Plant pot for a hanging flower basket

Abstract

A plastic plant pot (1), in particular a flower pot which can be hung up as a hanging planter with a hanger (5), comprising a pot base (3) and a surrounding side wall (2) which is connected to the bottom of the pot base (3) and terminates at the top with a pot rim (4), wherein the pot base (3) has at least one projection (7) extending towards the pot rim (4), over which a water reservoir (8) is formed with the side wall (2) and the pot base (3), wherein at least one opening (9) for draining excess water is provided in the projection (7), characterized in that the bottom (10) of the at least one projection (7) has at least one indentation (11) extending towards the pot base (3), wherein the at least one opening (9) is provided in the indentation (11) and extends at least partially into the bottom (12) of the indentation (11).

Description

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

[0002] Hanging planters are plant pots where a hanging basket with several, preferably three, strands is attached to the rim of the pot using hook clips. These planters are available in two versions. The first version, with a growing medium, has a highly textured base with holes that allows for rapid and complete drainage in commercial horticulture with top irrigation or so-called ebb-and-flow irrigation, as well as aeration from below. After the plants have grown, a saucer is placed on the planter, serving both as a water reservoir and to protect living areas below from dripping water.

[0003] In a second version relating to the invention, the water reservoir is integrated into the base of the pot by means of a so-called overflow base. This base has a central bulge that extends towards the rim of the pot and forms the water reservoir together with the side wall and the base of the pot. The base of the bulge is provided with holes through which excess water can drain away. In commercial horticulture, plants are grown in these pots by hanging them and watering them via drip irrigation. Plant pots of this type are illustrated in US 10701869 B2, US 2016165806 A1 and DE 202005012314 U1.

[0004] The invention is based on the objective of further developing a plant pot of the type mentioned above in such a way that it can be used in commercial horticulture with ebb and flow irrigation and / or mat irrigation.

[0005] This problem is solved in a plant pot according to the preamble of claim 1 by the invention in that the base of the at least one indentation has at least one recess extending towards the bottom of the pot, wherein the at least one opening is provided in the recess and extends at least partially into the base of the recess. Due to the recess extending opposite to the indentation, the base section containing the overflow openings is lowered and located at a smaller distance from the surface on which it rests. The low-lying openings are suitable for irrigating the plant pots via an ebb-and-flow irrigation system and / or mat irrigation. This is because the water reaches the openings even at a relatively low water level, allowing it to be absorbed by the substrate filling the recess and drawn in, in particular by capillary action, thus weighting the plant pot.The weighted plant pot no longer floats when the tide rises above the height of the indentation. During the ebb tide, the excess water then drains through the openings down to the level determined by the height of the indentation. The plant pot is then ventilated from below through the openings.

[0006] The connection of the openings located inside the bottom of the pot with the surroundings can be achieved through channels leading outwards at the edges, which are formed on the underside of the bottom of the pot and connected to the bulge, and / or by raising the plant pot on the surface, e.g. by means of support ledges molded onto the underside.

[0007] For the cultivation of plants until they are ready for sale, the plant pots according to the invention no longer need to be laboriously hung up and equipped with drippers, but can be cultivated on the ebb-and-flow and / or mat irrigation areas that have proven successful in commercial horticulture and are less labor-intensive.

[0008] The indentation can be configured such that, in a plant pot, particularly one produced by injection molding, the wall of the bulge, which is directed upwards with respect to a longitudinal center axis of the plant pot, at least partially forms the wall of the indentation, which extends downwards from the bottom of the bulge. In a plant pot, particularly one produced by thermoforming, the indentation and its wall lie entirely within and spaced apart from the wall of the bulge. The walls of the bulge and the indentation can be straight or have steps. For manufacturability by injection molding and thermoforming, demolding slopes and walls inclined towards the longitudinal center axis of the plant pot are advantageous. The wall of the indentation is counter-conical to the wall of the bulge to allow for nested stacking of identical plant pots.

[0009] The determination of the water storage volume via the height of at least one indentation is independent of the height of the floor of the indentation, which is chosen with regard to optimal drainage and aeration from below.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment, at least one cavity is formed on the underside adjacent to the indentation, located above the at least one opening with respect to a longitudinal center axis of the plant pot. This cavity allows air present under the plant pot during flooding to be displaced. Otherwise, this air would act as an air cushion, preventing the plant pot from receiving water if the substrate, which may still be moist, impedes air escape and prevents air from escaping to the outside. For aesthetic reasons, the base of the hanging planter should be as flat as possible and therefore has a low profile and, if any, low support ribs, so that the base of the pot is surrounded by water even at a low flood level. Preferably, the cavity is a ring channel surrounding the indentation.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment, the at least one bulge is connected on its underside to at least one substantially flat channel extending to the edge of the pot base, ensuring a fluidic connection between the hollow area and the surroundings. The pot base can, in particular, be designed without support ribs and rest on a surface with its lowest base areas, allowing it to be easily moved during cultivation.

[0012] Offering the advantage of simple manufacturing, particularly using thermoforming and stamping processes, the design features at least one opening located entirely within the base of the recess. Preferably, three or more holes with a maximum diameter of 12 mm are provided, ensuring that the largest possible area of ​​the recess's base is open while simultaneously preventing the substrate from falling out.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment, the base of the recess comprises at least one first level with at least one opening, which is located at least 4 mm away from a mounting surface with respect to the longitudinal center axis. The base of the recess may be profiled and have different heights relative to the mounting surface. The level, which is relatively high above the mounting surface and has at least one opening, serves for rapid drainage and subsequent aeration of the plant pot using an ebb-and-flow irrigation system. This level may be a segment of the base, a ring-shaped or circular section, or it may completely fill the base of the recess.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment, the bottom of the recess has at least one second level, recessed with respect to the longitudinal center axis, with at least one opening whose edge is at most 3 mm, preferably at most 1.5 mm, away from a surface on which the plant is placed. This recessed level makes the plant pot suitable for mat irrigation, where irrigation occurs through contact between the substrate and the mat.

[0015] The lower level for mat irrigation can be formed in the base of the recess, either as an alternative or in addition to the higher level for ebb-and-flow irrigation. Preferably, the levels are funnel-shaped, with the higher first level forming a circumferential ring connected via a step to a lower central circular area forming the second level. More preferably, the lower second level has a vertical clearance of at least 0.3 mm from the installation surface. The at least one hole thus also functions with ebb-and-flow irrigation.

[0016] In a preferred further embodiment, it is provided that the indentation at its upper edge has a width of at least 20 mm, preferably at least 30 mm, in every direction, so that the substrate fills the indentation without bridging and in particular rests against the at least one opening.

[0017] Further advantages and details of the invention can be found in the following description of the figures. Individual technical features of the embodiments described below can also be combined with previously described embodiments and the features of the independent claims and any further claims to form objects according to the invention. Where appropriate, functionally equivalent elements are provided with identical reference numerals. The figures show... Fig. 1. A plant pot for a hanging flower basket in perspective view; Fig. 2 a cross-sectional view of the plant pot; Fig. 3 A cross-sectional view of an alternative base design for the plant pot.

[0018] The in Fig. The substantially rotationally symmetrical plant pot 1 shown is made of plastic using injection molding. The injection points are marked with reference numeral 6. Due to its unbranched and generally thin wall thickness, it could also be manufactured using thermoforming. The plant pot 1 comprises a base 3 and a surrounding side wall 2, which is connected to the base 3 at the bottom and terminates at the top with a radially projecting rim 4 that is open on the underside in a channel-like manner. The base 3 and the side wall 2 define a receiving space for substrate and / or soil, with the rim 4 serving as the receiving opening. The plant pot 1 can be suspended from a hanger 5, which is attached to the rim 4 with several strands and hook clips (see figure 1). Fig. 2) can be hung up as a hanging flower basket.

[0019] The plant pot 1 has an integrated, ring-shaped water reservoir 8 to supply a flower growing in the substrate or soil with water over a longer period. The water reservoir 8 is formed at the bottom of the plant pot 1 by the pot base 3, the side wall 2, and a recess 7 in the pot base 3, which extends towards the pot rim 4 along the longitudinal central axis L. The pot base 3 is designed as an overflow base and has circular holes 9 as openings in the recess 7, through which excess water can drain after watering.

[0020] According to the invention, the base 10 of the recess 7 is provided with a recess 11 extending towards the longitudinal central axis L towards the base of the pot 3, so that a lower base 12 is formed in which the holes 9 are located. The plant pot 1 can be used in commercial horticulture for growing plants with ebb-and-flow irrigation, in which the plant pot 1 is placed on a level surface 14 that has a slight slope and is flooded with water at regular intervals.

[0021] The water flows through shallow channels 13 beneath the base of the pot 1, where it makes contact with the base 12, which has holes 9, even at a low water level 17. The indentation 11 has a diameter of 32 mm in its base 12. This large diameter ensures that the substrate completely fills the indentation 11 without bridging and, in particular, rests against the holes 9, so that it absorbs and draws in the water at a low water level 17. The plant pot 1 is weighted down by the absorbed water and does not float, even when the water level 17 is raised above the height of the indentation 7 to quickly fill the water reservoir 8.

[0022] During the ebb tide, excess water flows out of the plant pot 1 through the holes 9. Water remains in the water reservoir 8 at a maximum fill level 16, which is determined by the height of the indentation 7. The plant pot is then aerated from below through the holes 9.

[0023] The indentation 11 is surrounded by an annular channel 15, which is bounded by the wall of the indentation 7, its base 10, and the wall of the indentation 11. The annular channel 15 forms a cavity on the underside of the base of the pot 3, which lies above the base 12 with the holes 9 with respect to the longitudinal axis L of the plant pot 1. Air trapped under the plant pot 1 by the accumulated water during flooding can be displaced into this cavity; otherwise, this air would impede the water supply to the plant pot 1.

[0024] The base 12 of the recess 11 has a distance A of approximately 8 mm from the support surface 14, so that a flood level 17 of just over 10 mm is sufficient to supply the plant pot 1 with water. This distance also ensures that the holes 9 for ventilating the plant pot 1 remain open during the ebb tide.

[0025] Fig. Figure 3 shows a second embodiment of the pot base according to the invention. The indentation has two levels 12.1, 12.2 in its base at different heights above the base, each level having holes 9.1, 9.2. The plant pot 1' is thus suitable for both ebb / flow irrigation and mat irrigation. The higher, annular first level 12.1 has a distance A1 of approximately 10 mm. For the operation in ebb / flow irrigation, reference is made to the first embodiment.

[0026] The lower second level 12.2 is located at a distance A2 of approximately 1.5 mm from the base. It is created by adding a further central indentation to the indentation from the first embodiment. When placed on an irrigation mat 19, the holes 9.2 penetrate the soft mat, so that the substrate makes water-conducting contact with the irrigation mat.

[0027] Support feet 18 at the edge of this lowest floor section hold the level 12.2 at the specified distance A2 from the installation surface, so that water can enter and exit the plant pot through the holes 9.2 even during ebb and flow irrigation. Reference symbol list 1 plant pot 2 side wall 3 pot bottoms 4 pot rim 5 trailers 6 Injection point 7 bulge 8 water reservoirs 9 holes 10 Floor 11 indentation 12 Floor 12.1, 2 Level Channel 13 14 Installation area 15 Ring channel 16 max. filling height 17 Flood level 18 Support leg 19 Irrigation mat L Longitudinal axis A distance QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

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

[0000] US 10701869 B2

[0003] US 2016165806 A1

[0003] DE 202005012314 U1

[0003]

Claims

[1] A plastic plant pot (1), in particular a flower pot which can be hung up as a hanging planter with a hanger (5), comprising a pot base (3) and a surrounding side wall (2) which is connected to the bottom of the pot base (3) and terminates at the top with a pot rim (4), wherein the pot base (3) has at least one projection (7) extending towards the pot rim (4), over which a water reservoir (8) is formed with the side wall (2) and the pot base (3), wherein at least one opening (9) for draining excess water is provided in the projection (7), characterized by , that the base (10) of the at least one bulge (7) has at least one indentation (11) extending towards the base (3) of the pot, wherein the at least one opening (9) is provided in the indentation (11) and extends at least partially into the base (12) of the indentation (11). [2] Plant pot according to claim 1, characterized by, that adjacent to the indentation (11) at least one underside cavity (15) is formed, which lies above the at least one opening (9) with respect to a longitudinal central axis (L) of the plant pot. [3] Plant pot according to claim 2, characterized by that the cavity is a ring channel (15) surrounding the indentation (11). [4] Plant pot according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by , that at least one bulge (7) is connected on the underside to at least one substantially flat channel (13) extending to the edge of the pot base (3). [5] Plant pot according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by , that at least one opening (9) lies completely in the bottom (12) of the indentation (11). [6] Plant pot according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by, that the bottom (12) of the indentation (11) has at least one first level (12, 12.1) with at least one opening (9, 9.1) which has a distance (A, A1) of at least 4 mm to a mounting surface with respect to the longitudinal central axis (L). [7] Plant pot according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by that the bottom of the indentation (11) has at least one second level (12.2) lying low with respect to the longitudinal central axis (L) with at least one opening (9.2) whose edge has a distance (A2) to the mounting surface of at most 3 mm, preferably at most 1.5 mm. [8] Plant pot according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by that the indentation (11) at its upper edge has a width of at least 20 mm, preferably at least 30 mm, in every direction.

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