GB2148085A

GB2148085A - Improvements relating to horticultural irrigation

Info

Publication number: GB2148085A
Application number: GB08323504A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Tilburg Yolande Eve Van
Original assignee: OCTROOI INTERNATIONAL Ltd
Current assignee: OCTROOI INTERNATIONAL Ltd
Priority date: 1983-09-01
Filing date: 1983-09-01
Publication date: 1985-05-30
Also published as: GB8323504D0

Abstract

This invention provides a means for horticultural irrigation from a single watering point. The invention has particular application for irrigation of soil-filled plant containers (e.g. window boxes) and allows water to be distributed throughout the soil from a single conveniently placed receptacle. Such a plant container has a receptacle to receive water and the receptacle is provided with outlet pipes for water distribution; each pipe extending outwardly from the receptacle. Irrigating water poured into the receptacle flows out from orifices in the pipes into the soil.

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements Relating to Horticultural Irrigation This invention provides a means for horticultural irrigation from a single watering point. The invention has particular application for irrigation of soil-filled plant containers (e.g. window boxes) and allows water to be distributed throughout the soil from a single conveniently placed receptacle. Such a plant container has a receptacle to receive water and the receptacle is provided with outlet pipes for water distribution; each pipe extending outwardly from the receptacle. Irrigating water poured into the receptacle flows out from orifices in the pipes into the soil.

Watering of plants in soil filled plant containers is usually achieved by pouring water over the soil surface. This has the disadvantages in that the water may not penetrate the soil evenly, the water may run off the soil surface, and some parts of the soil surface may be inaccessible for watering from above.

The present invention advantageously solves these problems and provides means for watering plants by distribution of water below the soil surface from a single watering point.

In one particular embodiment according to the invention a house-plant container has a funnelshaped receptacle as an integral part of one of the side walls. Such a container could suitably be made from moulded plastics material. Extending outwardly from the receptacle into the body of the container are flexible pipes through which irrigating water can flow from the receptacle. Each pipe may have a single orifice for water outflow or may have a number of such orifices spaced along its length.

When a house-plant container is designed for use outside it is preferably provided with drainage holes at the bottom. A container for use as a window box is preferably provided with wedge means for maintaining the window box in an essentially upright position on a sloping window-sill.

It is not an essential feature of the invention that the receptacle be fabricated as an integral part of a container; it could equally well be made and supplied separately. Similarly, whilst flexible distribution pipes are preferred, rigid pipes could perform the same function. The receptacle need not necessarily be funnel-shaped provided it has a suitable opening to pour water into. The distribution pipes may be permanently connected to the receptacle or may be removable and interchangeable e.g. to suit different soil conditions and water requirements.

The practical application of the present invention need not be limited by scale; whilst irrigation of house-plant containers and window boxes has been exemplified the principle of advantageous irrigation through water distribution from a central watering point has a wider scope, e.g. for use with large containers used on a commercial horticultural scale.

1. A plant container and means for irrigation thereof from a watering point, said means comprising a water receptacle provided with outlet pipes extending outwardly therefrom for water distribution in the body of the container.

2. A plant container according to claim 1 wherein the water receptacle forms an integral part of one side wall.

3. A plant container according to claim 1 or 2 wherein each outlet pipe has a number of orifices for water outflow spaced along its length.

4. A plant container according to any preceding claim wherein the outlet pipes are detachable from the receptacle.

5. A plant container according to any preceding claim wherein the outlet pipes are flexible.

6. A window box having a funnel-shaped water receptacle provided with flexible outlet pipes for water distribution; and also having drainage holes at the bottom; and also having wedge means for maintaining the box essentially upright when placed upon a sloping window-sill.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Improvements Relating to Horticultural Irrigation This invention provides a means for horticultural irrigation from a single watering point. The invention has particular application for irrigation of soil-filled plant containers (e.g. window boxes) and allows water to be distributed throughout the soil from a single conveniently placed receptacle. Such a plant container has a receptacle to receive water and the receptacle is provided with outlet pipes for water distribution; each pipe extending outwardly from the receptacle. Irrigating water poured into the receptacle flows out from orifices in the pipes into the soil. Watering of plants in soil filled plant containers is usually achieved by pouring water over the soil surface. This has the disadvantages in that the water may not penetrate the soil evenly, the water may run off the soil surface, and some parts of the soil surface may be inaccessible for watering from above. The present invention advantageously solves these problems and provides means for watering plants by distribution of water below the soil surface from a single watering point. In one particular embodiment according to the invention a house-plant container has a funnelshaped receptacle as an integral part of one of the side walls. Such a container could suitably be made from moulded plastics material. Extending outwardly from the receptacle into the body of the container are flexible pipes through which irrigating water can flow from the receptacle. Each pipe may have a single orifice for water outflow or may have a number of such orifices spaced along its length. When a house-plant container is designed for use outside it is preferably provided with drainage holes at the bottom. A container for use as a window box is preferably provided with wedge means for maintaining the window box in an essentially upright position on a sloping window-sill. It is not an essential feature of the invention that the receptacle be fabricated as an integral part of a container; it could equally well be made and supplied separately. Similarly, whilst flexible distribution pipes are preferred, rigid pipes could perform the same function. The receptacle need not necessarily be funnel-shaped provided it has a suitable opening to pour water into. The distribution pipes may be permanently connected to the receptacle or may be removable and interchangeable e.g. to suit different soil conditions and water requirements. The practical application of the present invention need not be limited by scale; whilst irrigation of house-plant containers and window boxes has been exemplified the principle of advantageous irrigation through water distribution from a central watering point has a wider scope, e.g. for use with large containers used on a commercial horticultural scale. CLAIMS