Patent Publication Number: US-2006016126-A1

Title: Peripheral planting system

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
      The present invention is directed generally to an apparatus for growing and irrigating plants and specifically to a combination planting and irrigation system for a plurality of plants.  
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      Planters and flower pots are well known in the botanical arts. Typically, a gardener will plant a first plant in the center of the pot. The gardener may also want to add a plurality of second plants, such as flowers, to the pot to increase the aesthetic beauty of the first plant. One of the problems that gardeners face is that the second plants may be seasonal and need to be changed depending on the seasons. In order to accomplish this task, the gardener has to dig up the second plant, and plant the third plant in place of the second plant. The process of digging up the second plant and replanting the third plant can be very time consuming. Therefore, a need exists for an apparatus which allows a second plant to be easily exchanged with a third plant.  
      Separate planters for a second plant are known in the art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 2,782,561 (the &#39;561 patent) entitled “Tree Surrounding Ring” discloses a protecting ring in which a gardener may plant flowers. However, the &#39;561 patent does not disclose an apparatus for planting a plurality of second plants in a flower pot. Additionally, the &#39;561 patent does not disclose a method for securing the apparatus to the flower pot. Therefore, a need exists for an apparatus for planting a plurality of second plants which secures to a flower pot.  
      In addition, if a two planter arrangement is used to plant a first plant and a second plant, then the first plant has to be watered separately from the second plant. In watering the plants, it is preferable for the plants to receive watering over as much of the root area as possible. It is excessively time consuming for gardeners to water both the first plant and the second plant in a two plant arrangement. Therefore, a need exists for an apparatus which will water both a first plant and a second plant in a two planter arrangement.  
      Apparatuses for watering a first plant using a watering system are known in the art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,067,143 (the &#39;143 patent) entitled “Plant Watering Reminder” discloses an apparatus for watering a first plant. The &#39;143 patent discloses an apparatus that utilizes a plurality of wicks to water the roots of a first plant. U.S. Pat. No. 5,097,626 (the &#39;626 patent) entitled “Automatic Self-Watering System for Plants Growing in a Container” discloses an apparatus for watering a first plant. The &#39;626 patent uses a moisture sensor to monitor the soil moisture and add water when necessary. U.S. Pat. No. 6,418,663 (the &#39;663 patent) entitled “Potted Plant Watering Apparatus” discloses a watering system for a first plant. The &#39;663 patent uses a wick system to deliver water to a first plant. What is missing in the &#39;143 patent, the &#39;626 patent, and the &#39;663 patent is an apparatus for planting and watering both a first plant and second plant. Therefore, a need exists in the art for an apparatus for watering a plurality of second plants located around a first plant and wherein a gardener can water both the first plant and the second plant in one step.  
      Additionally, the prior art contains inventions to aid in the protection of plants. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,918,411 (the &#39;411 patent) entitled “Plant Protector” discloses an apparatus for protecting the area at the base of a plant. The invention in the &#39;411 patent retards weed growth and allows water captured within the invention to flow through holes in the bottom on the invention. However, the &#39;411 patent fails to disclose an apparatus that secures to a pot. The &#39;411 patent also fails to disclose an apparatus for planting a plurality of second plants around a first plant.  
      The prior art also contains inventions to aid in the protection of plants. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,839,222 (the &#39;222 patent) entitled “Apparatus and Method for Increasing Plant Root Density and Measuring Plant Growth” discloses an apparatus for increasing the root density of a plant. The invention in the &#39;222 patent increases the density of the fibrous root mass near the top of the planting medium. However, the &#39;222 patent fails to disclose an apparatus that secures to a pot. The &#39;222 patent also fails to disclose an apparatus for planting a plurality of second plants around a first plant.  
      Furthermore, the aesthetic beauty of floral and plant arrangements is very important to gardeners. Although gardeners attempt to increase the beauty of the arrangement with decorative pots, there is frequently a desire to conceal all or part of the pot. The gardener may want to conceal the pot because of the pot&#39;s lack of beauty or because the pot does not match the plants located in the pot. In cases where the pot does not match the plant, the gardener may attempt to make the visual coordination of the pot to the plant smoother by planting a second plant around the first plant. Therefore, a need exists for an apparatus which will simultaneously conceal a portion of the pot and allow for the planting of a plurality of second plants around the periphery of the first plant.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      The present invention, which meets the needs identified above, is a peripheral planting device (PPD). The PPD is circular in shape and rests on top of a flower pot or planter containing a first plant. The PPD comprises a retaining clip, an outer wall, an inner wall, and a floor containing a plurality of holes. Alternatively, a semi-permeable material can be substituted for the floor and holes. The inner wall, outer wall, and floor create a U-shaped channel which contains a planting medium. At least one second plant may be planted in the planting medium in the U-shaped channel. The PPD may be a complete circle or may be comprised of several sections, which together form a circle. If the PPD is made of sections, then each section has a partition on the open sides of the U-shaped channel to keep the planting medium in the PPD from falling out when one of the sections is removed. The holes in the floor are sized such that excess water will pass through the holes and irrigate the planting medium in the pot, but the planting medium in the U-shaped channel will not pass through the holes. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
      The novel features believed characteristic of the invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:  
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the present invention showing the first plant, the second plant, the pot, and the peripheral planting device;  
       FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of the peripheral planting device showing the retaining clip, the inner wall, the outer wall, and the floor with a plurality of holes;  
       FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the peripheral planting device showing the retaining clip, the inner wall, the outer wall, and the semi-permeable material;  
       FIG. 4  is an elevation view of the present invention showing the first plant, the second plant, the pot, and the peripheral planting device;  
       FIG. 5  is a plan view of the one-section embodiment of the present invention;  
       FIG. 6  is a plan view of the two-section embodiment of the present invention;  
       FIG. 7  is a plan view of the three-section embodiment of the present invention; and  
       FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a user exchanging one section of the peripheral planting device. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
      As used herein, the term “planting medium” means a substance into which a first plant and/or a second plant are located. Examples of planting mediums are dirt and potting soil.  
      As used herein, the term “pot” means a planting device containing a first plant.  
      As used herein, the term “retaining clip” means a device for securing a peripheral planting system to a pot.  
      As used herein, the term “semi-permeable material” means a composition of matter that which is slightly porous so that smaller sized particles, such as water, flow through the material, but larger sized particles, such as pieces of planting medium, do not pass through the material.  
      Turning to  FIG. 1 , a perspective view of the present invention is illustrated. Pot  10  is substantially cylindrical in shape and contains planting medium  12  and first plant  14 . Peripheral planting device (PPD)  11  sits on the upper ridge of pot  10 . PPD  11  contains planting medium  12  and a plurality of second plants  16 . As seen in  FIG. 1 , PPD  11  surrounds first plant  14  along the peripheral edge of pot  10 .  
      Turning to  FIG. 2 , a cross-sectional view of the present invention is illustrated. PPD  11  sits atop the upper edge of pot  10 . Pot  10  contains planting medium  12  and first plant  14 . PPD  11  comprises retaining clip  18 , outer wall  22 , floor  24 , and inner wall  20 . PPD  11  contains a U-shaped channel formed by outer wall  22 , floor  24 , and inner wall  20 . The U-shaped channel is filled with planting medium  12  so that at least one second plant  16  may be planted in PPD  11 . Floor  24  contains a plurality of small holes  26 . When second plant  16  is watered by a person, any excess water  30  passes through planting medium  12  and drips through holes  26  in floor  24 . Holes  26  are large enough to allow water  30  to drain out of planting medium  12 , but small enough to prevent planting medium  12  from falling out of PPD  11 . In an alternate embodiment, holes  26  may be connected by channels (not shown) in floor  24  to facilitate distribution of water within PPD  11 . Such channels may run in concentric circles that connect all of holes  26  in the circle. In a further alternate embodiment, channels in concentric circles that connect all of holes  26  in the circle are connected by radial channels connecting opposite holes in adjacent circles. In a further alternate embodiment, a single spiraling channel connects only holes  36  in the path of the spiraling channel. Persons skilled in the art are aware of various methods for facilitating distribution of water by holes  26  within PPD  11 .  
      Turning to  FIG. 3 , a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. As with the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 2 , PPD  11  sits atop pot  10  containing planting medium  12  and first plant  14 . However, in the alternative embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 3 , PPD  11  comprises retaining clip  18 , outer wall  22 , semi-permeable material  28 , and inner wall  20 . Semi-permeable material  28  is a material which is slightly porous so that smaller sized particles flow through the material, but larger sized particles do not. Semi-permeable materials are well known in the arts of reverse osmosis, water filtration, and gas separation. The composition of semi-permeable material  28  will vary from application to application depending on the desired flow rate of water  30  through semi-permeable material  28 . For example, if it is desirable for planting medium  12  in PPD  11  to remain relatively moist, a material with less porosity may be selected. However, if it is desirable for planting medium  12  in PPD  11  to be relatively dry, a material with greater porosity may be selected. Persons of ordinary skill in the art are aware of the various material compositions of materials and the porosity associated with each different material composition.  
      Turning to  FIG. 4 , an elevation view of the present invention is illustrated. PPD  11  sits atop the upper edge of pot  10 . First plant  14  is planted in pot  10 . A plurality of second plants  16  are planted in PPD  11 . As can be seen in  FIG. 4 , PPD  11  with second plant  16  adds to the aesthetic beauty of pot  10  and first plant  14 . Second plant  16  may be a flower, as illustrated in  FIG. 4 , or may be a bush, ivy, or other type of plant. Use of an ivy or similar plant can be used such that the ivy drapes over the outside of PPD  11  and conceals retaining clip  18 .  
      Turning to  FIGS. 5-7 , the plan views of several different embodiments of the present invention are illustrated. In  FIGS. 5-7 , PPD  11  is shown without planting medium  12  or second plant  16 . In  FIG. 5 , PPD  11  is shown of unitary construction such that there is a single U-shaped channel around the periphery of first plant  14 . However, as illustrated in  FIG. 6 , PPD  11  may contain a plurality of partitions  32 . Partitions  32  are vertical walls in the U-shaped channel that separate PPD  11  into two semicircular sections. The embodiment in  FIG. 6  is useful when first plant  14  is larger than the empty space within PPD  11 . Thus, a person may remove one of the two semicircular sections of PPD  11  from the pot without the planting medium and second plants in the remaining semi-circular section of PPD  11  falling into the pot  10 . Additionally, the various sections of PPD  11  can be configured with a connection device, such as a clip or other interlocking mechanism, to secure one section of PPD  11  to another.  
      In addition to the embodiments illustrated in  FIGS. 5-7 , PPD  11  may be embodied in a plurality of shapes other than circular. For example, PPD  11  may be linear, triangular, square, hexagonal, or any other shape of a pot as determined by a person of ordinary skill in the art.  
      As part of the invention, PPD  11  may be constructed with as many partitions  32  as are required by the user.  FIG. 7  illustrates PPD  11  with three partitions  32 . The multiple sections created by partitions  32  allow the user to plant a plurality of different types of second plants in the different sections. Moreover, as illustrated in  FIG. 8 , the user may choose to utilize only one of the sections of PPD  11  to create a partial peripheral planting device, rather than completely surrounding the perimeter of first plant  14 . This utilization of PPD  11  is preferable when the pot is in the former of a room and there is no need to locate second plants on the backside of the pot (i.e. in the corner of the room behind the pot). The multiple sections of PPD  11  also allow the user to substitute one section for another as the seasons change. In other words, the multiple sections of PPD  11  allow the user to remove one section of PPD  11 , place that section in a greenhouse, and place a new section of PPD  11  containing a different second plant where the first section of PPD  11  was. Thus, a user can replace a portion of the second plants without the need to dig up or re-plant the second plants.  
      With respect to the above description, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. The novel spirit of the present invention is still embodied by reordering or deleting some of the steps contained in this disclosure. The spirit of the invention is not meant to be limited in any way except by proper construction of the following claims.