WO2024068171A1

WO2024068171A1 - Device for cultivating and growing plants

Info

Publication number: WO2024068171A1
Application number: PCT/EP2023/073785
Authority: WO
Inventors: Manuel Hodrius; Enrico Ehrhardt
Original assignee: Storagepackaging Ug (Haftungsbeschränkt)
Priority date: 2022-09-26
Filing date: 2023-08-30
Publication date: 2024-04-04
Also published as: DE102022124658A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for cultivating and growing plants, in particular an automated device for growing different types of cultivated plants using an aeroponic method. A device according to the invention for growing plants (P) comprises a growing panel (10) with a plurality of openings (12) for inserting plants (P), said growing panel (10) having a sprouting side (S) and a root side (W) for the plants (P); a conveyor system (20) for transporting the growing panel (10) along a growing path (A); an aeroponic spraying system (30) which is designed to supply the growing panel (10) with a nutrient solution (NSL) on the root side (W), said growing panel (10) and conveyor system (20) being designed to prevent a spraying or contamination of the sprouting side (S) with the nutrient solution (NSL); and a lighting system (40) which is designed to illuminate the growing panel (10) on the sprouting side (S), said growing panel (10) and conveyor system (20) being designed to prevent an illumination of the root side (W); wherein the aeroponic spraying system (30) and the lighting system (20) are arranged along the growing path (A) as stationary components, and the growing panel (10) is transported past said components by the conveyor system (20).

Description

Device for growing and cultivating plants

Description

The present invention relates to a device for growing and raising plants, in particular to an automated device for growing various types of cultivated plants using an aeroponics method.

State of the art

The basic principle of aeroponic cultivation is to grow plants hanging in an enclosed or semi-enclosed environment by spraying the hanging roots and lower stem of the plant with an atomized or sprayed, nutrient-rich water solution (R.J. Stoner and J.M. Clawson, “A High Performance, Gravity Insensitive, Enclosed Aeroponic System for Food Production in Space”; Principal Investigator, NASA SBIR NAS10-98030 (1997-1998)). This means that neither soil nor a growing medium is required for cultivation and the roots of the plants can be directly supplied with nutrients and the required amount of moisture according to their respective stage of development. Aeroponic cultivation methods are therefore ideal for cultivation even under difficult conditions, for example when nutrient-rich and fertile soil is not available for conventional cultivation. This means that such cultivation methods are also suitable for new planting concepts such as vertical farming, in which three-dimensional cultivation volumes can be used instead of conventional two-dimensional cultivation areas to make optimal use of space in a limited space.

There are already a wide variety of different vertical farming systems on the market. US 2018/014471 A1, for example, describes a closed system made up of long chambers that are transported further during the rearing process. Movable panels with an integrated spray device for growing plants are known from US 2017/142912 A1. However, the two vertical farming systems mentioned here only as examples are very complex and cause relatively high costs both for their production and for ongoing operation, so that their complexity is reduced, particularly for the application of aeroponic rearing systems in developing and emerging countries Above all, they need to be made suitable for the mass market.

Disclosure of the invention It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a device for cultivating and growing plants which has a particularly compact and simple structure compared to the prior art and leads to an improved growing result.

These tasks are achieved according to the invention by the features of patent claim 1. Appropriate embodiments of the invention are contained in the dependent claims. The features listed individually in the patent claims can be combined with one another in a technologically sensible manner and can be supplemented by explanatory facts from the description and/or details from the figures, with further embodiment variants of the invention being shown.

The invention relates to a device for growing plants, comprising a growing panel with a plurality of openings for inserting plants, the growing panel having a shoot side and a root side for the plants; a conveyor system for transporting the growing panel along a growing path; an aeroponic spray system, designed to supply the growing panel on the root side with a nutrient solution, the growing panel and the conveyor system being designed to prevent the shoot side from being sprayed or contaminated with the nutrient solution; a lighting system, designed to illuminate the growing panel on the shoot side, the growing panel and the conveyor system being designed to prevent the root side from being illuminated; the aeroponic spray system and the lighting system being arranged as fixed components along the growing path and the growing panel being transported past it by the conveyor system.

A cultivation panel (also referred to as a cultivation plate or cultivation surface element) can in particular be a substantially flat structure. Such a structure has a corresponding front and a back. The cultivation panel has a plurality of openings for inserting plants, whereby the plants can be inserted with the roots in one direction. Accordingly, the side on which the roots are located is referred to as the root side and the side on which the sprouts are located is referred to as the sprout side. In other words, the shoot side of the cultivation panel is intended to contain the main part of the shoot axis and the leaves of the plant, while the root side is intended to contain the main part of the root of the plant. The cultivation panel can preferably consist of a fabric-covered frame, whereby the plants are inserted into openings in the stretch fabric or planted directly in them.

The openings can be designed asymmetrically on both sides, so that the root side and the shoot side of the growing panel can also be used without plants inserted can be distinguished based on their shape. The rearing panels can be designed as a flat structure or with a geometry that provides shape and stability, but have an essentially flat appearance. The rearing panel can preferably be made of plastic, metal, or another water- and/or moisture-resistant material.

The openings are preferably arranged vertically to a surface of the rearing panel or on an angled geometric surface of the rearing panel, the arrangement angle being at least 30°, preferably 45° and at most 60°. The openings can be designed in a round, oval, or slot-like geometry.

The trajectory of a rearing panel transported by the conveyor system, which is predetermined by the conveyor system within the device according to the invention, is referred to as the rearing path. The rearing panels can be freely swinging or rigidly attached to the conveyor system. The conveyor system can preferably be arranged on a traverse system as a holder. The traverse system can also be used as a holder for the spray and lighting system.

The aeroponic spray system can comprise a large number of individual spray devices along the cultivation path. The spray system preferably produces droplets of the nutrient solution with a size of 20-200 pm. The droplets can preferably be produced by nebulizing the pressurized liquid or by nebulizing using compressed air. The spray parameters at different sections of the device can thus be regulated or set differently. The spray devices can preferably spray the nutrient solution at electronically or mechanically controlled intervals. The term nutrient solution is used in this application as a generic collective term for a liquid-based supply of the plants. In particular, this should also be understood to mean the pure solvent for dissolving nutrients without additional nutrient addition. In this respect, for example, pure or distilled water should also be understood in this application as a nutrient solution with a negligible nutrient content.

The lighting system can preferably consist of horizontally or vertically arranged lighting elements, in particular individual LED lighting elements. The main lighting direction of the lighting system should preferably be directed directly at the shoot side of the plants. The lighting parameters at different sections of the device can thus be regulated or set differently.

The growing panel and the conveyor system are designed to prevent spraying or contaminating the sprout side with the nutrient solution from the aeroponic spray system to prevent. This is intended to prevent the liquid from being transferred into the sprout zone. In the rearing panel, for example, the openings can be designed in such a way that they are arranged obliquely within the rearing panel, so that the edge of the openings can serve as a cover. The openings can also have a seal in the area of the plant passage, which prevents liquid from passing through. The conveyor system can have an appropriate seal around the transported rearing panel.

The rearing panel and the conveyor system are further designed to prevent the root side from being illuminated by the lighting system. In principle, this can also be done using the means listed above purely as examples to prevent the liquid from being transferred into the sprout zone. Another example is the integration of an optical filter element to filter out the illumination radiation both in the openings of the rearing panel and within the conveyor system.

The aeroponic spray system and the lighting system are arranged as fixed components along the cultivation path. The cultivation panel is transported past this by the conveyor system. This has the advantage over the cultivation systems described in the prior art that the cultivation panel does not include any active technical components and can be easily inserted into the device or replaced as an inexpensive passive element. In addition, the aeroponic spray system and the lighting system do not have to be moved, which significantly simplifies the construction of the device according to the invention and leads to a more compact system structure.

The device according to the invention preferably further comprises a control device, designed to adapt control parameters of the aeroponic spray system and/or the lighting system depending on the position of the cultivation panel along the cultivation path. Control parameters of the aeroponic spray system can in particular be the composition of the nutrient solution and/or variables for the amount of nutrient solution and for the time control of the aeroponic spray system. Possible control parameters of the lighting system can be the illuminance, a time control, the emitted light spectrum and/or a direction of incidence. In addition to the control options listed, the control device can also be designed to carry out further control tasks. In particular, the control device can also take over the control of the conveyor system, i.e. to control the transport of the cultivation panel through the device. The control device can preferably carry out control on the basis of individual, preferably integrated into a computer network, further control and measuring devices. The cultivation path is preferably closed, preferably meandering or spiraling. A closed cultivation path has the advantage that common positions can be provided for introducing and removing the plants. Plants that have been raised can thus be removed and plants that are intended for cultivation can be inserted in one step. A meandering cultivation path can be implemented in a particularly compact and space-efficient manner. A spiraling cultivation path can in particular be a concentric arrangement of interconnected circular ring sections with increasing radius and a radial feed to the center of the circular structure. The aim here is always optimal adaptation to a specific available spatial geometry.

When properly arranged within the conveyor system, the rearing panel preferably has at least one flexible bending element aligned perpendicular to the rearing path for simplified passage of curved sections along the rearing path. A bending element can, for example, be a rubber connection between two adjacent sections of an otherwise rigid and torsion-resistant rearing panel.

Preferably, the rearing panel is modularly composed of several individual elements that can be connected to one another. This enables the size of the rearing panel to be easily adjusted. Furthermore, different designs can be combined with one another in a variable manner, for example with regard to the size and arrangement of the openings. The individual elements then form a rearing panel as an overall element when combined.

Preferably, the device according to the invention further comprises a drainage and/or recycling system designed to collect excess nutrient solution from the sprayed root side of the rearing panel. The drainage and/or recycling system can ensure that there is no accumulation and inadvertent distribution of nutrient solution within the device. A recycling system has the advantage that the nutrient solution can be reused for spraying, which means that the device can be operated in a particularly efficient and resource-saving manner.

The drainage and/or recycling system can collect excess liquid on the spray side, preferably in that there is a drainage channel below the spray side, the upper edge of which is arranged approximately at the level of the lower edge of the rearing panel arranged in the device as intended. The drain channel can be designed to be lowered as the distance from the rearing panel increases, resulting in a Accumulation of liquid in the lowering area. The drainage channel can also have a lateral slope in an axis parallel to the rearing path.

Preferably, at least some of the openings in the growing panel are designed for direct insertion of plants. In particular, the openings can be equipped with permanently installed elements that enable seedlings to be gently clamped. For example, after seeds have been grown and the first roots have already formed, the young plants can be inserted into the openings of the growing panel by hand or by machine. The rearing panel equipped in this way can then be inserted into the device according to the invention and connected to the conveyor system. The openings can preferably be funnel-shaped, with the roots emerging through the narrower end.

Preferably, at least some of the openings in the cultivation panel have holders for holding plant inserts. In contrast to directly inserting plants into the openings in the cultivation panel, the use of plant inserts offers the advantage that the plants can be inserted into the cultivation panel and removed again using the plant inserts. This simplifies the handling of the plants. The holders can preferably be made of plastic, metal, or another water and/or moisture-resistant material.

The plant inserts are preferably designed as funnel-shaped plant containers or with a funnel-shaped geometry. The plant inserts can have a hook for tip-free locking in the device according to the invention. It is preferred that after a plant has been grown, it is inserted into the cultivation panel of the device when a root of the plant penetrates one end of the plant container. A funnel-shaped design enables the plant containers to be easily filled, with the roots emerging through the narrower end. In particular, the roots of the plants growing in them should be able to protrude further into the root side, with the geometry of the plant container ensuring that the roots are kept at a distance from the cultivation panel.

The plant inserts for cultivation are preferably filled with an agar solution of at least 0.5%, preferably 1% to 3%, as a plant substrate. The substrate solution can consist mainly of water or distilled water and is preferably enriched with plant nutrients, salts and/or phytohormones. The plant insert can therefore be used both for growing and growing the plants. As a result, the necessary work steps when preparing and equipping the device according to the invention with plants can be reduced and the growing process can be simplified overall. Preferably, seeds or from one are placed on the plant inserts Calli grown in stock solution were applied. Plants can also preferably be grown through differentiation using phytohormones.

The conveyor system is preferably a hanging conveyor system designed to transport the rearing panel with a carriage along a guide rail that follows the rearing path. The rearing panel can preferably be hung in the carriage on hooks or similar.

Preferably, the conveyor system is set up to transport at least two rearing panels arranged one behind the other. It is particularly preferred for a large number of rearing panels to be arranged one behind the other along the entire rearing path. The transport of the rearing panels can in particular be set in such a way that the rearing is completed after one or more cycles along a closed rearing path and the fully grown plants or the associated plant inserts can be removed immediately.

Preferably, the rearing panels are transported by the conveyor system at a constant distance and at a uniform speed along the rearing path. Since the spray system and the lighting system are fixed in place so that the transport of the rearing panels is independent of them, the rearing panels are guided past the respective spray and lighting elements at a constant speed.

Preferably, rearing panels arranged immediately one behind the other can be connected to one another via connecting elements, the connecting elements being designed to prevent the shoot side of the rearing panels from being sprayed or contaminated with the nutrient solution and to prevent the root side of the rearing panels from being illuminated. The connecting elements can correspond to the protective mechanisms for the rearing panel and the conveyor system already described above. In particular, the rearing panels can be connected to one another by the connecting elements at their respective opposite vertical side edges, this connection being movable in a hinge-like manner about a vertical axis, whereby the rearing panels should be movable at a variable angle to one another. Preferably, a force transmission between connected rearing panels can take place through the connection on the vertical side edges. The number of drives in the conveyor system can be reduced by using appropriately connected rearing panels.

According to the invention, an automated device for the cultivation and rearing of plants using the aeroponics method is provided, in particular an automated device for the cultivation of various types of plants, which has static devices for the automated spraying of the roots, as well as a static lighting system, a hanging conveyor for the further transport of cultivation panels, as well as moving cultivation panels, in which plants can be inserted for cultivation using plant inserts.

The device has the task of supplying plants with light, water and necessary nutrients during cultivation and transporting them along a predetermined cultivation path. The further transport is preferably carried out by a hanging conveyor in the assembly line principle, whereby young plants can be used at the beginning of the system with a closed cultivation path (i.e. the cultivation panels are transported back to the beginning of the system in a closed circuit), and, due to a preferably uniform and to the The conveyor speed is adapted to the growth time of the plants, so that adult plants can be harvested at another point (the end of the device).

Thanks to the static points for inserting and removing the plants, as well as the space-saving design of the device, an increased yield per area can be achieved, as well as faster plant growth thanks to optimized growing conditions.

A particularly high level of cost-effectiveness can be achieved by using the cultivation panels, which enable the plants to be grown with constant further transport, without water, nutrient solution, steam, or other media having to be transported through the cultivation panels to irrigate the plants. Instead, the aeroponic spray system is fixed on the root side of the growing panels and does not move with the growing panels. The rearing panels are therefore not connected to the spray system as in the prior art.

Due to the transport of the cultivation panels past the spray system, it is possible to vary the nutrient solution and variables for quantity and time control, etc. over the cultivation cycle of the plants, which is the same for all plants grown in the device according to the invention: the control of the individual Spraying devices of the spraying system remains consistent, but may be different for each of the spraying devices. The fact that the growing panels continue to move ensures that all plants undergo the same changes throughout the growing cycle.

The same applies analogously to the lighting system, in which in particular the illuminance, the time control, the emitted light spectrum and/or direction can be changed.

A technical advantage of the present invention is that only the weight of the plants and the growing panels has to be transported through the device, and thus the energy required for transport compared to conventional ones Devices is reduced. In addition, the technical complexity is reduced and lower material consumption is achieved.

According to the invention, the root and shoot zones are separated. This physical separation prevents light from the illuminated shoot zone from reaching the unlit root zone. This can limit the growth of undesirable algae and microorganisms.

The cultivation panels have openings into which the plants can be inserted, for example using plant inserts. This has the advantage that cultivation is largely substrate-free, i.e. no soil, rock wool or other substrates have to be used. This enables cheaper and more resource-efficient cultivation. Preferably, only nutrient agar is used in the plant inserts and used in the cultivation phase of the plants. This can be washed out or decomposes naturally, and is no longer of great relevance during the later cultivation phase within the device according to the invention. Seedlings can be cultivated in an agar substrate, for example, by spreading seeds on the surface or by inserting them into the agar substrate or spreading the undifferentiated Kal I i. The openings in the cultivation panels can be arranged offset from one another (optimized circular packing) in order to achieve a higher packing density for the plants. The openings can preferably be designed as round, lozenge-shaped or slit-shaped openings.

If the conveyor system is designed as a hanging conveyor system, the rearing panels can preferably be arranged on the hanging conveyor system using hooks or similar. This has the advantage of easy installation of the rearing panels.

The cultivation panels can be designed with geometries to ensure greater rigidity. They can also have connecting elements on the edges that allow the individual cultivation panels to be connected. This means that the physical separation between the root and shoot sides can also be maintained at the connection points between the cultivation panels. The cultivation panels can vary in their width and design. The cultivation panels can preferably have at least one vertical fold as a flexible bending element. This enables easier transport of the panels in curved areas and smaller curve diameters, which is beneficial to a compact design of the system. In addition, the number of slides required for connection to the overhead conveyor system can be reduced.

The particular advantages of the invention over the known prior art are a consistent implementation of the assembly line principle in the cultivation of plants, whereby a particularly high level of efficiency can be achieved and a lower transport weight compared to water-bearing systems, thereby achieving a reduction in technical complexity, material consumption, costs, energy consumption, as well as easier harvesting and maintenance. An arrangement of multiple plants can be implemented with optimized packing density, achieving higher yield per area and lower material overhead. In addition, lower material consumption can be achieved through geometries incorporated directly into the growing panels, which means that higher rigidity can be achieved with low material consumption.

Further preferred embodiments of the invention result from the features mentioned in the respective subclaims.

The various embodiments of the invention mentioned in this application can be advantageously combined with one another, unless stated otherwise in individual cases.

Further specific designs of the individual elements of the device as well as the associated cultivation and rearing process are listed below.

Plant inserts

The plant inserts can preferably be made of plastic, in particular polypropylene. In order to prevent light from penetrating, materials that are colored dark and light-tight are particularly preferred. However, different materials can also be combined with each other. Biodegradable materials or the at least partial use of recycled materials are also particularly preferred.

Instead of using conventional substrates for cultivation, the plants can be grown in or on agar using plant inserts. To do this, the plant inserts can simply be filled with agar. After cultivation, the plants can be placed in the plant inserts used for cultivation in the device according to the invention or in the cultivation panels.

The plant inserts fulfill several functions. Essentially, these enable easy handling and movement of seedlings, with a uniform geometry or shape supporting automated handling of the plant inserts during cultivation and in particular for inserting the plants into the growing panels. A uniform geometry or shape can also ensure that the plants are firmly seated in the openings of the growing panels.

A funnel-shaped geometry with a large upper opening and a smaller lower opening is particularly preferred. Seeds can be easily inserted through the upper opening. The roots of the plants can then grow through the lower opening. The plant inserts then also form a sprout side. and a root side, which can be aligned with the respective sides of the cultivation panels when used as intended in the device according to the invention.

The lower opening of the plant inserts can be closed with a break-out plug or connected via a predetermined breaking point. The plug can be opened manually or automatically. The geometry of the lower opening is preferably dimensioned such that it is completely filled with roots and the growing plants anchor themselves firmly in it. This ensures that the plants remain anchored even when the agar has dried out.

The plant inserts preferably have an edge. This is to prevent the plants from falling through the openings in the cultivation panels. The edge should overlap the opening when inserted into the cultivation panels. The edge can also prevent light from entering the root area, which can prevent the growth of certain microorganisms.

Additional hooks on the plant inserts enable them to be locked in the, preferably slanted, openings of the growing panels. This can prevent the plant inserts from tipping over if their center of gravity shifts forward due to plant growth. Instead of the hooks, however, any other types of mounting (e.g. snap hooks, press fit, loose fit, etc.) can also be provided for fastening in the openings of the rearing panels.

The plant inserts can be provided in different colors for better differentiation. Depending on the plants to be grown, plant inserts with different volumes and diameters can also be used. The length of the plant inserts can preferably be varied in order to change the root depth within the plant insert.

As already described, the plant inserts can be pre-filled with agar. The molds can be sealed to preserve the nutrient agar and prevent it from drying out before later opening and seeding. Appropriate methods from the prior art can be used for this purpose. Sealing can preferably be done using heat sealing technology (industry standard). In principle, all common films from the packaging sector can be used, in particular polypropylene with barrier properties against water vapor or aluminum.

The plant inserts can then be prepared for use by simply removing the sealing foil and bending/unscrewing the lower closure. After removing the seal, seeds can be planted immediately. The inserts are product-sterile and can be filled and sold including the plant-specific agar-substrate mixture.

The plant inserts thus enable easy handling of plants and seedlings inside and outside the device according to the invention as well as a long-term secure hold of the plants in the system. They thus provide an adapter between the biological system (plants) and the mechanical system (cultivation panel). The roots are kept away from the wall of the cultivation panel by a preferred 45° position and the depth of the plant inserts. This allows the nutrient uptake in the aeroponic system to be maximized.

Cultivation

For the production of crops, there are automated cultivation systems in horizontal or vertical design, which enable efficient plant cultivation using artificial lighting, irrigation and transport systems. Young plants are always required to populate the systems, which must be brought in separately beforehand. Conventional (soil-based) methods or the use of rock wool are often used for this.

However, soil-based cultivation methods often result in contamination of pumps, nozzles and media, especially in vertical farming systems. Cultivation on rock wool is particularly disadvantageous due to a lack of biological sustainability, the necessary disposal and the risk of nozzles becoming clogged.

Furthermore, previous methods do not offer suitable interfaces for the automation and process-technical connection of plant germination and the cultivation of harvestable crops. When raising young plants, the quality of the seed and the associated germination rate are the most important quality and success factors. The germination of seeds requires fundamentally different environmental parameters (light, moisture, nutrients) compared to the adult plant. Furthermore, the development of a young plant up to the cotyledon stage requires a similar amount of time as the cultivation of a yield-producing adult plant. In addition, there are yield losses due to mold spores on the seed, low germination rates and process-related destruction of tissue structures of the target plants during pricking out.

The above-mentioned disadvantages can be improved by using agar-based nutrient media. For this purpose, a method was developed which, using defined nutrient solutions and process steps, makes the entire process of growing young plants efficient and automatable and also represents a direct interface to the cultivation panels according to the invention. 1 ) Provision of agar-based culture media

To provide suitable media for germination and young plant cultivation, a nutrient medium can be prepared which is formulated based on a nutrient medium described in the literature (T. Murashige and F. Skoog, “A revised medium for rapid growth and bio assays with tobacco tissue cultures”, Physiologia plantarum 15.3 (1962)). The nutrient medium is mixed with a defined concentration of a nutrient agar and then adjusted to a pH value of 5.7 (solution A). The solution is then autoclaved (121°C for 45 min) and then continuously heated to at least 50 °C. In addition, a nutrient media-free agar solution can be prepared and autoclaved (solution B). The agar concentration of the solutions can be variably adapted to the requirements of the target cultures and is preferably 0.5-5%.

2) Provision of planters filled with agar

In particular, 3D-printed models (preferably produced using an SLA printer) can be used as plant pots. However, the plant pots can also be produced using any other method, e.g. using an injection molding process. The preferably funnel-shaped plant inserts can be designed as described above. These preferably have an opening on the top and bottom, which can be specifically varied and adapted depending on the area of application. There are preferably recesses on the back of the molds so that fixation in the cultivation panels of the device according to the invention can be ensured.

The lower opening of the plant containers is preferably initially closed and can be opened by an automated process step. However, a closed form is initially preferred for filling the containers with solution A or B. The containers are sterilized with 70% ethanol before use, although product-sterile packaging can also be used in combination with radiation sterilization. After the ethanol has been completely removed or the product packaging has been removed, the plant containers can be completely filled with solution A.

Another embodiment of the method provides for shielding solution A by layering it with solution B. For this purpose, 2-layer (bottom: solution A; top: solution B) or 3-layer (bottom: solution A; middle: solution B; top: solution A) agar systems can be used. The layering is preferably carried out approx. 15 minutes after the lower agar layer has cooled down. The plant containers produced can then be filled directly with plant seeds or preserved as consumables. For preservation, an additional sealing of the containers on the top is preferred after the solutions have completely cooled down. 3) Sowing or planting in planters

The susceptibility to yield losses during germination means that the initial growth of the seedling requires controlled environmental conditions. Corresponding parameters can be set precisely using a nutrient matrix. Due to the variability in setting the strength of the nutrient medium, an individual placement depth for the seeds can be used.

One embodiment of the method provides that seeds are placed on the nutrient matrix (solution A) and then covered with solution B. During the process, the seeds of the plants are chemically disinfected using a defined protocol, regardless of the depth at which they are planted. Various solutions such as 70% ethanol, 1-3% sodium hypochlorite solution or distilled water can be used. The protocol is specifically adapted to the direct cultivation of young plants. Following disinfection, the seeds can be placed on the agar layer of the planters and grown under sterile conditions.

The composition of the nutrient agar surface varies depending on the type of plant. It is preferable to sow around 3-15 seeds per container, so that the yield of the system can be optimized by orders of magnitude and the risk of crop failure can be minimized. After the seeds have been sown, the bottom of the plant containers can be opened so that the developing roots emerge and can then be supplied with liquid medium. The process can also be carried out analogously with preserved seeds. For this purpose, physically disinfected seeds can be packaged and then placed on the agar matrix. The seeds are preferably in product-sterile and water-permeable membrane casings, which dissolve on contact with the nutrient matrix.

Another alternative embodiment of the method involves the cultivation of young plants based on callus cultures. In contrast to seed-based cultivation, callus cultures are cultivated on the basis of sterile plants. Callus formation and growth can be achieved by a defined phytohormone concentration on nutrient agar media (solution A). The resulting calli are further divided and transferred to adapted formulations of solution A with a specific phytohormone content for culture maintenance or differentiation, whereby the cultivation of new young plants can be established independently of seeds and sterilization processes. Callus-based cultivation of young plants can also be carried out using the plant containers described above and, analogous to the seed-based cultivation method, enables the cultivation of several young plants in one plant container.

4) Germination and cultivation of young plants in plant containers After the seeds or calli have been placed on the agar matrix, the plant containers can be transferred to adapted holding devices and cultivated under species-specific conditions until the roots penetrate the nutrient matrix on the underside of the plant container. At this point, the plant containers are preferably still located in an area separated from the cultivation system of the device according to the invention.

The use of a functionalizable gel-based nutrient matrix with embedded substrates ensures efficient germination with rapid and robust root and shoot formation. After germination or differentiation of root and shoot, the seedling can be transferred within the planters into a vertical planting system, in particular a device according to the invention.

5) Transferring young plants to vertical planting system

A problem in traditional agriculture is pricking out plants. This is particularly true for plants that are not sown directly but have to be pre-grown as cuttings. During the transfer, components of the roots are injured, causing young plants to suffer physiological stress and some of them fail. The automation of transferring the pre-culture into further cultivation systems poses a problem due to the sensitivity of the roots and shoots. This should be overcome using the plant-enclosing nutrient matrix within the specially designed planters and the risk of process-related yield losses should be minimized.

After being transferred to the cultivation system, the roots are located on the root side of the cultivation panels and can be further supplied with nutrient solutions (spray system). The planters are intended to ensure that the plants are firmly anchored within the growing device. The remaining agar can be dried or retained depending on the humidity setting, which ensures a continuous supply of nutrients in the upper root area of the plants. The young plants within the vertical planting system are then preferably illuminated exclusively via the shoot side.

The cultivation method described is particularly suitable for agricultural and pharmaceutical crops and enables seasonally independent, sustainable and cost-effective automation and parallelization of seed germination and young plant cultivation under individually optimizable culture conditions and, from a technical point of view, represents the necessary and innovative interface to a further and automated cultivation system The cultivation process also offers the advantage of a closed system, which, in addition to being independent of weather conditions, ensures an environment protected against vandalism and theft compared to conventional cultivation. The preferred embodiments of the process include the production and packaging of ready-to-use planters with prefabricated nutrient matrix for target cultures, the individual option for producing nutrient media with regard to composition and strength, and product-sterile packaging of seeds in water-permeable casings for seed preservation. Furthermore, the use of inert agar solutions to improve the shelf life of the nutrient media and the embedding of seeds in the nutrient matrix and overlaying them with inert medium to ensure nutrient supply and reduce microbiological contamination can be provided. Young plants can be grown on the basis of callus cultures. The cultivation of young plants and seed germination can preferably take place in adapted rearing panels of a rearing device according to the invention.

