Patents by Inventor Ralph Rhoads

Ralph Rhoads 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: 8656641
    Abstract: Self-watering fruit tree container comprises a container holding a living plant that is positioned above a container holding a pool of water or nutrient solution where the water may be absorbed by the living plant through a permeable bottom and/or side of the plant container. Self-watering fruit tree container allows for an airspace layer between the plant container and the water container which prevents excessive absorption of water into the plant container, thereby preventing root rot. Self-watering fruit tree container achieves this partially by special funnel shaped root-pruning aeration apertures in the bottom of the plant container that allow very small roots and root hairs to pass and grow through the bottom of the plant container and into the water reservoir below, while pruning and stopping larger roots, and also allowing for aeration of soil in the plant container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Inventors: Ralph Rhoads, George Charles Anderson
  • Patent number: 8510988
    Abstract: Self-watering plant container includes a container used to hold a living plant and soil and a container to hold a pool of water or nutrient solution underneath the plant/soil container where the water may be absorbed by the living plant through a permeable bottom in the plant/soil container. Self-watering plant container includes an airspace layer located between the bottom of the plant/soil container and the top of the water or nutrient solution pool in order to prevent excessive moisture or water from being absorbed into the plant/soil container, thereby preventing root rot. Self-watering plant container achieves this partly by special funnel shaped root-pruning aeration apertures in the bottom of its plant/soil container that allow very small roots and root hairs to grow through the bottom of plant/soil container and into the water reservoir below, while forcing larger roots back into the plant/soil container, and also allowing for aeration of the plant/soil container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Inventors: George Anderson, Ralph Rhoads
  • Publication number: 20130174484
    Abstract: Self-watering fruit tree container comprises a container holding a living plant that is positioned above a container holding a pool of water or nutrient solution where the water may be absorbed by the living plant through a permeable bottom and/or side of the plant container. Self-watering fruit tree container allows for an airspace layer between the plant container and the water container which prevents excessive absorption of water into the plant container, thereby preventing root rot. Self-watering fruit tree container achieves this partially by special funnel shaped root-pruning aeration apertures in the bottom of the plant container that allow very small roots and root hairs to pass and grow through the bottom of the plant container and into the water reservoir below, while pruning and stopping larger roots, and also allowing for aeration of soil in the plant container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2012
    Publication date: July 11, 2013
    Inventors: Ralph Rhoads, George Charles Anderson
  • Publication number: 20120240466
    Abstract: Self-watering plant container includes a container used to hold a living plant and soil and a container to hold a pool of water or nutrient solution underneath the plant/soil container where the water may be absorbed by the living plant through a permeable bottom in the plant/soil container. Self-watering plant container includes an airspace layer located between the bottom of the plant/soil container and the top of the water or nutrient solution pool in order to prevent excessive moisture or water from being absorbed into the plant/soil container, thereby preventing root rot. Self-watering plant container achieves this partly by special funnel shaped root-pruning aeration apertures in the bottom of its plant/soil container that allow very small roots and root hairs to grow through the bottom of plant/soil container and into the water reservoir below, while forcing larger roots back into the plant/soil container, and also allowing for aeration of the plant/soil container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2011
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Inventors: George Anderson, Ralph Rhoads
  • Patent number: 7998728
    Abstract: Multiple Tray Vermicomposter with Thermal Siphon Airflow is a vermiculture composting device that uses earthworms to create compost where worms eat and digest food to excrete compost. It is a multiple tray system with a base and a lid. New compost trays with freshly loaded food and bedding are stacked on top of older trays containing worms and compost to instigate a continuous upward migration of the worms thereby creating continuous compost production. Compost trays have permeable bottoms to allow worms to pass through. Compost production is accelerated from thermal siphon airflow to provide ample airflow to the worms without the requirement of a power source. Light-tight air-permeable connections between trays, lid, and base, also accelerate compost production by keeping the worms completely dark. If worms fall through the bottom compost tray, there exists a ramp to enable the fallen worms to climb back into the bottom compost tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Inventors: Ralph Rhoads, George Anderson
  • Publication number: 20100273251
    Abstract: The invention is a vermicomposter which is a composting device that uses earthworms or worms to accelerate the composting process. A multiple tray system is used to greatly increase compost production and for convenience of compost harvesting. The invention uses thermal siphon airflow and light-tight air permeable connections between its members to increase compost production. The vermicomposter comprises: a base with collection tray, at least one stacking tray, and a light-tight air-permeable lid. The upper surface of the base forms the collection tray which comprises: a set of sides, a bottom, a set of support ribs with notches, and is open on the top to form a liquid-tight container. Notches are sectioned out of the upper inner corner of each support rib. Each notch defines on the rib: a notch bottom surface, a notch side surface, a side vent distance, and a lower vent distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2009
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Inventors: Ralph Rhoads, George Anderson