Charles Oscar Sherfield

US Patent:

6360483, Mar 26, 2002

Filed:

Apr 15, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/551145

Inventors:

Charles O. Sherfield - Phoenix AZ 85013

International Classification:

A01G 3102

US Classification:

47 62R, 47 63

Abstract:

An apparatus which includes a growing container in which plants are hydroponically grown on a support medium is disclosed. The growing container includes a plurality of openings in which seals are installed. The seals include holes through which the plants grow. When seeds are planted, a hollow tube is placed through the seal hole to maintain the seed in position. After the seed germinates, it grows through the tube. As continued growth expands the plants stem to the size of the tube, the tube breaks apart and does not constrain future plant growth. Moreover, as the plant grows further, the seal hole expands to accommodate the plant stem. The seal surrounds and contacts the plant stem to reduce evaporation of nutrient solution from the growing container and to keep insects and contamination out of the growing container. A holding container is positioned above the growing container and coupled to the growing container through a manifold arrangement. The holding container may be quickly filled with a single, measured nutrient solution charge for the growing container.

US Patent:

55882560, Dec 31, 1996

Filed:

Apr 20, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/426625

Inventors:

Charles O. Sherfield - Phoenix AZ

International Classification:

A01G 3100

US Classification:

47 62

Abstract:

An apparatus which includes a growing container in which plants are hydroponically grown on a support medium is disclosed. The growing container includes a plurality of openings in which seals are installed. The seals include holes through which the plants grow. When seeds are planted, a hollow tube is placed through the seal hole to maintain the seed in position. After the seed germinates, it grows through the tube. As continued growth expands the plant's stem to the size of the tube, the tube breaks apart and does not constrain future plant growth. Moreover, as the plant grows further, the seal hole expands to accommodate the plant stem. The seal surrounds and contacts the plant stem to reduce evaporation of nutrient solution from the growing container and to keep insects and contamination out of the growing container. A holding container is positioned above the growing container and coupled to the growing container through a manifold arrangement. The holding container may be quickly filled with a single, measured nutrient solution charge for the growing container.

US Patent:

60820446, Jul 4, 2000

Filed:

Dec 20, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/770825

Inventors:

Charles O. Sherfield - Phoenix AZ

International Classification:

A01G 3100

US Classification:

47 62

Abstract:

An apparatus which includes a growing container in which plants are hydroponically grown on a support medium is disclosed. The growing container includes a plurality of openings in which seals are installed. The seals include holes through which the plants grow. When seeds are planted, a hollow tube is placed through the seal hole to maintain the seed in position. After the seed germinates, it grows through the tube. As continued growth expands the plant's stem to the size of the tube, the tube breaks apart and does not constrain future plant growth. Moreover, as the plant grows further, the seal hole expands to accommodate the plant stem. The seal surrounds and contacts the plant stem to reduce evaporation of nutrient solution from the growing container and to keep insects and contamination out of the growing container. A holding container is positioned above the growing container and coupled to the growing container through a manifold arrangement. The holding container may be quickly filled with a single, measured nutrient solution charge for the growing container.

US Patent:

52242919, Jul 6, 1993

Filed:

Dec 10, 1990

Appl. No.:

7/625078

Inventors:

Charles O. Sherfield - Mesa AZ

International Classification:

A01G 3102

US Classification:

47 62

Abstract:

An apparatus which includes a growing container in which plants are hydroponically grown on a support medium is disclosed. The growing container includes a plurality of openings in which seals are installed. The seals include holes through which the plants grow. When seeds are planted, a hollow tube is placed through the seal hole to maintain the seed in position. After the seed germinates, it grows through the tube. As continued growth expands the plant's stem to the size of the tube, the tube breaks apart and does not constrain future plant growth. Moreover, as the plant grows further, the seal hole expands to accommodate the plant stem. The seal surrounds and contacts the plant stem to reduce evaporation of nutrient solution from the growing container and to keep insects and contamination out of the growing container. A holding container is positioned above the growing container and coupled to the growing container through a manifold arrangement. The holding container may be quickly filled with a single, measured nutrient solution charge for the growing container.

US Patent:

53816269, Jan 17, 1995

Filed:

Jul 2, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/087506

Inventors:

Charles O. Sherfield - Phoenix AZ

International Classification:

A01G 3100

US Classification:

47 84

Abstract:

An apparatus which includes a growing container in which plants are hydroponically grown on a support medium is disclosed. The growing container includes a plurality of openings in which seals are installed. The seals include holes through which the plants grow. When seeds are planted, a hollow tube is placed through the seal hole to maintain the seed in position. After the seed germinates, it grows through the tube. As continued growth expands the plant's stem to the size of the tube, the tube breaks apart and does not constrain future plant growth. Moreover, as the plant grows further, the seal hole expands to accommodate the plant stem. The seal surrounds and contacts the plant stem to reduce evaporation of nutrient solution from the growing container and to keep insects and contamination out of the growing container. A holding container is positioned above the growing container and coupled to the growing container through a manifold arrangement. The holding container may be quickly filled with a single, measured nutrient solution charge for the growing container.