Patent ID: 6131333
Filing Date: 2000-10-17
Classification: A01G

Abstract:
Automatic watering apparatus for maintaining a plant growing medium suitably moist, said apparatus comprising:a moisture-sensitive valve; and a water-holding body molded in one piece, wherein said water-holding body comprises:(i) a filling chamber comprising a filling opening disposed at a high level in said filling chamber through which water can be introduced into said filling chamber and a delivery port disposed at a low level in said filling chamber;(ii) a reservoir chamber comprising:(a) a filling port at a low level in said reservoir chamber, said filling port being in communication with said delivery port of said filling chamber so that water can pass from said filling chamber into said reservoir chamber;(b) a bleed orifice at a low level in said reservoir chamber through which water can be discharged from said reservoir chamber;(c) a venting port at a high level in said reservoir chamber through which air can be drawn into said reservoir chamber under control of said moisture-sensitive valve; and(iii) a watering chamber positioned at a low level relative to said reservoir chamber to receive water from said reservoir chamber through said bleed orifice, said watering chamber comprising a discharge orifice through which water can be discharged from said watering chamber for delivery to said growing medium.