WO2013021073A1

WO2013021073A1 - Receiving basket for seeds, plants or parts thereof, for floating cultures and floating structure for floating cultures

Info

Publication number: WO2013021073A1
Application number: PCT/ES2011/070590
Authority: WO
Inventors: Vicente Torres Junco
Original assignee: Macrofitas Sl
Priority date: 2011-08-10
Filing date: 2011-08-10
Publication date: 2013-02-14

Abstract

The invention relates to a receiving basket (10) comprising an upper opening (11), a side wall (13), and a base (16) including at least one opening (17) through which the roots of the plant can pass and grow during at least part of the development thereof. The aforementioned base (16) can also include a flexible tongue (19) that occupies part of the area of the base (16), such that a root of the plant pushing against the tongue (19) causes the tongue to move away from the base (16). The floating structure comprises: supporting sections (30) that support the structure and the cultures on the surface of the water, and at least one of said receiving baskets (10).

Description

Receiving basket for seeds, plants or parts thereof,

for floating crops, and floating structure for floating crops

The present invention relates to a receiving basket for seeds, plants or parts thereof that can be used for floating crops, and also to a floating structure for this type of crop in which this receiving basket is incorporated.

STATE OF THE PREVIOUS TECHNIQUE

Flotation culture systems are known in which plant species grow on the surface of the water, without soil. In particular, some of these systems are used in water purification, since some plants (macrophytes), cultivated in this way, are effective in filtering and oxygenating the water.

A difficulty that arises in this type of crops is to guarantee the health and growth of the plants, so that they can correctly perform their function; for this, systems have been developed and perfected in which the plants are arranged in floating structures on the surface of the water.

Patent application WO 201 1/036317 describes such a system comprising floating structures, to which crosslinked flat structures are anchored. These reticulated structures have a housing in which a basket or cone is inserted and fixed with the seeds, plants, seedlings, cuttings, rhizomes, bulbs or the like, coming from the nurseries and destined to grow in the water. Once the baskets have been installed in this way, the plants contained in the baskets grow and develop in the water.

One of the problems associated with this type of crop is to avoid dumping of the plants growing, because in this case the leaves remain in the water and the roots remain in the air, and the plant can die; but, at the same time, the roots of the plant should be allowed to grow and develop, without being strangled by any part of the structure or limited in its expansion.

In addition, when the seed, cutting, rhizome, etc. From the nurseries it is planted in the water, it is small in size and must be properly supported in the basket, preventing it from separating from it.

In the aforementioned WO201 1/036317, the structures and baskets are configured so that they properly support the seeds, cuttings, plants etc. both at the time of planting and during growth and also allow the development of roots. However, although this system works satisfactorily, it has been found that in some cases a greater possibility of root expansion than that permitted by this basket would be desirable, and in particular a vertical expansion.

On the other hand, the shape of the coupling between the crosslinked flat structures and the baskets described in the cited document makes the operation of inserting the baskets in the housings has some difficulty, especially to avoid damaging the roots of the seedling, cutting, etc. .

It would be desirable to improve the performance of known flotation culture systems, facilitating root development and reducing the risk of damage to them.

EXPLANATION OF THE INVENTION According to one aspect, the present invention relates to a receiving basket for seeds, plants or parts thereof, for floating crops, comprising an upper opening, a side wall, and a base attached to the side wall, and is characterized by the fact that the base has at least one opening, appropriate to allow the passage and growth of the roots of the plant during at least part of its development.

The configuration of the base with at least one opening facilitates the growth of the roots vertically and prevents the basket from strangling the roots, and thus allows a better crop yield. Preferably the base comprises at least one tongue that is at least partly flexible and occupies at least a part of the base area, so that if a root of the plant pushes the tongue, it moves away from the base . This solution ensures that the basket properly holds the seed or plant when it is small, avoiding the risk of leaving the basket, and at the same time allows and facilitates the development of roots.

In embodiments of the invention, the base comprises a perimeter frame and at least one tongue that is attached to the frame by a flexible leg, so that if a plant root pushes the tongue, the corresponding leg yields and the tongue moves away from the base.

In some cases the base comprises at least two tabs, joined to the frame by corresponding flexible legs.

In some embodiments, the base comprises tabs evenly distributed along its perimeter. Preferably the tabs occupy only a part of the area of the base, leaving a free space at least between the tabs. Preferably the basket comprises fixing means to a floating structure; These fixing means to a floating structure can be integrated in a coupling frame that surrounds the upper opening of the basket, and can protrude from the coupling frame towards the outside of the basket.

Also preferably the fixing means to a floating structure comprise at least one hook suitable for snapping into a seat of a floating structure; in some embodiments they comprise at least two hooks suitable for snapping into a seat of a floating structure, and symmetrically arranged.

In other embodiments, the fixing means to a floating structure may comprise a thread, or a half-turn coupling.

In some embodiments, the coupling frame is essentially circular.

Preferably the side wall narrows from the upper opening towards the bottom; It can be essentially conical, and is preferably perforated.

Advantageously, the side wall is expandable. In some embodiments, the side wall comprises at least two pillars and a plurality of semi-rings parallel to each other, each half-ring being attached to one of the pillars.

In some embodiments, the base is essentially circular.

Preferably the basket is made of a single piece of plastic material. In accordance with a second aspect, the present invention relates to a floating structure for flotation crops, comprising support profiles of the structure and of the crops on the surface of the water, which is characterized by the fact that it further comprises by at least one recipient basket of seeds, plants or parts thereof according to any one of the preceding claims.

Preferably the structure comprises at least one seat for the pressure coupling of a basket; at least one of the seats for the coupling of the baskets can be formed in one piece with the support profiles, and at least one of the seats can be formed in reticular structures that in turn have means of coupling to the profiles of support. Both systems can be seen in the same floating structure.

In some embodiments, the seats for the coupling of the baskets comprise a ring devoid of projections inwards. Other objects, advantages and features of embodiments of the invention will be apparent to the person skilled in the art from the description, or can be learned with the practice of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Particular embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a receiving basket according to an embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is an enlarged view of a detail of the base of the basket of Figure 1;

Figures 3 and 4 are schematic views showing the behavior of the base during the development of the roots of the plant; Y

Figures 5 and 6 show examples of appropriate floating structures for incorporating baskets according to embodiments of the invention. DETAILED EXHIBITION OF MODES OF EMBODIMENT

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a receiving basket 10 for seeds, plants or the like, according to an embodiment of the invention. The receiving basket 10 can be made of a single piece of a relatively flexible plastic material. It can have an upper opening 1 1 surrounded by a frame 12, a side wall 13, defined in the example of the figure by a pair of pillars 14 from which a series of parallel half-rings 15, and a base extend 1 6.

The base 1 6 is attached to the side wall 13, and is shown located in the lower part thereof; however, in other embodiments the base 1 6 may be located at any height, not necessarily at the lower end of the side wall 13.

In the nursery a seed, a cuttings, a plant, or any part of a plant that is suitable for floating cultivation may be introduced into the receiving basket 10; The basket can then be inserted into any type of floating structure so that the plant grows and develops in the water, with the plant stem up, out of the water, and the roots submerged in the water. As can be seen in Figure 1, the side wall 13 of the receiving basket 10 can be perforated: that is, it can have multiple openings through which the roots of the plant can leave the basket, as they grow. To define the openings, in the concrete embodiment represented in Figure 1, the parallel half-rings 15 are spaced apart from each other, leaving ample space between each half-ring and the adjacent half-rings above and below; In addition, there may be spaces between each semi-ring and the semi-ring located in the same plane. This configuration of pillars and semi-rings of the side wall 13 makes this wall expandable, since the pillars can be curved outwards and the semi-rings can be opened, so that the receiving basket 10 can easily accommodate the increase in volume of the core of the plant's root system.

However, it will be understood that the openings and the expandable character could be conferred on the side wall 13 of the basket 10 with another type of structure, different from the pillars and semi-rings represented in the figures. The side wall may also not be perforated.

In the embodiment shown, the side wall 13 has an approximately frustoconical shape, which narrows as it moves away from the frame 12; but it could also have a non-frustoconical shape (for example, it could have a non-circular section), or it might not narrow towards the bottom.

In Figure 2 the base 1 6 of the basket 10 is shown in more detail, according to an embodiment of the invention: this base 1 6 has at least one opening 17 that allows the plant roots to pass and grow during At least part of its development. The pillars 14 and their union with the base 1 6 have been omitted for clarity. The base 1 6 can have a perimeter frame 18, and can have tabs 19 that occupy at least a part of the area of the base 1 6 and that can be attached to the perimeter frame 18 through flexible legs 20. The base 1 6 It can have two tabs 19, which can be symmetrical and face each other, as shown in the figure, each attached to the frame by its leg 20; but multiple alternatives could be envisaged, such as a single tongue, which may be larger, or several smaller tongues; the flexible area of the tongue may also be further away from the frame, or else the entire tongue may be flexible.

It is also possible to configure the base 1 6 in other alternative ways that allow a flexion of part of the base by the thrust of the roots, and therefore an expansion of the opening or openings of the base; or in which the openings are properly shaped and sized to keep the plant in the basket when it is in the nursery, during transport, and in the early stages of its installation in the water, but also to allow the roots to pass through the base when they develop. By way of non-limiting examples, the base 1 6 may have: a grid with adequate proportions to sustain the seedling initially, but whose openings allow the passage of the roots; or a plurality of rods, of any section, attached to the perimeter frame and extending radially towards the center, with a degree of flexibility suitable for yielding and letting the roots pass when they grow; or simply some openings in the form of cuts made in the base, which allow different flexible parts of the base to separate to allow the roots to pass when they exert a thrust; or a configuration with some weakened areas that can be broken by root pressure.

Figures 3 and 4 show how a receiving basket 10 with the base 1 6 of Figures 1 and 2 allows the growth of the roots, without these are strangled or limited in their expansion.

Figure 3 shows schematically and in section the part of the basket 10, in which is housed a plant P that has been planted recently and has a still small root system, which barely protrudes through the base 1 6 and which does not press on the tabs 19.

In Figure 4, the same plant P has grown, and the roots press on the base 1 6: the tabs 19 have moved away from the base 1 6, pressed by the roots, and the opening 17 has widened.

In embodiments of the invention, the basket 10 can be used in combination with a support of plant origin for the seeds, such as those described in the international patent application WO201 1/036315: in this case, the base 1 6 can be advantageously used to hold in a suitable position the vegetable support carrying the seeds, thanks to the opening 17 that can clamp the support and keep it in a substantially vertical position. For this application it may be appropriate that the base is located above the bottom of the wall.

The configuration of the base 1 6 and its opening (s) can be varied to adapt it to the specific shape of the support of plant origin used in each case. The frame 12 surrounding the opening 1 1 of the basket 10 can constitute a coupling frame, which can be used to couple the basket to a floating structure, which will be described in more detail below: for example, the basket can be introduced into a opening of the floating structure, and the frame 12 can be supported on a corresponding seat of the structure.

The receiving basket 10 may include fixing means to a structure floating, which in the embodiment shown in Figure 1 can comprise hooks 21 that can be integrated in the coupling frame 12, in this case through pins 22 protruding outwardly from the frame 12.

The hooks 21 can be snapped into a corresponding seat of a floating structure. This seat, as will be seen later, can be a simple ring, without any protrusion inwards. It will be appreciated that in this way there is no impediment to the insertion of the basket 10 in the floating structure, whereby the risk of the roots or the plant being damaged or making this insertion difficult is reduced.

The means for attaching the basket to a floating structure may be different from the hooks 21 shown in Figure 1; for example, they may be another number, and have a different geometric shape.

The means for fixing the basket to a floating structure could also be constituted by a thread, or could be realized in the form of a half-turn joint; in these cases the seat of the floating structure will not be completely smooth internally, but will have the appropriate complementary shape.

On the other hand, it will be understood that the means for fixing the basket to a floating structure are independent of the concrete shape of the basket, and in particular of the shape of the side wall and the base thereof, and that a basket You could present these fixing means and have a side wall and / or a base without openings.

Figures 5 and 6 represent two examples of floating structures to which recipient baskets of seeds, plants and plant parts according to embodiments of the invention can be incorporated. Figure 5 shows a plan view of a first embodiment of the structure, of the type described in more detail in the application WO201 1/036317 cited above, to which reference may be made for the construction details thereof.

It comprises a series of support profiles 30, to support the structure and plants on the water surface, and reticular structures 31 that can be mounted or coupled in different positions between two support profiles 30, to accommodate different types of plants, as described in the cited prior patent: a reticular structure 31 of this type is shown in Figure 5.

The reticular structure 31 can have a seat, for example a ring 32, for the pressure coupling of a receiving basket 10, so that for example the coupling frame 12 of the basket 10 is supported on the ring. However, contrary to what is described in WO201 1/036317, in the structure of Figure 5 the seat may be devoid of inward projections that may damage the plant during the introduction, since it is the hooks 21 that they keep the basket attached to the ring 32. Even in the case of a threaded or half-turn coupling between the basket and the seat, it will not be necessary for the seat to have projections with dimensions such that they can damage the roots or the plants. Also shown in Figure 5 is a detail showing in elevation a basket 10 with a plant, inserted in a reticular structure 31.

Figure 6 is a plan view of an alternative embodiment of a floating structure in which the described receiving baskets can be incorporated.

In this variant the coupling seats 32 of the baskets, for example in the form of rings, they can be formed in one piece with the support profiles 30.

In both structures, means 33, 34 can be provided for joining several structure modules together, as described for example in WO201 1/036317.

The floating structures of Figures 5 and 6 are only two examples of structures in which receiving baskets object of the present invention can be incorporated; but any floating type structure can be provided with suitable seats for these baskets, and the different possible configurations are very varied.

In particular, a structure can be provided that has a certain number of seats 32 formed in one piece with profiles 30, and other seats 32 with reticular structures 31 mounted on the profiles: for example, in the structure of Figure 6, they could also mount reticular structures 31, of suitable dimensions, and the structure of Figure 5 could include some seats 32 formed in one piece with profiles 30.

Although only some particular embodiments and examples of the invention have been described herein, the person skilled in the art will understand that other alternative embodiments and / or uses of the invention are possible, as well as obvious modifications and equivalent elements. In addition, the present invention encompasses all possible combinations of the specific embodiments that have been described. The numerical signs relating to the drawings and placed in parentheses in a claim are only intended to increase the understanding of the claim, and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the claim's protection. The scope of the present invention should not be limited to specific embodiments, but should be determined only by an appropriate reading of the appended claims.

Claims

one . Receiving basket (10) for seeds, plants or parts thereof, for flotation crops, comprising an upper opening (1 1), a side wall (13), and a base (1 6) attached to the side wall ( 13), characterized by the fact that the base (1 6) has at least one opening (17), suitable to allow the passage and growth of the roots of the plant during at least a part of its development.

2. Basket according to claim 1, characterized in that the base (1 6) comprises at least one tongue (19) which is at least partly flexible and occupies at least a part of the area of the base , so that if a plant root pushes the tongue (19), it moves away from the base (1 6).

3. Basket according to claim 2, characterized in that the base (1 6) comprises a perimeter frame (18) and at least one tongue (19) that is attached to the frame (18) by a flexible leg (20 ), so that if a plant root pushes the tongue (19), the corresponding leg (20) yields and the tongue (19) moves away from the base (1 6).

4. Basket according to claim 3, characterized in that the base (1 6) comprises at least two tabs (19), joined to the frame (18) by corresponding flexible legs (20).

5. Basket according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the base (1 6) comprises tabs evenly distributed along its perimeter.

6. Basket according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the tabs (19) occupy only a part of the area of the base (1 6), leaving a free space (17) at least between the tabs (19).

7. Basket according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises fixing means (21) to a floating structure.

8. Basket according to claim 7, characterized in that the fixing means (21) to a floating structure are integrated in a coupling frame (12) surrounding the upper opening (1 1) of the basket (10) .

9. Basket according to claim 8, characterized in that the fixing means (21) to a floating structure protrude from the coupling frame (12) towards the outside of the basket (10).

A basket according to any one of claims 8 or 9, characterized in that the fixing means to a floating structure comprise at least one hook (21) suitable for snapping into a seat (32) of a structure floating.

eleven . Basket according to claim 10, characterized in that the fixing means to a floating structure comprise at least two hooks (21) suitable for snapping into a seat (32) of a floating structure, and arranged symmetrically.

12. Basket according to any one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the fixing means to a floating structure comprise a thread.

13. Basket according to any one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the fixing means to a floating structure They comprise a half-turn coupling.

14. Basket according to any one of claims 8 to 13, characterized in that the coupling frame (12) is essentially circular.

15. Basket according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the side wall (13) narrows from the upper opening (1 1) towards the bottom.

1. Basket according to claim 15, characterized in that the side wall (13) is essentially conical.

17. Basket according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the side wall (13) is perforated.

18. Basket according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the side wall (13) is expandable

19. Basket according to claim 18, characterized in that the side wall (13) comprises at least two pillars (14) and a plurality of half-rings (15) parallel to each other, each half-ring (15) being attached to one of the pillars (14).

20. Basket according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the base (1 6) is essentially circular.

twenty-one . Basket according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is made of a single piece of plastic material.

22. Floating structure for flotation crops, which includes support profiles (30) of the structure and crops on the surface of the water, characterized in that it also comprises at least one receiving basket (10) of seeds, plants or parts thereof according to any one of the preceding claims.

23. Structure according to claim 22, characterized in that it comprises at least one seat (32) for the pressure coupling of a basket (10).

24. Structure according to claim 23, characterized in that at least one of the seats (32) for coupling the baskets (10) is formed in one piece with the support profiles (30).

25. Structure according to claims 23 or 24, characterized in that at least one of the seats (32) for the coupling of the baskets (10) is formed in a reticular structure (31) which in turn has means of coupling to lift profiles.

26. Structure according to any one of claims 23 to 25, characterized in that the seats (32) for coupling the baskets (10) comprise a ring devoid of projections inwards.