GB2500594A

GB2500594A - Irrigation apparatus for flexible container

Info

Publication number: GB2500594A
Application number: GB201205218A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Charles David Wilde; David Boulton
Original assignee: GI PRODUCTS Ltd; SELECT INTERNAT PRODUCTS Ltd
Current assignee: GI PRODUCTS Ltd; SELECT INTERNAT PRODUCTS Ltd
Priority date: 2012-03-26
Filing date: 2012-03-26
Publication date: 2013-10-02
Also published as: WO2013144538A1; GB201205218D0

Abstract

Horticultural apparatus comprises a container 2 of a flexible water-proofed material which, in use, is filled or partially filled with compost or like material. The container includes an elongate water-feed conduit 12 which may be secured to one side of the container and is formed with an opening 20 through which water can flow from an open ended funnel 6. The conduit includes in its elongate surface remote from the funnel a plurality of holes 18 through which water can flow from the conduit to compost present in the container. A length of water absorbent material 16 is located within the conduit and over the plurality of holes into which water introduced through the funnel is firstly absorbed and then percolates under gravity through the holes to compost present in the container. The side of the container may have loops through which a supporting can may be positioned.

Description

Horticultural Apparatus This invention relates to horticultural apparatus and more especially to disposable or re-usable containers such as bags (referred to herein as containers) for cultivating plants and seedlings. The invention also relates to apparatus for watering the contents of such containers.

Compost containing bags for growing plants and vegetables are well known. Such bags are generally referred to as grow bags and comprise a quantity of compost sealed within a generally rectangular shaped bag of a plastics material. A user simply cuts openings in one side of a bag and then plants seeds or seedlings in the compost revealed by these openings.

One significant problem with grow bags is an inability to water the compost to an adequate extent. Conventionally, a user of a grow bag will simply water the bag contents through the cut openings and around the plants or seedlings positioned in these openings. Water introduced in this way merely wets the compost immediately around the plants or seedlings leaving the remainder of the compost of the bag dry. Watering this way also leads to excess water and compost being discharged over the top surface of the bag.

One object of this invention is to provide horticultural apparatus which alleviates this and other disadvantages with conventional grow bags.

In one aspect the invention provides horticultural apparatus comprising a container of a flexible water-proofed material which, in use, is filled or partially filled with compost or like material, the container including an elongate water-feed conduit which is secured to one side of the container and is formed with an opening through which water can flow from an open ended funnel also secured to said one side of the container, the conduit including in its elongate surface remote from the funnel a plurality of holes through which water can flow from the conduit to compost or like material present in the container, and a length of water absorbent material located within the conduit and over the aforesaid plurality of holes into which water introduced through the funnel is firstly absorbed and then percolates under gravity through the holes to compost or like material present in the container.

The upper surface of the water feed conduit may be defined by the under surface of the aforesaid one side of the container, the lower surface of the conduit being defined by a length of flexible water proofed material which is secured along its two elongate sides to said under surface.

Alternatively, the lower surface of the water feed conduit may be defined by the upper surface of the aforesaid one side of the container, the upper surface of the conduit being defined by a length of flexible water proofed material which is secured along its two elongate sides to said upper surface. In each case the material of the conduit may be the same as that of the container.

In another aspect the invention provides horticultural apparatus which comprises, in use, a generally rectangular container of a flexible water-proofed material filled or partially filled with a quantity of compost or like material, the container including on one of its sides an open ended funnel! an elongate water-feed conduit positioned below the funnel and formed with an opening which places the interior of the conduit in communication with the lower open end of the funnel, the conduit including in its surface remote from the funnel a plurality of holes which extend over substantially the full length or width of the container, and a length of water absorbent material located within the conduit and over each of the aforesaid plurality of holes.

In a further aspect, the invention provides horticultural apparatus which comprises either a closable generally rectangular foldable container of a flexible water-proofed material for receiving a quantity of loose compost or a closed container of a flexible water-proofed material filled with a quantity of compost, the container including a lengthwise extending elongate water-feed conduit of the same or similar material as that of the container which is secured to the side of the container which is uppermost in use and which includes in its upper surface an opening through which water can be introduced and in its lower surface a plurality of holes through which water can pass to compost present in the container, one lengthwise extending side of the conduit comprising material of the container and the other side being formed from a length of the same or similar water-proofed material secured along its side edges to the opposed surface of the uppermost side of the container, and a length of water absorbent material positioned within and along substantially the full length of the conduit, the arrangement being such that, in use of the container, water introduced into the conduit is initially absorbed by the length of water absorbent material and then, when the material becomes saturated, percolates under gravity from the conduit openings onto compost present in the container.

Preferably the water absorbent material comprises felt. Alternatively the water absorbent material may comprise a cloth or similar material. Indeed any material capable of absorbing water and then releasing the water under gravity may be employed.

As mentioned, the water-teed conduit may be positioned above or below the material of the uppermost side of the container.

The water feed conduit may extend lengthwise or width wise of the container.

More than one water teed conduit may be provided.

The! or each water feed conduit may include a single row of holes or more than one such row.

Typically, the diameter of each hole formed in the under surface of the conduit is between 5mm and 10mm.

The tunnel may be located centrally of the upper side of the container or closer to one periphery of the upper side of the container. More than one funnel may be provided.

One or more loops may be secured to one or each upstanding longer side of the container through which, in use, a generally horizontal or vertical cane, baton or rod may be positioned. The loops may be positioned to receive one or more upstanding plant supporting canes. Alternatively the loops may be positioned to receive a cane, baton or rod extending lengthwise of the container behind which the lower ends of one or more plant supporting canes can be located.

The water proofed material may comprise polyurethane, polyethylene or similar plastics material.

Preferably, the material of the funnel is the same as that of the container.

The funnel may be secured to the uppermost surface of the container by a stitching, welding or adhering process.

One or more of the sides of the container which are upstanding in use may include or comprise a flap through which access to the container interior may be achieved. The or each such flap may selectively be closed by a fastening device such as, for example, a zip fastener, ties or strips of Velcro (registered trademark) positioned alongside one or more sides of the flap. Alternatively, access to the container interior may be achieved through a flap formed in the uppermost surface of the container. This flap may be bordered on three or all sides by one of the above mentioned fastening devices.

In another aspect the invention provides horticultural apparatus comprising a closable generally rectangular foldable container of a flexible water-proofed material for receiving a quantity of loose compost, the container including an open ended integral funnel also produced from a flexible water proofed material upstanding from the surface of the container which, in use, is uppermost, and an elongate water4eed conduit which extends lengthwise or width wise of the container and includes in its upper surface the lower open end of the funnel whereby water introduced into the funnel can pass into the conduit, one lengthwise extending side of the conduit comprising material of the aforesaid uppermost side of the container and the other side being formed from a length of the same or similar foldable flexible water-proofed material secured along its side edges to the opposed surface of the container, a length of water-absorbent material positioned within the conduit, and a plurality of spaced holes formed in the lower surface of the conduit through which water, in use of the apparatus, can flow into the length of water absorbent material and from there into compost present in the container.

In a still further aspect, the invention provides water-feed apparatus for a container produced from a water-proofed foldable material which, in use, includes a quantity of compost or like material, the apparatus including an elongate conduit also of a water-proofed foldable material which is secured to one side of the container and includes an opening formed in its uppermost surface through which water can pass into the conduit interior from a funnel positioned on the aforesaid side of the container, the conduit including a plurality of holes formed in its lowermost surface through which water introduced through the funnel can flow to compost or like material present in the container, and a length of water absorbent material positioned within the conduit and extending over each one of the plurality of holes.

The invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which:-Figure 1 is a perspective view of first horticultural apparatus in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 is a section taken along line A-A of Figure 1 Figure 3 is a perspective view of a second horticultural apparatus in accordance with the invention; Figure 4 is a section taken along line B-B of Figure 3; Figure 5 is a perspective view of a third horticultural apparatus in accordance with the invention; Figure 6 is a perspective view of a disposable horticultural apparatus in accordance with the invention: and Figures 7 and 8 are perspective views of alternative disposable horticultural apparatus in accordance with the invention.

Figures 7 and B are perspective views of a fourth horticultural apparatus in accordance with the invention when filled with compost.

The apparatus illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 comprises a generally rectangular container 2 from the uppermost side 4 of which projects an open ended funnel 6. The container 2 is of a foldable waterproofed material such as polyurethane or polyethylene although other similar materials having the same or similar qualities may be used.

The containei illustrated in Figuies 1 and 2 is one which can be filled with compost ci like material and, at the end of the growing season, emptied and stored for future use. To enable the container to be filled, one end 8 includes a fastener 10 for selectively opening and closing that end of the container. The fastener 10 may comprise any conventional fastening device including, for example, ties, lengths of Velcro and a zip fastener.

Additional closable openings may be provided in one or more other sides of the container. A closable opening could alternatively or additionally be provided in the uppermost surface 4 of the container. This opening may comprise a flap bordered on all or selected sides by fasteners.

The funnel 6 is integral with the container 2 and is formed of the same material as that of the container. The funnel may be secured to the container by a stitching, welding, gluing or a similar conventional process. The funnel 6 may be adapted to receive and support a second funnel not secured to the container. In an un-illustrated embodiment, two or more funnels 6 are piovided.

Extending lengthwise of the container is a conduit 12. The upper surface of the conduit 12 is defined by the under surface of the uppermost side 4 of the container and the lower wall 14 of the conduit comprises a length of flexible water-proof material adhered, stitched, sewn, machined or otherwise secured to the under surface of the container side 4. The wall 14 is preferably of the same material as that of the container.

As will be seen from Figure 2, a membrane 16 comprising a length of felt or other water absorbent material is positioned within the conduit. The membrane extends along substantially the entire length of the conduit. A series of holes 18 is formed in the lower wall 14 of the conduit, these extending over substantially the full length of the conduit. Typically, these holes are generally of circular configuration. Typically the diameter of each hole is between 5mm and 10mm. For a membrane having a single row of holes, the spacing between neighbouring holes is typically 40mm. For a membrane having two rows of holes, the spacing between neighbouring holes is typically 80mm.

The holes could, alternatively, be square or elongate. Typically, the width of the conduit is between 10mm and 75mm depending on the size of the container. A preferred width is of the order of 22mm.

Whereas the conduit is illustrated as extending generally centrally between the two shorter sides of the container, it could readily be positioned towards or alongside one longitudinal or lateral side edge of the container. Furthermore, more than one such conduit may be provided.

The membrane 16 of water absorbent material may comprise felt, woven material or indeed any suitable water absorbent material through which water can, in use, percolate through the holes 18 of the conduit.

The lower open end of the funnel 6 communicates directly with the upper side of the conduit through an opening 20. Typically, the diameter of this opening is between 75mm and 100mm.

As will be seen from the container illustrated in Figures 3 and 4, the conduit 12 is positioned above the uppermost side 4 of the container, the lower side of the conduit being defined by the upper surface of the container side 4 and the upper side of the conduit being defined by a strip 23 of the same or similar material to that of the container. The strip 23 may be secured to the upper side 4 of the container by, for example, an adhesive or hot welding or stitching.

The container shown in Figure 4 has loops 24 secured to one of its sides. Similar loops are secured to the other side of the container. These ioops are open at their upper and lower ends to receive plant supporting canes or the like when the container is filled or partially filled with compost. The lower ends of any such canes may rest against the surface on which the container is positioned, or, if the surface permits, to be pushed into the surface for added support. The upper ends of these canes can be attached together to define an arch for plants located in the compost of the container to grow up and be supported thereby. The loops may alternatively be open at their sides to enable a baton or cane to be threaded generally horizontally through the loops. Upstanding plant supporting canes can then be positioned between this baton or cane and the container when filled or partially filled with compost.

The loops can also be used to assist manipulation of the container when filled with compost.

The containers illustrated in Figures 6 to 8 are provided already filled with compost and are disposable at the end of a growing season. These containers include all of the features described with reference to Figures ito 5 with the exception of the fastener 10.

The container 2 illustrated in Figure 6 has loops 24 open at their upper and lower ends as shown in the Figure 5 embodiment referred to above. The container illustrated in Figure 7 also has loops 26 but these are open at one or both of their sides to receive a generally horizontal cane or baton 28 which extends lengthwise of the container. As shown, the end loops 26a are closed at their ends remote from a central loop 26b, the central loop being open at each end. All loops may, however, be open ended.

As will be seen from Figure 8, upstanding canes 30 are locatable between the baton 28 and the sides of the container to support plants growing within the container. These canes may, as for those referred to with reference to Figure 4, be connected at their tops to define a series of plant supporting arches.

In use, the container 2, if re-usable, is unfolded and filled to a predetermined level with compost of a quality and composition selected by the user. The container is then closed and seed, seedling or plant receiving openings cut into the surface of the upper side 4 of the container to one or both sides of the conduit 12 at positions selected by the user. If disposable, the required seed, seedling and plant receiving holes are simply cut into the uppermost surface of the container in the normal way.

Water is then pouied into the funnel 6, this enteiing the conduit 12 through the open end 20 of the funnel. This water initially soaks into the length of absorbent material of the membrane 16 and then, once the mateiial is substantially saturated, percolates through each of the holes to water the compost present in the container. The presence of the membrane 16 ensures that water is passed to and through all of the holes 18 thereby watering the surface of substantially the entire compost content of the container.

Advantages of the re-usable containers which form part of this invention include the ability of the user to empty compost from the container at the end of a growing season and then re-use the same container for the following season and seasons.

Once emptied, the containers can be folded foi ease of storage.

An additional advantage is that a user can select the type and quality of compost to be used, this possibly being determined by the species of plants to be grown. Also, home prepared compost can be used.

An advantage of both the ie-usable and disposable containers of this invention is that substantially the entire compost content of a container can be watered by the described watering system. Also, no seepage mess is created by water spilling from the cut plant receiving openings of the container.

It will be appreciated that the foregoing is exemplary of horticultural apparatus in accordance with the invention and that modifications can readily be made thereto without departing from the true scope of the invention as set out in the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Horticultural apparatus comprising a container of a flexible water-proofed material which, in use, is filled or partially filled with compost or like material, the container including an elongate water-feed conduit which is secured to one side of the container and is formed with an opening through which water can flow from an open ended funnel also secured to said one side of the container, the conduit including in its elongate surface remote from the funnel a plurality of holes through which water can flow from the conduit to compost or like material present in the container, and a length of water absorbent material located within the conduit and over the aforesaid plurality of holes into which water introduced through the funnel is firstly absorbed and then percolates under gravity through the holes to compost or like material present in the container.
2. Apparatus as claimed in claiml wherein the upper surface of the water feed conduit is defined by the under surface of the aforesaid one side of the container, the lower surface of the conduit being defined by a length of flexible water proofed which is secured along its two elongate sides to said under surface.
3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the lower surface of the water feed conduit is defined by the upper surface of the aforesaid one side of the container, the upper surface of the conduit being defined by a length of flexible water proofed material which is secured along its two elongate sides to said upper surface.
4. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the material of the conduit may be the same as that of the container.
5. Horticultural apparatus which comprises, in use, a generally rectangular container of a flexible water-proofed material filled or partially filled with a quantity of compost or like material, the container including on one of its sides an open ended funnel, an elongate water-feed conduit positioned below the funnel and formed with an opening which places the interior of the conduit in communication with the lower open end of the funnel, the conduit including in its surface remote from the funnel a plurality of holes which extend over substantially the full length or width of the container, and a length of water absorbent material located within the conduit and over each of the aforesaid plurality of holes.
6. Horticultural apparatus which comprises either a closable generally rectangular foldable container of a flexible water-proofed material for receiving a quantity of loose compost or a closed container of a flexible water-proofed material filled with a quantity of compost, the container including a lengthwise extending elongate water-feed conduit of the same or similar material as that of the container which is secured to the side of the container which is uppermost in use and which includes in its upper surface an opening through which water can be introduced and in its lower surface a plurality of holes through which water can pass to compost present in the container, one lengthwise extending side of the conduit comprising material of the container and the other side being formed from a length of the same or similar water-proofed material secured along its side edges to the opposed surface of the uppermost side of the container, and a length of water absorbent material positioned within and along substantially the full length of the conduit, the arrangement being such that, in use of the container, water introduced into the conduit is initially absorbed by the length of water absorbent material and then, when the material becomes saturated, percolates under gravity from the conduit openings onto compost present in the container.
7. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the water absorbent material comprises felt.
8. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein the water absorbent material comprises a cloth material.
9. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 5 to 8 wherein the water feed conduit extends lengthwise of the container.
10. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein more than one water feed conduit is provided.
11. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the or each water feed conduit includes more than one row of holes.
12. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein loops are secured to one or each upstanding longer side of the container through which, in use, a generally horizontal or vertical cane, baton or rod may be positioned within the loops.
13. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 12 wherein the loops are positioned to receive a cane, baton or rod extending lengthwise of the container behind which the lower ends of one or more plant supporting canes can be located.
14. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the water proofed material comprises polyurethane or polyethylene.
15. Horticultural apparatus comprising a closable generally rectangular foldable container of a flexible water-proofed material for receiving a quantity of loose compost, the container including an open ended integral funnel also produced from a flexible water proofed material upstanding from the surface of the container which, in use, is uppermost, and an elongate water-feed conduit which extends lengthwise or width wise of the container and includes in its upper surface the lower open end of the funnel whereby water introduced into the funnel can pass into the conduit, one lengthwise extending side of the conduit comprising material of the aforesaid uppermost side of the container and the other side being formed from a length of the same or similar foldable flexible water-proofed material secured along its side edges to the opposed surface of the container, a length of water-absorbent material positioned within the conduit, and a plurality of spaced holes formed in the lower surface of the conduit through which water, in use of the apparatus, can flow into the length of water absorbent material and from there into compost present in the container.
16. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the material of the funnel is the same as that of the container.
17. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the funnel is secured to the uppermost surface of the container by a stitching, welding or adhering process.
18. Water-feed apparatus for a container produced from a water-proofed foldable material which, in use, includes a quantity of compost or like material, the apparatus including an elongate conduit also of a water-proofed foldable material which is secured or to be secured to one side of the container and includes an opening formed in its uppermost surface through which water can pass into the conduit interior from a funnel positioned on the aforesaid side of the container, the conduit including a plurality of holes formed in its lowermost surface through which water introduced through the funnel can flow to compost or like material present in the container, and a length of water absorbent material positioned within the conduit and extending over each one of the plurality of holes.