GB2240453A

GB2240453A - Self watering device for plants

Info

Publication number: GB2240453A
Application number: GB9002413A
Authority: GB
Inventors: William George Lyne
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1990-02-02
Filing date: 1990-02-02
Publication date: 1991-08-07
Also published as: GB9002413D0

Abstract

The device consists of a constant supply of water which is led by pipe to a point close to the plants to be watered. The water pipe is connected to a sensor which controls the amount of water fed to the plant. The sensor is constructed from a porous material; as the compost dries the sensor releases more water and less if the demand falls off such as night time or when it is raining.

Description

DEVICE FOR WATERING PLANTS.

All plants need regular water but not at set intervals or continuously. The ideal device is one which allows the plants to draw its own supply of moisture when it requires it. This device works along these lines.

There are available self-watering systems most of which supply water to the plants, regardless of the needs. The device now to be described enables the plants to dictate how much water they need. The apparatus consists of a supply of water, suitable means of getting the water to the plant, such as a hose, and a sensing unit which regulates the amount of water absorbed by the plants; the usual water sources can be used with a pressure regulator if needed. Any size hose can be used but it has been found a small bore flexible one is more manageable. Branches are taken off the supply and led to individual plants.

The water tank found in most roofs of houses and bungalows is a convenient supply for watering hanging baskets and window boxes. If this source is to be used a convenient way of drawing the water off is by syphoning either by submerging the end of the hose in the tank or by a U pipe which fits over the edge of the tank. The outside leg of the U being longer than the one submerged in the tank. On the outside leg provision is made for attaching the supply pipes which supplies the window boxes or hanging baskets. If a separate roof tank is installed and fertiliser is put into it this will supply all the needs of the plants for a whole summer.

The sensing unit which regulates the amount of water to each plant consists of a porous block of material or a porous probe which is attached to the end of the pipe and buried in the compost. As the compost dries out moisture is drawn off by capillary action, different plants need different amounts of water. This is regulated to the requirements of each plant by the sensing unit.

Claims

1. A plant self watering device.

2. A plant self watering device which automatically supplies the water needs of the plant by capillary action or reduce it if the demand falls.

3. A plant self watering device as claim 2 wherein moisture passes into the compost from a porous sensing unit.

4. A plant self watering device as claim 2 and 3 wherein the moisture in the compost is kept at a predetermined level regardless of evaporation and plant usage.

5. A plant self watering device substantially as claimed in any preceding claims.