CA2985009C - Aeroponics system with rack and tray - Google Patents
Aeroponics system with rack and tray Download PDFInfo
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- CA2985009C CA2985009C CA2985009A CA2985009A CA2985009C CA 2985009 C CA2985009 C CA 2985009C CA 2985009 A CA2985009 A CA 2985009A CA 2985009 A CA2985009 A CA 2985009A CA 2985009 C CA2985009 C CA 2985009C
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- tray
- water
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- shelf
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- 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
Abstract
An aeroponics system is provided which includes a rack with multiple shelves thereon and with a tray accommodated on each shelf. Light modules are located above each shelf. Each tray has a hood with openings therein leading into a hollow chamber and above a base which includes spray heads therein. Water from a reservoir upon the rack is pumped to each of the spray heads to provide a spray within the hollow chambers. Plant cuttings are placed passing through the openings in the hood so that lower portions of the cuttings can receive the spray (and nutrients added into the reservoir) for propagation of the plant cuttings.
Description
CA Application Agent Ref; 14911/00001
2 CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
3 [001] This application claims priority to United States Patent Application No.
4 15/349,308 filed on November 11,2016.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
6 [002] The following invention relates to hydroponics and aeroponics systems.
7 More particularly, this invention relates to aeroponics and hydroponics systems which 8 are configured to allow large numbers of plant cuttings to be propagated simultaneously 9 with a minimum of floor space and utilizing a common source of water, nutrients and pressurized water flow, for efficient mass propagation of plant cuttings.
12 [003] Aeroponics is a plant growth technology somewhat akin to hydroponics in 13 that soil is not involved. With aeroponics, roots grow within an air filled chamber. Water 14 and other liquid nutrients are delivered to the plant through roots thereof in the air chamber, typically by spray of water (typically also including nutrients) upon the roots 16 within the chamber. Other portions of the plant grow above a top wall of the chamber 17 where either natural or artificial light is provided.
18 [004] When cloning or otherwise propagating a plant cutting, aeroponics systems 19 can be highly effective. One problem which is encountered is that it is often desirable to propagate a large number of plant cuttings at initial stages. The cuttings are small so 21 that a large number of cuttings can be confined to a relatively small space. However, 22 the logistics of delivering water and nutrients to a large number of cuttings being cloned 23 in an aeroponics system have, with prior art systems, been daunting.
Typical 24 aeroponics systems are small hollow enclosures with a top wall that may have a few dozen locations where plant cuttings can be cloned and initially propagated.
Water is 26 separately brought into the interior chamber for delivery of water and/or nutrients.
27 When scaling up such a system, complex bundles of water delivery tubing are required, 23244831.1 I space for aeroponics enclosures beneath available light is limited, and the overall 2 operation is both difficult to manage and limited in its volume of plant cuttings being 3 propagated per unit of floor space. =
4 [005] Accordingly, a need exists for a system and method to allow aeroponics enclosures to be more efficiently arrayed in a small space and to efficiently and reliably 6 deliver water and/or nutrients, as well as light to such an array of plant cuttings in a high 7 density configuration. Such a system would still beneficially give an operator access to 8 each of the individual cuttings in a convenient manner to tend to the cuttings, and 9 maximize effectiveness of the overall system.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
11 [006] With this invention a rack is provided which supports multiple individual trays, 12 each tray including an enclosure surrounding a hollow chamber and with a top wall 13 supporting multiple cuttings thereon. The tray includes a hood with the top wall therein, 14 the top wall being preferably substantially planar, rigid and thin with multiple openings passing therethrough. These openings can have a variety of different patterns, but 16 generally are equally spaced from adjacent openings. Preferably, the openings are 17 each surrounded by a recessed shelf. A plant cutting support collar can conveniently fit 18 into this recess and rest upon the shelf so that roots can form and grow below the plant 19 cutting collar, through the opening and within the hollow chamber of the tray, while other portions of the plant cutting can grow above the top wall.
21 [007] The enclosure of the tray extends down from the hood surrounding the hollow 22 chamber and down to a bottom wall. The bottom wall preferably has a sump at a lower 23 end thereof which can collect water within the hollow chamber and allow it to drain out 24 of the enclosure. The bottom wall includes water feed lines passing therethrough which supply water to at least one misting spray head (and typically an array of eight or more 26 misting spray heads) within a lower portion of the hollow chamber. These misting spray 27 heads are fed by pressurized water (typically also including liquid nutrients) which spray 28 from the misting spray heads and create a fine mist of moisture along with the air inside 23244831.1 CA Application Agent Ref; 14911/00001 1 of the hollow chamber. The water and nutrients thus provide a continuous bath of fresh 2 water and necessary nutrients directly to the roots of the plant cutting.
3 [008] The rack of this invention supports multiple trays carried by shelves thereof 4 which are preferably configured as drawers. Each rack includes multiple shelves at different elevation levels within the rack. In the embodiment depicted, three such 6 shelves are provided. Above each shelf within the rack a light module is provided so 7 that the plant cuttings can receive light on the foliage thereof. For the shelves other 8 than the top shelf, these lights can be conveniently supported in a shelf area that is 9 above each tray. An additional light source is provided at an uppermost portion of the rack to shine light onto a tray carried by the uppermost shelf. While the shelves are 11 shown as merely sliding drawer hardware at lateral sides of each shelf area, the shelves 12 could include at least portions of a planar horizontal surface at each shelf area.
13 [009] The rack also conveniently includes a centralized reservoir and a pump. The 14 centralized reservoir receives water (optionally also including nutrients in a liquid form), preferably at a lowermost portion of the rack. This reservoir is typically at atmospheric 16 pressure to allow for convenient adding of additional water, and for adding of nutrients 17 and for sampling of the water, such as to measure attributes of the water and/or 18 nutrients to ensure that the characteristics of the water (e.g. pH and other attributes) 19 can be conveniently monitored. The pump draws from the reservoir and pressurizes the water (optionally with liquid nutrients contained therein) to a pressure required to allow 21 the misting spray heads to optimally perform. The pump delivers this liquid flow to a 22 water supply line. This water supply line leads to each of the shelves.
A similar water 23 return line is also provided within the rack which leads back from each shelf to the 24 reservoir.
[0010] Each tray includes its own pressurized liquid delivery manifold adjacent a 26 lower portion thereof which preferably begins with one supply port and feeds the 27 multiple misting spray heads (or optionally in some embodiments a single spray head) 28 within the hollow chamber of the tray. A shutoff valve is provided at terminal ends of the 29 water supply lines adjacent to each shelf. These valves are strategically located so that 23244831.1 1 when a tray is placed on a shelf of the rack, the ports come together with the valves and 2 abut each other also sealing and opening the valves. To most effectively and 3 conveniently achieve this alignment, the shelves are preferably configured as drawers 4 with each drawer including a pair of drawer tracks and a pair of drawer arms. The drawer arms slide linearly upon the drawer tracks. The drawer arms support lateral 6 edges of a tray thereon. The tray, when mounted on the drawer arm, can thus have two 7 positions including an open "drawer out" position and a closed "drawer in" position.
8 When the drawer is in the closed position, the drawer arms and drawer tracks are 9 precisely located along with the water supply lines and the drain port on each drain tray so that the drain ports adjacent to the drain and the tray port on the water supply lines 11 are precisely aligned automatically when the drawer is moved to the closed position.
12 [0011] In one embodiment, the drain port and tray ports includes a similar 13 configuration with drain ports and tray ports on each tray and supply ports and return 14 ports on the rack which come into alignment together when the drawer having a tray thereon is transitioned from the open position to the closed position. In the closed 16 position, the tray is positioned under the light within the rack and is optimally configured 17 for plant propagation. When in the open position, the tray is optimally positioned for 18 tending of the plant cuttings by an operator and other procedures such as installing of 19 new plant cuttings, removal of plant cuttings, and other procedures to be performed by an operator most conveniently when the tray can be conveniently accessed.
21 [0012] The tray ports and the supply ports on the water supply lines of the trays are 22 preferably configured to seal effectively together and to also control a shut off valve 23 adjacent each tray port, so that water does not leak out during the various different 24 orientations of the tray including the open position and the closed position. In one embodiment the valves can be quick disconnect fittings which open the valve when 26 mating ports come together and shut the valve when mating ports are separated.
27 [0013] To further encourage such a tight seal, a latch is preferably provided which 28 can be manually (or automatically) engaged when the drawer slides into the closed 29 position. When the mating ports of the shutoff valve come together, the latch can also 23244831.1 CA Application Agent Ref; 14911/00001 1 be closed and the mating ports of the valve cause the valve to open. The actuation of 2 the valve occurs so that when the latch is tightly holding the tray in the closed position, 3 the valve is caused to be opened. When the latch is opened the tray can move away 4 from the closed position and not keep the two mating ports of the valve together, causing the valve to close.
6 [0014] Such coordination of the latches and the shutoff valves for each shelf and 7 tray can be automated, such as by utilizing servo motor type electrically actuatable 8 valves and placing appropriate sensors on the trays and shelves and/or rack. As an 9 alternative, such automatic valve opening and closing can be caused to function through a mechanical linkage so that the same manual actuation associated with 11 closing the tray into the closed position also actuates an electric circuit switch which 12 closes a circuit to deliver electric power to a valve to cause the valve to close (or open).
13 [0015] As another option, the latch itself both opens the valve and tightens the 14 mating portions of the valve together, and similarly closes the valve when the latch is moved to cause the mating portions of the valve to release each other. These latches 16 can be manually operated by a user after the drawer is moved into the closed position.
17 As another alternative, the force associated with sliding the drawer from the open 18 position to the closed position can automatically cause the valves to be opened, such as 19 by having the latches positioned so that the trays themselves or portions of the drawer arms impact the latches as the tray or drawer arm is arriving at the closed position.
21 [0016] In one embodiment, the drain/water out manifold can have an identical or 22 similar set of ports which include valves associated therewith. However, in simpler 23 systems the drain ports could merely be configured so that water draining from the 24 sump and drain of each tray merely pour into port inlets into the drain/"water out"
manifold, which would typically only be under atmospheric pressure.
26 [0017] Each rack is preferably located upon wheels to allow for portable movement 27 of the rack upon an underlying substantially horizontal surface. Power can be delivered 28 to the rack from a single power cord which supplies power to the pump and to the lights
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
6 [002] The following invention relates to hydroponics and aeroponics systems.
7 More particularly, this invention relates to aeroponics and hydroponics systems which 8 are configured to allow large numbers of plant cuttings to be propagated simultaneously 9 with a minimum of floor space and utilizing a common source of water, nutrients and pressurized water flow, for efficient mass propagation of plant cuttings.
12 [003] Aeroponics is a plant growth technology somewhat akin to hydroponics in 13 that soil is not involved. With aeroponics, roots grow within an air filled chamber. Water 14 and other liquid nutrients are delivered to the plant through roots thereof in the air chamber, typically by spray of water (typically also including nutrients) upon the roots 16 within the chamber. Other portions of the plant grow above a top wall of the chamber 17 where either natural or artificial light is provided.
18 [004] When cloning or otherwise propagating a plant cutting, aeroponics systems 19 can be highly effective. One problem which is encountered is that it is often desirable to propagate a large number of plant cuttings at initial stages. The cuttings are small so 21 that a large number of cuttings can be confined to a relatively small space. However, 22 the logistics of delivering water and nutrients to a large number of cuttings being cloned 23 in an aeroponics system have, with prior art systems, been daunting.
Typical 24 aeroponics systems are small hollow enclosures with a top wall that may have a few dozen locations where plant cuttings can be cloned and initially propagated.
Water is 26 separately brought into the interior chamber for delivery of water and/or nutrients.
27 When scaling up such a system, complex bundles of water delivery tubing are required, 23244831.1 I space for aeroponics enclosures beneath available light is limited, and the overall 2 operation is both difficult to manage and limited in its volume of plant cuttings being 3 propagated per unit of floor space. =
4 [005] Accordingly, a need exists for a system and method to allow aeroponics enclosures to be more efficiently arrayed in a small space and to efficiently and reliably 6 deliver water and/or nutrients, as well as light to such an array of plant cuttings in a high 7 density configuration. Such a system would still beneficially give an operator access to 8 each of the individual cuttings in a convenient manner to tend to the cuttings, and 9 maximize effectiveness of the overall system.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
11 [006] With this invention a rack is provided which supports multiple individual trays, 12 each tray including an enclosure surrounding a hollow chamber and with a top wall 13 supporting multiple cuttings thereon. The tray includes a hood with the top wall therein, 14 the top wall being preferably substantially planar, rigid and thin with multiple openings passing therethrough. These openings can have a variety of different patterns, but 16 generally are equally spaced from adjacent openings. Preferably, the openings are 17 each surrounded by a recessed shelf. A plant cutting support collar can conveniently fit 18 into this recess and rest upon the shelf so that roots can form and grow below the plant 19 cutting collar, through the opening and within the hollow chamber of the tray, while other portions of the plant cutting can grow above the top wall.
21 [007] The enclosure of the tray extends down from the hood surrounding the hollow 22 chamber and down to a bottom wall. The bottom wall preferably has a sump at a lower 23 end thereof which can collect water within the hollow chamber and allow it to drain out 24 of the enclosure. The bottom wall includes water feed lines passing therethrough which supply water to at least one misting spray head (and typically an array of eight or more 26 misting spray heads) within a lower portion of the hollow chamber. These misting spray 27 heads are fed by pressurized water (typically also including liquid nutrients) which spray 28 from the misting spray heads and create a fine mist of moisture along with the air inside 23244831.1 CA Application Agent Ref; 14911/00001 1 of the hollow chamber. The water and nutrients thus provide a continuous bath of fresh 2 water and necessary nutrients directly to the roots of the plant cutting.
3 [008] The rack of this invention supports multiple trays carried by shelves thereof 4 which are preferably configured as drawers. Each rack includes multiple shelves at different elevation levels within the rack. In the embodiment depicted, three such 6 shelves are provided. Above each shelf within the rack a light module is provided so 7 that the plant cuttings can receive light on the foliage thereof. For the shelves other 8 than the top shelf, these lights can be conveniently supported in a shelf area that is 9 above each tray. An additional light source is provided at an uppermost portion of the rack to shine light onto a tray carried by the uppermost shelf. While the shelves are 11 shown as merely sliding drawer hardware at lateral sides of each shelf area, the shelves 12 could include at least portions of a planar horizontal surface at each shelf area.
13 [009] The rack also conveniently includes a centralized reservoir and a pump. The 14 centralized reservoir receives water (optionally also including nutrients in a liquid form), preferably at a lowermost portion of the rack. This reservoir is typically at atmospheric 16 pressure to allow for convenient adding of additional water, and for adding of nutrients 17 and for sampling of the water, such as to measure attributes of the water and/or 18 nutrients to ensure that the characteristics of the water (e.g. pH and other attributes) 19 can be conveniently monitored. The pump draws from the reservoir and pressurizes the water (optionally with liquid nutrients contained therein) to a pressure required to allow 21 the misting spray heads to optimally perform. The pump delivers this liquid flow to a 22 water supply line. This water supply line leads to each of the shelves.
A similar water 23 return line is also provided within the rack which leads back from each shelf to the 24 reservoir.
[0010] Each tray includes its own pressurized liquid delivery manifold adjacent a 26 lower portion thereof which preferably begins with one supply port and feeds the 27 multiple misting spray heads (or optionally in some embodiments a single spray head) 28 within the hollow chamber of the tray. A shutoff valve is provided at terminal ends of the 29 water supply lines adjacent to each shelf. These valves are strategically located so that 23244831.1 1 when a tray is placed on a shelf of the rack, the ports come together with the valves and 2 abut each other also sealing and opening the valves. To most effectively and 3 conveniently achieve this alignment, the shelves are preferably configured as drawers 4 with each drawer including a pair of drawer tracks and a pair of drawer arms. The drawer arms slide linearly upon the drawer tracks. The drawer arms support lateral 6 edges of a tray thereon. The tray, when mounted on the drawer arm, can thus have two 7 positions including an open "drawer out" position and a closed "drawer in" position.
8 When the drawer is in the closed position, the drawer arms and drawer tracks are 9 precisely located along with the water supply lines and the drain port on each drain tray so that the drain ports adjacent to the drain and the tray port on the water supply lines 11 are precisely aligned automatically when the drawer is moved to the closed position.
12 [0011] In one embodiment, the drain port and tray ports includes a similar 13 configuration with drain ports and tray ports on each tray and supply ports and return 14 ports on the rack which come into alignment together when the drawer having a tray thereon is transitioned from the open position to the closed position. In the closed 16 position, the tray is positioned under the light within the rack and is optimally configured 17 for plant propagation. When in the open position, the tray is optimally positioned for 18 tending of the plant cuttings by an operator and other procedures such as installing of 19 new plant cuttings, removal of plant cuttings, and other procedures to be performed by an operator most conveniently when the tray can be conveniently accessed.
21 [0012] The tray ports and the supply ports on the water supply lines of the trays are 22 preferably configured to seal effectively together and to also control a shut off valve 23 adjacent each tray port, so that water does not leak out during the various different 24 orientations of the tray including the open position and the closed position. In one embodiment the valves can be quick disconnect fittings which open the valve when 26 mating ports come together and shut the valve when mating ports are separated.
27 [0013] To further encourage such a tight seal, a latch is preferably provided which 28 can be manually (or automatically) engaged when the drawer slides into the closed 29 position. When the mating ports of the shutoff valve come together, the latch can also 23244831.1 CA Application Agent Ref; 14911/00001 1 be closed and the mating ports of the valve cause the valve to open. The actuation of 2 the valve occurs so that when the latch is tightly holding the tray in the closed position, 3 the valve is caused to be opened. When the latch is opened the tray can move away 4 from the closed position and not keep the two mating ports of the valve together, causing the valve to close.
6 [0014] Such coordination of the latches and the shutoff valves for each shelf and 7 tray can be automated, such as by utilizing servo motor type electrically actuatable 8 valves and placing appropriate sensors on the trays and shelves and/or rack. As an 9 alternative, such automatic valve opening and closing can be caused to function through a mechanical linkage so that the same manual actuation associated with 11 closing the tray into the closed position also actuates an electric circuit switch which 12 closes a circuit to deliver electric power to a valve to cause the valve to close (or open).
13 [0015] As another option, the latch itself both opens the valve and tightens the 14 mating portions of the valve together, and similarly closes the valve when the latch is moved to cause the mating portions of the valve to release each other. These latches 16 can be manually operated by a user after the drawer is moved into the closed position.
17 As another alternative, the force associated with sliding the drawer from the open 18 position to the closed position can automatically cause the valves to be opened, such as 19 by having the latches positioned so that the trays themselves or portions of the drawer arms impact the latches as the tray or drawer arm is arriving at the closed position.
21 [0016] In one embodiment, the drain/water out manifold can have an identical or 22 similar set of ports which include valves associated therewith. However, in simpler 23 systems the drain ports could merely be configured so that water draining from the 24 sump and drain of each tray merely pour into port inlets into the drain/"water out"
manifold, which would typically only be under atmospheric pressure.
26 [0017] Each rack is preferably located upon wheels to allow for portable movement 27 of the rack upon an underlying substantially horizontal surface. Power can be delivered 28 to the rack from a single power cord which supplies power to the pump and to the lights
5 23244831.1 1 of the rack, and also to power valves if they are electrically powered, and any other 2 electric systems within the rack. The size of the rack can be selected based on a 3 variety of criteria. The rack depicted herein is configured with shelves sized similarly to 4 each tray so that one tray fits on each shelf. As an alternative, racks could be provided which support multiple trays on each shelf, typically with separate drawers for each tray.
6 The racks can be modular to allow extra shelves to be added, such as to turn a three
7 shelf rack to a four shelf rack. Plumbing can be incorporated into rack sections to
8 facilitate such modularity.
9 EXAMPLE FEATURES OF THE INVENTION
[0018] Accordingly, a primary feature of the present invention is to provide a tray 11 which can facilitate aeroponics plant propagation for a large number of cuttings 12 simultaneously.
13 [0019] Another feature of the present invention is to provide a tray which reliably 14 contains water therein and avoids leaking.
[0020] Another feature of the present invention is to provide an aeroponics tray 16 which has a water supply that is pressurized and automatically shuts off when the tray is 17 moved away from a tray support area.
18 [0021] Another feature of the present invention is to provide an aeroponics tray 19 which can rest upon one of multiple vertically spaced shelves of a rack with a light above each tray so that vertical stacking of aeroponics trays is facilitated.
21 [0022] Another feature of the present invention is to provide a single reservoir and a 22 single pump which can feed multiple aeroponics trays on a common rack.
23 [0023] Another feature of the present invention is to provide a convenient method for 24 propagating plant cuttings en masse.
23244831.1 CA Application Agent Ref; 14911/00001 1 [0024] Another feature of the present invention is to provide a system for aeroponics 2 plant propagation which is easy to use, provides plant cuttings with the nutrients and 3 water they require in a convenient fashion, and which avoids leaking.
4 [0025] Another feature of the present invention is to provide a rack for support of multiple hydroponics trays and lights, as well as a reservoir for water and nutrients and 6 a pump for efficient use of floor space in aeroponics plant propagation.
7 [0026] Another feature of the present invention is to provide an aeroponics tray 8 which feeds spray nozzles from channels embedded within a bottom wall of a hollow 9 enclosure of the tray so that a minimum of plumbing is necessitated.
[0027] Another feature of the present invention is to provide a redundant latching 11 system to keep shelves from inadvertently moving and inadvertently shutting off water 12 flow to any trays upon the rack.
13 [0028] Other further features of the present invention will become apparent from a 14 careful reading of the included drawing figures, the claims and detailed description of the invention.
17 [0029] Figure 1 is a perspective view from above of a hood portion of a tray of this 18 invention according to a preferred embodiment and with a plant cutting held within a 19 collar adjacent one of the openings in the top wall of the tray.
[0030] Figure 2 is a full sectional view of that which is shown in Figure 1 along with a 21 base portion of the tray and revealing interior details of a hollow chamber, top wall and 22 bottom wall associated with the hood and base of the tray according to a preferred 23 embodiment of this invention.
24 [0031] Figure 3 is a perspective view from above of the base portion of the tray of Figure 2.
23244831.1 1 [0032] Figure 4 is a perspective view from below of the base portion of the tray of 2 Figure 2.
3 [0033] Figure 5 is a perspective full sectional view of that which is shown in Figure 3.
4 [0034] Figure 6 is a perspective full sectional view of that which is shown in Figure 4.
[0035] Figure 7 is a front elevation full sectional view of the system of this invention 6 including one tray along with a reservoir and pump to feed the tray.
7 [0036] Figure 8 is a side elevation view of the rack of this invention with one shelf 8 and tray in an open position while two other trays are in closed positions.
9 [0037] Figure 9 is a front elevation view of that which is shown in Figure 8.
[0038] Figure 10 is a perspective view of the rack without the trays and with one 11 shelf fully open, one shelf partially open, and one shelf fully closed.
13 [0039] Referring to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals represent like 14 parts throughout the various drawing figures, reference numeral 10 is directed to a system for aeroponics plant cutting propagation (Figures 3-5). The system includes a 16 tray 20 which is preferably provided as one of many trays 20 all carried by separate 17 shelves 70 of a rack 60. The rack 60 has a reservoir 80, pump 82 and various return 18 and supply pathways to support water and nutrient delivery and return to and from the 19 trays 20 carried by the shelves 70. The shelves 70 slide in and out with automatic shutoff valves 91 associated with supply ports 90 to shut off water flow when the 21 shelves 70 and/or trays are moved from a closed to an opened position.
22 [0040] In essence, and with particular reference to Figures 7-9, basic details of the 23 system 10 of this invention are described, according to a preferred embodiment. The 24 rack 60 of the system 10 includes at least one shelf and preferably a plurality of shelves 70 vertically spaced from each other. A light module 72 is located above each shelf 70.
26 The shelves 70 are configured so that they can slide into and out of the rack 60 beneath 23244831.1 CA Application Agent Ref; 14911/00001 1 the light module 72 and away from the light module 72. The rack 60 includes a 2 common reservoir 80 providing a source of water and preferably also a pump 82 for 3 feeding of pressurized water to spray heads 48 within trays 20.
4 [0041] At least one tray 20 is carried by at least one of the shelves 70, and for maximum efficacy, each of the shelves 70 includes a tray 20 thereon. Each tray 20 has 6 a hood 30 above a base 40 with a hollow chamber 35 between the hood 30 and the 7 base 40. A plurality of openings 34 are formed in a top wall 32 of the hood 30 through 8 which plant cuttings C can be located. The cutting C is held by a collar 12 adjacent one 9 of the openings 34 in the hood 30 of the tray 20. The base 40 includes a water delivery manifold 50 which feeds pressurized water from the reservoir 80 (preferably through the 11 pump 82) to the water delivery manifold 50 associated with each tray 20 on the rack 60.
12 This pathway for pressurized water includes passing through supply ports 90 which 13 include shutoff valves 91 thereon so that pressurized water flow is stopped when the 14 shelves 70 are opened. Return ports 92 preferably align with a drain port 47 associated with the drain 45 within the base 40 of each tray 20 for return of water (and unused 16 nutrients) back to the reservoir 80.
17 [0042] More particularly, and with particular reference to Figures 1-6, specific details 18 of the tray 20 of the system 10 are described, according to a most preferred 19 embodiment. The tray 20 preferably includes a hood 30 opposite a base 40 which has the hollow chamber 35 therebetween. The hood 30 is configured to support a top wall 21 32 with a plurality of openings 34 passing through the top wall 32.
Preferably recessed 22 shelves 36 are located adjacent to each opening 34. Collars 12 with or without a plant 23 cutting C therein reside within these recessed shelves and block the openings 34. Most 24 preferably, each collar 12 has a plant cutting C located therein (by passage through a slit 14 in the collar 12) so that the collars 12 both block the openings 34 to avoid water 26 escape and also increase the plant cutting C propagation output of the system 10.
27 [0043] The recessed shelves 36 are preferably configured so that the collars 12 rest 28 upon the recessed shelves 36. As an alternative, the collars 12 could have a perimeter 29 which friction fits within the openings 34, with the collars 12 held by friction, to work with 23244831.1 1 or without the shelves 36. Because the collars 12 are typically formed of a resilient 2 material, such a friction fit is a potential option. If desired, unused openings 34 could be 3 covered with something other than a collar 12 merely to prevent water from escaping.
[0044] The hood 30 extends down through side walls 38 from the top wall 3=2 to a perimeter lip 39. This perimeter lip is supported by the base 40. Such support can be 6 merely with the hood 30 resting on the base 40 or can include some snapping or 7 fastening of the hood 30 to the base 40 which requires some overt action to remove the 8 hood 30 from an adjacent base 40. It is also conceivable that the hood 30 and base 40 9 could be formed together and not be configured to be openable.
[0045] The base 40 of the tray 20 lies beneath the hood 30 and is primarily formed 11 by a bottom wall 42. A sump 44 is located, preferably centrally, within the bottom wall 12 42 which is slightly lower than other portions of the bottom wall 42. A
drain 45 exits 13 from the sump 44 and leads to a drain port 47 which can interface with a return port 92 14 associated with the rack 60 and leading back to the reservoir 80. A
shutoff valve 91 is preferably located upon this drain port 47 which keeps water (and any unused nutrients) 16 within the hollow chamber 35 whenever the tray 20 is moved out of its closed position 17 beneath the light module 72, such as by sliding of the shelf 70 upon which the tray 20 is 18 carried, from a closed to an open position. A shutoff valve 93 prevents drain water (and 19 any unused nutrients) from leaking out of the system when one of the shelves 70 is transitioned to an open position (along arrow D of Figure 10).
[0046] The bottom wall 42 preferably also includes at least one spray head passing therethrough, and most preferably a plurality of spray heads. In the 23 embodiment disclosed, eight such spray heads 48 (also called spray nozzles) are 24 provided. Each spray head 48 is preferably located upon a small dome 49.
The bottom wall 42 is preferably formed with a threaded opening for each of the spray heads 48 to 26 be connected, and corresponding misting type spray nozzles are threaded into these 27 holes in the bottom wall 42 so that high pressure water is caused to be emitted into the 28 hollow chamber 35 above the base 40 as a fine mist. While the spray heads 48 or 29 nozzles are preferably located within the bottom wall 42, they could conceivably be 23244831.1 CA Application Agent Ref; 14911/00001 1 formed in side walls 43 which lead up to a top rim which engages with the perimeter lip 2 39 of the hood 30 for closing off of the hollow chamber 35 within the chamber 20.
3 [0047] While external plumbing 150 (Figures 8 and 9) could be provided to each of 4 the holes in the bottom wall 42 which is to receive high pressure water at the spray heads 48, most preferably the bottom wall 42 contains a water delivery manifold 50 6 therein. This water delivery manifold 50 includes multiple channels 56 leading to each 7 of the spray heads 48 and located between an upper surface 52 and a lower surface 54.
8 The upper surface 52 and lower surface 54 are preferably substantially parallel with 9 each other and form portions of the bottom wall 42. Where the upper surface 52 and lower surface 54 are spaced from each other, the channels 56 are provided. In one 11 embodiment the upper surface 52 and lower surface 54 are initially manufactured 12 separately and then are welded together, such as through application of heat, an 13 adhesive, pressure, ultrasonic energy, radiant heat, or some combination thereof to 14 cause the upper surface 52 and lower surface 54 to become sufficiently bonded together where they are spaced from the channels 56 that they avoid leaking when 16 pressurized water is delivered into the channels 56 of the water delivery manifold 50.
17 [0048] A tray port 51 extends from the water delivery manifold 50 to a supply port 90 18 associated with each shelf 70 on the rack 60. In this way, water (and nutrients) are 19 supplied through each supply port 90 and to the water delivery manifold 50 for spraying from the spray heads 48. A shutoff valve 91 is associated with each supply port 90 21 which causes the supply port 90 to stop receiving water when a shelf 70 with which the 22 tray 20 is associated is moved away from a closed position beneath an adjacent light 23 module 72 (or for a top shelf 70, a top light module 74). This shutoff valve 91, 24 preferably automatically reopens when the shelf 70 with a tray 20 thereon is re-closed and the tray port 51 engages with the supply port 90 adjacent to the shutoff valve 91.
26 [0049] Also, preferably latches 79 are either mounted on the shelves 70 or on the 27 supply ports 90 or on the shutoff valves 91, or some combination thereof. Such latches 28 79 can ensure that the shelves 70 do not become unintentionally moved from their 29 closed position toward an open position and have a shutoff valve 91 shutoff pressurized 23244831.1 1 water unintentionally. While such an occurrence would not make a mess on the floor of 2 leaking water, one of the trays 20 would not receive as much water as the others which 3 might affect cutting C propagation. One form of latch 79 is a resilient strap with holes at 4 ends thereof which can fit over strategically located pegs, one on the rack 60 and one on the shelf 70. When the shelf 70 is closed the strap can fit on both pegs to hold the 6 shelf 70 closed. Other latches could alternatively be used.
7 [0050] The rack 60 preferably is a rectangular structure when viewed both from a 8 front and from a side, preferably with risers 66 extending vertically at corners of the rack 9 60 and with horizontal elements which comprise drawer tracks for the shelves therebetween. A lowermost shelf 70 preferably is a fixed planar horizontal surface 11 which supports a reservoir 80 and pump 82, while other shelves 70 could similarly be 12 horizontal surfaces which support trays 20. A top light module 74 is provided above a 13 top shelf 70 which merely supports a top light above the top shelf 70.
Preferably the 14 shelves 70 are comprised of drawer arms 76 which join the risers 66 together and drawer tracks 78 which slide along the drawer arms 76 (or vice versa) to facilitate 16 movement of the shelves 70 in and out relative to the light modules 72 and associated 17 trays 20 to be moved from opened to closed. Such movement (along arrow D
of Figure 18 10) also simultaneously actuates the shutoff valve 91, either to shut off flow when the 19 shelf 70 is moved from a closed position to an open position, or to open the shutoff valve 91 when a shelf 70 is moved from an open position to a closed position.
Other 21 forms of movable tray 20 supports could alternatively be utilized instead of the shelves 22 70 or basic horizontal surfaces. The drawer latch 79 is then preferably utilized (by 23 movement along arrow F) to lock the shelf 70 in a closed position.
24 [0051] The rack 60 also preferably includes a single power cord 62 which feeds power to the pump 82 as well as to the various light modules 72, 74. If desired, the 26 power cord 62 can be configured so that a light module 72 is shut off when a shelf 70 27 below the light module 72 is moved from a closed position to an open position. To 28 achieve such a shutoff, a sensor would be provided adjacent each shelf 70 which would 29 be wired into a power supply to a light above each shelf 70, to shut off an associated light module 72 when desired. Ambient light, such as from the sun or other sources off 23244831.1 CA Application Agent Ref; 14911/00001 1 of the rack 60 could be used alternatively or in addition to the light modules 72 and top 2 light module 74. The rack 60 also preferably includes wheels 64 beneath a lowermost 3 portion of the rack 60 to facilitate movement of the entire system 10 easily upon an 4 underlying hard floor or other surface.
[0052] Water supply lines 84 and water return lines 86 are associated with the risers 6 66 and other portions of the rack 60 which feed each of the supply ports 90 and come 7 adjacent each of the return ports 92 adjacent each of the shelves 70.
Separate shutoff 8 valves 91 and 93 are also associated with each shelf 70. These water supply lines 84 9 supply pressurized water from the pump 82 and before that from the reservoir 80, and up to each of the supply ports 90 associated with each of the tray ports 51 feeding into 11 the water delivery manifolds 50 that lead to each of the spray heads 48 within each of 12 the hollow chambers 35 of each tray 20 (which is in a closed position).
The water return 13 lines 86 lead from each of the return ports 92 associated with each drain port 47 on 14 each tray 20, for return of water (and any unused nutrients) back to the reservoir 80 when a tray 20 on an associated shelf 70 is in a closed position.
16 [0053] This disclosure is provided to reveal a preferred embodiment of the invention 17 and a best mode for practicing the invention. Having thus described the invention in this 18 way, it should be apparent that various different modifications can be made to the 19 preferred embodiment without departing from the scope and spirit of this invention disclosure. When structures are identified as a means to perform a function, the 21 identification is intended to include all structures which can perform the function 22 specified. When structures of this invention are identified as being coupled together, 23 such language should be interpreted broadly to include the structures being coupled 24 directly together or coupled together through intervening structures.
Such coupling could be permanent or temporary and either in a rigid fashion or in a fashion which 26 allows pivoting, sliding or other relative motion while still providing some form of 27 attachment, unless specifically restricted.
23244831.1
[0018] Accordingly, a primary feature of the present invention is to provide a tray 11 which can facilitate aeroponics plant propagation for a large number of cuttings 12 simultaneously.
13 [0019] Another feature of the present invention is to provide a tray which reliably 14 contains water therein and avoids leaking.
[0020] Another feature of the present invention is to provide an aeroponics tray 16 which has a water supply that is pressurized and automatically shuts off when the tray is 17 moved away from a tray support area.
18 [0021] Another feature of the present invention is to provide an aeroponics tray 19 which can rest upon one of multiple vertically spaced shelves of a rack with a light above each tray so that vertical stacking of aeroponics trays is facilitated.
21 [0022] Another feature of the present invention is to provide a single reservoir and a 22 single pump which can feed multiple aeroponics trays on a common rack.
23 [0023] Another feature of the present invention is to provide a convenient method for 24 propagating plant cuttings en masse.
23244831.1 CA Application Agent Ref; 14911/00001 1 [0024] Another feature of the present invention is to provide a system for aeroponics 2 plant propagation which is easy to use, provides plant cuttings with the nutrients and 3 water they require in a convenient fashion, and which avoids leaking.
4 [0025] Another feature of the present invention is to provide a rack for support of multiple hydroponics trays and lights, as well as a reservoir for water and nutrients and 6 a pump for efficient use of floor space in aeroponics plant propagation.
7 [0026] Another feature of the present invention is to provide an aeroponics tray 8 which feeds spray nozzles from channels embedded within a bottom wall of a hollow 9 enclosure of the tray so that a minimum of plumbing is necessitated.
[0027] Another feature of the present invention is to provide a redundant latching 11 system to keep shelves from inadvertently moving and inadvertently shutting off water 12 flow to any trays upon the rack.
13 [0028] Other further features of the present invention will become apparent from a 14 careful reading of the included drawing figures, the claims and detailed description of the invention.
17 [0029] Figure 1 is a perspective view from above of a hood portion of a tray of this 18 invention according to a preferred embodiment and with a plant cutting held within a 19 collar adjacent one of the openings in the top wall of the tray.
[0030] Figure 2 is a full sectional view of that which is shown in Figure 1 along with a 21 base portion of the tray and revealing interior details of a hollow chamber, top wall and 22 bottom wall associated with the hood and base of the tray according to a preferred 23 embodiment of this invention.
24 [0031] Figure 3 is a perspective view from above of the base portion of the tray of Figure 2.
23244831.1 1 [0032] Figure 4 is a perspective view from below of the base portion of the tray of 2 Figure 2.
3 [0033] Figure 5 is a perspective full sectional view of that which is shown in Figure 3.
4 [0034] Figure 6 is a perspective full sectional view of that which is shown in Figure 4.
[0035] Figure 7 is a front elevation full sectional view of the system of this invention 6 including one tray along with a reservoir and pump to feed the tray.
7 [0036] Figure 8 is a side elevation view of the rack of this invention with one shelf 8 and tray in an open position while two other trays are in closed positions.
9 [0037] Figure 9 is a front elevation view of that which is shown in Figure 8.
[0038] Figure 10 is a perspective view of the rack without the trays and with one 11 shelf fully open, one shelf partially open, and one shelf fully closed.
13 [0039] Referring to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals represent like 14 parts throughout the various drawing figures, reference numeral 10 is directed to a system for aeroponics plant cutting propagation (Figures 3-5). The system includes a 16 tray 20 which is preferably provided as one of many trays 20 all carried by separate 17 shelves 70 of a rack 60. The rack 60 has a reservoir 80, pump 82 and various return 18 and supply pathways to support water and nutrient delivery and return to and from the 19 trays 20 carried by the shelves 70. The shelves 70 slide in and out with automatic shutoff valves 91 associated with supply ports 90 to shut off water flow when the 21 shelves 70 and/or trays are moved from a closed to an opened position.
22 [0040] In essence, and with particular reference to Figures 7-9, basic details of the 23 system 10 of this invention are described, according to a preferred embodiment. The 24 rack 60 of the system 10 includes at least one shelf and preferably a plurality of shelves 70 vertically spaced from each other. A light module 72 is located above each shelf 70.
26 The shelves 70 are configured so that they can slide into and out of the rack 60 beneath 23244831.1 CA Application Agent Ref; 14911/00001 1 the light module 72 and away from the light module 72. The rack 60 includes a 2 common reservoir 80 providing a source of water and preferably also a pump 82 for 3 feeding of pressurized water to spray heads 48 within trays 20.
4 [0041] At least one tray 20 is carried by at least one of the shelves 70, and for maximum efficacy, each of the shelves 70 includes a tray 20 thereon. Each tray 20 has 6 a hood 30 above a base 40 with a hollow chamber 35 between the hood 30 and the 7 base 40. A plurality of openings 34 are formed in a top wall 32 of the hood 30 through 8 which plant cuttings C can be located. The cutting C is held by a collar 12 adjacent one 9 of the openings 34 in the hood 30 of the tray 20. The base 40 includes a water delivery manifold 50 which feeds pressurized water from the reservoir 80 (preferably through the 11 pump 82) to the water delivery manifold 50 associated with each tray 20 on the rack 60.
12 This pathway for pressurized water includes passing through supply ports 90 which 13 include shutoff valves 91 thereon so that pressurized water flow is stopped when the 14 shelves 70 are opened. Return ports 92 preferably align with a drain port 47 associated with the drain 45 within the base 40 of each tray 20 for return of water (and unused 16 nutrients) back to the reservoir 80.
17 [0042] More particularly, and with particular reference to Figures 1-6, specific details 18 of the tray 20 of the system 10 are described, according to a most preferred 19 embodiment. The tray 20 preferably includes a hood 30 opposite a base 40 which has the hollow chamber 35 therebetween. The hood 30 is configured to support a top wall 21 32 with a plurality of openings 34 passing through the top wall 32.
Preferably recessed 22 shelves 36 are located adjacent to each opening 34. Collars 12 with or without a plant 23 cutting C therein reside within these recessed shelves and block the openings 34. Most 24 preferably, each collar 12 has a plant cutting C located therein (by passage through a slit 14 in the collar 12) so that the collars 12 both block the openings 34 to avoid water 26 escape and also increase the plant cutting C propagation output of the system 10.
27 [0043] The recessed shelves 36 are preferably configured so that the collars 12 rest 28 upon the recessed shelves 36. As an alternative, the collars 12 could have a perimeter 29 which friction fits within the openings 34, with the collars 12 held by friction, to work with 23244831.1 1 or without the shelves 36. Because the collars 12 are typically formed of a resilient 2 material, such a friction fit is a potential option. If desired, unused openings 34 could be 3 covered with something other than a collar 12 merely to prevent water from escaping.
[0044] The hood 30 extends down through side walls 38 from the top wall 3=2 to a perimeter lip 39. This perimeter lip is supported by the base 40. Such support can be 6 merely with the hood 30 resting on the base 40 or can include some snapping or 7 fastening of the hood 30 to the base 40 which requires some overt action to remove the 8 hood 30 from an adjacent base 40. It is also conceivable that the hood 30 and base 40 9 could be formed together and not be configured to be openable.
[0045] The base 40 of the tray 20 lies beneath the hood 30 and is primarily formed 11 by a bottom wall 42. A sump 44 is located, preferably centrally, within the bottom wall 12 42 which is slightly lower than other portions of the bottom wall 42. A
drain 45 exits 13 from the sump 44 and leads to a drain port 47 which can interface with a return port 92 14 associated with the rack 60 and leading back to the reservoir 80. A
shutoff valve 91 is preferably located upon this drain port 47 which keeps water (and any unused nutrients) 16 within the hollow chamber 35 whenever the tray 20 is moved out of its closed position 17 beneath the light module 72, such as by sliding of the shelf 70 upon which the tray 20 is 18 carried, from a closed to an open position. A shutoff valve 93 prevents drain water (and 19 any unused nutrients) from leaking out of the system when one of the shelves 70 is transitioned to an open position (along arrow D of Figure 10).
[0046] The bottom wall 42 preferably also includes at least one spray head passing therethrough, and most preferably a plurality of spray heads. In the 23 embodiment disclosed, eight such spray heads 48 (also called spray nozzles) are 24 provided. Each spray head 48 is preferably located upon a small dome 49.
The bottom wall 42 is preferably formed with a threaded opening for each of the spray heads 48 to 26 be connected, and corresponding misting type spray nozzles are threaded into these 27 holes in the bottom wall 42 so that high pressure water is caused to be emitted into the 28 hollow chamber 35 above the base 40 as a fine mist. While the spray heads 48 or 29 nozzles are preferably located within the bottom wall 42, they could conceivably be 23244831.1 CA Application Agent Ref; 14911/00001 1 formed in side walls 43 which lead up to a top rim which engages with the perimeter lip 2 39 of the hood 30 for closing off of the hollow chamber 35 within the chamber 20.
3 [0047] While external plumbing 150 (Figures 8 and 9) could be provided to each of 4 the holes in the bottom wall 42 which is to receive high pressure water at the spray heads 48, most preferably the bottom wall 42 contains a water delivery manifold 50 6 therein. This water delivery manifold 50 includes multiple channels 56 leading to each 7 of the spray heads 48 and located between an upper surface 52 and a lower surface 54.
8 The upper surface 52 and lower surface 54 are preferably substantially parallel with 9 each other and form portions of the bottom wall 42. Where the upper surface 52 and lower surface 54 are spaced from each other, the channels 56 are provided. In one 11 embodiment the upper surface 52 and lower surface 54 are initially manufactured 12 separately and then are welded together, such as through application of heat, an 13 adhesive, pressure, ultrasonic energy, radiant heat, or some combination thereof to 14 cause the upper surface 52 and lower surface 54 to become sufficiently bonded together where they are spaced from the channels 56 that they avoid leaking when 16 pressurized water is delivered into the channels 56 of the water delivery manifold 50.
17 [0048] A tray port 51 extends from the water delivery manifold 50 to a supply port 90 18 associated with each shelf 70 on the rack 60. In this way, water (and nutrients) are 19 supplied through each supply port 90 and to the water delivery manifold 50 for spraying from the spray heads 48. A shutoff valve 91 is associated with each supply port 90 21 which causes the supply port 90 to stop receiving water when a shelf 70 with which the 22 tray 20 is associated is moved away from a closed position beneath an adjacent light 23 module 72 (or for a top shelf 70, a top light module 74). This shutoff valve 91, 24 preferably automatically reopens when the shelf 70 with a tray 20 thereon is re-closed and the tray port 51 engages with the supply port 90 adjacent to the shutoff valve 91.
26 [0049] Also, preferably latches 79 are either mounted on the shelves 70 or on the 27 supply ports 90 or on the shutoff valves 91, or some combination thereof. Such latches 28 79 can ensure that the shelves 70 do not become unintentionally moved from their 29 closed position toward an open position and have a shutoff valve 91 shutoff pressurized 23244831.1 1 water unintentionally. While such an occurrence would not make a mess on the floor of 2 leaking water, one of the trays 20 would not receive as much water as the others which 3 might affect cutting C propagation. One form of latch 79 is a resilient strap with holes at 4 ends thereof which can fit over strategically located pegs, one on the rack 60 and one on the shelf 70. When the shelf 70 is closed the strap can fit on both pegs to hold the 6 shelf 70 closed. Other latches could alternatively be used.
7 [0050] The rack 60 preferably is a rectangular structure when viewed both from a 8 front and from a side, preferably with risers 66 extending vertically at corners of the rack 9 60 and with horizontal elements which comprise drawer tracks for the shelves therebetween. A lowermost shelf 70 preferably is a fixed planar horizontal surface 11 which supports a reservoir 80 and pump 82, while other shelves 70 could similarly be 12 horizontal surfaces which support trays 20. A top light module 74 is provided above a 13 top shelf 70 which merely supports a top light above the top shelf 70.
Preferably the 14 shelves 70 are comprised of drawer arms 76 which join the risers 66 together and drawer tracks 78 which slide along the drawer arms 76 (or vice versa) to facilitate 16 movement of the shelves 70 in and out relative to the light modules 72 and associated 17 trays 20 to be moved from opened to closed. Such movement (along arrow D
of Figure 18 10) also simultaneously actuates the shutoff valve 91, either to shut off flow when the 19 shelf 70 is moved from a closed position to an open position, or to open the shutoff valve 91 when a shelf 70 is moved from an open position to a closed position.
Other 21 forms of movable tray 20 supports could alternatively be utilized instead of the shelves 22 70 or basic horizontal surfaces. The drawer latch 79 is then preferably utilized (by 23 movement along arrow F) to lock the shelf 70 in a closed position.
24 [0051] The rack 60 also preferably includes a single power cord 62 which feeds power to the pump 82 as well as to the various light modules 72, 74. If desired, the 26 power cord 62 can be configured so that a light module 72 is shut off when a shelf 70 27 below the light module 72 is moved from a closed position to an open position. To 28 achieve such a shutoff, a sensor would be provided adjacent each shelf 70 which would 29 be wired into a power supply to a light above each shelf 70, to shut off an associated light module 72 when desired. Ambient light, such as from the sun or other sources off 23244831.1 CA Application Agent Ref; 14911/00001 1 of the rack 60 could be used alternatively or in addition to the light modules 72 and top 2 light module 74. The rack 60 also preferably includes wheels 64 beneath a lowermost 3 portion of the rack 60 to facilitate movement of the entire system 10 easily upon an 4 underlying hard floor or other surface.
[0052] Water supply lines 84 and water return lines 86 are associated with the risers 6 66 and other portions of the rack 60 which feed each of the supply ports 90 and come 7 adjacent each of the return ports 92 adjacent each of the shelves 70.
Separate shutoff 8 valves 91 and 93 are also associated with each shelf 70. These water supply lines 84 9 supply pressurized water from the pump 82 and before that from the reservoir 80, and up to each of the supply ports 90 associated with each of the tray ports 51 feeding into 11 the water delivery manifolds 50 that lead to each of the spray heads 48 within each of 12 the hollow chambers 35 of each tray 20 (which is in a closed position).
The water return 13 lines 86 lead from each of the return ports 92 associated with each drain port 47 on 14 each tray 20, for return of water (and any unused nutrients) back to the reservoir 80 when a tray 20 on an associated shelf 70 is in a closed position.
16 [0053] This disclosure is provided to reveal a preferred embodiment of the invention 17 and a best mode for practicing the invention. Having thus described the invention in this 18 way, it should be apparent that various different modifications can be made to the 19 preferred embodiment without departing from the scope and spirit of this invention disclosure. When structures are identified as a means to perform a function, the 21 identification is intended to include all structures which can perform the function 22 specified. When structures of this invention are identified as being coupled together, 23 such language should be interpreted broadly to include the structures being coupled 24 directly together or coupled together through intervening structures.
Such coupling could be permanent or temporary and either in a rigid fashion or in a fashion which 26 allows pivoting, sliding or other relative motion while still providing some form of 27 attachment, unless specifically restricted.
23244831.1
Claims (20)
1. An aeroponics plant propagation system, comprising in combination:
a rack having multiple shelves spaced vertically from each other;
at least one light located above at least one shelf on said rack;
an aeroponics tray sized to reside carried by one of said shelves of said rack;
said aeroponics tray including a top wall with a plurality of openings therein, a plurality of said openings configured to receive a plant cutting passing therethrough;
a hollow chamber beneath said top wall of said tray;
at least one water inlet with a spray head located within said hollow chamber;
said rack including a manifold feeding water under pressure to each said water inlet within a plurality of said trays carried by said shelves of said rack, and a drain manifold receiving water draining from each of said trays; and a water reservoir receiving water from said drain manifold and a pump interposed between said reservoir and said pressurized manifold to supply pressurized water to said at least one water inlet of said plurality of said trays carried by said shelves of said rack.
a rack having multiple shelves spaced vertically from each other;
at least one light located above at least one shelf on said rack;
an aeroponics tray sized to reside carried by one of said shelves of said rack;
said aeroponics tray including a top wall with a plurality of openings therein, a plurality of said openings configured to receive a plant cutting passing therethrough;
a hollow chamber beneath said top wall of said tray;
at least one water inlet with a spray head located within said hollow chamber;
said rack including a manifold feeding water under pressure to each said water inlet within a plurality of said trays carried by said shelves of said rack, and a drain manifold receiving water draining from each of said trays; and a water reservoir receiving water from said drain manifold and a pump interposed between said reservoir and said pressurized manifold to supply pressurized water to said at least one water inlet of said plurality of said trays carried by said shelves of said rack.
2. The system of claim 1 wherein a plurality of collars are provided adjacent to said openings in said top wall, at least one of said collars supporting a plant cutting therein with leaves of the cutting above the collar and a stalk from which roots can extend located below said collar and within said hollow chamber beneath said top wall.
3. The system of claim 1 wherein said at least one spray head is fed by a water supply line which is embedded within said bottom wall of said tray between an upper surface and a lower surface of said bottom wall and defined as at least one channel between said upper surface and said lower surface of said bottom wall.
4. The system of claim 1 wherein each of said shelves includes at least one of said aeroponics trays carried thereby, said shelves movable between a closed position and an open position and a latch holding said shelves in said closed position when said latch is closed.
5. The system of claim 4 wherein said latch is located upon said shelf and upon said rack and latches said shelf to said rack in said closed position when said latch is closed.
6. The system of claim 4 wherein said latch is located on a valve interposed between said pump and said at least one water inlet of said tray.
7. The system of claim 6 wherein said valve is a quick disconnect valve which shuts off water flow when said valve is opened by movement of said tray away from said closed position.
8. A tray for aeroponics plant propagation, the tray comprising in combination:
a hollow chamber between a top wall and a bottom wall;
a plurality of openings in said top wall;
at least one spray nozzle within said hollow chamber;
a pressurized water line extending to said at least one spray nozzle;
a source of water;
a pump between said source of water and said pressurized water line;
at least one light source located over said top wall of said hollow chamber;
a movable tray support movable from beneath said light source and sized to allow said hollow chamber, said top wall and said bottom wall to rest upon said movable tray support and move with said movable tray support; and a shut off valve for shutting off pressurized water from said pump when said movable tray support with said tray thereon moves from beneath said light source.
a hollow chamber between a top wall and a bottom wall;
a plurality of openings in said top wall;
at least one spray nozzle within said hollow chamber;
a pressurized water line extending to said at least one spray nozzle;
a source of water;
a pump between said source of water and said pressurized water line;
at least one light source located over said top wall of said hollow chamber;
a movable tray support movable from beneath said light source and sized to allow said hollow chamber, said top wall and said bottom wall to rest upon said movable tray support and move with said movable tray support; and a shut off valve for shutting off pressurized water from said pump when said movable tray support with said tray thereon moves from beneath said light source.
9. The tray of claim 8 wherein at least one of said plurality of openings includes a plant cutting passing therethrough with an upper end of the plant cutting locatable above one of said openings and adjacent to said light source and a lower portion of said at least one cutting locatable within said hollow chamber.
10. The tray of claim 9 wherein a plurality of collars are provided adjacent to said openings in said top wall, at least one of said collars supporting a plant cutting therein with leaves of the cutting above the collar and a stalk from which roots can extend located below said collar and within said hollow chamber beneath said top wall.
11. The tray of claim 8 wherein said at least one spray nozzle is located upon said bottom wall and is oriented to spray upwardly into said hollow chamber.
12. The tray of claim 11 wherein a plurality of said spray nozzles are located upon said bottom wall and oriented to spray water within said hollow chamber.
13. The tray of claim 8 wherein multiple shelves are provided along with multiple trays with each of said multiple trays fed by said source of water and each of said multiple trays fed by said pump, and with each of said trays including a separate shutoff valve for shutting off pressurized water from said pump when one of said multiple shelves associated with one of said multiple trays is moved away from one of multiple light sources, one of said light sources located above each of said multiple shelves, with said shutoff valve associated with each said tray transitioning to a closed position when said tray and said shelf associated with said shutoff valve are moved away from an adjacent said light source.
14. The tray of claim 13 wherein each of said shelves includes at least one of said aeroponics trays thereon, and a latch holding an adjacent said shelf in a closed position when said latch is closed.
15. The tray of claim 14 wherein said latch is located upon said shelf and upon said rack and latches said shelf to said rack when said latch is closed.
16. The tray of claim 14 wherein said latch is located on a valve interposed between said pump and said at least one spray head of said tray.
17. The tray of claim 16 wherein said valve is a quick disconnect valve which shuts off water flow when said valve is opened by movement of said tray away from said at least one light and relative to said rack.
18. The tray of claim 8 wherein said at least one spray head is fed by a water supply line which is embedded within said bottom wall between an upper surface and a lower surface of said bottom wall and defined as at least one channel between said upper surface and said lower surface of said bottom wall.
19. The tray of claim 8 wherein said bottom wall of said tray includes a drain therein, said drain adjacent to a return port for direction of water from said hollow chamber through said drain and back to said source of water through said return port when said tray is adjacent to an adjacent one of said light sources.
20. The tray of claim 19 wherein said drain includes a shutoff valve therein which is actuated to a closed position when said tray moves from beneath an adjacent one of said light sources.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US15/349,308 | 2016-11-11 | ||
| US15/349,308 US10973186B2 (en) | 2015-11-11 | 2016-11-11 | Aeroponics system with rack and tray |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2985009A1 CA2985009A1 (en) | 2018-05-11 |
| CA2985009C true CA2985009C (en) | 2019-05-21 |
Family
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Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA2985009A Active CA2985009C (en) | 2016-11-11 | 2017-11-08 | Aeroponics system with rack and tray |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2985009C (en) |
Families Citing this family (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP4195908A1 (en) * | 2020-08-13 | 2023-06-21 | Ocado Innovation Limited | Storage system, methods and devices |
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2017
- 2017-11-08 CA CA2985009A patent/CA2985009C/en active Active
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| CA2985009A1 (en) | 2018-05-11 |
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