Patents by Inventor Margret Augustine

Margret Augustine has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 5322035
    Abstract: A method for establishing a hydrological cycle in a closed ecological system is disclosed. The hydrological cycle results in the establishment of a variety of different micro-environments which simulate micro-environments of Earth. The hydrological cycle further results in the establishment of a symbiotic interrelation of organisms in that are established within the different micro-environments, where the wastes generated by organisms of one micro-environment are removed by organisms of a second environment and are used as nutrients. This biological purification of the water maintains the purity and functionality of the water for continual use within the closed ecological system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 21, 1994
    Assignee: Space Biospheres Ventures
    Inventors: Philip B. Hawes, Margret Augustine
  • Patent number: 5194147
    Abstract: Solutions containing pesticide wastes from greenhouses, for example, are decontaminated in a system including a soil bed reactor. Waste water from the greenhouse goes to a sample tank from which samples are withdrawn for assay of toxicity. Water from the sample tank goes to a holding tank, or to a downstream subsystem if toxicity level is low. Water in the holding tank is aerated to promote degradation of toxic materials. Water from the holding tank is applied near the upper surface of a layer of soil in the soil bed reactor. Air from the sample tank and holding tank, and intermittently, air containing pesticides from the greenhouse, is also passed through the layer of soil in the soil bed reactor. Microbial action in the soil degrades toxic materials in both the gaseous and liquid streams. Water from the soil bed reactor may then be discharged to a pond populated by plant and animal species which promote further degradation of any remaining toxic materials before the water is discharged from the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1993
    Assignee: Space Biospheres Ventures
    Inventors: Margret Augustine, Carl N. Hodges, Linda S. Leigh
  • Patent number: 5078881
    Abstract: Solutions containing pesticide wastes from greenhouses, for example, are decontaminated in a system including a soil bed reactor. Waste water from the greenhouse goes to a sample tank from which samples are withdrawn for assay of toxicity. Water from the sample tank goes to a holding tank, or to a downstream subsystem if toxicity level is low. Water in the holding tank is aerated to promote degradation of toxic materials. Water from the holding tank is applied near the upper surface of a layer of soil in the soil bed reactor. Air from the sample tank and holding tank, and intermittently, air containing pesticides from the greenhouse, is also passed through the layer of soil in the soil bed reactor. Microbial action in the soil degrades toxic materials in both the gaseous and liquid streams. Water from the soil bed reactor may then be discharged to a pond populated by plant and animal species which promote further degradation of any remaining toxic materials before the water is discharged from the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1992
    Assignee: Space Biospheres Venture
    Inventors: Margret Augustine, Carl N. Hodges, Linda S. Leigh