Controlled Wick Waterer for Planter Pots and the Like

This invention relates to growing of potted plants and to the watering thereof consistent with the requirement therefor in each particular instance. That is, control over the watering of potted plants is a necessary factor in the plant's continued survival, as over or under watering can be detrimental. Heretofore, conventional planter pots with drainage holes have been filled with soil, special growing medium or planter mix, and watered at the discretion of the person in charge, but this requires constant attention which is not always possible. Therefore, this art has developed a number of watering systems for the automatic watering of planters and planter pots, among which are wicking systems that continuously supply water to the growing medium, but with inadequate control. Thus, it is a general object of this invention to provide an improved and controlled system for wick watering of planter pots and the like.

The wicking is made of a hydrophilic material having a strong affinity for water, however such materials heretofore employed have been subject to deterioration through the growth of fungus and alge therein, to which biodegradable materials are susceptible. Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to employ non-biodegradable hydrophilic materials that are not susceptable to such biological growths. Thus, the wicking employed herein remains intact and clean for the continued capillary function for which it is employed.

The capillary action of wicking has been inadequately controlled in the past, though it has been known that pinching of the wick has a restrictive effect on the flow of water therethrough. For example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,236,352 issued Dec. 2, 1980 to Heany et al, a capillary sponge is constricted with a loop for flow control, but this does not sufficiently restrict water flow in most instances. And, the prior art is redundant with wicks controlled by various means other than by constriction. Therefore, it is a general object of this invention to control the flow of water through wicking in a plant waterer or the like. Further, it is an object of this invention to provide for the adequate control over the flow of water through wicking. With the present invention, at least one constriction and preferably a multiplicity of successive restrictions is employed in order to obtain substantially complete control over the capillary flow of water through a wick. In practice, this invention provides a series of compression points along the wick, each successive point of compression further restricting the water flow of the preceeding restriction. For example, with the wicking and compressive restriction as disclosed herein, with four points of compression, approximately 97% of the free capillary flow through the wick is stopped or shut off. This efficiency is not possible with a single compression point of restriction as it is applied herein.

It is an object of this invention to provide wick control as hereinabove described in a waterer unit adapted to various decorative planters in which planter pots are received and into which the wick is buried for watering of the growing medium. It is another object to provide flexibility that conforms to the configurations of the various decorative planters surrounding the unit. It is still another object to provide access for adjusting the wick control and to the filler tube for replenishing the water supply as circumstances require, and also to provide a water level indicator.

In a self contained embodiment of this invention there is a platform for support of the planter pot, said platform being carried by a water reservoir and having the wick flow control at one side and articulated for flexible adaptation to the various decorative planter and planter pot configurations. In a second adapter embodiment of this invention, the platform is provided with a constrictable periphery to be fitted into planters and pots of various diameters. The platform in each instance supports the planter pot, the wick flow control and filler tube with the level indicator.

It is still another object of this invention to provide a wick flow compressor for the restricted flow of water therethrough and comprised of at least one and preferably a series of transverse compression lines for longitudinally successive restriction of water flow, as may be required. With this invention, there is a single compression means that simultaneously forces opposed rails into compressive line engagement on and with the wick therebetween, a feature being the self alignment of the rails, and characterized by two rails opposed by a single rail so as to establish two lines of compression spaced longitudinally of the wick. In practice, there are three rails at one side of the wick and two rails at the other side of the wick, whereby four distinct lines of compression are provided. However, it is to be understood that the number of lines of compression can be employed as may be required; for example, at least one or two, and any multiple of two utilizing the opposed relationship of two rails opposed by one rail as herein disclosed.

A plant waterer is provided wherein wicking is employed for the transport of water from a storage vessel and into soil or a growing medium. It is a primary object of this invention to improve and thereby provide adequate control over the flow of water transported by wicking, prior art wicking lacking the control necessary for maintaining precise soil dampness according to plant requirements. There is a platform for the support of a planter pot containing the soil and a plant therein requiring a particular soil dampness. The platform carries the control or wick flow compresser through which the wick passes from immersion in a water supply as it extends to the planter pot where its end portion is buried in the soil to a substantial depth. The platform also carries a water filler tube and water level indicator, both of which extend upward to the height of the planter pot.

The usual planter pot flares upwardly and outwardly, the flow compresser and filler tube being flexible and/or articulated to deflect and/or swing upwardly and outwardly for access at the rim of the planter pot. In a first embodiment the platform is the cover of a water supply vessel into which the supply end of the wick is immersed, and into which the filler tube opens and through which the indicator operates. This water supply vessel with the wick flow compresser and filler tube at the periphery thereof is operable per se, or preferably within the confines of a closely surrounding decorative planter pot or jar. In a second embodiment the platform has a depressible perimeter adapted to conform with a range of inner planter pot diameters into which it is forceably inserted. Otherwise, the second embodiment is the same as the first. This invention is characterized by the wick flow compressor which has at least one and preferably a series of transverse lines of compression so as to efficiently restrict the capillary passage of water through the wick and adequate control in transporting water from the supply vessel and into the soil and subsequent absorption into the root system of the plant.

The foregoing and various other objects and features of this invention will be apparent and fully understood from the following detailed description of the typical preferred forms and applications thereof, throughout which description references is made to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing the self contained wick waterer installed in a decorative planter pot.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view of the compressor means.

FIG. 3 is a view of the filler tube and level indicator for the reservoir.

FIG. 4 is a view similar to a portion of FIG. 1 and shows an adapter type waterer installed directly in the decorative planter pot.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken as indicated by line 5--5 on FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is a view similar to a portion of FIG. 2 and shows a pair of opposed compressor rails.

FIG. 7 is a view similar to a portion of FIG. 2 and shows at least one rail opposing a pair of rails.

And, FIG. 8 is a plan section taken as indicated by line 8--8 on FIG. 4.

Referring now to the drawings, this invention resides primarily in the flow control C that restricts capillary flow of water through a wick W from a reservoir R and into soil S in which there is a plant. The soil S, or growing medium, and plant root system to be watered is shown herein in a planter pot P. The planter pot P is of the usual round configuration with an outwardly flared side wall 10 extending upwardly from a bottom 11 to a top rim 12 of greater diameter that the bottom. In practice, there is a platform 15 upon which the planter pot P is supported and which carries the flow control C with the wick W extending from the reservoir R and into the soil S. The platform 15 also carries a filler tube 16 and level indicator 17, to fill the reservoir with and to indicate the water level therein. A feature of the platform 15 is that it is substantially occupied by the planter pot P, and that the flow control C and filler tube 16 with the level indicator 17 are located at one side thereof for access within a surrounding decorative planter D, as will be described.

In a first embodiment this controlled wick waterer is self contained, in that it is complete with the reservoir R, the platform 15 being a top closure for the reservoir. Accordingly, the perimeter of the platform 15 is sealed at 18 with the top rim of the reservoir wall 19, the reservoir being closed and supported by a bottom 20. The reservoir R closed by the platform 15 sealed therewith is of a configuration which readily fits into a decorative planter D, or a like pot or jar.

In a second embodiment this controlled wick waterer is adapted to a decorative planter D, or a like pot or jar, by means of a platform 15' having a constrictable perimeter 21, so as to be readily forced into frictional engagement within a pot diameter which may vary. In this second form the surrounding decorative planter D, pot or jar, is relied upon as the reservoir R'.

The filler tube 16 opens through the platform 15 (15') at a peripheral side portion thereof and extends to the approximate height of the planter pot rim 12 where it is open to receive water conducted into the reservoir R (R') thereby.

The level indicator 17 is a rod projecting upwardly from a float 22 supported upon the water level in the reservoir R (R'), the rod extending through and guided by the tube 16 and with its top end 23 visibly exposed at the top open end of the tube. In practice, the end 23 is exposed at the open end plane of tube 16, thereby indicating a full condition of the reservoir.

In accordance with this invention, I provide the flow control C that restricts the capillary flow of water through the wick W. That is, free capillary flow through the wick is controllably restricted as may be required. As shown, the wick W is a flat flexible elongated band of wicking material having top and bottom sides 30 and 31 and parallel edges 32 and 33. The wicking material is a hydrophilic mat of woven polyester which is non-biodegradable and not subject to breakown by alge or fungus and the like, to which biodegradable materials are subject. As practiced, the wick W is 1/16 inch thick and 1 inch wide, and is of a length to have its supply end 34 immersed in the water supply of the reservoir R (R') and to have its delivery end 35 buried in the soil S to be watered, all as shown. In order to protect the wick W and to prevent evaporation of water being transported thereby, a sleeve 36 is applied coextensively over the wick as it extends from the flow control C and to the soil level into which the wick penetrates.

