U.S. patent application number 10/288502 was filed with the patent office on 2004-04-15 for isolating plate for a flowerpot for storing water and supplying water.
Invention is credited to Lai, Yang Song.
Application Number | 20040068931 10/288502 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32737554 |
Filed Date | 2004-04-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040068931 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lai, Yang Song |
April 15, 2004 |
Isolating plate for a flowerpot for storing water and supplying
water
Abstract
An isolating plate for a flowerpot for storing water and
supplying water with predetermined amount comprises an isolating
plate, a groove seat having a spacer, a water control means, a
water control chamber, a water supply groove, and an auxiliary
water storage chamber. In one application, the auxiliary water
storage chamber is an auxiliary water storage basin. By the
isolating plate; the isolating plate and the auxiliary water
storage basin are placed in the flowerpot. In another application,
the auxiliary water storage chamber is formed by a space between
the isolating plate and a bottom of the flowerpot. Thereby, by the
structure of the isolating plate, the water in the flowerpot is
controllable.
Inventors: |
Lai, Yang Song; (Tai-peng
City, TW) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ROSENBERG, KLEIN & LEE
3458 ELLICOTT CENTER DRIVE-SUITE 101
ELLICOTT CITY
MD
21043
US
|
Family ID: |
32737554 |
Appl. No.: |
10/288502 |
Filed: |
November 6, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
47/80 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A01G 27/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
047/080 |
International
Class: |
A01G 025/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 11, 2002 |
GB |
0223742.8 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An isolating plate for a flowerpot for storing water and
supplying water with predetermined amount, comprising: an isolating
plate with vent holes, an auxiliary water storage chamber, and a
water control chamber; wherein the isolating plate has a downward
groove seat; the groove seat is installed with a spacer having a
cover; the spacer spaces the groove seat into a water control
chamber and a water supply groove; the spacer is not tightly sealed
so that water in the water control chamber drains into the water
supply groove; the cover above the spacer seals the opening at an
upper end of the water control chamber of the groove seat; thereby,
the planting earth will not drop into the water control chamber;
the opening at an upper end of the water supply groove is not
sealed so that the planting earth fills into the groove to absorb
water in the groove; moreover, a lower end of the water control
chamber has a water hole; a lower end of the water hole is
communicated to a water storage space below the isolating plate; an
upper end of the water hole is assembled with a water control means
so that water in the water storage space flows into the water
control chamber; moreover, the water level is controlled in a
proper value by the water control means so that the water level in
the water supply groove is controllable within a predetermined
value; an auxiliary water storage chamber has the water storage
space; a ventilating tube is installed in the auxiliary water
storage chamber at a place not to communicate with the groove seat
of the isolating plate; an upper end of the ventilating tube is
lower than a bottom of the isolating plate and has a gap to the
bottom of the isolating plate so that water will not contact the
isolating plate; thereby, air flows into the space below the bottom
of the isolating plate through the ventilating tube.
2. The isolating plate for a flowerpot for storing water and
supplying water with predetermined amount as claimed in claim 1,
wherein the auxiliary water storage chamber is formed by an
auxiliary water storage basin below the isolating plate; by the
isolating plate; the isolating plate and the auxiliary water
storage basin are placed in the flowerpot; a bottom of the
flowerpot has vent holes and thus can not store water, but by the
isolating plate and the auxiliary water storage basin, water is
stored in the auxiliary water storage basin; amount of water is
controlled according to absorption of roots of plants in the
flowerpot, moreover, a preferred ventilation is provided.
3. The isolating plate for a flowerpot for storing water and
supplying water with predetermined amount as claimed in claim 1,
wherein the auxiliary water storage chamber is formed by a space
between the isolating plate and a bottom of the flowerpot; the
flowerpot has a ventilating tube protruded from a bottom of the
flowerpot, the isolating plate is placed in the flowerpot, a space
with the flowerpot and below an upper end of the ventilating tube
is formed as the water storage space, by the structure of the
isolating plate, water in the flowerpot is controllable.
4. The isolating plate for a flowerpot for storing water and
supplying water with predetermined amount as claimed in claim 1,
wherein a distal end of the soft tube has a floating block; a slit
is formed on the soft rubber tube; a front end of the soft rubber
tube has a joint; thereby, when the water control chamber is in
high level; the floating block will rise so that the slit is
compressed and thus is sealed; thereby, water is stopped; when the
water in the water control chamber is in lower level, the floating
block descends, and thus the slit opens so that water flow into the
slit.
5. The isolating plate for a flowerpot for storing water and
supplying water with predetermined amount as claimed in claim 1,
wherein the water control means is made of material selected from
one of cotton pieces, sponges, foams, which are filled in the water
control chamber, water supply groove and water storage space with a
height being the level of water to be supplied; thereby, water in
the water storage space is absorbed and then transferred to earth
for planting.
6. The isolating plate for a flowerpot for storing water and
supplying water with predetermined amount as claimed in claim 2,
wherein the isolating plate is integrally formed with the auxiliary
water storage basin.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to devices used in flowerpots,
and particularly to an isolating plate for a flowerpot for storing
water and supplying water.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] In the prior art, the bottom of a flowerpot is formed with
vent hole. However, other part away from the vent hole has poor
ventilating effect. Thereby, an isolating plate is installed in the
flowerpot so that a gap is left between the isolating plate and the
bottom of the flowerpot. The isolating plate has a plurality of
vent holes for ventilation. However, the prior art isolating plate
has only ventilation effect, but no function of water storage. This
is inconvenient in current busy society.
[0003] In another design, a flowerpot has a function of water
storage and a water absorption material (such as cotton piece, or
sponge) is used in the water and the space between the water and
planting earth so as to wet the earth. However, this prior art
design has the following defects:
[0004] (1) If the water absorption material erodes, the water
storage space will not store water and thus water can not be
transferred to the earth.
[0005] (2) Rainy water flowing into the flowerpot can not be
drained out of the flowerpot so that the roots of plants in the
flowerpot will erode.
[0006] (3) The installation of water storage material will cause
that the ventilation of air in the roots of the plants become worse
so that the lifetimes of the plants are shortened.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] Accordingly, the primary object of the present invention is
to provide an isolating plate for a flowerpot for storing water and
supplying water with predetermined amount, wherein the isolating
plate comprises an isolating plate, a groove seat having a spacer,
a water control means, a water control chamber, a water supply
groove, and an auxiliary water storage chamber.
[0008] In one application, the auxiliary water storage chamber is
an auxiliary water storage basin. By the isolating plate; the
isolating plate and the auxiliary water storage basin are placed in
another flowerpot. A bottom of the flowerpot has vent holes and
thus can not store water, but by the isolating plate and the
auxiliary water storage basin, water is stored in the auxiliary
water storage basin. Amount of water is controlled according to
absorption of roots of plants in the flowerpot. Thus, a preferred
ventilation is provided.
[0009] In another application, the auxiliary water storage chamber
is formed by a space between the isolating plate and a bottom of
the flowerpot. The flowerpot has a ventilating tube protruded from
a bottom of the flowerpot, the isolating plate is placed in the
flowerpot, a space with the flowerpot and below an upper end of the
ventilating tube is formed as a water storage space. By the
structure of the isolating plate, the water in the flowerpot is
controllable.
[0010] The various objects and advantages of the present invention
will be more readily understood from the following detailed
description when read in conjunction with the appended drawing.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is a partial exploded perspective view of one
preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[0012] FIG. 2 is assembled views, where FIG. 2A shows that water is
full and FIG. 2B shows that water is supplemented in lower level
according to the present invention.
[0013] FIG. 3 shows one application of the present invention,
wherein in FIG. 3A is a partial cross sectional view of the present
invention and FIG. 3B is a whole cross sectional view of the
present invention.
[0014] FIG. 4 shows that the present invention is used to a
flowerpot having a protruding ventilating tube, where FIG. 4A is a
partial cross sectional view of the present invention and FIG. 4B
is a whole cross sectional view of the present invention.
[0015] FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the present
invention where the isolating plate is integral formed with a
flowerpot.
[0016] FIG. 6 is an assembled cross sectional view of FIG. 5.
[0017] FIG. 7 shows one embodiment that the isolating plate is
integrally formed with an auxiliary water storage basin, wherein
FIG. 7A is a perspective view and FIG. 7B is a cross sectional
view.
[0018] FIG. 8 shows one embodiment that a water absorption material
is used in the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0019] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the present invention will be
described herein. The present invention includes an isolating plate
10 with vent holes 11, an auxiliary water storage basin 25, and a
water control chamber.
[0020] The isolating plate 10 has a downward groove seat 12. The
groove seat 12 is installed with a spacer 17 having a cover 18. The
spacer 17 spaces the groove seat 12 into a water control chamber 14
and a water supply groove 13. The spacer 17 is not tightly sealed
so that water in the water control chamber 14 can drain into the
water supply groove 13. The cover 18 above the spacer 17 seals the
opening at the upper end of the water control chamber 14 of the
groove seat 12. Thereby, the planting earth will not drop into the
water control chamber 14. The opening at the upper end of the water
supply groove 13 is not sealed so that the planting earth fills
into the groove 13 to absorb water in the groove 13. Moreover, a
lower end of the water control chamber 14 has a penetrating water
hole 15. The lower end of the water hole 15 is communicated to a
water storage space W (auxiliary water storage basin 25). An upper
end of the water hole 15 is assembled with a water control means 20
so that water in the water storage space flows into the water
control chamber 14. Moreover, the water level is controlled in a
proper value by the water control means 20 (amount of water is not
too much) so that the water in the water supply groove 13 is not
too much.
[0021] An auxiliary water storage basin 25 has a water storage
space W. A ventilating tube 26 is installed at a place not to
communicate with the groove seat 12 of the isolating plate 10. The
upper end of the ventilating tube 26 is lower than the bottom of
the isolating plate 10 and has a gap to the bottom of the isolating
plate 10 so that water will not contact the isolating plate 10.
Thereby, air flows into the space below the bottom of the isolating
plate 10 through the ventilating tube 26.
[0022] A water control means 20 is installed with a soft rubber
tube 22. A distal end of the soft tube 22 has a floating block 24.
A slit 23 is formed on the soft rubber tube 22. A front end of the
soft rubber tube 22 has a joint. Thereby, when the water control
chamber 14 is in high level. The floating block 24 will rise so
that the slit 23 is compressed and thus is sealed. Thereby, water
is stopped. When water in the water control chamber 14 is in lower
level, the floating block 24 descends, and thus the slit 23 opens
so that water flows into the slit.
[0023] The effect and advantage of the present invention will be
described in the followings.
[0024] In this application, the present invention is used to a
flowerpot. With reference to FIGS. 3A and 3B, in FIG. 3A, a
flowerpot has a body 1. A plurality of vent holes 2 are formed on a
bottom of the body 1. In use, as shown in FIG. 3B, the present
invention (comprising the isolating plate 10 and the auxiliary
water storage basin 25) is placed in the bottom of the body 1.
Thereby, earth can be filled in the isolating plate 10 and plants
are planted, then watering the earth. Water will flow to the water
storage space W of the auxiliary water storage basin 25 through the
vent holes 11 of the isolating plate 10. When water is higher than
the ventilating tube 26 of the auxiliary water storage basin 25.
Water will flow out from the ventilating tube 26, knowing that
water is full.
[0025] In water supply and control, the planting earth is filled
into the water supply groove 13 of the groove seat 12. Water in the
auxiliary water storage basin 25 is communicated to the water
control chamber 14 of the groove seat 12. The water in the water
control chamber 14 is communicated to the water supply groove 13.
Thereby, planting earth may absorb water for supplying to plants.
The water in the water control chamber 14 will be described herein.
Referring to FIG. 3, when in high level (no water is necessary),
see FIG. 3A, water will cause that water in the water control
chamber 14 rises up so that the soft rubber tube 22 rises up, and
thus the slit 23 is compressed and thus is sealed. Thereby, water
will not flow into the water control chamber 14 to retain the level
of the water control chamber 14. When roots of the plants absorb
water, water in the water supply groove 13 and water control
chamber 14 are used and thus is descent to a lower level, as shown
in FIG. 3B. The floating block 24 descends so that the soft rubber
tube 22 bends downwards. Therefore, the slit 23 opens. Water in the
water storage space W flows into the water control chamber 14
through the water hole 15, soft rubber tube 22, and slit 23.
Thereby, it has the effect of supplying water and stopping water.
Since the level is limited, amount of water is limited.
[0026] Furthermore, it is appreciated.that the auxiliary water
storage basin 25 of the present invention is formed with a
ventilating tube 26. Level set by the ventilating tube 26 is lower
than the bottom of the isolating plate 10. The isolating plate 10
has a plurality of vent holes 11. The roots of plants breathe
freely. However, this is not seen in the prior art.
[0027] Moreover, another application of the present invention will
be described herein, with referring to FIGS. 4A and 4B. FIG. 4A
shows a flowerpot body 3. A bottom of the body 3 has a ventilating
tube 4 having a predetermined height (at this kind of flowerpot,
the ventilating tube 4 causes that air can enter into the planting
earth). In use, no auxiliary water storage basin 25 is used. It is
only necessary that the isolating plate 10 and groove seat 12 are
placed in.the body 3, as shown in FIG. 4B. A bottom of the body 3
has a ventilating tube 4 having a predetermined height. Thereby, a
bottom of the body 3 has a water storage space W. Since in the
present invention, the isolating plate 10 spaces the planting earth
so that a ventilating space is formed between the bottom of the
isolating plate 10 and the surface of water. Therefore, the effects
of water filling, stopping and supplying with a preset amount are
achieved. Namely, even no auxiliary water storage basin 25, the
body 3 is formed with a ventilating tube 4 to use with the
isolating plate of the present invention. However, this is within
the scope of the present invention.
[0028] Moreover, the following embodiment will be described
herein.
[0029] (1) Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, a bottom of a flowerpot body
30 is installed with a plurality of vent holes 32, groove seat 33,
and an isolating plate 10 with groove seat 33. Moreover, a matched
water storage tank 26 are installed. The lateral side of the water
storage tank 36 has a vent hole 37. The isolating plate 31 has a
groove seat 33. A bottom of the groove seat 33 has a water hole 35.
The groove seat 33 is spaced by a spacer 17 so as to form a water
control chamber 34 and a water supply groove 331. A water control
means 20 is placed in the water control chamber 34. The water
supply groove 331 is communicated to a groove 330 and planting
earth can be placed in the water supply groove 331. The above
mentioned structure has the effect of water storage, supply and
control. Thereby, it is within the scope of the present
invention.
[0030] (2) Referring to FIG. 7, the isolating plate 10 and
auxiliary water storage basin 25 of FIG. 1 are formed as an
integral body (by for example, gluing or shaping by blowing, etc.).
Although this can not be used to the structure illustrated in FIG.
4A, it can be used to the flowerpot 1 with flat bottom and vent
holes 2 at the bottom thereof.
[0031] (3) The water control means 40 is made by water absorbing
material 40 (such as sponge, cotton layer, foam rubber). Water in
the water storage space can be absorbed into the water control
chamber 14. Then the planting earth contacts the water absorbing
material 40 in the water supply groove 13. When the water absorbing
material 40 saturates; no water is absorbed further, while water
absorbed in the material is further absorbed by planting earth and
thus the saturation is lowered. Moreover, this design has the
functions of water storage and supply only the water control means
is made by different material (water absorbing material).
[0032] The present invention is thus described, it will be obvious
that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not
to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the
present invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious
to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the
scope of the following claims.
* * * * *