WO2009107124A1 - Plant support structure - Google Patents
Plant support structure Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2009107124A1 WO2009107124A1 PCT/IL2009/000191 IL2009000191W WO2009107124A1 WO 2009107124 A1 WO2009107124 A1 WO 2009107124A1 IL 2009000191 W IL2009000191 W IL 2009000191W WO 2009107124 A1 WO2009107124 A1 WO 2009107124A1
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- support structure
- plant support
- hydroponic plant
- orientation
- structure according
- Prior art date
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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
- A01G31/00—Soilless cultivation, e.g. hydroponics
- A01G31/02—Special apparatus therefor
-
- 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
- Y02P—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS
- Y02P60/00—Technologies relating to agriculture, livestock or agroalimentary industries
- Y02P60/20—Reduction of greenhouse gas [GHG] emissions in agriculture, e.g. CO2
- Y02P60/21—Dinitrogen oxide [N2O], e.g. using aquaponics, hydroponics or efficiency measures
Definitions
- the present disclosure relates to a plant support structure and in particular to a structure for hydroponic cultivation of plants.
- Such structures normally support a substrate mat into which plants may extend their roots to take up water and nutrients for plant growth.
- Canadian Patent No. 2385896 the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, describes a plant breeding channel that is made of metal. The channel consists of a top surface and legs that point down from the top surface a considerable spacing.
- a plant support structure for hydroponic growth of plants the structure extending along an axis and being made of a composite material comprising a first fiber arrangement having a first orientation, wherein the first orientation is substantially parallel to the axis.
- the composite material comprises a plurality of fiber segments randomly dispersed therein.
- the composite material comprises a second fiber arrangement having a second orientation, the second orientation being substantially perpendicular to the first orientation.
- the composite material comprises polyester and the fibers are glass fiber.
- the gutter is adapted to be suspended above the ground and optionally the weight of plants growing on the structure contributes to the formation of a first zone in the structure that is subjected to tension and a second zone in the structure that is subjected to compression, and a density of longitudinal fibers of the first fiber arrangement is greater in at least a portion the first zone than in at least a portion of the second zone.
- FIG. 1 shows a greenhouse incorporating a plant support structure in accordance with the present disclosure
- FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a portion of the plant support structure
- Fig. 3 shows a top view of a portion of the plant support structure
- Fig. 4 A shows a section of Fig. 3 exhibiting a first configuration of fibers
- Fig. 4B shows the section of Fig. 3 exhibiting a second configuration of fibers
- FIG. 5 shows a front view of the support structure of Fig. 1 with the addition of a substrate mat and a plant;
- FIG. 6 shows a section of Fig. 2 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
- a plant support structure 10 is used for hydroponic growth of plants by optionally hanging it above the ground from a greenhouse frame 12 (Fig. 1).
- the support structure 10 which may also be used lying on the ground or spaced therefrom by spacers (not shown), is adapted to support a substrate mat 32 (Fig. 5) into which plants 34 may extend their roots to take up water and nutrients for plant growth.
- the support structure 10 extends along a longitudinal axis X and has an upper platform 14 for supporting the mat 32 that imposes a downwardly directed force F upon the structure's upper platform 14.
- the upper support 14 is bound by two longitudinal edges 16 which are generally parallel to the aforementioned longitudinal axis X.
- a wing 18 extends down to a respective gutter 20.
- directional terms appearing throughout the specification and claims, e.g. “up”, “down” etc., (and derivatives thereof) are for illustrative purposes only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the appended claims.
- the directional terms “down”, “below” and “lower” (and derivatives thereof) define identical directions.
- the support structure 10 is made of a composite material and is optionally manufactured in a pultrusion manufacturing process whereby reinforcing fibers are placed in a resin.
- the fibers are made of glass, aramaid, polyester, polyethylene, polypropylene, cellulose, sisal, carbon etc.; and optionally the resin is a thermoset such as polyester, epoxy or polyurethane or a thermoplastic such as polypropylene, poly ethylene terephthalate, nylon, abs, acetal, etc.
- the fibers are glass fibers and the resin is polyester.
- the support structure 10 has a first fiber configuration 22 that includes a first fiber arrangement 24 that has a first orientation Ol substantially parallel to the axis X.
- the first fiber configuration 22 also includes a plurality of short fiber segments 26 that are randomly dispersed in the composite material.
- the support structure 10 has a second fiber configuration 28 that includes a first fiber arrangement 24 that has a first orientation Ol and a second fiber arrangement 30 that has a second orientation 02.
- the first orientation Ol is substantially parallel to the axis X and the second orientation 02 is substantially perpendicular to the first orientation 01.
- the first and second fiber arrangements 24, 30 are each made out of bundles 25 of fibers that extend along the respective first and second orientations 01, 02.
- the support structure 10 is supported at axially spaced apart locations 11 therealong when it is for example suspended from the greenhouse frame 12 (Fig. 1) or when it is laid upon spacers on the ground (not shown).
- the support structure 10 When suspended from the greenhouse frame 12, the support structure 10 is sufficiently stiff that it maintains a substantially unbent and straight form between adjacent support locations 11. This ensures that when the support structure 10 is slightly tilted, most of the excess liquid that is not utilized by the plants can be evacuated out of the support structure 10 via the gutters 20 and not remain caught between adjacent support locations 11.
- the first and second fiber configurations 22, 28 provide strength to the support structure 10 that enables it to have for example a smaller cross section in relation to a non-reinforced structure that does not include one of the fiber configurations 22, 28.
- the support structure 10 may have a narrower width at the platform 14, wings 18 or gutters 20; and thereby may be cheaper than a non-reinforced structure that requires larger widths in order to maintain the substantially unbent form between adjacent support locations 11.
- the support structure 10 has an imaginary neutral surface N that passes through its cross section at locations where substantially no longitudinal stresses or strain occurs.
- a downwardly directed force F imposed thereupon by for example the mat 32 fibers located below the neutral surface N are in a state of tension, while those above the neutral surface N are in compression.
- the support structure 10 includes fibers that are adapted to mainly withstand tensile strains. Therefore, in embodiments of the present disclosure, the support structure 10 may be designed to have a density Dl of longitudinal fibers below the neutral surface N that is greater than a density D2 of longitudinal fibers above the neutral surface N in order to locate a larger number of tensile bearing fibers at a location of the structure subjected to tension. Such an embodiment of the structure 10 exhibits an optional design for maintaining the substantially unbent and straight form between adjacent support locations 11.
- each of the verbs, "comprise” “include” and “have”, and conjugates thereof, are used to indicate that the object or objects of the verb are not necessarily a complete listing of members, components, elements or parts of the subject or subjects of the verb.
Landscapes
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Environmental Sciences (AREA)
- Hydroponics (AREA)
- Cultivation Of Plants (AREA)
Abstract
A plant support structure (10) for hydroponic growth of plants (34) has a structure that extends along an axis and is made of a composite material. Th composite material includes a first fiber arrangement that has a first orientation (24) parallel to the axis.
Description
PLANT SUPPORT STRUCTURE
BACKGROUND [001] The present disclosure relates to a plant support structure and in particular to a structure for hydroponic cultivation of plants.
[002] Such structures normally support a substrate mat into which plants may extend their roots to take up water and nutrients for plant growth. Canadian Patent No. 2385896, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, describes a plant breeding channel that is made of metal. The channel consists of a top surface and legs that point down from the top surface a considerable spacing.
[003] US Patent No. 4,222,199, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, describes a trough for soil-less growth of plants and vegetables that is described as being made of fluid impervious material such as fiber glass.
SUMMARY
[004] The following embodiment and aspects thereof are described and illustrated in conjunction with systems, tools and methods which are meant to be exemplary and illustrative, not limiting in scope. [005] In an embodiment is provided a plant support structure for hydroponic growth of plants, the structure extending along an axis and being made of a composite material comprising a first fiber arrangement having a first orientation, wherein the first orientation is substantially parallel to the axis.
[006] Optionally, the composite material comprises a plurality of fiber segments randomly dispersed therein.
[007] Optionally, the composite material comprises a second fiber arrangement having a second orientation, the second orientation being substantially perpendicular to the first orientation.
[008] Optionally, the composite material comprises polyester and the fibers are glass fiber.
[009] Optionally, the gutter is adapted to be suspended above the ground and optionally the weight of plants growing on the structure contributes to the formation of a first zone in the structure that is subjected to tension and a second zone in the structure that is subjected to compression, and a density of longitudinal fibers of the first fiber arrangement is greater in at least a portion the first zone than in at least a portion of the second zone.
[010] In addition to the exemplary aspects and embodiment described above, further aspects and embodiments will become apparent by reference to the figures and by study of the following detailed description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[Oi l] Exemplary embodiments are illustrated in referenced figures. It is intended that the embodiments and figures disclosed herein are to be considered illustrative, rather than restrictive.
The disclosure, however, both as to organization and method of operation, together with objects, features, and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following detailed description when read with the accompanying figures, in which:
[012] Fig. 1 shows a greenhouse incorporating a plant support structure in accordance with the present disclosure;
[013] Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of a portion of the plant support structure;
[014] Fig. 3 shows a top view of a portion of the plant support structure; [015] Fig. 4 A shows a section of Fig. 3 exhibiting a first configuration of fibers;
[016] Fig. 4B shows the section of Fig. 3 exhibiting a second configuration of fibers;
[017] Fig. 5 shows a front view of the support structure of Fig. 1 with the addition of a substrate mat and a plant; and
[018] Fig. 6 shows a section of Fig. 2 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[019] It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration, elements shown in the figures have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements may be exaggerated relative to other elements for clarity. Further, where considered appropriate, reference numerals may be repeated within the figures to indicate like elements.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[020] Attention is first drawn to Figs. 1, 2 and 5. A plant support structure 10 is used for hydroponic growth of plants by optionally hanging it above the ground from a greenhouse frame 12 (Fig. 1). The support structure 10, which may also be used lying on the ground or spaced therefrom by spacers (not shown), is adapted to support a substrate mat 32 (Fig. 5) into which plants 34 may extend their roots to take up water and nutrients for plant growth. [021] The support structure 10 extends along a longitudinal axis X and has an upper platform 14 for supporting the mat 32 that imposes a downwardly directed force F upon the structure's upper platform 14. The upper support 14 is bound by two longitudinal edges 16 which are generally parallel to the aforementioned longitudinal axis X. From each edge 16, a wing 18 extends down to a respective gutter 20. It should be noted that directional terms appearing throughout the specification and claims, e.g. "up", "down" etc., (and derivatives thereof) are for illustrative purposes only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the appended claims. In addition it is noted that the directional terms "down", "below" and "lower" (and derivatives thereof) define identical directions.
[022] Attention is additionally drawn to Figs. 3, 4 A and 4B. The support structure 10 is made of a composite material and is optionally manufactured in a pultrusion manufacturing process whereby reinforcing fibers are placed in a resin. Optionally the fibers are made of glass, aramaid, polyester, polyethylene, polypropylene, cellulose, sisal, carbon etc.; and optionally the resin is a thermoset such as polyester, epoxy or polyurethane or a thermoplastic such as polypropylene, poly ethylene terephthalate, nylon, abs, acetal, etc. In an example, the fibers are glass fibers and the resin is polyester.
[023] In an embodiment (Fig. 4A), the support structure 10 has a first fiber configuration 22 that includes a first fiber arrangement 24 that has a first orientation Ol substantially parallel to the axis X. Optionally, the first fiber configuration 22 also includes a plurality of short fiber segments 26 that are randomly dispersed in the composite material.
[024] In another embodiment (Fig. 4B), the support structure 10 has a second fiber configuration 28 that includes a first fiber arrangement 24 that has a first orientation Ol and a second fiber arrangement 30 that has a second orientation 02. The first orientation Ol is substantially parallel to the axis X and the second orientation 02 is substantially perpendicular to the first orientation 01.
[025] Optionally the first and second fiber arrangements 24, 30 are each made out of bundles 25 of fibers that extend along the respective first and second orientations 01, 02. [026] The support structure 10 is supported at axially spaced apart locations 11 therealong when it is for example suspended from the greenhouse frame 12 (Fig. 1) or when it is laid upon spacers on the ground (not shown). When suspended from the greenhouse frame 12, the support structure 10 is sufficiently stiff that it maintains a substantially unbent and straight form between adjacent support locations 11. This ensures that when the support structure 10 is slightly tilted, most of the excess liquid that is not utilized by the plants can be evacuated out of the support structure 10 via the gutters 20 and not remain caught between adjacent support locations 11. [027] It is noted that the first and second fiber configurations 22, 28 provide strength to the support structure 10 that enables it to have for example a smaller cross section in relation to a non-reinforced structure that does not include one of the fiber configurations 22, 28. For example, the support structure 10 may have a narrower width at the platform 14, wings 18 or gutters 20; and thereby may be cheaper than a non-reinforced structure that requires larger widths in order to maintain the substantially unbent form between adjacent support locations 11. [028] Attention is drawn to Figs. 5 and 6. The support structure 10 has an imaginary neutral surface N that passes through its cross section at locations where substantially no longitudinal stresses or strain occurs. When the structure 10 is subjected to a downwardly directed force F imposed thereupon by for example the mat 32, fibers located below the neutral surface N are in a state of tension, while those above the neutral surface N are in compression. [029] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the support structure 10 includes fibers that are adapted to mainly withstand tensile strains. Therefore, in embodiments of the present disclosure, the support structure 10 may be designed to have a density Dl of longitudinal fibers below the neutral surface N that is greater than a density D2 of longitudinal fibers above the neutral surface N in order to locate a larger number of tensile bearing fibers at a location of the structure subjected to tension. Such an embodiment of the structure 10 exhibits an optional design for maintaining the substantially unbent and straight form between adjacent support locations 11. [030] In the description and claims of the present application, each of the verbs, "comprise" "include" and "have", and conjugates thereof, are used to indicate that the object or
objects of the verb are not necessarily a complete listing of members, components, elements or parts of the subject or subjects of the verb.
[031] Although the present embodiment has been described to a certain degree of particularity, it should be understood that various alterations and modifications could be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure as hereinafter claimed.
Claims
1. A hydroponic plant support structure for hydroponic growth of plants, the structure extending along a longitudinal axis and being made of a composite material comprising a first fiber arrangement having a first orientation, wherein the first orientation is substantially parallel to the axis.
2. The hydroponic plant support structure according to claim I9 wherein the composite material comprises a plurality of fiber segments randomly dispersed therein.
3. The hydroponic plant support structure according to claim 1, wherein the composite material comprises a second fiber arrangement having a second orientation, the second orientation being substantially perpendicular to the first orientation.
4. The hydroponic plant support structure according to claim 1, wherein the composite material comprises polyester and the fibers are glass fibers.
5. The hydroponic plant support structure according to claim 1, comprising a gutter, wherein: the gutter is adapted to be suspended above the ground.
6. The hydroponic plant support structure according to claim 1, comprising: an upper platform (14) extending along a longitudinal axis X and having a longitudinal edge (16) on either side; and a wing (18) connected to each longitudinal edge (16) of the upper platform (14), each wing (18) comprising a gutter (20) shaped for evacuating an excess liquid from the support structure.
7. The hydroponic plant support structure according to claim 1, wherein the weight of plants growing on the structure contributes to the formation of a first zone in the structure that is subjected to tension and a second zone in the structure that is subjected to compression, and wherein a density of longitudinal fibers of the first fiber arrangement is greater in at least a portion the first zone than in at least a portion of the second zone.
8. A hydroponic plant support structure for hydroponic growth of plants comprising: an upper platform (14) extending along a longitudinal axis X and having a longitudinal edge (16) on either side; and a wing (18) connected to each longitudinal edge (16) of the upper platform (14), each wing
(18) comprising a gutter (20) shaped for evacuating an excess liquid from the support structure; wherein: the support structure is made of a composite material comprising a first fiber arrangement having a first orientation that is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis.
9. The hydroponic plant support structure according to claim 8, wherein: the composite material comprises a plurality of fiber segments randomly dispersed therein.
10. The hydroponic plant support structure according to claim 8, wherein: the composite material comprises a second fiber arrangement having a second orientation; and the second orientation is substantially perpendicular to the first orientation.
11. The hydroponic plant support structure according to claim 8, wherein: the composite material comprises polyester and the fibers are glass fibers.
12. The hydroponic plant support structure according to claim 9, wherein: the support structure is supported from a greenhouse frame (12) at axially spaced apart locations (11).
13. The hydroponic plant support structure according to claim 15, wherein: the composite material is sufficiently stiff that it maintains a substantially unbent and straight form between the adjacent support locations, such that excess liquid is evacuated out of the support structure via the gutters and not remain caught between adjacent support locations.
14. The hydroponic plant support structure according to claim 8, wherein the weight of plants growing on the structure contributes to the formation of a first zone in the structure that is subjected to tension and a second zone in the structure that is subjected to compression, and wherein a density of longitudinal fibers of the first fiber arrangement is greater in at least a portion the first zone than in at least a portion of the second zone.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US3122108P | 2008-02-25 | 2008-02-25 | |
| US61/031,221 | 2008-02-25 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| WO2009107124A1 true WO2009107124A1 (en) | 2009-09-03 |
Family
ID=40578736
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/IL2009/000191 WO2009107124A1 (en) | 2008-02-25 | 2009-02-19 | Plant support structure |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| WO (1) | WO2009107124A1 (en) |
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JP2015053888A (en) * | 2013-09-11 | 2015-03-23 | パナソニック株式会社 | Hydroponic device |
| GB2585162A (en) * | 2020-09-16 | 2020-12-30 | R & L Holt Ltd | A hydroponic crop growing system |
Citations (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US3334166A (en) * | 1965-05-07 | 1967-08-01 | Owens Corning Fiberglass Corp | Method of making a tire molding compound |
| US4222199A (en) * | 1978-07-10 | 1980-09-16 | Eugene A. Crist | Hydroponics growing conduit |
| NL1006295C2 (en) * | 1997-06-12 | 1998-12-15 | Maarten De Vroom | Equipment for cultivating vegetation on substrate |
| CA2385896A1 (en) * | 1999-09-24 | 2001-04-05 | Metazet B.V. | Platform gutter for plant breeding |
| WO2007063764A1 (en) * | 2005-11-30 | 2007-06-07 | Shimane Prefectural Government | Metal-based composite material containing both micro-sized carbon fiber and nano-sized carbon fiber |
-
2009
- 2009-02-19 WO PCT/IL2009/000191 patent/WO2009107124A1/en active Application Filing
Patent Citations (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US3334166A (en) * | 1965-05-07 | 1967-08-01 | Owens Corning Fiberglass Corp | Method of making a tire molding compound |
| US4222199A (en) * | 1978-07-10 | 1980-09-16 | Eugene A. Crist | Hydroponics growing conduit |
| NL1006295C2 (en) * | 1997-06-12 | 1998-12-15 | Maarten De Vroom | Equipment for cultivating vegetation on substrate |
| CA2385896A1 (en) * | 1999-09-24 | 2001-04-05 | Metazet B.V. | Platform gutter for plant breeding |
| WO2007063764A1 (en) * | 2005-11-30 | 2007-06-07 | Shimane Prefectural Government | Metal-based composite material containing both micro-sized carbon fiber and nano-sized carbon fiber |
| EP1956110A1 (en) * | 2005-11-30 | 2008-08-13 | Shimane Prefectural Government | Metal-based composite material containing both micro-sized carbon fiber and nano-sized carbon fiber |
Non-Patent Citations (1)
| Title |
|---|
| DATABASE WPI Week 199910, Derwent World Patents Index; AN 1999-119188 * |
Cited By (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JP2015053888A (en) * | 2013-09-11 | 2015-03-23 | パナソニック株式会社 | Hydroponic device |
| GB2585162A (en) * | 2020-09-16 | 2020-12-30 | R & L Holt Ltd | A hydroponic crop growing system |
| GB2585162B (en) * | 2020-09-16 | 2021-10-06 | R & L Holt Ltd | A hydroponic crop growing system |
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