Moss ball

Abstract

Provided is a moss ball that is easy to manufacture and grow, and allows cut flowers to be easily attached and detached for decoration. 【Solution means】The moss ball 10 includes a moss ball base 12 made of a synthetic resin water-absorbing foam, and the moss ball base 12 has a recess 14. On the side peripheral surface 12a of the moss ball base 12, a moss plant 16 is provided on a portion other than the recess 14. The recess 14 is provided with a bottomed cylindrical water-retaining cup 20 for inserting a cut flower 18, and the water-retaining cup 20 opens to the side peripheral surface 12a of the moss ball base 12. Water is put into the water-retaining cup 20, and the stem of the cut flower 18 is inserted into the water-retaining cup 20. The opening of the water-retaining cup 20 has a detachable cap 22, and the cap 22 is provided with an insertion hole 24 through which the cut flower 18 is inserted.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a moss ball in which moss plants are grouped into an arbitrary shape.

Background Art

[0002] A moss ball is made by forming the cultivation soil at the root of an ornamental plant into a spherical shape and covering the side circumferential surface thereof with moss plants. The production of moss balls is time-consuming and complicated because the cultivation soil needs to be formed into a spherical shape and the moss plants need to be attached to the side circumferential surface of the spherical cultivation soil with a thread. In addition, since the ornamental plant and the moss plant are integrated through the cultivation soil, growth management is also troublesome, and water shortage is likely to occur in both the ornamental plant and the moss plant. Further, aging maintenance is required, and it takes time to remake the moss ball because the moss plants are damaged or the ornamental plant is repotted. It is difficult to change the ornamental plant planted in the moss ball to another type of plant.

[0003] Conventionally, as something to facilitate the production and growth management of moss balls, there are a moss ball, a cultivation tool for moss balls, and a cultivation method for moss balls disclosed in Patent Document 1. This provides a tool in which a cylindrical leg portion with a water-permeable partition portion as an inner layer is attached to a net cage body that has an open top, to which moss can be attached and has water permeability. A water-retaining material is filled in the net cage body, moss plants are attached to the entire surface of the net cage body and wound with a thin thread, the moss plants are held on the surface of the net cage body, and the moss plants are cultivated. Thereby, the shape of the moss ball can be made into a desired size and shape by selecting and determining the shape of the net cage body, and the winding operation can be carried out while gently pressing the moss plants attached to the net cage body. There is little peeling of the moss plants during the winding operation, there is no deformation of the moss ball shape, and the winding operation becomes easy. Further, even during growth management, irrigation can be easily performed by arranging it in a water tray in the same manner as a normal potted plant. Also, an appropriate vase container may be attached to the upper opening of the net cage body and cut flowers may be inserted therein, and the replacement of the cut flowers can be done without destroying the moss ball.

[0004] In addition, as a means for facilitating the replanting of ornamental plants planted in moss balls, it is also described in a new manufacturing form of moss balls disclosed in Patent Document 2. This has a structure in which a cup with a hole is embedded in the upper surface of the moss ball, and an ornamental plant is planted therein. This enables the post-planting or replanting of ornamental plants.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] In the case of Patent Document 1 of the above background art, a wire cage body is required, the structure is complex, and the cost is high. In the case of Patent Document 2, the production of moss balls is made by forming soil into a spherical shape, and no consideration has been given to simplifying the production of moss balls.

[0007] This device has been made in view of the problems of the above background art, and an object thereof is to provide a moss ball that is easy to manufacture and grow and manage, and allows cut flowers to be easily attached and detached for decoration.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] This device is provided with a moss ball base made of a water-absorbing foam made of synthetic resin. A concave portion is formed in the moss ball base. On the side peripheral surface of the moss ball base, moss plants are attached to portions other than the concave portion. A water-retaining cup in the shape of a bottomed cylinder for inserting cut flowers is attached to the concave portion. The water-retaining cup is a moss ball that opens to the side peripheral surface of the moss ball base.

[0009] Water is put into the water-retaining cup, and the stem of the cut flower is inserted into the water-retaining cup. The shape of the moss ball base is spherical. The concave portion is a through-hole penetrating the moss ball base. A detachable cap is attached to the opening of the water-retaining cup, and the cap is provided with an insertion hole through which the cut flower is inserted.

Advantages of the Invention

[0010] The moss ball of the present invention is made of a moss ball base composed of a synthetic resin water-absorbing foam, and moss plants can be easily attached thereto without deformation, and the manufacturing is easy. Moreover, maintenance is not required and cultivation management is also easy. In addition, a water-retaining cup for inserting cut flowers is attached, and the cut flowers can be easily attached and detached for decoration.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0011]

Figure 1

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0012] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows one embodiment of the present invention. The moss ball 10 of this embodiment is provided with a moss ball base 12 made of a water-absorbing foam which is a porous material made of synthetic resin. The material of the moss ball base 12 is, for example, phenolic resin, polyurethane, or the like.

[0013] The shape of the moss ball base 12 is spherical here. A concave portion 14 is formed in the moss ball base 12. The concave portion 14 has a cylindrical shape with a predetermined depth, and the depth direction substantially coincides with the diameter direction of the moss ball base 12. Note that the concave portion 14 may be a through-hole penetrating the moss ball base 12. When the concave portion 14 is a through-hole, the depth of the water-retaining cup 20 described later is not limited, which is convenient.

[0014] On the side circumferential surface 12a of the moss ball base 12, moss plants 16 are attached to portions other than the recess 14. Examples of the types of moss plants 16 are Hypnum plumaeforme, Bryum argenteum, etc. The moss plants 16 are attached to the side circumferential surface 12a of the moss ball base 12 by being wound around with a thread or the like.

[0015] In the recess 14, a water-retaining cup 20 having a bottomed cylindrical shape for inserting a cut flower 18 is attached. The material of the water-retaining cup 20 is, for example, polypropylene or polyvinyl chloride. The shape of the water-retaining cup 20 is a thin cylindrical shape. An opening 20a is provided at one end in the axial direction of the cylindrical shape, and the opposite side is closed to form a bottom 20b. A detachable cap 22 is attached to the opening 20a and is attached to the opening 20a in a watertight manner.

[0016] The cap 22 is provided with an insertion hole 24 through which the stem 18a of the cut flower 18 is inserted. When the water-retaining cup 20 is attached to the recess 14, the axial direction of the water-retaining cup 20 coincides with the depth direction of the recess 14, the opening 20a opens to the side circumferential surface 12a of the moss ball base 12, and the bottom 20b is located inside the moss ball base 12. When the cap 22 is attached to the opening 20a, the cap 22 is substantially flush with the side circumferential surface 12a. Note that a ready-made product used when transporting cut flowers can be used as the water-retaining cup 20.

[0017] Next, the usage method of the moss ball 10 of this embodiment will be described. Place the moss ball 10 supplied with water to the moss ball base 12 in the water tray 26 so that the opening 20a of the water-retaining cup 20 faces upward, put water 28 into the water-retaining cup 20, and close the opening 20a with the cap 22. Insert the stem 18a of the cut flower 18 into the insertion hole 24 of the cap 22, dip the tip into the water 28, and decorate the moss ball 10 with the cut flower 18 for viewing. The order of decorating the cut flower 18 may be other than the above. The moss plants 16 absorb water from the moss ball base 12, and the cut flower 18 is supplied with water 28 in the water-retaining cup 20, and they absorb water separately from each other. By separating the water distribution environment for the moss plants 16 and the cut flower 18, a water environment suitable for the growth of each is prepared. Add water to the moss ball base 12 and the water-retaining cup 20 as appropriate for growth management. The cut flower 18 may wither earlier than the moss plants 16. When the cut flower 18 withers, it can be removed from the water-retaining cup 20 and replaced with a new cut flower 18.

[0018] According to the moss ball 10 of this embodiment, the moss plant 16 can be easily attached to the moss ball base 12, without deformation, maintenance-free, and easy to manufacture. The moss ball base 12 does not deform and is easy to handle. Since the moss ball base 12 forms a sphere of the same size during manufacturing, it can be easily mass-produced. At the same time, the amount of moss plant 16 per unit can be quantified, and waste can be reduced. The amount of moss plant 16 used can also be reduced. For example, the moss balls 10 can be mass-produced and stored, and cut flowers 18 that change according to factors such as market trends and seasons can be inserted into the moss balls 10 and sold as market-compliant products.

[0019] The moss plant 16 absorbs water from the moss ball base 12, and the cut flower 18 is supplied with water 28 in the water retention cup 20. By separating the water distribution environment for the moss plant 16 and the cut flower 18, cultivation management is easy. The moss ball base 12 is made of a synthetic resin water-absorbing foam, which is less likely to generate insects, suppresses the generation of odors, is clean, and greatly increases the safety level in terms of hygiene. The moss ball base 12 has a high water absorption rate, and the timing of watering is easy to understand.

[0020] A bottomed cylindrical water retention cup 20 for inserting the cut flower 18 is attached, and the cut flower 18 can be easily replaced, and the cut flower 18 can be exchanged and decorated. The type of cut flower 18 can be freely selected, and it can be easily enjoyed with common cut flowers 18. It is not necessary to remake the moss ball 10 when exchanging the cut flower 18. A cap 22 is attached to the water retention cup 20 to prevent the evaporation of water 28, and water 28 will not spill even if the moss ball 10 lies on its side.

[0021] The moss plant 16 is only wound around the moss ball base 12 with a thread and attached. The decomposition of the moss ball base 12 and the moss plant 16 is simple, not time-consuming, and the moss ball base 12 and the moss plant 16 can be reused. The water retention cup 20 can also be reused.

[0022] Note that the moss ball of this invention is not limited to the above embodiment. The shape of the moss ball base may be other than spherical, and can be freely designed, such as a cube, a triangular pyramid, an animal shape, etc. The materials of the moss ball base and the water retention cup, and the types of moss plants can be freely selected. The depth direction of the recess does not have to coincide with the diameter direction of the moss ball base. A plurality of recesses may be provided, and a plurality of water retention cups may be attached to insert a plurality of cut flowers.

Explanation of Signs

[0023] 10 Moss ball 12 Moss ball base 12a Side peripheral surface 14 Recess 16 Moss plant 18 Cut flower 18a Stem 20 Water retention cup 22 Cap 24 Insertion hole 28 Water

Claims

1. This moss ball is characterized in that a moss ball base made of absorbent foam made of synthetic resin is provided, a recess is formed in the moss ball base, moss plants are attached to the side surface of the moss ball base other than the recess, and a bottomed, tubular water-retaining cup for holding cut flowers is attached to the recess, and the water-retaining cup opens into the side surface of the moss ball base.

2. 2. The moss ball according to claim 1, wherein water is placed in the water-retaining cup, and the stem of the cut flower is inserted into the water-retaining cup.

3. The moss ball according to claim 1, wherein the moss ball base is spherical in shape.

4. The moss ball according to claim 1 , wherein the recess is a through hole penetrating the moss ball base.

5. 2. The moss ball according to claim 1, wherein a removable cap is attached to the opening of the water-retaining cup, and the cap has an insertion hole through which the cut flower is inserted.

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