Abstract:
A growing apparatus in which a plant is grown includes a container having a bottom and a surrounding wall member attached to the bottom, and a perforated partition located in the container above the bottom to define a water reservoir space. The container further includes a plurality of holders extending upwardly from the bottom and attached to the surrounding wall. Each holder includes a first portion which vertically engages the perforated partition to hold the partition a predetermined distance above the bottom, and a second portion which horizontally engages the perforated partition to hold the surrounding wall member adjacent the partition. The perforated partition further includes a planar base and a skirt depending from the base, whereby the skirt is engaged by the first portion and the second portion of the container. The apparatus has various cover elements to be placed over a plant growing medium which in use is filled in above the perforated partition.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This Application is related to and claims the benefit of Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/796,201, filed May 1, 2006, Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/861,738, filed Nov. 30, 2006, and U.S. application Ser. No. 11/741,309, filed Apr. 27, 2007, all of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present application relates to constructions useful in an existing, commercially-available product known as a self-watering planter sold under the trademark EARTHBOX®, or the like-planter. The EARTHBOX® trademark is the subject of U.S. Reg. No. 1,906,561. The EARTHBOX® self-watering planter container relates to one or more of several U.S. patents granted to Blake Whisenant, namely, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,103,584; 5,193,306; 5,379,547; 5,524,387; 5,555,675, which are incorporated herein by reference. 
         [0003]    The EARTHBOX® growing container typically includes, among other things, a planting container, a perforated partition spaced from the bottom of the container, and a water overflow means to control the water level below the perforated partition when in use. Additionally, the EARTHBOX® self-watering planter (after being provided with growing medium and nutrients in the upper portion of the container above the partition), is covered by an element also known as “plastic mulch” or described as a sheet, top or cover to protect the nutrients from degradation by the environment such as rain or the like. The existing EARTHBOX® planter uses a flexible replaceable cover which has an elasticized periphery to fit down over the outer upper edge of the planting container. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    In accordance with the present invention, a growing apparatus in which a plant is grown includes a container having a bottom and a surrounding wall member attached to the bottom, and a perforated partition located in the container above the bottom. The container is preferably rectangular further includes a plurality of holders extending upwardly from the bottom and is attached to the surrounding wall. Each holder includes a first portion which vertically engages the perforated partition to hold the partition a predetermined distance above the bottom, and a second portion which horizontally engages the perforated partition to hold the surrounding wall member adjacent the partition. The perforated partition is likewise preferably rectangular and further includes a planar base and a skirt depending from the base, whereby the skirt is engaged by the first portion and by the second portion of the container. 
         [0005]    In a preferred embodiment, the perforated partition includes a series of reinforcing bosses extending between the skirt and the planar base. These reinforcing bosses strengthen the perforated partition vertically as well as horizontally. In addition, the perforated partition includes a reinforcing rib extending between opposed sides of the skirt. This reinforcing rib strengthens the perforated partition vertically as well as horizontally. More preferably, the perforated partition includes at least two of the reinforcing ribs which meet at an intersection; and then the container includes a support upstanding from the bottom which engages the reinforcing ribs at the intersection to vertically support the perforated partition at the intersection. 
         [0006]    Other features and advantages of the present invention are stated in or apparent from detailed descriptions of presently preferred embodiments of the invention found herein below. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]      FIG. 1  is a side elevation view of an apparatus including a growing container with a staking system attached according to the present invention. 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is an end elevation view of the apparatus depicted in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  is an isometric top, end and side view showing the interior of the growing container depicted in  FIG. 1  without the growing medium plants, etc.; and in particular it depicts the outer growing container with the perforated partition spaced vertically from the bottom of the container. 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  is an isometric top, end and side exploded view of a portion of the container and one outrigger as depicted in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0011]      FIG. 5  is an isometric bottom, side and end exploded view of the container and outrigger as depicted in  FIG. 4 . 
           [0012]      FIG. 6  is an exploded and enlarged isometric bottom, end and side view depicting a rim clamp and a portion of a vertical stake used for attachment to the rim of the container. 
           [0013]      FIG. 7  is an enlarged isometric bottom, side and end view with portions cut away depicting the inter-engagement means between the perforated partition and the inside of the bottom and sides of the container. 
           [0014]      FIG. 8  is an isometric bottom, end and side view of the perforated partition depicting the strengthening webs and gussets molded into the partition. 
           [0015]      FIG. 9  is an isometric top, end and side view of the perforated partition of  FIG. 8 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 10  is an isometric top, end and side view showing the interior of the growing container depicted in  FIG. 3  and without the perforated partition. 
           [0017]      FIG. 11  is a partial isometric view showing one end of an EARTHBOX® growing container and depicts a cover element according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 12  is a partial view of the cover element depicted in  FIG. 11 . 
           [0019]      FIG. 13  is a plan view of another embodiment of a cover element for use with a growing container. 
           [0020]      FIG. 14  depicts still another embodiment of a cover element arranged on top of the growing medium situated within the confines of the growing container. 
           [0021]      FIG. 15  is an isometric view showing still another embodiment of the cover element for use in a growing container. 
           [0022]      FIG. 16  depicts another embodiment of a cover element in an isometric view that shows wire structure for insertion into the corner regions of the growing medium in a growing container. 
           [0023]      FIG. 17  is still another isometric view of a modification of the wire depicted as part of  FIG. 16 . 
           [0024]      FIG. 18  is an isometric view schematically showing a growing container with one embodiment of the cover element in an open and covering relationship. 
           [0025]      FIG. 19  is an isometric view of another embodiment of the cover element wherein clip means are provided at the corner of the cover element and the clip means are engageable with the corner portions of the growing container. Furthermore,  FIG. 19  depicts a nipple attached to the overflow element of the growing container whereby a tube or other conduit may be attached. 
           [0026]      FIG. 20  is an isometric view of a growing container on a structure for supporting the container above a floor or the like. 
           [0027]      FIG. 21  is an isometric view of another embodiment of a cover element for a growing container wherein upper and lower sheets of covering material are utilized and are connected at two places along the axis of the cover for holding plant nutrients. 
           [0028]      FIG. 22  is a isometric view showing a schematically growing container with still another form of cover element wherein plant locations are depicted by perforated circular areas. 
           [0029]      FIG. 23  is a further detailed diagram of one embodiment of cover element utilized in the manner depicted in  FIG. 12 . 
           [0030]      FIG. 24  is a partial isometric view of a cross section of a growing container depicting a design for a nutrient container including anchoring means for said container as arranged on the upper surface of growing medium shown in phantom lines. 
           [0031]      FIG. 25  is still another embodiment of a containing structure for the nutrient material. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0032]    With reference now to the drawings in which like numerals represent like elements,  FIGS. 1 and 2  depict a growing apparatus  10  in accordance with the present invention. Growing apparatus  10  includes an Earthbox® type container  12 , which is depicted as a truncated rectangular structure and which has been formed by an integral blow molding or the like. As shown in the Whisenant patents noted above, container  12  holds, above a partition beneath which a reservoir is formed, a growing medium and fertilizer for growing plants such as tomato plants, green peppers, etc. 
         [0033]    At the outer lower ends container  12  there is a staking system  20  which includes a pair of outriggers  14 . As best seen in  FIGS. 1-2  and  4 - 6 , each outrigger  14  is configured to have lateral feet  16  that extend outward from the side of the container  12  and a longitudinal foot  18  that extends outward from the end along the longitudinal axis of the container  12 . The purpose of the outriggers  14  are to provide additional stability to the planted container  12 ; and additionally to provide a support function for a remainder of staking system  20  which includes two vertical stakes  22 , two connectors  24  and a horizontal interconnecting stable bar or element  26  as depicted in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . As shown, the bottom of vertical stake  22  is received in and extends upwards from a hole  28  having a closed bottom end which is provided in the free end of each respective longitudinal foot  18 . 
         [0034]      FIG. 3  depicts the arrangement of the perforated partition  30  within the lower portion of the container  12 . As depicted, the opposite ends of the partition have cut-outs  32 . When growing apparatus  10  is assembled, the growing medium (not shown) is placed on top of partition  30  and additionally in the cut-outs  30  at the corners of the container  12  down to the bottom of container  12 . Thus, the growing medium in the cut-outs  32  provide a wicking function for water, located in the lower reservoir portion  82  of the container  12  below the perforated partition  30 , to the growing medium located above partition  30  and mostly otherwise filling container  12 . 
         [0035]    As seen in  FIG. 4 , each outrigger  14  is provided with vertically oriented pins  36  that engage with and into the bottom of the container  12 . As further depicted in the exploded view of  FIG. 5 , spaced pin receiving holes  38  which are closed (see  FIG. 10 ) are integrally molded in the horizontal base of the container  12  to receive respective pins  36 . When viewed from above as in  FIG. 10 , closed holes  38  appear as an upstanding cylinder  38 ′ as shown in the one corner, which cylinder  38 ′ in this case is also formed with other elements as discussed below. Also, as depicted most clearly in  FIG. 5 , the lateral feet  16  of each outrigger  14  have bushings or defined holes  40  into which the vertical pins of respective casters or other wheels  42  may be inserted to provide mobility for moving a planted growing apparatus  10  around. Such ease of mobility is an advantage in that the entire growing apparatus  10  can be moved from one place to another as desired such as might be desired due to weather changes, the position of the sun during the afternoon, etc. Furthermore, the use of caster wheels  42  makes it much more easier to move the container  12  when completely planted because the container  12  when planted contains water and growing medium of substantial weight. If desired, a caster pin hole can also be provided at the end of longitudinal foot  18  extending up through closed hole  28  as well to add two additional castor wheels to additionally help support the weight and/or mobility of growing apparatus  10 . Alternatively, the pins of the caster wheels can be inserted directly in closed holes  38  is staking system  20  is not used or not currently being used. 
         [0036]    As also depicted in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , vertical stakes  22  are reinforced or held securely at the level of the rim  48  of the container  12  through the use of a rim clamp  50 . As depicted in the exploded view in  FIG. 6 , the rim clamp  50  includes an upper clamp element  52  and a bottom clamp element  54  which inter-engage. When inter-engaged, both elements  52 ,  54  define aligned holes  56  and  58  through which the vertical stake is inserted during assembly of the staking system  20 . As depicted in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , when completely assembled, upper rim clamp  52  and bottom rim clamp  54  are engaged and held tightly together by means of a carriage bolt  60  and a wing nut  62  passing therethrough in respective holes  64  and  66 —both of which have a square end as depicted for hole  64  so bolt  60  can be inserted into either element  52  or  54 . Clamp elements  52  and  54  are obviously secured over and under the overturned rim  48  of container  12  so that when wing nut  62  is tightened rim clamp  50  is thus rigidly attached to container  12 . 
         [0037]      FIG. 5  also depicts the arrangement of the bottom portion of the container  12  which utilizes concave indentations  68   a  and  68   b  at the longitudinal center of each intersection of the side and bottom. In horizontally larger (as shown best in phantom in  FIG. 2 ) indentation  68   a , a water overflow opening  70  is formed. Overflow opening  70  is simply a vertical hole and is used for easy water drainage whenever the height of water in container  12  is temporarily above opening  70  as sometime occurs when the reservoir  82  (discussed below) is overfilled inadvertently (or purposefully, to bring the water level up to its maximum desired height). Opening  70  is resistant to blockage, as anything tending to block the opening  70  which is smaller than opening  70  is pulled by gravity through opening  70 . It will also be noted that the other, smaller concave indentation  68   b  is provided for aesthetics and symmetry. 
         [0038]      FIG. 7  shows a partial cut-away view of the longitudinal corner of the perforated partition  30  engaging the lower interior portion of the container  12 .  FIG. 7  also shows that integral, vertically gusseted bosses or holders  74  are located somewhat spaced from the outer wall of the container  12  so as to provide an inter-engagement means for partition  30 . In particular, this engagement means is in the form of a free end  79  for the depending skirt  76  formed around the outer periphery of the perforated partition  30 . Also the perforated partition  30  has integral strengthening gusseted bosses  78  as well as integral webs or ribs  80  running across and lengthwise along the bottom of the perforated partition  30 . Bosses  78  and ribs  80  provide strength so that the perforated partition can support the vertical weight of a growing medium and plants and other items which are utilized to grow plants. Bosses  78  and ribs  80  also provide horizontal strength so that when skirt  76  is trapped behind free end  79  of holders  74  of container  12 , the sidewalls of container  12  will not bow out under the pressure/weight of the growing medium and water contained in container  12  during use. It will be appreciated that the area in  FIG. 7  located below the perforated partition  30  and above the horizontal bottom of the growing container  12  is the water reservoir  82  where water is held during use, but only up to a certain maximum level depending upon the vertical location of the water overflow opening  70  as shown in  FIG. 5  and discussed above. 
         [0039]      FIG. 8  is an isomeric view of the bottom of the perforated partition  30  showing its outer skirt  76  as well as the sideways and lengthways support webs or ribs  80  in addition to integral gusseted bosses  78  which are arranged around the inner and lower periphery of the perforated partition  30 . Also depicted are the cut-out corners  32  as well as a hole  86  in the most right hand corner of  FIG. 8  for allowing a water filler pipe  88  to be inserted through the partition  30  into the lower water reservoir  82  of an assembled container  12 . 
         [0040]      FIG. 9  is an isometric view depicting the top of the perforated partition  30  and showing the circular hole  86  in the corner and the cut-out corners  32  provided in at least one corner of the perforated partition  30 . The tube  88  or the like is snuggly received in hole  86  before the growing medium is added and extends above rim  48 . After the growing medium is added and growing of plants commences, water for the plants is easily poured down tube  88  and into reservoir  82  when/as needed; and as often as desired without fear of over-watering since any excess water will drain out of water overflow opening  70 . It will be noted that perforated partition  30  has no perforations immediately above and around overflow opening  70 , and a cut-out  72  in skirt  76  facilitates drainage through overflow opening  70 . 
         [0041]    Depicted in  FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the bottom of container  12  showing a dam structure  90  provided below where the cut-out  32  of perforated partition  30  is located (at both ends). Dam structure  90  is formed of upstanding pillars  92  with vertical flanges  94  extending therefrom toward adjacent pillars  92 ; and at the location of cylinder  38 ′, pillars  92  and flanges  94  are formed integrally therewith above cylinder  38 ′. The flanges  94  do not touch or meet, but instead provide a small vertical passage. In addition, it will be appreciated that skirt  76  is raised (does not extend as low) at the location of cut-out  32 , while pillars  92  are shorter than holders  74 . Thus, during use, water is easily transported over and around pillars  92  and flanges  94  into the growing medium deposited in cut-out  32  when reservoir  82  has water therein, but the coarser growing medium is largely dammed up behind dam structure  90  during use. 
         [0042]      FIG. 10  also depicts upstanding supports  98  extending from the bottom of container  12 . Supports  98  are located at the intersections of ribs  80 , and extend up to the intersections. Supports  98  thus vertically support ribs  80  and hence perforated partition  30  at these locations to help prevent a downward bowing of perforated partition  30  during use. 
         [0043]    It should be apparent that the improvements depicted provide for ease of manufacture and use of the disclosed growing apparatus  10 . For example, the container  12  itself may be injection molded so as to integrally form the rim  48 , the water overflow opening  70  and the openings or holes  38  for outrigger  14  or castors  42 . Furthermore, it should be apparent that the perforated partition  30  may be injection molded to provide a strengthened horizontal base for supporting the growing medium, the fertilizer and the plants among other elements when the growing apparatus  10  is completely assembled and operational. 
         [0044]    In addition, it should be apparent that the design of the container  12  itself is aesthetically pleasing and that the design of the rim clamp is more aesthetically pleasing than the flexible ties utilized in the prior art for tying vertical wooden stakes to the interior of prior EARTHBOX® containers. 
         [0045]      FIG. 11  depicts the arrangement of the EARTHBOX® growing container designated as  101  including a container  102 , a cover sheet  103 , and wires  104  having an end configuration for insertion in hole  105  molded in the top edge of container  102 . It should be understood that a wire  104  extends along substantially the entire length of the growing container and one is positioned on each lateral side of the cover sheet.  FIG. 12  depicts one specific end design for wire  104  according to one embodiment of the cover sheet  103 . 
         [0046]      FIG. 13  depicts a plan view of still another embodiment of cover sheet  131  wherein the cover sheet has been modified by cutouts in each of its four corners as well as being provided with a opening  106  for the insertion of a plant, for evaporation, for a water fill tube typically used in a EARTHBOX® brand growing container, or the like. 
         [0047]      FIG. 14  is a plan view of a planting container  121  with an associated cover sheet  132  for substantially covering the growing medium enclosed within the periphery of container  121 . 
         [0048]      FIG. 15  is a depiction of another embodiment of the cover sheet made from a tubular sheet of plastic designated as  132  and having linear wires  141  inserted in each folded edge of the cover sheet. 
         [0049]      FIG. 16  depicts another embodiment of a cover sheet  133  wherein the wires  143  have downwardly projecting portions located in the corners of the cover sheet so that these downwardly directed portions can be inserted into the upper surface of the growing medium contained within the growing container to securely hold the cover sheet over the growing medium and fertilizer of the growing container. 
         [0050]      FIG. 17  is still another embodiment of the wire utilized in, for example  FIG. 16 , wherein an additional bend called “around the corner” is provided to cooperate with the shape of the container. Otherwise, the vertical portions of wire  144  serves the same function as wire  143  in  FIG. 16 . 
         [0051]      FIG. 18  is a isometric view showing a growing container  102  in diagrammatic form whereby the cover sheet, including its linear wire inserts such as shown in  FIG. 5 , is associated with the remainder of the growing container.  FIG. 18 , shows cover sheet  132  in an open position to the left and a closed position over the growing medium area of the container when moved in the direction of the arrow. 
         [0052]      FIG. 19  is an isometric view diagrammatically depicting a growing container wherein cover sheet  134  is attached to the four corners of the growing container by means of clip means designated as elements  115 . These clip means have downwardly directed pins that engage into vertically oriented holes formed in the upper edge area of the corners of the container.  FIG. 19  also depicts a container  102  having a nipple  122  formed around the water overflow location so that the overflow may be conducted away to a position where the overflow water will not harm the supporting surface. For example, if EARTHBOX® container is being utilized on a table, then the overflow can be directed to a container situated elsewhere on the table or located away from the table at a lower level so that water overflowing from the self-watering planter will flow to an excess water container or be used on a lawn or for other gardening purposes. 
         [0053]      FIG. 21  depicts still another embodiment of a cover sheet  134  which is provided with an impervious upper sheet and a pervious under sheet to form a substantially tubular opening  135  extending along the length of the cover sheet so that plant nutrient material may be inserted into the opening  135  and provided on the self-watering planter at the same time that the cover sheet  134  is attached to the upper portion of the planting container. Also see the discussion regarding  FIG. 15  above in connection with linear wire elements  141 . It should be apparent that many different arrangements of this embodiment may be designed wherein the plant nutrients are physically connected with the cover sheet for the growing container. It should be understood that the lower web of the cover sheet utilized in  FIG. 21  is provided with a porous structure so that the plant nutrients can effectively pass through the structure to interact with moisture in the growing medium and the plants. 
         [0054]      FIG. 22  schematically depicts a growing container utilizing a cover sheet  103  having indicia thereon to indicate areas for planting of a seedling or seeds. Thus, the linear arrangement of circular indicia are meant to depict perforations or other weakened areas of the cover sheet so that the gardener has specific structural guidance for the placement of seeds or seedlings. 
         [0055]      FIG. 23  depicts a specific embodiment similar to the cover sheet depicted in  FIG. 18 , for example using linear side wires for attaching to the lateral sides of a planting container and perforated circular portions of the coversheet  135  which may be easily removed by tearing or punching by the gardener prior to placing the seeds or plants through the opening formed by the removal of the circular portion. 
         [0056]      FIG. 24  depicts a self-watering planter  101  having a container  102  and a perforated wall  108  supported above the water-holding portion of the container. Moreover, it schematically depicts growing medium  109  filled within the upper portion of the growing container and a porous fertilizer holding container  116  which is situated along the lineal axis of the container on the surface of the growing medium. Downwardly projecting elements  117  are provided to securely position the element  116  in place so that the source of plant nutrients does not shift during usage of the planted container. It should be understood that a cover sheet such as depicted in  FIG. 11  for example is applied over the plant nutrient-holding element  116  prior to planting the seeds or seedlings. 
         [0057]      FIG. 25  is another embodiment of the porous container  6  for plant nutrients and it depicts downwardly extending elements  117  connected to the nutrient holding element for purposes of securely positioning the nutrient containing element on the top surface of the growing medium  109  such as depicted in  FIG. 24 . 
         [0058]    While the present invention has been described with respect to exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that variations and modifications can be effected within the scope and spirit of the invention.