Plant growth container

• US 7,634,872 B2
• Filed: 11/18/2004
• Issued: 12/22/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 11/19/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: AgroSci, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Mark R. Prescott
• Inventors: Prescott, Mark R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Poon; Peter M
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hayes; Kristen C
• Application Number:
  US10/991,815
• Publication Number:
  US 20050120626A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,860 Days
• Field of Search: 47/79, 47/80, 47/81, 206/423, 219/407
• US Class Current: 47/86
• 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

inner and outer pots disposed in interfitting relation about upper ends thereof to define a space therebetween, the inner one of said pots defining a cavity for receiving soil and the roots of a plant and wherein the outer one of said pair of pots has an upstanding wall and said inner one of said pair of pots has an upstanding wall with a shouldered rim fitting within said upstanding wall of said outer one of said pair of pots in a tight fit manner;

heating means in said space between said pots for heating said inner pot to heat the soil within said inner pot and to maintain the roots of the plant warm; and

a thermostat mounted within said cavity of said inner one of said pots for sensing the temperature of the soil thereat and being operatively connected to said heating means for selectively actuating said heating means in response to sensing of a predetermined temperature of the soil.

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 and operatively connected to said thermostat 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

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;

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; and

a thermostat mounted on said heater and passing through said second base of said inner pot into said cavity of said inner pot for sensing the temperature of the soil thereat and being operatively connected to said heater for selectively actuating said heater in response to sensing of a predetermined temperature.

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

5. A plant growth container as set forth in claim 3 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, said thermostat being operatively connected to said switch for selectively actuating said switch in response to sensing of a predetermined temperature.

6. A plant growth container as set forth in claim 3 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.

7. A plant growth container as set forth in claim 3 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.

8. A plant growth container as set forth in claim 3 wherein said second base is concave.

9. 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;

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; and

a thermostat mounted within said cavity of said inner pot for sensing the temperature of the soil thereat and being operatively connected to said heater for selectively actuating said heater in response to sensing of a predetermined temperature of the soil, said thermostat being mounted on said heater and passing through said second base of said inner pot.

10. A plant growth container as set forth in claim 9 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, said thermostat being operatively connected to said switch for selectively actuating said switch in response to sensing of a predetermined temperature.

11. A plant growth container as set forth in claim 10 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.

12. A plant growth container as set forth in claim 10 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.

13. A plant growth container as set forth in claim 12 wherein said second base is concave.

14. A plant growth container as set forth in claim 9 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.

15. A plant growth container as set forth in claim 9 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.

16. A plant growth container as set forth in claim 15 wherein said second base is concave.

17. A plant growth container as set forth in claim 9 wherein said second base of said inner pot is concave.

18. A plant growth container comprising

inner and outer pots disposed in interfitting relation to define an enclosed space therebetween, the inner one of said pots defining a cavity and wherein the outer one of said pots has an upstanding wall and said inner one of said pots has an upstanding wall with a shouldered rim fitting within said upstanding wall of said outer one of said pots in a tight fit manner;

a layer of soil in said cavity of said inner pot for receiving the roots a plant;

heating means in said space between said pots for heating said inner pot to heat said soil within said inner pot; and

a thermostat mounted within said inner pot for sensing the temperature of the soil thereat and being operatively connected to said heating means for selectively actuating said heating means in response to sensing of a predetermined temperature.

19. A plant growth container as set forth in claim 18 further comprising a cover mounted within said rim and a lip directed radially outwardly at the top of said upstanding wall of said outer one of said pots and wherein said rim overlies said lip.