Abstract:
In one embodiment, the present invention is directed to a saucer apparatus, comprising: a drainage container, for storing water drained from a soil container; and a conveying mechanism, for conveying the drainage container from a first state in which the drainage container is deployed underneath the soil container, thereby allowing accumulating drained water, and a second state in which the drainage container is deployed apart of the soil container, thereby allowing emptying water stored in the drainage container, and vice versa. The soil container may be is embedded into the apparatus, or comprise means for holding the flowerpot above the apparatus or on the apparatus, such as grill. According to one embodiment of the invention, the conveying mechanism conveys the drainage container linearly.

Description:
[0001]    The current application claims the benefit U.S. Provisional Patent application No. 60/828,777, filed 10 Oct. 2006, whose disclosures are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]    The present invention relates to the field of irrigation. More particularly, the invention relates to an apparatus for accumulating water drained from a flowerpot. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]    A “flowerpot” is any container in which plants are cultivated. Terra cotta is often used in their making. They are also often made from plastic, wood or stone. 
         [0004]    Usually there is a small hole in the bottom of a flowerpot, to allow excess water of the flowerpot to drain into a saucer deployed under the flowerpot. It is known that avoiding draining excess water out of a flowerpot results with shortening the life of the flora thereof due to root damage or decay. 
         [0005]    Currently “giant” flowerpots are common in office halls, as well as at domestic residences. Despite of the fact that “giant” flowerpots are esthetically appealing, their size is an obstacle since lifting up the saucer underneath a flowerpot in order to remove the saucer requires physical effort due to the weight of the flowerpot. The same problem sustains also for hanging flowerpots. 
         [0006]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a saucer apparatus which overcomes the prior art problems described above. 
         [0007]    Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the description proceeds. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008]    The following embodiments and aspects thereof are described and illustrated in conjunction with systems, tools and methods, which are meant to be merely illustrative, not limiting in scope. In various embodiments, one or more of the above-described problems have been reduced or eliminated, while other embodiments are directed to other advantages or improvements. 
         [0009]    In one embodiment, the present invention is directed to a saucer apparatus, comprising:
       a drainage container, for storing water drained from a soil container; and   a conveying mechanism, for conveying the drainage container from a first state in which the drainage container is deployed underneath the soil container, thereby allowing accumulating drained water, and a second state in which the drainage container is deployed apart of the soil container, thereby allowing emptying water stored in the drainage container, and vice versa.       
 
         [0012]    The soil container may be is embedded into the apparatus, or comprise means for holding the flowerpot above the apparatus or on the apparatus, such as grill. 
         [0013]    According to one embodiment of the invention, the conveying mechanism conveys the drainage container linearly. 
         [0014]    According to another embodiment of the invention, the conveying mechanism conveys the drainage container rotationally. 
         [0015]    The conveying mechanism may be based on a drawer conveying technology. 
         [0016]    The apparatus may further comprise a water level sensor, for indicating the water level in the drainage container. 
         [0017]    The apparatus may further comprise a sensor, for indicating if the water level in the drainage container exceeds a predetermined level. 
         [0018]    The apparatus may further comprise a pump, for conveying drained water from the drainage container back into the soil container upon indicating that the water level in the drainage container has exceeded the predetermined level. 
         [0019]    The apparatus may further comprise a pump, for conveying drained water from the drainage container back into the soil container. The pump may be operated by mechanical power, electrical power, and so on. 
         [0020]    In another aspect, the present invention is directed to a flowerpot irrigation method, the method comprising the steps of:
       draining water from a soil container of the flowerpot into a saucer apparatus; and   upon indicating that the water level in the saucer apparatus has reached a predetermined level, conveying water from the saucer apparatus into the soil container.       
 
         [0023]    The predetermined level may indicate that the saucer apparatus is substantially empty, substantially full, and so on, depending on the level. 
         [0024]    According to one embodiment of the invention, the act of conveying water from said saucer apparatus into said soil container may be carried out intermittently, i.e., once in a time period, such as once in two days. 
         [0025]    In addition to the exemplary aspects and embodiments described above, further aspects and embodiments will become apparent by reference to the figures and by study of the following detailed description. 
     
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
         [0026]    The objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0027]    Each of  FIGS. 1   a  and  1   b  schematically illustrates a flowerpot in which is embedded a saucer apparatus, according to one preferred embodiment of the invention. 
           [0028]      FIG. 2  illustrates a “circular” flowerpot  6  placed on a saucer apparatus  8 , according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0029]      FIG. 3  illustrates a “rectangular” flowerpot  6  placed on a saucer apparatus  8 , according to another embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0030]      FIG. 4  is a sectional and exploded view of the flowerpot  6  and the saucer  8  of  FIG. 2 . 
           [0031]      FIG. 5  is a back view of saucer apparatus  8 , according to one embodiment of the invention, and  FIG. 6  is the front view thereof. 
           [0032]      FIG. 7  schematically illustrates a circuit for an irrigation system which makes use of a saucer apparatus, according to one embodiment of the invention. 
           [0033]      FIG. 8  illustrates a manual mechanism for recycling irrigation water from a saucer apparatus, according to one embodiment of the invention. 
           [0034]      FIG. 9  is a cross-section which illustrates the structure of the mechanism illustrated in  FIG. 8 . 
           [0035]      FIG. 10  schematically illustrates the lower side of a flowerpot, according to one embodiment of the invention, and  FIG. 11  is a sectional view thereof. 
           [0036]    Each of  FIGS. 12   a  and  12   b  schematically illustrates a state of the drainage container of a flowerpot, according to another preferred embodiment of the invention. 
       
    
    
       [0037]    It is to be understood, however, that the drawings are designed solely for purposes of illustration and not as a definition of the limits of the invention, for which reference should be made to the appended claims. It should be further understood that the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale and that, unless otherwise indicated, they are merely intended to conceptually illustrate the structures and procedures described herein. Reference numerals may be repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0038]    In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the disclosure. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, components and circuits have not been described in detail, so as not to obscure the present disclosure. 
         [0039]    Each of  FIGS. 1   a  and  1   b  schematically illustrates a flowerpot in which is embedded a saucer apparatus, according to one preferred embodiment of the invention. In  FIG. 1   a  the flowerpot has a circular contour, while in  FIG. 1   b  it has a rectangular contour. 
         [0040]    Each of these figures illustrates a flowerpot  6 , in which a plant  4  is planted for cultivation. Saucer apparatus  8 , which accumulates water drained from flowerpot  6 , comprises a container  10  adapted to be pulled out/pushed in, as in a drawer mechanism. A handle  22  connected to drawer (container)  10  is used for pulling container  10  out of flowerpot  6 . 
         [0041]    Further to the esthetical advantage of employing a drawer as a container for accumulating drained water, this solution also spares the need of pillars to retain the flowerpot above the draining container  10 . 
         [0042]    It should be notes that in the embodiment of  FIG. 1   b  two containers/drawers  10  are employed. 
         [0043]      FIG. 2  illustrates a “circular” flowerpot  6  placed on a saucer apparatus  8 , according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0044]      FIG. 3  illustrates a “rectangular” flowerpot  6  placed on a saucer apparatus  8 , according to another embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0045]    These illustrations demonstrate that a saucer apparatus  8  may be designed according to the flowerpot thereof. Furthermore, other forms may be employed for the contour, such as elliptic, trapezoid, and so on. 
         [0046]      FIG. 4  is a sectional and exploded view of the flowerpot  6  and the saucer  8  of  FIG. 2 . As illustrated, housing  9  may be a separate part from the flowerpot  12 , and therefore the drawer mechanism may be adapted to suit any existing flowerpot, not necessarily one designed especially to comprise a built-in drainage container  10 . 
         [0047]      FIGS. 5 and 6  illustrate a saucer apparatus  8 , according to one embodiment of the invention.  FIG. 5  is a back view of the saucer apparatus  8 , and  FIG. 6  is a front view thereof. Each of numerals  24  and  26  is a zoomed view. 
         [0048]    A water level sensor  28  is installed inside container  10 . According to one embodiment of the invention, the water level is adapted to indicate if the water content falls below a predetermined level. According to another embodiment of the invention, the water level is adapted to indicate if the water level is higher than a predetermined level. 
         [0049]    The water level sensor  28  comprises two electrodes  30 , and a circuitry (such as the circuit illustrated in  FIG. 7 ). When both electrodes  30  are dipped in water, an alarm signal may be triggered. Such an alarm signal may be of a buzzer  34 , a LED (Light Emission Diode)  32 , and so on. 
         [0050]      FIG. 7  schematically illustrates a circuit for an irrigation system which makes use of a saucer apparatus, according to one embodiment of the invention. 
         [0051]    Water is actually a resistor. Thus, if at least one of the diodes  30  is not dipped in water  38 , resistance between the diodes is infinite, and when both electrodes  30  are dipped in water  38 , resistance between electrodes  30  is less than infinite. 
         [0052]    When both electrodes  30  are dipped in water  38 , the signal between electrodes  30  is magnified by transistor  40 , resulting in lighting LED  32 , and also supplying to electric device  34  the required power for its operation. 
         [0053]    The electric device  34  may be a buzzer, a water pump, and so on. 
         [0054]    In the case in which device  34  is a water pump, it may use the drained water for re-irrigating the flora thereof, thereby recycling the water, or in other words, conserving water and decreasing the frequency with which the flora must be irrigated. 
         [0055]    According to one embodiment of the invention, the sensor  28  indicates if drainage container  10  is substantially empty. This may be employed in an irrigation regime wherein the plant occupying flowerpot  6  is irrigated constantly. 
         [0056]    According to another embodiment of the invention, sensor  28  indicates if drainage container  10  is substantially full. This may be employed in an irrigation regime wherein the plant occupying flowerpot  6  is irrigated intermittently. For example, once indicating that drainage container  10  is substantially full, the entire content of drainage container  10  is pumped out of it, and poured into soil container  12 . Also, rather than allowing the water to spill out of the drainage container, the water is poured into the soil container. 
         [0057]      FIG. 8  illustrates a manual mechanism for recycling irrigation water from a saucer apparatus, according to one embodiment of the invention. 
         [0058]      FIG. 9  is a cross-section which illustrates the structure of the mechanism illustrated in  FIG. 8 . 
         [0059]    In these illustrations, a pump  48  is used for transferring the drained water accumulated in draining container  10 , through tubule  46 , to a container  44  which is placed above flowerpot  6 , and allows the water to pour out of container  44  into the soil within flowerpot  6 . Of course the mechanism may be employed without container  44 , i.e., the upper end of tubule  46  may be placed on the soil within the flowerpot  6 . 
         [0060]    Numeral  50  denotes a zoomed view which schematically illustrates the pumping mechanism. 
         [0061]    Numeral  48  denotes a rubber cup. When rubber cup  48  is pressed, valve  52  is lifted, allowing the water inside cup  48  to pass through tubule  46  to container  44 . When rubber cup  48  is released, it returns to its “idle” form, which results in (a) lifting up valve  54 , and (b) drawing water from container  10 , through pipe  56 , to fill the inside of cup  48 . 
         [0062]    The irrigating mechanism illustrated in  FIGS. 8 and 9  may be used in a flowerpot irrigation method as follows: Assuming water is drained from the soil container  12  of the flowerpot into the container  10  of the saucer apparatus  8 , upon indicating that the water level in the saucer apparatus  8  has reached a predetermined level, the accumulated water may be conveyed from container  10  of the saucer apparatus  8  into the soil container  12 . 
         [0063]    The predetermined level may indicate that the saucer apparatus is substantially empty, substantially full, and so on, depending on the selected level. 
         [0064]    According to one embodiment of the invention, the act of conveying water from said saucer apparatus into said soil container may be carried out intermittently, i.e., once in a time period, such as once in two days, rather than continuously. 
         [0065]      FIG. 10  schematically illustrates the lower side of a flowerpot, according to one embodiment of the invention, and  FIG. 11  is a sectional view thereof. 
         [0066]    According to this embodiment of the invention, apparatus  8  comprises a grill  60 , on which a flowerpot may be placed. Apparatus  8  is designed as a stand, thereby allowing placement of flowerpots of varying sizes and designs. As such this is a preferred embodiment of the saucer apparatus  8 . 
         [0067]    Each of  FIGS. 12   a  and  12   b  schematically illustrates a state of the drainage container of a flowerpot, according to another preferred embodiment of the invention. In these figures, the drawer  10  rotates along an axle  14 , in contrast to the embodiments of  FIGS. 1 to 6  in which movement is linear. As known to a skilled person in the art, rotational movement mechanism has some benefits over linear movement mechanism, simplicity in implementation being one of them. In  FIG. 11   a,  the drawer  10  is pulled out of flowerpot  6 , while in  FIG. 11   b  the drawer is pushed into flowerpot  6 . 
       The Benefits of the Present Invention 
       [0068]    In the prior art it is common to place a “giant” flowerpot on the saucer thereof. In this situation the accumulated water in the saucer is in contact with the roots of the plant thereof “too long”, and as a result the decay of the roots is accelerated, and accordingly the life of the plant shortens. 
         [0069]    According to embodiments of the present invention, the water of the saucer underneath the flowerpot is not in contact with the flowerpot, and as a result the life of the plant lengthens. 
         [0070]    According to embodiments of the present invention the user does not have to lift the flowerpot in order to remove the saucer underneath, but merely to pull the saucer out of the flowerpot, an operation which requires less physical effort. 
         [0071]    Since according to embodiments of the present invention excess water in the saucer underneath a flowerpot is returned to the flowerpot, the drained water does not spill out. As such the flowerpot may be placed on a carpet as well as be hanged (e.g., on the ceiling). 
         [0072]    Since according to embodiments of the present invention excess water is recycled, the amount of water required for irrigating the flowerpot is decreased, and also the cost of irrigating the flowerpot is decreased. In addition the frequency the flowerpot has to be irrigated is decreased, and therefore the effort thereof is decreased as well, e.g., irrigating the flora of the flowerpot once in ten days instead of once in a week. 
       Parts List 
       [0073]    In the figures and description herein, the following numerals have been mentioned:
       Numeral  2  denotes an electric power source, such as a battery;   numeral  4  denotes a plant, flora, and so on.   numeral  6  denotes a flowerpot;   numeral  8  denotes the base of flowerpot  6 ;   numeral  9  denotes a housing of a saucer apparatus;   numeral  10  denotes a fetchable drainage container of flowerpot  6 ;   numeral  12  denotes a soil container of flowerpot  6 ;   numeral  14  denotes an axle;   numeral  20  denotes draining holes at the bottom of flowerpot  6 ;   numeral  22  denotes a handle for drawing draining container  10  out of base  8 ;   numeral  24  denotes a zoomed view;   numeral  26  denotes a zoomed view;   numeral  28  denotes a water level sensor;   numeral  30  denotes an electrode;   numeral  32  denotes a LED;   numeral  34  denotes an electric and/or electronic device;   numeral  38  denotes water;   numeral  40  denotes a transistor;   numeral  42  denotes a resistor;   numeral  44  denotes a container which is filled with recycled water, to be poured from its button into flowerpot  6 ;   numeral  46  denotes a tubule;   numeral  48  denotes a cup which is part of a pump;   numeral  50  denotes a zoomed view;   numeral  52  denotes a valve;   numeral  54  denotes a valve;   numeral  56  denotes a pipe; and   numeral  60  denotes a grill.       
 
         [0101]    While certain features of the invention have been illustrated and described herein, the invention can be embodied in other forms, ways, modifications, substitutions, changes, equivalents, and so forth. The embodiments described herein should be considered as illustrative and not restrictive.