Patent ID: 12239063

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PRESENTLY PREFERRED AND VARIOUS ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Prior to proceeding to the more detailed description of the present invention it should be noted that, for the sake of clarity and understanding, very similar components which have identical functions have been identified with identical reference numerals throughout the several views illustrated in the drawing figures.

Referring initially toFIG.1, this provides a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention generally shown as10. Herein, a tether cord or strap42connects the rim49of the pail46at an aperture41adjacent the rim49to the bail such as to limit the rotation of the bail48. The rotation-limiting tether42can be a rigid member as shown, or a flexible cord loop as shown inFIG.5. The apparatus can be hung from above utilizing a cord loop45, but other suspension means would be acceptable. The notch36or a pail spout is an optional element in that helps induce downward growth and minimizes the risk of damage to the plant50as it grows and hangs downward. The pail should have a minimum height of 20 centimeters.

FIG.2provides a perspective view of an alternative embodiment 6 of the present invention also configured to create tilt of a pail upon hanging. An open-top water-impervious container46, such as a pail as shown, holds a quantity of plant soil56just below the upper rim. The pail container46generally has a bail (handle)48, which in this embodiment, is attached adjacent the upper rim, but at two apertures displaced a distance96from the conventional widest point43such that the center-of-gravity when hung by the bail is not directly below the bail48. The shorter separation of the apertures along the circumference is between 30 and 40 percent of the total circumference. In this configuration, the tilt of the pail46is accomplished without a tether element around the bail48as shown inFIG.1. Instead, the ends of the bail48are attached to the pail below the top rim at two apertures offset by dimension96two to four centimeters from the conventional center-of-gravity location43. The distance along the circumference separating the two apertures is between 80 and 94 percent of the entire circumference. Thus, when the pail is lifted or suspended by the bail48, it automatically becomes tilted at a significant angle without a tether cord. This configuration causes the pail to tilt such that the longitudinal center line70is at an angle95to plumb vertical72of between 20 and 40 degrees. One exemplary means of hanging by the bail48is with an S hook16that can be connected above to a structure or a bracket. The tilt angle of the pail is important especially for tomato plants so as to promote downward growth first and upward growth later from the main stem.

FIG.3is a perspective view of a secondary embodiment of the present invention. A bowl-like water-impervious container supports and surrounds an inner water-permeable plant pot37which holds the soil56and plant50. The container12and means of hanging it are configured so as to hang in a tilted position with two suspension members14, typically chains, that are closer to the front container notch36being longer than the back suspension members15by about 3 to 8 cm. The four chain lengths generally will start the same, but two then are shortened by using different links in the chain. For this embodiment, the number of suspension members must be exactly four. Typical for most potted plants is three, but in the present case, four are needed for supporting the weight and obtaining the desired tilt. The difference in chain length is such that the bottom plane of the bowl-like container is at a 20 to 40 degree angle to horizontal. If more than 40 degrees, soil may get washed out with watering. If less than 20 degrees, the desired plant growth pattern may not occur. The four suspension members converge at a single loop or hook47from which the apparatus will be hung thus completing the present system. As growth progresses, there is a downward-growing portion51while still enabling significant vertical growth53. The bowl-like water-impervious container12is sized such that there a substantial reservoir60for water that can be drawn into the soil56for the plant50.

FIG.4provides a sectional view of an alternative means for achieving the tilting configuration of the water-impervious container. The soil56is contained within the inner water-permeable liner37such that it can obtain water from the top surface or from the annular space between the inner liner37and the water-impervious container46via the bottom or sides of the water-permeable liner37. It can also be seen how the tilt of the pail46promotes both upward plant growth53and downward growth51. The tilted arrangement surprisingly results in an unexpected large secondary stem53off of the downward growing primary stem51and often leads to an overall plant height of 5 to 6 feet with no support members such as poles or cages. This does not occur with a standard container planting. When suspended, the plane of the container bottom55is at an angle95between 20 and 40 degrees, which is set and maintained by the length of the tether cord42around the bail48and through an aperture57in the rim49. A preferred method of supporting the containers is via an S hook on the bail48with the upper end connected to a ring47at the end of a retractable pulley41. The top ring of the pulley41is hung from a bracket, or a hook, nail, or screw up on an elevated structure (not shown or part of invention). The retractable pulley41makes it convenient to normally keep the plant up high away from animals and also to lower it for maintenance, watering, or harvesting.

FIG.5provides a perspective view of a kit9configured for assembling the system of the present invention. The water-impervious container is preferably a pail46which generally has a handle or bail48, but it could also be an open top container suspended by four chains as disclosed inFIG.2. In this kit, the tether42is already installed through an aperture57near the rim49of the water-impervious container and around the bail48such as to limit rotation of the bail. The water-permeable inner liner37is included but shown in an inverted position to illustrate the bottom apertures. In addition, a retractable pulley hanger41is included as is a hanging loop45around the bail48. An optional cover39for the bottom center aperture24is included for minimizing soil escape. Not shown, but an optional portion of the kit are one or two blocks about 2 to 4 centimeters thick to elevate water-permeable inner liner37if needed to have the top rim of the inner liner adjacent the top rim of the water-impervious container46. The kit also includes a written instruction sheet60.

FIG.6provides a flow diagram for an exemplative method of use incorporated into the present invention, beginning at100with procuring the specified parts of the present invention. The water-permeable inner liner is filled at least partially with soil or other growing medium (step110) After planting (step120), the inner liner is placed inside the pail (step130) and then the pail is hung from an existing structure by available means (step150). There are occasional maintenance steps thereafter (steps160-170).

FIG.7provides a flow diagram for an alternative method of use incorporating the apparatus utilizing four suspension members (e.g. chains) into the present invention. It begins with a bowl-like water-impervious container being suspended by four chains, two shorter than the other by 3 to 8 centimeters. The four suspension members all attach to a single loop or hook for eventual hanging from an existing structure. Subsequent steps are essentially the same as forFIG.6. The plant may be purchased already in a water-permeable pot with growing medium, or it can be subsequently planted in soil within a water-permeable container placed within the supported water-impervious container. The upper four chain ends converge at a common hanging device.

FIG.8provides a flow diagram for a variation of the alternative method based on procuring the kit, step100. The water-permeable inner liner is filled at least partially with soil or other growing medium (step110) Before or after planting (step120), the inner liner is placed inside the pail (step130), watered at140, and then the pail is hung by available means (step150). There are occasional maintenance steps thereafter (steps160-170).

FIG.9provides a flow diagram for a variation of the method ofFIG.6, the main difference being that there is no inner container. The growing medium (soil) is placed into the water-impervious container and seeds or a vegetable plant placed therein. At step130, the tether length is adjusted to obtain the tilt angle of 20 to 40 degrees.

While a presently preferred and various alternative embodiments of the present invention have been described in sufficient detail above to enable a person skilled in the relevant art to make and use the same, it should be obvious that various other adaptations and modifications can be envisioned by those persons skilled in such art without departing from the spirit of the invention.