WO2020070586A1 - Nutrient film technique with automatic adjustment of spacing between plants during growth - Google Patents

Nutrient film technique with automatic adjustment of spacing between plants during growth

Info

Publication number
WO2020070586A1
WO2020070586A1 PCT/IB2019/058123 IB2019058123W WO2020070586A1 WO 2020070586 A1 WO2020070586 A1 WO 2020070586A1 IB 2019058123 W IB2019058123 W IB 2019058123W WO 2020070586 A1 WO2020070586 A1 WO 2020070586A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
sub
area
channel covers
channel
semi
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/IB2019/058123
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Shlomo Avital
Uzi TESHUVA
Shay Zeltzer
Rami Hashimshony
Amit Nir
Original Assignee
Teshuva Agricultural Projects 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 Teshuva Agricultural Projects Ltd. filed Critical Teshuva Agricultural Projects Ltd.
Publication of WO2020070586A1 publication Critical patent/WO2020070586A1/en

Links

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
    • A01G31/06—Hydroponic culture on racks or in stacked containers
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02P—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS
    • Y02P60/00—Technologies relating to agriculture, livestock or agroalimentary industries
    • Y02P60/20—Reduction of greenhouse gas [GHG] emissions in agriculture, e.g. CO2
    • Y02P60/21—Dinitrogen oxide [N2O], e.g. using aquaponics, hydroponics or efficiency measures

