WO2004021770A1

WO2004021770A1 - Device, system and method for plant irrigation

Info

Publication number: WO2004021770A1
Application number: PCT/IL2003/000724
Authority: WO
Inventors: Aharon Winter
Original assignee: Aharon Winter
Priority date: 2002-09-04
Filing date: 2003-09-03
Publication date: 2004-03-18
Also published as: EP1549131A1; IL151602A; AU2003256051A1; IL151602A0

Abstract

There is provided a device (10) for delivering material to the roots of at least one plant growing in a substrate, the device including a receptacle (12) for receiving the material; and a tubular conveying member (22) for conveying the material to the roots, the conveying member having a first end (24) fluidly associable with the receptacle and a second end (24’)for insertion within the substrate in close proximity to the roots, such that the material received by the receptacle is conveyed to the roots. A method of delivering material to the roots of at least one plant growing in a substrate is also provided.

Description

DEVICE, SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PLANT IRRIGATION Field and Background of the Invention

The present invention relates to the field of plant irrigation and, more particularly, to a device, system and method of providing materials directly to the roots of a plant.

Cultivated plant horticulture and plant propagation is a major industry that strives to find better ways to nourish plants and bring them to maturity rapidly and inexpensively. Efficient irrigation is a significant aspect of this process.

Aside from simple sprinkling or spraying water on plants which simulates natural rainfall, there exist many other ways to deliver aqueous solutions, including nutrients, fertilizers, medicines and other materials, to plants both in the open field and in containers. Accordingly, the prior art abounds with irrigation devices, methods and systems, all striving to more efficiently and effectively deliver the substances needed for healthy growth to the root systems of plants. Representative examples include the following:

U.S. Patent No. 6,370,819 discloses a device that delivers water to the roots of a plant by providing a container with hollow legs that stands in a reservoir of water and draws the water by capillary action into the bottom of the container. U.S. Patent Nos. 4,741,125; 4,782,627 and 4, 829,709 , teach systems and devices which deliver water from a proximal reservoir into a plant container via a wick which draws the water according to the moisture level of the adjacent substrate. U.S. Patent No. 4,685,827 discloses a watering system which uses water cylinders embedded in the substrate adjacent to the roots of a plant. The substrate automatically "sucks" water to the roots based upon the ambient moisture level. U.S. Patent No. 4,578,897 shows an automated watering system that uses a vacuum/pressure bottle with a sensor tube embedded in the substrate to provide water as needed due to the evaporation and absorption of moisture. U.S. Patent No. 4,447,983 discloses an automatic irrigation system employing moisture sensors and a pumping mechanism. U.S. Patent No. 5,189,834 shows a watering system which employs a capillary pad under containers for providing water through holes in the bottom of the containers. U.S. Patent Nos. 4,211,037 and 4,245,434 disclose capillary pad systems, which recycle water.

Drip irrigation systems are particularly well represented in the prior art and many different versions are commonly in use for precision positioning of water relative to plants. Examples include U.S. Patent No. 5,220,745 which discloses a drip irrigation system specifically for potted plants, and U.S. Patent No. 4,177,604 which shows a drip system for use with hydroponically grown plants.

However, no device, method or system presently known provides maximally efficient use of water. All, in one fashion or another, provide water to where it is not needed or to a wider area than needed. Moreover, none of the devices, methods and systems disclosed effectively provide solids and gases, including temperature controlled liquid or air, to the root area of plants.

Accordingly, there is a widely recognized need for an irrigation device, method and system that can deliver all of the materials needed for growth directly to the root system of a plant and that can influence the ambient temperature of the root system. Summary of the Invention

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a device, method and system that can deliver all of the materials needed for growth directly to the root system of a plant.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a device, method and system that can be used to influence the ambient temperature of the root system of a plant.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a device, method and system that is simple, inexpensive and easy to implement.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a device for delivering material to the roots of at least one plant growing in a substrate, comprising (a) at least one receptacle for receiving the material; and (b) at least one tubular conveying member for conveying the material to the roots, the conveying member having a first end for fluid association with the receptacle and a second end for insertion within the substrate in close proximity to the roots;, such that the material received by the receptacle is conveyed to the roots.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a system for providing material to the roots of at least one plant growing in a substrate, comprising (a) at least one device comprising a receptacle for receiving the materials and a conveying member for delivering the material to the roots, and (b) at least one source of the material, the source being capable of providing the material to the receptacle; such that the material from the source is provided to the roots of the plant.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of providing material to the roots of at least one plant growing in a substrate, comprising (a) disposing in close proximity to the roots at least one device comprising a receptacle for receiving the material and a conveying member for conveying the material to the roots, (b) associating at least one source of the material with the device such that the source delivers the material to the receptacle; and (c) dispensing the material from the source into the receptacle such that the material is delivered to the roots by gravity.

While drip irrigation was a breakthrough in targeted irrigation, the present invention represents a major step forward in precision irrigation. Surface contamination with pesticides and other materials is prevented. The surface of the growing area remains dry and this prevents moisture-connected weeds and pests from accumulating in the growing area. Since the surface of the growing area stays dry, there is a saving in water from evaporation. For plants in separate containers the system provides irrigation via entry and exit points that allows controlled flow and washing in a limited area. Since organic fertilizers often block irrigation systems, such growth can use these fertilizers by adding directly to the device receptacle. The system prevents oversalting of the substrate. Excess salts tend to rise to the surface of the substrate where they may dissipate. Surface watering washes them back down to the roots. The system according to the present invention provides easy access to the roots, which can also be utilized for examination and technical observation. Root development may be examined, ambient temperature may be measured, local moisture may be tested and the precise effect of materials delivered may be observed allowing for specific adjustment of the growing conditions. Furthermore, the system of the present invention provides an efficient and cost effective way to heat or cool the root system of plants without heating or cooling an entire hothouse. Brief Description of the Drawings

With specific reference now to the drawings in detail, it is stressed that the particulars shown are by way of example and for the purposes of illustrative discussion of the preferred embodiment of the present invention only, and are presented in the cause of providing what is believed to be the most useful and readily understood description of the principles and conceptual aspects of the invention. In this regard, no attempt is made to show structural details of the invention in more detail that is necessary for a fundamental understanding ^' of the invention, the description taken with the drawings making apparent to those skilled in the art how the several forms of the invention may be embodied in practice.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view from the bottom of the receptacle according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the receptacle of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of a device for irrigating the roots of a plant, constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 is an isometric view of a container and the device of FIG. 3 supported thereon, and

FIG. 5 is an isometric view of a plurality of the containers of FIG. 4 employing the device for irrigating the roots of the plants. Description of the Preferred Embodiments

Reference is now made to Figs. 1 to 3, showing a device 10 constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention, for delivering material to the roots of plants. The term material as used herein is defined to mean any substance selected from the group consisting of fluids such as water and other aqueous liquids, and gases, nutrients, fertilizers, chemicals, disinfectants, antimicrobials, pesticides, fungicides and medicines and combinations thereof.

The device 10, which includes a receptacle 12 for receiving irrigation material, is preferably in the form of an open top funnel-shaped tray or container having at its base 14 an opening 16. Between the top and base 14 are sidewalls 18 slanting into the base 14 and opening 16. Extending exteriorly from base 14 is a tubular extension 20 which circumscribes opening 16 and serves to guide any material passing through opening 16. Receptacle 12 effectively serves to channel any material placed therein through opening 16 by force of gravity.

While receptacle 12 is shown as a rectangular funnel-shaped inverted shallow pyramid, it is appreciated that the receptacle 12 could be embodied in any other appropriate trough configuration including but not limited to round, oval, square, or other, even of irregular shape. Moreover, receptacle 12 may be of any size appropriate to the quantity of materials received therein, with open top ranging from a few centimeters in area for providing materials to a small seedling in a pot, to a very large area that may accept liters of material for feeding a large tree growing in a field.

Device 10 further includes a conveying member 22 comprising a hollow tube having a first end 24 dimensioned and configured to be removably engaged with the extension 20, such that any material passing through extension 20 will pass into conveying member 22. The engagement is preferably effected by providing conveying member 22 having at least one end of an inner diameter larger than the external diameter of the extension 20. Alternatively, a mechanical engagement such as by pressure fitting or threading, by use of a constricting band or ring or by any other secure, yet removable attachment. Conveying member 22 has a second end 24', which is preferably formed of a strong and rigid material to facilitate insertion into a substrate by force. Second end 24' may be flat, tapered or pointed as appropriate to the substrate into which it is inserted. The conveying member 22 may be of any appropriate length and may be changeable as required with respect to a specific receptacle 12, as the roots move deeper into the substrate upon the maturing of the plant. Device 10 may be configured to have a plurality of receptacles 12 in circumstances which so warrant, such as when different materials are being fed to the same plant simultaneously from different sources. Similarly, device 10 may comprise a plurality of conveying members 22 in appropriate circumstances, such as when one emitting source feeds a number of different plants. It is included within the scope of device 10 to have multiple receptacles 12 or multiple conveying members 22, or both.

Device 10 and the source of the material that it receives comprise the system of the present invention for providing material to the roots of at least one plant growing in a substrate. According to the preferred embodiment, device 10 comprises at least one retainer 26 for retaining a hose 28 of a drip irrigation system in an orientation such that irrigation material emanating from an emitter 30 is collected by receptacle 12. Further shown in Fig. 3 are mounting brackets 32, extending laterally from two opposite edges of the receptacle 12, each of which brackets 32 is provided with a slot 34 configured to engage a retainer 26. The same brackets 32 may also be utilized in order to support the receptacle 12 at any appropriate location on a planting container.

The retainer 26, according to the preferred embodiment is formed of an elastic material and comprises hose clip 36 which is sized and configured to removably but securely hold hose 28 by elastic deformation. It further comprises a pair of flexible engaging legs 38 to be press fit into slot 34, entering the slot and being retained therein as a result of elastic deformation.

Reference is now made to Figure 4 illustrating a planting container 40 to which device 10 is attached. Container 40 is substantially rectangular in shape, having side walls 42 and a bottom wall 44. Bottom wall 44 is advantageously sloped from the horizontal position, and has a drainage hole 46 formed in the side wall 42 adjacent to the lower edge of bottom wall 44.

Seen in Figure 5 are a plurality of juxtaposed planting containers 40 all fed from by single hose 28 delivering material to the receptacles 12 eventually to be fed by gravity to the roots of the plants. It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to what has been particularly shown and described hereinabove. Rather, the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims and includes both combinations and subcombinations of the various features described hereinabove as well as variations and modifications thereof which would occur to persons skilled in the art upon reading the foregoing description. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A device for delivering material to the roots of at least one plant growing in a substrate, said device comprising a. at least one receptacle for receiving said material; and b. at least one tubular conveying member for conveying said material to said roots, said conveying member having a first end fluidly associable with said receptacle and a second end for insertion within said substrate in close proximity to said roots, such that said material received by said receptacle is conveyed to said roots.

2. The device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said receptacle is funnel-shaped.

3. The device of claim 1, further comprising at least one retainer for retaining a source of said material in association with said receptacle in an orientation such that said material is provided to said receptacle.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein said source is an emitter of a drip irrigation system.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein said substrate is contained in a container, said device being designed and configured to be placed on, and supported by, said container.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein said material is selected from the group consisting of water and other aqueous liquids, fluids, nutrients, fertilizers, chemicals, disinfectants, antimicrobials, pesticides, fungicides and medicines, or combinations thereof.

7. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said tubular conveying member is adjustable in length.

8. A system for providing material to the roots of at least one plant growing in a substrate, said system comprising a. at least one device comprising a receptacle for receiving said materials and a conveying member for delivering the material to said roots, and b. at least one source of said material, said source being capable of providing said material to said receptacle; such that said material from said source is provided to the roots of said plant.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein said source is an emitter of a drip irrigation system.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein said source is a hose.

11. The system of claim 8, wherein said source is a vessel containing said material.

12. The system of claim 8, further comprising at least one retainer for retaining said source in association with said receptacle in an orientation such that said material is delivered to said receptacle.

13. The system of claim 8, further comprising at least one container for containing said substrate, said device being designed and configured to be placed on and supported by said container.

14. The system of claim 8, wherein said conveying member is adjustable in length.

15. The system of claim 8, wherein said material is selected from the group consisting of water and other aqueous liquids, fluids, nutrients, fertilizers, chemicals, disinfectants, antimicrobials, pesticides, fungicides and medicines, or combinations thereof.

16. A method of providing material to the roots of at least one plant growing in a substrate, said method comprising a. disposing in close proximity to said roots at least one device comprising a receptacle for receiving said material and a conveying member for conveying said material to said roots, b. associating at least one source of said material with said device such that said source delivers the material to said receptacle; and c. dispensing said material from said source into said receptacle such that said material is delivered to the roots by gravity.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein said material is selected from the group consisting of water and other aqueous liquids, fluids, nutrients, fertilizers, chemicals, disinfectants, antimicrobials, pesticides, fungicides, medicines and gases, or a combination thereof.