Pallet system for container-grown plants
AssigneeState of Oregon acting by and through the Oregon State Board of Higher Education on behalf of Oregon State Universities
InventorsJames L. Green, Robert J. Schnekenburger
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The system includes an efficient, closed irrigation system in conjunction with insulating components for minimizing the harmful effects of extreme changes in ambient temperature, moisture and chemical concentrations in plant containers. Mechanisms are provided for permitting a single pallet, or a single plant within a pallet, to be readily removed from an integrated plurality of pallets without interfering with irrigation of the plants that are contained in the remaining pallets.
Claims16
A pallet for supporting a plurality of plants, each plant having roots contained within a container so that the plant shoots may extend above the container, comprising:
- a base having a bottom and sides;
- a top attached to the base, the top and base defining a compartment;
- container support means for supporting the containers within the compartment with the containers beneath the top, the top having a plurality of holes formed therein for permitting plant shoots to extend above the top;
- and
- insulating means for thermally insulating the top and sides of the base, the base constructed to define a reservoir for liquid stored within the compartment beneath the containers, the insulating means including a plurality of covers arranged for establishing a thermally insulating barrier between the containers and plant shoots extending therefrom, wherein each cover comprises a moisture impermeable, reflective, opaque, thermal-insulating member having an opening formed therethrough, the size of the opening being changeable so that plant shoot portions of various sizes may be surrounded by the flexible member, to prevent aerial-applied water from reaching the top of the containers.
A pallet for supporting a plurality of plants, each plant having roots contained within a container so that the plant shoots may extend above the container, comprising:
- a base having a bottom and sides;
- a top attached to the base, the top and base defining a compartment;
- container support means for supporting the containers within the compartment with the containers beneath the top, the top having a plurality of holes formed therein for permitting plant shoots to extend above the top, wherein the container support means includes an annular holder attachable to the plant container, the holder being hinged to open to permit movement of a contained plant out of the holder;
- and
- insulating means for thermally insulating the top and sides of the base, the base constructed to define a reservoir for liquid stored within the compartment beneath the containers.
A pallet system for growing plants comprising:
- a pallet member configured for supporting a plurality of plants that have individually contained root systems, the pallet member having a top, bottom, sides, and legs for supporting the pallet member bottom above a surface, the pallet member defining a compartment for substantially enclosing the contained roots of the plants, the compartment having liquid stored therein beneath the contained plants;
- and
- heating means disposed beneath the pallet member bottom for heating the pallet member compartment, the heating means including a container disposed between the surface and the pallet member bottom, the container carrying fluid for heating the compartment defined by the pallet member.
A pallet for supporting a plurality of plants, each plant having roots contained within a container so that the plant shoots may extend above the container, comprising:
- a base having a bottom and sides;
- a top attached to the base, the top and base defining a compartment;
- container support means for supporting the containers within the compartment with the containers beneath the top, the top having a plurality of holes formed therein for permitting plant shoots to extend above the top;
- and
- insulating means for thermally insulating the top and sides of the base, the insulating means also including a fluid-carrying member disposed beneath the base, the base constructed to define a reservoir for liquid stored within the compartment beneath the containers.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.