SPECTRALLY SELECTIVE GROW TUBE

• US 20090272031A1
• Filed: 03/24/2009
• Published: 11/05/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 03/24/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Plantra, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Plantra, Inc.
• Inventors: Tillmann, Stephen J., Siems, Christian E., Lais, Joseph F.
• Granted Patent: US 8,171,668 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 47/29.100
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 13/0243 Protective shelters for young plants, e.g. tubular sleeves

Abstract

A spectrally selective grow tube or tree shelter that improves the establishment of woody plant forms by reduction and/or elimination of certain biotic and abiotic stress factors. The grow tube may provide an enhanced micro climate that is humid and rich in CO₂ and promotes photosynthesis by selectively propagating photosynthetically active radiation. In addition to providing a physical barrier to wind and herbivores, certain embodiments of the grow tube can also provide protection from chemical sprays while permitting ventilation of the grow tube. Various embodiments of the spectrally selective grow tube may comprise separate interior and exterior members for enhancement of the interior and exterior surface functions and that may be co-extruded. The interior member may be dyed or pigmented to selectively transmit wavelengths of the visible spectrum known to promote photosynthesis, such as red light and/or blue light. The exterior member may include a semi-reflective coating such as TiO2 or ZnS that reflects at least a portion of the visible light spectrum while enabling transmission of infrared wavelengths therethrough for radiative cooling.

Claims

1. A grow tube, comprising:

an interior member that is at least partially transparent to electromagnetic radiation in the visible portion of the electromagnetic spectrum and substantially opaque to electromagnetic radiation in the ultraviolet portion of the electromagnetic spectrum, said interior member having greater transmittance in at least one of a red band pass and a blue band pass than in a green band pass; and

an exterior member substantially surrounding said interior member, said exterior member being at least partially transparent to electromagnetic radiation in the visible portion of the electromagnetic spectrum and substantially opaque to electromagnetic radiation in the ultraviolet portion of the electromagnetic spectrum.