GB2480500A

GB2480500A - Self-watering plant container

Info

Publication number: GB2480500A
Application number: GB1008521A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Alan Markham; Elizabeth Mcilroy
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-05-21
Filing date: 2010-05-21
Publication date: 2011-11-23
Anticipated expiration: 2030-05-21
Also published as: GB2480500B; GB201008521D0

Abstract

A self-watering plant container comprises an inner receptacle or container1placed inside a larger receptacle2separated by a valve3. The gap between the two receptacles forms a reservoircinto which fluid is introduced. If the weight of the inner receptacle1and contents is less than a certain value, the inner receptacle1will float, opening the valve3allowing fluid ingress from the reservoircthrough an aperture a in the inner receptacle1, aided by hydrostatic pressure. If the weight of the inner receptacle1and contents is greater than a certain value the inner receptacle1will counteract the buoyancy effect enabled by the reservoircgradually lowering the inner receptacle1back onto the valve3creating a seal, thus preventing fluid flow.

Description

A self regulating automatic fluid dispensing planter

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTJON

This invention relates to a self regulating automatic fluid dispensing planter.

For plants to flourish they must be provided with the correct amount of moisture. By providing a plant with too little or too much fluid will compromise its growth and life span.

The correct amount of fluid varies not only among different types of plants but with the particular environment in which the plant is growing, it is a time consuming and laboured process to manually supply the necessary fluids.

An automatic device providing the necessary moisture to the plant is therefore highly desirable, especially if the fluid is dispensed on demand.

Fluid Dispensing Plant Containers fall into different categories. Some use fluid administered by pipes, some have porous inner containers where the fluid seeps through the container wall. Others have a reservoir located in the base of the container which relies on capillary action or fabric wicks to deliver the fluid to the growing media from the reservoir. None of these designs use hydrostatic pressure aiding fluid delivery or a delivery valve Self Regulating Automatic Fluid Dispensing Planters incorporate vacuum sealed reservoirs located within the container wall, using a sensor located within the growing media to activate the flow of fluid through apertures in the bottom of the planter. It is essential that the flexible stopper used to fill the reservoir is tightly sealed thus maintaining the vacuum within.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a self regulating planter which overcomes or at least minimises problems with the known arrangements set out above and provide a design both simple in operation and production.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Thus and in accordance with the present invention there is provided a self regulating automatic fluid dispensing planter comprising an inner and outer receptacle, said outer receptacle having a valve through which fluid flows into said inner receptacle, said flow of fluid being caused by hydrostatic pressure induced on a reservoir located between said receptacles.

With this arrangement, it is possible to provide a planter which uses a separate inner receptacle and has no vacuum requirement, using a simple weight activated valve rather than moisture sensors as the method of control.

The proposed design is fully automatic and self regulating, preferably dispensing fluid from a reservoir via a valve only when the receptacle containing the growing media and plants drops in weight due to evaporation and plant fluid demand. Preferably the valve closes when the receptacle containing the plant and media increases to a certain weight due to the intake of fluid.

Preferably the valve operates regularly when air temperatures are high, rarely in cool and/or wet conditions. Thus, it can be appreciated that the plant growing media therefore will have a consistent moisture level irrespective of climatic conditions as long as there is fluid in the reservoir.

Various materials may be used in the manufacture of said receptacles, preferably polymers such as polymethyl methacryl ate, polycarbonate, acrylic, polyester or styrene acrylonitrile eopolymer which are all solid and translucent.

Similarly, various materials offer excellent sealing properties for the valve such as Nitrile NBR, Chloroprene and Fluoroelastomers FPM!FKM In use, the planter of the present invention allows easy assessment of fluid content due to the translucent nature of the outer receptacle. Indeed, the fluid content of the entire planter can be assessed as the moisture content of the growing media is always consistent as long as there is fluid within said reservoir, the minor variable being the weight of the plants.

In use the planter lends itself to a variety of environments, be it a planter that hangs by means of chains as with a Hanging Basket, affixed to walls, or free standing planters located on the floor or upon fumiture, The planter will also locate itself into a variety of stands utilising the protrusion on the outside of the outer receptacle for alignment.

A variety of shapes may be used be it cylindrical, conical, hexagonal, square etc, all using the floating inner receptacle and valve design.

In the example of a hanging planter placed indoors, say a conservatory, the user would benefit from the knowledge that there would be no spillage as is the case with wire type hanging planters.

Many free standing planters of the type used commercially in offices, restaurants and the like are usually large by nature having no visual means to observe fluid levels bringing the problem of uncertainty regarding the moisture content of the growing media resulting in unhealthy plants; often growing plants are replaced with plastic plants such is the problem of fluid control.

Fluid addition to planters is usually from above, the present invention reverts this insofar that fluids are introduced from below resulting in the planter being saturated in the lower part, the driest area being the surface of the growing media. This embodiment allows reduced evaporation to atmosphere from the media surface which could deemed as a water saving feature.

In use, the planter of the present invention being of the type described could negate the requirement of a translucent outer receptacle allowing, possibly more aesthetic materials of a non translucent nature. A transparent tube could be attached to the side of the planter entering beneath; this would provide indication of fluid level within the reservoir and by default the moisture content of the Inner Receptacle.

In use the addition of plant food could be measured as said food could be introduced directly into the reservoir avoiding the possibility of spillage if introduced to the planter conventionally from above.

If used as a hanging container the present invention would save fluid spills due to zero leakage unlike some hanging containers where excessive spills are unavoidable.

Preferably measured graduations could be embossed on the outside of the outer receptacle thus aiding fluid assessments and progress.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1:-Shows an embodiment of the planter seen from above in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2:-Shows an embodiment of the planter in section in accordance with the present invention with the valve closed.

Figure 3:-Shows an embodiment of the planter in section in accordance with the present invention with the valve open.

Figure 4:-Shows an alternative shaped planter seen from above.

Figure 5:-Shows the planter from Figure 4 in section.

Figure 6:-Shows an alternative shaped planter seen from above.

Figure 7:-Shows the planter from Figure 6 in section.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring to Figure 1 2 and 3, there is shown a planter comprising..., An Inner Receptacle (I) manufactured from injection moulded plastic having an Aperture (a) in its base An Outer Receptacle (2) manufactured from injection moulded plastic having a Depression or a Raised Ring (b) located centrally inside for the accommodation of the Valve Seal (3) made from a suitably flexible material. The shape of the Depression/Raised Rings (b) and the Valve Seal (3) may be varied.

Three Cut Outs (h) are equi-spaced around the periphery of the Flange (d) for the option of suspending the invention in a similar manner to a Hanging Basket.

A Raised Ring (f) is located centrally inside to accommodate the option of a protective mesh guard preventing blockages from aggressive root systems. Exhaustive trials on many plant species have deemed this to be unnecessary.

A contoured cut-out in the Flange of the Inner Receptacle (i) represents the Fluid Inlet (e).

In use the Inner Receptacle (I) containing plants and Plant Growing Media (j) is placed inside the Outer Receptacle (2), allowing the underneath of the Inner Receptacle (1) to make contact with the Valve Seal (3).

Fluid is then introduced into the Fluid Inlet (e) thus filling the Reservoir (c) One of two events now occur depending on the fluid level in the Reservoir (c) and the moisture content of the Growing Media U) Referring to Figure 2, if the moisture level of the Plant Growing Media U) is high the integrity of the Valve Seal (3) is maintained until such time the contents of the Inner Receptacle (1) decreases in weight.

Now, referring to Figure 3, if the moisture level of the Plant Growing Media U) is low the Inner Receptacle (1) and its contents will float allowing fluid ingress through the Aperture (a) and into the Plant Growing Media U); this action increases the content weight of the Inner Receptacle (1) which eventually lowers onto the Valve Seal (3) inhibiting fluid flow.

In addition to the reserve fluid supply contained in the Reservoir (c) there is the option of overfilling said Reservoir (c) should circumstances dictate that the Planter will be unattended for an unusual period of time. This will see the Inner Receptacle (1) float substantially within the Outer Receptacle (2) fully saturating the Growing Media U) until fluids reduce naturally with the Inner Receptacle (1) seating itself back on the Valve Seal (3). At this point the Reservoir (c) is still full of fluid allowing considerable time before more fluid is required to be added to said Reservoir (c)