WO2017152228A1

WO2017152228A1 - Planter bag

Info

Publication number: WO2017152228A1
Application number: PCT/AU2017/050204
Authority: WO
Inventors: Robert Geoffrey Stowe; Steve Turner
Original assignee: Whs Trading Australia Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2016-03-08
Filing date: 2017-03-08
Publication date: 2017-09-14
Also published as: AU2017100919A4

Abstract

The present invention relates to bags for the cultivation of plants (including trees, shrubs, flowers, vegetables, herbs and the like), typically used prior to, and for, the sale of such plants by horticultural suppliers and nurseries. A planter bag for the cultivation of plants, trees, shrubs and the like is provided, that includes a base having a first cross section; and a side wall, comprising one or more portions, extending from the base, the base and side wall together forming an enclosure suitable for containing soil and one or more plants, the enclosure terminating at an open top having a second cross section, wherein the enclosure narrows between the base and the open top, such that the area of the first cross section is greater than the area of the second cross section.

Description

PLANTER BAG

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001 ] The present invention relates to bags for the cultivation of plants (including trees, shrubs, flowers, vegetables, herbs and the like), typically used prior to, and for, the sale of such plants by horticultural suppliers and nurseries.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

[0002] When cultivating plants for sale, horticultural suppliers generally use either plastic plant pots or planter bags.

[0003] Plant pots typically have a circular, square or rectangular cross section with the diameter or area of the base of the pot smaller than the diameter or area of the top of the pot. This shape has been adopted to enable empty pots to be stored and transported in a stacked arrangement to reduce space.

[0004] Planter bags typically also have a circular, square or rectangular cross section. The bag is constructed from a rectangular strip of material stitched to a circular, square or rectangular base. The diameter or area of the base of the planter bag is typically the same size as the diameter or area of the top of the bag. Such a construction is simple to manufacture, and does not suffer from a similar stackable or space problem as the pots, because the bags can simply be folded flat for transport and storage.

[0005] One problem with the existing plant pots and bags is that the pots and bags tend to be knocked or blown over when used for larger size plants. This results in damage to the plant, reducing its value or the plant having to be disposed. [0006] A further problem is that the plant roots may become 'root bound' by growing in a restricted circular formation, with the risk heightened when plants are cultivated in small size pots or bags, a common practice for cost reduction. This becomes a problem if the plant does not sell within the intended timeframe and remains in the pot or bag for a longer period of time. This can have a restrictive effect on the later growth and development of the plant.

[0007] Another problem is that a large amount of potting mix is needed to fill an existing pot or bag. Potting mix consists of various fertilisers and additives to assist with plant growth and can be a high proportion of the total cost of establishing a potted plant. A large proportion of the potting mix is merely used to fill the container and it does not contain any root growth within it. Further, when a plant falls over, a large amount of soil is often wasted. This results in an inefficient use of potting mix, increasing the ultimate cost of the plant to the end consumer.

[0008] A further problem faced by existing pots and bags is that airborne weeds commonly implant themselves in the soil. These are costly and time consuming to remove, and may inhibit the growth of the plant in some cases.

[0009] It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved planter bag that ameliorates one or more of the above mentioned problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] In a broad form, the invention provides a planter bag that is wider at the base than at the open top.

[001 1 ] In one form, there is provided a planter bag for the cultivation of plants, trees, shrubs and the like, including: a base having a first cross section; and a side wall extending from the base, the base and side wall together forming an enclosure suitable for containing soil and one or more plants, the enclosure terminating at an open top having a second cross section, wherein the enclosure narrows between the base and the open top, such that the area of the first cross section is greater than the area of the second cross section.

[0012] In another form, the enclosure may continually narrow from the base to the open top.

[0013] The ratio of the greatest width/diameter of the base to the height of the enclosure may be in the range of 1 :1 to 3:1 .

[0014] In one embodiment, the cross section of the base may be circular, the cross section of the open top may be circular, and the planter bag may be of a frusto-conical shape. The diameter of the base may be greater than the diameter of the open top. A frusto-conical shape allows natural root growth near the base of the bag, and has simple manufacturing requirements with only a small number of parts.

[0015] In another embodiment, the cross section of the base may be a square, the cross section of the open top may be a square, and the planter bag may be of a frusto-pyramidal shape. The length of each of the sides of the base may be greater than the length of each of the sides of the open top.

[0016] In other embodiments, the first cross section may be rectangular, triangular, hexagonal, octagonal or elliptical in shape. Preferably the second cross section is of the same shape as the first cross section for ease of manufacturing.

[0017] A drawstring may be included at the open top to selectively open and at least partially close the enclosure. At least two handles may be connected to the side wall for ease of transporting the bag when filled with soil. [0018] A releasable fastener, for example Velcro®, may extend down the side wall to provide a releasable opening for ease in removing a plant from the bag. A base handle may also be included, preferably opposite to the releasable fastener, for ease in tipping the bag to remove the plant. The fastener may result in there being tearing/cutting of the bag for plant removal, thereby resulting in the bag being reusable.

[0019] In forms of the present invention, the planter bag has a larger base (either in terms of diameter, area, or width, depending upon the shape of the bag) than its open top, achieving the desirable objects. This construction increases the weight at the base of the bag, reducing the possibility of the bag, when in use during cultivation, from toppling over. The construction also allows a more natural development of the root system, mitigating the chance of the plant becoming 'root bound'. Furthermore, the bag provides for the majority of the potting mix to sit around the base of the plant surrounding the root growth. This is a far more efficient use of the potting mix and may result in a smaller amount of potting mix being used. The narrower opening at the top of the bag means there is less likelihood of losing significant amounts of soil should a plant topple over, as well as reducing the surface area available to airborne weeds.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] An illustrative embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying figures. Further features and advantages of the invention will also become apparent from the accompanying description.

Figure 1 shows a planter bag according to one embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 shows a planter bag according to a second embodiment of the invention. Figure 3 shows a perspective view of a planter bag according to a third

embodiment of the invention.

Figure 4 shows a top view of the planter bag of Figure 3. Figure 5 shows the side wall (open, prior to construction) of the planter bag of Figure 3.

Figure 6 is PRIOR ART showing a typical, prior art, planter bag full of soil and a plant.

Figure 7 is a planter bag according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, showing the soil and plant and planter bag in use.

Figure 8A is a perspective view from above of planter bag according to a fifth embodiment.

Figure 8B is a perspective view from below of the planter bag of Figure 8A. Figure 9A is a perspective view from above of planter bag according to a sixth embodiment.

Figure 9B is a perspective view from below of the planter bag of Figure 9A. DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0021 ] Figure 1 shows a planter bag 1 having a base 2, a side wall 3 and an open top 4. The base 2 and open top 4 are each of a circular shape, resulting in the bag 1 having a circular cross section along its height 5 (marked 'h') that continually narrows from the base 2 to the top 4. The diameter 6 of the base 2 (marked 'db') is larger than the diameter 7 of the open top 3 (marked 'dt').

[0022] The dimensions and volume of the bag in Figure 1 will vary depending upon the size and type of the plant to be cultivated within the bag. To minimise toppling of the bag when in use, ideally the ratio of the base diameter 'db' to the height of the bag will be between 1 :1 and 3:1 . The inventors have determined that ideal volume and dimensions for a small plant are 45 Litres, having a 46cm base diameter (db), 32cm open top diameter (dt) and 25cm side wall height, and ideal volume and dimensions for a large plant are 60 Litres, having 60cm base diameter (db), 30cm open top diameter (dt) and 25cm side wall height. [0023] Figure 2 shows a second embodiment of a planter bag 10 having a base 12, side wall 13 and an open top 14. The base 12 and open top 14 are each of a square shape, resulting in the bag 10 having a square cross section along its height 15 (marked 'h') that continually narrows from the base 12 to the top 14. Each side of the base 12 has a length 16 (marked 'wb') that is larger than the side length 17 of the open top 14 (marked 'wt').

[0024] The dimensions and volume of the bag in Figure 2 will vary depending upon the size and type of the plant to be cultivated within the bag. To minimise toppling of the bag when in use, ideally the ratio of the base side length 'wb' to the height of the bag will be between 1 :1 and 3:1 . The inventors have determined that ideal volume and dimensions for a small plant are 25 Litres, having a 37cm base length (wb), 27cm open top length (wt) and 30cm side wall height, and ideal volume and dimensions for a large plant are 45 Litres, having a 42.5cm base length (wb), 32.5cm open top length (wt) and 32.2cm side wall height.

[0025] Figures 3, 4 and 5 show a third embodiment of a planter bag 20 having a base 22, a side wall 23, an open top 24. The base 22, as shown in Figure 4, and the open top 24 are each of a circular shape, resulting in the bag 20 having a circular cross section along its continually narrowing height. The diameter of the base 22 is larger than the diameter of the open top 24, as can be seen in the open, unconstructed web of the side wall in Figure 5. A side seam 26 is formed along the side wall 23, and two upper handles, 27, 28 are stitched (or otherwise secured) into the side wall 23.

[0026] In each illustrated embodiment, the planter bag has a larger base (either in terms of diameter, area, or width, depending upon the shape of the bag) than its top opening. This construction increases the weight at the base of the bag, reducing the possibility of the bag, when in use during cultivation, from toppling over. The construction also allows a more natural development of the root system, mitigating the chance of the plant becoming 'root bound'.

Furthermore, the bag provides for the majority of the potting mix to sit around the base of the plant surrounding the root growth. This is a far more efficient use of the potting mix and may result in a smaller amount of potting mix being used.

[0027] Figures 6 and 7 show a comparison between the prior art planter bags (figure 6), and an embodiment of the present invention (figure 7). In the prior art, there is a large amount of wasted soil sitting above and adjacent to the roots, near the open top of the bag. The soil serves no real purpose to the growing of the plant. In the new bag (figure 7), the roots can extend outwards, as shown, towards the base of the bag, but far less soil is needed above the roots, resulting in less soil wastage towards the top of the bag.

[0028] As shown in the figures, the planter bag may include handles at the open top attached to the bags to assist with both filling the bag with potting mix and transporting the filled bag. For a smaller sized bag, two handles may be used, and for a larger sized bag, four (or more) handles may be used. The handles may be sewn or otherwise secured into the side walls of the bag.

[0029] Figures 8A, 8B and 9A, 9B show two embodiments of a bag 30 that include a hook and loop (eg Velcro®) releasable fastening strip 31 extending substantially vertically down either the whole, or part of the, side wall 32. The fastening strip 31 is connected together when the bag 30 is in use growing a plant. When the plant is ready for planting, the fastening strip 31 is opened, allowing the plant and soil to be easily removed from the bag 30, and the bag to be reused. Other types of releasable fasteners may be used, for example, zipper or press studs, but a hook and loop fastener is preferred. The releasable fastener could extend along or around the base of the bag in an alternative embodiment.

[0030] On the opposite side of the side wall to the fastening strip 31 , Figures 8A, 8B and 9A, 9B show a handle 33 at the base of the bag 30. The base handle

33 assists in tipping over the plant when it is ready to be removed from the bag 30. The base handle 33 is formed by extending the material from the top handle

34 down the side wall 32 to the base. In smaller sized bags, two top handles 34, 35 may be used, as shown in Figures 8A and 8B, and in larger sized bags, four top handles 34,35,36,37 may be used, as shown in Figure 9A and 9B. The handle 33 may be stitched, or otherwise secured, to the side wall of the bag.

[0031 ] In embodiments without a releasable fastener and having a small top opening in comparison to the size of the plant, it is envisaged that a substantially vertical cut in the side wall or base will be made with a knife or the like to enable the removal of the plant. A base handle may still be included in such an embodiment to assist in tipping over the bag and plant.

[0032] Small holes may also be included in the side walls to assist with ventilation and growth of the plants.

[0033] The bag may be constructed from any suitable materials known to a person skilled in the art. The preferred material is laminated woven high density polyethylene or polypropylene. The bag may be constructed in only two parts, the base and side wall, with the base and side wall sewn or stitched together at the base and one vertical line along the side wall. In alternative embodiments the side wall may be comprise more than one part.

[0034] The illustrated embodiments show circular and square cross sections, as symmetrical shapes are generally simpler to manufacture with less material wastage. However, the invention can equally work with other cross sectional shapes that allow for some or all of the same advantages as described above, for example rectangular , triangular, hexagonal, octagonal or elliptical cross sections.

[0035] The planter bag may also include a drawstring around the top opening of the bag. A drawstring will allow the opening of the bag to be closed around the base of the plant, which would mitigate weed growth in the top of the bag and stop significant spillage of the potting mix during transport. The drawstring may be inserted into a channel formed around the top of the bag by folding down material adjacent the open top. [0036] Reference throughout this specification to One embodiment' or 'an embodiment' means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearance of the phrases 'in one embodiment' or 'in an embodiment' in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.

[0037] Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more combinations. It will be appreciated that persons skilled in the art could implement the present invention in different ways to the one described above, and variations may be produced without departing from its spirit and scope.

[0038] Any discussion of documents, devices, acts or knowledge in this specification is included to explain the context of the invention. It should not be taken as an admission that any of the material forms part of the prior art base or the common general knowledge in the relevant art, in any country, on or before the filing date of the patent application to which the present specification pertains

Claims

CLAIMS:

1 . A planter bag for the cultivation of plants, trees, shrubs and the like including: a base having a first cross section; and

a side wall, comprising one or more portions, extending from the base, the base and side wall together forming an enclosure suitable for containing soil and one or more plants, the enclosure terminating at an open top having a second cross section,

wherein the enclosure narrows between the base and the open top, such that the area of the first cross section is greater than the area of the second cross section.

2. A planter bag according to claim 1 , wherein the enclosure continually narrows from the base to the open top.

3. A planter bag according to any one of preceding claims, wherein the ratio of the greatest width/diameter of the base to the height of the enclosure is in the range of 1 :1 to 3:1 .

4. A planter bag according to claim 1 , wherein the cross section of the base is circular.

5. A planter bag according to claim 4, wherein the cross section of the open top is circular, and the planter bag is of a frusto-conical shape.

6. A planter bag according to claim 5, wherein the diameter of the base is greater than the diameter of the open top.

7. A planter bag according to claim 1 , wherein the cross section of the base is a square.

8. A planter bag according to claim 7, wherein the cross section of the open top is a square, and the planter bag is of a frusto-pyramidal shape.

9. A planter bag according to claim 8, wherein the length of each of the sides of the base is greater than the length of each of the sides of the open top.

10. A planter bag according to claim 1 , wherein the first cross section is selected from the group consisting of rectangular, triangular, hexagonal, octagonal or elliptical.

1 1 . A planter bag according to claim 10, wherein the second cross section is of the same shape as the first cross section.

12. A planter bag according to any one of the preceding claims, further including a drawstring at the open top to selectively open and at least partially close the enclosure.

13. A planter bag according to any one of the preceding claims, further including at least two handles connected to the side wall adjacent the open top.

14. A planter bag according to any one of the preceding claims, further including a releasable fastener along the side wall.

15. A planter bag according to claim 14, wherein the releasable fastener comprises a hook and loop fastener.

16. A planter bag according to any one of the preceding claims, further including a base handle connected to the side wall adjacent to the base.

17. A planter bag according to claim 16 when appended to claim 14, wherein the base handle is positioned substantially opposite the releasable fastener.