GB2033714A

GB2033714A - A seed sprouter

Info

Publication number: GB2033714A
Application number: GB7841802A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Ambig Products Ltd
Current assignee: Ambig Products Ltd
Priority date: 1978-10-24
Filing date: 1978-10-24
Publication date: 1980-05-29

Abstract

A seed sprouter comprises a base container (17) and a number of seed trays (10) of identical configuration. Each tray has a multiplicity of apertures (13) in its base (12) which may take the form of concentric curved slots separated by radially extending portions of the base, the width of the slots being such as to prevent the passage of the smallest seeds which are required to germinate in the seed sprouter. The trays (10) are stackable one on top of another and are supportable on and over the base container (17). The trays may have lipped or recessed bases for locating engagement on the rim of the base container or on the rim (11) of another tray. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION A seed sprouter This invention relates to the sprouting of seeds and more particularly to an apparatus for sprouting seeds for use in salads for example alfalfa, Spicy Fenugreek, chinese bean sprouts, lentils and soya beans.

In the home fast growing salad ingredients such as alfalfa are often grown in bowls or jars in the kitchen. The process involved requires the seeds/sprouts to be placed in the bowl or jar and rinsed through with warm water once a day to promote germination and growth. To prevent the seeds being washed away during rinsing a layer of mesh e.g.

mulsin material can be placed across the top of the jar or bowl and the water passed in and out therethrough. This is a somewhat inconvenient process.

The present invention seeks to provide an apparatus which permits sprouting of seeds to be effected more easily.

According to the invention there is provided a seed sprouter comprising a base container and a plurality of seed trays of identical configurtion having a multiplicity of apertures in their base and being stackable one on top of another and supportable on and over the base container.

Preferably, one or more of the trays are transparent. The trays may have bases which are lipped or recessed for locating engagement on the rim of the base container or the rim of another tray. The trays and base may be circular.

The apertures in the trays may comprise arrays of concentric curved slots separated by radially extending portions of the base.

The base container may be of identical configuration to the trays, or larger, but without apertures in its base.

In order that invention and its various other preferred features may be understood more easily, an embodiment thereof will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a seed sprouter constructed in accordance with the invention, Figure 2 is a plan view of the seed sprouter shown in Fig. 1, and Figure 3 is an exploded cross sectional view taken on the line A-A of Fig. 2 showing the base with two trays ready for lowering into position on the base.

In the drawings two circular seed trays 10 have annular rims 11 and bases 1 2 which are provided with apertures 1 3 therethrough. The apertures are of a size chosen to prevent passage of the smallest seed type it is required to propagate, as will be clear from Fig.

2 the apertures 1 3 are formed as arrays 1 4 of concentric curved slots separated by radially extending portions 1 5 of the base of the tray.

The outside edge of the base of the tray is recessed at 1 6 to permit location on the rim of an identical seed trays so that the trays can be stacked one on top of another.

A base container 1 7 is of similar shape to the trays, and can be identical except for the apertures and permits the stacked trays to be located on the rim 1 8 of the base container in a similar manner to the stacking of one tray on another.

In use the trays 10 are each sprinked with seed to be sprouted and the seed can be the same or of different types. The trays are stacked one on top of another and on the base container 1 7. Warm water is now poured into the top container, simulating rainfall. The water moistens the seed in that tray, passes through the apertures 1 3 into the next tray, moistens the seed in that tray and passes through the apertures 1 3 into the base container 1 7 from which it can be emptied when draining is complete.

It will be clear that this provides a very simple and convenient way of effecting regular rinsing of the seeds during sprouting. Any number of trays 10 can be arranged in a stack on a single base container and thereby watering of a large number of trays can be effected by a single application of water.

The trays and base are preferably moulded in plastics material and for some applications the trays can be made of a transparent material to permit access of light to the seed.

Instead of providing a recess 1 6 in the base of the seed trays any other means for stacking the trays one on top of another can be provided for example the base of the trays may be lipped to engage over the outside of the rim of another tray or over the rim of the base container.

1. A seed sprouter comprising a base container and a plurality of seed trays of identical configuration, each tray having a multiplicity of apertures in its base and the trays being stackable one on top of another and supportable on and over the base container.

2. A seed sprouter according to claim 1, wherein one or more of the trays are transparent.

3. A seed sprouter accorling to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the trays have bases which are lipped or recessed for locating engagement on the rim of the base container or the rim of another tray.

4. A seed sprouter according to any preceding claim, wherein the base and trays are circular in cross-section.

5. A seed sprouter according to any preceding claim, wherein the apertures comprise arrays of concentric curved slots separated by radially extending portions of the base.

6. A seed sprouter according to any pre

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION A seed sprouter This invention relates to the sprouting of seeds and more particularly to an apparatus for sprouting seeds for use in salads for example alfalfa, Spicy Fenugreek, chinese bean sprouts, lentils and soya beans. In the home fast growing salad ingredients such as alfalfa are often grown in bowls or jars in the kitchen. The process involved requires the seeds/sprouts to be placed in the bowl or jar and rinsed through with warm water once a day to promote germination and growth. To prevent the seeds being washed away during rinsing a layer of mesh e.g. mulsin material can be placed across the top of the jar or bowl and the water passed in and out therethrough. This is a somewhat inconvenient process. The present invention seeks to provide an apparatus which permits sprouting of seeds to be effected more easily. According to the invention there is provided a seed sprouter comprising a base container and a plurality of seed trays of identical configurtion having a multiplicity of apertures in their base and being stackable one on top of another and supportable on and over the base container. Preferably, one or more of the trays are transparent. The trays may have bases which are lipped or recessed for locating engagement on the rim of the base container or the rim of another tray. The trays and base may be circular. The apertures in the trays may comprise arrays of concentric curved slots separated by radially extending portions of the base. The base container may be of identical configuration to the trays, or larger, but without apertures in its base. In order that invention and its various other preferred features may be understood more easily, an embodiment thereof will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a seed sprouter constructed in accordance with the invention, Figure 2 is a plan view of the seed sprouter shown in Fig. 1, and Figure 3 is an exploded cross sectional view taken on the line A-A of Fig. 2 showing the base with two trays ready for lowering into position on the base. In the drawings two circular seed trays 10 have annular rims 11 and bases 1 2 which are provided with apertures 1 3 therethrough. The apertures are of a size chosen to prevent passage of the smallest seed type it is required to propagate, as will be clear from Fig. 2 the apertures 1 3 are formed as arrays 1 4 of concentric curved slots separated by radially extending portions 1 5 of the base of the tray. The outside edge of the base of the tray is recessed at 1 6 to permit location on the rim of an identical seed trays so that the trays can be stacked one on top of another. A base container 1 7 is of similar shape to the trays, and can be identical except for the apertures and permits the stacked trays to be located on the rim 1 8 of the base container in a similar manner to the stacking of one tray on another. In use the trays 10 are each sprinked with seed to be sprouted and the seed can be the same or of different types. The trays are stacked one on top of another and on the base container 1 7. Warm water is now poured into the top container, simulating rainfall. The water moistens the seed in that tray, passes through the apertures 1 3 into the next tray, moistens the seed in that tray and passes through the apertures 1 3 into the base container 1 7 from which it can be emptied when draining is complete. It will be clear that this provides a very simple and convenient way of effecting regular rinsing of the seeds during sprouting. Any number of trays 10 can be arranged in a stack on a single base container and thereby watering of a large number of trays can be effected by a single application of water. The trays and base are preferably moulded in plastics material and for some applications the trays can be made of a transparent material to permit access of light to the seed. Instead of providing a recess 1 6 in the base of the seed trays any other means for stacking the trays one on top of another can be provided for example the base of the trays may be lipped to engage over the outside of the rim of another tray or over the rim of the base container. CLAIMS

6. A seed sprouter according to any pre ceding claim, wherein the base container is of identical configuration to the trays but without apertures in its base.

7. A seed sprouter substantially as described herein with reference to the drawings.