GB2281182A

GB2281182A - Semi-automatic watering system for domestic pot plants

Info

Publication number: GB2281182A
Application number: GB9317485A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Christian William Taylor
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1993-08-23
Filing date: 1993-08-23
Publication date: 1995-03-01
Also published as: GB9317485D0

Abstract

A rigid reservoir 2 holds water which is drawn up wick(s) 3 to a layer of capillary material 5 placed on the upper surface of lid 4 of the reservoir. One or more plant pots are placed on the capillary material so that they take up water through the pot's drainage holes 10 by capillary action. The device is of such a size that it may be used in a domestic situation, typically on a window sill or a table top. Lid 4 may be detachable or integral with reservoir body. Lid 4 has recessed area (8, Fig. 3). A thin perforated waterproof membrane 12 on material 5 reduces evaporation. Reservoir 2 has filler hole 1 and floating level indicator 7. <IMAGE>

Description

SEMI-AUTOMATIC WATERING SYSTEM FOR DOMESTIC POT PLANTS This invention relates to a semi-automatic method of watering domestic plants growing in plant pots, by capillary irrigation.

Capillary irrigation methods are widely used in commercial horticulture for the produc tion of pot plants. This is usually done by supplying water to the surface of a large glasshouse bench which is covered with some form of capillary material (capillary matting), such that capillary action causes the water to spread sideways over the bench, then up into the compost of the plant pot through the drainage holes in the base of the pot.

Similar principles are applied in some irrigation systems used by commercial interior lands capers for individual plants or groups of plants growing in a large container (typically greater than 35cm diameter), whereby water is held in a reservoir beneath or within the growing medium in which the plant is growing: a reservoir is placed in the growing container (or it may be integral with the container) and covered with compost/ such that water is drawn into the compost from the reservoir by capillarity up some form of wick. This provides the plant with water over a period of time, typically 2 to 3 weeks.

Various types of self watering container as described above, are now available on the retail market for growing relatively large individual plants. These containers have the advantage of regulating the water supply to the plant thus reducing the incidence of over or under watering and also reducing the frequency of watering so that the plants may be left for longer periods without needing attention. For this reason, these "self watering containers" may be called "semi-automatic" watering systems.

However, none of the above watering systems cater for plants growing in small plant pots (typically 6cm to 15cm diameter) as sold by retailers and used in the home, so the consumer does not as yet have access to any form of semi-automatic watering system capable of providing a regulated supply of water to pot plants over a period of time.

According to the present invention, a semi-automatic watering system for domestic plants growing in plant pots is provided comprising a rigid reservoir capable of holding water and supporting the weight of one or more pot plants, one or more capillary wicks which conduct water held in the reservoir to the upper surface of the reservoir and a layer of capillary material on the upper surface of the reservoir, such that one or more potted plants may be placed on top of the reservoir with the compost in contact with the capillary material, such that the plants receive a regulated supply of water over a period of time.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: Figure 1 shows in perspective view the general appearance of the system; Figure 2 shows in exploded perspective view suitable components for the system; Figure 3 shows a partial vertical section of the system in operation.

Referring to the drawings the watering system comprises a moulded plastics reservoir 2, a lid 4 through which one or more suitable wicks of capillary material 3 (for example of horticultural capillary matting) may be passed. The wicks reach to the base of the reservoir and connect with a layer of capillary material 5 (e.g. horticultural capillary matting) placed on the lid in a major recessed area 8 of the lid as shows in Fig.3.

The reservoir is filled with water through an appropriate filler hole 1. Observation of the water level is made using an appropriate floating water level indicator 7 such as a floating ball held in a translucent window. When full, the filler hole is then blocked with a plug 6. This plug may need a small hole (not shown) to allow the ingress of air into the reservoir as water is drawn out.

The lid 4 may be detachable or else integrally formed with the main body 2.

Water is drawn up the capillary wick(s) and wets the capillary material 5. Pot plants 9 placed on the capillary material 5 are thus watered by capillary action, taking up water through the drainage holes 10 in the base of their pots where the compost 11 is in contact with the wet capillary material. As water in the reservoir is used up the water level indicator drops, until it reaches an appropriately low level, at which point the reservoir is refilled with water as described above.

The recessed area 8 of the lid allows excess water from the plant pots to collect and drain by gravity through the holes in the lid and into the reservoir 2, should the pot plants ever be watered to excess from above.

A thin perforated waterproof membrane 12, (e.g. of thin plastic) may be placed on the upper surface of the capillary material, to reduce evaporation from the capillary material between adjacent pots and to assist in keeping the surface clean.

The watering system may be constructed in any appropriate shape or size, using any suitable waterproof material, such that one reservoir may be used for one pot of a suitable size and shape, or several pot plants may be irrigated on one reservoir, for instance in a row on a window sill or in a group on a table top.

The watering system may be constructed with any form of ornamentation, in order to make the invention match the colour and style of the pots and to make it attractive to the customer. In this way the watering system may also function as an attractive plant pot stand.

Typical dimensions of the reservoir 2 are 60cm x 15cm x 6cm, but a preferred range of lengths would be 30cm to 100cm and widths would be 10cm to 50cm and depths 4 cm to 10 cm. The dimensions of circular reservoirs would typically be 6cm to 35cm diameter and 4cm to 10cm deep.

Claims

1. A semi-automatic watering system for domestic plants growing in plant pots, compris ing a rigid reservoir capable of holding water and supporting the weight of one or more pot plants, one or more capillary wicks which conduct water held in the reservoir to the upper surface of the reservoir and a layer of capillary material on the upper surface of the reservoir, such that one or more potted plants may be placed on top of the reservoir with the compost in contact with the capillary material, such that the plants receive a regulated supply of water over a period of time.

2. A semi-automatic watering system as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the water level in the reservoir may be observed through some appropriate window, or by using some ap propriate flotation device to provide a water level indicator.

3. A semi-automatic watering system as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the capil lary material on the upper surface is covered with a suitable perforated waterproof material, in order to reduce water evaporation from the capillary material between adjacent pot plants and to assist in keeping the surface clean.

4. A semi-automatic watering system as claimed in Claim 1, Claim 2 or Claim 3 wherein the upper surface of the reservoir has a recessed area such that any excess water in the plant pots may collect in the recess and drain by gravity through the holes in the upper surface and into the reservoir.

5. A semi-automatic watering system as claimed in Claims 1, 2, 3 or 4 wherein the reser voir is constructed in a range of shapes and sizes appropriate for either individual pots of different sizes, or for groups of pot plants.

6. A semi-automatic watering system as claimed in Claim 1, Claim 2, Claim 3 or Claim 4 wherein the reservoir is constructed with ornamentation, such that the watering system acts also as an attractive pot stand.

7. A semi-automatic watering system as claimed in Claims 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5, wherein the upper surface of the reservoir is integral with the main body of the reservoir and not constructed as a detachable lid.

8. A semi-automatic watering system substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 1 to 3.