Patent Publication Number: US-2017347544-A1

Title: Irrigation systems and methods

Description:
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE TO ANY PRIORITY APPLICATIONS 
     Any and all applications for which a foreign or domestic priority claim is identified in the Application Data Sheet as filed with the present application are hereby incorporated by reference and made a part of the present disclosure. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Field 
     The present disclosure relates to irrigation systems and methods. In particular, the present disclosure relates to an underground irrigation device and related methods. 
     Description of the Related Art 
     Many types of irrigation systems currently exist. Many of such systems rely on nozzles to distribute water in the form of a spray. These spray systems are inefficient in that they subject the distributed water to evaporation prior to being absorbed into the ground. Other systems utilize conduits to deliver water to a location near a plant base thereby reducing the total water use and the loss to evaporation. Such systems are often referred to as drip irrigation systems. However, drip systems typically deliver water to an above-ground location, which may be sufficient for small plants and flowers with roots close to the ground surface, but may be less effective with larger plants or trees. 
     PCT Publication No. WO 2006/112802 discloses an irrigation system comprising an irrigation device that is buried underground near the root of a large plant or tree. The device includes a perforated container that can be filled with a granular material to inhibit or prevent ingrowth of roots or entry of soil into the perforated container. The underground device is connected to a source of water and water is supplied through a suitable conduit to the perforated container. The water exits the container at a location near the root of the large plant or tree to improve the availability and utilization of the supplied water. With such a system, water usage can be reduced compared to conventional irrigation systems. 
     SUMMARY 
     An aspect of the present invention involves the realization by the present inventor that the system of the WO 2006/112802 publication has several drawbacks and there exists room for improvement. For example, the container of the WO 2006/112802 publication is generally spherical and includes perforations on a substantial portion of the surface area of the container, including top, side and bottom surfaces. As a result, water can be dispensed in substantially all directions from the container, which can result in inefficient utilization of the water. One or more of the configurations disclose herein address the foregoing and/or other drawbacks of the WO 2006/112802 device. The systems, methods and devices described herein have innovative aspects, no single one of which is indispensable or solely responsible for their desirable attributes. Without limiting the scope of the claims, some of the advantageous features will now be summarized. 
     In some configurations, an irrigation device comprises a container defining an interior space. The container comprises a perforated side wall portion, a solid top wall portion and a solid bottom wall portion such that water is dispensed from the device through the perforated side wall portion. An elongated neck has a first end and a second end and defines a conduit therebetween. The second end is coupled to the container and the neck extends upwardly from the container to the first end. A water inlet communicates with the conduit of the neck at the first end. In use, the container is buried underground and the water is delivered to the container through the water inlet and conduit of the neck. 
     In some configurations, the bottom wall portion of the container further comprises a solid core that extends upwardly and cooperates with the side wall portion to define an annular portion of the interior space of the container. 
     In some configurations, the side wall portion is outwardly tapered and a wall of the core is inwardly tapered in a direction from bottom to top of the container. 
     In some configurations, the container comprises a basket and a lid, wherein the basket defines the bottom wall portion and the side wall portion and the lid defines the top wall portion, further comprising a divider positioned between the basket and the lid, the divider comprising a perforated portion. 
     In some configurations, the perforated portion of the divider is annular in shape. 
     In some configurations, the neck comprises multiple neck segments that are connectable to one another. 
     In some configurations, a cap is attached to the first end of the neck, wherein the cap defines the water inlet. 
     In some configurations, a flow regulator is provided in the cap. 
     In some configurations, the flow regulator is adjustable up to  300  liters/hour. 
     In some configurations, the flow regulator comprises one or more tortuous pathways through which water flows within the flow regulator. 
     In some configurations, the perforations of the perforated side wall portion of the container have dimensions of between 1 and 15 mm. 
     In some configurations, the container is between 15-50 cm in height and between 15-50 cm in width. 
     In some configurations, the container is generally spherical in outer shape. 
     In some configurations, a granular material is placed within the container. 
     In some configurations, a method of irrigation comprises burying an irrigation device comprising a container and a neck with the neck extending upwardly from the container. The container defines an interior space, a perforated side wall portion, a solid top wall portion and a solid bottom wall portion. The neck defines a conduit in fluid communication with the interior space of the container. A source of water is connected to a water inlet that communicates with the conduit of the neck. Water is supplied to the device so that water is dispensed in a radial direction through the perforated side wall portion. 
     In some configurations, the container is buried 10-100 cm under a surface of the ground. 
     In some configurations, the container is buried at least 40 cm under a surface of the ground. 
     In some configurations, the water inlet is positioned above a surface of the ground. 
     In some configurations, the water inlet is positioned at least 25 cm below a surface of the ground. 
     In some configurations, a granular material is provided in the interior space of container. 
     In some configurations, a divider is provided between the granular material and the neck. 
     In some configurations, a hollow jar with a semi spherical lower bulb and a neck is used to irrigate trees and is buried underground at a depth of about 10-100 cm in proximity to the roots of trees in order to transfer water to the roots directly without passing water over the surface of the earth. 
     In some configurations, the jar can take different shapes, such as conic or semi-conic, cube or semi-cube, spherical or semi-spherical, cylindrical or semi-cylindrical and pyramid or semi-pyramid. 
     In some configurations, the jar is made of plastic or plated metals unable or resistant to rust. 
     In some configurations, the jar carries water, fertilizers, pesticides, ferrous powder or any other material with the water to be absorbed by the roots of trees. 
     In some configurations, wherein the jar is 15-50 cm long and 10-50 cm in diameter and whose bulb has perforations of 1 mm-15 mm. 
     In some configurations, the jar facilitates planting trees in mountainous, sloppy land without being reclaimed or cleared. 
     In some configurations, the semi-spherical bulb has perforations of 1 mm-15 mm and is hollow to make it lighter and stronger. 
     In some configurations, the jar has a cap with a flow regulator, a neck and a perforated bulb. 
     In some configurations, the bulb is made of two or more separable pieces to facilitate maintenance. In some configurations, the bulb is made of three pieces. In particular, a bulb cap, a hollow basket and a divider. 
     In some configurations, the lower bulb is filled with a blend of charcoal and volcanic granules to support the jar and to enhance its mechanical ruggedness especially against external pressure and to prevent roots from getting into the bottle and blocking the perforations. 
     In some configurations, there is a perforated circular divider inside the bulb to make it strong and to press on the blend of granules in the bulb to fix it and to prevent it from floating up in the neck. 
     In some configurations, the water comes from a branch hose or tube, passes into the water inlet, passes through a variable flow regulator which is a conical head fixed on a moveable base that can move, for example, by the movement of a gear so that it can control the amount of water needed to the roots. In one configuration, when the conical head advances, the water passage increases resistance to the flow of water and water flows in smaller amounts and, when the conical head retracts, it allows more water to flow into the jar. 
     In some configurations, the water comes from a branch hose or tube, passes into the water inlet, passes through a constant flow regulator which has a constant hydraulic resistance manufactured to provide any desired value between 0.1 to 300 liter/hour or more. 
     In some configurations, the water comes from a branch hose or tube, passes into the water inlet across a filter, and the water leaves the flow regulator across another filter. 
     In some configurations, the jar has a long neck, 20 to 40 cm or more as desired. 
     In some configurations, the lower bulb is buried under ground in proximity to the roots of the trees and whose neck remains above ground so that its cap is exposed. 
     In some configurations, variable flow regulator can be controlled easily by lifting the upper cap of the jar above ground and by moving the base on which the conical head is fixed to calibrate the amount of water provided. The cap, being above the ground, helps to easily control the flow of water. 
     In some configurations, the jar is buried completely underground in proximity to the roots of trees and at a depth of 40 cm or more. 
     In some configurations, the jar need not be removed before plowing the earth because the plow goes about 25 cm deep underground, while the jar is buried 25 cm-40 cm or more underground. 
     In some configurations, an irrigation device comprises a generally conical container defining an interior space. The container comprises one or more outlets such that water is dispensed from the device. An elongated neck has a first end and a second end and defines a conduit therebetween. The second end is coupled to the container and the neck extends upwardly from the container to the first end. A water inlet communicates with the conduit of the neck at the first end. A flow regulator between the water inlet and the container defines one or more tortuous pathways through which water flows. In use, the container is buried underground and the water is delivered to the container through the water inlet and conduit of the neck. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The foregoing and other features of the present disclosure will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only several embodiments in accordance with the disclosure and are not to be considered limiting of its scope, the disclosure will be described with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings. 
         FIG. 1  is a side view of an underground irrigation device having certain features, aspects and advantages of a preferred embodiment. The device generally comprises a container, a neck extending upwardly from the container and a cap assembly at the top of the neck. 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of the device of  FIG. 1  with components of the device illustrated in an exploded condition. 
         FIG. 3  is a side sectional view of the device of  FIG. 1  taken along the line 3-3 of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a top view of a divider of the device of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of an alternative irrigation device in an exploded condition. 
         FIG. 6  is a side view of a flow regulator that can be used with the irrigation device of  FIGS. 1-4  and the irrigation device of  FIG. 5 . The upper end of the illustrated irrigation device is shown in an exploded condition. 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of another cap assembly comprising a light module. 
         FIG. 8  is a top view of the cap assembly with light module of  FIG. 7 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Embodiments of systems, components or methods of assembly or manufacture will now be described with reference to the accompanying figures, wherein like numerals refer to like or similar elements throughout. Although several embodiments, examples and illustrations are disclosed below, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the inventions described herein extends beyond the specifically disclosed embodiments, examples and illustrations, and can include other uses of the inventions and obvious modifications and equivalents thereof. The terminology used in the description presented herein is not intended to be interpreted in any limited or restrictive manner simply because it is being used in conjunction with a detailed description of certain specific embodiments. In addition, embodiments of the inventions can comprise several novel features and no single feature is solely responsible for its desirable attributes or is essential to practicing the inventions herein described. 
     Certain terminology may be used in the following description for the purpose of reference only, and thus are not intended to be limiting. For example, terms such as “above” and “below” refer to directions in the drawings to which reference is made. Terms such as “front,” “back,” “left,” “right,” “rear,” and “side” describe the orientation and/or location of portions of the components or elements within a consistent but arbitrary frame of reference which is made clear by reference to the text and the associated drawings describing the components or elements under discussion. Moreover, terms such as “first,” “second,” “third,” and so on may be used to describe separate components. Such terminology may include the words specifically mentioned above, derivatives thereof, and words of similar import. 
     Many parts of the world are badly in need of water. This rising demand on water unfortunately can be impacted by drought and decreasing levels of water in the aquifers. Shortage of water has resulted in many approaches to make the best use of this vital resource. Irrigation by dripping or by sprayers helped increased the areas planted with vegetables and young trees. However, the roots of old trees often expand horizontally underground because of using old ways of irrigation for many years. Such trees often stopped growing providing fruits because their roots had dried. In addition, old methods of irrigation caused weeds to grow and resulted in large amounts of evaporation 
     Therefore, a need exists for an improved system of irrigation that makes good use of the small amounts of water available and is able to save trees in the severe waves of drought. At least some of the embodiments or methods disclosed herein allow for irrigation of old trees, economizing of water, preventing evaporation and at the same time protecting trees from weeds, fungal diseases and pests. For example, by preventing humidity from spreading on the surface of the soil, the surface remains dry which, consequently, inhibits or prevents pests and fungal diseases from spreading and, at the same time, denies weeds the opportunity to grow. 
     In at least some configurations, the disclosure involves an irrigation system that irrigates trees easily and transfers fertilizers and nutrients directly to their roots. The system can permit trees to be planted in arid lands, in steep slopes and in rough terrain, because it carries water directly to the roots. The disclosed systems and methods partially or wholly negates the need for land reclamation, difficult labor and high costs. 
     At least some embodiments of the present disclosure involve a system configured to irrigate trees or other relatively large plants and to economize in water, fertilizers and pesticides. In some configurations, the system helps trees avoid gradual dryness caused by droughts and bad irrigation. At the same time, the system can help planting more trees in the same area, because it allows planting steep slopes without the need of earth leveling or of land reclamation. 
     In some configurations, buried jars receive water from a remote pump that pumps water through, in some cases, a filter to a network of pipes and then to the jars buried near the roots of the trees. To achieve this aim, water is pressurized and distributed in the soil at depths between about 10-120 cm without being exposed above the surface of the earth. Such an arrangement can reduce or eliminate evaporation after dispensing of water from the system. 
     In some configurations, the system is made of a plastic flask or container that is perforated on some or all sides and equipped with connections and caps containing a, for example, constant flow regulator. The container or jar can be hollow and filled with a granular material, such as volcanic basalt granules, in order to add strength to the jars and, at the same time, to inhibit or prevent roots from penetrating the holes around the jars. In some configurations, the jars can be buried between about 10 cm to 40 cm underground and connected with system of main and branch pipes which carry water to the jars through the constant flow regulators provided in the jar cap. Water leaks to the soil from the perforations in desired amounts without being exposed to the heat above ground and consequently it does not evaporate. 
     The system has many advantages, one or more of which include that it carries water directly to the roots of the trees in the required or desired amounts, which means saving water. In some configurations, the system can inhibit or prevent the growth of harmful weeds. In some configurations, the system can assist in inhibiting or preventing the spread of pests and fungal diseases. In some configurations, the system is designed for irrigating trees exclusively. 
     In some configurations, the system is made of plastic containers or jars that are hollow, generally spherical perforated bulbs about 20 cm in diameter and fitted with connection conduits that are about 25 cm long and about 5 cm in diameter. The jars can be closed with caps that have, for example, constant flow regulators inside them. The regulators receive water from a system or network of pipes connected to a pump that pumps water from the water source to a main pipe and then to the network of pipes. Preferably, the jars are filled with a granular material, such as volcanic basalt granules and charcoal. This filling is used to inhibit or prevent roots from infiltrating through the perforations in the jars and to mechanically or structurally protect the jars. 
     In some configurations, the jars are made of plastic. The plastic can be injected in molds prepared to cast the various parts that form the system. The various parts can be assembled together to make the flow regulator and the cap with, for example, two filters. The three parts of the bulb or jar can be assembled together and filled with the charcoal and volcanic granules, or another suitable granular material. The devices can be manufactured in a way that the length of the neck can be varied by adding connections or neck segment so that the devices can be configured with various lengths. The user can chose the neck segments to configure a neck of a suitable length according to the particular need. 
     In some configurations, the device includes three main parts, all of which can be made from a plastic material. The parts can include the jar, the neck and the cap. The cap can include a flow regulator. In some configurations, the jar is filled with a granular material, such as a mixture of volcanic basalt granules and charcoal, in order to increase the mechanical crush resistance of the jar and to inhibit or prevent roots from penetrating the perforations around the bulb so that they may not block water from flowing out of the device. However, other suitable reinforcements could also be used, such as a perforated reinforcement member or members. The jar can be hollow and can include hundreds to thousands of water exit holes around it to allow water to be distributed outside to the soil. 
     The jars can be positioned underground with the caps directed upwardly and above the surface of the ground. A relatively small water inlet (e.g., orifice valve) can be fixed in a small pipe connected with a hose or other conduit system provided along the rows of trees. Water runs through the hose to the pipe and then the water inlet in the jar cap to pass through the flow regulator. In some configurations, the regulator is a variable resistance regulator fixed within the flow path of the water to define the amount of water that should pass to the jar neck and then to the perforated bulb underground. Water leaks through the perforations to the soil to wet the area surrounding the roots of the tree and to supply it with the water and, if desired, fertilizers and nutrients. 
     In some cases, the devices are removed once per year in the season of plowing to avoid damage to the devices. At the same time, routine maintenance can be carried out on the devices. 
     With such a system, it is easy to calibrate the regulator and to control the flow of water systematically because the cap that contains the regulator is positioned above ground. With a constant flow regulator, there is no need to calibrate it and, as a result, such devices could have the cap buried. Fertilizers, ferrous salts, pesticides or other substances can easily be added by lifting the cap, adding these materials inside it, then capping it again. This saves the user from digging around the trees, which can lead to cutting parts of the roots. 
     In some configurations, the cap is made of five pieces assembled together. For example, the cap can include a cap element, a water inlet, a filter in the water inlet, a flow regulator, and a filter in the water outlet. 
     In some configurations, the jar can be buried completely (e.g., 40 cm) underground. Water can flow to the jars through a network of pipes, which can also be buried underground. This type of system allows the land to be plowed without removing the jars, because the depth of plowing rows is typically no more than 25 cm and therefore the plowshare would not reach the jars. Such a system can function for several years without being removed or maintained. In such systems, fertilizers, ferrous salts, pesticides and other substances can be dissolved in water and pumped through the pipes to the jars. 
     The short neck jar system can be used, also, to irrigate newly planted trees and rose trees. For this purpose, jars can be buried in pits about 20 cm deep and about 30-60 cm from the plants. In this case, the cap can remain above the ground. In general, the distance between trees and jars is usually defined in relation to the size and age of trees. 
       FIGS. 1-4  illustrate an irrigation device  100  that can form a portion of an irrigation system, such as the systems disclosed in PCT Publication No. WO 2006/112802, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein and made a part of the present disclosure. As illustrated in the WO 2006/112802 publication, the device  100  can be buried underground at a location near the root of a tree or other relatively large plant. The device  100  typically is connected to a source of water. Multiple devices  100  can be linked together to one or more sources of water by a water distribution system. See, for example, FIGS.  5 - 9 ,  12  and  14  of the WO 2006/112802 publication. The overall system can be configured to automatically deliver water to the device(s)  100 , such as by a timer-controlled valve, for example. However, in other arrangements, the supply of water can be manually controlled and, in some configurations, can involve stand-alone device(s)  100  that are manually supplied with water on a periodic basis. Other suitable methods of utilizing the device(s)  100  can also be employed. 
     In general, the irrigation device  100  comprises a bulb or container  102 , a neck  104  and a cap assembly  106 . The neck  104  extends upwardly from the container  102 . The cap  106  is located at an upper end of the neck  104 . The cap  106  comprises a water inlet  108 , which allows water from a water source (not shown) to enter the device  100 . The water inlet  108  can be any suitable size, such as one-quarter inch or one-half inch, for example. The neck  104  defines a delivery conduit  110 , which allows water to move from the inlet  108  of the cap  106  to the container  102 . The container  102  includes a water outlet, which can be in the form of one or more openings  112  that permit water to exit the container  102  and be absorbed into the surrounding soil. In the illustrated arrangement, the container  102  includes a perforated section defining many water outlet openings  112 . 
     In the illustrated arrangement, the container  102  comprises a basket  120  having an upper rim defining an open upper end  122 . A side wall  124  of the basket  120  defines the water outlet openings  112 . In other words, at least a portion of the side wall  124  is perforated. In the illustrated arrangement, a substantial entirety of the side wall  124  is perforated save for an upper rim  126  that provides the open upper end  122  with some strength and resistance to deformation. A lower portion of the side wall  124  may also omit water outlet openings  112 , as further described below. 
     A bottom wall  128  of the container  102  can comprise an annular portion  130 , which can be solid and cooperate with a solid portion  132  of the lower end of the side wall  124 . The portions  130  and  132  can cooperate to define a toroidal shape. The bottom wall  128  can also comprise a solid center portion. In the illustrated arrangement, the solid center portion is in the form of an upwardly-projecting core  134  having a side wall  136  and a top wall  138 . The side wall  136  is generally cylindrical and is closed at its upper end by the top wall  138 . 
     Preferably, the side wall  136  of the core  134  has a height that is at least a substantial portion of a height of the outer side wall  124  of the basket  120 . In some configurations, the side wall  136  of the core  134  has a height that is greater than one-half or greater than three-quarters of a height of the outer side wall  124  of the basket  120  as measured in a direction aligned with a longitudinal axis of the neck  104 . In some configurations, the height of the side wall  136  of the core  134  is less than the height of the outer side wall  124  of the basket  120 . The outer side wall  124  of the basket  120  and the side wall  136  of the core  134  cooperate to define an annular interior space within the basket  120 . In the illustrated configuration, the outer side wall  124  is outwardly tapered from bottom to top and the side wall  136  of the core is inwardly tapered from bottom to top. The taper angle of the outer side wall  124  can be greater than the taper angle of the side wall  136  of the core  134 . 
     In the illustrated arrangement, the container  102  also comprises a cap or lid  140 . A side wall portion  142  of the lid  140  can be curved such that the lid  140  defines an internal volume. Thus, when the lid  140  is coupled to the basket  120 , an internal volume of the container  102  is greater than the internal volume of the basket  120 . The lid  140  can have an open lower end  144  that can be at least relatively securely coupled to the basket  120 , such as by a snap-fit, screw-on (threaded) or other suitable arrangement. The lid  140  can include a relatively flat top wall portion  146  having an aperture or opening  148  configured to receive the neck  104 . In some configurations, the neck  104  can be securely coupled to the lid  140 , and thus the container  102 , by a suitable coupling arrangement, such as a threaded or snap-fit arrangement. In the illustrated configuration, the neck  104  is coupled to the lid  140  by a threaded connection. The threaded portion of the lid  140  can be defined by a downwardly-extending or inwardly-extending boss  150  of the lid  140 . 
     In some configurations, a divider  160  can be positioned between the basket  120  and the lid  140 . The divider  160  can be generally flat and circular in shape (or otherwise corresponding or complementary to the cross-sectional shape of the container  102 ). The divider  160  can be positioned about at a junction between the basket  120  and the lid  140 . In some configurations, the divider  160  is received within the basket  120 , such as generally at the upper rim  126 . The taper of the basket  120  side wall  124  can support the divider  160  at a desired location determined by the size of the divider  160 . The divider  160  can segment an interior space of the container  102  into an upper space above the divider  160  and a lower space below the divider  160 . In some configurations, the water outlet openings  112  are only provided below the divider  160 . 
     The divider  160  preferably comprises one or more openings or passages  162  that allow water to pass through the divider  160 . In the illustrated arrangement, the openings  162  are defined by a perforated portion of the divider  160 . Thus, the term perforated portion  162  is used herein to refer specifically to the illustrated arrangement, as well as more generally to openings or passages of any suitable type. In the illustrated arrangement, the perforated portion  162  is annular in shape and is defined by an annular depression or trough in the divider  160 . The perforated portion  162  can be sized and positioned to be located above the annular space defined by the outer side wall  124  and the side wall  136  of the core  134 . Thus, an inner diameter of the perforated portion  162  can be approximately equal to or greater than a diameter of a portion or an entirety of the core  134 . 
     The neck  104  can be constructed from a single member of any desired height, usually depending on the desired depth below the ground surface that the container  102  will be placed. In some configurations, the neck  104  is constructed from multiple neck portions or neck segments  170 , which can permit a length of the neck  104  to be easily configured or adjusted to suit the desired application. For example, the illustrated device  100  includes two neck segments  170  coupled together to form the neck  104 . In other configurations, other numbers of neck segments  170  can be used, such as three, four, five or more segments  170 . Neck segments  170  can be provided in various lengths, with the device  100  or in a separate kit, for example, to allow further adjustment of the length of the neck  104 . In some configurations, one end of each neck segment  170  includes a male portion (male or external threaded portion) and one end includes a female portion (female or internal threaded portion) such that the neck segments  170  can be easily coupled end-to-end. Furthermore, the container  102  or lid  140  can have one of a male or female coupling and the cap  106  can have the other of a male or female coupling to allow easy connectivity of the container  102  (or lid  140 ), the neck  104  and the cap  106  regardless of the number of neck segments  170  employed. 
     As described above, the cap assembly  106  comprises the water inlet  108 . The water inlet  108  can be defined by a tubular projection that extends in a perpendicular direction from the longitudinal axis of the neck  104 . However, other suitable arrangements can also be used. A flow regulator  180  can control the flow of water from the water inlet  108  to the delivery conduit  110  of the neck  104 . The flow regulator  180  can be of any suitable arrangement, such as a constant flow regulator or orifice valve, for example. In other configurations, the flow regulator  180  can be a needle/orifice valve, tapered valve, diaphragm valve, electronically-controlled valve or other suitable arrangement. For example, the flow regulator can include a first portion comprising a tapered passage and a second portion comprising a tapered valve body that is movable in an axial direction of the tapered passage to vary an effective area of the valve passage. 
     The cap  106  can comprise a tube or bubbler  182  and the water inlet  108  can supply water to a lower end of the bubbler  182 , the water can rise within the bubbler  182  and spill over the top of the open upper end of the bubbler  182  and into the delivery conduit  110  of the neck  104 . If desired, one or more filters  184  can be employed to filter the supplied water between the inlet  108  and the container  102 . In some configurations, the filter(s)  184  are provided in the cap  106 . For example, a first filter can filter water prior to the flow regulator and a second filter can filter water after the flow regulator relative to a flow path from the cap  106  to the container  102 . The cap  106  can comprise a cover  186  that is coupled to a main body  188  of the cap  106 . The main body  188  can define the water inlet  108  and bubbler  182 . The cover  186  can be coupled to the main body  188  by any suitable arrangement, such as a threaded coupling, for example. In some configurations, the cover  186  is clear or opaque to allow the flow of water within the cap  106  to be visible from external of the cap  106 . Accordingly, the flow of water can quickly and easily be observed from external of the device  100  without disassembly to allow for verification of proper operation. 
     In use, the container  102  of the device  100  can be filled with a granular material, such as volcanic basalt granules and charcoal, for example. In particular, the basket  120  can be filled with a granular material, the divider  160  positioned on the basket  120  and the lid  140  coupled to the basket  120 . If not already completed, the one or more neck segments  170  can be assembled to one another and to the lid  140 . If not already completed, the cap  106  can be assembled to the neck  104 . If necessary, the cover  186  can be coupled to the main body  188  of the cap  106 . 
     The device  100  can be buried in the ground at a desirable depth and at a desirable distance from the plant or tree. For example, the device  100  can be buried with the container  102  at a depth of about 10-120 cm. In some instances, the container  102  is buried at a depth of about 40 cm. In some configurations, the cap  106  remains above ground. In other configurations, the cap  106  can be buried and a conduit (e.g., tube) can extend underground to the cap  106 . A source of water can be connected to the water inlet  108  and delivered to the device  100 . In some applications, multiple devices  100  can be connected to a water supply system. 
     As a result of the above-described construction, in at least some configurations the device  100  distributes water in a generally radial direction from the container  102 . Preferably, water is not distributed from the container  102  in an upward or downward direction. The water can be distributed along a height H of the container  102  (see  FIG. 1 ), which can generally correspond to the perforated portion of the side wall  124 . 
       FIG. 5  illustrates another embodiment of an irrigation device  100 , which is similar in construction and operation to the device  100  of  FIGS. 1-4 . In particular, the neck  104  and cap (not shown) of the device of  FIG. 5  can be the same as or substantially similar to the neck  104  and cap  106  of the device  100  of  FIGS. 1-4 , or can be of another suitable arrangement. However, the container  102  is replaced with an alternative water distribution arrangement in the form of a cone  200 . The cone  200  includes a first member  202  or outer or top member and a second member  204  or inner or bottom member. One of the members  202 ,  204  includes one or more stand-offs, such as ribs  206  and/or projections  208 , which support the other of the members  202 ,  204  such that one or more spaces are defined between an inner or bottom surface of the first member  202  and an outer or top surface of the second member  204 . In the illustrated arrangement, both ribs  206  and projections  208  are defined by an upper, outer or top surface of the second, inner or bottom member  204 . 
     The use or operation of the device  100  of  FIG. 5  can be substantially the same as or similar to the use or operation of the device  100  of  FIGS. 1-4 . Water is supplied to the device  100 , such as to a water inlet in a cap. Water travels through the neck  104  to the water distribution cone  200 , which is buried near the root of a tree or relatively large plant. Water travels in the space between the first member  202  and the second member  204  and can be guided by the ribs  206 , if present. The device  100  of  FIG. 5  can be useful for smaller trees or plants compared to the device  100  of  FIGS. 1-4  due to the smaller height over which water is distributed. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates an alternative cap assembly  106  that can be used with either of the device  100  of  FIGS. 1-4  or the device  100  of  FIG. 5 . The cap  106  is substantially similar to the cap  106  described above with respect to  FIGS. 1-5  with the exception of the flow regulator  180 . The illustrated flow regulator  180  of  FIG. 6  comprises a cylindrical valve body  300  that is received within the tube  182 . The body  300  includes one or more channels that together with the tube  182  define one or more flow passages  302  of the flow regulator  180 . A portion, such as a lower end, of the flow passages  302  communicates with the inlet  108  to receive water, which moves upwardly through the flow passages  302 . An outlet communicates with an upper end portion of the flow passages  302  to allow water to exit the flow regulator  180  at or near an upper end of the tube  182 . As described above, the water then flows through the neck  104  to the container  102 . 
     The flow passages  302  of the illustrated body  300  comprise a series of curves connecting straight portions to define a tortuous pathway through which the water flows within the flow regulator  180 . The straight portions extend in a circumferential direction of the body  300  in the illustrated arrangement. An inlet  304  to the flow passages  302  extends through a wall of the body  300  and communicates with an interior space of the body  300 . Water from the inlet  108  passes into the interior space of the body  300 , through the inlet  304  and into the flow passages  302 . As described above, the water flows upwardly through the tortuous pathway defined by the flow passages  302  and exits the flow regulator  180  through an outlet  306  at or near an upper end portion of the tube  182 . The tortuous pathway regulates the incoming flow of water. Any suitable number of flow passages  302  can be provided. In the illustrated arrangement, four flow passages  302  are provided and spaced circumferentially around the body  300 . However, other arrangements can also be used. 
       FIGS. 7 and 8  illustrate yet another cap assembly  106  that includes a light module  400  that illuminates the transparent or translucent cover  186  (see, for example, FIG.  6 ). The lighted cap assembly  106  can make the cap assembly  106  easy to see under low light conditions. The illustrated light module  400  includes one or more (e.g., eight) LED elements  402 . The illustrated light module  400  can be annular in shape and can be received within the main body  188  of the cap assembly  106 , which can include openings  404  through or into which the LED elements  402  can extend. 
     CONCLUSION 
     It should be emphasized that many variations and modifications may be made to the herein-described embodiments, the elements of which are to be understood as being among other acceptable examples. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of this disclosure and protected by the following claims. Moreover, any of the steps described herein can be performed simultaneously or in an order different from the steps as ordered herein. Moreover, as should be apparent, the features and attributes of the specific embodiments disclosed herein may be combined in different ways to form additional embodiments, all of which fall within the scope of the present disclosure. 
     Conditional language used herein, such as, among others, “can,” “could,” “might,” “may,” “e.g.,” and the like, unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certain embodiments include, while other embodiments do not include, certain features, elements and/or states. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements and/or states are in any way required for one or more embodiments or that one or more embodiments necessarily include logic for deciding, with or without author input or prompting, whether these features, elements and/or states are included or are to be performed in any particular embodiment. 
     Moreover, the following terminology may have been used herein. The singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to an item includes reference to one or more items. The term “ones” refers to one, two, or more, and generally applies to the selection of some or all of a quantity. The term “plurality” refers to two or more of an item. The term “about” or “approximately” means that quantities, dimensions, sizes, formulations, parameters, shapes and other characteristics need not be exact, but may be approximated and/or larger or smaller, as desired, reflecting acceptable tolerances, conversion factors, rounding off, measurement error and the like and other factors known to those of skill in the art. The term “substantially” means that the recited characteristic, parameter, or value need not be achieved exactly, but that deviations or variations, including for example, tolerances, measurement error, measurement accuracy limitations and other factors known to those of skill in the art, may occur in amounts that do not preclude the effect the characteristic was intended to provide. 
     Numerical data may be expressed or presented herein in a range format. It is to be understood that such a range format is used merely for convenience and brevity and thus should be interpreted flexibly to include not only the numerical values explicitly recited as the limits of the range, but also interpreted to include all of the individual numerical values or sub-ranges encompassed within that range as if each numerical value and sub-range is explicitly recited. As an illustration, a numerical range of “about 1 to 5” should be interpreted to include not only the explicitly recited values of about 1 to about 5, but should also be interpreted to also include individual values and sub-ranges within the indicated range. Thus, included in this numerical range are individual values such as 2, 3 and 4 and sub-ranges such as “about 1 to about 3,” “about 2 to about 4” and “about 3 to about 5,” “1 to 3,” “2 to 4,” “3 to 5,” etc. This same principle applies to ranges reciting only one numerical value (e.g., “greater than about 1”) and should apply regardless of the breadth of the range or the characteristics being described. A plurality of items may be presented in a common list for convenience. However, these lists should be construed as though each member of the list is individually identified as a separate and unique member. Thus, no individual member of such list should be construed as a de facto equivalent of any other member of the same list solely based on their presentation in a common group without indications to the contrary. Furthermore, where the terms “and” and “or” are used in conjunction with a list of items, they are to be interpreted broadly, in that any one or more of the listed items may be used alone or in combination with other listed items. The term “alternatively” refers to selection of one of two or more alternatives, and is not intended to limit the selection to only those listed alternatives or to only one of the listed alternatives at a time, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.