Patent US4379375A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4379375A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Hydroponic growing system and method
Assignee: GROWING INDUSTRIES Inc A CORP OF
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Filing: 1981-03-19
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Granted: 1983-04-12
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Expires: 2001-03-19
Abstract
Abstract An improved hydroponic growing system comprises, in combination, an elongated preferably rectangular hollow trough having substantially closed sidewalls and bottom and an open top defining a central space. The trough defines a pair of spaced tracks extending the length thereof in the space and an elongated flexible strip is slideably disposed in the tracks. The strip contains a plurality of spaced apertures extending vertically therethrough along the length thereof and in each aperture is disposed a plant growing cup having a hollow body defining a central space, an open top, a porous bottom and substantially closed or perforated sidewalls. The sidewalls bear outwardly extending peripheral supports so that the body of the cup extends down into the trough space and the cup is releasably held in position by the support bearing on the upper face of the strip. The porous cup bottom may include a metal or plastic grid or may be formed integrally with the sidewalls and contain a plurality of holes sufficiently large to permit plant roots and hydroponic fluid to pass through but small enough to prevent plant seeds from falling down therethrough. Preferably, the cup is conical or cylindrical and the strip is a single continuous strip. Alternatively, the strip can comprise a plurality of substrips linked lengthwise together. The trough may include an internal conduit with spaced openings to supply hydroponic makeup fluid to the trough space. The trough includes spaced hydroponic fluid exits for removal of hydroponic fluid.
Inventors
- 👤 Steven K. Eisenberg
- 👤 Mark W. Hancock
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 03:31
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01G; A01G31/00; A01G31/02; Y; Y02; Y02P; Y02P60/00; Y02P60/20; Y02P60/21
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
142 words
An improved hydroponic growing system, said system comprising, in combination: a. an elongated hollow trough having substantially closed sidewalls and bottom and an open top defining a central space, said trough defining a pair of spaced horizontal tracks extending into said space along the length thereof; b. an elongated flexible strip horizontally slideably disposed in said tracks and defining spaced apertures extending vertically therethrough along the length thereof; c. a plurality of plant growing cups, each said cup comprising a hollow body having a central space, an open top, a porous bottom and substantially closed sidewalls, said sidewalls bearing peripherally outwardly extending support means, each of said cups being disposed in a different one of said apertures with said body extending downwardly into said trough space below said strip and with said cup support means releasably securing said cup to said strip.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
142 words
An improved hydroponic growing system, said system comprising, in combination: a. an elongated hollow trough having substantially closed sidewalls and bottom and an open top defining a central space, said trough defining a pair of spaced horizontal tracks extending into said space along the length thereof; b. an elongated flexible strip horizontally slideably disposed in said tracks and defining spaced apertures extending vertically therethrough along the length thereof; c. a plurality of plant growing cups, each said cup comprising a hollow body having a central space, an open top, a porous bottom and substantially closed sidewalls, said sidewalls bearing peripherally outwardly extending support means, each of said cups being disposed in a different one of said apertures with said body extending downwardly into said trough space below said strip and with said cup support means releasably securing said cup to said strip.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
The improved system of claim 1 wherein said system includes base support means releasably holding said trough in operative position and wherein said cup, strip and tracks seal the top of said trough space.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The improved system of claim 2 wherein said trough includes hydroponic growing fluid and spaced inlets and exits for said fluid.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
42 words
The improved system of claim 3 wherein said trough includes an elongated, integral, hydroponic growing fluid make-up conduit extending along the length thereof and defining spaced exits for passage of said fluid from said conduit to said trough space adjacent said cups.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The improved system of claim 4 wherein said trough is plastic and is generally rectangular with integral spaced tracks and wherein said strip is generally flat, flexible resilient plastic.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
The improved system of claim 3 wherein said trough is generally cylindrical and wherein said strip is curved with depending sides to match the curvature of the upper end of said trough.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
The improved system of claim 3 wherein said strip is generally flat, thin and unitary and includes means to facilitate drawing of said strip through said trough.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
The improved system of claim 1 wherein said strip comprises a series of sub-strips disposed along the length of said trough and flexibly releasably secured together end-to-end with link means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
The improved system of claim 1 wherein said cup bottom defines a plurality of spaced holes extending generally vertically therethrough, said holes permitting plant root and fluid passage therethrough.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
The improved system of claim 9 wherein said cup bottom includes a grid insert of metal.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
The improved system of claim 9 wherein said cup bottom is integral with said sidewalls.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
The improved system of claim 9 wherein said cup is generally cylindrical in configuration, comprises plastic and bears an outwardly extending annular ring which comprises said cup support means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
181 words
An improved hydroponic plant growing method, said method comprising, in combination: a. growing a plant in a hollow cup having a porous bottom which permits passage of plant roots and hydroponic growing fluid therethrough, an open top and generally closed sidewalls, while said cup is releasably suspended generally vertically through an aperture in a flexible resilient carrier strip slideably disposed longitudinally in spaced tracks in the open top of a hollow growing trough containing hydroponic growing fluid in a central space therein below said strip, the lower end of said cup being above the bottom of said trough in said space, the upper end of said cup being releasably connected to said strip, the level of said hydroponic growing fluid at least periodically being at least up to the bottom of said cup; b. periodically incrementally advancing said cup along the length of said trough by sliding said strip along said length; c. at least periodically flowing makeup hydroponic growing fluid into and through said trough and removing nutrient depleted hydroponic growing fluid from said trough; and, d. harvesting said plant.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
181 words
An improved hydroponic plant growing method, said method comprising, in combination: a. growing a plant in a hollow cup having a porous bottom which permits passage of plant roots and hydroponic growing fluid therethrough, an open top and generally closed sidewalls, while said cup is releasably suspended generally vertically through an aperture in a flexible resilient carrier strip slideably disposed longitudinally in spaced tracks in the open top of a hollow growing trough containing hydroponic growing fluid in a central space therein below said strip, the lower end of said cup being above the bottom of said trough in said space, the upper end of said cup being releasably connected to said strip, the level of said hydroponic growing fluid at least periodically being at least up to the bottom of said cup; b. periodically incrementally advancing said cup along the length of said trough by sliding said strip along said length; c. at least periodically flowing makeup hydroponic growing fluid into and through said trough and removing nutrient depleted hydroponic growing fluid from said trough; and, d. harvesting said plant.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 13 wherein a plurality of said plants are disposed in a plurality of said cups disposed through a plurality of said apertures along the length of said strip in said trough.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 14 wherein new plants are periodically added in new ones of said cups to unoccupied increments of said strip at the upstream end of said trough.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 15 wherein said new plants are first grown from seeds to seedlings in a separate seedling zone before said cups are added to said strip at the upstream end of said trough.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 13 wherein said plants are periodically harvested adjacent the downstream end of said trough.
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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) | 1986-04-11 | 1986-10-11 | 1987-04-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-04-11 | 1990-10-11 | 1991-04-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-04-11 | 1994-10-11 | 1995-04-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |