GB2219480A - Plant watering/feeding assemblies - Google Patents

Abstract

A self watering plant pot has an inner container (1) for the plant (3) and its growing medium. The container (1) floats in buoyancy liquid (27) in a further container (4). A valve diaphragm (18) is connected to both containers (1, 4) at their bottom walls (17, 9) to lead water (6) for the plant from an outer, reservoir container (5) through the buoyancy container (27) and into the inner container. With water loss from plant and growing medium, the inner container rises and admits water through the valve, thus constantly maintaining the pre-set weight of water/plant/growing medium.

Description

PLANT AuvoPSTIc WATERING ASSEMBLIES.

1.0.0* This invention relates to assemblies which automatically regulate the required water content within a plant compost, or required level within a plant aggregate; by using the counterbalanced movement of the plant container and contents, to control the inlet flow.

1.0.1. The assemblies can be extended to automatic feeding also, by using a nutrient solution in lieu of water.

1.0.2. It is well known that plant mortality is substantially due to incorrect watering, particularly within small containers and especially if they are inaxessible or require copious watering.

The principle specified in claims 1 to 5 inclusive reduces the difficulties stated, by permitting a continuous water or nutrient supply at a variable head, without flooding or saturating the compost. The moisture content within a plant compost can be controlled to suit the season, environment and plant species eg. almost dry condition for a cacti to a saturated condition for a Cyperus Alternifolius (Umbrella Plant) 1.0.3. The assemblies reduce the skill and labour required to successfully cultivate plants and by watering from the base upwards reduces silting thus improving root aeration.

2,0,0, By way of example only Pig.l shows the principle applied to a single plant pot with a surrounding water/nutrient supply. The various references are described as follow 1.. Plant pot.

2. Buoyancy pot.

3. Reservoir pot..

4. Diaphragm valve - this part separates the buoyancy and reservoir liquids as well as acting as a valve seal, IL. Feed water/nutrient:- hereafter called liquid A.

B. Buoyancy liquid - usually water but may be a high density liquid for special purposes:- hereafter called liquid B.-- C. Compost - or aggregate for hydrop.onic cultivation.

H. Head of buoyancy liquid.

L. Anti-jamming rib - for reservoir pot packing purposes only.

2.i.0.. Fig, 2 shows an enlarged view of the valve arrangement between pots 1 and 2. The various references are described as follows D.. Liquid A exit holes to compost/aggregate.

E. Base radial location rib (plurity).

F. Liquid A entry flow.

G. Anti bubble points - occluded air bubbles can arrest flow at low liquid heads in the valve zone.

W. Web (plurity) 2.2.0.- Fig 3, shows an enlarged view of the pot location features and the various references are described as follows: Locating face on pots 1 and 2 which abut when the valve iS fully closed and in this condition the buoyancy chamber is effectively sealed - minimising evapora -tion losses.

K. Vertical displacement of pot 1 relative to pot 2 between valve fully closed to fully open positions.

W. Web (plurity).

2.3.0. Fig+4 shows a schematic 'cross-section' illustrating the filler port design un-necessary detail omitted. The various refer -ences are as described for Fig 1 except as follows :'- 5. Liquid filler port cap in 2 positions.

2.4.0. With reference to Figs 1 - 4 the 'set-up' procedure for using a compost is as follows:2.4.1. Liquid B is added through the filler port until the pot is full and then the pot is emptied out into a åug suitably graduated..

2.4.2. Compost and plant/seed are potted into pot 1.

2.4.3. Liquid B from the jug, per para 2.4.1. is poured into the buoyancy chamber port until pot 1 floats - witnessed visually or by 'feel'. The volume of liquid remaining in the jug is noted and corresponds to the 'dry' compost condition.

2.4.4. The buoyancy liquid chamber may be tapered as shown to substantially obtain a linear relation -ship between the addition of the liquid versus the wetness of the compost. If maximum compost wetness is required the remaining liquid B from.

the jug is poured into the buoyancy -chamber port.

Similarly if a half wet. condition is required half of the remaining liquid B in the jug is v poured into the buoyancy chamber port etc., 2,4.5r Add reservoir liquid A. The pot will now operate automatically controlling the wight of liquid within the compost until the head of the liquid falls below the exit face of holes 'D'.

2.4.6. An alternative porcedure to para 2.4.4. would be to add liquid B above that required to float pot 1.. Observe the compost wetness at intervals and re-adjust the level of liquid B until the desired 'wetness' of the compost is arrived atF 2,4.7, The procedure for hydroponic cultivation is similar but simpler since the level of liquid within pot 1 can be observed.

2..4. The foregoing applies where the total weight of pot 1 and contents is equal to or less than the equivalent volume of water - the general c se.

If otherwise the arrangement will require other measures to counterbalance the weight of pot 1 and contents g high density buoyancy fluid and/or spring assistance etc., see claim 5, 2.5.0. The working cycle is described as follows:2.5.1. With the pot 'set up' as stated in para 2.4.0.

liquid A flolvs from the reservoir at F through the central port in the diaphragm valve 4, holes D in pot 1 and permeates throughout the compost by capillary action.

2.5.2. The flow will continue until the weight of pot 1 and contents plus liquid A overcomes the buoyancy force.

2.5.3. When pot 1 and contents becomes heavier than the buoyancy force it seals against the diaphragm seal and thereby revents flow.

2.5.4. This process will be continuous providing liquid A is added as required.

2.6.0. General features.

2.6.1. The shape of the pot will increase the overall water/nutrient content by a ratio of approximately four times the capacity of a plain pot of equivalent size with a wet saturated (not flooded) compost. Compared with plain pots containing plants requiring dryer composts this ratio will substantially increase.

2.6.2. Compared to a plain pot the shape of pot 1 requires less compost to maintain a plant.

2.6.3. Continuous multiple pot watering may be carried out by standing the pots with plants but without pot 3, in a shallow tank, tray or trough with the water or nutrient below the buoyancy level of the pots.

2.6.4. Similarly continuous multiple pot watering may also be carried out in a deep tank, tray or trough; by using a suitable pot supporting structure.

2.7.0. Fig. 5 shows a standard type pot similar in operation to Fig. 1 but connected by a tube 6 to a remote water or nutrient reservoir.

2.7.1. Pot 1 and 2 may have a plurity of webs to obtain the necessary stiffness for proper valve operation.

2.7.2. The holes D are relatively small in diameter to reduce ingress of compost to the diaphragm. The total area of the holes is sufficient to ensure that the supply pressure head does not cause continuous flow, 2.7.3. This pot may be free standing or a hanging basket type.

2.7.4. For pots designed for heavy contents the buoyancy force can be supplemented by a spring or springs arranged on a pitch circle diameter reacting between pots 1 and 2.

2.7.5. For exposed garden applications pots 1 and 2 may be connected with a small bore resillient tube to hermit drainage flow in high rainfall conditions - thus preventing compost flooding.

2g7.6 The principle can be embodied to permit watering/ /feeding plants in plain pots. In operation the plain pot with plant is placed into pot 1 and set up as previously described. This system may be used to fully rear plants or may be used to water/feed only; after which the plants/pots are removed. Also this arrangement can be carried out in 'gangs' or 'cells' with a common buoyancy fluid and a common water/nutrient supply/tank 2.8.0. Fig. 6 illustrates the assembly and shows the position prior to 'snapping' pot 2 to pot 1 as shown assembled on Pig, 3. The method of assembly is as follows:-2.8.1. Diaphragm valve 4 is fitted to the locating lug on pot 1 and a suitable length of tube or rod is fitted into the tube end of the diaphragm valve.

2.8.2. The sub-assembly is inverted and the end of rod/tube is pulled through pot 2 from the top side direction.

2.8.3. Diaphragm valve 4 is snapped into the mating recess of pot 2. The assembly is now as shown on Fig. 6 except that it is inverted.

2.8.4 Pressure is applied to base of pot 2 until it 'snaps' to register into pot 1. The tube or riE inserted per para 2.8.1. is removed 2.8.5. Note that the dimension 'X' corresponds to the height of the retaining lips on pot 1 - see Fig. 3. Note also that the diaphragm permits this movement by its' design.

3.0.0. Fig. 7 is an example of an assembly for watering/ /feeding plants in hanging baskets or containers.

The various references are described as follows 6. connecting pipe to reservoir, 7. yoke.

8.. screw - weight adjusting 9. spring - compression.

body, 11. washer - sealing 12. connecting tube.

13. cord, wire or chain (plurity) supporting hanging basket , pot or container hereafter called basket.

14. nut - basket support.

W. web (plurity) - also acts as a guide for screw 8 and permits fluid flow in-between from inlet to outlet.

Z. indicates the maximum movement of nut 14 within the slots in body 10.

The unidentified arrows indicate direction of fluid flowv 3.0.1. The 'set-up' procedure is as follows 3.0.2. The hanging basket is fully planted and its compost watered to the required 'wetness'.

3.0.3. The yoke is removed by moving it downwards to disengage it from the slot in body 10 and then moving it at 900 to the body axis.

3.0.4. Screw 8 is un-screed so that it projects approximately equal to dimension 'Z' 3.0.5. The inlet and outlet tubes 12, pipe 6 and hanging basket are assembled with the outlet tube placed externally, relative to the basket.

3*0+6* Body 10 is held in the hand or otherwise suitably supported, to react the weight of the hanging basket and contents.

3.0.7. Screw 8 is 'lightly' adjusted until the additional tortional resistance is felt when valve seats.

3.0.8. The inlet flow is turned 'on' and screw 8 is finely adjusted to just stop the outlet flow.

3.0.9. Test flow condition by 'lightly supporting basket - flow should commence and stop when support is withdrawn.

3.1.0. Re-fit yoke 7 in reverse sequence to para 3.0.3.

3.1.1. Conncect outlet tube to desired position to drip onto the compost.. Alternatively the tube may be connected to a dish or tray in the base of the basket to prevent external dripping and to evenly water/feed the compost by capillary action, 3.1.2. Hang the assembly by the yoke to the fixing hook, bracket, cord, wire or chain and suitably secure connecting pipe 6.

3.2.0. The working cycle is described as follows:3.2.1. ater/nutrient enters through the central port in the body 10.

3.2.2. When the spring reaction overcomes the weight of the basket and contents seal 11 is lifted to permit flow to the basket via outlet tube 12e 3.2.3. The weight of the water/nutrient in addition to the basket will then overcome the spring reaction and stop flows 3.2.4. This cycle will be automatic assuming a continuous head of water/nutrient above seal 11..

3.3.0. General comments.

3.3.1. Spring 9 may be selected from many to suit any basket weight capable of being supported by the unit.

3.3.2. Nut 14 is shown with a 'snap' connection.

Alternatively this item may be retained with a circlip or by other suitable means to assist changing the spring or for maintenance purposes.

Claims (5)

1. An An assembly which automatically regulates the required water/nutrient content within a plant compost or required water/nutrient level within a plant aggregate; by using the counterbalanced movement of its' plant container and contents to operate a water/nutrient inlet control valve The plant container may be for example a pot, tub, tray, trough, tank or hanging basket.
2. An assembly as claimed in claim 1, where-in the counterbalancing mechanism is adjustable to substantially balance the weight of the plant container assembly and its' contents, the required amount of water/nutrient, and also the reaction at the inlet control valve - due to the water/nutrient pressure head.
3. 3. An assembly as claimed in claim 1 and 2, where-in the waterinutrient content within the compost or level within the aggregate, may be continuously cycled between upper and lower limits; by moderating the counterbalanced movements, using for example magnetic attractiongrepulsion or a 'snap' detent device.
4. 4.. An assembly as claimed in claim 1, 2 and 3; where-in the water/nutrient may be piped from a separate or remote reservoir; or supplied from a reservoir around the plant container.
5. 5. An assembly as defined in claims 1 to 4 inclusive, where-in the counterbalancing force is generated for example by a buoyancy liquid, gas pressure, mechanical or elastomeric springs, counterbalancing weights or a combination of any; to permit a counterbalanced movement.