Divider Patents (Class 47/85)
  • Patent number: 4887388
    Abstract: In a system for commercial cultivation of plants and flowers, an open tray with recesses for readily inserting and removing flower pots having growing plants therein and using a so-called "ooze" tube (U.S. Pat. No. 3,613,309) disposed centrally between adjacent rows of said flower pots which waters the plants at approximately the rate of plant absorption of the supplied liquid, so that any water-borne disease spreading among the plants is minimized because of little or no overflow of supplied water from one flower pot to another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1988
    Date of Patent: December 19, 1989
    Inventor: Joseph Waltel, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4785604
    Abstract: Collapsible gridworks for confining fluent materials within cells defined by the gridworks to form stable columns capable of withstanding substantial vertical and horizontal loading are each made up of a plurality of interwoven/intermeshed longitudinal and latitudinal strips. In the preferred embodiment, the strips include slots formed on alternating sides thereof, with the gridworks being formed by interweaving the slots on one side of the longitudinal strips with corresponding slots on the opposite side of the latitudinal strips such that the gridwork is defined by mechanically interlocking joints which permit motion for collapsing the gridwork into both a multilayer strip and a substantially flat sheet. The open state of the gridwork and both of its collapsed states are similarly stable and can be freely handled without fear of the gridwork falling apart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 22, 1988
    Inventor: Robert H. Johnson, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4777764
    Abstract: A seedling container is illustrated wherein a number of removable partitions or barriers are clamped together in a block by releasable clamping means permitting alignment of the partitions and then sequential removal in such a way as to support the removed partitions while removing the seedlings one row at a time. Additional stability and alignment is provided through the use of projections and slots as well as additional clamping means. Air pruning is provided, and through the use of a converging bottom in alternate compartments occupied by seedling plugs, loss of growing medium is avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1986
    Date of Patent: October 18, 1988
    Inventor: Aart Van Wingerden
  • Patent number: 4742644
    Abstract: A shipping container for shipping rooted plantlets and specially designed for accommodating rooted plantlets having the roots and growing media of a particular shape. The container includes a supporting frame, one or more plant frames and a cover, all of which are formed with tongues and grooves to permit nesting of the members in superimposed position to provide a relatively sealed container. Each of the one or more plant frames includes support members extending longitudinally or transversely between the end or side walls of the frame, and a plurality of spaced upright members projecting upwardly from each support member. Adjacent upright members define therebetween an area or compartment in which the rooted plantlets or liners can be positioned, with the upright members defining lateral or side openings through which extend the stem and leaves of the rooted plantlets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 10, 1988
    Assignee: Fischer Geraniums U.S.A., Inc.
    Inventors: Ernst T. Groth, Lukas T. Kruesi
  • Patent number: 4658542
    Abstract: A portable growing system for propagating seedlings or rooting cuttings comprising an upper propagation tray configured to receive a plurality of seedlings or rooting cuttings and a lower support bench configured to support the upper propagation tray above the ground or other supporting surface, the upper propagation tray comprising a tray member having an outer peripheral support ledge formed about the periphery thereof and plurality of propagation cells each having a centrally disposed aperture formed in the lower portion thereof to receive individual seedlings or rooting cuttings formed inwardly of the outer peripheral support ledge and the lower support bench comprising a pair of side walls held in fixed spaced relationship relative to each other by a pair of end walls and a lattice floor, the upper surfaces of the pair of the side walls and pair of end walls cooperatively forming an upper peripheral support surface to support the outer peripheral support ledge, the pair of side walls and the pair of end
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1986
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1987
    Inventor: Douglas A. Holmberg
  • Patent number: 4536988
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a floating containment barrier grid structure (20) for containment of floating aquatic plants (26) in a body of water (30). The barrier grid structure (20) includes a plurality of interconnected square barrier segments (24), the top edge of the barrier segments extending above the surface of the water so as to prohibit substantial wave action. The floating containment barrier grid structure (20) being anchored by cables (38) and stakes (40) in a somewhat tensioned state while floating in the body of water (30). The barrier grid structure (20) being tensioned to enable portions of the barrier grid structure (20) to be submerged beneath the surface of the water by a harvesting machine (28) while harvesting the floating aquatic plants (26).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1984
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1985
    Assignee: The Lemna Corporation
    Inventor: Delman R. Hogen
  • Patent number: 4495725
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for growing plants having a floor with a plurality of raised projections defining trough regions therebetween and being adapted to hold plant watering fluid at a level relative to the upper periphery of the projections. An insert for the pan is also provided, having a plurality of spaced, downwardly extending cells, each cell including a bottom defining an opening. The insert is shiftable between a first position and a second position. The first position is one in which the bottoms are disposed in the trough regions below the level of the watering fluid so that the fluid can enter the openings. In the second position, at least some of the bottoms rest upon the projections so that the openings are less than fully obstructed by the projections and so that fluid within the cells can drain therefrom. Another aspect of the invention is a method for germinating plant seeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1984
    Date of Patent: January 29, 1985
    Inventor: Gene B. Talbott
  • Patent number: 4453344
    Abstract: A seedling growing container is illustrated wherein a number of removable partitions or barriers are positioned together in a block. Each of the partitions has interconnected diverging walls forming a series of troughs therebetween open at the top and the bottom so that the partitions may be placed in opposing relation as in a tray forming growing compartments from each of the opposing troughs which are in register with each other, suitable for growing a single seedling. Positioning of the plugs is contemplated such that alternate rows of plugs of growing material, each of which is capable of growing a single seedling, are utilized so that each plug will be surrounded for the most part by a partition with the remainder being surrounded by an air space for preventing roots from growing from one plug to the other through the process of air pruning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1983
    Date of Patent: June 12, 1984
    Inventor: Aart Van Wingerden
  • Patent number: 4439950
    Abstract: A plant container adapted to be fabricated from an integral blank of plastic sheet material and comprising a bottom wall, a peripheral side wall upstanding about the bottom wall, and a cover of a plurality of flaps extending laterally inwardly from the side wall with opposed flaps terminating short of each other to define therebetween a central passageway for the stem of a plant, the flaps being spaced below the top of the side wall to effectively limit the quantity of falling water received in the container by causing excess to overflow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1981
    Date of Patent: April 3, 1984
    Inventor: Albert W. Kelley
  • Patent number: 4434576
    Abstract: A support rail for use in supporting a planting tray during its initial growing period in a greenhouse. The support rail is especially suited for use with trays having a high-density matrix of small-sized soil plugs, and comprises a horizontally extending, vertically disposed web member and a pair of support members projecting from opposite sides of the web member at its lower extremity. The support members are angled downward from the horizontal so that a tray resting on support member will be supported along the tray's lower edges and not along the bottom surface. The rails are arranged in a uniformly spaced, parallel configuration, which provides stable support for a plurality of trays without providing a preferential growing environment for those soil plugs closest to the edges of the trays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1982
    Date of Patent: March 6, 1984
    Assignee: Castle & Cooke Techniculture
    Inventor: Owen D. Sowerwine
  • Patent number: 4363189
    Abstract: A planter (10) from which plants can be easily removed without inverting and shaking same is disclosed. The planter (10) is comprised of a base member (14), a plurality of side panels (12) surrounding the base member (14), a plurality of support blocks (20) attached to the side panels (12) to support the base member (14), and straps (16) attached to adjacent side panels (12). Because of this construction, removal of a plant from the planter (10) is accomplished by the selective removal of fasteners (18) from one side panel (12) allowing this side panel to be swung outwardly about the straps (16) permitting access to the plant.In an alternate embodiment, a planter (40) has removable side panels (42) which are interconnected by means of dowel pins (48) received through adjacent side panels (42) and a connecting post (44) interposted therebetween. In still another embodiment, a seedling tray (30) having a plurality of compartments (32), each of which has a door (34) for access thereto, is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1980
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1982
    Inventor: John T. O'Donnell, III
  • Patent number: 4317311
    Abstract: A plant receptacle in which a base is provided with sets of upstanding circular ribs adapted to selectively accommodate different cylinders which are formed out of sheets rolled into circular cross-sections, the sheets having free ends which are locked together by one of a number of forms of connecting devices. The cylinders sit on top of a perforated support which is supported over the bottom of the base in order to allow drainage. The circular ribs are provided with openings which also allow drainage having connection with an exposed portion of the base to provide for evaporation. There is also provided a method in accordance with which the initial growth of a plant is accommodated within the smaller cylinder whereafter the smaller cylinder is encircled by the larger cylinder whereafter the smaller cylinder is detached and the annular space between the original soil and the second cylinder is filled in with additional soil to accommodate additional growth of the plants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1980
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1982
    Inventor: Nancy Schmitt
  • Patent number: 4255898
    Abstract: A channel culture device for plant systems which comprises a plurality of longitudinal growing channels, for growing the primary plants, and service channels, which aid the growing channels. The channels alternate and fluids, water and air, pass laterally between the growing and service channels which enhance plant growth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1978
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1981
    Inventor: George Greenbaum
  • Patent number: 4251951
    Abstract: The present invention is concerned with a method in cultivating plants, especially forestry plants, and planting them. In this connection the plants are cultivated in slabs of a cultivating medium such as compressed peat, e.g. Sphagnum peat, with an air space underneath. The slabs provided with seeds for germination are mounted firmly, but removably on support frames provided with supporting rails, said frames together with corresponding stackable transport or carrier frames, being placed on a substructure with an air space between the substructure and the slab. After germination, the support frames with the plants are stacked in their associated transport frames one above the other. After possible intermediate storage, the stack of transport and support frames are transported to the planting site with the plants substantially undisturbed in the cultivating medium on the support frames. The invention is also concerned with a means for carrying out the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1978
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1981
    Inventor: David Heinstedt
  • Patent number: 4242834
    Abstract: A planting system including a support tray, a plurality of interconnected sleeves, and a plurality of transplant frames adapted for insertion within each sleeve. Each assembly is configured so that a plurality of assemblies are nestable and stackable without jamming relative to each other. Each individual part and subassembly is also configured to be nestable in nonjamming relationship with other like parts or subassemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1979
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1981
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Robert C. Olsen
  • Patent number: 4224765
    Abstract: A partitioning insert is removably received in the base member of the container. The partitioning walls are larger at the top than at the bottom and terminate in posts which support the remainder of the partitions above the bottom of the container. The top of the container has a stepped flange which rests on and fits about the walls of the bottom of the container. At one end is a releasable latch and at the other is an interengagement between the two members. A part of the top of the container is at a lesser elevation than the remainder and has a vent opening, an air filter and a removable cover assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1979
    Date of Patent: September 30, 1980
    Inventor: John S. Song
  • Patent number: 4142325
    Abstract: A channel culture device for agricultural is disclosed. A plurality of elongated reservoir channels are provided adjacent growing channels. The reservoir channels which may be above or within the soil, provide metered amounts of water and nutrients to the growing channels through their walls. An exterior channel is provided which forms the perimeter of a soil bed. The exterior channel includes an inner flexible wall which absorbs the lateral pressure of the soil bed acting on it to prevent buckling of the exterior channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1977
    Date of Patent: March 6, 1979
    Inventor: George Greenbaum
  • Patent number: 4114314
    Abstract: Tissue cultures of cells from seed heads of Papaver bracteatum Lindl, Population Arya II, are grown in artificial nutrient media to produce thebaine which is then extracted therefrom. An example of an artificial nutrient medium used for the tissue culture is revised tobacco medium supplemented with 1% agar and 1ppm 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1977
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1978
    Assignee: The Ministry of Science & Higher Education
    Inventors: Ali Shafiee, Iraj Lalezari, Narges Yassa
  • Patent number: 4112619
    Abstract: A grow-pot has one or more tubular members located therein for dividing the pot into a plurality of growing volumes. These tubular members can be segmented for easy removal and the bottom of the grow-pot is provided with means for holding the bottom of the tubular member in place. A clamping means can be positioned at the top of a segmented tubular member to maintain it in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1976
    Date of Patent: September 12, 1978
    Inventors: Rosemary Morsani, Edwin G. Nelson
  • Patent number: 4107876
    Abstract: A planter having a longitudinal inverted-V floor and inner and outer walls is disclosed. The lower portion of the inner walls are water permeable. The outer walls and lower portion of the floor define a reservoir containing hydrophilic fill. The inner walls and upper portion of the floor define a cavity containing soil. Plates seal the ends of the floor and wals. Water from the fill in the reservoir transfers to the soil in the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1978
    Date of Patent: August 22, 1978
    Inventor: George Greenbaum
  • Patent number: 4065877
    Abstract: A container system for plant husbandry including a plurality of trays having removable partitions subdividing the trays into relatively small growing compartments, a plurality of open-ended tubes removably upstanding in said trays and having additional removable partitions subdividing the tubes into intermediate growing compartments, the tubes providing large growing compartments upon removal of the tube partitions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1976
    Date of Patent: January 3, 1978
    Inventor: Albert W. Kelley
  • Patent number: 4057932
    Abstract: The invention as described in the present specification provides an improved container for growing seedlings for transplanting. The container is split in half longitudinally. The two half sections may be separate, in which case they are held together by the walls of a crate into which a number of the containers are placed. Alternatively, the sections may be connected together along their bottom margins by a hinge. In this latter case the container can be opened in the manner of a book to expose the seedling and root ball for easy extraction. Each half section comprises a pair of spaced, inwardly-protruding shoulders and a web connecting the shoulders. When the two half sections are pressed together, the shoulders mate -- the opposed webs and shoulders then define an open-topped cell having an air-pruning opening at the base thereof. The webs are formed to provide vertical grooves running the length of the cell to the air-pruning opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1976
    Date of Patent: November 15, 1977
    Inventor: Henry Anderson Spencer
  • Patent number: 4050188
    Abstract: A seedling growing container such as a tray, is illustrated providing a drainage channel opening in a side of the bottom of respective compartments to permit side removal of the seedling and the entire root system including any portion of the root system which may have grown through the drainage opening. Since the drainage channel opens at an open side of the compartments there is no obstruction to the removal of any roots which may have grown through and around the drainage passageway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1976
    Date of Patent: September 27, 1977
    Inventor: Aart van Wingerden
  • Patent number: RE32808
    Abstract: A seedling growing container is illustrated wherein a number of removable partitions or barriers are positioned together in a block. Each of the partitions has interconnected diverging walls forming a series of troughs therebetween open at the top and the bottom so that the partitions may be placed in opposing relation as in a tray forming growing compartments from each of the opposing troughs which are in register with each other, suitable for growing a single seedling. Positioning of the plugs is contemplated such that alternate rows of plugs of growing material, each of which is capable of growing a single seedling, are utilized so that each plug will be surrounded for the most part by a partition with the remainder being surrounded by an air space for preventing roots from growing from one plug to the other through the process of air pruning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1986
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1988
    Inventor: Aart V. Wingerden