US5212904A — Fertilizing apparatus

Claim 1

Independent Claim 86 words

A fertilizing apparatus for fertilizing a plant that is planted in growth media comprising: a first moisture-impermeable diffusion member shaped to define therein a compartment and an adjacent diffusion pathway; and retaining means, through which dissolved fertilizer may permeate, for retaining fertilizer inside the compartment adjacent to the diffusion pathway with the diffusion member positioned above and beside the fertilizer, said retaining means contacting the growth media and the fertilizer, thereby to permit diffusion of the fertilizer through the retaining means and into the growth media.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 86 words

A fertilizing apparatus for fertilizing a plant that is planted in growth media comprising: a first moisture-impermeable diffusion member shaped to define therein a compartment and an adjacent diffusion pathway; and retaining means, through which dissolved fertilizer may permeate, for retaining fertilizer inside the compartment adjacent to the diffusion pathway with the diffusion member positioned above and beside the fertilizer, said retaining means contacting the growth media and the fertilizer, thereby to permit diffusion of the fertilizer through the retaining means and into the growth media.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 18 words

The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the first diffusion member is shaped as an elongated tubular member.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 22 words

The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the first diffusion member defines a diffusion pathway that is protected from gravitational water flow.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 21 words

The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the first diffusion member defines a diffusion pathway that is protected from temperature fluctuation.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 20 words

The fertilizing system according to claim 1 wherein the retaining means including a porous member through which fertilizer may diffuse.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 18 words

The fertilizing apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the first diffusion member is made of a moisture-impermeable material.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 15 words

The apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the tubular member includes a bend formed therein.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 30 words

The apparatus according to claim 1 including a second diffusion member shaped to define therein a second diffusion pathway, the retaining means retaining fertilizer adjacent to the second diffusion pathway.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 19 words

The fertilizing apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the first diffusion member is made from an insulating, opaque material.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 73 words

The apparatus according to claim 1 including a second diffusion member shaped to define therein a compartment and a second diffusion pathway, the retaining means retaining fertilizer inside the compartment and adjacent to the second diffusion pathway with the diffusion member positioned above and beside the fertilizer, said retaining means contacting the growth media and the fertilizer, thereby to permit diffusion of the fertilizer through the retaining means and into the growth media.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 108 words

A fertilizer system for plants planted in containers so that the plant trunks and foliage extend above the surface of growth media contained in the containers, comprising: a moisture-impermeable cover shaped for covering at least part of the growth media in the container; and insulating material disposed between the cover and the growth media surface and defining between the insulating material a compartment for receiving fertilizer on top of the growth media with the cover located above and beside the fertilizer, thereby to permit dissolved fertilizer to diffuse through the growth media, the insulating material shielding the compartment from fluids applied to the container from above the container.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 108 words

A fertilizer system for plants planted in containers so that the plant trunks and foliage extend above the surface of growth media contained in the containers, comprising: a moisture-impermeable cover shaped for covering at least part of the growth media in the container; and insulating material disposed between the cover and the growth media surface and defining between the insulating material a compartment for receiving fertilizer on top of the growth media with the cover located above and beside the fertilizer, thereby to permit dissolved fertilizer to diffuse through the growth media, the insulating material shielding the compartment from fluids applied to the container from above the container.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 19 words

The system of claim 11 further including pallet means for supporting the container within a substantially enclosed, insulated space.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 24 words

The system of claim 11 wherein the insulating material is arranged so that the trunks of the plants are surrounded by the insulating material.

Claim 16

Independent Claim 75 words

A method of applying fertilizer to a plant that is planted in growth media, comprising the steps of: covering at least part of the growth media with an opaque, moisture-impermeable cover; forming the cover to surround the trunk of the plant in a manner that prevents water flow through the cover; and placing fertilizer between the cover and the covered part of the growth media so that the fertilizer may diffuse into the growth media.

Claim 17

Independent Claim 75 words

A method of applying fertilizer to a plant that is planted in growth media, comprising the steps of: covering at least part of the growth media with an opaque, moisture-impermeable cover; forming the cover to surround the trunk of the plant in a manner that prevents water flow through the cover; and placing fertilizer between the cover and the covered part of the growth media so that the fertilizer may diffuse into the growth media.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 30 words

The method of claim 14 further including the step of enclosing the fertilizer in a compartment having a porous part through which the fertilizer may diffuse out of the compartment.

Claim 19

Independent Claim 91 words

A method of fertilizing a plant that is planted in growth media comprising the steps of covering a supply of fertilizer with a moisture-impermeable cover; containing the fertilizer beneath the cover with a porous member, through which member dissolved fertilizer may permeate; placing the contained fertilizer adjacent to growth media; defining with a moisture-impermeable member located above and beside the contained fertilizer a zone for movement of the fertilizer through the growth media; protection the zone from gravitational water flow through the growth media; and insulating the zone from heat transfer.

Claim 20

Independent Claim 91 words

A method of fertilizing a plant that is planted in growth media comprising the steps of covering a supply of fertilizer with a moisture-impermeable cover; containing the fertilizer beneath the cover with a porous member, through which member dissolved fertilizer may permeate; placing the contained fertilizer adjacent to growth media; defining with a moisture-impermeable member located above and beside the contained fertilizer a zone for movement of the fertilizer through the growth media; protection the zone from gravitational water flow through the growth media; and insulating the zone from heat transfer.

Claim 21

Independent Claim 101 words

A method of fertilizing a plant that is planted in growth media comprising the steps of: covering a supply of fertilizer with a moisture-impermeable cover; containing the fertilizer beneath the cover with a porous member through which dissolved fertilizer may permeate; placing the contained fertilizer adjacent to growth media so that the porous member contacts the growth media and the fertilizer, thereby to permit diffusion of the fertilizer through the porous member and into the growth media; and defining with a moisture-impermeable member located above and beside the contained fertilizer a zone for movement of the fertilizer through the growth media.

Claim 22

Independent Claim 101 words

A method of fertilizing a plant that is planted in growth media comprising the steps of: covering a supply of fertilizer with a moisture-impermeable cover; containing the fertilizer beneath the cover with a porous member through which dissolved fertilizer may permeate; placing the contained fertilizer adjacent to growth media so that the porous member contacts the growth media and the fertilizer, thereby to permit diffusion of the fertilizer through the porous member and into the growth media; and defining with a moisture-impermeable member located above and beside the contained fertilizer a zone for movement of the fertilizer through the growth media.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 26 words

The method of claim 17 including the step of regulating the time the fertilizer moves through the zone by changing the length of the defined zone.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 27 words

The method of claim 17 wherein the containing step includes containing the fertilizer beneath the cover between two porous members through which the dissolved fertilizer may permeate.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 24 words

The method of claim 17 including the step of placing material in the zone for varying the rate of fertilizer movement through the zone.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 23 words

The method of according to claim 17 including the step of defining a second zone for movement of fertilizer through the growth media.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 16 words

The method of claim 17 wherein the containing step includes using fabric as the porous member.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 17 words

The method of claim 17 wherein the containing step includes using growth media as the porous member.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1996-05-24	1996-11-23	1997-05-25	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2000-05-24	2000-11-23	2001-05-25	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2004-05-24	2004-11-23	2005-05-25	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Fertilizing apparatus

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