Aeroponic / Vertical Farming
US8782948
Method
and apparatus for aeroponic farming
[ PDF ]
A system and method of aeroponic farming includes depositing
seeds in a flat containing micro-fleece cloth and placing the
flat within a growth chamber. The upper side of the flat is
subjected to light of the proper frequencies to promote growth
in plants. A nutrient solution is sprayed onto the micro-fleece
cloth and the developing root mass of the plants, while
controlling temperature, humidity, and carbon dioxide within the
growth chamber. The plants are harvested resulting from the
seeds at a desired stage of growth. The growth chambers can be
stacked on each other and/or located side by side to save space
within a facility, and to permit sharing the subsystems which
control the nutrient solution, temperature, humidity, and carbon
dioxide for the growth chambers.
US8533992
Method
and apparatus for aeroponic farming
[ PDF ]
Abstract
A system and method of aeroponic farming includes depositing
seeds in a flat containing micro-fleece cloth and placing the
flat within a growth chamber. The upper side of the flat is
subjected to light of the proper frequencies to promote growth
in plants. A nutrient solution is sprayed onto the micro-fleece
cloth and the developing root mass of the plants, while
controlling temperature, humidity, and carbon dioxide within the
growth chamber. The plants are harvested resulting from the
seeds at a desired stage of growth. The growth chambers can be
stacked on each other and/or located side by side to save space
within a facility, and to permit sharing the subsystems which
control the nutrient solution, temperature, humidity, and carbon
dioxide for the growth chambers.
US2017164564
Cleaner
System and Method for Plant Growing Media
[ PDF
]
Abstract
Systems and methods are provided for cleaning a cloth or fabric
that has been used for growing plants. The cloth or fabric may
be separated from or mounted with respect to a tray or support
during the cleaning operation. At least two opposed, rotating
brushes engage the top and bottom surfaces of the cloth or
fabric to abrade and clean those surfaces. In addition, spray
units, e.g., high pressure fluid nozzles, may direct cleaning
fluid against one or both surfaces of the cloth or fabric.
Filtration and sterilization systems may also be associated with
the cleaning operation.
WO2020018795
FIXTURELESS
LAMP
Abstract
The present disclosure provides advantageous lighting systems
that can be installed on parallel rows of horizontal supports.
The lighting systems can be configured to have a single
electrical feedthrough on one end of the lamp that can also act
as a mating feature between the lamp and supports. More
particularly, the present disclosure provides improved lighting
systems that are fixtureless, waterproof, customizable, and easy
to install/remove.
WO2020005319
MULTILAYER
SEED GERMINATION AND PLANT DEVELOPMENT MEDIA
[ PDF
]
Abstract
Versions of the disclosure relate to multilayer flats for
germinating seeds and growing plants in aeroponic or hydroponic
farming. The multilayer structure can include a soilless growth
medium sandwiched between a support layer and a light barrier
layer. The support layer includes openings that allow plant
roots to be sprayed with a nutrient solution and the light
barrier layer includes openings that allow plants to develop
while limiting the growth of harmful algae on the soilless
growth medium.
US10182537B1
Rotomolded
vertical farming apparatus and system
[ PDF
]
Abstract
A growing system is provided that includes a rotomolded chassis
that defines (i) an “interior” where plants are/may be located,
and (ii) an “exterior” that at least partially defines a
perimeter around the interior. The chassis generally includes
stacking elements which allow one chassis to be stacked one upon
the other. The disclosed growing system also generally includes
(i) means for delivering liquid into the chassis, (ii) means for
draining liquid from the chassis, and (iii) means for supporting
plants that is conducive to their growing within the chassis.
WO2019089800
APPARATUS
AND METHOD TO FORM AND MOUNT PANS
[ PDF
]
Abstract
The present disclosure provides an advantageous pan jig for
installing a pan relative to a frame. The disclosed pan jig
semi-permanently engages the pan relative to a frame.
Specifically, the disclosed apparatus and method of use
advantageously facilitates formation and mounting of a drip pan
for use with a system that facilitates aeroponic growing. The
disclosed aeroponic growing system may include a plurality of
drip pans.
US2018014469
Leaf
Color Pattern Creation
[ PDF
]
Abstract
The device may include a first light source that emits a main
growth spectrum, a second light source that emits an altering
spectrum; and means of directing the first and second light
source to a group of cells, wherein the altering spectrum alters
the biochrome content of a group of cells to create a desired
pattern on a leaf. Methods of altering the biochrome ratio in a
group of cells on a leaf generally involve aligning a surface of
a leaf with a light source, activating the light source to
produce an altering spectrum, and directing the altering
spectrum towards the leaf to create a pattern, wherein cells of
the leaf exposed to the altering spectrum exhibit a desired
pattern.
WO2020005317
CONTROLLING
PLANT GROWTH CONDITIONS
[ PDF
]
Abstract
Embodiments of the disclosure relate to apparatus and methods
for monitoring plant development in aeroponic farming. The
output from one or more sensors in the apparatus be used to
modify the flow of one or more fluids to the developing plants.
US2018220605
Aeroponic
System and Method
[ PDF
]
Abstract
Exemplary embodiments are directed to an improvement of an
aeroponic system including a growth chamber and cloth support
elements. The improvement generally includes a cloth supported
by the cloth support elements. The cloth advantageously
satisfies a wicking height parameter and an absorbance parameter
so as to deliver advantageous aeroponic performance. The wicking
height parameter is a measurement of an ability of the cloth or
fabric to absorb moisture. The absorbance parameter is a
measurement of moisture the cloth or fabric retains. Exemplary
methods of aeroponic farming in an aeroponic system are also
provided.
US5136804
System
for germination, propagation and growing plants in
ultrasonic-fog conditions (aeroponics)
[ PDF ]
Abstract
An apparatus for aeroponically growing plants, having a
housing including a partition defining an upper compartment and
a lower compartment, the partition including means of supporting
a plurality of plants. The apparatus comprises a fog generator
including a container for receiving a quantity of water, and a
ultrasonic transducer located within the container to be
immersed in the water when received therein, and thereby to
generate a fog in the upper end of the container. Also having
conduit means to direct the generated fog to the compartments of
the housing.
US4669217A
Plant
propagation system and apparatus
[ PDF ]
Abstract
A modular plant propagation system and apparatus utilizes a
first or lower reservoir containing a liquid plant nutrient in
fluid communication with a second or upper reservoir in which a
plant propagation support module utilizes a sterile, low water
retention, linear foam plastic providing fluid communication
between the exterior and interior of the second or upper
reservoir. The nutrient fluid in the first nutrient reservoir is
forced up into the second reservoir by compressed gas for
predetermined cycles and periods of time to provide nutrients to
the roots of the plants supported by the linear foam plant
propagation support module. A computer is used to control air
and root temperatures, humidity, nutrient quality, nutrient
cycling rate and level in the first and second reservoirs and
utilizes an image recognition apparatus to measure plant growth
rate and produce maturity or ripeness to achieve optimum or
maximum growth rate potential for the plant being propagated. A
self-containing nutrient plant propagation module utilizes a
sterile, low water retention, linear foam plastic in which
generally parallel, elongated interconnecting cellular channels
provide fluid communication from the top of the module to the
bottom of the module in which is uniformly disbursed a
comminuted, water soluble, time release plant nutrient.
EP0655201A1
Treatment
of agricultural produce
[ PDF ]
Abstract
A method for the treatment of agricultural produce by
generating a relatively dry fog of at least 95% humidity having
an average particle size of less than 20 microns, preferably
about 5 microns, and applying the fog to the produce. The fog
may be applied during the storage of the produce for a period of
at least several weeks, whereupon the treatment substantially
reduces weight loss and decay during the storage period. The fog
may include a fungicide, whereupon the treatment substantially
reduces fungus-produced decay.
EP0142989A2
Plant
propagation system and apparatus
[ PDF ]
Abstract
A modular plant propagation system and apparatus utilizes a
first or lower hermetically sealed reservoir containing a liquid
plant nutrient in fluid communication with a second or upper
partially hermetically sealed reservoir in which a plant
propagation support module utilizes a sterile, low water
retention, linear foam plastic providing fluid communication
between the exterior and interior of the second or upper
reservoir. The nutrient fluid in the first nutrient reservoir is
forced up into the second reservoir by compressed gas for
predetermined cycles and periods of time to provide nutrients to
the roots of the plants supported by the linear foam plant
propagation support module. A computer is used to control air
and root temperatures, humidity, nutrient quality, nutrient
cycling rate and level in the first and second reservoirs and
utilizes an image recognition apparatus to measure plant growth
rate and produce maturity or ripeness to achieve optimum or
maximum growth rate potential for the plant being propagated. A
self-contained nutrient plant propagation module utilizes a
sterile, low water retention, linear foam plastic in which
generally parallel, elongated interconnecting cellular channels
provide fluid communication from the top of the module to the
bottom of the module in which is uniformly disbursed a
comminuted, water soluble, time release plant nutrient.
US4332105
Apparatus
and method for plant growth in aeroponic conditions
[ PDF ]
Abstract
Apparatus for aeroponic growth and development of a
multiplicity of plants comprising at least one plant development
unit including at least one perforate plant support member
adapted to secure plants above the root portions thereof and
thereby to directly expose substantially all of the root
portions thereof to the atmosphere; spraying apparatus for
providing a nutrient mist directly to the exposed root portions
of the plants; and nutrient collection and recirculation means;
and control means for determining the timing of mist provision.
EP0571316A1
Fog
generator
[ PDF ]
Abstract
A fog generator includes a reservoir (22) for a liquid to be
atomized, a plurality of ultrasonic transducers (20) disposed in
spaced relation to each other in the reservoir (22) so as to be
submerged within the liquid therein, a gas inlet (26) duct
extending through the reservoir (22), and a dome-shaped
deflector overlying (28), and of larger diameter than the gas
inlet duct (26) to deflect the gas flowing through the duct back
towards the reservoir (22) to pick up liquid atomized by the
transducers.