Modular Plant Insert With Shared Gel Reservoir
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for transplanting sterile young plants grown through tissue culture are labor-intensive and costly due to manual handling, especially when transporting between countries where high labor costs are involved.
Innovation Solution
A modular insert system with receptacles arranged in a grid, allowing plants to share a common agar gel feed reservoir and featuring apertures for continuous gel communication, enabling automated transplanting by machines that can locate and remove plants with attached agar plugs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual transplanting is used for sterile plants grown through tissue culture, then transplanting can be performed, but labor costs are high and productivity is low
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the transplanting process into distinct functional components: the insert holds multiple plants in organized receptacles, the lifting device grasps the insert as a unit, and the transplanting mechanism transfers plants individually or in groups. This segmentation enables automated operation while maintaining handling efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The insert acts as an intermediary carrier between the tissue culture environment and the final planting location. It provides a standardized interface that facilitates automated manipulation by lifting devices and transplanting mechanisms, eliminating the need for direct manual handling of individual plants
2Manufacturing precision
If tissue culture is used to grow uniform plants, then plant uniformity is improved and sterility is maintained, but the plants require specialized handling and transplanting infrastructure
Solution Approach 1:
The insert serves multiple functions: it holds plants during tissue culture growth, facilitates sterile transport, enables automated lifting and handling, and supports the transplanting process. This multi-functionality reduces the need for specialized equipment for each stage, simplifying the overall system while maintaining plant uniformity and sterility
3Reliability
If plants are transported between countries in sterile condition, then quarantine requirements are avoided, but specialized containment and handling systems are required
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs nested containment: plants are held in receptacles within the insert, which itself can be placed within sterile containers or packaging for transport. This nested structure maintains sterility through multiple barriers while allowing standardized handling at each level, reducing the complexity of maintaining containment during international transport
Data Source
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AI summary
An insert for growing plants, including a plurality of receptacles, adapted for insertion into a container, wherein each of the receptacles is arranged for receiving a separate plant with a portion of gel for feeding the plant. The receptacles may be arranged to allow communication between the portions of gel in the receptacles to allow the plants to share a common feed reservoir of the gel.