US3824736A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for producing plants
Assignee: Integrated Development and Manufacturing
•
Filing: 1973-01-22
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Granted: 1974-07-23
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Expires: 1993-01-22
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for the continuous production of plants. The method comprises moving the plants through a corridor wherein closely controlled conditions of temperature and humidity are maintained. The corridor is preferably formed by a series of modular units each of which inludes an illuminated section and a darkened section. Each modular unit is arranged to constitute one twenty-four hour growth period so that merely by varying the number of modules, growing cycles of any desired duration can be provided.
Inventors
- 👤 N Davis
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 20:34
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01G; A01G7/00; A01G7/04; A01G7/045; A01G9/00; A01G9/24; A01G9/14; A01G9/143; A01G9/249; Y; Y02; Y02A; Y02A40/00; Y02A40/10; Y02A40/25; Y02P; Y02P60/00; Y02P60/14
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
198 words
A system for providing controlled environmental conditions for growing plant crops comprising: a. a series of individual modules serially joined together to form an elongated plant growing corridor, with the number of modules in such series being substantially equal to the number of days in the growing cycle of the crop being raised, each of said modules being comprised of first and second chamber portions only one of which is provided with lamp means for maintaining a predetermined level of illumination in said one chamber, said chamber portions being separated by divider means adapted to screen the light from the other of said chambers for maintaining darkness therein, a portion of said divider means being constructed and arranged in said module so as to permit the movement of plants through said chambers, b. a continuous conveyor passing sequentially through said series of modules and means for driving said conveyor, said conveyor being adapted to convey plants at a predetermined speed through said modules thereby exposing said plants to alternate periods of light and darkness for their entire growth cycle, and c. means for supplying conditioned air to at least said illuminated chamber for maintaining predetermined temperature conditions therein.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
198 words
A system for providing controlled environmental conditions for growing plant crops comprising: a. a series of individual modules serially joined together to form an elongated plant growing corridor, with the number of modules in such series being substantially equal to the number of days in the growing cycle of the crop being raised, each of said modules being comprised of first and second chamber portions only one of which is provided with lamp means for maintaining a predetermined level of illumination in said one chamber, said chamber portions being separated by divider means adapted to screen the light from the other of said chambers for maintaining darkness therein, a portion of said divider means being constructed and arranged in said module so as to permit the movement of plants through said chambers, b. a continuous conveyor passing sequentially through said series of modules and means for driving said conveyor, said conveyor being adapted to convey plants at a predetermined speed through said modules thereby exposing said plants to alternate periods of light and darkness for their entire growth cycle, and c. means for supplying conditioned air to at least said illuminated chamber for maintaining predetermined temperature conditions therein.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
56 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said means for supplying conditioned air includes temperature control means associated with said modules for regulating the temperature of the conditioned air supplied thereto, and further including air recirculation means for supplying conditioned air to the upper portion of said illuminated chamber and withdrawing air from the lower portion thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
47 words
The system of claim 2 wherein said air recirculation means comprises a plenum chamber positioned in the top of said other chamber, said plenum chamber being provided with outlet dampers on the opposite sides thereof communicating with the illuminated chambers on either side of said other chambers.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
67 words
The system of claim 1 wherein each of said modules includes a floor, a pair of end walls and a roof connected between said end walls, internal partition means extending between said floor and said roof generally parallel to said end walls to divide said modules into three chambers, the center chamber being larger than the other two chambers and constituting a section of said growing corridor.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system of claim 4 wherein said other two chambers constitute utility and service corridors, and wherein said means for supplying conditioned air includes temperature control means located in said utility corridor.
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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) | 1977-07-22 | 1978-01-21 | 1978-07-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-07-22 | 1982-01-21 | 1982-07-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-07-22 | 1986-01-21 | 1986-07-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |