The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Sep. 13, 1988
Filed:
Nov. 04, 1986
Peter F de Groot, Monterey, CA (US);
Gregory L Ganick, Hollister, CA (US);
Bud Antle, Inc., Salinas, CA (US);
Abstract
A transplant tray comprises a number of germination cells, each cell including side walls for holding and retaining a growth medium and seeds or seedlings for germination. Each cell has an opening at the top for retrieval of the growth medium and seedlings for transplanting after germination. The cells are connected to or are integral with one another forming a planar structure. The tray further comprises a skirt connected to or integral with the perimeter of the planar structure. When two trays are stacked the skirts of the two trays are nested within each other thereby enclosing the space between the two trays forming a germination chamber. Vent holes of appropriate sizes are provided in the skirts permitting limited and controlled gas exchange between the germination chamber and the environment to enhance the uniformity of germination conditions within the chamber. The vent holes are not so large as to cause significant loss of moisture to an uncontrolled environment. Stand-offs maintain a desired separation between trays when stacked to prevent undesirable disturbance and scraping off of growth medium and seeds. The skirt is slightly tapered to permit nesting of trays, whether empty or full.