Plant container liners

Abstract

A liner (80) for a plant container includes one or more sheets of partially compressed, dried or at least substantially dry, reconstitutible sphagnum moss. The liner (80) is formed into a 3-dimensional shape having a top opening and one or more walls extending in an upstanding configuration towards the opening, the walls having a body and top edges 86 defined along the top opening. The top edges 86 are compressed to a lesser degree than the body of the walls. A blank (84) for forming the liner (80) and a method of forming the liner or the blank (84) is also disclosed.

Description

[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09 / 372,291, filed Aug. 11, 1999 which for purposes of disclosure is incorporated herein by specific reference.[0002] This invention relates to plant container liners or blanks therefore. In particular, although not exclusively, the invention relates to sphagnum moss liners for plant containers such as hanging baskets, especially those baskets in the form of skeletal containers.BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION[0003] Because of its unique water retaining properties, and pleasant appearance as a natural plant substance, sphagnum moss has traditionally been a favoured material for use in conjunction with floral arrangements and related horticultural activities.[0004] Traditionally, sphagnum moss has been sold mostly in a dried state but sometimes in a wet state, but generally in a natural loose form in which each filament of the moss plant is separate and distinguishable.[0005] In recent decades, a new technology ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0034] The high level partially reconstituted liner is received in a plant container. The preferred form is a wire basket. This produces a finished product which is readily marketable. The liner and basket combination may be such that the liner is oversized for the basket thereby exposing the uncompressed top edges of the liner. This enhances the appearance of the liner. Nevertheless, the basket is not required for the walls of the liner to be self-supporting.

[0038] The stiffening insert is preferably a sheet of card either of cardboard or plastic. Preferably the card is water resistant. The insert suitably conforms to at least a portion of the interior contour of the liner. In a most preferred form of the invention, the liner is comprised of a base portion and a unitary arcuate wall portion adapted to form a continuous wall around the base portion. In this form, the liner may have top edges which are compressed to a lesser degree and overlapping edges which are also compressed to a lesser degree than the body of the liner. In this form of the invention, the insert may cover only the body of the liner exposing the top edges and the overlapping edges. The stiffening insert protects the interior unreconstituted walls of the fully formed liner against being wetted before use. Any water falling on the stiffening insert will flow towards the base which is least likely to collapse on account of becoming wet.

[0043] It is also intended that a wide range of materials may be utilised to form the water resistant or water impervious layer. In a simple form the layer can be provided by a mat of cellulous material such as a suitable grade of paper which may or may not have surface coatings. Suitable surface coatings where provided can facilitate adhesion to the sphagnum moss and increase the water retentive characteristics of the layer.

[0053] For transportation it is clearly desirable to ensure that the three dimensional form of the liners are able to be nested one within the other to minimise the transportation space required in sending the liners to the point of sale outlets.

Problems solved by technology

It will be appreciated that a high level of partial reconstitution could weaken the structural integrity of the 3-dimensional form of the liner.

Additionally, it is important to note that while there is partial reconstitution of the exterior of the liner, the interior of the liner is unreconstituted and thus retains sufficient stiffness such that the walls of the liner are self-supporting.

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