Plant column

Abstract

Plant column, comprising a flexible plastic plate (1) which is bent into a cylinder by placing end sections on two opposite transverse sides (3) of the plastic plate (1) on top of one another and fastening them to one another, characterized in that the plastic plate (1) has holes (4) in the end sections which correspond in position, wherein at least two connectors are guided through at least two holes (4) which are arranged one on top of the other in pairs.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a planting column comprising a flexible plastic sheet bent into a cylinder. End sections on two opposite transverse sides of the plastic sheet are placed on top of each other and secured together.

[0002] A planting column allows plants to be planted higher off the ground, which is both decorative and provides better protection against pests and waterlogging. Planting columns without a base are particularly suitable for gardens and can be filled completely with soil or with filler material such as brushwood in the lower area and soil in the upper area. Planting columns are therefore raised beds with a narrow geometry and a relatively small footprint. Planting columns also provide a habitat for insects, worms, and composting microorganisms. A baseless version in particular also allows for valuable interaction with the underlying soil. In addition to a horizontal upper planting area, side openings or recesses can also be provided into which plants can also be planted. This is visually appealing and increases the usable planting or cultivation area in relation to the base area of ​​the planting column.

[0003] Plant columns can be made of inherently rigid materials such as stone, clay, or wood. Alternatively, plant columns of the type mentioned above are known, which consist of a flexible plastic sheet that can be easily transported and stored in this form. The plastic sheet is then formed into a cylinder on site by placing two opposite end sections of the plastic sheet on top of each other and securing them together.

[0004] Such a planting column is shown, for example, in DE 83 20 714 U1, where the plastic plate has a tongue and groove on the opposite transverse sides, which secures the end sections to each other to maintain the cylindrical shape. Additionally, grooves are embossed into the plastic plate around the planting column, into which a tensioning device, such as a wire or a band, can be inserted to support the tongue and groove connection, allowing the planting column to withstand the pressure of the soil.

[0005] Similar columns are known from the publications CN 217 694 501 U and US 2024 / 0008420 A1. These columns feature tabs on one transverse side of the plastic sheet that are inserted into slots on the opposite side of the plastic sheet. However, these columns are not intended to be filled with soil, but rather serve as climbing supports for climbing plants, with side shoots emerging from openings at different heights.

[0006] It is an object of the present invention to provide a planting column of the type mentioned at the outset, in which end sections on opposite sides of the plastic plate can be connected to one another in a simple manner so stably that the planting column can withstand the pressure of the filled soil without additional circumferential tensioning means such as circumferential wires or ropes.

[0007] This problem is solved by a planting column having the features of the independent claim. Advantageous embodiments and further developments are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0008] A plant column according to the invention of the type mentioned at the outset is characterized in that the plastic plate has holes in the end sections which correspond in position, wherein at least two, preferably several connectors are guided through two holes which are arranged one on top of the other in pairs.

[0009] Unlike the prior art, there are no complex structures such as tongue and groove or tabs and slots on the plastic sheet itself, but rather only holes that correspond to one another in their position and through which the connectors are passed to fasten the end sections together. Cable ties are the preferred connectors, as they can absorb large forces even at widths of just a few millimeters. Cable ties can be easily removed and either replaced or, depending on the type of cable tie, reused for further use of the plastic sheet as a planting column. The required strength of the connection between the two end sections along the transverse sides can be suitably adjusted by adjusting the number of holes and thus the number of possible connectors.

[0010] In an advantageous embodiment of the plant columns, the holes in the end sections are arranged in at least one row. In this case, the connectors can be pulled through two pairs of holes, one above the other. Particularly preferably, the holes in the end sections are arranged in two parallel rows of holes, allowing connectors to be inserted horizontally in two adjacent pairs of holes and / or vertically in two pairs of holes, one above the other. With four adjacent pairs of holes, connectors could also be arranged diagonally and intersecting.

[0011] In a further advantageous embodiment, the planting column has at least one lateral planting hole formed by incisions in the plastic plate. For example, starting from a center of the planting hole, several incisions can be directed outwards in a star shape, thereby forming a plurality of tabs, in particular six tabs per planting hole. Particularly preferably, the end points of adjacent incisions can be connected to one another by an embossed line, so that the tabs can be bent more easily along this embossed line relative to the surrounding surface of the plastic plates. The tabs close off an unused planting hole as long as they remain in the surrounding plane of the plastic plate. When a planting hole is required, the tabs can be pressed inwards or protruded outwards so that a plant can be planted into the soil behind the planting hole and can take root there.If a planting hole is no longer needed, the planting hole can be closed again by bending back the tabs so that the soil is retained.

[0012] In a further embodiment, the incisions, particularly in the central area, can be designed in such a way that an opening remains even when the tabs are not extended. This makes it easier to grasp a tab with a finger or a tool to extend it.

[0013] In a further advantageous embodiment of the planting column, several planting holes are provided, which are distributed at regular and / or irregular intervals along the outer surface of the planting column and / or the height of the planting column. In particular, since a planting hole can be used as needed, but does not have to be used without soil escaping from an unused planting hole, planting can be done flexibly according to needs and the desired aesthetic.

[0014] The invention is explained in more detail below using exemplary embodiments and figures. The figures show: Fig. 1 a plastic plate of a plant column in a first embodiment; Fig. 2 a plastic plate of a plant column in a second embodiment; Fig. 3 an enlarged plan view of a planting opening in a plastic plate of a planting column; Fig. 4 a view of a section of a plant column with superimposed end sections of its plastic plate; and Fig. 5 a planting column in the assembled state in a spatial representation.

[0015] In the figures, identical reference symbols identify identical or equivalent elements. For reasons of clarity, not every element in every figure is provided with a reference symbol. The terms "left" and "right" refer to the representation in the respective figure.

[0016] The Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 each show an embodiment of a plastic plate 1 which can be formed into a planting column.

[0017] The plastic plates 1 each have the shape of an elongated rectangle with long sides 2 and transverse sides 3. The material used for the plastic plates 1 is a strong but flexible plastic, in particular polypropylene (PP), advantageously with a proportion of at least 20% and particularly preferably at least 30% recycled material.

[0018] Holes 4 are provided in the end sections of the plastic plate 1 along the transverse sides 3, in the example shown in two rows of holes each with five holes 4 at the Fig. 1 and with six holes 4 in the embodiment of the Fig. 2. The number of two rows of holes and the number of five or six holes 4 per row of holes are purely exemplary. The plastic plates 1 can be provided with a larger or smaller number of holes 4.

[0019] On the left and right sides of the plastic sheet 1, the holes 4 are arranged in a mirror image such that when the end sections on the transverse sides 3 are placed one above the other, the holes 4 on one side are positioned congruently over the holes 4 on the other side. Connectors are then passed through the holes 4, which fix and fasten the end sections of the plastic sheet 1 to one another in order to form a round cylinder from the flat plastic sheet 1, which can be filled with soil and / or filler material and soil for planting.

[0020] The examples of the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 differ in their absolute sizes: the length along the long side 2 and the height along the transverse side 3 are in the embodiment of the Fig. 2 larger than in the embodiment of the Fig. 1. The height-to-length ratio of the plastic plate 1 shown is purely exemplary. The dimensions of the plastic plate 1 can be designed for a wide variety of heights or diameters of the plant column. The height of the plant column can, for example, range from approximately 30 centimeters (cm) to over one meter (m). Its diameter can, for example, be approximately 15 cm to over 2 m. The thickness of the plastic plate 1 can range from approximately 1 to 3 millimeters (mm), preferably approximately 2 mm.

[0021] Distributed over the surface of the plastic plate 1, planting openings 5 ​​are provided in the two embodiments shown here, specifically four planting openings 5 ​​in the embodiment of the Fig. 1 and eight planting openings 5 ​​in the embodiment of the Fig. 2.

[0022] In this case, the planting openings 5 ​​are arranged in a regular pattern, offset from one another in two rows. The arrangements shown are purely exemplary. In different configurations of the planting column, planting openings 5 ​​can be arranged at any position in the plastic plate 1. Furthermore, the planting openings 5 ​​are of the same size in each plastic plate 1 in the illustrated case. In other embodiments, planting openings 5 ​​of different sizes can also be provided.

[0023] In Fig. 3 is one of the planting openings from the embodiments of the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 shown enlarged. The planting opening 5 is created in the plastic sheet 1 by making incisions 6, here six incisions 6 each, by way of example, through which six tabs 7 are cut out of the surface of the plastic sheet 1 in a regular hexagonal polygon. The incisions 6 can be made in the plastic sheet 1, for example, using a laser, or can be punched out, or can be created by some other means, e.g., machining.

[0024] In the examples shown, the incisions 6 form a regular star-shaped pattern. The outer tips of any two adjacent incisions 6 are connected by an embossed line 8. Along the embossed line 8, the thickness of the plastic sheet 1 tapers, so that the formed tabs 7 can be more easily pressed inward into the plant column or protruded outward from the surrounding surface of the plastic sheet 1. The embossed lines 8 can be produced, for example, using a laser, a press, or, if necessary, by machining.

[0025] In a central area of ​​the planting hole 5, the incisions 6 are widened so that an opening is formed into which it is advantageous to engage in order to extend the tabs 7 outwards.

[0026] By protruding or pressing in this way, the open area in the area of ​​the planting openings 5 ​​is enlarged, allowing plants to be planted into the soil behind them and take root there. Particularly when the tabs 7 are flared outward, soil is prevented from falling out even when the planting opening 5 is opened in this way. Planting openings that are not intended to be planted remain in the state with the flat tabs 7, which also prevents soil from falling out. The planting openings 5 ​​can therefore be opened and planted, or closed again, as needed.

[0027] Fig. Figure 4 shows a section in the area of ​​the end sections along the transverse sides 3 of the plastic sheet 1 when these end sections are placed on top of one another to form the planting column from the plastic sheet 1. In illustration 4, the end sections are not yet completely placed on top of one another, so that the holes 4 do not yet appear to be congruent. After being placed on top of one another, the holes 4 of one end section are positioned congruently over the holes 4 of the other end section, so that a connector can be passed through two pairs of holes 4, which fixes and fastens the end sections to one another.

[0028] As such a connector, in particular a cable tie can be used, which can be attached easily and without tools and can be cut if necessary, for example with the help of a knife or a side cutter, in order to spread the plant column back out to the flat plastic plate 1 in order to be able to store it more easily.

[0029] Fig. 5 finally shows a plant column in the assembled state, in which the plastic plate 1 as in Fig. 4, with their end sections placed on top of each other along the transverse sides 3 to form a cylindrical column. A cable tie 9 is guided through the two visible holes 4 as a connector and tightened on the outer side (not visible here).

[0030] In the example shown, the plant column stands on one of its long sides 2, whereas the opposite long side 2 forms an upper edge of the plant column. The plant column can be completely filled with soil up to the desired fill level. Alternatively, filling material can be placed in a lower area of ​​the plant column, onto which soil is then filled, if necessary with a fleece or other separating layer in between. Since the plant column does not have a base in the state shown, it is particularly suitable for outdoor use, for example in the garden. If necessary, a saucer can also be placed underneath to protect the terrace or balcony floor on which the plant column is placed.

[0031] As an alternative to the planting column shown with a substantially circular base, it is also possible to give the planting column a more triangular, square, or generally polygonal shape by adding additional embossed lines running vertically across the entire height of the planting column. The base is then that of a polygon, with the sides possibly bulging outwards to a greater or lesser extent due to the soil added. A shape with a semi-circular or quarter-circular base can also be achieved by appropriately positioning additional embossed lines. A planting column shaped in this way is particularly suitable for installation against walls or in inside corners. List of reference symbols 1 plastic plate 2 long side 3 short side 4 holes 5 Planting opening 6 incision 7 tab 8 Embossing line 9 cable ties 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] DE 83 20 714 U1

[0004] CN 217 694 501 U

[0005] US 2024 / 0008420 A1

[0005]

Claims

[1] Plant column, comprising a flexible plastic plate (1) which is bent into a cylinder by placing end sections on two opposite transverse sides (3) of the plastic plate (1) on top of each other and fastening them together, characterized by that the plastic plate (1) has holes (4) in the end sections which correspond in position, wherein at least two connectors are guided through at least two holes (4) which are arranged one on top of the other in pairs. [2] Plant column according to claim 1, in which a plurality of connectors are used to connect the end sections. [3] Plant column according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the connectors are cable ties (9). [4] Plant column according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the holes (4) in the end sections are arranged in at least one row of holes and preferably two rows of holes. [5] Plant column according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the plastic plate (1) has incisions (6) which form at least one lateral planting hole (5). [6] Plant column according to claim 5, wherein the incisions (6) of the at least one planting hole (5) lead outwards in a star shape from a center, whereby a plurality of tabs (7) are formed. [7] Planting column according to claim 6, wherein in the at least one planting hole (5) six tabs (7) are formed by six incisions (6). [8] Plant column according to claim 6 or 7, wherein an opening is formed by the incisions (6) in a central region of the planting hole (5) in order to be able to engage behind the tabs (7). [9] Plant column according to one of claims 6 to 8, in which end points of two adjacent incisions (6) are connected to one another by an embossed line (8). [10] Planting column according to one of claims 5 to 9, in which a plurality of planting holes (5) are provided which are distributed along the circumference of the planting column and / or the height of the planting column at regular and / or irregular intervals.

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