Plastic container for bulbous plants

Claim 2

A container assembly for flower bulbs, comprising: a plastic pot adapted to have at least one flower bulb disposed therein, said pot having rim means provided adjacent the upper free edge thereof; said rim means of said pot having a plurality of spaced recesses formed therein to thereby result in formation of a plurality of upwardly extending lips having a stepped configuration; a plastic coupling member securable to said pot adjacent the upper edge thereof for substantially closing said pot to retain said flower bulb therein, said coupling member having central opening means therethrough for permitting growth of said flower bulb; said coupling member having first means disposed adjacent the periphery thereof for engagement with the rim means of said pot for creating a snap-fit between said coupling member and said pot, whereby said coupling member is securely but releasably connected to said pot adjacent the upper free edge thereof; said first means comprising a plurality of slits formed in said coupling member and disposed for coaction with the upstanding lips of said pot, whereby one of said pot and coupling member is flexed relative to the other to permit said upstanding lips to be inserted into and through said slits until the stepped configuration of said lips passes sufficiently through said slits to create a snap-fit between said coupling member and said pot; a transparent plastic cover member adapted to be secured to said coupling member on the side thereof opposite said pot, said cover member having a lower free edge defining a downwardly directed opening; and said coupling member having second means disposed for engagement with the lower free edge of said cover member for securely but releasably connecting said cover member to said coupling member.

Claim 3

A container according to claim 1, wherein said coupling member has a central wall portion extending across the open end of said pot and having said central opening formed therein, said slits being formed in said central wall portion; said second means including a flange fixedly secured to said central wall portion and extending substantially transversely therefrom in a direction away from said pot, said flange being positioned adjacent to but slightly spaced from said slits to define a narrow clearance space between said flange and the upper free ends of said lips when the lips are inserted through said slits; and said cover member having the lower free edge thereof inserted into the narrow clearance space between said flange and the upper free ends of said lips, the lower free edge of said cover member being clampingly engaged and held by said flange and the upper ends of said lips.

Claim 4

A container according to claim 1, wherein said coupling member is substantially annular and said second means includes an annular axially extending flange having a diameter slightly larger than the diameter of said rim means; said coupling member also having an annular central wall fixedly secured to and extending across said annular flange, said central wall having said central opening means formed therethrough substantially at the center thereof; said plurality of slits comprising elongated arcute slits formed in said central wall, said slits being concentric with the longitudinally extending axis of said pot and said coupling member, said slits being disposed adjacent but spaced slightly inwardly from said annular flange and being adapted to permit the lip portions on said pot to be inserted therethrough due to flexing of said coupling member relative to said pot, whereby insertion of said lip portions through said slits causes the upper stepped part of the lip portions to create a snap-fit between said pot and said coupling member, the upper stepped part of said arcuate lips being disposed closely adjacent but slightly spaced from sand annular Flange to create a narrow annular space therebetween; and said cover member having an inverted cup-shape with the lower edge of said cover member being substantially annular and being disposed within the narrow annular space defined between said annular flange and the upper stepped part of said lip portions, the lower annular edge of said cover member being clampingly held between said annular flange and said lip portions.

Claim 5

A container assembly for flower bulbs, comprising: a plastic pot adapted to have at least one flower bulb disposed therein, said pot having rim means provided adjacent the upper free edge thereof; a plastic coupling member securable to said pot adjacent the upper edge thereof for substantially closing said pot to retain said flower bulb therein, said coupling member having central opening means therethrough for permitting growth of said flower bulb; said coupling member including a central wall portion adapted to be disposed across the open upper end of said pot, said central wall portion having said central opening means extending therethrough; said coupling member having first means disposed adjacent the periphery thereof for engagement with the rim means of said pot for creating a snap-fit between said coupling member and said pot, whereby said coupling member is securely but releasably connected to said pot adjacent the upper free edge thereof; said first means comprising a first axially extending annular flange fixedly connected to said central wall portion and extending axially from one side thereof, said first annular flange being adapted to be disposed in surrounding relationship to the upper edge of said pot and having an inwardly directed annular projection formed thereon adjacent the lower edge thereof, and the rim means on the upper edge of said pot having in the proximity of its upper free edge a plurality of circumferentially spaced vertical ridges projecting radially outwardly of said pot, the vertical height of said ridges being substantially equal to the vertical spacing between said center wall portion and said annular projection, whereby insertion of the upper edge of said pot into said first annular flange causes resilient deformation therebetween so that said vertical ridges move past said annular projection and into the space between said annular projection and said central wall for creating a snap-fit between said pot and said coupling member; a transparent plastic cover member adapted to be secured to said coupling member on the side thereof opposite said pot, said cover member having a lower free edge defining a downwardly directed opening; and said coupling member having second means disposed for engagement with the lower free edge of said cover member for securely but releasably connecting said cover member to said coupling member; said second means comprising a second annular flange fixedly secured to said central wall portion and projecting axially upwardly therefrom on the side thereof opposite said first annular flange, said second annular flange having radially inwardly directed annular protrusion means disposed for engagement with the lower edge of said cover member when the lower edge of said cover member is forcible inserted into said second annular flange, the lower free edge of said cover member being disposed substantially in abutting engagement with said central wall portion.

Claim 6

A container assembly for flower bulbs, comprising: a plastic pot adapted to have at least one flower bulb disposed therein, said pot having rim means provided adjacent the upper free edge thereof; a plastic coupling member securable to said pot adjacent the upper edge thereof for substantially closing said pot to retain said flower bulb therein, said coupling member having central opening means therethrough for permitting growth of said flower bulb; said coupling member including a central wall portion adapted to be disposed across the open upper end of said pot, said central wall portion having said central opening means extending therethrough; said coupling member having first means disposed adjacent the periphery thereof for engagement with the rim means of said pot for creating a snap-fit between said coupling member and said pot, whereby said coupling member is securely but releasably connected to said pot adjacent the upper free edge thereof; said first means comprising a first axially extending annular flange fixedly connected to said central wall portion and extending axially from one side thereof, said first annular flange being adapted to be disposed in surrounding relationship to the upper edge of said pot and having an inwardly directed annular projection formed thereon adjacent the lower edge thereof, and the rim means on the upper edge of said pot having in the proximity of its upper free edge a plurality of circumferentially spaced vertical ridges projecting radially outwardly of said pot, the vertical height of said ridges being substantially equal to the vertical spacing between said center wall portion and said annular projection, whereby insertion of the upper edge of said pot into said first annular flange causes resilient deformation therebetween so that said vertical ridges move past said annular projection and into the space between said annular projection and said central wall for creating a snap-fit between said pot and said coupling member; a transparent plastic cover member adapted to be secured to said coupling member on the side thereof opposite said pot, said cover member having a lower free edge defining a downwardly directed opening; and said coupling member having second means disposed for engagement with the lower free edge of said cover member for securely but releasably connecting said cover member to said coupling member; said second means comprising a second annular flange fixedly secured to said central wall portion and projecting axially upwardly therefrom on the side thereof opposite said first annular flange, said second annular flange having radially inwardly directed annular protrusion means disposed for engagement with the lower edge of said cover member when the lower edge of said cover member is forcible inserted into said second annular flange, the lower free edge of said cover member being disposed substantially in abutting engagement with said central wall portion.

Claim 7

A container assembly for flower bulbs, comprising: a plastic pot adapted to have at least one flower bulb disposed therein, said pot having rim means provided adjacent the upper free edge thereof; a plastic coupling member securable to said pot adjacent the upper edge thereof for substantially closing said pot to retain said flower bulb therein, said coupling member having central opening means therethrough for permitting growth of said flower bulb; said coupling member including a central wall portion adapted to extend across and substantially close the upper open end of said pot, Said central wall portion having said central opening means extending therethrough; first means coacting between the periphery of said coupling member and the rim means of said pot for creating a snap-fit therebetween, whereby said coupling member is securely but releasably connected to said pot adjacent the upper free edge thereof; said first means including an annular flange fixedly secured to said central wall portion and extending axially therefrom in a direction toward said pot, said annular flange having an internal diameter permitting said annular flange to be disposed in surrounding relationship to the upper edge of said pot; said first means also including a projecting annular rib fixedly secured to one of said annular flange and rim means and projecting toward the other of said annular flange and rim means, and a plurality of spaced projections fixedly secured to the other of said annular flange and rim means and projecting toward said one annular flange and rim means, said annular rib or projections as fixedly secured to said annular flange being disposed downwardly from said central wall portion to create a space therebetween adapted to receive therein the other of said annular rib and projections to create a snap-fit between said coupling member and said pot; a transparent plastic cover member adapted to be secured to said coupling member on the side thereof opposite said pot, said cover member having a lower free edge defining a downwardly directed opening; and said coupling member having second means disposed for engagement with the lower free edge of said cover member for securely but releasably connecting said cover member to said coupling member.

Claim 8

A container assembly for flower bulbs, comprising: a plastic pot adapted to have at least one flower bulb disposed therein, said pot having rim means provided adjacent the upper free edge thereof; a plastic coupling member securable to said pot adjacent the upper edge thereof for substantially closing said pot to retain said flower bulb therein, said coupling member having central opening means therethrough for permitting growth of said flower bulb; said coupling member including a central wall portion adapted to extend across and substantially close the upper open end of said pot, Said central wall portion having said central opening means extending therethrough; first means coacting between the periphery of said coupling member and the rim means of said pot for creating a snap-fit therebetween, whereby said coupling member is securely but releasably connected to said pot adjacent the upper free edge thereof; said first means including an annular flange fixedly secured to said central wall portion and extending axially therefrom in a direction toward said pot, said annular flange having an internal diameter permitting said annular flange to be disposed in surrounding relationship to the upper edge of said pot; said first means also including a projecting annular rib fixedly secured to one of said annular flange and rim means and projecting toward the other of said annular flange and rim means, and a plurality of spaced projections fixedly secured to the other of said annular flange and rim means and projecting toward said one annular flange and rim means, said annular rib or projections as fixedly secured to said annular flange being disposed downwardly from said central wall portion to create a space therebetween adapted to receive therein the other of said annular rib and projections to create a snap-fit between said coupling member and said pot; a transparent plastic cover member adapted to be secured to said coupling member on the side thereof opposite said pot, said cover member having a lower free edge defining a downwardly directed opening; and said coupling member having second means disposed for engagement with the lower free edge of said cover member for securely but releasably connecting said cover member to said coupling member.

Claim 9

A container assembly for permitting storing, shipping and growing of flower bulbs, comprising: an upwardly opening cup-shaped plastic pot adapted to have at least one flower bulb disposed therein, said pot having annular rim means adjacent the upper free edge thereof and defining an upwardly directed opening; an annular plastic coupling member securable to said pot adjacent the upper edge thereof for substantially closing said pot to retain said flower bulb therein, said coupling member having a central wall portion adapted to extend across and substantially close the upper end of said pot, said central wall portion having a central opening therethrough for permitting growth of said flower bulb; said coupling member further having a ringlike annular flange fixedly secured to and surrounding said central wall portion and extending axially downwardly therefrom in a direction toward said pot; cooperating means including opposed and coacting first and second protrusion means on said rim means and said annular flange, respectively, for creating a snap-fit between said coupling member and said pot, whereby said coupling member is securely but releasably connected to said pot adjacent the upper free edge thereof; a transparent plastic cover member adapted to be secured to said coupling member on the side thereof opposite said pot, said cover member comprising a vertically elongated, inverted, cup-shaped member having a lower free edge defining a downwardly directed opening; and said cover member having a cross-sectional size and configuration adjacent the open end thereof similar to the cross-sectional size and configuration of the pot adjacent its open end, said cover member also having vent opening means extending through the wall thereof; said coupling member having connecting means disposed for engagement with the lower free edge of said cover member for securely but releasably connecting said cover member to said coupling member.

Claim 10

A container assembly for permitting storing, shipping and growing of flower bulbs, comprising: an upwardly opening cup-shaped plastic pot adapted to have at least one flower bulb disposed therein, said pot having annular rim means adjacent the upper free edge thereof and defining an upwardly directed opening; an annular plastic coupling member securable to said pot adjacent the upper edge thereof for substantially closing said pot to retain said flower bulb therein, said coupling member having a central wall portion adapted to extend across and substantially close the upper end of said pot, said central wall portion having a central opening therethrough for permitting growth of said flower bulb; said coupling member further having a ringlike annular flange fixedly secured to and surrounding said central wall portion and extending axially downwardly therefrom in a direction toward said pot; cooperating means including opposed and coacting first and second protrusion means on said rim means and said annular flange, respectively, for creating a snap-fit between said coupling member and said pot, whereby said coupling member is securely but releasably connected to said pot adjacent the upper free edge thereof; a transparent plastic cover member adapted to be secured to said coupling member on the side thereof opposite said pot, said cover member comprising a vertically elongated, inverted, cup-shaped member having a lower free edge defining a downwardly directed opening; and said cover member having a cross-sectional size and configuration adjacent the open end thereof similar to the cross-sectional size and configuration of the pot adjacent its open end, said cover member also having vent opening means extending through the wall thereof; said coupling member having connecting means disposed for engagement with the lower free edge of said cover member for securely but releasably connecting said cover member to said coupling member.

Claim 11

A container assembly according to claim 6, wherein said annular flange is adapted to be disposed in surrounding relationship to the rim means on the upper end of said pot and has said second protrusion means formed thereon and spaced axially downwardly from said central wall portion, said second protrusion means projectiNg radially inwardly of said annular flange; and said rim means having said first protrusion means formed thereon and radially outwardly directed directly adjacent the upper free edge of said pot, said first protrusion means being adapted to be disposed within said second annular flange in the axial space between said central wall portion and said second protrusion means for creating a snap-fit between said coupling member and said pot; one of said first and second protrusion means comprising a substantially continuous ringlike element, the other of said first and second protrusion means comprising a plurality of separated portions which are angularly spaced from one another.

Claim 12

A container assembly according to claim 7, wherein said connecting means comprises a second annular flange fixedly secured to and surrounding said central wall portion and extending upwardly therefrom in a direction away from said pot, said second annular flange having a plurality of angular spaced, radially inwardly directed protrusion means disposed for engagement with the lower edge of said cover when said cover member edge is forceably inserted into said second annular flange, the lower free edge of said cover member being disposed substantially in abutting engagement with said central wall portion.