WO2022010382A1

WO2022010382A1 - Hydroponic device and system for growing plants

Info

Publication number: WO2022010382A1
Application number: PCT/RU2021/050197
Authority: WO
Inventors: Алексей Игоревич АМИНОВ
Original assignee: Алексей Игоревич АМИНОВ
Priority date: 2020-07-10
Filing date: 2021-07-01
Publication date: 2022-01-13
Also published as: RU2746805C1

Abstract

The group of inventions relates to devices and systems for growing plants using a hydroponic method. The claimed device comprises a detachable tubular housing (1) having an opening (5) through which plants (6) germinate and which extends along the housing (1), and a porous substrate (2) having at least two layers (8). The housing (1) comprises two parts (2) in the form of troughs, the open sides of which are connected so as to form at least one gap forming the above-mentioned opening (5) through which plants (6) germinate. The walls (4) of the parts (3) of the housing (1) are arranged overlapping on one side of said housing. Furthermore, the device additionally comprises at least one means (7) for connecting the parts of the housing.

Description

HYDROPONIC DEVICE AND SYSTEM FOR GROWING

PLANTS

[01] Field of technology

[02] The group of inventions relates to the field of agriculture, namely to devices and systems for growing plants by the hydroponic method and can be used for industrial or home (yard) cultivation of greens, vegetables, berries, ornamental, medical and other plants, as well as for vertical gardening.

[03] State of the art

[04] Devices and systems for growing plants are known, in which pots with plants are placed on pallets, which in turn are installed on multi-tiered racks (see, for example, European patent EP2348814, 01.04.2015, Chinese patent CN202551765, 28.11. 2012). The disadvantages of the design are the difficulty of harvesting (workers have to squeeze between tiers), planting and transplanting plants (workers need to carefully pull large pallets from tiers) and plant monitoring (plants located in the middle of the tier are not visible). These problems are exacerbated on the upper tiers, where workers have to climb with the help of special technical means. In addition, there are problems with air circulation on the tiers and with the removal of heat from lighting lamps. The racks themselves are bulky and it is not always possible to fit them into the configuration of the room.

[05] Growing devices are known in which plants are placed on vertical towers, columns and other surfaces (for example, RF patents RU2383129, 03/10/2010, RU186235, 08/10/2018, US patents US9591814, 03/14/2017, US7055282, 06/06/2006 , US8505238, 08/13/2013, US5555676, 09/17/1996, US 10136594, 11/27/2018). These devices have certain advantages over multi-tiered structures. In particular, in such systems it is easier to harvest and monitor the condition of plants. Air circulation is facilitated due to the specifics of the placement of columns with plants and lamps (more space for circulation), and the air heated by the lamps in a natural way moves up and nothing prevents its movement (on the racks, the heated air is locked by a tier placed directly above the lamps) .

[06] The disadvantage of these systems is the complexity of the design, and, as a consequence, the high cost of the devices themselves and their maintenance. [07] A hydroponic device for growing plants is known (see US patent US8327582, 12/11/2012), which includes a tubular body of rectangular section, having a longitudinal slot forming a hole for plant germination, and a porous substrate consisting of two layers , which are placed in the housing so that the boundary between the layers is located opposite the opening of the housing. This analogue has the advantages of vertical devices, while its design is simpler and easier to clean. However, the device has a significant disadvantage associated with the need for end installation of substrate layers with plants. So, when assembling the device, the substrate with plants is dragged along the body with a hook. As a result, plant roots are subjected to mechanical stress, which can lead to their damage. The substrate also wears out quickly and eventually breaks, after which there is no way to use it again.

[08] The closest analogues of the claimed group of inventions are a hydroponic device and a system for growing plants, disclosed in the UK patent GB2532467, 05/25/2016. The growing device includes a tubular body having a longitudinal slot for plant germination and two layers of a porous substrate. The body is made collapsible and includes one part in the form of a trough (channel), as well as two removable panels, between which the mentioned slotted hole is formed. The plant growing system includes a number of devices described, placed on a common frame, as well as equipment for supplying a nutrient solution to the devices.

[09] The described design partially solves the problem of damage to plants and substrate, because. they are loaded not from the end, but from the front side of the case, where removable panels are installed. However, the device has a number of the following disadvantages (which are also inherent in the device according to patent US8327582):

[010] - For planting plants, a surface (table) of considerable length is required, 1.5-2 times more than the length of the device, because Removable panels are installed from the front side of the case. This reduces space efficiency and complicates the assembly process.

[011] - The substrate is installed in the housing entirely at the same time as the plants, which can lead to damage to the layers of the substrate or plants;

[012] - The device has a fixed housing dimensions, which does not allow the use of a substrate of different thickness depending on the size of the plants. For small-sized plants, it is necessary to use an excess volume of the substrate, which unreasonably increases the cost of the device. [013] - The device is only partially disassembled, which makes it difficult to clean the case from the inside, increasing labor costs.

[014] Disclosure of the Invention

[015] The main technical problem to be solved by the claimed group of inventions is the development of a compact design for growing plants suitable for the commercial production of various crops in conditions of very limited space (indoors, shipping containers and etc.). In addition, the tasks of economy and ease of use were set.

[016] The technical result of the group of inventions is to simplify the operation of the device in terms of reducing the size of the space required for assembly and disassembly and facilitating the cleaning process, reducing the likelihood of damage to plants and substrate during assembly and disassembly, increasing versatility in terms of the possibility of using a substrate of different thicknesses and several layers of substrate and increase the productivity of the device.

[017] This technical result is achieved in the design of a hydroponic device for growing plants due to the fact that it includes a detachable tubular body having at least one opening for plant germination extending along the body; and a porous substrate having at least two layers (8) and installed inside the housing in such a way that the boundary between the layers is located opposite said opening of the housing. In this case, the body includes two parts in the form of troughs, connected by open sides with the formation of a gap forming the said hole for plant germination, and the walls of the body parts on one side of it are overlapped. In addition, the device additionally includes at least one means for connecting the housing parts.

[018] In addition, to achieve the technical result, private options for implementing the device are provided, according to which:

[019] - the substrate includes at least three layers, with all the boundaries between the layers located opposite the body opening;

[020] - the substrate is made in the form of separate elements forming layers, or in the form of a single element in which the boundaries of the layers are formed by bending this element or making at least one slot in it;

[021] - the device further includes a wick tape placed between the layers of the substrate; [022] - the device further includes a waterproof layer in the form of a film placed between the housing wall and the substrate;

[023] - on the housing there are fastening means for mounting the housing in a vertical or inclined position.

[024] This technical result is also achieved in the design of a system for hydroponic growing of plants due to the fact that it contains a frame, at least one hydroponic device of the above design, mounted vertically or obliquely on the frame, as well as equipment for supplying nutrient solution into the hydroponic device.

[025] According to particular embodiments of the system, the nutrient solution supply equipment includes a solution tank, a pump, water pipes, drippers, and drainage devices, while the system additionally includes lighting lamps.

[026] In contrast to the known analogues, in the considered design of the device, a longitudinally split body is used, consisting of two parts in the form of gutters, which are connected by open parts to form a gap for the germination of plants. This case design has a number of advantages.

[027] 1. The housing is filled from the side surface, while the layers of substrate and plants are stacked in the housing sequentially, which reduces the likelihood of damage to plants and substrate.

[028] 2. It is possible to adjust the distance between the body parts, which provides versatility. In particular, when growing small plants, the walls of the housing parts on one side can be overlapped, which will lead to a reduction in the volume of the housing. As a result, there is no need to use an excess volume of the substrate. When growing larger plants, the parts can be placed at a greater distance from each other.

[029] 3. It is possible to install more than two layers of substrate, as well as growing plants on both sides of the body, which increases the productivity of the device.

[030] Brief Description of the Drawings

[031] The invention is illustrated by drawings, where:

[032] Figure 1 shows the construction of a growth apparatus according to a main embodiment;

[033] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of a growth apparatus according to a basic embodiment; [034] Figure 3 shows the construction of a growth apparatus according to an alternative embodiment;

[035] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of a growth apparatus according to an alternative embodiment;

[036] Figure 5 shows the construction of a growth apparatus according to another alternative implementation;

[037] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of a growth apparatus according to another alternative embodiment;

[038] Figure 7 shows the structure of the growing device with attachment elements;

[039] Figure 8 is a diagram of a plant growing system;

[040] Figure 9 shows a diagram of the units for installing devices in a growing system;

[041] Figures 10 and 11 show the assembly diagram of the growing device.

[042] Structural elements and other objects are indicated in the figures by the following positions: 1 - body,

2 - porous substrate,

3 - part of the body,

4 - channel wall formed by a part of the body,

5 - hole for plant germination,

6 - plant,

7 - a means of connecting parts of the body,

8 - substrate layer,

9 - wick tape,

10 - body fastening means,

11 - frame,

12 - tank,

13 - pump,

14 - watering pipes,

15 - droppers,

16 - drainage elements,

17 - main beam,

18 - additional beam,

19 - lamp. [043] the Implementation of the invention

[044] A plant growing device generally includes a tubular body (1) and a porous substrate (2) placed inside the body (see Figs. 1, 2).

[045] The housing (1) consists of two parts (3) made in the form of troughs (channels) connected along the open sides to form a housing space. At the same time, a gap is formed between the walls (4) of these channels on at least one side of the body (1), which forms a longitudinal hole (5) for the germination of plants (6).

[046] The design of the device also provides at least one means for connecting (7) parts (3) of the housing (1), which allows them to be fixed in a given position. Belts, lacing, collars, fasteners, hooks, tie-locks and any other devices or combinations thereof can be used as a means of connection (7) that allow you to securely fasten parts (3) and clamp the substrate (2) between them. . Thus, the parts (3) of the housing (1) ensure the retention of the substrate (2) with the plants (6) placed in it and the retention of the nutrient solution flowing inside the device.

[047] The body (1) may have a rectangular (square), round, oval, or other shape in cross section. The most optimal is the rectangular shape of the body, in which the connected parts (3) have a U-shaped configuration. The housing (1) may be made of polymer (plastic), metal, wood or any other suitable material. In particular, the sample manufactured by the Applicant is made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC).

[048] the Substrate (2) performs the function of keeping the plants in the body and gives access to oxygen to the root system of plants. The substrate (2) has two or more layers (8), which are stacked inside the body (1) in such a way that the boundaries between the layers are opposite the hole (5), which makes it possible to place plants (6) or their seeds between these layers and germinate plants outside the body (1). Layers (8) can be made both separately and be parts of a single element. In the latter case, the layers (8) can be formed, for example, by folding a porous substrate element or by making one or more slots in it. Substrate (8) can be made of artificial or natural porous material. In particular, a resilient polymer sponge with a high degree of porosity can be used.

[049] In one of the alternative implementations of the design (see Fig. 3.4), the substrate (2) may consist of three or more layers (8) stacked in the body in a package so that all the boundaries of adjacent layers are placed opposite the opening (5) of the body (one). V In another embodiment of the design (see Fig. 4.5), parts (3) of the body (1) can be connected to form gaps between the walls (4) on both sides, forming two holes (5) for the germination of plants (6)

[050] The device can be additionally equipped with a wick tape (9), which is placed between the layers (8) of the substrate and is in direct contact with the root system of plants. The wick tape provides a reliable delivery of the nutrient solution to the root system of the plants. The material of the wick tape must provide a capillary effect. For example, polyester may be used.

[051] In addition, the device can be additionally provided with a waterproof film (not shown in the figures) placed between the housing wall (1) and the substrate (2) in order to prevent the nutrient solution from flowing through the joint of the parts (3). In particular, a polyethylene film may be used.

[052] For fastening the plant growing device in a vertical or inclined position, fastening means (10) can be provided on the housing, which are made, for example, in the form of hooks (see Fig. 7).

[053] The specific dimensions of the parts and the substrate in various embodiments of the device are selected so that the assembled (stretched) device has at least one gap between the channels for plants to grow through it. The length of the walls (4) of the channel parts (3) is selected depending on the configuration. When forming one hole (5) of the body (1), the length of the walls (4) of the parts (3) on the side of this hole is, as a rule, much less than this length on the opposite side. This makes it possible to adjust the dimensions of the body (1) and the opening (5) within a wide range due to the fact that the walls (4) of the parts (3) are overlapped. In the case of formation of holes (5) on both sides of the body (1), the walls (4) can have approximately the same length.

[054] As an example, two U-shaped parts (3) with sides of 20 mm (one channel wall) - 90 mm ("bottom" of the channel) - 40 mm (another channel wall) and 2 m long can be used and a composite substrate (2): four rectangular briquettes measuring 25 x 90 mm, 1 m long, stacked in pairs. In this example, the device has a single 10 mm wide opening along the entire device.

[055] The system for growing plants (see Fig.8,9) includes a frame (11), on which the devices described above are fixed in the form of blocks. The system design also provides for nutrient supply equipment, including a reservoir (12) for nutrient solution, a pump (13), water pipes (14), drippers (15) and drainage elements (16) (troughs and pipes) . [056] The frame (11) of the system consists of vertical posts and horizontal (longitudinal and transverse) beams interconnected. Main (bearing) beams (17) are provided for hanging devices for growing plants using hooks (10) fixed on the rear walls of the housing (1). Watering pipes (14) are fixed above the main beams (17) with droppers (15) or holes installed in them at certain distances from each other, under which devices are placed.

[057] Under the main beam (17), at a distance close to the height of the body (1), a drainage chute (16) is installed. Devices with plants placed on the frame form a vertical plane of plant growth (working plane). In the system, the working planes are oriented with their faces to each other, and are located at a distance from each other, providing a passage for a person. There may be several such passages, depending on the configuration of the room. Along the specified passage, between the main beams (17), an additional beam (18) is installed parallel to them, on which lamps (19) for lighting plants are hung, the radiation of which is directed to the working planes. The lamps (19) are not rigidly fixed and can be moved along the beam (18). To access the plants, the worker moves the lamps, freeing up space for work.

[058] The operation of the claimed device and system is carried out as follows.

[059] When assembling the device on a horizontal surface (for example, a table), one of the parts (3) of the body (1) is laid. A waterproof film is placed in it (if any). One layer (8) of the substrate (2) and a wick tape (9) (if used) are placed on top (see Fig. 10). Young plants (6) germinated in advance (seedlings) are laid on top of the tape (9) or seeds are planted. Another layer (8) of the substrate (2) is laid on top (if the substrate is composite), which is covered with the free part of the waterproof film (if any) and the second part (3) of the body (1) (see Fig. . eleven). Then the parts (3) are pulled together by means of the connection (7).

[060] When installing devices in a growing system, the assembled device with plants placed in it can be placed vertically or at any angle to the horizon. The device can be installed in grooves specially designed for this purpose or suspended using any type of fasteners (10). In particular, as shown in FIG. 8, the body (1) is hung on the beam (17) with a hook attached to the rear wall of the body. Devices are placed or hung in a row, a watering pipe (14) (or a hose) with drippers (15) installed in it in places above the upper ends of the devices is fixed on top.

[061] The lower ends of the housings (1) are installed in the drainage chute (16). The nutrient solution is supplied by a pump (13) from the reservoir (12) to the irrigation pipe (14) and through the dripper (15) enters the device. If there is a wick tape (9), it is installed in such a way that the nutrient solution from the dripper (15) falls on it. Excess nutrient solution passes through the substrate (2), irrigates the root system and flows down the walls of the housing (or waterproof film) into the drainage chute (16), from where it returns to the reservoir (12). [062] For harvesting (depending on the crop - partial or complete cutting of greens or fruits / berries), the device can be removed from the system. It is also possible to harvest directly on site without removing the device.

[063] To clean the device after completion of the life cycle of the plants planted in the device, it is removed from the system, placed on a horizontal surface, the means (7) tightening channels and layers (8) of the substrate (2) with plants (6 ) between them, the parts (3) of the body (1) and the substrate (2) are disassembled. The channels of the parts (3) of the body (1) are cleaned from the remnants of roots and other foreign formations. The substrate (2) is cleaned of large roots and dried. The substrate (2), the wick tape (9) and the waterproof film can be further pasteurized by heating in specially designed devices.

Claims

CLAIM

1. Hydroponic device for growing plants, including: detachable tubular body (1)having at least one opening (5) for plant germination (6)passing along the body (1); and a porous substrate (2) having at least two layers (8) and installed inside the housing (1) in such a way that the boundary between the layers (8) is located opposite the said opening (5) of the housing (1), characterized in that the housing (1) includes two parts (3) in the form of gutters connected by open sides with the formation of a gap forming the said hole (5) for the germination of plants (6), and the walls (4) of the parts (3) of the body (1) on one side, they are overlapped, and the device additionally includes at least one means (7) for connecting body parts.

2. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the substrate (2) includes at least three layers (8), with all the boundaries between the layers (8) located opposite the opening (5) of the housing.

3. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the substrate (2) is made in the form of separate elements forming layers (8), or in the form of a single element, in which the boundaries of the layers (8) are formed by bending this element or by performing it has at least one slot.

4. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that it additionally includes a wick tape (9) placed between the layers (8) of the substrate (2).

5. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that it additionally includes a waterproof layer in the form of a film placed between the wall of the housing (1) and the substrate (2).

6. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that on the body (1) there are fastening means (10) for mounting the body (1) in a vertical or inclined position.

7. A system for hydroponic growing of plants, containing a frame (11), at least one hydroponic device according to any one of paragraphs. 1-6, mounted on a frame (11) vertically or obliquely, as well as equipment for supplying a nutrient solution to a hydroponic device.

8. System according to claim 7, characterized in that the equipment for supplying the nutrient solution includes a tank (12) for the nutrient solution, a pump (13), water pipes (14), drippers (15), as well as drainage devices (16), while the system additionally turns on lighting lamps (19).