Abstract:
This invention is an automatic sprout vending machine which provides racks for seeds to rest upon for automatically sprouting or germinating such seeds. In one embodiment, the automatic sprout vending machine comprises a housing having, preferably, an upper compartment, a lower compartment and a middle section. The middle section has a plurality of racks which are adapted to slidably receive and release a corresponding plurality of modules. In this embodiment, each of the plurality of modules includes at least on seed germinating tray having seeds mounted in the bottom thereof.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    This invention relates to equipment for automatically sprouting or germinating seeds, growing micro-green and mesclun and, more particularly, to a vending machine which automatically sprouts and grow produce or germinates seeds in a retail store such as a health food store or juice bar or a home operation to supply local markets. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Sprouts and greens are known to be powerfully nutritious foods yet are often forgotten on the food pyramid. The nutritional value of sprouts is well established by both nutritionists and by the scientific community. This knowledge has resulted in an increased popularity for sprouts and microgreens as foods which, in turn, has resulted in a need to have sprouts readily available to a consumer. The term “greens” relates to sprouts that are allowed to grow above the stage known as the sprouting phase. The two cotylebun leaves are fully opened and in some cases, based on the seed in question, four to six leaves are exposed. 
         [0003]    Presently most sprouts are grown in factories and transported thousands of miles in refrigerated trucks to their destination. The conventional method of providing sprouts to the marked requires shipping and storage before the sprouts reach the consumer. Furthermore, sprouts are very delicate crops and refrigeration should be avoided as freshness is ultimate when selling the sprouts exactly when ready. Additionally, experts claim that the most effective time to consume sprouts for its nutritional benefits is around the 5 th  day of germination, sprouted bean seeds around the 48 hours from commencement of germination. 
         [0004]    Further, one problem with existing sprouting operations is outbreaks of food borne illnesses such as  salmonella  or  e. coli  reported to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) from the sprout conventional fanning methods industry with resultant health risks to the consumer. The present system is designed to provide full access to the relevant authorities by providing internet access to its computerized control systems and meters monitoring all aspects of the growing process and hygiene. Thus, the authorities such as the FDA and USDA could monitor installations of the present invention throughout the country easing the workload of the need for on-site inspections. As soon as a pre-programmed parameter is out of its permissible tolerance, the system can be switched off by the inspector. Notifications of abnormalities can be communicated with the grower automatically by fax, email or cellular phone. 
         [0005]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,442,892 entitled “Automatic Sprouter System” which issued on Sep. 3, 2002 to the present inventor, and is commonly owned by the applicant of the present application, provides a misting and oxygenating automatic sprouter system. 
         [0006]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,144,671 entitled “Apparatus for Growing Bean Sprouts” which issued on May 20, 1979 to Lee discloses a self watering apparatus including a housing divided into an upper and a lower compartment by a horizontal divider plate having orifices therethrough. A tilting water container is used to periodically supply water to plants in the upper compartment. 
         [0007]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,989,367 entitled “Method and Apparatus for Germinating Seed Sprouts” which issued on Feb. 5, 1991 to Chung discloses accelerated sprouting of bean sprouts by placing said sprouts in a closed vessel on a screen. The seeds are soaked with water and additives and humidified air is blown through at periodic intervals. 
         [0008]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,025,589 entitled “Methods and Apparatus for Growing Bean Sprouts” which issued on Jun. 25, 1991 to Park discloses a series of vertical beds having bean sprouts growing therein organized in order of size with the largest at the top. Water cascades downward through the beds at periodic intervals. 
         [0009]    However, there is still a need for a apparatus for use by the home owner or small commercial concern which is fully automatic and safely provides fresh spouts and greens to a consumer with minimal human touch. There is also a need for a more hygienic method of providing sprouts which does not require enormous resources to store and transport sprouts to the ultimate consumer thus minimizing the impact on our ecosystem. The present invention meets these needs. 
         [0010]    None of the known prior art disclose the device set forth herein. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0011]    It is an object of this invention to provide a fully automatic sprout growing vending machine. 
         [0012]    The present invention is designed to provide and satisfy that need by creating a fully automated sprout growing vending machine. The present invention provides a higher hygiene standard compare to any other sprouting method. The present invention supplies a micro environment which is optimal for sprouting and growing greens. 
         [0013]    The different functions required in the present invention are controlled by an on board computer designed for this purpose. The computer is connected online using the internet to report the status of the different functions and send alerts to a control room capable of monitoring endless installations when a function is out of its programmed tolerance. The present invention is designed for installation in the produce departments of grocery stores, in health food stores, in juice bars and other sales points. 
         [0014]    To minimize the risk of contamination from agents such as  salmonella  and  e. coli,  the seeds used in the present invention are properly treated in a separate packing plant in accordance with FDA regulations. The seeds are fixed on the bottom of disposable cartridges by an automatic seeding machine and shipped to stores in hermetically sealed packages. The store removes the sealing skin from the cartridge from the package and inserts it inside a growing compartment of the present invention. In a few days, generally between 2 to 5 days (depend on the seed selected), and in longer periods for growing greens, the sprouts are ready for sale and are moved from the bottom growing compartment to an upper display compartment, where a shopper can select the desired sprouted cartridge. 
         [0015]    Further, in the present invention, full control over the production of sprouts is obtained by the grower and by the control room as well as the relevant authorities via the internet connected computer. Even the FDA can monitor thousands of installations from one desk with a computer. 
         [0016]    Since the present invention grows the sprouts in the store, the system avoids the waste inherent in the current distribution system. Thus, the present invention saves resources, energy and lessens the environmental impact since the seeds are sprouted in the same space as delivered, offering the ultimate in efficiency. There is no need to re-pack the sprouts, to provide manual labor or use expensive refrigerated shelving space at the store since the present invention occupies the same floor space for both growing and displaying the sprouts. Further, the present invention delivers the sprouts, fresh and exactly at the best time offering the ultimate in freshness. 
         [0017]    Furthermore, sprouts are very delicate crops and refrigeration should be avoided. Since the proposed system is under a controlled environment the sprouts will carry on growing the natural way with no refrigeration until selected by a consumer. There is no rotting or molding which is presently experienced by stores with sprouts that remain a prolonged length of time on the shelf. 
         [0018]    Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the following description proceeds and the features of novelty which characterize this invention will be pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this specification. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0019]    The present invention may be more readily described by reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0020]      FIG. 1  is a front view of one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0021]      FIG. 2  is a side view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0022]      FIG. 3  is a top and front perspective view of a plurality of cartridges used in the present invention; 
           [0023]      FIG. 4  is a side cross sectional view of still another embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0024]      FIG. 5  is a front cross sectional view of the embodiment of  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0025]      FIG. 6  is a schematic of an ozone generator used in the embodiment of  FIG. 4 ; and 
           [0026]      FIG. 7  is a schematic of the incoming water supply used in the embodiment of  FIG. 4 ; 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0027]    Referring more particularly to the drawings by characters of reference,  FIGS. 1-2  disclose one embodiment of an automatic sprout vending machine  10 . Automatic sprout vending machine  10  comprises a housing  12  having a plurality of racks  20  adapted to slidably receive and release a corresponding plurality of modules  22 . In the presently preferred embodiment, each of the plurality of modules  22  is as described in applicant&#39;s U.S. Pat. No. 6,442,892 entitled “Automatic Sprouter System” which issued on Sep. 3, 2002 herein incorporated by reference. 
         [0028]    Those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention is not limited to the patented modules  22  having enclosed mist generators. As is well known in the art, mist can be generated by misting heads, sprinklers, and foggers and distributed to trays  25  which are shown in  FIG. 3 . In this embodiment, seeds are fixed to the bottom of trays  25  with a preferred mixture of 20% honey and 80% gelatin though those skilled in the art will recognize that many other human friendly substances are useable and will yield similar results. Seeded trays  25  are supplied in hygienic sealed packages manufactured by seed packaging plants. 
         [0029]    Another embodiment is best seen in  FIGS. 4-5 , a housing  40  includes an upper control panel  42  mounted above a display compartment  44 . Display compartment  44  is positioned above a growing compartment  46  which, in turn, is positioned above a service compartment  48 . Those skilled in the art will recognize that the actual positioning of each compartment is a matter of design choice, and thus the present invention is not limited to the depicted configuration. 
         [0030]    Service compartment  48  has a number of exemplary components. A drainage pan  50 , preferably plastic, is used to collect drained water from housing  40 . An ozone generator  52  creates the gas O 3 , preferably at about 0.05 parts per million (ppm) which is one of the best disinfectants for the present application. As best illustrated schematically in  FIG. 6 , ozone generator  52  includes a ozone feeding line  60  which splits into an growing compartment ozone feed line  62  and a display compartment ozone feed line  64 . Each feed line  62 ,  64  includes a perforated wall which disperses the ozone within the respective compartment  46 ,  44 . A growing compartment solenoid  66  and a display compartment solenoid  68  are in electrical communication with a computer  70  which controls the amount of ozone released in the two compartments  46 ,  44 . 
         [0031]    A reverse osmosis unit  54  removes substantial amounts of inorganic chemicals (salts, metals, minerals), most microorganisms, and many organic chemicals from water incoming in incoming water line  71  to housing  40 . Additionally, mechanical filters and activated carbon filters  56  remove dirt, sediment and other impurities. After purification, the clean water is conveyed to a chiller unit  72  which maintains the temperature of the incoming water. Chiller unit  72  uses HFC-134a refrigerant with a sealed compressor having a full load capacity of 5 gallons. 
         [0032]    Lastly, a injector unit  74  injects disinfectant and/or fertilizer as needed to the incoming water. In the preferred embodiment, injector  74  is a water driven pump  300  having a disinfectant tank  302  and a fertilizer tank  304  in liquid communication therewith. A disinfectant solenoid  306  and a fertilizer solenoid  308  are in electrical communication with and under the control of computer  70 . The filtered, chilled and disinfected and/or fertilized water is sent to the interior of housing  40  by supply lines  58 . After injector unit  74 , water supply line  71  splits into an growing compartment water feed line  82  and a display compartment water feed line  84 . Each feed line  82 ,  84  includes misters and foggers  85  which disperses the water within the respective compartment  46 ,  44 . A growing compartment solenoid  86  and a display compartment solenoid  88  are in electrical communication with computer  70  which controls the amount of water released in the two compartments  46 ,  44 . 
         [0033]    In addition to ozone generator  52  and water lines  71 , service compartment  48  includes a plurality of surge switches  92  which are provided to protect the electrical components of the system. 
         [0034]    In the illustrated embodiment, directly above service compartment  48  is growing compartment  46  which includes tilted racks  100  adapted to receive a plurality of cartridges  25 . Racks  100  are tilted to allow for proper drainage from each cartridge  25 . Growing compartment  46  receives seeded cartridges  25  and, over the course of two (for use with mung, soy, lentil, green peas) to five days (for use with alfalfa, clover, broccoli, Chinese cabbage, radish), is used to grow the sprouts. Ultraviolet lights  102 , preferably low pressure mercury arc lamps, are mounted therein to provide appropriate lighting for the growth of sprouts. Such lights  102  has germicidal properties and kills pathogens within housing  12  while leaving no toxic residuals. An extractor fan  103  pulls air from growing compartment  46  and is actuated by a humidity sensor to maintain the appropriate humidity levels inside growing compartment  46 . Growing compartment  46  is provided with a metal front loading door  104  for loading new cartridges  25  therein, moving cartridges  25  within growing compartment  46  and then removing sprouted cartridges  25  to display compartment  44 . Humidity sensors  110  are provided in electrical communication with computer  70  to maintain appropriate humidity levels within growing compartment  46 . 
         [0035]    In the illustrated embodiment, directly above growing compartment  46  is display compartment  44  which also includes racks  105  adapted to receive a plurality of cartridges  25 . In the preferred embodiment racks  105  are forwardly tilted for drainage. Also, racks  105  are preferably tilted more than racks  100  to better display the sprouts within each cartridge  25  to a customer. A second extractor fan  108  pulls air from display compartment  44  and is actuated by a humidity sensor  110  to maintain the appropriate humidity levels therein. Display compartment  44  is provided with transparent front loading door  109  for loading sprouted cartridges  25  therein and removing cartridges  25  for purchase. Humidity and temperature sensors  110  are provided in electrical communication with computer  70  to maintain appropriate humidity levels within display compartment  44 . 
         [0036]    In the illustrated embodiment, control panel  42  is mounted atop display compartment  44 . Control panel  42  includes computer  70  and controls  90  therefore. Control panel  42  provides points of regulation and control of such functions as the timers  42  for control of mist generators  23  are activated and deactivated, controls  44  for operation of ozone generators  30  and the operation of ultraviolet lights  102 , operation of reverse osmosis unit  54 , control of chiller unit  72  and injector unit  74 , the rotational speed of mist generators and usage frequency including high speed mists and oxygenation or low speed oxygenation only, the disinfecting or fertilizer injectors  74  and the disinfecting or fertilizing cycles, artificial lighting on or off. In addition, control panel  40  includes numerous monitor gauges for temperature, humidity, water pH, water temperature, amount of ozone in air, amount of fertilizer in water in (PPM), amount of disinfecting material in water (PPM), status of periodic disinfecting cycle, electric supply status, water pressure and an automatic inspection of drained water in drainage pan  50  for detection of possible harmful bacteria. 
         [0037]    In the preferred embodiment, manual overrides are provided on control panel  42  whereby on, for example, a weekly basis, a disinfecting cycle is initiated whereby all cartridges  25  are removed from housing  12 . A disinfecting solution is injected by injectors  74  to thoroughly clean and disinfect the interior of housing  12  in about 30 minutes. Cartridges  25  are replaced after the cycle is completed. 
         [0038]    Lastly, computer  70  is provided which is, preferably, connected to the internet and includes software allowing outside parties to generate status reports on machine  10  from anywhere. Further, in the most preferred embodiment, the software can perform its own status checks on machine  10  and report abnormalities to appropriate personnel for correction of the problem. These checks can be made daily or weekly as desired. Further, the results of such checks can be forwarded or accessed by a regulatory agency such as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). 
         [0039]    Although only certain embodiments have been illustrated and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention or from the scope of the appended claims. 
         [0040]    For example, large trays can be used to germinate seeds within apparatus  10  with subsequent movement to net pockets when sprouting. Also, apparatus  10  can be modularized whereby a single water compartment can be shared between a number of plant compartments sharing the same solution. Lastly, the method and concept technology are suitable for growing mini-vegetables, herbs and other product items.