SYSTEM FOR CULTIVATING PLANTS OR VEGETABLES

Abstract

A system for cultivating plants or vegetables, includes a carrier for holding trays accommodating the plants or vegetables, the carrier having an interior formed by a bottom and raised edges extending circumferentially along the bottom to form a container for holding a liquid for cultivating plants or vegetables, and an opening arranged at the bottom; a frame to support the carrier; a supply duct for supplying the liquid towards the carrier, the supply duct arranged at least partly under the carrier; a sprayer device which is at one end fluidly connected to the supply duct and which is at the other provided with a nozzle to direct a flow of liquid to the interior of the carrier; wherein the sprayer device is arranged through the opening of the carrier, the nozzle protruding into the interior of the carrier when the carrier is positioned on the frame.

Claims

1. A system (1) for cultivating plants or vegetables, the system (1) comprising: a carrier (2) for holding trays accommodating the plants or vegetables to be cultivated, the carrier (2) having an interior formed by a bottom (21) and raised edges extending circumferentially along the bottom (21) to form a container for holding a liquid (Q) for cultivating plants or vegetables, and an opening (20) arranged at the bottom (21); a frame (3) to support the carrier (2); a supply duct (5) for supplying the liquid (Q) towards the carrier (2), the supply duct (5) arranged at least partly under the carrier (2); a sprayer device (4) which is at one end (49) fluidly connected to the supply duct (5) and which is at the other provided with a nozzle (40) to direct a flow of liquid (Q) to the interior of the carrier (2); wherein the sprayer device (4) is arranged through the opening (20) of the carrier (2), the nozzle (40) protruding into the interior of the carrier (2) when the carrier (2) is positioned on the frame (3).

2. The system (1) according to claim 1, wherein a discharge duct (6) is arranged partly locating under the opening (20), the discharge duct (6) having an open top (69) at least at a portion of it locating under the opening (20) for receiving discharged liquid (Q) from the carrier (2) flowing through the opening (20), the opening (20) being confined by its edge (29), the opening (20) allowing a clearance between the sprayer device (4) and the edge (29) so as to discharge the liquid (Q) via the opening (20) towards the discharge duct (6).

3. The system (1) according to claim 2, wherein the supply duct (5) and the discharge duct (6) are, from the opening (20) and along at least a portion along their longitudinal direction, arranged parallel to each other, the supply duct (5) extending over the discharge duct (6) so as the discharge duct (6) to receive the liquid (Q) from the opening (20).

4. The system (1) according to claim 2, wherein the nozzle (40) is oriented in such a way as to direct a flow of liquid (Q) from the supply duct (5) to an exterior side of the sprayer device (4), the flow of liquid (Q) being substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the discharge duct (6), so as to cause the flow of liquid (Q) falling into the discharge duct (6) when the carrier (2) is absent and so as to cause the flow of liquid (Q) falling into the carrier (2) when the carrier (2) is present on the frame (3).

5. The system (1) according to claim 2, wherein the nozzle (40) is oriented in such a way with respect to the carrier (2) so as to cause a circulation of the liquid (Q) within the carrier (2) to refresh the liquid (Q) present in the carrier (2) in an optimal way.

6. The system (1) according to claim 2, wherein the nozzle (40) is oriented transverse to one of the raised edges of the carrier (2).

7. The system (1) according to claim 2, wherein the nozzle (40) is locating in a corner portion of the carrier (2).

8. The system (1) according to claim 2, wherein the carrier (2) is elongated along its longitudinal direction and wherein the longitudinal direction of the carrier (2) is substantially transverse to the longitudinal direction of the discharge duct (6).

9. The system (1) according to claim 2, wherein the edge (29) around the opening (20) is provided with a raised portion (28) so as to define a level of a liquid (Q) surface when the carrier (2) is loaded with the liquid (Q).

10. The system (1) according to claim 2, wherein the raised portion (28) of the edge (29) around the opening (20) is adjustable in height.

11. The system (1) according to claim 9, wherein the carrier (2) is rotationally connected on the frame (3) so as the carrier (2) to operate from a steady position wherein the carrier (2) is resting on the frame (3), to a slanting position wherein the carrier (2) is emptied from the liquid (Q).

12. The system (1) according to claim 2, wherein the opening (20) is arranged at a first position locating near one end along the longitudinal direction of the carrier (2), and wherein a further opening is arranged at a second position locating near a second end along the longitudinal direction of the carrier (2) which is opposite to the first end.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] For the purpose of illustrating the invention, the drawings show aspects of one or more embodiments of the invention. However, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown in the drawings, wherein:

[0024] FIG. 1 is an perspective view on a system according to the invention, the figure depicting a carrier, a frame, a supply duct, a discharge duct, a sprayer device;

[0025] FIG. 2 is an enlarged view from FIG. 1 of a portion of the carrier wherein the sprayer device is arranged;

[0026] FIG. 3 is an enlarged depiction of the supply duct, the discharge duct, the sprayer device of the system according to the invention;

[0027] FIG. 4 is an perspective view on the system according to the invention wherein the carrier contains a layer of liquid;

[0028] FIG. 5 is an perspective view on the system according to the invention wherein the carrier is slanting so as to at least partly discharge the liquid contained in the carrier according to FIG. 4.

[0029] It should be noted that items which have the same reference numbers in different figures, have the same structural features and the same functions, or are the same signals. Where the function and/or structure of such item has been explained, there is no necessity for repeated explanation thereof in the detailed description.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] FIG. 1 shows a system 1 according to the invention, the system 1 configured for cultivating plants or vegetables. The plants or vegetables, which are not shown in the figures, may be disposed on trays, which are not shown in the figures either, to be disposed in a carrier 2. The carrier is used for holding a layer of a liquid, such as water optionally provided with ingredients to stimulate cultivating of plants or vegetables. Such carrier 2 form a container for holding one or more trays in which the plants or vegetables are locating, the trays resting on the bottom 21 of the carrier 2 or floating on the water surface. To achieve the best cultivating conditions, a root portion of the plant or vegetable is growing out of a ball of earth needs to be locating above the water surface at a constant distance.

[0031] The carrier 2 for holding the trays is configured to accommodate the plants or vegetables to be cultivated, the carrier 2 having an interior formed by a bottom 21 and raised edges 22, 23, 24, 25 extending circumferentially along the bottom 21 to form a container for holding a liquid Q for cultivating plants or vegetables. The carrier 2 is supported on a frame 3, which is, in this example formed by a kind of machine bed locating and disposed in a space of a warehouse or a greenhouse in horticulture where the system 1 may be installed.

[0032] Referring to FIG. 2, an opening 20 is arranged in the bottom 21 of the carrier 2 to discharge the liquid Q present in the carrier 2 during operation. The opening 20 is formed by its edge 29, the opening 20 allowing a clearance 20 between a sprayer device 4 and the edge 29 so as to discharge the liquid Q via the opening 20 towards the discharge duct 6.

[0033] To provide the carrier 2 with the liquid, a supply duct 5 is arranged for supplying the liquid Q towards the carrier 2. The supply duct 5 is arranged at least partly under the carrier 2. The sprayer device 4 is at one end of it fluidly connected to the supply duct 5 to receive the liquid Q from the supply duct 5 and to allow it flow to the other end of the sprayer device 4, at which end the sprayer device 4 is provided with a nozzle 40 to direct a flow of liquid to the interior of the carrier 2. Referring to FIG. 3, the sprayer device is oriented substantially vertical so as to allow the carrier 2 to be moved along the sprayer device 4 when placing the carrier 2 on the frame 3. The supply duct 5 is oriented substantially horizontal so that the sprayer device 4 is substantially transverse to the supply duct 5.

[0034] FIG. 2 shows the sprayer device 4 extending through the opening 20 of the carrier 2, the nozzle 40 protruding into the interior of the carrier 2 when the carrier 2 is positioned on the frame 3. The discharge duct 6 is arranged partly under the opening 20. The discharge duct 6 has an open top 69 at least at a portion of it locating under the opening 20 for receiving discharged liquid Q from the carrier 2 flowing through the opening 20. It will be understood that the discharge duct 6 is arranged slightly slanting to let the liquid Q flow in the direction for discharging the liquid Q.

[0035] The supply duct 5 and the discharge duct 6 are, from the opening 20 and along at least a portion along their longitudinal direction L, arranged parallel to each other. The supply duct 5 extends over the discharge duct 6 so as the discharge duct 6 to receive the liquid Q partly flowing, from the opening 20, along the sprayer device 4 and/or along an outer circumferential wall of the supply duct 5.

[0036] The nozzle 40 is oriented in such a way as to direct a flow of liquid Q from the supply duct 5 to an exterior side of the sprayer device 4, the flow of liquid Q being substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction L of the discharge duct 6. In this way, the flow of liquid Q is falling into the discharge duct 6 when the carrier 2 is absent. In case the carrier 2 is placed on the frame 3, the flow of liquid Q is falling into the carrier 2 to supply a refreshment of the liquid Q to circulate through the carrier 2. In this example, the nozzle 40 is oriented transverse to one 25 of the raised edges 22, 23, 24, 25 of the carrier 2. When liquid Q is supplied to the carrier 2, the liquid Q will be splashed against the raised edges 22, 23, 24, 25 of the carrier 2 causing a system of flows of liquid Q circulating through the carrier 2, the flow ending up at the opening 20 to discharge the liquid Q.

[0037] In the figures, the carrier 2 is elongated along its longitudinal direction and wherein the longitudinal direction of the carrier 2 is substantially transverse to the longitudinal direction L of the discharge duct 6. This arrangement causes a piping system wherein the distances for the pipes are minimal.

[0038] FIG. 4 shows the carrier 2 containing the liquid Q. The top surface of the layer of liquid Q is flush with the top portion of the edge 29 forming the opening 20. To determine a thickness of the top surface of the layer of liquid Q, the raised portion 28 of the edge 29 around the opening 20 is adjustable in height. In an example, the raised portion 28 of the edge 29 is provided with a thread and the bottom 21 of the carrier 2 is provided with a further thread cooperating with the thread of the raised portion 28 of the edge 29, so as to adjust a height of the raised portion 28 of the edge 29 with respect to the bottom 21 of the carrier 2.

[0039] As long as the carrier 2 is used to operate in a steady position wherein the carrier is resting on the frame, the plants or vegetables are locating near to the layer of liquid Q for the growing process. As soon as the carrier 2 needs to be conveyed to an other location in the greenhouse, the liquid Q does not allow a proper conveyance since it will splash against the raised edges 22, 23, 24, 25 of the carrier 2. FIG. 5 depicts the carrier 2 which is slightly tilted with respect to the frame 3 to cause the top portion of the layer of liquid Q to flow over the top portion of the edge 29 forming the opening 20.

[0040] To facilitate a slanting orientation of the carrier 2 with respect to the frame 3, the carrier 2 is rotationally connected on the frame 3 so as to operate the carrier 2 from a steady position wherein the carrier 2 is resting on the frame 3, to a slanting position wherein the carrier 2 is emptied from the liquid Q. In an alternative embodiment, the opening 20 is arranged at a first position locating near one end 24 along the longitudinal direction of the carrier 2, and wherein a further opening, which is not shown, is arranged at a second position locating near a second end 22 along the longitudinal direction of the carrier 2 which is opposite to the first end 24.

[0041] It should be noted that the above-mentioned embodiments illustrate rather than limit the invention, and that those skilled in the art will be able to design many alternative embodiments.

[0042] In the claims, any reference signs placed between parentheses shall not be construed as limiting the claim. Use of the verb comprise and its conjugates does not exclude the presence of elements or steps other than those stated in a claim. The article a or an preceding an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements. The invention may be implemented by means of hardware comprising several distinct elements, and by means of a suitably programmed computer. In the device claim enumerating several means, several of these means may be embodied by one and the same item of hardware. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.