Christmas tree watering system

Abstract

The Christmas tree watering system is an apparatus for watering a Christmas tree that includes a water reservoir connected to a length of conduit. The water reservoir is substantially cylindrical with a bottom opening extending downwardly, a support loop extending upwardly, and a hook that is shaped and dimensioned for attachment to the branch of a Christmas tree extending from the support loop. The conduit has an upper end that adjoins the bottom opening of the reservoir and a lower end with a strip of hook and loop material attached thereto for securing the lower end to the trunk of a Christmas tree. The reservoir and conduit are configured to automatically supply water to a Christmas tree stand using the force off gravity and vacuum control, and to thereby allow for adequate watering of the tree without requiring someone to crawl under the tree to inspect the level of water in the tree stand.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to Christmas tree watering systems, and more particularly to a gravity-fed, vacuum controlled Christmas tree watering system that is inexpensive to manufacture and that automatically supplies water to the water receptacle in a conventional Christmas tree stand. [0003] 2. Description of the Related Art [0004] Because it is a common practice to display a Christmas tree for as many as two to three weeks during the holiday season, it is critically important that the Christmas tree be adequately watered to avoid drying out and presenting a fire hazard. Yet, because the Christmas tree is often positioned in a confined area within a home, ensuring that the tree receives an adequate amount of water can be difficult. [0005] This problem has been addressed in two distinct manners. First, devices that generally use a funnel secured to a convenient location on a Christmas tree with a conduit extend...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0014] The Christmas tree watering system is an apparatus for watering a Christmas tree that includes a water reservoir connected to a length of conduit. The reservoir and conduit are configured to automatically supply water to a Christmas tree stand using the force of gravity and vacuum control, thereby allowing for adequate watering of the tree without requiring someone to crawl under the tree to inspect the level of water in the tree stand. Significant features of the device include its simple design and its inexpensive manufacture.

[0016] When the device is secured to a Christmas tree that is positioned in a conventional tree stand, water within the reservoir flows down the conduit and into the water receptacle in the tree stand. As water flows out of the conduit, air bubbles back up the conduit and into the reservoir. The water flowing out of the conduit flows into the tree stand until the water level within the tree stand reaches the level of the lower end of the conduit or a level about one inch above the bottom of the tree trunk. Once the water level reaches the lower end of the conduit, the water creates a seal around the end of the conduit and thereby prevents air from flowing up to the reservoir. This creates a vacuum in the reservoir that stops the flow of water out of the reservoir.

[0018] Accordingly, it is a principal object of the invention to provide a Christmas tree watering system that allows for easy and convenient maintenance of the water level in a Christmas tree stand and that does not require a person to crawl under the Christmas tree to check the water level in the tree stand.

[0021] Still another object of the invention is to provide a Christmas tree watering system that has no moving parts and is simple and inexpensive to manufacture.

[0022] It is an object of the invention to provide improved elements and arrangements thereof for the purposes described which is inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing its intended purposes.

Problems solved by technology

Yet, because the Christmas tree is often positioned in a confined area within a home, ensuring that the tree receives an adequate amount of water can be difficult.

However, a significant drawback of each of these devices is that they do not allow a person to avoid crawling around the base of the tree to inspect the level of the water in the tree stand.

Moreover, watering a Christmas tree via a funnel requires bringing a loose container of water into the room where the Christmas tree displayed, which is often a room with nice furnishings, and thereby risking spilling water while carrying the loose container, as well as when pouring into the funnel.

The major drawback of these devices is that the water storage container takes up floor space, which is typically scarce during the holiday season.

Also, in addition to requiring the expense of seasonal camouflage, the devices typically require the expense of elaborate controls or a specialized tree stand.

Furthermore, they require carrying a loose container of water into the room where the Christmas tree is located and transfer of the water to the device.

The drawbacks of this device are similar to those discussed above.

Second, because the device's receptacle is tied to the tree, water must be brought to it in a loose container thereby risking spills.

And third, manufacture of the device requires expenditures related to disguising the receptacle.

The drawbacks of the Jung device are similar to those for the McCurry device discussed above with the addition of requiring expenditures for an electronic flow regulator.

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