Slow release microorganism dispenser
OwnerMichael Van Erdewyk, Vincent P. Spauldinginventors
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Abstract
A dispenser and method is provided for slowly releasing microorganisms into a surrounding body of fluid. The surrounding body of fluid may, for example, include a pond, lake, or waste management holding area. A major portion of the dispenser is submerged within the surrounding body of fluid and may be anchored in place to the bottom underlying the body of fluid. The dispenser includes a conically shaped flotation chamber and a spherical growth chamber. Microorganisms suspended in a gel are cultured within the growth chamber and then slowly release from the growth chamber into the surrounding body of fluid.
Claims11
A device for culturing and slowly releasing a microorganism contained therein, said device comprising:
- (a) a buoyant container having means for suspending a portion of said container above an upper surface of a fluid medium, said container including a growth chamber positionable below the upper surface of said fluid medium, said container having a plurality of conduits extending between an interior surface of the growth chamber and an external surface of the growth chamber, said container further having an opening formed in the portion of the container suspendable above the upper surface of the fluid medium;
- (b) microorganisms suspended in a fluid and contained within the growth chamber;
- (c) growth media contained in the growth chamber, wherein the microorganisms attach and grow on an external surface of the media;
- and
- (d) nutrients contained within the growth chamber.
A device for culturing and slowly releasing a microorganism contained therein, said device comprising:
- (a) a container divided into an upper conical float chamber and a lower spherical growth chamber, said container having a plurality of conduits extending between an interior surface of the growth chamber and an external surface of the growth chamber, said container further having an opening extending through said float chamber, wherein the opening is suspendable above an upper surface of a fluid medium;
- (b) microorganisms suspended in a fluid and contained within the growth chamber;
- (c) growth media contained in the growth chamber, wherein the microorganisms attach and grow on an external surface of the media;
- and
- (d) nutrients contained within the growth chamber.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.