CA2431523A1 - Rotary plant growing apparatus - Google Patents
Rotary plant growing apparatus Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2431523A1 CA2431523A1 CA002431523A CA2431523A CA2431523A1 CA 2431523 A1 CA2431523 A1 CA 2431523A1 CA 002431523 A CA002431523 A CA 002431523A CA 2431523 A CA2431523 A CA 2431523A CA 2431523 A1 CA2431523 A1 CA 2431523A1
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- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- ring
- plant
- drum
- view
- plants
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
- A01G—HORTICULTURE; CULTIVATION OF VEGETABLES, FLOWERS, RICE, FRUIT, VINES, HOPS OR SEAWEED; FORESTRY; WATERING
- A01G31/00—Soilless cultivation, e.g. hydroponics
- A01G31/02—Special apparatus therefor
- A01G31/04—Hydroponic culture on conveyors
- A01G31/047—Hydroponic culture on conveyors with containers inside rotating drums or rotating around a horizontal axis, e.g. carousels
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02P—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS
- Y02P60/00—Technologies relating to agriculture, livestock or agroalimentary industries
- Y02P60/20—Reduction of greenhouse gas [GHG] emissions in agriculture, e.g. CO2
- Y02P60/21—Dinitrogen oxide [N2O], e.g. using aquaponics, hydroponics or efficiency measures
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- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Environmental Sciences (AREA)
- Breeding Of Plants And Reproduction By Means Of Culturing (AREA)
Description
.~ ~~1~~ ~ Bl~_~I~ ~~~~~~~~
~'he present invention ~vl~tes to ~ plant growing ,~pp~ratus of the ~,~pc hcrcir~: ~
cylindrical drum like str~act~.~r~; rct~.tcs about ~ light source.
~'he field of growing plants using larnlas is well ~:~~~~v i~~ the art and many systems have been proposed. In order to ~~~rc~r~e this, in ~~.na.~ian patent 2,343,54, there is discioscd ~ systcrn ~hcreir~ thf~ plant. ~pp~r~t~s is in the :l:o a of ~ dr~~n which rotates about a light source t~ thereby m~intair~ ~ c~~~stant distance bet~en the pl is aa~d the lamp. 'l'he dram is rotated ~n~l there is provided ~ water feedi~~~ basin located at the bottom into which the plants, i.n a pots are provided with nutrients.
while sa~ch ~r~ ~.pp~r~,ta~.s has indeed been found try be suitalble for the purpose of growing plants, the structure of the same is s~jrnewh~t comple~~.
~ne of the probleans of the prior ~,rt systems is the distar~cc betvreer~ the light source and the plants which ~r~ growing. As there must be sulvcient room for the plants to grow, the light source must be a certain distance awa~l from the plants.
Ihile this is suitable when the plants arc substantially fully grown, a;~ the li~'ht intensity is stiff cie~t for leaves which are near the light source, it c~iocs presewt a pro'bler~ when vhe plants are very young since the light inte~~si~ diminishes subst~nti,~ily with an increasing distance thercfr~rn. A figrthcr problcrn :~~.hcre~~t In suc.~ appar~tu~,cs is tl~e f~cding o~'°the plants.
As aforer~entioned9 when tl~c structure rotate:> and a por~;ior~ th~;reof is immersed in the liquid, a problem of dripping ofthc liquid over the base <~nd cv~~n outside the base structure °ises.
According to the preser~~t inver~tio~°~, there is provisicd a~
app~r~tus which, overcomes at least some of tl~c pr~ble s associated with such prior art ap~ratuscs.
_t_ embodirrgent of the present invention is illustrated in the accon~pany~ng drawings to which reference will no~~ be made and in whiche Figure I is a perspective view of one embodiment of an apparatus according to the present invention wherein the ~~ppar~~:us is in its compact s~~aller configuration;
Figure 2 is a perspective view of the apparatus of Figure 1 in an expanded conf guration;
Figure 3 is a side elevational view of the apparatus of Figure z;
Figure 4 is a plan view =~f one ofthe rig segments used in the rotating drum sf~'9~.Ct~,ire;
Figure 5 is a perspective, view thereof;
Figure 6 is ~ side elev~tional ~%iew illustrating secureme:nt of two ring segments when the apparatus is in its smaller compact configuration;
Figure 7 is ~ aiew simil,~r to Figure 6 when the ri~~.g is ia~ its fall e~pande;d configuration;
Figure ~ is a perspectwe view of ~, portion of the strnct~re showing provision of means for supplying nutrients rind fluid to the plant containers;
Figure 9 is a side eievational view of an apparatus acco~°ding to the present invention;
Figure lU is an end perspective view a portion of a farther embodiment of an apparatus according to the pre;rent invention, with porti~~x~. ther~,of being reov~~,d for clarity, Figure I 1 is a view si:ilar to ~ig~are IU with end panels removed;
Figure I2 is a end elevational view of the apparatus of Figure I I;
-~
Figure 13 is a perspective view of a still further ernbodi~nent of an apparatus according to the present invention, again ~vit~~ portions removed for purposes of clarity;
Figure 14 is an enlarge view of a plant retaining %nemb~ers utilised in the embodiment of Figure i3;
Figure i ~ is a perspective view of portions of a modified apparatus similar to the apparatus of Figure 13;
Figure P& is a view sin~~;lar to th~.~, of Figure 15, ~~:~th pl~.nt retaininnernbers being mounted thereon; and Figure i~ is an end ele~ationai view o:~a portion of a drive system whici~
rnay be ernpioyed with the apparatus.
Referring to the drawin~~s in greater detail, and by reference characters thereto, there is illustrated a rotary plant growing apparatus which is generally designated by reference numeral i 0.
apparatus 10 includes first and second side frames 12 aid 20. First sides frame 12 includes a base member 14 with a pair of diagonal supports 16 and 1 ~
extending upwardly from opposed ends thereof ~imiiarly, side frame 20 includes ~~ base 22 having diagonal supports 24 and 26. Extending between side fr es 12 a nd 20 is a longitndina;i, frame member 2~.
'The apparatus includes a plurality of t~°ansversely extending containers generally designated by reference numeral 32 which are mounted on a rotating ring gene~°aiiy designated by reference numeral 34. icing 34 is comprised of a p~.~,arality of ring segments generally designated by reference numeral 3b. ~n the embodirr~ent of Figure l , there are six ring segments 36 while in the embodiment of Figure ~;, they~e a.re provided eight ring Segn~elltS.
The ring segments 36 a~°e illustrated in greater de~.~~ii in higures 4 to 7 and reference will now be had thereto. Each ring segYnent includes a base 3 ~ and a pair of opposed side walls 40 and 42. As may be seen in ;fig~.re 4., base 3~ includes a plurality of rectangular apertures 44 and a plurality of pr~jectior~s 46.
Located at one end of each ring segment 36, and secured to the side walls 40 and 42, is a connecting portion 4~. ~s may ~~e seen in Figurars 5, 6 and 7a each connecting portion includes a lower apert~~re 50 and an upper slot ~2 for re-asons which will become apparent hereinbelow. A plurality of pins 53 are provided at the other end of side walls 40 and 42.
Each transversely extending container 32 includes a base portion '4 which has a plurality of slot like apertures _'i6 formed therein. From one side of base S4, there is provided an upwardly extending wall 5 S having an inwardly e~;tending flange 60. dot the other side of base 54, there is provided ~ second side wall 62 also having an inwardly extending flange 64. the arrangement is such that plant growth medium may be placed ~rithin the transverse container 32.
The apparatus 10 inciueles an electric motor 66 dri wing a belt 6~ which in turn drives a drive roller 70 in co$~tact with ring 34. It will be noted that drive roller 70 includes a pair of lateral guide: 72 to ensure that the rotai~ing ring does nc~t move sidewardly. Similarly, there are provided guide rollers generally designated by reference numerals 74 and 7~ and which are not driven., but which sire useful to stabilise the rotating drum. For purposes of clarity9 some of the drive rollers d o not have their connecting structure shown; it will be understood that appropriate connection to frame members will be pr~vided.
~~~~~ct~d to side fraR'ne 20 is a ~%~rti~all~ ~~ter~di~g ara~~ 7~~ a~ld which ~.arries a suppart 7~. This is utilised to support a weir ~2 which hare a pl~ralit~y of dllspensir~g ~~ernbers ~~ secured thereto arid which dispe~~si~g mernlbers ~fi are designed to pr~~ide a ~l~id (water and/or ~utrier~ts~ tl~r~ugh slot ~pe~~tures ~6 to the giant grc~wt~~~ edi~arrg within trar~s~ersely extending ccntai~..ers 32.
The arrangement is s~:~ch that the ring 34 ray be ~;~n~prised of, in the illustrated exnb~diment, six or eight ring :segments. ~~Jhen the ring is f~r.~~ed. ~f six segments as sh~wr~ i~ figure 1, the apparati.zs is mere compact and ta~~r~s the plants within trans~ersel~
extending c~rltai~er 32 will be closer to the light source which is i.r~ the center ~~f the drum. When expanded, the dr~~m ass es a more ci~°c~alar con~g~.~ration and the plants will be further spaced from the light sorc;e. :~s will be :»,en, tire arrangement is such that pins 53 ~t within lower apertu~°e ~Q and uppe~_~ slot ~2. '~';~e cor~figur~ti~n of upper slot 52 allows for movement of the pi~~ therein.
The light source has nod been shown fc~r purposes of cla~°it~ bit it will b~;
underst~~d that a c~nventior~al light source such as is illaastrate~d ire Canadian latent
~'he present invention ~vl~tes to ~ plant growing ,~pp~ratus of the ~,~pc hcrcir~: ~
cylindrical drum like str~act~.~r~; rct~.tcs about ~ light source.
~'he field of growing plants using larnlas is well ~:~~~~v i~~ the art and many systems have been proposed. In order to ~~~rc~r~e this, in ~~.na.~ian patent 2,343,54, there is discioscd ~ systcrn ~hcreir~ thf~ plant. ~pp~r~t~s is in the :l:o a of ~ dr~~n which rotates about a light source t~ thereby m~intair~ ~ c~~~stant distance bet~en the pl is aa~d the lamp. 'l'he dram is rotated ~n~l there is provided ~ water feedi~~~ basin located at the bottom into which the plants, i.n a pots are provided with nutrients.
while sa~ch ~r~ ~.pp~r~,ta~.s has indeed been found try be suitalble for the purpose of growing plants, the structure of the same is s~jrnewh~t comple~~.
~ne of the probleans of the prior ~,rt systems is the distar~cc betvreer~ the light source and the plants which ~r~ growing. As there must be sulvcient room for the plants to grow, the light source must be a certain distance awa~l from the plants.
Ihile this is suitable when the plants arc substantially fully grown, a;~ the li~'ht intensity is stiff cie~t for leaves which are near the light source, it c~iocs presewt a pro'bler~ when vhe plants are very young since the light inte~~si~ diminishes subst~nti,~ily with an increasing distance thercfr~rn. A figrthcr problcrn :~~.hcre~~t In suc.~ appar~tu~,cs is tl~e f~cding o~'°the plants.
As aforer~entioned9 when tl~c structure rotate:> and a por~;ior~ th~;reof is immersed in the liquid, a problem of dripping ofthc liquid over the base <~nd cv~~n outside the base structure °ises.
According to the preser~~t inver~tio~°~, there is provisicd a~
app~r~tus which, overcomes at least some of tl~c pr~ble s associated with such prior art ap~ratuscs.
_t_ embodirrgent of the present invention is illustrated in the accon~pany~ng drawings to which reference will no~~ be made and in whiche Figure I is a perspective view of one embodiment of an apparatus according to the present invention wherein the ~~ppar~~:us is in its compact s~~aller configuration;
Figure 2 is a perspective view of the apparatus of Figure 1 in an expanded conf guration;
Figure 3 is a side elevational view of the apparatus of Figure z;
Figure 4 is a plan view =~f one ofthe rig segments used in the rotating drum sf~'9~.Ct~,ire;
Figure 5 is a perspective, view thereof;
Figure 6 is ~ side elev~tional ~%iew illustrating secureme:nt of two ring segments when the apparatus is in its smaller compact configuration;
Figure 7 is ~ aiew simil,~r to Figure 6 when the ri~~.g is ia~ its fall e~pande;d configuration;
Figure ~ is a perspectwe view of ~, portion of the strnct~re showing provision of means for supplying nutrients rind fluid to the plant containers;
Figure 9 is a side eievational view of an apparatus acco~°ding to the present invention;
Figure lU is an end perspective view a portion of a farther embodiment of an apparatus according to the pre;rent invention, with porti~~x~. ther~,of being reov~~,d for clarity, Figure I 1 is a view si:ilar to ~ig~are IU with end panels removed;
Figure I2 is a end elevational view of the apparatus of Figure I I;
-~
Figure 13 is a perspective view of a still further ernbodi~nent of an apparatus according to the present invention, again ~vit~~ portions removed for purposes of clarity;
Figure 14 is an enlarge view of a plant retaining %nemb~ers utilised in the embodiment of Figure i3;
Figure i ~ is a perspective view of portions of a modified apparatus similar to the apparatus of Figure 13;
Figure P& is a view sin~~;lar to th~.~, of Figure 15, ~~:~th pl~.nt retaininnernbers being mounted thereon; and Figure i~ is an end ele~ationai view o:~a portion of a drive system whici~
rnay be ernpioyed with the apparatus.
Referring to the drawin~~s in greater detail, and by reference characters thereto, there is illustrated a rotary plant growing apparatus which is generally designated by reference numeral i 0.
apparatus 10 includes first and second side frames 12 aid 20. First sides frame 12 includes a base member 14 with a pair of diagonal supports 16 and 1 ~
extending upwardly from opposed ends thereof ~imiiarly, side frame 20 includes ~~ base 22 having diagonal supports 24 and 26. Extending between side fr es 12 a nd 20 is a longitndina;i, frame member 2~.
'The apparatus includes a plurality of t~°ansversely extending containers generally designated by reference numeral 32 which are mounted on a rotating ring gene~°aiiy designated by reference numeral 34. icing 34 is comprised of a p~.~,arality of ring segments generally designated by reference numeral 3b. ~n the embodirr~ent of Figure l , there are six ring segments 36 while in the embodiment of Figure ~;, they~e a.re provided eight ring Segn~elltS.
The ring segments 36 a~°e illustrated in greater de~.~~ii in higures 4 to 7 and reference will now be had thereto. Each ring segYnent includes a base 3 ~ and a pair of opposed side walls 40 and 42. As may be seen in ;fig~.re 4., base 3~ includes a plurality of rectangular apertures 44 and a plurality of pr~jectior~s 46.
Located at one end of each ring segment 36, and secured to the side walls 40 and 42, is a connecting portion 4~. ~s may ~~e seen in Figurars 5, 6 and 7a each connecting portion includes a lower apert~~re 50 and an upper slot ~2 for re-asons which will become apparent hereinbelow. A plurality of pins 53 are provided at the other end of side walls 40 and 42.
Each transversely extending container 32 includes a base portion '4 which has a plurality of slot like apertures _'i6 formed therein. From one side of base S4, there is provided an upwardly extending wall 5 S having an inwardly e~;tending flange 60. dot the other side of base 54, there is provided ~ second side wall 62 also having an inwardly extending flange 64. the arrangement is such that plant growth medium may be placed ~rithin the transverse container 32.
The apparatus 10 inciueles an electric motor 66 dri wing a belt 6~ which in turn drives a drive roller 70 in co$~tact with ring 34. It will be noted that drive roller 70 includes a pair of lateral guide: 72 to ensure that the rotai~ing ring does nc~t move sidewardly. Similarly, there are provided guide rollers generally designated by reference numerals 74 and 7~ and which are not driven., but which sire useful to stabilise the rotating drum. For purposes of clarity9 some of the drive rollers d o not have their connecting structure shown; it will be understood that appropriate connection to frame members will be pr~vided.
~~~~~ct~d to side fraR'ne 20 is a ~%~rti~all~ ~~ter~di~g ara~~ 7~~ a~ld which ~.arries a suppart 7~. This is utilised to support a weir ~2 which hare a pl~ralit~y of dllspensir~g ~~ernbers ~~ secured thereto arid which dispe~~si~g mernlbers ~fi are designed to pr~~ide a ~l~id (water and/or ~utrier~ts~ tl~r~ugh slot ~pe~~tures ~6 to the giant grc~wt~~~ edi~arrg within trar~s~ersely extending ccntai~..ers 32.
The arrangement is s~:~ch that the ring 34 ray be ~;~n~prised of, in the illustrated exnb~diment, six or eight ring :segments. ~~Jhen the ring is f~r.~~ed. ~f six segments as sh~wr~ i~ figure 1, the apparati.zs is mere compact and ta~~r~s the plants within trans~ersel~
extending c~rltai~er 32 will be closer to the light source which is i.r~ the center ~~f the drum. When expanded, the dr~~m ass es a more ci~°c~alar con~g~.~ration and the plants will be further spaced from the light sorc;e. :~s will be :»,en, tire arrangement is such that pins 53 ~t within lower apertu~°e ~Q and uppe~_~ slot ~2. '~';~e cor~figur~ti~n of upper slot 52 allows for movement of the pi~~ therein.
The light source has nod been shown fc~r purposes of cla~°it~ bit it will b~;
underst~~d that a c~nventior~al light source such as is illaastrate~d ire Canadian latent
2,343,254 may be utilized.
In the errzbodirnent of lgre 5, there i s shown a por~ion of a rya~dified forrr~. of the apparatus and which apparatus is ge~~erally designated boy refer nee numeral 11 ~.
apparatus 110 includes a top fearne member l 12, a bottom frayne member 114, and a pair ~f side frame rnernbers 1 lei, 11 . inserted LT shape ~:;ember 120 is secured to a hanger 122 which ire tern hangs about top frame men~her 112. ~ernbe;r 120 has a pair of downward extended arms 1239 125 which is designed to support ring 124. This said, _~_ many different means may be utilized ir~cl~i~g roller members sr~pporti~g an outer portion of the ring 124.
~ir~g 124 is of the segmented type previously des~c:~ibed and in this insta:~ce, includes a plurality of transvcr;,ely extending containers X26. In this embodiment, containers 126 are of a circula~~ configuration having a sp ~a knot sh~~wing~
from therein to permit plant growth.
For rotating the ring 124, there is provided a spro~c;~et lad which is suitably connected to a drive means knot shone. ~ pair of guide; means 130, 132 gay be provided at either side of ring ~?0, 24 and suitably mounted to side: frame ~-~~ernbers 116, 11 ~ respectively.
A still rther ernbodimer~t of the pres~;nt invention is ilius~:rated in p'igu~~es 10 to 12 and reference will now be made thereto.
~n apparatus generally designated by reference nurnerai 140 includes ~J shape frame assemblies 142 and 144 ms~ur~ted at either side. ~, plurality of a suppor~ arid drive ~~ernbers 146 rnay be provided for a rotatably supporting a rotating drum assembly generally designated by refere~~ce numeral 14.5. drum asse~nb~y 145 is comprised of an outer drum 14~ and an inner d~°~.arn 150 spaced therefror~~. In tl:~is regard, support and drive means 146 nay be any suitable and accordingly are not descrihed in detail herein. 'they i~ay serve to only support the drum assembly 145 with s,r~,parat~ drive mea~.s being j~rovided or one or more of tic means 146 may be utili~~~d to a rotatably drive drum assembly 145.
1~s shown ire Figure 11, there are provided a plurali~ of generally rectangular transversely extending containers 154 each he~vir~g slits :L 52 th~,rei~~ to pewit p.:ant gro~rth tercthrough. containers 154 may be utilized t~ c~ntai~. ~, gr~~~i~.g rnedi~.
~~n end panel 1~~ is provided along with ~ nutrient feed tube 16n~. In this cba~diea~t, ~ very ~r~e vapor or spray is provided thrci~gll tube 1 ~0 to the space internzed.iatc outer dr~ur~ 14~ and inner drum 150: As the dr~~~ f°otates, r~L~trient feed may be provided thr~~gh tube 1 ~0 through suitable apertures ~~.~t sh~w~~ in end panel 1~~. alternatively, ~tberc are ar~y l~n~~rn mechanisms fir feeding the nutrient solution to t°,'r~e spare bct~ee~~ the t~v~~ drums.
eA,gain, as is conventional, a light source 156 ~a provided ir~terie~rly of inner drum 150.
A still further crnb~diment of the present invcnticon is sluown in ~ig~:~res 13 t~ 16 and will now be described.
'The eb~dimerit of hig~re 13 is similar to the cr.~i~~dir~:~ent ofT'igurc 10 in that apparatus 170 includes a pair cdf Ilwsl~apc frarncs ~ 72, 174. '~h~~
support/drivc r~ea~s 176 are utilized t~ drive a drum c~~r~priscd of an csutcr dram 1_7~ and an inner drum 1~0.
~~wever, in this embodiment, they are provided apertures ~n~t slxs~wn~ v~ithin inner drum 1 ~0 and which are designed to receive a plane receiving cieme~~t 1 ~2.
Plant receiving clement 1 ~2 is illustrated in greatedr detail ire Pigurc 14 and as may be seen, comprises a base p~rt~.on 1 ~4, ar~d a~. upper pori,ion 1 6.
~'xtending thcrethrough is an aperture 1 ~~ mhile a slit u.90 e~;~cnds throa~gh the side ~va~ is to apcrt~re 1 ~ ~. In use, a young plant rnay be inserted through aperture 1 hand since plant receiving element 1 ~2 is fo ed of a resilient corrzpressiblc material, plant gro°~%v~~h is herrnitted. It vain be understood that suitable means arc provided for retaining plant rcr°civing eiemcnt 1 ~2 within the aperture of inner dr~~m 3 ~0. T his, pl is recei ring eleg~c~at 1 ~~. may be formed of a fo mate~°ial.
'The embodiment of Figures 1 ~ and 1~ is similar ts~ th t ~f _'Figures 13 and 14 and accordingly, similar referencc numerals will be empioye;d. ~n :his embodiment, inner drum 1 ~0 is provided with a plurality of rectangular plant receiving apertures i 94 each designed to received a plant receiving ciemer~~ 196. As ~rr~ay be; seen in figure 16, plant receiving elements 196 have a pair of apertur~;s 19~ from ti~erein along with a pair of slits 200. I~laturally, many diffcren9: configurations can be utilized dvith the present invention.
Turning to J~igure 17, there is illustrat~,d a drive means ~~hich rnay be used for any of the apparatuses of the present invention. In this drive device;, there is provided a sprocket wheel 2~D4 which engages aperture 2~5 formed in the outer drum or outer ring.
tt will be understood that the above described embodiments are for purposes of illustration only and that cha=nges or modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the: invention.
_$_
In the errzbodirnent of lgre 5, there i s shown a por~ion of a rya~dified forrr~. of the apparatus and which apparatus is ge~~erally designated boy refer nee numeral 11 ~.
apparatus 110 includes a top fearne member l 12, a bottom frayne member 114, and a pair ~f side frame rnernbers 1 lei, 11 . inserted LT shape ~:;ember 120 is secured to a hanger 122 which ire tern hangs about top frame men~her 112. ~ernbe;r 120 has a pair of downward extended arms 1239 125 which is designed to support ring 124. This said, _~_ many different means may be utilized ir~cl~i~g roller members sr~pporti~g an outer portion of the ring 124.
~ir~g 124 is of the segmented type previously des~c:~ibed and in this insta:~ce, includes a plurality of transvcr;,ely extending containers X26. In this embodiment, containers 126 are of a circula~~ configuration having a sp ~a knot sh~~wing~
from therein to permit plant growth.
For rotating the ring 124, there is provided a spro~c;~et lad which is suitably connected to a drive means knot shone. ~ pair of guide; means 130, 132 gay be provided at either side of ring ~?0, 24 and suitably mounted to side: frame ~-~~ernbers 116, 11 ~ respectively.
A still rther ernbodimer~t of the pres~;nt invention is ilius~:rated in p'igu~~es 10 to 12 and reference will now be made thereto.
~n apparatus generally designated by reference nurnerai 140 includes ~J shape frame assemblies 142 and 144 ms~ur~ted at either side. ~, plurality of a suppor~ arid drive ~~ernbers 146 rnay be provided for a rotatably supporting a rotating drum assembly generally designated by refere~~ce numeral 14.5. drum asse~nb~y 145 is comprised of an outer drum 14~ and an inner d~°~.arn 150 spaced therefror~~. In tl:~is regard, support and drive means 146 nay be any suitable and accordingly are not descrihed in detail herein. 'they i~ay serve to only support the drum assembly 145 with s,r~,parat~ drive mea~.s being j~rovided or one or more of tic means 146 may be utili~~~d to a rotatably drive drum assembly 145.
1~s shown ire Figure 11, there are provided a plurali~ of generally rectangular transversely extending containers 154 each he~vir~g slits :L 52 th~,rei~~ to pewit p.:ant gro~rth tercthrough. containers 154 may be utilized t~ c~ntai~. ~, gr~~~i~.g rnedi~.
~~n end panel 1~~ is provided along with ~ nutrient feed tube 16n~. In this cba~diea~t, ~ very ~r~e vapor or spray is provided thrci~gll tube 1 ~0 to the space internzed.iatc outer dr~ur~ 14~ and inner drum 150: As the dr~~~ f°otates, r~L~trient feed may be provided thr~~gh tube 1 ~0 through suitable apertures ~~.~t sh~w~~ in end panel 1~~. alternatively, ~tberc are ar~y l~n~~rn mechanisms fir feeding the nutrient solution to t°,'r~e spare bct~ee~~ the t~v~~ drums.
eA,gain, as is conventional, a light source 156 ~a provided ir~terie~rly of inner drum 150.
A still further crnb~diment of the present invcnticon is sluown in ~ig~:~res 13 t~ 16 and will now be described.
'The eb~dimerit of hig~re 13 is similar to the cr.~i~~dir~:~ent ofT'igurc 10 in that apparatus 170 includes a pair cdf Ilwsl~apc frarncs ~ 72, 174. '~h~~
support/drivc r~ea~s 176 are utilized t~ drive a drum c~~r~priscd of an csutcr dram 1_7~ and an inner drum 1~0.
~~wever, in this embodiment, they are provided apertures ~n~t slxs~wn~ v~ithin inner drum 1 ~0 and which are designed to receive a plane receiving cieme~~t 1 ~2.
Plant receiving clement 1 ~2 is illustrated in greatedr detail ire Pigurc 14 and as may be seen, comprises a base p~rt~.on 1 ~4, ar~d a~. upper pori,ion 1 6.
~'xtending thcrethrough is an aperture 1 ~~ mhile a slit u.90 e~;~cnds throa~gh the side ~va~ is to apcrt~re 1 ~ ~. In use, a young plant rnay be inserted through aperture 1 hand since plant receiving element 1 ~2 is fo ed of a resilient corrzpressiblc material, plant gro°~%v~~h is herrnitted. It vain be understood that suitable means arc provided for retaining plant rcr°civing eiemcnt 1 ~2 within the aperture of inner dr~~m 3 ~0. T his, pl is recei ring eleg~c~at 1 ~~. may be formed of a fo mate~°ial.
'The embodiment of Figures 1 ~ and 1~ is similar ts~ th t ~f _'Figures 13 and 14 and accordingly, similar referencc numerals will be empioye;d. ~n :his embodiment, inner drum 1 ~0 is provided with a plurality of rectangular plant receiving apertures i 94 each designed to received a plant receiving ciemer~~ 196. As ~rr~ay be; seen in figure 16, plant receiving elements 196 have a pair of apertur~;s 19~ from ti~erein along with a pair of slits 200. I~laturally, many diffcren9: configurations can be utilized dvith the present invention.
Turning to J~igure 17, there is illustrat~,d a drive means ~~hich rnay be used for any of the apparatuses of the present invention. In this drive device;, there is provided a sprocket wheel 2~D4 which engages aperture 2~5 formed in the outer drum or outer ring.
tt will be understood that the above described embodiments are for purposes of illustration only and that cha=nges or modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the: invention.
_$_
Claims
Priority Applications (3)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002431523A CA2431523A1 (en) | 2003-06-09 | 2003-06-09 | Rotary plant growing apparatus |
| US10/797,806 US7401437B2 (en) | 2003-03-10 | 2004-03-10 | Rotary plant growing apparatus |
| CA002460465A CA2460465C (en) | 2003-03-10 | 2004-03-10 | Rotary plant growing apparatus |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002431523A CA2431523A1 (en) | 2003-06-09 | 2003-06-09 | Rotary plant growing apparatus |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2431523A1 true CA2431523A1 (en) | 2004-12-09 |
Family
ID=33557577
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002431523A Abandoned CA2431523A1 (en) | 2003-03-10 | 2003-06-09 | Rotary plant growing apparatus |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2431523A1 (en) |
Cited By (13)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2006096650A2 (en) * | 2005-03-07 | 2006-09-14 | Terrasphere Systems Llc | Method and apparatus for growing plants |
| WO2007000202A1 (en) * | 2005-04-28 | 2007-01-04 | Heinz Gruber | Device for receiving plants |
| US7415796B2 (en) | 2005-03-07 | 2008-08-26 | Terrasphere Systems Llc | Method and apparatus for growing plants |
| US7559173B2 (en) | 2005-03-07 | 2009-07-14 | Terrasphere Systems Llc | Method and apparatus for growing plants in carousels |
| US7818917B2 (en) | 2009-03-23 | 2010-10-26 | Terrasphere Systems Llc | Apparatus for growing plants |
| WO2016058084A1 (en) * | 2014-10-16 | 2016-04-21 | Gilles Dumont | Horticultural method and apparatus |
| EP3155896A1 (en) | 2015-10-13 | 2017-04-19 | Roto-gro Inc. | Stackable modular rotatable gardening system |
| US9854750B2 (en) | 2012-01-30 | 2018-01-02 | Affinor Growers Inc. | Method and apparatus for automated horticulture and agriculture |
| CN107889648A (en) * | 2017-11-01 | 2018-04-10 | 广州聚旭机电技术研究院有限公司 | A kind of wall built-up agricultural planting frame |
| CN107896726A (en) * | 2017-11-01 | 2018-04-13 | 广州聚旭机电技术研究院有限公司 | A kind of wall built-up agricultural planting frame intelligent environment managing and control system |
| US10070594B2 (en) | 2014-02-20 | 2018-09-11 | Affinor Growers Inc. | Method and apparatus for automated vertical horticulture and agriculture |
| USD896690S1 (en) | 2019-03-06 | 2020-09-22 | Affinor Growers Inc. | Growing tower |
| US10842084B2 (en) | 2014-02-20 | 2020-11-24 | Affinor Growers Inc. | Vertical growing tower for automated horticulture and agriculture |
-
2003
- 2003-06-09 CA CA002431523A patent/CA2431523A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (17)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2006096650A3 (en) * | 2005-03-07 | 2007-08-16 | Terrasphere Systems Llc | Method and apparatus for growing plants |
| US7415796B2 (en) | 2005-03-07 | 2008-08-26 | Terrasphere Systems Llc | Method and apparatus for growing plants |
| US7533493B2 (en) | 2005-03-07 | 2009-05-19 | Terrasphere Systems Llc | Method and apparatus for growing plants |
| US7559173B2 (en) | 2005-03-07 | 2009-07-14 | Terrasphere Systems Llc | Method and apparatus for growing plants in carousels |
| WO2006096650A2 (en) * | 2005-03-07 | 2006-09-14 | Terrasphere Systems Llc | Method and apparatus for growing plants |
| WO2007000202A1 (en) * | 2005-04-28 | 2007-01-04 | Heinz Gruber | Device for receiving plants |
| US7818917B2 (en) | 2009-03-23 | 2010-10-26 | Terrasphere Systems Llc | Apparatus for growing plants |
| US7984586B2 (en) | 2009-03-23 | 2011-07-26 | Terrasphere Systems Llc | Apparatus for growing plants |
| US9854750B2 (en) | 2012-01-30 | 2018-01-02 | Affinor Growers Inc. | Method and apparatus for automated horticulture and agriculture |
| US10070594B2 (en) | 2014-02-20 | 2018-09-11 | Affinor Growers Inc. | Method and apparatus for automated vertical horticulture and agriculture |
| US10842084B2 (en) | 2014-02-20 | 2020-11-24 | Affinor Growers Inc. | Vertical growing tower for automated horticulture and agriculture |
| WO2016058084A1 (en) * | 2014-10-16 | 2016-04-21 | Gilles Dumont | Horticultural method and apparatus |
| US10292346B2 (en) | 2015-10-13 | 2019-05-21 | Roto-gro Inc. | Stackable modular rotatable gardening system |
| EP3155896A1 (en) | 2015-10-13 | 2017-04-19 | Roto-gro Inc. | Stackable modular rotatable gardening system |
| CN107896726A (en) * | 2017-11-01 | 2018-04-13 | 广州聚旭机电技术研究院有限公司 | A kind of wall built-up agricultural planting frame intelligent environment managing and control system |
| CN107889648A (en) * | 2017-11-01 | 2018-04-10 | 广州聚旭机电技术研究院有限公司 | A kind of wall built-up agricultural planting frame |
| USD896690S1 (en) | 2019-03-06 | 2020-09-22 | Affinor Growers Inc. | Growing tower |
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