The flow control C is characterized by a wick compresser means comprised of opposed rails 40 and 41, an upper rail 40 and a lower rail 41 in spaced parallel relationship disposed transversely of and with the wick W engaged therebetween. A feature is the opposed line engagement of the rails with the wick, this feature being accomplished by the convex cross sectional configuration of the rails which thereby have tangential engagement with the wick at both the top and bottom sides 30 and 31 respectively. A small radius of convexity has been discovered to be most effective, and in practice a radius of 1/8 inch has been found to be most practical. Therefore, when the rails 40 and 41 are brought into opposed engagement with the sides 30 and 31 of the wick, the opposed convex faces 42 and 43 thereof press coextensively between the sides 32 and 33 to create a flow restriction in the wick W commensurate with pressure applied to the wick as will be described. Flow restriction in the wick W is the result of compression that reduces the capillary channels that inherently tend to transport the water, increased pressure producing greater restriction and vice versa.

The wick compresser means in its improved form is comprised of at least two rails opposed by a single rail, in order to establish two lines of compression, thereby increasing the resolution of control twofold. In order to further increase the resolution of control there is a second set of two rails opposed by a single rail to establish two additional lines of compression, thereby increasing the resolution of control to a total of fourfold. An unobvious feature is that each pair of two lines of compression involves a common rail, a center rail, and accordingly there are three bottom rails 41 opposed by two top rails 40. In practice, the rails 40 and 41 are spaced 1/8 inch apart, the rails 40 being centered over the voids between rails 41, as shown. The spacing of the rails 40 and 41 is less than the thickness thereof which is 1/4 inch, proportioned as is clearly indicated, whereby there is an interengagement of the rails which establishes two lines of wick compression when employing the two rails 41 opposed by the one rail 40. In practice, the rail 40 enters partly between the spaced rails 41 so that there are two tangential lines of wick compression on the convex face of rail 40, while there is a single line of wick compression on the convex face of each rail 41, a feature being the divergent angular direction of force applied by rail 40 upon the rails 41. Thus, there are four distinct lines of wick compression when employing three rails 41 opposed by two rails 40. However, it is to be understood that there can be additional sets of rails, as described, to achieve even greater control resoloution. As is shown, the wick W is warped through and between the rails in serpentine fashion to be engaged by the four lines of compression.

The flow control C is shown comprised of a frame 45 carried by the platform 15 (15') and adapted to receive and carry a slide 46. The slide 46 incorporates the rails 41, and the frame provides a seat 47 of recessed configuration that locates the rails 40 in opposition to the rails 41. The frame 45 is horizontally disposed over an opening 48 through the platform, for passage of the supply end portion 34 of the wick W from one end of the frame and into the reservoir R (R'), while the wick issues from the other end of the frame to extend upwardly and over the rim 12 of the planter pot P. And, the frame 45 has guides 49 to capture the slide 46 when moved horizontally into working position for installation of the wick W, where it backs up the force of compression that is applied for flow control through the wick. A feature of frame 45 is its articulated mounting to the platform 15 (15') by a pair of spaced hinge legs 50 with detents or hooks 51 snapped through loosely fitted opening 48 through the platform. Thus, the flow control C and its compression means next described is flexibly mounted so as to be moveable away from the flared side of the planter pot P.

Adjustment of the flow control C is by a pressure means that regulates the capillary flow of water through the wick W. The form of pressure means can vary and is shown herein as a simple screw 53 threaded through a head portion 54 of the frame 45 and on a vertical axis to press downwardly against the pair of integral rails 40. The screw 53 has a stem that extends upward to the rim of the planter pot P where it is accessible and adjustably turned by a knob 55. A feature is the loose postioning of the rail or rails 40 as a unit within the seat 47, so that the rails 40 and 41 seek interengagement and positions of equilibrium at all lines of compression with the wick W.

The self contained embodiment is put into operation by filling the reservoir R with water as indicated by the level indicator 17, whereupon the knob 55 of the pressure means is adjusted as circumstances require. The constrictable second embodiment is put into operation by forcing the deformable periphery of platform 15' into a planter containing water, the reservoir R', said perimeter or periphery being flexible and formed as such by providing a multiplicity of radial slits opening at the outer diameter thereof.

From the foregoing it will be understood how precise adjustment of capillary water flow is achieved with this improved flow control C, associated as hereinabove described with respect to the platform 15 (15') and reservoir R (R') and for adaptation to planter pots P and decorative planters D of varied form and configuration. It is the successive lines of compression along the wick W which resolves flow control to a precise degree of regulation, and all of which is accessible.

Having described only the typical preferred forms and applications of my invention, I do not wish to be limited or restricted to the specific details herein set forth, but wish to reserve to myself any modifications or variations that may appear to those skilled in the art as set forth within the limits of the following claims.