Systems and methods for dispensing growth media to plants

Abstract

The invention relates to a system for dispensing a growth medium to a plant. The system includes a container for receiving a plant, a first conduit for fluidly connecting the container to a reservoir having a growth medium, and a suction device fluidly connected to the container. The suction device is operable to suck air from the container such that the growth medium flows from the reservoir into the container and at least partially immerses the plant.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a system and method for growing plants, and more particularly to a system and method for dispensing a growing medium to plants in containers for propagation. The present invention has been primarily developed for growing plants under plant tissue culture and will be described primarily in this context. However, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to this particular field of application, but is potentially applicable to a wide variety of applications, including sterile and non-sterile applications, particularly greenhouse and outdoor environment based applications. Background Art

[0002] The following discussion of the prior art is intended to present the present invention in an appropriate technical context and to enable its advantages to be properly understood. However, unless otherwise expressly stated, reference to any prior art in this specification should not be interpreted as an explicit or implicit admission that such technology is well-known or forms part of the common general knowledge in the art.

[0003] Commercial plant tissue culture (PTC) is the clonal micropropagation of plants used in the horticultural industry, including ornamental plants for home and landscape use, flower cuttings, revegetation, horticultural food crops, medicinal crops and forestry plants. Historically, PTC has been an expensive method of plant propagation compared to seed cultivation and unrooted cutting production (URC) methods, but PTC has found its niche in the production of plants that are difficult to propagate and must be supplied in a high health state. But for its cost, PTC has advantages in producing plants with high health, non-seasonality, more branching and higher overall early growth vigour.

[0004] Traditionally, PTC is performed in sealed containers where sterile gel media is sterilized and placed in the container before use. The containers are usually made of glass or polycarbonate with a polypropylene screw cap that can be recycled, or the containers are disposable polypropylene containers with a clip on lid. The disadvantage of this design is that the media cannot be changed or the plants handled without transferring to another container, which is labor-intensive and time-consuming.

[0005] Gelling agents may affect plant growth, but most plants that are continuously submerged (even partially) in liquid media typically experience physiological conditions, such as vitrification (high hydration), that reduce the plant's ability to successfully grow or "deflask." Deflask is the process by which seedlings and clones of plants of interest that have been produced and grown in environmentally safe and nutrient-rich sterile PTC containers are removed from the containers and "introduced" into standard plant nursery conditions.

[0006] Temporary immersion (TI) systems successfully overcome the disadvantages of gelling agents and continuous liquid exposure by introducing liquid media into the plant growth chamber for a few minutes several times a day to allow the plants to obtain nutrients and be exposed to phytohormones, and then draining the liquid media and exposing the plants to lower humidity and air drying without causing any physiological problems for the plants. Most TI systems use air pressure and complex dual-chamber containers or containers with many internal parts to force the liquid media into the plant growth chamber from the bottom up, thus requiring air pumps and controls as well as air filters and strong seals to maintain a sterile system.

[0007] It is an object of the present invention to overcome or substantially alleviate one or more disadvantages of the prior art, or at least to provide a useful alternative. Summary of the invention

[0008] A first aspect of the present invention provides a system for dispensing a growing medium to plants, the system comprising:

[0009] containers for receiving plants;

[0010] a first conduit for fluidly connecting the container to a reservoir having a growing medium; and

[0011] a suction device fluidly connected to the container;

[0012] Therein, the suction device is operable to draw air from the container so that the growing medium flows from the reservoir into the container and at least partially immerses the plants.

[0013] In one embodiment, the suction device is operated until the growing medium is substantially removed from the reservoir.

[0014] In another embodiment, the growth medium is allowed to flow back into the reservoir after the suction device ceases to operate. In another embodiment, the pressure inside the container is allowed to equalize with the pressure outside the container to promote the growth medium to flow back from the container to the reservoir.

[0015] In some embodiments, a second conduit connects the container fluid to the suction device.

[0016] In some embodiments, the suction device is located at, near or adjacent to the top of the container. In other embodiments, the suction device is located at, near or adjacent to the side or sidewall of the container, preferably located at, near or adjacent to the upper side or sidewall of the container. In other embodiments, the suction device is located at, near or adjacent to the bottom of the container. In embodiments where the second conduit connects the container fluid to the suction device, the suction device may also be located above the container. In one embodiment, the suction device comprises a vacuum pump.

[0017] In some embodiments, the reservoir is located below the container to promote the flow of the growth medium from the container back to the reservoir. In other embodiments, the reservoir is located at, near or adjacent to the bottom of the container to promote the flow of the growth medium from the container back to the reservoir.

[0018] In some embodiments, the container includes a port that allows gas to flow into the container from outside the container. In one embodiment, the port is fluidly connected to a gas source. In another embodiment, the port is fluidly connected to air outside the container.

[0019] In some embodiments, the port is associated with a filter to remove contaminants from the gas or air. In other embodiments, the filter sterilizes the gas or air.

[0020] In some embodiments, the port is configured to allow gas or air to flow in only one direction. In other embodiments, the port includes a one-way valve. In other embodiments, the port includes a two-way valve.

[0021] In some embodiments, the suction device operates during a first predetermined time period. In other embodiments, the suction device does not operate during a second predetermined time period. In other embodiments, the first predetermined time period is less than the second predetermined time period.

[0022] In some embodiments, the reservoir is flexible. In one embodiment, the reservoir comprises a flexible bag.

[0023] A second aspect of the present invention provides a method for dispensing a growing medium to plants in a container, the method comprising the steps of:

[0024] fluidly connecting the container to a reservoir having a growing medium; and

[0025] connecting the container fluid to a suction device; and

[0026] Suction is applied to draw air from the container, causing the growing medium to flow from the reservoir into the container such that the plants are at least partially immersed in the growing medium.

[0027] In some embodiments, suction is applied until the growth medium is substantially removed from the reservoir.

[0028] In some embodiments, the method includes stopping the suction and allowing the growth medium to flow back into the reservoir. In other embodiments, the method includes equalizing the pressure within the container with the pressure outside the container to promote the flow of the growth medium from the container back into the reservoir.

[0029] In some embodiments, the suction is applied for a first predetermined period of time. In other embodiments, the suction is stopped for a second predetermined period of time. In another embodiment, the first predetermined period of time is less than the second predetermined period of time.

[0030] In some embodiments, the steps of applying suction and stopping suction are repeated to introduce growth medium into the container and remove growth medium from the container in one cycle. In other embodiments, these steps are performed continuously. In other embodiments, these steps are performed intermittently.

[0031] In some embodiments, the method comprises applying suction at or near or adjacent to the top of the container. In other embodiments, the method comprises applying suction at or near or adjacent to the side or sidewall of the container, preferably applying suction at or near or adjacent to the upper side or sidewall of the container.

[0032] In some embodiments, the method includes placing the reservoir below the container to promote the flow of the growth medium from the container back to the reservoir. In other embodiments, the method includes placing the reservoir at or near or adjacent to the bottom of the container.

[0033] In some embodiments, the method comprises introducing a gas into the container. In one embodiment, the gas is introduced from a port fluidly connected to a gas source. In another embodiment, the gas is introduced from a port fluidly connected to an air source outside the container.

[0034] In some embodiments, the method comprises filtering the gas or air to remove contaminants. In other embodiments, the method comprises sterilizing the gas or air.

[0035] Where applicable, the second aspect may have the same embodiments as those described above for the first aspect of the invention.

[0036] A third aspect of the present invention provides a system for distributing a growing medium to plants, the system comprising:

[0037] Containers for receiving plants; and

[0038] a first conduit for fluidly connecting the container to a reservoir having a growing medium;

[0039] The reservoir is movable between a dispensing position wherein the reservoir allows growth medium to flow from the reservoir into the container and at least partially immerse the plant, and a storage position wherein the reservoir allows growth medium to flow from the container into the reservoir.

[0040] In some embodiments, the dispensing location is located above the container. In other embodiments, the dispensing location is located at, near or adjacent to the top of the container. In other embodiments, the dispensing location is located at, near or adjacent to the side or side wall of the container, preferably located at, near or adjacent to the upper side or side wall of the container.

[0041] In some embodiments, the storage location is located below the container to promote the flow of the growth medium from the container back to the reservoir. In other embodiments, the storage location is located at, near or adjacent to the bottom of the container.

[0042] Where applicable, the third aspect may have the same embodiments as those of the first and second aspects of the invention described above.

[0043] A fourth aspect of the present invention provides a method for dispensing a growing medium to plants in a container, the method comprising the steps of:

[0044] fluidly connecting the container to a reservoir having a growing medium; and

[0045] moving the reservoir relative to the container to a dispensing position in which the reservoir allows the growing medium to flow from the reservoir into the container and at least partially submerge the plant; and

[0046] The reservoir is moved relative to the container to a storage position in which the reservoir allows growth medium to flow from the container into the reservoir.

[0047] Where applicable, the fourth aspect may have the same embodiments as those of the third aspect of the invention described above.

[0048] Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the specification and claims, the word "comprise" and its grammatical variations should be construed in an inclusive sense rather than an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is, in the sense of "including, but not limited to."

[0049] In addition, unless otherwise specified, ordinal adjectives "first," "second," "third," etc., used in this document to describe common objects merely refer to different instances of the same object and do not mean that the objects so described must be in a given order in time, space, order, or in any other way. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0050] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0051] Figure 1 is a schematic side view of a system according to an embodiment of the present invention in an initial state;

[0052] Figure 2 is based on Figure 1 A schematic side view of a system of an embodiment of the present invention in operation;

[0053] Figure 3 is based on Figure 1 A schematic side view of a system of an embodiment of the present invention in a non-operating state; and

[0054] Figure 4 is a schematic side view of a system according to another embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0055] The invention will now be described with reference to the following examples, which are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. In the accompanying drawings, corresponding features within the same embodiment or common to different embodiments are given the same reference numerals.

[0056] refer to Figure 1 , a system 100 for growing plants according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a container 110 for receiving plants, a first conduit 120, a reservoir 130 having a growing medium 140, a second conduit 150, and a suction device 160. The first conduit 120 fluidly connects the container 110 to the reservoir 130. The second conduit 150 fluidly connects the container 110 to the suction device 160. The suction device 160 is operable to draw air from the container 110 into the second conduit 150, so that the growing medium 140 flows from the reservoir 130 into the container and at least partially immerses the plants.

[0057] In this embodiment, the container 110 takes the form of a bioreactor that is substantially sealed from the external environment, and the first conduit 120 and the second conduit 150 take the form of flexible pipes. In other embodiments, the first conduit 120 and the second conduit 150 can take other forms, such as pipes, hoses, etc.

[0058] The suction device 160 in this embodiment is in the form of a vacuum pump located above the bioreactor 110. Alternatively, the suction device 160 may be located at, near or adjacent to the top 170 of the bioreactor 110. It will be appreciated that the suction device 160 may also be located at other locations on or near the bioreactor 110, such as the side wall 180, preferably the upper portion of the side wall, or even the bottom 190 of the bioreactor. In another embodiment, the suction device 160 may be located at, near or adjacent to a side of the bioreactor 110, preferably the upper side. Similarly, the suction device 160 may be located at, near or adjacent to the bottom 190. Preferably, the suction device 160 is located at, near or adjacent to at least the bioreactor 110 and the second flexible tube 150 to ensure that it most effectively and efficiently generates suction in the bioreactor.

[0059] The second conduit or flexible tube 150 is located at, near or adjacent to the top 170, but may also be located at the same or similar location as the suction device 160. However, it is preferred that the second flexible tube 150 is positioned so that its opening is at least located at, near or adjacent to the top 170 to ensure that when air is drawn from the bioreactor 110 it is not obstructed by vegetation or other material such as loose soil, rocks or fallen leaves.

[0060] In some embodiments, the second conduit 150 can be omitted and the suction device 160 can be directly connected to the bioreactor 110. In this case, the suction device 160 is directly connected to the bioreactor 110 at the top 170 or the side wall 180 or near or adjacent to the top 170 or the side wall 180, preferably the upper part of the side wall 180.

[0061] The growing medium 140 is a liquid or fluid medium containing nutrients to promote plant growth and development. Figure 1 In FIG. 1 , plants and associated soil are not shown for clarity only, but are generally located toward the bottom 190 of the bioreactor 110 .

[0062] The reservoir 130 may take the form of a flexible container, in this embodiment a flexible bag. Preferably, the flexible bag 130 is located below the bioreactor 110, but may also be placed at or near or adjacent to the bottom 190.

[0063] A port 200 is also provided adjacent to the top 170 of the bioreactor 110 for allowing gas or (ambient) air to flow into the bioreactor from outside the bioreactor. In this embodiment, the port 200 is fluidically connected to the surrounding environment outside the bioreactor 110. In this embodiment, the port includes a two-way valve that allows air / gas to flow in either direction. However, in actual applications, air / gas will flow in one direction; entering the bioreactor 110 from the outside and then leaving the bioreactor through the exhaust port of the vacuum pump 160. However, it should be understood that in other embodiments, the port 200 is configured to allow only one-way flow of fluid into the bioreactor 110, and in one embodiment includes a one-way valve. This ensures that gas / air does not escape through the port 200 during the operation of the vacuum pump 160.

[0064] Filter 210 is operably associated with port 200 to remove contaminants from the gas or ambient air before the gas or ambient air enters bioreactor 110. In other embodiments, filter 210 can also sterilize the gas or ambient air as it enters bioreactor 110 through filter 210.

[0065] exist Figure 1 In the initial state shown, the bioreactor 110 does not contain any growth medium 140, and the growth medium 140 is completely stored in the flexible bag 130. In addition, the gas pressure inside and outside the bioreactor 110 is equal.

[0066] refer to Figure 2 When it is desired to transfer or transfer the growth medium 140 from the flexible bag 130 to the bioreactor 110, the vacuum pump 160 is activated. This causes the air within the bioreactor 110 to be drawn out or flow through the flexible tube 150 to the vacuum pump 160, where the air is exhausted to the surrounding environment outside the bioreactor 110. This causes the air pressure inside the bioreactor 110 to become lower than the air pressure outside the bioreactor 110, causing the liquid growth medium 140 from the flexible bag 130 to be drawn into the flexible tube 120 and flow into the bioreactor 110 until the growth medium is substantially eliminated and the flexible bag 130 has completely collapsed or deflated.

[0067] Also by port 200 and filter 210, suck in external air or ambient air, to avoid excessive decompression of bioreactor 110.Filter 210 in this embodiment is a 0.22 micron filter, which removes pollutants and sterilizes ambient air thus.But, in other embodiments, if sterilization is not needed, and only pollutants need to be coarsely filtered, filters of various specifications can be used.The entry of ambient air also enriches the air in bioreactor 110 with fresh air.Alternatively, port 200 can be connected with gas source (not shown) fluid, to supplement or supply gas to bioreactor 110, thereby promote plant growth or development.For example, port 200 can be connected to carbon dioxide tank or other gas storage device by fluid, to supply gas or other gas mixtures enriched with carbon dioxide to bioreactor 110.

[0068] Once the growth medium 140 is substantially eliminated from the pliable bag 130, the vacuum pump 160 is turned off. Alternatively, the vacuum pump 160 is stopped when the growth medium 140 has been substantially distributed within the bioreactor 110 to at least partially or completely immerse the plants located at or near the bottom 190 for a sufficient period of time. In another alternative, the vacuum pump 160 gradually reduces its suction to optimize the residence time of the growth medium 140 on the plants before shutting down.

[0069] like Figure 3 As best shown, after the vacuum pump 160 stops operating, the growth medium 140 is allowed to gradually flow back into the flexible bag 130 through the flexible tube 120. Since the vacuum pump 160 is no longer generating suction, the pressure within the bioreactor 110 is allowed to gradually increase until it equalizes the pressure outside the bioreactor 110. The port 200 allows ambient air to enter the bioreactor 110, which assists in the gradual increase in pressure. Thus, the increased pressure causes the growth medium 140 to flow from the bioreactor 110 back into the flexible bag 130.

[0070] Furthermore, because the flexible bag 130 is located below the bioreactor 110, gravity causes the liquid growth medium 140 to flow back into the flexible bag 130. However, it should be understood that this effect can be similarly achieved by placing the flexible bag 130 at or near or adjacent to the bottom 190 of the bioreactor 110.

[0071] This cycle of applying suction to draw the growth medium 140 into the bioreactor 110 to partially submerge the plants and then stopping the suction to return the growth medium to the flexible bag 130 can be repeated continuously or intermittently. Thus, the system 100 can be used to promote the growth of plants in the bioreactor 110 throughout the life of the plants until the plants are ready to be removed.

[0072] Typically, suction is applied during a first or operational predetermined period of time to draw the growth medium 140 into the bioreactor 110 and at least partially immerse the plants. The first or operational predetermined period of time is typically less than a second or non-operational predetermined period of time during which there is no suction and the growth medium 140 may be drained back into the flexible bag 130 for storage and / or distribution of the growth medium is not required to immerse the plants in the bioreactor 110.

[0073] The system 100 enables liquid growth medium 140 to be periodically introduced into the bioreactor 110 to promote the growth of the plants therein without having to constantly submerge them, thereby avoiding the occurrence of physiological conditions such as vitrification (high hydration) that reduce the growth or ability of the plants to exit the vial. In addition, the system 100 provides a convenient and relatively simple mechanism to add and remove growth medium 140 to and from the bioreactor 110, which is different from the prior art that uses complex systems that use complex containers with convoluted structures, air pumps, controls, and filters.

[0074] refer to Figure 4 , shows another embodiment of the present invention, in which the system 300 is manually operated in the absence or inability to use the vacuum pump 160. In this embodiment, the flexible bag 130 is placed above the bioreactor 110 so that the growth medium 140 flows downward through the flexible tube 120 into the bioreactor by gravity alone. As a result, the air pressure within the bioreactor 110 increases, which causes the air to be exhausted from the bioreactor 110 through the port 200 via the filter 210.

[0075] Once the growth medium 140 has been dispensed to the plants in the bioreactor 110 and allowed to reside for an appropriate period of time, the flexible bag 130 is moved or transferred underneath the bioreactor 110 so that the growth medium 140 flows out of the bioreactor and into the flexible bag under the force of gravity via the flexible tube 120. At the same time, air is drawn back into the bioreactor 110 through the port 200 and the filter 210 to equalize the air pressure within the bioreactor 110 with the ambient air pressure outside the bioreactor.

[0076] Therefore, this embodiment can be similar to Figures 1 to 3 The embodiment of the present invention at least partially immerses the plants in a bioreactor 110 having a liquid growth medium 140. Although this system 300 can achieve similar effects as system 110, it requires manual intervention, thereby increasing labor costs. Figures 1 to 3 The embodiments described herein are the more preferred ways to implement the invention in commercial applications.

[0077] It should also be understood that any features in the preferred embodiments of the present invention can be combined together and do not necessarily have to be applied in isolation from each other. Figures 1 to 3 The reservoir or flexible bag 130 in the Figure 4 As shown in the figure, it is movable to realize automatic and manual operation of the system 100. It is easy for a person skilled in the art to make similar combinations of two or more features of the above-mentioned embodiments or preferred forms of the present invention.

[0078] By providing a suction device and a reservoir or enabling the reservoir to be moved relative to the container, the present invention provides the advantage of being able to deliver and return growing medium to a plant growing container that is convenient, simple, and easy to use, especially when compared to the TI systems of the prior art. In one embodiment, this advantage is further enhanced by providing a port to allow the passage of gas or air and a filter for controlling the gas pressure within the container. All of these advantages of the present invention result in a TI system that uses fewer components and is simpler in structure, resulting in lower capital costs, less maintenance expenses, and greater convenience. In all of these respects, the present invention represents a significant practical and commercial improvement over the prior art.

[0079] Although the invention has been described with reference to certain embodiments, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in many other forms.

Claims

1. A system for dispensing a growing medium to plants, comprising: containers for receiving plants; a first conduit for fluidly connecting the container to a reservoir having the growing medium; and a suction device fluidly connected to the container; Therein, the suction device is operable to draw air from the container so that the growing medium flows from the reservoir into the container and at least partially immerses the plants.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein: The suction device is operated until the growing medium is substantially removed from the reservoir.

3. The system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: After the suction device has ceased operation, the growing medium is allowed to flow back into the reservoir.

4. The system according to claim 3, wherein: The pressure within the container is allowed to equalize with the pressure outside the container to promote the flow of the growing medium from the container back to the reservoir.

5. A system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: A second conduit connects the container fluid to the suction device.

6. A system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The suction device is located at, near or adjacent to the top, side or bottom of the container.

7. A system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The reservoir is located at, near or adjacent to the bottom of the container to facilitate flow of the growing medium from the container back to the reservoir.

8. A system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The container includes a port that allows gas to flow into the container from outside the container.

9. The system according to claim 8, wherein: The port is fluidly connected to a gas source.

10. The system according to claim 8, wherein: The port is fluidly connected to the air outside the container.

11. A system according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein: The port is associated with a filter to remove contaminants from the gas or air.

12. The system according to claim 11, wherein: The filter sterilizes the gas or air entering the container.

13. A system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The reservoir is flexible.

14. A method for dispensing a growing medium to plants in a container, the method comprising the steps of: fluidly connecting the container to a reservoir having the growing medium; and fluidly connecting the container to a suction device; and Suction is applied to draw air from the container, causing the growing medium to flow from the reservoir into the container such that the plants are at least partially immersed in the growing medium.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein: The suction force is applied until the growth medium is substantially removed from the reservoir.

16. A method according to claim 14 or 15, comprising stopping the suction and allowing the growing medium to flow back into the reservoir.

17. The method according to claim 15 or 16, wherein: The steps of applying the suction force and stopping the suction force are repeated to continuously or intermittently introduce the growth medium into the container and remove the growth medium from the container.

18. A method according to any one of claims 14 to 17, comprising equalising the pressure within the container with the pressure outside the container to encourage flow of the growing medium from the container back to the reservoir.

19. A method according to any one of claims 14 to 18, comprising positioning the reservoir at, near or adjacent to the bottom of the container to promote flow of the growing medium from the container back to the reservoir.

20. A method according to any one of claims 14 to 19 comprising introducing a gas into the vessel.

21. The method according to claim 20, wherein: The gas is introduced from a port fluidly connected to a gas source.

22. The method according to claim 20, wherein: The gas is introduced from a port connected to air fluid outside the container.

23. A method according to any one of claims 20 to 22 comprising filtering the gas or air to remove contaminants.

24. A method according to any one of claims 20 to 22, comprising sterilising the gas or air.

25. A method according to any one of claims 14 to 24, comprising applying suction at, near or adjacent to the top of the container.

Images