TECHNICAL FIELD

The various aspects and embodiments relate to a system for holding plants and/or flowers in containers.

BACKGROUND

Systems for holding plants and/or flowers in pots allow for displaying of multiple plants and or flowers and for organising the plants and/or flowers in a vertical direction. Such systems provide a pole or a pipe from which arms extend. At the end of the arms, loops are provided in which the pots can be set. Alternatively, at the end of the arms hooks are provided from which pots may be hung by means of loops provided at the top of the pots.

SUMMARY

It is preferred to provide a system for holding plants and/or flowers that provides for better arrangement and visual appearance of the plants and/or flowers.

A first aspect provides a device for carrying a container system. The device comprises a first support connector provided at a proximal side of the device for connecting the device to a substantially vertically oriented support system and a carrying arm having a proximal arm end and a distal arm end. The carrying arm further comprises a top plane provided such that when the device is connected to the support system by means of the first support connector, the top plane is provided under a first angle relative to an imaginary plane substantially perpendicular to the support system and a device connector for engaging with an arm connector of a container system to be carried by the top plane. By providing the top plane of the carrying arm under an angle, plants and/or flowers can be arranged to tilt slightly outward. With multiple carrying devices connected to the support system, an improved appearance is provided for the plants and/or flowers.

Furthermore, with single plants and/or flowers provided on multiple carrying devices provided in a vertical direction along a support and horizontally around the support, a compound plant and/or flower may be provided. The compound plant has the appearance of a large plant. An important advantage is that a large plant takes a long time to grow, if it will ever grow to the size of the compound plant. Smaller plants and/or flowers take less time to grow and are therefore cheaper. Hence, such carrying device provides an economic advantage as well.

In addition, by providing the carrying arm with the device connector, multiple types of devices for holding plants and/or flowers may be provided on the arm. This increases the flexibility of the carrying device and a system for holding plants and/or flowers comprising one or more carrying devices according to the first aspect.

An embodiment of the first aspect further comprises a second support connector for supporting the device on the support system, the second support connector being aligned with the first support connector such that when the device is connected to the support system, the top plane has an angle of more than ninety degrees with the support system.

Providing an additional connector allows for a more stable connection between the carrying device and the support system.

Another embodiment further comprises a support arm having a distal end connected to the carrying arm and having a proximal end provided at a distance from the proximal end of the carrying arm. In this embodiment, a first of the first support connector and the second support connector is connected to the proximal end of the carrying arm and a second of the first support connector and the second support connector is connected to the proximal end of the support arm.

With the support arm, not all force exerted by a container on the carrying arm is led to the device connector. This reduces strain on the device connector and enhances lifetime of the carrying device. The support arm does not necessarily have to be a physically separated arm, the support arm and the carrying arm may be integrated in one body.

In a further embodiment, the device connector is arranged to slidably engage with an arm connector of the container system to be carried by the top plane.

This embodiment provides improved flexibility in arranging individual plants and/or flowers that make up the compound plant.

A second aspect provides a support plateau of a container system for holding matter. The support plateau comprises an upper plateau surface; and an arm connector arranged to engage with the device connector of the device according to the first aspect, such that when the arm connector engages with the device connector, the upper plateau surface is provided under a second angle relative to the top plane of the arm.

By providing a separate support plateau, flexibility is provided in organising plants and/or flowers on the whole system. Firstly, different types, sizes and shapes of support plateaus may be provided, dedicated to different containers. Second, by providing the upper plateau surface such that when the support plateau is connected to the carrying device the upper plateau surface is provided under an angle relative to the upper plane of the carrying device, additional flexibility is provided in arranging individual plants and/or flowers as part of a compound plant and/or flower, the compound plant and/or flower comprising an arrangement of plants and/or flowers.. For example, by providing support plateaus with different angles, a user of the system may provide different plants and/or flowers under different angles. In an embodiment of the second aspect the second angle is substantially equal to the first angle. Furthermore, the arm connector is arranged to engage with the device connector in a first direction such that when the arm connector engages with the device connector, the upper plateau surface is provided substantially perpendicular relative to the support system. Additionally, the arm connector is arranged to engage with the device connector in a second direction such that when the arm connector engages with the device connector, the upper plateau surface is provided under a third angle relative to an imaginary plane substantially

perpendicular to the support system, the third angle being a sum of the first angle and the second angle.

With this support plateau, a user of the system may opt for providing the upper plateau surface that is arranged for carrying a container - or may provide the bottom of a container - under the third angle relative to a horizontal plane or for providing the upper plateau surface horizontally.

Another embodiment comprises a bottom connector arranged to engage with a top section of a substantially vertically oriented support system, the bottom connector being connected to the support plateau such that when the bottom connector is engaged with the support system, the upper plateau surface is substantially perpendicularly oriented relative to the support system.

A support plateau according to this embodiment may be connected to the top of a pole or pipe as part of a support system. This allows an individual plant to be provided at the top of the system as a finishing touch.

In a further embodiment, the upper plateau surface is provided with a container connector module for engaging with a container for holding matter.

An advantage of this embodiment is that a container may be chosen separately from choosing the second angle. In yet another embodiment, the container connector module comprises a first slot for slidingly engaging with a first container holder and a second slot for slidingly engaging with a second container holder, wherein the first slot is perpendicular to the second slot.

This embodiment allows for a flexible container holder. If a first pot with a first size holding a first plant is to be replaced by a second pot with a second size holding a second plant, the distance between the first container holder and the second container holder may be adjusted. This is more convenient than replacing actual modules of the system.

A third aspect provides a container module for holding a plant. The container comprises a container having an upwardly standing container wall delimiting the container space in horizontal direction and a container bottom and an arm connector arranged to engage with the device connector of the device according to the first aspect.

Whereas in certain use cases, ultimate flexibility is required, simplicity and cost reduction may be required in other use cases. In the latter group of use cases, a single container may be preferred that may be directly connected to the carrying device according to the first aspect.

A fourth aspect provides a container system for holding matter. The container system comprises the support plateau according to the second aspect and a container comprising a plateau connector arranged to engage with the container connector module of the support plateau.

A fifth embodiment provides a support system for supporting a device according to the first aspect, comprising a carrying connector arranged to engage with the first support connector of the device.

A sixth embodiment provides a system for holding matter and containers for plants ancl/or flowers in particular. The system comprises the carrying device according to the first aspect and the container system according to the fourth aspect and the support system according to the fifth aspect. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The various aspects and embodiments thereof will now be discussed in further detail in conjunction with di'awings. In the drawings,

Figure 1: shows a perspective view of a system for carrying plants and/or flowers;

Figure 2: shows a carrying device;

Figure 3 A: shows a support module;

Figure 3 B: shows another support module;

Figure 4 A: shows a side view of the system for carrying plants and/or flowers;

Figure 4 B: shows a system for carrying plants and/or flowers connected to a wall;

Figure 4 C: shows a system for carrying plants and/or flowers connected to a ceiling;

Figure 4 D: shows a system for carrying plants and/or flowers connected to a wall;

Figure 5 A: shows a perspective view of a plateau module;

Figure 5 B: shows a side view of a plateau module;

Figure 5 C: shows a side view of the carrying module with the plateau module in a first position;

Figure 5 D: shows a side view of the carrying module with the plateau module in a second position;

Figure 5 E: shows a side view of the carrying module with the a plateau module in a proximal position and a distal position;

Figure 5 F: shows a view of the system with a plateau module on top;

Figure 6 A: shows two shell modules

Figure 6 B: shows two shell modules in a first position and in a second position; Figure 7 A: shows a container module with integrated plateau module; and

Figure 7 B: shows a container module with integrated support connector.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Figure 1 shows a holding system 100 as part of a plant display system for holding containers arranged for holding plants and flowering plants in particular. The holding system comprises a support module 300 arranged to be provided around a vertical support element like a round pole. Alternatively, a post having a rectangular or polygon cross-section is used and the support module 300 is arranged to fit around the polygon cross- section.

Figure 1 also shows carrying modules 200 as carrying devices that are engaged with the support module 300. On the carrying modules 200, plateau modules 500 are provided. On the plateau modules 500, a first shell module 600 and a second shell module 650 are provided for forming a shell for holding pots or other containers for holding plants and/or flowers, thus forming a container for holding a pot or similar. The various parts of the holding system 100 will be discussed in further detail by means of further figures.

Figure 2 shows the carrying module 200 in further detail. The carrying module 200 comprises a carrying arm 210 that comprises a first arm member 212 and a second arm member 214. Providing the carrying arm 210 by means of two parallel arm members yields an open arm, which provides an advantage with respect to weight. In another embodiment, the carrying arm 210 is provided as a massive or at least closed part. The upper sides of the first arm member 212 and the second arm member 214 form a top plane of the carrying arm 210 and of the carrying module 200. At the top of the first arm member 212, a first device connector member 216 is provided and at the top of the second arm member 214, a second device connector member 218 is provided. The first device connector member 216 and the second device connector member 218 are part of a device connector for connecting the plateau module 500 to the carrying module 200. In this embodiment, the first device connector member 216 and the second device connector member 218 are embodied as an elongated protrusion at the top of the arm members, protruding outwardly from the arm members. The protrusions are provided with indentations.

At a proximal end of the carrying arm 210, a first support connector 220 is provided. The first support connector 220 comprises a first support connecting element 222 and a second support connecting element 224. The first support connector 220 is arranged to engage and preferably lockingly engage with the support module 300. The first support connector 220 is connected to the carrying arm 210 such that when the first support connector 220 engages with the support module, the top plane is provided under a first angle relative to an imaginary plan substantially

perpendicular to the centre axis of the support module 300. The first angle preferably has a value between 5 degrees and 15 degrees, with a value of 10 degrees being preferred in particular.

At the lower side of the carrying module 200, a support arm 240 is provided for supporting the carrying arm 210. At the proximal part of the support arm 240, a second support connector 250 is provided. The second support connector is not necessarily arranged for lockingly and/or

frictionally engaging with the support module 300. Rather, the support arm 240 abuts to the support module 300. This means that the second support connector 250 can be embodied in a relatively simple way.

If a plant is provided at the distal end of the carrying module, a significant downward force is applied at the distal end of the carrying arm 210. This, in turn, results in a significant momentum applied to the coupling between the first support connector 220 and the support module 300. The support arm 240 and the second support connector 250 provide additional support to the distal part of the carrying arm 210. This results in less strain on the coupling between the first support connector 220 and the support module 300. The second support connector 250 is provided such that when the second support connector 250 abuts the support module 300 and the first support connector 220 is engaged with the support module 300, the top plane is provided under the first angle relative to an imaginary plan substantially perpendicular to the centre axis of the support module 300.

The carrying module 200 may also be embodied with the support arm 240 provided at the top of the carrying module 200. In this

embodiment, the proximal end of the support arm is provided with a connector like the first support connector 220 as shown by Figure 2.

Additionally, a connector at the proximal end of the carrying arm may be implemented as the second support connector 250 as depicted by Figure 2. In other embodiments, a lockingly engaging connector like the first support connector 220 as shown by Figure 2 is provided at both proximal ends of both arms.

Figure 3 A shows the support module 300 with the centre axis 302. The support module 300 comprises a first support member 310 comprising a first support body 320. The first support body 320 is provided with an outer thread 322. The first support body 320 is also provided with wedges 324. The wedges 324 are connected to the first support body at the bottom side at a connection point about which the wedges 324 are able to move slightly and preferably resiliently. At the top of the upper support member 310, a first holding connector 330 is provided.

The first holding connector 330 comprises connector slots 332 that are open at the top and closed at the bottom. The slots 332 are narrow at the outside and widen towards the centre axis 302. Preferably, the slots 332 have a shape substantially equal to that of the support connecting elements of the carrying module 200. The connector slots 332 are arranged for receiving support connecting elements of a carrying module 200 as depicted by Figure 2. The carrying module 200 may be connected to the support module by sliding the support connecting elements in the connector slots 332.

The second support member 350 comprises a second support body 360 that is provided with an inner thread 362. The inner thread 362 is arranged to engage with the outer thread 322. As the second support member 350 is screwed further around the first support member 310, the second support body and the threads of the inner thread 362 in particular gradually push the wedges 324 further and further inwardly. In this way, the support module 300 can be tightened around a pole or other support element. At the bottom of the second support member 350, a second holding connector 370 is provided. With the carrying module 200 engaged with the support module 300, the second support connector 250 abuts to the second support holding connector 370.

Figure 3 B shows another support module 390. The support module 390 as shown by Figure 3 B shows an upper support part 392 and a lower support part 394. The upper support part 392 comprises connector slots 332 that are open at the top and closed at the bottom. The slots 332 have the substantially same functionality as the slots 332 discussed in conjunction with Figure 3 A. In this embodiment, two connector slots 332 are provided. Further embodiments may be envisaged that comprise more connector slots 332 at the upper support part 392, allowing the support module 390 to carry multiple carrying modules.

The upper support part 392 comprises a first screw hole 396 and the lower support part 394 comprises a second screw hole 398. The screw holes are provided for connecting the support module 390 to a wall or another substantially vertical - or even diagonal - support surface. The connecting may be done by means of screws, nails or other elongated fixation units. Alternatively or additionally, the support module 390 is connected to the support surface by means of glue or another fixing agent. The support surface does not necessarily have to be a flat surface; it may also be a round surface like a pillar and a wall thereof in particular.

Figure 4 A shows a side view of the holding system 100. Figure 4 shows the same parts as shown in Figure 1, plus a pole 110 as a vertical support element. Furthermore, Figure 4 shows how the top planes of the carrying arms 210 are provided under the first angle relative to an imaginary plan substantially perpendicular the pole 110.

The pole 110 may be provided on a standard, to stand

independently on a floor. Figure 4 B shows an alternative embodiment, in which the holding system 100 is suspended from a wall 400. To this end, the pole 110 is connected to the wall 400 by means of an upper pole connector 402 and a lower pole connector 404. The upper pole connector 402 and the lower pole connector 404 may be identical or, alternatively, provided in different ways. One reason for doing so is that the lower pole connector 404 supports most of the weight of the holding system 100.

Figure 4 C shows the holding system 100 suspended from a ceiling 450. To this end, a specific connector may be provided to the ceiling 450. Alternatively, a hook is provided on the ceiling, which hook fits in a hole at the top of the pole 110. In yet another alternative, the pole 110 is provided with a hook at the top, which engages with a hook, loop or other connector provided at the ceiling 450.

Figure 4 D shows the support module 390 as shown by Figure 3 B affixed to the wall 400. In this embodiment, the holding system 100 comprises the support module 390, the carrying device 200, the plateau module 500, the first shell module 600 and the second shell module 650.

Figure 5 A shows the plateau module 500 in further detail. The plateau module 500 comprises a container connector comprising a first container connector module. The first container connector module comprises a first container slider slit 522, a second container slider slit 524, a first resilient snapper 526 and a second resilient snapper 528. The first container connector is arranged to engage with the first shell module 600.

The container connector further comprises a second container connector module. The second container connector module comprises a third container slider slit 532, a fourth container slider slit 534 and a third resilient snapper 536. The second container connector is arranged to engage with the second shell module 650.

Figure 5 B shows a side view of the plateau module 500. Figure 5 B shows that a plateau top surface 510 is provided under a second angle relative to a plateau bottom surface 540. The second angle is preferably substantially the same as the first angle discussed above: between 5 degrees and 15 degrees and preferably at 10 degrees. As discussed below in further detail, the plateau module 500 is arranged to slidably engage with the carrying module 200 and the device connector members in particular in two directions.

With engagement in a first direction, the second angle is opposite to the first angle and the plateau top surface 510 is substantially

perpendicular to the centre axis of the support module 300. This is shown by Figure 5 D. With engagement in a second direction, opposite to the first direction, the second angle is in the same direction as the first angle and the plateau top surface 510 is provided under a third angle relative to a virtual plane relative to the centre axis of the support module 300, the third angle being equal to the sum of the first angle and the second angle. This is shown by Figure 5 C. If both angles are the same, which is not required, the third angle is twice the first angle - or twice the second angle.

Figure 5 B also shows a first arm connector member 550 as part of an arm connector for connecting the plateau module 500 to the carrying module 200. In parallel to the first art connector, a second arm connector 560 is provided, which is a mirrored version of the first arm connector 550. The first arm connector member 550 comprises a first arm connector opening 552 and a second arm connector opening 554. The first arm connector member is resiliently connected to the plateau module 500. The first arm connector member 550 and the arm connector openings in particular are arranged to engage with the first device connector member 216 or the second device connector member 218 and the indentations in particular. Additionally or alternatively, the first arm connector member comprises protrusions, indentations, similar, or a combination thereof to engage with the indentations provided in the first device connector member 216 or the second device connector member 218.

In this way, the plateau module 500 is arranged to slidably engage with the carrying module 200. Furthermore, due to the resilient nature of the connection between the first arm connector member 550 and the plateau module 500, sliding of the plateau module 500 relative to the carrying module 200 is inhibited, unless a force above a particular threshold is exerted on the plateau module 500 relative to the carrying module 200. This is indicated in Figure 5 E.

At the left, Figure 5 E shows the plateau module 500 slid towards the proximal end of the carrying module 200. At the right, Figure 5 E shows the plateau module 500 shd towards the distal end of the carrying module.

The plateau module 500 further comprises a second arm connector member 560. The second arm connector member 560 is substantially similar to the first arm connector member 550 provided parallel to the first arm connector member 550. The plateau module 500 also comprises a bottom connector 570 for connecting the plateau module 500 to the top of the pole 110 or another vertical support element. If the pole 110 is hollow, the bottom connector 570 may be slid in the pole 110. Alternatively, the bottom connector 570 is hollow and may be slid over the pole 110.

Whereas the plateau top surface 510 is provided under a second angle relative to the plateau bottom surface 540, the bottom connector 570 is provided substantially perpendicular to the plateau top surface 510. In this way, the plateau top surface 510 may be provided horizontally on top of the pole 110 - provided the pole is provided vertically. This is shown in

Figure 5 F.

Figure 5 F shows the pole 110, with three carrying modules 200 each carrying a plateau module 500 with shell modules connected to a support module 300 that is provided around the pole 110. Furthermore, Figure 5 F shows a fourth plateau module 500 provided on top of the pole 110 by either accommodating the bottom connector 570 of the fourth plateau module 500 in the pole 110 - provided the pole 110 is hollow - or by accommodating the pole 110 in the bottom connector 570 of the fourth plateau module 500.

Figure 6 A shows the first shell module 600 and the second shell module 650. The first shell module 600 comprises a first shell 630, a first slider 610 and a second slider 620. The first slider 610 comprises a first plurality of holes 612 for accommodating the first resilient snapper 526. The first slider 610 also comprises a first slider protrusion 614. The first slider 620 is arranged to be shd in the first container slider slit 522. The first slider protrusion 614 ensures the first shell module 600 is secured to the plateau module 500.

The second slider 620 comprises a second plurality of holes 622 for accommodating the second resilient snapper 528. The second slider 620 also comprises a second slider protrusion 624. The second slider 620 is arranged to be shd in the second container slider slit 524. The second slider

protrusion 624 ensures the first shell module 600 is secured to the plateau module 500.

The second shell module 650 comprises a second shell 670 and a third slider 660. The third slider 660 comprises a third plurality of holes 662 for accommodating the third resilient snapper 536. The third slider 660 also comprises a third slider protrusion 664 and a fourth slider protrusion 666. The third slider 660 is arranged to be slid in the third container slider slit 532 and the fourth container shder slit 534. The third slider protrusion 664 and the fourth slider protrusion 666 ensure the second shell module 650 is secured to the plateau module 500.

Providing a container holder comprising the support plateau 500, the first shell module 600 and the second shell module 650 provide optimal flexibility in accommodating any type of container. By virtue of the slide functionality of the shell modules, a wide as well as narrow container may be accommodated. This is illustrated in Figure 6 B.

On the left, Figure 6 B shows the shell modules slid towards one another as closely as possible. At the right, Figure 6 B shows the shell modules slid apart from one another to accommodate a large container for holding flowers and/or plants. Figure 6 B shows the two shells having substantially the same distance from the centre of the support plateau 500. Whereas this is preferred in view of the visual appearance of the ensemble of the support plateau and the shells, this is not required.

In case such flexibility is not required by a user of the holding system 100, the combination of the support plateau 500, the first shell module 600 and the second shell module 650 may be replaced by a container having the first arm connector member 550 and the second arm connector member 560 provided at the bottom.

The first arm connector member 550 and the second arm connector member 560 may be provided to have the bottom of the container level to the top plane of the carrying module 200. Alternatively, the first arm connector member 550 and the second arm connector member 560 are provided on the container such that the bottom of the container is provided under an angle relative to the top plane of the carrying module 200.

An embodiment of such container is shown by Figure 7 A. Figure 7 A shows a low container module 700 having a bottom 702 and a wall 704 that provides a rim. Under the bottom 702, a first arm connector member, a second arm connector member and a bottom connector 570 are provided. Whereas Figure 7 A shows a relatively low wall 704, a container with a higher wall may be provided as well.

If the distance between a support member or the pole 110 may be fixed, a container may also be directly provided with a first support connector 200. This is illustrated in Figure 7 B, which shows a vase 750 having an integrated first support connector for connecting the vase to the further support module 390. Also other types of containers may be provided with one or more support connectors for directly connecting them to a support module.

Expressions such as "comprise", "include", "incorporate", "contain", "is" and "have" are to be construed in a non-exclusive manner when interpreting the description and its associated claims, namely construed to allow for other items or components which are not explicitly defined also to be present. Reference to the singular is also to be construed in being a reference to the plural and vice versa.

In the description above, it will be understood that when an element such as layer, region or substrate is referred to as being "on" or "onto" another element, the element is either directly on the other element, or intervening elements may also be present.

Furthermore, the invention may also be embodied with less components than provided in the embodiments described here, wherein one component carries out multiple functions. Just as well may the invention be embodied using more elements than depicted in the Figures, wherein functions carried out by one component in the embodiment provided are distributed over multiple components.

A person skilled in the art will readily appreciate that various parameters disclosed in the description may be modified and that various embodiments disclosed and/or claimed may be combined without departing from the scope of the invention.