Plant husbandry – Receptacle for growing medium
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-30
2001-10-09
Jordan, Charles T. (Department: 3643)
Plant husbandry
Receptacle for growing medium
C047S071000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06298599
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a three-dimensional, decorative sculptured-plant vase. More particularly, the vase includes a sculptured head section for holding a plant and a sculptured torso section beneath it for enclosing a water collection tray. Additionally, a connection plug and a water drainage hole(s) are provided in the sculptured head section to aid in drainage of excess water from the plant, such that the water drains into the water collection tray enclosed within the sculptured torso section.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Flower vases, plant pots, flower pots, hanging plant pots, and the like having a pot/vase portion for housing the plant and/or flowers and a water collection tray under the pot for collecting excess water are well known in the prior art. Additionally, vases and plantpots having decorative and aesthetic ornamentation, such as leaves, trees and pictorial views are also well known in the prior art.
There remains a need for a plant vase being a three-dimensional, decorative sculptured-plant vase with head and torso sections connected together by water drainage and collection means. The head-vase section would hold a plant or flowers, and the torso-base section beneath the head-vase section would enclose a water collection tray to aid in the drainage of excess water from the plant, where the excess water drains into the water collection tray enclosed inside the torso-base section.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
Flower vases, flower pots, plant pots and hanging plant pots of various designs, configurations, structures and materials of construction have been disclosed in the prior art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,981,099 to Dziewulski discloses a hanging flower pot with a detachable tray beneath it. Drain holes are provided at the bottom of the tray. The advantage of this prior art invention is that the tray stays attached when the flower pot is suspended by means of a hook.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,043,077 to Stonehocker discloses an expandable pot for containing plants and their roots. Drain holes and evaporation holes are provided, as well as a drain container for excess water flow. The flexible sides of the pot will expand like an accordion as the plant and roots grow. This prior art patent shows various shaped embodiments of the expandable pot. This patent also states that although aesthetic leaves have been shown, other plant or flower shapes may be used for ornamentation.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,280,635 to Murphy shows a vase cover for a potted plant to be inserted into the base. A bottom container catches and holds water so that the floor beneath the pot does not get damaged.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,442,629 issued to Anderson also discloses a combination flower pot and tray. The tray includes a lug that is located at the center of the tray adapted to snap fit into an opening in the bottom of the pot. Drain holes are also provided in the bottom wall of the pot to aid in drainage of excess water.
None of the prior art patents teach or disclose a plant or flower vase, or a plant or flower pot having a sculptured head section and a sculptured torso section connected by water drainage and collection means.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a decorative sculptured-plant vase that includes a sculptured head-vase section for holding a plant and/or flowers and having a drainage channel therein, and a sculptured torso-base section beneath the sculptured head-vase section for receiving a water collection tray in order to collect drainage water from the drainage channel.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a decorative sculptured-plant vase having a sculptured head section selected from the group consisting of a human such as a man, a woman or a child; an animal such as a lion, a bird, a wolf, or a cat; and a mythical creature such as a unicorn, a gargoyle, a satyr, a flying dragon, an angel, a werewolf, centaur, or a minotaur.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a decorative sculptured-plant vase having a sculptured torso section selected from the group consisting of a human such as a man, a woman or a child; an animal such as a lion, a bird, a wolf, or a cat; and a mythical creature such as a unicorn, a gargoyle, a satyr, a flying dragon, an angel, a werewolf, a centaur, or a minotaur.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a decorative sculptured-plant vase where the leaves of the plant and/or flowers in the sculptured head-vase section appear to be the hair of the sculptured head.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a decorative sculptured-plant vase that is made from materials selected from the group consisting of terracotta, clay, ceramic, wood, wood products, plastic or light-weight metal.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a decorative sculptured-plant vase wherein the sculptured head-vase section and the sculptured torso-base section are manufactured in a molding operation.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a decorative sculptured-plant vase that can be mass produced in an automated and economical manner and is readily affordable to the consumer.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a three-dimensional, decorative sculptured-plant vase having the appearance of a sculptured head and a sculptured torso for receiving in the sculptured head a plant with leaves, wherein the plant leaves appear to be the hair of the sculptured head. The decorative sculptured-plant vase includes a head-vase section having a curved outer wall with a circular perimeter rim edge for forming a plant-receiving opening, a plant interior chamber and a bottom wall having a stabilizing plug member extending therefrom; the plug member having at least one drainage hole opening formed therein; the plant interior chamber for receiving potting soil and a plant(s) therein; and a torso-base section having a curved upper wall with a circular perimeter rim edge for forming a plug-receiving opening, and a curved lower wall having a substantially curved perimeter rim edge for forming a bottom base opening and a torso inner chamber. The stabilizing plug member of the head-vase section is received within the plug-receiving opening of the torso-base section, wherein the head-vase section is above and detachably connected to the torso-base section. The curved outer wall of the head-vase section includes facial features thereon to have the appearance of a three-dimensional sculptured head for receiving a plant with plant leaves in the plant interior chamber of the sculptured head, wherein the plant leaves appear to be the hair of the sculptured head. The curved lower wall of the torso-base section includes anatomical features thereon to have the appearance of a three-dimensional sculptured torso. The decorative sculptured-plant vase also includes a water collection tray for receiving excess water drained from the drainage hole opening, wherein the water collection tray is enclosed within the torso inner chamber to render it non-viewable.
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Gellner Jeffrey L.
Jordan Charles T.
Sutton Ezra
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