The present invention relates to a vessel for use in cultivation of plants, and a system for use in cultivation of plants.

Background technology

Plants, such as flowers or vegetables, may be grown on open land, but frequently are grown in pots. Pots provide a controlled environment for the plant and the soil in which the plant is grown. Irrigation of plants grown in pots is critical for providing healthy plants. Existing irrigation systems use drop hoses for providing water to the soil and plants. It is problematic with systems with drop hoses that they require high pressures. Further problems include leakage and blockage of the systems. Yet further problems include risk of over-watering and high water losses caused by evaporation of water from the soil. Loss of nutrients with water draining from the growing media is another considerable problem with drop hose systems. There is a need for reliable and efficient irrigation of plants and vessels for use in growing of plants.

Summary of invention

An object of the present invention is to avoid problems with prior art. Another object of the present invention is to provide an efficient vessel for use in cultivation of plants without problems of prior art. Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an efficient system for use in cultivation of plants.

According to a first aspect, there is provided a vessel for use in cultivation of plants, the vessel comprising a first side wall, and a second opposing side wall, a third side wall and a fourth opposing side wall, a bottom portion, and a dividing member arranged for dividing the vessel in an upper cultivation compartment for containing of cultivation media, and a lower irrigation compartment for containing of aqueous solution, wherein the dividing member further is arranged to allow communication of aqueous solution between the irrigation compartment and the cultivation compartment, wherein the communication of water is realized by irrigation openings in the dividing member and/or by at least one irrigation opening formed by a gap between the dividing member and anyone of the first, second, third, or fourth side walls, and wherein the irrigation compartment comprises an inlet opening for introduction of aqueous solution into the irrigation compartment, and an outlet opening for allowing aqueous solution to leave the irrigation

compartment, the vessel thereby allowing aqueous solution to flow through the irrigation compartment and communicate with the growing compartment.

The dividing member being arranged for dividing the vessel in an upper cultivation compartment for containing of cultivation media, and a lower irrigation compartment for containing of aqueous solution provides for an efficient vessel for cultivation of plants.

The dividing member being arranged to allow communication of aqueous solution between the irrigation compartment and the cultivation compartment allows for efficient wetting of the cultivation media and thereby efficient irrigation of plants cultivated in the vessel and growing in the cultivation compartment.

The communication of water being realized by irrigation openings in the dividing member and/or by at least one irrigation opening formed by a gap between the dividing member and anyone of the first, second, third, or fourth side walls, provides for efficient communication of aqueous solution from the irrigation compartment and the cultivation compartment.

The irrigation compartment comprising an inlet opening for introduction of aqueous solution into the irrigation compartment, and an outlet opening for allowing aqueous solution to leave the irrigation compartment allows for efficient flowing of solution through the irrigation compartment. Thus, new aqueous solution may efficiently be introduced to the vessel, and further, the vessel may efficiently be drained from aqueous solution. The irrigation compartment comprising an inlet opening for introduction of aqueous solution into the irrigation compartment, and an outlet opening for allowing aqueous solution to leave the irrigation compartment, the vessel thereby allowing aqueous solution to flow through the irrigation compartment and communicate with the growing compartment further allows efficient wetting or irrigation of the cultivation compartment and growing media or plants positioned therein. For example, the aqueous solution surface may be elevated in the growing compartment for example by restricting the outflow from the irrigation compartment, or increasing the pressure of the inflowing aqueous solution, or a combination of the both.

The irrigation opening may have a mouth in the cultivation

compartment, the mouth being located at a vertical level being lower than the lower most portion of the outlet opening. Thus, efficient irrigation or wetting of any growing media in the cultivation compartment may be efficiently realized. Further, such irrigation may efficiently be realized without highly pressurized inflowing aqueous solution.

The irrigation opening may be having a mouth in the cultivation compartment, the mouth being located at a vertical level being lower than the lower most portion of the inlet opening. Thus, efficient irrigation or wetting of any growing media in the cultivation compartment may be efficiently realized. Further, such irrigation may efficiently be realized without highly pressurized inflowing aqueous solution.

The dividing member may comprise a plate shaped portion forming a major division between the cultivation compartment and the irrigation compartment, and support portions, wherein the support portions are adapted to abut one or more of the sidewalls at a vertical position different from the vertical position of the plate shaped portion. Thus, an efficient dividing member is provided, which dividing member may be positioned in the vessel in a stable fashion. Further, rotation of the dividing member is minimized.

The first and second side walls may extend in directions parallel to each other along a longitudinal direction of the vessel, and being inclined towards each other towards the bottom portion. Such vessels may efficiently be stacked, and thus, for example, efficiently stored, transported, or otherwise handled. Further, such vessels may efficiently provide support for the dividing member and provide a distance between the bottom portion and the dividing member.

The first and second side walls may extend in directions parallel to each other along a longitudinal direction of the vessel, and being spaced apart a first distance at an upper portion of the vessel, and being spaced apart a second distance, being smaller than the first distance, at a lower portion of the vessel.

Such vessels may efficiently be stacked, and thus, for example, efficiently stored, transported, or otherwise handled. Further, such vessels may efficiently provide support for the dividing member and a distance between the bottom portion and the dividing member.

The inlet opening may be formed in a bottom portion of the third side wall and being provided with a connection stud, and the outlet opening may be formed in a bottom portion of the fourth side wall and being provided with a connection stud. Thus, efficient connection with, for example pipings or hoses is realized.

The bottom portions of the third and fourth side walls may be recessed such that outer ends of the connection studs are within a geometrical space formed by upper portions of the third and fourth side walls. Thus, efficient stacking of the vessels may be realized even though the openings are provided with connection studs.

End portions of the dividing member, adjacent to the third and fourth side walls, may be raised relative to a major central portion of the dividing member. Thus, the bottom portions of the third and fourth side walls being recessed is efficiently allowed. Further, it provides the dividing member with efficient support portions.

The aqueous solution may be any solution containing water suitable for irrigation of plants. The aqueous solution may comprise a solution of nutrient salts or compounds in water. Other additives than nutrients may also be present in the solution. The aqueous solution may also refer to essentially pure water. According to a second aspect, there is provided a system for use in cultivation of plants, the system comprising at least one vessel according to anyone of the previous claims, and a pump connected to the inlet opening end the outlet opening of the vessel, thereby arranged for circulating aqueous solution through the irrigation compartment of the vessel.

Further features of, and advantages with, the present invention will become apparent when studying the appended claims and the following description. The skilled person will realise that different features of the present invention may be combined to create embodiments other than those described in the following, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Features of one embodiment may be relevant with regard to another embodiment, and reference to these features are hereby made. Brief description of drawings

Fig.1 A illustrates a side view of a vessel according to an embodiment.

Fig.1 B illustrates a side view of a vessel according to an embodiment.

Fig.2A illustrates a side view of a vessel according to an embodiment.

Fig.2B illustrates a cross sectional view of a vessel according to an

embodiment.

Fig.2C illustrates a cross sectional view of a vessel according to an

embodiment.

Fig.3 illustrates a dividing member according to an embodiment.

Fig.4 illustrates a system according to an embodiment.

Detailed description

The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided for thoroughness and completeness, and fully convey the scope of the invention to the skilled person. With the present invention, there is provided a vessel for use in cultivation of plants, which enables efficient irrigation of the plants with minimised nutrient and water losses, and efficient drainage of the vessel. With reference to figures 1 A and 1 B, a vessel 1 according to an embodiment will now be discussed. Figures 1 A and 1 B schematically illustrates the same vessel 1 for use in cultivation of plants, wherein figure 1 A illustrates the first side wall 2 and figure 2B illustrates the third side wall 4. In this example, the first and second side walls looks identical, and the third and fourth side walls look identical, why only the first and third side walls have been illustrated. Thus, the vessel 1 comprises a first side wall 2, and a second opposing side wall, a third side wall 4 and an opposing fourth side wall. The vessel further comprises a bottom portion 6, and a dividing member 8 arranged for dividing the vessel in an upper cultivation compartment 10 for containing of cultivation media, and a lower irrigation compartment 12 for containing of aqueous solution. In this example, the bottom portion 6 is a plate, although the bottom portion according to other embodiments may be, for example, a portion where the side walls meet. Although the dividing member is on the inside of the vessel 1 , the dividing member 8 is illustrated, as a dotted line, in figures 1A and 1 B to improve the understanding of the embodiment. The dividing member 8 further is arranged to allow communication of aqueous solution between the irrigation compartment 12 and the cultivation compartment 10, wherein the communication of water is realized by irrigation openings in the dividing member 8 and/or by at least one irrigation opening formed by a gap between the dividing member and anyone of the first, second, third, or fourth side walls. (Irrigation openings are not illustrated in figures 1 A and 1 B.) The irrigation compartment 12 comprises an inlet opening 14 for introduction of aqueous solution into the irrigation compartment, and an outlet opening (Not illustrated in figure 1 B) for allowing aqueous solution to leave the irrigation compartment 12, the vessel 1 thereby allowing aqueous solution to flow through the irrigation compartment 12 and communicate with the growing compartment 10. In the illustrated embodiment, the aqueous solution may enter the cultivation compartment 10, for example, by restricting the outflow of aqueous solution from the vessel 1 or by using a higher pressure of the inflowing aqueous solution.

With, reference to figures 2A to 2C a vessel 1 according to an embodiment is illustrated. Figure 2A illustrates the vessel 1 in a side view of the third side wall 4, figure 2B illustrates the vessel 1 in a cross sectional view along line 50 of figure 2A, and figure 2C illustrates the vessel 1 in a cross sectional view along line 52 illustrated in figure 2B. The vessel 1 comprises a first side wall 2, and a second opposing side wall 3, a third side wall 4 and an opposing fourth side wall 5, a bottom portion 6, and a dividing member 8. The dividing member 8 is arranged for dividing the vessel 1 in an upper cultivation compartment 10 for containing of cultivation media, and a lower irrigation compartment 12 for containing of aqueous solution, wherein the dividing member 8 further is arranged to allow communication of aqueous solution between the irrigation compartment 12 and the cultivation compartment 10, wherein the communication of water is realized by at least irrigation

openings 20a, 20b formed by a gap between the dividing member 8 and, in this example, at least the first and second side walls 2, 3. The gaps may be resulting from that the dividing member 8 does not form water tight seal with the side walls 2, 3, although the dividing member 8 further may have, for example recesses in the edges abutting the side walls, or have, for example, a wave shaped or otherwise non-straight edges abutting the side walls. The irrigation compartment 12 comprises an inlet opening 14 for introduction of aqueous solution into the irrigation compartment, and an outlet opening 16 for allowing aqueous solution to leave the irrigation compartment 12, the vessel 1 thereby allowing aqueous solution to flow through the irrigation

compartment 12 and communicate with the growing compartment 10.

Notably, at least one irrigation opening is formed by the gaps 20a, b between the dividing member 8 and the first and second side walls 2, 3 having mouths in the cultivation compartment. Further, it is noted that the gaps and mouths are located at a vertical level being lower than the lower most portion of the outlet and the inlet openings 14, 16 indicated by dotted line 22. Thus, when aqueous solution is fed into the vessel 1 , a level of the aqueous solution will form at least as high as this dotted line Y, as one result of the out flow being located at and above this line, and as one result of the gaps 20a, b. If aqueous solution, or water, is fed at higher pressure or if the out flow is restricted, or a combination of the two, the water level in the vessel may rise above the dotted line 22, and for example the entire cultivation compartment may be flooded with water if deemed desirable. With this arrangement, the water level is inside the cultivation compartment 10, and thus in contact with cultivation media there inside (cultivation media is not illustrated), thus efficient irrigation is provided. The growing media may be, for example, sand, soil, clay, inert particles, such as glass particles, or any other suitable material to cultivate plants in or combinations of anyone of these media. The dividing member 8 has a plate shaped portion 24 forming a major division between the cultivation compartment 10 and the irrigation

compartment 12, and support portions 26a, 26b, together abutting all of first, second, third and fourth side walls 2,3,4,5. As seen in figure 2a, the first and second side walls 2,3 extend in parallel to each other along a longitudinal direction of the vessel, and inclined towards each other towards the bottom portion 6. The outlet opening 16 and the inlet opening 14 are being provided with connection studs 28, 30 to facilitate efficient connections with, for example, aqueous solution supplying hoses or tubings. Thus, and further, one vessel may be connected in series and/or in parallel to at least one more vessel. It may further be noted that the vessel 1 illustrated in figures 2A-2C has lower portions of the third and fourth side walls 4, 5 being recessed such that outer ends of the connection studs 28, 30 are within a geometrical space formed by upper portions of the third and fourth side walls.

The third and fourth side walls 4, 5 may both extend parallel to a direction being orthogonal to the extension of the first and second side walls 2, 3, and both being inclined inwards towards the bottom portion 6.

The length of the vessel may be two meters or below, such one meter or below, for example 0.5 meter or below. The height of the vessel may be 1 meter or below, such as 0.5 meter or below, for example 0.25 meter or below. The width of the vessel may be 1 meter or below, such as 0.5 meter or below, for example 0.25 meter or below. For example, the length of the vessel may be one meter or below, the height of the vessel may be 0.5 meter or below, and the width of the vessel may be 0.5 meter or below.

With reference to figure 3, an embodiment of the dividing member used for the embodiment discussed with reference to figures 2a-2c will now be discussed. The dividing member 8 has a plate shaped portion 24 which when used forms a major division between the cultivation compartment 10 and the irrigation compartment 12, and support portions 26a, 26b, wherein the support portions 26a, 26b are adapted to abut one or more of the sidewalls 2,3,4,5 at a vertical position different from the vertical position of the plate shaped portion 24. It will be realized that the support portions 26a, 26b prevents unintentional rotation of the plate shaped portion 24. Further it is realized that the shape of the dividing member in combination with the shape of the vessel 1 as illustrated in figures 2a-2c efficiently positions the dividing member 8 and thus the plate shaped portion 24 at a predetermined height above the bottom portion 6 and, thus, efficiently provides an irrigation compartment 12 and a cultivation compartment 10. The vessel 1 and the dividing member may be made of, for example, polymer or sheet metal. It is realized that the communication of aqueous solution between the irrigation compartment 12 and the cultivation compartment 10 may be realized by simply placing the dividing member inside the vessel. The, thus formed gaps will allow such communication since the materials will not form a water tight seal when placed in contact. The communication may be further increased by providing the dividing member 8 with, for example, holes or pores. The outwardly directed flanges of the support portions 26a, 26b of the dividing member 8 is suitable for vessels 1 wherein the bottom portions of the third and fourth side walls 4,5 are recessed such that outer ends of the connection studs are within a geometrical space formed by upper portions of the third and fourth side walls 4,5. Further, such a shaped dividing member further efficiently provides vessels 1 , wherein the irrigation opening is having a mouth in the cultivation compartment, the mouth being located at a vertical level being lower than the lower most portion of the outlet opening, and/or wherein the irrigation opening is having a mouth in the cultivation compartment, the mouth being located at a vertical level being lower than the lower most portion of the inlet opening.

When used for cultivation for plants, the vessel 1 , such as the vessel 1 illustrated in figures 2a-2c, may have a cultivation compartment 10 comprising growing media such as soil with plants or seeds inside.

The vessel 1 may be connected to pipings supplying to the vessel an aqueous solution comprising water and, optionally, nutrients and/or any other suitable agent, and pipings allowing the aqueous solution to leave the vessel, as illustrated by the system 34 for use in cultivation of plants schematically illustrated in figure 4 in a side view. Although the vessels 1 a-11 are

schematically illustrated, they may be of the type illustrated with reference to figures 2a-2c. Typically, for efficient growing, a plurality of additional vessels, such two or more vessels, such as above 10, 100, or even a thousand vessel may be connected by pipings in series and or parallel. In the illustrated example, the vessels 1 a-11 are coupled in series by means of pipings or tubings 30, and the aqueous solution is pumped by the pump 32 in the tubings 30 with a flow direction indicated by the straight arrows of figure 4. Tank 36 provides a storage of aqueous solution, although it is realized that the system 34 may function without the tank 36. A suitable carrier or support system for carrying the vessels 1 a-11 may be used, although not illustrated in figure 4. In this example, the vessels 1 a-11 are positioned in four rows with three vessels 1 in each row. Nutrients or other agents may be added the system to the tank 36, or to the tubings 30.

A pump 32, or any other suitable flow generator, may be used to pump the fluid, although the system would also function with water pressurized by other means such as by originating from a tank or other container holding water at a higher altitude than the vessels. As the water by such means are circulated through the vessel(s) the soil would be soaked, at least the lower portion of the soil, which would give the plants or seeds access to the water. It may be beneficial and possible with the vessels of the invention, particularly if the area available for growing is limited or scarce, to position a plurality of vessels one on top of the other, as illustrated in figure 4, with suitable space between them, which space may be provided by supporting the vessels in suitable racks or shelves or any other such suitable means. For such a positioning the user would realize that vessels 1 with a V-shaped cross- section further benefits from that the vessel on top of the other does not shade the below vessel(s) as much as a vessel with rectangular cross-section might.

Advantages with the vessel and system according to embodiments include irrigation from the bottom of the vessel and the flow-through of aqueous solution, which minimizes losses of aqueous solution and any therein contained nutrients. Any aqueous solution not taken up by the cultivation media or plants in a vessel may, for example, be recycled to other vessels or to a aqueous solution containing tank. This is in contrast to for example systems using irrigation by means of drop hoses with which systems there is a risk of either over-feeding the plants with water or nutrients and resulting drainage of nutrients and water from the system to waste, or the risk of under irrigation of the plants such as, for example, if the dropwise added water to a great extent is evaporated from the surface to which it is added before being contacted with roots of the cultivated plants.

Further advantages with the flow-through system include that the concentration of nutrients in the aqueous solution may be altered and presented to the vessel, at any time, such as, for example, by adding nutrients to a feed line upstream the vessel in order to increase the amount of nutrients fed to the vessel. Alternatively water may be added to the feed line upstream the vessel in order to decrease the concentration of nutrients in the aqueous solution and thus decrease the amount of nutrients fed to the vessel. Aqueous solution may further be recycled through the vessel(s) until the nutrient uptake by plants cultivated in the vessels have decreased the concentration of nutrients in the aqueous solution to a point where it is determined that an addition of nutrients to the recirculated aqueous solution is deemed appropriate. Water may also be added to the recirculated aqueous solution, for example for compensating for water uptake by the plants or any loss of water. It is further realized that not only nutrients may be added to the aqueous solution, but also, any compound, formulation or agent suitable for the cultivation of the plants. Further, low pressure may be used for circulating the aqueous solution through the irrigation compartment(s) of one or more vessels, as one result of the inlet opening and the outlet opening may be kept sufficiently large not to provide a large pressure drop, although it is possible to use higher pressure, for example, if the level of the surface of the aqueous solution is elevated to the cultivation compartment by restricting the outlet.

Additionally, even though the invention has been described with reference to specific exemplifying embodiments thereof, many different alterations, modifications and the like will become apparent for those skilled in the art. Variations to the disclosed embodiments may be understood and effected by the skilled addressee in practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. Furthermore, in the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality.