Patent US6079156A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6079156A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Self-watering planter employing capillary action water transport mechanism
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1999-05-17
•
Granted: 2000-06-27
•
Expires: 2019-05-17
Abstract
Abstract The self-watering assembly is used in combination with a conventional planter having flow hole apertures formed within a base thereof. The assembly includes a set of water-permeable flow hole inserts each including a portion of capillary material such as spandex. The flow hole inserts are inserted into a flow hole of the planter for direct contact with soil positioned therein. The flow hole inserts are sized and shaped to securely fit within the flow hole preventing soil from falling out of the flow hole and preventing roots from growing through the flow hole. Additional capillary material, also formed of spandex, couples an interior of a water reservoir to the capillary material of the water-permeable inserts. By using spandex as the capillary material, sufficient capillary flow may be achieved to properly water even medium to large sized plants. By employing water-permeable inserts for insertion into the planter wherein the inserts have capillary material mounted therein, water can be more effectively drawn into the soil of the planter as compared to many self watering planters wherein the planter merely rests on capillary material. Also, upon removal of the planter from the water reservoir, the inserts typically remain mounted within the flow holes of the planter such that soil from the planter is prevented from falling out of the planter via the flow holes. Entirely conventional planters may be employed thereby reducing overall costs which permit the customer a wide choice of planter shapes and sizes.
Inventors
- 👤 Alex J. Colovic
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 10:01
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01G; A01G27/00; A01G27/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 42
Claim 1
Independent Claim
48 words
A self-watering planter assembly for watering a plant within a planter, said assembly comprising: a hollow, water-permeable insert for at least partial insertion into an interior of the planter via a flow hole of the planter; and capillary material disposed within the insert, said capillary material including spandex.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
48 words
A self-watering planter assembly for watering a plant within a planter, said assembly comprising: a hollow, water-permeable insert for at least partial insertion into an interior of the planter via a flow hole of the planter; and capillary material disposed within the insert, said capillary material including spandex.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The self-watering planter assembly of claim 1 wherein the water-permeable insert includes an open base with the capillary material filling the insert including the open base.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
The self-watering planter assembly of claim 2 further including a reservoir for containing liquid; and a separate portion of capillary material coupling an interior of the reservoir to the capillary material of the base of the water-permeable insert.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
64 words
The self-watering planter assembly of claim 3 wherein the reservoir includes a lid with an aperture formed therein and wherein a first portion of the separate portion of capillary material connects an interior of the reservoir to a top surface of the lid via the aperture such that water is drawn from the interior of the reservoir to the top surface of the lid.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
70 words
The self-watering planter assembly of claim 4 wherein the lid of the reservoir is adapted to support the planter with base portions of the inserts of the planter disposed against portions of the capillary material connected to the top surface of the lid such that water drawn to the top surface of the lid is further drawn into the interior of the planter via the capillary material of the insert.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The self-watering planter assembly of claim 5 wherein a second portion of the separate portion of the capillary material substantially covers the lid of the reservoir.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
The self-watering planter assembly of claim 3 wherein the separate portion of capillary material includes a large plurality of discrete capillary material pieces disposed between the reservoir and a base of the planter.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
The self-watering planter assembly of claim 3 wherein the separate portion of capillary material includes a sheet adapted for covering a table upon which individual planters are disposed.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The self-watering planter assembly of claim 3 wherein the reservoir is a flexible, water-impermeable bag.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
12 words
The self-watering planter assembly of claim 9 wherein the bag is pleated.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
49 words
The self-watering planter assembly of claim 1 wherein the flow hole is of a predetermined size and wherein the water-permeable insert is substantially rigid and is sized so that, upon insertion into the flow hole, the insert fills the flow hole preventing soil from falling through the flow hole.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
The self-watering planter assembly of claim 1 wherein the water-permeable insert is conic for insertion into a circular flow hole in a base of the planter.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
69 words
The self-watering planter assembly of claim 1 wherein the flow hole is a slot formed in a lower side surface of the planter and wherein the water-permeable insert is U-shaped for insertion into the slotted flow hole, such that a first portion of the insert is insertable into an interior of the planter while a second portion of the insert lies adjacent to an outside surface of the planter.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
The self-watering planter of claim 1 further including a soaker hose connecting a water supply to a base of the water-permeable insert.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
15 words
The self-watering planter of claim 14 wherein the soaker hose is filled with capillary material.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
17 words
The self-watering planter of claim 14 wherein the soaker hose is covered with a capillary material netting.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
30 words
The self-watering planter of claim 14 wherein the soaker hose includes a primary portion connected to the water supply and secondary portions connecting the primary portion and the water-permeable insert.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
24 words
The self-watering planter of claim 1 further including a capillary material bag mounted between a water supply and a base of the water-permeable insert.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
18 words
The self-watering planter of claim 18 wherein the capillary material bag is filled with an inert porous material.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
13 words
The self-watering planter of claim 19 wherein the inert porous material is perlite.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
132 words
A self-watering planter assembly for watering a plant within a planter, said assembly comprising: a hollow, water-permeable insert for at least partial insertion into an interior of the planter via a flow hole of the planter; a reservoir for containing liquid; a capillary material incorporating spandex coupling an interior of the reservoir to an interior of the planter, wherein the capillary material includes a first separate portion coupling an interior of the reservoir to a base of the water-permeable insert, and a second separate portion filling the water-permeable insert, such that water is drawn from the reservoir to the base of the insert via the first portion of the capillary material and then from the base of the insert into soil of the planter via the second portion of the capillary material.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
132 words
A self-watering planter assembly for watering a plant within a planter, said assembly comprising: a hollow, water-permeable insert for at least partial insertion into an interior of the planter via a flow hole of the planter; a reservoir for containing liquid; a capillary material incorporating spandex coupling an interior of the reservoir to an interior of the planter, wherein the capillary material includes a first separate portion coupling an interior of the reservoir to a base of the water-permeable insert, and a second separate portion filling the water-permeable insert, such that water is drawn from the reservoir to the base of the insert via the first portion of the capillary material and then from the base of the insert into soil of the planter via the second portion of the capillary material.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
61 words
The self-watering planter assembly of claim 21 wherein the reservoir includes a lid with an aperture formed therein and wherein the first separate portion of capillary material connects an interior of the reservoir to a top surface of the lid via the aperture such that water is drawn from the interior of the reservoir to the top surface of the lid.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
74 words
The self-watering planter assembly of claim 22 wherein the lid of the reservoir is adapted to support the planter with base portions of the inserts of the planter disposed against portions of the first separate portion of capillary material connected to the top surface of the lid such that water drawn to the top surface of the lids is further drawn into the interior of the planter via the capillary material of the insert.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
23 words
The self-watering planter assembly of claim 23 wherein a third separate portion of the capillary material substantially covers the lid of the reservoir.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
34 words
The self-watering planter assembly of claim 21 wherein the first separate portion of capillary material includes a large plurality of discrete capillary material pieces disposed between the reservoir and a base of the planter.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
29 words
The self-watering planter assembly of claim 21 wherein the first separate portion of capillary material includes a sheet adapted for covering a table upon which individual planters are disposed.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
15 words
The self-watering planter assembly of claim 21 wherein the reservoir is a flexible, water-impermeable bag.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
12 words
The self-watering planter assembly of claim 27 wherein the bag is pleated.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
112 words
A method for watering a plant planted within a planter having at least one flow hole, said method comprising the steps of: filling a hollow, rigid, water-permeable flow hole insert with capillary material incorporating spandex; inserting the flow hole insert into a flow hole of the planter with a top portion of the flow hole insert disposed against soil within the planter and a bottom portion of the flow hole insert exposed to an exterior of the planter; and applying liquid to a bottom portion of the capillary material within the flow hole insert such that liquid is drawn by capillary action through the insert and into the soil within the planter.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
112 words
A method for watering a plant planted within a planter having at least one flow hole, said method comprising the steps of: filling a hollow, rigid, water-permeable flow hole insert with capillary material incorporating spandex; inserting the flow hole insert into a flow hole of the planter with a top portion of the flow hole insert disposed against soil within the planter and a bottom portion of the flow hole insert exposed to an exterior of the planter; and applying liquid to a bottom portion of the capillary material within the flow hole insert such that liquid is drawn by capillary action through the insert and into the soil within the planter.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
214 words
A self-watering planter assembly for watering a plant within a planter, said assembly comprising: a hollow, water-permeable insert for at least partial insertion into an interior of the planter via a flow hole of the planter, said water-permeable insert including an open base with capillary material formed of spander filling the insert including the open base; a reservoir for containing liquid, said reservoir including a lid with an aperture formed therein; and a separate portion of capillary material coupling an interior of the reservoir to the capillary material of the base of the water-permeable insert, with a first portion of the separate portion of capillary material connecting an interior of the reservoir to a top surface of the lid via the aperture and a second portion of the separate portion of the capillary material substantially covering the lid such that water is drawn from the interior of the reservoir to the top surface of the lid, and with the lid of the reservoir adapted to support the planter with base portions of the inserts of the planter disposed against the second separate portion of the capillary material such that water drawn to the top surface of the lid is further drawn into the interior of the planter via the capillary material of the insert.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
214 words
A self-watering planter assembly for watering a plant within a planter, said assembly comprising: a hollow, water-permeable insert for at least partial insertion into an interior of the planter via a flow hole of the planter, said water-permeable insert including an open base with capillary material formed of spander filling the insert including the open base; a reservoir for containing liquid, said reservoir including a lid with an aperture formed therein; and a separate portion of capillary material coupling an interior of the reservoir to the capillary material of the base of the water-permeable insert, with a first portion of the separate portion of capillary material connecting an interior of the reservoir to a top surface of the lid via the aperture and a second portion of the separate portion of the capillary material substantially covering the lid such that water is drawn from the interior of the reservoir to the top surface of the lid, and with the lid of the reservoir adapted to support the planter with base portions of the inserts of the planter disposed against the second separate portion of the capillary material such that water drawn to the top surface of the lid is further drawn into the interior of the planter via the capillary material of the insert.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
18 words
In a self-watering planter assembly having a capillary material, an improvement comprising including spandex in the capillary material.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
18 words
In a self-watering planter assembly having a capillary material, an improvement comprising including spandex in the capillary material.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
72 words
A self-watering planter assembly for watering a plant within a planter, said assembly comprising: a hollow, water-permeable insert for at least partial insertion into an interior of the planter via a flow hole of the planter, said insert having a conical portion for at least partial insertion into the flow hole and a substantially flat rim extending outwardly from a base of said conical portion; and capillary material disposed within the insert.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
72 words
A self-watering planter assembly for watering a plant within a planter, said assembly comprising: a hollow, water-permeable insert for at least partial insertion into an interior of the planter via a flow hole of the planter, said insert having a conical portion for at least partial insertion into the flow hole and a substantially flat rim extending outwardly from a base of said conical portion; and capillary material disposed within the insert.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
24 words
The self-watering planter assembly of claim 32, wherein said capillary material extends only slightly beyond the base of said conical portion of said insert.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
74 words
A self-watering planter assembly for watering a plant contained within soil within a planter, said assembly comprising: a hollow, water-permeable insert for at least partial insertion into an interior of the planter via a flow hole of the planter; and capillary material formed of spander disposed within the insert; and wherein said insert has a large plurality of small apertures for permitting flow of liquid from an interior of the insert into the soil.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
74 words
A self-watering planter assembly for watering a plant contained within soil within a planter, said assembly comprising: a hollow, water-permeable insert for at least partial insertion into an interior of the planter via a flow hole of the planter; and capillary material formed of spander disposed within the insert; and wherein said insert has a large plurality of small apertures for permitting flow of liquid from an interior of the insert into the soil.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
17 words
The self-watering planter assembly of claim 34 wherein at least a dozen of said apertures are provided.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US1342786A
Cited
US1450633A
Cited
US1977827A
Cited
US2072185A
Cited
US2157340A
Cited
US3150029A
Cited
US3786598A
Cited
US3888041A
Cited
US3848359A
Cited
US3958366A
Cited
US4001968A
Cited
US4184287A
Cited
DE2610613A1
Cited
DE2628392A1
Cited
US4090325A
Cited
US4160342A
Cited
US4117685A
Cited
US4148155A
Cited
US4276720A
Cited
US4231188A
Cited
US4232482A
Cited
GB2040659A
Cited
US4245434A
Cited
US4211037A
Cited
US4324070A
Cited
US4343109A
Cited
US4428151A
Cited
US4356665A
Cited
US4557070A
Cited
US4434577A
Cited
US4527354A
Cited
US4651468A
Cited
US4791755A
Cited
US4829709A
Cited
US4950166A
Cited
US5002814A
Cited
US4885869A
Cited
US4955158A
Cited
US4965963A
Cited
US4885870A
Cited
US4962613A
Cited
US4937974A
Cited
US5111614A
Cited
US5189835A
Cited
US5136806A
Cited
US5036619A
Cited
US5193306A
Cited
US5117581A
Cited
US5189834A
Cited
US5443544A
Cited
US5193305A
Cited
US5247762A
Cited
US5259142A
Cited
US5535542A
Cited
US5329729A
Cited
US5622004A
Cited
US5839659A
Cited
US5481826A
Cited
US5568701A
Cited
US5673511A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-06-27 | 2003-12-27 | 2004-06-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-06-27 | 2007-12-27 | 2008-06-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-06-27 | 2011-12-27 | 2012-06-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |