CONTROLLABLE WATERING CAN DEVLOPMENT

(Abridged report)

GPP Development Committee recommends for adoption an invention that controls water flow from a watering can.

The now environmentally aware gardener, acute water shortages across the UK and numerous possibilities of linking this invention with the current Garden Product range, makes it most attractive for development.

It is estimated that a 75 to 90% water saving can be achieved, e.g. a sprinkler will apply around 220 gallons per hour as an overall treatment, the controllable watering can will do a more precise job with far less waste with around 20 gallons of water to a similar area. Other advantages include:-

1. Accurate placement of water in the correct amount around the root system of plants

2. Reductions in water waste by accurate application, reduced evaporation loss and treatment of areas that do not require water.

3. Prevention of water getting on to the leaves of some plants which can be damaging.

4. Accurate and non-wasteful application of liquid pesticides and feeds.  Reduced risk of over dosage and inaccurate application leading to damage.  Particularly useful with a dribble bar.

5. Controllable and accurate flow with a clean cut off is particularly useful in difficult situations.

6. It is also most user- friendly as any one who has tried the Controllable Watering Can will testify.  There is less filling, less walking backwards and forwards, one does not have to bend one’s back with the long- nozzled watering can, it will take a number of attachments such as dribble bars and in areas where water is metered there is considerable cost saving as water in these areas is expensive.

These are just a few of the positive aspects of this invention which will fit well both with the GPP product range and environmental policy, all of which has considerable sales and marketing potential.

If  5 million gardeners used their Flo-Control watering can with just 1 gallon of water 4 times a a day , in standing position, watering  small to medium bedding plants for just 30 days during the summer, 2 ¼ billion gallons of water would be saved.

(Saving is 3 gallon per usage, using 1 gallon to every 4 of a conventional can )

That reduces our carbon footprint by 188,337 tonnes of CO2

Happy Watering!

PWP/LPB/WCB

(FULL REPORT BELOW)

CONTROLLABLE WATERING CAN

INTRODUCTION

An invention that enables the gardener to control the flow of water from the watering can, from stop - to a trickle - to full power, and totally transforms the watering can market. This is an extremely simple invention that saves vast amounts of one of our natural resources - water, it produces a more accurate application of liquid feeds and protects our environment by a more accurate and controllable application of pesticides.

The controllable watering can gives the gardener confidence in his application of feeds and pesticides, and greater control over watering his plants and seedlings in an accurate and non-wasteful way, achieving greater germination of seeds, greater access to awkwardly sighted plants, and an average 77% water saving (over conventional watering cans) of our greatest natural resource - WATER

FACTS ABOUT THE CONTROLLABLE WATERING CAN

A controllable flow with a clean cut off completely  transforms the watering can market.

It allows you to control the flow to trickle for more delicate seedlings.

Produces greater germination of seeds, especially in hot weather, as you can walk along just trickling out water over the drill of the seeded area, keeping the area damp, and therefore producing greater germination and giving a higher production level and creating stronger plants.

It enables you to apply the correct amount of water around the root system.

Saves water by accurate application.

Non waste of liquid feeds and pesticides, as a more accurate application, reducing the risk of over dosage and damage.

Reduction in evaporation as you water the plants only and not the surrounding area.

For awkward situations i.e., hanging baskets, you can position the end of the spout before you allow the water to flow.

Watering between rows of plants with the controllable can eliminates the need to drag a hosepipe along the drills damaging the plants (and does not water the surrounding area as a conventional watering can does). The controllable can will only water the required area.

Will allow you to water the base of plants avoiding the foliage which can be harmful to some plants, and enables you to water during sunlight.

For a serious gardener the saving of rainwater is very important because of its different temperature. 

There is less refilling with this watering can, and no need to bend your back.

Professional gardeners have reported the advantage of watering and feeding pot plants on the floor of greenhouses accurately and without blasting out the soil (as with a hosepipe pulled along as used at present).

Feeding and weed killing between plants can be done with greater confidence, particularly when used to spot weed..

The controllable watering can is very user friendly and easy to use, even young children can use it, it gives confidence and it does not spill from the spout.

The idea is very simple and a natural progression in watering cans, it works just as well with a rose attachment which was the first device to slow down the flow of water.

Hose pipes now have a controllable device at the end, but is either full power or stop, but this watering can is totally controllable, with various flows from full power to trickle to stop.

All tests have been carried out with a watering can containing 1 gallon of water.

A small houseplant long reach watering can with this device fitted gives tremendous confidence around the house, as there is no spillage from the spout, even when full.

A 1 ½  gallon watering can could be linked to ICI feeds by having a visual contents line,, i.e. level 1 = ½ a litre, 2 = 1 litre etc, so that the feeds can be applied, fill an ICI watering can to level 1, add one cupful of feed.

With this watering can you use more specific feeds to apply to particular plants that are planted close together, i.e. tomato feed can be accurately applied to tomatoes only, even though they are planted alongside marigolds, so you do not waste feed on non- applicable plants. You can use an alternative feed to a plant alongside the tomatoes.

Accurate application to window boxes and large floral displays that are less accessible.

Reported droughts throughout the country and the world, and the hosepipe bans in the UK and the recent announcement that 4 million customers in Anglia will have meters installed and a tariff on summer consumption of water.

20,000 homes in the south east water district will have meters installed in January. The drought areas in the UK were reportedly missed in the recent massive downpours of rain.

Drought and water metering are constantly reminding the public and making them aware of the importance of saving water and the world wide importance to countries like Australia where households have to buy in water, and in Europe, particularly Germany where all households have water meters, and the obvious advantages to third world countries where water is even more precious.

WATER SAVING

If  5 million gardeners used their Flo-Control watering can with just 1 gallon of water 4 times a a day , in standing position, watering  small to medium bedding plants for just 30 days during the summer, 2 ¼ billion gallons of water would be saved.

(Saving is 3 gallon per usage, using 1 gallon to every 4 of a conventional can )

That reduces our carbon footprint by 188,337 tonnes of CO2

The following are the results of trials showing how the water saving is achieved. All the tests were carried out in identical circumstances, no back bending or lifting of the watering can.

Using the 2 watering cans, one with a controllable device fitted and one without, and neither having a rose fitted, provided a 95% water saving with the controlled delivery watering can

The next stage is the controllable watering can v the conventional watering can with a rose attachment.

The Experiment

All tests carried out in a standing position. The amount of cups filled with the controllable can = 26 cups and no spillage, putting just over 6 oz in each cup..

Conventional can with rose attachment = 4 cups excess water was wasted on the surrounding area.

Therefore the average water saving produced with the controllable can = 85%

When the rose was turned around with the spray going straight down in a more concentrated area with the conventional can, 7 cups were filled.

Therefore the average water saving produced with a controllable can was over 70%, and would be even greater with a plant that has dense foliage, as the controllable can will get to the base and roots.

The average water saving overall is 77%.

The controllable watering can enables the gardener to water plants with speed and accuracy.

The evolution of the Watering Can, from a bucket , - jug - spout- and then to the rose attachment introduced in the 19^th century, the controllable can is the next natural progression.

When any attachment is added to the controllable watering can, the attachments efficiency is 100%, this cannot be matched by any other watering can.

ICI have stated that they can link 16 of their products to this can.

The controllable watering can and its tremendous water saving has greater sales potential than ever at present as water meters are being installed extensively now, and everyone is concerned with saving water, and the impact on the environment.

The added P.R that this Watering Can saves water - saves chemicals and helps the environment by conserving our natural resources.

Because the public is increasing aware of saving water, and of the controllable use of pesticides and feeds, the timing of the launching of this product is important. There is no better time than NOW!