Irrigator Patents (Class 47/79)
  • Patent number: 11968938
    Abstract: A growing unit for biological hydrosynthesis, energy generation and storage and/or topsoil restoration, the growing unit comprising: a container configured for growing plants and containing a growth media located therein; a reservoir located in a lower portion of the container and associated with an outlet portion of the container, and a substantially vertical liquid inlet pipe associated with the reservoir, wherein the growth media comprises a mixture including a first catalyst, wherein the first catalyst stimulates formation of a humified soil and wherein the growth media is amended with an irrigation liquid which stimulates biological activity in the growth media and in and adjacent to the reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: VRM International Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Kenneth Michael Bellamy
  • Patent number: 11950551
    Abstract: A modular multi-tiered planter kit that comprises two support elements that are fitted for positioning on a surface, perpendicular to the surface and spaced from each other, a plurality of planter assemblies that are fitted for connection in a disassemblable mounting, with the two support elements in a multi-tier configuration, wherein they each extend in an essentially horizontal direction, in the gap between the two support elements, wherein the kit is characterized in that once mounted as stated, the planter assemblies each comprise a unified planter element that serves in each of the planter assemblies, and the planter assemblies comprise one or more from the group of various types of planter assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Inventor: Israel Twito
  • Patent number: 11950550
    Abstract: An irrigation device includes: a cell plug that includes an opening facing upward and an accommodation part that accommodates a predetermined amount of culture medium in communication with the opening; a liquid supply unit that supplies a liquid to a culture medium of the cell plug; and a cell plug lifting unit that lowers the cell plug when a weight of the cell plug is increased by a liquid supplied by the liquid supply unit and lifts the cell plug when a weight of the cell plug is decreased by drying of a culture medium. The liquid supply unit includes a contact end that is intermittently brought into contact with a culture medium by lifting and lowering of the cell plug by the cell plug lifting unit, performs liquid supply while the contact end is in contact with a culture medium, and stops liquid supply when the contact end is separated from a culture medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignees: UNIVERSITY PUBLIC CORPORATION OSAKA, KUSAKABE KIKAI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshifumi Nishiura, Koji Shimada
  • Patent number: 11895959
    Abstract: The present invention is a scalable and re-configurable system for indoor growing. The scalable and re-configurable system for indoor growing is comprised of a plurality of growing sleds, in which each growing sled has a plurality of plant stations. Plants are grown in receptacles on each plant station. The plant station is rotated by a drive system. Each plant station provides irrigation. Each plant station has a forced frame connected to the top of a plant support assembly. A forced frame is used to confine each plant to a known foot-print. This is necessary in indoor growing in order to make the production uniform and efficient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Inventor: Brandon Massay
  • Patent number: 11864505
    Abstract: A self-feeding watering device comprises a water storage unit, a regulating component and a long nozzle cover, and a water guide string extending out of the water storage unit. The regulating component is engaged to the water storage unit. The cover comprises a top cover for connecting with an external container and a long nozzle tube penetrating through the top cover and communicating with the top cover. The long nozzle tube further penetrates through the regulating component and extends towards a bottom of the water storage unit. The string is partially placed at the bottom of the water storage unit, and partially extends out of the water storage unit. The string allow water to penetrate into outside of the unit, and further guiding the water into the soil for automatic irrigation. The device has a compact structural body, can adjust a watering flow rate by a simplified means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Shenzhen Hengxing Visual Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Lixian Huang
  • Patent number: 11849875
    Abstract: A watered tree stand system, which facilitates continual watering of a tree supported by the tree stand system, includes a base reservoir having a reservoir interior suitably configured to contain a supply of water and receive the trunk of a tree. The base reservoir is suitably configured to support a tree in an upward-standing position. A preferably see-through, water intake container is disposed in spaced-apart relationship to the base reservoir. The water intake container is suitably configured to contain a supply of refill water. An elongated water delivery conduit establishes fluid communication between the water intake container and the base reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Inventor: Wayne R. Crocker
  • Patent number: 11700803
    Abstract: A cultivation system for cultivating plants from e.g. seeds, seedlings, cuttings, etc. arranged in or onto substrate plugs (2), comprising a cultivation pot (1) having a bottom wall (4a), a side wall (4b) and filling channel (5) extending upwards from the bottom and/or side wall (4a 4b). Further comprising a filling module (6) provided with a filling connection (7) which is configured to cooperate with the filling channel (5) of the cultivation pot (1) for supplying the cultivation pot (1) with water. The cultivation system further comprises means for measuring the actual quantity of water or the actual water level in the cultivation pot (1), allowing control of the amount of water being supplied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: Own Greens Holding B.V.
