Receptacle For Growing Medium Patents (Class 47/65.5)
  • Patent number: 11987779
    Abstract: A flexible bioprocess bag comprising a number of flexible panels which are sealed to each other such that when the bag is filled they form at least a bottom of the bag and a side surface of the bag, wherein one of the flexible panels is called a bottom panel and when the bag is filled said bottom panel will constitute the bottom of the bag and parts of the side surface of the bag, said parts of the side surface being bent side parts of the bottom panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: GLOBAL LIFE SCIENCES SOLUTIONS USA LLC
    Inventor: Colin R. Tuohey
  • Patent number: 11974528
    Abstract: A tessellated ceramic apparatus for plant growth is set forth devised to support germination and plant growth upon an exterior surface. Water moves under osmotic pressure from a water storage volume disposed in osmotic communication with the ceramic, through the ceramic to become available water at the exterior surface. A graduated cross-section regulates water flow from a water storage volume through to the exterior surface along a pressure gradient exerted by the water head. Plant growth is facilitated within a plurality of tessellated indentations disposed upon the exterior surface and growth may be restricted from areas of the exterior surface by application of gloss, glaze, sealants and/or other surface features that may blend design elements to augment and support a living design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: TERRA STUDIO LTD.
    Inventors: Eran Zarhi, Elad Burko
  • Patent number: 11968978
    Abstract: Glycan Composites and methods for rendering glycan composites for the treatment of photosynthetic organisms, including the steps of formulating branched glycan deglycosylates into coordination complex compositions resulting in water-borne availability; stability during storage; applying a suitable volume of the resulting mixture to one or more photosynthetic organisms; delivery to photosynthetic organisms; metabolically based growth of crops; enhanced qualities and increased quantities of crops; and systems and compositions for the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: Innovation Hammer LLC
    Inventor: Arthur M. Nonomura
  • Patent number: 11957088
    Abstract: A plant-growing container (500) can include a lower portion (506) and a wall (502) extending upwardly from the lower portion (506). The wall (502) can include a first aperture (512). The plant-growing container (500) can further include an orifice (510) formed by an upper portion (504) of the wall (502) and configured to receive a removable seed receptacle. The plant-growing container (500) can further include a reservoir provided by a lower portion (506) of the wall (502). The container (500) can be configured to be removably inserted into a port of a module of a plant-growing system, wherein the reservoir can be configured to receive a first volume of fluid from a fluid that is circulated through the plant-growing system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: Gardyn Inc.
    Inventor: Francois-Xavier Rouxel
  • Patent number: 11930748
    Abstract: To achieve a structure that prevents water from spilling from a receiving tray when the receiving tray is pulled out from a pot stand. A receiving tray for a pot stand is adapted to receive drained water from a pot stand that includes an upper surface part having a hole and an opening. The receiving tray includes a main body that is movable with respect to the opening in a predetermined direction X, and a plurality of wave suppressing members that extend in a width direction Y on a bottom surface of the main body and are arranged at an interval in the predetermined direction X. The plurality of wave suppressing members include first wave suppressing members and a second wave suppressing member 32 that extends from a side wall surface of the main body in a gap between the first wave suppressing members in the predetermined direction X.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Cotte Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Daishi Tsuneoka
  • Patent number: 11910765
    Abstract: Foldable plant pot with removable hooking for the configuration of vertical gardens that is manufactured from a foldable flat square structure manipulated by folds and cuts to obtain a conical reservoir with angular shapes. It has a hooking system that allows them to be suspended in vertical structures, preferably of the mesh type, thanks to the pressure generated by the folds of the material and which also allow it to come off when this pressure is reduced so that it can be placed elsewhere. When the plant is moved, it is not affected as its root remains intact in the conical reservoir and the stem is secured by a support ring which prevents it from dropping in the event of sudden movements. In the same way, it has containment flaps that partially close the conical reservoir and prevent the substrate from being extracted by external agents such as sudden movements, winds, birds, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Inventor: Jose Carlos Bejarano Bernal
