AUSTRALIA PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT (ORIGINAL) Name of Applicant: Myriad International Pty Ltd Actual Inventors: Andrew Phillip Olley Address for Service: DAVIES COLLISON CAVE, Patent Attorneys, Level 10, 301 Coronation Drive, Milton, Queensland 4064 Invention Title: "Planter" The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us: rA~nD...Inrrt D~oaflf~ ffl -~imIfl i C:\NRPortbl\DCC\LJR\3947305_1 DOCX-21/10/2011 PLANTER Background of the Invention [00011 The present invention relates to a planter for growing plants. Description of the Prior Art [00021 The reference in this specification to any prior publication (or information derived from it), or to any matter which is known, is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgment or admission or any form of suggestion that the prior publication (or information derived from it) or known matter forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavour to which this specification relates. [00031 It is known to grow plants in planters, such as pots, flower boxes and the like. This enables plants to be grown in locations where there is no access to ground soil. However, growing plants in planters often requires a high level of maintenance and attention to achieve best plant growth. A major factor that affects plant growth is watering the plants with appropriate frequency and duration. Summary of the Present Invention [00041 In a broad form the present invention seeks to provide a planter for growing plants comprising: a) a floor, and one or more walls extending around the floor to define an internal space; b) a divider that is positionable above the floor to divide the internal space into a water reservoir below the divider, and a root chamber above the divider for containing a growing medium, the divider having one or more holes to allow water drained from the growing medium to pass through the divider and into the water reservoir; c) a pump to draw water from the reservoir, and an irrigation system that is to receive water from the pump and discharge water onto and/or into the growing medium.
C\NRPortbl\DCC\UR\3947305_ 1 DOCX-21/10/2011 -2 100051 Typically the apparatus further comprises an air gap between outer surfaces of the walls and the root chamber. [00061 Typically the apparatus further comprises a geotextile fabric positionable in the root chamber to filter particulate matter from drained water. [00071 Typically the apparatus further comprises a drain cell matrix positionable in the root chamber to enhance flow of drained water towards the holes. [00081 Typically the apparatus further comprises a sight tube that is in fluid communication with the reservoir and is arranged to indicate the water level within the reservoir. 100091 Typically the apparatus further comprises an electrical power supply system to provide electrical power to the pump. [00101 Typically the apparatus further includes a battery to provide electrical power to the pump. [00111 Typically the electrical power supply system further includes a solar panel and regulator for recharging the battery. [00121 Typically the electrical power supply system further includes a electronic timer to control operation of the pump. Brief Description of the Drawings [00131 An example of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [00141 Figure 1 is a schematic view of a planter according to an embodiment of the present invention; and [00151 Figure 2 is a schematic vertical cross section of the planter of Figure 1. Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments [00161 Figures 1 and 2 show a planter 10 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The planter 10 has a floor 12 and walls 14 extending around the floor to define an C \NRPortbl\DCC\LJR\3947305_1 DOCX-21/10/2011 -3 internal space. A divider 16 is disposed above the floor 12 to divide the internal space into a water reservoir 18 below the divider 16, and a root chamber above the divider 16 for containing a growing medium 20. The divider 16 has holes 22 to allow water drained from the growing medium 20 to pass through the divider 16 and into the water reservoir 18. [0017] As will be appreciated, in use, plants are to be grown in the growing medium 20. 100181 The planter 10 also has a pump 24 to draw water from the reservoir 18, and an irrigation system 26 that receives water from the pump 24 and discharges water onto and/or into the growing medium 20. In this way, water drains by gravity through the growing medium 20 and then through the divider 16 into the water reservoir 18. The drained water is then recirculated through the pump 24 and irrigation system 26 back to the growing medium 20. Thus, the planter 10 provides a self-contained plant growing system that uses water in a highly efficient manner. In turn, this facilitates recirculation of plant nutrients contained in the growing medium 20 (which are dissolved into water as it drains through the growing medium), and/or dissolved in water within the water reservoir 18, thereby ensuring consistent delivery of nutrients to the plants over time. [0019] A geotextile fabric 28 is disposed in the root chamber directly underneath the growing medium 20. The fabric 28 provides a filter to prevent particulate matter from passing through the divider 16 into the water reservoir 18. Furthermore, a drain cell matrix 30 is disposed in the root chamber between fabric 28 and the divider 16 to enhance water flow to the holes 22 in the divider 16. Thus, the drain cell matrix 30 mitigates the risk of the growing medium 20 becoming water logged. [0020] The planter 10 has an air gap 32 between outer surfaces of the walls 14 and the root chamber within which the growing medium 20 is contained. As will be appreciated, thermal energy is transferred between the walls 14 and the surrounding environment. For example, when the planter 10 is exposed to sunlight, the walls 14 absorb radiant heat. The presence of the air gap 32 reduces transfer of thermal energy through the walls 14, which minimizes temperature fluctuations in the growing medium 20. This has the advantage of minimizing thermal shock to plants grown in the planter 10.
C: \NRPortbl\DCC\LJRU947305 .DOCX-21/10/201I -4 [00211 To assist determination of the water level within the reservoir 18, a sight tube 34 is provided externally of one of the walls 14, and is in fluid communication with the reservoir 18. Thus, the sight tube 34 indicates the level of water within the reservoir 18. When the water level within the reservoir 18 becomes too low, the reservoir can be filled, either by adding water to the growing medium 20 or directly to the water reservoir 18 by a fluid inlet (not shown). 100221 The irrigation system 26 includes pipes 36 that connect the pump 24 with surface and/or subsurface drip nozzles 38. These type of nozzles are known, and provide effective and highly efficient watering to the growing medium 20. The irrigation system 26 also includes a filter 40 downstream of the pump 24 to prevent clogging of the nozzles. 100231 In the illustrated embodiment, the planter 10 includes an electrical power supply system that provides power to the pump 24. The power supply system includes a battery 42 to provide electrical power to the pump 24. Further, in this embodiment, the power supply system includes a solar panel 44 and regulator 46 to facilitate recharging the battery 42, allowing the planter to operate for long periods of time unattended. [00241 An electronic timer 48 can be provided to control operation of the pump 24. The timer 48 can be set to automatically operate the watering system at times and/or periods set by the user. In some embodiments, the electronic timer may also have the capacity for manual operation. In one particular example, the timer 48 has three modes including AUTO/ON/OFF. A digital display can be provided to indicate whether the system is watering, as well as showing the current time, and allowing timing of water to be controlled. [00251 In one example, the timer 48 and regulator 46 form part of a common controller, although this is not essential and alternatively these may be provided as separate components. [0026] The main form of water loss from the planter 10 is evapotranspiration from the plants growing within the growing medium 20. Thus, providing the solar panel 44 receives sufficient sunlight, the planter 10 can provide suitable watering for extended periods before additional water needs to be added to the water reservoir 18. In this way, the planter 10 can be considered to be self-sustaining. In other words, the planter 10 can provide for fully automatic watering with no intervention from the user required.
C:\NRPonbl\DCC\LJR\3947305 1.DOCX-21/10/2011 -5 100271 In some embodiments, a mains power supply can be used in addition to, or as an alternative to, the battery 42 and/or solar panel 44 if insufficient sunlight is available to properly recharge the battery 42. [00281 As shown in Figure 1, the planter 10 has a drain outlet 50, from which to discharge water contained within the reservoir 18. The planter 10 also has an overflow port 52 to limit the maximum volume of water within the reservoir 18. [00291 As will be appreciated, multiple planters 10 can be joined together to form a modular plant production system. To this end, the fluid inlets, drain outlets, and/or overflow ports can be interconnected to bring the water reservoirs of the planters into fluid communication, resulting in the planters sharing water between the reservoirs. This can simplify checking and refilling the water reservoirs. In such arrangements, the watering system of each planter 10 can be operated individually and/or collectively. 100301 Due to the configuration of the water reservoir beneath the growing medium, the top surface of the growing medium is above the natural ground surface level making it convenient for the user to work on the plants being grown. [00311 The planter 10 can be constructed of durable plastics materials such that when the planter 10 is emptied of water and growing medium, it is light in weight, which allows for installation in confined spaces, such as rooftops and balconies. [00321 As will also be appreciated, the planter 10 can be installed on any surface and, in particular, does is not required to be located on a waterproof membrane in sensitive locations. [00331 In the illustrated embodiment, the planter 10 has four walls, such that it has a rectangular footprint. However, alternative embodiments may have different numbers of walls and/or different configurations to have a different footprint. [00341 The above described system can be used with any suitable form of growing medium. In one example, this can include Cocopeat, which is a multi-pupose growing medium, although any suitable organic or inorganic growth medium can be used to suit local availability and depending on the plants being grown.
C\NRPortbl\DCC\UR\1947305_1.DOCX-21/10/2011 -6 [00351 It will be appreciated that the provision of automated watering and nutrient recycling allows the plants to be left for extended periods of time without requiring manual care, making the system ideal for use in situations where access may be limited, or where plants may otherwise be left unattended for prolonged periods of time. [00361 Throughout this specification and claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers. [00371 Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that numerous variations and modifications will become apparent. All such variations and modifications which become apparent to persons skilled in the art, should be considered to fall within the spirit and scope that the invention broadly appearing before described.