NL2021525B1

NL2021525B1 - Plant product

Info

Publication number: NL2021525B1
Application number: NL2021525A
Authority: NL
Inventors: Visser Anthony
Original assignee: Viscon Bv
Priority date: 2018-08-30
Filing date: 2018-08-30
Publication date: 2020-04-24
Also published as: WO2020043837A1

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a plant product, comprising: plant substrate; and seeds in the plant substrate. Traditionally, plant substrate is encompassed and enclosed in a pot, to maintain coherence. The seeds may then be cultivated to develop into plants. However, pots are often unsightly plastic products and require a more aesthetically pleasing outer pot. The assembled substrate, pot and outer pot must then stand somewhere, taking op space, or be hung from a suspension resulting in challenges with respect to watering, water surplus discharge, and the like. To furnish an improvement, the present disclosure proposes to adapt the prior art product to provide a plant product, comprising: - plant substrate in a coherent shape, such as a ball; and - seeds inserted in or insertable into the plant substrate.

Description

PLANT PRODUCT

The present disclosure relates to a plant product, comprising: plant substrate; and seeds in the plant substrate.

Traditionally, plant substrate is encompassed and enclosed in a pot, to maintain coherence. The seeds may then be cultivated to develop into plants. However, pots are often unsightly plastic products and require a more aesthetically pleasing outer pot. The assembled substrate, pot and outer pot must then stand somewhere, taking up space of a kitchen counter, or be hung from a suspension resulting in challenges with respect to watering, water surplus discharge, and the like. Furthermore, traditionally potted plants require overpotting, as the plants grow, to accommodate the growing plants in increasingly larger pots. Larger pots take up more space, which is a disadvantage. The process of overpotting is cumbersome for end consumers and results in waste in terms of dirt from the substrate on the kitchen counter.

To furnish an improvement, the present disclosure proposes to adapt the prior art product to provide a plant product, comprising:

- plant substrate in a coherent shape, such as a ball; and

- seeds inserted in or insertable into the plant substrate.

Consequently, both a plant pot and an outer pot may be omitted, and water relate issues can be tackled in a completely different manner than according to the prior art. As a result of the substrate being in a coherent shape with seeds inserted or insertable therein, a need for overpotting is obviated.

The plant product preferably further comprises a suspension. The suspension may comprise a support under the plant substrate. The support may comprise a dish on which the plant substrate is supported. The dish may define a support surface for the plant substrate.

In case of a suspension with a support surface, the support surface may be shaped in a close fitting shape relative to an underside of the plant substrate, to abut there against.

In case of a suspension, it may comprise a longitudinal arm. The arm may extend into the plant substrate, and comprises a coupling at an end thereof outside of the plant substrate, to suspend the plant product there from.

In case of a support and an arm, the arm and the support may be connected to each other, where the end of the arm outside of the plant substrate is located opposite the support.

The plant product may further comprise fertilizer inserted into the plant substrate.

The plant substrate may be at least one of: pressed into the coherent shape; and packed in an envelope. The envelope may comprise a net, cotton or string. Such a net may be or form part of a suspension, and function to maintain the substrate in the coherent shape thereof.

The present disclosure also relates to an assembly of an aforementioned plant product of the present disclosure and a fluid inserting spike to insert fluid into the substrate of the plant product.

Such an assembly may further comprise a fluid reservoir, wherein the fluid inserting spike and the reservoir comprise coupling parts to couple the reservoir and the fluid inserting spike during and for inserting fluid into the plant substrate.

The present disclosure also relates to an assembly of an aforementioned plant product of the present disclosure and a seed strip pre-inserted into the plant substrate.

The present disclosure also relates to an assembly of an aforementioned plant product of the present disclosure and a seed strip configured to be inserted into the plant substrate.

In such an assembly with a seed strip inserted or insertable in( to) the plant substrate, the seed strip may comprise a bottom and a cover, with intermediately arranged seeds. Then, at least one of the bottom and the cover may comprise a fluid permeable layer, wherein the strip is configured to allow plant parts growing from the seed to grow out of the seed strip.

The seed strip may comprise fertilizer.

The seed strip may further comprise plant substrate, such as coco peat, moss and the like, with the seeds thereon or therein. Then the substrate of the seed strip may be watered to initiate germination of the seeds, and the substrate of the seed strip with the seeds and optionally also fertilizer may then be added to or inserted in the substrate of the plant product.

Any assembly of the present disclosure may have coco peat, moss or the like as the plant substrate.

Following the above indication of the plant product in terms and expressions of the appended claims, below an embodiment description is provided with reference to the appended drawing, which includes non-limiting details of particular and specific embodiments, while the scope of the present disclosure is to be determined by the appended independent claim only, and details may follow and/or be defined in appended dependent claims. In the drawing:

Figure 1 shows a side view of a plant product according to the present disclosure;

Figure 2 shows a partly cut away view of the plant product of figure 1;

Figure 3 shows a perspective view corresponding with the side view of Figure 2;

Figure 4 shows an assembly according to the present disclosure;

Figure 5 shows a detail of Figure 4;

Figure 6 shows a seed strip;

Figure 7 shows an additional embodiment of a plant product according to the present disclosure;

Figures 8-11 show an alternative embodiment of a plant product according to the present disclosure, relative to the product of figure 7;

Figures 12, 13 show an alternative embodiment of a plant product according to the present disclosure, relative to the product of figures 1-5; and

Figures 14-16 show an alternative embodiment of a plant product according to the present disclosure, relative to the product of figures 1-5 and 12, 13.

Figures 1-5 show a plant product 1. The plant product 1 is assembled from plant substrate, in the present embodiment in the form of a ball 2 of moss. An alternative substrate could be formed by coco peat or other substrates that preferably maintain a coherent shape when compressed or packed or encompassed in an envelope. The ball 2 of moss has a coherent shape, and a ball shape is exemplary. Instead of the ball shape, the substrate could have a square or a pyramid shape, or any other shape. The ball 2 of moss contains seeds in the plant substrate, or seeds can be inserted later, after sale, into the substrate. The substrate may have the seeds preinserted prior to display for sale, or the seeds may be sold separately in a shape and form enabling easy insertion thereof into the substrate, such as a pallet, in a paper wrapping, loose, or the like.

The plant product I further comprises a suspension 3, 4, 5. The suspension comprises a support dish 3 under the plant substrate in the form of the ball 2 of moss. The support dish 3 supports the plant substrate in the form of the ball 2 of moss. The dish 3 is curved to define a support surface 6 for the plant substrate in the form of the ball 2 of moss.

The support surface 6 is shaped in a close fitting shape relative to an underside of the plant substrate in the form of the ball 2 of moss, to abut there against. The support dish 3 forms a water reservoir, into which water is collected, when water is applied to the plant substrate in the form of the ball 2 of moss, where optionally water may be supplied in a manner disclosed below.

The suspension comprises a longitudinal arm in the form of an axis 4. The axis 4 extends into and more in particular through the plant substrate in the form of the ball 2 of moss, and comprises a coupling in the form of an eye 5 at an end thereof outside of the plant substrate, to suspend the plant product 1 there from, using for example a hook 30 with a latch 33 on a chain 31. An actuator 32 can be rotated along arrow A to make latch 33 swivel in or out along arrow B, and thus selectively close or open the hook 30. This embodiment of hook 30 may be comparable with a key ring, or the like.

Between eye 5 and axis 4 a swivel 20 may be provided to allow the ball 2 of moss on support dish 3 to rotate around axis 4, such that a user or consumer may turn the ball 2 of moss on the support dish 3 to improve illumination by exposure to light of all parts of ball 2 of moss.

The axis 4 forming the arm and the support dish 3 are connected to each other, to define a unitary assembly. For replacing or arranging a ball 2 of moss, the support dish 3 and the axis 4 may be releasably coupled, for example using a screw connection at the support surface 6 of the support dish 3. By sticking an end of the axis 4, i.e. the end thereof with screw thread and opposite the eye 5, into and through the ball 2 of moss, the threaded end of the axis can be screwed into a receptacle having an internal screw thread of or on the support surface 6 of the support dish 3. An end of the axis 4 beyond the screw thread at the end thereof opposite eye 5 may be pointed to facilitate insertion of the axis through the ball. In such a case, the receptacle may have extra space to also accommodate the pointed end of the axis, beyond the screw thread. As an example, the releasable coupling is embodied as a screw connection, however, any suitable connection could be employed, and the dish 3 and axis 4 could even be fixedly connected, for example using a weld. In such a case, an end of the axis 4 opposite the dish 3 may be pointed to allow this other pointed end of the axis 4 to be stuck through the ball of moss.

For example in an embodiment where the support dish 3 and axis 4 are connected by welding, screwing or any other means, it may be beneficial to arrange a pointed end to the axis 4 opposite the support dish 3. Eye 5 may then be arranged on the pointed end of the axis by any appropriate means, optionally with intermediate swivel 20.

Instead of dish 3 under the substrate, here in the exemplary form of a ball 2 of moss, a cover may be provided to form a suspension or similar feature. Then a dish quite similar to dish 3 could be provided, but turned upside down and arranged on the substrate. Couplings or the like may engage the substrate or an envelope thereof from above to suspend the substrate against the upside down turned dish, for examples hooks extending downward from upside down turned dish, or string or cable running around the substrate and over an outside of the upside down turned dish.

The plant product of this embodiment further comprises fertilizer in the form of fertilizer strips 7 inserted into the plant substrate in the form of the ball 2 of moss. Alternatively, pill, nail or granulate shaped fertiliser may be provided. Additional strips, pills or granulate may be furnished to end users for insertion into the substrate at a later time, for example when a previously provided / inserted dose of fertiliser has been spent or used in the substrate. Fertiliser in a nail shape may be most easily inserted by a manufacturer and/or an end user. Likewise, packages of fertiliser may be provided to have a bag shape, for example in an envelope of woven or non-woven tissue, cloth, or the like, to allow a slow release of fertiliser from the package.

Moss and coco peat, but also other substrates known to the skilled artisan, have a tendency to maintain a shape into which is loosely packed or forcibly compacted or compressed. However, the ball 2 of moss forming the plant substrate may be at least one of: pressed into the coherent shape; and packed in an envelope. In the present embodiment, an envelope is provided in the form of a net 8, surrounding the ball 2 of moss. Such an envelope, for example the net 8 or alternatively string or cotton, in particular cotton polyester netting, may additionally or alternatively embody or form part of the suspension, by connecting an arm, chain, cable or the like to the net 8 and suspending the ball 2 of moss in such an alternative manner. In such an embodiment, dish 3 and axis 4 or at least the axis 4 may be omitted, whilst a suspension would still be provided, emphasizing that the above embodiment of a suspension formed from a dish 3 and an axis 4 is by no means the only possibility. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the suspension of dish 3 and axis 4 may be entirely omitted, where the substrate may have a compact form, in particular when coco peat is employed, and swells to a larger volume when water is supplied.

It is noted here that seeds and/or fertiliser, in whatever shape or form, may be inserted into the substrate prior to (offer for) sale by a manufacturer, or may loosely accompany the substrate, for example in the same packaging or stuck to an outside of the substrate, and/or be sold separately for insertion into the substrate by end users.

The present disclosure also relates to an assembly of a plant product 1 and a fluid inserting spike 9 to insert fluid into the ball 2 of moss forming the substrate of the plant product. A user may insert the spike into the ball 2 of moss to supply water to the interior of the ball 2 of moss. To this end, net 8 may, if provided, contain a hole 10 dimensioned to allow the spike 9 to be inserted, without damaging the net 8 surrounding the hole 10 therein. The spike 9 may have a form of a spout, which may have an exit opening at the small diameter end thereof, which is inserted into the substrate. Additionally or alternatively, the spout may have radial exit openings 18 along the length thereof. Radial exit openings are preferably provided at least in a portion of said length that is with some degree of certainty inserted into the substrate when watering the substrate; otherwise the water to be inserted into the substrate may end up elsewhere.

The assembly further comprises a fluid reservoir 11. The fluid inserting spike 9 and the reservoir 11 comprise coupling parts 12 to couple the reservoir 11 and the fluid inserting spike 9 during and for inserting fluid into the ball 2 of plant substrate. In particular, the coupling parts 12 define a screw coupling. This allows filling of the reservoir 11 through an opening when the screw coupling is released. Alternatively, spike 9 and fluid reservoir 11 are fixedly connected, where reservoir 11 is preferably compressible, and water can then be drawn up into the reservoir 11 by inserting spike 9 in a water volume or tap flow, at which time the reservoir 11 is or has been compressed, to draw water into reservoir 11 by releasing the reservoir to aspire into its uncompressed state and the consequent expansion thereof relative to the compressed state.

It may be envisaged that even reservoir 11 may have water exit holes, like spike 9, to sprinkle water onto the top of the substrate from above, when the spike 9 is injected into the top of the substrate in a downward direction and used to inject water into the substrate, while then water also comes from holes in reservoir 11 to fall onto the substrate.

As an alternative for the spike 9 and reservoir 11, an end consumer could grasp eye 5 and at least partially submerge the support dish and the ball 2 of plant substrate, for example in a volume of water in a kitchen sink. The ball 2 of plant substrate will suck up an amount of water and a surplus will simply not be held therein, so that overwatering sees and/or plants would not occur.

The present disclosure also relates to an assembly of a plant product 1 of the present disclosure and a seed strip 13 pre-inserted into the ball 2 of plant substrate. As for advantages of pre-inserted seed, and the same holds true for fertiliser, manufacturers have improved control over insertion, and completely finished products may be generated by manufacturers, that may be immediately deployed by end users. However, the present disclosure is by no means limited to preinserted seed and/or fertiliser. Alternatively at least one seed strip 13 and/or fertiliser element may be furnished and in particular sold separate from the plant product 1 and be inserted into the substrate by an end consumer. This allows for separate sale of the plant products and seed strips for types of plants, reducing the stock in numbers of products without pre-inserted seeds. As shown as an option in figure 6, fertilizer 19 may be included in the seed strip 13.

Seed strip 13 is inserted or insertable in(to) the ball 2 of plant substrate, where the seed strip 13 may exhibit some degree of rigidity, to allow a user to fold is and stick it into the ball 2 of plant substrate, in particular moss. In the embodiment of Figure 6, in which an example of a seed strip 13 is shown, it comprises a bottom layer 14 and a cover layer 15, with intermediately arranged seeds 16. The bottom layer 14 and cover layer 15 can be closed by folding the cover layer down on bottom layer 14 in the direction of arrow A. Bulges 17 then indicate to positions of seeds 16. The layers 14, 15 may comprise a gauze or fabric, for example cotton, or any other type of fluid permeable layer, to allow water to reach the seeds 16. The strip can have a single layer, folded back onto itself. The strip is thus configured to allow plant parts growing from the seed 16 to grow out of the seed strip 13. For rigidity, if desired, a stick element (not shown), may be included in the strip 13, for example a wooden or plastic stick, if it is desired that the strip is sturdy enough to be stuck into the ball 2 of plant substrate. As an alternative for the seed strip with a cover bottom and top cover, a seed strip of the present disclosure may even have a form of a plant substrate, such as coco peat, moss and the like, with the seeds thereon or therein. The seed strip may comprise the seeds, and optionally also fertilizer and be inserted into or arranged on the substrate of the plant product, after watering the seed strip.

Figure 7 discloses a further embodiment of a plant product 21 according to the present disclosure, where a saucer 22 has a chain 23 suspension, attached to eyes 24 on saucer 22. A central axis 25 is arranged on or attached to saucer 22 and has an eye 26, on which a further central chain or cable or rod may engage. Saucer 22 supports envelop or net 8 which in turn tightly surrounds compacted or compressed coco peat 27, which swells (de-compacts / de-compresses), when water is added thereto. The envelop 8 is cotton polyester netting. Such cotton polyester netting 8 can be arranged quite tightly around the substrate in a compact or compressed state thereof, to expand with the coco peat substrate when water is supplied to the coco peat substrate. End consumers may find some entertainment to this effect of the coco peat (or other substrate) swelling when water is supplied. Technically of higher importance is the saving in terms of space, for example for transport from a manufacturer to a point of sale, such as a grocery store or a gardening shop, and the like.

Alternatively a non-expanding envelop 8 can be arranged loosely around the compacted or compressed to define a volume of the substrate after de-compression / de-compacting thereof, and then, i.e. after de-compression / de-compacting of the substrate, be at least somewhat tightly arranged around the substrate to keep the substrate encompassed and define a coherent shape, where swelling of coco peat by watering is only an exemplary embodiment.

After de-compacting or de-compressing, loose seeds or seed strips in any form or shape, of which some embodiments are disclosed herein, may be added thereon or therein. Alternatively seed may be arranged in the substrate 27 at production. Fertilizer 7 may optionally be included in the substrate. Preferable controlled release of the fertilizer 7 is achieved, for example through appropriate packing or the like.

The coco peat substrate has depressions 28, shaped like pits or wells, for seed insertion. Depressions 28 may be formed by protrusions on a press (not shown) used for compacting or compressing the coco peat substrate during production, and may be formed in the top surface of the substrate and/or in a bottom surface. Loose seed may be inserted into the depressions 28 or optionally seed strips 13 may be inserted. Inserted seed or seed strips may be for different plants, vegetables and the like, for variety for the user / end consumer. The depressions may be evenly distributed over the top surface of the compacted or compressed coco peat substrate 27. Seed or seed strips may be inserted into the depressions at production. Alternatively, a user may insert seed or seed strips into the depressions, shortly before adding water to the substrate for de-compacting or de-compression thereof.

As is evident from the representation of figure 7, saucer 22 is smaller than the coco peat substrate 27 in compressed or compacted form, and the envelop 8 is over-dimensioned relative to the size of the coco peat substrate 27 in this state. However, when water is added and the coco peat substrate is de-compressed or de-compacted, the amount of substrate 27 is such the de-compacted or de-compressed substrate substantially or completely fills the envelop 8. Alternatively the envelop 8 may expand with the coco peat to minimize the volume before de-compression or decompacting and avoid the loose envelop 8. Consequently it is possible to achieve the shape and form of the representation in figure 1, except for the absence of the through going central axis 4 (replaced by short central axis 25 with eye 26) and the provision of chains 23 or cables for suspending the product 21.

A water retaining gel 29 may be provided under coco peat substrate 27. Thereby release of water into the coco peat substrate at a controlled rate may be achieved.

Figures 8-11 show an alternative embodiment of a plant product 40 according to the present disclosure, relative to the product of figure 7, where figures 8, 9 show schematic side views of collapsed and extended states of the plant product 40 and figures 10, 11 show schematic perspective views of the plant product 40, also respectively in collapsed and extended states.

Plant product 40 comprises outer ring 41 and an inner ring 42. Inner ring in fact defines a bus shape, having superposed rings 44, 45 and connections 46, and the lower ring 45 being provided with a bottom cross 47. Bus shaped inner ring 42 can be considered and embodiment of a dish. Outer ring 41 is connected with an eye 5 via connection rods 43, which could be a chain in an alternative embodiment, to define a suspension. Outer ring 41 is further connected with inner ring 42 via swivel linkages formed by swivel rods 48, which could be replaced in an alternative embodiment by chains (just like connection rods 43), allowing outer ring 41 to be swivelled up in the direction of arrow C in figures 8, 10, to achie ve the extended state of figures 9, 11, in which state the outer ring 41 can also form part of the dish.

Cross 47 defines a bottom of the bus shaped inner ring 42, to insert therein an envelope for example in the form of a net 8, surrounding substrate 49 in the form of ball 2 of moss or pill of coco peat 27, or another substrate. In addition to the bus shape of inner ring 42, the swivel linkages 48 also form a support for net 8 and substrate therein, to keep the enveloped substrate within confines of plant product 40.

Figures 12, 13 show an alternative embodiment of a plant product 50 according to the present disclosure, relative to the product of figures 1-5, which could be inserted into the bus shaped inner ring 42 of the embodiment of figures 8 - 11, or could be a self-contained embodiment. Figure 12 shows a compressed I compacted state, and figure 13 show a decompressed / de-compacted and/or water swollen state. This embodiment of plant product 50 comprises a envelope 8 in the form of for example a net 8 and net 8 encompasses substrate in the form of ball 2 of moss or pill of coco peat 27, or any other suitable substrate. Preferable, since figures 12, 13 relate to an expandable embodiment, a substrate like coco peat 27 is deployed in this embodiment.

Figures 14 - 16 respectively show a perspective view, a front view and a back view of an alternative embodiment of plant product 60 according to the present disclosure, relative to the product of figures 1-5 and 12, 13, which could be inserted into the bus shaped inner ring 42 of the embodiment of figures 8 - 11, or could be a self-contained embodiment. This plant product 60 comprises a hag or box shaped envelope 61, configured to contain substrate, preferably expandable coco peat, but another substrate is by no means excluded. Envelope 61 comprises star shaped incisions 62 allowing a stem of a plant to grow there through. Plant product 60 can be laid down on backside in frontal view in figure 16, but may equally well be suspended from hooks, nails or screws in a wall, extending through holes 63 in a flap 64 attached to or forming part of envelope 61. Additionally or alternatively, flap 64 may serve to close off an opening 65 in a top side of envelope 61 in figure 14.

End consumers may grow herbs and/or even vegetables using the plant products 1,21 of the present disclosure. By arranging plant products on a kitchen counter or even a window sill, user can be provided with fresh herbs or even fresh vegetables like lettuce and the like.

Following the above embodiment description of aspects of the present disclosure, it’s noted that details are exhibited, which are not all to be limiting on the scope of the present disclosure. The scope of the present disclosure is by no means limited to any preferred aspect or feature, but only by the limiting definitions of the appended independent claims, and may include in particular jurisdictions also obvious alternatives for features defined even in independent claims.

Claims

CONCLUSIONS

1. PI antenna product, comprising:

a plant substrate in a coherent form, such as a pill or a ball; and

- seeds which have been introduced into, or can be introduced into, the plant substrate.

The plant product of claim 1, further comprising a suspension.

Plant product according to claim 2, wherein the suspension comprises a support under the plant substrate.

Plant product according to claim 3, wherein the support comprises: a tray on which the plant substrate is supported.

The plant product of claim 4, wherein the shell defines a support surface for the plant substrate.

A plant product according to any of the preceding claims 3-5, wherein the support surface, with respect to an underside of the plant substrate, is formed as a tight-fitting shape to abut it.

Plant product according to any of the preceding claims 2-6, wherein the suspension comprises a longitudinal arm.

The plant product of claim 7, wherein the arm extends into the plant substrate and comprises: a coupling at one end thereof, outside the plant substrate, for suspending the plant product therefrom.

Plant product according to at least claims 3 and 7, wherein the arm and the support, where the end of the arm, outside the plant substrate, is opposite the support, are connected to each other.

The plant product of claim 9, wherein an eye is provided on the arm at an end opposite the support.

The plant product of claim 10, wherein a hinge is provided between the arm and the eye.

Plant product according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising fertilizers introduced into the plant substrate.

Plant product according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the plant substrate is at least one of:

- compressed in the coherent form; and

- is packaged in an envelope.

The plant product of claim 13, wherein the sheath comprises a net, thread or cotton.

A plant product assembly according to any preceding claim and a fluid introducing peak for introducing fluid into the substrate of the plant product.

The assembly of claim 15, further comprising a fluid reservoir, wherein the fluid introducing peak and the reservoir comprise coupling members for coupling the reservoir and the fluid introducing peak during and during the introduction of fluid into the plant substrate.

An assembly of a plant product according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 14 and a seed strip, which has been previously introduced into the plant substrate.

An assembly of a plant product according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 14 and a seed strip adapted to be introduced into the plant substrate.

Assembly as claimed in claim 17 or 18, wherein the seed strip comprises a bottom and a cover, with seeds arranged between them.

The assembly of claim 19, wherein at least one of the bottom and the cover comprises a fluid-permeable layer, the strip being adapted to allow seed-growing plant parts to grow from the seed strip.

An assembly according to any of the preceding claims 17-20, wherein the seed strip further comprises fertilizers.

An assembly according to any of the preceding claims 17-21, wherein the seed strip further comprises plant substrate, such as coconut, moss and the like, with the seeds arranged thereon or therein.

An assembly according to any one of the preceding claims 13-22, wherein the plant substrate is a substrate from a group comprising: coconut, moss, and the like.

A seed strip of or for an assembly according to one or more of any of the preceding claims 17-23.