AU2017101107A4 - Self-watering Plant Pot with Tray - Google Patents

Abstract

A self-watering plant pot for inside and outside use with a high volume reservoir for water delivered to a tray for uptake, by capillary action, by growing medium in a cavity within the wall sections and pot base. The cavity between the upper wall section and the shell is the water reservoir. An airtight screw in bung at the top of the reservoir enables refilling. Water delivery from the reservoir to the tray is via a ball valve tap. The tap is turned off when refilling and on for water delivery. Water is absorbed by the growing medium through holes at the lower wall section and pot base junction. Water height is held constant in the tray by vacuum in the reservoir, allowing water to drop when the depth is low enough to allow air passage. External water passes through the pot, spilling from the tray. is F ure I

Description

2017101107 15 Aug 2017

INNOVATION PATENT APPLICATION for Self-watering Plant Pot with Tray 1 2017101107 15 Aug 2017

DESCRIPTION

FIELD

[0001] This invention relates to gardening and plant growing equipment. More particularly it relates to self watering plant pots.

BACKGROUND

[0002] In conventional plant pots water is usually applied manually to the top of the pot. Excess water passes through the growing medium and drains through holes in the bottom of the pot with a small amount staying in a tray, if it has one. The water is available to the plant for only a short time before the growing medium dries out and needs watering again.

[0003] Ideally a regulated constant supply of water would overcome this problem. Many pots have been invented for this purpose but few with a large water storage capacity and simple construction with no moving and easy to access parts.

[0004] Additionally, self watering pots have been developed that deliver water inside the pot with no means of egress. These pots can’t be used outside because rain would flood the pot and kill the plant.

SUMMARY

[0005] The object of this invention is to provide a self watering solution for plant growth using a pot having a simple construction that ameliorates the problems of the prior art or offers an improvement over the prior art in some way, including the ability to use the pots outdoors where they may be exposed to rain.

[0006] According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a self watering plant pot with tray to deliver water to a growing medium for plant uptake comprising: - a growing medium space; - a refillable water reservoir for holding water ready for delivery; - means to refill the water reservoir; - an intermediate water retaining receptacle; 2017101107 15 Aug 2017 2 - means to allow or restrict delivery of water from the water reservoir to the intermediate water retaining receptacle; - means for the water in the tray to transfer to the growing medium.

[0007] Preferably the self watering plant pot comprises a pot and tray adapted for the pot to be seated in the tray, and wherein the pot has: -an upper wall section, lower wall section and pot base which define the growing medium space; and - an outer shell, top of shell and bottom of shell which together with the upper wall section define the water reservoir; -a plurality of apertures formed in the pot base or at the lowermost end of the lower wall section or alternatively across the junction of the lowermost end of the lower wall section and pot base for communicating water in and out of the growing medium space; -a tap having an outlet for allowing or restricting delivery of water from the water reservoir; -an airtight and resealable water filling point and wherein the tray has: -a bottom and a side wall defining a receptacle for the retention of water in a water zone; and wherein when the pot is seated in the tray, the outlet of the tap sits above the bottom of the tray but below the lowest level of the side wall of the tray, thereby creating the water zone in the tray that will be maintained with water provided the water reservoir has water in it, the tap is open and the water filling point is sealed to air ingress, and wherein the plurality of apertures of the pot are situated within the water zone.

[0008] More preferably the self watering plant pot and tray has formed within the pot screw mouldings for receiving a threaded ball valve tap and threaded airtight bung for sealing the water filling point.

[0009] More preferably the pot and tray are integrally formed including by fused deposit moulding or other additive manufacturing technique. 3 2017101107 15 Aug 2017 [0010] According to a second aspect of the invention there is a method of using a self watering plant pot and tray of the first aspect of the invention wherein the method comprises: -seating the pot in the tray; -turning off the tap; -screwing out the airtight bung to open the water reservoir so that it can be filled and after filling, resealing the water opening by rescrewing in the airtight bung; -opening the tap.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING

[0011] Referring to the following drawings which are of exemplary embodiments of the invention, regard is had to:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the self watering plant pot with tray according to a first embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 is a front view showing all parts of the self watering plant pot with tray, visible and hidden, in place ready for use according to a first embodiment of the invention.

Figure 3 is a top view of the self watering plant pot with tray according to a first embodiment of the invention.

Figure 4 is a top view of the self watering plant pot showing section line A-A according to a first embodiment of the invention.

Figure 4a is a front sectional view of the self watering plant pot and tray along line A-A of Fig 4 according to a first embodiment of the invention.

Figure 5 is a side view of the self watering plant pot with bung and tap in place according to a first embodiment of the invention.

Figure 6 is an additional front view of the self watering plant pot with tray according to a first embodiment of the invention.

Figure 7 is a side cutaway view and close up of the ball valve tap and nearby components which shows the water height in the tray according to a first embodiment of the invention. 4 2017101107 15 Aug 2017

Figure 8 shows a side view of an self watering plant pot according to a second embodiment of the invention.

Figure 9 is a top view of a tray for the second embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING

[0012] With reference to the drawings representing the invention the self-watering plant pot and tray (100) is comprised of pot (1) and tray (4). Pot (1) has a growing medium cavity (2) defined by upper wall section (7), lower wall section (19) and pot base (8). Drainage holes (9) are formed in the lower wall section (19) and allow water entering the growing medium cavity (2) to drain externally into tray (4) thereby preventing a build up of water in growing medium cavity (2) in the case of excessive rain. The pot base (8) could be flat, concave or other design.

[0013] Pot (1) also has a water reservoir (3) which is defined by upper wall section (7), top of shell (10) outer shell (11) and bottom of shell (12). Water reservoir (3) also features a bung (5) and a ball valve tap (6) which are screwed into the top of shell (10) and bottom of shell (12) respectively of pot body (1). The tray (4) is adapted to be positioned under the pot (1). The pot (1) could be round, oval, multisided or made into a variety of different shapes. The person skilled in the art would be aware that it is possible to make the pot (1) and tray (4) integrally without deviating from the nature of the invention. The pot (1) and tray (4) can be inexpensive and easy to make using modern moulding techniques for plastics and be any texture and any or many coloured. Other materials organic, inorganic or composites could be used to make pot (1) and tray (4).

[0014] As discussed above, top of shell (10), outer of shell (11), bottom of shell (12) and upper wall section (7) form water reservoir (3).The distance between upper wall section (7) and outer shell (11) determines the water volume desired. The top of shell (10) and bottom of shell (12) could be flat, curved or other design. A vertical transparent strip in the moulding of outer shell (11) can be incorporated to show water height.

[0015] Tray (4) has a side wall (13) and tray base (14). In one embodiment an aperture (23) is provided in the side wall (13) that provides a lowest open section (20) which is slightly above the tap outlet (6a) when the pot (1) is seated in it. This allows for water height (21) variation in tray (4) during operation but also allows external excess to spill out and into the external environment via aperture (23). In alternate embodiments the aperture (23) may be replaced 2017101107 15 Aug 2017 5 with a depression in the top of side wall (13) providing a lowest open section (20). In alternate embodiments lowest open section (20) may be omitted as water can spill over the top of side wall (13) [0016] The bung (5) is screwed into a threaded hole (16) moulded into the top of shell (10). A rubber or other elastomeric washer (15) can be used to maintain an airtight seal. The water reservoir (3) is filled through the threaded hole (16). The screw in bung (5) could be replaced by any airtight arrangement including a screw on cap or push in bung.

[0017] The ball valve tap (6) is screwed into a threaded hole (17) moulded into the bottom of shell (12). Thread sealant (18) or similar, e.g. thread tape, makes an airtight seal. The skilled reader will appreciate that many other taps or valves could be incorporated into the invention e.g. push into a grommet or flow check valve, could be used. Referring to Figure 7 when the pot (1) is seated in tray (4) the bottom of the ball valve tap (6), namely tap outlet (6a) is above the tray base (14), but below lowest open section (20) of side wall (13) of tray (4). This arrangement allows water and air transfer between the water reservoir (3) and the tray (4) whilst maintaining a body of water at height (21) to be maintained in tray (4).

[0018] Alternatively a second embodiment of the pot (1) and tray (4) are shown in Figures 8 and 9 respectively. Referring to Figure 8 it shall be noted that the bottom of shell (12) defining the bottom of water reservoir (3) extends to the bottom of pot (1) and a tap (22) is formed in the outer shell (11). Referring to Figure 9, the pot (1) of Figure 8 could be accommodated by a tray (4) as depicted by modifying it to accommodate the protrusion of tap (22).

[0019] In use the self watering plant pot and tray (100) is able to maintain a constant level of water in the tray (4) so long as there is water in the reservoir (3). To use the invention, the tap (6) is first turned off and the bung (5) removed to allow the reservoir (3) to be filled to the top. The airtight bung (5) is re-screwed into place and the ball tap (6) turned on. This releases water into the tray. The vacuum created in the reservoir (3) prevents all of the water from draining into the tray (4). Water from tray (4) then enters growing medium cavity (2) via holes (9) and travels up into the growing medium via capillary action.

Claims (5)

1. A self watering plant pot with tray to deliver water to a growing medium for plant uptake comprising: - a growing medium space; - a refillable water reservoir for holding water ready for delivery; - means to refill the water reservoir; - an intermediate water retaining receptacle; - means to allow or restrict delivery of water from the water reservoir to the intermediate water retaining receptacle; - means for water in the tray to transfer to the growing medium.

2. The self watering plant pot with tray of claim 1 comprising a pot and tray adapted for the pot to be seated in the tray, and wherein the pot has: -an upper wall section, lower wall section and pot base which define the growing medium space; and - an outer shell, top of shell and bottom of shell which together with the upper wall section define the water reservoir; -a plurality of apertures formed in the pot base or at the lowermost end of the lower wall section or alternatively across the junction of the lowermost end of the lower wall section and pot base for communicating water in and out of the growing medium space; -a tap having an outlet for allowing or restricting delivery of water from the water reservoir; -an airtight and resealable water filling point and wherein the tray has: -a bottom and a side wall defining a receptacle for the retention of water in a water zone; and wherein when the pot is seated in the tray, the outlet of the tap sits above the bottom of the tray but below the lowest level of the side wall of the tray, thereby creating the water zone in the tray that will be maintained with water provided the water reservoir has water in it, the tap is open and the water filling point is sealed to air ingress, and wherein the plurality of apertures of the pot are situated within the water zone.

3. The self watering plant pot with tray of claim 2 wherein the pot has screw mouldings for receiving a threaded ball valve tap and threaded airtight bung for sealing the water filling point.

4. A method of using a self watering plant pot and tray of claim 3 wherein the method comprises: -seating the pot in the tray; -turning off the tap; -screwing out the airtight bung to open the water reservoir so that it can be filled and after filling, resealing the water opening by rescrewing in the airtight bung; -opening the tap.

5. The self watering plant pot and tray of claim 2 or 3 wherein the tray and pot are integrally formed.