# How a Self-Watering Flowerpot Design Works

> A 1947 patent for a flowerpot design that uses a built-in reservoir to keep plant soil consistently moist.

- **Patent:** US 2514269
- **Original title:** Flowerpot
- **Owner:** VINCENT J SEDLON
- **Granted:** 1950
- **Status:** Public domain (expired)
- **Times cited:** 21
- **Field:** mechanical, consumer_electronics

## What it does

The patent describes a flowerpot structure featuring a hollow base that acts as a water reservoir. A porous or absorbent material connects the reservoir to the soil above, allowing water to move upward through capillary action. This ensures the plant receives a steady supply of moisture without the need for constant surface watering.

## What it does NOT cover

- Does not cover electronic or sensor-based irrigation systems.
- Does not cover pots that rely solely on gravity-fed top-down watering.
- Does not cover hydroponic systems that lack soil-based growing mediums.

## The clever bit

The use of a passive capillary wick system to regulate soil moisture levels without requiring any moving parts or electricity.

## Real-world examples

1. Self-watering indoor planters
2. Herb garden kits for kitchens
3. Window box reservoirs

## Why it matters

This design addressed the common problem of plant death due to inconsistent manual watering. It represents an early step in consumer-focused horticultural convenience, influencing how indoor gardening products are designed today.

## Frequently asked questions

### What does How a Self-Watering Flowerpot Design Works cover?

A 1947 patent for a flowerpot design that uses a built-in reservoir to keep plant soil consistently moist.

### Who owns patent US 2514269?

VINCENT J SEDLON owns this patent, granted in 1950.

### When does this patent expire?

This patent has expired and is now in the public domain — anyone can use the invention freely.

### What is patent US 2514269 cited by?

This patent has been cited by 21 later patents that build on its ideas.

### What problem does this patent solve?

This design addressed the common problem of plant death due to inconsistent manual watering. It represents an early step in consumer-focused horticultural convenience, influencing how indoor gardening products are designed today.

### What does this patent NOT cover?

Does not cover electronic or sensor-based irrigation systems.

**Full plain-English explainer:** https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/2514269/streptomycin

**Original patent:** https://patents.google.com/patent/US2514269

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_Source: PatentBrief — https://patentbrief.org. Patent facts are from public records; the plain-English explanation is PatentBrief's._


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- [How Lewis Waterman's Original Fountain Pen Design Worked](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/293545/fountain-pen-waterman) — This 1884 patent describes an early fountain pen designed by Lewis E. Waterman, which aimed to solve common ink-flow problems, making writing smoother and cleaner.
- [How the 1940 Nachumsohn Cooking Apparatus Works](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/2187888/crock-pot-slow-cooker-naxon) — A 1940 patent for a cooking device designed to heat food efficiently using an enclosed chamber and specific heat distribution methods.