Patent ID: 7243460
Filing Date: 2007-07-17
Classification: A01G,F24F,Y02P

Abstract:
1. Apparatus for mechanically supporting growing plants in a vertical orientation, wherein: the apparatus incudes a plant-supporting matrix-mat; the apparatus includes a backing-structure; the apparatus includes a set of fasteners, by which the matrix-mat is mechanically fastened to the backing-structure; the fasteners are pitched on a grid of such spacing that no point in the matrix-mat is more than a distance L away from one of the fasteners; where L is no more than about ½ meter, and preferably is no more than about ¼ meter; the matrix-mat includes at least one unitary panel of mat material, having an area of between two and ten sq. meters; the material of the matrix-mat is of such structure, and of such thickness, as to possess the following physical characteristics: (a) the material of the matrix-mat is such that the roots of a plant can be inserted into the matrix-mat, and, when the matrix-mat is orientated vertically, the plant is mechanically firmly supported in and by the matrix-mat; (b) the matrix-mat is semi-structural, in that the material thereof is inherently capable of supporting itself and plants embedded therein, but only when the matrix-mat is supported by the fasteners pitched on the said grid-pattern; and (c) the material of the matrix-mat is inert, and non-biodegradable with respect to plant growth and associated micro-biological action; the apparatus includes a backing-structure support, which is effective to support the backing-structure, with the matrix-mat fastened thereto, in a vertical orientation. the materials of the apparatus are non-degradable with respect to a humid indoor environment; the plants have been inserted by their roots into the material of the matrix-mat; and the apparatus includes a hydroponic watering system, comprising a water-depositor, a water-collector, and a water-circulator, wherein: (a) the water-depositor is structured to so deposit water onto an upper location of the matrix-mat that the water trickles down through the matrix-mat, wetting the roots of the plants; (b) the water-collector is structured to collect water that emerges from a lower location of the matrix-mat; and (c) the water-circulator is structured for circulating the water collected in the water-collector back to the water-depositor.