GB2547719A

GB2547719A - A Sieve Device

Info

Publication number: GB2547719A
Application number: GB1603488.6A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Klee Branson Marilyn
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2016-02-29
Filing date: 2016-02-29
Publication date: 2017-08-30
Also published as: GB2549829A; GB201603488D0; GB201703167D0

Abstract

A sieve device with a screen and a frame, wherein the screen extends between the frame. The frame is arranged to fit through, be maintained in, and substantially close, an aperture of a watering can. This aperture may be the water inlet hole of the watering can. The device may taper towards its base and have a lip which may be a variety of shapes, such as circular or oval. The lip may have an upwardly extending handle. The lip may also have downwardly curved portions on the internal and external sides of the lip. The device may be displaceable from the watering can, either being displaceable by a hinge or by being removed entirely. The sieve device blocks the passage of dirt, leaves, and snails into the water holding chamber by filtering any water poured in as well as generally providing a barrier between the outside world and the chamber. By preventing such undesirable elements from entering the water holding chamber, the spout and/or rose of the watering can is less liable to clog.

Description

A SIEVE DEVICE

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a sieve device, in particular a sieve device for a water container; more particularly but not exclusively a sieve device for a watering can.

Background

Increasing enjoyment of relaxation time leads many users into their gardens.

At the same time increasing unpredictability in climates in many countries may lead to watering needs for plants in gardens.

However watering cans can be prone to blockage, at the spout and at the rose, as extraneous matter such as snails, leaves, dirt or similar is prone to enter the filler aperture.

Prior Art

Accordingly a number of patent applications have been filed in an attempt to resolve the problem or similar, including the following:

German patent application DE 202 004 013 902 (ROCHERT) discloses a watering can that has a fixed handle which extends over the filling aperture. A funnel-shaped collar around the aperture makes filling easier and avoids spillage.

International patent application WO 2009 114 946 (FARLEY) discloses a stackable watering can comprising: a hollow body including a reservoir and an integral neck; the reservoir having a free peripheral edge portion and being so configured as to be stackable upon the reservoir of another similar watering can; and a cover and handle assembly so configured as to be movable between an assembled configuration where the cover and handle assembly is mounted to the free peripheral edge portion of the reservoir and a disassembled configuration where the cover and handle assembly is free from the reservoir; whereby similar watering cans can be stacked when their respective cover and handle assemblies are in the disassembled configuration.

Japanese patent application JP 2004 000 038 (OZAKI et al) discloses a watering can optimum for horticulture by which sprinkling is performed in outdoor gardens, greenhouses and the like. The watering can is provided with an opening for pouring water on the upper part of a hollow body part for storing water, a filter net for preventing foreign substances from intruding is provided on the opening, and an insertion opening into which a leading front of a hose can be inserted is provided in this opening.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided a sieve device comprising a screen and a frame, wherein the screen extends between the frame, and the frame is arranged in use to fit through, be maintained in, and substantially close, an aperture of a watering can.

In some embodiments the device may be shaped and arranged for temporary placement into the watering can aperture. For example this aperture may be the fill aperture of the can. Such aperture is thereby closed or covered by the device so that filling ingress of the can is through or substantially through said screen. The screen thereby comprises at least one perforation. In some embodiments the screen comprises a perforated mesh.

Advantageously the device thereby comprises a means of limiting ingress of matter into the watering can. In this way the watering egress of the can’s rose may be subsequently prevented from clogging by matter or items too large to pass its perforations, such as dirt or grit, and the spout is kept free of leaves or snails.

The screen may comprise perforations, comprising a plurality of small or differing size perforations. In some embodiments the filter may comprise a mesh, or an evenly spaced grid. In some embodiments the perforation may define the frame, for example wherein the screen and frame comprise a single monolithic part, for example formed in thermoplastics and perforations are intermediate structural elements of the part forming a frame.

In some embodiments the device comprises a frame arranged for fitting into and fully closing or filling a standard or known watering can aperture.

The frame may comprise an aperture engaging lip, which lip is arranged to follow, surround and at least in part extend past the aperture. The lip may be arranged to replicate and rest against the plane of the aperture, wherein the lip in use rests against and/or in the aperture, or a rim thereof.

In some embodiments the device may be used temporarily in or on a watering can. In some embodiments the device may be wholly or partly displaceable from the watering can. For example the device may comprise an aftermarket device for independently provided watering cans, and as such manufactured or retailed dimensioned appropriately.

In some embodiments the device may comprise a size adjustment mechanism. Such mechanism may comprise separable or displaceable adaptors or parts. In some embodiments shaping of the frame may enable the device to be fitted into a plurality of different diameter apertures. For example the frame may comprise a plurality of extending or extendable arms. Or the frame may comprise a tapered or inclined form so as to allow the device to be progressively inserted into the aperture, and the device to fit a plurality of diameters at different depths.

In some embodiments the device may be integral to the watering can. For example the device may comprise a fitted device, available fitted to the watering can at retail. In some embodiments the device may be only partly displaceable from the watering can, for example wherein the device is hinged at a hinge.

In some embodiments the frame may further comprise an extending or depending skeleton, which skeleton extends away from the lip. The skeleton may advantageously provide a means of supporting the filter, for example wherein the filter is stretched taut between parts of the frame.

The skeleton may also act to limit ingress of extraneous matter into the aperture, for example by providing a concave or convex form, so as to limit sideways ingress.

In some embodiments the lip describes a circular form, an oval form or a rectangular form, according to the aperture. The skeleton may extend therefrom equally.

In some embodiments the lip may comprise an aperture engagement portion or portions, for example comprising a resiliently deformable seal, and/or raised and lowered portions.

For example in some embodiments the portions may comprise laterally extending fingers, or seal member, which fingers may extend asymmetrically so as to provide twist engagement.

In some embodiments the portion may comprise a resiliently deformable rubber or silicone seal, which seal is deformable laterally to enable a tight, accommodating or flexible fitting of the device in the aperture, or a plurality of apertures.

In some embodiments the device describes a flat base, being a part lowest on the device in use. In some embodiment the skeleton describes the base,

In some embodiments the lip may extend orthogonally from the skeleton, so as to rest around the aperture in use, and the skeleton extend therefrom. In some embodiments the lip extends equally to all sides.

In some embodiments the filter comprises the base. In some embodiments the skeleton and filter comprise an inclined part, inclining inwards from the lip towards the base, wherein the base is advantageously of a reduced diameter or footprint to the lip, such that the device is easier to place or displace from the aperture.

In some embodiments the device may provide a concave form in use.

Advantageously such a concave form may aggregate extraneous matter at the device.

In some embodiments the device may provide a convex form in use.

Advantageously such a convex form may prevent matter from being aggregated at the device and/or blocking or contaminating ingress of water during filling.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a watering can with a device substantially as described herein, installed or comprised therein.

Brief Description of Figures

Figures 1 show reversed isometric views of a first embodiment of the device according to the present invention;

Figures 2 show plan views of the embodiment shown in Figures 1;

Figures 3 show isometric exploded views of the embodiment shown in Figures 1;

Figures 4 show reversed isometric views of a second embodiment of the device according to the present invention;

Figures 5 show plan views of the embodiment shown in Figures 4;

Figures 6 show isometric exploded views of the embodiment shown in Figures 4;

Figures 7 show reversed isometric views of a third embodiment of the device according to the present invention;

Figures 8 show plan views of the embodiment shown in Figures 7;

And

Figures 9 show isometric exploded views of the embodiment shown in Figures 7. Detailed Description of Figures

With reference to the figures there are shown three differing embodiments for different apertures on watering cans.

The embodiments comprise screens 1 and frames 2. The frame comprises a lip 11, which is raised upwards to comprise an inner ramp 7, which leads into the screen and encourage matter to fall thereinto, and an outer inclined incline such that extraneous matter is not liable to sweeping or blowing into the screen. The outer incline comprises a peripheral edge 8 lowermost for contact with the aperture or watering can and the inner ramp continues into a collar 9 for descending or depending into the aperture.

Advantageously the outer edge and collar are spaced apart beneath so as to allow for the aperture, or an upstanding lip or rim thereof. The outer incline and inner ramp connect at a top ridge 12, and curve upwards. Further embodiments may have differing sectional shapes.

The collar depends into legs 6, inclined inwards towards a base for the device, comprising a screen base 10 in the first embodiment supported by an annular frame bottom 4, which base comprises a planar disc lowermost on the screen, or in the second and third embodiments a solid frame bottom 14. In some embodiments the frame bottom may comprise perforations, for example having larger perforations than the screen itself.

In this way advantageously the base is supported, wherein it may be envisaged that the base receives the most weight, use and damage.

The embodiments are arranged for placement temporarily into apertures in existing or independent watering cans. Further embodiments may comprise fixed devices.

The first embodiment is arranged for a circular aperture and comprises a circular vertical section, and substantially circular lip. The lip further includes a projection 3, which projection comprises a substantially rectangular extension extending outwards equidistantly from a segment of the outer edge of the lip outermost and adjacent the ridge innermost.

The projection is inclined upwards from the outer edge of the lip, such that the projection may be used as a handle for displacing the device from the aperture, wherein the user is enabled to lever or grip under the projection to aid in such displacement.

The lip may have the ability to be supported by a secondary adaptor, which will take up any extra space if the aperture is too large.

For continuous and ongoing trouble-free use of the watering can, the fineness of the perforation in the filtering screen is crucial and in the pictured embodiments the screen comprises a mesh sufficiently fine to prevent small particles going through and blocking the holes in the rose. Said mesh may be made of stainless steel, aluminium or plastic.

In use the user would:

Place the device within the aperture of the watering can, ensuring that there is a comfortable fit and the device is easy to place and displace. With advantageous embodiments there should be no space beside the device through which slugs, snails, foliage, grit or dirt could pass.

The user would leave the device in place between each use or at all times except when emptying can contents and allow it to collect any naturally falling matter which happens to land inside. The device advantageously allows any unwanted material to sink to the base whilst still allowing flowing water to pass through sides and into the watering can itself.

The user may displace the device and empty any contents as and when necessary to ensure the screen does not become too full with unwanted debris.

In the pictured embodiments the screen is perforated all over, formed by a mesh. In other embodiments the screen may be perforated at the base only. Further embodiment may include perforations from top to bottom, that is along its length (not shown).

Differing embodiments of the device may narrow at the base (as shown) for easy placement and removal.

Another embodiment may be provided whereby the device only has a screen or perforations at the base with a solid body, or any combination of solid frame and perforated screen found to be effective.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention as defined by the claims, in particular but not solely combination of features of described embodiments.

Claims

1. A sieve device comprising a screen and a frame, wherein the screen extends between the frame, and the frame is arranged in use to fit through, be maintained in, and substantially close, an aperture of a watering can.

2. A device according to claim 1 arranged to be displaceable from the watering can.

3. A device according to claim 2 comprising hinge displacement.

4. A device according to claim 2 comprising whole displacement.

5. A device according to any of the preceding claims comprising a narrowing frame.

6. A device according to any of the preceding claims comprising a mesh screen.

7. A device according to any of the preceding claims comprising a lip.

8. A device according to claim 7 where the lip is circular.

9. A device according to claim 7 where the lip is oval.

10. A device according to claim 7, 8 or 9 wherein the lip comprises an upwardly extending handle.

11. A device according to any of claims 7 to 10 wherein the lip comprises a downwardly curving form in section.

12. A device according to claim 11 wherein the section comprises opposing downward curves.

13. A device substantially as described herein with reference to the figures.