Patent US3894355A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3894355A
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Method and means for automatic field growing of crops using solid and liquid waste
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1974-01-28
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Granted: 1975-07-15
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Expires: 1994-01-28
Abstract
Abstract A method for field growing crops using solid and liquid waste and apparatus for practicing the method. The field to be used is provided in side-by-side spaced relation with row-like growing areas defined by paired laterally spaced perforated side walls extending the full length of the growing areas. The upper runs of the side walls of the respective growing areas mount in longitudinally spaced upstanding, spanning relation respective inverted, V-shaped, bracket members centrally depressed to provide longitudinally aligned U-shaped cradle seats supportingly receiving a continuous pipeline segment the opposite adjacent ends of which are cross-connected to form a continuous pipeline capped at one end and adapted at the opposite end for connection to a source of irrigating liquid which may be either hydrant water or the nutrient rich effluent of a sewage treatment plant. The pipeline at longitudinally spaced intervals along each growing area is fitted with downwardly directed mist nozzles arranged to spray the irrigating liquid downwardly between the paired side walls to provide a downward trickle flow of irrigating liquid successively through a longitudinally continuous topping layer of high nitrogenous humic acid forming material, a layer of top soil mixed with manure, a layer of mulch, a layer of bone meal, a layer of top soil, a further layer of mulch, a layer of inorganic alkaline potash, a further layer of top soil, a final layer of mulch into a layer of loose aggregate provided to support the roots of the growing food crop. The descending trickle flow by its leaching action enters the loose aggregate as a readily assimilable bacterial culture containing the complete plant nutrients including major and trace elements to seasonally feed the plants and produce a more perfect and prolific harvest.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles H Carothers
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 13:04
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01G; A01G9/00; A01G9/02; A01G9/022; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S47/00; Y10S47/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
194 words
A method for automatically growing food crops utilizing nitrogenous solid waste matter comprising the steps of applying a thick layer of mulching material to the surface of a field area to control weed growth in said field area; erecting perforated retainer wall elements in spaced linear paired relation in said layered mulching material to define row-like plant growing areas in side-by-side spaced relation throughout the field area; filling the row-like plant growing areas defined by said wall elements in layered relation with successive gradulated layers of loose aggregate, mulching material, top soil, alkaline potash, mulching material, and a topping layer of nitrogenous solid waste matter serving as a seasonal plant food supply; setting the plants to be grown in the aggregate layer in linear spaced relation in the side edge areas adjacently related to the retainer wall elements; and providing a fluid supply line in vertically spaced, generally centered relation above said rowlike plant growing areas to supply a regulated mist-like discharge of irrigating liquid downwardly to establish a percolating flow through said layered materials to maintain a constant supply of nutrient rich liquid within the aggregate layer for root feeding the set plants.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
194 words
A method for automatically growing food crops utilizing nitrogenous solid waste matter comprising the steps of applying a thick layer of mulching material to the surface of a field area to control weed growth in said field area; erecting perforated retainer wall elements in spaced linear paired relation in said layered mulching material to define row-like plant growing areas in side-by-side spaced relation throughout the field area; filling the row-like plant growing areas defined by said wall elements in layered relation with successive gradulated layers of loose aggregate, mulching material, top soil, alkaline potash, mulching material, and a topping layer of nitrogenous solid waste matter serving as a seasonal plant food supply; setting the plants to be grown in the aggregate layer in linear spaced relation in the side edge areas adjacently related to the retainer wall elements; and providing a fluid supply line in vertically spaced, generally centered relation above said rowlike plant growing areas to supply a regulated mist-like discharge of irrigating liquid downwardly to establish a percolating flow through said layered materials to maintain a constant supply of nutrient rich liquid within the aggregate layer for root feeding the set plants.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said layered filling is supported along the row-like plant growing areas by upwardly opening, water-proof troughs interrupting said thick layer of mulching material and supporting the lower edges of said retainer wall elements which confine said layer of loose aggregate.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 2 wherein said water-proof troughs are inset into trenches formed in the surface of said field area.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 2 wherein said water-proof troughs rest on the surface of said field area and said thick layer of mulching material covers the field area between said troughs.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
225 words
Apparatus adapting a field area for automatic growing of food crops comprising a thick layer of mulching material overlayed on a field area to control weed growth; respective perforated wall elements disposed in spaced, paired, upstanding, linear relation to define row-like plant growing areas in side-by-side spaced relation throughout the mulched filed area; a first layer of loose aggregate disposed between said spaced, paired perforated wall elements to form a support base for the roots of plants to be grown; a layer of mulching material disposed upon said aggregate layer between said perforated wall elements to fOrm a base for supporting successive graduated layers of top soil, alkaline potash, mulching material, top soil, bone meal, mulching material, and a topping layer of nitrogenous solid waste matter; and means, including a pipeline coextensive with the respective row-like plant growing areas and supported in generally centered relation between said paired perforated wall elements in vertically spaced relation above said layered plant food supply, said pipeline being fitted at longitudinally spaced intervals with downwardly directed, mist nozzles controlled to regulate the liquid flow therefrom to assure a percolating trickle flow of liquid downwardly through said layered material to maintain during the growing cycle of the food crop a readily assimilable supply of nutrient rich liquid within the aggregate layer for root feeding of the plants to be grown.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
225 words
Apparatus adapting a field area for automatic growing of food crops comprising a thick layer of mulching material overlayed on a field area to control weed growth; respective perforated wall elements disposed in spaced, paired, upstanding, linear relation to define row-like plant growing areas in side-by-side spaced relation throughout the mulched filed area; a first layer of loose aggregate disposed between said spaced, paired perforated wall elements to form a support base for the roots of plants to be grown; a layer of mulching material disposed upon said aggregate layer between said perforated wall elements to fOrm a base for supporting successive graduated layers of top soil, alkaline potash, mulching material, top soil, bone meal, mulching material, and a topping layer of nitrogenous solid waste matter; and means, including a pipeline coextensive with the respective row-like plant growing areas and supported in generally centered relation between said paired perforated wall elements in vertically spaced relation above said layered plant food supply, said pipeline being fitted at longitudinally spaced intervals with downwardly directed, mist nozzles controlled to regulate the liquid flow therefrom to assure a percolating trickle flow of liquid downwardly through said layered material to maintain during the growing cycle of the food crop a readily assimilable supply of nutrient rich liquid within the aggregate layer for root feeding of the plants to be grown.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
42 words
The plant growing structure of claim 5 wherein said perforated wall elements comprise respective lengths of woven wire fencing interiorly lined with perforated plastic sheeting to retain the plant food supply in longitudinally coextensive layered relation along said row-like plant growing areas.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
81 words
The plant growing structure of claim 5 wherein said thick layer of mulching material is interrupted along said row-like plant growing areas by longitudinally coextensive, liquid retaining, troughs having upstanding side walls; said lined perforated wall elements are directly supported on the floor of said troughs; and said layer of loose aggregate is disposed on said trough floor between the lowermost runs of said lined perforated wall elements with the layered plant food supply superimposed on said layer of loose aggregate.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
75 words
The plant growing structure of claim 7 wherein said upwardly opening, longitudinally coextensive, liquid retaining, troughs are disposed on the surface of said field area; the floor of said troughs extend laterally beyond the lined perforated wall elements; and the layer of loose aggregate extends laterally beyond the lined perforated wall elements defining marginal runs of loose aggregate outwardly related to said perforated wall elements for supporting the roots of the plants to be grown.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
87 words
The plant growing structure of claim 5 wherein said field area is interrupted along said row-like plant growing areas by longitudinally coextensive, liquid retaining, troughs having upstanding side walls and inset into the row-like plant growing areas to the depth of said upstanding side walls; said upstanding side walls have oppositely facing interior faces inclined upwardly and outwardly; and said lined perforated wall elements are directly supported on the floor of said troughs along the line of intersection of said floor and said side wall interior faces.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
48 words
The plant growing structure of claim 5 wherein said perforated wall elements comprise lengths of steel plate having longitudinally directed, louvered slots disposed in vertically arranged rows opening upwardly and outwardly, said lengths of steel plate being connected in end-to-end relation to provide longitudinally coextensive perforated wall elements.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
46 words
The plant growing structure of claim 5 wherein said pipeline of said last mentioned means is supported by inverted generally V-shaped bracket members end connected to the paired perforated wall elements and having laterally centered, semicylindrical seats at their respective apices to cradle support said pipeline.
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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) | 1978-07-14 | 1979-01-13 | 1979-07-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-07-14 | 1983-01-13 | 1983-07-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-07-14 | 1987-01-13 | 1987-07-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |