FR3042944A1 - ELEMENT FOR USE IN PLANT CULTIVATION CONTAINER, CULTURE SYSTEM, AND METHOD OF MAKING SAME - Google Patents

Abstract

The culture system (100) comprises a container containing water and receiving containers (20), and a mast (6) supporting light sources. An element (50) is intended to be placed in each container. It comprises at least one seed of a plant, a substrate adapted to allow said plant to grow, and a fertilizer. In addition, the element is in the form of a substantially solid compacted body. The element is made in a mold by compression of its various components.

Description

The present invention relates to an element intended to be placed in a container for the cultivation of at least one plant. The invention also relates to a container for receiving such an element, as well as a system for growing a plant comprising a container receiving tray and the element. The invention further relates to a method of making such an element.

There is a growing demand for home gardens that can grow fruits, vegetables, and herbs all year round in a simple way. The invention aims to further simplify the existing vegetable gardens, from the point of view of the user, while improving the overall performance, in particular with regard to germination, growth and the duration of harvest. For this purpose, and according to a first aspect, the invention relates to an element intended to be placed in a container for the cultivation of at least one plant. This element comprises: at least one seed of said plant; a substrate capable of allowing said plant to develop; - a fertilizer and it is in the form of a substantially solid compacted body.

Thus, the element contains all the components necessary to grow the plant, once inserted into the container of the culture system.

The substrate may for example comprise cellulosic fibers, such as coconut fibers or bamboo fibers, and / or powder, such as coconut powder.

"Fertilizer" means a substance, or a mixture of substances, which is intended to provide plants with nutrients to enhance the growth, yield and / or quality of the crop. The element according to the invention is provided to the user in the form of a compacted body, ie a block, which has a large number of advantages: from the point of view of the user, to dispose of a "standing" body, as opposed to a set of components supplied as a powder or granule mixture, is more practical and less messy. The user only has to introduce this body into the system, like a refill; the compacted nature of the body makes it possible to freeze the positioning of the various components inside the element, this positioning having been defined so as to obtain a very good performance of the culture system; - The volume of the element is reduced, which is significant for its transport and storage.

By "substantially solid" is meant that the element has a defined shape, and that when handled during its normal use (transport, placement in the culture system), it retains this form. This does not exclude a local deformation of the element - for example the creation of a notch by a user's fingernail. Of course, significant deformation of the element remains possible under efforts greater than those exerted for the intended use of the element.

In addition, this element, supplied in compacted form, is shaped to expand by expansion when, placed in the culture system, it imbibe water. The element may have the overall shape of a parallelepiped.

According to one possible embodiment, the element comprises at least one protruding appendage formed integrally with the rest of the element, the appendix being intended to be oriented downwards in the use position of the element and to cooperate with a complementary shaped cavity formed in the bottom of the container receiving the element.

Such an appendage can make it possible to improve the transfer of water from the culture system to the element, by promoting the rise of water by capillarity. In addition, the appendix ensures proper positioning of the element in the container. Indeed, the appendix plays a key role, since the user must insert the element in the container with the appendix down, and also ensures the proper centering of the element in the container. It should be noted that if the element is placed upside down - that is, with the appendage up or on one side - the element will not decompact, which will allow the user to note the bad positioning of the element. The incorrectly positioned element does not degrade, however, and therefore remains usable once replaced in the right direction. The appendix may have the shape of a conical frustum converging towards its free end.

According to a possible embodiment, in the use position, the fertilizer is located in a lower part of the element and / or the seed or seeds are located in a middle part of the element.

Thus, the element may comprise at least one lower zone containing fertilizer and an upper zone containing substrate, the seed or seeds being in the middle part of the element. For example, the element may comprise a lower zone containing a mixture of substrate and fertilizer, a median zone containing seeds in the substrate, and an upper zone containing only the substrate.

It is specified that the zones do not necessarily have the same height. In addition, the zones are not necessarily well differentiated in the ready-to-use element, as would be superposed distinct layers. In addition, the term "middle part" means that the seeds are located at a distance from the lower and upper extremities of the element, but this does not mean that the seeds are necessarily centered in the height of the element.

Alternatively, the entire element may comprise a mixture of substrate and fertilizer, with seeds arranged in the middle part. In the case where this mixture is homogeneous throughout the element, there are no zones in the element with differentiated compositions.

According to a second aspect, the invention relates to an assembly comprising an element as previously described, and a container intended to be placed in a container and to receive said element, to allow the cultivation of at least one plant, the container comprising a bottom and a peripheral wall.

According to a third aspect, the invention relates to a container intended to be placed in a tray and to receive an element as previously described and provided with an appendix, to allow the culture of at least one plant. The container comprises a bottom and a peripheral wall and, in addition, at least one cavity which is formed in the bottom of the container and which is open at its lower end, in the position of use, the cavity being shaped to receive the appendix of the element. As explained above, such a cavity, cooperating with such an appendage, improves the positioning of the element in the container and the transfer of water from the culture system to the element.

The cavity has a shape complementary to that of the appendix, preferably substantially identical. For example, when the appendage is in the form of a truncated cone as previously described, the cavity preferably has the same form of truncated cone.

The container may further comprise a chimney extending substantially vertically downwardly from the open bottom end of the cavity, in the use position, and a capillary liquid transport member, such as a wick, disposed at less in part in said chimney. The chimney guides the wick to improve water transport.

According to a fourth aspect, the invention relates to a system for culturing at least one plant, comprising: - a tank having a bottom, a peripheral wall and an upper opening, said tank being intended to contain water; - A tray disposed at the upper opening of the tray, having at least one window; at least one mast supporting at least one light source; an assembly as previously described, the container being placed in the tray and received in a window of the tray.

According to a fifth aspect, the invention relates to a method of producing an element as previously described. According to a general definition, this process comprises: the fact of disposing in a mold the components of the element, namely at least one plant seed, as well as a fertilizer and a substrate in the uncompressed state; - Performing at least one compression operation of the mold content, so as to obtain a substantially solid compacted body.

It is advantageously provided that the seed or seeds are arranged in a median portion relative to the total height of all the components of the element in the mold. This arrangement may relate to the components before and / or after compression.

The process may be such that in the mold, successively and in this order, is arranged: a) a mixture of substrate and fertilizer; (b) at least one or more seeds; c) at least one substrate.

It is also possible to provide a step of horizontally placing the component layer placed in the mold, for example by means of vibrations, and this between steps a) and b) and / or between steps b) and c ).

According to one embodiment, in step b), there is a mixture of at least one substrate and one or more seeds. Alternatively, in step b), we could have only the seed or seeds.

According to one embodiment, the method comprises a single operation of compressing all the components of the element, performed once all the components have been arranged in the mold. Alternatively, the method may comprise one or more intermediate compression steps, after the introduction into the mold of all or part of a component of the element.

According to one embodiment, the method comprises: a first compression operation between steps a) and b); a second compression operation once all the components have been placed in the mold.

In concrete terms, the second compression operation can be performed after step c).

It can be provided not to perform a compression operation between steps b) and c), so as not to risk damaging the seeds.

According to one embodiment, the process comprises, between steps a) and b), the realization in the mixture of substrate and fertilizer of at least one cell open upwards and intended to receive at least one seed. It is specified that the term "alveole" designates any hollow form, without prejudging its geometric contours.

It can then be provided that, in step b), the seed or seeds are disposed in the cell or cells, and that the method comprises a compression operation between steps b) and c). Insofar as the seeds are housed in the cells, they are protected during the compression operation.

For example, the realization of at least one cell and the compression operation between steps b) and c) can be performed simultaneously. For this purpose, it is possible to use a single tool, for example in the form of a press equipped with tips.

Furthermore, according to another aspect, the invention relates to an element intended to be placed in a container for the cultivation of at least one plant, and comprising at least one substrate capable of allowing said plant to develop and a fertilizer, the element being in the form of a substantially solid compacted body. In addition, the element comprises at least one protruding appendage formed integrally with the remainder of the element, the appendix being intended to be oriented downwards in the position of use of the element and to cooperate with a cavity of complementary shape formed in the bottom of the receptacle receiving the element. The invention also relates to a container intended to be placed in a tray and to receive an element as described in the previous paragraph, to allow the culture of at least one plant. The container comprises a bottom and a peripheral wall and, in addition, at least one cavity which is formed in the bottom of the container and which is open at its lower end, in the position of use, the cavity being shaped to receive the appendix of the element.

According to yet another aspect, the invention relates to a method for managing the water level in a tank of a system for culturing at least one plant, the tank having a bottom, a peripheral wall and an upper opening and being intended to contain water. The method consists of: providing the culture system with at least one mast supporting at least: a first light source emitting in a first wavelength range; a second light source emitting in a second wavelength range, different from the first; • manage the lighting of the light sources so that: - when the water level in the tank is higher than a predetermined threshold (corresponding to normal operation), the first and second light sources are lit simultaneously; when the water level in the tank is below a predetermined threshold (lack of water), a corresponding indication is provided to the user, by lighting only one of the first light source and the second light source.

Such a management of the lighting of the light sources can only intervene on part of the day, for example during a cycle of operation corresponding to a day cycle.

For example, the first wavelength range corresponds to a white light and / or the second wavelength range corresponds to a blue light. It can be provided that the light source illuminated to indicate to the user that the water level is below the predetermined threshold is the light emitting in the blue.

Several possible embodiments of the invention are now described by way of nonlimiting examples, with reference to the appended figures:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a system for culturing at least one plant according to the invention;

Figure la is a detail view of the system of Figure 1, showing the light sources;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the system of Fig. 1, in the mounted position, also showing an element to be placed in a container of the system;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the system when plants have grown;

Figures 4 and 5 show a container of the system, respectively in perspective and in section in perspective;

Figures 6, 7 and 8 show a ready-to-use element, according to an embodiment of the invention, respectively in perspective, in view from below and in front view;

Figure 9 shows the placement of an element in a container;

Figure 10 shows the element that has just been put in place in the container;

Figure 11 is a schematic perspective view of the element once soaked with water;

Figures 12a to 12d schematically illustrate steps of a method of producing an element, according to a first embodiment;

Figures 13a to 13e schematically illustrate steps of a method of producing an element, according to a second embodiment;

Figures 14a to 14e schematically illustrate steps of a method of producing an element, according to a third embodiment;

Figure 15 is a schematic detail view of the element being manufactured at the end of the step illustrated in Figure 14d.

Figures 1 to 3 show a culture system 100 of at least one plant 101, which is particularly adapted to allow the culture inside a building.

The system 100 comprises a tray 1 which has a bottom 2, generally plane, a peripheral wall 3 and an upper opening 4. The tray 1 is for example substantially parallelepipedic. Is thus defined inside the tray 1 a sealed receiving space, intended to contain water 102 or another suitable liquid, to allow the cultivation of plants 101.

We define the vertical direction Z, orthogonal to the bottom 2 when the tray 1 is placed on a support such as a table or a work plan. We also define the horizontal direction X, parallel to the long sides of the tray 1, and the horizontal direction Y, parallel to the short sides of the tray 1. In the description that follows, the various parts or components will be described in the position they occupy. Operating.

From the bottom 2 of the tray 1 projects a support 5, according to Z and upwards. One or more masts 6 (two masts in the example shown) are engaged on or in the support 5. Each mast 6 carries a plurality of light sources 7 providing the light energy necessary for the growth of the plants 101. It can be provided that the mast 6 is slidably mounted on the support 5, so that the light sources 7 are placed at an appropriate height relative to the plants 101, and that this height can be adapted during the growth of the plant 101. In this case are provided means for maintaining the mast 6 in the desired position (holding by friction or by a system of clips for example). It can be provided that the masts 6 can slide independently of each other to be placed at different heights, as required, as illustrated in FIG.

In addition, the tray 1 has under its bottom 2 a compartment protected from the water contained in the tray 1, closed by a removable cover 8 and receiving an electronic unit (not shown). Tray 1 is intended to be connected to the electrical network of the building via an electrical transformer. The electronic unit makes it possible to manage the lighting, preferably automatically, that is to say the switching on and off of the light sources 7. It can also provide indications for the user, for example for indicate a low level of water in Tray 1. This may be an audible or visual indication. The tray may include a float participating in the detection of the water level in the tray.

The light sources 7 are chosen to ensure good development of the plants. The light sources 7 may typically be light-emitting diodes (LEDs) selected according to the transmitted wavelength (s). Indeed, wavelengths have specific effects on plant growth, for example on the development of plant surfaces (foliage), growth in height, production of essential oils, etc. A lens may be provided facing each light source 7 to more precisely direct the luminous flux emitted.

The light sources 7 are driven by the electronic unit. It can provide a control in two cycles, namely a day cycle, during which the light sources 7 are lit, and a night cycle, during which the light sources 7 are turned off. In addition, it may be expected to light only a portion of the light sources to signal the user the lack of water in the tray 1.

In the embodiment shown more specifically in Figure la, by way of example, each mast 6 carries several light sources, namely a blue LED 7b and a white LED 7a.

With this configuration, it can be predicted that, when the water level in the tank 1 is detected as being too low, the white LEDs 7a go out, leaving only the blue LEDs 7b on (in day cycle). This operation makes it possible to signal to the user the lack of water in the tank 1, in a very clearly perceptible way.

Another advantage of this method of indication is to avoid the use of additional lights or other means to signal to the user the lack of water, which results in savings in design and manufacturing. .

The system 100 further comprises a plate 10 disposed at the upper opening 4 of the tray. The plate 10 may for example be removably attached to the upper edge 9 of the peripheral wall 3 of the tray 1.

The plate 10 comprises at least one window 11 intended to receive a container 20 containing the plants 101, the window 11 preferably having a shape complementary to that of the container 20. In the embodiment shown by way of example, the plate 10 comprises four windows 11. In addition, the windows 11 are substantially rectangular, with the long side oriented parallel to Y, this not being limiting. The plate 10 further comprises holes 12 for the passage of the masts 6, and a hole 13 allow the user to pour water at the bottom of the tray 1 without having to remove the tray 10.

In addition to the aesthetic contribution, the tray 10 keeps the containers 20 in place, especially when the plants 101 grow. It can also make it possible to limit the evaporation of the water contained in the tank 1.

A container 20 is intended to be placed in the tray 1, in each of the windows 11 of the tray 10. The container 20 may be made of plastic material, for example by molding. It can be made in one piece or, alternatively, in two articulated pieces, in order to facilitate the extraction of the contents of the container 20 at the end of life of the plant 101.

The container 20, more particularly illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, comprises a bottom 22 and a peripheral wall 23, and has an upper opening 24. It is here substantially parallelepipedal, this being not limiting.

The container 20 may also include a peripheral flange 26 at its upper edge 25, which can be housed in a groove 16 formed around the window 11. Thus, in the mounted position, the container 20 is substantially flush with the plate 10. A leg gripper 21 may be formed from the upper edge 25 or the flange 26, to allow a user to more easily handle the container 20.

The container 20 may be provided with feet 27 extending from the bottom 22 downwards, to allow support on the bottom 2 of the tray 1 and a distance hold relative to the bottom 2 of the tray 1. It should be noted that FIG. 1 and FIG. 4 represent two different configurations of container 20 with regard to the number and positioning of the feet 27.

Holes 28 may be formed in the peripheral wall 23 to promote the aeration of the contents of the container 20, that is to say the access to oxygen for the roots of the plant 101, and thus to promote the development of the plant 101.

In the bottom 22 of the container 20 is provided at least one cavity 29. In the embodiment shown, the container 20 comprises two cavities 29 substantially centered along the axis X and arranged symmetrically with respect to a median plane of the container 20 oriented parallel to ( X, Z). This configuration is however not limiting. The two cavities 29 are for example substantially identical.

The cavity 29 extends downwardly from the bottom 22, outside the container 20. It is open at its upper end, that is to say at the bottom 22, and at its lower end 30. The cavity 29 here has the shape of a truncated cone converging downwards, that is to say from the bottom 22 towards its lower end 30.

A chimney 31 extends substantially vertically downwards from the lower end 30 of the cavity 29, to a height less than or equal to that of the feet 27. In the chimney 31 is disposed a body 32 for conveying liquid by capillarity, such as a wick, as seen in Figures 9 and 10. This member 32, in its lower part, must be in contact with the water 102 present in the tray 1. For this purpose, it can be provided that the member 32 extends beyond the lower end 33 of the chimney 31. Alternatively, or in addition, the chimney 31 may include an orifice 34 at its lower part, through which the water 102 can penetrate in order to to reach the organ 32.

Furthermore, the system 100 comprises at least one element 50 which is intended to be placed in a container 20, as illustrated schematically in FIG. 2, and which constitutes a refill containing the components necessary for the development of the plant 101, namely: at least one seed 51 of said plant 101, and in practice several seeds 51; a substrate 52 able to allow said plant to develop; - A fertilizer 53. The element 50, ready to be used, is in the form of a substantially solid compacted body, whose dimensions allow it to be inserted into a container 20. The element 50 may for example present globally the shape of a parallelepiped. By way of example, its dimensions, in the compacted state, can be as follows: dx = 140 mm, dy = 40 mm, dz = 20 mm.

Specifically, several elements 50 are available depending on the seeds 51 they contain, to grow different plants: aromatic herbs (basil, chives, etc.), vegetables (cherry tomatoes, etc.), fruits (strawberries, etc. .). The user can choose the elements 50 that he will have in the containers 20. The nature and the quantity of the substrate 52 and the fertilizer 53 may depend on the nature of the seeds 51 in the element 50.

The substrate 52 may for example comprise one or more cellulosic materials, in the form of fibers and / or powder, such as coconut fibers, bamboo fibers, coconut powder. As for the fertilizer 53, it can be solid or liquid. The fertilizer 53 is preferably designed to spread over time, so as to ensure a substantially constant amount of fertilizer available to the plant, for a period of up to 6 or 8 months, without the intervention of the plant. user. The arrangement and the respective quantities of seeds 51, substrate 52 and fertilizer 53 are determined to meet overall performance criteria including, in particular, germination, growth, harvest time.

In practice, as illustrated schematically in FIG. 8, it is possible to have the following arrangement: the fertilizer 53 is situated in a lower part of the element 50, generally mixed with the substrate 52; the seeds 51 are located in a median part of the element 50, possibly in a substrate layer 52; and an upper part of the element 50 contains substrate 52.

According to a possible embodiment, the element 50 may comprise at least one projection 59 projecting downwards, intended to be housed in the cavity 29 of the container 20. The appendix 59 thus has a shape compatible with that of the cavity 29 preferably a substantially identical shape. Thus, in the embodiment shown by way of example, the appendix 59 has the shape of a conical frustum converging from the lower face 55 of the element 50, towards the free end 56 of the appendix 59 In addition, the element 50 preferably has as many appendices 59 as there are cavities 29 in the container 20.

In practice, as illustrated in Figure 9, an element 50 is inserted into a container 20, with the appendages 59 facing downwards. The X and Y dimensions of the element 50 may be slightly smaller than the corresponding inner dimensions of the container 20, while the height (Z) of the element 50 is generally much smaller than the height of the container 20, in the as the element 50 is compacted.

When the element 50 is correctly placed in the container 20, as illustrated in FIG. 10, the lower face 55 is placed against the bottom 22 of the container 20, and the appendices 59 are each housed in a cavity 29. In addition, the member 32 disposed in the chimney 31 is arranged to be in contact with the corresponding appendix 59. The water 102 contained in the tank 1 rises by capillary action in the members 32 and is then transferred to the element 50 via the appendages 59. The element 50 progressively imbibes water and expands, essentially in Z, to to achieve the shape shown in Figure 11. In the expanded state (or decompressed), the element 50 can occupy substantially the entire interior volume of the container 20, while keeping the ability to be extracted from the container 20 without excessive difficulty, after use. By way of example, the dimensions of the element 50 in the uncompressed state can be the following: dx = 140 mm, dy = 40 mm, dz = 80 mm.

The appendices 59 provide a good interconnection between the members 32 which bathe in the water 102 contained in the tank 1 of the system 100 and the substrate 52 which must draw water by capillarity. The desired humidity level of the substrate 52 can be managed according to the number of appendages 59 and their dimensions (diameter, height). The humidity level can also be controlled by other parameters, and in particular the composition of the element 50.

The method of producing an element 50 according to the invention is now described with reference to FIGS. 12a to 15.

In general, the element 50 is made by compression in a mold 70. In the case where the element 50 has appendages 59, the mold 70 comprises corresponding imprints on its bottom wall, this not being represented in FIG. Figures 12a to 15.

The components of the element 50 (seeds 51, substrate 52 and fertilizer 53) are placed, in the uncompressed state, in the mold 70. In the uncompressed state, the dimensions of what will constitute the element 50 ready for use are for example similar to those indicated above with reference to FIG. 11. The element 50, in the form of a substantially solid compacted body, is obtained by at least one compression operation of the content of the mold 70.

The method, and more particularly the compression step or steps, must make it possible to guarantee: the good depth of the seeds 51 in the element 50 when decompacted (this influences the germination); the protection of seeds 51 against compression, to ensure their survival; the good distribution of the fertilizer 53 in the substrate 52, as a function of its diffusion properties.

In order to avoid damaging the seeds 51, they are preferably arranged in a median part with respect to the total height of all the components of the element 50 in the mold 70.

A first embodiment of the method is illustrated in Figures 12a to 12d.

First, a suitable amount of a mixture 71 of substrate 52 and fertilizer 53 is provided in the mold 70 (FIG. 12a). Then, after placing the upper face of this mixture horizontally, a mixture 72 of substrate 52 and seeds 51 (FIG. 12b) is deposited over it. This mixture is leveled horizontally and then deposited over a compound 73, for example consisting solely of substrate 52 (Figure 12c). After being set horizontally, the assembly is compressed using a tool 75 of the press type (FIG. 12d).

The quantity of the various mixtures 71, 72, 73 depends on the element 50 during manufacture.

A second embodiment of the method is illustrated in FIGS. 13a to 13e.

First, a suitable amount of a mixture 71 of substrate 52 and fertilizer 53 is provided in the mold 70 (FIG. 13a). Then, after placing the upper face of this mixture horizontally, this mixture is compressed using a tool 75 of the press type (FIG. 13b).

A mixture 72 of substrate 52 and seeds 51 (FIG. 13c) is then deposited over compressed mixture 71. This mixture is leveled horizontally, then deposited on top of a compound 73, for example consisting solely of substrate 52 (Figure 13d). After being set horizontally, the assembly is compressed using a tool 75 of the press type (FIG. 13e). It may be the same tool as in the step illustrated in Figure 13b.

With this embodiment, it is possible to use a first compression pressure during the step of FIG. 13b and a second compression pressure, different from the first one, during the step of FIG. 13e. The first pressure may be important, in order to further compact the mixture 71, and to ensure a good resistance of the element 50, while the second pressure may be lower in order to preserve the seeds 51.

A third embodiment of the method is illustrated in Figures 14a to 14e and 15.

First, a suitable amount of a mixture 71 of substrate 52 and fertilizer 53 is provided in the mold 70 (FIG. 14a).

Then, after placing the upper face of this mixture horizontally, this mixture is compressed using a tool 76 (FIG. 14b). This tool 76 simultaneously makes it possible to produce in this mixture cells 74 open upwards. For this purpose, the tool 76 may comprise spikes 77. The dimensions of the cells 74, therefore spikes 77, depends on the type of seed 51 considered.

The seeds 51 are then placed in the cells 74, as can be seen in FIG. 15. Concretely, seeds 51 may be deposited over the previously compacted mixture, and the seeds 51 distributed in the cells by any appropriate means, in particular by vibrations.

Then a compound 73 is deposited on top, for example consisting solely of substrate 52 (FIG. 14d). After being placed horizontally, the assembly is compressed using a tool 75 of the press type (FIG. 14e), devoid of spikes. The seeds 51, housed in the cells 74, are protected during this compression step.

With this embodiment, it is possible to use a first compression pressure during the step of FIG. 14b and a second compression pressure, different from the first and preferably less, during the step of FIG. 14e. . This embodiment is particularly well suited to fragile seeds 51 and / or large.

According to one possible embodiment, the element is entirely formed of a mixture of substrate and fertilizer, for example of substantially homogeneous composition throughout the element, the seeds being arranged in the middle part of the element. The method of making an element having such a composition may be in accordance with one of the three process embodiments described with reference to Figs. 12a to 12d, 13a to 13e, and 14a to 15, respectively. The mixtures 71 and 73 then each comprise the substrate 52 and the fertilizer 53, and the mixture 72 comprises the seeds 51 alone or in a mixture of substrate 52 and fertilizer 53, for example the same mixture of substrate 52 and fertilizer 53 as mixtures 71 and 73.

Thus, the invention provides a decisive improvement to the prior art, providing a convenient element to transport, store and use, which can be implemented in a single gesture, without the need to plant seeds or other intervention or material.

The system according to the invention can make it possible to grow pans indoors for at least six months.

It goes without saying that the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above as examples but that it includes all the technical equivalents and variants of the means described as well as their combinations.

Claims (18)

An element intended to be placed in a container (20) for the cultivation of at least one plant (101), characterized in that the element (50) comprises: at least one seed (51) of said plant (101) ); a substrate (52) adapted to allow said plant (101) to develop; a fertilizer (53); the element (50) being in the form of a substantially solid compacted body. 2. Element according to claim 1, characterized in that the element (50) has the overall shape of a parallelepiped. 3. Element according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it comprises at least one projection (59) projecting formed integrally with the rest of the element (50), the appendix (59) being intended to be oriented downwards in the position of use of the element (50) and to cooperate with a cavity (29) of complementary shape formed in the bottom (22) of the container (20) receiving the element (50) . 4. Element according to claim 3, characterized in that the appendix (59) has the shape of a truncated cone converging towards its free end (56). 5. Element according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, in the use position, the fertilizer (53) is located in a lower part of the element (50) and / or the seed or seeds (51) are located in a middle part of the element (50). 6. An assembly comprising an element (50) according to one of the preceding claims, and a container (20) intended to be placed in a tray (1) and to receive said element (50), to allow the culture of at least a plant (101), the container (20) comprising a bottom (22) and a peripheral wall (23). Container intended to be placed in a tray (1) and to receive an element (50) according to one of claims 1 to 5 and according to claim 3, to allow the cultivation of at least one plant (101), the container (20) comprising a bottom (22) and a peripheral wall (23), characterized in that it further comprises at least one cavity (29) which is formed in the bottom (22) of the container (20) and which is open at its lower end (30), in the use position, the cavity (29) being shaped to receive the appendage (59) of the element (50). 8. Container according to claim 7, characterized in that it further comprises a chimney (31) extending substantially vertically downwards from the lower end (30) open of the cavity (29), in the position of use, and a body (32) for transporting liquid by capillarity, such as a wick, arranged at least partly in said chimney (31). 9. System for culturing at least one plant (101), comprising: a tray (1) comprising a bottom (2), a peripheral wall (3) and an upper opening (4), said tray (4) being intended containing water (102); a tray (10) disposed at the upper opening (4) of the tray (1), having at least one window (11); at least one mast (6) supporting at least one light source (7); an assembly according to claim 6, the container (20) being placed in the tray (1) and received in a window (11) of the tray (10). 10. A method of producing an element (50) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it comprises: arranging in a mold (70) the components of the element (50), namely at least one seed (51) of plant (101), and a fertilizer (53) and a substrate (52) in the uncompressed state; performing at least one compression operation of the mold content (70), so as to obtain a substantially solid compacted body. 11. The method of claim 10, characterized in that the seed or seeds (51) are arranged in a central portion relative to the total height of all the components of the element (50) in the mold (70). . 12. Method according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that there is arranged in the mold (70), successively and in this order: a) a mixture (71) of substrate (52) and fertilizer (53) ; (b) at least one or more seeds (51); c) at least one substrate (52). 13. The method of claim 12, characterized in that, in step b), there is a mixture (72) of at least one substrate (52) and one or more seeds (51). 14. Method according to one of claims 10 to 13, characterized in that it comprises a single compression operation of all components of the element (50), performed once all the components have been arranged in the mold (70). 15. Method according to one of claims 12 or 13, characterized in that it comprises: a first compression operation between steps a) and b); a second compression operation once all the components have been placed in the mold (70). 16. A method according to claim 12, characterized in that it comprises, between steps a) and b), the realization in the mixture (71) of substrate (52) and fertilizer (53) of at least one cell (74) open upwards and intended to receive at least one seed (51). 17. The method of claim 16, characterized in that, in step b), the seed or seeds (51) are disposed in the cell or cells (74), and in that the method comprises a compression operation between steps b) and c). 18. The method of claim 17, characterized in that the realization of at least one cell (74) and the compression operation between steps b) and c) are performed simultaneously.