(12) INTERNATIONAL APPLICATION PUBLISHED UNDER THE PATENT COOPERATION TREATY (PCT) AUTO A (10) International Publication Number WO 2011/030233 Al (19) World Intellectual Property Organization International Bureau (43) International Publication Date 17 March 2011 (17.03.2011) (61) International Patent Classification: ted States (unless otherwise indiented, for every AOIG 9/12 (2006.01) ind of national protection available): AE, AG, AL, AM, AO, AT, AU, AZ, BA, BB, BG, BH, BR, BW, BY, BZ, CD rae a cael , CA; CH, CL, CN, CO, CR, CU, CZ, DE, DK, DM, DO, POTAB2010052436 7" EC, BE, EG, BS, Fl, GB, GD, GE, GH, GM, GT, (22) International Filing Date: HN, HR, HU, ID, IL, IN, IS, JP, KE, KG, KM, KN, KP, 1 June 2010 (01.062010) KR, KZ, LA, LC, LK, LR, LS,'LT, LU, LY, MA, MD, ME, MG, MK, MN, MW, MX, MY, MZ, NA, NG, NI (25) Filing Language: Halian _NO,NZ, OM, PE, PG, PH, PL, PT, RO, RS, RU, SC, SD, (26) Publication Language: Pnglish SE, SG.’SK, SL, SM, ST, SV, SY, TH, 1, TM, TN, TR, TT, TZ, UA, UG, US, UZ, VC, VN, ZA, ZM, ZW (0) Priority Data PD2009000259 10 September 2009 (10.09.2009) rr (84) Designated s Kind of regtonal prowetion availa (11) Applicant (forall designated States except US): GEO- GM, KE, LR. LS, MW, MZ, NA, PLAST Spa [ITT], Via Marti delle Liter, 6/8, 2M, ZW), Purasian (AM, AZ, BY. KG, KZ, MD. RUTH, 135010 Grantoro (pd) CT). ‘TM), European (AL, AT, BE, BG, CH, CY, CZ, DE, DK, tates (unless otherwise indicated, for every ARIPO (BW, Gil, SL, SZ, TZ, UG, ——— Bes PPR GB, GR Ie MUSTEK WELW ctr a for U os PEG feo LA MCR AIT NL NOW PLS PEO, SE SK. (8) lnventrAppien’ fr US ony: PEGORARO: Mico Ys AFL, BC, CUCL OA. GN. GO, SR TASNO GRMN GOED. GNSMLLMRNE SN, TD,TO) (74) Agent: BENETTIN, Maurizio; UFFICIO VENETO. Peblished: (64) Tide: SUPPORT GRID FOR PLANTS AND/OR FLOWERS < on a a Ss 5 S (67) Abstract: The iaventon isa support grid (1) for plants and/or flowers, comprising atleast one substantially rigid frst strue= & ture (2), which detines« plurality of interconnected polygoss (3). One of more of all ofthe later have an imtegular goometrical shape. The grid (1) may comprise a second stracture (7) similar to the fist structure (2), constrained and substantially parallel to the later, in order to increase its overall Figidity WoO 2110 |e 20 25 WO 2011/030233 PCT/1B2010/052436 SUPPORT GRID FOR PLANTS AND/OR FLOWERS DESCRIPTION Qn Field of applic: The present invention can be generally applied in the sector of indoor and outdoor furnishing, flower-growing and botany, in particular it concems a grid for supporting plants and/or flowers of the type described in the preamble to claim 1. State of the art Numerous vertical grids for supporting plants and/or flowers for both indoor furnishing and outdoor terraces and gardens are known, The known grids are generally formed of a first set of linear elements, such as rods or slats, arranged on a plane parallel to one another and constrained by a second set of linear elements of the same type, also arranged substantially on the same plane parallel to one another and orthogonally with respect to the first set. ‘The elements of the same set are equally spaced from one another. The grids of this type are generally constrained to a vertical wall or to another supporting element, for example a column. The linear elements of both sets serve to support the branches, stems or other similar portions of plants and/or flowers of different type. In this way green walls can be created either close to an e {ing wall or as partitions between two adjacent zones. In some known embodiments, the linear elements of the first set are hi yntal and those of the second set are vertical. In other known examples, the elements of both sets are inclined by approximately 45° with respect to the local vertical. In further known embodiments, the directions of the first and the second set of linear elements are inclined at an angle different from 90°. An obvious drawback of this known solution lies in the poor aesthetic10 15 20 eh) WO 2011/030233 PCT/IB2010/052436 qualities inherent in the geometrical regularity and repeatability of the grid In fact, the grid defines a plurality of identical square or rhombic apertures, which characterise the appearance thereof. A further drawback of the known grids lies in the fact that they are not self supporting, but must necessarily have at least one portion constrained to a wall, to a column or to another supporting element, An additional drawback lies in the reduced rigidity and strength of many of the grids of known type. This reduced strength means that only small flower pots can be constrained to the grid whereas larger pots necessarily have to be rested on the ground or constrained directly to a wall in order not to damage the grid with their weight. Presentation of the invention A primary object of the present invention is to eliminate the above drawbacks, providing a support grid for plants and/or flowers which is shaped in order to obtain good aesthetic qualities without compromising the characteristics of strength and sturdiness of the grid. A patticular object is to provide a grid with high rigidity both on the plane defined by the grid and orthogonally to it. A further object of the invention is to provide a grid which is self-supporting and able to remain in a vertical