FR2680078A1 - HYDROPONIC CULTURE PROCESS AND INSTALLATION. - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method and an installation for automated hydroponics on conveyor belts. This method comprises the introduction of seeds which have not undergone germination into a hopper (1) from which the seeds are transmitted to a seed metering device (2) which regulates the quantity of seeds to be deposited on each belt. (3) by opening and closing doors, and cyclic watering of each of the belts (3) at varying temperatures depending on the conditions necessary for the germination step.

Description

The present invention relates to a hydroponics method

  automated on conveyor belts and

  an installation for the implementation of this process.

  Currently, the use of the hydroponics technique is very widespread in certain sec-

  commercial tutors given the advantages it offers

  compared to other types of cultivation techniques. Among these advantages, perhaps the most important are those which relate to the high yields which are obtained, to the non-seasonal nature of certain traditional products since natural cycles can be controlled and even accelerated by artificial regulation of

  the environment, and under phytosanitary conditions

  males of products grown in this way.

  The applicant has already carried out improvements in this type of culture by advanced automation and has given rise to the grant of Spanish patents no. 542 364

  and 89,01492, as well as utility model No. 286,116.

  The automation of this type of culture has been increased thanks to a series of improvements made to existing techniques, allowing even more automation.

  important to the growth process to the point that the ins-

  tallation works practically without any manpower

specialized.

  Automated hydroponics facilities

  woven on conveyor belts rest essential-

  Lely on the use of a series of horizontal bands which support the soil on which the hydrated seeds

are dropped.

  Thanks to a sprinkler system and an installation

  adjustment of the movement of the belts, the automatic

  sation of the growth and harvest of the different

products is carried out.

  The improvements brought to the processes and installations of automated hydroponics on conveyor belts, which are the object of the invention, allow current cultivators to optimize their yield from the point of view of profit and productivity, by optimizing aspects the least efficient in the installation, due to the need to germinate the seeds before they are placed on the conveyor belts and the need to maintain suitable environmental conditions (temperature and humidity) at the location of cultivation of crop materials, with the high cost involved in almost all of these operations

cases.

  Thanks to the improvements according to the invention, it is no longer necessary to ensure prior germination of the seeds. On the contrary, they are introduced dry in a dosing hopper from which they are released on the various belts, by hatches. , in

  depending on the quantities required on each belt.

  The number of belts and the number of hatches are determined by the conditions set by the operation, it is even possible to obtain continuous production when the number of belts is equal to the number

  days of seed germination cycles.

  It is possible to create a watering circuit

  cyclic which sprinkles each belt according to the conditions

  particular requirements of each stage of germination, and

  in this case, not only the production cycle is opti-

  bet, but still the savings are considered

  because the intensity and frequency of watering

vary as necessary.

  The technical adjustment of the whole germination process is obtained by continuous evaluation of the optimal temperature variation cycles of the harvesting materials. The temperature data are obtained using thermometers (probes) introduced into the germination soil of each of the belts and which continuously monitor the temperature. The adjustment of the soil temperature after evaluation of the actual temperature and the optimal temperature, is carried out by gradation of the watering temperature. For this purpose, a generator of hot and cold water is used. The comparison of the yields obtained with such an installation and with an installation in which it is necessary to cool all the internal conditions is clearly favorable for the grower and demonstrates

  the improvements brought about by the invention.

  When the growth cycle is finished, the layer of plants produced is removed from the installation by starting the conveyor belt. When the crop material falls at the end of the belt, it is cut or chopped by a device occupying this space.

  location and then falls on another conveyor belt

  teuse who transports it outside When the cour-

  goose has been rid of all the plants produced, it is subject to a normal cycle of cleaning and disinfection so that it is in conditions allowing the reception of new dry seeds and the

  start of a new growth cycle.

  Thanks to these improvements in automated hydroponics systems, it is possible

  to install all the appliances, including the

  line, the hopper and the rest of the elements described, in any suitable building, without the building having to be prepared for the maintenance of specific conditions of

  temperature and humidity essential for cultivation.

  Thus, the use of timed circuits and condi-

  air supply of the whole building is avoided, since a suitable growth temperature is obtained by watering the cultivation soil with suitable water, according to the information obtained from the thermometer

  placed in the ground arranged on each of the belts.

  Other features and advantages of the invention

  tion will emerge more clearly from the description of an example of

  realization of the invention which will follow, made in reference to

  Refer to the accompanying drawings in which:

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an installation

  lation according to the invention; and Figure 2 is a side elevational view of

the installation of figure 1.

  FIG. 1 represents the entire installation, comprising a hopper 1 in which the seeds are deposited which are then transmitted to containers 2 which

  measure the quantity of seeds to be deposited on each course-

  roie 3 All belts are fitted with temperature-controlled sprinkler circuits and, when the growth cycle is complete as indicated in reference 4, the belt begins to move and the layer of plants 5 falls at the end of the belt, and it is cut, as indicated by the reference 6, by a device 7 and falls on a conveyor belt 8 which transports the

  produced outside the growing area.

  Figure 2 shows the container 2 which doses the seeds placed on the belts 9, regulating the quantity of seeds using hatches 10 which open and close at suitable intervals and deposit the

  number of seeds needed on each belt.

  Figure 2 also shows the chopping device 7

cutting the layer of plants.

  It is understood that the invention has only been described and shown as a preferred example and that

  may provide any technical equivalence in its constituent elements without departing from its scope.

Claims (5)

  1 Method of automated hydroponics on conveyor belts, characterized in that it comprises the introduction of seeds which have not undergone germination in a hopper (1) from which the seeds are transmitted to a device (2) of seed dosing which regulates the quantity of seeds to be deposited on each belt (3) by opening and closing of hatches (10), and the cyclic watering of each of the belts (3) at variable temperatures depending on the conditions   necessary for the germination stage.   2 Method according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises the permanent measurement of the temperature of the soil with a thermometer, and the regulation of the quantity of water and the temperature of the water which are adjusted to   using a suitable generator.   3 Method according to one of claims 1 and 2,   characterized in that, when the growth cycle is finished, the layer of plants produced is removed from the installation by controlling the belt (3), the plants falling at the end of the belt being then cut or chopped, and the pieces of plants being transported to   the outside by a conveyor belt (8).   4 Installation intended for the implementation of a   process according to any one of the preceding claims   teeth, characterized in that it comprises a hopper (1) for receiving seeds connected to a device (2) for metering seeds provided with hatches (10), at least one belt (3) for transporting and germinating seeds comprising a germination soil, a watering circuit   cyclic and at least one thermometer inserted into the ground.   Installation according to claim 4, characterized in that it comprises a hot and cold water generator for regulating the quantity of water and the temperature of irrigation water.   6 Installation according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that it comprises a cutting device (7) disposed at one end of the belt (3), and   a conveyor belt (8) for the sliced plants.