FR2469870A1 - Pot plant automatic watering device - comprises saucer with sockets accommodating inverted water-filled bottles vertically round periphery - Google Patents

Abstract

The equipment supplies water to pot plants and is based on the constant liquid level principle. It comprises a saucer or plate (1) having round the periphery one or more sockets (2) supporting bottles (3) inserted freely in a stable position. The sockets are vertical, and have blocks (4) in the bottom on which the bottles rest, also notches (5) allowing the water to escape as far as the constant level, and onto the surface accommodating the flowerpot. Grooves (6) can be formed in this surface, leading from the sockets to the circular portion (8) in which the flowerpot fits, this portion being at a lower level than the remainder (7).

Description

 Water dispensing device for potted houseplants during prolonged absences.

 The main known embodiments of water distribution for potted plants based on the principle of constant levels call for complicated, fragile and costly implementation techniques: auxiliary tank giving into a saucer, tank pot cache system , xenversée bottles connected to a pipe itself connected to a carrying nozzle.

Let us also cite a system where the necks of the bottles are plugged around a hollow support sleeve, requiring a perfect seal since this support nozzle is well above the layer of liquid (risk of leakage and flooding).

In all these systems, the water reserve is unique, limited and sometimes difficult to fill. Several parts make up these systems.

 In the present invention, the reservoir (s) used are upside-down bottles of one liter or 75 cl and one to X bottles (3 liters = one mcis on average, depending on the plant, according to the time of the year and according to the amount of sunshine ). The overturned bottles are plugged in each way in its substantially vertical sleeve and which can be slightly inclined towards the outside, of a diameter larger than the neck of the bottle; of sufficient height to ensure its maintenance and stability.

The sleeves are placed on the inner periphery of the saucer; they are integral with it and the sleeve / saucer assembly must be rigid so as not to bulge when fitting the filled bottles.

 The bottles rest on wedges of any shape placed in the bottom of the sleeve thus raising the bottle by about 5 mm below the bottom of the saucer. The sleeves are notched at their base to let the trickle of water flood the saucer up to the so-called "constant" level. As the plant absorbs water, the level decreases, the bottles spill a few milliliters of their content, the level of this layer of water rises to the height of the holds (height of the necks); the saucer will be large enough to receive a classic earthen pot in the middle.

 The bottom of the saucer, however, has protruding ridges at the place where the pot rests so as to allow the circulation of water to take place under this pot. These streaks are insignificantly thick and are covered with water.

However, in a more elaborate variant of the saucer, represented in FIGS. 1 and. 2, the bottom of the. tray is divided into "quarter-cake" - disjoint. in excess thickness. These disjointures therefore form gutters which stop at the same time - time as these: quarters to reveal a central, circularly-dimensioned dimension for the dimensions of the pots.

 By these thicker quarters (this avoids - after a while the stagnation of the water where it stagnates where the water does not circulate) the channels originate in the notches of the sleeves. In the central circular surface, the quarters extend into it in very small excess thickness. These ends of quarter will be flooded but will allow the pot to be raised slightly to allow the liquid to pass below (see Figure 2). The ends of these quarters can be replaced by protruding ridges also intended to slightly raise the pot to let the liquid pass below (see Figure 1).

For these two systems, the shape of the saucer, the number of bottle-holder sleeves, the location thereof and the number of pots placed on the saucer is not limiting. One can ~ imagine elongated large trays receiving its row of bottles and its row of pots.

The main advantages of the present invention are
- they ensure the humidification of the potted plant during
long absence period (8 liters can feed a plant
in pot for -trQisï month)
- that system for inserting the bottles into the sleeves
is very convenient, simple, safe - and safe
leakage compared to other systems (see prior art
case, for example, where the bottles are plugged around
fitted and waterproof sleeves)
- that the system is easy to implement, easily reacha
readable and low cost (injected plastic).

The invention is shown in the accompanying figures, in perspective (Figure 1), exploded (Figure 2), and in section (for Fig. 3)
As shown in the drawings, the system consists of a saucer or tray Q on which, at the periphery, are arranged sleeves @ Q. In the bottom of these sleeves, the bou.

pins Q come to rest on shims (4). At their base towards the center of the saucer, the sleeves carry notches letting the liquid escape in some kind of channels. Q. These channels are formed by an extra thickness Q of the saucer on the surfaces defined between these channels. The oversized surfaces will stop towards the center of the saucer to allow a circular surface Q to emerge at the same level as the channels. Projecting ridges (9) or slightly projecting surfaces (10) will be arranged on the bottom of this circular surface to leave a very slight day between the pot (11) and the bottom of this circular surface.

The water level in the channels and in the central surface will depend on the height of the holds. The bottles gradually empty as the level drops in the central surface.

The system is monolithic.

The present invention applies in all cases where the supply of potted plants must be automatic during prolonged absences. It is very suitable for potted houseplants during annual holidays for example.

It may also allow florists to be absent
at long weekends. It can also be useful in all
cases where the workforce must be reduced. She can find her
useful by mid market gardeners, horticulturalists, in crops
hydroponics.

Claims (3)

RERENDICATIONS 10 / Water distributor device for potted plants during prolonged absences based on the principle of constant liquid levels, characterized in that it consists of a saucer Q or a tray carrying one or more on the periphery sleeves Q bottle holders Q freely inserted and stable. At the bottom of these sleeves, which are substantially vertical, the bottles rest them on wedges @ Q. The sleeves have 0 notches at their base, allowing the liquid to escape to the "constant" level. The liquid escapes from the notches in the surface which is to receive the pot.  20 / Device according to claim 1 / characterized in that the bottom of the saucer has channels Q connecting the notches of the sleeves to the circular surface Q intended to receive the pot. The remaining surfaces (7) entering in excess thickness so as to avoid the stagnation of the liquid in - the -place- of these.  3 / Device according to claim 10 / characterized in that the bottom of the saucer is flat.  40 / Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pot is very slightly raised to allow the liquid to pass underneath, either by protruding streaks Q, or by surfaces very slightly in excess thickness Qo forming by their disjunction a path for the water under the pot. In these two cases, the streaks or surfaces are covered by the sheet of liquid.  50 / According to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is preferably monolithic in molded or injected plastic.