Patent US3758987A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3758987A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automatic plant watering device
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1972-07-05
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Granted: 1973-09-18
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Expires: 1992-07-05
Abstract
Abstract An automatic plant watering device responsive to the plant''s need for water is disclosed. The new watering device includes a porous sensing element that is inserted into the soil and responds to the moisture content of the soil to control the supply of water from a substantially airtight enclosure. The porous element consititutes an air valve. When the soil is relatively dry, air flows through the porous element, and water is released from the enclosure to the soil. When the soil is wet, air cannot pass through the sensing element and the flow of water is automatically shut off. The invention is also directed, in part, to a novel sensing and control device for incorporation in an automatic plant watering device or system. The device uses a basically new principle of operation and has no moving parts.
Inventors
- 👤 W Crane
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 03:58
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01G; A01G27/00; A01G27/04; A01G27/06; A01G27/003; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/1842; Y10T137/1866; Y10T137/189
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
214 words
A plant watering system, responsive to the moisture condition of a particulate planting medium, and having particular utility for automatically reacting to the moisture condition wiThin the planting medium to maintain a desired moisture condition within the planting medium for continued life and growth of a plant, said system including: a porous moisture sensing device placed within and in contact with and near the upper root zone region of the planting medium, said device having a plurality of pores with an equivalent average pore size being smaller than about 12 microns, whereby said device acts as an air valve to restrict air movement from said medium through said porous device when the planting medium in contact therewith has reached a predetermined high moisture condition wherein the moisture within said planting medium has closed said pores, and to permit the passage of air from said medium through said porous device when the planting medium has reached a predetermined low moisture condition; and moisture supply means, including at least one discharge opening, separate from said sensing device and connected to said sensing device for reacting to the flow of air through said porous device and for providing moisture to said planting medium, said moisture supply means supplying moisture to the planting medium through said discharge opening.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
214 words
A plant watering system, responsive to the moisture condition of a particulate planting medium, and having particular utility for automatically reacting to the moisture condition wiThin the planting medium to maintain a desired moisture condition within the planting medium for continued life and growth of a plant, said system including: a porous moisture sensing device placed within and in contact with and near the upper root zone region of the planting medium, said device having a plurality of pores with an equivalent average pore size being smaller than about 12 microns, whereby said device acts as an air valve to restrict air movement from said medium through said porous device when the planting medium in contact therewith has reached a predetermined high moisture condition wherein the moisture within said planting medium has closed said pores, and to permit the passage of air from said medium through said porous device when the planting medium has reached a predetermined low moisture condition; and moisture supply means, including at least one discharge opening, separate from said sensing device and connected to said sensing device for reacting to the flow of air through said porous device and for providing moisture to said planting medium, said moisture supply means supplying moisture to the planting medium through said discharge opening.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
177 words
A process of providing water to a particulate planting medium, comprising the steps of: inserting a porous moisture sensing device within and in contact with the planting medium, said sensing device having a plurality of pores with an equivalent average pore size being smaller than about 12 microns, whereby said device acts as an air valve to restrict air movement from said medium through said porous device when the planting medium in contact therewith has reached a predetermined high moisture condition wherein the moisture within said planting medium has closed said pores, and to permit the passage of air from said medium through said porous device when the planting medium has reached a predetermined low moisture condition; providing air-flow sensing means connected to said porous moisture sensing device; and providing moisture in a reservoir separate from said sending device which flows from said reservoir, to said planting medium during the time air is flowing through said porous device to said air-flow sensing means, said moisture flowing to the planting medium from said reservoir through a discharge opening.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
177 words
A process of providing water to a particulate planting medium, comprising the steps of: inserting a porous moisture sensing device within and in contact with the planting medium, said sensing device having a plurality of pores with an equivalent average pore size being smaller than about 12 microns, whereby said device acts as an air valve to restrict air movement from said medium through said porous device when the planting medium in contact therewith has reached a predetermined high moisture condition wherein the moisture within said planting medium has closed said pores, and to permit the passage of air from said medium through said porous device when the planting medium has reached a predetermined low moisture condition; providing air-flow sensing means connected to said porous moisture sensing device; and providing moisture in a reservoir separate from said sending device which flows from said reservoir, to said planting medium during the time air is flowing through said porous device to said air-flow sensing means, said moisture flowing to the planting medium from said reservoir through a discharge opening.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-09-17 | 1977-03-19 | 1977-09-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-09-17 | 1981-03-19 | 1981-09-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-09-17 | 1985-03-19 | 1985-09-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |