NL2014188A

NL2014188A - Receiving device for a potted plant, receiving device with a potted plant and blank for forming a side wall for such a receiving device.

Info

Publication number: NL2014188A
Application number: NL2014188A
Authority: NL
Inventors: Nørgaard Jepsen Frands
Original assignee: Knud Jepsen As
Priority date: 2015-01-26
Filing date: 2015-01-26
Publication date: 2016-09-28
Also published as: NL2014188B1

Abstract

The invention relates to a receiving device adapted to receive a potted plant, the receiving device comprising an endless circumferential side wall substantially extending conically outwards from a bottom edge of the side wall towards an upper edge of the side wall. The side wall of the receiving device according to the invention is provided with a weakened line extending mainly parallel to the bottom edge of the sidewall and over a substantial part of the circumference of the side wall.

Description

Title: Receiving device for a potted plant, receiving device with a potted plant and blank for forming a side wall for such a receiving device.

Description

The current invention, according to a first aspect, is related to a receiving device adapted to receive a potted plant. The receiving device is especially suitable as a package device for the purpose of transport, handling and presentation of a potted plant received therein.

It is known for potted plants to be transported and to be presented in supermarkets, for example, packed in a transparent, flexible foil embodied as a sleeve tapering from top to bottom, which is open at the bottom and the top to allow the packed plant and the substrate to be supplied with fresh air. The sleeve is dimensioned such that the lower part of the sleeve snugly encloses the pot of the potted plant, while the upper part of the sleeve provides space for the branches and the leaves of the plant. The sleeve extends up to and over substantially the total height of the plant, and often beyond. The sleeve in the form of transparent, flexible foil provides a certain amount of protection for the leaves of potted plant, keeping the leaves together, and also provides for an aesthetically pleasing design. The pot provides rigidity for the potted plant to be handled by persons and to be shelved for storage and support. Usually, when potted plants received in a known sleeve are stored in a box, for example, 6 or 12 pots are each caught in a circular hole provided in a plastic or cardboard tray to prevent displacement of the potted plants during transport, which would damage the plant.

It is an object of the invention to provide a receiving device for a potted plant that provides better protection than the known potted plant packages, in particular those using sleeves of transparent, flexible foil. It is in particular an object of the invention to provide an improved receiving device adapted to receive a potted plant, preferably having improved characteristics, such as customer acceptance, customer attraction, added value, and/or improved functionality, whilst at least maintaining, and preferably improving, aesthetic aspects thereof.

This objective, according to the current invention, is met with a receiving device adapted to receive a potted plant, the receiving device comprising an endless circumferential side wall substantially extending conically outwards from a bottom edge of the side wall towards an upper edge of the side wall, wherein said side wall is provided with a weakened line extending mainly parallel to the plane defined by the bottom edge and over a substantial part of the circumference of the side wall.

The receiving device according to the invention has a side wall that in an embodiment may be dimensioned such that a lower part of the side wall encloses a pot of the potted plant received therein, while an upper part of the side wall provides space for the branches and the leaves of the plant, thereby protecting the leaves of the plant to at least a certain degree. The receiving device according to the invention has a weakened line that extends mainly parallel to the plane defined by the bottom edge, and provides the possibility to remove the upper part of the side wall. Thus, the upper part may be removed, whilst the lower part may remain around the pot of the potted plant, protecting the potted plant whilst at the same time providing the possibility of improving the visual appearance of the potted plant.

