GB2035028A - Containers for plants - Google Patents

Abstract

A 'planter' comprises an outer container 10 with a water-tight liner 20 fitting therein and adapted to hold a plurality of individual plant pots, together with such plant pots and a water tray 30 so dimensioned as to be received within the container so as to enable said plant pots to stand in the water tray whilst in the container. The components are assembled in various combinations to provide a plant growing unit. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Containers for Plants This invention relates to containers intended primarily for holding and displaying several growing plants, such containers being com monly known as 'planters'.

Such planters are frequently used in homes and offices and therefore need to be aesthetically attractive whilst at the same time being sufficiently robust to support a substantial quantity of soil or other suitable growing medium. Additionally, they should be resistant to the leakage of water which must periodically be applied to the soil.

One popular type of planter consists of a fabricated metal container, typically made from copper, but due to the necessity of making joints watertight and resistant to corrosion, manufacturing costs tend to be high if a durable and satisfactory product is to be made.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a planter which is versatile in use and obviates the need for durable watertight joints in its construction.

According to the invention we provide a planter comprising in combination an outer container, a water-tight liner fitting therein, a plurality of individual plant pots which are so dimensioned as collectively to fit within the liner, and a water tray so dimensioned as to be received within the container so as to enable said plant pots to stand in the water tray whilst in the container.

Preferably, the liner and the water tray are so dimensioned and shaped that one may nest within the other so as to enable the liner, the tray and the plant pots all to be housed within the container.

The provision of a separate watertight liner makes it possible for the container to be fabricated without watertight corrosion resistant joints, and indeed the container may be made of less costly and less corrosion resistant materials than copper because it will not be exposed to contact with water or damp soil.

These and other aspects of the invention will be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein Figure 1 is fragmentary side view of one embodiment of planter, and Figure 2 is a corresponding transverse section.

The planter shown in the accompanying drawings is in the form of an elongated parallel sided trough, but it will be appreciated that it could alternatively be constructed as a curved, or annular trough, or a container of circular, square or other suitable shape in plan view.

The illustrated planter consists from copper sheet, an inner liner in the form of a trough 20 of plastics material, with a separate water tray 30 also of plastics material, and a number of plant pots such as illustrated at 40.

The outer container 10 comprises a base 11 having around its periphery a downturned flange 1 2 which terminates in an outwardly directed rolled lip 1 3. The sides of the container are formed from two lengths 1 5 of copper strip which are curved towards one another at opposite ends and joined together on vertical seams lying on the centre line of the container. The sides 1 5 have at their lower edge an out-turned flange 1 6 which is secured within the rolled lip 1 3 of the base 11.At its upper edge, the sides terminate in a rolled bead 1 7. None of these joints need be of a durable watertight character, and the inner surface of the trough need not be lacquered or otherwise protected since it will not have to be in contact with soil.

The trough 20 is made of any suitable, impervious plastics material and is so dimensioned as to fit closely within the container 10. Preferably, as shown, the side walls 21 of the trough are formed with a rebate 22 adjacent to the base 23. The purpose of this rebate is to enable the trough 20 to be 'nested' within the water tray 30, as clearly shown in Figure 2.

The tray 30 is, like the trough 20, made of a suitable impervious plastics material and is so dimensioned as to fit closely within the base of the container 1 0. Conveniently, the inner face of the sides of the tray 30 are formed with a number of steps 31 or other markers for the purposes of indicating the quantity of water introduced into the tray.

Finally, the planter includes a suitable number of plant pots 40 which are so dimensioned as collectively to fit within the trough 20, only one such plant pot being indicated in the accompanying drawings, for convenience.

As illustrated, the pot 40 is of the selfwatering type and includes circumferentially spaced feet 41 whereby the base 42 is spaced above the base of the water tray. A central hollow protuberance 43 contains a wick 44 whereby water in the tray 10 can be taken up into the pot 40.

With the arrangement illustrated, the tray 30 can be placed within the base of the container 10, and the trough 20 can be nested within the tray 30, with the plant pots 40 conveniently nested within the trough. The planter may thus be conveniently stored and transported in this condition.

In use, if it is required to use the container 10 for plants potted in the individual pots 40, the trough 30 can be removed, so that the plant pots 40 rest in the water tray 30. The plants can be watered by introducing a measured quantity of water into the water tray 30.

Alternatively, plants such as bulbs can be planted directly in the trough 20 and this can be placed in the container 1 D, either with Dr without the water 'tray 30.

In an alternative arrangement, the water tray could be so dimensioned as to be capable of being received within the trough 20. For example, the water tray could be so dimensioned as to rest on the internal shoulder which is afforded by the trough around the sides thereof, so as to provide a support for a large number of smaller plant pots, or to raise the provided plant pots to a higher level where, for example, the planter is to be used for trailing plants.

Whilst the pots 40 will normally all be identical, it will be appreciated that pots of different shapes and sizes may be provided and that whilst pots will normally be of circular shape in plan, other shapes may be adopted.

Conveniently, the planter may be presented as a complete package by resting the pots 40 in the liner 20, the liner 20 in the water tray 30, and the water tray 30 in the outer container 10, and enveloping the latter in a suitable wrapper, such as a transparent plastics film. Alternatively, the nested pots, liner and tray only may be film wrapped and placed inside the outer container.

Claims (7)

1. A planter comprising, in combination, an outer container, a water-tight liner fitting therein, a plurality of individual plant pots which are so dimensioned as collectively to fit within the liner, and a water tray so dimensioned as to be received within the container so as to enable said plant pots to stand in the water tray whilst in the container.

2. A planter according to Claim 1 wherein the liner and the water tray are so dimensioned and shaped that one may nest within the other so as to enable the liner, the tray and the plant pots all to be housed within the container.

3. A planter according to Claim 2 wherein the liner is formed with a rebate adjacent to the base thereof and is so dimensioned as to nest within the water tray.

4. A planter according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the plant pots are of the self-watering kind and incorporate a wick extending through an aperture in the base thereof and legs whereby the base is supported in spaced relation to a supporting surface on which it is placed.

5. A planter according to any of the preceding claims wherein the container is fabricated from sheet metal.

6. A planter according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the liner, the water tray and the pots are all formed of impervious plastics material.

7. A planter according to any one of the+ preceding claims wherein the liner, the water tray, and the pots are all disposed in nesting relation within the outer container and the latter is enveloped by a suitable wrapper.

B. A planter substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.