Abstract:
A business method comprising a step by step procedure for quick, clean and efficient cleaning of hydroponics growing (“Flood”) trays. The method essentially comprises the use of a custom-fitted tray insert of a lightweight material designed to fit inside the much heavier-duty hydroponics growing tray. After the plants are grown, the lightweight insert tray is removed and discarded, thus saving the manual labor of cleaning and sanitizing the heavy-duty growing tray before the next use.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
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     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH 
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     THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT 
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     INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC 
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     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     (1) Field of the Invention 
     The field of the invention is that of hydroponics gardening, specifically for all hydroponic gardening using hydroponic trays, which is well-known in the art. The invention can be used in all trays whether it is a drip system, ebb and flow, aeroponics, etc. For example in ebb and flow, the plants are grown in blocks or small pots filled. The nutrient solution is stored in the reservoir and is pumped up to the tray with a submersible pump through the fill/drain fitting. The pump is controlled with a timer that turns on a few times per day, or often enough to keep the growing media moist all the time. The pump only needs to run long enough to reach the top of the overflow fitting. When the pump turns off the solution flows back down the fill/drain fitting and out the pump. The amount of solution that goes into the tray is controlled by the overflow fitting. Ebb and flow is one of the most reliable and easy to build hydroponic systems. 
     (2) Description of Related Art including information disclosed under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,045,909 “HYDROPONIC NUTRIENT FEEDING AND DRAINING SYSTEM” Registered Sep. 6, 1977 to Moss, discloses: 
     “Hydroponic nutrient solution is fed to a growing bed by means of a pump withdrawing liquid nutrient solution from a supply reservoir located below the bed. The nutrient solution is rapidly drained from the bed when the pump is deenergized through a dump valve having no moving parts which bypasses the solution draining from the bed directly into the supply reservoir. The dump valve consists of a hollow body having at least one drain aperture. A stream of nutrient solution under pressure passes through a nozzle in the inlet of the valve body and is discharged into the outlet of the valve body. When the pump is deenergized, a major portion of the solution draining from the growing bed passes through the aperture and drains directly into the reservoir.” 
     This disclosure is for the “ebb and flow” design, but there is nothing in this patent about a method for cleaning. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,107,875, “GREENHOUSE EQUIPMENT”, registered Aug. 22, 1978, to Bordine, discloses: 
     “An assembly for supplying a nutrient solution, such as water, to plants supported on a greenhouse bench, which retains the solution supplied thereto from a reservoir disposed immediately beneath the bench. A main source of liquid, such as water, is supplied through a main valve to a float-operated valve within the reservoir for maintaining a predetermined level of the solution within the reservoir. Also included is a fluid line interconnecting the bench and a pump disposed within the reservoir whereby the solution may be pumped to the bench through a check valve in the line and which prevents reverse flow. Also attached to the line is a solenoid actuated drain valve which drains the solution from the flooded bench and back into the reservoir. A control timer controls the operation of the main valve and the pump and the solenoid actuated valve to close the main valve and, thereafter, actuate the pump for pumping the solution from the reservoir to the bench for a predetermined period of time after which the solenoid valve is opened to drain the bench back into the reservoir whereupon the main valve is opened allowing the reservoir to be replenished through the float-operated valve. A reservoir is associated with each bench and a plurality of reservoirs are supplied liquid from the main valve whereby the solution in each reservoir bench combination or pair is isolated from the solution of every other reservoir bench combination or pair.” This patent is also related and covers hydroponics methods, but there is nothing in this patent about a method for cleaning. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,908,985, “SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR HYDROPONIC GARDENING”, registered Mar. 20, 1990 to Dowell, discloses: “A hydroponic gardening system includes an apparatus for supporting the growth of selected plants, which apparatus includes a housing having a lower-level nutri-ent tank and a plant support tray with a dual-level aeration chamber therein. Seed germination cubes are positioned on the tray adjacent the aeration chambers, and a uniquely designed capillary mat overlies the floor in both levels of the aeration chamber and underneath the seed germination cubes. End portions of the capillary mat extend down into the nutrient tank. Nutrient is conducted from the tank through the capillary mat to the plant root system which develops and grows in the aeration chambers. While the root system is nourished and moistened by the capillary flow of nutrient fluids from the nutrient tank into the aeration chamber, the structure of the dual-level aeration chamber is such that the roots are maintained in an environment of freely circulating air and conditions of 100 percent humidity.” This patent is also related and covers hydroponics methods, but there is nothing in this patent about a method for cleaning. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,355,618, “IRRIGATION VALVE FOR A CULTNATION TABLE AND RELATED IRRIGATION SYSTEM”, registered Oct. 18, 1994 to Pedersen, discloses: 
     “An irrigation valve adapted to be placed in an inlet pipe for irrigation liquid under a cultivation table for potted plants or the like. The irrigation valve includes a valve housing with an inlet and an outlet as well as a mixing chamber and a nozzle. The valve further includes a lateral opening for enabling an introduction of air to be mixed with the irrigation liquid and for draining of irrigation liquid. A number of the valves may be used in an irrigation plant with one valve being provided under each cultivation table and being activated by a magnetic valve disposed in an inlet pipe for providing water under pressure.” This patent is also related and covers hydroponics equipment, but there is nothing in this patent about a method for cleaning. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,826,374, “HYDROPONIC GARDEN APPARATUS”, registered Oct. 27, 1998 to Baca, discloses: 
     “Automated hydroponic plant growing apparatus for providing an equal supply of nutrient solution, at a controlled rate, to plants in each of a plurality of individual growth chambers, with provision of flow irrigation of each plant in each chamber. The apparatus provides for fully powered, pressurized flow of nutrient solution through separate lines to each growth chamber, and provides for automatic maintenance of equal levels of nutrient solution in the various chambers of the system, having return flow lines for return of any excess accumulation of nutrient solution from anyone growth chamber to the central distribution chamber. Through provision of pressurized flow of nutrient solution to the growth chambers, the system avoids any need to rely even in part on gravity flow of nutrient solution, and so may be used with all components located on a single level, e.g. all resting on a common floor. A Timer controls the pump which pressurizes the nutrient solution flow to the growth chambers, so that nutrient solution will be provided to all of the plants at a desired rate. Return flow lines surround and enclose the lines for flow of nutrient solution to the growth chambers, so as to halve the line clutter associated with these lines.” Again, there is nothing in this patent about a method for cleaning. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention is for a business method in which is disclosed a step by step procedure for quick, clean and efficient cleaning of hydroponics growing (“Flood”) trays. The method essentially comprises the use of a custom-fitted tray insert of a lightweight plastic material designed to overlay the much heavier-duty hydroponics growing tray. After the plants are grown, the lightweight insert tray is removed and discarded, thus saving the manual labor of cleaning and sanitizing the heavy-duty growing tray before the next use. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S) 
       FIG.  1 —shows a top view of a typical hydroponics growing tray, often referred to as a flood tray 
       FIG.  2 —shows a view with a side cutout of a Flood tray and the connectors and reservoir below the flood tray 
       FIG.  3 —shows a view of the physical portion of the cleaning method of the invention with the lightweight insert cleaning tray on top of the usual flood tray 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Reference Numerals 
     
         
         
           
               10 —Flood Tray used by hydroponics growers using an “ebb and flow” setup with continuous water and nutrient supply to the Flood Tray  10 , where the plants are placed and water and nutrients supplied continuously. 
               12 —Base of the Flood Tray  10  that supports the weight of plants and nutrients, usually on a table or other support 
               13 —Flood Tray Sidewall is one of the four sidewalls to the Flood Tray  10  which are raised up from the Base  12  to retain the fluids for the growing plants placed in the Flood Tray(s)  10   
               15 —Raised Plant Support is one of the Raised Plant Supports  15  repeated in rows and columns on the Base  12  of the Flood Tray  10 , upon which a plant can be placed and around which are the Gully Channels  30  which afford the flow of the water and nutrient solution between the Raised Plant Supports  15   
               17 —Input Flow Opening is the opening for an Input Tube  33  supplying the water and nutrient solution to the Flood Tray  10  from the Reservoir  35   
               20 —Output Flow Opening is the opening for the Output Tube  37  from the Flood Tray  10  to the Reservoir  35  with the water and nutrient solution 
               22 —Flood Tray Sidewall Channel is the indentations on the Flood Tray Sidewalls  13   
               25 —End Plant Support Tube Opening is the combination of the raised support and the flat cutout portion on the Base  12  that accommodates both the Input Flow Opening  17  and the Output Flow Opening  20 , and will be at both ends of the long side of the Flood Tray  10   
               27 —Center Plant Support Tube Opening is the same as either End Plant Support Tube Opening  25 , but is square and in the center of the Flood Tray  10   
               28 —Flood Tray Lip is the flat portion at the top of each of the four Flood Tray Sidewalls  13  that are uniformly around the Flood Tray  10 , and which has the Raised Bump  40  as one of its features, which Bump  40  is continuously repeated along the four Flood Tray Sidewalls  13  so as to provide extra support for the Flood Tray Sidewalls  13  and to retain slight overflows of fluids 
               30 —Gully Channel which are the flat channels between the Raised Plant Supports  15  that afford the flow of the water and nutrient solution between the Raised Plant Supports  15  and the Tube Openings  25 ,  27   
               33 —Input Tube supplying the water and nutrient solution to the Flood Tray  10  from the Reservoir  35   
               35 —Reservoir with the stored source for growing the plants with the water and nutrient solution 
               37 —Output Tube from the Flood Tray  10  to the Reservoir  35  with the flow of water and nutrients solution 
               40 —Raised Bump is a feature of the Flood Tray Sidewalls  13 , which Bump  40  is continuously repeated along the four Flood Tray Sidewalls  13  so as to provide extra support for the Flood Tray Sidewalls  13  and to retain slight overflows of fluids 
               45 —Pump is the electric pump which pumps the nutrient and water solution from the reservoir  35  into the flood tray  10   
               50 —Lightweight Insert Cleaning Tray is the feature of the invention used to clean the Flood Tray  10 , and is configured identically, but slightly smaller than the Flood Tray  10 , so as to be form-fitting when placed on top of the Flood Tray  10  prior to planting. Also, it is made of a much less expensive material than the usual flood tray  10  so as to be discarded after use. 
           
         
       
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG.  1 —Discloses a view from the top of a typical hydroponics growing tray, often referred to as a flood tray  10 . The flood tray  10  is typically square in shape comprised of: The Base  12  of the Flood Tray  10  that supports the weight of plants and nutrients, usually on a table or other support. The Flood Tray Sidewall  13  is one of the four sidewalls to the Flood Tray  10  which are raised up from the Base  12  to retain the fluids for the growing plants placed in the Flood Tray(s)  10 . The Raised Plant Support  15  is repeated in rows and columns on the Base  12  of the Flood Tray  10 , upon which a plant can be placed and around which are the Gully Channels  30  which afford the flow of the water and nutrient solution between the Raised Plant Supports  15 . The Input Flow Opening  17  s the opening for an Input Tube  33  supplying the water and nutrient solution to the Flood Tray  10  from the Reservoir  35 . The Output Flow Opening  20  is the opening for the Output Tube  37  from the Flood Tray  10  to the Reservoir  35  with the water and nutrient solution. The Flood Tray Sidewall Channel  22  is the indentation on the Flood Tray Sidewalls  13 . The End Plant Support Tube Opening  25  is the combination of the raised support and the flat cutout portion on the Base  12  that accommodates both the Input Flow Opening  17  and the Output Flow Opening  20 , and will be at both ends of the long side of the Flood Tray  10 . The Center Plant Support Tube Opening  27  is the same as either End Plant Support Tube Opening  25 , but is square and in the center of the Flood Tray  10 . The Flood Tray Lip  28  is the flat portion at the top of each of the four Flood Tray Sidewalls  13  that are uniformly around the Flood Tray  10 , and which has the Raised Bump  40  ( FIG. 2 ,  3 ) as one of its features, which Bump  40  ( FIG. 2 ,  3 ) is continuously repeated along the four Flood Tray Sidewalls  13  so as to provide extra support for the Flood Tray Sidewalls  13  and to retain slight overflows of fluids. 
     FIG.  2 —Shows the view with a side cutout of a Flood tray  10  above and the connectors and reservoir  35  below the flood tray. The Flood Tray Sidewall  13  ( FIG. 1 ) is one of the four sidewalls to the Flood Tray  10  which are raised up from the Base  12  to retain the fluids for the growing plants placed in the Flood Tray(s)  10 . The Raised Plant Support  15  ( FIG. 1 ) is repeated in rows and columns on the Base  12  of the Flood Tray  10 , upon which a plant can be placed and around which are the Gully Channels  30  ( FIG. 1 ) which afford the flow of the water and nutrient solution between the Raised Plant Supports  15  ( FIG. 1 ). The Input Tube  33  is connected between the pump  45  and the base  12  of the flood tray  10  and supplies the water and nutrient solution to the Flood Tray  10  from the Reservoir  35 . The Reservoir  35  is the stored source for the water and nutrient solution. The Output Tube  37  is connected from the base  12  of the Flood Tray  10  to the Reservoir  35  affording a flow of water and nutrients solution between them. The Flood Tray Lip  28  is the flat portion at the top of each of the four Flood Tray Sidewalls  13  ( FIG. 1 ) that are uniformly around the Flood Tray  10 , and which has the Raised Bump  40  as one of its features, which Bump  40  is continuously repeated along the four Flood Tray Sidewalls  13  ( FIG. 1 ) so as to provide extra support for the Flood Tray Sidewalls  13  and to retain slight overflows of fluids. 
     FIG.  3 —Shows the view of the physical portion of the cleaning method of the invention with the lightweight insert cleaning tray  50  above the flood tray  10 . The lightweight insert cleaning tray  50  is designed to be identical in all respects with the usual flood tray  10 , except that the lightweight insert cleaning tray  50  is slightly smaller so as to fit snugly inside the usual flood tray  10 , and it is made of a much less expensive material than the usual flood tray  10  so as to be discarded after use.  FIG. 3  shows major features of the lightweight insert cleaning tray including the Raised Bump  40 , the Flood Tray Sidewall  13  and the Flood Tray Lip  28 . 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION METHOD 
     In a typical hydroponics growing scenario, the grower places the plants into the flood tray  10  on the Raised Plant Supports  15  which are repeated in rows and columns on the Base  12  of the Flood Tray  10 , around which plant supports  15 , are the Gully Channels  30  which afford the flow of the water and nutrient solution between the Raised Plant Supports  15 . 
     When the plants are grown, the grower is then faced with the tedious and time-consuming task of cleaning the flood tray  10 , or discarding the expensive flood tray  10  to avoid the work of cleaning it. 
     In the present invention, the time-intensive dirty job of cleaning is eliminated. Instead, using the method of the present invention, before the grower places the plants into the flood tray  10  on the Raised Plant Supports  15 , the grower first inserts the lightweight insert cleaning tray  50  into the flood tray  10 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . 
     With the lightweight insert cleaning tray  50  placed inside the flood tray  10 , the grower then proceeds with all the usual tasks of setting up the flood tray  10  for growing the plants as described and shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , but now all of the operations are performed on the combination of inserted lightweight insert cleaning tray  50  which is inside the flood tray  10  and said combination can be treated as a single flood tray  10  would have been treated for growing purposes. 
     The difference with the present invention method is now in the cleaning and reuse of the flood tray  10  phase. Here, the lightweight insert cleaning tray  50  that was placed inside the flood tray  10  at the start of the growing phase, is now removed and discarded. The grower then starts a new growing phase by repeating the steps for the growing phase as before, but this time the grower starts with a fresh lightweight insert cleaning tray  50  and re-uses the more expensive flood tray  10 .