Patent US5097626A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5097626A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Automatic self-watering system for plants growing in a container
Assignee: Hygrotek Corp
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Filing: 1990-04-06
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Granted: 1992-03-24
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Expires: 2010-04-06
Abstract
Abstract An automatic self-watering system for plants growing in a container includes a water receptacle above the level of growing medium in the container. The water container may be of any appropriate shape, and may be attached to or located adjacent an upper edge of the container. Alternatively, the water container may have legs resting on or inserted in the growing medium, or may be hooked onto the edge of the container. The water receptacle may be formed separately from or integrally with the container. A conduit for transporting water is connected to an outlet in the side or base of the water receptacle and the conduit is engaged with a dryness sensor inserted in the growing medium in the container. The dryness sensor automatically closes the conduit when the growing medium is adequately irrigated, and opens the conduit to allow water to drip onto the growing medium when water is needed. The outlet from the conduit is positioned so that water drips, by gravity, onto the root area around a plant growing in the container. The container may also be used for holding a separate pot for a plant which fits in the container.
Inventors
- 👤 Yakov Mordoch
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 20:11
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01G; A01G27/00; A01G27/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
83 words
An automatic self-watering system for plants growing in growing medium in a container comprising: receptacle means for holding water being supported in a position above the level of growing medium in a container for growing plants, sensor means for creating a variable vacuum for sensing dryness in the growing medium; and conduit means for conducting water from said receptacle means to the growing medium in response to sensed dryness of the growing medium sensed by creation of a vacuum in said sensor means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
83 words
An automatic self-watering system for plants growing in growing medium in a container comprising: receptacle means for holding water being supported in a position above the level of growing medium in a container for growing plants, sensor means for creating a variable vacuum for sensing dryness in the growing medium; and conduit means for conducting water from said receptacle means to the growing medium in response to sensed dryness of the growing medium sensed by creation of a vacuum in said sensor means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
An automatic self-watering system according to claim 1 wherein said receptacle means comprises an outlet for water in a lower portion thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
An automatic self-watering system according to claim 2 wherein an end of said conduit means is attached to said outlet.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
An automatic self-watering system according to claim 3 wherein said conduit means is supported by said sensing means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
An automatic self-watering system according to claim 2 wherein said receptacle means comprises means for determining water level in said receptacle means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
An automatic self-watering system according to claim 1 wherein said receptacle means further comprises means for being supported above the level of the growing medium.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
An automatic self-watering system according to claim 6 wherein said supporting means comprises a plurality of legs.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
An automatic self-watering system according to claim 1 wherein said receptacle means comprises a plurality of outlets each connected to a separate sensing means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
An automatic self-watering system according to claim 1 further comprising a container for holding growing medium.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
An automatic self-watering system according to claim 9 wherein said receptacle means is formed integrally with said container.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
An automatic self-watering system according to claim 10 wherein said receptacle means comprises an upper edge of said container.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
104 words
An automatic self-watering system for plants growing in a container comprising: a container for holding growing medium for plants; receptacle means for containing water for irrigating the plant, said receptacle means being supported in a position above the level of growing medium in the container; sensor means inserted in the growing medium for creating a variable vacuum for sensing dryness of the growing medium; conduit means engaged with said sensing means for conducting water from an outlet in said receptacle means to the growing medium in response to sensed dryness of the growing medium sensed by creation of a vacuum in said sensor means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
104 words
An automatic self-watering system for plants growing in a container comprising: a container for holding growing medium for plants; receptacle means for containing water for irrigating the plant, said receptacle means being supported in a position above the level of growing medium in the container; sensor means inserted in the growing medium for creating a variable vacuum for sensing dryness of the growing medium; conduit means engaged with said sensing means for conducting water from an outlet in said receptacle means to the growing medium in response to sensed dryness of the growing medium sensed by creation of a vacuum in said sensor means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
An automatic self-watering system according to claim 12 wherein said container and said receptacle means are formed separately.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
An automatic self-watering system according to claim 13 wherein said receptacle means is located substantially adjacent an upper edge of said container.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
An automatic self-watering system according to claim 14 wherein said container further comprises means for supporting said receptacle means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
23 words
An automatic self-watering system according to claim 15 wherein said supporting means comprises a ledge extending from an inner wall of said container.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
23 words
An automatic self-watering system according to claim 16 wherein said ledge extends from an upper portion of the inner wall of said container.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
23 words
An automatic self-watering system according to claim 12 wherein said receptacle means further comprises means for determining water level in said receptacle means.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
18 words
An automatic self-watering system according to claim 12 wherein said receptacle means is formed integrally with said container.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
19 words
An automatic self-watering system according to claim 19 wherein said receptacle means comprises an upper edge of said container.
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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) | 1995-03-24 | 1995-09-23 | 1996-03-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-03-24 | 1999-09-23 | 2000-03-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-03-24 | 2003-09-23 | 2004-03-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |