TECHNICAL FIELD

Various embodiments relate to pot assemblies with a saucer.

BACKGROUND

Pots and pot assemblies have been utilized for potting plants and the like. Pot assemblies have been provided with an underlying saucer for collecting water that passes through an aperture in the pot.

SUMMARY

According to an embodiment, a pot assembly is provided with a saucer, and a pot with a base pivotally connected to, and supported upon the saucer. A cam surface is provided between the saucer and the pot so that rotation of the pot in a first rotary direction relative to the saucer extends the pot from the saucer, and rotation of the pot in a second rotary direction relative to the saucer retracts the pot to the saucer.

According to a further embodiment, at least one fastener connects the pot to the saucer.

According to another further embodiment, the pot is provided with a sidewall extending from the base to collectively provide a cavity with the base.

According to an even further embodiment, at least one aperture is provided in the base so that the saucer is in fluid communication with the cavity of the pot.

According to another even further embodiment, at least one fastener connects the pot to the saucer.

According to another even further embodiment, the at least one fastener is mounted to the saucer and cooperates in the at least one aperture in the base.

According to a further embodiment, the cam surface is defined as at least two cam surfaces formed in one of the base and the saucer. The pot assembly is further provided with at least two cam followers formed in another of the base and the saucer.

According to another further embodiment, the cam surface is defined as at least two cam surfaces formed beneath the base, and at least two cam surfaces formed in the saucer.

According to an even further embodiment, the at least two base cam surfaces cooperate with the at least two saucer cam surfaces to diverge in the first rotary direction to extend the pot from the saucer, and to collapse in the second rotary direction to retract the pot to the saucer.

According to another even further embodiment, at least two complementary surfaces are formed in the base, offset and corresponding to the at least two cam surfaces formed beneath the base. At least two complementary surfaces are formed beneath the saucer, offset and corresponding to the at least two cam surfaces formed in the saucer. The at least two saucer complementary surfaces are sized to be received upon the at least two base complementary surfaces for collapsed and compact packing of multiple pot assemblies.

According to another further embodiment, the saucer is provided with a first support extending from the saucer. The pot is provided with a second support extending down from the base to align with the first support in an extended position to collectively support the base relative to the saucer.

According to an even further embodiment, the first support and the second support are each generally frusto-conical.

According to another embodiment, a pot assembly is provided with a saucer with a first series of arcuate ramps. A pot with a base is pivotally connected to, and supported upon the saucer. The base is provided with a corresponding second series of arcuate ramps in cooperation with the first series of arcuate ramps so that rotation of the pot in a first rotary direction relative to the saucer extends the pot from the saucer, and rotation of the pot in a second rotary direction relative to the saucer retracts the pot to the saucer.

According to a further embodiment, the pot is provided with a sidewall extending from the base to collectively provide a cavity with the base. At least one aperture is provided in the base so that the saucer is in fluid communication with the cavity of the pot.

According to an even further embodiment, at least one fastener connects the pot to the saucer.

According to another even further embodiment, the at least one fastener is mounted to the saucer and cooperates in the at least one aperture in the base.

According to another further embodiment, the first series of arcuate ramps are formed in the saucer; and the second series of arcuate ramps are formed beneath the base.

According to an even further embodiment, the first series of arcuate ramps cooperate with the second series of arcuate ramps to expand in the first rotary direction to extend the pot from the saucer, and to collapse in the second rotary direction to retract the pot to the saucer.

According to another even further embodiment, the first series of arcuate ramps is formed in and beneath the saucer. The second series of arcuate ramps is formed in and beneath the base of the pot. The first series of arcuate ramps is sized to be received upon the second series of arcuate ramps for collapsed and compact packing of multiple pot assemblies.

According to another embodiment, a method for packaging a pot assembly provides a saucer with a first series of arcuate ramps. A pot is provided with a base with a corresponding second series of arcuate ramps. The pot is pivotally connected to the saucer. The pot is rotated in a first rotary direction relative to the saucer to retract the pot to the saucer.

According to another embodiment, a method for stacking pot assemblies provides a first pot assembly and a second pot assembly, each packaged by providing a saucer with a first series of arcuate ramps. A pot is provided with a base with a corresponding second series of arcuate ramps. The pot is pivotally connected to the saucer. The pot is rotated in a first rotary direction relative to the saucer to retract the pot to the saucer. The first pot assembly is stacked onto the second pot assembly such that the first series of arcuate ramps of the first pot assembly are engaged with the second series of arcuate ramps of the second pot assembly.

According to another embodiment, a method for unpackaging a pot assembly obtains a pot assembly provided with a saucer with a first series of arcuate ramps. A pot is provided with a base with a corresponding second series of arcuate ramps. The pot is pivotally connected to the saucer. The pot is rotated in a first rotary direction relative to the saucer to retract the pot to the saucer. The pot is rotated in a second rotary direction relative to the saucer to extend the pot from the saucer.

