US3877172A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Foamed plastic profile member for hydroponic cultivation and growth of plants
Assignee: Semperit AG Holding
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Filing: 1973-02-26
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Granted: 1975-04-15
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Expires: 1993-02-26
Abstract
Abstract A foamed plastic profile member as the carrier substance for the root space or accommodation during the hydroponic cultivation and growth of plants wherein the profile member is formed of one piece and - viewed in cross-section - possesses at its edge a recess bounded by a diaphragm at the side facing away from the profile member.
Inventors
- 👤 Johann Schwab
- 👤 Friedrich Bohm
- 👤 Gerlinde Ruthner
- 👤 Kurt Buchel
- 👤 Georg Widtmann
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 21:30
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01G; A01G24/00; A01G24/40; A01G24/48; A01G24/10; A01G24/12; A01G24/15; A01G24/30; A01G24/50
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
96 words
A foamed plastic body member serving as a carrier substance for the root space during the hydroponic cultivation and growth of plants, comprising an elongated porous body member being formed of one piece and, viewed in cross-section, being provided at its edge with at least one recess extending the length of said body member forming a continuous channel which extends into said body for continuously feeding nutrients to said body, a diaphragm bounding the recess at a side facing away from the body member wherein a hollow space is formed by the recess and the diaphragm.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
96 words
A foamed plastic body member serving as a carrier substance for the root space during the hydroponic cultivation and growth of plants, comprising an elongated porous body member being formed of one piece and, viewed in cross-section, being provided at its edge with at least one recess extending the length of said body member forming a continuous channel which extends into said body for continuously feeding nutrients to said body, a diaphragm bounding the recess at a side facing away from the body member wherein a hollow space is formed by the recess and the diaphragm.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The foamed plastic body member as defined in claim 1, wherein the body member possesses a substantially trapezoidal-shaped cross-sectional configuration.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
47 words
The foamed plastic body member as defined in claim 2, wherein crosswise slots are provided at the narrower surface of the two surfaces of the trapezoidal-shaped body member which are arranged parallel to one another, said crosswise slots serving for the reception of plants, seedlings or seeds.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
The foamed plastic body member as defined in claim 2, wherein the recess is provided at the wider of two surfaces of the body member which are arranged substantially in parallelism with one another.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The foamed plastic body member as defined in claim 1, wherein the diaphragm is a shrinkage foil.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The foamed plastic body member as defined in claim 1, wherein the body member comprises an integral foam.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The foamed plastic body member as defined in claim 1, wherein the body member comprises a compound foam.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The foamed plastic body member as defined in claim 7, wherein the compound foam possesses a hydrophilic binder.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The foamed plastic body member as defined in claim 8, wherein the hydrophilic binder is a foamed.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
50 words
The foamed plastic body member as defined in claim 1, wherein the foamed material of the body member possesses pores of different size, wherein the diameter of the smaller pores amounts to approximately less than one millimeter and amounts to less than one-quarter of the diameter of the larger pores.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
The foamed plastic body member as defined in claim 10, wherein the diameter of the smaller pores is below approximately 0.5 millimeters.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
39 words
The foamed plastic body member as defined in claim 10, wherein the larger pores are present at foamed plastic pieces of a compound foam while the smaller pores are present in the foam material connecting the foamed plastic pieces.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
The foamed plastic body member as defined in claim 1, wherein the foamed material contains fillers.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
The foamed plastic body member as defined in claim 13, wherein the fillers comprise a material selected from the group comprising vermiculite, montmorillonite and perlite.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
86 words
A carrier for plant roots comprising: a unitary, elongated, porous body of foamed plastic construction having a flat Base portion and side walls which extend upwardly from opposite ends of said base tapering towards each other; recess means in at least one surface of said body which projects into said body for a predetermined distance and extends the length of said body forming a continuous channel into said body for continuously feeding nutrients to said body; said body being covered with a substantially fluid impermeable membrane.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
86 words
A carrier for plant roots comprising: a unitary, elongated, porous body of foamed plastic construction having a flat Base portion and side walls which extend upwardly from opposite ends of said base tapering towards each other; recess means in at least one surface of said body which projects into said body for a predetermined distance and extends the length of said body forming a continuous channel into said body for continuously feeding nutrients to said body; said body being covered with a substantially fluid impermeable membrane.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2988441A
Cited
US3362106A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-04-14 | 1978-10-14 | 1979-04-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-04-14 | 1982-10-14 | 1983-04-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-04-14 | 1986-10-14 | 1987-04-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |