BREATHABLE REFLECTIVE COVER FOR HYDROPONIC OR AEROPONIC GROW APPARATUS

Abstract

A breathable reflective cover for hydroponic or aeroponic grow apparatus is devised to cover an extant standalone grow unit. The cover comprises a porous fabric matrix that serves to subdue the illuminance emitted by the grow unit during use while enabling gaseous exchange with the surrounding atmosphere. The cover enables easy access to plants grown in the grow unit while protecting the plants from external influences, including pets.

Claims

1. A breathable reflective cover for hydroponic or aeroponic grow apparatus comprising: a porous fabric matrix having an open bottom, said matrix configured for releasable attachment covering at least a majority of the grow apparatus, said matrix comprising: a top; a front side having a reflective surface interiorly disposed thereupon; a rear side having a reflective surface interiorly disposed thereupon; a left side; a right side; and a lower hem surrounding the open bottom; wherein the cover is positional covering the existing grow apparatus and the fabric enables permeability of atmosphere therethrough while enclosing the grow apparatus to contain the luminosity of the grow apparatus and reflect the emitted light around plants grown therein.

2. The breathable reflective cover for hydroponic or aeroponic grow apparatus of claim 1 wherein the left side and the right side have a reflective surface interiorly disposed thereupon.

3. The breathable reflective cover for hydroponic or aeroponic grow apparatus of claim 1 further comprising at least one elasticized member disposed in operational communication with the open bottom, said at least one elasticized member disposed to tautly engage the matrix in position anchored covering the existing grow apparatus.

4. The breathable reflective cover for hydroponic or aeroponic grow apparatus of claim 1 further comprising an openable seam disposed bounding the front side, said openable seam configured to enable access to the existing grow apparatus over which the cover is installed when the seam is opened.

5. The breathable reflective cover for hydroponic or aeroponic grow apparatus of claim 2 wherein the fabric matrix is comprised of spun polypropylene and the reflective surface is comprised of BoET (mylar).

6. The breathable reflective cover for hydroponic or aeroponic grow apparatus of claim 5 further comprising fabric folded or ruffled proximal the open bottom wherein the cover is expansible to accommodate vertical extension of a lighting array in use of the grow apparatus.

7. The breathable reflective cover for hydroponic or aeroponic grow apparatus of claim 4 wherein the fabric matrix is comprised of spun polypropylene and the reflective surface is comprised of BoPET (mylar).

8. The breathable reflective cover for hydroponic or aeroponic grow apparatus of claim 7 further comprising fabric folded or ruffled proximal the open bottom wherein the cover is expansible to accommodate vertical extension of a lighting array in use of the grow apparatus.

9. A breathable reflective cover for hydroponic or aeroponic grow apparatus comprising: a porous fabric matrix having an open bottom, said matrix configured for releasable attachment covering at least a majority of the grow apparatus, said matrix comprising: a top; a front side having a reflective surface interiorly disposed thereupon; a rear side having a reflective surface interiorly disposed thereupon; a left side; a right side; an openable seam disposed bounding the front side, said openable seam configured to enable access to the existing grow apparatus over which the cover is installed when the seam is opened; a lower hem surrounding the open bottom; and at least one elasticized member disposed in operational communication with the open bottom, said at least one elasticized member disposed to tautly engage the matrix in position anchored covering the existing grow apparatus; wherein the cover is securable covering the existing grow apparatus and the fabric enables permeability of atmosphere therethrough while enclosing the grow apparatus to contain the luminosity of the grow apparatus and reflect the emitted light around plants grown therein.

10. The breathable reflective cover for hydroponic or aeroponic grow apparatus of claim 9 wherein the at least one elasticized member includes at least a pair of elasticized members disposed as loops perpendicularly interconnecting the lower hem from the front side to the rear side.

11. The breathable reflective cover for hydroponic or aeroponic grow apparatus of claim 9 wherein the at least one elasticized member is disposed interiorly to the lower hem whereby the hem elastically engages around a base of the existing grow apparatus.

12. The breathable reflective cover for hydroponic or aeroponic grow apparatus of claim 9 wherein the openable seam is openable and closable by action of hook and loop.

13. The breathable reflective cover for hydroponic or aeroponic grow apparatus of claim 10 wherein each reflective surface is BoPET (mylar).

14. The breathable reflective cover for hydroponic or aeroponic grow apparatus of claim 13 wherein the fabric matrix comprises spun polypropylene.

15. The breathable reflective cover for hydroponic or aeroponic grow apparatus of claim 14 wherein the openable seam is openable and closable by action of hook and loop.

16. The breathable reflective cover for hydroponic or aeroponic grow apparatus of claim 9 further comprising fabric folded or ruffled proximal the open bottom wherein the cover is expansible to accommodate vertical extension of a lighting array in use of the grow apparatus.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figures

[0018] FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of an example embodiment of the cover installed to an exemplary standalone grow unit.

[0019] FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of an example embodiment of an existing, prior art standalone grow unit with which the cover is used. The existing standalone grow unit is not part of the instant invention.

[0020] FIG. 3 is a front elevation view of an example embodiment of the cover installed to an exemplary standalone grow unit with the cover rendered transparently for the purposes of illustration.

[0021] FIG. 4 is a front elevation view of an example embodiment of the cover having an openable seam opened for access to plants grown interior to the cover.

[0022] FIG. 5 is a front elevation view of an example embodiment of the cover having an openable seam opened for access to plants grown interior to the cover and showing a lighting array extended vertically.

[0023] FIG. 6 is a diagonal elevation view showing detail of an example embodiment having an elasticized lower hem member wherein the cover is rendered transparently for the purposes of illustration.

[0024] FIG. 7 is a front elevation view of an example embodiment of the cover installed to an exemplary standalone grow unit with a lighting array in a maximally extended position.

[0025] FIG. 8 is a front elevation view of an alternative example embodiment of the instant cover.

[0026] FIG. 9 is a front elevation view of an alternative example embodiment of the to instant cover without an openable seam.

[0027] FIG. 10 is a front elevation view of an alternative example embodiment of the instant cover installed overtop a standalone grow unit having the lighting array maximally extended.

[0028] FIG. 11 is a diagonal elevation view photograph of an example embodiment with the openable seam opened. The photograph is included to show the translucence of the fabric matrix through the left and right sides (in this example embodiment).

[0029] FIG. 12 is a front elevation view photograph of an example embodiment included to show the translucence of the fabric matrix.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] The attachable cover for hydroponic or aeroponic grow apparatus is illustrated herein in use with a particular grow unit consistently represented between the accompanying Figures. It is to be understood, however, that the Figures present an example embodiment only, shown in use with the same grow unit for consistency between the Figures and so that the general features of the cover are determinable by persons of ordinary skill in the art. It is not intended that the cover be usable only with grow units of the type shown, the general features of the cover adaptable to fit with really any standalone grow unit of the type produced for small-scale production of vegetables and herbs and other edible plants in or around the home. Thus, the general features depicted in the accompanying Figures are representative only and set forth as example embodiments for the purposes of illustration. No limitations inferable from the drawings are intended.

[0031] Turning now to FIG. 1, a front elevation of the breathable reflective cover for hydroponic or aeroponic grow apparatus 10 is shown in use installed upon a standalone grow unit 500. The cover 10 includes a porous fabric matrix 20 having an open bottom 22, a top 24, a front side 26, a rear side 28, a left side 30 and a right side 32, adapted to fit over the grow unit 500 and shield an observer from the illuminance of the lighting array 502 (see, e.g., FIGS. 3 and 4). A lower hem 34 borders and surrounds the open bottom 22. In the example embodiment depicted, the fabric matrix 20 is manufactured from spun polypropylene whereby a taut polymeric weave is accomplished. The fabric weave enables a porosity of the fabric for gaseous exchange with surrounding atmosphere, to control relative humidity and heat, while partially shielding the illuminance emitted interior to the cover 10. The result is a translucence of marked decreased intensity. The interior of the cover 10 remains visible to an exterior observer in muted capacity.

[0032] The cover 10 fits overtop the standalone grow unit 500 and, in this example embodiment, is anchored around a base portion 504 of the unit 500 by means of a pair of elasticized members 36 disposed at lower hem 34. The cover 10 is therefore easily added and removed from the standalone grow unit 500 by simply disengaging the elasticized members 36 from around the base portion 504. Once installed to the standalone grow unit 500, the interior of the cover 10 is accessible by means of an openable seam 38 disposed bounding at least two or three sides of the front side 26 of the cover 10 (see, e.g., FIG. 4).

[0033] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of the standalone grow unit 500 with which the instant cover 10 is used. This Figure pertains only to prior art preexisting in the market but represents an example embodiment with which the instant cover 10 is adapted for use. It should be understood by persons of ordinary skill in the relevant art that the unit 500 depicted is exemplary only, and is not intended to represent any particular make or model of grow unit, but to illustrate the general features such units exhibit to which the cover is adapted for use. FIG. 2, therefore, illustrates an exemplary standalone grow unit 500 for the purposes of discussion so that the metes and bounds of the present invention 10 may be more easily understood as applicable thereto.

[0034] The grow unit 500, therefore, includes a lighting array 502 disposed upon a shaft 506. In some embodiments, the shaft 506 is extendible, to raise the lighting array 502 vertically upwards and accommodate the growth of plants. The plants are grown in receptacles 510 contained within base portion 504 wherein feeding solution or media is also added. Plants thus begin as seedlings with stems and leaves disposed above top surface 508 of base portion 504. Cover 10 therefore is adapted to enclose the space between the lighting array 502 and the base portion 504, to cover and protect the plants (from pets as well as other exterior influences and stresses) as well as to cover the lighting array 502 to subdue exitance of light exterior to the cover 10. Thus, prolonged grow cycles may be employed without emitted light presenting a nuisance to homeowner occupants of interior spaces wherein the grow unit 500 is used.

[0035] FIG. 3 is a front elevation view of the exemplary cover 10 in use with the standalone grow unit 500, as shown in FIG. 1, but with the cover 10 rendered transparently to illustrate the position of the grow unit 500 interior to the cover. FIG. 4 is a front elevation view of the exemplary cover 10 in use with the standalone grow unit 500 with an example embodiment of the openable seam 38 opened to access the interior. The openable seam 38 is useful to allow user access for tending to the plants grown inside the cover 10 without the user having to remove the cover 10 from the grow unit 500. In this example embodiment, the openable seam 38 comprises hook and loop fasteners for ease of use—the seam 38 is readily openable and closeable by simple manual pressure to pull the seam 38 apart and re-contact the seam 38 together.

[0036] Interior to the cover 10, a reflective surface 40 is illustrated at least disposed upon the interior side of the front and rear sides 26, 28. In this example embodiment, the reflective surface 40 is contemplated to be manufactured from BoPET (Mylar®) to reflect the light around the plants grown inside the cover 10. This is particularly desirable during prolonged use of the grow unit 500 as the lighting array 502 is extended to ensure illuminance upon lower leaves and vegetative growth disposed more proximal the base portion 504 of the grow unit 500. Thus vegetative growth is increased. Access to the interior of the cover 10 is readily effectuated in use of the openable seam 38, and a user is able to tend, nourish, and harvest the plants contained therein, as well as access the base portion 504 or lighting array 502 as needed.

[0037] FIG. 5 shows a detail view similar to FIG. 4, an example embodiment of the instant cover 10 in front elevation with the openable seam opened 38. However, in this figure, the standalone unit's lighting array 502 is shown extended upon shaft 506 to raise the lighting array 502 by which to accommodate growth of plants over time.

[0038] FIG. 6 is a diagonal elevation view showing an example embodiment of the cover 10 transparently for the purposes of illustration whereby the top surface 508 of the base portion 504 is shown. It should be noted that, in this example embodiment, the left and right sides 30, 32 of the cover 10 are generally translucent. In this example embodiment, there is no reflective interior 40 disposed upon the left and right sides 30, 32. In such example embodiment, porosity of the left and right sides 30, 32 is maintained, to facilitate gaseous exchange with the interior of the cover 10, enable throughflow of atmosphere to control heat and humidity consistent with ambient surroundings, and enable subdued visibility of the interior by a user. However, although not shown in this image (for the purposes of illustrating the interior of the cover 10), a reflective interior 40 may be disposed upon the front and rear sides 26, 28 (as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, for example).

[0039] FIG. 7 is a front elevation view of the cover 10 installed overtop the standalone grow unit 500 when the lighting array 502 is extended. The cover 10 is sized to accommodate the lighting array 502 when moved to the maximally extended position. Thus, the cover 10, once installed, may remain anchored to the grow unit 500 throughout the life cycle of the plants grown therein.

[0040] FIG. 8 is a front elevation view of another example embodiment of the instant cover 10 having an openable seam 38 bounding at least two sides of the front side 26. In this example embodiment, the openable seam 38 may include an interlocking seam, a zip-lock seam, a zipper, or other mechanism for effectuating closure of the seam 38.

[0041] FIG. 9 is a front elevation view of an example embodiment having an open bottom 22 and disposed to rest overtop the standalone unit 500 without the pair of elasticized members 36 anchoring the cover 10 in position. In such embodiments, it is contemplated that the lower hem 34 may be elasticized to directly engage around the base portion 504. Alternatively, the lower hem 34 may not be elasticized at all, and the cover 10 simply placed overtop the lighting array 502 as needed. FIG. 10 is a front elevation view of the example embodiment illustrated in FIG. 9 shown covering the standalone unit 500 with the lighting array 502 maximally extended (as also shown in FIG. 5).

[0042] FIG. 11 is a diagonal elevation view of an example embodiment reduced to practice and shown by photograph. FIG. 11 is included for the purposes of demonstrating the translucence of the fabric matrix 20. The interior of the cover can be seen through the left side in this example embodiment, demonstrating the porosity of the spun polypropylene in this embodiment. FIG. 12 is a front elevation view of another example embodiment reduced to practice and also included for the purposes of demonstrating the translucence of the fabric matrix.