Modular Garden Planter with Segmented Receptacles

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional raised garden beds are limited in soil control, prone to soil deterioration and contamination, unsuitable for decks and hard surfaces, and provide restricted access to plants, making them inefficient for growing vegetables and vulnerable to weather and pests.

Innovation Solution

A modular structure comprising self-contained receptacles with connecting means and a detachable cover, allowing for customizable garden sizes and shapes, integrated water recycling, and protection from pests and weather, with optional irrigation and lighting systems.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional raised garden beds are used, then some soil control is provided, but soil deterioration and contamination occur due to ground contact

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesoil controlVSAvoidsoil deterioration and contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The garden bed is divided into multiple modular receptacles that can be assembled together, allowing each module to be independently manufactured with controlled soil contents while maintaining overall structural integrity. This segmentation enables better soil management by preventing ground contact contamination in each isolated compartment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The receptacles serve as intermediary structures between the ground and the plants, providing a controlled environment that protects soil from ground contact contamination while still allowing water and nutrient management. The receptacles act as a barrier that mediates between external environmental factors and the growing medium.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If containerised gardens are used, then soil control is faultlessly managed, but the sizes are severely limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesoil controlVSAvoidgarden size

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses multiple identical or varied receptacles that can be joined together in different configurations, allowing the garden area to be expanded by simply adding more modules. This segmentation enables the garden to grow from a single container to a large raised bed while maintaining the soil control benefits of containerised gardening.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The receptacles are designed as universal, interchangeable modules that can serve multiple functions: individual planters, components of larger beds, stacked configurations for vertical gardening, or arranged in various patterns. This multi-functionality allows the same basic unit to adapt to different size requirements while maintaining consistent soil management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If traditional garden covers are used, then protection from weather and pests is provided, but access to plants becomes extremely difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection from weather and pestsVSAvoidaccess to plants

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The cover system is segmented to match the modular receptacle structure, with each receptacle having its own access mechanism. This allows the cover to be opened at specific locations without exposing the entire garden bed, maintaining protection while enabling easy access to plants in individual modules.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cover is designed with dynamic access features such as removable panels, hinged sections, or lift-off lids that can be easily opened and closed. This dynamic design allows the cover to transition between providing full protection and allowing access, making the system adaptable to different user needs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Strength

If traditional raised garden beds are used, then structure is provided, but they are not suitable for decks and hard surfaces due to soil leaching and water decay

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidsoil leaching and water decay

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The receptacles serve as water-resistant intermediary barriers between the soil and the deck or hard surface. They are designed to contain soil and manage water, preventing leaching and decay of the underlying structure. The receptacles mediate the interaction between moisture and the support surface, protecting both the garden and the deck.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The receptacles incorporate water-resistant materials and coatings that create a protective barrier between the soil and the external environment. These flexible yet protective shells prevent water from penetrating to the deck or hard surface, preventing decay while maintaining structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Data Source

PatentUS10091950B2Modular garden planter bed structure

Publication Date: 2018.10.09 VEGEPOD LLC

AI summary

The present invention relates to a modular structure for provision of a raised garden planter bed. The structure includes at least first and second receptacles adapted to be juxtaposed and connecting means adapted to bind the juxtaposed receptacles together. The present invention also relates to a kit of parts and a method for building the modular structure.