# US 2009/0260285 A1 · Self-orientating plant pot and tray system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2009/0260285 A1 - Document ID: US20090260285A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 12/148,348 - Filed: 2008-04-18 - Published: 2009-10-22 - Earliest claimed: 2008-04-18 - Inventors: Thomas J. Smith; Henry L. Huntington - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20090260285A1 ## CPC - A01G 9/045: {Trays for receiving multiple pots} - 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) ## Abstract Disclosed herein is a self-orientating plant pot and tray system. The plant pot includes a top and/or a pot body and is provided with a first drain opening. The top has a first substantially elliptical cross-section and/or the body has a first tapering substantially elliptical cross-section. The tray defines at least one receiving area each for securingly receiving a plant pot in a desired orientation relative therewith. The receiving area includes an upper chamber and/or a body chamber, which are each respectively defined by a depression and/or a receptacle. The depression has a second substantially elliptical cross-section for mating with the top and/or the receptacle has a second tapering substantially elliptical cross-section for mating with the pot body. The receptacle can be provided with a second drain opening for fluid communication with the first drain opening. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A self-orientating plant pot and tray system comprising: a plant pot having a first substantially elliptical cross-section and having a first drain opening; and a tray having a receiving area for receiving said plant pot, said receiving area having a chamber of a second substantially elliptical cross-section corresponding to said first substantially elliptical cross-section and configured to mate with said plant pot. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein said plant pot includes a top having said first substantially elliptical cross-section, and wherein said receiving area includes a depression defining said chamber as an upper chamber having said second substantially elliptical cross-section and configured to mate with said top. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The system of claim 2, wherein said plant pot includes a pot body proximal said top, and wherein said receiving area includes a receptacle tapering in a direction away from said depression and having a body chamber configured to receive said pot body of said plant pot. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The system of claim 2, wherein said plant pot includes a flange extending from said top, said flange configured to rest upon a side of said tray when said top mates with said upper chamber. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The system of claim 2, wherein said tray includes a first tray side and a second tray side opposite thereto, and wherein said depression includes a substantially elliptical wall extending from said first tray side in a direction toward said second tray side and further includes a substantially elliptical ledge extending from said substantially elliptical wall, said top configured to be seated upon said substantially elliptical ledge at least partially within said substantially elliptical wall. ### Claim 6 A self-orientating plant pot and tray system comprising: a plant pot having a first tapering substantially elliptical cross-section and a first drain opening; and a tray including a receiving area for receiving said plant pot, said receiving area having a chamber of a second tapering substantially elliptical cross-section corresponding to said first tapering substantially elliptical cross-section and configured to mate with said plant pot. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The system of claim 6, wherein said plant pot includes a pot body having said first tapering substantially elliptical cross-section, and wherein said receiving area includes a receptacle defining said chamber as a body chamber having said second tapering substantially elliptical cross-section and configured to mate with said pot body. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The system of claim 7, wherein said plant pot includes a top proximal said pot body such that said receptacle tapers in a direction away from said top, and wherein said receiving area includes a depression proximal said receptacle and configured to receive said top. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The system of claim 7, wherein said receptacle is truncated to provide a bottom surface configured to support said tray when rested upon an environmental structure. ### Claim 10 (depends on 7) The system of claim 7, wherein said receptacle is continuously tapered so as to provide a continuously tapered substantially elliptical cross-section along an entire elevation of said receptacle. ### Claim 11 A self-orientating plant pot and tray system comprising: a plant pot including a top having a first substantially elliptical cross-section, and further including a pot body proximal said top and having a first tapering substantially elliptical cross-section, said plant pot having a first drain opening; and a tray having a receiving area for receiving said plant pot, said receiving area including an upper chamber of a second substantially elliptical cross-section corresponding to said first substantially elliptical cross-section and configured to mate with said top and a body chamber of a second tapering substantially elliptical cross-section corresponding to said first tapering substantially elliptical cross-section and configured to mate with said pot body. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The system of claim 11, wherein said tray has a tray drain opening configured for fluid communication with said first drain opening. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The system of claim 11, including a kit comprising said tray and said plant pot unassembled therewith. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The system of claim 11, including a second plant pot including a second top having a third substantially elliptical cross-section and a second pot body proximal said second top and having a third tapering substantially elliptical, said second plant pot having a second drain opening; and said tray having a second receiving area for receiving said second plant pot, said second receiving area including a second upper chamber of a fourth substantially elliptical cross-section corresponding to said third substantially elliptical cross-section and configured to mate with said second top, and further including a second body chamber of a fourth tapering substantially elliptical cross-section corresponding to said third tapering substantially elliptical cross-section and configured to mate with said second pot body. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) The system of claim 11, wherein said receiving area includes a depression having said upper chamber. ### Claim 16 (depends on 11) The system of claim 11, wherein said receiving area includes a receptacle having said body chamber. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The system of claim 16, wherein said receptacle is continuously tapered so as to provide a continuously tapered substantially elliptical cross-section along an entire elevation of said receptacle. ### Claim 18 A self-orientating plant pot and tray system comprising: a plant pot having a first drain opening, said plant pot having a first cross-section defined by a first perimeter consisting essentially of curves not substantially forming a circle; and a tray having a receiving area for receiving said plant pot, said receiving area including a second cross-section corresponding to said first perimeter, said second cross-section defined by a second perimeter consisting essentially of curves not substantially forming a circle, said receiving area being configured to mate with said plant pot to securingly align said receiving area. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The system of claim 18, wherein said plant pot includes a top having said first cross-section, wherein said receiving area includes a depression having said second cross-section and configured to mate with said top. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) The system of claim 18, wherein said plant pot includes a pot body having said first cross-section, wherein said receiving area includes a receptacle having said second cross-section and configured to mate with said pot body. ### Claim 21 (depends on 18) The system of claim 18, wherein said second cross-section defined by said second perimeter consisting essentially of curves not substantially forming said circle, is continuous along at least a part of an elevation of said receiving area. ### Claim 22 (depends on 18) The system of claim 18, wherein said second cross-section defined by said second perimeter consisting essentially of curves not substantially forming said circle, is continuously tapered along at least a part of an elevation of said receiving area.