US3772827A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Plant tray irrigation system
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-10-06
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Granted: 1973-11-20
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Expires: 1991-10-06
Abstract
Abstract A plant tray irrigation system is disclosed in which a plurality of trays are spaced atop each other. A pumping system from a reservoir tray at the bottom of the unit delivers water on a timed basis to the top tray. Each tray is provided with an overlow having a peripheral rim determining the depth of water in the tray for the overflow, and in addition a drain having a ridge, its perimeter insuring a small amount of water in the base of the tray, and a drain guide wick which is positioned centrally of the drain ridge and dimpled to provide for capillary action to drain and dry the tray when the irrigation is concluded. A drain guide in the form of a string or elastic vertically oriented member which is secured at the base of the dimple of the drain guide wick, and anchored to the tray below guides the drainage in a steady stream to inhibit dripping and splashing. In one embodiment, the drain guide wick and overflow are provided at an offset in the tray so that the tray can be positioned piggyback fashion atop a light tray for supplying growth-type light to the plants positioned on the tray beneath.
Inventors
- 👤 R Ware
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 22:28
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01G; A01G9/00; A01G9/02; A01G9/022
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
153 words
A plant tray irrigation system comprising, in combination, a plurality of trays formed to retain a plurality of potted plants and having a bottom and peripheral side walls surrounding the bottom to retain moisture flooded therein, means stacking said trays one beneath the other in spaced apart relationship, ridges in the bottom of each tray to permit water flow beneath potted plants, a reservoir beneath the bottom one of said stacked trays, a drain port provided in each tray for draining flooded moisture contained therein to the tray therebeneath and a reservoir below, said drain port having a peripheral ridge to predetermine the selected level of moisture in the trays while irrigating, wick means covering and in fluid communication with each said drain port, and pump means in fluid communication with the reservoir and top tray for circulating the water from the reservoir to the top tray for cascade-like irrigation of all trays.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
153 words
A plant tray irrigation system comprising, in combination, a plurality of trays formed to retain a plurality of potted plants and having a bottom and peripheral side walls surrounding the bottom to retain moisture flooded therein, means stacking said trays one beneath the other in spaced apart relationship, ridges in the bottom of each tray to permit water flow beneath potted plants, a reservoir beneath the bottom one of said stacked trays, a drain port provided in each tray for draining flooded moisture contained therein to the tray therebeneath and a reservoir below, said drain port having a peripheral ridge to predetermine the selected level of moisture in the trays while irrigating, wick means covering and in fluid communication with each said drain port, and pump means in fluid communication with the reservoir and top tray for circulating the water from the reservoir to the top tray for cascade-like irrigation of all trays.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
103 words
In the plant tray irrigation system of claim 1, wherein said wick means comprises of a capillary material formed to overlie the entire drain port and extend in fluid communication with water in the tray thereabove, a dimple provided in the central portion of said wick and protruding downwardly through the drain port ridge to drain moisture from the tray to descend to the tray or reservoir therebeneath, whereby, after pumping has ceased, the trays are dried by means of the dimpled wicks on each tray leading the moisture retained on the trays through the drain port and ultimately down to the reservoir.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
In the plant tray irrigation system of claim 2 above, a drain guide secured at the base of each dimpled wick at the base of the dimple, and means on the tray therebeneath for anchoring said drain guide to the tray therebeneath.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
54 words
In a plant tray irrigation system of the character defined in claim 3 above, said drain guide being formed of a linear-like material such as thread or nylon filament, and stretched in generally vertical orientation from the base of the dimpled wick on the tray above to the anchor means on the tray below.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
In the plant tray irrigation system of claim 4 above, said drain guide being formed of a taut elastic material to assist in the maintenance of the dimpled center of each dimpled wick.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
46 words
In the plant tray irrigation system of claim 2 above, an overflow port formed in the base of each tray bottom and having a ridge about its periphery extending a heighth above each tray in excess of the height of the ridge about the drain port.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
132 words
In the plant tray irrigation system of claim 3 above, said plant tray being generally rectangular in configuration with a long axis at least twice the width of the unit, an offset portion along one long edge of said tray containing the wick, drain port, and dimpled portion of the wick, each tray positioned therebeneath having a corresponding offset portion to receive the water cascading from one tray down to the next, and means secured to and depending from the side walls of said trays for securing a light source beneath the bottom of each of the trays, whereby the irrigation system proceeds in a dimensionally offset relationship to the trays and light source therebeneath thus providing for full lighting of each tray in plane projection uninhibited by the irrigation system elements.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
46 words
In the plant tray irrigation system of claim 1 above, an overflow port formed in the base of each tray bottom and having a ridge about its periphery extending a heighth above each tray in excess of the height of the ridge about the drain port.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
121 words
In the plant tray irrigation system of claim 1 above, said plant tray being generally rectangular in configuration with a long axis at least twice the width of the unit, an offset portion along one long edge of said tray containing the drain port, each tray positioned therebeneath having a corresponding offset portion to receive the water cascading from one tray down to the next, and means secured to and depending from each tray for securing a light source beneath the bottom of each of the trays, whereby the irrigation system proceeds in a dimensionally offset relationship to the trays and light source therebeneath thus providing for full lighting of each tray in plane projection uninhibited by the irrigation system elements.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-11-19 | 1977-05-21 | 1977-11-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-11-19 | 1981-05-21 | 1981-11-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-11-19 | 1985-05-21 | 1985-11-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |