Rooting and planting container made from a folded sheet and corresponding cutouts

Abstract

Rooting and / or planting container (1-4), fabricable from at least one flat folded sheet, with wall sections forming an interior space for a substrate in the use position, with fold lines (7) and preferably tabs with locking notches (6, 8) by which the folded sheet is folded and locked into a container without additional fastening means, wherein preferably two opposing wall areas have openings (11) for receiving a plant part, the free opening width of which is adjustable by cutouts and / or notches, wherein the folded sheet is made of (a) Natural fiber material, preferably paper based on sugar cane fiber (bagasse), or (b) Plastic film, preferably transparent PET or PVC film.

Description

Technical field

[0001] The application concerns containers for horticultural purposes. In particular, it concerns a container that can be produced from at least one flat, folded sheet of paper and that can be used either as a rooting container for vegetative propagation (air layering) or as a general planting container, as well as corresponding cutouts, sets / kits and their use. State of the art

[0002] A wide variety of devices are available on the market for root propagation (e.g., two-part plastic spheres, tubes, improvised solutions made from bottles or foil). The terminology is also inconsistent (e.g., "propagation ball," "root ball," "root box"). In addition to rigid plastic products, flexible foil coverings are also offered. These containers are often limited by material and shape, require bulk for transport, and offer only limited adaptability to branch diameter, planting position, and substrate.

[0003] Substrates used include coconut fiber, sphagnum moss, perlite-soil mixtures, pumice, lava, zeolites, or expanded clay. No clearly superior combination of container design and substrate can be identified in the current state of the art. Task

[0004] The aim is to provide a lightweight, adaptable, space-saving, transportable and manufacturable container that (a) reliably enables and makes controllable the rooting, (b) depending on the application, it can be designed to be diffusion-open (breathable) or diffusion-reduced (low evaporation), (c) can be adapted to different drive strengths and installation positions (horizontal / vertical), (d) can be produced sustainably (compostable or reusable / recyclable), and (e) can also be used as a general planting container. Summary of the invention (solution)

[0005] The problem is solved by a rooting and planting container made from at least one flat, folded sheet (pre-cut), preferably with fold lines and tabs, optionally with locking notches, which is then folded into a voluminous container, preferably without separate closure elements. The folded sheet is optionally made of natural fiber material (e.g., paper made from sugarcane fiber / bagasse, wood / hemp / cotton / straw / bamboo fiber, optionally mixtures) – preferably compostable – or of plastic film (e.g., transparent PET or PVC film). Opposite wall sections have openings and / or adjustable notches for receiving a shoot / branch; the edges are designed so that they fit tightly when closed but can also be adjusted to accommodate different shoot / branch diameters. Optional watering and drainage openings as well as ventilation openings may be provided.Depending on the natural material, water release and durability can be adjusted via a preferably biodegradable coating (e.g. polylactic acid / carnauba wax).

[0006] Transparent plastic versions also allow for visual monitoring of root growth and, to some extent, moisture levels. The flat design minimizes shipping volume and storage space requirements. Different cut geometries (cubic / prismatic, rounded / barrel-shaped) are available (see [reference]). Fig. 1-4). An example of the folded state is Fig. 5. The container can be removed after rooting or – in the case of natural fiber – transplanted along with the plant. Advantages • Adaptability: Shape and size are freely scalable; openings can be adapted to shoot strengths; most shapes can be used both horizontally and vertically. • Weight & Transport: Delivered as a flat folded sheet, meaning low weight, small packing size, ideal also for shipping in small quantities. • Material selection: depending on requirements, breathable (natural fiber) or low-evaporation / transparent (plastic). • Sustainability: Natural fiber versions are compostable; plastic versions are reusable and recyclable. • Handling: assembly is possible without tools. A closure via integrated plug / tab connections eliminates the need for separate clips or similar fasteners. • Process control: Visual inspection of the substrate (with transparent film) and defined openings for irrigation / drainage. • Dual use: Also suitable as a planter for propagation or repotting (in the home, greenhouse or outdoors). Brief description of the drawings Fig. 1: Cutting variant A (conical) Fig. 2: Cutting variant B (rectangular) with side tabs and tapered end tabs for plug-in locking. Fig. 3: Cutting variant C (cushion-shaped outer contour) with small incisions for locking, feed-through recesses and slot for inserting the tab. Fig. 4: Cut-to-size variant D (for use as a normal planter) Fig. 5: Folding position for 1-4 Fig. 6: Tab connection with additional locking mechanism via folding. Detailed description of exemplary implementations

[0007] In the following, identical / equally effective parts are designated with the same reference numerals. Basic structure

[0008] A container (1-4) is folded from one or more sheets / cutouts. Fold lines (7) define the side and end walls, as well as, if applicable, the base and lid / closing flaps (5). Slots or notches (6, 8), together with tabs / tongues (5), form plug-in or snap-fit ​​connections, which can be further secured by folding them over (VI). A single fold in the direction of the insertion notch for the tab facilitates its insertion into the notch. Optionally, watering holes (10), drainage holes (9), and ventilation holes can be provided. Two opposing wall sections have openings (11) for the shoot to be rooted, with diameter adjustments made via notches. Common and freely selectable materials (coconut fiber, peat moss, perlite soil, etc.) can be used as substrates. materials • Natural fiber version: Paper / cardboard, preferably made from sugar cane fiber (bagasse). Weights of, for example, 120-400 g / m² 2 They provide sufficient strength at a low weight. An optional biodegradable coating (e.g., polylactic acid / carnauba wax, chitosan / tannin impregnations) is available for shelf life and evaporation control. Sealed viewing windows or similar features for growth and moisture monitoring can be created using cellophane or PET / PVC film. • Plastic version: preferably made of transparent PET or PVC film, depending on requirements (size) e.g. 0.1-1.0 mm thick, reusable; alternatively other plastics can also be used. Variant I (Fig. 1)

[0009] A blank piece of material from which a stable conical container is formed by rolling in the sides. The outer casing is closed by the attachable tab(s). Variant II (Fig. 2)

[0010] Rectangular blank with side tabs and tapered end tabs (6) that engage in slots (8). Through-holes (11) on both sides are designed as semicircular recesses with notched cuts. Variant III (Fig. 3)

[0011] Cut with rounded outer edges, central fold lines (7) and small incisions (14). A flap (6) is formed in the folded state ( Fig.4) inserted into the slot (8) and locked in place via the small notches (14) using a form-fit and / or force-fit mechanism. For very thin films and paper, the stability can be increased using adhesive tape. Circular cutouts on the sides form the feedthroughs (11). This variant is particularly suitable for rooting because it can be used both horizontally and vertically and offers a significantly improved volume compared to variant 1, while maintaining the same size. This form can be filled with substrate in its flat state and then folded over. Operation as a rooting vessel

[0012] The container is placed around the prepared shoot and closed. Depending on the design, it is filled with substrate either before or after. Watering holes (10) allow for watering; drainage holes (13) prevent waterlogging.

[0013] With transparent foil, root development and, to some extent, substrate moisture can be visually monitored. If necessary, openings can easily be made for new shoots that emerge during rooting. These additional shoots, and thus additional foliage, generally promote root development.

[0014] Once sufficient roots have formed, a cut is made below the container and the rooted segment is transplanted either with the container (natural fiber) or after removing the container (plastic). Variant IV (Fig. 4) Operation as a planter

[0015] Alternatively, the container can be used for propagation, repotting, or planting. Natural fiber containers can be planted directly in the ground; plastic containers are reusable. Reference symbol list 1-4 containers / containers 5. Locking tab / latch 6. Notch / slot notch 7 Fold / crease line 8 slots 9 Drainage opening 10 Pouring opening 11. Procedure for shoot / stem / branch with incisions

Claims

[1] Rooting and / or planting container (1-4), manufactured from at least one flat folded sheet, with wall sections forming an interior space for a substrate in the use position, with fold lines (7) and preferably tabs with locking notches (6, 8) by which the folded sheet is folded and locked into a container without additional fastening means, wherein preferably two opposing wall areas have openings (11) for receiving a plant part, the free opening width of which is adjustable by cutouts and / or notches, wherein the folded sheet is made of (a) Natural fiber material, preferably paper based on sugar cane fiber (bagasse), or (b) Plastic film, preferably transparent PET or PVC film. [2] Vessel according to claim 1, characterized by that the folding sheet is compostable and can remain in the ground when planting. [3] Vessel according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the folded sheet has a biodegradable coating, be it to reduce water absorption and thus release / evaporation (water vapor permeability) and / or to extend its durability (e.g. polylactic acid / carnauba wax systems, chitosan or tannin impregnations). [4] Vessel according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by that the design is transparent (made entirely of plastic) or equipped with a viewing window to observe the progress of root formation. [5] Vessel according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by , that pouring openings (10) and / or drainage openings (9) and / or ventilation openings are provided or can be made. [6] Vessel according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by, that the locking is effected via tabs / tongues (5) which engage in slots (8) which are preferably held in a form-fit / force-fit manner via small incisions (6) and / or by folding over. [7] Vessel according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by , that the cutting geometry is conical (cf. Fig. I). [8] Vessel according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by , that the cutting geometry is rectangular (cf. Fig. II) and corner areas can be folded into a stable shape using diagonal fold lines. [9] Vessel according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by , that the cutting geometry is cushion-shaped (cf. Fig. III). [10] Vessel according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized by that it can be mounted horizontally or vertically on the plant organ. [11] Vessel according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized by that the material is in the range of 120-400 g / m² 2(natural fiber) or 0.1-1.0 mm (plastic film) is chosen to achieve a low weight with sufficient strength. [12] Vessel according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized by , that the passages (11) are designed as opposing semicircular or circular or segmental recesses with radial notch cuts which, when closed, form an adjustable passage opening. [13] Container according to one of claims 1 to 11 for general use as a plant container, preferably with drainage openings in the bottom (9) in particular as a propagation or repotting container, wherein the natural fiber version can remain when planting out (cf. Fig. IV) [14] Cutout (2) for a vessel according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized by a folded sheet with formed fold / crease lines (7) to define side / end walls, optionally bottom and closing flap, through small slots and notches (6) for plug / latch locking, and by pairwise arranged, folding opposing implementation exceptions (11). [15] Cut according to claim 13, wherein the outer contour is conical ( Fig. I). [16] Cut according to claim 13, wherein the outer contour is rectangular ( Fig. II). [17] Cut according to claim 13, wherein the outer contour is cushion-shaped ( Fig. III). [18] Cut according to claims 1-6 and 9-11 for a planting container ( Fig. IV). [19] Set / Kit comprising at least one cut according to one of claims 13 to 16 and a short written instruction for use as a rooting and / or planting container; optionally with the addition of a substrate (14). [20] Use of a container according to any one of claims 1 to 12 as a planting container for propagation, intercropping or direct planting in soil, substrate or hydroponics. [21] Use of a blank according to any one of claims 13 to 16 for the manufacture of a reusable or compostable rooting and / or planting container.

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