JP2005095143A - Hydroponics equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an apparatus for hydroponic cultivation capable of growing plants well and also saving labor for daily control. <P>SOLUTION: The apparatus for hydroponic cultivation has a container having an opening at its upper part and a shelf member having in a plurality of steps at the inside of the container, and is characterized by having the shelf member having air ventilating property and water-holding property, supporting the growing part of the plants with at least an upper end steps of the shelf member and connecting at least either one of the steps of the shelf member or growing parts with a water storage part formed at the lower part of the container with a water-supplying means utilizing a capillarity. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a hydroponic cultivation apparatus used when hydroponically cultivating a plant.

Conventionally, as a hydroponic cultivation apparatus for hydroponically cultivating a plant, there is a device in which a cultivation tank is provided in an upper part of a liquid tank, and a culture solution in the liquid tank is pumped up and supplied to a plant root in the cultivation tank. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1). In addition, there is a type in which a plant root is directly immersed in a culture solution in a liquid tank without using a pump or the like (see, for example, Patent Document 2). Furthermore, as a large hydroponics device installed on the rooftop of a building, a pumping sheet is stacked on top of the water retention unit, and the culture solution in the water retention unit is sucked up by the pumping sheet and supplied to the plant roots. Yes (see, for example, Patent Document 3).
Utility Model Registration No. 3090120 Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 5-46262 JP 2003-38050 A

  However, in all of the above devices, the place where the plant can root is more limited, and the root can only extend sideways in the limited layer. Therefore, there is a problem that a sufficient amount of roots cannot be ensured and good plant growth cannot be expected. In addition, pumping up pumps causes problems such as cost and failure, and soaking roots in culture broth requires time and effort to adjust the culture broth. Furthermore, there are various problems with large-sized devices such as limited installation locations. The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a hydroponic cultivation apparatus that can grow plants well and save labor for daily management.

The hydroponic cultivation apparatus of the present invention has been proposed in view of the above problems,
It has a container having an upper opening and a plurality of shelf members installed inside the container, the shelf member has air permeability and water retention, and at least the upper shelf member has a plant growing part. And at least one of each of the shelf members and the growing part and a water storage part formed in the lower part of the container are connected by water supply means by capillary action.

  Moreover, the shelf member may be formed by combining a synthetic resin net for shape retention and a non-woven fabric mainly composed of fibers so as to be retained by the non-woven fabric.

  Further, the water supply means may be formed by combining a synthetic resin net for shape retention and a nonwoven fabric mainly composed of fibers, and may also serve as a support leg portion of the shelf member.

According to the hydroponic cultivation apparatus of the present invention, the space inside the container is effectively used, and the multi-stage shelf members are installed, so that there is sufficient space for the plant to grow without changing the size of the container. Can be secured. Therefore, the plant can be cultivated efficiently and satisfactorily in a space-saving manner.
In addition, the shelf member is formed by combining a synthetic resin net for shape retention and a nonwoven fabric mainly composed of fibers, and is designed to be water-retained by the nonwoven fabric. Moderate air permeability and water retention can be maintained, and an environment suitable for root growth can be provided. Moreover, since a versatile material is used, cost reduction can be realized.
Further, when the water supply means is formed by combining a synthetic resin net for shape retention and a non-woven fabric mainly composed of fibers and also serves as a support leg portion of the shelf member, there is a risk of failure of the water supply device. In addition, water can be reliably supplied from the water storage section to the shelf member, and the shelf member can be reliably supported at a predetermined position inside the container.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of a hydroponic cultivation apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the hydroponics apparatus S of the present embodiment includes a liquid tank 1, a cultivation container 2 for cultivating plants, and shelf members 3, 4, 5 installed inside the cultivation container 2, A seedling holder 6 as a plant growing part is provided.

  The liquid tank 1 is a watertight hollow container having an opening 101 on the upper side, and is formed in a size that allows the cultivation container 2 to be installed therein. A water supply port 102 and a water discharge port 103 are provided on the opposite side surfaces of the liquid tank 1 at the same height from the floor surface. A water absorption pipe 104 is attached to the water supply port 102, and a drainage pipe 105 is attached to the drainage port 103.

  The cultivation container 2 includes a bottom portion 201 and a side surface portion 202 that rises from the bottom portion 201, and has an opening 203 on the upper side. A suction / drain port 204 is formed in the bottom portion 201. The inner wall surface of the side surface portion 202 extends in a tapered shape from the bottom portion 201 toward the opening portion 203.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the shelf members 3, 4, and 5 basically have the same configuration, and thus the shelf member 3 will be described in detail. In addition, only the different part is demonstrated about the other shelf members 4 and 5, and description is abbreviate | omitted about the same component.

  The shelf member 3 includes a shelf portion 8 formed of a synthetic resin net-like material in a substantially circular shape, a water retention portion 11 made of a nonwoven fabric mainly composed of fibers, and a liquid stored in the cultivation container 2. A water supply mechanism 17 for supplying water to the water retention unit 11 is provided.

  The shelf part 8 is formed in the size substantially the same as the container cross-sectional shape in the position of about 1/3 from the bottom in the height direction of the cultivation container 2. FIG. A pair of left and right cutouts 8 a and 8 b are formed at the peripheral edge of the shelf 8, and an opening 8 c is formed at the center of the shelf 8.

  The water retaining portion 11 is a cotton-like thick nonwoven fabric with a black sheet-like nonwoven fabric stuck on one side, and is formed to be approximately the same size as the shelf portion 8. An insertion hole 17c formed by cutting radially is formed.

The water supply mechanism 17 includes a water absorption part 20 formed in a strip shape from the same non-woven fabric as the water retention part 11, and a shelf support part 14 formed of the same net-like material as the shelf part 8. The shelf support part 14 is formed in a strip shape that is narrower than the water absorption part 20 and has substantially the same length as the water supply part 20. The water absorption part 20 extends from the peripheral part of the water retention part 11 to the left and right sides, and has a length that reaches the bottom 201 of the cultivation container 2 when installed in the cultivation container 2.
In addition, cuts 17 a and 17 b are formed on the water retention part 11 side at the boundary between the water absorption part 20 and the water retention part 11.

  The shelf member 3 includes a shelf portion 8 and a shelf support portion 14 on the black nonwoven fabric surface side of the water retention portion 11. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the shelf portion 8 is disposed and fixed on the water retention portion 11 such that the notches 8 a and 8 b face the water absorption portion 20. Further, the shelf support part 14 is disposed and fixed on the water supply part 20.

The shelf member 4 includes a shelf portion 9, a water retention portion 12, and a water supply mechanism 18. The shelf part 9 is formed in the size substantially the same as the container cross-sectional shape in the position of about 1/3 from the top in the height direction of the cultivation container 2. FIG. Cutouts 9 a and 9 b are formed at the peripheral edge of the shelf 9, and an opening 9 c is formed at the center of the shelf 9. In addition, an insertion hole 18 c that is cut radially is formed in the center of the water retention unit 12. The water supply mechanism 18 includes a water absorption part 21 and a shelf support part 15. The water absorption part 21 has a length that reaches the bottom 201 of the cultivation container 2 when installed in the cultivation container 2. Cuts 18 a and 18 b are formed on the water retention part 12 side at the boundary between the water absorption part 21 and the water retention part 12.
The shelf member 4 includes a shelf portion 9 and a shelf support portion 15 on the black nonwoven fabric surface side of the water retention portion 12. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, the shelf portion 9 is disposed and fixed on the water retention portion 12 such that the notches 9 a and 9 b face the water absorption portion 21. Further, the shelf support portion 15 is disposed and fixed on the water supply portion 21.

The shelf member 5 includes a shelf portion 10, a water retention portion 13, and a water supply mechanism 19. The shelf 10 is provided so as to close the opening 203 of the cultivation container 2 and is formed to have substantially the same size as the opening 203, and an opening 10 c is formed at the center of the shelf 10. ing. In addition, the notch is not formed in the peripheral part of the shelf part 10. In addition, an insertion hole 19c is formed in the central portion of the water retaining portion 13 by cutting radially. The water supply mechanism 19 includes a water absorption part 22 and a shelf support part 16. The water absorption part 22 has a length that reaches the bottom part 201 of the cultivation container 2 when installed in the cultivation container 2.
The shelf member 5 includes a shelf portion 10 on the black nonwoven fabric surface side of the water retaining portion 13 and a shelf support portion 16 on the opposite side to the black nonwoven fabric surface side. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, the shelf portion 10 is disposed and fixed on the water retention portion 13, and the shelf support portion 16 is disposed and fixed on the water absorption portion 22.

  The seedling holder 6 includes a holding main body 23 that can hold a seedling therein, and a water absorption band 24 that supplies moisture to the holding main body 23. The holding body 23 is a net-like material made of synthetic resin, like the shelf parts 8, 9, 10, and is formed in an inverted conical shape with openings on the top and bottom. The water absorption zone 24 is formed of a nonwoven fabric having water absorption and water retention. The water absorption band 24 is provided inside the holding body 23, and a lower end portion thereof is exposed to the outside from a lower opening of the holding body 23. The water absorption band 24 has a length that reaches the bottom 201 of the cultivation container 2 when the seedling holder 6 is installed in the cultivation container 2, and a reinforcing wire 25 is attached along the longitudinal direction. ing.

The installation procedure of the hydroponic cultivation apparatus S having the above configuration will be described.
First, as shown in FIG. 2, the shelf members 3, 4, and 5 are sequentially installed inside the cultivation container 2. Specifically, the water absorption part 20 of the shelf member 3 is bent to the shelf part 8 side so that the water retention part 11 is on the upper side, and is erected on the bottom part 201 of the cultivation container 2. Next, as in the case of the shelf member 3, the shelf member 4 is folded on the shelf 9 side so that the water retaining portion 12 is on the upper side, and the shelf member 3 is placed on the upper side of the shelf member 3. Let stand. And the slow release fertilizer h is arrange | positioned on the water holding parts 11 and 12. FIG. Finally, the water absorbing portion 22 of the shelf member 5 is bent toward the water retaining portion 13 so that the shelf portion 10 is on the upper side, and the shelf member 4 is erected on the upper side of the shelf member 4.

  Next, the seedling holder 6 is installed in the cultivation container 2. In the seedling holder 6, the inside of the holding body 23 is filled with kuntan k, and the growing seedling p is planted. Specifically, the lower end portion of the holding body 23 and the water absorption band 24 are inserted into the insertion holes 17c, 18c, and 19c of the shelf members 3, 4, and 5 installed inside the cultivation container 2, and the outer periphery of the holding body 23 With the surface supported by the shelf members 3, 4, 5, the lower end of the water absorption zone 24 is made to reach the bottom 201 of the cultivation container 2. Finally, wood chips t are spread on the upper surface of the shelf member 5.

Next, the cultivation container 2 is installed in the liquid tank 1, and water is supplied into the liquid tank 1 from the water supply port 102. As shown in FIG. 1, the water supplied into the liquid tank 1 flows into the cultivation container 2 from an inlet / outlet 204 provided in the cultivation container 2. The water level is maintained at a position directly below the shelf 8 of the shelf member 3, and the excessively supplied water is discharged from the drain outlet 103.
The water absorption parts 20, 21, and 22 suck up the water in the cultivation container 2 and supply moisture to the water holding parts 11, 12, and 13. The water retaining units 11, 12, and 13 absorb moisture and maintain a wet state, and keep the inside of the cultivation container 2 at high humidity. Moreover, since the shelf parts 8, 9, and 10 and the water holding parts 11, 12, and 13 have air permeability, fresh air enters and exits the inside of the cultivation container 2 from the outside.
On the other hand, the water absorption zone 24 of the seedling holder 6 sucks up the water in the cultivation container 2 and supplies moisture to the kuntan k filled in the holding body 23.

  As described above in detail, according to the hydroponic cultivation apparatus S of the present embodiment, the inside of the cultivation container 2 is formed with a plurality of shelves vertically by the shelf members 3, 4, and 5. Since roots can be stretched on both the part 11 and the water retention part 12, the roots can be efficiently stretched without increasing the size of the cultivation container 2. Moreover, since the shelf members 3, 4, and 5 have air permeability and water retention, the partitioned space is filled with high humidity and fresh air, and is an optimum environment for root growth. As a result, a sufficient rooting amount for plant growth can be ensured, and the plant can be grown smoothly.

  Moreover, since the space partitioned by the shelf members 3, 4, 5 has sufficient humidity, the slow-acting fertilizer installed on the shelf members 4, 5 melts little by little, and the water retaining portions 11, 12. It soaks into the roots stretched on the water retaining portions 11 and 12, and is absorbed together with moisture. Therefore, troublesome adjustment of the culture solution can be omitted, and excessive or insufficient fertilization can be prevented. In addition, the slow-acting fertilizer h may be arranged directly in granular form, or may be arranged in small amounts in a permeable bag.

  In addition, since the water retaining part 11 is provided with the cuts 17a and 17b and the water retaining part 12 is provided with the notches 18a and 18b, respectively, when the shelf members 3, 4 and 5 are installed in the cultivation container 2, FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, a gap into which the water absorbing portions 21 and 22 can be inserted can be formed between the water absorbing portion 20 and the side wall portion 202 of the cultivation container 2, and between the water absorbing portion 21 and the side wall portion 202. A gap into which the water absorbing portion 22 can be inserted can be formed. Therefore, it can arrange suitably in cultivation container 2, without water absorption parts 20, 21, and 22 colliding with each other.

  In addition, since the holding body 23 is formed in an inverted conical shape, the seedling holder 6 naturally extends outward from the side surface of the holding body 23 when the root extends downward. As a result, the roots extending from the holding body 23 to the outside are evenly rooted in both the water retention units 11 and 12, and a sufficient amount of roots can be secured. In addition, although this inventor tried with the bottomed cylindrical holding main body which the upper part opened, after extending straight to the bottom part of a holding main body, a root is wound around the bottom part, and water retention part 11, Both 12 could not be rooted equally.

  Moreover, since the shelf member 5 is provided in the cultivation container 2 with the black nonwoven fabric surface of the water retaining unit 13 on the upper side, the sunlight irradiated to the cultivation container 2 is absorbed by the black nonwoven fabric, and inside the cultivation container 2 Is hard to reach. Therefore, it is difficult for sunlight to hit the roots, and it is possible to effectively prevent the seedling from being weakened or withered.

  The shelf members 3, 4 and 5 and the seedling holder 6 are made of synthetic resin net-like material or non-woven fabric. These materials can be cut with scissors or the like and bonded with an adhesive or the like. It is a material. Therefore, the user can easily manufacture the optimum shape according to the dimensions of the cultivation container used. Therefore, a commercially available flower pot, a planter, etc. can be used as a cultivation container, and a highly versatile hydroponic cultivation apparatus can be provided.

  Moreover, since the seedling holder 6 is provided so as to be detachable from the cultivation container 2, it is possible to replant seedlings of seedlings in advance in another place and then replant them in the hydroponic cultivation apparatus S of the present invention. it can. Therefore, the plant can be replanted after judging the seedling varieties, the color of the flowers, the growth status, and the like, and selecting the seedlings.

  By the way, when raising seedlings of young plants, a seedling raising device A shown in FIG. 6 is used. The seedling raising device A includes a liquid tank B and a lid C that closes the upper opening of the liquid tank B, and a plurality of insertion holes D that can hold the holding body 23 of the seedling holder 6 are formed in the lid C. ing. Then, the seedling holder 6 in which the seedling is planted is inserted through the insertion hole D, and the water absorption zone 24 of the seedling holder 6 is immersed in the liquid in the liquid tank B to grow the seedling.

  In addition, in this Embodiment, although the cultivation container 2 is a shape similar to what is called a flower pot, the shape of the cultivation container 2 is not restricted to this. For example, a so-called planter formed in a rectangular shape in plan view in which a plurality of plants can be arranged may be used.

  Further, a water supply timer may be provided on the water supply side. Furthermore, an overflow sensor may be provided on the downstream side, and the water supply timer may be interlocked with the overflow sensor.

  Moreover, in this Embodiment, although the case where the seedling of the plant planted in the seedling holder 6 was cultivated was shown, the seedling holder 6 is not essential. For example, ornamental shrubs can be placed in the space where the seedling holder 6 is placed. In this case, it is preferable to support the trunk of the shrubs on the cultivation container 2 using a separate support member so that the shelf members 3, 4, and 5 are not subjected to an excessive load due to the shrubs.

  Furthermore, in this Embodiment, although water was supplied in the liquid tank 1, the liquid supplied in the liquid tank 1 is not restricted to water, What is necessary is just a liquid suitable for plant growth, for example, liquid fertilizer is predetermined. It may be a culture solution diluted to a concentration.

  Next, hydroponic cultivation apparatus S2 of other embodiment concerning this invention is demonstrated. As shown in FIG. 7, the hydroponics apparatus S2 of this embodiment is an integrated liquid tank and cultivation container, and shelf members 3, 4, and 5 are provided directly in the liquid tanks 1a, 1b, and 1c. It has been. A plurality of liquid tanks 1a, 1b, 1c are arranged on the same plane or relatively low, and water supply pipes 104a, 104b, 104c are attached to the respective water supply ports 102a, 102b, 102c, respectively. Drain pipes 105a, 105b, and 105c are attached to the drain ports 103a, 103b, and 103c, and the liquid layers 1a, 1b, and 1c are connected to each other. In this way, the apparatus can be simplified and water is automatically supplied to the liquid tanks 1b and 1c on the downstream side only by supplying water to the liquid tank 1a arranged at the upstream side or the highest position. This can greatly reduce the time and effort of irrigation.

  Moreover, the raw material used for the water retention parts 11, 12, 13, the water absorption parts 21, 22, 23, and the water absorption band 24 is not limited to the above, and may be water absorbent paper, for example. Moreover, the material used for the shelf parts 8, 9, 10, the shelf support parts 14, 15, 16 and the holding body 23 is not limited to the above, and may be a metal net-like material, for example. In this case, it is preferable that the hardness be easily cut with scissors or the like. Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the net-like material, and an infinite number of perforations may be provided, and a thin plate material having appropriate hardness may be used.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the shelf members 3, 4, 5 are supported by the shelf support portions 14, 15, 16, but instead of the shelf support portions 14, 15, 16, or the shelf support portions 14, In addition to 15 and 16, a spacer made of a cylindrical body may be provided between the shelf members 3, 4 and 5. If it does in this way, since each shelf member 3,4,5 can be spaced apart more reliably by a predetermined distance, a root growing space can be sufficiently secured.

  Furthermore, in the seedling holder 6 of the present embodiment, the holding main body 23 is formed in an inverted conical shape, but the shape of the holding main body 23 is not limited to this, as long as the shape is tapered downward. Good. Therefore, for example, an inverted polygonal pyramid shape may be used.

It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the hydroponic cultivation apparatus S of one Embodiment which concerns on this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the procedure which installs the shelf members 3, 4, 5 and the seedling holder 6 in the cultivation container 2. 3 is a plan view of a shelf member 3. FIG. It is a top view of the shelf member 4. FIG. It is a top view of the shelf member 5. FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the state which is raising the seedling of the young plant with the nursery device A. It is explanatory drawing which shows hydroponic cultivation apparatus S2 of other embodiment which concerns on this invention.

Explanation of symbols

S Hydroponic cultivation device S2 Hydroponic cultivation device 1 Liquid tank (water storage part)
2 Cultivation container (container)
3 Shelf member 4 Shelf member 5 Shelf member 6 Seedling holder (nurturing part)
17 Water supply mechanism (water supply means)
18 Water supply mechanism (water supply means)
19 Water supply mechanism (water supply means)

Claims (3)

  It has a container having an upper opening and a plurality of shelf members installed inside the container, the shelf member has air permeability and water retention, and at least the upper shelf member has a plant growing part. A hydroponic cultivation apparatus characterized in that at least one of each of the shelf members and the growing part and a water storage part formed in the lower part of the container are connected by water supply means by capillary action.   The water according to claim 1, wherein the shelf member is formed by combining a synthetic resin net for shape retention and a non-woven fabric mainly composed of fibers, and is held by the non-woven fabric. Tillage cultivation equipment.   The water supply means is formed by combining a synthetic resin net for shape retention and a nonwoven fabric mainly composed of fibers, and also serves as a support leg of the shelf member. The hydroponic cultivation apparatus according to claim 2.

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