Patent US4060991A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4060991A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Sub-surface irrigation method and apparatus
Assignee: REESE INVESTMENT COMPANY A CORP OF
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Filing: 1976-10-20
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Granted: 1977-12-06
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Expires: 1996-10-20
Abstract
Abstract A sub-surface irrigation method and apparatus includes a moisture control unit comprising a vessel having a float control chamber in which is mounted a float responsive valve for controlling the communication of water into the float chamber with passages for communicating the water to a surrounding reservoir, and vent means for venting the float chamber to atomospheric pressure to prevent vapor lock therein. The moisture control unit is connected to a source of water and located beneath the earth's surface in close proximity to plants to which moisture is to be supplied by a network of capillary channels for communicating the moisture at least in part by capillary action to moisture pits or traps spaced laterally from a moisture control unit and either adjacent to or below plants to which moisture is supplied. An impervious cover encloses the moisture control unit to prevent the intrusion of plant roots into the unit. In accordance with the method a moisture control unit is implanted in the soil beneath the earth's surface in close proximity to plants to which moisture is to be supplied, a plurality of moisture supply channels are established between the moisture control unit and moisture traps or pits located adjacent the roots of the plants.
Inventors
- 👤 Olen Dennis Reese
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 23:19
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01G; A01G25/00; A01G25/16; A01G25/167; A01G25/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
193 words
A sub-surface moisture distribution and control system for controlling the supply of moisture to the roots of plants comprising: a moisture control unit, said unit comprising a vessel submerged beneath the surface of the earth, said vessel having a float chamber and a water reservoir surrounding and communicating with the float chamber; an inlet to said float chamber for connecting to a source of water; valve means responsive to the level of water in said float chamber for controlling the communication of water to said vessel; air vent means for venting said float chamber to atmosphere for preventing vapor lock of said unit; and moisture conducting means for conducting moisture from said water reservoir to plant roots remotely spaced laterally from said moisture control unit; said moisture conducing means comprises a body of porous material having a higher porousity than the surrounding earth formation and disposed in conduit means having at lest impervious bottom and side walls, and one portion of said conducting means in intimate communication with water flowing from said float valve chamber and extending to a moisture pit adjacent to the roots of aplant for conveying moisture thereto. a plant
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
193 words
A sub-surface moisture distribution and control system for controlling the supply of moisture to the roots of plants comprising: a moisture control unit, said unit comprising a vessel submerged beneath the surface of the earth, said vessel having a float chamber and a water reservoir surrounding and communicating with the float chamber; an inlet to said float chamber for connecting to a source of water; valve means responsive to the level of water in said float chamber for controlling the communication of water to said vessel; air vent means for venting said float chamber to atmosphere for preventing vapor lock of said unit; and moisture conducting means for conducting moisture from said water reservoir to plant roots remotely spaced laterally from said moisture control unit; said moisture conducing means comprises a body of porous material having a higher porousity than the surrounding earth formation and disposed in conduit means having at lest impervious bottom and side walls, and one portion of said conducting means in intimate communication with water flowing from said float valve chamber and extending to a moisture pit adjacent to the roots of aplant for conveying moisture thereto. a plant
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The moisture distribution system as claimed in claim 1 including: impervious means enclosing said water reservoir, and said conduit means being an impervious pipe.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
The moisture distribution system as claimed in claim 2, wherein: said moisture pit consists of a submerged body of porous material having a capillary rise of at least one foot in one-half hour disposed within an open top impervious container.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The moisture distribution system as claimed in claim 3, wherein: said porous material consists of a body of sand.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
66 words
The moisture distribution system as claimed in claim 1, wherein: said means for conducting moisture from said reservoir to said plant roots comprises an open trough having one end in communication with said reservoir and extending laterally from said moisture control unit to a position closely adjacent to the roots of a plurality of plants and a body of sand filling said trough and said reservoir.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
147 words
In a sub-surface method of supplying moisture to the roots of plants comprising the steps of: selecting a water control unit defining an enclosed chamber containing an inlet and a float control valve for controlling the level of water within said chamber; submerging said water control unit beneath the surface of the earth; connecting said float control valve with a source of water; establishing moisture conducting means for conducting moisture at least partially by capillary action from said water supply chamber to a remote position remote from said control unit adjacent to the roots of a plant, by the further steps of forming an enlarged impervious pit adjacent the roots of said plant and providing impervious conduit means extending between said pit and said water control unit and forming a body of pervious material to extend through said conduit to said pit from said water control unit.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
147 words
In a sub-surface method of supplying moisture to the roots of plants comprising the steps of: selecting a water control unit defining an enclosed chamber containing an inlet and a float control valve for controlling the level of water within said chamber; submerging said water control unit beneath the surface of the earth; connecting said float control valve with a source of water; establishing moisture conducting means for conducting moisture at least partially by capillary action from said water supply chamber to a remote position remote from said control unit adjacent to the roots of a plant, by the further steps of forming an enlarged impervious pit adjacent the roots of said plant and providing impervious conduit means extending between said pit and said water control unit and forming a body of pervious material to extend through said conduit to said pit from said water control unit.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
53 words
The method in accordance with claim 6, including the step of: placing an open trough defined by a body of impervious material extending from said water control unit to said position adjacent said plant and filling said trough with a body of pervious material extending along said trough from said water control unit.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method in accordance with claim 6, wherein: the step of forming said pit is carried out prior to and directly beneath said plant.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method in accordance with claim 6 wherein: said pit is formed laterally from and adjacent to the roots of a pre-planted plant.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method in accordance with claim 7 including the step of: extending said trough for a substantial distance out from said control unit and planting a plurality of plants above said trough.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 10 including the step of: extending a plurality of said troughs radially outward from said control unit.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method in accordance with claim 8 including: establishing a plurality of said moisture pits radially outward from said control units and providing a plurality of said conduit means communicating between said control unit and said moisture pits.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method in accordance with claim 6 including: shielding said water control unit from plant roots by covering said unit with a sheet of impervious material.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-12-05 | 1981-06-06 | 1981-12-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-12-05 | 1985-06-06 | 1985-12-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-12-05 | 1989-06-06 | 1989-12-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |