DEVICE FOR ENSURING THE REGULATED SUPPLY OF LIQUID TO AN ENVIRONMENT FROM A RESERVE

Abstract

The invention relates to plant pots, in which it provides a liquid reservoir from which a medium (e.g., soil containing a plant) is regularly replenished. It comprises: - a container-shaped part 101, receiving the medium; - a container-shaped part 108, assembled with 101 in an airtight manner; - various components allowing: . filling with liquid: - filling well 101.21; - hydraulic valve 101.6 that evacuates air during filling and ensures the vacuum established in this "Mariotte's vessel" formed by 101 plus 108. . supplying the medium with liquid from a "reference level" that is a function of the vacuum. . monitoring the liquid level. The assembly is placed in a plant pot or can serve as a pot. The base 108 may not be...

Description

CERTIFICATE OF ADDITION TO THE APPLICATION "DEVICE TO ENSURE REGULATED FEEDING" FROM A LIQUID MIDDLE, FROM A RESERVE" In this request, it is mentioned, in 3.2 (p 20 and following) of cases where the liquid reserve is included in a device also containing the "middle" and, for example, a planter with a reservoir liquid or the reserve is not entirely located at the lower part, but also, or exclusively on the sides (ex Fig. 12 of the initial request). 1. Part 10 described in the initial request as as part of the overall system, can be a pre-existing piece tex: cachepot > . All the rest of the The device then takes on forms in harmony with this pre-existing part 102. 2 Whether part 102 is part of the system or whether it If it is pre-existing, it may be necessary to prevent the retrieval of room 101, and what it contains and what can be attributed to it. either we ballast 101. either the base of 101 is fixed in a way any at 102. either organs 102.2 (Fig.8) are part of 102 by construction, or are added to it (according to a (any principle). If necessary, in the case of organs forming part of 102, the form of 101 (notches, etc...) allows it to be pushed into 102 and, the organs 102.2 2 having reached a level higher than the top of 101, to make operational the parts 102.2 by displacement of 101 (rotation, etc...). either by a document 102.3, subsequently adapted to the introduction of 101, taking support enough on 102 to prevent the rise of 101. 3. Diffuser 105 can, in addition to the forms already described, introduce myself 3.1 as in Fig.1 or Fig.2, depending on whether it is embedded in the base 111, or arranged AT the end of the flexible conduit 104. - in the case where it is embedded in 111, it is consisting of part 105.1 (which may be part of 111), of any shape in section, and of a capillarity organ 105.2 (wick, nonwoven, musse, powder, sintered material, etc. occupying, or not occupying, the entire internal free section of 105.1. 105.2 is in contact with the liquid at its lower end, at a level located below the "reference level". Its upper end penetrates, along with 105.1, into the medium to be supplied. The latter may be contained within its own container (e.g., a plant pot containing soil), and 105 then passes through an opening located at the bottom of this container. This opening can be pre-existing (e.g., a flowerpot) or created to meet the needs of the passage of 105. To create it, part 105.4, which is pointed and robust enough to pierce the bottom of certain containers (e.g., a plastic pot), can be temporarily positioned. To ensure sufficient mechanical strength, part 105.1 can be long enough to touch the bottom of part 102. Notches 105.1.1 can then allow the passage of the liquid. A variant of this part 105.1, fitted into 111, is shown in Fig. 3. A part 105.3, containing the capillarity element 105.2, of the same nature as described above, is housed inside the section of 105.1, whose shape it exactly follows so that the capillary forces acting between 105.1, 105.3 and the liquid maintain the airtightness. There may exist a range of 105.e + 105.3 pairs with appropriate respective dimensions, exhibiting characteristics different from 105.2. The position of the set 105.1 + 105.2 and, where applicable, + 105.3, does not necessarily coincide with the axis of symmetry of 101. It may be distinct from this axis of symmetry. either by manufacturing. either by being positioned at one of the locations 105.4 possible, far from the axis of symmetry, not necessarily located on a radius or diameter (Fig. 4). Each of these 105.4 orifices, which does not receive The set 105.2 + 105.3 therefore comprises (Fig. 5): - a well 105.1, conforming to the description seen higher. - . or a set 105. 2 + 105. 3 of the form adequate (Fig.5). either a 105.5 lid whose design and the implementation maintains a minimum airtightness with respect to outside air. Whether it's contact with 105.5 or one of its Component 105.5.1 ensures this sealing. That is, 105.5.1 has an outside diameter and a sufficient length so that the capillarity between the liquid, 105.1 and 105.5.1 ensures sealing. Regardless of the shape and location of the diffuser, the medium may not be contained in a pre-existing container (e.g., a plant's "plug" not contained in a pot >). - either that the environment occupies, up to a certain level, the entire interior volume of 101 intended to receive this medium. The aeration of the medium can to be done by a "Chimney" device 101.5 and to galleries 101.6 (Fig.6). - either a receptacle with an openwork design 101.11 (e.g.: Fig. 7), of a shape suitable for 101 contains this clod, while allowing the action of various broadcasters described in the request principal and in this addition, and all by enabling the action of the various diffusers described in the main request, and while allowing for ventilation of the game, in addition to its upper part, by its lateral parts 101.11.1 or by its lower part 101.11.2 In the latter case, 106 parts already described in the main request may exist. - either that 101 is carried out in such a way that a or several chimneys (which are not filling well), of any shape, (Fig. 8) 101.7 allows air to reach down to the lower middle level, maintained 111 apart by 106 pieces and one piece 111.2 (Fig.9). - either the hydraulic valve (Fig. 15, 18, 19) allowing, during filling, the evacuation of the air contained in the "reserve" and, during the draining, the establishment of a depression causing the "reference level", allows this ventilation after the reference level has been established. This hydraulic valve consists of d' of a main chimney 101.6, delimited by the internal part of 101: 101.1 and by a partition 101.2 fixed in a watertight manner to 101.I or being part of the same room. . of another chimney delimited by the partition 101.3, fixed securely to 101.2 or to 101. I, or forming part of the same piece. The The top of 101.3 leaves a space relative to the part of the highest level of 101. By against, 101. 3 descends To a lower level To the base of 101.2. From a piece 101.4 which forms the bottom of the valve by fitting into (or attaching) in some way) on parts 101.2, 101.3 and 101.7, which is a piece making part of the bottom, 111, of 101 and whose shape the fact that it is located in the extension of 101.2. The lower level of 101.7 corresponds to that of 101.3. The height of 101.3 allows that is established within 101 a depression corresponding to the "level of reference". Indeed, during the oil change from the reserve, a quickly formed depression inside 101. The liquid which was located in chimney 101.6 (when the liquid filling passes over the top of 101.3 and fulfills all or part of 101.6) is sucked in and passes through the chimney delimited by 101.3 until the level of the liquid in 101.6, compared to that contained in 101 corresponds to the depression which establishes itself within 101. Lrs of the During filling, an overpressure is established. the interior of the law and flushes out the liquid located between 101.2 and 101.3. As the section separating these two rooms is clearly more smaller than the chimney section 101.6 and of the space delimited by 101.2, 101.3 and 101.7, the rise of the liquid in this The chimney is very weak and lets the air in slight overpressure in 101 escaping towards the outside. The bottom 111 of room 101 presented a small orifice 111.4 which connects the inside of the area delimited by 101.2, 101.3 and 101.7 and an empty space than an openwork room 111.2 (e.g., Fig. 15) maintains between the "middle" and 111. Once the liquid level is sufficient low in 101.6, air can penetrate between 111 and 111.2 The spacing between 111 and 111.2 is ensured by reliefs 106 of 111, or by shoulders provided on 101. I. 3.2 As shown in Fig. 17, this could be a simple opening 105.6 or the upper opening of a conduit 105.1 whose inner section is empty. In this case, the reference level is located above 111 and, if there is no capillary organ between the liquid and the medium, above 111.2, that the middle 301 either directly on the device (Fig. 9) or in a pot 201 (Fig. 17). 3.3 As in Fig. 18 where the middle being At the device, the migration of liquid in this medium is done by capillary action through a shaped well any, filled with the middle itself or with a foam or a powder 105, 15, etc... 4. We may want to know the liquid level 4.1 Useful level (reference level or actual level) if it is below the reference level). If 102 is not transparent or translucent, a float 320.1 (Ex:Fig.22) located in the well of filling or in one of the possible wells ventilation systems seen above, or in a well that It is unique, surmounted by a stem with or without a reference point, the upper part of which reaches a level higher than the top of 102 or the containing. This indicates whether the reference level is assured or if the level is lower than it. 4.2 Level in the reserve: 4.2.1 Fig. 12: Dual, whatever the form of 101i, one can use the depression existing in its interior to create a "control level" in a tube (130.1). This level is obtained by the rise of the liquid poured into the housing 101.8 at the time of filling, at least by the flow in channel 101. 8. 1 at the end of filling by overflow from the well 101.21 filling tube. A 101.20 tube, making part of 101, in communication with the interior of 101 transmits the depression which is established in part 101 constituting the liquid reserve. This depression makes raise the liquid level to between 101.20 and 130.1. up to a level corresponding to depression maximum such as it is established after the filling. As it empties of the reserve, the depression decreases and the level between 130.1 and 101.20 falling until the atmospheric pressure. 4.2.2 Fig. 11: Whatever the form of 101, a float 120.1 floats on the surface of the liquid contained in the reserve. It is surmounted by a vertical rod 120.2 that can move to the interior of a 101.9 well forming part of 101, in the month partly transparent or translucent, the upper part of which is hermetically sealed against air. 101.9 or 120.2, one a reference point, the other a graduation corresponding to the amplitude of the movement of 120.1. 4.2.3 For polyhedral shapes, a float 140.1 is located at the end of a 140.2 stem, (Fig.13, 14) itself inserted into a complete cylinder or partial 140.3, the support of which is confused with the axis of symmetry 140.4 is perpendicular to the internal and external walls of 101 between the Which 140.1 and 140.2 can evolve. This axis is either housed in accommodations that are part of of 101, or is maintained by a device 140.4 (consisting of a 140.4.1 base and two parts 140.4.2 and 140.4.3) of dimensions adapted to 101. When the level drops to 101, 140. 1 follows This decrease leads to a rotation of the cylinder 140. 3. A graduation on the said a cylinder moves in front of a marker drawn at a suitable location of 101, (or the marker exists on the cylinder and the graduation on 101), hence an indication of the level. Note: cylinder 140.3 can be replaced by a rectangular plate, one of the sides coincide with one of the generators of the cylinder, and the other corresponds to axis 140.4. Rod 140.2 is, then, fixed on the axis. 5. It is also possible to play with the flow rate of liquid by the additional device (Fig. 19) which applies equally to plant pots with liquid reservoirs in the sides, in accordance with the initial request. to the plant pots with a liquid reservoir located underneath of the middle, whether or not Mariotte's principle is valid, applied. . to the pots with a liquid reservoir located below the environment, whether or not Mariotte's principle is in place, applied. It applies particularly to cases where the organ of Capillarity 3 leading the liquid from the reservoir towards The medium, whatever its principle, ensures a flow rate of too much liquid. This environment is composed of: . of a single piece 1 forming a tank, of a shape appropriate to that of the capillary organ of a capillary organ 2, of a principle any (wick, fabric, etc...) One of the the ends of this organ are bathed in the fluid (in particularly in the part corresponding to the "level of reference", when Mariotte's principle is applied, as described in the initial request). The other end of this capillary organ reaches the bottom of tank 1. It is therefore possible to play with the liquid flow rate reaching the middle, by playing on the characteristics of the capillary organ 2. If other organs of capillarity" exists from the start, they must be removed or neutralized, for example by means of tanks 1 that is not equipped with a capillary organ 2. 6 The various devices described in the request main and in additions can be found in a system where the liquid reserve is contained in a closed enclosure, unlike the organ law which is open at its lower part. This enclosure is corniculated (Fig. 23): of part 101 conforming to the descriptions which have data were provided, with this exception: the outer wall 101.E no longer exists. A part 108, shaped like a tank, is adapted to 101 of airtight. The liquid reservoir is, therefore, entirely contained within the delimited space by 101 and 108. The whole can take various forms in order to adapt to the shape of a plant pot, or else be itself a pot whose water reserve is in the walls and, where applicable, at the base. 7 Still in the case of plant pots, the reserve of liquid, always applying the main part of the container Mariotte can also be found entirely in below the medium to be supplied with liquid (Fig. 20 to 22). This could simply be (Fig. 20) a part 301, in bell-shaped, placed at the bottom of the planter. The 5' filling process operates through the well formed by the Part 301.1 which is part of 301 or which is made separately but then comes to reside in 301 has a location 301.1.1, of suitable shape. The transport of liquid from the reservoir to the environment operates through devices identical to those described above, associated with piece 111, according to whether it's a pot containing the medium or directly the the middle itself which is in the cachepot. Similarly, a hydraulic valve, of dimensions Appropriate & 301 ensures the evacuation of contained air in 301 during filling, while pocketing the air to enter 301 during the feeding of the liquid medium, allowing, as well as is established in 301 a depression defining the "reference level" Similarly, a system for identifying the useful level is based on the principles described in section 4.1. A perforated piece 303, held at a certain distance of 301, for example by reliefs 301.2, whether or not part of 301 ensures maintenance of a layer of air 303.1 below the medium. This air is conveyed through the refilling well delimited by 301.1 which, by design, has an orifice 301.3 putting this well in communication with interval 303.1. Another application of this reserve located in The middle section is shown below in Fig. 21: The only difference from the application shown in FIG.20 shows that part 301 is extended upwards by a part 301.4, forming a tank in which one can have either a receptacle containing the medium to to feed (e.g., a pot containing a plant) or the the environment itself. The whole thing is integrated into the planter cover. Ultimately, this application could constitute a pot A liquid reservoir in the lower part, which is not no need to integrate it into a planter. Another application of this reserve located below the middle is shown in FIG.22: It consists of the application represented in Fig.20, integrated into a 30e tank. The whole thing is integrated into the planter cover. At the limit, this application can constitute a liquid reservoir pot at the bottom, which does not need to be integrated into a cachepot.

