GB1604600A - Irrigation device for plants - Google Patents

Description

(54) IRRIGATION DEVICE FOR PLANTS (71) We, PLASTIC ENGINEERS LI MITED, a British Company of Treforest Industrial Estate, Near Pontypridd, Glamorgan, do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: This invention relates to an irrigation device for plants.

In the cultivation of plants, especially tomatoes, cucumbers, etc., in domestic and commercial greenhouses, and even in the open garden, there has been an increasing trend towards the use of so called Gro-bags, plastic sacks containing a compost which provides both humus and all the nutrients needed for plant growth, but not, of course, water. In practice, these Gro-bags are laid flat on the ground and either a large rectangular hole is cut in the upper surface of the bag, exposing the whole contents, or small holes or slits are cut to accommodate each individual plant.Irrigation is generally crude and takes places usually by the application of single large doses of water, say once daily or less frequently, and can result in gross over-watering even to the extent of 'flooding' the plant roots, or alternatively of under-watering due to difficulties in applying water from a can or bucket through slits or small holes in the Gro-bag.

The present invention seeks to overcome these disadvantages by providing a device for the gradual supply of water to the plants and which is less expensive than alternative more sophisticated and consequently more expensive devices.

In accordance with this invention therefore we provide an irrigation device comprising a reservoir having a base from which a plurality of tapered nozzles extends for insertion into soil to a depth determined by said base.

In order that the invention may be fully understood preferred embodiments thereof will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows an irrigation device according to this invention, and Figure 2 shows a modified form of the device illustrated in Figure 1.

The base of a reservoir 1 made of plastics material is fitted, by welding, by adhesion, or other means, with three tapered nozzles or spouts 2 to convey water to compost at points near to the plant roots. To set up the device, the reservoir 1 is placed on top of and to one side of a Gro-bag 3, the three tapered spouts 2 having been forced through the plastic sack to a distance roughly halfway through the thickness of compost. The reservoir may be given additional support by means of a light metal or plastics framework 4 straddling the Gro-bag 3.

In use, sufficient water is run into the reservoir to supply the plants' needs for the ensuing period, e.g. 24 hours or so. This quantity is to be roughly determined by experience of the grower in the light of the current and anticipated environmental conditions. Water percolates through the small orifice 5 at the base of each spout and soaks into the compost gradually over a period of hours.

In order to assist in the establishment of likely irrigation requirements, the reservoir may be roughly calibrated by the provision of 'steps' 6 in its sides to indicate a content of one, two, three gallons etc., or by other means.

Additionally there could be provided metal or plastics sockets 7 or open-ended supports fixed to the reservoir 1 or to its frame 4, which would hold and support bamboo or plastic canes 8, commonly used for supporting the weight of the growing plants and their crops, as shown in Figure 2.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. An irrigation device comprising a

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (4)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. (54) IRRIGATION DEVICE FOR PLANTS (71) We, PLASTIC ENGINEERS LI MITED, a British Company of Treforest Industrial Estate, Near Pontypridd, Glamorgan, do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: This invention relates to an irrigation device for plants. In the cultivation of plants, especially tomatoes, cucumbers, etc., in domestic and commercial greenhouses, and even in the open garden, there has been an increasing trend towards the use of so called Gro-bags, plastic sacks containing a compost which provides both humus and all the nutrients needed for plant growth, but not, of course, water. In practice, these Gro-bags are laid flat on the ground and either a large rectangular hole is cut in the upper surface of the bag, exposing the whole contents, or small holes or slits are cut to accommodate each individual plant.Irrigation is generally crude and takes places usually by the application of single large doses of water, say once daily or less frequently, and can result in gross over-watering even to the extent of 'flooding' the plant roots, or alternatively of under-watering due to difficulties in applying water from a can or bucket through slits or small holes in the Gro-bag. The present invention seeks to overcome these disadvantages by providing a device for the gradual supply of water to the plants and which is less expensive than alternative more sophisticated and consequently more expensive devices. In accordance with this invention therefore we provide an irrigation device comprising a reservoir having a base from which a plurality of tapered nozzles extends for insertion into soil to a depth determined by said base. In order that the invention may be fully understood preferred embodiments thereof will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows an irrigation device according to this invention, and Figure 2 shows a modified form of the device illustrated in Figure 1. The base of a reservoir 1 made of plastics material is fitted, by welding, by adhesion, or other means, with three tapered nozzles or spouts 2 to convey water to compost at points near to the plant roots. To set up the device, the reservoir 1 is placed on top of and to one side of a Gro-bag 3, the three tapered spouts 2 having been forced through the plastic sack to a distance roughly halfway through the thickness of compost. The reservoir may be given additional support by means of a light metal or plastics framework 4 straddling the Gro-bag 3. In use, sufficient water is run into the reservoir to supply the plants' needs for the ensuing period, e.g. 24 hours or so. This quantity is to be roughly determined by experience of the grower in the light of the current and anticipated environmental conditions. Water percolates through the small orifice 5 at the base of each spout and soaks into the compost gradually over a period of hours. In order to assist in the establishment of likely irrigation requirements, the reservoir may be roughly calibrated by the provision of 'steps' 6 in its sides to indicate a content of one, two, three gallons etc., or by other means. Additionally there could be provided metal or plastics sockets 7 or open-ended supports fixed to the reservoir 1 or to its frame 4, which would hold and support bamboo or plastic canes 8, commonly used for supporting the weight of the growing plants and their crops, as shown in Figure 2. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. An irrigation device comprising a reservoir having a base from which a plurality of tapered nozzles extends for insertion into soil to a depth determined by said base.

2. An irrigation device as claimed in Clam 1 wherein said reservoir has stepped sides, to indicate the amount of water in the reservoir.

3. An irrigation device as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, including sockets attached to the reservoir for supporting stakes up which plants irrigated by said device may be trained.

4. An irrigation device substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.