GB2384233A

GB2384233A - Plant receptacle

Info

Publication number: GB2384233A
Application number: GB0130242A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Watson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-12-18
Filing date: 2001-12-18
Publication date: 2003-07-23
Also published as: GB0130242D0

Abstract

A plant receptacle (10) comprises a plurality of sides (12) which are movable relative to each other to enable the shape of the receptacle to be altered. Preferably, the sides (12) of the receptacle may be releasably interconnected by, for example, a rod (18). The sides of the receptacle may have end portions arranged such that when the sides of the receptacle are interconnected to each other, the end portions of adjacent sides overlap. Preferably, the adjacent sides (12) of the receptacle are pivotally interconnected. The sides of the receptacle may be constructed from a plurality of members (14), for example cuboidal blocks. A kit for constructing such a receptacle is also provided. The receptacle (10) may also comprise a base (24).

Description

Plant Receptacle The present invention relates to plant receptacles.

It has long been known for gardeners to plant, for example, bulbs and shrubs in receptacles when they are to be kept inside a building or in an environment where there is no soil. Plant pots are one well-known type of receptacle and are produced in many different shapes and sizes. However, as they are constructed of materials such as plastics or clay they are of fixed shape and can also be bulky to store when not in use.

Another form of receptacle is a'planter'. Generally, a planter is any receptacle for a plant which is not a pot. An example of a planter is a lower-half of a barrel, or alternatively, a basket. However, known planters are also of fixed shape and can be bulky to store.

According to an aspect of the present invention there is provided a receptacle for plants comprising a plurality of interconnected sides which are moveable relative to each other to enable the shape of the receptacle to be altered.

The sides of the receptacle may be releasably interconnected.

Preferably the sides of the receptacle have end portions arranged such that when the sides of the receptacle are interconnected to each other, the end portions of adjacent sides overlap.

Preferably, the adjacent sides of the receptacle are pivotally interconnected. Where the ends of adjacent sides overlap, a rod may pass through the overlapping end portions to form a pivot. The rod may be screw threaded and may be retained in place by means of a co-operable element such as a nut.

The sides of the receptacle may be constructed from a plurality of members, for example, cuboidal blocks.

The receptacle according to the present invention may also comprise a base which can be releasably fixed to the interconnected sides. The base may be fixed in place using a releasable fastener arrangement, for example, screws or nuts & bolts.

The sides and the base of the receptacle may be constructed of the same or different materials. Suitable materials include wood, plastics and/or metal.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a kit of parts for constructing a receptacle comprising: - a plurality of sides; and - means for interconnecting the sides such that they are moveable relative to each other to enable the shape of the receptacle to be changed.

The means for interconnecting adjacent sides preferably forms a pivot. The pivot may be in the form of a rod. The rod may be screw threaded and may be retained in place by means of a co-operable element such as a nut.

The sides may have end portions arranged such that when the sides are interconnected to each other, the end portions of adjacent sides overlap.

A plurality of members, for example, cuboidal blocks may be provided from which the sides can be constructed.

The kit may further comprise a base. Means may be provided for fixing the base to the interconnected sides. The base may be fixed in place using a releasable fastener arrangement, for example screws or nuts & bolts.

A receptacle in accordance with the present invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a receptacle in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of part of the receptacle of Figure 1 drawn to a larger scale and showing a rod interconnecting adjacent sides of the receptacle; Figure 3 is a plan view which illustrates a method of constructing the receptacle of Figures 1 and 2; and Figures 4a to 4f show several schematic plan views of different shapes which can be obtained from a receptacle in accordance with the present invention having eight sides.

Looking at Figure 1, a receptacle 10 comprises four sides 12. Each of the sides 12 is constructed from cuboidal blocks 14 and arranged such that end portions 16 of the blocks 14 forming one side 12 overlap with end portions 16 of blocks 14 of an adjacent side 12. In this way, the sides 12 positively inter-engage.

In the present example, blocks 14 in one side 12 overlap with blocks 14 in an adjacent side 12 so as to lie one above the other.

Adjacent sides 12 are connected to each other by means of a rod 18. Each rod 18 forms a pivot and permits the sides 12 to be moveable relative to each other so as to enable the shape of the receptacle 10 to be altered, according to the requirements of a user. The rod 18, as shown in Figure 2, passes through aligned holes 20 formed within the overlapping end portions 16 of the adjacent sides 12. In the present example, the rod 18 is screw threaded and it may be retained in place by means of nuts (not shown) which screw on to the ends of the rod.

The receptacle 10 also comprises a base 24. The base 24 is of similar shape in plan view to the chosen shape of the receptacle 10. In the example shown, the base 24 is rectangular and is formed with four holes 26 located proximal to each comer of the base 24. When the base 24 is aligned with the underside of the receptacle 10, the holes 26 align with the rods 18. The rods 18 can then be inserted through the respective holes 26 and the base 24 retained in place by means of nuts (not shown).

It is foreseen that the present invention will be sold in kit form, the kits comprising blocks 14, rods 18 and fasteners to hold the rods in place. Each end portion 16 of block 14 will be formed with a hole 20, such that when the receptacle is constructed, the holes 20 in the overlapping end portions 16 will be in axial alignment, thereby allowing a rod 18 to be passed therethrough.

The kits may be sold with or without a base.

The rectangular receptacle, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, may be constructed as follows: Looking at Figure 3, two blocks 14 are placed parallel to each other on a surface (not shown). As stated above, each end portion 16 of the blocks 14 is formed with a hole 20.

A rod 18 is placed in each of the holes 20.

Next, two further blocks 14' (indicated in broken lines) are placed on top of the blocks 14, such that they are positioned perpendicularly to the blocks 14, and such that holes 20'in each end portion 16'of the blocks 14'are in alignment with the holes 20, thereby allowing the blocks 14'to pass over the rod 18. Further layers of blocks may be added as required, each layer being perpendicular to the preceding layer, until the sides of the receptacle have reached a desired height. The rod 18 is then retained in place by means of nuts (not shown) at each end of the threaded rods.

If, subsequently, the user wishes to fit a base, the nuts (not shown) at the lower ends of the rods 18 are removed, the holes 26 formed in the base 24 are aligned with the rods 18, the base 24 is placed over the rods 18 and the nuts are finally screwed back on.

It will be noted that when the base 24 is attached to the sides 12 it is not possible to alter the shape of the receptacle. To alter the shape, the base 24 must first be removed by removing the nuts that attach it to the sides 12. Removing the nuts also allows free movement of the interconnected sides 12 relative to each other. When the desired shape is selected, another base (not shown), corresponding to that new shape may be attached.

The receptacle 10 described in the example above comprises four sides 12. However, it will be noted that due to the nature of construction of the receptacle 10, there could be any number of sides 12. Figure 4 shows a number of possible shape configurations which can be obtained using a receptacle, in accordance with the present invention, having eight sides.

When a receptacle is no longer required it can easily be stored by removing the base and, as shown in Figure 4f, collapsing the receptacle into a storage configuration.

The receptacles of the present invention may also be used in conjunction with a lining (not shown). After constructing the receptacle, the lining is placed therein and is then filled with soil. The use of the lining prevents soil from escaping through gaps in the sides 12 between the blocks 14. The lining also prevents soil and/or fertilisers spoiling the walls, and prevents soil entering the holes 20.

Claims

Claims 1. A receptacle for plants comprising a plurality of interconnected sides which are movable relative to each other to enable the shape of the receptacle to be altered.
2. A receptacle according to claim 1 wherein the sides of the receptacle are releasably interconnected.
3. A receptacle according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the sides of the receptacle have end portions arranged such that when the sides of the receptacle are interconnected to each other, the end portions of adjacent sides overlap.
4. A receptacle according to any preceding claims wherein adjacent sides of the receptacle are pivotally interconnected.
5. A receptacle according to claim 4, wherein the ends of the adjacent sides overlap and a rod passes through the overlapping end portions to form a pivot.
6. A receptacle according to any preceding claim, constructed from a plurality of members.
7. A receptacle according to any preceding claim, comprising a base which is releasably fixed to the interconnected sides.
8. A kit of parts for constructing a receptacle according to any preceding claim, comprising a plurality of sides and means for interconnecting the sides such that they are moveable relative to each other to enable the shape of the receptacle to be changed.
9. A kit according to claim 8, wherein the means for interconnecting adjacent sides forms a pivot.

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10. A kit according to claim 8 or claim 9, wherein the side end portions arranged such that when the sides are interconnected to each other, the end portions of adjacent sides overlap.
11. A kit according to any one of claims 8-10, comprising a plurality of members from which the sides can be constructed.
12. A kit according to any one of claims 8-11, comprising a base.
13. A kit according to claim 11, additionally comprising means for fixing the base to the interconnected sides.
14. A receptacle substantially as herein before described with reference to the accompanying figures.