US4085546A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Liquid supply system for gardens
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1976-06-14
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Granted: 1978-04-25
•
Expires: 1996-06-14
Abstract
Abstract Hydroponic aggregate is contained in a garden box in which plants are grown. Nutrient solution is supplied through a liquid tube from an airtight tank to an enclosed housing disposed beneath the aggregate on the floor of the box. Outlets are provided from the housing for discharging the solution to the aggregate. Air is supplied to the housing through an aeration tube. Flow of solution continues until a pool is built up on the box to a depth sufficient to submerge the lower end of the liquid tube. Air is then unable to flow up the liquid tube to displace the liquid within the tank and the liquid flow is thus stopped. A drain hose for draining off excessive liquid that may build up in the box serves alternatively as a liquid level gauge.
Inventors
- 👤 James O. Hallar
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 10:04
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01G; A01G31/00; A01G31/02; A01G27/00; A01G27/005; Y; Y02; Y02P; Y02P60/00; Y02P60/20; Y02P60/21
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
222 words
Apparatus for supplying liquid to a plant container that contains material in which plants are grown, said apparatus comprising: a substantially airtight tank for containing the liquid; a substantially hollow member removably disposed in the material in the plant container and covered by the material, said hollow member presenting an air chamber interiorly thereof; a liquid supply tube having an upper end communicating with said tank to receive liquid therefrom and a lower end disposed within said hollow member to supply liquid thereto, said liquid supply tube being arranged to receive air in the lower end thereof for passage to said tank to provide the sole access for air to enter the tank to displace the liquid therein; at least one outlet in said hollow member for discharging liquid therefrom; and an air inlet to said air chamber located at a level above the lower end of said liquid supply conduit to provide air which continually fills said chamber above the water level in said hollow member, whereby liquid from said tank flows through said supply tube and hollow member to the plant container whenever the lower end of said supply tube is above the level of the liquid in the plant container with air passing through said tube to the tank to displace the water which flows out of the tank.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
222 words
Apparatus for supplying liquid to a plant container that contains material in which plants are grown, said apparatus comprising: a substantially airtight tank for containing the liquid; a substantially hollow member removably disposed in the material in the plant container and covered by the material, said hollow member presenting an air chamber interiorly thereof; a liquid supply tube having an upper end communicating with said tank to receive liquid therefrom and a lower end disposed within said hollow member to supply liquid thereto, said liquid supply tube being arranged to receive air in the lower end thereof for passage to said tank to provide the sole access for air to enter the tank to displace the liquid therein; at least one outlet in said hollow member for discharging liquid therefrom; and an air inlet to said air chamber located at a level above the lower end of said liquid supply conduit to provide air which continually fills said chamber above the water level in said hollow member, whereby liquid from said tank flows through said supply tube and hollow member to the plant container whenever the lower end of said supply tube is above the level of the liquid in the plant container with air passing through said tube to the tank to displace the water which flows out of the tank.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said hollow member comprises a generally enclosed housing substantially completely enclosing said air chamber therewithin.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
65 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, including an elongate liquid distribution conduit connected with the outlet of said hollow member and arranged with a plurality of twists to extend throughout substantially the entirety of the plant container in proximity to the bottom thereof, said distribution conduit having a plurality of discharge openings spaced along the length thereof for discharging liquid to the plant container.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
66 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, including an elongate aeration conduit connecting with said air inlet and disposed entirely at a height above the lower end of said liquid supply tube, said aeration conduit presenting a plurality of apertures along its length for drawing in air due to a vacuum effect occurring whenever air within said chamber flows through said supply tube into the tank.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 3, wherein said aeration conduit is arranged with a plurality of twists to extend throughout substantially the entire area of the plant container.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
58 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, including a generally vertical air conduit extending into the material in the container and having a lower end communicating with said air chamber to provide said air inlet and an open upper end projecting upwardly out of the material in the plant container to receive air for passage into said chamber.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
98 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 6, wherein said air conduit is sleeved around a portion of said liquid supply tube to provide air access to said air chamber between said air conduit and lquid supply tube, the lower end of said air conduit being located above the lower end of said liquid supply tube and above the water level in the plant container, said liquid supply tube being axially movable in said air conduit to adjust the elevation of said liquid supply tube lower end and thereby adjust the level of the liquid in the plant container.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
71 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, including: a drain conduit communicating with the interior of the plant container at a level below the lower end of said liquid supply conduit; and a catch member supported on the plant container and operable to hold said drain conduit in an inclined orientation with the upper end of said drain conduit elevated only slightly above the lower end of said liquid supply conduit.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
47 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 8, wherein said drain conduit is transparent, and including means for positioning said drain conduit in a generally vertical orientation wherein the level to which the liquid rises in said drain conduit visually indicates the liquid level in the plant container.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
54 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said hollow member comprises a tube having a substantially vertical upper portion sleeved around said liquid supply tube and greater in diameter than same, said upper portion being open at the top and projecting above the soil in the plant container to provide said air inlet.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
43 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 10, wherein said tube is bent in a manner to present a lower portion integral with and extending generally horizontally from said upper portion, said liquid discharge outlet being formed in the lower portion of said tube.
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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) | 1981-04-24 | 1981-10-24 | 1982-04-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-04-24 | 1985-10-24 | 1986-04-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-04-24 | 1989-10-24 | 1990-04-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |