Invention Title:Collapsible Enclosed Aeroponic Rotary Plant Growing Apparatus

Specification:

This provisional patent application pertains to the improvement of rotary growing plant apparatuses such as those described in the following patents: 6,604,321 and 6,840,007 and 7,401,437 and 7,730,663 and the many other variants through the means of light weight, high strength carbon fiber construction, allowing the machine to be much lighter in weight, possessing the ability to be collapsed down into a small case for ease of transport as well as utilizing a climate controlled enclosure.

The improved design can be used for the purpose of growing a large variety of plant matter on a small or large scale and in applications where automation and sterile environments are required, such as in large scale food production facilities. In these previous patents we are taught that the plants rotate around a light source, attached to rows of horizontal slats, seated in individual seats, connected at either end by two rings and rotated into a nutrient-water solution for feeding about once an hour. In practice the machine is rotated by means of a small electrical motor. In practice the device has a large reservoir from which water is pumped into a feeding tray and dispersed to the rotating rows of plants. Plants of various sizes can be clipped into the cylinder of the plant growing device in individual cubes of growing medium. As the wheel rotates around the light source they are exposed to a gravitational force known as orbitropism which produces higher than normal levels of auxins in the plants, forcing them to grow quicker and produce bigger yields. Growing space, as well as electricity required is utilized to its maximum potential with this type of setup allowing more plants to be grown in the same space at a savings of cost.

Problematic with the current rotary plant growing apparatus designs is their metal construction makes them heavy and not collapsible for compact storage and shipping. Other problems with all current designs are the lack of a complete system. Absent from previous patents are light sources, reservoirs, climate controls, an atmospheric enclosure and meters to measure various plant parameters. In essence they are incomplete systems and required many expensive additional parts to operate. The novel concept of this patentis that I have invented a means by which the enclosed rotary plant growing apparatus can be easily disassembled and stored into a small case which incorporates an integrated automation climate controller as well as an LED light source which draws very little power.

The rotary plant growing apparatuses in the patents described above are assembled from a variety of sections of metal or ABS plastic, organized into a cylindrical formation which is seated on a stand which has four small wheels allowing the cylinder to be rotated around a light source via a small motor.

A design parameter of prior art has been to allow for a variety of the size and number of plants to be attached to the cylinder through individual plant medium holders.

The plant medium holders in the above patents allow for from 80 to 336 individual plant sites. Plant medium holders range in size from 3 inches to 4 inches. This allows for plantsheights up to 24 inches.

In my patent the plant growing apparatus mainly consists of a multitude of carbon fiber pieces. Tubing, flat plate, and quarter inch thick custom molded pieces. The tubing is .05 inches in thickness by 14 inches in length, in all there are 72 sections of such tubing that makeup the apparatuses frame which is rectangular. The lengths of tubing snap together through a spring loaded button mechanism. Other connections include eight corner connectors, used where three poles meet and 32 threaded inserts and 32, 1 /4-20 screws that allow for the fastening of the tubing to the cylinders flat plate. The cylinder is made up to two rings of carbon fiber plate that are 48 inches outer diameter and 44 inches innerdiameter and one quarter inch thickness. The two rings of the cylinder each have 16 equalsegments making 32 sections in total. Small holes have been made in the center of each ring segment to allow the attachment of the above mentioned tubing. The sections of the cylinders rings are held together by a small two part square fastener with four holes in each piece that sandwich the ring sections, small bolts put pressure on the connection to hold it in place. The sections of the light stand, the part that houses the electronics, plant misters and lighting is constructed from .05 inch thick custom molded carbon fiber parts, nine in total. The structure of these parts is mainly a five inch by two inch wide rectangular tube that extends 30 inches across and rises 24 inches in height on both ends. The housing where the light source is place is six inch wide hexagon skeleton that incorporates 12 pieces of borosilicate glass, measuring 14 inches by 3 inches. Two hexagonal pieces make the top pieces of the light stand, which are six inches diameter by 2 inches deep. All parts of the light stand are hollow to allow for electronic components that make up the rest of the invention. All parts of the light stand have a spring loaded button snap together construction. The plant mister is fed by a pair of large triangular plastic type reservoir bags that can be collapsed for packing into the apparatuses case.

When the plant growing apparatus is assembled it is 54 inches wide, 54 inches tall and 30inches deep. The diameter of the rotary cylinder is 48 inches. The light stand component of the devices measures 24 inches tall by 28 deep and is 5 inches wide and has walls that are 2 inches high. The case that the unit is enclosed in has measurements of one foot by two feet by 8 inches.

When we allow the plant growing apparatus to be collapsible and internally house the electronics we have a system that can be easily folded down into a small case and this also allows for simpler construction and setup of the device. The advantage of such a machine is the saving of space and weight as well as the time it takes to configure the climate control systems. Additionally the Aeroponic function of the plant growing apparatus allow for a reduction in the amount of water and nutrient use, there by a savings of resources and making the reservoir contents last longer.

Prior art has demonstrated that the plant growing apparatus consists of a cylindrical drumwhich individual plant sites are attached to the device in rows and the cylinder is placed on a stand which allows it to rotate around a light source. As such, the prior art design hasbeen focused on the cylinder, individual plant sites, the rows they are seated in and the stand upon which the rotate. In this patent I propose that the apparatus is collapsible, fits into a small case and the climate controls and light source are integrated in the interior of the device. Of course the new design will allow for a simplified setup for the end users aswell as simplify the manufacturing processes. Utilizing a design such as this allows the rotary plant growing apparatus to be a complete system that is enclosed and has the capabilities of climate automation, even remotely allowing a large number of units to be controlled by one person.

In order to attain the design goals the plant growing apparatus means consists of several different grouping of parts, the frame, the cylindrical wheel, the light stand, the cover, theclimate controls, nutrient dispenser and the individual plant holders.

The cylindrical ring, light stand and frame component material is selected to allow for a strong, rigid, lightweight and waterproof structure. It would be like the structure to a Ferris wheel rotating around a light source inside of a tent like cube shaped enclosure.

Additionally, the rotary plant growing device is designed so that it can be easily assembled and disassemble with no tools by one person in about 15 minutes due to its snap together connections. Additionally it can easily be moved by the use of wheels on itsunderside and fits readily through a standard doorway while fully assembled.

Additionally, an important element of this patent is that, rather than having a longer cylinder to house more plants we utilize a shorter cylinder that can be stacked and is moreportable, therefore can house more plants in the same floor space when the units are stacked on top of each other. Having this slimmer cylinder allows for the machines to be setup in arrays, that slide out like shelves in a filing cabinet.

The prior art additionally suffers from the cylinder means being constructed from either one large piece of material or several large pieces that make up the whole. The disadvantages of this are that this setup is not optimal for shipping and transport as well as hindering its portability. Additionally the patent described above includes an Aeroponic system where the plants are rotated around a light source and sprayed by an ultrasonic fog. The nutrient mist is enclosed inside of a separate chamber as to only affectthe roots of the plants in the system. This separate chamber is defined by the cylinder which is wrapped in a plastic fabric type enclosure which itself is enclosed inside the cube frame, which itself is enclosed in its own fabric enclosure.

My patent is an improvement in the overall design and implementation of rotary garden systems. The main points being, the ability to be collapsible, being a complete turnkey system, automation of the growing process and the fact that the unit is fully enclosed.

Another problem this patent addresses is the issue of heat buildup and fire risk due to the use of High Intensity Discharge or HID light sources in close proximity to plant matter. Through the use of an LED light source this problem is eliminated. This is true because LEDs have been proven to produce very little heat and operate at a much more efficient level, producing a much higher amount of useable light spectrum that the plants require. Additionally this light source has been proven to last many times longer than traditional light sources and operates at a fraction of their cost. Further benefits of this light source isthe fact they are water proof to a certain degree and they do not require the standard 240 Volt outlets that the 600 & 1000 Watt bulbs require that are commonly used in rotary plant growing systems. Instead they use the standard household 120 Volt variety.

My improved rotary plant growing apparatus design can be utilized as a means of food and feed production for various industries.

Description of Drawings:

The drawings illustrate an exemplary embodiment consisting of a

Fig. 1 Top view of device with cover in place

Fig. 2 Bottom view with cover in place

Fig. 3 Front view with cover in place, also showing power cord and castor wheels

Fig. 4 Side view with cover in place showing reservoir cap

Fig. 5 Corner view with cover in place

Fig. 6 Corner view, door open, showing nutrient dispenser, wheel, light stand, reservoir

Fig. 7 Front view, door open, showing climate controller, LCD touchscreen

Fig. 8 Bottom view without cover, showing reservoir support straps

Fig. 9 Light stand, LED light, Wheel arm, crop camera, air intake, circ. fan

Fig. 10 Wheel arm, motor, wheel segment

Fig. 11 Light tube skeleton, borosilicate glass, glass frames, end clips

Fig. 12 LED light tube, LED holders, LED pucks

Fig. 13 64 plant wheel, wheel segment connectors, plant trays, net pots

Fig. 14 256 plant wheel, wheel segment connectors, plant trays, net pots

Fig. 15 Plant trays, net pot connectors, net pots

Fig. 16 Wheel segment connector, bolts