Plant growing system and methods of using the same

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11154015-B2
Application number	US-202016832866-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 27, 2020
Priority date	Feb 17, 2012
Publication date	Oct 26, 2021
Grant date	Oct 26, 2021

Abstract

A plant growing system includes an outer shell, the outer shell being biodegradable, a rooting material, the rooting material comprising external ribbing, the external ribbing forming gaps between the outer shell and the rooting material when the rooting material is inserted in the outer shell, and one or more of a fertilizer, a nutrient, or a seed. The outer shell and the rooting material form a water reservoir, the water reservoir in communication with the gaps and, prior to the plant growing system being watered, comprising the fertilizer or nutrient.

First claim

We claim:

1. A plant growing system comprising:
an outer shell, the outer shell being biodegradable;
a rooting material, the rooting material comprising external ribbing, the external ribbing forming gaps between the outer shell and the rooting material when the rooting material is inserted in the outer shell; and
one or more of a fertilizer, a nutrient, or a seed;
wherein the outer shell and the rooting material form a water reservoir, the water reservoir in communication with the gaps and, prior to the plant growing system being watered, comprising the fertilizer or nutrient.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the outer shell is a formed, molded, and/or composted material.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the outer shell is in the form of a triangular acorn.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the outer shell comprises a reinforced apex aiding penetration into a surface.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the outer shell further comprises a flange disposed at the top of the outer shell.

6. The system of claim 5 , wherein the flange is adapted to act as a guide for proper planting depth.

7. The system of claim 5 , wherein the flange includes a surface area for attachment of a removable lid.

8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the outer shell has a thickness in the range of about 0.025-0.25 inches.

9. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a removable lid comprising a biodegradable material.

10. The system of claim 1 , wherein the rooting material comprises soil, coir, vermiculite, compost, perlite, bark fines, peat, wood shavings, mulch, or combinations thereof.

11. The system of claim 1 , wherein the rooting material comprises dibbles, recesses, concavities, or holes for positioning, housing, or receiving seeds.

12. The system of claim 11 , wherein the rooting material comprises 1-3 dibbles for positioning, housing, or receiving seeds.

13. The system of claim 11 , wherein the dibbles include a biodegradable plug and seed, wherein the biodegradable plug is held in place by friction or adhesives.

14. The system of claim 11 , further comprising a biodegradable plug, a biodegradable lid, a water permeable adhesive, coir, coir dust, vermiculite, compost, perlite bark fines, peat, wood shavings, mulch, or a combination thereof overlaying or filling the dibbles, recesses, concavities, or holes.

15. The system of claim 14 , wherein the biodegradable lid comprises cornstarch, a polyvinyl alcohol, a polyvinyl acetate, or combinations thereof.

16. The system of claim 14 , wherein the biodegradable lid comprises coir dust, non-compressed coir, or screened coconut coir pith.

17. The system of claim 1 , wherein the external ribbing of the rooting material is adapted to frictionally engage the outer shell.

18. The system of claim 1 , wherein the external ribbing of the rooting material is adapted to permit the migration of water to the bottom of the outer shell.

19. A tray comprising the plant growing system of claim 1 .

20. A method of growing a garden comprising planting the plant growing system of claim 1 and watering the plant growing system.

Assignees

• Oms Invest Inc

Inventors

• Prinster Mark Gerard
• Schultz Bradley Alan
• Rygielski Kimberly Ann
• Phillips Matthew L
• Bruno Robert H
• Nathan Philip J
• Zasadzinski Tara Marie
• Alexander Ashley E
• Gordon Sara Ann

Classifications

• Y02A40/25

  Greenhouse technology, e.g. cooling systems therefor · CPC title

• A01G9/16

  Dismountable or portable greenhouses {; Greenhouses with sliding roofs} · CPC title

• A01G9/0291

  Planting receptacles specially adapted for remaining in the soil after planting · CPC title

• A01G9/0293 Primary

  Seed or shoot receptacles · CPC title

• A01G9/021 Primary

  Pots formed in one piece; Materials used therefor · CPC title