MXPA03003330A

MXPA03003330A - Tube delivery system and method.

Info

Publication number: MXPA03003330A
Application number: MXPA03003330A
Authority: MX
Inventors: Harold Jensen
Original assignee: Driwater Inc
Priority date: 2000-10-16
Filing date: 2000-10-16
Publication date: 2004-12-03
Also published as: AU2001219650B2; WO2002058458A8; BR0016917A; JP2004517632A; NO20022872D0; EE200200327A; KR20020071889A; IL150218A0; EP1341408A1; TW548074B; WO2002058458A1; IL150218A

Abstract

A system (40) and method are provided for controllably delivering water from a moisturizing agent to plant tissue. The angled insertion end (28) of a delivery tube (22) is placed in the soil in close proximity to the root system of a plant (48). An insert (30) containing moisturizing agent (32) is opened at an end to expose the moisturizing agent (32) and then placed through the receiving end (26) of the delivery tube (22) and into the hollow bore (50) thereof. A cap (24) is then removably placed over the receiving end (26) to seal the insert (30) within the hollow bore (50) of the delivery tube (22).

Description

SYSTEM AND METHOD OF FEEDING THROUGH A PIPE Field of the Invention: The present invention relates to the distribution of a humectant substrate for plant tissues. Specifically, the present invention relates to a system and method for controlling a plant in a controlled manner.

Description of Related Arts: The problem of keeping soil moisture in sufficient quantities to support a growing plant has long been recognized. The most common method of adding water to the land is using manual or automatic means such as a sprinkler or a drip irrigation system. However, the manual irrigation system requires a lot of time and effort. In addition, automatic irrigation systems can be expensive to install and operate. Wetting agents have been used to solve the problems inherent to manual irrigation and automatic irrigation systems. A wetting agent releases moisture in a surrounding area. One type of humectant is described under the name of Avera, US Wetting Agent. Patent No. 4, 856,640. The Avera Moisturizing Agent is a gel-like product that looks dry to the touch and semi-solid in appearance. This wetting agent can contain approximately 98% water in the solid state.

Water in the solid state is gradually converted to liquid when placed in natural environments of soil and microbial environments. The bacteria that liquefies this water does not migrate inside the gel but acts within the exposed surface. The liquefaction rate of agents such as Avera can be controlled by controlling the amount of area of the wetting agent that will be exposed to the ground. Figure 1 is a side view of the irrigation system of the wetting agent according to prior arts. The wetting agent 12 is contained within a cardboard 10. The base 20 of the paperboard is removed to expose the wetting agent. The cardboard can be inserted into a hole 22 in the ground. The wetting agent exposed to the soil through the base of the carton is liquefied by the microbial action to provide water to the root system 18 of the plant 14. Upon liquefying the exposed part of the wetting agent, the next layer of water in gel exposes microorganisms and drips or drips out of the base of the cardboard. When the wetting agent has completely liquefied, the empty cardboard is removed from the ground. Several known problems are associated with this distribution system. The cardboard looks ugly and consequently, it is not suitable for ornamental plants. It is not possible to determine if the wetting agent inside the carton is completely liquefied without removing the cardboard first. In addition, the cardboard must be removed and a new cardboard inserted to provide a new supply of wetting agent. The earth can then be filtered into the hole made by the cardboard. It can take time and effort to insert a new cardboard into the hole due to the above. A "cup" (not illustrated) containing moisturizing agent has also been used to distribute a controlled amount of water to a plant. The cup is uncovered and placed head-first on the surface of the earth to expose the wetting agent contained therein to the microbial action. The cup however, looks unpleasant. In addition, the distribution system is not practical for outdoor use because the bowl can easily be flipped or moved by wind, rain or hail. In addition, because the cup can be moved or turned over, insect colonies can develop in the wet area under the cup.

Then, it would be an advantage to provide a method and system for distributing moisture to the plant. It would be much more advantageous if the system facilitated the replacement of the wetting agent consumed. It would also be advantageous if the system were attractive enough to be used in ornamental plants and flower arrangements.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATIONS FIG. 1 is a side view of the feed system of the wetting agent according to the prior art FIG. 2 is a side view of the feeding tube according to the present invention. FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the tube of the feeding system according to the present invention. FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the placement of the sheet in the tube of the feeding system according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention is a system and method of feeding in a controlled manner, providing water from a wetting agent to plant or plant tissues. The feeding system tube according to the present invention can be used to provide controlled quantities and water distribution rates to both plants sown and to plants or flowers in flower arrangements. The preferred inclusion of the present invention is adapted to distribute the wetting agent in Avera USA. Patent No. 4,865,640 previously discussed. However, the teachings of the invention can be applied in the same way to the distribution of any other wetting agent. FIG. 2 is a side view of the feeding tube according to the present invention. In the preferred inclusion of the present invention, the feeding tube 34 is hollow and rigid made for example of a non-corrosive material such as plastic, ceramic or glass. However, the feeding tube can also be made of any other material or combination of materials having sufficient rigidity to support the wetting agent within the sheet 30. said materials include but are not limited to metals, wood, rubber and natural and artificial fibers. The feeding tube can be formed by methods such as mold, injection mold or extrusions. The end of the insert sheet 28 of the feed tube is angled to a point 36 to facilitate the insertion of the tube into the ground. The insertion end of the feeding tube is placed in the soil near the root system of the plant (not illustrated.) In the preferred inclusion of the invention, the feeding tube is inserted deep into the soil so that only a part of the However, in alternative inclusions any part of the length of the feeding tube may come out of the ground, depending on factors including but not limited to the total length of the feeding tube, the depth of the roots of the plant and the volume of the wetting agent to be distributed.

The sheet 30 containing the wetting agent 32 opens at one end (not shown) to expose the wetting agent and is placed through the receiving end 26 and into the recess (not shown) of the feed tube. The angled cutting of the feeding tube increases the area to which the wetting agent is exposed to the microbial agents of the earth. A cover 24 is placed over the receiving end to seal the sheet within the recess of the feed tube. An already finished sheet is easily replaced by removing the lid, removing the empty sheet and placing the new sheet inside the recess of the feeding tube. It is not required to remove the feed tube from the ground to replace the foil with the wetting agent. In the preferred inclusion of the present invention, the sheet is made of thin plastic covering the wetting agent. This thin tube can be provided in a variety of lengths and diameters for specific applications. - Because the wetting agent's liquefying process is controlled by the amount of wetting agent exposed to the soil, the amount of water provided to the plant and the The duration of the same depends on the diameter and size of the insert sheet or tube. The recess of the feed tube is configured to receive the sheet or insert with a particular diameter or length. In the preferred inclusion, the insert or sheet has the shape of a chub, like a sausage. An exemplary inclusion of the present invention inclusion is a feeding tube with a length of approximately 7 inches and a diameter of approximately 2 inches, shaped as a sausage. The insertion tube may also be made of other suitable materials or combination of materials including but not limited to paper, metal, sheet metal and rubber. In alternative inclusions of the present invention, the insert and the feeding tube may have suitable shape and dimensions. For example, the feeding tube may be configured to receive a cardboard insert. Thus, the present invention can be used with the prior art of cardboard. The feeding tube presents the cardboard in an attractive way. In addition, by using the feeding tube according to the present invention, the cardboard can be easily removed and inspected to determine whether its contents have been completely liquefied. Then, a new cardboard can be inserted into the recess of the feeding tube with minimal effort. The feeding tube can also be configured to receive the known feeding cup in prior arts. In another embodiment of the present invention, the wetting agent is injected directly into the feed tube, for example, the tube can be filled automatically or manually with the wetting agent that is stored in a tank. This inclusion is used to advantage of outdoor applications, for reforestation and agriculture purposes. In such applications, water is required continuously. The feeding tubes according to the present invention can be placed in the soil at the same time as the planting or later. The feeding tubes can be filled again and again by directly injecting the wetting agent from the storage tank into the recesses of the tubes. In areas that are not readily accessible to fix a tank, the inserts or tubes containing the wetting agent can be used to provide water to the plants.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the tube of the feeding system 40 according to the present invention. The feeding tube 22 is placed inside the soil 46 with the insertion end 28 near the root system 48 of the plant 44. An insert or tube 30 containing the wetting agent 32 is inserted into the hole 50 of the feeding tube with the open side 42 of the insert exposed to microbial agents on the ground. The lid 24 is placed on the receiving end 26 to seal the insert inside the recess or cavity of the feeding tube. In this preferred inclusion, the lid reduces moisture loss due to evaporation and prevents foreign matter or insects from migrating into the tube. FIG. 4 is a side view of the placement of the insert in a feeding tube system 40 according to the present invention. In FIG. an end 42 of the chub or sausage insert is opened or cut to expose the wetting agent. The insert 30 can be inserted, first the cut side 42, into the cavity 50 of the feed tube 22, to expose the wetting agent to the microbial activity of the soil. The cap (not shown) can be placed on the receiving end 26 to seal the insert within the cavity of the feeding tube. Although this invention is described in conjunction with the preferred inclusions, this disclosure is not intended in any way to limit the scope of the invention. For example, the liquefied index of the wetting agent can be further controlled by adding a small amount of food-grade preservatives. This preservative can retard bacterial action and extend the liquefying period. An example of a preferred preservative is Sodium Benzoate in the amount of 0.005% to 0.05% of the volume of water by weight. The feeding tube or lid can be decorated or painted to improve its appearance for decorative uses in plants or arrangements. Additionally, the feeding tube and the lid may have a less visible configuration for example, they are formed of the same color as the plant or stems, wood or rock formations. For example, in the preferred inclusion of the present invention, the feeding tube and lid are brown to mix with the color of the soil. However, in preferred inclusions of the present invention, the feeding tube and the lid can be of any desired color or shape. It is also possible to use the feeding tube without lid. Said capless feeding tube can be filled directly with the wetting agent or can be adapted to receive an insert containing the wetting agent.

Claims

1. - A system for the distribution of water to plants that includes: A feeding tube with a receiving end and an insertion end, the feeding tube has a hole in it to receive the end of the insertion tube; and a cap configured to seal the receiving end of the feeding tube; wherein the feeding tube is adapted to be placed on the ground in such a way that the insertion end is close to the root system of the plant; wherein the recess is adapted to receive a wetting agent through the receiving end and distribute water from the wetting agent through the insertion end.

2. - The feeding system of Claim 1 wherein the wetting agent is contained within the insert or tube being of the proper size to enter the hollow of the feeding tube.

3. - The feeding system of claim 2 wherein the insert covers the wetting agent is of materials selected from a group consisting of a thin plastic tube, paper, injection molds, metal, sheet metal and rubber.

4. - The feeding system of claim 3 wherein the insert containing the wetting agent is in the form of a sausage.

5. - The feeding system of claim 1 wherein the wetting agent is injected directly into the feed tube.

6. - The feeding system of claim 1 wherein the end of the insert is angled at a point to facilitate the insertion of the feed system into the ground.

7. - the feeding system of claim 1 wherein the feeding tube is formed of a material selected from a group consisting of plastic, ceramic, glass, metal, wood, rubber and natural and man-made fibers.

8. - The feeding system of claim 1 wherein the feeding tube is made by selected methods such as injection of molds, blown molds and protrusions.

9. - The feeding system of claim 1 wherein the moisturizing agent contains a food class preservative.

10. - The food system of claim 9 wherein the food grade preservative is sodium benzoate in amounts of 0.0055 to 0.05% by volume of water by weight.

11. - A feeding tube for the feeding system for distributing water to plants which includes: a tube having a receiving end and an insertion end, the tube has a hollow interior formed therein from the receiving end to the end of the tube. insertion; and a cap configured to seal the receiving end of the feeding tube; wherein the feeding tube is adapted for placement on the ground in such a way that the insertion end is close to the root system of the plant. Where the gap is adapted to receive the wetting agent through the receiving end and distribute the water of the wetting agent through the insertion end. 12. - The feeding tube of claim 11 wherein the insertion end of the tube is at a pointed angle to facilitate insertion of the feeding tube into the ground. 13. - The feeding tube of claim 11 wherein the tube is formed of material selected from a group consisting of plastic, ceramic, glass, metals, wood, rubber and natural and man-made fibers. 3. - The feeding tube of claim 11 wherein the tube is formed of a method selected from a group such as injection mold, blow mold or extrusion mold. 14. - A method for distributing water to plants that includes the steps of: Placing an insertion end of the feeding tube in the soil near the root system of the plant, the tube has a gap from the insertion end to the receiving end; Inserting the wetting agent into the recess of the feeding tube so that the wetting agent comes into contact with the earth through the insertion end of the feeding tube; and Cover or seal at the receiving end of the feeding tube. 15. - The method of claim 14 including steps of: removing the cap from the receiving end of the feeding tube; Inject additional wetting agent into the well of the feeding tube; and place the cap on the receiving end of the feeding tube. 16. - The method of claim 14 wherein the step of inserting the agent includes steps of: covering the wetting agent with the insert; opening one end of the insert to expose the wetting agent; and Place the insert into the receiving end of the feed tube such that the wetting agent at the open end contacts the earth through the insertion end of the feed tube. 17. - The method of claim 16 which includes steps of: Removing the leg from the receiving end of the feeding tube; remove the empty tube inside the feeding tube; place another insert inside the hole of the feeding tube; and replace the cap on the receiving end of the feeding tube. 8. - A feeding system for distributing water to plants that includes: A feeding tube that has a receiving end and an insertion end, the tube has a cavity inside it from one end to the other; and a wetting agent disposed within the gap; Where the feeding tube is adapted to be replaced in the soil in such a way that the insert is close to the root system of the plants; wherein the feeding tube is adapted to receive the wetting agent through the receiving end and distribute the water through the insertion end. 19. - The feeding system of claim 18 wherein the wetting agent is contained in an insert of the proper size for insertion into the feed tube. 20. - The feeding system of claim 18 wherein the wetting agent is injected directly into the feed tube. 21. - The feeding system of claim 18 wherein the insertion end of the tube is angled to tip to facilitate insertion of the feeding tube into the ground. AMENDMENTS TO THE CLAIMS (Received by the International Bureau on May 28, 2001 (05.28.01) original claims 1-5 and 12-15 amended, following claims unchanged (2 pages)) 1. - A system for the distribution of water to plants that includes: A feeding tube with a receiving end and an insertion end, the feeding tube has a hole in it to receive the end of the insertion tube; and A cap configured to seal the receiving end of the feeding tube; wherein the feeding tube is adapted to be placed on the ground in such a way that the insertion end is close to the root system of the plant; Wherein the recess is adapted to receive a wetting agent through the receiving end such that the agent comes into contact with the earth through a cross section of the insertion end and to distribute water of the wetting agent through the end of the recess. insertion. 2. - The feeding system of claim 1 wherein the moisturizing agent is contained in an insert, the insert is the size suitable for insertion into the recess of the feeding tube. 3. - The feeding system of claim 2 wherein the insert covering the wetting agent is formed of a material selected from a group including thin plastic, paper, metal, sheet metal, and rubber. 4. - The feeding system of claim 3 wherein the insert containing the wetting agent is substantially cylindrical in shape (sausage. 5. - The feeding system of claim 1 wherein the wetting agent is injected directly into the feed tube. Where the gap is adapted to receive the wetting agent through the receiving end and in such a way that the wetting agent comes into contact with the earth through a cross section of the insertion end and to distribute water of the wetting agent through the insertion end

12. - The feeding tube of claim 11 wherein the end of insertion of the tube has an angled tip to facilitate its insertion into the ground. 13. - The feeding tube of claim 11 wherein the tube is of a material selected from a group consisting of plastic, ceramic, glass, metals, wood, rubber, and natural and man-made fibers.

13. - The feeding tube of claim 11 wherein the tube is formed by a selected method consisting of blown, injection and protruding molds or extrusions.

14. - A method for distributing water to plants that includes the steps of: Placing an insertion end of the feeding tube in the soil near the root system of the plant, the tube has a gap from the insertion end to the receiving end; Inserting the wetting agent into the feed tube recess such that the wetting agent comes into contact with the soil through an end cross-section of the feeding tube insertion; and Cover or seal at the receiving end of the feeding tube.

15. The method of claim 14 including steps of: Removing the cap from the receiving end of the feeding tube; Inject additional wetting agent into the well of the feeding tube; and place the lid again on the receiving end of the feeding tube.