Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CARBON DIOXIDE SUPPLEMENTATION PRODUCT WITH DELAYED
ACTIVATION CONTROL
FIELD OF INVENTION
100061 This invention relates to the cultivation of mycelium under artificial,
sterile conditions to
create a consumer product which permits targeted, non-electrical
supplementation of carbon
dioxide to indoor gardening environments, and more particularly to a consumer
product resulting
from human intervention and accessories to extend the viability of products
dependent upon
organisms thereby enhancing long-term shelving, shipping, and storage options.
BACKGROUND
[0007] In indoor growing environments, adequate levels of light, water, and
nutrients must be
artificially supplied for good plant growth. Carbon dioxide (CO2) is one of
these nutrients. Even
though CO, is one of the most abundant gases in the atmosphere, the focused
delivery of carbon
dioxide to indoor growing environments is a consistent struggle for growers as
plants are
constantly depleting the supply restricted by the enclosure.
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[0008] The percentage of CO, in the air without any enrichment is defined in
terms of ambient
carbon dioxide levels. Ambient CO, levels typically hover around 400 parts per
million (ppm)
or 775 mg/in'. Indoor plants can quickly convert this CO, through
photosynthesis and deplete
available CO,. When CO, levels fall to around 150 ppm or 291 mg/m3, the rate
of plant growth
quickly declines. Enriching the air in the indoor growing area to around 1200
¨ 1500 ppm or
2325 ¨ 2907 mg/m3 can have a dramatic, positive effect on plant growth. In
such conditions,
growth rates typically increase by up to thirty percent (30%). Stems and
branches grow faster,
and the cells of those areas are more densely packed. Stems can carry more
weight without
bending or breaking. CO, enriched plants have more flowering sites due to the
increased
branching effect.
[0009] The importance of CO, enrichment to enhance plant growth is even
greater when other
important natural resources are present in only suboptimal quantities. When
other nutrients are
in such short supply, plants cannot survive under ambient CO, concentrations.
Elevated levels of
CO, often enable such vegetation to grow and successfully reproduce where they
would
otherwise die. One of the reasons that plants are able to respond to indoor
CO, enrichment in the
face of significant shortages of light, water, and nutrients is that CO,
enriched plants generally
have more extensive and active root systems, which allows them to more
thoroughly explore
larger volumes of soil in search of the nutrients they need.
[0010] Carbon dioxide enrichment also affects the way a plant can tolerate
high temperatures.
At the highest air temperatures encountered by plants, CO, enrichment has been
demonstrated to
be even more valuable. It can often mean the difference between a plant living
and dying, as
enhancement typically enables plants to maintain positive carbon exchange
rates in situations
where plants growing under ambient CO, levels and environments with nominal
CO, levels
exhibit negative rates that ultimately lead to their demise.
[0011] Under normal growing conditions, water rises from the plant roots and
is released by the
stomata during transpiration. CO, enrichment affects transpiration by causing
the stomata to
partially close. This slows down the loss of water vapor into the air. Foliage
on CO, enriched
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plants is much thicker and slower to wilt than foliage on plants grown without
CO2 enrichment.
[0012] CO2 plays an important part in other vital plant and animal processes,
such as
photosynthesis and respiration. Photosynthesis is the process by which plants
make
carbohydrates. During photosynthesis the chlorophyll in the chloroplasts of
green plants convert
sunlight, CO2 and water into food compounds, such as glucose and
carbohydrates, and oxygen
(02). This process, also called carbon assimilation, has the following
chemical reaction:
6 CO, +6 H20 C6 H12 06 + 6 02.
Plants growing indoors under artificial light often lack enough CO, to
efficiently
photosynthesize. Plants can quickly use up the available CO, and convert it to
02, a waste by-
product of photosynthesis. When plants are able to access needed CO2, the
result is larger plants
with larger yields.
[0013] Because plants are shown to thrive when enriched with CO, and because
plants growing
indoors under artificial light often lack enough CO2, the use of products to
supplement CO2 have
become prevalent. While CO2 enrichment for indoor gardening is nothing new,
growers have
recently been looking for new, lower cost alternatives to expensive propane
burners and CO2
bottle systems. With fuel costs continuing to rise, propane use for CO, will
soon be obsolete.
And while indoor gardening is not new, a growing trend of "be your own farmer"
has caused the
industry to explode.
[0014] Growers have attempted to boost CO2 available to indoor growing
environments from
many varied sources. In the past, carbon dioxide has been supplied to indoor
production
facilities, indoor growing environments, or greenhouses by using specialized
CO2 generators to
burn carbon-based fuels such as natural gas, propane, and kerosene, or
directly piping it from
tanks of pure CO,. These sources have had disadvantages including: high costs
of production,
increased temperature or moisture in localized areas and to particular plants,
disease or
contamination as may occur from incomplete combustion or the presence of
foreign chemicals or
by-products. Due to these and other disadvantages, prior inventions have
proposed that fossil
fuels should no longer be used for indoor gardening.
[0015] Even with the goal to cease use of fossil fuels, problems persist with
CO2 production
methods currently in use. Of course, utilizing fossil fuels is a wasteful
process when producing
CO,. But with the increasing focus on becoming more "green" and decreasing
costs, the
continuous use of electricity must be avoided. Use and reuse must be
prioritized. Initial set-up
and maintenance costs must be reduced. Prior inventions have mandated the use
of an electrical
mechanism or an electrically activated pump or fan to move the CO2. The
ongoing use of
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electricity and permanent parts such as pumps do not sufficiently decrease the
cost of operation
for the CO, production systems. Such systems also need refills and do not
provide a recyclable
source of CO,. Because those CO, production methods require the use of
continuous electricity,
they are not environmentally friendly. Furthermore, increased energy prices
make all of these
prior CO, production systems undesirable. A need exists for a method of
boosting CO,
production in indoor growing spaces without requiring additional, artificial
energy inputs.
[0016] The trend toward smaller, indoor growing spaces creates demand for low-
cost,
environmentally friendly products. Small, penny-wise operations, similar to
larger operations,
are looking to save money and avoid spending thousands of dollars to be able
to supply their
grow space with CO,. With these small operations in mind, some alternatives
have been
developed, including inventions which have sought to supplement CO, through
the use of
compost, yeast, dry ice, pads, or buckets. While trying to utilize natural
processes, these
inventions have failed to sufficiently supply CO, and meet other demands of
indoor growing
environments.
100171 First, the utilization of compost for CO, has been used for years but
with some
drawbacks. The composting of organic matter results in bacteria breaking down
the organic
matter and as a result, one of the by-products is CO,. Many large scale
greenhouses have used
composting rooms adjacent to the growing greenhouse to provide CO, for their
crop. CO, is
pumped from one room into the other byway of circulation fans. Besides
requiring large
amounts of space and energy for circulation fans, composting so close to
growing areas can
attract insects that could potentially damage valuable crops.
[0018] Next, the process of mixing sugars, water, and yeast has been used to
produce CO,. The
yeast eats the sugar and releases carbon dioxide and alcohol as by-products.
The process
requires precise control of water temperature. Water too hot will kill the
yeast and if the water is
too cold, the yeast will not activate. While the use of yeast to supplement
CO, is somewhat
simple and inexpensive, it does have some drawbacks. It also requires a lot of
space, presents an
odor problem, and requires repeated, time consuming re-mixing every 4-5 days.
[0019] Dry ice is a solid or frozen form of carbon dioxide and it releases CO,
when exposed to
the atmosphere. As it melts it is converted from a solid to a gas. Dry ice has
no liquid stage,
which makes it easy to work with and requires little clean-up. However, dry
ice can be
expensive for long-term use and it is difficult to store because it is
constantly melting away.
Using insulated containers can slow the melting process, but it cannot be
stopped.
[0020] CO, pads were developed from products used in the food storage
industry, primarily the
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pads used for fresh food storage. The presence of CO2 helps prevent decay, so
these pads are
used to increase the shelf life of meat, fish, and poultry. CO, is produced by
the pads using
sodium bicarbonate and citric acid, also known as baking soda and vinegar. For
activation, the
CO2 pads must be wet and since they dry out quickly, water or moisture must be
reapplied every
few days. It is suggested to replace them every two weeks. The use of pads
requires continued
attention to ensure the pads do not dry out and the area they can impact is
limited. They also
require harmful waste to be deposited into the environment.
[0021] Additional products also utilize other naturally occurring biological
processes such as
respiration to supplement CO, to plants. As has been understood for years,
organisms
breakdown carbons and digest organic materials resulting in the production of
CO2. Those
organisms includes bacteria, fungi, and all animals. Humans, animals and
fungi, in turn, convert
food compounds by combining food with oxygen to release carbon dioxide as well
as energy for
growth and other life activities. This respiration process, the reverse of
photosynthesis, has the
following chemical reaction:
C6F1,206 + 6 0, ¨) 6 CO, + 6 H2O.
[0022] Fungi, commonly known as mushrooms, and their saprobe relatives perform
a vital
function in the availability of carbon dioxide and other elements through
these processes. As is
evident in each reaction, plants and animals use carbon in their respective
life and energy cycles.
Plants develop through photosynthesis, a process wherein plants use energy
from the sun and
carbon dioxide to produce carbohydrates, especially cellulose. Animals consume
carbohydrates.
The waste and non-living organic bodies resulting from these processes are
decomposed by the
fungi saprobes. These saprobes get energy and nourishment by biochemical
decomposition
processes, digesting dead or decaying organic matter in the soil. The fungi
excrete digestive
enzymes and other chemicals directly onto a food source, which induces the
matter to break
down for consumption by the organism. The fungi then absorb the consumable
products. Some
fungi utilize aerobic respiration, which as shown above, is the breakdown of
carbohydrates with
oxygen into carbon dioxide and water. Others use various anaerobic processes
that do not
require oxygen, but these processes produce much less energy. Actually, most
fungi are capable
of doing either, depending on the soil conditions.
[0023] The first products which sought to use biological processes of fungi to
artificially
enhance CO, to indoor growers were buckets. The buckets offered a non-sterile,
mushroom-based CO2 system that utilized technology from the Agaricus or button
mushroom
industry. The bucket required electricity and a pump to distribute CO2 due to
the substrate's less
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aggressive production of CO,. Short life span and expensive re-fills made this
choice
undesirable and buckets are nearly extinct in the CO2 supplementation market.
The disposal of
these heavy-duty, plastic buckets is creating a further impact on the
environment.
[0024] Since the present inventors' products have arrived on the market, other
vendors have
sought out means to create their own mushroom CO2 bags. Mushroom CO2 bags
appear similar
to the present invention but have many, and critical shortcomings which make
them substantially
less effective, if not inoperative. Some competing mushroom bags tout that
they can be partially
opened in order to take advantage of an added ability to grow mushrooms right
from the bag.
This proposed functionality adds unwanted risk for contamination of an indoor
garden
environment. Opening the bag to allow the mushrooms to grow also compromises
the
environment inside the bag. Yet, if these bags are allowed to remain closed,
mushroom fruiting
bodies will form inside, and when not removed those fruiting bodies can create
an unsightly
mess and the potential for reduced garden health. These shortcomings are
further exasperated by
the fact that these knock-off CO, mushroom bags can supply CO2 supplementation
for only 2 ¨ 3
months.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0025] The present inventors have developed unique products to harness and
selectively supply
supplemental CO2 in indoor growing environments. This mycelium-based, carbon
dioxide
supplementation consumer product is provided with delayed activation control
in the form of an
external separation seam. The product comprises a bag having a top-seal and a
bottom-seal and
a micro-porous air exchange portal, a mycelial mass according to the present
invention, at least
one chamber zone, and an external sealing mechanism. The chamber zones may be
empty or
filled and thus be viewed as being only one chamber or two. In the preferred
embodiment, the
lower chamber zone begins at the bottom of the bag which has been previously
sealed. The
lower chamber zone ends at the bottom of the temporary seal which has been
created with the
introduction of an external sealing mechanism applied to the exterior of the
bag. The lower
chamber zone is filled with a mycelial mass prepared according to the present
invention. The
upper chamber zone begins at the top of the temporary seal created by the
external sealing
mechanism and incorporates the micro-porous air-exchange portal. The upper
chamber zone
ends at the top seal of the bag which is created according to the procedure of
the present
inventors' methodology.
[0026] While any sealing apparatus meeting the stated objectives is intended,
the preferred seal
is tight, flat, and elongated with abutting surfaces achieving a seal by the
external seam which
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does not puncture or compromise the integrity of the container. In the
preferred embodiment, the
external sealing mechanism creates a nearly air-tight seal separating the
mycelial mass from the
air exchange portal. The clamping action of the external sealing mechanism
segregates the
interior chambers of the bag through only exterior action thereby creating an
air-restriction to the
zone containing the mycelial mass within the confines of the bag. This
clamping mechanism
may be accomplished by any apparatus which will provide a substantially air-
tight seal and
which may be removed only when the user desires for the product to begin to
supplement CO, to
an indoor growing environment. The external sealing mechanism serves to allow
the producer,
retailer, and consumer to delay the supplementation of CO2 until the product
is placed in the
indoor growing environment where enhancement of CO, is desired.
[0027] The present inventors' methodology can be appreciated from the
following disclosure.
By artificial intervention, the inventor creates an ideal growing environment
for a carbon dioxide
producing saprobe or fungi, and provides a consumer product with a non-
electrical, filtered,
CO2-transferring interface between the fungi growing environment and an indoor
plant growing
environment. The first step entails testing, identifying, and isolating the
best mycelial strain for
the objectives of the present invention. Important organism characteristics to
consider include
speed of colonization, strength of mycelial threads, and the inability to
fruit. Having tested the
amount of CO2 produced by each strain and after a long and vigorous process,
one specialized
strain of Turkey tail (Trametes versicolor) was selected for the preferred
embodiment. It is a
mycelial strain that produces little or no primordi a but has more vigor and
therefore produces
more CO2 for a longer period of time. Through a process of tissue transfers
from petri plate to
petri plate, the inventors sub-cultured this strain a number of times. With a
trained eye, colonies
with desirable characteristics were selected. The threads of mycelium having
those
characteristics were selectively transferred into a new plate, thereby
insuring that optimal
characteristic were preserved and encouraged in successive generations. The
perfected strain is
the source of the pure fungi strain of the present invention. It is
cryogenically stored in a number
of strain vaults at various locations until it is need to culture petri plates
to begin the
manufacturing process.
[0028] According to standard laboratory protocols and procedures, when working
with mycelial
cultures technicians must ensure a continually, strict, sterile environment.
The mycelial cultures
are grown out on a petri plate; the preferred medium substrate is potato
dextrose agar. The
mycelium is allowed to colonize the plate after the nutritious substrate is
sterilized by autoclaved
at two-hundred, fifty degrees Fahrenheit (250 F), or 121 degrees Celcius
(herein C), for one
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hour and then cooled. The culture is moved to another nutritious substrate,
containing nutrients
such as cereal grains, where the mycelial spawn can proliferate. The mycelium
is allowed to
completely populate the substrate before it is moved again.
[0029] The final substrate for the purpose of CO, production inside the end-
consumer product is
prepared according to specifically developed techniques which optimize the
carbon/nitrogen
(C/N) ratio. Most mushroom producers pay little attention to what may be the
single most
important factor for a good substrate. The optimal substrate is fortified with
more nutrients than
normal mushroom substrates which allows for more CO, production over a longer
period of
time. The substrate is blended and water is added to achieve a moisture
content of around sixty-
five percent (65%). The blended substrate and water is placed into a heat
tolerant bag containing
a micro-porous breather patch that will allow the bag to breathe after it is
inoculated, sealed, and
activated by the end user. Each bag, containing the hydrated substrate, is
autoclaved to sterilize
the container of substrate. Typical autoclaving parameters are 10 hours at 15
pounds per square
inch (PSI) (1.0549 kg/cm) or 250 F (121 C). Once sterilized, each bag is
allowed to cool in a
High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filtered environment to further ensure
and maintain
sterility. Each bag is properly cooled to about 75 degrees Fahrenheit (23.9 C)
and then
inoculated with the nutrient substrate populated with mycelia spawn. After a
resting period, the
bag is permanently sealed such as by use of a high-heat, continuous belt
sealer. The bags are
pressure tested to insure a good seal and then allowed to incubate while the
mycelium recovers
from the transfer. Either immediately, or after a short period of time such as
one to three days
after inoculation, mycelial growth is evident and it is time to apply the
external clamp and label.
Each bag receives a replace-by date and is packed and ready to ship. Ideally,
bags are made to
order and ship within one (1) week of inoculation occurring according to the
preferred
embodiment.
[0030] The finished product is shipped directly to a number of stores as well
as to a number of
distributors. Within the next few weeks, the color of the bag contents changes
from the brown
color of the substrate to the whitish color of the mycelium. The white color,
which appears only
when prepared according to these proprietary specifications, indicates optimum
CO2 production
has commenced and the bag is ready to be utilized by the end user. With the
external clamp
applied according to the preferred embodiment, the substrate and mycelium
mixture will turn
white between about 90 ¨ 120 days. If no clamp had been applied, the bag
contents would turn
white within approximately 30 days.
[0031] In summary and according to the specifications herein the process of
preparing the
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present invention comprises the following steps:
= growing a pure fungi strain in a petri plate from a tissue culture
previously purified and
stored;
= proliferating a pure spawn colony from the petri plate strain by
combining the spawn
colony with previously sterilized water and nutrient additives prepared and
sterilized in a
sterile vessel and incubating the combination of the spawn colony, the
nutrient additives,
and the water in the sterile vessel;
= placing a blend of a cellulose-based substrate, such as but not limited
to sawdust, nutrient
additives, and water in a container with at least one CO, portal or vent,
preferably a
polypropylene bag with at least one vent, and autoclaving the bag and the
substrate;
= removing the combination of the spawn colony under strict sterile
conditions from the
sterile vessel and forming a mycelial mass by mixing the combination of the
spawn
colony with the cellulose-based substrate in the container once it has cooled
after
autoclaving;
= sealing the opening of the bag containing the mycelial mass such as by a
heat seal;
= incubating the mycelial mass mixture in the bag for a period of time,
typically less than
72 hours;
= securing an external sealing mechanism to the bag above the mycelial mass
and below
the vent;
= transferring the sealed bag to a point of purchase by an end consumer, a
store, or a
distributor.
The end consumer will activate the CO, supplementation by removing the
external seal and
placing the bag in an indoor gardening environment, preferably at a height
above the level of the
plants. The increased CO, supplementation enhances plant growth in the indoor
growing
environment.
[0032] The process of making the invention utilizes laboratory skills and a
pure mycelium strain
cultured under sterile conditions and cultivated in sterilized media. This
invention is designed to
produce CO, for use in an indoor gardening or a greenhouse operation. It is
non-electrical with
no moving parts or components other than the external seal which in the
preferred embodiment is
moved to the top of the bag and used as a hanging apparatus. It has been known
that CO, is
beneficial for plant growth and with added CO, plants will grow to be larger,
more robust and
have increased yields. As described, most prior CO, production systems were
based on the
burning of fossil fuels. This is not only a wasteful process, but it is
unnecessary. The use of the
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mycelial mass of the present invention to produce CO, is an improvement over
existing methods.
Some systems utilize fungi as part of their production process but also
require electrical
components as well. The ongoing use of electricity is also a wasteful process
and is
unnecessary. The present invention combines ideal components to provide an
optimal solution.
The mycelial mass prepared and spawned from the preferred strain of mycelium
will produce
CO, for at least 6 months after clamp removal without any undesirable effects.
A one-time cost
is incurred at start-up. There is no need for refills or adjustments. After 6
months the container
can be recycled as plastic and the mycelial mass can either be mixed into a
compost pile or
spread out as a soil amendment.
[0033] In the an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the first
chamber, called the
activator zone comprises an active or biological compound while the second
chamber, called the
receptor zone, comprises a non-active or non-biologically active substance.
More specifically,
and in the present embodiment, by way of example and not necessarily by way of
limitation, for
purposes of fungal and natural CO, products, the two distinct zones are: 1)
sterilized
un-inoculated growing media zone; and 2) sterilized inoculated spawn of one or
more
biologically active organisms. The zones are separated by the separation seam
such that it will
not allow for mycelial transfer between the two distinct zones.
[0034] Prior inventions have fallen short in the proper execution of a product
which will harness
and selectively supply supplemental CO, to an indoor growing environment. This
invention will
satisfy the need in the industry to provide a reliable CO, supplement for
indoor growing
environments with an end-user activation aspect permitting an extended shelf
life for the
consumer goods. The careful preparation according to preferred methods and
with proper
sterilization techniques prevents unsightly and foul smelling infestation by
bacteria or rotting
mushroom caps. The present invention provides CO, generating products that
have been
extremely successful in the marketplace under the ExHale0 brand. The ExHale0
brand CO,
bags satisfy the need for a less expensive, easier, safer and more harmonious
way for farmers to
provide plants with enhanced CO,. The ExHale brand CO, bags supplement CO, 24
hours per
day with no need to refill bottles or use expensive CO, production units. The
use of a unique
strain of mycelium with the proprietary substrate prepared according to
precise laboratory
techniques optimizes CO, production. The CO2 enhancements are released through
a
micro-porous breather patch filter. Depending on the size of ExHale0 bag
selected, the product
may be stored for 90 ¨ 120 days prior to the removal of the external clamp and
will provide
reliable production of CO, for a minimum of six (6) months. In order to
maintain viability of the
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mycelium organisms, the present invention demonstrates that it is preferred to
inoculate and
incubate the mycelium within the desired substrate and then cut off the oxygen
supply to the
thriving organisms so that they can survive the suffocation caused by the
sealing of the mycelial
mass away from the oxygen source of the vent. Other competing products have
unsuccessfully
attempted to store mycelium at room temperature and away from a food source.
The present
invention successfully controls the artificial environment of a human-isolated
mycelium strain in
order to properly prepare the mycelium to produce the highest levels of CO,
possible and yet
provides for the planned intervention to inhibit or delay the respiration of
the mycelium, and
therefore the by-product of CO,. The artificial inhibition of the respiration
of the prepared
mycelium is purposefully ended by the consumer of the product when she removes
the external
seal. The many instances of specific human intervention and additional
ingenuity supplied by
the inventors succeed in manipulating a seemly natural process and creating a
controlled,
inventive product that can enhance growing environments.
[0035] The foregoing has outlined, in general, the physical aspects of the
invention and is to
serve as an aid to better understanding the more complete detailed description
which is to follow.
In reference to such, there is to be a clear understanding that the present
invention is not limited
to the method or detail of construction, fabrication, material, or application
of use described and
illustrated herein. Any other variation of fabrication, use, or application
should be considered
apparent as an alternative embodiment of the present invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0036] The following drawings further describe by illustration, the advantages
and objects of the
present invention. Each drawing is referenced by corresponding figure
reference characters
within the "DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION" section to follow.
[0037] Figure 1 is a front elevation view of a preferred embodiment of the
present invention.
[0038] Figure 2 is a side elevation view of a preferred embodiment of the
present invention.
[0039] Figure 3 is a perspective view of a second embodiment according to the
present
invention, showing an opaque bag variation.
[0040] Figure 4 is a perspective view of the second embodiment according to
the present
invention, showing a transparent bag variation.
[0041] Figure 5 is a front elevation view of the second embodiment according
to the present
invention, showing a transparent bag variation.
[0042] Figure 6 is a side elevation view of the second embodiment according to
the present
invention, showing a transparent bag variation.
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[0043] Figure 7 is a bottom plan view of the present invention, showing a
transparent bag
variation.
[0044] Figure 8 is a top elevation view of a second embodiment according to
the present
invention, showing a transparent bag variation.
[0045] Figure 9 is a rear elevation view of a second embodiment according to
the present
invention, showing a transparent bag variation.
[0046] Figure 10 is a second side elevation view of a second embodiment
according to the
present invention, showing a transparent bag variation.
[0047] Figure 11 is a front elevation view of a second embodiment according to
the present
invention, showing an opaque bag variation.
[0048] Figure 12 is a side elevation view of a second embodiment according to
the preferred
invention, showing an opaque bag variation.
[0049] Figure 13 is a bottom plan view of the present invention, showing an
opaque bag
variation.
[0050] Figure 14 is a top elevation view of a second embodiment according to
the present
invention, showing an opaque bag variation.
[0051] Figure 15 is a front elevation view of a third embodiment of the
present invention,
showing a transparent bag variation.
[0052] Figure 16 is a side elevation view of a third embodiment of the present
invention,
showing a transparent bag variation.
[0053] Figure 17 is a front elevation view of a fourth embodiment of the
present invention,
showing a transparent bag variation.
[0054] Figure 18 is a side elevation view of a fourth embodiment of the
present invention,
showing a transparent bag variation.
[0055] Figure 19 is a schematic depiction of petri plate production with the
tissue culturing of a
pure fungal strain on a petri plate using standard sterile laboratory
techniques in order to produce
a pure strain colony on a finished petri plate.
[0056] Figure 20 is a schematic depiction of the spawn production using
standard, sterile
laboratory techniques where the petri plate colony is transferred to a larger,
sterilized food
source in order to grow a larger population of fungal organisms called spawn.
[0057] Figure 21 is a schematic depiction of the final production steps prior
to application of
any external sealing mechanism illustrating steps including inoculating the
spawn within a
cooled, sterile, combination of a cellulose-based substrate such as but not
limited to a
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combination of sawdust, nutrient additives, and water in a filter bag to
create a finished,
consumer product which supplements carbon dioxide to an indoor growing
environment.
[0058] Figure 21A is a schematic depiction of the final production steps for
preparing the
finished product according to the preferred embodiment, including inoculating
the spawn in the
sterilized and cooled, bulk substrate to form a mycelial mass which is heat
sealed and then
clamped either before or after incubation.
[0059] Figure 21B is a schematic depiction of the final production steps for
preparing the
finished product according to the alternative embodiment, including applying
the clamp, then
placing the spawn in the upper chamber of the bag away from the bulk substrate
and then
applying a top heat seal so that the product may be inoculated by the customer
later.
[0060] Figure 22 is a perspective view of the product illustrating the non-
mechanical, flow of
CO2 produced once it has been unclamped and is producing CO, either after the
customer
removes the clamp (FIG. 21A) or after the customer has removed the clamp and
inoculated the
bag (FIG. 21B).
[0061] Figure 23 represents test results for CO, production readings from
inoculated bags
without a seam separation over a 17 hour period with range of 390 ¨ 9930 ppm
(756-1.24e+4
mg/m.').
[0062] Figure 24 represents test results for CO2 production readings from an
inoculated bag as
shown in FIG. 1, prepared according to the present invention and where the
inoculated, mycelial
mass is substantially cut off from oxygen supply by a separation seam over a
45 hour period with
range of 460 ppm ¨ 503 ppm (891-975 mg/m3).
[0063] Figure 25 represents test results for CO, production readings for a
second embodiment,
an un-inoculated bag as shown in FIGS. 3 ¨ 14, where the mycelium is trapped
in the upper zone
of the bag away from its food source over a 35 hour period with a range of 374
ppm ¨ 728 ppm
(725-1.41e+3 mg/m').
[0064] Figure 26 represents side by side results for an additional test of the
carbon dioxide
output of the preferred embodiment of the present invention shown in the solid
line compared
with carbon dioxide outputs for a bag which was never clamped according to the
preferred
methods and shown with a dashed line.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0065] The preferred embodiment as prepared in accordance with the steps of
the present
invention is illustrated in FIG. 1. In order to harness and selectively supply
supplemental CO, to
an indoor growing environment, this consumer product uses a mycelium-
inoculated bag,
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prepared as disclosed herein, to offer on-demand activation of CO2
supplementation. By
utilizing an external sealing mechanism 15 to create a separation seam, the
present invention cuts
off the air supply provided by the micro-porous air-exchange portal ("breather
patch") 11 in the
present invention's preferred container, a polypropylene bag 10. The removable
sealing
mechanism 15 effectively creates two chambers or zones in the bag. The chamber
zones may be
empty or filled and thus be viewed as being only one chamber, or two. The
chamber zones in the
preferred embodiment are the lower chamber 14 ¨ with the food substrate 18 and
the mycelium
spawn 17 mixed therein (sometimes referred to collectively as the mycelial
mass 19) ¨ and the
upper chamber 13 having filtered, air exchange taking place. The CO, testing
results for various
embodiments are illustrated in FIGS. 23 ¨ 26, discussed more below.
[0066] With reference to FIG. 1, the lower chamber zone 14 of the preferred
embodiment (also
called the receptor zone 14 in other embodiments) begins at the bottom of the
bag which has
been previously sealed. In the preferred embodiment, this seal is created by
the bag's
manufacturer (e.g., UnicornTM bags). The lower chamber zone 14 is filled with
the mixture of
the mycelium spawn 17 and the food substrate 18 prepared according to the
present invention.
See FIGS. 19, 20, and 21A. The lower chamber zone ends at the temporary seal
created by the
introduction of the external sealing mechanism 15 applied to the exterior of
the bag 10. The
upper chamber zone 13 begins at the temporary seal created by the external
sealing mechanism
15 and incorporates the micro-porous air-exchange portal 11. The upper chamber
zone 13 ends
at the bottom of the top seal 12 of the bag 10 which is created according to
the procedure of the
present inventors' methodology. See FIGS. 19 ¨ 21B.
[0067] FIG. 2 further illustrates the working components of one example of an
exterior sealing
mechanism 15, showing the preferred design utilizes a clamping mechanism or
other flat surface
that slides over a bag to achieve a seal 41 that separates the container 10
into two zones. FIGS.
6, 10, and 12 also illustrate side views of the clamp 15. These viewpoints
show the preferred
means by which a separation seal 41 is created by an external clamp 15. The
clamp 15 has a first
outer wall 151, which in this case looks very much like a C-clamp. Then a
second inner wall
152 and in this case it is formed by a rod sized to fit within the C-clamp
shaped first wall 151. A
portion of the bag 10 is slipped, squeezed, crimped, or clamped between the
first wall 151
pressing against the second wall 152 forming a separation seal 41. Any similar
crimping or
sealing mechanism may be utilized.
[0068] The preferred embodiment will be prepared by specific procedures
generally comprising
the processes of creating and using an isolated fungi growing environment
inside a larger indoor
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plant growing environment whereby the invention allows the user to enhance CO2
exposure for
ter the plants in the larger growing area. In order to create an optimum,
isolated, and sterile fungi
growing environment which will generate and expel CO2 into a plant growing
environment, the
invention provides an apparatus, system, and process comprising the following
steps performed
using standardized, aseptic laboratory techniques:
= growing out a tissue culture of an isolated, pure fungal strain 193 on a
petri plate (FIG.
19);
= creating a spawn 2010 of the cultured fungus 1911 in a larger vessel with
a sterile food
source (FIG. 20);
= preparing a bulk substrate;
= filling a filtered, heat-tolerant bag with the bulk substrate;
= sterilizing the bulk substrate and bag;
= cooling the bulk substrate and bag;
= inoculating the substrate in the bag with the spawned fungus to create a
mycelial mass as
shown in FIGS. 21 ¨ 21A which is allowed to rest and acclimate to the
transfer;
= sealing the bag;
= incubating the bag's mycelial mass;
= applying a removable clamp to the exterior of the bag product below the
breather patch;
and
= distributing the product 2111 to consumers with instructions to remove
the seal from the
exterior of the bag in order to restore the full oxygen supply to the mycelium
and
reinitiate the growth of the artificially prepared product and use the by-
product of the
processes to supplement and enhance CO2 in an indoor plant growing
environment.
Alternative embodiments of the consumer product described herein may have a
slight variation
in preparation beginning after the cooling phase as set forth more fully below
and in FIG. 21B.
[0069] When working with mycelial cultures, all work must continually be done
using
standardized laboratory protocols and procedures to maintain sterile working
conditions. The
laboratory area must be completely indoors, and enclosed. The lab area is also
ULPAIFIEPA
filtered to insure a contaminant free environment. These filters remove
99.999% of dust, pollen,
mold, bacteria and any airborne particles with a size of 100 nanometers (0.1
!um) or larger.
Climatic conditions are controlled. Temperature is maintained at 70 F (21 C)
and humidity
levels are kept below twenty percent (20%).
[0070] To start the process of mycelial growth, a specific, preselected and
cultured, pure strain
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of fungus 193 is introduced to an agar medium to grow 1910 from spores or
tissue culture. See
FIG. 19. After a long and vigorous process, one purified strain of Turkey tail
(Trametes
versicolor) was developed to be the pure strain fungus 193 of preference. This
mycelial strain
produces little or no primordia but has more vigor and therefore produces more
CO, for a longer
period of time. Referring to FIG. 19, the beginning phase of the process is to
start a population
of fungi 1911 from a purified tissue culture 193 by spreading cells, in
accordance with standard
laboratory, aseptic methodologies, onto petri plates 190 containing agar 191.
Agar plates with
the master cultures are prepared by using sterile petri plates 190 that have
been filled with Potato
Dextrose Agar (PDA) 191 and sterilized. The process begins at the left of FIG.
19, with a petri
plate 190, a Potato Dextrose Agar 191, water 192, and a tissue culture 193 of
the desired
mushroom species. The Potato Dextrose Agar 191 and water 192 are mixed
together 194 and
placed in the petri plate 195. These agar plates or master cultures are
created by using sterile
petri plates 190 that have been filled with PDA 191 and sterilized 196 at 250
degrees Fahrenheit
(121 C) for one (1) hour. The agar and plate combinations are sterilized such
as by autoclave
and allowed to cool 197.
100711 As illustrated in FIG. 19, the cooled plates containing the agar are
inoculated 198 with
the sterile transfer of spores or tissue 193 by known laboratory procedures
and protocols. For
example, the protocol calls for first sterilizing the instrument used for the
transfer with flame or
other sterilizing agent followed by transferring a small amount of spores or
tissue 193 into said
cooled agar and placing spores or tissue 193 so that it comes in contact with
agar in petri plate.
Once contact is made, spores or tissue is left on agar and the instrument is
removed and petri
plate is covered and sealed 199. With incubation 1910 (at the desired
temperature of 70 degrees
Fahrenheit/ 21 degrees Celsius), growth of mycelium will be noticeable in 24 ¨
72 hours after
spore or tissue transfer and will continue until a layer of mycelium covers
the entire agar surface.
Once the mycelium has colonized 1911 the plate it is time to move the mycelium
to a more
nutritious substrate.
[0072] The diagram in .. FIG. 20 illustrates the continuation of the steps in
the process and
depicts spawn growth production from the petri plate culture created in FIG.
19. The process
begins with a sterile vessel 200 (glass is suggested), nutrient-rich additives
201, water 202, and
the culture from the petri plate 1911 prepared according to the present
invention. Ideal nutrient
additives 201 may be cereal grains (e.g., oats, rye, milo, millet or similar
grains). The nutrient
additives 201 and water 202 are blended together 203 and placed in the sterile
vessel 204 for
sterilization. The sterilization process should be done with heat and
pressure, such as by
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autoclave 205, and then allowed to cool 206. Optimally, the nutrient blend in
the sterile vessel
203 is sterilized such as in an autoclave at 250 degrees Fahrenheit (121 C)
for at least one (1)
hour. The combination is allowed to cool 206 in a HEPA filtered chamber. Once
cooled to
approximately 75 degrees Fahrenheit (23.9 C), the resulting sterile, nutrient
rich blend is
inoculated 207 with the pure culture 1911 which was previously grown on the
agar petri plates.
After the mycelium 1911 is transferred to the cereal grains, the vessel is
closed 208 and
incubated 209 and the mycelium is allowed to grow out completely and populate
the vessel. The
result is the pure culture spawn 2010 used in later bulk inoculation (see
FIGS. 21 ¨ 21B).
[0073] The bulk substrate of mycelial mass is produced as may be better
understood by
viewing FIGS. 21 ¨ 21B. For the purpose of CO2 production inside the end-
consumer product,
the final substrate is prepared according to specifically developed techniques
which optimize the
carbon/nitrogen (C/N) ratio. The substrate is fortified with more nutrients
than normal
mushroom substrates which allows for more, sustained CO2 production over a
longer period of
time. To begin, a cellulose-based substrate 213 such as but not limited to
sawdust 210, more
nutrient additives 211 such as cereal grains, and water 212 are blended to
achieve a substrate 213
with a optimal moisture content of approximately sixty-five percent (65%).
While this is
indicated to be optimal moisture content, it is typical to have ranges between
sixty percent (60%)
and seventy percent (75%). Other ranges (e.g., about 50% ¨ 80%) are known to
maintain
functionality, but are not ideal. This cellulose-based substrate 213 is placed
in a container 10
with a gaseous interchange portal. The container 10 is desirably a bag with a
sealed bottom and
an open top and which can withstand sterilization through autoclave 215. In
the preferred
embodiment, the bag 10 is filled with substrate 214 ¨ approximately to the
half-way point or up
to the gaseous interchange portal means. The bag 10 preferably has a single
air-vent with a
microbial filter 11 (See FIG. 22). After the substrate 213 is placed in the
bag 214, the
combination is autoclaved 215. The process of sterilizing the bulk substrate
involves utilizing
steam generated from a steam boiler that is piped into an autoclave 215 and
allowed to be put
under pressure at a temperature of 250 degrees Fahrenheit (121 C). Sterilizing
the substrate
under these conditions for at least one (1) hour is required. Preferred
sterilization time is up to
10 hours at 15 pounds per square inch (PSI) (1.0549 kg/cm) or 250 F (121 C).
The bag and the
substrate are allowed to cool 216 to approximately 75 degrees Fahrenheit (23.9
C), or cooler.
The cooling 216 of the substrate is a vital step in this process. Cooling 216
must take place in a
HEPA filtered room that is positively charged with air. If this is not done
the bagged substrate
214 will become contaminated and will not be suitable for inoculation 217.
Once the bagged
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substrate is properly cooled 216 to approximately 75 degrees Fahrenheit, it is
inoculated 217
with the pure culture spawn 2010 prepared according to the present invention.
The bulk
substrate 213 is suitable for spawn growth and because the media has been
sterilized at every
juncture, bacteria, undesired fungi, and other contaminants will be minimized.
The combination
is allowed to rest in the bag until the spawn 2010 have recovered from the
transfer (not shown).
The mixture of the bulk growth substrate and spawn may be referred to as a
mycelial mass.
[0074] Next, the top of the bag is folded over and sealed 218. The bags are
pressure tested (not
shown) to insure a good seal. Only after the bag is sealed 218 can it be
removed from the HEPA
filtered room since the breather patch 11 in the side of the bag will keep the
contaminants out but
allow the exchange of gases. The bag holding the mycelial mass may be pre-
incubated 219 or
immediately clamped 2110. Incubation can occur in the lab for a few hours, a
few days or a few
weeks, or desirably, incubation may occur during shipping, storing, or
shelving (See FIG. 21A).
If pre-incubation is used, one indication of the product being ready to
receive the exterior sealing
mechanism 15 is when visible regrowth has occurred. Typically, after a few
days mycelial
growth is evident indicating a time to apply the separation seam/hanger,
label, and date to each
bag. The mycelium mass has its air flow restricted in the lower portion of the
bag (in the
preferred embodiment). The separation seam/hanger slows the mycelial growth by
suffocation
or strangulation. This strangulation leads to preservation and increased shelf
life and prevents
mycelial growth from moving towards the filter which will permit the fungi to
expend their life
cycles too early and reduced performance of the product. A label is applied
and the end
consumer product is ready for distribution. Once the product is purchased by
the consumer and
placed in an indoor growing environment, then the exterior seal 15 is removed
by the consumer
and carbon dioxide will begin being supplemented to the indoor growing
environment. Each bag
receives a "replace by" date when it is packed and shipped.
[0075] The food substrate 18 as inoculated with spawn 17 creates the mycelial
mass 19 inside a
transparent or translucent polypropylene bag 10 with a gaseous interchange
portal 11. The bag
or container 10 may be opaque and still function according to the objectives
of this invention.
As has been described and with reference FIGS. 19 ¨ 21B, the inoculation of
the substrate 213 is
done by adding pure spawn 2010 under sterile conditions. The bag and substrate
214 are
inoculated with spawn 2010 forming the mycelial mass 19 of the present
invention. In the
preferred embodiment, the combination weighs approximately six (6) pounds
(2.72 kg).
Preferably, about 1/3 of a cup (79 ml) of pure culture spawn 2010 will be
added from the sterile
vessel to each bag of sterilized substrate. With about six (6) pounds (2.72
kg) of bagged and
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sterilized substrate, good mycelial growth can be optimized with adequate food
and nutrient
consumption resulting in at least a six (6) month production period after the
external clamp 15 is
removed. A heat impulse sealer is preferably used to permanently seal the top
of the bag 10. In
this case, the seal 12 is approximately 1.5 inches (3.8 cm) from the top of
the bag. However, any
air-tight sealing means may be employed. The sealing of the bag 10 closes the
sterile
environment and the mycelium 17 can produce CO2 using the food 18 in the
mycelial mass 19.
The bag 10 should not be opened again except for disposal and recycling.
Opening the bag 10
would interrupt the flow of CO, and could possibly contaminate the mycelial
mass 19. The use
of an air exchange portal 11 such as the UnicornTM filter bag or other
biological breather patch
allows the most ideal environment for the mycelial mass 19 to create and
supplement CO2 to the
surrounding environment.
[0076] After mixing, the preferred embodiment of the present invention
provides an artificial
environment from which naturally-produced CO2 can be supplemented to an indoor
or man-
made growing environment as illustrated in FIG. 22. The end consumer will
activate the CO2
supplementation by removing the external seal and placing the bag in an indoor
growing
environment, preferably at a height above the height of the plants. Since
carbon dioxide is a
heavy molecule, CO, will precipitate downward in atmospheric air and thus the
product should
be placed at a level higher than growing plants, so that CO, will fall into or
onto the plants.
While setting the inoculated bag on a high shelf will work, a hanger 153 is
desirable. As shown
in FIGS. 1, 3 ¨5, 11, 15, and 17, a hanger 153 may be accompanied by a hole
154 of any size
and shape to accommodate a gardener's facility and provide use of the bag 10
in close proximity
with green plants.
[0077] The use of a removable external seam provides a uniquely viable
strategy to allow for the
long term storage of biologically active organisms separate from inorganic
molecules but may
also serve to separate small organic molecules in a contained growing
environment. The
selectively removable separation seam can permit the delayed inoculation of a
sterile growing
medium. See, e.g., FIGS. 4 and 21B. Alternatively, the separation seam may
provide for a
strategically timed reaction between a reagent and another substance. Such
options provide the
basis for alternative embodiments of the present invention. The first zone 13
may serve as a
biologic zone. See FIG. 3 ¨ 18. The biologic zone may be on the opposite side
(FIGS. 1 ¨ 13)
of a seal from the breather patch 11 or be on the same side (FIGS. 15 ¨ 16) or
partially same side
as the breather patch (FIGS. 17 ¨ 18). In such embodiments, the second zone 14
contains the
nonliving or reagent or food source for mixing the matter in the first zone 13
whenever the seal
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is removed. In each embodiment, the two zones are created by a seal which is
formed by a
clamp 15 having a first wall 151 and a second wall 152. The exterior portions
or panels of the
bag are slipped, squeezed, crimped, or clamped between the first wall 151
pressing against the
second wall 152 forming a separation seal 41. The preferred clamp 15 is
removable and
replaceable. The movement of the clamp will serve different purposes based on
various
positioning called for in the various embodiments. Wherever the positioning of
the clamp, a
dead air space 16 may aid in the separation between the first zone 13 and the
second zone 14.
100781 An example of an alternative embodiment of the present invention is
shown in FIGS. 3 -
14 and includes transparent and opaque bag versions. An opaque embodiment may
be
advantageous in certain circumstances and is specifically illustrated in FIGS.
3, and 11 ¨ 14.
The bag 10 in FIGS. 1 ¨ 2, 4 ¨ 10 is illustrated to indicate that the bag is
transparent and that the
substances contained in the first zone 13 and the second zone 14 are visible.
In the alternative
embodiments like in FIGS. 4 ¨ 18, living organisms are segregated from their
food source and
the separation is illustrated. The first zone 13 of the preferred embodiment
is also called the
biologic zone, spawn pod or activator zone. With reference to FIGS. 4 ¨ 10,
the biologic zone
13 of the second embodiment preferably occurs on the opposite side of a seal
from the breather
patch 11. Here, the second zone 14 is also called the un-inoculated substrate
receptor zone 14.
The receptor zone 14 contains the nonliving or reagent for mixing the matter
in the activator
zone 13. In such embodiments, the spawn 17 are housed in the first zone 13
which occurs in the
upper portion of the bag 10 between the clamp 15 and the top seal 12. Thus, in
this embodiment,
the first zone 13 is substantially air tight and the growth medium or
substrate 18 is stored in the
second zone 14 in the lower portion of the bag. To begin using the carbon
dioxide created by
this and the other alternative product models, the user must remove the
temporary seal 15 and
combine the contents of the first zone 13 with the contents of the second zone
14. Once the seal
41 has been removed and the growing substrate 18 has been inoculated with the
spawn 17 by
mixing the contents of the respective zones, outputs of CO, will increase
substantially. Some
additional action may be required. For example, for mycelium being inoculated
onto a food
substrate in the bottom of the bag, the mycelium may require a bit of mixing
such as shaking or
massaging from the exterior of the bag and then the bag contents will need to
be compressed
again so that the mycelium are in close contact with the food source.
100791 The bottom views of the present invention in FIGS. 7 and 13 show one
manner in which
a bag 10 may be folded and permanently sealed at the bottom of the bag. This
particular seal is
typically created at the factory when the bag is manufactured. The top views
of the alternative
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embodiment of the present invention are illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 14 and give
additional,
relative sizing information. In all embodiments, the chambers are temporarily
sealed using a bag
clamp 15 which substantially seals the air exchange between the chambers.
[0080] In FIGS. 4¨ 10, the spawn pod 17 is shown between the separation seam
41 and the
upper seal 12 of the bag. The spawn is compacted near the top seal 12. The
breather patch 11 is
below the separation seam 41 and a substantially empty portion of the bag 10
creates a dead air
space 16 above the receptor area 14. FIG. 6 is a side view thereof FIG. 9 is
the rear view. The
drawings illustrate the product standing erect, but in the natural resting
position of the product
without outside influences such as a hanger 153 for the spawn pod 13, the top
of the bag may
likely flop over to one side or the other. The dead air space 16 allows for
extra room to keep the
mycelial spawn pod 13 from resting too closely to its food supply in the
receptor zone 14. The
zones are separated by a separation seam 41 which inhibit mycelial transfer
between the two
distinct zones. Mycelium are known to be diligent and grow toward any nearby
food supply but
even if this mycelium does grow toward the food supply during shipment or
before inoculation,
the dead air zone 16 will delay true inoculation and mycelial growth.
[0081] As demonstrated in FIGS. 15 ¨ 16, another alternative to the preferred
embodiment
allows for the separation seam to be placed at another location between the
two zones. It may be
necessary or desirable to place the separation seam 41 below the breather
patch 11 with the
living organisms on the same side of the seal in order to allow the mycelial
spawn 17 access to
air to ensure survival prior to inoculation. Depending on the strain used in
the mycelial mass 17,
the species of organism may require more oxygen than the amounts coming
through the
substantially air-tight seal 41. By placing the separation seam 41 below the
breather patch 11 in
this embodiment, the food substrate 18 in the receptor zone 14 would be
substantially without
oxygen, but this will not impact the inorganic material awaiting inoculation.
Again, a region of
dead air space 16 would still create a buffer zone between the first zone 13
and the second zone
14.
[0082] In another embodiment as shown in FIGS. 17¨ 18, the separation seam 41
may be
formed over top of the breather patch 11. By placing the separation seam 41
over the air
exchange portal 11, each section or chamber of the bag 10 is permitted to
exchange
micro-porously filtered air with the ambient surroundings. This embodiment may
benefit strains
of spawn 17 which require some additional access to oxygen than what may seep
through the
seam. This embodiment will still slow growth of the mycelium by providing only
a partial air
access through the portal. In some circumstances, this partial suffocation
embodiment will have
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distinct advantages over the complete suffocation embodiments.
[0083] For each embodiment calling for a separation of a mycelium from its
food source, the
steps of preparation described in FIGS. 21 ¨ 21A will differ as set forth in
FIG. 21B. Because
the inoculation will be delayed, the steps for preparation are modified after
cooling 216 the
autoclaved 215 bulk substrate and bag 214 as follows:
= applying a removable clamp to the exterior of the bag product (either
above, over, or
below the breather patch according to the desired embodiment);
= depositing the spawned mycelium 2010 into the upper chamber 13 of the
bag;
= sealing the bag;
= 10 distributing the product to consumers with instructions to
remove the clamp from the
exterior of the bag;
= removing the clamp by the consumer to inoculate the artificially prepared
substrate in the
bag with the artificially prepared spawned fungus to create a mycelial mass;
= utilizing the mycelial mass and bag to produce a consumer product for CO2
supplementation.
[0084] The secondary embodiments of the present invention allows for long term
storage of a
carbon dioxide generator wherein the apparatus comprises a lower portion, an
upper portion, and
an intervening seal which may separate the mycelium from the food substrate.
For purposes of
fungal and natural CO2 products the two distinct zones of an alternative
embodiment are: 1) a
sterilized un-inoculated growing media zone; and 2) sterilized inoculated
spawn of one or more
biologically active organisms. The specific preparation of the food substrate
will follow the
preparation for the preferred embodiment. See FIG. 19. The specific
preparation of the spawn
will also follow the preferred embodiments methodologies. See FIG. 20. The
preparation of
each will be according to laboratory standards. The preparation of the
alternative embodiment
will diverge from the preferred embodiment in the final steps as stated above
and illustrated in
FIGS. 21 ¨21B.
[0085] This disclosure has discussed and described a segregation that occurs
in the top and
bottom of a container. Applicant foresees that it will be advantageous in
certain circumstances to
provide the separation seam in a diagonal or other orientation. An isolated
corner of the
container may be all that is necessary. So long as the respective one, two, or
more chambers are
separated by the external seam, it is contemplated within this disclosure. It
is further expected
that with manufacturing refinements, the zones may be accomplished by pods
within the
container which can be actuated by means to release the pod and allow the
respective chambers
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to fuse. Fusion of the complementary components in the container may be
accomplished in any
manner that accomplishes the goals of this invention. The various zones may be
provided within
the container in various sizes. The mycclial spawn in the biologic chamber may
need only be a
fraction of the size illustrated in the accompanying drawings. However,
reference to FIG. 6 will
give one perspective on the size and shape differential between the first zone
13 to the lower
chamber or zone 14. For these embodiments, the first zone 13 holds the spawn
17 below the top
seal 12 of the bag 10, while the lower chamber or zone 14 below the clamp 15,
breather patch
11, and dead air space 16 houses the growing substrate 18. A bag 10 such as a
UnicornTM bag
with a micro-porous air or gas exchange portal, or breather patch 11 and a top
seal 12 provide
the defining parameters for the seam to create the separate zones, also called
chambers or
compartments.
[0086] The present invention requires no maintenance very minimal set-up for
any embodiment.
Ease of use and low cost make the present mycelial-based CO, supplement the
best option. The
bag cultivates CO, each hour of each day with no need to refill bottles or use
expensive CO,
production units. This mycelial mass in the vented cultivator produces CO, and
the microporous
breather patch releases CO, enhancement continually for at least six (6)
months without any
further effort or expense.
[0087] In the preferred embodiment, an elongate, slide-on clamp such as that
sold under the
commercial name of the GRIPSTIC suits the need of a clamp. In the GRIPSTIC
clamp
design, the first wall and the second wall of the clamp are fixed together
providing a channel
through which the bag may slide, similar to the action provided by a ZIPLOCO
storage bag.
Other clamps are known in the field and would meet the objectives of the
present invention. The
GRIPSTICO has additional utility for the objectives of the present invention
because it provides
a handle 153 with a hole 154, see e.g., FIGS. 3 ¨ 5. These aspects serve as
the bag's hanger.
[0088] Various embodiments of the present invention may optimize shipping of
the consumer
product due to their size and shape. In shipment, the top portion of the bag
10 may be allowed to
flop over. In some embodiments, this will occur under the weight of the clamp.
The dead air
space 16 provides excess bag 10 slack which can lay over the side of the
substrate and provide
added spatial separation between the zones.
[0089] The preferred strain, Turkey tail (Trametes versicolor), is strong and
continues to
produce CO, for at least half a year and at that point CO, production begins
to slowly decline but
CO, levels above ambient levels can still be detected up to sixteen (16)
months later. Contrary
to objectives sought when choosing a mushroom strain with fruiting production
in mind, when
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looking at a strain for CO, production a strain that has low or no fruiting
will produce more CO,
for a longer period of time. After a strain actually produces a fruiting body,
CO, production falls
off as vigor drops. The process of reproduction triggers a scale back in
processes as the genetics
have been passed on and preservation is insured with the next generation. But
with Turkey tail,
CO, is constantly being expired or expelled by the saprobes or fungi in the
mycelial mass. Once
the clamping seal is removed, CO, is passed from the interior of the bag to
the indoor growing
environment surrounding it by natural dispersal by air-exchange chemical
processes. See FIG.
22. Contrary to prior belief, it is not necessary to actuate this expulsion
with any agitation or
mechanical or electrical means but the transfer will occur naturally to a
beneficial level if the
growth and containment is controlled according the present invention
disclosure.
[0090] Initial CO, testing of the improved bag system has begun to show that
indeed, the
mycelium may be separated from an air supply, or from a food supply, or from
air and food
supply, for a period of time and yet remain viable for later inoculation and
growth ¨ and
ultimately carbon dioxide supplementation. In FIG. 23, a first test was
performed to illustrate
an existing carbon dioxide natural generation bag using the techniques
described in Patent
Application No. 13/032,324. The carbon dioxide readings shown in FIG. 23
illustrate an
inoculated bag with no separation seam. In this control test, venting is
unrestricted except
through the filter breather patch 11 once the bag is sealed according to
Patent Application No.
13/032,324. The results of a 17 hour test show a starting carbon dioxide
reading of 390 ppm
(756 mg/m') which increased to an ending carbon dioxide reading of 9930 ppm
(1.924e+4
mg/m3). As has been shown again and again by this successful commercial
product, the carbon
dioxide output is substantial and provides impressive supplementation of
carbon dioxide to
plants utilizing the supplemented air around it. Ambient air CO, levels
stagnate around 400 ppm
(775 mg/m3), but raising this level to even 1000 ¨ 1200 ppm (1938 ¨ 2325
mg/m3) will provide
growth rewards for plants.
100911 In the next test, the same inoculated bag is provided, but in this
instance the bag has a
separation seam 41 according to the preferred embodiment described herein. The
seal is applied
above the inoculated medium but below the filter 11, thereby effectively
cutting off the free, but
microbial filtered, air exchange. The results of the CO, enhancement are
illustrated in FIG. 24.
The test results show that over the 45 hour test, the carbon dioxide output in
parts per million
changes very little. The beginning reading is 461 ppm (893 mg/m3) and the
ending reading is
476 ppm (922 mg/m3). The minimal change over this period suggests that the
mycelium are not
thriving but they are not dying. They are sustaining life.
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[0092] The final test is one of an alternative embodiment of the present
invention. In this test, a
bag 10 is presented with a spawn pod 17 in the upper zone 13 above the
separation seam 41
which occurs above the filter 11. An uninoculated food substrate medium 18 is
provided in the
lower zone 14. In this instance, FIG. 25 shows that after 35 hours, the CO2
output has nearly
doubled with a beginning level of 374 ppm (725 mg/m3) and an ending level of
728 ppm
(1.41e+3 mg/m3). While the CO2 output has doubled from the beginning of the
test, the output is
less than one-seventh of the carbon dioxide output of the inoculated bag with
no separation seam
shown in FIG. 23.
[0093] A comparison of the tests shows that carbon dioxide production can be
curtailed over a
period of time. FIG. 25 shows that some carbon dioxide was being released,
this is proof that the
activator spawn 17 is biologically active. Both tests using a separation seam
show the
curtailment of the output of carbon dioxide which allows one to deduce that
the mycelium are
curtailing respiration processes. Both alternative embodiments of the present
invention and the
preferred embodiment of the inoculated bag with the separation seam showed
preferred results
for commercial applications. The tests shown in FIGS. 24 and 25 utilizing the
separation seam
showed an increase of 354 ppm (686 mg/m3) and 15 ppm (29.1 mg/m3),
respectively. Comparing
this to the test which did not use a separation seam, where the carbon dioxide
increase was
shown to be 4,554 ppm (8825 mg/m3), proves the present invention design will
in fact curtail or
delay carbon dioxide production.
[0094] Finally, FIG. 26 shows the test results for two bags, one with the
separation seam and
with no separation seam. The upper, dashed line illustrates the bag having an
inoculated food
substrate but having no separation seam ever applied between the mycelial mass
and the ambient
air. This upper curve shows an increase in CO, from a few hundred parts per
million to more
than 9,000 ppm (1.744e+4 mg/m3). The lower, solid line on the graph is the
test results for an
inoculated bag with a separation scam according to the preferred embodiment of
the present
invention. As shown in FIGS. 24 and 26, the starting and ending CO2 output for
the clamped,
preferred embodiment remains nearly unchanged.
[0095] The standard carbon dioxide supplementing product disclosed herein is
designed for
small to medium grow spaces, or more specifically, one such cultivator will
provide 4 ¨ 6 plants
or a 4 feet by 4 feet or 128 cubic foot space (3.62 cubic meter) with the CO,
necessary for six (6)
months of supplementation. Various sizes, including micro and extra large bag
sizes prepared
according to this invention will service many sizes of grow rooms. A CO2 micro
bag is ideal for
use in clone domes and in seedling trays. These micro bags help stimulate root
development and
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insure healthy starter plants. The CO, micro bag will insure that a 3.5 cubic
foot space (.099
cubic meter) is enriched with CO, for at least three (3) months. An extra
large (XL) bag will
service medium to large-sized areas like greenhouses. The XL bag will cover 6
feet by 6 feet, or
288 cubic feet (8.16 cubic meter) with CO, for at least six (6) months. These
CO, bags can be
used for both vegetative plant growth as well as for fruit and flower
production. During
consumer use, it is average for the passive CO, system of the present
invention to continually
produce CO, and release it through the microporous filter patch on the bag.
Specifically, flow
rates of the CO, supplement are between 2500 ¨ 3000 ppm / 4845-5813 mg/m3 (+/-
0.5 ft3 per
minute or +1-14.2 liters per minute).
[0096] While the present invention is directed toward extending the shelf life
of a biologically
activated, natural carbon dioxide generator by providing an external actuation
device of the
separation seam, the concept may be applied to other natural biological
generators, such as
bacterial carbon dioxide production. The device also has beneficial
applications in mushroom
cultivation. For example, the upper zone may be mushroom spores which may be
sprinkled onto
the top of growth medium by removal of the externally actuated separation
seam. This
application would prevent contamination of the spores or growth medium with
bacteria or mold
in the commercial transport, sale or distribution of these mushroom growing
kits. The kits could
be sterilized and or pasteurized in the bag within a laboratory setting and
then sealed without any
additional venting to the open air. Thus, contamination risks are greatly
reduced.
[0097] The secondary embodiments of the present invention will be particularly
useful in
conjunction with fungal growth. Delaying the inoculation of a substrate while
still processing
the material the same way will allow an end user to inoculate the substrate
when he or she feels
the need. Typically, as suggested in the preferred preparation herein, fungal
substrates are
inoculated shortly after the sterilization process. Once inoculation has
occurred fungal growth
begins in earnest. This process is difficult to slow down or curtail. The
growth will only slow or
stop when available nutrients are exhausted. With existing mushroom growing
kits and CO,
production products, delayed inoculation was not thought to have efficacy.
There was a need to
delay the inoculation so that products have a longer shelf life and to give
the end user more
control of when she chooses to activate the output of existing products. The
present invention
meets the needs in the industry. Another benefit of this invention is the
ability to ship products
long distances and still be able to provide customers with a fresh product.
[0098] The design could also have beneficial and unique applications in many
other industries.
It may be used in gardening applications whether or not sterilization is
important. Novelty kits
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having seeds and soil could be provided as an all-in-one gift set. This type
of kit is particularly
amenable to plants such as herbs which are commonly sold as self-contained
herb gardens.
Educational gardening kits are another example for which this invention may
have utility. Even
more exotic, extra-terrestrial applications of a sealed garden environment are
possible. As with
the spawn pod 17, biological components could be sealed away from external
environmental
influences.
[0099] The bag is preferably made of recycled polypropylene or other plastic
which may be
further recycled. The bag material must be heat-tolerant for sterilization
purposes. The
preferred bags should be designed to withstand temperatures up to 250 degrees
Fahrenheit
(121 C). There are a number of different types of vented bags available which
have been
developed for the purpose of creating an environment suitable for mycelial
growth and
production. All of these bags are suitable to use for the present invention's
process, apparatus,
and application. Ideally, the preferred vented bag will contain a
microbiological filter that acts
as a gaseous interchange portal that will allow gas exchange without allowing
contaminants to
enter the bags. In the preferred embodiment, a UnicornTM bag or the functional
filter-bag
equivalent is used as the plastic bag container. While this bag is optimal for
the purposes of the
invention, it is but one bag which will accomplish the objectives of CO,
production of the
present invention.
[0100] As used herein, spawn is actively growing mycelium. In the present
invention, spawn
is placed on a growth substrate to seed or introduce mycelia to grow on the
substrate. This is
also known as inoculation, spawning or adding spawn. The primary advantages of
using spawn
is the reduction of contamination while giving the mycelia a firm beginning.
Spores are another
inoculation option, but are less developed than established mycelia. Either
spores or mycelia
used in the present inventive process are only manipulated in laboratory
conditions within a
laminar flow cabinet. The process of making the present invention utilizes
sterile laboratory
protocols and pure, sterile mycelial culture.
[0101] While all strains of mycelium from the kingdom Fungi including
Basidiomycetes and
Ascomycetes are suitable for this application, strains that exhibit little or
no fruiting
characteristics are preferred. When producing CO, it is desirable to avoid
primordial production
and to have only mycelial growth occur. This is because primordial formation
diminishes CO,
production by fungi. The process disclosed in the present invention will also
create an ideal
environment for the controlled and non-flowering growth of mycelium.
[0102] For the preferred embodiments of this invention, the fungal strain
utilized is Trametes
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versicolor which is a white-rot fungus known by the common name, "Turkey
Tail." Trametes
versicolor causes a general delignifying decay of cellulose-based substrates
such as but not
limited to hardwoods. The appearance of this fungi is whitish in color which
may be
aesthetically pleasing when the bag is placed for CO, production. This visual
appearance of this
strain is helpful during the incubation phase of the process when trying to
achieve optimum
incubation periods. Furthermore, the Trametes versicolor mycelium is very
active and
aggressive and grows very quickly resulting in good CO, production. The use of
the
polypropylene bag and the naturally occurring strain in organic materials make
every aspect of
the present invention readily recyclable. The clip may be re-used for other
purposes once the
bag is exhausted. Furthermore, while pre-consumer materials may be used, the
preferred
materials arc made of previously used and recycled materials.
[0103] It is further intended that any other embodiments of the present
invention which result
from any changes in application or method of use or operation, method of
manufacture, shape,
size, or material which are not specified within the detailed written
description or illustrations
contained herein yet are considered apparent or obvious to one skilled in the
art are within the
scope of the present invention.
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