WO1993023989A1

WO1993023989A1 - Apparatus for watering plants

Info

Publication number: WO1993023989A1
Application number: PCT/GB1993/001111
Authority: WO
Inventors: Charles David Wilde
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1992-05-27
Filing date: 1993-05-27
Publication date: 1993-12-09
Anticipated expiration: 1994-11-27
Also published as: EP0642300A1; GB2267205A; EP0642300B1; AU4335593A; GB2267205B; GB9211204D0; DE69316614D1; ATE162364T1

Abstract

Watering apparatus for use with grow bags (7) comprises an elongate hollow member (4) formed with a series of apertures (5) along its length for insertion into one end or side of a grow bag. The member is movable relative to the plastic cover of the grow bag to a position in which it lies on the surface of growing medium present in the grow bag (7). The reservoir (1) is connected to supply water to the hollow member (4) and the spacings between and/or the dimensions of the apertures (5) are selected such that water from a full reservoir flows to and through each aperture of the member (at a least a majority of such apertures).

Description

APPARATUS FOR WATERING PLANTS

This invention relates to apparatus for watering plants and more especially to apparatus for watering plants, seedlings and seeds (all referred to hereinafter simply as"plants") bedded into a growing medium contained within a plastics enclosure such as a grow bag.

Grow bags in themselves are well known and generally are accepted as a useful way of growing flowers and produce such as tomatoes in a variety of locations including greenhouses, patios, sun rooms and balconies. Grow bags essentially comprise a formulated growing medium sealed within a plastics bag and provide a complete environment in which flowers and crops can be grown.Conveniently, grow bags are marked with lines to indicate to the user where incisions should be made in the plastics covering for the planting of individual seeds or seedlings. Such incisions are normally small in comparison with the overall size of the grow bag to minimise inter alia the effect of evaporation.Relatively small incisions mean that only a small amount of the growing medium is subjected to the effects of sun and wind. This need to minimise the amount of growing medium exposed to the elements has hitherto required that watering of the grow bag contents is effected through the incisions made to receive plants. Watering through these relatively small incisions to an adequate extent to feed all plants bedded in the growing medium is difficult to achieve and almost impossible to check. The alternative is to remove the uppermost side of the plastics covering. Whilst this assists the watering process, it also maximises the effects of evaporation and loss of growing medium. In both cases, the gardener runs the risk of wetting a plants leaves thereby causing plant burn. A further problem associated with grow bags is caused by the fact that they generally have high contents of peat and fibrous material which are both light and easily disturbed by water. If placed in direct sunlight any water added to the growing medium will rapidly evaporate. Once dried, the peat and fibrous material will not accept fresh water readily, choosing instead to float on water added to the bag contents and, in time, to flow over the edges of the plant receiving holes of the bag. Repeated watering tends to erode growing medium from plant-receiving holes of the bag which, in time, can lead to damage to the root systems of the plants, leaving the plants open to possible attack from insect or fungal organisms.

Erosion of discharged peat and water from the bag can also be unsightly, particularly when the bag is positioned on a balcony, patio or the like.

If a grow bag is to be used for produce such as lettuces, a higher density of plants is normally required. This in itself, can create problems in that it is unlikly that water fed to the bag contents will be distributed satisfactorily to all plants present in a bag. Also, the problems referred to above concerning evaporation and erosion are worsened with each hole cut into a grow bag. The present invention sets out to provide watering apparatus which overcomes, or at least alleviates, the problems referred to above.

According to the present invention in one aspect there is provided apparatus for watering plants bedded in a growing medium retained within a plastics container, the apparatus comprising a water receiving reservoir which communicates with one end of a pipe formed along its length with a series of spaced holes through which, in use of the apparatus, water introduced into the reservoir can flow, the spacing between and/or dimensions of the holes of the series being such that water flowing to the pipe from a substantially full reservoir leaves the pipe through each (or at least a majority) of the holes of the series. The pipe preferably extends outwardly from one side of the reservoir and communicates therewith through an aperture positioned towards the base of the reservoir. The pipe may be separable from the reservoir and may be connected thereto by a push-fit connection, screw threading or the like. Alternatively, the pipe may be formed integrally with the reservoir The end of the pipe remote from the reservoir is preferably closed by a smoothly contoured cap or plug. By "smoothly contoured" is meant a shape which is generally smooth and one which will not tear a plastics cover of a growing medium if moved relative thereto. In an alternative arrangement, the end of the pipe is deformed to define a smoothly contoured profile.

The individual holes of the series may be spaced apart by distances which vary in relation to the distance of a neighbouring pair of holes from the reservoir. Thus the distance between the neighbouring pair of holes closest to the reservoir may be less than that between the neighbouring pair furthest from the reservoir. Essentially, the respective distances are selected to ensure that when the reservoir is filled, water will flow out from each hole of the series.

