Abstract:
Containers for a plant and a method of constructing thereof. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a plant container includes (1) a pot and (2) a base, coupled to the pot, that is configured to (2A) conform to a surface where the container is placed and (2B) support the pot in a substantially upright position.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     The present application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/749,250, filed on Dec. 9, 2005, by Vernon Lynn Barringer and entitled “CONFORMABLE PLANT POT.” 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention is directed, in general, to containers for plants and, more specifically, to a plant container having a conformal base for use on uneven surfaces such as in the crotch of a tree or bush.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     Pots for plants such as flowers, ivy, etc. have been available for decades. They generally are round in horizontal cross section, although some are square or have an even different shape.  
         [0004]     Pots offer the gardener an opportunity to grow plants that they might otherwise be unable. Permanent pots enable the associated plants to be moved to locations having the best light, protection from extremes of weather, etc. Permanent pots are often unglazed clay because the clay is minimally water-permeable and quite inexpensive. Other permanent pots are often highly decorative and glazed to protect the decoration. The permanent pots almost universally have a central hole in the bottom of the pot to allow excess water to flow through so that a plant&#39;s roots are not continually standing in water.  
         [0005]     Typically, the pots, such as clay pots, glazed or unglazed, are fragile and need to be on a substantial horizontal surface. Other permanent pots may be made from a variety of plastics and are reasonably durable, although not unbreakable. Permanent plastic pots also require placement on a substantial horizontal surface. Placement on sloping or uneven surfaces usually results in the pot and plant falling to an ignominious end.  
         [0006]     Accordingly, what is needed in the art is a plant pot that can be placed on uneven surfaces without risk of falling.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]     To address the above-discussed deficiencies of the prior art, the present invention provides, containers for a plant and a method of constructing a container for a plant. In one aspect, the present invention provides a container for a plant including: (1) a pot and (2) a base, coupled to the pot, that is configured to (2A) conform to a surface where the container is placed and (2B) support the pot in a substantially upright position.  
         [0008]     In another aspect, the present invention provides a method of constructing a container for a plant, including (1) placing a fill material within a sack and (2) fastening the sack to a plant pot.  
         [0009]     In yet another aspect, the present invention provides a plant container, including: (1) a pot having (1A) a receptacle and (1B) a rigid bottom with at least one drainage hole and (2) a base, coupled to the pot at the receptacle, wherein the base is configured to (2A) conform to even and uneven surfaces and (2B) support the pot in a substantially upright position.  
         [0010]     The foregoing has outlined preferred and alternative features of the present invention so that those skilled in the pertinent art may better understand the detailed description of the invention that follows. Additional features of the invention will be described hereinafter that form the subject of the claims of the invention. Those skilled in the pertinent art should appreciate that they can readily use the disclosed conception and specific embodiment as a basis for designing or modifying other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. Those skilled in the pertinent art should also realize that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0011]     For a more complete understanding of the invention, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:  
         [0012]      FIG. 1  illustrates an elevation view of one embodiment of a container for a plant constructed according to the principles of the present invention;  
         [0013]      FIG. 2A  illustrate a front view of an embodiment of a plant container constructed according to the principles of the present invention as the plant container may be used in a tree;  
         [0014]      FIG. 2B  illustrates a side view of the embodiment of the plant container of  FIG. 2A  as the plant container may be used in a tree; and  
         [0015]      FIG. 3  illustrates a front view of an embodiment of the plant container of  FIG. 2A  as it might be employed to hold and grow an ivy in the branch of a tree.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0016]     Referring initially to  FIG. 1 , illustrated is an elevation view of one embodiment of a container for a plant, generally designated a plant container  100 , constructed according to the principles of the present invention. The plant container  100  includes a pot  110  and a base  120 . The base  120  includes a flexible sack  122  having fill material  130 . The base  120  is fastened to the pot employing a securing band  140 .  
         [0017]     The pot  110  is similar to a conventional plant pot. In other words, the pot  110  includes a rigid side or sides that form an opening and a rigid bottom (denoted by  115  in  FIG. 1 ) that is configured to contain soil and a plant. In some embodiments, the pot  110  may be constructed of clay or plastic. In other embodiments, the pot  110  may be constructed of other materials, such as, wood or metal. The pot  110  is cylindrical in shape with tapered sides. However, the shape of the pot  110  may vary.  
         [0018]     Unlike a conventional plant pot, the pot  110  includes a circumferential groove  111  proximate the rigid bottom  115 . The circumferential groove  111  is a receptacle that is used to attach the base  120  to a lower portion of the pot  110 . In other embodiments, the circumferential groove  111  may be located at other portions of the pot  110 , such as, an upper or middle portion. In other embodiments, the receptacle may be different than the circumferential groove  111 . For example, the receptacle may be a series of holes wherein the securing band  140  may be threaded to fasten the base  120  to the pot  110 .  
         [0019]     As noted above, the base  120  includes the flexible sack  122 . The flexible sack  122  is configured to contain the fill material  130  and conform to multiple surfaces to provide support and stability for the pot  110 . The flexible sack  122  may be constructed of a porous material to contain the fill material  130  and allow drainage from the pot  110 . The flexible sack  122 , for example, may be constructed of cloth or plastic. In some embodiments, the flexible sack  122  may be constructed of a net wherein the holes of the net are smaller than the fill material  130 . As such, the flexible sack  122  may even be constructed of metal or other natural materials.  
         [0020]     The fill material  130  may be a small, granular material with a substantial weight. In one embodiment, the fill material  130  may be pebbles, gravel or stones. The fill material  130  can be colorful rocks. Alternatively, the fill material  130  may comprise beads or lead/steel shot, such as common BBs or that used for hunting small game. The type and size of the fill material  130  would be chosen depending upon the need for stabilizing weight for a medium to large plant.  
         [0021]     The securing band  140  may be formed from a twist tie, or may be incorporated in the neck of the flexible sack  122  as a drawstring that is tied to secure the flexible sack  122  to the pot  110 . Alternatively, the securing band  140  may be a cable tie preferably made of plastic or stainless steel that would resist the effects of weather. One who is of skill in the art will understand how a cable tie may be employed to fasten the flexible sack  122  to the pot  110 .  
         [0022]     Referring now to  FIGS. 2A and 2B , illustrated are front and side views of a plant container  250  constructed according to the principles of the present invention. The plant container  250  includes components as discussed above with respect to the plant container  100  of  FIG. 1 . As such, the same designations will be used for these components. The receptacle of a pot, however, of the plant container  250  (which is also a circumferential groove), is located proximate a top of a pot instead of proximate a bottom of a pot. As such, a pot of the plant container  250  will be denoted as the pot  260 .  
         [0023]     As mentioned above, the flexible sack  122  may be constructed of a durable, porous cloth or flexible plastic material that allows excess water to drain from the pot  260 , around the fill material  130  and through the flexible sack  122 . The fill material  130  has sufficient weight to prevent the plant container  250  from falling over when placed on an uneven surface. Further, the combination of the flexible sack  122  and the fill material  130  enables the flexible sack  122  to conform to the uneven surface. Note that the flexible sack  122  has enough unfilled space therein that at least a portion of the flexible sack  122  will fall to each side  211 ,  212  of a crotch  210  in the tree  200  and the pot  260  will be securely surrounded by the fill material  130 . This enables the pot  260  to remain stable in the crotch  210  as well as to carry water away from the tree crotch  210  at lowest points  221 ,  222  of the flexible sack  122 .  
         [0024]     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , illustrated is a front view of the plant container  250  of  FIG. 2  as it might be employed to hold and grow ivy  310  in the crotch  210  of the tree  200 . In this way, shade loving plants, especially those with bright, contrasting foliage to the tree, can be grown in the shade of the tree  200  yet not be attached to the tree  200 , as a parasitical plant would. Of course, the plants to be grown in the plant container  250  are not limited to ivy, but are limited only by the environment present in the vicinity of the plant container  250 .  
         [0025]     Another benefit of the present invention is that potted plants may now be grown on an uneven surface without danger of the pot falling. Additionally, potted plants may now be grown away from animals, such as dogs, that tend to destroy plants that they can reach on the ground. Furthermore, plants may now be readily taken indoors to protect the plants from inclement weather. Additionally, one who is of skill in the art can readily envision applications other than the tree crotch that present an uneven surface where the conformable plant pot may be employed. For example, the plant container  250  may be positioned on a waterfall of a swimming pool. Furthermore, the conformal plant pot is not restricted to use in trees, but may also be used in bushes, etc.  
         [0026]     The plant containers of the present invention may be sold fully assembled, or as a kit to be assembled by the end user. To construct a plant container according to the present invention, one may form a base by placing fill material in a sack and attaching the base, the sack with the fill material to a pot. In some embodiments, the pot will have a receptacle wherein the base can be fastened by a band.  
         [0027]     In a kit to be assembled, fill material may be packaged within a flexible sack along with a securing band, all of which may be conveniently packaged inside of the pots. With the plant container packaged as a kit, the end user may adjust the amount of fill material to fit the specifics of their own application.  
         [0028]     Although the present invention has been described in detail, those skilled in the art should understand that they can make various changes, substitutions and alterations herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention in its broadest form.