Patent Publication Number: US-2022225585-A1

Title: Tree watering and fertilizing apparatus

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to the field of tree watering and fertilizing devices. More specifically, the present invention relates to a tree watering and fertilizing apparatus that can be used to irrigate and fertilize the base or a tree or shrub. 
     DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART 
     Sprinklers are a common tool to irrigate lawns and other vegetation. In light of drought conditions throughout some parts of the world, overwatering may be environmentally harmful and costly. Even more, overwatering may lead to fungus or insect infestations. Conversely, underwatering may lead to damage or dry vegetation and trees. This especially poses a problem for trees or shrubs which may require varying watering needs compared to nearby vegetation. Supplying the proper amount of water to trees can be challenging, given the varying sizes and shapes of trees and the close proximity to other plants or trees requiring less water. Some are wide, requiring the sprinkler to be repositioned multiple times to evenly water the surrounding ground. Some are in a slope that allows the water to flow away from the tree. 
     Sprinklers, especially rotary and oscillating sprinklers, are generally designed to shoot volumes of water in both an upward and outward pattern in order to cover large areas. Often, this method of watering sprays water on the fruit and leaves of trees and shrubs increasing risk of fungal diseases. A soaker hose is another popular method to water a tree. However, a soaker hose is difficult and time consuming to unwrap and place around a tree. Removal of the soaker hose may be necessary every time the grass around the tree will be mowed because the soaker hose can get caught in the mower blades. The grass and other vegetation around the tree can also be damaged if the soaker hose is left for an extended period of time as it can leave an imprint on the grass, sand, or vegetation. Yet another method of watering trees is a low volume drip/sprinkler system. These typically involve long, thin, plastic tubing lying within the landscape that can be crushed or severed if ran over by a mower. Additionally, another way of watering a tree is by manual hosing which can be wasteful, time consuming, and often forgotten. 
     Even more, the number of devices specifically designed to both water and fertilize a tree is substantially less than devices that merely water. There are a number of systems designed to water trees in the prior art. Previous attempts have proven ineffective and unsuccessful. U.S. Pat. No. 6,601,339 teaches a system with a base which has a periphery and a central hole with a slot in between and interior and exterior walls that extend upwardly from the base. U.S. Pat. No. 5,117,582 teaches a tree irrigator utilizing a flexible tree encircling container which may receive a substantial volume of a tree irrigating liquid and which will slowly disperse the liquid to the tree over a period of time. U.S. Pat. No. 6,023,883, teaches a drip irrigator Which is fitted around the trunk of a tree and holds a supply of water which slowly percolates into the soil to maintain irrigation of the tree roots, particularly during hot and dry weather. A tree surrounding ring for protecting the trunk of a tree and enhancing the appearance of the tree is taught in U.S. Pat. No. 2,782,561. The ring is interrupted by a ring slot or formed from two semicircular sections to facilitate fitting the ring around the trunk of the tree. U.S. Pat. No. 4,010,898 teaches an apparatus that includes a semi-permanent, semi-looped elastic distributing conduit having a closed end and an open end, with a plurality of spray nozzles. U.S. Pat. No. 5,285,968 teaches a water chamber in the form of an annulus having a large open segment which permits the chamber to serve as a yoke which can be positioned on the ground surrounding the trunk of small trees at the base of the trunk. The chamber is continuously fed with water from a garden hose and the wall of the chamber is pierced with a single row of water orifices which are distributed along a line around the upper, outer diameter of the annular body. This arrangement permits the watering of a tree outward, around the drip-line beneath the tree&#39;s outer foliage. However, the number of devices that both water and fertilize a tree are less and include U.S. Pat. No. 5,193,306 which teaches a reservoir container that water and a bag of fertilizer. Thus, the water is mixed with the fertilizer and feeds the tree or plant. U.S. Pat. No. 10,617,073 teaches a self-watering planter that allows fertilizer or plant food material to wick into the water as the water is fed into the plant. 
     Therefore, there exists a need for a tree irrigator which will overcome the deficiencies of the prior art devices without having its own drawbacks. The tree watering apparatus of the present invention provides a practical and satisfactory device which is a significant advance in the art. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned disadvantages occurring in the prior art, and it is the object of the present invention to provide a tree watering apparatus that irrigates and fertilizes a tree. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a tree watering and fertilizing apparatus with some rigidity for durability and that is not damaged easily by blades from a mower, tree cutter, or other gardening tools. 
     It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a tree wat and fertilizing apparatus that incorporates a root barrier that protects the roots of the tree and directs them in a downward direction away from the surface of the ground. 
     It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a tree watering and fertilizing apparatus that maintains the irrigation water around the tree until it is absorbed by the ground around the base of the tree rather than allowing the irrigation water to flow away from the tree. 
     It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a tree watering and fertilizing apparatus that allows control over the flow rate or amount of water irrigated around a tree. 
     It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a tree watering apparatus to which other accessories can be incorporated, such as a landscape light. 
     It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a tree watering apparatus that is cost effective and manufacturable. 
     To accomplish the above objects, the present invention is embodied in a tree watering and fertilizing apparatus comprising a tree ring, a fertilizer dispenser, an inlet fitting, an irrigation valve, and a fertilizer valve. Water supply is attached to the inlet fitting to allow water to flow into the apparatus and out a distribution fitting. The fertilizer dispenser is in fluid communication with the distribution hole so as to allow fertilizer to be syphoned and mixed into the water as it is dispensed on the tree. The tree ring partly buried into the ground around the base of the tree so that the water dispensed through the distribution hole irrigates the base of the tree. Furthermore, the bottom section of the tree ring is buried into the ground far enough to protect the roots of the tree and direct their growth downward and away from the ground surface. 
     The above and other features and advantages of the present invention, as well as the structure and usage of various embodiments of the present invention, are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and form part of the specification, illustrate various embodiments of the present invention and, together with the description, further serve to explain the principles of the invention and to enable a person skilled in the pertinent art to make and use the invention. In the drawings, like reference numbers indicate identical or functional similar elements. A more complete appreciation of the invention and many of the attendant advantages thereof will be readily obtained as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of the tree watering and fertilizing apparatus according to the present invention as it is used around a tree or shrub; 
         FIG. 2  shows an exploded view of a section of the tree watering and fertilizing apparatus according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  shows a top perspective view of the tree watering and fertilizing apparatus according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  shows a perspective view of the fertilizer dispenser as used in the tree watering and fertilizing apparatus according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  shows a perspective view of the irrigation valve that connects to the tree ring of the tree watering and fertilizing apparatus according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  shows a cross-sectional view of a section of the tree watering and fertilizing apparatus according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  shows a close-up view of the irrigation valve as it is assembled into the tree watering and fertilizing apparatus according to the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Certain terminology is used in the following descriptions for convenience only and is not limiting. The words “right”, “left”, “lower”, and “upper” designate directions in the drawings to which reference is made. The words “inwardly” or “distally” and “outwardly” or “proximally” refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, the geometric center or orientation of the device and instruments and related parts thereof. The terminology includes the above-listed words, derivatives thereof, and words of similar import. 
     Although the present invention can be used in connection with any type of irrigation application, it is especially suited for irrigation applications in connection with trees and shrubs. Accordingly, the present invention will be described herein with reference to tree irrigation applications. However, the preferred system of the present application may also be adapted for use on lawns, or flower applications. 
     Reference will be made to the drawings in which various elements of the present invention will be given numerical designations and in which the invention will be discussed so as to enable one skilled in the art make and use the invention. 
     The present invention comprises a tree watering and fertilizing apparatus  100  that is placed around the base of a tree and comprising a tree ring  10 , a fertilizer dispenser  20 , a fertilizer valve  30 , an irrigation valve  40 , an inlet fitting  50 , and a distribution hole  60 . It is well-established that the preferred method of watering a tree is at the base spread over a large area around the base of the tree without irrigating the fruits or leaves growing from the branches of the tree. Such method of irrigation ensures that the water is spread around the tree so as to encourage root growth in all directions. The tree watering and fertilizing apparatus  100  of the present invention is partly buried into the ground around the base of the tree  200 . The inlet fitting  50  is connected to a water supply and the fertilizer dispenser  20  is in fluid communication with the distribution hole  60  through which water infused with fertilizer exits to irrigate the base of the tree  200 . 
       FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of the tree watering and fertilizing apparatus  100  of the present invention as it would be used around a tree  200 .  FIG. 2  shows an exploded view of the tree watering and fertilizing apparatus  100  of the present invention to depict in greater detail the various components that comprise the tree watering and fertilizing apparatus  100 . 
     As shown in.  FIG. 3 , the tree ring  10  has a top section and a bottom section with a grade level line indicator  11  in between the two. The bottom section comprises a bottom barrier  12  that extends downward from said grade level line indicator  11 . In addition, a plurality of ground piercing teeth  14  extend downwardly from said bottom barrier  12 . The top section comprises an inner barrier  15  that extends upward from said grade level line indicator  11  and an outer barrier  16  both of which share the same center of curvature. Further, a top shelf  17  is formed between the inner barrier  15  and the outer barrier  16 . A valve hole  18  and a dispenser hole  19  are located on the top shelf  17 . A feed tube  21  located within the top shelf  17  connects the valve hole  18  to the dispenser hole  19 . Formation of the feed tube  21  within the top shelf  17  requires a feed tube cover  21   a  to form part of the feed tube  21  and serve as a cover that is permanently and seal ingly attached within the top shelf  17 . The top shelf  17  and the teed tube cover  21   a  are joined to form the feed tube  21  within the top shelf  17  connecting the valve hole  18  to the dispenser hole  19 . A through hole  55  transverse to the valve hole  18  extends through the top shelf  17  The through hole  55  has an inner end and an outer end. Furthermore, an accessory hole  71  located within the top shelf  17  allows an accessory itemto be attached thereto. Finally, the tree ring  10  is formed by two half rings joined together by connectors  75  at a slit  72 . Alternatively, a slit  72  severs the tree ring  10  on one side so that the tree ring  10  can be opened and wrapped around the base of a tree  200 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , the fertilizer dispenser  20  is primarily, but not always, conical in shape so as to funnel the fertilizer therein through a dispenser tube  22  to which a fertilizer valve  30  is attached. Further, the fertilizer dispenser  20  has a top opening  23  through which fertilizer is added and on which a dispenser lid  24  is placed to serve as a cover. The dispenser lid  24  has a handle  25  used to place or remove the dispenser lid  24 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , the irrigation valve  40  has a handle  41  on the top resting ora stem  42  attached to a body  43  that is primarily, but not always, cylindrical in shape. The body  43  has an irrigation hole  44  that extends from one side of the body  43  through the other in a straight direction. In addition, a feed hole  45  extends within the body  43  transversely to the irrigation hole  44 . The feed hole  45  has a diameter that is smaller than that of the irrigation hole  44  and the feed hole  45  extends into the irrigation hole  44 . Furthermore, a first o-ring is attached to the o-ring channel  46  around the top section of the body  43  while a second o-ring is attached around the bottom section of the body  43 . Further, a plurality of latching feet  48  protrude downward from the bottom face of the body  43 . Finally, as shown in  FIG. 7 , a nub  49  extends radially outward from the handle  41  to serve as a stopper against pegs  49   a  on the top shelf  17  that restricts rotation of the irrigation valve  40  so that the feed hole  45  does not align with the inlet fitting  50 . 
     Hereinafter, an explanation on the methods of assembling the product of the present invention, the installation thereof to a tree, and the operating states thereof will be given. 
     For the assembly of the tree watering and fertilizing apparatus  100  of the present invention, the tree ring  10  is placed around a tree  200 , preferably concentric to the tree, at a predetermined distance from the base of the trunk of the tree. Then the tree ring  10  is pushed down until the bottom section is buried in the ground and the grade level line indicator  11  is at ground or grade level. The ground piercing teeth  14  aid in the process of digging and burying the bottom section of the tree ring  10 . The ground piercing teeth  14  have edges, as shown in  FIG. 6 , that facilitate in the process of digging and burying the bottom section of the tree ring  10 . 
     Once the tree ring  10  is installed around the tree  200 , the inlet fitting  50  is inserted into the outer end of the the through hole  55  from the outer side of the tree ring  10 . Then the irrigation valve  40  is inserted into the valve hole  18  until the irrigation hole  44  aligns with the through hole  55  and the feed hole  45  aligns with the feed tube  21 . Then the inner end of the through hole  55  located in the inner side of the tree ring  10  becomes the distribution hole  60  aligned and adjacent to the irrigation hole  44 . Then the fertilizer dispenser  20  is attached to the tree ring  10  by inserting the dispenser tube  22  into the dispenser hole  19 . Finally, an accessory, such as a light, can be inserted into the accessory hole  71 . 
     After the tree watering and fertilizing apparatus  100  is assembled and installed around a tree  200 , a water supply hose  300  is connected to the inlet fitting  50  and the fertilizer dispenser  20  is filled with liquid fertilizer while the fertilizer valve  30  is in the off or closed position. Finally, the dispenser lid  24  is placed on the fertilizer dispenser  20  so as to serve as a lid or cover, as shown  FIG. 7 . 
     Finally, with the watering and fertilizing apparatus  100  of the present invention assembled, installed around a tree  200 , and connected to a water supply  300 , the water supply is turned on and the irrigation valve  40  is turned to the open or on position to allow the water flow from the inlet fitting  50  through the distribution hole  60  and around the base of the tree  200 . Thereafter, the fertilizer valve  30  is turned to the open or on position so that the liquid fertilizer can flow through the dispenser tube  22  into the feed tube  21  such that the water flowing through the distribution fitting  60  siphons the liquid fertilizer and mixes it within the water flowing out around the base of the tree  200 . The water and/or fertilizer being distributed on the tree  200  is controlled with the irrigation valve  40  and the fertilizer valve  30 , respectively. 
     It is understood that the described embodiments of the present invention as discussed above are illustrative only, and that modifications thereof may occur to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, this invention is not to be regarded as limited to the embodiments disclosed, but to he limited only as defined by the appended claims herein.