Additionally or alternatively, the sizes of individual holes may vary, the hole closest to the reservoir being of smaller area than that of the hole furthest from the reservoir. In another aspect there is provided watering apparatus for use with grow bags, the apparatus comprising an elongate hollow member formed with a series of apertures along its length for insertion into one end or side of a grow bag and movable relative to the plastics cover of that grow bag to a position in which it lies on the surface of growing medium present in the grow bag, and a reservoir connected to supply water to the pipe, the spacings between and/or dimensions of the apertures being selected such that water from a full reservoir flows to and through each aperture of the pipe (or at least a majority of such apertures).

The invention will now be described by way of example, only, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which:-

Figure 1 is a side view of watering apparatus in accordance with the invention;

Figure 2 is an exploded view of the apparatus shown in Figure 1;

Figures 3, 4 and 5 are respectively perspective, end and side views of a grow bag fitted with watering apparatus in accordance with the invention (Figures 4 and 5 showing the bag in section); and

Figure 6 is a side view of the device illustrated in Figure 3 in use.

Referring now to the drawings, the watering apparatus illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 comprises an open- opped header tank (1), formed at its base with an outwardly extending spout (3) which receives an elongate pipe (4). Set in the pipe (4) is a series of weep holes (5). The weep holes take the form of slots which are so spaced that the distances between neighbouring holes reduces as the respective holes distance from the spout increases. This spacing is provided to promote a supply of the water to each of the holes positioned along the entire length of the pipe. The holes 5 are also so dimensioned that water introduced into the header tank flows gently out of each hole. The shape of the holes illustrated is generally rectangular about the acurate profile of the pipe. Alternatively, the hole contour may be for example, round or elliptical; also, each weep hole may comprise two or more discrete apertures.

At the end of the supply pipe is fitted a plug or cap (6) formed with a rounded end. A hook, ring or similar hanging point (2) is provided to enable the watering apparatus to be stored more easily.

The header tank and pipe are preferably produced from a plastics material such as UPVC or the like. Other suitable materials may however be employed.

Turning now to Figures 3 to 6, it will be seen that when fitted into a grow bag (7), the watering apparatus is free standing and rests on the upper surface of the grow bag. The pipe (4) is inserted through a small incision made in one end or side of the bag (7) and is gently pushed over the surface of the growing medium present in the bag, the rounded end (6) ensuring that the supply pipe does not penetrate either the growing medium or tear the plastics cover of the bag. When in place, the pipe is positioned between the plastics cover and the upper surface of the growing medium. In this position, the weep holes of the pipe are subjected to atmospheric pressure to ensure that water enters the grow bag medium along the entire length of the pipe as shown in Figure 6. Also, the weep holes are not blocked by the growing medium.

In use, the header tank is filled with water with, possibly, added nutrient such as liquid manure. Additionally or alternatively, a nutrient tablet or block may be positioned in the resevoir. Water entering the pipe initially flows through the weep holes(s) closest to the header tank 2 and then sequentially to each of the weep holes 5 in turn. Thus the entire length of the grown bag medium is effectively watered. Also, the presence of the relatively small apertures required for planting and the water below the plastics cover of the bag provides a humid atmosphere ideal for plant growth.

As shown, the resevoir 1 is formed separate from the pipe 4, possibly by extrusion. This need not be the case, the resevoir and pipe being formed integrally as a single unit by, for example, a moulding process in which two horizontally split half shells are produced and then seam welded

It will be understood that the foregoing is merely exemplary of watering apparatus in accordance with the invention and that modifications can readily be made thereto without departing from the true scope of the invention.

Claims

1. Apparatus for watering plants bedded in a growing medium retained within a plastics container, the apparatus comprising a water receiving reservoir which communicates with one end of a pipe formed along its length with a series of spaced holes through which, in use of the apparatus, water introduced into the reservoir can flow, the spacing between and/or dimensions of the holes of the series being such that water flowing to the pipe from a substantially full reservoir leaves the pipe through each (or at least a majority) of the holes of the series.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the pipe preferably extends outwardly from one side of the reservoir and communicates therewith through an aperture positioned towards the base of the reservoir.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the pipe is separable from the reservoir.

4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the pipe is formed integrally with the reservoir.

5. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the end of the pipe remote from the reservoir is closed by a smoothly contoured cap or plug.

6. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the end of the pipe is deformed to define a smoothly contoured profile.

7. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the individual holes of the series are spaced apart by distances which vary in relation to the distance of a neighbouring pair of holes from the reservoir.

8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 7 wherein the sizes of individual holes vary, the hole closest to the reservoir being of smaller area than that of the hole furthest from the reservoir.

9. Watering apparatus for use with grow bags, the apparatus comprising an elongate hollow member formed with a series of apertures along its length for insertion into one end or side of a grow bag and movable relative to the plastics cover of that grow bag to a position in which it lies on the surface of growing medium present in the grow bag, and a reservoir connected to supply water to the hollow member, the spacings between and/or dimensions of the apertures being selected such that water from a full reservoir flows to and through each aperture of the hollow member (or at least a majority of such apertures).

10. Watering apparatus substantially as herein described and as described with reference to Figures 1 to 6 of the accompanying drawings.