Patent ID: 9532517
Date: 2017-01-03
CPC Classifications: A01C,A01G,Y02P

Claim:
1. A self-contained hydroponic plant growing kit comprising: a vertically collapsible tubular reservoir having an open top end, a side wall, and a sealed bottom end, said side wall having a first collapsed position for shipping whereby said side wall is less than half as tall as said side wall in an expanded position, said expanded position for use in said self-contained hydroponic plant growing kit, said sealed bottom end adapted for holding water and nutrients; a frame assembly sized to support said vertically collapsible tubular reservoir in said expanded position, said frame assembly including an upper frame member sized to secure to said open top end of said reservoir and a lower frame member sized to secure to said sealed bottom end of said reservoir, said upper and lower frame members further include a plurality of apertures, a plurality of support dowels, each of said plurality of apertures sized for accepting a corresponding support dowel, said plurality of support dowels each having a length of at least a length of said vertically collapsible tubular reservoir in said expanded position, each of said plurality of support dowels including a top end, said top end including a ring and a bottom end having a support member, said ring constructed and arranged for supporting said vertically collapsible tubular reservoir from an overhead surface, said bottom end support member constructed and arranged to support said vertically collapsible tubular reservoir upon a top surface; an aerator in the form of an air pump, said aerator collecting air from the atmosphere and pressurizing said air for delivery to said water contained within said tubular reservoir by way of a flexible hose; a net pot having a slotted bottom wall for supporting germinated seedlings therein, an open top, and a sidewall with a plurality of slots, a flange extending around said open top, said flange constructed and arranged to support said net pot at said open top end of said vertically collapsible tubular reservoir, said slots sized to allow a plant's roots to grow therethrough, whereby said plant roots can access said water and nutrients in said sealed bottom end of said vertically tubular collapsible reservoir.