WO2017075689A1

WO2017075689A1 - Plant-growing method and apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2017075689A1
Application number: PCT/CA2015/051151
Authority: WO
Inventors: Edward J. Marchildon
Original assignee: Storey, Elizabeth A.
Priority date: 2015-11-06
Filing date: 2015-11-06
Publication date: 2017-05-11

Abstract

A system for growing plants, in which seedbeds (10) having a water-permeable base layer (12) and cover layer (14), with seeds (16) between them, are placed in a stack (18) for germination. A germinated seedbed is removed from the stack and attached to a rotatable cylindrical structure (32) for holding plants for growth radially inwardly of the cylinder. The cylinder is rotated and light and water are provided to the plants. The grown plants are harvested and the base (12) and cover (14) layers are re- used. The system is particularly useful for hydroponic and aeroponic cultivation.

Description

PLANT-GROWING METHOD AND APPARATUS

Technical Field of the Invention The present invention pertains to systems for growing plants using a rotatable cylindrical structure.

Background of the Invention It is known in the plant-growing art to employ a rotary apparatus in which a cylindrical drum rotates about a horizontal axis on a support stand, with a lamp inside the drum, and with plants held at the drum surface for growing inwardly towards the lamp. The plants are held in containers such as pots or trays, removably attached to the drum. They are watered as the drum rotates. Examples of such systems in the patent literature are disclosed in Marchildon, US 6,604,321 , US 7, 188,451 , US 2015/0208592, WO 2004/045273, and WO 2013/044343. Such systems are particularly suited to hydroponic growing.

It is conventional in the use of such systems to germinate the plant seeds in the containers in which the plants are to be grown, before attaching the containers to the rotatable drum of the apparatus. There is some inefficiency to such systems, as the plant containers take substantial space in a greenhouse or the like during germination, and then each container has to be separately handled and affixed to the rotatable drum, and later be removed from it for harvesting the grown plants. It would be desirable to improve the efficiency and reduce the space requirements of such systems.

Summary of the Invention One aspect of the invention provides a stack of seedbeds, each seedbed comprising a water-permeable base layer, a water-permeable cover layer, and a plurality of seeds disposed between the base layer and the cover layer. The seedbeds are arranged in a stack one on top of another, with the cover layer of each seedbed that is below the uppermost seedbed being adjacent to the base layer of an upwardly adjacent seedbed. The stack is permeable to water delivered to the stack.

Another aspect of the invention provides a plant-growing apparatus comprising a rotatable cylindrical structure for holding plants for growth radially inwardly of the cylindrical structure, the cylindrical structure being rotatable about its axis. A seedbed is attached to the cylindrical structure, the seedbed comprising a water- permeable base layer, a water-permeable cover layer, and a plurality of germinated seeds disposed between the base layer and the cover layer. Means are provided for lighting the interior of the cylindrical structure and for feeding water to the seedbed.

Another aspect of the invention provides a method of growing plants. A stack of seedbeds is provided, each seedbed comprising a water-permeable base layer, a water- permeable cover layer, and a plurality of seeds disposed between the base layer and the cover layer, the seedbeds being arranged in the stack one on top of another, with the cover layer of each seedbed that is below the uppermost seedbed being adjacent to the base layer of an upwardly-adjacent seedbed. Water is delivered to the stack of seedbeds and the seeds therein are germinated. A plant-growing apparatus is provided, comprising a rotatable cylindrical structure for holding plants for growth radially inwardly of the cylindrical structure. A seedbed with germinated seeds is removed from the stack and affixed to the rotatable cylindrical structure. The cylindrical structure with attached seedbed is rotated. Water is delivered to the attached seedbed and light is provided to the interior of the cylindrical structure. The plants are allowed to grow from the germinated seeds in the attached seedbed.

Subsequently, the grown plants are harvested and the base layer and cover layer of the seedbed are removed and may be re-used.

Brief Description of the Drawings In drawings which illustrate non-limiting embodiments of the invention:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the a seedbed according to one embodiment of the invention. Figure 2 is a perspective view of the base layer and seeds of a seedbed, before application of the cover layer. Figure 3 is a perspective view of a stack of seedbeds.

Figure 4 is an isometric view of a rotatable plant-growing apparatus with a seedbed attached thereto. Figure 5 is as fragmentary sectional view of the cylindrical structure and attached seedbed.

Detailed Description of the Invention In the following description and in the drawings, corresponding and like elements are identified by the same reference characters.

Referring first to Figures 1 and 2, a seedbed 10 comprises a base layer 12, a cover layer 14, and a plurality of seeds 16 disposed between the two layers. The base and cover layers are water-permeable. They may comprise woven screens, airlaid fibrous sheets or the like, such that they can hold the seeds in place and permit roots and shoots of germinated seeds to penetrate them. The base and cover layers may comprise the same structure and material, or different structure and material. For example, both layers may comprise woven screens. They may be made of metal or plastic, and are of sufficient strength that they are re-usable after the plants have grown and been harvested. The base and cover layers have a length and width of a size such that the seedbed can be applied to the rotatable cylindrical structure and substantially cover it. In some embodiments, the base and cover layers are made of an organic material, such as coconut coir fiber, or some other consumable material. For example, they may be made of a fibrous material that could be eaten with the crop of plants when fed to certain herd animals. The base layer and cover layer of a seedbed may be attached together, for example by clips or wires, or they can be left unattached. During germination of the seeds, the growing roots and shoots penetrate the openings in the base layer and cover layer and cause the layers to become attached together sufficiently that the seedbed can be moved as a unit even without clips or wires and be attached to the rotatable structure, as described below.

The seedbeds 10 are arranged in a stack 18 for germination of the seeds, as shown in Figure 3. A stack may comprise 10 or 20 or more seedbeds, placed one on top of another with the cover layer 14 of each seedbed, other than the uppermost one, being adjacent to the base layer 12 of an upwardly-adjacent seedbed.

In order to provide water to the seeds in a stack, a sprayer 20 or other means for delivering water 22 to the top of the stack is provided. Since the seedbeds are water- permeable, water applied to the top of the stack penetrates down through the whole stack, watering all of the seeds therein. In some embodiments the stack is watered from the bottom, by placing the stack in a tray of water and letting the water permeate up through the stack, or by placing the stack in a container of water.

It will be apparent that by arranging the seedbeds 10 in a stack 18, only a fraction of the space is required that would be used if the seedbeds were laid side by side. For example, if the stack has 20 seedbeds, one twentieth of the space would be required. Further, the stacking permits efficient watering of the seedbeds, since a single water applicator at the top of the stack or a tray at the bottom can water all the seedbeds.

The seedbeds are attached to a rotary apparatus for further growth of the seeds after germination in the stack. Figure 4 illustrates a rotary apparatus 30 for holding a seedbed 10 for further growth. The apparatus 30 has an open-ended cylindrical structure 32, which is rotatable on support wheels 34 that engage the cylindrical structure 32 at or adjacent to its rims 36. The wheels 34 are held on rotatable rods 38, which are supported at their ends by bearings mounted in the end walls 40 of a tray 42. Drive means (not shown) comprise a motor and appropriate gear and control means to turn the rods 38 and support wheels 34. As the wheels 34 are turned, the cylindrical structure 32 is rotated about its longitudinal, generally horizontal axis. Lamp support members 46 are attached to the tray at both ends thereof and hold a lamp 48 which extends longitudinally through the cylindrical structure 32 in a generally axial position. The lamp provides illumination for the plants growing inside the cylindrical structure.

Each cylindrical structure 32 is adapted to hold a seedbed 10 so the plants 44 can grow hydroponically (or aeroponically), oriented for the shoots 50 to grow radially inwardly of the cylindrical structure towards the lamp 48, while their roots 52 grow radially outwardly. In the illustrated embodiment, the cylindrical structure 32 is a solid plastic body, which is perforated with holes 54 for the passage of water and plant roots. As seen in Figure 5, the seedbed 10 is attached to the inner surface of the cylindrical structure 32 by clips 56 or by other suitable means, such as velcro or wires, with the base layer 12 of the seedbed in contact with the inner surface of the cylindrical structure 32 and the cover layer 14 facing inwardly of the cylinder. In another embodiment, the cylindrical structure is not perforated and the plant roots 52 grow within the base layer 12 of the seedbed. In other embodiments, the cylindrical structure 32 is a mesh having openings that are large relative to the germinated plants, and the seedbed 10 is attached to the outside surface of the cylindrical structure such that shoots 50 of the plants grow radially inwardly through the openings in the mesh cylindrical structure. The apparatus 30 includes means for conveying water and nutrients to the plants. The tray 42 functions as a water trough and the seedbed and plants are immersed in water in the tray as the cylindrical structure rotates. Alternatively, water-feeding means comprising a pump, conduits and suitably-positioned sprayers or injectors (not shown) may be provided for delivering water and nutrients to the seedbed 10.

Once the seedbed 10 with germinated seeds is attached to the cylindrical structure 32, the apparatus is operated by illuminating the lamp, rotating the cylindrical structure and feeding water and nutrients to the seedbed. When the plants have grown to the desired extent, they are harvested, and the base and cover layers of the seedbed are removed. In some embodiments, the base and cover layers are cleaned and re-used.

As will be apparent to those skilled in the art in the light of the forgoing disclosure, many alterations and modifications are possible in the practice of this invention without departing from the scope thereof. For example, the cylindrical structure can be rotated by various means, such as driving a belt that extends around it. Light can be provided to the interior of the cylindrical structure by various means, such as light pipes to shine light into the ends of the cylindrical structure. The rotary apparatus can be of the types disclosed in Marchildon, US 6,604,321, US 7,188,451, US

2015/0208592, WO 2004/045273, and WO 2013/044343, suitable modified to permit attachment of a seedbed to the rotatable cylinder. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is to be construed in accordance with the following claims.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A stack of seedbeds, each seedbed comprising a water-permeable base layer, a water-permeable cover layer, and a plurality of seeds disposed between the base layer and the cover layer, the seedbeds being arranged in the stack one on top of another, with the cover layer of each seedbed that is lower than the uppermost seedbed being adjacent to the base layer of an upwardly-adjacent seedbed.

2. A stack of seedbeds according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the base layer, the cover layer or both comprise a mesh.

3. A stack of seedbeds according to claim 1 , 2, or 3, wherein the wherein the base layer, the cover layer or both comprise metal or plastic.

4. A stack of seedbeds according to claim 1, wherein the base layer and the cover layer are re-usable.

5. A stack of seedbeds according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the base layer and the cover layer comprise an edible organic material.

6. A stack of seedbeds according to any one of claims 1-5, wherein the stack is permeable to water delivered to a top surface of the stack.

7. A stack of seedbeds according to any one of claims 1 -6, further comprising means for delivering water to a top surface of the stack.

8. A stack of seedbeds according to any one of claims 1 -7, wherein the stack is permeable to water delivered to the bottom of the stack.

9. A plant-growing apparatus, comprising:

(a) a rotatable cylindrical structure for holding plants for growth radially inwardly of the cylindrical structure, the cylindrical structure being rotatable about its axis; (b) a seedbed attached to the cylindrical structure, the seedbed comprising a water-permeable base layer, a water-permeable cover layer, and a plurality of germinated seeds disposed between the base layer and the cover layer;

(c) means for providing light to the interior of the cylindrical structure;

(d) means for feeding water to the seedbed.

10. A plant-growing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the axis of the cylindrical structure is substantially horizontal.

11. A plant-growing apparatus according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the seedbed is attached to an inner side of the cylindrical structure.

12. A plant-growing apparatus according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the seedbed is attached to an outer side of the cylindrical structure, and the cylindrical structure has apertures therein.

13. A method of growing plants, comprising:

(a) providing a stack of seedbeds, each seedbed comprising a water-permeable base layer, a water-permeable cover layer, and a plurality of seeds disposed between the base layer and the cover layer, the seedbeds being arranged in the stack one on top of another, with the cover layer of each seedbed that is lower than the uppermost seedbed being adjacent to the base layer of an upwardly-adjacent seedbed;

(b) delivering water to the stack of seedbeds and germinating the seeds in the seedbeds;

(c) providing a plant-growing apparatus comprising a rotatable cylindrical structure for holding plants for growth radially inwardly of the cylindrical structure;

(d) removing a seedbed with germinated seeds from the stack and attaching it to the rotatable cylindrical structure;

(e) rotating the cylindrical structure and attached seedbed;

(f) delivering water to the attached seedbed; (g) providing light to the interior of the cylindrical structure; and

(h) allowing plants to grow from the germinated seeds in the attached seedbed.

14. A method according to claim 13, wherein the cylindrical structure rotates about its axis in a substantially horizontal plane.

15. A method according to claim 13 or 14, further comprising harvesting the grown plants.

16. A method according to claim 13, 14 or 15, further comprising removing and re-using the base layer and the cover layer of the attached seedbed.

17. A method according to claim 13 or 14, further comprising removing the base layer and the cover layer of the attached seedbed and feeding them to animals.