Hanging device and method

Abstract

A hanging device as may be utilized to mount plants is provided. The hanging device is coupled to a standardized care tag slot as found on most store-bought plastic containers. Through the use of the hanging device, it is not necessary to purchase additional plant containers for placement in additionally purchased hanging devices to display plants in a selected environment. The hanging device further allows for the placement of communications to customers as they concern the plant and / or container. Methods for mounting a container utilizing the disclosed hanging device are also provided.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] The present application claims the priority benefit of U.S. provisional patent application No. 60 / 574,416 filed May 26, 2004 and titled “Novel Plant Container Hanging Apparatus and Associated Methods of Use”; this application also claims the priority benefit of U.S. provisional patent application No. 60 / 587,308 filed Jul. 13, 2004 and titled “Novel Plant Container Hanging Device and Associated Methods of Use.” The disclosure of both provisional patent applications is incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The present invention relates, generally, to the fields of gardening and horticulture. More specifically, the present invention relates to the hanging of plant containers to improve utilization of space as well as the placement of plant containers (and the plants therein) for aesthetic purposes. [0004] 2. Description of the Related Art [0005] Plant growers ship plant product...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0014] The exemplary hanging devices advantageously allow for the mounting of grower containers without the need for plant boxes, specially-designed hanging pots, or suspension mechanisms (e.g., baskets, or expensive, complicated brackets) in which a store-bought plant container must otherwise be placed.

[0026] The present invention provides an advantageous way of exposing plants to or protecting plants from a wider range of micro-climates through the strategic placements of plant containers utilizing the presently disclosed hanging devices.

Problems solved by technology

The care tag, too, is often dirtied by the potting material in the container 100.

While allowing for mass production and lower costs, these disposable pots are, especially in the case of vacuum-forming, not of comparable quality, durability, and aesthetics as permanent plant containers sold in gardening and other retail stores.

As a result of this lack of quality, durability, and aesthetics, plant owners will often find themselves forced to purchase an additional plant container that is, perhaps, better suited for display in a home or gardening environment.

That same container, however, may be of insufficient size to place in a larger suspension device for displaying the plant such as those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,098,483; 4,337,916; and 4,506,475 due to the container's thin wall and minimal structural integrity.

All of these aforementioned plant hanging devices require a hanger assembly that may prove to be unsuitable for a vacuum-formed plastic container.

Similarly, the plant container in which the purchased plant is initially provided may prove to be off-balance or too flimsy to set on a window ledge or railing for display to passers-by as a stiff wind or adverse weather conditions may knock the plant and its container from its perch.

Nevertheless, injection-molded containers are often not appreciated as a long-term planting solution as consumers will often buy an after-market container for display of a newly purchased plant.

Should horticulturists and gardening aficionados implement containers traditionally considered disposable for potting and display purposes, the cost of plant ownership would be greatly depressed both in terms of money and effort.

Additionally, a plant owner may find themselves in a situation with certain environmental constraints—namely sunlight.

But due to other limitations, for example, an inability to utilize a suspension hanging device, the plant owner may be unable to properly position a plant so that it receives necessary sunlight or is located in appropriate microclimates within a particular environment (e.g., sunlight, shade, cross breezes, etc.).

Images