U.S. patent application number 10/419423 was filed with the patent office on 2003-11-27 for pot plant stand with air cleaning function and plant pot for the stand.
Invention is credited to Mizukoshi, Hiroharu, Wolverton, Billy C., Yamaguchi, Toshio.
Application Number | 20030217507 10/419423 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 31948936 |
Filed Date | 2003-11-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030217507 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Wolverton, Billy C. ; et
al. |
November 27, 2003 |
Pot plant stand with air cleaning function and plant pot for the
stand
Abstract
This invention relates to a pot plant stand which purifies the
air by passing the air through soil holding a plant root and an
exchangeable plant pot used for the stand. The pot plant stand
having an air cleaning function, which can exchange the plant pot
without grubbing up the soil, which can cause a large quantity of
air to pass through the soil, and which is easy to maintain is
obtained. The pot plant stand includes: a water container storing
water in a bottom; a plant pot inserted into the water container;
and a fan absorbing the air in an upper space between the water
container and the plant pot, and the plant pot includes: a
partition wall dividing an interior of the plant pot into a
planting section and a vent section at a height position lower than
an outer wall of the plant pot, and having no air permeability; an
air hole communicating the vent section with the upper space at a
position lower than an upper edge of this partition wall and higher
than the water level of the water stored in the water container;
and water holes communicating the planting section, the vent
section and the bottom of the water container with one another at a
position lower than the water level of the water stored in the
water container.
Inventors: |
Wolverton, Billy C.;
(Picayune, MS) ; Mizukoshi, Hiroharu; (Matto,
JP) ; Yamaguchi, Toshio; (Kanagawa, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
GARVEY SMITH NEHRBASS & DOODY, LLC
THREE LAKEWAY CENTER
3838 NORTH CAUSEWAY BLVD., SUITE 3290
METAIRIE
LA
70002
|
Family ID: |
31948936 |
Appl. No.: |
10/419423 |
Filed: |
April 21, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
47/39 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F24F 8/175 20210101;
A47G 7/041 20130101; A01G 9/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
47/39 |
International
Class: |
A47G 007/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 27, 2002 |
JP |
2002-152780 |
Nov 28, 2002 |
JP |
2002-354737 |
Claims
1. A pot plant stand having an air cleaning function, the pot plant
stand comprising: a water container storing water in a bottom; a
plant pot inserted into the water container while closing an upper
surface opening of the water container; and a fan absorbing the air
in an upper space formed between the water container and the plant
pot, wherein the plant pot comprises: a partition wall dividing an
interior of the plant pot into a planting section and a vent
section at a height position lower than an outer wall of the plant
pot, and having no air permeability; an air hole communicating the
vent section with the upper space at a position lower than an upper
edge of the partition wall and higher than water level of the water
stored in the water container; and water holes communicating the
planting section, the vent section and the bottom of the water
container with one another at a position lower than the water level
of the water stored in the water container.
2. A pot plant stand having an air cleaning function, the pot plant
stand comprising: a water container storing water in a bottom; a
plant pot supported by the water container while dipping a bottom
of the plant pot with the water stored in the water container and
closing an upper surface opening of the water container; and a fan
communicated with an upper space of the water container,
characterized in that the plant pot comprises: a partition wall
dividing an interior of the plant pot into a planting section and a
vent section, and having no air permeability; a water hole
communicating the planting section with the bottom of the water
container under a water surface of the water stored in the water
container; communication holes communicating the planting section
with the vent section under the water surface; and an air hole
formed at a position right on the water surface of the water stored
in the water container, and communicating the vent section with the
upper space of the water container, in that each of the vent hole
and the air hole comprises protection means for protecting leakage
of soil in the plant pot, and in that the planting section and the
vent section of the plant pot are filled with the soil.
3. A plant pot for a pot plant stand having an air cleaning
function, the plant pot comprising: a partition wall dividing an
interior of the plant pot into a central planting section and a
surrounding vent section at a height position lower than an outer
wall, and having no air permeability; an air hole penetrating the
outer wall at a position lower than an upper edge of the partition
wall; and water holes penetrating a base plate of the plant pot, a
bottom of the partition wall and/or a bottom of the outer wall to
thereby communicate the planting section, the vent section and an
exterior of the plant pot with one another at a position lower than
the vent hole.
4. A plant pot for a pot plant stand having an air cleaning
function, the plant pot comprising: a partition wall dividing an
interior of the plant pot into a planting section and a vent
section, and having no air permeability; a water hole penetrating a
base plate of the planting section; water holes communicating the
planting section with the vent section on a bottom of the plant
pot; and an air hole communicating the vent section with an
exterior of the plant pot at a position higher than the water
holes, characterized in that the planting section and the vent
section of the plant pot are filled with soil.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is based upon Japanese patent applications
Serial Nos. 2002-152780, filed May 27, 2002 and 2002-354737 filed
Nov. 28, 2002.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not applicable
REFERENCE TO A "MICROFICHE APPENDIX"
[0003] Not applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004] 1. Field of the Invention
[0005] The present invention relates to a pot plant stand which has
an air cleaning function. More particularly, the present invention
relates to a pot plant stand which cleans the air by causing the
air to pass through natural or artificial soil which holds the
roots of plants, and to an exchangeable plant pot used
therefor.
[0006] 2. General Background of the Invention
[0007] It is known that microorganisms multiply in the soil in
which a certain plant is planted decompose or destroy toxins in the
air. Pot plant stands for cleaning the air using them have been
proposed. The pot plant stand proposed in, for example, Japanese
Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-166388 is comprised of a
plant pot, a water container which contains the pot, and a fan
which causes the air to pass through the soil of the plant pot. The
plant pot has a water hole provided on the bottom thereof, and a
plurality of air holes provided at equal height positions on the
upper portion of the peripheral wall thereof. The water container
has an opening, into which the plant pot is inserted, provided on
the upper surface thereof, and supports the inserted plant pot
while giving spaces around the plant pot and on the bottom of the
plant pot. The air inlet of the inlet tube of the fan is opened to
the upper portion of the water container. A flexible ring seal
having an inner peripheral edge and an upper edge in contact with
the outer periphery of the inserted plant pot is provided on the
upper portion of the water container.
[0008] In the pot plant stand, if the plant pot in which a plant is
planted is inserted into the water container, and water is poured
into the plant pot, then surplus water flows from the water hole
into the water container and the water level can be checked by a
water-level gauge. When the fan is rotated, the air in the room is
absorbed from the upper surface of the soil in the plant pot,
passed through the interior of the soil and through the air hole,
the upper surface of the water container and the inlet tube,
absorbed by the fan, and discharged again into the room. When
exchanging one pot plant for another, it suffices to take out the
plant pot and to put a plant pot in which a new plant is
planted.
[0009] The pot plant stand with the above-stated structure requires
only small installation space and simple operation for the exchange
of plants. The pot plant stand described in this document is also
comprised of a light source (an incandescent lamp) which
illuminates the plant planted in the plant pot to thereby
accelerate photosynthesis, and which sterilizes the air discharged
from the fan into the room.
[0010] In this document, protection measures for protecting the
soil put in the plant pot from being overflowed from the water hole
and the air holes are also described. As the protection measures
for the air hole, many small holes from which the soil does not
flow out are provided, a mesh filter is attached, and a hood-like
shield collar is provided inside the air hole.
[0011] A similar pot plant stand is described in Japanese Utility
Model Registration No. 3041734. The pot plant stand described in
this document differs from that described in Japanese Patent
Application Laid-open No. 2000-166388 in that soil is also filled
into a water container according to the above-stated structure and
transparent holes for causing the air and water to pass through are
provided in the periphery and the entire bottom of a plant pot.
[0012] The water stored in the bottom of the water container 52 is
supplied to the soil filled into the plant pot of the pot plant
stand described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.
2000-166388. When the fan is driven, the air flows into the air
hole from the upper surface opening of the plant pot via the gaps
of the soil. In passing through the soil, the air is cleaned by
microorganisms in this soil. In order to effectively clean the room
air, the quantity of the air that passes through the soil may be
increased. However, when passing through the soil, the air takes
out moisture in the soil. As a result, if the air in large
quantities flows into the soil, the moisture necessary to grow the
plant is deprived of from the soil, hampering the growth of the
plant and killing the plant.
[0013] To avoid this problem, the fan is driven intermittently to
prevent the moisture content of the soil from excessively
transpiring, or the air is caused to pass through only the upper
portion of the soil away from the plant root so as not to dry the
soil in which the plant root is struck. These methods, however,
deteriorate the air cleaning function of the microorganisms in the
soil.
[0014] Further, according to Japanese Utility Model Registration
No. 3041734, the soil is also filled into the water container
around the plant pot. Due to this, when the plant as well as the
plant pot is exchanged for another, it is necessary to grub up the
soil around the plant pot. Compared with the stand wherein no soil
is filled into the surrounding of the plant pot, it takes labor to
conduct the plant pot exchange operation.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0015] In summary, the present invention seeks to attain a pot
plant stand which allows exchanging a plant pot for another without
the need to grub up soil around the plant pot, which causes the air
in large quantities to pass through the soil in which many
microorganisms cleaning the air live and which contains much
moisture to thereby allow effective air cleaning, which prevents a
plant from being killed even if the air passes through the soil
continuously, which is easy to maintain, and which has an air
cleaning function.
[0016] A preferred embodiment would include a pot plant stand
having an air cleaning function according to the invention which
solves the problems, includes: a water container storing water in a
bottom; a plant pot inserted into the water container while closing
an upper surface opening of the water container; and a fan
absorbing the air in an upper space formed between the water
container and the plant pot, and the plant pot includes: a
partition wall dividing an interior of the plant pot into a
planting section and a vent section at a height position lower than
an outer wall of the plant pot, and having no air permeability; an
air hole communicating the vent section 5 with the upper space at a
position lower than an upper edge of the partition wall and higher
than water level of the water stored in the water container; and
water holes communicating the planting section, the vent section
and the bottom of the water container with one another at a
position lower than the water level of the water stored in the
water container.
[0017] An additional embodiment includes a pot plant stand having
an air cleaning function according to the invention, includes: a
water container storing water in a bottom; a plant pot supported by
the water container while dipping a bottom of the plant pot with
the water stored in the water container and closing an upper
surface opening of the water container; and a fan communicated with
an upper space of the water container, characterized in that the
plant pot includes: a partition wall dividing an interior of the
plant pot into a planting section and a vent section, and having no
air permeability; a water hole communicating the planting section
with the bottom of the water container under a water surface of the
water stored in the water container; communication holes
communicating the planting section with the vent section under the
water surface; and an air hole formed at a position right on the
water surface of the water stored in the water container, and
communicating the vent sections with the upper space of the water
container, in that the water hole and the air hole comprises
protection means for protecting leakage of soil in the plant pot,
and in that the planting section and the vent section of the plant
pot are filled with the soil.
[0018] An additional embodiment includes a plant pot used for the
above-stated pot plant stand according to the present invention,
which includes: a partition wall dividing an interior of the plant
pot into a central planting section and a surrounding vent section
at a height position lower than an outer wall, and having no air
permeability; an air hole penetrating the outer wall at a position
lower than an upper edge of the partition wall; and water holes
penetrating a base plate of the plant pot, a bottom of the
partition wall and/or a bottom of the outer wall to thereby
communicate the planting section, the vent section and an exterior
of the plant pot with one another at a position lower than the vent
hole.
[0019] Further, a plant pot according to the invention includes: a
partition wall dividing an interior of the plant pot into a
planting section and a vent section, and having no air
permeability; a water hole penetrating a base plate of the planting
section; water holes communicating the planting section with the
vent section on a bottom of the plant pot; and an air hole
communicating the vent section with an exterior of the plant pot at
a position higher than the water holes, characterized in that the
planting section and the vent section of the plant pot are filled
with soil.
[0020] The water holes of the plant pot having the above-stated
structure can be provided in the bottom of the partition wall, the
bottoms of the planting section and the vent section, or the
bottoms of the planting section and the side wall of the vent
section, and they can be provided in plural or in combination. The
vent holes are preferably provided as many vertical slits or small
holes distributed vertically and horizontally in the lower portion
of the outer wall. Among the slit or small holes, those under the
water surface of the water contained in the water container serve
as air holes and those on the water surface serve as air holes. The
partition wall preferably has such a height as to be lower than the
outer wall so as not to appear on the upper surface of the soil
when filling the soil into the plant pot.
[0021] It is necessary that water and the air are held in the soil
in which phanerophytes are rooted. The root of an ordinary
phanerophyte is rotten and the phanerophyte is withered if it is
held for long time with its root dipped into water. In the soil of
the plant pot having the bottom dipped with water, the water that
is sucked up by the capillary action as well as the air are being
held. If the air is caused to pass through the soil which holds the
water and air in this state, then the water transpires, the water
content of the soil decreases, and the plant root cannot absorb
sufficient water.
[0022] According to the pot plant stand of the present invention,
when the fan is driven to cause the room air to pass through the
soil of the plant pot, the air does not pass through the central or
planting section of the plant pot defined by the partition wall.
Due to this, the water in the soil of the central or planting
section through which the root of the plant grows is not taken out
by the pass-through air. Even if a large quantity of air constantly
passes through the soil, the plant does not wither away because of
the dried soil.
[0023] On the other hand, organic matters produced in the central
or planting section and microorganisms multiplied therein are
diffused into the water and active even in the soil of the
peripheral or vent section. The soil on the water surface of the
vent section is deprived of moisture content by the pass-through
air one after another, and new water rises and enters the soil by
the capillary action. Thanks to this action, the air which passes
through the peripheral or vent section is always affected by the
action of the microorganisms in the soil, thus obtaining an
effective air purification action.
[0024] It is preferable that the water is caused to pass through
the soil as near the water surface as possible, and it is,
therefore, desirable that the air holes are opened to the portions
right on the water surface of the water contained in the water
container. This water surface moves up and down by the repetition
of supply and transpiration of water. Therefore, if the vertical
slits or small holes distributed vertically and horizontally are
provided in the lower portion of the outer wall, those on the water
surface among the slits or small holes act as air holes.
Consequently, even if the water surface moves up and down, the most
preferable vent state can be obtained.
[0025] It is preferable that the height of the partition wall is
such that the partition wall does not appear on the surface of the
soil filled into the plant pot. In addition, for the smooth
movement of the organic matters and microorganisms, it is
considered that the air holes are preferably provided in the bottom
of the partition wall.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0026] For a further understanding of the nature, objects, and
advantages of the present invention, reference should be had to the
following detailed description, read in conjunction with the
following drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote like
elements and wherein:
[0027] FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing one embodiment of a plant
pot.
[0028] FIG. 2 is an explanatory view showing the relationship
between the root of a plant in the plant pot and the flowing
air.
[0029] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the first embodiment of a
pot plant stand.
[0030] FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the pot plant stand in the
first embodiment.
[0031] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the pot plant stand in the
second embodiment.
[0032] FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view showing the fan
attachment structure of the pot plant stand in the second
embodiment.
[0033] FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view of the pot plant
stand in the third embodiment.
[0034] FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing an example of using the
pot plant stand in the third embodiment as a smoke dividing
counter.
[0035] FIG. 9 is a sectional view showing one example of a pot
plant stand of a conventional structure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0036] FIGS. 1 and 2 show one embodiment of a plant pot according
to the present invention. FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view,
and FIG. 2 is an explanatory view for typically showing a planting
state and air flow in soil. A plant pot 1 shown therein includes a
gently conical outer wall, and a base plate 3 integral with the
outer wall 2, and has a cylindrical partition wall 6 which divides
the inside of the plant pot into a central planting section 4 and a
surrounding vent section 5, provided in the plant pot. The base
plate of the planting section 4 is provided with many water holes
7, and the lower portion of the outer wall 2 is provided with many
vertical slits 8. The slits 8 are provided to extend vertically on
the water surface of water contained in a water container to be
described later, the parts of the slits on the water surface serve
as air holes 8a and the parts thereof under the water surface serve
as water holes 8b. While the partition wall 6 does not permeate the
air, it is preferable to provide a water hole 7a in the part under
the water surface.
[0037] An outer flange 10 engaged with the cover 9 of the water
container to be described later, and serving a handgrip to be used
when the plant pot 1 is taken out are provided on the upper portion
of the outer wall 2 integrally. In addition, a plurality of legs 11
are formed integrally with the bottom of the outer wall 2. The legs
11 are effective in handling the plant pot according to the present
invention similarly to an ordinary plant pot when plants are
planted in the plant pot 1.
[0038] As shown in FIG. 2, this plant pot is constituted so that
the root 13 of a plant 12 to be planted extends into the soil of
the planting section 4 inside the partition wall 6 and so that the
vent section 5 becomes an air pass-through area in which the air
flows from the upper surface of the soil 14 filled into the plant
pot toward the slits 8.
[0039] FIGS. 3 and 4 show the first embodiment of a pot plant stand
according to the present invention. FIG. 3 is a perspective view
for seeing through the interior of the pot plant stand, and FIG. 4
is a longitudinal sectional view thereof. The external box 20 of
the pot plant stand consists of a water container 21 of an upper
stage and a base 22 of a lower stage. The water container 21 is put
while being stacked on the base 22. The base 22 is divided into an
upper air room 23 and a lower machine room 24 by a partition wall
19.
[0040] In the machine room 24, a fan 25 is installed, the air inlet
of which penetrates the partition wall 19 and is opened to the air
room 23. Many slit-like air outlets 26 are provided in the outer
wall of the base 22. Though not shown, a cylindrical filter for
dust removal is fitted into the interior of each air outlet.
[0041] A switch 27 for stopping the operation of the fan 25 is
attached to the outer wall of the base 22. In addition, a drain
hole 28 for removing dew drops by the dew condensation of water in
the air room 23 is provided in one part of the bottom of the air
room 23, and a drain pipe 29 is connected to this drain hole.
[0042] When the water container 21 is stacked on the base 22, the
base plate 32 of the water container closes the upper surface of
the base 22 to thus create the closed air room 23. Air pipes 30
which are opened in the upper portion of the water container 21 are
built on the four portions of the outer periphery of the base plate
32, respectively. A vertically elongated water-level window 31 into
which a transparent plate is fitted is provided on the lower
portion of the outer wall of the water container 21. Index lines
for the highest level and the lowest level are cut in the
water-level window.
[0043] The ring-like cover 9 is fitted into the upper opening of
the water container 21. While hooking the outer flange 10 on the
ring-like cover 9, the plant pot 1 described with reference to
FIGS. 1 and 2 is inserted into the water container 21. Although not
shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, this plant pot 1 is filled with the soil in
a manner shown in FIG. 2, and a plant of such a type as to multiply
microorganisms having the air cleaning function on its root is
planted in the soil.
[0044] When pouring water into the plant pot installed in the water
container 21, the water which passes through the soil flows into
the water container 21 through the water holes 7 and slits 8 and a
predetermined quantity of water stays on the bottom of the water
container 21. The index lines of the water-level window 31 are set
such that even at the lowest level, the bottom of the soil in the
plant pot 1 is dipped with the water that stays in the water
container 21 and at the highest level, the slits 8 on the outer
wall of the plant pot 1 are opened on the water surface with
sufficient areas. Further, this highest level should be such that
the root of the plant planted in the plant pot 1 is not rotten.
[0045] If the pot plant stand with the above-stated structure is
installed in a room and the fan 25 is driven, the air in the room
is absorbed from the upper surface of the soil of the plant pot
into the soil, passed through the upper half portions 8a of the
slits 8, absorbed from the upper space of the water container 21
above the water surface into the air pipe 30, passed through the
fan 25 via the air room 23, and discharged again from the slits 26
of the base into the room. When the air passes through the soil 14
in the plant pot, toxins contained in the air are removed by
bacterium multiplied in this soil, thus the room air is cleaned. If
the level of the water in the water container 21 lowers, water is
poured into the plant pot 1 from the above to replenish water.
[0046] FIGS. 5 and 6 show the second embodiment of the pot plant
stand according to the present invention. The pot plant stand in
the second embodiment is constituted such that the water container
21 is a plane angular, rectangular container, and the machine room
24 having the fan 25 contained therein is attached to one portion
of the side surface of the container 21. The relationship between
the structure of the plant pot 1 and the water level of water in
the water container 21 is the same as that described in the first
embodiment. In addition, similarly to the first embodiment, the
water level of the water container 21 can be visually recognized
using the water-level window 31.
[0047] As shown in FIG. 6, an opening 33 through which the air
inlet of the fan 25 is inserted is provided in one portion of the
side wall of the water container 21, and the machine room 24 is
attached to the water container 21 while being screwed into the
container. The cover 34 of the machine room is provided with a
slit-like air outlet 35, and a germicidal UV lamp 36 is attached
into the air outlet. Although not shown in FIG. 6, a switch for
stopping the operation of the fan 25 and a switch for turning
on/off the UV lamp 36 are provided on a control panel attached to
the cover 34 of the machine room.
[0048] According to the pot plant stand in this second embodiment,
similarly to the first embodiment, the fan 25 is rotated, whereby
the air in the room in which this pot plant stand is installed is
absorbed from the upper surface of the soil, filled into the plant
pot 1, into the soil, passed through the upper space 15 of the
water container to the fan 25 via the air holes 8a, and discharged
again from the air outlet 35 into the room. The discharged air is
cleaned by microorganism when passing through the soil in the plant
pot. Further, if the germicidal lamp 36 is turned on, the air is
sterilized, as well.
[0049] The pot plant stand according to the present invention can
be used as a partition for defining a smoker-permitted reception
room provided on a non-smoking floor or as a smoke divider
(smoker's table) in a smoking corner. In this case, as shown in
FIGS. 7 and 8, the structure of the pot plant stand in which a
plurality of plant pots 1 are aligned and attached to the water
container 21 formed on the upper portion of a plane rectangular
external box 201s desirable. FIG. 7 shows an example of using the
pot plant stand as the smoke dividing partition. The plant pot is
almost equal in structure to that in the first embodiment.
[0050] In this example, three plant pots 1 are aligned in the plane
rectangular water container 21, and two fans 25 are provided to
cause the air to pass through the soil in these plant pots. In
addition, in this example, an exhaust room 38 is provided on the
lower portion of the machine room 24. In this exhaust room, the
same germicidal UV lamp 36 as that in the second embodiment is
installed, and an activated carbon filter 39 for adsorbing the
smell remaining in the exhausted air is installed in the
rectangular air outlet 35 provided on the side surface of the
external box. The structure and function of the stand are equal to
those in the first embodiment. The lower end of the air pipe 30
which absorbs the air in the upper space of the water container is
opened to the air room 23, and a groove-like drain guide 40 is
provided on the bottom of the air room. The air in the air room 23
is absorbed by the fan 25 installed in the machine room 24, and the
discharged air from the fan is introduced into the exhaust room 38
through an exhaust duct 41. The air discharged into the exhaust
room is sterilized by the UV lamp 36, deodorized by the activated
carbon filter 39, and discharged from the air outlet 35 into the
room. The structure of each plant pot 1 is equal to that shown in
FIG. 1.
[0051] FIG. 9 illustrates a pot plant stand proposed in, for
example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-166388 is
comprised of a plant pot 51, a water container 52 which contains
the pot, and a fan 53, which causes the air to pass through the
soil of the plant pot 51. The plant pot 51 has a water hole 54
provided on the bottom thereof, and a plurality of air holes 55
provided at equal height positions on the upper portion of the
peripheral wall thereof. The water container 52 has an opening,
into which the plant pot is inserted, provided on the upper surface
thereof, and supports the inserted plant pot while giving spaces
around the plant pot and on the bottom of the plant pot. The air
inlet of the inlet tube 56 of the fan 53 is opened to the upper
portion of the water container 52. A flexible ring seal 57 having
an inner peripheral edge and an upper edge in contact with the
outer periphery of the inserted plant pot 51 is provided on the
upper portion of the water container 52.
[0052] In the pot plant stand, if the plant pot 51 in which a plant
is planted is inserted into the water container 52, and water is
poured into the plant pot, then surplus water flows from the water
hole 54 into the water container 52 and the water level can be
checked by a water-level gauge 58. When the fan 53 is rotated, the
air in the room is absorbed from the upper surface of the soil in
the plant pot, passed through the interior of the soil and through
the air hole 55, the upper surface of the water container and the
inlet tube 56, absorbed by the fan 53, and discharged again into
the room. When exchanging one pot plant for another, it suffices to
take out the plant pot 51 and to put a plant pot in which a new
plant is planted.
[0053] The pot plant stand with the above-stated structure requires
only small installation space and simple operation for the exchange
of plants. The pot plant stand described in this document is also
comprised of a light source (an incandescent lamp) 59 which
illuminates the plant planted in the plant pot to thereby
accelerate photosynthesis, and which sterilizes the air discharged
from the fan 53 into the room.
[0054] In this document, protection measures for protecting the
soil put in the plant pot 51 from being overflowed from the water
hole 54 and the air holes 55 are also described. As the protection
measures for the air hole 55, many small holes from which the soil
does not flow out are provided, a mesh filter is attached, and a
hood-like shield collar is provided inside the air hole.
Parts List
[0055] 1 plant pot
[0056] 2 outer wall
[0057] 3 base plate
[0058] 4 planting section
[0059] 5 vent section
[0060] 6 partition wall
[0061] 7 water holes
[0062] 7a water holes
[0063] 8 vertical slits
[0064] 8a air holes
[0065] 8b water holes
[0066] 9 cover
[0067] 10 flange
[0068] 11 legs
[0069] 12 plant
[0070] 13 root
[0071] 14 soil
[0072] 15 upper space
[0073] 19 partition wall
[0074] 20 external box
[0075] 21 water container
[0076] 22 base
[0077] 23 upper air room
[0078] 24 lower machine room
[0079] 25 fan
[0080] 26 slits
[0081] 27 switch
[0082] 28 drain hole
[0083] 30 air pipes
[0084] 31 window
[0085] 32 base plate
[0086] 33 opening
[0087] 34 cover
[0088] 35 air outlet
[0089] 36 germicidal lamp
[0090] 38 exhaust room
[0091] 39 carbon filter
[0092] 41 exhaust duct
[0093] 51 plant pot
[0094] 52 water container
[0095] 53 fan
[0096] 54 water hole
[0097] 55 air hole
[0098] 56 inlet tube
[0099] 57 ring seal
[0100] 58 water-level gauge
[0101] 59 an incandescent lamp
[0102] The foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example
only; the scope of the present invention is to be limited only by
the following claims.
* * * * *