DE202013104271U1 - Device for holding hydroponic plants in an inorganic substrate for planters - Google Patents

Abstract

Apparatus (1) for holding hydroponic plants in an inorganic substrate comprising a culture pot (2) having at least one irrigation port (6), and a planter (8) having a bottom (9) and a jacket (10), the culture well (2) by a positioning element (20) in a height distance (22) to the plant container (8) can be positioned, characterized in that the positioning element (20) is designed such that the culture pot on the jacket (10) of the plant container (8) fixable is.

Description

The present invention relates to a device for holding hydroponic plants in planters according to the preamble of claim 1.

The term culture pot should primarily be understood to mean culture pots which are designed for growing and keeping plants without soil (hydroponic plants) and for optimal supply of the plants with water and nutrients. The culture pots are generally standardized in height and diameter and are used with it cultivated hydroponic plants (plants without soil) in small vessels, table vessels, bottom containers and bucket containers (planted). The term planter vessel should be understood for the storage of water. The term inorganic substrate is to be understood as meaning a porous carrier or nutrient medium, such as expanded clay, clay granules or terratas, for optimum retention, root aeration, irrigation and nutrient supply to plants.

Hydroponic plants are conventionally cultivated and marketed in standard culture pots with one or more irrigation and rooting openings, also referred to as cultivated pot slits. At present, hydroponic plants are placed in the culture pot on the bottom of a watertight vessel, for example a planter of the type mentioned above, and the vessel is filled with clay granules (expanded clay) around the culture pot. On the bottom of the watertight vessel there is a water level indicator, which displays the corresponding water level during casting. The water level indicator is also surrounded by clay granules. At present, newly planted hydroponic plants must be cast in a pouring period of 5-21 days, depending on culture pot size and planter size.

Devices for holding plants in hydroponics in an inorganic substrate are already known from the prior art.

From the publication DE 10 2005 041 797 B3 For example, a molded article for preventing waterlogging in planters is known, in which a molded article is used on the bottom of a culture pot or a hydraulic vessel. The molded body has the task of complaining primarily the root system of the plant from the bottom of the culture pot or the hydraulic vessel. Through a defined distance of the root system from the ground, the molded body is thus intended to prevent waterlogging and overgrowth in the outer root area. While the molded body according to the embodiments shown in the publication is to be used primarily in the culture pot, an embodiment is also specified in which the culture pot is completely dispensed with and in which the molded body is integrated into the hydraulic vessel.

A disadvantage of this prior art is that the molded body is used immediately below the root system of the plant and in the same vessel as the plant. If it comes to the death of a plant, the molding can not be reused easily. This leads to losses in the quantitative and commercial cultivation of hydroponic plants.

Next is from the document DE 88 15 720 U1 a planter with integrated water storage known, which is a planter with height-adjustable and always level irrigation water level for planting with earth or soilless substrate. In this document, no culture pot is used, however, the root system is positioned by a root vent tube at a vertical distance to the bottom of the planter. A disadvantage of this embodiment is that no culture pot is used, since this is integrated into the planter. In a plant change is thus always a complete emptying and cleaning the planter associated with associated effort and costs.

Furthermore, it is disadvantageous in current hydroponic systems that, during the casting of the plants, alluvial substances and surface contaminants (dust, etc.) which are deposited on the vessel bottom in the course of time are regularly washed in. The hydroculture long-term fertilizer (Lewatit), which is washed in granular form during casting and remains dimensionally stable, deposits on the bottom of the vessel. These deposits over time, in particular the Wurzelwachtums- and irrigation openings of Kulturtopfes to. The consequence is a densification of the vegetation zone, the reduction of the supply of oxygen for the roots at the level of the irrigation openings, in particular at the level of Kulturtopfschlitze. The result is a process that leads to the death of the roots and the formation of rot. Another disadvantage of current hydroponic systems is that the clay granules which are used in the planter to the culture pot, due to its displacement also reduces the size of the water reservoir. In addition, the roots combine with the initially healthy root growth over time with the clay granules around the culture pot and displace the clay granules. The result is often a "bulbous" be the planter and / or the culture pot, to cracking. The plants must then be transplanted into the next larger vessels. Another disadvantage of the granule located around the culture pot and the above described Schleemmstoffablagerungen is that the water level indicator, which are usually equipped with a float, often clog. As a result, the float ball of the water level indicator can no longer move upwards. As a result, the water level indicator must be cleaned or replaced. For this purpose, the complete vessel must be emptied and replanted again. Even when replacing a broken plant, the vessel must be completely emptied and replanted again.

Object of the present invention is to provide a cost-effective device for holding hydroponic plants in culture pots in an inorganic substrate, in which the amount of work and working time for the planting or replacement (replacement) of hydroponic plants significantly shortened, with which the For the hydroponic plants available water reservoir increased many times over, with which you can do without the filling material to the culture pot to hold the plants and with the one receives an excellent root vegetation area, oxygenation and irrigation area.

This object is achieved in a device of the type mentioned above in that the positioning element (Vegetatationsscheibe) is designed such that the culture pot can be fixed to the jacket of the hydraulic vessel.

In particular, this object is achieved by a device for holding commercially available hydroponic plants in culture pots in an inorganic substrate having at least one Wurzelwachsstums- and irrigation, and a waterproof planter with a bottom and a jacket, said culture pot by a positioning element (vegetation disc) at a height distance can be positioned to the planter bottom, wherein the positioning element is designed such that the culture pot in the positioning element (vegetation disc) is fixable.

The solution according to the invention, in which the culture pot with plant in the planter "floats", that is spaced from the ground, has a number of significant advantages over the prior art. Due to the fact that inorganic substrate or granules are no longer needed in the plant container for attachment and positioning around the culture pot and the water level indicator, there can be no water displacement through the substrate. The additionally available water reservoir is thereby substantially increased. Furthermore, the above-mentioned alluvial substances can not clog the irrigation openings or deposit in the area of the irrigation openings, since the irrigation openings are no longer covered with substrate and are not located on the bottom of the vessel. As a result, a root compaction in the region of the culture pot and in particular in the planter is avoided and excluded resulting root rot. As a result, the vitality of the crops is sustainably improved and shelf life significantly increased. By avoiding the root compaction with substrate displacements, cracking in planters can no longer occur. Transplanting due to cracking and water loss, and substrate compaction in the planter is therefore no longer necessary. The vegetation area below the positioning element consists essentially only of air and water. If it comes to the fact that a plant must be replaced, the culture pot with plant can be easily replaced. The main advantage is that it is not necessary to empty and refill the complete vessel with clay granules.

Advantageous developments of the invention are specified in the subclaims.

For example, it is provided that the connection between the positioning element (vegetation disc) and the planter is formed as a frictional connection, in particular as a clamping connection or as a clamping fit, and / or form-fitting manner.

This offers the advantage of a secure connection between positioning element and planter, which is quick and easy to produce. Thus, in particular in the case of a clamping connection or a clamping seat in combination with a form-fitting engagement of the positioning element with the planting vessel, a connection can be achieved which is quick and easy to produce when planting and, moreover, is resistant to shocks.

It is also possible that the connection between the positioning element and the culture pot is formed positively and / or non-positively. Often, culture pots, and especially standard culture pots, have an upper edge which can be engaged in the culture cup opening of the positioning member. If the culture pot has no edge, but also the inwardly tapered angle of inclination of the lateral surface of the culture pot is sufficient for an at least non-positive connection between the culture pot and the positioning element. Thus, the positioning element is adapted to the culture pot used. This results in the advantage that the culture pot with plant is quick and easy to use.

It is further provided that the culture pot from the positioning element removable is and / or the positioning element is removable from the planter.

If hydroponic plants are used to kill a plant, it must be replaced. This is most easily possible by removing the culture pot with plant from the positioning element and pulled upwards. Then a new plant can be used in the culture pot. This offers the significant advantage over conventional hydroponic plants that it is possible quickly, easily and without the aid of auxiliary means. A cleaning of the planter is not mandatory and there is no inorganic substrate which would still be permeated with remaining rooting residues and remained in the planter. This inorganic substrate would have to be replaced and renewed before replanting to avoid decay processes in new plants. Because the positioning element can be removed from the plant container, the plant containers can additionally be easily cleaned and prepared for reuse even before new planting periods.

