GB2315396A

GB2315396A - Plant watering device

Info

Publication number: GB2315396A
Application number: GB9615669A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Moses Arthur Mills; Christine Mills
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1996-07-25
Filing date: 1996-07-25
Publication date: 1998-02-04
Also published as: GB9615669D0

Abstract

A device for watering a plant 6, comprising a refillable water reservoir 1, and pipe 5 for releasing water from the reservoir simultaneously at a plurality of locations 8 on or in the ground around the plant 6. The watering device may be formed as an annulus (Figure 3, not shown) locatable around the stem of the plant and having perforations in the lower part of the annulus. The annulus may be formed of a flexible plastics material so as to inflate when water is introduced therein. The watering device may comprise a double-walled tube, which can be located around the plant so as to provide shelter during the early stages of development of the plant.

Description

PLANT-WATERING DEVICE Field of the Invention This invention relates to a device for watering a plant, for example a shrub or tree.

Background to the Invention In times of low rainfall, or when newly planted out, most plants require regular watering, especially in hot weather. Most gardeners have found it convenient to apply water by means of a hose-pipe, but in many areas of the UK this is no longer possible because of water shortages, and where hose-pipes are still allowed, their use for watering individual plants, such as newly planted-out shrubs and trees, can be wasteful of water. In addition, where mains water is only available at a distance from the plant, the use of hose-pipes can be inconvenient and expensive, especially where large numbers of plants need to be watered individually.

Summary of the Invention According to the invention, there is provided a device for watering a plant, comprising a refillable water reservoir, and means for releasing water from the reservoir simultaneously at a plurality of locations on or in the ground around the plant. This permits substantially uniform watering of the roots of the plant to be achieved.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the reservoir comprises a container having connected to the lower part thereof each end of a flexible hose having a plurality of perforations spaced along the length thereof, the hose being arrangeable to form a loop around the plant. The connections for the hose are preferably such as to permit at least one end thereof to be temporarily detached from the container to facilitate installation, the container being located next to the plant and the hose being passed around the plant stem before being reconnected.

The hose may rest on the surface of the ground around the stem of the plant, or it may be buried in the ground adjacent to the roots of the plant. In the latter case, a second hose loop may be provided at a position intermediate the ends of the container so as to discharge additional water on the surface of the ground around the plant.

In another embodiment of the invention, the reservoir is formed as an annulus, in plan, locatable around the stem of the plant and having a plurality of perforations in the lower part thereof, spaced around the annulus. Preferably the reservoir is formed of a flexible material with a gap in the annulus to permit the reservoir to be placed around the plant more easily, in particular permitting it to be fitted into position from the side of the plant's stem (or trunk). For example, the reservoir may be formed of a flexible plastics material so as to inflate when water is introduced therein, with perforations in its underside, or directed inwardly from the inner side of the annulus. The reservoir can then be permitted to collapse as the water runs out of it, giving an indication of the need to refill it.

The reservoir will typically be sized in relation to the perforations so as to permit discharge of sufficient water for the plant's needs over a reasonable interval between refilling, for example 2 to 3 days. It may be desirable for the water to be discharged continuously over that period, or it may alternatively be desirable to allow the discharge to occur for a part of the time only, for example overnight.

The device of the invention permits plant feed to be directed economically to the plant's roots by simple addition to the reservoir of a small dose of concentrated feed along with the water. Because the water is delivered to the region of the plant's roots in a controlled manner, the feed does not spread to be taken up by neighbouring plants for which it is not intended. In addition to or as well as feed, other additives may also be introduced into the water, for example specific nutrients or supplements, systemic insecticides or fungicides which need to be directed to a specific plant only.

The size of the reservoir, the length of the hose, where used, and the sizes and numbers of the perforations will be chosen to suit the plant to be watered. For example, a large shrub or a tree will require a substantially larger reservoir than would be required for a small shrub.

The reservoir may be provided with attachment means permitting it to be secured to a stake used for supporting the plant, for example, so as to ensure its stability, especially in high winds. In one particular form of the device, the reservoir is formed so as to be able to serve as a plant support as well, with attachments being provided on the reservoir for plantsupporting straps or ties, for example.

Where a rigid reservoir is used, it may be formed from any suitable water-impermeable material, plastics materials being especially suitable.

In one embodiment of the invention, the device may comprise a double-walled tube, for example of translucent plastics material, which can be located around the plant so as to provide a shelter during the early stages of development of the plant. The double wall then serves as the container for the water, perforations being provided at the base of the tube to allow water to seep out to water the plant within the tube. The tube may be partially sunk into the ground to improve stability and to deliver the water nearer to the plant's roots. Alternatively, or additionally, the tube may be secured to a supporting stake driven into the ground alongside the tube.

The device of the invention is simple and convenient to use and affords considerable improvements in watering a plant when compared with conventional methods using hose-pipes or watering cans.

Brief Description of the Drawing In the drawings, which illustrate exemplary embodiments of the invention: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a device according to a first embodiment, in use with a tree; Figure 2 is side elevation of a device according to a second embodiment, watering a shrub; Figure 3 is top plan view of a device according to a third embodiment; and Figure 4 is an enlarged section on line A-A in Figure 3.

Detailed Description of the Illustrated Embodiments Referring first to Figure 1, the device comprises a reservoir 1, suitably in the form of a plastics cylinder provided with a pair of spaced tubular outlets 2 adjacent to the lower end thereof. A removable clip-on lid 3 covers the upper open end of the reservoir 1, whereby the water in the device may readily be topped up. Loops 4 on the side of the reservoir permit the device to be secured to a stake, for example a stake supporting the plant, to increase the stability of the device in high winds.

A flexible tubular hose 5 has its ends pushed on to the tubular outlets 2 so as to form a loop which in use can surround the plant 6 (here a tree, partially shown) where it emerges from the ground 7. The hose 5 is provided along its length with a plurality of perforations whose approximate locations are indicated by the lines 8 representing water trickling out of the hose. The rate of trickling is chosen so that the water soaks into the ground in the region of the plant's root ball, rather than running away on the surface. Thus, the plant is watered over a prolonged period at a rate substantially equal to the rate of take-up of the water by the plant. It will be seen that installation of the device is extremely straightforward, the reservoir 1 being placed on the ground adjacent to the tree, and the hose 5 looped around the tree before being connected to the outlets 2. The reservoir is then filled to permit watering to commence.

Figure 2 illustrates an alternative embodiment for use with plants requiring a higher level of water delivery to the roots. In this embodiment, the reservoir 20 is elongated and provided with two sets of tubular outlets 21, one set 21a being located adjacent to the bottom of the reservoir, as in the embodiment of Figure 1, and the second set 21b being located at a position spaced above the first set 21a. The reservoir 20 is partially buried in the ground next to the plant 22, so that a first hose 23a attached to the first set of outlets 21a is around a part of the plant's root ball 24, while a second hose 23b attached to the other set 21b is located on the surface of the ground 25. Each hose is provided with a plurality of perforations, as in the embodiment of Figure 1, so that water from the reservoir seeps out into the soil around the root ball 24 and on to the surface of the ground to filter down into the soil. It will be appreciated that the number and sizes of the perforations in the first hose 23a may be selected so as to be greater or smaller than those of the second hose 23b, according to the balance between the surface and sub-surface watering desired.

The devices illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 each have pairs of outlets for the connection of the perforated hose loop. It will be appreciated, however, that the reservoir may have a single outlet to which the hose is connected, the free end of the hose being closed, and preferably provided with means for hooking it to the container or the outlet to hold the loop in place. Alternatively, the single outlet from the reservoir may be provided with a T-connector permitting both ends of the hose to be connected.

Figures 3 and 4 illustrate an alternative approach, in which a flexible and collapsible plastics reservoir 30 is used both to hold and to distribute the water. The reservoir 30 is substantially annular in plan, with a small gap 31 to permit the reservoir to be positioned around the plant from the side. The plant's stem or trunk is represented at 32. The gap may be such that the ends abut, in use, depending on the flexibility of the material used.

A filler entry 33 is provided on the upper surface of the annular reservoir 30 which, as can be seen from Figure 4, has a semi-circular cross-section (it will be understood that, while this is a convenient shape, other shapes may also be employed according to convenience of manufacture and use). The filler entry 33 is suitably provided with a plug to close it.

The reservoir 30 has a plurality of perforations therein, suitably in the lowermost flat surface 30a, or in the side wall so as to be directed inwardly of the annulus, so that water can trickle out of the reservoir slowly and into the soil surrounding the tree 32.

It will be understood that the device illustrated in Figures 3 and 4 could be used in conjunction with an additional reservoir of the type shown in Figure 1, for example, to extend its capacity. A hose could link the two devices together.

Claims

1) A device for watering a plant, comprising a refillable water reservoir, and means for releasing water from the reservoir simultaneously at a plurality of locations on or in the ground around the plant.

2) A device according to Claim 1, wherein the reservoir comprises a container having connected to the lower part thereof each end of a flexible hose having a plurality of perforations spaced along the length thereof, the hose being arrangeable to form a loop around the plant.

3) A device according to Claim 2, wherein the connections for the hose are such as to permit at least one end thereof to be temporarily detached from the container to facilitate installation.

4) A device according to Claim 2 or 3, wherein the hose rests on the surface of the ground around the stem of the plant, or is buried in the ground adjacent to the roots of the plant.

5) A device according to Claim 4, wherein the hose is buried in the ground adjacent the roots of the plants, and a second hose loop is provided at a position intermediate the ends of the container so as to discharge additional water on the surface of the ground around the plant.

6) A device according to Claim 1, wherein the reservoir is formed as an annulus, in plan, locatable around the stem of the plant and having a plurality of perforations in the lower part thereof, spaced around the annulus.

7) A device according to Claim 6, wherein the reservoir is formed of a flexible material with a gap in the annulus to permit the reservoir to be placed around the plant more easily, in particular permitting it to be fitted into position from the side of the plant's stem (or trunk).

8) A device according to Claim 6 or 7, wherein the reservoir is formed of a flexible plastics material so as to inflate when water is introduced therein, with perforations in its underside, or directed inwardly from the inner side of the annulus.

9) A device according to Claim 8, wherein the reservoir is permitted to collapse as the water runs out of it, giving an indication of the need to refill it.

10)A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the reservoir is sized in relation to the perforations so as to permit discharge of sufficient water for the plant's needs over a desired interval between refilling 11)A device according to Claim 10, wherein the reservoir is sized in relation to the perforations so as to permit discharge of sufficient water for the plant's needs over 2 to 3 days between refilling.

12)A device according to Claim 10 or 11, wherein the water is discharged continuously over that period, or during spaced apart intervals.

13)A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the water may have added thereto plant feed and/or nutrients and/or fungicides and/or herbicides and/or insecticides.

14)A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the reservoir is provided with attachment means permitting it to be secured to a stake used for supporting the plant.

15)A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the reservoir is formed so as to be able to serve as a plant support as well, with attachments being provided on the reservoir for plant-supporting straps, ties, or the like.

16)A device according to any of Claims 1 to 5, or Claims 10 to 15 when dependent on any of Claims 1 to 5, characterised in that where a rigid reservoir is used, it is formed from any suitable water-impermeable material.

17)A device according to Claim 16, wherein the said water impermeable material is plastics.

18)A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the device comprises a double-walled tube, which can be located around the plant so as to provide a shelter during the early stages of development of the plant, the double wall serving as the container for the water, perforations being provided at the base of the tube to allow water to seep out to water the plant within the tube.

19)A device according to Claim 18, wherein the tube is formed from a translucent plastics material.

20)A device a or watering a plant substantially as shown in, or as described with reference to, the drawings.