GB2544077A

GB2544077A - Irrigation device

Info

Publication number: GB2544077A
Application number: GB1519551.4A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Farr Christopher
Original assignee: Meadex Rubber Mouldings Ltd
Current assignee: Meadex Rubber Mouldings Ltd
Priority date: 2015-11-05
Filing date: 2015-11-05
Publication date: 2017-05-10
Also published as: GB201519551D0

Abstract

An irrigation device comprises a reservoir 12, a water distribution trough 18 communicating with the reservoir 12 and a plurality of outlet openings 20 whereby water from the distribution trough 18 can be delivered from the irrigation device. The reservoir may be ring shaped encircling an aperture 14 through which a plant may grow. The trough may be of annular form encircling the aperture. The irrigation device may further comprise mounting formations 22 for mounting a plant support such as a cane to the device and the mounting formations may be located within the reservoir. Also disclosed is an irrigation device comprising a reservoir, outlet means and a mounting formation for mounting a plant support to the irrigation device.

Description

IRRIGATION DEVICE

This invention relates to an irrigation device, and in particular to an irrigation device suitable for use in the cultivation of bag-grown crops or the like.

It is well known to use compost or other growing medium filled bags to contain the roots of crops such as tomato plants. Typically, the compost or other growing medium is supplied sealed within the bag and, in use, an opening is cut through an upper surface of the bag to allow a plant to be planted into and grown in the growing medium.

Where crops are grown in this fashion, two difficulties are commonly faced. Firstly, as the roots of the crop are located within a relatively small, sealed volume, the crops are reliant upon regular watering of the growing medium in order to grow, there being little opportunity for rain water to drain directly into the growing medium contained within the bag, and so very little natural watering occurring. Secondly, the roots are unable to penetrate to a significant depth to provide stability to the plant. Accordingly, relatively tall plants grown in this fashion often become unstable and fall over unless adequate external support is provided.

Watering devices are known that can aid watering of plants grown within bags in this fashion. By way of example, systems are known in which an electrical or mechanically operated timer is used to regularly turn on an irrigation system whereby mains water is supplied to the growing medium. However, systems of this type are relatively complex. Another approach involves the provision of a water reservoir from which depends a series of hollow spikes that are driven into the growing medium, the lower end of each spike having a small opening formed therein to allow the slow drainage of water from the reservoir into the growing medium. Such arrangements suffer from the disadvantage that the hollow spikes may become blocked, in use, limiting the delivery of water to the growing medium. If the rate of water supply is too low, there is a risk that the crop may fail.

It is an object of the invention to provide an irrigation device suitable for use in such applications and in which at least some of the disadvantages set out hereinbefore are overcome or are of reduced effect.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided an irrigation device comprising a reservoir, outlet means whereby water can be delivered from the reservoir, and a mounting formation whereby a plant support can be mounted to the irrigation device.

Such an arrangement is advantageous in that a plant support, for example in the form of a cane, can be attached to the irrigation device, stably supporting the cane in an upstanding condition such that the stability of a plant tied to or otherwise connected to or entrained with the cane or other plant support can be enhanced.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided an irrigation device comprising a reservoir, a water distribution trough communicating with the reservoir and a plurality of outlet openings whereby water from the distribution trough can be delivered from the irrigation device.

By providing a distribution trough with which a plurality of openings communicate, the risk of blockage and termination of water supply from the reservoir when the reservoir still contains a supply of water is reduced.

The reservoir is conveniently shaped to be of ring-like form, encircling an aperture through which a plant can grow, in use. The trough is preferably of annular form, encircling the aperture. Such an arrangement is advantageous in that the water delivered to the growing medium is delivered to locations close to the roots of the plant.

Conveniently the irrigation device further includes a mounting formation whereby a plant support can be mounted to the irrigation device. The mounting device conveniently takes the form of a hollow projection into which an end of a cane or other plant support can be inserted. Preferably two or more such mounting devices are provided. The mounting devices may be located within the reservoir.

By mounting canes or the like to the irrigation device, the water within the reservoir serves to apply ballast, holding the canes or the like stably in an outstanding condition. In order to enhance stability, the canes or the like will normally be positioned so as to extend through the irrigation device and into the growing medium. However, where the load to be experienced by the canes or the like is expected to be relatively low, for example if an external support is also used, then the canes or the like may be arranged so as not to project into the growing medium, if desired.

The invention will further be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic plan view illustrating an irrigation device in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 is a diagrammatic cross sectional view illustrating the irrigation device of Figure 1; and Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating the irrigation device of Figure 1 in use.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, an irrigation device 10 is shown that comprises a one-piece plastics material moulding shaped to device a reservoir 12 of ring-like, upwardly open form surrounding a central aperture 14. The central aperture 14 is defined by an upstanding wall 14a, separating the aperture 14 from the reservoir 12 such that water from the reservoir 12 does not drain directly through the aperture 14 in use. In plan view, the reservoir 12, in this arrangement, is of generally elliptical shape. However, it will be appreciated that the invention is not restricted in this regard and the reservoir 12 may take a range of other shapes.

Depending from the reservoir 12 and encircling the central aperture 14 is a hollow annular projection 16 defining a trough 18 of annular form, the upper end of which opens into the reservoir 12 such that water or other fluid contained within the reservoir 12 is free to drain from the reservoir 12 into the trough 18.

The lower wall 16b of the projection 16 is formed with a series of small openings 20, for example of cross-sectional area in the region of 0.5mm2. The openings 20 are spaced apart from one another, substantially equi-angularly spaced, about the projection 16. Each opening 20 thus defines a restricted flow path whereby water can drain, at a controlled rate, from the trough 18 (and hence from the reservoir 12 with which the trough 18 is in communication).

Extending upwardly from the base of the reservoir 12 are a pair of hollow cylindrical projections 22, each of which is of generally circular cross-sectional shape and of a diameter sufficient to allow an end of a garden cane to be located within the projection 22 and to hold the cane in an upright condition relative to the device 10.

Turning to Figure 3, the irrigation device 10 is intended for use in conjunction with a compost or other growing medium filled bag 24 for use in the cultivation of crops. In use, the bag 24 is located upon a generally horizontally extending surface, and an opening is cut into the material forming the upper face of the bag 24. The irrigation device 10 is pushed into the growing medium located within the bag 24 and, if desired, additional growing medium may be located within the central aperture 14. The irrigation device 10 sits with the base of the reservoir 12 resting upon the surface 26 of the growing medium 28, the projection 16 defining the trough 18 being pushed into the growing medium 28. A well can then be dug into the growing medium 28 located within the central aperture 14, and a plant planted into bag 24 with the roots thereof contained within the well, after which further growing material can be introduced into the well, covering the roots of the plant. If desired, the growing material can be firmed around the roots in the usual manner. Canes 30 or other plant supports may be introduced into the projections 22 and used, as the plant grows, to provide support for the plant. As illustrated, the canes 30 conveniently protrude into the growing medium 28. Once installed, water 32 can be introduced into the reservoir 12. It will be appreciated that the water drains into the trough 18, and from the trough 18 through the small openings 20, at a controlled rate, into the growing medium in locations surrounding the roots of the plant, providing successful, reliable irrigation to the plant contained within the bag 24. Water will continue to flow in this manner at a controlled, restricted rate until such time as the reservoir 12 and trough 18 are completely drained. Provided the reservoir 12 is refilled before such complete draining occurs, it will be appreciated that the plant is provided with a good level of irrigation.

Whilst the projections 22 serve as mounting formations permitting canes or the like to be supported in an upright configuration, in use, the projections 22 may also serve to limit how closely two or more of the irrigation devices can be nested within one another, for example during storage, handling (for example in a retail environment) or transportation. This is of benefit in that if the devices are too closely nested with one another, subsequent separation of the devices from one another may be difficult to achieve without causing damage to the devices, or may be unacceptably time consuming. By limiting the closeness with which the devices can be nested, separation of the devices from one another may be simplified and the risk of causing damage thereto may be reduced.

If desired, plant feed can be applied to the growing medium 28 located within the aperture 14. It will be appreciated that the irrigation device thus allows plant feed to be applied to different areas to those to which water is supplied, if desired, allowing a more targeted approach to feeding and watering.

Although the description hereinbefore is of an arrangement in which the irrigation device is installed before planting of a plant into the bag 24, the invention is not restricted in this regard and could be used where planting takes place prior to installation of the device, if desired.

Whilst the description and drawings illustrate only a single irrigation device, it will be appreciated that two or more such devices may be used in conjunction with a single bag 24, if desired. The shape and size of the irrigation device 10 is not restricted to the specific arrangement shown, but rather the irrigation device may take a range of designs without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. An irrigation device comprising a reservoir, a water distribution trough communicating with the reservoir and a plurality of outlet openings whereby water from the distribution trough can be delivered from the irrigation device.

2. An irrigation device according to Claim 1, wherein the reservoir is shaped to be of ring-like form, encircling an aperture through which a plant can grow, in use.

3. An irrigation device according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the trough is of annular form, encircling the aperture.

4. An irrigation device according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a mounting formation whereby a plant support can be mounted to the irrigation device.

5. An irrigation device according to Claim 4, wherein the mounting formation takes the form of a hollow projection into or through which an end section of a cane or other plant support can be inserted.

6. An irrigation device according to Claim 5, wherein two or more such mounting formations are provided.

7. An irrigation device according Claim 6, wherein the mounting formations are located within the reservoir.

8. An irrigation device comprising a reservoir, outlet means whereby water can be delivered from the reservoir, and a mounting formation whereby a plant support can be mounted to the irrigation device.

9. An irrigation device according to Claim 8, wherein the mounting formation takes the form of a hollow projection into which an end of a cane or other plant support can be inserted.

10. An irrigation device according to Claim 9, wherein two or more such mounting formations are provided.

11. An irrigation device according Claim 10, wherein the mounting formations are located within the reservoir.