U.S. patent application number 17/018655 was filed with the patent office on 2021-09-02 for methods systems and apparatus for cultivating densely seeded crops.
The applicant listed for this patent is Eden Works, Inc. (DBA Edenworks). Invention is credited to Aftab Alam, Nico Hawley-Weld, Rachel Klepner, Matthew Larosa, Ben Silverman, Dan Volpe.
Application Number | 20210267148 17/018655 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005586545 |
Filed Date | 2021-09-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20210267148 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hawley-Weld; Nico ; et
al. |
September 2, 2021 |
METHODS SYSTEMS AND APPARATUS FOR CULTIVATING DENSELY SEEDED
CROPS
Abstract
A horticultural raft includes a raft body, at least one top
cavity, and a group of mid cavities. The top cavity includes an
upper face defining a first projected area and a lower face
defining a second projected area substantially equal to or less
than the first projected area. The upper face provides a seeding
pattern having one or two degrees of freedom in a growing medium
disposed in the top cavity. Each mid cavity has an upper face
defining a third projected area that is entirely contained within
the second projected area. The mid cavities are configured to
contribute to buoyancy of the floating horticultural raft, allow
germinants in the growing medium to communicate via capillary
action with a nutrient solution when the raft is floating in the
nutrient solution, and mitigate hyperhydration and asphyxiation at
respective root-stem junctions of the germinants.
Inventors: |
Hawley-Weld; Nico;
(Brooklyn, NY) ; Larosa; Matthew; (Brooklyn,
NY) ; Alam; Aftab; (Brooklyn, NY) ; Klepner;
Rachel; (Brooklyn, NY) ; Volpe; Dan;
(Brooklyn, NY) ; Silverman; Ben; (Brooklyn,
NY) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Eden Works, Inc. (DBA Edenworks) |
New York |
NY |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000005586545 |
Appl. No.: |
17/018655 |
Filed: |
September 11, 2020 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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16432444 |
Jun 5, 2019 |
10785928 |
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17018655 |
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PCT/US2017/065647 |
Dec 11, 2017 |
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16432444 |
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62432354 |
Dec 9, 2016 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y02P 60/21 20151101;
A01G 9/0293 20180201; A01G 9/0295 20180201; A01G 31/02 20130101;
A01G 31/06 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A01G 31/06 20060101
A01G031/06; A01G 9/029 20060101 A01G009/029; A01G 31/02 20060101
A01G031/02 |
Claims
1. A horticultural raft, comprising: a buoyant raft body having a
top-facing non-seedbearing perimeter edge that defines a top face
of the raft; at least a first top cavity in the buoyant raft body
at the top face of the raft and having: a first top cavity upper
face that includes at least a portion of the top face of the raft
defined by the top-facing non-seedbearing perimeter edge, the first
top cavity upper face having a first projected area; a first top
cavity lower face having a second projected area, wherein the
second projected area is contained within or equal to the first
projected area of the first top cavity upper face; and a first
depth, from the top-facing non-seedbearing perimeter edge to the
first top cavity lower face, to contain at least one porous
horticultural growing medium, wherein the first top cavity upper
face provides a seeding pattern in the at least one porous
horticultural growing medium, when present in the first top cavity,
having two degrees of freedom along the portion of the top face of
the raft such that the first top cavity provides a growing bed; and
a first plurality of mid cavities in the buoyant raft body and
coupled to the first top cavity so as to also contain the at least
one porous horticultural growing medium, wherein: the first
plurality of mid cavities is arranged as a two-dimensional pattern
of individual compartments coupled to the first top cavity; a mid
cavity upper face of each mid cavity of the first plurality of mid
cavities has a third projected area that is entirely contained
within the second projected area of the first top cavity lower face
of the first top cavity; a mid cavity lower face of each mid cavity
of the first plurality of mid cavities has a fourth projected area
that is an opening entirely contained within the third projected
area of the mid cavity upper face; and at least a first mid cavity
of the first plurality of mid cavities has a second depth from a
first upper face of the first mid cavity to a first lower face of
the first mid cavity such that the first lower face of the first
mid cavity is a first opening that contacts a nutrient solution
when the raft is floating in the nutrient solution to allow
germinants in the at least one porous horticultural growing medium,
when present in the raft, to communicate via capillary action with
the nutrient solution, wherein the second depth of at least the
first mid cavity provides a sufficient capillary distance between a
safe seeding zone for the germinants in the at least one porous
horticultural medium when present in the first top cavity of the
raft and the nutrient solution when the raft is floating in the
nutrient solution to sufficiently mitigate hyperhydration and
asphyxiation at respective root-stem junctions of the germinants.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a Continuation Application of U.S.
application Ser. No. 16/432,444, filed Jun. 5, 2019, entitled
"METHODS SYSTEMS AND APPARATUS FOR CULTIVATING DENSELY SEEDED
CROPS," which is a bypass continuation application of International
PCT Application PCT/US2017/065647, filed on Dec. 11, 2017, entitled
"METHODS SYSTEMS AND APPARATUS FOR CULTIVATING DENSELY SEEDED
CROPS," which claims priority to U.S. Application No. 62/432,354,
filed Dec. 9, 2016, entitled "FLOATING RAFTS WITH REINFORCED BEDS
OR FURROWS FOR CULTIVATING DENSELY SEEDED CROPS," which application
is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Young leafy crops, such as baby greens and microgreens, are
unique in that, unlike larger crops, they can be seeded at very
high densities without being transplanted or respaced during their
lifespan.
[0003] In deep or shallow water floating raft culture, floating
rafts are used as horticultural containers. Rafts are placed atop
large recirculating ponds of nutrient-rich water (a "nutrient
solution"), and plant roots of germinants are allowed to come in
contact with the nutrient solution, either directly or via a
porous, hydraulically conductive medium. The rafts provide not only
a means of irrigation and nutrient delivery, but also an
inexpensive and near-frictionless means of conveying the plants
across a growing area for the purposes of seeding, transplanting,
and harvesting. Such conveyance can be advantageous for younger
crops, as the conveyance usually occurs at a frequency inversely
proportional to the crop's harvest age.
[0004] Traditional horticultural rafts usually have several
challenges in producing young, densely seeded crops in floating
raft culture. For example, celled tray rafts, which provide a
single compartment for each plant, can be employed for seedlings
meant for individual sale (e.g. tobacco, cauliflower transplant, or
head lettuce production). However, they typically do not allow
flexibility in different seeding patterns that may be used for
young leafy crops.
[0005] In another example, rafts with long tapered furrows rather
than cells afford greater flexibility in seeding density (along the
single dimension of a given furrow), but they are structurally
constrained due to the strength reduction induced by the open
furrows. These structural constraints include limits to the width,
length, orientation, and spacing of furrows, as well as limits to
the size of the raft itself. Practically, due to these structural
constraints, tapered furrows must be extremely narrow (suboptimal
for root health) and broken up by empty space rather than extending
the entire length or width of the raft (resulting in loss of
yield). In addition, tapered furrows usually span widthwise rather
than lengthwise across the raft. In a seeding line, it can be
desirable for furrows to be oriented along the axis the raft
travels (e.g., to enable a variable-rate seeding density along the
axis of the furrows), which is almost always the long axis of the
raft for conveyance and handling reasons. However, in a harvesting
line, this lengthwise spanning may result in substantial flexion of
the raft, resulting in an uneven cut of plant shoots because the
raft is held on its sides. Thus, tradeoffs must be made between the
length, width, spacing, and orientation of furrows, resulting in
suboptimal operating costs and/or yields.
SUMMARY
[0006] The Inventors have recognized and appreciated that, when
seeding young leafy crops in horticultural containers, there are
certain advantages to having flexibility in the types of seeding
patterns that may be employed for germinants, while simultaneously
being parsimonious with a growing medium in which the germinants
are placed. In view of the foregoing, various inventive
implementations disclosed herein relate generally to apparatus for
cultivating densely seeded crops that provide for dense seeding
patterns in one or two dimensions, together with an economical use
of growing medium. In respective examples discussed in detail
below, such apparatus are implemented as horticultural containers
which, in some instances, may be constructed with buoyant features
such that the containers may serve as rafts that float in a
nutrient solution. More specifically, horticultural rafts or
carriers with buoyant features allow for the efficient cultivation
of densely seeded crops by means of deep or shallow water floating
raft culture. In some examples, raft designs include furrows and/or
beds to contain a growing medium and germinants, and such rafts may
serve as constituent elements of a material handling architecture
for an indoor hydroponic farm. As constituent elements of such an
architecture, the rafts or horticultural containers disclosed here
serve as the physical interface between the organisms being
cultivated (e.g. plants or fungi) and the automation and handling
systems in the architecture.
[0007] In one inventive example, a horticultural raft comprises a
rigid, buoyant, reusable raft body including a system of open
cavities, at least some of which are configured to contain a porous
horticultural growing medium that is separable from the raft and
that can be filled into and removed from its cavities. In some
implementations, a top face of the raft includes one or more
separate top cavities that are either topologically linear or
topologically rectangular in nature, allowing for flexibility in
seeding pattern along one or two axes. Each top cavity can be
connected to a one-dimensional (e.g., linear) or two-dimensional
(e.g., rectangular) pattern or grid of multiple mid cavities,
disposed in a layer of the raft below the one or more top cavities.
In one aspect, the porous growing medium fills each top cavity
continuously, but the medium is broken up into individual
compartments within the layer of mid cavities.
[0008] In other aspects, the layer of mid cavities serves to reduce
the amount of growing medium otherwise required in conventional
raft designs to obtain a thick porous medium layer for germinants.
The mid cavities also substantially strengthen the raft body
itself, provide additional structure for plant roots and growing
medium to anchor against, and in some instances increase the
buoyancy of the raft (e.g., without requiring an external buoyant
frame). This enables furrows and beds to be implemented at any
length, width, orientation, and spacing, and allows for the porous
medium to be thick enough overall (at a combined vertical depth of
the top cavity and mid cavities) to avoid or significantly mitigate
plant tissue hyperhydration and asphyxiation while simultaneously
facilitating a substantial reduction in growing medium use compared
to conventional single-cavity furrows and beds.
[0009] In other inventive implementations, a material handling
architecture in which horticultural rafts as described herein may
be employed integrates the concepts of "vertical stacking,"
"flow-through," and "water as a conveyor," thereby providing a
vertically stacked, flow-through, floating raft growing system,
encompassing the growing area itself as well as the conveyance
systems to and from pre-grow and post-grow processing areas.
Additional details about vertically-stacked shallow-water flow
systems can be found in PCT Application No. PCT/US2017/028999,
filed Apr. 21, 2017, entitled "STACKED SHALLOW WATER CULTURE (SSWC)
GROWING SYSTEMS, APPARATUS AND METHODS," which is hereby
incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. It should be
appreciated that, in other implementations, the horticultural
containers described herein may be employed in other types of
growing architectures or ecosystems (e.g., a flat greenhouse).
[0010] In one example, a horticultural raft includes a buoyant raft
body having a top-facing non-seedbearing perimeter edge that
defines a top face of the raft and at least a first top cavity
(102a) in the buoyant raft body at the top face of the raft. The
first top cavity includes a first top cavity upper face that
includes at least a portion of the top face of the raft defined by
the top-facing non-seedbearing perimeter edge. The first top cavity
upper face has a first projected area. The first top cavity also
has a first top cavity lower face having a second projected area.
The second projected area is contained within or equal to the first
projected area of the first top cavity upper face. The first top
cavity also has a first depth, from the top-facing non-seedbearing
perimeter edge to the first top cavity lower face, to contain at
least one porous horticultural growing medium. The first top cavity
upper face provides a seeding pattern in the at least one porous
horticultural growing medium, when present in the first top cavity,
having two degrees of freedom along the portion of the top face of
the raft such that the first top cavity provides a growing bed. The
raft also includes a first plurality of mid cavities in the buoyant
raft body and coupled to the first top cavity so as to also contain
the at least one porous horticultural growing medium. The first
plurality of mid cavities is arranged as a two-dimensional pattern
of individual compartments coupled to the first top cavity. A mid
cavity upper face of each mid cavity of the first plurality of mid
cavities has a third projected area that is entirely contained
within the second projected area of the first top cavity lower face
of the first top cavity. A mid cavity lower face of each mid cavity
of the first plurality of mid cavities has a fourth projected area
that is entirely contained within the third projected area of the
mid cavity upper face. At least a first mid cavity of the first
plurality of mid cavities has a second depth from a first upper
face of the first mid cavity to a first lower face of the first mid
cavity such that the first lower face of the first mid cavity
contacts a nutrient solution when the raft is floating in the
nutrient solution to allow germinants in the at least one porous
horticultural growing medium, when present in the raft, to
communicate via capillary action with the nutrient solution. The
second depth of at least the first mid cavity provides a sufficient
capillary distance between a safe seeding zone for the germinants
in the at least one porous horticultural medium when present in the
first top cavity of the raft and the nutrient solution when the
raft is floating in the nutrient solution to sufficiently mitigate
hyperhydration and asphyxiation at respective root-stem junctions
of the germinants.
[0011] In another example, a horticultural raft includes a buoyant
raft body having a top-facing non-seedbearing perimeter edge that
defines a top face of the raft and at least a first top cavity in
the buoyant raft body at the top face of the raft. The first top
cavity includes a first top cavity upper face that includes at
least a portion of the top face of the raft defined by the
top-facing non-seedbearing perimeter edge. The first top cavity
upper face has a first projected area. The first top cavity also
includes a first top cavity lower face having a second projected
area. The second projected area is contained within or equal to the
first projected area of the first top cavity upper face. The first
top cavity also includes a first depth, from the top-facing
non-seedbearing perimeter edge to the first top cavity lower face,
to contain at least one porous horticultural growing medium. The
first top cavity upper face provides a seeding pattern in the at
least one porous horticultural growing medium, when present in the
first top cavity, having two degrees of freedom along the portion
of the top face of the raft such that the first top cavity provides
a growing bed. The raft also includes a first plurality of mid
cavities in the buoyant raft body and coupled to the first top
cavity so as to also contain the at least one porous horticultural
growing medium. The first plurality of mid cavities is arranged as
a two-dimensional pattern of individual compartments coupled to the
first top cavity. A mid cavity upper face of each mid cavity of the
first plurality of mid cavities has a third projected area that is
entirely contained within the second projected area of the first
top cavity lower face of the first top cavity. A mid cavity lower
face of each mid cavity of the plurality of mid cavities has a
fourth projected area that is entirely contained within the third
projected area of the mid cavity upper face. At least some mid
cavities of the first plurality of mid cavities include at least
one vertical ridge protruding inwards along at least one interior
side of the mid cavity. The raft further includes at least one air
vent disposed in the raft body and at least one of a plurality of
feet, a plurality of ridges and a plurality of nipples disposed on
an underside of the raft body. The raft also includes a plurality
of interlocking components coupled to the raft body to facilitate
reversible interlocking of the raft to at least one other raft and
a plurality of contact points disposed on the raft body to
facilitate at least one of robotic and manual handling of the
raft.
[0012] In yet another example, a horticultural raft includes a
buoyant raft body (110) having a top-facing non-seedbearing
perimeter edge that defines a top face of the raft and at least a
first top cavity (102A) at the top face of the raft. The first top
cavity has a first top cavity upper face that includes at least a
portion of the top face of the raft defined by the top-facing
non-seedbearing perimeter edge. The first top cavity upper face has
a first projected area. The first top cavity also includes a first
top cavity lower face having a second projected area and a first
depth (105), from the top-facing non-seedbearing perimeter edge to
the first top cavity lower face, to contain at least one porous
horticultural growing medium. The first top cavity upper face
provides a seeding pattern in the at least one porous horticultural
growing medium, when present in the first top cavity, having one
degree of freedom or two degrees of freedom along the portion of
the top face of the raft. The raft also includes a plurality of mid
cavities coupled to the first top cavity so as to also contain the
at least one porous horticultural growing medium. A mid cavity
upper face of each mid cavity of the plurality of mid cavities has
a third projected area that is entirely contained within the second
projected area of the first top cavity lower face of the first top
cavity. The plurality of mid cavities are sized and arranged with
respect to the first top cavity to: 1) contribute to buoyancy of
the horticultural raft; 2) allow germinants in the at least one
porous horticultural growing medium, when present in the raft, to
communicate via capillary action with a nutrient solution when the
raft is floating in the nutrient solution; and 3) significantly
mitigate hyperhydration and asphyxiation at respective root-stem
junctions of the germinants.
[0013] In yet another example, a horticultural raft includes a raft
body having a top-facing non-seedbearing perimeter edge that
defines a top face of the raft and first means for containing at
least one horticultural growing medium. The first means provides a
seeding pattern in the at least one horticultural growing medium,
when present in the raft, having one degree of freedom or two
degrees of freedom along the portion of the top face of the raft.
The raft also includes second means for containing the at least one
horticultural growing medium. The second means: 1) allows
germinants in the at least one horticultural growing medium, when
present in the raft, to communicate via capillary action with a
nutrient solution when the raft is floating in the nutrient
solution; and 2) significantly mitigates hyperhydration and
asphyxiation at respective root-stem junctions of the
germinants.
[0014] In yet another example, a horticultural container includes a
body having a top-facing non-seedbearing perimeter edge that
defines a top face of the container and at least a first top cavity
at the top face of the container. The first top cavity includes a
first top cavity upper face that includes at least a portion of the
top face of the container defined by the top-facing non-seedbearing
perimeter edge. The first top cavity upper face has a first
projected area. The first top cavity also includes a first top
cavity lower face having a second projected area and a first depth,
from the top-facing non-seedbearing perimeter edge to the first top
cavity lower face, to contain at least one horticultural growing
medium. The first top cavity upper face provides a seeding pattern
in the at least one horticultural growing medium, when present in
the first top cavity, having one degree of freedom or two degrees
of freedom along the portion of the top face of the container. The
container also includes a plurality of mid cavities coupled to the
first top cavity so as to also contain the at least one porous
horticultural growing medium. The plurality of mid cavities is
arranged as a one-dimensional or two-dimensional pattern of
individual compartments coupled to the first top cavity. A mid
cavity upper face of each mid cavity of the first plurality of mid
cavities has a third projected area that is entirely contained
within the second projected area of the first top cavity lower face
of the first top cavity. A mid cavity lower face of each mid cavity
of the plurality of mid cavities has a fourth projected area that
is entirely contained within the third projected area of the mid
cavity upper face.
[0015] In yet another example, a kit includes at least one porous
horticultural growing medium; and a horticultural raft. The raft
includes a buoyant raft body having a top-facing non-seedbearing
perimeter edge that defines a top face of the raft and at least a
first top cavity at the top face of the raft. The first top cavity
includes a first top cavity upper face that includes at least a
portion of the top face of the raft defined by the top-facing
non-seedbearing perimeter edge. The first top cavity upper face has
a first projected area. The first top cavity also includes a first
top cavity lower face having a second projected area and a first
depth, from the top-facing non-seedbearing perimeter edge to the
first top cavity lower face, to contain the at least one porous
horticultural growing medium. The first top cavity upper face
provides a seeding pattern in the at least one porous horticultural
growing medium, when present in the first top cavity, having one
degree of freedom or two degrees of freedom along the portion of
the top face of the raft. The raft also includes a plurality of mid
cavities coupled to the first top cavity so as to also contain the
at least one porous horticultural growing medium. A mid cavity
upper face of each mid cavity of the plurality of mid cavities has
a third projected area that is entirely contained within the second
projected area of the first top cavity lower face of the first top
cavity. The plurality of mid cavities are sized and arranged with
respect to the first top cavity to: 1) contribute to buoyancy of
the horticultural raft; 2) allow germinants in the at least one
porous horticultural growing medium, when present in the raft, to
communicate via capillary action with a nutrient solution when the
raft is floating in the nutrient solution; and 3) significantly
mitigate hyperhydration and asphyxiation at respective root-stem
junctions of the germinants.
[0016] It should be appreciated that all combinations of the
foregoing concepts and additional concepts discussed in greater
detail below (provided such concepts are not mutually inconsistent)
are contemplated as being part of the inventive subject matter
disclosed herein. In particular, all combinations of claimed
subject matter appearing at the end of this disclosure are
contemplated as being part of the inventive subject matter
disclosed herein. It should also be appreciated that terminology
explicitly employed herein that also may appear in any disclosure
incorporated by reference should be accorded a meaning most
consistent with the particular concepts disclosed herein.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] The skilled artisan will understand that the drawings
primarily are for illustrative purposes and are not intended to
limit the scope of the inventive subject matter described herein.
The drawings are not necessarily to scale; in some instances,
various aspects of the inventive subject matter disclosed herein
may be shown exaggerated or enlarged in the drawings to facilitate
an understanding of different features. In the drawings, like
reference characters generally refer to like features (e.g.,
functionally similar and/or structurally similar elements).
[0018] FIGS. 1A-C show schematics of an apparatus providing for a
seeding pattern having two degrees of freedom for cultivating
densely seeded crops.
[0019] FIGS. 1D and 1E show schematics of an apparatus including
two feet at the bottom for cultivating densely seeded crops.
[0020] FIGS. 2A and 2B show schematics of an apparatus providing
for a seeding pattern having one degree of freedom for cultivating
densely seeded crops.
[0021] FIG. 3 shows a schematic of an apparatus without bottom
cavities for cultivating densely seeded crops.
[0022] FIGS. 4A and 4B show schematics of an apparatus including
bottom cavities for cultivating densely seeded crops.
[0023] FIGS. 5A and 5B show bottom views of an apparatus that traps
air between the underside of the apparatus and a fluid medium to
provide buoyancy.
[0024] FIGS. 6A and 6B show bottom views of an apparatus including
bottom cavities configured as vertical channels.
[0025] FIG. 7 shows a schematic of a cultivating system that can
use the apparatus shown in FIG. 1A-6B.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0026] Following below are more detailed descriptions of various
concepts related to, and embodiments of, inventive apparatus for
cultivating densely seeded crops. It should be appreciated that
various concepts introduced above and discussed in greater detail
below may be implemented in numerous ways. Examples of specific
implementations and applications are provided primarily for
illustrative purposes.
Apparatus for Cultivating Densely Seeded Crops
[0027] As noted above, the Inventors have recognized and
appreciated that conventional celled-tray horticultural containers
as well as conventional containers with long tapered furrows lack
flexibility and/or structural integrity in connection with
providing increased seeding density, which is useful for young
crops such as microgreens. Accordingly, in some aspects the
horticultural container designs disclosed herein provide for more
robust containers having seeding patterns along a single dimension
(one degree of freedom) or along two-dimensions (two degrees of
freedom). For purposes of the present disclosure, it should be
understood that a horticultural container with individual cells has
zero degrees of freedom, whereas a container with linear furrows
each intended for a row of germinants provides a seeding pattern
having one degree of freedom, and a container with one or more
two-dimensional (2D) growing beds (e.g., a rectangular seedbed)
provides for a seeding pattern having two degrees of freedom.
[0028] In various examples discussed in detail below, a
horticultural raft according to the present disclosure employs at
least a two-tier (or two layer) cavity structure in a raft body of
the raft, including a first tier of one or more cavities to contain
a porous horticultural growing medium and provide a seeding pattern
having one or two degrees of freedom, and a second tier of
cavities, coupled to the first tier of cavities, to also contain
the porous horticultural growing medium. In some implementations,
each first tier cavity is coupled to multiple second tier cavities
disposed below the first tier cavity (e.g., the first tier cavity
serves as a "top cavity" to contain the growing medium, and the
multiple second tier cavities serve as "mid cavities" to also
contain the growing medium). In various aspects, the mid cavities
may be arranged as individual respective compartments that add to a
depth of the top cavity to contain the growing medium, but occupy a
smaller effective area in the raft body than would a continuous
single mid cavity having the same depth. As a result, the mid
cavities provide for a porous growing medium having a significant
effective thickness in the raft (due to the combined depths of the
top cavity and mid cavities coupled to the top cavity), while at
the same time effectively reducing an amount of growing medium that
would otherwise be required to fill a continuous single cavity
having the same combined depth. In other aspects, the respective
depths of the top cavity and mid cavities facilitate sufficient
capillary action to allow nutrient solution to reach germinants
placed in the growing medium contained in the top cavity, while
also effectively mitigating hyperhydration and/or asphyxiation of
the germinants by virtue of the combined depth of top and mid
cavities being sufficiently tall.
[0029] FIGS. 1A-1C show schematics of an apparatus in the form of a
horticultural raft 100 for cultivating densely seeded crops
according to one inventive implementation. FIG. 1A shows a
perspective view of the apparatus 100. FIG. 1B illustrates an
interior perspective of a portion of the apparatus 100 showing the
growing medium 120 filling the cavities of the apparatus 100. FIG.
1C shows an exterior perspective of the portion of the apparatus
100 without the growing medium 120.
[0030] In some examples, the apparatus 100 can be configured as a
floating raft used in a cultivation system with water conveyance
(see more details below with reference to FIG. 7). In these
instances, the apparatus 100 is configured to float in a fluid,
such as a nutrient solution. Various means can be employed to float
the apparatus 100. In one example, a raft body 110 of the apparatus
100 can include a closed-celled buoyant foam to provide the buoyant
force for the apparatus 100. In another example, the raft body 110
can be made of hollow-shell plates with one or more air pockets
integrated into the raft body 110 to provide the buoyant force. In
yet another example, the raft body 110 can include a concave shell
that can trap air in one or more pockets between the liquid surface
and the apparatus 100.
[0031] As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1C, the raft body 110 of the
apparatus 100 has a top-facing non-seedbearing perimeter edge 108
(also referred to as a raft edge 108) that defines a top face of
the raft. For example, the top face can be the geometric plane
defined by the top surface of the raft edge 108. The apparatus 100
also includes three top cavities 102a, 102b, and 102c (collectively
referred to as top cavities 102) at the top face of the raft. The
three top cavities 102 are separated by two spacers 112a and 112b.
FIG. 1C shows a portion of the apparatus 100, wherein a portion of
one of the top cavities 102a therein is the space defined by the
dashed lines, one raft edge 108, and one of the spacers 112a.
[0032] Each top cavity 102 has a top cavity upper face 103a that in
turn includes at least a portion of the top face of the apparatus
100 defined by the top-facing non-seedbearing perimeter edge 108.
The first top cavity upper face defines a first projected area.
Each top cavity 102 also has a top cavity lower face 103b defining
a second projected area. FIG. 1C shows respective portions of the
top cavity upper face 103a and the top cavity lower face 103b for
the illustrated portion of the top cavity 102a. The distance from
the top-facing non-seedbearing perimeter edge 108 to the first top
cavity lower face is defined as a first depth 105 (also referred to
as the top cavity depth). In some examples, the first depth 105 can
be about 0.25'' to about 1'' (e.g., about 0.25'', about 0.3'',
about 0.35'', about 0.4'', about 0.45'', about 0.5'', about 0.55'',
about 0.6'', about 0.65'', about 0.7'', about 0.8'', about 0.9'',
or about 1'', including any values and sub ranges in between).
[0033] During cultivation, at least one porous horticultural
growing medium 120 is filled into the top cavities 102 as
illustrated in FIG. 1B. The top cavity upper face can provide a
seeding pattern in the growing medium 120 and the seeding pattern
can have one degree of freedom or two degrees of freedom along the
portion of the top face of the apparatus 100. For example, the one
degree of freedom can be along a first direction 101a or a second
direction 101b, while the two degrees of freedom can be along both
the first direction 101a and the second direction 101b. While the
apparatus 100 of FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C provide for seeding patterns
in two dimensions, similar apparatus 200 shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B
(discussed further below) provide for seeding patterns along one
dimension (e.g., in furrows).
[0034] The apparatus 100 also includes multiple mid cavities 104
coupled to each top cavity 102 so as to also contain the growing
medium 120 and having a mid cavity depth 107. It should be
appreciated that various mid cavity depths 107 are possible, such
as depths of about 0.5'' to about 6'' (e.g., about 0.5'', about
1'', about 2'', about 3'', about 5'', or about 6'', including any
values and sub ranges in between). Considerations for selecting
this depth include providing a safe seeding zone for germinants in
the upper part of the top cavity, providing an adequate submerged
portion of the mid cavity so it can sufficiently contact and
conduct water upwards, simultaneously minimizing the excessive
submersion of mid cavities under the water level during
subirrigation, and minimizing total use of the medium. Each mid
cavity 104 has a mid cavity upper face 111a defining a third
projected area (see FIG. 1C) that is entirely contained within the
second projected area of the top cavity lower face of the top
cavity 102. In addition, the group of mid cavities 104 are sized
and arranged with respect to the top cavity 102 to: 1) contribute
to buoyancy of the floating horticultural raft; 2) allow germinants
in the at least one porous horticultural growing medium, when
present in the raft, to communicate via capillary action with a
nutrient solution when the raft is floating in the nutrient
solution; and/or 3) significantly mitigate hyperhydration and
asphyxiation at respective root-stem junctions of the
germinants.
[0035] The apparatus 100 also includes a group of optional bottom
cavities 106 located below the mid cavities 104 (see FIGS. 1B and
1C). In operation, the top cavities 102 and the mid cavities 104
are filled with the growing medium 120. As illustrated in FIG. 1B,
the growing medium 120 in the top cavity 102 forms a continuous
medium block 122, while the growing medium 120 in the mid cavities
104 forms an array of individual medium blocks 124. In operation of
the apparatus 100, the bottom cavities 106 are usually filled with
water or air 150 (instead of the growing medium 120).
Raft Body and Top Cavities
[0036] The raft body 110 can be made of a rigid and reusable
material. Optionally, as noted above, the material of the raft body
110 can also be buoyant so as to provide or increase the buoyant
force for the apparatus 100 (e.g., when the apparatus 100 is used
in a bottom irrigation system).
[0037] The top cavities 102 penetrate the top face of the raft body
110 and are filled with the growing medium 120 such that the
growing medium 120 is exposed for seeding (see, e.g., FIG. 1B). The
upper face of each top cavity 120 can have various shapes,
including a rectangle, a square, a honeycomb shape (i.e., hexagon),
a trapezoid, or any other appropriate shape. Three top cavities
102a, 102b, and 102c are illustrated in FIG. 1A. However, it should
be appreciated that the raft 100 may include a single top cavity or
different numbers of multiple top cavities.
[0038] In one example, the seeding pattern in top cavities 102 can
be arranged into a 1D array. In general, the 1D array can be
topologically linear and homeomorphic to a line (e.g. a curve or
polyline). Topologically linear cavities (also referred to as
furrows) allow for flexibility in seeding pattern along a single
axis (i.e. one degree of freedom).
[0039] In another example, the seeding pattern in top cavities 120
can be arranged into a 2D array. In general, the 2D array can be
topologically rectangular and homeomorphic to a rectangle (e.g. an
ellipse or polygon). Topologically rectangular cavities (also
referred to as beds) allow for flexibility in seeding pattern along
two axes (i.e., two degrees of freedom). In either 1D array or 2D
array of the seeding pattern in top cavities 102, the flexibility
in the seeding density can be achieved by varying the number of
seeds or plant propagules ("germinants") placed into each top
cavity 120. In some examples, the top cavities 102 may be arranged
into a 1D or 2D array, but in either case, the seeding pattern can
also be arranged into a 1D or 2D array independent of the
arrangement of the top cavities 102.
[0040] As described herein, the lower face of each top cavity 102
defines the second projected area that is entirely contained within
or equal to the first projected area of the upper face of the top
cavity 102. In one example, the first projected area and the second
projected area are substantially equal. In this case, the side
walls of the top cavities 102 are perpendicular to the upper face
of the top cavities 102 and the top cavies 120 can have a cuboid
shape (also referred to as a rectangular prism).
[0041] In another example, the second projected area of the lower
face of a given top cavity is less than the first projected area,
in which case the side walls of the top cavities can have an
effective oblique angle with respect to the upper face of the top
cavities 102. The effective oblique angle can be, for example,
about 60.degree. to about 90.degree. (e.g., about 60.degree., about
70.degree., about 80.degree., about 85.degree., or about
90.degree., including any values and sub ranges in between). The
ratio of the second projected area to the first projected area can
be, for example, about 10% to about 90% (e.g., about 10%, about
20%, about 30%, about 40%, about 50%, about 60%, about 70%, about
80%, or about 90%, including any values and sub ranges in between).
The shape of the top cavities 102 can include, for example, a
downwards tapered trapezoidal prism and/or an inverse pyramid.
Mid Cavities
[0042] In one implementation, at least one of the top cavities
102a, 102b, and 102c is connected to a corresponding group of mid
cavities 104a, 104b, and 102c. Thus, one top cavity is connected to
multiple mid cavities. In one example, the group of mid cavities
104 coupled to a given top cavity is arranged into a 1D array. In
another example, the group of mid cavities coupled to a given top
cavity is arranged with respect to the top cavity in a
two-dimensional pattern (e.g., a 2D array or grid of cavities, a 2D
lattice, etc.). In either case, while the growing medium 120 fills
the top cavity continuously, the growing medium 120 is broken up
into individual compartments within the layer of mid cavities 104.
In other examples, a linear pattern of mid cavities 104 (e.g., 1D
array) can be used when the top cavity 102 is formed as a furrow,
and a two-dimensional pattern of mid cavities 104 can be used when
the top cavity 102 is formed as a bed.
[0043] As described herein, the upper face 111a of each mid cavity
104 defines the third projected area, which is entirely contained
within or substantially equal to the second projected area of the
lower face of its corresponding top cavity 102 (see FIG. 1C).
Additionally, the lower face 111b of each mid cavity 104 defines
the fourth projected area that is entirely contained within the
third projected area of the upper face of the mid cavity 104 (see
FIG. 1C). The ratio of the fourth projected area to the third
projected area can be, for example, about 10% to about 90% (e.g.,
about 10%, about 20%, about 30%, about 40%, about 50%, about 60%,
about 70%, about 80%, or about 90%, including any values and sub
ranges in between). Thus, respective mid cavities may have various
shapes including, but not limited to, a rectangular prism, a
cylinder, a downwards tapered trapezoidal prism, an inverse
pyramid, or a downwards tapered truncated elliptic cone.
[0044] The spacing between neighboring mid cavities 104 can be, for
example, about 0.5'' to about 3'' (e.g., about 0.5'', about 0.6'',
about 0.7'', about 0.8'', about 0.9'', about 1.0'', about 1.5'',
about 2'', about 2.5'', or about 3'', including any values and sub
ranges in between). The spacing can depend on the type of crops. In
some examples, the top width of the mid cavities 104 can be about
0.25'' to about 2.5'' (e.g., about 0.25'', about 0.5'', about 1'',
about 1.5'', about 2'', or about 2.5'', including any values and
sub ranges in between). The bottom width of the mid cavities 104
can be about 0.1'' to about 0.5'' (e.g., about 0.1'', about 0.15'',
about 0.2'', about 0.25'', about 0.3'', about 0.35'', about 0.4'',
about 0.45'', or about 0.5'', including any values and sub ranges
in between).
Growing Medium
[0045] The growing medium 120 is separable from the apparatus 100
and can be alternately filled into and removed from the apparatus
100. For example, during the growth of plants, new growing medium
may be added into the top cavity 102 and/or the mid cavities 104 to
ensure a sufficient amount of growing medium for the plants. In
addition, after the harvesting of the plants, the growing medium
120 may be removed from the apparatus 100 to clean plant roots
and/or any other debris that might affect the cultivation of new
plants, and to create space for new medium in new growing
cycles.
[0046] In operation, the growing medium 120 can perform several
functions. For example, the growing medium 120 can function as a
receptacle for seeds or other plant propagules (collectively
"germinants"). The porosity of the growing medium 120 allows plant
roots to grow downwards and absorb water or nutrients from the
nutrient solution beneath the apparatus 100 via, for example,
capillary action. The growing medium 120 can also provide
mechanical support for the seeds or other plant propagules. In some
examples, the growing medium 120 can be biologically inert.
[0047] In some examples, the apparatus 100 can be used in a top
irrigation system, where water or nutrient solution is delivered
into the apparatus 100 from above. In this case, the porosity of
the growing medium 120 also allows the water or nutrient solution
to flow downward to reach the plant roots. In some examples, top
irrigation and sub-irrigation can be used at the same time or
alternating times to facilitate plant growth.
[0048] In one example, the growing medium 120 includes a granular
medium such as peat moss or coconut coir, that is pourable so as to
facilitate easy filling and removal. The growing medium may also
include one of more of membrane, a foam (e.g., an open-celled
foam), a gel, and a textile.
[0049] In yet another example, the growing medium 120 can include
any combination of any of the example materials described above.
For example, the growing medium 120 can include a mixture of a
granular medium together with a membrane. In another example, the
growing medium 120 can include a mixture of a granular medium
together with one or more of a gel, a foam, and a textile. In one
implementation, the gel, foam, or textile can be placed at the
bottom of the mid cavities 104 and the granular medium can be
placed on top of the gel, foam, or textile so as to reduce or
eliminate the fall-through the granular medium into the water or
nutrient solution below the apparatus 100.
[0050] In some examples, the raft body 110, the growing medium 120,
and cavities 102 and 104 are integrated such that the growing
medium 120 completely fills each top cavity 102 and mid cavity 104
within the apparatus 100, thereby allowing the growing medium 120
to efficiently communicate with the water body or nutrient solution
below. Germinants are placed within the growing medium in each top
cavity 102, allowing the root system to develop downwards through
the growing medium 120 and into the water below.
[0051] The growing medium 120 can be held within the mid cavities
104 (and/or the top cavities 102) via various techniques. In one
example, the growing medium 120 can be held within the mid cavities
104 by the friction force between the growing medium 120 and the
inner walls of the mid cavities 104. In this instance, the inner
walls of the mid cavities can be roughened to increase the friction
force. In another example, a cohesive binding agent can be used to
hold the growing medium 120 within the mid cavities 104.
[0052] Generally, a furrow or bed provided by a horticultural
container or raft according to the present disclosure, and filled
with a porous horticultural growing medium to provide a seedbed for
germinants, allows germinants to communicate with a nutrient
solution in a manner that avoids hyperhydration (i.e. excess
moisture) and asphyxiation (i.e. deficit of oxygen) at respective
root-stem junctions of the germinants. At the same time, the
seedbed can also provide structural support to the root system and
a means of floatation that is robust against changes in the weight
of the plants. A nutrient solution can be brought in contact with
germinants in the growing medium via capillary action. Upon
germinating, the germinants extend their roots downwards through
the porous medium, which provides both structural support and
access to nutrients. In some implementations, the porous medium can
itself be buoyant.
[0053] In various aspects, hyperhydration and oxygenation issues
can be controlled by using an effectively thick layer of porous
material. In some conventional floating seedbed systems, there may
be relatively high moisture near the bottom of the porous growing
medium, resulting in possible hyperhydration as well as possible
asphyxiation of plant tissues if respective stem-root junctions of
the germinants are too close to this water-saturated area in the
porous material. Accordingly, in various implementations disclosed
herein, germinants can be placed sufficiently above the bottom of
the porous growing medium to provide them with adequate aeration.
The capillary distance to this safe seeding zone in different types
of porous growing medium can be significant. Accordingly, various
configurations of cavities having particular depths implemented in
a horticultural container according to the present disclosure (to
accommodate particular thicknesses of growing medium) address one
or more of the material use, buoyancy, hydraulic conductance of
nutrient solution (e.g., via capillary action), hyperhydration and
asphyxiation issues or features noted above.
[0054] In some examples, a significant thickness of the growing
medium 120 can be maintained above the water underneath the
apparatus 100. For example, the thickness above the water can be
substantially equal to or greater than 1'' (e.g., about 1'', about
1.1'', about 1.2'', about 1.3'', about 1.4'', about 1.5'', about
1.6'', or greater, including any values and sub ranges in between).
In some examples, the thickness above the water can be
substantially equal to the sum of the top cavity depth 105 and a
portion of the mid cavity depth 107. In other examples, the
thickness above the water can be substantially equal to the sum of
the top cavity depth 105 and the mid cavity depth 107. In these
instances, the lower face of the mid cavities 104 can be in contact
with or in close proximity to the water level.
[0055] Thus, the horticultural containers according to the present
disclosure provide multiple advantages over conventional
horticultural rafts. First, the apparatus 100 provides for seeding
patterns having one or two degrees of freedom (via linear furrows
or rectangular beds, described further below). The containers can
also have furrows structurally strong enough to be implemented at
any length, width, orientation, and spacing. The sum of the top
cavity depth 105 and the mid cavity depth 107 can be configured to
provide a total depth to address the hyperhydration or asphyxiation
issues. In addition, since the mid cavities 104 are divided into
multiple individual cavities, the total amount of growing medium
120 can be significantly lower compared to that used in
conventional rafts. In some examples, the mid cavities 104 can
substantially reduce the quantity of the growing medium 120 by at
least 40% (about 40%, about 45%, about 50%, about 55%, about 60%,
about 65%, about 70%, or greater, including any values and sub
ranges in between) as compared to the continuously-filled
single-cavity furrow or single-cavity bed.
Growing Medium Barriers
[0056] In yet another example, the apparatus 100 can further
include a barrier disposed underneath the growing medium 120 to
hold the growing medium 120. The barrier can include, for example,
a mesh, a screen, or a filter, which allows for the pass-through of
plant roots but prevents downward fall-through the growing medium
120. In one example, the barrier can be permanently integrated into
the apparatus 100 (e.g., at the bottom of the mid cavities 104 or
the bottom cavities 106). In another example, the barrier can be
removable from the apparatus 100, in which case a user may change
different barriers depending on the type of growing medium 120 used
in operation. Any of the techniques described herein can be used
either individually or in combination.
Optional Bottom Cavities
[0057] Each mid cavity 104 can be connected to a bottom cavity 106.
In one example, each bottom cavity 106 is filled with air. In
another example, each bottom cavity is filled with water (or
nutrient solution underneath the apparatus 100). The filling
material of the bottom cavity 106 can depend on, for example, the
location of the water in the growing system relative to each bottom
cavity 106. For example, in a flood and drain irrigation scheme,
bottom cavities 106 can alternately be filled with water or air
during flooded and drained periods, respectively. In another
example, in a top-watering irrigation scheme, bottom cavities 106
can be always filled with air.
[0058] The bottom face of each bottom cavity 106 defines a
projected area (referred to as the sixth projected area) that
either contains or is contained within the projected area (referred
to as the fifth projected area) of the top face of the said bottom
cavity 106. The shapes of the bottom cavities 106 can include, for
example, a rectangular prism, a cylinder, a downwards or upwards
tapered trapezoidal prism, a downwards or upwards tapered truncated
elliptic cone, a pyramid or an inverse pyramid. In one example,
each bottom cavity 106 can be deep and configured into the form of
a vertical channel. In another example, each bottom cavity 106 can
be shallow and configured into the form of a collar or a lip.
Air Gaps and Irrigation Methods
[0059] In some implementations, horticultural containers according
to the present disclosure may be configured such that one or more
air gaps are present between a surface of a nutrient solution in
which a container is floating and the bottom of the porous growing
medium present in the container. In one aspect, such an air gap/air
gaps address hyperhydration and oxygenation issues. One or more air
gaps can be an integral component of the rafts themselves;
alternatively, one or more air gaps can be achieved operationally,
such as in a flood and drain system. In other aspects, one or more
air gaps can act as a buffer between the nutrient water and the
biologically inert growing medium, allowing for at least the
following benefits: (i) root exudates are shed downwards,
preventing harm to root tissue and enabling the recruitment of root
symbioses; (ii) salt accumulation in the growing medium can be
lessened, instead of building up via evaporation amplified by
capillary action; (iii) increased oxygenation and gas exchange are
facilitated in the unsubmerged root zone, due to both the air gap
itself and an effectively dry growing medium above the air gap;
(iv) increased oxygenation and gas exchange are facilitated in the
nutrient solution itself, due to improved contact of the nutrient
solution with air; and (v) excess moisture around the stem-root
junction can be reduced.
[0060] In one example, one or more air gaps are implemented
permanently once the root system of a given germinant has protruded
substantially from the bottom of the horticultural container and
into the nutrient solution, for example by lowering the water level
with respect to the raft. This allows nutrient uptake to occur via
the roots directly (instead of being intermediated by hydraulic
conductance through the growing medium).
[0061] In another example, one or more air gaps are implemented
intermittently (e.g., repeatedly off and then on), for example via
flood and drain. Rafts subjected to air gaps on an intermittent
schedule can be capable both of floatation and nutrient uptake via
hydraulic conductance upwards through the growing medium during
germination and/or growth.
Additional Features and More Examples of Optional Components
[0062] In some examples, the bottom of the apparatus 100 can
include structures to increase the mechanical strength of the
apparatus 100. The structures can include, for example, feet,
ridges, or nipples defined underside of the apparatus 100. These
structures can also allow germination to occur while the apparatus
100 is disposed in a shelfless vertically stacked configuration. In
addition, these structures also create space between the bottom of
the apparatus 100 and any supporting surface, thereby allowing
plant roots to hang during conveyance.
[0063] FIGS. 1D and 1E show schematics of an apparatus 109
including two feet at the bottom for cultivating densely seeded
crops. The apparatus 109 includes a raft body 119 supporting two
tiers of cavities: an array of top cavities 129 separated by an
array of spacers 159 and mid cavities 149 disposed below the top
cavities 129. The apparatus 109 also includes two feet 179a and
179b (collectively referred to as feet 179) to allow germination
and create space for roots to hang as described above. In one
example, the feet 179 can be integrated with the raft body 119. For
example, the raft body 119 and the feet 179 can be sections of a
single piece. In another example, the feet 179 can be removable
from the raft body 119.
[0064] In some examples, multiple rafts like the apparatus 100 can
be used for cultivating crops. For example, in a growing system
with floating conveyance, multiple rafts are used in series along a
vessel or pond containing nutrient solution for crop growth and
rafts conveyance. In these examples, a mechanism for reversibly
interlocking or connecting these rafts can be introduced. The
mechanism can include, for example, physical ties, magnetic ties,
rods, stakes, and/or interlocking components (such as tabs and
grooves) integral to the raft body 110.
[0065] In some examples, the apparatus 100 can further include a
regular pattern of grooves or holes incorporated to the bottom or
side surfaces of the apparatus 100. For example, the pattern can be
disposed or defined on the side planes of the raft body 110, on the
bottom plane (e.g., on the bottom surface of the mid cavities 104
and/or the bottom of the bottom cavities 106 if used), and/or on
the bottom of any optional ridges or feet. These grooves or holes
can facilitate handling of the apparatus 100 by enabling
non-floating conveyance systems (e.g., a mechanical drivetrain) to
obtain traction on the raft, e.g. for conveyance out of the
ponds.
[0066] In some examples, the apparatus 100 can further include
vertical ridges that protrude inwards along the interior of
cavities (e.g., top cavities 102 and/or mid cavities 104). These
ridges can be employed to encourage plant roots to extend downwards
rather than sideways and are also referred to as root training
ridges.
[0067] In some examples, the apparatus 100 can further include
vertical grooves that protrude outwards along the interior of
cavities (e.g., top cavities 102 and/or mid cavities 104). These
grooves can be employed to facilitate the growing medium 120 with
plants to be lifted out of the apparatus 100 cleanly in a
mechanized fashion without damaging the plants.
[0068] In some examples, the apparatus 100 can further include air
vents for air exchange. For example, the air vents can be
incorporated into the raft body 110 and can connect the lower
surface of the apparatus 100 to the upper surface of the apparatus
100 (e.g., where the plant canopy and growing medium are held). The
exchange of air between these two surfaces can facilitate
oxygenation in the growing medium and plant canopy.
[0069] In some examples, the apparatus 100 can further include
elements or components for controlling sink depth and/or
implementing an air gap underneath the apparatus 100. For example,
it can be helpful to dynamically adjust the water level of the
water pond where the apparatus 100 is placed and/or conveyed. When
the water level is high, the apparatus 100 can be configured to
float freely. When the water is at an intermediate level, the
undersides of the apparatus 100 may be still submerged but can be
made to rest either on the bottom of the ponds or on a system of
elevated rails protruding above the bottom of the ponds. This
contact between the apparatus 100 and pond bottom or rails can
ensure that the sink depth of the apparatus 100 is controlled. When
the water is at a low level, the undersides of the apparatus 100
can be exposed to an air gap such that while the roots can still
penetrate into the pond, the growing medium 120 is away from the
water (i.e., without physical contact with the water).
[0070] In some examples, the apparatus 100 can further include an
array of buoyant chambers, which can be built into the raft body
110 and extend downwards. In one example, the buoyant chambers can
be disposed in between the lower faces of some of the mid cavities
104 (e.g., between openings of the mid cavities 104). In another
example, the buoyant chamber can be disposed in between the lower
faces of some of the openings of the bottom cavities 106.
[0071] In some examples, the apparatus 100 can further include a
non-seedbearing space along the perimeter of the raft body 110,
such that there is an increased gap between the seedbearing area of
the apparatus 100 and the exterior of the apparatus 100. This space
can be utilized both for buoyancy and for achieving separation
between the plant canopies and root systems of neighboring rafts.
In some cases, the space can be provided by the thickness of the
raft edge 108.
[0072] In some examples, the apparatus 100 can be adapted to be
disposed on a drip try, e.g., as used in a non-floating conveyance
system. The drip tray can prevent moisture on the roots from
dripping onto equipment or other rafts. In addition, the drip tray
can hold a thin layer of liquid at its bottom and therefore prevent
the root systems from dehydrating during non-floating conveyance.
In one example, the drip tray can have internal rails or angled
sides to support the raft body 110 while leaving space underneath
for the plant roots. In another example, the drip tray can be
configured to allow the apparatus 100 to slide in and out of the
drip tray without lifting. For example, the end of the drip try can
have a height less than the height of the sides. In yet another
example, the drip tray can include indentations, lips, handles, or
depressions incorporated into the side walls of the drip tray to
facilitate the ease of both manual and robotic handling, such as
the removal of apparatus 100 from the trays. In some cases, the
drip try can also be manufactured to be nestable during storage.
Drip trays can be such that one drip tray can hold multiple
rafts.
[0073] In some examples, the apparatus 100 can further include a
tag 160 including information about the apparatus 100 and/or about
the plants grown in the apparatus 100. In one example, the tag 160
can be integrated into the apparatus 100 (e.g., on the wall of the
raft body 110 as illustrated in FIG. 1A). In another example, the
tag 160 can be removable from the apparatus 100. For example, each
time a new round of crops is planted, a new tag 160 can be placed
onto the apparatus 100. The tag can include, for example, a
barcode, a QR code, or a radio frequency identification (RFID)
chip, among others.
[0074] In some examples, the apparatus 100 can further include
various sensors to sense characteristics of the pond water, air,
and/or the growing medium 120, as well as characteristics of the
apparatus 100 itself (e.g., the sink depth). The apparatus 100 can
further include a communication interface to transmit the data
acquired by these sensors to an external device, such as a
computer, a smartphone, or a tablet, among others. The
communication interface can include a wireless communication
interface using WiFi, LTE, 3G, 4G, Bluetooth, or any other wireless
technologies. In some cases, the apparatus 100 can further include
power supplies for these tags. In other cases, such as an RFID tag,
the tag reader can transmit RF energy to the tag while reading data
from the tag.
[0075] In some examples, the apparatus 100 can further include
components for robotic and manual handling of the raft body 110.
For example, the apparatus 100 can include contact points for soft
robotic manipulators, indentations for manual gripping and
handling, and indentations to facilitate automatic nesting and
denesting of rafts.
Applications in Irrigation Systems
[0076] The apparatus 100 can be used in various irrigation systems.
In one example, the apparatus 100 can be used in a non-floating
application. Non-floating applications, in general, involve the
growth of plants in trays sitting on a mobile or stationary
surface. The apparatus 100 can also be used as trays, grown on a
surface or platform and irrigated either via pre-irrigation,
subirrigation, or top irrigation. In pre-irrigation, the growing
medium 120 itself is wetted upon seeding and growing conditions are
kept humid throughout the entire growth cycle, therefore obviating
additional irrigation for young crop production. In subirrigation,
irrigation is provided from below, either permanently or
intermittently (e.g. flood and drain). In top irrigation,
irrigation is provided from above, e.g. via sprinklers. The
apparatus 100 may or may not float in this example. In yet another
example, the apparatus 100 can be used in a bottom irrigation
system with water conveyance, in which case the apparatus 100
floats in a vessel or pond and is conveyed along the liquid vessel
or pond during the growth of crops.
Additional Examples
[0077] FIGS. 2A and 2B show schematics of an apparatus 200 having
one degree of freedom in seeding pattern for cultivating densely
seeded crops. The apparatus 200 includes a raft body 210 supporting
three tiers of cavities: an array of top cavities 202(1) to 202(6)
(collectively referred to as top cavities 202), an array of mid
cavities 204 disposed below each top cavity 202, and a bottom
cavity 206 disposed below each mid cavity 204. As illustrated in
FIGS. 2A and 2B, each top cavity 202 is configured as a furrow
(i.e., having a linear topology). Although a straight line furrow
is shown in FIG. 2A, other linear topologies can also be used. For
example, each top cavity 202 can have a polyline shape including
multiple sections of straight line furrows.
[0078] FIG. 3 shows a schematic of an apparatus 300 similar to the
apparatus 100 shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C without bottom cavities.
The apparatus 300 includes a raft body 310 supporting two tiers of
cavities: a top cavity 302 (i.e., the space defined by the dashed
lines and two raft edges 308) and an array of mid cavities 304.
Each mid cavity 304 has a top square face (i.e., the face toward
the top cavity 302) and a bottom square face opposite the top
square face. The bottom square face is smaller than the top square
face such that each mid cavity 304 has an inverse pyramid shape
(truncated before the tip of the pyramid). As illustrated in FIG.
3, the inner wall 314 of each mid cavity has an effective oblique
angle with respect to the top and/or bottom square surfaces. The
effective oblique angle can be, for example, about 30.degree. to
about 89.degree. (e.g., about 30.degree., about 40.degree., about
50.degree., about 60.degree., about 70.degree., or about
80.degree., about 85.degree., or about 89.degree., including any
values and sub ranges in between). In operation, the lower square
surfaces of the mid cavities 304 can be in contact with the water
or nutrient solution.
[0079] FIGS. 4A and 4B show schematics of an apparatus 400
including bottom cavities for cultivating densely seeded crops.
FIG. 4A shows a top view of the apparatus 400 and the FIG. 4B shows
a bottom view of the apparatus 400. The apparatus 400 includes a
raft body 410 supporting three tiers of cavities: a top cavity 402,
an array of mid cavities 404 disposed below the top cavity 402, and
an array of bottom cavities 406, each of which is disposed below a
corresponding mid cavity 404. The bottom cavities 406 are
configured in the form of collars or lips to reduce the
fall-through (and loss) of growing medium (not shown in FIGS. 4A
and 4B) disposed in the top cavity 402 and the mid cavities
404.
[0080] The inner wall 414 of the mid cavities 404 has an effective
oblique angle with respect to the top and/or bottom surface of the
mid cavities 404. As a result, the cross sectional area of each mid
cavity 404 decreases along the depth towards the bottom of the mid
cavities 404. The inner wall 414 of the mid cavities 404 is an
extension of the inner wall 412 of the top cavity 402. In other
words, the cross sectional area of the top cavity 402 also
decreases along the depth toward the bottom of the top cavity 402,
i.e. the top cavity 402 has a truncated inverse pyramid shape.
[0081] FIGS. 5A and 5B show bottom views of an apparatus 500 that
traps air between the underside of the apparatus 500 and the water
to provide buoyance force. The apparatus 500 includes a raft body
510 supporting two tiers of cavities: a top cavity 502 and an array
of mid cavities 504. In operation, the apparatus 500 can be placed
into a vessel containing water or nutrient solution. The underside
of the apparatus 500 and the water level defines a space 550 that
can be used to trap air so as to provide buoyance force to float
the apparatus 500. The space 550 can include, for example, the
space between adjacent mid cavities 504, the space between the tips
of the mid cavities 504 and the plane defined by the four edges 509
of the raft body, as well as possible space within the mid cavities
504 that is not filled with growing medium.
[0082] FIGS. 6A and 6B show bottom views of an apparatus 600
including bottom cavities configured as vertical channels. The
apparatus 600 includes a raft body 610 supporting three tiers of
cavities: a top cavity 602, an array of mid cavities 604 coupled to
the top cavity 602, and an array of bottom cavities 606, each of
which is coupled to a corresponding mid cavity 604. Each bottom
cavity 606 is configured as a vertical channel (also referred to as
a vertical pipe). In operation, the buoyancy of the apparatus 600
can be derived from at least two methods. The first method, shown
in FIG. 6B, is the space 650 between the underside of the apparatus
600 and the water level. Second and third methods are shown in FIG.
1B, wherein either the raft body is comprised of an inherently
buoyant material or there are one or more hollow air pockets within
the structure of the raft.
Application in Water Conveyance Systems
[0083] FIG. 7 shows a schematic of a growing system 7000 that can
use the apparatus described herein for cultivating densely seeded
crops. The system 7000 includes an array of vertical beams 750,
each of which holds multiple horizontal shelves 7100 (also referred
to as growing shelves) disposed into multiple layers vertically
along the vertical beam 750. The horizontal shelf 7100 has a length
760 and a width 762. Each horizontal shelf 7100 is supported by
multiple horizontal structural supports 770 mechanically coupled to
a corresponding vertical beam 750.
[0084] The horizontal shelf 7100 includes decking 775, which is
coupled to the multiple horizontal structural supports 770 and
functions as a base or bottom for the shelf 7100. The horizontal
shelf 7100 also includes at least two side walls 7102 along the
length 760 of the horizontal shelf 7100 and at least two end walls
7104 along the wide 762 of the horizontal shelf 7100. The side
walls 7102 and the end walls 7104 form a shallow pond when the
horizontal shelf 7100 contains a plant nutrient water culture (also
referred to as a culture), thereby constituting a growing layer of
the growing system. Multiple rafts 7500 are used to support plants
(e.g., germinated plants) that are grown in the system 7000. The
rafts 7500 can float the plants above the culture, while at the
same time allowing the roots of the plants to acquire nutrients
from the culture underneath of the rafts 7500. The rafts 7500 can
use any of the apparatus shown in FIGS. 1A-6B and described herein
for cultivating densely seeded crops.
[0085] Each horizontal shelf 7100 also includes at least one ramp
7106 (underneath the two rafts 7500 angled up and moving out of the
system) to facilitate loading and/or unloading of the rafts 7500
into and/or out of the shallow pond including the culture. In one
example, each horizontal shelf 7100 includes a ramp 7106 at the
beginning of the shelf 7100 to facilitate loading of the rafts
7500. In another example, each horizontal shelf 7100 includes a
ramp 7106 at the end of the shelf 7100 to facilitate unloading of
the rafts 7500. In yet another example, each horizontal shelf 7100
can include one ramp 7106 at the beginning and another ramp 7106 at
the end.
[0086] The length 760 of the shelf 7100 can depend on factors such
as the available space in the farm. In some examples, the length
760 of the shelf 7100 can be about 5 feet to hundreds of feet
(e.g., about 5 feet, about 10 feet, about 20 feet, about 50 feet,
about 100 feet, about 200 feet, about 300 feet, or about 500 feet,
including any values and sub ranges in between). Multiple vertical
beams 750 can be used to construct a long shelf 100. The spacing
between adjacent vertical beams 750 can be about 5 feet to about 20
feet (e.g., about 5 feet, about 10 feet, about 15 feet, or about 20
feet, including any values and sub ranges in between).
[0087] The width 762 of the shelf 7100 can be about 3 feet to about
6 feet (e.g., about 3 feet, about 3.5 feet, about 4 feet, about 4.5
feet, about 5 feet, about 5.5 feet, or about 6 feet, including any
values and sub ranges in between). In one example, the width 762 of
the shelf 7100 can hold only one raft 7500, in which case the width
of the raft 7500 is substantially similar to the width 762 of the
shelf 7100. In another example, the width 762 of the shelf 7100 can
hold more than one raft 7500 (e.g., two rafts, three rafts, or
more).
[0088] The depth of the shallow pond in the shelf 7100 can be
substantially equal to or less than 6 inches (e.g., about 6 inches,
about 5.5 inches, about 5 inches, or less, including any values and
sub ranges in between). The shallow pond can reduce the amount of
water used in each shelf 7100, thereby facilitating the
construction of multiple shelves 7100 within each system 7000. In
some examples, the system 7000 can include four or more shelves
7100 (e.g., 4 shelves, 5 shelves, 6 shelves, 7 shelves, 8 shelves,
9 shelves, 10 shelves, or more).
[0089] The spacing between adjacent shelves 7100 can be
substantially equal to or less than 18 inches (e.g., about 18
inches, about 16 inches, about 14 inches, about 12 inches, about 10
inches, or less, including any values and sub ranges in between).
In one example, the multiple shelves 7100 are disposed vertically
in a periodic manner, i.e. the spacing between adjacent shelves is
fixed. In another example, the multiple shelves 7100 can have more
than one spacing between adjacent shelves 7100. For example, the
first two shelves can have a first spacing and the next two shelves
can have another spacing. This multi-spacing configuration can
accommodate, for example, growth of different plants on different
levels in the system 7000.
[0090] The rafts 7500 as used in the system 7000 can be made of
foam, plastics, or any other material that can float on water. The
thickness of the rafts 7500 can be substantially equal to or less
than 8 inches (e.g., about 8 inches, about 7 inches, about 6
inches, about 5 inches, about 4 inches, about 3.5 inches, about 3
inches, or less, including any values and sub ranges in between).
The rafts 7500 can have a rectangular shape to maximize the use of
the space in the shelves 7100. The length of each raft 7500 can be,
for example, about 10 inches to about 50 inches (e.g., about 10
inches, about 20 inches, about 30 inches, about 40 inches, or about
50 inches, including any values and sub ranges in between). The
width of each raft 7500 can be, for example, about 5 inches to
about 48 inches or the full width of the pond (e.g., about 5
inches, about 10 inches, about 20 inches, about 30 inches, about 40
inches, or about 48 inches, including any values and sub ranges in
between).
[0091] In one example, the side walls 7102 can be part of the
decking 775. In this case, each shelf 100 can include multiple
decking 775 disposed and aligned along the length 760. In another
example, the decking 775 can include only the bottom of the shelf
7100 and the side walls 7102 can be assembled separately. The
material of the decking 775 can include, for example, metal (e.g.,
aluminum or steel), plastic, or glass. More details about
shallow-water flow systems can be found in PCT Application No.
PCT/US2017/028999, filed Apr. 21, 2017, entitled "STACKED SHALLOW
WATER CULTURE (SSWC) GROWING SYSTEMS, APPARATUS AND METHODS," which
is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
Conclusion
[0092] While various inventive embodiments have been described and
illustrated herein, those of ordinary skill in the art will readily
envision a variety of other means and/or structures for performing
the function and/or obtaining the results and/or one or more of the
advantages described herein, and each of such variations and/or
modifications is deemed to be within the scope of the inventive
embodiments described herein. More generally, those skilled in the
art will readily appreciate that all parameters, dimensions,
materials, and configurations described herein are meant to be
exemplary and that the actual parameters, dimensions, materials,
and/or configurations will depend upon the specific application or
applications for which the inventive teachings is/are used. Those
skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain using no
more than routine experimentation, many equivalents to the specific
inventive embodiments described herein. It is, therefore, to be
understood that the foregoing embodiments are presented by way of
example only and that, within the scope of the appended claims and
equivalents thereto, inventive embodiments may be practiced
otherwise than as specifically described and claimed. Inventive
embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to each
individual feature, system, article, material, kit, and/or method
described herein. In addition, any combination of two or more such
features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and/or methods, if
such features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and/or methods
are not mutually inconsistent, is included within the inventive
scope of the present disclosure.
[0093] Also, various inventive concepts may be embodied as one or
more methods, of which an example has been provided. The acts
performed as part of the method may be ordered in any suitable way.
Accordingly, embodiments may be constructed in which acts are
performed in an order different than illustrated, which may include
performing some acts simultaneously, even though shown as
sequential acts in illustrative embodiments.
[0094] All definitions, as defined and used herein, should be
understood to control over dictionary definitions, definitions in
documents incorporated by reference, and/or ordinary meanings of
the defined terms.
[0095] The indefinite articles "a" and "an," as used herein in the
specification and in the claims, unless clearly indicated to the
contrary, should be understood to mean "at least one."
[0096] The phrase "and/or," as used herein in the specification and
in the claims, should be understood to mean "either or both" of the
elements so conjoined, i.e., elements that are conjunctively
present in some cases and disjunctively present in other cases.
Multiple elements listed with "and/or" should be construed in the
same fashion, i.e., "one or more" of the elements so conjoined.
Other elements may optionally be present other than the elements
specifically identified by the "and/or" clause, whether related or
unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as a
non-limiting example, a reference to "A and/or B", when used in
conjunction with open-ended language such as "comprising" can
refer, in one embodiment, to A only (optionally including elements
other than B); in another embodiment, to B only (optionally
including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment, to
both A and B (optionally including other elements); etc.
[0097] As used herein in the specification and in the claims, "or"
should be understood to have the same meaning as "and/or" as
defined above. For example, when separating items in a list, "or"
or "and/or" shall be interpreted as being inclusive, i.e., the
inclusion of at least one, but also including more than one, of a
number or list of elements, and, optionally, additional unlisted
items. Only terms clearly indicated to the contrary, such as "only
one of" or "exactly one of," or, when used in the claims,
"consisting of," will refer to the inclusion of exactly one element
of a number or list of elements. In general, the term "or" as used
herein shall only be interpreted as indicating exclusive
alternatives (i.e. "one or the other but not both") when preceded
by terms of exclusivity, such as "either," "one of," "only one of,"
or "exactly one of." "Consisting essentially of," when used in the
claims, shall have its ordinary meaning as used in the field of
patent law.
[0098] As used herein in the specification and in the claims, the
phrase "at least one," in reference to a list of one or more
elements, should be understood to mean at least one element
selected from any one or more of the elements in the list of
elements, but not necessarily including at least one of each and
every element specifically listed within the list of elements and
not excluding any combinations of elements in the list of elements.
This definition also allows that elements may optionally be present
other than the elements specifically identified within the list of
elements to which the phrase "at least one" refers, whether related
or unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as a
non-limiting example, "at least one of A and B" (or, equivalently,
"at least one of A or B," or, equivalently "at least one of A
and/or B") can refer, in one embodiment, to at least one,
optionally including more than one, A, with no B present (and
optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment,
to at least one, optionally including more than one, B, with no A
present (and optionally including elements other than A); in yet
another embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than
one, A, and at least one, optionally including more than one, B
(and optionally including other elements); etc.
[0099] In the claims, as well as in the specification above, all
transitional phrases such as "comprising," "including," "carrying,"
"having," "containing," "involving," "holding," "composed of," and
the like are to be understood to be open-ended, i.e., to mean
including but not limited to. Only the transitional phrases
"consisting of" and "consisting essentially of" shall be closed or
semi-closed transitional phrases, respectively, as set forth in the
United States Patent Office Manual of Patent Examining Procedures,
Section 2111.03.
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