Patent Application
20160128287
This invention relates to devices and methods for watering plants. More particularly, the invention relates to devices and methods for watering potted plants individually and in large quantities.
Typically a potted plant or a group of potted plants is watered by spraying or pouring water over the leaves and soil of the potted plants. In some instances the water is distributed manually by a garden hose with a pressure nozzle or the water is automatically provided by a timed sprinkler or watering system. In either case, the water is provided in a top-down manner to the potted plants with the water first contacting the leaves and then the soil of the potted plants. With such a system, it is difficult to determine how much water is actually received by the plants and the potted plants may be over or under watered. Additionally, if the potted plants are spaced over a large area the plants close to the watering source may receive a strong burst of water causing soil and desired nutrients to be flushed from the pots, while the further spaced plants may not receive any water at all. In order to provide a uniform distribution of water to the group of plants much care and attention must be given to the precise amount of water each plant receives. However, such a system may be time consuming and costly as the plants are continuously monitored and thus eliminating the desirability of keeping the potted plants.
A composite mat for water distribution to one or more potted plants comprises a bottom layer, a top layer and a core layer positioned between the bottom layer and the top layer. After water is distributed to the mat, the water is distributed evenly across the entirety of the core layer. When one or more potted plants are placed on the mat, water is passed from the core layer through the top layer to the one or more potted plants and the plants are watered.
In one aspect, a water distribution mat for one or more potted plants comprises a base layer, a top layer, and a core layer for retaining water and distributing the water through the top layer and to the one or more potted plants located on the mat. In some embodiments, the top layer is porous. In some embodiments, the core layer is configured to uniformly distribute water across its entire volumetric area. In further embodiments, the base layer holds excess stored water not contained within the core layer. In still further embodiments, excess water located on the top layer drains back into the core layer for later use. In some embodiments, the mat comprises an edge coupled to the base layer, the top layer, and the core layer, wherein the edge seals the contained water in within the core layer and contains the excess water on the top layer before it is drained into the core layer. In further embodiments, the mat comprises a wicking tab for wicking excess water from the mat. In some embodiments, the top layer is flexible and the one or more potted plants depress into the core layer when the one or more potted plants are placed on the mat. In some embodiments, the top layer comprises a porous material with a water permeability of 5 to 30+ GPM/SqFt. In some embodiments, the core layer comprises a needled polyester/viscose (or lyocel) non-woven felt substrate. In some embodiments, the base layer comprises a non-porous film material.
In another aspect, a bottom-up water distribution system for one or more potted plants comprises a perforated or porous top layer comprising a slit-film material, a core layer comprising a needled polyester/viscose (or lyocel) non-woven felt substrate and for holding a quantity of water, and a base layer comprising a non-porous film or composite film material. In some embodiments, excess water located on the top layer drains back into the core layer for later use. In some embodiments, the system comprises an edge coupled to the base layer, the top layer, and the core layer, wherein the edge seals the contained water within in the core layer and contains the excess water on the top layer before it is drained into the core layer. In some embodiments, the system comprises an edge created by folding the base layer up onto the top layer, creating an edge which seals the contained water within the core layer. In some embodiments, the folded over base layer may be folded over an additional dimensional profile, to create a raised edge used to help contain the excess water on the top layer before it is drained to the core layer. In some embodiments, the base layer may be folded up over the top layer, and then folded under itself a second time to create a dimensional edge berm with or without the addition of an additional dimensional component. In some embodiments, the core layer is configured to uniformly distribute water across its volumetric area. In further embodiments, the base layer holds excess stored water not contained within the core layer. In some embodiments, the system comprises a wicking tab for removing excess water from within or on the mat. In some embodiments, the top layer is flexible and the one or more potted plants depress into the core layer when the one or more potted plants are placed on the mat.
In a further aspect, a method of watering one or more potted plants comprises supplying water to a composite mat comprising a base layer, a top layer and a core layer, and placing the one or more potted plants on the composite mat, wherein water is retained within the core layer and distributed through the top layer and to the one or more potted plants. In some embodiments, excess water not currently needed by the one or more potted plants is stored within the composite mat for later use. In some embodiments, water is distributed to the plant in a consistent manor and as needed by the one or more potted plants over a plurality of watering cycles.
In the following description, numerous details are set forth for purpose of explanation. However, one of ordinary skill in the art will realize that the invention may be practiced without the use of these specific details or with equivalent alternatives. Thus, the presently claimed invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and features described herein. Throughout the description similar components are similarly marked in order to aid comprehension.
Embodiments of the invention are directed to a composite mat for watering potted plants individually or in large quantities. The watering mat comprises a base layer, a top layer and a core layer positioned between the base layer and the top layer. When water is distributed to the mat, the water is uniformly distributed throughout the core layer. When one or more potted plants are place on the watering mat, the water is distributed in an upward direction from the core and through the top layer to the one or more plants.
Referring now to
The mat 100 is configured to receive water from an external source and distribute and uniformly retain the water across the interior core layer 103. In some embodiments, the mat 100 is configured to distribute and uniformly retain the water across the interior core layer 103 over a mild incline such as a standard flat surface drainage slope. When a potted plant is placed on the water distribution mat 100, water is passed up through the mat 100 to the potted plant. In some embodiments, the water is passed up to the potted plant by capillary action. Any appropriate style of pot is able to be used so long as it is able to receive water in a bottom-up fashion. For example, in some embodiments, the pot comprises one or more holes, slots, or channels that enable water to be passed up to the potted plant.
When water and/or fluid such as a nutrient mix is distributed to the mat 200, the water and/or fluid is uniformly distributed throughout the core layer. The core layer is configured to uniformly distribute water and/or fluid across its volumetric area and retain the water and/or fluid so that it is available upon demand by the plant soil and the roots of a potted plant. In some embodiments, the core layer comprises a Geotextile fabric such as a needled polyester/vicose (or lyocel) non-woven felt type substrate. Particularly, the core layer is designed for an optimal desired level of moisture retention and distribution. Accordingly, the core layer is able to comprise any material which delivers the desired level of moisture retention and distribution. In some embodiments, the fiber content of the core layer comprises approximately 50% (+−5%) Polyester and approximately 50% (+−5%) Viscose (Rayon) (or Lyocel (Tencel) and with a fiber denier comprising 5.0 D or less (including microfibers [less than zero denier]). In some embodiments, the weight of the core layer comprises 6.5 oz/SqYd and the thickness 0.105″ (2.7 mm) with a weight to thickness ratio of 2.4 oz/1 mm of thickness/SqYd (+−0.2 oz). However, the core layer is able to comprise any appropriate material designed to meet the desired application.
In order to distribute water to one or more potted plants, the water within the core layer passes through the core layer and up through the top layer 205 and to the one or more potted plants. In some embodiments, the top layer 205 comprises a mesh or perforated layer. The top layer 205 protects the core layer and minimizes moisture evaporation by shading the water within the core layer and catching and re-condensing moisture vapor from the core layer as it rises and tries to escape. In some embodiments, the top layer 205 comprises a slit film style woven Polypropylene material. In some embodiments, the top layer 205 comprises a weight strong enough to provide adequate protection of the core layer, while remaining flexible enough to permit pots to depress into the core layer and with a water permeability of 5-30 GPM/SqFt. In some embodiments, the top layer 205 comprises a warp and a weft tensile strength within the range of 95 lbs-195 lbs. In some embodiments the top layer 205 comprises a UV resistance of approximately 70% after 2500 hrs (Xenon Arc or Carbon Arc). The top layer 205 is able to comprise any appropriate material in order to protect the core layer and minimize moisture evaporation from the stored water. For example, in some embodiments, the top layer 205 comprises Monofilament Polypropylene, Polyethylene, Polyamide Vinyl, Thermoplastic Rubber or other porous material which is able to handle abrasion and keep evaporation to a minimum. The top layer 205 is flexible so that it flexes or buckles under the load of a potted plant and allows the potted plant to depress slightly into the soft core layer below the top layer 205.
As stated above, when water is distributed to the mat 200, the water is uniformly distributed throughout the core layer. In some embodiments, extra water which is not contained within the core layer is stored within the base layer 201. The base layer 201 is configured to contain excess stored water and/or fluid and prevent the water and/or fluid from being leaked, absorbed or being drained from the mat (beyond supplying water to the one or more potted plants). In some embodiments, the base layer 201 comprises a non-porous film material. For example, in some embodiments, the base layer 201 comprises a Polyethylene film material which is 200 microns thick (8.0 mill). In some embodiments the base layer 201 comprises a UV resistance of approximately 70% after 2500 hrs (Xenon Arc or Carbon Arc). The base layer 201 is able to comprise any appropriate non-porous material configured to contain excess stored water and/or fluid and prevent the water and/or fluid from being leaked, absorbed or being drained from the mat.
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The water distribution mat is able to be manufactured in any appropriate size depending upon the desired use. For example, in some embodiments, the watering mat is 2′×8′, 18″×6′, or 3′×6′. In some embodiments, the outside edge of the water distribution mat comprises a height of 0.287″ (7.3 mm). However, as will be apparent to someone of ordinary skill in the art, the watering mat is able to be manufactured in any appropriate configuration profile such as longer or shorter, wider or narrower and in other geometric shapes. For example, in some embodiments, the water distribution mat is manufactured in the shape of a square, a rectangle, a triangle, a circle, a half or partial circle, or other custom shape.
The mat 300 is configured to receive water from an external source and distribute and uniformly retain the water across the interior core layer for distribution to the one or more potted plants 310 on the mat 300. When the one or more potted plants 310 are placed on the water distribution mat 300, water is passed up through the mat 300 to the one or more potted plants 310. In some embodiments, the water is passed up to the one or more potted plants 310 by capillary action. Particularly, as described above, as the top layer 305 flexes, the one or more potted plants 305 depress slightly into the soft core layer below the top layer 305. Then, as shown within
When one or more potted plants are placed on a water distribution mat, the plants water themselves from the mat in a consistent manner. Consequently, there is less labor and cost to keeping the potted plants because the potted plants are able to continuously draw water and the mat only needs to be watered after it is emptied. Additionally, there is reduced plant loss due to under or over watering of the plants and plants are not skipped during the day-to-day watering. Further, because the plants are watered in a bottom-up manner, soil nutrients do not get flushed out of the soil due to top-down watering. This also enables reduced water consumption from the elimination of overfilling, splash waste between pots and fast flowing hoses rushing the watering process. Additionally, any wash water runoff and splashed soil spilling to the floor is eliminated. The elimination of splash residue prevents water droplets from contacting plant foliage in hard water regions. Moreover, healthier and longer lasting plants are cultivated because there is no flush-purging of soil nutrient often caused by top-down watering.
In use, the water distribution mat is able to distribute water and nutrients to potted plants individually or in large quantities. The water distribution mat receives water from an external water source, distributes the water uniformly across an interior core layer, and when a potted plant is place on the mat, distributes the water to the potted plant. Particularly, the water distribution mat distributes water to the potted plants in an efficient manner and on an as needed basis because the plants will only seek the water when it is needed. Further, because multiple potted plants are able to be placed on the mat, multiple potted plants are simultaneously watered and with the correct amount of water. Accordingly, the composite mat for water distribution to one or more potted plants as described herein has many advantages.
The invention has been described in terms of specific embodiments incorporating details to facilitate the understanding of the principles of construction and operation of the invention. Such reference herein to specific embodiments and details thereof is not intended to limit the scope of the claims appended hereto. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications are able to be made in the embodiment chosen for illustration without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Specifically, it will be apparent that the design for the composite mat is able to be implemented in many different styles and configurations. Further, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that the precise structure of the device is able to be substantially varied to accommodate various styles of potted plants and water sources. Consequently, the claims should be broadly construed, consistent with the spirit and scope of the invention, and should not be limited to their exact, literal meaning.
