Abstract:
Drainage apparatus allows a vessel such as a plant pot to be advantageously drained of a fluid such as water. The inventive drainage apparatus includes a drainage member having a base member and a channel member. The base member is affixed to a portal of the pot so as to allow fluid drainage when the pot is filled with soil containing a fluid, such as water. Water gravitationally drains out of the portal and into the channel member of the drainage member, so as to dispose of the water at a selected distance away from the portal. Hence standing water below the pot, a common problem with potted plants, is avoided. The water can be further channeled away from the pot by engaging a hose member to the channel member. 
     The drainage member can be affixed to the pot by a laminated adhesive layer or alternatively by caulking. The laminated adhesive layer can be affixed to the pot using a primer, if desired. 
     In another embodiment, the base member is configured to present two wings which are deformably inserted up through the portal so that the wings then resume substantially their initial position. This is a method which can be used even when the pot is already filled with soil. After the wings of the base member have assumed their original position on the interior of the pot, the base member is adjusted so that the wings rest against the bottom of the pot. The drainage apparatus can then further be sealed by using a ring on the outside of the pot. The drainage apparatus can be additionally sealed by a second ring which is affixed to the first ring by a caulk, adhesive glue or the like. The adhesive is also used to seal the second ring to the channel member so that fluid leakage is avoided at the portal.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to a plant drainage system, especially the drainage of fluid from the bottom of a plant-containing vessel. More particularly it is concerned with drainage apparatus mounted on a pot so as to provide advantageous drainage of water away from a floor or deck where the pot is standing. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     Plant pots come in a variety of sizes and shapes but typically have a hole or drainage portal in the bottom to allow for gravitational drainage of water, which may contain fertilizer, plant food or the like. While the drainage hole is designed to allow fluid to escape the pot, such a passive system creates several problems. Often the pot is standing on a saucer-like plate having an upstanding rim to catch and contain the water. The problem is that the drainage water stands in the plate until it evaporates, is pulled back in by capillary action, is manually removed or recycled into the topsoil of the plant. 
     Manual removal of the water sometimes does not occur as often as is desirable for any number of reasons, e.g. the plant owner may be absent for an extended period, may simply forget or the pot may be heavy or difficult to lift. The drainage water may therefore be left standing for a long period of time, which causes root rot, and is hygenically and esthetically undesirable. It will also be appreciated that standing water is generally detrimental for the floor, deck or other supporting surface. 
     Manual removal itself creates problems, since spillage sometimes occurs. Also the standing water can overfow the saucer if not removed for an extended period. 
     Further, it is evident that a system which eliminates the necessity for manual removal of water would be inherently desirable by reducing plant maintenance. What is needed is a plant drainage system which allows for drainage of water from the bottom of the plant so as to eliminate the water without the necessity of manual removal and to prevent the build up of standing water in undesirable areas. 
     One attempt to deal with the problem of standing water is a system where a reservoir of water is held below the pot with sufficient spatial communication between the pot and the reservoir. Water is drawn drawn back up into the plant soil by the capillary action of the root system. The problem with this alternative is that it is a passive system which doesn&#39;t adequately regulate the amount of moisture in the reservoir. In other words, if the system becomes saturated with water, the system will not effectively get rid of the excess water. 
     Another attempt is the use of a pump along with a moisture sensor in the soil, so that when the soil is sufficently dry, the pump is activated by the sensor, resulting in water being pumped back into the pot. The problem with this alternative is that it is an active system, requiring electronic and mechanical apparatus, additional expense, energy, maintenance, etc. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The problems outlined above are solved by the system and apparatus provided in accordance with the present invention. That is to say, the drainage apparatus hereof serves to channel fluid gravitationally out the bottom of a pot to a preferred area away from the pot, and further provides for ease of installation, even for a pot already filled with soil or the like. The drainage apparatus in accordance with the present invention broadly includes a drainage member having a base member, a channel member and an adhesive layer. The base member has a first side and a second side, including portions defining a hole disposed between the first and second sides. The channel member is sealingly affixed to the base member, and has a first open end and a second open end disposed to define a channel, such that the first open end is in spatial communication with the hole of the base member. The adhesive layer is disposed adjacent the first side of the base member, and is suitable for adhesion to the exterior of the wall of the pot. When the hole of the base member is aligned with the portal of the vessel and the adhesive layer is attached to the wall of the vessel, the drainage member serves to provide directed fluid communication between the interior of the vessel and the second end of the channel member, so that fluid is directed from the interior of the pot to an area other than the area directly below the pot. 
     In preferred embodiments, the drainage apparatus is a drainage assembly which includes a hose member for further channeling the fluid away from the area directly below the pot. The drainage assembly can be mounted exteriorly of the pot, or can be mounted so the base member resides on the interior of the pot. 
     An adhesive layer may be omitted, and in certain embodiments its adhesive function is replaced by caulk or the like. In other embodiments, the drainage member may be mounted on the interior of the pot, without adhesive action (e.g. by utilizing a grab ring exterior to the pot) or with either an adhesive tape or caulk utilized on the interior. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a partially sectional, side elevational view of a drainage system mounted on blocks resting on a floor in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 2A is an exploded, partial, perspective view of a drainage assembly; 
     FIG. 2B is an exploded, perspective view of a laminar tape and base member; 
     FIG. 2C is an exploded, partial, perspective view of a channel member and hose member; 
     FIG. 3A is a partially sectional, side elevational view of another drainage system above a floor; 
     FIG. 3B is a partially sectional, side elevational view illustrating assembly of the drainage system of FIG. 3A; 
     FIG. 4A is an exploded, partial, perspective view of the drainage assembly of FIG. 3A; 
     FIG. 4B is a bottom view of the pot of FIG. 3A; 
     FIG. 4C is a plan view of the bottom interior of the pot and the top of the base member of FIG. 3A; 
     FIG. 5 is a partially sectional, side elevational view of a drainage system mounted on a floor; 
     FIG. 6 is a partially sectional, side elevational view of a drainage system utilizing an interior-mounted drainage assembly including a grab ring; 
     FIG. 7 is a partially sectional, side elevational view of a drainage system utilizing an interior-mounted drainage assembly; 
     FIG. 8 is an exploded, partial, perspective view of another drainage assembly; 
     FIG. 9 is a partial, plan view of a rack used for construction of a drainage member; and 
     FIG. 10 is a partial, side elevational view of the rack of FIG. 9 with two drainage members being assembled thereon. 
     FIG. 11 is a sectional view of two drainage members being assembled. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring now to the drawings in general and FIG. 1 in particular, a drainage system  20  broadly includes a vessel or pot  22  and drainage assembly  24 , elevated by blocks  26  above a floor  28 , which could also be a deck or other suitable surface. Drainage assembly  24  in accordance with the invention advantageously channels fluid such as water (not shown) away from an area  30  where standing fluid would be undesirable. FIG. 1 is a partial depiction for ease of illustration. 
     Drainage assembly  24  includes drainage member or flange  32  and hose member  34 . Drainage member  32  optionally includes an adhesive tape  36  (see FIGS. 2A and 2B for exploded views). Drainage assembly  24  is mounted on pot  22  as discussed below. Drainage member  32  is suitable for draining fluid from pot  22 , especially from area  30 . Pot  22  has a wall  38  which defines an interior  40  of vessel  22 . Wall  38  also has a base  42  which includes portions defining a portal  44  through wall  38 , through which fluid can pass. 
     Referring to FIG. 2A, drainage member  32  has a base member  46  and a channel member  48  as well as the previously mentioned adhesive layer  36 . 
     Referring to FIG. 2B, base member  46  has a first side  50 , a second opposite side  52  and portions of base member  46  defining a hole  54 . 
     Referring to FIG. 2C, channel member  48  is shown in exploded view with hose member  34 . Channel member  48  is sealingly affixed to base member  46  (although shown in isolation in FIG. 2C for clarity of illustration) and includes a first open end  56  and a second open end  58 . Channel member  48  is disposed to define a channel  60  which places first open end  56  in spacial communication with second open end  58 . 
     Referring again to FIG. 2B, adhesive member  36  is adhesive on a first side  61   a  and a second opposite side  61   b  thereof, and at second side  61   b,  adhesive member  36  adheres to first side  50  of base member  46 . Base member  46  is preferably made of a synthetic resin material and is relatively rigid in the preferred embodiment. In particularly preferred embodiments base member  46  is a clear, rigid vinyl circular piece cut to either a 2. or 3. diameter, with centered hole  54  (⅜. and ½. diameter respectively). Base member  46  and other rigid circular objects described herein are obtained in 22. by 52. clear, polished vinyl sheets, 30 mils thick. The sheets can be purchased from Cadillac Plastics of Hayward, Calif. 
     Referring again to FIG. 2C, channel member  48  is constructed of sufficiently flexible material to resiliently deform when disposed so as to be between a heavy object, such as pot  20 , and a hard surface, such as floor  28 . Channel member  48  is a clear-vinyl, cylindrically-shaped tube having a ⅜. inner diameter and ½. outer diameter or a ½. inner diameter and ⅝. outer diameter for 2. and 3. base members  46 , respectively. For externally mounted embodiments, the preferred length of channel member  48  is ¾. and base member  46  has an outer diameter of 3. This type of tube can be obtained from Harrington Plastics in San Carlos, Calif. For internally mounted embodiments utilizing caulk, the preferred channel member length is 4. For internally mounted embodiments utilizing tape  36 , the preferred length of channel member  48  is 1½. Although in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 channel member  48  is off the floor  28 , in other embodiments channel member  48  can be positioned directly on floor  28  with the weight of pot  22  bearing directly thereon. 
     Still referring to FIG. 2C, second open end  58  of channel member  48  presents an inner diameter  62  and an outer diameter  64 . Hose member  34  includes a hose adapter  66  which is fitted to a first open end  68  of hose member  34 . Hose member  34  also has a second open end  70  (see FIG.  1 ). Hose adapter  66  presents an outer diameter  72 . The inner diameter  62  of channel member  48  and the outer diameter  72  of hose adapter  66  are substantially similar so that hose member  34  is sealingly, removably engaged with channel member  48  by virtue of the snug fitting of hose adapter  66  in second open end  58  of channel member  48 . 
     Referring again to FIG. 2B, laminated tape member  36  includes a hole  74  aligned with hole  54  of base member  46  so that fluid can pass through both holes  74  and  54 . 
     FIG. 3A illustrates another embodiment of the present invention, where base member  146  is modified by reduction of material (see FIGS.  4 A and  4 C). No means of support for system  120  is shown for ease of illustration, but it will be readily understood that blocks, mounted hook or ceiling rope, etc. could be used. In the illustrated embodiment, material has been removed (the dotted lines indicating the original shape, as at FIG. 2B, before reduction of material) so as to shape base member  146  to be less circular and preferably to have a smaller outer diameter than base member  46  (compare FIGS.  2 B and  4 A). The reduced, less circular shape is advantageous for installation reasons to be discussed below. Base member  146  need not be adhesively fixed to an interior bottom  76  of pot  22 . In addition, two synthetic resin rings are preferably employed, a first ring  78  and a second ring  80 . Rings  78 ,  80  are made of the same synthetic resin material as  146 . Ring  78  may be of greater diameter than ring  80 , as shown. Ring  78  is adhesively affixed to an exterior bottom  82  of pot  22  preferably by caulk, glue or the like, in a water-tight fashion. Second ring  80  is adhesively fixed to first ring  78 , also preferably by caulk. Second ring  80  is also sealingly engaged to channel member  48 , preferably by adhesive as indicated at sealing point  84 . 
     The caulk preferably adheres to both dry and moist surfaces. This allows application of base member  46  or  146  to dry pots (often new) and pre-planted pots. Brand Silkaflex-241 is preferred but the Silkaflex SEA-L caulk is used in consumer installation kits be cause it is available in a smaller tube. Both are one-component polyurethane that remain permanently elastic and non-corrosive. Either can be used above or below the water line. These products are commonly available in hardware stores. 
     Referring to FIG. 4A, drainage assembly  124  of FIG. 3 is shown in a somewhat exploded view to illustrate detail. Base member  146  includes two wing members  86  as well as hole  54  substantially exactly the same as hole  54  of base member  46 . Wing members  86  are deformably resilient for reasons to be discussed below. Base member  146  has a first side  150  and a second side  152  analagous to first side  50  and second side  52  of base member  46  (see FIG.  2 B). Second side  152  of base member  146  may be adhesively affixed to interior bottom  76  of pot  22  proximate to portal  44  (see FIG.  3 A), with caulk or the like, but in practice, no adhesive is used for that purpose. 
     Still referring to FIG. 4A, first ring member  78  includes a first side  88  and an opposite second side  90 . First ring member  78  includes portions defining a hole  92 , disposed between first side  88  and second side  90  of first ring member  78 . First side  88  of first ring member  78  is adhesively affixed to exterior bottom  82  of pot  22  (see FIG. 3A) and hole  92  of first ring member  78  receives channel member  48  as shown. Second ring member  80  has a first side  94  and an opposite second side  96  and portions defining a hole  98  disposed between first side  94  and second side  96 . First side  94  of second ring member  80  is adhesively fixed to second side  90  of first ring member  78  (see FIG. 3A) and hole  98  of second ring member  80  sealingly receives channel member  48  as shown in FIGS. 3A and 4A. Preferably, Silkaflex caulk is used as the adhesive. 
     FIG. 4B is a reduced bottom view of exterior bottom  82  of pot  22  and shows a shaded portion  100  where caulk or other suitable adhesive can be attached for the purpose of affixing first ring  78  to exterior bottom  82  of pot  22 . 
     Referring to FIG. 5, use of drainage system  20  is illustrated in a slightly different configuration, wherein blocks  26  are not used, so that pot  22  rests directly on floor  128 . Floor  128  is shown with a hole or slat  102  through which channel member  48  protrudes. 
     Referring to FIG. 6, another embodiment of the invention is shown. A drainage assembly  224  is shown similar to that of drainage assembly  24  in FIGS. 1 and 5, except drainage assembly  224  is contacted to the interior bottom  76  of pot  22  by caulk or the like, disposed between interior bottom  76  of pot  22  and side  50  of base member  46 . Essentially, the difference between drainage assembly  224  and drainage assembly  24  is that in drainage assembly  224  there is no laminar tape  36  as shown at FIG.  2 B and that in drainage assembly  224 , first ring member  78  is also employed as a grab ring, as discussed below. 
     Referring to FIG. 7, yet another embodiment of the invention is shown. A drainage assembly  324  is shown interiorly mounted and similar to that of drainage assembly  124  in FIG. 3, except drainage assembly  324  utilizes laminar tape  36 , which is adhesively fixed to the bottom  76  of pot  22 , and utlizes no rings  78 ,  80  as with drainage assembly  124 . The center of tape  36  is recessed in order to illustrate hole  74 . 
     FIG. 8 shows another embodiment, drainage assembly  424 , including an additional hose  104  connected to hose  34  by a connector  106 . Alternatively, hose  104  could be selected in outer diameter so as to matingly received within second open end  70  of hose member  34  without benefit of a connector. 
     The method of making drainage assemblies  24 ,  124 ,  224 ,  324 ,  424  shall now be discussed. FIG. 9 shows a plan view of rack  108  having tabs  110  with rivets  112  protruding therefrom. 
     FIG. 10 shows two drainage members  32  and  132  in the course of construction from a side elevational view. One difference between drainage member  32  and drainage member  132  is the difference in length between channel members  48  and  148 , the reasons for which are discussed below. 
     The method of assembling drainage member  32  (as in FIG. 2A) will now be described. a roll of tape, adhesive on both sides and lined on one side, such as Avery Dennison&#39;s commonly available Fasmount 2316 tape, is applied to adhere to a vinyl sheet. The specialty tape division of Avery Dennison is located in Painesville, Ohio. The Fasmount 2316 tape exhibits a 1.78 millimeters thickness. Die cutting is then performed to yield a base member  46  with attached laminar tape  36  as shown in FIG. 2A (but without channel member  48  having yet been attached). It should also be noted that the liner (not shown) of the tape, is still attached to first side  61   a  of laminar tape  36 . 
     It will also be appreciated that a die could be used without a hole-punching portion in the middle, so that holes  54 ,  74  (see FIG. 2B) would not be produced. In this fashion a patch could be produced, either with the tape and vinyl, or the tape alone. Such a patch could be used to plug excess holes in the bottom of a pot. 
     Referring again to FIG. 10, base member  46  is then placed upside down and holes  54 ,  74  indexed with rivet  112  so that the liner (still on laminar tape  36 ) comes in contact with tab  110 . Side  61   a  is indicated in FIG. 10, but it should be appreciated that at this stage of the process, side  61   a  is not yet exposed, due to the liner. Channel member  48  is then affixed to base member  46  as shown in FIG.  10 . This is accomplished by dipping first end  56  of channel member  48  in the previously mentioned IPS Weld-On 795 cement and then abutting to second side  52  of base member  46 , indexing first end  56  to rivet  112 . The preferred cement, IPS WELD-ON 795, is a clear, medium-bodied, fast-set, high strength cement, avalable from IPS Corporation, of Gardena, Calif. Note that channel member  48  is sealingly affixed to base member  46  such that the first open end  56  of channel member  48  is in spacial communication with hole  54  of base member  46 . Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that injection molding could be utilized for cheaper mass production of base member  46  units. The cement preferably cures for about three minutes, or until channel member  48  is securely affixed base member  46 . The resultant completed drainage member  32  may then be removed from rivet  112  and tab  110 . 
     The method of assembling drainage member  132  (as in FIG. 3A) will now be described. A vinyl sheet is layed out. die cutting is then performed to yield a base member  46  as shown in FIG. 2B (but without channel member  48  having yet been attached). 
     Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, base member  46  is placed upside down and hole  54  indexed with rivet  112  so that first side  50  comes in contact with tab  110 . Channel member  148  is then affixed to base member  46  as shown in FIG. 10 with reference to drainage member  132 . This is accomplished by dipping first end  156  of channel member  148  in IPS Weld-On 795 cement, indexing first end  56  to rivet  112 , and then abutting to second side  52  of base member  46 . The cement preferably cures for about three minutes. The resultant completed drainage member  132  may then be removed from rivet  112  and tab  110 . 
     Instead of removing drainage member  132  from rivet  112  and tab  110  as immediately described above, it will be readily appreciated that drainage member  324  can be made by the additional attachment of laminar tape  36  to second side  52  of base member  46 . This is accomplished as described immediately below. 
     A roll of tape, preferably the Fasmount 2316 tape described above is placed on a transfer liner, with the uncovered adhesive side of the tape adhering to the transfer liner. The tape and transfer liner are then die cut to achieve a laminar layer  36  (as shown in FIG. 2B but with a transfer liner attached to second side  61   b  side of laminar layer  36 ). Preferably, the transfer liner is then removed, hole  74  (see FIG. 7) is indexed with bottom of channel member  348  (the preferred length of channel member  348  is 1½., as opposed to channel member  148 , whch has a preferred length of 4.). Then the uncovered adhesive side of tape  36  is laminated to second side  52  of base member  46  after which drainage member  324  is removed from rivet  112  for installation as shown in FIG. 7, to be discussed below. 
     The installation of the drainage assemblies  24 ,  124 ,  224 ,  324 ,  424  respectively to pot  22  will now be sequentially discussed. 
     An adhesive layer such as laminar tape  36  is disposed adjacent first side  50  of base member  46  (as discussed above with reference to drainage member  32  shown in FIG.  10 ), the adhesive layer being suitable to affix to wall  38  of pot  22 . It will be readily understood that in place of laminar tape  36  a caulk, glue or other adhesive could be applied directly to pot  22  either interiorly (as at bottom  76  of pot  22  in FIG. 3A) or exteriorly (as indicated in FIG. 4B at area  100 ). Hole  54  of base member  46  is aligned with portal  44  and adhesive layer  36  is attached to base  42  of pot  22  (if not done previously), so that drainage member  32  serves to provide direct fluid communication between interior  40  of pot  22  and second open end  58  of channel member  48 . It will readily be appreciated that in FIG. 1 drainage member  32  can be used in conjunction with hose member  34  (i.e., so as to form drainage assembly  24  to provide further channeling of fluid away from undesirable area  30 .) 
     Referring now in particular to the completed installation illustrated in FIG. 1, in addition to merely applying laminar tape  36  to exterior bottom  82  of wall  38  as described above, a primer may be applied to bottom portion proximate to portal  44  in an area approximately the same shape and diameter as laminar tape  36 , prior to application of tape  36  to exterior bottom  82 . The preferred primer (which should be preferably applied on a dry surface) is primer  94 , manufactured by the 3M company of St. Paul, Minn. Drying of the primer can be facilitated by a heat source such as an air gun or hair dryer. In any event, portal  44  is indexed with hole  54  of base member  46  for fluidic communication, as described above. 
     Referring to FIGS. 3A and 3B, the method of installation will now be described. In the installation to arrive at the configuration of FIG. 3A, wherein interior  40  of pot  22  is already filled with soil  114  or the like, drainage member  132  is inserted through portal  44 , sufficiently so that wing members  86  are resiliently deformed as indicated at FIG.  3 B. It will readily be appreciated that the modification of base member  146  by the reduction of material as indicated at FIG. 4A facilitates the action of insertion of drainage member  132 . Drainage member  132  is then further pressed through portal  44  until ring members  86  have completely entered interior  40  of pot  22 , so that ring members  86  have substantially resumed their original, planar configuration as shown at FIG.  3 A. See also FIG. 4C for a top view. Generally, no adhesive is used to adhere base member  146  to pot  22  in this installation. 
     Caulk is applied to bottom portion  82  at area  100  (see FIG. 4B) proximate to portal  44 . It will be appreciated that area  100  describes an annular ring centered about portal  44 . The difference in inner and outer diameter of area  100  is about ¼. The caulk is applied with sufficient thickness to exhibit a vertical profile of about ⅛. 
     Referring to FIG. 4A, hole  92  of first ring member ring  78  is then indexed with second open end  158  of channel member  148 , slid along channel member  148  until first side  88  of first ring member  78  is sealingly engaged to bottom portion  82  of pot  22 . Caulk is applied immediateley below the juncture of first ring member  78  with channel member  48 , as indicated at location  84  (see FIG.  3 A). Hole  98  of second ring member ring  80  is then indexed with second open end  158 , slid along channel member  148  until first side  94  of second ring member  80  is sealingly engaged to second side  90  of first ring member  78 , by virtue of application of caulk at location  84 . 
     Referring to FIG. 3A, it should be noted that if system  120  is configured so that rings  78 ,  80  experience mechanical pressure either from blocks  26  (not shown) or from floor  28 , it is preferred to use an extended cure time for the caulk, most conservatively 24 hours. 
