Field of the invention The present invention relates to a soilless cultivation apparatus for growing a plant from a seed.

Background of the invention Gardening is becoming increasingly popular as society moves towards growing their own plants, whether for food or decorative purposes. Typically, seeds are first sowed by being sprinkled on or buried in potting soil. The germination of the seeds relies on factors such as temperature, moisture, and air, and as such sowed seeds are usually kept in a container indoors to ensure favourable conditions.

As the seeds start to grow and sprout into established seedlings, the seedlings are transplanted out of the container and into a different location, such as a larger pot or in an outdoor bed. However, as the seedlings were raised indoors under protected conditions, the seedlings are introduced to a process known as 'hardening off, a period of seedling acclimatization to outdoor conditions. Various factors such as the hardening off period, the stage of growth at which transplanting takes place, the weather conditions during transplanting, and treatment immediately after transplanting play an important role in ensuring the growth of the seedling into a healthy, blooming plant.

The many factors which influence the outcome of the growth of the seedling requires dedication and effort and is altogether a time consuming activity, which can be a deterrent for those interested in growing their own plants but have limited spare time. It was discovered in the 19 ^th century that plants require essential elements for growth and reproduction. In natural conditions, soil acts as a reservoir for the essential elements, with the soil itself not actually being essential to plant growth, and unnecessary for plants to thrive. Instead, the essential minerals are absorbed by the soil when dissolved in water, with the same essential minerals capable of being absorbed by plants when dissolved in water alone. By 1859 - 1875, botanists Julius von Sachs and Wilhelm Knop developed the technique of soilless cultivation, terming what is known as hydroponics today. US 4,179,846 A discloses a device for growing a plant, comprising a soil container made of soil or mixture of plant growing material fitted to a surrounding member. The surrounding member extends into a liquid tray, providing a confined air space below the bottom of the soil container and above the liquid level, providing 100% humidity. However, the air space and humidity is quoted as essential for effective exchange of gases in the above patent document, thus rendering the device ineffective if the humidity level was decreased.

US 5,533,299 A discusses a soilless plant growing system, consisting of tubes filled with growing medium with seeds planted within. The top of the tube is wet, and after a predetermined amount of days, deposited and extended into a storage container filled with nutrient solution. As the seedling grows, the roots spread into the solution, providing the seedling with the necessary nutrition. The growing nutrients added into the storage container are specific to the type of plant to be grown.

However, effort and time is still required by a user in order to operate the growing system above. The nutrient solution filled in the storage container is formed by mixing water and nutrients specific to the type of plant being grown, implicitly indicating that users are responsible for ensuring that the right ratio of nutrient to water is mixed in the nutrient solution, apart from having to physically prepare the solution itself. Moreover, as the growing nutrients added are specific to the type of plant being grown, different types of growing nutrients need to be purchased if the user wishes to grow different types of plants, which can be expensive and cost inefficient.

Similarly, US 20090151248 A1 relates to a gardening appliance which is capable of providing water, photoradiation and/or plant nutrients with little to no maintenance by the user, but does not appear to be cost efficient as the complete system of the gardening appliance is required in order for the plant to grow. There is therefore a need for a gardening apparatus which is cost, time, and space efficient to cater to those interested in gardening but with limited spare time.

Summary of the invention

An object of the present invention is to provide a single-step gardening apparatus which enables a seed to grow into a plant without requiring transplanting. Another object of the present invention is to provide a gardening apparatus which is cost and space efficient.

A further object of the present invention provides a method for gardening which is hassle free and requires minimal effort from its user.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a gardening apparatus and method which is suitable for all levels of gardening experience.

These and other objects, which will be apparent throughout the description, are achieved through an apparatus for growing a plant from a seed. In an embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus is in the form of a capsule, comprising a top, a sidewall, and a base which define a cavity for holding a first growing medium within the capsule. The capsule is liquid permeable and allows the passage of liquid through the capsule and into the cavity.

The apparatus additionally comprises a sheet receivable by the capsule. The sheet, having at least an aperture, supports the seed and a second growing medium and further separates the first growing medium from the second growing medium. Advantageously, utilisation of the sheet allows the cavity of the capsule to contain at least two different types of unmixed growing medium within.

The present invention further relates to a method for growing a plant from a seed utilising the apparatus as described herein. Particularly, the apparatus is a liquid- permeable capsule capable of the passage of liquid, and comprises a top, sidewall, and base defining a cavity.

The method comprises filling the cavity with a first growing medium, planting the seed in a second growing medium on a sheet receivable by the capsule, extending the apparatus in a reservoir capable of containing liquid, and placing the reservoir at a light source. As the seed begins to germinate, the roots of the seed will grow downwards into the cavity where the first growing medium fosters stronger root formation, while the seed sprouts a plant.

Brief description of the drawings Figure 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the capsule according to the present invention.

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the capsule of the preferred embodiment according to the present invention.

Figure 3 is a perspective bottom view of the preferred embodiment of the capsule according to the present invention. Figure 4 is a magnified view of the preferred embodiment of the capsule from the top according to the present invention.

Figure 5 is a magnified view of the preferred embodiment of the capsule from the bottom according to the present invention.

Detailed description of the invention

The present invention will now be described in a more detailed manner in connection with the accompanying figures of the preferred embodiment. However, the present disclosure is not intended to limit the invention to the precise forms as disclosed, but rather, done so that the disclosure is thorough and complete. The present invention relates to an apparatus for growing a plant from a seed, generally comprising a liquid permeable capsule for holding a first growing medium and a sheet receivable by the capsule for supporting a second growing medium and the seed. Advantageously, the sheet separates the layer of the first growing medium from the layer of the second growing medium and seed, allowing for different types of growing media to be utilised in the present invention to ensure optimal growth of the plant.

An embodiment of the invention is shown in Figures 1 to 5, in the form of a capsule 10 having a top, a sidewall, and a base which define a cavity 40. With particular reference to Figures 1 to 3, the capsule 10 is conical in shape and tapers in size from the top to the base of the capsule 10. A plurality of apertures 16 is present on the base and sidewall of the capsule 10 to allow the passage of liquid through the capsule 10. The capsule 10 of the present embodiment comprises a supporting member 20, in the form of an annular flange, extending inwardly from the sidewall of the capsule 10 and located at or nearby the top of the capsule 10. A sheet 30 is receivable by the capsule 10 by resting on and being supported by the supporting member 20 so that eventual growth of roots from the seed can grow downwards into the cavity 40 of the capsule 10. The capsule 10 also comprises engaging members 22 which protrude inwardly from the sidewall at a distance apart and above the supporting member 20. Engaging members 22 cooperate with the supporting member 20 by securely engaging the sheet 30 to the supporting member 20 by acting as a stopper which prevents, or at least reduces, the chances of the sheet 30 being inadvertently separated from the supporting member 20, and subsequently the capsule 10. The sheet 30 can be separated from the supporting member 20 when force is applied to the sheet 30 in an upward motion, causing the sheet to tilt and disengage from the engaging members 22.

The sheet 30 as disclosed and illustrated in the figures comprises a recess 32 for holding the second growing medium and the seed. An aperture 36a is present in the middle of the recess 32 to enable the downward growth of a primary root of the seed into the cavity 40. Additional apertures 36b are also present on the side of the recess 32 for allowing secondary or lateral roots of the seed to grow through, anchoring the plant body to the sheet 30. Further, apertures 38 are provided on the sheet 30 to aid with humidity and gaseous exchange of the capsule 10. It is important that apertures 38 are present near the surface, or the plant may otherwise be stunted in growth.

Figures 4 and 5 illustrate the present embodiment in a magnified top and bottom view. The apertures 16, 36a, 36b, 38 present on the recess 32 and capsule 10 can vary in size and number, but ideally should not be large enough that the selected growing media is able to fall through. Since the presence of apertures 16 on the capsule allow the passage of liquid through the capsule, the capsule 10 may be made of any impermeable material, such as plastic for example, enabling the capsule to be reused after the growth and harvest of the plant to reduce the costs involved and reduce waste. In alternative form, the capsule does not comprise apertures 16, but rather, or at least a portion of the capsule, is made of permeable material, which allow the passage of liquid into the capsule. In alternative form, the apparatus comprises a detachable seal for sealing the capsule.

In alternative form, the sheet does not comprise a recess, but has a flat surface on which growing medium and the seed are deposited.

In alternative form, the sheet comprises additional apertures which are snap- fittingly received by the engaging members. The engaging members protrude upwards from the sidewall or the supporting member, such that the inadvertent separation of the sheet from the capsule is reduced.

In alternative form, the sheet is pivotably connected to the sidewall through the use of a rod, screw, or any of the like.

In alternative form, the sheet comprises a vertical member extending upwards from the sheet for providing additional support to the plant. In an example of this form, a vertical member extending from the sheet and surrounding the recess 32 provides the growing plant with additional support to prevent the plant from falling off the sheet. The diameter of the vertical member can vary, such as be adjusted to surround the entire sheet instead, to cater to larger plants or sheets which do not comprise a recess.

This invention further provides a method for growing a plant from a seed using a capsule 10 capable of the passage of liquid as previously described herein above. Particularly, the capsule is liquid permeable and comprises a top, sidewall, and a base defining a cavity 40 within the capsule. The capsule is further configured to be able to receive a sheet 30. The method comprises filling the cavity 40 of the capsule 10 with a first growing medium, planting the seed in a second growing medium on the sheet 30 receivable by the capsule, extending the capsule 10 into a reservoir configured to contain liquid, and placing the reservoir at a light source. The reservoir may be in any form, and can comprise a tray, a pot, a container, or any object configurable to hold liquid.

For enhancing the growth of the plant, it is preferred that the liquid comprises water soluble minerals and/or nutrients.

When the capsule 10 is extended into liquid, liquid passes through the capsule into the cavity 40, and is absorbed by the first growing medium. It will be appreciated while that the capsule does not have to be extended into any specific liquid level in the reservoir, it is preferred that at least 1 cm from the base of the capsule reaches the liquid level. Further, it is also preferred that the liquid level does not exceed half of the body of the capsule 10. Absorption of the liquid increases the humidity in the cavity, which subsequently moistens the second growing medium, in which the seed is planted, on the sheet 30 above the first growing medium. The top of the capsule can optionally be covered when the capsule 10 is first extended into liquid to increase the humidity within the capsule. However, given that different types of seeds germinate at different rates, the top of the capsule is preferably covered for not longer than 24 hours. The capsule should be placed at a light source, if not already, once the top of the capsule is removed.

Over time, the seed imbibes liquid and starts to expand as the seed prepares to germinate. The seed grows roots and once the roots are established, a small plant will begin to emerge, breaking through the second growing medium. Aperture 36a on the sheet 30 allows the primary root of the seed to grow downwards into cavity 40 towards the base of the capsule, while secondary or lateral roots of the seed grows and anchors to the sheet 30 through apertures 36b to support the plant to the sheet 30. It should be appreciated that no further action is required by the user and the plant can continue to grow over time until the user deems it appropriate for the plant to be harvested. Beneficially, this method as described is able to provide the seed with all its required elements for growing into a plant with minimal effort from its user.

The first growing medium primarily functions to provide liquid to the plant and as a rooting medium for fostering stronger root formation and improving aeration in the cavity, while the second growing medium functions as a germinating medium for aiding with the germination of the seed. As such, the first and second growing medium can be selected from any or a combination comprising perlite, vermiculite, expanded polystyrene, sand, rice hulls, peat moss, bagasse, calcined clays and sand, silica, or any other known growing medium for the optimum growth of the plant.

The same growing medium can be selected as both the first and second growing medium, but should vary in size, as the function of the first and second growing media differ. For example, if perlite is desired, then the size of the perlite filling the cavity of the capsule should be larger in size than the size of the perlite deposited on the sheet to provide better circulation and aeration in the cavity. Better support is also provided to the roots of the plant to cultivate healthy, strong roots. It will be appreciated that the present invention allows for the growth of a seed to a plant using as little as 30 ml of growing medium in the present embodiment. This highlights the effectiveness of the present embodiment in growing a plant from a seed, as the margin for error is exceptionally small. The use of the small amount of growing medium also implicitly indicates that the present embodiment is able to lower the costs involved and reduce unnecessary wastage as much as possible. Advantageously, the embodiment of the present invention also allows for the growth of a seed into a plant in a soilless environment. As such, transplanting of the seedling is not required, thus allowing a user to avoid the multiple factors which are time and effort consuming which affect and limit the growth success of the plant during the transplanting period. Rather, the embodiment requires minimal to no maintenance, and is able to thrive as long the plant receives adequate liquid and light. For example, the capsule can be placed into a tray filled with water and placed by a windowsill or a light source. No additional physical effort is required by the user in ensuring that the seed blooms into a plant.

As a result, the simplicity in growing a plant according to the present embodiment of the invention is suitable for users of all ages with varying levels of gardening experiences.

The embodiment of the present invention also allows for the growth of a plant indoors, as the embodiment may vary in size, requiring minimal space. This is especially beneficial for those working in offices and those living in levelled buildings with minimal land. Advantageously, the growth of the plant indoors further reduces the risk of the plant being infected by diseases or pests.

Some examples of the types of plants which will benefit from the present embodiment comprise leafy and fruit vegetables, but should not be limited to as such.