Plant growing apparatus
AssigneeBetty Storey
InventorTed Marchildon
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A plant-growing apparatus (10) has a plurality of rotatable plant-growing modules (32) which can be moved between two positions, separated vertically or horizontally. Each module (32) comprises a cylindrical structure for holding plant-growing containers (80) in which the plants grow radially inwardly of the cylindrical structure toward a light source (68). The apparatus (10) has module support means for supporting each module and rotating it in a substantially horizontal position. The apparatus has module moving means, for example sprocket driven chains (20, 22), for conveying the modules between the two positions.
Claims18
A plant-growing apparatus comprising:
- (a) a plurality of rotatable plant-growing modules, each said module comprising a cylindrical structure for holding plant-growing containers, such that said plants grow in said containers radially inwardly of said cylindrical structure toward a light source inside said cylindrical structure and roots of said plants grow radially outwardly of said cylindrical structures;
- (b) module support means for supporting each said module and for rotating each said module about its longitudinal axis in a substantially horizontal position;
- (c) module moving means for conveying said module support means and modules along a path between two separated positions;
- and
- (d) water-feeding means for feeding water to said plants.
An apparatus according to any one preceding claim wherein said water feeding means comprises sprayers or injectors.
An apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein said module moving means comprises a plurality of sprocket wheels and an endless chain.
An apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein said module support means comprises a pair of spaced-apart rotatable members.
A method of growing plants comprising the steps of:
- (a) placing plant material in a growing medium;
- (b) placing said medium in a rotatable growing apparatus such that plants grow radially inwardly of said apparatus toward a light;
- (c) illuminating a light source in said rotatable growing apparatus;
- (d) rotating said rotatable growing apparatus about said light source;
- (e) moving said rotatable growing apparatus along a path between two separated positions;
- and
- (f) delivering water to said growing medium.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.