GB2509048A - A plant shelter which supports a growing plant - Google Patents

Abstract

A planting and growing system comprises a shelter formed of at least one planar and substantially transparent member having at least two opposing mating connectors for mutual engagement, with at least one of said connectors extending beyond a peripheral edge of the at least one member; said connectors being arranged to engage each other such that in use said shelter is arranged to surround at least one seed or plant growing in a large pore capacity growing medium. The shelter may be in the form of a pyramid with a top and basal opening arranged so as to form a channel to allow light transmission.

Description

A PLANTING AND GROWING SYSTEM

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a planting and growing system, more particularly but not exclusively a planting system that may be easily constructed and deconstructeci and supports a plant's growing.

Background

A number of products and businesses are dependent on the effective cultivation of plants. Often mass planting systems are used so as to create preferred growing conditions such as greenhouses, poly tunnels and hydroponics.

In some situations before final place planting the seeds will be germinated and cultivated to seedling stage so as to have an established root system and visible growth before being planted in for example a poly tunnel.

Seeds may be germinated on mass and once they sprout they be transferred to a growth medium. Often plants in close proximity to one another may easily become tangled with adjacent plants, possibly inhibiting growth and making it hard for the plants to be split at a later date as roots may also become intertwined.

Steps may be taken so separate individual plants by evenly placing the seeds however early growth is often not uniform and therefore may result in overlap with other plants.

Separate potting systems are available to provide separate root spaces for each plant however this does not stop the plant itself becoming entangled.

There is also often a requirement for plants to grow to certain height, preferably with a straight stem so as to be stronger and more useful. Plant poles may be used however the plant must often be attached to the pole by a temporary fixing and in a fast growing seedling this may not be suitable.

Alternatively plant shelter may protect the plant from entangling with others, however air flow may be restricted and they may be too expensive for use on multiple plants.

The present invention arose to overcome the problems associated with encouraging straight growth in seedlings by providing a shaped channel in which the plant may grow with unrestricted air flow, access for water and light.

Prior Art

Accordingly a number of patent applications have been filed in an attempt to resolve the problem or similar, including the following: Japanese patent application JP 2011 234 696 (KOBAYASHI) discloses a seeding protective cover made of a transparent thin resin is placed on a ground covering seedlings, and including a continuous annular shaped recessed part in the circumferential direction provided in the upper end side part of a dome part, wherein the seedlings are housed. A through-hole capable of functioning as a ventilation hole or a water passing hole is provided in the bottom surface part of the annular shaped recessed part separately in the circumferential direction. A supporting pole inserting part is provided in the top surface part of the dome part for inserting a supporting pole in the vertical direction.

Granted United States patent US 8 141 293 (ROENNEKE) discloses a cultivation tube for plants, comprising: a) a cylindrical wall and an open top to permit placement of a plant in the tube and entry of moisture to the tube and an open bottom to allow the plant roots to grow out, the wall surrounding an enclosed channel; b) a centrally located evaporation protection skirt within the enclosed channel and perpendicular to the cylindrical wall; and c) a plurality of parallel straight tube edge profiles within the enclosed channel on the cylindrical wall extending between the evaporation protection skirt and the bottom of the tube; wherein a fluid absorbing material may be placed within the bottom of the tube for absorption of moisture; the cylindrical tube has elongated tube holes parallel to the tube edge profiles and the tube is made of a biodegradable material.

In contrast the present invention provides an effective and simple means of growing seeds and seedlings using minimal parts.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided a planting and growing system comprising: a shelter for a seed or plant formed of at least one planar and substantially transparent member having at least two opposing mating connectors for mutual engagement with at least one of said connectors peripheral to an end portion of the at least one member; said connectors being arranged to engage each other such that in use said shelter is arranged to surround at least one seed growing in a large pore capacity growing medium.

In preferred embodiments the shelter forms a robust and substantially transparent pyramid with a top and basal opening arranged so as to form a channel to allow transmission of light, wherein the shelter may be placed over a seedling or planted seed so as to encourage upward growth, limiting non vertical growth. Typically said pyramid's apex is truncated to provide an opening, allowing sufficient opening for a plant to grow through and adequate air circulation.

In preferred embodiments the shelter when formed is rigid so as to sustain pressure from a growing seedling without displacement or damage.

In some further embodiments the shelter may be formable into a shape disposed with a cuboid or rectangular cylinder leading to a truncated pyramid. This rectangular cylinder may therefore be well disposed to be closed over or around a cube of medium. In addition or the alternative there may be provided attachment means so as to aftach to or under the medium or such a cube, such attachment means for example to include flaps sitable below the medium, or prongs inserlable into the medium.

It is envisaged that the shelter may be positioned over planted seeds or alternatively a seedling which have already sprouted so as to improve uniform growth and provide support for the seedling when the seedling is liable to growat an angle.

In preferred embodiments the shelter is formed from two flat trapezoid parts which when each folded and joined together form the truncated pyramid. . Preferably the parts are supplied as flat pack and include scored fold lines so as to guide a user as to where the pads are to be folded.

ideally the pads may be available in various sizes so as to accommodate different plants and different plant holders.

Advantageously the parts are removably attached to one another so that they may be joined together to form the channel and then may be detached so as to be removed without causing damage to the plant, reused and readily stored when not in use.

In preferred embodiments the parts are joined by mating connectors comprising locking tabs wherein the tab is fitted into a predefined slot. In some embodiments the parts may be joined by adhesive pads or hook and loops means such as Velcro (Trade Mark).

In other embodiments the shelter may be formed from a piece of material or member that may be folded repeatedly so as to form the shelter, thereby also being flat pack until in use.

It may be envisaged that shelters may be stacked upon another so as to create lengthened shelters, or so as to providing an improved method of storage or transport.

Ideally the shelter is formed of a lightweight, flexible material such as synthetic plastic so as to enable the shelter to be reused and to ensure the shelter will not be damaged by water or moist conditions. Preferably a recyclable material plastic such as polyethylene terepthalate (PET) or high density polyethylene (I-IDPE) may be used so as to minimise environmental impact in line with plant growing. In some embodiments biodegradable organic plastic may be used.

In some embodiments the shelter may include visual indicators such as measurements or a guide to easily show the user how tall the plant has grown, enabling the user to establish rate of growth, and when the plant may require re-

potting for example.

In some embodiments the shelter may include transparent or translucent section arranged so as to encourage upward growth.

It is further envisaged that the shelter has, defines or surrounds a base that may be sized to fit standard sized pots or glowing media such as Rockwool (Trade Mark) cubes, thereby allowing the support to be easily positioned within or over the pot or growth medium.

In some embodiments the shelter's base may include attachment means, for examp!e prongs that may be used to secure the shelter in the ground or medium preventing the shelter from falling over or blowing away. Typically the prongs may be projections of the same material from which the channel is formed, whereas in other embodiments the prongs may be added and/or separately manufactured.

In further embodiments the shelter may be conical so as to fit over circular plant pots wherein the conical shelter may be provided flat pack and then rolled and secured in position. Advantageously the conical shelter may include a plurality of connection points so that the shelter in such embodiments may be adjusted to fit the plant pot.

In some embodiments the shelter may include a cutting guide so as to indicate where the shelter may be cut to achieve set dimensions. For example the shelter's base may be cut so as to achieve the correct dimensions for a plant pot or pre sized growth media and the shelter's top may be cut so as to provide desired size of opening to which the plant may grow to, and through.

Brief Description of Figures

Figure la shows a plan view of a two piece embodiment of the shelter for use with a preferred embodiment of the system; Figure lb shows a construction of the embodiment of the shelter as pictured in Figure la; Figure 2 shows a side view of the construction of the shelter shown in Figure lb. and Figure 3 shows a sketch of the preferred embodiment of the system in use.

Detailed Description of Ficiures

The embodiment pictured in Figures 1 includes a shelter ioo for a seed former of a planar and substantially transparent member The shelter 100 has two Opposing mating connectors 1, 2 which mate when the pieces 10, 20 are connected to form the shelter 100. A rim 3 is envisaged to be strengthened and/or have chamfering so as to aid in depression into large pore capacity growing medium 4 as shown in Figure 3, into which a seed is planted.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realised that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.