Patent Publication Number: US-2022232779-A1

Title: Plant holder with integrated lighting fixture and aesthetic features

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 63/178,729 entitled, “Plant Holder Apparatus with Integrated Lighting and Aesthetic Features” filed Apr. 23, 2021, and this application is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/550,237 entitled, “Concrete Structure with Embedded Aesthetic Features” which claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 63/128,666 entitled, “Concrete Structure with Embedded Aesthetic Features” filed Dec. 21, 2020, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The present disclosure is generally related to plant holders and more particularly is related to a plant holder apparatus with integrated lighting fixture and aesthetic features. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     Plants, flowers, and other agricultural products are often used to increase the appearance of homes, business, public facilities, and other settings. In many situations, lights are often utilized to illuminate gardens or pathways. It is also common to use outdoor landscape lighting to specifically illuminate a particular plant or tree which is to be highlighted due to it having a particularly pleasing appearance. 
     The lights used in these situations are typically referred to as landscape lighting, and they often include a stand-alone lighting fixture which is weather-resistant, or a group of weather-resistant lighting fixtures which are connected together and powered collectively. These types of landscape lighting fixtures often operate on a low voltage power supply with power cords buried out of sight underground, such that the fixture itself and the lighting components are not prominent in appearance and do not detract from the landscaping they are illuminating. Due to the need to bury power cords underground, it can be difficult and inefficient to install this type of lighting because it often involves trenching in the ground between the location where the landscape lighting fixture is to be positioned and a power supply. Additionally, it is also tedious to move the location of landscape lighting fixtures after they are installed since doing so usually requires digging new trenches for the power cords. 
     Thus, a heretofore unaddressed need exists in the industry to address the aforementioned deficiencies and inadequacies. 
     SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     Embodiments of the present disclosure provide an apparatus, a system, and a method for a plant holder apparatus with integrated lighting fixture. Briefly described, in architecture, one embodiment of the apparatus, among others, can be implemented as follows. A plant holder apparatus with integrated lighting fixture has a least one portable container capable of holding a plant. A lighting device is integrated into at least a portion of the portable container, wherein the lighting device is capable of illuminating a central region above the portable container. A power supply is connected to the lighting device. 
     The present disclosure can also be viewed as providing a cast concrete plant holder apparatus with integrated lighting fixture. Briefly described, in architecture, one embodiment of the apparatus, among others, can be implemented as follows. A portable container is formed from a cast concrete material, the portable container having an interior space capable of holding a plant within a quantity of potting medium. At least one lighting device is integrated into a sidewall of the portable container, where the at least one lighting device directs a quantity of light upwards towards a central region above the portable container, thereby illuminating a plant positionable within the portable container. A power supply is connected to the at least one lighting device. 
     The present disclosure can also be viewed as providing a method of manufacturing a plant holder apparatus with integrated lighting fixture. In this regard, one embodiment of such a method, among others, can be broadly summarized by the following steps: forming a portable container capable of holding a plant; integrating at least one lighting device into at least a portion of the portable container; supplying a quantity of electric power to the at least one lighting device; and activating the at least one lighting device, thereby illuminating a central region above the portable container. 
     Other systems, methods, features, and advantages of the present disclosure will be or become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following drawings and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features, and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the present disclosure, and be protected by the accompanying claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Many aspects of the disclosure can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present disclosure. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views. 
         FIG. 1  is a cross-sectional diagrammatical illustration of a plant holder apparatus with integrated lighting fixture, in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  is a detailed cross-sectional diagrammatical illustration of a portion of the plant holder apparatus with integrated lighting fixture of  FIG. 1 , in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional diagrammatical illustration of the plant holder apparatus with integrated lighting fixture, in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional diagrammatical illustration of the plant holder apparatus with integrated lighting fixture, in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 5  is a flowchart illustrating a method of manufacturing a plant holder apparatus with integrated lighting fixture, in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     To improve upon the shortcomings as described in the Background, the subject disclosure is directed to a plant holder apparatus with integrated lighting fixture  10  which can be used to individually illuminate the central region above the portable container holding a plant.  FIG. 1  is a cross-sectional diagrammatical illustration of a plant holder apparatus with integrated lighting fixture  10 , in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. The plant holder apparatus with integrated lighting fixture  10 , which may be referred to simply as ‘apparatus  10 ’ includes a least one portable container  20  capable of holding a plant  12 . The container  20  may be a container or vessel used to hold any type of plant  12  or similar agriculture product. As shown, the container  20  may be a flowerpot or similarly-fashioned container which has an interior volume  22  which can receive the plant  12  and any soil  14  or potting medium which may be used to support the plant  12  or a root structure thereof. The container  20  may include one or more sidewalls  24  which partially enclose the interior volume  22 , whereby an opening  26  at the top of the container  20  remains open. The container  20  may also include other designs with different openings  26  or varying sidewalls  24 , such as, for example a container  20  which includes partitioned areas, side-mounted potting area, or similar designs. 
     The container  20  may be any size or any shape, and it may be made from any type of material. In one preferred example, the container  20  may be constructed from a concrete material or similar composition, where the container  20  is molded in a form. Other materials, such as plastics, woods, or metals may be used to construct the container  20 , either in full or in part. In accordance with this disclosure, the container  20  is described as ‘portable’ to indicate that the portable container  20  can be moved or relocated with relative ease, and as desired by the user. Accordingly, the container  20  may be sized such that it can be carried by a single human, such as when the container  20  is substantially 50 pounds or less, or the container may be larger such that machinery, such as a hand truck or tractor is used to transport the container  20 . Additionally, it is noted that the portable container  20  could be another type of container outside of what is commonly used to hold plants, for example, a decorative pot or pottery which holds something other than a plant, such as a sculpture or similar item which is desired to be illuminated for decorative purposes. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , a lighting device  30  may be integrated into at least a portion of the container  20 , such as by mounting or securing the lighting device  30 , or a portion thereof, to or within a sidewall  24  of the container  20 . The lighting device  30  may include a light bulb or diode, such as a light-emitting diode (LED), which is positioned within a housing, or on a chip in the case of an LED, and which receives electrical power from a power supply  40  to generate a quantity of light  32  which can be directed to the plant  12  within the container  20 . It is noted that any type of lighting device  30  may be used, but LED-based lighting devices may be preferred due to their relatively low energy consumption and bright illumination. The LED-based lighting device may include single LED fixtures, arrays of LEDs, LED strips, or similar LED lighting units, all of which are considered within the scope of the present disclosure. 
     The lighting device  30  may be connected with the power supply  40  through use of a wire  42  which is embedded or otherwise positioned within or on the container  20  or a sidewall  24  thereof. For instance, when the container  20  is formed, such as from concrete, it may be formed with cast tubes through or within the sidewalls  24  which the wires  42  can be later placed, or it can be cast with the wires  42  in place within the concrete sidewall  24  such that they are non-removable from the container  20 . In other examples, it may be possible to use induction power to supply electrical power to the lighting device  30 , therefore, such that a wire  42  is not needed. Additionally, it is possible for the lighting device  30  to operate without the use of external wires, such as when the lighting device  30  utilizes an integrated battery or similar power source which is positioned substantially at or within the lighting device  30 . 
     The lighting device  30  may be positioned within the sidewall  24  of the container  20  in a location proximate to a top edge or rim of the container  20 , e.g., at or near the terminating upper portion of the sidewall  24 . In this position, the light  32  provided by the lighting device  30  may be directed upwards towards a central region above the container  20  where a plant  12  growing within the container  20  is positioned. The lighting device  30  may be affixed to the interior surface  25  of the sidewall  24  of the container  20 , or as shown in  FIG. 1 , the lighting device  30  may be positioned within a cavity  28  formed within the interior surface  25  of the sidewall  24 . In this position, the interior surface  25  of the cavity  28  can help direct the light  32  towards the plant  12  and the lighting device  30  can remain in a position safely inset from the interior surface  25  of the sidewall  24  from where it might be damaged by a gardening tool used within the container  20 . It is noted that the position of the lighting device  30  can be adjusted to another position, such as closer to the rim of the container  20 , further down within the container  20 , or even along the upper rim edge of the container  20 , all of which are considered within the scope of the present disclosure. 
     The location of the lighting device  30  may be selected based on the intended use of the apparatus  10 . For instance, in some situations, it may be desirable to include the lighting device  30  in a position near a top rim of the sidewall  24 , whereas in other situations, it may be preferable for the lighting device  30  to be positioned on a horizontal or substantially horizontal top rim surface  27  of the sidewall  24 , such as discussed relative to  FIG. 4 . It may also be possible for the lighting device  30  to be positioned on other locations of the container  20 , such as on an exterior surface of the sidewall  24 , near a base of the container  20 , or elsewhere within the interior  22  of the container  20 . 
     Additionally, as depicted in  FIG. 1 , it is possible for a plurality of lighting devices  30  to be used instead of a single lighting device  30 . For instance, a plurality of lighting devices  30  may be used in various locations on the container  20 . For example, in addition to lighting devices  30  directing light  32  interiorly towards the plant  12 , it is possible to include lighting devices  30  along an exterior surface of the sidewall  24 , such that the light  32  emitted therefrom extends outwards from the container  20 . In  FIG. 1 , these externally-facing lighting devices  30  are depicted as part of an aesthetic feature  50  which is positioned on the container  20 . The aesthetic feature may be a decorative structure which can be integrally affixed or formed on the container  20 , or it may be a structure which can be applied separately to the container  20 . This aesthetic feature  50  may be especially useful for containers  20  formed from concrete, where the aesthetic feature  50  adds a design, a logo, text, or artwork to the container  20 . The aesthetic feature  50  may also be a design which is cast directly into the sidewall  24  of the container  20 . 
     One or more power supplies  40  may be used to provide a quantity of electrical power to the lighting devices  30 . The power supply  40  may include any type of power supply, such as hard-wired electrical power, electrical power supplied through a plug-in at a receptacle, solar power, or any combination thereof. In  FIG. 1 , the power supply  40  is depicted as a solar power unit which is integrated into the container  30 , such that the apparatus  10  does not need to be plugged in and can be relocated with ease. The solar power unit may include a photovoltaic cell or cells positioned at an exterior surface of the container  20 , such that they can receive sunlight  14  to generate an electrical current which can be provided to the lighting device  30  simultaneously, or at a later point in time. 
       FIG. 2  is a detailed cross-sectional diagrammatical illustration of a portion of the plant holder apparatus  10  with integrated lighting of  FIG. 1 , in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. In particular,  FIG. 2  depicts a detailed image of the top edge portion of the sidewall  24  of the container  20  showing the lighting device  30  and the power supply  40 , in accordance with one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. The power supply  40 , depicted as a solar unit, includes a photovoltaic (PV) panel  44  which is positioned along a top, outer edge of the container  20 , such that it can be positioned to face substantially skyward and receive sunlight. The PV panel  44  may be connected to a battery  46  which can store the electrical energy produced by the PV panel  44  during the sunlight hours, whereby the electrical energy is discharged at night or when the lighting is desired. The solar unit may include control circuity with a light sensor or photo eye  48  which can detect sunlight, thereby controlling the operation of the lighting unit  30  without requiring the user to manually turn the lighting unit  30  on or off. Additional or different components, as commonly used with solar-powered devices, can also be included. 
     It is further noted that the solar unit power supply  40  can be integrated into the container  20  itself, such as where a channel  60 , either a single continuous channel or a plurality of separate channels, is formed in the top rim of the container  20  which is likely to receive the greatest quantity of sunlight. In this example, the channel  60  may have a depth which can receive the power supply  40  components, as shown, with the PV panel  44  positioned along the top edge of the container  20 . The power supply  40  components may be formed together as a unitary structure which is weather tight, such that water will not infiltrate the electronics, or it may also be possible to use a water-sealing device, such as a gasket  62  which ensures that water does not gain access to the channel  60 . In other examples, the power supply  40  can be affixed to or on the container  20  without positioning it within the sidewall  24  of the container  20  itself, all such designs and possibilities are considered within the scope of the present disclosure. 
     In another example of the apparatus  10 ,  FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional diagrammatical illustration of the plant holder apparatus with integrated lighting fixture, in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. The apparatus  10  of  FIG. 3  is substantially the same as that discussed relative to  FIGS. 1-2 , all the reference characters of which carry over, with the difference in  FIG. 3  being that the power supply  40  is provided as a separate unit which can be positioned remote from the container  20  itself. As shown, the power supply  40  is depicted as a separate unit which is staked in the ground and has a solar unit which has a PV panel  44  to receive sunlight  14 . The electrical energy generated by the PV panel  44  may be transmitted through the power supply  40  and through one or more transmission wires  49  which are capable of being connected to the wires  42  internal to the container  20  sidewall  24 . 
     In this design, the separate power supply  40  with the transmission wires  49  allows for the power supply  40  to be positioned remote from the container  20 , such that it can be positioned in a location with more sunlight or a location which is less visible to viewers of the plant  12  and container  20 . Not only may this increase the aesthetic appearance of the apparatus  10  used in a garden or elsewhere, but it may also help ensure that as the plant  12  grows and gets more foliage, the foliage does not obstruct the sunlight from reaching the PV panel  44 . It is further noted that with this design, it may be possible to use a larger power supply  40  for a plurality of containers  20 , where the transmission lines  49  are interconnected therebetween and placed just under a groundcover, such as bark mulch or decorative gravel, such that they are not unsightly. 
       FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional diagrammatical illustration of the plant holder apparatus  10  with integrated lighting fixture, in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, where  FIG. 4  depicts a variation to the apparatus  10  discussed relative to  FIGS. 1-3 . All reference characters from  FIGS. 1-3  carry to  FIG. 4 . As shown, the lighting device  30  may be positioned on the top surface  27  of the rim of the container  20  such that the light  32  can be directed to upper portions of the plant  12 . Additionally, it is also possible for multiple lighting devices  30  to be used on both the sidewall  24  of the container  20  and the top surface  27  of the rim of the container  20 . This design may help ensure that the light  32  is directed to both the lower portions of the plant  12  and the upper portions of the plant  12 . Any lighting devices  30  used may be wired together and controlled by a single controller and a single power supply, or the lighting devices  30  may be powered and/or controlled separately. 
       FIG. 5  is a flowchart  100  illustrating a method of manufacturing a plant holder apparatus with integrated lighting fixture, in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the disclosure. It should be noted that any process descriptions or blocks in flow charts should be understood as representing modules, segments, portions of code, or steps that include one or more instructions for implementing specific logical functions in the process, and alternate implementations are included within the scope of the present disclosure in which functions may be executed out of order from that shown or discussed, including substantially concurrently or in reverse order, depending on the functionality involved, as would be understood by those reasonably skilled in the art of the present disclosure. 
     As is shown by block  102 , a portable container is formed, where the portable container is capable of holding a plant. At least one lighting device is integrated into at least a portion of the portable container (block  104 ). A quantity of electric power is supplied to the at least one lighting device (block  106 ). The at least one lighting device is activated, thereby illuminating a central region above the portable container (block  108 ). Any number of additional steps, functions, processes, or variants thereof may be included in the method, including any disclosed relative to any other figure of this disclosure. 
     It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments of the present disclosure, particularly, any “preferred” embodiments, are merely possible examples of implementations, merely set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the disclosure. Many variations and modifications may be made to the above-described embodiment(s) of the disclosure without departing substantially from the spirit and principles of the disclosure. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of this disclosure and the present disclosure and protected by the following claims.