Patent Application
20230270063
The embodiments described herein relate to an apparatus, system and methods for a rotary garden grow apparatus, system and methods for growing plants. More specifically they relate to an apparatus for rotary gardening that facilitates the growth of multiple plants on a commercial scale and to related systems and methods. The embodiments further relate to accessories including a removable growing tray for use in a rotary garden apparatus and related systems and methods for use of the removable tray in the growing system. The removable growing tray has a removable cover which in one embodiment is in the nature of a gasket that mounts on top of the growing tray. The embodiments described herein also relate to a grow light for plants grown in a rotary garden grow apparatus.
The use of indoor commercial gardening systems is an effective method for growing plants on a commercial scale. The growth of a large number of plants per unit area of a growing facility is maximized when more plants can be grown in a defined area. Furthermore, the use of indoor commercial gardening apparatus, methods and systems allows for greater control of growing conditions. Standardized or controlled growing conditions can contribute to faster plant growth and healthier plants.
Given that indoor growing facilities can be costly, space saving systems help maximize the quantity of plants grown in an indoor grow facility. Rotating gardening systems are described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 7,181,886 (Bourgoin et al.) and U.S. Pat. No. 7,730,663 (Souvlos et al.) and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/883,156 (Gallant).
Existing gardening systems often require access to trays or components from many sides of the apparatus thereby preventing the rotary garden units from being placed side-by-side or against a wall without leaving space around the apparatus. There is a need for rotary gardening apparatus, methods and systems which are primarily accessed from one end. Front access allows two or more units to be placed closely side-by-side without space between or against or beside a wall, thereby conserving floor space and allowing more units to be placed in a grow facility.
Any reference herein to known prior art does not, unless the contrary indication appears, constitute an admission that such prior art is commonly known by those skilled in the art to which the invention relates, at the priority date of this application.
A rotary garden apparatus is disclosed which, when in use, is accessed from the front during routine use and is constructed to permit linear side-by-side arrangements with little or no space between each unit. In addition to conserving valuable grow space, less time is needed to manage the grow systems since the apparatus does not need to be moved and can remain in one position. Units may be mounted on wheels in one embodiment so they can be pulled out for maintenance and repair. In routine day to day use the rotary garden apparatus can abut a wall at the rear without need to be moved during the input and removal of the plants. Grow trays can be withdrawn from the front and filled with new plants or grown plants can be removed.
Grow tray embodiments are taught as part of the rotary apparatus and related systems and methods and also related accessories for the apparatus. In a preferred embodiment grow trays which are slidably positioned in place are taught which may or may not have covers. In a preferred embodiment the cover is in the nature of a gasket which covers the grow tray and comprises openings through which plants can grow. The cover is attachable to the tray and may be permanently attached or removably attached. The cover for a grow tray in some embodiments is considered a separate part or accessory which is sold separately. In other embodiments it may be attached to the grow tray and liftable for plants to be placed in the growing medium of the tray.
In preferred embodiments, the growing trays are mounted along the periphery of a drum which is mounted in a metal frame structure and the frame is substantially rectangular or substantially square in shape. It is recognized that modifications to ellipses, ovals, or other shapes for the frame would also work. It is recognized that the frame need not be restricted to metal; however, a strong frame material is required to withhold the weight of the drum when all the trays are in place containing a full quote of plants. Rectangular or square shapes are preferred in grow rooms as the shapes are more efficient for placing close beside one another or a wall. Advantageously even when placed close to a wall or one another the trays can be removed from the drums without need to move the apparatus thereby allowing a configuration that is most efficient for large growing operations.
Growing trays in some embodiments have improved drainage and water distribution features in an automated rotary gardening apparatus and system including but not limited to one or a plurality of side or end or other openings in the growing trays.
There is provided a rotary garden apparatus for growing plants comprising an open rotatable drum mounted within a structural frame the apparatus comprising an apparatus front end and an apparatus back end, the drum comprising two drum support rings between which a plurality of mounting struts are extended and connected to each drum support ring; the drum further comprising radial support arms attached at a back end of the apparatus extending across a diameter of the drum support ring at the drum back end; the mounting struts comprising a protuberance the protuberance comprising arm portions and the protuberance extending along the mounting strut; the drum further comprising a substantially open drum front end; the substantially open drum front end further comprising an accessible area through the opening is unobstructed by the structural frame; the apparatus further comprising a main gear mounted to the apparatus back end; the apparatus further comprising a feed tray mounted to the structural framework and positioned below the drum; the apparatus further comprising a lower reservoir positioned below the feed tray and the lower reservoir is optionally connected to the frame; wherein the drum rotates within the structural framework passing through the feed tray. The drum support rings can be made of metal or any appropriate material such as a polymer or composite material. The mounting struts can be made of metal or any appropriate material such as a polymer or composite material.
In one embodiment there is provided a removable growing tray for a rotary garden apparatus, the tray being shaped so as to be slidably receivable by supports or struts of a rotary garden apparatus.
In another embodiment the growing trays can be substantially the same length as supports or struts of a rotary garden apparatus.
In another embodiment some but not all of the growing trays are substantially the same length at supports or struts of a rotary garden apparatus.
In another embodiment a rotary garden apparatus is provided with growing trays of different lengths.
In another embodiment growing trays can include at least one groove, furrow, trench or dimple shaped to receive a corresponding protuberance or projection on supports or struts or other mounting means of a rotary garden apparatus.
In another embodiment growing trays can include a projection or protuberance to be received within a corresponding furrow, groove, trench, or dimple on supports, struts or other mounting means of a rotary garden apparatus.
In another embodiment the at least one groove, furrow, trench or dimple can be shaped to cooperatively engage the protuberance or projection to allow the two to engage together or to slidably engage together.
In another embodiment the at least one groove can have a T-shape in cross section.
In another embodiment said protuberance or projection is a T-shape in cross section.
In another embodiment the trays can be substantially square or rectangular in cross section.
In another embodiment the at least one groove, furrow, trench or dimple can be on a one side of the tray and an open slot is present along an opposite side of the tray and the open slot can be adapted to be directed towards the interior of a rotary garden apparatus when mounted thereon.
In a preferred embodiment plants growing in said tray grow through the open slot and are illuminated by light means located on the interior of the rotary garden apparatus.
The growing tray can further include a cover or gasket to close the open slot completely or partially or intermittently.
In another embodiment the cover or gasket includes at least one opening or open portion which aligns with the open slot on the growing tray, in a preferred embodiment.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment the cover or gasket can be impermeable to water, and can be manufactured of rubber or other polymeric material, in preferred embodiments.
In accordance with another embodiment a growing tray can further comprise at least one side opening on at least one side of the tray.
In accordance with another embodiment, the at least one side opening can range in size from about 1.8 cm to about 2.8 cm in dimension in a preferred embodiment.
In accordance with another embodiment, a growing tray can have at least one hydroponic substrate present inside the tray when in use in a rotary garden apparatus or when not in use in a rotary garden apparatus.
In accordance with another embodiment plants, buds, or seeds can be present in at least one hydroponic substrate in a growing tray.
In accordance with another embodiment, plants can grow through an open slot or opening in the growing tray. In accordance with another embodiment, plants can grow through the at least one opening in the cover or gasket which is aligned with the position of the plant in the growing tray.
In accordance with another embodiment there is provided a growing tray cover for closing an opening of a growing tray, the cover having a central portion, and at least one side portion which is adapted to engage at least one formation on a growing tray so that a cover and a growing tray can be assembled together. In accordance with another embodiment the growing tray and the cover are assembled after hydroponic substrate and/or plants, buds or seeds, are present in the growing tray.
In accordance with one embodiment a growing tray cover comprises at least one side portion in one embodiment, and preferably includes two side portions.
In accordance with one embodiment, the at least one side portion may further comprise or alternatively comprise a beveled portion.
In accordance with another aspect, if two side portions are present then the respective beveled sections are oppositely directed so that the base of the cover is wider than the top.
In accordance with another aspect a central portion of a grow tray cover comprises at least one aperture therethrough to allow a plant to grow through.
In accordance with another aspect a central portion of a cover for a grow tray can include a channel section, which can also include the at least one aperture.
In accordance with another aspect a cover for a grow tray is a gasket or in the nature of a gasket covering a side opening in a growing tray to retain moisture in the tray and further comprising one or more openings through which plants rooted in a hydroponic substrate in the growing tray, may grow through.
The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanying Figures. The use of the same reference number in different figures indicates similar or identical elements. Other and further advantages and features will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description when taken together with the accompanying Figures.
For the purpose of illustration, there is shown in the Figures exemplary embodiments exemplifying the embodiments as taught in the detailed description. It is understood that the scope of the present invention as encompassed by the claims and presented in the description, is not limited to the precise arrangements, instrumentalities, or exact depictions shown or illustrated in the Figures. Other embodiments would be understood to persons skilled in the art, having the benefit of this specification, to be operable within the scope of the appended claims.
In the accompanying Figures like reference numerals refer to like or similar parts, in which:
The rotary garden apparatus, accessories, methods and systems comprise various embodiments defined within the scope of the appended claims. Embodiments of the rotary garden apparatus, accessories, methods and systems are described. Other embodiments would be understood to persons skilled in the art, having the benefit of this specification, to be operable within the scope of the appended claims.
The apparatus comprises a free standing framed structure for growing large numbers of plants at the same time. Growing trays are arranged around the circumference or periphery of a central rotating drum mounted on the frame. The growing trays are removable from the front of the rotary garden unit and, in a preferred embodiment, are reusable.
Since the trays and other accessories including light fixtures and light bulbs are replaced from the front of the apparatus a unit can be placed so the rear side is close to a wall or to the back of a second similar device in a back to back arrangement. In addition, one apparatus may be stacked above a second apparatus. The arrangement permits each apparatus to be arranged in multiple groupings without having to leave space between one unit and the next when lined up beside one another so long as the front of each apparatus is accessible to permit insertion and removal of the growing trays and other accessories.
The arrangement of the units side by side, back to back, or against a wall beneficially permits an increased number of units, and therefore plants, per square foot of floor space as compared to systems accessed from the side for example. Commercial growing of plants is facilitated by placement on the apparatus of access points and controls at the front of the unit since routine access to the back or rear of the apparatus is not required for day to day use of the rotary garden apparatus. Access to the back is possible for repair or maintenance on an as needed basis; however, the routine daily activities surrounding the replaceable and reusable accessories and parts for plant growth may be completed by accessing the front of the apparatus only.
This allows the apparatus to be backed against a wall and one apparatus can be placed directly beside the next without much space between each apparatus. A central aisle between rows permits the necessary access to each rotary garden apparatus (each unit) from the front. These various configurations larger configurations or arrangements of units within a growing facility.
Each apparatus comprises a plurality of grow trays which are removably mountable on the drum. The trays rotate as the drum turns at a rate of rotation determined by the user suitable to keep the plants fed and watered during the growing period for each plant or plant cycle.
Feeding and watering of the plants is automated. In one embodiment a water and nutrient solution feed tray is placed under the drum. As the apparatus rotates around a central axis each tray of plants dips into and passes through a nutrient solution in the feed tray and receives nutrients and water if present in the feed tray. In one embodiment the drum rotates continuously but the feed tray may be filled or drained at various times.
Each rotary garden apparatus, when in use, rotates at a rotational speed that is determined to be optimal for the type of plant and the number of plants growing in the unit. The duration for one rotation of the device in turn controls how long a tray of plants is exposed to the nutrient solution in the feed tray assuming the apparatus is rotating at a constant speed. The programming of the rotational speed can control the length of time a row of plants is exposed to the nutrient feeding solution and is changeable if needed depending on, for example, plant type and nutrient solution composition and/or concentration. In other embodiments the rate of rotation is programmed to be either a fixed rate or a variable rate and may be controlled by buttons in a control unit.
Each apparatus comprises a plurality of placements for growing trays which will hold the plants in position during the plant growing time in the rotary garden apparatus. The growing trays are linear. An opening extends along the top of the growing tray through which the plants grow. The opening may be continuous or discontinuous. The growing trays are filled with a suitable hydroponic substrate and one or more plants are placed, spaced apart, in the substrate.
In a preferred embodiment a suitable hydroponic substrate is a rockwool cube in which the plant growth may have been previously commenced; however, one skilled in the art would appreciate that other hydroponic substrates would also work. Rockwool or stonewool is made from rock that has been melted and spun into fibrous cubes or growing slabs for use as hydroponic substrate in hydroponic growing systems. Rockwool provides roots with a foundation in which to grow and receive nourishment hydroponically. Rockwool is one preferred embodiment which provides roots with a supportive growing environment together with good balance of water and oxygen retained in the substrate from which the plant roots will draw the necessary water and nutrients for growth. Rockwool cube hydroponic substrates are preferred for use in the rotary garden apparatus but others as described would also work. The composition of a suitable substrate permits the cube or growing slab to be saturated with water or other nutrient solution, retain the solution in the rockwool cube fibrous network while permitting excess solution to drain away providing retained moisture to feed the plant by way of the roots which are contained in the substrate.
One skilled in the art would appreciate that there are many other suitable hydroponic substrates which could be used in the present invention as described. In a preferred embodiment the substrate is formed to fit the interior holding space of the grow tray. In a preferred embodiment there are multiple substrate cubes which can be slid or pushed into the tray forming a line along the length of the linear grow tray. The size of the trays can vary with the size of the device; however, it is appreciated that trays may be different lengths and more than one tray may be present in a given slot.
Alternative hydroponic substrates are known in the art and suitable choices would be known to one skilled in the art including without limitation perlite, vermiculite, expanded clay pellets, hydroton clay, polished stones of suitable size, sand, gravel, sawdust, lava rock, absorbing polymer crystals, oasis cubes, Growstone™ hydroponic substrate and rice hulls in addition rockwool and stonewool. The hydroponic substrate is formed into a suitable growing cube or growing slab which is fitted into a growing tray of the rotary garden apparatus.
In a preferred embodiment rockwool cubes are used for as a suitable hydroponic substrate in which the plants grow. The rockwool cube can slide into the growing tray, be pushed along the length of the growing tray or placed inside at appropriate intervals. The plants may be seeded into the rockwool cube either before or after the cube is placed in the growing tray. Alternatively, the plants have begun to grow the cube is placed into the growing tray.
A plurality of rockwool cubes may be fit into a tray by sliding or pushing the cubes into the tray until they completely or partially fill the tray. Depending on the purpose of the plant and how the plant grows the cubes can be spaced apart within the growing tray or pushed close to one another. To maximize the number of cubes per tray the rockwool cubes would be pushed together until the tray is full. In a preferred embodiment each growing tray can accept up to about one dozen cubes when completely filled but shorter or longer lengths are possible.
Each rockwool cube, or other suitable hydroponic substrate unit, contains one or more plants. The rockwool cube substrate or other suitable hydroponic substrate containing the one or more plants expands when exposed to fluids such as a water and/or a nutrient solution thereby absorbing the fluid into the substrate and retaining the fluid in the substrate from which the plant will grow. The plant roots are contained within the substrate and the plant stem and leaves will grow out of the substrate through the opening in the tray.
As the rotary garden grow apparatus rotates the growing tray holding the rockwool cubes passes through the nutrient solution contained in the feed tray and then as the tray exits the nutrient solution in the feed tray the growing tray will tilt and excess nutrient solution from the hydroponic substrate will drip back into the nutrient solution in the feed tray where it can be reused by other plants passing through the nutrient solution as each tray rotates through the feed tray.
The tray in one embodiment is long and linear and made out of a solid material such as aluminum or a sturdy plastic or flexible plastic which is sufficiently lightweight to be handled and lifted by persons who load and unload the growing trays from the apparatus. In a preferred embodiment each tray holding the rockwool cubes or other hydroponic substrate containing the plants has one or more holes located along one or both sides of the growing tray. The additional hole or holes in sides of the tray permit nutrient solution to reach the middle of the tray and penetrate the rockwool cube or other suitable hydroponic substrate present in the middle of the growing tray more fully than if the solution must travel along the interior of the tray to reach the middle. One or more holes in one or more sides of the tray also enhance and render more effective drainage of excess solution. One or more holes in the side of a growing tray allows a nutrient solution to more evenly reach each of the plants growing in its own rockwool cube or hydroponic substrate along the length of the tray.
One or more holes located in one or more sides of the growing tray also permit more consistent drainage of excess water from the growing tray and from the substrate contained within the tray.
When a tray is fully loaded with the plants in the hydroponic substrate there will be some gaps between the rockwool cubes or other hydroponic substrate. Water and nutrient solution can also travel along these gaps but there may be unevenness with the plants located at the ends of the tray being exposed more fully to the water and nutrient solution than the plants position in the middle of the growing tray. Accordingly one or more holes in one or both sides of the tray permit improved distribution of the fluid solution (s) and the plants positioned in the middle of the tray are more likely to receive exposure to the water and nutrients more evenly along the length of the growing tray and plants in the middle of less likely to dry out while plants at the ends are still moist.
A distribution of at least one hole on at least one side of a growing tray permits the nutrient solution to more effectively nourish the plants in the rockwool cubes located in the central or middle portion of the tray. In a more preferred embodiment, a plurality of holes are spaced apart along the length of the tray spaced to be coincident or beside each plant substrate. In a preferred embodiment a linear arrangement of spaced openings are placed on one or both sides of the growing tray.
