US20090265981A1

US20090265981A1 - Flowerpot for Arranging Flowers and Growing Plants

Info

Publication number: US20090265981A1
Application number: US12/085,504
Authority: US
Inventors: Young-Sil Yu
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-11-22
Filing date: 2006-04-27
Publication date: 2009-10-29
Also published as: JP2009516564A; GB2447803A; WO2007061164A1; KR100574224B1; GB0809531D0; CN1969608A

Abstract

Disclosed is a flowerpot for arranging flowers and growing plants having dual-container construction, i.e. including an external container for containing water and an internal container having a number of holes formed thereon, so that water can be easily added or changed, aesthetic impression can be improved by various decorations, and flowers or plants can be stably supported. The flowerpot includes an external container for containing water; an internal container positioned to contact an inner surface of the external container and having a number of holes formed on a lower portion of the internal container; and a length-adjustable multi-functional support member placed on a central portion of a lower surface of the internal container in an upright position.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a flowerpot for arranging flowers and growing plants. More particularly, the present invention relates to a flowerpot for arranging flowers and growing plants having dual-container construction, i.e. including an external container for containing water and an internal container having a number of holes formed thereon, so that water can be easily added or changed, aesthetic impression can be improved by various decorations, and flowers or plants can be stably supported.

BACKGROUND ART

As living environments shift away from nature in line with industrialization and urban life styles prevail, people are increasingly interested in and demanding green plants, particularly flowering or ornamental plants for the purpose of interior decoration or ornamentation. Development of technique for growing horticultural plants (e.g. use of vinyl houses) has made it possible to supply people in a country having distinctive seasons (e.g. Korea) with flowering or ornamental plants without seasonal limitation. As a result, plants are placed in many places, including homes and offices, for interior decoration or ornamental. However, when a flowing or ornamental plant is placed in an indoor or outdoor place (e.g. home or office) of a consumer, who is not an expert with horticultural knowledge, but rather a layman, the plant tends to wither or dry quickly and fails to achieve the purpose of interior decoration or ornamentation as desired.
Although some flowering or ornamental flowers are supplied to final consumers in an integral type (i.e. with intact roots), most flowering plants are separated from their roots before being supplied to consumers and, when subjected to poor freshness management, wither quickly.
Conventional methods for managing freshness of plants include filling a vase with an amount of water and fixing the ends of stems of flowering plants to the vase. Alternatively, some types of drugs are applied to sectional surfaces of the stems to delay discoloration of flowers or leaves.
In particular, most flowering plants are supplied to final consumers without roots, as mentioned above, and cannot be planted in vases. Therefore, flowerpots or special types of floral vessels must be used instead.
However, conventional flowerpots or floral vessels, which are simply adapted to contain water and arrange flowers, make it inconvenient to change water, because flowers must be removed from the flowerpots before changing water. In addition, the flowers may be damaged when water is changed.
In addition, conventional flowerpots have no means for supporting flowers and, when the flowerpots are transported, the arrangement of flowers may deform and water contained therein may overflow.
Even when conventional flowerpots have a needle plate or floral foam as a means for retaining the stems of flowers, lower portions of the stems are simply stuck on the plate or inserted into the foam. As a result, only the lower portions of stems are retained. This makes it impossible to precisely position the stems of flowers. Consequently, even the best florist has difficulty in arranging flowers as desired.
If flowers have long stems, furthermore, the retaining means, which is adapted to retain only the lower portions of stems, cannot sufficiently support the stems to prevent them from moving, swing, or bending.
Although ends of stems are not damaged when inserted into floral foam, they are damaged when stuck on a needle plate. This shortens the life of flowers.
In the case of a vase, which has no retaining means such as a needle plate or floral foam, it is impossible to arrange flowers as desired, particularly when a small number of flowers are available. This is because flowers are positioned at different levels near the neck of the vase, depending on their length.
The present invention has been devised to solve these problems and provide consumers with alternative means to easily manage, transport, and store flowering or ornamental plants.
More particularly, the present invention seeks to enable consumers, who are not experts with horticultural knowledge, but rather laymen, to continuously supply flowering or ornamental plants with moisture and nutrients for a period time in an easy and convenient manner. This not only satisfies consumer demands, but also conforms to business interests of florists and gardeners.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a flowerpot for arranging flowers and growing plants having dual-container construction, i.e. including an external container for containing water and an internal container having a number of holes formed thereon, so that water can be easily added or changed.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a flowerpot for arranging flowers and growing plants capable of improving aesthetic impression by various decorations.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a flowerpot for arranging flowers and growing plants having a knot-type flower support device, instead of floral foam, so that flowers or plants can be supported stably.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a flowerpot for arranging flowers and growing plants adapted to prevent water from overflowing during transportation.
According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a flowerpot for arranging flowers and growing plants including an external container for containing water; an internal container positioned to contact an inner surface of the external container and having a number of holes formed on a lower portion of the internal container; and a length-adjustable multi-functional support member placed on a central portion of a lower surface of the internal container in an upright position.
The external container has an annular protrusion tapering from an inner peripheral surface of an upper end of the external container so that an outer peripheral surface of the internal container makes surface contact with and is coupled to the inner peripheral surface.
The external container has an annular ledge integrally formed on a portion of an inner peripheral surface of the external container.
The multi-functional support member includes a support table for positioning and holding a to-be-supported material (e.g. candle, postcard, or name card); a first support rod for supporting the support table; a second support rod, the first support rod being inserted into the second support rod while being able to slide; and a third support rod integrally coupled to a lower surface of the internal container, the second support rod being inserted into the third support rod while being able to slide, and the first support rod has a groove formed on an outer peripheral surface of a lower end of the first support rod so that a spring and a ball is inserted into and positioned in the groove, the second support rod has a concave groove formed on an inner peripheral surface of an upper end of the second support rod so that the ball can be inserted into and coupled to the concave groove and a groove formed on an outer peripheral surface of a lower end of the second support rod so that a spring and a ball is inserted into and positioned in the groove, and the third support rod has a concave groove formed on an inner peripheral surface of an upper end of the third support rod so that the ball can be inserted into and coupled to the concave groove.
The flowerpot further includes a flower support device for stably holding and supporting flowers or plants.
The flower support device is a rotatable ball connection/support device having a plurality of rotatable ball rows connected to one another in a knot type, each rotatable ball row having a number of rotatable balls connected to one another by a flexible connection member, the rotatable balls having a through-hole extending through a center of the rotatable balls.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a flowerpot for arranging flowers and growing plants according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a coupled perspective view of the flowerpot shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a half-broken exploded perspective view showing a flowerpot for arranging flowers and growing plants according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a coupled sectional view of the flowerpot shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a detailed and enlarged sectional view showing a multi-functional support member used in the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a half-broken perspective view showing a flowerpot for arranging flowers and growing plants according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view showing an alternative flowerpot for arranging flowers and growing plants, which has been modified for use, according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a detailed and enlarged view showing the construction of a rotatable ball connection/support device according to the present invention;

FIG. 9 shows an example of use of a flowerpot for arranging flowers and growing plants according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view showing a flowerpot for arranging flowers and growing plants according to a third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a coupled perspective view of the flowerpot shown in FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view showing a flowerpot for arranging flowers and growing plants according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a coupled perspective view of the flowerpot shown in FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view showing a flowerpot for arranging flowers and growing plants according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 15 is an exploded perspective view showing a flowerpot for arranging flowers and growing plants according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description and drawings, the same reference numerals are used to designate the same or similar components, so repetition of the description on the same or similar components will be omitted.
FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a flowerpot for arranging flowers and growing plants according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a coupled perspective view of the flowerpot shown in FIG. 1.
It is to be noted that flowerpots for arranging flowers and growing plants according to various embodiments of the present invention are different from vases for planting flowers or plants having roots in soil and supporting them. The inventive flowerpots are used to grow flowers or plants without roots using only water or hydroponically grow flowers having roots, after removing earth from the roots, and decorate them.
A flowerpot 100 for arranging flowers and growing plants according to a first embodiment of the present invention includes an external container 110 for containing water and an internal container 120 positioned so as to contact an inner surface of the external container 110.
The external container 110 may have any shape as long as it can contain water. However, for convenience of description, it is assumed that the external contain 110 according to the present embodiment has the shape of a semi-circular bowl.
Optionally, the external container 110 has a plurality of circular rings 112 positioned along the rim thereof and a semi-circular connecting rod 170 connected to the circular rings 112 as a handle for transporting the flowerpot 100. Preferably, a pair of semi-circular connecting rods 170 are positioned so as to cross each other.
The internal container 120 preferably has a concave shape so that a flower support device can be positioned therein for decoration using flowers or plants. The outer peripheral surface of the upper end of the internal container 120 is coupled to and kept in surface contact with the inner peripheral surface of the upper end of the external container 110 for stable positioning.
The internal container 120 has a number of holes 122 formed on a lower portion thereof so that water can be supplied to flowers or plants via the holes 122. Particularly, water is supplied from the external contain 110 to flowers or plants, which are positioned inside the internal container 120, via the holes 122.
Such dual-container construction (i.e. external and internal containers 110 and 120) makes it possible to easily fill the storage portion of the external container 110 via the holes 122 of the internal container 120, when supplying water from the exterior. After the storage portion is filled, the internal container 120 prevents water from overflowing the external container 110 even when the external container 110 is moved for transportation, for example.
When water contained in the flowerpot is to be changed, the inner container 120 is separated from the external container 110 together with flowers or plants, water within the external container 120 is changed, and the internal container 120 is placed in the external container 110.
Optionally, the internal container 120 may have a collapsible multi-functional support member 130 integrally formed at the center of the lower surface thereof. The support member 130 is preferably adapted to increase and decrease its length, as in the case of a collapsible antenna. The support member 130 may have a support table 139 adapted to stick a candle thereon or insert a name card (or a card carrying a congratulatory message) therein. The support table 139 may also be used as a handle to lift the internal container 120.
When the support member 130 is used to lift the internal container 120 when adding or changing water, as mentioned above, the internal container 120 is easily separated from the external container 110 without interfering with the arrangement of flowers.
FIG. 3 is a half-broken exploded perspective view showing a flowerpot for arranging flowers and growing plants according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a coupled sectional view of the flowerpot shown in FIG. 3.
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the outer peripheral surface of the internal container 120 is brought into surface contact with the inner peripheral surface of the external container 110, thereby completing a flowerpot having dual-container construction. The external container 110 has an annular protrusion 115 tapering from the inner peripheral surface of the upper end thereof, so that the outer peripheral surface of the internal container 120 is coupled to and kept in surface contact with the protrusion 115. As a result, the internal container 120 engages with the protrusion 15 and does not move downwards any further.
Those skilled in the art can easily propose a number of other methods for coupling the internal container 120 to the external container 110 within the scope of the present invention.
After the internal container 120 is placed inside the external container 110, water W is poured. As shown in FIG. 4, water reaches the bottom surface of the external container 110 via the holes 122 of the internal container 120 and fills a predetermined portion of the internal container 120. As will be described later in more detail, the internal container 120 may have a multi-functional support member 130 positioned therein so that flowers can be inserted and supported. The length of the support member 130 can be adjusted as desired for convenient use, as in the case of a collapsible antenna.
FIG. 5 is a detailed and enlarged sectional view showing a multi-functional support member used in the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 5, the multi-functional support member 130 includes a support table 139, on which to-be-supported materials are placed and supported; a first support rod 131 for supporting the support table 139; a second support rod 132, into which the first support rod 131 is inserted while being able to slide; and a third support rod 145 integrally coupled to the lower surface of the internal container 120 in such a manner that the second support rod 132 can be inserted into the third support rod 145 while being able to slide.
The first support rod 131 has a groove formed on the outer peripheral surface of the lower end thereof so that a spring 143 and a ball 133 can be inserted and positioned therein. The second support rod 132 has a concave groove 135 formed on the inner peripheral surface of the upper end thereof so that the ball 133 can be inserted and coupled therein. The second support rod 132 has a groove formed on the outer peripheral surface of the lower end thereof so that a spring 137 and a ball 136 can be inserted and positioned therein. The third support rod 145 has a concave groove 138 formed on the inner peripheral surface of the upper end thereof so that the call 136 can be inserted and coupled therein.
When the user pulls the support member 130 in the upward direction, the first support rod 131 is moved upwards relative to the second support rod 132. Then, the ball 133 is inserted into the concave groove 135 by restoration force from the spring 134 and causes the first support rod 131 to be supported by the second support rod 132 in a lifted position. If the support member 130 is additionally pulled, the second support rod 132 is moved upwards relative to the third support rod 145. Then, the ball 136 is inserted into the concave groove 138 by restoration force from the spring 137 and causes the second support rod 132 to be supported by the third support rod 145 in a lifted position.
When the user moves the support member 130 in the opposite direction (i.e. downward direction), the ball 133 is forced against the spring 134 and allows the first support rod 131 to descend into the second support rod 132. In a similar manner, the second support rod 132 is moved into the third support rod 145.
FIG. 6 is a half-broken perspective view showing a flowerpot for arranging flowers and growing plants according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 6, the external container 110 has an annular ledge 129 integrally formed on a portion of the inner peripheral surface thereof so that a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the internal container 120 abuts the annular ledge 129 and is seated thereon. As a result, the internal container 120 is stably mounted on the external container 110.
FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view showing an alternative flowerpot for arranging flowers and growing plants, which has been modified for use, according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 7, the alternative flowerpot for arranging flowers and growing plants has the same construction as has been described with reference to the flowerpot according to the first embodiment of the present invention, except for a rotatable ball connection/support device 200 for minimizing the swelling of water inside the flowerpot and stably supporting flowers or plants.
The rotatable ball connection/support device 200, as shown in FIG. 8, is fabricated as follows: a number of rotatable balls 210, which have a through-hole 215 formed therein, are connected to one another with a flexible connection member 220 to provide a support body. Then, a plurality of support bodies are connected to one another in a knot type to complete a rotatable ball connection/support device 200.
More particularly, each rotatable ball 210 has a through-hole 215 extending through its center. A connection member 220 passes through the respective through-hole 215 of a number of rotatable balls 210 and defines a row of rotatable balls 210. The rotatable balls 210 preferably have a diameter of 0.3-1.5 cm, in order to support the stems of flowers without causing any damage.
The spacing between a row of rotatable balls and another row of rotatable balls corresponds to about 0.5-1.5 times the diameter of the stems of flowers.
The rotatable balls 210 may have porous buffer material, such as sponge, urethane foam, non-woven fabric, floral foam, or cotton, positioned on the outer surface thereof. Alternatively, the outer surface of the rotatable balls 210 may be coated with such material.
The rotatable balls 210 may have a space defined therein, which is isolated from the exterior and filled with air, and buffer material (e.g. sponge, urethane foam, or floral foam) attached to or formed as a coating on the outer peripheral surface thereof.
The connection members 220 are flexible and may be made of continuous material, such as fiber, artificial fiber, synthetic resin, or optical fiber. The connection members 220 may be a number of separate connection means coupled or connected to one another, such as chains or a number of connection rings.
Although it is desirable to support flowers or plants using the rotatable ball connection/support device 200 in terms of aesthetic impression and stability, conventional floral foam or a needle plate may be used to support flowers or plants, if necessary.
FIG. 9 shows an example of use of a flowerpot for arranging flowers and growing plants according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 9, the flowerpot 100 according to the present invention has a rotatable ball connection/support device 200 positioned thereon, in which flowers or plants 300 can be inserted and arranged, and a multi-functional support member 130, on which a candle 135 can be stuck. The rotatable ball connection/support device 200, which is positioned inside the internal container 120, is continuously supplied with water to feed flowers or plants.
FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view showing a flowerpot for arranging flowers and growing plants according to a third embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 11 is a coupled perspective view of the flowerpot shown in FIG. 10.
As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the flowerpot for arranging flowers and growing plants according to the third embodiment of the present invention has the same construction as that of the flowerpot according to the first embodiment, except for the internal container.
Particularly, the internal container 320 of the flowerpot for arranging flowers and growing plants according to the third embodiment of the present invention has a number of holes 322 formed on its lower portion. Optionally, the internal container 320 may have a multi-functional support member 330 placed on the central portion of its lower surface.
The multi-functional support member 330 has a bolt-type fixing member 332 integrally formed on the bottom surface of the internal container 320 and a number of support rods 333 and 336 coupled to the fixing member 331. The uppermost support rod 336 of the support rods 333 and 336 may be provided with a support table 339, on which to-be-supported materials are placed and supported.
Each support rod 333 has a nut portion 332 positioned on the lower side thereof so that it can be fixed to one side of the fixing member 331 or of another support rod and a bolt portion 334 positioned on the upper thereof so that it can be fixed to the other side of another support rod.
FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view showing a flowerpot for arranging flowers and growing plants according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 13 is a coupled perspective view of the flowerpot shown in FIG. 12.
As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the flowerpot for arranging flowers and growing plants according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention has the same construction as that of the flowerpot according to the first embodiment, except for the internal container.
Particularly, the internal container 420 of the flowerpot for arranging flowers and growing plants according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention has a number of holes 422 formed on its lower portion. Optionally, the internal container 420 may have multi-functional support members placed on its lower surface.
The multi-functional support members include a number of support members 430 positioned about the center of the bottom surface of the internal container 420 at an equiangular interval.
Each support member 430 is coupled to a fixing member 431, which is fixed to the bottom surface of the internal container 420, in an upright position. A rotatable ball connection/support device 200 may be fixedly wound around the support members 430 and stacked in a plurality of layers, so that flowers can be arranged on the rotatable ball connection/support device 200.
The rotatable ball connection/support device 200 has rotatable balls connected in a line. The rotatable ball connection/support device 200 may zigzag between the support members 430 in various shapes, including a star, a circle, a square, a pentagon, and a triangle.
FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view showing a flowerpot for arranging flowers and growing plants according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 14, the flowerpot for arranging flowers and growing plants according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention has the same construction as that of the flowerpot according to the third embodiment, except that the internal container 520 has a flange portion 525 integrally formed on its upper edge. The flange portion 525 is stably positioned over the external container 110.
FIG. 15 is an exploded perspective view showing a flowerpot for arranging flowers and growing plants according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 15, the flowerpot for arranging flowers and growing plants according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention has the same construction as that of the flowerpot according to the third embodiment, except that the external container 110 has receiving portions 657 positioned on both sides thereof so that hook portions 639 of a handle 636 can engage with the receiving portions 657 when transporting the flowerpot.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

As can be seen from the foregoing, according to the present invention provides, the flowerpot for arranging flowers and growing plants has dual-container construction, i.e. includes an external container for containing water and an internal container having a number of holes formed thereon, so that water can be easily added or changed.
The flowerpot has improved aesthetic impression by various decorations and is adapted to prevent water from overflowing during transportation.
The flowerpot has a knot-type flower support device, instead of floral foam, so that flowers or plants can be supported stably.
The flowerpot can be used to grow flowers or plants without roots using only water or hydroponically grow flowers having roots while easily adding or changing water.
While this invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiment and the drawings, but, on the contrary, it is intended to cover various modifications and variations within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A flowerpot for arranging flowers and growing plants comprising:

an external container for containing water;

an internal container positioned to contact an inner surface of the external container and having a number of holes formed on a lower portion of the internal container; and

a multi-functional support member placed on a central portion of a lower surface of the internal container in an upright position.

2. The flowerpot for arranging flowers and growing plants as claimed in claim 1, wherein the external container has an annular protrusion tapering from an inner peripheral surface of an upper end of the external container so that an outer peripheral surface of the internal container makes surface contact with and is coupled to the inner peripheral surface.

3. The flowerpot for arranging flowers and growing plants as claimed in claim 1, wherein the external container has an annular ledge integrally formed on a portion of an inner peripheral surface of the external container.

4. The flowerpot for arranging flowers and growing plants as claimed in claim 1, wherein the multi-functional support member is length-adjustable and comprises:

a support table for positioning and holding a to-be-supported material;

a first support rod for supporting the support table;

a second support rod, the first support rod being inserted into the second support rod while being able to slide; and

a third support rod integrally coupled to a lower surface of the internal container, the second support rod being inserted into the third support rod while being able to slide, and

the first support rod has a groove formed on an outer peripheral surface of a lower end of the first support rod so that a spring and a ball are inserted into and positioned in the groove,

the second support rod has a concave groove formed on an inner peripheral surface of an upper end of the second support rod so that the ball can be inserted into and coupled to the concave groove and a groove formed on an outer peripheral surface of a lower end of the second support rod so that a spring and a ball are inserted into and positioned in the groove, and

the third support rod has a concave groove formed on an inner peripheral surface of an upper end of the third support rod so that the ball can be inserted into and coupled to the concave groove.

5. The flowerpot for arranging flowers and growing plants as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a flower support device for stably holding and supporting flowers or plants.

6. The flowerpot for arranging flowers and growing plants as claimed in claim 5, wherein the flower support device is a rotatable ball connection/support device having a plurality of rotatable ball rows connected to one another in a knot type, each rotatable ball row having a number of rotatable balls connected to one another by a flexible connection member, the rotatable balls having a through-hole extending through a center of the rotatable balls.

7. The flowerpot for arranging flowers and growing plants as claimed in claim 1, wherein the multi-functional support member has a bolt-type fixing member integrally formed on a bottom surface of the internal container and a number of support rods coupled to the fixing member, and each support rod has a nut portion positioned on a lower side so that the support rod is fixed to a side of the fixing member or of a different support rod and a bolt portion positioned on an upper side so that the support rod is fixed to a different side of a different support rod.

8. The flowerpot for arranging flowers and growing plants as claimed in claim 1, wherein the multi-functional support member has a number of support members positioned about a center of a bottom surface of the internal container at an equiangular interval, each support member being coupled to a fixing member in a upright position, the fixing member being fixedly installed on the bottom surface of the internal container.

9. The flowerpot for arranging flowers and growing plants as claimed in claim 8, wherein a rotatable ball connection/support device is fixedly wound around the support members and stacked in a plurality of layers.

10. The flowerpot for arranging flowers and growing plants as claimed in claim 1, wherein the internal container has a flange portion integrally formed on an upper edge.