PLANT CULTIVATION SYSTEM AND USE

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a multi-part use of a plant cultivation system for cultivating plants and to a plant cultivation system.

[0002] The cultivation of plants in living areas for decoration, to create a desired indoor climate, and / or for use, for example, as spices or other ingredients in cooking or baking is enjoying great popularity. The respective plants can be rooted in soil or, as hydroponics, in a substrate. Such substrates, which in hydroponics are arranged in water-filled containers, can contain, for example, clay granules and / or rock wool. In special applications of this type of hydroponics, hydroponic planting systems are used, in which various parameters influencing the development of a particular plant can be automatically monitored and controlled.

[0003] In the Figures 1a to 1cA known plant cultivation system of the applicant is shown. The plant cultivation system 1 has a lower tray 2 as a water tank for the cultivated plants 4 and an upper tray 6 in which a plant lighting system 7 is arranged. The upper tray 6 is arranged on a central and preferably telescopic vertical support 8 and is moved upwards depending on the growth stage of the plants and thus removed from the lower tray 2. On the lower tray 2, as shown in Figure 1d clearly shown, an insert 10 is placed, which can be used either as a capsule holder 10 ( Figures 1d and 1e ) for holding seed or plant capsules or as a germination tray 10' ( Figure 1f ) is designed to receive seeds. It has now become apparent that consumers have a growing need for an ever-increasing variety of plants, which may exhibit different growth rates.

[0004] US 2015 / 156973 A1 discloses relevant prior art.

[0005] The object of the present invention is to create an insert for a plant cultivation system that enables increased plant diversity. Furthermore, the object of the invention is to create a plant cultivation system that enables the simultaneous cultivation of an increased number of different plants.

[0006] The problem is solved by an insert having the features of patent claim 1 and by a plant cultivation system having the features of patent claim 5.

[0007] An insert of a plant cultivation system according to the invention is multi-part. It has at least two sub-elements designed to receive seeds, seedlings, sprouting seeds, seedlings, etc. Furthermore, the insert has a frame element designed to receive or hold the at least two sub-elements in the plant cultivation system.

[0008] The insert according to the invention consists of several elements or individual parts that, when put together, form the insert. The sub-elements that can be inserted into the frame element increase flexibility in species diversity and thus greater customization. The sub-elements can be individually equipped and removed separately from the frame and thus from the plant cultivation system. There is no need to separate the plant cultivation system from, for example, a power supply. The plants in the individual sub-elements can be supplied with nutrients and watered according to their needs, so that each plant can be cultivated optimally. In addition, the multi-part design and the ability to disassemble the insert enable simple and thorough cleaning and storage of the sub-elements. The insert is also modular in design thanks to the sub-elements and can therefore be supplemented with further sub-elements.

[0009] Preferably, the frame element has recesses for inserting the subelements, with the subelements having an outer contour corresponding to the inner contour of the recesses. This ensures a precise fit of the inserts in the frame element. Furthermore, the insert can thus act as a lid for an irrigation vessel or water tank, specifically when the insert with its frame element is placed on the irrigation vessel in the plant cultivation system, preventing unwanted water evaporation.

[0010] To refill the water reservoir in the watering vessel, it is advantageous if the frame element has a filling opening in a body section for adding water and nutrients or a nutrient solution. This measure allows the water reservoir to be refilled at any time without having to remove any of the sub-elements from the frame element. Furthermore, the filling opening allows water to be poured over the plants in the sub-elements when refilling, which would otherwise wet their leaves. Instead, water is supplied to the plants exclusively from below, enabling precise water management.

[0011] Two preferred subelements are a capsule holder for holding seed capsules, plant capsules, and the like, and an insert that serves as a germination tray for holding loose seeds. This allows both seed capsules and loose seeds to be used. Seed capsules, plant capsules, hereinafter also referred to as seed capsules, contain, for example, a plant cultivation substrate; which contains, for example, clay granules and / or a rock wool substrate.

[0012] Plant diversity within the germination tray can be increased because the germination tray has several adjacent cultivation fields separated by a partition. The cultivation fields are thus spatially separated from each other. At least one partition is removable and can be arranged at a different location within the sub-element, allowing the size of the cultivation fields to be adjusted or varied depending on the amount of seed to be grown or the plant species.

[0013] For some plants, exposure to a greenhouse-like environment is beneficial for their cultivation. To create such a greenhouse, a transparent cover is provided to protect the growing plants. The cover is preferably made of a waterproof, transparent plastic or glass. For easy and quick visual inspection, it is advantageous if the cover is also transparent to the human eye. The cover can be closed around the perimeter or, for example, be provided with ventilation openings in the side walls.

[0014] To customize each plant cultivation, a cover is assigned to each sub-element. Furthermore, individual covers of this type can be assigned to individual cultivation fields, allowing for even greater attention to the needs of individual plants.

[0015] For ease of handling, the at least one cover is designed to support the respective subelement in an overhead orientation. As a result, the cover acts as a preferably waterproof support for the respective subelement, preventing the subelement placed in the cover from touching a surface such as a table. The subelement can safely drain into the cover, preventing the table from becoming damp or soiled.

[0016] A high level of stability of at least one cover is achieved with a cover that has foot elements for placing on a surface.

[0017] A plant cultivation system according to the invention serves for plant cultivation, for example, in the interior of an apartment or house or on a balcony. It comprises a multi-part insert according to the invention. Such a plant cultivation system is characterized by enabling a high level of plant diversity and thus a high degree of customization. In particular, a plant cultivation system according to the invention can be designed as a hydroponic planting system.

[0018] Other advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of further subclaims.

[0019] The present invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the drawings. It is understood that individual elements and components can also be combined differently than shown. Corresponding elements are provided with the same reference numerals throughout the figures and may not be described more than once.

[0020] They show schematically: Figures 1a to 1f: a known plant cultivation system of the applicant including two inserts in individual representation, Figures 2a and 2b: an embodiment of an insert according to the invention for such a plant cultivation system in full line and phantom line representation in the assembled state, and Figures 3a and 3b: the insert according to the Figures 2a and 2b in exploded views with solid lines and phantom lines.

[0021] In the Figures 2a and 2b is an embodiment of an insert 20 according to the invention for a Figures 1a to 1dThe insert 20 is multi-part and comprises a frame element 22 for placing on a water tank or an irrigation vessel of the plant cultivation system, as well as at least two sub-elements 24, 26 to be inserted into the frame element 22 for receiving seeds, plants, sprouts, and the like. The water tank is, for example, a lower shell of the plant cultivation system (see introductory explanations to the Figures 1a to 1d ). According to the Figures 2a to 2b left Supplement 24 is designed as a capsule holder and according to the Figures 2a to 2b The right supplement is designed as a germination tray. In addition, the insert 20 in this initial example has a cover 28 for covering the subelement 26 or the germination tray. A detailed explanation of the multi-part insert 20 is provided in the Figures 3a and 3b .

[0022] The frame element 22 has an outer ring 30 and an inner ring 32 arranged concentrically therewith. The outer ring 30 is formed on its outer circumference with two oppositely arranged handles 34a, b for handling the insert 20, in particular for inserting and removing it from the plant cultivation system. On the inner circumference, the outer ring 30 has a radially inwardly sloping annular surface 62.

[0023] The inner ring 32 is held in the outer ring 30 by a straight web 36 extending radially to a vertical axis or vertical axis H of the frame element 22 and a fan-shaped, widened connecting section 38 extending from the web 36 to an opposite side of the inner ring 32. A filling opening 40 for filling the mounting vessel with water, for adding nutrients, and the like is formed in the connecting section 38.

[0024] The inner ring 32 forms a passage 42 on the inner circumference for a vertical support of the plant cultivation system for holding an upper shell (see introductory explanations to the Figures 1a to 1d ). On the outer circumference side, the inner ring 32, together with the web 36, the connecting section 38 and a respective inner circumference section of the outer ring 30 extending between the connecting section 38 and the web 36 and not separately numbered, delimits two recesses 44, 46 for receiving one of the sub-elements 24, 26 each.

[0025] The recesses 44, 46 extend vertically through the frame element 22 and have a curved or kidney shape when viewed from above. They each have a vertical inner wall 48, 50 and, as shown in the illustrations in the Figures 3a and 3bAt the lower end of the inner walls 48, 50, each has a radially inwardly facing circumferential inner collar 56, 58. They are, in particular, of the same or identical design, so that the subelements 24, 26 can be inserted into each recess 44, 46. Accordingly, the outer contours of the subelements 24, 26 are of the same or almost the same design, in order to enable such alternating positioning in the respective other recess 44, 46.

[0026] The subelements 24, 26 each have a vertical outer wall 52, 54, which runs correspondingly to the inner wall 48, 50 of the frame element 22. The subelements 24, 26 thus have a similar arched or kidney shape to the recesses 44, 46.

[0027] The supplement 24 or capsule holder has a flat surface 64 in which, for example, three openings 66 are formed, each for receiving a seed capsule (not shown). The openings 66 each have a downwardly extending neck 67. For reasons of clarity, only one of the openings 66 is numbered. The height of its outer wall 52 is matched to the height of the inner walls 48 of the recesses 44, 46 such that, when inserted, the subelement 24, with its surface 64, is flush with a surface of the frame element 22.

[0028] In the inserted state, the subelement 24 is supported by means of its outer wall 52 on the inner collar 56 of the recess 52.

[0029] On its outer wall 52, the supplement 24 has three locking elements 68a, b, c for releasably locking to the frame element 22 when the subelement 24 is inserted. One locking element 68a, b is arranged on each end face 70a, b of the outer wall 52. The third locking element 68c is formed centrally on a concave, unnumbered surface section of the outer wall 52, which extends between the end faces 70a, b. The locking elements 68a, b, c are designed as locking hooks, each of which, due to its arrangement, can releasably engage under the outer ring 30, the web 36, and the connecting section 38 of the frame element 22. For the necessary passage of the locking elements 68a, b, c to achieve the locking, a recess 72, 74 is provided in the inner collars 56, 58 of the recesses 44, 46 in the area of ​​each locking element 68a, b, c. For reasons of clarity, only one recess 72, 74 is numbered per recess 44, 46.

[0030] The subelement 26, or germination tray, has a grid-shaped base 76 and is open at the top. It is divided into two adjacent cultivation areas 80a, b by a radially extending partition 78, so that, for example, different plants can be cultivated spatially separated from one another in the subelement 26. At its upper end, the subelement 26 has a circumferential outer collar 86 on its outer wall 54, by means of which it rests on the inner collar 54 of the recess 46 when inserted, thus being held in place.

[0031] The cover 28 has a dual function. A first function of the cover 28 is its use as a cover element, for example, to create a greenhouse-like growing environment for the plants cultivated in the sub-elements 26. It consists of a material that is transparent to the human eye and to the respective illumination radiation, in particular plastic or glass. It has a transparent, flat cover surface 82, of which Figures 2a to 3b shown use as a cover element, a circumferential transparent vertical side wall 84 extends downwards.

[0032] The side wall 84 forms an outer contour corresponding to the recess 46, so that the cover 28, like the two sub-elements 24, 26, is also curved or kidney-shaped. When used as a cover element, the cover 28 rests on the outer collar 86 of the outer wall 54 of the sub-element 26.

[0033] Since the outer collar 86 of the sub-element 26 also serves to support the sub-element 26 on the inner collar 58 of the recess 46 in the inserted state, the cover 28, when used as a cover element, dips with its side wall 84 into the recess 46 and is thus secured in position.

[0034] A second function involves using the cover 28 as a waterproof support for the sub-element 26 on a substrate outside the plant cultivation system (not shown). For this purpose, the cover is removed from its Figures 2a to 2bshown position into an inverted overhead position so that the cover surface 82 is located under the side wall 84. To stabilize the support of the cover 28 on a surface, it has foot elements 86a, b distributed evenly over the cover surface 26. A total of six foot elements 88a, 88b are provided here, of which only two are numbered for reasons of clarity. The foot elements 88a, 88b are arranged in the edge region of the cover surface 82 and, in particular, are rubber-like elevations that prevent the cover 28 from accidentally shifting or slipping on the surface.

[0035] It should be noted that subelement 24 can also have more or fewer than three openings for receiving seed capsules. Furthermore, it should be noted that subelement 26 can have more or fewer than two cultivation fields. Furthermore, it should be noted that the multi-part insert also allows the use of at least two similar subelements 24 or 26 in frame element 22. Thus, the subelements can be designed as individual capsule holders 24 or as individual germination trays 26.

[0036] Disclosed are a multi-part insert of a plant cultivation system, comprising at least two sub-elements configured to receive seeds, seedlings, sprout seeds, seedlings, etc., and comprising a frame element for receiving the at least two sub-elements in the plant cultivation system, as well as a plant cultivation system comprising such an insert. Reference symbol

[0037] 1 Plant cultivation system 2 Lower tray 4 Plant 6 Upper tray 7 Plant lighting 8 Vertical guide 10, 10' Insert 20 Insert 22 Frame element 24 Subelement capsule holder 26 Subelement germination tray 28 Cover 30 Outer ring 32 Inner ring 34a, b Handle 36 Bridge 38 Connecting section / body section 40 Filling opening 42 Passage 44 Recess 46 Recess 48 Inner wall / inner contour 50 Inner wall / inner contour 52 Outer wall / outer contour 54 Outer wall / outer contour 56 Inner collar 58 Inner collar 62 Ring surface 64 Surface 66 Opening 67 Neck 68a, b, c Locking element 70a, b Front side 72 Recess 74 Recess right recess 76 Base 78Partition wall 80a, bBreeding fields 82Cover surface 84Side wall 86Outer collar 88a, bFoot element High axis / vertical axis

Claims

1. Multi-part insert (20) of a plant cultivation system, having at least two subelements (24, 26) which are designed to receive seeds, seedlings, tender shoots, saplings and so on, and having a frame element (22) for receiving the at least two subelements (24, 26) in the plant cultivation system, wherein at least one transparent cover (28) is provided, in order to cover the growing plants, wherein a cover (28) is assigned to a subelement, characterised in that the at least one cover (28) is designed to support the respective subelement (24, 26) in the overhead alignment, wherein the at least one cover (28) has base elements (88a, 88b) for placing on a subsurface, wherein a subelement (26) is a germination tray for receiving seeds in bulk and has a number of cultivation fields (80a, 80b), adjacent to one another, separated by a partition wall (78), and the partition wall (78) can be removed and arranged at another point in the subelement (26).

2. Insert according to claim 1, wherein the frame element (22) has recesses (44, 46) for inserting the subelements (24, 26) and these have an outer contour (52, 54) which corresponds to the inner contour (48, 50) of the recesses (44, 46).

3. Insert according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the frame element (22) in a body section (38) has a filler opening (40) for filling water.

4. Insert according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein a subelement (24) is a capsule holder for receiving seed capsules.

5. Plant cultivation system with a multi-part insert (20) according to one of the preceding claims.