FI104781B - plant Substrate - Google Patents

Description

104781

Medium - Växtunderlag

The invention relates to a growing medium according to the preamble of the independent claim.

5 A substrate made of peat is known in the art. The problem with this kind of substrate is that it is heavy soil. It is relatively expensive to transport it from the factory to the farmer. Further, transferring the medium to the rearing space and removing it after use is laborious.

A substrate made of mineral wool is known in the art. The problem with such medium is particularly its disposal after use; Used medium from mineral wool is hazardous waste.

In addition, a paper-based substrate disclosed in European Patent Application EP-0 318 664 is known. This substrate consists of superimposed corrugated profile plates with which a channel rigidity is formed in the substrate. The problem with this substrate is that, in order to ensure conduction of water, the corrugated channels must be filled with a porous material, which increases the number of work steps and materials required to make the profile boards.

It is an object of the invention to provide a new growth medium which avoids the above disadvantages. It is an object of the invention to provide a substrate. with good usability and environmental performance.

The substrate according to the invention is characterized in what is set forth in the characterizing part of claim 1. Other preferred embodiments of the invention are set forth in the dependent claims.

An advantage of the invention is that the substrate according to the invention is pure wood pulp. ! The substrate is lightweight, easy to handle and environmentally friendly; it is organic. Once used, the substrate can be disposed of by composting with the remains of the grown plant and thus naturally decomposes into soil and / or soil improvers. This way it is re-usable 30 and does not endanger or harm the environment.

A further advantage of the invention is that it can be suitably supplemented with nutrients if necessary to promote plant growth.

104781 2

An advantage of the invention is that the substrate is formed of a plurality of porous wood fiber material layers which are suitably joined together. The bonding is effected e.g. by means of a support frame, such as a box, and / or by means of a suitable adhesive. If used, the adhesive is preferably a conventional organic biodegradable adhesive, such as wood's own lignin.

It is a further advantage of the invention that the layers of wood fiber material together form a uniform substrate in which the plant or plant seedling is simple to plant and easily rooted.

A further advantage of the invention is that the substrate is porous, lightweight, flexible and easy to handle. It can be mounted as a multiplate substrate quickly on top and / or between supports suitable for, for example, a greenhouse.

In the following, the invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of one of the growth media of the invention; Figure 2 illustrates a perspective view of another medium according to the invention; Figure 3 is a sectional view B-B of the substrate of Figure 2; Fig. 4 shows a third substrate according to the invention in a possible sectional view B-B from the substrate of Fig. 1; Fig. 5 shows a fourth substrate according to the invention in a possible cross section A-A from the substrate of Fig. 1; Fig. 6 shows a fifth substrate according to the invention in a possible cross-sectional view A-A in Fig. 1 Fig. 7 shows a sixth substrate according to the invention in a possible cross-section A-A in Fig. 1.

The substrate 1 comprises a plurality of porous layers 2. The substrate 1 is generally a plate-like or rectangular body comprising a plurality of porous and flexible plate-like layers 2, such as e.g. Figure 1 illustrates. However, it should be noted that the substrate 1 has a relatively free shape; it can be shaped as needed, for example, as a short lump-like substrate or as an elongated sausage-like substrate, the thickness of which is also selected depending on the purpose.

104781 3

The layers 2 of the substrate 1 are organic wood pulp. Preferably, the organic wood fiber pulp is pine wood thermoplastic fiber pulp, so-called. "high bulk" pulp having a fiber length of e.g. 1.0 to 5.0 mm. The thickness e of each layer 2 of the substrate 1 is e.g. 1-10 mm. In layer 2, the fibers are distributed evenly and are randomly oriented in different directions.

The substrate 1 comprises e.g. 50-100 layers 2, whereby the substrate thickness k is e.g. 100-300 mm or more. The width 1 and the length p of the substrate 1 are e.g. 1 = 300-600 mm and p = 1000-1500 mm, respectively, but other dimensions are possible. The bulk density of the substrate 1 is most preferably in the range of 20-25 10 kg / m 2. The layers 2 of the substrate 1 are thus porous material. The thicknesses of the layers 2 may be of different widths, but it is advantageous in manufacturing technology that the layers have the same thickness.

The plant or plant seedling is planted in a conventional manner in the substrate 1 according to the invention. It can be planted on the upwardly facing side la (or 15 Ib) of the plant substrate 1, against which the layers 2 are substantially perpendicular. The planting then takes place between layers 2, for example. Alternatively, the plant or seedling may be planted upwardly on the side to be tracked le (or Id) with the layers 2 parallel thereto. The planting medium is then followed by a groove or slit into which the plant or seedling is planted. In the growth process, the roots of the plant penetrate through the layers 2 and spread to the substrate 1. When the substrate 1 is watered, it softens and loses its strength, whereby the layers 2 in a way blend into a porous wood fiber mass which is easily penetrated.

The nutrients commonly used in growing media to improve the development and growth of the plant to be planted therein may have been added to the material of the layers 2 of the substrate 1, i.e. the organic wood pulp. On the other hand, the layers 2 of the substrate 1 may be pure wood pulp without nutrients. Nutrients are then added, for example, when the planting is done during irrigation.

. The substrate 1 preferably also includes a support frame. Its purpose is to support the layers 2 and to hold them together at least during the transfer of the substrate and at the site of the growth. The support frame is either a structure which is mainly imitated outside the layers 2, or it can also be a structure which is mainly interwoven between the layers 2 and is mainly internal.

The plant substrate 1 in Figures 2, 3 and 4 includes a support frame, which is preferably a box 3. The box 3 has sides 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d and bottom 3e, but is open at the top. Such a substrate 1 is easily moved to a growing site and planting of the plant or plants 4 104781 on the open substrate 1 is thus quick. Preferably, the support box 3 is made of paper, cardboard or other similar organic material that is biodegradable.

The plate layers 2 of the substrate 1 are arranged in a support frame, such as a box 3, so that the plate layers 2 are substantially in the direction of the opposite sides 3a, 3b of the box, i.e., generally vertical, as can be seen in Figures 2 and 3. In this case, the plant k is preferably implanted through the upper surface le between the layers 2 (cf. Fig. 3).

Alternatively, the layers 2 of the substrate 1 are mounted on a support frame, such as a lattice 10, such that the layers 2 are substantially perpendicular to the sides 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d of the support frame 3, i.e., the layers are generally horizontal. The plant k can then be planted in the substrate 1 in a groove, incision or the like on its upper surface le.

The substrate support frame of Figs. 5, 6 and 7 is implemented in a different manner than that shown above. Edge regions 4 of substrate 1; 4a, 4b are formed in a plane perpendicular to the plate-like layers 2; 6; 7, which also has the same organic wood fiber mass as the actual substrate layers 2. Edge region 4; 4a, 4b layers 5; 6; 7 then form a support frame.

In the embodiment of the substrate 1 according to Fig. 5, the edge regions 4 of the superimposed layers 20; 4a, 4b is treated, for example, with a water spray or a water glue spray (which is a water glue mixture comprising water and a suitable water-based non-toxic glue such as wood glue). This allows the pulp to be disintegrated so that the lignin contained therein is at least partially released and acts as an adhesive by joining the edges of the layers 2. Edge areas 4; 4a, 4b are as if melted by the effect of water on the tea. The wetted wood pulp upon drying has formed a uniform pulp layer 5 in the peripheral region 4; 4a, 4b each of which at the same time binds the plate-like layers 2 to one another. For edge areas 4; 4a, 4b there is formed an integral peripheral layer 5 transversely to the top (and bottom) of the substrate 1 and the layers 2, which now forms a support frame.

6 and 7, a separate edge layer 6, 7 which is substantially perpendicular to the layers 2 is adhered to the edges of the overlapping sheet-like layers 2, most preferably by a suitable water-based non-toxic adhesive. The edge layer 6, 7 is a plate-like strip. By means of the edge layer 6, the layers 2 are preferably joined together to form a uniform growth substrate 1. The edge layer 6 corresponds to the width k of the substrate 2 (Fig. 6) or the edge layer 7 is wider than the thickness k of the substrate 1 (Fig. 7). In the latter case, the edges 7a, 7b of the edge layer 7 are pivoted and secured, as glued, to the top and bottom surfaces of the substrate 1, as shown in Figure 7.

5 An adhesive layer can be provided between the layers 2 of the substrate 1, most preferably by locating the gluing points e.g. at a point spaced apart. The adhesive layer is then a kind of support frame, either alone or with one of the support frame solutions described above. An adhesive, preferably a biodegradable adhesive such as wood glue, is provided at the bonding points to ensure that the layers 2 are aligned. However, it is not necessary to arrange the adhesive-10 layers or bonding points. In particular, gluing is not required when the support frame is implemented as a box 3 (Figures 2-4).

The substrate 1 is preferably prepared as follows. The pulp, such as the "high bulk" pulp, is blended with any plant nutrient during its manufacture. The plate-like layers 2 are pressed from the fibrous pulp into porous lamellas 15 having a thickness of e.g. The substrate 1 is then assembled by overlapping a plurality of plate-like layers 2, squeezing the lamellae and simultaneously cutting them to a predetermined length and width. Thereafter, the layers 2 are preferably provided with a support frame, such as a box 3 (Figures 2-4) or suitable edge layers 5, 6, 7 (Figures 5-7 to 20).

The support frame of the substrate 1 can also be implemented, for example, by means of the layers 2 which bind together, such as a wire or a string. The support frame can also be implemented by means of point fixings which are spaced apart on the substrate.

The invention is not limited solely to the above exemplary embodiments, but many modifications are possible within the scope of the inventive idea defined by the claims.

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Claims (11)

A growing medium comprising a plurality of porous and flexible layers of material (2) which are organic pulp, characterized in that the layers (2) are thin sheets, preferably 1 to 10 mm thick. 2. The patent claim 1, the patent claim (1), the claim notice (4; 5; 6; 7), the claim affixed (2). 10 3. Växtunderlag enligt patent krav 2, kantetecknat av att stödramen (4; 5; 6; 7), papper, Papp eller et organic organic material. A growing medium according to claim 1, characterized in that the growing medium (1) comprises a support frame (4; 5; 6; 7) arranged to support the layers (2). The substrate according to claim 2, characterized in that the support frame (4; 5; 6; 7) is made of paper, cardboard or similar organic material. 4. Växtunderlag enligt patent krav 2 eller 3, kantetecknat av att stödramen en ens (4). The growing medium according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the support 10 is a box (4). The patented patent application 2 eller 3, the label is illustrated in footnote 15 (5; 6; 7), the file is provided (1) skitt (2) som skitten skitten (2). A substrate according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the support frame comprises an edge layer (5; 6; 7) formed as a layer interconnecting the layers (2) perpendicular to the layers (2) of the substrate (1). 6. Växtunderlag enligt patentkrav 5, kantetecknat av attsksketket (5) bildats av kantatradena i växtunderlagets (1) skikt (2) genome att om dem dem en enhetlig tribibermass av samma material. 7. Växtunderlag enligt patentkrav 5, kantetecknat av att kantskiktet (5; 6) bilat av samma skiktmaterial som växtunderlagets (1) skikt (2). 6. A substrate according to claim 5, characterized in that the edge layer (5) is formed from the peripheral regions of the layers (2) of the substrate (1) by fusing them into a uniform mass of fibrous material. 6 104781 The substrate according to claim 5, characterized in that the edge layer (5; 6) is formed of the same layer material as the layers 20 (2) of the substrate (1). The Växtunderlag enligt face av patent kraven 2-7, the etching device (1) skikt (2) inrättats i stödramen (3) at att skikten (2) and tiredligen parallella med stödramens (3a) sidor (3a, 3b). . 9. The Västunderlag enligt face av patent kraven 2-7, the etching belt (1) skikt (2) inrättats i stödramen (3) sær skikten (2) or the tirligligen (3a, 3b) sidorräta mot stödramens (3a). ). A substrate according to any one of claims 2 to 7, characterized in that the layers (2) of the substrate (1) are arranged in the support frame (3) such that the layers (2) are substantially parallel to the sides (3a, 3b) of the support frame (3). A growing medium according to any one of claims 2 to 7, characterized in that the layers (2) of the growth medium (1) are arranged in the support frame (3) such that the layers (2) are substantially perpendicular to the sides (3a, 3b) of the support frame (3). ). A substrate according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the layers (2) of the substrate (1) are joined to one another, at least in some places, by means of an adhesive. 7 104781 The growing medium according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the wood fiber of the layers (2) of the growing medium (1) is mixed with plant nutrients. 5 1. Växtunderlag innefattande et flertal poros och flexibla materialskikt (2), lively organic organic truffle pulp, kannetecknat av att skikten (2) and feel skivor med en tjocklek foreträdesvis mellan 1 och 10 mm. 10. Växtunderlag enligt nägot av föregäende patentkrav, kännetecknat av att växtunderlagets (1) skikt (2) sammanfogats ätminstone ställvis genomic att Limma. 30 11. Växtunderlag enligt face to face patent application, kännetecknat av att i trabibermassan av växtunderlagets (1) skikt (2) blandats växtnäringsmedel.