PLANT POT

A capillary irrigation pot system (20), comprising a pot housing (22), a pot liner (24) configurable for receiving within said pot housing (22), wherein once received within the pot housing (22) gives rise to an irrigation liquid reservoir extending between an inside wall surface of the pot housing (22) and an outside wall surface of the pot liner (24), and a capillary assembly (100) comprising a capillary media (106) received within a substantially liquid impermeable sheathe (108), where a first end of the capillary media (106) projecting from a first end of the sheath (108) extends at a bottom portion of the irrigation liquid reservoir, and a second end of the capillary media (100) projecting from a second end of the sheath extends within a bottom portion of the pot liner (24), and where an intermediate portion of the capillary assembly (100) is configured to extend over a top portion of the pot liner (24).

TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD

The present disclosure is generally in the field of plant pots, and more particularly it is concerned with capillary irrigation pots.

The term pot as used herein after in the specification and claims is used in its broad sense and includes plant pots, planters etc., of any size, shape and material.

The term capillary irrigation suggests any form of sub-surface irrigation wherein a capillary media is used for delivering water, and optionally nutrients, from a liquid reservoir to a plant, by capillary action, as well as other passive or active action.

BACKGROUND ART

The following references may be considered to be of relevance as background to the presently disclosed subject matter:U.S. Pat. No. 8,146,292;U.S. Pat. No. 3,192,665;KR20180079237;CN201252752Y;CH610716A5;DE2409714; andCN205812913U.

BACKGROUND

U.S. Pat. No. 8,146,292 relates to an insert container for plant pots with a base, at least one side wall, which adjoins the base with a lower edge, is formed with an upper edge open at the top and surrounds an interior, a longitudinal axis extending perpendicular to the base, supports arranged on the base and extending in the direction of the longitudinal axis, at least one water-permeable watering device arranged on the base and at least one indentation which extends in the direction of the longitudinal axis, in the at least one side wall.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,192,665 relates to a device for providing a controlled moisture tension within a growing medium, the device being self-regulatory in preferred operation, and providing a feature whereby aeration of the soil may occur as a portion of the regulatory process.

KR20180079237 relates to a plant cultivation pot which can grow plants using soil or processed soil without using soil. The present invention realizes a new type of plant pot for plant cultivation that combines an outer pot with a structure capable of effectively introducing an external air flow and an inner pot with an efficient water storage structure. It is possible to create optimal plant growth environment by enabling oxygen supply, and it is possible to easily handle such as washing and water exchange through the structure in which outer pots and inner pots can be separated, and the plant pots.

CN201252752Y discloses an assembly type water-saving flower pot, which is invented for solving the problem of sole function of the prior art. The assembly type water-saving flower pot comprises a flower pot body, the flower pot body is provided with a soil moisture inspection hole, a water tank casing matched with the flower pot body is arranged outside the flower pot body, the bottom of the water tank casing is in thread-connection with the water in the flower pot body in a sealed way, and an accommodating space is formed between the inner surface of the water tank casing and the outer surface of the water pot body; and a plurality of water seepage holes are arranged on the side wall of the flower pot body from bottom to top. By adopting the structure, since the water tank casing is transparent, the flower pot is artistic and novel; and since the water in the water tank soaks into the water pot through the water seepage holes on the inner wall of the flower pot body, the flower grower does not need to worry about excessive watering or insufficient watering to affect the normal growth of the flowers and also does not need to always try to water the flowers all the time, and the use is convenient.

CH610716A5 discloses a pot comprising a compartment for the plant and a compartment for the liquid for moistening said plant. The two compartments are separated by a porous wall, through which the liquid can filter. This wall has holes passed through by wicks intended to moisten the plant by capillary action.

DE2409714 discloses a roughly cylindrical outer plant pot, of larger diameter at the top than at the bottom. The inner plant pot is roughly conical, thereby leaving a fairly large gap between the outer and inner pot, which holds the liquid. The inner pot has a rim round the top which rests on the top under collar of the outer pot. The top edge of the inner plant pot has at least one duct-shaped indentation, leaving a vertical cavity containing a wick-type absorption device. This wick is positioned between the outer and inner pots and extends over into the inner pot. Two other, diametrically opposite indentations are for the fingers to grip the inner pot. The top, outer edge of the indentations has radial projections.

CN205812913U discloses an automatic water-supply flowerpot, including inner basin, it is sleeved on the outer basin outside described inner basin, it is formed with cavity between described outer basin and inner basin, also include the absorbent member be located on described inner basin, be placed in described cavity, and between described inner basin and outer basin, with the carriage assembly that described inner basin is supported. Automatic water-supply flowerpot described in the utility model, it is ensured that one time water storage just can be for a long time to soil automatic water-supply, and it is simple and reliable for structure, has good practicality.

It is appreciated that acknowledgement of the above references is not to be inferred as meaning that these are in any way relevant to the patentability of the presently disclosed subject matter.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure is concerned with a capillary irrigation pot system configured for optimal, long lasting irrigation of a plant accommodated therein.

A first aspect of the disclosure is directed to a capillary irrigation pot system comprising:a liquid impermeable pot housing;a liquid impermeable pot liner configurable for receiving within said pot housing, wherein once received within the pot housing gives rise to an irrigation liquid reservoir extending between an inside wall surface of the pot housing and an outside wall surface of the pot liner;and a capillary assembly comprising a capillary media received within a substantially liquid impermeable sheathe, wherein a first end of the capillary media projecting from a first end of the sheath extends at a bottom portion of the irrigation liquid reservoir, and a second end of the capillary media projecting from a second end of the sheath extends within a bottom portion of the pot liner, and wherein an intermediate portion of the capillary assembly is folded over a top portion of the pot liner.

The term irrigation liquid as used hereinafter in the specification and claims denotes any irrigation liquid, with or without nutrients and other agro-chemical agents.

According to another aspect of the disclosure there is provided a liquid impermeable pot liner made of a rigid though pliable material, said pot liner comprising a plant space defined by a perimetric side wall upwardly extending between a base and a top rim, with an inwardly indented portion at the side wall; wherein when the pot liner is placed within a liquid impermeable pot housing the top rim bears snug against a top inside wall surface of the pot housing.

Yet an aspect of the disclosure is concerned with a planting pot set comprising:a liquid impermeable pot housing of a nominal size and configured with a base and side walls upwardly extending therefrom;a pot liner of corresponding nominal size, made of liquid impermeable, rigid though pliable material, said pot liner comprising a plant space defined by a perimetric side wall upwardly extending between a base and a top rim, with an inwardly indented portion at the side wall, and at least one capillary assembly holder at a top portion of the pot liner, wherein when the pot liner is placed within the pot housing said top rim bears snug against a top inside wall surface of the pot housing, with an irrigation liquid reservoir extending between an inside wall surface of the pot housing and an outside wall surface of the pot liner; andat least one capillary assembly comprising a capillary media received within a substantially liquid impermeable sheathe, wherein a first end of the capillary media projecting from a first end of the sheath is placeable at a bottom portion of the irrigation liquid reservoir, and a second end of the capillary media projecting from a second end of the sheath is placeable within a bottom portion of the pot liner, and wherein an intermediate portion of the capillary assembly is folded over a top portion of the pot liner and retainable by the capillary assembly holder.

The arrangement is such that at an operative, assembled position, a first end of the capillary media is disposed within the irrigation liquid at the irrigation liquid reservoir, and the second end of the capillary media is disposed at the vicinity of a root base of a plant within the pot liner.

The pot liner is elastic and thus once deformation force is applied to a top portion thereof, it is compressed and deformed, and can easily inserted into a pot housing, and upon ceasing the deformation force, the pot liner will spontaneously regain its shape and bias against at least a top portion of the inside wall of the pot housing. This arrangement facilitates for bearing of at least a top rim of the pot liner against an inside wall surface of the pot housing, and further wherein a pot liner can be received within pot housing of size variations.

Any one or more of the following features, designs and configurations can be applied to the plant pot according to any aspect of the present disclosure, separately or in various combinations thereof:The pot housing and/or the liner can be of any desired geometrical shape;The pot housing can be made of a liquid impermeable material or it can comprise a liquid impermeable liner or it can be coated with a liquid impermeable material;The pot liner can be made of a capillary material, at least in part;The pot liner can be made of a rigid though pliable material, said pot liner comprising a plant space defined by a perimetric side wall upwardly extending between a base and a top rim, with an inwardly indented portion at the side wall; wherein when the pot liner is placed within a liquid impermeable pot housing the top rim bears snug against a top inside wall surface of the pot housing.The pot liner can comprise a retention member disposed at the top rim above the indented portion, said retention member is configured for retaining the indentation of the indented portion and applying pressure against the inside wall surface of the pot housing;The retention member can have a curved shape, complimentary of the indented portion, though at an inverted orientation of the pot liner top edge;The arrangement is such that the pot liner can be accommodated within a pot housing, wherein at least a top rim of the pot liner snugly bears against an inside wall surface of the pot housing, apart for the indented portion, wherein an opening at the top of the indented portion, serves as an irrigation liquid refilling opening;The pot housing and the pot liner can be tubular-shaped;An outside surface of the pot housing can be ornamented by patterning and/or coloring;The retention member can be integral with the pot liner or attachable thereto;The pot liner can be stackable nestable within like pot liners;The pot liner can be configured with a nesting stopper for restricting nesting extent of pot liners within one another, to thereby prevent deformation of the retention member;The nesting stopper can be one or more inwardly projecting ribs at a nesting pot liner, configured for engaging with an outside bottom portion of a nested pot liner;A top edge of the pot liner, at the indented portion, can be inwardly curved or substantially straight;The inwardly indented portion can define, together with a corresponding inside wall surface of a pot housing, the irrigation liquid reservoir;A top of the inwardly indented portion can be closed by a reservoir lid;The lid can be pivotally articulated to the retention member;The lid can be configured with a manipulating element; the manipulating element can be an opening or a lifting element upwardly projecting from a top surface of the lid;The inwardly indented portion can accommodate an irrigation liquid level indicator;The liquid level indicator can comprise a buoy suspended from the lid, whereby the lid is displaceable between its normally closed position when liquid within the reservoir is above a predetermined liquid level, and an open position at the event that liquid within the reservoir drops below said predetermined liquid level;The top portion of the pot liner can be configured with at least one capillary assembly holder for securing the capillary assembly;The capillary media can be made of any sort of material, either organic or inorganic, uniform or not, comprising one or more strands, interwoven or not, and combinations thereof;The capillary assembly holder can be disposed at the top rim of the port liner, or below said top rim;The capillary assembly holder can be configured such that capillary assembly does not project over a top edge of the pot liner;The capillary assembly holder can be configured as an opening below the top edge of the pot liner; the opening extending at a side wall of the pot liner;The opening of the capillary assembly holder can have an axial orientation extending perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the pot liner;The capillary assembly holder can be configured as a recessed portion below the top edge of the pot liner;The capillary assembly holder can be configured for snapingly receiving a capillary wick assembly;When inserted into the pot housing, the base of the pot liner can bear over an inside surface of the base of the pot hosing, by generating radially outwards force;The sheath can comprise a folding portion, whereby a lumen of the sheath remains open at the event of folding same;The foldable portion can be a bellows-type foldable section;The foldable portion enables folding the capillary assembly about 180°;At an assembled position the pot liner can be fully received within the pot housing;A portion of the capillary media exposed to the liquid or to the planting mixture, can be altered in order to control the rate of water deliver and the mixture of the soil. Exposing more of the media on the reservoir side, accelerates free evaporation of water from the reservoir thus slowing down water delivery rate. Exposing more of the media on the planting mixture size, increases the soil moisture as water are delivered to higher level within the planting mixture body;At an assembled position the pot liner is fully positioned within the pot housing, with a top edge of the pot liner disposed below a top edge of the of housing;The pot system is substantially sealed, and liquid evaporation occurs substantially only through the plant and the soil;The pot liner can be configured with reinforcing ribs for reinforcing at least the depressed portion;The reinforcing ribs can be configured for reinforcing articulation of the retention member at the top portion of the pot liner;At an assembled position a top rim of the pot liner is configured for biased bearing against an inward wall surface of the pot housing, below a top edge of the said pot housing;The top pot liner rim can have a diameter greater than a diameter of top portion of the pot housing;The pot liner can be configured to fit different diameters pf pot housings;The pot housing can be configured at a top portion thereof with an inward projecting pot liner arresting arrangement, for prevent spontaneous pop-up of the pot liner;The pot liner arresting arrangement can be an inward projection having a diameter suited for arresting a top rim of the pot liner;The inward projection can be an annular rim or a series of projections;The pot housing can have a dome-shape, with a top opening thereof having a narrower diameter with respect a lower body portion thereof;The pot liner can be adhered within the pot housing;The pot liner is rigid though pliable, wherein resiliency can be applied thereto by flexibility of material and/or thinned wall portions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Attention is first directed toFIG.1of the drawings, illustrating a pot system according to an example of the present disclosure, generally designated20, comprising a pot housing generally designated22accommodating a pot liner24received within the pot housing22, and a plant26planted in the growing media28(soil) within the pot liner24.

The pot housing22(best seen inFIG.2Aand in sectioned view ofFIG.2B) is a tubular, round vessel, being liquid impermeable (made of liquid impermeable material e.g., porcelain, glass, plastic, metal, etc.), and/or coated with a liquid impermeable layer for improving impermeability thereof. Alternatively, the pot housing can be made of wood, composite materials etc., adjusted as needed to prevent liquid permeability. The pot housing22has a base with an inside bottom surface32, and a bottom surface34for placing on a surface, and side wall38extending from the base30and ending at a pot housing top edge40. Side wall38has an inside surface42and in the present example the side wall38slightly tapers upwardly. The shape and size of the inside section of the pot housing22can vary, however having a nominal size, to which the size of pot liner24corresponds, at least as far as the top edge size of the pot housing.

Turning now toFIG.3, reference is made to the pot liner24, which as mentioned hereinabove, is designated a nominal size corresponding to the pot housing22, such that at an assembled position (FIGS.1and2) the pot liner24is fully received within the pot housing22.

The pot liner24is made of a liquid impermeable material, and has no openings, except near a top edge thereof, as will be discussed hereinafter. The pot liner24is made of a rigid though pliable material, so that it can be deformed upon applying external force thereto, however, will assume its original shape upon ceasing said external force.

The pot liner24has a general frustoconical shape, with a base44and a perimetric side wall46however with a longitudinal inward shaped depression48extending along the side wall46. Once placed within the pot housing22, the depressed/indented portion48serves as a filling duct for filling irrigation liquid into an irrigation liquid reservoir and for accommodating a liquid level indicator, to be discussed. A plant/planting space49is defined by the perimetric side wall46upwardly extending between the base44and a top edge/rim50of the pot liner24.

The top edge50of the pot liner, at the vicinity of the indented portion48, is configured with a retention member52, said retention member can be integral with the pot liner24(as in the example ofFIGS.5A-5C), or it can be applied thereto (as per retention member52′ inFIGS.11A to11D). The retention member52is made of stiff material whereby applying a force thereto results in deformation of the pot liner24. In particular, as illustrated inFIGS.6A and6B, applying radially inward directed force, in direction of arrow F (by user's finger60) the pot liner deforms, at least at a top portion thereof. The retention member52is a crescent-shaped element, complimentary to the top edge50of the pot liner24, though disposed at an opposite orientation, and configured with two end platelets55each having an end edge57.

The arrangement being such that flexibility of the pot liner24facilitates easy insertion into a pot housing, and once in place the top edge50of the pot liner snugly bears against an inside top surface portion of the pot housing (FIG.7D). This is exemplified in sequential images ofFIGS.7A to7D. InFIG.7Athe pot liner24is freely placed within the pot housing22(wherein the top portion of the pot liner rests over the top edge40of the pot housing22). Then, radial inward force F is applied by user's finger60, in direction of arrow F (FIGS.7B and7C) resulting in deformation of the pot liner, namely restricting the circumscribing circle at least at the top portion thereof, such that it is fully positioned within the pot housing (FIG.7D), namely with a top edge50of the pot liner disposed below a top edge40of the of housing22.

As seen, best inFIGS.15and16, at the assembled position the end edges57of end platelets55bare against the inside wall surface42of the pot housing22, providing support and sealing the deformed end portions59of the top edge50against the inside wall surface42of the pot housing22.

As mentioned hereinbefore, the entire body of the pot liner24is liquid impermeable, and however comprises one or more capillary assembly holders, disposed below the top edge50, and configured for passing therethrough a tubular capillary assembly (to be discussed hereinafter in detail). A capillary assembly holder according to an example of the disclosure is designated70(shown in detail inFIGS.4A and4B), and comprises an opening72below the top edge50, the opening extending at a side wall of the pot liner with an axial orientation extending perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the pot liner24. The capillary assembly holder70further comprises a tubular section segment74radially disposed and inwardly extending from the side wall46. The opening72is formed so as to give rise to a path extending such that a capillary assembly generally designated100(discussed in greater detail hereinafter) is forced to bend at an acute angle from the outside of the pot liner into the space49. Thereby, a tubular capillary assembly member can be held by the external channel78formed by the tubular section. The arrangement is such, as will be exemplified hereinbelow, that a tubular capillary assembly can extend from an outside of the pot liner24, through opening72and into the plant space49of the pot liner24. It can be seen that the pot liner24of the example shown inFIG.3comprises a single capillary assembly holder70, whereas the pot liner24of the example shown inFIGS.5A to5Ccomprises three capillary assembly holders70, by way of example.

An irrigation liquid reservoir extends between inside wall surfaces of the pot housing (namely inside bottom surface32and inside wall surface42) and outside surfaces of the pot liner24(namely base surface44and side wall46). It is appreciated that an assembled position of the pot system, the base surface44of the pot liner can reach the inside bottom surface32or extend spaced therefrom, however with a sufficient liquid reservoir extending between the depressed portion48of the pot liner24and the inside wall surface42of the pot housing22, defining a well-like irrigation reservoir47(FIGS.2A,2B,9D,9E,16). As will be explained hereinafter, said well-like irrigation reservoir can accommodate a liquid level indicator.

Another example a of capillary assembly holder80is illustrated inFIGS.13A to13D, said capillary assembly holder80comprises an opening extending through the side wall46of the pot liner24, with a path extending such that the capillary assembly generally designated100(discussed in greater detail hereinafter) is forced to bend at an acute angle from the outside of the pot liner into the space49. Further noted, an outside portion of the capillary assembly holder80is configured with two wing-like members84(best seen inFIG.13B), configured for arresting an outside portion102of the capillary assembly100.

Yet an example of a capillary assembly holder is illustrated in Figs inFIGS.14A to14C. The capillary assembly holder generally designated90simply comprises a cut92at the side wall46of the pot liner, right below the top edge50, with an inward indented portion94.

A simplified example of a capillary assembly holder (not shown) is a mere indent at the top edge of the pot liner, with or without a capillary assembly fastener disposed at either one or both the outside surface of the inside surface of the pot liner.

It is further appreciated. as illustrated inFIG.8, that the pot liner24is shaped such that it can be nestable stacked within like pot liners24i-24n.

Turning now toFIGS.11A to11Dthere is illustrated an example wherein the retention member52′ is detachably attachable over the top edge50of a pot liner24′ (not integral with the retention member52′), wherein the retention member52′ is curved in register with the curvature of the top portion of the pot liner, and comprises a slot61extending between an inside clamping wall63inand an outside clamping wall63out, with a top shoulder65extending between platelets55and end edges57, as discussed above. The arrangement is such that the retention member52′ can be applied over the top edge50of the pot liner, such that prior to assembly (FIG.11C) it does not interfere with nesting-stacking of like pot liners. However, when assembled, as inFIG.11D, the retention member52′ serves as discussed hereinabove as in connection with other examples and wherein the retention member52′ is inclined such that the top shoulder65extends substantially coplanar with the top edge50of the pot liner24′.

Further attention is now directed toFIGS.9A to9Cof the drawings, directed to a subassembly of a retention member associated with an irrigation liquid level indicator, generally designated125. The subassembly125comprises a retention member126configured as a detachable-attachable element, configured for mounting over a top edge of pot liner, as discussed hereinbefore in connection withFIGS.11A to11C, though it is appreciated that the subassembly125can just as well be integral with the pot liner. Whilst the retention member126is substantially similar with that disclosed in connection withFIGS.11A and11B, however it is further configured with an automatic liquid level indicator. The liquid level indicator generally designated128comprises a lid pivotally articulated at hinges134to the retention member126, said lid having a shape complimentary of the indented portion of the liner. The lid130is pivotal between an open position (FIG.9c) and a normally closed position (FIG.9B), where at the closed position the lid extends substantially coplanar with the retention member126and as such, at this position, it covers the opening of the irrigation liquid filling duct (closed inFIG.15; open inFIG.16).

The liquid level indicator128further comprises a buoy134suspended by cord136from a rear portion of the lid130, i.e., behind the lid hinges134. The cord136passes through a guiding port138(FIG.9C) for confirming that the buoy134is freely displaceable within the well-like irrigation reservoir47, and is sufficiently remote from the wall of the indented portion of the line, for avoiding friction therewith. The length of cord136is defined such that the lid130remains at the closed position as long as the buoy134does not drop below a minimal predetermined level within the irrigation liquid reservoir. Once liquid level within the reservoir drops below said minimal predetermined level, the buoy134displaces under gravity in direction of arrow138(FIG.9C) and causing the lid130to displace into its open position (FIGS.9A and9C), said open lid serving as a visible indicator the refiling irrigation liquid is required, and also opens the irrigation liquid reservoir47for filling. It is appreciated that the bottom surface of the lid can be colored with an eye-attracting color. Accordingly, it is apparent that the lid130remains closed and will open only for filling the liquid reservoir47(as shown inFIG.9E), thus minimizing liquid evaporation from the reservoir.

As an alternative to the liquid level indicator128configured with lid130, the irrigation liquid reservoir47can be closed by a manually removable lid150(FIGS.10A and10B), said lid150comprising a closure portion152having a shape complimentary of the indented portion of the liner and configured for bearing over a shoulder of the retention member52, and supporting stem portion154configured for bearing against the wall surface of the indented portion94of pot liner24. When in position the top surface156of lid150is substantially flush with the top edge50of the pot liner24(and said surface can serve as an advertising surface).

Turning now toFIGS.12A to12Creference is made to the capillary assembly generally designated100, also seen inFIGS.13and14. The capillary assembly100comprises a capillary media, which in the illustrated example is a multiple strand woven wick106and it is appreciated that the capillary media can be made of any sort of material, either organic or inorganic, uniform or not, comprising one or more strands, interwoven or not, and combinations thereof. The wick106is received within a liquid impermeable sheath108configured with a first (outside) portion102and a second (inside) portion104, with an intermediate foldable portion106, which in the illustrated example is a bellows-type foldable section. The purpose of the foldable portion is to ensure that at the event of folding the capillary assembly100, even at an acute angle and even at 180°, a lumen of the sheath108remains open, so as to ensure free capillary liquid flow along the wick106.