The side wall may have a resistance to deformation and elastic properties in the radial direction. A bottom element with a plate-like bottom wall may be provided for providing support for the bottom of a pot of a potted plant received in the package. Further, because of the conical shape, the side wall supports a side wall of the pot. The side wall with the resistance to deformation and elastic properties in the radial direction is able to protect the branches and leaves of a potted plant that is rooted in substrate received in the pot. Further, these properties make the side wall to return to its initial shape after deformation and prevent the part of the side wall surrounding the branches and leaves of the plant to come and/or stay closer to the branches and leaves then in its initial shape, and thus reduces unnecessary contact of the side wall with the branches and/or leaves. And said properties of the side wall will allow the side wall of the receiving device to be designed shorter compared to the known flexible foil, because the side wall of the receiving device according to the invention provides a better grip for people who intend to handle the package. This, in turn, makes better presentation of a potted plant received in the device possible, because of a better view at the branches and leaves for a potential buyer.

Furthermore, by allowing the user to remove the upper part of the side wall by means of the weakened line, while maintaining the lower part of the side wall around the pot, the user can suffice with only removing said upper part of the receiving device for displaying the plant. The user does not need to remove the sleeve from the complete potted plant, provide an additional pot, and position said potted plant in the additional pot. Rather, the user only has to remove the upper part of the receiving device according to the invention, after which display of the pot is directly possible. This improves the convenience of use of the receiving device according to the invention, whilst improving the aesthetics thereof, and additionally provides for improved customer acceptance, customer attraction and added value.

With this, the object of the invention is achieved.

It is noted that different techniques may be used for providing a weakened line in the side wall of the receiving device according to the invention. The weakened line may for instance be embodied as a perforated line, or the material can be weakened otherwise. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited in any way to a specific technique of providing the weakened line, unless explicitly described as such. The skilled person will furthermore be able to identify suitable techniques of providing the weakened line.

The weakened line is in particular arranged for allowing the user to divide the side wall in an upper part and a lower part, such that the upper part may be removed from the lower part. In an embodiment, the weakened line has an endless circumferential part that extends over the full circumference of the side wall. This allows the user to easily separate the side wall into an upper part and a lower part. In an embodiment, the weakened line has an initiating part that substantially extends in a direction transvers to the plane defined by the bottom edge. Preferably, the initiating part makes a transition into the endless circumferential part. The initiating part may extend from the upper edge of the side wall towards the endless circumferential part. Each of these measures ensure that the user may easily use the weakened line to remove a part of the side wall of the receiving device according to the invention.

In particular, when the initiating part of the weakened line extends from the upper edge of the side wall, then the user may easily grip the side wall near the initiating part, pull down towards the endless circumferential part, such that the side wall is torn along the initiating part, which preferably curves into the endless circumferential part, such that the upper part of the side wall, for example, may be removed.

To improve the tearing of the side wall, a tear lip may be provided. The tear lip makes it even easier to tear the side wall open along the weakened line. The tap may be provided near the upper edge of the side wall, in case an initiating part is used. Alternatively, the tear lip may be provided at a distance of the upper edge.

In an embodiment wherein a curved initiating part is used, this part may have an upper section that extends substantially transvers to the plane defined by the bottom edge near the upper edge of the side wall, and comprises a lower section at a distance from the upper edge, which lower section extends substantially parallel to the plane defined by the bottom edge. In particular, such an upper section may extend substantially transvers to the plane defined by the upper edge of the side wall. This allows the user to more easily tear the side wall along the tearing line, as it requires only minimal force for the tearing to start.

In an embodiment, the lower section makes a transition into the endless circumferential part, in particular a gradual transition, allowing a smooth tearing action for the user.

In an embodiment, said side wall comprises visual instruction means, in particular text, graphics and/or symbols, indicating at least one property of the weakened line, such as the presence, or the intended use of the weakened line. For instance, the word “open” may be used, in combination with an arrow. This allows the user to more easily detect the presence of such a weakened line, and the user will understand more clearly how to use the tearing line for removing the upper part of the side wall.

In a preferred embodiment the receiving device comprises a bottom element. Due to friction between the backside of plant leaves and the interior of the receiving device and due to the lack of access through the bottom element with the plate-like bottom wall, physical access to the receiving device from below is prevented. This means that it will be substantially impossible or at least challenging for a user to remove the plant inside the receiving device from the receiving device by pushing the pot of a potted plant received in the package in an upwards direction. The receiving device is arranged in such a way that it needs to be opened, by using the weakened line, in order to allow the plant to be removed in an easy way. This will ensure that plants will not be separated from the receiving device during handling and transport and it is prevented that the plant intended to be inside the receiving device is replaced e.g. with plant products of other origin.

Said bottom element may be made of an at least substantially shaped retaining material. The bottom element may be rigid and is preferably substantially flat. Every single one of said properties, and any combination thereof, can contribute to good supporting properties of the receiving device.

In an embodiment, the bottom element is impermeable to water, such that the receiving device according to the present invention is arranged for providing the same functionality as a water impermeable pot.

In an alternative embodiment, the bottom wall is permeable for water. The bottom element may be provided with at least one through hole forming a drainage opening. The at least one trough hole may be situated in the centre of the bottom wall. The water permeability of the bottom wall allows drainage of water contained in the substrate of the pot, for example when the potted plant is watered just before it is put in the receiving device. The other way around it is also possible to put a potted plant, received in the receiving device, at a surface with a low layer of water, for example to prevent the risk of damage to plants as a result of lack of water over time.

The bottom element is preferably attached to the side wall, in any desired manner as is generally known to those skilled in the art.

In a preferred embodiment the bottom edge of the side wall has a U-shaped cross section, and the bottom element is provided with outwardly radiating tabs that can be folded and simply be inserted into the side wall and put itself in place. Gravity will increase the clamping of the bottom element in the side wall, because of the weight of the bottom element and possibly a potted plant supported by the bottom element. In a preferred embodiment the bottom element is fixed to the side wall using an adhesive to increase inherent stability of the package.

The side wall preferably is made of an at least substantially moisture resistant material. The substrate of the potted plant, and possibly the leaves of the plant itself, can be wet or moist. Moisture resistant material cannot be affected by such moist.

In a preferred embodiment of the current invention the side wall comprises a support opening in the half of the side wall that directs away from the bottom element, which support opening is adapted to allow fingers of a person to be inserted for carrying the receiving device. The support opening allows easy handling by personnel or a buyer of the product. Such an opening also allows the product to be hung on a wall, which improves the display functionality of the product.

It is advantageous when the upper edge of the side wall extends, at least on average, in an angle a with respect to the plane defined by the bottom edge, wherein a is in the range of 5° to 60°, preferably in the range of 10° to 45°. A relatively long side wall part thus can be combined with a relatively large exposure surface for exposure of the plant to sunlight or to the public. The relatively long part of the side wall can provide an engagement surface for a person and may be provided with the support opening. The relatively short part of the side wall may allow light to reach the plant and provides good presentation properties of a plant packed in the receiving device. Exposure to light allows the plant to grow when received in the receiving device.

The side wall preferably is made from a blank which is conically wrapped, wherein two opposite side edges of the blank are fixed to each other along a fixing line that extends transversely from the bottom edge up to the upper edge. In use, transverse from the bottom edge means substantially vertically. The opposite side edges can be fixed together by means of gluing, melting (in case of a plastics side wall) or otherwise. The weakened line preferably extends over the fixing line.

The bottom edge may define a lower diameter which is preferably in the range of 4 to 20 cm, more preferably in the range of 5 to 16 cm and even more preferably in the range of 6 to 12 cm. These ranges, and other ranges which are mentioned hereafter, may correspond to ranges of sizes of pots for potted plants.

For example, the side wall, at the level of the shortest part of the side wall, preferably has a circular cross-section with an upper diameter in the range of 8 to 40 cm, preferably in the range of 10 to 35 cm and more preferably in the range of 12 to 30 cm. These ranges are typically in conformity with the circumference of the plant to be received in the receiving device.

The side wall preferably has a shortest vertical length in the range of 5 to 30 cm, more preferably in the range of 7 to 25 cm and even more preferably in the range of 9 to 20 cm. As such, the shortest vertical length of the side wall can overlap the corresponding part of the pot to be received in the receiving device, while providing good exposure possibilities for a plant to be received in the receiving device.

The side wall preferably has a longest vertical length in the range of 10 to 50 cm, more preferably in the range of 12 to 45 cm and even more preferably in the range of 15 to 40 cm. This allows the side wall to have a part extending relatively high, maybe even to above the top of a plant to be received in the receiving device, for good access of that part of the side wall for handling purposes.

The upright wall and/or the side wall preferably extend in an angle in the range of 95° to 125° with respect to the bottom wall, more preferably in the range of 98° to 120° and even more preferably in the range of 100° to 115° with respect to the bottom wall. The inclination of the side wall can thus correspond to that of a pot to be received in the receiving device.

The receiving device can be made from a broad range of materials, as mentioned earlier, preferably water repellent materials. Preferred materials for the side wall are plastics or cardboard, especially cardboard provided with a water repellent material, and especially of a plastics or cardboard blank. Blanks made of the right material can be wrapped easily to be in conformity with the properties of the invention.

In an embodiment, the receiving device comprises a potted plant that is received in the receiving device. The receiving device encloses the pot, at least the bottom part of the pot. If the receiving device encloses the pot over the entire height of the pot, like the known flexible sheet does, no space between the pot and the side wall of the receiving device available for debris or the like and the pot will be received relatively stable in the receiving device. The pot, in its turn, can improve the rigidity and shape retainability of the side wall, since pots for potted plants are usually rather rigid and can thus help to maintain the intended shape of the side wall of the receiving device. However, the inherent resistance to deformation and elastic properties in the radial direction of the receiving device according to the current invention allow the side wall to extend away, in the direction from the bottom element to the top edge, from the side wall of a pot received in the device. Thus compared to the thin plastic sleeve, the receiving device according to the invention allows more space to the upper part of the pot and lower part of the leaves, thus reducing the risk of damaging the lower leaves and thus reducing the risk of fungal infection.

In an alternative embodiment, the bottom of the pot has a smaller diameter then the bottom wall of the bottom element. The side wall than extends upward at a distance of the pot, for example with a mutual distance of at least 0,5 cm or at least 1 cm between the pot and the side wall. In this embodiment, especially if the angle defined by the side wall and the bottom wall of the receiving device is equal to or more obtuse than the angle defined by the pot’s side wall and the pot’s bottom, relatively more space is available for the branches and the leaves of the pot, providing better protection thus even further reducing the risk of damaging the lower leaves and thus reducing the risk of fungal infection

In a preferred embodiment the pot extends to at maximum %, preferably to at maximum halfway, the shortest vertical length of the receiving device, starting at the bottom element. Thus, the pot of the potted plant is fully overlapped by the side wall of the receiving device and provides protection to the lower part of the plant, leaving the top of the plant free to be exposed to the public. The weakened line is preferably provided above the rim of the pot of the potted plant received in the receiving device, such that after using the weakened line, the lower part of the side wall still fully overlaps the pot of the potted plant.

According to a an aspect, the current invention provides a blank, adapted to form a side wall of the receiving device according to the invention. An advantage of blanks to form a receiving device, or at least a side wall thereof, is that the blanks, before being transformed to the side wall, can be easily stacked without occupying unnecessary space. Further, stacked blanks are not vulnerable for being damaged.

In an embodiment of the blank, said blank comprises a bottom edge formed by a segment of a curve that defines a reference circle, said bottom edge corresponding to the bottom edge of the side wall, wherein at one end of the curve the blank comprises a first side edge that extends away from the centre of the reference circle and substantially perpendicularly and straight over a first distance, and wherein at an opposite end of the curve the blank comprises a second side edge that extends away from the centre of the reference circle, substantially perpendicularly and straight over a distance corresponding to the first distance, and wherein the blank comprises, at a distance from the bottom edge, an upper edge corresponding to the upper edge of the side wall, wherein said upper edge extends parallel or optionally erratic with respect to the bottom edge and connects the first and second side edges, and wherein the blank is provided with a weakened line extending between the first and second side edges, and substantially transvers to the first and second side edges.

The advantages of such a blank have already been indicated above.

In an embodiment, the weakened line has an endless circumferential part that extends from the first side edge to the second side edge. The weakened line may have an initiating part that extends up to the upper edge. The initiating part may furthermore make a transition into the endless circumferential part. Said initiating part may be curved. The advantages relating to a receiving device having one or more of the above features have already been explained above.

Hereafter, the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1a and 1b show a perspective front view and back view, respectively, of a receiving device according to the current invention;

Fig. 2 shows a perspective front view of the receiving device of Fig. 1a and 1b, whilst use is made of the weakened line to remove an upper part of the side wall of the receiving device.

Fig. 3 shows a perspective view of a lower part of the receiving device according to the invention, after use was made of the weakened line and the upper part of the side wall has been removed.

Fig. 4 shows a plan view of a blank for forming the receiving device according to the invention;

Fig. 5 shows a sectional view of the receiving device according to the invention;

Fig. 6 shows a receiving device with a potted plant, whilst use is made of the weakened line to remove an upper part of the side wall of the receiving device; and

Fig. 7 shows a lower part of the receiving device with a potted plant, after use was made of the weakened line and the upper part of the side wall has been removed.

Now looking at Fig. 1a and 1b, concurrently, a receiving device 1 according to the current invention is shown in a perspective front view and back view, respectively. The receiving device 1, here in the form of a package 1, is adapted to receive a potted plant, as will be described later. The receiving device 1 comprises an endless circumferential side wall 6. Side wall 6 has an upper edge 72 having a substantially horizontal front part 72a, from which the upper edge 72 at both sides inclines slightly upwards over side parts 72b, 72c, and then inclines relatively steep upwards in rear side parts 72d, 72e to a substantially horizontal rear part 72f. The relatively short front part of side wall 6 has a height of 18,3 cm while the relatively long rear part of the side wall has a height of 28,3 cm. The diameter of the horizontal cross section of the package 1 at the level of the upper edge part 72a amounts 18 cm. At the back side of receiving device 1 there is provided a support opening 8. Relatively smaller venting openings 81 are also provided in the back side, as can be seen best in fig. 1b.

Side wall 6 additionally has a bottom edge 71, which substantially defines a horizontal plane, at least in use, such that the receiving device may be positioned on a horizontal ground, in a stable manner. The side wall 6 substantially extends conically outwards from the bottom edge 71 of the side wall 6 towards the upper edge 72 of the side wall 6.

The side wall 6 of the receiving device 1 according to the invention is provided with a weakened line 9 extending mainly parallel to the bottom edge 71 of the sidewall 6 and over a substantial part of the circumference of the side wall 6. This weakened line is in particular arranged for allowing the user to divide the side wall in an upper part and a lower part, such that the upper part may be removed from the lower part. Here, the weakened line 9 is embodied in two parts; an endless circumferential part 9a extending over the full circumference of the side wall 6, and an initiating part 9b extending between the upper edge 72 of the side wall 6 and the endless circumferential part 9a. Near the end of the initiating part 9b, close to the upper edge 72, a tearing lip 10 is provided.

The functioning of the weakened line 9 will now be described by means of Fig. 2, which shows a perspective front view of the receiving device 1 of Fig. 1a and 1b. Here, the upper part 6b, 6c of the side wall 6 is being removed by means of the weakened line 9, by means a pulling force exerted on pulling lip 10, as indicated by arrow 102. By pulling, the upper part 6b, 6c will be torn along the initiating part 9b, which makes a transition into the endless circumferential part 9a, as best shown in Fig. 1a and 1b. During the tearing, the weakened line of the endless circumferential part will pass a fixing line 79 of the side wall, which fixing line 79 is present here due to the fact that the side wall 6 is preferably formed by means of a blank, in which two side edges are connected to each other. A blank for forming the side wall 6 will be described with respect to Fig. 4a and 4b.

By fully tearing along the weakened line 9, starting from the situation shown in Fig. 2, the situation as shown in Fig. 3 will be obtained. Here, it can be seen that the upper part 6c, 6b of the side wall 6 has been completely separated from the lower part 6a. For better understanding of how the side wall 6 is torn, the two sheets 6b and 6c forming the upper part 6b, 6c of the side wall 6 have been shown separated from each other, and next to each other. However, it is to be understood that normally these parts will still be connected to each other, since these parts have been affixed together along their respective fixing edges 79. After the upper part 6b, 6c has been removed, a lower, pot-like part 6a of the receiving device 1 remains, which forms a holder 11 for a potted plant, and which has an upper rim 73a.

Fig. 4a shows a plan view of a blank 101 from which the side wall 6 of the receiving device 1 is to be formed. In figure 4a the parts are referred to with the same reference signs as the corresponding parts shown in Fig. 1a and 1b. The blank has a bottom edge 71 which defines a segment of a curve that defines a circle. Side edges 75, 76 extend upwardly. The upper edge 72 connects the ends of the side edges 75, 76, at a distance of the bottom edge 71. The blank 101 thus has a more or less trapezoidal shape. The upper edge 72 is provided with a lip 10, which enables the user to more easily use the weakened line 9 for removing an upper part of the side wall 6.

Furthermore, the curvature of the initiating part 9b of the weakened line 9 can be seen in Fig. 4a, and it can also be seen that the endless circumferential part fully extends between the side edges 75, 76. Not visible here is that an adhering strip may be provided, for ease of forming the receiving device 1 as shown in Fig. 1a and 1b. Furthermore, it can be seen that the blank, in particular the side wall 6, may be provided with visual instruction means, which indicate how to use the tearing line 9. Here, the visual instruction means comprise text in the form of the word “open”, as well as an arrow indicating which way to pull the tearing lip 10. The visual indicating means M are provided near the tearing lip 10. Although the tearing lip 10 is provided near the upper edge 72, it can also be provided near the endless circumferential part 9a of the weakened line 9, in which case the initiating part 9b may be omitted altogether. By adhering the side edges 75, 76 together, the tearing lip 10 may stick out, such that it can be grabbed by the user, which allows the upper part of the side wall 6 to be removed by the user.

Fig. 4b shows a plan view of a bottom element 2, having radially outwardly extending tabs 22, which are arranged for working together with similar radially outwardly extending tabs 21 provided on the bottom edge 71 of the side wall 6 (see Fig. 4a). By folding the tabs inward, the bottom element 2 can be connected to the side wall 6, which situation is displayed in the sectional view of Fig. 5.

Now referring back to Fig. 4a, the receiving device 1 of Figs. 1a-b may be made from blank 101 shown in Fig. 4a, by adhering an adhesive strip provided at a side 75 of blank 101 to a strip of the opposite side 76 of blank 101. Then the bottom element 2 is introduced from above in the conical extending side wall 6 thus formed. At the lower end of the side wall the bottom element 2 contacts the inner side of side wall 6, and the bottom element 2 may be adhered thereto by a suitable glue. Now a receiving device 1 is formed in which a potted plant can be received as shown in Fig. 1a and 1b.

Referring back to figs. 1a and 1b, the lower horizontal front part 72a, defining an upper edge 72 of the shortest part of the side wall 6 allows a potted plant to be received in the package 1 to be presented attractively to the public. Starting at part 72a, upper edge 72 extends relatively low in both directions until the rear side parts 72d, 72e, which extend relatively steep to an upper rear part 72f defining the side wall part having a longest vertical length of the side wall 6. As such, the rear side of the side wall 6, especially the upper part thereof defined by rear side parts 72d, 72e and rear part 72f of upper edge 72, and including support opening 8 provides for an easy handling of the package 1, even if a potted plant is received in the package 1. Support opening 8 can also be used for the purpose of hanging package 1 to a wall or a display, for example. Package 1 can be torn open along tearing line 9, by grasping tearing lip 10 and pulling tearing lip 10 down, as shown in Fig. 2. This is an easy way to remove the upper part of the package, for example at home by a consumer who just bought the plant.

Fig. 6 and 7 show a perspective side view of package 1 in which a pot with a potted plant 201 is received. The pot 201 is supported by both the bottom element 2, and in an embodiment also by the side wall 6 when the pot 201 snugly fits in package 1. Side wall 6 and pot 201 cooperate in that side wall 6 partly supports the side wall of pot 12 at one hand, and in that pot 12 helps to retain the shape of side wall 6 at the other hand. Because of the conical shape of side wall 6, relatively much space is available for plant 13, reducing the risk of leaves to be damaged. As discussed before, the relatively low front part of side wall 6 allows plant 13 to be presented in an attractive way.

As shown in Fig. 6, and already described with respect to Fig. 2, the upper part 6b, 6c of the side wall6 is removable, by using the weakened line 9, for instance by means of pulling at tearing lip 10. This way, the situation as shown in Fig. 7 is obtained. Here it can be seen that the lower part of the side wall 6 encloses the pot of the potted plant 201, which provides an aesthetically pleasing visual experience for the user. In addition, the user only needs to remove the upper part of the side wall 6, after which the potted plant 201 may be positioned at a desired location for further display. This alleviates the need for the use of further pots.

It is to be noted that the enclosed drawings and the above description thereof do not limit the protection of the invention. Many changes, which may or may not be obvious for the skilled person, can be made within the scope of protection which is defined by the claims. For example, while only a few materials are defined, as well the bottom element as the side wall can be made of alternative suitable materials like different plastics or cardboard treated with a water repellent material. The packages can have alternative dimensions and alternative ratios of dimensions resulting in different rates of inclination of the side wall. The weakened line can be embodied in different ways. While the overlapping parts of the side wall are described as being adhered to each other, alternative ways of joining both edges to each other, like by means of stapling, for example. The bottom element is described as being adhered to the side wall. Alternatively the bottom element and the side wall do not have to be glued together, or even to be attached to each other. As a result of the shape of both elements, the bottom can be placed in the side wall, where it will then be clamped in place. Alternatively, the bottom element may be completely omitted as well.

Claims

A pick-up device (1) adapted to receive a pot with a pot plant therein, the pick-up device comprising an endless circumferential side wall (6) extending substantially conically outward from a lower edge (71) of the side wall (6) to an upper edge (72) of the side wall (6), the side wall (6) being provided with a weakened line (9) which is substantially parallel to the lower edge (71) of the side wall (6), as well as over a substantial portion of the circumference of the side wall (6), the weakened line (9) having an endless circumferential part (9a) extending over the entire circumference of the side wall (6) and the weakened line (9) has an initiator portion (9b) extending substantially in a direction transverse to the plane defined by the lower edge (71), the initiator portion (9b) merging into the endless circumferential portion (9a), the initiator portion (9b) ) is curved and the curved initiator portion (9b) has an upper section extending substantially transversely to the plane defined by the lower edge (71) near the upper edge (72) of the side wall (6) and comprising a lower section at a distance of the upper edge (72), the lower section extending substantially parallel to the plane defined by the lower edge (71), the lower section merging into the endless circumferential portion (9a).

The pick-up device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the initiating portion (9b) extends from the upper edge (71) of the side wall (6) to the endless circumferential portion (9a).

Recording device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the side wall (6) comprises visual instruction means (M), in particular text, drawings and / or symbols, which indicate at least one property of the weakened line, such as the presence of the weakened line or its intended use.

Recording device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the side wall (6) comprises a support opening (8).

The pick-up device (1) according to claim 4, wherein the support opening (8) is adapted to allow a person's fingers to be introduced for carrying the pick-up device.

The pick-up device (1) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the upper edge (72) extends, at least on average, at an angle α with respect to the plane defined by the lower edge (71), wherein α is located is in the range of 5 ° to 60 °, preferably in the range of 10 ° to 45 °.

The pick-up device (1) of claim 6, wherein the upper edge (72) has a portion of the upper edge that extends relatively steeply and has a portion of the upper edge that extends less steeply with respect to the plane defined through the lower edge (71).

A pick-up device (1) according to claim 6 or 7, depending on claim 11, wherein the support opening (8) in the side wall (6) is provided in a part wherein the side wall (6) extends relatively far from the bottom element.

The pick-up device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the pick-up device (1) comprises a bottom element (2) connected to the endless circumferential side wall (6) at or near its lower edge (71).

The pick-up device (1) according to claim 9, wherein the bottom element (2) is impervious to water.

The pick-up device (1) according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the bottom element (2) is attached to the side wall (6).

A pick-up device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the side wall (6) is made of an at least substantially moisture-resistant material.

A pick-up device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the side wall (6) is made from a blank (101) that is conically folded, with two opposite side walls (75, 76) of the blank (101) having are attached to each other along a fastening line (79) extending transversely from the lower edge (71) to the upper edge (72).

The pick-up device (1) of claim 13, wherein the weakened line (9) extends over the attachment line (79).

The pick-up device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the lower edge (71) defines a lower diameter in the range of 4 to 20 cm.

A pick-up device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the side wall (6), at a level of the shortest part of the side wall (6), has a circular cross-section with an upper diameter in the range of 8 to 40 cm .

The pick-up device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the side wall (6) has a shortest vertical length in the range of 5 to 30 cm.

The pick-up device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the side wall (6) has a longest vertical length in the range of 10 to 50 cm.

The pick-up device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the side wall (6) extends at an angle in the range of 95 ° to 125 ° with respect to the plane defined by the lower edge (71).

A pick-up device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the side wall (6) is made of plastic, or cardboard, in particular cardboard provided with a water-repellent material, in particular a plastic or cardboard blank.

A pick-up device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a pot including a pot plant (201) is included.

A pick-up device (1) with a pot-bearing plant according to claim 21, wherein the pick-up device surrounds the pot, at least near the bottom portion of the pot.

A blank adapted to form a side wall (6) of a pick-up device (1) according to any of claims 1 to 20.

Blank as claimed in claim 23, comprising a lower edge formed by a segment of a curve defining a reference circle, the lower edge corresponding to the lower edge (71) of the side wall (6), wherein at one end of the curve the blank comprises a first side edge extending away from the center of the reference circle and substantially transversely and straight through a first distance, and wherein near an opposite end of the curve the blank comprises a second side edge extending away from the center of the reference circle, substantially transverse and straight over a distance corresponding to the first distance, and wherein the blank comprises, at a distance from the lower edge, an upper edge corresponding to the upper edge (72) of the side wall (6), wherein the upper edge extends parallel or optionally irregularly with respect to the lower edge and connects the first and second side edges, and wherein the blank is provided with a weakened The line (9) extending between the first and second side edges, and substantially transversely to the first and second side edges.

The blank of claim 24, wherein the weakened line (9) includes an endless circumferential portion (9a) that extends from the first side edge to the second side edge.

The blank of claim 24 or 25, wherein the weakened line has an initiator portion (9b) that extends to the upper edge.

A blank according to claims 25 and 26, wherein the initiating portion (9b) merges into the endless circumferential portion (9a).

The blank of claims 24-28, wherein the initiator portion (9b) is curved.