William C Webster

US Patent:

44869770, Dec 11, 1984

Filed:

Aug 12, 1982

Appl. No.:

6/407331

Inventors:

Dale W. Edgecombe - Decatur IL
William L. Webster - Decatur IL

Assignee:

Edgecombe Enterprises International, Inc. - Decatur IL

International Classification:

A16

US Classification:

47 59

Abstract:

This invention relates to a method and apparatus for growing and harvesting living organisms, including plants such as vegetable produce. The method and apparatus have particular utility in the hydroponics industry in which plants are grown in a nutrient solution. The method comprises the steps of providing an enclosed, top-openable growing chamber having limited free space and being suitable for receiving a removable structure supporting the living organisms; exposing the living organisms in the chamber to a growth-inducing nutrient solution for a period sufficient to induce substantial growth in the living organisms under the conditions maintained in the chamber; substantially continuously removing a portion of the nutrient solution from the chamber, restoring the nutrient quality thereof and recycling the restored nutrient solution to the chamber; controlling the temperature within the chamber by substantially continuously flowing a temperature-controlled liquid through the chamber in exposed passages isolated from the living organisms and nutrient solution; maintaining a growth-inducing atmosphere in the chamber; and periodically opening the chamber and removing the removable structure through the top thereof for further processing of the living organisms supported thereby.

US Patent:

D2436698, Mar 15, 1977

Filed:

Aug 1, 1975

Appl. No.:

5/601221

Inventors:

William Lee Webster - Decatur IL

International Classification:

D1210

US Classification:

D12101