The present disclosure relates to an aeroponic basket system and method of use, and more particularly, an aeroponic basket system and method of use for growing plants, while preventing plant tipping and water escaping the aeroponic basket system.
Aeroponic growing is a method of growing plants (e.g., any flora) suspended in three dimensional space with a specific air or mist environment. Typically, plants are grown in soil, or with hydroponics in water. Aeroponics allow for high density crops to be grown year-round in any climate. Aeroponics reduces the likely hood of disease and bacteria that is common in traditionally grown plants. This is accomplished by precisely controlling various factors, including the water source, the water input and/or the water output, light input, and nutrient content. Aeroponics further minimizes a quantity of water needed to provide for each individual plant, as compared to hydroponics and traditional farming.
Aeroponics require less space and typically uses less resources (e.g., water and added nutrients) than traditional growing methods. In addition to space savings, this method of growing often yields larger and healthier plants in less time than traditionally grown plants.
As illustrated in
Organically growing aeroponic plants 12 has unique challenges as compared to non-organic aeroponics. Traditional media 18 is filled with chemicals that do not comply with organic growing. To overcome this challenge, organic media pods are often used instead of the traditional media. Organic pods are delicate, and do not provide sufficient support to the plant 12, (e.g. less support than the media 18). To produce organic food, the growing process typically utilizes a reusable basket 20 to support of the plant 12. (see
One example embodiment of the present disclosure includes an aeroponic basket system for use in aeroponic plant growth that includes a germination basket having a basket area including at least four sidewalls defining at least four openings, and a base portion, coupled to the at least four sidewalls, the base defining at least one opening, the germination basket comprising compostable material. The germination basket further having an interface lip extending around a periphery of the basket area opposite the base portion, the interface lip configured to interface with an aeroponic plant growth surface, the interface lip comprising a u-shaped channel that extends around a periphery of the basket area, the u-shaped channel oriented toward the base portion. The aeroponic basket system for use in aeroponic plant growth includes an organic germination media configured to be housed within the basket area.
Another example embodiment of the present disclosure includes an aeroponic basket system for use in aeroponic plant growth comprising a germination basket comprising compostable material. The germination basket includes an upper portion and a lower portion, the lower portion having at least four sidewalls defining at least four openings. The at least four sidewalls forming a lower connecting wall, the lower connecting wall coupled to a base wall, the base wall defining at least one base opening. The upper portion includes an interface lip extending around a periphery of the basket area opposite the base wall, the interface lip is configured to interface with an aeroponic plant growth surface. The interface lip includes a u-shaped channel that extends around a periphery of the basket area, the u-shaped channel is oriented toward the base wall, the at least four sidewalls forming an upper connecting wall, the upper connecting wall coupling the interface lip to the at least four sidewalls.
Yet another example embodiment of the present disclosure includes an aeroponic basket system for use in aeroponic plant growth comprising a germination basket comprising a compostable material, the germination basket comprising a lower portion coupled to an upper portion, the lower portion defining a substantially cylindrical shape, the lower portion comprising a basket area. The basket area includes five sidewalls defining five openings, the five sidewalls combining into an upper connecting wall and a lower connecting wall, the lower connecting wall coupled to the upper connecting wall by the five sidewalls, a base wall coupled to the lower connecting wall, the base wall defining a central opening, the germination basket, and at least one water shield coupled to the upper connecting wall and adjacent sidewalls of the five sidewalls, wherein the water shield extends at least partially into at least one of the five openings. The upper portion is coupled to the lower portion by a coupling section supporting at least one retaining lip, the upper portion has a substantially rectangular shape. The upper portion includes an interface lip extending around a periphery of the basket area opposite the base wall. The interface lip is configured to interface with an aeroponic plant growth surface. The interface lip defines a u-shaped channel that extends around a periphery of the basket area, the u-shaped channel oriented toward the base wall. The basket system includes an organic germination media configured to be housed within the basket area.
The foregoing and other features and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent to one skilled in the art to which the present invention relates upon consideration of the following description of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts unless described otherwise throughout the drawings and in which:
Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure.
The apparatus and method components have been represented where appropriate by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present disclosure so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein.
Referring now to the figures generally wherein like numbered features shown therein refer to like elements throughout unless otherwise noted. The present disclosure relates to an aeroponic basket system and method of use, and more particularly, an aeroponic basket system and method of use for growing plants, while preventing plant tipping and water escaping the aeroponic basket system.
The germination basket 102 comprises one or more compostable materials. In one example, the one or more compostable materials are biodegradable materials. In another example embodiment, the compostable material comprises at least one of cellulose, industrial molded pulp, PLA plastic, and/or Spanish moss. This is advantageous as the compostable material is inexpensive, allowing the germination basket to be a single use basket, which helps prevent contamination and eliminates labor involved in basket cleaning of the traditional reusable basket 20. Further, the compostable material is texturized to increase surface area that can retain water and nutrients, that can then be absorbed by the roots 16a of the plant 12. In one example embodiment, the texturized material comprises high surface energy features, such as found in cellulose and/or wood grain. In another example, such as responsive to the compostable material comprising PLA plastic, texture is added to the surface of the compostable material (e.g., during molding, by abrasions, etc.). This increased surface area generates a longer feed time (e.g., time when the roots 16a have access to the nutrients) without actively feeding the plant 12, this also increases time between water cycles, thus reducing overall energy requirements for growth of plants in the aeroponic vertical or horizontal surfaces 10.
The first, second, third, fourth, and fifth growth openings 108a-108e as well as the base opening 112 promotes early stage growth, increased air penetration, improved water penetration, and/or increases yield as compared to the traditional basket 20. For example, the root growth 16a shown in
The first, second, third, fourth, and fifth sidewalls 106a-106e have a sidewall length 114a and the interface lip 104 has a lip width 114b. The sidewall length 114a to the lip width 114b has a stability ratio is between 2:1 to 10:1. The stability ratio prevents tall plants from tipping, while the lip width 114b is configured to securely fit within the aeroponic vertical or horizontal surfaces 10. The germination basket 102 has a basket width 114c, measured at a top portion of the germination basket. The basket width 114c to the lip width 114b has a security ratio is between 1:1 to 7:1. The security ratio secures/locks the interface lip 104 relative to the aeroponic vertical or horizontal surfaces 10, as the interface lip has a width relationship with the germination basket 102 that allows the interface lip to interact with a top surface of the aeroponic vertical or horizontal surfaces to stabilize the germination basket, regardless of a size or weight of the leafy portion 14 of the plant 16.
The interface lip 104 includes a u-shaped channel 116, wherein the channel interacts with a top/outer surface of the aeroponic vertical or horizontal surface 10 to prevent water from evaporating out of the system, as water vapor is caught and retained in the channel. The channel 116 is oriented to face the base wall 110, such that the germination basket 102 rests in an outermost edge 116a of the channel when in use in the aeroponic vertical or horizontal surfaces 10. Further, the interface lip 104 provides an easy gripping point to remove the germination basket 102 from the aeroponic vertical or horizontal surfaces 10, reducing harvest time. Additionally, the interface lip 104, and the u-shaped channel 116 prevent contamination, as the interface lip creates a barrier to entry into the growth space (B).
In the illustrated example embodiment of
Another example embodiment of the germination basket 202 is illustrated in
In one example embodiment, the interface lip 204 extends around at least a portion of the periphery of the basket area 202a opposite the base wall 210. It would be appreciated by one have ordinary skill in the art that there could be greater or fewer than five sidewalls, and five growth openings, and greater than a single base opening. In the illustrated example embodiment, the interface lip 204 is substantially square, however it would be apricated by one of ordinary skill in the art that rectangular, polygonal, ovular and/or circular shapes are contemplated.
As illustrated in the example embodiments of
In the illustrated example embodiment of
In the illustrated embodiment of
As illustrated in
In one example embodiment, the interface lip 204 includes a u-shaped channel 216. The channel 216 is oriented to face the base wall 210, such that the germination basket 202 rests in an outermost edge 216a of the channel when in use in the aeroponic vertical or horizontal surfaces 10. In one example embodiment, a lip length 204a (see
In the illustrated embodiment of
For example, in the illustrated embodiment of
In the example embodiment of
Advantageously, the germination basket 102, 202 comprises one or more compostable materials. This is advantageous as the compostable material is inexpensive, allowing the germination basket to be a single use basket, which helps prevent contamination and eliminates labor involved in basket cleaning of the traditional reusable basket 20. Further, the compostable material is texturized to increase surface area that can retain water and nutrients, that can then be absorbed by the roots 16a of the plant 12. This increased surface area generates a longer feed time (e.g., time when the roots 16a have access to the nutrients) without actively feeding the plant 12, this also increases time between water cycles, thus reducing overall energy requirements for growth of plants in the aeroponic vertical or horizontal surfaces 10.
Further, the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth growth openings 208a-208e as well as the base opening 212 promotes early stage growth, increased air penetration, improved water penetration, and/or increases yield as compared to the traditional basket 20. The water shields 224 retain water to further improve water penetration, while the interface lip 204 in conjunction with the retaining lip 222 help retain water from being lost through evaporation.
In the foregoing specification, specific embodiments have been described. However, one of ordinary skill in the art appreciates that various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure as set forth in the claims below. Accordingly, the specification and figures are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of present teachings.
The benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any element(s) that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as a critical, required, or essential features or elements of any or all the claims. The disclosure is defined solely by the appended claims including any amendments made during the pendency of this application and all equivalents of those claims as issued.
Moreover in this document, relational terms such as first and second, top and bottom, and the like may be used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another entity or action without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “has”, “having,” “includes”, “including,” “contains”, “containing” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises, has, includes, contains a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element proceeded by “comprises . . . a”, “has . . . a”, “includes . . . a”, “contains . . . a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises, has, includes, contains the element. The terms “a” and “an” are defined as one or more unless explicitly stated otherwise herein. The terms “substantially”, “essentially”, “approximately”, “about” or any other version thereof, are defined as being close to as understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. In one non-limiting embodiment the terms are defined to be within for example 10%, in another possible embodiment within 5%, in another possible embodiment within 1%, and in another possible embodiment within 0.5%. The term “coupled” as used herein is defined as connected or in contact either temporarily or permanently, although not necessarily directly and not necessarily mechanically. A device or structure that is “configured” in a certain way is configured in at least that way, but may also be configured in ways that are not listed.
To the extent that the materials for any of the foregoing embodiments or components thereof are not specified, it is to be appreciated that suitable materials would be known by one of ordinary skill in the art for the intended purposes.
The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided to allow the reader to quickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in the foregoing Detailed Description, it can be seen that various features are grouped together in various embodiments for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments require more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of a single disclosed embodiment. Thus the following claims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separately claimed subject matter.
The following application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) to co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/876,184 filed Jul. 19, 2019 entitled AEROPONIC BASKET SYSTEM AND METHOD OF USE. The above-identified provisional application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purpose.
Number | Date | Country | |
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62876184 | Jul 2019 | US |