NL2015930B1 - A pot and a method. - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a pot for containing plant or flower substrate material. The pot comprises a bottom and a sidewall extending upwardly from a bottom rim to a top rim. The sidewall comprises a chain of sidewall portions that are interconnected via intermediate hinges running from the bottom rim top the top rim along a hinge edge of the sidewall portions, such that that the sidewall portions are mutually pivotable around a pivot axis coinciding with an intermediate hinge from an open state of the pot wherein free ends of the sidewall portions chain are mutually remote, towards a closed state of the pot wherein the free ends of the sidewall portions chain meet each other.

Description

Title: A pot and a method

The invention relates to a pot for containing plant or flower substrate material, comprising a bottom and a sidewall extending upwardly from a bottom rim to a top rim.

Pots for containing plant or flower substrate material are generally known. A plant that has been cultivated in substrate material is inserted in a pot having a similar size and dimension as the substrate material, usually a cylindrical plug, to facilitate easy handling in a process of trading the plants.

When using such pots for holding specific plants, e.g. an orchid, it appears in practice that the root structure of the plant may continue growing, outside the plug. Then, aerial root portions may develop, growing in different directions including a direction downwardly towards the bottom section of the pot. Aerial root portions may exert an upwardly oriented force on the substrate material causing the plug to move upwardly so that a void layer is created between the bottom section of the pot and the bottom of the plug. After some time, the top of the plug may extend above the upper rim of the sidewall. The plant then loses esthetic value. In some cases, the plug even falls outside the pot, due to the upward forces caused by the growing aerial root portions. Then, the plant is not useful anymore for commercial purposes.

It is an object of the invention to provide an improved pot for containing plant or flower substrate material, wherein loss due to aerial root portions of the plant is counteracted. Thereto, according to an aspect of the invention, the sidewall comprises a chain of sidewall portions that are interconnected via intermediate hinges running from the bottom rim top the top rim along a hinge edge of the sidewall portions, such that that the sidewall portions are mutually pivotable around a pivot axis coinciding with an intermediate hinge from an open state of the pot wherein free ends of the sidewall portions chain are mutually remote, towards a closed state of the pot wherein the free ends of the sidewall portions chain meet each other.

By providing a multiple number of curved sidewall portions that are mutually pivotable defining an open state and a closed state of the pot, the substrate material can advantageously be brought in the chamber of the pot from a lateral direction, thereby minimizing any damage that may occur during insertion of the substrate material and plant or flower material in the pot, while, on the other hand, enabling an improved fixation of the substrate material in the pot.

Preferably, the sidewall comprises two curved portions interconnected via a hinge running from the bottom rim to the top rim along a hinge edge of the sidewall portions, such that the sidewall portions are mutually pivotable around a pivot axis coinciding with the hinge from an open state of the pot wherein free ends of the sidewall portions, opposite to the hinge edges, are mutually remote, towards a closed state of the pot wherein the free ends of the sidewall portions meet each other. By providing a pair of curved sidewall portions that are mutually pivotable, the pot can be opened and closed using a relatively simple structure including a single hinge.

The invention also relates to a method.

Advantageous embodiments according to the invention are described in the appended claims.

By way of non-limiting example only, embodiments of the present inventions will now be described with reference to the accompanying figures in which:

Figure 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a pot according to the invention in an open state, and

Figure 2 shows a schematic perspective view of the top of Fig. 1 in a closed state.

The embodiments disclosed herein are shown as examples only and should by no means be understood as limiting the scope of the claimed invention in any way. In this description and in the figures, the same or similar elements have the same or similar reference signs.

Figure 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a pot 1 according to an embodiment of the invention. The pot 1 is arranged for containing plant or flower substrate material, and comprises two curved sidewall portions 2a,b that are interconnected via a hinge 3. The pot 1 also comprises two bottom portions 8a,b that are integrally formed with the two respective sidewall portions 2a,b. Each sidewall portion 2a,b is formed as a semicylinder wall extending in a first direction D1 from a bottom rim 4a,b to a top rim 5a,b and in a second direction D2, transverse to the first direction Dl, from a hinge edge 6a,b to a free edge 7a,b forming free ends of the sidewall portions 2a,b. The free edges 7a,b are opposite to the corresponding hinge edges 6a,b. The interconnecting hinge 3 runs from the bottom rim 4a,b of the sidewall portions 2a,b to the top rim 5a,b of the sidewall portions 2a,b along a hinge edge 6a,b of the sidewall portions 2a,b. The sidewall portions 2a,b are mutually pivotable in a pivot direction P around a pivot axis Pax coinciding the hinge 3.

In Fig. 1, the pot 1 is shown in an open state wherein the free ends 7a,b of the sidewall portions 2a,b are mutually remote. The pot 1 can be brought from the open state into a closed state shown in Fig. 2 wherein the free ends 7a,b meet each other. By bringing the free ends 7a,b together, the sidewall portions 2a,b surround a cylindrical inner room or chamber 20 for receiving a plant or flower substrate material such as a rooting plug 21 carrying a young plant 22. In the closed state, the free ends 7a,b are located adjacent to each other. Preferably, the pot 1 includes connection means such as coupling member pairs 23a,b, 24a,b shown in the figures or clicking members for connecting the free ends 7a,b of the pot 1 to each other. Then, the free ends 7a,b may mutually abut and may mutually be fixed so as to form a closed sidewall. Alternatively, a separate connection means may be provided such as an elastic cord or band enclosing the sidewall portions 2a,b in the closed state of the pot 1. Instead of fixing the small ends 7a,b to each other, said free ends 7a,b may also be brought to each other defining a preferably small slit therebetween, e.g. depending on the size and elasticity of the substrate material that is received in the chamber 20.

In principle, the plant 22 may be may a young or grown plant. Otherwise, a seedling or a cut flower may be put in the substrate material 21. Further, a multiple number of plants, flowers or other plant material may be arranged in the substrate material 21. As an example, the plant may be a bromelia, an anthurium or an orchid.

In the closed state, the sidewall portions 2a,b may form a closed contour, in a cross sectional section, such as a circle, an ellipse or a polygon such as a hexagon having six corners or an octagon having eight corners. Preferably, the sidewall portions 2a,b have mainly the same or similar size and dimensions e.g. for the purpose of providing a structure balancing forces. However, the sidewall portions 2a,b may have a mutually different geometry, shape and/or dimension. Also, the pot may contain three or even more sidewall portions that are mutually connected via pivotable hinges for forming a closed pot. Then, the sidewall more generally comprises a chain of sidewall portions that are interconnected via intermediate hinges running from the bottom rim top the top rim along a hinge edge of the sidewall portions, such that that the sidewall portions are mutually pivotable around a pivot axis coinciding with an intermediate hinge from an open state of the pot wherein free ends of the sidewall portions chain are mutually remote, towards a closed state of the pot wherein the free ends of the sidewall portions chain meet each other.

In the closed state of the pot 1, the top rim 5a,b of the sidewall portions 2a,b define an opening 11 of the pot 1. In the shown embodiment, the sidewall portions 2a,b form, in the closed state, a truncated conical geometry, the sidewall 2 tapering towards the bottom 8. Alternatively, the sidewall has a corrugated profile or the design is such that the pot has a constant cross section contour that is independent of the axial parameter.

Advantageously, the pot is integrally formed, e.g. using an injection moulding technique, preferably from a single material. Then, the hinge 3 can be formed by locally realizing a relatively thin structure or by providing perforations or slits along a body axis of the hinge 3. The pot 1 can also be made from a multiple number of materials, e.g. for meeting rigidity requirements using a minimal amount of materials. Further, the pot 1 can be assembled from different modules.

In the closed state of the pot 1, the bottom portions 8a,b preferably form a bottom that closes a lower part of the pot 1. The bottom portions 8a,b, may then partially overlap, abut against each other or define relative small openings, e.g. for a draining the pot 1. Also, the bottom portions 8a,b may be provided with draining apertures 9. In a preferred embodiment, as shown, the sidewall portions 2a,b extend beyond said respective bottom portions 8a,b such that the bottom portions are located slightly above the bottom rim 4a,b of the sidewall portions 2a,b. Then, in the closed state of the pot 1, an intermediate chamber is formed between the bottom and a structure supporting the pot 1.

In the shown embodiment, the sidewall portions 2a,b, of the pot 1 are provided with flanges 10a,b extending from the concave sidewall surface 11 radially inwardly into the chamber 20. By orienting the flanges 10a,b such that they extend mainly along the second dimension D2, from the hinge edge 6a,b to the free edge 7a,b, preferably substantially parallel to the bottom portions 8a,b, the substrate material 21 can be clamped in the chamber 20 thus counteracting that the substrate material moves from the pot 1 outwardly after closure of the pot 1, even in the case that an upwardly oriented force is applied to the substrate material 21, e.g. due to downwardly growing aerial roots of the plant 22.

The flange 10 may be mainly oriented transverse to the sidewall 2 so that a contact area of the flange 10 and the substrate material 21 is relatively large, counteracting relatively large local forces and deformations of the substrate material 21. However, the flange 10 may have another orientation, e.g. somewhat tilted to counteract any upwardly oriented force, i.e. a force directed towards the opening 11 of the pot 1. Further, the flange 10 may extend along the entire curved contour C of the sidewall portion 2a,b optionally being invariant along said curved contour. In the closed state of the pot 1, a composed flange may be formed extending in a closed contour.

In another embodiment, a multiple number of flange portions are provided distributed along the curved contour C of the sidewall portion 2a,b, e.g. two, three, four or even more flange portions. The flange portions may be spaced apart in the circular direction C, preferably substantially evenly. By providing mainly evenly distributed flange portions a more or less balanced counter pressure against the substrate material 21 is generated. The radial inner edge of the flange may have an uniform geometry along the curved contour C or may have a specific non-uniform profile such as a corrugated profile or a sawtooth profile.

Similarly, a single or a multiple number of gripping elements might be provided extending radially inwardly when the sidewall portions 2a,b are in the closed position. By engaging the substrate material 21 only locally, by means of gripping elements, the substrate material 21 can be retained securely in the pot 1 while minimizing a risk that roots of the plant in the substrate material 21 are damaged. In a particular example, three or four gripping elements are applied. However, more or less than three or four gripping elements can be provided, e.g. two gripping elements or eight gripping elements. Advantageously, the gripping elements have a pointed profile so that roots can be moved sidewardly thus reducing a risk of damaging when pressing the gripping elements into the substrate material.

The sidewall portions 2a,b may each include multiple flanges and/or gripping elements to improve a gripping force exerted on the substrate material 21 received in the chamber 20 of the pot 1. In another embodiment, only one of the sidewall portions 2a,b is provided with a single or a multiple number of flanges and/or gripping elements.

The flange or flanges may be located at different axial positions or heights at the sidewall portions 2a,b. As an example, a first flange or gripping element is located closer to the bottom rim 4a,b than to the top rim 5a,b while a second flange or gripping element is located closer to the top rim 5a,b than to the bottom rim 4a,b, thereby providing a balanced gripping force on the substrate material 21 received in the chamber 20 of the pot 1.

In a particular embodiment, a first flange extending relatively far in the radial direction inwardly is applied near the top rim 5a,b of the sidewall portions 2a,b to counteract that the substrate material moves upwardly though the opening 12 while a second flange extending less far in the radial direction is applied near the bottom rim 4a,b of the sidewall portions 2a,b.

In the shown embodiment, the substrate material 21 is a rooting plug. Although in the shown embodiment the plug is substantially circular cylindrically-shaped, the plug may have another shape, such as a cuboid or a prism. The plug preferably has a (truncated) conical shape. In practice, the plug may slightly taper to its bottom. However, the plug may also have a constant cross section. The plug may be homogeneous or may include a cavity as described in patent publication EP 2 572 571. Here, the plug includes a side wall surrounding a chamber and being provided with circumferential mutually facing end sections defining therebetween a slot opening. The side wall end sections are movable in a circumferential direction defining an open state wherein the end sections are offset and a closed state wherein the end sections abut each other. When being inserted into the pot, the end sections move towards each other to close the chamber.

Alternatively, the substrate material 21 is formed by particles having a less coherent structure such as ground particles.

The substrate material 21 is preferably made from a substrate including organic and/or non-organic material for cultivation of plants. More specifically, the plug body can be made from a substrate including material for cultivation of plants. Advantageously, the plug body can be formed as an integral part. The substrate may be formed as a composition. More preferably, the composition and/or material is spongy and/or penetrable to growing roots. Such and other suitable substrate materials and/or compositions are known in the art. For example, the substrate material or composition may comprise organic fibres, e.g. coconut fibre, peat and/or bark. Here, the plug 1 comprises for instance a substrate composition including particles joined by a bind agent, such as a non-toxic and/or organic glue. The joined particles may e.g. comprise organic fibres and/or soil particles.

According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of placing plant or flower substrate material into a pot. The method includes the steps of providing a pot 1 according to claim 1, placing plant or flower substrate material 21 against a concave surface 11 of a sidewall portion 2a,b, in the open state of the pot 1, and subsequently pivoting the sidewall portions 2a,b towards each other obtaining the closed state of the pot 1, thereby clamping the substrate material 21 in the chamber 20 of the pot 1.

The invention is not restricted to the embodiments described above. It will be understood that many variants are possible.

These and other variants will be apparent to the person skilled in the art and are considered to fall within the scope of the invention as formulated by the following claims. For the purpose of clarity and a concise description features are described herein as part of the same or separate embodiments. However, it will be appreciated that the scope of the invention may include embodiments having combinations of all or some of the features described.

Claims (11)

A pot for containing plant or flower substrate material comprising a bottom and a side wall extending upwardly from a bottom edge to an upper edge, the side wall comprising a chain of side wall parts interconnected via intermediate hinges extending from the bottom edge to the upper edge along a hinge edge of the side wall parts, such that the side wall parts are pivotable relative to each other about a pivot axis that coincides with an intermediate hinge from an open state of the pot with free ends of the side wall parts chain spaced apart, towards a closed state of the pot wherein the free ends of the side wall portions meet. Pot according to claim 1, wherein the side wall comprises two curved parts which are mutually connected via a hinge that runs from the bottom edge to the top edge along a hinge edge of the side wall parts, such that the side wall parts are hinged to each other about a hinge axis coinciding with the hinge from an open state of the pot with free ends of the side wall parts opposite to the hinge edges, to a closed state of the pot where the free ends of the side wall parts meet. Pot according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a connecting means for connecting the free ends of the side wall parts to each other. Pot according to one of the preceding claims, which is integrally formed. Pot according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each side wall part comprises a bottom part and together forms the bottom of the pot when the side wall parts are in the closed state. Pot according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein in the closed state the side wall parts form a closed side wall that surrounds a chamber for receiving plant or flower substrate material. Pot according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a side wall part is provided with a single or multiple number of flanges or engaging elements that extend radially inwards when the side wall parts are in the closed position. A pot according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the side wall parts form a cylindrical contour in the closed state. Pot according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein side wall parts each form a half-cylinder wall. Pot according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the substrate material is a root plug. A method for placing plant or flower substrate material in a pot, the method comprising the steps of: - providing a pot according to claim 1, - placing plant or flower substrate material against a concave surface of a side wall portion, in the open condition of the pot, and - subsequently pivoting the side wall parts towards each other to obtain the closed condition of the pot.