Hydroponics

Abstract

A planter, which includes a horizontally extending bowl, arranged to hold a predefined volume of liquid, an attachment formation for attaching the planter to a vertically extending hydroponic growing tower, a liquid inlet to the horizontally extending bowl connectable to a liquid outlet of a vertically extending hydroponic growing tower, a liquid outlet from the horizontally extending bowl connectable to a liquid inlet of the vertically extending hydroponic growing tower, the liquid outlet in flow communication with the horizontally extending bowl, the liquid outlet disposed at a predefined operative higher level than the liquid inlet, such that a predefined level of liquid will collect in the planter bowl before flowing from the liquid outlet, in use, and horizontally spaced planters arranged over the bowl.

Description

[0001] HYDROPONICS

[0002] FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0003] This invention relates to hydroponics. In particular the invention relates to a planter for a planter tower.

[0004] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0005] This invention is particularly aimed at hydroponic towers for vertical hydroponic farming.

[0006] The advantages of vertical hydroponic farming are well known in the industry. Some of the advantages include more efficient usage of available ground area in that the farming extends vertically. This aspect improves the yield per ground area.

[0007] Vertical growing towers are known in the art in that it provides vertically spaced apart planters. This aspect has been the subject of previous patent applications.

[0008] Vertical growing towers have a minimum horizontal spacing that is required to allow enough overhead light to reach plants, especially towards the lower parts of the towers.

[0009] The inventor identified an opportunity to horizontally increase the yield per plant position even more for plants that does not have high growing foliage.

[0010] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Broadly according to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a planter, which includes a horizontally extending bowl, arranged to hold a predefined volume of liquid; an attachment formation for attaching to a vertically extending hydroponic growing tower; a liquid inlet connectable to a liquid outlet of a vertically extending hydroponic growing tower, the liquid inlet in flow communication with the horizontally extending tower; a liquid outlet connectable to a liquid inlet of a vertically extending hydroponic growing tower, the liquid outlet in flow communication with the horizontally extending bowl, the liquid outlet disposed at a predefined operative higher level than the liquid inlet, such that a predefined level of liquid will collect in the planter bowl before flowing from the liquid outlet, in use; a plurality of horizontally spaced planters arranged over the bowl, such that the bottom of the planters permit plants received therein to come in contact with the liquid collected in the bowl, in use.

[0012] In one embodiment, the horizontally extending planters may be arranged side by side. The horizontally extending planters may be arranged side by side in a linear line. In another embodiment, the horizontally extending planters may be arranged in a matrix with rows and columns.

[0013] The horizontally extending planters may be in the form of a plant holder, shaped and dimensioned to fit as a closure onto the horizontally extending bowl.

[0014] The horizontally extending planters and horizontally extending bowl may have a length matched to the horizontal spacing of the planting towers.

[0015] The plant holder may be provided with a plurality of apertures with plug supports for receiving plant plugs therein.

[0016] The plant holder may include closures shaped and dimensioned to fit into the apertures for closing the apertures, when not in use.

[0017] In use, the plurality of horizontally spaced planters and closures may permit planting of plants at intervals suited to the plant size. The liquid outlet may be defined by at least one drain plug extending from the bottom of the horizontally extending bowl. The drain plug may be adjustable in height, thereby to adjust the level of liquid in the bowl, in use.

[0018] According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a planting arrangement, which includes at least one planter as claimed in claim 1 installed on vertically extending hydroponic growing tower.

[0019] The invention is now described, by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying figures:

[0020] FIGURE(S)

[0021] In the figure(s):

[0022] Figure 1 shows a planter for a planter tower, in accordance with one aspect of the invention;

[0023] Figure 2 shows a horizontally extending bowl of the planter of Figure 1 in more detail;

[0024] Figure 3 shows a plant holder of the planter of Figure 1 in more detail; and Figure 4 shows a closure of the planter of Figure 1 in more detail;

[0025] Figure 5 shows a vertical plant tower; and

[0026] Figure 6 shows an adjustable liquid outlet.

[0027] EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0028] Figure 1 shows a planter (10) for a hydroponic growing tower (50) (see Figure 5), according to one aspect of the invention.

[0029] The planter (10) includes a horizontally extending bowl (12), arranged to hold a predefined volume of liquid. On the horizontally extending bowl (12), there is provided an attachment formation (14) for attaching the planter (10) to a vertically extending hydroponic growing tower (50).

[0030] The growing tower (50) is provided with liquid supply conduits (56, see Figure 5) and the planter (10) thus includes a liquid inlet (16) connectable to a liquid outlet (52, see Figure 5) of a vertically extending hydroponic growing tower, to be in flow communication with the with liquid supply conduits (56, see Figure 5) of the vertically extending growing tower.

[0031] The growing tower is furthermore provided with liquid flow off conduits (58) and the planter (10) thus includes a liquid outlet (18) connectable to a liquid inlet (54, see Figure 5) of the vertically extending hydroponic growing tower, to be in flow communication with the liquid flow off conduits (58). The liquid outlet (18) is disposed at a predefined operative higher level than the liquid inlet (16), such that a predefined level of liquid will collect in the planter bowl (12) before flowing from the liquid outlet (18), when in use. A liquid outlet is disposed at an adjustable outlet drain plug (29). Figure 6 shows the adjustable outlet drain plug (29) in more detail.

[0032] The planter (10) includes a plurality of horizontally spaced planters (20.1 to 20.5) arranged over the bowl (12), such that the bottoms of the planters permit plants received therein to come into contact with the liquid collected in the bowl (12), in use.

[0033] As can be seen in the figures the vertically extending planters (20.1 to 20.5) are arranged side by side, but it is to be appreciated that the planters can be arranged in any other pattern than a linear pattern.

[0034] In the embodiment shown in the Figures, in particular Figures 1 and 3, the planters are in the form of a plant holder (22), shaped and dimensioned to fit as a closure onto the horizontally extending bowl (12).

[0035] The vertically extending planters and horizontally extending bowl may have a length matched to the horizontal spacing of the vertically extending planting towers. This can be seen in Figure 5, where the spacing between towers (50) would be about the total length of the planter (10).

[0036] The plant holder may be provided with a plurality of apertures (24.1 to 24.5) with plug supports (26.1 to 26.5) for receiving plant plugs therein.

[0037] The plant holder may include closures (28.1 to 28.5) (see Figure 4) shaped and dimensioned to fit into the apertures for closing the apertures, when not in use.

[0038] In use, the plurality of horizontally spaced planters (20.1 to 20.5) and closures (28.1 to 28.5) may permit planting of plants at intervals suited to the plant size. The inventor believes that the invention provides a novel and inventive planter for a planter tower.

Claims

CLAIMS1 . A planter, which includes a horizontally extending bowl, arranged to hold a predefined volume of liquid; an attachment formation for attaching the planter to a vertically extending hydroponic growing tower; a liquid inlet to the horizontally extending bowl connectable to a liquid outlet of a vertically extending hydroponic growing tower, the liquid inlet in flow communication with the vertically extending hydroponic growing tower; a liquid outlet from the horizontally extending bowl connectable to a liquid inlet of the vertically extending hydroponic growing tower, the liquid outlet in flow communication with the horizontally extending bowl, the liquid outlet disposed at a predefined operative higher level than the liquid inlet, such that a predefined level of liquid will collect in the planter bowl before flowing from the liquid outlet, in use; a plurality of horizontally spaced planters arranged over the bowl, such that the bottom of the planters permit roots of plants received therein to come in contact with the liquid collected in the bowl, in use.

2. The planter as claimed in claim 1 , in which the horizontally extending planters are be arranged side by side in a linear line.

3. The planter as claimed in claim 1 , in which the horizontally extending planters are be arranged in a matrix with rows and columns.

4. The planter as claimed in claim 2, in which the horizontally extending planters are defined by a closure fitting onto the horizontally extending bowl with apertures and plug supports defining the planters on the closure.

5. The planter as claimed in claim 2, in which the horizontally extending planters and horizontally extending bowl have a length matched to the spacing between the vertically extending hydroponic growing towers.

6. The planter as claimed in claim 4, in which the plant holder includes closures shaped and dimensioned to fit into the apertures for closing the apertures, when not in use.

7. The planter as claimed in claim 2, in which the plurality of horizontally extending planters are spaced at intervals suited to the plant size of a grown plant.

8. The planter as claimed in claim 1 , in which the liquid outlet is defined by a drain plug extending from the bottom of the horizontally extending bowl.

9. The planter as claimed in claim 8, in which the drain plug is adjustable in height, thereby to adjust the level of liquid in the bowl, in use.

10. A planting arrangement, which includes at least one planter as claimed in claim 1 installed on vertically extending hydroponic growing tower.

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