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WO1992006587A1 - Methode et appareil servant a arroser des plantes - Google Patents

Methode et appareil servant a arroser des plantes Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO1992006587A1
WO1992006587A1 PCT/US1991/007495 US9107495W WO9206587A1 WO 1992006587 A1 WO1992006587 A1 WO 1992006587A1 US 9107495 W US9107495 W US 9107495W WO 9206587 A1 WO9206587 A1 WO 9206587A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
water
pot
nozzle
diaphragm
plant
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US1991/007495
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Uwe Harold Bednarzik
Original Assignee
Uwe Harold Bednarzik
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 Uwe Harold Bednarzik filed Critical Uwe Harold Bednarzik
Publication of WO1992006587A1 publication Critical patent/WO1992006587A1/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

  • This invention relates to automatic watering devices and temperature moderators for greenhouse plants and, more particularly, to a watering method and apparatus which automatically waters a plant in response to water loss and can be adjusted to moderate temperature at the plant during unusually hot or cold weather .
  • U. S. Patent No. 3,753,315 is illustrative of a double pot system in which an aperture is located on or near the bottom of an inner pot and a sponge located between the bottom of the inner container and above the inside bottom of an outer container. Water is transferred from the outer container to a cavity containing the sponge and, through capillary action, the water moves upwardly from the sponge through the aperture in the inner pot to moisten the plant soil.
  • One problem associated with such a device has been the difficulty of controlling the amount of water transferred to the plant. Quite often such types of planters have not proved satisfactory as soil often becomes water saturated and causes rotting of the plant roots.
  • 3,552,058 illustrates another form of double pot system in which a mass of earth provides the function of the sponge in the aforementioned U.S. Patent No. 3,753,315.
  • Another form of automatic watering device is shown in U.S. Patent No. 4,825,591 in which a plant hangs from one end of a vertical rod with a spring at the opposite end of the rod for actuating a valve in a water tank. As the soil dries and becomes lighter, the spring lifts the plant and triggers a water tank valve to open and water the plant.
  • the complexity of this apparatus makes it unsuitable for greenhouse use where multitudes of plants are growing. Furthermore, the complexity of the apparatus makes it susceptible to high failure rates and its sizt and complexity are not cost effective for mass watering.
  • an inner pot for receiving a plant and associated planting soil and an outer pot surrounding the inner pot.
  • the inner pot has an aperture located in its bottom surface through which a nozzle extends.
  • the outer pot has an aperture adjacent its bottom for connection to a water line.
  • a support preferably comprising a thin, rubber diaphragm stretched over a short cylindrical member, sits on the inside bottom surface of the outer pot.
  • the nozzle rests on the diaphragm which acts as a plug to block the nozzle.
  • the inner pot will begin to float when the volume of water it displaces weighs more than the inner pot and its contents. Assuming that a plant is potted in the inner pot and that it is relatively dry, such floating will cause the nozzle to rise above the diaphragm and allow water to enter the inner pot through the nozzle.
  • the water will be drawn into soil in the inner pot until the combined weight of the plant, water, and soil becomes heavier than the displaced water in the outer pot and causes the inner pot to return to its resting position with the nozzle contacting the diaphragm.
  • the thin, rubber diaphragm acts as a positive water seal with the inner pot in its resting position since the water pressure from the bottom of the diaphragm is greater than the water/air pressure in the nozzle.
  • the amount of water allowed to enter the inner pot can be controlled by adjusting the level to which water fills the outer pot.
  • a plurality of the above described pots are connected to a common water line.
  • the pots may be arranged on tables of similar plants in identically sized pots with a common float control valve for regulating the level of water in the outer pots.
  • the water line may be provided with a valve at an end remote from the float control valve which can be opened to maintain a constant water flow through the line.
  • FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a double plant pot arrangement in accordance with the present invention
  • FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the double plant pot arrangement of FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 3 is a plan view of an automatic plant watering system for a plurality of plants in accordance with one aspect of the present invention. Description Of The Invention
  • FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of one form of double pot arrangement 10 in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.
  • the arrangement 10 includes an inner pot 12 having a capillary tube or nozzle 14 extending through an aperture 16 in a bottom 18 of the pot.
  • the inner pot 12 fits within an outer pot 20.
  • the outer pot 20 is provided with an aperture 22 adjacent its bottom 24 for connecting to a water line 26. Seated on the bottom 24 is a support 28 comprising a thin, rubberoid diaphragm 30 stretched over an upper rim of a cylindrical member 32.
  • the member 32 is preferably supported on legs 34 to allow water to flow under the table and exert a force on the lower side of the diaphragm.
  • the diaphragm 30 may be formed of any suitable stable material such as, for example, latex, neoprene, or silicone.
  • FIG. 2 is an exploded, perspective view of the arrangement 10 better showing the diaphragm 30 and its positioning with respect to nozzle 14. While support 28 is shown as cylindrical, it will be recognized that the support could take other shapes .
  • the pot 12 When a preselected volume of water has been absorbed by the soil 38, the pot 12 will fall to a point at which nozzle 14 contacts diaphragm 30 and shuts off the flow of water into pot 12. As stated above, the hysteresis effected by diaphragm 30 will force drying of soil 38 beyond that required to just balance pot 12 before additional water is allowed to again flow into pot 12. Such drying is useful in stimulating plant growth.
  • FIG. 3 there is shown a plan view of an exemplary greenhouse arrangement using the teaching of the present invention.
  • a plurality of double pot arrangements 10 are situated on a typical support table 44 with each pot 20 connected by its associated water line 26 to a central main water line 46.
  • Main line 46 preferably extends along the center of table 44 allowing access to each side for connection to the pots 20 spaced thereabout.
  • One end of line 46 connects to a water reservoir 40 of the type having a float valve 42 for controlling the level of water in the reservoir.
  • a primary water supply, city system, or pump (not shown) is connected to supply water to reservoir 40.
  • Reservoir 40 and float valve 42 may be of a type well known in the art, including, for simplicity, the type commonly used in flush commodes.
  • the float valve 42 responds to dropping of the water level in reservoir 40 by opening and allowing water from the primary water supply to- flow into the reservoir until a preset level is reached.
  • the level of water in the pots 20 can be regulated.
  • the table 44 is level so that all the pots 20 are at the same level and therefore have the same water height. Individual levels of water in selected ones of the pots 20 can be adjusted by changing the position of the pot, e.g. , by placing a support under a pot to
  • the system of FIG. 3 is also useful in moderating ambient temperature about plants 36 by controlling the temperature of water introduced to the plants.
  • a valve 48 which can be opened to allow a continuous flow of water through the system.
  • warm water can be placed in reservoir 40 and allowed to flow to the plants 36.
  • the water will not only warm the plant root area, convection heating will also warm the general area surrounding the plants.
  • it may be desirable to cycle the system such that water is drained out through valve 48 prior to admitting additional water into lines 26 and 46.
  • the cycling process can be readily achieved in various manners such as, for example, by using electrically controlled valves for valves 48 and 42 which can be time controlled to cycle on and off in an alternating sequence. Recycling heated drainage water from valve 48 back into reservoir 40 provides yet another effective method for heating the plants 36. If it is desirable to cool the area of the plants 36, cool water could be substituted for warm water.

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

Méthode et appareil servant à arroser et à modérer automatiquement la température ambiante d'une pluralité de plantes empotées. Chaque plante est placée dans un pot intérieur (12) qui est disposé dans un pot extérieur plus grand (20). Chaque pot intérieur comporte une ouverture (16) dans sa surface inférieure, une buse (14) s'étendant à travers ladite ouverture. L'appareil (32) est placé au fond de chaque pot extérieur et coopère avec la buse pour prévenir sélectivement un écoulement d'eau dans le pot intérieur quand le contenu inférieur du pot possède une quantité d'humidité présélectionnée. Chaque pot extérieur (20) est raccordé à une source d'eau au moyen d'un conduit d'eau (26). L'eau peut entrer dans le pot extérieur jusqu'au moment où le niveau d'eau atteint un niveau présélectionné pour réguler la quantité d'eau pouvant entrer dans le pot intérieur. Il est possible de faire entrer sélectivement de l'eau ayant une température régulée et de la faire passer du conduit d'eau jusqu'à la plante dans le but de maintenir la température de l'eau se trouvant dans le conduit d'eau à un niveau présélectionné.
PCT/US1991/007495 1990-10-15 1991-10-15 Methode et appareil servant a arroser des plantes WO1992006587A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US59739690A 1990-10-15 1990-10-15
US597,396 1990-10-15

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1992006587A1 true WO1992006587A1 (fr) 1992-04-30

Family

ID=24391332

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US1991/007495 WO1992006587A1 (fr) 1990-10-15 1991-10-15 Methode et appareil servant a arroser des plantes

Country Status (1)

Country Link
WO (1) WO1992006587A1 (fr)

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2007085799A1 (fr) * 2006-01-24 2007-08-02 D & K Products Limited Appareil d'irrigation
US7634872B2 (en) * 2003-11-19 2009-12-22 Prescott Mark R Plant growth container
CN103477959A (zh) * 2012-06-14 2014-01-01 李泳康 无土暗灌植物根部调湿调氧装置
CN109374830A (zh) * 2018-10-29 2019-02-22 杭州师范大学 定量水淹模拟装置及使用方法
CN111758539A (zh) * 2020-08-07 2020-10-13 杨蕾 一种园艺栽培自动供液装置

Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US608664A (en) * 1898-08-09 Allison n
US2810235A (en) * 1953-07-13 1957-10-22 Sidney H Magid Flower pot and jacket for same
US3552058A (en) * 1968-04-22 1971-01-05 James C Fici Planter with reservoir
US3753315A (en) * 1970-05-28 1973-08-21 R Adam Device for irrigation especially of flower pots
US4739789A (en) * 1985-05-21 1988-04-26 Hamilton Malcolm F Liquid flow control valve
US4756121A (en) * 1984-11-13 1988-07-12 Alexander Wild Automatic irrigation device for cultivated soil
US4760666A (en) * 1987-04-29 1988-08-02 Joonho Han Watering device for plants
US4825591A (en) * 1988-06-23 1989-05-02 Han Joon H Automatic watering device for plants
US4965963A (en) * 1988-03-23 1990-10-30 Plant-Tech Horticultural Products, Inc. Platform and watering system for plants

Patent Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US608664A (en) * 1898-08-09 Allison n
US2810235A (en) * 1953-07-13 1957-10-22 Sidney H Magid Flower pot and jacket for same
US3552058A (en) * 1968-04-22 1971-01-05 James C Fici Planter with reservoir
US3753315A (en) * 1970-05-28 1973-08-21 R Adam Device for irrigation especially of flower pots
US4756121A (en) * 1984-11-13 1988-07-12 Alexander Wild Automatic irrigation device for cultivated soil
US4739789A (en) * 1985-05-21 1988-04-26 Hamilton Malcolm F Liquid flow control valve
US4760666A (en) * 1987-04-29 1988-08-02 Joonho Han Watering device for plants
US4965963A (en) * 1988-03-23 1990-10-30 Plant-Tech Horticultural Products, Inc. Platform and watering system for plants
US4825591A (en) * 1988-06-23 1989-05-02 Han Joon H Automatic watering device for plants

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7634872B2 (en) * 2003-11-19 2009-12-22 Prescott Mark R Plant growth container
WO2007085799A1 (fr) * 2006-01-24 2007-08-02 D & K Products Limited Appareil d'irrigation
US7971390B2 (en) 2006-01-24 2011-07-05 D&K Products Limited Irrigation apparatus
CN103477959A (zh) * 2012-06-14 2014-01-01 李泳康 无土暗灌植物根部调湿调氧装置
CN109374830A (zh) * 2018-10-29 2019-02-22 杭州师范大学 定量水淹模拟装置及使用方法
CN111758539A (zh) * 2020-08-07 2020-10-13 杨蕾 一种园艺栽培自动供液装置

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