Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
TITLE
BEE HYDRATION STATION
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to a garden accessory
and
method of assembling the garden accessory. Particularly, the disclosure
relates to a
bee hydration system and method.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The honeybee population is in trouble. Typically, the loss of
5-10 /o of
bees over the winter is considered normal and sustainable. However, over the
past
12 years that has risen dramatically and even reached 58% in 2015. It is
believed
that there are four main reasons for this: loss of habitat, disease and mites,
pesticides, and climate change.
[0003] Bees are very important to the human population for many more
reasons than just making honey and pollinating our flowers. Bees also
pollinate the
plants humans eat. They are responsible for pollinating 1 in every 3 bites of
our
food. It is estimated that if bees disappeared the human race would not
survive
more than 4 years.
[0004] The overall health of bees can be improved to counter the loss
of
habitat and harm from the pesticides by helping to provide clean water for the
bees
so they can continue to supply pollen and nectar.
[0005] A bee requires its weight in water every day. The average
beehive of
bees therefore requires approximately 3 gallons of water each day. Bees need
help
to get clean water which is not contaminated with pesticides such as
neonicotinoids
from farm fields or chlorine from local pools.
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SUMMARY
[0006] In various examples disclosed herein, the present disclosure
describes
a bee hydration station for providing water to bees. In example aspects, a
flower
basin is designed with multiple landing places for bees with a controlled
depth to
allow bees to safely receive water without drowning.
[0007] In one example aspect there is provided a bee hydration
station
comprising: a flower basin member, the flower basin member defining at least a
first hole and a second hole; a stem member coupled to a bottom portion of the
flower basin member; an inflow hose coupled to the first hole of the flower
basin
member; and an overflow hose coupled to the second hole of the flower basin
member.
[0008] Methods of assembling the bee hydration station are also
provided.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] Reference will now be made, by way of example, to the
accompanying
drawings which show example embodiments of the present application, and in
which:
[0010] Figure 1 is a cross sectional view of the bee hydration
station;
[0011] Figure 2 perspective view of a bee hydration station bee
landing pod or
flower basin;
[0012] Figure 3 is a side cross sectional view of the embodiment of the bee
hydration station bee landing pod or flower basin shown in figure 2;
[0013] Figure 4 is a bottom view of the embodiment of the bee
hydration
station bee landing pod or flower basin shown in figures 2-3;
[0014] Figure 5 is a perspective view of bee hydration station shown
in Figure
1 connected to a rain barrel;
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,
[0015] Figure 6 is an image of the bee hydration station;
[0016] Figure 7 is an image of the bee hydration station;
[0017] Figure 8 is an image of the bee hydration station
connected to a rain
barrel;
[0018] Figure 9 is an image of the bee hydration station connected to a
rain
barrel;
[0019] Figure 10 is an image of the bee hydration station
connected to a
hose.
[0020] Figure 11 is a side view of the bee hydration station
connected to a
hose.
[0021] Figure 12 is a top view of the bee hydration station bee
landing pod or
flower basin shown in Figures 2-3;
[0022] Figure 13 is a side view of the bee hydration station bee
landing pod or
flower basin shown in Figure 12;
[0023] Figure 14 is a bottom view of the bee hydration station bee landing
pod or flower basin shown in Figure 12-13;
[0024] Figure 15 is a side view of a micro-tubing compression
adapter;
[0025] Figure 16 is an end view of the micro-tubing compression
adapter
shown in Figure 15;
[0026] Figure 17 is the opposite end of the micro-tubing compression
adapter
shown in Figure 16;
[0027] Figure 18 a side view of a shutoff valve;
[0028] Figure 19 is a top view of the shutoff valve shown in
Figure 18;
[0029] Figure 20 is a end view of the shutoff valve shown in
Figures 18-19;
[0030] Figure 21 is a top view of a micro-tubing;
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[0031] Figure 22 is a side view of micro-tubing shown in Figure 21;
[0032] Figure 23 is a side view of a pipe;
[0033] Figure 24 is a top view of the pipe shown in Figure 23;
[0034] Figure 25 is a side view of the bee hydration station bee
landing pod or
flower basin;
[0035] Figure 26 is a bottom view of the bee hydration station bee
landing
pod or flower basin;
[0036] Figure 27 is a top view of the bee hydration station bee
landing pod or
flower basin.
DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS
[0037] Referring to Figure 1, the present disclosure provides a bee
hydration
station 1. The bee hydration station 1 includes a flower basin 4 connectable
to a
pipe or stem member 6 and overflow tube 20 and inflow tube 8. Inflow tube 8 is
connectable to intake hose 22, which may be connected to a rain barrel or
hose.
The stem member 6 may be elongated and can be inserted into the ground. In
example aspects, the flower basin 4 is designed with multiple landing places
26 for
bees with a controlled depth to allow bees to safely receive without drowning.
