NL2015411B1 - A pot, a plug assembly, a plug and a method. - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a pot for containing a rooting plug. The pot comprises a bottom section and a sidewall extending upwardly from the bottom section. Further, the pot comprises a support structure for supporting the rooting plug above the bottom section. In an embodiment, the sidewall is provided, at its radially inwardly facing surface, with a multiple number of projections extending radially inwardly forming the support structure.

Description

Title: A pot, a plug assembly, a plug and a method

The invention relates to a pot for containing a rooting plug, comprising a bottom section and a sidewall extending upwardly from the bottom section.

Conventionally, after cultivating a multiple number of plants in a community tray, the individual plants are removed from said community tray. Then, each plant is separately put into a pot filled with substrate material such as ground to facilitate easy handling in a process of trading the plants, or cultivating the plant in a subsequent phase.

It appears, in practice, that the root structure of plants may be damaged when releasing the rooting structure of the individual plants from roots of other plants that have grown in the community tray and when putting the plant into a pot. Further, after putting the plant in a pot, aerial root portions may tend to grow from the pot outwardly, thereby increasing a chance of being damaged during transport etc. Then, the plant may not be useful anymore for commercial purposes.

In more recent days, plants are cultivated in rooting plugs that are placed in individual cells of a plant tray. After cultivating the plants, in a first cultivation phase, the individual rooting plugs are removed from the plant tray cells and put in a pot for further handling the plant. Again, a chance exists that aerial root portions grow from the pot outwardly exposing said root portions to damage.

It is an object of the invention to provide an improved pot counteracting at least one of the disadvantages mentioned above. In particular, it is an object of the invention to provide a pot that facilitates a process that is less damaging for the root structure of plants. Thereto, according to an aspect of the invention, the pot further comprises a support structure for supporting the rooting plug above the bottom section.

By providing a support structure in the pot for supporting a rooting plug above the bottom section, a rooting plug carrying the plant can be inserted into the pot while providing an air chamber between a bottom surface of the rooting plug and the bottom section of the pot. Then, aerial root portions may grow inside the pot, thus reducing a chance of being damaged.

Preferably, the sidewall is provided, at its radially inwardly facing surface, with a multiple number of projections extending radially inwardly forming the support structure, thus providing a stable implementation of the support structure that can be manufactured simply.

Advantageously, the pot is arranged for containing two rooting plugs, a first rooting plug having a central cavity receiving a second plug carrying a plant or flower, wherein the support structure of the pot supports the first rooting plug. Then, the first plug may receive a second plug that has been used for cultivating the plant during a first cultivation phase, so that the root structure may grow into the first plug during a second cultivation phase, subsequent to the first cultivation phase. Then, a step of removing the rooting plug from a community tray is omitted, thus reducing a chance of harming the root structure even further.

The invention also relates to a plug assembly, comprising two rooting plugs, a first rooting plug having a central cavity receiving a second plug carrying a plant or flower, wherein the first rooting plug comprises a sidewall surrounding the cavity and being provided with circumferential mutually facing end sections defining therebetween a slot opening, the side wall end sections being 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.

Further, the invention relates to a rooting plug for carrying a plant or flower, the plug being arranged for being inserted into a pot, the plug comprising a capillary cord.

Also, the invention relates to a method of placing a rooting plug into a pot, the method comprising the steps of providing a pot, and inserting a first rooting plug into pot including moving the rooting plug towards the bottom section of the pot until the support structure of the pot supports the rooting plug.

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 bottom view of a pot according to the invention; and

Figure 2 shows a schematic perspective top view of the pot containing a first and second rooting plug.

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 bottom view of a pot 1 according to the invention. The pot 1 comprises a bottom section 10 and a sidewall 11 extending upwardly from the bottom section 10. The upper rim 11” of the sidewall 11 defines an opening 7 of the pot 1. Through the opening 7 a rooting plug can be inserted into the pot 1 for carrying a plant and/or flower, as described in more detail referring to Fig. 2.

In the shown embodiment, the pot 1 is cylindrically shaped with respect to an axial axis A, the pot 1 having a circular cross sectional contour. Alternatively, the cross sectional contour of the pot has another shape such as a polygon, e.g. a square, a hexagon having six corners or an octagon having eight corners. Further, the shown pot 1 has a conical shape, slightly tapered towards the bottom section 10. In another embodiment, the pot is invariant with respect to the axial axis A having a cross section that is independent of the axial parameter. In the shown embodiment, the sidewall 11 is closed in a circumferential direction C, thus sidewardly enclosing an inner space of the pot 1 for receiving a rooting plug. In principle, the sidewall 11 may include one or more interruptions, however, surrounding the inner space of the pot for receiving a rooting plug.

The sidewall 11 has an outer surface 12 facing outwardly and an inner surface 13 facing radially inwardly. The inner surface 13 is provided with a number of projections 14A,B,C extending radially inwardly. By providing the inwardly extending projections 14, an inserted rooting plug may be supported above the bottom section 10 thereby creating an air chamber for accommodating aerial root portions of a plant root structure.

In the shown embodiment, the sidewall 11 includes inwardly staggered portions forming the protrusions 14A,B,C. The inwardly staggered portions can be realized as inwardly folded sections of the sidewall 11 having relatively smooth or relatively sharp edges 15. The projections 14 are preferably mainly evenly distributed in the circumferential direction C of the sidewall 11, thereby balancing upwardly oriented supporting forces generated by the projections 14. In other embodiments, the projections 14 are distributed in the circumferential direction in another manner, e.g. as pairs projections.

In the shown embodiment, an upper portion 16 of a projection 14 includes a supporting surface for supporting the rooting plug so that a local pressure on projection material is reduced. Alternatively, an upper portion of a projection 14 is implemented in another way, e.g. as a gripping element. Further, the projections 14, or at least the upper portions 16 thereof, are located at mainly the same distance D from the bottom section 10, thereby facilitating that the rooting plug can be positioned symmetrically in the pot 1. Then, the axial axis of the rooting plug and the axial axis of the pot substantially coincide.

Preferably, the protrusions 14 are located closer to the bottom section 10 than to the upper rim 11” of the sidewall 11, so that the room for accommodating the rooting plug is larger than the air chamber. In principle, however, the protrusions can be located closer to the upper rim 11” of the sidewall 11 than to the bottom section 10 of the pot 1. In practice, the protrusions can be located a distance from the bottom section 10 ranging from circa 1 mm to circa 5 cm, preferably ranging from circa 5 mm to circa 2 a 3 cm.

Advantageously, the protrusions may include an opening 17 enabling a flow of water from or towards a space below the bottom section 10 of the pot 1. In the shown embodiment, the sidewall 11 extends beyond at least a portion 10’ of the bottom section 10, downwardly, thus defining a space below at least said bottom section portion 10’. A lower sidewall rim 11’” extends beyond at least said bottom section portions 10’. Further, water flow openings 18 are provided in said bottom section portion 10’. It is noted that the bottom section 10 can be provided with a single opening 18 or without an opening.

Figure 2 shows a schematic perspective top view of the pot 1 shown in Fig. 1, now containing a first and second rooting plug 21; 22. The first rooting plug 21 has a central cavity 32 receiving the second plug 22 carrying a plant or flower. The protrusions 14 of the pot 1 support the first plug, at least a bottom surface 28 of said first plug. The plant or flower has grown in the second rooting plug 22 during a first cultivation phase.

In Fig. 2, the plant 3 has a stem 4, leaves 5 and flowers 6 extending upwardly through the opening 7 of the pot 1 while a root structure 8 of the plant 3 penetrates the substrate material of the second rooting plug 22. Aerial root portions 9 of the root structure 8 extend even further downwardly, beyond the substrate material of the second rooting plug 22.

In principle, the plant 3 may be may a young or grown plant. Otherwise, a seedling or a cut flower may be put in the substrate material. Further, a multiple number of plants, flowers or other plant material may be arranged in the substrate material. As an example, the plant may be a bromelia, an anthurium or an orchid.