Claims

DEMANDS 1 Pot or container for plant, according to claim 1 of the main patent application (N 86 17624), characterized in that, in addition to the possibility of receive a pot containing the plant and its environment support, it can also receive the root ball containing the roots of the plant itself possibly supplemented by medium (soil, sand, etc...) Depending on the circumstances, the performance of the organ (or organs) of Capillarity 105.2 can be adjusted, among other things by exchange, and may be located at a location suitable among several locations 104 possibly possible in part iii of device. If necessary, an additional device 1+2+3 interposed between the capillary organ and the liquid reserve constitutes a means additional d- adjustment of the liquid flow rate to the middle. the arrival of liquid because the environment can also result from the passage of this liquid through an orifice 105.6 stored in 111. The arrival of the liquid can also result from a "capillary wells in which is found the middle, or any other body ensuring the capi 1 larity. . aeration of the environment, when necessary, can, among other things, be operated using a valve hydraulics allowing air to enter a adequate space. It may be possible to plan for the identification of the useful level or the level in the liquid reservoir. The creation of the room(s) containing the liquid reserve can make this reserve completely closed off from the outside, to with the exception of the air entering this reserve Mariotte's, the set that can be integrated into a cachepot or itself constituting a pot With a reservoir liquid in the lower part. The implementation can also limit the reserve of liquid in the lower part, under the pot or the middle, supplementing it, or not, with walls likely to contain the pot or the environment the whole thing can be integrated into a planter or constituting itself a liquid reservoir pot lower part. 2 Capillarity organ 105, in accordance with the Claim 1, characterized by a part (lf) r removable, which can be chosen from a range including The capillary characteristics are varied and adapt in an airtight manner, in a part 105.1 whose position, at the bottom of the device, can to be chosen from a series of locations, situated at different distances from the system axis, which are each sealed by a 105.5 piece if they do not They don't receive 15...

2. 3 Liquid passage orifice 105.6, in accordance with å claim 1, characterized, in one of the possible versions of the system, by the fact that it allows the liquid to pass from the reservoir to the part receiving the pot containing the middle or towards the the environment itself. 4 capillary wells 111.5, in accordance with the claim 1, characterized in that it contains the ile itself or a foam or a powdery which allows, in one of the versions possible system components, allowing the liquid to pass through capillarity from the reservoir to the receiving part middle or a pot receiving the middle. 5 Hydraulic valve, according to claim 1. Shape of parts 101.1, 101.2, 101.3, 101.4, characterized by the fact that it allows, during the filling the evacuation of the air contained in the reserve and during the emptying that the depression causing the "reference level" in the said reserve and allowing, at this last stage, the passage of air towards the existing interval between 111 and 111.2 in order to ensure the aeration of the environment by its lower part. 6 Liquid level indicator, in accordance with the claim 1, characterized by the fact that it allows, depending on the case, to know the level of the liquid in the reservoir itself or to ensure that the actual level lies between the minimum level and the reference level. Depending on the case, a float causes the displacement of ur, a witness in front of a graduation, or, through the action of depression in The reservoir is created in an air-sealed tube. outside a liquid level correlated to the level in the reserve. 7 Additional flow regulation device liquid towards the middle, according to the claim 1, characterized by the single organ of The capillary action of the device is located in room 1 in the shape of a tub appropriate to the shape of the organ capillarity and that the liquid passes from the reservoir towards the bottom of tank 1 by the water of an organ of capillarity 2, the parts of which can be modified characteristics depending on the desired flow rate.

8. Liquid reserve completely closed, except utility components (filling wells, hydraulic valve, air inlet, etc...), in accordance with claim 1, characterized by the fact that a part 108, shaped like a tank, being assembled in an airtight manner with part 101 whose outer wall is then removed The set can be integrated into a planter or construct a liquid reservoir container in the walls and, possibly also, at the base.

9. Liquid reservoir located in the lower part, in accordance with claim 1, characterized in this that the 301 liquid reserve is fully located below the pot or in the middle, contents, depending on the case, directly through the planter or by walls 301, 4 or 302, as the case may be, making part of the device that can then be integrated in a planter or itself constitutes a pot liquid reservoir in the lower part.