Plant Pot Assembly With Controllable Overflow Valve
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing plant pot systems lack versatility for multiple stages of plant care, such as growing, transporting, and display, and do not allow for efficient fluid management and control, particularly in ebb and flood irrigation systems.
Innovation Solution
A plant pot assembly with a container system that includes a wick extending through the bottom, featuring a pot-shaped container with overflow passages, a selectively controllable valve, and a water feed channel for fluid replenishment, enabling ebb and flood irrigation and fluid level control, while allowing for easy transportation and display.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a plant pot system uses a simple container without integrated fluid management, then the device complexity is reduced, but the control over fluid content and versatility for multiple stages (growing, transporting, display) deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions (container, reservoir, overflow control, ebb and flood irrigation system) into a single integrated plant pot assembly. The container serves both as a structural holder and as part of the fluid management system, with the reservoir formed by the container's geometry and the plant pot's positioning, eliminating the need for separate complex fluid management devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The plant pot assembly is designed to perform multiple functions across different stages: it serves as a growing container with automated irrigation, a transport unit with stable base, and a display piece with aesthetic overflow features. The same assembly structure adapts to different uses without requiring additional components.
2Ease of operation
If an ebb and flood irrigation system uses a separate tray and plant pot configuration, then the ease of operation is improved, but the control over fluid level and integration for transport deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the tray and plant pot into a single integrated assembly where the container acts as both the tray and the structural base. The plant pot sits within this container, creating a unified unit that maintains ease of irrigation operation while providing integrated transport capability through the stable, self-contained structure.
3Reliability
If overflow passages are not provided in the container, then the device complexity is reduced, but the control over fluid content and prevention of overfilling deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the overflow control function and integrates it directly into the container structure through strategically positioned overflow passages. These passages passively regulate fluid levels by allowing excess water to escape at predetermined points, providing reliable fluid content control without adding active control mechanisms or increasing overall device complexity.
4Reliability
If a valve is added to control fluid flow through the overflow, then the control over fluid level is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a selectively controllable valve that can transition between open and closed positions to dynamically adjust fluid flow through the overflow. This allows the system to adapt fluid level control to different operational requirements (e.g., transport mode vs. irrigation mode) while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure through the use of a basic valve mechanism.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This assembly provides enhanced control over fluid content, supports plant growth through efficient watering, and facilitates easy transportation and display of plants, offering a more versatile and efficient plant care solution compared to traditional systems.
Implementation Method 1
a wick (4) extending through a bottom (21) of the plant pot (20)
Implementation Method 2
the container comprises an overflow defining a free passage for entry and/or outflow of water into and out of the container
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to an assembly, comprising a plant pot (258) having a bottom (260) and at least one side wall (264), extending from the bottom up to a top rim and at least one hole (268) which is arranged in or at least near the bottom, at least one wick (30) extending from below the bottom and through the hole and a container (256), dimensioned to accommodate at least a bottom portion of the plant pot comprising the hole through which the wick extends out of the plant pot. The container and the plant pot in an assembled state define a reservoir to accommodate fluid, such as water, for the plant to be drawn up through the wick during at least one of growing, transporting and display for sale of a plant in the plant pot, which is accommodated in the container. An overflow (284) with a controllable valve (288) may function to distinguish between a stationary state of the assembly and transport thereof.