System for aeroponic plant cultivation

Abstract

System for the aeroponic cultivation of out of soil vegetables comprising at least one container (1) configured to delimit an internal volume of predetermined capacity in which the root system (R) of at least one vegetable (6) can grow, at least one nozzle (2) to introduce a liquid nutrient solution in liquid into said volume, wherein one or more holes (7) are formed on the lateral surface of the container at a predetermined distance from the bottom of the container, wherein said holes allow the nutrient solution to exit through the lateral surface of the container, wherein the at least one container is positioned on a channel (9) configured to receive the nutrient solution coming out of said holes and convey it to a collection station (C), and wherein at a position between the said volume and the channel a flow-breaking element (8) is arranged.

Description

[0001] TITLE

[0002] SYSTEM FOR AEROPONIC PLANT CULTIVATION

[0003] DESCRIPTION

[0004] The present invention relates to a system for the aeroponic cultivation of out of soil vegetables.

[0005] In particular, the present invention can be applied to the production of both leafy and fruit-bearing vegetables, fruit trees and also garden trees or trees for the production of wood, grapes or small fruits.

[0006] It is known that aeroponic cultivation for plant species with a long productive period or perennial plants involves significant problems in the management of the root system that develops during their growth and / or long life.

[0007] US2009 / 293357A1 discloses a cultivation system in which a nutrient solution is taken from a tank, dispensed on the roots and, through a conduit arranged on the bottom of the plant support container, is returned by gravity to the tank to be reused. JPS544729A discloses a similar system, in which a valve is used which serves to control the flow of a nutrient solution exiting from the plants growth tank through a drainage pipe directed to a nutrient solution collection and recycling tank.

[0008] Generally, the production of vegetables or other types of plants with the aeroponic technique involves the use of channels equipped with supports for the plants and nozzles to nebulize nutrients on the roots of the plants growing inside the same channels. Said channels generally delimit a relatively small volume, both due to production costs and constructional problems. The volume available for the roots of the plants is generally insufficient to contain the entire root system that forms during the long production period which can even reach nine months in the case of tomatoes or can be an indefinite period of time in the case of an arboreal tree. As it grows, the root system occupies the entire internal volume of the channel, increasingly hindering the drainage of the nutrient solution sprayed on the roots and increasingly favoring its stagnation. Over time, this stagnation and the roots that naturally die and the resulting rot can lead to radical hypoxia in the lowest part of the roots with clear drawbacks both in terms of productivity of the aeroponic system and in terms of production quality. The main object of the present invention is to obviate the aforesaid drawbacks.

[0009] This result has been achieved, in accordance with the present invention, by means of a system for the production of out of soil vegetables, both leafy and fruity, fruit trees, garden trees or trees for the production of wood and small fruits in aeroponic cultivation having the features indicated in claim 1. Other features of the present invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0010] In a production system in accordance with the present invention, a predetermined number of plants (for example, from one to five plants based on the plant species produced) is inserted in a single container, of various shapes and sizes, which can be selected according to the plants, on the side surface of which a predetermined number of holes are formed.

[0011] The number of holes formed on the side surface of the container can be chosen based on how much nutrient solution is to be drained. In fact, the diameter and the number of the holes and their distance from the bottom of the container may vary from species to species since each species may have different needs both in terms of feeding of nutrients and in terms of stagnation.

[0012] By providing the holes on the lateral surface rather than on the bottom of the container, it is avoided that the root system, over time, follows the trickle that is created by the drained solution, favoring the development and permanence of the root system inside the container. Furthermore, according to a possible embodiment of the present system, the container is positioned on a flow-breaking net which can be of various materials and with various mesh densities, which in turn is placed above a channel that serves to convey the nutrient solution, coming out of the container through said holes, towards collection tanks which can be both above ground and underground.

[0013] Thanks to the holes formed on the lateral surfaces of the container and to the flowbreaking net, the flow of the liquid escaping from these holes and directed towards the conveying channel is not homogeneous but, on the contrary, it is disturbed, thus creating very short fluid streams having a reduced flow rate. This small flow rate of the liquid streams determines, outside the container, an environment hostile to the root system that, therefore, tends to remain inside the container. The atached drawings illustrate, by way of non-limiting example, possible embodiments of a system in accordance with the present invention. In the attached example drawings:

[0014] ■ Fig.1 schematically represents a transparent view of a container for a system for the production of out of soil vegetables according to the present invention;

[0015] ■ Fig.2 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a channel that can be used to provide a system for the production of out of soils vegetables in accordance with the present invention;

[0016] ■ Fig.3 is an enlarged detail of Fig.1;

[0017] ■ Fig.4 and Fig.5 show possible embodiments of a system for the production of out of soil vegetables in accordance with the present invention;

[0018] ■ Fig.6 is similar to Fig.1 but illustrates, in particular, the root system of a plant in a system for the production of out of soil vegetables in accordance with the present invention, wherein the aerial part of the plant is not represented;

[0019] ■ Fig.7 is a photograph illustrating the root system of a plant in a system for the production of free root vegetables in accordance with the present invention after carrying out experimental tests with fruit plants, in particular tomatoes.

[0020] In the attached exemplary drawings, a container 1 is represented, inside which a nozzle 2 is arranged, connected to a pump 3 by means of a respective duct 5, for nebulizing a nutrient solution inside the same container 1. A lid 4 is arranged on the container 1 which acts also as a support for the plants 6 since it is provided with suitable seats for positioning the plants with their roots inside the container 1. Although only one nozzle 2 is foreseen in the example shown in the drawing, it is understood that inside the container 1 several nozzles can be arranged for supplying the solution intended to feed the plants through the roots "R" that grow inside the container 1. It is also understood that the nozzle or nozzles for spraying the nutrient solution can be positioned at any point and oriented in any way. In Fig.l the dashed lines "S" represent possible paths followed by the nutrient solution introduced into the container 1 through the nozzle 2. In practice, the dashed lines “S” schematically show how the solution sprayed by the nozzle 2 can spread inside the container 1. The plants 6 can be, for example, leafy vegetable plants (such as lettuce, radicchio, arugola, valerian, borage, spinach, catalonia chicory, cauliflower, cabbage, chard, chicory, dandelion, etc.) or fruit (such as tomatoes, peppers, courgettes, etc.) but also fruit trees (such as cherry trees, peach trees, apricot trees, apple trees, olive trees, chestnuts trees, etc.) gardening trees (laurel, azalea, juniper) or trees for wood production (such as poplars or maples), small fruits (such as blueberries, raspberries or strawberries) or grape vines.

[0021] Advantageously, according to the present invention, one or more holes 7 are formed on the lateral surface 10 of the container 1 at a predetermined distance from the bottom 11 of the same container.

[0022] Advantageously, the container 1 is positioned on a net 8 that, in turn, is positioned on a channel 9 for conveying the nutrient solution, drained through the holes 7 of the container 1, to a collection tank "C". A pump 3 is preferably connected to the tank "C" for the recirculation of the nutrient solution. In Fig.1 and Fig.3 the reference “F7” indicates the flow of the nutrient solution drained through the holes 7 of the container 1.

[0023] The presence of the net 8 interrupts the continuity of the flow of the solution outgoing from the holes 7, thus acting as a flow breaker. In the attached drawings, the net 8 is arranged outside the container 1. However, in an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the net 8 could be arranged inside the container 1, also performing the function of a flow breaker.

[0024] It is understood that in place of the net 8, any element suitable for interrupting the continuity of the flow of nutrient solution directed towards the channel 9 can be arranged. For example, instead of the net 8, depending on the chosen system configuration, a perforated metal sheet or a fabric can be arranged. In general, a flow-breaking element is arranged between the volume of the container intended for the growth of the roots and the channel 9. Preferably, the flow-breaking element 8 is external to the container 1, being positioned between the container 1 and the channel 9.

[0025] The inventor has observed that, by making the flow of solution leaving the holes 7 discontinuous, the roots of the plants do not show a tendency to follow the flow directed towards the channel 9 but, on the contrary, they show a marked tendency to remain inside of container 1. The presence of the holes 7 on the side wall of the container and the flow-breaking element 8 involve multiple benefits:

[0026] - the root system R is always well oxygenated and unwanted stagnation inside the container is avoided, so that the root system is protected against the action of adverse plant pathogens and / or atmospheric agents;

[0027] - a microclimate is formed inside the container that is perfectly suitable for the healthy growth of the root system R;

[0028] - the old roots which gradually detach as they die are taken away by the drain thus avoiding potential root rot;

[0029] - the formation of the root system R inside the container and the substantially continuous passage of the drained solution through the holes in the lateral surface of the container contrast the entry of pathogens, spores and insect pests into the container;

[0030] - once the root system R has been formed, the latter also acts as a substrate and thus transforms into an ideal buffer in the event of a temporary malfunction of the nutrient solution supplying system.

[0031] The diameter of the holes 7 is preferably correlated to the maximum flow rate of nutrient solution through the nozzles 2 so as to avoid unwanted stagnation inside the container 1. Furthermore, preferably, the channel 9 has an upper side 90 which is almost entirely closed to prevent the entry of the light. According to the example shown in Fig.2, the upper side of the channel has an inlet slit 91 for the nutrient solution drained through the holes 7 of the container 1. Said slit 91 is in correspondence of a flap 92 inclined towards the inside of the channel. A configuration of this type allows the entry of the nutrient solution into the channel 9 but hinders the entry of light and has the purpose of directing and conveying the drained solution and can have a different shape and size than in the example described above.

[0032] Preferably, the channel 9 is doubled, such that the collection of the drained nutrient solution takes place on two sides of the containers 1. Such a configuration is represented in Fig.2. In Fig.5, S9 indicates supports which hold the channel 9 at the desired height, but said channel can also be placed at ground level. The presence of the net 8 also prevents leaves or other materials which can detach from the plants from entering the channel 9.

[0033] The channel 9 can be made of various materials and shapes (for example extruded plastic material, galvanized iron, steel, enamelled iron or cloth of plastic fibers). The previously described shape, in addition to limiting the entry of light, takes into account the size of the containers, so as not to let them fall, and the amount of nutrient solution drained from the containers placed above the channel itself. It goes without saying that the channel 9 must have an adequate cross section and height so that there are no spills of the nutrient solution from the channel itself.

[0034] A system for the production of vegetables or other types of out of soil plants according to the present invention comprises at least one container 1 shaped and arranged as described above. More generally, a system for the production of vegetables or other types of out of soil plants according to the present invention comprises a plurality of containers 1 shaped and arranged as described above. For example, the containers 1 can be positioned on the channel 9 so as to form differentiated sectors on the basis of the cultivated species. In the scheme of Fig.5 such an arrangement is represented by way of example.

[0035] In each container 1 the root system of one or more plants grows in function of the cultivated species. The nozzles 2 are calibrated to spray the nutrient solution inside the container 1 with programmed times and methods in relation to the cultivated species, the climate of the place where the cultivation system is installed and the desired quality of the finished product, on the basis of per se known.

[0036] The position of the nozzles 2, also depending on the shape of the container 1, is not binding, therefore the nozzles 2 can be mounted passing through the lateral surface of the container or by drilling the lid 4 which has also the function of supporting the plant. To prevent drying of the roots under the plant root collar, it is preferably provided that the position of the nozzles 2 is such that the nebulization is homogeneous over the entire root system R growing in the container 1. In Fig.6, where for sake of simplicity the aerial part of the plant is not represented, the reference “6C” indicates the roots under the plant root collar, schematized by a triangle. From the foregoing description it is evident that a system for the aeroponic cultivation of out of soil vegetables in accordance with the present invention comprises at least one container 1 configured to delimit an internal volume having a predetermined capacity in which the root system R of at least one plant 6 can grow, at least one nozzle 2 suitable for introducing a liquid nutrient solution into said internal volume, wherein one or more holes 7 are formed on the lateral surface of the container 1 at a predetermined distance from the bottom of the same container 1, wherein the holes 7 allow the nutrient solution to escape through the lateral surface of the container 1, wherein said at least one container 1 is positioned on a channel 9 configured to receive the nutrient solution coming out of said holes 7 and convey it to a collection station C, and wherein a flow-breaking element 8 is arranged between said volume of the container 1 and the channel 9 such that the nutrient solution introduced into the container 1 through the at least one nozzle 2 and intended to exit from the container 1 through the holes 7 breaks against the flowbreaking element 8 while it is directed towards the channel 9.

[0037] In accordance with the example described above, a process is carried out in which a nutrient solution is introduced into a container 1 through one or more nozzles 2 to feed at least one plant, through the respective roots R, positioned on the container, the latter being provided with holes 7 which allow the drainage of the nutrient solution. The latter, after spraying the roots R, passes through a flow-breaking element 8 which breaks its flow and enters a channel 9 that conveys the drained nutrient solution to a collection station C.

[0038] From the foregoing description it is also evident that a system for the aeroponic cultivation of out of soil vegetables in accordance with the present invention can have one or more of the following additional features, also combined with each other:

[0039] • said flow-breaking element 8 consists of a net.

[0040] • said flow-breaking element 8 consists of a perforated plate.

[0041] • said flow-breaking element 8 is made up of a fabric made of natural or synthetic fibers.

[0042] • said flow-breaking element 8 can be both external and internal to the container 1. • the collection station C comprises a tank, which can be above the ground or underground, to which a pump 3 is connected for recirculating the nutrient solution through the at least one nozzle 2.

[0043] • the container 1 is provided with a lid 4 which supports the aerial part of at least one plant 6.

[0044] • the channel 9 has a substantially box-like structure which hinders the entry of light inside it and has an upper side with an inlet slit 91 for the nutrient solution in correspondence with a flap 92 inclined towards the inside of the channel.

[0045] • the channel 9 has a duplicated structure for receiving the nutrient solution coming out of the holes 7 on two opposite sides of the at least one container 1.

[0046] In practice, the execution details can in any case vary in an equivalent way as regards the individual elements described and illustrated, without thereby departing from the solution adopted and therefore remaining within the limits of the protection granted by the present patent in accordance with the following claims.

Claims

CLAIMS System for the aeroponic cultivation of out of soil vegetables comprising at least one container (1) configured to delimit an internal volume having a predetermined capacity in which the root system (R) of at least one vegetable (6) can grow, at least one nozzle, (2) suitable for introducing a liquid nutritive solution into said internal volume, wherein one or more holes (7) are formed on the lateral surface of the container (1) at a predetermined distance from the bottom of the same container (1), wherein said holes (7) allow the nutrient solution to escape through the lateral surface of the container (1), wherein said at least one container (1) is positioned on a channel (9) configured to receive the nutritive solution coming out of said holes (7) and convey it to a collection station (C), and wherein in a position comprised between said volume of the container (1) and the channel (9) there is a flow-break element (8) such that the nutrient solution inserted inside the container (1) through the at least one nozzle (2) and destined to exit from said holes (7) breaks against the flow-break element (8) while it is directed towards the channel (9). System for the aeroponic cultivation of out of soil vegetables according to claim 1 wherein said flow-breaking element (8) is a net. System for the aeroponic cultivation of out of soil vegetables according to claim 1 wherein said flow-breaking element (8) is a perforated plate. System for the aeroponic cultivation of out of soil vegetables according to claim 1, in which said flow-breaking element (8) is a fabric of both natural or synthetic fibers. System for the aeroponic cultivation of out of soil vegetables according to claim 1 wherein the collection station (C) comprises a tank which can be out of ground or underground, to which at least one pump (3) is connected for the recirculation of the nutrient solution through the at least one nozzle (2). System for the aeroponic cultivation of out of soil vegetables according to claim 1 wherein the container (1) is provided with a lid (4) that supports the aerial part of the at least one plant (6). System for the aeroponic cultivation of out of soil vegetables according to claim 1, wherein the channel (9) has a substantially box-like structure which hinders the entry of light into it and has an upper side with an inlet slot (91) for the entryof the nutrient solution in correspondence with a flap (92) inclined towards the inside of the channel. System for the aeroponic cultivation of out of soil vegetables according to claim 1 wherein the channel (9) has a duplicated structure to receive the nutrient solution coming out of the holes (7) on two opposite sides of the at least one container (1). System for the aeroponic cultivation of out of soil vegetables according to claim 1 wherein said flow-breaking element (8) is external to the container (1).

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