IT201900019830A1 - SUPPORT DEVICE FOR CULTIVATION OF VEGETABLE PRODUCTS AND FUNCTIONAL FOODS FOR INDOOR GROWER - Google Patents

Description

DESCRIPTION

of the patent for industrial invention entitled "SUPPORT DEVICE FOR THE CULTIVATION OF VEGETABLE PRODUCTS AND FUNCTIONAL FOODS FOR INDOOR GROWER"

FIELD OF TECHNIQUE

The present invention is located in the sector of the cultivation of vegetable products.

In particular, the present invention relates to a support device for the cultivation of vegetable products and functional foods.

The present invention also relates to an apparatus for growing vegetable products in a controlled environment, in particular devices for indoor cultivation, or indoor growers, which receives said support device.

DESCRIPTION OF THE STATE OF THE ART

In the context of the cultivation of plant products, for example in the field of horticulture or horticulture, the use of special containers for the sowing of the products to be grown is known. These containers, also known as trays, typically consist of modular cellular structures in thermoformed plastic which have a matrix of compartments where each compartment holds a suitable quantity of soil and the seeds of the product to be cultivated.

The compartments are typically cylindrical or parallelepiped / cubic in shape and perforated in the bottom for water drainage.

This realization allows the root of the plant product to grow and facilitates its extraction at a later time for transplanting to the ground / garden and for complete maturation.

Techniques are known and widely used that involve the use of said seedlings provided by seminars to ensure their supply at each season, for example the technical notes of greenhouse cultivation.

Indoor cultivation techniques are also increasingly widespread, for example in the home environment.

Among the techniques in wide development compared to traditional cultivation techniques are the soilless cultivations, known as hydroponic or aeroponic cultivations.

In this case, special equipment suitable for use in the home environment is used for the self-production of vegetables and the like, also known as indoor growers for vegetable products

The equipment includes several cultivation compartments, each suitable for receiving a respective tray on which rests a housing body for the plants to be cultivated, found from said seminars.

Each compartment can be controlled with respect to the parameters of humidity, temperature and lighting to accompany the sprouting and growth phases of the crop.

The purpose of the invention is to propose a new cultivation system, alternative to the known type systems, which allows to improve the growth performance of crops.

Another purpose of the invention is to propose a new cultivation system, alternative to known type systems, with higher production capacities than known systems.

It is a further aim of the invention to propose a new cultivation system in a controlled environment that allows to improve the growth performance of crops.

Another purpose of the invention is to propose a new cultivation system in a controlled environment of easy and practical use, in particular in a system used in a domestic environment.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

In a first aspect, the present invention therefore refers to a support device for the cultivation of vegetable products, said device comprising a container adapted to receive at least one substrate containing the seeds of said vegetable products, in which said container comprises at least a dividing element able to define at least two cultivation compartments, each of said compartments being able to define a corresponding reception area of said at least one substrate.

Preferably, each of said cultivation compartments comprises an open side for positioning the substrate, while the remaining sides are hermetically closed.

In a preferred embodiment, the device comprises a plurality of dividing elements able to define a plurality of side by side compartments.

According to a preferred embodiment, said compartments have a triangular shape.

Preferably, all the compartments have a triangular shape.

In a preferred embodiment, the dividing element comprises a vertical wall.

According to a preferred embodiment, the container and said at least one dividing element are constituted by an integral piece.

In a preferred embodiment, the container and said at least one dividing element are made of a biodegradable material.

Preferably, the container is defined by lateral containment walls, said lateral containment walls having at least two mutually inclined external perimeter walls and adapted to define a triangular or trapezoidal or sector-of-circle shape for said container.

In a preferred embodiment, the said two perimeter walls are preferably inclined by 22.5 °.

In a second aspect, the present invention refers to an apparatus for the cultivation of vegetable products, said apparatus comprising an openable casing which receives a support device for the cultivation of vegetable products, in which said support device is made as described above. .

Preferably, the cultivation of plant products takes place in a controlled environment.

In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus also comprises:

- aeration means which can be activated during the germination phase of said seeds and / or the subsequent growth phase to obtain said products;

- lighting means which can be activated during the germination phase of said seeds and / or the subsequent growth phase to obtain said products.

Preferably, the lighting means comprise a light emitting device and means for diffusing the emitted light, said diffusing means being positioned in such a way that the light diffused by the diffusing means is spread uniformly and indirectly on the compartments, so that said at least one substrate with said seeds is uniformly illuminated when positioned in said compartments.

In a preferred embodiment, the diffusion means comprise a reflecting surface arranged frontally with respect to said compartments, said reflecting surface preferably being constituted by the internal surface of the envelope.

In a preferred embodiment, the casing comprises a lower part and an upper part that can be opened with respect to the lower part. Preferably the upper part is hinged to the lower part.

According to a preferred embodiment, the light emitting device comprises at least one LED light, preferably a group of RGB LEDs.

Preferably, the light emitting device is positioned in such a way as not to direct the light directly towards the compartments.

In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus comprises control means adapted to act on the aeration means and on the lighting means to control the cultivation parameters for the products to be cultivated.

Preferably, the apparatus comprises temperature and / or humidity sensor means.

In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus comprises automatic recognition means suitable for recognizing the type of said at least one substrate present in the apparatus. According to a preferred embodiment, said recognition means comprise means for identifying an identification code associated with said at least one substrate.

Preferably, said control means are adapted to act on said aeration means and said illumination means on the basis of the type of said at least substrate recognized by said recognition means.

In a third aspect, the present invention refers to an apparatus for the cultivation of vegetable products in a controlled environment, said apparatus comprising a plurality of apparatuses able to define a plurality of cultivation areas of vegetable products, in which each apparatus of said plurality of apparatuses is an apparatus as described above. In a preferred embodiment, the equipment comprises a support structure for the apparatuses.

Preferably, the support structure comprises a telescopic body adapted to assume different lengths, preferably it comprises motorization means.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Further advantages, objectives and characteristics as well as embodiments of the present invention are defined in the claims and will be clarified below by means of the following description, in which reference is made to the attached drawing tables; in the drawings, characteristics and / or corresponding or equivalent component parts of the present invention are identified by the same reference numbers. In particular, in the figures:

- Figure 1 represents an axonometric view of a support device for the cultivation of vegetable products according to a preferred embodiment of the invention;

figure 2 shows the support device of figure 1 with the cultivated vegetable products received inside it;

- figure 3 shows a top plan view of the support device of figure 1;

- figure 4 represents an apparatus for the cultivation of vegetable products according to the invention which uses the support device of figure 1;

- figure 5 shows the exploded view of the apparatus of figure 4;

Figure 6 shows a piece of furniture which uses a plurality of apparatuses of the type illustrated in Figure 4;

- figure 7 shows an embodiment variant of the support device of figure 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THIS PRESENT

INVENTION

Although the present invention is described below with reference to its preferred embodiments represented in the drawing tables, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below and represented in the drawings. On the contrary, the embodiments described and represented clarify some aspects of the present invention, the purpose of which is defined by the claims.

The present invention has proved to be particularly advantageous with reference to cultivation in which the seeds are arranged in a substrate consisting of biodegradable, pre-hydrated material which contains / retains the quantity of water and nutrients necessary for growth.

However, it should be pointed out that the present invention is not limited to this type of cultivation. On the contrary, the present invention finds convenient application in all cases which involve the cultivation of vegetable products starting from a substrate suitable for housing the seeds of such products.

In general, the present invention finds convenient application in all cases involving the cultivation of functional foods, ie foods capable of promoting a state of health and well-being through the nutritional properties it contains.

With reference to figures 1 to 3, a support device 1 according to a preferred embodiment of the invention is shown.

The support device 1 according to the invention allows the cultivation of vegetable products P and constitutes a container 4 suitable for receiving at least one substrate S containing the seeds of the vegetable products P to be cultivated. For vegetable products P we mean any vegetable for edible and / or ornamental use, such as vegetables, vegetables, mushrooms, flowers, etc.

Preferably, the seeds are arranged in a substrate S consisting of biodegradable, pre-hydrated material which contains / retains the amount of water and nutrients necessary for growth.

The substrate S preferably comprises a honeycomb support of natural and biodegradable fibers in which the fertilizers and / or biological fertilizers necessary for the vegetable product to germinate and mature are present.

Fertilizers and / or organic fertilizers are preferably distributed and dosed according to predetermined criteria in such a way as to ensure uniform germination.

The substrates S are preferably pre-sown with particular seed varieties or used combinations of different plant essences.

According to an aspect of the present invention, the container 4 comprises dividing elements 6 adapted to define a plurality of cultivation compartments 10. Each compartment 10 defines a corresponding reception area for said substrate S.

In the preferred embodiment illustrated in the figures, the dividing elements preferably comprise vertical or slightly inclined walls, suitable for defining 24 equal compartments 10 of triangular shape.

In variant embodiments, the number of dividing elements may be of a different type, in the limit only a single divider, to define a different number of compartments, possibly only two compartments.

The shape of the dividing elements and of the corresponding compartments formed may also be different, as shown for example in the embodiment of Figure 7.

The various compartments will be able to identify profiles of various shapes, polygonal, mixtilinear, circular etc.

The embodiment illustrated in Figure 1 with triangular or substantially triangular compartments allows to maximize the quantity of substrates S that can be inserted in the corresponding compartments 10.

Preferably, each cultivation compartment 10 is made in such a way as to show an open side, the upper one, for positioning the substrate S, while the remaining sides are hermetically closed to advantageously define a corresponding hermetically closed volume downwards.

Advantageously, the root system of the plant product is contained within the compartment 10 allowing the cultivation of different species of plant products next to each other within the same container 4.

Furthermore, the airtightness of the compartments 10 is advantageous in terms of maintaining the right humidity for the seeds / roots within the substrate S, avoiding the dissipation of moisture. This is even more advantageous in the case of using pre-hydrated substrates already containing the quantity of liquids / water sufficient for the germination and growth of the product inside.

In a preferred embodiment, the container 4 with the dividing elements 6 constitutes an integral piece.

In a preferred embodiment, the container 4 with the dividing elements 6 is made of plastic material by means of an injection molding process.

In another preferred embodiment, the container 4 with the dividing elements 6 is made of biodegradable material.

The container 4 is preferably defined by lateral containment walls 4a ÷ 4e. In the illustrated embodiment, the container preferably comprises four external perimeter walls 4a, 4b, 4c and 4d and a bottom wall 4e. The external perimeter walls 4a, 4b, 4c and 4d are preferably made up of vertical walls, or slightly inclined and tapered upwards. In preferred embodiments, the container 4 has two of said external perimeter walls 4a and 4b mutually inclined to give a substantially trapezoidal shape to the container 4, where the remaining two side walls 4c, 4d define the lower and upper base of this trapezoid.

In alternative embodiments, the lateral containment walls may preferably confer a triangular or sector-of-circle shape.

In a preferred embodiment, the said two external perimeter walls 4a, 4b are inclined to define an angle F preferably equal to 22.5 °, as shown in Figure 3. This value allows an advantageous use of the support device 1, as will be better described below in particular with reference to Figure 6.

According to an aspect of the present invention, the support device 1 is preferably used in an apparatus 50 for the cultivation of vegetable products P, as shown in Figures 4 and 5. More particularly, the apparatus 50 allows the cultivation of vegetable products P in a controlled environment. The apparatus 50 preferably comprises an openable casing 52. The casing 52 preferably comprises a lower part 54 and an upper part 56, preferably openable with respect to the lower part 54.

The upper part 56 can preferably be provided with a handle to facilitate the opening of the casing 52.

In a preferred embodiment variant the upper part is hinged with respect to the lower part,

The lower part 54 of the casing 52 is shaped to receive a support device 1 according to the invention. Inside the casing 52 are preferably positioned aeration means 64 which can be activated in a controlled manner during the seed germination phase and / or the subsequent growth phase.

The ventilation means 64 preferably comprise a pair of fans 64a, 64b designed to generate a flow of air inside the casing 52.

The apparatus 50 then comprises lighting means 70 which can be activated during the seed germination phase and / or the subsequent growth phase.

The lighting means 70 comprise a light emitting device 72 and diffusion means 74 for the emitted light.

The diffusion means 74 are positioned in such a way that the light diffused by the diffusion means 74 is spread uniformly and indirectly on the collection area so that the substrates S received in the compartments 10 of the support device 1 are uniformly illuminated. According to the preferred embodiment illustrated, the light emitting device 72 is positioned on the lower part 54 of the casing 52 preferably laterally with respect to the support device 1 and directed in such a way as not to direct the light directly towards the substrates S.

The light emitting device 72 preferably comprises a group of RGB LEDs. The light emitted by the group of RGB LEDs is therefore directed upwards, with reference to a normal use of the apparatus 50 in a horizontal position.

The spectrum of light frequency emitted by the group of RGB LEDs takes into account the phase of the cycle and the type of crop.

According to the preferred embodiment illustrated, the diffusion means 74 comprise a reflecting surface arranged frontally with respect to the substrates S.

In the embodiment illustrated and described, the reflecting surface is constituted by the internal reflecting surface 56a curve of the upper part 56 of the casing 52.

Preferably, the internal reflecting surface 56a is curved so that the reflected light is distributed on the pre-sown substrate S with precision and uniformly distributed intensity (lux), as stated above.

Advantageously, once the support device 1 with the pre-impregnated substrates S has been inserted, the product sprouts and grows autonomously until harvesting. For correct operation, the apparatus 50 is suitably provided with control means, not shown in the figure , adapted to act on the aeration means 64 and on the lighting means 70 to control the cultivation parameters for said products to be cultivated.

Even more preferably, the apparatus 50 comprises temperature and / or humidity sensor means.

The signals provided by said sensors allow the control means to appropriately control the activation of the aeration means 64 and the lighting means 70 to control the cultivation parameters for said products to be cultivated.

The control means preferably allow to carry out a thermal control inside the envelope 52, preferably to control the most appropriate temperature value over time for the products to be grown.

The power supply of the various elements of the apparatus 50 which require an electrical power supply, for example the aeration means 64, the lighting means 70 and the control means, is preferably carried out by means of a power supply unit, for example a power supply circuit. connectable to the 230Vac power supply network or an autonomous power supply system, preferably batteries. The apparatus 50 of the invention described above therefore allows the cultivation of vegetable products P in an easy way starting from the preparation of the support device 1 by positioning one or more substrates S including the seeds, which will be followed by the germination and maturation phases under the control automatic cultivation parameters. The control methods will vary according to the particular product to be cultivated P and therefore by the type of substrate S that is used. In a preferred embodiment, the control means are preferably programmed / programmable in order to be able to carry out the appropriate control actions for the various types of products to be grown P.

In a preferred embodiment, the control means comprise an interface for the user through which the user selects the program suitable for the type of substrate S used each time.

In another simpler embodiment, the apparatus 50 is dedicated to the cultivation of a single particular type of product and therefore performs a single preset program.

In a further preferred embodiment, the apparatus comprises detection means suitable for detecting the type of substrate S inserted from time to time in the tray and the control means can automatically execute the correct program.

According to a preferred embodiment, the recognition means comprise means for identifying an identification code associated with the substrate.

Preferably, the control means act on the ventilation means and the lighting means of the apparatus on the basis of the type of substrate recognized by said recognition means.

For example, a unique identification code is advantageously associated with the substrate or any package used to contain the substrate, for example a code associated with a label, a barcode, a chip etc. The identification code preferably contains information relating to the substrate and / or the seeds present therein. For example, the identification code can give information such as: type of substrate, date of production, expiry date, type of seeds, parameters useful for the germination and maturation of the seeds.

The apparatus will advantageously be provided with identification means for said code, for example a barcode reader, and will therefore be able to decode all the information relating to the substrate used for the cultivation of the desired plant product and to the product itself.

With the information detected, the device will be able to perform the appropriate control actions on the particular product chosen to be grown (temperature and / or humidity and / or lighting control, etc.).

In addition to the detection means, the device can be equipped with a color and / or height detector of the growing product. According to a preferred embodiment, this detector comprises a camera,

This detector will be able to read the color and / or height of the vegetable product as it grows and, depending on the type of vegetable product, will be able to analyze the state of growth / health of the same, for example it will be able to monitor the 'amount of growth in height of the product.

In the preferred embodiment shown in the figures, the casing 52 in its two lower 54 and upper 56 parts preferably has substantially the same shape as the support device 1 described above, preferably a trapezoidal or triangular or circular sector shape. More preferably, the two external perimeter walls of the envelope 52a, 52b are inclined to form a mutual angle of 22.5 °.

It is evident that any other form may be envisaged in construction variants, in particular to satisfy the aesthetic tastes of the user.

However, the above form is particularly advantageous in relation to a further aspect of the invention which refers to the implementation of an apparatus 101 which comprises a plurality of apparatuses 50, as shown in figure 6.

The equipment 101 shown in figure 6 allows the cultivation of vegetable products in a controlled environment which includes 16 apparatuses 50 of the type described above.

The apparatus 101 preferably comprises a support structure 130 for the various apparatuses 50.

In the illustrated embodiment, the support structure 130 is shaped to be fixed to a ceiling.

The support structure 130 preferably comprises a telescopic structure which allows to position the compartments 50 at different distances from the ceiling, and in particular allows easy access to a user for positioning or collecting the vegetable products P inside the apparatuses 50.

In a further preferred embodiment, the support structure 130 is rotatable.

Advantageously, the compartments 50 can normally be arranged in a raised position out of the way and can be lowered, for example at the time of the initial set-up with the insertion of the substrates S, at the time of collection, for intermediate checks, etc.

Furthermore, said accesses to the various apparatuses 50 can be facilitated if said revolving structure is provided.

Advantageously, the support device according to the invention allows to improve the growth performance of crops, increasing the production capacity of known systems.

Even in its use in an apparatus as described above, the support device according to the invention allows to improve the growth performance of crops, increasing the production capacity of known systems.

The apparatus facilitates the cultivation of plant products in a controlled environment, particularly in the home.

Figure 7 shows an embodiment variant of the support device 201 according to the invention.

This support device 201 differs from the support device 1 of the first embodiment described with reference to the previous figures due to the different conformation of the dividing elements 206 and of the compartments 210a, 210b, 210c of the container 204.

Characteristics and / or component parts corresponding or equivalent to the first embodiment of the present invention are identified by the same reference numbers.

The dividing elements 206 are shaped to define a plurality of cultivation compartments 210a, 210b, 210c with various shapes. In particular, a first plurality of compartments 210a with a circular profile, a second plurality of compartments 210b with a substantially trapezoidal profile and a third plurality of compartments 210c with a substantially triangular profile are identified. The various compartments 210a, 210b, 210c preferably have joined and rounded walls without edges. Advantageously, for the substrate S inserted inside the corresponding compartment 210a, 210b, 210c, angular areas are avoided where interstices can form with the creation of molds or reduced ventilation.

From what has been said it is clear that the support device allows to achieve the intended purposes.

In particular, it is clear that the proposed solution allows to improve the growth performance of crops with respect to known systems.

Although the invention has been described with reference to the attached drawing tables, it may undergo changes during the construction phase, all falling within the same inventive concept expressed by the claims set out below and therefore protected by this patent.

Claims (15)

CLAIMS 1) Support device (1; 201) for the cultivation of vegetable products (P), said device (1; 201) comprising a container (4; 204) suitable for receiving at least one substrate (S) containing the seeds of said products plants (P), characterized in that said container (4; 204) comprises at least one dividing element (6; 206) able to define at least two cultivation compartments (10; 210a, 210b, 210c), each of said compartments (10 ; 210a, 210b, 210c) being able to define a corresponding reception area of said at least one substrate (S). 2) Device (1; 201) according to claim 1, characterized in that each of said cultivation compartments (10; 210a, 210b, 210c) comprises an open side for positioning said substrate (S), while the remaining sides they are hermetically sealed. 3) Device (1; 201) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of dividing elements (6; 206) able to define a plurality of compartments (10; 210a, 210b, 2 1 Oc) side by side. 4) Device (1; 201) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said compartments (10; 210c) have a triangular shape. 5) Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said dividing element (6) comprises a vertical wall. 6) Device (1; 201) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said container (4; 204) is defined by lateral containment walls (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d), said lateral containment walls (4a , 4b, 4c, 4d) presenting at least two external perimeter walls (4a, 4b) mutually inclined and able to define a triangular or trapezoidal shape or a sector of a circle for said container (4; 204). 7) Device (1; 201) according to claim 6, characterized in that said two perimeter walls (4a, 4b) are preferably inclined by 22.5 °. 8) Apparatus (50) for the cultivation of vegetable products (P), said apparatus (50) comprising an openable casing (52) which receives a support device (1; 201) for the cultivation of vegetable products (P), characterized in that said support device (1; 201) is made according to any one of the preceding claims. 9) Apparatus (50) according to claim 8, characterized in that it further comprises: - aeration means (64) which can be activated during the germination phase of said seeds and / or the subsequent growth phase to obtain said products (P); - lighting means (70) which can be activated during the germination phase of said seeds and / or the subsequent growth phase to obtain said products (P). 10) Apparatus (50) according to claim 9, characterized in that said lighting means (70) comprise a light emission device (72) and diffusion means (74) of said emitted light, said diffusion means (74) ) being positioned in such a way that said light diffused by said diffusion means (74) is uniformly and indirectly diffused on said compartments (10; 210a, 210b, 210c), so that said at least one substrate (S) with said seeds is uniformly illuminated when positioned in said compartments (10; 2 10a, 210b, 210c). 11) Apparatus (50) according to claim 10, characterized in that said diffusion means (74) comprise a reflecting surface (56a) arranged in front of said compartments (10; 210a, 210b, 210c), said reflecting surface preferably being constituted by the internal surface (56a) of said casing (52). 12) Apparatus (50) according to any one of claims 8 to 11, characterized in that said casing (52) comprises a lower part (54) and an upper part (56) which can be opened with respect to said lower part (54), preferably said upper part (56) being hinged to said lower part (54). 13) Apparatus (50) according to any one of claims 8 to 12, characterized in that said light emitting device (72) comprises at least one LED light, preferably a group of RGB LEDs. 14) Apparatus (50) according to any one of claims 9 to 13, characterized in that it comprises control means adapted to act on said aeration means (64) and said lighting means (70) to control the cultivation parameters for said products (P) to be cultivated. 15) Apparatus (101) for the cultivation of vegetable products (P) in a controlled environment, said apparatus (101) comprising a plurality of apparatuses (50) suitable for defining a plurality of cultivation zones of vegetable products (P), characterized in that each apparatus (50) of said plurality of apparatuses is an apparatus (50) according to any one of claims 8 to 14.