Patent US4546571A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4546571A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Plant watering apparatus
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1983-02-24
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Granted: 1985-10-15
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Expires: 2003-02-24
Abstract
Abstract Plant watering apparatus comprises a trough incorporating a water reservoir, and a number of separate growing units each of which is removably received within the trough and is provided with a hollow portion which is filled with growing medium and extends into the water reservoir, when the growing unit is installed within the trough, so that water is supplied from the reservoir to the growing unit by capillary action. A ballcock is provided for controlling the water level in the reservoir.
Inventors
- 👤 Stephen J. Scrivens
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 09:59
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01G; A01G27/00; A01G27/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
160 words
Plant watering apparatus comprising a trough incorporating a water reservoir, the trough terminating upwardly in upper edges and at least one plant container removably received within the trough and suspended on said upper edges at the top of the trough by means of an outwardly extending flange at the top of the container such that a downwardly extending integral portion of the container, which is of substantially smaller cross-section than the remainder of the container and is provided to be filled with a capillary medium when the container is planted, hangs down into the water reservoir to supply water to the plant within the container from the water reservoir by capillary action when the container is planted and installed within the trough, said at least one container being provided with at least one leg in addition to the downwardly extending portion to enable the unit to be stood upright on said downwardly extending portion and said at least one leg.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
160 words
Plant watering apparatus comprising a trough incorporating a water reservoir, the trough terminating upwardly in upper edges and at least one plant container removably received within the trough and suspended on said upper edges at the top of the trough by means of an outwardly extending flange at the top of the container such that a downwardly extending integral portion of the container, which is of substantially smaller cross-section than the remainder of the container and is provided to be filled with a capillary medium when the container is planted, hangs down into the water reservoir to supply water to the plant within the container from the water reservoir by capillary action when the container is planted and installed within the trough, said at least one container being provided with at least one leg in addition to the downwardly extending portion to enable the unit to be stood upright on said downwardly extending portion and said at least one leg.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the or each container is provided with a handle for enabling the container to be lowered into the trough.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the handle is detachable from the container.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the or each container is capable of standing upright on a flat surface when removed from the trough.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, incorporating recharging means for automatically recharging the water reservoir.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the recharging means is controlled by a ball valve.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the trough is of substantially hemispherical form and is adapted to be suspended from above.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
Apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the trough incorporates spokes radiating outwardly from the centre of the trough for supporting a plurality of plant containers at respective angular positions with respect to said centre.
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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) | 1988-10-14 | 1989-04-15 | 1989-10-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-10-14 | 1993-04-15 | 1993-10-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-10-14 | 1997-04-15 | 1997-10-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |