Smithers-oasis Company

Daniel G Hann

Vahid Sendijarevic

Kurt Charles Frisch

James W Boodley

James P Noe

A horticultural growing medium comprises a polyisocyanate-polyol-based polymer, and at least one filler material. A method of making a horticultural growing medium comprises the steps of mixing at least one filler material with a polyisocyanate-polyol-based quasi-prepolymer composition, to form a quasi-prepolymer/filler mixture and applying water to the quasi-prepolymer/filler mixture to form a hydrophilic growing medium. A method of growing plant seedlings comprising planting a seed or seedling in a horticultural growing medium containing a hydrophilic polyisocyanate-polyol-based polymer and at least one filler material, is also disclosed. A hydrophilic urethane polymer comprises the reaction product of a quasi-prepolymer and water wherein the quasi-prepolymer contains an isocyanate and a hydrophilic polyol. A method of making a hydrophilic polyurethane comprises the steps of adding a hydrophilic polyol to an isocyanate, mixing the polyol and isocyanate to form a quasi-prepolymer, and contacting the quasi-prepolymer with water.

Polyurethane foam composites for grower applications and related methods

A floral support assembly for presenting a display of fresh cut flowers. Floral foam is bonded to a backing to define a pre-shaped configuration. Moisture barrier means, preferably in the form of ambient air spaces, separate the floral foam into adjacent segments of predetermined dimensions, in at least the vertical direction. The barrier spaces have a predetermined width sufficient to prevent floral preservative solution from bridging between adjacent segments when the floral foam support assembly is inclined with respect to a horizontal frame of reference. The preferred method by which to saturate the aforesaid assembly with a floral preservative solution requires a container. At least a sufficient volume of the preservative solution is placed in the container to saturate the foam segments on whatever number of support assemblies are to be simultaneously processed. The support assemblies are then floated in the solution with the foam segments facing the solution. Each assembly is removed from the solution after it has been permitted to sink into the solution to a predetermined depth. The assembly is then inverted and placed on a horizontal surface for a predetermined period of time with the backing resting on that horizontal surface. The stems of flowers may then be inserted into the foam segments to fashion a display.

Growing community of inventors

Akron, OH, United States of America

Daniel G Hann