channel extending from the front region of the recessed bottom wall back referred to in claim 9
The same embodiment with side walls (3A) and (3B) shown in
In said embodiment
The separation plate or perforated grid has downward formed perforated depressions (42) that well down into the water reservoir extending the soil holding region within the perforated depressions and allowing water to enter the soil holding region but preventing the soil from entering the water reservoir region providing a self-watering effect on the soil holding region via the soils own capillary action on the fluid seepage through the perforations (43) in these downward depressions.
In yet another embodiment the water reservoir and separation plate are separate parts forming their own separate container
A coupled and or stacked formation of said quarter section pots may be provide with a support means in the form of a drainage overflow tray (25)
This water solution catchment tank or larger support means is a water storing plant growing container/s stand combination drainage tray modified to securely house and position a battery powered or assisted submersible pump or submersible pump with a perpetual movement or solar powered submersible pump within its reservoir area, comprising a bottom wall (27.) and a side wall/s (28.) and an opened cavity forming catchment tank that includes overflow drainage outlets passing through the said side wall/s at its upper region with both bottom and side walls supporting a water drainage tray (29.) spanning across its upper opening of its cavity and resting upon its upper edge, lip or step/s immediately above and adjacent to said side wall overflow drainage outlets and when in use provides a water storing self-reticulating watering system irrigating said supported plant growing container/s and may operate independently in any location without the requirement of mains power.
An embodiment of alternative water solution catchment tank or larger support means configured to support singular, grouped, stackable or vertical planting system containers has a tray
In another embodiment there is a centrally channelling drainage tray which has an orifice passing through its epicentre (41) in open communication with the tanks inner catchment area (40)
Various features and advantages of the invention are set forth in the following claims:
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
2014900216 | Jan 2014 | AU | national |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/IB2015/000746 | 1/21/2015 | WO | 00 |