Preferably, it is provided that the planter is internally conical or has a support groove for positioning the positioning element (vegetation disc) and / or the culture pot outside is conical or has a paragraph.

If the outside of the culture pot is not conical, the outside has at least one shoulder. Both a conical inner side and a conical outer side offer the advantage of rapid manufacturability when joining and releasing the frictional or non-positive connection in the positioning element.

In addition, it is provided that the edges of the positioning element are then conical when it has a greater thickness (height).

With regard to the formation of the positioning element is provided in a preferred manner that the positioning element is formed as a substantially closed disc.

By means of a closed disk, on the one hand, no foreign bodies, in particular no inorganic substrate, can reach the vegetation space below the positioning element. On the other hand, the vegetation area below the positioning element is thereby partially decoupled from the environment. Thus, the air exchange rate between the vegetation and the environment is reduced and takes place only on the Kulturtopf. Thus, air exchange with the atmosphere is mainly possible only through the rooting and irrigation openings of the culture pot and thus directly in the root system of the plant. On the one hand, this ensures a good growth climate in the vegetation area with high humidity, and on the other hand, it prevents unhindered evaporation of water or aqueous nutrient solution from the vegetation area directly to the outside. The water remains under the positioning element, deposits on evaporation on the lower surface of the positioning element and on the sides of the culture pot and drips back into the water reservoir. As a result, necessary pouring intervals are substantially extended and pouring periods, for example for "rent a plant" concepts, can be substantially extended.

Furthermore, the positioning element will be formed of a corrosion-resistant material, in particular of a metallic alloy or stainless steel.

Corrosion-resistant material offers the advantage for the cultivation of plants that oxidation, aging or alteration of the positioning element due to water or humidity is excluded. Thus, a device is specified, which is durable and low-wear, especially in the case of stainless steel is particularly wear. While the production cost of plastic positioning elements, the adaptation to different planters, the time and the associated tooling costs are very high, it is in the case of productions of metal and the unproblematic, short-term adaptation to forms of planters very low and particularly inexpensive because not For every type of vessel tools have to be produced. In addition, a metallic alloy positioning element has the advantage of being colder - usually about 1 to 2 ° C - than the water in the planter. As a result, evaporating water and / or aqueous nutrient solution condenses on the positioning element and drips back into the water-carrying region of the hydraulic vessel. This results in a particularly advantageous for plant growth air circulation in the vegetation area. At the same time there is no evaporation to the outside. As a result, a particularly growth-promoting tropical forest climate can be produced in the vegetation area.

An advantageous development of the invention provides that the positioning element is designed such that inorganic substrate, in particular expanded clay, basalt, perlite, gravel or ornamental gravel, in the space formed between the shell of the planter, the Kulturtopfoberfläche and the surface of the positioning element up to can be filled to the planter edge.

In addition to ornamental gravel, any other, substantially waterproof material can be used to fill the vessel up with a cover layer and give the planted vessel an appealing, beautiful overall impression. This plays an essential role in the "Rent-a-Plant" marketing of hydroponic crops and can be adapted to the environment used. Because the inorganic substrate is used in a non-root-penetrated area and is not exposed to any moisture from below through the positioning element, it remains largely dry and consistently beautiful. Currently common salt efflorescence when using clay granules or discoloration of ornamental gravel as a topcoat is no longer there. At the same time there is a cost reduction, since only a small amount of material is needed to form this cover layer and this cover layer can be changed or replaced at any time without great expenditure of time.

Particularly preferably, the device has a positioning element which has at least one water level opening for positioning and holding a water level indicator.

Since the water level and the associated nutrient supply of the plant in hydroponic plants is of particularly high importance, it is advantageous to obtain permanent information about the water level in the vegetation area and in the planting vessel. The water level opening is designed such that it can accommodate a water level indicator. In addition to the use of a water level indicator, several water level indicators can be used to provide redundancy in the measurement and, if necessary, additional useful elements such as manure shafts, extraction shafts or inspection shafts can also be used. For this purpose, the positioning element may have one or more openings. Ideally, the function of the positioning element, in particular the promotion of the air exchange through the culture pot, is not affected by the water level opening. The water level indicator extends from the water level opening to the bottom of the planter. The water level indicator is perpendicular to the bottom of the planter. The water level opening and the water level indicator play with each other. The water level opening and their game are designed such that, contrary to the input and Ausführrichtung the water level indicator, and when using additional elements in additional openings with entesprechender size, a self-locking results. Accidental slippage during cultivation is thus prevented.

In the following the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the drawings with reference to a preferred embodiment. In the following description, the same reference numerals are used for the same or equivalent parts.

Show it:

1 a schematic cross-sectional representation of a device according to the invention according to a preferred embodiment; and

2 : A top view of a positioning element according to the invention according to a preferred embodiment.

In the following description, the same reference numerals are used for identical and equivalent parts. Only the elements essential for the immediate understanding of the invention are shown.

1 shows a device 1 for holding hydroponic plants in an inorganic substrate in a schematic cross-sectional representation according to a preferred embodiment. The section shows a positioning element 20 and a culture pot 2 containing several irrigation and rooting openings 6 having. The openings 6 are used for irrigation and especially as rooting openings. Thus, the plant can form roots and in particular hydroponic roots (nutrient roots) that cover the entire vegetation area 28 can fill out. For the sake of simplicity, only "irrigation openings" will be discussed below. The culture pot 2 is in the positioning element 20 used. In particular, the culture pot with the positioning element 20 positively and / or non-positively connected. In the culture pot inorganic substrate (clay granules) can be filled. The purpose of the inorganic substrate is to support the plant roots and to keep the plant upright. The culture pot may also have multiple irrigation ports. The irrigation opening 6 and / or openings 6 can be round, oval, rectangular or slot-shaped. The irrigation openings may be located on the floor and / or in the mantle of the culture pot. Next shows the 1 a planter 8th , The planter is with the positioning element 20 connected. The positioning element 20 has an outside 21 and an inside 23 , The culture pot has a bottom 19 and a coat 18 , The planter has a bottom 9 and a coat 10 , A height difference 22 created by the distance between the ground 19 of the culture pot 2 and the floor 9 of the planter 8th , The height difference 22 is at least 3 and maximum 17 cm. A fill level 26 shows the water level of filled water or water Nutrient solution. The space below the positioning element 20 Divides into a water-bearing area with the filling level 26 and an atmosphere area with altitude 27 on. The filling amount of water (water level height) depends on the height of the culture pot slots, the distance to the planters, the size of the planter and is dependent on the Kulturtopfgröße. Furthermore, the positioning element 20 at least one water level opening 24 on. The water level opening is used to position and hold a water level indicator. The water level indicator can from the top into the water level opening 24 be introduced. The water level gauge reaches down to the ground 9 of the planter 8th , The positioning element 20 can be designed as a closed disc. Further, the positioning element is formed of a corrosion-resistant metal or stainless steel. This offers the advantage of being below the positioning element 20 an excellent growth climate with enough oxygen and high humidity forms. This leads to optimal root growth. Next, the connection between planter, positioning element and water level indicator can be made airtight. This can cause used filler material to remain dry above the vegetation disk, preventing salt bloom or discoloration of the filler material. Usually ornamental gravel is used as filler, but any other visually appealing filling material is conceivable. Because of that in the vegetation area 28 , which is composed of the atmosphere and the water-bearing area, no inorganic substrate, in particular expanded clay, is located, the amount of water is substantially increased. The vegetation area 28 extends from the ground 9 of the planter 8th to the positioning element 20 , The necessary for the cultivation of plants pouring interval, ie the time interval between the necessary for the optimal plant growth is thereby significantly extended. In practice, the necessary pouring interval could be increased by at least 5-fold to the pouring intervals of currently customary hydroponic culture systems and is only marginally shortened in the course of time due to lack of mass compression. The saving of inorganic substrate, especially expanded clay, the working time for the planting of hydroponic systems is significantly reduced. The weight of planted vessels is also significantly reduced by the invention. Because of the culture pot 2 not directly on the ground 9 of the planter 8th stands, no waterlogging can arise. As a result of waterlogging, it often leads to lack of oxygen and associated with root rot. Furthermore, alluvial agents that are regularly released when fertilizing and watering hydroponic systems can move freely on the ground 9 of the planter 8th settle, without affecting the planting system. This will clog the irrigation ports 6 prevented. Next, the positioning element 20 be semipermeable or membrane-like and in particular in the direction of the vegetation area 28 permeable to air and in the opposite direction impermeable to water, especially impermeable to evaporation, be executed. Basically, the arrangement shown results in an improved growth climate in the vegetation area 28 , with a corresponding humidity. Furthermore, in the atmosphere area a good ventilation of the root system and allows a good soil respiration. Water, especially an aqueous nutrient solution, can pass through the irrigation port 6 to the culture pot 2 reach. About the humidity in the vegetation area 28 and the nutrient solution is an ideal balance of the water balance of the plant possible. The inorganic substrate, in particular the expanded clay, is porous. Thus, the inorganic substrate is an ideal carrier medium and in conjunction with the aqueous nutrient solution an excellent nutrient medium.

2 shows the positioning element 20 with a culture pot opening 4 and the water level opening 24 from above. margins 32 of the positioning element 20 can be conical. The positioning element can be round, oval, elliptical or polygonal. The outer contour of the positioning element 20 corresponds in its shape to the inner contour of the planter 8th , the contour of the culture pot opening 4 corresponds to the outer contour of the culture pot 2 , Due to the conicity of the planter 8th (inside) and the one of the culture pot 2 (outside) is a secure hold of the positioning element 20 in planter 8th and the culture pot 2 in the culture pot opening 4 guaranteed.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

 contraption

2

 Culture pot

4

 Culture cup opening

6

 Watering hole / root growth opening

8th

 planter

9

Bottom of the planter 8th

10

Mantle of the planter 8th

14

 Water level indicator

18

Mantle of the culture pot 2

19

Bottom of the culture pot 2

20

 Positioning element (vegetation disc)

21

 outside

22

 height distance

23

 inside

24

 Water level opening

26

 Filling height (water-bearing area)

27

 Height of the atmosphere area

28

 vegetation room

32

Edges of the positioning element 20

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 102005041797 B3 [0005]
• DE 8815720 U1 [0007]

Claims (9)

Contraption ( 1 ) for holding hydroponic plants in an inorganic substrate comprising a culture pot ( 2 ), the at least one irrigation opening ( 6 ), and a planter ( 8th ) with a floor ( 9 ) and a coat ( 10 ), the culture pot ( 2 ) by a positioning element ( 20 ) at a height distance ( 22 ) to the planter ( 8th ) is positionable, characterized in that the positioning element ( 20 ) is formed such that the culture pot on the jacket ( 10 ) of the planter ( 8th ) is fixable. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the connection between the positioning element ( 20 ) and the planter ( 8th ) is designed as a frictional connection, in particular as a clamping connection or as a clamping seat, and / or form-fitting. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the connection between the positioning element ( 20 ) and the culture pot ( 2 ) is formed positively and / or non-positively. Device according to the preceding claims, characterized in that the culture pot ( 2 ) from the positioning element ( 20 ) is removable and / or the positioning element ( 20 ) from the planter ( 8th ) is removable. Device according to the preceding claims, characterized in that the plant container ( 8th ) is conically formed on the inside or has a support or groove and / or the culture pot ( 2 ) is conically outside or has a paragraph. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the positioning element ( 20 ) is formed as a substantially closed disc. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the positioning element ( 20 ) is formed of a corrosion-resistant metal or stainless steel. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the positioning element ( 20 ) is formed such that the inorganic substrate, in particular expanded clay, basalt, pearlite, gravel or ornamental gravel, into which between the shell ( 10 ) of the planter ( 8th ), above the culture pot ( 2 ) and above the positioning element ( 20 ) space can be filled. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the positioning element ( 20 ) at least one water level opening ( 24 ) for positioning and holding a water level indicator ( 14 ) having.

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