Patent Publication Number: US-3876146-A

Title: Automatic plant waterer and fertilizing system

Description:
United States Patent 1191 Pacheco l l AUTOMATIC PLANT WATERER AND FERTILIZING SYSTEM 1761 lnventnr: Manuel Pacheco, 8528 Pershing Rd.  
 Raytown. Mo. 64138 [22] Filed: Dec. 6. I973 21 App]. No.1 422,556  
 [52] US. Cl. 239/145; 222/64; 222/187;  
  239/450; 239/542; 251/1494; 251/149] [5 l] lnl. Cl. Alllg 27/00 [58! Field ol Search 239/44. 51. 67, 68. 145,  
 [ Apr. s, 1975 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 2.082.029 6/1930 Australia 239/200 Primary Examiner-M. Henson Wood. Jr. Assn-(an! E.raminerAndres Kashnikow Almmey. Agent, or FirmMarder| S. Gordon [57] ABSTRACT An automatic plant waterer and fertilizing system including a reservoir connected by a plurality of supply lines to a series of feeder lines. each feeder line associated with one of the plants. each feeder line being filled with a capillary feed material and having one end in contact with the water level in the supply line with the opposite end in contact with the adjacent soil about the plant for feeding the water directly thereto. each supply line being detachably attached to a main line by a coupling which automatically shuts off the flow to the supply line from the main line upon the coupling being detached therefrom such that a constant source of water is available In sunk into the suil about the roots of the plant with the capillary action of the water enabling the plants to absorb as much as needed on a continuous level without the soil ever being flooded.  
 6 Claims. 10 Drawing Figures AUTOMATIC PLANT WATERER AND FERTILIZING SYSTEM BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION I. Field of the Invention r This invention relates generally to automatic watering and fertilizing devices and more particularly to a novel and improved automatic plant \vaterer and fertil izing system employing supply lines with interconnected capillary feeder lines to provide a constant source of moisture to the roots ofa plant as the moisture is required by the plant&#39;s roots without ever flooding the surrounding soil.  
 2. Description of the Prior Art Automatic fertilizing and watering systems are well known in the art. all of such devices normally employing sprinkling systems set up above the ground and up erated. either manually or by automatic dev ices. to provide a predetermined volume of water over a predetermined area of the soil to be watered. with fertilizing being accomplished by the adding of water soluble fertilizer to the water being supplied to the sprinklers for even distribution over the sprinkled area.  
  However. such prior art devices suffer from many difficulties. among which are the overflooding of the soil about the plants since the soil can only absorb moisture at a predetermined rate; the providing of moisture to the plants only at preselected times such that the soil is not always moist such that the roots ofthe plant may lack water at certain times during the day between sprinkling intervals; they require constant maintenance and surveillance to assure the proper operation of the sprinklers and pressurized water system to assure that the pressure is at the required level to cover the preselected area to be sprinkled; and the like.  
 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention remedies and overcomes the foregoing deficiencies and disadvantages of presently availa hle sprinkling and fertilizing systems by providing a novel watering and fertilizing system using capillary feed lines associated with each individual plant or each tightly grouped set of plants to enable the plants to absorb us much moisture as needed on a continuous level without flooding the soil about the plants. and without ever depriving the plants of the necessary moisture at any time during the day.  
  It is a feature of the present invention to provide an improved automatic plant watering and fertilizing system in which moisture is supplied to vegetation growing soil by capillary action through a capillary water feeding medium. such as a feeder line having a fibrous material like cotton rope disposed therein. or a porous material like polyurethane foam therein.  
  A further feature ofthe present invention provides an automatic plant waterer and fertilizing system which requires very little servicing and maintenance and which is fully automatic in operation for the maintenance ofa soil moisture content as determined by the needs of the individual plants such that each plant is provided with individual attention by the system on an automatic basis in order that each plant may grow at its maximum potential.  
  The pro ision of an automatic plant waterer and fertilizing system. such as briefly outlined above. and possessing the stated features and advantages. constitutes the principal features and advantages of the present invention. The provision of an automatic plant waterer and fertilizing system which is relatively simple in its construction and which therefore may be readily manu&#39; factored at a relatively low cost and by simple manufac turing methods; one which is adaptable to provide water to a field otplants and which is readily enlargable to include further fields ofplants or may be readily reduced in size to attend to a smaller field of plants all without requiring excessive time or labor in making such changes; one which is rugged and durable in construction and which therefore may be guaranteed by the manufacturer to withstand many years of usage; and one which. otherwise. is well adapted to perform the services required of it. are further desirable features which have been borne in mind in the production and development of the present invention.  
  Other features and advantages of this invention will be apparent during the course ofthe following description.  
 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS ln the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification. and in which like reference characters are employed to designate like parts throughout the same:  
  FIC-v l is a perspective view ot&#39;a first embodiment of the invention in its simplest form to provide water and fertilizer to a single set of plants;  
  H6. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along Line Z-Z of FIG. 1&#39;.  
  FIG. 3 is a perspective view ofa second embodiment of the present invention showing the same used to water and fertilize a multiplicity of plants on an individual basis;  
  FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along Line 4-4 of HO. 3&#39;.  
  FIG. 5 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of the reservoir illustrating the water inlet thereinto and the switch adapted to control the level of the water in the reservoir:  
  FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 3&#39;.  
  HO. 7 is a third embodiment of the present invention wherein the supply line and feeder lines are elevated rather than lying along the ground as in the previous embodiments;  
  Fit]. 8 is a side elcvational view of the coupling used for interconnecting the supply line to the main line:  
  FIG. 9 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of the coupling of FIG. 8 broken away to illustrate the internal workings thereof; and  
  FIG. I0 is an exploded perspective view of the valve mechanism associated with the main line coupling portion of the coupling of FlGv 8.  
 DESCRlPTlON OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to the drawings in detail and in particular to FIGS. 1 and 2 inclusive :1 first preferred form of an automatic plant waterer and fertilizing system embodying the invention is designated in its entirely by the reference numeral [0 and is comprised of a reservoir ll having a compartment l2 therein containing a level of water I}. the reservoir being connected by a tube l4 to the inlet end of a valve 15 having an adjusting handle 16 associated therewith. the outlet end [7 of the valve connected by a flexible or rigid tubing l8 to the area designated generally by reference numeral [9 which consists of a plurality of closely grouped plants 20. the end 21 of tube 18 being in contact with the soil 19 as to either contacting the top level thereof or being depressed slightly into the soil. Extending &#39;through tube 18 is a capillary feed material 12 which acts as a porous wick and which may be funded ofany con enient porous fibrous material. such as a cotton rope material or the like or may be filled with a polyurethane foam which is mildew resistant and would therefore most likely last longer than a fibrous filling.  
  In operation. the reservoir ll is filled with water l3 and. if desired. a water soluble fertilizing chemical 23. the level of the reservoir being higher than the level of the remaining portions ofthe system so that water flows under the pressure head created by the height of water in the reservoir through the interconnected tubes 14 and 18 to the soil area 19, the valves is controlling the water passing therethrough should it for any reason by desired to totally turn off the water to the Soil area 19, otherwise it is to be understood that the valve would be retained in the fully open position and that the capillary material 22 having one end 24 thereof in Contact with the soil area [9 would permit the water [3 carrying the water soluble chemical 23 through the system and into the soil area 19 to enable the plants to absorb as much moisture as needed on a continuous level with the soil area about the plants never being flooded.  
  Referring now to FIGS. 3 to 6 and 8 to H] of the drawings there is illustrated a second preferred embodiment of the invention along with components of the system therefor. the system designated generally by reference numeral and comprising a water inlet pipe 3| connected to an electrically driven pump 32 which is connected to a water delivery pipe 33 which in turn discharges the water into chamber 34 in reservoir 35, there being mounted along a side wall of the reservoir an electrical switch device 36 which is suitably connected in the electrical circuit of pump 32 in a manner to shut off the pump when the level 37 of the water 38 in the reservoir reaches the level of the switch. this dctermining the desired level of operation for the reservoir. The bottom of compartment 34 is provided with a tube projecting outwardly therefrom and terminating in a coupling 40. the details of which will be better described with later reference to FIGS. 8-10 inclusive. the outlet end of the coupling 40 being connected to a supply line 36 having a series of openings 37 spaced at intervals thetealong. each opening 37 having a cylindrical flexible hollow open ended bushing inserted thcrcinto and forming a seal about the outer peripheral edges thereof with the Opening 37, the inner bore 39 of each bushing 38 adapted to receive therein one end 41 ofa tubular feeder line 42 which extends outwardly therefrom and terminates at end 43 which is&#39; disposed in contact with the soil area 44 about the individual plant 45 to be watered thereby. or terminating amongst a group of plants to be watered thereby. The feeder lines 42 each includes a capillary feed material 46 extending completely therethrough and terminating at one end in contact with the water inside the supply line 36 with the opposite end being in contact with the soil area 44 to be watered. such that the capillary action of the water in the porous wick like capillary feed material 46 enables the plants 45 to absorb as much moisture as needed on a continuous level Without the soil area 44 ever being flooded or an oversurplus of water being delivered to the plants.  
  Referring now to FIGS. 8 through [0 inclusive. the details of the coupling 40 are illustrated with such cou pling being used to interconnect the supply tubing 36 to the main line 35&#39;. The supply line 36 terminates at end 51 in a hollow cylindrical member 52 having an internally threaded bore 53 extending therethrough and tennittating at bottom surface 54. the re being disposed a resilient washer member 55 in juxtaposition with the bottom surface 54 and extending about the circumfe ral edges thereof adjacent threads 53 and extending a slight distance outwardly from the bottom surface 54. A disc shaped plate 56 is secured in cylindrical member 52 in axial alignment with fluid passageway 57 in supply tubing 36, the plate 56 provided with a multiplicity of apertures 58 extending transversely therethrough interconnecting the opposite face surfaces of the disc.  
  The main line 35&#39; is provided at end 61 with a cylir|- drical hollow open ended body member 62 having exterior screw threads 63 formed about the circumference thereof adjacent the forwardmost end 64, a circular disc member 65 extending normal to the axis of cylinder member 62 between the end surfaces 64 and having a central aperture 66 extending axially therethrough. the central aperture being surrounded by a plurality of openings 67 extending thetethtoughr A valve member 68 is disposed concentric with disc 65 between the disc and main line tubing 35&#39; and has a front surface 69 and a back surface 70. the front surface having axially projecting outwardly therefrom a cylindrical actuating member 71 of a diameter adapted to be slidingly received in opening 66 in disc 65. The peripheral edges 72 ofthe valve 68 are provided with a plurality of semicircular recesses 73 thereabout. these recesses oriented so as not to come into contact with the areas ofopening 67 in disc 65 when the face 69 of valve 68 is placed in juxtaposition with the disc 65 so as to close all of the openings 67 and 66. The valve 68 is urged by spring 75 in the direction to engage with disc 65. the spring 75 interposed between the back surface ofthe valve 68 at one end. and the bottom surface 76 of the cylindrical member 62 at the opposite end.  
  In operation. when the supply line 36 is not connected to the main line 35&#39;. then valve 68 is in juxtaposition with disc 65 sealing in a watertight manner the passage 77 in the main line. When it is desired to attach supply line 36 to the main line 35&#39;. threads 63 are threadedly engaged by threads 53 with the actuating cylinder 71 engaging disc 56 to effect the axial inward movement ofthe valve 68 away from the disc 65 to thus permit water to flow through interconnected passageway 77. semi-circular recesses 73, openings 67 and 66, apertures 58, and passageway 57 to thus provide water into the supply line 36 to direct the same to the feeder lines 42. Upon unthreading the supply line 36 from the main line 35&#39; the spring urges the valve 68 into engagement with disc 65 to again seal oil the main line water passageway 77. Thus. no exterior valves or the like are required with it being possible to lay out a system initially to handle many different fields. such fields perhaps planted with rotating crops so that all fields may not be in use at the same time. with an individual rapidly attaching supply lines to the main line by the coupling 40 where plants have been planted. and decoupling supply lines from the main line where plants have already been harvested so that no water is wasted.  
  such coupling and uncoupling being accomplished without requiring separate expensive valve devices which tend to clog or block and would thus require a high level of maintenance and repair.  
  Referring now to FIG. 7 there is illustrated a third preferred embodiment of the system of the present invention which is substantially identical to the second embodiment previously described except that the supply line is disposed in an elevated position above the plants with the feeder lines leading downwardly from the supply line to the soil about the plants. there being used a pump to maintain a supply of water in the elevated supply line.  
  As seen in FIG. 7 there is provided a water inlet pipe 81 having a discharge end 82 for discharging into the water containing compartment 83 of a reservoir 84. there hing a pump 85 operatively associated with the reservoir and connected to main line 86 which extends along a plurality of supply lines 87. it being understood that for simplification only a single supply line is shown in FIG. 7. the connection between the main line and supply line being made by coupling 40 in the manner as previously described. The supply line 87 is maintained at the desired elevation by pipe supporting posts 88 spaced therealong and having one end supponing the supply line with the opposite end projecting into the soil to form a rigid supply line supporting post. Disposed along the supply line 87 are a series of openings 37&#39; each having one end of a feeder line 42&#39; connected thereto in a fluid tight manner in the same way as previously described namely. through use of a resilient cylin dricsl bushing 38&#39;. with the feeder lines projecting outwardly from the supply line to terminate at ends 43&#39; contacting the soil 44&#39; about the plant 45 to be watered and fertilized. it being noticed that the top end of each of the feeder lines 42 is arcustely curved upward a distance above the level of the supply line 87 so as to prevent any flow by gravity through the feeder lines from the supply lines. As previously described with regard to the earlier embodiments. the feed lines 42&#39; are each provided with a capillary feed material extending completely therethrough and in contact at one end with the water in the supply line 87 with the opposite end in contact with the soil 44 to provide. through capillary action. water to the soil enabling the plants to absorb as much moisture as needed on a continuous level with no flooding of the soil about the plant.  
  There is thus provided an improved watering and fertilizing system for plants which wastes no water. which delivers water only to the selected areas and then only at the rate as needed by the plant to absorb such molature on a continuous level. the roots of the plant controlling the rate of moisture to be delivered and ab sorbed thereby. and with no water being wasted on soil between the plants and having no plants growing thus assisting in the minimizing of weeds and other undesirable growth between the plants due to lack of moisture thereto.  
  it is to be understood that the form of this invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as a preferred example of the same. and that this invention is not to 4: limited to the exact arrangement of parts shown it the accompanying drawings or described in this specification as various changes in the details of construction as to shape. size. and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention. the scope of the novel concepts thereof. or the scope of the sub-joined claims.  
 I claim:  
  l. An automatic plant waterer and fertilizing system comprising a reservoir adapted to contain a level of water therein. a main tubing having one end connected to the reservoir to receive water therefrom with the opposite end projecting outwardly therefrom. a feeder tubing having one end operatively associated with the main tubing to receive a supply of water therethrough with the opposite end adapted to be placed in contact with the soil about the roots of a plant to be watered. a supply tubing interconnecting the main tubing and the feeder tubing. the supply tubing having a plurality of openings extending thercalong with each opening adapted to receive one end of an associated feeder tubing to supply water thereto from the supply tubing. each supply tubing opening having a cylindrical hollow open ended bushing mounted thereto and in sealing engagement therewith. the end of the feeder tubing adapted to be connected to the supply tubing being insorted into the hollow opening of the bushing in a water tight sealing manner. a water capillary feed material extending completely through the feeder tubing and having one end in contact with the supply of water to the feeder tubing and having the opposite end in contact with the soil area to be watered thus providing a water capillary feed contact with the soil adjacent the plant such that the water delivered to the soil by capillary action enables the plant to absorb as much moisture as needed on a continuous level without flooding of the soil about the plant. a coupling detachably attaching the supply tubing to the main tubing, the coupling automatically scaling the main tubing to prevent passage of water thereoutof when detached from the supply tubing. and the coupling automatically unsettling the main tubing upon attachment to the supply tubing to provide for the passage of water therethrough.  
  1. The system as set forth in claim I wherein said coupling further comprises an open ended cylindrical body member connected at the end of the main tubing adjacent the supply tubing to be connected thereto. the cylindrical body member extending outwardly from the main tube concentric therewith and terminating at an outermost open end, a cylindrical bore defined internally of the cylindrical body in communication with the main tubing water passageway. threads extending peripherally about the outer circumference of the body member adjacent the open front end thereof. the open front end of the body member having a substantially flat circular disc fixedly mounted thereto and extending thereacross normal to the axis of the body member. the disc having a central aperture and a plurality of openings disposed thereabout. a valve member having a substantially flat body surface with face and back surfaces and of a diameter to be received in the cylindrical bore of the body member. the body surface being disc shaped with a cylindrical plunger disposed centrally of the face surface thereof and projecting axially outwardly thereof to extend through the central aperture of the disc. a plurality of semi-circular recesses provided st spaced angular locations about the peripheral edges of the body surface. the face surface of the body surface adapted to overlie in juxtaposition with the inner surface of the disc with the plunger extendlng through the central opening and the face surface sealing all ofthe openings in the disc. and a spring engaging the back surface of the body surface to bias the valve member into sealing engagement with the disc, the sup ply tube having connected at the end thereof adjacent the main tube a hollow cylindrical member formed concentric with the supply tube and extending outwardly therefrom and terminating at an open end spaced outwardly therefrom. a cylindrical bore in the supply tube body member of a diameter greater than the diameter of the main tube body member. said supply tube cylindrical bore being threaded about the interior surfaces thereof and adapted to threadedly engage the threads ofthe main tube body member. a disc member having perforations extending therethrough being disposed in the supply tube body member and adapted to engage the activating cylinder of the valve member upon the threaded engagement of the main tube body member into the supply tube body member whereby engagement of the activating cylinder with the disc effects the compression of the spring means and the separation of the valve member from the main tube disc to permit the passage of water through the valve member semi-circular recesses and the openings in the main tube disc and into the supply tube.  
 3. The system as set forth in claim 2 further comprising a pump adapted to supply a source of water to said reservoir, and a switch device disposed interiorly of said reservoir and adapted to selectively energize and de-energize said pump to maintain a preselected level of water in said reservoir.  
  4. The system as set forth in claim 3 wherein said supply tube is disposed at a level spaced at selected distance from the ground, each of said feeder tubes extending downwardly from the supply tube to contact the soil about the plant to be watered. the end portion of each feeder tube in engagement with the supply tube pro jecting a slight distance upwardly of the level of the supply tube before bending downward to contact the ground in a manner to prevent flow of water through the tube under the effect of gravity. and a pump adapted to maintain a water supply in the supply tube from the reservoir.  
  5. The system as set forth in claim 4 wherein said cap illary feed material comprises a fibrous material, such as a cotton rope wick.  
  6. The system as set forth in claim 4 wherein said cap illary feed material comprises mildew resistant polyurethane foam material.  
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