Abstract:
A self-priming wick to wick liquid transfer system. The system is preferable for watering plants. The functionality is very simple and user friendly. The system can be used in nearly every way a non self-watering planter is used, both indoors and outdoors, giving it a versatility and usability that other self-watering systems or devices do not have.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. provisional application No. 62/040,030, filed Aug. 21, 2014, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to watering devices and, more particularly, to watering devices for plants, flower pots, window boxes, planters, and the like. 
         [0003]    Conventional systems or devices that use wicks for watering plants in planters do not allow the planter to be separated from the water source into which the wick must extend to wick water into the planter. Similarly, conventional wick watering systems require the wick to be primed in order to transfer water in the first instance, or re priming should the wick dry out. 
         [0004]    Other devices or systems for watering plants require extra work to set up, use or maintain. Many are over complicated, which discourages use and can create problems or they are integrated which can limit use. Some will only work with a planter that is specifically designed for the system. 
         [0005]    The ability to move, rotate, repot and in general work with the planter in the same manner as most non self-watering planters is prohibitive in existing systems with a unitary wick. 
         [0000]    Other systems or devices can have any number of issues with complexity, integration and or they are difficult to separate, to clean, to prime, to re prime and to determine how much water is available. 
         [0006]    As can be seen, there is a need for a self-priming watering device that permits the planters to be readily removed from the reservoir so that the plant may be cared for. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    In one aspect of the present invention, dual wick liquid transfer system, having a reservoir wick with a first end disposed external to a reservoir and a second end disposed within the reservoir. A receiving wick having a first end selectively positioned in abutment with the first end of the reservoir wick, wherein a liquid contained within the reservoir is communicated from the reservoir wick to a second end of the receiving wick when the reservoir wick and the receiving wick are in abutment with each other. The dual wick liquid transfer system may also include a reservoir wick pad defined at the second end of the reservoir wick and a receiving wick pad defined at the first end of the receiving wick. The reservoir wick pads are selectively positioned in abutment with each other to better communicate a liquid between the first and second wick. 
         [0008]    In aspects of the invention, the said first wick and said second wick are formed from a microfiber material. 
         [0009]    In some aspects of the invention a container is provided, wherein the second end of the receiving wick is received within the container and the first end of the receiving wick is positioned external to the container. The container may selectively be placed on the reservoir to position the reservoir wick in abutment with the receiving wick. In some instances of the invention, the container may have an opening defined in a bottom surface of the container, and the first end of said receiving wick is disposed through said opening and into said container. In certain preferred embodiments, the container is a planter. 
         [0010]    In other aspects of the invention an aperture is defined in a top surface of the reservoir and the first end of the reservoir wick is received through the aperture. The top surface of said reservoir may comprise a lid and the reservoir further may include a fill port communicating a source of liquid for containment in the reservoir. 
         [0011]    An alternative embodiment of the liquid transfer system, may include a contained liquid source, a first wick having a first end disposed external to the contained liquid source and a second end in communication with the contained liquid source. A second wick, has a first end that may be selectively positioned in abutment with the first end of the first wick and a second end that is disposed within a container. A liquid contained within the contained liquid source is communicated from the first wick to the second wick when the first wick and second wick are in abutment with each other. The first wick and said second wick are most preferably formed with a microfiber material. 
         [0012]    In preferred aspects of the invention a growing medium is contained within container, the second wick communicates the liquid to said growing medium. The container may comprise an opening defined in a bottom surface of in container, and the second wick is received through the opening. 
         [0013]    In yet another aspect of the invention, the contained liquid source includes a cap with an aperture defined therein and the first wick is received through the aperture. The contained liquid source may further comprise a reservoir.
       These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.       
 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]      FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  is a front exploded view of an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  is another exploded perspective view of an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view taken on line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  is a front perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0020]    The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims. 
         [0021]    Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides a self-watering system for plants. The system provides for a direct wick to wick transfer of water from a water source, such as a reservoir, to a growing medium, such as soil, contained within a planter, flower pot, window box, or the like. 
         [0022]    The system of the present invention provides a self-watering system that can work with the majority of existing planters available today in retail stores and/or a planter that was designed specifically to work with the watering system. The watering system can work without the use of mechanical or electrical components. The water supply of the present invention may be separate from the planter and be able to supply water to a planter without any complicated requirements for attaching or detaching it to the planter. 
         [0023]    The ability to move, rotate, repot and in general work with the planter in the same manner as most non self-watering planters must be maintained. The water system contemplated by embodiments of the present invention is capable of supplying water to a planter over extended periods of time automatically and it must not transfer a larger amount of water than the amount the soil in the planter can absorb at any time. 
         [0024]    As seen in reference to  FIGS. 1-4 , an embodiment of a watering device  10  of the present invention provides water  30  to a container  12 , such as planter  12 , containing a soil in which to grow plants, such as the tomatoes shown in the drawing. Planter  12 , may include virtually any shape and size flower pot, a window box, or the like. The watering device  10  includes a reservoir  14 , for containing a source of liquid  30 , such as a volume of water contained therein. Preferably, the reservoir  14  will include a top surface, a lid, or a cap  15  to prevent the accumulation of dirt and debris in the reservoir  14 , to prevent the evaporation or escape of water  30  from the water source, as well as preventing the undesirable infiltration of insects into the water  30  contained within reservoir  14 , where they may find a breeding ground, such as mosquitoes. 
         [0025]    As will be appreciated, the reservoir  14  can be made from a number of different materials such as plastic, metal, ceramic, or wood, that are suitable for retaining liquids. The reservoir  14  can be made into different shapes such as square, rectangular, rounded, oval etc. The shape has to be capable of holding liquids. The lid  15  can be constructed of a similar material as the reservoir  14 . 
         [0026]    The lid  15  will have an aperture  23  for a wick to be inserted. This aperture  23  can be placed anywhere on the lid  15 , but it is preferred that it is centered on the lid  15 . Preferably, the lid  15  has a second opening  16 , or fill port, this opening is for adding liquids, and it is made near the outer edge of the lid  15  with the intention of it not being covered by a planter  12  when a planter  12  is placed on top of the lid  15 , so the planter  12  will not have to be removed to fill the reservoir  14 . This opening should have a cap  18  that can be opened and closed. The cap  18  can be made of a similar material as those used to make the reservoir  14  and lid  15 . 
         [0027]    The reservoir  14  may further include a spout, or fill port  16  for replenishing the water supply held by the reservoir  13 . More, preferably, the fill port  16  will include a cap  18 , to seal the reservoir and prevent spillage, should the user desire to move the reservoir  14 , and or the reservoir  14  and planter  12 . As will be appreciated, a funnel  32  may be utilized to fill and replenish the reservoir  14  with water  30 . 
         [0028]    As an additional aspect of the invention, the reservoir  14  may further include a fluid level gauge  20 , to provide the user at least a visual indication of the level of water contained or remaining in the reservoir  14  as the water  30  is depleted. The water level indicator  20  is not mandatory but it does simplify determining how much water  30  is available and how much to add. The indicator  30  could be a number of different configurations such as a gauge on the cap  15  or an internal float that turns on an LED light when the water level is low. 
         [0029]    Embodiments of the invention will also include a first wick element  22  having a first end suspended between a top of the reservoir  14  and a second end of the first wick element  22  disposed towards the bottom of the reservoir  14 . The first wick element  22 , may also be referred to herein as the reservoir wick  22 . Preferably, the reservoir wick  22  will extend through an opening  23  in the reservoir lid  15 . The opening  23 , may be a slotted arrangement, such as shown in reference to  FIG. 2 . The reservoir wick  22  is positioned such that it will be in abutment with a second wick  24 , also referred to herein as a planter wick  24  or a receiving wick  24 , that is preferably received through an aperture  26 , such as a drain hole  26 , defined in a bottom surface of the planter  12 . 
         [0030]    As seen in reference to  FIG. 2 , the reservoir wick  22  has a substantially flat profile, however, the shape of the reservoir wick  22  is not critical to the functioning of the watering device  10 . The reservoir wick  22  should be such that it provides a suitable surface area to the full depth of the water contained in the reservoir  14 . Similarly, while the planter wick  24  is depicted with a spike shape, the overall shape of the planter wick  24  should provide a suitable surface area to contact the soil contained within the planter  12 . As best seen in reference to  FIG. 2 , the reservoir wick  22  should also present a reservoir wick contact surface  25  for abutment with a corresponding wick planter wick contact surface  27 . 
         [0031]    According to a preferred aspect of the invention, the reservoir wick  22  and the planter wick  24  are comprised of a microfiber material. Use of the microfiber material provides a preferred wicking medium that permits self-priming of the reservoir wick  22  and planter wick  24 . That is, water absorbed by the reservoir wick  22  is readily transferred, via wicking action to the planter wick  24 . 
         [0032]    The dual wick  22 ,  24  of the watering device  10  makes it useable in nearly every way non self-watering planters have been used throughout history with the benefit of a water supply that can last for extended periods of time without out need for attention. Unlike other systems or devices that use wicks for watering plants in planters, the wicks  22 ,  24  of the present invention are self-priming and easily separate from one another, which eliminates any encumbrance to separating the planter  12  from the reservoir  14 . Moreover, there are no priming or re priming requirements should the wick dry out. 
         [0033]    As stated, the wicks  22 ,  24  are made from a split fiber microfiber cloth. This cloth is made by numerous manufacturers. The material is cut to the lengths needed and shaped to insert one into the planter  12  and one into the reservoir  14  and to form a pad  25 ,  27  on the exteriors of the planter  12  and reservoir  14 . The planter  12  can be manufactured specifically to fit the reservoir  14  or it can be almost any planter  12  available that will fit on top of the reservoir  14 . An opening  26  in the bottom of the planter  12  is provided for the wick  24  to be inserted, this opening  26  can be a preexisting drain hole or it can be drilled into the planter  14 . 
         [0034]    The wick pad  25  on the reservoir and the wick pad  27  on the planter  14  must make contact for the liquids  30  to transfer, so the opening  23  in the reservoir lid  15  and the opening  26  in the planter  12  that is intended for the wicks to be inserted should be located so as to insure the two wicks  22 ,  24  make contact when the planter  14  is placed on the reservoir lid  15 . 
         [0035]    The dual microfiber wicks  22 ,  24  are the most important and a necessary element. The microfiber material is what makes it possible for the capillary action to take place without pre-wetting and ensures the water  30  will transfer out of the reservoir  14  and into the planter  12  when the wicks  22 ,  24  are placed in contact with each other. Having a wick to wick system is the key to separating the planter  12  from the reservoir  14  without any encumbrances. 
         [0036]    The wicking material could be wrapped around and attached to a semi-rigid piece of plastic or other material to help with inserting the wicks  22 ,  24  into the planter  12  and reservoir  14 ; this could also serve as an aid to locking them in place. 
         [0037]    As seen in reference to  FIG. 5 , a reservoir  36  may optionally be provided with a plurality of reservoir wicks  22  for mating abutment with one or more planter wicks  24 . The planter wicks  24  may be disposed in each of a plurality of planters  34 . Alternatively, a large planter, with a plurality of planter wicks  24  positioned in abutment with reservoir wicks  22  is also contemplated by the present invention. 
         [0038]    Having thus described an embodiment of the watering device  10 , a description of the use of the watering device  10  is presented. The planter  12  is placed on top of the reservoir  14  and reservoir lid  15 . In so placing the planter  12 , the planter wick  24  is placed in contact with the reservoir wick  22  inserted into the reservoir  14 . There are no other attachment requirements. By this arrangement, the user may simple pick up the planter  12  to detach it from the reservoir. The user may then reposition the planter  12  to a suitable location to care for the plant, such as transplanting to a larger pot, or any number of other tasks necessary to care for a particular plant species. 
