GB2353459A

GB2353459A - Plant support and watering apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2353459A
Application number: GB9919533A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael Donov Pennington-Ridge
Original assignee: PENNINGTON RIDGE MICHAEL DONOV
Current assignee: PENNINGTON RIDGE MICHAEL DONOV
Priority date: 1999-08-19
Filing date: 1999-08-19
Publication date: 2001-02-28
Also published as: GB9919533D0

Abstract

The apparatus (10) comprises a shallow open topped container (14) with a planar support member (18) extending across the top thereof except for a recess (20) to permit filling of the container (14). A water supply arrangement (26) is provided within the container (14) and admits water from the container (14) through an opening (36) controlled by a closure member (38) connected to a float (44) so as to provide a constant height of water in the arrangement (26). Water from the arrangement (26) passes via a wicking member (46) to a capillary mat (24) on the member (18) to provide water to plants support by the arrangement (10). A water impermeable layer with through holes may be placed on the mat (24) and the container (14) may have a level indicator and a solar powered low water level alarm.

Description

2353459 Plant Support AWaratus This invention concerns plant support

apparatus, and particularly but not exclusively such apparatus for use with a number of plants.

In growing nurseries and plant selling areas whether in nurseries or shops etc., it is often required for a large number of plants to be supported and to be regularly and consistently watered. To regularly water such plants can be very time consuming and also quite messy which can be particular a problem in retail situations. Moreover, it is important to ensure that over-watering does not occur which could damage or even kill the plants. A number of selfwatering arrangements have been devised but in general these have not proved satisfactory. One reason for this is that it is very difficult to provide a consistent flow of water to the plants. This is particularly the case, as the flow of water through a wicking member is very dependent on the height that the water is being raised, and the rate of water raised is generally inversely proportional to the height to a power of at least three.

According to the present invention there is provided a plant support arrangement, the arrangement comprising a first container which can act as a water reservoir, a generally planar support member locatable spaced above the bottom of the first container, and upon which support member one or more plants can be supported, a water supply arrangement which can receive water from the first container so as to provide a substantially constant water level in the arrangement, and means for transferring water from the arrangement onto the support member.

A water absorbent member is preferably provided on the support member The support member may be mountable on the first container, and may be mountable on a lip, rim or edge of the first container, and preferably in a generally sliding fit.

2 The water transferring means may comprise one or more wicking members extending from the water supply arrangement to the water absorbent member. The or each wicking member may extend from an end locatable in water in the water supply arrangement to an end locatable on, and desirably located below the water absorbent member, the support member.

The or each wicking member may comprise a material made of a plurality of individual elements, and may comprise a woven or braided material. Alternatively the wicking member may comprise a non-woven material, and may comprise a felt.

The or each wicking member may be formed of a substantially nonrotting material which may be synthetic. The material may be any of polyester, nylon, acrylic or propylene. Alternatively the wicking member may comprise cotton.

The or each wicking member is preferably elongate, and may be in the form of a substantially flat tape, the plane of which at least at each end, may be generally parallel to the absorbent member.

The absorbent member may comprise a sheet material, and may comprise a capillary mat. The capillary may comprise a felt material.

A layer may be provided on the upper surface of the absorbent material to reduce evaporation of water therefrom. The layer may comprise a water impermeable material with a plurality of through holes. The layer may comprise a separate sheet, or may be sprayed on or printed on the absorbent material.

The water supply arrangement may comprise a second container of significantly less volume than the first container, a connection between the first and second containers, and means for closing the connection when water in the second container reaches a predetermined level, whereby to maintain a 3 substantially constant water level in the second container.

The closing means may comprise a float actuated closure member, which closure member may be located on the opposite side of a pivot to a float, and arranged such that when the water level reaches the predetermined level, the float rises and hence the closure member is lowered, which closure member sealingly locates onto an inlet into the second container. A plurality of water supply arrangements may be provided in the first container.

A level indicator may be provided which shows the water level in the first container. An alarm may be provided to indicate a low water level in the first container. The alarm may be solar powered.

A filling inlet may be provided in the first container. The inlet may comprise a formation in a side wall of the first container which extends beyond the support member. Alternatively, an opening may be provided in the support member.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic cross-sectional view through a first plant support arrangement according to the invention; and Fig. 2 is a plan view of a modified plant support apparatus according to the invention.

Figs. I and 2 of the drawings show respectively plant support arrangements 10, 12 which are similar in all but one feature which will be hereinafter described. Accordingly, the plant support arrangements 10, 12 will be described together. The arrangements 10, 12 are suitable for supporting a number of plants in growing or retail conditions.

Each arrangement 10, 12 comprises a relatively shallow open-topped rectangular container 14, which typically may have a depth of between 5 and 10 4 cm. The container 14 has gently diverging upstanding side walls with a flange 16 extending around the top of the side walls.

A planar support member 18 locates on the flange 16 to extend across the top of the container in a generally sliding fit. An outwardly extending recess 20 is provided in the flange on a one of the side walls to provide an opening 22 which is not covered by the support member 18, and thus permits the container 14 to be filled. A water level indicator (not shown) may be provided on a side of the container 14 to indicate the level of water therein. The water level indicator could be connected to an alarm (also not shown) which may be solar powered, to provide an indication of a low water level in the container.

A water absorbent member 24 is provided on the support member 18. The water absorbent member 24 comprises a capillary mat of felt material which substantially covers the whole of the support member 18.

A water supply arrangement 26 is provided substantially centrally within the container. The arrangement 26 comprises a cylindrical upwardly open reservoir 28 of a significantly smaller volume than the container 14. The reservoir 28 is provided with feet 30 to space the bottom of the reservoir 28 a short distance above the bottom of the container 14. An inlet 32 is provided through the floor of the reservoir 28 towards one side thereof. The inlet 32 comprises upstanding side walls 34 to define an opening 36 in the reservoir 28 spaced a short distance above the floor thereof.

A closure member 38 is selectively locatable over the opening 36 to close same. The closure member 38 is mounted at one end of an arm 40 which is pivotally mounted about a support 42 extending upwardly from the floor of the reservoir 28, the support 42 being located towards the opening 36. A float 44 is provided on the opposite end of the arm 40.

In the apparatus 10 a wicking member 46 extends from a side of the reservoir 28 opposite to the opening 36 to extend through an opening 48 in the support member and to extend beneath the capillary mat 24 for a distance. The wicking member 46 comprises a substantially flat tape of a non-rotting material such as polyester. The tape could be made of a number of other materials such as nylon, acrylic, propylene or even cotton if this has sufficient non-rotting properties. The apparatus 12 has four such wicking members 46 equispaced around the water supply arrangement 26.

In use, the container 14 is filled with water, and preferably to a short distance below the support member 18. If the water level in the reservoir 28 is below a predetermined level as shown in Fig. 1, the float 44 will rest on or towards the bottom of the reservoir 28 thereby raising the closure member 38. Water will therefore pass through the opening 36 into the reservoir 28 until the predetermined water level is obtained at which point raising of the float 44 will cause the closure member 38 to seal closed the opening 36. As the water level drops in the reservoir 28, the float 44 will drop thereby raising the closure member 38 and providing for automatic refilling of the reservoir 28 to the predetermined level. As the water level in the reservoir 28 remains almost constant, a substantially constant flow of water will pass up the wicking member or members 46 to the capillary mat 24.

There is thus described a plant support arrangement which provides for a consistent supply of water to plants supported thereon whilst only requiring periodic filling. Dependent on the water flow required, the predetermined water level in the reservoir can be adjusted by altering the float, and/or the size, type and member of the wicking elements can be varied. The apparatus is of straightforward construction and can thus be inexpensively and attractively produced.

Various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, more than one water supply arrangement may be provided in a container, and particularly if a larger container is used. A different water supply arrangement which provides a substantially constant 6 water level, may be used. Different materials could be used for the wicking element and/or water absorbent member.

A layer may be provided on the upper surface of the capillary mat to reduce evaporation. The layer may comprise a number of holes in an otherwise water impermeable member. The layer may comprise a separate sheet. Alternatively, a layer can be formed on the capillary mat; for example by spraying or printing an appropriate pattern.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbef ore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

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Claims

1. A plant support arrangement, the arrangement comprising a first container which can act as a water reservoir, a generally planar support member locatable spaced above the bottom of the first container, and upon which support member one or more plants can be supported, a water supply arrangement which can receive water from the first container so as to provide a substantially constant water level in the arrangement, and means for transferring water from the arrangement onto the support member.

