Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
182 words
A hydroponic system, including a channel-like trough having opposed side walls and end walls and a closed bottom defining an upwardly opening coffer, a top cover secured to the trough and dimensioned to close the upwardly opening coffer, a plurality of holes formed in said top cover, a plurality of plant supporting members, each secured in one of said holes and disposed to support a plant with the plant roots extending into said trough and the stem entending upwardly from said top cover, said closed bottom of said trough including a pair of oblique walls joined longitudinally to form a V-shaped bottom extending longitudinally in said trough, a bottom wall extending generally orthogonally between said side walls, said bottom wall, side walls and oblique walls forming a pair of closed chambers extending longitudinally along said trough, each of said oblique walls including an upper edge joined to a respective one of said side walls along a medial line extending longitudinally therealong, each of said oblique walls including a lower edge joined to said bottom wall along a medial line extending longitudinally therealong.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
182 words
A hydroponic system, including a channel-like trough having opposed side walls and end walls and a closed bottom defining an upwardly opening coffer, a top cover secured to the trough and dimensioned to close the upwardly opening coffer, a plurality of holes formed in said top cover, a plurality of plant supporting members, each secured in one of said holes and disposed to support a plant with the plant roots extending into said trough and the stem entending upwardly from said top cover, said closed bottom of said trough including a pair of oblique walls joined longitudinally to form a V-shaped bottom extending longitudinally in said trough, a bottom wall extending generally orthogonally between said side walls, said bottom wall, side walls and oblique walls forming a pair of closed chambers extending longitudinally along said trough, each of said oblique walls including an upper edge joined to a respective one of said side walls along a medial line extending longitudinally therealong, each of said oblique walls including a lower edge joined to said bottom wall along a medial line extending longitudinally therealong.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
The hydroponic system of claim 1, wherein said end walls comprise a pair of end caps, each of said end cap including means for forming a liquid seal with said side walls, bottom wall, and oblique walls.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The hydroponic system of claim 2, wherein at least one of said end caps includes in inlet port extending therethrough and disposed to establish flow communications with said coffer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The hydroponic system of claim 3, wherein said inlet port is disposed adjacent to the apex of said V-shaped bottom.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The hydroponic system of claim 4, wherein at least one of said end caps includes an outlet port extending therethrough.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The hydroponic system of claim 5, wherein said outlet port is spaced above said inlet port.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
46 words
The hydroponic system of claim 6, further including a reservoir of plant nutrient solution, pump means connected between said reservoir and said inlet port to pump said nutrient solution into said trough, and a fluid return line connected between said outlet port and said fluid reservoir.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
36 words
The hydroponic system of claim 7, further including timer means for actuating said pump means briefly and periodically each day, and for stopping said pump means and draining said trough whenever said pump means is stopped.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
The hydroponic system of claim 4, wherein one of said end caps includes a pair of liquid circulation ports, each of said liquid circulation ports extending to one of said closed chambers.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
The hydroponic system of claim 9, further including means for circulating heating or cooling fluid through said liquid circulating ports and said closed chambers.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
The hydroponic system of claim 1, wherein said plurality of plant supporting members include a plurality of cells, each dimensioned to be supported in one of said holes.