Patent Application
20180310497
In the field of agriculture it is desirable to grow larger quantities of plants in a smaller amount of space, especially when indoors where space is more costly. With prior art techniques plants are often arranged in an array of potting or tray systems.
One method to achieve higher density of plants within a given amount of space is to arrange the plants around a circular apparatus or fixture. Prior art systems may arrange plants around a circular apparatus where the plants grow generally inward toward a central axis. A light source may be arranged along a central axis to provide even light to all the plants during rotation.
However, these prior art systems are limited in several ways. Because plants grow inward they are difficult to service, maintain, and harvest. As plants grow inward, space is increasingly limited which limits the growth potential of the plants as well as the species and size of plants the system can accommodate.
Additionally, the temperature and humidity near the root structure of some kinds of plants must be carefully maintained within tight parameters to achieve maximum harvest yield of the plants, fruits, vegetables, or flowers of the plants. Prior art systems may operate by dipping the root structure in a water solution as the plants are moved around the apparatus, but this may create problems in that the temperature and humidity near the roots is largely dictated by the environment of the growing room. It may be difficult or impossible to for example, maintain the roots at a different temperature than the rest of the room, when using prior art growing systems or techniques.
The present invention solves these problems and others. Having the plants grow generally outward away from a movable cylinder and away from a central axis, the plants continually move into a more open space as they grow. The plants are easy to access by a worker to service, maintain, and harvest. Because a movable cylinder of the present invention may be substantially enclosed, and the roots of the plants may be substantially enclosed within a movable cylinder, the temperature and humidity of the root environment can be more precisely monitored and controlled.
Additionally, a plurality of lights may be arranged around a movable cylinder of the present invention allowing more lights and a variety of different lights as needed for optimal growing of a given kind of plant. Because the movable cylinder of the present invention can be rotated, all plants are able to be exposed to the wavelengths of light produced by one or more different kinds of lights throughout the rotation. Most plants are not negatively affected by short intervals of light and shade as they move throughout the rotation, so this does not pose significant problems when growing many kinds of plants.
Another additional benefit of the present invention is that plants may be installed in a growing system of the present invention as cuttings or clones as they may be sometimes referred to, where the cuttings or clones may have no roots. Using prior art growing systems, a separate cloning machine may be required to sprout roots on a cloned plant, then the cloned plants may need to be removed and transplanted to a different growing location or medium to allow further growth or harvest. This may be stressful for some plants and requires additional labor. Using a growing system of the present invention, plants may be used from cutting or clone stage all the way through to harvest of final product without removing plants from a growing system of the present invention.
The present invention relates generally to agriculture. More specifically, the present invention is a growing system which uses a movable cylinder to support and water various plants via hydroponic and aeroponic means that can be used indoors to grow large amounts of plants in a small space.
A more complete understanding of the present invention may be derived by referring to the detailed description and claims when considered in connection with the following illustrative figures. In the following figures, like reference numbers refer to similar elements and steps throughout the figures.
Elements and steps in the figures may be illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been rendered according to any particular sequence. For example, steps that may be performed concurrently or in different order may be illustrated in the figures to hep improve understanding of embodiments of the present invention.
Turning now to the drawings, several exemplary embodiments of the present invention are considered. One skilled in the art of plastic enclosure fabrication, basic mechanical knowledge, plumbing, and agriculture will be able to understand and create the various embodiments of the present invention. Though an embodiment of the present invention is suggested, it will be clear that other embodiments are possible without deviating from the spirit of the present invention.
The parts may be constructed from various materials as known to one skilled in the art. The materials may include but are not limited to various plastics, metals, composites, or wood. Best mode of manufacture may be to fabricate or machine parts from polypropylene sheeting which is commercially available. Polypropylene is easy to work with and machine into various shapes, resists chemicals, and is environmentally friendly. The various parts may be welded together using various means including ultrasonic welding, or the use of a heat gun and plastic welding rod, among other possible methods including but not limited to various kinds of glue, epoxy, or other appropriate adhesive.
Various fasteners such as screws, bolts, washers, nuts, or bushings may be used where appropriate. Various plumbing, piping, or fittings may also be used where appropriate.
Stand off material made be added on the bottom side of a floor portion 306 to allow moving of the growing system 101 by fork lift, pallet jack, or other device.
It is suggested to leave the upper edge of side portions 204 open to allow receiving of a movable portion 201 or movable cylinder 402 from the top. This may allow a worker or lifting mechanism or machine or automated machine to easily and efficiently remove, install, exchange, or replace a movable portion 201 or movable cylinder 402 from the top without moving, draining fluid, or otherwise disturbing a base portion 202. It may be desirable to for example, remove a movable portion 201 or a movable cylinder 402 when plants are ready to harvest, and replace it with a different movable portion 201 or a movable cylinder 402 which may contain no plants or may have freshly installed clones such that substantially uninterrupted operation of a growing system of the present invention may continue with minimal down time.
It is considered by the present invention that a side guard may instead be embodied as one or more spokes extending outward in relation to a central axis 406. Spokes may provide some or all of the benefits and attachment points as a side guard 403 as described herein.
In one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, twelve openings 605 may be arranged along a given facet piece 604, and there may be twelve facet pieces 604 that comprise all or part of a movable cylinder 402. In such an embodiment, it may be possible to grow one hundred forty four individual plants, or one large plant having a common root structure substantially within a movable cylinder 402 having one hundred forty four stems, or any combination there of.
Though various illustrations of various embodiments of the present invention may be drawn with only one or only a few holes 605 populated with plants or mesh baskets 1002 for simplicity, it is considered that under normal operation all holes 605 of a given growing system will normally be populated. Holes 605 that are not populated may be fitted with various examples of a cover, blank, or sealing material so as to substantially close off any not populated holes 605 so a movable cylinder remains substantially water tight along the surface of a movable cylinder.
In one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the outer surface of a cylinder, which may be comprised of several facet pieces 604, may be structurally mounted to a central axis 406 with a material, such as a cylinder end cap 602, which may be fabricated from a plastic or other appropriate material. A cylinder end cap 602 may be affixed to each end of a movable cylinder 402, and may provide one or more of an access opening 606 whereby a worker can inspect, clean, or otherwise access the interior surface of a movable cylinder 402, or the root structure of plants growing in the system. A cylinder end cap 602 may also provide an attachment location for a cylinder drive mechanism 603.
Drain openings 802 may have fitted within drain openings 802 drain extension pieces 702, which may provide a path for moisture drainage out of drain openings 802 and to the outer surface of a side guard 403 via holes 502 in a side guard 403, and wherein drain extension pieces 702 may extend through holes 502 in a side guard 403.
One or more holes 804 may be arranged on cylinder end cap 602 to provide a mounting location for one or more of a side guard 403 or other support mechanism, scaffolding, spokes, mounting bracket, or the like which may facilitate the physical support or guiding of plants growing in the system, lighting or monitoring equipment or the like.
Mesh baskets may have a diameter of approximately three inches, though larger or smaller mesh baskets may be used depending on the size of the plants to be grown using the system. Mesh baskets are commercially available and commonly known and used to those skilled in the art of hydroponics and other methods of plant growing. It is considered that any kind of basket, pot, mounting, fixture, or apparatus which may be more appropriate to a given kind of plant may be used in place of a mesh basket 1002.
A movable cylinder 402 may have an interior space 1316 that is substantially enclosed within a movable cylinder 402 by one or more of a segment assembly 1102, facet pieces 604, cylinder end cap 602, cylinder drive mechanism 603, or another material, assembly, or apparatus, or any combination thereof, which when assembled, may be substantially water tight except for various openings for connections, screws, bolts, a central axis 406, cylinder drive mechanism 603, drain openings 802, and the like. In a similar way a movable cylinder 402 may be substantially water tight when all holes 605 are populated with a various embodiment of a plant, mesh pot, a membrane, or other item or apparatus or cover or plug that, when present, causes a movable cylinder 402 to become substantially water tight. A movable cylinder may have an inner surface 1314 that forms a boundary that is substantially within 1316 a movable cylinder, and a movable cylinder may have an outer surface 1315 that forms a boundary that is substantially outside 1317 the interior 1316 of a movable cylinder 402.
General operation of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may be described as follows. One or more of a facet piece 604, or the outer surface of a movable cylinder 402 may comprise a plurality of openings 605 and may be capable to receive via openings 605 one or more of plants 1302, which may be the same kind of plants or may be different kinds of plants, such that plants extend through at least one of a plurality of openings 605, and wherein at least one plant 1302 is oriented such that the plant mass of a plant generally grows in a direction 1309 away from a central axis 406, and wherein the roots 1306 of a plant 1302 grow substantially toward a central axis 406.
This arrangement may also be described in accordance with one exemplary embodiment of the present invention as follows. One or more of a facet piece 604, or the outer surface of a movable cylinder 402 may comprise a plurality of openings 605 and may be capable to receive via openings 605 one or more of a plant 1302, which may be the same kind of plants or may be different kinds of plants, such that the one or more of a plants extend through at least one of a plurality of openings 605, and wherein at lease one of a plurality of openings 605 is capable of receiving at least one plant 1302, arranged such that a root structure of a plant is contained substantially within a movable cylinder 402 and wherein the plant mass of a plant substantially grows outside the interior of a movable cylinder 402, and wherein a plant mass may comprise a stem 1304, various foliage, leaves, vegetation or harvestable part 1303 of a plant, or any combination thereof.
A plant may be any kind of plant, and may optionally comprise one or more of a fruit, vegetable, flower, nut, or other harvestable part 1303 of a plant. A plant 1302 may comprise a stem 1304. Said stem 1304 may protrude through an opening 605, and may protrude through a membrane 1402. The root structure 1306 of a plant 1303 may connect via a stem 1304. The root structure 1306 of a plant may grow through and entangle with a medium 1405. A medium 1405 may be any of a variety of commercially available or custom fabricated structure appropriate to the kind of plant being grown using the growing system. A medium 1405 may be a loose foam mesh structure that allows a fluid to reach the root structure 1306 and also allows a fluid to drain away from a root structure 1306. An appropriate medium may be that which provides a good balance between physical structure for the a root structure 1306 to grab or secure onto, and yet still provides as much open space as possible for root growth and the exchange of a fluid to and from a root structure 1306. Other possible medium 1405 options may include commercially available products such as Rockwell, commonly used in agriculture, or other products such as aquarium filter media, peat moss, soil, paper, various shapes of stone, rock, plastic, wood, various kinds of shavings, or other growing medium. A medium 1405 may also comprise air, water, vapor, or any combination thereof which may be beneficial to certain kinds of plants grown using the system.
A membrane 1402 may be arranged between a medium 1405 containing basket 1002 and a plant 1302 or the stem 1304 or other part of a plant so that a substantially water tight seal 1403 is achieved between said medium 1405 containing basket 1002 and said plant 1302 or stem 1304 or other part of a plant. This seal may prevent moisture or liquid from inside a movable cylinder 402 from escaping or draining down the stem 1304 of a plant 1302.
A membrane 1402 may also be arranged such that a membrane 1402 creates a substantially water tight seal 1404 between a medium 1405 containing basket 1002 and an opening 605 of a movable cylinder 402.
One example of a membrane may be a common latex balloon. One method of assembly may comprise the steps of filling a mesh basket 1002 with a medium 1405, then stretching a balloon around a mesh basket 1002, then poking the stem 1304 of a non-rooted plant through the balloon, which may be a membrane 1402. Other customized membranes may be fabricated from various materials and of various sizes as appropriate.
Continuing with
A fluid may be allowed to flow inside a central axis 406, wherein a central axis 406 may be a tube. A fluid 1307 may be directed from a central axis or from a secondary conduit at least partially along a central axis, wherein a fluid 1307 may be directed substantially toward the root structure 1306 of at least one of a plant 1302. A fluid 1307 may be disbursed via one or more of a nozzle 1308. Various commercially available nozzles may be used. One or more of a nozzle 1308 may be distributed along a central axis, and may draw a fluid 1307 from the central axis. Depending on the kind of plants being grown in a growing system of the present invention, it may be desirable to use high flow rate directional nozzles, or it may be more beneficial to use atomizing mister nozzles that generate a fog of vapor, which may be used to elevate or control the humidity level within a movable cylinder 402.
A method of growing at least one of a plant may be possible using one or more of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. A method for growing a plant may comprise the steps of: locating at least one part of at least one plant 1302 within at least one of a plurality of openings 305 located on a movable cylinder 402; orienting said at least one plant 1302 such that a root structure 1306 of the at least one plant 1302 is contained substantially within 1316 a movable cylinder 402 and wherein the plant mass 1304, 1303, of the at least one plant 1302 substantially grows outside 1317 the interior 1316 of a movable cylinder 402.
A method of growing at least one of a plant may also comprise the steps of: allowing a fluid 1307 to flow substantially to the interior 1316 of a movable cylinder 402, and wherein a root structure 1306 of at least one plant is provided at least one of a nutrient which may be comprised within said a fluid 1307. The fluid 1307 may be pumped or gravity drained, it may flow down a central axis 406 and may be disbursed via one or more of a nozzle 1308. It is considered also that a fluid 1307 or a gas may be sprayed or otherwise directed substantially into the interior 1316 of a movable cylinder 402 from outside 1317 a movable cylinder 402 through an opening 606, drain holes 802, one or more of a holes 605, or via another opening in a movable cylinder.
A pump 1504 may be a common electrically driven pump or may be other means of pumping including pneumatic, hydraulic, or gravity driven pumps, or human powered pumps such as hand pumps or crank pumps. There may be a connection 1506 between a plumbing connection 1505 and a central axis 402, wherein a connection 1506 may be detachable. A fluid 1502 may be forced through a central axis 402 under pressure from a pump 1504 where it may be disbursed as fluid 1307 via one or more of a nozzle 1308 which may be inside a movable cylinder 402. A pipe cap 1507 may be installed on the opposite end of a central axis 402 to prevent spillage and maintain pressure within a central axis 402. As a fluid 1502 or a fluid 1307 accumulates inside a movable cylinder 402 it may be allowed to drain out of a movable cylinder 402 via one or more holes 802, and may also flow through drain extension pieces 702, and holes 502. The drainage may occur naturally via gravity. A fluid may flow along the outer surface of a side guard 403 where some or all of a fluid may eventually drip via gravity back into a reservoir of a base portion 202 of a growing system 101 of the present invention.
In this way, a given quantity of a fluid 1502 may be substantially continually circulated from a reservoir into a movable cylinder 402 and back into a reservoir for re-use.
A fluid 1502 which may also be the same as fluid 1307 may be a water solution and may contain various chemicals or nutrients or any combination thereof, wherein said water, chemicals, or nutrients may assist the growing, feeding, watering and overall well being of one or more of a plant 1302. Various supporting components may also be installed or used within or in association with various components of a growing system. For example, various filtration units may be installed to clean, purify, aerate, or treat a water source before being introduced into a growing system of the present invention as a liquid 1502. Various float valve devices as would be known to one skilled in the art may be used to continually top off or otherwise maintain the level of a fluid 1502 at a desired level. Additionally, various measurement devices may sample various water quality parameters of a fluid 1502 and may be computer controlled to dose or otherwise add various chemicals or nutrients or both to a fluid 1502.
A computer may control any or all of the parameters of a growing system of the present invention. For example, a computer may monitor various water levels, parameters, flow rates and the like and adjust these automatically as needed depending on the environment, the kind of plant, and the stage of plant growth. A computer may also control the rotational speed of a movable cylinder 402, or any lighting associated with a growing system, or the watering frequency or intensity of watering by controlling a pump 1504.
Having a plurality of a growing system connected and sharing substantially the same fluid 1502 may simplify the process of maintaining various water quality parameters of a fluid 1502, and may make said water quality parameters more stable due to the larger volume of a fluid 1502. It is also considered that yet another reservoir (not illustrated) may be plumed together with one or more of a growing system of the present invention in a similar way which may further increase the volume of a fluid 1502 with similar beneficial results.
It is considered by the present invention that various improvements and alternative embodiments of the present invention may be useful as follows.
In yet another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, it is considered that a mesh pot 1002 or medium 1405 containing mesh pot, or root structure 1306 of a plant, or in any combination thereof may be located substantially outside an outer surface of a movable cylinder 402, either substantially open to the environment or substantially enclosed within another enclosure (not illustrated), and wherein one or more of a hole 605 may be smaller, and may attach either directly or via a fitting, pipe, or tube to the described embodiment of a mesh pot 1002 or medium 1405 containing mesh pot, or root structure 1306 of a plant, or in any combination thereof may be located substantially outside an outer surface of a movable cylinder 402, and whereby a fluid, water, nutrients or any combination thereof may be exchanged with the root structure 1306 of a plant 1302 via one or more of a hole 605. This embodiment may be desirable in that it may reduce the diameter of a movable cylinder 402 and may be more appropriate for the growing of certain kinds of plants.
In yet another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, it is considered that the side and outer surface of a movable cylinder 402 may be substantially perforated or porous or otherwise substantially not water tight. This may allow a fluid 1307 to flow not only onto the root structure 1306 of a plant, but also the stem 1304, plant 1302 or harvestable item 1303 of a plant. This may be beneficial to certain kinds of plants where the entire plant may benefit from regular exposure to a fluid 1307 or 1502.
In yet another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, it is considered that an additional material may be placed over a membrane 1402 on the outer surface of a movable cylinder 402, and wherein may be affixed to the outer surface of a movable cylinder 402 or one or more of a facet piece 604. In said embodiment the additional material may prevent light substantially from reaching a membrane 1402 which may prolong the life of said membrane 1402. In said embodiment if the additional material is ridged, the additional material may provide additional support for a membrane or a mesh basket 1002 or both, and may assist in holding a mesh basket 1002 against a movable cylinder 402 or facet piece 604 such that a seal 1404 is more reliably maintained. It is considered that multiple additional materials may be stacked or layered in a similar way to as to provide substantially the same benefit or other additional benefit to the operation of a growing system of the present invention.
It is considered that a membrane 1402 may be constructed from a variety of materials including but not limited to various forms of rubber, elastic, latex, polymer, plastic, fabric, foam, wood, grommet, or various other synthetic or natural materials that may provide similar functionality. A membrane may be custom molded to fit a given embodiment of the present invention.
In yet another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, it is considered that a fluid 1502 or a fluid 1307 may enter at one end of a movable cylinder 402, while various alternative methods of imparting rotational movement may be attached to the same end or the opposite end of a movable cylinder.
In the foregoing specification, the invention has been described with reference to specific exemplary embodiments. Various modifications and changes may be made, however, without departing from the scope of the present invention as set forth in the claims. The specification and figures may be illustrative, rather than restrictive, and modifications may be intended to be included within the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determined by the claims and their legal equivalents rather than by merely the examples described.
For example, the steps recited in any method or process claims may be executed in any order and may be not limited to the specific order presented in the claims. Additionally, the components and/or elements recited in any apparatus claims may be assembled or otherwise operationally configured in a variety of permutations and may be accordingly not limited to the specific configuration recited in the claims.
Benefits, other advantages and solutions to problems have been described above with regard to particular embodiments; however, any benefit, advantage, solution to a problem or any element that may cause any particular benefit, advantage or solution to occur or to become more pronounced may be not to be construed as critical, required or essential features or components of any or all the claims.
As used herein, the terms “comprise”, “comprises”, “comprising”, “have”, “has”, “having”, “including”, “includes”, “employs”, “employing” or any variation thereof, may be intended to reference a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, composition or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements recited, but may also include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, composition or apparatus. Other combinations and/or modifications of the above-described structures, arrangements, applications, proportions, elements, materials or components used in the practice of the present invention, in addition to those not specifically recited, may be varied or otherwise particularly adapted to specific environments, manufacturing specifications, design parameters or other operating requirements without departing from the general principles of the same.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/491,584 filed Apr. 28, 2017, and incorporates the disclosure of that application by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62491584 | Apr 2017 | US |
