ITPI20090083A1 - PLANT CULTIVATION DEVICE AND ITS METHOD. - Google Patents

Description

PLANT CULTIVATION DEVICE AND ITS METHOD

Scope of the invention

The present invention relates to the technical sector of plant cultivation. In particular it refers to a particular type of cultivation device which favors the optimal growth of the plant by limiting the waste of irrigation water and pollution by chemical agents.

The relative cultivation method is also further described here.

Brief notes on the known art

It is known that a traditional plant culture involves the immersion of the roots into the soil. The roots, during their entire growth phase, penetrate deeper and deeper and create a dense capillary network of absorption for nutrients. The roots can thus absorb through a filtering of water all the substances dissolved in it (in particular the substances that dissolve in water from the soil), thus taking on the nourishment essential for their life.

In the specific case of potted crops, as is well known, the plants can be easily transported and grown in special greenhouses, as well as being further suitable for a decorative function in apartments. The pot is then filled with soil and sprinkled with seeds, so that the subsequent growth of the plant can take place. Traditional irrigation devices, more or less complex, ensure adequate irrigation of the soil and the consequent growth of the plant.

However, in accordance with this traditional technique, there are numerous technical drawbacks described below.

First of all, the amount of excess water that is not absorbed by the plants comes out through the holes made at the base of the pot. This implies, on a large scale, a considerable water waste of water destined not to be used or to evaporation in the atmosphere.

The need to water the plant in a traditional way determines a condition of humidity on the plant itself which often favors parasitic growth. All this is reflected in a need to use pesticides which are often harmful to human health.

Furthermore, the pesticides present both on the plant and on the soil of the pot inevitably risk re-entering the aquifers for that percentage of waste water that escapes from the pot because it is not used by the plant. All this therefore translates into an increase in water pollution, especially on a large scale of production.

In addition, in accordance with the cultivation in traditional pots, the water temperature is often widely different from the ambient temperature. This thermal shock is never beneficial for the life and growth of the plant.

Finally, in the case of strong heat, the temperature difference between water and soil always causes a high amount of evaporation which results in a waste of unused water by the plant.

Summary of the invention

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a culture device which allows the above drawbacks to be overcome.

In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide a cultivation device which allows to avoid the waste of water not used by the plant, at the same time reducing the risk of pollution of the aquifers by pesticides.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a cultivation device which allows a rapid and luxuriant growth of the plant, without having to resort to the aid of external chemical agents.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a plant cultivation device which guarantees a maintenance of the temperature of the water intended in use to be absorbed by the roots very close to the ambient temperature.

These and other purposes are achieved with the present plant culture device (1; 201) generally characterized in that it comprises:

- A containment element (2; 202) comprising a first chamber (3; 203) intended in use to contain the growth medium for the plant, a second chamber (5; 205) intended in use to contain a drinking liquid for the plant, a separator septum (4; 204) interposed between the first and second chamber and configured as a grid in such a way as to allow the exit of the roots from the first chamber towards the second chamber during the growth of the plant and an entrance to allow the liquid flow within said second chamber;

- A containment tank (10) for the liquid in which to prepare said containment element (2; 202) in use so that the liquid contained within the tank flows inside the second chamber (5; 205) through the € ™ entrance.

In this way, in use, the arrangement of the containment element within the tank allows the water to flow into the second chamber in such a way as to fill it at least partially. The device as configured therefore allows, by controlling the level of liquid contained in the tank 10 and consequently within the second chamber, to create an air cushion interposed between the separator septum and the surface of water within the second chamber itself. and which has remarkably beneficial effects on the plant.

The advantages obtained by the present invention are therefore evident.

The roots will always have an availability of water according to their needs without the need for conventional irrigation, which increases the humidity increase on the plant and the consequent problems related to parasitic agents. The waste of water not used by the plant is completely eliminated, thus minimizing the problems of infiltration of anti-parasitic substances in the soil. In fact, the plant absorbs water directly from the tank. Furthermore, thermal shocks between irrigation water and soil temperature are minimized, thus minimizing evaporations. Finally, the air cushion favors a growth of the plants which grow more rapidly and in a much more rigorous way.

Advantageously, the tank (10) comprises a support grid (12) comprising at least one seat (13) for fixing said containment element (2; 202) in position within said tank (10).

The support element therefore guarantees the maintenance of the correct position of the element within the tank.

Advantageously, the support grid (12) can be detached from the tank (10).

Advantageously, the aforesaid device may possibly, but not necessarily, be provided with means for allowing the level control inside the tank and the subsequent filling in case of lowering of the level below a minimum threshold value.

In this way, following the absorption of water by the roots, it is possible to keep the height of the air cushion constant.

Advantageously, the inlet of the liquid into the second chamber (5; 205) is achieved through a grid base (6; 206) or an opening obtained on the containment element (2; 202).

Of course, equivalent solutions such as holes made at the base or laterally can be made without departing from the present inventive concept.

Advantageously, the second chamber (5; 205) is dark in order to keep the roots in the dark.

According to a possible embodiment configuration, the containment element (202) is made by means of the combination of a first vessel (207) comprising a grid base (204) and a vessel holder (208) comprising said inlet for the liquid and configured in such a way that the vessel (207) can be superimposed within the vessel holder so as to define the second chamber (205).

This solution is therefore achievable in a â € œartisanâ € way, that is, by actually superimposing two vases one within the other.

In this case, the height h of the vase (207) is lower than the height h <1> of the vase holder (208) so that the overlapping allows the realization of said second chamber (205).

Alternatively, the containment element is made in a single piece. In this case, for example, molding or similar solutions can be used.

In order to optimize the growth of the plant, the device is made in such a way that the second chamber is dark, in order to keep the roots in the dark.

The use, for example, of black paint on the walls facilitates this darkening effect.

A method for the cultivation of plants in general with a cultivation device according to what has been described is further described, and includes the operations of:

- Filling with soil of the first chamber (5; 205) of the containment element (2; 202);

- Arrangement of said filling element within a containment tank (10) for said liquid;

- Filling the tank with a liquid in such a way that the liquid flows into a second chamber (5; 205) of said element;

- Maintenance of the liquid level inside the tank so that the liquid level inside the second chamber is such as to create an air cushion interposed between the first chamber (4; 204) and the surface of the liquid inside the second chamber and in which the air cushion is destined to be crossed by the roots during their growth coming out of the first chamber and entering the second chamber to plunge into the liquid.

Brief description of the drawings

Further characteristics and advantages of the present culture device, according to the invention, will become clearer with the following description of an embodiment thereof, given by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the attached drawings, in which: - Figure 1 shows a side and top view of a containment element according to a first possible embodiment of the same;

Figure 2 shows a side view of the internal device according to the present invention;

- figure 3 is a side and front view of a combined vessel and a vessel holder to make the containment element in accordance with a second embodiment of the same;

- Figure 4 shows the pot containing a plant with the roots protruding through the grilled base;

- Figure 5 shows a support grid for the containment element both in accordance with the first and second construction configuration;

Figure 6 shows a containment tank 10 for a liquid within which a grid 12 is applied in use to support the elements in position within the tank.

- Figure 7 shows in perspective view the insertion of the toilet within the toilet holder in accordance therefore with the second embodiment of the containment element; - Figure 8 shows a vase-holder coupling of heights such as to define a gap of height d.

- Figure 9 shows an assembly of the device, both in accordance with the first and the second embodiment in which the containment element is inserted into the tank containing water by means of the grid-shaped support 12; the figure also highlights the water level inside the second chamber, such as to define an air cushion;

Description of some embodiments

With reference to the attached figures, two possible embodiments of the invention are described. With particular reference to Figure 2, a plant culture device 1, according to a first embodiment, comprises at least a containment element 2 and a tank 10. In this way, in use and as better detailed in the following of the present description , the element or more containment elements can be inserted inside the tank. Going more into the descriptive detail of the structure, as described in figure 1, the containment element 2 comprises a first chamber 3 (also visible from the top view) within which to prepare the growing soil of the plant and a second chamber 5 which is intended in use to contain a watering liquid for the plant (for example the common water). For this purpose, the second chamber is provided with a special inlet for the liquid (as indicated in figure 1) for example arranged in correspondence with its base 6. Naturally, positioning in any other point can be made without departing from the present inventive concept .

A separator partition 4, represented in view from above in figure 1 and in broken line in the side view also in figure 1, is arranged within element 2 so as to define the first 3 and the second chamber 5. The septum 4 is then configured in the form of a grid or similar (i.e. provided with a plurality of holes such as a sieve), in such a way as to allow the exit of the roots from the first chamber towards the second chamber during the growth of the plant, while supporting and keeping the soil in place.

Also in figure 2 is represented the containment tank 10 for the water within which two containment elements are arranged, by way of example only 2. When the tank is filled with water to a certain level 11â € ™ , this fills the second chamber 5 for the corresponding level 11 through the aforementioned inlet, as will be better described in the following of the present description.

A second embodiment of the invention (see figure 6) provides a device 201 equally comprising the combination of at least one containment element and a tank 10, as described above, but in which the containment element 202 is made of equivalent way. In particular (see Figure 3 for this purpose) the first 203 and the second chamber 205 are made by suitably combining a vessel 207 and a vessel holder 208. In particular, the vessel 207 comprises a lateral wall 209, generally cylindrical or conical in shape, of height h <1> and a base 204 of the grid type (sieve) so as to define the first chamber 203. It is evident that this solution in the form of a sieve can be obtained in many equivalent ways. For example, the use of a conical vase with a perforated base on which a grid is applied, or a normal vase, for example in plastic, with the bottom directly made in the shape of a grid. For the sake of clarity only, Figure 4 shows a pot 207, in accordance with the present invention, filled with soil in which a plant has grown. As shown in the figure, the roots during their growth come out through the plurality of holes made through the grid arranged at the base.

Returning to figure 3, a pot holder 208 is also provided with a grilled base 206 or in any case provided with at least one hole in general to allow water to enter. The lateral wall 210 is of height h which is greater than h <1>. The mouth 211 of the vase holder 208 is appropriately configured in such a way as to allow the application of the vase 207 above the vase holder within the mouth, thus creating the second chamber. Figure 7 shows in perspective view the approach of inserting the pot with the roots of the plants into the pot holder through its mouth. As better shown in figure 8, the opening diameter 211 of the vase holder (or in any case the configuration of the vase holder itself) is such as to block the vase at a predetermined height, preventing it from resting on the bottom of the vase holder itself. In this way, by virtue of the two different heights h and h <1> different and of the locking height of the vase with respect to the vase holder, a gap d is created between the base 204 of the vase and the base 206 of the vase holder and thus realizing the second chamber 205. Figure 8 shows the vessel in a thin dashed line.

Figure 5 shows, in top view, a support grid 12 thus comprising a plurality of seats 13 within which to arrange the containment elements (2; 202), both in accordance with the first and second configuration described. In use, the support grid is designed to rest on the liquid containment tank 10 (see for example figure 6 or figure 2). The same grate-tub device can also possibly be made in a single piece.

Having structurally described the invention in its most essential aspects, let's move on to a description of how it works. Only for the sake of descriptive simplicity, operation is specifically indicated for the second construction configuration since it is also completely equivalent to the first configuration.

Pot 1 is therefore intended to contain the soil within which the normal growth of a plant in general takes place. It is therefore evident how the perforated grid base 204 allows the roots, during the entire growth cycle, to come out through the base (as shown for example in figure 4). The exact analogous occurs in the case of the containment device 2 in which the roots come out through the separator septum 4. The pot is then inserted into the special pot holder configured in such a way that the aforementioned gap d is created between the base of the vase and of the vase holder, that is the second chamber 205. According to the first configuration, however, the second chamber 5 is already prepared.

At this point, one or more containment elements are arranged in correspondence with the seats 13 relative to the support grid 12, in such a way as to be suitably placed within the tank 10 containing the water (see for this purpose, for example, figure 9) . It is therefore evident that the functionality of the support grid 12 is precisely that of keeping the containment element in position within the tank 10.

Therefore, since the vase holder has a perforated base (or in any case the containment element 2 has a perforated base), the water contained within the tank will fill the second chamber 205 (equivalent to chamber 5) to the corresponding level. For this purpose, Figure 9 shows the level of water 11 within the chamber 205, naturally dependent on the level of water 11 'contained in the tank 10, and which must be controlled in such a way as to always maintain a minimum air cushion between the surface of the water 11 and the base 204 of the vase. In this way the roots protruding from the grid base of the pot, during their growth, will cross this cushion of air until they reach the surface of the water 11. At this point they will continue their growth sinking into the water and thus absorbing the liquid necessary for their life. The coupling configuration between pot and pot holder will then be such as to minimize the infiltration of light in such a way as to guarantee root growth in the dark.

Finally, it is evident that the only time required, according to this method, of a conventional irrigation is that necessary to reach the roots of a suitable length such as to come out from the base 204 or 4. It is also It is clear that this air cushion can easily be controlled (and therefore increased or decreased) according to the level of water contained in the tank.

The above description of a specific embodiment is able to show the invention from a conceptual point of view so that others, using the known technique, will be able to modify and / or adapt this specific embodiment in various applications without further researches and without departing from the inventive concept, and, therefore, it is understood that such adaptations and modifications will be considered as equivalent to the specific embodiment. The means and materials for carrying out the various functions described may be of various nature without thereby departing from the scope of the invention. It is understood that the expressions or terminology used have a purely descriptive purpose and therefore not limitative.

Claims (10)

CLAIMS 1. Plant culture device (1; 201) generally characterized in that it comprises: - A containment element (2; 202) comprising a first chamber (3; 203) intended in use to contain the growth medium for the plant, a second chamber (5; 205) intended in use to contain a drinking liquid for said plant, a separator septum (4; 204) interposed between said first and said second chamber and configured as a grid in such a way as to allow the exit of the roots from said first chamber towards said second chamber during the growth of the plant and an entrance to allow the flow of liquid within said second chamber; - A containment tank (10) for said liquid within which to prepare said containment element (2; 202) in use so that the liquid contained within the tank flows inside said second chamber (5; 205) through said entrance. 2. Plant culture device in general, according to claim 1, wherein said tank (10) comprises a support grid (12) comprising at least one seat (13) for fixing said containment element (2; 202) in position within said tank (10). 3. Plant culture device in general, according to claim 2, in which said support grid (12) can be detached from said tank (10). 4. Plant culture device in general, according to claim 1, in which means are further provided to allow the control of the liquid level within the tank (10) and the filling in case of lowering of the level below a minimum value threshold. 5. Plant culture device in general, according to one or more preceding claims, in which said liquid inlet into said second chamber (5; 205) is made through a grid base (6; 206) or an opening obtained on said containment element (2; 202). 6. Plant culture device in general, according to claim 1, in which said second chamber (5; 205) is dark so as to keep the roots in the dark. 7. Plant culture device in general, according to one or more claims 1 to 6, wherein said containment element (202) is made by combining a pot (207) comprising a grid base (204) and of a vessel holder (208) comprising said inlet for the liquid and configured in such a way that said vessel can be superimposed within said vessel holder in such a way as to define said second chamber (205). 8. Plant culture device in general, according to claim 7, in which the height h of said pot (207) is lower than the height h <1> of the pot holder (208) so that said overlap allows the realization of said second chamber (205). 9. Plant cultivation device in general, according to one or more claims from 1 to 6, wherein said containment element (2) is made in a single piece. 10. Method for the cultivation of plants in general with a cultivation device in accordance with one or more preceding claims, and comprising the operations of: - Filling with soil of the first chamber (5; 205) of the containment element (2; 202) in accordance with one or more preceding claims; - Arrangement of said filling element within a containment tank (10) for said liquid in accordance with one or more preceding claims; - Filling said tank with a liquid in such a way that the liquid flows into a second chamber (5; 205) of said element in accordance with one or more preceding claims; - Maintaining the liquid level inside the tank so that the liquid level inside said second chamber is such as to create an air cushion interposed between said first chamber (4; 204) and the surface of the liquid inside said second chamber and in which said air cushion is destined to be crossed by the roots during their growth coming out of said first chamber and entering said second chamber to plunge into said liquid.