Improvement of methods for producing vegetables, mushrooms, or herbs that can be supplied to consumers in boxes.
The method of cultivating vegetables, mushrooms, and herbs in a sealed container with moisture-retaining protrusions and biodegradable mats addresses the challenges of cleanliness and freshness, enabling direct retail transport and improved consumer packaging.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- RIJK ZWAAN ZAADTEELT & ZAADHANDEL BV
- Filing Date
- 2024-06-07
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-07
AI Technical Summary
Conventional methods for producing vegetables, mushrooms, and herbs in consumer packaging face challenges in ensuring ease of harvesting, cleanliness, and maintaining freshness during transportation, as they often require dedicated storage facilities and may shed fibers that contaminate the produce.
A method involving cultivation in a sealed container with a permeable membrane and a substrate supported by protrusions that retain moisture, using biodegradable mats, and a container design that supports growth and transport of mature produce directly to retail stores.
Ensures clean and fresh produce by retaining moisture and preventing contamination, allowing direct transport to retail stores without the need for additional storage, enhancing consumer convenience and product quality.
Smart Images
Figure 2026522195000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to a method for producing vegetables, mushrooms or herbs that can be provided to consumers. The present invention also relates to a container used in the method and a set for producing vegetables, mushrooms or herbs.
Background Art
[0002] Conventionally, vegetables, mushrooms and herbs are produced by specialized producers in greenhouses or fields. After harvesting, the products need to be transported to retail stores. The transportation cost affects the final consumer price. Furthermore, the products may need to be stored before shipping. For certain products, dedicated storage facilities may be required.
[0003] WO 2014 / 056869 and WO 2017 / 125588 disclose production forms that reduce costs and provide fresher products by a method for producing vegetables, mushrooms or herbs that can be provided to consumers. That is, it is a method of culturing vegetables, mushrooms or herbs until maturity in a closed container under appropriate growing conditions and transferring the container containing the mature vegetables, mushrooms or herbs to a retail store. Note that the cultivation of vegetables, mushrooms and herbs may be carried out within the facilities of a retail store.
[0004] In these methods, seeds are placed in a container and the container is closed with a permeable membrane. The permeable membrane is permeable to oxygen, carbon dioxide, and water vapor, but is impermeable to contaminants and pathogens such as viruses, bacteria, fungi, protists, or insects.
[0005] Seeds can germinate only after coming into contact with water, and germinated seeds and plants require water and nutrients for growth. Since the container is closed after sowing or planting seeds, mycelia or seedlings, a sufficient amount of water required for the plant or mushroom to reach maturity must be contained in the container. To supply water so that the seeds can germinate and grow, the seeds usually lie on a substrate. The substrate supplies water to the seeds located above the initial water level by capillary action.
[0006] For consumers, ease of harvesting is important. Furthermore, since the harvested produce is intended for consumption, it must be clean. However, conventional systems for producing boxed vegetables, mushrooms, or herbs that can be offered to consumers do not always meet these requirements. Some substrates tend to shed fibers, which can then adhere to the plants. This is undesirable. [Overview of the project]
[0007] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an improved method for directly producing vegetables, mushrooms, and herbs in consumer packaging.
[0008] Another object of the present invention is to provide a container for use in this method.
[0009] The present invention relates to a method for producing vegetables, mushrooms, or herbs that can be provided to consumers, a) The process of cultivating vegetables, mushrooms, or herbs in a sealed container under appropriate growing conditions until they reach maturity, and b) The process of transporting containers containing mature vegetables, mushrooms, or herbs to retail stores. Equipped with, The cultivation method is characterized by growing vegetables, mushrooms, or herbs on a thin mat placed on multiple protrusions extending from the bottom of the container into the interior of the container. The protrusions define ridges for retaining moisture.
[0010] In one embodiment, the protrusions are uniformly distributed on the bottom of the container. In another embodiment, the protrusions are irregularly distributed on the bottom of the container.
[0011] The projections may have any shape or form, including, but are not limited to, columnar, spike-like, pyramidal, nodular, or spherical shapes.
[0012] The cross-section of the projection can vary, including, but is not limited to, circular, elliptical, square, or triangular shapes.
[0013] In another embodiment of the container, the protrusions are provided on an insert placed in the container. In this case, a conventional container can be used, and the support for the substrate is formed by the insert.
[0014] During use, the protrusions support the mat, and the edges of the mat come into contact with the water in the container. This allows water to be transported to the seeds or young plants by capillary action. As growth progresses, the roots penetrate the seed mat and come into contact with the water in the container.
[0015] According to the present invention, the substrate on which the seeds are placed, i.e., the seed mat, is preferably made of a bio-based material. Suitable examples include the biodegradable fibers of VegBed®, Nygaia®, and Growcoon®. VegBed Microgreen Mats are seedling growing media made of bamboo fiber. Nygaia is a product of Maan Biobased Products.
[0016] The advantages of such biodegradable mats are that they are very clean and avoid contamination of products by plastic fibers.
[0017] The container is sealed with a permeable membrane. This membrane is preferably permeable to oxygen, carbon dioxide, and water vapor, while preferably impermeable to contaminants and pathogens such as viruses, bacteria, fungi, protists, or insects. Preferably, the sealing membrane is at least partially self-adhesive, particularly at its edges. The membrane may also be sealed to the container by a heat sealer. In this case, the membrane can be easily attached to and sealed on the opening side of the container.
[0018] Prior to cultivating vegetables, mushrooms, and herbs, seeds, germinated seeds, seedlings, or small plants (for vegetables or herbs) or mycelium (for mushrooms) are placed in the planting area, and the container is sealed.
[0019] The method of the present invention can be used for all kinds of products, but vegetables in particular are leafy greens such as lettuce, more specifically leaf lettuce, head lettuce or baby leaf lettuce, endive, arugula, lamb lettuce, corn salad, Swiss chard, chard, spinach, and radish, as well as germinated vegetables in particular such as cress, beet sprouts, alfalfa, broccoli sprouts, bean sprouts, fennel sprouts, cabbage sprouts, garlic sprouts, leek sprouts, pea sprouts, and chickpea sprouts. Herbs can also be selected from chives, parsley, basil, dill weed, coriander, cilantro, mint, oregano, rosemary, thyme, marjoram, and lemon balm.
[0020] Preferably, the seeds are provided in the form of seed mats or seed bands.
[0021] Preferably, before being transferred to supermarket shelves, the containers are labeled with information about the vegetables, mushrooms, or herbs.
[0022] The cultivation of vegetables, mushrooms, or herbs until maturity may be carried out in or near the retail store.
[0023] The present invention further relates to a container for use in the above method. The container comprises a box having an open top and a bottom opposite thereto, the bottom being provided with projections extending into the interior of the box, the projections defining ridges for retaining moisture and nutrients. The container is suitably adapted to the shape of the product and may be a square box, a rectangular box, a tube, or any other shape.
[0024] In one embodiment, the protrusions are uniformly distributed on the bottom of the container. In another embodiment, the protrusions are irregularly distributed on the bottom of the container.
[0025] The protrusions can be of any shape or form, including, but not limited to, columnar, spike-like, pyramid-like, tuberous, or spherical. The cross-section of the protrusions can also be various, including, but not limited to, circular, elliptical, square, or triangular.
[0026] In another embodiment, the container includes a box having an open top and a bottom opposite thereto, and an insert disposed on the bottom of the box. The insert is provided with protrusions that extend into the interior of the box, and the protrusions define ridges that retain moisture and nutrients.
[0027] The present invention further relates to a set for producing vegetables, mushrooms or herbs that can be provided to consumers. The set includes a container for accommodating vegetables, mushrooms or herbs, sowing or planting materials, a mat, and a permeable membrane. The bottom of the container is provided with protrusions that extend into the interior of the container.
[0028] The present invention further relates to a container for accommodating vegetables, mushrooms or herbs that can be obtained by the method described in the claims.
[0029] The present invention is illustrated in the following drawings.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0030] [Figure 1] A view showing a conventional container provided with a seed mat disposed on the bottom of the box. [Figure 2] A view showing an empty container of the present invention provided with columnar protrusions having a substantially square cross-section. [Figure 3] A view showing a close-up of the protrusions. [Figure 4] A view looking into the interior of the container from the bottom, showing the roots in the ridges formed between the protrusions.
Claims
1. A method for producing vegetables, mushrooms, or herbs that can be offered to consumers, a) A process of cultivating vegetables, mushrooms, or herbs in a closed container under appropriate growing conditions until they reach maturity, b) The process of transporting the container containing mature vegetables, mushrooms or herbs to a retail store, Equipped with, The vegetables, mushrooms, or herbs are cultivated on a thin mat placed on a plurality of protrusions extending from the bottom of the container into the interior of the container. method.
2. The protrusions are uniformly distributed on the bottom of the container. The method according to claim 1.
3. The aforementioned protrusions are irregularly distributed on the bottom of the container. The method according to claim 1.
4. The projection is columnar, spike-shaped, pyramidal, nodular, or spherical. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3.
5. The projection has a circular, elliptical, square, or triangular cross-section. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4.
6. The aforementioned protrusion is provided on an insert placed inside the container. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5.
7. The projection supports the mat, and the edge of the mat comes into contact with the water in the container. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6.
8. The container is sealed with a permeable membrane, which is preferably permeable to oxygen, carbon dioxide, and water vapor, while preferably impermeable to contaminants and pathogens such as viruses, bacteria, fungi, protists, or insects. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7.
9. Prior to cultivating vegetables, mushrooms, or herbs, seeds, germinated seeds, seedlings, or small plants (for vegetables or herbs) or mycelium (for mushrooms) are placed in the planting area, and the container is sealed. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8.
10. The vegetables are leafy vegetables or sprouted vegetables. In particular, leafy vegetables include lettuce (especially leaf lettuce, head lettuce, or baby leaf lettuce), endive, arugula, lamb lettuce, corn salad, Swiss chard, chard, spinach, and radish. In particular, germinated vegetables include cress, beet sprouts, alfalfa, broccoli sprouts, bean sprouts, fennel sprouts, cabbage sprouts, garlic sprouts, leek sprouts, pea sprouts, and chickpea sprouts. Or, The herbs can be selected from chives, parsley, basil, dill weed, coriander, cilantro, mint, oregano, rosemary, thyme, marjoram, and lemon balm. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9.
11. The seeds are provided in the form of seed mats or seed bands. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 10.
12. The container is affixed with a label containing information about the vegetables, mushrooms, or herbs. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 11.
13. The cultivation of vegetables, mushrooms, or herbs until maturity is carried out in or near the retail store. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 12.
14. A container used in the method according to any one of claims 1 to 13, It comprises a box having an open top and a bottom opposite it, The bottom of the box is provided with a projection that extends into the interior of the box, and this projection defines ridges that retain moisture and nutrients. container.
15. The protrusions are uniformly distributed on the bottom of the container. The container according to claim 13.
16. The aforementioned protrusions are irregularly distributed on the bottom of the container. The container according to claim 13.
17. The projection is columnar, spike-shaped, pyramidal, nodular, or spherical. A container according to any one of claims 14 to 16.
18. The projection has a circular, elliptical, square, or triangular cross-section. A container according to any one of claims 14 to 16.
19. A container used in the method according to any one of claims 1 to 13, The box comprises an opening at the top, a bottom opposite to it, and an insert positioned on the bottom, The insert is provided with a projection that extends into the interior of the box, and the projection defines ridges that retain moisture and nutrients. container.
20. A set for producing vegetables, mushrooms, or herbs that can be provided to consumers, A container for holding vegetables, mushrooms or herbs, Sowing or planting material, Matt and, A permeable membrane, Equipped with, The bottom of the container is provided with a projection that extends into the interior of the container. set.
21. The container is the container described in any one of claims 14 to 19. The set according to claim 20.