WO2017185116A1

WO2017185116A1 - Modular planting container for vertical hydroponic planting cultivation

Info

Publication number: WO2017185116A1
Application number: PCT/AT2017/060091
Authority: WO
Inventors: Alvaro LOBATO-JIMENEZ
Original assignee: PENZIAS, Alexander
Priority date: 2016-04-28
Filing date: 2017-04-11
Publication date: 2017-11-02
Also published as: AT518567A1; AT518567B1; EP3448146A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a stackable plant container (1) for producing a hydroponic plant system, comprising a housing (3) with a front face (3a), a rear face (3b), a lower face (3c), and an upper face (3d). A standing surface (3c') is formed on the lower face (3c) of the housing (3), and a receiving surface (3d') which corresponds to the standing surface (3c') is arranged on the upper face (3d) in order to receive the standing surface (3c') of another plant container (1) which is identically stacked. At least one receiving opening (4a, 4b, 4c) for receiving plants is formed on the front face (3a) of the housing (3). The housing (3) has at least two sections along the vertical extension of the housing, namely a base section (5) which extends upwards from the lower face (3c) of the housing (3) and a spacer section (6) which extends from the upper face (3d) in the direction of the base section (5). The base section (5) is designed to hold a liquid (10) introduced into the housing (3), and the spacer section (6) defines a spacing between the at least one receiving opening (4a, 4b, 4c) and the upper face (3d) of the housing (3). The upper face (3d) of the housing (3) has at least one inlet opening (7) for introducing a liquid (10) into the base section (5), and the lower face (3c) of the housing (3) has at least one discharge opening (8) through which the liquid (10) that is held in the base section (5) and rises over a specified level can be discharged. The invention is characterized in that the rear face (3b) of the housing (3) is designed as a substantially closed rear wall (14).

Description

MODULE ARER PLANT HOLDER FOR VERTICAL HYDROPONIC

PLANT GROWING

The invention relates to a stackable plant container for producing a hydroponic plant plant, comprising a housing having a front, a rear side, a bottom and a top, wherein on the underside of the housing a standing surface is formed and at the top of a standing surface corresponding to the receiving surface for receiving the Standing surface of another identically designed plant container is arranged, wherein at least one receiving opening for receiving plants is formed at the front of the housing, wherein the housing along its vertical extension at least two sections, namely a from the bottom of the housing extending upwardly base portion and a spacer portion extending from the upper side towards the base portion, the base portion being adapted to hold liquid introduced into the housing, and wherein the spacing retaining portion is arranged to hold the base portion itt defines a distance between the at least one receiving opening and the upper side of the housing, wherein the housing has at least one inlet opening for introducing liquid into the base section at its upper side and the lower side of the housing has at least one outlet opening, through the liquid held in the base section, which exceeds a predefined level, is derivable.

Furthermore, the invention relates to a hydroponic plant plant, comprising at least one plant container according to the invention.

Stackable hydroponic plant containers have become known, for example, from the document US Pat. No. 7,055,282 B2. These containers have a cylindrical shape and when stacked form a tower-like structure that can be placed in a room by placing it on a ground.

Another hydroponic plant container has become known from the document US 5,444,836. The plant containers shown therein are also stackable and have receiving openings for receiving and cultivating plants on all sides along their circumference. These plant containers also form, when stacked, as well as a tower-like structure that can be placed in a room by placing it on a surface.

The said hydroponic plant containers have the common disadvantage that they have a large footprint, as the plant containers must be assigned a floor space, which can be problematic especially in a list of plant containers in the living area for aesthetic and space reasons.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a hydroponic plant container, which can be used in a space-saving and simple manner and in particular is suitable for use in a plant installation comprising a number of plant containers of the invention stacked one above the other, the plant installation as well should be used to save space.

This object is achieved with a hydroponic plant container of the type mentioned, in which according to the invention, the rear side of the housing is formed as a substantially closed rear wall. The term "substantially closed rear wall" is understood to mean a construction of the rear wall which is free of intake openings for plants through which plants could grow out of the plant container through the rear side of the housing As is also described in a following embodiment in the context of this disclosure, consist of two parts, namely an upper and a lower half .. It is essential that the parts are connected to one another in such a way that in the assembled state, a substantially closed rear wall is formed In other words, by providing the plant container with a substantially closed rear wall, it is possible according to the invention to mount the plant container directly on a wall, since the rear wall the container can be brought up to the wall, in particular can be connected to this, and plants are cultivated only on the front of the housing of the plant container. Due to the substantially closed rear wall can also be avoided that held in the housing moisture can escape to the wall, whereby wall damage can be prevented. The expression "top, bottom, front, back, front, back, etc." refers to the plant container according to the invention or the plant system according to the invention in a horizontal operating position.

In particular, it can be provided that the depth of the plant container, so the maximum normal distance measured from the rear side to the front between 5cm and 20cm, the width of the plant container at least 20cm, preferably between 20cm and Im, and the height of at least 7cm, preferably between 7cm and 50cm. These dimensions have proven to be particularly favorable.

In addition, it can be provided that the housing has on its rear wall at least one fastening element for attachment to a wall. As a fastener can be used in principle any element with which the plant container is connected to a wall. In practice, for example, T-shaped profiles have proven to be a cost effective and simple solution that can be inserted into corresponding wall-mountable rails for receiving the T-shaped profiles.

In particular, provision may be made for the standing surface to have a downwardly projecting projection which is part of the base section and is designed such that liquid introduced into the base section can flow into the projection due to the gravitational force acting on the fluid the top of the housing has a recess corresponding to the projection. In particular, two outlet openings may be provided, wherein both outlet openings are arranged in the projections so that they are reached only at a certain level of the container by liquid received in the container, so that the outlet through the outlet openings takes place only at a defined level.

In addition, it can be provided that the at least one outlet opening penetrates the projection downwards, so that liquid absorbed in the plant container can escape directly through the outlet opening to the outside. It can be particularly favorable if, starting from the projection, a liquid guide element with a guide channel extends into the interior of the housing, the guide channel passing through the underside of the housing, the at least one outlet opening being at a defined distance from the projection on the liquid guide element to the inlet is formed by liquid in the guide channel, wherein in the Flüssigkeitsleitelement in the immediate vicinity of the projection a leak is formed for the inlet of liquid into the guide channel. By the term "immediate proximity to the cantilever" is meant an arrangement which allows fluid contained in the cantilevers to be discharged outwardly through the leaktight passage from the interior of the housing through the guide channel of the fluid conducting element due to the gravity acting on the fluid The liquid-conducting element does not have to be in one piece and may, for example, have a plurality of parts, in particular a connection element firmly connected to the projection and a hose plugged onto this connection element %, preferably at most 10%, particularly preferably at most 5% of the opening has large outlet opening.

For the simple admission of liquid into the housing of the plant container it can be provided that the at least one inlet opening is arranged inside the recess at the top side of the housing. Particularly preferably, the inlet opening is arranged at the lowest point in the depression, so that liquid introduced into the depression can be introduced completely through the inlet opening into the interior of the housing due to the force of gravity acting on the liquid.

In order to prevent the formation of dripping noise during the introduction of liquid into the plant container, it can be provided that the at least one inlet opening is connected to a liquid guide element, in particular a hose, that extends into the interior of the housing up to a level defined by an outlet opening extends. Liquid introduced into the inlet opening can therefore be led directly through the liquid guide element to the liquid held in the base section. This arrangement can be particularly favorable if the liquid guide is obliquely aligned with respect to the underside of the housing, in particular bent, whereby liquid can be introduced particularly quietly into the base section. In order to produce a cascaded liquid flow along plant containers arranged one above the other, it can be provided that at least one inlet opening and at least one outlet opening are respectively arranged in mutually opposite lateral end regions of the plant container. Liquid introduced into a container can thereby be introduced into the container at a lateral end region via an inlet opening and flow toward the opposite lateral end region towards the outlet opening, whereby a circulation of the liquid, in particular of the water, can be ensured, so that the risk of formation Anaerobic zones in the liquid and thus a dying of the roots is prevented, and it can also be ensured that distributed in the liquid fertilizer evenly distributed in the water and the roots are washed with a uniformly distributed nutrient solution. A lateral end region is understood to mean a region which, starting from the left or right end of the plant container, viewed from the front or rear side, extends a maximum of 20% of the width of the plant container towards the opposite side of the container.

In particular, it can be provided that the housing has on its upper side at least two inlet openings for introducing liquid into the base section, wherein the underside of the housing has at least two outlet openings through which the liquid held in the base section can be diverted when a predefined level is exceeded, wherein the predefined by at least two outlet openings levels are different and these outlet openings are spaced apart from each other in the horizontal direction and wherein the at least two inlet openings are spaced apart in the horizontal direction. As a result, it is possible in a simple manner to realize different filling levels in the base section, depending on the liquid feed rate introduced into the base section. It can be particularly favorable if the at least two outlet openings, which define mutually different predefined levels, and the at least two inlet openings, are each arranged in mutually opposite lateral end areas of the plant container. The term "horizontally spaced" refers to a horizontal operating position of the plant container.

For easier cleaning and to avoid deposits in edge and corner regions of the plant container can be provided that in the region of the base portion of the housing inside edges are rounded with an edge radius of at least 2 mm. It can be particularly favorable if the receiving opening is arranged in the base section.

In order to use the plant container for a variety of different plant varieties and plant sizes, it may be provided that in the base portion a template is held, which has a number of definable (arranged within the template) receiving openings for receiving plants or in the front the housing is a template is used or the template itself has a number of definable (receiving) openings for receiving plants. The configuration of the respective "definable" opening, that is to say a predetermined opening in its geometric shape and dimension, can be optimized for the particular plant or plant species to be cultivated in. The templates can be chosen suitably for the respective plant variety and size In the following, "number" is understood to mean any number, ie exactly / at least one, two, three, four or more. Alternatively, it could also be e.g. a single but elongated opening may be provided, e.g. to grow chives.

In addition, it may be provided that the receiving opening has a border, wherein an opening angle for the growth of plants is defined by the border of the receiving opening and the spacer section, wherein the opening angle is an obtuse angle, which is preferably between 120 ° and 150 °.

For receiving plants, it may be provided, in particular, that in the receiving opening, network pots are held, which preferably extend as far as a level defined by an outlet opening. It can also be provided that in the mesh pot a sponge-like material for storing and dispensing liquid is added, wherein the sponge-like material is preferably also adapted to allow the propagation of roots of plants in the sponge-like material, so that plants with the sponge-like material can grow together. An exchange of plants can be done by removing the plant together with the spongy material.

In particular, it can be provided that the base portion and the spacer portion of the housing are each designed as separate components that are connectable to each other. Such a two-piece construction of the housing of the plant container is particularly inexpensive, simple and at the same time robust to produce. In addition, the housing can open opened this way and - if necessary - to be maintained. It can be provided in particular that the base portion at its upper end and the spacer portion at its lower end have a corresponding shape, so that the spacer portion is inserted into the base portion and the base portion surrounds the spacer portion in the connecting region of the two sections on the outside. In this way, it is ensured that any condensation arising in an outer region of the spacer section is conducted into the interior of the housing.

In particular, it can be provided that the plant container has retaining means on its front side for guiding plants growing up on the front side. Such guide means may be formed, for example, as a linkage and provide climbing aids for plants and allow a targeted influencing the direction in which the respective plant propagates.

In a further aspect of the invention, the object set in the introduction is achieved with a hydroponic plant, which according to the invention comprises at least one plant container according to one of the preceding claims and a collecting container for holding the liquid discharged through the plant container, a pump for returning liquid from the collecting container the plant container and a control device for controlling the pump has. The controller may be configured to preset both temporal and quantitative the amount of liquid introduced into plant containers.

In particular, it can be provided that the plant installation has two or more plant containers according to the invention, which are stacked on top of one another.

In particular, it may be provided that the plant installation further comprises a lighting device for illuminating plants kept in the plant installation.

In addition, it can be provided that the lighting device is set up to vary the light emitted by the lighting device both in terms of its intensity, its amount of light and its spectral composition, wherein the Lighting device has at least one sensor, preferably two or more sensors, for detecting / measuring of ambient light, wherein the plant has a system to which the data detected by the at least one sensor are supplied and the control is adapted to the lighting device and / or to regulate the pump in dependence on the detected data, in particular to regulate the light emitted by the lighting device both in terms of its intensity, its amount of light and its spectral composition and / or to regulate the pump power of the pump.

The lighting device is preferably mounted on a wall, including the plant installation, such that the lighting device, in a state in which the plant installation is attached to a wall, radiates onto the receiving openings at an angle between 20 and 50 ° compared to a vertical axis.

The lighting device preferably has at least one LED.

So far, the LED solutions used in agricultural production offer specific wavelengths that are tailored to the vegetable crop to be produced and its desired properties (feel, taste, etc.) and can not be subsequently changed. Current systems are static and intended for use either in darkness or as additive lighting in glasshouses. This is especially in the structure in shelving systems the homogeneous yield counteracting because different levels of light prevail in different levels.

The invention therefore also relates to a lighting device for plants which has at least one, preferably a plurality of LEDs, wherein the light emitted by the lighting device can be subsequently varied in its spectrum composition by means of software, as well as provides information on the prevailing lighting conditions.

The lighting device can be equipped with up to nine different light colors whose light intensity can be adapted by software technology. The wavelength ranges can be, for example, between 390-410nm (UV), 430-470nm (Deep Blue), 450-480nm (Blue), 510-530nm (Green), 590-620nm (Amber), 620-640nm (Red), 650 - 670nm (Hyper Red), 710-750nm (Far Red), and 2500K (White). Furthermore, the illumination module can include a lux sensor in order to be able to measure the prevailing light conditions and to be able to regulate the amount of light emitted by the illumination module as a function of the ambient light. In addition, a temperature sensor can be provided which can measure the temperature prevailing on the LEDs or on a board carrying the LEDs and thus can calculate the temperature-induced color drift in LEDs, this information in turn being used to control the lighting device. The lighting device may have a UART interface through which the communication with a central Steuerbzw. Control unit can be done.

The module has an operating mode for measuring the spectral properties of the illuminated material. In this case, the monochromatic color channels of the individual LEDs are controlled individually and successively, whereby at the same time the lux sensor measures the reflection of the emitted light and calculates therefrom the pigment composition of the plant. The lighting device may be modular. The individual modules can have electrical plug-in devices for the juxtaposition of several modules to form a light path on both longitudinal sides. The communication can be done by daisy-chaining via the UART interfaces of the individual modules.

The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to an exemplary and non-limiting embodiment, which is illustrated in the figures. It shows

1 shows a schematic representation of two stacked inventive plant container obliquely from the front,

2 shows the illustration of Figure 1 from obliquely behind,

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a plant container according to FIG. 1,

Figure 4 shows a detail of two stacked plant containers according to FIG

FIG. 5 is a side sectional view of a plant container according to FIG. 1, FIG. 6 shows a detailed representation of fastening elements of a plant container according to FIG. 1,

FIG. 7 shows a detailed representation of a liquid-conducting element of a plant container according to FIG. 1,

FIG. 8 shows a detail view of two plant container halves lying opposite one another,

9 is a perspective view of a detail of the front side of a plant container according to FIG. 1, FIG.

Figure 10 is a schematic sectional view of a plant installation according to the invention, and

11 shows the plant installation according to FIG. 10 in the state mounted on a wall.

In the following figures, unless otherwise stated, like reference numerals designate like features.

1 shows a schematic representation of two stacked plant containers 1 according to the invention. The plant containers 1 are set up for producing a hydroponic plant 2, which in the present case comprises two plant containers 1-generally however at least one plant container 1. In addition, the plant 2 has a collecting container 11 shown in FIG. 10 for holding the liquid discharged through the plant containers 1, a pump 12 (see FIG. 10) for returning liquid 10 (see FIG. 3) from the collecting container 11 into the plant container 1 and a pump Control device 13 for controlling the pump 12 on. The plant container 1 comprises a housing 3 which has a front 3a, a rear 3b, a bottom 3c and a top 3d. On the underside 3c of the housing 3, a standing surface 3c 'is formed, and on the upper side 3d of the housing 3, a receiving surface 3d' corresponding to the standing surface 3c 'is formed for receiving the standing surface 3c' of another similarly shaped plant container 1.

At the front side 3 a of the housing 3, preferably exclusively on the front side 3 a, at least one receiving opening, in the present exemplary embodiment exactly three receiving openings 4 a, 4 b and 4 c, is provided for receiving plants. The Housing 3 has along its vertical extent - ie the extension in the direction of the schematically drawn in Figure 1 axis z - two sections, namely one of the bottom 3c of the housing 3 upwardly extending base portion 5 and a from the top 3d in The base portion 5 is adapted to hold in the housing 3 introduced liquid 10. The spacer section 6 is adapted to define a distance between the at least one receiving opening 4a to 4c and the upper side 3d of the housing 3 in order to provide sufficient space between plants of plant containers 1 arranged one above the other. At its upper side 3d, the housing 3 has at least one inlet opening 7 for introducing liquid 10 into the base section 5. The underside 3c of the housing 3 has at least one outlet opening 8 shown in FIG. 3, through which liquid held in the base section 5, which exceeds a predefined or predefinable level, can be diverted out of the plant container 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the rear side 3b of the housing 3 is formed as a substantially closed rear wall 14. This is understood to mean a back wall which is free of receiving openings for plants, can be inserted into the plants and grow outwards through the rear wall. The rear wall 14 may preferably be substantially flat, in particular flat.

Further details with regard to the width, depth and height of the plant container 1 are made below with reference to the rightwardly oriented Cartesian coordinate system with the axes x, y and z shown in FIG. 1, wherein the axes x, y and z are positioned and oriented in this way in that the plane spanned by the axes x and y coincides with the standing surface 3c 'of the lower plant container 1 shown in Figure 1 and the z-axis extends from the standing surface 3c' upwards towards the upper side 3d of the plant container 1. The depth of the plant container 1, ie the maximum normal distance measured along the axis x from the rear side 3b to the front side 3a, is for example between 5 cm and 20 cm. The width of the plant container 1, so its extension along the axis y, for example, at least 20 cm, preferably between 20 cm and 1 m, and the height, ie the extent of the bottom 3c along the axis z towards the top 3d, for example at least 7 cm, preferably between 7 cm and 50 cm. FIG. 2 shows the illustration according to FIG. 1 obliquely from behind, wherein, as already explained above, the essentially closed construction of the rear wall 14 can be recognized. The housing 3 has on the rear wall 14 fastening elements 15 for attachment to a wall, wherein the fastening elements 15 are shown in more detail in Figure 6.

FIG. 3 shows a sectional view of a plant container 1 according to FIG. 1, the viewing direction coinciding with the positive direction of the axis x. It can be seen that the plant container 1 or its standing surface 3c 'has a protrusion 9c projecting downwards (ie opposite to the positive axis direction z), which is part of the base section 5 and is designed such that liquid 10 introduced into the base section 5, in particular water, the projection 9c can flow due to the force acting on the liquid 10 gravity when the plant container 1 and its standing surface 3c 'is in a horizontal orientation. The upper side 3d of the housing 3 has a recess 9d that corresponds to the projection 9c, as a result of which stacked plant containers 1, as shown in FIG. 1, can be stacked on one another in a form-fitting and stable manner.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in the figures, the plant container 1 has two outlet openings 8 which are each oriented starting from the recess 9c in the direction of the interior of the plant container 1. They are arranged so that the outlet openings 8 are reached only at a certain level of the container 1 to discharge liquid, especially water, from the plant container 1. Preferably, it can be provided that the two outlet openings 8 are formed such that they are achieved at a different level of the container 1 from each other. Thus, depending on the fill level in the container 1 or the feed rate of liquid 10 into the container 1, the fill level can be selectively influenced and varied between different levels, for example the second outlet opening 8 (in FIG. 3, this is the left-hand side) illustrated outlet opening 8) may be located "higher", so that it is reached only at a higher level of the container 1. Thus, an upper limit for the maximum level of the container 1 at a given liquid supply rate in the container 1 can be set in a simple manner the liquid feed rate can be predetermined, for example, by the pump 12. The targeted influencing of fill levels in the container 1 can be particularly useful for the cultivation of certain plants For example, the "Ebb &Flow" principle can be implemented in a simple manner, according to which plants or their roots are selectively exposed to moist and dry phases by varying the fill level in the container 1. Alternatively, the nutrient film technique (or NFT).

As shown in FIG. 3, provision can be made for a liquid-conducting element 16 extending from the projection 9c to extend into the interior of the housing 3 with a guide channel 16a, the guide channel 16a passing through the underside 3c of the housing 3, the at least one outlet opening 8 is formed at a defined distance from the projection 9c on the Flüssigkeitsleitelement 16 for the inlet of liquid in the guide channel 16a to allow a defined outlet of liquid from the housing 3 at a defined level. In addition, it can be provided that in the liquid guide element 16 in the immediate vicinity of the projection 9c, a leaking point 16b is formed for the inlet of liquid into the guide channel 16a (see FIG. 4 and FIG. 7). The Flüssigkeitsleitelemente 16 may be executed in one piece in principle. Alternatively, these may also be constructed in several pieces. In the embodiment shown in the figures, there are two-piece variants, consisting of a fixed to the housing 3 first portion 16 'and a second on the first portion 16' attachable second portion 16 ", preferably in the form of a tube. The leak 16b may be provided, for example, in the first section 16 '.

The leaking point 16b may be formed, for example, as an auxiliary opening having an opening size of at most 15%, preferably at most 10%, particularly preferably at most 5% of the opening size of the outlet opening 8. As a result, even if the container 1 is not filled up to the outlet opening 8, a continuous outflow rate of liquid from the container 1 can be achieved. This effect can e.g. for targeted, in particular controlled draining of the container 1 or plants absorbed therein.

In a particularly favorable construction of the container 1 it can be provided that the at least one inlet opening 7 is arranged within the depression 3d 'on the upper side 3d of the housing 3. The inlet opening 7 may preferably be arranged at the lowest point of the depression 3d ', so that the liquid introduced into the depression 3d' Inlet opening 7 can flow completely due to the force acting on the liquid gravity when the container 1 is in a horizontal position.

In order to enable a targeted introduction of liquid into the interior of the container 1 and thus to prevent the formation of unwanted liquid noise, in particular dripping noises, it can be provided that the at least one inlet opening 7 is connected to a liquid guide element 17, in particular a hose, that into the interior of the housing 3 up to a level defined by an outlet opening 8 extends. It may be advantageous if the Flüssigkeitsleitelement 17 obliquely aligned with respect to the underside of the housing 3, in particular is bent in order to reduce the exit velocity of the liquid from the Flüssigkeitsleitelement 17.

In order to achieve a flow through the container 1, which extends transversely through the container 1, it can be provided that at least one inlet opening 7 and at least one outlet opening 8 are respectively arranged in mutually opposite lateral end regions 18 'and 18 "of the plant container 1 the term lateral end region is - as already mentioned - a region understood, starting from the left or right end of the plant container - viewed from the front or back - along a maximum of 20% of the width of the plant container towards the opposite side of the container extends.

In addition, it can be seen in FIG. 3 that the housing 3 has at least two inlet openings 7 for introducing liquid into the base section 5 on its upper side 3d, wherein the underside 3c of the housing 3 has at least two outlet openings 8, through which respectively the wherein the liquid held in the base portion 5 is derivable when exceeding a predefined level, wherein the predefined by the at least two outlet openings 8 levels are different and these outlet openings 8 spaced from each other in the horizontal direction and wherein the at least two inlet openings 7 are spaced apart in the horizontal direction.

The receiving openings 4a, 4b and 4c can be formed within the base section 5, in particular within a template 19, which can be inserted into the base section 5 and has a number of definable openings for receiving plants. The Stencils 19 may be interchangeable and be optimized for the particular application or the respective plant to be cultivated with regard to the configuration of the receiving openings 4a, 4b and 4c openings.

It can be clearly seen in FIG. 5 that an opening angle .alpha. Is defined by the border of the receiving opening and the spacer section 6, which is freely available for propagation or for its growth from the receiving openings 4a, 4b, 4c, the opening angle .alpha is an obtuse angle and is preferably between 100 ° and 150 °.

In addition, it can be seen in FIGS. 3 and 5 that in the receiving openings 4a, 4b, 4c, network pots 20 are held, which preferably extend as far as a (fill level) level defined by an outlet opening 8. In these network pots 20 may e.g. a sponge-like material, not shown in the figures, for storing and dispensing liquid.

FIG. 6 shows a detailed illustration of fastening elements 15 of the plant container 1 according to FIG. 1. The fastening elements 15 are T-shaped and adapted to be inserted and held in corresponding rail elements fastened to a wall.

FIG. 8 shows in a detail view of the container 1 that the base section 5 and the spacer section 6 of the housing 3 can each be designed as separate components which can be connected to one another, for example by means of plug connections. The embodiment of the housing 3 of two interconnectable sections, namely the base section 5 and the spacer section 6 allows to open the container 1 in a simple manner, if desired to clean, remove plant residues, etc. The sections 5 and 6 are formed in such a way that they continue to form a substantially closed rear wall 14 in an interconnected state. In particular, it can be provided that the base portion 5 at its upper end and the spacer portion 6 at its lower end have a corresponding shape, so that the spacer portion 6 is inserted into the base portion 5 and the base portion 5, the spacer portion 6 in the connecting region of the two sections encloses on the outside, so that condensate automatically flows into the interior of the housing 3 and in the base section 5.

For the guidance of plants can be provided that the plant container 1 on its front side 3a holding means (not shown in the figures), in particular a linkage, for guiding upgrowing plants on the front. The holding means serve as climbing aids to support plants and to influence their growth direction.

FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of a section of the front side 3a of a plant container 1 or a base section 5 according to FIG. 1, wherein it can be seen that the front side 3a in the region of the receiving openings is reinforced by a support structure 21, which can also be seen in FIG is. The housing 3 is preferably made of plastic, in particular of polypropylene (PP), high-density polyethylene (HDPE) or polyphenylene ether (PPE). In principle, polystyrene could also be used, provided that it is suitable for use in foodstuffs.

The invention also relates to a hydroponic plant 2, which is shown schematically in Figures 10 and 11. The plant 2 has at least one plant container 1 and a collecting container 11 for holding the discharged through the plant container 1 liquid 10. In addition, the plant 2 has a pump 12 for returning liquid 10 from the collecting container 11 into the plant container 1 and a control device 13 for controlling the pump 12. Here, the delivery rate can be specified both quantitatively and time-controlled. In the embodiment according to FIG. 11, a plurality of plant containers 1 are stacked one above the other.

In addition, it can be provided that the plant installation 2 has an illumination device 22 shown in FIG. 11 for illuminating plants held in the plant installation 2. The illumination device 22 may be configured to vary the light emitted by the illumination device 22 with regard to its intensity, its quantity of light and its spectral composition, wherein the illumination device 22 comprises at least one sensor, preferably two or more (lux) sensors, for detection / Measurement of ambient light may have, the plant 2 can have a control to which the data detected by the at least one sensor are supplied and the control is adapted to the Lighting device 22 and / or to regulate the pump 12 in response to the detected data, in particular to regulate the light emitted by the illumination device 22 light both in terms of its intensity, its amount of light and its spectral composition and / or regulate the pumping power of the pump 12.

In addition, it can be provided that the lighting device is mounted in such a way with respect to the receiving openings 4a to 4c of the plant container 1 of the plant 2 that the light emitted by the lighting device 22 light at an angle between 20 ° and 50 ° with respect to a vertically oriented axis (Z axis) incident on the receiving opening.

In view of this teaching, one skilled in the art will be able to arrive at other, not shown embodiments of the invention without inventive step. The invention is therefore not limited to the embodiment shown. Also, individual aspects of the invention or the embodiment can be taken up and combined with each other. Essential are the ideas underlying the invention, which can be performed by a person skilled in the knowledge of this description in a variety of ways and still remain maintained as such.

Claims

1. A stackable plant container (1) for producing a hydroponic plant plant, comprising a housing (3) having a front side (3a), a rear side (3b), a bottom (3c) and an upper side (3d), wherein at the bottom (3c ) of the housing (3) a standing surface (3c ') is formed and at the top (3d) to the standing surface (3c') corresponding receiving surface (3d ') for receiving the standing surface (3c') of another identically shaped plant container (1) is arranged, wherein on the front side (3a) of the housing (3) at least one receiving opening (4a, 4b, 4c) is designed for receiving plants, wherein the housing (3) along its vertical extension at least two sections, namely one of the underside (3c) of the housing (3) extending upwardly base portion (5) and a from the top (3d) in the direction of the base portion (5) extending spacer portion (6), wherein the base portion (5) thereto is arranged to hold in the housing (3) introduced liquid (10), and wherein the spacer portion (6) defines a distance between the at least one receiving opening (4a, 4b, 4c) and the top (3d) of the housing (3) wherein the housing (3) has on its upper side (3d) at least one inlet opening (7) for introducing liquid (10) into the base section (5) and the underside (3c) of the housing (3) has at least one outlet opening (8) characterized in that the liquid (10) held in the base portion (5) exceeds a predefined level, characterized in that the rear face (3b) of the housing (3) is formed as a substantially closed rear wall (14) ,

2. plant container (1) according to claim 1, wherein the depth of the plant container (1), ie the maximum normal distance measured from the rear side (3b) towards the front (3a) is between 5cm and 20cm, the width of the plant container (1) at least 20cm, preferably between 20cm and Im, and the height is at least 7cm, preferably between 7cm and 50cm.

3. plant container (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the housing (3) on its rear wall (14) has at least one fastening element (15) for attachment to a wall.

4. plant container (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the standing surface (3c ') in the center of the underside (3c) arranged downwardly projecting projection (9c) which is part of the base portion (5) and is formed in that liquid (10) introduced into the base section (5) can flow into the projection (9c) due to gravity acting on the liquid (10), the upper side (3d) of the housing (3) corresponding to the projection (9c) Recess (9d).

5. Plant container (1) according to claim 4, wherein the at least one outlet opening (8) passes through the projection (9c) downwards.

6. Plant container (1) according to claim 5, wherein extending from the projection (9c) starting a Flüssigkeitsleitelement (16) with a guide channel (16a) in the interior of the housing (3), wherein the guide channel (16a) the underside (3c ) of the housing (3), wherein the at least one outlet opening (8) at a defined distance from the projection (9c) on the Flüssigkeitsleitelement (16) for the inlet of liquid (10) in the guide channel (16a) is formed, wherein the liquid guide element (16) in the immediate vicinity of the projection (9c) a leak (16b) for the inlet of liquid (10) in the guide channel (16a) is formed.

7. plant container (1) according to claim 6, wherein the leaking point (16b) is formed as an auxiliary opening having an opening large of at most 15%, preferably at most 10%, more preferably at most 5% of the opening size of the outlet opening (8) ,

8. plant container (1) according to one of claims 4 to 7, wherein the at least one inlet opening (7) within the recess (9d) at the top (3d) of the housing (3) is arranged.

9. plant container (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one inlet opening (7) with a Flüssigkeitsleitelement (17), in particular a hose is connected, in the interior of the housing (3) to a through an outlet opening (8) defined level.

10. plant container (1) according to claim 9, wherein the Flüssigkeitsleitelement (17) with respect to the underside (3 c) of the housing (3) obliquely aligned, in particular is bent.

11. Plant container (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one inlet opening (7) and at least one outlet opening (8) in each case in opposite lateral end regions (18 ', 18 ") of the plant container (1) are arranged.

12. plant container (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing (3) on its upper side (3d) at least two inlet openings (7) for introducing liquid (10) into the base portion (5), wherein the underside (3c ) of the housing (3) has at least two outlet openings (8) through which the liquid (10) held in the base section (5) can be diverted when a predefined level is exceeded, the levels predefined by the at least two outlet openings (8) being different are and these outlet openings (8) spaced from each other in the horizontal direction and wherein the at least two inlet openings (7) are spaced apart in the horizontal direction.

13. Plant container (1) according to claim 12, wherein the at least two outlet openings, which define mutually different predefined levels and the at least two inlet openings (7), in each case in opposite lateral end regions (18 ', 18 ") of the plant container (1) are.

14. Plant container (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein in the region of the base portion of the housing (3) arranged inside edges are rounded with an edge radius of at least 2 mm.

15. Plant container (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one receiving opening (4a, 4b, 4c) in the base portion (5) is arranged.

16. Plant container (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein in the base portion (5) a template (19) is held, which has a number of definable receiving openings (4a, 4b, 4c) for receiving plants.

17. Plant container (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein an opening angle (ot) for the growth of plants is defined by the border of the receiving opening (4a, 4b, 4c) and the spacer section (6), wherein the opening angle (ot) is an obtuse angle, and preferably between 100 ° and 150 °.

18. Plant container (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein in the receiving opening (4a, 4b, 4c), network pots are held, which preferably extend to a level defined by an outlet opening (8).

19. Plant container (1) according to claim 18, wherein in the mesh pot (20) a spongy material for storing and dispensing liquid (10) is received.

20. Plant container (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the base portion (5) and the spacer portion (6) of the housing (3) are each designed as separate components which are connectable to each other.

21. plant container (1) according to claim 20, wherein the base portion (5) at its upper end and the spacer portion (6) at its lower end have a corresponding shape, so that the spacer portion (6) in the base portion (5) can be inserted and the base portion (5) surrounds the spacer portion (6) on the outside in the connecting portion of the two portions.

22. Plant container (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the plant container (1) on its front side (3a) holding means for guiding upwards on the front side (3a) plants has.

23. A hydroponic plant (2), comprising at least one plant container (1) according to one of the preceding claims, as well as a collecting container (11) for holding the discharged through the plant container (1) liquid, a pump (12) for returning liquid (10 ) from the collecting container (11) in the plant container (1) and a control device (13) for controlling the pump (12).

24. Plant installation (2) according to claim 23, comprising two or more plant containers (1) according to one of claims 1 to 22, wherein the plant containers (1) are stacked on top of each other.

25. Plant installation (2) according to claim 23 or 24, wherein the plant installation (2) further comprises a lighting device (22) for illuminating plants kept in the plant (2).

26. Plant installation (2) according to claim 25, wherein the illumination device (22) is adapted to vary the light emitted by the illumination device (22) both in terms of its intensity, its amount of light and its spectral composition, wherein the illumination device (22 ) has at least one sensor, preferably two or more sensors, for detecting / measuring ambient light, wherein the plant (2) has a control to which the data detected by the at least one sensor are supplied and the control is adapted to the lighting device (22) and / or to regulate the pump (12) in dependence on the acquired data, in particular to regulate the light emitted by the lighting device (22) both in terms of its intensity, its amount of light and its spectral composition and / or the pumping power of To regulate pump (12).

27. Plant installation (2) according to claim 25 or 26, wherein the lighting device (22) is mounted in relation to the receiving openings of the plant container (1) of the plant (2) such that the light emitted by the lighting device (22) light at an angle between 20 ° and 50 ° with respect to a vertically oriented axis incident on the receiving opening (4a, 4b, 4c).