Plant husbandry – Receptacle for growing medium – Specific container material
Reexamination Certificate
1999-04-23
2001-07-03
Poon, Peter M. (Department: 3643)
Plant husbandry
Receptacle for growing medium
Specific container material
C047S065500, C220S495040
Reexamination Certificate
active
06253488
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to plant pots. More particularly, although not exclusively, the present invention relates to a plant pot construction which allows for monitoring of the plant's condition, more specifically the plant's root condition and health.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
To the present time a commonly used method of planting or growing plants (indoor or outdoor) is to deposit them in a pot or similar containing vessel. The various techniques and soil compositions involved in growing plants in pots should be self-evident to one skilled in the art and will not be elaborated on any further.
During the life of a plant its root system will naturally grow and expand to use the available space within the pot. The condition of the root system and the environment in which it is placed will directly effect the health of the plant and its viability as an indoor or outdoor plant. It is known that as the root systems become larger the plant may become root bound and the root ball is compressed against the sides of the containing vessel (pot).
Potted plants are also susceptible to over-watering as occasionally insufficient or inefficient drainage is provided by casual or inexperienced gardeners. Over watering can adversely affect the growth and development of a pot plant and can, in some cases, provoke the development of root diseases.
Root diseases may also develop quite independently of the user's treatment of the pot plant and it is difficult to detect the presence of root diseases other than indirectly by observing the health of the plant.
One method of checking the roots of a plant which is commonly used, is for a plant carer to lift the plant temporarily out of the pot to visually examine its roots. This can damage the plant if the root ball and soil matrix is heavy or soft enough to fall apart when exposed. Under such circumstances, stem and root breakage can occur.
The present invention attempts to mitigate some of the abovementioned disadvantages by providing a plant pot construction which allows the condition of the root ball and associated area to be easily monitored. Further the invention provides an inexpensive and effective way of carrying out this function and provides the public with a useful choice.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
According to a broadest aspect the present invention provides a vessel construction including:
an internal vessel adapted so that at least a portion of the internal vessel is transparent; and
an exterior vessel adapted to contain the interior vessel wherein the internal vessel may be supported within the exterior vessel by means of a plurality of tabs protruding from an upper rim of the internal vessel, wherein the tabs bear against an upper rim of the exterior vessel.
According to a further aspect, the present invention provides a plant growing vessel adapted to fit inside and/or be supported within an exterior vessel, wherein the plant growing vessel is at least partially formed from a substantially clear material.
In a second aspect the present invention provides a plant growing vessel construction including:
an internal plant vessel adapted so that at least a portion of the internal vessel is transparent; and
an exterior plant vessel adapted to contain the interior plant vessel wherein the internal vessel may be supported within the exterior vessel by means of a plurality of tabs protruding from an upper rim of the internal vessel, wherein the tabs bear against an upper rim of the exterior vessel.
Preferably the transparent portion of the internal vessel has a geometry and is dimensioned to allow the condition of the soil contained in the interior vessel and root ball to be observed without removing the plant from the interior plant vessel.
Preferably the entire internal vessel is constructed from a transparent material such as clear plastic.
The plant growing vessel construction may be of any geometry, shape or configuration adapted to suit the specific growing application which is required by the user.
Alternatively, the internal vessel may be supported within the external vessel by a continuous rim protruding from the upper rim of the internal vessel.
Alternatively, the internal vessel may be supported by support members protruding from a base part of the internal vessel, wherein the support members bear against an internal base part of the exterior vessel.
The internal vessel may be shorter in height than the exterior vessel.
The internal vessel is dimensioned to be capable of fitting within a variety of exterior vessel sizes and shapes.
The transparent portion of the interior vessel or the entire internal vessel may be constructed from clear plastic, glass or similar material.
The exterior vessel may be adapted to block light and thus heat entering a gap formed between the interior and exterior vessel.
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Jacobson & Holman PLLC
Poon Peter M.
Valenti Andrea M.
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