IP Library Granted Patent US 8,782,948
Granted Patent B2
US 8,782,948 · App. 12/189,712 · Granted Jul 22, 2014

Method and apparatus for aeroponic farming

Inventors: Edward D. Harwood (Ithaca, NY); Travis Martin (Chicago, IL)
Assignee: Just Greens, LLC
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,782,948
App. No.
12/189,712
Granted
Jul 22, 2014
Kind
B2
Abstract

A system and method of aeroponic farming includes depositing seeds in a flat containing micro-fleece cloth and placing the flat within a growth chamber. The upper side of the flat is subjected to light of the proper frequencies to promote growth in plants. A nutrient solution is sprayed onto the micro-fleece cloth and the developing root mass of the plants, while controlling temperature, humidity, and carbon dioxide within the growth chamber. The plants are harvested resulting from the seeds at a desired stage of growth. The growth chambers can be stacked on each other and/or located side by side to save space within a facility, and to permit sharing the subsystems which control the nutrient solution, temperature, humidity, and carbon dioxide for the growth chambers.

Claims (9)

1. A structure for seed germination and growth, comprising:

first and second sets of rails; wherein each set of rails includes an upper rail and a lower rail;

first and second scissors mechanisms;

cloth affixed between the first and second scissors mechanisms to form a flat;

the first and second scissors mechanisms being contained within the first and second sets of rails, and, such that as the flat is moved along the first and second sets of rails, a convergence of the upper and lower rails within each set of rails causes a length of the flat to be increased, while a divergence of the first set of rails from the second set of rails causes a width of the flat to be increased.

2. A structure according to claim 1 , further comprising means for retaining an even dispersion of a plurality of seeded plants as the plurality of seeded plants grow in the cloth as the cloth is moved along the first and second sets of rails.

3. A structure according to claim 1 , wherein the cloth flat comprises a plurality of strips of cloth sewn together to form a plurality of transverse furrows that remain closed when tension is applied orthogonal to the furrows, wherein when un-germinated seeds are positioned in the furrows, the closed furrows protect the un-germinated seeds from light and retain moisture in close proximity to the un-germinated seeds.

4. A structure according to claim 1 wherein the cloth comprise a polyester material.

5. A structure according to claim 1 wherein the cloth is reusable.

Assignments (10)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 21, 2025
From: NEW AEROFARMS, INC.
To: SIGULER GUFF AEROFARMS HOLDINGS, LLC
Reel/Frame 071176/0553 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 12, 2025
From: NEW AEROFARMS, INC.
To: SIGULER GUFF AEROFARMS HOLDINGS, LLC
Reel/Frame 071091/0207 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 31, 2024
From: NEW AEROFARMS, INC.
To: HORIZON TECHNOLOGY FINANCE CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 067581/0389 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 2, 2023
From: AEROFARMS, INC.
To: NEW AEROFARMS, INC.
Reel/Frame 065435/0967 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Feb 7, 2023
From: DREAM HOLDINGS, INC.
To: AEROFARMS, INC.
Reel/Frame 062672/0991 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 21, 2022
From: JUST GREENS, LLC
To: DREAM HOLDINGS, INC.
Reel/Frame 061498/0615 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Feb 10, 2015
From: JUST GREENS, LLC
To: THE PRUDENTIAL INSURANCE COMPANY OF AMERICA
Reel/Frame 034928/0092 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Aug 30, 2013
From: AERO FARM SYSTEMS, LLC
To: JUST GREENS, LLC
Reel/Frame 031126/0112 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 5, 2009
From: GREATVEGGIES, LLC
To: AERO FARM SYSTEMS, LLC
Reel/Frame 023477/0248 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 5, 2009
From: HARWOOD, EDWARD D.; MARTIN, TRAVIS
To: GREATVEGGIES, LLC
Reel/Frame 023477/0114 →
Continuity (3)
Continuation 11224491 · Sep 12, 2005
Provisional Application 60608687 · Sep 10, 2004
Related Publication 20080295400A1 · Dec 4, 2008