         [0039]    In use, the water  30  will transfer on contact with the reservoir wick  22 , and by capillary action will convey the water  30  from the self-priming reservoir wick  22  to the self-priming planter wick  24  and, thereby into the soil or growing medium contained within the planter  12 . The use of two separate self-priming microfiber wicks eliminates the issues with conventional wicks, such as, priming the wicks and the inability to separate the planter  12  from the reservoir  14  without removing the wick from one or both. 
         [0040]    Once an area is selected for the placement of the watering device  10 , the user would place the reservoir in the selected area. Where applicable, the lid  15  for the reservoir  14  is installed on top of the reservoir  14 . The reservoir wick  22  would then be inserted into the opening  23  for the reservoir wick  22 . The planter wick  24  would then be inserted into the selected planter  12 . The planter  12  can be filled with soil  28 , or growing medium, and seeds or plants at this time, or prior to inserting the planter wick  24 . The planter  12  would then be placed on top of the reservoir lid  15  while making sure the wick pad  25  on the planter  12  and the wick pad  27  on the reservoir  14  are in contact with one another. The user would fill the reservoir  14  with water  30  until it is substantially full. Upon contact with the water  30  or liquid nutrients, the reservoir wick  22  will begin absorbing the water  30  and through capillary action transfer the water  30  or nutrients from the reservoir wick to the to the planter wick  24 , which is inserted into the planter  12 . The wicks  22 ,  24  will transfer a constant supply of water  30  and or nutrients into the soil  28  or growing medium but only the amount of liquid the soil  28  or growing medium  28  can absorb. This prevents over and under watering of the plants, both of which can be detrimental to the plant(s) growing in the planter  12 . This method provides the planter  12  with a consistent supply of water  30  for extended periods of time. 
         [0041]    Depending on a few factors such as the water requirements of the plants in the planter  12 , the amount of moisture lost due to evaporation and the capacity of the reservoir  12 , the reservoir  12  could potentially last for months before it needs to be refilled. The water level indicator  20  is used to monitor the water level in the reservoir. By never having to pour water  30  directly into the planter  12 , there will not be any of the problems associated with doing so, such as; washing out the soil  28  or growing medium  28  from the top or bottom, washing out the nutrients, overfilling or under watering. 
         [0042]    There are no restrictions on moving or repositioning the planter  12 . It can be turned around, taken away from the reservoir for trimming or transplanting, and then returned to the reservoir  14  without having to disconnect or reconnect any connections. Thu user simply makes sure the wick pads  25 ,  27  make contact when the planter  14  is replaced on the reservoir  12 . If the user is transplanting plants, the user may use a new wick  24  or remove the planter wick  24  from the previous planter  12  and insert it into the new planter before placing the new planter  12  on the reservoir  14 . 
         [0043]    Additionally, the potential for use on a large scale nursery or farm to reduce water waste usage is huge. The water reservoir  14  could be replenished with a piping system that could be filled at one access point. All the plants could be watered at once, from the roots, eliminating water lost by conventional top down means of watering. 
         [0044]    The dual wick configuration of the present invention may be are used in many different applications and different industries, in most cases it is a single wick that must be wetted prior to use. The dual element self-priming wick of the present invention eliminates the wetting step of conventional wicks and by separating the wick into two wicks changes how wicks will be used in the future. A conventional single wick integrates or unnecessarily ties the reservoir and the object to which the liquid in the reservoir is intended to be transferred. According to the present invention, a set of separable wick elements will eliminate the need for such integration and permits selective separation of the reservoir from the object to which the liquid is conveyed via the wicks, allowing for ease of use and access. 
         [0045]    It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.