ALEXANDRIA, Va., Sept. 8 -- United States Patent no. 12,727,556, issued on Sept. 8, was assigned to Irrovate (PTY) Ltd (Greyton, South Africa).
"Sub-surface soil irrigation" was invented by Richard Enslin Clarke (Greyton, Canada).
According to the abstract* released by the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office: "Irrigation apparatus (70) is provided that includes an elongate housing (10) with an internal cavity (14) and a dispenser (24,76) that is fitted at a top of the cavity (14). The housing (10) is installed in soil and the dispenser (24,76) is supplied with water, which is dispensed into the cavity (14), to drip to an exposed soil surface (104) at the bottom of the housing (10), to provide water to plants."
The patent was filed on Aug. 16,...