clay structure

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a clay structure suitable for soilless cultivation and a cultivation method. The clay structure suitable for soilless cultivation comprises a cup body and a cover body. The cup body is downwardly concave to form a first recess for accommodating seeds. The cover body is installable on the cup body to cover the first recess. The cup body is made of a decomposable material. The clay structure is capable of accommodating seeds in the cup body. The cup body is made of a decomposable material. When the cup body and the seeds are placed on water or a culture medium, the cup body can be automatically decomposed. The seeds can break through the cup body and grow. The seeds after germination can be wrapped on the cover body or an external first support. The cup body continues to degrade and disintegrate. The roots of the seeds can extend into the water through the bottom hole of the first support. The seeds after germination can leave the narrow space in the cup body and enter a wider space.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of plant cultivation, and more particularly to a clay structure suitable for soilless cultivation. Background Technology

[0002] Modern horticultural seed propagation generally employs two methods: (1) planting in soil, and transplanting at a later date after the seeds germinate and seedlings emerge; (2) soilless seedling cultivation, followed by transplanting. Because seedlings are delicate, manual labor is currently the norm, which is time-consuming and labor-intensive. Therefore, a convenient, time-saving, and labor-saving cultivation method is now being developed. Utility Model Content

[0003] In order to overcome at least one of the defects described in the prior art, the purpose of this application is to provide a clay structure that facilitates seed cultivation and eliminates the need for seedling transplantation once sown.

[0004] In a first aspect, this disclosure provides a clay structure, comprising:

[0005] The cup body and the lid body are provided, wherein the cup body is recessed to form a first groove for accommodating seeds, and the lid body is mounted on the cup body to cover the first groove.

[0006] In some embodiments, the cup body further includes a first support having a first through hole, the top of the cup body extending outward from the position of the first groove to form a support portion, the cup body being recessed downward to form the first groove and inserted into the first through hole, the first support receiving the support portion so that the support portion is positioned on the first support, wherein the cup body is made of a biodegradable material.

[0007] In some embodiments, the first support has a second groove, the first through hole is located at the bottom of the second groove, and the cup body's support and the lid are located within the second groove.

[0008] In some embodiments, the cup body is insoluble in water, the first support is made of plastic or foam, the lid is made of a biodegradable material, and the top of the cup body may have a protrusion for mounting and fixing the lid.

[0009] In some embodiments, the cup body is made by mixing clay and biodegradable materials with water to form a mud ball.

[0010] Secondly, this disclosure provides a clay structure, including: a container and a second support, wherein a third groove is formed on the top of the container, and the second support is formed with a receiving cavity extending vertically through the second support, the container can be placed in the receiving cavity, and there is a gap between the container placed in the receiving cavity and the top of the receiving cavity.

[0011] In some embodiments, the container is made of a biodegradable material.

[0012] In some embodiments, the receiving cavity is formed with a first cavity and a second cavity, the second cavity being located on the first cavity and the first cavity communicating with the second cavity, and the container being installed in the first cavity by cooperating with the first cavity.

[0013] In some embodiments, the second cavity gradually widens from bottom to top, the container is a column, and the top surface of the container is lower than the top surface of the second cavity, while the bottom of the first cavity is in communication with the outside.

[0014] In some embodiments, the container is made by mixing clay and biodegradable materials with water to form a mud ball.

[0015] This disclosure provides a clay structure suitable for hydroponics, which uses a cup to hold seeds and makes the cup a biodegradable material. When the seeds and the cup are placed on water or a culture medium, the cup can automatically decompose, allowing the seeds to break through the cup and emerge. The cup then wraps around a cover or an external first support, allowing the germinated seeds to leave the narrow space in the original cup and enter a wider space.

[0016] This disclosure also provides a clay structure suitable for hydroponics, which uses a container to hold seeds and makes the container a biodegradable material so that when the seeds and the container are placed on water or a culture medium, the container can automatically decompose, allowing the seeds to break out of the container and then wrap the container around a second support, so that the germinated seeds can leave the small space in the original container and enter a wider space. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the cultivation structure in the prior art.

[0018] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a clay structure in one embodiment of the present disclosure when combined with a first support and a seed.

[0019] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of a seed placed in a clay structure according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0020] Figure 4 This is a block diagram of a cultivation method according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0021] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the second support according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0022] Figure 6This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a container according to another embodiment of this disclosure.

[0023] Figure 7 This is a cross-sectional view of a container according to another embodiment of this disclosure.

[0024] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of a clay structure according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0025] The diagram shows the following labels: 100, first support; 110, first through hole; 120, second groove; 200, seed; 300, clay structure; 310, cup body; 311, first groove; 312, support; 320, cover; 400, culture medium; 610, first support; 611, through hole; 620, cup support; 630, seedling; 640, culture medium; 700, container; 710, third groove; 800, second support; 810, receiving cavity; 811, first cavity; 812, second cavity; 813, opening. Detailed Implementation

[0026] To better understand and implement this application, the technical solutions in this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0027] In the description of this application, it should be noted that the terms "upper", "lower", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", "far", "near", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this application.

[0028] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this application belongs. The terminology used herein in the specification of this application is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of this application.

[0029] Figure 1The illustration shows a cultivation structure in the prior art known to the applicant. In this structure, after the seed germinates into a seedling 630, it needs to be transferred from another location and placed on a tray 620. The tray 620 is located within a first support 610 and above a through-hole 611 in the first support 610. Below the through-hole 611 is the culture medium 640, which allows the culture medium 640 to enter the first support 610 and then the tray 620 through the through-hole 611. Therefore, it is evident that seedling transplantation is relatively cumbersome, requiring the germinating seedlings to be transferred to a specific area for further cultivation. Therefore, this disclosure provides a clay structure 300 suitable for hydroponics, such as... Figures 2-3 As shown, it includes: a cup body 310 and a lid 320. The cup body 310 is recessed downward to form a first groove 311 to accommodate seeds 200. The lid 320 can be installed on the cup body 310 to cover the first groove 311. The cup body 310 is made of a biodegradable material.

[0030] Optionally, the clay structure 300 also includes a first support 100, the bottom of which is water or culture medium 400. The first support 100 has a first through hole 110 to communicate with the water or culture medium 400 at the bottom of the first support 100. The top of the cup body 310 extends outward from the position of the first groove 311 to form a support portion 312. The cup body 310 is recessed downward to form the first groove 311 and inserted into the first through hole 110. The first support 100 receives the support portion 312 so that the support portion is located on the first support 100.

[0031] It should be noted that since the first through hole 110 passes through the first support 100, water or culture medium 400 at the bottom of the first support 100 can enter the first support through the first through hole 110 to come into contact with the cup body 310, providing moisture to the seeds while accelerating the decomposition of the cup body 310.

[0032] Optionally, the first support 100 has a second groove 120, the first through hole 110 is located at the bottom of the second groove 120, and the cup body 310 and the lid 320 are located in the second groove 120.

[0033] Optionally, the first stent 100 is insoluble in water.

[0034] Optionally, the first support 100 may be made of plastic or foam.

[0035] Optionally, the lid 320 may be made of a biodegradable material. Specifically, the material of the cup body 310 may be the same as that of the lid 320. It should be noted that the biodegradable material may be one or more of biodegradable and disintegrating materials. In some embodiments, the disintegrating material may be a mud mixture made by mixing clay, plaster, and water. The biodegradable material may be a biodegradable substance, such as starch, fiber, and plaster. In some embodiments, the lid 320 may be soil covering the cup body 310.

[0036] In some embodiments, the cup body is made by mixing clay or biodegradable material with water to form a mud-like consistency. The clay can be one or more of kaolin, attapulgite clay, and bentonite. The biodegradable material can be starch, fiber, gypsum, etc., and can be a composite material obtained from multiple biodegradable materials.

[0037] Optionally, the top of the cup body 310 may be formed with a protrusion for mounting the cover 320 or a cover 320 obtained by covering soil. Specifically, an annular protrusion is formed on the outer side of the upper surface of the support portion 312 of the cup body 310, and the cover 320 is fitted with the shape of the annular protrusion to be stably mounted on the top of the cup body 310.

[0038] Alternatively, the cup body 310 is made by mixing clay, plaster, fiber, and water and binding them together into a mud.

[0039] This disclosure also provides a cultivation method using a clay structure, such as... Figure 4 As shown, it includes:

[0040] Step S100: Place the seed in the first groove and cover it with clay; wherein, when the seed is in the first groove, the cover is placed over the cup. In some embodiments, soil can be placed over the cup as a cover.

[0041] Step S200: Add water or culture medium to the first groove;

[0042] Step S300: After the seeds germinate and form seedlings, the roots of the seedlings penetrate the clay structure to facilitate upright growth of the seedlings.

[0043] In step S400, after the clay structure degrades or disintegrates, the seedlings entwine around the first support or cover. In some embodiments, the clay structure needs to be soaked in water (15-35 days) to gradually degrade or disintegrate, after which the roots of the seedlings can penetrate through the first through-hole 110 at the bottom of the support 100 into the water or culture medium, while their stems and leaves grow upwards.

[0044] It should be noted that in some embodiments, since the first support 100 has a second groove 120, the support portion of the cup body 310 and the cover 320 are located within the second groove 120. Therefore, the seedling emerging from its shell can enter the second groove 120, which has a larger volume than the original narrow first groove 311, eliminating the need for transplanting. Furthermore, since the seedling is wrapped around the first support 100 and the cover 320, the risk of the seedling falling out of the first through-hole 110 is avoided. In addition, the cup body 310 gradually degrades or disintegrates, thus providing the seedling with the opportunity to gradually grow, break through the cup body 310, and become entangled in the outside world.

[0045] In some embodiments, this disclosure also provides a clay structure, such as Figures 5-7 As shown, the device includes a container 700 and a second support 800. A third groove 710 is formed on the top of the container 700. The second support 800 has a receiving cavity 810 that extends vertically through the second support 800. The container 700 can be placed inside the receiving cavity 810, and there is a gap between the container 700 placed in the receiving cavity 810 and the top of the receiving cavity 810. Figure 8 As shown, since there is a gap between the container 700 placed in the receiving cavity 810 and the top of the receiving cavity 810, soil can be piled in the gap between the container 700 and the top of the receiving cavity 810, so that the seeds placed in the third groove 710 can be buried in the soil. In some embodiments, the container 700 is made of a biodegradable material. More specifically, the container 700 is made by mixing clay and biodegradable substances with water to form a mud. The clay can be one or more of kaolin, attapulgite clay, and bentonite. The biodegradable substance can be starch, fiber, gypsum, etc., and can be a composite material obtained by combining multiple biodegradable substances.

[0046] In some embodiments, the second support 800 is insoluble in water. Specifically, the second support 800 is made of plastic or foam.

[0047] In some embodiments, the receiving cavity 810 is formed with a first cavity 811 and a second cavity 812, the second cavity 812 being located on the first cavity 811 and communicating with the second cavity 812. The container 700 is installed within the first cavity 811 by cooperating with it. The top of the container 700 may be lower than the bottom of the second cavity 812, the top of the container 700 may be level with the second cavity 812, or the top of the container 700 may extend slightly upward into the second cavity 812. It should be noted that the top of the container 700 does not necessarily need to extend into the second cavity 812. Furthermore, there is a gap between the side of the container 700 and the second cavity 812. More specifically, the second cavity 812 gradually widens from bottom to top, while the container 700 is a column, so the cross-section of the container 700 remains consistent along the vertical direction. Therefore, if the top of the container 700 extends into the second cavity 812, there is a certain gap between the second cavity 812 and the side of the container 700 to form a containment space so that soil can be placed inside.

[0048] In other embodiments, the top of container 700 is lower than the second cavity 812. Therefore, after filling the container with soil, any excess soil can be filled into the second cavity 812. Secondly, the top surface of container 700 is lower than the top of the first cavity 811, so when seeds are placed in the third groove 710 of container 700, the user can fill the receiving cavity 810 with soil, allowing the soil to cover the seeds in the third groove 710. More specifically, the height of the first cavity 811 is 13mm. The diameter of the opening 813 at the bottom of the first cavity 811 is 13.5mm, the internal diameter of the first cavity 811 is 14.50mm, and the height of container 700 is 10mm, lower than the height of both the first cavity 811 and the receiving cavity 810. Therefore, when container 700 is placed in the receiving cavity 810, the top of container 700 is lower than the top of the first cavity 811 and lower than the second cavity 812.

[0049] It should be added that the outer diameter of the container 700 is 14.50 mm or larger, so it can be placed in the first cavity 811. And since the diameter of the bottom opening 813 of the first cavity 811 is 13.5 mm, the container 700 can be placed in the first cavity 811 without falling out of the bottom of the first cavity 811.

[0050] Furthermore, in some embodiments, since the cross-section of the second cavity 812 gradually widens from bottom to top and the top of the container 700 extends slightly upward to the second cavity 812, and the container 700 is a cylinder with an outer diameter of 14.50 mm, there is a gap between the side of the container 700 and the side of the second cavity 812.

[0051] It should be noted that a gap refers to an unoccupied space between the two. Even if the bottom of the second cavity 812 abuts against the side of the container 700, the area above the second cavity 812 does not abut against the side of the container 700. The existence of unoccupied space between the two can be considered as a gap between the side of the container 700 and the side of the second cavity 812.

[0052] Optionally, the container 700 has a height of approximately 10 mm, with a remaining 3 mm space between the top surface of the container 700 and the top of the first cavity 811 to allow for soil coverage.

[0053] The bottom of the first cavity 811 is connected to the outside. This is to facilitate the connection between the seed roots and the outside environment after germination. Specifically, since the container 700 is decomposable, during seed germination, a portion of the container 700 will disperse and become loose, and part of the loosened container structure can also leave through the opening 813 at the bottom of the first cavity 811, leaving sufficient space for the seed roots to develop. Furthermore, after germination, the seed can pass through the opening 813 to reach the bottom of the second support 800 and come into contact with the liquid or culture medium below the second support 800 to absorb nutrients. Secondly, the second cavity 812 gradually expands from bottom to top, providing more space for the seed stem to develop after germination. After the container 700 decomposes, the seedling can also twine around the second support 800.

[0054] To investigate suitable materials for the cup body 310 and container 700, the applicant conducted various experiments. In some embodiments, the first mixture was made of clay and plaster, with a mass ratio of clay to plaster of 3:1. The applicant found that when the first mixture was soaked, it maintained its approximate shape on the day of soaking, underwent some disintegration on the second or third day, and completely disintegrated after 30 days.

[0055] In some embodiments, the second mixture is made of clay and plaster in a 1:1 mass ratio, with a fiber frame surrounding the clay and plaster for reinforcement. The applicant found that the second mixture can withstand immersion in water for 4 days without disintegrating.

[0056] In some embodiments, the third mixture is made of clay, plaster, and paper fiber, with a clay to plaster mass ratio of 1:1, and the paper fiber concentration is 2% by mass. The applicant found that the third mixture can withstand immersion in water for 2 weeks without disintegrating.

[0057] In some embodiments, the fourth mixture is made of clay, plaster, and paper fiber, with a clay to plaster mass ratio of 2:1, and the paper fiber concentration is 2% by mass. The applicant found that the fourth mixture can withstand soaking in water for 2 weeks without decomposition.

[0058] In some embodiments, the fifth mixture is made of clay, plaster, and paper fiber, with a clay to plaster mass ratio of 3:1, and the paper fiber concentration is 2% by mass. The applicant found that the fifth mixture readily disintegrates when soaked in water.

[0059] Next, the applicant also made cups from the third and fourth mixtures to hold the seeds. They found that both mixtures provided support for the seeds and gradually disintegrated during seed growth, providing space for the seedlings to develop.

[0060] The clay structure disclosed herein has a certain decomposition function. Although it will gradually decompose in water, the decomposition rate will be controlled to be comparable to the seed germination rate, so that after the seed has fully germinated, it will almost completely disintegrate, ensuring that enough space is left for the seed to develop.

[0061] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions disclosed herein, the technical means of this application are not limited to those disclosed in the above embodiments, but also include technical solutions composed of any combination of the above technical features. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make several improvements and modifications without departing from the principles of this application, and these improvements and modifications are also considered within the scope of protection of this application.

Claims

1. A clay structure, characterized in that, include: The cup body and the lid body are provided, wherein the cup body is recessed to form a first groove for accommodating seeds, and the lid body is mounted on the cup body to cover the first groove.

2. The clay structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a first support, the first support having a first through hole, the top of the cup body extending outward from the position of the first groove to form a support portion, the cup body being recessed downward to form the first groove and inserted into the first through hole, the first support receiving the support portion so that the support portion is located on the first support, wherein the cup body is made of a biodegradable material.

3. The clay structure according to claim 2, characterized in that, The first support has a second groove, the first through hole is located at the bottom of the second groove, and the cup body and the lid are located in the second groove.

4. The clay structure according to claim 2, characterized in that, The cup body is insoluble in water, the first support is made of plastic or foam, the lid is made of a biodegradable material, and the top of the cup body may have a protrusion for mounting and fixing the lid.

5. The clay structure according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, The cup body is made by mixing clay and biodegradable materials with water to form a mud ball.

6. A clay structure, characterized in that, include: The container and the second support are provided. The top of the container has a third groove, and the second support has a receiving cavity that extends vertically through the second support. The container can be placed inside the receiving cavity, and there is a gap between the container placed in the receiving cavity and the top of the receiving cavity.

7. The clay structure according to claim 6, characterized in that, The container is made of a biodegradable material.

8. The clay structure according to claim 6, characterized in that, The receiving cavity is formed by a first cavity and a second cavity, the second cavity being located on the first cavity and the first cavity and the second cavity being in communication, and the container being installed in the first cavity by cooperating with the first cavity.

9. The clay structure according to claim 8, characterized in that, The second cavity gradually widens from bottom to top, and the container is a cylinder, with the top surface of the container being lower than the top surface of the second cavity. The bottom of the first cavity is connected to the outside.

10. The clay structure according to any one of claims 6-9, characterized in that, The container is made by mixing clay and biodegradable materials with water to form a mud ball.

Images