Portable irrigation device

Abstract

The invention provides a portable irrigation device for dispensing irrigation liquid from a container to a target plant holder substrate area. The device comprises a dispensing unit which is releasably attached to the container, a control unit for activating or deactivating the dispensing unit, and a discharge tube in fluid communication with the dispensing unit through which discharged irrigation flows. Irrigation liquid is discharged from the container as a result of pressurized air which is generated by said control unit and injected into the container.

1 . Portable irrigation device, comprising 
 a) a container for irrigation liquid;    b) a dispensing unit releasably attached to the container, for delivering a predetermined dose of said irrigation liquid;    c) a programmable control unit for activating or deactivating said dispensing unit; and    d) a discharge tube in fluid communication with said dispensing unit through which said predetermined dose of irrigation liquid is discharged from the container by means of pressurized atmospheric air injected into said container, said pressurized air being generated by said dispensing unit in accordance with a cycle governed by said control unit.    
   
   
       2 . Device according to  claim 1 , which comprises: 
 a) an abutment plate formed with a liquid passageway and an air inlet;    b) a discharge tube in fluid communication with said passageway;    c) means for releasably attaching the container to said abutment plate such that the container wall surrounds said liquid passageway and air inlet;    d) means for pressurizing air and delivering the pressurized air to the container via said air inlet, said pressurized air forcing irrigation liquid to flow through said liquid passageway and discharge tube; and    e) control means for governing operation of said pressurizing means, said pressurizing means and control means being housed by a dispensing unit formed with said abutment plate.    
   
   
       3 . Device according to  claim 1 , wherein the dispensing unit is releasably attached to the container through matching screw threads formed in said dispensing unit and in said container respectively.  
   
   
       4 . Device according to  claim 1 , wherein the dispensing unit comprises an air pump for generating the pressurized air and a motor for driving said pump.  
   
   
       5 . Device according to  claim 4 , wherein pressurized air generated by the air pump is delivered to the container via an air tube and an air inlet.  
   
   
       6 . Device according to  claim 3 , wherein the container has a spout and the screw threads formed in the container are outer threads formed around the spout and the screw threads formed in the dispensing unit are threadedly complementary inner screw threads.  
   
   
       7 . Device according to  claim 6 , wherein the dispensing unit comprises an abutment plate formed with a liquid passageway and an air inlet, and complementary inner screw threads are formed in the underside of the abutment plate.  
   
   
       8 . Device according to  claim 1 , wherein the container is a commercial, discardable container.  
   
   
       9 . Device according to  claim 2 , further comprising a conduit insertable within the container and in fluid communication with the passageway, said conduit reaching into the irrigation liquid as close as practical to the bottom of the container, while not coming into contact with it, to allow as much irrigation liquid as possible to flow out of the container through said conduit.  
   
   
       10 . Device according to  claim 9 , wherein the conduit is supported by a sleeve downwardly extending from the abutment surface and in fluid communication with the passageway.  
   
   
       11 . Device according to  claim 9 , wherein the container, the conduit, the passageway and the discharge tube are made of a material stable in acidic and/or alkaline environments.  
   
   
       12 . Device according to  claim 4 , further comprising a check valve in fluid communication with the passageway for discharging irrigation fluid remaining in the discharge tube following deactivation of the air pump motor, said check valve preventing egress of irrigation liquid from the passageway and permitting ingress of air.  
   
   
       13 . Device according to  claim 4 , wherein the motor is powered by batteries.  
   
   
       14 . Device according to  claim 2 , wherein the discharge tube is flexible and is provided with an orifice for directing irrigation liquid drawn from the container to a desired target.  
   
   
       15 . Device according to  claim 1 , wherein the dispensing unit is attachable to each of a plurality of containers, so that any desired irrigation liquid contained in a corresponding container may be dispensed to a target.  
   
   
       16 . Device according to  claim 1 , wherein the control unit comprises a central processing unit (CPU), memory means, a power source, an activation device, and optionally a selector, said CPU suitable for governing operation of the rotor of the air pump motor according to a selected irrigation cycle programmed into said memory means and at a predetermined time following the operation of said activation device.  
   
   
       17 . Device according to  claim 16 , wherein the memory means is a programmable read-only memory (PROM).  
   
   
       18 . Device according to  claim 4 , wherein the air pump is a bellows.  
   
   
       19 . Device according to  claim 3 , wherein the air pump is a piston pump.  
   
   
       20 . Device according to  claim 16 , wherein the selected irrigation cycle defines a predetermined duration of operation.