# US 12,108,715 B2 · Multi-piece support plug

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- Number: US 12,108,715 B2
- Document ID: US12108715B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 17/655,674
- Filed: 2022-03-21
- Published: 2023-09-21
- Granted: 2024-10-08
- Earliest claimed: 2022-03-21
- Assignees: The Plant Company of Virginia, LLC
- Applicants: Jason Vanwingerden
- Inventors: Jason Vanwingerden
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12108715B2

## CPC

- A01G 9/021: {Pots formed in one piece; Materials used therefor}
- A01G 9/0293: {Seed or shoot receptacles}
- A01G 9/029: Receptacles for seedlings (growth substrates in block form A01G24/44)
- Y02P 60/21: Dinitrogen oxide [N2O], e.g. using aquaponics, hydroponics or efficiency measures
- A01G: HORTICULTURE; CULTIVATION OF VEGETABLES, FLOWERS, RICE, FRUIT, VINES, HOPS OR SEAWEED; FORESTRY; WATERING (picking of fruits, vegetables, hops or the like A01D46/00; propagating unicellular algae C12N1/12)
- Y02P: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS

## Abstract

A system and device used to substantially plug a mouth of a vessel to inhibit an article from cresting above the mouth and spilling outside the vessel and to retain a portion of the article within the vessel without damaging the article. The plug includes a first plug piece and a second plug device, which are positioned adjacent and contacting each other to form a plug body forming a plug channel. An indentation is disposed on the periphery of the plug body to correspond to and engage with a lip defining the mouth. The plug is supported by and rests within the mouth of a vessel such that a top portion of the plug rests extending above the mouth and a bottom portion of the plug rests extending below the mouth. When the indentation engages the lip, upper surfaces of the plug pieces may rest coplanar.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A plug device in combination with a vessel holding an article, the combination comprising:
a vessel for holding an article, the vessel including a mouth defined by a lip; and
a plug device for substantially plugging the mouth and for supporting a middle article portion, the plug device further including, a plug body defined by at least a first plug piece and second plug piece resting adjacent each other,
wherein the plug body further comprises an indentation disposed around a periphery of the plug body,
wherein the first plug piece and the second plug piece form a plug channel through the plug body, and
wherein the plug device is made of cork material.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The combination of claim 1, wherein the indentation is configured to engage the lip of the vessel.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The combination of claim 1, wherein the plug body further comprises a bottom plug body portion that securely rests extending below the mouth and a top plug body portion that securely rests extending above the mouth.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The combination of claim 1, wherein the plug body is tapered.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The combination of claim 1, wherein the first and second plug piece are identical.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The combination in claim 1, wherein the first plug piece and second plug piece are arcuate shaped.

### Claim 7

A plug device in combination with a vessel holding an article, the combination comprising:
a vessel for holding an article, the vessel including a mouth defined by a lip; and
a plug device for substantially plugging the mouth and for supporting a middle article portion, the plug device further including, a plug body defined by at least a first plug piece and second plug piece resting adjacent each other,
wherein the plug body further comprises an indentation disposed around a periphery of the plug body,
wherein the first plug piece and the second plug piece form a plug channel through the plug body, and
wherein the plug body is tapered.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The combination of claim 7, wherein the indentation is configured to engage the lip of the vessel.

### Claim 9 (depends on 7)

The combination of claim 7, wherein the plug body further comprises a bottom plug body portion that securely rests extending below the mouth and a top plug body portion that securely rests extending above the mouth.

### Claim 10 (depends on 7)

The combination of claim 7, wherein the plug device is made of cork material.

### Claim 11 (depends on 7)

The combination of claim 7, wherein the first and second plug piece are identical.

### Claim 12 (depends on 7)

The combination in claim 7, wherein the first plug piece and second plug piece are arcuate shaped.