WO1998054947A2 - Modular plant growth apparatus - Google Patents
Modular plant growth apparatus Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO1998054947A2 WO1998054947A2 PCT/IL1998/000183 IL9800183W WO9854947A2 WO 1998054947 A2 WO1998054947 A2 WO 1998054947A2 IL 9800183 W IL9800183 W IL 9800183W WO 9854947 A2 WO9854947 A2 WO 9854947A2
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- growth
- temperature
- heating
- elements
- modular
- Prior art date
Links
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
- A01G—HORTICULTURE; CULTIVATION OF VEGETABLES, FLOWERS, RICE, FRUIT, VINES, HOPS OR SEAWEED; FORESTRY; WATERING
- A01G9/00—Cultivation in receptacles, forcing-frames or greenhouses; Edging for beds, lawn or the like
- A01G9/24—Devices or systems for heating, ventilating, regulating temperature, illuminating, or watering, in greenhouses, forcing-frames, or the like
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
- A01G—HORTICULTURE; CULTIVATION OF VEGETABLES, FLOWERS, RICE, FRUIT, VINES, HOPS OR SEAWEED; FORESTRY; WATERING
- A01G9/00—Cultivation in receptacles, forcing-frames or greenhouses; Edging for beds, lawn or the like
- A01G9/14—Greenhouses
- A01G9/1423—Greenhouse bench structures
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02A—TECHNOLOGIES FOR ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02A40/00—Adaptation technologies in agriculture, forestry, livestock or agroalimentary production
- Y02A40/10—Adaptation technologies in agriculture, forestry, livestock or agroalimentary production in agriculture
- Y02A40/25—Greenhouse technology, e.g. cooling systems therefor
Definitions
- the present invention relates to multi-tier crop beds generally, and particularly to multi-tier crop beds with soil disinfestation and drainage.
- Multi-tiered crop beds are known structures that provide increased area for sowing seedlings and plant growth.
- Multi-tiered crop beds are generally constructed of soil containers or terraces raised one above another so as to increase the amount of available arable soil for a given plot of flat land.
- the crop beds may be arranged vertically above each other, staggered or in any other geometrical arrangement.
- Spanish Patent 8403272 describes a pyramid shaped structure mounted in a container for cultivating plants in a greenhouse.
- the structure supports soil for growing plants at a number of different levels with each level partly overhanging the level below it.
- Soil disinfestation by heating soil with solar energy to control and kill soil pathogens and weeds is well known in the art.
- the present invention seeks to provide an improved multi-tier crop bed with soil disinfestation and drainage.
- plant growth apparatus including a modular growth element comprising a plant growth bed, a connector for connecting to another such growth element, a heating element disposed in the growth element and thermal insulation that insulates at least one face of the growth element, wherein the heating element raises and maintains a temperature of a substantial portion of the growth element to a level which disinfects the growth bed.
- the growth element may include a drain trough attached to the growth element and in fluid communication therewith.
- the heating element is sandwiched between at least one layer of a first insulating material and at least one layer of a second insulating material.
- the insulating materials may include polystyrene, polyurethane, polyvinyl chloride, and polycarbonate.
- a sheet of thermal radiation reflective material, such as white nylon or polyethylene, may be placed over the growth element to internally reflect thermal radiation and increase a temperature of a substantial portion of the growth element.
- the heating element is substantially flat and dissipates electrical power as heat. Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is also provided at least one temperature sensor operating in a closed control loop to control the temperature of the growth bed.
- a tiered support structure including a plurality of support members upon which are placed a plurality of the growth elements.
- the support members preferably are arranged in a staggered pyramid formation.
- a method for plant growth including modularly connecting a plurality of growth elements together, and raising and maintaining a temperature of a substantial portion of the growth elements to a level which disinfects the growth element.
- the growth elements may be connected to form a stacked pyramid formation.
- the method may further include draining excess water from the growth elements.
- the growth element temperature is raised to a temperature which causes pasteurization thereof.
- the growth bed temperature is raised to a temperature which causes sterilization thereof.
- the growth bed temperature is raised to a temperature of approximately 70°C for a duration of approximately at least 3 hours.
- the growth bed temperature is raised to a temperature of approximately 60°C for a duration of approximately at least 4 hours. In accordance with yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the growth bed temperature is raised to a temperature of approximately 100°C for a duration of approximately at least 3 hours.
- the soil disinfestation by heating is preferably performed approximately one day to two weeks before planting.
- Fig. 1 is a simplified pictorial, partially sectional illustration of a modular growth element, constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention
- Fig. 2 is a simplified pictorial illustration of a plurality of modular growth elements on a tiered support structure, constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention
- Fig. 3 is a simplified pictorial illustration of growing plants on the structure of
- Fig. 4 is a simplified pictorial illustration of a heating element, constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and which may be employed with the modular growth element of Fig. 1;
- Fig. 5 is a simplified pictorial illustration of temperature control apparatus for controlling temperature of a plurality of modular growth elements, constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
- Fig. 6 is a simplified pictorial illustration of a domestic modular-growth-element tiered support structure, constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
- Fig. 1 illustrates a modular growth element
- Modular growth element 10 comprises a growth bed 14, comprising a layer of any conventional growth medium or soil, typically approximately 10-20 cm deep. Depending on the type of growth medium, growth bed 14 may be provided with a housing (not shown) to contain the growth medium, or alternatively, no housing may be required. Underneath growth bed 14 is a heating element 16 which is preferably substantially flat. A thin, thermal insulating sheet 18, typically constructed of polycarbonate or polyvinyl chloride (PVC), may be placed between growth bed 14 and heating element 16. Heating element 16 preferably dissipates electrical power as heat, such as an electric heating blanket which is provided with a suitable protective coating, such as a polymeric coating. Heating element 16 is preferably provided with electrical leads 17 for connection with a power source 19.
- PVC polyvinyl chloride
- the heating element 16 is preferably a layer of a porous medium 20, such as tuff, compost, coconut hairs or polystyrene foam.
- the layer of porous medium 20 is typically approximately 1-5 cm thick.
- Underneath porous medium 20 is a layer of thermal insulation 22.
- Thermal insulation 22 is typically made of a material such as polystyrene, PVC or polyurethane, and is preferably approximately 1-5 cm thick.
- the layer of porous medium 20 helps to separate heating element 16 from the thermal insulation 22, thereby helping to avoid direct heating damage thereto.
- growth bed 14 may be covered with a layer of thermally insulative material 23, such as a white sheet of nylon or polyethylene.
- Thermally insulative material 23 internally reflects thermal radiation and increases a temperature of a substantial portion of growth element 14. This helps to promote and maintain a uniform temperature in growth bed 14, as well as provide extra thermal insulation.
- At least one temperature sensor 24 is embedded in growth bed 14 and is connected to a controller 26 which is in electrical communication with one of the leads 17 and with power source 19. Temperature sensor 24 and controller 26 operate in a closed control loop to control the temperature of growth bed 14.
- a drain trough 28 is preferably attached to modular growth element 10 and in fluid communication therewith. Drain trough 28 may be constructed of a suitable engineering plastic and may be attached in any conventional manner to any portion of modular growth element 10.
- Connector 30 is provided for connecting one modular growth element 10 to another.
- Connector 30 may be a clip, VELCRO ® strap, buckle, adhesive, or mechanical fastener, for example.
- Connector 30 may be attached in any conventional manner to any portion of modular growth element 10.
- Tiered support structure 40 preferably includes a plurality of support members 42 upon which are placed the modular growth elements 10.
- Support members 42 are preferably constructed of stiff metal posts or wire, and are preferably arranged in a staggered pyramid formation.
- modular growth elements 10 may be connected and placed upon support members 42 to form a stacked pyramid formation. Drain troughs 28 may be used to drain excess water from growth elements 14.
- Fig. 3 illustrates growing plants 44 in the modular growth elements 10 on tiered support structure 40, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
- the growth of plants 44 may be enhanced by disinfestation of the growth medium of growth beds 14, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, as will now be described.
- heating element 16 is energized to heat growth bed 14 to a temperature which causes the desired level of disinfestation.
- the temperature of the growth bed 14 is preferably raised to approximately 70°C for a duration of approximately at least 3 hours.
- the temperature of growth bed 14 may be raised to approximately 60°C for a duration of approximately at least 4 hours.
- the temperature of growth bed 14 is preferably raised to approximately 100°C for a duration of approximately at least 3 hours.
- growth bed 14 may be solarized during the day with conventional methods of soil solarization and further disinfestation accomplished with the methods of the present invention during the night or during cloudy days.
- the soil disinfestation by heating is preferably performed approximately one day to two weeks before planting.
- Fig. 4 illustrates a heating element 50, constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and which may be employed with the modular growth element of Fig. 1.
- Heating element 50 preferably includes one or more discrete, localized heating zones 52.
- Heating zones 52 may comprise any pattern of electrical resistor elements printed or embedded in a strip 54 of electrically insulative material, such as a plastic. Heating zones 52 may be interconnected in series or parallel and connected to a power source 56 via a bus 58. Alternatively, heating zones
- Heating elements 50 may be used to heat modular growth elements 10 in tiered support structure 40 of Fig. 3, for example. Alternatively, heating elements 50 may be used to heat individual flower pots or beds.
- Fig. 5 illustrates temperature control apparatus 60 for cooling, heating and/or controlling temperature of a plurality of modular growth elements, such as modular growth elements 10 in tiered support structure 40 of Fig. 3, for example, constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
- Apparatus 60 may comprise any type of air-air heat exchanger, water-air heat exchanger or air-conditioning system or simply a fan or blower.
- Apparatus 60 preferably includes a fan 62, such as a centrifugal fan, positioned at an end 64 of a housing 66 which envelopes tiered support structure 40.
- Housing 66 which may be constructed of a transparent plastic, is preferably at least partially open to the outside air at end 64 and may be closed at an opposite end 68.
- Fan 62 blows air over plants 44, the air entering the inside of housing 66 at end 64 and exiting through openings 70 formed in housing 66 near each plant 44. It is appreciated that fan 62 and openings 70 may be positioned at other places in housing 66 depending on the particular requirements of the plants 44.
- the flow of air controls and/or raises or lowers the temperature of growth beds 14.
- apparatus 60 may either heat or cool growth beds 14 as desired.
- Fig. 6 illustrates a domestic modular-growth- element tiered support structure 80, constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
- Tiered support structure 80 is preferably constructed in the same manner as tiered support structure 40 described hereinabove with reference to Figs. 2 and 3, with like elements being designated by like numerals.
- Tiered support structure 80 preferably includes a power cord 82 and water supply tube 84 for convenient installment in a house, patio or the like.
- Power cord 82 is of course connected to a mains (not shown) for supplying electrical power to heating elements 16.
- Water supply tube 84 is connected to a water supply (schematically designated by numeral 86) for supplying water to modular growth elements 10.
- Inlet water enters water supply tube 84 and is preferably fed to growth elements 10 via channels formed in walls 88 of tiered support structure 80. Water is drained in drain troughs 28 and, if necessary, an exit water tube 90 may be provided to expel excess water.
- Tiered support structure 80 is thus a "turn-key" system for domestic use, comprising the heating elements for disinfection of the soil, water for plant growth, drain troughs and any necessary sensors and controllers to monitor and control operation of the growth elements.
