DE202020000321U1 - Plant cultivation container for in-vitro propagation - Google Patents

Abstract

Plant cultivation container (1), comprising an at least partially transparent container (2) made of plastic, with a container base (4) which at least partially forms a lower support surface (5) and which forms a receiving space (7) with a circumferential side wall (6), and with a flange-like upper container edge (8) opposite the container base (4), and an at least partially transparent cover (3) made of plastic, which can be fixed to the container edge (8) in a media-tight manner, the cover base (9) having at least one for a gas exchange with the environment has an opening (10) provided with a filter membrane (11), characterized in that the bottom of the container base (4) has at least one channel (12) leading out at the edge in the form of a flat indentation which is used to ventilate a second plant cultivation container (1 ') stacked under it, in that its opening (10) is at least partially in the region of the channel (12).

Description

The present invention relates to a plant cultivation container according to the preamble of claim 1.

In in-vitro propagation, plant explants are cloned on a nutrient medium in a sterile environment to form complete and genetically identical plants. Containers made of transparent plastic are used here, which consist of a container as the lower part and a lid fixed to the container edge in a media-tight manner as the upper part. Such a generic container is from NL 1019767 C2 known. Its lid has two openings covered with a filter element, so that gas can be exchanged between the receiving space and the environment while pests such as viruses, bacteria, fungi or mites are retained.

The object of the present invention is to improve a plant cultivation container for in vitro propagation of the type mentioned at the outset such that it can be produced inexpensively with thin walls and gas exchange is ensured in the case of containers that are in particular stacked one on top of the other.

The object is achieved by a plant growing container according to claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the invention can be found in the dependent claims referring back to this claim and in the following description of the figures.

According to the invention it is provided that the bottom of the container has at least one edge leading out channel in the form of a flat indentation, which is used to ventilate a second plant cultivation container stacked underneath by its opening at least partially in the area of the channel.

The flat indentation forms an increased hollow area of the floor that is spaced apart from the contact surface. The contact area and thus the contact of the soil on a contact area, such as for example a lid of a second plant cultivation container stacked underneath, is interrupted in the area of the channel. This creates a ventilation channel through which a gas exchange for the plant growing container stacked below can take place. Previously required spacing webs on the container and / or lid base, as a result of which the containers in the stack occupy a mutual distance of several millimeters, can be dispensed with. Likewise, the construction of the container, in particular, can be made less rigid and thus with a thinner wall thickness, since the container with its further base can now stand directly on the cover base of a plant growing container stacked below it.

The opening of the container stacked below is preferably located completely within the channel or hollow area, so that an unimpeded exchange of gas is ensured even when the plant cultivation containers are stacked one on top of the other. A minimum distance of a few tenths of a millimeter between the opening covered with the filter membrane and the channel bottom is sufficient for sufficient gas exchange.

The filter membrane is preferably an in-mold label molded around and / or back-molded from the plastic of the lid, leaving the opening free. The selection of the filter material determines its permeability. The filter membrane preferably has a pore size of less than 0.25 micrometers. The air exchange volume required by a respective in-vitro culture can be adjusted by the size of the opening or by the area of the filter membrane in the lid base that is left free by the back injection.

The channel width extends over 5 to 60% of the relevant edge length of the base and is preferably arranged in the middle of the edge. The channel runs essentially at right angles to this edge within the floor. The channel height is in the range from 0.5 to 6 millimeters, preferably from 0.7 to 1.5 millimeters, so that only a comparatively flat indentation is formed in the container bottom. The floor profile of the receiving space accordingly has only slight differences in height, so that the nutrient medium that has been filled in can be distributed evenly on the container floor.

In a further embodiment, it is provided that the at least one channel is stabilized by at least one bottom web running essentially transversely to the channel and leaving at least one passage open. The integrity of the channel is guaranteed even under extreme environmental conditions with regard to temperature and air humidity as well as with a corresponding load from the filled nutrient medium as well as during transport and storage in a stacked arrangement. Preferably, two bottom webs are provided which are arranged essentially in alignment opposite one another and are connected to the respective channel edge. The channel can be made even flatter thanks to the stabilizing base bars. The bottom webs are preferably arranged in the region of the channel outlet and their height is at least equal to the channel height so that they form erecting webs on which the container rests in addition to its part of the container bottom forming a lower contact area.

In a further embodiment, it is provided that the at least one base web extends into a lower base area adjoining the channel. The height of the at least one floor web relative to the lower floor area is minimal and is only a few tenths of a millimeter. Preferably, several bottom webs are provided, which are arranged in sections near the edge of the container bottom and form erecting webs with which the plant cultivation container stands on the contact surface in addition to the middle part of the container bottom forming a lower contact area. This ensures a stable and, in particular, wobble-free stand of the container.

In a further embodiment, at least two channels leading out on different sides of the container are provided. This means that two openings in one cover can be ventilated from different sides. If one channel is blocked on one side of the container, the other ventilation channel is still available. The channels preferably lead out on opposite sides of the container and they can be connected to one another and form a channel that is continuous in two directions.

In a further embodiment, flat transitions are provided between the channel floor and the adjoining, lower floor areas. The flat transition can have large rounding radii and / or a wall section which is oriented at a flat angle to the contact surface. Due to the flat transitions, the filled nutrient substrate can be distributed more evenly on the bottom of the container.

In a further embodiment it is provided that the at least one opening is arranged in a bulge of the lid base. The bulge, which is preferably circular in the form of a flat disk, is received by the channel of a container stacked on it. The opening or the filter membrane arranged therein is arranged in the dome-shaped cover area, which is raised in relation to the further cover base and is thus housed in a protected manner. Leaves growing from below against the bottom of the lid can no longer so easily close the opening in the dome. The area of the opening with the inserted filter membrane is also stiffened by the dome-shaped elevation and thereby secured against deformations that could damage the filter membrane. The arrangement of the filter membrane in the bulge also has advantages in the production process of the cover, namely that the injected plastic compound pushes the filter membrane inserted in the injection molding tool upwards and thus a clear position of the filter membrane in the cover is given. The filter membrane arranged in the bulge is preferably circular and fills the area of the bulge to about 50-95%. A respective air exchange volume is defined by the pore size of the filter membrane and by the size of the opening or by the area of the filter membrane left free by the back injection in the bulge. Preferably, two bulges spaced symmetrically apart from the center of the cover and openings with filter membranes arranged therein are provided.

In a further embodiment it is provided that the container can be guided via its at least one channel on the upwardly protruding bulge of the lid. Containers stacked on top of one another are thereby easily aligned and guided with respect to one another and, in particular, secured against slipping during (overseas) transport.

In a further embodiment it is provided that the filter membrane inserted in the opening is bulged upward in the shape of a dome. Condensation water condensing on the underside of the cover is directed to the edge of the opening or bulge in the area of the filter membrane, so that the pores of the filter membrane remain free for gas exchange. The filter membrane, which bulges upwards and thus protrudes relative to the bottom of the lid, can be received by the channel of a container or container stacked on it.

• 1 ein erfindungsgemäßes Pflanzenanzuchtbehältnis in einer perspektivischen Ansicht von schräg oben;
• 2 eine Unteransicht von dem Pflanzenanzuchtbehältnis;
• 3 eine Schnittansicht gemäß Schnittverlauf III-III in 1.

Further advantages and details of the invention can be found in the following description of the figures. Individual technical features of the exemplary embodiment described below can also be combined in combination with the exemplary embodiments described above and the features of the independent claims and any further claims to form objects according to the invention. Insofar as it makes sense, elements that have the same function are provided with identical reference numbers. Show it

• 1 an inventive plant growing container in a perspective view obliquely from above;
• 2 a bottom view of the plant growing container;
• 3rd a sectional view according to section III-III in 1 .

The plant growing container intended for in vitro propagation 1 consists of a container 2 as a lower part and a lid 3rd as an upper part, each with a thin wall thickness of around 0.5 mm made of transparent plastic by injection molding. The essentially rectangular plant growing container 1 has the outer Dimensions of 146 x 96 x 84 mm ³ (L x W x H), with the container 2 has a height of 65 mm.

The container 2 comprises a container bottom 4th , the one with a circumferential side wall 6th a recording room 7th trains. The bottom of the container 4th opposite is a flange-like container edge 8th provided on which the lid 3rd can be determined in a media-tight manner. The lid 3rd , which essentially consists of a lid base 9 and a circumferential cover wall 20th is formed, has for this purpose a lid edge 23 which has a circumferential profile of two channels open in opposite directions and a common wall between them in the form of a lying S-profile. The outer channel, which is open on the underside, overlaps the container edge protruding like a flange 8th , while the inner gutter, which is open at the top, enters the container 2 immersed. The common wall of the inner and outer channel is sealingly on the inside of the side wall 6th of the container 2 at.

container 2 and lid 3rd can be nested due to the conicity of their side walls. A respective stacking distance is at the lid 3rd through in the edge of the lid 23 molded stacking bars 22nd and at the container 2 through indentations on the outside in the corner 18th the container side wall 6th arranged stacking bars 19th Are defined.

In the case of in-vitro propagation, it is put into the container 2 the agar medium A. filled in, on which explants of a mother plant are then placed. The cells of the explants reconstruct through the lid 3rd sealed container 2 first meristems, from which sprouts and roots are formed. The newly formed adventitious plants P. are removed from the sterile environment of the plant cultivation container after their rooting 1 removed and transferred to a plant substrate for further cultivation.

The plant growing container 1 points in its lid 3rd two with filter elements 11 covered openings 10 on, whereby a gas exchange with the environment can take place, while pests such as viruses, bacteria, fungi or mites are held back. The openings 10 are approx. 0.8 mm high, circular bulges 16 of the lid base 9 arranged and those in the openings 10 inserted filter membranes 11 are dome-shaped bulging upwards. The in 1 Injection point indicated by dashed lines 24 of the lid 3rd is in the center of the lid base 9 arranged. The two bulges 16 with the openings 10 are point-symmetrical to the injection point 24 positioned.

The container 2 points in its container bottom 4th two on the underside on opposite sides of the container 2 outgoing channels 12th in the form of a flat, approximately 1.3 mm deep indentation. The channels 12th serve - like out 3rd can be seen - the ventilation of a stacked second plant growing container 1 '. Its bulges 16 in the lid 3rd and the associated openings 10 are namely in the canals 12th of the container stacked on it 3rd recorded.

In the stacked arrangement according to 3rd the container is supported 2 of the upper plant growing container 1 mostly with its container bottom 4th directly on the bottom of the lid 9 of the lid 3rd from the stacked plant growing container 1 '. The contact area thus formed 5 is in the bottom view of 2 indicated with dashed lines. In addition, and especially for a stable stand, are under the bottom of the container 4th in the area close to the edge still approx. 0.7 mm high floor and support bars 13th , 17th molded. These have an effect on the bottom of the lid 9 molded guide bars 21 together. The container bottom, which has a thin wall thickness and is therefore slightly flexible 4th So bulges within the floor and installation walkways 13th , 17th downwards and is thus based on the indicated contact area 5 directly on the contact surface.

The floor walkways 13th run, leaving a respective passage free 14th , in the two channels 12th and extend over the flat shaped transitions 15th the channel edges down to the adjacent lower floor areas. This stiffens the particularly flat channels 12th out.

List of reference symbols

1

Plant growing container

2

container

3

cover

4th

Container bottom

5

Footprint

6th

Side wall

7th

Recording room

8th

Container edge

9

Lid base

10

opening

11

Filter membrane

12th

channel

13th

Floor bridge

14th

passage

15th

crossing

16

bulge

17th

Mounting platform

18th

indentation

19th

Stacking bridge

20th

Top wall

21

Guide bar

22nd

Stacking bridge

23

Lid rim

24

Injection point

P.

Adventurous plant

A.

Agar

QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed 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

• NL 1019767 C2 [0002]

Claims (8)

Plant cultivation container (1), comprising an at least partially transparent container (2) made of plastic, with a container base (4) which at least partially forms a lower support surface (5) and which forms a receiving space (7) with a circumferential side wall (6), and with a flange-like upper container edge (8) opposite the container base (4), and an at least partially transparent cover (3) made of plastic, which can be fixed to the container edge (8) in a media-tight manner, the cover base (9) having at least one for a gas exchange with the environment has an opening (10) provided with a filter membrane (11), characterized in that the bottom of the container base (4) has at least one channel (12) leading out at the edge in the form of a flat indentation which is used to ventilate a second plant cultivation container (1 ') stacked under it, in that its opening (10) is at least partially in the region of the channel (12). Plant growing container after Claim 1 , characterized in that the at least one channel (12) is stabilized by at least one bottom web (13) which runs essentially transversely to the channel (12) and leaves at least one passage (14) open. Plant growing container after Claim 2 , characterized in that the at least one base web (13) extends into a lower base area adjoining the channel (12). Plant cultivation container according to one of the Claims 1 to 3rd , characterized by at least two channels (12) leading out on different sides of the container (2). Plant cultivation container according to one of the Claims 1 to 4th , characterized by flat transitions (15) between the channel floor and the adjoining, lower floor areas. Plant cultivation container according to one of the Claims 1 to 5 , characterized in that the at least one opening (10) is arranged in a bulge (16) of the lid base (9). Plant growing container after Claim 6 , characterized in that the container (2) can be guided via its at least one channel (12) on the bulge of the cover (3). Plant cultivation container according to one of the Claims 1 to 7th , characterized in that the filter membrane (11) inserted in the opening (10) bulges upward in the shape of a dome.

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