Patent US4215513A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4215513A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Field transplant systems and methods and components thereof
Assignee: Gravi-Mechanics Co
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Filing: 1978-07-28
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Granted: 1980-08-05
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Expires: 1998-07-28
Abstract
Abstract A field transplant system including a machine for sequentially forming groups of polymerized soil plugs having seed receiving recesses in one end thereof and supported on a carrier, and in certain cases interconnected by strips, the carrier being used to transport the soil plugs through a seeding station and then to a germination station and then to a growing station either in the flat or on a plant turning machine in a greenhouse to grow the germinated seeds to transplant size, and then using the carrier to transport the soil plugs with the transplants growing therein to the field for transplanting by an automatic transplanter; several forms of soil plugs are disclosed, and several methods for supplying seeds to the soil plugs are disclosed, as well as an improved method of mounting a mat of soil plugs on the cylinder of a plant turning machine.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard R. Dedolph
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 22:52
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01G; A01G9/00; A01G9/08; A01G9/085; A01C; A01C11/00; A01C11/02; A01G24/00; A01G24/60; A01G9/086; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S111/00; Y10S111/919; Y10S264/00; Y10S264/37
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 31
Claim 1
Independent Claim
109 words
An interconnected array of polymerized soil plugs comprising a plurality of bodies of spongy open-celled hydrophilic polymer, a quantity of particles of soil mix distributed throughout said bodies of spongy polymer, a quantity of foam-forming synthetic organic plastic resin being reacted in situ to form said bodies of spongy open-celled hydrophilic polymer binding said particles of soil mix therein and into cohesive soil plugs, said soil mix comprising from about 20% to about 80% by dry weight of said soil plugs thereby to provide unitary self-supporting polymerized soil plugs, and strips interconnecting said soil plugs to form an interconnected array of soil plugs to accommodate the ready handling thereof.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
109 words
An interconnected array of polymerized soil plugs comprising a plurality of bodies of spongy open-celled hydrophilic polymer, a quantity of particles of soil mix distributed throughout said bodies of spongy polymer, a quantity of foam-forming synthetic organic plastic resin being reacted in situ to form said bodies of spongy open-celled hydrophilic polymer binding said particles of soil mix therein and into cohesive soil plugs, said soil mix comprising from about 20% to about 80% by dry weight of said soil plugs thereby to provide unitary self-supporting polymerized soil plugs, and strips interconnecting said soil plugs to form an interconnected array of soil plugs to accommodate the ready handling thereof.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The interconnected array of soil plugs set forth in claim 1, wherein said strips are formed of the same material as said soil plugs and are integral therewith.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
The interconnected array of soil plugs set forth in claim 1, wherein said strips are flat and disposed parallel to the longitudinal axes of said soil plugs and are integrally molded therein.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
The interconnected array of soil plugs set forth in claim 1, wherein said strips are a continuous flat strip folded along a longitudinal line and carrying an elongated cord in the fold thereof and integrally molded into the associated soil plugs.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The interconnected array of soil plugs set forth in claim 1, wherein each of said soil plugs is circular in cross section.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The interconnected array of soil plugs set forth in claim 1, wherein each of said soil plugs is hexagonal in cross section.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
47 words
The interconnected array of soil plugs set forth in claim 1, wherein each of said soil plugs has a seed receiving recess in one of the ends thereof with the associated end wall sloping from adjacent to the periphery of said soil plug inwardly toward said recess.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
145 words
An interconnected array of polymerized soil plugs with plants therein comprising a plurality of bodies of spongy open-celled hydrophilic polymer, a quantity of particles of soil mix distributed throughout said bodies of spongy polymer, a quantity of foam-forming synthetic organic plastic resin being reacted in situ to form said bodies of spongy open-celled hydrophilic polymer binding said particles of soil mix therein and into cohesive soil plugs, said soil mix comprising about 20% to about 80% by dry weight of said plugs thereby to provide unitary self-supporting polymerized soil plugs, strips interconnecting said soil plugs to form an interconnected array of soil plugs to accommodate the ready handling thereof, and a growing plant in each of said soil plugs and each having the roots thereof in the associated soil plug and having the stalk thereof extending outwardly from one surface of the associated soil plug.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
145 words
An interconnected array of polymerized soil plugs with plants therein comprising a plurality of bodies of spongy open-celled hydrophilic polymer, a quantity of particles of soil mix distributed throughout said bodies of spongy polymer, a quantity of foam-forming synthetic organic plastic resin being reacted in situ to form said bodies of spongy open-celled hydrophilic polymer binding said particles of soil mix therein and into cohesive soil plugs, said soil mix comprising about 20% to about 80% by dry weight of said plugs thereby to provide unitary self-supporting polymerized soil plugs, strips interconnecting said soil plugs to form an interconnected array of soil plugs to accommodate the ready handling thereof, and a growing plant in each of said soil plugs and each having the roots thereof in the associated soil plug and having the stalk thereof extending outwardly from one surface of the associated soil plug.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
38 words
The interconnected array of soil plugs set forth in claim 8, wherein said synthetic organic plastic resin and said particles of soil mix are mixed together in an acetone-water slurry and molded around said roots and said stalk.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
36 words
The interconnected array of soil plugs set forth in claim 8, wherein said soil plugs have an apparent density on a dry basis of from about 0.18 gm. per cc. to about 0.3 gm. per cc.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
The interconnected array of soil plugs set forth in claim 8, wherein said synthetic organic plastic resin is a polyurethane resin.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
The interconnected array of soil plugs set forth in claim 8, wherein said growing plant is a plant grown from seed.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
128 words
A coil of polymerized soil plugs comprising a carrier having a support surface thereon, and a plurality of polymerized soil plugs disposed on the support surface of said carrier and having strips interconnecting the same to form an interconnected array of soil plugs, each soil plug comprising a body of spongy open-celled hydrophilic polymer, a quantity of particles of soil mix distributed throughout said body of spongy polymer, a plurality of foam-forming synthetic organic plastic resin being reacted in situ to form said body of spongy open-celled hydrophilic polymer binding said particles of soil mix therein and into a cohesive soil plug, said soil mix comprising from about 20% to about 80% by dry weight of said soil plug thereby to provide a unitary self-supporting polymerized soil plug.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
128 words
A coil of polymerized soil plugs comprising a carrier having a support surface thereon, and a plurality of polymerized soil plugs disposed on the support surface of said carrier and having strips interconnecting the same to form an interconnected array of soil plugs, each soil plug comprising a body of spongy open-celled hydrophilic polymer, a quantity of particles of soil mix distributed throughout said body of spongy polymer, a plurality of foam-forming synthetic organic plastic resin being reacted in situ to form said body of spongy open-celled hydrophilic polymer binding said particles of soil mix therein and into a cohesive soil plug, said soil mix comprising from about 20% to about 80% by dry weight of said soil plug thereby to provide a unitary self-supporting polymerized soil plug.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
The coil of soil plugs set forth in claim 13, wherein said coil is spiral wound on said carrier.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
27 words
The coil of soil plugs set forth in claim 13, wherein said carrier is rectangular in shape and said soil plugs are wound in a rectangular array.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
133 words
A mat of polymerized soil plugs comprising a plurality of bodies of spongy open-celled hydrophilic polymer, a quantity of particles of soil mix distributed throughout said bodies of spongy polymer, a quantity of foam-forming synthetic organic plastic resin being reacted in situ to form said bodies of spongy open-celled hydrophilic polymer binding said particles of soil mix therein and into cohesive soil plugs, said soil mix comprising from about 20% to about 80% by dry weight of said soil plugs thereby to provide unitary self-supporting polymerized soil plugs, and strips interconnecting the adjacent ones of said soil plugs to one another to form an interconneced mat of soil plugs, said strips having connecting portions extending outwardly beyond the periphery of said mat to accommodate handling and mounting of said mat of soil plugs.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
133 words
A mat of polymerized soil plugs comprising a plurality of bodies of spongy open-celled hydrophilic polymer, a quantity of particles of soil mix distributed throughout said bodies of spongy polymer, a quantity of foam-forming synthetic organic plastic resin being reacted in situ to form said bodies of spongy open-celled hydrophilic polymer binding said particles of soil mix therein and into cohesive soil plugs, said soil mix comprising from about 20% to about 80% by dry weight of said soil plugs thereby to provide unitary self-supporting polymerized soil plugs, and strips interconnecting the adjacent ones of said soil plugs to one another to form an interconneced mat of soil plugs, said strips having connecting portions extending outwardly beyond the periphery of said mat to accommodate handling and mounting of said mat of soil plugs.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
50 words
The mat of soil plugs set forth in claim 16, and further comprising at least two longitudinally extending bands disposed adjacent to opposed sides of said mat and having said strip connecting portions secured thereto, whereby said bands may be used to handle and mount said mat of soil plugs.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
26 words
The mat of soil plugs set forth in claim 16, wherein each of said bands has openings therein accommodating mounting of said mat of soil plugs.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
109 words
An array of polymerized soil plugs comprising a plurality of bodies of spongy open-celled hydrophilic polymer with a quantity of particles of soil mix distributed throughout said body of spongy polymer, a mixture of the soil mix and water having added thereto foam-forming synthetic organic plastic prepolymer thereafter being reacted in situ to form said bodies of spongy open-celled hydrophilic polymer binding said particles of soil mix therein and into soil plugs, said soil mix comprising from about 20% to about 80% by dry weight of said soil plugs, and a structure interconnecting said soil plugs to form an array of soil plugs to accommodate the ready handling thereof.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
109 words
An array of polymerized soil plugs comprising a plurality of bodies of spongy open-celled hydrophilic polymer with a quantity of particles of soil mix distributed throughout said body of spongy polymer, a mixture of the soil mix and water having added thereto foam-forming synthetic organic plastic prepolymer thereafter being reacted in situ to form said bodies of spongy open-celled hydrophilic polymer binding said particles of soil mix therein and into soil plugs, said soil mix comprising from about 20% to about 80% by dry weight of said soil plugs, and a structure interconnecting said soil plugs to form an array of soil plugs to accommodate the ready handling thereof.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
22 words
The array of polymerized soil plugs set forth in claim 19, wherein said structure is formed of a synthetic organic plastic resin.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
91 words
An array of polymerized soil plugs comprising a plurality of bodies of spongy open-celled hydrophilic polymer with a quantity of particles of soil mix distributed throughout said body of spongy polymer, a mixture of soil particles in water and foam-forming precursors of a thermosetting resin being reacted in situ to form said soil plugs, said soil mix comprising from about 20% to about 80% by dry weight of said soil plugs, and a structure interconnecting said soil plugs to form an array of soil plugs to accommodate the ready handling thereof.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
91 words
An array of polymerized soil plugs comprising a plurality of bodies of spongy open-celled hydrophilic polymer with a quantity of particles of soil mix distributed throughout said body of spongy polymer, a mixture of soil particles in water and foam-forming precursors of a thermosetting resin being reacted in situ to form said soil plugs, said soil mix comprising from about 20% to about 80% by dry weight of said soil plugs, and a structure interconnecting said soil plugs to form an array of soil plugs to accommodate the ready handling thereof.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
145 words
An array of polymerized soil plugs comprising a plurality of bodies of spongy open-celled hydrophilic polymer with a quantity of particles of soil mix distributed throughout said body of spongy polymer, a mixture of the soil mix and water having added thereto foam-forming synthetic organic plastic prepolymer thereafter being reacted in situ to form said bodies of spongy open-celled hydrophilic polymer binding said particles of soil mix therein and into soil plugs, said soil mix comprising from about 20% to about 80% by dry weight of said soil plugs, a structure interconnecting said soil plugs to form an array of the soil plugs to accommodate the ready handling thereof, and a growing plant in each of said soil plugs and each having the roots thereof in the associated soil plug and having the stalk thereof extending outwardly from one surface of the associated soil plug.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
145 words
An array of polymerized soil plugs comprising a plurality of bodies of spongy open-celled hydrophilic polymer with a quantity of particles of soil mix distributed throughout said body of spongy polymer, a mixture of the soil mix and water having added thereto foam-forming synthetic organic plastic prepolymer thereafter being reacted in situ to form said bodies of spongy open-celled hydrophilic polymer binding said particles of soil mix therein and into soil plugs, said soil mix comprising from about 20% to about 80% by dry weight of said soil plugs, a structure interconnecting said soil plugs to form an array of the soil plugs to accommodate the ready handling thereof, and a growing plant in each of said soil plugs and each having the roots thereof in the associated soil plug and having the stalk thereof extending outwardly from one surface of the associated soil plug.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
126 words
An array of polymerized soil plugs comprising a plurality of bodies of spongy open-celled hydrophilic polymer with a quantity of particles of soil mix distributed throughout said body of spongy polymer, a mixture of soil particles in water and foam-forming precursors of a thermosetting resin being reacted in situ to form said soil plugs, said soil mix comprising from about 20% to about 80% by dry weight of said soil plugs, a structure interconnecting said soil plugs to form an array of soil plugs to accommodate the ready handling thereof, and a growing plant in each of said soil plugs and each having the roots thereof in the associated soil plug and having the stalk thereof extending outwardly from one surface of the associated soil plug.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
126 words
An array of polymerized soil plugs comprising a plurality of bodies of spongy open-celled hydrophilic polymer with a quantity of particles of soil mix distributed throughout said body of spongy polymer, a mixture of soil particles in water and foam-forming precursors of a thermosetting resin being reacted in situ to form said soil plugs, said soil mix comprising from about 20% to about 80% by dry weight of said soil plugs, a structure interconnecting said soil plugs to form an array of soil plugs to accommodate the ready handling thereof, and a growing plant in each of said soil plugs and each having the roots thereof in the associated soil plug and having the stalk thereof extending outwardly from one surface of the associated soil plug.
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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) | 1983-08-05 | 1984-02-04 | 1984-08-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-08-05 | 1988-02-04 | 1988-08-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-08-05 | 1992-02-04 | 1992-08-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |