Plant growth container

• US 20050120626A1
• Filed: 11/18/2004
• Published: 06/09/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 11/19/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AgroSci, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Mark R. Prescott
• Inventors: Prescott, Mark R.
• Granted Patent: US 7,634,872 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 47/81
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 9/02 Receptacles, e.g. flower-pots or boxes self-acting watering devices A01G27/00; hanging flower baskets, holders or containers for flower-pots A47G7/00; Glasses for cultivating flowers
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 9/26 Electric devices A01G9/249 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 40/25 Greenhouse technology, e.g. cooling systems therefor

Abstract

The growth container is formed of two pots that interfit within each other to define an enclosed space. A heater disposed in the space supplies heat via a reservoir of water for heating the inner pot and the soil in the inner pot to keep the roots of an aquatic plant embedded within the soil warm. A thermostat(s) is provided for maintaining the temperature of the soil at a predetermined temperature.

Claims

1. A plant growth container comprising

a pair of pots disposed in interfitting relation to define a space therebetween, the inner one of said pots defining a cavity for receiving soil and the roots of a plant;

and

heating means in said space between said pots for heating said inner pot to heat the soil within said inner pot.

2. A plant growth container as set forth in claim 1 wherein said heating means includes a reservoir of water in said space and a heater disposed in said space for heating said water whereby heating of the water in said space transmits heat through the inner one of said pots into the soil in said inner pot and the roots of a plant in the soil.

3. A plant growth container comprising

a pair of pots disposed in interfitting relation to define a space therebetween for receiving water, the inner one of said pots defining a cavity for receiving soil and the roots of a plant;

and

a heater disposed in said space between said pots for heating water in said space whereby heating of the water in said space transmits heat through the inner one of said pots into the soil in said inner pot and the roots of a plant in the soil.

4. A plant growth container as set forth in claim 3 wherein an outer pot of said pots is made of a heat-insulative material and an inner pot of said pots is made of a heat-transmissive material.

5. A plant growth container comprising

an outer pot having a first base and a first upstanding wall defining a cavity;

an inner pot having a second base and a second upstanding wall defining a cavity for receiving soil and the roots of a plant, said inner pot being disposed within said outer pot to define a space for receiving water between said first upstanding wall and said second upstanding wall and between said first base and said second base; and

a heater disposed in said space between said outer pot and said inner pot for heating water in said space whereby heating of the water in said space transmits heat through said second upstanding wall into the soil in said inner pot and the roots of a plant in the soil.

6. A plant growth container as set forth in claim 5 wherein said outer pot is made of a heat-insulative material and said inner pot is made of a heat-transmissive material.

7. A plant growth container as set forth in claim 5 further comprising a transformer connected to said heater for delivering electrical energy thereto, a switch for selectively energizing said transformer for delivering electrical energy to said heater and a thermostat mounted in said cavity of said inner pot for sensing the temperature of the soil thereat and being operatively connected to said switch for selectively actuating said switch in response to sensing of a predetermined temperature.

8. A plant growth container as set forth in claim 5 wherein said thermostat is mounted on said heater and passes through said second base of said inner pot.

9. A plant growth container as set forth in claim 5 further comprising a cover mounted on said inner pot over said cavity, said cover having at least one opening for passage of a plant therethrough.

10. A plant growth container as set forth in claim 5 wherein said inner pot has a plurality of feet on said second base spacing said second base from said first base of said outer pot.

11. A plant growth container as set forth in claim 8 wherein said second base is concave.

12. A plant growth container comprising

an outer pot having a first base and a heat-insulative upstanding wall defining a cavity;

an inner pot having a second base and a heat-transmisive upstanding wall defining a cavity for receiving soil and the roots of a plant, said inner pot being disposed within said outer pot to define a space for receiving water between said first upstanding wall and said second upstanding wall and between said first base and said second base; and

a heater disposed in said space between said outer pot and said inner pot for heating water in said space whereby heating of the water in said space transmits heat through said heat-transmissive upstanding wall of said inner pot into the soil in said inner pot and the roots of a plant in the soil.

13. A plant growth container as set forth in claim 12 further comprising a transformer connected to said heater for delivering electrical energy thereto, a switch for selectively energizing said transformer for delivering electrical energy to said heater and a thermostat mounted in said cavity of said inner pot for sensing the temperature of the soil thereat and being operatively connected to said switch for selectively actuating said switch in response to sensing of a predetermined temperature.

14. A plant growth container as set forth in claim 13 wherein said thermostat is mounted on said heater and passes through said second base of said inner pot.

15. A plant growth container as set forth in claim 13 further comprising a cover mounted on said inner pot over said cavity, said cover having at least one opening for passage of a plant therethrough.

16. A plant growth container as set forth in claim 13 wherein said inner pot has a plurality of feet on said second base spacing said second base from said first base of said outer pot.

17. A plant growth container as set forth in claim 16 wherein said second base is concave.

18. A plant growth container as set forth in claim 12 further comprising a cover mounted on said inner pot over said cavity, said cover having at least one opening for passage of a plant therethrough.

19. A plant growth container as set forth in claim 12 wherein said inner pot has a plurality of feet on said second base spacing said second base from said first base of said outer pot.

20. A plant growth container as set forth in claim 19 wherein said second base is concave.