US1951642A - Collapsible flowerpot - Google Patents

Description

March 20, 1934. UG A 1,951,642

COLLAPS I BLE FLOWERPOT Filed Aug. 8, 1932 Patented Mar. 20, 1934 COLLAPSIBLE FLOWERPOT Charles Augustin and Thomas P. Carroll, St. Louis, Mo.

Application August 8, 1932, Serial No. 627,896

3 Claims.

This invention relates to collapsible flowerpots and flower baskets.

The objects of the invention are to provide a flowerpot which is formed of a suitable blank or 5 blanks of cardboard or fiber and can be folded flat when not in use and which is water-proof and of suii'icient strength to provide the necessary rugged construction when in assembled condition.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a collapsible flowerpot and hanging basket consisting of two sections of cardboard or fiber, one of which is formed tubular and open at both ends and tapering downwardly, and the other forms the lining or inner member and comprises a hottom having formed integral therewith and extending radially therefrom a plurality of inner walls or panels, the side edges of which are formed obliquely to conform to the tapering side walls of the outer section.

Additional objects of the invention are to provide a collapsible flowerpot comprising an outer section and a lining or inner section, both of which are made of water-proof cardboard or fiber, the outer section being open at top and bottom and having a plurality of side wall members or panels tapering downwardly, inner member being formed of a central member which is polygonal in shape, the sides of which have formed integral therewith a plurality of radially and outwardly extending flaps which are of similar contour as the side walls or panels of the outer member and are adapted to be bent upwardly and lie against the inner sides thereof when said inner member is inserted within said outer member.

With these and other objects in view, our invention consists in certain novel features of construction and arrangement of parts, hereinafter more fully described and claimed, and illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which- Figure l is a side elevational view of our improved collapsible flowerpot.

Figure 2 is a top plan view of same.

Figure 3 is an enlarged vertical cross section thereof.

Figure i is a reduced top plan view of the inner or lining section.

Figure 5 is a top plan view of the outer section showing it in collapsed condition.

Figure 6 is a side elevational view of our collapsible flowerpot utilized as a hanging flower basket.

Figure '7 is an enlarged detail cross section showing means for reinforcing the apertures in the wall panels.

Referring by numerals to the accompanying drawing, 10 indicates a flowerpot of our improved construction which consists of an outer section 11 and an inner or lining section 12.

shown in the drawing, the flowerpot is of hexagonal shape and the outer section thereof 00 consists of six side walls or panels 14 which taper downwardly so that the flowerpot is wider at the top than at the bottom.

This outer section 11 is preferably formed of a single piece blank of appropriate shape and scored transversely along equidistant spaced lines radiating from a common center, as indicated at 15. The strip or blank is bent along the scored lines to provide the six panels. One end of the blank has formed integral therewith a flap 16 which is secured either by gluing or staples to the other end of the strip, thereby imparting to the section 3.1 hexagonal shape in cross section with the side walls or panels 14 extending upwardly and outwardly. The upper edge of each panel 14 is preferably finished or shaped in any suitable manner, as indicated at 17 in order to enhance the appearance of the flowerpot. If desired, an aperture 18 can be formed in the upper end of each alternate panel by means of which the flowerpot can be suspended.

The lower edge of each panel 14: is cut out or notched, as indicated at 19. This improves the looks of the flowerpot and also permits air to enter the lower end of the outer section 11.

The inner or lining section 12 consists of a central member 20 which is polygonal in shape, the number of sides thereof corresponding to the number of panels 14 of the outer section 11. In the present case, the outer section 11, as well as the member 20, are formed hexagonal.

This central member, when the lining section 12 is placed in position, forms the bottom of the pot (see Figure 3). It is slightly larger than the cross sectional area of the lower end of the outer section 11 so that when said lining section 12 is inserted in the outer section 11, said bottom or central member 20 occupies position spaced a suitable distance from the lower end of the outer section as shown in Figure 3, thereby providing in the lower end of the not an air chamber which communicates with the atmosphere through notches 19.

