Removable plant container and method of use

Abstract

A removable plant container for growing and transporting plants having a base member in communication with a lateral support wall. The base member and lateral support wall define a receiving aperture, having a volume V, for receiving the plant and growing media therein. At least one removal device is in communication with the lateral support wall, the base member, or both. Actuation of the at least one removal device results in an increase in the volume of the receiving aperture from volume V to volume V′, thereby permitting the removal of the plant and growing media without damage to the plant root system of root ball.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] The entire contents of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60 / 248,870, entitled “Removable Plant Container”, filed on Nov. 14, 2000, naming Michael Banhagel as inventor, is hereby incorporated by this reference in its entirety.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Agricultural pots, containers, and cans are traditionally used for the containment of soil or other growing media useful in growing plants or shrubs. Typically, these devices, herein referred to as “plant pots”, form a containment vessel capable of protecting the plant root structure located within the growing medium from damage during shipping. In addition, these plant pots enable the continued development of a plant prior to permanent implantation. [0003] Currently, a wide variety of plant pots are available in a plurality of forms and configurations for general or specialized use. As shown in FIG. 1, these plant pots 1 include a pot base member 3 in communication with a la...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present invention is a plant container that allows for easy removal of plants without damaging their root system. The container has a base member and a lateral support wall with a receiving aperture. A removable device, such as a tear member or a finger hole, is positioned on the container and can increase the volume of the receiving aperture to facilitate plant removal. The container is made from various materials like plastics, acrylics, metals, ceramics, clays, and wood-pulp based materials like paper. The technical effects of the invention include improved plant transportation and protection during growth."

Problems solved by technology

Over time, the soil or growing media containing the plant root system may become entrenched within the disposable plant pot, making the removal of the plant root system from the disposable plastic plant pot difficult if not impossible.

Typically, the plant removal process results in substantially if not irreversible damage to the plant root system.

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