Paper-based plant pot, and blank for making same

US8329268B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Sonoco Development, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Susan Bell · Fort Mill, US
• Wim van de Camp · Hartsville, US
• William David Decker · Darlington, US
• Bruce A. Moon · Hartsville, US
• David E. Rhodes · Hartsville, US
• Tony F. Rummage · Hartsville, US
• John Whitehead · Coleambally, AU

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 7, 2009
• Grant date: Dec 11, 2012
• Expiry date: Nov 16, 2030

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10T428/24777
• WIPO field: Handling
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A paper-based plant pot comprises a container formed from a sheet of paper-based material wrapped about an axis, opposite edge portions of the sheet being secured to each other, the container having a side wall that encircles the axis and a bottom wall formed by a plurality of bottom panels of the sheet folded inwardly from a lower edge of the side wall and engaging one another. The sheet comprises a paperboard substrate formed of natural cellulose fibers, an internal sizing composition incorporated into the paperboard substrate so as to render the paperboard substrate substantially resistant to saturation by liquid water, and a thermoplastic polymer layer on one of the major surfaces of the paperboard substrate. The thermoplastic polymer layer faces an interior of the container and forms an inner surface thereof for contact with soil or other growing medium placed in the container.