U.S. patent application number 12/152105 was filed with the patent office on 2009-11-12 for multiple self watering container system.
Invention is credited to Donald J. Stewart.
Application Number | 20090277085 12/152105 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41265716 |
Filed Date | 2009-11-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090277085 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Stewart; Donald J. |
November 12, 2009 |
Multiple self watering container system
Abstract
A multi container system of at least one each of the first
container, and at least one second and at least one third
container, each of which has a chamber therein. The first container
has a water retaining chamber with water input and water output as
well as a water self leveling means. The second container has a
water transfer chamber in which a wicking tray loaded with a
wicking medium is placed, preferably on a drainage tray, said
medium being used to transfer the water to the plants disposed in a
third container's plant receiving chamber. The container #3 nests
within the water transfer chamber of container #2, to receive water
therefrom by capillary action. Container #1 is fluidly connected to
a first container #2 for water transfer, and a series of containers
#2 may be linked, as space limitations and grade permit, or as may
be desired.
Inventors: |
Stewart; Donald J.; (Merced,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MARK C. JACOBS
3033 EL CAMINO AVE.
SACRAMENTO
CA
95821
US
|
Family ID: |
41265716 |
Appl. No.: |
12/152105 |
Filed: |
May 9, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
47/79 ;
405/36 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A01G 9/028 20130101;
A01G 27/005 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
47/79 ;
405/36 |
International
Class: |
A01G 25/00 20060101
A01G025/00 |
Claims
1. A multi container system comprising at least three containers,
each container of which has a chamber with a bottom therein; the
first container having a water retaining chamber with a water input
and a water output, the second container having a water transfer
chamber in which a wicking tray, loaded with a wicking medium, is
disposed on the bottom of said second chamber; an optional drainage
tray, if present, disposed intermediate said wicking tray and the
bottom of said chamber, wherein said wicking tray's wicking medium
transfers water to plants disposed in a third container's plant
receiving chamber by capillary action; a third container having a
water permeable bottom, and being nestable within said second
container; said first container's chamber being fluidly connected
to container #2 for water transfer thereto; wherein when said third
container, with the water permeable bottom, rests within the water
transfer chamber of said second container, and said third
container's bottom is in intimate contact with said wicking tray to
receive water from said wicking tray, water passes by capillary
action to said container #3 from said container #2.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a series of second containers'
chambers are all fluidly linked to said first container.
3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first container's chamber
has a water self level means and an input flow control valve.
4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the wicking medium is selected
from the group comprising perlite and vermiculite and the drain
tray is present.
5. A multi container system comprising three containers, each
container of which has a chamber with a bottom therein; the first
container having a water retaining chamber with a water input and a
water output; the second container having a water transfer chamber
in which a wicking tray loaded with a wicking medium is disposed on
the bottom of said second chamber; a drainage tray, disposed
intermediate said wicking tray and the bottom of said chamber,
wherein said wicking tray's wicking medium transfers water to
plants disposed in a third container's plant receiving chamber, by
capillary action; a third container having a water permeable
bottom, and being disposed within said second container; said first
container's chamber being fluidly connected to container #2 for
water transfer thereto, and said first container having an
adjustable overflow port to limit the height of the water therein;
wherein when said third container with a water permeable bottom
rests within the water transfer chamber of said second container
and said third container's bottom is in intimate contact with said
wicking tray, water passes from said wicking tray to plants
disposed in said third container.
6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the containers are all the
same size and are made of plastic.
7. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the chamber of the third
container is filled with a member selected from the group
comprising perlite, vermiculite, and potting mix.
8. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the plants are in pots having
open bottoms in contact with the water permeable bottom of the
chamber of said container #3.
9. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein there is one container #1, and
at least two container #2s, each with a container #3 nested in a
respective container #2, all of said second containers being
fluidly connected to said first container.
10. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the first container's chamber
has an input flow control valve.
11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the first container has a
removable lid to prevent evaporation of water in its chamber.
12. The apparatus of claim 1, further including an input water hose
fluidly connected to the input of container 1, and having a timer
in line with said hose to limit water input to the first
chamber.
13. A multi container system comprising three containers, as in
claim 5, wherein the system includes at least one container #1, and
the same number of containers #2 and #3, each pair of containers #2
and #3 being fluidly connected to said at least one first
container.
14. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the container #1 includes a
water level indicator and a float valve to control water input.
15. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the first container includes
a water level indicator and a float valve to control water
input.
16. A process for watering plants disposed in a multi container
system, which system comprises at least three containers, a first
container, and the same number of second and third containers; each
container of which has a chamber with a bottom therein; the first
container having a water retaining chamber with a water input and a
water output, and each second container having a water transfer
chamber; a) placing a wicking assemblage comprising a wicking tray
loaded with a wicking medium on the bottom of each said second
container's chamber; b) optionally placing a drainage tray,
intermediate said wicking tray and the bottom of said second
chamber, wherein said wicking tray's wicking medium can transfer
water to plants disposed in each said third container's chamber, by
capillary action, regardless of the presence of a drainage tray; c)
placing a third container having a water permeable bottom, and
being nestable within said second container, in said second
container in intimate contact with said wicking tray; d) fluidly
connecting said first container's chamber to each container #2
chamber, for water transfer thereto; e) placing plants in a
planting medium in said third container's chamber such that the
third container's water permeable bottom is in intimate contact
with said wicking assemblage, and; f) permitting water to pass from
said wicking tray to the plants disposed in each said third
container by capillary action.
17. The process of claim 16 wherein step c) and step e) are carried
out in reverse order.
18. A multi container system comprising three containers, as in
claim 5, wherein the system includes at least one first container,
and the same number of second containers and at least the same
number of third containers, each second container being fluidly
connected to said first container.
Description
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to a multiple plant container self
watering system, wherein the level of water in each container is
preferably kept uniform.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Self watering systems for both plants and Christmas trees
are known to the art. Thus mention can be made of the U.S. Pat.
Nos. to Main et al 6,497,071; and to Copenhaver 5,369,900; which
relate to Christmas trees; while Buss, 6,357,179; Colovic
6,079,156; and Lishman 5,020,261; are typical examples of the prior
art that relate to the self watering of plants and planters.
[0003] The present invention, which is in the category of a plant
watering system, enjoys the benefits of being both low cost and
expandable to suit the owner or the physical space available and is
easily transportable form location to location should the owner
move. It can, be utilized with or without a timer, and with a
finite amount water source such as a barrel or a controlled but
unlimited amount source such as a hose. Because of the nature of
the water transfer aspect of the system, plants that require
differing amounts of water can be kept together. Thus the plants
are able to draw water according their individual needs such that
there is no need to adjust the flow of water to the varying needs
of each individual plant as is required in a drip system or other
prior art.
DEFINITIONS
[0004] The word "reservoir" as used herein is intended to refer to
a barrel, bucket or other large vessel utilized as the water source
for the first container of this invention.
[0005] The term "media protection sheet" is intended to refer to a
metal or plastic screen, such as but not limited to similar to fly
screening or geo textile that is glued over the top of the wicking
tray portion to retain the wicking medium in the tray.
[0006] The word "line" may be used as a synonym for tubing.
[0007] The "wicking assemblage" is a wicking tray loaded with
wicking medium and covered over by screening.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] A multi container system is disclosed wherein the first
container is a water retaining chamber having water leveling
capability, which container has a water input and a water output as
well as a water self leveling means. The second container includes
a water transfer chamber in which a wicking means is present to
transfer the water to the plants. The third container has a plant
receiving chamber, which chamber nests within the water transfer
chamber for receiving water therefrom. Chamber 1 is fluidly
connected to a first chamber 2 for water transfer, and a series of
chambers number 2 can be linked daisy chain style as space
limitations permit or as may be desired by the owner.
[0009] It is a first object to provide a new low cost, easy to use
self watering container system.
[0010] It is a second object to provide container system that can
be expanded to any number of containers limited only by water input
capability.
[0011] It is a third object to provide a self watering system that
employs capillary action.
[0012] It is a forth object to provide a self watering
multi-container system that employs different size containers with
the same water retaining chamber.
[0013] It is a fifth object to provide a self watering system that
achieves an even distribution of water throughout the entire
growing medium.
[0014] It is a sixth object of this invention to provide a self
watering system which gives the user control over the moisture
content available to the plants in each individual container.
[0015] Other objects of the invention will in part be obvious and
will in part appear hereinafter.
[0016] The invention accordingly comprises the device possessing
the construction, combination of elements and arrangement of parts,
which are exemplified in the following detailed disclosure, and the
scope of the application of which will be indicated in the
claims.
[0017] For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the
invention, reference should be made to the following detailed
description taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0018] FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the first container with a
portion of the water level indicator seen disposed therein.
[0019] FIG. 2 is side perspective view of the cover of the first
container, and an exploded view of the elements of the water depth
indicator.
[0020] FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of the first chamber of
this invention.
[0021] FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of the first and second
containers fluidly connected together.
[0022] FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of the drain tray employed
with this invention.
[0023] FIG. 6A is a bottom perspective view of the wicking tray of
this invention.
[0024] FIG. 6B is an end perspective view thereof.
[0025] FIG. 6C is a perspective view of the wicking tray covered
with a medium protection sheet.
[0026] FIG. 7 is a top perspective view of the second container
with a medium loaded wicking tray disposed therein.
[0027] FIG. 8 is a top perspective view of the third container of
this invention.
[0028] FIG. 9 is a top perspective view of the total invention
assembled, ready for operation.
[0029] FIG. 10 is an exploded view of the various components being
assembled together.
[0030] FIG. 11 is a cutaway view of the fully assembled apparatus
of FIG. 10.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0031] The discussion commences with FIG. 1, where there is shown a
plastic lid, 07, having an aperture, 07A, therethrough at a
suitable location. A portion of the water level gauge, 22, is shown
to be disposed in said aperture. Lid, 07, may include one or more
handles, 07H. Here, two such handles are seen. Not visible in this
figure is water transfer line, 21, and level adjusting elbow, 20,
of the container #1, the water level control container, covered by
the lid, 07. More will be set forth concerning these last two
elements infra.
[0032] In FIG. 2, water container 10's lid, 07, with its aperture,
07A, is seen. Disposed adjacent the lid, 07, is the water level
gauge, 22, which comprises the following elements: a cap, 22L, of a
slightly larger diameter than tube, 22M, is shown disposed on one
end of 22M. Cap, 22L, has a central opening, 22C, through which the
tube, 18, can rise. The other end of tube, 22M, may be opened or
covered over preferably by a washer, 22W, having a central opening
slightly wider than that of level tube (or rod) 18, which level
tube is approximately 1/4'' in diameter. A circumscribing non-water
absorbing bulb, 18B, is attached to the lower end of tube, 18,
while the upper end of tube, 18, remains uncovered. When installed
in a water containing chamber, tube 18's base, 18B, will float
while part of the tube, 18, projects through the opening, 22C.
Tube/rod, 18, may carry indicia to give a measurement of the height
of the water in the first container's chamber.
[0033] In FIG. 3, container #1 the water level container, 10,
having a chamber, 39, for water retention is seen. Two grommets,
26, are seen on one interior end face of container, 10, These each
overlay a throughbore, 27, in one of which is a high water level
controller, 20, comprising an elbow that is rotatable within the
throughbore for water level adjustment, that is to limit the
maximum elevation of the water in the container. This elbow is also
useful during a back flushing operation as will be discussed infra.
In the other grommet, is a tubular nipple, 28, or coupling device
to which tubing can be attached. Both the controller, 20, and the
nipple may be formed from plastic parts available in the
marketplace for use by drip system installers. The elevational
placement of the highwater level controller, 20, and that of the
nipple, 28, relative to the bottom of the chamber, 39, should be as
close to the container bottom as is physically practical.
[0034] On the other end face of the container, 10, a water supply
hose, 14, such as of 1/4'' diameter is connected at the end not
seen to a water source such as rain barrel or a hose bib. The end
seen of 14, in FIG. 3 is connected to a nipple, 29, of a smaller
diameter than 5/8'' to 3/4'' nipple, 28. The nipple, 29, may be of
1/2 inch outside diameter. It is retained in position by a nut, 30,
preferably of Delrin.RTM. plastic.
[0035] Nipple, 29, is connected to a float valve, 12, which has an
exit aperture, 12A, not seen due to being on the underside of the
installed valve, for the output of incoming water into chamber 39.
Such float valves are readily available in the marketplace and
their use and operation is well understood, in that at a preset
point, as the water rises, the float rises until the set point at
which the opening, 12A, closes to prevent further input of fluid,
here water.
[0036] In FIG. 4, the exterior of container #1, the water level
control container, 10, is seen. If a Rubbermaid brand vessel is
employed, it is formed with a slightly wider higher upper section
to facilitate nesting. The high water level 21, is equivalent to
the water elevation in container #2, where water would contact the
base of the growing container and flood the growing medium of the
plants.
[0037] Shown adjacent to the #1 container, 10, is the #2 container,
32, the water reservoir container, which is fluidly connected by
tubing, 24, thereto as is shown from a review of FIG. 4. The tubing
is attached to nipple, 28, on one end and to tee, 31, which tee
could be an elbow at the end with a cap, 31C, thereon, where no
more container #2s, with their interior chamber, 40, are daisy
chained together. If a second or more container #2s were to be
attached, another segment of tubing, 24, would replace cap, 31C.
Note that the elevation of tee, 31, is the same as the nipple, 28,
in order not to fight gravity. All of the second chambers receive
fluid from the one first container water output line.
[0038] The relief port, 20, which is an open elbow serves to limit
the height of the water in container #1, before excess drains out.
As can be seen, there are no other openings in container #2. While
a third opening of a similar nature is shown in FIG. 3, and
designated 65, it is unused, and is present only in case a
different diameter tubing, smaller or larger, is to be utilized.
Otherwise this opening remains closed off by a plug, 66, shown in
FIG. 4.
[0039] FIG. 5 depicts in front perspective, the optional drain
tray, 36. It is a thermoformed sheet of flexible plastic, usually
filled with carbon black for rigidity, having peaks and valleys,
and upon which will rest a wicking tray, 38, to be described infra.
The purpose of this configuration is to permit water to easily flow
under the wicking tray shown in FIGS. 6A, 6B, and 6C. It also
serves to keep the bottom of the tray, 38, at a low water level to
ensure that all containers #2 begin a dry down simultaneously, that
is ensuring capillary action is ended for all the containers,
regardless of differing rates of water usage by the plants in the
containers #3.
[0040] FIG. 6 is a composite of three separate views of the same
element of this invention. FIG. 6A is a bottom perspective view of
the wicking tray, 38, utilizable in this invention, while FIG. 6B
is a top perspective view thereof, showing some of the wicking
medium, 52, therein. FIG. 6C is a closeup side perspective view of
some of the wicking cells, 50, covered over by a water permeable
media [screening], 54, adhesed to wall, 46, that circumscribes the
wicking medium, 52, as well as being adhesed to the dividers
between cells (cups).
[0041] Wicking assemblage, 55, as shown in FIG. 6C, comprises a
wicking tray, 38, having a plurality of plastic cups, called cells,
50, spaced from each other and all of which are integrated into a
unitary structure by a wall, 46, that circumscribes the plurality
of cups and which separates each adjacent cup filled with the
wicking medium, 52. An easy analogy is to a tray of chocolate
candies in a box or to a pony pack of starter plants such as
tomatoes, peppers or other fruits and vegetables. Such plastic
trays are available in the marketplace at very low cost. As per
FIG. 6A, at least one or a plurality of perforations, 48, are to be
found in the underside or bottom side of each individual cup. Here,
in FIG. 6A, the wicking tray, 38, with the wicking medium, 52,
therein, can be seen to be comprised of 30 such cups in a 5.times.6
arrangement. In FIG. 6A, the upright figure, the edge, 46, which
constitutes a gluing surface for the screening, 54, is seen. In
FIG. 6C, an after the fact FIGURE, the wicking assemblage,55, which
comprises the tray of a plurality of cells, 50, held together by
the edging, 46, with the wicking material, 52, being perlite or
vermiculite particles in each of the cells, with the screen glued
in place. Any suitable adhesive may be employed, including a hot
melt glue stick from a glue gun, which will hold the screening or
other water permeable material, 54, to the edging, 46. Perlite and
vermiculite are used in the gardening industry due to their ability
to both absorb moisture and move it--capillary action.
[0042] FIG. 7 is a top perspective view of the wicking assemblage,
55, disposed within reservoir container #2's chamber, 34. The
assemblage is NOT placed directly upon the bottom of the chamber,
but rather upon the drain tray, 36. Thus the plurality of openings
or perforations, 48, as seen in FIG. 6A, supra are raised slightly
above the floor of the chamber, such that water can flow all around
the individual cups to be taken up by the transfer material, the
perlite or vermiculite or other moisture transfer material
available in the marketplace.
[0043] While a moisture transfer material is the preferred loading
for the individual cups, if certain plants to be disposed for
watering within the confines of this invention, require less
moisture than others, the cups beneath the lesser water requiring
plants can be filled in part with styrofoam.TM. beads, also known
as packaging popcorn, to reduce the amount of water available to be
taken up by the plant. Of course, once the screening is in place
over the plurality of cups of the wicking medium, it will be
necessary to remove the screening and to redo the gluing step, or
prepare certain cups with less water transfer material by including
the styrofoam.TM. within the cups prior to the gluing step
aforementioned.
[0044] FIG. 8 is a top perspective view of container #3, designated
56. Container #3 may also have handles or be handle free. The same
type of Rubbermaid.RTM. tub having a wider width and length at the
top is also employed as container #3. Container # 3 has a
significant amount of the chamber 41's floor, 41F, cut out and
overlaid with adhesed screening, 54, that is water permeable. While
window screening is operable, a preferred product is a geo textile.
This material is preferred because it allows water to pass through,
but will inhibit the intrusion of plant roots into the wicking
medium. Of course, enough of the floor or base, 41F, must be
retained to maintain dimensional stability of the container itself,
56. Again, a hot glue gun adhesive or other suitable adhesive may
be employed for this purpose, see FIG. 10.
[0045] The discussion now turns to FIG. 9. Here the apparatus of
this watering system is shown assembled almost ready for use.
Contrast this figure with FIG. 10, which is an exploded view
showing how all of the components fit together. FIG. 10 will be
discussed subsequently.
[0046] In this FIG. 9, the container #3, 56, is shown with its
smaller length and width, smaller bottom area nested within the
higher area of container #2, 32. The bottom of container, 56, rests
above the high water line, 21, which is the line noted below the
upper wider longer area of container #2, element 32. This is to
prevent the growing medium in container #3 from becoming overly
saturated with water. This line of demarcation is designated 35.
Note that the water level gauge, 22, is inserted into the opening
in the lid, 07. Also note that the pot, 61, rests on the screen at
the bottom of the container #3, such that it gets its moisture from
the wicking tray, not from the surrounding growing medium.
[0047] FIG. 10 is an exploded view of an apparatus of the watering
system of this invention, but for the water source container #1,
while FIG. 11 is a fully assembled unit also but for container #1.
The discussion will start at the top of FIG. 10 for a brief
discussion of container #3 and its contents, but will then move to
a discussion starting at the bottom of the figure as one would
assemble this apparatus and work down, as this figure relates to
the mode of assembly one would use to achieve the appearance of
FIG. 9 on a patio or deck or other level surface, such as a
driveway. However, the first container, which does not appear in
this view, will be discussed briefly subsequent to the set up of
container #3 within container #2.
[0048] Reference is now made to container #3. Layer, 60, is the
growing medium which can be perlite, vermiculite, potting soil
etc., disposed within the #3 container, 56. Plants such as 62, can
be placed directly in the growing medium, 60, or in pots such as
61, with open bottoms such that moisture can be wicked upwardly. It
is seen that on the side of container #3, there are 4 optional
indicia, 57U, 59U, 57L and 59L. It is deemed preferable to pack the
growing medium into container, 56, in two stages in order to
eliminate air pockets to achieve maximum water transfer through the
plants, be the plants in pots or directly in the growing medium.
Thus, one places the potting mix or other plant growth material up
to line 57L, and tamps it down to 59L, to remove air. The second
amount is placed on top, up to line 57U, and then tamped down to
line 59U.
[0049] We move to FIG. 11, and the assembly of the apparatus.
Container #2, designated 32, is placed on a level surface, at the
same elevation as the unseen container #1, the water level control
container, 10. The drain tray, 36, with its series of channels and
ridges, is cut to size as needed and is placed on the bottom of the
container within the chamber, 40.
[0050] The base of the wicking tray, 38, with the wicking medium
discussed supra and protected from spillage by the water permeable
material, screening 54, is placed on to the drain tray, 36, in
chamber, 40. This assemblage is designated 55. The lower or bottom
part of the growing container, 56, container #3, is placed into the
chamber of container #2, and will rest below the demarcation line,
35, seen in FIG. 11, which is where the lower chamber #2 tapers
inwardly to its narrower and shorter extension, and rests on the
wicking assemblage, 55's edge, 46.
[0051] Once the two containers are stacked together, the tubing,
24, is connected to the tee, 31, which may be open or closed,
depending upon the number of units in line, as per discussion
supra. An in line filter, not shown, may optionally be employed to
prevent debris from passing from one full assembly to the next
assembly of containers #3 and #2.
Using the Invention
[0052] Once the invention is set up as just described, automatic
replenishment of water lost to evapotransporation can be carried
out on a consistent basis. Much of the growing medium, 60, can
remain near saturation and the water level can remain fairly static
approximate the high water level, 21, in all the containers #1
employed which if more than one, would be daisy chained together by
tubing fluidly connected between them. The moisture content of the
growing medium can vary due to the type of wicking medium employed.
The reduction of moisture transferred can be enhanced by the
substitution of styrene beads or other non capillary action
material for part of the perlite, etc., as the load for the cells
of the wicking tray, 38. Such a substitution will reduce the amount
of water transferred, and may result in a dry down period, a
phenomenon desired by certain plants.
[0053] Accumulated salts from the water or liquid fertilizers can
be washed out of the growing medium in container #3 by back
flushing water from an outside source downwardly instead of
upwardly from the growing container #3 to the wicking medium
disposed in container #2, in the wicking assemblage, 55, after the
elbow, 20, is turned downwardly such that all flush water flows
outwardly, rather than piling up in container #1.
[0054] Early on, it was stated that the amount of water in each
container #2 would remain constant. Such is a true statement
assuming that the amount of water in container #1 is greater than
the amount of water needed to spread out to all of the assemblies
of container #3 in container #2 that may be present in the system.
The water moves across to all of the assemblies and the level is
kept the same by physics, as water seeks its own level, as is well
known. So the rise or elevation of water in each container #2 will
be the same, provided that the containers #2 are on a level plane.
The use of a hose for constant input of water to container, 10, the
first container of this invention, 05, will ensure uninterrupted
operation of the invention, 05. The float limits the amount of
water coming in from the outside source into container #1, and thus
also limits the rise of water in the containers #2.
Permutations and Combinations
[0055] It is seen that I have provided an easy to set up, low cost
growing assembly, for use by apartment and home owners both, in
small area locations. There can be one of these assemblies or many,
all linked together by input water tubing, as may be desired. While
not shown, a sight tube or other water elevation measurement device
may be incorporated into container #1, using only ordinary skill in
the art. In situations where storage is limited, the use of the
sight tube or the elimination of the water level gauge will permit
all three containers to be stacked together quite easily.
[0056] While I have suggested using three nestable Rubbermaid.RTM.
plastic tubs as the three containers, other materials such as hard
plastic, and stainless steel can also be used, as well as
containers made from breathable materials, but at a greater
financial cost. The three containers here are all the same shape,
namely rectangular in cross section, but only #3 and #2 need be the
same shape with the proviso that #3 can nest into the chamber of
#2. Thus, a round shape for the #3 and #2 containers is just as
suitable. Also the container #1 can be of a different size and
configuration, such as cylindrical. But the #2 and #3 containers
need not be nestable, just so long as the container #3 is able to
undergo capillary action from container #2. Nestable containers #3
and #2 help ensure that water does not evaporate by keeping the
moisture not absorbed by capillary action, from evaporating.
[0057] The minimum requirement of the multi-container system is one
#1 container and one each of the #2 and #3 containers. But more
than one of the #2 and #3 containers can be used in the same
number, as well as one #2 container per plural #3 container. Also,
more than one #1 container may be connected to the water source
such as hose, but multiple #1 containers should not be connected to
each other.
[0058] A timer can be placed in line with a hose to limit the water
flow into container #1.
[0059] Plants may be placed in the growing medium either before or
after container #3 is nested into container #2.
[0060] Previously the daisy chaining of multiple containers#2 has
been mentioned. Of course, not only space is a limiting factor, but
other factors such as slope of the patio or porch, and the amount
of water available could be a limiting factor as well for example
if there were to be only a single container#1.
[0061] One of the main benefits of this invention is that it
facilitates the control of alternating wet and dry cycles. It is
beneficial to most plants to have wet (saturated) periods
alternating with dry periods. The system is set up to achieve this
by facilitating control over the water level. Once the reservoir
has been filled to the high water level, the float valve shuts off
the water, at this point, the water supply to the float valve (the
hose bib) can be shut off (manually or by timer). As water is used
by the plant, the water level will lower to the low water level,
which is the level where the water is no longer in contact with the
wicking tray. By observing the height of the water level gauge, the
user will know when the low water level has been achieved. From
this point, the wicking and then growing mediums will begin to dry
down. The user can decide to lengthen or shorten this period
depending on the types of plants being grown.
[0062] It has been stated that there is to be a water transfer
means between container #1 and container #2. This has been shown to
be a tubing and nipple pairing. It is also within the scope of this
invention to provide a relatively larger container #2 and a
relatively smaller container #1 whereby container #1 can rest on
the bottom of the chamber of container #2. One can merely use the
nipple without the tubing to transfer water from container #1 to
container #2. Of course, this requires the wicking assemblage to be
sized such that it and container #1 can both rest on the bottom of
container #2.
[0063] Since certain changes may be made to the above device
without departing from the scope of the invention herein involved,
it is intended that all matter contained in the above description
and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as
illustrative only, and not in a limiting sense.
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