Field of the invention

The present invention relates to a system for growing plants in vertical stacks and more particularly provides plant grow system with inbuilt self-watering mechanism and a modular design with add-on accessories for superior plant growth and enhanced functionalities.

Background of the invention People living in apartments and other places where sufficient land is not available for making gardens are often denied the pleasure of gardening and the opportunity to cultivate edible plants/vegetables/fruits due to space constraints. Hence, plants stands or vertical gardening systems are conventionally being used for growing plants in apartments. These systems typically involve 2/3/4 tiered stands in which planters are held vertically one above the other, thus limiting plants access to sunlight. Further, since the vertical position of these planters is constant, they do not provide any flexibility for adjusting according to the varying height of the plants. Furthermore, most prior art plant stands have a multi-support frame structure or a fixed frame layout without any flexibility, which makes it difficult to remove or add plants except from the very front of the stands. Additionally, many of the prior art plant stands require tools to assemble or adjust the shelves and lights, and further require two or more persons to accomplish the adjustments. Furthermore, many prior art plant stands are quite expensive and are also difficult to fabricate.

Proper watering of the plants has been a constant problem, particularly with city dwellers with busy lifestyles where watering is inconsistent in time and non-uniform in amount, leading to an unhealthy plant growth. It is commonly known and accepted that optimal watering along with good oxygenation of roots provides for good plant growth and high nutritional value of the crops.

Another constraint with city dwellers leaning towards gardening and self-cultivation of edible plants/vegetables/fruits is lack of access to direct sunlight at the desired location within the house. Although grow-lights with certain wavelengths conducive to plant growth have been used by professionals to substitute sunlight, the same has not been implemented in consumer products in a space-saving vertical design, also in a size/scale in which significant amount of edible plants or vegetables could be grown for consumption. Also, the prior art vertical gardening systems do not have the mobility of wheels or along with the option of position locking to prevent undesired movement, severely impacting usability within the house, to accommodate for user preference or to suit availability or sunlight.

Also these prior arts provide minimal or no protection against extreme weather - such as snow, hail-storm, sand-storm, freezing temperature, excessive rain etc - and offer minimal or no protection against pests like insects, rodents or birds - causing irreparable damage in some cases. Although greenhouses are used in large scale cultivation for this, the same has not been implemented in smaller scale for domestic use.

Therefore, there exists a need for a plant growth system overcoming the aforementioned drawbacks of the existing technologies and the prior arts.

Objects of the invention

The primary object of present invention is to provide a readily collapsible, portable, modular, convenient/user friendly, height adjustable and an economically cheaper and space saving system for growing plants, while providing for good sunlight access to plants. Another object of present invention is to provide a system formed of quickly and easily assembled parts allowing ease of use, transportation and relocation.

Yet another object of the present invention is to allow for water storage and automated watering, along with good oxygenation of the plant roots requisite for optimal plant growth.

Further object is to provide protection to plants against extreme weather and against pests.

Still further object is to provide mobility of wheels for convenience.

Furthermore object is to be able to integrate grow lights to provide necessary light wavelengths which supplement or replace need for sunlight.

Summary of the invention

The present invention provides a plant grow system that is easily collapsible and portable for use in growing plants vertically. The system comprises of a main frame and a plurality of self-watering planters supported by the main frame. The system further optionally comprises of a castor wheel assembly configured at base of the main frame for locking thereof and a plurality of adjustable light fixtures being configured onto the main frame and positioned between the plurality of self-watering planters. The plurality of adjustable light fixtures is adapted for holding a plant grow light required for optimum growth of plants.

The main frame includes a plurality of rectangular vertical frames, a plurality of support shelves and a horizontal base frame. Each of the plurality of rectangular vertical frames includes an extending portion and a receiving portion configured at opposite ends thereof to facilitate telescopic engagement therebetween allowing the main frame to change states between anyone of an expandable state and a collapsible state. The plurality of rectangular vertical frames is further provided with a plurality of slots configured thereon at vertically spaced intervals along the vertical length. The plurality of support shelves having an H-shaped configuration are mounted perpendicularly on the plurality of rectangular vertical frames and locked therein within the plurality of slots disposed at different positions on plurality of rectangular vertical frames. Particularly, the plurality of support shelves is provided with a plurality of hooks at opposite ends thereof for locking within the plurality of slots facilitating easy removal, re-assembling and vertical height adjustment of the plurality of support shelves. The horizontal base frame is adapted to impart strength and rigidity to the main frame and is configured at base of bottom rectangular vertical frame of the plurality of rectangular vertical frames. The horizontal base frame has an extending portion at an upper end for telescopically engaging with the receiving portion of the bottom rectangular vertical frame mounted thereon.

The plurality of self-watering planters are mounted/ stacked onto the plurality of support shelves. Each planter of the plurality of self-watering planters further comprises of an integrated water reservoir at lower portion, a planting tray removably positioned above the integrated water reservoir, an integrated handle for lifting the plurality of self-watering planters and a water filling tube with a water level indication means disposed therein. The integrated water reservoir consists of a plurality of integrated ribs at lower portion with an H-shaped configuration forming a plurality of water pockets embedded therein for retaining water. The plurality of integrated ribs facilitates secure positioning of the plurality of self-watering planters having H-shaped configuration at lower surface thereof onto the plurality of support shelves having a similar H-shaped configuration. The planting tray includes a plurality of integrated channels and a plurality of self watering wick pockets filled with a planting media for growing plants therein. The self watering wick pockets have perforations at lower surface to allow passing of planting media or a fabric wick therefrom towards the integrated water reservoir disposed below for drawing water through capillary action. The plurality of integrated channels allows free flow of water along with flow of atmospheric oxygen between the plurality of self watering wick pockets to promote absorption of the atmospheric oxygen by plant roots. The water filling tube has a selectively open upper end provided for filling the water therein and an open lower end disposed in fluid communication with the integrated water reservoir. The water level indication means indicates level of water present within the integrated water reservoir using a float mechanism.

Brief description of the drawings

Figure 1 shows a front perspective view of a plant grow system, in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 shows a front view of a main frame of the plant grow system of figure 1 ;

Figure 3A and 3B shows an exploded view of the main frame showing a 4-tier model and a 3 -tier model respectively;

Figure 4 is an enlarged view showing the plurality of slots configured on the rectangular vertical frame of the main frame of figure 2;

Figure 5 is an enlarged view showing locking of the support shelves within the slots configured on the rectangular vertical frames of the main frame of figure 2;

Figure 6 shows an enlarged view of the support shelves locked onto the rectangular vertical frames of the main frame of figure 2;

Figure 7 shows an enlarged view of the horizontal base frame of the main frame configured with the extending portion for telescopically engaging with the receiving portion of the rectangular vertical frame; in accordance with the present invention; Figure 8 shows a perspective view of a castor wheel assembly of the plant grow system of figure 1, in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 9 shows an exploded view of the castor wheel assembly of figure 8; Figure 10 shows a perspective view of a self watering planter of the plant grow system of figure 1 ;

Figure 11 shows a bottom view of figure 10;

Figure 12 is an enlarged view showing the integrated water reservoir of the self watering planter of figure 10 after removing the planting tray;

Figure 13 is an exploded view of figure 10 showing the water reservoir and the planting tray, in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 14 shows a perspective view of the planting tray, in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 15 and figure 16 show a sectional view of figure 10 when without plants and with plants, and further showing the cross-sectional view with a collar, in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 17 is an exploded view of the water filling tube with a water level indication means, in accordance with the present invention; Figure 18 shows a perspective view of the adjustable light fixture of the plant grow system of figure 1, in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 19 shows view of the U-shaped resilient clip for mounting the adjustable light fixture of figure 18;

Figure 20 is a view of Figure 18 showing the U-shaped resilient clip attached to a slotted metal strip for mounting two adjustable light fixtures each holding a grow lights thereon, in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 21 & 22 shows different arrangements of the plant grow system of figure 1, in accordance with the present invention; Figure 23 shows the plant grow system of figure 1, when covered with a protective cover, in accordance with the present invention. Detailed description of the invention

The foregoing objects of the invention are accomplished and the problems and shortcomings associated with the prior art techniques and approaches are overcome by the present invention as described below in the preferred embodiment.

The present invention provides easily collapsible and portable plant grow system having plurality of self watering planters. The plant grow system consists of a collapsible metal frame along with the plurality self- watering planters held on height- adjustable shelves, where each unit is modular and stand-alone/self-supporting. The system also accommodates for optional attachments for added functionalities, such as grow lights, greenhouse, mobility and others. The plant grow system is used for growing plants vertically within these self watering planters. The plant grow system helps in providing attractive display of plants at convenient/user-friendly vertical heights and at the same time provides arrangements for automatic watering of the plants from below the soil to make available proper amounts of water for optimal plant growth along with good oxygenation of roots. Further, the plant grow system also provides abundant sunlight to plants due to its unique vertically cascading design.

This present invention is illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings, throughout which reference numbers indicate corresponding parts in the various figures. These reference numbers are shown in bracket in the following description. Referring to figures 1 to 23, a plant grow system (200), hereinafter referred to as "the system (200)"), in accordance with the present invention is shown. The system (200) comprises of a main frame (40) and a plurality of self-watering planters (120), (hereinafter referred to as "the planters (120)") supported by the main frame (40). The system (200) optionally further comprises of a castor wheel assembly (80) configured at base of the main frame (40) and a plurality of adjustable light fixtures (160) (hereinafter referred to as "the adjustable light fixtures (160)) being configured onto the main frame (40) and positioned between the planters (120).

The main frame (40) is made up of standard pipes having uniform cross sectional area, and comprises of a plurality of rectangular vertical frames (10), (hereinafter referred to as "the vertical frames (10)"); a plurality of support shelves (20), (hereinafter referred to as "the shelves (20)") mounted on and secured to the vertical frames (10) at vertically spaced intervals, and a horizontal base frame (30) as shown in figure 2 and figure 3. It is evident to those skilled in the art that plurality of rectangular vertical frames and plurality of support shelves secured to the plurality of rectangular vertical frames may be present depending on the required length of the main frame (40). As shown in figure 4, the vertical frames (10) are configured with a plurality of slots (8), hereinafter referred to as "the slots (8)", at regular vertically spaced intervals along the vertical length of the vertical frames (10). In a preferred embodiment, size of each of the slots (8) lies within a range of 25mm x 3mm. However, it is evident to a person skilled in the art that the slots having varied sizes can be used depending upon the functionality and requirement of user.

The vertical frames (10) are adapted of telescopic mounting within each other to confer an easy and secure assembly, without needing any tools or fasteners thereby providing height adjustable feature to the main frame (40). Furthermore, the upper ends (not numbered) and lower ends (not numbered) of the vertical frames (10) are provided with either an extending portion (35a) or a receiving portion (4) or both- the extending portion (35a) at the upper end (not numbered) and the receiving portion (4) at the lower end (not numbered) or vice versa, permitting telescopic mounting of the vertical frames (10) within one another to confer an easy and secure assembly of the main frame (40), thus allowing the main frame (40) to change states between an expandable state and a collapsible state. In an embodiment, the extending portion (35a) configured on the vertical frames (10) has a length of 100mm. Further screws, bolts, or fasteners is not required for assembling the main frame (40), thus allowing easy assembling or dismantling of the main frame (40) by any person without the need of any specific tools.

The shelves (20) having an H-shaped configuration are provided for supporting the planters (120), and are perpendicularly mounted and locked within the slots (8) configured onto the vertical frames (10) of the main frame (40) at any desired position therein, as can be seen in figure 5 and figure 6. In an embodiment, the shelves (20) are provided with a plurality of hooks disposed at opposite ends thereof for locking at different positions within the slots (8). In a preferred embodiment, support shelve (20) of the plurality support shelves (20) includes 4 hooks each on opposite ends thereof (8 hooks per shelve) for locking within the slots (8). However, it is evident to a person skilled in the art that varied number of hooks can be employed on opposite ends of the shelves depending upon the requirement and functionality. Particularly, the plurality of hooks corresponds to the slots (8) present on the vertical frames (10) for secure locking of the shelves (20) thereon to facilitate easy removal, re-assembling and vertical height adjustment of the shelves (20) onto the vertical frames (10). More particularly, the slots (8) configured onto the vertical frames (10) provide variable positions for mounting the shelves (20) thereon, in turn allowing planting of differently sized plants within the planters (120) supported onto the shelves (20). In an embodiment, end caps (38) are further provided for capping and protecting the exposed ends (not numbered) of the vertical frames (10) and the shelves (20), as can be seen in figure 6. In another embodiment, the end caps (38) are made up of rubber. The horizontal base frame (30) is configured at base of bottom vertical frame (10) and imparts strength and rigidity to the main frame (40) and in turn provides support to the system (200). In an embodiment, the horizontal base frame (30), at the upper end (not numbered) is provided with the extending portion (35b) adapted to telescopically engage with the receiving portion (4) of the bottom vertical frame (10) as shown in figure 7. In a preferred embodiment, the extending portion (35b) configured on the horizontal base frame (30) has a length of 150mm.

The castor wheel assembly (80), as shown in figure 8 and figure 9, is further provided configured at four corners at base of the horizontal base frame (30) and being operably connected at the base of the main frame (40) and is configured therein with a locking and a height adjusting mechanism. In an embodiment, the castor wheel assembly (80) may be optionally present within the system (200). Particularly, the castor wheel assembly (80) includes a locking system and castor housing (not numbered) with a plurality of sleeves. The locking system prevents accidental or undesired movement of the main frame (40) and in turn the system (200). The plurality of sleeves of the castor housing undergoes rotational movement to displace the main frame (40) vertically in axis of the castor housing for adjusting the height of the main frame (40) thereby resulting into vertical movement of the system (200) to facilitate marginal height adjustment thereof when used on sloped and uneven surfaces. Further, the castor housing and the plurality of sleeves by facilitating height adjustment ensures that the water level in the planters (120) is held horizontal, in case the system (200) is used on slightly sloped or uneven surfaces. The castor wheel assembly (80) acts as a stabilizer and allows easy movements for adjusting the height of the main frame (40) as and when required. The planters (120) shown in figure 10, are placed onto the shelves (20) secured to the vertical frames (10) of the main frame (40), and includes an integrated water reservoir (90) at the lower portion thereof; a planting tray ( 100) supported above the integrated water reservoir (90) being configured for removable positioning above the integrated water reservoir (90) for growing plants thereon; an integrated handle (105) (hereinafter referred to as "the handle (105)) being provided for lifting the planters (120), a water filling tube (110), alternatively referred to as "a spout (110)", disposed in fluid communication with the integrated water reservoir (90) and a water level indication means (115) for indicating the level of water remaining in the integrated water reservoir (90) to the user, as can be seen in figures 10 to 17. In an embodiment, the integrated water reservoir (90) and the handle (105) is integrally embedded within the planters (120) forming as a single unit, whereas the planting tray (100) is removably supported above the integrated water reservoir (90). Particularly, the planting tray (100) provides a planting area and is filled with a planting media required for growth of the plants. In a preferred embodiment, the planters (120) are manufactured in varied sizes, by a process, not limiting to, a vacuum forming process or injection molding. The integrated water reservoir (90) includes a plurality of integrated ribs (84) forming a plurality of water pockets (88) embedded at the lower portion of the planters (120), as shown in figure 12. In a preferred embodiment, the plurality of integrated ribs (84) has an H-shaped configuration to form the plurality of water pockets (88) embedded therein. Specifically, the plurality of integrated ribs (84) provide structural strength and rigidity to the planters (120) and allows the planters (120) to be securely placed onto the shelves (20) having shape, not limiting to, an H-shaped configuration. Specifically, the H-shaped configuration at bottom surface of the planters (120) corresponds to an H- shaped configuration of the shelves (20) and allows for easy assembly and removal, without requiring additional fasteners or holding mechanism, aided only by gravity and weight of the planter (120). More specifically, the plurality of integrated ribs (84) imparts a shape corresponding to an H-shaped configuration to the bottom/lower surface of the planters (120) that corresponds to the H-shaped configuration of the shelves (20) thereby allowing gravity assisted secure mounting of the planters (120) on the shelves (20) without requiring fastening or bolting and further allows for easy assembly and removal thereof. The plurality of water pockets (88) retain water to provide it to the planting tray (100) positioned above the integrated water reservoir (90). Referring to figure 13 and 14, a planting tray (100) includes a plurality of integrated channels (94) and a plurality of self watering wick pockets (98) having perforations (not numbered) for either the soil (planting media) in the plurality of self watering wick pockets (98) acting as wick or fabric wicks (not shown) to pass through towards the integrated water reservoir (90) present below for drawing water therefrom through capillary action to facilitate automated watering of the plants grown therein. The plurality of integrated channels (94) allows free flow of water there between the plurality of self watering wick pockets (98) and also retains and permits flow of atmospheric oxygen, which is absorbed by plant roots for better plant growth and pathogen protection. As shown in figure 15 and 16, the handle (105) is provided for lifting the planters (120) and is designed differently for the planters (120) having different sizes, taking into consideration the difference in weight of the planters (120). In a preferred embodiment, the planters (120) having smallest size and less weight is provided with the handle (105) in form of an integrated collar closer to the top collar (not numbered) around periphery and along the vertical length of the planters (120), for lifting the planters (120) from the top by gripping the planters (120) with a grip with palm around the collar (not numbered). In another embodiment, the planters (120) having largest size and heavier in weight is lifted from the base of the planters (120), with fingers beneath the planter (120). The handle ( 105) closer to the top collar (not numbered) imparts structural strength and rigidity to the planters (120).

Referring to figure 17, exploded view of the water filling tube (110) with a water level indication means (115) is shown. The water filling tube (110) extends from the planting tray (100) to the integrated water reservoir (90) and communicates with the integrated water reservoir (90) located at the lower portion of the planters (120). The water filling tube (110) have a selectively open upper end provided for filling the water and an open lower end disposed in fluid communication with the integrated water reservoir (90). In an embodiment, the water filling tube (110) is provided with a cover (not numbered) at its open upper end, to prevent mosquito larvae growth if exposed. Further, a water level indicator means (115) is disposed within the water filling tube (110) and extends from the planting tray (100) to the integrated water reservoir (90). The water level indicator means (115) is provided to communicate/ indicate the level of water present within the integrated water reservoir (90) of the planters (120) to the user, using a float mechanism. Water is drawn from the integrated water reservoir (90) through capillary action of the planting media through the plurality of self watering wick pockets (98) within the planting tray (100) of the planters (120) and is provided for growth of the plants therein. At any given time there is a significant amount of atmospheric oxygen above the water level below the planting tray (100), in communication with outside environment throughout the spout (110), also in communication with planting media, through the plurality of self watering wick pockets (98) in the planting tray (100). In an alternate embodiment, capillary wicking material (not shown) may further be provided to wick water from the integrated water reservoir (90) to the planting media within the planting tray (100) of the planters (120). Particularly, the planters (120) have a self watering mechanism ensuring that the user fill the integrated water reservoir (90) once, and be care free about the plants for few days until the water level indication means (115) shows low water level, when the water is drawn by capillary action of the planting media and is made available to the plants being grown therein.

As shown in figures 18 to 20, the adjustable light fixtures (160) for holding a plant grow light may optionally be provided configured onto the main frame (40) and positioned there between the planters (120) to facilitate growth of the plants. In an embodiment, the plant grow light is anyone selected from light fluorescent tubes and special Light Emitting Diode (LED) lights radiating light energy having different wavelengths suitable for plant growth. In another embodiment, the plant grow light has three or more different modes of light- red light, blue light, white light or other wavelengths. Particularly, the adjustable light fixtures (160) are capable of lateral movement across the length of the planters (120) and are adapted to be adjustably positioned over the plant to provide optimum light intensity for plant growth. In an embodiment, the adjustable light fixtures (160) are height adjustable light fixtures having infinite vertical adjustability with respect to the plant height to ensure proper light to plants. Particularly, the adjustable light fixtures (160) provide a degree of flexibility in positioning the adjustable light fixtures ( 160) relative to the plants. Each of the plurality of adjustable light fixtures ( 160) is clipped to the each support shelve of the plurality of support shelves (20) at lower surface thereof using two U-shaped resilient clips (not numbered) made up of a spring-like material, as shown in figure 18 and 19. In another embodiment, each of the two U-shaped resilient clips is further attached to a slotted metal strip (not numbered) adapted for mounting two adjustable light fixtures thereon for positioning two plant grow lights beneath each support shelve of the plurality of support shelves, as shown in figure 20. Particularly, the slotted metal strip is used to mount two grow light bars for the planters (120) having large sizes for providing optimum light to the plants grown therein.

Referring to figures 21 and 22, shown are the different arrangements of the plant grow system (200) for optimum plant growth. Specifically, the planters (120) are arranged vertically, supported on the shelves (20), with each planter (120) positioned directly above or directly below the other planter (120). Figure 21 shows an arrangement of the plant grow system (200) wherein the planters (120) having gradually reducing sizes are placed on the shelves (20), defining a certain angle in a range of 1 to 15 degrees relative to vertical axis, thereby ensuring maximum and proper exposure of the plants within the planters (120) to the sunlight. In a preferred embodiment, an angle of 10 degree relative to the vertical axis gives optimal balance between sunlight availability and the available cultivable area for a given floor space. Furthermore, each planter (120) of the plurality of planters (120) is given an angle during manufacturing along the upper open surface in a range of 1 to 15 degrees relative to the horizontal axis at the upper open surface thereof to ensure more sunlight opening. In a preferred embodiment, as shown in figure 22, an angle of 13 degrees relative to the horizontal axis at the upper open surface the planters (120) gives maximum sunlight required for the plant growth.

In an embodiment, the system (200) can be easily dismantled and collapsed to a compact size for convenient transport from point to point in the least possible space. Further, the system (200) can be easily and quickly re-assembled as and when required.

Furthermore, a protective cover (210) is provided to cover the system (200) as shown in figure 23. The protective cover (210) is perforated and is associated with a metal roof member, mounted to upper end of the vertical frames (10) by removing the end caps (38). The protective cover (210) is made of flexible transparent sheet forming vertical side wall on all four vertical sides along with top side, with a roll-up door (205) in the front which are connected to its adjacent side walls, preferable but not limited to zipper mechanism or Velcro mechanism. The roof member with the protective cover (210) forms a closed chamber around the system (200) allowing for heat retention, plant protection from extreme weather effects, humidity control, sunlight ingress and free flow of air through the bottom, also through plurality of perforations within the protective cover (210), although limiting access to pests such as birds, rodents etc, more importantly giving protection against climatic extremities such as snow fall, hail stones, freezing, sand storm and like. Further, the Velcro or the zipper mechanism allows the roll-up door (205) to be kept in an open position facilitating easy inspection of plants grown in the system (200). Hence, the present invention provides the system (200) that readily collapses and reassembles, that is adjustable in height, that inherently provides abundant sunlight and aeration to plants and that provides arrangements for planting of differently sized plants. The invention provides the system (200) having a self-watering mechanism for better plant growth, optional grow light system for indoor use with autonomy from sunlight, optional greenhouse cover for plant protection and permitting the user/owner live a busy lifestyle or to take extended trips without concern for the plants.

Advantages of the present invention

1. The system (200) is portable, modular, and light in weight and economically cheaper compared to existing systems used for growing plants.

2. The system (200) is made up of components that can be quickly assembled and dismantled allowing ease of transport and reconfiguration without involving fasteners and tools.

3. The system (200) provides water storage and optimal watering of the plants along with better oxygenation required for better plant growth.

4. The system (200) inherently provides abundant sunlight and aeration to plants, due to its cascading design with mathematically defined angles.

5. The system (200) allows a user to grow significantly more number of plants from a given floor area as compared to conventional systems.

6. The system (200) enables the flexibility to accommodate varying heights of plants and user's ergonomic preferences/convenience.

7. The system (200) provides optional well-integrated adjustable light fixtures (160) for holding grow light providing certain light wavelengths conducive to plant growth to substitute sunlight in places where sunlight is limited or non-existent. 8 The system (200) with the protective cover (210) protects the plants from extreme climate and pests.

9 The system (200) with the castor wheel assembly (80) allows for easy movement.

The foregoing objects of the invention are accomplished and the problems and shortcomings associated with prior art techniques and approaches are overcome by the present invention described in the present embodiment. Detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiment are provided herein; however, it is to be understood that the present invention may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed system, structure, or matter. The embodiments of the invention as described above and the methods disclosed herein will suggest further modification and alterations to those skilled in the art. Such further modifications and alterations may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.