Abstract:
A spill-resistant container for storing and dispensing a liquid, the container having a curved neck which prevents the liquid from spilling when being poured out of the opening of the container. For example, the spill-resistant container may have a curved neck in the form of a number “7 ”, a letter “Z ” or a letter “S ”. When the spill-resistant container that is full of liquid is tilted such that the liquid level inside the container is higher than the liquid level at the opening of the container, no liquid flows out of the container. The liquid will start to flow out of the container only after the container is tilted beyond a predetermined start-to-pour angle. The start-to-pour angle is reached when the container is tilted enough so that the outside air starts to enter the container and the liquid inside the container starts to flow out of the container. This design makes pouring a liquid from a full container much less likely to spill.

Description:
This is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/250,791, filed on Feb. 17, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,098,850 which is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/873,070, filed on Jun. 11, 1997, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,934,017. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     It is well known that plants need air, water, and light for growth. It is also known that plants purify air. The purification of air through plant leaves is well known. However, the role of complex biological and bacterial process of plant&#39;s root system in breaking down air polluting chemicals and suppressing the growth of microbes has only become understood in recent years. 
     Since the energy crisis in the 1970&#39;s, new homes are being built with energy efficiency in mind. To achieve this, buildings tend to have less air circulation with the outside air and better seal around doors and windows. As a result of these changes in addition to wide spread use of plastics, paints and other synthetic materials and chemicals, the indoor air pollution have become a serious health problem, which resulted in the so called sick air syndrome. Several air purification planters and apparatus were proposed by U.S. patents such as U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,217,696; 5,269,094; 5,351,438; and 5,433,923. These patents suggest means to improve the interaction of air with the root system of the plants. A major deficit of these designs include 1) lack of sufficient water reservoir in the planter which increases the work of maintaining the plants, 2) relatively large variation of water level within the planter which is, in many respects, an undesirable consequence of being unable to control a constant water level in the planter. 
     On the market everywhere, there are many kinds of the so called “self watering” planters available to the public. There are very little difference among these planters. The basic feature of these “self watering” planters is that a small water reservoir at the bottom of the planter with a water filling opening near the bottom of the planter side wall. A perforated divider separates soil from the water reservoir except that there are few studs or channels in the divider which extend down into the water reservoir and all the way to the bottom of the planter so that soil in these studs or channels were able to be submerged in the water at any given water level in the water reservoir. Capillary action of the soil is able to lift water to the root system and support plant growth. The disadvantages of these “self watering” planters include 1) the size of the water reservoir is usually small and the uncontrollable water level also changes with time, 2) the bottom exposed portion of the soil and the water reservoir are directly open to the ambient air through the water refill opening and thus mildew or microbe growth is a common problem. 
     This invention relates to a planter with a removable water reservoir/liquid bottle which is capable of maintaining a constant water level in the planter. Because the water reservoir/liquid bottle is exterior to the planter and removable for refill, the size of the water reservoir/liquid bottle may be made as big as one wishes. The neck of the water reservoir/liquid bottle mouth “plugs” into the opening of the planter thus closes off the direct contact of water and potting medium in the container with the ambient air and thus reduced or eliminated the problem of mildew around water in the planter. 
     With different optional inserts, the interface areas of ambient air with the potting medium and the root system is maximized, thus enhancing the effectiveness of air purification process by the root system. A lamp and circulation fan are also provided. The location of the fan is imbedded within the potting medium and the water in the planter thus greatly reducing the vibration and noise level of the fan. 
     When inserting a full bottle of water to a drinking fountain stand, pouring a can of motor oil to the engine, pouring anti-freeze liquid into the radiator and in many other occasions, the liquid in the bottle is often too full and the receptacle spot has too small of an opening. Under these circumstances, one must act quickly or very often will spill the liquid all over the place. The extended curved neck of the liquid bottle of this invention allows the bottle to be laid flat without spilling. The extended curved neck design even allows the user to raise the bottom of the bottle such that the liquid level inside the liquid bottle is higher than its mouth opening without spilling. This special feature makes the insertion and removal of water bottle from a drinking fountain extremely easy. In fact, this design simply makes the pouring of liquid from a container much more manageable with less chance of spilling. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved planter for plants. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a removable and refillable water reservoir/liquid bottle for the planter. The removable water reservoir/liquid bottle is made of transparent material or with a strip of see through window so that the water level in the water reservoir/liquid bottle is in clear view. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide and maintain a constant water level in the planter. 
     It is another object of the present invention to increase the interface surface areas between ambient air with the potting medium and the root system. The improved air circulation and the inclusion of a lamp are all means of improving the effectiveness of air purification and sterilization. 
     It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an improved water reservoir/liquid bottle such that it is easier to turn over for inserting into the planter, water fountain or other applications or just for pouring a liquid without a concern for spilling. 
     The present invention includes an improved planter with a small opening near the bottom of the planter. A water reservoir/liquid bottle with an extended curved neck can be “plugged” into the opening of the planter and closes off the direct contact of water and potting medium in the planter with the ambient air. A constant level of water is maintained inside the planter. This constant water level is achieved by the upside down water reservoir/liquid bottle and the partial vacuum created within the water reservoir/liquid bottle. 
     Three different version of optional inserts may be placed inside the planter. Each one serves different purposes and with different complexity. The simplest insert will help to increase the interface areas of ambient air with the potting medium and the root system thus improving the breathing or circulation of air in the root system and enhancing the air purification process by the root system. The second insert includes a circulation fan such that the circulation of air is greatly increased. The third insert includes a lamp with or without a circulation fan. The lamp using either incandescent bulb or bulb with ultra violet feature will help to disinfect the air being circulated around the bulb. The inclusion of a fan will further enhance the air circulation. 
     For air purification purpose, hydroponically soil-less planting is the desired approach. Water absorbing pebbles such as expended clay and zeolite with or without activated carbon are ideal potting medium. This type of potting medium often leaves many void air spaces in the potting medium and the root system and allows circulating air to be scrubbed by the wet pebble surfaces and the root system and maximizing the effect of air purification. 
     Conventional potting soil may also be used in this planter. The air purification property does reduce considerably, nevertheless, it is still better than the regular planter. Other advantages of the planter described earlier still apply. 
     The extended curved neck design of the water reservoir/liquid bottle provides a unique feature which allows the water reservoir/liquid bottle to be laid flat after filling without spilling any liquid. In fact, the bottom of the water reservoir/liquid bottle can be lifted even higher with the liquid line inside being higher than the opening of the water reservoir/liquid bottle without spilling any liquid. Bottle design with this feature could be applied to, in addition to the disclosed planter as described in this application, bottled water for drinking fountain, motor oil bottle, anti-freeze fluid bottle, cooking oil bottle and many other applications whenever spillage is a concern when the bottle is turned for pouring. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a top view of the planter of the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a top view of the removable water reservoir/liquid bottle of the present invention being laid flat. 
     FIG. 3 is the cross-sectional view of FIG. 2 along line  3 — 3 . 
     FIG. 4 is the side view of FIG. 1 in the direction along line  4 — 4 . 
     FIG. 5 is the cross-sectional view of FIG. 1 along line  5 — 5 . 
     FIG. 6 is the detailed view of the portion indicated in zone  6  of FIG.  5 . 
     FIG. 7 is the detailed view of the portion indicated in zone  7  of FIG. 5 with the water reservoir/liquid bottle (partially shown) hung on the side wall of the planter. 
     FIG. 8 shows the same cross-sectional view of FIG. 5 with water reservoir/liquid bottle inserting to the opening of the planter in three progressive positions. 
     FIG. 9 shows the same cross-sectional view of FIG. 5 with first optional insert and water reservoir/liquid bottle hung in place and plant potted with potting medium. 
     FIG. 10 shows the cross-sectional view of FIG. 9 along line  10 — 10 . 
     FIG. 11 shows the same cross-sectional view of FIG. 5 with the second optional insert (including fan) and water reservoir/liquid bottle hung in place and plant potted with potting medium. 
