GB2418587A

GB2418587A - biodegradable planting container

Info

Publication number: GB2418587A
Application number: GB0519795A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jayne Rachael Lawton
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-09-30
Filing date: 2005-09-29
Publication date: 2006-04-05
Anticipated expiration: 2025-09-29
Also published as: GB2418587B; GB0519795D0

Abstract

A planting container 1 for allowing plants and/or bulbs to be grown in a chosen design includes means defining a cavity having an opening which may be closed by a lid 2, a bedding material 10 and a plurality of plants and/or bulbs 11 located in prearranged positions. The container 1 is preferably folded from a sheet of cardboard or compressed biodegradable material and may contain straw 10, and bulbs 11 may be supported on inserts or shelves 12 having tabs defined by cruciform cuts [19, FIG 2B].

Description

BIODEGRADEABLE GROW BOX

The present invention relates to a grow box for bulbs, and seeds or plants.

Bulbs and plants have, throughout time, been used to decorate landscapes, usually by using a number of plants which vary in colour, style, or flowering pattern.

Aesthetically pleasing effects are often achieved by arranging the plants such that when they flower, they form a pattern or design.

Whilst this may seem simple in theory, in practice various technical considerations have to be taken into account, which make the process quite difficult. For example, in order to achieve a visually pleasing display and yet encourage survival and flowering of the plants, it is necessary to select plants which are sufficiently compatible to grow well in close proximity and which also look good alongside each other. The conditions of the land must also be taken into account, for example whether the aspect is sunny or shady, and whether the soil is not waterlogged, and is at the optimum temperature. Even if plants which suit the conditions and the design are chosen, an attractive flowerbed may not be achieved if planting is done at the wrong time of year, or the plants are exposed to pests, diseases or animals.

When planting, sufficient space must be provided between the plants and bulbs to allow them room to grow without compromising the overall effect of the design, and bulbs in particular must be placed at the correct depth in the soil. Many non- professional gardeners find it difficult to visualize the final design and select the appropriate plants, and also to calculate the positions of each bulb or plant in order to achieve the design. For those who do manage to do so, there is then the hurdle of actually planting the bulbs or plants at the correct depths in a single hole in the ground.

It is apparent therefore, that technical knowledge is required to achieve attractive successful flowerbeds, and, as a result, it is often beyond the ability of the average gardener.

S There are, available in the art, various solutions to these problems. These generally are containers in which the bulbs or plants are held within the container at the correct depth or spacing, to facilitate correct planting.

US Patent No. 2,930,162 describes a bulb holder, comprising a lower piece with pins for securing the bulb and an upper piece to support the neck of the bulb. The holder is made of plastic or mesh, which must be retrieved from the ground. Where several bulbs are held, there is no provision for these to be placed at different heights or spaced with a view to the final pattern. In addition, there is no means provided for assisting the gardener in finding the correct depth for the bulbs.

US Patent No. 3,678,620 describes a plastic container for holding bulbs at an optimum spacing, and having an indicator to show the correct depth for planting.

However, it does not allow for bulbs of different varieties to be placed within the container at different heights or in non-linear spacing. Thus, the container is not suitable for those wanting to obtain a flowerbed having a variety of plants or bulbs in a particular design.

Increasingly, gardeners and horticulturalists are adopting organic methods. US Patent No. 6,161,331 describes a biodegradeable container which consists of two hemispheres which form a bulb casing, and which holds planting components such as soil and nutrients. However, this container is only suitable for holding a single bulb, and therefore is not useful in solving the above mentioned problems.

WO01/015496 describes a pre-planted bulb container, in which a variety of bulbs are placed at optimum height and spacing to produce a pleasing arrangement when grown. The container has a flat top surface and sidewalls depending downward therefrom. The bulbs are held in frusto- conical cavities in the top surface, which have holes to allow water drainage and growth of roots. A cover is provided which sits on the top surface and has one or more see-through windows to enable customers to examiner the bulbs. In use, the container is placed into a pre-dug hole, and the cover removed. The container itself then biodegrades.

However, this container does not assist the gardener in identifying the correct soil type or planting positions, and as the bulbs are exposed to the soil, does not provide any protection for the bulbs from frost, pests or disease. Thus, even when using this container, the gardener may not be able to easily grow a pleasing flowerbed 1 0 arrangement.

It is apparent from the above that for an average or unskilled gardener, there is no grow box which enables them to achieve aesthetically pleasing flowerbeds, with a high degree of success. The present invention aims to overcome this problem.

Thus, the present invention provides a planting container comprising a soil conditioner and a two or more seeds and/or bulbs at prearranged positions, a plurality of members defining a cavity having an opening which is closable by a lid member, wherein the container is substantially entirely biodegradable.

The present invention is distinguished from planting containers known in the art because it provides the plants and/or bulbs at prearranged positions, and can be substantially closed against the environment. Thus, for the first time there is provided a planting container which allows a pre-designed flowerbed to be planted without requiring any technical knowledge regarding depth or positioning of plants andlor bulbs on the part of the gardener. The fact that the seeds and /or bulbs are provided with soil conditioner in a biodegradeable organic container which can be closed, and which can remain closed when in the ground, not only enables the container to be transported easily, but more importantly, provides vital protection for the plants and bulbs from native hazards in the environment, such as frost, pests, disease and animals.

In addition, the container is substantially entirely made of biodegradeable material which softens upon wetting and begins to decompose. This further distinguishes the present invention from known planting containers, as there is no need to remove the planting container from the ground or to transfer the bulbs prior to planting. This reduces the workload for the gardener, and also reduces the risk of disrupting plants and bulbs after they have settled in the ground. Preferably, the material when dry is sufficiently rigid to withstand handling during transport etc. Any suitable biodegradeable material satisfying these requirements may be used. Preferred materials are cardboard, compressed material such as dung or dirt, paper (preferably recycled), composted bark, and dried compressed grass or straw. Preferably, the container may comprise a pesticide, such as a snail/slug repellent. More preferably, the container is clay coated cardboard, clay being a natural repellent of such pests.

1 S The container may be of any shape which is suitable for holding a plurality of bulbs and plants and planting in the ground. Preferably, to assist in ensuring that the container is planted at the correct depth, and for display purposes, it has a substantially planar floor member. Preferably, it also comprises wall members extending upward from the floor member and extending around its circumference.

The top surface of the container is that through which the plants will grow, and which will face upwards when the container is in position in the ground. This top surface may comprise the floor member, or a wall member, but is usually the cavity which is closed by the lid member. The lid member, when closed, covers substantially all of the opening of the cavity defined by the floor and wall members.

The lid may be attached to the container when in the open position, or may be separate from the container. The lid may be closed using any suitable mechanism, for example tabs and notches, adhesives or flaps, or hinges and handles. Preferably, the lid comprises a flap which is secured to the container along a wall member.

Preferably, the size of the flap corresponds to the size of the opening.

Thus, preferred shapes for the container are those having a substantially planar floor member, and preferably also a substantially planar lid member which when closed lies parallel to the floor member. The circumference of the container may be any shape, suited to the design of the prearranged flowerbed. The container may therefore be rectangular, circular, square, oval, or other.

The soil conditioner, bulbs and/or seeds of the container are preferably positioned in the lower section of the container, either on the floor member or on a shelf close to the floor member.

Preferably, the floor member, and/or top surface of the container may comprise means to allow growth of the roots or stems of the bulbs or seedlings therethrough, to allow for the possibility that in some cases growth may be faster than decomposition of the container. Such means close the container against the environment (and therefore retain its contents) prior to planting, but open upon wetting and/or pressure by a growing stem or root, allowing the root/stem to grow through the container.

Such means may therefore be areas of weakness in the material of the container, for example thinner material. The areas may be dimples, indentations or the like.

Preferably they are positioned to correspond to the positions of the prearranged bulbs/seeds. Thus, unlike containers of the art, no pre-formed holes in the container are necessary, allowing it to contain soil conditioner and be transported without risk of loss of such material through holes. No transplanting of the bulbs/seeds into the ground or alterations to the container are required by the user.

One or more shelves may be provided in the container. The shelf is preferably made of biodegradable material, which may be the same as that of the container, or may be different. As the shelf does not have the same requirements for rigidity as that of the container, thinner or cheaper material may be used. The shelf is preferably shaped to fit the circumference of the container. Preferably, the shelf comprises holes through which the seedlings and bulbs can grow. These holes additionally provide a degree of support for the seedlings and bulbs to keep them in their prearranged positions.

The position of the shelf within the container may therefore be adjusted so that it is capable of supporting as many of the bulbs/seedlings as possible, whose depth in any one container may be different. Additional shelves as described above may be provided, closer to the top surface of the container, which provide additional support for growing stems.

In certain embodiments, an uppermost shelf may be the lid member of the container.

Preferably, a shelf may be the lid member for planting, for example where the original lid member has been removed.

The holes in the shelf may be formed in various shapes and sizes, to accommodate the different seeds and bulbs within the container. The holes may be arranged in a pattern which corresponds to the chosen design to be achieved. The holes may be labelled with information regarding each seed or bulb.

in a preferred embodiment, the shelf includes any number of cruciform cuts, which define triangular tabs on either side of the cuts. The tabs may be deflected upwardly or downwardly of the place of the insert so as to create an aperture through which the stem, body, neck or possibly the roots of the bulb or plant may be supported. The tabs may be formed of any suitable material which is preferably biodegradable. This may be the same or different from the remainder of the insert or the container. For example, it may be preferred to use flexible material which is more suited to wrapping and insulating the bulbs or plants.

When the shelf is in position in the container, the tabs defined by the cuts may provide additional insulation around the bulbs or plants, or if the insert is placed the other way up, the tabs may be used to more securely support the neck of the plants or bulbs, thus keeping them in their pre-arranged positions. The shelf may comprise any combination of holes, which are more suited to seedlings, and cuts, which are more suited to bulbs.

The shelf may be loose, or secured to the container. If attached, it is preferably sufficiently removable to allow the contents of the container to be placed therein.

Preferably, the shelf has flaps which, when the insert is in position, lie against one or more of the wall members of the container. These assist in keeping the shelf in position.

In addition, a fluting may be provided within the container, which extends around all or part of the circumference of the container, preferably against the wall members.

The fluting is provided to provide additional insulation and stability to the container, and preferably is corrugated. The fluting may be attached to the container.

Preferably, the container further comprises a pocket, which preferably sits immediately below the lid member, for holding promotional materials, accessories, information packs, nutritional supplements, CDs, planting tags, calendar wheels, teaching materials and the like. Whilst the pocket may be any size or shape which fits inside the circumference of the container, it is preferred that it is the same shape as the container, and is sized to fit snugly within the container. The pocket may be detachably secured to the container along at least one edge, for example by a perforated line, so that the pocket and/or its contents may be easily removed prior to planting. The pocket may comprise cut-outs to allow display of the contents. As the pocket may not be planted, it does not form part of the container per se and so does not need to be biodegradable, although this is preferred.

In a preferred embodiment, the pocket is integral to the lid member. In this way, the pocket forms the lid member of the container.

Where it is desirable to provide larger flower displays, the present invention provides two or more containers which are adjoined. Preferably, in this embodiment, the containers have the similar depths, and shapes. Ideally, for ease in packaging, they are the same shape and size. So that the containers may be planted together, they are preferably adjoined along wall members, and preferably along a single edge thereof, in a manner which allows the containers to be folded together, for packaging and transport purposes. For example, the join may be in the form of a hinge or such like.

Preferably, the containers are joined along the upper edge of wall members, such that when folded the lids lie against each other, and are protected to some degree against accidental opening.

The container may have printed thereon artwork, information and instructions for use. However, in certain situations, it may be desirable to provide labels, a removable cover or sleeve. Particularly where the lid member is in the form of a flap, a sleeve extending around the container to hold the lid in the closed position is most preferred. Sleeves, labels and covers may be formed from any material, which is not necessarily, but preferably, biodegradable. The material may be cardboard, paper, plastic, film or other, and may be printed, plain or transparent, or include combinations thereof.

The soil conditioner may be any material in which bulbs and/or plants will grow, and which is compatible with the land into which it is to be placed. This may be soil, compost, grass, or straw, paper (preferably recycled) with a nutrient, nutrient agar, hay, or sand with a nutrient. The preferred material is straw, as this improves the condition of the soil into which it is placed, and provides an excellent environment for bulb/plant growth. As the containers decomposes in the ground, the bedding material acts as both an insulator for the bulbs and seeds, and a barrier against pests, diseases and animals. In addition, as both straw and bulbs are sterile, it means that the planting containers can be exported without requiring passport control.

The container may additionally comprise decorative or scented ingredients, such as pot pourri or dried flowers. These are preferably provided below the pocket or lid member, and preferably on the uppermost shelf.

The soil conditioner is a habitat for the bulbs/seeds, and can be adapted if necessary to the particular plants and bulbs in the container. Providing the seeds and bulbs in a suitable habitat means that they can be planted in any soil type plus improve the soil it is planted in, thus giving the gardener an increased choice of bulbs/seeds to use.

Additional nutrients may be added to the soil conditioner, such as fertilizers, in the form of gels, granules etc. Examples include nitrogen granules, NPK granular mixes and dried gels. These may be sprayed onto the soil conditioner, or otherwise mixed therewith.

The container includes a plurality of bulbs and/or seeds, i.e. two or more. Any combination of bulb varieties and/or seeds may be used, and bulbs and seeds may be provided in the same container.

Suitable varieties of bulbs include Narcissus, Galanthus, Scilla, Colchicum, Euremus, Cyclamen, Allium, Lilium, Galdioli, Ixia, Nerine and Hyacinth.

Suitable seeds for use in the present invention include Droncium, Eryugium, Anenomes, Papver, Valarian, Liatris, Filipendulina, Anthememis, Artemisia, Asters, Astilbes and Dahlias.

The bulbs and seeds are prearranged into a chosen design. Designs include conventional flower arrangements, for example dictated by colour, flower type, size etc. or non-conventional patterns such as logos, names, etc. The designs may also be specially commissioned for each customer, according to their particular requirements.

The bulbs and/or seeds are placed at the correct depth in the container for optimum growth. This depth is measured from a top surface of the container, which is intended to lie at ground level. The seeds and bulbs are positioned such that they grow toward the top surface of the container.

The material of the container may comprise seeds, either coated thereon or embedded therein. Once planted, these seeds are dispersed into the ground as the container decomposes. These may then grow to provide an additional plant/floral display.

The seeds may be stuck to a surface of the container, preferably using a water soluble adhesive.

The seeds may be stuck to either an inner or outer surface, although the latter is preferred to aid dispersion. In this case, it is preferred to coat the seeds to those surfaces of the container covered by a sleeve, to provide protection during transport.

Alternatively, the seeds may be embedded within the material of the container, during the manufacture process. Typically, to maintain viability of the seeds, the manufacture process is one which takes place at a lower temperature, for example below 40 C, and preferably at about 30 C.

The container material may further comprise a nutrient, such as nitrogen, potassium and/or phosphate. This may be in the form of a granular mix or other, which can tolerate the manufacture process of the container material.

In use, a hole is dug in the ground to a depth which corresponds approximately to the depth of the container. For optimum results, the bottom surface of the hole should be suited to the floor member of the container - i.e. planar where the container is planar.

The container is closed, such that the lid covers the cavity of the container, and the container is placed within the hole. A scattering of soil can be placed on top of the container to act as an additional insulator and to disguise the container.

Where two or more adjoined containers are used, these are positioned in the hole such that the maximum depth is that of one container.

An example of the present invention will now be described, with reference to the drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a side view of a planting container; Figure 2a shows a side view of two adjoined containers, placed in a pre-dug hole; Figure 2b shows the top surface of an insert of the container; and Figure 3 shows the containers of Figure 2a, in which the bulbs/plants have grown.

With reference to Figure 1, a preferred embodiment of the present invention provides a rectangular shaped container 1 having a lid member 2 along the top surface 3, wall members 4 and a floor member 5. The external members of the container are formed from a single sheet of cardboard, which is folded along pre-formed lines. Two wall members 4a comprise flaps 6, which when open, extend along the width or length of the container, to assist in folding. The remaining two wall members 4b comprise flaps which, when open, extend along the depth of the container, also to assist in folding. When folded, the flaps 6 are folded inward to lie parallel with adjoining wall members. The flaps 7 are then folded over the flaps 6, and tucked against floor member 5. In this way, the container is formed, defining a cavity 9 to be closed by the lid member 2.

The lid member 2 consists of a flap which corresponds in size to the size of the cavity 9 defined by the floor 5 and wall members 4, and which is an extension of a wall member 4a. A fold along the upper edge of wall member forms a hinge.

In the container is provided straw 10, and bulbs 11 in prearranged positions. A cardboard insert 12 is provided, which is held in position in the container by means of flaps 13a and 13b perpendicular to the surface of the insert, which lie against the wall members 4a or 4b of the container. Cruciform cuts 14 are provided in the insert, at positions corresponding to the positions of the bulbs 11. Cuts 14 defines four tabs 18 formed which can be folded downward in the same direction as the flaps 13a and 13b or upwardly as desired, thus defining holes 19 in the surface of the insert 12.

The bulbs 11 are positioned in the straw 10 such that their necks are supported in the holes 19 in the insert 12, and this may be the case regardless of whether the tabs are deflected upwardly or downwardly of the plane of the insert.

In Figure 2a, two containers are shown which are adjoined along wall members 4, and unfolded such that they lie alongside each other. The join along the wall members forms a hinge 17 which allows the containers to be folded together, such that the top surfaces lie against each other. Figure 2b shows the insert with crosses 14, defining tabs 18 and holes 19.

Figure 3 shows the use of the containers of Figure 2a. A hole is dug to a depth 15 which corresponds approximately to the depth of the containers, and the containers are covered with a thin layer of soil 16. The ground holding the containers is then watered until saturated.

Figure 4 S]lOWS an example of a flower display resulting from a planting container of the present invention, where flowers 17 have grown through the lid 2 and soil 16 in a pleasing design. Roots of the bulbs have grown through the floor member 5 of the container into the soil beneath.

Claims

Claims 1. A planting container comprising a plurality of members defining

a cavity having an opening which is closable by a lid member, soil conditioner and a plurality of plants and/or bulbs at prearranged positions, wherein the container is substantially entirely biodegradable.
2. A container according to claim 1 which can be closed sufficiently completely to act as a barrier against frost, pests and animals, when placed in the ground.
3. A container according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the biodegradable material is cardboard, compressed material such as dung or dirt, paper (preferably recycled), composted bark, and dried compressed grass or straw.
4. A container according to claims 1 to 3 wherein the floor member and/or the top surface comprises means to allow growth of the roots or stems of the bulbs or plants through the container.
5. A container according to claim 4 wherein the means are areas of weaker material which serve to close the container against the environment but upon wetting allow growth of the root/stem through the container.
6. A container according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising one or more shelves which hold in position the seedlings/bulbs.
7. A container according to claim 6 wherein the shelf is preferably made of biodegradable material.
8. A container according to claim 6 or claim 7 wherein the shelf comprises holes through which the seedlings and bulbs can grow.
9. A container according to claim 8 wherein the holes are arranged in a pattern which corresponds to the pre-arranged positions of the bulbs/seeds.
10. A container according to claim 9 wherein the holes are in the form of cruciform cuts, which define triangular tabs on either side of the cuts.
11. A container according to claim 10 wherein the tabs are formed of a flexible material for wrapping and insulating the bulbs or plants, or supporting the neck of the bulbs.
12. A container according to any one of the preceding claims which comprises a fluting within the container, which extends around all or part of the circumference of the container.
13. A container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the soil conditioner is soil, compost, grass, or straw, paper (preferably recycled) with a nutrient, nutrient agar, hay, or sand with a nutrient.
14. A container according to claim 19 wherein the soil conditioner comprises additional nutrients, such as fertilizers, in the form of gels or granules.
15. A container according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the bulbs include Narcissus, Galanthus, Scilla, Colchicum, Euremus, Cyclamen, Allium, Lilium, Galdioli, Ixia, Nerine and Hyacinth.
16. A container according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the plants include Droncium, Eryngium, Anenomes, Papver, Valarian, Liatris, Filipendulina, Anthememis, Artemisia, Asters, Astilbes and Dahlias.
17. A plurality of containers, according to any one of the preceding claims, which are adjoined, preferably along wall members, and preferably along a single edge thereof.
18. A plurality of containers according to claim 17 which can be folded together, for packaging and transport purposes.
l9. A container or plurality of containers according to any one of the preceding claims having a removable cover or sleeve.
20. A container or plurality of containers, substantially as described herein with reference to the drawings.