Formed integral with each side of the bottom or central member 20 is an inner panel 21, as in- 195 dicated at 22. These panels are of substantially the same shape as the panels i i of outer section 11, but they are considerably shorter so that when the lining section 12 is placed in position, the upper ends of panels 21 terminate suitable distances below the upper ends of panels 14 and where apertures 18 are used below the latter. When the inner section 12 is inserted into the outer section 11, the oblique edges of panels 21 form a close contact with each other and with the corners formed by panels 14 and usually form a Water-tight joint. The cardboard or fiber from which the sections 1.1 and 12 are made is water proof so that it is not aiiected by moisture.-

Preferably the bottom or central member 20 of the inner or lining section 12 is formed with an aperture 23 which provides drainage for the flowerpot. However, if so desired, this aperture can be dispensed with, in which case the flower-' pot is water-tight and will prevent water from dripping therefrom.

When the flowerpot is filled, the soil holds the inner section 12 securely in position within the outer section. Preferably the top of the soil is arranged on a level with the upper end of the inner section so as to be disposed below the apertures:.18. The flower and the soil can be readily removed by pressingthe inner section 12 upwardly. The outer faces of panels 1% can be finished in any suitable manner so as to provide. a neat and ornamental appearance.

Where the flowerpot is to be used as a hanging basket (see Fig. 5), aperture 18 may be reinforced by means of tubular rivets 2 as shown in Fig ure-"I.

With the drain aperture 23 omitted, our flowerpotcanbe'used as an ornamental receptacle for pottedplants or for artificial flowers.

The exterior of panels 1 1 can be ornamental and finished in any desired manner. Stone eifect can beproduced or the panels may be finished to imitate. wood slabs. As the cardboard or fiber is watersproof, our flowerpot can be left outside at all times without danger of injuring it.

Thepanels 14, as well as member 21, are in the form of trapezoids, the sides of which are disposedat substantially the same angles so that whenthe inner member 12 is inserted within the outer member 11 it is supported therein by the engagement of the oblique sides of the section 21 with the obliquely and similarly inclined panels 14. Furthermore, the edges of the adjoining sections 21- are brought into intimate contact with eachiother'and with the corner formed by the corresponding panels 14 thereby forming a substantially water-tight joint.

Preferably the length of member 21 is less than the'length-of panels 14 and the dimension of said member 21 and member 20 is such that said inner member 12 is supported in the outer member 11 with the member 20 (formingthe bottom of the pot) spaced from the bottom edges of'the panels 14; Thus a chamber is provided below bottom member. 20 and air is admitted into said chain 1 zoidal'panels, the ends of said strip being secured together and forming an outer member, and an innermember oi water-proof cardboard comprising a central polygonal section and a plurality of trapezoidal imperforate sections formed integral therewith and extending radially outwardly, each of said radial sections being of the same angular dimensions as the corresponding panel, whereby when said inner member is inserted within said outer member the former is supported in position in the latter by the interengagement ofsaid trapezcidalsections with said panels, said trapezoidal sections being substantially shorter than said panels and of such dimensions that said polygonal member which forms the bottom of the pot is supported in position spaced from the bot tom edges of said outer member, the upper end of said inner member terminating a considerable distance belowv the upper end of said outer member whereby said flowerpot can be carried by grasping the upper end of said outer member.

2. A collapsible flowerpot comprising in combi nation a strip of water-proof cardboard scored obliquely to form a plurality of downwardly tapering trapezoidal panels, the outer. surface of said strip having ornamental finish and the ends 0i;-

said strip being secured together to form an open-ended outer ber of water iroof cardboard having a central polygonal section and a plurality of trapezoidal imperforate sections formed integral therewith and extending radially outwardly, each of said.

radial sections being of the same angular dimensions as the corresponding panel whereby when said inner member is inserted within said outer member the former is supported in position in the latter by the interengagement of said radial sections with said panels and with said central nation astrip of water-proof cardboard scored. obliquely to form a plurality of downwardly tapering trapezoidal panels, the outer surface of said strip having ornamental finish and-the ends of said strip being secured together toiorman open-ended outer member, and an inner member member, and an inner mem-- of water-proof cardboard having a central 1;.5

polygonal section and a plurality of trapezoidal ital-perforate sections formed integral therewith and extending radially outwardly, each of said radial sections being of the same angular dimensions as the corresponding panel whereby when 1.,

said inner member is inserted within said outer member the former is supported in position in the latter by the interengagement of said radial sections with said panels and with said polygonal member spaced from the lower end of said outer member and with the upper end of saidinner member disposed a suitable distance below the upper end of said outer member, the. upperends of said panels being provided with apertures by means of which said pot can be suspended in position.

CHARLES AUGUSTIN. THOMAS P. CARROLL.

Images