GB2541687A

GB2541687A - A display or storage apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2541687A
Application number: GB1515129.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Barnett Patricia
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2015-08-26
Filing date: 2015-08-26
Publication date: 2017-03-01
Also published as: GB201515129D0

Abstract

The present invention relates to a display or storage apparatus for plants. The apparatus comprises at least one shelf 2 having a base configured to receive fluid and at least one side portion arranged in use to receive and/or support at least one further shelf 3, 4 in a stacking configuration. The apparatus further comprises a stand 1 comprising an electrically powered fluid movement mechanism in fluid communication with the at least one shelf. The fluid movement mechanism is arranged to move fluid from the stand to the base of the at least one shelf. The shelves may be arranged to be received on and to vertically on the stand. The stand may include a rechargeable energy source. The base may comprise an exit which may comprise a one-way or floatation valve. The fluid movement mechanism may comprise a timer facility

Description

A DISPLAY OR STORAGE APPARATUS

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a storage or display apparatus, more particularly but not exclusively an apparatus for displaying organic material such as cut flowers or pot plants.

Background

Increasing urbanisation and pressures of making a living has led to many users being unable to spend time growing plants, whilst the users are still keen to enjoy the presence and benefits of plants or flowers. As a consequence many large general stores carry a large variety of cut flowers and pot plants. In conjunction with a proliferation of larger store sizes, this provides convenience and choice for the user.

However waste is created from dried out potted and fresh cut flowers particularly with reference to large retail stores. This is caused by staff not efficiently watering plants which results in potential loss of substantial revenue in wasted plants.

Prior Art

Accordingly a number of patent applications have been filed in an attempt to resolve the problem or similar, including the following:

Chinese utility model CN 203 523 485 (ZHOU) provides a display stand for potted plants, belongs to the technical field of display stands, and solves the problems that display stands for placing the potted plants are not available and cannot water the potted plants automatically in the prior art. The display stand for the potted plants comprises a base, wherein a left support plate and a right support plate are vertically fixed on the base, a plurality of mounting plates are horizontally fixed between the left support plate and the right support plate, a mounting ring is fixed on each mounting plate, two elongated slots are formed in each mounting plate in the length direction, a water storage tank is fixed on the base, a return pipe is arranged between connecting ends of the two grooves and the water storage tank, a water supply pipe is fixed above each mounting plate, one end of each water supply pipe is communicated with a main water supply pipe, a plurality of nozzles are fixed on each water supply pipe, a water supply device is arranged between one end of the main water supply pipe and the water storage tank, and the nozzles are connected with a control device. The display stand has the advantages that the display stand can be used for placing the potted plants in space positions, such as halls and the like and can water the potted plants automatically.

Chinese utility model CN 203 523 472 (ZHOU) provides an automatic watering system of a potted plant display stand, belongs to the technical field of display stands, and solves the problem that potted plants on the display stands cannot be watered automatically in the prior art. The potted plant display stand comprises a base, wherein a left support plate and a right support plate are fixed on the base, and a plurality of mounting plates are fixed between the left support plate and the right support plate. The automatic watering system comprises a water storage tank fixed on the base, two elongated slots are formed in each mounting plate in the length direction, a return pipe is arranged between connecting ends of the two grooves and the water storage tank, a water supply pipe is fixed above each mounting plate, a plurality of nozzles are fixed on each water supply pipe, one end of each water supply pipe is communicated with a main water supply pipe, a water supply device is arranged between one end of the main water supply pipe and the water storage tank, and the nozzles are also connected with a control device. The automatic watering system has the advantage that the system can automatically water the potted plants on the display stand.

United States patent application US 3 772 827 (WARE) discloses a plant tray irrigation system comprising, in combination, a plurality of trays formed to retain a plurality of potted plants and having a bottom and peripheral side walls surrounding the bottom to retain moisture flooded therein, means stacking said trays one beneath the other in spaced apart relationship, ridges in the bottom of each tray to permit water flow beneath potted plants, a reservoir beneath the bottom one of said stacked trays, a drain port provided in each tray for draining flooded moisture contained therein to the tray therebeneath and a reservoir below, said drain port having a peripheral ridge to predetermine the selected level of moisture in the trays while irrigating, wick means covering and in fluid communication with each said drain port, and pump means in fluid communication with the reservoir and top tray for circulating the water from the reservoir to the top tray for cascade-like irrigation of all trays.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided a storage or display apparatus for plants, the apparatus comprising: at least one shelf having a base configured to receive fluid and at least one side portion arranged in use to receive and/or support at least one further shelf in a stacking configuration; and a stand comprising an electrically powered fluid movement mechanism in fluid communication with the at least one shelf, in which the fluid movement mechanism is arranged to move fluid from the stand to the base of the at least one shelf.

The shelves may be used for storage and display of multiple objects such as plants or pots. The apparatus allows vertical stacking of a number of shelves as required, and may then be used to keep multiple such objects watered.

The side portion(s) may comprise pillars and/or upstanding blank faces, wherein the sides provide separation between sequential bases.

In some embodiments the fluid movement mechanism moves fluid from a source or storage means such as an internal reservoir in the stand to the bases through the side, for example wherein pillars or side faces include spray nozzles or other exit or irrigation points.

In an embodiment the bases are watertight wherein fluid is not enabled to leave the base, in order that the base may serve as an irrigation channel for plants.

An overfill may be provided to prevent overfilling of the base(s) in use, so as to maintain a predetermined maximum level of fluid in the shelves. This overfill may therefore enable individual control of the fluid level in each shelf.

Such embodiments may therefore allow maintenance of moisture in reference to particular plants or zoning, so as to ensure the organic matter in the bases or apparatus is kept watered, and prevented from stagnation due to excessive standing water and associated issues with waterlogging.

In some other embodiments watertight bases may be provided with drainage or drain parts. The drain part may be located lowermost on the shelf or base, in order that the base may be drained for cleaning and maintenance.

In other embodiments a drain portion may be located at a predetermined height from the lower edge of the shelf and/or from the base. For example, a drain portion may be located higher than the lowest point of the shelf or base. This drain portion may comprise an overflow. The overflow is arranged to prevent fluid from exceeding a level in the base. In this way a desired quantity, or no quantity of fluid may be tolerated in the base. In some embodiments the level of the overflow may be adjusted, so as to allow more or less fluid to be received within the base, in use, or before use.

Such embodiments may therefore allow a continuous movement of fluid, so as to ensure the fluid in the bases or apparatus is kept fresh, and prevented from stagnation. Excessive standing water and associated issues with waterlogging plants may be avoided.

In some embodiments the storage means may allow replacement of the fluid from the apparatus, comprising for example a displaceable cartridge. In other embodiments the storage means may comprise a fluid ingress so as to add water to the apparatus.

In some embodiments therefore the mechanism may comprise filtration, in order that the fluid does not accumulate excessive solid matter, such as soil. The filtration may comprise a mesh or filter, arranged for example at the mechanism or overflow(s).

The shelves may be configured to stack onto the stand through tolerance fitting, or simply seating thereon. In an embodiment the apparatus may permit a plurality of arrangements of shelves, comprising a modular format, wherein the shelves may be stacked in any number.

The sides may comprise a fluid connection to a sequential shelf. Such connection may comprise a female connection part in the precedent shelf, comprising a valve, for example wherein pressure of the fluid in the shelf is configured to maintain the valve closed and connection of a sequential shelf leads to insertion of male connector, which in turn dispiaces the vaive so as to aiiow fiuid to pass to the sequentiai sheif. in some embodiments the overfiow may overfiow or pass outwards from the sheif through the base, for exampie wherein overfiowed fiuid is passed from the sheifs base iowermost surface; so as to provide irrigation to the sheif beiow. in this way the stand may comprise an open uppermost face or other coiiection means to provide ingress to the storage means. Such coiiection means may comprise a funnei.

With such embodiments the fiuid fiow within the apparatus may be bipartite, comprising a base feeding fiow and an overhead irrigation fiow. in some embodiments the apparatus comprises a centrai controi system, which system provides a timer faciiity. in this way the faciiity may be advantageousiy set to provide fiuid fiow, or impetus to fiuid fiow, at set times and/or intervais.

The controi system may consequentiy inciude a printed circuit board, and data connectivity, in some embodiments this data connectivity comprises wired or wireiess software or firmware updating and controi mechanisms; wherein in some embodiments the timer faciiity may be operabie remoteiy. • Time is gained from staff no ionger needing to water piants • Piants are not iost due to being dried out, therefore minimising waste and money iost

Brief Description of Figures

Figure 1 shows an isometric view of an embodiment of the apparatus, comprising three stacked sheives;

Figure 2 shows a reverse isometric view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 shows an expioded isometric view of the embodiment as shown in Figure 1; Figure 4 shows a reverse exploded isometric of the embodiment shown in Figure 1;

Figure 5 shows an isometric view of the stand of the embodiment shown in Figure 1; Figure 6 shows an isometric exploded view of the stand shown in Figure 1;

Figure 7 shows a reverse isometric view of the embodiment shown in Figure 6;

And

Figure 8 shows an isometric view of the shelves from the embodiment shown in Figure 1.

Detailed Description of Figures

With reference to the figures there is shown an embodiment of the apparatus in which the apparatus comprises three selves 2,3,4, stacked on a stand 1. The stand has four castor wheels 8.

The shelves each have a rectangular plan closed base, open top and perforated sides, which sides comprise three closed sides 12,13,14 and an open front 15.

The shelves comprise a corrugated base having a lowermost face 23 surrounded by a lip 22, such that the lip sits over the top edge 11 of the sides, so as to enable stacking. The top edge has a handle for use in lifting the shelf.

The corrugations ensure that direct contact may not be necessary with the pots to maintain a humid environment.

In some other embodiments the sides comprise pillars in each corner of the base. The side pillars may include a fluid connection, which connection is used to connect the fluid in the shelf to a sequential, vertically superior shelf.

In the pictured embodiment the fluid connection is comprised by a hose, or more particularly three varying lengths of hose 5,6,7 extending from the stand 1, and attached in use to base communication passages 19 using a screwthread adaptor 10.

The sides further include a base trough side 16, which trough side provides a vertical containment to the base for fluid therein.

This passages comprise an overfill, which overfill comprises a fluid exit into the base, which exit is closed when a float travels upwards, while floating on the fluid level, wherein the float contains a fluid or gas that is lighter than the fluid used in the apparatus.

In this way the float prevents individual overfilling of each of the bases in use. This is advantageous in that differing plants or objects may be used on each of the shelves, with differing fluid requirements; and each of the shelves is appropriate in fluid provision.

For further control the apparatus comprises a timing facility to pump water through the hoses, that allows the user to set watering intervals.

The timing facility and control mechanism is comprised in the stand 1. The stand is principally comprised of a displaceable reservoir. The control mechanism is comprised in a section at the end of one of the short sides, and comprises a moulded handle 20, timer control input 9 and internal mechanisms leading to a hose chamber with three hose outlet exit valves. A pumping mechanism pumps water from the storage container through to the hose chamber. The water is fed from the hose chamber to each hose outlet and hoses may be connected as needed to each output. The hoses are connected to the chamber at one-way valve nozzles 24.

The hose chamber comprises a small internal storage chamber, which holds a small amount of fluid and acts to separate the fluid flow from the reservoir into the three valve nozzles 24. The reservoir has a top entrance with a screw cap.

Water flows from the storage container through the pump, into the chamber and out through the one way valves, where it travels up the outer hoses into the shelf container

In use the user would: 1. Fill the reservoir with water, whilst on the stand; 2. Plug the apparatus into the mains power to charge an internal battery; 3. Stack the shelves on top of the stand, connecting each with a hose; 4. Set the timer to the desired watering output and detach from mains once charged and place in desired location; 5. Water is then pumped into the shelves when activated by the timer facility; and 6. The float valve prevents water overfill.

With reference to Figure 6 and 7, the following parts are shown:

Plastic water storage container 40 Water storage screw cap 41 Plastic housing plate 42

Fixes to the opening of the component housing 21 to secure PCS 54 contains components such as a roto switch and microchip Rechargeable battery 43 Rotary switch 44

Water pump 47 pumps water from the storage container through the connector hose 50 to the hose chamber 48. Water is fed from here to each hose outlet

Timer dial 9 allows the user to set watering intervals

Mains power terminal 49

One way valves 24

Float valves 53 prevent overflow of water

Valve connector 51 connects the hose to the float valve

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. Firstly it will be understood that any features described in relation to any particular embodiment may be featured in combinations with other embodiments.

With respect to the specification therefore, 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, with variation and implementation obvious and clear on the basis of either common general knowledge or of expert knowledge in the field concerned. 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 as set out in the accompanying claims.

Claims

1. A display or storage apparatus for plants, the apparatus comprising: at least one shelf having a base configured to receive fluid and at least one side portion arranged in use to receive and/or support at least one further shelf in a stacking configuration; and a stand comprising an electrically powered fluid movement mechanism in fluid communication with the at least one shelf, in which the fluid movement mechanism is arranged to move fluid from the stand to the base of the at least one shelf.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the shelves are arranged to be received on and to stack vertically on the stand.

3. An apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the stand includes castor wheels.

4. An apparatus according to claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the stand includes a reservoir.

5. An apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 4 wherein the stand includes a rechargeable electrical energy source.

6. An apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the fluid movement mechanism comprises exits into or adjacent the base(s).

7. An apparatus according to claim 6 wherein each base comprises an exit.

8. An apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the exit comprises a one-way valve.

9. An apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the exit comprises a floatation valve.

10. An apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the fluid movement mechanism comprises a timer facility.