Abstract: The present invention entails a plant/seedling/cutting/plug growing tray and container system that includes a tray with a plurality of individual plant cells and container with each cell and container having an open top and bottom and a detachable screen bottom, and that allows plant removal either from the open bottom of the tray/container or open top of the tray/container. As plant roots emerge through an open-bottom tray or container supported above ground, the roots shrivel due to contacting dry air and temporarily suspend their growth. This bare-root growth phenomenon is known as air pruning. Proper application of root air-pruning process in conjunction with the use of properly shaped tray-cells and containers (small at the top and gradually getting larger at the bottom) significantly increases plant production, improves crop quality and promotes mechanization. Air pruning alone without the right tray and container will not provide these benefits.

Abstract: The present invention entails an implant for insertion into the alveolar bone of a patient and wherein the implant is provided with a generally vertically projecting anchoring pin that extends from the implant into the alveolar bone of the patient and effectively interconnects the implant with the alveolar bone. Moreover, the present invention entails a method or process of implanting a dental implant including directly implanting an implant into the extraction cavity after a tooth has been extracted therefrom. As a part of this process, prior to actually implanting, the extraction cavity is reamed so as to be compatible with an optimum size and shaped implant selected from a group of standard implants.

Abstract: The present invention entails a plant/plug growing tray and an automatic transplanting system which includes a tray with a plurality of individual plant/plug cells and a vacuum system that is operative to induce plants to a planting area or receptacle such as field or pots. The tray also serves as a plant supply cartridge for air-pruned plants/plugs so that they can be automatically removed from the tray bottom for fully automated transplanting, using a continuous, intermittent or impulse pneumatic system. In the embodiment disclosed herein the transplanting system has the capability of transferring a set of multi-plants/plugs simultaneously, and then to shift a supply tray to a subsequent position and then to transfer a second set of multi-plants/plugs. In addition, the plant transferring and transplanting of the present invention is specifically designed and adapted such that it can be utilized both in the dry or paddy field, and internally within a greenhouse.

Abstract: The present invention entails a plant tray that includes a plurality of individual plant cells with each cell having an open top and bottom. Each plant cell is designed to contain and hold a plant growing medium such as peat cake or peat-soil mix. A detachable screen secured to the bottom of the plant tray to provide air-pruning of plant roots can be conveniently removed from the plant tray to facilitate extraction of the individual plants from the plant tray. Air-pruning is the phenomenon in which plant roots emerging through the screen base of the plant tray shrivel due to contacting drier air. This promotes secondary root growth or root branching and eliminates root binding and root tangling resulting in enhanced plant growth. A number of different structural designs are provided for detachably securing the screen to the plant tray.

Abstract: The present invention entails a plant transfer system basically comprising a vacuum chamber that is operative to induce young potted plants to a receiving area or receptacle such as a pot or cavity within a plant tray. In the embodiment disclosed herein the plant transfer system has the capability of transferring a set of multi-plants simultaneously, and then to shift a supply tray to a subsequent position and then to transfer a second set of multi-plants. In addition, the plant transfer system of the present invention is specifically designed and adapted such that it can be utilized internally within a greenhouse.

Abstract: The present invention entails a plant growing tray system which includes a tray with a plurality of individual plant cells having an open top and bottom and a detachable screen or perforated bottom. Each tray cell is designed to contain and hold a plant growing medium such as peat cake or peat-soil mix. A detachable bottom secured to the bottom part of the plant tray provides air-pruning of plant roots and can be conveniently removed from the plant tray for easy removal of the individual plants or seedlings from the tray bottom. Air-pruning of plant roots eliminates root binding or tangling and accelerates root branching resulting in enhanced plant growth in the cell or after transplanting.The plant tray has a surrounding edge to hold a water level above the top of the tray cell or micro-feeding holes of each cell for self watering and to maintain uniform root zone temperature throughout the tray.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for drying and handling sludge. Sludge is conveyed or transferred into a rotary drying chamber that may be housed within a structure such as a solar drying structure. The rotary drying chamber is provided with a perforated side wall structure. As the rotary drying chamber is rotated, the action of the sludge within the drying chamber results in the sludge being transferred from the drying chamber through the side wall structure thereof. In particular, as the sludge is dried, the movement of the sludge within the drying chamber and particularly the impact of the sludge against the internal side wall structure of the drying chamber causes the sludge to be forced outwardly through the perforated side wall structure of the drying chamber in a spaghetti-like fashion. That is, the dried sludge is emitted through the side wall portion of the drying chamber in the form of relatively small spaghetti-like portions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for utilizing solar energy in a water and/or waste management system. At least one rotary chamber having a porous or perforated outer wall structure and an inner disposed filter is oriented within a drying structure having a transparent surface of substantial area for allowing solar radiation to be directed through the drying structure onto said rotary chamber. Water or waste material is directed into said rotary chamber, and free water drained therefrom, leaving a sludge like material within the interior of said rotary chamber. To effectuate drying, the rotary chamber is rotatively driven and solar energy in the form of heat is collected about the exterior of the rotary chamber and utilized to dry the interior sludge. At night and when available solar radiation is minimum, drying is achieved by conventional heating means.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fluid injection soil opener adapted for use in conjunction with a transplanter or seed planter to form spot cavities or a continuous furrow in the soil for receiving plants or seeds therein. Fluid, preferably water, is pressurized and timely emitted in a jet-like stream towards the soil, the jet-like stream of fluid or water impinges and penetrates the soil and creates the plant or seed receiving furrow or cavity therein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a material handling device that is adapted to have utility in both a greenhouse operation and a bulk tobacco curing and drying structure. More particularly, in use with a greenhouse, the material handling device of the present invention is adapted to support plant seedlings or pots of soil with seeds appropriately planted therein. The same material handling device of the present invention can also be utilized in a bulk tobacco curing and drying operation as a support and handling medium for bulk tobacco disposed within the curing and drying structure.

Abstract: This invention relates to a greenhouse, drying, storing and nursery system and entails a simple multi-purpose structure which includes the capability to effectively utilize solar energy within a greenhouse and is adapted to control temperature, humidity and other environmental parameters. The multi-purpose structure may be utilized as a drying structure wherein a crop material or some other suitable product may be placed within the greenhouse-drying structure and a curing and/or drying effect may be realized by passing a system of air through the product or material disposed therein. As a part of the curing and/or drying system, the device of the present invention is adapted to circulate a system of air through the structure and to effectively collect solar energy when available for use during the curing or drying period.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a farm structure that may be utilized as either a curing and drying facility or as a plant growth facility. By making minor alterations the structure may be readily converted from a curing and drying facility to a greenhouse type plant growth facility, or vice versa. Thus, the structure becomes a multi-purpose farm structure that may be continuously and substantially utilized.Moreover, the present invention relates to a method and structure for utilizing available solar radiation in curing and drying tobacco. Generally, the tobacco curing and drying structure comprises an enclosure adapted to support bulk tobacco therein. A combination air blower and heating system is disposed in said curing and drying structure and operative to force air through the bulk tobacco therein, the heating system being capable of heating the forced air as necessary to maintain desired environmental conditions within said curing and drying structure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an automatic seed singulating and dispensing apparatus adapted to singulate and dispense seeds from a hopper into a growing medium such as a series of soil pots or cubes. The seed singulating and dispensing apparatus comprises a frame structure having a hopper disposed about the upper portion thereof and including a series of three plates associated therewith. Disposed within the hopper is a seed buffer structure that lies just above an upper seed singulating plate. During operation the seed singulating plate moves relative to the seed buffer structure and the seeds within the hopper are moderately agitated and tend to assure that vacant seed openings within said seed singulating plate are filled.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a greenhouse curing and drying structure adapted to collect energy associated with available solar radiation and to utilize the heat associated therewith in curing and drying material within said greenhouse curing and drying structure. Basically the curing and drying structure comprises an outer transparent housing and an interiorly disposed solar energy collector housing defining a drying area or chamber thereunder. During phases of curing and drying material in the drying area or drying chamber, an outside air system is directed between said outer transparent housing and said collector housing where solar energy in the form of heat collected is transferred to the passing air system.