US3992809A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Hydroponic unit
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1975-05-12
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Granted: 1976-11-23
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Expires: 1995-05-12
Abstract
Abstract The invention relates to a relatively small, compact, easily disassemblable, hydroponic unit which comprises superposed telescopic trays one of which is provided with a free flowing liquid that may be transported by a pump positioned in the lower tray to an upper aggregate supporting tray by a suitable conduit whereupon it may thoroughly moisten the extent of the aggregate and flow back to the lower tray. The structure further includes suitable timer means for controlling nutrient flow as well as facilitating removal of the pump from the lower tray without disturbing the aggregate.
Inventors
- 👤 Clarence E. Chew
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 23:48
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01G; A01G31/00; A01G31/02; Y; Y02; Y02P; Y02P60/00; Y02P60/20; Y02P60/21
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
163 words
A hydroponic unit comprising an elongated first receptacle having top and bottom walls and upstanding integral side and end walls, an intermediate inwardly offset wall, an aggregate tray arranged to be supported on said inwardly offset wall and by the top edges of said side and end walls in which an aggregate is to be supported for a crop to be grown, a reservoir between said tray and said bottom wall, a plurality of means defining openings in said tray, at least one of said last named means having filter means for preventing entry of said aggregate into said reservoir and to facilitate circulation of atmospheric air to said aggregate, a pump in said reservoir positioned below one of said opening in said tray, means extending upwardly through said aggregate serving as an access to said reservoir and said pump, and nutrient soaker means extending from said pump to the top position of said aggregate to provide nutrient circulation in said hydroponic unit.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
163 words
A hydroponic unit comprising an elongated first receptacle having top and bottom walls and upstanding integral side and end walls, an intermediate inwardly offset wall, an aggregate tray arranged to be supported on said inwardly offset wall and by the top edges of said side and end walls in which an aggregate is to be supported for a crop to be grown, a reservoir between said tray and said bottom wall, a plurality of means defining openings in said tray, at least one of said last named means having filter means for preventing entry of said aggregate into said reservoir and to facilitate circulation of atmospheric air to said aggregate, a pump in said reservoir positioned below one of said opening in said tray, means extending upwardly through said aggregate serving as an access to said reservoir and said pump, and nutrient soaker means extending from said pump to the top position of said aggregate to provide nutrient circulation in said hydroponic unit.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
60 words
A hydroponic unit as claimed in claim 1, in which the top portion of said inwardly offset wall comprises a continuous uninterrupted shelf area which serves to support the tray, the bottom of which is at a predetermined slope relative to a horizontal plane so that the nutrient readily flows toward the filter means to be returned to the reservoir.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
60 words
A hydroponic unit as claimed in claim 1, in which the said inwardly offset wall is arranged to receive the perimetric bottom edge of said tray having upstanding walls that are formed complementally adjacent to the upstanding walls of the first said receptacle, providing a mating fit of said tray above said first said receptacle when said unit is assembled.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
A hydroponic unit as claimed in claim 1, in which the means serving as an access to said reservoir comprises a vertically extending passageway defined by said tray.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
A hydroponic unit as claimed in claim 4, in which said access means offstands inwardly from one wall and includes a cover element for the upper terminal extremity thereof.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
A hydroponic unit as claimed in claim 4, in which the access means includes tubular means extending therethrough which serves to transport nutrient from the reservoir to said soaker means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
A hydroponic unit as claimed in claim 1, in which the pump is actuated by a variable timer.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
A hydroponic unit as claimed in claim 1, in which said tray is additionally supported by a member extending upwardly from said bottom wall of said receptacle.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The hydroponic unit as claimed in claim 1, in which the first receptacle is made of plastic.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-11-23 | 1980-05-24 | 1980-11-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-11-23 | 1984-05-24 | 1984-11-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-11-23 | 1988-05-24 | 1988-11-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |