WO2017180111A1 - Système d'irrigation d'intérieur - Google Patents

Système d'irrigation d'intérieur Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2017180111A1
WO2017180111A1 PCT/US2016/027129 US2016027129W WO2017180111A1 WO 2017180111 A1 WO2017180111 A1 WO 2017180111A1 US 2016027129 W US2016027129 W US 2016027129W WO 2017180111 A1 WO2017180111 A1 WO 2017180111A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
water
irrigation system
timer
water pump
plants
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2016/027129
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Manuel Jose CACERES
Original Assignee
Caceres Manuel Jose
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Caceres Manuel Jose filed Critical Caceres Manuel Jose
Priority to PCT/US2016/027129 priority Critical patent/WO2017180111A1/fr
Priority to EP16748049.0A priority patent/EP3280252A1/fr
Publication of WO2017180111A1 publication Critical patent/WO2017180111A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
    • A01G—HORTICULTURE; CULTIVATION OF VEGETABLES, FLOWERS, RICE, FRUIT, VINES, HOPS OR SEAWEED; FORESTRY; WATERING
    • A01G27/00—Self-acting watering devices, e.g. for flower-pots
    • A01G27/005—Reservoirs connected to flower-pots through conduits

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to irrigation systems which maybe used indoors for edible and inedible plants.
  • a caretaker must tend to each potted plant individually, determining when and how much water and food to provide to each plant. Plants of different types may require different amounts of water or water at different intervals. Whether of the same or a different type, plants located in sunny versus shaded areas or located in different types or sizes of pots may all have different levels of water usage. Thus, a caretaker may need to monitor and tend to some plants on a daily basis, while other plants may require attention more sporadically. This cumbersome tending process requires the presence of the caretaker. Thus, when a homeowner leaves their home for a period of time, such as for a vacation, the homeowner must find another individual to tend to the plants in order to prevent damage or demise.
  • An irrigation system designed to provide water to indoor plants comprising a water reservoir containing water, a water pump submerged in the water within the reservoir and connected to a power source, a timer operatively associated with the water pump and power source, wherein the timer operates to activate and deactivate the water pump at intervals determined by the system user, one or more sections of tubing secured at one end to the water pump to direct water pumped from the water reservoir through the tubing to the indoor plants and one or more emitters secured to the opposite end of the tubing wherein the emitters are located within a pot or near the indoor plants that the system user wants to water and wherein the emitters are selected from the group consisting of: pressure adjustable drippers, pressure adjustable sprayers, pressure adjustable soaker hoses, or a combination thereof.
  • Figure 1 illustrates one embodiment of an irrigation system including a reservoir and a plurality of plants.
  • Figure 2 illustrates one embodiment of an irrigation system including a reservoir, a cistern and a plurality of plants.
  • Figure 3 is a block diagram of the present invention.
  • Figure 4 is a block diagram of the present invention with additional elements.
  • Figure 5a illustrates one embodiment of an emitter.
  • Figures 5b, 5c, 5d and 5e illustrate embodiments of connectors.
  • Figure 5f illustrates embodiments of connectors and valves.
  • FIG. 1-5 there is illustrated an embodiment of the present invention which discloses an irrigation system 10 designed to provide water to indoor plants 115 comprising a water reservoir 20 containing water, a water pump 30 submerged in the water within the water reservoir 20 and connected to a power source 40, a timer 50 operatively associated with the water pump 30 and/or the power source 40, wherein the timer 50 operates to activate and deactivate the water pump 30 at intervals determined by the system user, one or more sections of tubing 60 secured at one end to the water pump 30 where the tubing 60 is used to direct water pumped from the water reservoir 20 by the water pump 30 through the tubing 60 to the indoor plants 115 and one or more emitters, 95 secured to the tubing 60 at the end opposite the end secured to the water pump 30, wherein the emitters , 95 are located either within a pot/planter 110 or near the indoor plants 115 that the system user wants to water, wherein the emitters 95 are selected from the group comprising pressure adjustable drippers, pressure adjustable sprayers, pressure adjustable soak
  • Houseplants are commonly grown for a multitude of reasons, including decoration, psychological effects, physiological effects and even for interior air purification. Irrigation is one of several factors which must be accounted for. If one or more persons plans to grow and maintain plant life indoors. Other factors include light exposure, soil mixture, temperature, humidity, fertilizers, potting and pest control. Irrigation refers to the artificial application of water to plants and/or soil. Indoors, on scales both large and small, irrigation is used to assist in the growing of agricultural crops, as well for use with houseplants which are grown in residential and commercial buildings. Indoor water irrigation is primarily completed by spilling water into the soil contained within a pot that has one or more plants contained within it. Both under watering and overwatering can be detrimental to an interior plant.
  • the water reservoir 20 contemplated by the present invention may include any kind of vessel capable of holding one or more gallons of water. More specifically, the water reservoir 20 may include a decorative vase which holds two or more gallons of water. The decorative vase must be large enough to accommodate a water pump 30 which is submerged in the water within the water reservoir 20. The water reservoir 20 may also contain a timer 50 and a water level sensor 25.
  • a water pump 30 refers to any device capable of pumping water from within the water reservoir 20 out through a series of tubes to the planters 110 containing the plants 115.
  • the water pump 30 is a submersible water pump.
  • the water pump 30 may also be magnetic.
  • the water pump 30 should have the capacity to pump between 50 and 500 gallons of water per hour. Examples of acceptable water pumps 30 include, but are not limited to, the 50-80 gallons per hour (GPH) fountain pump sold by Smartpond®, the 100-155 GPH fountain pump sold by Smartpond®, the 130-170 GPH fountain pump with low water shut-off sold by Smartpond®, or the 200-300 GPH fountain pump with low-water shut off sold by Smartpond®.
  • GPH gallons per hour
  • the water pump 30 is connected to a power source 40.
  • a power source 40 may include an electrical outlet, a generator, a battery, a solar panel, or a combination thereof.
  • the water pump 30 is also magnetic.
  • a water pump 30 may be operationally associated with a water level sensor 25 which is located within a water reservoir 20 and is located at a desired level in order to alert the system user that the water level is at or approaching a certain level.
  • the water level sensor may be operationally associated either by wire or wirelessly with a visual alarm 26, and audio alarm 28, or a combination thereof.
  • a timer 50 refers to any device which is capable of being programmed to set one or more watering cycle(s) which activate and deactivate a water pump 30 in order to water one or more interior plants for a desired number of weeks, days, hours, and/or minutes desired by a system user.
  • the timer 50 is an analog design.
  • the timer 50 is a digital timer which is programmable.
  • the timer 50 maybe operationally associated with a computer processor 55
  • the timer 50 may be set to activate and deactivate the water pump 30 for a few minutes each day, for a few minutes every other day, for an hour every 3 days, for a few minutes every week, or any other combination desired by a system user.
  • the timer 50 and the computer processor 55 may each be operationally associated with the water level sensor 25, the visual alarm 26, and the audio alarm 28 in order to deactivate the system if the water level becomes too low, or to alert the user regarding the current water level.
  • the timer 50 can automatically adjust to daylight savings time.
  • Each timer 50 may control one or more water pumps 30. Each water pump 30 is plugged into a timer 50 which is connected to a power source, as described above.
  • One or more sections of tubing 60 having a proximal end 62 and a distal end 64 are operationally associated with the water pump 30.
  • a section of tubing 60 is connected at its proximal end 62 to either connector 70 which is connected to a water pump 30 or connected directly to the water pump 30.
  • Tubing is used to direct water pumped from the water reservoir 20 by the water pump 30 through the tubing 62.
  • the diameter of the tubing may include any diameter known in the art and include 1 inch, 3/4 inch, 5/8 inch, 1/2 inch, 3/8 inch, 1/4 inch diameter tubing. 2 pieces of tubing 60 may be connected to one another using connectors 70 as illustrated in figure 5.
  • the connectors include any connector known in the art such as straight connectors (Fig.
  • the irrigation system 10 may also make use of reducers, which will change from a wider diameter to a narrower diameter (i.e. 5/8 inch to 3/8 inch).
  • the irrigation system 10 may also make use of enlargers which will change from a narrower diameter to a wider diameter (i.e. 3/8 inch to 5/8 inch).
  • One or more emitters 95 are secured to the distal ends 64 of tubes 60.
  • One or more emitters 95 are located within a pot or near the indoor plants that the system user wants to water. Emitters 95 are selected from the group consisting of: pressure adjustable drippers, pressure adjustable sprayers, pressure adjustable soaker hoses, or a combination thereof. Water flow to each individual pot, planter and/or plant may be adjusted at the emitter.
  • the irrigation system further comprises one or more open/close valves 100 which maybe located within the system and are operationally associated with the timer 50 and/or processor 55 in order to allow one pot/planter 110 and/or plant 115 to receive water at a designated time while a separate pot/plantar 110 and/or plant 115 receives no water at the same time, even if attached to the same feeder piece of tubing 60.
  • the valve may be programmed or activated to allow the plant on the lower right to be watered daily, while simultaneously programmed or activated to allow the plant on the lower left to be watered every other day (or every third day, weekly, etc.).
  • Each valve 100 may be operated by wire or wirelessly to either permit or restrict the flow of water through a valve or a connector 70 operationally associated with a valve.
  • Each valve 100 may be programmed in the same manner that a timer 50/processor 55 is programmed and permits the programming of the system to water one or more plants daily, while simultaneously watering other plants every other day.
  • the valves permit a wide variety of watering options depending on how often and how long each water pump 30 is turned on and which valves allow water to flow through which tubes 60.
  • the valves 100 may be activated (i.e., opened or closed) manually, electronically, or a combination thereof.
  • the irrigation system 10 may include one or more processors and/or modules 55 operationally associated with the programmable timer 50, the water pump(s) 30 the valve(s) 100 or any other electrically operated component of the system.
  • the processor and/or module 55 allows one or more system user to monitor, adjust and program the irrigation system 10 remotely using a programming device.
  • Programming devices include, but are not limited to, computer terminals 120 may include a personal computer, a general purpose computer, a workstation, a smart phone 135, a tablet 130, or a combination thereof. Looking to Figure 4, an embodiment illustrates a computer terminal which maybe operated remotely from the system, gaining access to the system through the internet 125.
  • Figure 4 illustrates that a tablet 130 (i.e., Amazon Kindle, Apple iPad, Samsung Galaxy, etc.) or smart phone 135 (iPhone, Blackberry, Droid Razr, etc.) may be used by system user to activate, monitor, update or alter the system and/or system program.
  • Figure 4 also illustrates a computer terminal 120 connected directly to the irrigation system 10.
  • the various types of computer terminals 120 may access the irrigation system directly (i.e., an intranet connection), or remotely through the use of an internet browser (i.e., Microsoft Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, a remote desktop connection, etc.).
  • the system further comprises the addition of one or more types of fertilizer added to the water reservoir 20.
  • the irrigation system further comprises a cistern 105 operationally associated with the water reservoir 20 and a water level sensor 25 is located within the water reservoir 20, wherein water (rain water, well water, creek water, municipal water, etc.) is collected within the cistern 105 and directed to replenish the water supply within the water reservoir 20 when the water level sensor 25 detects that the water level within the water reservoir is below a pre-determined level, which then activates a water pump 30 to pump water from the cistern 105 to the water reservoir 20.
  • the cistern 105 is connected to the water reservoir 20 by one or more sections of tubing 60.
  • the cistern 105 may be located at an elevation above the water reservoir 20 making a water pump unnecessary. Instead, one or more valves 100 may be operationally associated with the water level sensor 25 which will open the valve(s) for a period of time when the water level is detected to be below a certain level and then close the valve(s) when that time has expired.
  • the water pump 30 and/or the valve(s) operationally associated with the cistern 105 and a timer 50/processor55 maybe used to refill the water reservoir 20 according to a preprogrammed schedule.
  • the irrigation system 10 is assembled by wiring or plugging in a timer 50 into a power source 40, wiring or plugging in a water pump 30 to the timer, attaching a connector 70 and or a section of tubing 60 to the water pump 30, submerging the water pump into water contained in the water reservoir 20, extending the tubing 60 as designated by the system user using connectors 70, reducers 75, enlargers 80 and/or valves 100 to extend at least one section of tubing to each pot, planter or plant, attaching an emitter 95 to the distal end of each section of tubing and either placing the emitter within a pot or planter or locating the emitter in close proximity to a pot, planter or plant.
  • the timer 50 and or processor 55 may be programed on site or remotely by a system user to a desired watering schedule for each individual pot, planter or plant.
  • the present invention also describes a method of watering plants comprising the steps of: a) locating an irrigation system 10 designed to provide water to indoor pots, planters 110 and/or plants 115 in the proximity of one or more indoor pots, planters and/or plants, the irrigation system comprising:
  • timer 50 operatively associated with the waterpump 30 and/or the power source 40, wherein the timer operates to activate and deactivate the water pump 20 at intervals determined by the system user;
  • tubing 60 secured at one end to the water pump 30, the tubing is used to direct water pumped from the water reservoir 20 by the water pump through the tubing to the indoor pots, planters and/or plants;

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Water Supply & Treatment (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Environmental Sciences (AREA)
  • Cultivation Receptacles Or Flower-Pots, Or Pots For Seedlings (AREA)

Abstract

La présente invention concerne un système d'irrigation (10) conçu pour fournir de l'eau à des plantes d'intérieur (115) qui comporte un réservoir d'eau (20) contenant de l'eau, une pompe à eau (30) immergée dans l'eau à l'intérieur du réservoir et raccordée à une source d'alimentation (40), un minuteur (50) fonctionnellement associé à la pompe à eau et à la source d'alimentation, le minuteur fonctionnant de façon à activer et désactiver la pompe à eau à des intervalles déterminés par l'utilisateur du système, une ou plusieurs sections de tubulure (60) fixées à une extrémité à la pompe à eau pour diriger l'eau pompée depuis le réservoir d'eau (20) par l'intermédiaire du tuyau (60) vers les plantes d'intérieur (115) et un ou plusieurs émetteurs (95) fixés à l'extrémité opposée de la tubulure, les émetteurs étant situés à l'intérieur d'un pot (110) ou à proximité des plantes d'intérieur que l'utilisateur du système souhaite arroser. Les émetteurs peuvent être des goutteurs à pression réglable, des pulvérisateurs à pression réglable, des tuyaux suintants à pression réglable, ou une combinaison de ceux-ci.
PCT/US2016/027129 2016-04-12 2016-04-12 Système d'irrigation d'intérieur WO2017180111A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/US2016/027129 WO2017180111A1 (fr) 2016-04-12 2016-04-12 Système d'irrigation d'intérieur
EP16748049.0A EP3280252A1 (fr) 2016-04-12 2016-04-12 Système d'irrigation d'intérieur

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/US2016/027129 WO2017180111A1 (fr) 2016-04-12 2016-04-12 Système d'irrigation d'intérieur

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2017180111A1 true WO2017180111A1 (fr) 2017-10-19

Family

ID=60042052

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US2016/027129 WO2017180111A1 (fr) 2016-04-12 2016-04-12 Système d'irrigation d'intérieur

Country Status (2)

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EP (1) EP3280252A1 (fr)
WO (1) WO2017180111A1 (fr)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN108450309A (zh) * 2018-05-24 2018-08-28 天津丰尧科技有限公司 一种室内智能花架
US11172779B1 (en) * 2017-06-05 2021-11-16 Glad Tidings Innovations, LLC Automatic watering system

Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20060260187A1 (en) * 2005-03-29 2006-11-23 Feketa John J Automatic Watering Apparatus for Houseplants
US7222454B1 (en) * 2004-07-19 2007-05-29 Carl Wan-Cheng Chen Apparatus and method for watering a houseplant
US20110088319A1 (en) * 2009-10-20 2011-04-21 Victory Greenwall Systems, Inc. Green wall planting module, support structure and irrigation control system
US20110258925A1 (en) * 2010-04-26 2011-10-27 Baker Richard L Vertical planter
US20110296757A1 (en) * 2010-06-02 2011-12-08 Mcgrath Kevin Robert Portable Hydroponic Terrace Cart
US20140259904A1 (en) * 2013-03-15 2014-09-18 William Charles Collard System and process for irrigating and monitoring the growth of plants
US20140298719A1 (en) * 2013-04-08 2014-10-09 Robert A. Mackin Self contained plant watering apparatus
US8910419B1 (en) * 2010-09-02 2014-12-16 All Season Greens, LLC Growing chamber

Patent Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7222454B1 (en) * 2004-07-19 2007-05-29 Carl Wan-Cheng Chen Apparatus and method for watering a houseplant
US20060260187A1 (en) * 2005-03-29 2006-11-23 Feketa John J Automatic Watering Apparatus for Houseplants
US20110088319A1 (en) * 2009-10-20 2011-04-21 Victory Greenwall Systems, Inc. Green wall planting module, support structure and irrigation control system
US20110258925A1 (en) * 2010-04-26 2011-10-27 Baker Richard L Vertical planter
US20110296757A1 (en) * 2010-06-02 2011-12-08 Mcgrath Kevin Robert Portable Hydroponic Terrace Cart
US8910419B1 (en) * 2010-09-02 2014-12-16 All Season Greens, LLC Growing chamber
US20140259904A1 (en) * 2013-03-15 2014-09-18 William Charles Collard System and process for irrigating and monitoring the growth of plants
US20140298719A1 (en) * 2013-04-08 2014-10-09 Robert A. Mackin Self contained plant watering apparatus

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US11172779B1 (en) * 2017-06-05 2021-11-16 Glad Tidings Innovations, LLC Automatic watering system
CN108450309A (zh) * 2018-05-24 2018-08-28 天津丰尧科技有限公司 一种室内智能花架

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
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