NL1028220C2 - Modular plant cultivation system, comprises modules containing horizontal grooves with U shape for growing plants in - Google Patents

Abstract

The plants are grown in horizontal U-shaped grooves (6) and the arms of the U are oriented at a non-horizontal angle. The arms extend at an angle of 20-70 deg. relative to the horizontal plane. Each groove contains a drainage channel (8) in the bottom. The system comprises free-standing modules (1) which can be connected together and stacked on top of each other.

Description

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The invention relates to a system for growing plants, consisting of a number of similar elements, which can be stacked vertically as well as horizontally coupled and which are provided with horizontal U-shaped slots, in which strips of substrate or slabs are laid. can be placed in which the plants to be cultivated are placed with the root ball, while in the coupled elements an irrigation piping system is present.

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The current method of growing plants requires a huge surface. As a rule, this happens in or on mobile tables; sometimes also on the floor, while the lighting is hanging above it. Given the vast table surface, a large number of lamps is needed for this. From the PCT patent publication WO 03/092355 a vertically stackable cultivation system is known that handles the floor surface slightly more efficiently, but still requires quite a lot of square meters due to the circular shape. The unit must be opened for planting and harvesting the plants, which requires extra floor space.

The invention seeks to eliminate these disadvantages and will be further described with reference to the following figures:

Figure 1 shows the basic single-sided elements;

Figure 2 shows the double-sided basic elements;

Figure 3 shows the coupling elements;

Figure 4 shows a possible arrangement in perspective; Figure 5 shows some preformed cassettes.

The present culture system according to the invention is composed of a large series of modular, connectable elements 1a, b, c, d, e, f, which can be of single-sided design as shown in figure 1 and also, as is shown in figure 2, as double-sided element 2a, b, c, d, e, f can be designed. All elements 1 and 2 are provided with horizontally running U-shaped slots 6, wherein the legs of the U-shape are oriented at an angle of 20-70 ° with the horizontal plane.

At the moment that a space is set up, a single-sided basic element 1a is first placed, after which a number of the other elements 1b, c, d, e or f are superimposed on it to utilize the available space as efficiently as possible.

In the situation that double-sided elements 2 are preferred, then basic element 2a is started and continued with elements 2b, c, d, e or f.

When the elements 1 or 2 are stacked, the available floor area of the space can be used very efficiently. The height of the system can also be adjusted to the available height because of the system's 1028220 5 -2 series structure, so that a considerable saving of space can be achieved.

It is even possible to construct entire walls and devices in the form of streets with narrow walkways with the double-sided elements 2, as is shown in Figure 4.

This device is made possible by the use of corner elements 3 for an L-shaped arrangement, combined with corner elements 4 for a T-shaped arrangement.

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The stability of the modular coupled and stacked elements is achieved by using coupling elements 3 and 4 which are provided with key connections, which can take the form of a double dovetail 5, as shown in Figs. 3a, b, c, and d. Figure 3a shows the corner connection for an L-shaped arrangement, while 3c and 3d show the closed and IS-disconnected arrangement for a T-arrangement. The key connections 5 ensure that these elements 1, 2, 3 and 4 can be connected to each other in a simple yet solid manner.

All elements 1,2,3 and 4 consist of plastic foam, for example polystyrene, which has a good insulating effect and is also light in weight, so that the elements can be set down, stacked and switched without much effort. Little effort is also required for moving a number of elements

The lamps can be suspended between the walls or rack-shaped elements so that all plants placed one above the other and slanted in the slots 6 of the elements 1 and 2 can receive sufficient light.

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The basic elements 1 and 2 are provided with U-shaped slots 6 into which substrate slabs can be provided, while it is also possible to place preformed cassettes 7a, b and c in the slots 6, as indicated in figure 5. In the recesses of the cassettes 7 the plants to be grown are placed. The preformed cassettes 7 can be provided with one 7a or more 7b and c recesses for receiving the plants.

An integrated drainage system is included in the bottom of the U-shaped slots 6, as a result of which each slot 6 has its own water drainage gutter 8, as shown in figure 4. Feeding or water is supplied by means of in the corner elements 3 and Pipes 4 provided with pipes with drippers attached thereto which supply all plants in each slot 6 with feed or water. Vertical discharge lines 12 are provided at the ends of the elements 1 or 2, which discharge the excess water from the drainage troughs 8 in the bottom of the slots 6 to a hollow space in the form of a trough 10, at the bottom in the base elements 1a and 2a, where the water can be discharged through pipe 11. In the case that a row of stacked elements is free, the end face is covered with an end plate 13, in which also a water drainage gutter 12 is integrated.

1 0 2 8? 7 n

Claims (12)

A plant-growing system consisting of modular, linkable and stackable, free-standing elements, characterized in that the plants stand in horizontally running U-shaped slots, wherein the legs of the U-shape are oriented at an angle to the horizontal plane. A plant-growing system according to claim 1, characterized in that the legs of the U-shape are oriented at an angle of 20-70 ° with the horizontal plane. A plant-growing system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that each horizontal slot (6) is provided with a drainage gutter (8), which is placed in the bottom of the U-shape. Plant-growing system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the elements (1 and 2) are provided with recesses (9) for a pipe system for administering nutrient fluid to the plants placed. Plant-growing system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the elements can be coupled horizontally using coupling elements (3 and 4). A plant-growing system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the stacked elements can be set down in an L-shaped arrangement. 7. Plant-growing system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the stacked elements can stand in a T-shaped arrangement. Plant-growing system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the coupling elements are provided with recesses for water drainage pipes (12). Plant-growing system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the coupling elements are designed with key connections (5), for example as a double dovetail. Plant-growing system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lower basic element (1a and 2a) comprises a water drainage gutter (10). Plant-growing system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that pre-formed cassettes (7) with plants can be placed in the horizontal slots (6). 12. Plant-growing system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that all elements (1,2, 3,4, 5) are made of light plastic foam, for example of polystyrene foam. 102An