In the absence of the holes the plants located in hydroponic substrate in the centre or middle portion of a grow tray must rely on the nutrient solution transferring along the length of the tray from each end. In the preferred embodiment a series of openings are present in the side of the tray thereby permitting water or a nutrient solution to enter the tray at each of the rockwool cubes located along the tray length. Accordingly, a plurality of holes spaced apart along the length of the tray allow for a more balanced distribution of nutrient solution both entering the growing tray and exiting the growing tray.
During one rotation of the drum of the rotary garden apparatus a tray may be exposed to the nutrient solution in the feed tray for about 5 minutes although the timing can be adjusted based on the type of plant and the desired rotational speed by way of a control panel and electronics.
The openings in the side or sides of the tray allow for longer trays to be used thereby increasing the number of plants which can be contained in each tray; however, even with shorter trays (in a smaller scale apparatus) holes will assist with more even wetting and/or draining of the substrate. Each plant still receives sufficient nutrient solution for effective plant growth as well as release of excess water along the length of the tray. Mold growth or other spoilage of the plant by overwatering of the substrate is minimized by the improved drainage. Although holes in the side of the tray are not required for the plants to grow, they are a preferred embodiment for these reasons, for example. Shorter trays or longer trays may be used and the number of holes adjusted accordingly.
In one embodiment after the grow tray has been loaded with rockwool cubes containing the plants a cover with individual openings for each plant is placed over the gap in the top of the tray. In a preferred embodiment the cover is in the form of a gasket. In one embodiment the gasket is flexible and impermeable to light and water. In one embodiment the gasket is filled along the edges of the opening on the top of the growing tray. Holes are provided in the cover through which plants can grow. Stabilized in a hydroponic substrate, the plants grow through the opening in the grow tray and through a hole in the cover. To minimize moisture loss through the opening the gasket is fitted over the opening still permitting the growing plants to be exposed to light and fluids through the holes.
In another embodiment the tray is molded so the top is solid and openings have been provided for plants to grow through.
In a preferred embodiment a shaped flexible strip in the nature of a gasket for example covers the entire length of the opening along the top of the tray through which the plants grow. The flexible gasket is mounted on the edges of the growing tray. The edges are turned in one embodiment and the gasket is removably fitted over the turned edges. Holes in the gasket are positioned so plants can grow through the gasket holes. The gasket cover assists in moisture retention within the hydroponic substrate contained in the growing tray. The gasket also has a benefit of preventing dripping from the growing tray while it is rotating. Another benefit is light is restricted from getting to the roots of the plant.
A cover such as the preferred flexible gasket which is placed along the opening in the top of the tray provides an additional benefit of reducing the amount of light penetration onto the hydroponic substrate such as the rockwool cube and helps to prevent drying. The plant is exposed to the light as it extends beyond the gasket but the hydroponic substrate does not get the same amount of light exposure as it is protected by the cover. This reduces the exposure of the hydroponic substrate and plant roots therein to light thereby reducing the detrimental effects of light on the substrate and/or plant roots such as growth of algae.
In a preferred embodiment the length of the growing tray cover is matched to the length of the growing tray in a single flexible rubber strip and a hole is placed in the cover to align with each rockwool cube contained in the growing tray. The plants are positioned in the tray so when the gasket is placed over top the plants can extend through the holes in the cover. The gasket may also help reduce shifting of the substrate in the growing tray as the drum rotates.
The frame is made of a strong material such as powder coated steel and provides a solid structure on which the drum is rotatably mounted to or within the frame. The drum is located approximately in the middle of the frame and does not extend beyond the sides of the frame in a preferred embodiment. Attached to a main gear at the rear of the structural frame the drum rotates as the main gear turns. The gear is located at one end of the apparatus and radial support bars extend from the gear connecting the gear to a metal ring at the end of the drum. In a preferred embodiment the radial support arms of the drum are located at the rear of the drum and the main gear is located in a preferred embodiment centrally close to the radial support arms of the drum. In a preferred embodiment the main gear is mounted on the interior of the frame.
The other end of the drum has no support bars and is open to allow the plant growing trays to be inserted along the circumference of the drum. The opening may be fully open or partially open so long as the opening permits the user to insert the tray in and out of the drum on which it is mounted. The space required in front of the apparatus to permit insertion and removal of the tray will depend on the length of the trays. In some embodiments there may be two or more shorter trays which abut in the same slot or one longer tray.
The drum comprises two metal rings, one at each end, which are connected by metal bars called struts or bars or tray mounting struts or tray mounting bars. The struts are shaped to receive the plant growing trays. The trays are shaped to be inserted into or removed from the struts by sliding. A preferred embodiment is illustrated in
A nutrient growing solution is pumped in and out of a lower reservoir which sits beneath the feed tray. The feed tray must be deep enough to receive the entire grow tray as it passes through the feed tray nutrient solution as the drum rotates. In a preferred embodiment the tray is fully submerged as it passes through the nutrient solution in the feed tray. One skilled in the art would appreciate that the tray must pass through the nutrient solution at a depth and for a time period that sufficiently wets the hydroponic substrate holding the plant.
With full or sufficient submersion of each tray as it rotates, the opportunity for the nutrient solution to enter through the ends of the tray and through the openings of the tray if openings are present, is maximized. As the tray completes its pass through the feed tray of nutrient solution the additional fluids will drip back into the tray therefore draining the substrate through the openings and holes.
While the drum rotates continuously the user can control when water and other nutrient solutions are present in the feed tray. The rate of pumping fluid can be controlled to fill the feed tray so that the plants will have sufficient water or other nutrient solution to wet the hydroponic substrate in which they are growing in the tray. If too much fluid enters into the feed tray an overflow valve permits the fluid to drain to avoid overflowing the feed tray. Once a full rotation of the device is completed the pump is turned off and any fluid remaining in the feed tray drains into the lower reservoir where it is kept until the next time the plants require watering and/or feeding.
The user can control how frequently the plants are watered or fed depending on the stage of growth of the plant.
When positioned on the strut of the drum the top of the tray points substantially inwardly towards the central open space of the drum with the plants extending towards the light fixture in a central open space in the centre of the drum. The tray stays in this position and does not swing when mounted on the mounting strut. It is the rotation of the drum which causes the tray to pass through the solution.
A light source is located centrally in the apparatus around which the drum rotates. In a preferred embodiment a light fixture is the light source and is positioned in about the middle of the central portion of the drum. The light fixture is secured to at least one end of the frame of the apparatus extending from the back of the drum through the middle of the drum to the front of the drum thereby providing light illumination to all the plants when in use. In a preferred embodiment the spacing between the light source and the trays which contain the plants is ranges from 18 inches to 24 inches.
The light source in a preferred embodiment is a series of bulbs contained within a glass tube or sleeve. The glass tube is an air tube and the bulbs lie within the tube on a holder. The number of bulbs can be varied depending on the type of bulb and the type of light required for growing the plants. In one embodiment the bulbs are double ended 600 W HPS bulbs. In another embodiment the bulbs may be ceramic metal halide bulbs. In another embodiment the bulbs may be LED bulbs. In an LED embodiment the bulb may be one long bulb. In other embodiments multiple bulbs may be used in the light source.
In a preferred embodiment four double ended 600 W HPS bulbs are positioned inside a glass tube. The bulbs are held in a holder that rests inside the tube. The holder has one or more power connections running from the light source to a control panel. The control panel is preferentially located on the front of the apparatus so it is readily accessible and the bulbs can be changed from the front of the unit. In one embodiment each bulb has its own power cord. The ballast for the bulbs is digital and the ballast is also located in the control panel on the front of the apparatus so it can be replaced without having to move the unit.
The light source is contained within a transparent enclosure or box. The light source can be accessed from the front of the apparatus through which a door opens into the enclosure. The bulbs can be removed or replaced through this access point. In a preferred embodiment the light source is a double-ended high pressure sodium bulb. In a preferred embodiment there are four bulbs.
When in use, the light source will generate heat which should be dispersed. An example of a mechanism for dispersing heat from the light is to connect the glass air tube to an exhaust mechanism. An exhaust system located at the front and back of the apparatus provides ventilation inlet and outlet pipes permitting heat generated to flow away from the light source through the outlet pipe as one example of an exhaust mechanism. A fan connects to an inlet pipe in this example, which carries air towards the light source and an outlet pipe which carries air away from the light source. Separate fans may be mounted directly on the inlet and/or outlet pipes as illustrated in
A control box and power supply are connected to the apparatus and provide the power to the gear which turns the drum within the frame of the apparatus. The rate of rotation is controlled by the control box. The control box can also control the pumping of fluids from a lower reservoir into a feed tray.
In the embodiments depicted in the Figures the lower reservoir is a tray that rests on the floor beneath the apparatus with the feed tray positioned above. The pump is not shown. In the specific embodiment depicted the tray is approximately the same area as the area the apparatus occupies between the vertical legs when standing on the floor. The tray is sized so that it can be removed by pulling it out from under the apparatus and replaced with a new tray. For example, when the nutrient solution is no longer intended to be re-used and most be disposed. Fresh nutrient solution can fill a replacement tray. Alternatively, a centralized system of feeding is another option.
In the Figures embodiments of the rotary garden apparatus are further taught. Figure one illustrates one embodiment of a rotary garden growing apparatus from a front-side perspective view.
Turning to the Figures, in
The rotary growing garden growing apparatus 10 has a feed tray 34 located beneath drum 12 and above lower reservoir 32. In the feed tray 34 there is a molded part which has an overflow drain in it which comprises a valve or other suitable mechanism. Water and/or nutritional solutions for feeding and watering the plants are pumped into the feed tray from an external source outside of the apparatus per se. The water or other nutritional solutions is pumped in one embodiment from a separate holding tank located within the facility housing the apparatus which may work in connection with a supply line to each of the apparatus units housed in the facility.
A submersible water pump, not illustrated, located in or connected to the holding tank can pump the water or other solutions into the feed tray 34. It may be a manual, mechanical or electronic system or a combination. When the water or nutritional solutions reach a certain level in the feed tray 34 the overflow will drain through drain 35 back into the lower reservoir 32 or other reservoir.
A lower reservoir 32 is positioned under apparatus 10. In one embodiment the lower reservoir is free standing and is positioned beneath feed tray 34. In another embodiment, not illustrated, a lower reservoir is attached to the apparatus in a position below the feed tray. In another embodiment, not illustrated, a separate reservoir is provided in the form of a holding tank located in the same facility as the growing apparatus. In another embodiment, a single lower reservoir extends beneath two or more units. A lower reservoir houses the fluids for feeding, watering and nourishing the plants. It is a larger reservoir than the feed tray and fluids in the lower reservoir are pumped from the lower reservoir to the feed tray in one embodiment. Other mechanical methods for moving fluids from the lower reservoir to the upped reservoir may include manual transfers of fluids or pressurized systems.
At either end of the apparatus inlet piping 42 and outlet piping 44 are located at the front and the back of the apparatus respectively. The piping provides airflow across and through the lighting means located in the centre of drum 12. The light fixture(s) or lamp(s) can be of various kinds all of which are suitable for providing the necessary light for plant growth. In
The ends of the sleeve 40 are juxtaposed with the inlet and output pipes at the front and back of the apparatus to inlet piping 42 and outlet piping 44 respectively. Air flow entering inlet pipe 42 travels along the sleeve containing the light fixtures and exits from outlet pipe 42 moving heat with it. The light fixtures will heat up during use and the air flow across and around the light fixtures within the glass tube or sleeve cools the light fixture or lamps by removing excess heat from the unit. The heat therefore does not build up in the sleeve, tube, drum, or in the apparatus as a whole and temperatures in the areas of the growing plants is better controlled.
The sleeve must be designed to permit light to exit from the sleeve and reach the growing plants. In the illustrated embodiment the drum is substantially in the shape of a right circular cylinder. The plants are positioned in growing trays mounted all along the periphery of a barrel of the drum. The drum rotates around the light fixture(s) in the middle of the drum positioned within sleeve 40 substantially along the centre line of the cylindrical drum 12. The sleeve allows the light from the lamps contained within to escape either by transparency or translucency.
At the front of the apparatus access is provided through inlet piping 42 thereby permitting replacement of light bulbs and light fixtures for routine maintenance through the front of the rotary gardening apparatus. Routine maintenance of the rotary garden device is therefore possible all through the front of the apparatus.
As illustrated in
In a preferred embodiment the drum component 12 does not have an exterior surface. It has a front metal ring 14a and a back metal ring 14b connected by a plurality of mounting support strut bars on which growing trays may be mounted. In a preferred embodiment the growing trays slide along a t-shaped protuberance extending from the strut which is an integral part of the strut. The struts are secured to the metal rings 14a and 14b.
In one embodiment the front metal ring 14a and the back metal ring 14b are made of cast aluminum, the mounting bars (struts) are made of extruded aluminum, and the growing trays are made of a suitable plastic.
In another embodiment, not illustrated, the peripheral surface of the cylindrical rotating drum component may be solid with the trays sliding directly on to the drum. A solid drum may or may not be open to the light depending on whether it allows light through the drum surface.
As illustrated in
Drum 12 is mounted so it rests on moveable wheels 15 which support the drum frame when the drum rotates. In one embodiment there is a small wheel 15 mounted at each of four lower corners of the rotary gardening apparatus. The circular metal support rings 14a and 14b are located at each end of the drum 12 and rest on wheels 15 located at four corners of the lower portion of the structural frame 13 of the rotary garden apparatus and providing the surface on which the drum rotates on the wheels. Circular metal ring 14a located at the front of the apparatus 10 and rests on two of the wheels located on either side at the lower front the structural frame of the apparatus in the illustrated embodiment. Similarly, the metal ring 14b located at the back of the apparatus rests on the other two wheels at the lower rear of the apparatus. The positioning of the metal rings 14a and 14b on the wheels 15 is also shown in
Also illustrated in
T-shaped protuberances 21 extending from a mounting support strut metal bar are also illustrated in
The trays 20 are illustrated with opening 204 in the top of growing trays 20 is illustrated without a gasket or other cover in place on the tray. The openings 204 located on the top of growing trays 20 point towards the centre of the drum component of the apparatus where one or more light fixtures may be located. The twenty growing trays are illustrated fully or partially in
Also illustrated in
When the feed tray is filled with a nutrient solution the growing trays and the plants and rockwool cubes contained within the growing trays will pass through the nutrient solution and absorb some of the solution which is retained by the rockwool cube hydroponic substrate. The plants and hydroponic substrate are not illustrated in
The plants in the growing trays will grow towards a light located in the central region of the apparatus and the light is surrounded by the growing plants which are mounted in a growing tray which is mounted in position along the periphery of the drum. As the plants grow they emerge from the opening slit along the top of the growing tray and mature.
In
In
As illustrated in
The mounting struts 22 which extend from metal wheel 14b to metal wheel 14a are seen in this view with a growing tray 20 mounted in strut 22. The connection point between a strut 22 and the metal ring 14b is visible at 25 for example.
Representational ventilation fans are depicted in dot-chain in
When stacked, feet 70 and 72 will abut as illustrated at reference number 75. The feet can be secured together using screws at holes 71.
As seen for example in
In one embodiment there is a control panel present on or within the control box 60 (not illustrated) which is covered by a door to protect the parts. The control panel on the control box controls the rotational speed of the apparatus through present or programmed settings. In one embodiment the rate of rotation is selected using one of three buttons for different rates. In one embodiment the different rotational rates which can be selected are one rotation per hour, one rotation per 20 minutes and one rotation per 5 minutes.
All of the growing trays can be inserted and removed from the unit through the access opening at the front of the unit. As the drum is rotated the trays are accessible through this access opening into the central portion of the drum in the apparatus. In use, a growing tray 20 comprises an opening with an overhang which reciprocally matches a protuberance 21 on a mounting strut 22. In one embodiment the growing tray is substantially the same length as the drum, or slightly shorter in length. As the growing tray slides along the T shaped protuberance 21 extending from the mounting strut the tray 20 is inserted into the drum. The tray comprises a reciprocal opening groove along its base which is fitted to slide along the protuberance. The protuberance extends from the strut in an inverted T shape and the base of the tray slides along it. The base of the tray has openings to match the arms on the inverted T shaped protuberance and this holds it in place. The tray fits snuggly but slides readily and stays in place during rotation without further clips or devices. No additional pins or other mechanisms are need to hold the tray in place.
So that the tray does not extend past the end of the drum there is an abutment mounted at the rear end of the metal strut which the tray will bump against when it is inserted and will not proceed further. It is effectively a means to stop the tray from loading further along the strut. The abutment may be permanent and integral part of the strut or it could be removable and repositioned to accommodate trays of different lengths within the apparatus. In one embodiment the abutment is a round piece of aluminum which extends down from the strut at the rear of the strut. It may be fitted around the T-portion protrusion or it may be located at the end of the T-shaped protuberance extending down from the metal strut. It is positioned securely in place. It may be an aluminum piece that is attached to the strut by a bolt, in a preferred embodiment.
In
Where ever it is used, the word “comprising” is to be understood in its “open” sense, that is, in the sense of “including”, and thus not limited to its “closed” sense, that is the sense of “consisting only of”. A corresponding meaning is to be attributed to the corresponding words “comprise”, “comprised” and “comprises” where they appear.
While the above detailed description has shown, described and identified several novel features of the invention as applied to one or more preferred embodiments, it will be understood that various omissions, substitutions and changes in the form and details of the described and/or illustrated embodiments may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention which is defined by the appended claims.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62668417 | May 2018 | US | |
| 62779645 | Dec 2018 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 16406952 | May 2019 | US |
| Child | 18314957 | US |
