Abstract: A hydroponic plant display is that allows consumers to select and harvest fresh produce while shopping at their local market. The display system maintains the health and vitality of the produce until it is selected by the end consumer for harvesting. As such, the display system includes (i) a plant display, (ii) plant growth media that provides a suitable support system for each plant's root structure, and (iii) a moisture and nutrient transport system.

Abstract: A hinged hydroponic tower utilizing an integrated, single-piece hinge member, thereby allowing the tower face plate to move relative to the tower body. In addition to the hinge, the tower utilizes an integrated fastener to hold the face plate in the closed position. A V-shaped groove may be included on either side of the tower, the grooves increasing the efficiency of delivering water and nutrients to the plants via the narrowed rear cavity wall. The V-shaped grooves may also be used as an alignment aid when coupling planters, harvesters, or other equipment to the tower.

Abstract: A multi-piece hydroponic tower utilizing separate tower body and face plate components that are hingeably coupled together, thereby simplifying tower construction as well as tower maintenance. In addition to the hinge, the tower face plate(s) is held in place with a latch, e.g., a snap-fit fastener. A V-shaped groove may be included on either side of the tower, the grooves increasing the efficiency of delivering water and nutrients to the plants via the narrowed rear cavity wall(s). The V-shaped grooves may also be used as an alignment aid when coupling planters, harvesters, or other equipment to the tower.

Abstract: A dual-sided hydroponic tower utilizing separate body and face components coupled together with temporary fasteners. The tower includes a tower body that defines two vertical cavities. Attached to each vertical cavity is a tower face, each tower face including a plurality of plant container compatible cut-outs. By utilizing separate body and face components, the end user is able to easily switch tower face plates in order to adapt the tower to different plant container configurations. The multi-piece tower design also simplifies tower construction as well as tower maintenance between planting cycles.

Abstract: A tower closing apparatus is provided that is configured to simplify the closing of a multi-piece, hinged hydroponic tower. The hydroponic tower closing apparatus utilizes a collection of static and continuously moving components (e.g., motor driven drive rollers, alignment rollers, tower body alignment rollers, face plate manipulation rollers, face closing rollers, etc.) to close a hydroponic tower as it passes through the apparatus. In particular, as the tower is driven through the closing apparatus, a series of face plate manipulation rollers gradually rotate the face plate(s) relative to the tower body, moving the face plate(s) from a fully open position to a partially closed position. Next a series of face closing rollers continue to rotate the face plate(s) from the partially closed position to the fully closed position, forcing the fasteners to latch the face plate(s) into position.

Abstract: A gutter assembly is provided that is configured to collect water passing through a plurality of vertical hydroponic towers, the assembly minimizing leakage while simplifying gutter maintenance. The gutter assembly includes a gutter pipe from which an upper portion has been removed to form a pair of mounting ledges. The gutter assembly also includes a gutter cap that is attached to the gutter pipe via the mounting ledges using a snap fit system.

Abstract: A lighting system is provided that is configured for use with one or more hydroponic towers. The primary component of the lighting system is a light tube that includes one or more LED boards affixed to a central, actively cooled, mounting fixture. The LED boards may be affixed to one side or to multiple sides of the mounting fixture. A tethering system locates each light tube within the hydroponic farming facility, the tethering system configured to (i) allow for thermal expansion and contraction of the light tube, (ii) maintain the desired location of the light tube, (iii) simplify removal of the light tube, (iv) prevent accidental disengagement from the top mounting fixture while still allowing limited movement of the light tube, and (v) allow disengagement from the bottom mounting fixture when undue stress is applied to the light tube.

Abstract: A tower closing apparatus is provided that is configured to simplify the closing of a multi-piece, hinged hydroponic tower. The hydroponic tower closing apparatus utilizes a collection of static and continuously moving components (e.g., motor driven drive rollers, alignment rollers, tower body alignment rollers, face plate manipulation rollers, face closing rollers, etc.) to close a hydroponic tower as it passes through the apparatus. In particular, as the tower is driven through the closing apparatus, a series of face plate manipulation rollers gradually rotate the face plate(s) relative to the tower body, moving the face plate(s) from a fully open position to a partially closed position. Next a series of face closing rollers continue to rotate the face plate(s) from the partially closed position to the fully closed position, forcing the fasteners to latch the face plate(s) into position.

Abstract: A tower opening apparatus is provided that is configured to simplify the opening of a multi-piece, hinged, hydroponic tower. The hydroponic tower opening apparatus utilizes a collection of static and continuously moving components (e.g., motor driven drive rollers, alignment rollers, stationary wedges, longitudinal ramps, etc.) to open a hydroponic tower as it passes through the apparatus. In particular, as the tower is driven through the opening apparatus, the fastener(s) holding the face plate(s) to the tower body is released by a wedge(s). After the fastener(s) is released, the face plate(s) is partially rotated about the tower body, thereby partially opening the tower cavity(s). Next a longitudinal ramp(s) continues to rotate the face plate(s) relative to the tower body, moving the face plate(s) to a fully open position.

Abstract: A hinged hydroponic tower is provided which utilizes an integrated, single-piece hinge member, thereby allowing the tower face plate to move relative to the tower body. In addition to the hinge, the tower utilizes an integrated fastener to hold the face plate in the closed position. A V-shaped groove may be included on either side of the tower, the grooves increasing the efficiency of delivering water and nutrients to the plants via the narrowed rear cavity wall. The V-shaped grooves may also be used as an alignment aid when coupling planters, harvesters, or other equipment to the tower.

Abstract: A plant plug holding unit is provided, the plant plug holding unit including at least one plant plug holder. The plant plug holding unit, which is configured to be inserted into a cut-out in a hydroponic tower face plate, includes an edge member that encircles the unit and is sealed to the rear surface of the front tower face. Each individual plant plug holder of the plant plug holding unit includes (i) a base member configured to support a plant plug and which extends rearward from the edge member and into the hydroponic tower cavity; (ii) a top shroud member that inhibits leakage as well as plug erosion; (iii) a pair of side members that maintain the position of the plant plug within the plug holder; and (iv) a plurality of open regions configured to promote water drainage from the plant plug.

Abstract: A plant harvesting system is provided for use with a vertical hydroponic tower, the hydroponic tower containing a plurality of vertically aligned plants. The harvesting system includes a payload transport system and a harvester. The payload transport system, which is configured to be positioned at a location adjacent to the hydroponic tower, includes a base and a lift tower, the lift tower including a motorized lift system configured to move the harvester upward and downward. In addition to cutting plant stalks while moving upwards along the face of the hydroponic tower, the harvester also groups and collects the plant leafs.

Abstract: A planting system is provided for use with a vertical hydroponic tower. The planting system includes a payload transport system and a planter. The payload transport system, which is configured to be positioned at a location adjacent to the hydroponic tower, includes a base and a lift tower, the lift tower including a motorized lift system configured to move the planter upward and downward. The planter is configured to insert plant containers containing seedlings into the hydroponic tower as the motorized payload lift system moves the planter upwards along the face of the tower.

Abstract: A gutter assembly is provided that is configured to collect water passing through a plurality of vertical hydroponic towers, the assembly minimizing leakage while simplifying gutter maintenance. The gutter assembly includes a gutter pipe from which an upper portion has been removed to form a pair of mounting ledges. The gutter assembly also includes a gutter cap that is attached to the gutter pipe via the mounting ledges using a snap fit system.

Abstract: A multi-piece hydroponic tower is provided which utilizes separate body and face components coupled together using either permanent or temporary fasteners, where the tower face includes a plurality of plant container compatible cut-outs. By utilizing separate body and face components, the end user is able to easily switch tower face plates in order to adapt the tower to different plant container configurations. The multi-piece tower design also simplifies tower construction as well as tower maintenance between planting cycles.

Abstract: A plant container is provided which is designed to be inserted within a cut-out in a hydroponic tower. The plant container includes (i) a plant cup configured to hold a plant's root structure along with a small portion of plant growth media; (ii) a pair of side wings extending from the sides of the plant cup, the side wings helping to direct water and nutrients to the plant roots contained within the plant cup; (iii) at least one handling rail that aids plant container insertion and removal, and which may include an alignment surface that insures that the plant container is fully inserted and aligned during the insertion procedure; and (iv) a fastener configured to hold the plant container within the tower cut-out.

Abstract: A plant container is provided which is designed to be inserted within the slot of a hydroponic tower, where the hydroponic tower includes both a matrix media and a moisture and nutrient transport system (e.g., a wicking strip). The plant container includes (i) a plant cup configured to hold a plant's root structure along with a small portion of plant growth media; (ii) an insertion blade that insures that as the plant container is inserted into the hydroponic tower slot, the matrix media and the associated wicking strips are pushed to either side of the plant cup; and (iii) a handling member that aids container insertion and removal, and which may include an alignment surface that insures that the plant container is fully inserted and aligned during the insertion procedure.

Abstract: A plant plug holder is provided which is designed to be inserted within a cut-out in a hydroponic tower. The plant plug holder includes (i) an edge member that encircles the holder's opening and which may be sealed to the front tower surface; (ii) a base member configured to support the plant plug and which extends rearward from the edge member and into the central cavity of the tower; (iii) a rear shroud top member that inhibits leakage as well as plug erosion; (iv) a pair of side members that maintain the position of the plant plug within the plug holder; and (v) a plurality of open regions configured to promote water drainage from the top surface of the base member.

Abstract: A multi-piece hydroponic tower is provided which utilizes separate tower body and face plate components that are hingeably coupled together, thereby simplifying tower construction as well as tower maintenance. In addition to the hinge, the tower face plate(s) is held in place with a latch, e.g., a snap-fit fastener. A V-shaped groove may be included on either side of the tower, the grooves increasing the efficiency of delivering water and nutrients to the plants via the narrowed rear cavity wall(s). The V-shaped grooves may also be used as an alignment aid when coupling planters, harvesters, or other equipment to the tower.

Abstract: A plant growing system configured for high density crop growth and yield, including an environmentally-controlled growing chamber and a vertical growth column within, the column configured to support a hydroponic plant growth module which is configured for containing and supporting plant growth media for containing and supporting a root structure of at least one gravitropic crop plant growing therein and for detachably mounting to the vertical growth column, the hydroponic plant growth module including a lateral growth opening to allow the plant to grow laterally through toward a light emitting source, a nutrient supply system to direct aqueous crop nutrient solution through an upper opening of the hydroponic plant growth module, an airflow source to direct airflow away from the growth opening and through an under-canopy of the plant, so as to disturb the boundary layer, and a control system for regulating, at least one growing condition in an area in or adjacent to the under-canopy.