DE2535327A1 - METHOD OF GROWING PLANTS INDIVIDUALLY GROWING IN A SEPARATE GROWING BED AND MEANS OF PRACTICING THE METHOD - Google Patents

Description

PATENT ADVOCATES A. GRÜNECKER

D (PL-INa

H. KINKELDEY

DH-ING

W. STOCKMAlR ZDOO O LI _K SCHUMANN

DH HER NAT CHPL-PHY &

P. H. JAKOB

DfPL-ING.

G. BEZOLD

DR FER NAT - DIFL-CHEM

MUNICH

E. K. WEIL

DRHEROECXlNa

MUNICH 22

MAXIMILIANSTRASSE 43

PH 9504 - Ho. 7th August 1975

LINDAU

Ko san A / S

Vester Parimagsgade

Copenhagen V

DENMARK

Method for growing plants that grow individually in a separate growing bed and means for Exercise of the procedure

The application relates to a method for growing plants that grow individually in a separate growing bed made from soil or cultivation blocks "which have a volume that is sufficient to hold the plant in place, as well as a device, which comprises a cultivation channel with a conveyor belt for carrying out the method.

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TEUEFON (O89) 22 28 62 TELEX O5-2838O TELEQRAMME MONAPAT

It is well known to grow plants in elongated plant boxes with water and nutrient salt up to a suitable level Level. At the same time the boxes can be arranged in a staircase-like frame, so that one Plant can grow freely in height. Through this well-known system, commonly referred to as "water culture", one achieves an improvement in relation to the usual cultivation, namely constant moisture in the bed. Of the Disadvantage of the system is, among other things, that there is no possibility of increasing the distance between plants, keeping pace with the growth of the plants, which is why the system requires a large cultivation area per unit of production.

To remedy this deficiency, it is known to attach the beds in a holder that enables the individual plants to to keep a distance from one another, keeping pace with their needs.

It is also known to keep flower pots in step in a holding member for the simultaneous reception and displacement of the pots with the growth of the plants and thus their need for more space.

However, these well-known principles for increasing the distance between plants, keeping pace with the growth of the plants, do not result in any Possibility of simultaneous use of a per se known channel system for the supply of water and fertilizer solution, as well as the known cultivation systems do not result in significant labor savings nor energy savings, thanks to the increased productivity and thus reduction of the necessary cultivation area. This is achieved according to the invention if a plant is sown in each bed, which

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Beds can stand close together while the seeds are germinating, after which the beds are attached to one or more conveyor belts before or after sowing, each in a cultivation channel are moved forward, wherein the cultivation regulating agents are supplied to the plants and drained at the bottom of the trough which tape the beds in the gutter with a mutual distance suitable for the stage of development. moved by the distance both between the individual beds on the belt and between adjacent gutters in the feed direction the tapes very well with the space requirements of the Plants is enlarged.

This initially ensures that the supply of cultivation regulators Means, which takes place continuously in the gutters, causes the plants depending on the momentary growth- conditions can be dosed very precisely, and the excess part of the cultivation-regulating agents in the gutter under beds and Root mass can be drained. This ensures that the remaining amount of harmful substances in the plants on a hitherto unknown level can be reduced. At the same time the quality of the plants is increased by making them very uniform Become quality. In addition, optimal utilization of the cultivation area is achieved by keeping the plants growing the most expedient for each stage of development of the individual plant Space is allocated, which is achieved if the distance between the beds in the gutters and between the gutters is mutually increased.

By using the forms dealt with in claims 2-5 of channels and processes, manpower and space-saving cultivation methods are achieved.

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The means dealt with in claim 6 "for carrying out the method, namely a channel with channels partly for the supply of water and nutrients and possibly hot or cold water for regulation the root temperature, and partly with drains for the purpose of return excess liquid and using conveyor belts to advance the plants in the gutter by using a lid can be provided to limit evaporation from the beds, which ensures that no condensation on the underside of the leaves is formed, protects the roots against light and prevents the formation of algae, as dealt with in claim 7 is for this type of mounting is particularly suitable.

The conveyor belt dealt with in claims 8 and 9 is particularly suitable where there is a certain liquid collecting basin in the beds must be present, and finally those dealt with in claims 10 to 13.Means for increasing the distance between the beds have shown themselves to be particularly suitable.

The invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the drawing. Show it:

1 shows a top view of a cultivation system with straight and parallel channels,

Fig. 2 shows the same cultivation system after the first harvest,

Fig. 3 shows a system in which straight channels are arranged in a fan shape . are,

Fig. 4- a system in which the number of gutters is in step is reduced with the growth of the plants,

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Pig. 5 a continuous gutter rait loops, which the Increased distance between plants,

Fig. 6 is a sectional view of a channel with tape,

7 shows another embodiment of a belt in section seen,

8 shows the same band in side view,

Fig. 9 shows another form of tape in its collapsed Position,

10 the same band in the extended position, FIG. 11 the same band in section XI-XI of FIG. 10,

12 shows a further embodiment of a belt in its contracted position,

13 shows the same band in its extended position,

14 shows an embodiment of a driver in its rotated Position seen from above,

15 shows the same carrier in its turned position,

16 shows another embodiment of a driver in its turned position seen from above, and

17 shows the same driver in its turned position.

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The method can be used in connection with a cultivation system for e.g. of parallel gutters 11, which are installed e.g. in a greenhouse, can be used. The starting point for the Production in this case is a number of extension blocks that are attached to a conveyor belt 1 to 4 and at 1 to be watered. The next stage is sowing a seed * in each block at 2, after which the blocks at 3 are germinated will. The blocks are spaced a certain smaller distance, which is approx. 2 cm for a salad production, on the Conveyor belt 4 attached, v / o they stay for about 10 to 14 days. At 5 v / the blocks 21 ground into the next phase 6 of the system by placing them on belts 20 in grooves as shown in FIG. The distance between the blocks can now be doubled in relation to the position at conveyor belt 4 and there will be a corresponding distance between the grooves 11 held. In the gutter, the necessary cultivation-regulating agents, such as water, nutrient salts, etc., are supplied, as will be done later will be explained in the explanation of the gutters.

After a suitable time in the small plant stage in the gutters in phase 6, for lettuce approx. 10 to 14 days the plants sorted and e.g. on a conveyor belt 9 on the The next set of gutters led to phase 7, where the mutual spacing of the plants in relation to the stand in phase 6 quadrupled will. The distance between the gutters is usually the same as the distance in phase 6.

When the plants have grown the same number of days as at the previous phases, the distance between the channels is increased by shifting to the side after phase 8. This location

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is shown in FIG. Here the cultivation phase is completed by removing the plants after the same number of days as the previous stages, as far as lettuce is concerned, are prepared for harvesting, and the plants are then transported by means of the conveyor belt after a transverse conveyor belt 10 for packaging etc. led out of the channels.

This growing method is done continuously by germinating new plants on conveyor belts 1 to 4, as well the previous section has been implemented on the gutters in phase 6. Thus, if the gutters, as shown in Fig. 2, are arranged, small plants are transferred via the conveyor belt 9 from this phase 6 to the next channel system at phase 7. When the troughs are harvested at phase 8, as mentioned at the beginning, the troughs are pushed together and phase goes to phase 8, as shown in FIG.

A gutter system in which the plants in the gutter can stay on the belt and thus not moved to other gutters is shown in FIG. 3. The gutters 11 are arranged in a fan shape that two in a greenhouse such systems, starting at each end of the small plant phase 6, can be attached. The gutters are stationary, while the belt can be provided with devices which keep the distance between the plants in step with theirs Increase growth. At the same time, their displacement in the gutter means that the distance to the adjacent plants the neighboring channel is enlarged.

Another gutter system, shown in Figure 4, consists of a number of gutter pieces 11, polygons with the small plants

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Grasp phase 6. When transferring the plants to the next Extension phase 7, the number of gutters is reduced in such a way that a simple distance to the neighboring gutter is thereby achieved will. At the same time, the channel in phase 7 can be dimensioned differently or provided with a possibility of supplying funds, which are necessary in this phase. The system can be expanded so that it may just end with a single gutter, in which the plants are sufficiently mature.

A cultivation system can also be used, x ^ orin the gutter 11 is not interrupted and the cultivation is therefore carried out in a channel, as in the case of the fan shape in FIG be curved, that in individual phases 6, 7 and 8 a suitable one Distance to the plant in the parallel channel parts is maintained. Here, too, conveyor belts with built-in means can be used Increasing the distance between plants through the gutter can be used.

In order to be able to use this method with the greatest possible advantage, a chute with a conveyor belt, as shown in FIG. 6, to be used. The gutter11 is designed as a U-shaped gutter constructed with a bottom 13 and sides 12. Instead of a U-shaped channel, other shapes of channels can of course be used, such as a gutter formed from a pipe slit the length of the pipe, which slot is the opening of the U-channel above corresponds to. At the bottom of the gutter are channels 14,15,17 arranged, which run in the longitudinal direction of the gutter. There are also guides 18,19 for a conveyor belt 20 through the Channel can be moved. A channel 25 is formed between this band 20 and the bottom 13 of the channel. As shown in Fig. As can be seen, a clamp is attached in the band 20, which is used to hold a cultivation block 21 with a plant 22 in place. Is up the groove closed by a pair of flexible lips 23, which

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609809/0381

enclose the leaves of the plant, but at the same time a displacement of the tape with the plant in the gutter.

The band can be designed in such a way that nutrient fluid can be collected in the center of the band. This causes the root formation conveyed in the middle and the side edges of the belt in front of the band kept free at the beginning of the growth period. This secures also that the roots of the plants approach each other and quickly form a longitudinal root mass.

As an example of the use of the channel for the supply of cultivation regulators Means can be mentioned that behind the channel 15 water and liquid food can be pressurized. These Liquid splashes through a few outlet holes 16 in one of these Amount on the growing blocks 21 that the plants are continuously supplied with liquid. This direct supply through outlet holes also ensures that fresh, oxygenated food liquid is evenly distributed along the entire length of the channel is dosed so that oxygen deficiency is avoided. The band has high side walls as shown, which are at the very top are bent towards the inside of the channel. This ensures that a liquid container 24 is formed on the belt so that the The roots of the plants can take up water and food in this container. The bent edge at the top also ensures that the roots do not grow out of the ligament significantly. In addition, the root mass adheres to the side of the plant in the gutter. The excess liquid runs over the belt into the bottom channel 25 of the gutter, where it is drained into a collecting container, in that the gutter has a certain slope towards the collection point, from where it leads to repeated use after analyzes etc. which will ensure that there is always the right amount of food

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is fed. Ira opposite channel 14- can be supplied with CO- that can slowly seep up and down the leaves, ensuring economical dosing.

Since the plants need a certain root temperature, can temperature-regulating in the lowermost channels 17 of the bottom 13 of the channel Medium, such as hot water, are supplied.

There can also be channels in the gutter for the supply of hot or cold air, system toxins against plant crane sites, algae-fighting Agents, growth retardants, flower inducers, root formers, etc. may be present.

Where smaller blocks 21 are used, the band.20 in the Channel are lifted and slide in a higher guide 19. It also gives the possibility of recycling of the tape over the guide below 18.

The closed shape of the channel with flexible lips 23 ensures the channels a high humidity, which prevents the drainage holes 16 from being closed with crystallized food salts. This reduces the formation of condensation on the leaves and thus you get a reduction in fungal and Disease attacks on the leaves.

The light is also blocked from the inside of the channel, which prevents the growth of the roots and the formation of algae, as mentioned above. This continues to ensure the roots' need for oxygen and nutrition

A slightly different tape construction can be used as her is shown in Figures 7 and 8, consisting of a flat central portion

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consists, which is provided on the side with longitudinally extending thickenings which hold the liquid container 24. aside from that these thickenings can be made hollow, and this creates channels that, among other things, allow flow through cultivation-regulating Means can be used to ensure proper growth.

In order to ensure the necessary increase in the distance between the plants in a simple manner, this can be done in Fig. 9-11 be used. A number of angled driver sections 28 are held together with a piece of wire 29 in such a way that that the sections with the beds are in the small plant stage can be pushed together, as shown in FIG. By pulling on the tape, the distance is increased to the tape is taut as shown in FIG. In this position the plant is fully grown.

A belt construction, which offers the possibility of a stepless variation of the plant spacing depending on the train, is shown in Figs. Here are the sections 28 by means of Springs 30 connected, x ^ elche unloaded the sections tightly together as shown in FIG. The springs are tensioned by pulling, and the distance can be dependent on the tensile force can be regulated. The beds can be advanced by means of a driver device, which is shown in FIGS. 14 and 15 will. Wire pieces 32 connect a number of wire reels 31j which are set up as shown in FIG. is shown. An arm 33 is attached to each reel-up 31, which by pulling the wire in the direction of the arrows while rotating the Swing out the retractor, as shown in Fig. 15, and the individual beds 21 or possibly pots in the direction of

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move forward to the left in the drawing, v / o through the distance between the individual beds is increased according to the amount of unrolled wire.

Finally, a spring loaded drive arm 35, shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, can be used. It is rotatably attached to a holding piece 3 ^z t-, which in turn is attached to a pull wire 32, which can possibly be resilient and thus flexible. Arm 35 is resiliently held against a stop 36 in the turned position of the arm, as shown in FIG 16 is shown. When returning in the direction of the arrow, to the right in Sg. 17 _? the arm is rotated past the block 21 in order to pivot out to the left in FIG. 16 by a feed train and to take the plant 21 with it. By increasing the wire length between the individual holders 3 ^ the distance between the adjacent beds 21 on the belt is increased accordingly »

As an example of the increase in production that can be achieved through this cultivation system, it can be mentioned that a lettuce production that normally under Danish conditions a cultivation a ^ al of approx.

2?

150 pieces / m annually results on approx. 400-500 pieces / m cultivation area can be increased per year by quoting as a comparison

2 v / it can be said that a normal production approx. 150-200 pieces / m Cultivation area per year.

The production time, i.e. the time from sowing to harvest, can also be around a week in relation to normal cultivation methods reduced v / earth.

By automating the promotion and implementation from one phase to the next, and by an automatic management system

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i3 -

for the supply of the cultivation regulating agents in the gutter as well as in the Greenhouse, the workforce can increase "up to 90% in proportion to the "known cultivation methods are reduced.

In addition, there is a very uniform quality, which through the whole uniform growth conditions are ensured for the plants at the individual stage of development ". In conclusion, as mentioned above, plants can be grown through this system in which the content of residual pollutants is reduced by passing through this system the instantaneous Can precisely dose growth conditions. As an example it can be mentioned that the nitrate content in lettuce ranges from 4-00-600 p.p.M. against the currently normal nitrate content of 6000-12000 p.p.M. can be reduced.

Also, there is the need for spraying against disease has been reduced as susceptibility to disease has been reduced. All in all, it is said that through this Cultivation system an increase in function, quality improvement, price reduction is achieved, while at the same time nutritionally improved Products can be produced.

Claims -

14- -

609809/0381 originally inspected

Claims (1)

- VV - Patent claims • Learn about the cultivation of PXIaIiZeIi ₅ which grow individually in a separate cultivation bed, which can consist of soil or cultivation biöken, which have a volume that is sufficient to hold the plant, characterized in that a plant (22) in each Bed (21) is sown, which beds -during germination (3) the seeds can stand close together, after which the, beds are attached to one or more conveyor belts (20) before or after sowing, which are each in a cultivation channel (11) in which cultivation regulating agents are fed to the plants and drained at the bottom of the channel, which belt (20) moves the beds in the channel (11) forward with a mutual distance suitable for the stage of development, by increasing the distance between the individual beds ( 21) on the belt (.20) as well as between adjacent grooves (11) in the direction of advance of the belts, keeping pace with the space requirements of the plants. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the channels (11) are straight and in the same plane are mutually parallel and the distance between the channels by parallel displacement same is achieved. * 609809/0381 2 S 3 H 3 2 7 3. The method according to claim 1, characterized that the grooves (11) are straight and fan-shaped in the same plane with essentially the same mutual angle and at the end of the channel where the Eeete is attached to the conveyor belt, arranged close together are. 4-, method according to claim 1, characterized that the grooves (11) are arranged straight and mutually parallel in the same plane and the distance between the gutters is achieved by reducing the number of gutters by dividing the beds from zx-zei or several ribbons (20) are collected in a subsequent trough. 5. The method according to claim 1, characterized that the grooves (11) are continuous and curved so that the distance between the individual Gutter parts increases. 6. Device for performing the method according to at least one of claims 1 to 5j characterized that the channel (20) is substantially U-shaped, and wherein the bottom (13) and the sides (12) provided with a number of continuous channels (14,15,17) which, where the channel is used for the supply of cultivation regulating agents, are provided with outlet holes (16) towards the inside of the channel, and in which guides (18,19) on the sides for a continuous conveyor belt (20) are available, xvelche the beds (21) support by placing the space (25) between the belt (20) and the bottom (13), forms a drainage channel for the excess liquid. - 16 609ÖÜ9 / 0381 2 5 'S b 3 2 7. Apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that the channel (11) by a top resilient lid (23) is closed, v / elcher the plants (22) a passage and a shift in the gutter allows. 8. Device according to claims 6 and 7 _5, characterized in that the belt (20) consists of a flat bottom with protruding sides, which are completed at the top in that they are against the inside of the channel to form a liquid container (24) for the beds (21) are bent in the channel. 9. Device according to claims 6 and 7 _5, characterized in that the band consists of a flat intermediate piece (26) to support the beds (21), and that a longitudinal thickening (27) is present on both side surfaces, which sides in the liquid container (24-) forms. 10. Device according to claims 6 and 7 »thereby characterized in that the belt consists of driver sections (28) which are interconnected by a length of wire (29) are connected, which corresponds to the final distance between the sections (28) by placing on each Section a bed (21) is attached. 11. The device according to claim 10, characterized in that the driver sections (28) by means of a spring (30) are connected to each other, which hold the sections (28) together in their unaffected position, and the distance between the sections is increased as a function of the tensile effect. - 17 _ ORISlNAL INSPECTED 609809/0381 12. Device according to claims 6 and 7> characterized in that the plant carriers, consisting of spring-influenced wire reels (31) with driver arms (33) which, depending on the tension on a connecting wire (32), roll wire and the Unscrew the arms (33) to take the beds (21) with you and thus increase their distance in the channel (11) ■ are arranged. 13- Device according to claim 12, characterized in that the driver is attached to a wire (32) holding pieces (34 ·) "fixed with gaps, each with a rotatable driver arm (35) are provided, which is resiliently held against a stop (36), and against the spring force when passing the Beets (21) can be turned in. 6 09 809/0381