SUCH A HOLDER

The present invention relates to a method for producing a holder suitable for containing a plant. The invention also relates to such a holder obtained by means of the aforementioned method.

State of the art From the state of the art a method is known to manually produce such, generally spherical, plant holders. In particular, the Japanese 'Kokedama'-plant holders are mentioned in this respect for cultivating, for example, Bonsai trees. Such plant holders are overgrown with moss or similar vegetal material to give a natural appearance to the plant holder. According to the known method such plant holders are constructed fully manually.

A disadvantage of the abovementioned manual method is that it can only be carried out by a person having sufficient dexterity (or: "green fingers") to produce such plant holders with the desired quality. In practice, this means that such plant holders are available only to a relatively small group of people. Besides, this manual method can be viewed as highly labor-intensive.

Aim of the invention

An aim of the invention is thus to produce a, preferably spherical, holder suitable for containing a plant, with the desired quality, without needing a person having a high degree of dexterity.

Description of the invention Thereto, according to the invention, a method is provided for producing a plant holder suitable for containing a plant, comprising the steps of:

providing a first female mold with a concave inside, providing a first male mold with a convex outside, the shape of which essentially corresponds to the shape of the concave inside of the first female mold, arranging a first quantity of fiber material at the concave inside of the first female mold,

- compressing the first quantity of fiber material between the concave inside of the first female mold and the convex outside of the first male mold for forming a first holder part of the holder,

providing a second female mold with a concave inside, in which an elongated recess is arranged, of which a centre line extends perpendicular to the concave inside, - providing a second male mold with a convex outside, the shape of which essentially corresponds to the shape of the concave inside of the second female mold, with an elongated body that extends perpendicular to the convex outside, away from the convex outside, wherein the elongated body can be fittingly received in the elongated recess,

- arranging a second quantity of fiber material at the concave inside of the second female mold,

compressing the second quantity of fiber material between the concave inside of the second female mold and the convex outside of the second male mold, wherein the elongated body is fittingly received in the elongated recess, for forming a second holder part of the holder with an elongated insertion opening, and

connecting the first holder part to the second holder part for forming the holder. By means of the abovementioned method a plant holder can be produced in an advantageous way, wherein the end result with respect to the desired quality is guaranteed. Preferably, the method is carried out mechanically to be able to obtain high production rates and to suppress the price per plant holder. By means of the above- described method the plant holder becomes available to a wide audience. The fiber material provides the required strength and improves the moisture-, nutrient-, and heat- regulating properties of the plant holder. Therein, it is possible that on the inside as well as on the outside plant growth is realized or encouraged. The elongated body therein ensures that a recess is formed automatically, in which the plant can be inserted and received.

A preferred embodiment relates to an aforementioned method, wherein:

the concave inside of the first female mold is spherical, the convex outside of the first male mold is spherical,

during the compression of the first quantity of fiber material between the spherical inside of the first female mold and the spherical outside of the first male mold a first, essentially semi-spherical holder part of a spherical holder is formed,

- the concave inside of the second female mold is spherical,

the convex outside of the second male mold is spherical,

during the compression of the second quantity of fiber material between the spherical inside of the second female mold and the spherical outside of the second male mold a second, essentially semi- spherical holder part of a spherical holder is formed, and

upon connection of the first holder part to the second holder part a spherical holder is formed.

The elongated recess preferably relates to a cylindrical recess and the elongated body preferably relates to a cylindrical body.

The plane that is associated with the connection will often coincide with the equator of the spherical plant holder. This plane, however, can also be parallel or inclined with respect the equator and be spaced-apart from this equator.

The plant holder can have an outward appearance different from a spherical shape. However, then one should realize that the natural appearance of the plant holder is possibly devaluated.

Furthermore, one should understand that usually the clod of the plant, or the pot in which the clod is received, will be arranged in the plant holder and not so much the plant 'as a whole'.

Preferably, the connection of the first holder part to the second holder part occurs by means of pressing, such that a strong connection between the holder parts, such as holder halves, is obtained.

Another embodiment relates to a method, wherein the first or the second quantity of fiber material before pressing is embedded in a rubber-like or latex-like material, such that the first or the second holder part contains rubber or latex. This improves the constructional elasticity of the plant holder.

Preferably, the first holder part is connected to the second holder part by means of vulcanizing to obtain a durable connection. Otherwise, the connection of the first holder part to the second holder part can occur by means of gluing or astringing.

Preferably, the outside of the first or second holder part can be overgrown with vegetal material, such as moss, to provide a natural appearance and to optimize the growth environment of the plant.

Advantageously, the first or second quantity of fiber material comprises coconut fiber to provide the plant holder, besides a natural appearance and an optimized growth environment, with a durable feel.

An embodiment furthermore relates to a method, wherein the fiber material of the holder is flushed with fertilizing substances for encouraging plant growth.

Yet another embodiment relates to a method, wherein the first holder part is situated at the bottom side in the position of use and before inserting the plant into the holder a dish is arranged at the bottom of the first holder part. Thus, superfluous water can be collected in an easy manner.

Furthermore, it is advantageous to provide the first holder part with an inwardly directed bump, wherein the first holder part is situated at the bottom side in the position of use, to improve the stability of the plant holder. This in particular holds for a spherical holder.

The invention furthermore relates to a - preferably spherical - holder suitable for containing a plant, produced by means of the aforementioned method.

JP 2003/325055 A describes a spherical plant holder for carrying out setting of a plant in the ground. However, according to the current invention, the plant holder should have a natural and attractive appearance. The plant holder should thus be visible 'during use'. This is not possible with the plant holder of JP 2003/325055 A, which is to be inserted into the ground.

Brief description of the drawings

The invention will be further explained with reference to an exemplary embodiment shown in the drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 shows a spherical Kokedama-plant holder according to the state of the art;

Fig. 2 shows a first stage of the method according to the invention; Fig. 3 shows a second stage of the method according to the invention;

Fig. 4 shows an example of the spherical plant holder obtained by means of the method according to the invention;

Fig. 5 shows a variant wherein the plant holder has a cylindrical recess having a frustoconical shape;

Fig. 6 shows a variant wherein a suspension chord is connected to the upside of the plant holder;

Fig. 7 shows a variant wherein a dish is arranged at the bottom of the plant holder; and

Fig. 8 shows a variant wherein the bottom of the plant holder is provided with an inwardly directed bump.

Detailed description of the invention In fig. 1 a spherical Kokedama-plant holder 1 according to the state of the art is shown with an insertion opening 15 in which a plant 2 with a clod or a plant pot is arranged. The outside of the plant holder 1 is usually covered with a moss or similar vegetal material.

In figures 2 and 3 a preferred method for producing a holder 1 according to the invention is shown, wherein the holder 1 is spherical.

Fig. 2 shows a first method stage and more specifically providing a first female mold 3 with a spherical inside and providing a first male mold 4 with a spherical outside, the shape and curvature of which essentially corresponds to the shape and curvature of the spherical inside of the first female mold 3. A first quantity of fiber material 5 is arranged at the spherical inside of the first female mold 3. Then the first quantity of fiber material 5 is compressed between the spherical inside of the first female mold 3 and the spherical outside of the first male mold 4 for forming a first, essentially semi-spherical holder part 6 of the spherical holder 1.

Fig. 3 shows a second method stage comprising providing a second female mold 7 with a spherical inside in which an essentially cylindrical recess 11 is arranged, the centerline 12 of which is aligned with a curvature radial of the spherical inside, or put differently, extends perpendicular to the inside. A second male mold 8 is also provided with a spherical outside of which the shape and curvature essentially correspond to the shape and curvature of the spherical inside of the second female mold 7. The second male mold 8 has an essentially cylindrical body 13 that extends along a curvature radial of the spherical outside or, put differently, perpendicular to the outside, away from the spherical outside, such as downwards, wherein the cylindrical body 13 can be fittingly received in the cylindrical recess 11. As shown, a second quantity of fiber material 9 is arranged at the spherical inside of the second female mold 7. The second quantity of fiber material 9 then is compressed between the spherical inside of the second female mold 7 and the spherical outside of the second male mold 8, wherein the cylindrical body 13 is fittingly received in the cylindrical recess, for forming a second, essentially semi-spherical holder part 10 of the spherical holder 1 with an essentially cylindrical insertion opening 14. This insertion opening 14 will be situated at the topside during use. As a last step the first holder part is connected to the second holder part for forming a spherical holder 1. This connection of the first holder part 6 to the second holder part 10 can occur for example by means of pressing.

The first or the second quantity of fiber material 5, 9 can be embedded in a rubber-like or latex-like material (not shown) before compression, such that the first or the second holder part 6, 10 comprises rubber or latex.

As shown in fig. 4, the first holder part 6 can be connected to the second holder part 10 by means of vulcanizing. Fig. 4 shows the connection zone 17 connecting both holder parts 6, 10 to each other. Otherwise, connection of the first holder part 6 to the second holder part 10 can occur by means of gluing or astringing. The outside of the first or the second holder part 6, 10 preferably is overgrown with vegetal material, such as moss. The first or the second quantity of fiber material 5, 9 preferably comprises coconut fiber and the fiber material of the spherical holder 1 is preferably flushed with fertilizing substances for improving plant growth.

As shown in fig. 5, the cylindrical insertion opening 14 can also have a frustoconical shape. In addition, fig. 5 shows that the spherical holder 1 can have a relatively large wall thickness if desired. This wall thickness can vary for instance from 2 to 30 mm, depending on the wishes of the respective consumer or user. The outer diameter of the plant holder 1 can be for instance 5 - 20 cm, although a smaller or larger outer diameter is conceivable. The cylindrical insertion opening 14 can also extend relatively far into the plant holder 1, for instance up to even 50-80% of the outer diameter of the plant holder 1. Therein, it is conceivable that the first holder part 6 as well as the second holder part 10 are provided with a cylindrical recess, wherein these recesses upon connection of the holder parts 6, 10 form a single, continuous recess.

Fig. 6 shows a variant wherein the spherical plant holder 1 at the topside (in the position of use) is provided with a suspension chord 18 or similar means, such as hooks, eyelets, copper wire, et cetera.

Fig. 7 shows a variant wherein the first holder part 6 is situated at the bottom side in the position of use and before insertion of a plant 2 in the holder a dish 15 is arranged at the bottom of the first holder part.

Fig. 8 lastly shows an exemplary embodiment wherein the bottom of the first holder part 6 is provided with an inwardly directed bump 16. Alternatively, the bottom can be flattened at the bottom side (during use).

Depending on the wishes of the consumer or user also twigs, pieces of wood, stones, coconut lumps and the like can be mixed through the fiber material. In particular moss can be advantageously encouraged to grow in a greenhouse in a subsequent step to five a natural appearance to the holder. In addition, the fiber material can be formed by - or supplemented by - jute, cotton, or similar fibers, whether or not of natural origin.

To improve durability of the plant holder 1 it can be submerged, or sprayed or covered with a (fluid) substance suitable for this purpose.

Of course, the fibers can be colored with a suitable pigment suitable for this purpose.

The inventor also foresees an embodiment wherein the first male mold with a spherical outside is formed by a balloon, such as a rubber balloon. During pressing the balloon can serve as a 'mold' on the one hand and on the other hand, by means of inflating the balloon (i.e. the inflation action itself), the required pressing pressure on the fiber material can be simultaneously provided.

Thus, the invention has been described by reference to the embodiments discussed above. It will be recognized that these embodiments are susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms well known to those of skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, although specific embodiments have been described, these are examples only and are not limiting upon the scope of the invention. List of reference numerals

1. Spherical holder

2. Plant

3. First female mold

4. First male mold

5. First quantity of fiber material

6. First holder part

7. Second female mold

8. Second male mold

9. Second quantity of fiber material

10. Second holder part

11. Cylindrical recess

12. Centerline cylindrical recess

13. Cylindrical body

14. Cylindrical insertion opening

15. Dish

16. Bump

17. Connection region

18. Suspension rope