US5921025A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Self-watering plant pot
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1998-01-20
•
Granted: 1999-07-13
•
Expires: 2018-01-20
Abstract
Abstract A self-watering plant pot consisting of an outer pot, a liner of translucent or semi-translucent material that fits within the outer pot, a soil platform assembly that divides the liner into a soil compartment and a water reservoir, an optional float positioned in the water reservoir, and a water delivery channel for allowing water and air to be introduced into the water reservoir. The water delivery channel can be a water delivery tube extending upward from the soil platform. The outer pot is typically opaque and includes a side window opening near its base. The water level in the water reservoir and, if a float is employed, the position of the float are visible through the liner and window opening in the outer pot. Water is conveyed from the water reservoir to the soil via capillary action.
Inventors
- 👤 Gregory J. Smith
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 00:55
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01G; A01G9/00; A01G9/02; A01G27/00; A01G27/04; A01G27/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
169 words
A self-watering plant pot apparatus having an internal water reservoir and a soil compartment which comprises: a. an outer opaque pot with an opening in the side wall of the outer pot; b. a transparent or semi-transparent liner shaped to be removably received within the outer pot and having a side wall and a bottom wherein the bottom portion is not permeable to water, said liner extending upward from the base of said outer pot; c. a soil platform shaped and sized to be removably received within the liner and which on insertion into the liner is supported therein to form a water reservoir in the bottom portion of the liner below the platform and a soil compartment in the liner above the platform; d. a water delivery channel allowing delivery of water from outside of said pot to said internal water reservoir; whereby said water level within said reservoir can be observed from the outside of said outer pot through said opening in the outer pot side wall.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
169 words
A self-watering plant pot apparatus having an internal water reservoir and a soil compartment which comprises: a. an outer opaque pot with an opening in the side wall of the outer pot; b. a transparent or semi-transparent liner shaped to be removably received within the outer pot and having a side wall and a bottom wherein the bottom portion is not permeable to water, said liner extending upward from the base of said outer pot; c. a soil platform shaped and sized to be removably received within the liner and which on insertion into the liner is supported therein to form a water reservoir in the bottom portion of the liner below the platform and a soil compartment in the liner above the platform; d. a water delivery channel allowing delivery of water from outside of said pot to said internal water reservoir; whereby said water level within said reservoir can be observed from the outside of said outer pot through said opening in the outer pot side wall.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said water delivery channel is a water delivery tube extending upward from said soil platform.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 2 further comprising a float positioned within said reservoir supported by the water level therein and visible through said opening in the outer pot side wall.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said float conforms to the shape of the sides of said inner liner.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said float comprises a plurality of floating elements.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said platform comprises a well extending into the water reservoir.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said float is a disk with an aperture for receiving said well.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said well extends to the bottom of said inner liner and provides support for said platform.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 8 further comprising a plurality of wells each of which provides support for said platform.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said float is a disk having a plurality of apertures for receiving said wells.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein a wick extends from the platform into said water reservoir to convey water to said soil compartment by capillary action.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said liner has a plurality of support indentations for receiving and supporting said platform to form said water reservoir and said soil compartment.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said liner contains a plurality of openings in its sides above said water reservoir to allow for water to drain.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the topmost portion of said liner does not extend the full interior height of said outer pot.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said water delivery tube comprises a flexible joint.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the water delivery tube comprises a funnel.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said soil platform comprises a cavity for receiving said water delivery tube and said tube can be rotated with respect to the soil platform and received within said cavity.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
64 words
The apparatus of claim 17 wherein said water delivery tube is provided with a funnel, said cavity is shaped for receiving said water tube and said funnel and said funnel can be rotated with respect to said water tube and the water tube can be rotated with respect to said platform such that the funnel and water tube can be received into said cavity.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the water reservoir is formed by the side wall and bottom of the liner, below the platform.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the water delivery channel comprises a second opening on the outer pot positioned thereon above the water reservoir and an opening on the inner liner positioned thereon to align with the second opening on the outer pot.
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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) | 2002-07-12 | 2003-01-11 | 2003-07-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-07-12 | 2007-01-11 | 2007-07-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-07-12 | 2011-01-11 | 2011-07-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |