Tray for Tray Assembly for Cultivating Horticultural Crops

Abstract

The invention disclosed in this specification relates to a tray (3) for a tray assembly (1) for cultivating horticultural crops, the tray (3) comprising a reservoir (5) configured to contain water, and within the reservoir (5), one or more floats (7) configured to receive one or more plants and disposed within the reservoir (5) to substantially shield the water contained within the reservoir (5) from the external environment, the reservoir (5) being configured to receive the one or more floats (7) so as to substantially shield the water contained within the reservoir (5) from the external environment; a water inlet (9) disposed adjacent to the reservoir (5) and comprising a water flow guide (11), the water flow guide (11) defining a downwardly inclined guide surface (13) configured to guide water received on the water flow guide (11) into the reservoir (5) below the level at which the one or more floats (7) can be disposed within the reservoir (5), and / or comprising a through-flow opening (15) configured to guide water within the chamber (17) of the water inlet (9) in fluid communication with the reservoir (5), the through-flow opening (15) comprising a water-permeable membrane (25) configured to substantially shield the water within the water inlet (9) from the external environment. Further, the invention disclosed in this specification relates to a horticultural method including using such a tray (3).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates in particular to a tray for a tray assembly for cultivating horticultural crops without a growth medium (for example, soil, vermiculite, perlite, rock wool / stone wool, etc.).

Background Art

[0002] With the recent development in the horticulture field, there has been an increasing adoption of soilless cultivation systems and methods that supply water containing nutrients and / or oxygen directly to the roots of horticultural crops instead of growing them in a medium. Over the years, a variety of techniques (i.e., systems and methods) have been developed for cultivating horticultural crops without a growth medium. These techniques are collectively referred to as "hydroponics". Examples of hydroponics techniques include the wicking system, deep water culture, nutrient film technique, flood and drain system, drip system, and aeroponics, where the roots of horticultural crops are kept in an environment saturated with an aerosol or mist of nutrient solution.

[0003] Hydroponics has many advantages over conventional soil cultivation, such as cost reduction, reduction in water consumption, reduction in the need for pesticide spraying due to the absence of soil, and improved control over the amount of nutrients given to plants. Despite these advantages, cultivation techniques based on hydroponics have problems related to the method of using nutrient solution (i.e., water in which plant nutrients are dissolved) used to supply nutrients to plants. These problems include the tendency for algae to grow in the nutrient solution and the need to hold the nutrient solution near the roots of the crops. In a commercial, highly efficient, and automated horticultural environment, these problems are considered to be particularly related to the filling and / or draining of containers in which the crops are housed with water (i.e., nutrient solution).

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] An object of the present invention is to provide means for reducing or alleviating one or more of the drawbacks of known horticultural assemblies.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0005] This object is achieved by a tray for a tray assembly for cultivating horticultural crops, the tray comprising: · a reservoir configured to contain water, and within the reservoir, one or more floats are received and arranged in the reservoir to substantially shield the water contained in the reservoir from the external environment, and the reservoir is configured to receive one or more floats so as to substantially shield the water contained in the reservoir from the external environment; · a water inlet portion disposed adjacent to the reservoir and provided with a water flow guide, the water flow guide: defines a downwardly inclined guide surface configured to guide water received on the water flow guide into the reservoir below the level at which the one or more floats can be disposed within the reservoir; and / or comprises a through-flow opening configured to guide water into a chamber of the water inlet portion in fluid communication with the reservoir, the through-flow opening comprising a water-permeable membrane configured to substantially shield the water within the water inlet portion from the external environment a water inlet portion and

[0006] In the tray defined above, a tray assembly can be formed by arranging one or more floats in the reservoir of the tray, and the water contained in the water reservoir of the tray can always be shielded from the external environment by the floats and / or the water flow guide. At the same time, the tray assembly according to the present invention has almost no risk of water spillage or leakage, and the filling, refilling, and draining of the reservoir can be easily (e.g., automatically) performed.

[0007] In the context of the present invention and disclosure, the expression "shielded from the external environment" should be understood to mean not being exposed to ambient light and / or ambient air, or at least being significantly reduced in exposure thereto. Shielding the water in the reservoir from ambient light suppresses the growth of algae in the water reservoir, while shielding this water from ambient air helps to retain the oxygen dissolved in this water for plant utilization.

[0008] This tray and tray assembly are advantageous regardless of the type of watering method used to water the plants grown using the tray assembly. For example, a watering method can be used in which the reservoir is always at least partially filled with water that is periodically or continuously renewed. By shielding this water from the external environment, the growth of algae is suppressed and the retention rate of the oxygen dissolved in this water is increased. Alternatively, a watering method can be selected in which the reservoir is filled almost completely with water and then drained. Here, shielding the residual water similarly suppresses the occurrence of algae and fungi, but more importantly, it helps to maintain the humidity environment in the reservoir for providing nutrients to the plants.

[0009] According to an embodiment of a tray or tray assembly that defines a downwardly inclined guide surface configured to guide water received on the water flow guide to the reservoir below one or more floats, the downwardly inclined guide surface extends substantially along the entire side surface of the tray. In these embodiments, there is little likelihood of water spilling, and it is possible to fill the reservoir relatively quickly along the entire length of the tray.

[0010] According to a further embodiment of the tray or tray assembly, at least a portion of the downwardly inclined guide surface disposed within the water inlet is disposed above the maximum water level of the reservoir. In these embodiments, the portion of the downwardly inclined guide surface disposed within the water inlet and exposed to the external environment remains constantly non-submerged and dries easily after filling of the reservoir. Another portion of the downwardly inclined guide surface, particularly the portion in the direction of the water flow opposite to the portion disposed above the maximum water level of the reservoir, can be disposed at or below the level at which one or more floats can be disposed within the reservoir of the tray. Thereafter, when disposed within the reservoir, water can flow along the downwardly inclined guide surface below one or more floats.

[0011] According to a further embodiment of the tray or tray assembly, the tray comprises a throughput reservoir disposed downstream of the downwardly inclined guide surface. This throughput reservoir collects the water supplied to the water inlet and then evenly distributes this water to the reservoir.

[0012] According to a further embodiment of the tray or tray assembly, a mesh is disposed in the throughput reservoir. This mesh disposed in the throughput reservoir collects debris that would otherwise fall into the water inlet or be carried to the reservoir by flowing water.

[0013] According to a further embodiment of the tray or tray assembly, the water flow guide comprises a through-opening configured to guide water within a chamber of the water inlet that is in fluid communication with the reservoir.

[0014] Similar to the above-described further embodiments of the tray or tray assembly, the water present within the tray is shielded from the external environment, thereby inhibiting the growth of algae and / or fungi, retaining the dissolved oxygen in the water, and / or maintaining a moist environment for the roots of plants, and the water present in the water inlet is shielded by the water flow guide.

[0015] The through-flow opening preferably comprises a water-permeable membrane configured to substantially shield the water within the water inlet from the external environment. More preferably, the water-permeable membrane comprises one or more flaps of a flexible material. These one or more flaps can be easily pushed aside, for example, by the inflowing water stream from an (automatic) sprinkler system, facilitating filling of the reservoir. When filling of the reservoir is complete, the one or more flexible flaps return to an initial position that substantially seals the through-flow opening of the water flow guide.

[0016] According to a further embodiment of the tray or tray assembly, the flexible material of the water-permeable membrane is an opaque material. It is advantageous to prevent light from passing through the water-permeable membrane, protect against the growth of algae, and / or keep the roots of the cultivated plants in the dark.

[0017] According to a further embodiment of the tray of the tray assembly, the top surface of the water flow guide exhibits a downward gradient in the direction towards the reservoir of the tray. In such an embodiment, water spilled onto the top surface of the water flow guide outside the through-flow opening can easily flow into the reservoir of the tray outside the water flow guide.

[0018] According to a further embodiment of the tray or tray assembly, the water flow guide is removably insertable into the tray.

[0019] According to a further embodiment of the tray assembly, at least one of the insertable water flow guide and the tray comprises a recess that defines a fluid connection between the reservoir and the water inlet of the tray.

[0020] According to a further embodiment of the tray or tray assembly, the bottom of the tray comprises one or more supports that project upwardly with respect to the bottom and are configured to support one or more floats. In these embodiments, the one or more floats are higher than the bottom of the tray even when the reservoir is completely emptied. In this way, a humidity environment for supplying nutrients to the plants can be maintained in the space between the bottom of the tray and the one or more floats.

[0021] According to a further embodiment of the tray or tray assembly, the one or more supports comprise through holes. A lifting mechanism comprising one or more extraction pins aligned with or configured to be aligned with the through holes of the one or more supports can move the one or more extraction pins through the through holes of the one or more supports and abut against the one or more floats, thereby being configured to lift the one or more floats from the tray.

[0022] According to a further embodiment of the tray or tray assembly, the lifting mechanism is constituted by a frame configured to support at least the tray. Alternatively, the lifting mechanism may be provided as a movable device that can be arranged, for example, under the tray, separately from the tray or tray assembly.

[0023] According to a further embodiment of the tray or tray assembly, the tray further comprises a drain opening configured to drain water from the reservoir of the tray. The drain opening can include a siphon, particularly a bell siphon.

[0024] According to a further embodiment of the tray or tray assembly, the drain opening comprises an additional mesh.

[0025] According to a further embodiment of the tray or tray assembly, the drain opening is arranged in the water inlet portion.

[0026] According to a further embodiment of the tray or tray assembly, the drain opening and the water inlet portion are arranged on opposite sides of the tray.

[0027] A tray assembly for cultivating horticultural crops can comprise a tray according to any of the embodiments disclosed herein and one or more floats configured to receive one or more plants, wherein the one or more floats are disposed or disposable within a reservoir of the tray and substantially shield the water contained within the reservoir from the external environment. The one or more floats can in particular be according to any of the embodiments of the floats and / or tray assemblies disclosed herein.

[0028] The object of the present invention is further achieved by a horticultural system comprising one or more trays or tray assemblies according to any one of the above embodiments and a watering device configured to introduce water into the water inlet of the tray.

[0029] According to a further embodiment of the horticultural system of the present invention, the water outlet of the watering system comprises a faucet venting device configured to vent the water flow at the water outlet. This enables the venting of the water introduced into the reservoir of the tray shielded from the external environment. Individual venting devices can be omitted.

[0030] The object of the present invention is further achieved by a horticultural method comprising using a tray, a tray assembly or a horticultural system according to any of the embodiments disclosed herein.

[0031] Also, the present disclosure provides in another embodiment of the tray, the one or more floats, and their tray assemblies some advantageous combinations of the above features related to the support and the lifting mechanism. The following trays, floats and lifting mechanisms show a plurality of related products adapted to each other.

[0032] A tray for a tray assembly for cultivating horticultural crops is provided. The tray comprises the following: · A reservoir configured to contain water, and having one or more plants received therein and one or more floats disposed therein and configured to receive the one or more floats so as to substantially shield the water contained in the reservoir from the external environment in order to substantially shield the water contained in the reservoir from the external environment; · A drain configured to discharge water from the reservoir when the water level in the reservoir reaches a maximum water level; and · One or more supports projecting upward relative to the bottom of the reservoir and configured to support one or more floats when received in the reservoir, the one or more supports having through holes disposed above the maximum water level of the reservoir.

[0033] The support of the tray maintains the one or more floats above the bottom of the tray even when the reservoir is completely drained. This protects, for example, the roots of the plants contained in the floats. The through holes of the tray are advantageously disposed above the maximum water level of the reservoir determined by the drain, preventing drainage of the reservoir through the through holes of the supports. The through holes allow access to the bottom of the floats, for example, for the extraction pins of a lifting mechanism for lifting the floats from the tray.

[0034] According to a further embodiment of the tray, the through holes are disposed on the top surface of the one or more supports. When the float fits into the support, the through holes are blocked. The float may be configured specifically for this purpose, as described below.

[0035] Note that the above tray may be disposed adjacent to the reservoir and may also include a water inlet portion that constitutes a water flow guide. Similar to the embodiments disclosed above, the water flow guide can be at least one of the following: · Defining a downwardly inclined guide surface configured to guide water received on the water flow guide into the reservoir under one or more floats or at a level below which at least one or more floats can be disposed in the reservoir; and ·A through-opening configured to guide water into a chamber of a water inlet portion in fluid communication with a reservoir, preferably including a water-permeable membrane configured to substantially shield the water in the water inlet portion from the external environment.

[0036] A float is provided in the tray assembly for cultivating horticultural crops. This float is disposed in the reservoir of the tray according to any of the above embodiments and is configured to substantially shield the water contained in the reservoir from the external environment. The float comprises: ·One or more receiving portions configured to receive one or more plants; and ·One or more recesses disposed on the bottom surface of the float and configured to receive one or more supports of the tray.

[0037] Thus, the tray and the float are configured to interact with each other via the recess and the support, respectively.

[0038] According to a further embodiment of the float, the one or more recesses are formed as blind holes extending from the bottom surface of the float into the float.

[0039] According to a further embodiment of the float, the one or more receiving portions are formed as through-holes extending from the bottom surface of the float to the top surface of the float.

[0040] According to a further embodiment of the float, the cross-section of the one or more recesses is larger than the cross-section of the one or more receiving portions. The support of the tray can be easily fitted into the recess, but cannot be fitted into the receiving portion for the plant. The cross-section may refer to the diameter of a circular receiving portion or recess.

[0041] According to a further embodiment of the float, the first two-dimensional pattern defined by one or more recesses is different from the second two-dimensional pattern defined by one or more receiving portions. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the support of the tray from being erroneously engaged with the receiving portion of the float instead of the recess of the float. The two-dimensional pattern may be formed along the bottom of the tray or the float. Even when only one recess or receiving portion is provided, the two-dimensional pattern may refer to the positional relationship of this one recess or receiving portion with respect to the float, particularly the outer periphery of the float.

[0042] Furthermore, a tray assembly for cultivating horticultural crops is provided. The tray assembly includes a tray according to any of the above embodiments and one or more floats according to any of the above embodiments. Further detailed descriptions of the tray or the float are provided in the context of the following tray assembly, but these features are also applicable when the tray or the float is separated, that is, when it is not part of the tray assembly.

[0043] According to a further embodiment of the tray assembly, one or more recesses of the float are recessed from the bottom surface of the float over a distance shorter than the height of one or more supports of the tray.

[0044] According to a further embodiment of the tray assembly, the cross-section of one or more supports of the tray, particularly the cross-section measured at the top thereof, is larger than the cross-section of one or more receiving portions of the float, particularly the cross-section measured at the bottom surface of the float. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the support of the tray from engaging with the receiving portion of the float. More generally, the supports of the tray can be dimensioned such that they do not fit into the receiving portions of the float.

[0045] According to a further embodiment of the tray assembly, the third two-dimensional pattern defined by one or more supports of the tray corresponds to the first two-dimensional pattern defined by one or more recesses of the float and is different from the second two-dimensional pattern defined by one or more receiving portions.

[0046] According to a further embodiment of the tray assembly, the tray assembly further comprises a lifting mechanism. The lifting mechanism can include one or more extraction pins that are aligned with or configured to be aligned with through holes of one or more supports. The lifting mechanism is configured to move one or more extraction pins through the through holes of one or more supports and abut against one or more floats that are disposed or can be disposed within the reservoir of the tray, thereby lifting one or more floats from the tray. In particular, one or more extraction pins of the lifting mechanism can be configured to abut against one or more recesses of the float. Similarly, the recesses can also be configured to be abutted by the pins.

[0047] According to a further embodiment of the tray assembly, a fourth two-dimensional pattern defined by one or more extraction pins of the lifting mechanism corresponds to at least one of a third two-dimensional pattern defined by one or more supports of the tray and a first two-dimensional pattern defined by one or more recesses of the float.

[0048] According to a further embodiment of the tray assembly, the lifting mechanism is constituted by a frame configured to support at least the tray. The tray assembly can include the frame. Alternatively, the lifting mechanism may be provided separately from the tray or the tray assembly.

[0049] A lifting mechanism adapted to the tray assembly according to any of the embodiments disclosed herein is provided. The lifting mechanism includes one or more extraction pins configured to be aligned with through holes of one or more supports of the tray of the tray assembly. The lifting mechanism is configured to move one or more extraction pins through the through holes of one or more supports and abut against one or more floats disposed or capable of being disposed within the reservoir of the tray to lift one or more floats from the tray. The float is preferably abutted by the extraction pin at the bottom surface of the float, more preferably at a recess disposed on the bottom surface of the float.

[0050] The support of the tray and the recess of the float serve as alignment means for the extraction pins of the lifting mechanism.

[0051] A gardening system is provided that includes a tray assembly according to any of the above embodiments and a lifting mechanism according to any of the above embodiments. Thus, the lifting mechanism may be constituted by the frame of the tray or the tray assembly, or may be provided as a separate device of the system. The through holes of one or more supports of the tray, the recesses of one or more floats, and the one or more extraction pins of the lifting mechanism are aligned or configured to be aligned to lift the float from the tray.

[0052] Finally, a gardening method is provided that includes using a tray, a float, a tray assembly, a lifting mechanism, and / or a gardening system according to any of the embodiments disclosed herein. This method can particularly include raising and lowering one or more floats relative to a tray via the bottom surface of the one or more floats.

[0053] Next, the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0054]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

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Figure 11

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Figure 17

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Figure 22A

Figure 22B

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0055] Here, referring to FIGS. 1 to 10 of the accompanying drawings, a tray assembly 1 according to the first embodiment is shown.

[0056] The tray assembly 1 includes a tray 3 having a reservoir 5 configured to contain water. The water is preferably nutrient solution (i.e., water in which plant nutrients are dissolved) and can be supplied to the reservoir 5 of the tray 3 using a watering device 45 as shown in FIGS. 17 and 18.

[0057] As best shown in FIG. 1, the tray assembly 1 includes a plurality of floats 7. Each one of the floats 7 includes a plurality of receiving portions 8 (see FIGS. 5 and 8), and each one of them is configured to receive at least one plant (not shown).

[0058] The floats 7 are configured to be separately arranged adjacent to each other within the reservoir 5. The reservoir 5 of the tray 1 is configured to receive the floats 7. Adjacent floats 7 may be in contact with each other or may have an intermediate distance of at most about 2 mm or less. Therefore, the water present in the reservoir 5 of the tray 3 is effectively shielded from the external environment of the tray assembly 1.

[0059] Here, the phrase "shielded from the external environment" should be understood to relate to both the ambient light and the ambient air present within the external environment. Since the plurality of floats 7 are in contact with each other or have only a relatively small intermediate distance between them, ambient light is prevented from entering the reservoir 5 of the tray 3. Since light is required for algae to grow and occur, the occurrence of algae within the reservoir 5 of the tray is prevented or at least reduced, at least when there is water within the reservoir 5.

[0060] The water contained in the reservoir 5 may also contain oxygen dissolved therein and absorbed by the plants, especially if the plants are not exposed to light and are not photosynthesizing. When the water in the reservoir 5 is exposed to the surrounding air, gas exchange between the water in the reservoir 5 and the external environment will cause said dissolved oxygen to be lost from the water in the reservoir 5 by diffusion. In contrast, when the water in the reservoir 5 is shielded by the floats 7, gas exchange between the water in the reservoir 5 and the external environment is prevented. Gas exchange between the water and the air trapped in the reservoir 5 may still occur, but the trapped air will become saturated with oxygen over time. As a result, the concentration of oxygen dissolved in the water in the reservoir 5 and the concentration of oxygen present in the air trapped in the reservoir 5 will be in equilibrium, and there will be substantially no net gas exchange.

[0061] The advantages of shielding the reservoir 5 have been elucidated above on the basis of an embodiment which assumes the presence of water in the reservoir 5. Nevertheless, the shielding provided by the plurality of floats 7 is also advantageous for maintaining a humid environment in the reservoir 5. This may be the case when the tray assembly 1 is applied, for example, to a horticultural system 52 based on a tidal watering system. In a tidal watering system, the reservoir 5 is first filled with water and then drained. During the flow state, the roots of the plants can absorb water. In the ebb state, a humid environment exists in the reservoir 5, from which the plants can still absorb moisture. This humid environment in the reservoir is maintained by the shielding of the reservoir 5 provided by the plurality of floats 7.

[0062] The reservoir 5 of the tray 3 is shielded by a number of floats 7, so that water cannot be directly dispensed into the reservoir 5 without removing at least one of the floats 7. Removing at least one of the floats 7 is undesirable because it temporarily unshields the reservoir 5 provided by the floats 7. The controlled environment of contained humidity and oxygen is lost. Lifting the floats 7 is also impractical in a commercial, highly automated agricultural environment.

[0063] Therefore, the tray 3 of the tray assembly 1 includes a water inlet 9 that can fill the reservoir 5 of the tray. The water inlet 9 is disposed adjacent to (and in fluid communication with) the reservoir 5 covered (i.e., shielded) by the plurality of floats 7. The water inlet 9 and the reservoir 5 can be considered to collectively define the interior of the tray 3.

[0064] The water inlet 9 includes a water flow guide 11 that guides the water flowing into the water inlet 9 and flows from there into the reservoir 5. In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 to 10, the water flow guide 11 includes a top surface 29. The top surface 29 is higher than the height of the bottom 33 of the tray 3 and is raised to approximately the same height as the height of the float 7.

[0065] The water flow guide 11 includes a through-opening 15 configured to guide the water for filling the reservoir 5 into the chamber 17 of the water inlet 9 that is in fluid communication with the reservoir 5. The chamber 17 of the water inlet 9 is located below the top surface 29 of the water flow guide 11. As a result, the water (or the high-humidity environment) present in the water inlet 9 (the chamber 17 thereof) is shielded from the external environment of the tray assembly 1.

[0066] Furthermore, the through-opening 15 of the water flow guide 11 includes a water-permeable membrane 25 that substantially closes the through-opening 15, thereby shielding the water in the water inlet 9 (the chamber 17 thereof) from the external environment.

[0067] As most clearly shown in FIG. 5, the water-permeable membrane 25 includes at least one flap 26 of a flexible material, which is preferably made of a light-blocking material in order to shield the water in the water inlet portion 9 from ambient light. For example, the water-permeable membrane 25 may be a sheet of light-blocking silicone having one or more cuts defining the one or more flaps 26 described above. These one or more flaps 26 are easily pushed aside by the inflowing water stream when the reservoir 5 of the tray 3 is filled through the through-opening 15 by the watering device 45 shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, for example.

[0068] As best shown in the cross-sectional close-up of the water inlet portion 9 shown in FIG. 3, the top surface 29 of the water flow guide 11 preferably exhibits a downward slope in the direction towards the reservoir 5 of the tray 3. Thus, the water used to fill the reservoir 5, which has reached the top surface 29 outside the through-opening 15 of the water flow guide 11, can flow into the reservoir 5 via the intermediate space between the water flow guide 11 and the first one of the plurality of floats 7 arranged adjacent to the water flow guide 11.

[0069] The water flow guide 11 of the first embodiment of the tray assembly 1 can be regarded as the downward-sloping guide surface 13 in the claims.

[0070] FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the tray assembly 1, particularly the configuration of its tray 3. As can be seen from this figure, the water flow guide 11 may be a separate part from the tray 3 and may be removably insertable into the tray 3. Further, the water flow guide 11 includes one or more recesses 31 that define a fluid connection between the reservoir 5 and the water inlet portion 9 of the tray 1 when the water flow guide 11 is inserted into the tray 3. Also, it is conceivable that the recesses 31 are alternatively configured by the tray to define a fluid connection between the reservoir 5 and the water inlet portion 9. As shown in FIG. 7, the recesses 31 can fluidly communicate the top surface 29 of the water flow guide 11 and / or the chamber 17 with the reservoir 5.

[0071] Figures 8 and 9 further show the tray 3 with one or more drain openings 41 configured to drain water from the reservoir 5 of the tray 3. According to a particular embodiment, the drain opening 41 can comprise a siphon, such as a bell siphon, that automatically drains the reservoir 5 of the tray 3 when the water level in the reservoir 5 reaches the maximum water level and maintains a minimum water level for forming a humid (preferably oxygen-rich) environment in the reservoir 5 after the drainage of the reservoir 5 is complete.

[0072] The one or more drain openings 41 preferably comprise an additional mesh 43 that prevents the intrusion of debris into the drain opening 41 and prevents clogging of the drain opening 41. In the drawings, the drain opening 41 and the water inlet 9 are arranged on opposite sides of the tray 3. Alternatively, the drain opening 41 may be arranged on the same side as the water inlet 9, or at least on the side of the tray 3 where the water inlet 9 is arranged.

[0073] Figures 11 to 16 of the drawings show another embodiment of the tray assembly 1. In contrast to the embodiment of the tray assembly 1 shown in Figures 1 to 10, in this embodiment, the water flow guide 11 defines a downwardly inclined guide surface 13 configured to guide the water received on the water flow guide 11 into the reservoir 5 and under one or more floats 7.

[0074] Figure 12 of the drawings shows a longitudinal cross-section of the tray assembly 1 including the tray 3. Figure 13 shows a cross-section close-up of the water inlet 9 of the tray 3 of the tray assembly 1 shown in Figure 12.

[0075] From this figure, it can be seen that the water supplied to the water inlet 9 hits the downwardly inclined guide surface 13 and flows along this downwardly inclined guide surface 13 into the reservoir 5 below a plurality of floats 7.

[0076] The downwardly inclined guide surface 13 of the water flow guide 11 extends along the entire length of the water inlet portion 9 and penetrates at least a part of the reservoir 5 of the tray 3. Among the downwardly inclined guide surface 13, the portion located at the water inlet portion 9 is higher than the maximum water level of the reservoir 5. Therefore, water does not accumulate in this portion of the downwardly inclined guide surface 13. In contrast, the portion of the downwardly inclined guide surface 13 located within the reservoir 5 is located below the maximum water level of the reservoir 5 and thus contacts the water present within the reservoir 5. However, here, as described above, the water is shielded by the plurality of floats 7.

[0077] As best shown in FIG. 15 of the drawings, the downwardly inclined guide surface 13 of the water flow guide 11 extends substantially along the entire side portion of the tray 3, where the side portion preferably refers to the width of the tray 3. Since water can be supplied to the water inlet portion 9 along the entire side portion, advantageously, the reservoir 5 of the tray 3 can be filled relatively quickly.

[0078] FIGS. 15 and 16 further show a tray 3 comprising a throughput reservoir 21 disposed downstream of the downwardly inclined guide surface 13 of the water flow guide 11. The water supplied to the water inlet portion 9 first flows through this throughput reservoir 21 before flowing into the reservoir 5 of the tray 3. The throughput reservoir 21 comprises a mesh 23 that blocks debris, thereby preventing debris from flowing into the reservoir 5.

[0079] Particularly, FIGS. 7, 9, 10, 15, 16, 19 and 22A - B show that the bottom 33 of the tray 3 comprises one or more supports 35 that project upward relative to the bottom 33 of the tray. The one or more supports 35 are configured to support the one or more floats 7 on the bottom 33 of the tray 3, for example, when the reservoir 5 is empty or contains only a small amount (minimum) of water. The above humidity environment can be maintained between the bottom 33 of the tray 3 and the one or more floats 7.

[0080] The support bodies 35 shown in FIGS. 15 and 16 each include a through hole 37. As best shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the extraction pin 39 constituted by the lifting mechanism 40 moves through this through hole 37 of the tray 3 and abuts against the float 7, thereby being able to operate to lift the float 7 upward and take it out from the reservoir 5 of the tray 3. FIGS. 19, 20, and 22A - B further show the aspect of the lifting mechanism 40.

[0081] The lifting mechanism 40 can include a plurality of extraction pins 39 configured to be aligned with or at least aligned with each of the plurality of through holes 37 of the respective support 35. For example, since the lifting mechanism 40 is integrated with the frame 2 that supports at least the tray 3 of the tray assembly 1, the tray assembly 1 can be constituted thereby. Alternatively, the lifting mechanism 40 may be part of the extraction or harvesting station 50. In these embodiments, the tray assembly 1 may be movable across the extraction station or the harvesting station 50 (e.g., by the frame 2 of the tray assembly 1 having wheels), and then the through holes 37 of the support 35 may be aligned with the extraction pins 39, and then, as described above, it is operated to lift at least one float 7 from the reservoir 5 of the tray 3. If at least one of the floats 7 has already been removed from the reservoir 5 of the tray 3, these floats 7 can be easily grasped by hand, so the remaining floats 7 can then be manually removed from the reservoir 5 without using the lifting mechanism 40. Once the lifting mechanism 40 has lifted one float 7 from the tray 3 at the extraction or harvesting station 50, a plurality of additional floats 7 can then be floated to positions within the tray 3 to be lifted from the tray 3 by the lifting mechanism 40. Alternatively, the lifting mechanism 40 can move along the tray 3 to the positions of the other floats 7. Generally, the lifting mechanism 40 and the tray 3 can move relative to each other so that all the floats 7 can be lifted from the tray 3 for further handling. For example, once a particular float 7 has been lifted, a handling device (not shown) of the extraction or harvesting station 50 can take over the float 7 from the lifting mechanism 40 and perform additional automation operations in the horticultural system 52. Such a handling device can include a convex portion that can be arranged, for example, horizontally below the float 7 when the float 7 is vertically lifted by the lifting mechanism 40 above the tray 3 to convey the float 7.Subsequently, the float 7 containing the plants disposed in the accommodation part 8 can be further processed by an automated method using known techniques.

[0082] Here, referring particularly to FIGS. 19 to 22B, the lifting mechanism 40 includes a extraction pin 39 that is aligned with the through hole 37 of the support 35 of the tray 3. The extraction pin 39 can be moved up and down by the lifting mechanism 40 to lift the float from the tray 3 or lower the float into the reservoir 5 of the tray 3.

[0083] FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view of the tray assembly 1 provided with the lifting mechanism 40. The tray assembly 1 is the same as that in FIG. 11. The lifting mechanism 40 is provided on the side of the tray 3 facing the water inflow part 9. However, other positions are also conceivable, and the lifting mechanism 40 can be implemented to be movable by known means such as wheels and driving devices so as to receive at different positions along the tray 3.

[0084] FIG. 20 shows a float having a recess 12 on its bottom surface 10. The float 7 further includes an accommodation part 8 for receiving the plants to be cultivated.

[0085] FIG. 21 is a detailed view of the lifting mechanism 40 engaged with the recess 12 of the float 7 according to FIG. 20. The extraction pin 39 of the lifting mechanism 40 can be aligned with the through hole 37 of the support 35 protruding from the bottom 33 of the tray 3. Once aligned, the extraction pin 39 can move to abut against the float 7, particularly the recess 12 disposed on the bottom surface 10 of the float 7. Thereafter, the float 7 can be lifted from the tray 3.

[0086] Figures 22A and 22B show this process in cross-section. The extraction pin 39 of the lifting mechanism 40 abuts against the float 7 and lifts the float 7 from the tray 3. Here, the support 35 of the tray 3, together with the recess 12 of the float 7, defines the level at which the float 7 can be placed within the reservoir 5. If such a recess 12 is omitted from the float 7, for example, a flat bottom surface 10 is used, and only the support 35 of the tray 3 defines the level at which the float 7 can be placed within the reservoir 5.

[0087] In addition or alternatively, the tray 3 can include one or more edges 36 against which the float 7, particularly its bottom surface 10, can rest within the reservoir 5 of the tray 3. Such edges 36 are also shown in Figures 6, 7, 9, 10, 16.

[0088] Referring now to Figures 17 and 18, as described above, a watering device 45 for filling the reservoir 5 of the tray assembly 1 via the water inlet 9 is shown. The watering device 45 comprises connection means 44 for connecting the watering device 45 to a water supply device (not shown).

[0089] As derived from Figure 18, the watering device 45 comprises one or more water outlets 47. The watering device 45 is configured to be disposed above the tray assembly 1 such that the one or more water outlets 47 are aligned with the water inlets 9 of each of these tray assemblies 1. The one or more water outlets 47 are configured to output a relatively large amount of water flow to fill the reservoir 5 of a given tray assembly 1, whereby the watering device 45 is suitable for a watering method (e.g., dry-wet watering, etc.) in which the reservoir 5 is quickly filled and then optionally drained. Further, the watering device 45 comprises a plurality of drippers 51 each outputting a relatively small amount of water flow for another watering method such as a watering method in which water is continuously supplied to the reservoir 5 and simultaneously discharged from this reservoir 5.

[0090] One or more water outlets 47 further comprise a faucet aerator 49. The faucet aerator 49 aerates the flowing water stream with ambient air containing oxygen that plants can absorb. A further advantage of the faucet aerator 49 is that the flowing water stream at the water outlet 47 is more stable and softened, which further reduces the possibility of water splashing during the filling of the reservoir 5 of the tray assembly 1 as described above.

[0091] Furthermore, the present disclosure relates to a horticultural system 52 including one or more of the above trays 3 or tray assemblies 1, the faucet aerator 49, and / or a watering device 45 that may optionally include the lifting mechanism 40.

[0092] Furthermore, the present disclosure relates to a horticultural method including the use of at least one of the tray assembly 1, its tray 3 or float 7, and / or the horticultural system 52 according to any one of the embodiments disclosed herein, and / or the watering device 45.

[0093] It should be noted here that the protection scope of the invention described in the present disclosure is in no way limited to any specific features of the embodiments described above and shown in the drawings. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the specific features disclosed herein in connection with one embodiment of the tray assembly 1 are applicable in another embodiment of this tray assembly 1. For example, generally, it is conceivable that the embodiments of the tray assembly shown in FIGS. 1 to 10 include a support 35 having through holes 37.

[0094] The scope of protection is determined solely based on the limitations of the independent claims, but in some jurisdictions, it may include obvious alternatives of the features recited in the independent claims. Other variations regarding the specifically described elements, components, and functions that can be embodied within the scope of the claims of the present disclosure are at least suggested in the description of the above embodiments, or it is considered that those skilled in the art can contemplate such variations within the scope of their general knowledge. This exemplary reference to another embodiment serves to confirm that any limitation to specific features not defined as limitations in the independent claims is inappropriate.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0095] The following reference numerals are used throughout. 1 Tray assembly 2 Frame 3 Tray 5 Reservoir 7 Float 8 Accommodation part 9 Water inlet part 10 Bottom surface 11 Water flow guide 12 Recess 13 Lower inclined guide surface 15 Through-flow opening 17 Chamber 21 Throughput reservoir 23 Mesh 25 Water-permeable membrane 26 Flap 29 Top surface 31 Recess 33 Bottom 35 Support 36 Edge 37 Through-hole 39 Pin 40 Lifting mechanism 41 Drain outlet 43 Additional mesh 44 Connecting means 45 Sprinkler device 47 Water flow outlet 49 Tap venting device 50 Take-out or harvesting station 51 Dripper 52 Horticultural system

Claims

**Claim 1** A tray for a tray assembly for cultivating horticultural crops, comprising: - A reservoir configured to hold water, within which one or more floats are received and disposed to substantially shield the water contained within the reservoir from the external environment, the reservoir being configured to receive one or more plants and to substantially shield the water contained within the reservoir from the external environment; - A water inlet portion disposed adjacent to the reservoir and comprising a water flow guide, the water flow guide - Defining a downwardly inclined guide surface configured to guide water received on the water flow guide below the level at which the one or more floats can be disposed within the reservoir into the reservoir; and / or - Comprising a through-flow opening configured to guide water into the chamber of the water inlet portion in fluid communication with the reservoir, the through-flow opening comprising a water-permeable membrane configured to substantially shield the water within the water inlet portion from the external environment a water inlet portion and a tray. **Claim 2** The tray according to claim 1, wherein the downwardly inclined guide surface extends substantially along the entire side portion of the tray. **Claim 3** The tray according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least a portion of the downwardly inclined guide surface disposed in the water inlet portion is disposed above the maximum water level of the reservoir. **Claim 4** The tray according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a throughput reservoir disposed downstream of the downwardly inclined guide surface. **Claim 5** The tray according to claim 4, further comprising a mesh disposed in the throughput reservoir. **Claim 6** The tray according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the water-permeable membrane comprises one or more flaps of flexible material. **Claim 7** The tray according to claim 6, wherein the flexible material of the water-permeable membrane is a non-light-transmitting material. **Claim 8** The tray according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the top surface of the water flow guide exhibits a downward inclination in the direction towards the reservoir of the tray. **Claim 9** The tray according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the water flow guide is removably insertable into the tray. **Claim 10** The tray according to claim 9, wherein at least one of the water flow guide and the tray comprises a recess defining fluid communication between the reservoir and the water inlet portion of the tray. **Claim 11** A tray assembly for cultivating horticultural crops, comprising: - the tray according to any one of claims 1 to 10; and - one or more floats configured to receive one or more plants, disposed or disposable within a reservoir of the tray, the one or more floats substantially shielding the water contained within the reservoir from the external environment A tray assembly comprising the same.

12. - the tray according to any one of claims 1 to 10 or the tray assembly according to claim 11; and - a watering device configured to introduce water into a water inlet of the tray A horticultural system comprising the same.

13. The horticultural system according to claim 12, wherein the water outlet of the watering device comprises a faucet venting device configured to vent the water flow at the water outlet.

14. A horticultural method comprising using the tray according to any one of claims 1 to 10, the tray assembly according to claim 11, or the horticultural system according to claim 12 or 13.

15. A tray for a tray assembly for cultivating horticultural crops, comprising: - a reservoir configured to contain water, the reservoir being configured to receive one or more floats disposed within the reservoir to substantially shield the water contained within the reservoir from the external environment, the reservoir being configured to receive one or more plants and being configured to substantially shield the water contained within the reservoir from the external environment; - a drain configured to discharge water from the reservoir when the water level in the reservoir reaches a maximum level; and - one or more supports projecting upwardly relative to a bottom of the reservoir and configured to support one or more floats when received within the reservoir, the one or more supports having through holes disposed above a maximum water level of the reservoir A tray comprising the same.

16. The tray according to claim 15, wherein the through holes are disposed on a top surface of the one or more supports.

17. Further comprising a water inlet portion disposed adjacent to the reservoir and comprising a water flow guide, the water flow guide defining: - a downwardly inclined guide surface configured to guide water received on the water flow guide below a level at which the one or more floats can be disposed within the reservoir into the reservoir; and / or ・Comprising a through-opening configured to guide water into the chamber of the water inlet portion that is in fluid communication with the reservoir. The tray according to claim 15 or 16.

18. A float for a tray assembly for cultivating horticultural crops, disposed in the reservoir of the tray according to any one of claims 15 to 17 and configured to substantially shield the water contained in the reservoir from the external environment, ・One or more receiving portions configured to receive one or more plants, ・One or more recesses disposed at the bottom of the float and configured to receive one or more supports of the tray A float comprising.

19. The float according to claim 18, wherein the one or more recesses are formed as blind holes extending from the bottom surface of the float into the float.

20. The float according to claim 18 or 19, wherein the one or more receiving portions are formed as through-holes extending from the bottom surface of the float to the top surface of the float.

21. The float according to any one of claims 18 to 20, wherein the cross-section of the one or more recesses is larger than the cross-section of the one or more receiving portions.

22. The float according to any one of claims 18 to 21, wherein a first two-dimensional pattern defined by the one or more recesses is different from a second two-dimensional pattern defined by the one or more receiving portions.

23. A tray assembly for cultivating horticultural crops, ・The tray according to any one of claims 15 to 17, ・One or more floats according to any one of claims 18 to 22 A tray assembly comprising.

24. The tray assembly according to claim 23, wherein the one or more recesses of the float are recessed from the bottom surface of the float over a distance shorter than the height of the one or more supports of the tray.

25. The tray assembly according to claim 23 or 24, wherein the cross-section of the one or more supports of the tray, particularly the cross-section measured at the top thereof, is larger than the cross-section of the one or more receiving portions of the float, particularly the cross-section measured at the bottom surface of the float.

26. The third two-dimensional pattern defined by the one or more supports of the tray corresponds to the first two-dimensional pattern defined by the one or more recesses of the float and is different from the second two-dimensional pattern defined by the one or more receiving portions, the tray assembly according to any one of claims 23 to 25.

27. A lifting mechanism comprising one or more extraction pins aligned with or configured to be aligned with through holes of the one or more supports, the one or more extraction pins being moved through the through holes of the one or more supports and brought into contact with one or more floats disposed or capable of being disposed in a reservoir of the tray, particularly in one or more recesses thereof, thereby further comprising a lifting mechanism configured to lift the one or more floats from the tray, the tray assembly according to any one of claims 23 to 26.

28. The tray assembly according to claim 27, wherein a fourth two-dimensional pattern defined by the one or more extraction pins of the lifting mechanism corresponds to at least one of the third two-dimensional pattern defined by the one or more supports of the tray and the first two-dimensional pattern defined by the one or more recesses of the float.

29. The tray assembly according to claim 27 or 28, wherein the lifting mechanism is constituted by a frame configured to support at least the tray.

30. A lifting mechanism for the tray assembly according to any one of claims 23 to 29 or for the tray assembly, the lifting mechanism comprising one or more extraction pins aligned with or configured to be aligned with through holes of one or more supports of the tray of the tray assembly, the lifting mechanism moving the one or more extraction pins through the through holes of the one or more supports and bringing them into contact with one or more floats disposed or capable of being disposed in a reservoir of the tray, the lifting mechanism being configured to lift the one or more floats from the tray.

31. - The tray assembly according to any one of claims 23 to 29; - The lifting mechanism according to claim 30 and comprising A horticultural system in which through-holes in one or more supports of the tray, one or more recesses in any float, and one or more extraction pins of the lifting mechanism are aligned or configured to be aligned in order to lift the float from the tray.

32. A horticultural method comprising using the tray according to any one of claims 15 to 17, the float according to any one of claims 18 to 22, the tray assembly according to any one of claims 23 to 29, the lifting mechanism according to claim 30, or the horticultural system according to claim 31.

33. The horticultural method according to claim 32, comprising raising and lowering the one or more floats relative to the tray via a bottom surface of the one or more floats.

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