GB744200A - Device for the artificial germination of seeds, grain and the like - Google Patents

Abstract

744,200. Germinating-appliances. STERN, H. M., and STERN, N. Aug. 24, 1953 [Aug. 27, 1952; Sept. 25, 1952; June 24, 1953], No. 23316/53. Class 6 (2). Seeds are germinated in an apparatus comprising a ventilated chamber in which are mounted screens, pervious to nutrient solution, for supporting the seeds, a clock being provided to enable the nutrient solution to be supplied automatically from a tank to the screens at predetermined intervals of time and for predetermined periods, and the tank to be automatically emptied and refilled during the period when the supply to the screens is interrupted. The chamber, which may be heat insulated or adapted to be cooled, is provided with an air inlet at the bottom of a chimney 15 through which air is forced by a fan driven by a motor 21, there being a heating-element 24 in the chimney controlled by a thermostat 25 in the chamber. The door 10 and, if necessary, one or more of the walls and top are provided with glass panels to admit light, while blinds or other covers may also be provided. The seeds are placed on the wire mesh bottoms of baskets standing in trays 30 supported on cross-bars in the chamber. The nutrient solution is stored in a tank 36 provided with a drain 55 and supplied with water from the mains 37, the amount being controlled by a ball-valve 40 and the temperature by a heating element 62 and thermostat 63. Concentrated material solution is stored in a tank 44 and is fed to a measuring-tank 42 whence it passes to the tank 36, the amount fed to the tank 42 being controlled by a ball-valve 67. The solution from the tank 36 is fed by a pump 50 to sprays 53 at the top of the chamber; in an alternative arrangement, air-pressure produced in the tank 36 is used to force the solution to the sprays. The sprays thus feed the solution to the top tray 30 so that the seeds thereon are irrigated until a self-acting siphon is primed, when the tray is drained and the solution fed into the next lower tray, this action continuing until the solution finally drains from the lowest tray back into the tank 36. The clock 65 controlling the various operations is adapted to complete a cycle every day. When the control arm 66 engages a contact 1, valves 56, 48 are opened to discharge spent solution from the tank 36, and to permit flow of nutrient concentrate to the measuring-tank 42 respectively. After leaving the contact 1, causing the valves 56, 48 to close, the arm 66 engages the contact 2 to open valves 38 in the water main 37, and 46 in the pipe 41, between the measuring-tank 42 and tank 36. Subsequently, the arm 66 engages the contacts 3, 3<SP>1</SP> which, at 12-hour intervals, cause the operation of the motor driving the pump 50. The contacts 1, 2, 3, 3<SP>1</SP> are engaged sufficiently long by the arm 66 to enable the various operations to be completed, and the intervals are of such a duration that cleaning of the various tanks can be effected. In modifications, the tank 36 is mounted on top of the chamber and the solution draining through the seed baskets is pumped back; and small increments of nutrient concentrate may be added directly to the tank 36 to maintain the strength of the solution.