Modular Patents (Class 47/86)
  • Patent number: 11147218
    Abstract: A plant bulb protection assembly includes a tube has a first end that is tapered to penetrate ground. The tube has an inside diameter that is sufficient to accommodate a plant bulb and surround the plant bulb when the tube is inserted into ground. The tube is comprised of a resilient material to inhibit being chewed or otherwise penetrated by a rodent thereby protecting the plant bulb from being eaten by the rodent. A cage is coupled to the tube to inhibit rodents from entering the tube from above the ground. A retainer is coupled to the tube and a grapple is movably coupled to the tube. The grapple is positioned on an opposite side of the tube with respect to the retainer. Moreover, the grapple releasably engages the retainer on an adjacent one of the tubes with respect to the tube on which the grapple is positioned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Inventor: Nora Dill
  • Patent number: 10750674
    Abstract: A propagation tray for growing a plurality of plug plants in bounded transplantable growing media has two spaced apart aperture plates. The plug plants are held loosely in the apertures in a top plate while retained at the apertures in the bottom plate over air cells associated with and under the apertures in the bottom plate. The air cells provide a volume into which roots from the plug plant may grow, and the air cells have at least one port for drainage and/or ventilation and toward which roots are guided to be air pruned. The propagation tray maximizes air flow around the plug for air pruning of roots, while minimizing contact of the plug with the structures on the tray to reduce the formation of root defects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Inventors: Darby McGrath, Jason Henry
  • Patent number: 9440782
    Abstract: A plant organizing and growing assembly includes a housing that has a bottom wall and a perimeter wall which is attached to and extends upwardly from the bottom wall. The perimeter wall has an inner surface and an outer surface. The perimeter wall bounds an enclosed space and the bottom wall has a generally rectangular shape. A plurality of legs is coupled to and extends downwardly from a bottom surface of the bottom wall. The legs are spaced apart and include four corner legs each positioned adjacent to one of the corners of the bottom wall. Each of the corner legs has a bottom surface having an aperture extending therein. Each of the apertures terminates before extending through the bottom wall such that the apertures are spaced from an upper surface of the bottom wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Inventor: Randy Schall
  • Publication number: 20150135592
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a modular device for raising seedling that comprises at least two individual containers to receive a culture medium and a seedling, and at least a coupling member. Each of the individual containers is provided with at least a pair of the coupling bumps arranged on two opposing positions respectively on both lateral edges of the individual container, and is protruded at a predetermined height from a backside of the individual container. Each of the coupling members is provided with a mating groove which is arranged in extending around its longitudinal shape so as to form a serial connection of the individual containers by means of mating the coupling bump with the mating groove within the same coupling member between two adjacent individual containers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2013
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventor: Ming-Tsun Lin
  • Publication number: 20150121755
    Abstract: The present invention includes a system and method of aggregating different flowers or plants in a single container. Different plant types (species, colors, sizes, shapes, etc.) are grown in individual smaller pots having particular horizontal cross-sections. A plurality of the individual smaller pots are then closely fit into an outer plant pot to result in substantially no gaps between either the individual plant pots or between the individual plant pots and the outer plant pot. A method of retail marketing of the varieties of different types in the individual smaller pots includes permitting the consumer to mix and match the different types into outer plant pots. A cultivation method involves segregating the different types prior to becoming seedlings to facilitate their unique growing needs, and then providing the consumer access to the varieties at the retail level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2013
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Applicant: W.J. Griffin, Inc.
    Inventor: Brian Caird
  • Publication number: 20150082698
    Abstract: A planting wall container structure includes a container main body and a planting panel. When the stem of a plant is inserted through any one of hole sealing portions of the planting panel to pass a through hole, a central aperture will be enlarged and clip pieces will be deformed to retain the stem of the plant. Plants can be inserted through the hole sealing portions to enter a soil accommodation room of the container main body. The soil accommodation room is filled with planting soil and poured with water for planting the plants on a front wall board. The water poured into the soil accommodation room is first stored in an upper water storage trough, and then the excess water flows to a lower storage trough guided by a liquid pass space to form multi-stage water storage before the water is drained through a drain hole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventor: Chi-Wang Yu
  • Patent number: 8950113
    Abstract: A potted tree support assembly includes a housing with a bottom wall and a perimeter wall. A plurality of interlocking slats is positionable in the housing to define a plurality of compartments each configured for receiving a base of a tree therein. A plurality of slots extends into an inner surface of the perimeter wall. Each of the slots has an associated opposing slot extending into the perimeter wall to define an aligned pair of the slots. Each of the slats has a pair of opposed ends and the opposed ends of each of the slats is removably positionable in a selectable one of the aligned pair of the slots. A plurality of legs is coupled to and extends downwardly from a bottom surface of the bottom wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Inventor: Randy Schall
  • Publication number: 20140283448
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a modular structure for provision of a raised garden planter bed. The structure includes at least first and second receptacles adapted to be juxtaposed and connecting means adapted to bind the juxtaposed receptacles together. The present invention also relates to a kit of parts and a method for building the modular structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2014
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Applicant: Vegepod Pty Ltd.
    Inventor: Matthew Harris
  • Patent number: 8839553
    Abstract: A kit for a planter is disclosed that has a polygon shape and has a selected number of sides and a same selected number of corners. The kit includes a selected number of bottom corner brackets, a selected number of corner beads, a selected number of top corner brackets, a selected number of top frame corner brackets, and a selected number of pairs of spacer runners that each correspond to the selected number of corners. The kit also includes a planter tub sized to fit within a planter body. The brackets and spacer runners are configured to be connected together to form a skeleton to which boards can be attached to form the planter body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: AZEK Building Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph Toro
  • Patent number: 8826591
    Abstract: Large or macro planter structures for comparatively large plantings for use in large spaces formed from planter modules, which planter structures are assembled on-site with extremely large dimensions, e.g., several hundred feet, to provide unusual and stunning visual effects and which structures include lighted cladding walls which may also function as lighted advertising displays visible from great distances owing to their size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Plantus, Ltd.
    Inventor: Lawrence Shepps
  • Patent number: 8756859
    Abstract: A stackable elevated planter has a rectangular or oval body that holds potting soil. Two or four legs sockets are attached to and extend away from the bottom of the planter body to define a rectangle. Legs are provided such that each leg has one end sized to fit within one of the leg sockets. The legs have a length less that the length of the rectangle and an average width which is less than one fourth of the width of the rectangle such that the four legs can be laid next to one another within the planter body and a similar second planter will fit within that planter. The body of the second planter may be positioned over the four legs such that the leg sockets of the second planter body extend beyond the four legs and the leg sockets of the second planter may rest on the top surface of the base of the first planter. An optional shelf that fits within the planter body for storage and is attached to the legs when the planter is assembled may also be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Adams Mfg. Corp.
    Inventor: William E. Adams
  • Patent number: 8745921
    Abstract: A tray has a plurality of receptacles. A receptacle is enabled to receive a container with a locking device. The container contains a potted plant. The locking device contains a protrusion, the protrusion being a protrusion on a wall of the container when the locking device is in a neutral position. The protrusion can move inwards and outwards from the neutral position relative to the wall when an inward or outward force is applied. The container is in a secured position in the receptacle when the protrusion mates with an opening in the receptacle. The protrusion has a slanted side allowing the protrusion to be lifted from the opening by rotating the container around a vertical axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Inventor: Daniel E. Boyce
  • Publication number: 20130291436
    Abstract: A stackable plant pot assembly having a planter base that has a bottom surface, an upper edge defining a base opening, and a downwardly tapered side wall separating the upper base edge and the body surface. The assembly further has a first intermediate planter with an upper edge defining an upper opening, a lower edge defining a lower opening, a downwardly tapered side wall separating the upper edge and the lower edge, with the intermediate planter being both sized to removably couple to the planter base and create a substantially watertight seal and sized to stackably-receive the planter base within the upper opening of the first intermediate planter. The assembly further has a cover that is removably-couplable to the planter base and the first intermediate planter with the cover defining at least one opening sized to receive a standard-sized plant pot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2012
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Inventors: Susan Stockman, Ronald Stockman
  • Patent number: 8516744
    Abstract: A modular unit, system and method include a base layer having a plurality of reservoirs configured to prevent water flow through a lower portion, the lower portion for contacting a support surface, and having interlocking portions configured to interlock adjacent base layers when installed. A water permeable layer is disposed over the base layer. A detachable wall is mountable on the base layer to contain planting media. The water permeable layer may include a water-holding capillary fabric mat layer with entangled filaments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Metro Green Visions, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven Dubner
  • Patent number: 8453379
    Abstract: A central housing is provided in a generally rectilinear configuration. The central housing has a horizontal open top, a horizontal open bottom and side walls. A horizontal divider panel is provided between the top and the bottom. A plurality of interchangeable upper components is chosen from the class of upper components. The class of upper components include a cover, a seat, a small planter and a large planter. The upper components are adapted to be selectively positioned on the open top and depend into the upper component. A plurality of lower components is chosen from the class of lower components. The class of lower components includes a base and casters. The base is adapted to receive and support the bottom of the housing. A lateral opening in the housing is provided adjacent to the bottom for storage of selected upper components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Inventor: Sivathanu B. Kumar
  • Publication number: 20130133259
    Abstract: A plant growth array device includes an aerial growth chamber configured to receive aerial shoot portions of a plurality of plants and a root growth chamber configured to receive root portions of the plurality of plants. A dividing member is between the aerial growth chamber and the root chamber and has a plurality of apertures for receiving the plurality of plants therein. The plurality of apertures are configured so that the root portions grow substantially in a common orientation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2012
    Publication date: May 30, 2013
    Applicant: Grassroots Biotechnology, Inc.
    Inventor: Grassroots Biotechnology, Inc.
  • Publication number: 20130104456
    Abstract: Described are a vertical garden system and method. A mounting panel includes a plurality of first mounting attachment mechanisms. A planting cell module is positioned on a surface of the mounting panel. The planting cell module has a second mounting attachment mechanism constructed and arranged for removably coupling with a first mounting attachment mechanism. The planting cell module has an interior volume in which a plant component is positioned.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2012
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Inventor: Trevor L. Smith
  • Patent number: 8429851
    Abstract: A modular unit, system and method include a base layer having a plurality of reservoirs configured to prevent water flow through a lower portion, the lower portion for contacting a support surface, and having interlocking portions configured to interlock adjacent base layers when installed. A water permeable layer is disposed over the base layer. A detachable wall is mountable on the base layer to contain planting media. The water permeable layer may include a water-holding capillary fabric mat layer with entangled filaments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Metro Green Visions, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven Dubner
  • Patent number: 8424258
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to green roof, deck and patio apparatuses, also known as roof, deck and patio landscaping apparatuses and roof, deck and patio gardens, that are suitable for supporting live plant growth on building decks, rooftop and patio surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Inventors: Chuck Modica, Anthony Modica
  • Publication number: 20130025199
    Abstract: The invention relates to a module for revegetating surfaces, for example walls, said module including at least one porous surface including interconnected porosities, said porous surface allowing the circulation of water and air and being used for sowing plants and anchoring the roots of said plants in said porosities, said roots growing in a substrate after having passed through said porosities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2011
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: Haute Ecole Du Paysage, D'Ingenierie Et D'Architecture (HEIPA)
    Inventors: Robert Perroulaz, Laurent Daune, Nathalie Monge, Jacques Kaufmann
  • Patent number: 8341884
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a modular container system for use in agriculture, gardening and construction, characterized in that it comprises a parallelepiped container 1 with two partition walls 2 forming three chambers 3, its top ends each having a sleeve 4 which forms a vertical channel 5, the lower end 6 of the said sleeve extending beyond the bottom of the container but with slightly smaller dimensions and having a groove 10 around its whole periphery; connectors 9 which join adjacent containers in a horizontal plane; a base 11 which allows the containers to rest on the ground; and a lateral support 13 exactly identical to the top end of the container 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Quizcamp-Fabrico e Comércio de Produtos Alimentares, S.A.
    Inventor: Manuel Maria Rodrigues
  • Publication number: 20120324787
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for cultivating one or more plants, wherein the apparatus has at least one first chamber and at least one second chamber which are separated from one another by at least one first partition wall, wherein the inner spaces of the first and second chambers communicate by one or more communication openings in the first partition wall, and wherein the apparatus has at least one adjustment device which is arranged and designed so that a change in the position and/or a change in the shape of the first partition wall takes place on an actuation of the adjustment device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2012
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: HORTICOOP B.V.
    Inventors: Kamal DAAS, Talal DAAS, Peter VAN DER DRIFT
  • Publication number: 20120266537
    Abstract: A green roof planter module includes a planter including a bottom wall, a plurality of sidewalls each including an upper portion and a lower portion, wherein the bottom wall and the plurality of sidewalls cooperate with one another to form an interior space, and a biodegradable collar member extending upwardly from at least a select one of the biodegradable sidewalls, wherein at least a portion of the collar member is in-molded within the upper portion of at least one of the sidewalls, and wherein the collar member is adapted to retain a plant matter that extends above the plurality of sidewalls.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2011
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Inventor: David S. MacKenzie
  • Patent number: 8272163
    Abstract: A modular unit, system and method include a base layer having a plurality of reservoirs configured to prevent water flow through a lower portion, the lower portion for contacting a support surface, and having interlocking portions configured to interlock adjacent base layers when installed. A water permeable layer is disposed over the base layer. A detachable wall is mountable on the base layer to contain planting media. The water permeable layer may include a water-holding capillary fabric mat layer with entangled filaments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Metro Green Visions, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven Dubner
  • Publication number: 20120227320
    Abstract: An apparatus for a vertical or angled arrangement of hydroponic cultivation of plants includes at least one module defining an inner space containing at least one nutritional substrate and plant. The module includes a front wall and a rear wall secured to the front wall. At least the front wall includes at least one opening for the plant to pass through. The front and/or the rear wall includes an attachment area for attaching the module to a mounting. The front wall and/or the rear wall has overlapping edges enabling, when the apparatus is installed on a green roof or a green wall with at least two adjacent modules, overlapping of the modules, at least partially.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2010
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Applicant: MODULOGREEN VERTICAL SOLUTIONS
    Inventor: Jose Dos Santos
  • Patent number: 8234815
    Abstract: A planter including a center post and a series of upwardly-opening disc-shaped growing compartments which are arranged in a sequential relationship along the length of the center post and are suspended from the top of the center post. Each of the growing compartments has a center opening through which the center post extends so that the growing compartments are maintained in a centered relationship about the center post. Furthermore, a lowermost growing compartment has a substantially solid bottom for containing dirt or potting soil placed therein, and the remainder of the growing compartments have bottoms within which including relatively large openings are defined to accommodate the passage of relatively large clumps of dirt or potting soil through the bottoms thereof so that each of the growing compartments can be filled with dirt or potting soil placed into the uppermost growing compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Felknor Ventures LLC
    Inventors: Wilson A. Felknor, James Robert Ferron, Benjamin James Ferron, legal representative
  • Publication number: 20120174481
    Abstract: A kit for a planter is disclosed that has a polygon shape and has a selected number of sides and a same selected number of corners. The kit includes a selected number of bottom corner brackets, a selected number of corner beads, a selected number of top corner brackets, a selected number of top frame corner brackets, and a selected number of pairs of spacer runners that each correspond to the selected number of corners. The kit also includes a planter tub sized to fit within a planter body. The brackets and spacer runners are configured to be connected together to form a skeleton to which boards can be attached to form the planter body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2012
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: AZEK Building Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph Toro
  • Patent number: 8215059
    Abstract: A modular gardening system includes a first monolithic growing pod forming an interior growing volume and including an opening to the growing volume defined by a frame-accommodating lip, and at least a second monolithic growing pod, the second monolithic growing pod being substantially identical to the first monolithic growing pod. The modular gardening system further includes a frame assembly configured to form a perimeter around the opening of the first monolithic growing pod within the frame-accommodating lip of the first monolithic growing pod and the opening of the second monolithic growing pod within the frame-accommodating lip of the second monolithic growing pod, the frame assembly further configured to support the first monolithic growing pod and the second monolithic growing pod in a side-by-side array, stepped array, or elevated array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Inventor: R. Marc Williams
  • Publication number: 20120137581
    Abstract: There is provided plantlet handing apparatus including a housing (70) for a nutrient medium. A plurality of plantlet holders (72) each include a pair of body portions forming, in assembly, an open-topped container having apertures open to the nutrient medium in use. The body portions include engagement means engaging the body portions in assembly for handling and permitting separation. A plantlet holder support (71) is located in the housing and supports the plantlet holders in the nutrient medium while maintaining the body portions together. A closure (73) has a substantially airtight seal to the housing and has windows (111) of selected permeability to metabolic gases produced or required by plantlets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2010
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: Nuplant Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Robert Dixon Teasdale
  • Publication number: 20120124907
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for breeding plants having at least two units arranged in the apparatus for the reception of a plant, wherein at least two units are arranged in a first row and at least one of these units is movable relative to at least one further unit of the first row so that their spacing from one another is changeable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Inventors: Kamal Daas, Talal Daas, Peter Van Der Drift
  • Publication number: 20120124905
    Abstract: A plant growing assembly is configured to grow a plurality of plants in multiple directions above a ground surface. The assembly includes a growing container and a support structure for elevating the container above the ground surface. The container presents a generally hollow body to retain a plant-growing medium and the plurality of plants. The body extends along an axis to present opposite axial end margins and a radial peripheral wall. The wall defines a plurality of discrete plant-receiving ports extending therethrough, and disposed generally radially about the wall. A method of growing plants above ground in substantially opposite directions from one another is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2012
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Inventor: Scott Harder
  • Publication number: 20120090234
    Abstract: A configurable wall is disclosed. In an example, the configurable wall includes a first hollow-formed module having an outer layer selected to portray a material of manufacture which is substantially different than a material with which the first hollow-formed module is manufactured. The wall also includes a second hollow-formed module having an outer layer selected to compliment the outer layer of the first hollow-formed module. The wall also includes an interconnect to secure the first module and the second module together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2011
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Inventor: Brian Cronin
  • Publication number: 20120066970
    Abstract: A planting pot system is provided. In the system, a multi-compartment tray that contains compartments that have either no vertical planes of symmetry or only one vertical plane of symmetry causes pots that have either one vertical plane of symmetry or no vertical planes of symmetry to be limited or precluded from being rotated and consistently urged into a place in only one orientation. Through this system efficient and effective orienting of and displaying of the contents of the pots may be achieved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2010
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Applicant: COSTA FARMS, LLC.
    Inventors: Lawrence J. Contillo, III, Charles F. Zala, Fabian Eduardo Saenz
  • Publication number: 20120065772
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to, a container, multiple arrangements of container and flat/tray pallets, corresponding container/flat/tray/pallet assemblies, an automated pallet assembly/disassembly system, autonomous pallet assembly transfer units, an autonomous pallet assembly transport train, and an integrated automated production system, for use in a horticultural nursery environment for: substantially reducing labor needed to produce; stabilizing of; collecting and shedding broadcast applications to; reflecting desired sunlight to foliage of; reducing root tip heating of; reducing water consumption in growing; reducing wetting of foliage of; controlling excess root growth of; and, reducing weed growth proximal to; spaced potted plants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2011
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Inventor: Drew C. Dyas
  • Publication number: 20120047801
    Abstract: Planter systems allow for the raising, lowering, holding, locking and releasing of a planter on a vertical support structure. The planter assembly may include a carriage, to which one or more planters is attached. Guides such as cables, rollers, sliders, bristles, gaskets, carpet and registration pins maintain space between the vertical support and planter assembly and facilitate raising and lowering. A tether guided over a pulley may be retracted or extended by winding it around or unwinding it from a winch, cleat or windlass to causes the planter assembly to rise or descend. When raised to a locking height, the planter assembly causes a mechanical locking mechanism associated with the planter assembly to move into a locking position, securing the planter assembly to the vertical support. Further raising releases the locking mechanism. Attachable items such as banners, flags, hangers and the like may be coupled to the carriage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2011
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Inventor: James Hogan
  • Publication number: 20120042568
    Abstract: A modular, expandable, growing season augmentation system is described. The system can employ multi-purpose, modular panels to create a free-standing, adjustable shelf system that can be enclosed via an adjustable cover. The shelf system is designed to hold a growth medium in which plants can be nurtured. The system is modular so that a given panel can be employed in numerous roles. Further, the system can be expanded or reduced in size by simply attaching or removing panels and cover components. The cover can be adjusted to minimize the wasted space above the top of the growing plants and can be removed as desired. The cover includes access ports allowing access to the plants therein. Manual or automatic vents can be incorporated in the cover. The cover is supported by an adjustable and removable support structure that can be configured to hold grow lights and/or heating elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2011
    Publication date: February 23, 2012
    Inventor: Gary Keith
  • Publication number: 20110258927
    Abstract: The Garden Waterbed is constructed of a durable tube of flexible UV protected material. The ends of the tube have been sealed, enabling it to hold water. Circular holes have been cut out and sealed down the center length of the tube, at regular intervals. A valve is installed at one end of the tube, allowing water to be filled into the large single chamber and hold it with a tight seal. There are multiple purposes of the Garden Waterbed. The water bed's intended use is; to be rolled out in a agriculture environment or garden area, to be filled with water, and to have plants buried in the soil within the growth units. The surrounding water increases the thermal mass surrounding the plants in the circular holes. The thermal mass absorbs the suns energy and increases soil temperature, thus increasing the growing season and boosting production. The opaque plastic stops sunlight from reaching the ground and eliminates weeds and undesirables from competing with your crop.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2010
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Inventors: Richard C. Carter, Jayne Andrea Carter Cabre
  • Publication number: 20110252704
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a fabricated landscape architecture system that can simply form landscape architecture of a wall surface or the like. The fabricated landscape architecture system, includes a plurality of support plates (60), a plurality of cultivation boxes (10) and water supply pipes (30). The plurality of support plates (60) are arranged in one or more lines in a vertical or horizontal direction and include a plurality of fastening holes and pipe grooves (13). The plurality of cultivation boxes (10) are formed in the shape of a box of which one surface is open. A plurality of fastening protrusion (25) to be inserted into the fastening holes, pipe grooves (13) positioned so as to face the pipe grooves (13) of the support plates (60) and the assembly holes are formed on the bottom of the cultivation box (10).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2009
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Inventor: Heung-Yeul Cho
  • Patent number: 8033049
    Abstract: A floral arrangement rendering an image and usable in various applications, including advertisement applications, notification applications and decoration applications. The floral arrangement may comprise a plurality of modules. Each module renders a portion of the image and comprises: a plurality of grown plants forming image elements that collectively make up the portion of the image rendered by that module; a sustaining medium for the grown plants; and a holding component holding the sustaining medium and the grown plants. The modules are arranged such that the portions of the image rendered by the modules are visually combined to compose the image. Also disclosed are a process and a system for creating such a floral arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Ecomedia Advertising Inc.
    Inventors: Edward St. Clair, Frank G. McGrath
  • Publication number: 20110197509
    Abstract: A plant growth array device includes an aerial growth chamber configured to receive aerial shoot portions of a plurality of plants and a root growth chamber configured to receive root portions of the plurality of plants. A dividing member is between the aerial growth chamber and the root chamber and has a plurality of apertures for receiving the plurality of plants therein. The plurality of apertures are configured so that the root portions grow substantially in a common orientation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2011
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Inventors: Philip N. Benfey, Richard W. Twigg, III, Robert L. Clark, JR., Scott Joseph Kennedy, Gregory Kealoha Fricke
  • Publication number: 20110056131
    Abstract: A self-orientating plant pot and tray system is provided. The pot includes a top and/or a body and is provided with a first drain opening. The top has a first substantially elliptical cross-section and/or the body has a first tapering substantially elliptical cross-section. The tray defines at least one receiving area each for securingly receiving a plant pot in a desired orientation relative therewith. The receiving area includes an upper chamber and/or a body chamber, which are each respectively defined by a depression and/or a receptacle. The depression has a second substantially elliptical cross-section for mating with the top and/or the receptacle has a second tapering substantially elliptical cross-section for mating with the body. The receptacle can be provided with a second drain opening for fluid communication with the first drain opening. The pots can include indicia facing substantially the same direction when assembled with the tray.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2010
    Publication date: March 10, 2011
    Inventors: Thomas J. Smith, Henry L. Huntington
  • Patent number: 7886482
    Abstract: A kit for a mobile gardening cart that includes the following: a base structure, form, storage areas, and a plurality of wheels to allow it to pivot in any directions, coupled to a base and an upright frame structure with reasonable braced support, linage/connection to a main vertical frame, and multiple stackable container forms to be placed parallel to each other in an ascending upward fashion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Inventor: Angela DiMaggio
  • Publication number: 20110016782
    Abstract: A plant growing assembly is configured to grow a plurality of plants in multiple directions above a ground surface. The assembly includes a growing container and a support structure for elevating the container above the ground surface. The container presents a generally hollow body to retain a plant-growing medium and the plurality of plants. The body extends along an axis to present opposite axial end margins and a radial peripheral wall. The wall defines a plurality of discrete plant-receiving ports extending therethrough, and disposed generally radially about the wall. A method of growing plants above ground in substantially opposite directions from one another is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2010
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Inventor: Scott Harder
  • Publication number: 20110005129
    Abstract: Group of flowerpots which can be grouped in a compact manner to form a rectangle, the outward appearance, on the other hand, conveying the impression of a larger size. This allows the space taken up to be optimized. In addition, the embodiment according to the invention provides a stable relationship between the various flowerpots of the group. This is achieved in that at least the upper edge of the group is formed, when viewed from above, in a polygonal and more particularly triangular or rectangular manner and one of the sides has a recess and the other, opposing side a protrusion corresponding thereto. When compactly grouped, the protrusion of one flowerpot falls into the recess of the other flowerpot, producing a stable overall entity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2010
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Applicant: BOOMKWEKERIJ VAN DER STARRE B.V.
    Inventor: Huibert Van Der Starre
  • Publication number: 20100313474
    Abstract: A modular gardening system includes a first monolithic growing pod forming an interior growing volume and including an opening to the growing volume defined by a frame-accommodating lip, and at least a second monolithic growing pod, the second monolithic growing pod being substantially identical to the first monolithic growing pod. The modular gardening system further includes a frame assembly configured to form a perimeter around the opening of the first monolithic growing pod within the frame-accommodating lip of the first monolithic growing pod and the opening of the second monolithic growing pod within the frame-accommodating lip of the second monolithic growing pod, the frame assembly further configured to support the first monolithic growing pod and the second monolithic growing pod in a side-by-side array, stepped array, or elevated array.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2010
    Publication date: December 16, 2010
    Applicant: ELEANOR'S GARDEN, LLC
    Inventor: R. Marc Williams
  • Patent number: 7832147
    Abstract: A modular planter assembly formed of a base planter housing having a cavity volume for dirt or growing material defined by a surrounding vertically disposed sidewall. Smaller elevated planters are supportable above the base planter on support members extending between a pair of vertically disposed elongated members which engage passages formed in the sidewall of the base planter. The elongated members may be one piece, or formed of a plurality of component members to allow the user to lengthen them and add multiple elevated planters to the formed device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Inventor: Suzanne Weast
  • Publication number: 20100186295
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a modular container system for use in agriculture, gardening and construction, characterised in that it comprises a parallelepiped container 1 with two partition walls 2 forming three chambers 3, its top ends each having a sleeve 4 which forms a vertical channel 5, the lower end 6 of the said sleeve extending beyond the bottom of the container but with slightly smaller dimensions and having a groove 10 around its whole periphery; connectors 9 which join adjacent containers in a horizontal plane; a base 11 which allows the containers to rest on the ground; and a lateral support 13 exactly identical to the top end of the container 1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2006
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Applicant: Quizcamp-Fabrico E Cormercio Produtos Alimentares, S.A.
    Inventor: Manuel Maria Rodrigues
  • Publication number: 20100180500
    Abstract: The invention relates to an assembly in use forming a tray for plant material. The assembly includes a holder; and at least one insert which can be respectively placed in and removed from the holder. The insert includes at least one cell defining a plant position. The cell includes at least a wall and a bottom for accommodating content in the cell during use of the assembly. The at least one wall substantially encloses the plant position. The wall and/or bottom comprises an opening through which access is provided with means for removing the content of the cell, such as a pusher or a ram.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2010
    Publication date: July 22, 2010
    Applicant: VISSER 'S-GRAVENDEEL HOLDING B.V.
    Inventors: Anthony Visser, Cornelis Frans Taco Visser
  • Publication number: 20100146855
    Abstract: A modular plant growing device includes a main frame mounted on an upright supporting surface. The main frame is configured with an accommodating space defined by an upright rear plate, an inclined top plate extending gradually and upwardly from an upper end of the rear plate, an inclined bottom plate extending gradually and upwardly from a lower end of the rear plate, and opposite lateral plates for receiving a plant unit. The top plate is formed with an inlet unit permitting flow of liquid for plant growth into the accommodating space therethrough. The bottom plate is formed with an outlet unit disposed adjacent to the lower end of the rear plate and permitting leakage of the liquid from the accommodating space therethrough.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2009
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Inventor: Ke-Ten Ma
  • Publication number: 20100132255
    Abstract: An eco-friendly vertical planter apparatus, system, and method that allow a user to grow vegetative plant matter with minimal water and soil. The vertical planter apparatus includes a base and at least one central planting unit having its own base and at a least one sidewall to form a container for holding plant matter and soil. The vertical planter also includes a moisture-retentive wick, such as a cotton-woven braid, having at least two ends. One end of the moisture-retentive wick is placed within the container. In use, soil is placed within the container atop at least one end of the wick and plant matter is planted within the soil substantially adjacent the moisture-retentive wick. Optional features include modular central planting units, multiple external planting tubes, a thermal mass to retain heat to plant matter roots, a water reservoir, a cloche/cover to simulate green-house effect, and dark or light colored central planting units or tubes depending on the type of plant matter being grown.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2009
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Inventor: Robert Deloss WEBBER