Rearing panels

The cultivation panels are, in particular, specially shaped flat structures for transporting the plants within a device according to the invention. These can preferably be made of plastic, in particular ABS. The rearing panels preferably have an opaque, especially black or dark gray, color. A preferred thickness is 2-3 mm, with the rearing panels preferably being manufactured using a thermoforming process.

The rearing panels preferably have a large number of openings, which can be designed as recesses. These can allow the insertion of holders into which the plants can be placed. The openings are preferably arranged uniformly, although a mutual offset in the vertical direction is preferred. This enables maximum plant growth without collision and the resulting limitation of the growth of the plants with each other. Thus, the plants can adopt a close packing arrangement in 3-dimensional space to maximize the number of plants for a given space. A modular arrangement of the openings allows different lengths (number of rows with openings) and widths (number of columns with holes). In particular, the vertical distance between the openings can be adjusted, with the horizontal distance being determined by the free space around the openings. Furthermore, the diameter and/or the geometry of the openings can preferably be changed.

Preferably, the rearing panels have a wave pattern. The wave pattern can contribute to the mechanical reinforcement of the rearing panels in the vertical direction. At the same time, the pattern can allow a slight horizontal offset between the individual openings. of the cultivation panels to allow as much space as possible for the roots to hang down.

Preferably, stiffening elements are inserted at the top and bottom of the rearing panels, which can provide additional stiffening. In particular, at the top end, an area between suspension holes can be stiffened. Such suspension holes can be used for fastening to carriages along a guide rail that follows the rearing path. Due to their rounded geometry, suspension holes in conjunction with a carriage allow rotation on the associated carriage arms, and thus movement around the conveyor system, particularly in curved sections of the conveyor system. However, the specific type and geometry of the individual suspensions or the fastening itself can also be adapted to specific requirements (e.g. for use in zero gravity).

conveyor system

The conveyor system is used to transport the rearing panels along the rearing path. It preferably consists of a housing, a stepper or servo motor for driving, a spindle connected to the motor, and a linear axis to prevent rotation around the spindle. A carriage can be attached to the spindle and can be moved linearly by it. The position of the carriage can be calculated using the thread pitch multiplied by the number of revolutions performed. Preferably, the position is reset to zero each time the carriage is retracted in order to avoid a slow drift of the position counter due to mechanical tolerances and rounding errors in the calculation.

A driver can be arranged on the carriage, which can swing freely in one direction and is prevented from swinging in the other direction by a stop. This allows the carriage to slide freely over the pins of the carriage when moving in one direction (retraction direction), while these are moved further by the driver when traveling in the other direction (advance direction).

The carriages therefore preferably comprise a base body; the driver, which is attached to the base body in a freely swinging manner; fasteners; a laser sensor for detecting the rotation of the driver; and a button to set the zero point of the carriage.

The motor and spindle can thus provide a linear drive for the carriage. The speed of the carriage depends on the direction of movement and can be controlled by a control device. The speed of movement in the retraction direction is much faster than in the advance direction in order to ensure that the advance is as constant as possible. The speed of movement in the advance direction preferably corresponds to a target propulsion speed of the device according to the invention. The transport direction of the conveyor system can be determined by the orientation during assembly. The transport speed is freely adjustable.

Detecting whether the driver is in contact with the pin of a slide can preferably be done using a laser sensor. A laser beam can be interrupted by the driver if it is not in contact with a pin. The laser beam can preferably be interrupted through a small opening in the driver through which the laser beam is transmitted. If the driver is tilted, the opening is also tilted and transmission is thus interrupted.

Preferably, the conveyor system continuously runs through the same programmed loop:

1) Quickly retract the carriage until the button is touched. This ensures that the carriage has reached the zero point.

2) Rapid movement in the transport direction until contact with a pin is detected.

3) Moving the carriage at a specified transport speed until an end position is reached.

4) In the case of a closed breeding path, you can continue immediately with step 1). If the breeding path is open, the support system must first be reset before starting again with step 1).

The presented conveyor system has a very simple structure and there is no need to integrate a direct drive. This allows flexible use of drive components in any number. In particular, the number and position of the respective drive modules can be tailored to the specific requirements of the system design. Synchronization of the individual drive modules across the device according to the invention (i.e. along the breeding path) is not necessary.

Adjustments can be made to the conveyor system, particularly in terms of the length of the transport module, the choice of motors used and the materials used for the drive and the housing. Spindles with different diameters and pitch heights can be used to influence the robustness, the maximum drive force and the drive accuracy/speed. Furthermore, the number of drives per rearing panel can be varied (scaling of the system size). The drives are preferably evenly distributed over the entire device system so that a single drive only has to move a fraction of the total load. This can expressed by the size of the rearing panels divided by the number of drives used.

T raverse system

The truss system can be a system for mounting rails specially designed to meet the requirements of the device according to the invention as a hanging system. In particular, it can be a modular system consisting of rails (plastic extrusions), adapters for joining the rails together, plugs for reinforcing the connection of the rails and optionally angles for mounting on beams preferably extending from a ceiling.

The rails are preferably designed as a hollow geometry for low material use with high continuity. Preferably, a channel is provided for guiding the wheels of an associated carriage. An additional vertical wall can be provided to prevent the carriage from derailing from the rails of the traverse system.

Thanks to the truss system presented, no additional floor guidance for the rearing panels is required. The device according to the invention can then be used with rearing panels hanging freely on the truss system. This means that work in high rooms can be easily dimensioned in any direction along the Z axis (i.e. downwards towards the floor). Existing rooms can therefore be used and the device according to the invention can be flexibly adapted to the respective circumstances. The guidance via a truss system also enables easy cleaning and the removal of liquids, as they naturally run off the rearing panels due to gravity. In addition, the transport mechanism is protected from contamination as it cannot be flooded. Work safety is also increased because the entire device can be mounted on the ceiling and is therefore difficult to reach for users. The truss system also offers an optimal infrastructure for the concealed laying of cables, hoses, etc.

Driving carriage

The carriages preferably consist of a main element that has two “arms” that allow panels to be hung on the hanging holes of the rearing panels and at least one wheel, preferably with an integrated ball bearing. The wheel preferably has a grooved profile that has its counterpart in an associated traverse system. The running surface of the wheel is preferably inclined outwards towards the centre. The wheel therefore has self-centring running properties that allow it to be centred can run in a profile. The wheel is preferably made in two parts. A ball bearing inserted into it can be fixed using a screwable insert.

Furthermore, the carriage can have an element for inserting a fastening screw, a stop for the wheel and a hook which is mounted with a projection vertically above the center of the wheel. To reinforce the carriage, reinforcing ribs that are optimized for production using a 3D printing process (FDM/FFF process) can be present. The hook of the main element is preferably attached above the running center of the wheel in order to enable several carriages to be guided by means of connecting elements. Thanks to the central connection, pulling/pushing on the hook does not result in rotation around the vertical axis, as the center of force is located vertically above the support point of the wheel. The rotation around the wheel axis is compensated for by the weight of a suspended rearing panel. The hook can have an additional security feature so that the connecting elements are prevented from accidentally slipping out. The hook can also be used as a point of attack for the propulsion system.

The carriages thus enable a flexible and modular structure of the device according to the invention. The wheels allow the carriages to be guided along a profile that defines the rearing path. This enables the rearing panels to advance and thus automate the device according to the invention.

To adapt the carriages, the distance between the arms, the vertical distance from the rearing panel to the wheel and the distance between the hook and the wheel can be varied. Additional optimizations for greater strength and production-specific geometry adjustments can be made.

Spraying equipment

The spraying devices preferably have spray nozzles with colliding outlet streams to ensure a finer and more even particle distribution and to enable a higher throughput of nutrient solution. A function based on the Venturi principle is preferred, so that the liquid medium is already sucked in by the escaping air stream, but this can also be supplied by pumps. Due to the flow difference between the air stream and the supplied nutrient solution, atomization already takes place within the nozzle. The droplet/air mixture thus generated is carried outwards by the air stream and preferably deflected via the baffle plate in order to achieve a desired spray cone. A preferred channel size is larger than 3 mm to prevent clogging and to ensure largely trouble-free operation of the system. For installation on A vertical guide rod may have a mounting hole for cable ties or similar.

The advantage of the spray devices described is a fully integrated and wear-free spray mechanism. Nevertheless, individual spray nozzles can be easily replaced. The functional principle presented enables the generation of uniform and small particle sizes in order to optimally deliver the nutrient solution to roots hanging in the air.

The spray properties can be adjusted via the design of the baffle plate, the diameter of the channels, the angle of the outlet openings to one another and the length and diameter of the internal geometry of the spray devices. Furthermore, the spray properties can be influenced by the detailed routing of the channels.

Brief description of the drawings

The invention and the technical environment are explained in more detail below using the accompanying figures. It should be noted that the invention is not intended to be limited by the exemplary embodiments given. In particular, unless explicitly stated otherwise, it is also possible to extract partial aspects of the facts explained in the figures and combine them with other components and findings from the present description. Show it:

Fig. 1 is an exemplary representation of a partial view of an embodiment of a device according to the invention,

Fig. 2 schematic representations of the general structure of an embodiment of a device according to the invention,

Fig. 3 is a schematic representation of the conceptual structure of an embodiment of a device according to the invention,

4 shows schematic views of the a) front and b) rear views of an embodiment of a device according to the invention with two exemplary rearing panels arranged one behind the other,

Fig. 5 is a schematic detailed representation of an exemplary traverse system according to the invention of a device according to the invention,

6 shows schematic detailed representations of an exemplary plant insert according to the invention of a device according to the invention, 7 a) a schematic detailed representation of the driver principle according to the invention and b) sectional view of a driver according to the invention of an embodiment of a device according to the invention,

8 shows an exemplary schematic representation of a carriage according to the invention of the conveyor system of a device according to the invention in a) overall view and as b) sectional view, and

Fig. 9 is an exemplary schematic representation of a spray nozzle according to the invention of the aeroponic spray system of a device according to the invention in a) overall view and as b) sectional view.

Detailed description of the drawings

Figure 1 shows an exemplary representation of a partial view of an embodiment of a device according to the invention. The device shown for growing plants P comprises a growing panel 10 with a plurality of openings 12 for inserting plants P, the growing panel 10 having a shoot side S and a root side W for the plants P; a conveyor system 20 for transporting the rearing panel 10 along a rearing path A; an aeroponic spray system 30, designed to supply the growing panel 10 on the root side W with a nutrient solution NSL, the growing panel 10 and the conveying system 20 being designed to prevent spraying or contamination of the shoot side S with the nutrient solution NSL; a lighting system 40 configured to illuminate the growing panel 10 on the shoot side S, the growing panel 10 and the conveyor system 20 being designed to prevent illumination of the root side W; wherein the aeroponic spray system 30 and the lighting system 20 are arranged as fixed components along the growing path A and the growing panel 10 is transported past them by the conveyor system 20.

In the illustration, the conveyor system 20 is designed to transport at least two rearing panels 10, 10' arranged one behind the other, wherein rearing panels 10, 10' arranged directly behind the other can be connected to one another via connecting elements 18, wherein the connecting elements 18 are designed to prevent spraying or contamination of the shoot side S of the rearing panels 10, 10' with the nutrient solution NSL and to prevent illumination of the root side W of the rearing panels 10, 10'. A part of the conveyor system together with a general holding system (ceiling mount) forms the traverse system. In one of the rearing panels 10 shown, it is indicated that this can also be composed modularly from several individual elements 10a, 10b (two individual elements) that can be connected to one another. Figure 2 shows schematic representations of the general structure of an embodiment of a device according to the invention. In this case, an oblique view is shown under a) and a side view of the structure under b). It can be clearly seen in these representations that the aeroponic spray system 30 acts in particular on the root side W, and the lighting system 40 is intended to act on the opposite shoot side S. The two representations correspond largely to the device according to the invention shown in Fig. 1. The individual reference symbols and their assignment to individual features therefore apply accordingly. In addition, a control device 50 and a drainage and/or recycling system 60 are also shown schematically compared to Fig. 1.

Figure 3 shows a schematic representation of the conceptual structure of an embodiment of a device according to the invention. Several devices according to the invention can be set up and operated in a hall or a hangar, for example. The reference numbers and their assignment correspond to those of the previous figures.

Figure 4 shows schematic views of the a) front and b) rear view of an embodiment of a device according to the invention with two exemplary cultivation panels 10, 10' arranged one behind the other. The openings 12 in which the plants P are inserted can be clearly seen here. The passages of the openings 12 are shown in the illustration with the root side W inclined downwards, the opposite shoot side S is thus slightly higher at each opening 12 in the intended hanging position of the cultivation panels 10, so that no nutrient solution NSL can get through the openings 12 when spraying. Furthermore, several carriages 24 are shown running in a common guide rail 22 in the views.

Figure 5 shows a schematic detailed representation of an exemplary traverse system according to the invention of a device according to the invention. The representation shows a rearing panel 10 arranged hanging on a carriage 24 in a guide rail 22. The carriage 24 has a wheel which is guided on the inside of a C-shaped guide rail.

Figure 6 shows schematic detailed representations of an exemplary plant insert 70 according to the invention of a device according to the invention. The opening 12 shown in the cultivation panel has a holder 16 for receiving the plant insert 70. The plant insert 70 can be arranged in the openings 12 of the cultivation panel 10 with or without a plant P.

Figure 7 shows a schematic a) detailed representation of the driver principle according to the invention and b) sectional representation of a driver according to the invention of an exemplary embodiment of a device according to the invention. Figure 8 shows an exemplary schematic representation of a carriage 24 according to the invention of the conveyor system 20 of a device according to the invention in a) overall view and as b) sectional view.

Figure 9 shows an exemplary schematic representation of a spray nozzle according to the invention of the aeroponic spray system 30 of a device according to the invention in a) overall view and as b) sectional view.

List of reference symbols

10, 10' rearing panels

10a, 10b individual elements

12 openings

14 Bending element

16 brackets

18 fasteners

20 conveyor system

22 guide rail

24 carriages

30 aeroponic spray system

40 lighting system

50 Control device

60 Drainage and/or recycling system

70 plant stakes

P Plants

S Sprout side

W root side

NSL nutrient solution

A rearing path

Claims

Patent claims

1. Device for growing plants (P), comprising: a growing panel (10) with a plurality of openings (12) for inserting plants (P), the growing panel (10) having a shoot side (S) and a root side (W ) for the plants (P); a conveyor system (20) for transporting the rearing panel (10) along a rearing path (A); an aeroponic spray system (30), set up to supply the rearing panel (10) on the root side (W) with a nutrient solution (NSL), the rearing panel (10) and the conveying system (20) being designed to prevent spraying or contamination of the Shoot side (S) with the nutrient solution (NSL); a lighting system (40) designed to illuminate the rearing panel (10) on the shoot side (S), the rearing panel (10) and the conveyor system (20) being designed to prevent the root side (W) from being illuminated; wherein the aeroponic spray system (30) and the lighting system (20) are arranged as fixed components along the growing path (A) and the growing panel (10) is transported past them by the conveyor system (20).

2. Device according to claim 1, further comprising a control device (50) configured to adapt control parameters of the aeroponic spray system (30) and/or the lighting system (40) depending on the position of the cultivation panel (10) along the cultivation path (A).

3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the rearing path (P) is closed, preferably meandering or spiral-like.

4. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the rearing panel (10) when arranged as intended within the conveyor system (30) has at least one flexible bending element (14) aligned perpendicular to the rearing path (A) for simplified passage of curve sections along the rearing path (A). having.

5. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the rearing panel (10) is modularly composed of several individual elements (10a, 10b) that can be connected to one another.

6. Device according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a drainage and / or recycling system (60) designed to collect excess nutrient solution (NSL) from the sprayed root side (W) of the rearing panel (10).

7. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least some openings (12) of the cultivation panel (10) are designed for the direct insertion of plants (P).

8. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least some of the openings (12) of the rearing panel (10) have holders (16) for receiving plant inserts (70).

9. The device according to claim 8, wherein the plant inserts (70) are designed as funnel-shaped planters and insertion into the growing panel (10) of the device after the cultivation of a plant (P) from the penetration of a root of the plant (P) at one end of the planter.

10. The device according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the plant inserts (70) for cultivation are filled with an agar solution of at least 0.5%, preferably 1% to 3%, as a plant substrate.

11. Device according to one of claims 8 to 10, wherein seeds or calli grown from a stock solution are applied to the plant inserts (70).

12. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the conveyor system (20) is a hanging conveyor system, designed to move the rearing panel (10) with a carriage (24) along a guide rail (22) following the rearing path (P). transport.

13. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the conveyor system (20) is arranged to transport at least two rearing panels (10, 10') arranged one behind the other.

14. The device according to claim 13, wherein the rearing panels (10, 10 ') are transported by the conveyor system (20) at a constant distance and at a uniform speed along the rearing path (A). Device according to claim 13 or 14, wherein rearing panels (10, 10') arranged immediately one behind the other can be connected to one another via connecting elements (18), the connecting elements (18) being designed to prevent spraying or contamination of the sprout side (S) of the rearing panels (10 . 10') with the nutrient solution (NSL) and to prevent the root side (W) of the rearing panels (10, 10') from being illuminated.