US 4,148,155 AGranted

System and apparatus for automatically feeding plants

OwnerDonavan J. Alleninventor

Life of this patent

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Abstract

A system and apparatus for growing plants in a nutrient solution while supported in an inert medium contained in a pot container includes a nutrient solution reservoir and automatic feeder apparatus for maintaining a predetermined level of nutrient solution in the container including a tube member connected to the reservoir having an open end carried a predetermined distance above the container bottom for dispensing the solution. An air vent communicates with the tube member allowing air to enter the reservoir in response to the level of nutrient solution in the container falling below the open end of the tube member as the solution is drawn by capillary action through the media into the roots. The nutrient solution flows into the container until the open end of the feeder tube is covered so as to continuously maintain the level of nutrient solution. An overflow opening drains excess liquid from the pot preventing overwatering and stagnation when used outdoors.

Claims5

Dependent claims

A hydroponic system for growing plants in a nutrient solution in an enert medium comprising:

an open top plant container for containing the inert medium and plant;
a reservoir for containing said nutrient solution;
feeder means for automatically maintaining a predetermined level of said nutrient solution in said container including a tube member connected adjacent one end to said reservoir having an open end at a remote end thereof for dispensing said solution;
means for carrying said tube member in said container with said open end disposed at a predetermined distance above the bottom thereof corresponding generally to said predetermined level;
valve means for selectively blocking flow in said tube member so as to prevent flow therethrough when said reservoir is being filled including at least a section of said tube member outside of said container consisting of flexible tubing bendable upon itself for effecting blockage of flow through said tubular member;
and
air vent means communicating with said tube member allowing air to enter said reservoir in response to the level of said nutrient solution in said container falling below a portion of said open end of said tube member.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 05/820,342Filed 29 Jul 1977
Granted: 10 Apr 1979
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification8 codes

A01G 27/006
Self-acting watering devices, e.g. for flower-pots: reservoirs, separate from plant-pots, dispensing directly into rooting medium
A01G 27/02
Self-acting watering devices, e.g. for flower-pots: having a water reservoir, the main part thereof being located wholly around or directly beside…
A01G 31/02
Soilless cultivation, e.g. hydroponics: special apparatus therefor
Y02P 60/21
Reduction of greenhouse gas [GHG] emissions in agriculture, e.g. CO2: dinitrogen oxide [N2O], e.g. using aquaponics, hydroponics or efficiency…