[0038] In example embodiments of the bee hydration station 1, flower
basin 4
has enough space for the bees to land on but still has space for water; the
bee
hydration station flower basin 4 has a steady flow of water to prevent black
mold
and mosquito breeding; and water collection area 24 is shallow enough to
prevent
bees from drowning, for example, a basin depth of between 0.1-10.0 mm.
[0039] Bees tend to prefer flowers that open upward. In that regard,
in an
example embodiment the bee hydration station flower basin 4 opens upwards with
a gradual slope or incline so bees have places to land, as shown in Figures 1
and 3.
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The slope or incline of flower basin 4 also allows for water to collect in a
centre
portion.
Bee Hydration Station Assembly
[0040] Referring to Figures 1-5, in example aspects, the bee
hydration station
1 flower basin 4 includes at least two holes, inflow hole 2 and overflow hole
10.
Inflow hole 2 may release water into flower basin 4, and overflow hole 10 may
allow for water removal from flower basin 4. Inflow hole 2 is connectable to
inflow
tube 8 and overflow hole 10 is connectable to overflow tube 20.
[0041] Flower basin 4 may further include water collecting area 24,
bee
landing area 26, and inserts 28 (see Figure 26) for receiving stem member 6. A
centre of flower basin 4 may be raised to resemble a flower. In the example
shown
in Figure 2, an outer portion of flower basin 4 may be constructed to have a
plurality of outer rounder portions to resemble flower petals, providing
multiple
areas for bees to land on landing area 26.
[0042] As disclosed in Figures 1 and 5, in example aspects, the bee
hydration
station 1 comprises a water intake hose 22 connectable to inflow tube 8.
Intake
hose 22 may have a valve 12 for controlling water flow. In example
embodiments,
intake hose 22 connects to inflow tube 8, which connects to bee hydration
station
flower basin 4 inflow hole 2 through stem member 6. Inflow tube 8 can be
positioned through stem member 6, which can be hollow, as shown in Figure 24.
[0043] Stem member 6 may have side holes 18 and 19 for inflow tube 8
and
overflow tube 20 to respectively pass through. Alternatively, inflow tube 8
and
overflow tube 20 may pass through a bottom portion of stem member 6.
[0044] Pipe or stem member 6 may be connectable to flower basin
member 4
via slits or inserts 28 for receiving stem member 6. Stem member 6 may also be
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connected to flower basin 4 by, for example, glue or any suitable adhesive,
with or
without inserts 28. Stem member 6 can be inserted into the ground or earth
outside.
[0045] In example aspects, the bee hydration station 1 comprises a
connector
element (mircrotubing compression adapter) 14 with a filter to attach to a
rain
barrel or hose which is attached to intake hose 22. In an example embodiment
the
intake hose 22 is 1/4" tubing.
[0046] In example aspects valve 12 controls the rate of flow of water
through
inflow tube 8, connected to inflow hole 2. The valve 12 is connected to inflow
tube
8 which can feed up the pipe or stem member 6 or the "stem of the flower". In
an
example embodiment inflow tube 8 is 1/8" hose.
[0047] Referring to Figures 1 and 5, the bee hydration station 1
further
comprises an overflow tube 20. In example aspects, overflow tube 20 is
connected
to overflow hole 10 through stem member 6.
[0048] In example aspects, overflow tube 20 is further connectable to hose
30. Overflow tube 20 is usable for controlling a water level of flower basin 4
and
carries excess water of flower basin 4 to hose 30.
[0049] Referring to Figure 5, in example aspects, hose 30 has a
plurality of
holes of increasing frequency, which are usable to release water into, for
example,
the ground or earth, and usable for maintaining relatively constant water
pressure
throughout at least a portion of hose 30. In further example aspects, hose 30
is
usable for watering bee attracting flowers which can be planted near to the
bee
hydration station 1.
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[0050] Referring to Figures 6-7, bee hydration station 1 is assembled
and
positioned so that flower basin 4 opens upwards. In other words, an outer
portion
of flower basin 4 may decline towards a centre of flower basin 4.
[0051] Referring to Figures 8-11, the bee hydration station can be
positioned
or inserted in the ground. In example aspects, a bottom portion of stem member
6
connects to the ground and can be positioned outdoors for attracting bees.
Example of Water Flow through the Bee Hydration Station
[0052] Referring to Figures 1 and 5, in an example aspect, water
flows from a
rain barrel or hose (rain barrel shown in Figures 8-9; hose not shown) through
intake hose 22 connectable to rain barrel or hose via connector element 14.
Intake
hose 22 is connectable to inflow tube 8. Inflow tube 8 is connected to inflow
hole 2.
[0053] Water can flow from inflow tube 8 out of inflow hole 2, for
example as
a waterfall or miniature fountain. Inflow hole 2 can be located in a centre
portion of
the flower basin 4. Water can trickle down from inflow hole 2 to water
collecting
area 24, a location where bees can collect water. Bees can land on the outer
edges
of flower basin 4, i.e. landing area 26 of flower basin 4, and collect water
from
water collecting area 24.
[0054] Referring to Figures 1 and 5, in an example aspect, the
overflow or
excess water collected in flower basin 4 is drained through an overflow hole
10,
which is connectable to overflow tube 20.
[0055] In an example embodiment, overflow tube 20 is positioned
inside pipe
or stem member 6. In an example embodiment overflow tube 20 is 1/4" tubing for
draining water through stem member 6.
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[0056] Referring to Figure 5, in an example embodiment, overflow tube
20 is
connectable to hose 30. Hose 30 can be positioned in a radial or circular
pattern
around the bee hydration station 1, for example, at about 1 foot or 30 cm out
from
the stem. Hose 30 may have one or more holes 16 at increasing frequency to
equalize water flow through the hose 30. This is an example of a "Soaker-style
hose". Hose 30 can be used to water flowers or vegetation that may be planted
near bee hydration station 1.
[0057] In example aspects, flowers or vegetation can be positioned or
planted
near tubing 30. Further, flowers or vegetation that bees are attracted to can
be
positioned near tubing 30 to encourage bees to use the bee hydration station 1
and
land on flower basin 4. Additionally, water that flows through tubing 30 can
be used
to water flowers that are growing nearby.
Various uses for the Bee Hydration Station
[0058] One use of the bee hydration station 1 is a watering station
for bees,
to help improve the overall health of the bee colony(s) by providing clean
water
from a rain barrel or hose. The bee hydration station 1 could be used for: (1)
Cooling. In the heat of the summer, some bees create a breeze by flapping
their
wings as the water evaporates to control hive temperature. (2) Humidity.
Worker
bees use water to adjust the humidity of the bee hive. (3) Use stored food.
Bees
need to dilute stored food in order to use it as edible food (4) Larvae food.
The
Nurse Bees use water to make a jelly to feed the larvae.
[0059] Other uses of the bee hydration station 1 are: A water source
for
other pollinators and insects including butterflies, moths, beetles; water
source for
birds and other animals; plant watering system; and a garden decoration.
Construction Variations of the Bee Hydration Station
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[0060] Example materials for constructing bee hydration station 1
will now be
disclosed.
[0061] In an example embodiment, the flower basin 4 can be 3D printed
with
Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) plastic. The produced flower basin 4 can
be
made out of a 2 part plastic resin poured into a mold with polyvinyl chloride
(PVC)
gift cards recycled as filler within the plastic.
[0062] The flower basin 4 could also be made out of: full fill
plastic resin (no
filler), injection molded plastics, glass, ceramic or molded cement, or post-
consumer products such as glass plate and bowls or plastic bottles or jars cut
and
reshaped into flower basin 4.
[0063] The stem member 6 could be made from 1-1/4" ABS pipe. The stem
member 6 could also be made from a pipe of different diameter and different
material such as PVC, steel, copper or other such materials. A wooden dowel or
branch could also be used.
[0064] In an example embodiment the plumbing or inflow tube for 8, overflow
tube 20 and intake hose 22 are constructed from 1/4" and 1/8"micro-irrigation
tubing. This tubing can be made from vinyl or polyethylene. Copper or other
materials could also be used.
[0065] The corresponding shutoff valve 12 and connector (3/4" to 1/4"
is
used to connect to a rain barrel or hose) can be used.
[0066] In one example the flower basin 4 is shaped like a flower, but
it can
also be other shapes such as square shaped, rectangular or triangular,
circular or
oval.
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[0067] In one embodiment, the bee hydration station 1 flower basin 4
is made
of plastic resin with a silicone mold because it is easy to make and durable.
The bee
hydration station flower basin 4 can also be made of clay or plastic or any
other
suitable material.
[0068] The bee hydration station 1 improves on existing home made solutions
and fills a market gap providing value to farmers, gardeners and bee keepers
who
depend on a strong and healthy bee population for their food production.
[0069] The bee hydration station 1 prevents black mold growth and
mosquito
breeding with continual water flow.
[0070] The embodiments of the present disclosure described above are
intended to be examples only. The present disclosure may be embodied in other
specific forms. Alterations, modifications and variations to the disclosure
may be
made without departing from the intended scope of the present disclosure.
While
the systems, devices and processes disclosed and shown herein may comprise a
.. specific number of elements/components, the systems, devices and assemblies
could be modified to include additional or fewer of such elements/components.
For
example, while any of the elements/components disclosed may be referenced as
being singular, the embodiments disclosed herein could be modified to include
a
plurality of such elements/components. Selected features from one or more of
the
above-described embodiments may be combined to create alternative embodiments
not explicitly described. All values and sub-ranges within disclosed ranges
are also
disclosed. The subject matter described herein intends to cover and embrace
all
suitable changes in technology.
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