# US 8,785,175 B2 · Methods and products used to grow and harvest algae

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- Number: US 8,785,175 B2
- Document ID: US8785175B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 13/186,790
- Filed: 2011-07-20
- Published: 2012-01-26
- Granted: 2014-07-22
- Earliest claimed: 2010-07-20
- Assignees: Interface, Inc.
- Applicants: William N. Jones; Daniel Price; James Hobbs
- Inventors: William N. Jones; Daniel Price; James Hobbs
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8785175B2

## CPC

- A01G 33/00: Cultivation of seaweed {or algae}
- C12N 1/12: Unicellular algae; Culture media therefor (as new plants A01H13/00)
- C12N 11/082: obtained by reactions only involving carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds
- C12N 11/096: Polyesters; Polyamides
- Y02A 40/80: in fisheries management
- Y10T 428/23943: Flock surface
- Y10T 428/23957: Particular shape or structure of pile
- A01G: HORTICULTURE; CULTIVATION OF VEGETABLES, FLOWERS, RICE, FRUIT, VINES, HOPS OR SEAWEED; FORESTRY; WATERING (picking of fruits, vegetables, hops or the like A01D46/00; propagating unicellular algae C12N1/12)
- C12N: MICROORGANISMS OR ENZYMES; COMPOSITIONS THEREOF; PROPAGATING, PRESERVING, OR MAINTAINING MICROORGANISMS; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING; CULTURE MEDIA (microbiological testing media C12Q1/00)
- Y02A: TECHNOLOGIES FOR ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION

## Abstract

Systems and methods that facilitate the creation and harvesting of algae using tufted products. One exemplary tufted product comprises a substrate and tufts tufted through the substrate. The use of a tufted product provides various advantages with respect to the creation and harvesting of algae. Among other things, such products can be configured to improve the amount of algal-growing surface area provided and other growing environment characteristics and to facilitate the harvesting of the algae from the tufted product by facilitating the release of all or most of the algae from attachment to the tufted product.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A product for growing or harvesting algae comprising:
a woven substrate; and
tufts tufted through the substrate, wherein the tufts are formed with nylon yarn and wherein spacing between adjacent tufts is at least 0.125 inches and wherein heights of the tufts are at least 0.25 inches.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The product of claim 1, wherein the substrate comprises woven polypropylene.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The product of claim 1, further comprising a polymer-based hot melt adhesive that provides dimensional stability and secures the tufts.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The product of claim 1 wherein the tufts are secured with a hot melt application of 18 ounces+/−2 ounces.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The product of claim 1 wherein a cable is attached to one or more edges of the substrate.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The product of claim 1 wherein heights of the tufts range from 1.25 inches to 1.5 inches inclusive, wherein the tufts are coiled such that heights of the tuft after coiling are approximately one inch.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The product of claim 1, wherein the tufts form non-linear rows.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The product of claim 1 wherein the substrate comprises a plurality of regularly-spaced openings.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The product of claim 1, wherein the substrate has a non-woven cap.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The product of claim 1, wherein the tufts comprise loops.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The product of claim 10, wherein the loops are coiled.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The product of claim 1, wherein the nylon yarn is air-entangled.

### Claim 13 (depends on 1)

The product of claim 1, wherein the tufts are coiled.

### Claim 14 (depends on 1)

The product of claim 1, wherein the nylon yarn comprises three or four plies.

### Claim 15 (depends on 1)

The product of claim 1, wherein the nylon yarn comprises bulked continuous filament yarn.