US4156324A — Method and apparatus for artificial irrigation of…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 193 words

A method for artificial irrigation of plants in flower beds, garden plots, plant containers, flower pots and the like, whether indoors or outdoors, said method comprising: providing a plurality of irrigation containers at spaced locations and at desired depths in the cultivation medium in the area which is to be irrigated, the dimensions of the irrigation containers being substantially less than that of the area to be irrigated, providing each irrigation container with at least one hollow member which extends through the top wall thereof into said container and includes a perforated bottom; filling said irrigation containers with water so that at least the lower part of the corresponding hollow member is immersed in the water in the associated container; filling each hollow member with cultivation medium and providing cultivation medium over and around the irrigation containers so that the containers are entirely covered by cultivation medium; providing the top of each irrigation container with a plurality of perforations; connecting the irrigation containers to one another by means of connection tubes which provide sealed communication between the interiors of the containers; and setting the plants in the cultivation medium above the irrigation containers.

Claim 2

Independent Claim 193 words

A method for artificial irrigation of plants in flower beds, garden plots, plant containers, flower pots and the like, whether indoors or outdoors, said method comprising: providing a plurality of irrigation containers at spaced locations and at desired depths in the cultivation medium in the area which is to be irrigated, the dimensions of the irrigation containers being substantially less than that of the area to be irrigated, providing each irrigation container with at least one hollow member which extends through the top wall thereof into said container and includes a perforated bottom; filling said irrigation containers with water so that at least the lower part of the corresponding hollow member is immersed in the water in the associated container; filling each hollow member with cultivation medium and providing cultivation medium over and around the irrigation containers so that the containers are entirely covered by cultivation medium; providing the top of each irrigation container with a plurality of perforations; connecting the irrigation containers to one another by means of connection tubes which provide sealed communication between the interiors of the containers; and setting the plants in the cultivation medium above the irrigation containers.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 53 words

A method according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one irrigation container is provided with a filler tube which extends up through the cultivation medium above the container to a level above the ground surface, and the irrigation container is filled or emptied of water, as needed, through said filler tube.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 32 words

A method according to claim 8 characterized in that the irrigation containers are disposed with the upper surface thereof at a depth under the ground surface of between 2 and 4 dm.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 35 words

A method according to claim 1 in which several irrigation containers are connected in series with each other, and only the irrigation container located on the highest level is provided with a said filler tube.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 173 words

Apparatus for the artificial irrigation of flowers in flower beds, garden plots, plant containers or flower pots and the like, whether indoors or outdoors, said apparatus comprising a watersealed vessel containing water therein, said vessel having a lid and at least one hollow member extending through said lid down to a level in close proximity to the bottom of the water vessel so that the lower end of said hollow member is immersed in water, said at least one hollow member being filled with cultivation medium, said hollow member opening at the upper surface of said lid of the vessel and including at the lower end thereof a perforated bottom, the irrigation vessel being disposed in the earth under the area to be irrigated and the dimensions thereof being substantially less than those of the earth area to be irrigated, the top wall of said irrigation vessel including a plurality of perforations therein which provide for escape of water vapor from the water in the irrigation vessel to the earth above the vessel.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 173 words

Apparatus for the artificial irrigation of flowers in flower beds, garden plots, plant containers or flower pots and the like, whether indoors or outdoors, said apparatus comprising a watersealed vessel containing water therein, said vessel having a lid and at least one hollow member extending through said lid down to a level in close proximity to the bottom of the water vessel so that the lower end of said hollow member is immersed in water, said at least one hollow member being filled with cultivation medium, said hollow member opening at the upper surface of said lid of the vessel and including at the lower end thereof a perforated bottom, the irrigation vessel being disposed in the earth under the area to be irrigated and the dimensions thereof being substantially less than those of the earth area to be irrigated, the top wall of said irrigation vessel including a plurality of perforations therein which provide for escape of water vapor from the water in the irrigation vessel to the earth above the vessel.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 37 words

Apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that the irrigation vessel container has a filler tube extending through the lid to a level above the ground surface when the irrigation vessel is located immersed in the earth.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 23 words

Apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that the perforations are narrow enough to substantially prevent earth particles to drop through said perforations.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 59 words

Apparatus according to claim 7, characterized in that a plurality of irrigation vessels are connected in series with each other by means of connection tubes for connecting the interior of the said irrigation vessels with each other to make possible a transfer of water from one vessel to another and which thereby provide an air space in the vessel.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 43 words

Apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that the connection tube is connected adjacent the upper ends of the vessels whereby a transfer of water from one vessel to the another only occurs for a high water level in the first metioned vessel.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 50 words

Apparatus according to claim 5 as used in combination with a plant container, wherein the dimensions of the irrigation vessel are substantially less than those of the said plant container, the irrigation vessel being disposed at a level at least half way down in the earth of said plant container.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 40 words

Apparatus according to claim 10, characterized in that the earth of the plant container is a cultivation medium comprising turf which is mixed with 15-30% by weight of an inert filler having a grain size of 0.3 to 1.8 mm.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 27 words

Apparatus according to claim 11, characterized in that the holes of the perforated bottom of the hollow member have an average diameter of 0.5 to 1.5 mm.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 23 words

Apparatus as claimed in claim 11 wherein said inert filler is 18-24% by weight and said grain size is 0.6 to 1.2 mm.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 59 words

Apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that the irrigation vessel comprises a cylindrical pipe which is closed at both ends and have transverse slots extending along a longitudinal portion of said pipe, said portion forming the top of the irrigation vessel, and at least one hollow member extending transversely in said pipe and opening at the said top.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 12 words

Apparatus according to claim 14, characterized in that the pipe is corrugated.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1982-05-28	1982-11-27	1983-05-29	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1986-05-28	1986-11-27	1987-05-29	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1990-05-28	1990-11-27	1991-05-29	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Method and apparatus for artificial irrigation of flower beds and garden plots etc.

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