Plant husbandry – Water culture – apparatus or method – Nutrient recirculation system
Reexamination Certificate
1999-01-25
2001-04-24
Jordan, Charles T. (Department: 3644)
Plant husbandry
Water culture, apparatus or method
Nutrient recirculation system
Reexamination Certificate
active
06219966
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to hydroponic culture. More specifically, the present invention is concerned with a container provided with a removable cover advantageous for hydroponic culture.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Hydroponic culture is widely known as a method used for growing plants without soil, in which the plant roots are brought into contact with water containing dissolved nutrients. Small particles of a chemically inert material, such as, for example, expanded perlite or expanded clay, are generally provided in a net pot to support the roots. These particles provide a suitable growing environment for the plant roots and the net pot allows the water to adequately contact the roots.
Different methods exist to supply nutrient containing water to the roots of the plants.
A first method (generally referred to as NFT “Nutrient Film Technique”) consists in the periodical flooding of the container with the nutrient containing water. This water is maintained in the container for a predetermined period and is then drained from the container.
A second method consists of continuously supplying minute quantity of the nutrient containing water to the roots. This can be done by allowing the water to drip continuously onto the particulate material or by providing a continuous small stream of water in contact with the particulate material.
A third method (generally referred to as aeroponic culture) consists in periodically spraying nutrient containing water onto the roots to keep them moist. In this method, humidified air provides the environment in which the plant roots grow.
While many types of containers may be used for the different classes of hydroponic culture generally defined hereinabove, it has been found that available containers usually suffer many drawbacks. For example, they may be difficult to clean between uses, may be designed for a single class of hydroponic culture and/or designed for a predetermined size of net pot.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is therefore to provide an improved container for hydroponic culture.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
More specifically, in accordance with the present invention, there is provided a container for hydroponic culture comprising:
a longitudinal concave body having first and second longitudinal edges and first and second ends;
first edge clip fixedly mounted to said first longitudinal edge;
second edge clip fixedly mounted to said second longitudinal edge;
a cover configured and sized to be removably mounted between said first and second edge clips; said cover including at least one plant receiving aperture.
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for making a container for hydroponic culture comprising the steps of:
providing a hollow cylindrical tube having a longitudinal axis;
cutting said tube along a first hypothetical line generally parallel to said longitudinal axis;
cutting said tube along a second hypothetical line generally parallel to said longitudinal axis; said second line being spaced apart from said first line; said second cutting operation separating said cylindrical tube into a semi-cylindrical body and a semi-cylindrical cover; said semi-cylindrical body being provided with first and second longitudinal edges;
providing first and second generally h-shaped edge clips;
mounting said first edge clip to said first edge;
mounting said second edge clip to said second edge; and
cutting at least one pot receiving aperture in the cover.
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a hydroponic culture system comprising:
at least one container for hydroponic culture including:
a longitudinal concave body having first and second longitudinal edges and first and second ends;
first edge clip fixedly mounted to said first longitudinal edge;
second edge clip fixedly mounted to said second longitudinal edge; and
a cover configured and sized to be removably mounted between said first and second edge clips; said cover including at least one plant receiving aperture; said cover also including at least one spray head receiving aperture;
a support assembly to support said at least one container; and
a fluid dispensing assembly including:
a reservoir having an inlet and an outlet; one of said first and second end of each said at least one container being connected to said inlet of said reservoir;
a pump having an inlet connected to outlet of said reservoir; said pump having an outlet;
a tubular water delivery system having an inlet connected to said outlet of said pump; said tubular water delivery system having at least one outlet;
at least one spray head; each said at least one spray head having an inlet connected to one of said at least one outlet of said tubular water delivery system and a spray outlet connected to one of said at least one spray head receiving aperture of said cover.
According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a container for hydroponic culture comprising:
a longitudinal concave body having first and second longitudinal body edges;
a concave cover having first and second longitudinal cover edges and at least one plant receiving aperture;
first edge clip fixedly mounted to the first longitudinal cover edge;
second edge clip fixedly mounted to the second longitudinal cover edge; the first and second edge clips being configured and sized to be respectively removably connected to the first and second longitudinal body edges, thereby removably mounting the cover to the body.
Other objects, advantages and features of the present invention will become more apparent upon reading of the following non restrictive description of preferred embodiments thereof, given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings.
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Lapointe Claude
Pichette Pierre
Goudreau Gage Dubuc
Jordan Charles T.
Palo Francis T.
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