WO2019075495A1 - Soilless plant cultivating container - Google Patents

Soilless plant cultivating container Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2019075495A1
WO2019075495A1 PCT/ZA2018/050030 ZA2018050030W WO2019075495A1 WO 2019075495 A1 WO2019075495 A1 WO 2019075495A1 ZA 2018050030 W ZA2018050030 W ZA 2018050030W WO 2019075495 A1 WO2019075495 A1 WO 2019075495A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
receptacle
cultivating container
plant
liquid
flow channel
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/ZA2018/050030
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Pieter Gideo Van Der Merwe
Original Assignee
Clean Air Nurseries Intellectual Property Holdings (Pty) Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Clean Air Nurseries Intellectual Property Holdings (Pty) Ltd filed Critical Clean Air Nurseries Intellectual Property Holdings (Pty) Ltd
Publication of WO2019075495A1 publication Critical patent/WO2019075495A1/en

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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
    • 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
    • A01G22/00—Cultivation of specific crops or plants not otherwise provided for
    • A01G22/05—Fruit crops, e.g. strawberries, tomatoes or cucumbers
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
    • A01G—HORTICULTURE; CULTIVATION OF VEGETABLES, FLOWERS, RICE, FRUIT, VINES, HOPS OR SEAWEED; FORESTRY; WATERING
    • A01G9/00—Cultivation in receptacles, forcing-frames or greenhouses; Edging for beds, lawn or the like
    • A01G9/02—Receptacles, e.g. flower-pots or boxes; Glasses for cultivating flowers
    • A01G9/022—Pots for vertical horticulture
    • A01G9/023—Multi-tiered planters
    • 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

  • This invention relates to soilless plant cultivating containers, more particularly soilless plant cultivating containers for use in a hydroponic environment.
  • Oxygen is an essential plant nutrient and plant root systems require oxygen for aerobic respiration, an essential plant process that releases energy for root growth and nutrient uptake.
  • Oxygen is an essential plant nutrient and plant root systems require oxygen for aerobic respiration, an essential plant process that releases energy for root growth and nutrient uptake.
  • Injury caused by insufficient levels of oxygen in the root zone can take several forms and these will differ in severity between plant types.
  • a soilless plant cultivating container which includes:
  • receptacle defined in a sidewall of the body for receiving a plant therein, the receptacle including a receptacle side wall extending angularly away from the elongate body in a concave region thereof;
  • liquid flow channel defined longitudinally the said body for directing the flow of nutrient enriched liquid passing therethrough, the liquid flow channel being in fluid communication with the receptacle;
  • a root support member which is mountable in a suspended condition in the receptacle for receiving and supporting a plant root portion of the plant;
  • a plant support mountable onto an upper end region of the receptacle for supporting an upper leafy portion of the plant, the plant support extending away from the elongate body;
  • a connector mountable onto an upper end region of the body for interconnecting a liquid and gas source, with the liquid flow channel and gas passage, respectively;
  • a collector mountable onto a lower end portion of the body for collecting and carrying away liquid streaming down the body.
  • the body may be manufactured from a material having hydrophilic properties for promoting fluid streaming down the liquid flow channel to remain in contact therewith as it passes through the said channel.
  • the body may comprise of two longitudinal symmetrical portions which portions further includes engagement formations for sealable interconnection between the said portions, when in use.
  • the body may include its own connecting formations for interconnecting a plurality of elongate bodies to define a vertical growth stack unit.
  • a plurality of receptacles may be arranged out of register on opposing sides of the body.
  • the liquid flow channel may include a liquid flow channel manipulator for manipulating the flow path of liquid streaming down the channel.
  • the liquid flow channel manipulator may be configured to narrow the width dimension of the flow path of liquid streaming down the channel.
  • the liquid flow channel manipulator may be arranged at a region upper the receptacle.
  • the liquid flow channel manipulator may take the form of a pair of ridges arranged in a general V-shaped formation in the liquid flow channel.
  • the liquid flow channel may further include a liquid disperser arranged downstream the liquid flow channel manipulator for dispersing the liquid onto plant roots contained in the receptacle.
  • the liquid disperser may be arranged so as to allow the dispersion of liquid onto the plant roots.
  • the liquid disperser may be in the form of a pin protruding orthogonally away from an inner side wall of the flow channel oppositely the receptacle.
  • the liquid flow channel may further include a deflector arranged upper the receptacle for deflecting and inhibiting liquid streaming down the flow channel from exiting the receptacle.
  • the deflector may be arranged about an upper end region of the receptacle and may extend inward the liquid flow channel.
  • the gas passage may extend about a peripheral region of the elongate body.
  • the gas passage may be in the form of a pair of gas passages arranged to extend about opposing peripheral regions of the body.
  • the gas passage may include a slot formation in order to introduce gas to a plant roots contained in the receptacle.
  • the root support member may have a basket type configuration and may further include a supportive ridge for engaging with the receptacle sidewalk
  • the root support member may include a root support mounting formation which is shaped to be received by the receptacle.
  • the root support member may be perforated.
  • the root support member may be manufactured from a biodegradable material.
  • the plant support may include a plant support engaging portion shaped and sized to overlap at least a portion of the receptacle sidewalk
  • the plant support may include a plant support engaging portion shaped and sizes to be snugly received by the receptacle.
  • the plant support may be concave shaped in side view.
  • the plant support may include a plurality of plant support extensions radiating away from a central portion of the said support.
  • the plant support extensions may be perforated.
  • the connector may include a gas passage inlet formation for interconnecting the gas source with the gas passage.
  • the connector may include a liquid flow channel inlet formation for interconnecting the liquid source and the liquid flow channel.
  • the gas may include air, oxygen, and / or any other gaseous composition for promoting the growth of plants.
  • the connector further may also include a liquid inlet for transferring of liquid from outer the container towards the flow channel.
  • the liquid may be nutrient enriched for promoting the growth of plants.
  • the collector may be concave shaped in side view.
  • the collector may be crescent shaped in side view.
  • the collector may be circular shaped in plan view.
  • the collector may include an outer collecting surface for collecting liquid streaming down the outer surface of the elongate body.
  • the collector may be interconnectable with a lower end portion of the elongate body.
  • the collector may include a collector engagement formation in order to be connectable to a drainage system for draining collected liquid.
  • Figure 1 shows a perspective top view of a preferred embodiment of the soilless plant cultivating container
  • Figure 2 is an exploded disassembled view of the container shown in Figure 1 ;
  • Figures 3.1 to 3.4 show further front, perspective, side and top views, respectively, of the container as shown in Figures 1 and 2;
  • Figures 4.1 to 6.2 depict front, side, rear, top perspective front, top perspective rear and top views, respectively of a symmetrical portion of the soilless plant cultivating container, showing the inner and outer surfaces thereof;
  • Figures 7.1 to 7.4 depict top perspective, bottom perspective, side and top views, respectively, of the collector shown in Figures 1 and 2;
  • Figures 8.1 to 8.6 depict different views of the root support mounting formation
  • Figures 9.1 to 9.3 depict different views of the root support member including the root support mounting formation
  • Figures 10.1 to 10.4 depict side, plan, front and bottom perspective views of the plant support; Figures 1 1.1 to 1 1.4 show bottom, side, top and bottom perspective views of the connector, while Figure 1 1 .5 shows the connector in use; and Figure 12 is a top perspective view depicting the plant cultivating container connected to a liquid supply, gas supply, and drainage system, respectively, in accordance with the invention.
  • a preferred embodiment of the soilless plant cultivating container in accordance with the invention is generally depicted by reference numeral 10.
  • a soilless plant cultivating container 10 which include an elongate body 12 of generally wave shaped form, a receptacle 14 defined in a sidewall of the elongate body 12 for receiving a plant therein, the receptacle 14 including a receptacle side wall 16 extending angularly away from the body 12 in a concave region thereof, a liquid flow channel 18 defined longitudinally the said body 12 for directing the flow of nutrient enriched liquid passing therethrough, the liquid flow channel 18 being in fluid communication with the receptacle 14, a gas passage 20 extending longitudinally the body 12 for introducing gas to roots of a plant (not shown) contained in the receptacle 14, a root support member 22 which is mountable in a suspended condition in the receptacle 14 for receiving and supporting a plant root portion of the plant, a plant support
  • the elongate body 12 will typically be manufactured from a material having hydrophilic properties for promoting fluid streaming down the liquid flow channel 18 to remain in contact therewith as it passes through the said channel 18.
  • the body 12 comprises of two longitudinal symmetrical portions which portions further includes engagement formations 30 for sealable interconnection between the said portions, when in use.
  • the body further includes its own connecting formations 62 for interconnecting a plurality of bodies 12 thereby defining a vertical growth stack unit (not shown).
  • the receptacle 14 is in fluid communication with the liquid flow channel 18 and gas passage 20.
  • a plurality of receptacles 14 are typically arranged out of register on opposing sides of the elongate body 12.
  • the liquid flow channel further includes a liquid channel manipulator 32 for narrowing the width dimension of the liquid flow channel 18.
  • the liquid channel manipulator 32 is arranged at a region upper the receptacle 14 and takes the form of a pair of ridges arranged in a general V-shaped formation in the liquid flow channel 18.
  • the liquid channel manipulator concentrates the flow of liquid towards a central region of the channel 18, thereby causing acceleration thereof before being dispersed by liquid disperser 34 arranged downstream the liquid channel manipulator 32 for dispersing the liquid into liquid drops onto plant roots contained in the receptacle 14.
  • the liquid disperser 34 is in the form of a pin protruding orthogonally away from an inner side wall of the liquid flow channel18 oppositely the receptacle 14.
  • a deflector 36 is arranged upper the receptacle 14 for deflecting liquid streaming down the liquid flow channel 18 away from the receptacle 14.
  • the deflector 36 will preferably be arranged about an upper end region of the receptacle 14 and extend inward towards the liquid flow channel 18.
  • the passage 20 extends about a peripheral region of the elongate body 12.
  • a pair of gas passages 20 are arranged to extend about opposing peripheral regions of the body 12 and each of which includes a slot formation 38 in order to introduce gas from the passage to a plant root zone of the receptacle 14.
  • the root support member 22 takes the form of a basket type element and may further include a supportive ridge 40 for engaging with the receptacle sidewall 16 so as to allow the member 22 to be hanging suspended in the receptacle plant root zone.
  • the root support member 22 can also include a root support mounting formation 42 which is shaped to be received by the receptacle 14. In this embodiment the root support member 22 will be located inside the support mounting formation 42, the support mounting formations including its own engagement formations 64 for engaging with an outer upper surface of receptacle 14, more clearly shown in Figures 9.1 tp
  • the root support member 22 is further of a perforated nature and can be manufactured from a biodegradable material.
  • the biodegradability of the support member 22 allows the plant to be harvested with ease out of the receptacle 14 when ready, without the need to remove the support member 22 to avoid polluting the environment. The untampered plant roots results in a prolonged shelf life of the harvested plant.
  • Top heavy plants such as cauliflower and the like tend to topple over and fall out of the receptacle 14 when exceeding a certain weight and / or height.
  • the plant support 24 is provided which includes a plant support engaging portion 44 shaped and sized to overlap and engage with at least a portion of the receptacle sidewall 16. The plant support is mountable to extend angularly away from the container 10.
  • the plant support 24 is concave shaped in side view and includes a plurality of plant support extensions 46 radiating away from a central region of the said support 24.
  • the plant support extensions 46 are further perforated in order to increase supportive area without compromising efficacy.
  • the connector 26 includes a gas passage inlet formation 48 for interconnecting the external gas source 50 with the gas passage 20, more clearly shown in Figure 13.
  • the connector 26 also includes a liquid flow channel inlet formation 52 for interconnecting the external liquid source 54 and the liquid flow channel 18.
  • the gas may include air, oxygen, and / or any other gaseous composition for promoting the growth of plants.
  • the liquid will typically be nutrient enriched for promoting the growth of plants.
  • the closed loop distribution of the liquid is facilitated by the inclusion of the collector 28 which includes a concave shaped collecting outer surface 56, in side view, and circular shaped in plan view, for collecting liquid streaming down the outer surface of the elongate body 12.
  • the collector 28 is interconnectable with a lower end portion of the elongate body 12 and further includes a collector engagement formation 60 to be interconnectable in turn, to a drainage system 58 for draining collected liquid, more clearly shown in Figure 13.
  • the Applicant considers the invention advantageous in that a soilless plant cultivating container for use in a hydroponic environment is described which is configured to minimize the wastage of nutrient enriched liquid as it streams down the container, and also to provide oxygen to the plant roots thereby providing an ideal environment for promoting the growth of plants.

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  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Environmental Sciences (AREA)
  • Botany (AREA)
  • Cultivation Receptacles Or Flower-Pots, Or Pots For Seedlings (AREA)
  • Hydroponics (AREA)

Abstract

According to the invention there is provided a soilless plant cultivating container which includes an elongate body of generally wave shaped form; a receptacle defined in a sidewall of the body for receiving a plant therein, the receptacle including a receptacle side wall extending angularly away from the elongate body in a concave region thereof; a liquid flow channel defined longitudinally the said body for directing the flow of nutrient enriched liquid passing therethrough, the liquid flow channel being in fluid communication with the receptacle; a gas passage extending longitudinally the elongate body for introducing gas to the receptacle; a root support member which is mountable in a suspended condition in the receptacle for receiving and supporting a plant root portion of the plant; a plant support mountable onto an upper end region of the receptacle for supporting an upper portion of the plant, the plant support extending away from the elongate body; a connector mountable onto an upper end region of the body for interconnecting a liquid and gas source, with the liquid flow channel and gas passage, respectively; and a collector mountable onto a lower end portion of the body for collecting and carrying away liquid streaming down the body.

Description

Soilless plant cultivating container
Technical field of the invention This invention relates to soilless plant cultivating containers, more particularly soilless plant cultivating containers for use in a hydroponic environment.
Background to the invention Hydroponic systems where plants are cultivated in vertically erected containers and being exposed to a constant supply of nutrient containing fluid is well known in the art. Some of the problems associated with the commonly known vertically erected containers are that the nutrient rich fluid tends to spill towards the outside of the container thereby creating an environment which promotes pathogen development and overgrow of unwanted algae on the ground surface of the growth tunnel.
One of the other problems associated with hydroponic cultivation of plants is that, due the constant presence of fluid, atmospheric oxygen is not readily available for uptake by the plant roots. Oxygen is an essential plant nutrient and plant root systems require oxygen for aerobic respiration, an essential plant process that releases energy for root growth and nutrient uptake. Injury caused by insufficient levels of oxygen in the root zone can take several forms and these will differ in severity between plant types.
Another problem associated with conventional vertically erected plant containers of the kind is that due to the lack of support for heavy and / or bulky plants such as strawberries, these plants tend to fall out of the container receptacle when exceeding a certain weight. The applicant having considered the above proposes the invention described hereunder.
Summary of the invention
According to the invention there is provided a soilless plant cultivating container which includes:
- an elongate body of generally wave shaped form;
- a receptacle defined in a sidewall of the body for receiving a plant therein, the receptacle including a receptacle side wall extending angularly away from the elongate body in a concave region thereof;
- a liquid flow channel defined longitudinally the said body for directing the flow of nutrient enriched liquid passing therethrough, the liquid flow channel being in fluid communication with the receptacle;
- a gas passage extending longitudinally the elongate body for introducing gas to the receptacle;
- a root support member which is mountable in a suspended condition in the receptacle for receiving and supporting a plant root portion of the plant;
- a plant support mountable onto an upper end region of the receptacle for supporting an upper leafy portion of the plant, the plant support extending away from the elongate body;
- a connector mountable onto an upper end region of the body for interconnecting a liquid and gas source, with the liquid flow channel and gas passage, respectively; and
- a collector mountable onto a lower end portion of the body for collecting and carrying away liquid streaming down the body.
The body may be manufactured from a material having hydrophilic properties for promoting fluid streaming down the liquid flow channel to remain in contact therewith as it passes through the said channel. The body may comprise of two longitudinal symmetrical portions which portions further includes engagement formations for sealable interconnection between the said portions, when in use. The body may include its own connecting formations for interconnecting a plurality of elongate bodies to define a vertical growth stack unit.
A plurality of receptacles may be arranged out of register on opposing sides of the body.
The liquid flow channel may include a liquid flow channel manipulator for manipulating the flow path of liquid streaming down the channel. The liquid flow channel manipulator may be configured to narrow the width dimension of the flow path of liquid streaming down the channel. The liquid flow channel manipulator may be arranged at a region upper the receptacle. The liquid flow channel manipulator may take the form of a pair of ridges arranged in a general V-shaped formation in the liquid flow channel.
The liquid flow channel may further include a liquid disperser arranged downstream the liquid flow channel manipulator for dispersing the liquid onto plant roots contained in the receptacle. The liquid disperser may be arranged so as to allow the dispersion of liquid onto the plant roots. The liquid disperser may be in the form of a pin protruding orthogonally away from an inner side wall of the flow channel oppositely the receptacle.
The liquid flow channel may further include a deflector arranged upper the receptacle for deflecting and inhibiting liquid streaming down the flow channel from exiting the receptacle. The deflector may be arranged about an upper end region of the receptacle and may extend inward the liquid flow channel.
The gas passage may extend about a peripheral region of the elongate body. The gas passage may be in the form of a pair of gas passages arranged to extend about opposing peripheral regions of the body. The gas passage may include a slot formation in order to introduce gas to a plant roots contained in the receptacle. The root support member may have a basket type configuration and may further include a supportive ridge for engaging with the receptacle sidewalk The root support member may include a root support mounting formation which is shaped to be received by the receptacle. The root support member may be perforated. The root support member may be manufactured from a biodegradable material.
The plant support may include a plant support engaging portion shaped and sized to overlap at least a portion of the receptacle sidewalk The plant support may include a plant support engaging portion shaped and sizes to be snugly received by the receptacle.
The plant support may be concave shaped in side view. The plant support may include a plurality of plant support extensions radiating away from a central portion of the said support. The plant support extensions may be perforated. The connector may include a gas passage inlet formation for interconnecting the gas source with the gas passage. The connector may include a liquid flow channel inlet formation for interconnecting the liquid source and the liquid flow channel. The gas may include air, oxygen, and / or any other gaseous composition for promoting the growth of plants. The connector further may also include a liquid inlet for transferring of liquid from outer the container towards the flow channel. The liquid may be nutrient enriched for promoting the growth of plants.
The collector may be concave shaped in side view. The collector may be crescent shaped in side view. The collector may be circular shaped in plan view. The collector may include an outer collecting surface for collecting liquid streaming down the outer surface of the elongate body. The collector may be interconnectable with a lower end portion of the elongate body. The collector may include a collector engagement formation in order to be connectable to a drainage system for draining collected liquid. Brief description of the drawings
The invention will now be described by means of a non-limiting example with reference to the accompanying drawings.
In the drawings:
Figure 1 shows a perspective top view of a preferred embodiment of the soilless plant cultivating container;
Figure 2 is an exploded disassembled view of the container shown in Figure 1 ;
Figures 3.1 to 3.4 show further front, perspective, side and top views, respectively, of the container as shown in Figures 1 and 2;
Figures 4.1 to 6.2 depict front, side, rear, top perspective front, top perspective rear and top views, respectively of a symmetrical portion of the soilless plant cultivating container, showing the inner and outer surfaces thereof; Figures 7.1 to 7.4 depict top perspective, bottom perspective, side and top views, respectively, of the collector shown in Figures 1 and 2;
Figures 8.1 to 8.6 depict different views of the root support mounting formation; Figures 9.1 to 9.3 depict different views of the root support member including the root support mounting formation;
Figures 10.1 to 10.4 depict side, plan, front and bottom perspective views of the plant support; Figures 1 1.1 to 1 1.4 show bottom, side, top and bottom perspective views of the connector, while Figure 1 1 .5 shows the connector in use; and Figure 12 is a top perspective view depicting the plant cultivating container connected to a liquid supply, gas supply, and drainage system, respectively, in accordance with the invention. Specific description of the invention
Referring to the drawings, a preferred embodiment of the soilless plant cultivating container in accordance with the invention is generally depicted by reference numeral 10. According to the invention there is provided a soilless plant cultivating container 10 which include an elongate body 12 of generally wave shaped form, a receptacle 14 defined in a sidewall of the elongate body 12 for receiving a plant therein, the receptacle 14 including a receptacle side wall 16 extending angularly away from the body 12 in a concave region thereof, a liquid flow channel 18 defined longitudinally the said body 12 for directing the flow of nutrient enriched liquid passing therethrough, the liquid flow channel 18 being in fluid communication with the receptacle 14, a gas passage 20 extending longitudinally the body 12 for introducing gas to roots of a plant (not shown) contained in the receptacle 14, a root support member 22 which is mountable in a suspended condition in the receptacle 14 for receiving and supporting a plant root portion of the plant, a plant support 24 mountable onto an upper end region of the receptacle 14 for supporting an upper leafy portion of the plant when seated in the receptacle14, the plant support 24 extending substantially transversally away from the elongate body 12, a connector 26 mountable onto an upper end region of the elongate body 12 for interconnecting a liquid and gas source (not shown), with the liquid flow channel 18 and gas passage 20, respectively, and a collector 28 mountable onto a lower end portion of the elongate body 12 for collecting and carrying away liquid streaming down the elongate body 12.
The elongate body 12 will typically be manufactured from a material having hydrophilic properties for promoting fluid streaming down the liquid flow channel 18 to remain in contact therewith as it passes through the said channel 18. The body 12 comprises of two longitudinal symmetrical portions which portions further includes engagement formations 30 for sealable interconnection between the said portions, when in use. The body further includes its own connecting formations 62 for interconnecting a plurality of bodies 12 thereby defining a vertical growth stack unit (not shown). In order to facilitate the transfer of oxygen and nutrients to the plant roots the receptacle 14 is in fluid communication with the liquid flow channel 18 and gas passage 20. A plurality of receptacles 14 are typically arranged out of register on opposing sides of the elongate body 12. The liquid flow channel further includes a liquid channel manipulator 32 for narrowing the width dimension of the liquid flow channel 18. The liquid channel manipulator 32 is arranged at a region upper the receptacle 14 and takes the form of a pair of ridges arranged in a general V-shaped formation in the liquid flow channel 18. The liquid channel manipulator concentrates the flow of liquid towards a central region of the channel 18, thereby causing acceleration thereof before being dispersed by liquid disperser 34 arranged downstream the liquid channel manipulator 32 for dispersing the liquid into liquid drops onto plant roots contained in the receptacle 14. The liquid disperser 34 is in the form of a pin protruding orthogonally away from an inner side wall of the liquid flow channel18 oppositely the receptacle 14.
In order to prevent the spillage of liquid out of the liquid flow channel 18 in the region of the receptacle 14, a deflector 36 is arranged upper the receptacle 14 for deflecting liquid streaming down the liquid flow channel 18 away from the receptacle 14. The deflector 36 will preferably be arranged about an upper end region of the receptacle 14 and extend inward towards the liquid flow channel 18.
In order to provide the plant roots with a sufficient supply of oxygen and other gaseous substances for promoting the growth of the plant the passage 20 extends about a peripheral region of the elongate body 12. A pair of gas passages 20 are arranged to extend about opposing peripheral regions of the body 12 and each of which includes a slot formation 38 in order to introduce gas from the passage to a plant root zone of the receptacle 14.
The root support member 22 takes the form of a basket type element and may further include a supportive ridge 40 for engaging with the receptacle sidewall 16 so as to allow the member 22 to be hanging suspended in the receptacle plant root zone. The root support member 22 can also include a root support mounting formation 42 which is shaped to be received by the receptacle 14. In this embodiment the root support member 22 will be located inside the support mounting formation 42, the support mounting formations including its own engagement formations 64 for engaging with an outer upper surface of receptacle 14, more clearly shown in Figures 9.1 tp
In order to allow plant roots to grow and dangle inside the receptacle 14 and the root support member 22 is further of a perforated nature and can be manufactured from a biodegradable material. The biodegradability of the support member 22 allows the plant to be harvested with ease out of the receptacle 14 when ready, without the need to remove the support member 22 to avoid polluting the environment. The untampered plant roots results in a prolonged shelf life of the harvested plant.
Top heavy plants such as cauliflower and the like tend to topple over and fall out of the receptacle 14 when exceeding a certain weight and / or height. In order to successful cultivate a wide range of plants the plant support 24 is provided which includes a plant support engaging portion 44 shaped and sized to overlap and engage with at least a portion of the receptacle sidewall 16. The plant support is mountable to extend angularly away from the container 10.
In the embodiment shown the plant support 24 is concave shaped in side view and includes a plurality of plant support extensions 46 radiating away from a central region of the said support 24. The plant support extensions 46 are further perforated in order to increase supportive area without compromising efficacy. The connector 26 includes a gas passage inlet formation 48 for interconnecting the external gas source 50 with the gas passage 20, more clearly shown in Figure 13. The connector 26 also includes a liquid flow channel inlet formation 52 for interconnecting the external liquid source 54 and the liquid flow channel 18. The gas may include air, oxygen, and / or any other gaseous composition for promoting the growth of plants. The liquid will typically be nutrient enriched for promoting the growth of plants.
The closed loop distribution of the liquid is facilitated by the inclusion of the collector 28 which includes a concave shaped collecting outer surface 56, in side view, and circular shaped in plan view, for collecting liquid streaming down the outer surface of the elongate body 12. The collector 28 is interconnectable with a lower end portion of the elongate body 12 and further includes a collector engagement formation 60 to be interconnectable in turn, to a drainage system 58 for draining collected liquid, more clearly shown in Figure 13.
The Applicant considers the invention advantageous in that a soilless plant cultivating container for use in a hydroponic environment is described which is configured to minimize the wastage of nutrient enriched liquid as it streams down the container, and also to provide oxygen to the plant roots thereby providing an ideal environment for promoting the growth of plants.

Claims

Claims
1. A soilless plant cultivating container which includes:
an elongate body of generally wave shaped form;
a receptacle defined in a sidewall of the body for receiving a plant therein, the receptacle including a receptacle side wall extending angularly away from the elongate body in a concave region thereof;
a liquid flow channel defined longitudinally the said body for directing the flow of nutrient enriched liquid passing therethrough, the liquid flow channel being in fluid communication with the receptacle;
a gas passage extending longitudinally the elongate body in fluid communication with the receptacle for introducing gas to the said receptacle;
a root support member which is mountable in a suspended condition in the receptacle for receiving and supporting a plant root portion of the plant in the receptacle;
a plant support mountable onto an upper end region of the receptacle for supporting an upper leafy portion of the plant, the plant support extending away from the elongate body;
a connector mountable onto an upper end region of the body for interconnecting a liquid and gas source, with the liquid flow channel and gas passage, respectively; and a collector mountable onto a lower end portion of the body for collecting and carrying away liquid streaming down the body.
2. A soilless plant cultivating container as claimed in claim 1 wherein the body is manufactured from a material having hydrophilic properties for promoting fluid streaming down the liquid flow channel to remain in contact therewith as it passes through the said channel.
3. A soilless plant cultivating container as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the body comprises of two longitudinal symmetrical portions which portions further includes engagement formations for sealable interconnection between the said portions, when in use.
A soilless plant cultivating container as claimed in any one or more of the preceding claims wherein the receptacle is in the form of a plurality of receptacles arranged out of register on opposing sides of the body.
A soilless plant cultivating container as claimed in any one or more of the preceding claims wherein the liquid flow channel includes a liquid flow channel manipulator for manipulating the flow path of the liquid streaming down the liquid flow channel.
A soilless plant cultivating container as claimed in claim 5 wherein the liquid flow channel manipulator is configured to narrow the flow path of the liquid streaming down the channel.
A soilless plant cultivating container as claimed in any of claim 5 and 6 wherein the liquid channel manipulator is arranged at a region upper the receptacle.
A soilless plant cultivating container as claimed in any of claim 5 to 7 wherein the liquid flow channel manipulator is in the form of a pair of ridges arranged in a general V-shaped formation in the liquid flow channel.
A soilless plant cultivating container as claimed in any one or more of claim 5 to 8 wherein the liquid flow channel includes a liquid disperser arranged downstream the liquid flow channel manipulator for dispersing the liquid onto plant roots contained in the receptacle.
A soilless plant cultivating container as claimed in claim 9 wherein the liquid disperser is in the form of a pin protruding orthogonally away from an inner side wall of the liquid flow channel.
A soilless plant cultivating container as claimed in any one or more of the preceding claims wherein the liquid flow channel includes a deflector arranged at an upper end portion of the receptacle for deflecting liquid streaming down the liquid flow channel away from the receptacle.
12. A soilless plant cultivating container as claimed in claim 1 1 wherein the deflector extends inward towards the liquid flow channel.
13. A soilless plant cultivating container as claimed in any one or more of the preceding claims wherein the gas passage extends about a peripheral region of the elongate body.
14. A soilless plant cultivating container as claimed in claim 13 wherein the gas passage is in the form of a pair of gas passages wherein each of the pair of passages extends about opposing peripheral regions of the body.
15. A soilless plant cultivating container as claimed in any one or more of the preceding claims wherein the gas passage includes a slot formation arranged in the region of the receptacle for allowing flow of gas from the gas passage towards plant roots contained in the receptacle.
16. A soilless plant cultivating container as claimed in any one or more of the preceding claims wherein the root support member includes a supportive ridge defined about an upper end region thereof for engaging with an upper end region of the receptacle sidewalk
17. A soilless plant cultivating container as claimed in any one or more of the preceding claims wherein the root support member is perforated.
18. A soilless plant cultivating container as claimed in any one or more of the preceding claims wherein the root support member is manufactured from a biodegradable material.
A soilless plant cultivating container as claimed in any one or more of the preceding claims wherein the plant support includes a plant support engaging portion shaped and sized to overlap and engage with at least a portion of the receptacle sidewall.
A soilless plant cultivating container as claimed in any one or more of the preceding claims wherein the plant support includes a plant support engaging portion for engaging with an upper end region of the receptacle sidewall.
A soilless plant cultivating container as claimed in any one or more of the preceding claims wherein the plant support is concave shaped in side view.
A soilless plant cultivating container as claimed in any one or more of the preceding claims wherein the plant support includes a plurality of plant support extensions radiating away from a central portion of the said support.
A soilless plant cultivating container as claimed in claim 22 wherein the plant support extensions are perforated.
A soilless plant cultivating container as claimed in any one or more of the preceding claims wherein the connector includes a gas passage inlet formation for interconnecting the gas source with the gas passage.
A soilless plant cultivating container as claimed in any one or more of the preceding claims wherein the connector includes a liquid flow channel inlet formation for interconnecting the liquid source and the liquid flow channel.
A soilless plant cultivating container as claimed in any one or more of the preceding claims wherein the collector is concave shaped in side view.
A soilless plant cultivating container as claimed in any one or more of the preceding claims wherein the collector is crescent shaped in side view.
A soilless plant cultivating container as claimed in any one or more of the preceding claims wherein the collector is circular shaped in plan view.
29. A soilless plant cultivating container as claimed in any one or more of the preceding claims wherein the collector includes an outer collecting surface for collecting liquid streaming down the outer surface of the elongate body.
30. A soilless plant cultivating container as claimed in any one or more of the preceding claims wherein the collector is interconnectable with a lower end portion of the elongate body.
31 . A soilless plant cultivating container as claimed in any one or more of the preceding claims wherein the collector is connectable to a drainage system for draining collected liquid.
PCT/ZA2018/050030 2017-10-10 2018-06-05 Soilless plant cultivating container WO2019075495A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
ZA201706812 2017-10-10
ZA2017/06812 2017-10-10
ZA201707837 2017-11-20
ZA2017/07837 2017-11-20

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WO2019075495A1 true WO2019075495A1 (en) 2019-04-18

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WO2016162856A1 (en) * 2015-04-10 2016-10-13 Eden Green Hydroponics International (Pty) Ltd Hydroponics
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US20030089037A1 (en) * 2001-11-14 2003-05-15 Ware Larry Austen Plant growth unit
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US8966819B1 (en) * 2013-04-16 2015-03-03 Neila Cosmann Suspendable and stackable vertical planter
WO2016162856A1 (en) * 2015-04-10 2016-10-13 Eden Green Hydroponics International (Pty) Ltd Hydroponics
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US20220272908A1 (en) * 2019-07-12 2022-09-01 Grow Pipes AB Plant holder for hydroponic system
EP3996491A4 (en) * 2019-07-12 2023-08-30 Grow Pipes AB Plant holder for hydroponic system

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