DE102021119764A1 - Process and device for growing plants - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for growing plants, wherein a carrier substrate with seeds and/or young plants is provided and/or seeds and/or young plants are applied to a carrier substrate, the carrier substrate being moved in such a way that the seeds or young plants go through a growth zone, at the end of which there are plants ready for harvest.

Description

The invention relates to a method and a device for growing plants.

Methods and devices for (automatic) plant cultivation are known in principle. Known devices allow plants (for example cress) to be grown from seeds. Devices of this type allow plants to be produced in a comparatively space-saving manner, in some cases under artificial conditions (for example using artificial light sources and/or artificial irrigation). WO 2019/183734 shows, for example, a circulating band on or in which individual recordings can be arranged, which can be filled with a plant substrate. Overall, however, the known methods and devices are still found to be comparatively complex.

It is therefore the object of the invention to propose a method and a device for cultivating plants, in which the cultivating of plants can take place comparatively easily and efficiently.

This object is achieved in particular by the features of claim 1.

In particular, the object is achieved by a method for cultivating plants, wherein a carrier substrate, preferably carrier substrate tape, (to receive roots of the plants, possibly also to supply the plants with nutrients) is provided with seeds and / or young plants and / or on a Carrier substrate band seeds and / or young plants are applied, the carrier substrate band is moved forward in such a way that the seeds or young plants pass through a growth zone at the end of which there are plants ready for harvest (and can be harvested).

The method may also include the step of harvesting as a method of growing and harvesting plants.

One idea of the invention is to move the plants (through a growth zone) as they grow. As a result, harvesting can be carried out in an effective manner at a specific location, with the plants passing through the growth zone being able to be efficiently promoted in their growth (for example by the application of light, water and/or nutrients that may vary in time and/or space ).

The carrier substrate strip can be at least twice or at least 5 times or at least 10 times as long as it is wide (in particular before wetting and/or rooting). Alternatively or additionally, the support substrate tape (in a pre-rooted and pre-irrigated state) may be at least 10 times or at least 50 times as wide as it is thick.

The (absorbent) carrier substrate strip is preferably designed to be continuous, in particular so that a root can (at least theoretically) reach every point of the carrier substrate strip without leaving the carrier substrate strip. In particular, a band on or in the individual chambers such. B. pots are arranged, which are filled with a plant substrate, not to be regarded as a carrier substrate band.

A material of the carrier substrate band can comprise cellulose and/or open-pore foam and/or a woven fabric and/or a knitted fabric and/or a mesh or consist of one or more of these materials. In one embodiment, the material consists of cellulose (at least essentially without further components, e.g. at least 50% by weight or at least 90% by weight or at least 99% by weight). The carrier substrate band particularly preferably comprises a multi-ply, in particular three-ply, structure, preferably a multi-ply, in particular three-ply, cellulose tissue. As a result, roots can be effectively accommodated during their growth in the carrier substrate strip, in particular without the carrier substrate strip lifting.

The carrier substrate web may be compressible and/or absorbent (through appropriate capillary action).

In particular, the plants are moved comparatively slowly during locomotion, for example at an (average) speed of at least 0.1 mm/h or at least 1 mm/h or at least 5 mm/h and/or at most 1000 mm/h or at most 100 mm /H.

Plant rearing can preferably be completely automated from sowing (or planting young plants) up to and including harvesting. Particularly in the case of very small crops (so-called micro greens), continuous rearing from seed to harvest can be made possible in a minimal space.

Due to a (particularly slow) movement of the plants, different areas or stages of plant growth can remain (quasi) stationary. The (average) speed is preferably selected in such a way that over the length of a growth zone (defined for example by a plant table) a complete plant rearing from the seed (or the young plant) until harvest maturity. For example, a (mean) speed of (1200/10) * 24 h = 5 mm/h could be set for a plant table with a length of 1200 mm and a duration t of plant cultivation of 10 days. A movement of the (plant) substrate can take place, for example, by pushing, pulling and/or sliding (for example by means of an incline of a substrate, in particular a planting table) and/or a combination thereof. The seed or young plants can be applied at a beginning of the growth zone (while the carrier substrate belt is advancing or during a standstill period of the same). The movement can be continuous or in spurts.

Removal or harvesting of the plants can take place at one end of the growth zone (while the carrier substrate belt is advancing or during a standstill period of the same).

Comparatively good rearing conditions can be made possible, in particular, by a continuous (or at least quasi-continuous, phased) process. Furthermore, vertical stackability is enabled (or can be implemented) in a simple manner. The method (or the corresponding device explained further below) can be used in particular for the cultivation of so-called micro greens directly at the consumer's location, in restaurants and/or supermarkets and possibly operated without specialist personnel.

The method (or the corresponding device) can be used in small applications (e.g. for the daily removal of cress and/or other micro greens in private households), in a medium size (e.g. for restaurants, on cruise ships and/or supermarkets) and in large Scale (e.g. in plant breeders, garden centers, etc.) are implemented.

Areas of the growth zone (which are traversed and are preferably stationary per se) can be optimized for the specific growth phase in each case (e.g. for root development, leaf development, etc.). Overall, optimal growth conditions can be achieved.

In general, the growth zone can be divided into at least two or at least three sub-zones, each preferably having a length of at least 10% of the length of the total growth zone. At least one parameter relating to the supply of the plants (in particular a quantity and/or color of light and/or a quantity of water and/or a quantity and/or composition of nutrients) can vary from at least one sub-zone to at least one further sub-zone (possibly .vary compared to all other sub-zones). In a respective sub-zone, the respective parameter (in particular a quantity and/or color of light and/or a quantity of water and/or a quantity and/or composition of nutrients) is preferably at least substantially constant.

Automation from sowing to harvest is possible. The carrier substrate tape (seed substrate or seed tape) can be stored for a comparatively long time.

In particular, with an optional coding of the seed, an optimal (automatic) adjustment of the device to the respective seed can be made possible.

In contrast to conventional hydroponic systems (with roots in a nutrient solution), there is preferably no sloshing water due to the (movable) carrier substrate belt. In particular, no pumps or preparation of the nutrient solution is required. Energy and water can be saved and algae growth prevented.

The carrier substrate band (possibly including seeds and/or young plants) can be unrolled and/or unfolded at least in sections from a rolled up and/or folded state. Alternatively or additionally, the carrier substrate band (in particular with residues of the harvested plants) can be rolled up and/or folded together after a harvest. In embodiments, the carrier substrate strip can be at least essentially rolled up in the initial state and/or can be at least essentially rolled up in the final state. As a result, plant growth can be realized particularly effectively.

Specifically, the carrier substrate tape can be unrolled from a rolled-up state, then successively traversed the growth zone, and (optionally) rolled up again after traversing the growth zone (and subsequent harvesting).

The substrate can already contain the seeds and/or the young plants.

The seeds or young plants can be distributed or distributed continuously or with interruptions. Interruptions have the advantage. that no plants are damaged during detachment and/or that no plant material is left on a detachment device.

An area of the carrier substrate strip covered by the seed or the young plants is preferably at least 5% or at least 10% or at least 20%; and/or a maximum of 90% or a maximum of 95% of a (top) surface of the carrier substrate tape.

At least 2 or at least 12 or at least 25 seeds can (on average) per cm ² of a (top) surface of the carrier substrate tape; and/or at most 500 or at most 200 seed seeds.

The carrier substrate tape may contain (all) necessary nutrients needed for the development of the plants up to harvest. In embodiments, nutrients can also be dispensed with, in particular if sufficient nutrients are already stored in the seeds for a desired growth (such as, for example, in the case of cress). Alternatively or additionally, further nutrients can be supplied or applied, for example during the movement of the carrier substrate strip.

In particular, when the carrier substrate tape is unwound from a roll and a tensile force is applied, the tensile strength of the substrate in the direction of movement should preferably be selected such that, when the carrier substrate tape is wet, it is at least 1.1 times, preferably 1.2 times, the frictional resistance of the wet Carrier substrate bands corresponds to a substrate.

The carrier substrate strip can be perforated longitudinally and/or transversely to a feed direction, in particular in order to facilitate automated harvesting in the case of harvesting with root balls.

In general, the carrier substrate strip can be moved (in particular sliding) on a base (e.g. table or planting table). The locomotion can optionally be facilitated by rollers. However, roles are preferably dispensed with.

The carrier substrate band is preferably constructed in multiple layers, more preferably in three layers. The layers can be folded and/or connected to each other in such a way that capillary water flow is promoted through all layers. A pocket (plant pocket) can develop during the root development of the plants, particularly with a three-layer structure. This can ensure a comparatively good root climate and enable stable root formation, especially while a bottom layer is on the ground (e.g. planting table) and thus enables capillary water supply from below.

The carrier substrate strip can (during plant growth) be watered from above, in particular by sprinkling, and/or from below, in particular by capillary irrigation. Alternatively or additionally (in particular during the movement of the carrier substrate strip) an (artificial) exposure can take place, which is preferably variable and/or is changed over the length of the growth zone during the growth. Alternatively or additionally, air humidity and/or ventilation can be changed or can be changed over time and/or the length of the growth zone.

The method of growing plants may include seeding, squeegeeing, unwinding, winding, separating, sprinkling, covering and/or watering. Furthermore, the method can include harvesting and/or packaging the plants with or without (rooted through) substrate.

If a roller (seed roller) is used from which the carrier substrate tape is unrolled, a roller axis can preferably be arranged above (alternatively below) a support for the carrier substrate tape (seed tape support or planting table).

Preferably, the carrier substrate band is directly (in particular without an active conveyor device underneath, such as a conveyor belt, and/or without a passive conveyor device, e.g. co-rotating rollers) through at least a section of the growth zone (possibly at least 50% or 90% of a length of the growth zone or the entire growth zone). In embodiments, the carrier substrate strip can slide over a stationary base in particular. Preferably, the carrier substrate web is pushed and/or pulled over a stationary surface and/or slides down a ramp (assisted by gravity).

The above-mentioned object is also achieved in particular by a device for plant cultivation, in particular for use in the above method, comprising a receiving device for a carrier substrate strip for seeds and/or with young plants and a locomotion device for moving the carrier substrate strip forward at least in sections through a growth zone of the device, at the end of which there are plants ready for harvest. The receptacle of the device and the locomotion device can be formed by a common receptacle and locomotion device or by separate devices. The receiving device can be, for example, a device for receiving a carrier substrate tape roll. The locomotion device includes, for example, a or multiple drive(s) for pushing and/or pulling the carrier substrate tape. Alternatively or additionally, the locomotion device can have a movable base (comparable to an assembly line or comprising one) on which the carrier substrate strip is conveyed through the growth zone.

In general, it is possible for the carrier substrate strip to move relative to the support (the support, e.g. plant table, therefore remains stationary) or for the support itself to be moved (and thus transport the carrier substrate strip).

The device for growing plants can have a device for lighting and/or a device for watering and/or a device for adjusting the humidity and/or a device for sowing and/or a device for scraping and/or a device for removing and/or Winding up the carrier substrate tape and/or a device for severing the carrier substrate tape and/or a device for covering the carrier substrate tape or the plants located thereon and/or a device for harvesting and/or a device for packaging.

The respective device can be configured in such a way that the parameter influenced by the device can be controlled, possibly regulated, in particular so that the respective parameter (e.g. the light) can be varied in terms of time and/or space. A variation of the respective parameter means that the parameter can assume at least three, preferably at least five, different values (or such values can be set).

The plant-rearing device preferably comprises at least one roller for unwinding the carrier substrate strip and/or at least one roller for winding up the (in particular harvested) carrier substrate strip.

The object mentioned above is also achieved in particular by a system comprising the device for plant cultivation and the carrier substrate strip (and optionally the plants and/or the seeds).

Further embodiments of the invention result from the dependent claims.

The invention is also explained below with regard to further features and exemplary embodiments with reference to the following figures.

• 1 eine schematische Darstellung einer Vorrichtung zur Pflanzenaufzucht;
• 2 eine alternative Ausführungsform einer Vorrichtung zur Pflanzenaufzucht;
• 3 eine alternative Ausführungsform einer Vorrichtung zur Pflanzenaufzucht in einer schematischen Darstellung;
• 4 ein Trägersubstratband mit Samen; und
• 5 das Trägersubstratband gemäß 4 nach der Keimung.

Here show:

• 1 a schematic representation of a device for plant cultivation;
• 2 an alternative embodiment of a device for growing plants;
• 3 an alternative embodiment of a device for growing plants in a schematic representation;
• 4 a carrier substrate tape with seeds; and
• 5 the carrier substrate tape according to 4 after germination.

In the following description, the same reference numbers are used for the same parts and parts that work the same way.

1 shows a device for growing plants, comprising a receiving device 10 for receiving a carrier substrate strip 11 (completely rolled up in the initial state). In the initial state, the carrier substrate strip 11 is unrolled from a first roll 15 (which can be received in the receiving device 10). The carrier substrate strip 11 can be pulled and/or pushed over a support 12 (designed to be stationary here by way of example) and specifically through a growth zone 13 . At one end of the growth zone 13 the carrier substrate strip 11 can be rolled onto a second roll 14 .

The device for growing plants also (optionally) has a device for sowing 16, a device for lighting 17 (here by way of example comprising two light sources), a device for watering 18 (here by way of example comprising three irrigation water sources), and a device for harvesting 20.

In general, a device for illuminating can have several light sources (in particular distributed over the length of the growth zone 13). As a result, different lighting conditions can be realized in different areas of the growth zone 13 in a particularly simple manner.

In a similar way, alternatively or additionally, several irrigation sources can be present, in particular over the length of the carrier substrate strip, so that targeted (variable) irrigation in different areas of the growth zone 13 is made possible.

In 2 an alternative embodiment for a device for growing plants is shown. This corresponds to the execution 1 with the following differences. The support 12 is oblique, so that the carrier substrate tape 11 (partially or completely) solely due to the Gravity, for example by slipping, is moved. A brake can be assigned to the receiving device 10 and/or the first roller 15, which enables a controlled downward movement (possibly with an adjustable or at least constant) speed. Furthermore, no second role is provided. Preferably in the execution according to 2 during harvesting, parts of the carrier substrate strip are also separated, with the harvested plants remaining at least temporarily on the respectively separated part.

Another embodiment of plant cultivation is in 3 shown. Irrigation takes place there by means of capillary irrigation by a corresponding device 18. As in the embodiments according to FIG 2 the carrier substrate strip is not rolled up, but is severed or separated by means of a harvesting device 20 together with the harvested plants. As in the embodiment according to 1 only part of the plants is harvested (and possibly portioned) by the harvesting device 20 .

4 shows a carrier substrate band (seed band) with seeds before germination (in a cross-section transverse to a longitudinal extension). A three-layer structure is shown, in which a comparatively good water flow can take place through a fold and/or a seam. The three layers can be made of cellulose. Possibly no further material is arranged between the layers, in particular paper layers.

5 shows the carrier substrate band with the seed after germination. Due to the effect of the forming roots and/or swelling, the carrier substrate band is enlarged (however, this is not mandatory).

At this point it should be pointed out that all the parts described above, viewed individually and in any combination, in particular the details shown in the drawings, are claimed to be essential to the invention. Modifications of this are familiar to those skilled in the art.

Furthermore, it is pointed out that the aim is to have as broad a scope of protection as possible. In this respect, the invention defined in the claims can also be made more precise by features that are described with further features (even without these further features necessarily having to be included). It is explicitly pointed out that round brackets and the term "in particular" in the respective context are intended to emphasize the optionality of features (which should not mean, conversely, that a feature is to be regarded as mandatory in the relevant context without such identification).

Reference List

10

recording device

11

carrier substrate tape

12

edition

13

growth zone

14

second role

15

first role

16

Device for sowing

17

Device for lighting

18

Device for irrigation

20

harvesting device

QUOTES INCLUDED IN DESCRIPTION

This list of documents cited by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Patent Literature Cited

• WO 2019183734 [0002]

Claims (12)

A method for growing plants, in which a carrier substrate belt (11) is provided with seeds and/or young plants and/or seeds and/or young plants are applied to a carrier substrate belt (11), the carrier substrate belt (11) being advanced in such a way that the seed or The young plants pass through a growth zone (13) at the end of which there are plants ready for harvest. procedure after claim 1 , wherein the seeds or the young plants are applied at a beginning of the growth zone (13) during the movement of the carrier substrate belt (11) or during a standstill period. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the locomotion is continuous or intermittent. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the carrier substrate strip (11), optionally including seeds and/or young plants, is unrolled and/or unfolded at least in sections from a rolled up and/or folded state. Method according to one of the preceding claims, in which the carrier substrate strip (11) is watered from above, in particular by sprinkling, and/or from below, in particular by capillary watering. Method according to one of the preceding claims, in which the carrier substrate strip (11) is constructed in multiple layers, for example in three layers. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the carrier substrate strip (11) is moved directly through at least one section of the growth zone, without an underlying active and/or passive conveying device, in particular slides over a stationary subsurface, preferably pushed and/or pulled over a stationary subsurface becomes. Device for growing plants, in particular for use in the method according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a receiving device for a carrier substrate strip (11) for seeds and/or young plants and a locomotion device for moving the carrier substrate strip (11) forward at least in sections through a growth zone (13) of the Device at the end of which there are plants ready for harvest. device after claim 8 , comprising a device for lighting and/or a device for watering and/or a device for adjusting the humidity and/or a device for sowing and/or a device for scraping and/or a device for unwinding and/or winding up the carrier substrate strip ( 11) and/or a device for severing the carrier substrate strip (11) and/or a device for covering and/or a device for harvesting and/or a device for packaging. device after claim 8 or 9 , comprising at least one roller for unwinding the carrier substrate strip (11) and/or at least one roller for winding up the carrier substrate strip (11) which has in particular been harvested. System comprising a device according to claim 8 , 9 or 10 and the carrier substrate tape (11). Carrier substrate tape, in particular for the method according to one of Claims 1 until 7 and/or for the device according to one of Claims 8 until 10 and/or as part of the system claim 11 , wherein an area of the carrier substrate strip covered by a seed or young plants is at least 5%, preferably at least 10%, more preferably at least 20% of a surface of the carrier substrate strip, and/or wherein per cm ² of a surface of the carrier substrate strip is at least 12, preferably at least 25 seeds can be arranged.

Images