SOILS

CROSS REFERENCE

The instant patent application claims priority rights from US application having an application number 13/552,067 filed at 18 ^th July, 2012 and entitled "watering system and method of implementing", disclosing an invention by Itzhak Zinger, IL.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an irrigation system and method of implementing it, more particularly, a system for irrigating plants in water- impermeable ground and a method of producing same.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Some soils are relatively resistant to penetration by water, by natural sources or deliberate irrigation. Grumusols, and other soils containing expandable clays are notorious in this respect. However soils having impermeable layers or crust are widely distributed in the world, causing runoff, and problems relating to providing water to roots of crops and other plants.

Climatic conditions, such as those that prevail in arid environments also tend to promote soil characteristics that enhance the effect of natural soil water deficiency in which even the water reaching the soil from the meager rainfall is prevented from being well absorbed . US 6,540,436 and KR2074043 relate to such issues.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure describes an irrigation system for providing water and solubilized nutrients to roots of plants. The system includes percolation bores, having a specific structure and filling. The invention also provides a sleeve to be disposed within some individual percolation bore. The sleeve has a portion partially extending downward in the percolation bore and a portion extending above the surface of the ground. The portion extending above the ground has a plurality of first particulate matter filtering apertures; and an anchoring member snugly fitting around the portion of the sleeve extending above the surface, or otherwise attached thereto, that allows water from the drainage bore to pass therethrough.

According to particular embodiments, the irrigation system further comprises an insert disposed within the sleeve. The insert has a plurality of second particulate matter filtering apertures and a precipitant floor peripherally disposed to a lower portion of the insert for collecting small debris that has breached the first particulate matter filtering apertures. An aspect of the invention relates to a method of improving the water penetrability to an existing tree includes: digging a drainage bore; digging at least one percolation bore within the drainage bore; filling the percolation bore at least partially with an absorbent material; inserting a portion of a sleeve at least part way into the percolation bore downwardly, leaving at least a portion of the sleeve extended upwardly from the percolation bore. An insert is placed within the sleeve, and then an anchoring member is disposed an about the portion of the sleeve extending upwardly from the percolation bore.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention may be understood upon reading of the following detailed description of non-limiting exemplary embodiments thereof, with reference to the following drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is an exploded view of an embodiment of an irrigation system in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 2 is an isometric front view of a sleeve of the embodiment of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an isometric front view of a shielding mesh skirt of the embodiment of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a front view a percolation bore of Fig. 1, assembled with the sleeve of Fig. 2 and the shielding mesh skirt of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a cross sectional isometric view of the sleeve and the shielding mesh skirt of Fig. 4; Fig. 6 is a isometric view of another embodiment of the irrigation system in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 7 is a cross sectional view of yet another embodiment of the irrigation system in accordance with the present invention; and

Fig. 8 is a cross sectional view of additional embodiment of the irrigation system in accordance with the present invention which is adapted for use with dense soil.

Fig. 9 is a schematic cross sectional view of a percolation bore with extended volume at its bottom.

Fig. 10 is a cross sectional view in scene representing percolation bore, planted tree outside of the bore and dripper system.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

Figs. 1-6 show embodiments of a irrigation system 10 of the present invention including: a drainage bore 12; one or a plurality of spaced apart percolation bores 14 some having sleeves 16 extending partway down into the percolation bores and also extending upward above the surface of the ground, which comprises a large particle filtering portion 17.

According to some embodiments, sleeves 16 have lids 18 with handles 20 (Fig. 2) and an anchoring member, such as a shielding mesh skirt 22. According to other embodiments, lids 18 and handles 20 are attached to an insert (discussed below with reference to Fig. 5). Percolation bores 14 are generally filled with absorbent material 23, in the form of granules of minerals such as expanded or fine perlite, vermiculite, tuff, coconut fiber or any combination thereof, for helping absorb, retain and transmit water and nutritional substances dissolved therein, such as rain water and/or fertilizer in the vicinity of the roots 24 of plants such as tree 26. In other words absorbent material 23 forms a buffering element for water and nutrients optionally dissolved therein.

Figs. 2 and 3 show enlarged isometric views of one of the sleeves 16 and shielding mesh skirt 22, respectively, of the irrigation system 10.

Referring to Fig. 2, filtering portion 17 of sleeve 16 comprises a plurality of first large and small particulate matter filtering apertures, such as holes 30 and slits 32, which are typically more or less evenly distributed, to help prevent small- sized particles from infiltrating the sleeves 16. Lid 18 is disposed on top of each sleeve 16, typically integral with sleeve 16 for easy removal. Typically, handle 20 is sunken within lid 18, for preventing unintended removal of the lid, for example, by passing animals, wind, hail, etc. Shielding mesh skirt 22 is an optional component, which if employed, snugly fits around sleeves 16 (Figs. 1, 4 and 5) typically around filtering portion 17. Shielding mesh skirt 22 may be made of a UV radiation resistant material, such as, but not limited to, dark colored plastics, for protecting the surface of the skirt from radiation, such as heat and sun, and is filled with large-sized particles (not shown), such as construction aggregates, e.g. gravel. The weight of such particles acts as an anchor preventing dislocation of the sleeves 16. Shielding mesh skirt 22 also acts as a primary filtering element for materials such as leaves, stones, and the like. Sleeves 16 have mesh skirt supporting members or projections 36, which are distributed about the lower part of filtering portion 17 for securing mesh skirt 22 to the filtering portion.

Fig. 5 shows a cross sectional isometric view of one of the sleeves 16 and shielding mesh skirt 22. As mentioned above, filtering portion 17 of sleeve 16 and shielding mesh skirt 22 help filter debris from water that has accumulated in drainage bore 12 (Fig. 1). In this embodiment, the system comprises an insert 40 disposed within filtering portion 17 of sleeve 16. Insert 40 comprises a cylindrical portion 38, typically having a plurality of particulate matter filtering apertures, such as openings 42; and a precipitance floor 44 for collecting accumulated debris. Floor 44 extends peripherally outward from the lower edge of cylindrical portion 38 and is typically sloped, but can be optionally formed as a flat base. Extending partway upward from the outer edge of floor 44 is a cylindrical wall 45 thereby forming an annular collection volume for accumulating debris. Insert 40 has a central opening 48 at its bottom wherethrough water can flow down into percolation bore 14 to be releasably absorbed by absorbent material 23 (Fig. 4).

Fig. 6 shows another embodiment of the irrigation system providing a sleeve 16 covered with a shielding mesh skirt 22 and a removably attached insert 40. Insert 40 has a sloped floor 44 having an annular wall 50, a cylindrical portion 38 and conical filter member 52. As aforementioned, floor 44 and wall 45 are used as a collection volume for accumulating debris. Typically, filter member 52 has a plurality of filter accommodating apertures 54. Fabric, plastic or other filter means can be arranged on apertures 54. It is a particular feature of the present embodiment that filter member 52 has a sloped shape (e.g. inverted conical shape, as shown), to direct debris downward to floor 44.

It should be noted that insert 40 is removable for convenient removal of debris accumulated on floor 44. In other embodiments, insert 40 is disposed within sleeve 16, yet floor 44 still can be separately and removably installed with the sleeve.

In summary, there are three main water filtering stages made available in accordance with the present invention. First, shielding mesh skirt 22 prevents large sized particles from the ambient soil from entering sleeve 16. Second, holes 30 and slits 32 filter smaller sized particles, and openings 42 provide yet a third filtering stage. As a result, water that collects in drainage bore 12 is filtered until it eventually is temporarily stored in the buffering absorbent material 23 prior to migrating into the ground adjacent the roots 24 of the adjacent plant.

The number of bores 14 and the size and depth of each bore should be determined in accordance with the specific plant type and climate conditions of the area. For example, a particularly arid area may require deeper and greater number of bores 12 and 14 to facilitate greater water accumulating efficiency.

The present irrigation system 10 may have an associated irrigation system, such as, a sprinkler or dripper system. The irrigation may carry out by reclaimed water or by the water accumulated in other drainage bores. Fig. 7 shows an alternative implementation of the irrigation system in accordance with the present invention. Irrigation system 10 of this embodiment comprises: a percolation bore 14a; a plant nutrient conduit 53; and a nutrition supply source exemplified by a nourishment or water supply tank 56. Plant nutrition conduit 53 and water supply tank 56 fulfill an analogous function to drainage bores 12 wherein they help provide water to the percolation bore 14a.

Percolation bore 14a is intended to be formed prior to the planting of tree 26 or other plant, and is typically located beneath at least a portion of the base of the tree. Percolation bore 14a typically has a lower portion 58 at least partially filled with absorbent material (not visible), such as absorbent material 23, for helping absorb, retain and transmit nutritional substances, such as water and/or fertilizer in the vicinity of the roots 62 of the tree 26. An upper portion 64 of the percolation bore 14a is filled with soil dug out from the ground during the drilling of bore 14a. Optionally, nutritive elements typically in the form of fertilizers can be added to the soil.

Nutrition conduit 53 can be made of any material suitable for plumbing, such as, plastic, metal, etc. that can convey dissolved nutrient/s from water supply tank 56 to the percolation bore's lower portion 58.

Thus, this implementation also helps provide a plant-nourishing substance to plant growing in cohesive/dense, semi or fully water impermeable soil. In addition, the absorbent material 60 of irrigation system 10 aides proper growth for the roots 62 of the tree 26 by encouraging their growing path to a deeper and more spread area beneath ground level.

Fig. 8 shows another embodiment of the irrigation system in accordance with the present invention that is particularly suited for irrigation of compact soil. Irrigation system 70 of this embodiment comprises: a percolation bore 72; conduit of liquid 74; and a nutrition supply source exemplified by a water and or nutrient reservoir 76. In this embodiment, conduit of liquids 74 extends downward, adjacent but external to percolation bore 72.

Percolation bore 72 is intended to be formed prior to the planting of tree 78 or other plants, typically a bush, and is typically located beneath at least a portion of the base of the tree. Percolation bore 72 typically has a lower portion 80 at least partially filled with absorbent material 23 for helping absorb, retain and transmit water and nutrients, such as fertilizer in the vicinity of the roots 84 of tree 78. Percolation bore 72 has an upper portion 86, which can be filled with soil dug out from the ground during the drilling of bore 72. Optionally, plant nutrients, such as fertilizers, can be added to the soil. Typically, the depth of external plant nutrition conduit 74 is approximately identical to the depth of upper portion 86 of the percolation bore 72.

It should be noted that this embodiment is distinctively adapted for use in dense soils, such as, loess and marl which are characterized by two main traits. First, contrary to the soil involved in the former embodiments, this soil can readily percolate water downward. Second, the particles of this dense soil have smaller air voids therebetween, thus plant growth is limited. When irrigating the plants, using the irrigation system of this embodiment, conduit 74 transfers water to an area surrounding lower portion 80 of bore 72. The water discharges from conduit 74 and penetrates downward toward the roots of the plant, while excess water accumulates at absorbent material 23 and if needed can flow upward in accordance with capillarity forces. Thus, space for aeration (air voids) is preserved better, while excess water is held for future need for the plant.

Enhanced capacity percolation bores

As can be seen in Fig. 9, percolation bore 14 has an enlarged bottom 174 substantially spheroid part which is in fact an enlarged void in the soil, which like the upper, cylindrical void, is to be filled with porous material, as elaborated above, schematically.

Tricle (drip) irrigation water distribution around a percolation bore.

In another aspect of the invention, a percolation bore of the invention is used together with trickle irrigation to take advantage of both. As can be seen in Fig. 10,

Trickle irrigation pipe 178, supplied with drippers, carries water running inside in the direction of arrow 182. The dripper produce stream of water of known characteristics, usually measured in volume of water per unit time. Dripper (also known as drip emitter) 184 is a four (4) outlet emitter, dispensing water to four output tubes 186. Dripper 184 emits water possibly containing nutrients to the soil outside of the periphery of percolation bore 190 through output tubes 186. Circle 202 designates the girth of a tree planted outside of bore the periphery of is marked by dashed line 190. The reason for irrigating outside of the percolation bore is to cause the root system to grow and spread outside of the percolation bore, thereby creating a better anchorage for the tree.