Bench Or Elevated Bed, Hotbed Patents (Class 47/18)
  • Patent number: 5481825
    Abstract: A tray for carrying a plurality of plant pots includes a base plate and a plurality of container sections. The container sections are provided in the base plate for receiving pots therein. Each of the container sections has an open top end, a peripheral wall and a bottom wall. Retainer members are disposed on the peripheral wall of each of the container sections and are operable to resiliently apply pressing forces to the side wall of a pot received within the container section so as to fixedly hold the pot in position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 9, 1996
    Assignee: Kaneya Sangyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Matsuo Aoyama
  • Patent number: 5425198
    Abstract: A device for automatically watering potted type plants has a shallow reservoir base/tray capable of holding water and also capable of supporting at least one previously potted plant and also capable of supporting an inverted container (such as a typical screw top jar turned upside down) for containing additional water (and/or other plant nutrients). A specially adapted support base is used to keep the bottom of the inverted container (where the opening is located) slightly above the bottom of the base/tray. The base/tray can have ribs or rails to keep the potted plant raised slightly above the lowest part of the tray (but lower than the opening in the inverted container). The water container has a detachable lid with a hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 20, 1995
    Inventor: Gerald R. Coy
  • Patent number: 5373661
    Abstract: The present invention is a structured body for drainage treatment which is an unit box composed of a top panel having multiple weep holes and downward cylinders provided therein and side walls having multiple weep holes and joints for connection, which can be spread to a desired size by connecting these unit boxes.The structured body for drainage treatment can be used as a material for drainage of sports grounds, roads, parks, golf links, stockhouses, riding grounds and the like, as an antifreezing material for roads in cold districts, and as a material for preparing tree-planting ground in the concrete portion on the roof, desert areas and the like.Furthermore, the present invention includes and impounding and flushing system to prevent muddy earth (sludge) from sedimenting in the concrete face of the like on the building roof which s the face that the structured body for drainage treatment described above is to be placed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 20, 1994
    Assignee: Yugen Kaisha Clean Up System
    Inventor: Sadaishi Furukawa
  • Patent number: 5355618
    Abstract: An irrigation valve adapted to be placed in an inlet pipe for irrigation liquid under a cultivation table for potted plants or the like. The irrigation valve includes a valve housing with an inlet and an outlet as well as a mixing chamber and a nozzle. The valve further includes a lateral opening for enabling an introduction of air to be mixed with the irrigation liquid and for draining of irrigation liquid. A number of the valves may be used in an irrigation plant with one valve being provided under each cultivation table and being activated by a magnetic valve disposed in an inlet pipe for providing water under pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 18, 1994
    Inventor: Leif L. Pedersen
  • Patent number: 5152098
    Abstract: An elevated work platform for raising a potted plant to a comfortable working height and providing a work area in which tools and materials, has a generally conical raised platform and a surrounding debris collecting and storage area. The work station and lid are made of plastic and can be readily moved and cleaned. The work station provides an accumulating area in which bags of soil or other items needed for the care of plants can be placed. The work station is an improvement over makeshift arrangements and also provides a user with a collector for any runoff of excess water used to water or moisten a plant or soil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1992
    Inventor: Suzanna Hall
  • Patent number: 5075148
    Abstract: A garden bench board made of a plastic material, particularly of recyclable plastic material, having a reinforcement which is embedded into the plastic material to prevent bending, includes one deformable zone respectively provided preferably at the longitudinal-side ends of the reinforcement so that a warping of the garden bench board or a tearing-apart of the sheathing is reliably avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1991
    Assignee: Dr. Spiess Kunstoff-Recycling GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Walter Burcky, Theo Rydmann
  • Patent number: 5040328
    Abstract: A mushroom tray comprising a tray portion having opposing sidewalls, opposing end walls and a substantially flat bottom sheet having a parallity of channels formed therein and extending therealong, corrosion-resistant I-beams positioned within the channels for strengthening and stiffening the bottom sheet, and a parallity of clips for securing the I-beams to the underside of the bottom sheet. In a preferred embodiment, the trays include downwardly projecting legs which are shaped enable the trays to be stacked vertically. Also in the preferred embodiment, the trays are made of a polyolefin and the I-beams are made of aluminum. The end walls also preferably include I-beams for re-enforcement; the I-beams are totally enclosed in the end wall structure to minimize exposure to a corrosive atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1991
    Inventor: Gerald L. Coon
  • Patent number: 5009029
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for growing plants by controlling growing temperatures in conventional and hydroponic planting systems. Plants placed in a plant growing medium are contained in metal growing trays placed in contact with a closed metal piping system and disposed externally to and structurally supporting the growing trays and containing a temperature-controlled liquid, thereby providing conductive heat exchange with the plant growing trays and plants. The plants are also supplied with liquid nutrients and artificial light conductive to plant growth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 23, 1991
    Inventor: Seymour I. Wittlin
  • Patent number: 4932158
    Abstract: Plants are hydroponically grown in a cellular water table provided with divergent grow lines along which plants are moved in plant holders. The grow lines are arranged to provide spacing between adjacent rows of plants as plants mature. Within each grow line is a variable pitch screw arrangement which provides for increased spacing between adjacent plants in a grow line as the plants mature. Four-way spacing is provided for both the leaves of the plants and their roots as the plants are suspended over the cellular water table. Maintenance of the system is faciliated by a crawl space beneath the water table which allows access to removable bottom panels of the individual cells within the water table. Plants are cultivated and serviced from the top by a man carrier system. CO.sub.2 enriched air and/or pesticides are supplied directly to the undersides of the plants by a conduit system provided within each grow line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 12, 1990
    Inventor: David S. Roberts
  • Patent number: 4928425
    Abstract: A greenhouse having a hollow framework structure (20) with water under pressure fluidly disposed inside characterizing a combined structural frame and water pipe. A number of spray nozzles (34) are attached to the framework at appropriate locations and drippers (60) are, likewise, attached. The nozzles atomize the water increasing the humidity inside the greenhouse and the drippers water the plants beneath. A transparent enclosure consisting of walls (42) and a roof (44) envelope the framework and are attached with straps (50). Air ciculation is achieved by windows (52) and vents (54) along with an optional fan (56).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 29, 1990
    Inventors: Robert M. Walker, Jr., Robert M. Walker, Sr., Laura B. Walker
  • Patent number: 4924623
    Abstract: Supporting structure for seed beds, in particular for cultivating mushrooms, which construction consists of a number of evenly spaced parallel longitudinal girders, whose upper sides form a bearing surface for a synthetic cloth which can be pulled along the upper sides and in the longitudinal direction of the girders by means of mechanical means, during which movement of the cloth garden mould, compost, manure and the like is deposited on the cloth or removed therefrom, whereby the bearing surface for the cloth formed by the upper sides of the girders is provided with a profile in order to reduce the friction between the cloth and the girders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 15, 1990
    Inventor: Jan L. M. van Rens
  • Patent number: 4901471
    Abstract: Apparatus for cultivating for example mushrooms, whereby a desired climate is preserved in a building. Disposed in the building standing parallel to each other are racks in which trays are placed in which the mushrooms are cultivated. Arranged in the passage between the racks and horizontally along them are rails which can be driven synchronously in vertical direction. A platform can travel over the rails. The platform can therefore be carried to any required position along the racks. Personnel can take up position on the platform, for instance to pick the mushrooms. Further coupled to the rails is a belt conveyor which carries away the picked mushrooms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 20, 1990
    Inventor: Hendrik van den Top
  • Patent number: 4850134
    Abstract: Arrangement for greenhouses or growth rooms for enhancing the growth of plants and germination of seeds, comprising a bottom (4) and a plant supporting device (1) with holes or slots (2) for the flowing therethrough of climatically conditioned air, the device (1) being arranged at a vertical distance from the bottom (4) so as to provide a space for the introduction of climatically conditioned air between the bottom (4) and plant supporting device (1). The plant supporting device (1) is formed of a tray of clear plastics or of another material penetrable by heat radiation having depressions (14) or openings (3) for insertion therein of the root system of the plants or for receiving seeds, and with holes or slots (2) between the depressions (14) or openings (3). Further, the bottom (4) is heated insulated (9) and has a surface (8) capable of absorbing radiant energy and possibly moisture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1989
    Inventor: Torbjorn A. Snekkenes
  • Patent number: 4671011
    Abstract: An insulated cold frame includes an insulated box having an upwardly extending insulated rear wall and a rigid insulated cover rotatable about a horizontal axis from a sealed position to a fully open position. A glazing cover inside the insulated cover permits light to reach the interior of the cold frame and provides a heat gain during daylight hours when the insulated cover is open. The glazing cover is rotatable about substantially a common axis with the insulated cover to provide ventilation and temperature control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1985
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1987
    Inventor: Michael E. Jantzen
  • Patent number: 4630394
    Abstract: One problem which occurs in hydroponic growing systems is that pools of water form in the bottom of the growing bed container. These pools become depleted of oxygen very rapidly and if the plant roots extend into the pools the plants may die. This problem is solved by a false bottom (34, 54) in the growing bed container (10, 10'), so that any pooling which may occur occurs below the false bottom (34, 54). Pooling on the false bottom (34, 56) is prevented by the constructed of the false bottom (34, 56). The false bottom (34) either has a convex upper side, so that pooling cannot occur on the false bottom (34). Drainage openings (36) are provided at the two edges of the false bottom (34), so that any solution flowing towards the edges will flow through the openings (36) into the space below the false bottom (34). Or, the false bottom (56) is a sheet of formanous fabric material (56) which lies over a layer of gravel (54).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1984
    Date of Patent: December 23, 1986
    Inventor: Michael W. Sherard
  • Patent number: 4514929
    Abstract: A cell comprising one or more stands in which crop containers are arranged in a plurality of layers one above the other and light sources are arranged between the containers, whereby between a light source (or light sources) and a container located above said light source(s) there is arranged a plate of insulating material, at least the side of the plate facing light source(s) being reflecting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1983
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1985
    Assignee: Schulte & Lestraden B.V.
    Inventor: Jacobus W. Lestraden
  • Patent number: 4468885
    Abstract: A floating hydroponic apparatus is provided along with a hydroponic system using the hydroponic apparatus. The floating hydroponic apparatus has a floating hydroponic tray having a floating base portion and a tray portion. The floating base portion is made of a lightweight cement and has floating perimeter walls along with a polymer screen attached between the floating base portion and the tray portion. The floating base portion and tray portion form a plurality of openings therethrough for the passage of liquid. An alkaline resistant coating is applied to at least a portion of the tray. The tray portion is filled with a soil mixture supported by the polymer screen so that plants can be grown in the soil in the trays while the trays are floating upon a liquid reservoir. The trays can be used in conjunction with a hydroponic system having pools with specially designed lightweight concrete walls forming a habitat for marine life.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1983
    Date of Patent: September 4, 1984
    Inventor: Theodore O. Mandish
  • Patent number: 4429489
    Abstract: A box-shaped container for use as a cold frame is composed of a number of side wall panels and a cover. The side wall panels and the cover are formed of hollow transparent panels of plastics. The side walls are connected to each other by connecting angle-shaped elements forming stop faces abutting against respective end surfaces of the adjacent walls to be connected. The connecting elements are formed with holes receiving stud pins extended through respective bores in side wall panels and locked thereon by locking members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1982
    Date of Patent: February 7, 1984
    Inventor: Artur Fischer
  • Patent number: 4309843
    Abstract: A plant cultivation device comprised of a plurality of walls positioned parallel to each other and vertically inserted into the soil. Adjacent parallel walls are connected by a corrugated plate which has drainage holes positioned within parallel grooves on the plate. Hot water pipes are positioned within these grooves for supplying heat to the surrounding area. A layer of wood chips covers the hot water pipes and corrugated plate. The wood chip layer is in turn covered by a layer of cultivation soil. Steam discharge pipes are positioned adjacent to the partition walls at a point above the cultivation soil and are covered by a shield which interconnects to adjacent walls. High pressure steam sterilizes the air and soil and thus promotes the healthy growth of plant life.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1980
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1982
    Inventor: Tadaaki Kato
  • Patent number: 4292762
    Abstract: This disclosure is of a controlled environment agriculture facility in which a plurality of plant grow support racks are structured and arranged within a plant grow enclosure to define an air return passage from the enclosure with air ingress to such passage being distributed over surfaces of the racks. This provides good uniformity of air distribution within the enclosure and affords improved transportability and installation of the facility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1979
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1981
    Assignee: Control Data Corporation
    Inventors: Lewis W. Fogg, Robert W. Metzler, H. Eugene Satterfield, Eion G. Scott
  • Patent number: 4267664
    Abstract: This application relates to an improved system for aerating mushroom cultivating chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1978
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1981
    Inventor: Detlef Henke
  • Patent number: 4244146
    Abstract: A greenhouse includes a hollow cylinder which is revolvably mounted. The cylinder includes an opaque portion and a translucent portion and is revolved to control the amount of sunlight entering the cylinder from any given direction, and insulate the growing area when needed. Alternative embodiments include a pair of concentric cylinders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1979
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1981
    Inventor: Dale P. Kranz
  • Patent number: 4226047
    Abstract: Rack for the cultivation of mushrooms and similar fungi, comprising superimposed troughs with side slats consisting of aluminum profiles and a bottom constituted by horizontal, extruded aluminum floor members running in transverse direction, through which members bars or tubes protrude.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 1979
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1980
    Assignee: Alcoa Nederland B.V.
    Inventor: Ludoricus C. Maaijwee
  • Patent number: 4219600
    Abstract: A moisturizing mat, and process for making it, are disclosed. The moisturizing mat is suitable for use as a base to promote trickle watering of plants in greenhouses. The mat comprises a wood pulp/fabric layer having an impervious plastic film backing layer. The moisturizing mat is produced by a process including the steps of (a) depositing wood pulp on a first fibrous layer, (b) placing a second fibrous layer on top of the wood pulp, (c) bonding the product of step (b), and (d) bonding an impervious plastic film to one face of the product of step (c).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1979
    Date of Patent: August 26, 1980
    Assignee: Chicopee
    Inventors: Philip Surowitz, William L. Wetzel
  • Patent number: 4121377
    Abstract: Greenhouse plants are displayed on horizontal shelves supported between side rails extending at an angle between vertical support posts, the posts being interconnected in pairs between confronting vertical grooves formed in the posts. Each shelf is assembled from elongated sections held in parallel spaced relation to each other by spacers at the longitudinal ends of the shelf which are received within grooves formed in the side rails.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1977
    Date of Patent: October 24, 1978
    Inventors: Peter A. Allen, Robert S. Richfield
  • Patent number: 4107875
    Abstract: An assembly for supplying a nutrient solution, such as water, to plants supported on a greenhouse bench, which retains the solution supplied thereto from a reservoir disposed immediately beneath the bench. A main source of liquid, such as water, is supplied through a main valve to a float-operated valve within the reservoir for maintaining a predetermined level of the solution within the reservoir. Also included is a fluid line interconnecting the bench and a pump disposed within the reservoir whereby the solution may be pumped to the bench through a check valve in the line and which prevents reverse flow. Also attached to the line is a solenoid actuated drain valve which drains the solution from the flooded bench and back into the reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1977
    Date of Patent: August 22, 1978
    Inventor: Darrell E. Bordine
  • Patent number: 4068421
    Abstract: A frameless shelter is disclosed constructed of a plurality of spherically shaped panel sections having the same radius of curvature and fabricated from a sunlight transmitting plastic adapted to be assembled together to form a dome structure. The panel sections are formed with U-shaped channel edges adapted to nest together with the contiguous edges of adjacent panels so as to provide vertically extending stiffener ribs so that a separate frame is not required, and at the same time act as locating means for the panels so that the dome may be readily assembled. The edges of the lowermost tier of panels rest in a channel support extending about the periphery thereof and resting on footings at ground level or on a wall structure extending above the ground. A center pole reinforcement is also included which also provides an electrical conduit for an electrically operated exhaust fan which may be included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1976
    Date of Patent: January 17, 1978
    Inventor: John M. Marovich
  • Patent number: H239
    Abstract: A hydronic heating system that includes a tube or series of tubes placed on modular composite panels. The panels are fabricated with a grooved surface to permit the flush embedment of the tubes on the panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1987
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventors: Kenneth Franklin, John W. Hipple