Plant pot for a flower hanger

Abstract

The invention relates to a plastic plant pot (1), in particular a flower pot, which can be suspended, as a flower hanger, using a hanger (5) and which has a water reservoir (8) at the bottom of the plant pot. The water reservoir, as a water overflow base, is delimited by at least one bulge (7) of the pot base (3), the bulge extending toward the pot edge (4) in the direction of a longitudinal central axis (L). The base (10) of the bulge (7) has at least one indentation (11) extending toward the pot base (3) in the direction of the longitudinal central axis (L), at least one opening (9) being provided in the indentation (11), the opening extending at least partly into the base (12) of the indentation (11). The plant pot (1) can be used in commercial gardening using an ebb and flow irrigation system and / or a mat irrigation system.

Description

[0001] Pöppelmann Holding 12.09.2025 GmbH & Co. KG T088.3 Bakumer Straße 73 D - 49393 Lohne

[0002] Plant pot for a hanging flower basket

[0003] The present invention relates to a plant pot according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0004] 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.

[0005] 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 edge of the pot and through which the water reservoir is formed by 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 suspending them and irrigating them via drippers. Plant pots of this type are illustrated in US 10701869 B2, US 2016165806 A1 and DE 202005012314 U1. The object of the invention is to further develop a plant pot of the type mentioned above so that it can be used in commercial horticulture with ebb-and-flow irrigation and / or mat irrigation.

[0006] 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 base of the pot in the direction of the longitudinal central axis, 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 the pot is placed. 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 indentation 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.

[0007] The connection between the openings located inside the pot base and the surrounding environment can be achieved through channels leading outwards at the edges, which are formed on the underside of the pot base 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. For cultivating plants until they are ready for sale, the plant pots according to the invention no longer need to be laboriously suspended and equipped with drippers, but can be cultivated on the less labor-intensive ebb-and-flow and / or mat irrigation systems proven in commercial horticulture.

[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 venting 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 completely submerged 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 has at least one section in a first plane 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 can be profiled and have different heights relative to the mounting surface. The plane, 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. The plane can be a segment of the base, an annular or circular section, or it can completely fill the base of the recess.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment, the bottom of the recess has at least one section in a second plane, which is lower than the longitudinal center axis and has 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 lower plane 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 floor section located in the second level has at least one lower mounting rib and / or a downwardly directed local indentation as a support foot, to support the floor section against the standing surface and thus to ensure the safe spacing of the at least one opening in this floor section.

[0017] In a preferred embodiment, the soil section located in the second level is arranged in a ring around a central soil section of the first level, forming an annular ridge in which a plurality of openings for mat irrigation can be incorporated. Preferably, at least one channel is provided on the underside, radially traversing the annular ridge, so that during ebb-and-flow irrigation, water can reach the soil section of the higher first level located centrally within the annular ridge.

[0018] 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.

[0019] 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...

[0020] Fig. 1 shows a plant pot for a hanging flower basket in perspective view;

[0021] Fig. 2 shows a sectional view of the plant pot;

[0022] Fig. 3 shows a sectional view of an alternative base design for the plant pot;

[0023] Fig. 4 shows a sectional view of another base design of the plant pot.

[0024] The essentially rotationally symmetrical plant pot 1 shown in Fig. 1 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 at the bottom 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 hung as a hanging planter using a hanger 5, which is attached to the rim 4 with several strands and hook clips (see Fig. 2).

[0025] 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.

[0026] 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.

[0027] 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 at a low water level.

[0028] 17 is raised above the height of the bulge 7 in order to quickly fill the water reservoir 8.

[0029] 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.

[0030] 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.

[0031] 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.

[0032] Fig. 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 Ai of approximately 10 mm. For the operation in an ebb / flow irrigation system, reference is made to the first embodiment.

[0033] The lower second level 12.2 is located at a distance A2 of approximately 1.5 mm from the base. It is formed by providing the indentation from the first embodiment with a further central indentation. 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.

[0034] 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.

[0035] Fig. 4 shows a third embodiment of the pot base according to the invention, in which the base section of the lower second level 12.2 is arranged in a ring around a central base section of the first level 12.1 and forms an annular rim 20 in the base of which several holes 9.2 are provided. The annular rim 20 has several channels 21 on its underside, which connect the cavity formed by the higher central base section with the annular channel 15 that surrounds the annular rim 20. Several downward-facing indentations in the annular rim 20 act as support feet 18 to space the holes 9.2 away from the surface on which the pot is placed. List of reference numerals

Claims

Pöppelmann Holding 12.09.2025 GmbH & Co. KG T088.3 Bakumer Straße 73 D - 49393 Lohne Patent claims 1. Plastic plant pot (1), in particular a flower pot, which is equipped with a hanger (5) as A hanging flower basket, comprising a pot base (3) and a surrounding side wall (2) which is connected to the pot base (3) at the bottom and terminates at the top with a pot rim (4), wherein the pot base (3) has at least one bulge (7) extending in the direction of a longitudinal central axis (L) 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 bulge (7), characterized in that the bottom (10) of the at least one bulge (7) has at least one indentation (11) extending in the direction of the longitudinal central axis (L) 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).

2. Plant pot according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one underside cavity (15) is formed adjacent to the indentation (11), which lies above the at least one opening (9) with respect to the longitudinal central axis (L) of the plant pot.

3. Plant pot according to claim 2, characterized by the fact 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 the fact that the 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 the fact that the at least one opening (9) lies completely in the bottom (12) of the indentation (11).

6. Plant pot according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by the fact that the bottom (12) of the indentation (11) has at least one section in a first plane (12, 12.1) with at least one opening (9, 9.1) which has a distance (A, Ai) of at least 4 mm to a mounting surface (14) with respect to the longitudinal central axis (L).

7. Plant pot according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by the fact that the bottom of the indentation (11) has at least one section in a second plane (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 (14) of at most 3 mm, preferably at most 1.5 mm.

8. Plant pot according to claim 7, characterized in that the bottom section lying in the second level (12.2) has at least one underside support rib and / or a downwardly directed local indentation as a support foot (18) for supporting the bottom section against the mounting surface (14).

9. Plant pot according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the soil section lying in the second level (12.2) is arranged in a ring around a central soil section of the first level (12.1) and forms a ring rim (20).

10. Plant pot according to claim 9, characterized by at least one underside channel (21) radially traversing the ring rim (20).

11. Plant pot according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in 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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