AU2004200168B2

AU2004200168B2 - A liquid level control device

Info

Publication number: AU2004200168B2
Application number: AU2004200168A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Ah N. Fah
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: FAH AH
Priority date: 1997-10-20
Filing date: 2004-01-15
Publication date: 2006-12-07
Anticipated expiration: 2018-10-20
Also published as: AU2004200168A1

Description

P/OO/011 Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION Invention Title: A Liquid Level Control Device The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me:

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A LIQUID LEVEL CONTROL DEVICE

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0~ FIELD OF THE INVENTION 00 This invention relates to a liquid level control device. In particular the present 00 relates to an improved liquid level control device which controls the liquid level within a container such as a pot plant container or the like that can be easily r manufactured and dissembled.

C 10 BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION Reference is made to my Patent No. 636542 and to my Patent No. 630877 and the whole of the subject matter of the specifications thereof is to be considered to be imported hereinto.

In the specification of my Patent No. 636542, there is claimed as follows in Claim 1: A liquid level control device adapted to be located in a vessel, the device comprising a first flow controller comprising a first float located in a first chamber, the first chamber being open at or adjacent its bottom to allow water ingress and egress and having a first vent to allow egress of air, and a first valve associated with the first float such that, in use, when the float is at a down position when the level of water in the chamber is at or below a first predetermnnined level, the first valve will open to allow water into the vessel and into the first chamber, to tend to raise the first float and to displace air in the first chamber via the first vent, and such that, in use, when the first float is at an up position when the level of water in the first chamber is at or above a second predetennined level, the first valve will kl

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c close to inhibit further water flow into the vessel via the first valve; 00 a second flow controller comprising 5 a second float, and 00 a second valve associated with the second float and connected to the first vent such that, in use, when the second float rises, in consequence of the first valve allowing water into the vessel, the second valve will open to allow air to flow from the first chamber via the first vent and the second valve to escape to atmosphere external of the controller, and constructed and arranged such that when the water level in the vessel drops to a third predetermined level in consequence of water in the vessel being used or being removed, the second float will fall to a level to close the second valve before the first float has fallen to a level to open the first valve, to thereby inhibit air flow via the first vent into the first chamber to establish, as the water level in the vessel falls still further, a partial vacuum in the first chamber which will maintain the water level therein at a level such that the first float will not fall to a level to open the first valve; and a breather for the first chamber located such as, in use, when the water level in the vessel falls to below a fourth predetermnnined level in consequence of water in the vessel being used or being removed, to allow air to enter into the first chamber to overcome the partial vacuum to allow water to flow out of the first chamber to allow the first float to fall to a level to open the first valve to commence again, in use, allowing water into the vessel.

A liquid level control device in accordance with the above will be called "a liquid level control device of the kind described" or "a device of the kind described".

I will also make reference to "my old device" which is a device as described in Patent No.636542 with reference to the passages therein headed "Brief Description of the O3 N"1 Views of the Drawings:", "Component list:" and "Detailed Description with Respect to the Drawings:".

00 While liquid level control devices of the type described in ny above-referenced patent specifications represent a departure fiom mainstream water or irrigation control IND devices, they have suffered fromrn several drawbacks which have adversely affected the O market attraction and appeal of such control means. For instance my earlier liquid level control devices have been expensive to manufacture requiring a substantial number of components. Consequently assembly of the many components has been a 1 10 laborious and time consuming exercise adding to the end cost of the device.

Furthermore my earlier liquid level control devices are readily subject to blockages caused by particles in the liquid and plant material hence, easily rendered inoperable.

This has therefore meant that such earlier devices have required frequent disassembly for cleaning. This is not only inconvenient but time consuming since disassembly of many operating components is required.

A further problem with my earlier device has also included leakage of air and water.

In particular leakage of air and water has occurred through various openings as a result of insufficient sealing by existing closures. Escape of air in particular is undesirable since it could lead to overexposure of plant material to excesses of liquid, i.e. control of the lower liquid level may be adversely affected.

One object of the present invention is therefore to provide a liquid level control device that addresses one or more of the disadvantages of the prior art devices. A further object is to provide a liquid level control device which is easier to manufacture and disassemble for cleaning.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to address the disadvantage(s) of the prior art devices the present invention describes an improved liquid level control device for controlling the liquid level in a plant container or the like between an uppennost and lowermost predetermined liquid level, the device including:

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c, a casing, the casing having an internal chamrnber; an inlet port connectable to an O external liquid supply for ingress of liquid fiom said external supply; a pivot mount

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00 located adjacent the inlet polt; said casing further including a first air vent; and an outlet port close to said inlet port to allow flow of liquid into the container wherein the outlet port is positioned relative to liquid level in the container such that air is 0O IN trapped within the chamber when the liquid level in the container is above the outlet port and air escapes to ambient atmosphere when liquid in the container fall below the level of the outlet port; 10 a first float pivotally connected to the pivot mount, the first float adapted to be housed within the internal chamber and moveable therewithin between a first (upper) and second (lower) position; the first float further including a first closure which operatively prevents ingress of liquid fiom said external supply by closing the inlet port when the first float is in the first position and allows ingress of liquid firom said external source when the first float assumes the second position when the liquid level within the container falls below the level of the outlet port; wherein in said first position the first closure lies in substantially direct alignment with the inlet port; a second float pivotally mounted on said casing adjacent said first air vent, said second float being moveable between a lowermnnost and uppermost position depending on the level of liquid in said container; the second float further including a second closure which closes the first air vent in the lowermost position and moves away from said first air vent to allow air within the chamber to escape to ambient atmosphere when the second float reaches the uppermost position when the predetermined uppermost liquid level within said container is obtained.

By comparison with the applicant's previous valve, liquid entry is now in a direct straight line which reduces the problem of blockages and, if blockages do occur, they may be easily cleared by a straight pin or straight piece of wire. The applicant's old device used an inlet which had a right angle bend. This made it easy for dirt to accumulate and hence blockages were a major concern. Clearing those blockages was difficult.

IO J c1 The location of the pivot mount immediately adjacent to the inlet port allows the O closure to act positively against the inlet port when the liquid level within the 0 container has reached the uppermost liquid level. The new valve system can therefore cope with higher pressures and applicant has had some considerable success at up to 30psig. At such higher pressure, the refilling of ID containers will occur faster and hence smaller and less expensive tubing may be used 0 or same size tubing may be utilised for large scale operation.

SThe improved liquid level control device provides a further advantage in that the

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10 casing incorporates an outlet port. The outlet port allows liquid entering the chamber to enter into the container. When liquid within the container reaches a level above the outlet port, ain becomes trapped within the chamber. When liquid within the container falls below a level below the outlet port, air is able to escape from the chamber to the ambient atmosphere. This advantageously improves manufacturing efficiencies and cost effectiveness of the improved liquid level control device.

The liquid level control device can further include a breather tube located on an external part of the casing wherein the casing includes a second air vent which allows air communication between the internal chamber and the breather tube, said breather tube being a hollow construction having an open end to allow entry and exit of liquid from the container therewithin and allowing air from the chamber to escape to ambient atmosphere when the liquid level within the container falls below the level of the open end.

The casing can include: a body having a flat, angled top, dependent side walls, and dependent front and rear walls, the front and rear walls being of different height; a first ani member having a flat top surface with dependent side walls and a dependent front surface portion incorporating an inlet port for connection to an external liquid supply, wherein the first arm member includes a recess along its length which communicates with the chamber to allow liquid from the inlet to enter the chamber within the body. The top surface of the body can include a mounting means for pivotally receiving the second float.

The inlet end of the first arm member can include a spigot which protrudes into the

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cK recess of the first anrm member and in alignment with the inlet, wherein the closure is O seated against the spigot when the first float is in its first (uppermost) position within

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00 the chamber to prevent ingress of liquid and thereafter is moved away at an angle to the inlet port as the first float pivots to adopt its second (lowermost) position within the chamber.

SOne advantage of the arrangement of the inlet and spigot is that it allows liquid entry to take place in a direct line which substantially overcomes the prior art blockage problem resulting from an inlet configuration incorporating a right angle bend.

The outlet port can be a pair of oppositely disposed recesses on side portions of the first arm member. The first an member can include the pivot mount close to the inlet port for pivotally receiving the first float.

The first float can include a first float body having a parallelogram configuration having an open bottom end, with the top and bottom ends being acutely angled from the horizontal.

The first float can include a second arm mnember adapted to be received within the recess of the first arm member, wherein the second armnn member is comnnected to the first float body forming a singular rigid structure pivotally moveable within the chamber. The second anrm member can include a flat top surface with dependent side walls and a dependent front surface portion which extends horizontally from the first float body, the front portion having a first closure mounted therein.

The body of the casing can include a second opening to allow air within the chamber to enter the air lock. The air lock can be a partial tubular structure closed at one end, the structure being integrally attached to a portion of the rear wall of the body wherein one end of the air lock has an opening above the level of the container floor and is in air communication with the chamber.

The second float has a float body which can be a closed buoyant structure including an angled top with dependent fiont and rearl- walls, side walls and a floor, wherein the

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c' float body includes a centrally located inverted U-shaped recess extending between 0 the front and rear walls to receive the top and dependent side walls of the first anr 00 memnber.

The second float is preferably positioned such that it straddles or overlies at least a IND part of the casing. In a particular an'angement the second float is positioned such that O it wholly overlies the casing. The second float can include an anrm member connected Sto a second float body to form a rigid structure which is pivotally mounted to the mounting means on the body of the casing, wherein the third arm member extends over the top end of the body and wherein the second float straddles the body and first ann member.

Advantageously the new valve thus has a lower profile which is presently at which means that it can be easily fitted into pots such as those disclosed in my earlier patents.

A liquid level controller of said kind described and wherein said vent is located in the top of the first chamber, the second float is pivotally attached to the first chamber, the second valve comprises said first vent and a closure mounted to the second float such that When the second float is in a down position said first vent will be closed by the closure and such that when the second float is in an up position the closure will be located in relation to said first vent such that said first vent is open.

A liquid level controller as above wherein the first valve comprises a passage extending from the interior of the casing to the exterior thereof and wherein the first valve and the passage lie in substantially or straight line.

In a related aspect of the invention there is described an improved liquid level control device for controlling the liquid level in a plant container or the like between an uppennost and lowermost predetermined liquid level, the device including: a casing including a body, the body forming a chamber being open at or cadjacent its bottom end and a first opening in thle body; thile casing further including an 0 inlet passage for ingress of liquid fi-om an external supply; an outlet port to allow flow of liquid from the inlet into the chamber and the container environment; and an air 00 lock mounted on the body which is in air communication with the chamber; 00 first float moveably connected to the casing to allow movement of the first Sfloat between an upper and lower position within the chamber, the first float including a first closure which operates to close the inlet passage when the first float moves to 8adopt the upper position within the chamber to substantially prevent liquid ingress Cl 10 from the external supply and allows ingress of liquid from the external supply when the first float moves to adopt the lower position within the chamber, wherein the first float is caused to move to the lower position within the chamber when the liquid level within the container reaches the lowermost predetennined liquid level below the air lock to allow venting of air trapped within the chamber to escape to ambient atmosphere and wherein the first float is caused to move to the upper position within the chamber when the liquid level within the container reaches a predetermined upper level; a second float moveably connected to the body, external to the chamber, to allow movement of the second float between an upper and lower position; the second float including a second closure which operates to close the first opening in the body when the second float moves to adopt the said lower position to substantially prevent escape of air within the chamber to the ambient atmosphere and allows escape of air trapped within the chamber when the second float moves to adopt its upper position, wherein the second float is caused to move to its lower position relative to the casing when the liquid level within the container reaches a predetermined liquid level, and wherein the second float is caused to move to its upper position relative to the casing when the liquid level within the container reaches the uppermost predetennrmined liquid level; wherein the process of controlling liquid level within the container is repeated in a cyclical manner and the second float overlies at least part of the casing.

Nl The p~resen~t invention marks an improvement over the prior art devices. In particular 0 the device requires far fewer operating comp)onent lparts to assemble than prior art C) devices thereby reducing assembly cost as well as increasing the efficiency of manufacture.

00 The casing can include a first arm member integral to and extending from the body wherein the arm member comprises a recess along its length which communicates with the internal chamnber. The casing can include: a body having a flat, angled top, dependent side walls, and dependent front and rear walls, the front and rear walls being of different height; a first arm member having a flat top with dependent side walls and a dependent front portion incorporating an inlet port for connection to an external liquid supply, wherein the first armn member includes a recess along its length which communicates with the chamber to allow liquid from the inlet to enter the chamber within the body.

The inlet end of the first arm member can include a spigot which protrudes into the recess of the first arm member and in alignment with the inlet, wherein the spigot is sealed or opened by action of the first closure in relation thereto. One advantage of the arrangement of the inlet and spigot is that it allows liquid entry to take place in a direct line which substantially overcomes the prior art blockage problem resulting from an inlet configuration incorporating a right angle bend.

The outlet port can be a pair of oppositely disposed recesses on side portions of the first arm member. The first armn memnber can include a mounting portion close to the inlet port for pivotally receiving the first float. The first float can include a body having a parallelogram configuration having an open bottom end, with the top and bottom ends being acutely angled from the horizontal.

The body can include a second opening to allow air within the chamber. to enter the air lock. The air lock can be a partial tubular structure closed at one end, the structure being integrally attached to a portion of the rear wall of the body wherein one end of the air lock has an opening above the level of the container floor and is in air communication with the chamber.

cl The first float can include a second arm member adapted to be received within the Srecess of the first arm member, wherein the second arm mnember is connected to the first float body forming a singular rigid structure pivotally moveable within the 00 chamber. The second arm member can include a flat top with dependent side walls and a dependent front portion which extends horizontally from the first float body, the 00 s0 front portion having a first closure mounted therein.

C The top of the body can include a mounting means for pivotally receiving the second float. The second float has a float body which can be a closed buoyant structure C1 10 including an angled top with dependent front and rear walls, side walls and a floor, wherein the float body includes a centrally located inverted U-shaped recess extending between the fiont and rear walls to receive the top and dependent side walls of the first arm member.

The second float can include a third arm member connected to the second float body to form a rigid structure which is pivotally mounted to the mounting means on the body of the casing, wherein the third arm member extends over the top end of the body and wherein the second float straddles the body and first armnn member.

The casing can be formed as a single component. Similarly the first and second float can be made as a single component.

In a preferred aspect, the present inventioin provides: a liquid level controller of said kind described and wherein said vent is located in the top of the first chamber, the second float is pivotally attached to the first chamber, the second valve comprises said first vent and a closure mounted to the second float such that when the second float is in a down position said first vent will be closed by the closure and such that when the second float is in an up position the closure will be located in relation to said first vent such that said first vent is open.

There are many others of these which may be taken individually or in combination as will be seen hereinafter.

c- Reference is made to a provisional specification soon to be lodged which describes a Opun1 useful with the controller.

00 In a related aspect of the pr-ese~t invention there is described all improved liquid level control device for controlling the liquid level in a plant container or the like between 00 an uppermost and lowermost predetermined liquid level, the device including: a casing structure for seating on a container floor, the casing structure Sincluding: C a body having a top portion; and a dependent wall, the body forming a first internal chamber being open at or adjacent its bottom end, the top portion of the casing structure including a first opening therein into the first internal chamber; a first arm member extending from the wall, the first arm member including a top with dependent sides and an end portion distal from the internal chamber and an internal recess along its length in communication with the first internal chamber; an inlet in the end portion of the first ann member for ingress of liquid from an external supply and an outlet port formed by a recess in the side portion(s) of the first armn member adjacent the inlet to allow flow of liquid from the inlet into the first internal chamber and the container environment; and a liquid level air lock mounted externally on the wall of the body, the air lock including an internal hollow chamber having an open end located above the lowenrmost level of the wall of the casing for receiving liquid fi-om the container environment, wherein the body further includes a second opening such that the hollow chamber is in air communication with the internal chamber; 12

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0 C1 a first float pivotally mounted to the casing structure and adapted to move .0 within the chamber between an upper and lower position in response to a

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00 predetermined lowermost and uppermost liquid levels within the container, the first flow controller including: 00 IN a first float body adapted to urge the first float to undergo pivot 0 movement within the casing structure; 0 a second arm member connected to the first float body and extending S 10 therefrom; the first float body and second arm member being shaped and sized such that the first float is pivotally moveable within the casing structure; the first float being pivotally mounted within the casing structure at a pivot mounting point located on the first arm member proximal to the inlet such that the first float pivots between a lower and upper position within the chamber when the liquid level in the container changes between the lowermost predetermined level to the uppermost predetermined liquid level and vise versa; wherein the second arm member includes a first closure means adjacent its end distal to the first float body so that when the first float is located at its lower position in response to a liquid level falling at or below the lowermost liquid level the first closure is separated from the inlet [passage] to allow ingress of liquid into the chamber and container, and when the first float is located at its upper position by pivoting in response to the liquid level in the container approaching the uppennost predetermined liquid level the first closure acts to close the inlet to substantially prevent ingress of liquid from the external supply into the chamber and container; and a second float pivotally located on top of the casing structure, the second float including: c a third arm member pivotally mounted to the top portion of the body at

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O a point distal fi'om the inlet and extending over the top portion of the body; 00 a second float body connected to the third arm member, the second float body comprising a top and dependent side walls and a floor forming a ID closed buoyant chamber; the second float body including a central recess 0 extending upwardly from its bottom end for accommodating the first arm member therein, the second float body adapted to urge pivot movement of the second float with a change in liquid level within the container between the uppermost liquid level and a lower liquid level relative to the casing structure; the third armnn member further including a second closure disposed thereon and located such that the second closure acts to close the first opening when the second float adopts a lowered position in response to a liquid level in the container reaching a predetermined liquid level and the second closure moves away from the first opening to allow air within the chamber to communicate with ambient atmosphere when the second float is urged to pivotally move in response to the liquid level within thile container reaching the predetermined uppermost liquid level; wherein the liquid level in the container or the like in which the device is operating is controlled such that in use when the liquid level in the container or the like is at or below a first lowermnost predetermined level the first float body causes the first float to adopt a condition in which the first closure is positioned away from the inlet to allow ingress of liquid from the external supply into the first chamber and the/a container through the outlet port in the first arm member; in a second condition when liquid is filling the first chamber to a level above the opening to the air lock, the first float is substantially prevented from pivoting to allow closure of the inlet with the first closure as air pressure within the first chamber acts against the first float body with increase in volume of liquid within the first chamber; when the liquid level within the container reaches an uppermost level the second float pivots to expose the first opening to ambient atmosphere and allows the first float to pivot so that the first closure closes the inlet; when the liquid level decreases below a predetermined liquid

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N level but is above the opening of the air lock, the second float pivots so that the U second closure mounted on the third arm member operates to close the first opening; o0 and when the liquid level falls below the opening in the air lock the first float pivots and displaces the first closure from the inlet and thereby allow ingress of liquid into the first chamber and container; wherein the process of controlling liquid level within 0 the container is repeated in a cyclical manner.

The present invention provides: a liquid level control device of said kind described Sand having one or more of the following features: a. the first vent, when not in closed condition, is open directly to the ambient conditions outside the first chamber; b. the first vent comprises a spigot end or a socket end outside of the first chamber; c. the second valve comprises the first vent and a second valve closure adapted to engage on the spigot end or to be received in the socket end of the first vent when the second float is in a lower position to close the first vent and when not so engaged the first vent is open when the second float is in an upper position; d. the first valve comprises a tube which is substantially straight and which tube extends from outside the first chamber to inside the first chamber; e. the end of said tube in the firsts chamber has a spigot end or a socket end; f. the first valve comprises a first valve closure adapted to engage on the spigot end or to be received in the socket end of said tube when the first float is in an upper position to close the spigot end or socket end of said tube and when not so engaged said tube is open when the first float is in a lower position; g. the first chamber is substantially or at least entirely open at its bottom; h. the first float is mounted to the first chamber so as to be removable without

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O any other disassembly of the device; 00 i. the first valve closure comprises a generally cylindrical member mounted in a boss or aperture associated with the first float; j. the first float is mounted to the first chamber by lugs extending laterally and which are received in slots in the first chamber which normally extend downwardly; k. the first float comprises a body which is substantially entirely open at its bottom; 1. the second float comprises a hollow body which is entirely sealed at its lower end against ingress of water; m. the second float overlies at least part of the first chamber; n. the second float is mounted to an anm which at least in part overlies the first chamber; o. the arm is pivotally mounted to the first chamber; p. the ann carries the second valve closure on its underside; q. the second float is for-ned of a substantially rigid plastic; r. the second float is of weight such as not to substantially need additional weighting; and s. the second float has means for mounting a weight if that be desired.

A specific embodiment of a controller device in accordance with this invention will now be described with the aid of the accompanying drawings which are given by way of example only and should not be considered to be limiting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS Diagram 1 is a top plan view of the device, Diagram 2 is a view from one end of the device, Diagram 3 is a side elevational view of the device, Diagram 4 is a cross-sectional view on line A-A in Figure 1, Diagram 5 shows a component part partly in cross-section, Diagram 6 shows a component part partly in cross-section, Diagram 7 shows a component part partly in cross-section, Diagrams 8, 9, 10 and 11 show the controller device in various conditions in operation.

INTEGER LIST 31. First controller 1. Casing 3. Water inlet 13. Spigot 10. First float 32. Float body 33. Open lower end 34. Arm 14. Pivotlugs 35. Slots for pivot lugs 11. Adjustable knob 12. Resilient first valve closure 8. First vent 36. Spigot end 6. Breather tube 16. Entry to breather tube Breather hole 21. Bottom level of breather tube 17. Side entry to first casing 35 2. Second float 37. Top cover of second float 4. Slots or apertures for weights 38. Weights 39. Anr for top float 40 41. Pivot lugs 5. Slots for pivot lugs 7. Adjustable knob 9. Resilient second valve closure 45 18A, B, C D Varying water levels outside first casing 19. Air trapped in first casing 20A, B C Varying water levels within first casing.

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c DETAILED DESCRIPTION WITH RESPECT TO THE DRAWINGS C)The liquid level controller device shown in the accompanying drawings comprises a first controller 31 which is itself comprised of a casing 1. As best shown in figure 6 the casing I includes a body 100 having a sloped top end 101 with an open bottom ISO end 102, dependent side walls 103 and firont 104 and rear 105 ends fornning a chamber 106. Extending from and integral to the fi'ont end of the body is a first armnn member S107. The first arm member 107 includes a top surface 108 and dependent side walls and a dependent front end 109. The first arm member further includes an internal C I 10 recess along its length which communicates with the chamber 106.

The first ann member includes a water inlet 3 having a liquid passage I ll. On the inside surface 110 of the firont end of the first arm member the water inlet 3 terminates in a spigot 13 which is operatively closed and opened by movement against and away from the spigot by first float 10. It is to be noted that the water inlet 3 and the spigot 13 are directly in line and involve no bends at all. This will be useful if there is a need for cleaning.

The casing 1 additionally includes a first vent 8 located in the top end 101, an outlet port 17 adjacent the liquid inlet, a first pivot slot mount 35 located close to the inlet, a second pivot mount 5 located on the rear end of the top end of the body, and an air lock or breather tube 6 extending from the rear wall of the body.

Within the casing 1 is a rigid first float 10. The first float as shown separately in figure 7 includes a float body 32 open at its lower end 33 and having a top end 112 angled to the horizontal, and dependent side walls and front 113 and rear 114 ends.

The first float 10 further comprises a second arm 34 which is provided with pivot lugs 14 which locate in slots 35 in the first ann member of casing 1. The slots 35 are so shaped as to capture the pivot lugs 14 in a way that will hold the float 10 in position but which will enable ready assembly or disassembly. The first float is shaped as to fit within the confines of the casing. The second armnn member is therefore a similar shape to fit within the recess of the first ann member. Similarly the float body 32 is

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N shaped to pivotally move within the chamber 106.

c-I 00 The first float 10 carries an adjustable knob 11 on which is mounted a resilient first valve closure 12. The adjustable knob is not an essential feature by any means and in modifications the applicant has omitted it and instead has mounted the resilient first 00 valve closure 12 in a blind hole in the arn 34.

SThe casing 1 has a first vent 8 which, on the outside of the casing 1, is provided with a Sspigot end 36.

C- A breather tube 6 is also formed with the casing 1.

An entry or opening 16 to the air lock/breather tube 6 is provided and a breather hole extends from the breather tube 6 into the chamber 106 at 15. The breather tube 6 has a bottom level at 21 and it is to be noted that that bottom level is somewhat higher than the bottom of the casing 1.

Side outlet ports or recesses 17 to the first casing 1 are provided. Those ports may be in addition to or alternative to the breather tube.

Mounted above the casing 1 is a second float 2. As shown in figure 5 the second float 2 comprises a closed hollow body 115 comprising a sloped top surface or cover 37 with dependent side walls and front 116 and rear 117 ends. The top cover 37 may be secured in position by an appropriate adhesive or may be welded as to be part of the second float 2. What is important here is that the second float 2 should be made impervious to water penetration. However, there are other means of achieving this including filling the second float 2 with a foam material or blow moulding it as a closed body.

Referring to figure 2 the hollow body 115 includes a centrally located inverted Ushaped recess 118 extending from the front to the rear end of the hollow float. The recess 118 is configured to overly first arm member 107 of the casing 1.

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The second float 2 may have slots or apertures 4 for receiving weights 38. Those slots 0 or apertures 4 preferably should not extend into the interior of the second float as in so doing they might compromise the water tightness of the second float.

The second float 2 is mounted to a third arm 39 which is integrally formed with the ssecond float 2. The arm 39 carries pivot lugs 41 which are received into slots 5 for the pivot lugs 41 which are mounted on the top of the casing 1.

The slots 5 are so shaped as to capture the lugs 41 in a manner such as to retain the C 10 arm 39 in position but also to readily permit, by manipulation, assembly and disassembly.

The ann 39 carries an adjustable knob 7 which itself supports a resilient second valve closure 9.

As previously, the adjustable knob 7 may be omitted and applicant has found substantial success in mounting the resilient second valve closure 9 in an appropriate aperture or recess in the arm 39.

Referring to any one of figures 1 to 4 the liquid level controller 31 is a compact design in which the second float is adapted to straddle the casing 1.

The weight, volume and consequently the buoyancy of the first float 10 and the second float 2 are important considerations. However, precise and exact values are not of themselves critical and instead will be determined by initial trial and error to obtain a construction which effectively works.

In general, the applicant prefers that the liquid level controller device as shown in the drawings should have a size of approximately 120mm long, 60mm wide and high but applicant does not wish to be limited to those dimensions.

For the purposes of adjusting the buoyancy of the floats 10 and the float 2, applicant presently prefers to use thicker walls in respect of the float 2 than the float 10 (2mm N as compared to Imulm) so that the second float 2 has greater weight than the float O Having regard to the dimensions given, this should result in the second float 2 having

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a weight of about 00 The careful selection of weights is desirable to have sufficient premise to make a tight seal on the spigot 36 by the closure 9. Closure of the spigot 36 may also be aided by the position of the closure 9 and presently the applicant prefers to locate the closure 9 C about 15mm fi'om the pivot lugs 41.

C 10 The position of closure 12 is preferably such as to exert in use, sufficient pressure at the spigot 13 to be able to withstand a pressure of 20psig. Some trial and experiment may be needed so that the mechanical advantage exerted is sufficient to hold the pressure desired.

As previously stated, the side entry 17 and the breather tube 6 may be alternative or additional to one another but in fact both may be omitted provided that the casing 1 is shaped or is received into a vessel shaped so that a small gap is provided between the bottom of the casing 1 and the vessel within which it is received.

The manner of operation of the liquid level controller shown in the accompanying drawings will now be described.

The controller will be placed in a vessel able to contain water and will, in practical terms, be associated with a number of plants which are to be watered in that container or fiom that container. One method of watering that is highly praised by the applicant is to locate the container above the highest water level which is expected to be within the container and deliver water to the plant by a wick as this usually provides a fairly well controlled rate of watering. It is true that rain water may cause the container to fill above a desired level with water but this can be dealt with to some degree by provision of overflow or simply by natural evaporation.

Some of the methods of watering are described in more detail in my Patent No.

630877.

ID

N Commencing from the state in which the container contains no water, such as Diagram 4, the float 10 will be in a down position as there is no water to buoy it up and the closure 12 will be spaced away from the spigot 13.

00 Thus, if water is supplied via a tube to the inlet 3 the water will flow into the container to commence filling fiom below a first predetermined level indicated by line 18A.

N, .The water that is supplied may flow out of the slot 17 or, dependent on the position of the bottom of the casing 1, directly out of the bottom of the casing 1 into the

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10 container.

Water will continue to flow but little or no water will build up inside the casing 1 excepting for the limited amount which can occur due to the compression of air within the casing 1. Such compression of air within the casing 1 will occur because, as is shown in Diagram 4, the float 2 will be in a down position and the closure 9 will be closing the spigot 36. Thus, there will be likely to be some compression. That compression can escape via the breather hole 15 but once the water level exceeds the bottom of the breather tube 6 at 21 then there is no longer an escape for air.

The float 2 will remain in a down position until the water level in the container has risen to a substantial level as indicated by line 1 8B in diagram 9 but at the stage of level 1 8B the float 2 will become buoyant and rise to open the vent 8 by removal of the closure 9 from the spigot 36 and this will allow air entrapped within the casing 1 to escape via that vent 8.

As air escapes from within the casing 1 via the vent 8, water from outside the casing 1 will flow into the casing 1 through slot 7 or through the lower end of the casing 1 and this will cause the float 10 to rise to bring the closure 12 into engagement with the spigot 13 to stop the flow of water through the inlet 3.

In use, the water level inside the casing 1 will eventually settle to the same level, as outside the casing 1 in lieu of the level 18B.

22 F, At that stage, a static condition will exist for a period of time and during that period of U time a plant in the container will consume water and the water level 18C outside the 00 At about the water level 18C, the float 10 would have lowered sufficiently whereby S§ the closure 9 will again make a seal on the spigot 36. This will mean that air and water within the casing 1 are trapped as air is prevented from entering via the breather hole S16, the lower end 21 still being underwater, and a partial vacuum will be created within the casing 1.

0 This last results in the float 10 being maintained substantially in its upper position by the higher water level 20B within the casing 1 and as such the closure 12 remains in contact with the spigot 13 and no water enters.

As more water outside the casing in the container is taken up by the plant or by natural evaporation, the water level 1 8C will continue to drop slowly until it is below the bottom of the breather hole 21 whereby it is lower from the bottom 21 by a few millimetres.

When this happens, air will naturally flow into the breather tube 6 and then into the casing 1 via the hole This last will cause a partial vacuum inside the casing 1 to now be broken and as a consequence that water that was trapped inside the casing 1 will be released to the outside via the slots 17 at the bottom of the casing.

When the water level within the casing 1 has lowered to the level 20C, the bottom float will have moved to a down position whereupon closure 12 will move away from spigot 13 and allow the above described cycle to repeat.

Various times are now given which refer not to every incident but in general to rates of filling and emptying in a temperate climatic zone.

IO

Depending on water pressure and the volume of the container, the time for filling the container between lines I 8A and I 8B is not likely to be more than 3 4 minutes.

0 For the water level to change firom 18B to 18C and then to 18D can vary from a few hours to several days and this very much depends on the rate of water consumption by N the plants which is affected by size and weather conditions and the rate of evaporation Sin the place where the container is located.

The water level 20A in casing 1 will only rise after the water level in the container oC1 10 approaches 18B. From 20A to 20B, is likely only to take a few seconds as the volume inside the casing 1 is relatively small particularly in regard to the volume of the container for plants.

The water level 20B will commence falling only after water level in the container approaches 18D.

The time for the water level to move from 20B to 20C will only take a few seconds.

Obviously, the liquid level controller device can be made of a size and be positioned and operated to obtain a very wide range in variations in water levels but applicant presently prefers that the difference in height between levels 1 8D and 1 8B should be about 0 to To change that range, the height of the casing 1 can be substantially increased.

The level at which the float 2 will move the closure 9 away from the spigot 36 can be varied by the use of weights 4 or by the weight of the float 2 itself.

The above described valve can be used in many different ways in that a number of plants can be watered at once and the plants of different variety which will tend to ensure that they water on demand which is considerably better than merely maintaining a particular level of water.

IO

N A number of containers may be connected by overflow means from one container to the other or may be a connection which maintains the water levels equally in several containers.

5 A modification of the water inlet 3 can be made so that water may be directed 00 k D upwardly initially so as to feed one or more drips or sprinklers.

The dispensing of fertiliser may be done in a number of ways as has been discussed in Smy Patent No. 630877.

Making a comparison between the valve as described above with respect to Diagrams 1-11 and the old device previously referred to, the following points of comparison may be made.

1. The old device used an inlet which had a right angle bend. This made it easy for dirt to accumulate and hence blockages were a major concern. Clearing those blockages was difficult. By comparison with the new valve, water entry is in a direct straight line which reduces the problem of blockages and, if blockages do occur, they may be easily cleared by a straight pin or straight piece of wire.

2. The old valve used a total of 16 parts with a consequent high assembly cost.

The new valve as described with respect to the diagrams, comprises 8 parts but this can be reduced by omitting the adjustable knobs 11 and 7 which will give a component count of 6 components and can be further reduced by closing the upper end of the float 2 by omitting the cover 37 and using an alternative closure method or forming in such a way that an effective seal is obtained. Still further, the component count could be reduced by replacing the closures 12 and 9 by conical members which would seat appropriately. This last, while reducing the component count, may not be favourable as better quality machine would be necessary and there would be risk of physical damage by a clumsy user. The use of lesser number of parts reduces assembly cost and makes the valve more reliable.

IND O Cl 3. The old valve had a venturi tube which kept water trapped in it or when the valve 0 was turned upside down which prevented air movement.

0 00 In the new valve there is no venturi tube and air in the casing 1 is released directly to atmosphere through the vent 8.

00 4. In the old valve the floats were blow moulded and were subject to fluctuations in

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1 volume as a result of changes in air temperature with consequences of floats Sjamming. A reduction of temperature would make the floats contract and have CI 10 less flotation.

The new valve has floats which are more solid and are preferably injection moulded and thus they are relatively rigid and not as subject greatly to changes in shape due to temperature changes.

In the old valve, the float 2 needed to be weighted with a bolt that was screwed into its wall. This provided a weakness which would enable water to get into the equivalent of float 2.

In the new valve, applicant has made the float 2 completely air tight and has attained the necessary weight by use of appropriate wall thickness without the need of weights themselves but, if required, to be totally external of the interior of the float 2.

In the old valve, the equivalent of the valve closures were often difficult to effect proper and decent closure. In the new valve, the use of the adjustable knobs reduces this but such adjustable knobs are not truly essential.

7. The old valve had a height of 75mm which made it difficult to locate it in small containers. The new valve has a lower profile which is presently at 45mm which means that it can be easily fitted into pots such as those disclosed in my earlier patents.

\O

o The old valve had two casings. The new valve has only one casing.

0 8. When the old valve was fully immersed in water which sometimes happened due to overflowing or rain or other excess water causes, the valve would often get so full of water as to no longer operate properly. The new valve can be completely immersed in water and this seems largely to be due to the vent 8.

N 9. The old valve could not be turned upside down as the venturi tube was inclined to get choked with water. In particular, customers had a tendency to turn valves upside down during cleaning or inspection and so increasing this problem. The new valve, contrariwise, can be turned upside down without serious effect.

The old valve was only good in practical terms to about 2psig. The new valve can cope with higher pressures and applicant has had some considerable success at up to 30psig. At such higher pressure, the refilling of containers will occur faster and hence smaller and less expensive tubing may be used or same size tubing may be utilised for large scale operation.

The new valve can be readily screwed to the bottom of a vessel.

The float 2 of the new valve can be pivoted about 1800 whereupon the new valve will become a constant level device. This is useful to maintain a supply to a newly potted plant in its first week or so.

The float 2 may be open at its bottom if desired and need not be hollow as presently shown. It was formed as presently shown for cheaper moulding reasons only.

The claims, illustrations, photographs and drawings, if any, form part of the disclosure of this specification as does the description, claims, illustrations, photographs and drawings of any associated provisional or parent specification or of any priority document, if any, all of which are imported hereinto as part of the record hereof.

Finally it is to be understood that various alterations, modifications and/or additions 27 c~~i may be incorporated into the various constructions and arrangements or p~arts without departing fr-om the spirit and amibit of the invention.

C0 00 00

Claims

2. An improved liquid level control device in accordance with claim 1 further IN including a breather tube located on an external part of the casing wherein the casing 0 includes a second air vent which allows air communication between the internal chamber and the breather tube, said breather tube being a hollow construction having 0 an open end to allow entry and exit of liquid from the container therewithin and allowing air fiom the chamber to escape to ambient atmosphere when the liquid level within the container falls below the level of the open end. 00 S 3. An improved liquid level control device in accordance with claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the casing includes: a body having a flat, angled top, dependent side walls, and dependent front and rear walls, the front and rear walls being of different height; a first arm member having a flat top surface with dependent side walls and a dependent front surface portion incorporating an inlet port for connection to an external liquid supply, wherein the first arm member includes a recess along its length which communicates with the chamber to allow liquid from the inlet to enter the chamber within the body.
4. An improved liquid level control device in accordance with claim 3 wherein the inlet end of the first arm member includes a spigot which protrudes into the recess of the first arm member and in alignment with the inlet, wherein the closure is seated against the spigot when the first float is in its first (uppermost) position within the chamber to prevent ingress of liquid and thereafter is moved away at an angle to the inlet port as the first float pivots to adopt its second (lowermost) position within the chamber.
5. An improved liquid level control device in accordance with claim 1 wherein the outlet port can be a pair of oppositely disposed recesses on side portions of the first arm member.
6. An improved liquid level control device in accordance with claim 4 wherein the first arm member can include the pivot mount close to the inlet port for pivotally receiving the first float.
7. An improved liquid level control device in accordance with any one of the IO preceding claim wherein the first float includes a first float body having a parallelogram configuration having an open bottom end, with the top and bottom ends O being acutely angled from the horizontal. 00
8. An improved liquid level control device in accordance with claim 7 wherein the S§0 first float can include a second ann member adapted to be received within the recess of the first am member, wherein the second arnn member is connected to the first float body forming a singular rigid structure pivotally moveable within the chamber. 10 9. An improved liquid level control device in accordance with claim 8 wherein the second arm member includes a flat top surface with dependent side walls and a dependent front surface portion which extends horizontally from the first float body, the front portion having a first closure mounted therein.
10. An improved liquid level control device in accordance with claim 3 wherein the body of the casing includes a second opening to allow air within the chamber to enter the air lock.
11. An improved liquid level control device in accordance with any one of claims 2 to 10 wherein the air lock is a partial tubular structure closed at one end, the structure being integrally attached to a portion of the rear wall of the body wherein one end of the air lock has an opening above the level of the container floor and is in air communication with the chamber.
12. An improved liquid level control device in accordance with any one of the preceding claims wherein the second float has a float body which is a closed buoyant structure including an angled top surface with dependent front and rear walls, side walls and a floor, wherein the float body includes a centrally located inverted U- shaped recess extending between the front and rear walls to receive the top and dependent side walls of the first arm member.
13. An improved liquid level control device in accordance with claim 1 wherein the second float is positioned such that it straddles or overlies at least a part of the casing. 31 \O O second float is positioned such that it wholly overlies the casing. 00
15. An improved liquid level control device in accordance with claim 14 wherein the INDsecond float includes an arm member connected to a second float body to form a rigid structure which is pivotally mounted to the mounting means on thile body of the casing, C wherein the third atn member extends over the top end of the body and wherein the second float straddles the body and first anrm member.
16. An improved liquid level control device for controlling the liquid level in a plant container or the like between an uppermost and lowermost predetermined liquid level, the device including: a casing including a body, the body foming a chamber being open at or adjacent its bottom end and a first opening in the body; the casing further including an inlet passage for ingress of liquid from an external supply; an outlet port to allow flow of liquid from the inlet into the chamber and the container environment; and an air lock mounted on the body which is in air communication with the chamber; a first float moveably connected to the casing to allow movement of the first float between an upper and lower position within the chamber, the first float including a first closure which operates to close the inlet passage when the first float moves to adopt the upper position within the chamber to substantially prevent liquid ingress from the external supply and allows ingress of liquid from the external supply when the first float moves to adopt the lower position within the chamber, wherein the first float is caused to miove to the lower position within the chamber when the liquid level within the container reaches the lowermost predetermined liquid level below the air lock to allow venting of air trapped within the chamber to escape to ambient atmosphere and wherein the first float is caused to move to the upper position within the chamber when the liquid level within the container reaches a predetermnined upper level; \Om a second float moveably connected to the body, external to the chamber, to Sallow movement of the second float between an upper and lower position; the second 00 float including a second closure which operates to close the first opening inll the body when the second float moves to adopt the said lower position to substantially prevent 5 escape of air within the chamber to the ambient atmosphere and allows escape of air 00 Strapped within the chamber when the second float moves to adopt its upper position, wherein the second float is caused to move to its lower position relative to the casing Swhen the liquid level within thile container reaches a predetennined liquid level, and Swherein the second float is caused to move to its upper position relative to the casing N 10 when the liquid level within the container reaches the uppermost predetermined liquid level; wherein the process of controlling liquid level within the container is repeated in a cyclical manner and the second float overlies at least part of the casing.
17. An improved liquid level control device for controlling the liquid level in a plant container according to claim 16 wherein the casing includes a first arm member integral to and extending from the body wherein the arm member comprises a recess along its length which communicates with the internal chamber.
18. An improved liquid level control device for controlling the liquid level in a plant container according to any one of claims 16 or 17 wherein the casing includes:- a body having a flat, angled top, dependent side walls, and dependent front and rear walls, the fi'ont and rear walls being of different height; a first arm member having a flat top with dependent side walls and a dependent front portion incorporating an inlet port for connection to an external liquid supply, wherein the first anrm member includes a recess along its length which communicates with the chamber to allow liquid from the inlet to enter the chamber within the body.
19. An improved liquid level control device for controlling the liquid level in a plant container according to claim 18 wherein the inlet end of the first ara member includes a spigot which protrudes into the recess of the first ann member and in aligrnent with the inlet, wherein the spigot is sealed or opened by action of the first 33 \O closure in relation thereto and the alignment substanlially prevents inadvertent blockages by particulate matter. 00 An improved liquid level control device for controlling the liquid level in a plant 5 container according to claim 16 wherein the outlet port can be a pair of oppositely 00 IND disposed recesses on side portions of the first armn member.
21. An improved liquid level control device for controlling the liquid level in a plant Scontainer according to claim 17 wherein the first arm memrnber includes a pivot mount 1 0 close to the inlet port for pivotally receiving the first float.
22. An improved liquid level control device for controlling the liquid level in a plant container according to any one of claims 16 to 21 wherein the first float includes a body having a parallelogram configuration having an open bottom end, with the top and bottom ends being acutely angled fi'om the horizontal.
23. An improved liquid level control device for controlling the liquid level in a plant container according to any one of claims 16 to 22 wherein the body includes a second opening to allow air within the chamber to enter the air lock.
24. An improved liquid level control device for controlling the liquid level in a plant container according to any one of claims 16 to 23 wherein the air lock is a partial tubular structure closed at one end, the structure being integrally attached to a portion of the rear wall of the body wherein one end of the air lock has an opening above the level of the container floor and is in air communication with the chamber. An improved liquid level control device for controlling the liquid level in a plant container according to any one of claims 16 to 24 wherein the first float includes a second arm member adapted to be received within the recess of the first arnn member, wherein the second anrm member is connected to the first float body fornning a singular rigid structure pivotally moveable within the chamber.
26. An improved liquid level control device for controlling the liquid level in a plant ID \O cK container according to any one of claims 1 6 to 25 wherein the second arm member 0 includes a flat top with dependent side walls and a dependent firont portion which oO C) extends horizontally from the first float body, the fiont portion having a first closure 00 mounted therein. 00 IND27. An improved liquid level control device for controlling the liquid level in a plant 0 container according to any one of claims 16 to 26 wherein the top of the body N includes a pivot mount for pivotally receiving the second float. (N 10 28. An improved liquid level control device for controlling the liquid level in a plant container according to any one of claims 16 to 27 wherein the second float has a float body which can be a closed buoyant structure including an angled top with dependent front and rear walls, side walls and a floor, wherein the float body includes a centrally located inverted U-shaped recess extending between the front and rear walls to receive the top and dependent side walls of the first anr member.
29. An improved liquid level control device for controlling the liquid level in a plant container according to any one of claims 16 to 28 wherein the second float includes a third ann member connected to the second float body to form a rigid structure which is pivotally mounted to the mounting means on the body of the casing, wherein the third ann member extends over the top end of the body and wherein the second float straddles the body and first arm member. An improved liquid level control device for controlling the liquid level in a plant container according to any one of claims 16 to 29 wherein the casing is formed as a single component.
31. An improved liquid level control device for controlling the liquid level in a plant container or the like between an uppermost and lowermiost predetermined liquid level, the device including: a casing structure for seating on a container floor, the casing structure including: IND c<1 a body having a top portion; and a dependent wall, the body forming a 0 first internal chamber being open at or adjacent its bottom end, the top portion of the casing structure including a first opening therein into the first internal chamber; 00 IN a first arm member extending from the wall, the first ann member 0 including a top with dependent sides and an end portion distal from the C internal chamber and an internal recess along its length in communication with Sthe first internal chamber; an inlet in the end portion of the first ann member for ingress of liquid from an external supply and an outlet port fornned by a recess in the side portion(s) of the first arm member adjacent the inlet to allow flow of liquid from the inlet into the first internal chamber and the container environment; and a liquid level air lock mounted externally on the wall of the body, the air lock including an internal hollow chamber having an open end located above the lowermost level of the wall of the casing for receiving liquid from the container environment, wherein the body further includes a second opening such that the hollow chamber is in air communication with the internal chamber; a first float pivotally mounted to the casing structure and adapted to move within the chamber between an upper and lower position in response to a predetermined lowermost and uppermost liquid levels within the container, the first flow controller including: a first float body adapted to urge the first float to undergo pivot movement within the casing structure; a second arm member connected to the first float body and extending therefirom; c'I the first float body and second arm member being shaped and sized 0 such that the first float is pivotally moveable within the casing structure; 0 00 the first float being pivotally mounted within the casing structure at a pivot mounting point located on the first arm member proximal to the inlet IN such that the first float pivots between a lower and upper position within the Fl chamber when the liquid level in the container changes between the lowermost predetermined level to the uppermost predetermined liquid level and vise versa; wherein the second arm member includes a first closure means adjacent its end distal to the first float body so that when the first float is located at its lower position in response to a liquid level falling at or below the lowermost liquid level the first closure is separated from the inlet [passage] to allow ingress of liquid into the chamber and container, and when the first float is located at its upper position by pivoting in response to the liquid level in the container approaching the uppermost predetermined liquid level the first closure acts to close the inlet to substantially prevent ingress of liquid fi-om the external supply into the chamber and container; and a second float pivotally located on top of the casing structure, the second float including: a third arm member pivotally mounted to the top portion of the body at a point distal from the inlet and extending over the top portion of the body; a second float body conmected to the third arm member, the second float body comprising a top and dependent side walls and a floor fornning a closed buoyant chamber; the second float body including a central recess extending upwardly from its bottom end for accommodating the first armnn member therein, the second float body adapted to urge pivot movement of the second float with a change in liquid level within the container between the uppermost liquid level and a lower liquid level relative to the casing structure; the third arm member further including a second closure disposed thereon and located such that the second closure acts to close the first opening when the second float adopts a lowered position in response to a liquid level in 0 the container reaching a predetermined liquid level and the second closure S 5 moves away fiom the first opening to allow air within the chamber to communicate with ambient atmosphere when the second float is urged to 00 pivotally move in response to the liquid level within the container reaching the predetermined uppermost liquid level; 10 wherein the liquid level in the container or the like in which the device is operating is controlled such that in use when the liquid level in the container or the like is at or below a first lowermost predetermined level the first float body causes the first float to adopt a condition in which the first closure is positioned away from the inlet to allow ingress of liquid from the external supply into the first chamber and the/a container through the outlet port in the first arm member; in a second condition when liquid is filling the first chamber to a level above the opening to the air lock, the first float is substantially prevented from pivoting to allow closure of the inlet with the first closure as air pressure within the first chamber acts against the first float body with increase in volume of liquid within the first chamber; when the liquid level within the container reaches an uppermost level the second float pivots to expose the first opening to ambient atmosphere and allows the first float to pivot so that the first closure closes the inlet; when the liquid level decreases below a predetermined liquid level but is above the opening of the air lock, the second float pivots so that the second closure mounted on the third arm member operates to close the first opening; and when the liquid level falls below the opening in the air lock the first float pivots and displaces the first closure from the inlet and thereby allow ingress of liquid into the first chamber and container; wherein the process of controlling liquid level within the container is repeated in a cyclical manner.