DEVICE FOR SUPPLYING WATER TO AT LEAST ONE PLANT, IN PARTICULAR A VEGETABLE PLANT, AND ARRANGEMENT WITH AT LEAST SUCH A DEVICE

Description

[0001] The invention relates generally to the watering of plants in vegetable gardens and aims to optimize the water requirements of non-tuberous or taproot plants.

[0002] The term "plant" means any plant species with roots, whether ornamental or edible.

[0003] It relates in particular to a device for supplying water to at least one plant and an installation comprising at least one such device, or even several devices in accordance with the invention.

[0004] To grow and produce beautiful flowers, fruits or vegetables, plants need to be regularly supplied with water.

[0005] There are many watering systems that deliver water to the base of plants regularly, so that the soil remains moist for as long as possible.

[0006] The problem in times of drought is the speed with which the water delivered to the soil evaporates, aided by the wind, the sun and the temperature which accelerates this phenomenon.

[0007] To overcome these drawbacks, it is common to cover the ground or spread mulch at the base of vegetable plants or to water more often in order to preserve the plant.

[0008] Other solutions have been proposed to provide sufficient water to plants, even during heat waves.

[0009] We know of irrigation bubbles, which consist of a sphere (made of glass or plastic) into which a tube opens to fill the sphere, the tube being planted near the base of the plant to deliver the water contained in the sphere. This device works for potted plants but not for plants planted in vegetable gardens. Furthermore, their water capacity is limited, which means they must be refilled frequently.

[0010] Document FR 2 837 350 discloses a conical and porous device that is driven into the ground. It is topped with an accessory that allows a water bottle to be attached, upside down, with at least one opening in its base to allow the water to be delivered. The water contained in the bottle feeds the porous device that delivers the water into the ground by capillarity. The disadvantage of such a device is that it is completely unsightly (because the plastic bottles are visible above ground). In addition, it takes up space around the plant. Furthermore, in the event of a heatwave, the plastic bottles heat up and the water they contain evaporates.

[0011] Additionally, plastic cooks, yellows and breaks over time.

[0012] Other solutions are known, described in particular in document FR 2 993 751: this solution combines a multitude of porous cones such as those described in the document cited above, with a pipe for supplying water to the cones, the tube being connected to a water reservoir. To enable the continuous supply of the porous cones, a vacuum is created in the tube. Such a device eliminates the need for plastic bottles. However, the installation is generally bulky, tedious to implement and causes water loss.

[0013] Documents CN2402130, FR883263, US1133182 and CN109601336 also disclose devices which are buried and which allow plants or trees to be supplied with water by allowing their roots to enter the device or by connecting them to a pipe immersed in the device.

[0014] The invention overcomes the aforementioned drawbacks: it offers a solution that does not take up space around the plant, is easy to implement and limits water evaporation in the event of a heatwave.

[0015] The invention, which is obtained according to claim 1, relates to this purpose to a device for supplying water to at least one plant, in particular a vegetable plant, said device comprising a container having a container bottom, a container side wall and a container opening, through which water can be introduced so that the container forms a water reservoir, said container being able to be buried.The device according to the invention is remarkable in that said container is made of a waterproof material (to prevent the evaporation of water), in that it comprises a cover for closing said container opening, the cover being waterproof and removable (to allow the container to be refilled and to limit evaporation as much as possible), and in that the side wall of the container comprises at least one through-wall opening through which at least one root of said at least one plant can be at least partially introduced (so that the plant can be supplied with water).

[0016] Thus made, the device is designed to be buried: it does not clutter the space around the plants and does not cause any visual nuisance.

[0017] In addition, it prevents the evaporation of the water contained in the tank and keeps the water at a cool temperature in the event of a heatwave. In fact, the device prevents water from seeping into the ground and evaporating due to the sun and wind.

[0018] It is also easy to fill thanks to the presence of the removable closing lid which is left accessible from the surface of the earth in which part of the plant root is installed and the buried tank.

[0019] The device according to the invention also includes the following characteristics: The device may comprise at least one sealed tube capable of being removably inserted into said wall opening and capable of receiving at least partially a root of said plant. The presence of this tube makes it easier to introduce part of the root of the plant into the wall opening. Combined with the inclined conduit, the tube makes it possible to direct part of the root towards the bottom of the container.By inserting the tube into the conduit, it is possible to ensure a seal of the device at the wall opening, which allows the water from the reservoir to rise in the tube (principle of communicating vessels) and to reach a part of the root introduced into the tube but not yet sufficiently developed to exit the tube and immerse in the container; The tube can be made of an elastically deformable material (i.e. which returns to its shape after being deformed), for example flexible plastic, and include a cutout which extends parallel to the tube axis at least partially over said length of tube. This allows the tube to be manually opened along its length in order to insert a part of the root, which facilitates the insertion of a part of the root.The device may also comprise the following features, taken separately or in combination: Said at least one wall opening may be integral with a projecting conduit having a conduit axis inclined relative to said side wall. This makes it possible to guide a portion of the root of the introduced plant through the wall opening; Said tube may have a transparent wall, to visually ensure the correct introduction of the root of the plant into the tube, The container may also be made of plastic, for its lightness, robustness and cost; The wall opening may be made at a second height in the wall, the container having a first container height, said second height being substantially between half of the first container height and three-quarters of the first container height.This allows for a water reserve in the container that is at least three-quarters to half full.When implementing the device, it was even found that the device could contain up to 95% water because the root present in the tube or in the wall opening made it possible to close the wall opening tightly after its growth, which made it possible to maintain a water level in the container located close to the opening of the container; Said removable closing cover may comprise a through hole, capable of receiving a pipe, Said device may comprise a removable tubular accessory, having an outside diameter which is less than a diameter of said wall opening, to be removably received in said wall opening and having an inside diameter which is greater than a diameter of said tube to receive said tube; Advantageously, said removable tubular accessory may comprise at least one external radial seal, said radial seal being positioned at a distance from one end of said tubular accessory.

[0020] The invention also relates to an installation according to claim 8 comprising at least one device equipped with a cover with a through hole, said installation comprising a so-called main water supply pipe, capable of being connected to a so-called general water supply source, said general supply being connected to at least one pipe received in said through hole of said removable closing cover of said at least one device.

[0021] The installation according to the invention may also include said water supply source.

[0022] The invention according to claim 10 finally relates to a method of implementing such an installation, comprising at least one device as defined above, equipped with a tube and equipped with a cover with a through hole, said method comprising the following steps: a) placing part of a plant root in a tube, b) inserting the tube into the opening in the side wall of the container, c) completely burying said container and the free roots of the plant in the earth, leaving the lid visible above the level of the earth, d) possibly repeating operations a), b) and c) for other plants, e) inserting the pipe into the through hole of said lid, f) supplying water to the main pipe, connected to the pipe, so as to fill the container(s) with water, g) visually monitoring the lid(s) and stopping supplying water to the main pipe as soon as water is observed overflowing through the through hole of the container lid.

[0023] Other advantages and characteristics of the invention will appear on examining the detailed description of a non-limiting embodiment, and the appended drawings, in which: There figure 1 is a schematic representation of a device according to an embodiment in accordance with the invention, in side view. The figure 2 illustrates an element of the device shown in figure 1 , in the open position and seen in perspective, as well as a plant and its roots. The figure 3 illustrates the element of the device shown in figure 1 , in the closed position and seen in perspective, in which is received a root of the plant shown in figure 2 . There figure 4 illustrates the device shown in figure 1 , seen partially in section and from the side, in position in the earth. The figure 5 is another device according to the invention, seen partially in section and from the side, in position in the ground. The figure 6 illustrates an installation in accordance with the invention comprising at least two devices, positioned in the ground. The figure 7 illustrates an accessory of a device according to the invention, seen in perspective. And the figure 8 shows the device according to the invention equipped with the accessory shown in figure 7 , seen in perspective.

[0024] There figure 1 shows an embodiment of a device 1 in accordance with the invention, making it possible to supply water to at least one plant 2 (see figure 2 and following).

[0025] Plant 2 may be a vegetable plant or other type of flower. It may also be a non-vegetable plant but not a tuberous or taproot plant: the invention is not limited to an application on a particular category of plants. It can be implemented with plants whose roots are called "hairy".

[0026] However, it is useful to use it in a vegetable garden which requires special attention, aimed at ensuring a regular supply of water to the plants.

[0027] As can be seen in particular on the figure 1 , said device 1 comprises a container 3 which is designed to be completely buried.

[0028] There figure 4 shows the device of the figure 1 in place in the earth T.

[0029] The container 3 has an elongated shape reminiscent of the shape of a bottle: it has a container base 4, oriented downwards on the figure 1 , a container side wall 5 and a container opening 6 facing upwards on the figure 1 .

[0030] Water 7 can be introduced into container 3 (see figures 4 ) through the opening 6 so that the container 3 forms a water reservoir. According to the invention, the side wall 5 and the bottom 4 of the container are watertight: the container is thus, for example, made of plastic or terracotta, the surface of the walls of which is treated with a hydrophobic coating, for example. Thus, the container 3 does not allow water to evaporate or disperse through its wall or bottom. The container shown in figure 1 has a height H of approximately 30 cm, a diameter D of approximately 8.5 cm and has a maximum capacity of approximately 1.5 L.

[0031] As can also be seen in figure 1 , the device according to the invention also comprises a cover 8 (or 8'), making it possible to close the opening 6 of the container.

[0032] The cover 8 (or 8') is removable, to allow the container 3 to be filled several times and to view the water level. According to a first embodiment, the cover 8 is watertight and solid, which prevents water from evaporating through it ( figures 4 Or 5 ). According to a second embodiment, the cover 8' has a through hole, substantially in its center, to allow the introduction of a pipe 9 into the container through the cover 8' (see figure 6 ), in order to automatically feed the containers in accordance with an installation according to the invention (which will be described later). According to the invention, the side wall 5 of the container comprises a wall opening 10, which is a through wall opening.

[0033] The opening 10 is made, in the context of this embodiment, at a height h which is substantially equal to one third of the height H of the container 3.

[0034] Also, the height h at which the opening 10 is made is between half of the height H and three-quarters of the height H. In this way, the water reserve in the container is always at least greater than or equal to half of the capacity of the container 3. The opening 10 makes it possible to introduce part of the root 20 of the plant 2 into the container, as shown for example in figure 5 .

[0035] The opening 10 has an edge which is surrounded by a bead to prevent injury to the root 20 when it is introduced through the wall opening 10, in the context of this embodiment.

[0036] The positioning of the wall opening is important for several reasons: It is preferable that it is located at a height of 10 cm from the said container lid.

[0037] In addition, the wall opening will guide the positioning of said plant at ground level.

[0038] A wall opening of the container that is too low would not allow the full contents of the container to be used and would require the creation of a tube to be inserted that was too long so that said part of the root could capture the water contained in said container: the part of the root would not be able to develop normally due to the length to be covered, which would cause a lack of water over time.

[0039] Also, an opening that is too low will not allow the said plant to grow normally in its root parts due to lack of space. In the context of a more advanced embodiment shown in figures 1 à 4 , the device comprises a tube 11, capable of being removably inserted into said wall opening 10 and capable of receiving at least partially the root part 20 of the plant 2.

[0040] The tube 11 facilitates the introduction of the root part 20 into the container 3.

[0041] Tube 11 may or may not be waterproof.

[0042] The container also comprises, around the opening 10, a projecting conduit 12 having a conduit axis X which is inclined relative to the side wall 5 of the container. The conduit 12 has a diameter such that it can accommodate the tube 11 in a removable manner. The conduit 12 also makes it possible to maintain the tube 11 in a position such that it is oriented towards the bottom of the container 3. The orientation of the tube 11, intended to accommodate a part of the root 20 of a plant 2, makes it possible to position the root part 20 at a level situated below the level of the opening 10 of the side wall 5 of the container 3.

[0043] Inserting the tube 11 into the conduit 12 creates a seal.

[0044] Tube 11 is shown more particularly in figures 2 And 3 .

[0045] The tube 11 is a tube of round section, like the conduit 12, which makes it possible to introduce the tube 11 into the conduit 12 without having to orient one relative to the other.

[0046] The tube 11 has a diameter of substantially 14 mm or 16 mm and the conduit 12 has a diameter of between substantially 15 mm and 17 mm, in the context of this exemplary embodiment.

[0047] Preferably, the tube 11 is made of elastically malleable material, for example flexible plastic, to be easily orientable.

[0048] It is provided that the tube 11 comprises a cutout 13 which extends over part or the entire length of the tube depending on the length of the root part (see figures 2 And 3 ): in other words, the tube 11 has a tube axis X1 and a tube length L. The cutout 13 extends parallel to the tube axis X1 over said tube length L.

[0049] The tube 11 being made of flexible material, it can open on either side of the cutout 13 (open position of the tube 11 shown in figure 2 ) and it can close by elastic recall of the material from which it is made (closed position of tube 11 shown in figure 3 for example). To insert a root 20 into the tube 11, simply open it by spreading the wall of the tube (spacing symbolized by the arrows E on the figure 2 ) and insert the root 20. By ceasing to keep the tube 11 open, the wall resumes its tubular shape and the tube 11 closes around the root 20 (see figure 3 ).

[0050] Optionally, the tube 11 may have a transparent wall, making it possible to visualize the position of the root 20 in the tube 11 (for example to visually ensure that the root part of the plant has been correctly inserted into the tube).

[0051] Once the root part 20 is in position in the tube, it is easy to introduce the tube 11 (and the root part 20 it comprises) into the container 3 without risking injuring the root 20.

[0052] To facilitate the introduction and guidance of the tube 11 into the container, it may also be provided to equip the device with a removable tubular accessory (reference 30, figures 7 ou 8 ), capable of being inserted and released from the opening 10 of the side wall of the container.

[0053] The tubular accessory 30 can be made of different materials, and is preferably rigid and of circular section. It has a first end 31 and a second end 32.

[0054] Substantially halfway between the two ends 31 and 32 (therefore, at a distance from one of the two ends), the tubular accessory 30 can be surrounded by a seal 33, preferably made of rubber, and which serves both: to stop the introduction of the accessory into the wall opening 10, and to seal the edge of the wall opening 10.

[0055] There figure 8 shows the accessory 30 inserted into the wall opening 10, as well as the tube 11 inserted into the accessory 30.

[0056] The seal 33 of the accessory is in abutment against the side wall 5 of the container 1.

[0057] It should be understood that the accessory could not include a seal 33 without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0058] The joint could be made in one piece with the removable accessory, or be attached around the accessory 30. In such a case, the accessory 30 would preferably be inserted halfway along its length.

[0059] It should also be understood that the accessory could also be inserted into the conduit 12 of the exemplary device shown in figure 1 without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0060] The accessory 30 thus has an outer accessory diameter which is smaller than the diameter of the wall opening 10, to allow its introduction. Its rigidity makes it easier to introduce.

[0061] The tube 11 is inserted more easily into the removable accessory 30 when directly into the wall opening 10, because the accessory ensures guidance of the tube 11 during its introduction into the container.

[0062] There figure 4 shows the device of the figure 1 placed in position in the ground: The container 3 is inserted so that its cover 8 is flush with the ground level. The end of the tube 11 which receives part of the root 20 is preferably at a depth P in the ground T of between 5 and 10 cm (depending on the length of the root 20).

[0063] It is recalled that the device 1 according to the invention could not include a tube 11 and could be implemented in such a way that a part of the root 20 is directly introduced into the wall opening 10, which unlike the device, would generate a significant leak and could not retain a significant portion of water in said container.

[0064] To fill the container 3 with water, simply remove the lid 8 and pour water into the container through the opening 6. The opening 6 is then closed by repositioning the lid 8.

[0065] In this case, it is necessary to regularly check that the container 3 contains enough water for the tube 11 (and / or the root 20) to soak in the water and to top up the water level if necessary.

[0066] Another solution allows you to avoid having to monitor the water level in the container: the figure 6 shows an installation in accordance with the invention which comprises two devices 1, each of them being installed in the earth T with a root 20 of a plant 2 in place in their tube 11 inserted in their container 3.

[0067] It should be understood that the installation in accordance with the invention could comprise more than two devices 1 without departing from the scope of the invention: for example, it could comprise as many devices as there are plants to be fed in a vegetable garden.

[0068] It could also include only one device as part of a single device water supply automation. The installation shown in figure 6 comprises a main water supply pipe 90 which is connected to a water supply source 91 7, said main pipe 90 being connected to pipes 9 received in said removable closing covers 8' of said devices 1.

[0069] The general source of water supply 91 can be a cistern, a rainwater collector, a drinking water supply network, etc.

[0070] The water inlet source 91 may be equipped with an opening and closing device to authorize or not the delivery of water into the main pipe 90.

[0071] The installation method according to the invention is as follows: Firstly, the roots of the plant are observed and part of the root (preferably the longest) is placed in a tube 11, as seen previously.

[0072] Then, the tube 11 is inserted into the opening 10 of the side wall 5 of the container 3.

[0073] The plant / device assembly is then placed in the ground, so that the side opening is approximately 10 cm below ground level and the 8' cover is left exposed above ground level (earth).

[0074] This step is repeated as many times as there are plants and devices in accordance with the invention to be planted.

[0075] When all the plants and devices are placed in the ground, a pipe 9 connected to the main pipe 91 is inserted into each through hole of said cover 8' of each device, and the water supply is opened to supply the main pipe with water, which leads to the filling of the containers 3.

[0076] The 8' lid(s) are then visually monitored and the water supply is closed when water is observed to overflow through the hole in the 8' lids of the containers (overflow meaning that the containers are full). This principle requires a little work but saves time and effort later on.

[0077] It is understood from the above description how the device according to the invention makes it possible to feed a plant by limiting water evaporation while remaining visually discreet. It also makes it possible to limit water consumption by loss due to filtration as well as to preserve its freshness and quality while being protected from light.

[0078] Thanks to the device according to the invention, the watering workload is reduced and the plant manages its own water consumption according to its needs, and therefore better water management.

[0079] The device can be reused from year to year and can be cleaned.

[0080] It should be noted, however, that the device could also remain in the ground once in place, as it is not affected by frost, provided that it is ensured that it no longer contains water before the winter season.

[0081] It should however be understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments specifically represented in the figures and that it could extend to the implementation of equivalent means.

Claims

1. A device (1) for supplying water (7) to a plant (2), in particular a vegetable plant, said device (1) comprising a container (3) having a bottom (4) of the container (3), a side wall (5) of the container (3) and an opening (6) of the container (3), through which the water (7) can be introduced so that the container (3) forms a water reservoir, said container (3) being able to be buried, said container (3) being made of a watertight material, comprising a lid (8, 8') for closing said container opening (6), the lid (8, 8') being sealed and removable, and the side wall (5) of the container (3) comprising at least one wall opening (10) which is continuous and through which at least part of the root (20) of the said plant (2) can be at least partially introduced, characterised in that it comprises at least one tube (11), capable of being inserted removably into the said opening (10) in the side wall (5) and capable of at least partially receiving a root (20) of the said at least one plant (2), and in that the tube (11) is made of elastically deformable materials, has a tube axis (X1) and extends over a tube length (L), and in that the tube (11) includes a cutout (13) which extends parallel to the said tube axis (X1) at least partially over the said tube length (L).

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that said at least one wall opening (10) is integral with a duct (12) projecting from said side wall (5), having a duct axis (X) which is inclined with respect to said side wall (5).

3. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the container (3) is made of plastic.

4. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, the container (3) having a container height (H), characterized in that the said opening (10) in the side wall (5) is made at a second height (h) in the side wall (5), the said second height (h) lying substantially between half the height (H) of the container (3) and three quarters of the height (H) of the container (3).

5. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said removable closure cover (8') comprises a through hole suitable for receiving a pipe (9).

6. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that it comprises a tubular removable accessory (30), having an external diameter which is less than a diameter of the said opening (10) in the wall (5), in order to be removably accommodated in the said opening (10) in the wall (5) and having an internal diameter which is greater than a diameter of the said tube (11) in order to accommodate the said tube (11).

7. A device according to claim 6, characterised in that said tubular removable fitting (30) comprises at least one external radial seal (33), said radial seal (33) being positioned at a distance from one end (31) of said tubular removable fitting (30).

8. An installation comprising at least one device (1) as claimed in claim 5, said installation comprising a main water supply pipe (90) suitable for being connected to a water inlet source (91), said main pipe (90) being connected to at least one pipe (9) received in said through hole of said removable closure cover (8') of said at least one device (1).

9. Installation according to claim 8, characterized in that it comprises the said water supply source (91).

10. A method of operating an installation as claimed in claim 8 or 9, comprising at least one device as claimed in claim 1 and 5 or 3 and 5, said method comprising the following steps: a) placing part of the root of a plant in a tube (11), b) inserting the tube (11) into the opening (10) in the side wall (5) of the container (3), c) completely bury the said container (3) and the free roots of the plant in the earth, leaving the lid (8') visible above the level of the earth, d) if necessary, repeat operations a), b) and c) for other plants, e) insert the hose (9) into the through hole in the lid (8'), f) supplying water to the main hose (91), connected to the hose (9), so as to fill the container or containers (3) with water, g) visually monitoring the lid or lids (8') and stopping the supply of water to the main hose (91) as soon as an overflow of water is observed through the through hole in the lid (8') of the container (3).