Super-enhanced aquatic floating island plant habitat

Inactive Publication Date: 2005-08-25
FOUNTAINHEAD
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0016] The present invention provides an adjustably buoyant, optionally biodegradable floating island that can be deployed in ponds, lakes, rivers or any other body of water to monitor, regulate and improve water quality, enhance plant and animal life, and complement the natural surroundings. In the first embodiment, which utilizes thermoplastic ela

Problems solved by technology

In bodies of water such as ponds and lakes, algae growth and the natural process of eutrophication can lead to an increase in land mass and corresponding decrease in water volume, the killing of fish and other organisms, and t

Method used

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  • Super-enhanced aquatic floating island plant habitat
  • Super-enhanced aquatic floating island plant habitat
  • Super-enhanced aquatic floating island plant habitat

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third embodiment

[0134] In the tethering system, the anchor line is fabricated from TPE material having a high elasticity, and the tether may have a hollow core. This design allows the island to be temporarily pulled to shore for maintenance. After maintenance, tension in the tether returns the island to its original position in the water body. If equipped with a hollow core, the tether can be used to aerate the pond by releasing air bubbles along a portion of the length of the tether. The source of the air bubbles can be either a shore-mounted air compressor or an air compressor mounted directly on the floating island. An island-mounted air compressor could operate from wind, solar, wave, or other power source.

[0135] Optionally, the present invention could include a line that attaches the floating island to the shoreline for the purpose of providing power, air and sensor pathways or distribution of food or insecticide, or for a similar purpose (referred to as the “shore monitoring station”). This l...

first embodiment

[0153]FIG. 6 is a top view of the TPE layer of the present invention. This figure shows the soil / flotation chambers 14, the apertures 15, which are typically smaller than the soil / flotation chambers, and the nutrient channels 16 of the TPE layer 2, which is ovoid in shape. The solid lines indicate an opening to the surface, while the dotted lines indicate sub-surface openings. Although not shown in this figure, the nutrient channels may extend to the outside surface of the TPE layer, open to the water.

second embodiment

[0154]FIG. 7 is a top view of the TPE layer of the present invention. This figure shows the soil / flotation chambers 14, the apertures 15, and the nutrient channels 16 of the TPE layer 2, which is irregularly shaped. As in the previous figure, the solid lines indicate an opening to the surface, while the dotted lines indicate sub-surface openings.

[0155]FIG. 8 is an illustration of the mat detail of the present invention. As is shown in this figure, in the preferred embodiment, the mat 1 is made of biodegradable fibers 17 and buoyant fibers 18 and is embedded with seeds 19. During the manufacturing process, the mat is pressed together with a bonding agent or process. In this figure, rollers 20 are shown to depict that process.

[0156]FIG. 9 is an illustration of the edge section detail of the present invention. This figure shows the soil / flotation chambers 14, the apertures 15, and the nutrient channels 16. It also illustrates that the mat 1 can be designed to either assist or resist s...

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Abstract

A super-enhanced aquatic floating island plant habitat that is adjustably buoyant and optionally biodegradable. The first embodiment is comprised of a thermoplastic elastomer, a mat, soil/flotation chambers, apertures, nutrient channels, buoyant waterscape options, and a tethering system. The floating island can include monitors that measure water and atmospheric conditions, dispensers for fish food or chemicals, and a water agitation/oxygenation device. Another embodiment comprises a positively buoyant soil matrix contained within a water-permeable bag. Another embodiment comprises a flotation collar, an outrigger, and one or more water-permeable bladders containing negatively or neutrally buoyant bedding soil. The present invention also covers an aquarium-scale floating island and submersible planter, a plant containment bag made out of thermoplastic elastomer, and several methods of adjusting the buoyancy of a floating island. A method of manufacturing a floating island comprising molded thermoplastic elastomer.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims priority back to U.S. Provisional Application Nos. 60 / 484,411 filed on Jul. 2, 2003, 60 / 512,509 filed on Oct. 18, 2003, and 60 / 572,566 filed on May 19, 2004.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The present invention relates to an adjustably buoyant, optionally biodegradable floating island that can be deployed in ponds, lakes, rivers or any other body of water to monitor, regulate and improve water quality, enhance plant and animal life, and complement the natural surroundings. [0004] 2. Description of the Related Art [0005] In bodies of water such as ponds and lakes, algae growth and the natural process of eutrophication can lead to an increase in land mass and corresponding decrease in water volume, the killing of fish and other organisms, and the diminishment of aesthetic appearance. Various floating mechanisms have been devised with the aim of purifying water, cultivating plants...

Claims

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Application Information

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IPC IPC(8): A01G9/00A01K61/00A01K63/00
CPCA01G9/00A01K61/006C02F2103/007A01K63/006C02F3/327A01K61/007A01K61/60A01K61/70Y02W10/37Y02A40/81
Inventor KANIA, BRUCE G.WISER, LESLIE M.ZIMMERMAN, DAVID L.CUNNINGHAM, ALFREDSTEWART, FRANK M.SMITH, RUSSELL F.COLEMAN, THOMAS N.
Owner FOUNTAINHEAD
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