Removable plant container and method of use

Abstract

A removable plant container for growing and transporting plants having a base member in communication with a lateral support wall. The base member and lateral support wall define a receiving aperture, having a volume V, for receiving the plant and growing media therein. At least one removal device is in communication with the lateral support wall, the base member, or both. Actuation of the at least one removal device results in an increase in the volume of the receiving aperture from volume V to volume V′, thereby permitting the removal of the plant and growing media without damage to the plant root system of root ball.

1 . A container for holding plants, comprising: 
 a base member;    a lateral support wall in communication with said base member;    a receiving aperture formed by said base member and said lateral support wall, said receiving aperture having a volume V; and    at least one removal device located on and separable from said container, wherein separation of said at least one removal device from said container results in said receiving aperture having a volume V′, wherein volume V′ is larger than volume V.    
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said container is formed in a shape selected from a group consisting of conical, square, rectangular, circular, or cylindrical.  
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said base member further comprises at least one hole formed therein.  
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said lateral support wall further comprises at least one hole formed therein.  
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said at least one removal device is located on said lateral support wall.  
   
   
       6 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said at least one removal device is located on said base member.  
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said at least one removal device is located on said lateral support wall and said base member.  
   
   
       8 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said at least one removal device is selected from the group consisting of perforated slits, slots, retention bridges, hook and loop devices, buttons, straps, zippers, grooves, or channels.  
   
   
       9 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said at least one removal device comprises at least one tear strip, said tear strip comprising at least one tear perforation formed in said container.  
   
   
       10 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said at least one removal device comprises at least one tear device in communication with said container.  
   
   
       11 . The device of  claim 10  wherein said at least one tear device is embedded in said container.  
   
   
       12 . The device of  claim 10  wherein said at least one tear device is a material selected from a group consisting of a thread, string, or wire.  
   
   
       13 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said at least one removal device further comprises at least one tear starter positioned on said container.  
   
   
       14 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said lateral support wall further comprises at least one finger hole positioned proximate to said at least one removal device.  
   
   
       15 . The device of  claim 1  further comprising a flange in communication with said lateral support wall.  
   
   
       16 . The device of  claim 15  wherein said flange further comprises at least one finger hole formed thereon, said finger hole positioned proximate to said at least one removal device.  
   
   
       17 . The device of  claim 15  wherein said flange further comprises at least one handle formed thereon.  
   
   
       18 . A container for holding plants comprising: 
 a base;    a wall extending upwardly from said base;    said wall having a substantially uniform tensile strength;    a separation zone extending along substantially a length of said wall;    said separation zone having a tensile strength less than said substantially uniform tensile strength of said wall.    
   
   
       19 . A method of removing a plant from a container comprising: 
 providing a container having a plant disposed within a substantially continuous wall of said container;    exerting a force on a wall of said container such that a zone along substantially a length of said container wall yields so as to disrupt said substantially continuous wall and expose said plant.    
   
   
       20 . A container as set forth in  claim 18 , said separation zone comprising a tear strip having two joints on either side of said tear strip, said tear strip being a narrow segment of said wall, said joints being comprised of the same material as said wall and being of substantially less thickness than said wall.