GB2557989A

GB2557989A - Plant support

Info

Publication number: GB2557989A
Application number: GB1621875.2A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Peter Whiteley Andrew
Original assignee: A P Whiteley Consultants Ltd; MOSS PRODUCTS PLASTICS Ltd
Current assignee: A P Whiteley Consultants Ltd; MOSS PRODUCTS PLASTICS Ltd
Priority date: 2016-12-21
Filing date: 2016-12-21
Publication date: 2018-07-04
Anticipated expiration: 2036-12-21
Also published as: GB201621875D0; GB2557989B

Abstract

The plant support comprises a size-adjustable base. The size-adjustable base comprises a base body 3 and a support member 4, and the support member is capable of being moved from a first position to a second position to increase the size of the size-adjustable base. There maybe a plurality of support members which maybe pivotally attached to the base. The movable support member/s is provided below the base body. Also disclosed is a kit of parts and a method of providing support to a plant. The plant support avoids the grower having to invert the plant during transplantation of the plant either to a larger pot or into the ground and which can support a plant at various stages of its growth, so as to minimise the risk of foliage and roots becoming damaged during and after transplantation.

Description

(54) Title of the Invention: Plant support Abstract Title: Plant support (57) The plant support comprises a size-adjustable base. The size-adjustable base comprises a base body 3 and a support member 4, and the support member is capable of being moved from a first position to a second position to increase the size of the size-adjustable base. There maybe a plurality of support members which maybe pivotally attached to the base. The movable support member/s is provided below the base body. Also disclosed is a kit of parts and a method of providing support to a plant. The plant support avoids the grower having to invert the plant during transplantation of the plant either to a larger pot or into the ground and which can support a plant at various stages of its growth, so as to minimise the risk of foliage and roots becoming damaged during and after transplantation.

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Plant Support

Technical Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a plant support and to a method for supporting a plant using said plant support.

Background to the Invention

When growing plants such as quick growing annuals, e.g. tomato plants and pepper plants there are many ways of propagating from seeds, but the most widely used method is to propagate seeds in small pots or trays and then transplant the resultant seedlings by hand into a small pot for continued growth. Once the small plant is well established and the root system has almost filled the small pot it will be necessary to transplant the plant from the small plant to a larger pot in which the plant can grow to full maturity. This is usually achieved by passing a tool such a trowel or a fork around the perimeter of the root mass in order to loosen the root mass within the pot. Then the plant is typically inverted, which avoids the grower having pull on the plant’s stem, and the small pot removed to expose the root mass. The plant is then placed in the larger pot which is then filled with soil and/or compost to the desired level. However, by passing a small tool around the perimeter of the root mass and by inverting the plant prior to removing the small pot, there is an increased risk of damaging the foliage and the root system which could inhibit the future growth of the plant in the larger pot once it has been transplanted.

Once the plant has been transplanted into the larger pot it is common to provide the plant with an artificial support. Plant canes are a well-known means for providing support to quick growing annuals. The canes are generally made from wood or from a plastic/composite material and are forced into the pot under vertical pressure. As the plant grows additional support can be provided by tying the plant stem to the cane at various stages along the cane. While in some cases sufficient support can be provided by a single cane, in most cases multiple canes are required in order to provide adequate support to the growing plant, and this is normally the case for larger plants where the limited resistance of the thin single cane is not sufficient to prevent the plant from toppling over.

Other retro-fitted supports such as support cages can be used as an alternative or in addition to conventional cane supports. These are generally made from wire and/or plastic and are available in a variety of shapes and sizes. The cages are typically provided with metal or plastic legs which are forced into the soil under vertical pressure.

Once in the place, support cages offer a framework for the plant to grow up through and around.

However, it can often be difficult to introduce conventional cane supports 15 and/or cage supports into the soil once the plant has become established without damaging either the leaves or roots, which in turn could be detrimental to future plant growth. This is particularly problematic when the soil is hard and additional force is required in order to introduce the supports to an appropriate depth where they themselves are adequately supported by the surrounding soil. In applying additional vertical pressure there is an increased risk that foliage will become severely damaged and roots will inevitably be cut through.

Accordingly, it is an object of embodiments of the present invention to provide a plant support which avoids the grower having to invert the plant during transplantation of the plant either to a larger pot into the ground.

It is also an object of embodiments of the present invention to provide a means 5 for supporting a plant at various stages of its growth.

It is also an object of embodiments of the present invention to provide a plant support that minimises the risk of the stake and the plant toppling over.

It is a further object of embodiments of the present invention to provide a plant support that enables the plant to be lifted easily and quickly from a plant pot.

It is yet a further object of embodiments of the present invention to provide a plant support that minimises the risk of foliage and roots becoming damaged during and after transplantation.

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a plant support comprising a size-adjustable base, the size-adjustable base comprising a base body and a support member, wherein the support member is a movable support member that is capable of being moved from a first position to a second position to increase the size of the size-adjustable base. The present invention therefore provides a device that allows the size of a supporting base to be varied so that support can be provided to a growing plant both during and after transplantation. Furthermore, the plant support of the present invention enables the handling of the plant and the root mass to be minimised during transplantation which in turn enables the transplanted plant to become re-established in its new environment more quickly. It has also been found that the plant support of the present invention is able to provide additional support to a stake which in turn means increased lateral force is needed to induce lateral movement of the stake and to cause the stake and the plant to topple over.

The movable support member is preferably pivotally connected to the base 5 body. This enables the support member to be pivotally rotated from the first position to the second position or vice-versa to increase or reduce the size of the size-adjustable base. By increasing the size of the size-adjustable base the plant support is able to provide support to a plant and root mass at varying stages of plant growth. Further, when the plant support is not being used the movable supports can be returned to their first position so that the plant support can be stored compactly.

Preferably the size-adjustable base comprises a plurality of moveable support members. The or each of the support members can be moved independently which means that the shape of the plant support can be adapted to fit most pot shapes.

The or each movable support member may comprise an opening so that the 15 growth of the plant is not stunted by the plant support. Alternatively, the or each movable support member may comprise a plurality of openings. For instance, the or each movable support member may be perforated.

The or each movable support member is preferably provided below the base body. In this way support members can be moved easily and quickly from the first 20 position to the second position without disturbing the root mass that is located on top of the base body. By minimising disturbance to the root mass the transplanted plant is able to become re-established in its new environment more quickly.

The base body may comprise a central aperture adapted to receive a vertical support. In one example the width dimension of the aperture may be slightly larger than the width dimension of the vertical support so that the vertical support can be passed through the aperture. Alternatively, the vertical support may be connected to the base body by a snappable connection or by an interference fit connection. The upper end of the vertical support may extend from the base body above the soil line. This enables the vertical support to be easily gripped and pulled by a user, which in turn facilitates removal of the size-adjustable base from the plant pot and aids plant transplantation. Alternatively, the vertical support can act as an artificial support, i.e. as a replacement for or in addition to a stake.

The vertical support may be in the form of an elongate cylindrical tube, although it will appreciated that an elongate tube of any shape may be used. For instance, the elongate tube may have a square or triangular shaped cross-section. The elongate tube may be hollow and is preferably adapted to receive a stake such a plant cane. In this respect the width of the vertical support should be greater than the width of the stake so that the stake can be passed through the vertical support until it comes into contact with the bottom of a plant pot or until to reaches an appropriate depth if the plant is being planted directly into the ground. The stake may be made from metal, a rigid plastics material or from wood. Advantageously, the vertical support provides support to the stake which in turn increases the force required to induce lateral movement of the stake. Furthermore, by passing the stake through the hollow vertical support the risk of roots becoming damaged by the stake as it is inserted into the soil is significantly reduced.

This is turn enables the plant to become re-established more quickly in its new environment.

The vertical support may comprise a stop. The stop is preferably located at a lower end of the vertical support and may be connected to the vertical support via a threaded connection or a snappable connection. Alternatively the stop may be integrally formed with the vertical support. For instance, the stop may be in the form of a rim having a width greater than the width of the vertical support itself. In use the stop abuts the lower surface of the base body so that when a user pulls upwards on the upper end of the vertical support the base and the plant are both lifted from the soil.

The stop may comprise an aperture. The aperture preferably extends centrally through the stop and is adapted so that a stake can be passed through the vertical support and through the stop.

The vertical support may be removably connectable to the base or may be integrally formed with the base.

The plant support may be made from a plastics material. Preferably the plant support is made from a rigid plastics material. Most preferably the plant support is made from polypropylene. Alternatively, the plant support is made from metal, a metal alloy or from wood.

Preferably the components of the plant support are made using an injection moulding process.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a kit of parts for a plant 20 support that comprises a size-adjustable base, wherein the size-adjustable base comprises a base body; a support member movable from a first position to a second position; a vertical support member, and a stop. The kit may additionally comprise a stake Large and/or small pots may additionally be provided as part of the kit. In the context of the present invention a small planting pot is a pot where the width of the opening is between 100-125 mm, whereas in large planting pots the openings have a width greater than 125 mm, and generally up to about 275mm.

The kit according to the second aspect of the invention may incorporate any or 5 all features of the first aspect of the invention as desired or as required.

According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a method of providing support to a plant, the method comprising:

i. providing a plant support comprising a size-adjustable base, wherein the size-adjustable base comprises a movable support member that is movable from a first position to a second position thereby enabling the size of the size-adjustable base to be varied, and ii. adjusting the size of the size-adjustable base by moving the movable support member from the first position to the second position to increase the size of the size-adjustable base.

The method according to the third aspect of the invention may incorporate any or all features of the first or second aspects of the invention as desired or as required.

A plant may be provided on the size-adjustable base either before or after the size of the size-adjustable base is adjusted.

The method may comprise the step of lifting a plant from a first location using 20 the plant support, increasing the size of the size-adjustable base by moving the movable support from a first position to a second position and providing the plant support and the plant in a second location. The first location may for instance be a small plant pot while the second location may be a larger-sized plant pot or a location in the ground.

The method may additionally comprise the step of the providing the sizeadjustable base with a vertical support. This may be achieved by passing the vertical 5 support through an aperture in the base body and then connecting the vertical support to the base body. For instance the vertical support and the size-adjustable base may be connected using snappable connection means or threaded connection means. Alternatively, the vertical support and the size-adjustable base may be integrally formed together and produced using an injection moulding process. The method may additionally comprise the step of passing a stake through the plant support. Specifically, the method may comprise the step of passing the stake through the vertical support and an aperture formed in the base body. By providing the stake through the vertical support rather than through the root mass, damage to the roots can be minimised.

The method may comprise the step of the removing a plant from a plant pot 15 without inverting the plant. For instance, by pulling the vertical support in a substantially upwards direction it is possible to remove the size-adjustable base and the plant/root mass located above the base from the plant pot. Alternatively, the grower may hold the vertical support and pull downwardly on the pot to remove the plant support and the plant from the pot. In both cases it is possible to keep the plant in a substantially upright position and by keeping the plant substantially upright, as opposed to being inverted or placed on its side, damage to the root mass and the foliage may be avoided or significantly reduced.

Detailed Description of the Invention

In order that the invention may be more clearly understood an embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:

Figure 1	shows a top view of the size-adjustable base in accordance with the
5	present invention.
Figure 2	shows a view of the size-adjustable base from below with the support members in a first “closed” position.
Figure 3	shows a top view of the plant support with the support members in a second “open” position.
10 Figure 4	shows a cross-sectional view of the plant support.
Figure 5	shows a cross-sectional view of the plant support in a small plant pot.
Figure 6	shows a cross-sectional view of the plant support and a seedling provided in a small plant pot.
Figure 7	shows a cross-sectional view of the plant and a semi-mature plant in a
15	large plant pot.
Figure 8	shows a cross-sectional view of the grown-on seedling being transplanted.

The present invention relates to a plant support that is capable of providing support to a plant during growth and transplantation of the plant, e.g. from a small plant pot to a large plant pot.

With reference to the drawings, and in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention there is provided a plant support 1 comprising a size-adjustable base (Figures 1-2). The plant support 1 comprises polypropylene and is made using an injection moulding process. As best shown in Figure 3 the size-adjustable base 2 comprises a planar body 3 onto which support members 4 are pivotally connected using fasteners 5 located at an outer corner of each support member 4. The body 3 comprises a central circular hub 6 with three arms 7 extending radially outwards from the central hub 6 until they reach a circular outer body portion 8. As shown in Figures 1-3 the central hub 6 comprises an aperture 9 that is adapted to receive a vertical support 10 (Figure 4).

As best shown in Figure 2, each moveable support member 4 having the general shape of a circular sector of about 120°. The support member 4 comprises an outer edge portion 11 distal from aperture 9, an inner edge portion 12 proximal to aperture 9 and connecting portions either side of and between edges 11, 12. Outer edge portion 11 is curved and is adapted to conform to the edge of the outer body portion 8, while inner edge portion 12 is curved and is adapted to fit around and not obstruct the aperture 9 so that the vertical support 10 can extend through the aperture 9. Figure 2 also shows that the width of each connecting portion 13 is approximately half the width of an arm 7 so that when the supports members 4 are in their closed position the arms 7 overlay the connecting portions 13 of abutting support members 4.

As best shown in Figure 4 the plant support 1 is provided with a vertical support

10. The vertical support 10 is in the form of a hollow cylindrical tube. At a lower end of the vertical support 10 there is provided an annular stop 14 which has a width greater than the diameter of the aperture 9. This ensures that the size-adjustable base 2 is lifted as the user grips and pulls upwardly on the vertical support 10. In this embodiment the stop 14 is integrally formed with the vertical support 10 and has a substantially trapezoidal cross-section.

In an embodiment of the invention the plant support 1 is used in the transplantation of a plant from a small pot to a large pot. The method of transplantation 5 is exemplified in Figures 4-8. In a first step the plant support 1 comprising the sizeadjustable base 2 and the vertical support 10 is provided with the movable support members 4 in their closed position (Figure 4). In this configuration the size of the sizeadjustable base 2 corresponds with the size of the planar body 3. The plant support 1 is subsequently transferred into a 100-125 mm planting pot 15 (Figure 5), and with the plant support 1 in place, a seedling 16 and soil 17 are then added while ensuring that the vertical support 10 extends above the soil line (Figure 6).

As the seedling 16 matures into a plant 18, a point will be reached in which it will be necessary to transfer the plant 18 into a large pot 19 having a size of around 275 mm so that the plant 18 can continue to grow. In accordance with the present invention a grower is able to transplant the young plant 18 by holding the small planting pot 15 in one hand in a substantially upright position. Then, with the other hand, the grower grips the exposed upper end of the vertical support 10 and pulls the exposed end in an upwards direction to lift the size-adjustable base 2, the plant 18 and root mass 20 out of the planting pot 15. This avoids having to invert the plant 18 to remove the root mass

19 from the planting pot 15, which has significant benefits for the grower in that any fruit growing on the plant 18 is not caused to fall or become detached from the plant 18 prematurely. Moreover, any disturbance to the foliage 21 and root mass 20 is minimised.

Once the plant 18 has been removed, the small planting pot 15 can be discarded, and with the same hand the user can simply and quickly move the movable support members 4 from their closed configuration (Figures 2 and 6) to their open configuration (Figures 3 and 7). This has the benefit that handling of the plant 18, and in particular the root mass 20, is avoided or at least significantly reduced which enables the plant 18 to become re-established in its new environment much more quickly.

The plant support 1 and the plant 18 are then together lowered into a large pot 19 at whatever level is considered appropriate by the grower. For instance, the plant support 1 may be provided adjacent to and in contact with the floor of the large pot 19 or it may be provided on a bed of soil 17. As best shown in Figures 7 and 8, a stake 22 in the form of a wooden or plastic cane is passed through the hollow vertical support until it abuts the floor of the large plant pot 19. By passing the stake 22 through the vertical support 10 any damage to the root mass 20 is substantially avoided, which again enables the plant to become re-established in its new environment much more quickly.

After the stake 22 has been inserted, soil and/or compost 17 are added to the large pot 19 to the desired level, and as shown in Figure 7, the soil and/or compost 17 surround and cover the vertical support 10. Advantageously, the vertical support 10 provides support to the lower end of the stake 22 which helps it resist lateral forces. Moreover, the weight of the soil and/or compost 17 provides significant additional downward pressure on the size-adjustable base 2 which helps to supplement the lateral restraint provided by the soil or compost 17 surrounding the stake. This in turn means that increased lateral force is required to cause the stake and the plant to topple over.

Moreover, due to the increased stability of the stake 22, only a single stake is required in order to support the plant 18 and therefore damage to the root mass 20 is minimised because fewer stakes 22 are inserted into soil and/or compost 17 under pressure.

Following transplantation, the plant 18 is then fed and watered to maturity. At the end of the season and when the plant 18 has died, the plant support 1 again facilitates 5 the removal of the plant 18 from the plant pot 19. In this connection the grower would remove the soil and/or compost 17 covering the vertical support 10 and then pull upwardly on the vertical support 10 to remove the plant support 1, the plant 18 and the root mass 20 from the large plant pot 19. Once the plant 18 and root mass 20 have been removed, the size-adjustable base 2 can be cleaned and the moveable support members

4 returned to their closed configuration (Figures 1 and 2) for storage.

The above embodiment is described by way of example only. Many variations are possible without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A plant support comprising a size-adjustable base, the size-adjustable base comprising a base body and a support member, wherein the support member is a movable support member that is capable of being moved from a first position 5 to a second position to increase the size of the size-adjustable base.

2. A plant support according to claim 1, wherein the plant support comprises a plurality of movable support members

3. A plant support according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the support member or plurality of support members are pivotally connected to the base body.

10

4. A plant support according to any preceding claim, wherein the or each movable support member comprises an opening.

5. A plant support according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the or each movable support members is provided below the base body.

6. A plant support according to any preceding claim, wherein the base comprises

15 a central aperture adapted to receive a vertical support.

7. A plant support according to claim 6, wherein the vertical support is in the form of an elongate cylindrical tube.

8. A plant support according to claim 6 or claim 7, wherein the elongate cylindrical tube is hollow.

20

9. A plant support according to any one of claims 6-8, wherein the elongate cylindrical tube is adapted to receive a stake.

10. A plant support according to any one of claims 6-9, wherein the vertical support comprises a stop.

11. A plant support according to claim 10, wherein the stop comprises an aperture.

12. A plant support according to claim 10 or claim 11, wherein the stop is connected

5 to the vertical support via a threaded connection or a snappable connection.

13. A plant support according to claim 10 or claim 11, wherein the stop and the vertical support are integrally formed.

14. A plant support according to any one of claims 6-13, wherein the vertical support is removably connectable to the base body.

10 15. A plant support according to any preceding claim, wherein the plant support is made from plastics.

16. A plant support according to claim 15, wherein the plant support is made from polypropylene.

17. A plant support according to claim any one of claims 1-14, wherein the plant

15 support is made from metal or a metal alloy.

18. A plant support according to any one of claims 1-14, wherein the plant support is made of wood.

19. A kit of parts comprising a size-adjustable base, wherein the size-adjustable base comprises a base body; a movable support member capable of being moved

20 from a first position to a second positon to increase the size of the sizeadjustable base; a vertical support member, and a stop.

20. A kit according to claim 21, wherein the kit comprises a stake.

21. A method of providing support to a plant, the method comprising:

i. providing a plant support comprising a size-adjustable base, wherein the size-adjustable base comprises a support member movable from a first 5 position to a second position;

ii. adjusting the size of the size-adjustable base by moving the support member from the first position to the second position to increase the size of the size-adjustable base.

22. Method according to claim 21, wherein a plant is provided on the plant support

10 before the step of adjusting the size-adjusting base.

23. Method according to claim 21, wherein a plant is provided on the plant support before after step of adjusting the size-adjusting base.

24. Method according to claim 21 or 22, which comprises the step of lifting the plant from a first location using the plant support, increasing the size of the size15 adjustable base by moving the movable support from a first position to a second position and providing the plant support and the plant in a second location.

25. Method according to any one of claims 21-24, wherein the method comprises the step of providing the size-adjustable base with a vertical support.

26. Method according to claim 25, wherein the stake is passed through the vertical support.

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Application No: GB1621875.2