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US4707176A
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Plant growth media containing rice hull ash
Assignee: Agritec Inc
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Filing: 1985-04-15
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Granted: 1987-11-17
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Expires: 2005-04-15
Abstract
Abstract Plant growth media containing rice hull ash in substantially amorphous state and having a porous skeletal structure are disclosed. The rice hull ash is incorporated in naturally occurring soils or so-called synthetic or potting soils. If desired, water swellable binders or polymers can be incorporated with the ash in such soils to enchance their water retention properties. The porous rich hull ash in amorphous form combines synertistically with the soil or soil components to provide desirable growing characteristics as set forth.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert L. Durham
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 14:29
CPC Classifications
C; C05; C05D; C05D9/00; A; A01; A01G; A01G24/00; A01G24/20; A01G24/22; A01G24/25; A01G24/30; A01G24/35; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S71/00; Y10S71/903
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
55 words
A soil containing, rice hull ash in a substantially amorphous state and having a substantially porous skeletal structure, the rice hull ash effective to improve plant growth characteristics of the soil, and the rice hull ash effective to store liquid and air in its pores and to release them to a plant in the soil.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
55 words
A soil containing, rice hull ash in a substantially amorphous state and having a substantially porous skeletal structure, the rice hull ash effective to improve plant growth characteristics of the soil, and the rice hull ash effective to store liquid and air in its pores and to release them to a plant in the soil.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
73 words
A potting soil containing, rice hull ash in a substantially amorphous state and having a substantially porous skeletal structure, the rice hull ash being present in an amount to improve plant growth characteristics of the potting soil, and the remainder of the potting soil comprising material not subversive of the potting soil, the rice hull ash effective to store liquid and air and to release them to a plant in the potting soil.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
73 words
A potting soil containing, rice hull ash in a substantially amorphous state and having a substantially porous skeletal structure, the rice hull ash being present in an amount to improve plant growth characteristics of the potting soil, and the remainder of the potting soil comprising material not subversive of the potting soil, the rice hull ash effective to store liquid and air and to release them to a plant in the potting soil.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The soil of claims 1 or 2 including, a water-swellable polymer present in an amount effective to improve water retention properties of the soil yet release water to the plant.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The soil of claims 1 or 2, where, from about 20% to about 50% by weight, of the rice hull ash is present in the soil.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
50 words
The soil of claims 1 or 2 where, from about 20% to about 50% by weight of the rice hull ash is present in the soil, and the soil includes a water-swellable polymer in an amount to improve water retention properties of the soil yet release water to the plant.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
47 words
A plant growth medium comprising, rice hull ash in a substantially amorphous state having a substantially porous skeletal structure, and the remainder being particulate plant growth material, the rice hull ash being present in an amount effective to improve plant growth characteristics of the plant growth medium.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
47 words
A plant growth medium comprising, rice hull ash in a substantially amorphous state having a substantially porous skeletal structure, and the remainder being particulate plant growth material, the rice hull ash being present in an amount effective to improve plant growth characteristics of the plant growth medium.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
36 words
The plant growth medium of claim 6 including, a water-swellable polymer in an amount effective to improve water retention properties of the plant growth medium yet release water to a plant in the plant growth medium.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
68 words
A potting soil containing, rice hull ash in a substantially amorphous state and having a substantially porous skeletal structure, the remainder being particulate plant growth material, the ash being present in an amount sufficient so that the pH of the potting soil is in a range of from about 6.4 to about 7.2 and is characterized by good internal porosity, water and air retention, and resistance to compaction.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
68 words
A potting soil containing, rice hull ash in a substantially amorphous state and having a substantially porous skeletal structure, the remainder being particulate plant growth material, the ash being present in an amount sufficient so that the pH of the potting soil is in a range of from about 6.4 to about 7.2 and is characterized by good internal porosity, water and air retention, and resistance to compaction.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
The potting soil of claim 8 including, a water-swellable polymer in an amount effective to improve water retention of the potting soil.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
51 words
A method of improving plant growth soil comprising, combining with the soil an amount of rice hull ash in a substantially amorphous state and having a substantially porous skeletal structure in an amount effective to improve internal porosity, water and air retention and resistance to compaction of the plant growth soil.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
51 words
A method of improving plant growth soil comprising, combining with the soil an amount of rice hull ash in a substantially amorphous state and having a substantially porous skeletal structure in an amount effective to improve internal porosity, water and air retention and resistance to compaction of the plant growth soil.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 10 including, combining with the soil a water-swellable polymer in an amount effective to improve water-retention characteristics of the soil.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
57 words
A method of making a potting soil comprising, combining particulate potting soil material and rice hull ash, the rice hull ash being in an amorphous state and having a substantially porous skeletal structure and being present in an amount effective to provide good drainage, water and air retention and resistance to compaction of the resulting potting soil.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
57 words
A method of making a potting soil comprising, combining particulate potting soil material and rice hull ash, the rice hull ash being in an amorphous state and having a substantially porous skeletal structure and being present in an amount effective to provide good drainage, water and air retention and resistance to compaction of the resulting potting soil.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method of claim 12 where, a water-swellable polymer is also combined with the potting soil material and rice hull ash in an amount effective to provide improved water retention characteristics of the resulting potting soil yet release water to a plant in the potting soil.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
45 words
An improved method of growing plants comprising, growing the plants in soil containing rice hull ash in a substantially amorphous state and in a substantially porous skeletal form, the rice hull ash being present in an amount effective to improve growth characteristics of the soil.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
45 words
An improved method of growing plants comprising, growing the plants in soil containing rice hull ash in a substantially amorphous state and in a substantially porous skeletal form, the rice hull ash being present in an amount effective to improve growth characteristics of the soil.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 14 where, the soil also contains a water-swellable polymer in an amount effective to improve water holding properties of the soil yet release water to a plant in the soil.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 14 where, the rice hull ash is present in an amount of about 20% to about 50% by weight of the soil.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 15 where, the rice hull ash is present in an amount of from about 20% to about 50% by weight of the soil.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3900378A
Cited
JPH112173A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1990-11-16 | 1991-05-18 | 1991-11-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-11-16 | 1995-05-18 | 1995-11-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-11-16 | 1999-05-18 | 1999-11-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |