Multilayer Seed Germination and Plant Development Media
AssigneeJust Greens, LLC
InventorsAlexander Filippov, Roger Buelow
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Versions of the disclosure relate to multilayer flats for germinating seeds and growing plants in aeroponic or hydroponic farming. The multilayer structure can include a soilless growth medium sandwiched between a support layer and a light barrier layer. The support layer includes openings that allow plant roots to be sprayed with a nutrient solution and the light barrier layer includes openings that allow plants to develop while limiting the growth of harmful algae on the soilless growth medium.
Claims20
An article for germinating seeds and growing plants comprising:
- a soilless growth medium that supports seed germination and penetration of roots from developing plants therethrough;
- and,
- a light barrier layer with a plurality of openings, a shape of the openings accommodates one or more seeds in each opening, un-opened portions of the light barrier layer have a light transmittance that is less than the amount of the light transmittance through any opening in the light barrier layer, the light barrier layer is separable from, positioned atop, and structurally distinct from the soilless growth medium.
An article that supports germinating seeds and growing plants comprising:
- a bottom support layer that has a plurality of openings through the bottom support layer that accommodate one or more root masses;
- a soilless growth medium positioned atop the bottom support layer and separable therefrom, said soilless growth medium supports seed germination and penetration of roots from developing plants therethrough;
- and,
- a light barrier layer with a plurality of openings shaped to contain a seed, un-opened portions of the light barrier layer have a light transmittance that is less than the amount of the light transmittance through any opening in the light barrier layer, the light barrier layer is separable from, positioned atop, and structurally distinct from the soilless growth medium and a proximity of the light barrier layer bottom surface with the soilless growth medium layer prevent seeds from becoming positioned or trapped between the layers.
A method of planting seeds comprising:
- positioning seeds into a plurality of openings in a light barrier layer, wherein a majority of the plurality of openings in the light barrier layer have a seed, said light barrier layer overlies a soilless growth medium and is separable therefrom, the soilless growth medium overlies a support layer that has openings to accommodate one or more root masses growing through the soilless growth medium.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.