GB2185373A

GB2185373A - Tropical plant grower

Info

Publication number: GB2185373A
Application number: GB08601446A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Vijaya Peter Fernando
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1986-01-22
Filing date: 1986-01-22
Publication date: 1987-07-22
Anticipated expiration: 2006-01-22
Also published as: GB2185373B; GB8601446D0

Abstract

Tropical plants requiring a warm humid atmosphere are grown in an inner container 2 (either directly or within a pot 14) partially submerged in water at a level 13 in an outer container 1, the water being heated by a thermostatically controlled heater 5 and evaporated water being condensed within a cover 3 having ventilation gaps 4 and being returned to the outer container. Cover 3 may be fitted with a light bulb for artificial illumination. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Tropical plant grower This invention relates to an apparatus for the growing of tropical plants.

Most tropical plants need warmth, humidity and ventilation in correct proportions to thrive in a temperate climate. It is possible with the help of considerable expense and ingenuity to provide the necessary conditions in appropriately equipped greenhouses. Not only does this involve heavy capital expenditure but high maintenance costs too.

Small self-contained greenhouses hitherto have proved equally dissappointing in that the required conditions are not satisfied and therefore does not suit many tropical plants.

In the present invention a plant, perhaps in a receptacle such as a clay pot, is placed in a water-proof inner container partially submerged in water which occupies an outer container. This submersion in water thereby causing the temperature of the air present in the inner container to be affected by the water temperature by means of conduction as well as convection. Also, this has the effect of producing a controllable temperature of the potting medium. This is so since the temperature of the water can be controlled by using an electrically powdered acquatic heater, especially during winter. For example a standard acquarium heater. The humidity generated by the evaporating water is trapped by a cover placed over the containers. This cover being made of an insulating material which will transmit a high percentage of light incident on it.As light, heat and humidity are essential requirements for plant growth and are valuable elements in a temperate climate this is important.

Ventilation is adequately provided by openings, with variable or fixed apertures, positioned in the lower levels of the cover. Placing ventilating points at a lower level minimises heat loss while at the same time ensuring that air circulation is not substantially reduced.

Placing the cover over the outer and inner containers creates an enclosed and controlled environment. In usage the apparatus can be placed in a conservatory or unheated greenhouse, patio or any artificially or naturally illuminated position to enable one to grow, economically, tropical plants requiring high humidity and a controlled temperature.

A specific version of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: Figure 1 shows in perspective, the whole of the apparatus inclusive of tropical plants 15 in receptacle 14 with thermostatically controlled water heater 5 in place.

Figure 2 shows an example of the inner container.

Figure 3 shows an example of the cover.

Figure 4 illustrates a version of the inner container fixed to the outer container by means of a stem 16.

From the drawing it can be seen that the apparatus is comprised of the inner container 2, outer container 1, cover 3, and thermostatically controlled water heat 5. The outer container 1 is made with Acrylic or any other suitably insulating water resistant material of 3 to 5 millimetre thickness. A double walled container made of a similar material would probably be ideal. To facilitate water condensation formed on the inside surface of the cover 3 to drain back into the outer container the outer edges 9 are raised inwardly and the edge 10 slopes very slightly downwards into the container. Holes 7 are cut out from the edges enabling a butterfly-nut 8 and screw or similar fastening device to be accommodated.

Fig. 2 illustrates the inner container 2 made of Acrylic or similar water resistant material in a considerably narrower thickness than the outer container. This inner container is designed with two extended flaps 11 which overlap the outer edges 10 of the outer con- tainer.

To secure the inner container to the outer container a suitable fastner is used. For example, a butterfly-nut and screw. Alternatively, the extended flaps 11 can be forgone and the inner container fixed to the outer container by means of a stem 16 shown in Fig.

4.

A cover is made out of structured Polycarbonate material such as Polygal of sufficient thickness to form a rigid frame. Two sides of the cover are shorter in height than the other two opposite sides hence a gap 4 is created at the lower end of the cover. The height of the gap can be varied, according to needs, by raising or lowering the height of the relevant opposite sides 12.

In order to assemble the apparatus the inner container is placed inside the outer container so that the butterfly-nut and screws 8 can be inserted into the holes 7. The nuts are tightened to make the assembly secure. Water 13 is poured into the outer container until the inner container is submerged to about a fifty millimetre depth. Placing the cover over the outer and inner containers creates an enclosed and controllable environment 6. The cover may be fitted with a holder to accommodate a light bulb thus allowing artificial illumination to take place.

This apparatus can be disassembled for cleaning and replanting etc. by unscrewing the butterfly-nut screws.

1. An apparatus for the growing of tropical plants consisting of an inner container, adapted to accommodate a growing plant, partially submerged in water which is placed in and secured to an outer container by

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Tropical plant grower This invention relates to an apparatus for the growing of tropical plants. Most tropical plants need warmth, humidity and ventilation in correct proportions to thrive in a temperate climate. It is possible with the help of considerable expense and ingenuity to provide the necessary conditions in appropriately equipped greenhouses. Not only does this involve heavy capital expenditure but high maintenance costs too. Small self-contained greenhouses hitherto have proved equally dissappointing in that the required conditions are not satisfied and therefore does not suit many tropical plants. In the present invention a plant, perhaps in a receptacle such as a clay pot, is placed in a water-proof inner container partially submerged in water which occupies an outer container. This submersion in water thereby causing the temperature of the air present in the inner container to be affected by the water temperature by means of conduction as well as convection. Also, this has the effect of producing a controllable temperature of the potting medium. This is so since the temperature of the water can be controlled by using an electrically powdered acquatic heater, especially during winter. For example a standard acquarium heater. The humidity generated by the evaporating water is trapped by a cover placed over the containers. This cover being made of an insulating material which will transmit a high percentage of light incident on it.As light, heat and humidity are essential requirements for plant growth and are valuable elements in a temperate climate this is important. Ventilation is adequately provided by openings, with variable or fixed apertures, positioned in the lower levels of the cover. Placing ventilating points at a lower level minimises heat loss while at the same time ensuring that air circulation is not substantially reduced. Placing the cover over the outer and inner containers creates an enclosed and controlled environment. In usage the apparatus can be placed in a conservatory or unheated greenhouse, patio or any artificially or naturally illuminated position to enable one to grow, economically, tropical plants requiring high humidity and a controlled temperature. A specific version of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: Figure 1 shows in perspective, the whole of the apparatus inclusive of tropical plants 15 in receptacle 14 with thermostatically controlled water heater 5 in place. Figure 2 shows an example of the inner container. Figure 3 shows an example of the cover. Figure 4 illustrates a version of the inner container fixed to the outer container by means of a stem 16. From the drawing it can be seen that the apparatus is comprised of the inner container 2, outer container 1, cover 3, and thermostatically controlled water heat 5. The outer container 1 is made with Acrylic or any other suitably insulating water resistant material of 3 to 5 millimetre thickness. A double walled container made of a similar material would probably be ideal. To facilitate water condensation formed on the inside surface of the cover 3 to drain back into the outer container the outer edges 9 are raised inwardly and the edge 10 slopes very slightly downwards into the container. Holes 7 are cut out from the edges enabling a butterfly-nut 8 and screw or similar fastening device to be accommodated. Fig. 2 illustrates the inner container 2 made of Acrylic or similar water resistant material in a considerably narrower thickness than the outer container. This inner container is designed with two extended flaps 11 which overlap the outer edges 10 of the outer con- tainer. To secure the inner container to the outer container a suitable fastner is used. For example, a butterfly-nut and screw. Alternatively, the extended flaps 11 can be forgone and the inner container fixed to the outer container by means of a stem 16 shown in Fig. 4. A cover is made out of structured Polycarbonate material such as Polygal of sufficient thickness to form a rigid frame. Two sides of the cover are shorter in height than the other two opposite sides hence a gap 4 is created at the lower end of the cover. The height of the gap can be varied, according to needs, by raising or lowering the height of the relevant opposite sides 12. In order to assemble the apparatus the inner container is placed inside the outer container so that the butterfly-nut and screws 8 can be inserted into the holes 7. The nuts are tightened to make the assembly secure. Water 13 is poured into the outer container until the inner container is submerged to about a fifty millimetre depth. Placing the cover over the outer and inner containers creates an enclosed and controllable environment 6. The cover may be fitted with a holder to accommodate a light bulb thus allowing artificial illumination to take place. This apparatus can be disassembled for cleaning and replanting etc. by unscrewing the butterfly-nut screws. CLAIMS

1. An apparatus for the growing of tropical plants consisting of an inner container, adapted to accommodate a growing plant, partially submerged in water which is placed in and secured to an outer container by means of fastening of the flaps of the inner container to the outer edges of the outer container.

2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the inner container is secured to the outer container by means of a stem attached to the outer bottom surface of the inner container.

3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the inner and outer containers are enclosed in a cover placed over the same.

4. An apparatus substantially as described herein with reference to Figs. 1-4 of the accompanying drawing.

4. An apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein the cover possesses openings to provide ventilation.

5. An apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein the openings are situated at the lower ends of the cover.

6. An apparatus as claimed in claim 4 or claim 5, wherein the water in the outer container is heated and the temperature regulated by means of a thermostatically controlled electric water heater.

7. An apparatus as claimed in claim 6 wherein an illuminating device is fitted in order to use the apparatus in the absence of or in areas with poor natural lighting conditions.

8. An apparatus substantially as described herein with reference to Figs. 1-4 of the accompanying drawing.

CLAIMS Amendments to the claims have been filed, and have the following effect: Claims 1-8 above have been deleted or textually amended.

New or textually amended claims have been filed as follows:

1. Apparatus for growing tropical plants comprising an inner open-top water-resistant container held within an outer wash resistant container and surrounded by a cover with means to provide ventilation, the arrangements of apparatus being such that there is no direct passage of liquid water between the inner and outer containers, such that the inner container may contain a growing plant and may be heated by water maintained at constant temperature within the outer container, and such that the water forms a humid atmosphere for a growing plant and on condensation is returned to the outer container.

2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said means to provide ventilation consists of one or more opening or openings at the lower end of the cover.

3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein said means to provide ventilation consists of a further opening or openings at the upper end of the cover.