US3766684A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for hydroponic cultivation
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-12-03
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Granted: 1973-10-23
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Expires: 1991-12-03
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for hydroponic cultivation designed to hold a plant in a suspended state, establish contact between the root of the plant a screen for flowing a nutrient solution disposed outwardly of the root. The nutrient solution is fed from above the screen to flow down therealong so that the nutrient solution may be fed to the root without immersing the root in the nutrient solution. The nutrient solution is circulated for re-use. The root contacts air. A satisfactory cultivation free from the decay and undergrowth of the results.
Inventors
- 👤 N Kato
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 20:34
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01G; A01G31/00; A01G31/02; Y; Y02; Y02P; Y02P60/00; Y02P60/20; Y02P60/21
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
307 words
An apparatus for hydroponic cultivation of plants comprising, in combination: a. at least one deformable screen member open at its upper end and having two spaced apart substantially parallel inner surfaces, the space between said two inner surfaces being suitable for accommodating the root collar and root of at least one plant; b. means in contact with said screen member in the vicinity of its uppermost portion near said upper end for holding said screen member suspended in a space where air is freely ventilated, said means for holding said screen member having two spaced apart inwardly facing surfaces; c. resilient force applying means for exerting pressing forces inwardly on said screen member and thence on the root collar of at least one plant to suspend the plant between said inner surfaces of said screen member with its root in contact therewith, said resilient force applying means being positioned between outer surfaces of said screen member near its uppermost portion and said inwardly facing surfaces of said means for holding said screen member; d. means in fluid communication with said inner surfaces of said screen member for feeding nutrient-containing liquid to each said inner surface, which liquid can flow downwardly along each of these surfaces; e. means beneath said screen member for collecting the nutrientcontaining liquid which has passed along said inner surfaces of said screen member; and f. means in contact with said means for holding for supporting said means for holding and thence said screen member in space; whereby the space between the two inner surfaces of the screen member expands as the plant grows and the root collar of the plant exerts forces on the screen member and thence on the resilient force applying means causing the two inner surfaces of the screen member to spread apart at least along parts of their lengths.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
307 words
An apparatus for hydroponic cultivation of plants comprising, in combination: a. at least one deformable screen member open at its upper end and having two spaced apart substantially parallel inner surfaces, the space between said two inner surfaces being suitable for accommodating the root collar and root of at least one plant; b. means in contact with said screen member in the vicinity of its uppermost portion near said upper end for holding said screen member suspended in a space where air is freely ventilated, said means for holding said screen member having two spaced apart inwardly facing surfaces; c. resilient force applying means for exerting pressing forces inwardly on said screen member and thence on the root collar of at least one plant to suspend the plant between said inner surfaces of said screen member with its root in contact therewith, said resilient force applying means being positioned between outer surfaces of said screen member near its uppermost portion and said inwardly facing surfaces of said means for holding said screen member; d. means in fluid communication with said inner surfaces of said screen member for feeding nutrient-containing liquid to each said inner surface, which liquid can flow downwardly along each of these surfaces; e. means beneath said screen member for collecting the nutrientcontaining liquid which has passed along said inner surfaces of said screen member; and f. means in contact with said means for holding for supporting said means for holding and thence said screen member in space; whereby the space between the two inner surfaces of the screen member expands as the plant grows and the root collar of the plant exerts forces on the screen member and thence on the resilient force applying means causing the two inner surfaces of the screen member to spread apart at least along parts of their lengths.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
An apparatus for hydroponic cultivation as set forth in claim 1, wherein said screen member comprises a water-permeable sheet.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus for hydroponic cultivation as set forth in claim 2, wherein said screen member has a surface active wetting agent applied thereto.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
51 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said means for feeding nutrient-containing liquid to said screen member comprises perforated tubular members disposed along the upper edge of said screen member, said perforations being arranged lengthwise thereof, and a supply source for furnishing said tubular members with the nutrient-containing liquid.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
An apparatus for hydroponic cultivation as set forth in claim 1, wherein said resilient force applying means comprises sponges.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
56 words
An apparatus for hydroponic cultivation as set forth in claim 1, wherein said means for holding said screen member comprises a bent plate with its apex obliquely disposed adjacent to the lower edge of said screen member, and wherein said means for collecting the nutrient-containing liquid comprises that portion of said bent plate adjacent said apex.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
59 words
An apparatus for hydroponic cultivation as set forth in claim 6, wherein said means for collecting the nutrient-containing liquid further includes a storAge tank for storing the nutrient-containing liquid collected from said bent plate, and a power driven liquid-lifting pump for circulating the nutrient-containing liquid with respect to said means for feeding the nutrient-containing liquid to said screen member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
45 words
An apparatus for hydroponic cultivation as set forth in claim 6, wherein the upper edges of said screen member are held between said perforated tubular members and the upper edges of said bent plate so that said screen member is suspended within said bent plate.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
46 words
An apparatus for hydroponic cultivation as set forth in claim 8, wherein bent plate includes at its oppositely disposed upper edges rebent portions for holding said tubular members therein, and said screen member has portions which are held in said rebent portions by said tubular members.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
An apparatus for hydroponic cultivation as set forth in claim 9, wherein said screen member is in intimate contact with said perforations in said tubular members.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
An apparatus for hydroponic cultivation as set forth in claim 9, wherein said bent plate is flexible and includes upper edge portions that move transversely as the plant or plants grow.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
53 words
An apparatus for hydroponic cultivation as set forth in claim 9, wherein said tubular members are connected to a water feeding tank through flexible conduits, and said bent plate is supported by pillars and is vertically adjustable with respect to said pillars, said pillars comprising said means for supporting said means for holding.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
30 words
An apparatus for hydroponic cultivation as set forth in claim 12, wherein said pillars are mounted on transversely movable blocks, and a plurality of bent plates are arranged in juxtaposition.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
29 words
An apparatus for hydroponic cultivation as set forth in claim 8, wherein said screen member includes a terminal portion which is maintained in spaced relation to said bent plate.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
An apparatus for hydroponic cultivation as set forth in claim 1, wherein said screen member comprises a water-impermeable sheet.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
An apparatus for hydroponic cultivation as set forth in claim 1, wherein said screen member has a napped surface.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
241 words
An apparatus for hydroponic cultivation as set forth in claim 1, wherein said means for holding said screen member comprises a plate bent substantially in U-shape to provide two inwardly facing surfaces; wherein said resilient force applying means comprises two sponges positioned on each of said two inwardly facing surfaces of said plate, the bend portion of said plate being positioned below said sponges and said sponges being in contact with said screen member; wherein said means for feeding nutrient-containing liquid comprises two perforated tubular members positioned substantially horizontally on each of said two inner surfaces of said plate remote from the bent portion thereof and a pump for delivering liquid to said tubular members, the perforations in said tubular members being arranged in an axial direction for allowing the nutrient-containing liquid to flow out, upper edge portions of said screen member being held between said tubular members and said plate, and said screen member being suspended in space between said two inner surfaces of said plate and itself being bent substantially in U-shape; and wherein said means for collecting the nutrient-containing liquid comprises a trough defined by the bent portion of said plate which receives the nutrient-containing liquid which has flowed down along said screen member and a storage tank for receiving the nutrient-containing liquid from said trough, said pump means lifting the liquid to said storage tank and said tubular members being in fluid communication with said storage tank.
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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) | 1976-10-22 | 1977-04-23 | 1977-10-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-10-22 | 1981-04-23 | 1981-10-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-10-22 | 1985-04-23 | 1985-10-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |