US3660933A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Hydroponics system and method
Assignee: Weingarten and Wong Enterprises Inc
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Filing: 1970-03-02
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Granted: 1972-05-09
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Expires: 1990-03-02
Abstract
Abstract A hydroponics system for growing plants in an aqueous nutrient solution and including troughs for conducting a predetermined level of nutrient solution, is disclosed. The solution is supplied to each trough by a branch pipe extending the length of the trough and including a plurality of outlets spaced at uniform intervals. The nutrients are thereby dispersed relatively evenly along the length of the trough. Each outlet has an associated aspirator or eductor whereby air is entrained by the solution issuing from the outlet thereby providing substantially uniform aeration of the nutrient solution. Each plant is supported by a receptacle having an open bottom through which the plant stem extends. The plant is held by resilient foam plastic inserts disposed between the plant stem and the receptacle wall.
Inventors
- 👤 Edward Wong Jr
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 18:10
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01G; A01G31/00; A01G31/02; Y; Y02; Y02P; Y02P60/00; Y02P60/20; Y02P60/21
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
50 words
In an hydroponic system, the combination comprising: at least one trough; a reservoir for holding a supply of aqueous nutrient solution; and means connecting said reservoir and said trough for both supplying said nutrient solution to said trough and aerating said solution substantially uniformly along the length of said trough.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
50 words
In an hydroponic system, the combination comprising: at least one trough; a reservoir for holding a supply of aqueous nutrient solution; and means connecting said reservoir and said trough for both supplying said nutrient solution to said trough and aerating said solution substantially uniformly along the length of said trough.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
55 words
In an hydroponic system, the combination comprising: at least one trough; a reservoir for holding a supply of aqueous nutrient solution; and means connecting said reservoir and said trough for circulating said nutrient solution to and from said trough and aerating said solution supplied to said trough substantially uniformly along the length of said trough.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
55 words
In an hydroponic system, the combination comprising: at least one trough; a reservoir for holding a supply of aqueous nutrient solution; and means connecting said reservoir and said trough for circulating said nutrient solution to and from said trough and aerating said solution supplied to said trough substantially uniformly along the length of said trough.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
72 words
In an hydroponic system, the combination comprising: at least one trough for carrying a predetermined level of aqueous nutrient solution; a reservoir for holding a supply of said solution; means coupled to said reservoir and disposed above said nutrient solution level for supplying said trough with said nutrient solution substantially uniformly along the length of said trough and including means for aerating said solution as said solution is supplied to said trough.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
72 words
In an hydroponic system, the combination comprising: at least one trough for carrying a predetermined level of aqueous nutrient solution; a reservoir for holding a supply of said solution; means coupled to said reservoir and disposed above said nutrient solution level for supplying said trough with said nutrient solution substantially uniformly along the length of said trough and including means for aerating said solution as said solution is supplied to said trough.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
39 words
The combination defined in claim 3 in which: said solution supply means includes a plurality of outlets substantially evenly spaced along the length of said trough and said aerating means comprises an eductor coupled to each of said outlets.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
135 words
In an hydroponic system, the combination comprising: a reservoir for holding a supply of aqueous nutrient solution; a plurality of elongated troughs, each trough adapted to support a plurality of plants to be nourished by said solution and further adapted to carry a predetermined level of said solution; means for conducting solution under pressure from said reservoir to said troughs, said conducting means including branch pipes for supplying solution to individual troughs, each of said branch pipes supplying an individual trough and disposed above the level of said solution and said trough including a plurality of outlets spaced substantially uniformly along the length thereof; eductor means operatively associated with each of said outlets for aerating the solution issuing from said outlet; and, conduit means communicating with said troughs for returning said solution to said reservoir.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
135 words
In an hydroponic system, the combination comprising: a reservoir for holding a supply of aqueous nutrient solution; a plurality of elongated troughs, each trough adapted to support a plurality of plants to be nourished by said solution and further adapted to carry a predetermined level of said solution; means for conducting solution under pressure from said reservoir to said troughs, said conducting means including branch pipes for supplying solution to individual troughs, each of said branch pipes supplying an individual trough and disposed above the level of said solution and said trough including a plurality of outlets spaced substantially uniformly along the length thereof; eductor means operatively associated with each of said outlets for aerating the solution issuing from said outlet; and, conduit means communicating with said troughs for returning said solution to said reservoir.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
60 words
A combination, as defined in claim 5, in which: each trough includes a pair of spaced, parallel sidewalls having upper edges lying substantially in a common horizontal plane; and which combination further includes: plant-carrying means supported by said upper edges, said branch pipe resting on said plant carrying means, said outlets extending through spaced apertures formed in said carrying means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
44 words
The combination, as defined in claim 5, in which: each of said troughs includes a discharge end and overflow gate means at said discharge end positioned for predetermining the level of said solution in said trough, said return conduit being adjacent said discharge end.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
34 words
The combination, as defined in claim 6, in which: said plant-carrying means comprises a platform extending the length of said trough and having at least one longitudinally-extending row of openings for receiving plant-holding receptacles.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
31 words
The combination, as defined in claim 5, in which: each trough includes a pair of spaced, parallel sidewalls and means between said sidewalls defining an open channel for conducting said solution.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
The combination, as defined in claim 5, in which: said channel-defining means comprises a polyethylene sheet.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
40 words
A method of growing plants hydroponically in an elongated trough, comprising the steps of: supplying an aqueous nutrient solution to said trough substantially uniformly along the entire length of said trough and simultaneously aerating said solution during the supplying thereof.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
40 words
A method of growing plants hydroponically in an elongated trough, comprising the steps of: supplying an aqueous nutrient solution to said trough substantially uniformly along the entire length of said trough and simultaneously aerating said solution during the supplying thereof.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
49 words
A method of growing plants hydroponically in an elongated trough, comprising the steps of: supplying an aqueous nutrient solution to said trough at a plurality of points spaced substantially uniformly along the entire length of said trough and simultaneously aerating said solution being supplied at each of said points.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
49 words
A method of growing plants hydroponically in an elongated trough, comprising the steps of: supplying an aqueous nutrient solution to said trough at a plurality of points spaced substantially uniformly along the entire length of said trough and simultaneously aerating said solution being supplied at each of said points.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method of growing plants hydroponically, as defined in claim 12, in which: said nutrient solution is supplied to said trough from above the level of the solution in said trough.
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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) | 1975-05-09 | 1975-11-08 | 1976-05-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-05-09 | 1979-11-08 | 1980-05-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-05-09 | 1983-11-08 | 1984-05-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |