Reinforced unitized mat to facilitate growing plants
US7392614B2 · kind B2 · utility
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 20, 2005 |
| Grant date | Jul 1, 2008 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 11, 2026 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA01G13/32
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A reinforced unitized mat to facilitate growing plants includes at least two material layers defining fluid-conveying passageways forming distribution headers and a flow restrictor, an inlet for delivery of a fluid into the distribution headers, and an outlet for dispensing fluid into a root zone area covered by at least one layer of the material layers. The material layers are sized and shaped to cover an area immediately around at least one plant. The flow restrictor, for metering the fluid, is in fluid connection with the distribution header and extend outwardly to a multi-dimensional array of outlets. There may also be an additional reinforcing layer attached to the material layers. The reinforcing layer for the unitized mat can be a polymeric material layer, a fibrous material layer, a foam layer, a metal layer, or a composite layer. The fibrous layer, foam layer, metal layer, or composite layer may also form a portion of, or replace, one or more of the material layers.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.