Abstract:
A water-level indicator and re-fill apparatus for the sub-irrigation of potted plants. The indicator uses a float and shaft placed inside an outer tube attached to a potted plant as a way to visually indicate to the user when the reservoir of the sub-irrigation system is running low. While attached to the plant, the user may conveniently re-fill the apparatus after being notified of the water level without disassembling the apparatus or removing it from a decorative planter.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED INVENTIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of provisional application No. 61/881,050, filed Sep. 23, 2013, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    This invention relates to potted plants. More particularly, this invention relates to the irrigation of potted plants. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Background Art 
         [0005]    Many people have plants around the house that need constant watering. Most owners water their plants on a schedule or when the plant seems dried out. However, that may be too late in the case of sensitive plants or busy owners. The conventional method of “watering when you remember” is not an efficient method to keep a houseplant alive. Conversely, many plant owners over water their plants by flooding them with too much water, leading to rotted roots. Also, from a safety point of view, water and electricity are generally not a good mix and having a re-fill indicator dependent on a power source could lead to safety issues. A new apparatus is needed to help owners with irrigating their plants and at the same time indicating to owners when more water is needed for irrigation without the need for a power source. 
         [0006]    Different methods have been found to essentially self-irrigate potted plants using water reservoirs so that daily watering is unnecessary. However, previous methods have not been able to alert the plant owner when the reservoir has run dry and needs re-filling without resorting to an external power source. The present invention seeks to fill that need. 
         [0007]    Presently, plant enthusiasts use a capillary “wicking” material to draw water from a reservoir and into a plant&#39;s root system. The user fills the reservoir with water to feed the plant which draws up the water through the wicks using capillary motion. This system, once attached to the potted plant, does not allow for the user to actively ascertain the amount of water left in the reservoir and is currently viewed as inadequate. Some existing publications relating to sub-irrigation systems featuring a reservoir will now be discussed. 
         [0008]    For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,237,283 to Nalbandian discloses a linked sub-irrigation reservoir system. The system contains a reservoir with a plurality of holes for drainage, air exchange, and absorption. However, the system is generally found underneath the desired plant and requires the use of a dipstick to determine the remaining liquid in the reservoir. 
         [0009]    U.S. Pat. No. 8,408,229 to Goldberg et al. discloses a device for automatically watering plants with a cavity for receiving plants operated by a microcontroller. Goldberg generally requires a power source for the microcontroller to determine the remaining liquid in the reservoir, among other features. 
         [0010]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,956,899 to DiOrio discloses a self-watering plant device with a sensor based on the plant&#39;s water need. The sensor is placed in various depths depending on the type of plant to prevent excessive watering. The sensor determines when water enters the plants root system. The device requires a power source to power the sensor and does not take into account the depth of remaining water in the reservoir. 
         [0011]    Another design is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,491,929 to Peacock et al. regarding a storage container for a houseplant. The container is fully enclosed and contains a wick so that the plant may continue to be watered during transport or storage. The user of the device has no way of knowing how much water remains in the reservoir without dismantling the device. Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 4,962,613 to Nalbandian et al. relates to a plant growing system with a reservoir and a plurality of holes to allow for oxygen transfer as well as a tube for water/oxygen flow. Again, this device has no way of determining the amount of water remaining in the reservoir without dismantling the entire system. 
         [0012]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,996,792 to Holtkamp, Sr. describes a plant watering container with a wick and reservoir. The container calls for a pot containing a plant to be lowered into it and is meant for small potted plants. The container in Holtkamp does not allow for the aesthetic features of the potted plant to remain completely visible when the potted plant is placed into the device. 
         [0013]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,219,967 to Hickerson describes a flower pot watering apparatus. The apparatus contains a liquid reservoir system and an opening for adding water to the system which is always open to the air. Again, the system has no way to determine the amount of water remaining in the system. 
         [0014]    U.S. Pat. No. 3,534,498 to Herrli describes an installation for plants. The system is basically a 2-pot system with a wick to deliver water to the plant. The system has a plurality of openings along the top to allow for the passage of oxygen into the system. There is no disclosed way to determine the water level remaining inside the device at any given time. 
         [0015]    A different type of system is found in U.S. Pat. No. 5,799,437 to Evans et al. The system described therein is for cut plants like Christmas trees and the primary object of the system is to fill cut plant stands and to provide a way to alert the user that the stand has reached the desired filled level. Evans does not provide a way to alert the user that the stand has reached the undesired “empty” level but rather alerts the user only when the amount of liquid in the system has reached a pre-determined “full” level. 
         [0016]    These predecessor systems have yet to provide a simple mechanical method to determine when an auto-irrigation system has run low on water in the reservoir without resorting to electronics. 
         [0017]    Therefore, it is an object of this invention to provide an improvement which overcomes the aforementioned inadequacies of the prior art devices and provides an improvement which is a significant contribution to the advancement of plant irrigation art. 
         [0018]    Another object of this invention is to provide an aesthetically pleasing self-irrigating watering system. 
         [0019]    A further object of this invention is to help enhance the longevity of potted plants so that they may remain personally and commercially viable. 
         [0020]    Yet another object of this invention is to provide an watering system that will support a longer watering interval for potted plants. 
         [0021]    Another object of this invention is to provide a water level indicator and refill apparatus comprising an outer tube having an upper end and a lower end with said upper end having an opening and said lower end having a lower cap with a plurality of drainage slots, a water-level indicator cap having a closed end and an open end, having a dome on said closed end, which is mechanically attached to said outer tube, a shaft having a first end and a second end extending longitudinally through said outer tube, a float attached to said shaft by a receiving slot and a clamping, clasping, or grasping system mechanically attached to said outer tube for securing said outer tube to said potted plant. 
         [0022]    The foregoing has outlined some of the pertinent objects of the invention. These objects should be construed to be merely illustrative of some of the more prominent features and applications of the intended invention. Many other beneficial results can be attained by applying the disclosed invention in a different manner or modifying the invention within the scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, other objects and a fuller understanding of the invention may be had by referring to the summary of the invention and the detailed description of the preferred embodiment in addition to the scope of the invention defined by the claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0023]    For the purpose of summarizing this invention, this invention comprises a sub-irrigation watering system for potted plants with a mechanical visual indicator to alert the user to a low water level in the reservoir and ability to refill without having to dismantle the watering system. There is a great need for a sub-irrigation system which easily, reliably, and simply indicates to the user that the reservoir of water providing sustenance to the potted plant has run low without having to dismantle the watering system or remove the plant from the container. 
         [0024]    In accordance with one preferred embodiment, there is provided a sub-irrigation watering system for watering a plant at regular intervals, said sub-irrigation watering system comprising: an outer tube having a lid, a clamping means to attach the outer tube to the plant&#39;s pot, a plurality of drainage slots on the lower end to allow water into the base, and a shaft having a first end and second end attached to a moveable float to indicate water level with the shaft itself having a height slightly longer than the outer tube, extending slightly past the top of the outer tube to provide visibility. The benefit of this aspect is that the owner of the plant will have a simple and reliable way to determine if the reservoir needs to be refilled. 
         [0025]    In accordance with another embodiment, there is provided a water-level indicator for easily indicating a low water level, said water-level indicator comprising: a shaft which is a length of material whose length is slightly longer than the outer tube, preferably plastic or another lightweight material; a float made out of a non-absorbent material which floats in water; a molded tab with an aperture to guide the shaft into the water-level indicator cap; and a plastic cap having an open and closed end to indicate the desired amount of water in the system, preferably transparent or translucent. The water-level indicator cap would preferably have some sort of indicia on it to indicate to the user different levels of liquid inside the reservoir. 
         [0026]    The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the more pertinent and important features of the present invention in order that the detailed description of the invention that follows may be better understood so that the present contribution to the art can be more fully appreciated. Additional features of the invention will be described hereinafter which form the subject of the claims of the invention. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and the specific embodiment disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0027]    For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0028]      FIG. 1  is an partial cross-sectional view of the sub-irrigation watering system attached to a potted plant. 
           [0029]      FIG. 2  is a diametrical cross-sectional view of the sub-irrigation watering system attached to a potted plant. 
           [0030]      FIG. 3  is a partial cross-sectional view of the side of the sub-irrigation watering system attached to a potted plant. 
           [0031]      FIG. 4A  is a bottom perspective view of the sub-irrigation watering system attached to a potted plant. 
           [0032]      FIG. 4B  is a top perspective view of the sub-irrigation watering system attached to a potted plant. 
           [0033]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the top of outer tube of the sub-irrigation watering system showing the lid in the open position. 
           [0034]      FIG. 6  is an exploded view of the outer tube portion of the sub-irrigation watering system. 
           [0035]      FIG. 7  is a partial side perspective view of the sub-irrigation watering system to a potted plant with a transparent outer tube and water-level indicator to make the shaft visible. 
       
    
    
       [0036]    Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0037]      FIG. 1  shows a partial cross-sectional view wherein the inside of the outer shell  12  is shown to better view the front of the refill apparatus  10  with an outer tube  14 . When the refill apparatus  10  is attached to a potted plant  30 , the combination sits in the outer shell  12  on top of a riser  70 . A plurality of wicks  72  are inserted into the potted plant  30  before the potted plant  30  is placed inside the outer shell  12 . When the refill apparatus  10  and the potted plant  30  are in the outer shell  12 , the wicks  72  will receive water from the refill apparatus  10  and then feed the potted plant  30  via capillary action. Preferably, the outer shell  12  is made of vinyl or other impermeable fabric to prevent leaks. 
         [0038]    Preferably the outer tube  14  is a semicircular frustroconical canal and tapered from top to bottom such that an upper end  26  is at least twice as large as lower end  22 . Inside outer tube  14  is a shaft  20  which attaches to a float  24 . The shaft  20  is similar to a straw in that it is circular and cylindrical. The shaft  20  has a length that is slightly longer than the overall length of the outer tube  14 . The shaft  20  is kept in position using a standoff  76 . The shaft  20  is preferably slightly taller than outer tube  14 . The outer tube  14  is attached to potted plant  30  and lowered into outer shell  12 . The length of outer tube  14  is preferably slightly longer than the potted plant&#39;s  30  height. 
         [0039]    It should be noted that the shaft  20  inside the water-level indicator cap  28  varies in position depending on liquid level. The water-level indicator cap  28  is circular and cylindrical having a dome. The water-level indicator cap  28  preferably has indicia  62  to indicate to the user the amount of liquid in the refill apparatus  10 . The water-level indicator cap  28  should be translucent and is preferably transparent. The float  24  is preferably placed on the shaft  20  at the lower end  22  of outer tube  14  such that, when the desired amount of water is present in the reservoir, float  24  will raise the shaft  20  into such a position that the user will see the shaft  20  reach the desired level in the water-level indicator cap  28 . The water-level indicator cap  28  will have indicia  62  to indicate to the user that they have reached the desired amount of liquid in the system. Preferably, the maximum amount of water in the system is the same height as the riser  70  in order to prevent overwatering of the potted plant  30 . Overwatering is prevented by having the shaft  20  inside the water-level indicator cap  28  indicate to the user that the refill apparatus  10  is at its maximum desired level. 
         [0040]      FIG. 2  shows a cross-sectional view of the side of the refill apparatus  10 . The outer tube  14  is attached to the potted plant  30  by a clamping system  32  secured to the upper end  26  of the outer tube  14 . The clamping system  32 , in this view, is comprised of upper arm  56  and outer arm  52 , which are preferably made of spring steel, which provide the tensile support for the refill apparatus  10  to attach to potted plant  30 . Alternatively, the outer tube  14  may be attached to the potted plant  30  by a bracket or other means. 
         [0041]      FIG. 3  is a partial cross-sectional view of the side of the refill apparatus  10  showing the inside of the outer shell  12  in order to get a better view of the refill apparatus  10 . This view better shows the drainage slots  34  which allow liquid to flow out of outer tube  14  and into outer shell  12  to form a reservoir. The drainage slots  34  are preferably rectilinear in shape travelling lengthwise along the outer tube  14  for a length slightly taller than the preferred height of the reservoir which is generally the height of the riser  70  but may be higher. There should be a plurality of drainage slots  34  so that the liquid within the refill apparatus  10  does not flood out of the system and shock the potted plant  30  or rot the potted plant&#39;s  30  roots. 
         [0042]    This figure also features an alternative embodiment of the invention which does not have the water-level indicator cap  28  and instead uses the shaft  20  with indicia on it open to the air to indicate to the user when to refill the refill apparatus  10 . Indicia on the shaft  20  serve substantially the same purpose as indicia on the water-level indicator cap. Additionally for the alternative embodiment, the lid  16  will have an opening  18  which will allow the user to pour directly into the outer tube  14  instead of opening the lid  16 . 
         [0043]      FIGS. 4A &amp; 4B  represent perspective views of the bottom and top views respectively of the refill apparatus  10  attached to the potted plant  30 . Lower end  22  is preferably the same curvature as potted plant  30 , as shown in  FIG. 4A . Similarly, upper end  26  is preferably the same curvature as potted plant  30 , as shown in  FIG. 4B . A comparison of  FIG. 4A  with  FIG. 4B  shows the tapering of outer tube  14  and that the relative size of upper end  26  is preferably twice as wide as lower end  22 . When liquid level is at a minimum, float  24  rests at the lower end  22  of the outer tube  14 . 
         [0044]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the top of outer tube  14  of the refill apparatus  10  showing the lid  16  in the “open” position and the water-level indicator cap  28  in position. Outer tube  14  has a lid  16  to allow for the pouring of water into the outer tube  14  when in the “open” position. Preferably, the lid  16  is connected by a hinge system. The lid  16  has upper leaves  58  molded into its shape and is lowered into the lower leaves  48 , which are molded into the shape of outer tube  14 , and connect by the hinge pin  36 , creating a hinge system. Preferably, the lower leaves  48  comprise a U-shape. 
         [0045]    The lid  16  has a molded upper lip  66  which, when in the closed position, rests on top of lower lip  64 , which is molded into outer tube  14 . While the lid  16  is in the open position, the user is able to pour water into the outer tube  14 . There is a lid opening  42  in the lid  16  so that the water-level indicator cap  28  does not interfere with the opening and closing of the lid  16 . As water is poured into the outer tube  14 , the shaft  20  will rise in the water-level indicator cap  28  until it reaches the desired level as noted by indicia  62 . Similarly, as water is used by the potted plant  30 , the water level in the sub-irrigation watering system drops, dropping the height of the shaft  20  below the desired level. This allows the user to effectively see in real time what level of water is in the refill apparatus  10  at any time. 
         [0046]      FIG. 6  shows an exploded view of the refill apparatus  10 . This portion of the refill apparatus  10  comprises a lid  16  which is connected to the upper end  26  of outer tube  14  via a hinge pin  36 . The connection is made by attaching the lid  16  to the lower leaves  48  of outer tube  14  creating a hinge. The hinge pin  36  also attaches the clamping system  32 . The clamping system  32  is preferably made of spring steel and comprises a middle arm  50 , an outer arm  52 , inner arm  54 , and upper arm  56 . The middle arm  50  and the inner arm  54  fits into a slot  60  molded into the lower leaves  48 . Once inside the slot  60 , the clamping system  32  is kept in place by the hinge pin  36 . 
         [0047]    The shaft  20  can be seen extending for the entire length of the outer tube  14  and fitting into a receiving slot  38  properly positioned in float  24 . A plurality of drainage slots  34  can be seen on lower end  22  of outer tube  14  which provides an exit for any liquid poured into outer tube  14 . The drainage slots  34  are molded into a lower cap  68 . The outer tube  14  preferably fits into the lower cap  68  like a sleeve. An alternative embodiment can also be seen here with outer tube  14  having tube indicia  74  of its own as a way for the user to size the outer tube  14  such that the outer tube  14  matches the size of the potted plant  30 . 
         [0048]    The water-level indicator cap  28  is attached to the outer tube  14  by a molded tab  44  with an aperture  46  which clips onto the lower lip  64  near the lower leaves  48  of the outer tube  14 . A molded tab  44  extends into the center of outer tube  14  such that the shaft  20  enters the aperture  46  of the molded tab  44 . The molded tab  44  clips centrally onto outer tube  14  at the upper end  26  between the lower leaves  48  of the hinge system. The attachment between the water-level indicator cap  28  and outer tube  14  is mechanical and can be made in any number of known ways. Preferably, the water-level indicator cap  28  is attached in a snap-button fashion but may also be attached by screwing, bracketing, bolting, or fastening the water-level indicator cap  28  onto the aperture  46  of the molded tab  44 . When the lid  16  is shut during operation, the water-level indicator cap  28  will preferably protrude from the upper end  26  of the outer tube  14  through the lid opening  42 . 
         [0049]    Preferably, the attachment point for the shaft  20  and the float  24  is a receiving slot  38  having substantially the same shape as the shaft  20  such that the shaft  20  snaps into place and remains physically attached to the float  24 . The float  24  is substantially the same shape as outer tube  14 . The float  24  provides buoyancy for the shaft  20  when connected and allows the shaft  20  to indicate to the user that the system needs refilling. 
         [0050]      FIG. 7  is a partial side perspective view of the refill apparatus  10 , not including the lower half. The preferred embodiment of the clamping system attaches the refill apparatus  10  to the potted plant  30  by placing the outer arm  52  on the inner wall of the pot of the potted plant  30  using the natural tension created by the extension of the outer arm  52  comprising a metal like spring steel. An alternative embodiment of the refill apparatus  10  uses a spring  40  to provide the tension needed for the clamping system  32  to keep the outer tube  14  attached to the potted plant  30  if another material like plastic is used for the clamping system  32 . Another alternative embodiment may use a bracket to hook onto the outer portion of the potted plant  30 . 
         [0051]    The present disclosure includes that contained in the appended claims, as well as that of the foregoing description. Although this invention has been described in its preferred form with a certain degree of particularity, it is understood that the present disclosure of the preferred form has been made only by way of example and that numerous changes in the details of construction and the combination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 
         [0052]    Now that the invention has been described,