阅读说明：本技术 用于园艺的盆 (Gardening pot ) 是由 赫里伯特·维特尔斯 丹尼尔·马劳 朱迪思·斯普利斯 于 2018-06-29 设计创作，主要内容包括：一种盆(100),包含一底面(102)和多个壁面(104、106、108、110)。多个壁面(104、106、108、110)中的每一个连接并延伸远离底面(102),并相对于彼此互相连接。底面(102)和多个壁面(104、106、108、110)界定位于其中的内部空间(112),适于容纳土壤。盆(100)还包含至少一个占位器(114、116),设置在内部空间(112)内。所述至少一个占位器(114、116)可移除地耦接到以下的至少一个：底面(102)和多个壁面(104、106、108、110)中的至少一个。所述至少一个占位器(114、116)适于在土壤内提供预挖孔(118、120)。预挖孔(118、120)适于在其中容纳种子和树苗中的至少一种。以下的至少一个包含从其延伸的一定位器(202)：底面(102)和多个壁面(104、106、108、110)中的至少一个。定位器(202)适于将至少一个占位器(114、116)可移除地耦接在其上。(A basin (100) includes a bottom surface (102) and a plurality of wall surfaces (104, 106, 108, 110). Each of the plurality of walls (104, 106, 108, 110) is connected to and extends away from the bottom surface (102) and is interconnected with respect to one another. The floor (102) and the plurality of walls (104, 106, 108, 110) define an interior space (112) therein adapted to contain soil. The basin (100) also includes at least one placeholder (114, 116) disposed within the interior space (112). The at least one placeholder (114, 116) is removably coupled to at least one of: a bottom surface (102) and at least one of the plurality of wall surfaces (104, 106, 108, 110). The at least one placeholder (114, 116) is adapted to provide a pre-dug hole (118, 120) in the soil. The pre-dug holes (118, 120) are adapted to receive at least one of a seed and a seedling therein. At least one of the following includes a locator (202) extending therefrom: a bottom surface (102) and at least one of the plurality of wall surfaces (104, 106, 108, 110). The positioner (202) is adapted to removably couple at least one placeholder (114, 116) thereto.)

1. A basin (100) comprising:

a bottom surface (102);

a plurality of walls (104, 106, 108, 110) connected to and extending away from the floor (102), each of the plurality of walls (104, 106, 108, 110) interconnected with respect to one another, wherein the floor (102) and the plurality of walls (104, 106, 108, 110) define an interior space (112) therein, the interior space (112) adapted to receive soil therein,

the method is characterized in that:

at least one placeholder (114, 116) is disposed within the interior space (112); the at least one placeholder (114, 116) is removably coupled to at least one of: at least one of the bottom surface (102) and the plurality of walls (104, 106, 108, 110); said at least one spacer (114, 116) being adapted to provide a pre-dug hole (118, 120) in the soil when removed from said basin (100); the pre-dug holes (118, 120) are adapted to receive at least one of seeds and seedlings therein;

at least one of the following includes a locator (202) extending therefrom: at least one of the bottom surface (102) and the plurality of walls (104, 106, 108, 110); the positioner (202) is adapted to removably couple the at least one placeholder (114, 116) thereto.

2. The basin (100) of claim 1, wherein the at least one placeholder (114, 116) is integrally formed with respect to at least one of: the bottom surface (102) and at least one of the plurality of wall surfaces (104, 106, 108, 110).

3. The basin (100) of claim 1, wherein the at least one placeholder (114, 116) is removably coupled to the locator (202) by an interference fit.

4. The basin (100) of claim 1, wherein the at least one placeholder (808) is removably coupled to the locator (804) by a bayonet connection (802).

5. The basin (400) of claim 1, wherein the at least one placeholder (426) is inclined from a normal axis defined by the bottom surface (420).

6. The tub (100) of claim 1, characterized in that the at least one placeholder (114, 116) is a seed capsule.

7. The basin (100) of claim 6, wherein the at least one placeholder (114, 116) is made of a dissolvable material.

8. The basin (100) of claim 1, wherein the at least one placeholder (114, 116) is a tube.

9. The basin (100) of claim 1, wherein the at least one placeholder (114, 116) comprises a plurality of placeholders (114, 116), each of the plurality of placeholders (114, 116) being disposed in spaced relation to one another.

10. The basin (100) of claim 9, wherein each of the plurality of placeholders (304, 306) are interconnected with respect to each other.

11. The basin (400) of claim 1, further comprising a lid (416) removably coupled to at least one of the plurality of walls (404, 406, 408, 410), the lid (416) adapted to at least partially enclose the interior space (414) associated with the floor (420) and the plurality of walls (404, 406, 408, 410).

12. The basin (400) of claim 1, wherein at least one of the walls (404, 406, 408, 410) includes a protruding surface (402) disposed thereon, the protruding surface (402) extending away from the interior space (414), the protruding surface (402) adapted to provide an extending opening (412) in the interior space (414).

13. Basin (400) according to claims 11 and 12, characterized in that the lid (416) comprises a recess (422) provided along one of its edges (424) in association with the extended opening (412).

14. The basin (400) of claim 12, wherein the at least one placeholder (426) extends as far as the extension opening (412).

15. The basin (100) of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of basins (502, 504, 506), each of the plurality of basins (502, 504, 506) being interconnected with respect to one another.

16. The basin (100) of claim 15, wherein at least one of the walls (508, 510, 512, 514) of each of the basins (502, 504, 506) is interconnected with respect to any of the walls (508, 510, 512, 514) of an adjacent basin (502, 504, 506).

17. The tub (100) of claims 11 and 15, characterized in that the lid (516, 518, 520) of at least one of the plurality of tubs (502, 504, 506) is interconnected with respect to the bottom surface (608, 610, 612) of an adjacent tub (602, 604, 606).

18. The tub (100) of claims 11 and 15, characterized in that the lid (516, 518, 520) of at least one of the plurality of tubs (502, 504, 506) is interconnected with respect to the lid (516, 518, 520) of an adjacent tub (502, 504, 506).

19. A placeholder (114, 116) adapted for use with a basin (100) according to claims 1-18.

20. A placeholder (114, 116) according to claim 19, wherein the placeholder (114, 116) is a seed capsule.

21. The placeholder (114, 116) of claim 19, manufactured using a dissolvable material.

22. A placeholder (114, 116) according to claim 19, wherein the placeholder (114, 116) is a tube.

23. The placeholder (114, 116) of claim 19, comprising a plurality of placeholders (114, 116).

24. The placeholder (114, 116) of claim 23, wherein each of the plurality of placeholders (304, 306) is interconnected with respect to each other.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a pot for gardening, and more particularly, to a pot for planting seeds or seedlings therein.

Background

During small-scale or indoor gardening practices, for example: in balcony gardening and wall gardening, pots are used to plant seeds, samples or small plants therein. These pots provide a compact, mobile and viable alternative for lawn gardening in places where space is limited. Generally, it may be necessary to separately purchase materials required for horticulture, for example: pots, soil, seeds, samples, etc. Furthermore, the user may need some gardening skills in order to properly plant the seeds and/or seedlings in the pots. This may also require the use of manual labor, specialized gardening tools, and knowledge to use gardening skills.

In many cases, the user may lack the required skill to use the garden tool in an appropriate manner. Moreover, the time and physical labor required for such horticultural methods may result in poor horticultural practices, poor horticultural conditions, and/or poor maintenance thereof. In addition, particularly in a limited indoor space, timely soil replacement, introduction of fertilizer, planting/improvement of seeds/seedlings, soil diffusion, flooding, and the like may rather lead to disorder. Therefore, there is a need to improve the gardening method by providing an improved gardening device.

Disclosure of Invention

In view of the above, it is an object of the present invention to solve or at least reduce the above disadvantages. According to an embodiment of the invention, the object is at least partly achieved by a pot for gardening. The basin includes a bottom surface and a plurality of wall surfaces. Each of the plurality of walls connects to and extends away from the bottom surface. Each of the plurality of walls is interconnected to each other. The bottom surface and the plurality of walls define an interior space therein. The interior space is adapted to receive soil therein. The basin is characterized in that the basin further comprises at least one placeholder disposed within the interior space. The at least one placeholder is removably coupled to at least one of: the bottom surface and at least one of the plurality of wall surfaces. The removability of the placeholder relative to the basin provides the user with the flexibility to use the placeholder within the basin on demand. The at least one placeholder is adapted to provide a pre-dug hole in the soil. The pre-dug hole is adapted to receive at least one of a seed and a seedling therein. The pre-dug holes reduce the time required to plant seeds and/or seedlings in the soil without the use of special digging tools and/or digging work. At least one of the following includes a locator extending therefrom: the bottom surface and at least one of the plurality of wall surfaces. The positioner is adapted to removably couple the at least one placeholder thereto. The positioner provides a simple and convenient way to couple the placeholder within the pot as required without the use of special tools.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the at least one placeholder is integrally formed with respect to at least one of: the bottom surface and at least one of the plurality of wall surfaces. Thus, in case it may be necessary to empty the basin and refill it with a new portion of soil, the pre-dug holes may be quickly and easily formed by the placeholders.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the at least one placeholder is removably fixed to the locator by an interference fit. The interference fit provides a user with easy coupling of the placeholder within the basin without the use of special tools.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the at least one placeholder is removably coupled to the locator by a bayonet connection. The bayonet connection provides the user with easy coupling of the placeholder within the basin without the use of special tools.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the at least one placeholder is inclined with respect to a normal axis defined by the bottom surface. The inclination improves the utilization of the limited space available in the inner space of the basin.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the at least one placeholder is a seed capsule. In case the inner space inside the basin and around the placeholder can be filled with soil, the user can certainly simply break the already existing seed capsule in order to implant the seeds therein into the pre-dug holes of the soil. In this way, the user must simply water the soil periodically to grow the sample.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the at least one placeholder is manufactured using a dissolvable material. Thus, when the conditions required to dissolve the placeholder are met, for example: if the desired moisture content, soil temperature, etc. is present in the soil, the placeholder may automatically break open and may automatically release seeds and/or fertilizer into the pre-dug hole.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the at least one spacer is a tube. The pipe provides a simple, convenient and space-saving method for creating pre-dug holes in soil. Furthermore, the tubular is a relatively versatile design form, and in the event of damage or loss of an existing placeholder, the user may optionally replace the existing placeholder with any other available tubular.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the at least one placeholder comprises a plurality of placeholders. Each of the plurality of placeholders is disposed in spaced relation to one another. The plurality of placeholders are arranged to improve space utilization of the limited space available within the interior space of the pot for planting the plurality of seeds and/or seedlings.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the plurality of placeholders are interconnected with respect to each other. As such, each of the plurality of placeholders may be coupled within the basin by a single placeholder.

According to an embodiment of the invention, a cover is removably coupled to at least one of the plurality of walls. The lid is adapted to at least partially enclose the interior space associated with the floor and the plurality of walls. The cover provides protection to the soil from external elements, weather, etc. Furthermore, the lid may provide for vertical stacking of additional pots one on top of the other to improve space utilization.

According to an embodiment of the invention, at least one of the walls comprises a protruding surface provided thereon. The protruding surface extends away from the interior space. The protruding surface is adapted to provide an extended opening in the interior space. The extended opening allows easy access to the interior space, particularly when the lid can be placed on the basin.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the lid comprises a recess along an edge thereof arranged in association with the extended opening. The recess associated with the extended opening allows easy access to the interior space of the basin when the lid can be placed over the basin.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the at least one placeholder extends as far as the extension opening. Thus, the pre-dug holes may be inclined towards the extended opening so as to provide a path for the seedlings to grow out of the inner space.

According to an embodiment of the invention, a plurality of basins is provided. Each of the plurality of basins is interconnected with each other. The interconnection makes it easy to stack a plurality of basins, thereby improving space utilization during use of the plurality of basins.

According to an embodiment of the invention, at least one of the walls of each of the basins is interconnected with respect to any of the walls of an adjacent basin. As such, the interconnection provides for easy assembly, improved aesthetics, and improved space utilization during use of multiple basins in a horizontally stacked arrangement.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the lid of at least one of the plurality of basins is interconnected with respect to the bottom surface of an adjacent basin. As such, the interconnection provides for easy assembly, improved aesthetics, and improved space utilization during use of multiple basins arranged in a vertical stack.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the lid of at least one of the plurality of basins is interconnected with respect to the lid of an adjacent basin. As such, the interconnection facilitates assembly/disassembly of the plurality of lids associated with the plurality of basins, thereby providing a time-saving assembly/disassembly process.

Other features and aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings.

Drawings

The invention will be described in more detail hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary basin having a plurality of placeholders therein, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the basin of FIG. 1 along section A-A' in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view of another exemplary placeholder arranged within the basin of FIG. 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of another exemplary basin having a placeholder and a lid, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of a plurality of basins stacked horizontally with respect to one another in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of a plurality of basins stacked vertically with respect to one another in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

7A-7B illustrate perspective views of the exemplary placeholder of FIGS. 1 and 3, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and

fig. 8 illustrates a perspective view of another exemplary basin having another exemplary placeholder therein according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description

The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments of the invention incorporating one or more aspects of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. For example, one or more aspects of the present invention may be used in other embodiments and even other types of structures and/or methods. In the drawings, like numbering represents like elements.

Certain terminology is used herein for convenience only and is not to be taken as a limitation on the present invention. For example, "substantially," "normal," "actual," "plurality," "single," "plurality," "similar," "inner," "outer," "between," "about," "equal," "integral," "limited," "free," and the like, merely describe the configuration shown in the figures. Of course, the components may be oriented in any direction and the terminology, therefore, should be understood as encompassing variations unless specified otherwise.

Referring to fig. 1, a perspective view of an exemplary basin 100 is shown. The basin 100 includes a substantially bowl-shaped configuration. More specifically, the basin 100 includes a floor 102. The bottom surface 102 defines its normal axis X-X'. The basin 100 also includes a plurality of walls 104, 106, 108, 110 connected to and extending away from the floor 102. In the illustrated embodiment, the plurality of walls 104, 106, 108, 110 includes four walls. Each of the plurality of walls 104, 106, 108, 110 is connected to the bottom surface 102 and extends from the bottom surface 102 at an angle "A". The actual value of angle "a" may vary based on application requirements.

In the illustrated embodiment, the angle "A" defined by each of the plurality of walls 104, 106, 108, 110 relative to the bottom surface 102 is similar. In other embodiments, the angle "A" defined by one or more of the plurality of walls 104, 106, 108, 110 relative to the bottom surface 102 may be different. Each of the plurality of walls 104, 106, 108, 110 are interconnected with respect to one another. In this way, wall 104 is connected to wall 106, wall 106 is connected to wall 108, wall 108 is connected to wall 110, and wall 110 is connected to wall 104. Thus, the basin 100 has a substantially rectangular and conical configuration.

In other embodiments, the plurality of walls 104, 106, 108, 110 may include any number of walls based on application requirements. Accordingly, the basin 100 may have any other configuration known in the art, such as: triangular configurations, pentagonal configurations, and the like. In some embodiments, the basin 100 may include a single wall (not shown) having a circular configuration. In this case, the basin 100 may comprise a substantially cylindrical configuration. The basin 100 may be made of any material known in the art, such as: metals, polymers, wood, and/or combinations thereof, and the like. Moreover, the basin 100 may be manufactured using any known method, such as: casting, molding, kneading, additive manufacturing, and the like.

The basin 100 comprises a substantially hollow configuration. More specifically, the bottom surface 102 and the plurality of walls 104, 106, 108, 110 define an interior space 112 therein. The interior space 112 is adapted to receive soil (not shown) therein. Moreover, the interior space 112 may contain other materials required for planting one or more seeds (not shown) or seedlings (not shown) therein, such as: sand, fertilizer, particulate matter, pebbles, stones, water, and the like.

In addition, the interior space 112 is adapted to receive a plurality of placeholders 114, 116 therein (also shown in FIG. 7A). In the illustrated embodiment, the interior space 112 contains two placeholders disposed therein. In other embodiments, the interior space 112 may contain a single or multiple placeholders therein based on application requirements. Each of the plurality of placeholders 114, 116 is disposed within the interior space 112 in a spaced relation to one another.

In the illustrated embodiment, each of the plurality of placeholders 114, 116 is disposed perpendicular to the bottom surface 102 and parallel to the normal axis X-X'. In other embodiments, one or more of the plurality of placeholders 114, 116 may be disposed at an angle oblique (not shown) to the bottom surface 102 or the normal axis X-X'. Each of the plurality of placeholders 114, 116 is adapted to provide a pre-dug hole 118, 120, respectively, within the soil when removed from the basin 100. After the placeholder 114 is removed from the pot, the soil leaves a pre-dug hole or cavity therein. The pre-dug holes 118, 120 are adapted to receive at least one of a seed and a seedling therein.

More specifically, with the interior space 112 filled with soil, each of the plurality of placeholders 114, 116 is placed within the soil in a manner such that the soil surrounds each of the plurality of placeholders 114, 116 so as to form pre-dug holes 118, 120, respectively. During planting of the seeds or seedlings, one or more of the plurality of placeholders 114, 116 are removed to provide a hollow space in the form of pre-dug holes 118, 120, respectively, within the soil. The pre-dug holes 118, 120 may then be used to plant seeds or seedlings in the soil without the use of any digging tools and/or digging work.

In the illustrated embodiment, each of the plurality of placeholders 114, 116 is an open-ended tubular member having a cylindrical structure. In other embodiments, one or more of the plurality of placeholders 114, 116 may have any other configuration, such as: rectangular configurations, triangular configurations, etc. In other embodiments, one or more of the plurality of placeholders 114, 116 may be closed-ended tubes. In this case, the plurality of placeholders 114, 116 may restrict unwanted entry of soil into the hollow space of the pre-dug holes 118, 120 during filling of the interior space 112 of the basin 100 with soil. The plurality of placeholders 114, 116 may be made of any material known in the art, such as: polymers, metals, wood, and/or combinations thereof, and the like. Further, the plurality of placeholders 114, 116 may be fabricated using any known method, such as: casting, molding, kneading, additive manufacturing, and the like.

In some embodiments, one or more of the plurality of placeholders 114, 116 may be seed capsules. In this case, the seed capsule may comprise a substantially elongated configuration. Also, the seed capsule may be made of a dissolvable material, such as: biodegradable materials, water soluble materials, and the like. Thus, since the seed capsules may dissolve in the soil, one or more seeds and/or fertilizers present therein may be released from the seed capsules within the pre-dug holes 118, 120, respectively, in the soil.

Referring to FIG. 2, a cross-sectional view of basin 100 along section A-A' (shown in FIG. 1) is shown. The connection between one or more of the plurality of placeholders 114, 116 and the bottom surface 102 will now be described with reference to the placeholder 114. It should be noted that another placeholder 116 of the plurality of placeholders 114, 116 may also be coupled to the bottom surface 102 in a similar manner.

The basin 100 includes a locator 202 disposed on the bottom surface 102. More specifically, the locator 202 extends away from the floor 102 of the basin 100 into the interior space 112. The configuration of the positioner 202 is substantially similar to the configuration of the placeholder 114. Thus, the positioner 202 defines a diameter "DT" that is approximately equal to the inner diameter "ID" of the placeholder 114. As a result, the placeholder 114 may be removably coupled with respect to the locator 202 using an interference fit between the inner surface 204 of the placeholder 114 and the outer surface 206 of the locator 202.

The positioner 202 provides positional stability to the placeholder 114. The placeholder 114 may be subject to lateral forces by the support of the positioner 202. The placeholder 114 may not be displaced from the expected location based on the support of the locator 202. This may further assist in providing a pre-dug hole in a vertical linear orientation. Such orientation may further assist in easily dropping seeds or seedlings through to the bottom of the basin 100.

In other embodiments (not shown), the positioner 202 may comprise an annular configuration having a hollow configuration. In this case, the inner diameter of the positioner 202 may be approximately equal to the outer diameter of the placeholder 114. As a result, the placeholder 114 may be removably coupled with respect to the locator 202 using an interference fit between the outer surface of the placeholder 114 and the inner surface of the locator 202. In other embodiments, the fastening may be achieved by using any other fastening method known in the art, such as: a clamp connection, clamping, threaded coupling, bolting, gluing, etc., may removably couple one or more of the plurality of placeholders 114, 116 to the positioner 202.

In some embodiments, referring to fig. 8, the placeholder 808 may be removably coupled within the interior space 112 of the basin 100 using a bayonet connection 802. The placeholder 808 may also be coupled to the basin 100 in any other suitable manner, and the invention is not limited by the type of connection between the basin 100 and the placeholder 808. In this case, the locator 804 can include one or more recesses 806 disposed thereon. Also, the placeholder 808 may include one or more protrusions 810 disposed thereon. Thus, the protrusion 810 may be accommodated in the recess 806, and the placeholder 808 may be suitably rotated about the normal axis X-X' in order to removably couple the placeholder 808 with respect to the positioner 804. It should be noted that in other embodiments, the recesses 806 and protrusions 810 may be interchangeably provided on the placeholder 808 and the locator 804, respectively.

In an exemplary case, the placeholder 808 may be placed within the basin 100 in a removably coupled manner. The seeds/seedlings can then be planted in the pots. After the seeds/seedlings have grown sufficiently, the plants may need to be transferred to another location. The placeholder 808 may then be removed from the basin 100 and the basin 100 may be emptied completely of its contents, such as soil, fertilizer, etc. The removable coupling of the placeholder 808 with the basin 100 allows for reusability of the basin 100. The basin 100 can be reused in an efficient manner.

In other embodiments, one or more of the plurality of placeholders 114, 116 may be removably coupled to any of the plurality of walls 104, 106, 108, 110. In such a case, the locator 202 may be disposed on one or more of the plurality of walls 104, 106, 108, 110. Alternatively, in some embodiments, one or more of the plurality of placeholders 114, 116 may be integrally formed with respect to the bottom surface 102 or one or more of the plurality of walls 104, 106, 108, 110, for example, during their manufacture. In still other embodiments, one or more of the plurality of placeholders 114, 116 may simply be placed within the interior space 112 without any contact with the bottom surface 102 and/or any of the plurality of walls 104, 106, 108, 110. In this case, one or more of the plurality of placeholders 114, 116 may be supported by the soil itself within the interior space 112.

In some embodiments, each of the plurality of placeholders 114, 116 may be interconnected with respect to one another. For example, referring to fig. 3 and 7B, the plurality of placeholders 304, 306 may contain a branching construct in such a way that: such that each of the plurality of placeholders 304, 306 may be interconnected with respect to each other by the backbone 302. The backbone 302 may further be connected to the positioner 202 to couple the plurality of placeholders 304, 306 relative to the floor 102 or any of the plurality of walls 104, 106, 108, 110.

In this case, the diameter "DT" of the positioner 202 may be approximately equal to the inner diameter "IS" of the stem 302 to provide an interference fit therebetween. In the illustrated embodiment, each of the plurality of placeholders 304, 306 is tilted at an angle "O" relative to the normal axis X-X' or spine 302. In other embodiments, one or more of the plurality of placeholders 304, 306 may be parallel or inclined at any angle relative to the normal axis X-X'.

Referring to fig. 1, 2, 3, 7A, and 7B, it should be noted that one or more of the plurality of placeholders 114, 116, 304, 306 described herein may be a separate component with respect to the basin 100. More specifically, in some embodiments, one or more of the plurality of placeholders 114, 116, 304, 306 may be provided separately and apart from with the basin 100. In other embodiments, one or more of the plurality of placeholders 114, 116, 304, 306 and the basin 100 may be provided as a single kit.

Referring to fig. 4, a perspective view of another embodiment of a basin 400 is shown. The basin 400 includes a protruding surface 402 disposed on one or more of a plurality of walls 404, 406, 408, 410. In the illustrated embodiment, the protruding surface 402 is disposed on the wall 404. The projecting surface 402 defines an angle "B" relative to the normal axis X-X'. The protruding surface 402 is adapted to provide an extended opening 412 in an interior space 414 of the basin 400. In other embodiments, a plurality of protruding surfaces (not shown) similar to protruding surface 402 may be provided on any remaining plurality of walls 406, 408, 410. The plurality of protruding surfaces may provide a plurality of extended openings in the interior space 414 of the basin 400.

In addition, the basin 400 includes a lid 416. Cover 416 is adapted to be removably secured to one or more of the plurality of walls 404, 406, 408, 410. More specifically, the lid 416 is adapted to be removably secured to a top edge 418 of the basin 400. Thus, the lid 416 has a configuration similar to that of the top edge 418 of the basin 400. In the illustrated embodiment, cover 416 comprises a rectangular configuration and may vary based on application requirements. The lid 416 is adapted to at least partially enclose an interior space 414 associated with the bottom surface 420 and the plurality of walls 404, 406, 408, 410.

Cover 416 includes a recess 422 disposed along an edge 424 thereof. The recess 422 is disposed in association with the extended opening 412. Thus, the recess 422 is configured to increase the overall size of the extension opening 412. In other embodiments, cover 416 may include a plurality of recesses (not shown) disposed along its edge 424 in association with a plurality of protruding surfaces disposed on the remaining plurality of walls 406, 408, 410. Cover 416 may be made of any material known in the art, such as: metals, polymers, wood, and/or combinations thereof, and the like. Moreover, the cover 416 may be manufactured using any known method, such as: casting, molding, kneading, additive manufacturing, and the like.

The extension opening 412 provides a path for the sample to grow and extend out of the interior space 414. The extended opening 412 also provides a user access into the interior space 414 without having to remove the lid 416 relative to the basin 400. The extended opening 412 also provides access for sunlight, water, air, etc. to the interior space 414 without requiring the lid 416 to be removed from the basin 400.

In this case, the placeholder 426 is obliquely arranged within the interior space 414 at an angle "C" with respect to the normal axis X-X'. Thus, the placeholder 426 may extend from the interior space 414 to or beyond the extended opening 412 based on application requirements. In one instance, while the basin 400 may contain a plurality of extended openings, one or more placeholders (not shown) may be disposed within the interior space 414 and extend up to or beyond the one or more plurality of extended openings, respectively.

Referring to fig. 5, a plurality of basins 502, 504, 506 are shown. Each of the plurality of basins 502, 504, 506 is interconnected with respect to one another. More specifically, in the illustrated embodiment, the plurality of basins 502, 504, 506 includes three basins. In other embodiments, the plurality of basins 502, 504, 506 may contain multiple basins based on application requirements. Further, one or more of the plurality of walls 508, 510, 512, 514 of each of the plurality of basins 502, 504, 506 are interconnected with respect to any of the plurality of walls 508, 510, 512, 514 of an adjacent basin, respectively.

For example, wall 508 of basin 502 is connected with respect to wall 510 of basin 504. In addition, wall 512 of basin 504 is connected with respect to wall 514 of basin 506, and so on, to provide a horizontal array of multiple basins 502, 504, 506. Further, the plurality of basins 502, 504, 506 may contain additional arrays of basins (not shown) similar to the plurality of basins 502, 504, 506. In this case, any remaining walls of the plurality of basins 502, 504, 506 may be connected with respect to adjacent walls of additional arrays of basins, respectively.

Additionally or alternatively, the plurality of basins 502, 504, 506 contain a plurality of lids 516, 518, 520, respectively. The number of lids may vary based on the number of the plurality of basins. Each of the plurality of covers 516, 518, 520 are interconnected with respect to one another. For example, cover 516 is coupled relative to cover 518. Cover 518 is connected with respect to cover 520, and so on. Further, while the plurality of basins 502, 504, 506 may contain additional arrays of basins, the plurality of lids 516, 518, 520 of the plurality of basins 502, 504, 506, respectively, may be connected relative to adjacent lids (not shown) of the additional arrays of basins.

In another embodiment, referring to fig. 6, an additional array of basins 602, 604, 606 is vertically stacked above the plurality of basins 502, 504, 506. The additional arrays of basins 602, 604, 606 may contain configurations similar to the configuration of the plurality of basins 502, 504, 506, respectively. More specifically, each of the plurality of lids 516, 518, 520 of the plurality of basins 502, 504, 506 is interconnected with a bottom surface 608, 610, 612, respectively, of an adjacent basin of the additional array of basins 602, 604, 606. For example, a bottom surface 608 of the basin 602 is supported above a lid 516 of the basin 502. Similarly, the floor 610 of the basin 604 is supported above the lid 518 of the basin 504. Also, a bottom surface 612 of the basin 606 is supported above a lid 520 of the basin 506. Thus, any number of additional arrays similar to the additional arrays of basins 602, 604, 606 may be stacked one on top of the other to form a vertically stacked arrangement.

In the drawings and specification, there have been disclosed preferred embodiments and examples of the invention and, although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation, the scope of the invention being set forth in the following claims.

Description of the reference numerals

100 basin

102 bottom surface

104 wall surface

106 wall surface

108 wall surface

110 wall surface

112 inner space

114 placeholder

116 placeholder

118 pre-dug hole

120 pre-dug hole

202 locator

204 inner surface of the placeholder

206 outer surface of the retainer

302 backbone

304 placeholder

306 placeholder

400 basin

402 protruding surface

404 wall surface

406 wall surface

408 wall surface

410 wall surface

412 extended opening

414 inner space

416 cover

418 top edge

420 bottom surface

422 depression

424 edge

426 placeholder

502 basin

504 basin

506 basin

508 wall surface

510 wall surface

512 wall surface

514 wall surface

516 cover

518 cover

520 cover

602 basin

604 basin

606 basin

608 bottom surface

610 bottom surface

612 bottom surface

802 bayonet connection

804 locator

806 recess

808 placeholder

810 protrusion

X-X' normal axis

Section A-A

Angle A

Angle B

Angle C

Angle of O

Diameter of DT positioning device

ID spacer inner diameter

Inner diameter of IS trunk