US 12,253,249 B2
Device and method for growing crops with non-fibrous and non-consumable media
Schuyler David Milton, Vienna, VA (US); and Keith Thomas Born, Bowie, MD (US)
Filed by Schuyler David Milton, Vienna, VA (US); and Keith Thomas Born, Bowie, MD (US)
Filed on Jul. 30, 2020, as Appl. No. 16/943,138.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/881,800, filed on Aug. 1, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2021/0029902 A1, Feb. 4, 2021
Int. Cl. A01G 9/24 (2006.01); A01G 7/04 (2006.01); A01G 31/02 (2006.01); F21S 4/28 (2016.01); F21V 29/67 (2015.01); F21V 33/00 (2006.01); H05B 45/10 (2020.01); H05B 47/16 (2020.01); F21W 131/109 (2006.01); F21Y 115/10 (2016.01)
CPC F21V 29/67 (2015.01) [A01G 7/045 (2013.01); A01G 9/247 (2013.01); A01G 31/02 (2013.01); F21S 4/28 (2016.01); F21V 33/0096 (2013.01); H05B 45/10 (2020.01); H05B 47/16 (2020.01); F21W 2131/109 (2013.01); F21Y 2115/10 (2016.08)] 14 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A device for growing plants, comprising:
A first plurality of flexible protrusions comprising a synthetic, non-biodegradable polymer,
wherein the flexible protrusions are attached to a structure that defines a delineation between a root zone and a shoot zone,
wherein the flexible protrusions are sufficient to suspend one or more seeds in air, such that, when the device is in use, the seeds cannot pass through the delineation under their own weight;
wherein the device, and the first plurality of flexible protrusions therein, are sufficient to suspend the one or more seeds in air, during germination, such that, when the device is in use, the germinating seeds cannot pass through the delineation under their own weight,
wherein the device, and the first plurality of flexible protrusions therein, are sufficient to support one or more plants germinated from the seeds, plant clones, plant cuttings, root stock, or plants placed into the device,
wherein the first plurality of flexible protrusions are (a) attached to the structure in a resting position, and (b) adopt a flexed position in response to an external force, and (c) the flexible protrusions return to the resting position upon removal of the external force,
wherein a second plurality of flexible protrusions comprising a synthetic, non-biodegradable polymer is attached to the structure of the device,
and wherein, the resting position of the first plurality of flexible protrusions is further described by the one or more of the protrusions in the first plurality of protrusions making contact with one or more protrusions in the second plurality of protrusions.