Back to results
US 8,256,160 B2Granted
Compressed growing medium
OwnerPatti D. Rubininventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A growing medium includes a bulking agent and a water-retentive polymer blended together and compressed at a volume-to-volume ratio ranging from about 2:1 to about 10:1, being substantially free of a water-soluble binder material.
Claims32
A method of making a growing medium, comprising:
- blending a dehydrated bulking agent, including coir, and a dry water-retentive polymer to make a growing medium;
- and
- compressing said growing medium at a volume-to-volume ratio ranging from about 3:1 to about 10:1;
- wherein said compressed growing medium is not hydrophobic and maintains a compressed shape without a water soluble binder until hydrated.
1 more element
A method for making a growing medium, comprising:
- blending a bulking agent and a dry water-retentive polymer to make a growing medium;
- contacting seeds with a granulation pan;
- contacting said growing medium with said granulation pan;
- and
- granulating said seeds and said growing medium into pellets;
- wherein said granulated growing medium forms a matrix and maintains a compressed shape without a water soluble binder until hydrated.
3 more elements
A method of making a growing medium, comprising:
- dehydrating a ground low compressed coir bulking agent having a grind size between ⅛ inch mesh and 1 inch mesh and a compression ratio of less than 3:1 to less than 18% moisture content;
- blending said dehydrated ground coir bulking agent and a dry gel-forming water-retentive polymer to form a growing medium;
- adding a non-ionic surfactant or emulsifier to said dehydrated ground coir bulking agent and water-retentive polymer;
- agitating said growing medium prior to said compression;
- compressing said growing medium at a volume-to-volume ratio ranging from about 5:1 to about 10:1;
- wherein said compressed growing medium is free of a water soluble binder;
- wherein said growing medium is maintained below about 30° C. during said formation of said growing medium.
4 more elements
A method of making a growing medium, comprising:
- dehydrating a ground coir bulking agent including coir dust and short coir fibers having a grind size between ⅛ inch mesh and 1 inch mesh and a compression ratio of less than 3:1 to less than 18% moisture content;
- blending said dehydrated ground coir bulking agent and a non-ionic surfactant or emulsifier to form a growing medium;
- agitating said growing medium;
- compressing said growing medium at a volume-to-volume ratio ranging greater than about 2:1;
- wherein said compressed growing medium forms a matrix, is free of a water soluble binder material, and maintains a compressed shape until hydrated.
2 more elements
A method of making a growing medium, comprising:
- blending a dehydrated bulking agent and a dry water-retentive polymer to make a growing medium;
- and
- compressing said growing medium at a volume-to-volume ratio greater than about 5:1;
- wherein said compressed growing medium is not hydrophobic and maintains a compressed shape without a water soluble binder until hydrated.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.