A slow-release irrigation device having a housing with an open and closed end, and a water reservoir located therein, a circumferential channel located proximal to the open end providing a watertight engagement with a neck opening of a beverage container, a water channel connected to the water reservoir and having a water receiving inlet and an outlet for directing water into the water reservoir while simultaneously operating as a water seal for the housing, a housing water outlet located between the ends of the housing and directly connecting the water reservoir with the external environment, an air channel located within the housing, an air tube connecting the water reservoir to an interior of the container; and a permeable membrane located within the air channel and controlling the passage of air through an air outlet of the air tube.

The invention relates to a plate-shaped structure for cultivating one or more plants. The plate-shaped structure (1) may optionally collect moisture from the atmosphere and comprises a generally flat upper surface (30) provided with a cavity (31, 32, 33) for holding plant material. The cavity has a sidewall (41, 42, 43) and a bottom portion (51, 52, 53). Further, the bottom portion includes an aperture. In use, the plate shaped structure can cover a reservoir (10) or can be placed on the soil. Optionally, the plate-shaped structure comprises a drain opening (35) with a floating cap and a covering cap so as to allow moisture to flow through the drain opening while minimizing evaporation. Further, the plate-shaped structure may have a cap structure (84) at its periphery for clampingly receiving the upwardly extending exterior sidewall of the reservoir. The plate-shaped structure can be fixed to the reservoir using protrusions (57 a-c, 58a-c) traversing corresponding openings.

The invention relates to a plate-shaped structure for cultivating one or more plants. The plate-shaped structure (1) may optionally collect moisture from the atmosphere and comprises a generally flat upper surface (30) provided with a cavity (31, 32, 33) for holding plant material. The cavity has a sidewall (41, 42, 43) and a bottom portion (51, 52, 53). Further, the bottom portion includes an aperture. In use, the plate shaped structure can cover a reservoir (10) or can be placed on the soil. Optionally, the plate-shaped structure comprises a drain opening (35) with a floating cap and a covering cap so as to allow moisture to flow through the drain opening while minimizing evaporation. Further, the plate-shaped structure may have a cap structure (84) at its periphery for clampingly receiving the upwardly extending exterior sidewall of the reservoir. The plate-shaped structure can be fixed to the reservoir using protrusions (57 a-c, 58a-c) traversing corresponding openings.

A heat delivery system for agricultural applications, the system including: piping including alternate heat insulated segments and heat transferring segments, the piping being configured with a fluid flow path extending through the alternating heat insulated segments and heat transferring segments; and a fluid propelling arrangement configured for motivating flow of heat accommodating fluid within the fluid flow path.

A heat delivery system for agricultural applications, the system including: piping including alternate heat insulated segments and heat transferring segments, the piping being configured with a fluid flow path extending through the alternating heat insulated segments and heat transferring segments; and a fluid propelling arrangement configured for motivating flow of heat accommodating fluid within the fluid flow path.

An automated plant cultivation system is provided having multi-tiered vertically arranged horizontal magazine structures each employing seed or plant capsules with a fluid circulation and illumination and communication network controlled by an on-board processor. Particularly, the system includes a magazine structure having seed/plant capsules within seed/plant reservoirs alternately arranged between at least one of a light source substantially concealed from direct viewing. A fluid channel extends across a long axis of the magazine structure, wherein the magazine structure is adapted for use of seed/plant capsules with nutrient composite plant growth cultivation, hydroponic plant growth cultivation, aeroponic plant growth cultivation methods or combinations thereof.

An automated plant cultivation system is provided having multi-tiered vertically arranged horizontal magazine structures each employing seed or plant capsules with a fluid circulation and illumination and communication network controlled by an on-board processor. Particularly, the system includes a magazine structure having seed/plant capsules within seed/plant reservoirs alternately arranged between at least one of a light source substantially concealed from direct viewing. A fluid channel extends across a long axis of the magazine structure, wherein the magazine structure is adapted for use of seed/plant capsules with nutrient composite plant growth cultivation, hydroponic plant growth cultivation, aeroponic plant growth cultivation methods or combinations thereof.

A rod for collecting water or transporting water structured to result in capillary spaces between it and other similar-shaped rods when such rods are adjacent to one another. The rod has a cross-sectional shape with one surface portion of the rod being a greater distance from the center of the rod than another surface portion of the rod. The rods can be laid together in an assembly or prefabricated into an assembly that provides an efficient, high capacity water collection and/or transportation system that is resistant to clogging.

A rod for collecting water or transporting water structured to result in capillary spaces between it and other similar-shaped rods when such rods are adjacent to one another. The rod has a cross-sectional shape with one surface portion of the rod being a greater distance from the center of the rod than another surface portion of the rod. The rods can be laid together in an assembly or prefabricated into an assembly that provides an efficient, high capacity water collection and/or transportation system that is resistant to clogging.

A system for testing for contaminants in an assembly line grow pod includes a tray moving along a track arranged in an assembly line grow pod, a plurality of cells arranged on the tray and a contaminant sensor. Each cell supports seeds, plants, or both, and a selected cell includes side walls and a base that define a cavity. The contaminant sensor is arranged in the cavity of the selected cell. The contaminant sensor includes a sensing device and a control device. The sensing device directly senses a characteristic of a content present in association with the selected cell. The control device is coupled to the sensing device and operable to receive a signal from the sensing device. The control device may determine a likelihood of contamination based on the received signal.