# US 11,304,377 B2 · Plant holding unit

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- Number: US 11,304,377 B2
- Document ID: US11304377B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 16/628,946
- Filed: 2019-12-12
- Published: 2021-11-04
- Granted: 2022-04-19
- Earliest claimed: 2019-01-18
- Applicants: David Stevens
- Inventors: David Stevens
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11304377B2

## CPC

- A01G 9/023: {Multi-tiered planters}
- A01G 9/025: {Containers and elements for greening walls (for covering roofs A01G9/033)}
- A01G 31/06: Hydroponic culture on racks or in stacked containers
- Y02P 60/21: Dinitrogen oxide [N2O], e.g. using aquaponics, hydroponics or efficiency measures
- 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)
- Y02P: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS

## Abstract

The present invention includes a plant holding unit for supporting a plant on a generally vertical member. A plant container held by plant holding unit is held below a plane approximately normal to the outer surface of the generally vertical member. The plant holding unit is configured to support a plant container on a generally vertical member. The plant holding unit includes an opening having an axis and a perimeter edge, wherein the axis is approximately perpendicular to the first plane defining a general direction of plant growth. The plant holding unit also includes a barrier extending generally vertically from and attached to the perimeter edge, wherein the barrier forms a water retaining area.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A plant holding unit for supporting at least one plant on a generally vertical member, the plant holding unit comprising:
an opening having an axis and a perimeter rim, the opening aligned along a first plane angled below a second plane approximately normal to an outer surface of the generally vertical member, wherein the axis is approximately perpendicular to the first plane defining an approximate direction of plant growth; and,
a barrier extending generally vertically upward and perpendicular from and attached to the perimeter rim, wherein the barrier extends and surrounds a lower portion of the perimeter rim forming a retaining area to prevent water from escaping.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The plant holding unit of claim 1, wherein the perimeter rim includes a recess enabling the water to move from the retaining area into the opening.

### Claim 3

A plant holding unit for supporting a plant on a generally vertical member, the plant holding unit comprising:
an opening having an axis and a perimeter edge, the opening aligned along a first plane angled below a second plane approximately normal to an outer surface of the generally vertical member, wherein the axis is approximately perpendicular to the first plane defining an approximate direction of plant growth; and,
a barrier extending generally vertically upward from and attached to the perimeter edge, wherein the barrier extends and surrounds a lower portion of the perimeter edge forming a retaining area to prevent water from escaping.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The plant holding unit of claim 3, further comprising a series of ribs configured to retain a plant container.

### Claim 5 (depends on 3)

The plant holding unit of claim 3, further comprising a secondary concentric opening supported and attached inside the opening, wherein the secondary concentric opening is configured to retain a plant container.

### Claim 6

A system comprising:
a generally vertical member having at least one growing opening, the at least one opening having a horizontal plane approximately perpendicular to the at least one opening;
at least one plant holding unit within the at least one growing opening, the at least one plant holding unit including an opening having an axis and a perimeter edge, the opening aligned approximately along a first plane angled below the horizontal plane, wherein the axis is approximately perpendicular to the first plane defining a general direction of plant growth; and,
a barrier extending generally vertically upward and attached to the perimeter edge, wherein the barrier extends and surrounds a lower portion of the perimeter edge forming a retaining area to prevent water from escaping.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The plant holding unit of claim 6, further comprising a perimeter rim.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The plant holding unit of claim 7, wherein the perimeter rim includes a recess enabling the water to move from the retaining area into the opening.