A deep, free-standing, convertibly subdivided plant container adapted particularly for use in growing deep rooted plants. The container comprises an outer case having a floor comprising a plurality of bands arranged in a selected pattern as required to form ventilating openings. An inner, removable divider comprises a plurality of telescoping, interfitting plates having a cross sectional pattern predetermined to position the plates in bearing engagement with the bands when the divider is inserted in the case. Means also are present for manipulating the divider and for stabilizing it against displacement during use.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
This invention relates to container assemblies of the class employed by 
nurserymen for growing plants. 
Although a variety of plant container assemblies are available in the 
marketplace, need exists for such an assembly which is adaptable 
particularly for growing deep-rooted plants such as oak trees and apple 
trees. 
Further need exists for such an assembly which, though deep, is free 
standing and readily convertible from a form in which it is employed to 
grow but a single plant, to one in which it is adapted to grow a plurality 
of plants, each in an individual compartment. 
Need also exists for a compartmentized container which, although easily 
convertible from single to compartmentized form, nevertheless is stable in 
use in both modes. 
It is the general purpose of the present invention to provide such a 
container assembly. 
GENERAL STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION 
In its broad aspect, the present invention comprises a deep, free-standing, 
convertibly subdivided plant container in which a divider component is 
removably positioned in an outer case. The outer case has side walls and a 
floor comprising a plurality of bands arranged in a selected pattern 
predetermined to define a plurality of ventilating floor openings. 
The divider comprises a plurality of interfitting, telescoping partition 
plates having a cross sectional pattern predetermined to position the 
plates in bearing engagement with the bands when the divider is inserted 
in the case. 
The plates are slotted for mutual interfitting engagement. They are 
provided with means for facilitating their use, i.e. with guide means for 
facilitating their interengagement; with stabilizing means for stabilizing 
the assembly in its compartmented use embodiment; and with tab means for 
facilitating insertion of the divider into the case and for removing it 
therefrom. 
Accordingly the container is suitable for use either per se or in an 
assembled condition in which the divider compartmentizes an outer case to 
provide a tall, free standing assembly suitable for use in growing 
deep-rooted plants.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A SPECIFIC EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION 
As shown particularly in FIG. 1, the plant container assembly of my 
invention comprises broadly a case component indicated generally at 10 and 
a divider component indicated generally at 12. 
Case 10 may be formed from a single unitary piece of molded plastic. It 
comprises tapered side walls 14 having on their lower interior surfaces 
longitudinal ribs 16, FIG. 4. The latter serve the function of directing 
root growth. 
The bottom or floor of case 10 comprises a plurality of bands 18. These are 
arranged in a selected pattern predetermined to define in the floor a 
plurality of ventilating openings. The openings preferably are of 
substantial size to permit the circulation of warm air through the growing 
medium during the nursery episode. 
The top of case 10 is open. 
Divider component 12 comprises a pair of flat plates 20, 22. These are 
substantially similar, being mirror images of each other. 
In the illustrated form of the invention the case is rectangular in cross 
section and there are two plates 20, 22 forming in the assembled mode a 
total of four growing cells or compartments. It will be understood, 
however, that in practice there may be an arrangement such that a 
multiplicity of cells results. 
Plates 20, 22 have a cross sectional pattern predetermined to position them 
in bearing engagement with floor bands 18 when the divider is inserted 
into the case. The arrangement is such that the bands provide a sufficient 
floor to retain growing medium in the cells, while still permitting a 
major circulation of air. 
Each of plates 20, 22 has a slot extending from a margin to its center in 
order to permit the mutual interfitting telescopic arrangement of the 
plates in an assembled criss-cross arrangement. Thus plate 20 has 
extending upwardly from its lower margin a slot 24. Plate 22 has a similar 
slot 26 extending downwardly from its upper margin. 
Tongue and groove guide means are provided for facilitating the above 
procedure. Accordingly, plate 20 is provided longitudinally centrally with 
a guide groove 28. This has a flared entrance segment or mouth 29. 
Similarly, plate 22 is equipped at its opposite end with a guide groove 30 
having a flared inner end 31. 
The tongue component of the tongue and groove guide is provided by the 
margin of each plate which enters the associated groove, as shown in FIG. 
3. 
The remaining elements of plates 20, 22 are identical, one to the other. 
Stabilizing means are present for stabilizing the plates in their assembled 
position of FIG. 1. As illustrated particularly in that figure, a bearing 
pad 32 is mounted on each of the upper outer edges of each plate. This pad 
is positioned and dimensioned to bear against the interior face of the 
case side wall 14 when the divider is inserted in the case. In company 
with other stabilizing pads 32, it prevents collapse of the divider when 
the case is being processed, as by filling it with dirt. 
Means also are present to assist in placing the divider in the case and 
removing it therefrom. 
Such means comprise the finger tabs 34 present on the top of each divider 
plate segment. 
Still further, the lower margins of the divider plates are cut away to 
provide recesses 36. In the assembled condition of the container, these 
recesses align with case ribs 16. Together with the adjacent divider 
plates, they form a continuous barrier against roots growing from one 
compartment to the other. 
Longitudinal ribs 38 located centrally of plates 20, 22 assist in directing 
root growth. 
There thus is provided a deep, free-standing plant container assembly which 
is readily convertible from a unitary condition in which it will grow but 
a single plant to a compartmented condition in which it will grow a 
plurality of plants, each in an individual cell. 
It is to be understood that the form of my invention herein shown and 
described is to be taken as a preferred example of the same and that 
various changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts may be 
resorted to without departing from the spirit of my invention or the scope 
of the subjoined claims.