Abstract:
A planter system having a self-draining tray for supporting a flower pot or planter in an area that receives regular watering, the tray having flat, horizontal surfaces formed by ribs supporting the flower pot or planter and another surface below the ribs directing excess water to a drain. The drain allows excess water to be removed from the tray regardless of how much water is received by the flower pot or planter. The drain may be connected to a hose or other tubing to conduct water away from the planter system. The self-draining tray may be incorporated integrally with a flower pot as a combined planter system. Drain tubing and/or drain/supply tubing may be fabricated having a particular profile.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD  
       [0001]     The invention relates generally to flower pots or planters and, more particularly, to drainage methods and apparatus.  
       BACKGROUND  
       [0002]     Water is typically provided to a flower pot or planter either from rainfall, by hand or by the use of an automatic sprinkler system. Hand watering can be done either by pouring the water in from a container or water hose or by filling a reservoir as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,339,891. In all cases any water that is not absorbed by the soil flows through the drain hole in the planter and typically into a saucer or tray located under the planter. The saucer is used to contain the excess water and the water is removed from the saucer either manually or more typically from evaporation.  
         [0003]     This arrangement has two major disadvantages. The first is if the saucer cannot contain all of the water draining from the planter, the excess water overflows onto the surrounding surface causing stains on the surrounding surface from mineral deposits and from the growth of algae and other organic materials. The second disadvantage is the standing water in the saucer which promotes the growth of organic materials and provides hatching grounds for disease carrying insects such as mosquitoes.  
         [0004]     Therefore, a need exists for a method and an apparatus for managing excess water applied to a flower pot or planter, for draining excess water from the flower pot or planter, and for conducting excess water away from the flower pot or planter. A further need exists for a method and an apparatus for doing so without wetting or soiling a surface surrounding the flower pot or planter.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0005]     The present invention achieves these and other objectives using a planter system having an integral drain apparatus that can be connected to a drainage tube for conducting excess water away from the planter system. The planter system has an upward-facing interior surface with a drain formed therein and a conduit that conducts excess water to an exit. A fitting provided at the exit connects the planter system to a drainage tube.  
         [0006]     In one aspect of the invention, a tray for supporting a planter has a drain formed in the bottom thereof and a passageway connecting the drain to an exit. A fitting may be provided at the exit for connecting a drainage tube.  
         [0007]     In another aspect of the invention, the bottom of the tray has a sloping surface that conducts water to the drain. One or more raised surfaces may be provided to support a planter above the sloping surface.  
         [0008]     In another aspect of the invention, a planter has a drain formed in the bottom thereof and a passageway connecting the drain to an exit. A fitting may be provided at the exit for connecting a drainage tube.  
         [0009]     In another aspect of the invention, the planter has a sloping surface that conducts water to the drain.  
         [0010]     In another aspect of the invention, the drainage tubes have a low-profile, generally curved upper surface, a generally planar lower surface, and a hollow passageway therethrough for conducting excess water away from a tray or planter.  
         [0011]     In another aspect of the invention, the drainage tube system has a second hollow passageway for supplying water to the planter from a water source such as a sprinkler system.  
         [0012]     In another aspect of the invention, the drainage tubes are provided with fittings for connecting various lengths of drainage tubes together.  
         [0013]     In another aspect of the invention, the drainage tubes are selected from among the group of straight-section drainage tubes and corner drainage tubes. The corner drainage tubes may be flat-corner drain tubes or vertical-corner couplers. The vertical corner couplers may be inside corner couplers or outside corner couplers.  
         [0014]     In another aspect of the invention, a planter system has a planter formed as a container having a drain hole and a tray for supporting the planter, the tray being formed as a container having a drain and a passageway connecting the drain to an exit. A fitting may be provided at the exit for connecting a drainage tube.  
         [0015]     In another aspect of the invention, the tray has a sloping surface that conducts water to the drain. One or more raised surfaces may be provided to support a planter above the sloping surface.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0016]     For a more complete understanding of the present invention, and the advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:  
         [0017]      FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of a planter system;  
         [0018]      FIG. 1B  is a sectional view of a tray taken along lines  1 B- 1 B of  FIG. 1A ;  
         [0019]      FIG. 2A  is a perspective view of a planter system;  
         [0020]      FIG. 2B  is a sectional view of a tray taken along lines  2 B- 2 B of  FIG. 2A ;  
         [0021]      FIG. 3A  is a top perspective view of a tray according to another embodiment;  
         [0022]      FIG. 3B  is a bottom perspective view of the tray shown in  FIG. 3A ;  
         [0023]      FIG. 3C  is a plan view of the tray shown in  FIG. 3A ;  
         [0024]      FIGS. 3D and 3E  are sectional views of the tray taken along lines  3 D- 3 D and  3 E- 3 E in  FIG. 3C ;  
         [0025]      FIG. 4A  is a perspective view of a planter;  
         [0026]      FIG. 4B  is a sectional view of the planter taken along lines  4 B- 4 B in  FIG. 4A ;  
         [0027]      FIG. 5A  is a perspective view of a planter according to another embodiment;  
         [0028]      FIG. 5B  is a sectional view of the planter taken along lines  5 B- 5 B in  FIG. 5A ;  
         [0029]      FIG. 6A  is a perspective view of a planter and a drainage tube system;  
         [0030]      FIG. 6B  is a sectional view of a drainage tube taken along lines  6 B- 6 B in  FIG. 6A ;  
         [0031]      FIG. 6C  is an exploded view, in perspective, of an extended configuration of the drainage tube system;  
         [0032]      FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of a planter according to another embodiment;  
         [0033]      FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view of a planter system according to another embodiment;  
         [0034]      FIG. 9A  is a perspective view of a planter and a two-way drain/supply tube system; and  
         [0035]      FIG. 9B  is a sectional view of a drain/supply tube taken along lines  9 B- 9 B in  FIG. 9A .  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0036]     Referring to  FIG. 1A  of the drawings, the reference numeral  100  generally designates a planter system embodying features of the present invention. The planter system  100  includes a flower pot  120  and a saucer or tray  130 . The flower pot  120  may be of conventional configuration, having a side wall  122  formed as a conical section and tapering from an open upper end  124  towards a lower end  125 , the lower end being closed by a bottom  126  having a drain hole  128  formed therein. The flower pot  120  is normally filled with a planting medium such as potting soil and has rooted therein a plant such as a flower, herb, vegetable or other such botanical organism.  
         [0037]     The tray  130  may be generally circular and of sufficient diameter to receive the lower end  125  of the flower pot  120 . The tray  130  is typically provided to retain water that may discharge through the drain hole  128  when the plant is watered, and is therefore normally configured as having a circular bottom  134  (shown in  FIG. 1B ) and a generally cylindrical sidewall  132  extending upwardly from the bottom  134  of the tray to form a container. The tray  130  is formed with an upper surface  136  and a plurality of supporting ribs  139  that support the flower pot  120  above the upper surface  136 .  
         [0038]     Referring now to  FIG. 1B , the tray  130  is shown in a sectional view taken along lines  1 B- 1 B in  FIG. 1A . A drain  138  is formed in the tray  130  at or below the level of the upper surface  136 . A conduit  140  formed within the body of the tray  130  connects the drain  138  to an exit  142  formed in the sidewall  132 . Water discharged from drain  128  ( FIG. 1A ) in flower pot  120  is collected in drain  138  and conducted through conduit  140  towards the exit  142 . Supporting ribs  139  support the flower pot  120  above the upper surface  136  so that the flow of water towards drain  138  is not impeded. The exit  142  may be provided with a fitting (not shown) for connecting a hose or other tubing to conduct water away from the tray  130 .  
         [0039]     Referring to  FIG. 2A  of the drawings, the reference numeral  200  generally designates a planter system embodying additional features. The planter system  200  includes a flower pot  220  and a saucer or tray  230 . The flower pot  220  may be of conventional configuration, having a side wall  222  formed as a conical section and tapering from an open upper end  224  towards a lower end  225 , the lower end being closed by a bottom  226  having a drain hole  228  formed therein. The flower pot  220  is normally filled with a planting medium such as potting soil and has rooted therein a plant such as a flower, herb, vegetable or other such botanical organism.  
         [0040]     The tray  230  may be generally circular and of sufficient diameter to receive the lower end  225  of the flower pot  220 . The tray  230  is typically provided to retain water that may discharge through the drain hole  228  when the plant is watered, and is therefore normally configured as having a circular bottom  234  (shown in  FIG. 2B ) and a generally cylindrical sidewall  232  extending upwardly from the bottom  234  of the tray to form a container. The tray  230  is formed with a sloping upper surface  236  that conducts water towards a drain  238  formed in the center of the sloping surface  236 , and a plurality of supporting ribs  239  that support the flower pot  220  above the sloping surface  236 .  
         [0041]     Referring now to  FIG. 2B , the tray  230  is shown in a sectional view taken along lines  2 B- 2 B in  FIG. 2A . A conduit  240  is formed within the body of the tray  230 . The conduit  240  connects the drain  238  to an exit  242  formed in the sidewall  232 . Water discharged from drain  228  ( FIG. 2A ) in flower pot  220  is collected in drain  238  and conducted through conduit  240  towards the exit  242 . The sloping surface  236  directs water collected within the tray towards the drain  238  for passage through conduit  240  towards the exit  242 . Supporting ribs  239  support the flower pot  220  above the sloping surface  236  so that the flow of water towards drain  238  is not impeded. The exit  242  may be provided with a fitting (not shown) for connecting a hose or other tubing to conduct water away from the tray  230 .  
         [0042]     In an alternate embodiment shown in  FIGS. 3A-3E , a tray  300  is configured as having a generally circular side wall  302  and a circular bottom  304  integral about its peripheral edge with the side wall  302 . The tray  300  is formed with a sloping surface  306  that conducts water towards a drain  308  formed at one side of the tray  300  where the sloping surface  306  meets the side wall  302 . A plurality of supporting ribs  309  extend radially from the vicinity of the drain  308 . A conduit  310  is formed in the side wall  302  and connects the drain  308  to an exit  312  formed in an exterior surface of the side wall  302 . The tray  300  may be supported above a surface (not shown) such as a patio or deck by feet  314  formed in the body of the tray  300 .  
         [0043]     As shown in  FIG. 3C , the drain  308  is formed at one side of the tray  300  and supporting ribs  309  extend radially from the vicinity of the drain  308 . The sloping surface  306  is therefore sloped downward in the direction of the drain  308  so as to conduct water collected in the tray  300  towards the drain  308 .  FIG. 3D  is a sectional view of the tray  300  taken along lines  3 D- 3 D in  FIG. 3C , a section through the center of the drain  308  and the central supporting rib  309 A.  FIG. 3E  is a sectional view of the tray  300  taken along line  3 E- 3 E in  FIG. 3C , a section through the tray  300  slightly to the side of drain  308  and the central supporting rib  309 A. As shown in  FIG. 3E , the sloping surface  306  slopes downward and conducts water towards the vicinity of drain  308 . As shown in  FIG. 3D , a conduit  310  connects drain  308  to an exit  312  formed in an exterior surface of side wall  302 .  
         [0044]     A saucer or tray, such as tray  130 , tray  230 , or tray  300 , according to the present invention may be fabricated of any waterproof material such as, for example, a plastic material. Suitable plastic materials include polypropylene, polyurethane, polycarbonate, or UBS. Any other waterproof material would also be suitable. The tray may also be formed into different shapes besides generally circular, such as square, rectangular, triangular; elliptical or an irregular shape.  
         [0045]     Referring now to  FIGS. 4A and 4B , a planter  400  incorporates the integral drain feature of tray  30  ( FIGS. 1 and 2 ) with the general features of flower pot  20  ( FIGS. 1 and 2 ). As shown in  FIG. 4A , the planter  400  is configured as having a side wall  402  formed as a conical section and tapering from an open upper end  404  towards a lower end  406 , the lower end being closed by a circular bottom  408  integral about its peripheral edge with the side wall  402 . The planter  400  is normally filled with a planting medium such as potting soil (not shown) and has tooted therein a plant such as a flower, herb, vegetable or other botanical organism (not shown). A drain apparatus  410  is provided at the lower end  406  of the planter  400 .  
         [0046]     Referring now to  FIG. 4B , the planter  400  is shown in a sectional view taken along the lines  4 B- 4 B in  FIG. 4A . The lower end  406  of the planter  400  is formed with a sloping surface  412  that conducts water towards a drain  414  formed in the center of the sloping surface  412 . As the planter is normally filled with soil, it may be preferable to include a screen  416  covering the drain  414  to retain the soil and to allow excess water to flow into the drain  414 . A conduit  418  is formed within the body of the lower end  406  of the planter  400 . The conduit  418  connects the drain  414  to an exit  420  formed in the side wall  402  at the lower end  406  of the planter  400 . Water is collected in the drain  414 , conducted through conduit  418  towards the exit  420 . A fitting  422  installed in the exit  420  facilitates connection of a hose or flexible tube  424  to conduct water away from the planter  400 .  
         [0047]     In an alternate embodiment shown in  FIGS. 5A and 5B , a planter  500  is configured as being generally rectangular or square and having an integral drain apparatus similar to the drain apparatus shown in  FIGS. 3A-3E  and  FIGS. 4A-4B . As shown in  FIG. 5A , a planter  500  is configured as being generally rectangular or square, having a front wall  502 , a first side wall  504 , a rear wall  506 , and a second side wall  508 , each of the walls  502 ,  504 ,  506 , and  508  being integral along peripheral edges thereof with adjacent walls. The planter  500  may have straight walls as shown or may taper inwards from an open end  510  towards a lower end  512 , the lower end  512  being closed by a rectangular or square bottom  514  integral about its peripheral edge with walls  502 ,  504 ,  506 , and  508 . The planter  500  forms a water-tight container except for the provision of a drain apparatus, of which an exit  520  is shown provided at the lower end  512  of the planter  500 .  
         [0048]     Referring now to  FIG. 5B , the planter  500  is shown in a sectional view taken along the lines  5 B- 5 B in  FIG. 5A . The lower end of the planter  500  is formed with a sloping surface  516  that conducts water towards a drain  518  formed at the side of the sloping surface  516 . A screen  517  may be placed over the drain  518  to retain soil and to allow excess water to flow into the drain  518 . A conduit  519  connects the drain  518  to an exit  522  formed in an exterior surface of side wall  504 . The exit may be provided with a fitting for attaching a hose or tube to conduct water away from the planter  500 .  
         [0049]     Referring now to  FIGS. 6A, 6B  and  6 C, the planter  400  is shown having connected thereto a drainage tube system  600  having a number of straight-section drain tubes of varying lengths interconnected to corner couplings by a fitting  618 . A drain tube  610  is shown in  FIG. 6B  in a sectional view taken along the lines  6 B- 6 B in  FIG. 6A , and is configured as having a low-profile, curved upper surface  612 , a generally planar lower surface  614 , and a hollow passageway or conduit  616  in the center. The drain tube  610  is preferably fabricated from extruded rubber or plastic and is provided with fittings for attaching additional drain tubes.  
         [0050]     As shown in  FIG. 6A , a first straight-section drain tube  610  is connected to the planter  400  at the drain apparatus  410 . The first drain tube  610  is coupled to a second drain tube  630  by a 90-degree flat-corner drain tube  620 . The second drain tube  630  is coupled to a third drain tube  670  by an outside vertical-corner coupler  650 . The third drain tube  670  is coupled to a fourth drain tube  690  by an inside vertical-corner coupler  680 .  
         [0051]     Referring now to  FIG. 6C , the drainage tube system  600  is shown in an exploded view of an extended configuration of sections of the system as being disconnected from one another. A 90-degree flat-corner drain tube  620  has an interior passageway  622  into which the fitting  618  may be inserted for coupling the flat-corner drain tube  620  to a straight-section drain tube  640 . Each section of drain tube is similarly constructed, having a hollow passageway or conduit for conducting water through the drain tube. As shown in  FIG. 6C , the flat-section drain tube  610  is provided with a fitting  618  for connecting to a flat-corner drain tube  620 . The flat-corner drain tube  620  is provided with a fitting for connecting to the next straight-section drain tube  630 . The straight-section drain tube  630  is provided with a fitting for connecting to the flat-corner drain tube  620 . The flat-corner drain tube  620 , as described above, connects to a flat-section drain tube  640 . The flat-section drain tube  640  is also provided with a fitting for connecting to the next flat-corner drain tube  620 . The flat-corner drain tube  620  is provided with a fitting for connecting to an outside vertical-corner coupler  650 . The outside vertical-corner coupler  650  is provided with a fitting for connecting to a flat-section drain tube  670  at passageway  624 . The flat-section drain tube  670  is provided with a fitting for connecting to an inside vertical-corner coupler  680  at passageway  626 . The inside vertical-corner coupler  680  is provided with a fitting for connecting to a flat-section drain tube  690 . The flat-section drain tube  690  is provided with a fitting  618  for connecting to additional sections of drain tube, as required.  
         [0052]     The drain tubes, the 90-degree flat-corner drain tubes and the vertical-corner couplers are all preferably fabricated from similar materials such as extruded rubber or plastic and are provided with interconnecting fittings for attaching together various lengths of straight drain tubes and corners. The fittings may be removable and insertable as shown in  FIG. 6C , or the fittings may be molded into one end of the section of drain tube. Corner-section drain tubes may be fabricated to conduct water at any angle, such as the 90-degree angles as shown in  FIGS. 6A and 6C , or at any other angle, such as 45 degrees, 30 degrees, and the like. Vertical-corner couplers may also be constructed to turn any desired angle, such as 90 degrees, as shown in  FIGS. 6A and 6C , or at any other angle, such as 45 degrees, 30 degrees, and the like. The drainage tube system  600 , so constructed, may be used to conduct water away from a planter across walkways or open areas, around corners, over ledges or down steps. The profile of each section of drain tube is sufficiently low to walk over easily and is shaped so as to lie flat on the surrounding surface. The plastic or rubber material from which the drain tubes are fabricated are preferably colored to match the surrounding surface materials, such as concrete, brick pavers, patio flagstones, wooden decks and the like.  
         [0053]     Referring now to  FIG. 7 , a planter  750 , according to another aspect of the invention, having an integral drain apparatus  760 , is shown in a cross-sectional view. The planter  750  may be configured as a generally circular planter, as a rectangular or square planter, or as any other regular or irregular shape. The planter  750  is configured as having a side wall  752  tapering from an open upper end  754  towards a lower end  756 , the lower end being closed by a circular bottom  758  integral about its peripheral edge with the side wall  752 . The planter  750  is normally filled with a planting medium such as potting soil (not shown) and has rooted therein a plant such as a flower, herb, vegetable or other botanical organism (not shown). A drain apparatus  760  is provided at the lower end  756  of the planter  750 . The lower end  756  of the planter  750  is formed with a sloping surface  762  that conducts water towards a drain  764  formed in the center of the sloping surface  762 . The planter  750  is provided with a false bottom  766  for supporting soil above the sloping surface  762 . The false bottom  766  may be molded into the body of the planter or may be formed separately and inserted into the planter. The false bottom  766  has formed therein a drain hole  767  for allowing excess water to flow into the drain  764 . A conduit  768  is formed within the body of the lower end  756  of the planter  750 . The conduit  768  connects the drain  764  to an exit  770  formed in the side wall  752  at the lower end  756  of the planter  750 . Water is collected in the drain  764  and conducted through conduit  768  towards the exit  770 . A fitting  722  installed in the exit  770  facilitates connection of a hose or flexible tube  774  to conduct water away from the planter  750 .  
         [0054]     Referring now to  FIG. 8 , a planter system  800 , according to another aspect of the invention, is shown having a flower pot  820  and a tray  830 . The planter system  800  may be configured as generally circular, rectangular or square, or as any other regular or irregular shape. The flower pot  820  has a side wall  822  tapering from an open upper end  824  towards a lower end  825 , the lower end being closed by a bottom  826  having a drain hole  828  formed therein. The flower pot  820  is normally filled with a planting medium such as potting soil and has rooted therein a plant. The tray  830  receives the lower end  825  of the flower pot  820  and retains excess water that may discharge through the drain hole  828 .  
         [0055]     The tray  830  is configured as having a sidewall  832  and a bottom  834  integral about its peripheral edge with the sidewall  832 . The tray  830  is formed with a sloping surface  836  that conducts water towards a drain  838  formed in the center of the sloping surface  836 . The bottom  826  of the flower pot  820  is made slightly smaller than the sidewall  832  of the tray  830  so that sidewall  832  of the tray  830  fits sidewall  822  of the flower pot  820  in interlocking fashion, thereby supporting the flower pot  820  above the sloping surface  836 . A top surface  833  of tray side wall  832  forms a raised surface for supporting planter  820  above the sloping surface  836 .  
         [0056]     A conduit  840  is formed within the body of the tray  830 . The conduit  840  connects the drain  838  to an exit  842  formed in the sidewall  832 . Water discharged from drain  828  in flower pot  820  is collected in drain  838  and conducted through conduit  840  towards the exit  842 . The sloping surface  836  directs water collected within the tray towards the drain  838  for passage through conduit  840  towards the exit  842 . Side wall  832  supports the flower pot  820  above the sloping surface  836  so that the flow of water towards drain  838  is not impeded. The exit  842  is provided with a fitting  843  for connecting a hose or other tubing to conduct water away from the tray  830 .  
         [0057]     Referring now to  FIGS. 9A and 9B , a planter  400  is shown having a two-way drain/supply system  900  that supplies water to the planter from a water source such as a sprinkler system and drains excess water away from the planter. A drain/supply tube  910  is shown in  FIG. 9B  in a sectional view taken along the lines  9 B- 9 B in  FIG. 9A , and is configured as having a low-profile, curved upper surface  912 , a generally planar lower surface  914 , and two hollow passageways or conduits  916 ,  918  within. A first hollow passageway  916  may be used for drainage to conduct excess water away from the planter  400  as described hereinbefore. A second hollow passageway  918  may be used to supply water to the planter, being connected to a source of water such as a sprinkler system.  
         [0058]     As shown in  FIG. 9A , a first straight-section drain/supply tube  910  is connected to the planter  400  at the drain apparatus  410 . The first drain/supply tube  910  is coupled to a second drain/supply tube  930  by a 90-degree flat-corner drain/supply tube  920 . Additional sections of drain/supply tube may be connected in a manner similar to that shown in  FIG. 6A  and  FIG. 6C  using fittings such as drain fitting  936  and supply fitting  938  ( FIG. 9A ). Excess water from the planter  400  may exit the drain passageway  916  through fitting  936 . The supply passageway  918  may be connected to a source of water via supply fitting  938 . Water from the source is then delivered to the planter via an irrigation tube  940  connected to a fitting  904  inserted in the supply passageway  918  of the drain/supply tube  910 . The irrigation tube  940  is routed up the side of planter  400  to deliver water to the planter  400 .  
         [0059]     The use of planter systems according to the present invention and as shown in  FIGS. 1-5  and  7 - 8  eliminates the problems associated with over-watering a potted plant by conducting excess water to an exit at which may be connected drainage tubing for conducting the excess water away from the planter system. A particular drainage tubing system as shown in  FIGS. 6A-6C  conducts water away from planter systems according to the present invention and is suitable for use across walkways, patios and the like. A two-way drain/supply tubing system as shown in  FIG. 9  supplies water to the planter and drains excess water away from the planter.  
         [0060]     It is understood that the present invention can take many forms and embodiments. Accordingly, several variations may be made in the foregoing without departing from the spirit or the scope of the invention.  
         [0061]     Having thus described the present invention by reference to certain of its preferred embodiments, it is noted that the embodiments disclosed are illustrative rather than limiting in nature and that a wide range of variations, modifications, changes, and substitutions are contemplated in the foregoing disclosure and, in some instances, some features of the present invention may be employed without a corresponding use of the other features. Many such variations and modifications may be considered obvious and desirable by those skilled in the art based upon a review of the foregoing description of preferred embodiments. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the scope of the invention.