GB2440708A

GB2440708A - Watering reservoir and method

Info

Publication number: GB2440708A
Application number: GB0615757A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Stefano Cuffaro
Original assignee: KINGLEA PLANTS Ltd
Current assignee: KINGLEA PLANTS Ltd
Priority date: 2006-08-09
Filing date: 2006-08-09
Publication date: 2008-02-13
Also published as: GB0615757D0

Abstract

A watering reservoir for watering a plant 3 growing in a growth medium in a container 1 has at least one hook 5 engageable on the rim of the container whereby to suspend the reservoir at one side of the container, and a wick 6 extending from the reservoir over the rim of the container and into the growth medium. The wick may pass through the hook 3.

Description

WATERING RESERVOIR AND METHOD

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a watering reservoir for pot plants and the like, and to a method of watering a plant.

Background to the Invention

Plants growing in containers or pots require regular watering to keep the plant healthy -too little or too much water can be detrimental to the plant. Vari-ous devices have been proposed to assist in maintaining the correct moisture level for a plant. A typical known arrangement consists of a water reservoir lo-cated beneath the plant pot and with a fabric wick extending from it and into the plant growth medium in the pot beneath the plant, or into a moisture-holding pad on which the plant pot is located. Examples of this type of device are dis-closed in W095/3261 2, US4324070, US41 17632, GB2393889, GB8631 77, EP1 064841 and DEl 9610241. An alternative to the fabric wick is a foam plas-tics material, as shown in GB1200457. This type of device tends to affect the display of the plant, since the pot is raised up, and the size of the reservoir can detract from the appearance of the plant. Further, refilling the reservoir typically involves moving the pot.

Summary of the Invention

The present invention seeks to provide a watering reservoir which can be made more attractive in appearance and easier to install and to refill.

According to the invention, there is provided a watering reservoir for wa-tering a plant growing in a growth medium in a container, the reservoir having at least one hook engageable on the rim of the container whereby to suspend the reservoir at one side of the container, and a wick extending from the reservoir over the rim of the container and into the growth medium.

Preferably, the hook is hollow and the wick passes therethrough.

The reservoir may be made in the form of a decorative article, for exam-ple in the form of a human or animal figure. The reservoir may be made of any water-impermeable material, for example plastics. In one embodiment, the res-ervoir is formed from a ceramic material, which is preferably glazed internally to retain the water.

Specification KlNGPLANP1413.G8A2OO6O804.d0C

It will be appreciated that references herein to water include water con-taining plant growth nutrients and other treatment additives.

The invention also provides a method of watering a plant growing in plant growth medium in a container, comprising hanging a water reservoir on the rim of the container, and arranging a wick to transfer water from within the reservoir, over the rim of the container and into the plant growth medium.

The reservoir of the invention provides a simple and effective continuous watering device which can either be discreetly hidden against the side of the plant container, or configured as a decoration to the container to enhance the appearance thereof.

Brief Description of the Drawings

In the drawings, which illustrate exemplary embodiments of the invention: Figure 1 is a sectional view through a plant pot and water reservoir ac-cording to one embodiment; and Figure 2 is a perspective view of a plant pot and water reservoir accord-ing to another embodiment.

Detailed Description of the Illustrated Embodiment

Referring first to Figure 1, a plant pot 1 contains a growth medium 2 in which a plant 3 is growing. A watering reservoir 4 is in the form of a hollow yes-sel having a hook formation 5 engageable on the rim of the pot 1 to hold the reservoir in place on the side of the pot. The hook formation 5 is also hollow and provides an outlet from the vessel through which a water-conductive wick 6 may extend. The wick 6, which may be formed of a woven or knitted fibrous material, for example cotton, extends from the lowermost part of the vessel through and beyond the hook formation 5 so as to provide a free portion 6a which can be inserted into the growth medium 2, conducting water into it at a controlled rate to keep the plant adequately moist for its satisfactory growth.

The rate at which water is transferred can be regulated by changing the thick-ness and constitution of the wick.

The reservoir has at its upper end a filling neck 7 into which a stopper 8 is inserted. It will be appreciated that different forms of closure can be used, for example a screw cap or a clip-on cap.

Specification KINGPANP1413.GBA2OO6-O8-O4.dOC

Figure 2 illustrates an alternative embodiment, in which the reservoir has an ornamental form based on a humanoid figure 10 having one arm 11 thereof extended upwardly and outwardly and with the hand 12 on the arm shaped to form the hook. The figure 10 is hollow and is provided with an opening, conven- iently concealed beneath the removable hat 13, to permit the reservoir to be re-filled. The wick 14 extends from within the figure through the hollow arm 11 and hand 12 to emerge therefrom for insertion into the growth medium 15 in the container 16. The figure 10 thus gives the novel appearance of a decoration attached to the container, while serving the useful purpose of watering the plant.

The figure may be formed as a hollow ceramic figure which can be internally glazed to prevent loss of the water.

While the reservoir illustrated in Figure 2 is of humanoid form, it will be appreciated that a wide range of different decorative forms could be employed, such as animals, birds, insects, or inanimate objects or even abstract decorative shapes. For increased watering, a number of the reservoirs may be attached to the container around the rim thereof.

In use, the reservoir can be readily removed from the container for filling and then replaced, with the wick being inserted into the growth medium, for ex-ample by simply forming a hole in the medium, inserting the end of the wick into the hole, and then filling up the hole to bring the growth medium into close con-tact with the wick.

Specification KINGPLAN-P1413GBA-2OO6-O8-O4.doc

Claims

CLAIMS

1. A watering reservoir for watering a plant growing in a growth me-dium in a container, the reservoir having at least one hook engageable on the rim of the container whereby to suspend the reservoir at one side of the con-tamer, and a wick extending from the reservoir over the rim of the container and into the growth medium.

2. A watering reservoir according to Claim 1, wherein the hook is hol-low and the wick passes through the hook.

3. A watering reservoir according to Claim 1 or 2, in the form of a ia decorative article.

4. A watering reservoir according to Claim 3, in the form of a human-oid or animal figure, and at least one limb of the figure is configured as the hook.

5. A watering reservoir according to any preceding claim, formed from a ceramic material.

6. A watering reservoir according to Claim 5, wherein the internal surfaces are glazed.

7. A method of watering a plant growing in plant growth medium in a container, comprising hanging a water reservoir on the rim of the container, and arranging a wick to transfer water from within the reservoir, over the rim of the container and into the plant growth medium.

8. A method according to Claim 7, wherein the water contains plant growth nutrient or other plant treatment agent.

9. A watering reservoir, substantially as described with reference to, or as shown in, Figure 1 or Figure 2 of the drawings.

10. A method of watering a plant, substantially as described with ref-erence to the drawings.

SDecilicaton KINGPLAN-P1413.GBA--2006-08-04.doc