Modular Hydroponic Systems for Sustainable Agriculture
Legal Citation
Summary of the Inventive Concept
The present inventive concept relates to the adaptation of oil-less fryer stand technology for innovative hydroponic systems, enabling efficient, space-saving, and scalable crop cultivation in various settings.
Background and Problem Solved
Traditional hydroponic systems often require significant space and resources, limiting their adoption in urban areas or disaster relief scenarios. The original oil-less fryer stand patent, while innovative in its field, did not contemplate applications in agriculture. The present inventive concept addresses these limitations by repurposing the core technology to create modular, vertically stacked hydroponic systems, ideal for controlled environment agriculture, disaster relief, and remote area deployment.
Detailed Description of the Inventive Concept
The inventive concept comprises a plurality of vertically stacked shelves, each having a hollow pipe positioned therethrough, configured to receive a plant growth medium. The shelves are removably secured to a main body having a plurality of elongated legs, allowing for easy assembly, disassembly, and reconfiguration. This modular design enables the creation of scalable and space-efficient hydroponic systems, suitable for a variety of crops and applications. The system can be further optimized by integrating sensors, automated irrigation, and climate control, ensuring optimal crop yields and minimizing resource consumption.
Novelty and Inventive Step
The new claims introduce a paradigm shift in applying oil-less fryer stand technology to hydroponic systems, providing a novel, non-obvious, and innovative solution for sustainable agriculture. The inventive concept's modular, vertically stacked design, and adaptability to various settings, distinguish it from existing hydroponic systems and the original patent.
Alternative Embodiments and Variations
Alternative embodiments of the inventive concept could include variations in shelf design, pipe materials, and plant growth mediums. Additional features, such as integrated LED lighting, automated pruning, or pest control systems, could be incorporated to further enhance the system's efficiency and effectiveness.
Potential Commercial Applications and Market
The modular hydroponic systems enabled by this inventive concept have vast commercial potential in controlled environment agriculture, disaster relief, remote area deployment, and urban farming. Target industries include agriculture, horticulture, and environmental sustainability, with potential applications in food production, research, and education.
CPC Classifications
| Section | Class | Group |
|---|---|---|
| A | A47 | A47J37/043 |
| A | A47 | A47J27/002 |
Section 103 Obviousness Analysis (PHOSITA)
Field of Art
Agricultural and culinary equipment design, specifically modular support structures for cooking and plant cultivation devices, encompassing mechanical engineering, agricultural systems, and adaptable structural design
Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile
A skilled practitioner with expertise in mechanical engineering, agricultural systems design, and modular structural configurations, capable of recognizing cross-domain technological adaptations and understanding structural transfer principles
Obviousness Rationale
A PHOSITA would readily recognize the structural similarities between the oil-less fryer stand and a vertical farming system, understanding that the fundamental geometric and functional elements of the source patent's device can be directly translated to agricultural applications with predictable results. The hollow pipe, shelf configuration, and modular leg structure represent generic design elements that can be repurposed across different technical domains with minimal inventive effort. The PTD's hydroponic system represents a straightforward extrapolation of the source patent's core structural principles, utilizing substantially identical mechanical configurations for a related but distinct purpose.
Obvious Combinations & Variations
Original Patent Information
| Patent Number | US 11,857,109 |
|---|---|
| Title | Oil-less fryer stand device |