Seedling tray

Abstract

To provide a seedling tray that ensures uniform aeration across a plurality of cups.SOLUTION: A seedling tray 1 includes a plurality of bottomed cylindrical cups 10 connected to each other in plane directions X and Y. Each cup 10 has a bottom wall, a peripheral wall rising from the bottom wall, and an opening facing the bottom wall and consists of a first cup 11 and a second cup 21 surrounding the first cup. The first cup 11 has a plurality of first slits 17, formed by cutting out the peripheral wall and extending in a straight line toward the edge on the opening side, and the second cup 21 has a plurality of second slits 25, formed by cutting out the peripheral wall and extending in a straight line toward the edge on the opening side. The number of the first slits 17 is the same as that of the second slits 25. The first slits 17 consist of a short slit 15 and a long slit 16 that is longer than the short slit 15 in the longitudinal direction. The long slit 16 is formed longer than the second slit 25 in the longitudinal direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a seedling growing tray. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, cell trays have been used as seedling trays for raising seedlings, which are formed by connecting a large number of inverted cone-shaped or inverted square pyramid-shaped pots together to form a tray. Cell-molded seedlings (also called potted seedlings) are formed by filling the pots in the cell tray with bed soil, sowing seeds therein, covering them with soil, irrigating them, and raising them (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] The seedling tray disclosed in Patent Document 1 is composed of multiple inverted square pyramid-shaped pots. Each pot has a cylindrical side wall and a bottom wall that closes the lower surface (bottom) of the side wall, and is configured in an inverted square pyramid shape with an open top. The bottom wall has drainage holes. The bottom of each pot's side wall has an opening consisting of a vertically long slit. A plurality of these slits are formed at appropriate intervals around the circumferential direction of the side wall (around the vertical axis at the center of the pot). This structure encourages roots of seedlings grown in the pots to branch out when they reach the slits, preventing root wrapping (a phenomenon in which roots grow around the vertical axis along the inner surface of the side wall). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-235363 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in conventional seedling trays for raising seedlings, the inner pot located on the inside of the multiple pots (cups) has poor breathability compared to the multiple outer pots arranged to surround the inner pot, and the potted seedlings raised in the inner pot tend to become steamy.

[0006] The object of the present invention is to provide a seedling raising tray which is constructed by connecting a plurality of cylindrical cups with bottoms in a planar direction, and which aims to equalize the air permeability of the plurality of cups.

[0007] The above object can be achieved by the present invention described below. That is, the present invention provides a seedling raising tray constructed by connecting a plurality of cylindrical cups with bottoms in a plane direction, the plurality of cups being constructed to have a bottom wall, a peripheral wall erected from the bottom wall, and an opening facing the bottom wall, and the tray comprises at least one first cup and a plurality of second cups arranged to surround the first cup, the first cup being provided with a plurality of first slits formed by cutting at least the peripheral wall and extending linearly toward the edge on the opening side, the second cup being provided with a plurality of second slits formed by cutting at least the peripheral wall and extending linearly toward the edge on the opening side, the first slits and the second slits being provided in the same number, and the plurality of first slits being short slits and a long slit having a longitudinal dimension larger than that of the short slit, the long slit being larger in longitudinal dimension than the second slit, a plurality of the first cups are provided, a pair of the short slits are provided, and one of the adjacent first cups has the pair of long slits arranged to face each other in a first direction in the planar direction with the center of the bottom wall sandwiched therebetween, and the pair of short slits arranged to face each other in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction in the planar direction with the center of the bottom wall sandwiched therebetween, and the other of the adjacent first cups has the pair of long slits arranged to face each other in the second direction with the center of the bottom wall sandwiched therebetween, and the pair of short slits arranged to face each other in the first direction with the center of the bottom wall sandwiched therebetween. , the short slit and the second slit have the same longitudinal dimension. This is a seedling raising tray characterized by the above features.

[0008] That is, the device comprises a first cup and a plurality of second cups arranged to surround the first cup, the first cup having a short slit and a long slit whose longitudinal dimension is larger than that of the short slit, and the second cup having a second slit. The long slit is formed so that its longitudinal dimension is larger than that of the second slit. Thus, by providing the first cup with the short slit and the long slit, the breathability of the first cup is improved, and the breathability of the first cup approaches that of the second cup.

[0009] In addition, when the temperature is high, the evaporation effect lowers the temperature of the roots of the potted seedlings being grown, and when the temperature is low and the humidity is high, excess moisture is released from each slit, making it difficult for the roots of the potted seedlings (for example, strawberries) housed in each cup to become steamed.

[0010] Preferably, a plurality of first cups are provided, each having a pair of short slits and a pair of long slits, and one of the adjacent first cups has a pair of long slits facing each other in a first direction in the planar direction across the center of the bottom wall and a pair of short slits facing each other in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction in the planar direction across the center of the bottom wall, and another of the adjacent first cups has a pair of long slits facing each other in the second direction across the center of the bottom wall and a pair of short slits facing each other in the first direction across the center of the bottom wall. This improves the breathability of each first cup and equalizes the air permeability of adjacent first cups.

[0011] It is also preferable that the short slit and the second slit have the same longitudinal dimension, which makes the air permeability of the first cup closer to that of the second cup and further equalizes the air permeability of the first cup and the air permeability of the second cup.

[0012] It is also preferable that the short slit, long slit, and second slit each have a tapered surface whose width decreases toward the inside of the cup. By providing such a tapered surface, water (humidity) is expelled while the bed soil remains inside, thereby lowering the temperature inside each cup through the effect of evaporation.

[0013] It is also preferable that the short slit, the long slit, and the second slit each have a pair of protruding edges at both widthwise edges that protrude inward of the cup, which makes it difficult for the bed soil filled inside the cup to fall out of the slits.

[0014] Preferably, the container has a protrusion protruding from the inner surface of the peripheral wall and extending linearly toward the edge of the opening, with the protrusion being provided between the short and long slits in the first cup and the protrusion being provided between the second slits in the second cup. This allows the roots of the potted seedlings housed in each cup to grow linearly along the protrusion. This allows the roots to grow straight, thereby preventing root circling.

[0015] It is also preferable that the tray is colored light gray (a light blue color). This makes it difficult for the surface temperature of the seedling tray to rise, as light colors have high reflectivity and do not absorb heat easily. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] According to the present invention, a seedling growing tray is provided which is made up of multiple connected cylindrical cups with bottoms, and which includes a first cup and a second cup arranged to surround the first cup.By improving the breathability of the first cup, the breathability of the first cup and the breathability of the second cup can be equalized. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] 1 is a plan view showing a seedling raising tray according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II in FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a first cup that constitutes the seedling raising tray. [Figure 4] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a second cup that constitutes the seedling raising tray. [Figure 7] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. 5. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] A seedling raising tray according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to Figs. 1 to 7. Fig. 1 is a plan view showing a seedling raising tray 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a plan view showing a first cup 11 constituting the seedling raising tray 1. Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in Fig. 1. Fig. 6 is a plan view showing a second cup 21 constituting the seedling raising tray 1. Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in Fig. 5.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 1 , the seedling tray 1 includes 24 (plural) cups 10 formed in a cylindrical shape with a bottom, connecting portions 2 for connecting the cups 10 in a planar direction XY, and a peripheral portion 3 continuous with the outer periphery of the connecting portions 2. Each cup 10 is filled with bed soil for growing seedlings. The connecting portions 2 are formed in a plate shape with a predetermined thickness and are continuous with the open end edges of each cup 10, connecting the cups 10 together. Connecting the multiple cups 10 via the connecting portions 2 allows multiple cups 10 to be moved simultaneously. Hereinafter, one of the planar directions XY in which the cups 10 are arranged may be referred to as the "vertical direction Y," and the other perpendicular to the planar direction Y may be referred to as the "horizontal direction X." The direction perpendicular to the planar direction XY may be referred to as the "vertical direction Z," with the bottom side of each cup 10 referred to as the "downward direction Z1" and the open side of the cup 10 referred to as the "upward direction Z2."

[0020] As shown in FIG. 1, the 24 cups 10 include eight (plural) first cups 11 and sixteen (plural) second cups 21 surrounding the first cups 11. In this embodiment, the first cups 11 and the second cups 21 are arranged side by side at equal intervals in the planar direction XY. Four first cups 11 are arranged in the vertical direction Y and two in the horizontal direction X, and the second cups 21 are arranged so as to surround the first cups 11. Each of the first cups 11 and each of the second cups 21 are formed in a cylindrical shape with a bottom and have the same outer shape.

[0021] 2 and 3, the first cup 11 includes a disk-shaped first bottom wall 12 (bottom wall), a first peripheral wall 13 (peripheral wall) extending from the periphery of the first bottom wall 12 and having an inner diameter that gradually increases upward Z2, a first opening 14 (opening) facing the first bottom wall 12, a first slit 17 having a short slit 15 and a long slit 16, and four (plural) first protrusions 18 (protrusions). The first slits 17 and the first protrusions 18 are alternately arranged at equal intervals in the direction in which the first peripheral wall 13 continues (the circumferential direction).

[0022] As shown in FIG. 2, the first bottom wall 12 includes a disk-shaped first bottom wall main body 121 and a first leg portion 122 extending downward Z1 from the periphery of the first bottom wall main body 121. A first drainage hole 123 is formed in the first bottom wall main body 121. As also shown in FIG. 3, the first drainage hole 123 is composed of a pair of first arc portions 123A, 123A. The pair of first arc portions 123A, 123A are formed in an arc shape centered on a center 12P (shown in FIG. 3) of the first bottom wall main body 121, and are provided opposite each other in the vertical direction Y with the center 12P of the first bottom wall main body 121 therebetween. Furthermore, the radial dimension (width dimension) of each first arc portion 123A of the first bottom wall 12 is constant from one end to the other end. Furthermore, the width dimension of each first arcuate portion 123A is formed to be larger than the width dimension of each second arcuate portion 223A in the second cup 21, which will be described later. That is, the (opening) area of ​​the first drainage hole 123 in the first cup 11 is larger than the (opening) area of ​​the second drainage hole 223 in the second cup 21.

[0023] 2 and 3, the first slit 17 includes a pair of short slits 15, 15 and a pair of long slits 16 formed so as to have a longitudinal dimension greater than that of each of the short slits 15. The short slits 15 and the long slits 16 have the same configuration except for the longitudinal dimension.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 1, the eight first cups 11 are arranged four in the vertical direction Y and two in the horizontal direction X, and one of the first cups 11 adjacent to each other in the vertical direction Y or the horizontal direction X (hereinafter sometimes referred to as one first cup 11A) has a short slit 15 facing the vertical direction Y and a long slit 16 facing the horizontal direction X, while the other (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the other first cup 11B) has a short slit 15 facing the horizontal direction X and a long slit 16 facing the vertical direction Y.

[0025] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 , a pair of short slits 15, 15 are provided opposite each other across a center 12P of the first bottom wall 12. Each short slit 15 is formed by cutting out the first bottom wall 12 and the first peripheral wall 13, with a base end 15b provided at a predetermined position on the first bottom wall 12 (a position spaced a predetermined distance from the center 12P of the first bottom wall 12) and a tip end 15s extending linearly toward the first opening 14. A circular hole 151 cut out in a circular shape is provided at the base end (base end 15b) of each short slit 15. The widths of the portions of each short slit 15 other than the circular hole 151 are formed to be equal. The longitudinal dimension of each short slit 15 is also formed to be equal to the longitudinal dimension of a second slit 25 of the second cup 21, which will be described later.

[0026] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 , the pair of long slits 16 are positioned 90 degrees apart from the pair of short slits 15, 15, and are opposed to each other across the center 12P of the first bottom wall 12. Each long slit 16 is formed by cutting out the first bottom wall 12 and the first peripheral wall 13, and has a base end 16b located at a predetermined position on the first bottom wall 12 (a position spaced a predetermined distance from the center 12P of the first bottom wall 12) and a tip end 16s extending linearly toward the first opening 14. The tip end 16s of each long slit 16 is located closer to the first opening 14 than the tip ends 15s of the short slits 15. A circular hole 161 cut out in a circular shape is formed at the base end (base end 16b) of each long slit 16. The widths of the portions of each long slit 16 other than the circular hole 161 are formed to be equal.

[0027] In addition, each of the short slits 15 and each of the long slits 16 is provided with a fall-out prevention structure 17A for preventing the bed soil filled inside each cup 10 from falling out of each of the slits 15, 16.

[0028] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the fall-off prevention structure 17A is configured to have a pair of tapered surfaces 170, 170 and a pair of protruding edge portions 171, 171.

[0029] As shown in Figure 4, the pair of tapered surfaces 170 are configured so that in each long slit 16 (each short slit 15), the end faces in the thickness direction of the first peripheral wall 13 that are continuous with the outer surface 13u and inner surface 13i of the first peripheral wall 13 become narrower as they move inward of the first cup 11.

[0030] 3 and 4, the pair of protruding edges 171, 171 are provided on both widthwise edges of each long slit 16 (each short slit 15), and are configured to protrude inward of the first cup 11. Each protruding edge 171 is provided continuously from the lower end 13b of the first peripheral wall 13 to each of the tips 15s, 16s of the slits 15, 16.

[0031] According to this fall-out prevention structure 17A, the provision of a pair of protruding edges 171, 171 prevents the bed soil filled inside each cup 10 from falling out through each slit 15, 16, while the provision of each tapered surface 170 improves breathability and prevents excess moisture in the first cup 11. This makes it possible to prevent the roots of the potted seedlings from becoming steamed, which encourages the roots to take root after planting, resulting in the growth of new (white) roots.

[0032] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, each first cup 11 is provided with first protrusions 18 (protrusions) that protrude from the inner surface 13i of the first peripheral wall 13 and extend linearly toward the opening of the first peripheral wall 13. In this embodiment, four (plural) first protrusions 18 are provided. The four first protrusions 18 are provided between the short slits 15 and the long slits 16 in the first cup 11. The base end of each first protrusion 18 is located at the lower end 13b of the first peripheral wall 13, and the tip extends linearly toward the first opening 14. As shown in FIG. 2, the tip 18s of each first protrusion 18 is formed to be slightly higher than the tip 15s of each short slit 15. This allows the roots of the potted seedlings housed in each cup 11 to grow linearly along the first protrusions 18 (protrusions). In other words, the roots grow straighter, which prevents the roots from circling.

[0033] 5 and 6, the second cup 21 includes a disk-shaped second bottom wall 22 (bottom wall), a second peripheral wall 23 (peripheral wall) extending from the periphery of the second bottom wall 22 and formed so that its inner diameter gradually increases upward Z2, a second opening 24 (opening) facing the second bottom wall 22, second slits 25, and four (plural) second protrusions 28 (protrusions). The second slits 25 and the second protrusions 28 are alternately provided at equal intervals in the direction in which the second peripheral wall 23 continues (circumferential direction).

[0034] As shown in Fig. 5, the second bottom wall 22 includes a disk-shaped second bottom wall main body 221 and second leg portions 222 extending downward Z1 from the periphery of the second bottom wall main body 221. A second drainage hole 223 is formed in the second bottom wall main body 221. The second drainage hole 223 is composed of a pair of second arc portions 223A, 223A. The pair of second arc portions 223A, 223A are formed in an arc shape centered on a center 22P (shown in Fig. 6) of the second bottom wall main body 221, and are provided opposite each other in the vertical direction Y with the center 22P of the second bottom wall main body 221 therebetween. Furthermore, the radial dimension (width dimension) of each second arc portion 223A of the second bottom wall 22 is constant from one end to the other end.

[0035] 6, four (plural) second slits 25 are provided, and are arranged opposite each other in the vertical direction Y and the horizontal direction X across the center 22P of the second bottom wall 22. Each second slit 25 is formed by cutting out the second bottom wall 22 and the second peripheral wall 23, and has a base end 25b provided at a predetermined position on the second bottom wall 22 (a position spaced a predetermined distance from the center 22P of the second bottom wall 22) and a tip end 25s extending linearly toward the second opening 24.

[0036] 6, a circular hole 251 cut out in a circular shape is provided at the base end (base end 25b) of each second slit 25. In each second slit 25, the width dimensions of the portions other than the circular hole 251 are formed to be equal.

[0037] Further, each second slit 25 is provided with a fall-out prevention structure 25A for preventing the bed soil filled inside each cup 10 from falling out of each second slit 25.

[0038] 6 and 7, the fall-off prevention structure 25A is configured to have a pair of tapered surfaces 170, 170 and a pair of protruding edges 171, 171 (protruding edges). Because the fall-off prevention structure 25A has the same configuration as the fall-off prevention structure 17A of the first cup 11, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals below and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0039] Each second cup 21 is provided with second protrusions 28 (protrusions) that protrude from the inner surface 23i of the second peripheral wall 23 and extend linearly toward the edge of the second peripheral wall 23 on the opening side. In this embodiment, four (plural) second protrusions 28 are provided. The four second protrusions 28 are provided between the second slits 25 in the second cup 21. The base end of each second protrusion 28 is located at the lower end 23b of the second peripheral wall 23, and the tip extends linearly toward the second opening 24. The tip 28s of each second protrusion 28 is formed to be slightly higher than the tip 25s of each second slit 25.

[0040] Here, the first cup 11 and the second cup 21 are each provided with a total of 12 protruding edges 171 and ridges 18 (28) on both end edges of each slit 17 (25). In such first cup 11 and second cup 21, air enters the interior through each slit 17 (25), promoting rooting of the potted seedling. The roots come into contact with the air through each slit 17 (25), preventing them from protruding from each slit 17 (25) and extending linearly without crossing the gap between each protruding edge 171 and each protruding ridge 18 (28). In other words, the provision of the protruding edges 171 and the protruding ridges 18 (28) on the first cup 11 and the second cup 21 encourages roots to grow straight and suppresses root circling (hereinafter, this may be referred to as the root taper effect). Furthermore, when the temperature is high, the evaporation effect lowers the temperature of the roots of the potted seedlings, and when the temperature is low and the humidity is high, excess moisture is released from the slits 15, 16, and 25, preventing the roots of the potted seedlings (for example, strawberries) from becoming too steamy. This promotes root establishment after the potted seedlings are planted, and new (white) roots grow.

[0041] Next, the dimensions of the seedling raising tray 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. That is, the horizontal dimension L1 (shown in Figure 1) of the seedling tray 1 is formed to be 357.5 mm, the vertical dimension L2 (shown in Figure 1) is formed to be 499.5 mm, and the height dimension T3 (shown in Figures 2 and 5) is formed to be 97.9 mm.

[0042] The diameter φ4 (shown in FIG. 2) of the first bottom wall 12 of each first cup 11 is 34 mm. The height T5 (vertical dimension shown in FIG. 2) of the short slit 15 formed in each first cup 11 is 40 mm, and the height T6 (vertical dimension shown in FIG. 2) of the long slit 16 formed in each first cup 11 is 70 mm.

[0043] 4, in each cup 10, the width L7 of each slit 15, 16 on the inner surface 13i side of the first peripheral wall 13 is 2.5 mm, and the width L8 of each slit 15, 16 on the outer surface 13u side of the first peripheral wall 13 is 2.7 mm. Furthermore, the protruding dimension T9 of each protruding edge portion 171 is 1.1 mm. Furthermore, the protruding dimension of each protrusion portion 18, 28 is 1.1 mm.

[0044] Such a seedling raising tray 1 is colored entirely in light gray (a light-green color). This prevents the surface temperature of the seedling raising tray 1 from rising, as light colors (white) have high reflectivity and do not easily absorb heat. Coloring the seedling raising tray 1 light gray can reduce the surface temperature of the seedling raising tray 1 by approximately 4 to 5 degrees compared to a case where the tray is colored dark green. This prevents the leaves and stems of potted seedlings from burning, even during the high temperatures of summer. While the seedling raising tray 1 is colored entirely in light gray in this embodiment, it may be colored in any color close to white, which has high reflectivity and does not easily absorb heat.

[0045] According to the above-described embodiment, the seedling tray 1 comprises a first cup 11 and a plurality of second cups 21 arranged to surround the first cup 11, the first cup 11 being provided with a short slit 15 and a long slit 16 whose longitudinal dimension is greater than that of the short slit 15, and the second cup 21 being provided with a second slit 25. The long slit 16 is formed so that its longitudinal dimension is greater than that of the second slit 25. Thus, by providing the first cup 11 with the short slit 15 and the long slit 16, the breathability of the first cup 11 is improved, and the breathability of the first cup 11 is brought closer to that of the second cup 21.

[0046] When the temperature is high, the temperature of the roots of the potted seedlings is lowered by the effect of evaporation, and when the temperature is low and the humidity is high, excess moisture is released from the slits 15, 16, 25, making it difficult for the roots of the potted seedlings (for example, strawberries) to become steamed.

[0047] Further, a plurality of first cups 11 are provided, each having a pair of short slits 15 and a pair of long slits 16, and one of adjacent first cups 11 has the pair of long slits 16 facing each other in a first direction in the planar direction XY across a center 12P of the first bottom wall 12 (bottom wall) and the pair of short slits 15, 15 facing each other in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction in the planar direction XY across the center 12P of the first bottom wall 12 (bottom wall), and the other of adjacent first cups 11 has the pair of long slits 16 facing each other in the second direction across the center 12P of the first bottom wall 12 (bottom wall) and the pair of short slits 15, 15 facing each other in the first direction across the center 12P of the first bottom wall 12 (bottom wall). This improves the breathability of each first cup 11, and equalizes the air permeability between adjacent first cups 11.

[0048] Furthermore, the short slit 15 and the second slit 25 are formed to have the same longitudinal dimension, so that the air permeability of the first cup 11 approaches the air permeability of the second cup 21, and the air permeability of the first cup 11 and the air permeability of the second cup 21 are further equalized.

[0049] Additionally, each of the short slit 15, the long slit 16, and the second slit 25 has a tapered surface 170 whose width decreases toward the inside of the cup 10. With this, the tapered surface 170 allows water (humidity) to be expelled while leaving the bed soil inside, thereby lowering the temperature inside the cup 10 through the effect of evaporation heat.

[0050] The short slit 15, the long slit 16, and the second slit 25 each have a pair of protruding edges 171, 171 at both widthwise edges that protrude inward of the cup 10. This makes it difficult for the bed soil filled inside the cup 10 to fall out of the slits 15, 16, 25.

[0051] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but includes other configurations that can achieve the object of the present invention, and the following modified examples are also included in the present invention.

[0052] In the above embodiment, four first cups 11 are arranged in the vertical direction Y and two in the horizontal direction X, and the second cups 21 are arranged so as to surround the first cups 11, but the present invention is not limited to this. At least one first cup 11 may be provided, and the second cup 21 may be arranged so as to surround one first cup 11.

[0053] Although the best configurations and methods for carrying out the present invention have been disclosed above, the present invention is not limited thereto. That is, although the present invention has been particularly illustrated and described mainly with reference to specific embodiments, those skilled in the art can make various modifications to the above-described embodiments in terms of shape, material, quantity, and other detailed configurations without departing from the scope of the technical idea and purpose of the present invention. Therefore, the above-disclosed descriptions limiting the shape, material, etc. are provided as examples to facilitate understanding of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. Therefore, descriptions using names of components that are free from some or all of the limitations on shape, material, etc. are included in the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0054] 1 seedling tray 10 cups 11 First Cup (Cup) 12 First bottom wall (bottom wall) 13 1st peripheral wall (peripheral wall) 14 First opening (opening) 15 Short Slit 16 Long Slit 17 First slit 170 Tapered surface 171, 171 Pair of protruding edges 18 First protruding part (protruding part) 21 Second Cup (Cup) 22 Second bottom wall (bottom wall) 23 Second peripheral wall (peripheral wall) 24 Second opening (opening) 25 Second slit 250 Second tapered surface (tapered surface) 251, 251 A pair of second protruding edges (protruding edges) 28 Second protruding part (protruding part) XY plane direction Y Vertical direction (first direction) X Lateral direction (second direction)

Claims

1. A seedling tray configured by connecting a plurality of cylindrical cups with bottoms in a planar direction, The plurality of cups are configured to have a bottom wall, a peripheral wall erected from the bottom wall, and an opening facing the bottom wall, and the container includes at least one first cup and a plurality of second cups arranged to surround the first cup, The first cup is provided with a plurality of first slits formed by cutting out at least the peripheral wall and extending linearly toward the edge of the opening side, The second cup is provided with a plurality of second slits formed by cutting out at least the peripheral wall and extending linearly toward the edge of the opening side, The first slits and the second slits are provided in equal numbers, the plurality of first slits include short slits and long slits having a longitudinal dimension greater than that of the short slits, The long slit has a longitudinal dimension larger than that of the second slit, A plurality of the first cups are provided, A pair of the short slits is provided, A pair of the long slits is provided, In one of the adjacent first cups, the pair of long slits are provided opposite to each other in a first direction in the planar direction with the center of the bottom wall sandwiched therebetween, and the pair of short slits are provided opposite to each other in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction in the planar direction with the center of the bottom wall sandwiched therebetween, In the other of the adjacent first cups, the pair of long slits are provided opposite to each other in the second direction with the center of the bottom wall therebetween, and the pair of short slits are provided opposite to each other in the first direction with the center of the bottom wall therebetween, A seedling tray, wherein the short slit and the second slit have the same longitudinal dimension.

2. 2. The seedling growing tray according to claim 1, wherein the short slit, the long slit, and the second slit each have a tapered surface whose width decreases toward the inside of the cup.

3. The seedling growing tray according to claim 1, characterized in that the short slit, the long slit, and the second slit are each provided at both widthwise ends and have a pair of protruding edges that protrude inward of the cup.

4. a protrusion portion that is provided to protrude from the inner surface of the peripheral wall and extends linearly toward the edge of the opening side, The first cup has the protrusion portion provided between the short slit and the long slit, 2. The seedling raising tray according to claim 1, wherein the second cup has the protrusions provided between the second slits.

5. 2. The seedling raising tray according to claim 1, which is colored light gray.

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