Spectrally selective grow tube
First Claim
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 both a red band pass and a blue band pass than in a green band pass, said interior member defining a central axis; 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.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A biodegradable 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, CO2-replenished 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 constructed from a biodegradeable polymer or paper-based material. The interior member can be dyed or pigmented to selectively transmit wavelengths of the visible spectrum known to promote photosynthesis, such as red light and/or blue light.
18 Citations
37 Claims
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1. A grow tube, comprising:
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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 both a red band pass and a blue band pass than in a green band pass, said interior member defining a central axis; 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. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A method of enhancing the micro climate within a grow tube, comprising:
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configuring a first member for reflection of a portion of visible solar radiation incident thereupon and for transmission of a portion of infrared radiation incident thereupon; configuring a second member for selective transmittance of visible solar radiation, said selective transmittance being greater in at least one of the red band pass and the blue band pass than in the green band pass; arranging said first member and said second member so that said first member substantially surrounds said second member, wherein at least one of the first member and the second member configured in the steps of configuring are biodegradable. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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32. A method of enhancing the micro climate within a grow tube, comprising:
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configuring a first member for reflection of a portion of visible solar radiation incident thereupon and for transmission of a portion of infrared radiation incident thereupon; configuring a second member for selective transmittance of visible solar radiation that is greater in both a red band pass and a blue band pass than in a green band pass; and arranging said first member and said second member so that said first member substantially surrounds said second member. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34, 35, 36, 37)
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Specification