In the shown embodiment, the rooting plugs 21, 22 are substantially circular cylindrically-shaped. In principle, however, the plugs may have another shape, such as a cuboid or a prism. Further, the plugs preferably have a (truncated) conical shape matching the structure wherein they are received. In practice, the plugs may slightly taper to its bottom. However, the plugs may also have a constant cross section. Preferably, the geometry of the first plug is inconformity with the inner surface 13 of the pot’s sidewall 11. The rooting plugs 21, 22 are mainly homogeneous and include a cavity.

Substrate material of the rooting plugs 21, 22 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.

The first rooting plug 21 comprises a sidewall 31 surrounding the cavity 32 and being provided with circumferential mutually facing end sections 33A,B defining therebetween a slot opening 34 that extends in a longitudinal direction, mainly parallel to the axial axis A, from a bottom surface 28 of the plug 21 to a top surface 29 of the plug 21. The side wall end sections 33A,B are movable in the circumferential direction C defining an open state wherein the end sections 33A,B are offset and a closed state wherein the end sections 33A,B abut each other.

When preparing the second rooting plug 22 with the plant 3 for insertion into the pot 1, the second rooting plug 22 carrying a plant or flower is inserted into the cavity 32 of the first rooting plug 21, before inserting the first rooting plug 21 into the pot 1. During insertion, the side wall end sections 33A,B are offset opening the slot opening 34. Preferably, the second rooting plug 22 is inserted from a lateral direction into the cavity 32 of the first rooting plug 21, via the slot opening 34, transverse to the axial axis A of the first rooting plug 21. After insertion, the side wall end sections 33A,B are moved towards each other, preferably until said end sections 33A,B, abut each other arriving at the closed state in order to close the cavity 32 of the first rooting plug 22. Then, a plug assembly with two concentrically arranged rooting plugs is obtained. A step of moving the side wall end sections 33A,B towards each other can be carried out before inserting the first rooting plug 21 into the pot 1 or simultaneously while inserting the first rooting plug 21 into the pot 1 thus inducing the side wall end sections 33A,B to move to each other while the outer surface of the first rooting plug 21 is subject to a clamping force caused by abutting against the inner surface 13 of the pot sidewall 11.

After receiving the first rooting plug 21 in the pot, an air chamber 26 has been defined in the pot 1 that is mainly bounded by the bottom section 10 of the pot 1 and the bottom surface 28 of the first rooting plug 21. In the air chamber 26, aerial root portions 9 may grow.

The second rooting plug 22 carrying the plant or flower is used for growing the plant or flower during a first cultivation phase. After inserting the second rooting plug 22 into the first rooting plug 21, the plug assembly including the first and second plug 21, 22 is used for growing the plant or flower during a second cultivation phase, subsequent to the first cultivation phase.

The second rooting plug 22 may also comprise a sidewall 35 surrounding a further cavity 36 and being provided with circumferential mutually facing second end sections 37A,B defining therebetween a second slot opening 38 that extends in the longitudinal direction, mainly parallel to the axial axis A, from a bottom surface to a top surface 29 of the second plug 22. The second side wall end sections 37A,B are movable in the circumferential direction C defining an open state wherein the second end sections 37A,B are offset and a closed state wherein the second end sections 33A,B abut each other. The plant or flower can be inserted into the second cavity 36, via the second slot opening 38, prior to the first cultivation phase, as described in European patent publication EP 2 572 571.

Alternatively, the second rooting plug 22 is homogenous without a cavity and/or is formed by particles having a less coherent structure such as ground particles. Further, the pot 1 can also be used for receiving an assembly of more than two rooting plugs, e.g. three rooting plugs that are arranged concentrically. Then, the plug assembly includes a first rooting plug surrounding a second rooting plug that surrounds a third rooting plug. In principle, a plug assembly with even more rooting plugs can be provided, e.g. four rooting plugs that are arranged concentrically. Also, the pot can be used for receiving a single rooting plug carrying a plant or flower.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 2, the first rooting plug 21 is provided with a capillary cord 25 extending from the rooting plug 21 downwardly towards the bottom section 10 of the pot 1 in order to moisten the first rooting plug with moisture present in the on the bottom section 10 of the pot 1.

It is noted that, additionally or alternatively, the second rooting plug 22 is provided with a capillary cord. It is further noted that, more generally, a rooting plug for carrying a plant or flower can be provided wherein the plug is arranged for being inserted into a pot, the plug comprising a capillary cord. It is noted, however, that the first and second rooting plug 21, 22 can be provided without a capillary cord.

The pot 1 can be manufactured using a moulding process. By integrally forming the sidewall 11 and the bottom section 10 the pot 1 can be formed in a relatively cheap and quick manner. Preferably, also the protrusions 14 are integrally formed with the sidewall 11. Alternatively, the protrusions 14 are fixedly mounted to the sidewall 11 after manufacturing the pot 1.

According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of placing a rooting plug into a pot. The method includes the steps of providing a pot according to claim 1, and inserting a first rooting plug into pot including moving the rooting plug towards the bottom section of the pot until the support structure of the pot supports the rooting plug.

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

As an example, the support structure in the pot can not only be implemented using projections extending radially inwardly from the inner surface of the sidewall, but may alternatively or additionally include projections extending from the pot bottom section upwardly.

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 (20)

A pot for holding a root plug comprising a bottom section and a side wall extending upwardly from the bottom section, further comprising a support structure for supporting the root plug above the bottom section. Pot according to claim 1, wherein the side wall at the radially inwardly facing surface is provided with a plurality of cams which extend radially inwardly and form the supporting structure. Pot according to claim 2, wherein the side wall comprises parts staggered inwards which form the ridges. Pot according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the cams are distributed substantially proportionally in a circumferential direction of the side wall. A pot according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cams are located substantially at the same distance from the bottom section. Pot according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein an upper part of a cam comprises a support surface for supporting a root plug. 7. Pot as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein a cam comprises an opening. A pot according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the bottom section comprises a single or multiple number of openings. Pot according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cams are closer to the bottom section than to an upper edge of the side wall. Pot according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the side wall is closed in a circumferential direction. A pot according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a single plug carrying a plant or flower. A pot according to any one of the preceding claims 1-10, comprising two root plugs, wherein a first root plug has a central cavity that receives a second root plug bearing a plant or flower, the supporting structure of the pot supporting the first root plug. Pot according to claim 12, wherein the first root plug comprises a side wall that surrounds the cavity and is provided with circumferentially facing end sections defining a slot opening therebetween, the end sections of the side wall being movable in a circumferential direction and defining an open state wherein the end sections are spaced apart and a closed state where the end sections abut each other. A pot according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a root plug provided with a capillary cord extending downwardly from the root plug to the bottom section of the pot. A plug assembly comprising two root plugs, a first root plug having a central cavity receiving a second root plug bearing a plant or flower, the first root plug comprising a side wall surrounding the cavity and having end sections facing each other in the circumferential direction defining therebetween a slot opening, wherein the end sections of the side wall are movable in a circumferential direction and define an open state wherein the end sections are spaced apart and a closed state where the end sections abut each other. A root plug for carrying a plant or flower, wherein the plug is adapted to be received in a pot according to any one of the preceding claims 1-14, wherein the plug comprises a capillary cord. A method for placing a root plug in a pot, the method comprising the steps of: - providing a pot according to claim 1, - inserting a first plug into the pot, the root plug to the bottom section of the pot moving until the support structure of the pot supports the root plug. The method of claim 17, further comprising the step of introducing a second root plug bearing a plant or flower into a cavity of the first root plug before introducing the first root plug into the pot. The method of claim 18, wherein the second root plug is introduced into the cavity of the first root plug from a lateral direction. A method according to claim 18 or 19, wherein the first root plug comprises a side wall surrounding the cavity and is provided with circumferentially facing end sections defining therebetween a slot opening extending in a longitudinal direction from a bottom section to an upper surface of the first root plug, and wherein the step of introducing the first root plug into the pot causes a movement of the end section of the side wall in a circumferential direction from an open state wherein the end sections are spaced apart to a closed state with the end sections abutting against each other .