Abstract:
A storable, portable and expandable plant growth system that allows preparation of seed and root media material in a storable state and selective activation through the injection of liquid when germination and growth is desired.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]     This application claims priority to U.S. Ser. No. 60/477,819, filed on Jun. 12, 2003, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0003]     The present invention relates generally to a plant growth system and more specifically to a storable, portable and expandable plant growth system that allows preparation of seed and root media material in a storable state and selective activation through the injection of liquid when germination and growth is desired.  
         [0004]     2. Description of the Prior Art  
         [0005]     Plant growth systems and apparatus are common in many fields that include crop production, germination, tissue culture growth, horticulture and landscape architecture, and specialty growth systems. Although these systems provide for support of plant growth and development, none is appropriate as a storable, portable and expandable apparatus that can be quickly engaged with water and light to grow plants beyond the seedling stage with passively or actively controlled shoot and root environments.  
         [0006]     For productive growth, plants require (at least in a limited manner) controlled temperature, humidity, light, nutrient/water levels and in some cases atmospheric composition. These systems and apparatus may be classified as greenhouses and controlled environment chambers for plant growth, small trays and enclosures for germination and development of seedlings, and coverings and enclosures for outdoor plantings.  
         [0007]     On a large scale, greenhouses and controlled environment chambers typically provide temperature and humidity control, lighting input and have water provisioning within the large growth environment. Some of these large systems are made to be portable on wheels or as small assembly projects (much like tents or temporary structures). These systems may be applicable to indoor or outdoor environments. Some of the supporting capabilities within these environments include sensors (for water level, temperature, humidity and atmospheric composition), heaters and other controlled devices to manipulate and change the environment to some preset level.  
         [0008]     Additional prior structures include stands and displays for plants in addition to other plant propagation support components such as augers, plant structural supports and means of water input. These are typically passive apparatus that require external lighting, but maintain the higher temperature and humidity environments for seeds and younger plants.  
         [0009]     Coverings, structures and enclosures are also available for the protection of plants that are grown outdoors in soil to protect or regulate the environment from extremes. These apparatus provide additive protection to supplement natural environmental factors to minimize adverse variation in temperature, humidity and root water content. Examples include transparent coverings for plants to allow light transmission, but protecting from low temperatures and dry air, plants in tubes and other nursery growing systems.  
         [0010]     While many of the above are satisfactory in certain limited environments for certain limited applications, there is a continuing need for a plant growth system which improves upon the prior art and which provides a storable, portable and expandable plant growth system.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0011]     The present invention provides a plant growth system and more specifically a storable, portable and expandable plant growth system that can be activated for use by adding water and light in a relatively stable air environment relative to temperature, humidity and environmental composition. Through manual or automated maintenance of the system shoot or root environment of the present invention, the plants will grow to full maturity in a controlled environment with improved plant productivity.  
         [0012]     In general, the system of the present invention includes an opaque, transparent or translucent base defining a root volume or chamber which is provided with a root growth media and a means for providing and/or extracting water from the media. The preferred embodiment of the invention also includes a substantially transparent shoot volume or chamber which is selectively connectable to, or positionable relative to, the root volume so that the root and shoot chambers are in substantial alignment. The shoot volume functions to accommodate growth of the shoot when the seeds are activated. Preferably, the shoot volume is expandable from a fully retracted position to a fully expanded position and various positions therebetween to accommodate growth of the shoot and to ensure optimum light to the shoot during the growth cycle. Means are also preferably provided in the shoot volume to control humidity and temperature in the growth chamber.  
         [0013]     Accordingly, because of the expandable characteristic of the system of the present invention, the system can be packaged and stored in its collapsed position anywhere from 50% to 5% or less of its full growth volume. The system is stored dry and has a life expectancy that can exceed one year or more depending upon the seed type, the root media and various other factors. This provides a means of selling and distributing prepackaged gardens or growth systems that include a plant growth assembly, seeds, watering device, root barrier and instructions that can be stored and engaged without significant concern of shelf life. The low volume makes shipment and packaging less expensive and enables users to keep many systems in storage for later use. The systems may be sized from extremely small plant systems to large multiple plant systems and may be used outdoors or indoors for year-round use regardless of climate.  
         [0014]     A preferred embodiment of the system of the present invention also includes a mechanism to fill the root volume with water and/or extract water from the root volume through the same means so that the root volume can be metered for accurate root zone water and aeration levels. The system can also be integrated into automated watering systems which maintain appropriate water and aeration for one or more systems.  
         [0015]     The expandable feature of the shoot or growth chamber includes openings, vents or other means that are adjustable to allow passive exchange of humidity. This allows the humidity levels within the enclosure to increase to levels appropriate for specific plant varieties or stages of growth or to be decreased for certain other plant varieties or stages of plant growth. In addition, the extendable, deployable shoot enclosure can accommodate a wide range of plant heights and breadths and, because of its transparency, allows light transmission through the top and sides of the enclosure. Preferably, access to the plant is provided through the adjustable opening within the shoot chamber, but access can also be provided by removal of the shoot enclosure. The expandability of the shoot chamber also allows the plant to be maintained directly adjacent to the light source throughout the plant&#39;s life cycle, thereby allowing maximum light interception from artificial or natural light sources.  
         [0016]     The system of the preferred embodiment has a variety of applications included, but not limited to, personal gardening, research, education and training, emergency food supply, commercial plant propagation and decoration or plantscaping. Versions of the system of the present invention may also have application for plant growth in space or zero gravity environments and for classrooms and other educational environments. Large scale applications of the system are applicable for larger production of vegetables or other food related crops and may integrate sophisticated monitoring and control systems.  
         [0017]     These and other features of the present invention will become apparent with reference to the drawings, the description of the preferred embodiment and the appended claims. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0018]      FIG. 1  is an isometric view of the plant growth system in accordance with the present invention as shown in its fully collapsed position.  
         [0019]      FIG. 2  is an isometric view of the plant growth system of the present invention in a fully expanded position.  
         [0020]      FIG. 3  is an isometric, partially exploded, view of the root chamber of the system of the present invention.  
         [0021]      FIG. 4  is a view, partially in section, of the root chamber without the root barrier as viewed along the section line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 3 .  
         [0022]      FIG. 5  is a view, partially in section, of the root chamber filled with root growth media and provided with seeds.  
         [0023]      FIG. 6  is an isometric view of the plant growth system in accordance with the present invention showing the shoot growth chamber in its fully expanded position and with the adjustable vent of the growth chamber partially open.  
         [0024]      FIG. 7  is a schematic view of a moisture distribution/extraction system in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0025]      FIG. 8  is an enlarged view showing the means for adjusting the opening of the shoot chamber vent.  
         [0026]      FIG. 9  is a schematic view of a system for automatically controlling environmental conditions in the shoot chamber.  
         [0027]      FIG. 10  is a view, partially in section, of a further embodiment of the base and root chamber of the plant growth system of the present invention. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0028]     With general reference to  FIG. 1-6 , the plant growth system of the preferred embodiment includes a base or root vessel  10 , an expandable shoot chamber  11  and a means  12  for injecting water into or extracting water from the root vessel  10 . In the preferred embodiment, the shoot chamber  11  is selectively connectable to, or positionable relative to, the root vessel  10 , with the chamber  11  and a root chamber  15  of the vessel  10  being substantially aligned, so that seeds that germinate and begin to grow in the root chamber  15  will grow into the shoot chamber  11 .  
         [0029]     With continuing general reference to  FIGS. 1-6  and more specific reference to  FIGS. 3, 4  and  5 , the base or root vessel  10  comprises a tray-like structure having a centrally located recessed area defining a root volume or chamber  15 . In the preferred embodiment, the root volume  15  is defined by the wall portion  16 . The wall portion  16  includes a side wall portion and a bottom wall portion. A substantially planar, laterally extending lip  18  ( FIG. 3 ) is integrally joined with the top edge  17  of the wall portion  16  and extends outwardly therefrom. The peripheral, laterally extending lip  18  includes end lip portions  19  and  20  and side lip portions  21  and  22 . A pair of shoot chamber connection flaps  24  and  25  are hingedly connected respectively to the outer edges of the side lip portions  21  and  22 . These flaps  24  and  25  are designed to be rotated up and over the respective lip portions  21  and  22  to capture a respective bottom edge portion of the shoot chamber  11 , and thus selectively retain or connect the shoot chamber  11  to the base or root vessel  10 .  
         [0030]     In the preferred embodiment, the lip portions  21  and  22  are provided with a pair of outwardly extending projections  26  and the flaps  24  and  25  are provided with corresponding complementary recessed portions  28 . When the flaps  24  and  25  are pivoted upwardly and onto the top surface of the lip portions  21  and  22 , the projections  26  are inserted or snapped into the recessed portions  28  to retain the flaps  24  and  25  relative to the lip portions  21  and  22 . This selectively secures the shoot chamber  11  to the base  10 .  
         [0031]     The base or root vessel  10  also includes a pair of wire clips  29  or other means for retaining the shoot chamber  11  in a collapsed position and in selected expanded positions. The clips  29  include wire, legs  30  which in the preferred embodiment are connected with the base  10 . This connection may be accomplished by extending end portions of the clips  29  through holes in chamber  15  and retaining the clips therein by bending the ends toward one another or by connecting inner ends of the clips  29  to the underside of the lip portions  19  and  20 . The clips  29  also include upwardly and inwardly extending generally U-shaped wire portions  31 . These portions  31  are designed for connection with a portion of the shoot chamber  11  as shown and described below. The clips  29  are designed to be bent outwardly for a limited distance to allow the shoot chamber  11 , or a collapsed portion of the chamber  11 , to pass the clips. When released, these inwardly extending U-shaped portions  31  return to the position shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3  to engage and retain a selected portion of the shoot volume  11  adjacent to and in alignment with the root chamber  15 . This bending movement of the clips  29  may be facilitated by the flexible nature of the lip portions  19  and  20  or by otherwise hingedly connecting the clips  29  to the lip portions  19  and  20 .  
         [0032]     The base or root vessel  10  may be constructed of a variety of materials and may be transparent, translucent or opaque. In the preferred embodiment, the base  10  is constructed of a thin plastic material which can be blow molded, injection molded, or otherwise formed in a single step into the configuration of the base  10 , such as BIPS or RPVC, and with or without UV inhibitors.  
         [0033]     As shown best in  FIGS. 3, 4  and  5 , the root volume  15  is provided with a means for injecting and/or extracting water from the root volume  15 . This means is in the form of the water injection/extraction tube which includes a tube portion  32  positioned within the chamber  15  and a tube portion  34 . The tube portion  34  is in communication with the tube  32  and extends out of the chamber  15  and joins with a connection end  35 . In the preferred embodiment, the tube portion  32  is provided with a plurality of tiny openings to allow for the dispersion or extraction of water from the chamber  15 . Alternatively, the tube portion  32  may be comprised of a soaker tube material without discrete openings. The tube portion  32  may be of any configuration and may be in any position within the chamber  15  as long as it effectively provides water to and/or extracts water from the chamber  15  as desired. As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the tube portion  32  is retained relative to the bottom wall of the chamber  15  by the pair of raised portions  13 , 13 .  
         [0034]     The tube portion  34  joins with, and is in communication with, the tube portion  32 . When assembled, the tube portion  34  extends through a slit  36  between the lip portion  21  and the flap  24  as shown best in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . This permits the flap  24  to be folded onto the lip portion  21  without interfering with the water injection/extraction means  12 . The connection end  35  is connected with a pump or other means such as a syringe to manually or automatically provide water to or extract water from the chamber  15  and the growth media therein.  
         [0035]     If desired, as shown in  FIG. 10 , the means  12  can be connected with a separate water impervious liner  23 . As shown, the liner  23  has a size and configuration similar to the chamber  15  to allow the liner  23  to be inserted within the chamber  15 . In this embodiment, a portion of the tube  34  is connected with an extended lip  27  extending outwardly from one top edge of the liner  23 . When joined with the base  10 , this portion of the tube  34  and the lip  27  extend through the slit  36 . A smaller, outwardly extending lip  33  extends around the remaining top edge of the liner  23 . The liner is preferably formed of a thin, flexible plastic material which may be transparent, translucent or opaque.  
         [0036]     As shown best in  FIG. 5 , the root chamber  15 , or the liner  23  of  FIG. 10 , is provided and filled with growth media  38 . This growth media can be any material which will facilitate the germination and growth of the seeds embedded therein. Examples of such a media include Arcillite combined with Osmocote slow release fertilizer. This is the preferred media. Other possible materials include vermiculite, balkanite, porous clay material, peat, garden soil and common cat litter, among others. When the plant growth system of the present invention is assembled, seeds  39  of a desired plant are embedded in the growth media  38  for future germination and growth. These seeds  39  may be individually positioned within the media or may be provided within the media on a seed tape or the like.  
         [0037]     In certain embodiments as shown best in  FIGS. 3 and 5 , a root or media barrier  40  is provided. This barrier  40  is provided on top of the media  38  as shown in  FIG. 5  and functions to define a root volume that may or may not contain the root media  38  and to limit or otherwise control the light which reaches the seeds and the root system. The root media  38  may be of particulate, foam, peat, or other materials that allow passage of liquid and gas phases. If desired, the root media  38  may be replaced by hydroponic liquid flows that provide sufficient oxygen to the root. The barrier  40  may be provided with one or more holes  41  or slits  42  to allow the sprouts from the seeds  39 , and thus the plants, to grow through the barrier  40  and into the shoot chamber  11 . The barrier  40  can be made of a variety of materials such as, but not limited to, foam, plastic, paperboard or the like. The barrier  40  is preferably opaque.  
         [0038]     As indicated above, the moisture or percentage of water within the chamber  15  can be controlled manually or automatically.  FIG. 7  shows a system by which the moisture within the chamber  15  may be controlled automatically. As shown in  FIG. 7 , a pump  44  is provided to pump water from a water supply  45  to the chamber  15  or to extract water from the chamber  15  and return it to the water supply  45 . The pump  44  may be manually controlled or, if desired, automatically controlled via a controller  46 . The controller  46  may be designed to maintain the pump at a certain preset pressure (either positive or negative) relative to the chamber  15  and the growth media therein. The controller may also control the pump in response to actual moisture conditions within the chamber  15  via a moisture sensor  48 . In general, depending upon the media being utilized and the type of plants which are to be grown in the media, the moisture content within the chamber should be between about 50-80%.  
         [0039]     The shoot volume or chamber  11  in accordance with the preferred embodiment comprises an expandable volume or chamber which may be stored in a fully collapsed position as shown in  FIG. 1  or may be expanded to a fully expanded condition as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 6 , or any partially expanded position in between, during use.  
         [0040]     In the preferred embodiment, the chamber  11  includes an open bottom and a closed top  49  ( FIG. 2 ) and a plurality (preferably four) side walls  50 . If desired, the chamber  11  can also embody a single, continuous side wall configuration such as a cylinder with a circular, elliptical or other shaped cross-section. As shown, in the preferred embodiment, these side walls  50  are pleated to permit the entire shoot chamber  11  to be expanded to accommodate the plant growth within the chamber or collapsed for storage or during non-use. In the preferred embodiment, the bottom pleat at the ends of the side walls  50 , opposite to the top  49 , engage the peripheral lip  18  of the base  10 , with the bottom pleat edges of opposite side walls  50  being captured or sandwiched between the lip portions  21  and  22  and the respective hinged flaps  24  and  25 . The bottom pleat edges of the other opposite side walls  50  are retained relative to the lip  18 , and in particular the lip portions  19  and  20 , by the retaining clips  29 .  
         [0041]     When the shoot chamber  11  is in its fully collapsed position as shown in  FIG. 1 , the retaining clips  29  function to retain the chamber  11  in its collapsed position by extending and clipping over the top  49 . As the chamber  11  is expanded, the clips  29  can be outwardly flexed and then allowed to snap back into retaining position to engage any one of the plurality of pleats along the side walls  50 . This enables the expansion, and thus the size, of the chamber  11  to be manually controlled in response to the plant growth. By minimizing the expansion of the chamber  11  when the shoot is small, the light source can be moved closer to the shoot to facilitate enhanced growth.  
         [0042]     The shoot chamber  11  can be made from a variety of materials. Preferably it is constructed of a thin plastic, substantially transparent material or other material that allows sufficient growth light to reach the shoot within the chamber  11 . The material is also preferably sufficiently stiff to maintain an upright, expanded position. The material should also preferably be such that when external forces are removed, it will tend to assume an expanded, or at least partially expanded, position. Examples of such materials are Mylar or Teflon. Although the preferred embodiment shows pleated side walls  50  as the means for providing an expandable volume or chamber  11 , other means could be utilized as well. Examples include side walls of flat plastic sheets on a roll, support columns filled with air, wire embedded in the bellows walls, or any other deployable structure that enables the shoot chamber to be selectively collapsed and expanded.  
         [0043]     The shoot chamber  11  of the preferred embodiment has an open bottom, however, if desired, a bottom can be provided. Such bottom may have one or more openings which correspond to openings in the barrier  40  ( FIG. 3 ) or with the position of seeds in the chamber  15  to accommodate growth of shoots through such holes.  
         [0044]     As shown best in  FIGS. 2 and 6 , the chamber  11  is provided with a selectively controllable opening or vent  14 . This opening  14  enables the interior of the shoot chamber  11  to be in communication with the ambient environment conditions for the purpose of controlling the temperature, humidity and other environmental conditions within the chamber  11 . Depending upon the ambient temperature and humidity, and the desired temperature and humidity in the chamber  11 , the vent  14  is either closed, or opened to a certain size. Although a variety of structures may be provided to facilitate a controlled opening within the chamber  11 , the structure of the preferred embodiment, as shown best in  FIGS. 6 and 8  includes a pair of wire sections  51 ,  51  connected to separated portions of opposite side walls  50 , a pair of wire sections  52 ,  52  connected with a separated portion of a third side wall  50  and a wire section or other hinge connection at a point  54  on the fourth side wall  50  of the chamber  11 . As shown best in  FIG. 8 , the wire sections  51  and  52  are integral with one another and are joined by a loop  55 . A piece of stiff, but compressible, plastic tubing or other structure  56  extends through the loops  55  as shown to adjust the extent to which the wire sections  52 , 52  are separated from one another. This adjustment is made manually by sliding the tubing  56  through the loops  55 , with the extent of the opening being retained by friction between the tubing  56  and the loops  55 . The relative position of the tubing  56  and the loops  55  defines the size of the opening or vent  14  within the chamber  11 . As indicated, the structure shown in  FIGS. 6 and 8  is but one of many possible structures that can be provided to adjust the opening vent  14  in the chamber  11 . Preferably, however, such means must be capable of providing an adjustable opening or vent within the chamber  11 . Such means must also preferably be near its upper end, to control the temperature, humidity and other environmental conditions within the chamber  11 .  
         [0045]     The manually adjustable vent opening  14  as shown in the embodiment of  FIG. 6  is particularly applicable when the growth system is maintained at a location where the ambient humidity, temperature and other conditions are compatible with the desired environment within the shoot chamber  11 . If the ambient environmental conditions are not compatible, means such as a transport tube or duct  57   a  and  57   b  of  FIG. 9  may be used to introduce the desired atmosphere (humidity, temperature, atmospheric composition, etc.) into, or remove atmosphere from, the chamber  11 . In this case, the vent  14  may be closed. Introduction of desired environmental conditions into the shoot chamber  11  may be done manually or may be done automatically as shown in  FIG. 9 .  
         [0046]      FIG. 9  shows a system in which the environment within the shoot chamber  11  may be automatically controlled for temperature, humidity, composition, and other characteristics. In a preferred embodiment, atmosphere in the shoot chamber  11  is transported or moved from the chamber  11  by a transport duct or tube  57   a . The duct  57   a  enables the shoot environment atmosphere to be transported or moved through or past apparatus  58  that change the temperature, apparatus  59  that change humidity and apparatus  60  that affect or change the atmospheric composition. Preferably, the alternation of the shoot environment passing through the apparatus  58 ,  59  and  60  is controlled by suitable control systems  62 ,  63  and  64  respectively. The movement of the atmosphere from the chamber  11  through the apparatus  58 ,  59  and  60 , and back into the chamber through the duct  57   b  is controlled by the pump or other air movement means  69 .  
         [0047]     The extent to which the atmosphere of the chamber  11  is altered by the apparatus  58 ,  59  and  60  may be controlled by the controllers  62 ,  63  and  64  to maintain the temperature, humidity and other environmental conditions at desired preset levels. Alternatively, the controllers  62 ,  63  and  64  can be connected with sensors  65  located within the chamber  11 . In this case, the environmental conditions of the atmosphere passing through the tube  57  would be controlled in response to the environmental conditions measured by the sensors. Although controllers  62 ,  63  and  64  and the sensors  65  are desired for full automated control, the environmental conditions of the atmosphere passing through the duct  57  may be altered without these elements. Further, if desired, some aspects of the atmospheric change may be skipped by using bypass flow controllers such as those identified by reference character  61  in  FIG. 9 . Such flow controllers  61  may be controlled manually or automatically.  
         [0048]     The system of  FIG. 9  also includes a light source  67  which is integrated within the top of the shoot chamber  11 . This light source may be a conventional growth light, fluorescent light, a plurality of LEDs or any other light source that is conducive to plant growth. The on/off status of the light source  67  as well as the intensity of the light source  67  is controlled by a controller  66 . If desired, the controller  66  may be controlled in response to a light sensor (such as one of the sensors  65 ) to monitor actual light conditions within the shoot chamber environment.  
         [0049]     As illustrated schematically in  FIG. 9 , all of the control systems  62 ,  63 ,  64  and  66  may be integrated, if desired, to a higher level of control  68 . Use of a control such as that shown by reference character  68 , which provides control input to each of the control systems  62 ,  63 ,  64  and  66 , would enable changing of the various atmospheric conditions, and thus control thereof, from remote user inputs or from data obtained from the individual control systems.  
         [0050]     Multiple assemblies such as those shown in  FIGS. 2 and 6  may be linked together with similar or different plant species. These multiple assemblies may be controlled passively or actively through control means and systems such as those shown in  FIGS. 7 and 9 . Also, although not specifically illustrated, multiple root chambers, and related components could be included under a single shoot chamber  11  to maintain separation, if desired, of roots of similar or different plants, while still maintaining the same environmental conditions in the shoot chamber  11 . Similarly, multiple shoot chambers  11  could be positioned over a single base or root chamber  16 .  
         [0051]     Having described the structure of the plant growth system of the present invention in detail, the assembly and use can be understood best as follows.  
         [0052]     First, a base  10  with water dispersion/extraction means provided is filled with root media. Seeds of a desired plant are then dispersed within the root media either individually, on a seed tape or otherwise. If needed or desired, a media or root barrier such as the foam barrier  40  is positioned on top of the media. Utilization of a barrier  40  is particularly desired in zero gravity conditions or in other embodiments where the systems may be tipped upside down or otherwise not retained in a horizontal position. The shoot volume  11  is attached to the base either before or after placing the seeds and retained in its collapsed position by the clips  29 .  
         [0053]     Because the root media is dry, the seeds will not germinate, and thus plant growth will not begin. This enables the entire system to be stored for extended periods of time, up to a year or more, without seed germination.  
         [0054]     When it is desired for the system to be activated, water is supplied to the root growth media through the water dispersion tube  32 . By supplying a pre-selected amount of water or by over watering and then extracting a certain volume of water, the moisture content within the root volume  15  can be controlled.  
         [0055]     As the seed germinates and sprouts, the sprout will grow through the hole  41  or slit  42  in the barrier  40  (if provided) and begin to grow into the shoot chamber  11 . To accommodate this growth, expansion of the shoot chamber  11  may be controlled by use of the clips  29  engaging intermediate pleats, and temperature, humidity and other environmental conditions within the shoot chamber  11  are controlled via the vent  14 . When the shoot is small, the chamber  11  should preferably be in a partially expanded condition. This permits the light source to be as close as possible to the shoot.  
         [0056]     Although the description of the preferred embodiment has been quite specific, it is contemplated that various modifications could be made without deviating from the spirit of the present invention. Accordingly, it is intended that the scope of the present invention be dictated by the appended claims rather than by the description of the preferred embodiment.