GB2258454A

GB2258454A - Device for holding plant pots

Info

Publication number: GB2258454A
Application number: GB9117287A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Donald Peter Carr; Cedric Arthur Humphries
Original assignee: Moulded Plastics Birmingham Ltd
Current assignee: Moulded Plastics Birmingham Ltd
Priority date: 1991-08-09
Filing date: 1991-08-09
Publication date: 1993-02-10
Anticipated expiration: 2011-08-09
Also published as: GB9117287D0; GB2258454B

Abstract

A carrier device for holding and transporting batches of plant pots comprises a rectangular grid-like frame (10) whose cross-bars (14, 16) define apertures for locating square or round pots in close proximity e.g. in a 3 x 6 formation; the frame being bounded by a four-sided rim formation (12) of greater depth than the frame and with the frame cross-bars at an intermediate level. The sides of the rim formation (12) are inwardly convergent in a downward direction so that empty carriers can be stacked in part-nested relationship and loaded carriers can be fitted onto staging, racks or the like having upstanding rims or lips with maximum economy of space. <IMAGE>

Description

DEVICE FOR HOLDING PLANT POTS This invention relates to a device for holding a batch of plant pots for ease of handling and transport.

Frame-like devices for this purpose are known, for example in GB-A-1 592 650, which will accommodate round or square pots enabling their movement as a batch from one place to another during the growing cycle of seeds or plants therein or during transport from nursery to point of sale.

The object of the present invention is to provide an improved device of this kind which is strong and durable in use, economical to manufacture, and which makes optimum use of available storage and transport space particularly when used in combination with existing sizes of staging, storage shelves or racks, and/or trolleys.

According to the invention there is provided a device for holding and transporting a batch of plant pots comprising a rectangular grid-like frame bounded by a four sided rim formation of greater depth than the frame, the frame being constituted by cross bars at an intermediate level of the rim formation defining, with the latter, a regular series of apertures for locating and supporting the batch of pots in close proximity to each other with their bottoms on a level with or slightly below the bottom edge of the rim formation, the sides of the rim formation being inwardly convergent in a downward direction whereby empty devices can be stacked on top of each other in part-nested relationship and devices loaded ith pots can be accommodated on staging, shelves or racks having upwardly projecting rims or lips with upper portions of said sides overhanging said rims or lips to maximise utilisation of the area defined thereby.

Preferably the tray will be formed as a unitary plastics moulding.

The cross bars may be provided with locating formations in known manner for secure engagement with median zones of the tapered sides of standard square or round pots.

The top edge of the rim formation may lie somewhat below the level of the pot rims whereby said rims may overlie the rim formation, again for most economical use of space.

An embodiment of the invention is now more particularly described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: Figure 1 is a plan view of a pot carrier, Figure 2 is a perspective view of a corner portion thereof (remaining parts broken away), and Figure 3 is a lateral sectional view on line 3-3 of Figure 1.

The example shown is a carrier accomodating a batch of 16 standard taper sided plant pots which may be either square or round, grouped in a 3 x 6 formation as a compact group. The overall size and dimensions of the (loaded) carrier are such that four said carriers can be accommodated, arranged within the bounds of a rack or shelf having an upstanding lip or rim of a size of horticultural transport trolley commonly in use in Europe and elsewhere enabling a total of 72 9cm pots to be accommodated on each shelf or rack.

The carrier is a unitary plastics moulding and comprises a rectangular grid-like frame 10 bounded by a continuous four sided rim formation 12 having rounded corners.

Frame 10 comprises five shorter crossbars 14 and two longer cross bars 16, the latter having somewhat greater depth than crossbars 14 for added strength to accommodate their greater span. Frame 10 lies at an intermediate level of rim formation 12 as best seen in Figure 3. The bars 14, 16 together with formation 12 define a regular series of eighteen apertures, each for accommodating a respective pot.

Horizontal locating formations 18 project laterally from crossbars 14,16 centred on each side of each of the apertures and like formations 20 are provided projecting inwardly of the rim formation 12.

These formations have arcuate distal edges 22 which engage and securely locate a median zone of a tapered plant pot dropped into the respective aperture, said engagement effectively locating either a round or square pot as indicated respectively by broken lines 24,26 in Figure 1.

A batch of pots so positioned and engaged will have their bottoms on a common plane level with or possibly very slightly below the bottom edge of rim formation 12 so that when the loaded carrier is resting on the ground or on growing staging or the like the bottoms of the pots will contact the latter.

To provide maximum utilisation of available space the rims of the pots will be in very close proximity to each other and will also project to some extent above the upper edges of the rim formation 12, i.e. if two loaded carriers are disposed in side by side relationship the rims of the rows of pots in each carrier which are nearest to each other will also be in very close proximity.

For further economy of space the sides of the rim formation 12 are inwardly tapered in a downward direction as best seen in Figure 3.

This has two advantages. Firstly a number of empty carriers can be securely and compactly stacked one above the other in part-nested relationship i.e. the bottom portion of an upper carrier in the stack will nest within the top portion of the carrier immediately below it on or above the frame of the latter. This facilitates storage of empty carriers and also their transport e.g. in returning them to the nursery or other supplier after the pots have been removed at a point of sale e.g. a retail shop.

Secondly the loaded carriers can be located on staging, shelves or racks which commonly have upstanding lips or rims as the upper part of the sides of the rim formation 12 can overhang said rim or lip as indicated at 28 in Figure 3. This makes optimum use of available space particularly where the area is limited e.g. when loaded carriers are stacked in racking or trolleys.

It will be appreciated that numerous variations are contemplated within the scope of the invention, thus carriers may be provided for various sizes of pot and to accommodate batches of pots of different number.

Claims

1. A device for holding and transporting a batch of plant pots comprising a rectangular grid-like frame bounded by a four sided rim oration of greater depth than vile frame, the frame being constituted by cross bars at an intermediate level of the rin formation defining with the latter, a regular series of apertures for locating and supporting the batch of pots in close proximity to each other with their bottoms on a level with or slightly below the otto edge of the rim formation, the sides of the rim formation being inwardly convergent in a downward direction whereby empty devices can be stacked on top of each other in part nested relationship and devices loaded with pots can be accomodated on staging, shelves or racks having upwardly projecting rims or lips with upper portions of said sides overhanging said rims or lips to maximise utilisation of the area defined thereby

2. A device as in Claim 1 formed as a unitary plastics moulding.

3. A device as in Claim 1 or 2 wherein said cross-bars are provided with locating formations shaped for secure engagement with median zones of the tapered sides of both standard square round pots.

4. A device as in Claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the top edge of the rim formation lies somewhat below the level of the pot ri-is in use whereby said rins nay overlie the rim formation for most economical use of space.

5. A device as in any preceding claim wherein said frame defines eighteen said apertures grouped in a 3 x formation

6. A device as in any preceding claim wherein the apertures are sized and shaped to accommodate standard 9 cm round or square pots.

7. A ' device for holding and transporting a batch of plant pots substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.