US3908308A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Self-starting plant marker and methods and apparatus for making same
Assignee: ENVIRO GRO
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Filing: 1974-11-01
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Granted: 1975-09-30
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Expires: 1994-11-01
Abstract
Abstract Disclosed herein are an automated machine for the manufacture of self-starting wooden plant markers, a new and improved method of manufacturing self-starting plant markers, and the resulting new and improved plant marker itself.
Inventors
- 👤 Edward F Meyers
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 11:59
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01C; A01C1/00; A01C1/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
169 words
A self-starting plant marker comprising a. an elongated peg means having upper and lower ends; b. a soil level index means disposed between the ends of said peg means; c. an opening in said peg means defining a seed plug carrying means spaced beneath said soil level index means a predetermined distance; d. said predetermined distance being substantially equal to a predetermined planting depth for a selected seed; e. identification means for the plant to be grown from said preselected seed disposed at the upper end of said peg means above said soil level index means; and f. seed holding plug means in said opening and enveloping at least one selected seed therein, said plug means being firmly secured within and being generally conformed to the shape of said opening; g. said plug means being formed from a vehicle means which is solid at ambient room temperature, which is paste-like at approximately 118*F., and which is free flowing at approximately 125*F.; and h. said vehicle means being water soluble.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
169 words
A self-starting plant marker comprising a. an elongated peg means having upper and lower ends; b. a soil level index means disposed between the ends of said peg means; c. an opening in said peg means defining a seed plug carrying means spaced beneath said soil level index means a predetermined distance; d. said predetermined distance being substantially equal to a predetermined planting depth for a selected seed; e. identification means for the plant to be grown from said preselected seed disposed at the upper end of said peg means above said soil level index means; and f. seed holding plug means in said opening and enveloping at least one selected seed therein, said plug means being firmly secured within and being generally conformed to the shape of said opening; g. said plug means being formed from a vehicle means which is solid at ambient room temperature, which is paste-like at approximately 118*F., and which is free flowing at approximately 125*F.; and h. said vehicle means being water soluble.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
94 words
The plant marker of claim 1, in which a. said peg means is flat; b. said opening is generally circular and extends completely through said flat peg means; c. said plug means is generally cylindrical and has generally parallel flat ends; d. said plug means and said peg means are of substantially equal thickness; e. whereby the ends of said plug means and the faces of said peg means are coplanar and said seed is adapted to migrate from said marker through at least one face thereof upon the dissolution of said plug means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
49 words
The plant marker of claim 2, in which a. said opening and said plug means cooperate to retain said plug, intact, in said marker at temperatures below 125*F., while accommodating the free flow of said vehicle means from said opening and along said peg means at temperatures above 125*F.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The plant marker of claim 1, in which a. said plug means is translucent, whereby said seed is visible therein from either face of said peg means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The plant marker of claim 1, in which a. said vehicle means is a waxy polyethylene glycol compound.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The plant marker of claim 5, in which a. a phosphorus nutrient is mixed with said polyethylene glycol.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
The plant marker of claim 6, in which a. the ratio of said phosphorus to said polyethylene glycol is approximately 10 parts phosphorus per million parts of polyethylene glycol.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The plant marker of claim 1, in which a. plant nutrient means are included in said vehicle means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-09-29 | 1979-03-31 | 1979-09-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-09-29 | 1983-03-31 | 1983-09-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-09-29 | 1987-03-31 | 1987-09-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |