AU693501B2 - Plant watering apparatus - Google Patents

Description

"PLANT WATERING APPARATUS" This invention relates to plant watering apparatus.

This invention has particular but not exclusive application to potted plants, and for illustrative purposes reference will be made to such application. However, it is to be understood that this invention could be used in other applications, such as the irrigation of fields and nurseries or for maintaining a liquid supply to an article.

Plants, both indoor and outdoor, need watering on a eeoc•2 10 regular basis in order to survive. Often plants die because persons either forget or are not able to water the plants as required. Accordingly, a plant watering apparatus which automatically waters plants would be most desirable.

One apparatus developed to automatically water plants involves the use of a wick to convey water by capillary action from a reservoir to the roots of the plant. The ends of the wick are retained in the reservoir and the soil surrounding the Sroots of the plant. This apparatus is particularly appropriate for indoor plants. The apparatus however is not suitable for outdoor plants which may suffer from over watering as a consequence of water being supplied to the plant by both the apparatus described above and by rain water captured by the plant during wet periods. Furthermore, the known apparatus is not suitable to situations typical of nurseries and the like 2Y-) elp4 os are continually picking up plants for inspection

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'9OV, 4 and purchase necessitating the removal of the wick from either the reservoir or the soil surrounding the plant.

The present invention aims to alleviate at least one of the above disadvantages and to provide a plant watering apparatus which will be reliable and efficient in use.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, this invention resides broadly in a plant watering apparatus for watering a plant which is growing medium contained in a container and for removing excess water retained by said 10 cortainer which exceeds a preferred water level lying beneath the surface of the growth medium, said apparatus including: a reservoir for storing water having an upper water level which is defined by the level of water contained therein when filled to capacity; 15 support means for supporting the container within said reservoir such that the preferred water level lies below said upper water level; primary water transfer means for transferring water between said reservoir and the growth medium, and secondary water transfer means for lowering the water level contained in said reservoir to a level which is coincident with the preferred water level in the container by transferring water which is contained in said reservoir to a location outside of said container. Preferably the secondary water transfer means is adapted to convey the water from the reservoir to a second reservoir. The water in the second 2a reservoir may be transferred, ie. returned to the first reservoir by manual means, mechanical means such as a pump, or by capillary action.

The reservoir may be a container which may include mounting means associated therewith for the attachment of the reservoir to a wall of a plant pot or for the mounting of the t

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C« *o ft **a plant pot on the reservoir. The reservoir may further include drainage means enabling water contained therein to be drained therefrom such as an opening formed in a base or side wall of the reservoir. The reservoir may also include level indication means, such as a window formed in a side wall of the reservoir.

The primary water transfer means may be unitary.

Alternatively the primary water transfer means may comprise water transfer means arranged to convey water from the reservoir to the support means supporting the plant container and water transfer means arranged to convey water from the support means to the growth medium.

SThe water transfer means, including the primary and secondary water transfer means, may comprise a wick or a plurality of wicks constructed from materials which display 15 good water absorption qualities or which exhibit a tendency to convey fluids by way of a capillary action including natural and synthetic materials or fibrous materials. For example, the wicks may be constructed from paper including cigarette filter paper or from cotton cloth, polyester, hessian, sea grass or cane. The wicks may include one or more strips of material, one or more sheets of material or alternatively the material may be either woven, braided, corded or otherwise arranged so as to form a tube.

Where a sheet of absorbent material is used as a wick, preferably the sheets are supported in a substantially flat, vertical orientation between the reservoir and the growth 4 medium. For example, the container may include a wall having a slotted aperture formed therein through which the sheet of material may extend. The sheet may be supported by the attachment thereto of stiffening means including a stiffening member or a plurality of such members. For example, each sheet may include a rigid backing member made of wood, card board or plastics which in turn may be mesh like in construction.

To protect the wicks and, in particular, to prevent deterioration of wicks formed from natural materials, each wick, or a plurality of wicks grouped together, may be surrounded by a sheath manufactured from preferably a material which will not deteriorate over time such as a rubber or a plastics material. Preferably the end of the wick intended to be buried in the growth medium and/or portions of the wick from which water is to released are not enclosed by the sheath.

The amount of water conveyed to the growth medium will be dependent upon the amount of wick extending beyond the end of the sheath. Accordingly, the length of the wick extending S beyond the end of the sheath may be selectively varied in order to control the amount of water supplied to the plant.

The amount of water delivered to the growth medium will also be dependent upon the number of wicks used. Accordingly, the amount of water delivered to the growth medium may be controlled by removing selected wick ends from the reservoir or by withdrawing selected wicks from the sheath. Alternatively, clamps may be used to restrict the flow of water through selected wicks.

The end of the wick to be inserted in the growth medium may be conical, arrow shaped, barbed or any other shape which will facilitate insertion of the wick into the soil and which will hinder the withdrawal of the wick therefrom.

In one embodiment there may be provided an intermediate transfer member which may transfer water between wicks which are in fluid contact with the intermediate transfer member.

For example, the intermediate transfer member may include an 10 absorbent pad which in one embodiment may include a wick .oo.ei dependent therefrom and in liquid communication with water stored in the reservoir. The absorbent pad may be supported by a portion of the reservoir such as a top wall thereof and may oeoe• be in fluid contact with a wick arranged to convey water to the 15 growth medium.

In another embodiment the container containing the growth medium may include a wall which is pervious to the flow of water and wherein water may be transferred to the growth medium via the absorbent pad.

It will also be appreciated that a pump may be employed to pump water to the plants in addition to any of the watering means described above. The pump may be mechanically or electrically driven and wherein actuation of the pump may be automatic and may be dependant upon a predetermined level of water contained in the reservoir.

In another aspect, this invention relates to a plant watering apparatus including: a water reservoir; primary water transfer means adapted to transfer water from the reservoir to the growth medium, and secondary water transfer means adapted to transfer water away from the growth medium.

In order that this invention may be more easily understood and put into practical effect, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings which illustrate a preferred 10 embodiment of the invention, wherein:oooeo FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a plant watering apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention; FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating yet another 15 plant watering apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention; FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating yet another plant watering apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention; .eoo.i FIG. 4 is a sectional view of plant watering apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention; FIG. 5 is a plan view of the plant watering apparatus illustrated in figure 1; FIG. 6 is sectional view of another plant watering apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention; I 7 FIG. 7 is a sectional view of another plant watering apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention; FIG. 8 is a side view of a wick constructed in accordance with the present invention; FIG. 9 is a side view of another wick constructed in accordance with the present invention; FIG. 10 is an end view of an automatic plant watering apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention; FIG. 11 is a side view of the automatic plant watering apparatus as illustrated in figure 7; "i FIG. 12 is end view of yet another automatic plant watering apparatus constructed in accordance with the 15 present invention; FIG. 13 is a side view of the automatic plant watering apparatus illustrated in figure 12; FIG. 14 illustrates a plan view of a container; FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative plant watering apparatus; FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of another plant watering apparatus; FIG. 17 is an end view of yet another plant watering apparatus; FIG. 18 is a plan view of an absorbent pad; FIG. 19 is an end view of the absorbent pad illustrated in I I 8 figure 18; FIG. 20 illustrates yet another plant watering apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention; FIG. 21 illustrates yet another plant watering apparatus, and FIG. 22 is a side view of yet another plant watering apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 1 illustrates a plant watering apparatus comprising a container 11 filled with a growth medium 12 which supports the growth of the plant 13. The container 11 includes a base wall 14 and a continuous side wall The container 11 is supported by support means 16 such :o f that the lower portion of the container is retained within a 15 reservoir 17. The reservoir 17 includes a base wall 18 and two Spairs of opposing side walls 19.

The support means 16 includes a horizontally orientated platform 20 supported by opposing, outwardly divergent, legs 21 which rest upon the base wall 18 of the reservoir.

The watering apparatus also includes primary water transfer means 22 comprising two wicks 23 which each extend through a respective aperture formed in the container 11 and are each arranged such that one end 24 of the wick is located adjacent the base wall 18 of the reservoir whilst the other end 25 is surrounded by the growth medium 12.

The watering apparatus 10 also includes secondary water 9 transfer means 26 comprising two wicks 27 which hang over the upper peripheral edge of the reservoir and are each arranged such that the height of the end 28, retained in the reservoir 17, above the base wall 18 of the reservoir is indicative of an acceptable water level in the growth medium.

Figures 2 and 3 illustrate another watering apparatus which is in essence a variation of the watering apparatus and wherein like parts are identified by the same reference numerals. However, the watering apparatus 30 is distinguished from the watering apparatus 10 by the inclusion of a second reservoir 31.

a second reservoir 31 includes a base wall 32 and two e pairs of opposing side walls 33 surrounding the reservoir 17 which is supported in an elevated position above the base wall 15 32 by support means 34.

The support means 34 includes a horizontally orientated platform 35 supported by opposing, outwardly divergent, legs 36 which rest upon the base wall 32 as illustrated.

eeoc •e With reference to the embodiment illustrated in figure 3, the maximum level of water contained in the reservoir 31 is in defined by the overflow pipe or conduit 37.

With reference to the embodiment illustrate in figure 2, the reservoir 31 includes a wick 40 which hangs over the side wall such that the end 41 of the wick which is located inside the reservoir effectively defines the upper most level of water which may be contained therein as defined by dashed lines 42.

In use, water depositeC on the watering apparatus 10 and either deliberately such as by hosing the apparatus or in the form of rain, which may be directed onto the apparatus by a drain pipe 36 as illustrated in figure 3. Depending upon the volume of water, both reservoirs 17 and 31 may be filled and wherein it will be appreciated that water may overflow from the reservoir 17 into the reservoir 31 and wherein excess water contained in the reservoir 31 may spill over the sides thereof or, as illustrated in figure 3, may be diverted away via a conduit 37 to, for example, the ground, another reservoir or a drainage system.

When the reservoir 17 is filled to capacity and the growth medium 12 is flooded, the level of water in the plant container e Je S 11 will be approximately equal to the height of the upper edges 15 of the reservoir 17 and is indicated by the dashed lines 38.

In the past such floor'.ng of the plant container, if prolonged, would damage the plant. However, the secondary water transfer means operates automatically when required to reduce the level of water in the growth medium thereby alleviating tne problems attributable thereto.

For example, the wicks 27 are arranged such thrit they will convey water away from the reservoir 17 until the level of water therein drops below the ends 28 of the wicks 27 as indicated by dashed lines 39. In response to this discharge of water from the reservoir 17, excess water contained in the growth medium is transferred to the reservoir 17 by the wicks

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11 23 untli a temporary state of equilibrium is eventually reached whereby the level of water in both the growth medium and the reservoir is approximately the same and lies below the ends 28 of the wicks 27.

The rate by which excess water may be removed from the reservoir 17, and hence the rate by which the level of water in the container is lowered, is believed to be dependant upon the number of wicks 27 and wherein it has been observed that the addition of extra wicks increases the rate of discharge. It has also been observed that the rate of discharge decreases as the water level begins to fall and ceases when the ends 28 of m the wicks 27 lose contact with the water.

It is also believed that the conditions for growing plants eeoee: in the container are at their optimum when the level of water 15 in the growth medium is that indicated by dashed lines 39.

If no more water is received, then the water level in the growth medium will continue to fall beyond that containing the base wall 14 of the container 11 due to the water consumed h the growing plant and evaporation, at which stage the wicks '3 eom..i will continue to transfer water to the growth medium.

When the quantity of water contained in the reoer oir 17 is nearly exhausted, the reservoir 17 may be selectively refilled using water contained in the reservoir 31. This may be achieved by manual means or by mechanical means such as through the use of a pump.

It will be appreciated that the particular configuration i/ of the reservoir 17 and the use of second water transfer meaxs to convey water therefrom when the level of water therein exceeds a predetermined desired level provides an efficient means by which the watering of potted plants exposed to rainfall may be automatically controlled.

Figures 4 and 5 illustrate yet another plant watering apparatus 110 for maintaining potted plants for long periods of time. The watering apparatus 110 includes a container 111 for storing water having a base wall 112 and four side walls 113.

The container 111 also includes a false bottom wall 114 supported above and spaced from the bottom wall 112 by webs 115. The false bottom wall 114 includes two pairs of upstanding side walls 116 which define a centrally located, plant pot retaining recess 117 and a channel 118 surrounding 15 the recess 107 defined by the false bottom wall 114 and the opposing side walls 116 and 113 of the container 111.

Access to the enclosure 119 as defined by the side walls 113 and the bottom walls 112 and 114 is provided by a plurality of access apertures 120 formed in the portion of the false bottoo' wall 114 which forms part of the channel 118 and by pairs of wick apertures 121 formed in the portion of the false bottom wall 114 which forms part of the plant pot retaining recess 117.

To fe-ilitate the drainage of water from the enclosure 119, there is provided a drain aperture 122 formed in a side wall 113 of the container 101 adjacent the bottom wall 112.

13 The drain aperture 122 is selectively closed by a drain plug 123. Additional drainage apertures 124 and 125 formed in the side wall 103 and spaced above the false bottom wall 104 are provided for draining excess water from the container 101 and are selectively closed by plugs 126 and 127 respectively.

To determine the level of water retained in the enclosure 119, there is provided a window 128 formed in a side wall 113 of the container 111.

The plant watering apparatus 110 also includes a plant pot 129 having a bottom wall 130 and two opposing pairs of side .o.o.i walls 131. The plant pot is configured for location within the plant pot retaining recess 117 and is spaced from the false bottom wall 114 by projections 145.

0coco2 The bottom wall 130 of the plant pot 129 includes pairs of 15 wick apertures 132 which, when the pot 129 is positioned in the recess 117, are substantially aligned with corresponding wick apertures 121 formed in the false bottom 114.

The bottom wall 130 also includes a centrally located, upstanding core 133 having a circular top wall 134 and a oeeoo dependant side wall 135 and wherein the bottom wall 130 and side walls 131 and 134 define a recess in which water deposited in the container may collect. The top wall 134 further includes four drainage apertures 136.

The side walls 131 each include a wick aperture 137. The height of the apertures 137 above the bottom wall 130 is such that when the plant pot 129 rests on the container 101, the

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14 apertures are spaced above the upper edges of the side walls 124.

The plant watering apparatus 110 further includes a plurality of wicks 138. Each wick 138 is threaded through a pair of apertures 121 such that the ends 139 of the wick are either suspended above or rest on the bottom wall 112 of the container 111 and an intermediate portion 140 of the wick connecting adjacent apertures 121 is exposed.

The plant watering apparatus 110 also includes a plurality of wicks 141. Each wick 141 is threaded through a pair of e:.i apertures 132 such that the ends 142 of the wick are buried in the growth medium 143 contained in the plant pot 129 and an S. intermediate portion 144 of the wick connecting adjacent ooooo apertures 132 is exposed. Any gaps between the wick and the 15 wick aperture are preferably sealed using an appropriate Ssealant.

When the plant pot 129 is placed in the recess 117, the exposed portions 140 of the wicks 138 abut respective exposed portions 144 of the wicks 141.

.ooooi The plant watering means 110 further includes a plurality of wicks 146 each having one end buried in the growth medium 143 and a second or free end extending through a respective aperture 137 such that the free end is suspended above gravel 147 retained in the channel 118. The gravel 147 prevents mosquitos from entering tie container 111 in order that they may lay eggs in the water 109 retained therein.

The wicks 38 and 41 illustrated in figures 4 and 8 may be constructed from lengths of sea grass 150 wrapped in a layer of hessian material 151. The hessian covered sea grass is retained within a sheath 152 constructed from a plastics material. The sheath 152 may be broken along its length or include an aperture formed therein through whi-h an intermediate portion 140 or 144 of the wick may be exposed so as to permit the transfer of water between abutting portions of hessian wrapped sea grass. The wicks 146 illustrated in figures 4 and 10 also include lengths of sea grass 153 retained o:eea S loosely within a sheath 154 constructed from a plastics material and having apertures 155 formed therein adjacent the free end through which air may pass and be subsequently ee I conveyed within the sheath to the growth medium.

15 Figure 6 illustrates a plant watering apparatus 160 which Sis similar in construction to the plant watering apparatus illustrated in figures 4 and 5. The plant watering apparatus 160 includes a container 161 for the retention of water and a plant pot 162 of much larger capacity than the pot illustrated eoeee in figures 4 and Figure 7 illustrates a plant watering means 165 which is similar in construction to the plant watering means illustrated in figures 4 and 5. The plant watering means 165 includes a container 166 for the retention of water and three plant pots 167, each retained in a separate recess 168 formed in the false bottom wall 169 of the container 166.

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16 In use water 109 retained in the container 111, being water which is in contact with the ends 139 of the wicks 138, is conveyed between the ends 139 and the intermediate portion 140 of each wick 138. The abutment of the intermediate portions 140 of wicks 138 with respective intermediate portions 144 of the wicks 141 facilitates the transfer of water between abutting wicks 138 and 141. The water transferred to the wicks 141 is conveyed to the ends of the wicks 142 where the water is subsequently absorbed by the surrounding growth medium 143 and in turn the roots of the plants.

S"As the growth medium 143 surrounding the plant roots oooo• becomes dry, additional water contained in the container 111 is .i conveyed to the growth medium by the wicks 138 and 142 as .co..i described above. The rate at which water is drained from the 15 container by the watering process will be dependant upon the S* size and type of plant planted in the plant pot 129.

The container 111 may be refilled with water by pouring water into the channels 114. In addition, should the plant watering means be located in a position exposed to rainfall, the incident rain may be captured and retained by the growth medium. To prevent the "drowning" resulting from excessive rainfall, excess water collected by the plant pot 129 beyond that which may be collected in the trough formed in the base thereof is discharged through apertures 136 into the container 111 below. The trough apart from acting as an additional reservoir for the collection of water, also prevents large 17 quantities of fertilizer being washed into the container 111 where it may stagnate and become quite odorous.

In the event that the level of water retained by the container 111 reaches a level above that of the drainage apertures 124 and 125, the water may be drained therefrom by removing whichever plug 26 or 27 is appropriate or by the use of a wick suspended over the side of the reservoir.

Should the region surrounding the plant roots become excessively moist such as wherein the level of water contained in the reservoir is higher than the roots of the plant, water may by conveyed therefrom by an adjacent wick 146 and subsequently discharged from the free end of the wick above the 0: channel 114 or in other embodiments, to the ground surrounding ooe i the reservoir. The water in turn may filter through the gravel 15 and be subsequently deposited in the container 111.

SFurthermore, water may be passed from the surface of the wick 146 due to evaporation.

If any of the wicks buried in the growth medium 143 should rot, the wicks may be replaced by inserting replacement wicks in the growth medium using a tool having a tubular portion within which the replacement wick may be retained and wherein the tool may be withdrawn from the cavity it has created in the growth medium 143 leaving the wick behind.

It will be appreciated that variations in the number and/or the location of wicks in the growth medium will greatly affect the moisture level of the growth medium. It will also 18 be appreciated that the embodiments illustrated in figures 4 to 7 permit easy removal of the plant pot from the container upon which it rests and removal of the plant pot does not necessitate the removal of wicks from either the growth medium or the container.

The remaining figures 10 to 22 illustrate alternative embodiments of the invention already described herein.

Figures 10 and 11 illustrate an alternative automatic plant watering means 170 including a container 171 in which is stored an appropriate growing medium such as soil for the o of growing of plants. The container 171 is substantially box like in construction and includes two pairs of opposing side walls, *0 172 and 173, and a base wall 174 which is substantially concave :oe i in shape. In order to drain water from the container, the base 15 wall 174 includes a drain aperture 175, situated at the centre Sthereof, which may be selectively opened and closed by plug 176.

To shield plants grown in the container 171 from the rain and frost, the container 171 is provided with a roof structure .oo..i 177, as illustrated, comprising sheets of roofing material 178 supported around the periphery thereof by a number of upstanding posts 179 extending upwardly from the side walls 172 and 173 of the container 171. The roof structure may also include a number of side walls which may enclose the plants thereby creating a hot house and further protecting the plants from frost.

19 Water for the plants is stored in a reservoir 180 which is positioned beneath the container 171. The reservoir is substantially box shaped and includes two pairs of opposing side walls 181 and 182, a base wall 183 and a top wall 184.

For the purpose of draining water from the reservoir, a tap 185 is fitted to the side wall 181 adjacent the base wall 183.

Access to the interior of the reservoir is provided by apertures 186 formed in each funnel shaped, top corner 187 of the reservoir 180. A window 200 is provided in the side wall 181 of the reservoir 180 for the purpose of indicating the :eo f water level.

oo oi The side walls of the container 171 each include a semi- S. circular portion removed from the upper edge 188 thereof which constitutes an opening through which may be discharged any 15 excess water deposited on to the growth medium. Gutters 189 fitted to the side walls of the container 181 and in communication with the openings, help direct the flow of water discharged from the container into the reservoir 180 via

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apertures 186.

Water is supplied to the growth medium by wicks 191 as illustrated in figure 8. The wicks each have an end 192 below the water level of the reservoir 180, and an end 193 emersed in the growth medium.

Water may be retrieved from the growth medium by wicks 197, as illustrated in figure 9, each having an end 198 buried in the growth medium, and an end 199 suspended above the funnel shaped corners 187 of the reservoir 180. It will however, be appreciated that wicks similar in construction to wicks 191 may have been used in place of wicks 197.

The wicks 191 and 197 are passed over the upper edges of the container 171. However, it will be appreciated that the wicks 191 and 197 may have entered the container 171 via apertures formed in either a side wall 172 or 173 or the base wall 174.

Figures 10 and 11 illustrate an automatic watering apparatus 210 which represents a variation of the watering apparatus illustrated in figures 10 and 11ii. The watering apparatus 210 includes a container 211 containing a growth medium 212 positioned above a reservoir 213 which is box like in construction and which includes two pairs of opposing side 15 walls, a base wall 214 and a top wall 215. The top wall 215 includes apertures 216 formed therein which co-operate with respective lengths of tubing 217 extending upwardly therefrom.

The tubing 217 extends upwardly through the container 211 and beyond the height of the growth medium 212. The tubing 217 a acts as a sheath in which are contained wicks 218, one end 219 of each wick being immersed in the water contained in the reservoir 213. The side wall 220 of the tubing 217 includes a number of apertures formed therein through which are passed the opposite ends 221 of the wicks 218.

The watering means 210 also includes a roof structure 222, positioned above the container, having an inverted conical 21 shape and a tubular core 223 which depends from the centre of the roof structure, through the base wall of the container 211, terminating within the reservoir 213. The roof structure 222 includes a plurality of louvers 224 which when closed direct rain water down the core 223 into the reservoir 213. When the louvers 224 are open, rain water may fall directly on to the growth medium 212.

Excess water trapped in the container 211 is conveyed away by wicks 225 which are similar in construction to the wicks illustrated in figure 9 and which extend between a position in the growth medium 212, through apertures formed in a side wall o 0 226 of the core 223, to a position above the level of water contained in the reservoir 213.

The level of water in the reservoir 213 is prevented from 15 rising above the top wall of the reservoir by the provision of an overflow pipe 227.

Figure 14 illustrates a plan view of a container 230 illustrating a possible layout of wicks 231 for conveying water to plants growing in the container and wicks 232 used to remove eleoe: water from the container.

Figure 15 illustrates an alternative automatic plant watering apparatus 235 which includes a container 236, having a continuous side wall 237 and a base wall 238, in which is stored a growth medium 239. The base wall 238 includes a centrally located aperture 240 formed therein which is covered by an absorbent pad 241 shown attached to the base wall 238.

22 The absorbent pad 241 includes a number of wicks 242 which extend upwardly therefrom into the interior of the container 236 for conveying water from the absorbent pad 241 to the roots of a plant growing in the growth medium 239.

The plant watering means 235 also includes a water reservoir 243 having a top wall 244, a base wall 245 and a continuous side wall 246. The top wall 244 includes a centrally located aperture 247 formed therein thereby enabling the reservoir 243 to be filled with water. An absorbent pad 10 248 covert the aperture 247 thereby minimising the loss of e a water due to evaporation. The absorbent pad 248 includes a plurality of wicks 249 depending therefrom, the ends of which o* are preferably immersed in water at all times. The wicks 249 serve to convey water to the absorbent pad 248.

15 The container 236 is supported above the reservoir 243 by Sspacing members 250 which extend upwardly from the peripheral edge of the top wall 244 such that absorbent pads 241 and 248 abut thereby enabling water to be transferred from one pad to the other.

Figure 16 illustrates a situation typical of nurseries and the like wherein water is supplied to a number of containers 255 containing a growth medium 256 by a single water reservoir 257. The containers 255 are similar in construction to the containers 236, each having an absorbent pad 258 associated with the base wall thereof which is adapted to rest upon one of the many absorbent pads 259 contained on the tables or steps 23 260 positioned above the reservoir 257. Water is supplied to each of the absorbent pads 259 by the wicks 261 connecting the absorbent pads 259 and the reservoir 257. Water is in turn transferred between abutting pads 259 and 258 and subsequently conveyed to the growth medium by wicks 261.

Figure 17 illustrates a plant watering means 265 including a container 266 in which may be planted a plant and a reservoir 267 for the storage of water therein. The container includes a locating portion 268 attached to the base wall 269 of the container 266. The locating portion 268 is adapted to mate with a similarly shaped locating portion or lid 270 attached to the rim 271 of the reservoir 267. The reservoir also includes a funnel 284 formed integrally with a side wall thereof and wx.ich may be used when filling the reservoir with water.

15 The locating portion 270 includes a circularly shaped recess 272 which is releasably attached thereto and in which is retained an absorbent pad 273. The pad 273 includes a number of wicks 274 depending therefrom which communicate with the oboe 4006water contained in the reservoir 267 via an aperture 275 formed in the locating portion 270.

The locating portion 268 also includes a circularly shaped recess 276 which is releasably attached thereto and which includes an absorbent pad 277. It will however be appreciated that the recess could have been formed integrally with the locating portion. The pad 277 includes a number of wicks 278 extending upwardly therefrom into the interior of the container via apertures 279 and 280 formed in the locating portion 268 and the base wall 269 respectively.

When the container 266 is positioned above the reservoir 267 such that locating portions 268 and 270 mate, absorbent pads 273 and 277 abut thereby permitting water to be transferred from one pad to the other.

The locating portions 268 and 270 are preferably manufactured in a number of different sizes thereby enabling them to be used in conjunction with existing plant containers.

The locating portion 270 in particular may be placed on top of the open end of a bottle or the like or may be positioned on a shelf as indicated by the dotted outlines.

'The pads 273 and 277 are each constructed by f-irstly winding an end of the wick 274 or 278 into a coil 281 as 15 illustrated in figure 18. The end of the wick is then covered by a piece of cloth 282 which is stretched tightly over the peripheral edge of the circular recess 272 or 276 and is retained in place by a clip 283 wrc'*r -s fitted over the edge e"e. as illustrated in figure 19.

Figure 20 illustrates a plant watering means 290 similar to that illustrated in figure 17 including a container 291 in which may be planted a plant and a reservoir 292 for the storage of water. The base wall 293 of the container 291 is adapted to mate with the top wall 294 of the reservoir enabling the container to be positioned above the reservoir thereby ensuring that the absorbent pads 295 and 296 abut.

The top wall 294 of the reservoir 292 also includes a peripheral lip 298 which serves to direct water into the reservoir which may have been reclaimed from the container due to the action of wicks 299.

The wicks 299 include a continuous length of sea grass 300 retained loosely within a plastics casing 301. Apertures 302 have been formed in the casing 301 so as to help aerate the soil surrounding the wick 299.

Arrows 303 indicate the flow of water conveyed by wick 304 10 from the reservoir to pad 295. The transfer of water between the pads 295 and 296 permits the flow of water along wick 305 :oo i i: .in the direction of arrows 306. Water which may accumulate near the bottom of the container 291 is conveyed to the 0SS*S* reservoir by wicks 299 as indicated by arrows 307.

15 Figure 21 illustrates an automatic plant watering Sapparatus 310 adapted specifically for plants 311 which are attached to or supported by a wall 312. The watering means 310 includes a wick 313 used to convey water contained in a reservoir 314 to an absorbent pad 315 sandwiched between the wall 312 and the rear of the plant 311. In the particular embodiment illustrated, the wick 313 passes through an aperture 3] 7 formed in the wall 312 enabling the placement of the reservoir 314 and the plant 311 on opposite sides of the wall.

Figure 21 illustrates a plant watering means 320 which includes a container 321 in which may be planted a plant and a reservoir 322 for the storage of water therein. Water is 26 conveyed from the reservoir to the interior of the container 321 by a number of sheets 323 shown entering the container via slotted apertures 324 formed in the base wall 325 of the container 321. The lower edges 326 of the sheets 323 are emersed in water contained in the reservoir 32. The sheets 323 include at least one layer of cloth or paper attached to a backing member manufactured from a rigid plastics material.

Additional sheets 326 are used to convey water away from the bottom of the container and into the reservoir. The sheets 326 are arranged so as to pass through slotted apertures 327 formed in the side walls 328 of the container.

It will of course be realised that while the above has been given by way of illustrative example of this invention, all such and other modifications and variations thereto as 15 would be apparent to persons skilled in the art are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of this invention as is herein defined in the appended claims.

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Claims (6)

1. A plant watering apparatus for watering a plant which is growing medium contained in a container and for removing excess water retained by said container which exceeds a preferred water level lying beneath the surface of the growth medium, said apparatus including: a reservoir for storing water having an upper water level which is defined by the level of water contained .therein when filled to capacity; 10 support means for supporting the container within said reservoir such that the preferred water level lies below said upper water level; primary water transfer means for transferring water between said reservoir and the growth medium, and 15 secondary water transfer means for lowering the water level contained in said reservoir to a level which is coincident with the preferred water level in the container by transferring water which is contained in said reservoir to a location outside of said container.

2. A plant watering apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said primary water transfer means is adapted to transfer water by capillary action.

3. A plant watering apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said secondary water transfer means is adapted to transfer water by capillary action.

4. A plant watering apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said secondary water transfer means is a wick having a first end portion located on the outside of said reservoir and a second end portion located inside said reservoir and coincident with the preferred water level.

5. A plant watering apparatus as claimed in any one of the 1: 0 preceding claims, wherein said secondary water transfer means is adapted to convey the water from said reservoir to a second reservoir.

6. A plant watering apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to figures 1 to 3. eo DATED THIS EIGHTEENTH DAY OF MAY, 1998. JEROME FRANK ENGLISH by PIZZEYS PATENT TRADE MARK ATTORNEYS I 29 ABSTRACT A plant watering apparatus 10 including a water reservoir 17 for the retention therein of water and a plant pot 11 containing a growth medium 12 supporting a plant growing therein. The reservoir 17 includes pot support means 16 upon which the plant pot 11 rests and water transfer means including a wick 23 adapted to transfer water from the reservoir 17 to the growth medium in the plant pot. The apparatus 10 also includes excess water transfer means adapted to alleviate flooding of the growth medium and wherein the excess transfer means includes a wick 26 having one end 28 inside the reservoir 17 and which is adapted to transfer water away from the reservoir. .f ft f