WO2018185117A1

WO2018185117A1 - Pot for cultivating a plant with aerial roots

Info

Publication number: WO2018185117A1
Application number: PCT/EP2018/058518
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jonas GYLLING
Original assignee: Silkflower Import In Askersund AB
Current assignee: Silkflower Import In Askersund AB
Priority date: 2017-04-07
Filing date: 2018-04-04
Publication date: 2018-10-11
Anticipated expiration: 2019-10-07
Also published as: SE542414C2; SE1750422A1

Abstract

The disclosure relates to a pot (10) for cultivating a plant with aerial roots. The pot (10) comprising an outer container (100) and an inner wire cage (200). The inner wire cage (200) comprising a connection portion (230) and a support portion (205) adapted to receive and support the plant. The outer container (100) being translucent and having an aperture (130) for insertion of the inner wire cage (200) into the outer container (100), said outer container (100) also having a connection portion (120) adapted to interact with the connection portion (230) of the inserted inner wire cage (200) to support the inner wire cage (200) inside the outer container (100).

Description

POT FOR CULTIVATING A PLANT WITH AERIAL ROOTS Field of invention

The invention relates to a pot for cultivating a plant with aerial roots.

Technical Background

Within the field of cultivating plants, especially by amateurs and enthusiasts, it has long been known to use pots or vases which house a single plant. These vases may be made from glassware, ceramics, porcelain, etc. Certain plants, such as orchids, hyacinths, amaryllis and monstera to name a few, have aerial roots in lieu of regular roots which run through the soil. These aerial roots absorb moisture directly from the surround

atmosphere, as the name implies. Common pots are not suitable for such plants, as the plant does not benefit from soil and thus does not have a suitable support to grow while allowing the aerial roots to spread out. For this reason, pots and vases which are formed with a smaller neck are employed. The bulb from which the plant is to spring is placed in the pot on top of the neck, which supports the plant while the aerial roots spread downward into the pot which may be otherwise empty. This design has several

disadvantages, however. The plant may be difficult or impossible to move without damaging it once the aerial roots have filled the pot. The roots grow uninhibited and may grow upwardly, out of the pot, instead of down into it. This may cause tangling of the roots with other objects, for example adjacent plants. Furthermore, if the size of the neck is unsuitable for a certain plant species, the entire pot is unusable. Therefore, there exists a need for a container for plants with aerial roots which improves on these conditions.

Summary of invention

It is an object of the invention to at least mitigate some of the problems described in the above section. This object has been achieved by a pot for cultivating a plant with aerial roots, the pot comprising an outer container and an inner wire cage, the inner wire cage comprising a connection portion and a support portion adapted to receive and support the plant, the outer container being translucent and having an aperture for insertion of the inner wire cage into the outer container, said outer container also having a connection portion adapted to interact with the connection portion of the inserted inner wire cage to support the inner wire cage inside the outer container. This is advantageous because the wire cage construction allows aerial roots of a plant placed in the wire cage to grow outwardly while being guided by the wire cage and at the same time supported by it. The outer container part protects the plant. The connection portions allow for a wire cage which can be removed from the outer container for cleaning or transportation of a grown plant into a different outer container. This may for example have the advantage of allowing transfer to a container which may be larger or smaller, better suited for the plant or otherwise desirable. It also has the advantage of providing a wire cage adapted to a certain type of plant without modifying the entire pot. By being translucent, the outer container protects the plant while still being translucent to allow sunlight to reach the plant and its aerial roots. Further, by being translucent the outer container may act as a greenhouse for the aerial roots. Moreover, a translucent outer container allows for easy check if the amount of water in the pot is sufficient.

The pot aperture may further comprise a rim having an outward extension as seen from the bottom of the outer container. This has the advantage of giving structural support to the edges.

The support portion of the inner wire cage may further comprise longitudinal rods having an extension from the aperture toward the bottom of the outer container when the inner wire cage is mounted in the outer container. The longitudinal rods of the support portion of the inner wire cage may also comprise a hooking portion adapted to engage the rim of the aperture, thereby allowing the inner wire cage to connectingly engage the outer container. This has the advantage of creating a simple and easily manufactured wire cage, where the longitudinal rods give the wire cage a support structure while simultaneously allowing for a connection mechanism which is easy to manufacture as well as easy to understand and use by the user of the pot.

The support portion of the inner wire cage may further comprise circumferential rods, the circumferential rods being mounted concentrically around a common geometrical axis extending from the bottom of the outer container towards the aperture. This allows for a wire cage which is easy to manufacture at low cost. It is also stable.

The connection portion of the inner wire cage may comprise a bracket, the bracket having a circumferential extension greater than the circumference of the aperture. The bracket has the advantage of giving stability to the wire cage in the area where it is most likely to be handled by the user. This provides a wire cage which is more resistant to wear.

The bracket may further extend below the hooking portions of the longitudinal rods of the inner wire cage. This allows the bracket to shield the hooking portions of the longitudinal rods so that they are not unintentionally unhooked from the pot or damaged.

The circumferential rods of the inner wire cage may have a distance between each other as seen along the longitudinal rods of the inner wire cage, said distance being at least as great as the diameter of the

circumferential rods. This gives space to the aerial roots to grow undisturbed, and is thus advantageous for the dispersion of the aerial roots.

The inner wire cage has an envelope surface, of which at least 50%, preferably at least 60% and more preferably at least 80% may consist of through-going holes.

An advantage of having large portion of said envelope area consist of through-going holes is that it allows the plant to grow aerial roots with less hindrance than if the holes were smaller, thereby allowing for a more optimal growing environment for plants with aerial roots.

The inner wire cage may have a tapering cross-section as seen in a plane normal to the aperture of the outer container, the tapering cross-section being tapered away from the aperture of the outer container. This may allow for a bulb to be placed directly into the inner wire cage without any aerial roots first having been formed.

The distance between the bottom of the outer container and the bottom of the support portion may be greater than the distance from the top of the inner wire cage and the bottom of the inner wire cage, thereby securing a minimum distance between the bottom of the outer container and the plant.

This minimum distance allows for the aerial roots to grow to an advantageous length before being hindered by the outer container.

The outer container may be watertight. This allows for the container to be at least partially filled with water, soil, or other substances which are advantageous to plant survival.

The support portion of the inner wire cage may be made of metal.

Metal is easily formed into the described shapes and functions. Further, metal cages have the advantage of being very robust for the intended purpose while still retaining the possibility to flex somewhat, which may be advantageous when inserting a metal cage into an aperture. Metal can also easily be shaped into a wire cage which may, as described above, have a large amount of its envelope area be through-going holes.

A further scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given below. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.

Hence, it is to be understood that this invention is not limited to the particular component parts of the device described or steps of the methods described as such device and method may vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to be limiting. It must be noted that, as used in the specification and the appended claim, the articles "a," "an," "the," and "said" are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to "a unit" or "the unit" may include several devices, and the like. Furthermore, the words "comprising", "including", "containing" and similar wordings does not exclude other elements or steps.

Brief description of the drawings

The invention will by way of example be described in more detail with reference to the appended schematic drawings, which shows a presently preferred embodiment of the invention.

The figures should not be considered limiting the invention to the specific embodiment; instead they are used for explaining and understanding the invention.

As illustrated in the figures, the sizes of layers and regions are exaggerated for illustrative purposes and, thus, are provided to illustrate the general structures of embodiments of the present invention. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.

Fig. 1 illustrates an outer container and an inner wire of a pot, the pot being illustrated in a disassembled state.

Fig. 2 illustrates insertion of the inner wire cage into the outer container.

Fig. 3 illustrates the pot in an assembled state. Detailed description of preferred embodiments

The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the drawings. It is contemplated that there are numerous modifications of the embodiments described herein, which are still within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

In Figs 1 -3 a pot 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. The pot 10 comprises an outer container 100 and an inner wire cage 200. In Fig. 1 the pot 10 is illustrated in a disassembled state, wherein the inner wire cage 200 is separated from the outer container 100. In Fig. 2 assembly of pot 10 is illustrated. The inner wire cage 200 is inserted into the outer container 100 along an assembly direction A. In Fig. 3 the pot 10 is illustrated in an assembled state. Hence, the inner wire cage 200 and the outer container 100 are in assembly forming the pot 10.

The outer container 100 may be translucent, to allow for light to reach its interior. The outer container 100 is preferably made from glass, but may of course also be made from a suitable plastic or other translucent material. The outer container 100 comprises a connection portion 120. The outer container 100 also comprises an aperture 130 with a rim 122 having an outward extension as seen from the inside of the outer container 100. The outer container 100 further comprises a bottom 1 10. The outer container 100 may of course also be bottomless. The connection portion 120 could also conceivably be manufactured such that no rim 122 is formed, or having an inwardly extending rim 122. The outer container 100 ma, just as in the in Figs 1 -3 illustrated embodiment, have cylindrical in shape. However, other shapes are of course also possible. Examples of such shapes would be cuboid, pyramidal, or more irregular shapes.

The outer container 100 may be watertight. This allows for water, sand, pebbles, nutrient solutions etc. which may be beneficial to the plant to be put into the outer container 100.

The inner wire cage 200 may be made of metal. Metal is advantageous because it provides for an easily shapeable material which is still sturdy and light enough for the application of cultivation of plants. The inner wire cage 200 may of course be made from other suitable materials as well. Some non- limiting examples are molded plastic, wood, glass and casted plaster.

Common for the materials suitable for making the inner wire cage 200 is that it shall provide enough structural stability to guide and support the aerial roots.

The inner wire cage 200 may, just as in the in Figs 1 -3 illustrated embodiment, be formed of a number of longitudinal rods 210 with

circumferential rods 220 spaced along the extension of the longitudinal rods 210. The circumferential rods 220 are formed around the longitudinal rods 210 as concentric geometrical shapes, in the in Figs 1 -3 illustrated

embodiment case as circles. The circumferential rods 220 may of course also be shaped in a rectangular or elliptic manner, or in any other shape which suits the function and aesthetics of the pot. The inner wire cage 200 may be shaped in a variety of ways, such as including longitudinal and circumferential bands instead of the longitudinal and circumferential rods 210, 220 or as a one-cast cage.

The longitudinal rods 210 and the circumferential rods 220 constitutes a support portion 205 adapted to receive and support the plant. The space between the longitudinal and circumferential rods 210, 220 should be sufficient to guide and support aerial roots of a plant. In the depicted embodiment, the space between the circumferential rods 220 has a distance of more than twice the diameter of the circumferential rods 220.

The inner wire cage 200 may be constructed such that it comprises through-going holes which cover more than 50% of the envelope surface defined by the inner wire cage 200. This gives the roots room to grow between the longitudinal and circumferential rods 210, 220 while still providing means to secure a plant bulb. It is preferred to have more than 60% and more preferred to have more than 80% of the envelope area of the inner wire cage 200 covered by through-going holes.

To give the aerial roots space to grow, a minimum distance between the bottom 1 10 of the outer container 100 and a bottom of the inner wire cage 200 is preferred. In Figs 1 -3 a pot 10 is shown where the distance between the bottom 1 10 of the outer container 100 and the bottom of the inner wire cage 200 is greater than the distance from top to bottom of the inner wire cage 200 itself.

The inner wire cage 200 may be constructed by making the shape defined by the circumferential rods 220 be concentric with a cross-sectional area which increases farther away from the bottom 1 10 of the outer container 100. This provides the inner wire cage 200 with a tapered cross-section as seen in a plane normal to the bottom 100 of the outer container 100. The inner wire cage 200 further comprises a connection portion 230. The connection portion 230 may be of any kind which allows the inner wire cage 200 to connectingly interact with the outer container 100. This may for example be a snap-locking action, a threaded portion to interact with a threaded portion of the outer container or any other means of securing a connection between the inner wire cage 200 and the outer container 100. In the in Figs 1 -3 depicted embodiment, the connection portion 230 comprises hooking portions 212 located at the ends of the longitudinal rods 210. The hooking portions 212 may be formed by simply bending the ends of the longitudinal rods 210. The hooking portions 212 may also be formed by providing a separate hooking part. The hooking portions 212 may be made from a different material than the rest of the longitudinal rods 210. The hooking portions 212 may be coated in a soft material such as rubber or cloth to avoid scratching of the outer container.

The inner wire cage 200 may further comprise a bracket 240. The bracket is adapted to encase the rim 122 of the outer container 100 when the inner wire cage 200 is mounted to the outer container 100. The bracket 240 also constitutes part of the connection portion 230. The bracket 240 extends below the hooking portions 212 of the longitudinal rods 210. This protects the hooking portions 212 from wear and accidental manipulation as well as protecting the rim 122 of the connection portion 130 of the outer container 100 from being damaged.

In Fig. 3 is disclosed the pot in its assembled state. The inner wire cage 200 has been inserted into the outer container 100. The connection portion 120 of the outer container 100 supports the connection portion 230 of the inner wire cage 200 such that the inner wire cage 200 is suspended above the bottom 130 of the outer container 100.

The person skilled in the art realizes that the present invention by no means is limited to the preferred embodiments described above. On the contrary, many modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the appended claims.

For example, the support portion may be made up by different parts than the longitudinal rods and circumferential rods 210, 220. This is for example the case if the inner wire cage 200 is made by casting.

Additionally, variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by the skilled person in practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims.

Claims

1 . A pot for cultivating a plant with aerial roots, the pot comprising an outer container (100) and an inner wire cage (200),

the inner wire cage (200) comprising a connection portion (230) and a support portion (205) adapted to receive and support the plant,

the outer container (100) being translucent and having an

aperture (130) for insertion of the inner wire cage (200) into the outer container (100), said outer container (100) also having a connection portion (120) adapted to interact with the connection portion (230) of the inserted inner wire cage (200) to support the inner wire cage (200) inside the outer container (100).

2. The pot according to claim 1 , wherein the support portion (205) of the inner wire cage (200) further comprises longitudinal rods (210) having an extension from the aperture (130) toward a bottom (1 10) of the outer container (100) when the inner wire cage (200) is mounted in the outer container (100).

3. The pot according to claim 2, wherein outer container (100) comprises a rim (122) located at the aperture (130) thereof, the rim (122) having an outward extension as seen from the bottom (1 10) of the outer container (100).

4. The pot according to claim 3, wherein the longitudinal rods (210) of the support portion (205) of the inner wire cage (200) comprise a hooking portion (212) adapted to engage the rim (122) of the outer container (100), thereby allowing the inner wire (200) cage to connectingly engage the outer container (100).

5. The pot according to any one of the claims 1 -4, wherein the support portion (205) of the inner wire cage (200) comprises circumferential rods (220), the circumferential rods (220) being mounted concentrically around a common geometrical axis extending from the bottom (1 10) of the outer container (100) towards the aperture (130) of the outer container (100).

6. The pot according to any one of the claims 1 -5, wherein the connection portion (230) of the inner wire cage (200) comprises a bracket (240), the bracket (240) having a circumferential extension greater than the

circumference of the aperture (130) of the outer container (100).

7. The pot according to claims 4 and 6, wherein the bracket (240) extends beneath the hooking portions (212) of the longitudinal rods (210) of the inner wire cage (200).

8. The pot according to any one of claims 5-7, wherein the circumferential rods (220) of the inner wire cage (200) have a distance between each other as seen along the longitudinal rods (210) of the inner wire cage (200), said distance being at least as great as twice a diameter of the circumferential rods (220).

9. The pot according to any one of claims 1 -8, wherein the inner wire cage (200) has an envelope surface, of which at least 50%, preferably at least 60% and more preferably at least 80% consists of through-going holes.

10. The pot according to any one of claims 1 -9, wherein the inner wire cage (200) has a tapering cross-section as seen in a plane normal to the aperture (130) of the outer container (100), the tapering cross-section being tapered away from the aperture (130).

1 1 . The pot according to any one of claims 1 -10, wherein the distance between a bottom (1 10) of the outer container (100) and a bottom of the support portion (205) of the inner wire cage (200) is greater than the distance from a top of the inner wire cage (200) and the bottom of the support portion (205) of the inner wire cage (200).

12. The pot according to any one of claims 1 -1 1 , wherein the outer

container (100) is watertight.

13. The pot according to any one of claims 1 -12, wherein the support portion (205) of the inner wire cage (200) is made of metal.