JPH05273027A - Level indicator and self-feeding type flowerpot using same - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain a level indicator utilizing refraction of light by a total- reflection prism and a self-feeding type flowerpot using the level indicator. CONSTITUTION:A total-reflection prism part 4 is formed by cutting the fore end of a transparent rod-shaped body so that the vertical angle thereof positioned on the axial line is 90 deg., and this part is made a level indicator 1. The level indicator 1 is set in a water storage tank 12 of a flowerpot 10 composed of a plant vessel 11 and the water storage tank 12, the end face 3 of the level indicator 1 is exposed on a continuously-provided part 13 and a water level in the water storage tank 12 is discriminated according to a change in the tone of color in the end face 3.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a level indicator for confirming the water level in a container or the like in which the water level of a stored liquid cannot be directly visually inspected from the outside, and self-sufficiency using the level indicator. It is about the flower pot of the ceremony.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art The water level of a liquid stored in a hermetically sealed container such as an opaque container or a water tank cannot be visually observed directly, and therefore level indicators of various structures have been developed and used. However, the simplest means is to provide a transparent part for monitoring the water level in a part of an opaque container or the like.

However, an automatic water-supplying type flower pot having an inner and outer double structure disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 49-30127,
In the automatic water tank for flower pots disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 52-30636, the water level of the water stored inside the tank directly changes unless all or part of the water tank for water supply is transparent. Cannot be visually monitored.

In order to eliminate such inconvenience, for example, the automatic water supply flowerpot disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 49-131829 and the automatic water supply flowerpot disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 51-16337 all have a water level A float for monitoring and one end of a gauge interlocking with the float are projected above the flowerpot to monitor the water level inside.

[0005]

In each of the flower pots described in the above publications, a float is floated on the water surface in order to confirm the water level of the water retention tank, and a gauge interlocked with the float is projected from the flower pot. However, it is easy to misidentify the water level due to malfunction of the float, the gauge is always protruding from the flowerpot, so the appearance is not always good, and it is necessary to install it so that it operates correctly, which is a drawback that complicated assembly work is required. There is.

[0006] In view of the above situation, it is an object of the present invention to provide a level indicator utilizing refraction of light by a total reflection prism and a self-contained flowerpot using the level indicator.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the level indicator of the present invention has a transparent rod-shaped body, which is cut so that the apex angle located on the axial line is 90 ° and the total reflection is performed. A prism portion is formed, and the water level is measured by the change in color tone at the base end surface of the rod when the total reflection prism portion of the rod is underwater and when it is on the water surface. Is.

Further, in a self-contained flower pot using the level indicator, a water tank is concentrically arranged with a predetermined space between the water tank and the outer peripheral portion of the flower tank, and the water tank and the flower tank are separated from each other. The upper end portion is integrally connected by a horizontal continuous portion to form a double-structured container body in which the inside of the water storage tank is sealed, and a water supply hole capable of being sealed is provided in a part of the water storage tank, and a plant tank A through hole for supplying the water in the water tank to the plant tank is provided in a part of the above, and the tip of the transparent rod-like body is cut in the continuous portion so that the vertical angle located on the axis is 90 °. To form a total reflection prism portion, and when the total reflection prism portion of the rod-shaped body is in water,
The present invention is characterized in that a base end face of a level indicator configured to measure the water level based on a change in color tone on the base end face of the rod-shaped body when it is on the water face is attached.

In the present invention, the level indicator is made of a rod-shaped body made of transparent glass or acrylic resin, the end face of the base end is cut horizontally, and the tip end is located on the axis. If the total reflection prism portion is formed by cutting so that the apex angle is 90 °, and if the total reflection prism portion whose main cut surface is a right-angled triangle is formed at the tip, the cross section of the rod-shaped body May be circular, oval, or rectangular.

On the other hand, in a self-contained flower pot using this level indicator, a water tank is concentrically arranged around the outer circumference of the flower tank,
It consists of a double-structured container body in which the upper ends of the plant tank and the water storage tank are integrally connected by a horizontal connecting portion, and the inside of the water storage tank is sealed. It can be easily obtained by blow molding or injection molding.

A water supply port for supplying water into the water storage tank is formed in a part of the water storage tank, which is normally closed by a plug, and only through a through hole formed in a part of the plant tank. The water in the water storage tank is automatically supplied to the plant tank by a suction member having a capillary action which is in communication with the plant tank.

By mounting the level indicator of the above construction on this self-contained flower pot, it is possible to easily judge from the outside how much water is in the water tank.

[0013]

The level indicator 1 of the present invention comprises a transparent rod-shaped body 2.
Since the apex angle θ located on the axis X is cut at the tip of the prism to form the total reflection prism portion 4, the transmitted light incident from the end face 3 at the base end is in the direction of the axis XX. Along a straight line toward the tip direction, hit one slope 6 as shown in FIG.
Then, it hits the other slope 5 and similarly undergoes total reflection to change its direction by 90 ° and advances straight along the axial direction toward the end face 3 at the base end.

Thus, when the total reflection prism portion of the level indicator is underwater, the color at the end face of the base end portion looks dark, and when the total reflection prism portion is not underwater, that is, on the water surface, Since the color of the end face looks bright, whether the total reflection prism part is in water due to the difference in color tone of the end face, the change in color tone at the end face, if it is dark, the immersion state is relatively shallow, it is fully immersed. Since it is completely black in the presence state, it is possible to judge the submerged state in the water.

[0015]

Embodiments of the level indicator of the present invention and a self-contained flowerpot using the same will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In the level indicator 1 of the present invention, the end face 3 at the base end of a straight rod-like body 2 made of a transparent acrylic resin is horizontally cut so as to be orthogonal to the axis X, and the axis X is provided at the tip. The total reflection prism portion 4 is formed by cutting so that the apex angle θ located above is 90 °.

The total reflection prism portion 4 has two planes 5 and 6 that intersect each other, and the plane angle formed by the two planes 5 and 6 is an apex angle θ of 90 °.

Therefore, the transmitted light incident from the end face 3 advances straight along the axis X--X toward the tip direction and strikes one slope 6 with the apex angle .theta. As shown in FIG. Change its direction by 90 °, then hit the other slope 5 and receive the same total reflection, and the direction changes by 90 °.
Instead, it advances straight along the axial direction toward the end face 3 at the base end.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2, the level indicator 1 is installed in a container 8 in which the water tank 7 cannot be seen directly from the outside, and the end face 3 of the base end of the rod-shaped body 2 is placed on the upper surface of the container 8. 8a
When the total reflection prism portion 4 at the tip portion is sufficiently immersed in water, the upper surface portion 8 of the container 8 is used.
The end face 3 of the level indicator 1 at a is almost black although it is originally colorless and transparent.

As the amount of water in the water storage tank 7 gradually decreases and the amount of light received by the total reflection prism portion 4 from the water surface increases, the blackness of the end face 3 becomes less white and the total reflection prism becomes darker. When the part 4 is completely located on the water surface, the end surface 3 becomes originally colorless and transparent, and therefore, water is newly supplied to the water tank 7 until the end surface 3 becomes black.

Next, an embodiment of a self-contained flowerpot using the level indicator of the present invention will be described in detail.

The self-contained plant pot 10 of the present invention has a water tank 12 arranged concentrically with a predetermined space between the self-sufficient flower pot 10 and the outer periphery of a plant tank 11 in which soil 19 is placed for planting plants. Then, the water storage tank 12 and the plant tank 11 are integrally joined at their upper end portions by a horizontal connecting portion 13 so that the inside of the water storage tank 12 is hermetically sealed (the same as the flowerpot 10 in the drawing). And a water supply port 15 that can be sealed by a plug 14 is formed in a part of the continuous portion 13.
A through hole 16 is provided on the bottom surface of the plant tank 11, and a wicking material 17 having a capillary action composed of a fiber bundle or the like is attached to the through hole 16, and water 18 in the water storage tank 12 is automatically supplied into the plant tank 11. And is obtained by special blow molding or injection molding of thermoplastic synthetic resin.

Thus, the end face 3 of the base end portion of the straight rod-shaped body 2 made of transparent acrylic resin is orthogonal to the axis X at a part of the horizontal continuous portion 13 at the upper end of the flower pot 10 having the above-mentioned structure. The level indicator 1 is mounted so that the total reflection prism portion 4 is formed by cutting it horizontally so that the apex angle θ located on the axis X is 90 °.

Mounting the level indicator 1 on the flowerpot 10
Although it depends on the size of the flower pot 10, in the large-sized and deep water pot 10, a plurality of level indicators 1 having different lengths as shown in FIG.
a, 1b, 1c are arranged in parallel at a predetermined interval, and fixed so that the end faces of the level indicators 1a, 1b, 1c are flush with the continuous portion 13.

In such a state, when the water tank 12 is filled with water, the tip of the level indicator 1a having a short length and the level indicator 1b having a medium length are stored in the water tank. 12
In the long level indicator 1c reaching the vicinity of the bottom surface, the total reflection prism portion formed at the tip portion is completely submerged in water, so that the transmitted light incident from the end surface is not totally reflected, and thus each end surface is black. It is in a state.

Then, the water 18 in the water storage tank 12 is absorbed by the soil 19 in the plant tank 12 through the sucking material 17 to be reduced, and the level indicator 1a is placed on the water surface as shown in FIG.
When the total reflection prism portion of the level indicator 1b is relatively close to the water surface and the level indicator 1c is still sufficiently submerged in water, the transmitted light incident from the end surface of the level indicator 1a is reflected by the total reflection prism portion. Since the light is totally reflected by and reaches the end face again, the end face looks like a colorless and transparent material.

However, in the level indicators 1b and 1c in which the total reflection prism portion is submerged in water, the transmitted light incident from each end face is not totally reflected, so that the end face is black even though it is colorless and transparent. Although it is shown, the black indicator has a total reflection prism part near the water surface. Level indicator 1
The black color of b is lighter.

Therefore, the amount of water in the water storage tank 12 can be determined by the change in the color tone of the end face of each level indicator, so that a long transparent rod-shaped body having a total reflection prism portion at a position near the bottom face. When the end face of the level indicator 1c made of black is changed from black to a nearly transparent white state, the plug 1
4 can be opened to replenish the water in the water tank 12, and the water can be filled in the water tank 12 by stopping the water supply when the end face of the short level indicator 1a changes from white to black. ..

When water is supplied, the water level in the water storage tank 12 lowers, and the space level above the water surface in the water storage tank 12 becomes negative pressure due to the water level decrease. When the negative pressure reaches a certain limit, the through hole 16 Since the air enters the water storage tank 12 through the water and rises as bubbles in the space through the water, the negative pressure is sequentially eliminated and a fixed amount of water can be automatically supplied.

FIG. 5 shows another embodiment of the self-contained flowerpot 20 of the present invention, in which a part of the inner wall of the plant tank 21 is stepped inward at a portion slightly lower than the upper edge to project inward. A case 24 is integrally provided, and a water supply port 28 that can be sealed is provided in a flat portion 25 at the upper end of the case 24.
Three level indicators 26 with different lengths are provided in the case 24.
a, 26b, and 26c are provided in parallel, and the base end faces of the level indicators 26a, 26b, and 26c are exposed on the flat portion 25, respectively.

The water supply port 28 is sealed by a plug 29, so that the plug 29 can be easily attached and detached, and the upper end surface of the plant tank 21 can be improved to improve the convenience and appearance of the water supply. A recess 30 is formed in a part.

In the self-contained plant pot 20 having such a structure, the plug 29 for sealing the water supply port 28 does not project from the upper end portion of the plant tank 21, and the level indicators 26 mounted in the case 24 are provided.
The end faces of the base end portions of a, 26b, and 26 do not appear outside, and are very well-formed.

In the embodiment of the self-contained flowerpot 10 shown in FIG. 3 described above, the method of absorbing water in the soil 19 is such that the wicking material 17 having a capillary action is attached to the through hole 16 formed in the bottom surface of the plant tank 11. However, the water 18 in the water storage tank 12 is supplied to the soil 19 via the suction member 17, but the supply of the water 18 in the water storage tank 12 to the soil 19 is not limited to the above mechanism. ..

The supply of water 18 in the water storage tank 12 to the soil 19 is not shown, but as disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 62-36117, a through hole 16 formed in the bottom surface of the plant tank 11 is used. A sheet that allows only the water 18 to penetrate therein is attached, and one end of the guide tube is inserted into the communication hole formed in the upper wall of the plant tank 11 so that the tip end projects into the water tank 12, and the soil of the plant tank 11 is A moisture sensor having a mechanism for closing the ventilation passage at a predetermined humidity level and opening the ventilation passage at a humidity lower than the predetermined humidity level is provided at the proximal end of the guide tube located in 19 The air pressure of the hollow part formed in the upper part of the water storage tank 12 may be controlled by opening and closing to supply water to the soil 19 in the plant tank 11 through the through hole 16.

[0035]

Since the level indicator of the present invention has the total reflection prism portion formed at the tip of the transparent rod, when the level indicator is applied to, for example, a water tank in which the water level is not directly visible from the outside, Since the color tone at the end face of the base end portion is different when the total reflection prism portion is submerged in water and when it is on the water surface, the water level in the aquarium can be confirmed by reading the difference in the color tone. ..

On the other hand, in the self-contained flowerpot according to the present invention, since the water tank of the flowerpot having the double container body composed of the flowerbox and the water tank is equipped with the level indicator having one or a plurality of the above configurations, The amount of water retained in the water tank can be easily read by the color tone on the end face of the level indicator that appears at the upper end of the flower pot, and the necessary water supply can be appropriately performed.

In particular, in the self-contained flowerpot of the present invention, the level indicator having the total reflection prism portion applying the principle of the prism is provided at the tip of the transparent rod-shaped body, so that the structure is very simple. It is excellent in that it is simple and easy to manufacture, and that the amount of water in the water storage tank can be accurately determined.

[Simple Invention of the Drawing]

FIG. 1 is a partially omitted perspective view showing an embodiment of a level indicator of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway perspective view showing a usage state of the level indicator of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing an embodiment of the self-contained flowerpot of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of a main part in FIG.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of the essential parts of another embodiment of the self-contained flowerpot of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols] 1 Level indicator 2 Rod-like body 3 End face 4 Total reflection prism part 5 Slope 6 Slope 7 Water tank 8 Container 10 Flower pot 11 Flower tank 12 Water tank 13 Connection part 14 Plug body 15 Water inlet 16 Through hole 17 Wicking material 18 water

[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] March 22, 1993

[Procedure Amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Name of item to be amended] Detailed explanation of the invention

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a level indicator for confirming the water level in a container or the like in which the water level of a stored liquid cannot be directly visually inspected from the outside, and self-sufficiency using the level indicator. It is about the flower pot of the ceremony.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art The water level of a liquid stored in a hermetically sealed container such as an opaque container or a water tank cannot be visually observed directly, and therefore level indicators of various structures have been developed and used. However, the simplest means is to provide a transparent part for monitoring the water level in a part of an opaque container or the like.

However, an automatic water-supplying type flower pot having an inner and outer double structure disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 49-30127,
In the automatic water tank for flower pots disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 52-30636, the water level of the water stored inside the tank directly changes unless all or part of the water tank for water supply is transparent. Cannot be visually monitored.

In order to eliminate such inconvenience, for example, the automatic water supply flowerpot disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 49-131829 and the automatic water supply flowerpot disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 51-16337 all have a water level A float for monitoring and one end of a gauge interlocking with the float are projected above the flowerpot to monitor the water level inside.

[0005]

In each of the flower pots described in the above publications, a float is floated on the water surface in order to confirm the water level of the water retention tank, and a gauge interlocked with the float is projected from the flower pot. However, it is easy to misidentify the water level due to malfunction of the float, the gauge is always protruding from the flowerpot, so the appearance is not always good, and it is necessary to install it so that it operates correctly, and it requires complicated assembly work. There is.

[0006] In view of the above situation, it is an object of the present invention to provide a level indicator utilizing refraction of light by a total reflection prism and a self-contained flowerpot using the level indicator.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the level indicator of the present invention has a transparent rod-shaped body, which is cut so that the apex angle located on the axial line is 90 ° and the total reflection is performed. A prism portion is formed, and the water level is measured by the change in color tone at the base end surface of the rod when the total reflection prism portion of the rod is underwater and when it is on the water surface. Is.

Further, in a self-contained flower pot using the level indicator, a water tank is concentrically arranged with a predetermined space between the water tank and the outer peripheral portion of the flower tank, and the water tank and the flower tank are separated from each other. The upper end portion is integrally connected by a horizontal continuous portion to form a double-structured container body in which the inside of the water storage tank is sealed, and a water supply hole capable of being sealed is provided in a part of the water storage tank, and a plant tank A through hole for supplying the water in the water tank to the plant tank is provided in a part of the above, and the tip of the transparent rod-like body is cut in the continuous portion so that the vertical angle located on the axis is 90 °. To form a total reflection prism portion, and when the total reflection prism portion of the rod-shaped body is in water,
The present invention is characterized in that a base end face of a level indicator configured to measure the water level based on a change in color tone on the base end face of the rod-shaped body when it is on the water face is attached.

In the present invention, the level indicator is made of a rod-shaped body made of transparent glass or acrylic resin, the end face of the base end is cut horizontally, and the tip end is located on the axis. If the total reflection prism portion is formed by cutting so that the apex angle is 90 °, and if the total reflection prism portion whose main cut surface is a right-angled triangle is formed at the tip, the cross section of the rod-shaped body May be circular, oval, or rectangular.

On the other hand, in a self-contained flower pot using this level indicator, a water tank is concentrically arranged around the outer circumference of the flower tank,
It consists of a double-structured container body in which the upper ends of the plant tank and the water storage tank are integrally connected by a horizontal connecting portion, and the inside of the water storage tank is sealed. It can be easily obtained by blow molding or injection molding.

A water supply port for supplying water into the water storage tank is formed in a part of the water storage tank, which is normally closed by a plug, and only through a through hole formed in a part of the plant tank. The water in the water storage tank is automatically supplied to the plant tank by a suction member having a capillary action which is in communication with the plant tank.

By mounting the level indicator of the above construction on this self-contained flower pot, it is possible to easily judge from the outside how much water is in the water tank.

[0013]

The level indicator 1 of the present invention comprises a transparent rod-shaped body 2.
Since the apex angle θ located on the axis X is cut at the tip of the prism to form the total reflection prism portion 4, the transmitted light incident from the end face 3 at the base end is in the direction of the axis XX. Along a straight line toward the tip direction, hit one slope 6 as shown in FIG.
Then, it hits the other slope 5 and similarly undergoes total reflection to change its direction by 90 ° and advances straight along the axial direction toward the end face 3 at the base end.

Thus, when the total reflection prism portion of the level indicator is underwater, the color at the end face of the base end portion looks dark, and when the total reflection prism portion is not underwater, that is, on the water surface, Since the color of the end face looks bright, whether the total reflection prism part is in water due to the difference in color tone of the end face, the change in color tone at the end face, if it is dark, the immersion state is relatively shallow, it is fully immersed. Since it is completely black in the presence state, it is possible to judge the submerged state in the water.

[0015]

Embodiments of the level indicator of the present invention and a self-contained flowerpot using the same will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In the level indicator 1 of the present invention, the end face 3 at the base end of a straight rod-like body 2 made of a transparent acrylic resin is horizontally cut so as to be orthogonal to the axis X, and the axis X is provided at the tip. The total reflection prism portion 4 is formed by cutting so that the apex angle θ located above is 90 °.

The total reflection prism portion 4 has two planes 5 and 6 that intersect with each other, and the plane angle formed by the two planes 5 and 6 is an apex angle θ of 90 °.

Therefore, the transmitted light incident from the end face 3 advances straight along the axis X--X toward the tip direction and strikes one slope 6 with the apex angle .theta. As shown in FIG. Change its direction by 90 °, then hit the other slope 5 and receive the same total reflection, and the direction changes by 90 °.
Instead, it advances straight along the axial direction toward the end face 3 at the base end.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2, the level indicator 1 is installed in a container 8 in which the water tank 7 cannot be seen directly from the outside, and the end face 3 of the base end of the rod-shaped body 2 is placed on the upper surface of the container 8. 8a
When the total reflection prism portion 4 at the tip portion is sufficiently immersed in water, the upper surface portion 8 of the container 8 is used.
The end face 3 of the level indicator 1 at a is almost black although it is originally colorless and transparent.

As the amount of water in the water storage tank 7 gradually decreases and the amount of light received by the total reflection prism portion 4 from the water surface increases, the blackness of the end face 3 becomes less white and the total reflection prism becomes darker. When the part 4 is completely located on the water surface, the end surface 3 becomes originally colorless and transparent, and therefore, water is newly supplied to the water tank 7 until the end surface 3 becomes black.

Next, an embodiment of a self-contained flowerpot using the level indicator of the present invention will be described in detail.

The self-contained plant pot 10 of the present invention has a water tank 12 arranged concentrically with a predetermined space between the self-sufficient flower pot 10 and the outer periphery of a plant tank 11 in which soil 19 is placed for planting plants. Then, the water storage tank 12 and the plant tank 11 are integrally joined at their upper end portions by a horizontal connecting portion 13 so that the inside of the water storage tank 12 is hermetically sealed (the same as the flowerpot 10 in the drawing). And a water supply port 15 that can be sealed by a plug 14 is formed in a part of the continuous portion 13.
A through hole 16 is provided on the bottom surface of the plant tank 11, and a wicking material 17 having a capillary action composed of a fiber bundle or the like is attached to the through hole 16, and water 18 in the water storage tank 12 is automatically supplied into the plant tank 11. And is obtained by special blow molding or injection molding of thermoplastic synthetic resin.

Thus, the end face 3 of the base end portion of the straight rod-shaped body 2 made of transparent acrylic resin is orthogonal to the axis X at a part of the horizontal continuous portion 13 at the upper end of the flower pot 10 having the above-mentioned structure. The level indicator 1 is mounted so that the total reflection prism portion 4 is formed by cutting it horizontally so that the apex angle θ located on the axis X is 90 °.

Mounting the level indicator 1 on the flowerpot 10
Although it depends on the size of the flower pot 10, in the large-sized and deep water pot 10, a plurality of level indicators 1 having different lengths as shown in FIG.
a, 1b, 1c are arranged in parallel at a predetermined interval, and fixed so that the end faces of the level indicators 1a, 1b, 1c are flush with the continuous portion 13.

In such a state, when the water tank 12 is filled with water, the tip of the level indicator 1a having a short length and the level indicator 1b having a medium length are stored in the water tank. 12
In the long level indicator 1c reaching the vicinity of the bottom surface, the total reflection prism portion formed at the tip portion is completely submerged in water, so that the transmitted light incident from the end surface is not totally reflected, and thus each end surface is black. It is in a state.

Then, the water 18 in the water storage tank 12 is absorbed by the soil 19 in the plant tank 12 through the sucking material 17 to be reduced, and the level indicator 1a is placed on the water surface as shown in FIG.
When the total reflection prism portion of the level indicator 1b is relatively close to the water surface and the level indicator 1c is still sufficiently submerged in water, the transmitted light incident from the end surface of the level indicator 1a is reflected by the total reflection prism portion. Since the light is totally reflected by and reaches the end face again, the end face looks like a colorless and transparent material.

However, in the level indicators 1b and 1c in which the total reflection prism portion is submerged in water, the transmitted light incident from each end face is not totally reflected, so that the end face is black even though it is colorless and transparent. Although it is shown, the black indicator has a total reflection prism part near the water surface. Level indicator 1
The black color of b is lighter.

Therefore, the amount of water in the water storage tank 12 can be determined by the change in the color tone of the end face of each level indicator, so that a long transparent rod-shaped body having a total reflection prism portion at a position near the bottom face. When the end face of the level indicator 1c made of black is changed from black to a nearly transparent white state, the plug 1
4 can be opened to replenish the water in the water tank 12, and the water can be filled in the water tank 12 by stopping the water supply when the end face of the short level indicator 1a changes from white to black. ..

When water is supplied, the water level in the water storage tank 12 lowers, and the space level above the water surface in the water storage tank 12 becomes negative pressure due to the water level decrease. When the negative pressure reaches a certain limit, the through hole 16 Since the air enters the water storage tank 12 through the water and rises as bubbles in the space through the water, the negative pressure is sequentially eliminated and a fixed amount of water can be automatically supplied.

FIG. 5 shows another embodiment of the self-contained flowerpot 20 of the present invention, in which a part of the inner wall of the plant tank 21 is stepped inward at a portion slightly lower than the upper edge to project inward. A case 24 is integrally provided, and a water supply port 28 that can be sealed is provided in a flat portion 25 at the upper end of the case 24.
Three level indicators 26 with different lengths are provided in the case 24.
a, 26b, and 26c are provided in parallel, and the base end faces of the level indicators 26a, 26b, and 26c are exposed on the flat portion 25, respectively.

The water supply port 28 is sealed by a plug 29, so that the plug 29 can be easily attached and detached, and the upper end surface of the plant tank 21 can be improved to improve the convenience and appearance of the water supply. A recess 30 is formed in a part.

In the self-contained plant pot 20 having such a structure, the plug 29 for sealing the water supply port 28 does not project from the upper end portion of the plant tank 21, and the level indicators 26 mounted in the case 24 are provided.
The end faces of the base end portions of a, 26b, and 26 do not appear outside, and are very well-formed.

In the embodiment of the self-contained flowerpot 10 shown in FIG. 3 described above, the method of absorbing water in the soil 19 is such that the wicking material 17 having a capillary action is attached to the through hole 16 formed in the bottom surface of the plant tank 11. However, the water 18 in the water storage tank 12 is supplied to the soil 19 via the suction member 17, but the supply of the water 18 in the water storage tank 12 to the soil 19 is not limited to the above mechanism. ..

The supply of water 18 in the water storage tank 12 to the soil 19 is not shown, but as disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 62-36117, a through hole 16 formed in the bottom surface of the plant tank 11 is used. A sheet that allows only the water 18 to penetrate therein is attached, and one end of the guide tube is inserted into the communication hole formed in the upper wall of the plant tank 11 so that the tip end projects into the water tank 12, and the soil of the plant tank 11 is A moisture sensor having a mechanism for closing the ventilation passage at a predetermined humidity level and opening the ventilation passage at a humidity lower than the predetermined humidity level is provided at the proximal end of the guide tube located in 19 The air pressure of the hollow part formed in the upper part of the water storage tank 12 may be controlled by opening and closing to supply water to the soil 19 in the plant tank 11 through the through hole 16.

[0035]

Since the level indicator of the present invention has the total reflection prism portion formed at the tip of the transparent rod, when the level indicator is applied to, for example, a water tank in which the water level is not directly visible from the outside, Since the color tone at the end face of the base end portion is different when the total reflection prism portion is submerged in water and when it is on the water surface, the water level in the aquarium can be confirmed by reading the difference in the color tone. ..

On the other hand, in the self-contained flowerpot according to the present invention, since the water tank of the flowerpot having the double container body composed of the flowerbox and the water tank is equipped with the level indicator having one or a plurality of the above configurations, The amount of water retained in the water tank can be easily read by the color tone on the end face of the level indicator that appears at the upper end of the flower pot, and the necessary water supply can be appropriately performed.

In particular, in the self-contained flowerpot of the present invention, the level indicator having the total reflection prism portion applying the principle of the prism is provided at the tip of the transparent rod-shaped body, so that the structure is very simple. It is excellent in that it is simple and easy to manufacture, and that the amount of water in the water storage tank can be accurately determined.

[Procedure Amendment 2]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Name of item to be corrected] Brief description of the drawing

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a partially omitted perspective view showing an embodiment of a level indicator of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway perspective view showing a usage state of the level indicator of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing an embodiment of the self-contained flowerpot of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of a main part in FIG.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of the essential parts of another embodiment of the self-contained flowerpot of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols] 1 Level indicator 2 Rod-like body 3 End face 4 Total reflection prism part 5 Slope 6 Slope 7 Water tank 8 Container 10 Flower pot 11 Flower pot 12 Water tank 13 Coupling part 14 Plug body 15 Water inlet 16 Suction hole 17 Suction Material 18 water

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A total reflection prism portion is formed by cutting a transparent rod-shaped body at the tip thereof so that the apex angle located on the axis is 90 °, and the total reflection prism portion of the rod-shaped body is underwater. And a level indicator which is configured to measure the water level by a change in color tone at the base end surface of the rod-shaped body when it is on the water surface. 2. A total reflection prism portion is formed by cutting the tips of a plurality of transparent rod-shaped bodies having different lengths so that the apex angle located on the axis is 90 °. A level indicator characterized in that it is configured to measure the water level by the change in color tone at the base end face of the rod when the reflecting prism part is in water and on the water surface. 3. The level indicator according to claim 1, wherein the transparent rod-shaped body is made of a colorless and transparent acrylic resin. 4. A water storage tank is concentrically arranged with a predetermined space between the water storage tank and the outer periphery of the plant tank, and the water storage tank and the upper end of the plant tank are integrally formed by a horizontal connecting portion. Combined to form a double-structured container body in which the inside of the water storage tank is sealed, a water supply hole that can be sealed is provided in a part of the water storage tank, and the water in the water storage tank is provided in a part of the plant tank. Is provided with a through hole, and the apex angle on the axial line at the tip of the continuous portion is 90 °.
The total reflection prism part is formed by cutting so that the water level is measured by the change in color tone at the base end face of the rod when the total reflection prism of the rod is underwater and when it is on the water surface. A self-contained flowerpot, which is equipped with the base end face of the constructed level indicator.