Abstract: A hydroponic tower cleaning and debris removal system is provided that is configured to automatically clean and remove plant and material debris from within a hinged, hydroponic tower as well as the plant containers contained within such a hydroponic tower. The hydroponic tower cleaning system utilizes a drive system to force the tower through the apparatus; an alignment system to ensure that the tower remains in proper alignment throughout the cleaning process; a brush system that initiates separation of plant debris from the tower/plant containers and ensures that the plant roots are torn apart; a plunger system to eject plant debris from within the plant containers; an air delivery system to blow away the debris; and rollers to maintain tower face alignment during the cleaning process.

Abstract: A lighting assembly is provided that is configured for use with a hydroponic farm, preferably a hydroponic farm utilizing horizontal racks. The light assembly includes one or more LED boards affixed to a thermally conductive mounting fixture. The number and location of the LED boards which are mounted to the fixture is primarily dependent upon the size and layout of the hydroponic racks within the hydroponic farming facility. A light shield, which surrounds the LED boards and the mounting fixture, extends the entire length of the light assembly. The light shield is sealed to both light assembly end caps, thereby providing a completely sealed lighting unit.

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

Abstract: A seedling transplanting system is provided that utilizes a seedling feeder that is configured to fit between a tray of seedlings contained within a series of chain pots and a hydroponic trough. The feeder includes a ramp and a chute that direct the seedlings from the tray into the trough. A pair of guide surfaces, which form ramp sidewalls, help the seedlings to self-right as they are drawn into the hydroponic trough. A restraining jig aids in establishing and maintaining the relative positions of the seedling tray, feeder and trough during the transplanting process. A pulling tool simplifies the transplanting process by providing means for pulling a pair of media strips along with the captured chain pots into the hydroponic trough.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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