Plant husbandry – Receptacle for growing medium – Specific container material
Patent
1997-09-19
1999-07-27
Price, Thomas
Plant husbandry
Receptacle for growing medium
Specific container material
A01G 3102
Patent
active
059270080
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
This invention relates to the growing of plants and particularly, although not exclusively, provides a planting assembly for growing plants, a method of assembling a planting assembly, and apparatus for use in the assembly of a planting assembly.
The most widely used apparatus in which plants may be grown is a "plant pot" which is generally a circular cross-section plastics container having holes in its base for passage of water from the pot. Plant pots are filled with compost or soil and seeds or seedlings planted therein.
Commercial growers may use machines to fill pots with soil; however such machines are expensive. There are other problems associated with the use of plant pots by commercial growers. For example, the use of individual plant pots for each plant adds to the costs involved in growing plants; the soil/compost contained in the plant pots tends to hold a relatively large amount of moisture and this adds to the overall weight of the plants which may increase the costs involved in transporting the plants; the plant pots restrict the passage of air through the compost/soil in the pots; and the roots of the plants may be damaged when they are removed from their pots. Furthermore, plant pots are placed side-by-side in a staggered arrangement when plants are being grown. To feed the plants, feed pellets are scattered and/or liquid feed is sprayed over the pots. However, since there are gaps between adjacent pots, up to 20% of the feed may be wasted which again adds to costs. Additionally, it is difficult to clean and/or sterilise plant pots and, consequently, plant pots may not be re-used or, if they are, there is a risk that disease may be spread to seeds and/or seedlings that are planted in unsterilised pots.
It is an object of the present invention to address problems associated with the growing of plants.
According to the invention, there is provided a planting assembly for growing plants, the assembly comprising flexible sheet material arranged to define a plurality of receptacles for growing plants.
Preferably, said receptacles extend parallel to one another. Preferably, each said receptacle has a substantially quadrilateral for example square or rectangular cross-section. Preferably, each said receptacle includes a base wall which is preferably substantially planar and two side walls extending upwardly from the base wall. Said base wall preferably abuts the ground. Preferably, juxtaposed walls of adjacent receptacles make face-to-face contact.
Said sheet material is preferably arranged to define a plurality of walls of said receptacle wherein at least some of said walls are movable between a first configuration in which said receptacle is assembled to a second configuration in which said receptacle is at least partially disassembled. Preferably, each wall of the receptacles is movable as described. By at least partially disassembling said receptacles, plants may be relatively easily removed from the receptacles.
Said plurality of walls preferably extend substantially parallel to one another. Said walls preferably extend upwardly. The majority, preferably each, wall of the receptacles extends upwardly in substantially the same direction. Said wails preferably extend substantially vertically upwardly.
Each said receptacle is preferably in the form of a channel. The or each channel is preferably open at one end, more preferably at opposing ends. The or each channel is preferably upwardly open.
Said sheet material is preferably arranged to allow liquid, for example water to pass therethrough. Said sheet material is preferably arranged to allow a gas, for example air to pass therethrough. Said sheet material is preferably porous and/or non-self-supporting and/or made from a woven material and/or made from a textile material and/or made from a synthetic material for example from a polymeric material which can be drawn into threads. Woven polypropylene material is a preferred sheet material.
Preferably, said plurality of receptacles is formed from a single sheet of material. Said material is prefer
REFERENCES:
patent: 3992810 (1976-11-01), Kimball
patent: 4068405 (1978-01-01), Campbell et al.
patent: 4166341 (1979-09-01), Vestergaard
patent: 4713909 (1987-12-01), Roper et al.
patent: 4926586 (1990-05-01), Naganatsu
patent: 4930253 (1990-06-01), Todd, Sr.
patent: 5042196 (1991-08-01), Lukawski
patent: 5393313 (1995-02-01), Reiger
LandOfFree
Plant growing does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Plant growing, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Plant growing will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-865716