Systems and methods for controlling liquid delivery and distribution to plants
AssigneeAeroGrow International, Inc.
InventorsW. Michael Bissonnette, Robert E. Wainwright, Carson Payne, John Thompson, Robert Bromley, Curt Morgan
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Abstract
This invention provides a system and methods for providing liquid to a plant or a seed that can germinate into a plant. The system includes: a liquid delivery device; an actuator; a vessel; and a vessel support; wherein the actuator is operable to cause the liquid delivery device to deliver the liquid to the plant or seed only when the vessel is brought into proximity with the vessel support.
Claims16
A hydroponic system for providing liquid to a plant or a seed that can germinate into a plant, said system comprising:
- a) a liquid delivery device;
- b) an actuator for controlling delivery of liquid to the plant or seed;
- c) an electronic controller circuit board operatively connected to said liquid delivery device and said actuator;
- d) a vessel comprising a first component of said actuator;
- and
- e) a vessel support removably attached to said vessel and comprising a second component of said actuator;
- wherein said actuator is controlled by said electronic controller circuit board and is electrically operable only when said vessel is brought into contact with said vessel support such that said first component of said actuator contacts said second component of said actuator to form a complete electric circuit;
- f) a vessel cover;
- g) a plant or seed located in said vessel, wherein the plant or seed grows through an opening in said vessel cover.
A hydroponic method for reversibly providing liquid to a plant or a seed that can germinate into a plant, said method comprising:
- a) providing an actuable device, said device comprising:
- i) a liquid delivery device;
- ii) an actuator for controlling delivery of liquid to the plant or seed;
- iii) an electronic controller circuit board operatively connected to the liquid delivery device and the actuator;
- iv) a vessel comprising a first component of said actuator;
- and
- v) a vessel support comprising a second component of said actuator;
- wherein said actuator is controlled by said electronic controller circuit board and is electrically operable by forming a complete electric circuit only when said vessel is brought into contact with said vessel support such that said first component of said actuator contacts said second component of said actuator;
- b) providing a plant or seed;
- c) providing a liquid;
- and
- d) using said actuable device to deliver said liquid to said plant or seed;
- wherein said plant or seed located in said vessel grows through an opening in a cover on said vessel.
A hydroponic system for providing liquid to a plant or a seed that can germinate into a plant, said system comprising:
- a) a liquid delivery device;
- b) an actuator for controlling said liquid delivery device;
- c) an electronic controller circuit board operatively connected to said liquid delivery device and said actuator, wherein said electronic controller circuit board comprises an on/off switch;
- d) a vessel comprising a first partial electrical circuit;
- and
- e) a vessel support comprising a second partial electrical circuit;
- wherein said actuator is electrically operable only when said vessel is placed on said vessel support such that said first partial electrical circuit contacts said second partial electrical circuit to form a complete electric circuit of said actuator, thereby allowing said actuator to be controlled by said on/off switch of said electronic controller circuit board;
- f)a vessel cover;
- g)a plant or seed located in siad vessel, wherein the plant or seed grows through an opening in said vessel cover.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.