WO2015162466A1

WO2015162466A1 - Device for growing plants

Info

Publication number: WO2015162466A1
Application number: PCT/IB2014/066549
Authority: WO
Inventors: Martin LAVOO; Benjamin SWAN
Original assignee: Sustenir Agriculture (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
Priority date: 2014-04-22
Filing date: 2014-12-03
Publication date: 2015-10-29
Also published as: AU2014391615A1; SG10201401694SA; AU2014391615B2

Abstract

A device for growing plants is disclosed, the device comprising a frame for supporting a shelf, the shelf for receiving plants; an illumination device for allowing photosynthesis to occur during a growth cycle of the plants; an irrigation system adapted for providing water and nutrients to the plants; and a runner assembly for supporting the frame for allowing lateral movement of the frame.

Description

DEVICE FOR GROWING PLANTS

Cross Reference to Related Applications This application claims the benefit of priority to a patent application bearing Patent Application No. 10201401694S filed on 22 April 2014 with Intellectual Property Office of Singapore, which application is incorporated herein by reference in its entireties for ail purposes. Field of Invention

This invention relates to a device for growing various species of plants for food production. In particular, the invention optimizes the physical space requirements of each species against today's vertical farming systems.

Background

There is an increasing need for the large scale production of food and food products to supply to existing and emerging markets, and to offset impacts to food supplies and land use created by the increasing usage of traditional food sources. The increase in population places pressures on limited land resources.

Traditional farming methods grow plants and crops in a continuous linear fashion during the whole growing cycle, this method occupies portions of land as they are grown on. Such farming method is still limited by the amount of land that is available for farming.

Current traditional farming methods waste a lot of resources (i.e. water) and necessitate use of pesticides and spreading of artificial fertilizers. All of this creates sustainabiiity issues with regards to soil fertility, surrounding water supply and cleanliness and food safety.

There have been efforts to move towards vertical farming systems to meet supply demands for markets where farming land are limited. Traditional vertical farming systems involve multi-shelf systems that are fixed to the ground, much like bookshelves in a library. Such systems still require large spaces between the shelves to allow access to the plants for harvesting, planting and crop management. As such, large circulation spaces are required between each shelf resulting in an inefficient utilization of real estate.

There is then a need for a device and system that reduces the physical footprint of the farming facility to allow a higher yield of crops within the facility. Furthermore, the aforementioned invention has been designed in a modular fashion so as to be easily fitted into any designated space- this aims to eliminate the current difficulties and high infrastructure investment related to setting up grow sites of this nature. This will allow urban models of farming to be easily relocated and replicable anywhere.

Summary of Invention In accordance with a preferred aspect, there is provided a device for growing plants, the device comprising of: (a) a frame for supporting a shelf, the shelf for receiving plants; (b) an illumination device for allowing photosynthesis to occur during a growth cycle of the plants; (c) an irrigation system adapted for providing water and nutrients to the plants; and (d) a runner assembly for supporting the frame for allowing lateral movement of the frame. Modifications to the runner assembly may be made to allow for the frame to move along a grid-like system.

Preferably, the frame is a vertical frame. Preferably, the frame supports a plurality of shelves vertically stacked, the height between the shelves is adjustable to accommodate different types of plants.

Preferably, the device further comprises a plurality of frames, wherein each frame independently slides on the horizontal track to a desired position on the track.

Preferably, the frame further comprises a locking mechanism to lock the frame in a desired position along the runner assembly. The locking mechanism allows the shelf to be locked into position as well as to allow the shelf (and frame) to connect to a system of pipes that form the irrigation system. Preferably, ihe device further comprises a plurality of illumination devices spaced apart along the shelf to provide illumination to the plants. The illumination device may be a Light Emitting Diode,

Preferably, the runner assembly further comprises rollers attached to the underside of the frame for sliding the frame on the track.

Preferably, the frame is slid manually. Alternatively, the frame is slid by a motor drive.

Preferably, the runner assembly is made of aluminium.

Advantageously, the device of the present invention was designed with the intent to minimise the space required for different types of plants to grow, and optimise growth. In other words, the present device allows for reducing the physical footprint yet allowing a higher yield within the facility.

By designing the present invention to be completely indoors with a cycled water system, the entire environment (which deletes the needs for artificial pesticides and fertilizers) may be controlled with a much higher efficiency of water usage. Using tuned grow lights specifically modified to suit each species, as well as measured and closely managed nutrients particular to each plant type, it becomes possible to grow crops in much more uniformity, with produce resulting in higher quality and reaching maturity within less cycle days.

The present device may be placed in a facility that has a ventilation system that may include the following: carbon dioxide filters, carbon filter, HVAC for climate control etc. Harvesting of the plants may be carried out manually or by any means known to the skilled person for automated harvesting.

Brief Description of Figures

In order that the present invention may be fully understood and readily put into practical effect, there shall now be described by way of non-limitative examples only preferred embodiments of the present invention, the description being with reference to the accompanying illustrative figures.

In the Figures:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a side view of the device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

Figures 3(a), 3(b), 3(c), 3(d) show perspective views of the device having a plurality of frames accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 is a perspective view of the device having a plurality of frames in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and

Figure 5 is a systematic diagram showing space usage comparison between a tradition farming system and an embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments

Figure 1 shows device 10 for growing plants 15. Device 10 comprises frame 20 for supporting horizontal shelves 25 which, in turn, supports plants 15. Device 10 also comprises runner assembly 30 which allows frame 20 to slide in a horizontal plane. Runner assembly 30 comprises rollers 35 (shown in figure 2) that are attached to the underside of frame 20 for sliding frame 20 on track 40. Runner assembly 30 may be made of aluminium. Though not shown in the figures, plants 15 are fed water and nutrients by an irrigation system. Examples of irrigation systems non-exhaustively include FT hydroponic systems, drip systems, aeroponics, or any nutrient flow channels, or the like.

Figure 2 shows a side view of device 10, which also includes at least one illumination device 45 (not shown in the drawings) which may be any light source, e.g. an LED light. Illumination device provides illumination for plants 15 on shelf 25 and may be spaced apart along the length of shelf 25. The height of shelves 25 is adjustable so as to accommodate different types of plants 15 of various different heights and sizes. Shelves 25 may include a tray that may contain soil for growing the plants.

Figure 3(a) shows a plurality of frames 60, 61 , 62 stacked side by side next to each other in a compact configuration. This allows for space to be optimized, and yet ensures that all lighting is utilized so that is no wastage of resources. Figures 3(b), 3(c) and 3(d) illustrate the repositioning of frames 60, 61 and 62. Frames 60, 61 and 62 can be repositioned by sliding horizontally along track 40 to any desired position on track 40. The repositioning of frames 60, 61 and 62 from a compact configuration in figures 3(b), 3(c) and 3(d) create walkways between frames 60, 61 and 62 and allows easy access to shelves 25 of frames 60, 61 and 62. This is especially important during harvesting and re-potting of plants 15 for the next cycle. It is also important to note that during the repositioning of frames 60, 61 and 62, plumbing and electrical points are disconnected and reconnected such that the nutrient solution flow is not stopped. It is important to note that frame 60, 61 , 62 can be repositioned onto any position along track 40 and the supply of nutrient solution to plants 15 will not be hindered or compromised.

Figure 4 shows a perspective view of frames 61 , 62, 63, Frames 61 , 62, 63 can have locking mechanism 70 to lock it in place. Frames 61 , 62, 63 can also have safety lock 71 to activate or release locking mechanism 70. Once locking mechanism 70 has been released, a user can reposition frames 61 , 62, 63 along track 40 by turning steering wheel 72.

Device 10 optimises usage of spaces by 1 18% because of its mobility. This can be seen in Figure 5 which compares the usage of space between a traditional farming system and the present invention. Mobility of frames 20, 61 , 62, 63 allow them to be shifted and repositioned to promote easy access to frames 20, 61 , 62, 63 that are to be tended to; while frames 20, 61 , 62, 63 whose plants 15 are still in mid cycle growing stages can be left with no spacing so as to maximise light exposure and continued access to nutrient solution. Therefore, frames can be stacked side by side through the growing cycles, utilising light throw and optimising space.

Through aluminium extrusion tracks 40 which rest directly on the ground and a series of aluminium runners 30 with wheels, each frame 20, 61 , 62, 63 may be able to slide and shift manually or by mechanical assistance (for example manually turned steering wheel 72, much like those on file compactors, or a motor). The extrusion tracks 40 serves to guide the direction in which frames 20, 61 , 62, 63 would slide or move. Runners 30 with wheels enable the movement of frames 20, 61 , 62, 63. Both tracks 40 and runners 30 work together to ensure that frames 20, 61 , 62, 63 are mobile. Once again, this allows frames 20, 61 , 62, 63 to be stacked side by side during the growing cycle, and be shifted to allow space or walkways during harvesting.

Whilst there has been described in the foregoing description preferred embodiments of the present invention, it will be understood by those skilled in the technology concerned that many variations or modifications in details of design or construction may be made without departing from the present invention.

Claims

The Claims

1. A device for growing plants, the device comprising:

(a) a frame for supporting a shelf, the shelf being configured to receive plants;

(b) an illumination device for allowing photosynthesis to occur during a growth cycle of the plants;

(c) an irrigation system adapted for providing water and nutrients to the plants; and

(d) a runner assembly for supporting the frame for allowing lateral movement of the frame.

2. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the frame is a vertical frame.

3. The device according to any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the frame supports a plurality of shelves vertically stacked, the height between the shelves is adjustable to accommodate different types of plants.

4. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a plurality of frames, wherein each frame independently slides on the horizontal track to a desired position on the track.

5. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the frame further comprises a locking mechanism to lock the frame in a desired position along the runner assembly,

6. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the shelf further comprises a tray for receiving the plants.

7. The device according to claim 8, wherein the fray is secured to the shelf.

8. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising predetermined slots on the shelf for placement of the plants.

9. The device according to claims 1 to 8, further comprising a plurality of illumination devices spaced apart along the shelf to provide illumination to the plants.

10. The device according to claim 9, wherein the illumination device is a Light Emitting Diode.

1 1. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the runner assembly further comprises rollers attached to the underside of the frame for sliding the frame on the track.

12. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 1 1 , wherein the frame is slid manually.

13. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 11 , wherein the frame is slid by a motor drive.

14. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the runner assembly is made of aluminium.