Plant Transplant Casing Assembly for Pull-Through Root Anchoring

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing transplantation methods for marine plants like eelgrass are labor-intensive and risk damaging the plant roots due to buoyancy issues and the use of metal nails, which can harm the marine environment and cause root damage during transplantation.

Innovation Solution

A casing assembly is used to protect the plant during transplantation of the plant, comprising a casing with a force application part that allows for a pulling force to be applied from below, reducing root damage and anchoring the plant in soil, comprising a casing assembly that allows for a casing with a force application part that enables a pulling force from below, protecting the plant during transplantation and providing an anchor after transplantation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If metal nails are used to anchor the plant, then the plant can be anchored in the soil, but the roots may become damaged during introduction and the marine environment is harmed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanchoring reliabilityVSAvoidroot damage and environmental harm

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a casing as an intermediary device between the plant and the soil. The casing has a pointed front end that penetrates the soil first, then the plant is pulled through the casing into the soil. This mediator protects the plant roots from direct contact with the harsh soil introduction process and eliminates the need for metal nails, thereby solving both the anchoring reliability and root damage problems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of pushing the plant directly into the soil from above (conventional method), the patent inverts the approach by pulling the plant through a casing from below. The pointed front end of the casing enters the soil first, then the plant is pulled through, reversing the traditional transplantation sequence and protecting the roots in the process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Reliability

If manual transplantation with divers is used, then the plant can be transplanted, but the process is very resource-intensive and labor-intensive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransplantation successVSAvoidtransplantation efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The casing is designed to be self-introducing into the soil through its pointed front end that automatically penetrates the soil when pulled. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for manual insertion by divers, allowing the casing to plant itself while the plant is pulled through, significantly reducing labor requirements while maintaining transplantation success

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The casing is prepared in advance with the plant inside, and the pointed front end is designed to facilitate easy soil penetration. This preliminary preparation allows for rapid deployment during transplantation, improving productivity while ensuring the plant is properly positioned and protected before contact with the soil

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If the plant is pushed into the soil from above, then the plant can be transplanted, but the roots may become damaged during the introduction process

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransplantation speedVSAvoidroot damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional transplantation method by pulling the plant through a casing from below rather than pushing from above. The pointed front end of the casing enters the soil first, then the plant is pulled through the casing, reversing the force direction and protecting the roots from damage while maintaining transplantation speed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The casing acts as a protective cushion between the soil introduction process and the plant roots. The pointed front end of the casing absorbs the impact of soil penetration, and the casing walls protect the roots during the pulling process, providing beforehand cushioning that prevents root damage while maintaining efficient transplantation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Data Source

PatentEP4663008A1A casing for the transplantation of a plant

Publication Date: 2025.12.17 ZOSTERA-MARINA APS

Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6

AI summary

A casing assembly for a root of a plant and/or a seed of a plant configured to protect at least a part of the plant during transplantation of the plant, where the casing assembly comprises: at least one casing defining a casing volume for holding a part of a plant, where the casing comprises a first end part, a second end part, a first peripheral part and a second peripheral part, where the casing has a longitudinal axis extending from the first end part to the second end part, and a transverse axis extending from the first peripheral part to the second peripheral part, wherein the casing comprises a first side wall and a second side wall having a first inner surface and a second inner surface, respectively, defining the casing volume and a first outer surface and a second outer surface, respectively, wherein the casing volume has an opening, where the opening is positioned in the first end part and/or the first peripheral part and/or in a side wall of the casing, where the second end part comprises a force application part, so that when the casing is transplanted into a soil material the casing is pulled into the soil via the second end.