2. An arrangement according to claim 1, wherein a water absorbent member is provided on the support member

3. An arrangement according to claims 1 or 2, wherein the support member is mountable on the first container.

4. An arrangement according to claim 3, wherein the support member is mountable on a lip, rim or edge of the first container.

5. An arrangement according to claims 3 or 4, wherein the support member is mountable in a generally sliding fit.

6. An arrangement according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the water transferring means comprises one or more wicking members extending from the water supply arrangement to the water absorbent member.

7. An arrangement according to claim 6, wherein the or each wicking member extends from an end locatable in water in the water supply arrangement to an end locatable on the support member.

8. An arrangement according to claim 7, wherein the or each wicking member extends from an end locatable in water in the water supply arrangement to an end locatable below the water absorbent member.

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9. An arrangement according to any of claims 6 to 8, wherein the or each wicking member comprises a material made of a plurality of individual elements.

10. An arrangement according to claim 9, wherein the or each wicking member comprises a woven or braided material.

11. An arrangement according to claim 9, wherein the wicking member comprises a non-woven material.

12. An arrangement according to claim 11, wherein the wicking member comprises a felt.

13. An arrangement according to any of claims 6 to 12, wherein the or each wicking member is formed of a substantially non-rotting material which may be synthetic.

14. An arrangement according to any of claims 6 to 13, wherein the or each wicking member is formed of any of polyester, nylon, acrylic, propylene or cotton.

15. An arrangement according to any of claims 6 to 14, wherein the or each wicking member is elongate.

16. An arrangement according to claim 15, wherein the or each wicking member is in the form of a substantially flat tape.

17. An arrangement according to claim 16, wherein the plane of the flat tape at least at each end, is generally parallel to the absorbent member.

18. An arrangement according to claim 2 or any of claims 3 to 17 when dependent on claim 2, wherein the absorbent member comprises a sheet material.

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19. An arrangement according to claim 18, wherein the absorbent member comprises a capillary mat.

20. An arrangement according to claim 19, wherein the capillary mat comprises a felt material.

21. An arrangement according to claim 2 or any of claims 3 to 20 when dependent on claim 2, wherein a layer is provided on the upper surface of the absorbent member to reduce evaporation of water therefrom.

22. An arrangement according to claim 2 1, wherein the layer comprises a water impermeable material with a plurality of through holes.

23. An arrangement according to claims 21 or 22, wherein the layer comprises a separate sheet.

24. An arrangement according to claims 21 or 22, wherein the layer is sprayed on or printed on the absorbent member.

25. An arrangement according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the water supply arrangement comprises a second container of significantly less volume than the first container, a connection between the first and second containers, and means for closing the connection when water in the second container reaches a predetermined level, whereby to maintain a substantially constant water level in the second container.

26. An arrangement according to claim 25, wherein the closing means comprises a float actuated closure member.

27. An arrangement according to claim 26, wherein the closure member is located on the opposite side of a pivot to a float, and arranged such that when the water level reaches the predetermined level, the float rises and hence the closure member is lowered, which closure member sealingly locates onto an inlet into the second container.

28. An arrangement according to any of claims 25 to 27, wherein a plurality of water supply arrangements are provided in the first container.

29. An arrangement according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a level indicator is provided which shows the water level in the first container.

30. An arrangement according to any of the preceding claims, wherein an alarm is provided to indicate a low water level in the first container.

31. An arrangement according to claim 30, wherein the alarm is solar powered.

32. An arrangement according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a filling inlet is provided in the first container.

33. An arrangement according to claim 32, wherein the inlet comprises a formation in a side wall of the first container which extends beyond the support member.

34. An arrangement according to claim 32, wherein the inlet comprises an opening provided in the support member.

35. A plant support arrangement substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Fig. 1 of the accompanying drawings.

36. A plant support arrangement substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Fig. 2 of the accompanying drawings.

37. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter disclosed herein, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding claims.