Plant holder for hydroponic cultivation of plants

Abstract

The invention relates to a plant holder (1) for hydroponic cultivation of plants (3). The plant holder (1) comprises a first part (11) and a second part (12). The plant holder (1) has a closed position. In the closed position, the plant holder (1) comprises a tubular body (13). The first part (11) and the second part (12) are connected pivotably to each other to allow transforming the plant holder (1) between the closed position and an open position. The invention relates also to a hydroponic cultivation system (4) for growing plants (3), comprising one or more plant holders (1).

Description

[0001] PLANT HOLDER FOR HYDROPONIC CULTIVATION OF PLANTS

[0002] FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present invention relates to hydroponic cultivation of plants, and more precisely to a plant holder for a hydroponic cultivation system.

[0004] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0005] Document W02022258887A1 discloses a vertical cultivation system for growing plants. The vertical cultivation system comprises one or more plant holders for holding the plant, a support wall comprising one or more support openings arranged to support the plant, the support wall extends transverse relative to the surface of the ground, and an irrigation arrangement arranged to provide the root part of the plants with growing liquid.

[0006] Document KR20220065472A discloses an apparatus for plant growth. The apparatus includes a growth unit including an accommodating chamber accommodating a growth medium for plant growth. When the growth unit is installed in the opening portions, the growth medium can be positioned in the frame. The growth unit may include a rear end portion. The rear end portion may be composed of two assemblies of the rear end upper portion and the rear end lower portion.

[0007] A problem with the technology known from the above document is that when separated, the rear end upper portion and rear end lower portion are not held together and therefore the upper portion and the lower portion can be lost. Further, the connection between the upper portion and the lower portion may be difficult and slow for the user to open and close. The structure may also be difficult to clean between uses of the growth unit. Still further, the plant is directed to grow in upwards direction, which requires a lot of space vertically.

[0008] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] An object of the present invention is to provide a plant holder for hydroponic cultivation of plants. An object of the present invention is also to provide a hydroponic cultivation system comprising the plant holder. The objects of the invention are achieved by the plant holder and the hydroponic cultivation system which are characterized by what is stated in the independent claims. The preferred embodiments of the invention are disclosed in the dependent claims.

[0010] The invention is based on the idea of providing a plant holder for hydroponic cultivation of plants having an aerial part and a root part.

[0011] The plant holder comprises a first part having a first end, a second end opposite the first end, a first edge, and a second edge, wherein the first edge of the first part and the second edge of the first part extend from the first end of the first part to the second end of the first part.

[0012] The plant holder comprises a second part having a first end, a second end opposite the first end, a first edge, and a second edge, wherein the first edge of the second part and the second edge of the second part extend from the first end of the second part to the second end of the second part.

[0013] The plant holder has a closed position in which the first edge of the first part is in connection with the first edge of the second part, the second edge of the first part is in connection with the second edge of the second part, the first end of the first part is in connection with the first end of the second part and the second end of the first part is in in connection with the second end of the second part.

[0014] In the closed position, the plant holder comprises a tubular body formed by the first part and the second part.

[0015] The tubular body encloses a space arranged to receive growing material and a seed of the plant, the plant growing an aerial part and a root part from the seed. The tubular body comprises a first end and a second end opposite the first end, the first end of the tubular body being defined by the first end of the first part and the first end of the second part, and the second end of the tubular body being defined by the second end of the first part and the second end of the second part.

[0016] The tubular body comprises an aerial part opening for the aerial part at the first end of the tubular body. The tubular body comprises a first root opening for the root part. The first root opening is arranged in the tubular body closer to the second end of the tubular body than to the first end of the tubular body.

[0017] The first part and the second part are connected pivotably to each other to allow transforming the plant holder between the closed position and an open position.

[0018] An advantage of the invention is that the parts of the plant holder are retained together when the plant holder is set in the open position so that they are not lost. Because of the clamshell structure, the plant holder is easy to use when inserting the growing material and seed inside the plant holder or when removing the parts of the previous plant and the growing material from the plant holder before the re-use of the plant holder for growing a new plant. In the plant holder of the invention, the plant is directed to grow in an axial direction of the plant holder, which requires less space in case the plant holder is installed in a vertical cultivation system.

[0019] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] The invention is described in detail by means of specific embodiments with reference to the enclosed drawings, in which

[0021] Figure la is a schematic side view of a plant holder in a closed position according to some embodiments of the invention;

[0022] Figure lb is a schematic front view of a plant holder in a closed position according to some embodiments of the invention;

[0023] Figure lc is a schematic rear view of a plant holder in a closed position according to some embodiments of the invention;

[0024] Figure 2 is a schematic side view of a plant holder in an open position according to some embodiments of the invention;

[0025] Figure 3a is a schematic cross-sectional side view of a plant holder in a closed position according to some embodiments of the invention;

[0026] Figure 3b is a schematic cross-sectional side view of a plant holder in a closed position according to some embodiments of the invention; Figure 3c is a schematic cross-sectional side view of a plant holder in a closed position according to some embodiments of the invention;

[0027] Figure 4a is a schematic side view of a plant holder in a closed position according to some embodiments of the invention;

[0028] Figure 4b is a schematic front view of a plant holder in a closed position according to some embodiments of the invention;

[0029] Figure 5a is a schematic side view of a part of a hydroponic cultivation system according to some embodiments of the invention; and

[0030] Figure 5b is a schematic side view of a hydroponic cultivation system according to some embodiments of the invention.

[0031] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0032] The invention relates to a plant holder 1 for hydroponic cultivation of plants 3. In this context, the term plant means cultivated plants having chlorophyll, and cultivated fungi. The plants 3 have an aerial part 31 and a root part 32. The hydroponic cultivation can be horizontal or vertical hydroponic cultivation performed in a hydroponic cultivation system 4. The plant holder 1 can also be used in soil-based cultivation.

[0033] First part and second part

[0034] The plant holder 1 comprises a first part 11. For example, the first part 11 has a semi-tubular shape. The first part 11 has a first end 111, a second end 112 opposite the first end 111, a first edge 113, and a second edge 114. The first edge 113 of the first part 11 and the second edge 114 of the first part 11 extend from the first end 111 of the first part 11 to the second end 112 of the first part 11.

[0035] The plant holder 1 comprises a second part 12. For example, the second part 12 has a semi-tubular shape. The second part 12 has a first end 121, a second end

[0036] 122 opposite the first end 121, a first edge 123, and a second edge 124. The first edge

[0037] 123 of the second part 12 and the second edge 124 of the second part 12 extend from the first end 121 of the second part 12 to the second end 122 of the second part 12. Closed

[0038] The plant holder 1 has a closed position. In the closed position, the first edge 113 of the first part 11 is in connection with the first edge 123 of the second part 12, the second edge 114 of the first part 11 is in connection with the second edge 124 of the second part 12, the first end 111 of the first part 11 is in connection with the first end 121 of the second part 12 and the second end 112 of the first part 11 is in in connection with the second end 122 of the second part 12. seal

[0039] According to some embodiments, in the closed position, the first edge 113 of the first part 11 forms a watertight seal with the first edge 123 of the second part 12, and the second edge 114 of the first part 11 forms a watertight seal with the second edge 124 of the second part 12. This is to prevent the leakage of growing liquid between the first part 11 and the second part 12 through the connected edges. This is also to prevent the leakage of light into the plant holder 1 through the connected edges of the first part 11 and the second part 12. According to some further embodiments, the first edge 113 of the first part 11 is arranged to overlap with the first edge 123 of the second part 12, and the second edge 114 of the first part 11 is arranged to overlap with the second edge 124 of the second part 12.

[0040] Pivotable connection

[0041] The first part 11 and the second part 12 are connected pivotably to each other to allow transforming the plant holder 1 between the closed position and an open position. In other words, the first part 11 and the second part 12 provide the plant holder 1 a clamshell structure. Pivotable connection between the first part 11 and the second part 12 allows transforming the plant holder 1 between the closed position and the open position while still keeping the parts together as one unit.

[0042] According to some further embodiments, the first part 11 and the second part 12 are connected pivotably to each other from the second end 112 of the first part 11 and the second end 122 of the second part 12. According to some alternative embodiments, the first part 11 and the second part 12 are connected pivotably to each other from the first edge 113 of the first part 11 and the first edge 123 of the second part 12.

[0043] Elastic material

[0044] According to some embodiments, the plant holder 1 is made of elastic material, such as elastomer, for example silicone rubber. In this way, there is no need to have a separate hinge mechanism but the material acts as the hinge and the flexibility of the material allows the pivotal connection. Elastic material also capable of providing a watertight seal between the edges of the first part 13 and the second part 14 without having to use any further sealing material. Silicone rubber is non- reactive, stable, and resistant to extreme environments and temperatures. Silicone rubber is easy to clean due to its non-sticking properties.

[0045] Tubular bodv

[0046] In the closed position, the plant holder 1 comprises a tubular body 13 formed by the first part 11 and the second part 12. The tubular body 13 encloses a space 131. The space 131 is arranged to receive growing material 2 and a seed 33 of the plant 3. The growing material 2, or growing medium, is for example peat, coconut fibre, stone wool, or perlite. The plant 3 grows an aerial part 31 and a root part 32 from the seed 33.

[0047] The tubular body 13 comprises a first end 132 and a second end 133 opposite the first end 132. The first end 132 of the tubular body 13 is defined by the first end 111 of the first part 11 and the first end 121 of the second part 12. The second end 133 of the tubular body 13 is defined by the second end 112 of the first part 11 and the second end 122 of the second part 12.

[0048] Aerial

[0049] The tubular body 13 comprises an aerial part opening 134 for the aerial part 31. The aerial part opening 134 is arranged at the first end 132 of the tubular body 13. In other words, the aerial part opening 134 extends to the first end 132 of the tubular body 13. In still other words, the aerial part opening 134 is arranged at least at the first end 132 of the tubular body 13, but it may extend to other parts of the tubular body 13.

[0050] According to some embodiments, the aerial part opening 134 is formed by semi-openings arranged in the first part 11 and the second part 12. The semiopenings form together the aerial part opening 134 in the closed position of the plant holder 1. The aerial part opening 134 is open to the space 131 to allow the plant 3 to grow the aerial part 31 from the space 131 through the aerial part opening 134.

[0051] If the plant holder 1 is made of elastic material, material around the aerial part opening 134 is able to stretch making the aerial part opening 134 bigger as the aerial part 31 gets bigger. At the same time, the aerial part opening 134 seals itself with the aerial part 31, preventing the leakage of growing liquid and light through the aerial part opening 134.

[0052] First root opening

[0053] The tubular body 13 comprises a first root opening 135 for the root part 32. The first root opening 135 is arranged in the tubular body 13 closer to the second end 133 of the tubular body 13 than to the first end 132 of the tubular body 13. According to some embodiments, the first root opening 135 is arranged in the first part 11. According to some further embodiments, the first root opening 135 is formed by semi-openings arranged in the first part 11 and the second part 12. The semiopenings form together the first root opening 135 in the closed position of the plant holder 1. The first root opening 135 is open to the space 131 to allow the plant 3 to grow the root part 32 from the space 131 through the first root opening 135. The first root opening 135 provides a passage for the growing liquid from outside the plant holder 1 into the space 131. The first root opening 135 also provides a passage for extra growing liquid for exiting the plant holder 1 so that it does not accumulate in the plant holder 1 and leak through the aerial part opening 134.

[0054] First section and second section

[0055] According to some embodiments, the tubular body 13 comprises a first section 136 and a second section 137. The first section 136 comprises the first end 132 of the tubular body 13 and the second section 137 comprises the second end 133 of the tubular body 13. The first section 136 and the second section 137 have a tubular shape. The maximum diameter Dlmax of the first section 136 is larger than the maximum diameter D2max of the second section 137. This will prevent the plant holder 1 from being inserted too far in a support for holding the plant holder 1, when the support has an opening having a maximum diameter smaller than the maximum diameter Dlmax of the first section 136.

[0056] First conical section

[0057] According to some further embodiments, the first section 136 comprises a first conical section 1361. In this context, term conical is intended to mean both conical and frustoconical. In some embodiments, the first conical section 1361 has a frustoconical shape. The diameter DI of the first conical section 1361 increases towards the second end 133 of the tubular body 13. The first conical section 1361 will prevent the growing liquid received inside the plant holder 1 to reach the aerial part opening 134 and thus to leak through the aerial part opening 134 out of the plant holder 1. The first conical section 1361 will also decrease the amount of light getting inside the plant holder 1 and to the growing material or the growing liquid. This decreases the risk of the generation of algae and prevents pests from entering inside the plant holder 1 and through the plant holder 1 to the hydroponic cultivation system 4.

[0058] According to some still further embodiments, the first conical section 1361 has a shape of an oblique truncated cone. Due to the oblique truncated cone, the aerial part opening 134 is located offset from the centre axis of the plant holder 1. This results in increased prevention of the growing liquid reaching the aerial part opening 134 when the plant holder 1 is positioned in a support for holding the plant holder 1 in a horizontal position in such a way that the aerial part opening 134 is directed away from the ground.

[0059] According to some further embodiments, the maximum diameter of the first conical section 1361 is the maximum diameter of the tubular body 13. This will prevent the plant holder 1 from being inserted too far in a support for holding the plant holder 1, when the support has an opening having a maximum diameter smaller than the maximum diameter of the first conical section 1361.

[0060] Second conical section

[0061] According to some further embodiments, the second section 137 comprises a second conical section 1371. In this context, term conical is intended to mean both conical and frustoconical. In some embodiments, the second conical section 1371 has a frustoconical shape. The diameter D2 of the second conical section 1371 increases towards the first end 132 of the tubular body 13. This will improve a watertight fit between the plant holder 1 and an opening, preferably an opening having an elastic seal, in a support for holding the plant holder 1. Further, this will reduce the leakage of light from between the plant holder 1 and the opening in the support for holding the plant holder 1.

[0062] Second root opening

[0063] According to some embodiments, the tubular body 13 comprises a second root opening 138 for the root part 32. The second root opening 138 is arranged in the tubular body 13 closer to the second end 133 of the tubular body 13 than to the first end 132 of the tubular body 13. According to some embodiments, the first root opening 135 is arranged in the second section 137. According to some embodiments, the first root opening 135 and the second root opening 138 are arranged in the second section 137. According to some embodiments, the second root opening 138 is arranged in the second part 12. The second root opening 138 provides a further passage for the root part 32 of the plant 3. The second root opening 138 also provides a further passage for growing liquid to enter into the space 131 of the tubular body 13 of the plant holder 1. The second root opening 138 also provides a passage for extra growing liquid for exiting the plant holder 1 so that it does not accumulate in the plant holder 1 and leak through the aerial part opening 134.

[0064] The invention relates also to a hydroponic cultivation system 4 for growing plants 3 having an aerial part 31 and a root part 32. The hydroponic cultivation system 4 comprises one or more plant holders 1 as described above for holding the plant 3.

[0065] The hydroponic cultivation system 4 comprises a support wall 41. The support wall 41 comprises one or more support openings 411. The support wall 41 is arranged to support the one or more plant holders 1 such that the one or more plant holders 1 extend in the closed position through the one or more support openings 411 and such that the first end 132 ofthe tubular body 13 of the one or more plant holders 1 is arranged on a first side 412 of the support wall 41 and the second end 133 of the tubular body 13 of the one or more plant holders 1 is arranged on a second side 413 of the support wall 41.

[0066] According to some embodiments, the one or more support openings 411 comprise elastic sealing material arranged at the edge of the one or more support openings 411. The elastic sealing material prevents leaking of growing liquid between the edge of the support opening 411 and the plant holder 1 to the first side 412 of the support wall 41.

[0067] The hydroponic cultivation system 4 comprises an irrigation chamber 42 provided on the second side 413 of the support wall 41. The irrigation chamber 42 comprises irrigation chamber walls 421. The irrigation chamber walls 421 and the support wall 41 define a closed irrigation space 43.

[0068] The hydroponic cultivation system 4 comprises an irrigation arrangement 44 arranged to provide the root part 32 of the plants 3 with growing liquid.

[0069] According to some embodiments, the hydroponic cultivation system 4 is a vertical hydroponic cultivation system 4. In other words, in the use position, the support wall 41 is arranged in vertical direction, i.e. transversal to the surface of the ground G.

[0070] The invention has been described above with reference to the examples shown in the figures. However, the invention is in no way restricted to the above examples but may vary within the scope of the claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A plant holder (1) for hydroponic cultivation of plants (3) having an aerial part (31) and a root part (32), c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the plant holder (1) comprises- a first part (11) having a first end (111), a second end (112) opposite the first end (111), a first edge (113), and a second edge (114), wherein the first edge (113) of the first part (11) and the second edge (114) of the first part (11) extend from the first end (111) of the first part (11) to the second end (112) of the first part (11); and a second part (12) having a first end (121), a second end (122) opposite the first end (121), a first edge (123), and a second edge (124), wherein the first edge(123) of the second part (12) and the second edge (124) of the second part (12) extend from the first end (121) of the second part (12) to the second end (122) of the second part (12); wherein the plant holder (1) has a closed position in which the first edge (113) of the first part (11) is in connection with the first edge (123) of the second part (12), the second edge (114) of the first part (11) is in connection with the second edge(124) of the second part (12), the first end (111) of the first part (11) is in connection with the first end (121) of the second part (12) and the second end (112) of the first part (11) is in in connection with the second end (122) of the second part (12); in the closed position, the plant holder (1) comprises a tubular body (13) formed by the first part (11) and the second part (12); the tubular body (13) encloses a space (131) arranged to receive growing material (2) and a seed (33) of the plant (3), the plant (3) growing an aerial part (31) and a root part (32) from the seed (33); the tubular body (13) comprises a first end (132) and a second end (133) opposite the first end (132), the first end (132) of the tubular body (13) being defined by the first end (111) of the first part (11) and the first end (121) of the second part(12), and the second end (133) of the tubular body (13) being defined by the second end (112) of the first part (11) and the second end (122) of the second part (12); the tubular body (13) comprises an aerial part opening (134) for the aerial part (31) at the first end (132) of the tubular body (13); the tubular body (13) comprises a first root opening (135) for the root part (32); the first root opening (135) is arranged in the tubular body (13) closer to the second end (133) ofthe tubular body (13) than to the first end (132) of the tubular body (13); and the first part (11) and the second part (12) are connected pivotably to each other to allow transforming the plant holder (1) between the closed position and an open position.

2. A plant holder according to claim 1, characterized in that the first part (11) and the second part (12) are connected pivotably to each other from the second end (112) ofthe first part (11) and the second end (122) ofthe second part (12).

3. A plant holder according to claim lor 2, characterized in that the tubular body (13) comprises a first section (136) and a second section (137); the first section (136) comprises the first end (132) of the tubular body (13) and the second section (137) comprises the second end (133) of the tubular body (13); and the maximum diameter (Dlmax) of the first section (136) is larger than the maximum diameter (D2max) ofthe second section (137).

4. A plant holder according to claim 3, characterized in that the first section (136) comprises a first conical section (1361); and the diameter (DI) of the first conical section (1361) increases towards the second end (133) of the tubular body (13).

5. A plant holder according to claim 4, characterized in that the first conical section (1361) has a shape of an oblique truncated cone.

6. A plant holder according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the maximum diameter of the first conical section (1361) is the maximum diameter of the tubular body (13).

7. A plant holder according to any one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that the second section (137) comprises a second conical section (1371); and the diameter (D2) of the second conical section (1371) increases towards the first end (132) of the tubular body (13).

8. A plant holder according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tubular body (13) comprises a second root opening (138) for the root part (32); and the second root opening (138) is arranged in the tubular body (13) closer to the second end (133) of the tubular body (13) than to the first end (132) of the tubular body (13).

9. A plant holder according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the closed position, the first edge (113) of the first part (11) forms a watertight seal with the first edge (123) ofthe second part (12), and the second edge (114) of the first part (11) forms a watertight seal with the second edge (124) of the second part (12).

10. A plant holder according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the plant holder (1) is made of elastic material, such as elastomer, for example silicone rubber.

11. A hydroponic cultivation system (4) for growing plants (3) having an aerial part (31) and a root part (32), c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the hydroponic cultivation system comprises: one or more plant holders (1) according any one of the preceding claims for holding the plant (3), a support wall (41) comprising one or more support openings (411), and the support wall (41) is arranged to support the one or more plant holders (1) such that the one or more plant holders (1) extend through the one or more support openings (411) and such that the first end (132) of the tubular body 13 of the one or more plant holders (1) is arranged on a first side (412) of the support wall (41) and the second end (133) of the tubular body (13) of the one or more plant holders (1) is arranged on a second side (413) of the support wall (41), an irrigation chamber (42) provided on the second side (413) of the support wall (41), the irrigation chamber (42) comprising irrigation chamber walls (421), and the irrigation chamber walls (421) and the support wall (41) defining a closed irrigation space (43), and an irrigation arrangement (44) arranged to provide the root part (32) of the plants (3) with growing liquid.

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