In use (FIGS.2B and9D), the capillary assembly100is positioned such that a first end112of the capillary wick106projects from the first (outside) portion102of the sheath108, and a second end114of the capillary wick106projects from the second (inside) portion102of the sheath108, wherein first end112of the capillary wick106is immersed at a bottom portion of the liquid reservoir47, and second end114of the capillary wick106is disposed within the growing media28(soil) at the vicinity of a root base of a plant within the pot liner24.

This arrangement, on the one hand, ensures that the plant receives ideal amount of irrigation as it may require and not more than necessary, and, on the other hand, substantially no evaporation takes place from the wick and from the reservoir.

Turning now toFIGS.17A and17Bthere are illustrated an embodiment of pot liners according to an example of the present disclosure, generally designated120, nesting received within one another.

The pot liner differs from the pot liner of the previous example in several aspects. For example, the indented portion222is configured with an array of reinforcing ribs228for reinforcing the indented portion222on the one hand, and on the other hand, reinforcing articulation of the retention member230.

Also noticed, the pot liner220is configured with one or more nesting stoppers/stacking ribs234radially projecting inwardly from an inside surface236of the pot liner220, at a bottom portion thereof. At a bottom, outside portion of the pot liner220there are configured corresponding one or more nesting stopper indentions238, wherein at a nested stacked/nested position the nesting stopper indentions238bear over a top edge240of the stacking ribs234(FIG.17B). Accordingly, at the nested stacked/nested position the retention member230do not engage with one another, thereby preventing their deformation.

Further seen, inFIGS.17A and17C, the capillary assembly holder244is configured in the form of an indention246at the top edge of the pot liner220with two flaps facing each other, extending over said indention246, whereby there is no need to thread a capillary assembly250, but rather it can be simply snapingly engaged within the capillary assembly holder244.

At an assembled position, when the pot liner is functionally received within the pot housing, there may reside forces on the pot liner, which may act in direction so as to pop-up the pot liner from the pot housing. Such forces can be a result of resiliency of the pot liner and the deformation applied to the pot liner when within the pot housing, as well as buoyancy forces of irrigation liquid within the pot housing. Accordingly, there are several solutions configured to prevent spontaneous pop-up of the pot liner.

InFIGS.18A and18Bthere is illustrated a pot housing260according to an example of the disclosure, wherein at a top portion262there is an annular lip264, facing inwardly, and having a diameter DHsmaller than the maximum (top) diameter DLof the pot liner270(which in the example substantially corresponds with an inside diameter of the pot housing260. The arrangement is such that at the assembled position the top edge272of the pot liner270bears under the annular lip264and against the inside wall surface265of the pot housing260, wherein the pot liner286is barred from spontaneous pop-out from the pot housing.

InFIG.18Cthere is illustrated a different example, wherein the pot housing180has a dome-shape section, with a top opening182having diameter DOsmaller than a diameter DIand a top portion of the pot housing180below said opening182, and wherein said diameter DOis smaller than the diameter maximum (top) diameter DLof the pot liner186. The arrangement is such that at the assembled position the top edge188of the pot liner186bears against the inside wall surface185of the pot housing180, below the opening182, wherein the pot liner186is barred from spontaneous pop-out from the pot housing.

Any one of the following solutions, can be configured between the pot liner and the pot housing, for preventing spontaneous pop-up of the pot liner from the pot hosing:a top rim of the pot liner is configured for biased bearing against an inward wall surface of the pot housing, below a top edge of the said pot housing;the top pot liner rim can have a diameter greater than a diameter of top edge of the pot housing;the pot housing can be configured at a top portion thereof with an inward projecting pot liner arresting arrangement, for prevent spontaneous pop-up of the pot liner;the pot liner arresting arrangement can be an inward projection having a diameter suited for arresting a top rim of the pot liner;the inward projection can be an annular rim or a series of projections;the pot housing can have a dome-shape, with a top opening thereof having a narrower diameter with respect a lower body portion thereof;the pot liner can be adhered within the pot housing.