Abstract:
An apparatus for providing an improved root structure for a plant, the apparatus comprising a base, a plurality of vertical anti-circling channels connecting to the base and extending upwardly from the base, air channels formed in the base, a plurality of base anti-circling channels formed in the air channels extending along the length of the air channels, and ventilation holes in the base.

Description:
[0001]    This application claims priority of Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/363,681, filed on Mar. 11, 2002. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    This invention relates to a plant container, and more particularly, to an air root prune anti-circling container.  
           [0003]    A plant is usually started from seed or cutting to begin the root formation process in a small container. After a period of time the plant is moved into the next size container to continue the development process. This step-up or moving the plant into the next size is accomplished primarily for the root development process than any other phase of growing. The root system is so important to the overall health of the plant that weak plants or plants that are not likely to grow into a specimen acceptable to the grades and standards acceptable for resale must be pulled and destroyed at a very early stage to minimize production losses.  
           [0004]    A common problem in commercial ornamental horticultural nurseries is circling and kinking of the root system due to the plant having been left in the container too long. If a plant&#39;s root system extends outward too fast the roots will hit the container wall, which forces the roots to circle or follow the radius of the container. Root circling can cause the death of the plant within a short period of time. Likewise, a taproot, which grows downward, grows faster than the feed roots, which grow outward to the container walls. When a taproot reaches the base of a container it curves upward, thus forming a “J” root, which can kill a plant.  
           [0005]    There are many products and prior art disclosures for solving the circling and “J” root problems, but have either been too expensive or too complicated to mold into an affordable container. Recently, new rules comprising grade and standards for classifying ornamental plants have been introduced. According to these rules, there can be no roots equal to ⅓ the diameter (caliper) of the plant, or tree or larger allowed to circle more than 30% of the container circumference.  
           [0006]    An important thing to remember is that the roots are established early and do not change direction once they are established. With respect to a tree, roots generally grow out from the center of the tree and down to the depth of the environment. 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.  
           [0007]    Currently available containers have no mechanism to stop root circling, “J” root formation, and provide air-root pruning. Air-root pruning is where a root encounters an opening built into the sidewall and or bottom of the container and is exposed to air. This exposure causes the root to harden or dry out at the tip. The drying in turn causes the root to divide off the main shoot wherever the soil is moist and the nutrients sufficient to support cellular division. A starchy build-up forms around the hardened root tip, which stops the flow of future nutrients. The more instances of this occurring during the formation of these tiny roots, the better from the standpoint of root mass and overall health. The branching may be singular or multiple depending on the species, ambient temperature, the nutrient/moisture ratio and the growing medium.  
         BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
         [0008]    The present invention is directed to an apparatus and method for improving root development of a plant. In a preferred embodiment an apparatus is provided containing a base. A plurality of vertical anti-circling channels is connected to the base and extends upwardly from the base. An air channel is formed in the base. In a preferred embodiment, a plurality of air channels is formed. A plurality of base anti-circling channels is also formed in the base with ventilation holes formed through the base.  
           [0009]    In another preferred embodiment a container has a sidewall comprised of a plurality of tiers where each descending tier has a smaller diameter than the tier immediately above. A base is connected to a bottom tier of the sidewall. A plurality of vertical anti-circling channels protrude from an inner surface of an inner surface of the sidewall, wherein each channel extends from the base upward a height of the sidewall. A plurality of slots is formed through the sidewall, and an air channel is formed in the base and elevated above an inner surface of the base. Likewise, a plurality of base anti-circling channels are formed in the air channel, and elevated above an inner surface of the air channel. Finally, a drainage hole is formed through the base.  
           [0010]    A method for preventing circling of a plant&#39;s root and allowing air pruning provides for a container comprising a sidewall with a plurality of tiers where each descending tier has a smaller diameter than the tier immediately above, and a base connecting to the sidewall further comprising an air channel formed in the base. A root is prevented from circling with a plurality of anti-circling channels extending upward from an inner surface of the sidewall and across the base. A root is air-pruned with slots disposed though the sidewall of the container allowing air to enter the slots. Drainage holes are also provided in the base of the container. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0011]    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:  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 1 is an exemplary embodiment of an elevational view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 2 is an exemplary embodiment of a side view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 3 is an exemplary embodiment of a bottom view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 4 is an exemplary embodiment of a top view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 5 is an exemplary embodiment of a top view of one preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 6 is an exemplary embodiment of a bottom view of one preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 7 is an exemplary embodiment of an elevational view of an skeletal basket that fits within a pre-existing container;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 8 is an exemplary embodiment of a cutaway side view of the skeletal basket within the pre-existing container; and  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 9 is another exemplary embodiment of a cutaway side view of the skeletal basket within the pre-existing container. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0021]    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 to grow 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.  
         [0022]    [0022]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. The plant container  5  has a top lip or rim  10 , which, in a preferred embodiment, is reinforced with a plurality of gussets  12  placed around the underside of the top lip  10 . In a preferred embodiment, the plant container  5  is comprised of three segments, or three tiers  15 ,  16 ,  17 , which are offset with each descending tier being a smaller diameter than the tier immediately above. Thus where two tiers meet, an offset interior ledge is formed. The number of tiers is not limited to three. One tier may be used or any plurality of tiers may comprise a container  5 . In a preferred embodiment, the invention is made out of injected molding, with UV stabilized resins for longer life.  
         [0023]    Vertical slots, or air-root prune slots, openings, or holes  20 , are formed, in a preferred embodiment, at equal distances, through the sidewall of each offset tier. The air-root pruning slots  20  are provided to allow air to enter and begin to harden the ends or tips of the roots, which then will cause the root to offshoot another root in another direction. More specifically, behind the hardened tips are a series of new hair-like roots, which begin to form branching at a right angle to the parent root and parallel to the container wall. In a preferred embodiment, the anti-root prune  20  slots are various sizes. For example, simply for illustration, in a three-tier container, the slots in the top tier  15  are ⅓ the size of the slots in the bottom tier  17 , and the middle tier  16  is sized between the top  15  and bottom tier  17 . In this configuration, since more air is reaching the roots in the bottom tier  17  when compared to the second  16  and first tier  15 , this formation causes the root ball, or mass of roots, to hold more moisture higher in the root ball.  
         [0024]    Sidewall anti-circling channels  22  are formed in a vertical direction through each tier  15 ,  16 ,  17  extending from the top tier  15  through any middle tier  16  down through the bottom tier  17 . The tapered anti-circling channels  22  help to prevent the roots from circling around the inside wall of the generally cylindrically shaped container  5 . When the root encounters a channel  22 , it turns downward, which is desirable. Roots do not reverse direction towards the center, nor are they inclined to surface. As further illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, a raised air channel  25  is formed through the diameter of the base of the bottom tier  17 . An anti-circling channel  30  is formed in the base air channel  25 , where this base anti-circling channel  30  is in the same plane as a sidewall anti-circling channel  22  formed in the tiers  15 ,  16 ,  17 . The sidewall anti-circling channels  22  also direct wind downward to the bottom of the container  5 , and the base anti-circling channels  30  direct the wind towards the root ball, thus drying out the base of the ball.  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the present invention. As illustrated, recessed air channels  25  are displaced through the bottom, or base  32 , of the container at a plurality of locations. In a preferred embodiment two air channels  25  are formed perpendicular to each other. The elevated and ventilated container bottom  32  serves to eliminate wet roots or pockets of standing water in the container  5 . It also provides another mechanism to stop the “J” root formation of some species of plants. The container bottom  32  has two levels of drain openings  35  to provide a complete drying of the bottom area. The first level of drain openings  35  is in the elevated air channels  25  and the second level of drain openings are in the remaining area of the container bottom  33 . Also disclosed in FIG. 3 are tie-down slots  40  and irrigation stake mounts  42 .  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 4 illustrates a top view of the present invention. As illustrated, the upper lip  10  or ridge has tie-down slots  40  disposed through the upper lip  10  where in one embodiment there are three tie-down  40  slots disposed approximately 120° apart. Also disposed through the upper lip  10  are stake mounts  42 , which, as disclosed in a preferred embodiment, are three, which are also approximately 120° apart. In a preferred embodiment, one or more of the stake mounts  42  are used as irrigation stake mounts. When used as an irrigation stake mount, the mount  42  is used to hold a micro-jet sprinkler and a thin wall tube for the purpose of providing moisture and nutrients to a plant at a predetermined rate. In another preferred embodiment, the irrigation stake mount  42  is used to hold a drip irrigation tube. The stake mounts  42  are also used to stake a container into the ground.  
         [0027]    Sidewall anti-circling channels  22  are displaced at a plurality of locations around the inner circumference of the container, where in a preferred embodiment, they are spaced equally apart. As illustrated, in a preferred embodiment, there are eight sidewall anti-circling channels  22 . Similarly, base anti-circling channels  30  are formed in the bottom or base  32  of the container where the sidewall anti-circling channels  22  connect with the base anti-circling channels  30 . As one skilled in the art will recognize, the sidewall anti-circling channels  32  do not have to line up or meet with the base anti-circling channels  30 . Additionally, the number of sidewall anti-circling channels  22  does not need to equal the number of base anti-circling channels  30 .  
         [0028]    As previously discussed, the base of the container  32  also contains elevated bottom air channels  25  and drainage holes  35  displaced through the base  32  and through the elevated bottom air channels  25 . As illustrated, in a preferred embodiment, two elevated bottom air channels  25 , running a diameter of the container  5 , are disclosed perpendicular to each other. In the center of the air channels  25  are base anti-circling channels  30 .  
         [0029]    [0029]FIGS. 5 and 6 disclose a top view and bottom view, respectively, of another preferred embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated, an inner circular center  50  of the base is raised wherein the base air channels  25  and base anti-circling channels  30  end at the outer circumference of the inner circular center  50 . Drainage holes  35  are dispersed through out the base  32 , except through the inner circular center  50 . As is further disclosed, a plurality of different sized drainage holes  35  may be placed in the base  32  and the base air channel  25 .  
         [0030]    [0030]FIGS. 7, 8 and  9  are illustrations of the present invention disclosing a skeletal basket  55 , which fits inside of a pre-existing container  57 . The underside of the base of the skeletal basket  55  has legs, or supports  60 , which allows for a gap between the skeletal basket  55  and the inner base of the container. Though not shown, where the sidewall anti-circling channels  22  meet or intersect with the base anti-circling channels  30 , the two anti-circling channels  22 ,  30  are connected by a connector, or pivotal joint, allowing the sidewall anti-circling channels  22  to be positioned to fit against an inner circumference of a plurality of containers where each container has a unique side incline angle. To be the most effective, in one preferred embodiment illustrated in FIG. 9, the base of the skeletal basket  55  is close to the same diameter of the inner diameter of the container. In another preferred embodiment illustrated in FIG. 8, the upper ends  62  of the sidewall anti-circling channels have a hooking device  66 , or another support device, allowing the channels to fit over the outer edge or lip  65  of the container  57 . In this configuration the legs  60  are optional, since the hooking device will hold the skeletal basket  55  a specific distance from the inner base of the container  57 .  
         [0031]    In another preferred embodiment, not shown, an optional woven bag liner is also incorporated in the present invention to provide a simplified packaging method for a plant. The bag is inserted in the container  5  and the opening of the bag is flapped over the edge and down the sides of the present invention in a trash bag-like fashion. When the plant, or tree, has reached its mature size for that container, or is ready for sale, the overlapping bag is pulled upward above the top of the container, at which time a built-in drawstring is pulled until the bag is secured against the tree trunk. The drawstring is tied to the tree trunk and the tree is laid on its side. The container is pulled off the bag and relined for the next tree. The tree is now packaged for shipping where the landscape installer cuts the bag from the root ball and installs the tree, discarding the bag. In a preferred embodiment, the bag is made of a light-colored material to reflect harmful rays and to add to the life of the container. This disclosed woven bag can also be used with the skeletal basket  55 .  
         [0032]    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.