US3889416A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Seedling tree growing apparatus
Assignee: STUEWE AND SONS Inc
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Filing: 1973-12-10
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Granted: 1975-06-17
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Expires: 1993-12-10
Abstract
Abstract Seedling tree growing apparatus for use particularly in growing seedling reforestation trees comprises in combination a support tray and a plurality of tubes adapted to be supported vertically in the tray. The tubes are open at both ends and provided with inwardly extending longitudinal ribs which guide the roots of the seedling trees contained therein out the open, lower end of the tubes for air pruning.
Inventors
- 👤 Duncan G Bergeron
- 👤 Ray E Leach
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 16:51
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D25/00; B65D25/02; A; A01; A01G; A01G9/00; A01G9/02; A01G9/029; A01G9/0295
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
219 words
Seedling tree growing apparatus comprising, in combination: a. a tray comprising 1. a horizontally arranged support plate, 2. a plurality of spaced openings vertically through the plate, and 3. a plurality of spaced legs extending downwardly from the underside of the plate for supporting the same on a supporting surface, and b. a plurality of seedling tree growth cells each comprising a tube open at both ends and arranged to removably contain a quantity of tree growth media, c. the tubes being removably contained one in each of the support plate openings with the bottom ends of the tubes spaced upwardly from the plane of the bottom edges of the legs, whereby the bottom open ends of the tubes are spaced above a supporting surface to afford access of air for air pruning the roots of seedling trees planted in the tubes, d. the support plate openings being provided with recessed margins and the upper margins of the tubes being provided with outwardly extending circumferential flanges dimensioned to seat in the recesses with the upper surfaces of the tubes and flanges being on a horizontal plane not substantially higher that the horizontal plane of the upper surface of the support plate, and each of the tubes being provided with a plurality of radially spaced, longitudinally extending interior root-guiding ribs.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
219 words
Seedling tree growing apparatus comprising, in combination: a. a tray comprising 1. a horizontally arranged support plate, 2. a plurality of spaced openings vertically through the plate, and 3. a plurality of spaced legs extending downwardly from the underside of the plate for supporting the same on a supporting surface, and b. a plurality of seedling tree growth cells each comprising a tube open at both ends and arranged to removably contain a quantity of tree growth media, c. the tubes being removably contained one in each of the support plate openings with the bottom ends of the tubes spaced upwardly from the plane of the bottom edges of the legs, whereby the bottom open ends of the tubes are spaced above a supporting surface to afford access of air for air pruning the roots of seedling trees planted in the tubes, d. the support plate openings being provided with recessed margins and the upper margins of the tubes being provided with outwardly extending circumferential flanges dimensioned to seat in the recesses with the upper surfaces of the tubes and flanges being on a horizontal plane not substantially higher that the horizontal plane of the upper surface of the support plate, and each of the tubes being provided with a plurality of radially spaced, longitudinally extending interior root-guiding ribs.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the margins of the openings are outwardly tapered to provide the recesses and wherein the flanges of the tubes are tapered to match the taper of the openings.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
10 words
a plurality of spaced openings vertically through the plate, and
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
10 words
a plurality of spaced openings vertically through the plate, and
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
190 words
a plurality of spaced legs extending downwardly from the underside of the plate for supporting the same on a supporting surface, and b. a plurality of seedling tree growth cells each comprising a tube open at both ends and arranged to removably contain a quantity of tree growth media, c. the tubes being removably contained one in each of the support plate openings with the bottom ends of the tubes spaced upwardly from the plane of the bottom edges of the legs, whereby the bottom open ends of the tubes are spaced above a supporting surface to afford access of air for air pruning the roots of seedling trees planted in the tubes, d. the support plate openings being provided with recessed margins and the upper margins of the tubes being provided with outwardly extending circumferential flanges dimensioned to seat in the recesses with the upper surfaces of the tubes and flanges being on a horizontal plane not substantially higher that the horizontal plane of the upper surface of the support plate, and each of the tubes being provided with a plurality of radially spaced, longitudinally extending interior root-guiding ribs.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
190 words
a plurality of spaced legs extending downwardly from the underside of the plate for supporting the same on a supporting surface, and b. a plurality of seedling tree growth cells each comprising a tube open at both ends and arranged to removably contain a quantity of tree growth media, c. the tubes being removably contained one in each of the support plate openings with the bottom ends of the tubes spaced upwardly from the plane of the bottom edges of the legs, whereby the bottom open ends of the tubes are spaced above a supporting surface to afford access of air for air pruning the roots of seedling trees planted in the tubes, d. the support plate openings being provided with recessed margins and the upper margins of the tubes being provided with outwardly extending circumferential flanges dimensioned to seat in the recesses with the upper surfaces of the tubes and flanges being on a horizontal plane not substantially higher that the horizontal plane of the upper surface of the support plate, and each of the tubes being provided with a plurality of radially spaced, longitudinally extending interior root-guiding ribs.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
47 words
The seedling tree growing apparatus of claim 1 wherein the outer margins of the support plate are peripherally recessed to provide a bearing surface dimensioned and arranged to receive and support the bottom edges of the legs of a superimposed tray in a stacked arrangement of trays.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
40 words
The apparatus of claim 3 including locking key means on the support plate and predetermined ones of the legs for releasably interlocking the support plate of one stacked tray and the predetermined ones of the legs of a superimposed tray.
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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) | 1978-06-16 | 1978-12-16 | 1979-06-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-06-16 | 1982-12-16 | 1983-06-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-06-16 | 1986-12-16 | 1987-06-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |