GB2500235A - Insert for a container - Google Patents

Abstract

An insert for a container comprises fits inside an inverted frusto-conical container, such as a plant pot. The insert is pH neutral disc having at least one through hole and a resiliently deformable rim. The disc may have a plurality of further smaller holes to enable drainage and circulation of air. The disc may be conical rather than planar. The insert may be attached to the rim of the container by a plurality of hooks which connect to the insert by straps. The insert may include plant food, supplement, pesticide or moisture retaining material.

Description

PATENT APPLICATION

OF

BRENDA FREESTONE FOR

A CONTAINER INSERT

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to container insert, particularly but not especially for use in plant containers

Background and Prior Art

The use of various containers for gardening is often a preferred method of plant display, being easier to manage and making relocation possible, for example the plant can be moved inside in unfavourable weather conditions. Planting in containers is particularly popular for people who do not have any or only limited, outdoor space and is often preferred for short lived or seasonal plants.

A number of containers are available or all shapes and sizes however, the choice of container is often made on its decorative qualities as well as the size of the plant. For this reason often large statement containers are purchased although the plants to be planted in it do not require that depth of soil or root space.

These large containers are often heavy, especially when full of planting materials such as soil. The containers may also be difficult to drain, tending to hold moisture due to the large storage area which can lead to root rot. The addition of gravel or special fillers can assist with some of these problems, however, this does not overcome the weight issue.

In addition non standard shaped containers mean that the plant needs to be dug out for removal.

In contrast the present invention provides a means of ensuring less compost or soil is needed in a plurality of different containers.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided an insert, to fit inside an inverted frustoconical container, comprised of a pH neutral disc having at least one through-hole; and a resiliently deformable disc rim.

Typically therefore the container is a plant pot formed in plastic or clay, which has a shape of an inverted cone or pyramid whose tip has been truncated by a plane parallel to its base.

In the preferred invention the insert is a circular, flat disk of a lightweight, rigid, temperature stable, durable material such as plastic, rubber or alike that will not react with any contents placed in the container, such as nitrates found in soil.

The insert is rigid so that it provides a strong false bottom to the container and is able to withstand weight of the materials placed in the container.

Typically the insert has a smooth or glossy outer finish or face(s) or face in use to prevent ingress of, for example, soil and to enable easy cleaning and re-use.

In all preferred embodiments the insert includes at last one hole that passes through the disc and typically the insert will include at least two finger holes to facilitate removal of the insert from the plant container.

Preferred embodiments therefore will have these holes spaced apart and ideally centrally placed.

According to a second aspect of the present invention the insert will also include a plurality of further smaller lacunae that enable drainage and circulation of air which can benefit roots of a plant and also ensure that below the insert is not sealed and thus will not be affected by changes in temperature that would cause any trapped air to expand and contract possibly damaging the container.

In some embodiments these lacunae may be provided by a grid-like or mesh structure to the disc.

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Typically the rim of the insert is of a resiliently deformable material such as rubber or foam that allows the insert to fit securely and remain in position.

Furthermore the resiliently deformable nature ensures that as weight is added or removed the security of the fit of the insert is altered. This means that the insert is made easier to remove when not in use, and additionally or in the alternative stable when in use.

For example the rim may include an O-ring to enhance the ability of the rim to deform and this fit tightly into the container.

The resilient rim also assists with changes that occur in the container such expansion or contraction of the container material, such as wood or metal, in response to the amount of moisture or to temperature changes.

According to a third aspect of the present invention in an alternative embodiment the insert may be manipulated so as to allow it to be fitted into a container that has a relatively smaller neck.

It is envisaged that in some embodiments the insert is therefore semi rigid, being flexible enough to be bent so that it can fit through the neck of the container, but resilient enough that it will always return to its original shape.

In other embodiments the insert may be hinged in addition or the alternative, to allow it to be completely folded in half before inserting to the container. It is envisaged that where a hinged insert is used that the insert is placed in position so that the hinge pivot is on the upper surface so that when the container contents are added it will not engage the hinge.

Other embodiments may be encompassed within the scope of this claim, for example wherein In a further embodiment the insert may be of two semicircles that rotate around a central pin to either be in the same alignment, thus forming a semicircle small enough to fit into a narrow necked container, or can be rotated to form a full circle for use when in the desired location.

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According to a fourth aspect of the present invention in another embodiment the insert is not planar but conically shaped to form a funnel, thus encouraging drainage of liquid such as water or dissolved plant food and further reducing the amount of soil required. Such embodiments can also assist if the container is for only one plant that requires depth for its roots but does not require full width of the container.

In further embodiments the insert includes means of attachment to the rim of the container for securing the position of the insert in the container when the width of the container increases at the bottom in contrast to traditional v-shaped plant containers.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention to prevent slippage the insert can be attached to the rim of the container by a plurality of hooks, which connect to the insert by straps.

In another embodiment the insert has a line attached that runs from the insert to the surface. Such a line may act as a handle so that the insert and any contents can be easily removed, for example when re-potting a plant or moving the container to a new location. It is envisaged that the line's distal end from the insert includes an integrated or removable handle to enable the easy and safe lifting of the insert and contents.

Such a line is ideally made of a material that will not be affected by prolonged exposure to moisture in order that it may be disguised under soil when not required and exposed when removal is required. Typically the line is integrated with the insert to create a secure fixing. In other embodiments the insert line is removable.

In a further embodiment the line may include measurements on it to indicate exact depths the user. And in yet further embodiments the line includes means of measuring temperature so that the user can ascertain the temperature in the plant roots enabling them to move or cover a plant in cold conditions. The insert line may also have means of indicating moisture so the user can control and monitor plant watering.

In another embodiment the insert has a deformable rim enabling alteration to the shape of the insert, for example including interconnected leaves around the rim, which enable the diameter of the insert to be reduced to allow the insert to be fitted

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into a smaller area. Other embodiment may be moulded in two components allowing the lower platform to rotate to reduce the size of the disk by half for entry to the pots mouth.

A finger slot is incorporated into the mould for ease of rotating the lower platform. The component must be rotated after entry to the inside of the container and two components then clip together using a tension fastener.

Another embodiment may be a single injection moulded sheet which has small slits to ensure that the product can overlap in order to be placed into narrow neck pots and planters.

According to a final aspect of the present invention in some embodiments the insert may include plant food, supplement, pesticide or moisture retaining material to create preferred conditions for certain plants. It is envisaged that in some embodiments the insert has an indent in the upper surface suitable for accepting said substances or that a full or part layer is be added to the insert.

In yet a further embodiment the insert could include a seed impregnated layer, or seed indents for placement of loose seeds so that the insert can be used in hydroponics, propagation or shallow soil favoured plants, enabling easy transition to next stage growing.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realised that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to

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those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Brief Description of Figures

Figure 1 shows an isometric view from above of a preferred embodiment of the insert;

And

Figure 2 shows a view from below of the embodiment.

Detailed Description of Figures

The pictured and preferred embodiment of the insert reduces the weight and amount of compost needed within gardening pots and is be designed for V shaped or inverted frustoconical pots or containers.

The insert in all embodiments incorporates a drainage feature, namely the finger holes, or in further embodiments a plurality of lacunae.

In some embodiments the insert incorporates a folding function that allows it to be inserted into a flower pot with a narrow neck and a unique range of inserts may be available for varying sized plant pots to reduce amount of compost needed to fill them.

The insert is ideal for larger pots or containers with shallow rooted plants, eliminating need to fill the container with non-biodegradable polystyrene or stones.

The pictured embodiment's rim is thermoplastic elastomers (TPE), sometimes referred to as thermoplastic rubbers, are a class of copolymers or a physical mix of polymers such as a plastic and a rubber, and which consist of materials with both thermoplastic and elastomeric properties. The rim therefore effectively grips inner surfaces of any pot.

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The disc is injection moulded polymer that will not react with nitrate in the soil.

In use the user would place the insert into the container mouth, ensure that the insert is pushed in firmly, and the outer rim is tensioned against the inner surface of the pot, once the insert is in place, the user fills the container with compost or soil, and plant bulbs, seeds or insert existing bedding plants.

The container and plant can now be moved and displayed easily in the garden due to the light weight advantages the insert offers.

The rim or O-ring acts as a grip for an inner surface of the container as well as putting the disk under tension, and minimising the chance that it will bend under the tension of the soil.

A living hinge in folding embodiments allows the disk to be folded easily in the upwards position.

In some embodiments the insert works by folding out to the desired diameter. Once compressed it is inserted into the mouth as the diameter is reduced considerably. Once the disk compression is released and pressure is applied the disk will self locate itself to the inner surface of the pot due to the elastic properties.

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Claims (7)

Claims

1. An insert, to fit inside an inverted frustoconical container, comprised of a pH neutral disc having at least one through-hole; and a resiliently deformable disc rim.

2. An insert according to claim 1 which includes a plurality of further smaller lacunae that enable drainage and circulation of air.

3. An insert according to claim 1 or 2 which may be manipulated so as to allow it to be fitted into a container that has a relatively smaller neck

4. An insert according to claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the disc is not planar but conical.

5. An insert according to a preceding claim wherein the insert can be attached to the rim of the container by a plurality of hooks, which connect to the insert by straps.

6. An insert according to a preceding claim including an extending line.

7. An insert according to a preceding claim including plant food, supplement, pesticide or moisture retaining material.

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