GB2545163A

GB2545163A - A plant growing system for static solution hydroponics

Info

Publication number: GB2545163A
Application number: GB1520421.7A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Twigger John; Flanagan Graham
Original assignee: Premier Grow Ltd
Current assignee: Premier Grow Ltd
Priority date: 2015-11-19
Filing date: 2015-11-19
Publication date: 2017-06-14
Also published as: GB201520421D0

Abstract

A plant growing system for static solution hydroponics comprises a container with a fluid containing portion 14 open at an upper end 11 and with a base 15 that slopes towards a fluid outlet 20 formed through the container. The outlet is at the lowest portion of the base. The container supports a plant growing insert 50 with apertures 53 which is mounted at an upper part of the fluid containing portion. The container preferably has a lid mountable over the container, the insert and any plant contained therein. The lid is preferably hinged. A drainage hose may be attached to the fluid outlet; the hose may be arranged vertically to prevent fluid leaving the container and rotated to a position where fluid may leave the container. There may be mounting means 21 for an air stone, or an air pump may be provided.

Description

TITLE A Plant Growing System for Static Solution Hydroponics DESCRIPTION Field of Invention

The present invention relates to hydroponics i.e. the growth of plants without using soil as a planting medium. The present invention provides an improved planting growing system for static solution hydroponics.

Background to the Invention

Hydroponics is the growth of plants without using soil as a planting medium. Hydroponics can allow plants to be grown more efficiently, more quickly and with less labour requirements. Typically in hydroponics, plants are grown in mineral nutrient solutions, in water without soil. As soil is not used, conventional plant pots are not suitable for hydroponics and specialised growing systems and plant containers are used.

In hydroponics it is necessary to directly feed plant roots with a nutrient rich solution. The simplest way to achieve this plant roots can be supported in a porous growing medium that is supplied with a nutrient rich solution and the roots can obtain the solution from the growing medium. Suitable growing mediums include perlite, rockwool, and expanded clay pebbles.

The simplest hydroponic systems are static solution systems. In these systems a static supply of the nutrient rich solution is supplied, for example in a fluid container. A plant is supported in or above that supply in an appropriate basket or similar container containing a suitable grow medium. The nutrient solution is supplied to the grow medium either by a wicking system or by a suitable pump. Static solution systems are generally used for home plant growing, by hobbyists, and by persons new to hydroponics.

More complex hydroponic systems are also available for example nutrient film technique systems, ebb and flow systems and aeroponic systems. However, these systems are much more complex and generally only used by larger growers and/or relative experts in hydroponics. This is because such systems generally require more space, more expensive equipment and more regular monitoring than static solution systems.

The simplest static solution systems comprise nothing more than a bucket with a basket supported in an upper part. However, such systems are difficult to drain and refill: it being necessary to remove the basket and any plant contained therein each time a user wishes to drain or refill the bucket. Therefore, more advanced static solution systems often comprise means for filling and draining the fluid container without the need to remove any plants therefrom. For example, current static solution systems can be provided with a drainage pipe or fluid outlet at or near a lower end of the fluid container. However, such drainage means are not ideal as it is generally not possible to remove all fluid within a container solely by using a drainage pipe or other fluid outlet.

Static solution systems can be provided with many other features that facilitate their operation. For example, some existing static solution systems are provided with drainage pipes and/or drip feeders and/or air stones and air pumps.

Despite the above there remains a need for an improved system for static solution hydroponics that is simple to use, cheap, and that can incorporate any or all of the optional features set out above. Preferably, any such system should be easy to drain and refdl without the need to remove any plant located therein. It is also preferable that any such system is simple and can be constructed cheaply enough for it to be readily available and usable by hobbyists and individuals.

Summary of the Invention

The present invention provides a plant growing system for static solution hydroponics comprising: a container defining an inner fluid-containing portion that is open at an upper end and has a base that slopes towards a fluid outlet that is formed through the container at a lowermost point of the fluid-containing portion; and a removable plant holding insert that has a plurality of apertures formed therethrough and that is mountable within the container and the fluid-containing portion at an upper part of the fluid-containing portion.

The system of the present invention is advantageous in that it provides a simple system that is particularly suitable for static solution hydroponics. For example, the system of the present invention provides a container that can be drained of all fluid quickly and easily without the need to move, tilt, or pick-up the container and without a complex and/or expensive drainage mechanism. This is achieved by providing a fluid outlet to the container at a lowermost point of a fluid-containing portion of the container and by having the base of the fluid-containing portion sloping towards said fluid outlet. By allowing fluid to flow out of the fluid outlet substantially all fluid within the fluid-containing portion can be drained from the container. By preventing fluid from flowing out of the fluid outlet fluid can be retained within the fluid-containing portion. As set out below, the system of the present invention may comprise further additional features that improve its functionality and make it even better for use for static solution hydroponics.

As will be readily understood, in order for the system of the present invention to operate the fluid outlet must be closable and openable. That is, it must be possible for the fluid outlet to be closed to retain fluid within the container and be opened to allow fluid to drain from the container. This may be achieved in any manner apparent to a person skilled in the art. In some embodiments of the present invention the fluid outlet may comprise integral means for opening and closing, for example it may comprise an integrated valve or plug. Alternatively, additional means, such as plug, tap, or valve, may be provided to allow the fluid outlet to be opened and closed.

It is preferable that the container of the present invention is formed such that it can be sat on a horizontal surface and used in that position. In order to achieve this is it is preferable that the container has an outer supporting means that is formed below the sloping base of the inner fluid-containing portion and allows the container to be sat securely on a horizontal surface. That is, when sat on a horizontal surface, the container will sit securely on the supporting means on the surface and the sloping base of the inner fluid-containing portion will be formed above that surface and will slope downwards toward the fluid outlet, which is positioned at a lowermost portion of the fluid-containing portion.

Suitable supporting means include, but are not limited to support legs or a flat base. If the supporting means is a flat base then the container will be formed such that it has an outer flat base that is formed outwards of the inner fluid-containing portion and is formed below the sloping base of the inner fluid-containing portion. For example, a lower portion of the container may be double walled with the outer wall forming the outer flat base and the inner wall forming the sloping base of the inner fluid-containing portion.

It is preferable that any supporting means allows air to circulate between the sloping base of the inner fluid-containing portion and a horizontal surface on which the container is mounted on. This can be achieved by forming the supporting means to have air gaps between the horizontal surface and the fluid-containing portion. For example, the supporting means may comprise a plurality of support legs between which air can circulate. Alternatively, the support means may comprise a peripheral wall extending downwards from an outer portion of the inner fluid-containing portion and said peripheral wall may comprise one or more cutaway portions or vents to allow air to circulate. For example, at least a portion of a lower edge of the peripheral wall may be a scalloped edge or an inverted scalloped edge formed such that the container can still sit flat on a horizontal surface but such that air can circulate through the peripheral wall and between the sloping base of the inner fluid-containing portion and a horizontal surface on which the container is mounted on.

If the support means comprise a plurality of support legs or a downwardly extending peripheral wall comprising one or more cutaway portions the skilled person will readily understand how said support means can be appropriately formed to allow air to circulate between the sloping base of the inner fluid-containing portion and a horizontal surface on which the container is mounted on. For example, a peripheral wall can be formed with gaps, spaces, vents, or any other similar feature formed therein and positioned appropriately. Similarly, legs can be formed and positioned so as not to inhibit the circulation of air.

The removable plant holding insert of the present invention may be formed in any manner apparent to the person skilled in the art. The removable insert may be mountable in within the container at the upper-part of the fluid-containing portion of the container in any suitable manner. For example, one or both of the container and the removable insert may comprise mounting means to mount the removable insert in position. In some embodiments of the invention the removable insert may comprise an upper lip and a lower basket portion. An upper lip may be the mounting means of the removable insert and may be formed outwardly from an upper edge of the lower basket portion and be sized to fit over an upper portion or edge of the container to support the removable insert therein. The basket portion may then extend inwardly and downwardly from the upper lip and be sized to fit within the upper portion of the fluid-containing portion of the container.

The removable insert may comprise a basket portion of appropriate size and shape that can hang, or otherwise be mounted, within an upper part of the fluid-containing portion of the container and support a plant and porous growing medium therein. The apertures of the removable insert should be numerous enough and suitably sized to substantially allow fluid to freely pass through whilst preventing porous growing medium from passing therethrough. It is considered that the person skilled in the art will be able to determine a suitable size, shape and design of a removable insert according to the present invention.

If the system of the present invention comprises a drip ring (see below) or is intended for use with a drip ring it may be preferable that the removable insert comprises one or more drip ring apertures in a lower surface thereof in order to allow a drip ring to be mounted therethrough.

The system of the present invention may further comprise a lid that is mountable over an upper end of the container to cover the fluid-containing portion, a removable insert mounted within the container, and any plant held within the insert. A lid can be formed in any manner apparent to a person skilled in the art. The lid may be held in position by a lip formed around an outer edge of the lid or by any other suitable means. The lid may be removable from the container and the removable insert or it may be attached thereto by means of a hinge or other appropriate joining means. The lid may be transparent or opaque. The lid may be formed of the same material or materials as the container and the removable insert or may be formed of a different material or materials.

If the system comprises a lid it may be preferable that the lid has a hinged portion that can be opened when the lid is mounted on the upper end of the container in order to view the fluid-containing portion. In particular, the hinged portion should be openable whilst a remaining portion of the lid remains in position over the container and the removable insert. This may be beneficial as it can allow a user to access the interior of the container and the removable insert without the need to completely remove or open the lid.

The container of the present invention may be any suitable shape that allows it to be used to grow plants hydroponically. The container may be substantially cuboid in embodiments of the invention. In alternative embodiments the container may be substantially cylindrical. However, it is to be appreciated that the container may have substantially any suitable shape. The most appropriate shape of a container for any specific embodiment of the present invention may be determined by the skilled person based on the specific requirements of that embodiment.

As the fluid outlet is positioned at the lowermost point of the fluid-containing portion, substantially all fluid within the container can be drained simply by allowing fluid to drain from the fluid outlet. Similarly, fluid can be contained within the container simply by preventing fluid from flowing out of the container. The control of fluid through the fluid outlet can be achieved in any manner apparent to the person skilled in the art. In simple embodiments of the invention the fluid outlet may have a simple valve, plug, or tap formed thereat. For example, a tap may be provided at the fluid outlet in order to allow the container to container fluid when the tap is closed and to allow fluid to drain out of the container via the fluid outlet when the tap is opened.

As an alternative to or in addition to a valve, tap, or plug, the system of the present invention may further comprise an external drainage hose that is attached at an inner end to an outer side of the fluid outlet and that has a free outer end. Such a drainage hose can be used to assist the draining of fluid from the fluid outlet. In particular, by positioning the outer end of a drainage hose above the height of fluid within the container fluid will not be able to drain out of the container via the drainage hose. By positioning the outer end of a drainage hose below the height of fluid within the container fluid may be able to drain out the container via the drainage hose. Further, when fluid is able to drain out of the container via a drainage hose, the hose can be used to direct that fluid appropriately, for example down a drain or into another container. A drainage hose may be formed in any manner apparent to a person skilled in the art and may be held in appropriate positions in any suitable manner.

If the system of the present invention comprises a drainage hose it may be preferable that the drainage hose is rotatable between a first position where the outer end is positioned above an upper level of fluid within the fluid-containing portion, such that fluid is held within the fluid-containing portion, and a second position wherein the outer end is positioned below the fluid outlet to allow fluid to drain therefrom. The first position may be a substantially vertical position. Providing a rotatable drainage hose greatly facilitates the movement of the hose from the first position to the second position, thereby making the draining of fluid from the container simpler.

In order to retain a drainage hose in the first position, the container of the present invention may further comprise retaining means formed on an outer side for removably retaining the drainage hose in the first position. The retaining means may be any suitable means for removably retaining a drainage hose to the container in the first position. Preferable the retaining means will allow a user to retain the drainage hose in the first position and to remove the hose therefrom without difficulty but will also allow the hose to be securely held in the first position. An example of a suitable retaining means is a resilient clip mounted on an outer side of the container.

It may be preferable that a drainage hose of the present invention is partially or completely transparent such that the fluid level in the drainage hose can be seen and used to determine the fluid level within the fluid-containing portion. A drainage hose may be formed such that when positioned in a first position, as described above, the level of fluid within the container can be easily determined. In order to achieve this the drainage hose may have appropriate volumetric markings formed thereon.

In static solution hydroponic systems it is often desirable to provide an air stone within a nutrient solution in order to aerate the solution. The use and operation of air stones will be immediately apparent to a person skilled in the art. In the present invention, the base of the fluid-containing portion of the container is sloped towards the fluid outlet. As a result, it is not possible to simple place an air stone on the base of the fluid-containing portion, as would be done in systems according to the prior art. Therefore, in order to allow an air stone to be appropriately positioned on the base of the fluid-containing portion and to allow the air stone to be retained in that position during use, it may be preferable that mounting means are formed on an upper surface of the base of the fluid-containing portion for removably mounting an air stone thereon. Mounting means may be formed in any manner apparent to the person skilled in the art.

Suitable mounting means may comprise one or more raised lips formed on the upper surface of the base of the fluid-containing portion. A suitably formed and positioned raised lip will hold an air stone in position by preventing the stone from sliding out of position, down the slope of the base. As an example, a container of the present invention may comprise one or more raised lips substantially defining a raised outline of an oval on the base of the fluid-containing portion. That oval may correspond to the standard size of an air stone, such that an air stone of that size can be placed within the raised outline and be held in position on the base thereby.

The system of the present invention may further comprise an air stone. When in use, the air stone may be mounted in mounting means, as described above. The use and operation of an air stone will be immediately apparent to a person skilled in the art. As will be readily appreciated an air stone that is mounted in the mounting means should be suitably sized and shaped to be held securely in position by the mounting means.

The system of the present invention may further comprise an air pump for aerating fluid contained within the fluid-containing portion. The container may comprise any necessary apertures for and/or fixings that may be required for an air pump to be used to aerate fluid within the fluid-containing portion. The operation and suitable mounting of an air pump will be immediately apparent to the person skilled in the art.

The system of the present invention may further comprise a drip ring. A drip ring is a well know component in the art comprising an upper ring portion with one or more vertical stem portions extending downwardly therefrom. In use a drip ring draws nutrient solution up through its one or more stem portions and then drips that solution downwardly out from its upper ring portion. As such a drip ring is intended to be positioned within the system of the present invention such that when in use a lower end of the stem portion sits in nutrient solution contained within the container and the drip ring is positioned directly above porous medium and any plants located in the removable insert. This can be achieved in any manner apparent to the person skilled in the art. Preferably the one or more stem portions will be maintained in a substantially vertical position and the ring portion will be maintained in a substantially horizontal position.

The system of the present invention may support a drip ring in any suitable manner. It may be preferable that the removable insert comprises one or more drip ring mounting apertures such that a drip ring can be mounted through the removable insert and be supported by the insert and any medium contained therein. In particular, the removable insert may comprise one or more suitably sized, sized, and shaped apertures through which the one or more stem portions of a drip ring may be passed such that the drip ring can be appropriately positioned through the removable insert and held in position thereby.

The system of the present invention is preferably a static solution hydroponic plant growing system. That is, the system of the present invention is preferably a system that is specifically designed and intended for use as a static solution hydroponic plant growing system, rather than simply a system that is merely suitable for that use.

Further features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the specific embodiment that is shown in the Figure and that is described below.

Drawings

Figure 1 is a diagram of a system according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a side view of a container of the system of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a top view of the container of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the container of Figures 2 and 3;

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the system of Figure 1

Figure 6 is a side view of a removable insert of the system of Figures 1 and 5; and

Figure 7 is an exploded view of the system of Figures 1 and 5.

The components of a preferred embodiment of a static solution hydroponic system according to the present invention is shown in the Figures. The system comprises a container 10, a removable insert 50, a tube 30, and a grate 40.

The container 10 is shown in isolation in Figures 2, 3 and 4. The container 10 is an approximately cuboid plastic container that is open at an upper end 11 and closed at a lower end 12. The upper end 11 has a substantially flat rim 13. An inner fluid-containing portion 14 is formed within the container 10. This portion 14 has a base 15 that is sloped from a first side 16 of the container 10 to a second side 17 of the container 10. The container 10 has a lower supporting peripheral wall 18 that extends below the inner fluid-containing portion 14 and that allows the container 10 to sit flat on a surface. The wall 18 is contiguous with the container 10. The wall 18 has a cutaway portion 19 that allows air to circulate below the base 15 of the fluid-containing portion 14 and above a surface on which the container 10 is located.

The base 15 of the container 10 is sloped down towards a fluid outlet 20 that is positioned at the lowermost point of the fluid-containing portion 14 of the container. An upper surface of the base 15 has mounting means 21 for mounting a round air stone (not shown) substantially centrally thereon. Other than the fluid outlet 20, the inner fluid-containing portion 14 is watertight and when in use holds a nutrient solution. The container 10 is formed of a suitable plastic material.

The removable insert 50 is shown in Figure 6. The removable insert 50 is a basket that can hang within the container 10 and support a plant (not shown) and a porous growing medium (also not shown) therein. The removable insert 50 comprises an upper lip 51 and a lower basket portion 52. The upper lip 51 is formed outwardly from an upper edge of the lower basket portion 52 and is sized to fit over the rim 13 of the upper end 11 of the container 10 to support the removable insert 50 therein. The basket portion 52 extends inwardly and downwardly from the upper lip 21 and is sized to fit within an upper portion of the container 10 as shown best in Figure 5. The basket portion 22 is formed to allow fluid to freely pass therethrough whilst still being able to contain porous growing medium therein. In particular, the basket portion 52 has a plurality of apertures 53 formed therethrough that are large enough to allow fluid to pass through but small enough to prevent porous growing medium pass through. Additionally, the basket portion 52 has a larger tube aperture 54 formed in a lower surface.

In addition the removable insert 50 has a hinged lid 55 formed to one side of the basket portion 52. The hinged lid 55 that is formed such that it can be lifted to allow a user to see within the fluid-containing portion 14 without the user being required to remove the insert 50 or look through the basket portion 52 of the insert.

The grate 40 is formed such that it can be positioned within the inner fluid-containing portion 14 of the container 10, above the base 15, and below the basket portion 52 of removable insert 50. This is shown most clearly in Figure 5. The grate acts to stop solid material from falling out of the insert 50 and clogging the base of the container 10 whilst allowing liquid to be freely drained from the container 10. It will be readily understood that the grate 40 is an optional feature that may be present or absent in any particular embodiment of the invention. In particular, it is not essential for the grate 40 to be present in order for the invention to operate, albeit the presence of the grate 40 may improve the operation of the invention.

When the system is in operation the tube 30 is positioned through an aperture 53 formed in the basket portion 52 of the removable insert 50 in the manner shown in Figure 5. When this system is in use the tube 30 acts as a support for a drip ring (not shown). The drip ring may be any conventional drip ring that is known in the art and would be mounted within the container 10 such that it extends through the aperture 53 and tube 30 and is supported in position by the tube 30.

When the system is in use, the fluid outlet 20 is sealed to prevent fluid from escaping from the container. This may be done in any suitable manner, including but not limited to a plug or tap means (not shown). However, it is preferable that the system further comprises a drainage pipe (not shown) that is rotatably attached at an inner end to the fluid outlet 20 at an outer side of the container 10 and that is free at an an outer end. The drainage pipe may be transparent and have volumetric markings formed thereon. The drainage pipe may mounted such that it is normally held in a substantially vertical position, with its upper end directly above the fluid outlet 20, by a retaining clip mounted on an outer side of the container 10 but is removable from the retaining clip and when removed is rotatable away from the vertical position about the fluid outlet 20.

The system shown in the Figures is used in the following manner. First, an air stone is positioned in the mounting means 21 of the container 10. Then the grate 40 is positioned within the container. Finally, the system is put together as shown in Figure 5. The lower basket portion 52 of the removable insert 50 is then filled with a porous medium, such as expanded clay pebbles, and a plant is located therein. The lower basket portion 52 of the removable insert 50 is positioned in an upper part of the container 10 by mounting the upper lip 51 over the upper edge 13 of the container 10. The container 10 is partially filled with an appropriate nutrient solution to a suitable level. The drip ring is positioned through the porous medium, through the tube, and is held in a vertical position with its ring portion positioned above the porous medium and the plant to allow it to drip nutrient solution from the container 10 onto the porous medium and the plant. The bottom of the drip ring rests on the grate 40.

If the system comprises a drainage pipe, whilst the container 10 contains the nutrient solution the drainage pipe is held in a vertical position with the outer end above the upper level of the nutrient solution. This prevents the nutrient solution from draining out of the container 10 via the fluid outlet 20. Instead, the nutrient solution fills the drainage pipe up to the same vertical level as the container 10 is filled. The level of nutrient solution in the container 10 may thus be determined by reading the level of solution in the drainage pipe using any volumetric markings.

When it is necessary to drain nutrient solution from the container 10 the drainage pipe is unclipped from the retaining means and is rotated such that its outer end is below the level of the base 12 of the container 10. The nutrient solution then drains out of the container 10 via the fluid outlet 20 and the drainage pipe. Importantly, as the container 10 has an interior sloping base 12, substantially all of the nutrient solution will drain out of the container 10 without the need to tilt or otherwise move the container. Further the provision of the drainage pipe allows the nutrient solution being drained out of the container 10 to be directed to an appropriate place without difficulty. For example the nutrient solution can be drained into another container.

If the system does not comprise a drainage hose then the container 10 can be drained by simply removing the plug, opening the tap, or otherwise unblocking the fluid outlet 20. Again, as the fluid outlet 20 is at the lowest part of the fluid-containing portion 14 of the container 10, allowing fluid to flow out of the fluid outlet 20 will completely drain the container 10.

Claims

1. A plant growing system for static solution hydroponics comprising: a container defining an inner fluid-containing portion that is open at an upper end and has a base that slopes towards a fluid outlet that is formed through the container at a lowermost point of the fluid-containing portion; and a removable plant holding insert that has a plurality of apertures formed therethrough and that is mountable within the container and the fluid-containing portion at an upper part of the fluid-containing portion.

2. A system according to claim 1, wherein the container comprises outer supporting means that is formed below the sloping base of the inner fluid-containing portion and allows the container to be sat securely on a horizontal surface.

3. A system according to claim 2, wherein the support means is a peripheral wall extending downwards from an outer portion of the inner fluid-containing portion and said peripheral wall comprises one or more cutaway portions to allow air to circulate between the inner fluid-containing portion and a horizontal surface.

4. A system according to any of claims 1 to 3 further comprising a lid that is mountable over an upper end of the container to cover the fluid-containing portion, an insert mounted within the container, and any plant held within the insert.

5. A system according to claim 4 wherein the lid has a hinged portion that can be opened when the lid is mounted on the upper end of the container in order to view the fluid-containing portion.

6. A system according to any preceding claim wherein the container is substantially cuboid.

7. A system according to any preceding claim wherein the container is substantially cylindrical.

8. A system according to any preceding claim further comprising an external drainage hose that is attached at an inner end to an outer side of the fluid outlet and that has a free outer end.

9. A system according to claim 8, wherein the drainage hose is rotatable between a first position where the outer end is positioned above an upper level of fluid within the fluid-containing portion such that fluid is held within the fluid-containing portion and a second position wherein the outer end is positioned below the fluid outlet to allow fluid to drain therefrom.

10. A system according to claim 9, wherein the first position is a substantially vertical position.

11. A system according to claim 9 or claim 10, wherein the container comprise retaining means formed on an outer side for removably retaining the drainage hose in the first position.

12. A system according to any of claims 9 to 11, wherein the drainage hose is partially or completely transparent such that, when in the first position, the fluid level in the drainage hose can be seen and used to determine the fluid level within the fluid-containing portion.

13. A system according to any preceding claim, wherein mounting means are formed on an upper surface of the base of the fluid-containing portion for removably mounting an air stone thereon.

14. A system according to claim 13, further comprising an air stone mounted in the mounting means.

15. A system according to any preceding claim further comprising an air pump for aerating fluid contained within the fluid-containing portion.

16. A system according to any preceding claim further comprising a drip ring.

17. A system according to claim 16, wherein the plant holding insert comprises a drip ring mounting aperture.

18. A static solution hydroponic plant growing system according to any preceding claim.

19. A system as shown in the Figures and as described herein.