Landscapes
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Environmental Sciences (AREA)
- Cultivation Receptacles Or Flower-Pots, Or Pots For Seedlings (AREA)
- Greenhouses (AREA)
Abstract
Description
Claims
Priority Applications (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
EP98915066A EP0991312A2 (en) | 1997-06-03 | 1998-04-15 | Modular plant growth apparatus |
AU69334/98A AU6933498A (en) | 1997-06-03 | 1998-04-15 | Plant growth apparatus |
CA002292515A CA2292515A1 (en) | 1997-06-03 | 1998-04-15 | Modular plant growth apparatus |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
IL12098197A IL120981A0 (en) | 1997-06-03 | 1997-06-03 | Multi-tier crop bed |
IL120981 | 1997-06-03 |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
WO1998054947A2 true WO1998054947A2 (en) | 1998-12-10 |
WO1998054947A3 WO1998054947A3 (en) | 1999-04-22 |
Family
ID=11070214
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/IL1998/000183 WO1998054947A2 (en) | 1997-06-03 | 1998-04-15 | Modular plant growth apparatus |
Country Status (5)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP0991312A2 (en) |
AU (1) | AU6933498A (en) |
CA (1) | CA2292515A1 (en) |
IL (1) | IL120981A0 (en) |
WO (1) | WO1998054947A2 (en) |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2010095932A1 (en) * | 2009-02-20 | 2010-08-26 | Verdellen Beheer B.V. | Cultivating bed for mushrooms and device and method for cultivating mushrooms |
EP3964051A1 (en) * | 2020-09-07 | 2022-03-09 | Agriculture Investments Limited | Vertical farming apparatus and a method of vertical farming |
Families Citing this family (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CA2808647C (en) | 2013-03-08 | 2014-08-26 | Biochambers Incorporated | A controlled environment enclosure with built-in sterilization/pasteurization functionality |
US20200315114A1 (en) * | 2013-10-04 | 2020-10-08 | Charles E. Ankner | Preventing treating and eliminating infection and infestation of plantae in sensu lato by pathogens and pests |
Citations (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
ES8403272A1 (en) | 1983-05-06 | 1984-04-16 | Torres Martinez M | Concentrated culture apparatus |
US5428922A (en) | 1994-01-24 | 1995-07-04 | Johnson; Hugh A. | Multi-tier garden planter with sectional tubs |
Family Cites Families (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2844696A (en) * | 1957-08-14 | 1958-07-22 | Jr Byron K Custer | Snow melting mat |
GB1096956A (en) * | 1964-11-13 | 1967-12-29 | Nat Res Dev | Crop growing device |
US5009029A (en) * | 1987-07-06 | 1991-04-23 | Wittlin Seymour I | Conductive temperature control system for plant cultivation |
US4928425A (en) * | 1988-11-28 | 1990-05-29 | Walker Jr Robert M | Greenhouse with integral humidifier |
-
1997
- 1997-06-03 IL IL12098197A patent/IL120981A0/en unknown
-
1998
- 1998-04-15 WO PCT/IL1998/000183 patent/WO1998054947A2/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1998-04-15 AU AU69334/98A patent/AU6933498A/en not_active Abandoned
- 1998-04-15 EP EP98915066A patent/EP0991312A2/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1998-04-15 CA CA002292515A patent/CA2292515A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
ES8403272A1 (en) | 1983-05-06 | 1984-04-16 | Torres Martinez M | Concentrated culture apparatus |
US5428922A (en) | 1994-01-24 | 1995-07-04 | Johnson; Hugh A. | Multi-tier garden planter with sectional tubs |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2010095932A1 (en) * | 2009-02-20 | 2010-08-26 | Verdellen Beheer B.V. | Cultivating bed for mushrooms and device and method for cultivating mushrooms |
EP3964051A1 (en) * | 2020-09-07 | 2022-03-09 | Agriculture Investments Limited | Vertical farming apparatus and a method of vertical farming |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
IL120981A0 (en) | 1997-11-20 |
EP0991312A2 (en) | 2000-04-12 |
CA2292515A1 (en) | 1998-12-10 |
AU6933498A (en) | 1998-12-21 |
WO1998054947A3 (en) | 1999-04-22 |
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