WO2025038194A1

WO2025038194A1 - Frangible and degradable apparatus for seed protection and seedling growth

Info

Publication number: WO2025038194A1
Application number: PCT/US2024/036653
Authority: WO
Inventors: Robert Eli LOEB
Original assignee: Penn State Research Foundation
Current assignee: Penn State Research Foundation
Priority date: 2023-08-11
Filing date: 2024-07-03
Publication date: 2025-02-20
Anticipated expiration: 2026-02-11

Abstract

A frangible and degradable apparatus for seed protection and seedling growth can include a housing comprised of at least one biodegradable material. The housing can include frangible spaced apart fingers that define slots that are in communication with an inner chamber defined by the fingers. Distal ends of the fingers can define an end aperture in communication with the inner chamber. In some embodiments, one or more offset apertures can also be defined by portions of immediately adjacent fingers. The fingers as well as other portions of the housing can break off from the housing via force provided by the growing stem and root of the seedling that grows from the seed to increase a rate at which the finger and other portions can biodegrade underground. The fingers can also be perforated in some embodiments.

Description

FRANGIBLE AND DEGRADABLE APPARATUS

FOR SEED PROTECTION AND SEEDLING GROWTH

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/518,997, which was filed on August 11, 2023.

FIELD

The present innovation relates to devices and processes for planting seeds for their germination as well as the early growth and development of the seedling that can sprout and grow from the seed.

BACKGROUND

Planting small trees is often performed by disrupting the soil and plant environment with mechanized equipment that digs large holes to place many small trees in the ground. The small trees are grown in a nursery with soil that is unlikely to reflect the planting site which forces the small tree to adapt to the new growing conditions. Alternatively, groups of people break the earth to place bare rooted small trees at a site and these small trees must overcome the dual challenges of lost roots when removed from the nursery and adaptation to a different soil. Examples of other types of planting approaches are disclosed in International Publication Nos. WO2023/099439, W02022/029032, WO 2021/204691, and WO 2015/049410.

SUMMARY

I have determined that techniques conventionally used for planting seedlings fail to reflect the natural process of seed placement in the soil and the root and stem of the young tree developing in the soil of the site. Further, an approach that may rely on placing a seed in the soil of a forest planting site is often ineffectual because small animals in the soil are seed predators that will consume the seed.

I also decided that there can be a problem with devices disclosed in International Publication Nos. WO2023/099439, W02022/029032, WO 2021/204691, and WO 2015/049410. I have decided that these types of devices can girdle a seedling at a critical time in the seedling’s attempt to grow and become established in the soil. Even an apparatus that includes a degradable material is often insufficient because such degradable housings can fail to degrade sufficiently to promote seedling growth. This girdling due to the failure of the protection device to sufficiently degrade can impede a seedling from growing at a critical time in the seedling’s attempt to grow and become established in the soil.

Embodiments of my frangible and degradable apparatus for seed protection and growth and processes for providing frangible and degradable seed protection for seed germination and seedling growth can be provided that can permit improved seed planting success through unimpeded seedling growth for tree planting and the planting of other types of plants (e.g. shrubs, etc.). Embodiments can be provided so that after an apparatus is planted, no post tree establishment removal of the apparatus may be required to facilitate early seedling growth into a tree or other plant. Embodiments can also be adapted so that the seed can be positioned within a housing of a device for temporary protection that can foster seed germination and seedling growth easily so that the entire planting process can be performed relatively quickly and at a relatively low cost compared to planting nursery stock seedlings. Some embodiments of a frangible and degradable apparatus for seed protection and seedling growth can include a housing having a chamber. The housing can include a first portion having a plurality of spaced apart first fingers extending away from an annular proximal end portion to define spaced apart first slots in communication with the chamber. Distal ends of the first fingers can define a first end aperture in communication with the chamber. The first slots can also be in communication with the chamber. A second portion of the housing can have a plurality of spaced apart second fingers extending away from an annular proximal end portion of the second portion to define spaced apart second slots in communication with the chamber.

Distal ends of the second fingers can define a second end aperture in communication with the chamber, the second slots also being in communication with the chamber.

In some embodiments, the annular proximal end portion of the first portion can be releaseably connected to the annular proximal end portion of the second portion. For example, in some embodiments, the annular proximal end portion of the first portion can be releaseably connected to the annular proximal end portion of the second portion via a non-oriented capture mechanism to allow for easier closing after a chamber of one of the portions is filled with soil and seed. For example, the annular proximal end portion of the first portion can have at least one groove and the annular proximal end portion of the second portion can have at least one ridge for interlocking with the at least one groove. Other embodiments may utilize other types of connection mechanisms as an alternative to or in addition to such an overlapping ridge and groove connection mechanism.

In some embodiments, the annular proximal end portion of the first portion can be inwardly positioned adjacent to the annular proximal end portion of the second portion. At least one groove or ridge can extend outwardly from this annular proximal end portion of the first portion for engaging with at least one corresponding ridge or groove defined on an inner side of the annular proximal end portion of the second portion.

As another example, an annular proximal end portion of the first portion can have a plurality of notches positionable within openings defined in the annular proximal end portion of the second portion to facilitate a releasable connection between the first and second portions. As yet another example, the annular proximal end portion of the second portion can have a plurality of notches positionable within openings defined in the annular proximal end portion of the first portion to facilitate a releasable connection between the first and second portions.

The first fingers can be frangible in some embodiments. For example, the first fingers can be frangibly integrated to the annular proximal end portion of the first portion of the housing. The first fingers can include a plurality of perforations (e.g. holes, etc.) in some embodiments.

The second fingers can be frangible in some embodiments. The second fingers can be frangibly integrated to the annular proximal end portion of the second portion of the housing in some embodiments, for example. The second fingers can include a plurality of perforations (e.g. holes, etc.) in some embodiments.

Some embodiments can be configured so the first fingers and the second fingers are frangible. For example, the first fingers can be frangibly integrated to the annular proximal end portion of the first portion of the housing and the second fingers can be frangibly integrated to the annular proximal end portion of the second portion of the housing in some embodiments.

The first and second fingers can each be shaped in different ways to meet a particular set of design objectives. In some embodiments, the first fingers can be triangularly shaped fingers and the first slots are triangularly shaped slots. Also, the second fingers can be triangularly shaped fingers and the second slots can be triangularly shaped slots. In some embodiments, first fingers can also be sized and positioned to define at least one offset aperture in communication with at least one of the first slots and/or the second fingers can be sized and positioned to define at least one offset aperture in communication with at least one of the second slots.

The first and second fingers can have perforations in the fingers. The perforations can be defined holes in the fingers that are in communication with the inner chamber to allow for better capture of liquid through the device when the device is in the ground. The perforations can permit a greater flow of water or other liquid flow from the soil outside of the device into the soil within the device. This can enable greater seed germination and seedling growth by affording more water and other liquids to the seed and seedling within the chamber of the device.

A process for seed protection and seedling growth is also provided. Some embodiments of the process can utilize at least one embodiment of the frangible and degradable apparatus for seed protection and seedling growth.

Some embodiments of the process for seed protection and seedling growth can include filling a first chamber of a first portion of a housing with soil or suitable potting material to support seed growth. The first portion of the housing can have a plurality of spaced apart first fingers extending away from an annular proximal end portion to define spaced apart first slots in communication with the first chamber. Distal ends of the first fingers can define a first end aperture in communication with the first chamber and the first slots can also be in communication with the first chamber. The process can also include positioning a seed within the soil in the first chamber and connecting a second portion of the housing to the first portion of the housing to form the housing. The second portion of the housing can have a plurality of spaced apart second fingers extending away from an annular proximal end portion of the second portion to define spaced apart second slots in communication with a second chamber of the second portion of the housing. Distal ends of the second fingers can define a second end aperture in communication with the second chamber. The second slots can also be in communication with the second chamber. The process can also include positioning the housing in soil at a site to position the housing and the seed underground.

In some embodiments, the first portion of the housing can be comprised of a biodegradable material and the second portion of the housing can also be comprised of the biodegradable material.

The process can also include other steps. For example, the process can include roots and stem growing from the seed within the first chamber extending out of the housing to break one or more first fingers and/or one or more second fingers off from the housing while the housing is underground. As another example, the process can include the roots and stem growing to extend out of the housing to separate the first portion of the housing from the second portion of the housing while the housing is underground.

As another example, the process can include roots and stem growing from the seed within the first chamber extending out of the housing to break one or more first fingers and/or one or more second fingers off from the housing while the housing is underground. The roots and stem can also grow to extend out of the housing to break apart an annular proximal end portion of the first portion of the housing and/or break apart an annular proximal end portion of the second portion of the housing while the housing is underground.

The process can also include forming the first portion of the housing so the first portion is composed of a biodegradable material and forming the second portion of the housing so the second portion is composed of the biodegradable material in some embodiments. In some embodiments, the first end aperture can be circular and the second end aperture can be circular. In some embodiments, there can also be one or more offset apertures defined in one or more sides of the housing. For example, each offset aperture can be defined by sides of two adjacent fingers each having a half of a circular aperture or half of an oval aperture placed at some distance along the length of the fingers adjacent to an end aperture appropriate. The adjacent fingers can have corresponding half circular aperture or half oval apertures and can be sized to define a side offset aperture that is sized to account for the seed germination pattern of the particular tree, shrub, or other plant species of the seed within the chamber of the device. In other embodiments, these end apertures and/or offset apertures can have different types of shapes (e g. oval shapes, hexagonal shapes, etc.).

The first and second portions of the housing can be formed via a polymeric material or other material that can be formed via a molding process or other fabrication process. For instance, some embodiments can be formed via use of additive manufacturing that can afford manufacturing changes to fit a variety of sizes of seeds. For example, embodiments of the first and second portions of the housing can be formed via Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM), Stereolithography, 3D printing, injection molding, or other molding or forming process through use of biodegradable feedstock material.

Other details, objects, and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the following description of certain present preferred embodiments thereof and certain present preferred methods of practicing the same proceeds.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Exemplary embodiments of a frangible and degradable apparatus for seed protection and seedling growth, a process for providing frangible and degradable seed protection for seedling growth, and methods of making and using the same are shown in the accompanying drawings. It should be appreciated that like reference numbers used in the drawings may identify like components.

Figure 1 (which can also be referred to as FIG. 1) is a perspective view of a first exemplary embodiment of the frangible and degradable apparatus for seed protection, seed germination, and seedling growth.

Figure 2 (which can also be referred to as FIG. 2) is an exploded view of the first exemplary embodiment of the frangible and degradable apparatus for seed protection, seed germination, and seedling growth.

Figure 3 (which can also be referred to as FIG. 3) is an end view of the first exemplary embodiment of the frangible and degradable apparatus for seed protection, seed germination, and seedling growth.

Figure 4 (which can also be referred to as FIG. 4) is a perspective view of a second portion of the housing of the first exemplary embodiment of the frangible and degradable apparatus for seed protection, seed germination, and seedling growth.

Figure 5 (which can also be referred to as FIG. 5) is a perspective view of a first portion of the housing of the first exemplary embodiment of the frangible and degradable apparatus for seed protection, seed germination and seedling growth.

Figure 6 (which can also be referred to as FIG. 6) is a flow chart illustrating a first exemplary embodiment of the process for seed protection, seed germination, and seedling growth, which can utilize the first exemplary embodiment of the frangible and degradable apparatus for seed protection, seed germination, and seedling growth, a second exemplary embodiment of the frangible and degradable apparatus for seed protection, seed germination, and seedling growth or other embodiments of the frangible and degradable apparatus for seed protection, seed germination, and seedling growth.

Figure 7 (which can also be referred to as FIG. 7) is a perspective view of a second exemplary embodiment of the frangible and degradable apparatus for seed protection, seed germination, and seedling growth.

Figure 8 (which can also be referred to as FIG. 8) is an exploded view of the second exemplary embodiment of the frangible and degradable apparatus for seed protection, seed germination, and seedling growth.

Figure 9 (which can also be referred to as FIG. 9) is an end view of the second exemplary embodiment of the frangible and degradable apparatus for seed protection, seed germination, and seedling growth.

Figure 10 (which can also be referred to as FIG. 10) is a perspective view of a second portion of the housing of the second exemplary embodiment of the frangible and degradable apparatus for seed protection, seed germination, and seedling growth.

Figure 11 (which can also be referred to as FIG. 11) is a perspective view of a first portion of the housing of the second exemplary embodiment of the frangible and degradable apparatus for seed protection, seed germination and seedling growth.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to Figures 1-11, an embodiment of the frangible and degradable apparatus for seed protection, seed germination, and seedling growth 1 can include a housing 2 that has a first portion l a that is connectable to a second portion lb to form the housing 2 and define a chamber 2c within the housing that is in communication with slots 3s defined between immediately adjacent fingers 3 that extend from a proximal end of each portion to a distal end 3t of each finger 3 to define an end aperture that is in communication with the slots 3 s and chamber 2c of the housing 2. The fingers 3 can be solid or can include perforations (e.g. holes).

The fingers 3 of each portion can be frangibly attached or integrally formed such that each of the fingers 3 is frangible at the proximate end of the housing portion to which it is attached. Each portion of the housing (e.g. first portion la and second portion lb) can be composed of a biodegradable polymeric material and be formed via molding (e.g. injection molding), 3D printing, or other suitable forming mechanism such that the body of each portion is defined to include an annular proximal end portion and fingers 3 that extend away from the annular proximal end portion to their distal ends 3t to define opposite end apertures 9 and slots 3s in communication with the chamber 2c formed when the first and second portions la and lb are connected to each other.

The shape of the housing 2 can be spherical or can have another shape. For example, the shape of the housing 2 can include two joined hemispheres to define a spherical housing or sphere-like housing 2, be elliptical or polygonal in shape, or have another type of shape. In some embodiments, each portion of the housing 2 can include a number of spaced apart fingers 3 (e.g. three fingers, five fingers, eight fingers, etc ). Each finger 3 can be a curved triangular type of element, or other shaped finger element that can extend from an equatorial plane of the portion of that finger to its distal end 3t. Each finger 3 can have openings forming perforations (e.g. holes, etc.) that are in communication with a chamber of the housing 2 in some embodiments. The immediately adjacent fingers 3 can define slots 3s that can have a triangular shape, or other shape. The slots 3 s can be sized to enable water and air diffusion within a chamber 2c of the housing in which a seed can be positioned and the distal ends 3t of the fingers 3 can define a pole of that portion that can have an end aperture 9.

For example, a second portion lb of the housing 2 can have an annular proximal end portion 3m that is integral with a proximal end of each finger 3 that extends away from the proximal end portion 3m of the second portion lb. The distal ends 3t of the fingers 3 of the second portion lb of the housing 2 can define an end aperture 9 that is in communication with slots 3s defined between immediately adjacent fingers 3. A distal end portion of the second portion lb can terminate at this end aperture 9 in some embodiments such that the distal end portion is thinner, or has a smaller diameter, than the width or diameter of the proximate end of the second portion lb that can be defined by the annular proximal end portion 3m of the second portion lb. The fingers 3 can be frangible from the annular proximal end portion 3m so that the fingers 3 can be broken off of the annular proximal end portion 3m in response to a force exerted from within a chamber 2c of the housing (e.g. a force provided by a growing seedling that may be within the chamber 2c of the housing 2). Prior to fracturing, the fingers 3 can be shaped to resiliently bend about the annular proximal end portion 3m outwardly away from the chamber 2c of the housing 2. The slots 7v defined in the annular proximal end portion 3m can enable a fracturing of the annular proximal end potion 3m in response to a force exerted from within the housing (e.g. a force provided by a growing seedling that may be within the chamber 2c of the housing 2).

A first portion la of the housing 2 can also include an annular proximal end portion 3n that is integral with a proximal end of each finger 3 that extends away from the proximal end portion 3n of the first portion lb. The distal ends 3t of the fingers 3 of the first portion la of the housing 2 can define an end aperture 9 that is in communication with slots 3s defined between immediately adjacent fingers 3. The distal end portion of the first portion la can terminate at this end aperture 9 in some embodiments such that the distal end portion is thinner, or has a smaller diameter, than the width or diameter of the proximate end of the second portion la that can be defined by the annular proximal end portion 3n of the first portion la.

The end aperture 9 of the first portion la can be at an opposite end of the housing from the end aperture 9 of the second portion lb of the housing 2 when the first and second portions la and lb are connected to each other to form the housing 2. In some embodiments, each end aperture 9 can be circular or have another shape.

The fingers 3 of the first portion la can be frangible from the annular proximal end portion 3n of the first portion la so that the fingers 3 can be broken off of the annular proximal end portion 3n of the first portion la in response to a force exerted from within a chamber 2c of the housing (e.g. a force provided by a growing seedling that may be within the chamber 2c of the housing 2). Prior to fracturing, the fingers 3 can be shaped to resiliently bend about the annular proximal end portion 3n outwardly away from the chamber 2c of the housing 2. The slots 5v defined in the annular proximal end portion 3n can enable a fracturing of the annular proximal end in response to a force exerted from within the housing (e.g. a force provided by a growing seedling that may be within the chamber 5c of the housing 2).

As may best be appreciated from Figures 2, 4-5, 8, and 10-11, the first portion la and second portion lb can be separate component parts formed via Fused Deposition Modeling, Stereolithography, 3D printing, injection molding, or other molding or forming process. The first portion la can be connected to the second portion lb to form the housing 2 via one or more connection mechanisms defined to non-oriented capture, interlock or mate with each other. The connection mechanism that may be utilized can facilitate releasable connection between the first and second portions la and lb.

For example, the annular proximal end portion 3n of the first portion la can be sized to be recessed relative to the annular proximal end portion 3m of the second portion lb so that groove 5n in the annular proximal end portion 3n of the first portion la can resiliently contain the ridges 7o defined in the annular proximal end portion 3m of the second portion lb of the housing 2. In such a configuration, it should be appreciated that the annular proximal end portion 3m of the second portion lb can have a larger diameter or perimeter than the annular proximal end portion 3n of the first portion la to accommodate the positioning of the ridges 7o to resiliently connect to groove(s) 5n and have the proximal end portion 3n of the first portion la positioned inwardly relative to the more outward annular proximal end portion 3m of the second portion lb.

For instance, in some embodiments, an equatorial plane base of the proximal end portion 3n of the first portion la of the housing can have one or more grooves 5n defined on an outer wall portion that are sized and configured to receive and retain one or more ridges 7o defined on an inner side of the second portion lb of the housing 2. Each of the ridges 7o can be sized and configured to matingly interlock with a respective one of the grooves 5n to provide a nonoriented capture mechanism attachment for connection of the first portion la with the second portion lb to form the housing 2. Alternatively, each of the ridges 7o can be sized and configured to matingly interlock with the same groove 5n to provide a non-oriented capture mechanism attachment for connection of the first portion la with the second portion lb to form the housing 2. The groove(s) 5n can be sized and shaped to seat the ridges 7o to facilitate a manual joining of the first and second portions to form the housing 2.

In some embodiments, the grooves 5n can be shaped and structured to define notches for engagement with the counterpart ridges 7o, for example. The notches 5nt defined by the grooves 5n can be configured to seat distal ends of the ridges 7o thereon for releasable attachment. Engagement between the notches and the ridges 7o can facilitate the releasable attachment of the first and second portions la and lb.

In other embodiments, the annular proximal end portion 3m of the second portion lb of the housing 2 can have ridges or projections that may extend inwardly for insertion into at least one groove defined in a recessed, more inwardly positionable annular proximal end portion 3n of the first portion la. It should also be appreciated that other types of non-oriented capture, interlocking mechanisms or other type of connection mechanisms can be defined for non-oriented capture or interlocking with each other in the proximal end portions of the first and second portions la and lb.

The non-oriented capture, interlocking mechanism, and/or connection mechanism for connection of the first and second portions la and lb can define a releasable connection so that a seedling, as the stem grows from the seed and roots extend from the seed, can push the different portions away from each other and separate the housing 2 so that the first portion la is separated from and spaced apart from the second portion lb. This type of release can facilitate improved seedling growth (e.g. via unimpeded root growth and development) and also help facilitate improved biodegradation of the different housing portions as the seed germinates and seedling grows.

In yet other embodiments, the first portion la can have a plurality of notches 5nt that extend from an outer side of the annular proximal end portion 3n of the first portion la. The second portion lb can have a plurality of openings 7op for engagement with the notches 5nt. For example, each notch 5nt can extend outwardly for engagement within a respective one of the openings 7op (see e.g. Figure 8). Each notch 5nt can extend into a respective opening 7op for connecting the first and second portions 1 a and 1 b together to form the housing 2. The notches 5nt can be resilient such that they can be resiliently passed into the openings 7op for releasable connection therein. Such an embodiment can be configured to provide a snap fit connection, for instance. A force can be exerted to have the notches removed from the openings 7op for releasing the first and second portions la and lb via the resiliency of the notches in some configurations, for example. Such a force can be exerted by roots growing from a seed as the seed within the housing 2 germinates, for example.

Yet other embodiments may utilize other types of connection mechanisms or releasable connection mechanisms for attachment of the first portion la to the second portion lb.

As noted above and may best be seen from Figure 5, the first portion la of the housing 2 can include fingers 3 that extend from the annular proximal end portion 3n of the first portion la. The fingers 3 can be first fingers 5f that extend from a first interface portion 5i of the first portion defined by the annular proximal end portion 3n of the first portion la. The interface end 5i can have slots 5v defined therein to help facilitate use of less material and provide apertures through which roots can grow to facilitate fracture of the housing 2 and/or first fingers 5f. Each of the first fingers 5f can define a first chamber 5c of the first portion la that is in communication with first slots 5s defined between immediately adjacent first fingers 5f. The distal ends 5t of the first fingers can define a first end aperture 11. The first fingers 5f can be frangibly integral with the first interface portion 5i adjacent the frangible first fingers’ proximal ends, which are opposite their distal ends 5t.

As noted above and may best be seen from Figure 4 and Figure 10, the second portion lb can define a second chamber 7c that is in communication with second slots 7s defined between immediately adjacent second fingers 7f that extend away from the annular proximal end portion 3m of the second portion lb. The annular proximal end portion 3m of the second portion can define a second interface portion 7i that is for positioning adjacent to the first interface portion 5i of the first portion 1 a for interconnection of the first and second portions 1 a and lb via the openings 7op and notches 5nt or other interconnection mechanisms as noted above. The second fingers 7f can extend from the second interface portion 7i away from the first portion la of the housing 2 to their distal ends 7t to define a second end aperture 9 in communication with the second chamber 7c and second slots 7s. This second end aperture 9 can be opposite the first end aperture 11 defined by the first fingers 5f. The second fingers 7f can be frangibly integral with the second interface portion 7i adjacent the frangible second fingers’ proximal ends, which are opposite their distal ends 7t as well. The second interface portion 7i can include slots 7v that can permit the second portion lb to be composed of less material and also provide openings through which roots can pass to facilitate the fracturing of the housing 2 to break apart the first portion la from the second portion lb after these portions are connected to each other to form the housing 2 to facilitate growth of the seedling stem and expansion of the roots of the seedling that can grow from the seed within the chamber 2c of the housing 2.

It should be appreciated that when the housing 2 is formed via the first and second portions la and lb being connected to each other, the first chamber 5c and second chamber 7c can define the chamber 2c of the housing 2 that is in communication with the slots 3 s of the fingers 3 and the end apertures 9 on opposite ends of the housing 2. Each finger 3 can be arcuate in shape or have a curved shape or other type of shape to facilitate resiliently bending outwardly from the chamber

2c to accommodate seed growth from within the chamber and break apart from the housing 2 or portion to which that finger 3 is attached. The bending and subsequent fracture can be driven by the stem and roots extending and growing from the seed within the chamber 2c pushing outwardly on the fingers 3 as they pass through slots 3s, end apertures 9 or other openings (e.g. slots 7v and/or 5v) of the housing 2.

Immediately adjacent fingers 3 can also have portions that are sized and shaped to define one or more offset apertures 12 that can be in communication with the slots 3s. For instance, the offset apertures can be defined at a distal portion of a slot 3s for one or more of the defined slots 3s (e.g. there can be a single offset aperture 12, there can be a first offset aperture 12 on a first side of a housing portion and a second offset aperture 12 on a second side of the housing portion opposite this first side, etc.).

For example, immediately adjacent fingers 3 can define a slot 3s between those fingers. The slot 3s can be defined such that a distal portion of the slot adjacent an end aperture 9 is defined at a side of the portion of the housing. Each finger 3 can have a distal portion shaped to help define such an offset aperture 12. For example, each distal portion of a finger can have a curved or crescent shaped portion to face the opposed counterpart finger for defining the offset aperture 12. The offset aperture 12 can be sized and shaped to facilitate the growth and extension of the stem and roots that may extend from a seed within the chamber of the housing as the seed germinates.

In use, a seed can be positioned within the first chamber 5c of the first portion la or the second chamber 7c of the second portion lb and soil can be positioned within that chamber as well. The other portion can subsequently be connected to the portion retaining the seed for forming the housing 2 to enclose the seed within the formed chamber 2c of the housing 2. The seed positioned in the chamber 2c of the housing 2 can be a seed or a seed that has started to germinate, or a young plant that has begun to grow from the seed. The slots 3s can be sized to permit seed growth so that roots of the seed that may form can pass through the slots 3 s while also preventing seed harvesting animals from reaching the seed therein to protect the seed from such animals. For example, the slots 3s can be sized to prevent small rodents from accessing the seed or seedling growing from the seed within the chamber 2c of the housing until the seed stem has grown and roots developed to a sufficient size that would indicate the seedling would not be consumed by such seed harvesting animals. Also, the annular proximal end portions 3n and 3m of the first and second portions la and lb of the housing 2 can be configured with openings (e.g. slots 5v and 7v) to fracture as the seedling grows to accommodate root development and stem growth and promote biodegradability of the housing components (e.g. fingers 3, annular proximal end portions 3n, 3m, etc.).

In fracturing off such elements via seedling stem growth and/or root development, a larger surface area of each fractured element is exposed to an environment for biodegrading, which can increase the rate at which the elements biodegrade. The fracturing of these elements therefore can promote seedling stem growth and root development in addition to promoting efficient biodegrading of the housing 2. The housing 2 can be sized and configured so that such fracturing and biodegradability can be provided without any planter having to revisit the planted seed. After the housing having the seed within the chamber 2c of the housing is planted underground at a suitable depth, the housing 2 and seed therein can be left alone to grow without any further effort by the planter.

Figure 6 illustrates an example of a process for seed protection and growth, which can utilize an embodiment of my apparatus 1. In a first step SI, soil can be placed within a chamber (e.g. first chamber 5c or second chamber 7c) a portion of the housing having frangible fingers 3 extending from its proximate end. Each of the fingers 3 can extend away from the proximate end to define a terminal aperture (e.g. end aperture 9) in communication with the chamber of that portion and slots 3s defined by immediately adjacent fingers 3. In the second step S2, the seed can be placed in the soil in that chamber to a sufficient depth to support germination and growth of a seedling to germinate and grow from the seed. In the third step S3, the chamber can then be enclosed with another portion having frangible fingers 3 extending away from its proximate end such that each of the fingers 3 of that other portion define another terminal end aperture 9 in communication with its chamber and slots 3s defined between immediately adjacent fingers 3. The fingers of the first portion can extend away from the fingers of the second portion so the distal ends of these different sets of fingers are at opposite ends of the formed housing to form opposite end apertures 9 in communication with the chamber 2c of the formed housing 2.

After the housing 2 is formed, filled with soil, and the seed is within the chamber 2c of the housing 2, additional soil can be passed through the slots 3s, offset apertures 12, or end aperture 9 to further fill the chamber 2c with soil as well and planted at the site. For example, if the housing 2 is filled with potting mix at a remote site, then housing 2 can then be transported to a desired site for seed planting at a location in the ground at that site and be subsequently covered so the housing is buried underground for planting of the seed in a fourth step S4.

For instance, the seed within the housing 2 can be planted so that the housing 2 is underground and the seed within the housing 2 is underground. The depth of the housing 2 can be selected based on the seed species to be grown to facilitate growth of the seed. As the seed germinates and the seedling grows underground at the site of planting, the frangible fingers 3 can break off to accommodate seedling growth (e g. sprouting of stem and root development) and increase the rate at which the fingers 3 biodegrade. The fracture of the fingers 3 can be caused by roots of the seedling growing from the seed passing through the slots 3 s or other openings or apertures of the housing (e.g. slots 5v, 7v, end apertures 9, offset apertures 12, etc.) and exerting a force that pushes from within the chamber 2c to push the fingers outwardly away from the chamber 2c to subsequently fracture and break away from the housing 2 or portion of the housing to which the finger is attached or integrated.

For example, the first fingers 5f can be sized and positioned to define at least one offset aperture 12 in communication with at least one of the first slots 5s and/or the second fingers 7f are sized and positioned to define at least one offset aperture 12 in communication with at least one of the second slots 7s. The stem and/or roots of the seedling can extend through these offset apertures 12 as well as other slots 3 s to exert a force that pushes from within the chamber 2c to push the fingers outwardly away from the chamber 2c to subsequently fracture and break away from the housing 2 or portion of the housing to which the finger is attached or integrated.

Also, the annular proximal end portions 3n and 3m of the housing 2 can be configured with slots (5v and 7v) to fracture as the seedling grows to accommodate root development and stem growth and promote biodegradability of the housing components (e.g. fingers 3, annular proximal end portions 3n, 3m, etc.). As noted above, the fracturing of the fingers 3 and annular proximal end portions 3n and 3m, can help promote seed germination and seedling growth into a plant by encouraging root development and stem growth and also promote biodegrading of the fingers and annular proximal end portions by increasing the rate at which the fractured fingers and annular proximal end portions can biodegrade as a larger surface area of the fractured fingers and annular proximal end portions can be exposed to environment that degrades the material of the fingers 3 and annular proximal end portions 3n and 3m.

The fingers 3 and annular proximal end portions 3n and 3m can be structured to define relatively thin walls that can enable the entire housing 2 to break apart in response to the growing shoot and root from the seed within the chamber 2c and simultaneously the fingers 3 and annular proximal end portions 3n and 3m can be sufficiently thick to exclude seed predators in the soil. The entire housing (e.g. entirety of the first portion la and second portion lb) can be composed of a biodegradable material so that broken up housing 2 that occurs due to the growing of the seed within the chamber 2c can disintegrate into the soil. Examples of the biodegradable material can include, for example, polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) (e.g. poly-3 -hydroxybutyrate (PHB), polyhydroxyvalerate (PHV) and polyhydroxyhexanoate (PHH), etc.), Polylactic acid (PLA), starch blends, cellulose-based polymeric material, ligin-based polymer material, or other type of biodegradable material. The biodegradable material can also incorporate essential plant nutrients, (e.g. macronutrients: nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), sulfur (S), magnesium (Mg) as well as micronutrients: iron (Fe), boron (B), chlorine (Cl), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), molybdenum (Mo), nickel (Ni) as well as biochar material incorporating essential plant nutrients, animal repellents, fungicide, and other chemicals that support the seed germination, and seedling growth and establishment. Alternatively (or additionally), the entire housing 2 could be coated with essential plant nutrients and/or biochar as well as animal repellents, fungicide, and other chemicals that support the seed germination, and seedling growth and establishment.

Some embodiments of the housing may not be adaptable to mechanized seed planting equipment because of the thin fingers 3 and releasable connection mechanism between the first and second portions la and lb. Other embodiments may be configured to facilitate use with such equipment, however.

Embodiments of the formed housing 2 can permit seed planting to occur without requiring or needing experience in transplanting trees and without extensive environmental disruption by the planting process. The housing’s ability to retain a seed placed in the soil can allow embodiments to be scalable for a full gradient of small to large seeds. Embodiments of the apparatus 1 can be used with a wide variety of species from small herbaceous plants to the largest tree species and anyone from a home gardener to a seasoned professional can use an embodiment of the apparatus to plant in any of a number of different landscape designs or natural ecosystems.

It should be appreciated that the exemplary embodiments discussed herein can be adjusted to account for a particular set of design criteria. For example, the size of the chambers of the different housing portions (or chamber of the entire housing), size or shape of the fingers or slots 3s defined between immediately adjacent fingers 3, and size of end apertures 9 defined by the distal ends of the fingers 3, and/or size of offset apertures 12 can be sized and shaped to account for a particular set of design criteria. As another example, the type of biodegradable material used to form the housing elements (e g. housing 2, fingers 3, etc.) can be any suitable type of biodegradable material that can meet a pre-selected set of design criteria. Thus, while certain present preferred embodiments of the process and apparatus, and embodiments of methods for making and using the same have been shown and described above, it is to be distinctly understood that the invention is not limited thereto but may be otherwise variously embodied and practiced within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A frangible and degradable apparatus for seed protection and seedling growth comprising: a housing having a chamber, the housing including: a first portion having a plurality of spaced apart first fingers extending away from an annular proximal end portion of the first portion to define spaced apart first slots in communication with the chamber, distal ends of the first fingers defining a first end aperture in communication with the chamber, the first slots also being in communication with the chamber; and a second portion having a plurality of spaced apart second fingers extending away from an annular proximal end portion of the second portion to define spaced apart second slots in communication with the chamber, distal ends of the second fingers defining a second end aperture in communication with the chamber, the second slots also being in communication with the chamber.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the annular proximal end portion of the first portion is releaseably connected to the annular proximal end portion of the second portion.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein: the annular proximal end portion of the first portion has at least one groove positionable with ridges defined in the annular proximal end portion of the second portion; the annular proximal end portion of the second portion has at least one groove positionable with ridges defined in the annular proximal end portion of the first portion; the annular proximal end portion of the first portion has a plurality of notches positionable within openings defined in the annular proximal end portion of the second portion; or the annular proximal end portion of the second portion has a plurality of notches positionable within openings defined in the annular proximal end portion of the first portion.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the annular proximal end portion of the first portion is inwardly positioned adjacent to the annular proximal end portion of the second portion.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first fingers are frangibly integrated to the annular proximal end portion of the first portion.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the second fingers are frangibly integrated to the annular proximal end portion of the second portion.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the first fingers are triangularly shaped fingers and the first slots are triangularly shaped slots

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the second fingers are triangularly shaped fingers and the second slots are triangularly shaped slots.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first fingers are perforated and/or the second fingers are perforated.

10. A process for seed protection and seedling growth, comprising: filling a first chamber of a first portion of a housing with soil or suitable potting material to support seed growth, the first portion of the housing having a plurality of spaced apart first fingers extending away from an annular proximal end portion to define spaced apart first slots in communication with the first chamber, distal ends of the first fingers defining a first end aperture in communication with the first chamber, the first slots also being in communication with the first chamber; positioning a seed within the soil in the first chamber; connecting a second portion of the housing to the first portion of the housing to form the housing, the second portion of the housing having a plurality of spaced apart second fingers extending away from an annular proximal end portion of the second portion to define spaced apart second slots in communication with a second chamber of the second portion, distal ends of the second fingers defining a second end aperture in communication with the second chamber, the second slots also being in communication with the second chamber; and positioning the housing in soil at a site to position the housing and the seed underground.

11. The process of claim 10, wherein the first portion of the housing is comprised of a biodegradable material and a second portion of the housing is comprised of the biodegradable material.

12. The process of claim 11, comprising: roots and stem growing from the seed within the first chamber extending out of the housing to break one or more first fingers and/or one or more second fingers off from the housing while the housing is underground.

13. The process of claim 12, comprising: the roots and stem growing to extend out of the housing to separate the first portion of the housing from the second portion of the housing while the housing is underground.

14. The process of claim 13 wherein the first portion of the housing is formed via Fused Deposition Modelling, formed via Stereolithography, injection molded or 3D printed and formed with the biodegradable material and the second portion of the housing is formed via Fused Deposition Modelling, formed via Stereolithography, injection molded or 3D printed and formed with the biodegradable material.

15. The process of claim 10, comprising: forming the first portion of the housing so the first portion is composed of a biodegradable material and forming the second portion of the housing so the second portion is composed of the biodegradable material.

16. The process of claim 1 , wherein the first fingers are triangularly shaped and the second fingers are triangularly shaped, the first slots are triangularly shaped and the second slots are triangularly shaped, and the first end aperture is circular and the second end aperture is circular.

17. The process of claim 10, comprising: roots and stem growing from the seed within the first chamber extending out of the housing to break one or more first fingers and/or one or more second fingers off from the housing while the housing is underground; and the roots and stem growing to extend out of the housing to break apart an annular proximal end portion of the first portion of the housing and/or break apart an annular proximal end portion of the second portion of the housing while the housing is underground.

18. The process of claim 10, wherein: the annular proximal end portion of the first portion has a groove positionable with ridges defined in the annular proximal end portion of the second portion; or the annular proximal end portion of the second portion has a groove positionable with ridges defined in the annular proximal end portion of the first portion.

19. A frangible and degradable apparatus for seed protection and seedling growth comprising: a housing having a chamber, the housing including: a first portion having a plurality of spaced apart first fingers extending away from an annular proximal end portion of the first portion to define spaced apart first slots in communication with the chamber, distal ends of the first fingers defining a first end aperture in communication with the chamber, the first slots also being in communication with the chamber; and a second portion having a plurality of spaced apart second fingers extending away from an annular proximal end portion of the second portion to define spaced apart second slots in communication with the chamber, distal ends of the second fingers defining a second end aperture in communication with the chamber, the second slots also being in communication with the chamber; wherein the annular proximal end portion of the first portion is releaseably connected to the annular proximal end portion of the second portion; wherein the first fingers are frangibly integrated to the annular proximal end portion of the first portion and the second fingers are frangibly integrated to the annular proximal end portion of the second portion; and wherein the first portion of the housing is comprised of a biodegradable material and the second portion of the housing is comprised of a biodegradable material.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein: the annular proximal end portion of the first portion has a groove positionable with ridges defined in the annular proximal end portion of the second portion; the annular proximal end portion of the second portion has a groove positionable with ridges defined in the annular proximal end portion of the first portion; the annular proximal end portion of the first portion of the housing has a plurality of notches positionable within openings defined in the annular proximal end portion of the second portion; or the annular proximal end portion of the second portion has a plurality of notches positionable within openings defined in the annular proximal end portion of the first portion.

21 . The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the annular proximal end portion of the first portion is inwardly positioned adjacent to the annular proximal end portion of the second portion.

22. The apparatus of claim 19 or claim 20, wherein the first fingers are triangularly shaped fingers and the first slots are triangularly shaped slots and/or the second fingers are triangularly shaped fingers and the second slots are triangularly shaped slots.

23. The apparatus of claim 19, claim 20, claim 21, or claim 22, wherein the first end aperture is circular and/or the second end aperture is circular.

24. The apparatus of claim 19, claim 20, claim 21, claim 22, or claim 23, wherein the first fingers are perforated and the second fingers are perforated.

25. The apparatus of claim 19, claim 20, claim 21, claim 22, claim 23, or claim 24, wherein the first fingers are sized, shaped and positioned to define at least one offset aperture in communication with at least one of the first slots and/or the second fingers are sized, shaped, and positioned to define at least one offset aperture in communication with at least one of the second slots.