    Inventor: John Bijl
  • Patent number: 11672215
    Abstract: An aeroponic grow tower is provided. The tower includes a modular wall system located between a cover and a base. The wall system includes a plurality of individual flat, four-sided wall panels. The identical wall panels are removably connected along their side edges into one or more levels having a polygonal shape. Levels are aligned and stack atop the base and each other. The wall panels have openings defining grow sites configured to support plants such that foliage extends to the outside and roots hang inside the tower. A pump delivers nutrient solution from the base to a high-rotational speed spray nozzle which aerosolizes the solution. The spray also impacts the interior surface further aerosolizing the solution. Channels direct the solution running down the interior surface to the grow sites which include secondary reservoirs to provide a further source of nutrient solution. A ventilation system and seedling covers are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: Sentient Design, Inc.
    Inventor: Douglas Evan Hersh
  • Patent number: 11659795
    Abstract: A hydroponic growing system is presented. The system can include multiple growing trays in a vertical arrangement, where a pump supplies the top-most tray and each lower tray is supplied by the overlying tray, and where the plumbing elements for supply and drainage are arranged to one side of the system. The system includes variations to support different crop types within the same system, including removable growing structures for root vegetable, microgreens and supports for vining crops. The system can monitor and adjust the nutrients and other features of the systems water profile to concurrently group multiple crops in differing developing stages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: Rise Gardens Inc.
    Inventors: Henry W. Adams, Craig Field Sampson, Sergio Alonso Marquina, Nicholas Daniel Phillips, Sullivan S. Stewart, Angelo E. Kelvakis, Brandon C. Bay, Enrique Lopez Salido
  • Patent number: 11653601
    Abstract: A plant hanger assembly having multiple level plant trays, useful for growing plants in an upright configuration is provided for use with a trolley conveyor. A plurality of plant trays of selected size and shape are provided spaced apart along a vertical axis. A vertical support shaft has an upper end and a lower end. The plant trays may be circular in shape, with sloping sidewalls. The sloping sidewalls may be angled out sufficiently that the plant trays can be stacked in a nested configuration for storage. The plant trays include a base having grooved channels for transfer of water on the obverse side, and reinforcing ribs for strength, on the reverse side. Apertures between the obverse side and the reverse side allow excess water in an upper plant tray to drain downward into a plant tray therebelow. Shaft couplers are provided, with attachment rings or pins, to securely join the plant trays to the vertical support shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: KOREA WHEEL CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hun Choe
  • Patent number: 11613415
    Abstract: Disclosed are devices, systems and methods for controlling scent delivery by a scented article for beverage containers. In some aspects, a scent delivery system includes a cap attachable to a beverage container; and a scented article that couples to the cap, wherein the cap comprises a base, a movable component coupled to the base and able to move between a first position and a second position, and a scent chamber including an encasement to which the scented article is attached, the encasement coupled to the movable component or the base, wherein a portion of the scented article is exposed to air from an outside environment with respect to the cap when the movable component is in the second position, and wherein the encasement creates a contact seal to enclose the scented article within the scent chamber and lock in the scent when the movable component is in the first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: SZENT CO.
    Inventor: Shawn Griffis
  • Patent number: 11576314
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a plant cultivating apparatus. The plant cultivating apparatus according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes a body configured to have a cultivation chamber therein, a water storage configured to be disposed in the body and store water, a water supply bed configured to be disposed at one side of the cultivation chamber and have a water supply flow path receiving water from the water storage, and a cultivation port configured to be seated on the water supply bed and receive water from the water supply flow path, in which the cultivation port includes a suction member disposed in the cultivation port and suctioning water stored in the water supply flow path, and a medium disposed above the suction member, receiving water from the suction member, and storing nutrients required for plant growth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Mina Yang, Youngsuk Kim
  • Patent number: 11559007
    Abstract: A flowerpot is disclosed. The flowerpot includes a main body configured to provide a planting space in which an upper portion is open and a central portion is passed through by a through portion in a front and rear direction, a self-watering module installed in the through portion to form water by condensing moisture in the air, and a water supply hole provided on a bottom of the through portion so as to guide the water formed by the self-watering module to the planting space provided in a lower side of the through portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: REPUBLIC OF KOREA(MANAGEMENT: RURAL DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION)
    Inventors: Jae Soon Kim, Seung Won Han, Na Ra Jeong, Gyung-Mee Kim, Sun-Jin Jeong, Hye-Sook Jang
  • Patent number: 11559008
    Abstract: An indoor gardening appliance includes a liner defining a grow chamber and a grow module rotatably mounted within the grow chamber and defining a root chamber. A hydration system is fluidly coupled to the root chamber for selectively implementing a hydration cycle where the root chamber is charged with mist and an air circulation system selectively urges a flow of air through the root chamber to maintain a desired temperature. A controller is configured for stopping the flow of air during the hydration cycle, e.g., to minimize disruption of the hydration cycle. The stopping of the flow of air may be time-based, e.g., based on the start/end times of the hydration cycle, or may be based on moisture level, e.g., as measured by an optical sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Hunter, Michael Goodman Schroeder, Brent Alden Junge
  • Patent number: 11533860
    Abstract: Hydroponics systems and methods of efficient, configurable nutrient solution grow reservoirs include shared components while creating more space in grow facilities. The hydroponics systems include vertical and horizontal rows or layouts of connected reservoirs that may include movable reservoirs to allow for better user access and reduce aisles, which allows space for more reservoirs in a grow facility. Multiple reservoirs may be connected to one another by irrigation tubing (e.g., as shown in in vertical layouts) or by pipes or irrigation tubing (e.g., as shown in horizontal layouts) and share various multiple system components, such as water pumps, water chillers, air pumps, float valves, and drain out systems. In some implementations, incorporation of the 4? pipes in the horizontal layouts provides for efficient water circulation in a closed loop configuration throughout the disclosed hydroponic systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Inventor: Justin Garrett Stevenson
  • Patent number: 11528859
    Abstract: An automated growing system comprises a plurality of vegetative production lines for moving a plurality of planted growing channels from a first end to a second end of a growing area, a plurality of flowering production lines for moving the channels from the second end to the first end, and a first conveyor belt for moving planted growing channels from the plurality of vegetative production lines to the plurality of flowering production lines. Each production line may comprise a frame, a conveyor assembly configured to receive growing channels, a fertigation delivery line comprising a plurality of regulators spaced therealong for depositing fluid into the growing channels, a drainage trough, and an air supply duct positioned under the conveyor assembly, the air supply duct comprising a plurality of openings therein for delivering conditioned air to plants growing in the growing channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: Agriforce Growing Systems Ltd.
    Inventors: Ingo Mueller, Troy McClellan
  • Patent number: 11498774
    Abstract: An automated modular plant growing system includes a rack structure with primary guiding tracks and secondary guiding tracks transverse to each other, and upper guiding tracks in parallel and above the primary guiding tracks. The automated modular plant growing system also includes a plurality of mobile modules detachably connected to the upper guiding tracks and to a nutrient solution supply system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Inventor: Arkadi Buberman
  • Patent number: 11457581
    Abstract: The hydroponic growing system, comprising a support frame, a cover, one or more grow lights, a plurality of growing barrels, a water tank, a first water pump, an air pump, a sprinkler subsystem, a hydroelectric generating subsystem, and a system controller, may be a growing system for growing one or more plants. The one or more plants may be grown within the plurality of growing barrels supported within the support frame. The one or more grow lights suspended from the cover may provide illumination that is necessary for photosynthesis. Water may be stored in the water tank may be pumped to the one or more plants by the first water pump. The air pump may oxygenate the water. The hydroelectric generating subsystem may generate electricity as the water moves through the hydroponic growing system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Inventor: Di Marco Millard
  • Patent number: 11420816
    Abstract: The present technology relates to an air reservoir for an enclosure where, upon submersion in water, the pressure differential between the water and the enclosure displaces air from the air reservoir into the enclosure to reduce the pressure differential.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: Donaldson Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Jacob L. Sanders, Robert O. Nelson, James P. Moorman, Daniel J. Dotzler
  • Patent number: 11399474
    Abstract: An integrated fence irrigation and grow system is provided. The system includes one or more post members, one or more bed members disposed on the post members and an irrigation system coupled to a water supply and connected to each of the bed members to introduce water to each of the bed members. The bed members each include a tubular body having a top surface and a bottom surface. The tubular body is formed by a wall, and the wall defines an interior cavity in the bed member. The wall includes a plurality of openings disposed along a top surface of the bed members. When growing medium is disposed within the interior cavity of the bed members, plants planted in the growth medium in proximity to the openings grow therein, and foliage thereof is at least one of viewable and harvestable above the plurality of openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Inventor: John Anthony Woerner
  • Patent number: 11382287
    Abstract: An automated plant pot assembly includes a first pot for containing an aqueous solution. A second pot is provided for having a plant potted therein and the second pot is insertable into the first pot. A spray bar is removably positionable in the second pot and the spray bar has a plurality of spray ports each fluidly integrated therein. A pumping unit is integrated into the first pot to pump the aqueous solution in the first pot. The pumping unit is placed in fluid communication with the spray bar when the second pot is positioned in the first pot to spray the aqueous solution onto the plant that is potted in the second pot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Inventor: Vaughn Allen
  • Patent number: 11363763
    Abstract: A plant growing system has a number of modular units arranged together on a flat surface in side of a growing room. The modular units have rigid boxes therein with vertical holes therethrough inside of which is located a growing soil. Water and nutrients are pumped from a reservoir to a distributor located in a growing soil of the rigid boxes as called for by moisture sensors, which activates a controller to turn ON a delivery pump. When moisture and nutrients need to be removed from an impermeable flexible liner located below the modular units, the controller turns ON a return pump, which pumps the excess water and nutrients back to the reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: R.T.D. Enterprises
    Inventors: Troy W Emery, Robbie W Emery, Karl V Krotzer, Jacob L Baumler
  • Patent number: 11343974
    Abstract: A device having a hopper and a reservoir is provided enabling a tray of plants positioned in the hopper to move alone a Z-axis, and rotate about a Y-axis such that the tray of plants may enter the reservoir at a fixed positioned. The reservoir may be filled with a liquid solution indented to give a benefit to the plants. Handles connected to the hopper are biased in a top position via a pair of biasing member. The handles enable a user to operate the device by allowing the rotation and movement of the hopper during use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: Clean Start, LLC
    Inventor: Jesse Jeffries
  • Patent number: 11337387
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to technology for hydroponics. An aspect includes a hydroponic system comprising a tray having a drain opening in a bottom of the tray. The hydroponic system comprises a water re-circulation system configured to re-circulate water containing plant nutrients through the hydroponic system. The water re-circulation system is configured to provide the water containing the plant nutrients to the tray. The tray is configured to convey the water along the bottom the tray to the drain opening, the drain opening configured to drain the water from the tray. The hydroponic system comprises different types of removable growing structures that are configured to provide corresponding different vertical distances between a top of a hydroponic growing medium and the bottom of the tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: Rise Gardens Inc.
    Inventors: Henry W. Adams, Sullivan S. Stewart, Angelo E. Kelvakis, Brandon C. Bay
  • Patent number: 11310973
    Abstract: Provided is a method of delivering water to a root system of a crop, the method including causing the crop to be adjacent to, or in a region of, soil containing hydrogel, and delivering air to the hydrogel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: A.I. INNOVATIONS N.V.
    Inventor: Rodney Ruskin
  • Patent number: 11299862
    Abstract: A portable street planter that is positionable in a street to divert or divide traffic. The portable street planter provides an aesthetic traffic divider that also serves as a planter basin for plants and trees. The traffic divider may also provide foot and arm support for a bicyclist at rest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: Studio5051, LLC
    Inventors: Howard Marshall Merriam, Susan Altenbach
  • Patent number: 11234383
    Abstract: An apparatus for growing plants (100) is provided. The apparatus comprises at least one base member (110) having a periphery (112), at least one cover member, or wall member (120), having at least one channel (122a, 122b), and at least one intermediate filter (170) operable to be supported by the at least one cover member (120). The one or more cover members (120) are couplable to the periphery (112) of the at least one base member for providing a hollow space (140), and the at least one channel is operable to receive at least one tubular member (160, 162) supported at a distance from the at least one base member. The at least one intermediate filter is arranged for dividing the hollow space into at least two segments (172, 174). The apparatus is optionally operable to provide irrigation of one or more plants growing therein from seawater supplied to a bottom region of the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Inventor: Haley Christine Farley
  • Patent number: 11202521
    Abstract: Disclosed is a pot suspension apparatus that allows a user to safely, efficiently, and easily hang multiple pots from each other through its center drain hole so that the pots are suspended along the same vertical axis. The pot suspension apparatus features a rod with a hook and an eye, wherein the hook from one rod and can hang off of the eye of a second rod. The pot suspension apparatus also features multiple flanges that secure a pot in place along a rod and allow for organized and directed drainage of water through the suspended pots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Inventor: Ryan Benoit
  • Patent number: 11140835
    Abstract: A wall mounted agricultural assembly includes a first planter and a second planter below the first planter, and a water supply arrangement that includes a fluid supply delivering fluid from a fluid supply to the first and second planters and a first valve configured to allow or prevent fluid flow to the planters, and a second valve configured to prevent or allow fluid to bypass the planters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: Hortech, Inc.
    Inventor: Leo Vincent Gartland
  • Patent number: 11096342
    Abstract: An assembly line grow pod includes a fluid source and a fluid distribution manifold. The fluid distribution manifold includes a fluid inlet, a plurality of fluid outlets, a plurality of valves coupled within the fluid outlets and movable between an open position and a closed position, a plurality of biasing assemblies coupled to the of valves to bias the valves in the closed position, and a plurality of tension rings coupled to the biasing assemblies to adjust an amount of biasing force applied by the biasing assemblies. Fluid from the fluid source having a fluid pressure that exceeds the biasing force causes the valves to move to the open position such that a specific amount of the fluid is ejected from the fluid outlets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: Grow Solutions Tech LLC
    Inventor: Gary Bret Millar
  • Patent number: 11096339
    Abstract: A drip irrigation unit, comprising: a bottom, generally cup-shaped, member having a bottom member base in which a plant-inserting opening is defined, a peripheral closed-loop wall extending upward from a peripheral edge of the bottom member to a first apex, and an internal closed-loop wall extending upwards from a peripheral edge of the plant-inserting opening to a second apex that is lower than the first apex, the peripheral and internal walls being integral with the bottom member base and defining a water reservoir, and a top member having an aperture and a rim, an annular surface defined between the rim and the aperture being downwardly sloped towards the aperture and defining a generally funnel-shape, the top member being connectable to at least one of the first or second apexes, such that the plant-inserting opening and the aperture become aligned, the internal closed-loop wall having at least one perforation vertically distanced from the bottom member base, the at least one perforation defining a water
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Inventor: Barak Cohen
  • Patent number: 11089744
    Abstract: A system and method for cultivating plants is described. The system may include a tower structure having a vertical series of vessels for holding a netted pot or other container. The system may have a pressurized irrigation system that is in fluid communication with each vessel. The system may further include lamps to provide an adequate light source. The system may also include sensors, monitors and controls to establish and maintain environmental conditions suitable for proper plant growth. The system may further be implemented as a scalable system in which multiple tower structures may be installed into a scaffold system. Sets of towers may be slidably affixed to a scaffold such that the towers may be slid along a track thereby creating easy access to the plants, vessels, lights and the irrigation system. The system may be expanded to include multiple scaffolds affixed to a skeletal frame or compartment interior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Inventors: Kyle W. Moffitt, Christopher R. Denaro, Robert A. Gibson, John M. Sullivan, Leszek Ziolek
  • Patent number: 11083144
    Abstract: There is provided by the present invention planting containers and associated trays for the production, distribution and display of plants where the planting containers have a channel in the base for engaging with a production or display tray for positioning plant pots in a desired orientation. In one embodiment, the plant container is a flower pot which comprises an upper part; a middle part connected at one end to the upper part; and a bottom part connected to an opposite end of the middle part; the bottom part having a channel extending from one side of the bottom part to the other side of the bottom part; said channel having an apex perpendicular to an axis of the pot, first and second sides, and a plurality of slots at the apex for engaging with a rail system on the tray having teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: Syngenta Participations AG
    Inventors: Timothy Proulx, Ari Tao Adler, Matthew Patrick Brown, Cindy Ellen Wieland, Gerardo Joaquin Suazo, Alexander Prohodski
  • Patent number: 10995491
    Abstract: A block used for constructing a wall, where the block is configured with a front wall angled inward and downward, forming a triangular interior space into which soil can be placed, such that plants placed in the soil will have access to the sun and rain due to the angled front wall of the block placed above it, thereby providing an integrated vegetated wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Inventor: David E. Grant
  • Patent number: 10952384
    Abstract: A fluid routing system for use in an indoor grow facility includes a plurality of supply lines, and a plurality of frames aligned in series and spaced apart from each other. Each of the frames includes a plurality of support openings. Each of the support openings is sized to receive and retain a corresponding one of the supply lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: Greenspan, LLC
    Inventors: Bruys Henderson, John Shourd, Wayne Hoxsie
  • Patent number: 10874058
    Abstract: A fixed irrigation landscape growing system comprises: a supporting substrate; a water absorbent blanket arranged above the substrate; and a growing medium, notably a soil layer, arranged above the water absorbent blanket. Irrigation is provided by irrigation pipes or by sprinklers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Inventors: Jure Sumi, Darja Majkovic
  • Patent number: 10834879
    Abstract: Plant-aeration systems, methods for plant aeration, plant-aeration cells, methods of environmental remediation, systems for algae cultivation, and apparatuses for algae aeration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: Texas Ecological Technology LLC
    Inventor: Qian Zhang
  • Patent number: 10813304
    Abstract: An irrigation apparatus and feeding system for dispersing liquid through a plant growing medium is disclosed. The apparatus includes a first and a second geometrically shaped container each having an outer wall with an inner surface, an open top, and a base portion configured to cover the plant growing medium. Second container is configured to be positioned within first container such that base portion of second container sets atop base portion of first container and is secured therein from an open position to a closed position thereby forming a single unit. Each base portion is configured with a plurality of elongated holes for receiving liquid therethrough such that holes of first and second container are offset from one another for blocking light from penetrating therethrough when second container is secured within first container in closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: 4D Holdings LLC
    Inventor: Aaron Marshall
  • Patent number: 10750688
    Abstract: The present invention is designed to regrow a plurality of different vegetables and herbs without the need of artificial light or soil. The invention including a container with side spouts which allow for both easy removal and addition of water. A plurality of different lids are available for being placed on top of the container, each of the lids containing a plurality of drop-in cup like receptacles for accommodating different types of plants. Each of the lids also containing side lips designed to fit over sidewalls of the container for securing the lid on the container. The invention being designed and scaled to fit most window sills and also to work well as a garden starter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Inventor: Pierre Arnau
  • Patent number: 10709072
    Abstract: A planter and planter stack are described. The planter includes a planter pot configured to be nestable with other such planter pots. The planter pot includes a base, a planter sidewall integrally formed on the base and extending upwards towards a rim, and a hollow support pillar formed on the base and extending substantially vertically upwards with a drain opening at the top of the hollow support pillar in communication with an exterior side of the base. The planter further includes a removable riser configured to be nestable with other such removable risers. The removable riser includes a plate supported by an interior of the planter sidewall by an interference fit, and an aperture configured to accept a corresponding hollow support pillar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: CLASSIC HOME & GARDEN, LLC
    Inventors: Fred Joseph Ryan, Hamilton Scott Team
  • Patent number: 10701873
    Abstract: The invention relates to growing medium structures comprising Sphagnum moss, to a foam-laid method for their manufacture and to the use thereof in horticulture, landscaping and forestry applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignees: TEKNOLOGIAN TUTKIMUSKESKUS VTT OY, LUONNONVARAKESKUS
    Inventors: Ari Erkkilä, Kirsi Immonen, Karita Kinnunen, Antti Oksanen, Risto Tahvonen, Liisa Särkkä, Juha Näkkilä, Tuomo Hjelt, Kari Jokinen
  • Patent number: 10667477
    Abstract: A top dripping and bottom wicking assembly and method of operation feeds a reservoir that controllably drips liquid nutrient solution from above a plant, and also uses capillary action of a planar wick member to draw the liquid nutrient solution into a plant growing medium and plant roots. The assembly works to controllably drip the liquid nutrient onto the plant through sized and dimensioned drip holes that form in the reservoir, while simultaneously dispersing the liquid nutrient solution through a planar wick member to disperse liquid nutrient solution to a plant growing medium and the roots of the plant. Stakes hold the reservoir above the plant. The wick member is flat and forms a central opening to allow passage of the plant. A plant support member retains the plant in an upright position. The plant support member forms wicking holes to enable passage of liquid nutrients from the wick.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Inventor: Aaron Marshall
  • Patent number: 10609880
    Abstract: A temporary immersion bioreactor (10) for in vitro production of differentiated plant biomass including a growth chamber (12) having one or more transparent side walls (14) and a mesh bottom (16), the mesh bottom (16) defining a plurality of pores (18) to receive plant material. The bioreactor (10) includes a flexible bag (20) formed from a transparent material, the flexible bag (20) having a sealable opening and being dimensioned to receive the growth chamber (12) together with a liquid medium (22). The bioreactor (10) also includes an outer chamber (24) having one or more transparent side walls (26). the outer chamber (24) is formed to correspond in shape to the growth chamber (12) and dimensioned to receive the growth chamber (12) within the flexible bag (20) so that the mesh bottom (16) of the growth chamber (12) faces a bottom (28) of the outer chamber (24) that in use is intended to rest on a support surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: Evonik Advanced Botanicals SAS
    Inventors: Franck Michoux, Marko Boehm
  • Patent number: 10575477
    Abstract: A plant pot or a plant pot insert includes a water filling chamber having a fill opening to receive water, a water outlet to provide water to a water reservoir, and an overflow conduit to discharge excess water through a weep hole on a sidewall of the plant pot. The water reservoir provides water to a root system of a plant to be grown in the plant pot by capillary action. A water level sensing unit detects a water level of the water reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Inventor: Samuel Kyun Kim
  • Patent number: 10552951
    Abstract: One aspect of the invention provides a system including: a camera, one or more light sources, and a controller. The controller is programmed to: receive an image of one or more plants from the camera; apply a segmentation algorithm to produce a binary image from the image; apply a thresholding algorithm to classify the one or more plants within the binary image as being in one or several stages of plant life; and control operation of the one or more light sources based on a classified stage of plant life.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: GROWTONIX, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Emilio Barrasso, Alexandru Serghei Rosca, Jesse Dean Fordyce, Patrick William Crawford
  • Patent number: 10327390
    Abstract: A food storage system for enhancing freshness of a perishable food item includes a bowl that is positioned on a support surface. A plate is provided and the plate is selectively positioned in the bowl. The plate is perforated to pass air between the plate and the bowl. A food item is selectively positioned on the plate thereby facilitating the food item to be kept dry. In this way the plate inhibits the food item from rotting and the plate enhances freshness of the food item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Inventor: Barbara Hanshew
  • Patent number: 10045492
    Abstract: Containers for cultivating plants, especially herbs. The containers distinguish themselves, in particular, by the fact that plants can be supplied with water over a longer period of time without the culture substrate becoming waterlogged. In addition, the container is comprised of at least one pot in the form of a first part and a second part made of ceramic with at least one step. The second part has, one after the other, an unglazed base, a first pipe section that is not glazed, at least on the inside, a glazed disk with a hole and a glazed second pipe section; the cross section of the first pipe section is smaller than the cross section of the second pipe section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: Innovartis GmbH
    Inventor: Hardy Cruz Pinto
  • Patent number: 9974249
    Abstract: A porous glass plant growth support structure, including a porous glass substrate and a plurality of interconnected pores distributed throughout the substrate. The substrate is typically formed from foamed glass and/or fused glass spheres and is characterized by a porosity of at least about 80 percent. The pore size is substantially between about 0.2 and about 5 millimeters and the substrate is sufficiently chemically stable such that water filling the plurality of interconnected pores experiences a pH shift of less than 0.5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Inventors: W. Gene Ramsey, Andrew Ungerleider
  • Patent number: 9930840
    Abstract: The potted plant system of the present invention uses the space between the inner and outer pots as a reservoir for water. The water reservoir acts passively to transport water into the spoil of the inner pot which is subsequently used by the potted house plant. The reservoir is filled by over watering the inner pot and allowing the excess water to pass through the apertures within the inner pot. Passive transport of water from the reservoir to the soil occurs as the water saturation of the soil decreases. As a result, the soil and the potted plant remain hydrated for longer period of time as the reservoir continuously replenishes the water. The water within the reservoir can be drained through a quick connect sliding valve located on the outer pot. The quick connect sliding valve is either placed above another water receptacle or is fitted with a hose that transports the water to a drain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Inventor: Franc Gergek
  • Patent number: 9668428
    Abstract: In an effort to spruce up or add to the curb appeal of a home or business, a flower pot that is comprised in two sections and is detached can be placed around a column of the home. From the curb the passer-by would notice a plant around a column and not realize that the soil and plants are slightly elevated above the ground level to prevent water from directly draining on the wooden post or around any of the home structures where the pooling of water would be undesirable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Inventor: Pam Frame