SYSTEM SUITABLE FOR DELIVERING FLUID TO A PLANT OR SEEDLINGS

The present invention relates to a device for watering plants, more specifically, an automatic plant-watering system that has no requirement for an electrical power source and which is environmentally friendly.

The present invention finds application generally in the field of horticulture but more specifically finds application in the DIY industry where it is intended for the care and maintenance of plants, for example but not limited to, potted houseplants, garden plants and greenhouse plants and seedlings.

In order to water plants, manual assistance is often required. The manual watering of plants however is often time consuming, labour intensive, and usually requires the presence of an operator. To try and overcome the time consuming nature of manual watering, alternative watering systems have been employed which for example, use an electrical power supply or a gravitational feed. However, these systems have encountered problems. In addition, with the current concerns over the environment these days, every effort is being made to reduce carbon emissions and carbon footprints, such that the use of clean energy systems and the use of recycled materials is encouraged wherever possible.

To overcome the known problems of manual watering, and to meet the demanding economic initiatives, the present invention proposes a system that requires no

electrical energy supply. Instead, the energy required to water the plants is derived from a temperature differential of the fluids involved in the system.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a plant watering device and system that aims to alleviate the abovementioned drawbacks, and in particular to provide a device and system for transforming the temperature differential of fluids into a pumping action for delivering a dose of water to for example potted plants, and seedlings.

The main advantage of the present invention is that if an operator forgets to water for example his plants, is distracted or goes on holiday, the device and system of the present invention will automatically supply an amount of water to the plants, due to the variations in temperature, which naturally occur between each day and night.

If the operator cannot be present for long periods such as for example, a holiday the only requirement is a sufficient supply of water and the device will provide a daily dosage of water to maintain the life of the plants. The water source itself can even be supplied for example from a water butt with collected rainwater, thereby providing an additional green solution to the water requirement of the system of the present invention and serving to reduce the demand on water utility suppliers.

Therefore according to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a system suitable for delivering fluid to a plant or seedlings comprising:

a first reservoir or holding reservoir for storing fluid ; and a second reservoir for storing fluid; and a first non-return valve and a second non-return valve wherein; the first non-return valve is connected between the first and second reservoirs and wherein the second non-return valve is connected between the second reservoir and the plant or seedlings; and wherein the first and second non-return valves each comprise an inlet port and an outlet port; the system further comprising: a first conduit connecting the first reservoir and the inlet port of the first nonreturn valve; and a second conduit connecting the outlet of the second non-return and the plant or seedlings; and a third conduit which connects the second reservoir and the inlet port of the second non-return valve; and wherein the second reservoir is sealable so as to form a pressurised vessel such that when sufficient fluid is placed within the first and second reservoirs and when the end of the second conduit is immersed within the fluid in the second reservoir, changes in the environmental temperature surrounding the system result in changes in the pressure within the second reservoir such that fluid may be drawn from the holding reservoir into the second reservoir and then delivered from the second reservoir to the plant or seedlings via the non-return valves.

Preferably, the first and second non-return valves are positioned within one or more housings and the housings are molded.

The system of the present invention is automatic, requiring no external power sources.

The one or more housings preferably each comprise a connecting means or adaptor that attaches to the second reservoir forming an air-tight seal between the housing and the second reservoir. The connecting means preferably further comprises a seal which may be a hermetic seal.

The second reservoir may comprise for example a bottle, more preferably a plastic bottle.

In the system of the present invention a decrease in ambient temperature of the surroundings to the system causes fluid such as water to be drawn into the sealed second reservoir from the first holding reservoir. The fluid may comprise additional components to further nourish the plant or seedlings.

Likewise, an increase in ambient temperature of the surroundings to the system will cause the fluid to be delivered to a plant holder containing the plant or seedlings form the sealed second reservoir.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a device suitable for use in the system of the first aspect of the present invention that comprises; a housing, comprising one or more non-return valves and an adaptor for connecting the device to a reservoir and thereby forming an air-tight seal; and wherein the one or more non-return valve(s) each comprise at least one inlet port for receiving a fluid and at least one outlet port for releasing fluid.

The device is preferably of a sufficient size and shape to enable it to fit within the spout of a plastic bottle used as the second reservoir and preferably forms an air-tight seal is formed when the device is placed in the spout of the bottle.

The system and device of the present invention is used as an automatic fluid delivery mechanism for delivering fluid to plants and seedlings.

The principle behind the present invention is to convert the temperature differential of fluids into a pumping action and use this pumping action to deliver a dose of water to maintain the life of potted plants. In one example of the present invention fluid such as air of a first temperature is contained within a reservoir such as a plastic drinks bottle. As the ambient temperature falls lower than the first temperature then so does the temperature of the fluid such as air within the reservoir such as a drinks bottle and as it does so the volume of the said fluid decreases, thereby causing a negative pressure within the reservoir. The negative pressure within the reservoir forces a

non-return valve to open and allows fluid to be drawn from a holding reservoir to fill the vacuum within the reservoir under pressure. As the ambient temperature rises then so does the temperature of the fluid such as air within the reservoir under pressure and as it does so its volume increases thereby causing a positive pressure within the pressurized reservoir. The positive pressure within the pressurized reservoir forces another non-return valve to open allowing fluid such as water to be pushed out of the pressurized vessel and delivered to the potted plants.

For a better understanding of the present invention and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example only, to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 illustrates the system and device of a first embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 illustrates an enlarged view of the device according to the present invention.

Figure 3 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the system and device of the present invention.

Figure 4 illustrates an enlarged view of the device of the present invention.

Figure 5 illustrates a plan view of the moulded device of the present invention.

Figure 6 illustrates a second embodiment of the system of the present invention.

Referring to Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings, there is provided a system and device in relation to a first embodiment of the present invention. The system, which

is suitable for use in watering plants and seedlings, is in the form of a plant-watering pump. Present in the system is a sealed reservoir or container 5, which is able to form a pressure vessel. Also present is a first non-return valve 3, and a second nonreturn valve 7. Non-return valve 3 is in fluid communication with a reservoir 1 , by means of a conduit or tube 2. Non-return valve 3 is also in fluid communication with sealed reservoir 5 by means of an outlet 4 at on end of the non-return valve 3. The non-return valve 3, controls the flow of fluid such as for example water, from the reservoir 1 to the sealed pressurized reservoir 5 by means of the conduit 2 and the outlet tube 4.

Also present in Figure 1 is a non-return valve 7, which is in fluid communication with the sealed reservoir 5 by means of a conduit or pipe 6. Furthermore, the non-return valve 7 is connected to an additional conduit 8 for delivering fluid to a required location that may be for example a potted plant or seed tray with seedlings.

Non-return valve 7 therefore controls the flow of fluid such as for example water from the sealed reservoir 5 to for example a plant pot 9 by means of the conduits 6 and 8.

In Figure 2 there is illustrated an example of an adaptor or connector 13, which is secured to non-return valve 3, and non-return valve 7. Non-return valve 7 is in fluid communication with the pressurized container 5. Non-return valve 7 is also in fluid communication with for example a plant potholder or seed tray (not shown), by means of a connecting conduit or tube 8. Non-return valve 7, allows fluid such as for

example water to pass from the pressurized vessel 5, by means of connecting tube 6, into the valve 7 and then into a plant container, by way of a connecting tube or conduit 8.

The adaptor 13, which may be molded for example of plastics material is preferably of a suitable size and shape to fit tightly into the neck region 10 of the sealed pressurized reservoir 5. Indeed, the molded adaptor 13 is of a specific size to enable the adaptor to fit tightly into the neck of for example a readily available bottle, such as for example a plastic drinking bottle, which is may then be used as the reservoir 5.

The adaptor 13 is most preferably located in the neck of the reservoir 5 and achieves for example an air-tight seal between the reservoir 5 (which will serve as a pressurized container) and the non-return valves.

When a bottle, for example a plastics bottle is employed as the sealed pressurized reservoir 5, thereby further contributing to the environmentally friendly concept of the present invention by using recyclable materials and components for the system, the adaptor is positioned in the neck 10 of the bottle and fits tightly inside the spout 11 , of the bottle.

The system of the present invention also preferably comprises a seal 12 that is located within the neck region 10 of the reservoir 5 to further improve the air tight fit between the pressurized sealed reservoir 5, and the adaptor 13.

Whilst not wishing to be bound by any particular theory, it is believed that when the ambient temperature surrounding the system falls, the temperature of the volume of air contained within the sealed reservoir 5 also falls. As the temperature of the air within sealed reservoir 5 falls, the volume of the air contained within the reservoir 5 decreases. As a result, the reduced volume of air within the reservoir 5 causes a negative pressure to act upon the non-return valve 3, forcing it to open. The negative pressure within the sealed reservoir 5 then causes water held within reservoir 1 to travel along connecting conduit 2 and onwards through the non-return valve 3, until it falls under gravity into sealed reservoir 5. Water from reservoir 1 continues to flow into the sealed reservoir 5 until the amount of water within the sealed reservoir 5 is sufficient to cause the pressure within the reservoir 5 to equilibrate and reach the same pressure as the pressure outside of the reservoir 5.

When the ambient temperature surrounding the system rises, the temperature of the volume of air within the sealed reservoir 5 also rises, thereby causing the volume of air within the reservoir 5, to expand, and thereby produce a positive pressure to act upon non-return valve 7. The positive pressure caused by the air in the sealed reservoir 5 in turn forces the non-return valve 7, to open. Furthermore, the positive pressure within pressure vessel 5 has the effect to force the water present within the sealed reservoir 5 into and along connecting conduit 6 by means of the tip of the conduit 6 that is immersed in the water in reservoir 5, and subsequently through nonreturn valve 7. Once through the non-return valve 7, the water flows into connecting

conduit 8, and along to the holder 9 thereby watering any plant or seedlings located in the container. The water continues to flow from the pressurized reservoir 5, to the plant holder 9, until such time as the amount of water present within the pressurized reservoir 5, is sufficient to equilibrate the pressure within the reservoir 5, to be equal to the pressure outside of reservoir 5.

As can be seen form Figure 1 , the connecting conduit 6 is positioned between the input port 20 of the non-return valve 7 and the water in the sealed reservoir 5. The conduit 6, enters the sealed reservoir 5 at the neck of the reservoir and extends as low as possible into the sealed reservoir 5 in order for the bottom end of the conduit 6 to be immersed beneath the level of the water in the reservoir 5 and hence enable the water to be drawn from the sealed reservoir 5 into the conduit 6.

Referring to Figure 3 of the accompanying drawings there is illustrated a further embodiment of the plant-watering system according to the first aspect of the present invention. In this system the sealed reservoir 5 comprises a container that is not for example a bottle but is instead an alternatively shaped vessel. Therefore it will be appreciated that the reservoir 5 may be of any size and shape so long as the vessel comprises a means to retain a volume of water within it and can also create an air tight seal between the inside of the vessel and the outside of the vessel.

By using an attachment means 15, a suitable connection may be provided between the molded device 13 and the sealed reservoir 5. Whilst it can be seen from Figures

1 and 3 that the non-return valves 3 and 7 are located in parallel and are connected to one adaptor or attachment means, it will be appreciated that the non-return valves may also be connected in parallel. That is, the non-return valve 3 may be attached separately to the inlet conduit 2 and an outlet pipe extending from outlet port 4 of the non-return valve 3, and the non-return valve 7 may be attached separately to the conduit 6 and the outlet conduit 8 as illustrated in Figure 6.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a device or unit suitable for use with the plant watering system as described in relation to the first aspect of the present invention.

In the device according to the second aspect of the present invention, the non-return valves preferably comprise one or more valve pins, for controlling the flow of fluid through the non-return valves.

In addition, the non-return valves further comprise seals fro improving the air tight seal formed between the valves and the sealable reservoir.

The non-return valves also further comprise one or more springs, fitted with spring supports and a series of ports for allowing passage of water through the non-return valves.

In Figure 4 there is illustrated a cross sectional view of two non-return valves connected together in an arrangement to produce a device according to the present invention and in Figure 5 there is illustrated a molded device housing the non-return valves.

As seen in Figure 5 the device preferably comprises a hollow body, comprised for example from molded plastics material, which houses at least one return valve 3 and optionally but preferably a second non-return valve 7. The non-return valve 7 is preferably arranged in fluid communication with a sealed reservoir 5 by means of a first inlet port that connects the non-return valve 7 to conduit 6. The non-return valve 7 further comprises an outlet port 20 that connects a conduit 8 to for example a containing holding a plant or seedlings.

Non-return valve 7, allows fluid such as water to only enter the sealed reservoir 5, through connecting conduit or tube 6, and only allows water to exit from the nonreturn valve 7, into a plant holder 9, by way of connecting conduit or tube 8.

Likewise, the non-return valve 3 comprises an inlet port and an outlet port for connecting the non-return valve to a closed reservoir and an open reservoir respectively.

By means of a connector 10 a suitable connection may be made between the molded device and the sealable reservoir 5, the sealable reservoir being of any size or shape.

Attachment means or connector 10, is of such a size and shape that the collar 11 , of the molded device will fit tightly into the spout of the reservoir and will preferably be hermetically sealed by means of the seal 12.

As described previously, when the ambient temperature surrounding the system falls, the temperature of the volume of air contained within the reservoir 5 also falls. As the temperature of the air within the reservoir 5 falls, the volume of the air contained within the reservoir 5 decreases. The reduced volume of air within the reservoir 5 causes a negative pressure to act upon non-return valve 3, forcing it to open. The negative pressure within reservoir 5, forces water from reservoir 1 (not shown), to travel along connecting conduit 2. The water then flows through non-return valve 3, and falls under gravity into reservoir 5. The water continues to flow from the reservoir 1 , into the sealable reservoir 5, until the amount of water within the reservoir 5, is sufficient to bring the pressure within reservoir 5, back to a pressure equal to the pressure outside of reservoir 5.

When the ambient temperature rises the temperature of the volume of air within the sealable reservoir 5 also rises, thereby causing the volume of air within the reservoir 5, to expand, thereby causing a positive pressure to act upon non-return valve 7, forcing non-return valve 7, to open. The positive pressure within reservoir 5 forces the water along connecting conduit 6, and through non-return valve 7. The water then flows into connecting conduit 8, and down to the plant holder and plant 9. The

water continues to flow from the reservoir 5 to the plant holder 9, until the amount of water within the reservoir 5 is sufficient to bring the pressure within the reservoir 5, back to a pressure equal to the pressure outside of the reservoir 5.

Connected to the input port of the non-return valve 7, is a conduit 6, which enters the sealable reservoir 5, and extends as low as possible into the sealable reservoir 5 in order for the bottom end of the conduit 6, to be submersed beneath the water that is drawn into the reservoir 5 from holding reservoir 1.

In Figure 4 there is illustrated a cross sectional view of two non-return valves housed with the device illustrated in Figure 5 in order to produce a device according to and used in the system of the present invention.

Referring to Figure 4 of the accompanying drawings, there is illustrated a device in relation to the second aspect of the present invention. It can be seen from the Figure

4 that neck region 10, of the device may have at least one seal 12. Therefore when the molded device and adaptor 13, is inserted into an opening in the second reservoir

5 an airtight fit may be achieved.

When the temperature of the surrounding air falls and consequently causes the temperature of the air within the reservoir 5 to also fall, the fall causes a vacuum to be generated within the now sealed reservoir 5. The force created by the vacuum causes valve pin 43, to be moved or drawn into a position which allows water to be

drawn through conduit 2, to enter the non-return valve 3, through the connecting port 24. The water then passes valve pin 43, through a recess 42, in the valve pin 43. The water then continues to travel through a further recess 39 in non-return valve 3, and further passes spring support 36, through holes 37 within the spring support 36. The water then passes through outlet 21 , of non-return valve 3 and is thereby pulled into the second reservoir 5, due to the effects of gravity and the existing vacuum.

When a volume of water sufficient to reduce the vacuum has entered the second reservoir 5, the valve pin 43, is returned to its original position due to the force applied by the spring 38. At this time, no further water enters the second reservoir 5, unless the temperature drops further in which case the process is repeated.

When the surrounding temperature rises, the temperature within the second reservoir 5, also rises and a pressure within the second reservoir 5 is created. This pressure forces valve pin 33, to lift and allows water to travel from within the second reservoir 5, through conduit 6, and thereby enter non-return valve 7, through connecting port 20. The water then passes valve pin 33, through a recess 32, in the valve pin 33, and then continues to travel through a recess 30 in non-return valve 7. The water then continues to travel through non-return valve 7, and through the spring support 28, through the holes 40. Finally, the water exits the non-return valve 7, through connecting port 17.

The pressure within the second reservoir 5, forces the water to continue travelling along conduit 8, until it exits the conduit 8, thereby watering the plants or seedlings in container 9.

Seals 41 and 31 are also preferably fitted within non-return valves 3 and 7, so that when valve pins 43 and 22 are pushed into position by springs 38 and 29 the seals assist in producing an airtight seal.

In the device illustrated in Figure 4, ports 17, 20, 21 , and 24 are designed to have a recess 18, 19, 22 and 23. These recesses are used to stop the conduit from entering the valves and interfering with the operation of valve pins 43, and 33.

The moulding may be made from individual parts or to simplify the manufacturing process the parts may be combined to reduce the number of moulded parts.

Therefore the system of the present invention enables the use of variations in temperature that occurs naturally, usually between night and day to cause the air inside a sealed vessel to contract and expand thereby powering a pump system to enable the transfer of fluid from a holding reservoir to a reservoir under pressure and then subsequently water a plant. This system therefore used naturally occurring energy sources and requires no additional power sources. In addition, the system provides for a means of utilizing recycled containers as the reservoirs for the system and further allows for the use of self-collected water to be used in the system.