Patent US3654903A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3654903A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method of growing earthworms and plants and producing compost
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1970-10-30
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Granted: 1972-04-11
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Expires: 1990-10-30
Abstract
Abstract A building structure providing a controlled environment for growing earthworms and plants and producing compost by the use of a plurality of leaching and growing columns each having a plurality of stacked containers having a quantity of bedding therein except for the bottom container which receives compost from the stack. All of the containers above the bottom container have drain holes therein whereby leaching liquid may be poured into the uppermost container for leaching compost from the containers for collection in the bottom container. Plants may be grown in the upper container.
Inventors
- 👤 Morris M Montgomery
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 09:03
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01K; A01K67/00; A01K67/30; A01K67/33; C; C05; C05F; C05F17/00; C05F17/05; Y; Y02; Y02P; Y02P20/00; Y02P20/141; Y02P20/145; Y02W; Y02W30/00; Y02W30/40
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
78 words
The method of growing earthworms consisting of the steps of providing a controlled environment, placing a plurality of stacked containers having perforations in the bottom of each container, within the environment, placing bedding and nutrients in each container, seeding each container with a plurality of adult earthworms, providing a periodic food supply to the earthworms in each container and leaching compost from the containers by pouring liquid downwardly through the containers at predetermined intervals and in predetermined quantities.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
78 words
The method of growing earthworms consisting of the steps of providing a controlled environment, placing a plurality of stacked containers having perforations in the bottom of each container, within the environment, placing bedding and nutrients in each container, seeding each container with a plurality of adult earthworms, providing a periodic food supply to the earthworms in each container and leaching compost from the containers by pouring liquid downwardly through the containers at predetermined intervals and in predetermined quantities.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The structure as defined in claim 1 wherein the method also includes the step of collecting the leaching liquid and compost entrained therein for providing a liquid compost product.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method as defined in claim 2 including the step of growing plant cultures in the uppermost container.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
61 words
The method as defined in claim 3 together with the step of separating adult earthworms from younger earthworms to provide a supply of adult earthworms, the pouring of a liquid leaching material also providing for migration of earthworms into the liquid compost, and separating the earthworm from the liquid compost by screening the compost as it is poured from the containers.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
79 words
A device for growing earthworms and producing compost comprising a plurality of vertically stacked containers with the lowermost container having an imperforate bottom and the containers stacked thereon having a perforated bottom to Enable drainage of compost to the bottom container, a quantity of bedding and earthworms in each of the containers above the bottom container for producing compost and reproducing earthworms whereby liquid leaching material may be poured into the uppermost container and drained to the bottom container.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
79 words
A device for growing earthworms and producing compost comprising a plurality of vertically stacked containers with the lowermost container having an imperforate bottom and the containers stacked thereon having a perforated bottom to Enable drainage of compost to the bottom container, a quantity of bedding and earthworms in each of the containers above the bottom container for producing compost and reproducing earthworms whereby liquid leaching material may be poured into the uppermost container and drained to the bottom container.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
47 words
The structure as defined in claim 5 wherein said containers are constructed of lightweight foam plastic material, said containers above the lowest container being supported by a perforated support panel engaging the top edge of the lower container and supporting the perforated bottom of an upper container.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
The structure as defined in claim 6 wherein the uppermost container is provided with bedding supporting plant growth whereby plants may be produced by the assembly.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
120 words
An apparatus for growing earthworms and plants and producing compost comprising a building structure forming an enclosure for a space, the building structure including a double wall transparent roof assembly, and a plurality of leaching and growing columns disposed within the space with each column including a plurality of containers disposed in stacked relation with the lowermost container having an imperforate bottom and the containers stacked thereon having perforated bottoms, the containers having perforated bottoms including a quantity of bedding and earthworms to enable leaching liquid to be poured downward into the uppermost container and drained through the containers into the lowermost container for leaching compost produced by the earthworms from the containers and collecting it in the lowermost container.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
120 words
An apparatus for growing earthworms and plants and producing compost comprising a building structure forming an enclosure for a space, the building structure including a double wall transparent roof assembly, and a plurality of leaching and growing columns disposed within the space with each column including a plurality of containers disposed in stacked relation with the lowermost container having an imperforate bottom and the containers stacked thereon having perforated bottoms, the containers having perforated bottoms including a quantity of bedding and earthworms to enable leaching liquid to be poured downward into the uppermost container and drained through the containers into the lowermost container for leaching compost produced by the earthworms from the containers and collecting it in the lowermost container.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
41 words
The structure as defined in claim 8 wherein the intermediate containers are supported from each other by a perforated panel, and an upper container of substantially one-half the depth of the other containers receiving bedding therein in which plants are grown.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
55 words
The structure as defined in claim 9 wherein said roof assembly includes a pair of plastic sheet material disposed in spaced relation and of generally arcuate construction, and a plurality of bows supporting the inner and outer sheets of plastic material with the innermost bows being shiftable to control the sunlight admitted to the space.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-04-11 | 1975-10-11 | 1976-04-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-04-11 | 1979-10-11 | 1980-04-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-04-11 | 1983-10-11 | 1984-04-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |