US 11,985,914 B2
Predation-resistant capsular planting systems and methods
Matthew Mehdi Aghai, Seattle, WA (US); Grant Everest Canary, Seattle, WA (US); John William Thomson, Seattle, WA (US); and Tiffani Manteuffel-Ross, Seattle, WA (US)
Assigned to DRONESEED CO., Seattle, WA (US)
Filed by DRONESEED CO., Seattle, WA (US)
Filed on Jul. 2, 2019, as Appl. No. 16/460,747.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/756,451, filed on Nov. 6, 2018.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/756,462, filed on Nov. 6, 2018.
Prior Publication US 2020/0137943 A1, May 7, 2020
Int. Cl. A01C 1/06 (2006.01); A01C 1/04 (2006.01); A01C 14/00 (2006.01); A01C 15/16 (2006.01); A01C 17/00 (2006.01); B64C 39/02 (2023.01); B64D 1/12 (2006.01); G05D 1/00 (2006.01); H02J 7/00 (2006.01); H02M 3/335 (2006.01); B64U 50/34 (2023.01); B64U 101/00 (2023.01)
CPC A01C 1/06 (2013.01) [A01C 14/00 (2013.01); A01C 15/16 (2013.01); A01C 17/00 (2013.01); B64C 39/024 (2013.01); B64D 1/12 (2013.01); G05D 1/0027 (2013.01); H02J 7/00716 (2020.01); H02J 7/007192 (2020.01); H02M 3/33507 (2013.01); B64U 50/34 (2023.01); B64U 2101/00 (2023.01)] 20 Claims
 
1. A propagule growth facilitation method comprising:
configuring one or more dry media in a first layer so that a thickness of the first layer is within an order of magnitude of 1 centimeter (cm);
forming one or more recessed portions on a first side of and one or more recessed portions on a second side of the first layer, wherein the recessed portions each comprise a borehole extending through most of the thickness of the first layer;
holding a first propagule at least partly within the recessed portion of the first side by affixing a biodegradable containment covering to the first side of the first layer with more than half of the first propagule exposed to a gas;
holding a second propagule at least partly within the recessed portion of the second side by affixing a biodegradable containment covering to the second side of the first layer with more than half of the second propagule exposed to a gas so as to assemble a first propagule capsule; and
deploying the first propagule capsule with a tumbling trajectory haphazardly, in lieu of any effective mechanism for ensuring that the first side will land below the second side, and so that it lands with the first side thereof upon or otherwise adjacent a planting site, wherein the first layer protects the first propagule against predation long enough for a root to grow from the first propagule into the planting site.