WO2000069250A1

WO2000069250A1 - Planter reservoir system

Info

Publication number: WO2000069250A1
Application number: PCT/GB2000/001891
Authority: WO
Inventors: Brian William Assell
Original assignee: Cotswold Hydroponics Limited
Priority date: 1999-05-18
Filing date: 2000-05-17
Publication date: 2000-11-23
Also published as: GB9911479D0; GB2350044A; GB2350044B

Abstract

A planter having a water reservoir and a growing medium that includes water absorbent granules. The planter comprises an outer container (1) capable of holding water and a separator (3) for dividing the container into a water zone (7) and a growing medium zone. The separator extends over at least a portion of the base of the container and may be divided into separate parts. The separator has portions at respectively higher and lower levels, the higher level holding granules above water level while at the lower level granules are within the water. The outer container has an overflow vent which in the preferred embodiments communicates into the water zone, the lowermost level of the overflow vent defining a maximum water level. The space below the separator and above the maximum water level is directly ventilated via an air vent which is preferably constituted by the overflow vent.

Description

PLANTER RESERVOIR SYSTEM

This invention relates to planters, which includes tubs, window boxes and hanging baskets, and to a water reservoir system for use in such planters.

It is commonplace to have plants growing in containers such as tubs, window boxes and hanging baskets, generically termed ^'planters^' in this specification. The problem with such containers is that they often dry out, hanging baskets being particularly vulnerable in this respect, especially if they have mesh or transpirable bases. Solid based baskets enable greater water retention, but can become waterlogged if they are over-watered or exposed to heavy rainfall. Tubs and window boxes are also often subject to waterlogging through rain or overwatering.

A reservoir for a hanging basket has been proposed in GB 2272142, in which water from a reservoir is conducted to the soil in the basket via a wick. The reservoir is placed in the base of the basket and has a refill tube that protrudes above the surface of the soil. This system has to be manually refilled, and if installed in a solid basket can still suffer waterlogging after heavy rain.

Hydroponic systems have been proposed in which an outer container retains water as a reservoir and a perforated inner container is filled with hydroponic pebbles. The inner liner has a domed centre which holds some of the pebbles clear of the water level. 7 -

While these systems are satisfactory with professional standards of care, they do not always function as well or simply as is desirable In particular, the level of water in the outer container has to be monitored both to prevent overfilling and to ensure a complete dry-out stage for aeration purposes This still leaves the system vulnerable to rainfall waterlogging and requires closer monitoring than is convenient in many circumstances.

The present invention comprises a reservoir system that can be formed as part of a planter of any variety which is long lasting, can be refilled manually or by rainfall, has an overflow to prevent waterlogging and has improved aeration

According to the invention there is provided a planter having a water reservoir, the planter comprising an outer container capable of holding water and a separator located over at least a portion of the base of the outer container and shaped to have different portions lying at respectively lower and higher levels, thereby dividing the container into a first reservoir zone beneath the separator and a second reservoir zone, the separator allowing flow of water between the first and second reservoirs and the outer container having an overflow vent to define a maximum water level that is below the higher level of the separator and an air vent which directly vents air to the first reservoir zone above the maximum water level.

More specifically the planter may have a water reservoir and a growing medium that includes water absorbent granules, the planter comprising an outer container capable of holding water and a separator for dividing the container into a water zone and a growing medium zone, the separator extending laterally over at least a portion of the base of the container, the water zone being the volume enclosed beneath the separator and the separator having portions at respectively higher and lower levels and permitting flow of water between the water zone and the growing medium zone, and in which the outer container has an overflow vent defining a maximum water level that is below the higher level of the separator and above the lower level of the separator, and the space below the separator and above the maximum water level is directly ventilated via an air vent.

Preferably the overflow vent and air vent are combined and open into the water zone.

The invention is now described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:^'

Fig 1 illustrates a schematic cross-section of an embodiment of the invention, configured as a hanging basket, and

Fig 2 illustrates a schematic cross-section of a second embodiment of the invention configured as a tub.

Referring first to Figure 1, the planter reservoir system comprises an outer container 1, in this instance a bowl, made of a water retaining material. Various forms of plastics are suitable but metal or ceramic or other materials may be used. The particular configuration shown in figure 1 is suitable for use as a hanging basket. A chimney 2 is provided in the centre base of the container and acts as an overflow when the water level rises above the height of the chimney In the drawing a single central chimney is shown, but other arrangements for overflow may be provided such as a plurality of chimneys and/or drainage apertures in the sides of the outer container The height of the chimney or apertures defines the maximum water level

A separator or cover 3 is located over the base of the outer container, the cover 3 being domed to extend over the drainage chimney and meet with the sides of the outer container at a level below the maximum water level which is indicated by dotted line 4 In the arrangement shown, the cover is domed to extend over the chimney, but other configurations are possible with the cover meeting the side or base of the outer container. With the shown arrangement the overflow chimney is protected from blockages by the cover

The edges of the cover are serrated so that the water can pass up over the edges of the cover and water can move to and from area below the cover Alternative openings in the cover such as slots or apertures for the passage of water may be provided. The particular arrangement may depend upon the shape and size of the planter

A layer of water absorbent granules 5 extends over the cover A particularly suitable form of granules are hydroponic pebbles Soil 6 is then placed over the granules.

A first reservoir area 7 for water is defined by the base of the outer container and under the cover up to the maximum water level Above and adjacent the cover a second reservoir area is defined by the granules In the case of hydroponic pebbles, one third of their weight of water can be stored This second reservoir area provides a distributed water store. It will be appreciated that the lowermost granules lie below the maximum water level and that water passes upwardly through the layer of granules by capilliary action.

The provision of the double reservoir, a first water reservoir and a second distributed absorbent granule reservoir, has several advantages. The water reservoir contains a concentrated water store and allows a greater amount of water to be stored than if the entire portion were filled with granules, and therefore lasts longer. The granules provide a well distributed supply of water without waterlogging the soil If penetrated by roots they also act as a growing medium. Soil over the granules act as a thermal insulator as well as a growing medium, and is preferred visually by some people to hydroponic pebbles. The soil may be omitted and the pebbles used as the sole growing medium.

To fill the reservoir and hydrate the granules the assembly can be watered from above in a conventional manner. If too much water is given, it drains from the overflow chimney. As the plants take up water, water transfers from the water reservoir to replenish the hydration in the granules.

Ideally the lowermost granules extend close to the lower level of the outer bowl so that water is transferred even when the reservoir is almost empty. Rain will top up the reservoir in just the same way as watering, but a deluge will not waterlog the container due to the overflow capability. It will be appreciated that the cover prevents the overflow chimney from being blocked either by granules or soil that works its way down In the event that the overflow is provided by apertures in the sides of the outer bowl some alternative protection may be necessary, such as flanges on the sides of the bowl. The cover is also a way of defining the water-only zone and could take other forms such as a series of mounds, or have an upturned rim as shown in Figure 2 (described later).

The chimney also plays an important role in ventilating the air space above the water and preventing stagnation. This can be particularly important if wet conditions or a large reservoir is used, and can eliminate the need for a dry-out period as a method of controlling bacterial and other unwanted growth. The provision of more that one such chimney or vent may be particularly advantageous for assisting air circulation. Alternative arrangements of overflow and air vent, beneath the cover but in the side of the outer bowl can be constructed, and an embodiment of this is shown in Figure 2. In general, at the location of a side vent the cover is above the maximum water level, but other areas of the cover such as a central dip or a ^' moat^' drop below the water level.

Turning now to Figure 2, more detail of some of the alternative modifications mentioned above are shown.

In Figure 2 the outer container 1 is configured in the form of a tub or trough intended for standing on a surface rather than hanging Shown in cross section, the container may have. or example, a circular base, or it could be relatively elongate in the direction at right angles to the cross section and have a series of repeated features similar to those shown.

The cover 3 of Figure 2 has a central raised dome 10, then dips downwardly in a concentric ring or moat 8, then has an upturned rim 9 that meets the side wall of the container 1 above the maximum water level A chimney 2 is present in the outer container beneath the raised dome of the cover. The moat may have perforations for the passage of water. In the event of a plurality of domes, a chimney is preferably located beneath each in order to maintain good ventilation. The cover 3 could be made of separate parts, for example the lower part of the moat could be constituted by the container base.

It will be appreciated that as well as a water reservoir 7 under the dome or domes 10, there is also a peripheral reservoir 7a beneath the upturned rim. This peripheral reservoir could be ventilated by a chimney, but it is also possible to utilise side vents in the container. On the left hand side of Figure 2 one possible side overflow vent 1 1 is shown. This opening has a lower level at the same height as the chimney 2, and therefore acts similarly as an overflow as well as an air vent. In some structures it may be possible to eliminate domes and chimneys and have just the raised rims and side vents 1 1, although this structure is preferred in combination.

In some instances it may not be convenient to have side overflow, for example if a tray is used to catch overflow, in which case when the structure also has chimneys, side air-only vents 12 may be provided above the maximum water level, as shown on the right hand side of Figure 2.

When there are chimney structures that drain to the base of the outer container, the planter should be raised from the ground, for example by legs 12 or a stand. This allows air to circulate via the chimneys. It will be appreciated that chimney structures that lead out to the corners of the container are possible, in which case it may not be necessary to raise the planter off the ground. The chimneys may be in the form of a pipe and extend at an angle or partly laterally in order to ensure communication between the necessary reservoir areas and side or base of the planter.

In all configurations, direct ventilation of the water reservoirs is important. This is especially important when soil is used as part of the growing medium because this can reduce any indirect air exchange from above and through the growing medium to the water.

It will be appreciated that the system gives an obvious indication of when the reservoir is full by overflow being observed. The direct ventilation of the water reservoir reduces risk of stagnation and enables larger reservoirs to be used without concern over stagnation or having to ensure complete dry-out before refilling. This enables easier maintenance in both domestic and commercial situations.

The cover 3 may be formed separately from the outer container or attached to it. In some instances several separators may be provided. When alternative or multiple separators are provided the hydration levels can be controlled to suit the plants being grown and even separate levels of hydration formed within one planter- For example if in Figure 2 all or part of rim 9 were removable, more granules lie below the water level and the peripheral area of the container would be more hydrated.

A further modification that is envisaged is to separate the overflow and air venting functions. This could be achieved as has been described in connection with Figure 2, or in a more general way by having the overflow at any part of the outer container, including adjacent the growing medium, and having the air vent provided directly into the water reservoir area, but opening above the maximum water level so that it does not operate as an overflow. This could be achieved by modifying the Figure 2 arrangement on the left by lowering that section of the rim 9 to below the opening 11, with the higher vent 12 functioning as the air vent. Dome 10 and chimney 2 could be removed, or chimney 2 made higher.

Claims

1. A planter having a water reservoir, the planter comprising an outer container ( 1) capable of holding water and a separator (3) located over at least a portion of the base of the outer container and shaped to have different portions lying at respectively lower and higher levels, thereby dividing the container into a first reservoir zone (7) beneath the separator and a second reservoir zone, the separator allowing flow of water between the first and second reservoirs and the outer container having an overflow vent (2, 1 1) communicating with the first reservoir zone to define a maximum water level that is below the higher level of the separator and an air vent (2, 1 1, 12) vents air to the first reservoir zone, above the maximum water level.

2. A planter according to claim 1 in which the overflow and air vent are combined and open on to the first reservoir zone.

J . A planter according to claim 2 in which the overflow vent comprises a chimney (2) extending from the base of the outer container.

4. A planter according to claim 3 in which upper level of the separator comprises a dome extending over the chimney.

5. A planter according to claim 2 in which the overflow vent comprises an opening in the side wall of the outer container and the upper level of the separator meets the side wall above the lowermost point of the opening.

6. A planter according to any preceding claim in which the separator defines a plurality of first reservoir zones.

7. A planter according to any preceding claim in which the outer container (1) and separator (3) are separable.

8. A planter according to any preceding claim in which the second reservoir is filled with a growing medium that comprises water absorbent granules.

9 A planter having a water reservoir and a growing medium that includes water absorbent granules (5), the planter comprising an outer container (1) capable of holding water and a separator (3) for dividing the container into a water zone and a growing medium zone, the separator extending laterally over at least a portion of the base of the container, the water zone being the volume enclosed beneath the separator and the separator having portions at respectively higher and lower levels and permitting flow of water between the water zone and the growing medium zone, and in which the outer container has an overflow vent (2, 1 1), the lowermost level of the overflow vent defining a maximum water level that is below the higher level of the separator and above the lower level of the separator, and the space below the separator and above the maximum water level is directly ventilated via an air vent (2, 11, 12).

10 A planter according to any preceding claim in which the lower level of the separator is at or close to the base level of the outer container.

11. A planter according to any preceding claim in which the separator extends over substantially the entire base of the outer container.

12. A planter according to any preceding claim in which there are a plurality of separators extending over separate portions of the base of the container.