Air rooting shell

An air rooting shell comprises a first shell half mateable with a second shell half to form a shell for enclosing around a branch. The shell comprises a reservoir for containing planting medium and an upper lipped opening that receives the branch and collects and funnels water to the reservoir. A bottom opening is provided through which the lower portion of the branch may exit. Side openings on the shell may be used to enclose a branch in a horizontal orientation, while the upper lipped opening remains vertically oriented to receive water.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates generally to an apparatus for rooting plants using an air layering method, and more particularly to an air rooting shell for enclosing a branch and encouraging the growth of new roots.

Air layering is a method of propagating plants in which roots are encouraged to grow on a branch of a plant in order to create a new plant. The method involves cutting an inch or two of the outermost layer of bark from around a branch, putting root grow medium on the cut branch, surrounding the cut portion with a moist rooting or planting medium, and enclosing the branch and planting medium. If the planting medium is kept moist, within from about six weeks to a few months roots should begin to form on the branch. The branch can then be planted to create a new plant.

SUMMARY

An apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure comprises a first shell half mateable with a second shell half to form a shell for enclosing around a branch. The shell comprises a reservoir for containing planting medium and an upper lipped opening that receives the branch and collects and funnels water to the reservoir. A bottom opening is provided through which the lower portion of the branch may exit. Side openings on the shell may be used to enclose a branch in a horizontal orientation, while the upper lipped opening remains vertically oriented to receive water.

These and other embodiments of the present invention will also become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the embodiments having reference to the attached figures, the invention not being limited to any particular embodiment(s) disclosed.

Repeat use of reference characters throughout the present specification and appended drawings is intended to represent the same or analogous features or elements of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1depicts an exemplary embodiment of an air rooting shell10enclosing a branch14. The air rooting shell10comprises a first shell half11and a second shell half12joined together around a branch14by one or more fasteners13. The first shell half11and the second shell half12are substantially similar in this embodiment; therefore, the description herein of the first shell half11also applies to the second shell. When joined together, the first shell half11and the second shell half12are mirror images of each other. The first shell half11and the second shell half12may differ in other embodiments of the present disclosure.

The first shell half11and the second shell half12may be constructed from thin molded plastic or other suitable materials, such as composite, resin, metal, and the like. In one embodiment, the wall thickness of the first shell half11and the second shell half12is 1 millimeter. Other wall thicknesses may be used. Further, the material used to construct the first shell half11and the second shell half12may be transparent, such that the rooting medium (not shown) may be seen through the air rooting shell10, or may be opaque.

The first shell half11comprises a convexly-shaped curved outer shell16. In this embodiment, the convexly-shaped curved outer shell16is shaped generally as a half sphere, though in other embodiments differently shaped outer shells may be used, such as oval, oblong, square, or polygonal. When the first shell half11is joined with the second shell half12, the curved outer shell16of the first shell half11and the curved outer shell16of the second shell half12form a generally spherical hollow reservoir (not shown) for containing the branch14and the rooting medium (not shown), as further discussed herein. In one embodiment, the diameter of the generally spherical hollow reservoir is generally four (4) inches, though other dimensions are used in other embodiments.

The curved outer shell16is integral with and/or joined to corner flanges17-20. In the illustrated embodiment, the corner flanges17-20are flat planar flanges located at the four corners of the first shell half11. The corner flanges17-20are located in the same plane as one another, namely, the x-y plane. The corner flanges17-20contact mirror-imaged corner flanges21-24on the second shell half12as illustrated inFIG. 1.

A lip15is formed in a top edge28of the air rooting shell10by curved edges26and27formed in the first and second hell halves11and12, respectively. The lip15directs water into the generally spherical hollow reservoir of the air rooting shell10. In the illustrated embodiment, the curved edges26and27are semi-circular in shape, forming a round lip15when the first shell half11is joined with the second shell half12. The curved edges26and27may be differently-shaped in other embodiments. Further, a tapered inner wall39formed by the curved edges26and27is concave and gently tapers to an opening (not shown) in which the branch14enters the generally spherical hollow reservoir.

Side edges29and30are disposed on the right and left sides, respectively, of the first shell half11. The side edges29and30are generally straight and are oriented generally in the +/−y direction when the air rooting shell10is installed around a branch14that is generally oriented in the +y direction, as shown. Each side edge29and30comprises a side knock-out tab32disposed generally mid-way down the side edges29and30, as further discussed with reference toFIG. 7herein.

A bottom side edge31is a generally straight edge disposed at the bottom of the first shell half11. A bottom opening33(FIG. 2) is disposed on the bottom side edge31and permits a the branch14to pass through the bottom side edge31of the first shell half11and the second shell half12.

In the illustrated embodiment, a pedestal34is disposed on the bottom side edge31. The pedestal34is a generally triangular protrusion that may be used to support the shell10when the shell10is used in a “standing” orientation, i.e., is not attached to the branch14that passes through the shell10, but rather stands on a surface, as further discussed herein. Other embodiments may not include a pedestal34, or may include a differently sized or shaped pedestal34.

The corner flanges17-20and21-24comprise a plurality of grooves25for receiving the fasteners13that join the first shell half11to the second shell half12. In the illustrated embodiment, the fasteners13are elastic (e.g., rubber) bands, though other types of fasteners may be used in other embodiments. The fasteners13loop through the grooves25and hold the first shell half11to the second shell half12.

FIG. 2is an inside perspective view of the embodiment of the first shell half11shown inFIG. 1, when the shell half11is not coupled to the shell half12(FIG. 1). A concave inside surface35of the curved outer shell16(FIG. 1) forms a reservoir37for containing a branch (not shown) and rooting medium (not shown). The curved edge26has a tapered inner wall39that forms a funnel shape with a neck opening38. When the first shell half11is joined with the second shell half12(FIG. 1) such that the curved edge26abuts curved edge27to form the lip15, water (not shown) may be funneled into the lip15, through the neck opening38, and into the reservoir37.

In one embodiment, four (4) support holes36are disposed in the corner flanges17-20as shown. The support holes36may be used to attach the air rooting shell10(FIG. 1) to one or more supports (not shown) for supporting the air rooting shell10, as further discussed herein.

The first half shell11comprises a generally semi-circular opening33. When the first shell half11is mated to the second shell half12, the semi-circular opening33joins with a semi-circular opening (not shown) of shell half12to form a generally circular opening (FIG. 8). The branch14(FIG. 1) then extends through the formed opening.

FIG. 3further depicts the first shell half11of the air rooting shell10(FIG. 1). The curved outer shell16and the curved edge26protrude from the flat corner flanges17,19,20, and18(FIG. 2) as shown. The curved edge26tapers down to a narrowed neck40. The four corner flanges17-20are formed in the same plane, i.e., the x-y plane. A rear edge76of the first shell half11is generally flat, so that the first shell half11contacts the second shell half12(FIG. 1) along a generally flat mating surface (not shown).

FIG. 4is a front plan view of the first shell half11of the air rooting shell10(FIG. 1). In this embodiment, the top edge28is generally straight, except for the grooves25disposed along the top edge28. Note that while the lip15extends in the +z direction (FIG. 3), the lip15thus does not extend above the top side edge28in the +y direction in this embodiment. The top edge28, bottom side edge31, and the side edges29and30form a generally rectangular shape, with the exception of the grooves25that recess into the edges28-31. The grooves25have rounded outer corners80, which permits easier installation and removal of the fasteners13(FIG. 1).

In the illustrated embodiment, a right side half73of the first shell half11is symmetrical around a central vertical axis72with a left side half74of the first shell half11.

FIG. 5is a top view of the embodiment of the air rooting shell10ofFIG. 1with the first shell half11joined to the second shell half12. The lip15is formed by the curved edges26and27, and has a top opening41that is flared for receiving water (not shown). The tapered inner wall39funnels down to the neck opening38which opens into the reservoir37. In the illustrated embodiment, the lip15and the neck opening38are circular in shape. In other embodiments, different shapes may be employed for the lip15and the neck opening38, such as oval, polygonal, and multi-faceted.

In this embodiment, the first shell half11is a mirror image of the second shell half12, and the two shell halves11and12are thus symmetrical about a centerline75aligned with the rear edge76of the first shell half11.

FIG. 6is a cross-sectional view of the air rooting shell10ofFIG. 4taken along section lines “A-A” ofFIG. 5. The inner walls35of the shell halves11and12when joined form the generally spherical reservoir37. When the air rooting shell10is in use, water (not shown) that enters the top opening41will be funneled along the inner wall39of the lip15and will pass through the neck opening38and into the reservoir37.

The neck opening38is sufficiently large such that the branch14(FIG. 1) may be disposed within it. The branch14is roughly cylindrical in shape and may pass longitudinally through the air rooting shell10(i.e., generally parallel to the center axis72) and be enclosed within the neck opening38. Likewise, the bottom opening33is sufficiently large that the branch14(FIG. 1) may be passed through it. The bottom opening33is generally aligned with the neck opening38.

FIG. 7is a side plan view of the air rooting shell10with the first shell half11and the second shell half12joined together. When the first shell half11is joined with the second shell half12, the corner flange17of the first shell half11contacts the corner flange21of the second shell half12, and the corner flange18of the first shell half11contacts the corner flange22of the second shell half12. Likewise, although not shown inFIG. 7, the corner flange19(FIG. 1) of the first shell half11contacts the corner flange23(FIG. 1) of the second shell half12and the corner flange20(FIG. 1) of the first shell half11contacts the corner flange24(FIG. 1) of the second shell half12. With the corners17-20of the first shell half11contacting and aligned with the corners21-24of the second shell half12, the grooves25are aligned such that fasteners13(FIG. 1) may be installed to restrain the first and second shell halves11and12together, as further discussed herein.

In the illustrated embodiment, pedestals34are located on a lower surface46of each shell half11and12. Each pedestal protrudes from the outer shell16and has a generally flat lower surface48that is generally parallel to and in the same plane as the bottom side edge31(FIG. 1).

The pedestals34support the air rooting shell10when the air rooting shell10is set upon a generally flat surface47. The air rooting shell10may thus be used to root a plant cutting (not shown) that is placed within the air rooting shell10but that does not pass through the air rooting shell10. The pedestals34stabilize the shell10and permit it to maintain a generally vertical orientation, i.e., with the lip15facing up.

In other embodiments, the shell halves11and12may have sufficiently flat lower surfaces46such that the air rooting shell10may be maintained in a vertical orientation without the need for pedestals34or other similar features.

In this embodiment, the side knock-out tabs32on the two halves11and12are semi-circular in shape with an outer groove45that permits the side knock-out tabs32to be “knocked out.” The outer groove45comprises a groove and/or perforations cut into the shell halves11and12. When the side knock-out tabs32are removed, a generally circular opening (not shown) is formed in the sides of the air rooting shell10. The opening is located mid-way down the spherical portion of the air rooting shell10, i.e., approximately 90 degrees from the lip15.

A branch14(FIG. 1) may be passed through the opening (not shown) created by removing the side knock-out tabs32in the event the air rooting shell10is installed around a horizontally-oriented branch14, as further discussed herein with reference toFIG. 12. In the illustrated embodiment, knock-out tabs32are used to create side openings (not shown) in the air rooting shell10. Other configurations of side knock-out tabs may be used in other embodiments. Further, the air rooting shell10may be provided without any side knock-out tabs43.

FIG. 8is a bottom plan view of the air rooting shell10according to one embodiment of the disclosure. As was discussed above with respect toFIG. 7, when the first shell half11is joined with the second shell half, the corner flange18of the first shell half11and the corner flange22of the second shell half12contact one another. Similarly, the corner flange19of the first shell half11contacts the corner flange23of the second shell half12. The grooves25are then aligned such that fasteners13(FIG. 1) may be installed to restrain the first shell half11in contact with the second shell half12.

In this embodiment, the pedestals34on the first and second shell halves11and12are disposed at generally right angles to a seam49between the first shell half11and the second shell half12. The pedestals34each comprise narrow rectangular-shaped protrusions (when viewed from the bottom, as inFIG. 8). In other embodiments, other types of pedestals may be employed to stabilize the air rooting shell10when it is set upon a surface.

The bottom opening33is disposed at the bottom center of the air rooting shell10in the illustrated embodiment. The bottom opening33is formed by two petals47on the first shell half11and two petals50on the second shell half12. In this embodiment, the petals47and50are flexible such that they may flex outward when the air rooting shell10is enclosed around a branch14(FIG. 1).

FIG. 9is a detail view of the bottom opening33ofFIG. 8, taken along Detail “B.” The flexing of the petals47and50as described above is shown, as the petals47and50are flexed outward in this view to form an aperture51for receiving the branch14(FIG. 1). In operation of the air rooting shell10ofFIG. 1, the branch14(FIG. 1) is generally still connected to a tree or plant when the air rooting shell10is installed around the branch14. Therefore, the branch is not “pushed through” the bottom opening33, but rather the branch is enclosed by the two shell halves11and12and enclosing the branch14will cause the petals47and50to flex and receive the branch14.

The petals47and50comprise tips52which may remain in contact with the branch14(FIG. 1) when the branch14is enclosed within the air rooting shell10. This contact helps to prevent the air rooting shell10from slipping on the branch14.

Although four (4) petals are shown inFIG. 9(two petals47on shell half11and two petals50on shell half12), there may be more or fewer petals comprising the bottom opening33in other embodiments. Further, other embodiments may use other configurations for the bottom opening33, such as a knock-out opening (not shown) as described with respect to the side knock-out tabs32discussed with respect toFIG. 7above.

FIG. 10depicts the air rooting shell10with two rubber band-type fasteners13aand13binstalled to hold the shell halves11and12together. In order to install the air rooting shell10around the branch14, a user (not shown) installs the first shell half11and the second shell half12around the branch14such that the shell halves11and12are aligned and the branch14passes through the lip15and the bottom opening33. When the shell halves11and12are properly aligned, the corner flange17of the first shell half11will contact and be aligned with the corner flange21of the shell half12, forming a joined corner60. Further, the corner flange18of the first shell half11will contact and be aligned with the corner flange22of the shell half12, forming a joined corner61. The corner flange19of the first shell half11will contact and be aligned with the corner flange23of the shell half12, forming a joined corner62. The corner flange20of the first shell half11will contact and be aligned with the corner flange24of the shell half12, forming a joined corner63.

The user may install the fastener13aby looping an upper end64of the fastener13aover a joined corner63, such that the upper end64is received by grooves25gand25hand the fastener13aextends diagonally across the first shell half11, as illustrated inFIG. 10. The user may then loop a lower end65of the fastener13aover the joined corner61, such that the lower end65is received by grooves25cand25d. The fastener13awill at this point hold the two shell halves11and12together around the branch14.

The fastener13bmay be installed similarly to further secure the two shell halves11and12together. The user may by looping an upper end66of the fastener13bover the joined corner60, such that the upper end66is received by grooves25aand25band the fastener13aextends diagonally across the second shell half12, as illustrated. The user may then loop a lower end67of the fastener13bover the joined corner62, such that the lower end67is received by grooves25eand25f.

FIG. 10illustrates rubber band-type fasteners13aand13bwhich hold the shell halves11and12together elastically. Other types of fasteners may alternatively be used, such as friction-type clips, screws, wires, or ties

FIG. 11further depicts the fasteners13aand13binstalled on the air rooting shell10to hold the shell halves11and12together.

FIG. 12is an inside view of the first shell half11installed on the branch14when the branch14is installed through side openings81. This configuration of the air rooting shell10may be desired when the branch14is in a generally horizontal or angled orientation (as opposed to being generally vertical). The side openings81have been created in the side edges29and30of the first shell half11by removing the knock-out tabs32(FIG. 7). The branch14is disposed within the side openings81with a scored portion83located generally centrally within the reservoir37. With this configuration, the lip15may collect water (not shown) and provide it to the branch14even though the branch14is in a generally horizontal orientation.

In the illustrated embodiment, rooting medium82surrounds the branch14. Root grow formula84has been placed around the scored portion83the branch14to promote the growth of roots (not shown) from the branch14.

FIG. 13depicts the air rooting shell10in which a portion of the first shell half11has been removed to show a sprouting branch14contained within the air rooting shell10. Roots85have begun to form along the top edge86of the scored portion83of the branch14.

FIG. 14depicts an air rooting shell10in which a portion of the first shell half11has been removed to show seeds87that have been planted within the air rooting shell10. In this embodiment, the shell10is placed upon a surface47such that the bottom side edge31and the pedestals34(only one shown inFIG. 14) support the shell10such that its lip15is upright for receiving moisture or water. The seeds87have been planted in a planting medium88. In this embodiment, the shell10may be thus used in the manner of a traditional plant pot.

FIG. 15depicts an air rooting shell10in which a portion of the first shell half11has been removed to show a cut branch89(i.e., a branch that is no longer growing from the ground (not shown)) disposed within the air rooting shell10. In this embodiment, the shell10is placed upon a surface47such that the bottom side edge31and the pedestals34(only one shown inFIG. 14) support the shell10in a generally vertical orientation. The shell10is thus usable to root cut branches in addition to rooting using an air layering method.

FIG. 16depicts an embodiment of an air rooting shell10in which the first and second shell halves11and12are transparent. In this embodiment, blocks90of expandable planting medium are installed within the reservoir37around the branch14. The blocks90expand and fill the reservoir37after water (not shown) is applied to the blocks90.

A stake91supports the shell10in this embodiment. A plurality of fasteners92, common twist ties in this embodiment, are passed through the support holes36and fastened to the stake91. Other types of fasteners and fastening methods may be used to support the shell10, if support is desired by the user (not shown).

The embodiments described herein contemplate two separate shell halves11and12that form the air rooting shell10. However, the shell halves11and12may be integrally formed as one piece without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the shell halves11and12may be molded from one sheet of material (not shown) with a folding hinge (not shown) whereby the shell halves11and12fold together to join around the branch14.

As described above and shown in the associated drawings, the present invention comprises an air rooting shell. While particular embodiments of the invention have been described, it will be understood, however, that the invention is not limited thereto, since modifications may be made by those skilled in the art, particularly in light of the foregoing teachings. It is, therefore, contemplated by the appended claims to cover any such modifications that incorporate those features or those improvements that embody the spirit and scope of the present invention.