Patent EP0692186A1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
EP0692186A1
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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Self-watering growing systems
Assignee: NASHUA INDUSTRIAL MACHINE Corp
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Filing: 1995-07-12
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2015-07-12
Abstract
Abstract A growing system, comprising a container (3) for liquid, a container (2) for growing medium and a wick (6) for transporting water (8) between them, provides a low maintenance, low water usage, self-watering planter (1). The wick (6), cut from an extended, continuously manufactured length, may comprise a plastic net and omni-directional, long-fiber sphagnum moss.
Inventors
- 👤 Lester Gidge
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 22:34
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01G; A01G27/00; A01G27/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
75 words
A combination for a self-watering, self-contained growing system comprising: a first container for holding liquid; a second container for holding a growing medium comprising soilless mix; and a wick for being located with a lower portion in contact with a liquid of the first container and with an upper portion in contact with the lower portion of growing medium of the second container; the continuous wick comprising omni-directional long-fiber sphagnum moss held together by mesh.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
50 words
The combination of claim 1 in which a first container for holding liquid supports a plurality of containers for growing medium around its edge, and the growing medium containers and wicks leading thereto from the liquid are located such that a second liquid container may be placed on the first.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The combination of claim 2 in which the second liquid container may be placed concentrically on the first.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
113 words
A self-watering, self-contained planter comprising: a container holding growing medium; a container holding more than one gallon of liquid six or more inches deep, the liquid being located underneath the growing medium; an air space between the growing medium and the liquid; a wick comprising means for capillary transport of liquid connecting the liquid with a lower portion of the growing medium; the wick being capable of transporting moisture by capillary action upwards six inches or more from the liquid to the lower portion of the growing medium; the containers, the growing medium and the wick being arranged and comprising a combination for maintaining plants for four weeks or more without liquid replenishment.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The planter of claim 4 in which the wick comprises omni-directional long-fiber sphagnum moss held together by mesh.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The planter of claim 4, in which the growing medium consists essentially of soilless mix.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The planter of claim 4 in which the wick comprises a short length of wick made from a longer, extended, continuous length of wick.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
39 words
A wick for transporting moisture by capillary action comprising, omni-directional long-fiber sphagnum moss; mesh around and holding the moss together; said wick having the characteristic of carrying moisture for growing plants to at least a height of 6 inches.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
12 words
The wick of claim 8 in which the height is 18 inches.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
68 words
A process for making a wick for transporting liquid comprising the steps of: mixing long-fiber sphagnum moss with water to form a slurry; delivering the slurry continuously to a porous surface to form a strip of omni-directional sphagnum moss and to remove at least a portion of the water; binding the delivered, omni-directional sphagnum moss together in a longitudinally extended strip, and cutting the strip into shorter strips.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
The process of claim 10 in which the binding step includes enclosing the sphagnum moss in a mesh.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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