Planter water level control device

Abstract

The present invention planter water level control device includes a pot with a water level indicator means and a drainage means to prevent or eliminate overfill of liquid. In some embodiments it includes both a pot and a pot holder. Either the pot or the pot holder of both may contain the water indicator level means and may contain the drainage means. One version of the water level indicator means is a housing with a water inlet opening in the form of a tube, and this may or may not include a float or stem. Alternative indicators include vertical transparent sections as well as electronically based signalling means.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A planter water level control device, which comprises: 
 (a) a pot including a water level indicator means; and    (b) a drainage means located on a side of said pot for preventing or eliminating overfill of liquid.    
     
     
         2 . The planter water level control device of    claim 1    wherein said water level indicator means includes said pot having at least a vertical portion made from a transparent material whereby a level of liquid may be visually determined.  
     
     
         3 . The planter water level control device of    claim 1    wherein said water level indicator means includes a housing including a hollow body, a top closure means, and a projecting portion for insertion into a receiving portion attached to one of a bottom of said pot and a side of said pot, said housing having an inlet opening whereby liquid may pass therethrough and solids of a predetermined minimum size may not pass therethrough.  
     
     
         4 . The planter water level control device of    claim 1    wherein said water level indicator means includes float means adapted to fit within said housing so as to be able to move upwardly toward said top closure means of said housing when liquid passes through said housing into said hollow body.  
     
     
         5 . The planter level water control device of    claim 4    wherein said water level indicator means further includes a stem attached to a top of said float means and adapted to rise upwardly through an aperture in said top closure means when said float means rises, such that when said housing is attached to said receiving portion of said pot, said liquid is filtered through said housing, thereby causing said float means to rise and move upwardly through said aperture in said top closure means providing visual presentation of a level of liquid penetration by observing height of said stem above said top closure means.  
     
     
         6 . The planter water level control device of    claim 1    wherein said water level indicator means includes a hollow housing having electrical contacts on an inner side, a chip external to said hollow housing and being wired to said electrical contacts, a power source external to said hollow housing and being wired to said chip and an indicator signalling means.  
     
     
         7 . The planter water level control device of    claim 6    wherein said indicator signalling means is a display means digitally displaying a readout of a level of liquid in said hollow housing.  
     
     
         8 . The planter water level control device of    claim 4    wherein said drainage means includes a release valve for selectively allowing said liquid to flow out of said drainage means.  
     
     
         9 . The planter water level control device of    claim 8    wherein said pot includes a transparent portion on a side of said pot for viewing said water level indicator means.  
     
     
         10 . The planter water level control device of    claim 9    wherein said pot includes an opaque piece which slides into a ledge around said transparent portion of said pot.  
     
     
         11 . A planter water level control device which comprises: 
 a. a pot; and,    b. a pot holder,    wherein at least one of said pot and said pot holder includes a water level indicator means, and at least one of said pot and said pot holder includes a drainage means for preventing overfill of liquid.    
     
     
         12 . The planter water level control device of    claim 11    wherein said water level indicator means includes float means adapted to fit within said housing so as to be able to move upwardly toward said top closure means of said housing when liquid passes through said housing into said hollow body.  
     
     
         13 . The planter water level control device of    claim 11    wherein said water level indicator means includes float means adapted to fit within said housing so as to be able to move upwardly toward said top closure means of said housing when liquid passes through said housing into said hollow body.  
     
     
         14 . The planter water level control device of    claim 11    wherein said water level indicator means includes a hollow housing having electrical contacts on an inner side, a chip external to said hollow housing and being wired to said electrical contacts, a power source external to said hollow housing and being wired to said chip and an indicator signalling means.  
     
     
         15 . The planter water level control device of    claim 14    wherein said indicator signalling means is a display means digitally displaying a readout of a level of liquid in said hollow housing.  
     
     
         16 . The planter water level control device of    claim 11    wherein said water level indicator means is located on said pot holder and at least a portion of said pot holder is a vertical transparent section.  
     
     
         17 . A planter water level control device including: 
 (a) a pot holder having a primary water level indicator means;    (b) a primary drainage means located on a side of said pot holder for preventing overfill of liquid; and    (c) at least one inner pot for holding plants and soil, said at least one inner pot being placed inside of said pot holder and including a secondary water level indicator means and a secondary drainage means.    
     
     
         18 . The planter water level control device of    claim 17    wherein said water level indicator means includes a housing including a hollow body, a top closure means, and a projecting portion for insertion into a receiving portion attached to one of a bottom of said pot and a side of said pot, said housing having an inlet opening whereby liquid may pass therethrough and solids of a predetermined minimum size may not pass therethrough.  
     
     
         19 . The planter water level control device of    claim 17    wherein said primary water level indicator means includes float means adapted to fit within said housing so as to be able to move upwardly toward said top closure means of said housing when liquid passes through said housing into said hollow body.  
     
     
         20 . The planter water level control device of    claim 17    wherein said primary water level indicator means includes a hollow housing having electrical contacts on an inner side, a chip external to said hollow housing and being wired to said electrical contacts, a power source external to said hollow housing and being wired to said chip and an indicator signalling means.