Plant pot with tornado base

Abstract

A plant pot (1) made of thin-walled plastic in a generally truncated conical shape, with a pot wall (3) and with a pot base (2) which has holes (16, 17, 18, 19) for irrigation and / or ventilation and at least one channel (11, 12, 14, 15) extending outwards at the bottom, which extends from or over a base center (6) or is connected with a centered hollow area (9), in particular designed as a central dome, characterized in that a longitudinal center axis (10) of the at least one channel (11, 14, 15) has a curved section at least in the area near the edge of the pot base (2).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a plant pot according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] A generic plant pot is known from WO 2009156048 A1. The plant pot, made of plastic with a thin wall thickness, comprises a perforated pot base having a base forming a first plane, in particular a multi-part base, for positioning the plant pot on a contact surface, wherein the base is interrupted by at least one channel leading outward at the edge. In the illustrated embodiment, a total of eight channels are provided, distributed around the circumference and extending radially outward from a central hollow area. The channels, with their longitudinal center axes running rectilinearly and aligned in pairs with one another, form simple geometric elements that are useful for simple design and manufacture of the injection molding and thermoforming tools required to manufacture the plant pots.However, such channels can interact undesirably with conveyor and storage systems, especially roller conveyors, as individual conveyor and / or guide elements can interfere with these channels, especially in transition areas. This results in uneven plant pot movement and difficulty moving the plant pots on grid tables. It also complicates the automation of work steps in plant production, for example, if the plant pots wobble during rotary pruning, sprinkling, or quality control on rotating devices.

[0003] The object of the invention is to provide a plant pot with a pot base that meets the requirements for irrigation and ventilation and is better suited for automation of the plant pot, in particular for proper conveying.

[0004] The object is achieved by a plant pot according to claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the invention can be found in the subclaims referring back to this claim as well as in the following description of advantages and figures.

[0005] According to the invention, a longitudinal center axis of the at least one channel has a curved section at least in the region of the pot base close to the edge, so that at least one channel section located within the pot base has a course deviating from the radial, and the channel has at least one bend in its course from the center of the base or the centered hollow layer area to the edge of the pot base, which is dimensioned such that the channel does not have a continuous alignment. The edges of the at least two channel sections, which are thus at an angle to one another, ensure that the pot base always rests on the conveying elements and thus parallel to the conveying plane, and that no linear conveying or guiding elements, which are often oriented transversely or longitudinally to the conveying direction, run into the channel when the plant pot is conveyed through or over them.The plant pots are conveyed and rotated without tipping, making automated processing of the plants easier.

[0006] The region near the edge can enclose the edge of the pot base or be located at a distance from the edge, so that the channel can also lead out in a radial direction. The at least one channel encompasses the center of the pot base or is connected to a centered hollow area, which can be formed by a central dome or a circular annular channel. The longitudinal center axis of the at least one channel thus runs essentially to the center of the pot base, with tangential connections of the channel to centered hollow areas being expressly included. For rapid drainage and ventilation of the plant pot, the at least one channel can have holes in the channel base.

[0007] The longitudinal center axis of the channel refers to the essential course of the channel in the two-dimensional bottom view of the pot base, wherein the opposite edges of the channel run substantially symmetrically to the longitudinal center axis and may have local protrusions or indentations. The orientation of the curvature and / or the degree of curvature may vary along the channel. In particular, the channel width may vary along the channel, wherein the channel width is dimensioned with respect to the curvature of the at least one section such that the channel does not have a continuous alignment. Preferably, the at least one channel has a constant channel width, apart from local indentations or protrusions.

[0008] In a preferred further embodiment, the longitudinal center axis of the at least one channel in the rim extends at an angle to the radial direction. A channel that begins or runs essentially or approximately radially in the interior of the pot is deflected by the at least one curved section such that its longitudinal center axis in the rim extends at an angle to the radial direction. The angle of the longitudinal center axis at which the at least one channel extends outward from the pot rim to the radial direction is greater than or equal to 10°, preferably greater than or equal to 30°, and less than 80°.

[0009] In a preferred further embodiment, the longitudinal center axis of at least one outgoing end section of the at least one channel is curved, thereby making it less easy for elements located in the conveying direction to penetrate into the channel. The curved channel section extends at least in a radially outer annular section of the pot base, which preferably encompasses at least the outer half of the radius.

[0010] In a preferred further embodiment, the curved channel section has a positive or negative curvature, i.e., it is either concavely or convexly curved. Preferably, the curved channel section has a constant curvature.

[0011] In a preferred further embodiment, it is provided that the curved channel section extends over the full channel length, wherein the channel can cross the pot base from edge to edge or can lie in a circular sector or circular ring sector of the pot base.

[0012] In a preferred further embodiment, the at least one channel extends outward in two directions from the edge, thus traversing the pot base from edge to edge, preferably to the opposite edge, and preferably across the center of the base. In a preferred further embodiment, the at least one channel traverses the pot base in a meandering pattern, with the channel having at least two oppositely curved sections that enclose a turning point, preferably located in the center of the pot. The meandering channel prevents interactions of the pot base with possibly singly curved conveying or guiding elements.

[0013] In a preferred further embodiment, several channels leading out at the edge are preferably evenly distributed around the circumference of the pot base, with their longitudinal center axes having the same orientation or course and / or curvature with respect to a respective radial, so that the pot base has a tornado-like base profile. Preferably, the channels each have the same angular dimension and / or curvature, while the height of the channels can vary.

[0014] In a preferred further embodiment, at least one annular channel is provided, which extends at least partially around the periphery, runs concentrically to the center of the pot base, and intersects the at least one channel. This annular channel acts as a collecting channel to collect water emerging from holes in the annular channel and, in particular, adjacent base areas, and to conduct it outward via the at least one channel. It also serves to ventilate the plant pot. Preferably, the at least one channel leading outward at the edge is of a greater height than the annular channel.

[0015] In a preferred further embodiment, the annular channel is bordered radially on the inside and / or outside by soil areas which extend slightly inclined to the respective standing areas and have holes which serve for soil-side, in particular capillary, drainage and ventilation of the plant pot.

[0016] In a preferred further design, drainage bars are connected to the holes in the bottom of the pot, which allow the water to drain away as completely as possible and prevent hanging drops.

[0017] Further advantages and details of the invention can be found in the following description of the figures. Individual technical features of the exemplary embodiments described below can also be combined with previously described exemplary embodiments as well as the features of the independent claims and any further claims to form subject matter according to the invention. Where appropriate, functionally equivalent elements are provided with identical reference numerals. Fig. 1 a plant pot; Fig. 2 a bottom view of the plant pot with a first embodiment of the pot base; Fig. 3 a second embodiment of the pot base; Fig. 4 a third embodiment of the pot base.

[0018] The plant pot 1, thermoformed from a thin plastic film, Fig. 1 has a round pot base 2 and an adjoining truncated conical pot wall 3, which is stiffened below a pot rim 4 with a radially flared shoulder 5. In Fig. 2, Fig. 3 and Fig. Figure 4 shows the base profile of the pot base 2 in three embodiments. The lowest base areas form standing areas 7a, 7b, which are free of support ribs and stand directly on a support surface. There are outer standing areas 7a located in the edge of the pot base 2 and inner standing areas 7b. The standing areas 7a, 7b are interrupted by channels 11, 12, 13, 15 of varying depths, which have holes 16, 17 in their channel bottoms, spaced from the support surface, for drainage and ventilation of the plant pot 1. Adjacent to the standing areas 7a, 7b are slightly inclined base areas 8a, 8b, which include holes 18, 19 for deep drainage and corresponding ventilation. Ribs 20 with sloping drainage edges are connected to the holes 16, 17, 18, 19 to enable the most complete water drainage possible and to prevent hanging drops.

[0019] The soil profile according to Fig. 2, according to the invention, has four continuously curved channels 11, which run outward from the base center 6 and extend outward at the edge, with their longitudinal center axes 10 extending arcuately in the edge of the pot base 2 and at an angle w to the radial direction. The four channels 11 are evenly distributed over the circumference of the pot base 2 and, with respect to their curvature, have not only the same orientation but also the same, approximately constant curvature. The width of the channels 11 is largely constant and dimensioned such that, in conjunction with the curvature, there is no continuous alignment from the edge to the base center.

[0020] In the present embodiment, the plant pot 1 has a diameter of 14 cm at the pot base 2. The curvature of the curved channel sections is approximately 0.025 1 / mm, which corresponds to a radius of curvature of 40 mm. The width of the channels 11 in the plane of the support surface is approximately 18 mm. The respective longitudinal center axis 10 runs in the edge of the pot base at an angle w of approximately 55° to the radial direction.

[0021] In the Fig. 2, two opposite channels 11 each form a meandering channel 14 which crosses the pot base 2 from edge to edge and which intersects with the second meandering channel 14 in the pot center 6, thereby forming a central hollow layer area 9.

[0022] Further channels 12 leading out at the edges open into a concentrically arranged annular channel 13 in the pot base, which is interrupted into four sections by the channels 11 and bordered by the slightly inclined base regions 8a, 8b. The channels 12, which run straight and slightly off-center to the pot center, as well as the annular channel 13, have the same height, which is less than the height of the channels 11. The slightly inclined base regions 8a, 8b are located on both sides of the annular channel 13, with the inner base regions 8b bordering the triangular inner standing regions 7b, which are arranged around and delimit the central hollow layer region 9.

[0023] Because the curved channels 11, 14 do not extend all the way to the center of the pot, and in particular do not extend through the base of the pot, rods or similar straight elements, such as those found particularly on grid tables, cannot penetrate into the channels 11, 14 when the plant pot is moved over them. The same applies to the additional, slightly off-center channels 12, which are arranged parallel to opposite channels and offset. Plant pots literally glide over grid tables when moved across them. Likewise, conveyor rollers and rollers are prevented from running into the channels, particularly in the transition areas between successive conveyors or on rotating devices, so that the plant pots are conveyed much more smoothly and, above all, without jerking.

[0024] At the Fig. In the second embodiment of the base profile shown in Figure 3, three channels 11 are provided, evenly distributed around the circumference of the pot base 2, curved outward from the base center 6, and extending outward at the edge. Between the channels 11, two further, flatter channels 15 are arranged, which also run curved and open into the annular channel 13.

[0025] At the Fig. In the third embodiment of the base profile shown in Figure 4, the three channels 11 open into a central hollow layer area 9, wherein the channels 11 are connected tangentially and thus their longitudinal center axes 10 do not run towards the base center 6, but are directed close past it. List of reference symbols 1 plant pot 2 pot base 3 pot wall 4 Pot rim 5 Shoulder 6 Floor center 7a Stand area, outside 7b Stand area, inside 8a Adjacent floor area 8b Adjacent floor area 9 Central hollow area 10 Longitudinal center axis 11 Channel 12 channel 13 Ring Canal 14 Meandering canal 15 channel 16 holes 17 holes 18 holes 19 holes 20 jetty w angle QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] WO 2009156048 A1

[0002]

Claims

[1] Plant pot (1) made of thin-walled plastic in a generally truncated cone shape, with a pot wall (3) and with a pot base (2) which has holes (16, 17, 18, 19) for irrigation and / or ventilation and at least one channel (11, 12, 14, 15) leading out from the edge on the underside, which channel extends from or over a base center (6) or is connected to a centered hollow area (9), in particular designed as a central dome, characterized by that a longitudinal center axis (10) of the at least one channel (11, 14, 15) has a curved section at least in the region of the pot base (2) near the edge. [2] Plant pot according to claim 1, characterized by that the longitudinal center axis (10) of the at least one channel (11, 14, 15) in the edge runs at an angle (w) to the radial direction. [3] Plant pot according to claim 1 or 2, characterized bythat the longitudinal center axis (10) of at least one outgoing end section of the at least one channel (11, 14, 15) is curved. [4] Plant pot according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by that the curved channel section has a positive or negative curvature. [5] Plant pot according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by that the curved channel section extends over the full channel length. [6] Plant pot according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by that the at least one channel (14) leads out in two directions at the edge. [7] Plant pot according to claim 6, characterized by that the at least one channel (14) crosses the pot base (2) in a meandering manner. [8] Plant pot according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized bythat a plurality of channels (11, 14, 15) leading out at the edge are arranged distributed over the circumference of the pot base (2), the longitudinal center axes (10) of which have the same orientation and / or curvature with respect to a respective radial. [9] Plant pot according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized by at least one annular channel (13) which runs at least partially around the circumference, concentrically to the center point (6) of the pot base (2) and crosses the at least one channel (11, 14, 15). [10] Plant pot according to claim 9, characterized by that the at least one channel (11, 14) leading out at the edge has a greater height than the annular channel (13). [11] Plant pot according to claim 9 or 10, characterized by that the annular channel (13) is adjoined radially inside and / or outside by base regions (8a, 8b) which extend slightly inclined to the respective standing regions (7a, 7b) and have holes (18, 19). [12] Plant pot according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized by that drainage webs (20) are connected to the holes (16, 17, 18, 19).

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