BIODEGRADABLE NET POTS FOR HYDROPONIC APPLICATIONS

Abstract

An improved hydroponic net pot includes a layer of filter material enabling moisture and nutrients to enter into the growth media, while preventing the growth media and debris from entering into the hydroponic vessel. The pot and the filter are both preferably constructed of biodegradable, compostable materials. The pot may include a non-zero shoulder allowing the pot to be inserted into vessels with vertical walls or upright, slanted walls of vertical vessels. A removable cover may be provided over the opening of the pot, enabling the article to be shipped with growth media, with or without seeds or plant material.

Claims

1. A net pot for hydroponic applications, comprising: a cup-shaped article having an upper portion and a lower portion with a bottom; wherein the upper portion of the article includes a solid wall surrounding an opening with a peripheral rim enabling the article to be filled with plant growth media; wherein the lower portion of the article includes a perforated wall with a cross section enabling the lower portion of the article to be inserted into an aperture in a wall of a hydroponic vessel; the article further including a shoulder portion between the upper portion and the lower portion, the shoulder portion being physically configured to prevent the article from extending into the hydroponic vessel past the shoulder portion; further including a layer of filter material covering the lower portion of the article, the filter material enabling moisture and nutrients to enter into the growth media while preventing the growth media and debris from entering into the hydroponic vessel; and wherein the article and the filter material are both constructed of biodegradable, compostable materials.

2. The net pot of claim 1, wherein the layer of filter material is integrally formed with the cup-shaped article.

3. The net pot of claim 1, wherein the layer of filter material is separate and insertable into the cup-shaped article.

4. The net pot of claim 1, wherein the rim of the opening defines a plane and the shoulder portion is at a non-zero angle relative to the plane.

5. The net pot of claim 1, wherein the upper and lower portions have flat sides such that the cup-shaped article resembles a truncated pyramid.

6. The net pot of claim 1, including elongated perforations oriented from the upper portion to the bottom of the lower portion.

7. The net pot of claim 1, further including a removable cover over the opening enabling the cup-shaped article to be provided with growth media, with or without seeds or plant material.

8. A net pot for hydroponic applications, comprising: a cup-shaped article having an upper portion and a lower portion with a bottom; wherein the upper portion of the article includes a solid wall surrounding an opening with a peripheral rim enabling the article to be filled with plant growth media; wherein the lower portion of the article includes a perforated wall with a cross section enabling the lower portion of the article to be inserted into an aperture in a wall of a hydroponic vessel; the article further including a shoulder portion between the upper portion and the lower portion, the shoulder portion being physically configured to prevent the article from extending into the hydroponic vessel past the shoulder portion; wherein the rim of the opening defines a plane; and the shoulder portion is at a non-zero angle relative to the plane of the rim.

9. The net pot of claim 8, further including a layer of filter material covering the lower portion of the article, the filter material enabling moisture and nutrients to enter into the growth media while preventing the growth media and debris from entering into the hydroponic vessel.

10. The net pot of claim 9, wherein the layer of filter material is integrally formed with the cup-shaped article.

11. The net pot of claim 9, wherein the layer of filter material is separate and insertable into the cup-shaped article.

12. The net pot of claim 9, further including a removable cover over the opening enabling the cup-shaped article to be provided with growth media, with or without seeds or plant material.

13. The net pot of claim 8, wherein the upper and lower portions have flat sides such that the cup-shaped article resembles a truncated pyramid.

14. The net pot of claim 8, including elongated perforations oriented from the upper portion to the bottom of the lower portion.

15. A net pot for hydroponic applications, comprising: a cup-shaped article having an upper portion and a lower portion with a bottom; wherein the upper portion of the article includes a solid wall surrounding an opening with a peripheral rim enabling the article to be filled with plant growth media; wherein the lower portion of the article includes a perforated wall with a cross section enabling the lower portion of the article to be inserted into an aperture in a wall of a hydroponic vessel; wherein the upper and lower portions have flat sides such that the cup-shaped article resembles a truncated pyramid; and including elongated perforations oriented from the upper portion to the bottom of the lower portion.

16. The net pot of claim 15, further including a layer of filter material covering the lower portion of the article, the filter material enabling moisture and nutrients to enter into the growth media while preventing the growth media and debris from entering into the hydroponic vessel.

17. The net pot of claim 16, wherein the layer of filter material is integrally formed with the cup-shaped article.

18. The net pot of claim 16, wherein the layer of filter material is separate and insertable into the cup-shaped article.

19. The net pot of claim 16, further including a removable cover over the opening enabling the cup-shaped article to be provided with growth media, with or without seeds or plant material.

20. The net pot of claim 15, including a shoulder portion between the upper portion and the lower portion, the shoulder portion being physically configured to prevent the article from extending into the hydroponic vessel past the shoulder portion; and wherein the shoulder portion is at a non-zero angle relative to a plane defined by the rim of the opening into the cup-shaped article.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] FIG. 1 is an oblique view of a preferred embodiment of the invention;

[0013] FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

[0014] FIG. 3 is a solid model showing the pot filled with growth media;

[0015] FIG. 4 depicts possible filter possibilities;

[0016] FIG. 5 depicts other filter possibilities;

[0017] FIG. 6, is a top view of a net pot according to the invention;

[0018] FIG. 7 is a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 6;

[0019] FIG. 8 is a front view;

[0020] FIG. 9 is a top view; and

[0021] FIG. 10 is a back view.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0022] This invention resides in an improved net pot, particularly suited to hydroponic applications. In the preferred embodiments the net pot is a molded, cup-shaped article, including the use of injection molding processes. Other advantages include the use of a filter mesh to contain debris from clogging filters, as well as the ability to transplant the net pots directly to another medium ground. Nutrients such as fertilizers may be added to the plastic material such that when the pod decomposes, the nutrient content can feed soil.

[0023] In one embodiment, the article has a pre-formed biomesh filter wherein the mesh is adhered to the net pot via an overmold manufacturing process. In an alternative embodiment, the article includes a separate removable/replaceable filter that functions as a plant ‘coffee-pod’ of sorts that may be used in conjunction with most if not all hydroponic systems.

[0024] Due to the nature of the material and molding process, the design can manifest any net pot shape found on the market, including those described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/935,927. Either version can be sold as a standalone product, or can be pre-filled with soil or soil plus seed(s) and covered with a lid 112, similar to a single cup coffee machine pod.

[0025] In all of the embodiments disclosed herein the structures prohibit substrate from passing through the net pot and into the supporting structure or vessel. The preferred material for the entire product (both body and filter) is a compostable resin, though the same process could easily be utilize for conventional plastic types as well. Biodegradable plastics and additives are now available from a wide variety of sources including, for example, ENSO Plastics of Mesa, Ariz.

[0026] FIG. 1 is an oblique view of a preferred embodiment. The article comprises an upper portion 102 with solid walls, which may include decorative outer surfaces and a cosmetic finish, and a lower portion 104 with apertures enabling water and nutrients to flow therethrough. The apertures may be elongated apertures formed with vents 110 and ribs 111 as depicted in the diagrams.

[0027] The design includes a shoulder portion 108 between the upper and lower portions to prevent the article from falling into the hydroponic vessel or growth chamber. A shoulder portion 108 indicates the interface to the hydroponic growth chamber, with the permeable lower portion being exposed to water and nutrients and the upper portion extending outwardly from the wall of the vessel. In accordance with one preferred embodiment, the shoulder portion 108 comprises a diagonal lip 108, enabling the lower portion of the article to be inserted into hydroponic vessels with vertical walls or upright, slanted walls of vertical vessels, including those described in the '927 Application referenced herein.

[0028] FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the article, and FIG. 3 is a solid model showing the pot filled with growth media. FIG. 6, is a top view, FIG. 7 a side view, FIG. 8 a front view, FIG. 9 a top view, and FIG. 10 a back view. Many different exact dimensions are possible, with the article overall being generally a few inches tall and a few inches wide.

[0029] FIGS. 4, 5 show two of many possible filter possibilities. The preferred material is a spun bond web produced from a renewable biopolymer, polylactic acid (PLA). In all cases the material is renewable, compostable, and biodegradable. Prototype A (FIG. 4): Mesh density=180-200 g/m̂2, Pore size =0.10 mm̂2 max à This material can be thermal formed. Prototype B (FIG. 5): Mesh density=15-20 g/m̂2, Pore size=0.05 mm̂2 max à. This material may only work in a die cutting application.