Patent Publication Number: US-2019174688-A1

Title: Watering device

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present disclosure generally relates to a watering device. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     It is common to see above-ground watering devices, such as watering globes, in gardens and in household potted plants. These devices are typically filled with water, and then turned over so that water can flow into the soil. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Watering devices are disclosed. In one embodiment, a watering device may include a fitting for a vessel comprising a channel and a filament configured to be received in the channel. The fitting may be received in the vessel comprising a fluid. The fluid may flow from an interior of the vessel to an exterior of the vessel through the channel. The filament may be sized to regulate the flow of the fluid through the channel. 
     In one embodiment, the fitting may comprise cork, plastic, bamboo, fiberglass, etc. In one embodiment, the vessel may comprise an opening, and the fitting may be received in the opening. 
     In one embodiment, the vessel may be in communication with a water source. 
     In one embodiment, the vessel may be received by a dock. 
     According to another embodiment, a method of providing a fluid to an area may include (1) providing a vessel comprising an opening with a fluid; (2) inserting a fitting into the opening, the fitting comprising a channel having a filament inserted therein; and (3) orienting the vessel such that the fluid flows through the channel to an area. The filament may be configured to regulate the flow of the fluid through the channel. 
     In one embodiment, the fitting may comprise cork, plastic, bamboo, fiberglass, etc. In one embodiment, the vessel may comprise an opening, and the fitting may be received in the opening. 
     In one embodiment, the vessel may be in communication with a water source. 
     In one embodiment, the vessel may be received by a dock. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For a more complete understanding of the present invention, the objects and advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  depicts a watering device according to one embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  depicts a watering device according to another embodiment; 
         FIG. 3  depicts a watering system according to another embodiment; and 
         FIG. 4  depicts a watering system according to another embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Embodiments disclosed herein relate to watering devices. Embodiments may assist with the watering or irrigation of plants, or to deliver a liquid from a vessel, or container, to a desired place or area. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a watering system is disclosed according to one embodiment. System  100  may include, for example, vessel  110 , fitting  120 , channel  130 , filament  140 , and dock  150 . Vessel  110  may be any suitable vessel for holding or providing a liquid, such as water, and may be made of any suitable material. For example, vessel  110  may be made of glass, water, metal, cardboard, wood, etc. 
     Although a bottle-type vessel  110  is depicted in  FIG. 1 , it should be recognized that vessel  110  may include buckets, hoses, tubes, irrigation systems, bowls, funnels, cisterns, boxes, vases, or any other suitable containment device. 
     Fitting  120  may be inserted into opening  160  of vessel  110 . In one embodiment, fitting  120  may be made of any suitable material such as rubber, cork, plastic, etc. 
     Fitting  120  may be provided with channel  130  that may permit fluid and gas communication. In one embodiment, channel  130  may be an opening formed in fitting  120 ; in another embodiment, channel  130  may be provided as a tube, straw, etc. in fitting  120 . Other arrangements may be provided as is necessary and/or desired. Channel  130  may exist entirely within fitting  120 , or may extend outside of both ends of fitting  120 . 
     Although one channel  130  is depicted in  FIG. 1 , it should be noted that a greater number of channels  130  may be provided as is necessary and/or desired. 
     In one embodiment, fitting  120  may be configured to attach to two vessels  110 . For example, one end of fitting  120  may be inserted into a first vessel  110 , and a second end may be inserted into a second vessel  110 . Channel  120  may connect both vessels  110  and may include an output along the fitting. 
     In one embodiment, fitting  120  may connect two vessels  110  such that fluid from one vessel  110  may be transferred to the other vessel  110  due to gravity. The size of channel  130  and/or filament  130 , or the amount of a liquid, may be selected to indicate the passage of a predetermined amount of time. This may be used, for example, for a water-based hourglass. 
     Filament  140  may be provided within channel  130 . Filament  140  in conjunction with channel  130  may regulate a flow of liquid from the interior of vessel  110  through fitting  120 . 
     Filament  140  may be made of any suitable material, including for example bamboo, paper, plastic, metal, fiberglass, etc. In one embodiment, a length of filament  140  may be matched to the length of channel  130 . 
     In one embodiment, fitting  120  may be inserted into an end of vessel  110  that may be filled with a liquid (not shown) such as water. 
     In one embodiment, vessel  110  may include linear or nonlinear incisions or grooves (not shown) in the surface that contacts fitting  120  to permit liquid to flow between vessel  110  and fitting  120 . The incisions may be provided at various intervals along the interior of cylinder  110 . Alternatively, fitting  120  may include incisions or grooves (not shown) on its exterior surface to provide similar functionality. 
     Dock  150  may be provided and may be inserted into soil to be watered. Dock  150  may be hollow and may be sized to receive the end of vessel  110  that includes fitting  120  and may be sized so that vessel  110  is oriented to release water through channel  130 . Dock  150  may be made of any suitable material, including plastic, PVC, wood, glass, metal, etc. 
     In one embodiment, dock  150  may keep vessel  110  from contacting the soil. 
     In one embodiment, the use of dock  150  may be optional; vessel  110  may be directly inserted into soil without using dock  150 . 
     In one embodiment, vessel  110  may have an end that is cut at an angle (not shown) for easy insertion into the soil. Dock  150  may be similarly angled at one end. Fitting  120  may be similarly angled, tapered, etc., as is necessary and/or desired. 
     Embodiments disclosed herein may be used indoors, outdoors, in gardens, in greenhouses, in potted plants, for hydroponic growing systems, or for any substrate. Further, device  100  may be used with additional items or materials, such as compression rings or sealants, as is necessary and/or desired. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , in one embodiment, vessel  210  may be provided with a plurality of openings  260 , and each opening  260  may be provided with fitting  210 . In one embodiment, vessel  210  may be provided with a plurality of chambers  212 ,  214  that may store different fluids for delivery. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , a system for watering is depicted according to another embodiment. System  300  may include a plurality of docks  150  that may be in communication with irrigation channel  310 , which may be made of any suitable material. In one embodiment, irrigation channel  310  may have hole or openings (not shown) to allow liquid to pass through irrigation channel  310  and flow into the soil. Irrigation channel may be made of any suitable material, including plastic, PVC, metal, etc. 
     Each dock  150  may receive a vessel  110  with fitting  120 , channel  130 , and filament  140 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , in one embodiment, system  400  may be provided with conduit  470  that may deliver a fluid from water source  475  (e.g., a rain barrel, irrigation system, lake, stream, pond, etc.) and may deliver the liquid to the soil. Conduit  470  may be placed above soil, or buried in soil. Conduit  470  may have a plurality of openings, each of which may receive fitting  120  as describe above. 
     It should be noted that any of the elements described above may have any suitable size, shape, or dimension that is necessary and/or desired. 
     It should be recognized that although several embodiments have been disclosed, these embodiments are not exclusive and aspects of one embodiment may be applicable to other embodiments. 
     It will be readily understood by those persons skilled in the art that the present invention is susceptible to broad utility and application. Many embodiments and adaptations of the present invention other than those herein described, as well as many variations, modifications and equivalent arrangements, will be apparent from or reasonably suggested by the present invention and foregoing description thereof, without departing from the substance or scope of the invention. 
     Accordingly, while the present invention has been described here in detail in relation to its exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that this disclosure is only illustrative and exemplary of the present invention and is made to provide an enabling disclosure of the invention. Accordingly, the foregoing disclosure is not intended to be construed or to limit the present invention or otherwise to exclude any other such embodiments, adaptations, variations, modifications or equivalent arrangements.