Portable irrigation device

Abstract

The invention provides a portable irrigation device for dispensing irrigation liquid from a container to a target plant holder substrate area. The device comprises a dispensing unit which is releasably attached to the container, a control unit for activating or deactivating the dispensing unit, and a discharge tube in fluid communication with the dispensing unit through which discharged irrigation flows. Irrigation liquid is discharged from the container as a result of pressurized air which is generated by said control unit and injected into the container.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application is a continuation of Israeli Application No. PCT / IL2004 / 000075 filed Jan. 27, 2004, which claims priority on U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60 / 442,666 filed Jan. 27, 2003. Said applications are included herein in their entirety by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] This invention relates to the field of portable irrigation devices, particularly, though not exclusively, useful for the irrigation of plants, e.g. potted plants. A simple device is provided which is inexpensive and permits to save irrigation water. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Small scale agricultural irrigation, for which large and complex apparatus is unnecessary, is performed either automatically or manually. Automatic apparatus consists of spray units that are fixed or displaceable and are automatically operated at fixed times. Said units may be mechanical sprayers and may direct sprays in changing directions to cover broad areas of re...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The invention is a portable irrigation device that can dispense water or other liquid chemicals to plants. It is designed to be easily attached to a container, such as a water bottle or soft drink can, and can be operated without supervision. The device uses a dispensing unit and a control unit to activate or deactivate the dispensing unit. It can release the liquid chemicals at a steady rate and is designed to be flexible and easy to install. The device is simple and inexpensive to manufacture and can be programmed to operate according to specific irrigation cycles. Its performance is not affected by the type of liquid chemical used and it can be used with readily available containers."

Problems solved by technology

Automatic apparatus is expensive and water consuming and is not adapted individually to irrigate plants, as it is always conceived to irrigate broad areas of vegetable growth.

Hand operated apparatus may be inexpensive, but is awkward to use and is wasteful and inefficient in the irrigation of individual plants, as it generates streams or broad sprays of water which always spread the water over large areas.

Water is applied only to those areas where it is needed, that is, it is dripped onto the soil above a root zone, and therefore only a relatively small amount is wasted.

Even though the technology is simple, drip irrigation requires careful maintenance of equipment since the emitters can become easily clogged.

Economic considerations therefore preclude, or restrict, the use of portable irrigation devices which are based on a drip irrigation system.

Although such an irrigation device is economical, the delivery rate of irrigation liquid is not controllable, and therefore an inordinate amount of liquid is improperly utilized.

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