     FIG. 12 shows the cross-sectional view of FIG. 11 along line  12 — 12 . 
     FIG. 13 shows the same cross-sectional view of FIG. 5 with the third optional insert (including lamp and optional fan) and water reservoir/liquid bottle hung in place and plant potted with potting medium. 
     FIG. 14 shows the cross-sectional view of FIG. 13 along line  14 — 14 . 
     FIG. 15 shows examples of liquid bottle designs with the extended curved neck feature presented in this disclosure which may be used as a refillable water bottle or for many other applications. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     FIG. 1 shows the top view of the planter  20  of the present invention. Which has four side walls  25 ,  26 ,  27 , and  28  and a bottom  29 . The rectangular shaped planter shown is for example only, many other shapes may also be suitable. One of the side wall  28  has an indentation  30 . Near the bottom of the planter at the indentation  30 , the side wall  28  has a further cavity  35  (may be seen better in FIGS. 4 and 5 and is partially detailed in FIG.  6 ). There is an opening  40  at the bottom of the cavity  35 . A water reservoir/liquid bottle  50  shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 is shaped to match the indentation  30 . FIG. 2 shows the top view of the water reservoir/liquid bottle  50  which is being laid flat. The water reservoir/liquid bottle  50  is made of transparent material or at least a portion of the side wall (the bottom wall as shown in FIG. 2) is transparent and is marked with a scale  51 . The amount of water remaining in the water reservoir/liquid bottle  50  will be clearly visible while inserted to the planter. FIG. 3 is the cross-sectional view of the water reservoir/liquid bottle  50  along line  3 — 3  in FIG.  2 . The heavy bold lines shown in FIG. 3 as well as other figures described later represent the thickness of the cross-sectional walls. The water reservoir/liquid bottle  50  has an extended curved neck  55  and a mouth opening  60 . A passage way  61  connects the mouth opening to the storage chamber  62  where water is stored. It also has a hanging hook  65 , and a refill opening with a cap  70 . FIG. 4 is the side view of the planter  20  along line  4 — 4  in FIG.  1 . The indented portion of the side wall  28  has lower side wall at edge  75  where the hanging hook  65  of the water reservoir/liquid bottle  50  will hang. The cavity  35  allows the opening  40  to be further set back into the planter (better seen in FIGS.  5  and  6 ). This arrangement plus all the side walls of the planter being tilted inward with the bottom of the planter being smaller than the top so that the stacking of planters to save space for shipping and storage becomes possible. A raised edge  80  surround the opening  40  will catch any water spill during the insertion or removal of the water reservoir/liquid bottle  50 . FIG. 5 shows the cross-sectional view of the planter along line  5 — 5  in FIG. 1. A detailed cross-sectional view for the portion of region  6  is shown in FIG.  6 . FIG. 6 includes a section of the extended curved neck  55  of the water reservoir/liquid bottle  50  when plugged in place to the planter  20 . The tip of the neck  55  fits snug with the opening  40 . FIG. 7 is a detailed partial cross-sectional view of the region  7  shown in FIG. 5 with the water reservoir/liquid bottle  50  (only a small portion is shown) already hung on side wall  28  at the lowered edge  75 . FIG. 8 is the same cross-sectional view of FIG. 5 showing how the water reservoir/liquid bottle  50  is inserted into the planter  20  with the water reservoir/liquid bottle shown in three progressive positions. When the water reservoir/liquid bottle  50  is filled and the refill cap  70  closed tight, the water reservoir/liquid bottle may be laid flat in position A. The specially designed extended curved neck  55  allows the water reservoir/liquid bottle to be laid flat without spilling any water. In fact, the water reservoir/liquid bottle could be lifted to an angle well beyond position B as shown in FIG. 8 before water will start to flow out. The extended curved neck  55  also allows the mouth opening  60  to be aimed toward the cavity  35  at the opening  40  easily. The insertion of water reservoir/liquid bottle  50  into the planter  20  from position A through position B to the final hung position C becomes easy and less likely that any water will spill outside the planter. Due to a partial vacuum created within the water reservoir/liquid bottle  50 , the water level line  85  in the planter will be automatically maintained at the mouth opening  60  of the water reservoir/liquid bottle  50  for as long as there is water remaining in the water reservoir/liquid bottle. The indentation  30  shown in the figures and described in this disclosure is not a necessary feature. The inclusion of this indentation is for better visual appearance of the planter. After the water reservoir/liquid bottle is filled with water and hung to the planter, the water reservoir/liquid bottle fits well with the indentation and the planter appears square again on the outside. If the planter is rectangular in shape, the water reservoir/liquid bottle may very well have the same width of the planter without indentation and still have a pleasant appearance. 
     FIG. 9 shows the same cross-sectional view of FIG. 5 along line  5 — 5  in FIG. 1 with water reservoir/liquid bottle  50  inserted. FIG. 9 also shows the first optional insert  100  along with plant  105  potted using potting medium  110 . FIG. 10 shows the cross-sectional view along line  10 — 10  in FIG.  9 . The purpose of this insert  100  is to provide a maximized interface areas of ambient air with the potting medium  110  and the root system  115  of the plant  105 . It is achieved by utilizing any suitable form of wavy side walls  120  of the insert  100  against the inside surfaces of the planter side walls such that narrow air passage ways  130  are formed. The wavy side walls have small holes or perforations  125  (shown in FIG.  9 ). These holes allow the breathing of the root system with ambient air in the air passage ways  130 . Potting medium  110  fill the insert where the plant  105  is potted. The bottom layers of the potting medium are submerged under the water level line  85 . Capillary action along with the suction of the root system  115  carry water to the upper portion of the potting medium and therefore support the plant growth. The tip of the extended curved neck  55  of the water reservoir/liquid bottle  50  closes off the opening  40  in the planter and isolates ambient air from direct contact with the water in the planter. Any contact of air must pass through the potting medium and the root system or through the narrow air passage ways  130 . The ability of the root system in suppressing microbe growth in the vicinity of the root system including the air passage ways  130  will help reduce or eliminate mildew growth near the water line  85 , which has always been a major problem in the ordinary “self watering” planter. The biological and bacterial processes of the root system along with the increased interface areas with ambient air will greatly enhance the air purification process compared to the same plant growing in an ordinary planter. 
     FIG. 11 shows the same cross-sectional view of FIG. 5 along line  5 — 5  in FIG. 1 with water reservoir/liquid bottle  50  inserted. FIG. 11 also shows the second optional insert  200  along with plant  205  potted using potting medium  210 . FIG. 12 shows the cross-sectional view along line  12 — 12  in FIG.  11 . The purpose of this insert  200  is the inclusion of a circulation fan  235  to enhance the air flow in addition to maximize the interface areas of ambient air with the potting medium  210  and the root system  215  of the plant  205 . The wavy side walls  220  of the insert  200  against the inside surfaces of the planter side walls formed narrow air passage ways  230 . The wavy side walls  220  have small holes or perforations  225  for air to pass through. A circulation fan  235  is located at the bottom center of the insert  200  slightly above the water level line  85 . The use of circulation fan helps to increase air flow through the potting medium and the root system. The circulating air is then passed through the small holes or perforations  225  of the insert and down through the air passage ways  230  to the bottom of the planter. Partition walls at the bottom of the insert form air inlet ducting  240 , which guide the circulation air toward the suction side  245  of the fan  235 . Discharge duct  250  guides the exhaust air to the ambient. Potting medium  210  fills the insert where the plant  205  is potted. The bottom layers of the potting medium are submerged under the water level line  85 . Capillary action along with the suction of the root system  215  carries water to the upper portion of the potting medium and therefore support the plant growth. 
     FIG. 13 shows the same cross-sectional view of FIG. 5 along line  5 — 5  in FIG. 1 with water reservoir/liquid bottle  50  inserted. FIG. 13 also shows the third optional insert  300  along with plants  305  potted using potting medium  310 . FIG. 14 shows the cross-sectional view along line  14 — 14  in FIG.  13 . The purpose of this insert  300  is to include a lamp  360  attached to the discharge duct  350  along with a glass shield  365  and a lamp shade  370  in addition to maximize the interface areas of ambient air with the potting medium  310  and the root system  315  of the plants  305 . The wavy side walls  320  of the insert  300  against the inside surfaces of the planter side walls form narrow air passage ways  330 . The heat of the lamp will heat the air and cause the air to rise and pass through the air gap  375  between light bulb  380  and the glass shield  365 . This rise of air creates a suction at the discharge duct  350  which in turn pulls ambient air to pass through potting medium  310  and the root system  315  then through holes or perforations  325  and down the air passage ways  330 , the air inlet ducting  340  to the discharge duct  350 . An optional circulation fan  335  is located at the bottom of the discharge duct  350  and above the water level line  85 . Some enhancement of air circulation by fan is helpful but too much air flow may cause the light bulb  380  being unable to heat the air hot enough for sterilization. Potting medium  310  fills the insert where the plant is potted. The bottom layers of the potting medium submerged under the water level line  85 . Capillary action along with the suction of the root system  315  carries water to the upper portion of the potting medium and therefore supports the plant growth. 
     FIG. 15 shows examples of various versions of liquid bottle  400  with the extended curved neck feature incorporated into the design. The liquid bottle  400  may be of any shape or size. It generally has side walls  405 , top wall  410 , and bottom wall  415 . If desirable, one side wall  406  may be flat to allow the liquid bottle to lay flat after filling. A major axis  16 — 16  generally defines the center line of the liquid bottle. The liquid bottle is in its upright position when the major axis is vertical and the top wall  410  is facing up. The extended curved neck  425  could be in the form of a letter “7” (as shown in FIG.  15 - 1 ), or in the form of a letter “Z”, or “S ” (as shown in FIGS. 15-2,  15 - 3 ). A mouth opening  430  is located at the end of the extended curved neck. A minor axis  17 — 17  perpendicular to the plane of the mouth opening. In general, the minor axis  17 — 17  is parallel with the major axis  16 — 16 . However, it is not necessary to do so, and the two axes may be oriented at a small angle. The extended curved neck  425  may start from almost anywhere on the liquid bottle  400  but usually starts from the top wall  410  or from the side wall near the top wall and on the opposite side of the flat side wall  406 . A passage way  435  along the center line of the extended curved neck connects the mouth opening  430  with the inner chamber  420  of the liquid bottle  400 . 
     After the liquid bottle is filled with liquid in the upright position, it can be laid flat on the side wall  406  and the liquid inside the chamber  420  will not flow out even if the liquid level line  445  inside the chamber  420  is higher than the liquid it is oriented correctly with the “7”, “Z” or “S” shaped curved neck in the upright position where the mouth opening end of the curved neck is on the upper most location when the liquid bottle is laid down flat before tilting as shown in FIG. 15 with angle A at zero degree. The bottom wall  415  is lifted further to pour the liquid. The liquid will not start to flow until the angle “A ” reaches a pouring angle which can be anywhere between zero (0) to nearly ninety (90) degrees. This angle “A ” is determined by the shape, size, curvature, and restrictions of the passage way  435 . When this angle “A ” reaches the pouring angle, outside air will start to enter the liquid bottle at the liquid level line  450  in the extended curved neck  425  and at the same time liquid inside the liquid bottle will start to flow out. 
     The extended curved neck feature may be built-in with the liquid bottle (as shown in FIGS. 15-1, and  15 - 2 ) or built into a cap  455  by then attaching the cap to any existing bottle with a gasket  460  for leak proofing (as shown in FIG.  15 - 3 ). Optional closing cap or plug  465  may be used to enclose the liquid bottle mouth opening when the bottle is not in use or during transportation. 
     Various modifications to the depicted and described apparatus will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the forgoing detailed description of the preferred embodiment should be considered exemplary in nature and not as limiting to the scope and spirit of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.