Definitions

  • the automatic plants transfer sub-system may further comprise a processing unit and storage.
  • the automatic plants transfer sub-system may further comprise an assisting part configured to hold a lower channel cover while lifting an upper channel cover.
  • Fig. 5F is a schematic section cut of Fig. 5E showing an inner view of the cup 550;
  • Fig. 8 is a flowchart showing a growing cycle performed using the system of the present invention according to embodiments of the present invention.
  • Fig. 11 is a schematic presentation of an exemplary growing cycle.
  • system of the present invention is not limited to be used automatically and may be used manually.
  • plants may also refer to crops and the like.
  • the present invention is described in relation to NFT, it will be appreciated that the present invention is not limited to NFT and may be used for growing plants in soil- less production techniques and various hydroponic techniques, e.g., Deep Water Culturing (DWC) and the like.
  • DWC Deep Water Culturing
  • the objective of the present invention is to eliminate the need for employees' paths and optimize the utilization of plants' production area by initially placing the plants close to each other and automatically spacing them during the growing process in both axes, X (along the growing channel) and Y (perpendicular to the growing channels), in order to provide the plants the space needed for them to grow and develop.
  • Fig. 1 is a schematic view of the system 100 according to embodiments of the present invention.
  • the system 100 comprises a production area comprising at least two sub- production areas 110 and 120.
  • Area 110 comprises N semi-channels (not shown) and area 120 comprises 2N semi-channels spaced on the Y axis (not shown) as will be shown and explained below.
  • Area 110 further comprises 2N channel covers, intended to hold plants in planting holes, where each of the N semi-channels is covered by two channel covers placed one on top of the other as will be shown and explained in details below.
  • the channel covers are intended to be transferred, along with the plants planted in the planting holes, to area 120 where each of the 2N semi-channels is covered by one channel cover.
  • each channel cover transferred from area 110 to area 120 spaces the plants in both X and Y axes.
  • each of the channel covers comprises holders (e.g., 220B, 230B). It will be appreciated that the present invention is not limited to include holders and alternative holders may be used.
  • Fig. 3 shows an exemplary semi-channel with two channel covers placed one on top of the other in area 110 (310) and two exemplary semi-channels, each with one channel cover, in area 120 (320).
  • Fig. 4 is a close up view of part of the sub-production area 110 and part of the sub- production area 120.
  • sub-production area 110 comprises semi- channels, each covered with two channel covers placed one on top of the other
  • sub-production are 120 comprises semi-channels, spaced on the Y axis, each covered with one channel cover.
  • the channel covers enable to space the plants without moving the channels. It will be appreciated that the number of semi-channels in both areas is not limited to the number shown.
  • the plants need to be held inside the channel covers' planting holes.
  • Fig. 5F is a schematic section cut of Fig. 5E showing an inner view of the exemplary cup 550.
  • the cup 550 comprising parts 550A intended to allow the cup to snap into the channel cover, a bottom opening 550B allowing water to reach the plant's roots, at least one floor of curved teeth (two are shown 550C and 550D) mounted against the pulling vector of the upper channel cover in order to keep the plant in the cup when separating the upper channel cover from the lower channel cover, and a sharp edge 550E for removing the plant's roots after harvesting.
  • the cup 550 may include only part of the characteristics 550A to 550E.
  • the system 100 may comprise at least three areas: at least two sub-production areas (areas 110 and 120 of Fig. 1) and an additional planting area adjacent to area 110.
  • Fig. 6 shows a schematic view of the three areas according to embodiments of the present invention where A is the planting area, B is area 110 of Fig. 1 and C is area
  • the system 100 may comprise at least three areas: at least two sub-production areas (areas 110 and 120 of Fig. 1) and an additional harvesting area adjacent to area 120.
  • Fig. 6A shows a schematic view of the three areas according to embodiments of the present invention where B is area 110 of Fig. 1 , C is area 120 of Fig. 1 and D is the harvesting area.
  • the system 100 may comprise at least four areas: at least two sub-production areas (areas 110 and 120 of Fig. 1), an additional planting area adjacent to area 110 and an additional harvesting area adjacent to area 120.
  • Fig. 6B shows a schematic view of the four areas according to embodiments of the present invention where A is the planting area, B is area 110 of Fig. 1 , C is area 120 of Fig. 1 and D is the harvesting area.
  • the system 100 may further comprise an automatic plants transfer sub-system for moving the plants.
  • Fig. 7 is a schematic view 700 of the system 100 comprising an automatic plants transfer sub-system according to embodiments of the present invention.
  • the automatic plants transfer sub-system is intended to move the channel covers along with the plants planted in the planting holes of each channel cover from area 110 of Fig. 1 to area 120 of Fig. 1.
  • the automatic plants transfer sub- system comprises at least one rail, for example, two are shown, 710 and 720, placed above the sub-production areas, on which a carrier 730 is sliding using a motor 740 in the directions of the dual head arrow 745.
  • the carrier 730 is intended to lower arms (not shown) from both sides of the channel covers (220 and 230 of Fig. 2), grab the holders (220B and 230B of Fig. 2) and transfer the channel covers to their new locations (each to a different location) in area 120 of Fig. 1.
  • Fig. 7A is an enlargement of detail 750 of Fig. 7.
  • Fig. 7C is an enlargement of detail 781 of Fig. 7B.
  • the semi-channels may further comprise aligning tabs 782, one on each end of the semi-channel (one side is shown).
  • the aligning tabs are essentially cone shaped for assisting the channel covers to be placed in their right position.
  • the automatic plants transfer sub- system may further comprise a processing unit and/or electronic storage. It will be appreciated that the system of the present invention is not limited to include sensors. Alternatively, the system may comprise encoders or any other solution for sensing the arm's location and/or height.
  • Fig. 7D is a close up view of the automatic plants transfer sub-system at the beginning of the channel transfer process.
  • the grabbing parts 779 are positioned above the holders
  • the grabbing part 779 (not shown - between the channel covers) is lowered to pass through the upper channel cover 785 and turned horizontally in order to grab the upper channel cover as shown in Fig. 7F.
  • the height sensor 774 described above may be used for sensing the arm's 775 height in order to stop the grabbing part 779 at the right position for lifting the upper channel cover.
  • the automatic plants transfer sub-system may further comprise an assisting part 791 for holding the lower channel cover 784 while lifting the upper channel cover 785.
  • the assisting part is positioned as shown on Fig. 7E and lowered in the direction of arrow 792 when needed using an actuator (not shown) thereby holding the lower channel cover.
  • the automatic plants transfer sub- system is further intended to move the channel covers from the planting area to area
  • the automatic plants transfer sub- system is further intended to move the channel covers from area 120 of Fig. 1 to the harvesting area.
  • the channel covers may be transferred from area 120 of Fig. 1 to a packing house for packing the plants and may return to area 110 of Fig. 1 with new planted plants.
  • the plants prior to step 810, the plants may be planted in the channel covers in the planting area and then transferred to area 110 of
  • planting in the planting area+810+820 or planting in the planting area+810+820+830 may be performed each day or a number of times each day according to the number of semi-channels in area 110 of Fig.1 in which it is desired to plant.
  • a number of channel covers equal to the number of semi-channels in area 110 of Fig. 1 divided by the growing period, and multiplied by two (two channel covers on each semi-channel in area 110 of
  • area 120 of Fig. 1 is filled with channel covers transferred from area 110 of Fig.1 , while area 110 of Fig. 1 is kept full by placing additional channel covers on the semi-channels that their channel covers have been transferred. Then, from the 28 th day onward, on each day, two channel covers from area 120 of Fig. 1 are harvested, two channel covers from area 110 of Fig. 1 (of the same semi-channel) are transferred to the available semi-channels in area 120 of Fig. 1 , and two new channel covers are placed on the available semi-channel in area 110 of Fig. 1 , one on top of the other.
  • the automatic plants transfer sub-system may save a record of the planting order, location, time, etc.
  • the system may comprise a number of areas such as area 110 (110A - 110M) and a number of areas such as area 120
  • area 110A may be planted in the first day
  • area 110B may be planted in the second day, and so on according to the growing period.
  • Fig. 9 is a flowchart 900 showing a growing cycle performed using the automatic plants transfer sub-system of the present invention according to embodiments of the present invention.
  • step 910 two channel covers are placed by the automatic plants transfer sub-system on a single semi-channel in area 110 of Fig. 1 , one on top of the other.
  • the automatic plants transfer sub-system may keep a record of the planting order, the location of the single semi-channel in area 110 of Fig. 1 and the time that it received the channel covers.
  • This step may be done a number of times according to the number of semi-channels in area 110 of Fig.1 in which it is desired to plant.
  • both of these channel covers are transferred, along with the plants, by the automatic plants transfer sub-system, to area 120 of Fig. 1 where each channel cover is placed on a different semi-channel (preferably, but not limited to, adjacent semi-channels).
  • the automatic plants transfer sub-system keeps a record of the planting order, the location of both of the single semi-channels in area 120 of Fig. 1 and the time that they received the channel covers.
  • This step may be done a number of times according to the number of times step 910 has been done.
  • both of these channel covers are transferred, by the automatic plants transfer sub-system to the harvesting area.
  • the plants may be planted in the channel covers in the planting area and then transferred, by the automatic plants transfer sub-system, to area 110 of Fig. 1. It will be appreciated that these four exemplary growing cycles (910+920,
  • planting in the planting area+910+920 or planting in the planting area+910+920+930 may be performed each day or a number of times a day according to the number of semi-channels in area 110 of Fig.1 in which it is desired to plant.
  • Figs. 10A to 10C are a flowchart 1000 showing, in details, an exemplary growing cycle performed using the automatic plants transfer sub-system of the present invention according to embodiments of the present invention.
  • the carrier of the automatic plants transfer sub-system is directed to the planting area where the plants are planted in the channel covers.
  • the arms are lowered towards the planted channel covers and grab the holders of two channel covers placed one on top of the other.
  • the arms are lifted along with both of the channel covers and the carrier is directed to be placed above the selected semi-channel in area 110 of Fig.1.
  • step 1050 the arms are lifted along with the upper channel cover and the carrier is directed to be placed above the second selected semi- channel in area 120 of Fig.1.
  • step 1055 the arms are lowered along with the upper channel cover towards the second selected semi-channel and the upper channel cover holders are released thereby placing the upper channel cover on the second selected semi-channel.
  • step 1060 the carrier is directed to be placed above the first selected semi-channel of step 1040.
  • step 1065 the arms are lowered towards the channel cover and grab the channel cover holders.
  • step 1070 the arms are lifted along with the channel cover and the carrier is directed to release the channel cover in the harvesting area.
  • step 1075 the carrier is directed to be placed above the second selected semi-channel of step 1050.
  • step 1080 the arms are lowered towards the channel cover and grab the channel cover holders.
  • step 1085 the arms are lifted along with the channel cover and the carrier is directed to release the channel cover in the harvesting area.
  • channel covers may be moved during a single growing period inside the territory of area 110 and/or 120 of Fig. 1 in order to, e.g., equalize growing conditions.
  • the system of the present invention may be intended to transfer each plant according to its growing period.

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  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Environmental Sciences (AREA)
  • Hydroponics (AREA)

Abstract

A system for utilizing plant production area, comprising: a plant production area comprising at least a first and a second sub-production areas; the first sub-production area comprises: a first plurality of semi-channels; and a plurality of channel covers configured to hold plants; wherein each of the first plurality of semi-channels is covered by at least two of the channel covers placed one on top of the other; the second sub- production area comprises: a second plurality of semi-channels; wherein the plurality of channel covers are configured to be transferred from the first sub-production area to the second sub production area; and wherein each of the transferred plurality of channel covers is configured to be placed on a different one of the second plurality of semi- channels in the second sub-production area.

Description

NUTRIENT FILM TECHNIQUE WITH AUTOMATIC ADJUSTMENT OF SPACING
BETWEEN PLANTS TIMING GROWTH
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to hydroponic systems and specifically to an automatic Nutrient Film Technique system. CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS
This patent application claims priority from and is related to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial Number 62/739,880, filed 02/0ct/2018, this U.S. Provisional Patent Application incorporated by reference in its entirety herein.
BACKGROUND The rise in use of hydroponic nutrients will continue growing in the coming years as a result of increase in the urbanization and further decreased ratio of farmers to the rest of the population, the increases need for technologies to boost crops, demand for food safety and control, water shortage, increase in environmental requirements, increase in labor costs, demand for stable supply and more. Nowadays, most of the hydroponic production is based on labor. In order to enable employees to function, 16% of the potential growing area is dedicated to concrete paths.
Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) is a hydroponic technique of growing plants by using a shallow stream of water re-circulated past the roots of the plants in a channel. A properly designed NFT system is based on using the right channel length, the right flow rate and the right channel slope. The main advantage of the NFT system over other forms of hydroponics is that the plant roots are exposed to adequate supplies of nutrients, water and oxygen.
Another characteristic of the NTF system is the distance between plants. In existing NFT systems, the distance between the plants is determined according to the required distance at the end of the growing process, namely, a distance which will allow the plant to grow properly to its final size without interrupting or being interrupted by adjacent plants.
However, this distance between the plants is not required at the early stages of the growing process when the plants are small.
Therefore, it is an objective of the present invention to eliminate the need for employees’ paths and to provide an automatic NFT system for optimizing the utilization of plants' production area by changing the distance between plants in both axes, X and Y.
SUMMARY According to an aspect of the present invention there is provided a system for utilizing plant production area, comprising: a plant production area comprising at least a first and a second sub-production areas; the first sub-production area comprises: a first plurality of semi-channels; and a plurality of channel covers configured to hold plants; wherein each of the first plurality of semi-channels may be covered by at least two of the channel covers placed one on top of the other; the second sub-production area comprises: a second plurality of semi-channels; wherein the plurality of channel covers may be configured to be transferred from the first sub-production area to the second sub production area; and wherein each of the transferred plurality of channel covers may be configured to be placed on a different one of the second plurality of semi- channels in the second sub-production area.
The system may further comprise a planting area; wherein the plurality of channel covers may be configured to be transferred from the planting area to the first sub- production area.
The system may further comprise an harvesting area; wherein the plurality of channel covers may be configured to be transferred from the second sub-production area to the harvesting area.
Each one of the channel covers may comprise intermittently a planting hole for placing a plant and a pass-through hole; and wherein one of the two channel covers placed one on top of the other may comprise a planting hole for placing a plant at one end thereof and the other one of the two channel covers placed one on top of the other may comprise a pass-through hole at its parallel end.
Each one of the channel covers may comprise cups configured to hold plants in the planting hole.
The system may further comprise an automatic plants transfer sub-system configured to transfer the channel covers along with the plants from the first sub-production area to the second sub-production area.
The automatic plants transfer sub-system comprises: at least one rail; a motor; and a carrier configured to slide on the at least one rail using the motor; the carrier may comprise at least two arms configured to grab the channel covers.
The automatic plants transfer sub-system may further comprise a first actuator configured to move the at least two arms up and down.
The automatic plants transfer sub-system may further comprise: a second actuator; and a grabbing part; the second actuator may be configured to move the grabbing part thereby grabbing the channel covers.
The first plurality of semi-channels and the second plurality of semi-channels may comprise aligning tabs configured to ensure right positioning of the channel covers on their respective semi-channels. The automatic plants transfer sub-system may further comprise at least one location sensor configured to sense the arm's location.
The automatic plants transfer sub-system may further comprise at least one height sensor configured to sense the arm's height.
The automatic plants transfer sub-system may further comprise a processing unit and electronic storage. The automatic plants transfer sub-system may further comprise an assisting part configured to hold a lower channel cover while lifting an upper channel cover.
The automatic plants transfer sub-system may further be configured to transfer the channel covers from a planting area to the first sub-production area. The automatic plants transfer sub-system may further be configured to move the channel covers from the second sub-production area to a harvesting area.
The automatic plants transfer sub-system may further be configured to return the channel covers from the harvesting area to a planting area.
According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of utilizing plant production area, comprising: providing a system comprising a first sub- production area comprising a first plurality of semi-channels and a second sub- production area comprising a second plurality of semi-channels; placing at least two channel covers holding plants one on top of the other, on a single semi-channel in the first sub-production area; after a first growing period, transferring the channel covers from the first sub-production area to the second sub-production area; and placing each one of the at least two channel covers on a different semi-channel in the second sub- production area.
The system may further comprise a planting area; the method may further comprise: transferring the channel covers from the planting area to the first sub-production area. Each one of the channel covers may comprise intermittently a planting hole for placing a plant and a pass-through hole; and wherein one of the two channel covers placed one on top of the other may comprise a planting hole for placing a plant at one end thereof and the other one of the two channel covers placed one on top of the other may comprise a pass-through hole at its parallel end. Each one of the channel covers may comprise cups configured to hold plants in the planting holes. The system may further comprise an harvesting area; the method may further comprise: after a second growing period, transferring the channel covers from the second sub- production area to the harvesting area.
The system may further comprise a planting area; the method may further comprise: transferring the channel covers from the harvesting area to the planting area.
According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of utilizing plant production area, comprising: providing a system comprising: a first sub- production area comprising a first plurality of semi-channels; a plurality of channel covers configured to hold plants; wherein each of the first plurality of semi-channels is covered by two of the channel covers placed one on top of the other; and a second sub- production area comprising a second plurality of semi-channels; providing an automatic plants transfer sub-system; lifting, by the automatic plants transfer sub-system, the two channel covers; transferring, by the automatic plants transfer sub-system, the two channel covers from the first sub-production area to the second sub-production area; and placing, by the automatic plants transfer sub-system, each one of the two channel covers on a different semi-channel in the second sub-production area.
The automatic plants transfer sub-system may comprise: at least one rail; a motor; a carrier configured to slide on the at least one rail using the motor; the carrier may comprise at least two arms configured to grab the channel covers; a first actuator configured to move the at least two arms up and down; a second actuator; and a grabbing part; the second actuator configured to move the grabbing part thereby grabbing holders of the channel covers.
The first plurality of semi-channels and the second plurality of semi-channels may comprise aligning tabs configured to ensure right positioning of the channel covers on their respective semi-channels.
The automatic plants transfer sub-system may further comprise at least one location sensor configured to sense the arm's location. The automatic plants transfer sub-system may further comprise at least one height sensor configured to sense the arm's height.
The automatic plants transfer sub-system may further comprise a processing unit and storage. The automatic plants transfer sub-system may further comprise an assisting part configured to hold a lower channel cover while lifting an upper channel cover.
The method may further comprise: transferring, by the automatic plants transfer sub- system, the channel covers from a planting area to the first sub-production area.
The method may further comprise: transferring, by the automatic plants transfer sub- system, the channel covers from the second sub-production area to an harvesting area.
The method may further comprise: transferring, by the automatic plants transfer sub- system, the channel covers from an harvesting area to a planting area.
According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a system for utilizing plant production area, comprising: a plant production area comprising at least a first and a second sub-production areas; the first sub-production area comprises: a first plurality of semi-channels; and a plurality of channel covers configured to hold plants; wherein each of the first plurality of semi-channels is covered by at least one of the channel covers; the second sub-production area comprises: a second plurality of semi- channels; wherein the plurality of channel covers are configured to be transferred from the first sub-production area to the second sub production area; and wherein each of the transferred plurality of channel covers is configured to be placed on a different one of the second plurality of semi-channels in the second sub-production area.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For better understanding of the invention and to show how the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, purely by way of example, to the accompanying drawings. With specific reference now to the drawings in detail, it is stressed that the particulars shown are by way of example and for purposes of illustrative discussion of the preferred embodiments of the present invention only, and are presented in the cause of providing what is believed to be the most useful and readily understood description of the principles and conceptual aspects of the invention. In this regard, no attempt is made to show structural details of the invention in more detail than is necessary for a
fundamental understanding of the invention, the description taken with the drawings making apparent to those skilled in the art how the several forms of the invention may be embodied in practice. In the accompanying drawings: Fig. 1 is a schematic view of the system according to embodiments of the present invention;
Fig. 2 is an exploded view of an exemplary semi-channel and two channel covers according to embodiments of the present invention;
Fig. 3 shows an exemplary semi-channel with two channel covers placed one on top of the other in area 110 and two exemplary semi-channels, each with one channel cover, in area 120;
Fig. 4 is a close up view of part of the sub-production area 110 and part of the sub- production area 120;
Fig. 5 shows an exemplary semi-channel in area 110 covered with two channel covers where the plants are placed inside the channel covers' sockets (planting holes) using a cup;
Fig. 5A to 5E show alternative exemplary cups;
Fig. 5F is a schematic section cut of Fig. 5E showing an inner view of the cup 550;
Fig. 6 shows a schematic view of the three areas according to embodiments of the present invention where A is the planting area, B is area 110 of Fig. 1 and C is area
120 of Fig. 1 ; Fig. 6A shows a schematic view of the three areas according to embodiments of the present invention where B is area 110 of Fig. 1 , C is area 120 of Fig. 1 and D is the harvesting area;
Fig. 6B shows a schematic view of the four areas according to embodiments of the present invention where A is the planting area, B is area 110 of Fig. 1 , C is area 120 of Fig. 1 and D is the harvesting area;
Fig. 7 is a schematic view of the system comprising an automatic plants transfer sub- system according to embodiments of the present invention;
Fig. 7A is an enlargement of detail 750 of Fig. 7; Fig. 7B is an enlargement of detail 760 of Fig. 7A;
Fig. 7C is an enlargement of detail 781 of Fig. 7B;
Fig. 7D is a close up view of the automatic plants transfer sub-system at the beginning of the channel transfer process;
Fig. 7E shows the grabbing part lowered to pass through both of the channel covers and turned horizontally in order to grab the channel covers;
Fig. 7F shows the grabbing part lowered to pass through the upper channel cover and turned horizontally in order to grab the upper channel cover;
Fig. 7G shows the channel covers lifted by the automatic plants transfer sub-system;
Fig. 8 is a flowchart showing a growing cycle performed using the system of the present invention according to embodiments of the present invention;
Fig. 9 is a flowchart showing a growing cycle performed using the automatic plants transfer sub-system of the present invention according to embodiments of the present invention; Figs. 10A to 10C are a flowchart showing, in details, an exemplary growing cycle performed using the automatic plants transfer sub-system of the present invention according to embodiments of the present invention; and
Fig. 11 is a schematic presentation of an exemplary growing cycle.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is applicable to other embodiments or of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the
phraseology and terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
The present invention provides an automatic system and method for optimizing production area of plants hydroponically grown in Nutrient Film Technique (NFT).
It will be appreciated that the system of the present invention is not limited to be used automatically and may be used manually.
It will be appreciated that the term plants may also refer to crops and the like.
It will be appreciated that, unless otherwise is written, the term 'channel cover' refers to the channel cover itself along with the plants planted in its planting holes.
Although the present invention is described in relation to NFT, it will be appreciated that the present invention is not limited to NFT and may be used for growing plants in soil- less production techniques and various hydroponic techniques, e.g., Deep Water Culturing (DWC) and the like. The objective of the present invention is to eliminate the need for employees' paths and optimize the utilization of plants' production area by initially placing the plants close to each other and automatically spacing them during the growing process in both axes, X (along the growing channel) and Y (perpendicular to the growing channels), in order to provide the plants the space needed for them to grow and develop.
Fig. 1 is a schematic view of the system 100 according to embodiments of the present invention. The system 100 comprises a production area comprising at least two sub- production areas 110 and 120. Area 110 comprises N semi-channels (not shown) and area 120 comprises 2N semi-channels spaced on the Y axis (not shown) as will be shown and explained below. Area 110 further comprises 2N channel covers, intended to hold plants in planting holes, where each of the N semi-channels is covered by two channel covers placed one on top of the other as will be shown and explained in details below. The channel covers are intended to be transferred, along with the plants planted in the planting holes, to area 120 where each of the 2N semi-channels is covered by one channel cover. Thus, each channel cover transferred from area 110 to area 120 spaces the plants in both X and Y axes.
It will be appreciated that according to embodiments of the present invention the semi- channels are connected to irrigation and/or fertilization source and drainage.
It will be appreciated that the present invention is not limited to N semi-channels and 2N channel covers and any number of semi-channels and/or channel covers may be used.
It will be appreciated that the semi-channels may be covered by more than two channel covers or by one channel cover.
It will be appreciated that according to embodiments of the present invention the position of the semi-channels is fixed. Fig. 2 is an exploded view of an exemplary semi-channel 210 and two channel covers 220 and 230. According to embodiments of the present invention, the semi-channels in areas 110 and 120 are the same. Each channel cover comprises intermittently a planting hole (socket) for placing a plant and a pass-through hole, where one of the channel covers has a planting hole for placing a plant (e.g., 220A) at one end thereof and the other channel cover has a pass- through hole (e.g., 230A) at its parallel end. The pass-through holes of the upper channel cover 230 (e.g., 230A) allow the plants to be planted in the lower channel cover 220 parallel planting hole (e.g., 220A). The pass-through holes of the lower channel cover 220 allow the plants planted in the upper channel cover to reach the stream of water re-circulated in the semi-channel 210. According to embodiments of the present invention, each of the channel covers comprises holders (e.g., 220B, 230B). It will be appreciated that the present invention is not limited to include holders and alternative holders may be used.
Fig. 3 shows an exemplary semi-channel with two channel covers placed one on top of the other in area 110 (310) and two exemplary semi-channels, each with one channel cover, in area 120 (320). Fig. 4 is a close up view of part of the sub-production area 110 and part of the sub- production area 120. As can be seen, sub-production area 110 comprises semi- channels, each covered with two channel covers placed one on top of the other, and sub-production are 120 comprises semi-channels, spaced on the Y axis, each covered with one channel cover. The channel covers enable to space the plants without moving the channels. It will be appreciated that the number of semi-channels in both areas is not limited to the number shown.
According to embodiments of the present invention, the plants need to be held inside the channel covers' planting holes.
Fig. 5 shows an exemplary semi-channel in area 110 covered with two channel covers where the plants are placed inside the channel covers' planting holes using a cup. Cup 510 is an exemplary cup inserted into the planting hole 530 in order to hold the plant 520 inside the planting hole 530 and prevent it from being lifted along with the upper channel cover when transferred. As explained above, the cup 510 passes through the pass-through hole of the upper channel cover and is placed in the planting hole of the lower channel cover. The cup 540 is placed in the planting hole of the upper channel cover. According to embodiments of the present invention, the bottom of the cup (510, 540) is open in order to allow the plant's roots to be in contact with the stream of water re-circulated in the semi-channel. It will be appreciated that the system of the present invention is not limited to include cups and that the cup's shape in not limited to the shape shown. It will be appreciated that the cup may be disposable or reusable.
Fig. 5A to 5E show alternative exemplary cups.
Fig. 5F is a schematic section cut of Fig. 5E showing an inner view of the exemplary cup 550. The cup 550 comprising parts 550A intended to allow the cup to snap into the channel cover, a bottom opening 550B allowing water to reach the plant's roots, at least one floor of curved teeth (two are shown 550C and 550D) mounted against the pulling vector of the upper channel cover in order to keep the plant in the cup when separating the upper channel cover from the lower channel cover, and a sharp edge 550E for removing the plant's roots after harvesting. It will be appreciated that the cup 550 may include only part of the characteristics 550A to 550E.
According to embodiments of the present invention, the system 100 may comprise at least three areas: at least two sub-production areas (areas 110 and 120 of Fig. 1) and an additional planting area adjacent to area 110. Fig. 6 shows a schematic view of the three areas according to embodiments of the present invention where A is the planting area, B is area 110 of Fig. 1 and C is area
120 of Fig. 1
According to embodiments of the present invention, the system 100 may comprise at least three areas: at least two sub-production areas (areas 110 and 120 of Fig. 1) and an additional harvesting area adjacent to area 120.
Fig. 6A shows a schematic view of the three areas according to embodiments of the present invention where B is area 110 of Fig. 1 , C is area 120 of Fig. 1 and D is the harvesting area. According to embodiments of the present invention, the system 100 may comprise at least four areas: at least two sub-production areas (areas 110 and 120 of Fig. 1), an additional planting area adjacent to area 110 and an additional harvesting area adjacent to area 120. Fig. 6B shows a schematic view of the four areas according to embodiments of the present invention where A is the planting area, B is area 110 of Fig. 1 , C is area 120 of Fig. 1 and D is the harvesting area.
According to embodiments of the present invention, the system 100 may further comprise an automatic plants transfer sub-system for moving the plants. Fig. 7 is a schematic view 700 of the system 100 comprising an automatic plants transfer sub-system according to embodiments of the present invention. The automatic plants transfer sub-system is intended to move the channel covers along with the plants planted in the planting holes of each channel cover from area 110 of Fig. 1 to area 120 of Fig. 1. According to embodiments of the present invention, the automatic plants transfer sub- system comprises at least one rail, for example, two are shown, 710 and 720, placed above the sub-production areas, on which a carrier 730 is sliding using a motor 740 in the directions of the dual head arrow 745. The carrier 730 is intended to lower arms (not shown) from both sides of the channel covers (220 and 230 of Fig. 2), grab the holders (220B and 230B of Fig. 2) and transfer the channel covers to their new locations (each to a different location) in area 120 of Fig. 1.
It will be appreciated that the rail(s) is not limited to be placed above the sub-production areas. According to embodiments of the present invention the rail(s) may be places aside the semi-channels and even below the height of the semi-channels. Fig. 7A is an enlargement of detail 750 of Fig. 7.
Fig. 7B is an enlargement of detail 760 of Fig. 7A. A linear rail 770 enables the arm 775 to move up and down using actuator 778 (e.g., a piston) in the directions of the dual head arrow 780 and thereby lift or lower the channel cover(s). According to embodiments of the present invention, the arm 775 comprises an actuator (e.g., a piston 776 of Fig. 7C) for moving grabbing part 779 as will be explained below in conjunction with Figs. 7D to 7F.
Fig. 7C is an enlargement of detail 781 of Fig. 7B. According to embodiments of the present invention, the semi-channels may further comprise aligning tabs 782, one on each end of the semi-channel (one side is shown). The aligning tabs are essentially cone shaped for assisting the channel covers to be placed in their right position.
According to embodiments of the present invention, the automatic plants transfer sub- system may further comprise at least one location sensor 783 (two are shown) for sensing the arm's 775 location in order to know where from and where to move the channel covers. According to embodiments of the present invention, the location sensor
783 determines the arm's location in Y axis (of Fig. 1) by sensing the aligning tabs 782.
According to embodiments of the present invention, the automatic plants transfer sub- system may further comprise at least one height sensor 774 for sensing the arm's 775 height. According to embodiments of the present invention, the height sensor 774 senses the arm's height while the arm approaches the channel cover 785.
According to embodiments of the present invention, the automatic plants transfer sub- system may further comprise a processing unit and/or electronic storage. It will be appreciated that the system of the present invention is not limited to include sensors. Alternatively, the system may comprise encoders or any other solution for sensing the arm's location and/or height.
Fig. 7D is a close up view of the automatic plants transfer sub-system at the beginning of the channel transfer process. In order to lift the channel covers, the grabbing parts 779 (one on each side of the holders - one is shown) are positioned above the holders
784 and 785 and oriented to pass through the holders. When transferring the plants from area 110 of Fig. 1 to area 120 of Fig. 1 it is desired to lift both of the channel covers. In area 120 of Fig. 1 it is desired to split the channel covers and therefore it is desired to enable the automatic plants transfer sub-system to lift only the upper channel cover. According to embodiments of the present invention, in order to lift both of the channel covers from area 110 of Fig. 1 , the grabbing part 779 is lowered to pass through both of the channel covers and turned horizontally in order to grab the channel covers as shown in Fig. 7E. According to embodiments of the present invention, the height sensor 774 described above may be used for sensing the arm's 775 height in order to stop the grabbing part 779 at the right position for lifting both of the channel covers.
In order to lift only the upper channel cover 785 in area 120 of Fig. 1 , the grabbing part 779 (not shown - between the channel covers) is lowered to pass through the upper channel cover 785 and turned horizontally in order to grab the upper channel cover as shown in Fig. 7F. According to embodiments of the present invention, the height sensor 774 described above may be used for sensing the arm's 775 height in order to stop the grabbing part 779 at the right position for lifting the upper channel cover. According to embodiments of the present invention, the automatic plants transfer sub-system may further comprise an assisting part 791 for holding the lower channel cover 784 while lifting the upper channel cover 785. According to embodiments of the present invention, the assisting part is positioned as shown on Fig. 7E and lowered in the direction of arrow 792 when needed using an actuator (not shown) thereby holding the lower channel cover.
It will be appreciated that the grabbing or assisting mechanisms are not limited to those shown and the present invention is not limited to include an assisting part. It will be appreciated that the grabbing part is not limited to turn horizontally and that the grabbing task may be done by other alternative grabbing parts.
According to embodiments of the present invention, the automatic plants transfer sub- system may comprise a number of grabbing part and/or arms for moving a number of channel covers together. Fig. 7G shows the channel covers lifted by the automatic plants transfer sub-system.
According to embodiments of the present invention, the automatic plants transfer sub- system is further intended to move the channel covers from the planting area to area
110 of Fig. 1. According to embodiments of the present invention, the automatic plants transfer sub- system is further intended to move the channel covers from area 120 of Fig. 1 to the harvesting area.
It will be appreciated that the system of the present invention is not limited to include the automatic plants transfer sub-system and that the sub-system is not limited to the one shown.
Fig. 8 is a flowchart 800 showing a growing cycle performed using the system of the present invention according to embodiments of the present invention. In step 810 two channel covers are placed on a single semi-channel in area 110 of Fig. 1 , one on top of the other. This step may be done a number of times according to the number of semi- channels in area 110 of Fig.1 in which it is desired to plant. After a growing period, in step 820, both of these channel covers are transferred to area 120 of Fig. 1 where each channel cover is placed on a different semi-channel (preferably, but not limited to, adjacent semi-channels). This step may be done a number of times according to the number of times step 810 has been done. According to embodiments of the present invention, after another growing period, in step 830, both of these channel covers are transferred to the harvesting area.
According to embodiments of the present invention, after harvesting, the empty channel covers (without plants) may be transferred back to the planting area.
Alternatively, according to embodiments of the present invention, the channel covers may be transferred from area 120 of Fig. 1 to a packing house for packing the plants and may return to area 110 of Fig. 1 with new planted plants. According to embodiments of the present invention, prior to step 810, the plants may be planted in the channel covers in the planting area and then transferred to area 110 of
Fig. 1
It will be appreciated that these four exemplary growing cycles (810+820,
810+820+830, planting in the planting area+810+820 or planting in the planting area+810+820+830) may be performed each day or a number of times each day according to the number of semi-channels in area 110 of Fig.1 in which it is desired to plant.
According to embodiments of the present invention, the growing period may be e.g., 14 day. It will be appreciated that the present invention is not limited to a growing period of 14 days.
According to embodiments of the present invention, if one wishes to plant and harvest every day, it is required to plant, for example, each day, a number of channel covers equal to the number of semi-channels in area 110 of Fig. 1 divided by the growing period, and multiplied by two (two channel covers on each semi-channel in area 110 of
Fig. 1)
For example, if we have 14 semi-channels in area 110 of Fig. 1 , it means we have 28 semi-channels in area 120 of Fig.1 , and if the growing period is 14 days, in order to
14
plant and harvest every day, we need to plant:— * 2 = 2 channel covers on a single
Figure imgf000019_0001
semi-channel in area 110 of Fig.1 every day.
That way, in the first 14 days area 110 of Fig.1 is filled.
In the next 14 days, area 120 of Fig. 1 is filled with channel covers transferred from area 110 of Fig.1 , while area 110 of Fig. 1 is kept full by placing additional channel covers on the semi-channels that their channel covers have been transferred. Then, from the 28th day onward, on each day, two channel covers from area 120 of Fig. 1 are harvested, two channel covers from area 110 of Fig. 1 (of the same semi-channel) are transferred to the available semi-channels in area 120 of Fig. 1 , and two new channel covers are placed on the available semi-channel in area 110 of Fig. 1 , one on top of the other.
It will be appreciated that the above example is brought for the purpose of explanation and the present invention is not limited to this example. According to embodiments of the present invention, if this process is performed automatically by the automatic plants transfer sub-system described above, the automatic plants transfer sub-system has to "know" the order of harvesting and transferring the semi-channels from area 110 to area 120 of Fig. 1. For that reason, the automatic plants transfer sub-system may save a record of the planting order, location, time, etc.
According to embodiments of the present invention, the system may comprise a number of areas such as area 110 (110A - 110M) and a number of areas such as area 120
(120A - 120M).
In such a case, area 110A may be planted in the first day, area 110B may be planted in the second day, and so on according to the growing period.
Fig. 9 is a flowchart 900 showing a growing cycle performed using the automatic plants transfer sub-system of the present invention according to embodiments of the present invention. In step 910 two channel covers are placed by the automatic plants transfer sub-system on a single semi-channel in area 110 of Fig. 1 , one on top of the other. According to embodiments of the present invention, in this step, the automatic plants transfer sub-system may keep a record of the planting order, the location of the single semi-channel in area 110 of Fig. 1 and the time that it received the channel covers. This step may be done a number of times according to the number of semi-channels in area 110 of Fig.1 in which it is desired to plant. After a growing period, in step 920, both of these channel covers are transferred, along with the plants, by the automatic plants transfer sub-system, to area 120 of Fig. 1 where each channel cover is placed on a different semi-channel (preferably, but not limited to, adjacent semi-channels).
According to embodiments of the present invention, in this step, the automatic plants transfer sub-system keeps a record of the planting order, the location of both of the single semi-channels in area 120 of Fig. 1 and the time that they received the channel covers. This step may be done a number of times according to the number of times step 910 has been done.
According to embodiments of the present invention, after another growing period, in step 930, both of these channel covers are transferred, by the automatic plants transfer sub-system to the harvesting area.
According to embodiments of the present invention, prior to step 910, the plants may be planted in the channel covers in the planting area and then transferred, by the automatic plants transfer sub-system, to area 110 of Fig. 1. It will be appreciated that these four exemplary growing cycles (910+920,
910+920+930, planting in the planting area+910+920 or planting in the planting area+910+920+930) may be performed each day or a number of times a day according to the number of semi-channels in area 110 of Fig.1 in which it is desired to plant.
Figs. 10A to 10C are a flowchart 1000 showing, in details, an exemplary growing cycle performed using the automatic plants transfer sub-system of the present invention according to embodiments of the present invention. In step 1010, the carrier of the automatic plants transfer sub-system is directed to the planting area where the plants are planted in the channel covers. In step 1015, the arms are lowered towards the planted channel covers and grab the holders of two channel covers placed one on top of the other. In step 1020, the arms are lifted along with both of the channel covers and the carrier is directed to be placed above the selected semi-channel in area 110 of Fig.1. In step 1025, the arms are lowered along with both of the channel covers towards the selected semi-channel and the channel covers holders are released thereby placing both of the channel covers on the selected semi-channel. After a growing period, in step 1030, the carrier is directed to be placed above the selected semi-channel of step 1020. In step 1035, the arms are lowered towards the channel covers and grab the holders of both of the channel covers. In step 1040, the arms are lifted along with both of the channel covers and the carrier is directed to be placed above the first selected semi-channel in area 120 of Fig.1. In step 1045, the arms are lowered along with the channel covers towards the first selected semi-channel and the lower channel cover holders are released thereby placing the lower channel cover on the first selected semi-channel. In step 1050, the arms are lifted along with the upper channel cover and the carrier is directed to be placed above the second selected semi- channel in area 120 of Fig.1. In step 1055, the arms are lowered along with the upper channel cover towards the second selected semi-channel and the upper channel cover holders are released thereby placing the upper channel cover on the second selected semi-channel. After a growing period, in step 1060, the carrier is directed to be placed above the first selected semi-channel of step 1040. In step 1065, the arms are lowered towards the channel cover and grab the channel cover holders. In step 1070, the arms are lifted along with the channel cover and the carrier is directed to release the channel cover in the harvesting area. In step 1075, the carrier is directed to be placed above the second selected semi-channel of step 1050. In step 1080, the arms are lowered towards the channel cover and grab the channel cover holders. In step 1085, the arms are lifted along with the channel cover and the carrier is directed to release the channel cover in the harvesting area.
It will be appreciated that this exemplary growing cycle may be performed each day or a number of times a day according to the number of semi-channels in area 110 of Fig.1 in which it is desired to plant. Fig. 11 is a schematic presentation of an exemplary growing cycle.
It will be appreciated that, according to embodiments of the present invention, channel covers may be moved during a single growing period inside the territory of area 110 and/or 120 of Fig. 1 in order to, e.g., equalize growing conditions.
It will be appreciated that if more than one type of plants are planted and the different types of plants have different growing periods, the system of the present invention may be intended to transfer each plant according to its growing period.
It will be appreciated that if another growing technique is being used (other than NFT) adaptation of the system might be needed. For example, if Deep Water Culturing technique is being used, the semi-channels might not be needed and the channel covers may need to have floating capabilities.
It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to what has been particularly shown and described hereinabove. Rather the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims and includes combinations and sub-combinations of the various features described hereinabove as well as variations and modifications thereof which would occur to persons skilled in the art upon reading the foregoing description.

Claims

1. A system for utilizing plant production area, comprising:
a plant production area comprising at least a first and a second sub- production areas;
said first sub-production area comprises:
a first plurality of semi-channels; and
a plurality of channel covers configured to hold plants;
wherein each of said first plurality of semi-channels is covered by at least two of said channel covers placed one on top of the other;
said second sub-production area comprises:
a second plurality of semi-channels;
wherein said plurality of channel covers are configured to be transferred from said first sub-production area to said second sub production area; and
wherein each of said transferred plurality of channel covers is configured to be placed on a different one of said second plurality of semi-channels in said second sub-production area.
2. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a planting area;
wherein said plurality of channel covers are configured to be transferred from said planting area to said first sub-production area.
3. The system of claim 1 , further comprising an harvesting area;
wherein said plurality of channel covers are configured to be transferred from said second sub-production area to said harvesting area.
4. The system of claim 1 , wherein each one of said channel covers comprises
intermittently a planting hole for placing a plant and a pass-through hole; and wherein one of said two channel covers placed one on top of the other comprises a planting hole for placing a plant at one end thereof and the other one of said two channel covers placed one on top of the other comprises a pass-through hole at its parallel end.
5. The system of claim 4, wherein each one of said channel covers comprises cups configured to hold plants in said planting hole.
6. The system of claim 1 , further comprising an automatic plants transfer sub- system configured to transfer said channel covers along with said plants from said first sub-production area to said second sub-production area.
7. The system of claim 6, wherein said automatic plants transfer sub-system
comprises:
at least one rail;
a motor; and
a carrier configured to slide on said at least one rail using said motor; said carrier comprises at least two arms configured to grab said channel covers.
8. The system of claim 7, wherein said automatic plants transfer sub-system further comprises a first actuator configured to move said at least two arms up and down.
9. The system of claim 8, wherein said automatic plants transfer sub-system further comprises:
a second actuator; and
a grabbing part; said second actuator configured to move said grabbing part thereby grabbing said channel covers.
10. The system of claim 1 , wherein said first plurality of semi-channels and said
second plurality of semi-channels comprise aligning tabs configured to ensure right positioning of said channel covers on their respective semi-channels.
1 1. The system of claim 7, wherein said automatic plants transfer sub-system further comprises at least one location sensor configured to sense said arm's location.
12. The system of claim 7, wherein said automatic plants transfer sub-system further comprises at least one height sensor configured to sense said arm's height.
13. The system of claim 6, wherein said automatic plants transfer sub-system further comprises a processing unit and electronic storage.
14. The system of claim 6, wherein said automatic plants transfer sub-system further comprises an assisting part configured to hold a lower channel cover while lifting an upper channel cover.
15. The system of claim 6, wherein said automatic plants transfer sub-system is further configured to transfer said channel covers from a planting area to said first sub-production area.
16. The system of claim 6, wherein said automatic plants transfer sub-system is further configured to move said channel covers from said second sub-production area to a harvesting area.
17. The system of claim 16, wherein said automatic plants transfer sub-system is further configured to return said channel covers from said harvesting area to a planting area.
18. A method of utilizing plant production area, comprising:
providing a system comprising a first sub-production area comprising a first plurality of semi-channels and a second sub-production area comprising a second plurality of semi-channels;
placing at least two channel covers holding plants one on top of the other, on a single semi-channel in said first sub-production area;
after a first growing period, transferring said channel covers from said first sub-production area to said second sub-production area; and
placing each one of said at least two channel covers on a different semi- channel in said second sub-production area.
19. The method of claim 18, wherein said system further comprises a planting area; said method further comprising:
transferring said channel covers from said planting area to said first sub- production area.
20. The method of claim 18, wherein each one of said channel covers comprises intermittently a planting hole for placing a plant and a pass-through hole; and wherein one of said two channel covers placed one on top of the other comprises a planting hole for placing a plant at one end thereof and the other one of said two channel covers placed one on top of the other comprises a pass-through hole at its parallel end.
21. The method of claim 20, wherein each one of said channel covers comprises cups configured to hold plants in said planting holes.
22. The method of claim 18, wherein said system further comprises an harvesting area;
said method further comprises:
after a second growing period, transferring said channel covers from said second sub-production area to said harvesting area.
23. The method of claim 22, wherein said system further comprises a planting area; said method further comprises:
transferring said channel covers from said harvesting area to said planting area.
24. A method of utilizing plant production area, comprising:
providing a system comprising:
a first sub-production area comprising a first plurality of semi- channels;
a plurality of channel covers configured to hold plants;
wherein each of said first plurality of semi-channels is covered by two of said channel covers placed one on top of the other; and
a second sub-production area comprising a second plurality of semi-channels;
providing an automatic plants transfer sub-system;
lifting, by said automatic plants transfer sub-system, said two channel covers;
transferring, by said automatic plants transfer sub-system, said two channel covers from said first sub-production area to said second sub-production area; and
placing, by said automatic plants transfer sub-system, each one of said two channel covers on a different semi-channel in said second sub-production area.
25. The method of claim 24, wherein said automatic plants transfer sub-system
comprises:
at least one rail;
a motor; a carrier configured to slide on said at least one rail using said motor; said carrier comprises at least two arms configured to grab said channel covers; a first actuator configured to move said at least two arms up and down; a second actuator; and
a grabbing part; said second actuator configured to move said grabbing part thereby grabbing holders of said channel covers.
26. The method of claim 24, wherein said first plurality of semi-channels and said second plurality of semi-channels comprise aligning tabs configured to ensure right positioning of said channel covers on their respective semi-channels.
27. The method of claim 25, wherein said automatic plants transfer sub-system
further comprises at least one location sensor configured to sense said arm's location.
28. The method of claim 25, wherein said automatic plants transfer sub-system
further comprises at least one height sensor configured to sense said arm's height.
29. The method of claim 25, wherein said automatic plants transfer sub-system
further comprises a processing unit and storage.
30. The method of claim 25, wherein said automatic plants transfer sub-system
further comprises an assisting part configured to hold a lower channel cover while lifting an upper channel cover.
31. The method of claim 25, further comprising:
transferring, by said automatic plants transfer sub-system, said channel covers from a planting area to said first sub-production area.
32. The method of claim 25, further comprising:
transferring, by said automatic plants transfer sub-system, said channel covers from said second sub-production area to an harvesting area.
33. The method of claim 25, further comprising:
transferring, by said automatic plants transfer sub-system, said channel covers from an harvesting area to a planting area.
34. A system for utilizing plant production area, comprising:
a plant production area comprising at least a first and a second sub- production areas;
said first sub-production area comprises:
a first plurality of semi-channels; and
a plurality of channel covers configured to hold plants;
wherein each of said first plurality of semi-channels is covered by at least one of said channel covers;
said second sub-production area comprises:
a second plurality of semi-channels;
wherein said plurality of channel covers are configured to be transferred from said first sub-production area to said second sub production area; and wherein each of said transferred plurality of channel covers is configured to be placed on a different one of said second plurality of semi-channels in said second sub-production area.
PCT/IB2019/058123 2018-10-02 2019-09-25 Nutrient film technique with automatic adjustment of spacing between plants during growth WO2020070586A1 (en)

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Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5315786A (en) * 1992-05-14 1994-05-31 Thomas Smith Planting tray
JPH0970229A (en) * 1995-09-05 1997-03-18 Hanano Kikakushiya:Kk Tray for plant seedling
JPH1042709A (en) * 1996-07-29 1998-02-17 Hanano Kikakushiya:Kk Frame for holding plant seedling
US6029399A (en) * 1998-06-26 2000-02-29 Mercer; Wayne A. Vertical bench
WO2013089818A1 (en) * 2011-12-13 2013-06-20 Podponics, Llc Apparatus and method for optimizing delivery of nutrients in a hydroponics system
EP2868191A1 (en) * 2012-06-29 2015-05-06 Tsubakimoto Chain Co. Transplantation device and transplantation method
WO2016070196A1 (en) * 2014-10-31 2016-05-06 Podponics, Llc Nested plant grow tray
WO2017183969A1 (en) * 2016-04-18 2017-10-26 Crea-Tech International B.V. Extendable plant tray assembly

Patent Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5315786A (en) * 1992-05-14 1994-05-31 Thomas Smith Planting tray
JPH0970229A (en) * 1995-09-05 1997-03-18 Hanano Kikakushiya:Kk Tray for plant seedling
JPH1042709A (en) * 1996-07-29 1998-02-17 Hanano Kikakushiya:Kk Frame for holding plant seedling
US6029399A (en) * 1998-06-26 2000-02-29 Mercer; Wayne A. Vertical bench
WO2013089818A1 (en) * 2011-12-13 2013-06-20 Podponics, Llc Apparatus and method for optimizing delivery of nutrients in a hydroponics system
EP2868191A1 (en) * 2012-06-29 2015-05-06 Tsubakimoto Chain Co. Transplantation device and transplantation method
WO2016070196A1 (en) * 2014-10-31 2016-05-06 Podponics, Llc Nested plant grow tray
WO2017183969A1 (en) * 2016-04-18 2017-10-26 Crea-Tech International B.V. Extendable plant tray assembly

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