Abstract:
A system for growing plants without soil uses removable V-shaped baskets to support plants in a tiered, self-contained unit. Nutrient enriched water is sprayed on the plant roots. The roots are held by perforations in the elongated V-shaped basket and a plant blanket. The unit is multilevel and can be set over an aquarium. The growing shelf can have a worm bag in order to add natural nutrients. Baskets can be comprised of a pair of identical halves that can be readily mutually coupled. Coupling mechanisms can include those that snap together and those providing for a pivoting coupling.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of co-pending non-provisional U.S. application Ser. No. 13/550,349, filed on Jul. 16, 2012, which in turn claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application 61/508,598, filed on Jul. 15, 2011. The above applications are hereby incorporated herein in their entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD 
       [0002]    This pertains to the growing of plants without requirement for a solid medium; it is particularly drawn to hydroponic growth wherein plant roots do not rest in water continually. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Aeroponic plant growth is plant husbandry without soil and without roots continually immersed in water, as is the case normally in hydroponics. Most aeroponic systems, while not employing soil, do require a medium for roots to gather around. Clay pebbles are often used. In aeroponic systems roots can be watered by intervals of periodically resting in water followed by intervals of being only in air. Alternatively, roots in air can be sprayed with water. Aeroponic techniques have long been proven as a viable and efficient method of plant growth but have not found widespread acceptance for several reasons. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    The methods and apparatus of these teachings can involve V-shaped or U-shaped, perforated baskets. Each basket may hold multiple plants. Multiple plants in one basket can be in close enough adjacency for their respective roots to comingle. The V or U-shaped basket can be comprised of two separate, generally symmetric or mirror image, sides. In that case the sides can be mutually coupled and decoupled. This can allow for a more effective access to the plants and roots. 
         [0005]    Particularly when plants are young and small, they can be supported in a generally upright position in the basket by a plant collar or plant blanket of a fabric material along an upper edge of the V-shaped basket. These configurations can dispense with clay pebbles or other root support material. The collar can include a foam material for plant support and for retention of moisture. Multiple baskets can each rest in rectangular openings in a tiered, hollow base. The base can contain plumbing for nutrient-bearing water that can be sprayed in a mist on the roots extending through the perforations. Multiple tiered bases can be mounted vertically with their plumbing interconnected into a closed-loop system. Placing an aquarium in fluid communication with the aeroponic system can create an aquaculture system. The addition of sequestered worms can result in a system of organic cyclic growth of plants and fish. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of a first example basket for supporting multiple plants with a collar and a multi-fingered plant blanket; 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  shows a side view of the basket of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  shows a view of the basket of  FIG. 1  without the plant blanket; 
           [0009]      FIG. 4  shows a front view of the basket of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0010]      FIG. 5  is a cut-away perspective view of the basket of  FIG. 2  along  5 - 5 ; 
           [0011]      FIG. 6  shows the first example basket with plants growing in it; 
           [0012]      FIG. 7  shows the first example basket with plants growing in it in a cut-away view; 
           [0013]      FIG. 8  is a shelf unit with positions for supporting nine baskets; 
           [0014]      FIG. 9  is the unit of  FIG. 8  exploded with the cover off the base; 
           [0015]      FIG. 10  is the base portion of  FIG. 9  above a catch-pan; 
           [0016]      FIG. 11  shows a shelf unit on a fish tank with a pump to circulate water to the aeroponic unit; 
           [0017]      FIG. 12  shows a three-shelf aeroponic unit with the lower unit on a fish tank; 
           [0018]      FIG. 13  shows the unit of  FIG. 12  with the addition of light hoods over each shelf unit; 
           [0019]      FIG. 14  shows a shelf unit over a catch-pan with a worm platform; 
           [0020]      FIG. 15  is a plan view of the catch-pan of  FIG. 11 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 16  is a cut-away view of the catch-pan along A-A; 
           [0022]      FIG. 17  is a cut-away view of the catch-pan of  FIG. 15  along B-B; 
           [0023]      FIGS. 18 and 19  show perspective views of a second embodiment basket compromised of two symmetric side portions; 
           [0024]      FIG. 20  shows a perspective view of a third embodiment basket comprised of two symmetric sides detached from each other in an exploded view; 
           [0025]      FIG. 21  shows an end view of the basket of  FIG. 20 ; 
           [0026]      FIG. 22  shows one side of the basket of  FIG. 20  with foam blocks; 
           [0027]      FIG. 23  shows the basket of  FIG. 20  with the sides attached at one end and in a hinged position, seen with foam block and plants; 
           [0028]      FIG. 24  shows a sectional perspective illustrating the snap mechanisms in a connected configuration 
           [0029]      FIG. 25  is a top view of the basket of  FIG. 20  in the attached position; 
           [0030]      FIG. 26  shows an exploded view of the basket with nutrient bags 
           [0031]      FIG. 27  is a bottom view of the basket and hinged position of  FIG. 22 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0032]    Reference herein to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, operation, or other characteristics described in connection with the embodiment may be included in at least one implementation of the invention. However, the appearance of the phrase “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in various places in the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. 
