US4292761A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method, apparatus and package for sprouting seeds
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1980-03-31
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Granted: 1981-10-06
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Expires: 2000-03-31
Abstract
Abstract Seeds are sprouted within a cup-shaped container to confine and entangle them in a packable group. The seeds are uniformly spread across the bottom of the container with the aid of an upwardly directed light source. The bottom of the container is porous and a flow of air maintained through it during sprouting. The sprouts are entangled by growing in a porous hydrophobic foam or tilting the bottom of the container to several angles for the sprouts to mature. After maturing, the entangled sprouts are dumped from the container and wrapped under tension to provide a strong compact resilient package in a wrapper sheet which is folded over itself and sealed by heat sealing, twisting or crimping.
Inventors
- 👤 Carl A. Krave
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 00:36
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01G; A01G31/00; A01G31/02; A01G24/00; A01G24/40; A01G24/48; A01G24/50; Y; Y02; Y02P; Y02P60/00; Y02P60/20; Y02P60/21
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
99 words
A method of growing and packaging sprouts comprising the steps of providing a container having a floor for supporting seeds, and upstanding walls encircling the floor, the floor containing openings that permit ready drainage of excess water, spreading seeds substantially uniformly over said floor, growing the seeds into sprouts by watering the contents of the container and subjecting them to an environment conducive to good growth, but controlling the growth to cause the sprouts to grow together as a compact bundle in the container, removing the bundle from the container, and securing the bundle in a closely encircling wrapper.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
99 words
A method of growing and packaging sprouts comprising the steps of providing a container having a floor for supporting seeds, and upstanding walls encircling the floor, the floor containing openings that permit ready drainage of excess water, spreading seeds substantially uniformly over said floor, growing the seeds into sprouts by watering the contents of the container and subjecting them to an environment conducive to good growth, but controlling the growth to cause the sprouts to grow together as a compact bundle in the container, removing the bundle from the container, and securing the bundle in a closely encircling wrapper.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the container is inverted to remove the bundle of sprouts.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method as set forth in claim 1, wherein a light is directed upwardly through the bottom of the container when the seeds are spread to facilitate even distribution of the seeds on the bottom of the container.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method as set forth in claim 1, wherein prior to applying the wrapper, the bundle removed from the container is placed on an open supporting surface.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the floor of the container comprises a porous pad.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the container is inclined at different angles during the growth to direct the drainge of water differently and cause the sprouts to entangle themselves with each other during growth.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
56 words
A method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the wrapper is secured about the sprouts under tension to circumflex the sprouts whereby the packaged sprouts are compacted, arched and crowded to inhibit distasteful growth, and gases are trapped whereby the circumflexed sprouts and gases lend strength and resiliency to a package of the circumflexed sprouts.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method as set forth in claim 7, wherein the wrapper is perforated for discharging excess gas.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as set forth in claim 7, wherein the wrapper is a sheet having free ends that are ultimately sealed.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method as set forth in claim 9, wherein the ultimate sealing includes the step of folding.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as set forth in claim 9, wherein the ultimate sealing includes the step of heat sealing.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method as set forth in claim 9, wherein the ultimate sealing includes the step of crimping.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
66 words
An apparatus for growing sprouts from seeds comprising a container having a translucent floor for supporting the seeds, means for supporting the container with its floor level, a light source under the container positioned to direct light upwardly through the translucent floor, and distributing means in said container for spreading the seeds at any location shown by the light to contain too high a seed concentration.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
66 words
An apparatus for growing sprouts from seeds comprising a container having a translucent floor for supporting the seeds, means for supporting the container with its floor level, a light source under the container positioned to direct light upwardly through the translucent floor, and distributing means in said container for spreading the seeds at any location shown by the light to contain too high a seed concentration.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
48 words
A package of seed sprouts comprising a bundle of sprouts substantially aligned with each other, a wrapper sheet secured around the sprouts whereby they are circumflexed and substantially compacted under tension and gases are trapped within the wrapper sheet whereby strength, resiliency and inhibition of distasteful growth result.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
48 words
A package of seed sprouts comprising a bundle of sprouts substantially aligned with each other, a wrapper sheet secured around the sprouts whereby they are circumflexed and substantially compacted under tension and gases are trapped within the wrapper sheet whereby strength, resiliency and inhibition of distasteful growth result.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
17 words
A package as set forth in claim 14, wherein the sprouts are entangled in a porous pad.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
16 words
A package as set forth in claim 14, wherein the sprouts are entangled with each other.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
25 words
A package as set forth in any one of claims 14, 15 or 16, wherein the wrapper sheet is perforated for releasing excess gas pressure.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
26 words
A package as set forth in any one of claims 14, 15 or 16, wherein the ends of the wrapper sheet are sealed to each other.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
24 words
A package as set forth in any one of claims 14, 15 or 16, wherein the ends of the wrapper sheet are folded together.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
20 words
A package as set forth in any one of claims 14, 15 or 16, wherein the wrapper sheet is transparent.
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) | 1984-10-05 | 1985-04-06 | 1985-10-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-10-05 | 1989-04-06 | 1989-10-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-10-05 | 1993-04-06 | 1993-10-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |