Vertical hydroponic tower array fixture system

Abstract

A modular hydroponic tower array fixture system for the growth of organisms such as plants and fungi on arrays of hydroponic towers, allowing for the insertion and removal of individual towers from the array, is provided. Methods for the production of organisms such as plants and fungi using a modular hydroponic tower array fixture system are also provided herein.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A hydroponic tower array fixture system comprising:
 two or more hollow hydroponic towers, wherein said two or more hollow hydroponic towers have a front surface, an open first end, and an open second end;   a slot formed in the front surface of each hydroponic tower, the slot having a width equal to only a portion of a width of the front surface; and   a media material insertable into each hollow hydroponic tower;   an upper bracket, wherein at least two upper bracket openings are formed in the bottom surface of the upper bracket substantially corresponding to shape and width of the two or more hydroponic towers; and   a lower bracket, wherein at least two lower bracket openings are formed in the bottom surface of the lower bracket substantially corresponding to shape and width of the two or more hydroponic towers;   wherein the first end of at least one of the two or more hollow hydroponic towers is inserted into one of the at least two upper bracket openings of the upper bracket; and   wherein the second end of the hollow hydroponic tower is inserted into one of the at least two lower bracket openings of the lower bracket.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a reservoir; and   a means of irrigation, wherein said means of irrigation transport water and nutrients from the reservoir.   
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a cross piece, wherein said cross piece traverses the interior chamber of the lower bracket; and
 wherein said cross piece elevates said hydroponic tower from the lower surface of the lower bracket.   
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein said means of irrigation comprises:
 at least one pump;   a conduit capable of transporting water or liquid nutrients from said reservoir, wherein said conduit is operably coupled to said at least one pump; and   at least one emitter;   wherein said pump transports water or liquid nutrients from said reservoir through the conduit and delivered to said media material through said at least one emitter.   
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said lower bracket is operably coupled to a structure. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein said upper bracket is operably coupled to a structure. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said media material is made of plastic. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein said media material is made from a polyethylene plastic. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein said media material is coated in a silicone binder. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said organisms are selected from plants and fungi. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein said emitter is selected from a drip emitter, sprinkler and micro-spray emitters. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the horizontal cross sectional shape of the hydroponic tower is chosen from square, rectangular, round, oval, octagon, pentagon and triangular. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said media material is chosen from: granular media, Styrofoam, polyurethane foam, plastic mesh, rock wool, coconut fiber, wicking strips, cultivation bags and vermiculite. 
     
     
         14 . A method for producing organisms on a hydroponic tower array fixture system, the method comprising:
 providing two or more hollow hydroponic towers, wherein said two or more hollow hydroponic towers have a front, an open first end, and an open second end;   providing a slot formed in the front surface of each hydroponic tower, the slot having a width equal to only a portion of a width of the front surface; and   providing a media material;   inserting said media material into each hollow hydroponic tower;   providing an upper bracket, wherein at least two upper bracket openings are formed in the bottom surface of the upper bracket substantially corresponding to shape and width of the two or more hydroponic towers; and   providing a lower bracket, wherein at least two lower bracket openings are formed in the bottom surface of the lower bracket substantially corresponding to shape and width of the two or more hydroponic towers;   inserting the first end of at least one of the two or more hollow hydroponic towers into one of the at least two upper bracket openings of the upper bracket; and   inserting the second end of the hollow hydroponic tower into one of the at least two lower bracket openings of the lower bracket;   inserting one or more organisms into the medial material through the slot formed in the front surface of each hydroponic tower; and   growing one or more organisms on said media material.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 providing a reservoir; and   providing a means of irrigation, wherein said means of irrigation transport water and nutrients from the reservoir.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising a cross piece, wherein the cross piece traverses the interior chamber of the lower bracket and wherein said cross piece elevates said hydroponic tower from the lower surface of the lower bracket. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein said means of irrigation comprises:
 providing at least one pump;   providing a conduit capable of transporting water or liquid nutrients from said reservoir, wherein said conduit is operably coupled to said at least one pump; and   providing at least one emitter;   wherein said pump transports water or liquid nutrients from said reservoir through the conduit and delivered to said media material through said at least one emitter.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein said lower bracket is operably coupled to a structure. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein said upper bracket is operably coupled to a structure. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein said media material is made of plastic.