Patent ID: 6178691
Filing Date: 2001-01-30
Classification: A01G

Abstract:
In a capillary carpet irrigation system including a water bearing capillary carpet disposed on a supporting surface and a plurality of water permeable pots resting upon and in hydraulic connection with the carpet, the pots adapted for containing roots of plants disposed therein, and irrigation means for supplying water to the carpet, the improvement comprising:a four layer capillary carpet comprising:a water impermeable base membrane;a water permeable top membrane;a rigid capillary mat disposed upon the base membrane and capable of receiving water from the irrigation means, the rigid mat retaining a selected hydraulic transmissivity while supporting the weight of the pots; anda collapsible capillary mat disposed upon the rigid mat and beneath the top membrane, the collapsible mat being compressible locally under each pot thus defining a plurality of localized capillary action conduits between the rigid mat and each water permeable pot through the permeable top membrane, while restricting water evaporation in areas where said collapsible capillary mat is uncompressed, wherein the collapsible mat when uncompressed has negligible capillary rise and wherein said collapsible mat is resiliently compressible.