  • Patent number: 11851827
    Abstract: The invention relates to a completely or partially compostable turf (202, 300) the turf being a completely or partially compostable artificial turf or a hybrid turf (202) comprising a completely or partially compostable hybrid turf support, the turf comprising a decomposition inhibitor, the decomposition inhibitor in the turf being adapted to lose its functionality or leave the turf until a defined period of time has elapsed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignees: Technology Licensing Corporation, Stadia Turf Technology Pte. Ltd., Polytex Sportbelage Produktions-GmbH
    Inventors: Stephan Sick, Mark A. Heinlein, Ivo Lohr, Stefan Hally, Hamish Sutherland
  • Patent number: 11771016
    Abstract: A system for growing plants and monitoring the growth of plants, comprising a gardening system and a server. The gardening system comprises a frame that defines a housing for receiving a tray of plants. The gardening system also has a lighting subsystem and watering subsystem to provide light and water to the plants. Sensors and cameras of the gardening system may capture data corresponding to the conditions of the gardening system and health of the plant. Based on the captured data, the server may use machine learning to determine optimal plant growing thresholds, and may send a control command to a controller of the gardening system to change one or more conditions of the gardening system. The plants grown by the system may be nutritious, and the bioavailability of the nutrients of the plants may be increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Inventors: Aamar Khwaja, James Henderson, Peter Cottreau, Matthew Bailey
  • Patent number: 11758859
    Abstract: This invention discloses a modular aeroponics assembly. The assembly comprises base section and a planter section atop the base section. The planter section comprises modular drawers which hold planter pods. The base section comprises a reservoir configured to hold water and nutrients. A plurality of full complete modular drawer assemblies are stacked one top the other to form a single rack assembly. A plurality of such single rack assemblies are stacked side by side to form a multi-rack assembly. Planter pods, which hold plants, are aligned along an axis which is angularly displaced, operatively outwards, about a vertical axis. Noise dampeners are provided just adjacent to each corresponding planter pod. Use of incline geometry, in conjunction with noise dampeners, substantially eliminates noise, wastage, and inefficiencies caused due to water falling upon water and/or water hitting solid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: GROBRIX PTE. LTD.
    Inventor: Mathew Robert Howe
  • Patent number: 11723326
    Abstract: An indoor gardening appliance includes a liner defining a grow chamber and a grow module rotatably mounted within the grow chamber for receiving a plurality of plant pods. A grow module is provided for receiving pods within apertures of the grow module, which includes locking tabs configured for slidably engaging with slots, which are defined in each pod. The grow module and the pods have complementary tapered interfaces that form a seal when the locking tabs are slidably engaged with the slots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Allgeier, Louis A. Wantland
  • Patent number: 11707027
    Abstract: A hydroponic grow assembly including an assembly base and at least one plant structure removably connectable to the assembly base to form a plant wall for growing plants. The plant structure includes a plurality of plant wells opened to a root chamber and the base includes a bottom structure enclosed by a perimeter wall to form an inner cavity of a reservoir tank to supply water to the root chamber of the plant structure. The bottom structure includes a support feature within the inner cavity of the reservoir tank to support the at least one plant structure in an upright position to form the plant wall of the assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: Fork Farms Holdings, LLC
    Inventor: Alexander R. Tyink
  • Patent number: 11696655
    Abstract: A frame including at least two hangers and at least two vertical members, each of the vertical members attached to at least one of the hangers on a first side of the vertical members, and a bottom attached to a second side of the each of the vertical members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Inventor: Dan Ford
  • Patent number: 11674115
    Abstract: A flexible bioprocess bag comprising a number of flexible panels which are sealed to each other such that when the bag is filled they form at least a bottom of the bag and a side surface of the bag, wherein one of the flexible panels is called a bottom panel and when the bag is filled said bottom panel will constitute the bottom of the bag and parts of the side surface of the bag, said parts of the side surface being bent side parts of the bottom panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: GLOBAL LIFE SCIENCES SOLUTIONS USA LLC
    Inventor: Colin R. Tuohey
  • Patent number: 11590523
    Abstract: Proximity triggered water fountains may have proximity sensors configured to detect target(s), a processing unit communicably coupled to proximity sensors configured to transfer data related to the target(s) to the processing unit, nozzles and nozzle controllers, and collectors configured to receive water projected from the nozzles. The nozzle controllers may be controlled based on data received from the sensors. The nozzle controllers may be coupled to the nozzles of a water circulation system configured to adjust a water projection angle from the nozzles with respect to the ground. The water circulation system may use tank(s), pump(s), and supply and return line(s), with the nozzles, tank(s), pump(s), and supply and return line(s), being in fluid communication. The nozzles and collectors may be displaced a horizontal distance from each other such that outlets of the nozzles are not vertically above the collectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: Prince Mohammad Bin Fahd University
    Inventor: Nassim Khaled
  • Patent number: 11576315
    Abstract: A tessellated ceramic apparatus for plant growth is set forth devised to support germination and plant growth upon an exterior surface. Water moves under osmotic pressure from a water storage volume disposed in osmotic communication with the ceramic, through the ceramic to become available water at the exterior surface. A graduated cross-section regulates water flow from a water storage volume through to the exterior surface along a pressure gradient exerted by the water head. Plant growth is facilitated within a plurality of tessellated indentations disposed upon the exterior surface and growth may be restricted from areas of the exterior surface by application of gloss, glaze, sealants and/or other surface features that may blend design elements to augment and support a living design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Terra Studios LTD
    Inventors: Eran Zarhi, Elad Burko
  • Patent number: 11553653
    Abstract: A plant pot comprising a first reservoir, in which the first reservoir has a base and at least one first side wall extending upwardly from an outer periphery of the base. The plant pot further comprising at least one second side wall formed in the first reservoir extending upwardly from the base. The at least one second side wall forming a second reservoir in the first reservoir, and wherein the second reservoir is integrally formed from the base of the first reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Inventor: Rodney James Middleton
  • Patent number: 11540461
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system for growing plants out of seeds on a water surface. The system has a buoyant plate with a number of passages extending between the top surface and the parallel bottom surface. The plate floats on a water surface. A container is arranged in each passage and a growing seed is arranged in each container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: Maan Intellectual Properties B.V.
    Inventor: Andreas Willibrordus Maria Jansen
  • Patent number: 11425867
    Abstract: A plant tray having a bottom and a sidewall. The bottom has at least one prominence rising from the inner surface of the bottom. The at least two prominences have at least one elevated drainage opening that is elevated above the inner surface of the bottom. A planting is made with at least one plant that is grown in soil in the plant tray and has air pruned roots at the at least one elevated drainage opening. The medium, such as soil, is watered to allow water to initially reside in the inner surface of the bottom to a level limited by the at least one elevated drainage opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: A to Z VanWingerden and Associates, LLC
    Inventor: Alan VanWingerden
  • Patent number: 11412667
    Abstract: A horticultural container includes a tag slot for receiving a display tag. The tag slot has an inner wall and an outer wall spaced widthwise from one another, and one of the inner or outer walls has at least two curved peaks separated by a valley and extending into the slot towards the other of the inner or outer wall to hold the tag against the other of the inner or outer wall. The peaks provide a radius that reduces cracking of the tag and increases longevity thereof, and reduces tag sagging, collapsing, or curling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: THE HC COMPANIES, INC.
    Inventors: Robert Quinlan, Doug Pettigrew
  • Patent number: 11343975
    Abstract: The pot for culturing an epiphyte is integrally injection molded from a transparent plastic. The pot has a bottom, a lower edge, an upper edge and a sidewall extending between the lower edge and the upper edge. The sidewall of the pot is provided with an outwardly protruding lip at the level of the upper edge. A cross section through the sidewall of the pot, tangent to the lower face of the lip, has a substantially hexagonal or octagonal shape. Consequently, the pot, at least at the top, is hexagonal or octagonal, thus allowing more pots to be positioned per unit area compared to a round shape having the same diameter as the diameter of the circumscribed circle of the hexagonal or octagonal shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: THOMSEN SAS
    Inventor: Gino Van Helleputte
  • Patent number: 11337376
    Abstract: A plant cultivation device and a plant cultivation method are disclosed. The plant cultivation device includes: a holder including at least one plant cultivation layer; a lighting unit disposed in the at least one plant cultivation layer to allow light emitted from the lighting unit to irradiate a plant cultivated in the plant cultivation layer; an illuminance detecting unit configured to detect an illuminance in the plant cultivation layer to obtain an illuminance measurement; and a control unit configured to obtain the illuminance measurement and adjust a lighting intensity of the lighting unit according to the illuminance measurement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignees: BOE OPTICAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD., BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Qingyang Zhao, Qing Qin
  • Patent number: 11304391
    Abstract: A microgreens grower includes: a chamber; a seed support disposed above the chamber, the seed support having a structure which is configured to prevent seeds of a predetermined size from falling through, but is permeable to water; a mist generator disposed below the seed support and in communication with a water reservoir; at least one grow light disposed above the seed support; and an electronic controller operable to selectively provide electrical power to the mist generator and the at least one grow light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: NEW ENGLAND ARBORS CANADA, INC.
    Inventor: Eddie James DeJong
  • Patent number: 11267167
    Abstract: A molded pot is provided with imperfections manufactured by manufacturing mold tooling with imperfections by obtaining a handmade pot. The handmade pot is scanned to obtain geometric data. The geometric data is converted to mold tooling geometric data. Mold tooling is manufactured from the mold tooling geometric data. The handmade pot is obtained with imperfections. The handmade pot is scanned to obtain the geometric data of the handmade pot with the imperfections. The geometric data is converted to mold tooling geometric data with the imperfections. The mold tooling is manufactured with imperfections. A pot is molded with imperfections from the mold tooling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: ATT Southern, Inc.
    Inventors: Chun Wai Hung, Brian Leahy
  • Patent number: 11266079
    Abstract: A pot with a base is pivotally connected to, and supported upon a saucer. A cam surface is provided between the saucer and the pot so that rotation of the pot in a first rotary direction relative to the saucer extends the pot from the saucer, and rotation of the pot in a second rotary direction relative to the saucer retracts the pot to the saucer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: ATT Southern, Inc.
    Inventors: Chun Hung, Amy Brinckerhoff, Robert Stein
  • Patent number: 11248385
    Abstract: A lid and strainer basket assembly for use in a recirculating system of a swimming pool installation including a swimming pool and a deck, the recirculating system having a skimmer device extending downwardly from an opening proximate to the deck and coupled to a pump for recirculating the water in the swimming pool, the lid and strainer basket assembly including a removable lid closing the opening, a strainer basket in the skimmer device for collecting debris from the water, and an assembly of straps coupling the removable lid to the strainer basket, the straps being both sufficiently flexible and slacked between the lid and the strainer basket to enable the lid to be removed from the opening and tipped to one side to enable visual inspection of the strainer basket in the skimmer device without interference from the straps and without disturbing the strainer basket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Inventor: Sandra H. Willwater
  • Patent number: 11234385
    Abstract: A tessellated ceramic apparatus for plant growth is set forth devised to support germination and plant growth upon an exterior surface. Water moves under osmotic pressure from a water storage volume disposed in osmotic communication with the ceramic, through the ceramic to become available water at the exterior surface. A graduated cross-section regulates water flow from a water storage volume through to the exterior surface along a pressure gradient exerted by the water head. Plant growth is facilitated within a plurality of tessellated indentations disposed upon the exterior surface and growth may be restricted from areas of the exterior surface by application of gloss, glaze, sealants and/or other surface features that may blend design elements to augment and support a living design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: TERRA STUDIO LTD.
    Inventors: Eran Zarhi, Elad Burko
  • Patent number: 11212968
    Abstract: A method is proposed for remotely growing plants in a planting zone that is divided into multiple planting areas. Via an electronic device that communicates with a remote automated planting sub-system in the planting zone, a user may select desired planting area(s) and desired type(s) of plant precursors on the electronic device, and remotely cause the remote automated planting sub-system to plant the selected type(s) of plant precursors into the selected planting area(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Inventor: Chin-Min Hung
  • Patent number: 11122804
    Abstract: Glycan Composites and methods for rendering glycan composites for the treatment of photosynthetic organisms, including the steps of formulating branched glycan deglycosylates into coordination complex compositions resulting in water-borne availability; stability during storage; applying a suitable volume of the resulting mixture to one or more photosynthetic organisms; delivery to photosynthetic organisms; metabolically based growth of crops; enhanced qualities and increased quantities of crops; and systems and compositions for the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: Innovation Hammer LLC
    Inventor: Arthur M. Nonomura
  • Patent number: 11089739
    Abstract: An air-root-pruning container for growing a plant and a unitary flat including a plurality of the containers. The air-root-pruning container includes a base and a sidewall upwardly extending from the base. The sidewall includes inwardly projecting ribs, each rib extending in an upward direction along the sidewall, and each rib having a first side and a second side. The sidewall further includes ledges extending from the first side of each rib, ledges extending from the second side of each rib, and holes through the sidewall, each hole being positioned adjacent a location where one of the ledges extends from one of the ribs. For each rib, each of the ledges extending from the first side of the rib extend from the rib at a location that is vertically offset from a location where each of the ledges extending from the second side of the rib extend from the rib.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: Lacebark, Inc.
    Inventor: Carl E. Whitcomb
  • Patent number: 10986791
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: MJNN LLC
    Inventors: Brice Klein, Alex Ibrahim, Matthew Matera
  • Patent number: 10986787
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: MJNN LLC
    Inventors: Brice Klein, Alex Ibrahim, Matthew Matera, Nicholas Robert Kalayjian, Frank Spiteri
  • Patent number: 10798881
    Abstract: A plant container has a base and a sidewall upwardly extending from the base. The sidewall includes stepped sidewall sections that each include a plurality of generally vertical sidewall panels having successively larger cross-sectional dimensions with distance from the base and horizontal ledges extending between an upper edge of an adjacent lower one of the sidewall panels and a lower edge of an adjacent upper one of the sidewall panels. The sidewall further includes a plurality of ribs, where each rib is formed between two of the stepped sidewall sections and extends inwardly across the ledges of the two stepped sidewall sections. Each rib has two legs that extend apart to form an outwardly-directed open channel. Holes are formed in the sidewall for air root pruning, where each hole is formed directly between a ledge and a leg of one of the ribs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: LACEBARK, INC.
    Inventor: Carl E. Whitcomb
  • Patent number: 10694689
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: MJNN, LLC
    Inventors: Brice Klein, Michael Flynn, Alexandre Le Roux, Meaghan Fitzgerald, Matthew Matera, Mark Cuson, Alex Ibrahim
  • Patent number: 10426100
    Abstract: A system, method and apparatus for a container for a plant includes a body having a vertical axis, an open top, a base, a sidewall extending upward from the base, holes in the base and legs extending downward from the base. The holes comprise elongated slots and apertures that intersect each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: Plantlogic LLC
    Inventor: Israel Holby
  • Patent number: 10412902
    Abstract: A plant tray having a bottom and a sidewall. The bottom has at least one prominence rising from the inner surface of the bottom. The at least two prominences have at least one elevated drainage opening that is elevated above the inner surface of the bottom. A planting is made with at least one plant that is grown in soil in the plant tray and has air pruned roots at the at least one elevated drainage opening. The medium, such as soil, is watered to allow water to initially reside in the inner surface of the bottom to a level limited by the at least one elevated drainage opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: A TO Z VAN WINGERDEN AND ASSOCIATES, LLC
    Inventor: Alan VanWingerden
  • Patent number: 10398098
    Abstract: The potted plant system of the present invention uses the space between the inner and outer pots as a reservoir for water. The water reservoir acts passively to transport water into the spoil of the inner pot which is subsequently used by the potted house plant. The reservoir is filled by over watering the inner pot and allowing the excess water to pass through the apertures within the inner pot. Passive transport of water from the reservoir to the soil occurs as the water saturation of the soil decreases. As a result, the soil and the potted plant remain hydrated for longer period of time as the reservoir continuously replenishes the water. The water within the reservoir can be drained through a quick connect sliding valve located on the outer pot. The quick connect sliding valve is either placed above another water receptacle or is fitted with a hose that transports the water to a drain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Inventor: Franc Gergek
  • Patent number: 10342183
    Abstract: A pot for a plant may include a container having an axis that is vertical, a base, a sidewall extending upward from the base, an interior, an exterior, drain holes extending from the interior to the exterior and an interior bottom. The container may be configured to receive and be stacked with a second container inside of the container. In one example, the legs of the second container may be configured to extend through the drain holes of the container beyond the interior bottom of the container. In another example, the legs of the second container may be visible from the exterior of the first container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: Plantlogic LLC
    Inventor: Israel Holby
  • Patent number: 10231387
    Abstract: The present teachings provide for a horticulture tray including a growing cell. The growing cell can include a first end, a second end, and a sidewall. The first end can define a first aperture. The second end can be opposite to the first end. The sidewall can define a plurality of arcuate shaped chambers that can extend longitudinally between the first and second ends. Each arcuate shaped chamber can define a plant supporting portion proximate to and spaced apart from the second end. Each arcuate shaped chamber can continuously taper from the first end to the plant supporting portion at a first rate and can continuously taper from the plant supporting portion to the second end at a second rate. The second rate can be greater than the first rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: Blackmore Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Fred N. Blackmore, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10149442
    Abstract: In some embodiments, an automated planter apparatus may include a reservoir container having a base with a sidewall coupled to and extending away from the base. A reservoir cavity may be disposed within the reservoir container and may be formed and bounded by the sidewall and base. A support lid may be configured to extend over and cover all or portions of the reservoir cavity. One or more receptacles may be disposed within the support lid, and each receptacle may be in fluid communication with the reservoir cavity. One or more pumps may be in fluid communication with the reservoir cavity and each receptacle. A plant container may be removably coupled within a receptacle. A processing unit may be in electrical communication with each pump and be configured to activate and control each pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Inventor: Thomas Luke Hohmann
  • Patent number: 9879428
    Abstract: A rain water collection system for a blue roof system that includes a tray assembly comprising a container, a water absorbing layer located in said interior region of the container, ballast members and a cover plate. The water absorbing layer is supported on a first set of support surfaces to locate the water absorbing layer above the bottom wall of the container to provide a water collecting space into which will flow excess water that exceeds the water absorbing capacity of the water absorbing layer. The sidewalls of the container have openings therethrough to facilitate the passage of over flow water from the container and the introduction of air therethrough into the interior region. The upstanding columns have openings to facilitate the passage of air therethrough into the interior region of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Permaloc Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel G. Zwier, Robert D. Anderson, Philip L. Koops, Dennis C. Herdegen
  • Patent number: 9615519
    Abstract: Plant cultivation materials, which have the liquid retentivity and the liquid transitivity, which provide the best environment for plants respiration, which comprises polyesters, natural pulps and/or synthetic pulps such as polyolefin pulps, from which plants can absorb the amount of the elements necessary for the plant growth as much as plants want whenever plants want, and which provide the cultivation environment to accelerate the plant growth, and the plant cultivation methods by using the materials can be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignees: MITSUI CHEMICALS, INC., PHYTOCULTURE CONTROL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hirozumi Matsuno, Yasushi Nawa, Kunisuke Tanaka, Daisuke Suzumura, Ryo Hasegawa
  • Patent number: 9332695
    Abstract: A modular plant container includes a top having a plurality of inflow openings for receiving fluid. A bottom has a plurality of outflow openings for allowing the fluid to exit. A structure between the top and the bottom includes openings that allow light to reach a plant within the modular plant container. The structure forms a plurality of fluid paths. Each fluid path extends from one of the inflow openings in the top an associated outflow opening in the bottom. Each fluid path has a gap sized to allow a diverter. The diverter when present, divert fluid to a target location within the modular plant container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Inventor: Kee Y. Hwang
  • Patent number: 9137952
    Abstract: A growing tray system for growing soilless plants and sod utilizing trays for growing plants and sod without soil wherein the trays are easily stackable, movable, and are contoured with shapes such that roots may grow downward around the contoured shapes promoting interwoven geometric root structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Inventor: James Jay Martin
  • Publication number: 20150143747
    Abstract: A floral display comprising a frame for securing water retaining florist foam in a decorative shape that may be hung for display. The floral display frame provides for simple securing of the foam and allows access to the foam for complete floral coverage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2013
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Applicant: Jolly Blossoms LLC
    Inventors: Maryam Mowla, Siavash Hozhabri
  • Patent number: 9038312
    Abstract: A planter for holding a plant includes a container having an open upper end. The container has side walls extending downward from the upper end and tapering inward to a lower end. A base at the lower end of the container has a diameter smaller than the diameter of the upper end. A circumferential ring surrounds the lower end of the container. The circumferential ring has an upper edge that extends outward from the container by a distance such that removal of the container and ring from a mold as a single unit would be inhibited. Accordingly, the container and the circumferential ring are molded from a thermoplastic material as separate components. The circumferential ring fits around the lower end of the container and is held in place by a mechanical interlock between the container and the ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: ATT SOUTHERN INC.
    Inventor: Kenneth A. Harbaugh
  • Publication number: 20150135588
    Abstract: The potted plant display system of the present invention uses plant trays into which potted plants are placed. Watering of the potted plants is accomplished by filling the plant trays with water and allowing the soil within the pots to absorb the water in a bottom up fashion. Multi-tier or vertical displays are created by using the various display bases into which trays are placed. Plant trays within a tier are interconnected through a conduit system that transfers water from one plant tray to another. A single plant tray within a tier contains a draining adaptor through which water is drained onto a plant tray located on a tier directly below or into a bucket. Water level in the plant trays is controlled by the draining restrictor that is placed into the draining adaptor. During watering, water is applied to a plant tray positioned on the highest tier in a multi-tier display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2013
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventor: FRANC GERGEK
  • Publication number: 20150128491
    Abstract: A vessel in a modular magnetic storage system is set forth. The vessel includes at least one magnet housing assembly configured to securely store a magnet therein. The magnet housing assembly is provided on, within a portion, or within a wall of the vessel. An interior wall of the vessel is configured to form a compartment and to selectively store at least one object therein. The magnet housing assembly is configured to hold the vessel securely in a suspended configuration through a cover provided on the magnet housing assembly. The vessel is mounted in the suspended configuration by selectively connecting the magnet to a surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2013
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventors: Jared Aller, Beau Oyler, Yi Cui
  • Publication number: 20150128492
    Abstract: A man-made vitreous fibre (MMVF) plant growth substrate is provided. The substrate has properties including a volume of 3 to 20 litres, two layers of differing density, and the use of an organic binder selected from formaldehyde free binders. This is found to provide a substrate which allows excellent control of the water and/or nutrient contents within the substrate when used for plant growth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventors: Daan Louis De Kubber, Frank Hendrikus Peter Janssen
  • Publication number: 20150121756
    Abstract: A system for plant cultivation in containers located in a vertical or sloping arrangement on different levels includes a module. The module includes an internal volume for receiving at least one nutritive substrate and at least one plant. The internal volume is delimited by a front wall having at least one opening for the plants to pass through for exposure to light, and a rear wall joined to the front wall. The rear wall has a fixing area for fixing the module to a mounting, and the rear wall includes a partitioning rib projecting into the internal volume to slow flow of water flowing between the levels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2015
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventor: Jose Dos Santos
  • Patent number: 9015990
    Abstract: A culture container includes a container and a cover. The container forms an opening at the top and an external threaded portion around the opening. The cover includes a main body and a flange extending from the main body. An internal threaded portion corresponding to the external threaded portion is formed on the internal surface of the flange. The cover forms a ventilation passage having an opening formed at a free end of the flange facing away from the main body. When the internal threaded portion is threaded with the external threaded portion so as to close the opening of the bottle, the interior of the bottle communicates with exterior via the ventilation passage. Thus, dust is prevented from falling into the bottle via the ventilation passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Inventor: Bing-Mao Li