GB2219481A

GB2219481A - Divider for flower pots

Info

Publication number: GB2219481A
Application number: GB8813854A
Authority: GB
Inventors: William Ernest Kelly
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1988-06-10
Filing date: 1988-06-10
Publication date: 1989-12-13
Also published as: GB8813854D0

Abstract

A pull out divider 10 for insertion into a flower pot a plurality of segments 11 equidistantly placed about a centrally bonded joint from which extends a finger grip 13 which serves as a means for lifting the divider 10 from a container or pot as well as providing space for a name tag or label. The base 12 of the seed divider 10 is smooth faced and has a number of drainage holes 14 to permit excess fluid to drain away. The divider 10 enables the growth within each segment to be easily removed without damage to the 'growth' or its roots and transplanted at any desired position. <IMAGE>

Description

PULL OUT INSERT SEED DIVIDER This invention relates to a pull out seed divider.

The cultivation of plants from seeds has both domestic and commercial interests. Many devices exist to aid germination and gardeners, whether professional or amateur, are well aware of the difficulty of with-drawing a plant from or with soil, without causing damage to the stalks, stem or roots. In some instances a receptical, enclosure or container for a seed, seeds or plant can be placed in soil and the container can decompose with time and the effects of moisture, thus allowing the extension of the roots into the main body of the soil or ground without the need to effect transplanting.

According to the present invention there is provided a segmented insert, which can be placed within any containing pot, tub, vessel, jar or deep tray which may accept seed, seeds or plants for germination or growth and enable them to be withdrawn, completely surrounded by the entire soil in which they have been planted.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows in perspective the insert seed/plant divider without a containing vessel, pot or tub.

Figure 2 Illustrates one segment of the seed/plant divider filled with soil or growing medium.

Figure 3 shows the seed/plant divider in three views, 'plan', 'side' and 'front' to indicate its uniformity! PULL OUT INSERT SEED DIVIDER Referring to Figure 1, which is a Derspective view of the segmented divider 10 and has, in this instance eight divisions, each of which is identical in shape and volume, dividing the circle represented by the compartments into angles of forty five degrees. The dividing or segmenting splitters 11 each present a minimum of friction, being entirely smooth on each face and impervious to moisture. The whole segmented divider 10 can be constructed in any of the polycarbonates, polyurethane, perspex or polymide material - it can be moulded, cast, blown, vacuum blown, extruded or it may be fabricated in separate component parts if the shapes and imperviously smooth faces are produced and maintained.It can also be constructed in other materials suitable to the invention! In Figure 1 the segmented divider 10 is shown as it would be produced in light polycarbonate material with each of the eight splitters 11 no thicker than 2mm and being bonded or moulded integrally with the polycarbonate or other material base membrane 12 which is circular in shape and also no thicker than 2.5mm with a smooth imperious upper face. Drainage holes 14 are provided at strategic positions throughout this base 12 to provide exit for superfluous or other relevant fluids.

In extension of the eight segmented splitters 11 is a finger grip 13 which enables the divider 10 to be lifted out of its container, tub or pot. While it is not intended to include the containing vessel, tub or pot as an embodiment of the invention but rather encourage its use with standard flower, seed or plant pots, it is implied that the divider 10 has been devised to be used with most standard and commonly cultivation or germination vessels. In support of this application the following is the procedure recommended for an appropriate use of segmented divider 11. While no guidance would be expected on the correct method of sowing seeds or is intended as directly relevant to the invention a knowledge is assumed. Soil or other medium 15 is prepared as relevant to and compatible with the seed. seeds, plants, bulbs or cuttings to be germinated, propagated or cultivated.The segmented divider 10 is spaced within PULL OUT INSERT SEED DIVIDER a containment vessel, tub or pot which must have a slightly larger base - no more than a few millimetres is necessary - than the circular base membrane 12. The circular base membrane 12 should rest evenly on the bottom of the containment vessel, pot or tub.

The prepared soil 15 is fed into the eight segments separated by the splitters 11 and pressed down lightly so that it can be assumed the entire volume of each segment is filled. It is unnecessary to fill each segment if it is not to be used.

Depending on whether or not it is a seed, cutting, plant or bulb/ tuber, the requisite space would be 'dibbled' into the prepared soil and the intended implant made.

The successful germination, propagation or growth of the planted item is not claimed as part of this invention. At a time relevant to and decided by the user of the segmented divider 10, the divider 10 is lifted from its container pot or tub and there will be sufficient adherence to the faces of the vee-shaped segmented divisions to retain the soil or other medium 15 intact and homogenous - thus protecting growth and the roots supporting that growth. The entire divider 10 can be taken to the chosen site for the transplanting of the growth within the segmented divisions. Any single one of the eight segment contents may be removed and taken to the prepared point for transplant.

Figure 2 shows the segmented divider 10 in perspective view, with one segment filled with soil or other planting medium 15 and it illustrates plant growth within the volume contained in that one segment. This figure shows the two splitters 11 securing the soil or other planting medium 15 laterally and the base emmbrane 12 securing the soil or other planting medium in the vertical plane.

By a light and simple leverage with any finger, the entire containment of soil or other planting medium 15, with its growth, PULL OUT INSERT SEED DIVIDER can be removed and transplanted to any preconceived or desired position! This Figure 2 illustrates but one segment and it is implied as relevant to this invention that the same procedure for feeding the soil or other planting medium 15 into each of the eight segments and securing propagation, cultivation or growth of seeds, plants, cuttings, bulbs or tubers will be similar. The invention provides for any selection of seed, seeds, plants, cuttings, bulbs or tubers relevant to accepted cultivation, propagation or germination principles since its conception is based on the prevention of destrying, damaging or delaying plant growth.

Figure 3 shows the segment divider 10 in three views, 'plan', 'side' and 'fornt' view - although, if the divider 10 is rotated it will present a different pictorial aspect to the viewer in perspective presentation - such as shown in Figure 2. The principl$elements of construction are defined in Figure 3 and are previously designated by the relevant features, where the splitters 11 divide the 360C of the circumscribed area into eight segments.

The base membrane 12 is indicated below the splitters 11 and the drainage holes 14 for moisture or other fluids through the base membrane 12 are clearly indicated. While in the preferred embodiment the circle is divided into eight sections or segments, the number of segments can be more or any number less than eight although the greater the number the smaller the volume of soil that can be accommodated and it would be impractical to have less than two sectors. The side view shows the thin splitters 11 relative to the base membrane 12 and the central combining bond with its upward extending finger grip 13. A feature of the finger grip 13 is that it can provide for a name 'tag' to define the contents of the segments and a hole 21 has been provided for the purpose of tying on additional information relevant to what is planted within the segments.

Claims

PULL OUT INSERT SEED DIVIDER

CLAIMS 1. A pull out insert seed divider with eight segments or any convenient number more or less than eight which enables the growth within each segment to be withdrawn without damage to the growth or its roots.
2. A pull out insert seed divider as claimed in 1 wherein means are provided to effect drainage of excess moisture from the soil or planting medium.
3. A pull out insert seed divider as claimed in 1 and 2 wherein means are provided to withdraw the whole segmented divider by a flat projection extending above the dividing segments.
4. A pull out insert seed divider as claimed in 3 wherein the finger grip may be used to designate the contents of the segment/s and which further provides for the tying on of a label or tag giving additional information.
5. A pull out insert seed divider as claimed in any proceeding claim, wherein the whole may be constructed to fit into any dimension of cultivation pot, tub or vessel.
6. A pull out insert seed divider substantially as described herein with reference to Figure 1 to 3 of the accompanying drawing.