Abstract:
An improved watering system for a Christmas tree which is mounted for sale or displayed in a commercial stand which defines a water retaining basin, the system being remotely located relative to the tree, and which system employs a water resistant container disguised as a Christmas gift, with a vessel to be filled with water removably disposed inside of the container. The vessel and optionally the container each having a water level indicator.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This application relates to commercial Christmas tree stands and a remote watering system for the trees sold therein. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Christmas trees are sold at commercial lots generally in a bundt cake pan configured tree stand that basically defines a basin for water retention. That is, the holder is a basin generally having a flat base and an integrated upstanding circular sidewall. An upstanding metal pointed peg upon which the tree trunk is impaled is centrally disposed in the base. The transition from the base to the sidewall may be a relatively large radius or a mere chamfer curve of a small extension. 
     There have been prior art attempts to provide remote watering systems to avoid the drying out of the trees to thus reduce the potential fire danger of the Christmas tree. These prior art units were located in a patent search. Thus applicant is cognizant of the following patents: 
     
       
         
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
                 Cibor 
                 U.S. Pat. No. 5,076,009 
               
               
                   
                 Davidian 
                 5,857,484 
               
               
                   
                 Voorhis 
                 5,201,140 
               
               
                   
                 Jacques 
                 5,937,574 
               
               
                   
                 Copenhaver 
                 5,369,910 
               
               
                   
                 Ronald 
                 U.S. Design 375,026 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     Specifically this invention is an improvement to the remote watering system of the Copenhaver patent. While these and other patents may relate to the use of a remote watering system for an in-use tree watering system, there are indeed significant benefits to be obtained over the prior art from the system of this invention. 
     The big problem with the Copenhaver waterer is that it requires the use of a specific tree holder. We on the other hand have adapted what we have found to be the most commercially used tree stand for use with a remote watering system, which remote waterer is an improvement of the remote waterer of Copenhaver. Here too, there is no need to crawl under the tree to determine the water level in the stand. Here too a Christmas present type camouflage system for the water source is employed. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In order to accomplish our desired goals, we have provided a tree stand for the support of a Christmas tree in an upright position, in conjunction with an improved remote watering system which comprises a storage container having a water vessel disposed therein, the storage container being disguised as a Christmas present. Water can run through tubing in the vessel, through an aperture in the storage container, to the stand which has a grommeted aperture therein for receipt of the tubing. The tubing can be hidden on the floor, by a rug, cloth or other covering. A sight system is provided in the storage container and the water vessel for determining the water level in the vessel and the water level of the stand. 
     It is a first object of this invention to provide an improved Christmas tree watering system. 
     It is a second object to provide a tree watering system that advises the user when the water source for the Christmas tree needs replenishment. 
     It is a third object to provide a remote watering system that does not require a change in tree stands from that employed by the tree vendor. 
     It is another object to provide an easy to use and easy to store low cost remote watering system for Xmas trees that can be used year after year. 
     Other objects of the invention will in part be obvious and will in part appear hereinafter. 
     The invention accordingly comprises the device possessing the features properties and the relation of components which are exemplified in the following detailed disclosure and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the appended claims. 
     For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention reference should be made to the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the Christmas tree gift storage container aspect of this invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the container of this invention with the cover removed therefrom. 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the vessel forming one aspect of this invention. 
     FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the vessel disposed within the container. 
     FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the entire remote watering system of this invention. 
     FIG. 6 is a top perspective view of the commercial Christmas tree stand as modified for use within this invention. 
     FIG. 7 is a partial sectional view of the several layers employed in the container. 
    
    
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An improved remote watering system for a Christmas tree mounted for sale or display in a commercial stand, which system employs a water resistant container disguised as a Christmas gift, which has a removable vessel therein to be filled with water, said vessel and optionally said container having water level indicator means. The vessel feeds water to a remotely positioned Christmas tree stand by tubing which is disposed within the stand and which tubing fluidly communicates with the vessel. 
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     In FIG. 1, there is shown the improved disguised Christmas gift main portion of this invention  10 . The main portion or gift aspect includes a container  11  having a box top  12  overlaying a box bottom  13 , both of which are of conventional construction, i.e., a base member with  4  walls normally disposed to the base member, and at right angles to each other, prior to modification for this invention. A bow  14  is constructed and glued into position on the top  12  of the container  11 . A sight means  15  is optionally disposed within one side wall of the box bottom  13  to permit viewing of the fluid level indicator means  24 , discussed below. 
     In FIG. 2, the bottom of the container  13  is seen with the top  12  laying along side. Disposed within the bottom  13  is vessel  20 . Preferably the vessel is formed of plastic such as ABS, PVC or polystyrene. Seen disposed in a side wall of the container bottom  13  is grommet  21  and disposed there through is the tubing  22 , not as yet at this point of time disposed in its to be used location in the Christmas tree stand. Generally the tubing also called a hose runs from about 4 to 8 feet in length and may be conventional flexible rubber or plastic. 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the vessel  20 , having a down turned lip  20 L, for easy carrying, which vessel is used for the retention of water to be distributed to the tree in the stand. Disposed in the sidewall of the vessel is a bore  28  into which has been placed an internally threaded annular member,  29 , which is then glued into position. A threaded cap  30  may be threadedly engaged into the threads of the annular member  29 . Also found vertically disposed in the sidewall of vessel  20  is a fluid level indicator means  24  having two moveable pointers thereon  25 ,  26  for noting two points on the scale  31  of the indicator means, which two points correspond to two levels of the fluid to be used for watering the Christmas tree. Discussion on water level maintenance will be recited below with respect to the section of this application dealing with the Operating Principles. 
     FIG. 4 is a top plan view which shows the disposition of the vessel within the container. The indicator means  24  and the threaded grommet  29  are also seen. The threaded plug  30  for threaded insertion into the threaded grommet  29  is seen laying on the floor  32 , of the vessel. This plug is used when it is desired to use the vessel  20  for fluid storage but without delivery to another site. Otherwise it,  30  plays no function, and is not connected to floor  32 . 
     FIG. 5 is a perspective view that illustrates the entire invention. Tubing  22  is seen extending from the grommet  21 &#39;s opening  23  and extending into and through the threaded grommet  41  which is disposed in the opening  43  of the stand  40 &#39;s sidewall, which wall is shown cut away for ease of understanding. Portion  42  of hose  22  is the portion that extends into the stand. The end of tubing  22  that enters the container portion  13 &#39;s sidewall  33 , and passes through opening  28  into the vessel&#39;s interior. See FIG.  4 . 
     FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the typical commercial Christmas tree stand  40  which defines a basin which basin has a flat cental base  47 , for disposition upon a floor or table, and a single upstanding usually circular sidewall  46 . Though rectangular sidewall portions are also known and contemplated. Upstanding from the base  44 , and preferably centrally located, is a pointed peg or nail  45  upon which the trunk of the tree not shown is to be impaled in a vertical position. Three or more feet attached to the sidewall  46  or the central base  47  may be employed if desired to raise the basin above floor level. 
     FIG. 7 is a partial sectional view of the construction of the box bottom  13 . A wrapping layer  16  is seen to be the outermost layer, and may be made of decorative paper. The middle layer  17  is a heavy cardboard layer, while the inner layer  18  is a coating of wax or plastic to render the box bottom  13  free from potential damage from spilt water. 
     OPERATING PRINCIPLES 
     The two levels of the indicator means  24  seen in FIG. 3, relate to the elevation of the tree stand from the floor relative to the elevation of the vessel. The upper indicator  25  is noted at a point corresponding to approximately 1 inch below the top of the stand. The second marking  26  which is at a lower relative elevation corresponds in elevation to the elevation of the tubing entry into the stand  41 , per FIG.  5 . The water level in the vessel  20  should always be kept somewhere between the two indicator lines. Since the operating principle of this invention is the siphoning of water from the vessel to the stand, and since it is known that water seeks its own level, one can control and prevent overflow of fluid in the stand, by not putting water above the pre-measured elevation of the stand, which elevation corresponds to the pre-measured set point of the higher indicator setting  25  on indicator means  24 . By not filling the vessel above set point  25 , one will never overflow the capacity of the stand should it become filled with water. This of course presupposes that the user measure the elevation of the stand&#39;s top edge or lip to avoid overflow. 
     As water is absorbed from the water present in the stand, the water level therein will recede. If the water level in the stand drops below the elevation of the point of entry of the tubing into the stand; namely,  43 , the siphon delivery capability of the container  13  to deliver water to the stand will be terminated according to basic physics principles. 
     Therefore during the period of the presence of the Christmas tree on the stand peg  45 , the user must make sure that the water level in the vessel  20  never drops below the lower set point,  26 , and that upon adding water to the vessel the water level never exceeds the upper set point  25  such as not to overfill the stand. 
     Preferably the vessel disposed in the container  11  is set at a higher elevation or at least the same elevation as the tree stand in order to assure the flow of fluid via this siphon, from the elevation of point  25  down to the elevation of point  26 . 
     If the water level in the stand due to tree consumption falls below the entry point of the tubing into the stand, water flow will cease as the suction will have been broken. 
     The sight means  15 , if present in the container bottom  13 , should be in visual alignment with the indicator means  24  such that it will not be necessary to remove the box top  12  to determine how much fluid has been consumed by the tree. Preferably, for the benefit of smooth water flow, the opening in the container and opening in the vessel for the disposition of the tubing should be substantially in the same horizontal plane when the vessel is in the container. 
     The benefit of the watering system of this invention is the fact that it works with the millions of commercial Christmas tree stands in inventory of the various tree lots nationwide. Many of these stands come with a hold already drilled into the sidewall, usually of about a 1″ diameter, such that a hose can be temporarily place within the stand to fill it with water, a first time. If not present at the time of purchase the lot owners, usually will punch or drill such a bore in the sidewall of the stand. By providing a grommet  43  sized to fit the same dimension opening  41 , the stand operator can have the option of employing the watering system of this invention or not as he/she so chooses. If the choice is not do so, such as on December 24 th  prior to shut down, a tapered plug  49  seen in FIG. 5 can be inserted into the opening  43  to seal the opening  41  against leakage. 
     For ease and convenience it is seen to be within the skill of the artisan to provide hinges for the box top to pivot from a closing position on the box bottom for the easy addition of water to the vessel  20 . 
     While certain connection points have been indicated to be threaded engagements, it is seen that the use of friction it connections instead is contemplated as a suitable alternative. 
     While the thrust of the discussion has centered on the watering of Christmas trees, obviously the package could be wrapped as a Birthday, Eater or other holiday present, and the tree need not be a tree, it could be a bush to be watered by the apparatus of this invention. 
     Since certain changes may be made in the described apparatus without departing from the scope of the invention herein involved, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.