• 专利附录
  • 专利说明
  • 权利要求
  • 类似技术
  • 同族专利
  • 引用文献
  • 法律状态
  • 优先权
    • 专利摘要:
    Device for administering a fluid to one or more substrate bodies provided with a plant, comprising a frame; - at least one mounting location provided on the frame for one or more substrate bodies provided with a plant rooting therein, the substrate body having an upper surface, and - at least one fluid device placed at the mounting location for forcing the fluid into the substrate body, up to one or more locations below the upper surface of the substrate body, wherein the fluid device comprises at least one fluid dispenser, at least one fluid source and an fluid conduit disposed therebetween, and press pressure means for supplying a dose of fluid to the fluid dispenser under press pressure.
    公开号:NL1042150A
    申请号:NL1042150
    申请日:2016-11-18
    公开日:2017-06-07
    发明作者:Stolze Martin
    申请人:M Stolze Holding B V；
    IPC主号:
    专利说明:

    Device for treating substrate bodies provided with plants
    BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
    Substrate bodies provided with a plant may exist in the form of plant pots, namely pots filled with a substrate which forms a substrate body with pores and comprises a plant rooted in the substrate body. Plant pots can occur as an item to be handled separately or kept as a group in a tray. Planted substrate bodies, with pores, can also exist in the form of so-called press balls, pressed balls or blocks of substrate, in particular soil in which a plant is rooted, without encapsulation. These can be offered in groups or as a separate item. Furthermore, they can occur in clumps of groups, included in receiving spaces of trays, as so-called seed trays.
    They are transported from nurseries to places of sale, possibly with the intervention of temporary storage. The substrate may, for example, be ground-like, such as potting soil, grains (such as clay grains) or fibers (such as bark fibers, peat fibers, coconut fibers, rock wool fibers) or may have a more form-retaining shape, such as in
    Polyurethane foam. Growth substances may have been added. The substrate body can be composed of layers of different types, such as a layer of PU foam and above it a layer of potting soil. The pots themselves are generally made of plastic, such as polyethylene or polypropylene.
    To maintain the quality of the plants or plants, the roots of the plants must have sufficient water and nutrients. It is common to do that by spraying the plants from above. A disadvantage of this is that some plant flowers, such as roses and orchids, can discolour in UV light. Another disadvantage of this is that some leaves can cause fungal growth on the leaves. Another disadvantage is that the environment becomes very moist, which can be difficult for the working conditions of the personnel present. Another disadvantage is that the upper surface of the substrate body is not sufficiently permeable to water or can seal shut. The result of this is that there is uncertainty about the shelf life of the plants.
    In sales conditions, the plants will therefore not be able to be offered for sale for a sufficient period of time. Regularly the stock of plants offered will have to be checked for quality and bad specimens will have to be removed. This constitutes a loss item and a cost item.
    SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
    It is an object of the invention to provide a device and a method with which the shelf life of substrate bodies intended for sale can be promoted.
    An object of the invention is to provide a device and a method with which the shelf life of substrate bodies intended for sale can be controlled to a large extent.
    From one aspect the invention provides a device for administering a fluid to substrate bodies provided with a plant, comprising a frame; - at least one mounting location provided on the frame for one or more substrate bodies provided with a plant rooting therein, the substrate body having an upper surface, and - at least one fluid device placed at the mounting location for forcing the fluid into the substrate body, up to one or a plurality of locations below the upper surface of the substrate body, wherein the fluid device comprises at least one fluid dispenser, a fluid source and a fluid conduit disposed therebetween, as well as press pressure means for supplying a dose of fluid to the fluid dispenser under press pressure.
    By forcing the dose of fluid into the substrate body, all of the fluid is actually introduced into the substrate body, in a known amount. Deviations in shelf life will be limited within a batch of the same plants or plants. The environment of the installation site is hardly influenced during the introduction of the fluid.
    Fluid is here understood to mean a non-gaseous, non-granular pumpable material, in particular water-containing and / or water-absorbing and discharging material, which is liquid (water) or can be deformed sufficiently for pumping, such as a hydrogel.
    The discharge pressure means may comprise a fluid pump, such as a hose pump, a membrane pump or a plunger pump. A hose pump has, among other things, the advantage of a stepless operation, whereby coordination of the dose to be delivered to different plants is promoted. Furthermore, a hose pump can exert a kneading action on the fluid. A plunger pump can be advantageous if one type of plant is treated with a fixed dose.
    In one embodiment there are at least two fluid dispensers, which can be arranged on opposite sides of the installation site. This increases capacity. Furthermore, this may be advantageous from the point of view of stability of the substrate body to be treated, if it can be handled separately, such as in the case of a plant pot, during the treatment. Furthermore, this can be favorable for the distribution of the fluid in the substrate body.
    In one embodiment, the fluid dispenser is arranged for delivery of the fluid through the upper surface of the substrate body. If leaves limit the accessibility of the upper surface too much, the device may further be provided with means for displacing plant parts relative to the substrate body for exposing the upper surface.
    In an alternative embodiment, the fluid dispenser is arranged for delivery of the fluid through a side surface of the substrate body, in the case of a plant pot through the side wall of the pot. Walls of nursery pots are generally quite thin and easily pierceable with a perforating tool.
    In another alternative embodiment, the fluid dispenser is arranged for delivery of the fluid through the bottom surface of the substrate body, in the case of a plant pot through the bottom wall of the pot, or in the case of a sowing tray through the bottom thereof. This can be done through the wall material itself, such as at the side wall, or through holes that are often provided in pot bottom walls.
    The preferred feed direction may depend on the type and stage of growth of the plant and its root system, as well as the appearance of the substrate body. For high pots, it may be desirable, for example, to go through the side wall, since the insertion path from the top could be so long that it would take too much time.
    In one embodiment, the fluid dispenser is arranged for introducing the fluid into the substrate body in a direction, which direction makes a positive, in particular sharp, angle with the horizontal. The fluid dispenser can be arranged on the frame with adjusting means for adjusting the angle. This allows for tuning to plant species and growth stage.
    In the case of insertion via the upper surface, the angle can be greater than 45 degrees, for example in the range of 60-80 degrees with respect to the horizontal.
    In the case of insertion via the side face or the pot side wall, the angle can be less than 45 degrees, in particular less than 20 degrees, in particular about 10 degrees.
    The fluid dispenser is adjustable in height in an embodiment.
    The process of forcing the fluid dose into the substrate body is promoted if the fluid dispenser comprises a syringe.
    The syringe may be an injector comprising an injector needle having a distal end, the injector comprising means for moving the distal end of the needle into the substrate body and retrieving said distal end free of the substrate body.
    In particular in the aforementioned case of insertion via the pot wall or tray wall, the needle may have a sharp distal end for penetration of the pot wall.
    The needle may be closed at the distal end surface facing the substrate to prevent clogging during penetration, the needle then being provided with oblique or radially directed delivery openings near that end surface.
    In a high-capacity embodiment, the device according to the invention comprises a conveyor for transporting to and / or from the installation site of the substrate bodies provided with a plant, in particular a conveyor transported through the installation site, such as a belt conveyor. For positioning one or more substrate bodies provided with a plant at the location, the device can be provided with one or more stoppers that can be brought onto and out of the path of the one or more plant bodies provided with a plant on the conveyor. The stoppers can be retractable in a direction with a directional component parallel to the direction of removal of the substrate bodies from the mounting location. The withdrawal of the stoppers can then coincide with further transport, so that speed can be gained
    In the aforementioned case of two fluid dispensers arranged on opposite sides, these can be arranged on either side of the conveyor. They may be directed in respective vertical planes that are transverse to the conveying direction of the conveyor at the location of installation. Alternatively, they may be arranged for introduction into the substrate body in respective directions, each having a horizontal directional component coinciding with the conveying direction of the conveyor at the location of installation, in particular also having a horizontal directional component that is transverse to the conveying direction. Because the fluid dispensers, in particular injectors, thereby extend to a greater or lesser extent in the transport direction of the substrate body, it is possible to cause the retraction of the fluid dispensers from the substrate body to coincide with the transport of the treated substrate body away from the set-up location. speed and capacity.
    With the fluid dispenser it may in the first place be intended to dispense water with a dynamic viscosity of the order of magnitude of 1 mPa.s at 20 degrees C. The fluid source will then be filled with water. This can be a reservoir or a pipe connected to the water pipe network, in particular using a pressurized water system, to increase the pressure, for example to 3-4 bar.
    Alternatively or additionally, with a view to increasing the water absorption capacity and / or extended availability of water in the substrate body, a pumpable hydrogel, in particular liquid hydrogel, can be introduced into the substrate body to be treated. It is known to mix hydrogel granules with substrate, in particular potting soil. This is especially for plant pots that have to be cumbersome to transport, because the substrate must then be replaced and, moreover, plants can be damaged thereby. According to the invention, the device can be used for administering pumpable hydrogel. In one embodiment, said pump is also a means to reduce the viscosity of the hydrogel, thereby promoting pumpability and making the hydrogel to behave more like a liquid.
    In one embodiment, the device according to the invention comprises a fluid device with a fluid dispenser for pumpable hydrogel and for water, wherein the fluid dispenser can be selectively brought into fluid communication with the source of hydrogel and with the water source.
    In an alternative embodiment, the device comprises a first fluid device with at least one fluid dispenser for water and a second fluid device with at least one fluid dispenser for hydrogel.
    In both embodiments, fluid dispensers can be located on opposite sides of the location. Thus, for example, first a dose of water can be introduced from one side, and then a dose of hydrogel from the other side.
    It is also possible to provide an installation site for both fluid devices mentioned. In the case of the aforementioned conveyor, the fluid dispenser of one fluid device, preferably the first fluid device, may be positioned upstream of the fluid dispenser of the other fluid device, preferably the second fluid device, viewed in the transport direction of the conveyor. A double embodiment is also advantageous here, wherein the first and / or the second fluid device have two fluid dispensers arranged on either side of the conveyor.
    The fluid dispensers can be of multiple design, to treat several substrate bodies simultaneously, such as in the case of plant pot trays or seed trays.
    In an embodiment the device according to the invention is provided with a control unit for controlling the fluid device (s), the possible conveyor, the possible stoppers for the substrate bodies, etc. The control unit may be provided with means for adjusting the dose of fluid to be delivered. The control unit may be provided with means for determining the amount of fluid actually delivered
    From a further aspect, the invention provides a device for administering a fluid to one or more substrate bodies provided with a plant, comprising a frame; -at least one mounting location provided on the frame for one or more substrate bodies provided with a plant rooting therein, the substrate body having an upper surface, and -at least one fluid device placed at the mounting location for dispensing the fluid within the substrate body, on one or more a plurality of locations below the upper surface of the substrate body, wherein the fluid device comprises a fluid dispenser, a fluid source and a fluid conduit disposed therebetween, as well as press pressure means for supplying a dose of fluid to the fluid dispenser under press pressure.
    From one aspect, the invention provides an apparatus for applying a fluid to one or more substrate bodies provided with a plant, comprising a frame; - at least one mounting location provided on the frame for one or more substrate bodies provided with a plant rooting therein, the substrate body having an upper surface, and - at least one fluid device placed at the mounting location for forcing the fluid into the substrate body, to one or more locations below the upper surface of the substrate body, wherein the fluid device comprises at least one fluid dispenser, a fluid source and an fluid conduit therebetween, and means for supplying fluid to the fluid dispenser and delivering the fluid into the substrate body.
    From a further aspect, the invention provides a method for applying a fluid to one or more substrate bodies provided with a plant rooted therein, wherein each substrate body has an upper surface, the substrate bodies provided with one or more substrate rooted therein being placed on an installation site, after which the fluid is delivered in a predetermined dose under pressure to the relevant substrate body at one or more locations below the upper surface of the substrate body; after which the substrate body is removed from the installation site.
    The dose can easily be determined in coordination with the plant and the substrate body.
    In one embodiment, the dose of fluid is delivered from a syringe, in particular injector with injector needle, which is forced from a position outside the substrate body with the needle end into the substrate body and is withdrawn therefrom after dispensing the fluid dose.
    As discussed earlier, depending on what is best for the relevant plant pots, the fluid dose can be introduced through the top surface, through a side surface, in particular through the pot side wall, or through the bottom surface, in particular the tray bottom wall or the pot bottom wall.
    In one embodiment, the one or more substrate bodies on a conveyor, such as a belt conveyor, are moved to the set-up location and thereby moved away again, preferably in the same conveying direction.
    The fluid dose may comprise a dose of pumpable, in particular liquid, hydrogel. In one embodiment, both an amount of water is released and an amount of hydrogel. In one embodiment, a dose of water is delivered to the substrate body prior to the introduction of the hydrogel, according to a process of the invention. The introduced water and the introduced hydrogel can form two reserves of moisture for the substrate body / plant. The plant can first use the water and then the moisture from the hydrogel. With the dose of water, a dry substrate body can, as it were, be pre-moistened, which may be beneficial for the effectiveness of the hydrogel.
    In particular in the case of water delivery, the delivered dose can be monitored with a flow meter. If a pressurized water system is used, the flow to the needle can be closed when noticing the flow of the desired volume with a valve controlled by the control unit.
    The dose of water and the dose of hydrogel can be introduced into the substrate body from either side of the installation site. Alternatively, the water is introduced into the substrate body at the location of a first installation location and the hydrogel introduced into the substrate body at the location of a second installation location downstream thereof in the transport direction. In this case, the transport time required for the displacement from the first installation location to the second installation location can be utilized for the distribution of the water and / or the action of the water on the substrate body.
    In one embodiment, fluid is delivered with at least two injector needles which are urged into the substrate body in directions having opposite directional components, the two injector needles preferably being inserted into and preferably pulled out of the substrate body simultaneously. The two injector needles can work from either side of the conveyor.
    As noted earlier, capacity can be promoted if the injector needles are urged into the substrate body according to directions having a directional component in the conveying direction of the conveyor.
    In one embodiment, the method according to the invention is carried out or the device according to the invention is adapted to the treatment of plant pots, in one embodiment a series of separately to be handled plant pots. In another embodiment, the method according to the invention is carried out for, or the device according to the invention is tuned to, treatment of a group of plant pots supported by a tray, for example 3x2 plant pots, wherein a left-hand plant pot is always accessible for a fluid dispenser is accessible on one side of the installation site and a right-hand plan pot for a fluid dispenser on the opposite side of the installation site. In the case of single fluid dispensers, the tray can be moved one pot place after each delivery. In the case of multiple arrangement of fluid dispensers, for example 3 on each side, such a tray can be treated in one stroke.
    In one embodiment, the method according to the invention is carried out or the device according to the invention is adapted to the treatment of so-called press balls, pressed balls or blocks of substrate, in particular soil in which a plant is rooted, without encapsulation. These can be treated in a somewhat larger clod size, just like plant pots, in series as separate items, or, in smaller clod sizes, can be supplied in groups to the at least one set-up location.
    In one embodiment, the method according to the invention is carried out for, or the device according to the invention is adapted to, treating groups of clumps each carrying a plant rooted therein and accommodated in receiving spaces of trays, such as so-called sowing trays.
    The aspects and measures described in this description and claims of the application and / or shown in the drawings of this application can, where possible, also be applied separately from each other. These individual aspects can be the subject of split-off patent applications that are aimed at this. This applies in particular to the measures and aspects that are described per se in the subclaims.
    BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
    The invention will be elucidated on the basis of a number of exemplary embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings. Shown is:
    Figures 1A and 1B show an end view and a top view, respectively, of an example of a device according to the invention;
    Figures 2A-C show a number of stages in the use of the device of figures 1A and 1B, respectively in top view and in end view; and
    Figure 3 shows a top view of a device according to the invention that is designed in duplicate.
    DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
    The device 1 in figures 1A and 1B comprises a frame 2 and a belt conveyor 3 extending therethrough, which is driven in the direction D. On both sides of the conveyor track formed thereby, two screens 30a, b are arranged on the frame 2. Inside the screens 30a, b, pot guides 4a, b are arranged on either side of the conveyor track, supported in a parallelogram manner by bars 28a, b, the angle of which is adjustable in the horizontal plane so that the pot guides 4a, b in directions F can be moved towards each other and away from each other to adjust the width of the passage S, adjusted to the diameter of the plant pots to be treated, so that they are centered on the belt conveyor. Alternatively, it is also possible to use, instead of the guides 4a, b on an upstream part of the conveyor 3, a guide which can be adjusted transversely to the conveyor, against which the flat pots can find abutment in a centered position on the belt conveyor.
    Also arranged on either side of the conveyor track are two pot stoppers 21 a, b, the angle β of which is adjustable, for adjustment to the pot size, and which each comprise a pneumatic cylinder 22a, b with a piston rod 23a, b expandable / retractable in directions C and are connected via hose 25a, 26a and 25b, 26b to a compressed air source (not shown). The distal ends 24a, b of the piston rods 23a, b form stops for a plant pot.
    Two cylinders 9a, b are provided on the frame 2 on either side, at a higher position. They are mounted on vertical plates 16a, b placed in top view at an angle (here 90 degrees) with respect to the transport direction D, which plates are optionally adjustable in position height (see the vertical slots), and which are provided with circle segment-shaped adjusting slots 17a, b for set screws 18a, b. The set screws 18a, b are mounted on ends of the pneumatic cylinders 9a, b, the other ends of which are fixed at the location of hinges 27a, b on the plates 16a, b, whereby the cylinders 9a, b can rotate in directions B and in position in sharp angle α are adjustable.
    The cylinders 9a, b comprise piston rods 10a, b expandable / retractable in directions A and are connected to a compressed air source (not shown) via hoses 14a, 15a and 14b, 15b. Fluid dispensers 8a, b are attached to the distal ends of the piston rods 10a, b. These include needle holders 13a, b with hollow needles 11a, b with closed, sharp distal ends 12a, b, wherein a number of laterally directed delivery holes are provided shortly (for example 1 cm) behind the closed end surface in the peripheral wall of the needle. The needle holders 13a, b are connected via hoses 7a, b to a pump 6, for example, in particular for hydrogel, a hose pump or a membrane pump, for pumping, pressing, of fluid from a reservoir 5 kept under overpressure by hoses 7a , b, to the needles 11a, b, so that a dose of liquid can be delivered therefrom under the pressure.
    In the figure, the needles 11a, b are movable back in a vertical plane that is transverse to the transport direction D. In another embodiment, the needles are movable back and forth in vertical planes which are at an (acute) angle γ with the transport direction D, as schematically indicated in Figure 1B.
    Below the cylinder 9a or 9b a photocell (not shown) is arranged, which is directed transversely to notice the presence of a plant pot, in the bottom region of the pots.
    The pneumatic operation of the cylinders 9a, b and 22a, b and the operation of the belt 3 is controlled from a central control unit 100, which is programmable. The control can be adjusted to the pot height and the pot diameter, as well as the desired stroke length of the needles 11a, b. The angles α and β can be adjusted manually as well as the distance S. In one embodiment, the aforementioned angle γ can be adjusted, for example with rotation about a vertical hinge line of the plates on which the cylinders 9a, b are arranged.
    Furthermore, the central, programmable control unit 100 controls the pump 6, and the size of the fluid to be delivered can be entered therein.
    The cylinders 9a, b and the operating means therefor, the fluid dispensers 8a, b, the pump 6 and the supply 5 form part of fluid device 40, in this case provided with two fluid dispensers for the same fluid.
    In operation, the plant pots P which are almost completely filled with a substrate body L, in this example potting soil body L in which a plant V is rooted, are fed one after the other onto the belt conveyor 3 in the direction D. The central control unit 100 is preceding this adjusted to the relevant plant pots and the desired treatment.
    In Figure 2A, the plant pot P has arrived between the guides 4a, b. The piston rods 23a, b are expanded to hold the plant pot P, centered with respect to the fluid dispensers 8a, b, at the installation location I on the belt 3 with the pot stops 24a, b.
    In figure 2B the plant pot P has arrived against the stops 24a, b and is at the mounting location I. The photocell has noticed the plant pot P. If the pots have rough bottoms, the setting may be such that, based on that comment, the control unit 100 stops the belt 3. This will not be necessary if the bottoms of the pots are smooth. Based on the remark by the photocell, the control unit 100 provides for actuation of the cylinders 9a, b to expand the needles 11a, b and to penetrate the potting soil body L via the upper surface thereof, for example up to 1/3 of the height of the potting soil body below that upper surface. The depth at which the needle ends 12a, b are brought depends on, among other things, the root structure and the type of plant, as well as the further plans with the relevant pot plant, such as the length of the periods of storage, transport and sale and the circumstances in those periods .
    As soon as the needle ends 12a, b have been brought into the correct position, the control unit 100 activates the pump 6, whereby a set dose of fluid is pumped via lines 7a, b to the needles 11a, b, and is injected into needle ends 12a, b the potting soil body L, see figure 2C. Immediately after the dose is delivered, the cylinders 9a, b are operated to retract the needles 11a, b so that the needle ends 12a, b are free from the plant pot P, including plant V. Prior to this, the cylinders 22a, b are operated to bringing stops 24a, b out of the transport path of the plant pot P. If the conveyor belt has stopped, the stops may have been retracted earlier.
    Because needles penetrate into the potting soil body from opposite sides and are also pulled therefrom, there can be a horizontal balance of forces in a vertical plane transverse to the conveying direction D. Furthermore, a distribution of the fluid in the potting soil body is hereby promoted. When inserting the needles from either side, the plant pot will be able to remain in place viewed in the transverse direction.
    If the needles are preset at a aforementioned angle γ, they extend with a directional component in the direction D, so that it can be advantageous to continue the transport in the direction D already during the withdrawal of the needles.
    The plant pot P is further transported by conveyor 3 in the direction D, to a place of reception in a transport cart, for transport to a place of storage or sale. The cylinders 23a, b are operated again immediately after the passage of the plant pot P to form a stop for a next plant pot P.
    The supply of plant pots P can be controlled, so that with each release of a fluid-treated plant pot, a following plant pot P arrives within the guides 4a, b.
    The fluid that can be dispensed in this example is, for example, low-viscosity liquid, such as water, for example in a dose of 2x 75 ml in 1 second, for 1 liter of potting soil. In that case, the pump 6 can be simple, such as a plunger pump.
    The device may be adapted for delivery from the needle ends 12a, b of a certain dose of hydrogel. This is sufficiently flowable, in particular liquefied / held for pumping, pressing to and delivery from the needles 11a, b. The pump can thereby be used, such as a hose pump, to lower the viscosity as a result of a kneading action on the gel. It is also possible to envisage influencing the viscosity of the hydrogel by influencing its temperature. After a day of use of the device, the lines between pump and needles can be flushed with water (not shown) to make those lines free of hydrogel. The next day the pump will refill the pipes with hydrogel, which is then made less viscous by the pump. The hydrogel remains well pumpable during the plant pot change periods. The hydrogel dose may, for example, be 2 x 17 ml for 1 liter of potting soil.
    To control the quantity of delivered hydrogel, the device according to the invention can be provided with a weighing device with which the weight of the reservoir stock of hydrogel can be monitored and on the basis of which the delivery can be controlled: the predetermined dose is then related to the dose weight thereof in the reservoir stock, and when the measured weight of the stock has decreased with the dose weight, the delivery is stopped. As an example, a weighing device 60 is shown schematically in Figure 1A. This provides data regarding the weight of the reservoir 5 to the control unit 100.
    The hydrogel may be desirable if the water is to be dosed in time to the roots and evaporation from the potting soil body must be limited as much as possible. This allows the plants to withstand a longer storage, transport and sales time.
    It is possible that only a hydrogel is introduced. It is also possible to introduce both water and hydrogel.
    Prior to the introduction of the hydrogel dose, water can be introduced into the substrate body, which is (pre) moistened therewith, which is particularly advantageous if the substrate is relatively dry. The plant can then use the water introduced in a first period and the water in the hydrogel in a second period. The first and the second periods can partly overlap.
    The dispensing of water and hydrogel can, in an exemplary embodiment, take place with the same device, wherein in addition to a first reservoir for water, a second reservoir, for the hydrogel, is connected to the pump 6, and both reservoirs are selectively connected via valves operated by the control unit. fluid communication with the pump 6. The plant pot P is then subjected to a fluid administration twice, at the same location I, first for water, then for hydrogel, each time from both sides. Components of the device, in particular the pipes, pump, and delivery holes, can then be suitable for both water and hydrogel delivery. It is also possible to provide a pump for each reservoir, and to provide valves between the injection needles and the two pumps for bringing the injection needles into fluid communication with one pump / reservoir and the other pump / reservoir.
    The successive administration of water and hydrogel can alternatively take place with one water dispenser 8a and shortly thereafter with the other hydrogel dispenser 8b.
    It is alternatively possible to have two sets of fluid dispensers in one and the same device, for example a set of needles, such as needles 11 a, b, for administration of water, inserted from above, and a set of needles punctured through the pot wall from the side and deliver hydrogel into the potting soil body L. following the water release. To prevent gel from escaping from the tunnel made by the needles into the potting soil body, these needles can be inserted obliquely downwards, for example at an angle of 10 degrees with the horizontal. In this case, a separate pump may be provided for the hydrogel.
    Alternatively, a double arrangement of two comparable fluid devices according to the invention can be chosen, with first a device for delivering water and immediately downstream thereof a fluid device for delivering hydrogel. In that case, each fluid device can be more specifically tailored to the fluid in question. This is shown schematically in Figure 3, with device 101 comprising the fluid device 140a for delivering water to a pot plant P1 at set-up site I and a fluid device 140b for delivering hydrogel to a pot plant P2 at set-up location II. In Figure 3 comparable parts are provided with the same figures plus 100 (water) and 200 (hydrogel) respectively. Both fluid devices are controlled by a common, programmable control device, with which also the other components, such as conveyor belt 103, are controlled.
    In general, the needles of the fluid dispensers may be arranged for penetration of the substrate body via the upper surface thereof, alternatively via the side surface or the pot side wall or alternatively via the bottom wall thereof, optionally via possibly present holes in the bottom wall. In the latter case, the belt conveyor may be provided with a gap under the pot bottom wall for providing space for moving the needles up and down at the location of the installation site. If it is desired to dispense the fluid through said bottom holes, detection means, such as a sensor or a camera, may be present for detecting the position of a hole and means may be provided for rotating the plant pot for aligning it with bringing the fluid delivery path from that hole.
    If desired, the cylinders 9a, b and the pump 6 can be controlled in such a way that the fluid is dispensed stepwise or gradually at several depths in the substrate body. For example, the needle ends 12a, b can first be inserted at a greatest depth, and then retracted, with stepwise or continuous release of the fluid.
    In the case of a plant with leaves covering the upper surface, the device according to the invention can be provided with a means for temporarily guiding away and keeping away said leaves so that a free target surface on the upper surface is offered to the fluid dispensers.
    Instead of individually usable plan pots, plant pots offered on / in trays can also be treated. In the case of, for example, a tray with 2x3 plant pots, with two pots side by side in the transverse direction, the right pot of each pair of pots can be treated by fluid dispenser 8a and the left pot by fluid dispenser 8b. The tray can then be treated in three steps. In that case use can for instance be made of three pairs of stoppers which are active at a distance of one pitch from each other, in sequence, controlled by the control unit.
    The invention (s) is by no means limited to the embodiments shown and described in the drawings and description. The above description is included to illustrate the operation of preferred embodiments of the invention, and not to limit the scope of the invention. Starting from the above explanation, many variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art that fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention. Variations are possible of the parts shown in the drawings and described in the description. They can be used separately in other embodiments of the invention (s). Parts of different examples can be combined with each other.
    权利要求:
    Claims (59)
    [1]
    A device for administering a fluid to one or more substrate bodies provided with a plant, comprising a frame; - at least one mounting location provided on the frame for one or more substrate bodies provided with a plant rooting therein, the substrate body having an upper surface, and - at least one fluid device placed at the mounting location for forcing the fluid into the substrate body, up to one or more locations below the upper surface of the substrate body, wherein the fluid device comprises at least one fluid dispenser, at least one fluid source and an fluid conduit disposed therebetween, and press pressure means for supplying a dose of fluid to the fluid dispenser under press pressure.
    [2]
    The device of claim 1, wherein the fluid dispenser is arranged for delivery of the fluid through the upper surface of the substrate body.
    [3]
    3. Device as claimed in claim 2, further provided with means for displacing plant parts relative to the substrate body for exposing the upper surface.
    [4]
    Device as claimed in claim 1 or 3, wherein the fluid dispenser is arranged for delivery of the fluid through a side surface of the substrate body, in the case of a plant pot through the side wall of the pot.
    [5]
    Device as claimed in claim 1, 2, 3 or 4, wherein the fluid dispenser is arranged for introducing the fluid into the substrate body in a direction, which direction makes a positive, particularly sharp, angle with the horizontal.
    [6]
    Device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the fluid dispenser is arranged on the frame with adjusting means for adjusting the angle.
    [7]
    Device according to claim 2 or 3 and according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the angle is greater than 45 degrees.
    [8]
    Device according to claim 4 and according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the angle is less than 45 degrees, in particular less than 20 degrees.
    [9]
    Device as claimed in claim 1 or 3, wherein the fluid dispenser is arranged for delivery of the fluid through the bottom surface of the substrate body, in the case of a plant pot through the bottom wall of the pot, or in the case of a seed tray through the bottom therefrom.
    [10]
    Device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the fluid dispenser comprises a syringe.
    [11]
    The device of claim 10, wherein the syringe is an injector comprising an injector needle having a distal end, the injector comprising means for moving the distal end of the needle into the substrate body and releasing it from the needle. retrieve substrate body from that distal end.
    [12]
    The device of claim 11, particularly when dependent on claim 4, wherein the needle has a sharp distal end for penetration of a pot wall.
    [13]
    Device as claimed in claim 11 or 12, wherein the needle is closed at the distal end surface directed towards the substrate, wherein the needle is provided with oblique or radially directed delivery openings near said end surface.
    [14]
    Device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the fluid source is filled with a pumpable hydrogel.
    [15]
    Device as claimed in claim 14, provided with a weighing device for measuring the decrease in the weight of the hydrogel in the fluid source and with means for controlling the fluid device such that the delivery of gel is stopped when the measured weight decrease corresponds to a measured weight decrease. predetermined dose weight.
    [16]
    Device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the fluid source is filled with water.
    [17]
    17. Device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the fluid device comprises two fluid dispensers which are arranged on opposite sides of the set-up location.
    [18]
    Device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, comprising a conveyor for transporting to and / or from the installation site of the substrate bodies provided with a plant, in particular a conveyor, such as a belt conveyor, transported through the installation site.
    [19]
    Device as claimed in claim 18, wherein the device is provided with one or more substrate bodies provided in and out of the path of one or more plant-provided substrate bodies, for positioning the one or more substrate-provided substrate bodies on the conveyor at the location where the stoppers are preferably retractable in a direction with a directional component parallel to the direction of removal of the substrate bodies from the location.
    [20]
    Device as claimed in claim 17 and claim 18 or 19, wherein the two fluid dispensers are arranged on either side of the conveyor, and are preferably arranged for introduction into the substrate body in directions which have opposite directional components.
    [21]
    Device as claimed in claim 17, 18, 19 or 20, wherein the at least one fluid dispenser is directed in a vertical plane that is transverse to the conveying direction of the conveyor at the location of installation.
    [22]
    Device as claimed in claim 17, 18, 19 or 20, wherein the at least one fluid dispenser is arranged for introduction into the substrate body in a direction that has a horizontal directional component coinciding with the conveying direction of the conveyor at the location of installation, in particular also have a horizontal directional component that is transverse to the transport direction.
    [23]
    An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a fluid device with a fluid dispenser for hydrogel and for water, wherein the fluid dispenser can be selectively brought into fluid communication with the source of hydrogel and with the water source.
    [24]
    The device of any one of claims 1-22, comprising a fluid dispenser for hydrogel and a fluid dispenser for water.
    [25]
    25. Device as claimed in claim 24, comprising a first fluid device with at least one fluid dispenser for water and a second fluid device with at least one fluid dispenser for hydrogel, wherein an arrangement plate can be provided with each fluid device.
    [26]
    Device as claimed in claim 23 and according to any of the claims 17-22, wherein the fluid dispenser of the one fluid device, preferably first viewed in the transport direction of the conveyor, is positioned upstream of the fluid dispenser of the other fluid device, preferably the second.
    [27]
    An apparatus according to claim 26, wherein the first and / or the second fluid device have two fluid dispensers disposed on either side of the conveyor.
    [28]
    Device as claimed in claim 24, wherein the two fluid dispensers are located on either side of the installation site.
    [29]
    Device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the fluid dispensers are of multiple design.
    [30]
    An apparatus for administering a fluid to one or more substrate bodies provided with a plant, comprising a frame; - at least one mounting location provided on the frame for one or more substrate bodies provided with a plant rooting therein, the substrate body having an upper surface, and - at least one fluid device placed at the mounting location for dispensing the fluid within the substrate body, on one or more a plurality of locations below the upper surface of the substrate body, wherein the fluid device comprises at least one fluid dispenser, at least one fluid source and an fluid line therebetween, as well as press pressure means for supplying a dose of fluid to the fluid dispenser under press pressure.
    [31]
    Device as claimed in claim 30, provided with one or more of the measures as per se described in one or more of the claims 1-29.
    [32]
    An apparatus for applying a fluid to one or more substrate bodies provided with a plant, comprising a frame; - at least one mounting location provided on the frame for one or more substrate bodies provided with a plant rooting therein, the substrate body having an upper surface, and - at least one fluid device placed at the mounting location for dispensing the fluid into the substrate body, on one or more locations below the upper surface of the substrate body, wherein the fluid device comprises at least one fluid dispenser, at least one fluid source and an fluid conduit therebetween, as well as means for supplying fluid to the fluid dispenser and forcing the fluid into the substrate body.
    [33]
    Device as claimed in claim 32, provided with one or more measures as per se described in one or more of the claims 1-29.
    [34]
    34. Method for applying a fluid to one or more substrate bodies provided with a plant rooted therein, the substrate body having an upper surface, a substrate body being placed at an installation site, after which the fluid is delivered to the predetermined dose under pressure. substrate body at one or more locations below the upper surface of the substrate body; after which the substrate body is removed from the installation site.
    [35]
    The method of claim 34, wherein the dose is determined in alignment with the plant and with the substrate body.
    [36]
    A method according to claim 34 or 35, wherein the fluid dose is delivered from an injector needle which is forced into a substrate end from a position outside the substrate body with the needle end and is withdrawn therefrom after dispensing the fluid dose.
    [37]
    The method of claim 34, 35 or 36, wherein the fluid dose is introduced through the top surface.
    [38]
    A method according to claim 34, 35 or 36, wherein the fluid dose is introduced through a side surface of the substrate body, in the case of a plant pot through the pot side wall.
    [39]
    A method according to claim 34, 35 or 36, wherein the fluid dose is introduced through the bottom of the substrate body, in the case of a plant pot through the pot bottom wall.
    [40]
    A method according to any one of claims 34-39, wherein the substrate body on a conveyor, such as a belt conveyor, is moved to the mounting location and is thereby moved away from it again, preferably in the same conveying direction.
    [41]
    The method of any one of claims 34-40, wherein the fluid dose comprises a dose of hydrogel.
    [42]
    The method of claim 41, wherein both a dose of hydrogel and a dose of water are delivered, in particular a water is delivered to the substrate body prior to the hydrogel.
    [43]
    The method of any one of claims 34 to 40, wherein the fluid dose is water.
    [44]
    A method according to claim 42 and / or 43, wherein the water and / or the dose of hydrogel are introduced into the substrate body from either side of the installation site.
    [45]
    A method according to claim 42 and claim 40, wherein the water is introduced into the substrate body at the location of a first set-up location and the dose of hydrogel is introduced into the substrate body at the location of a second set-up location downstream thereof.
    [46]
    The method of any one of claims 34-45, wherein fluid is delivered with at least two injector needles, which two injector needles are urged into the substrate body in directions having opposite directional components, wherein the two injector needles are preferably inserted into and preferably simultaneously simultaneously pulled out of the substrate body.
    [47]
    The method of claim 46, wherein the two injector needles are operative from either side of the conveyor.
    [48]
    The method of claim 45, 46 or 47, wherein the injector needles are urged into the substrate body according to directions having a directional component in the conveying direction of the conveyor.
    [49]
    A method according to any one of claims 41-48, wherein to control the quantity of delivered hydrogel use is made of a weighing device with which the weight of the reservoir stock of hydrogel can be monitored, and on the basis thereof the delivery can be controlled, the measured weight of the hydrogel stock with the dose weight has decreased the release can be stopped.
    [50]
    The method of any one of claims 41 to 49, wherein plant pots are treated.
    [51]
    The method of any one of claims 41 to 49, wherein a series of separately handled plant pots is treated.
    [52]
    A method according to any of claims 41-49, wherein a group of plant pots that are supported by a tray is treated.
    [53]
    53. A method according to any one of claims 41-49, wherein so-called press balls, pressed balls of blocks of substrate, in particular soil, in which a plant is rooted, without covering, are treated.
    [54]
    54. A method according to claim 53, wherein a series of separately handled ball balls is treated.
    [55]
    The method of any one of claims 41 to 49, wherein groups of press balls are treated.
    [56]
    A method as claimed in any one of claims 41 to 49 wherein groups, each of which is treated with rootballs bearing rooted therein, are accommodated in receiving spaces of trays, such as so-called sowing trays.
    [57]
    57. Substrate body with a plant rooting in the substrate body, wherein an amount of hydrogel is included in the substrate body.
    [58]
    58. Device provided with one or more of the characterizing measures described in the attached description and / or shown in the attached drawings.
    [59]
    59. Method provided with one or more of the characterizing measures described in the attached description and / or shown in the attached drawings.

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    法律状态:
    2020-12-16| PD| Change of ownership|Owner name: MARTIN STOLZE GROEP B.V.; NL Free format text: DETAILS ASSIGNMENT: CHANGE OF OWNER(S), ASSIGNMENT; FORMER OWNER NAME: M. STOLZE HOLDING B.V. Effective date: 20201127 |
    优先权:
    申请号 | 申请日 | 专利标题
    NL1041584|2015-11-23|
    NL1042109|2016-10-21|
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