Plant Feeder

An apparatus includes container having an open top, a lower end portion with a drain opening, and an interior growing space vertically between the open top and the lower end portion. A lid is received over the open top of the container. A plant retainer is supported on the lid, and retains a plant in a growing position in which the stem reaches vertically through the retainer and the roots reach downward from the stem. A plant feeder device is located beneath the retainer to emit water beside the plant. A root trellis reaches across the interior growing space beneath the feeder device. The root trellis has an inner portion aligned vertically with the retainer, an outer portion surrounding the inner portion, and a cross-sectional profile inclined vertically from the inner portion to the outer portion.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This technology includes water-based systems for growing plants.

BACKGROUND

A water-based system for growing a plant includes a container in which water is provided, and may include a trellis for supporting and suspending the roots of the plant in the container.

SUMMARY

Each of the following summary paragraphs describes a non-limiting example of how the invention may be implemented as a combination of structural elements disclosed by the detailed description. Any one or more of the elements of each summary paragraph may be utilized with any one or more of the distinct elements of another.

An apparatus may include container having an open top, a lower end portion with a drain opening, and an interior growing space vertically between the open top and the lower end portion. A lid may be received over the open top of the container. A plant retainer may be supported on the lid to retain a plant in a growing position in which the stem reaches vertically through the retainer and the roots reach downward from the stem. A plant feeder device may be located beneath the retainer to emit water beside the plant. A root trellis may reach across the interior growing space beneath the feeder device. The root trellis may have an inner portion aligned vertically with the retainer, an outer portion surrounding the inner portion, and a cross-sectional profile inclined vertically from the inner portion to the outer portion.

An apparatus may include a container having an open top, a lower end portion with a drain opening, and an interior growing space vertically between the open top and the lower end portion. A lid may be received over the open top of the container. A plant retainer may be supported on the lid to retain a plant in a growing position in which the stem reaches vertically through the retainer and the roots reach downward from the stem. A plant feeder device may be located beneath the retainer to emit water beside the plant. A root trellis may reach across the interior growing space. The root trellis may have an inner portion aligned vertically with the retainer, an outer portion surrounding the inner portion, and a cross-sectional profile inclined vertically downward from the inner portion to the outer portion.

An apparatus may include a container having an open top, a lower end portion with a bottom wall and a drain opening, and an interior growing space vertically between the open top and the lower end portion. A lid may be received over the open top of the container. A plant retainer may be supported on the lid to retain a plant in a growing position in which the stem reaches vertically through the retainer and the roots reaching downward from the stem. A plant feeder device may be located beneath the retainer to emit water beside a plant in the growing position. A root trellis may reach across the interior growing space beneath the feeder device; and a support trellis with an open grid configuration may reach upward from the bottom wall to the root trellis.

An apparatus may include a container having an open top with a rim, a lower end portion with a drain opening, and an interior growing space vertically between the rim and the lower end portion. The apparatus may further include a root trellis that reaches across the interior growing space, and a sub-assembly that is movable into and out of an installed position on the open top of the container above the root trellis. The sub-assembly may have interconnected parts separate from the container and the root trellis, including an attachment ring receivable on the rim of the container to mount the sub-assembly in the installed position, a lid to reach over the open top of the container, a plant retainer to retain a plant in a growing position, and a plant feeder device supported on the ring beneath the lid to emit water beside the plant.

An apparatus may include an array of plant growing stations interconnected in a hydraulic circuit. The hydraulic circuit may include a reservoir, a pump, water supply lines reaching from the pump to the growing stations, and water drain lines reaching from the growing stations to the reservoir. A cavitation plate may have a first end supported in the reservoir at a first level, a second end supported in the reservoir at a second level higher than the first level, and a lower side surface reaching upward from the first end toward the second end. An aeration device may be located in the reservoir beneath the cavitation plate. The lower side surface of the cavitation plate may have an undulating contour defined in part by sections of the lower side surface that reach downward in a direction from the first end toward the second end.

An apparatus may include an array of plant growing stations interconnected in a hydraulic circuit with a reservoir, a pump, water supply lines reaching from the pump to the growing stations, and water drain lines reaching from the growing stations to the reservoir. The hydraulic circuit may further include a cooling tower operative to cool water in the circuit.

An apparatus may include an array of plant growing stations interconnected in a hydraulic circuit with a reservoir, a pump, water supply lines reaching from the pump to the growing stations, and water drain lines reaching from the growing stations to the reservoir. The hydraulic circuit may further include a control hub comprising means for treating the water flowing between growing stations.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The apparatus shown schematically in the drawings has parts that are examples of the elements recited in the claims. These examples are described here to provide enablement and best mode without imposing limitations that are not recited in the claims.

As shown schematically inFIG. 1, a system10for growing plants includes an array of plant growing stations12, each of which includes a container14. Each container14has an interior growing space for a plant. The growing stations12are interconnected in a hydraulic circuit with a reservoir16and a pump18. The circuit includes supply lines22that receive a pressurized flow of water from the reservoir16under the influence of the pump18, and drain lines24that drain water to the reservoir16under the influence of gravity.

In the given example, the water supply lines22are coupled with each container14near the top of the container14. The water drain lines24are coupled with each container14near the bottom of the container14. More specifically, each container14has a main body30with a bottom wall32as shown inFIG. 2. The water drain lines24are coupled with the main body30near the bottom wall32. An expansion ring36is fitted over the top of the main body30to expand its height and volume. A feeder sub-assembly40is mounted on the upper end of the expansion ring36. The water supply lines22are coupled with the feeder sub-assembly40.

As shown in the exploded view ofFIG. 3, each container14is equipped with a root trellis50. The root trellis50fits within the container14beneath the feeder sub-assembly40, and may be installed in either the expansion ring36or the main body30of the container14. The parts of the feeder-subassembly40include a feeder lid60and a plant retainer62. Other parts of the sub-assembly40include a feeder ring64and an attachment ring66. Upper trellis support clips68also may be provided.

The lid60is sized and shaped to close the upper end of the growing station12, and has a central aperture69for receiving and supporting the retainer62at that location. The retainer62is a bisected circular device with a hinge70supporting its two halves for movement pivotally into and out of the closed condition shown in the drawings. A pair of elastomeric parts72of the retainer70are thus movable together to clamp against a plant stem, and thereby to retain the plant in a growing position with the stem reaching vertically through the retainer62and the roots reaching downward from the stem. The roots are thus suspended in the growing space inside the container14.

The feeder ring64is a water line with outlet ports75for discharging a mist of water and nutrients radially inward beside a plant in the growing position. A inlet stub76on the ring64receives a flow of water from the upstream supply line22to which it is coupled as shown inFIG. 2. An outlet stub78on the ring64discharges the bulk of the flow to the downstream supply line22and onward to the next growing station12in the hydraulic circuit ofFIG. 1. Although the stubs76and78are shown to project axially from the ring64inFIG. 3, they may alternatively project radially from the ring64as shown inFIG. 4.

As further shown inFIG. 4, the lid60, the retainer62, the feeder ring64and the attachment ring66are interconnected separately from the container14and the root trellis50. The lid60rests on the attachment ring66. A radially inner surface80(FIG. 3) of the attachment ring66is a seat for the feeder ring64to be installed within the attachment ring66beneath the lid60, as shown inFIG. 4. Another inner surface82of the attachment ring66has a concave arcuate profile facing radially inward beneath the feeder ring64. That inner surface82can serve as a water control surface that deflects water downward from the attachment ring66. A peripheral notch83at the bottom of the attachment ring66is fitted over the rim84at the top of the expansion ring36on the container14.

In the cross-sectional view ofFIG. 4, the given example of a root trellis50is shown as generally disk-shaped with a domed or bowed radial profile. An outer edge surface90of the trellis50is press-fitted against the surrounding inner wall surface92of the expansion ring36. In this arrangement, the trellis50has central portion94aligned vertically with the retainer62, a peripheral portion96surrounding the central portion94, and an arcuate cross-sectional profile inclined vertically from the central portion94to the peripheral portion96.

In the perspective view ofFIG. 5, this example of the root trellis50is shown as an open grid configured as an array of concentric circular ribs100that are interconnected by spoke-like arms102. The ribs100are equally spaced apart radially. The arms102reach radially from the central portion94of the trellis50to the outermost rib100at the peripheral portion96, and are equally spaced apart circumferentially. A pair of smaller circular ribs106may be provided at the central portion94to define finger holes for grasping and handling the trellis50.

Although the trellis50in the illustrated example is shown with its concave side facing upward, it could alternatively be installed in the container14with its convex side facing upward. In either case, the inclined configuration of the cross-sectional profile places the ribs100in a vertically staggered relationship. Specifically, the top of each rib100is lower than the top of an adjacent rib110, and is higher than the top of the other adjacent rib110. This vertical staggering between adjacent ribs100provides a ladder-like platform that promotes growth of the roots horizontally outward across the tops of the ribs100.

Other examples of an open grid configuration for the trellis50are shown inFIGS. 6-9. The configuration ofFIG. 6includes additional arms102reaching only partially between the central portion94to the outermost rib100. This provides a more densely concentrated array of ribs100and arms102for encouraging root growth radially outward across the trellis50toward the peripheral portion, at which the roots are more freely able to descend from the trellis50into the growing space beneath.

FIGS. 7 and 8show patterns of closed surface areas114that encourage horizontal growth by blocking the roots from reaching downward through the trellis50at those locations. The pattern ofFIG. 7includes closed surface areas114in concentric circular shapes radially between concentric circular open grid areas116. The pattern ofFIG. 8includes closed surface areas114shaped as segments of the overall circular shape of the trellis50. Those closed areas114project radially outward between open grid areas116that are likewise shaped as radial segments. The pattern ofFIG. 9includes a non-symmetrically distributed array of closed surface areas114.

As noted above, the root trellis50ofFIG. 4is press-fitted within the container14. In other embodiments, the container14may be equipped with a support trellis120that supports the root trellis50from beneath, either with or without the press fit. Such a support trellis120would also have an open grid configuration, and would preferably reach fully upward from the bottom wall32of the container14to the underside of the root trellis50. The support trellis120could have a tubular configuration as shown inFIG. 10. Other suitable cross-sectional configurations include and X shape as shown inFIG. 11and a star shape as shown inFIG. 12.

The reservoir16is shown in greater detail inFIG. 13. This example includes a rectangular tray-shaped body130with a flat lid132. Recessed areas134of the lid132can be punched out to provide access holes. As shown inFIG. 14, inclined shoulder surfaces136reach along the opposite side walls of the body130. The shoulder surfaces136are arranged to support a cavitation plate140in the installed position shown inFIG. 15. As shown separately inFIG. 16, the cavitation plate140also is shaped as a rectangular tray, and has a bottom wall142with an undulating contour.

When the cavitation plate140rests on the shoulder surfaces136in the body130of the reservoir16, the lower side144of the bottom wall142is inclined as shown inFIG. 15. Although the lower side144as a whole reaches upward from its lower end146toward its upper end148, the undulating contour provides individual sections150that reach downward in the same direction. This provides a vertically undulating path for bubbles from an aeration device156, such as an air stone, to traverse from one end of the reservoir16to the other. This promotes aeration of the water, which normally fills the reservoir16, also helps to keep nutrients in suspension by inducing a flow of the water end-to-end over and under the cavitation plate140.

In addition to the components shown inFIG. 1, the system10may further include one or more cooling towers160(FIG. 17), and/or one or more control hubs162(FIG. 18).

In the example ofFIG. 17, the cooling tower160has a generally conical shape with air inlets164near its lower end and air outlets166at its upper end. A water feed ring168near the upper end is connected in the water supply lines22. A collection basin170at the lower end is connected in the drain lines24. A blower system172drives a flow of cooling air inward through the inlets164, upward through a mist of water descending from the water feed ring168, and outward through the outlets166. This cools and aerates the water as it flows through the system10.

In the example ofFIG. 18, the control hub162has a pressure chamber182. A baffle184separates the chamber184into inlet and outlet columns186columns188of equal height so water can flow through the chamber182in the downstream flow path reaching through the supply lines22. One or more or more water quality detection/treatment devices are operatively located in the chamber182. Such devices may include for example, a heater190as shown schematically inFIG. 18, and/or one or more of the following components; heater, cooling equipment, air stones, PH/fertilizer adjusting and monitoring equipment, ultra-violet light bulb, ozone generating equipment, test ports, filter, charcoal pads or bags, and water sensor and monitoring equipment, water pressure sensing or adjustment equipment, ion measuring or adjusting equipment, thermometer, water quality test port, internal or external bypass valve. The control hubs162can have a flow through design to allow their use anywhere in the system10. In some examples, multiple control hubs162can be connected to the system10. For example, control hubs162can be connected in a daisy-chain configuration. In some examples of the control hub162, the components can be wired. In some examples of the control hub162, the components can be radio transmitted.

FIGS. 19 through 23disclose examples of a plant container cover. In some examples, the plant container cover can provide thermal protection. In some examples, the plant container cover can provide ultra-violet light protection. In some configurations, the plant container cover can protect against the degradation of plant containers, reservoirs, plant feeder system and pipes. In some examples, the plaint container cover can reduce noise levels. In some examples, the plant container cover can reduce energy costs. In some examples, the plant container cover can reduce water evaporation.

In some examples, the plant container cover can include a plant container cover lid and plant container cover sides. In some examples, the plant container cover lid can include a hole for a plant retainer. In some examples, the plant container cover can be comprised of two halves, including two halves for the plant container cover lid and two halves for the plant container cover sides. In some examples, the two halves of the plant container cover can be removeably attached, for example, with a fastener such as a hook and loop fastener. In some examples, the plant container cover lid can fit the two dimensional shape of the plant container lid, for example, the plaint container cover lid can fit a plant container lid that is round, oval, square, rectangular, or triangular, among other shapes. In some examples, the plaint container cover sides can fit the three dimensional shape of the plant container, for example, the plaint container cover can fit a plant container that is spherical, egg-shaped, box-shaped, or prism-shaped, among other shapes. The plaint container cover can further include a drain line opening configured to accommodate a drain line, suction line, supply line, power cords, and airline. Plant container covers can have various holes for adjustment equipment, monitoring equipment cameras, inspection covers, and droplet size measurement equipment.

FIG. 22is a cross-section of a plant container cover. As show, in some examples the plant container cover can be comprised of multiple layers. In some examples the plant container cover can include a reflective layer configured to reflect sunlight and ultra-violet light. In some examples the plant container cover can include a layer of insulating material configured to hold heat in or keep heat out. For example, the insulating material could be bubble insulation or foil. In some examples, the insulating material can be a foam insulating material. In some examples, the plant container cover can include a dark layer, configured to block light. The plant container cover can prevent algae growth with the use of white plastic plant containers and piping in some examples. In some examples the plant container cover can be figured such that the reflective layer is on the outside, the dark layer is on the inside, and the insulating layer is in between. In some examples the plant container cover can be reversed such that the dark layer is on the outside and the reflective layer is on the inside.

FIG. 23is a side view of a pipe sheath. In some examples, the pipe sheath can be made of the materials and comprising the layers as described with respect to the plant container cover. In some examples, the pipe sheath can be reversible. The pipe sheath can have the same features as described with respect to the plant container covers.

This written description sets for the best mode of carrying out the invention, and describes the invention so as to enable a person skilled in the art to make and use the invention, by presenting examples of elements recited in the claims. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples, which may be available either before or after the application filing date, are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they have equivalent elements with insubstantial differences from the literal language of the claims.