Angled Basket Plant Support with Porous Perimeter Wall
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing plant support apparatuses fail to provide a solution for maintaining plant material above soil while preventing fruit or other plant matter from contacting the soil.
Innovation Solution
A plant support apparatus comprising a basket with a perimeter wall that is angled inwardly, a porous structure to allow air and water flow, and a barrier extending upwardly from the upper edge of the perimeter wall to prevent plant material from contacting the soil.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If wire-form structures are used for plant support, then plants can grow against the support structure, but the structure does not prevent fruit or plant matter from contacting the soil
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the support function (legs and basket) with the protection function (perimeter wall extending above soil) into a single integrated structure. The basket's perimeter wall serves dual purposes: supporting the plant material above soil and preventing fruit/plant matter contact with soil, eliminating the need for separate protective structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The basket structure is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it supports vines/climbing plants, elevates plant material above soil, and prevents fruit or plant matter from contacting soil through its extended perimeter wall. This multi-functional design resolves the contradiction by making the support structure also serve as a protective barrier.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a barrier is added to prevent plant material contact with soil, then soil contact is prevented, but air and water flow may be restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The perimeter wall is designed with porous characteristics that allow air and water to flow through while still preventing fruit or plant matter from contacting the soil. This resolves the contradiction by enabling the barrier to be permeable to fluids and gases while maintaining its protective function for plant material.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the perimeter wall is angled inwardly, then plant material is contained and supported above soil, but the upper opening area is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The perimeter wall is designed with an asymmetric angle, sloping inwardly from the lower opening to the upper opening. This asymmetric configuration provides effective containment and support for plant material while maintaining sufficient upper opening area for plant growth and access.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The apparatus effectively keeps plant material above the soil, allowing for drainage and gas exchange, while preventing soil contact and enhancing plant growth by providing support for vines and other climbing plants.
Implementation Method 1
The perimeter wall is porous to allow air and water to flow freely through the perimeter wall
Implementation Method 2
a barrier spaced above the soil to prevent fruit or other plant matter from contacting the soil
Data Source
AI summary
A plant support apparatus for maintaining plant material above soil includes a basket with a perimeter wall. An upper edge of the perimeter wall defines an upper opening, and a lower edge of the perimeter wall defines a lower opening. The perimeter wall is angled inwardly from the upper edge to the lower edge. A plurality of legs is coupled to and extends downwardly from the basket.