Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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Invention Title
Plant Growth Assembly
Applicant
John Kendall
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Field of the Invention.
One or more embodiments of the invention generally relate to a plant
growth assembly and in particular, a container portion comprising two
sections, a top
section and a bottom section, each section comprising at least one sidewall
and at least
one flange, the top section above the bottom section, any section joins one
another and/or
a liquid catchment device, container support surface or earth and/or soil at
ground level.
This application claims the benefit of priority from New Zealand
Provisional Patent Application No. 627355 titled "Plant Growth Assembly" filed
in New
Zealand, 11 July 2014 and New Zealand Utility Patent Application No. 627936
titled
"Plant Growth Assembly" filed in New Zealand, 28 July 2014.
Background Art.
The following background information may present examples of a specific
aspect in the prior art that, while expected to be helpful to further educate
the reader as to
additional aspects of the prior art, is not to be construed as limiting the
present invention,
or any embodiments thereof, to anything stated or implied therein or inferred
thereupon.
By way of educational background, another aspect of the prior art generally
useful to be
aware of is that plants, are living multicellular organisms of the kingdom
Plantae. They
form a clade that includes the flowering plants, conifers and other
gymnosperms, ferns,
club mosses, hornworts, liverworts, and mosses.
Typically, plant growth is determined by environmental factors, such as
temperature, available water, available light, carbon dioxide, and nutrients
in a growth
medium, such as soil. Any change in the availability of these external
conditions will be
reflected in the plant's growth. There are biotic factors that are also
capable of affecting
plant growth. Plants compete with other plants for space, water, light and
nutrients.
Plant growth can also be affected by the size and type of a container.
Plants can become root bound so that the growth of an individual organism is
inhibited,
for example.
A plant container is a container in which flowers and other plants are
cultivated and displayed. Plant containers are often made from plastic, wood,
stone, or
sometimes, biodegradable material. Often there are holes in the bottom, to
allow excess
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water to flow out, sometimes to a saucer that is placed under a flowerpot. The
plant can
use this water with its roots, as needed. Recently, some flowerpots have been
made with
an automatic watering system, using a reservoir. Even with a reservoir, plants
may
become root bound as plant roots grow to the bottom of the pot to reach water
stored in
the reservoir.
Gardeners may buy one or more containers to grow plants. Because a
single container typically will grow just a few plants, multiple containers
are required to
grow many plants.
Typically, plants are grown vertically in containers and the ground. The
vertical orientation of a plant requires room to grow, often growing several
times its stem
diameter during its lifetime.
Plants such as tomatoes and eggplant require more root space than plants
like lettuce and spinach, for example. Because of this, only one or two plants
will grow
successfully and bear fruit in most average sized containers. For plant
growers that want
to grow a lot of tomatoes would have to buy and plant several containers at
some trouble
and cost.
Raised gardens are becoming more popular because plants generally grow
better above ground level. For gardeners interested in growing plants in a
raised garden,
not may products are available on the market. Many resort to building their
own raised
gardens fabricated from wood, stone and block if they have the time, skills
and resources.
Woody plants such as fruit and nut trees are typically grown vertically as
well, some in containers for home use, but most in orchards by commercial
growers.
Woody verticals require room to grow and substantive amounts of water and
nutrient.
A supported plant will also be healthier and grow more vigorously;
producing many more flowers and fruits.
Tall plants like tomatoes and pole beans require support. There are a few
plant support products available on the market including plant stakes and
plant trellises.
These support products typically insert into the ground and support a plant
vertically.
Standard plant supports require extra space that typically is not always
available in a plant container. A medium sized pot might support one medium
size trellis
and just one tomato plant and a large pot might support one large trellis and
perhaps three
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tomato plants, for example.
In view of the foregoing, it is clear that these traditional techniques are
not
perfect and leave room for more optimal approaches.
Summary of the Invention.
The present invention is best understood by reference to the detailed
figures and description set forth herein.
Embodiments of the invention are discussed below with reference to the
Figures. However, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the
detailed
description given herein with respect to these figures is for explanatory
purposes as the
invention extends beyond these limited embodiments. For example, it should be
appreciated that those skilled in the art will, in light of the teachings of
the present
invention, recognize a multiplicity of alternate and suitable approaches,
depending upon
the needs of the particular application, to implement the functionality of any
given detail
described herein, beyond the particular implementation choices in the
following
embodiments described and shown. That is, there are numerous modifications and
variations of the invention that are too numerous to be listed but that all
fit within the
scope of the invention. Also, singular words should be read as plural and vice
versa and
masculine as feminine and vice versa, where appropriate, and alternative
embodiments do
not necessarily imply that the two are mutually exclusive.
It is to be further unuerstood that the present invention is not limited to
the
particular methodology, compounds, materials, manufacturing techniques, uses,
and
applications, described herein, as these may vary. It is also to be understood
that the
terminology used herein is used for the purpose of describing particular
embodiments
only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. It must
be noted that
as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and
"the" include
the plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for
example, a
reference to "a method" or "the step" is a reference one or more methods or
steps and
may include sub-steps and subservient means. All conjunctions used are to be
understood
in the most inclusive sense possible. Thus, the word "or" should be understood
as having
the definition of a logical "or" rather than that of a logical "exclusive or"
unless the
context clearly necessitates otherwise. Structures described herein are to be
understood
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also to refer to functional equivalents of such structures. Language that may
be construed
to express approximation should be so understood unless the context clearly
dictates
otherwise.
Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein
have the same meanings as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the
art to
which this invention belongs. Preferred methods, techniques, devices, and
materials are
described, although any methods, techniques, devices, or materials similar or
equivalent
to those described herein may be used in the practice or testing of the
present invention.
Structures described herein are to be understood also to refer to functional
equivalents of
such structures.
The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to
embodiments thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
From reading the present disclosure, other variations and modifications
will be apparent to persons skilled in the art. Such variations and
modifications may
involve equivalent and other features which are already known in the art, and
which may
be used instead of or in addition to features already described herein.
Although Claims have been formulated referencing this Application to
particular combinations of features, it should be understood that the scope of
the
disclosure of the present invention also includes any novel feature or any
novel
combination of features disclosed herein either explicitly or implicitly or
any
generalization thereof, whether or IAA it relates to the same invention as
presently claimed
in any Claim and whether or not it mitigates any or all of the same technical
problems as
does the present invention.
Features that are described in the context of separate embodiments may
also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various
features
that are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may
also be
provided separately or in any suitable subcombination. The Applicant hereby
give notice
that new Claims may be formulated to such features and/or combinations of such
features
during the prosecution of the present Application or of any further
Application derived
therefrom.
References to "one embodiment," " some embodiments," "another
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embodiment," "preferred embodiment," "an embodiment," "example embodiment,"
"various embodiments," etc., may indicate that the embodiment(s) of the
invention so
described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but
not every
embodiment necessarily includes the particular feature, structure, or
characteristic.
Further, repeated use of the phrase "in one embodiment," or "in a preferred
embodiment,"
or" in another embodiment," do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment,
although
they may.
Headings provided herein are for convenience and are not to be taken as
limiting the disclosure in any way.
The enumerated listing of items does not imply that any or all of the items
are mutually exclusive, unless expressly specified otherwise.
The terms "a", "an" and "the" mean "one or more", unless expressly
specified otherwise.
Portions and/or sections that are in at least general communication with
each other need not be in continuous communication with each other, unless
expressly
specified otherwise. In addition, portions and/or sections that are in at
least general
communication with each other may communicate directly or indirectly through
one or
more intermediaries.
A description of an embodiment with several components in
communication with each other does not imply that all such components are
required. On
the contrary a variety of optional components are described to illustrate the
wide variety
of possible embodiments of the present invention.
As is well known to those skilled in the art many careful considerations
and compromises typically must be made when designing for the optimal
manufacture of
a commercial implementation any system, and in particular, the embodiments of
the
present invention. A commercial implementation in accordance with the spirit
and
teachings of the present invention may configured according to the needs of
the particular
application, whereby any aspect(s), feature(s), function(s), result(s),
component(s),
approach(es), method(s), or step(s) of the teachings related to any described
embodiment
of the present invention may be suitably omitted, included, adapted, mixed and
matched,
or improved and/or optimized by those skilled in the art, using their average
skills and
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known techniques, to achieve the desired implementation that addresses the
needs of the
particular application.
The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to
embodiments thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
There are various embodiments of the present invention. Portions may be
utilized in whole or in part with an organism container or earth and/or soil
at ground
level. An organism container typically comprises a plant pot, and at least one
plant
comprises an organism, and/or a plant portion, and/or a plant stem, and/or a
plant root,
and/or a plant top, and/or a leaf.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the plant growth assembly
may enable at least one plant to grow in a substantially vertical orientation.
In another,
the plant growth assembly may enable a plant to grow at an angle.
The container portion 1 may enable the growth of a plant in a growing
medium. The growing medium may include, without limitation, a natural or
manmade
soil based growing medium such as mineral wool, coconut fiber or without a
soil using
water based solution commonly used in hydroponics or aeroponics systems.
The container portion may be efficacious to help grow at least one plant,
including, without limitation, tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, lettuce, spinach,
beans, peas,
corn, pumpkins, watermelon, radish, squash and cucumber. Various types of herb
plants
may be planted as well including basil, parsley, cilantro and mint. Many types
of woody
plants many be grown as well including, without limitation fruit trees, nut
trees and
berries. Those skilled in the art, in light of the present teachings, will
recognize that many
types of flower plants may be grown as well including begonia, pansy,
marigold, and
zinnia to name a few.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the container portion
comprises two separate components that join together; a top section and a
bottom section,
the top section placed on top of the bottom section in use. In some
embodiments, a
middle section joins the top section to the bottom section, the middle section
extending
the height and increasing the volume of the container portion. Any section may
be any
shape or size.
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The open bottom of the top section enables plants to grow beyond the
confines of the container portion making it ideal for a raised garden. More
plants can be
planted and grown within the container portion top section because they can
grow their
roots through the opening at the bottom and into the earth and/or soil.
In one embodiment, the top section of the container portion is configured
with a flange; the flange sloped at an angle to support a plant stem. The
flange may be
configured with at least one indent or several indents spaced about the
flange. In a
preferred embodiment, the indent is an inverted arch shape open at the top and
both ends.
The flange indent is configured to support the stem of a plant and/or plant
support device
such as a plant stake commonly in use.
When a plant stem is supported by the flange and/or flange indent at an
angle between 5 and 85 , new plant growth may grow from leaf nodules spaced
intermittently along the stem. Pepper plants will grow a new pepper plant from
one or
more leaf nodules along its stem, for example.
Any flange and/or flange indent may be integrated and be part of any plant
growth container.
In one embodiment, a plant stake joins with the top section of the
container portion, the lower section of the stake cradled by a flange indent.
The lower end
of the stake imbedded into growth medium or earth and/or soil at ground level.
Two or more plant stakes cradled by one or more flange indents will create
an array of plant supports. Because a portion of the plant stake extends out
from the
container portion perimeter, more space is created to support and grow plants
beyond the
confines of the container.
A container portion and/or saucer may be manufactured from of any one
of a number of materials including, without limitation an ultra violet
resistant rigid
polymer, metal or ceramic.
Any portion may be any shape and/or size. Any portion may join with one
another, a plant growth container and/or growth medium and/or earth and/or
soil at or
below ground level. Any portion may be manufactured from of any one of a
number of
materials including, without limitation an ultra violet resistant rigid
polymer, plastics,
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metal, composites, wood, concrete or ceramic and any portion, support and/or
cover may
be integrated with another manufactured one piece.
Any portion may be manufactured a dark colour in order to absorb heat,
which may radiate up and outward to the benefit an organism.
Any plant portion(s) may be attached to a plant stake and/or any support
portion attached to one another using a variety of materials including,
without limitation
screws, bolts, nuts, washers, clips, string, cord, cloth, straps, bands,
rubber, plastic, wire
and/or wire encased in plastic.
In a preferred embodiment, at least one organism is supported in a
container portion. Placing a container portion top section on top of a
container portion
bottom section or earth and/or soil at ground level and filling the container
portion with a
growth medium prepares the container portion for planting.
Orientating a plant stake so it rests on top of a container portion first
flange or is cradled within a flange indent positions the plant stake at an
acute angle.
Inserting one end of the plant stake into the growth medium and securing
at least one plant portion to the plant stake at said angle with a fastener.
Orientating a plant stem at an acute angle so it rests on top of a container
portion first flange, a plant stake or cradled within a flange indent and
inserting the root
end of the plant into the growth medium so the plant top is outside the
container portion
top section perimeter will position the plant for new plant growth along its
stem.
Fastening any plant portion to the container portion and/or plant stake will
secure it in
place at said angle. Removing at least one leaf at the nodule where it
intersects the plant
stem will encourage new plant growth.
Brief Description of the Drawings.
The present invention is illustrated by way of example, and not by way of
limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings and in which like
reference
numerals refer to similar elements and in which:
Figure 1 illustrates a detailed perspective view of an exemplary container
portion, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 2 illustrates a detailed top view of an exemplary container portion
showing the first flange and flange indent, in accordance with an embodiment
of the
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present invention;
Figure 3 illustrates a detailed perspective view of the container portion top
section, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 4 illustrates a detailed perspective view of the container portion
bottom section, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 5 illustrates an exploded view of the an exemplary container
portion top section above an exemplary container portion bottom section above
an
exemplary saucer portion, in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention;
Figure 6 illustrates an assembled side view of the an exemplary container
portion top section joined with an exemplary container portion bottom section
joined with
an exemplary saucer portion, in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention;
Figure 7 illustrates a detailed side view of an exemplary container portion
bottom sanction joined with an exemplary saucer portion, in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 8 illustrates a detailed sectioned view of an exemplary container
portion top section showing five flanges, in accordance with an embodiment of
the
present invention;
Figure 9 illustrates a detailed sectioned view of an exemplary container
portion bottom section showing top flange, in accordance with an embodiment of
the
present invention;
Figure 10 illustrates a detailed perspective view of an exemplary container
portion top section showing a stake cradled within a flange indent, in
accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 11 illustrates a detailed perspective view of an exemplary saucer
portion, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
Detailed Description of Some Embodiments.
Figures 1 through 10 illustrate various views of an exemplary container
portion 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
The container portion 1 comprises a top section 2 and a bottom section 3.
The top section 2 is a tapered cylindrical shape configured with an open
top 4 and an open bottom 5, enclosed by a tdp section sidewall 6, the top
section sidewall
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6 sloped at an angle.
The top section 2 comprises five flanges 7,14,20,25,29.
The first flange 7 is configured at the top edge 8 of the top section 2
sidewall 6; the first flange 7 sloped at an angle, the first flange 7 top edge
9 is outside the
top section 2 sidewall 6.
The first flange 7 slopes outward with the flange 7 top edge 9 outside the
first sidewall 6 top edge 8.
The first flange 7 is configured to support at least one plant at an angle.
The angle of the first flange 7 may be fixed and/or adjustable. The first
flange 7 slope
enables at least partially new growth from the stem of a plant. The first
flange 7 is sloped
at an angle between 50 and 85 .
The first flange 7 may further comprise at least one flange indent 10. The
flange indent 10 an inverted arch shape open at the top and both ends. The
flange indent
comprises two flange indent sidewalls 11 parallel to one another forming a
space 12
between them, the space 12 disposed to cradle and support a plant stem and/or
plant stake
13. The flange indent 10 is sloped at the same angle as the first flange 7;
the angle
between 5 and 85 . The angle of the flange indent 10 may be fixed and/or
adjustable.
A second flange 14 connects to the first flange 7, the second flange 14 is
substantially planar. The innermost edge 15 of the second flange 14 connects
to the top
edge 9 of the first flange 7.
The outermost edge 16 of the second flange 14 connects to the top edge
17 of an outer rim wall 18, the outer rim wall 18 vertical and configured with
a plurality
of openings 19, the openings 19 configured any size or shape. The openings 19
disposed
to hold a fastener such as a plant tie and tie the stem of a plant and/or
plant stake to the
container.
The outer rim wall 18 connects to a third flange 20, the lowermost edge
21 of the outer rim wall 18 connects to the innermost edge 22 of the third
flange 20. The
third flange 20 is substantially planar and below the second flange 14. The
outer rim wall
18 and the third flange 20 form an upper ledge 23, the upper ledge 23
encompassing the
outer rim wall 18.
The third flange 20 outermost edge 60 connects to the innermost edge 24
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of a forth flange 25, the forth flange 25 configured as a quarter circle
shape. The forth
flange 24 encompasses the third flange 20. The forth flange 25 is below the
third flange
20 and forms the outermost perimeter 26 of the top section 2.
The lowermost edge 27 of the top section 2 sidewall 6 connects to the
outermost edge 28 of a fifth flange 29. The fifth flange 29 is below the first
flange 7, the
second flange 14, the third flange 20 and the forth flange 25. The fifth
flange 29 extends
inward from the bottom edge 27 of the top section 2 sidewall 6 to form a top
section 2
lower ledge 30.
The innermost edge 31 of the fifth flange 29 connects to the top edge 32
of an inner rim wall 33, the inner rim wall 33 substantially vertical. The
inner rim wall 33
is parallel with and sloped at the same degree of angle as the bottom section
2 sidewall
40.
The lowermost edge 34 of the inner rim wall 33 is below the fifth flange
29. The outermost edge 28 of the fifth flange 29 connects to the lowermost
edge 27 of the
top section 2 sidewall 6.
A vertical perimeter wall 35 connects where the outermost edge 28 of the
fifth flange 29 joins the lowermost edge 27 of the top section 2 sidewal16. A
cavity 36 is
formed between the vertical perimeter wall 35 and the inner rim wall 33. The
cavity 36
closed at the top by the fifth flange 29 and open at the bottom. The cavity 36
depth is
preferably at least the thickness of any container portion 1 sidewall 6,40.
The cavity 36 is
configured as a top section 2 cavity ledge 37.
The bottom section 2 is a tapered cylindrical shape configured with an
open top 38 and a closed bottom 39. The bottom section 3 sidewall 40
encompasses the
perimeter edge 41 of the closed bottom 39 enclosing the tapered cylinder.
The bottom section 3 sidewall 40 is sloped at an angle with a top flange
42. The innermost edge 44 of the top flange 42 connects to the bottom section
3 sidewall
40 top edge 43 forming the bottom section 3 top flange 42 with the outermost
edge 45 of
the top flange 42 outside the bottom section 3 sidewall 40. The top flange 42
is
substantially planar and encompasses the bottom section 3 sidewall 40 top edge
43.
The bottom section 3 top flange 42 is dimensioned to insert into the top
section 2 cavity 36 ledge 37.
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At least one opening 46 is configured anywhere on the closed bottom 39,
the closed bottom 39 substantially planar. The opening 46 can be any shape or
size. The
opening 46 is disposed to drain excess fluid from the container portion 1 into
a container
portion cavity 51.
The bottom section 3 sidewall 40 lowermost edge 47 connects to the top
edge 48 of a support wall 49, the support wall 49 substantially vertical and
circular
shaped. The support wall 49 is configured with at least one opening 50, the
opening 50
any size or shape, the opening 50 disposed to drain excess from a container
portion 1
cavity 51 into a saucer portion 53.
The cavity 51 is below the closed bottom 39 and between the support wall
49. The support wall 49 top edge 48 connects to the lowermost edge 47 of the
bottom
section 3 sidewall 40 to form the cavity 51. The lowermost edge 52 of the
support wall 49
joins with a liquid catchment device including, without limitation any saucer,
drip tray
and/or container support surface.
The container portion 1 joins with a saucer portion 53, the saucer 53
positioned portion below the container portion 1 bottom section 3.
Figures 5, 6, 7 and 11 illustrate various views of an exemplary saucer
portion 53, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
The saucer portion is 53 configured with a planar bottom 54 enclosed by a
sidewall 55. The sidewall 55 is sloped outward at an angle with the sidewall
55 top edge
56 outside the saucer bottom 54 perimeter edge 57.
A vertical wall 58 is configured on the planar saucer bottom 54, the
vertical wall 58 circular and any dimension. The vertical wall 58 is
configured with at
least one opening 59, the opening 59 any size or shape, the opening 59
disposed to drain
excess liquid from the container portion 1 bottom section 3 cavity 51.
The vertical wall 58 is configured to insert into the container portion 1
bottom section 3 cavity 51 so the vertical wall 58 is adjacent and inside the
bottom
section 3 support wall 49.
Those skilled in the art will readily recognize, in light of and in
accordance with the teachings of the present invention, that any of the
foregoing steps
may be suitably replaced, reordered, removed and additional steps may be
inserted
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depending upon the needs of the particular application. Moreover, the
prescribed method
steps of the foregoing embodiments may be implemented using any physical
and/or
mechanical system that those skilled in the art will readily know is suitable
in light of the
foregoing teachings. Thus, the present invention is not limited to any
particular tangible
means of implementation.
All the features disclosed in this specification, including any
accompanying abstract and drawings, may be replaced by alternative features
serving the
same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus,
unless
expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a
generic series
of equivalent or similar features.
