# US 10,477,780 B2 · Multiple cell tray with media plugs

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- Number: US 10,477,780 B2
- Document ID: US10477780B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 14/850,928
- Filed: 2015-09-10
- Published: 2016-08-18
- Granted: 2019-11-19
- Earliest claimed: 2015-02-13
- Assignees: HGCI, Inc.
- Applicants: HGCI, Inc.
- Inventors: Rod Davis
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10477780B2

## CPC

- A01G 9/028: {Multi-compartmented pots}
- A01G 9/021: {Pots formed in one piece; Materials used therefor}
- A01G 9/029: Receptacles for seedlings (growth substrates in block form A01G24/44)
- A01G 24/44: in block, mat or sheet form
- C05F 11/02: from peat, brown coal, and similar vegetable deposits
- A01G: HORTICULTURE; CULTIVATION OF VEGETABLES, FLOWERS, RICE, FRUIT, VINES, HOPS OR SEAWEED; FORESTRY; WATERING (picking of fruits, vegetables, hops or the like A01D46/00; propagating unicellular algae C12N1/12)
- C05F: ORGANIC FERTILISERS NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES C05B, C05C, e.g. FERTILISERS FROM WASTE OR REFUSE

## Abstract

A multiple cell horticulture propagation tray arranged in rows of star-shaped cells forming a substantially rectangular shaped tray having the cells formed therein, combined with inserted cylindrically shaped growing media plugs comprising primarily of peat moss with an amount of biochar, and enveloped to retain moisture within the growing media.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A multiple cell horticulture propagation tray arranged in rows of star-shaped cells forming a substantially rectangular shaped tray having the cells formed therein, combined with inserted cylindrically shaped growing media plugs comprising peat moss with an amount of biochar, and enveloped to retain moisture within the growing media plugs, wherein each of the cells comprise a cup having a top rim and a bottom perimeter and flutes running from the top rim to the bottom perimeter comprising inwardly radiused indentations that reduce an amount of interior space within the cell.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The tray of claim 1 wherein the top rim is star-shaped and the bottom perimeter is star-shaped.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The tray of claim 2 wherein the flutes extend from a point of the star-shaped top rim to a corresponding point of the star-shaped bottom perimeter.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The tray of claim 1 wherein the sides of each cell are tapered such that a distance between opposite sides of the top rim is larger than a distance between opposite sides of the bottom perimeter.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The tray of claim 1 wherein the inwardly radiused indentations running from top rim to bottom perimeter are narrower near the top rim and wider near the bottom perimeter.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The tray of claim 1 wherein each cell comprises a hole in a bottom surface.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The tray of claim 6 wherein each cell comprises at least one nib on a bottom exterior surface that provides a fluid path from an interior of the cell to space beneath the bottom exterior surface.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The tray of claim 1 wherein the amount of biochar is approximately 5% of the growing media plug by volume.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The tray of claim 1 wherein the amount of biochar is at least 5% of the growing media plug by volume.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The tray of claim 1 wherein the biochar is formed from forest waste.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The tray of claim 1 wherein each media plug is substantially cylindrical in shape and sized to fit within a cell so as to be increasingly engaged with a fluted indentation running from a top rim of the cell to a bottom perimeter of the cell.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The tray of claim 1 further comprising air gaps between sides of each growing media plug and interior surfaces of each cell.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The tray of claim 12 wherein the air gaps cover approximately 50% of a surface area of the sides of the growing media plug.

### Claim 14 (depends on 12)

The tray of claim 12 wherein the air gaps cover a range of 40% to 60% of a surface area of the sides of the growing media plug.

### Claim 15

A multiple cell horticulture propagation tray arranged in rows of star-shaped cells forming a substantially rectangular shaped tray having the cells formed therein, wherein each of the cells comprise:
a cup having a star-shaped top rim, a star-shaped bottom perimeter, a bottom surface, and a bottom exterior surface;
flutes each extending from a point of the star-shaped top rim to a corresponding point of the star-shaped bottom perimeter;
wherein:
the flutes running from the top rim to the bottom perimeter comprise inwardly radiused indentations that reduce an amount of interior space within the cell;
sides of each cell are tapered such that a distance between opposite sides of the top rim is larger than a distance between opposite sides of the bottom perimeter; and
the inwardly radiused indentations running from the top rim to the bottom perimeter are narrower near the top rim and wider near the bottom perimeter;
a hole in the bottom surface; and
at least one nib on the bottom exterior surface that provides a fluid path from an interior of the cell to space beneath the bottom exterior surface.