# US 9,750,196 B2 · Mycelial mass with non-electrical carbon dioxide transfer > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,750,196 B2 - Document ID: US9750196B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/032,324 - Filed: 2011-02-22 - Published: 2015-09-10 - Granted: 2017-09-05 - Earliest claimed: 2010-02-19 - Applicants: Glen Babcock; Wendy Babcock Garrett - Inventors: Glen Babcock; Wendy Babcock Garrett - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9750196B2 ## CPC - A01G 18/66: Cultivation bags - 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) ## Abstract Carbon dioxide benefits plants in restricted indoor growing areas. Plants will deplete carbon dioxide levels in an indoor environment over time. The present invention provides a process design, system, and apparatus for a controlled, non-electrical, non-heat generating, non-mechanical, production source of CO2. The source of CO2 is fungi inoculated into a scientifically sterilized, enclosed growth medium prepared in a laboratory setting. The fungi is provided with an optimum food source from which the fungi may produce CO2 for at least six months. The CO2 produced is passively transferred from the fungi growing environment to an indoor plant growing environment under the optimization of the present invention. The transfer is non-electrical and preferably occurs through a gaseous interchange portal system which provides an interface between the fungi's enclosed plastic bag and the surrounding plant-growing environment. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A plant-growth enhancement apparatus comprising: a mycelial mass comprised of mycelia, nutrients, and a cellulose-based substrate blend, the mycelia comprising Trametes versicolor (Turkey Tail), a container having at least one opening and at least one gaseous interchange portal, the mycelial mass disposed within the container, wherein the mycelial mass is prepared from a culture of a pure fungal strain of Trametes versicolor, the culture added to a sterilized water and nutrient mixture to form a combination, the combination further mixed into the container with the cellulose-based substrate blend, the at least one opening of the container with the mycelial mass is closed by a seal, the plant-growth enhancement apparatus optimizes generation of carbon dioxide and passively distributes carbon dioxide from an elevation above plants in an indoor growing environment. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 where the apparatus is recyclable by composting the mycelial mass and recycling the container. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the at least one gaseous interchange portal further comprises a microbial filter. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the at least one gaseous interchange portal comprises a biological filtered vent. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the cellulose-based substrate comprises recycled sawdust. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the sterilized water and nutrient mixture is treated by a combination of heat and pressure. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the nutrients comprise cereal grain. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the container comprises a heat tolerant bag. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the container comprises a polypropylene bag. ### Claim 10 A plant-growth improvement apparatus comprising: mycelial mass, a container with an opening and a gaseous exchange portal, wherein the mycelial mass is further comprised of: mycelia comprising Trametes versicolor (Turkey Tail), a water and nutrient mixture, and a blend of cellulose-based substrate, the mycelial mass disposed in the container; and whereafter the apparatus affects the optimal generation and passive distribution of carbon dioxide to a plant-growth environment via a non-electrical transfer of carbon dioxide to plants from an elevation above the plants. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the mycelial mass is formed by steps comprising the following: selecting a pure strain of Trametes versicolor; growing a pure spawn culture from the pure strain of Trametes versicolor; mixing water and nutrient additives to create the water and nutrient mixture; sterilizing the water and nutrient mixture; combining the pure spawn culture with the water and nutrient mixture in a sterile vessel to form a combination; incubating the combination in the sterile vessel. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the blend of cellulose-based substrate is formed by steps comprising the following: placing the blend of cellulose-based substrate in the container, sterilizing the blend of cellulose-based substrate in the container; and cooling the blend of cellulose-based substrate in the container in a HEPA chamber; adding the mycelia and the water and nutrient mixture to the container while in the HEPA chamber. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the container filled with the mycelial mass is sealed at the opening. ### Claim 14 (depends on 10) The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the container filled with the mycelial mass is incubated for a period of time. ### Claim 15 (depends on 10) The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the blend of cellulose-based substrate comprises recycled sawdust. ### Claim 16 (depends on 10) The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the container comprises a heat tolerant bag. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the heat tolerant bag comprises a polypropylene bag. ### Claim 18 (depends on 10) The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the gaseous exchange portal further comprises a microbial filter. ### Claim 19 (depends on 10) The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the gaseous exchange portal comprises a biological filtered vent. ### Claim 20 (depends on 10) The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the nutrient mixture comprises cereal grain. ### Claim 21 A method to improve plant growth, comprising: selecting a pure strain of Trametes versicolor (Turkey Tail); culturing a spawn culture from the pure strain; mixing water and nutrient additives to create a water and nutrient mixture; sterilizing the water and nutrient mixture; combining the spawn culture with the water and nutrient mixture in a sterile vessel to form a combination; incubating the combination in the sterile vessel; placing a blend of cellulose-based substrate in a container with at least one opening and at least one gaseous interchange portal; sterilizing the blend of cellulose-based substrate in the container; cooling the container of the blend of cellulose-based substrate in a HEPA chamber; transferring the combination from the sterile vessel to the container; forming a mycelial mass by mixing the combination with the blend of cellulose-based substrate in the container; sealing the opening of the container; and offering the container for placement above an elevation of the plants in an indoor growing environment; wherein the mycelial mass produces carbon dioxide, which is released from the container to affect non-electrical transfer of the carbon dioxide, improving the plant growth. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The method of claim 21, further comprising incubating the mycelial mass mixture in the container for a period of time. ### Claim 23 (depends on 21) The method of claim 21, wherein the at least one gaseous interchange portal further comprises a microbial filter. ### Claim 24 (depends on 21) The method of claim 21, wherein the at least one gaseous interchange portal is a biological filtered vent. ### Claim 25 (depends on 21) The method of claim 21, wherein the blend of cellulose-based substrate comprises recycled sawdust. ### Claim 26 (depends on 21) The method of claim 21, wherein sterilizing is conducted using a combination of heat and pressure. ### Claim 27 (depends on 21) The method of claim 21, wherein the nutrient additives comprise cereal grain. ### Claim 28 (depends on 21) The method of claim 21, wherein the container comprises a polypropylene bag. ### Claim 29 (depends on 21) The method of claim 21, wherein the container comprises a heat tolerant bag. ### Claim 30 A method to improve plant growth, comprising: selecting a pure fungal strain; culturing a spawn culture from the pure fungal strain; mixing water and nutrient additives to create a water and nutrient mixture; sterilizing the water and nutrient mixture; combining the spawn culture with the water and nutrient mixture in a sterile vessel to form a combination; incubating the combination in the sterile vessel; placing a blend of cellulose-based substrate in a container with at least one opening and at least one gaseous interchange portal; sterilizing the blend of cellulose-based substrate in the container; cooling the container of the blend of cellulose-based substrate in a HEPA chamber; transferring the combination from the sterile vessel to the container; forming a mycelial mass by mixing the combination with the blend of cellulose-based substrate in the container; sealing the opening of the container; and offering the container for placement above an elevation of the plants in an indoor growing environment; wherein the mycelial mass produces carbon dioxide, which is released from the container to affect non-electrical transfer of the carbon dioxide, improving the plant growth. ### Claim 31 (depends on 30) The method of claim 30, wherein the pure fungal strain is a white rot fungus. ### Claim 32 (depends on 30) The method of claim 30, wherein the pure fungal strain is Trametes versicolor (Turkey Tail).