Plant husbandry – Receptacle for growing medium – Irrigator
Reexamination Certificate
2000-04-24
2002-07-16
Jordan, Charles T. (Department: 3644)
Plant husbandry
Receptacle for growing medium
Irrigator
C047S048500
Reexamination Certificate
active
06418663
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to plants and more particularly to watering plants which are contained within a pot.
Within a typical household, there are a variety of potted plants. Often the pots range in size from a few inches to two feet across. While maintenance of the plants requires irregular fertilizing and pruning, watering the plant must be done on a regular basis to maintain the plant's health.
While everyone knows the importance of regular watering, maintaining a consistent schedule proves to be very difficult and often the plants is “stressed” between watering.
To assist in eliminating this problem, a variety of solutions have been attempted. One method places a hollow spike into the dirt next to the planter. Water placed within the hollow spike is slowly released into the surrounding soil. This technique is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,259,142, issued on Nov. 9, 1993, to Sax and entitled, “Plant Irrigation Device”, incorporated hereinto by reference.
While this mechanism works relatively well, it is difficult to visually gauge when the spike needs to be refilled; and, the reservoir created by the spike is relatively small, not allowing the watering from the spike to work over an extended period of time.
Another method used to increase the water retention within a planter pot is the use of polymers which absorb water. This prevents the water from draining through the pot; and, the polymers slowly release the water for the plant's use.
Polymers though do not collect a vast amount of water, usually on the order of four times the weight of the polymer; hence, if two ounces of polymer is added (an excessive amount), the polymer will only hold about eight ounces of water. This amount is relatively insignificant and will not assist over a long period of time.
It is clear there is a need for a more reliable apparatus for irrigating potted plants.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention utilizes a reservoir which mounts onto the upper lip of the pot. The reservoir communicates a slow feed of water into the pot to provide water to the plant.
While one embodiment of the invention provides for the reservoir to be incorporated into the pot itself, the preferred embodiment is an “add-on” which is secured to the rim and then filled with water.
With the reservoir mounted at the rim, the home-owner is able to easily check to see if the reservoir needs to be refilled or not.
The preferred embodiment is a single round reservoir that fits around the entire rim of the planter. Other embodiments of the invention provide for a segmented reservoir which also extends around the entire rim and which uses multiple reservoirs which are “snapped” or otherwise secured to each other to form a ring.
In yet another embodiment of the invention, the reservoir does not extend around the entire rim but rather is hung from the rim and addresses only a portion of the rim. This embodiment is easy to “hide” to maintain the aesthetics of the original pot.
The water is communicated to the interior of the pot via a variety of controlled delivery apparatus. The preferred embodiment uses a wick mechanism which slowly draws water from the reservoir and drips it into the pot.
While the wick is the preferred embodiment, other embodiments utilize an emitter such as those described in: U.S. Pat. No. 5,820,029, issued to Marans on Oct. 13, 1998, and entitled “Drip Irrigation emitter”; or, U.S. Pat. No. 6,027,048, issued to Mehoudar on Feb. 22, 2000, and entitled “Irrigation Emitter Unit”, both of which are incorporated hereinto by reference.
The use of emitters allows the home-owner/user to easily adjust the amount of water being delivered to the plant.
In another embodiment of the invention, a second reservoir, such as a plastic bottle, is used to feed water into the primary reservoir. This embodiment of the invention is usefull for when the home-owner/user is going to be absent for an extended period of time to maintain a consistent watering of the plant within the pot.
The invention, together with various embodiments thereof will be more fully explained by the accompanying drawings and the following description thereof.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2278991 (1942-04-01), Hasslacher et al.
patent: 3084666 (1963-04-01), Plaisance
patent: 4787169 (1988-11-01), Maxfield et al.
patent: 4903432 (1990-02-01), Velagaleti et al.
patent: 5546700 (1996-08-01), Kumpf
patent: 5820029 (1998-10-01), Marans
patent: 6027048 (2000-02-01), Mehoudar
patent: 6185866 (2001-02-01), Enfaradi
Durando Birdwell & Janke P.L.C.
Jordan Charles T.
Milczarek-Desai Gavin J.
Nelson Judith A.
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