Abstract:
The invention involves an apparatus and system for a self-watering planter. The system includes a liquid container and a growth medium container secured together with snap type fasteners. A plurality of evenly distributed growth medium wells extends downwardly from the growth medium container into the liquid container for utilizing capillary action to transfer liquid into the growth medium. Root apertures are provided for the roots to extend into the liquid container. A snap together hanger, which includes snap-lock type fasteners, is provided for hanging the assembly from an overhead structure, and a filling window is provided to fill the liquid container.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is related to U.S. Design Patent Application No. 29/465,455, entitled “WICKING PLANTER”, filed Aug. 28, 2013; U.S. Design Patent Application No. 29/467,388, entitled “WICKING PLANTER”, filed Sep. 18, 2013; and U.S. Design Patent Application No. 29/468,735, entitled “WICKING PLANTER”, filed Oct. 2, 2013. The contents of which the above referenced applications are incorporated herein by reference. 
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
     The present invention generally relates to planters, and more particularly to a system for constructing a series of wicking planters with ease of use features. 
     BACKGROUND INFORMATION 
     Because providing water to potted plants is of the upmost importance for maintaining a healthy atmosphere for the plant, a number of self-watering container systems have been developed. These systems generally include a lower reservoir for containing a liquid, such as water, and an upper portion that contains a growing medium, such as dirt, and the plant. 
     Various devices and methods for transferring the water from the bottom to the top have been devised, including wicks. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,220,144 to Green discloses a system which includes a feed tube, a reservoir and a water tower. As explained in Green, water travels from the tower through a port to the reservoir. The water is then absorbed through the feed tube, which is packed with sand and disposed within a planter, by capillary action. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,676,953 to Delogne discloses wicks, which extend from a plant container into a water-filled reservoir; water is thus supplied to plants therein by capillary action. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,434,577 to Holtkamp discloses a similar invention which provides for capillary transmission of water from a water containing tray to a pot by way of a water pervious pad having one or more hinged, movable tabs which can be bent downwardly through an opening for submergence in the water in the tray. 
     A drawback to this type of plant container construction relates to the inability to adequately transfer sufficient liquid to keep the growing medium at the proper moisture level without the aid of heat for the wicking process. 
     Another known approach is to create a small area where the growing medium extends into the reservoir. However, without a sufficient volume of growing medium, the liquid is inadequately distributed throughout the growing medium. 
     An additional drawback to the prior art relates to the connectors utilized to connect the liquid reservoir to the growth medium container. The prior art connectors are difficult to align and assemble, and many require tools for proper assembly. There are ergonomic needs that a self-watering planter system must satisfy in order to achieve acceptance by the end user. The system must be easily and quickly assembled using minimal hardware and requiring a minimal number of tools. Further, the system should not require excessive strength to assemble or include heavy component parts. Moreover, the system must assemble together in such a way so as not to detract from the aesthetic appearance of the self-watering planter system. 
     Thus, the present invention provides a self-watering planter system which overcomes the disadvantages of prior art self-watering systems. The self-watering planter system of the present invention not only provides for relative ease of assembly, it also permits assembly without the need for tools. The present invention also provides a self-watering planter system which evenly distributes liquid throughout the growing medium, thereby eliminating the need for daily plant watering. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Briefly, the invention involves an apparatus and system for a self-watering planter. The system includes a liquid container and a growth medium container secured together with snap type fasteners. A plurality of evenly distributed growth medium wells extends downwardly from the growth medium container into the liquid container for utilizing capillary action to transfer liquid into the growth medium. Root apertures are provided for the roots to extend into the liquid container. A snap together hanger, which includes snap-lock type fasteners, is provided for hanging the assembly from an overhead structure, and a filling window is provided to fill the reservoir. 
     Accordingly, it is an objective of the present invention to provide a self-watering planter system. 
     It is a further objective of the present invention to provide a self-watering planter system that utilizes snap together construction. 
     It is yet a further objective of the present invention to provide a snap-together fastener for self-watering planter systems that utilizes ramp lock type fasteners. 
     It is another objective of the instant invention to provide a self-watering planter system wherein the snap-together fasteners are located above the upper level of the liquid in the liquid container. 
     Other objectives and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein are set forth, by way of illustration and example, certain embodiments of this invention. The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments of the present invention and illustrate various objects and features thereof. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         FIG. 1  is a top perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a top view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1  illustrating the construction of the inner portion of the medium container; 
         FIG. 3  is a top perspective view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , illustrating the assembled self-watering planter; 
         FIG. 4  is a left side view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a front view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a bottom perspective view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a top perspective view of one embodiment of the growth medium container; 
         FIG. 8  is a top view of the growth medium container shown in  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a right side view of the growth medium container shown in  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a front view of the growth medium container shown in  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 11  is a bottom perspective view of the growth medium container shown in  FIG. 7 , illustrating the growth medium wells, root apertures and fastener tunnel; 
         FIG. 12  is a top perspective view of one embodiment of the liquid container, illustrating the fastener stanchions; 
         FIG. 13  is a bottom perspective view of the liquid container shown in  FIG. 7 or 12 ; 
         FIG. 14  is a bottom view of the liquid container shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 15  is a front view of the liquid container shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 16  is a top view of the liquid container shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 17  is a side view of one embodiment of the present invention, illustrating a non-hanging type planter; 
         FIG. 18  is a section view taken along lines  18 - 18  of  FIG. 17 ; 
         FIG. 19  is a partial section view taken along lines  19 - 19  of  FIG. 18 , illustrating the liquid window; 
         FIG. 20  is a partial section view taken along lines  20 - 20  of  FIG. 18 , illustrating engagement of the snap-together fastener; 
         FIG. 21  is a top left perspective view of one embodiment of the self-watering planter, illustrating a window sill model; 
         FIG. 22  is a top right perspective view of the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 21 ; 
         FIG. 23  is a partial perspective view taken along lines  23 - 23  of  FIG. 22 , illustrating assembly of the tie rod member; 
         FIG. 24  is a top view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 21 ; 
         FIG. 25  is a front view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 21 ; 
         FIG. 26  is a rear view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 21 ; 
         FIG. 27  is a bottom perspective view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 21 ; 
         FIG. 28  is a bottom view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 21 ; 
         FIG. 29  is a top perspective view of the windowsill growth medium container; 
         FIG. 30  is a top view of the windowsill growth medium container of  FIG. 29 , illustrating the storage position of the tie rod member; 
         FIG. 31  is a bottom view of the windowsill growth medium container of  FIG. 29 ; 
         FIG. 32  is a bottom perspective view of the windowsill growth medium container of  FIG. 29 ; 
         FIG. 33  is a side view of the windowsill growth medium container of  FIG. 29 ; 
         FIG. 34  is an end view of the windowsill growth medium container of  FIG. 29 ; 
         FIG. 35  is a top perspective view of a liquid container suitable for use with the windowsill self-watering planter; 
         FIG. 36  is a bottom perspective view of the liquid container of  FIG. 35 ; 
         FIG. 37  is a top view of the liquid container of  FIG. 35 ; 
         FIG. 38  is a bottom view of the liquid container of  FIG. 35 ; 
         FIG. 39  is a side view of the liquid container of  FIG. 35 ; 
         FIG. 40  is an end view of the liquid container of  FIG. 35 ; 
         FIG. 41  is a top left perspective view of one embodiment of the self-watering planter, illustrating a window sill model; 
         FIG. 42  is a bottom perspective view of the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 41 ; 
         FIG. 43  is a top view of the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 41 ; 
         FIG. 44  is a bottom view of the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 41 ; 
         FIG. 45  is a front view of the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 41 ; and 
         FIG. 46  is a side view of the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 41 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     While the present invention is susceptible of embodiment in various forms, there is shown in the drawings and will hereinafter be described a presently preferred embodiment with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated. 
     Referring generally to  FIGS. 1-46 , a self-watering planter system  100  for cultivating plants is illustrated. The system generally includes a growth medium container  10  for containing a growth medium, such as dirt, for growing plants, and a liquid container  12  for containment of liquid for plants in the growth medium container. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-20 , one embodiment of the self-watering plantar system is illustrated with a round growth medium container  10 . In this embodiment the growth medium container  10  is generally circular, and includes a base panel  14  having a top surface  16  and a bottom surface  18 , at least one sidewall  20  integrally formed to the base panel  14  at a generally obtuse angle for containing a growth medium for plants. The base panel  14  includes a plurality of apertures  34  for through growth of plant roots, whereby the plant roots may directly engage liquid within the liquid container  12 . The base panel  14  further includes a tunnel portion  22  ( FIG. 20 ) extending upwardly from the top surface  16  of the base panel  14 . The tunnel portion  22  includes a first portion of a securing assembly  24  for securing the growth medium container  10  to the liquid container  12 . The base panel  14  also includes an annular well portion  26 . The annular well portion  26  extends downwardly with respect to the bottom surface  18  of the base panel  14  to a position proximate the upper surface  38  of the bottom panel  36  of the liquid container  12 . The bottom portion of the annular well portion  26  includes a plurality of apertures  28  for transfer of liquid to and from the growth medium container  10 . In this manner, growth medium is allowed to extend into the annular well portion  26 , and thus, the liquid in the liquid container  12  whereby the liquid is allowed to transfer throughout the growth medium by capillary action. Shown here in the preferred embodiment, the annular well portion  26  is serrated to create a plurality of square bottomed well serrations  30 . In this embodiment, the liquid container  12  includes at least one key member  32  positioned to cooperate with the square bottomed serrations  30  to index the attachment of the liquid container  12  to the growth medium container  10 . In the preferred embodiment, the growth medium container  10  includes a funnel indention  50  positioned at a junction of the base panel  14  and the sidewall  20  for allowing liquid to be poured into the liquid container  12 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-20  and to  FIGS. 12-20  for more detail, a liquid container  12  for holding a small amount of water for use by the plants in the growth medium container  10  is illustrated. The liquid container  12  includes a bottom panel  36  having an upper surface  38  and a lower surface  40 . A continuous sidewall  42  is integrally formed to the bottom panel  36  to create a watertight container having an open top. The bottom panel  36  includes an annular shaped post  44  extending upwardly with respect to the upper surface  38 , the post including a second portion  46  of the securing assembly for securing the growth medium container  10  to the liquid container  12 . In the preferred embodiment the annular shaped post  44  is broken into segments  48 . The segments  48  of the annular post  44  match segments  23  of the tunnel  22 , so that the segments  23  of the tunnel  22  and segments  48  of the annular post  44  cooperate in an intermeshed manner to index the attachment of the liquid container  12  to the growth medium container  10 . In the preferred embodiment, the liquid container  12  includes a spillway  52  positioned in the liquid container sidewall  42 , the spillway  52  having an upper surface  54  that is below the top surface of the sidewall  42 , whereby excess liquid is allowed to escape over the spillway to prevent oversaturation of the growth medium. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-11 , the growth medium container  10  includes a depending lip  56  extending around the perimeter of the top portion thereof for providing strength to the growth medium container  10 . The depending lip  56  includes a plurality of hanger apertures  58  extending therethrough for the attachment of a hanging support assembly (not shown) for hanging the self-watering planter system  100  from an overhead support member. The hanger apertures  58  preferably include a snap-lock feature, whereby a portion of the hanging support assembly is constructed and arranged to snap into the snap-lock feature for retention thereof. The base panel  14  of the growth medium container  10  includes at least one retention aperture  62  which may be accompanied by a snap lock aperture  64  ( FIG. 8 ) for the retention of the hanging support assembly during storage and shipment of said self-watering planter. In this embodiment, the hanger is pulled through the retention aperture and locked in place with the snap lock aperture  64 . For use, the user merely snaps the hanger free from the snap lock aperture to release the hanger to be snapped into the snap-lock feature  60  in the depending lip  56 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 17, 18 and 20 , the securing system for attaching the growth medium container  10  to the liquid container  12  is illustrated. The securing system includes a ramp portion  66  and a window portion  68 . The ramp portion  66  is constructed and arranged to displace a portion of a panel  70  adjacent the window  68  sufficiently to allow the ramp portion  66  to fit into the window  68 . The ramp portion  66  includes a back-stop surface  72  that is constructed and arranged to cooperate with a side surface  74  of the window  68  to prevent disengagement of the securing system. The ramp portion  66  and the window  68  are positioned above the upper surface  16  of the base panel  14  when the liquid container  12  is secured to the growth medium container  10 . As illustrated, the ramp portion  66  is integrally formed onto the annular shaped post  44 , and the window  68  is integrally formed into the tunnel portion  22  of the growth medium container  10 . However, it should be noted that the location of these components may be reversed without departing from the scope of the invention. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 21-46 , an elongated window sill type embodiment of the present self-watering planter system  100  invention is illustrated. This embodiment is constructed using the elements as described above with additional features. The elongated embodiment additionally includes a pair of cross strut mounts  76  secured to an inner surface  78  of said sidewall  20 . The cross strut mounts  76  are constructed and arranged to cooperate with a cross strut  80  for retention thereof. The cross strut  80  extends across a top portion of the sidewall with each distal end of the cross strut  80  secured to a respective cross strut mount  76  for providing support to the sidewall to prevent splaying and the like under load. In the preferred elongated embodiment, the base panel  14  includes a cross strut storage cavity  82  for storing and shipping said cross strut member. 
     All patents and publications mentioned in this specification are indicative of the levels of those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains. All patents and publications are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. 
     It is to be understood that while a certain form of the invention is illustrated, it is not to be limited to the specific form or arrangement of parts herein described and shown. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention and the invention is not to be considered limited to what is shown and described in the specification. 
     One skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the present invention is well adapted to carry out the objects and obtain the ends and advantages mentioned, as well as those inherent therein. Any compounds, methods, procedures and techniques described herein are presently representative of the preferred embodiments, are intended to be exemplary and are not intended as limitations on the scope. Changes therein and other uses will occur to those skilled in the art which are encompassed within the spirit of the invention and are defined by the scope of the appended claims. Although the invention has been described in connection with specific preferred embodiments, it should be understood that the invention as claimed should not be unduly limited to such specific embodiments. Indeed, various modifications of the described modes for carrying out the invention which are obvious to those skilled in the art are intended to be within the scope of the following claims.