Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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This in~ention relates to a potting device for a
flower pot, and in particular to a device for transplanting
potted plants.
The patent literature contains many examples of devices
which can be used to transplant potted plants. Examples of
such devices are found in Canadian Patent No. 1,033,169, issued
to W.L. Georgi on June 20, 197~, and U.S. Patents Nos. 3,1~7,569
issued to A.E. Murguia on September 8, 1964; 3,182,8~, issued
to C.W. Dittrick on May 11, 1965; 3,324,591, issued to L. Bergstein
on June 13, 1967; 3,328,918, issued to ~.N. Vogt on July ~, 1967
and 3,362,105, issued to N.O. Steiger on January 9, 1968.
Existing txansplanting devices do not provide proper
support for the growing medium, are unnecessarily complicated,
or must be destroyed to remove the plant and growing medium.
The object of the present invention is to alleviate
the above--mentioned problems by providing a relatively simple,
easily manufactured device for transplanting potted plants.
The device of the present invention is less messy than many
existing devices, and permits relatively quick transplanting.
Accordingly, the present invention relates to a device
for transplanting plants comprising stand means, said stand
means including a substantially circular base means for resting
on the inner surface of the bottom of a plant container and
post means extending upwardly from said base means; and washer
means for slidable mounting on said post means for supporting
a growing medium and plant on said base means, whereby said
post means, base means and washer means can be removed as a
unit from the container with the growing medium and plant when
the post means is pulled upwardly.
In accordance with a second embodiment of the invention,
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slotted disc means is provided ~or insertion between the base
means and the washer means fox transplanting the plank with the
growing medium to a larger contalner. For such purpose, the
disc means has a larger diameter than the washer means.
The invention will now be described in greater detail
with reference to the accompanying drawing, which illustrates
preferred embodiments of the invention, and wherein:
Figure 1 is a partly exploded side elevation view of
a transplanting device in accordance with the present inven-tion;
Figure 2 is a bottom elevation view of the stand of
the device of Fig. l;
Figure 3 is a plan view of the stand of Fig. 2;
Figure 4 is a plan view of a washer for use in the
device of Figs. 1 to 3;
Figure 5 is a plan view of a slotted disc for use with
the device of Figs. 1 to 4; and
Figures 6 and 7 are schematic, cross-sectional views
of flower pots, illustrating the use of the device of the
present invention.
~0 With reference to Figs. 1 to 5 of the drawing, the
transplanting device of the present invention includes a stand
generally indicated at 1 defined by a post 2 and a base 3.
The post 2 is a cylindrical rod, which is attached to or integral
with the disc-shaped base 3. The base 3 is provided with four
downwardly extending lugs 4 for spacing the stand from the
bottom of a flower pot 5 (Fig. 6). The lugs 4 prevent blocking
of the drain hole 6 in the bottom of the flower pot. A sleeve 7
is provided for connecting the top end of the post 2 to a second
post or extension 8 (Fig. 7). The sleeve 7 can also be integral
with the bottom of the extension 8. Thus, the length of the pos-t 2
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can be increased for supporting a long plant. The extension 8
can be a decorative trellis with a base o~ the same diameter
as the post 2 ~or supporting bushy plants. A washer 9 is
slidably mounted on the post 2, and normally rests on the top
surface of the base 3.
A disc 10 (Fig. 5) with a radially extending slot 11
in one side thereof is used when transplanting a plant to a
larger pot, as described hereinafter in greater detail.
Referring to Fig. 6, in use, the stand 1 is placed
in a flower pot 5, so that the lugs 4 rest on the bottom of the
post around the drainage hole 6. The washer 9 is placed on the
post 2, and a growing medium 12, usually soil, is placed in the
flower pot 5 on the washer 9 and surrounding the post 2. A
seed or plant 13 is placed in the growing medium. The growing
plant 13 can be supported by the post 1. As mentioned herein~
before, extensions 8 can be mounted on the post 2 using sleeves
7 (Fig. 7) for supporting taller plants 13.
When it is desired to transplant the plant 13, it is
merely necessary to exert an upward force on the post 2 to lift
the stand 1, the washer 9, the growing medium 12 and the plant
13 as a unit from the flower pot 5. The unit can then be
placed in the ground, or into another flower pot 14 tFig. 7).
Usually, when transplanting from a smaller flower pot -
5 to a larger flower pot 14, the disc 10 is used. After the
stand 1, washer 9, growing medium 12 and plant 13 have been
removed from the flower pot 5, the disc 10 is inserted between
the washer 9 and the base 3 (Fig. 6). The entire unit is then
placed in the larger flower pot 14, the disc 10 ensuring that
the unit is centered with respect to the side wall 15 of the
flower pot 14. Growing medium can then be placed in the flower
pot 14 around the growing medium 12. The same process can then
be repeated when transplanting from the pot 14 to an even larger
flower pot, i.e. the stand 1, washer 9, disc 10, growing medium
and plant can be removed from the pot 14, and a larger disc
inserted between the disc 10 and the base 3 for transplanting
into the larger pot. The use of the slotted disc(s) permit
horizontal spreading of the plant roots after transplanting.
It will he appreciated that all of the elements of
the present invention, including the stand, the washer and the
disc can be manufactured with any suitable material, preferably
a plastic which is relatively inexpensive and easy to shape.
Thus, there has been described a transplanting device
which permits the removal OL the soil, root system and plant
from a container for transplanting into the ground or another
container without causing the setback in plant health which
normally occurs when the roots are disturbed.