position without the need for constraining elements. A further particular object is to provide a grid which can support pots or similar containers for plants and/or flowers positioned at different heights from the ground. These objects, in addition to others which will be illustrated in detail below, are achieved, in accordance with claim I, by a support grid for plants and/or flowers comprising at least one first substantially rigid structure, which10 15 20 25 WO 2011/030233 PCT/IB2010/052436 defines a plurality of interconnected polygons. In particular, one or more of the latter have an irregular geometrical shape. Support grid for plants and/or flowers comprising at least one first substantially rigid structure (2), having a substantially flat shape, defining a plurality of interconnected polygons (3), having an irregular geometrical shape and where said grid comprises a second structure (7) similar to said first structure (2), said first and second structure (2, 7) being staggered, moulded at the same time, reciprocally constrained and substantially parallel. Due to this particular configuration, it will be possible to obtain a grid which can be produced in one single moulding cycle, which is ultra-solid and aesthetically pleasing. Brief description of the drawings The characteristics of the new support grid for plants and/or flowers will be better clarified by the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings provided by way of non-limiting example. FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a grid according to the invention; FIG. 2 shows a second perspective view of the grid of Fig.1; FIG. 3 shows a frontal view of the grid of Fig.1; FIG. 4 shows a section view of the grid of Fig.1; FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the grid of Fig. 1 together with a pot 14 for plants and/or flowers; FIG. 6 shows a frontal view of the grid of Fig. 1 together with a pot 14 for plants and/or flowers; FIG. 7 shows an overhead view of the grid of Fig. 1 together with a pot 14 for plants and/or flowers; FIG. 8 shows a vertical section of the grid of Fig. 1 together with a pot 1410 15 20 25 WO 2011/030233 PCT/IB2010/052436 for plants and/or flowers. iled description of a preferred example of embodiment ‘The grid is described with particular reference to the attached figures; the Detai reference numbers in the description and in the claims are used to improve comprehension of the invention and do not constitute any limitation to the protective scope claimed. ‘The support grid according to the invention for plants and/or flowers is indicated as a whole by the reference number 1. The grid 1 comprises at least one first substantially rigid structure 2, which defines a plurality of interconnected polygons 3. A particular characteristic of the invention consists in the fact that one or more interconnected polygons 3 have an irregular geometrical shape. The use of irregular polygons improves the aesthetic qualities of the grid. In an embodiment of the grid 1 according to the invention, all the interconnected polygons 3 can have an irregular geometrical shape As illustrated in Fig.l, the first structure 2 can have a substantially flat shape, which can define a geometrical plane (not indicated in the attached drawings). To facilitate assembly of the grid 1 on surfaces of different dimensions, the first structure 2 can have a perimetral edge 4 with substantially square or rectangular overall shape. In fact, this regular standardised configuration of the perimetral edge 4 allows numerous adjacent grids to be easily assembled, also covering relatively large surfaces. More specifically, each interconnected polygon 3 can comprise a plurality of sides 5 having predetermined thickness in the direction orthogonal to the geometrical plane. In particular, the predetermined thickness of the sides 5 can be the same for all the interconnected polygons 3. Therefore, since the10 15 20 25 WO 2011/030233 PCT/IB2010/052436 5 latter can all be arranged along the geometrical plane, the entire first structure 2 can have a thickness substantially the same as that of the sides 5. Each interconnected polygon 3 can comprise a plurality of substantially rigid joints 6 inserted at the level of the contact portions of adjacent sides 5. ‘Two or more sides 5 can be connected to the same joint 6. As illustrated in the embodiment example of Fig.1 and following, the grid can comprise a second structure 7 similar to the first structure 2. In particular, also the second structure 7 can be substantially flat and both the structures 2, 7 can be reciprocally constrained and substantially parallel. Similarly to the first structure 2, the second structure 7 may comprise a plurality of interconnected polygons 8 having an irregular geometrical shape. The sides 9 and the joints 10 belonging to the second structure 7 can be similar respectively to the sides 5 and the joints 6 of the interconnected polygons 3 of the first structure 2. The two structures 2, 7 can have different or similar thicknesses. The constraint between the two structures 2, 7, can make the latter substantially integral with each other, increasing the flexional rigidity of the grid 1. Said characteristic is particularly advantageous when pots for plants or flowers are coupled directly to the grid, so that the weight thereof is supported by the grid. Furthermore, the overall thickness of the grid 1 in the orthogonal direction to the geometrical plane, being at least equal to the sum of the predetermined thicknesses of the first and second structure 2, 7, can be selected so as to allow the grid 1 to be self-supporting when positioned vertically. In this way the grid 1 can be arranged in a vertical position without the need to be constrained to a wall or other supporting element. As illustrated also in Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, each joint 10 of the interconnected polygons 8 of the second structure 7 can be positioned at the level of an10 15 20 25 WO 2011/030233 PCT/IB2010/052436 internal region 11 of a corresponding interconnected polygon 3 of the first structure 2, This contrivance, in addition to contributing to the aesthetic qualities, also permits improvement of the overall rigidity of the grid 1 along the geometrical plane. In fact, due to the substantially rigid constraint between the first and the second structure 2, 7, the sides 9 which converge in a joint 10 of the polygons 8 of the structure 7 stiffen the corresponding polygon 3 of the structure 2 and vice versa. As can be seen in Fig. 2 and 4, the second structure 7 can have one or more projections 12 arranged crosswise with respect to the geometrical plane. These projections 12 can be provided with at least one through hole 13, 13° to allow anchoring to a wall or other supporting element by means of at least one through screw (not shown in the drawings). The through hole 13 can have an axis substantially orthogonal to the geometrical plane to allow fixing of the grid 1 parallel to a flat wall. Alternatively or additionally, the through hole 13° can have an axis inclined with respect to the geometrical plane to facilitate fixing of the grid 1 on a support with different forms. In some examples of embodiment according to the invention, the grid 1 can comprise one or more pots 14 for plants and/or flowers which can be constrained to the structures 2, 7 by means of one or more support couplings 15. In particular, the projections 12 can be hollow and at least partially open to allow fixing of one or more support couplings 15 by means of serew/s, Therefore, the projections 12 can have a dual function, allowing anchoring of the grid 1 to a support and allowing coupling of the pots 14 to the grid. The projections 12 can be positioned on one of the two structures 2, 7, the second in Fig. 3, at different distances from the perimetral edge 4. In this way, when the grid | is positioned vertically, the pots 14 can be supported at ifferent heights and not necessarily rested on the ground.10 WO 2011/030233 PCT/IB2010/052436 As shown in Fig. 5, when the grid 1 and therefore its geometrical plane are intended for positioning substantially along the vertical, at least one first side 16 of a polygon 3 of the first structure 2 can be positioned substantially horizontal or with relatively limited inclination and vertically staggered in order to support at least one of the support couplings 15 of one or more pots 14 without the use of screws or similar. From the above description, it appears evident that the grid according to the invention achieves the set objects and in particular ensures good aesthetic Qualities and at the same time sturdiness and ease of positioning. Therefore with reference to the preceding description and the accompanyii drawings, the following claims are made,WO 2011/030233 PCT/IB2010/052436 1 3. 5. 6 7 CLAIMS. Support grid for plants and/or flowers, comprising at least one substantially rigid first structure (2) defining a plurality of interconnected polygons (3), characterized in that one or more interconnected polygons (3) of said plurality of polygons have an irregular geometrical shape. Grid according to claim 1, characterized in that all the polygons (3) of said plurality of polygons have an irregular geometrical shape. Grid according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one first structure (2) has a substantially flat shape, defining a geometric plane. Grid according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said at least one first structure (2) has a perimetral edge (4) whose overall shape is substantially square or rectangular. Grid according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that each one of said interconnected polygons (3) comprises a plurality of sides (5) having a predetermined thickness in the direction orthogonal to said geometrical plane and a plurality of substantially rigid joints (6) inserted at the level of the contact portions of adjacent sides (5) of said plurality, Grid according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a second structure (7) similar to said at least one first structure (2), said first and second structures (2, 7) being moulded at the same time and mutually constrained and substantially parallel to each other. Grid according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said second structure (7) compri sa plurality of interconnectedWO 2011/030233 PCT/IB2010/052436 10. 1. 12, polygons (8) having a regular geometrical shape. Grid according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said second structure (7) comprises a plurality of interconnected polygons (8) having an irregular geometrical shape, with sides (9) and joints (10) respectively similar to the sides (5) and joints (6) of the interconnected polygons (3) of said first structure (2). Grid according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that each joint (10) of the interconnected polygons (8) of said second structure (7) is positioned at the level of an internal region (11) of a corresponding interconnected polygon (3) of said first structure (2) and vice versa, and wherein the connection between said first and said second structure is carried out at the level of the sides of the various polygons. Grid according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said second structure (7) is provided with one or more projections (12) arranged crosswise with respect to said geometrical plane, said projections (12) being provided with at least one through hole (13, 13°) in order to allow the grid to be anchored to a wall or another supporting element by means of at least one screw. Grid according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises one or more pots (14) for plants and/or flowers suited to be constrained to said structures (2, 7) by means of one or more support couplings (15). Grid according to claims 10, 11 characterized in that said projections (12) are hollow and at least partially open in order to allow said one or more support couplings (15) to be fixed by means of a screw.WO 2011/030233 PCT/IB2010/052436 13. 14. 15, 10 Grid according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said projections (12) are positioned on one of said structures (2, 7) at varying distances from said perimetral edge (4). Grid according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one first side (16) of a polygon (3) of said first structure (2) and at least one second side (16’) of a polygon (8) of said second structure (7) are arranged in a substantially horizontal position or with a relatively limited inclination, and vertically staggered in order to support at least one of said support couplings (15) of said one or more pots (14) with no need to use screws or similar devices, with said geometrical plane in a substantially vertical position. Grid according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises coupling devices between one or both of the structures of a grid and one or both of the structures of the adjacent upper and/or lower grid.WO 2011/030233 PCT/IB2010/052436 18 Fig. 4WO 2011/030233 PCT/IB2010/052436 Fig. 2PCT/IB2010/052436 Fig. 3WO 2011/030233 PCT/IB2010/052436 418 Fig. 4 4WO 2011/030233 PCT/IB2010/052436 » oD iraWO 2011/030233 ois Fig. 6 15 12 So 12 20101052436WO 2011/030233 PCT/IB2010/052436 18 Fig. 7 12 ei 12 lg 8614 88 WO 2011/030233INTERNATIONAL SEARCH REPORT Intemational application No PCT/1B2010/052436 7% CLASSIICATION OF SUBJECT NATTER INV. AO. iON 169/12 ADD. ‘Accorsng a ntmationl Pant Casiiation (PC) oo both naena eassiation and IPC '. FIELDS SEARCHED ‘ran documentation serch [Gasacavon sir Tolowad by RSCAEON SPEDE) AOI ‘Documariaton searched one Tan Anz SOoumETIBEGN othe HG hal Sh GosuMeTIS a HGed Wh ola sarod lace database canaated carn he savers senvh (ane Of Gla OOH, WWTP, SOE TTS UST EPO-Internal (C. DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED TO BE RELEVANT ‘Category ] Caton of document wih neato, where appropiate ol he elovat passages evento calm ne x OP 62 175849 A (NEC CORP) 1-8, 1 August 1987 (1987-08-01) 10-15 figures 1-9 x JP 2005 328746 A (INGUSU KK; MITSUI KAGAKU 1-8, SANSHI KK) 2 December 2005 (2005-12-02) 10-15 * abstract; figures 1-5 x UP 2006 262712 A (KAJIMA CORP) 1-8, 5 October 2006 (2006-10-05) 10-15 * abstract; figures 11-17 Furmer documents ar std inthe cotuaton of Box C DK] seo patent tai annex Sposa ears 01 oa Soames “8° docaent dating te gone! tate ote an wich rot orsdoed oon pacar ovance “eater document bu pubes on rater he iteration Ting ie “L secuert whch ay tow subs on ony cn} or ttc to ei he pubic dat one iaionor ober speci reason as specie) “0 ocument tering an ral cose use, exibiton o¢ mer plished prt othe grate! ting cate but ‘er nantne pony data ames “T laerdocuren published ater he intmationa fing cate “prety cat and not eoit wine, appeaton Bat ‘haa underana ne pane area cern he 7 documento parce levancs: te claimed wenton "ancl bs concer novel oc Game bo consdored To invelve an rwantve sop when te acute staan alone "¥ docueent ot arcu elovarce: the aimed swvanton aol be contaredo mclve an erive sop when the Secumer combine wth one or mare ther such docs Inn sve crab bag oOo 8 pron ied “a eaeument membor oh same patent amy Date a he aca conplatn he wlerahoral sar 28 September 2010 ‘Date fang he wieraora search epon 04/10/2010 Tame and malig aes SAL Eepoan Patet Otic, P.8. $618 Patentaan 2 NC sea et Rew Tat (-at-70) 340-2080, Fax 31-70) 40-3016 Tahoraed ooo Dagnelies, Joélle Fam POTISN Geena ae] OND)INTERNATIONAL SEARCH REPORT Trternational appistion No Information on patent family members PCT/1B2010/052436 Patent document Publication Patent famiy| Publication cited in search report ate members) ato JP 62175849 =A (1-08-1987 UP 1787543 C 10-09-1993 oP. 4076147 B 02-12-1992 JP 2005328746 A 02-12-2005 NONE OP 2006262712 A 05-10-2006 NONE Fa POTISAEIO ons os OOD)