     Referring to FIG. 6, the method of installation will now be described. In the installation to arrive at the configuration of FIG. 6, a drainage member  132  is constructed (as shown at FIG. 10, described above). Then caulk is applied to bottom  76  of pot  22  (in a manner analogous to that described for FIG. 4B with reference to area  100  of exterior bottom  82  above). Drainage member  132  (as shown in FIG. 10) is then placed into an empty pot  22  from above. Second open end  258  of channel member  248  (which has a preferred length of 4.) is then indexed with portal  44  and threaded therethrough until second side  52  of base member  46  is sealingly engaged with bottom  76  of pot  22 , as shown in FIG.  6 . 
     Hole  92  (see FIG. 4A) of first ring member ring  78  is then indexed with second open end  258 , slid along channel member  248  until first side  88  of first ring member  78  is engaged to bottom portion  82  of pot  22 . Note that no adhesive is required to seal first ring member  78  to pot  22 . Rather, the main function of first ring member  78  in this embodiment is as a grab ring. Hose member  34  is then removably, snugly fit into second open end  258  of channel member  248  (in a manner as described for FIGS.  1  and  2 ). 
     Referring to FIG. 7, the method of installation will now be described. In the installation to arrive at the configuration of FIG. 7, a drainage member  332  (described above with reference to FIG. 10) is constructed. Primer is preferably applied to bottom  76  of pot  22  proximate to portal  44  in an area approximately the same shape and diameter as laminar tape  36 , prior to application of tape  36  to bottom  76 . 
     Drainage member  332  is then placed into an empty pot  22  from above, second open end  358  of channel member  348  is then indexed with portal  44  and threaded therethrough until second side  52  of base member  46  is sealingly engaged with bottom  76  of pot  22 , as shown in FIG.  7 . Hose member  34  is then removably, snugly fit into second open end  358  of channel member  348  (in a manner as described for FIGS.  1  and  2 ). 
     It should be generally noted that the embodiments employing a laminar tape  36  are easier for the consumer to install than those embodiments utilizing caulk. However, embodiments utilizing caulk in preference to laminar tape  36  exhibit more reliable adhesive action. 
     In operation, and referring once again to FIG. 1, drainage member  32  transfers fluid from interior  40  of pot  22  via channel  60  of channel member  48 . It is understood that interior  40  is normally at least partially filled with soil  114  or the like and that the fluid may be draining from soil  114  or standing fluid in interior  40 . Desirably and according to the invention the fluid (not shown), such as water, is transferred away from floor  28  or through floor  128  (see FIG. 5) if there is a hole or slats in a deck or the like. Water drips out gravitationally but not to the undesirable area  30  but instead is channeled either to second open end  70  of hose member  34  or to second open end  58  of channel member  48  (see FIG. 2C) if no hose member  34  is employed. In this fashion the fluid which gravitationally exits portal  44  is taken to an area more desirable than the area  30 . In addition, an extra hose such as  104  of FIG. 8 could also be connected to second end  70  of hose member  34  for routing of the fluid even further from system  20  and undesirable area  30 . In substitution for hose  104  it is readily appreciated that a garden hose or a metal conduit or the like could be used or any other external apparatus so as to channel water away. Each of the other drainage assemblies shown in FIGS. 3,  6  and  7  operate in analogous fashion. 
     In the event that channel member  32  is caught against deck  28  (for example, blocks  26  are not employed so that pot  22  is resting directly on floor  28 ), it will be readily appreciated that the deformability of channel member  48  serves to keep system  20  from being damaged, upended, or spilled. Also it will be readily appreciated that channel member  48  can have varying lengths as evidenced by FIG.  10  and the contrast of channel members  48 ,  148 ,  248 ,  348 . In this fashion a longer channel member  48  could be used without the benefit of hose  34 , if appropriate for a given configuration. 
     It should be apparent that the invention not only accomplishes the major functions required from such apparatus, but does so in a particularly advantageous manner. It should be equally apparent, however, that various minor and equivalent modifications from the embodiments disclosed herein for illustrative purposes could be employed without departing from the essence of the invention. It is to be understood, therefore, that the invention should be regarded as encompassing not only the subject matter literally defined by the claims which follow, but also mechanical equivalents thereof.