US3890740A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fruit bud retarding method and system
Assignee: TECHNICAL MATERIALS Ltd
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Filing: 1973-05-07
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Granted: 1975-06-24
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Expires: 1993-05-07
Abstract
Abstract A method of and system for retarding fruit budding whereby a cooling fluid is circulated around the trunks of trees to maintain the interior temperature below 38* F and to control tree hydration and bud development. Coolant circulation is regulated to maintain an internal water stress sufficient to delay tree development but not severe enough to induce adverse physiological effects. Interior trunk temperature and water potential are monitored and serve as indices for coolant regulation.
Inventors
- 👤 Gary E Miller
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 04:54
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01G; A01G7/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
66 words
A method of retarding budding of a fruit tree comprising the steps of: maintaining a temperature immediately adjacent and encircling the exterior of the trunk below 38* F substantially independently of ambiant air temperature; and intermittently discontinuing maintainence whenever excessive moisture stress exists to permit the temperature to rise above 38* F in order to prevent excessive moisture stress and dehydration and damage to said tree.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
66 words
A method of retarding budding of a fruit tree comprising the steps of: maintaining a temperature immediately adjacent and encircling the exterior of the trunk below 38* F substantially independently of ambiant air temperature; and intermittently discontinuing maintainence whenever excessive moisture stress exists to permit the temperature to rise above 38* F in order to prevent excessive moisture stress and dehydration and damage to said tree.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as in claim 1, wherein said step of maintaining includes the step of circulating a cooling fluid about said trunk.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
63 words
A method as in claim 1 further including the step of periodically checking the moisture stress level of the tree above said trunk; and wherein said step of maintaining the temperature includes cooling and wherein said step of discontinuing said cooling when the moisture stress is above a predetermined level and reapplying said cooling when the moisture stress decreases below a predetermined level.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
42 words
A method as in claim 3 wherein said step of checking includes the step of placing a tree branch in a pressure bomb, and measuring the pressure required to cause moisture to the first appear on the cut surface of the branch.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein said step of maintaining the temperature includes the step of maintaining said temperature between 30* F and 38* F.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method as in claim 1, wherein said step of maintaining includes the step of maintaining at substantially 30* F.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method as in claim 1 including the further step of applying an anti-transpirant to said tree.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
76 words
A method of retarding budding of a plurality of fruit tree comprising the steps of: maintaining a temperature immediately adjacent to and encircling the exterior of the trunk below 38* F substantially independently of ambient air temperatures including circulating a cooling fluid about each of a number of trunks sequentially; and intermittently permitting said trunk to return to ambient air temperature whenever excessive moisture stress exists so as to prevent dehydration and damage to said tree.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
76 words
A method of retarding budding of a plurality of fruit tree comprising the steps of: maintaining a temperature immediately adjacent to and encircling the exterior of the trunk below 38* F substantially independently of ambient air temperatures including circulating a cooling fluid about each of a number of trunks sequentially; and intermittently permitting said trunk to return to ambient air temperature whenever excessive moisture stress exists so as to prevent dehydration and damage to said tree.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
84 words
A method as in claim 8 wherein said cooling fluid is a cooling brine and said step of circulating includes the step of pumping said cooling brine through a fluid passage disposed about each of said trunks and including the further steps of: maintaining a cooling brine in a primary tank at a predetermined temperature; and circulating said primary tank brine through said fluid passage via a reservoir tank so as to maintain reservoir tank temperature at a predetermined temperature less than 38* F.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
111 words
A system for retarding fruit tree budding comprising: means defining a fluid passage about the trunks of each of a plurality of trees; means connecting a number of said defining means in series; means for providing a cooling fluid; means for heating said cooling fluid; pump means for circulating said cooling fluid through said defining means; means for continuously detecting exit and return temperature of the cooling fluid as it circulates through the system; means for controlling the quantity of cooling fluid circulated as a function of detected temperature differential between cooling fluid exit and return temperature to minimize the energy transmitted to the fluid while maintaining a predetermined tree temperature.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
111 words
A system for retarding fruit tree budding comprising: means defining a fluid passage about the trunks of each of a plurality of trees; means connecting a number of said defining means in series; means for providing a cooling fluid; means for heating said cooling fluid; pump means for circulating said cooling fluid through said defining means; means for continuously detecting exit and return temperature of the cooling fluid as it circulates through the system; means for controlling the quantity of cooling fluid circulated as a function of detected temperature differential between cooling fluid exit and return temperature to minimize the energy transmitted to the fluid while maintaining a predetermined tree temperature.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
A system as in claim 10 wherein said providing means includes a refrigeration compressor and condensor and a primary tank and a reservoir tank.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
33 words
A system as in claim 10 wherein said defining means includes at least a single coil wrapped about said trunk, a cover about said coil, and insulation between said cover and said coil.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
24 words
A system as in claim 10 including a number of trickle irrigation drippers and a valve connecting each said dripper to said connecting means.
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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) | 1978-06-23 | 1978-12-23 | 1979-06-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-06-23 | 1982-12-23 | 1983-06-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-06-23 | 1986-12-23 | 1987-06-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |