Patent Document

DOMESTIC PRIORITY 
       [0001]    This application is a DIVISIONAL of and claim priority to U.S. application Ser. No. 13/969,578, filed Aug. 18, 2013, the contents of which are incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    A plant cultivation apparatus that minimizes the labor and space typically required to cultivate plants. 
         [0004]    2. Background—Prior Art 
         [0005]    Gardening is an activity that is both essential to feed people and enjoyed as a hobby by people throughout history and the world. Generally, gardening has occurred outdoors in soils. However, as individual moved to the urban environment and as land values have increased, there are limited opportunities for individuals to garden. In areas where land is limited or the plants require individual attention, gardeners have used pots or planters for gardening. Historically, gardening with pots was very limited because the labor generally limited individuals to only a few plants. In addition, growing plants in pots requires special attention to provide the plants the correct growing conditions. If the gardener fails to provide proper care for the plant, the plant may die. When correctly cared for, plants in planters will generally thrive. 
         [0006]    One attempt to increase the effectiveness of growing plants in planters is the use of hydroponics. Hydroponics is a method of growing plants using mineral nutrient solutions in water. Hydroponics generally does not utilize soil. However, the plants may still be supported by a growing medium. Mineral nutrient rich water is allowed to flow through the root structure of the plants so the plant roots can absorb the required nutrients. Hydroponics generally has been limited to large-scale production or does not take advantage of smaller scale production. In addition, hydroponics planters are generally specialized equipment which could not be used as a traditional planter. 
         [0007]    As the demand for additional plant nutrition has grown with the increased world population, the need to grow food has intensified. There have been several attempts to simplify growing plants in planters. These prior inventions mostly have limited applications or require an extensive amount of labor. Another problem with the prior art planters is that they were not adaptable to different growing conditions. 
         [0008]    What is needed is a planter that can easily be used as a traditional planter, but can also be easily converted to accommodate different growing condition including hydroponics and aquaponics. In addition, a planter system that allows a garden to stack multiple planter boxes or reservoirs in a very limited space, yet the planter system is sturdy to prevent the planters from falling. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0009]    The present invention provides a unique planter box or reservoir which can be combined with other reservoirs to form a planter system. The planter box has a removable permeable partition that separates the reservoir container into two different chambers. The upper chamber contains plant growing medium or soil. The lower chamber is generally open. There is a canal located in the bottom chamber. The canal has two walls that extend up into the planter. At least a portion of the canal walls is perforated. In addition, the bottom chamber has two openings or holes. One of the openings is located in the canal described above. The second opening is generally higher that the opening located in the canal. However, the location of the second opening may vary based upon the growing conditions desired by the gardener. In certain applications, the gardener may choose to plug the openings. The second opening may also be located on a raised platform. 
         [0010]    The following is a few examples of the diversity of the invention. For conventional gardening, the permeable partition may be removed and the upper opening plugged. The lower opening in the canal would remain open and allowed to drain excess water. In the condition of aquaponics, both the upper and lower drains can be used and controlled to fill and drain nutrient rich water to satisfy the plans growing needs. This unique planter box or reservoir allows a gardener numerous different arrangements in one planter system. 
         [0011]    The invention also includes a planter system that allows a garden to stack multiple planter boxes or reservoirs in a very limited space, yet the planter system is sturdy to prevent the planters from falling. The planter system also allows for the addition of accessories. 
         [0012]    It is a principal object of the invention to provide an easily stackable planting system which takes advantage of unique planter containers that allows the gardener to easily adjust the growing conditions required by a plant. Still another object of the invention is to provide a planter that is formed from plastic to be attractive, easily cleaned, and cost effective in its manufacture. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]    The invention may take form in certain parts and arrangement of parts, and preferred embodiment of which will be described in detail in the specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawing, which for a part hereof: 
           [0014]      FIG. 1  shows a side plan view of the planter system of the invention, showing the top array connected to the lower array; 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  shows a side view of the planter system that shows an exploded view of the supporting bars and wheels; 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  shows a side plan view of the planter system of the invention, showing the top array connected to the lower array with a lighting system; 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  shows a side view of the two reservoirs connecting forming an array; 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  shows a side view of the two reservoirs connection system that shows an exploded view of the mounting trays, container clip, and handle; 
           [0019]      FIG. 6  shows a top view of the reservoir with the permeable partition in place; 
           [0020]      FIG. 7  shows a cross section view of the reservoir with the permeable partition removed; 
           [0021]      FIG. 8 . shows an exploded view of the reservoir and the permeable partition; 
           [0022]      FIG. 9 . shows a side view of an array with the raiser showing how the volume of the reservoirs may be increased, also illustrating how a single array may be utilized; 
           [0023]      FIG. 10 . shows a close up view of the an opening showing the screw threads; 
           [0024]      FIG. 11  show a cross section view of the reservoir with the permeable partition 
           [0025]      FIG. 12  shows a side plan view of the planter system showing how the different arrays may be stacked. 
       
    
    
     DRAWING REFERENCE NUMBERS 
       [0026]      
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 4 
                 planter system 
               
               
                 6 
                 upper array 
               
               
                 8 
                 lower array 
               
               
                 10 
                 reservoir 
               
               
                 12 
                 mounting tray 
               
               
                 13 
                 light accessory 
               
               
                 14 
                 support bar 
               
               
                 15 
                 riser 
               
               
                 16 
                 container clip 
               
               
                 17 
                 container handle fastener 
               
               
                 18 
                 wheel 
               
               
                 22 
                 mounting guides 
               
               
                 24 
                 accessory connectors 
               
               
                 30 
                 permeable partition 
               
               
                 32 
                 partition cup 
               
               
                 34 
                 partition cup openings 
               
               
                 36 
                 partition openings 
               
               
                 46 
                 second volume 
               
               
                 48 
                 first volume 
               
               
                 50 
                 first sidewall 
               
               
                 52 
                 second sidewall 
               
               
                 54 
                 front lateral wall 
               
               
                 56 
                 back lateral wall 
               
               
                 57 
                 rim 
               
               
                 58 
                 access notch 
               
               
                 60 
                 ledge 
               
               
                 62 
                 first opening 
               
               
                 63 
                 screw threads 
               
               
                 64 
                 front handle 
               
               
                 65 
                 side handle 
               
               
                 66 
                 bar receiver 
               
               
                 67 
                 bar mounting guide 
               
               
                 68 
                 channel 
               
               
                 70 
                 perforated wall 
               
               
                 72 
                 accessory mount 
               
               
                 74 
                 raised platform 
               
               
                 76 
                 second opening 
               
               
                 78 
                 bottom 
               
               
                 80 
                 mounting tray guild 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
       DESCRIPTION 
       [0027]    The following discussion describes embodiments of the invention and several variations of these embodiments. This discussion should not be construed, however, as limiting the invention to these particular embodiments. Practitioners skilled in the art will recognize numerous other embodiments as well. It is not necessary that the planter system have all the features described below with regard to the specific embodiment of the invention shown in the figures. 
         [0028]    In the following description of the invention, certain terminology is used for the purpose of reference only, and is not intend to be limiting. Terms such as “upper”, “lower”, “above”, and “below,” refer to directions in the drawings to which reference is made. Terms such as “inwards” and “outward” refer to directions towards and away from, respectively, the geometric center of the component described. Terms such as “side”, “top”, “bottom,” “horizontal,” and “vertical,” describe the orientation of portions of the component within a consistent but arbitrary frame of reference which is made clear by reference to the text and the associated drawings describing the component under discussion. Such terminology includes words specifically mentioned above, derivatives thereof, and words of similar import. 
         [0029]    Referring generally to  FIGS. 1 through 10 , a reservoir container  10  comprises a front lateral wall  54 , a back lateral wall  56 , a first side wall  50 , a second side wall  52  and a bottom  78  forming a shaped interior volume structure.  FIG. 6 through 8  show an optional beveled corner at the junction of the front lateral wall  54  and the first side wall  50  and second side wall  52 . 
         [0030]    Located at the top of the front lateral wall  54 , the first side wall  50 , and the second side wall  52  is a rim  57 . The rim  57  on the front lateral wall  54  forms a front handle  64 . The rim  57  on the first side wall  50  and the second side wall  52  forms two side handle  65 . The front handle  64  and the side handle  65  are sufficiently wide to allow the user to comfortably grasp and hold the reservoir container  10 . Located on the rim  57  is a bar receiver  66 . As described in detail below, the bar receiver  66  is for receiving a support bar  14 . At least one accessory mount  72  is located at various locations on the rim  57 . The accessory mount  72  comprises screw holes and a mounting surface to attach the accessory to the reservoir containers  10 . 
         [0031]    The interior volume of the reservoir containers  10  is divided by a penetrable partition  30  forming a first volume  48  and a second volume  46 . The penetrable partition  30  is removable by the user. As shown in  FIG. 9 , a riser  15  may be connected to the reservoir container  10  to increase the capacity of the second volume  46 . The penetrable partition  30  has at least one penetrable opening  36 . The penetrable opening  36  dimension is such that growing medium (not shown) is prevented from falling into the first volume  48 , but still allows liquids to flow through the penetrable opening  36 . The penetrable partition  30  is supported by at least two partition cup  32  that extends into the reservoir container  10  and a ledge  60 . 
         [0032]    The partition cup  32  extends the penetrable partition  30  into the cavity of the first volume  48 . The partition cup  32  has at least one partition cup opening  34 . The size of the partition cup opening  34  is similar to the penetrable opening  36 . The partition cup  32  allows the growing medium to extend into the first volume  48 , which will allow the growing medium to wick water up into the growing medium. Generally, the partition cups  32  is molded from the same material as the penetrable partition  30 . 
         [0033]    Those skilled in the art will recognize that the number, size, location or location of the penetrable openings  36 , the partition cups  32 , the first volume  48 , the second volume  46 , and the partition cup openings  34 , may vary based upon the growing medium, plant types, and water conditions. 
         [0034]    As shown in  FIG. 8 , a channel  68  is located at the interior base of the reservoir  10 . At least a portion of the channel  68  has a perforated wall  70 . The perforated wall  70  allows liquids to drain into the channel  68 , yet still contain items such as gravel or filters in the channel  68  or alternatively to keep gravel or filter material out of the channel  68 . Located in the channel  68  is a first opening  62 . The first opening  62  allows for the base of the container to drain liquids or debris from the reservoir  10 . The reservoir bottom  78  is sloped that directs liquid towards the channel  68 . 
         [0035]    A second opening  76  is generally elevation higher than the first opening  62 . As shown in  FIG. 8  the second opening  76  may be located on a raised platform  74 . The second opening  76  is generally used to allow liquids to flow into the reservoir  10  or to function as an overflow opening. As seen in  FIG. 10  the first opening  62  and second opening  76  may have a screw thread  63 . 
         [0036]    The features of the reservoir  10  give the user almost unlimited options for configurations of different planting options. For example the first opening  62  and the second opening  76  allow different options for optimizing the water conditions or may be connected to a pipe system to create a hydroponic system (not shown). Preferably, all items including the reservoir  10 , penetrable partition  30 , and riser  15  are manufactured from a plastic material utilizing molding methods, although any ridged material may be utilized. 
         [0037]    The reservoir  10  may be arranged into a planter system  4  that includes an upper array  6  and a lower array  8 . The support bar  14  connects the upper array  6  and lower array  8  together. The interrelationship of the components is best seen in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0038]    The lower array  8  consists of two mounting trays  12  and two reservoirs  10 . The mounting trays  12  contain a mounting guide  22  that connects into a mounting receivers  80  located at the bottom of the reservoir  10 . The mounting guides  22  have a slightly smaller circumference than the mounting receivers  80 . When the mounting guides  22  are placed inside the mounting receivers  80 , the friction between the mounting guides  22  and the sidewall of the mounting receivers  80  is such that a deliberate force is required to remove the reservoir containers  10  from the mounting guides  22 . The length of the mounting tray  12  is such that it may connect two reservoir containers  10  together. The upper array  6  has a similar configuration as the lower array  8 . The mounting trays  12  gives the upper array  6  and lower array  8  a wider stance that increase the stability of the planter system  4 . 
         [0039]    The upper array  6  is elevated above the lower array  8  by means of a plurality of support bars  14 . The support bars  14  connect with the lower array  8  in a bar receiver  66  located on the reservoir  10  rim  57 . A bar mounting guide  67  located the underside of the mounting tray  12  connects to the support bar  14  to the upper array  6 .  FIG. 3 , shows the invention of the planters system  8  as including a light  13  elevated above both the lower array  8  and the upper array  6 . 
         [0040]    A container clip  16  and a container handle fastener  17  reinforces the connection between the two reservoir containers  10 . The container clip  16  is a u-shaped fastener that connects the back lateral walls  56  of two reservoir containers  10 . The container clip  16  applies a compressive force to the back lateral walls  56  of each reservoir container  10 . The container handle fastener  17  is located under the side handle  65 . Half the container handle fastener  17  is placed within the side handle  65  of a reservoir  10 , while the other half of the handle fastener  17  is located in the side handle  65  of the adjoining reservoir  10 . 
         [0041]    All the connections are preferably secured by friction between the parts such that a deliberate force will be required to remove the parts. However, it is envisioned that the parts may be mechanically connected by means of a screw or both. In the alternative, the parts may be permanently connected. 
         [0042]    While a preferred embodiment of the invention of the plant cultivation apparatus has been shown and described herein, it should, however, be understood that the description above contains many specificities that should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention. Thus, the scope of the embodiment should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents thereof, rather than by the examples given.

Technology Category: a