WO1985005533A1 - Automatic watering and feeding system for plants - Google Patents
Automatic watering and feeding system for plants Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO1985005533A1 WO1985005533A1 PCT/US1985/000984 US8500984W WO8505533A1 WO 1985005533 A1 WO1985005533 A1 WO 1985005533A1 US 8500984 W US8500984 W US 8500984W WO 8505533 A1 WO8505533 A1 WO 8505533A1
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- water
- arm
- secured
- float
- aperture
- Prior art date
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
- A01G27/003—Controls for self-acting watering devices
Definitions
- This invention refers to a device, which automatically initiates and cuts off watering and feeding of plants, when the dryness, respectively the wetness of the soil medium so requires. Once installed, the system maintains itself over prolonged periods of times. No external power, such as electricity is needed to keep the device operative.
- Potted plants require careful and regular watering and fertilization, dispensed in consistent quantities, in order to promote and maintain healthy growth of the plants.
- system may also be beneficially utilized for one or a few potted plant, it is particularly advantageous when large numbers of plants are displayed, e.g., in high-rise buildings, hotels, etc., virtually eliminating the cost of having a gardener or attendant monitoring the growth and appearance of the plants. On a smaller scale, the system is suitable for traveling or busy people and entire families going on vacation.
- the device features an automatic water supply/cut-off assembly, supplying water from below into the soil and automatically shuts off the water after the soil medium has become sufficiently wet.
- the device provides no replenishing of water until the soil medium has dried out to a predetermined degree.
- the water supply will automatically be resumed once the predetermined dryness of the soil medium has been reached and the whole cycle is then repeated every one to three days.
- the device is also provided with an accurate automatic liquid fertilizer dispenser which simultaneously and automatically dishcharges precalibrated amounts of liquid nutrient into the water whenever the water supply to the plant is resumed.
- the invention is made highly versatile by virtue of the variable types of growing medium that may be applied: such as compost, soil and soil-mix and pure sand use of the latter may require a slight modification of the device.
- the device operates purely on bouyancy of floats on water and no electrical power is required to operate it. As the plants grow bigger, they will consumed more water.
- the automatic water supply/cut-off assembly will cope with the increased water demand without any problems. As more water is consumed e.g., during the summer, resumption of water supply is automatically accelerated.
- the device is provided with an automatic liquid fertilizer dispenser which dis ⁇ harges exact amount of liquid fertilizer into the inflowing water simultaneously with the resumption of water supply by the automatic water supply/cut-off assembly.
- the inflowing water passes through the bottom of the dispenser to achieve more uniform distribution of the fertilizer in the water.
- a dispenser with a capacity of 1,000 c.c. of liquid fertilizer is sufficient to nourish an 8-gallon planter for more than a year.
- Different fertilizer formulations may be required during certain stages of plant growth and easily be exchanged for one another, when so required, e.g., a formula with a higher potassium content during the fruiting stage of the plant.
- Systemic insecticide can be applied through the dispenser either by being mixed into the fertilizer solution or by providing an additional arrangement for an insecticide dispenser with similar functions. This will control most sucking insects such as the common pest, the aphide, etc. A plant hormone for promoting flowering may also be dispensed, similarly to that of the insecticide.
- the invention is versatile in application, for example it may permit the inclusion of a pH correction fluid.
- This method of feeding is, according to the invention, accurate and consistent. Nutrients in form of solutions are made available to the plant in small and exact quantities, for frequent periodical applications. This is by far the most efficient method of supplying nutrients to the plants. As the plant grows bigger, more water is being taken up from the device and correspondingly more nutrients being made available to the plant due to the more often discharges, activated by frequent resumption of water supply.
- the device consumes 80 to 90% less water, mainly Jbecause there is no waste through runoff and spillage, a feature extremely useful in the arid countries, where water is scarce. Also, without spillage, the plants are more pleasant and convenient to handle.
- the device may be installed as window boxes or at difficulty accessible places with no need for routine attentio like watering and feeding; the device is labor saving and, also when installed in hotel rooms, there will be no disturbance to hotel guests.
- the invention requires no electrical power to operate, and can be use! in remote areas for food production.
- the device comprises six basic components, which will be described in detail under (g) of the application, namely: (1) A container, holding a. soil medium, (2) a water reservoir, for temporary storage of water, (3) a wick, which triggers the automatic water supply/cut off to the soil medium, (4) an automatic liquid fertilizer, (5) an automatic water supply cut/off assembly, and (6) a water level indicator.
- Figure 1 is a diagrammatic plan top view of the device in its entirety, according to the invention.
- Figure 2 is a diagrammatic plan bottom view of a container, housing the components of the invention.
- Figure 3 is a digrammatic elevational plan view of an automatic water supply/cut-off component of the invention.
- Figure 4 is a diagrammatic elevational plan view of an automatic liquid fertiliser dispensing unit.
- Figure 5 is a diagrammatic elevational plan view of a wick housing unit.
- Figure 6 is a diagrammatic elevational plan view of a water level indicator unit.
- Figure 7 is a diagrammatic elevational plan view of the device, according to the invention, with a reservoir holding and storing water to capacity, representing the initial step of the operating cycle of the device.
- Figure 8 is a view similar to that of fig. 7, illustra ting the water being drawn from the reservoir.
- Figure 9 is a view similar to that of fig. 7, showing almost complete evacuation of the water from the reservoir .
- Figure 10 is a view similar to that of fig. 7, showing the water befhg replenished in the reservoir, towards renewing the cycle of operation.
- Figure 11 is a perspective front view of a series of interconnected plants being supplied with water from a common source.
- numeral 10 indicates the device in its entirety, according to the invention.
- the automatic water supply and cut-off assembly a. is to the left, the automatic liquid fertilizer dispenser b in the middle depression area with wick c to the right and water level indicator d are all seated in the reservoir e shown in jotted lines.
- On top of the reservoir e is supporting platform 3 with drainage holes 2 provided only outside the periphery of reservoir e, as shown by the dotted lines.
- the periphery of supporting platform 3 is seated just at the circumference of container 1.
- the dotted lines show the periphery of reservoir e having no drainage holes, while the area between the dotted lines of reservoir e and the edge of container 1 are provided with drainage holes 2.
- the entire assembly is housed in jacket 15. It has an inlet tube 16 (tapped from the mains) leading into the assembly connected to filter 17 which is seated just on top of nozzle valve 18, held firmly by assembly platform 19.
- the lower end of needle 20 is seated in the nozzle valve arm 14 at needle holder 22.
- the valve arm 14 is pivoted at 21 and has a lower magnet 13 attached at the opposite end.
- the valve arm has an opening in the middle to allow float-arm 24 to move freely upwardly and downwardly.
- the assembly platform 19 has an upper arm 11 seated pivotally thereon at 11a. Arm 11 has an upper magnet 12 attached to one end so aligned thereon as to attract lower magnet 13, the other end of the upper arm 11 has an opening at lib which allows the float-arm 24 to pass through freely.
- the float 25 has a float-arm 24 attached vertically thereto.
- the float-arm 24 has an adjustable bottom stop 23 at the lower portion and an adjustable upper stop 10 at the upper end.
- the float-arm 24 passes 23a freely through the openings of valve arm 14, the assembly platform 19 and the upper arm 11 at lib.
- a cover 9 is provided at top of jacket 15 and a water discharge hole 26 at the bottom of jacket 15, leading to an automatic liquid fertilizer dispenser unit.
- the dispenser has a liquid fertilizer storage space 29, which holds the liquid fertilizer in an airtight condition. At the bottom of the fertilizer storage space 29 is an outlet leading from a dispenser tube 33 which shows tube protusions 34.
- the outer cover of fertilizer storage 29 is a tube jacket 33 which prevents the outer tube 37 from dislocating.
- the dispenser holder 27 holds the entire unit in suspended position.
- the outer tube is seated on top of dispenser float 38.
- the outer tube 37 also has an duter tube hanger 35, to prevent it from dislocating from jacket 33.
- FIG. 5 there is shown an apertured depression 40 of the assembly through which a part of wick 43 passes. Drainage holes 42 are provided at the bottom of depression 40, the latter being filled with soil.
- Fig. 6 illustrates the water level indicator 46, having a- ⁇ od 47, preferably made of light weight material, which is attached to float 48. There is provided an opening 49 at the bottom of indicator 46, allowing water to flow into and out of the interior of indicator 46.
- the operational cycle of the device is as follows:
- the downward movement of the f loat 38 causes cuter tube 37 to be filled with liquid fertilizer 30,. being discharged from liquid fertilizer storage space 29 caused by the displacement of air bubbles 31.
- the unit works like an inverted bottle filled with liquid.
- depression area c the water level at 45 is out of contact with the soil in depression 40, water supply to the soil 7 drawn from the reservoir e is solely brought about by wick 42.
- the wick 42 is a less efficient carrier of water by way of capillary action, as compared to the soil, and the soil medium 7 is then becoming dry.
- the descending float 25 eventually causes the upper stop 10 to force the top arm 11 to move the upper magnet 12 upwardly away from the lower magnet 13.
- the upward movement of the upper magnet 12 will break the magnetic pull from lower magnet 13, causing the valve arm 14 to fall and thereby opening the nozzle valve 18 co allow resupply of water into the reservoir through the discharge hole 26.
- the valve arm pivot 21 will prevent the valve arm from falling below the angle shown in fig. 9.
- float 38 In the liquid fertilizer dispensing unit, float 38 has fully extended the outer tube 37 which is suspended by jacket hanger 36 and outer tube hanger 35. This represents the maximum volume of liquid fertilizer 30 held in outer jacket 37.
- the water from assembly a will flow through discharge hole 26 into the dispenser chamber to mix with the liquid fertilizer, as it flows through discharge hole 39 into the reservoir.
- the floats 25 and 38 also move correspondingly upwardly.
- the upward movement of float 25 causes the bottom stop 23 to push the valve arm 14 upwardly until the lower magnet 13 is attracted by the upper magnet 12 and closes the nozzle valve 18 with a sudden slight jerk, thereby cutting off the supply of water.
- the float's 38 upward movement causes the outer tube 37 to spill out its content.
- fertilizer is being discharged automatically in precise quantity per watering of the plant. Then, the cycle starts all over again, repeating the steps as described above.
Abstract
Description
Claims
Priority Applications (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
NL8520148A NL8520148A (en) | 1984-06-06 | 1985-06-04 | AUTOMATIC SYSTEM FOR SUPPLYING WATER AND FOOD TO PLANTS. |
GB08601933A GB2170687B (en) | 1984-06-06 | 1985-06-04 | Automatic watering and feeding system for plants |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US617,985 | 1984-06-06 | ||
US06/617,985 US4557071A (en) | 1984-06-06 | 1984-06-06 | Automatic watering and feeding system for plants |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
WO1985005533A1 true WO1985005533A1 (en) | 1985-12-19 |
Family
ID=24475861
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/US1985/000984 WO1985005533A1 (en) | 1984-06-06 | 1985-06-04 | Automatic watering and feeding system for plants |
Country Status (8)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US4557071A (en) |
EP (1) | EP0183796A4 (en) |
AU (1) | AU590723B2 (en) |
DE (1) | DE3590228T1 (en) |
GB (1) | GB2170687B (en) |
MY (1) | MY100248A (en) |
NL (1) | NL8520148A (en) |
WO (1) | WO1985005533A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (28)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE3501748A1 (en) * | 1985-01-21 | 1986-07-24 | Erich Dipl.-Volksw. 5300 Bonn Wintermantel | PROFILE ELEMENTS, ESPECIALLY FOR THE SUPPLY AND / OR DISPOSAL OF AMBIENT AND / OR FLOW GOODS AND THEIR APPLICATIONS |
US4741125A (en) * | 1986-03-21 | 1988-05-03 | Donald Demorest | Wick-based liquid delivery system for plants |
NL187096C (en) * | 1987-09-24 | 1991-06-03 | Innocom Electro B V | Device for the automatic watering of plants. |
US5020261A (en) * | 1988-01-14 | 1991-06-04 | Lishman Fred W | Moisture sensitive self-watering planter |
US4864771A (en) * | 1988-05-19 | 1989-09-12 | Fah Ah N | Automatic plant watering and feeding system |
US4992942A (en) * | 1989-01-25 | 1991-02-12 | Bahm, Inc. | Apparatus and method for controlling a system, such as nutrient control system for feeding plants, based on actual and projected data and according to predefined rules |
US4937972A (en) * | 1989-03-16 | 1990-07-03 | Freitus Joseph P | Self-contained plant growth system |
AU630877B2 (en) * | 1989-07-28 | 1992-11-12 | Ah N. Fah | Improved automatic plant watering and feeding system |
GB2246277A (en) * | 1990-07-24 | 1992-01-29 | Charles Nicholas Raymond Kelly | Plant holder and waterer |
GB2284263B (en) * | 1992-08-19 | 1995-11-01 | Ah N Fah | Liquid level control device |
US5440835A (en) * | 1992-11-03 | 1995-08-15 | Romo; Michael A. | Drip irrigation unit |
US5918415A (en) * | 1995-06-07 | 1999-07-06 | Locke; Randal D. | Multi-purpose self-watering system |
US5782035A (en) * | 1995-06-07 | 1998-07-21 | Locke; Randal D. | Multi-purpose automatic filling and leveling fluid basin with water transfer |
US5678600A (en) * | 1995-06-07 | 1997-10-21 | Locke; Randal D. | Filling valve |
US5743137A (en) * | 1995-11-09 | 1998-04-28 | Clark-Reliance Corporation | Magnetic float assembly |
GB9620155D0 (en) * | 1996-09-27 | 1996-11-13 | Andu Adedamola A | Self watering system for plants |
US6321487B1 (en) * | 1998-03-18 | 2001-11-27 | University Of Maryland | Growth medium moisture replacement system |
GB9929031D0 (en) * | 1999-12-09 | 2000-02-02 | Eldred Brian R | Automatic plant watering and dual feeding system |
US6418664B1 (en) * | 2001-05-22 | 2002-07-16 | Harkeem Shaw | Self-watering plant pot |
CA2451209A1 (en) * | 2001-06-28 | 2003-01-09 | Yehuda Sardas | A method and system for water management |
US20050115149A1 (en) * | 2003-12-01 | 2005-06-02 | Hideho Tanaka | Device for adjusting water level |
CH701793A2 (en) * | 2009-09-15 | 2011-03-15 | Aussenraeume Gmbh | Irrigation device. |
US8564390B1 (en) | 2011-03-17 | 2013-10-22 | Kenco International, Inc. | Tapered needle plug for bleed port on float operated pneumatic valve assembly |
US8533995B1 (en) | 2013-02-05 | 2013-09-17 | Fawzi Q. M. A. O. A. Behbehani | Automatic watering device for plants |
US9241452B2 (en) | 2013-11-18 | 2016-01-26 | Donald J. Stewart, Jr. | Multiple potted-plant self-watering system |
US9681612B2 (en) * | 2014-12-19 | 2017-06-20 | Yi-Hsi Li | Watering system for plants |
US10104843B2 (en) | 2016-02-26 | 2018-10-23 | Michael A. Stewart | Self-watering portable greenhouse |
US11825781B2 (en) * | 2021-05-26 | 2023-11-28 | Luis Zarate | Plant watering pot |
Citations (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2886056A (en) * | 1956-11-02 | 1959-05-12 | Lawrence C Ratliff | Valve assembly |
US4083147A (en) * | 1976-05-24 | 1978-04-11 | Laurence James Garrick | Automated planter box system |
US4248013A (en) * | 1979-08-09 | 1981-02-03 | Allen Donavan J | Hydroponic bedding tray apparatus |
US4270309A (en) * | 1975-03-24 | 1981-06-02 | Interhydro Ag | Plant receiving vessel for insertion in a hydroponic vessel |
US4300311A (en) * | 1980-06-05 | 1981-11-17 | Wayne Marchant | Hydroponic irrigation valve and system |
US4447983A (en) * | 1983-01-03 | 1984-05-15 | Junji Shinada | Plant irrigation system |
Family Cites Families (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3261125A (en) * | 1964-06-15 | 1966-07-19 | Harry H Arkebauer | System for controlling the moisture content of soil |
US3534498A (en) * | 1968-04-16 | 1970-10-20 | Peter Herrli | Installation for plants |
US3755904A (en) * | 1971-01-29 | 1973-09-04 | Gen Control Corp | Marking instrument for dental castings |
US3747399A (en) * | 1971-08-17 | 1973-07-24 | E Treirat | Moisture responsive device |
GB2095083A (en) * | 1981-03-20 | 1982-09-29 | Fah Ah Ngau | Automatic watering system for plants |
-
1984
- 1984-06-06 US US06/617,985 patent/US4557071A/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
1985
- 1985-06-04 EP EP19850902884 patent/EP0183796A4/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1985-06-04 GB GB08601933A patent/GB2170687B/en not_active Expired
- 1985-06-04 NL NL8520148A patent/NL8520148A/en unknown
- 1985-06-04 AU AU44353/85A patent/AU590723B2/en not_active Ceased
- 1985-06-04 WO PCT/US1985/000984 patent/WO1985005533A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1985-06-04 DE DE19853590228 patent/DE3590228T1/en not_active Withdrawn
-
1987
- 1987-08-22 MY MYPI87001423A patent/MY100248A/en unknown
Patent Citations (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2886056A (en) * | 1956-11-02 | 1959-05-12 | Lawrence C Ratliff | Valve assembly |
US4270309A (en) * | 1975-03-24 | 1981-06-02 | Interhydro Ag | Plant receiving vessel for insertion in a hydroponic vessel |
US4083147A (en) * | 1976-05-24 | 1978-04-11 | Laurence James Garrick | Automated planter box system |
US4248013A (en) * | 1979-08-09 | 1981-02-03 | Allen Donavan J | Hydroponic bedding tray apparatus |
US4300311A (en) * | 1980-06-05 | 1981-11-17 | Wayne Marchant | Hydroponic irrigation valve and system |
US4447983A (en) * | 1983-01-03 | 1984-05-15 | Junji Shinada | Plant irrigation system |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
GB2170687A (en) | 1986-08-13 |
DE3590228T1 (en) | 1986-11-20 |
EP0183796A4 (en) | 1986-11-07 |
AU590723B2 (en) | 1989-11-16 |
US4557071A (en) | 1985-12-10 |
GB2170687B (en) | 1987-11-18 |
MY100248A (en) | 1990-07-12 |
AU4435385A (en) | 1985-12-31 |
EP0183796A1 (en) | 1986-06-11 |
NL8520148A (en) | 1986-05-01 |
GB8601933D0 (en) | 1986-03-05 |
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