GB2353196A

GB2353196A - A plant watering/feeding device

Info

Publication number: GB2353196A
Application number: GB9923497A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Derrick Hunt
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1999-08-16
Filing date: 1999-10-06
Publication date: 2001-02-21
Anticipated expiration: 2019-10-06
Also published as: GB2353196B; GB9923497D0; GB9919117D0

Abstract

A watering/feeding device for plants comprises a container 2 comprising at least one aperture 12 and a vacuum release valve 20. The container has a closure member 8 which may be removed to enable the container to be filled. An integral spiked portion 10, for inserting into the soil, is situated on the closure member. The apertures 12 are located in a shoulder 4 of the container, adjacent to the closure member. The vacuum release valve 20 is situated in a recess 16 in a wall of the container opposite the closure member. Valve 20 may be opened to allow the contents of the container to be discharged through the apertures 12 and into the soil.

Description

2353196 WATERINGIFEEDING DEVICE This invention relates to a watering

and/or feeding device and more particularly, but not exclusively, to a watering and/or feeding device for plants and the like in hanging baskets, pots and other containers, although the device may have equally useful application in other areas.

There are numerous ways of watering and/or feeding plants and other items in containers such as hanging baskets, the most common ways being by way of a watering can or by means of a hose pipe.

Both of these ways result in much spillage of water and/or feed, especially when the soil or growing medium is compacted. In addition, and particularly in the case of hanging baskets, they are very often difficult to reach, other than by lowering the basket relative to its supporting bracket or other member, or by using steps, so that very often a watering can is not a very practical way by which to deliver water and/or feed to the basket. In the case of the use of a hose pipe, not everyone has access to such a pipe or to a suitable and convenient water supply source, and even where such facilities exist, the user has to pull and drag the hose pipe to the point of application. 05 The present application therefore seeks to provide an improved means to enable watering and/or feeding of plants etc to be carried out in a more convenient, effective, and efficient way.

According to the present invention there is provided a watering/ feeding device for plants and the like, said means comprising a container having one or more through holes or apertures and a vacuum release valve therein therein. 15 Preferably, there will be a plurality of through holes or apertures in said container, said holes or apertures being located in a shoulder of said container. Said container will preferably be closable by a closure member 20 releasably securable to said container, said closure member including an integral spiked portion.

Preferably, said vacuum release valve will be housed in a bottom wall of said container and will be located in a recess adjacent to said bottom wall. Said vacuum release valve will preferably be located at an opposite 10 end of said container to said closure member. In order that the invention may be more readily understood, an embodiment thereof will now be described, by way of example, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, wherein: 15 Figure 1 is a schematic view of a watering/feeding device according to the invention; Figure 2 is a schematic view, to a smaller scale, of the device of Figure 1 in an initial state of use; and Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2 but showing the device in a 20 subsequent state of use.

Referring to the drawings and firstly to Figu re 1, a watering/feeding device comprises a container 2 which is generally circular - but need not necessarily be so - and which has a shoulder 4, an externally threaded neck 6, and an internally threaded, removable closure member 8 securable to said neck. The closure member 8 has an upwardly (in the drawing) extending, integral spiked portion 10, the purpose of which will be explained hereinafter.

The shoulder 4 of the container 2 is provided with a plurality of through holes 12 through which a liquid in said container may be discharged therefrom as will be more fully explained below.

The bottom of the container, at the opposite end of the container to the closure member, includes a rim 14 which thus creates a recess portion 16, and the base wall of the container 2 contains a vacuum release valve 20. Thus the container is able to be stood upright, and the vacuum release valve 20 is prevented from being damaged when the container is in such a position.

The container 2, closure member 8, and vacuum release valve 20 are all preferably composed of a synthetic plastics material., which may be transparent, translucent or opaque.

In use, the closure member 8 is removed to enable the container to be filled with water and/or a feeding medium, and during such filling, the vacuum release valve is in its closed position as shown in Figure 1. The closure member 8 is then re-secured to the container 2 to retain the water and/or feeding medium.

Referring now to Figure 2, it will be seen that the container 2 is inverted and in operative relationship with, for example, a hanging basket or other container 22, with the spiked portion 10 of the closure member inserted into the soil, compost or other growing medium 24 in the hanging basket or container 22. In this position - with the valve 20 in its closed position as shown in Figure 2 - the water and/or feeding medium will not be released from the container 2, due to the vacuum created in the area 26 of the container.

When it is desired to discharge all or some of the contents of the container 2, the valve 20 is opened - as shown in Figure 3 - which releases the afore-mentioned vacuum so as to enable the said contents, or a predetermined amount thereof, to be discharged through the holes 12 and into/onto the soil, compost or other growing medium 24, there being little or no -spillage since all of the contents of the container go directly to the soil, compost or other growing medium.

If only a limited amount of the contents of the container are to be discharged, the valve 20 will be closed as soon as said limited amount has been discharged, thus preventing any further release of said contents.

The container may then be removed for subsequent re-use.

Thus a very easy, effective, and efficient watering/feeding device is provided, which is relatively inexpensive to produce, which is which is usable repeatedly, and which is readily and easily moved and transported to different areas of use. 05 It will be appreciated that there may be fewer or more through holes 12 in the shoulder 4 of the container 2. In fact, there may be only only one hole therein. In addition, the hole(s) may be replaced by an elongate aperture or elongate apertures. 10 With a device according to the invention, time will be saved when watering and/or feeding plants and the like, and in addition, the device may be inserted relative to the plants or the like to be watered and/or fed and left in situ to dispel its contents without further attention.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A watering/feeding device for plants and the like, said device comprising a container having one or more through holes or apertures and a vacuum release valve therein.

2. A device according to Claim 1, wherein said container has a 10 plurality of through holes or apertures.

3. A device according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein said hole(s) or aperture(s) are located in a shoulder of said container.

4. A device according to Claim 3, wherein said container is closable by a closure member releasably securable to said container, said closure member including an integral spiked portion.

5. A device in accordance with any of Claims 1 to 4, wherein said 20 vacuum release valve is housed in a bottom wall of said container and is located in a recess adjacent to said bottom wall.

6. A watering/feeding device for plants and the like substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

6. A device according to Claim 4 or Claim 5, wherein said vacuum release valve is located at an opposite end of said container to said closure member.

7. A watering/feeding device for plants and the like substantially 10 as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows 1 - A watering/feeding device for plants and the like, said device comprising a container having one or more through holes or apertures and a vacuum release valve therein, said container being closable by a closure member releasably securable to said container, said closure member including an integral spiked portion. 10 2. A device according to Claim 1, wherein said container has a plurality of through holes or apertures. 1 3. A device according to Claim I or Claim 2, wherein said hole(s) or 15 aperture(s) is or are located in a shoulder of said container.

4. A device accordino, to anv of Claims I to 3, wherein said vacuum release valve is housed in a bottom wall of said container and is located in a recess adjacent to said bottom wall.

-70 11 5. A device according to any of Claims 1 to 4, wherein said vacuum release valve is located at an opposite end of said container to said closure member.