         [0033]    In conjunction with the included drawings, this detailed description is intended to impart an understanding of the teachings herein and not to define their metes and bounds. 
       Basket Structure 
     First Embodiment 
       [0034]    A first example basket embodiment is illustrated in the  FIGS. 1-7 .  FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of an aeroponic growing basket  10 . It has two parallel upper edges  12 . Each upper edge is the upper terminus of a planar sidewall perforated with holes  16 . The sidewalls, in profile, form a generally V-shape ending at the bottom  15 . As shown in  FIG. 2  this is not strictly a V-shape in that the two sides do not meet in a point. It might more accurately be referred to as a U-shaped basket or an inverted isosceles trapezoidal shape. 
         [0035]    The upper edges each have an opposing multi-fingered “plant blanket”  13  facing each other and bridging the open gap from one upper edge to the other. The blanket can be of a felt material. Below the blanket are foam blocks  14  attached to each perforated sidewall. Together they comprise a collar. 
         [0036]    The side view of  FIG. 2  illustrates the symmetry of the shape of the basket. Near the top edge of either side is a protrusion  17  to be engaged with an opening in a supporting structure into which the basket might be placed.  FIG. 3  shows a basket without the multi-fingered plant blanket  13  for better visibility of the foam  100  blocks. 
         [0037]    The front of the basket with its array of perforations is seen in  FIG. 4 ; while  FIG. 5  shows a cut-away view allowing the length of the foam block  14  and blanket  13 . In  FIGS. 6 and 7  plants are illustrated growing in the basket. One attribute of the elongated and perforated baskets is their ability to hold several plants in very close  105  proximity. 
         [0038]    Basket—Operations 
         [0039]    Small plants are placed in the baskets with roots towards the bottom and the stalk or stem extending upward to be gently captured by the foam collar. For plant growth, the baskets are placed in a light-tight environment with only the upper  110  edges and plant stalk or stem in the light. The dark lower portion is provided with a nutrient rich moist environment. Moisture is captured, retained, and released by the foam blocks. Light reaches the green portions of the plant but does not significantly reach the roots because of the light blocking effect of the multi-fingered, felt plant blanket. When fully grown, the plants can be removed, relocated or remain to be  115  harvested by leaf sizes. 
         [0040]    Multiple plants of the same type are generally placed together with intermingled roots in a single basket. As the plants grow the basket may be relocated to other environments with different moisture properties or to accommodate the increasing plant height. When fully grown, the plants can be removed and harvested. 
         [0041]    Basket Supporting Structure 
         [0042]    Individual baskets are supported in a multi-tiered shelf unit  100  in  FIG. 8 . This example shelf unit can support nine total baskets  10  in that it has three rows  124   125   126  and three columns  120   121   122  of rectangular openings for aeroponic  125  growing baskets. The baskets fit snuggly into the rectangular openings and are held in place via the protrusions discussed above. The inside of the shelf unit is blocked off from light.  FIG. 9  shows the same shelf unit with its cover  102  removed from its base  103 . A pipe  104  with spray nozzles is seem inside the base running from the right to the left. The nozzles are better seen in  FIG. 10  with the top removed completely. The nutrient bearing spray water is supplied to the unit via an inlet fitting  107 . A drain fitting  109  and an overflow fitting  108  complete the plumbing requirements of the unit. 
         [0043]      FIG. 10  shows the base with its open frame  107  over a catch-pan  101 . The catch-pan has a sloped floor  106  that directs the water from the spraying to an opening  111  for draining via fitting  109  seen in  FIG. 9 . One configuration for use of the shelf unit is placed above a fish tank  127  as seen in  FIG. 11 . The fish tank water is part of a closed system for providing nutrients to fish and plants. A pump  134  with a filter  135  pumps fish tank water to the water intake fitting  107  with sufficient pressure to cause the required mist spray. No catch-pan is used and the sprayed water simply falls back into the fish tank. 
         [0044]    For practical purposes many system embodiments will have three tiers of shelf units as seem in  FIGS. 12 and 13 . The lower portion of  FIG. 12  is the unit of  FIG. 11 . In addition a structure  133  has platforms for two additional shelf units. The upper and middle aeroponic units do have catch-pans  101  tied together by a pumping system. The pumped fish tank water is fed under pressure to the intake fittings of all three units via a water source pipe  136 . A drainpipe  137  brings the water from the two catch-pans down to the fish tank. If the drain system were to get clogged, an overflow system comprising an overflow pipe  138  would act as a supplemental drain. 
         [0045]      FIG. 13  shows the system of  FIG. 12  with the addition of light hoods  140  over each of the shelf units. 
         [0046]    Alternative Catch—Pan 
         [0047]      FIGS. 14-17  show various views of an alternative catch-pan. This version has a worm bag support tray  148 . It is raised above the level of the pan floor  106 ′. As  155  seen in the cut-away view of  FIG. 16 , the tray is held up by feet  141   a    141   b    141   c . This allows worms that might be in a mesh bag on the tray to move from under water, to in water, to out of water. 
         [0048]    Operation 
         [0049]    Water is pumped from a reservoir to the plumbing for the spray units. The water has a nutrient added to it. The spray is directed to the plant roots. Water drains downward, possibly into an aquarium. A worm bag may be placed on the floor of the growing shelf. Seedlings are placed adjacent to each other in a V-shaped perforated basket. The basket is placed in a growing site of a tiered growing shelf. Water with nutrients is sprayed on the seedling roots. No soil, clay pebbles, or other additional structure is required. The water that drips down is recaptured to be recycled through the system and in some applications involves the drained water that is provided to a large lower tank appropriate for fish to live in below the growing shelf. 
         [0050]    With a balance of plants, fish, and worms, a generally self-sustaining semi-closed system can be attained. The plants, worms, and fish provide for each other in a symbiotic manner. 
       Second Embodiment Basket 
       [0051]      FIGS. 18 and 19  show a second embodiment of an aeroponic growing basket  10 ′. In this version, one basket is formed by interconnecting two separate, identical side portions. The base is formed by interlocking structures  21  at the bottom of each side portion. By having the basket comprised of two separatable sides it can be easier to access plants. Other tabs, including upper  22  and lower  23  provide for holding of foam blocks. 
       Third Embodiment Basket 
       [0052]    The third embodiment basket is comprised of paired sides that are readily mutually attachable and detachable as in the second embodiment above. However the attachment is via a snapping, pivotable joint. 
         [0053]    As seen in  FIG. 20  the two sides are identical in structure. The left side  300 , as seen in that view has fourteen curved ribs  205 . At the near end there is a snap receptacle  203  with an opening  202 . The far end has a complementary snap moiety  200  with a mating post  201 . As is made clear in the figures, the opposing ends of the left side portion are not configured to mate with each other, but with the complementary structures of the side of the basket  301 . Although described as a snap fit, the coupling structures might also be a friction fit.  FIG. 24  shows the snap mechanism in isolation. 
         [0054]      FIG. 21  shows an end view of the basket in an assembled state without foam blocks or the light blocking fabric. This embodiment uses a light blocking fabric (not shown) in a similar manner as that in the first embodiment seen in  FIG. 1 . The fabric can be retained by clips  1000  seen in several figures including  FIGS. 20 and 22 . 
         [0055]    In  FIG. 23  the two sides  300   301  are seen with one end of each mutually coupled to each other by the snap mechanism. Plants 2 .  10  are seen up against the left side foam block  209 . The foam blocks are seen to be held in place by be between lower tabs  207  and upper tabs  204 . The cylindrical nature of the post and the shape  200  of the opening in its mating opening provide for a pivotable coupling. This allows ready access to the plants at their various stages of growth. 
         [0056]    There are two lower foam support tabs  207  and two upper foam support tabs  204  on each side portion of the basket. The foam supports are used to hold a foam block, as seen in  FIG. 22 . Besides the foam block held in the upper portion of the basket, a permeable bag of nutrients can be held in the lower portion of the basket along the ribs. In some cases the bag may contain mycorrhizal related substances. The lower hooks  208  at the bottom of the ribs can cooperate with the upper hooks  206  at the top of the curved ribs. A nutrient bag  211  is seen to be supportable by these hooks in the exploded illustration of  FIG. 26 . 
         [0057]      FIG. 25  shows a top view of this basket in an assembled state. The snap moieties  200  are coupled to their mating moieties  203  at each of the opposing ends of the basket. The hinging is further illustrated in the bottom view of  FIG. 27 . 
         [0058]    Those skilled in the art will be aware of materials, techniques and equipment  215  suitable to produce the example embodiments presented as well as variations on those examples. This teaching is presented for purposes of illustration and description but is not intended to be exhaustive or limiting to the forms disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. The embodiments and versions help to explain the principles of the invention,  220  the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand it. Various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular application contemplated are expected. 
         [0059]    In the following claims, the words “a” and “an” should be taken to mean “at least one” in all cases, even if the wording “at least one” appears in one or more claims explicitly. The scope of the invention is set out in the claims below.