US 4,447,983 A · Plant irrigation system

Abstract

An apparatus for irrigating plants includes a planter having a container for a growing medium. A liquid reservoir is below the container. There are openings between the reservoir and the container, permitting a flow of liquid from the reservoir to the container. A filler conduit communicates with the reservoir. A float chamber is near the top of the reservoir. A float chamber conduit extends from the reservoir to the float chamber. There is a float in the float chamber and a normally closed air valve is operatively connected to the float so the float opens the valve when liquid from the reservoir rises in the float chamber. There may be an air conduit connected to the valve so pressurized air from the air conduit is discharged when the valve opens. There may be a closed liquid container normally positioned below the planter. A liquid conduit communicates with the insides of the container near the bottom thereof and is connected to the filler conduit. There may also be an air pump for pressurizing the liquid container.

Claims11

Dependent claims

An apparatus for irrigating plants, the apparatus comprising a planter having a container for a growing medium;

a liquid reservoir below the container;
openings between the reservoir and the container, permitting a flow of liquid from the reservoir to the container;
a filler conduit communicating with the reservoir;
a float chamber near the top of the container;
a float chamber conduit extending from the reservoir to the float chamber;
a float in the float chamber;
a normally closed air valve operatively connected to the float so the float opens the valve when liquid from the reservoir rises in the float chamber;
an air conduit connected to the valve so pressurized air from the air conduit is discharged when the valve opens;
and
a closed liquid container normally positioned below the planter, the liquid container having a top, a bottom, and means for connecting the air conduit to the container so an end of the air conduit opposite the air valve communicates with the inside of the liquid container near the top thereof and a liquid conduit communicates with the inside of the container near the bottom thereof, the liquid conduit being connectable to the filler conduit of the planter.

7 more elements

An apparatus for irrigating plants, the apparatus comprising a planter having a container for a growing medium;

liquid receiving means below the growing medium;
means permitting a flow of liquid from the liquid receiving means to the growing medium;
a filler conduit communicating with liquid receiving means;
a float chamber near the top of the container;
means permitting a flow of liquid from the liquid receiving means to the float chamber;
a float in the float chamber;
a normally closed air valve operatively connected to the float so the float opens the valve when liquid from the liquid receiving means rises in the float chamber;
an air conduit connected to the valve so pressurized air from the air conduit is discharged when the valve opens;
and
a closed liquid container normally positioned below the planter, the liquid container having a top, a bottom, and means for connecting the air conduit to the container so an end of the air conduit opposite the air valve communicates with the inside of the liquid container near the top thereof and a liquid conduit communicates with the inside of the container near the bottom thereof, the liquid conduit being connectable to the filler conduit of the planter.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Plant irrigation system

Life of this patent

Plant irrigation system

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims11