Methods for rotating, watering or maintaining plants

• US 20090320365A1
• Filed: 06/30/2008
• Published: 12/31/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Darryl Matlen
• Original Assignee: Darryl Matlen
• Inventors: Matlen, Darryl
• Application Number:
  US12/217,062
• Publication Number:
  US 20090320365A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 47/66.6
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 27/005 Reservoirs connected to flower-pots through conduits
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 7/047 Devices for suspending flower-pots by wires or the like A47G7/042 and A47G7/045 take precedence

Abstract

Plant supporting apparatuses designed to hang a planter and plant at a variety of desired locations without lines for external electrical or water supply. Power is provided by solar cells. This construction allows the placement of plants almost anywhere and provides desired routine maintenance automatically. The apparatuses rotate the plant to grow uniformly even though incident light is non-uniform. There are two main assemblies which rotate relative to each other. A pump transfers liquids from a reservoir to a dispensing outlet onto a planter. The pump may be configured to move within the reservoir to stir the water, fertilizer or other liquids being fed to the planter. A planter is also shown which has solar cells and other parts mounted thereon. A control system is used to control operation and ambient light and reservoir liquid level are sensed.

Claims

1. A method for plant maintenance, comprising:

selecting a plant hanging apparatus having a liquid transfer which transfers a liquid from a reservoir to a discharge;

stirring the liquid in the reservoir by rotating a portion of the plant hanging apparatus within the reservoir to help circulate the liquid in the reservoir.

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein said portion of the plant hanging apparatus includes a transfer tube.

3. A method according to claim 1 wherein said portion of the plant hanging apparatus includes a pump.

4. A method for plant maintenance, comprising:

selecting a plant hanging apparatus having an array of solar cells positioned in an approximately ring formation;

rotating at least portions of a rotating assembly;

generating electricity from said array of solar cells with the plant hanging apparatus rotating so that different solar cells are positioned toward light with the array of solar cells as it rotates.

5. A method for plant maintenance, comprising:

selecting a plant hanging apparatus having an array of solar cells positioned in an approximately ring formation;

rotating at least portions of a rotating assembly;

generating electricity from said array of solar cells with the plant hanging apparatus rotating so that different solar cells are positioned toward light with the array of solar cells as it rotates.7

6. A method for plant maintenance, comprising:

selecting a plant hanging apparatus having a drive that rotates a rotating assembly relative to a stationary assembly;

sensing ambient light to which the plant hanging apparatus is exposed;

rotating at least portions of a rotating assembly dependent upon the ambient light sensed in said sensing step.