Patent CA-2040119-A1 (CA)
Title: Plant alert
Inventor: PIZZICAROLA MARIO
IPC: G01G3/06
Filed: 1991-04-09
Abstract: A device for determining the amount of water in a hanging plant at any given time and for determining when such a hanging plant next requires watering. This indicator measures the evaporation of water from the pot of a hanging plant, and indicates the current water content of the pot and the point at which the plant next requires water. This indicator or gauge is housed in a tube that is hung from a ceiling or beam, either indoors or outside, to which is attached the hanging plant in a pot of appropriate size. There are three (3) moveable rings of different colours on this tube. Each ring has a particular function: Green to indicate when the pot is fully watered, Red to indicate when the pot is dry or next needs water, and White to indicate the current level of moisture in the pot. As the water evaporates from the pot, the White ring will move from the position of the Green indicator ring towards the position of the Red indicator ring, showing visually the extent of water loss. When first attaching a hanging plant to this device, it should be done when either the plant is dry and needs water, or when it is fully watered. If attached when dry, the Red ring (Dry Indicator) should be set at the position of the White ring. Then, as the plant is given water, the White ring automatically slides down the tube towards the bottom end of the gauge, away from the Red ring. When fully watered, the White ring will stop at the level on the tube where the Green ring (Full Indicator) will be set to meet it. Thereafter, the Red and Green rings will be set and do not move unless the pot is changed or the weight or contents of the pot is changed. As the water evaporates from the pot, The White ring will rise automatically away from the position of the Green ring towards the position of the Red ring. When the White ring reaches the position of the Red ring, it indicates to the user that the hanging plant now needs watering again. As water is again added to the pot, the White ring will slide down the tube towards the Green ring setting and the operation continues in this fashion. The White ring is attached to a spring that is housed within the tube and the hanging plant is attached to the same spring by means of a hook or ring. Thereby, as the plant gains or loses water, the spring will move up or down due to the change in total weight of the pot thereby moving the White ring accordingly to indicate the status of the watering needs of the plant. My surveys have shown that since hanging plants are suspended from ceilings or beams and are often out of reach from persons of average height, they tend to be watered erratically and often are either under-watered or over-watered resulting in stress to the plant and consequent ill-health.     ABSTRACT            This device will indicate to the plant owner visually and at a glance, the current status of the plant with regards to its water needs without requiring the owner to reach up or to mount a ladder in order to determine if the plant requires watering.  This is particularly useful in commercial establishments which have many hanging plants, such as office buildings, restaurants and greenhouses and will also be useful to individuals in their homes since different plants have varying water requirements depending on species, size and amount of foliage.