TECHNICAL FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This application relates to improving germination of seeds. More specifically, the application is directed to a seed mat that improves hydration and air circulation for seeds, thereby optimizing germination success and timing.

[0002] This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/119,840 filed on December 1, 2020 and titled SEED MAT (the ‘840 Application), and is related to U.S. Patent No. 10,080,336 titled AQUAPONICS SYSTEM (the ‘336 Patent), dated September 25, 2018 to Kevin Whitley Higgins and assigned to Aquatree Global, LLC. The ‘840 Application and the ‘336 Patent are hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

Aquaponics systems and hydroponics systems such as those discussed in the ‘336 Patent grow plants from seeds by immersing seed roots into nutrient-rich water. The hydroponics sub-system in the ‘336 Patent utilizes grow pans and trays that facilitate oxygenated water flow through the trays so that it contacts or comes close to contacting seeds and/or their roots. However, in some instances, seeds may become overhydrated and therefore fail to germinate and grow. Therefore, a need exists for a device to assist in achieving optimum levels of seed and root hydration without preventing root growth.

SUMMARY

[0003] According to embodiments of the invention, a seed mat is provided that optimizes germination success and timing.

[0004] According to an embodiment of the invention, the seed mat comprises at least one upper layer comprising a plurality of apertures for receiving a seed; at least one middle layer configured to receive and prevent a seed from passing through the middle layer; and at least one lower layer comprising at least one aperture for absorbing water and providing water to the middle layer; where the middle layer is configured for receiving the water provided by the lower layer and providing the water to the seed and/or the upper layer.

[0005] In some embodiments, the upper layer comprises a plurality of sub-layers of wicking paper.

[0006] In some embodiments, the middle layer comprises at least one sub-layer of wicking tissue paper.

[0007] In some embodiments, the lower layer comprises a plurality of sub-layers of wicking paper.

[0008] In some such embodiments, the plurality of sub-layers of wicking paper each comprises a press-cut wicking paper filter layer.

[0009] In some such embodiments, the plurality of sub-layers of wicking paper is manufactured in a woven honeycomb configuration for maximum absorption of water.

[0010] According to embodiments of the invention, a seed mat for optimizing success and timing of seed germination comprises at least one upper layer comprising a plurality of sub-layers of wicking paper manufactured in a woven honeycomb configuration comprising a plurality of apertures for receiving one or more seeds and for maximum absorption and wicking of water; at least one middle layer comprising wicking tissue paper and configured to receive and prevent a seed from passing through the middle layer; and at least one lower layer comprising a plurality of sub-layers of wicking paper manufactured in a woven honeycomb configuration comprising a plurality of apertures for maximum absorption and wicking of water and providing water to the middle layer; where the middle layer is configured for receiving the water provided by the lower layer and providing the water to the one or more seeds and/or the upper layer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] FIG. 1 is an overhead schematic view of a seed mat according to embodiments of the invention;

[0012] FIG. 2 is a side schematic view of a seed mat according to embodiments of the invention;

[0013] FIG. 3 is a detail cutout from FIG. 2 illustrating a portion of the seed mat of FIG. 2; [0014] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a seed mat being placed in a tray of an aquaponic or hydroponic system according to embodiments of the invention;

[0015] FIGs. 5 A - 5F are various views of a seed mat according to embodiments of the invention;

[0016] FIGs. 6 A - 6D are perspective views of seed mats of varying shapes according to embodiments of the invention; and

[0017] FIGs. 7 A - 7C illustrate a manufacturing process for manufacturing seed mats according to embodiments of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all, embodiments of the invention are shown. Indeed, the invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. Referring now to the drawings and the listing of machine components set out below, the invention according to a preferred embodiment is described in further detail.

[0019] Referring to FIGs. 1-7, a seed mat optimizes seed germination success and timing and includes at least one upper layer comprising a plurality of sub-layers of wicking paper manufactured in a woven honeycomb configuration comprising a plurality of apertures for receiving one or more seeds and for maximum absorption and wicking of water; at least one middle layer comprising wicking tissue paper and configured to receive and prevent a seed from passing through the middle layer; and at least one lower layer comprising a plurality of sublayers of wicking paper manufactured in a woven honeycomb configuration comprising a plurality of apertures for maximum absorption and wicking of water and providing water to the middle layer; where the middle layer is configured for receiving the water provided by the lower layer and providing the water to the one or more seeds and/or the upper layer. [0020] The seed mat may fit into a tray such as tray 400 of FIG. 4 in order to receive flowing water and wick the water through its lower layer and middle layer to seeds resting on the middle layer and/or upper layer honeycomb configuration.

[0021] As seeds germinate the seed roots may break through the middle layer and may pass through the lower layer to grow larger; whereas the middle layer is configured not to allow pregermination seeds to fall or pass through the middle layer, but rather to be caught by the middle layer and retained at a distance from the tray or water source by the lower layer of the seed mat. In other words, the tensile strength of the middle layer is optimized such that the seeds do not fall through the middle layer, even when the middle layer is wet, but so that the seeds’ roots may penetrate the middle layer through to the lower layer without jeopardizing the structural integrity of the middle layer for other seeds resting thereon.

[0022] The separation from the water source ensures that the seeds are not over-hydrated, but rather are optimally hydrated through wicking of water from the water source, such as water flowing in the bottom of a tray or trough, to the lower layer to the middle layer to the seeds and/or through the upper layer to the seeds.

[0023] In some embodiments, the some or all the seed mat is biodegradable. In such embodiments, the seed mat may disintegrate or deteriorate as one or more seeds germinate and grow into plants. The seed mat, therefore, may remain without being removed from the germinating seed or plant.

[0024] In some embodiments, the upper layer includes one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, or more sub-layers of perforated paper. In some embodiments, the middle layer includes one, two, three, or more sub-layers of tissue or tissue-like paper. In some embodiments, the lower layer includes one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, or more sub-layers of perforated paper.

[0025] Referring specifically to FIG. 1, a diagrammatic overhead view of a seed mat 100 is shown with potential manufacturing measurements. FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-section A-A cut from the seed mat 100 of FIG. 1. The seed mat 100 has a lower layer 120, a middle layer 110 and an upper layer 130. FIG. 3 illustrates a detail B, which was cut-out from the seed mat 100 of FIG. 2. The seed mat portion 300 illustrates a lower layer 320, a middle layer 310, and an upper layer 330. [0026] As shown in FIG. 4, a seed mat 100 is shown being installed in the direction of the arrows into a tray 400 of an aquaponics or hydroponic system 410. As shown, seeds may be placed on the upper layer of the seed mat 100 when it is installed in order to facilitate germination of the seeds according to the discussion herein.

[0027] FIG. 5A is a perspective view, FIG. 5B is an overhead view, FIG. 5C is an underneath view, FIG. 5D is a side view, and FIG. 5E is another side view of the seed mat 500 having an upper layer 520, a middle layer 510, and a lower layer 530. As shown, arrow 540 illustrates the direction in which seed(s) may be placed on top of the upper layer 520 of the seed mat 500. Arrow 550 illustrates the direction in which the seed(s) may be pulled by gravity or some other force against the middle layer 510 of the seed mat 100. The middle layer is configured, as discussed herein, to resist sufficient penetration for the seed to pass through the middle layer 510 in the direction of arrow 550. That said, the middle layer is also configured to allow penetration by one or more roots or growths from the seed(s) while simultaneously maintaining support for the seed itself. Water may be provided to the system and absorbed by the lower layer 530 and through the middle layer 510 to any seed(s) placed thereon. The water, in such example, is drawn up through the lower layer 530 and the middle layer 510 to the seed(s) generally in a direction opposite the direction of arrow 550. FIG. 5F is a perspective view of a seed mat 500 placed in a tray 400.

[0028] In various embodiments, the shape of the seed mat may be different. For example, as shown in FIG. 6A, a square-shaped seed mat 600A includes an upper layer 620A with a middle layer 610A and a lower layer 630 A. As shown in FIG. 6B, a rectangle-shaped seed mat 600B includes an upper layer 620B with a middle layer 610B and a lower layer 630B. As shown in FIG. 6C, a circle-shaped seed mat 600C includes an upper layer 620C with a middle layer 610C and a lower layer 630C. As shown in FIG. 6D, an oval-shaped seed mat 600D includes an upper layer 620D with a middle layer 610D and a lower layer 630D.

[0029] The seed mat may likewise be any other shape. In some applications, the seed mat is manufactured to fit within a specifically shaped tray or other receptacle for supplying water to the lower layer of the seed mat. For example, the seed mat may be square, rectangular, triangular, or a complex shape such as the seed mat shape shown in most of the figures, which is specifically manufactured to fit into a particular tray. [0030] Referring to FIGs. 7A - 7C, a method for manufacturing the seed mat according to embodiments of the invention is shown.

[0031] As described herein, a seed mat has been described with reference to specific embodiments and examples. Various details of the invention may be changed without departing from the scope of the invention. Furthermore, the foregoing description of the preferred embodiments of the invention and best mode for practicing the invention are provided for the purpose of illustration only and not for the purpose of limitation, the invention being defined by the claims.

[0032] It is understood that the systems and devices described herein illustrate one embodiment of the invention. It is further understood that one or more of the systems, devices, or the like can be combined or separated in other embodiments and still function in the same or similar way as the embodiments described herein.

[0033] While certain exemplary embodiments have been described and shown in the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that such embodiments are merely illustrative of, and not restrictive on, the broad invention, and that this invention not be limited to the specific constructions and arrangements shown and described, since various other changes, combinations, omissions, modifications and substitutions, in addition to those set forth in the above paragraphs, are possible. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various adaptations, modifications, and combinations of the just described embodiments can be configured without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Therefore, it is to be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced other than as specifically described in this application.