Abstract:
A plant growing apparatus, the apparatus comprising a sidewall with an outer surface and an inner surface and having a plurality of tiers where each descending tier has a smaller diameter than the tier immediately above, an anti-circling channel formed in the sidewall wherein the channel protrudes through the sidewall forming an indenture in the inner surface of the sidewall and a channel on the outer surface of the sidewall, a plurality of slots formed therethrough the sidewall, and a detachable base that is connected to the sidewall.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     This invention relates to a plant container, and more particularly, to an air root prune anti-circling container with a removable base configurable to best work in a given environment.  
         [0002]     Typically a plant, such as a tree, is grown from seed or a cutting from an existing plant. This seed or cutting is usually placed in a small container and covered with soil or some other top covering. Once mature enough, the plant is moved into a larger sized container to continue the development process. A larger container is used to better accommodate the plant&#39;s root development, since more room may be needed as the plant grows. Plants with a weak root system or plants that are not likely to develop into a plant that is acceptable based on industry grades and standards established whether a plant is acceptable for resale, are usually destroyed.  
         [0003]     A common problem experienced by commercial ornamental horticultural nurseries is circling and kinking of the root system due to the plant developing its root system in a container not designed to reduce the chances for the roots to circle and/or kink. One form of kinking is when a taproot reaches the base of a container and then curves upward, thus forming a “J” root. This “J” root could kill a plant.  
         [0004]     Another issue faced by nurseries is insuring that plants grow as vertical as possible. This becomes a more significant issue when nurseries are established on ground that is not level. When this occurs, a container may be placed on a section of ground where the container is not level and thus the plant may grow at an angle within the container. This could be a bad result if the trunk of the plant starts growing in one direction based on the topography of a patch of ground in a nursery and then changes direction if the plant is repositioned on another patch of ground with different topography.  
         [0005]     The direction a plant&#39;s roots grow is particularly important. Tree roots are established early and do not change direction once they are established. Tree roots generally grow out from the center of the tree and down to the depth of the environment provided for the roots to grow. The more roots developed, the healthier the circulatory system and ability to uptake nutrients and moisture. The goal in growing the tree is to develop as many fibrous, hair-like roots as possible before the tree reaches a 1 to 2 inch caliper size. Additionally, the fibrous roots should be well branched and as straight as possible for a successful transplant into the next container size or a landscape project.  
         [0006]     One approach, known in the prior art, to stop the formation of “J” roots is the use of air-root pruning. Air-root pruning is where the ends of a root are exposed to air. Typically, a plurality of openings are formed through the container&#39;s side wall or walls and/or base. Another issue faced by some nurseries involves the composition of the ground upon which containers are placed while plants develop. Since containers are placed out in the elements, experiencing varying weather conditions, the ground may impede container opening provided for air-root pruning that are closest to the ground. This may occur when the ground is composed primarily of sand or of a soil texture that turns to mud after experiencing a given amount of precipitation. Thus, the air pruning that was to have occurred closer to the base of the container may not be possible if the openings are clogged by mud or shifting sand.  
         [0007]     Currently nurseries are located where the ground is nearly flat in nature. Not having adequate terrain results in having to transport plants a greater distance because level enough land is not available in certain geographic areas. Transporting plants adds to the cost of the plant once finally sold.  
         [0008]     In view of these issues, plant growers would benefit from a growing container that is able to provide for pruning plant roots while also being able to optimally function in various environmental conditions.  
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0009]     Towards this end, the present invention is directed to an apparatus and method for improving root development of a plant. In a preferred embodiment, a plant growing apparatus is disclosed having a sidewall. The sidewall has an outer surface and an inner surface, and also has a plurality of tiers where each descending tier has a smaller diameter than the tier immediately above. A ledge is formed in an inside of the sidewall where adjacent tiers meet. An anti-circling channel is formed in the sidewall. The channel protrudes through the sidewall forming an indenture in the inner surface of the sidewall and a channel on the outer surface of the sidewall. A plurality of slots is formed therethrough the sidewall. A detachable base is provided that is connected to the sidewall.  
         [0010]     Functionally, a method of air pruning and controlling root growth in a plant is disclosed. A container with a sidewall that has a plurality of tiers where each descending tier has a smaller diameter than the tier immediately above is disclosed. A root is prevented from circling by way of an anti-circling channel extending upwardly along an inner surface of the sidewall. A root is pruned by air entering through slots disposed therethrough the sidewall of the container. The container is elevated with a detachable base to allow air-root pruning to occur without interference from a ground covering.  
         [0011]     In another embodiment an improvement to a growing container that has anti-circling channels and air-root pruning openings is disclosed. The improvement is a detachable base having a top end and a lower end wherein the base elevates the container allowing the air-root pruning openings to be free of obstructions caused by a ground that the container sits upon. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0012]     The features of the invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention itself, both as to organization and method of operation, may best be understood by reference to the following description, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like numbers represent like parts throughout the drawings, and in which:  
         [0013]      FIG. 1  is an exemplary embodiment of an elevational view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0014]      FIG. 2  is an exemplary embodiment of a side view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0015]      FIG. 3  is an exemplary embodiment of a top view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0016]      FIG. 4  is an exemplary embodiment of a side view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0017]      FIG. 5  is an exemplary embodiment of a top view of a removable base, as illustrated in  FIGS. 1, 2 , and  4 ;  
         [0018]      FIG. 6  is an exemplary embodiment of a side view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and  
         [0019]      FIG. 7  is an exemplary embodiment of a preferred embodiment of the present invention with a section removed from a base to further illustrate the internal aspects of the base. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0020]     With reference to the figures, exemplary embodiments of the invention will now be described. The scope of the invention disclosed is applicable to a plurality of containers used for growing and transporting plants, such as trees. Thus, even though embodiments are described specific to circular containers, one skilled in the art will recognize how the invention is also applicable to other shaped containers used for growing plants.  
         [0021]      FIG. 1  is an exemplary embodiment of an elevational view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention and  FIG. 2  is an exemplary embodiment of a side view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. In a preferred embodiment, the sidewall  11  of the container  10  is composed of several segments, or tiers  12 ,  13 ,  14 , such as three tiers. Beginning with the bottom tier  14  or the tier closest to the ground, each ascending tier has a slightly larger diameter than the tier immediately below it. Within the wall  11  created by the tiers  12 ,  13 ,  14 , an offset, interior ledge  18  is formed where each tier meets.  
         [0022]     The sidewall  11  is nearly vertical and a natural fiber cover or bag, such as coconut fiber, coir, wall insert  20  may be placed within the sidewall  11 . The natural fiber inset  20  holds the soil and root system while also allowing roots to penetrate completely through the coir material into an air slot. The natural fiber insert  20  assists in reducing root circling and can be left around the root ball when the plant is transplanted from the container  10  and into a final landscape.  
         [0023]     Slots  22 , otherwise known as air prune slots, openings, or holes, are formed therethrough the sidewall  11  of each offset tier  12 ,  13 ,  14 . The air-root pruning openings  22  are provided to allow air to enter into the container  10  to begin hardening the ends or tips of a plant&#39;s root system closest to the openings. In one preferred embodiment, the openings  22  are spaced an equal distance from adjacent openings. Depending upon the predetermined growing pattern of a plant&#39;s root system, the size of the openings  22  may be varied tier to tier. For example, if a plant has a root system that typically grows near the soil surface the plant is placed within, the container  10  may be formed with openings  22  in the top tier  12  that are larger in size, such as a third size larger, than the openings in the lower tiers  13 ,  14 . In addition to having the openings  22  varied tier-to-tier, the openings  22  may also be varied within a common tier as well.  
         [0024]     A plurality of sidewall anti-circling channels  26  are also formed in the container wall  11 . These channels  26  extend from the top tier  12 , through any middle tiers  13 , and down through the bottom tier  14 . The anti-circling channels  26  are formed so that a distinct indenture  28  is created within the interior wall of the container  10 , as better illustrated in  FIG. 3 . Both vertical ends of the anti-circling channels have open areas, or holes  30 . Instead of including a rim with holes to stake the container  10  to a ground surface, the stakes  31  may be inserted through the holes  30  in the anti-circling channels  26 , then into the ground upon which the container  10  is placed.  
         [0025]     As further illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the lowest tier  14  has an opening at the end furthest from the top tier  12 . In a preferred embodiment, an edge, or lip  32  extends from the lowest tier  14  towards the center of the container  10 . A removable base  40 , as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , may be connected to the bottom end of the lowest tier  14 . In a preferred embodiment, rounded cleats  42 , such as split arrowheads, extend from the base  40  upwards towards the lowest tier  14 . One skilled in the art will readily recognize that other mechanical connections are possible wherein the lowest tier  14  does not require a lip  32 , such as, but not limited to, exterior clamps, a threaded connection to allow the lowest tier  14  and base  40  to connect, or other forms of locking connectors. As further illustrated in  FIG. 3 , on the edge of the lowest tier  14 , openings  45  are provided through the edge  32  to accept the split arrowheads  42 . The openings  45  also perform another function of removing moisture by allowing accumulated moisture to pass through the holes  45  and away from the root system. In another preferred embodiment, the container  10  has a closed end located in the lowest tier  14  where the lip  32  extends from the bottom tier, as illustrated in  FIG. 3 , and has a mesh-like, or honeycomb bottom  50 . The base  40  then connects to the lowest tier  14  as disclosed above.  
         [0026]     In operation, the container  10  can be used with or without the base  40 . If a need for the base  40  arises, such as if the soil upon which the container  10  sits is prone to clog air-root pruning openings or the ground is not level, the base  40  can be attached. The base  40  may have a plurality of various shapes. As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the base  40  is circular and has the same diameter as the lowest tier  14 . In other embodiments such as illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the base  40  could have a telescoping base, wherein the upper part  52  of the base  40  that engages the lowest tier  14  is the same diameter as that end of the lowest tier  14 . The lower part  54  of the base  40  which contacts the ground may have a wider diameter. Though not illustrated, the vertical shape of the base can be conical in shape or trapezoidal in shape. Additionally, as further illustrated in  FIG. 5 , though not necessarily required, the upper part  52  of the base  40  should have a shape, such as circular as illustrated in  FIG. 3 , to meet with the lowest tier&#39;s diameter; however, the bottom part  54  of the base  40  could be configured to form another shape, such as a square. By providing a wider lower end  54  of the base than the container  10 , tie-down stakes  31  passing through the anti-circling channels  26  may not be needed. In another embodiment, illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the bottom of the base  40  may comprise miniature stakes, or spikes, cleats  60 , extending from the base  40  and into the ground.  
         [0027]     In another embodiment, illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the bottom  61  of the base  10  may be formed at an angle, so that if the container  10  is placed on an uneven surface, the container  10  would still be positioned in a more vertical direction, or level position, than it would be without a base  40  contoured as such. As further illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the base has an adjusting device  66  so that the base  40  is adjustable to create a plurality of angles to best accommodate the ground upon which the base  40  is placed.  
         [0028]     In a preferred embodiment, illustrated in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the top or upper end  52  of the base  40  is wider, or has a diameter larger than the lowest tier  14 . A flexible ring  70  with connection points  42 , such as split arrowhead fasteners, extend from the flexible ring  70  to the openings  45  in the edge  32  of lowest tier  14 . A leveling surface  72 , such as a grid, is connected to the flexible ring  70  and has an angular shape. The inside bottom  74  of the base  40  is hollow with an angular shape, or receiving surface. In this embodiment, the sidewalls  80  of the base  40  has air pruning openings  22 . As further illustrated in  FIG. 7 , cleats, or spikes  60  extend from the outside bottom  76  of the base  40  to the ground upon which the base  40  is placed. As illustrated in operation, in  FIG. 8 , when the container  10  is used on a surface with an incline or a decline, the container  10  is adjusted, in a preferred embodiment up to 30 degrees, where the container  10  is level with the horizon. Rotating the angular grid  72  that sits upon the angular receiving surface  74  makes the adjustment. Those skilled in the art will readily recognize that greater than 30 degrees is achievable if the diameter of the base  40  is enlarged to allow the container  10  more room to rotate, or be adjusted to a level state with the horizon.  
         [0029]     In yet another preferred embodiment, not shown, the base  40  also includes openings  45  to allow a second base to be connected to the lower end  54  of the first base. The base may also comprise air-root pruning openings  22 . Anti-circling channels  26  may also be provided. The anti-circling channels  26  may be lined up and extend from the lowest tier through the base  40 , or the anti-circling channels  26  are not necessarily aligned with the anti-circling channels formed through the tiers  12 ,  13 ,  14 .  
         [0030]     While the invention has been described in what is presently considered to be a preferred embodiment, many variations and modifications will become apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the specific illustrative embodiment, but be interpreted within the full spirit and scope of the appended claims.