Patents Assigned to MJNN, LLC
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Publication number: 20210289714Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 25, 2021Publication date: September 23, 2021Applicant: MJNN LLCInventors: Brice Leon Klein, Alex Ibrahim, Matthew James Matera, Nicholas Kalayjian, Frank Spiteri
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Patent number: 11089741Abstract: A vertical farming structure having vertical grow towers and associated conveyance mechanisms for moving the vertical grow towers through a controlled environment, while being exposed to controlled lighting, airflow, humidity and nutritional support. The present disclosure describes a reciprocating cam mechanism that provides a cost-efficient mechanism for conveying vertical grow towers in the controlled environment. The reciprocating cam mechanism can be arranged to increase the spacing of the grow towers as they are conveyed through the controlled environment to index the crops growing on the towers. The present disclosure also describes an irrigation system that provides aqueous nutrient solution to the grow towers.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2019Date of Patent: August 17, 2021Assignee: MJNN LLCInventors: Gage Goodspeed Coffin, Michael Peter Flynn, Brice Leon Klein, Alexandre Le Roux, Timothy Michael Murcko, Nathaniel R. Storey
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Publication number: 20210235643Abstract: A computer implemented system for a vertical farming system comprising at least a first crop growth module and operating in an environmentally-controlled growing chamber, the control system comprising sensors for measuring environmental growing conditions in the environmentally-controlled growing chamber over time to generate environmental condition data, a device configured for measuring a crop characteristic of a crop grown in the crop growth module of the environmentally-controlled growing chamber to generate crop growth data and a processing device comprising software modules for receiving the environmental condition data and the crop growth data; applying an algorithm to the environmental condition data and the crop growth data to generate an improved environmental growing condition and generating instructions for adjustment of the environmental growing conditions in or around the growth module in the environmentally-controlled growing chamber to the improved environmental growing condition.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 11, 2021Publication date: August 5, 2021Applicant: MJNN LLCInventors: Jaremy Creechley, Nathaniel R. Storey, Damon Henry Smith, Brian Paul Scoggins, Cena Miller
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Publication number: 20210212277Abstract: A hydroponic tower including a cavity defining a front tower surface and a rear inside surface, and further comprising a plant plug holder inserted within a cut-out defined in the front tower surface. The plant plug holder includes an edge member that encircles the holder's opening and which may be sealed to the front tower surface, and a base member configured to support a plant plug and which extends rearward from the edge member and into the cavity of the tower. The plug holder further includes a rear shroud top member and a pair of side members that maintain the position of the plant plug within the plug, holder such that the plant plug contacts the rear inside surface of the cavity when inserted into the plug holder.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 25, 2021Publication date: July 15, 2021Applicant: MJNN LLCInventors: Brice Leon Klein, Alex Ibrahim, Matthew James Matera
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Publication number: 20210169028Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 7, 2019Publication date: June 10, 2021Applicant: MJNN LLCInventors: Matthew Matera, Adam Thomas Stagnaro, Maria Malone, Anna Olson, Brice Klein, Tamara Hasoon, Merritt Jenkins, Andy Dubel
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Patent number: 10986787Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2019Date of Patent: April 27, 2021Assignee: MJNN LLCInventors: Brice Klein, Alex Ibrahim, Matthew Matera, Nicholas Robert Kalayjian, Frank Spiteri
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Patent number: 10986791Abstract: A hydroponic tower including a cavity defining a front tower surface and a rear inside surface, and further including a plant plug holder inserted within a cut-out defined in the front tower surface. The plant plug holder includes an edge member that encircles the cut-out, and a base member that supports a plant plug and extends rearward from the edge member and into the cavity of the tower. The plug holder further includes a rear shroud top member and a pair of side members that maintain the position of the plant plug within the plug holder such that the plant plug contacts the rear inside surface of the cavity when inserted into the plug holder.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2018Date of Patent: April 27, 2021Assignee: MJNN LLCInventors: Brice Klein, Alex Ibrahim, Matthew Matera
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Publication number: 20210084850Abstract: An irrigation system for a vertical farming structure having vertical grow towers and associated conveyance mechanisms for moving the vertical grow towers through a controlled environment, while being exposed to controlled conditions, such as lighting, airflow, humidity and nutritional support. The present disclosure describes a grow tower conveyance system that moves vertically-oriented grow towers to select positions along a grow line. An irrigation line having apertures at the select positions provides aqueous nutrient solution to the grow towers, while a gutter structure captures excess solution. In a closed loop system, the excess solution returns to a recirculation tank. The present disclosure provides a dual pump system for effectively and efficiently removing excess nutrient solution from the gutter structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 19, 2020Publication date: March 25, 2021Applicant: MJNN LLCInventors: Brice Leon Klein, Robert Chester Sciog, Allison Marie Maclellan
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Publication number: 20210084849Abstract: A tower catch mechanism that facilitates loading of vertical grow towers in a vertical farming structure having associated conveyance mechanisms for moving the vertical grow towers through a controlled environment, while being exposed to controlled conditions, such as lighting, airflow, humidity and nutritional support. The present disclosure describes a load conveyance mechanism that transfers grow towers to a loading position where grow towers are loaded onto a select grow line. Each grow line may include a grow tower conveyance system that moves vertically-oriented grow towers to select positions along a grow line. The system may include a tower catch mechanism that registers grow towers in position at the loading position for insertion into a select grow line. In some implementations, the tower catch mechanism can be integrated into other structures of the vertical farming system, such as a gutter basin corresponding to a select grow line.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 19, 2020Publication date: March 25, 2021Applicant: MJNN LLCInventors: Gage Goodspeed Coffin, Brice Leon Klein
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Publication number: 20210000027Abstract: A multi-piece hydroponic tower is provided which utilizes 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 12, 2019Publication date: January 7, 2021Applicant: MJNN LLCInventors: Brice Leon Klein, Michael Peter Flynn, Alexandre Le Roux, Alex Ibrahim, Matthew James Matera
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Publication number: 20210000022Abstract: A vertical farming structure having vertical grow towers and associated conveyance mechanisms for moving the vertical grow towers through a controlled environment, while being exposed to controlled lighting, airflow, humidity and nutritional support. The present disclosure describes a reciprocating cam mechanism that provides a cost-efficient mechanism for conveying vertical grow towers in the controlled environment. The reciprocating cam mechanism can be arranged to increase the spacing of the grow towers as they are conveyed through the controlled environment to index the crops growing on the towers. The present disclosure also describes an irrigation system that provides aqueous nutrient solution to the grow towers.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 20, 2019Publication date: January 7, 2021Applicant: MJNN LLCInventors: Gage Goodspeed Coffin, Michael Peter Flynn, Brice Leon Klein, Alexandre Le Roux, Timothy Michael Murcko, Nathaniel R. Storey
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Publication number: 20200383287Abstract: An irrigation system for a vertical farming structure having vertical grow towers and associated conveyance mechanisms for moving the vertical grow towers through a controlled environment, while being exposed to controlled conditions, such as lighting, airflow, humidity and nutritional support. The present disclosure describes a grow tower conveyance system that moves vertically-oriented grow towers to select positions along a grow line. An irrigation line having apertures at the select positions provides aqueous nutrient solution to the grow towers, while a gutter structure captures excess solution. In a closed loop system, the excess solution returns to a recirculation tank.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 5, 2020Publication date: December 10, 2020Applicant: MJNN LLCInventors: Brice Leon Klein, Allison Marie Maclellan, Gage Goodspeed Coffin, Casey Bennet Call, Loren Raymond Pilorin, Andrew Keith James, Alexandre Le Roux, Michael Peter Flynn, Alan Colbrie Schoen, Theodore Howe St. George, Danielle Meredith Fallon
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Publication number: 20200356078Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are provided for determining treatments to apply to plants within control volumes having controlled agricultural environments. Each treatment comprises application of a set of setpoints, choosing a reproduction operation for the treatment, and selecting one or more previous sets from setpoints from one or more previously applied treatments, for use with the chosen reproduction operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 7, 2020Publication date: November 12, 2020Applicant: MJNN LLCInventors: Nima Edelkhani, Ruvan C. Jayaweera, A. Samuel Pottinger, Zachary Duncan Swafford
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Publication number: 20200355330Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 8, 2019Publication date: November 12, 2020Applicant: MJNN, LLCInventors: Kevin Kai Morris, Grant Thomas Lindblom, John Whitworth
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Publication number: 20200352122Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 8, 2019Publication date: November 12, 2020Applicant: MJNN, LLCInventors: Matthew Matera, Brice Klein, Tamara Hasoon, Merritt Jenkins, Andrew Dubel, Michael Peter Flynn
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Publication number: 20200349476Abstract: Systems, methods and computer-readable media are provided for determining optimum placement, within a grow space, of plants of different varieties. Sets of reference environmental setpoints each correspond to a desired predicted performance of a respective plant variety. Environmental condition metrics at different positions within the grow space are determined. An allocation of the plants is determined among different volumetric regions within the grow space based on predicted performance of the plant varieties as a function of position within the grow space.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 29, 2020Publication date: November 5, 2020Applicant: MJNN LLCInventors: Sudnya Diamos, A. Samuel Pottinger, Zachary Duncan Swafford
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Publication number: 20200323158Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 25, 2020Publication date: October 15, 2020Applicant: MJNN, LLCInventors: Damon Smith, Nate Mazonson, Alexandre Le Roux, Michael Flynn, Taylor Brooke Wollert
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Patent number: 10772271Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2017Date of Patent: September 15, 2020Assignee: MJNN, LLCInventors: Nathaniel R. Storey, Kevin Grauberger, Damon Henry Smith, Jonah Eskin
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Patent number: 10765064Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2018Date of Patent: September 8, 2020Assignee: MJNN, LLCInventors: Brice Klein, John Whitworth, Loren Pilorin, Anna Olson, Maria Malone, Alexandre Le Roux, Michael Flynn, Tamara Hasoon
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Patent number: 10750675Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2018Date of Patent: August 25, 2020Assignee: MJNN, LLCInventors: Matthew Matera, Mark Cuson, Alexandre Le Roux, Anna Olson, Brice Klein, Michael Flynn, Merritt Jenkins