SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING CONTROLLED ENVIRONMENT TO GROW PLANTS AND APPARATUS THEREFOR

• US 20190320605A1
• Filed: 04/24/2019
• Published: 10/24/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 04/24/2018
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Denis Buj
• Original Assignee: Denis Buj
• Inventors: Buj, Denis
• Granted Patent: US 11,470,789 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 2031/006 with means for recycling the nutritive solution
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 25/16 Control of watering
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 31/02 Special apparatus therefor self-acting watering devices A01G27/00
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 9/16 Dismountable or portable greenhouses ; Greenhouses with sliding roofs
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 9/241 Arrangement of opening or closing systems for windows and ventilation panels
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 9/247 Watering arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 9/249 Lighting means with special arrangements for promoting growth A01G7/045
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 40/25 Greenhouse technology, e.g. cooling systems therefor
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 60/21 Dinitrogen oxide [N2O], e.g. using aquaponics, hydroponics or efficiency measures

Abstract

An apparatus and system for growing plants in a controlled environment comprises an enclosure, at least one basket for receiving plant material to be grown in the apparatus, and at least one cassette for receiving a basket therein. The apparatus further comprises a drive mechanism, said drive mechanism operatively coupled to the at least one basket and/or the at least one cassette, that imparts a drive force to cause the at least one basket to rotate in the at least one cassette and in the enclosure. The apparatus and system also include a climate-control mechanism that may include a light source, a fan, a ventilation system, an air passage, and ductwork. The apparatus and system also include a trough with a sump for drainage of the trough, an intake aperture, a baffle, a closure, an air intake sleeve, and an intake fan.

Claims

1. An apparatus providing for a controlled environment to grow plants, the apparatus comprising

a support structure,

an enclosure,

at least one basket, said at least one basket for receiving plant material to be grown in the apparatus,

at least one cassette for receiving said at least one basket therein,

a trough disposed within said enclosure, said trough configured to receive said at least one basket,

a lid disposed upon said enclosure,

a drive mechanism, said drive mechanism operatively coupled to at least one of said at least one basket and said at least one cassette,

a motor,

at least one climate-control mechanism,

wherein said drive mechanism imparts a drive force at least one of the at least one cassette and the at least one basket to cause the at least one basket to rotate in the at least one cassette and in the enclosure.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said climate control mechanism comprises at least one of a light source, a fan, a ventilation system, an air passage, and ductwork.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said lid comprises at least one of a lid closure, an exhaust sleeve, a lamp, a fan adapter, an exhaust, at least one exhaust fan, and at least one duct and corresponding duct shroud.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said trough comprises at least one of a sump for drainage of the trough, an intake aperture, a baffle, a closure, an air intake sleeve, and an intake fan.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one cassette comprises a plurality of cassettes, the movement of each cassette of the plurality of cassettes being synchronous.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, the apparatus further comprising a programmable control module for varying the movement of the at least one cassette and for controlling the climate control mechanism of the apparatus.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said enclosure can be closed to prohibit light from outside of the enclosure to enter the enclosure.

8. A system for providing a controlled environment to grow plants, wherein the system comprises

at least one apparatus providing for a controlled environment to grow plants, the apparatus comprising

a support structure,

an enclosure,

at least one basket, said at least one basket for receiving plant material to be grown in the apparatus,

at least one cassette for receiving said at least one basket therein,

a trough disposed within said enclosure, said trough configured to receive said at least one basket,

a lid disposed upon said enclosure,

a drive mechanism, said drive mechanism operatively coupled to at least one of said at least one basket and said at least one cassette,

a motor,

at least one climate-control mechanism,

wherein said drive mechanism imparts a drive force at least one of the at least one cassette and the at least one basket to cause the at least one basket to rotate in the at least one cassette and in the enclosure.

9. The at least one apparatus of claim 8, wherein said climate control mechanism comprises at least one of a light source, a fan, a ventilation system, an air passage, and ductwork.

10. The at least one apparatus of claim 8, wherein said lid comprises at least one of a lid closure, an exhaust sleeve, a lamp, a fan adapter, an exhaust, at least one exhaust fan, and at least one duct and corresponding duct shroud.

11. The at least one apparatus of claim 8, wherein said trough comprises at least one of a sump for drainage of the trough, an intake aperture, a baffle, a closure, an air intake sleeve, and an intake fan.

12. The at least one apparatus of claim 8, wherein the at least one cassette comprises a plurality of cassettes, the movement of each cassette of the plurality of cassettes being synchronous.

13. The at least one apparatus of claim 8, the apparatus further comprising a programmable control module for varying the movement of the at least one cassette and for controlling the climate control mechanism of the apparatus.

14. The at least one apparatus of claim 8, wherein said enclosure can be closed to prohibit light from outside of the enclosure to enter the enclosure.