PLANT HOLDING DEVICE

Abstract

The invention relates to a support device for plants, comprising a support trellis (2), said support trellis (2) having a plurality of essentially parallel support fillets (4), slit-type openings (5) being provided between individual support fillets (4)

Claims

1. A holding device for plants, comprising a holding grid (2), characterized in that the holding grid (2) comprises a plurality of holding webs (4), which are substantially parallel to one another, wherein gap-shaped openings (5) are provided between individual holding webs (4).

2. The holding device according to claim 1, characterized in that the width of a holding web (4) is between 1 mm and 10 mm, preferably between 1 mm and 5 mm.

3. The holding device according to claim 1, characterized in that the width of a gap-shaped opening (5) is between 0.1 mm and 2 mm, preferably between 0.2 mm and 1 mm.

4. The holding device according to claim 1, characterized in that a holding web (4), preferably at least two adjacent holding webs (4), have a cross section tapering at least on one side.

5. The holding device according to claim 4, characterized in that the cross section of the holding web (4) or the holding webs (4) is, at least in sections, of trapezoidal, circular arc-shaped or triangular design.

6. The holding device according to claim 1, characterized in that the holding grid (2) has a first surface (8) and a second surface (9), and in that a holding web (4) has a smaller width in the area of the first surface (8) than in the area of the second surface (9).

7. The holding device according to claim 6, characterized in that the width of the holding web (4) in the area of the first surface (8) is smaller by at least 20 % than the width of the holding web (4) in the area of the second surface (9).

8. The holding device according to claim 1, characterized in that the gap-shaped opening (5) is divided into multiple elongated gap sections (7) by a dividing web (6).

9. The holding device according to claim 1, characterized in that a gap section (7) has a length between 2 cm and 50 cm, preferably between 5 and 15 cm.

10. The holding device according to claim 1. characterized in that the gap-shaped opening (5) has a length between 5 cm and 50 cm, preferably between 20 cm and 40 cm.

11. The holding device according to claim 1, characterized in that the holding grid (2) is arranged in a frame element (1).

12. The holding device according to claim 1, characterized in that a support layer (3) promoting plant growth is arranged on the holding grid (2).

13. The holding device according to claim 12, characterized in that the support layer (3) comprises a preferably gel-like polymer or is a gel-like polymer.

14. The holding device according to claim 13, characterized in that the biopolymer comprises or consists of at least one of the following: agar, gellan, gelatin, sodium alginate or (hydroxy)-alkyl cellulose.

15. The holding device according to claim 12, characterized in that the support layer (3) contains fertilizers, germination promoters and/or growth promoters.

Description

[0042] In the figures:

[0043] FIG. 1 shows a plan view of a first exemplary embodiment of a holding device;

[0044] FIG. 2 shows a lateral sectional view of the first exemplary embodiment of a holding device in detail;

[0045] FIG. 3 shows a lateral sectional view of a second exemplary embodiment of a holding device according to the invention in detail;

[0046] FIG. 4 shows a plan view of a third exemplary embodiment of a holding device; and

[0047] FIG. 5 shows a lateral sectional view of the third exemplary embodiment of the holding device.

[0048] FIG. 1 shows a plan view of a first exemplary embodiment of a holding device. The holding device comprises a frame element 1, in which a holding grid 2 is arranged. The holding grid 2 is form-fittingly inserted in a corresponding recess of the frame element 1.

[0049] The holding grid 2 comprises a plurality of holding webs 4 extending parallel to each other, wherein gap-shaped openings 5 are formed between the holding webs 4. Orthogonal to the longitudinal extension of the holding webs 4, dividing webs 6 are provided which divide the openings 5 into several elongated gap sections 7. In this exemplary embodiment, each opening 5 consists of three gap sections 7 arranged in succession in the longitudinal direction of the openings 5.

[0050] The dividing webs 6 serve to stabilize the holding grid 2 and are in particular to prevent bending or spreading apart of the holding webs 4.

[0051] In this exemplary embodiment, the holding grid 2 has a rectangular shape, with external dimensions of approximately 50 cm × 27 cm. The holding webs 4 have a length of about 25 cm. Accordingly, also the openings 5 have a length of about 25 cm, wherein, with three gap sections 7 per opening 5, each gap section 7 has a length of about 8 cm.

[0052] In FIG. 1, the first surface 8 of the holding grid 2 can be seen. In this exemplary embodiment, the first surface 8 is that side where, in the intended use of the device, the seeds come to lie; i.e., alternatively, the first surface 8 may also be referred to as support surface.

[0053] FIG. 2 shows a lateral sectional view of the exemplary embodiment of the holding device according to the invention in detail, wherein reference is made in particular to the design of the holding webs 4 of the holding grid 2.

[0054] The holding webs 4 have a trapezoidal cross-section in the upper section, the holding webs 4 thus taper in the direction of the support plane on which the seeds or the plants are placed when the holding device is used as intended. In the area of the first surface 8 of the holding grid, the holding webs 4 have a width of about 2 mm, while in the area of the second surface 9, they have a width of about 3 mm.

[0055] The angle of inclination of the bevels 10 of the holding webs 4 is about 60° in this exemplary embodiment.

[0056] Due to this geometry of the holding webs 4, the openings 5 widen in the direction of the support plane, substantially with a Y-shaped geometry. As a result, the width of the openings 5 in the area of the first surface 8, i.e., the support plane, is greater than in the area of the underside of the holding grid. In particular, the width of the openings 5 in the area of the support plane is about 2 mm, while it is about 1 mm in the area of the second surface 9, i.e., the underside.

[0057] As a result, seeds are preferably placed in the area of the openings 5, which reduces their support surface on the holding grid 2. Thus, the risk of rotting due to accumulating liquid in the area of the seeds can be effectively reduced.

[0058] The holding device according to this embodiment is among other things adapted to receive and retain seeds with a substantially spherical shape and a diameter of not less than 1 mm.

[0059] FIG. 3 shows a lateral sectional view of a second exemplary embodiment of the holding device in detail. The embodiment of FIG. 3 has the same features as the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and is thus not explained in detail here. In addition to the features described above, a support layer 3 promoting plant growth made of agar is arranged on the holding grid 2. In this exemplary embodiment, the support layer 3 is formed of a gel containing 3 wt% agar in water. Additionally, the gel contains a universal fertilizer as a fertilizer in a concentration of about 10 mg/kg. The support layer 3 extends substantially over the entire surface of the holding grid.

[0060] FIG. 4 shows a plan view of a third exemplary embodiment of a holding device. The holding device comprises a frame element 1 and a holding grid arranged in the frame element 1. In this exemplary embodiment, the frame element 1 is of rectangular design. It comprises a receiving area 12 formed for receiving the holding grid 2. The geometry of the receiving area 12 is dimensioned such that the holding grid 2 can be inserted into the receiving area 12 in a form-fitting manner.

[0061] Additionally, the frame element 1 has a projecting edge region 13, which can be used to attach the frame element 1 to a bracket, for example.

[0062] The holding grid 2 has a frame 11 encircling the holding grid 2. In this exemplary embodiment, the frame 11 has a height of about 2 mm and serves to facilitate the production of the support layer 3, as described below. The support layer 3 fully covers the holding grid 2, but is not shown in FIG. 4 for clarity. In this exemplary embodiment, the support layer 3 is formed of a gel containing 3 wt% agar in water. Additionally, the gel contains a universal fertilizer as a fertilizer in a concentration of about 10 mg/kg.

[0063] The size of the holding grid 2 is chosen such that a form-fitting insertion into the receiving area 12 of the frame element 1 is possible. In this exemplary embodiment, the average mesh width of the holding grid 2 is about 2 mesh/cm. Depending on the plant to be cultivated, the mesh width may vary and be adapted accordingly in other exemplary embodiments.

[0064] The support layer 3 of the present exemplary embodiment was formed by pouring a precursor of the support layer. In this exemplary embodiment, the precursor is a heated aqueous solution containing agar and a fertilizer. For pouring, the holding grid 2 is placed on a flat surface, whereupon the precursor is poured onto the holding grid 2.

[0065] The flat surface seals the holding grid 2 at the bottom, preventing leakage of the liquid precursor. The frame 11 limits the pouring height and thus the thickness of the support layer 3. During cooling, the precursor gels and forms the support layer 3. The support layer 3 thus formed is soluble in water and, under normal conditions in an aeroponic system, has completely dissolved after about two weeks with regular sprinkling with water.

[0066] FIG. 5 shows a lateral sectional view of the exemplary embodiment of a holding device according to the invention shown in FIG. 4 along the sectional plane A-A in FIG. 4. FIG. 5 shows the holding grid 2, which is form-fittingly inserted into the receiving area 12 of the frame element 1. Here, the holding grid 2 rests on retaining tabs 14, which are formed to surround the frame element 1 on the inside. As a result, the frame element 1 has a clearance 15 in its interior, which is preferably adapted to the areal extent of the area of the holding grid 2 provided with a grid.

[0067] In FIG. 5, the support layer 3 is shown, which was manufactured as described above. In this exemplary embodiment, the support layer 3 has a height of about 2 mm, which substantially corresponds to the height of the frame 11. Depending on the composition of the precursor or the casting material for the support layer 3, it may also be higher or lower than the frame 11. For example, a reduction in volume may occur during gelation or curing of the precursor.

TABLE-US-00001 List of reference signs 1 Frame element 2 Holding grid 3 Support layer 4 Holding web 5 Opening 6 Dividing web 7 Gap section 8 First surface 9 Second surface 10 Bevel 11 Frame 12 Receiving area 13 Edge region 14 Retaining tab 15 Clearance