JP2008253218A - Plant culture apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a plant culture apparatus which can readily move culture cylinders to enhance efficiency for receiving light in response to the growth states of plants and can effectively utilize culture spaces. <P>SOLUTION: This plant culture apparatus is characterized by being equipped with a plurality of culture cylinders 3 each having a plurality of plant-planting holes 1 on the side peripheral surface 2, a plurality of hangers 4 for hanging the culture cylinders 3, a guide 5 for movably guiding and supporting the hangers 4, and nutritious solution-supplying means 7 for supplying a nutritious solution to the culture cylinders, respectively. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an apparatus for growing plants such as vegetables and flowers.

  Hydroponics that does not use soil to cultivate plants is widely performed. As a cultivation tank for this hydroponics, various things such as a box shape, a bowl shape, and a cylindrical shape have been used conventionally. Generally it is arranged. For this reason, it was hard to say that the upper part of cultivation space was fully utilized.

  For profit cultivation, the plant spacing is changed according to the growth of the plant, the surface panel of the cultivation tank is changed, the long ridge is moved, or the box-shaped cultivation tank is supported to secure the work space. The entire table is moved mechanically, but these operations are complicated and not easy. Even in the case of small cultivation tanks for home use, frequent movement between outdoors and indoors was difficult.

  It is an object of the present invention to solve the problems of the conventional example. More specifically, the present invention effectively uses the cultivation space and easily moves the cultivation tank to increase the light receiving efficiency according to the growth state of the plant and the cultivation tank to a place preferred by the grower. And it aims at providing the plant cultivation apparatus which can be performed easily.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a plurality of cultivation tubes provided with a plurality of plant implantation holes on the side peripheral surface, a plurality of suspension tools for suspending the cultivation tubes, and guides the suspension devices so as to be movable. It is characterized by comprising a supporting guide and nutrient solution supply means for supplying nutrient solution to each cultivation cylinder.

  The nutrient solution supplied from the nutrient solution supply means is a concept including not only an aqueous solution containing nutrients but also water for plants that can be cultivated only with water.

  According to the present invention, each cultivation cylinder as a cultivation tank is guided and supported by the guide through the suspension tool, and the interval between these cultivation cylinders can be easily changed. Thereby, according to the growth condition of a plant, light reception efficiency can be improved irrespective of sunlight and artificial lighting. In addition, by forming the cultivation cylinder in a chisel length, it is possible to effectively use the plant cultivation space without wasting space.

  In particular, when the present invention is used as an ornamental plant cultivation apparatus for home use, the cultivation tube can be easily moved between the outdoors and indoors, and the plant is protected while ensuring sufficient lighting for the plant. The ornamental nature can be improved.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  The plant cultivation apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 includes a plurality of cultivation cylinders 3 provided with a plurality of plant implantation holes 1 on the side peripheral surface 2, and a suspension tool corresponding to each cultivation cylinder 3 that suspends the cultivation cylinder 3. 4, a guide 5 that guides and supports each suspension tool 4 slidably, and a nutrient solution supply means 7 that supplies a nutrient solution from each upper opening 6 to each cultivation cylinder.

  The cultivation cylinder 3 is formed by integrally connecting a cylinder main body 8 having a long cylindrical shape (for example, an outer diameter of 10 cm and a vertical length of 100 cm), a cup-shaped bottom lid 9 and an upper end ring 10. The cylinder body 8 is composed of a cylindrical plastic base cylinder 8a (for example, vinyl chloride) and a heat insulating portion 8b adhered to the inner peripheral surface thereof. In addition, in order to improve the heat insulation effect, it is also possible to affix a heat insulating material to the outer peripheral surface of the base cylinder 8a. It is preferable that the heat insulating portion 8b has an uneven surface as shown in FIG. A large number of plant implantation holes 1 are formed in the tube main body 8, and root portions 11 a of the plant seedlings 11 are implanted and fixed in the plant implantation holes 1.

  Further, in order to reduce the weight of the cultivation tube 3, a hole different from the plant implantation hole 1 can be opened in the base tube 8 a and the hole can be covered with the heat insulating portion 8.

  The hanging tool 4 has a pair of hanging wires 12, 12, a rotating part 13, and a hook 14, and the lower ends of the pair of hanging wires 12, 12 are provided on the upper ring 10 of the cultivation cylinder 3. Are fixed to the locking portions 15, 15. By means of the rotating part 13, the cultivation cylinder 3 is suspended by a suspension tool 4 so as to be rotatable around its center.

  In addition, when the net 55 is stretched over the opening (upper end opening) 6 of the upper end ring 10 as shown by the phantom line in FIG. 2, the insects are prevented from entering and the amount of incident light is reduced to protect the roots. This is preferable.

  The guide 5 includes a rail 16 and a number of sliders 17 that are slidably guided and supported by the rail 16. The rail 16 is fixed to an upper structure 18 such as a cultivation room via a V-shaped bracket 19. The slider 17 has a T-shaped cross section, and an upper portion thereof is guided and supported by the rail 16, and a latching hole 20 as a support portion for supporting the hanging tool 4 is formed at the lower portion thereof. The hook 14 of the hanging tool 4 is detachably locked to the retaining hole 20. In this way, the hanging tool 4 is configured to be attachable to and detachable from the guide 5. Alternatively, the cultivation tube 3 may be configured to be attachable to and detachable from the holding tool 4. Good. As the rail 16 and the slider 17, a commercially available curtain rail and slider can be used.

  The slider 17 is guided by the rail 16 and slides in a sliding state. However, instead of this, a roller may be provided, and a slider that slides on the rail 16 by the rolling of the roller may be used.

  The nutrient solution supply means 7 connects the nutrient solution supply pipe 21, the multiple branch tubes 22 branched from the nutrient solution supply pipe 21, the spray nozzle 23, the branch tube 22, and the tube 23 a of the spray nozzle 23 with one touch. One-touch connector 24 is provided. The nutrient solution pumped through the nutrient solution supply pipe 21 reaches the spray nozzle 23 introduced from the upper end opening 6 of the cultivation cylinder 3 through the branch tube 22, and the root 11a of the plant seedling 11 from the nozzle body 23b. To be sprayed. The cultivation cylinder 3 is configured so that its position can be changed by the guide 5, and when the one-touch connector 24 is detached and operated during the movement, the nutrient solution is held at the tip of the branch tube 22. If the one-touch connector 24 is operated in the connected state after movement, the nutrient solution can be supplied into the cultivation cylinder 3 through the branch tube 22 at a desired position.

  Instead of the nutrient solution supply means 7, nutrient solution supply means for introducing the nutrient solution into the cylinder from the side periphery or bottom of the cultivation cylinder 3 can also be used.

  The bottom lid 9 of the cultivation cylinder 3 is made of a translucent plastic (for example, polyethylene), and temporarily stores the remaining nutrient solution sprayed from the spray nozzle 23. A collection tube 25 is connected to the side surface of the bottom lid 9. A collection pipe 26 and a number of branch tubes 27 branching from the collection pipe 26 are disposed below the cultivation tube 3, and the collection tube 25 has a function similar to that of the one-touch connector 24. They are connected by means of tools 28. By comprising in this way, a nutrient solution can be collect | recovered and reused.

  As shown in the plan view of FIG. 5, the guide 5 has a plurality of rails 16 arranged in parallel, and the cultivation cylinder 3 suspended by these rails 16 is moved to a position where conditions such as lighting are optimal. Can be made.

  Next, the usage method and advantages of the plant cultivation apparatus of the above embodiment will be described. The plant seedling 11 has a root portion 11a in which a root has grown on a portion of a net-like pot having a diameter of about 2 to 3 cm where a planting material such as rock wool is used as much as possible. The plant seedling 11 is implanted in the cultivation cylinder 3 by fitting the root portion 11a into the plant implantation hole 1 in a press-fitted state. As the plant grows, the roots emerge from the mesh of the pot, but by supplying the nutrient solution in a spray form from the spray nozzle 23, it is possible to avoid drying the roots. It is preferable to supply the nutrient solution intermittently using a timer.

  As the plant grows, in order to improve the lighting conditions, the cultivation tube 3 can be moved horizontally to easily expand the interval between the cultivation tubes 3 and 3. Moreover, the lighting conditions between the some plants planted in the side peripheral surface of the cultivation cylinder 3 can be equalize | homogenized by rotating the cultivation cylinder 3 around a cylinder center.

  The cultivation cylinder 3 is formed in a cylindrical shape and has an upper end opening 6, so that the internal steaming is prevented and it is convenient for plant growth. Moreover, since the cultivation cylinder 3 has the heat insulation part 8b, a plant is protected from the rapid change of external temperature, especially a temperature rise. This heat insulating part may be configured to be provided only on the inner or outer periphery of the cylinder body 8 or only on the outer periphery, as shown in the present embodiment. Although the heat insulation part 8b of the inner peripheral side of the said cultivation cylinder 3 is formed in the uneven surface, it can prevent that the root which grew by this sticks extremely.

  Since the cultivation cylinder 3 is configured to be detachable from the guide 5 together with the hanging tool 4, the cultivation cylinder 3 can be easily and easily replaced with respect to the guide 5. Further, in the cultivation of ornamental plants, the plants can be easily appreciated indoors or in the store by suspending the cultivation tube 3 via the hanging tool 4 on the stand 29 shown in FIG.

  Although the present embodiment is configured as described above, in addition to this, as shown in FIGS. 1, 4, 7, and 8, the guide 5 has a plurality of rails 16 each having a break portion 30 between the rails. And a connection rail 31 that can set the disconnection portion 30 in one of a disconnected state and a connected state, and the slider 17 moves from one rail 16 to the other rail 16 in the connected state. It is configured to be able to slide through the connection rail 31.

  In the example shown in FIGS. 1, 7, and 8, the cultivation cylinder 3 can move on the rail 16 between the outdoor and the indoor, and between the outdoor rail 16 and the indoor rail 16, There is an openable / closable obstacle 32 such as a door. The connection rail 31 is slidably fitted to the rail 16 and is retracted and supported on one rail 16 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 7 when not connected. When the obstacle 32 such as a door is opened, the connecting rail 31 is slid to connect the two rails 16 as shown in FIG. 8, and the cultivation tube 3 is slid from one indoor to the other outdoor. be able to.

  In addition, as shown with a virtual line in FIG. 7, FIG. 8, if the connection string 51 which connects between the sliders 17 is provided, since the several cultivation cylinder 3 can be moved simultaneously, it is convenient.

  Such a configuration is particularly useful when enjoying horticulture in an apartment or the like. In other words, in apartments, it is difficult to secure a sufficient amount of light indoors, even at the windows. On the other hand, it cannot be fully used for viewing outdoors such as on balconies, and there is also a problem of cold winter. It was. According to the present embodiment, the cultivation tube 3 can be easily moved between outdoors and indoors, so that it is possible to achieve excellent effects in terms of viewing and plant protection.

  9 and 10 show another embodiment of the plant cultivation apparatus in which the cultivation cylinder 3A is composed of a plurality of cylinder divisions 33, and the plurality of cylinder divisions 33 are integrated in a cylinder center direction. The form is shown. The configuration other than the cultivation cylinder 3A is configured in the same manner as the above-described embodiment.

  The basic configuration of each cylinder divided body 33 is the same as that of the cylinder main body 8 of the cultivation cylinder 3 of the above-described embodiment, and the cocoon length is only shorter than the cylinder main body 8. The cultivation cylinder 3A illustrates four cylinder division bodies 33, a cup-shaped bottom cover 9A that performs the same function as the bottom cover 9 of the above-described embodiment, and a disk-shaped upper cover 10A. And are integrated by a tightening wire 34. In addition, the planting hole 1 and the heat insulating portion 8b are also provided in the cultivation cylinder 3A, and the root portion 11a of the plant seedling 11 is implanted and fixed in the plant implantation hole 1.

  The upper lid 10A has a locking portion 15A to which the lower ends of the pair of hanging wires 12 and 12 of the hanging tool 4 are fixed, and a wire insertion hole portion 35 for inserting the tightening wire 34 into the central portion thereof. And an opening 36 for introducing the injection nozzle 23 into the cylinder is formed. A locking portion 37 is formed at the central portion of the inner bottom surface of the bottom lid 9A to which the bent lower end portion of the tightening wire 34 is locked. Then, two upper ends of the tightening wire 34 extending upward from the lower end bent portion are inserted into the locking portion 37 through the wire insertion hole 35, and the lower lid 9A, the four cylinder divided bodies 33, and the upper lid 10A are connected. As shown in FIG. 9, after overlapping and tightening, the tightening wire 34 is fixed by tightening a set screw 38 screwed into the wire insertion hole 35, and the cultivation cylinder 3 </ b> A is integrated. it can.

  According to this embodiment, the culm length of the cultivation cylinder 3 </ b> A can be changed by increasing or decreasing the number of the cylinder divided bodies 33, and part of the cylinder divided bodies 33 can be replaced. Further, when it is inconvenient to carry the cultivation cylinder 3A or mount it in a car in the direction of the cylinder center, the cultivation cylinder 3A can be easily divided into the cylinder divided bodies 33, thereby improving portability.

  As shown by phantom lines in FIG. 10, when each slit 52 is vertically provided with a slit 52 formed so that the suspension wires 12 and 12 can pass through, a part of the cylinder split 33 is provided. It is easy to exchange and change the length of the cultivation cylinder 3A. In this case, it is preferable that the slit 52 is covered so as to be openable and closable by using an end portion of the heat insulating sheet attached to the outer periphery of the cylindrical divided body 33.

  The present invention can be configured in various forms other than those shown in the above embodiments. For example, each suspension tool guided and supported by the guide can be moved by power. Moreover, the method of fixing the root part 11a of the plant 11 to the planting hole 1 of the cultivation cylinder 3 is not limited to what is shown in the said embodiment, There exist various methods.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention is suitable for use in a commercial plant cultivation apparatus and a household plant cultivation apparatus that can easily move a cultivation cylinder to increase the light receiving efficiency according to the growth state of the plant and can effectively use the cultivation space. is there.

1 is a schematic front view showing an embodiment of the present invention. The perspective view which shows the principal part. Sectional drawing of the principal part of a cultivation cylinder. The partially vertical front view of a hanging tool. The schematic plan view which shows the arrangement | positioning relationship between a guide and a cultivation cylinder. The perspective view which shows the utilization form of a cultivation cylinder. The schematic front view which shows the relationship between a guide and a cultivation cylinder. The schematic front view which shows the relationship between a guide and a cultivation cylinder. Sectional drawing which shows the cultivation cylinder of other embodiment of this invention. FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Plant implantation hole 2 Side peripheral surface 3, 3A Cultivation cylinder 4 Suspension tool 5 Guide 6 Upper end opening part (cylinder end opening part)
7 Nutrient solution supply means 16 Rail 17 Slider 20 Retaining hole (support part)
30 Disconnection part 31 Connection rail 33 Tube segment

Claims (6)

A plurality of cultivation tubes provided with a plurality of plant implantation holes on the side peripheral surface;
A plurality of suspension tools for suspending cultivation tubes;
A guide that guides and supports each suspension tool movably,
A plant cultivation apparatus comprising: a nutrient solution supply means for supplying a nutrient solution to each cultivation tube.   The plant cultivation device according to claim 1, wherein the cultivation cylinder is suspended by a suspension tool so as to be rotatable around the center of the cylinder.   The plant cultivation apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the hanging tool is detachable from the guide, or the cultivation tube is detachable from the hanging tool.   The guide is provided with a rail and a plurality of sliders that are guided and supported by the rail so as to be movable, and each slider is formed with a support portion that supports the suspension tool. Plant cultivation equipment.   The guide includes a plurality of rails having a cut-off portion between the rails, and a connection rail capable of setting the cut-off portion to either a cut-off state or a connection state. The plant cultivation apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the plant cultivation apparatus is configured to be movable from one rail to the other rail via a connection rail.   The plant cultivation device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the cultivation cylinder is composed of a plurality of cylinder division bodies, and the plurality of cylinder division bodies are integrated by being overlapped in the cylinder center direction.

Images