| 摘要 |
The invention is apparatus which can be fitted in a container, therein modifying the container to function as a self-watering planter. The apparatus includes a partitioning element that includes an extruded element having a hollow tubular section that terminates in a center opening and a wide flange. The extruded element separates the container into an upper portion (potting soil and plant), a lower portion (liquid reservoir), and a common portion (potting soil, water, and ultimately some root). The flange is a solid plate with a lateral opening that enables liquid to be conveyed past the plate. Roots cannot grow through it. The lower portion has an overflow outlet through the container's sidewall. A fill pipe extends from the rim down to the reservoir, so substantially no liquid is added directly to the upper portion. A film having a slot for the plant covers the container. |
| 主权项 |
1. An apparatus which can be fitted in a container, therein modifying the container to function as a self-watering planter, where the container has an open top, a bottom, a side wall, a lipped rim, a total height as measured from the bottom to the lipped rim, and a cross-sectional shape at a specified height, said apparatus comprising:
an overflow relief outlet at a desired maximum volume; a faux bottom solid plate with a lateral opening for a fitting that conveys a liquid past the plate, and a center opening with a surface area, wherein said plate is comprised of a solid material that precludes growth of a plant's roots through said plate, wherein said plate partitions the container into an upper portion at the specified height, a lower portion and access to a common portion; wherein the faux bottom enables the upper portion to be used as a planter fitted with potting soil and plants; wherein the lower portion functions as a reservoir for a liquid, which is comprised water and water borne nutrients, where if the liquid exceeds the desired maximum volume in the reservoir, then excess liquid is vented through the overflow outlet, which is nominally located below the plate in the side wall of the container; an open ended side-walled hollow tubular element fitted inside the center opening of the plate forms the common portion, where the center opening is a shared port for the upper portion and the common portion, where said side-walled tubular element extends downward from the plate, coming to rest on the bottom of the container therein forming a cavity; wherein the sidewall of said tubular element has a perforation proximate to the bottom, said perforation enabling the liquid in the lower portion to flow into the cavity, therein admixing with potting soil and components thereof that can retained within, and moving into the upper portion as determined by a demand; a rate of wicking as determined by the rate at which liquid moves from the common portion into the upper portion and plants, wherein the rate of wicking is a function of the demand for the liquid by the plants in the container and a wicking nature of a particular potting soil; wherein a capability to meet the demand for liquid is a function of the volume of the common portion, the volume of the upper portion, and a diameter of the center opening; a mechanism for supporting the solid plate at a fixed position above the bottom of the container; a liquid inlet line that extends from a position proximate to or above the lipped rim, through the upper portion, through the lateral opening of the plate, and into the lower portion; and wherein the liquid in the reservoir is replenished by pouring the liquid into a mouth of the liquid inlet line, therein by-passing the upper portion. |
