HYDROPONIC PLANT GROW CABINET

Abstract

Present invention relates to a hydroponic plant grow cabinet, comprising a housing, said housing comprising main plant growing chamber and a pre-growing chamber for seeds/seedlings, main tank and auxiliary tanks for a nutrient solution and pH level regulating solutions, pumps and tubing, lighting means, ventilating means, control means, sensors, display means, loudspeaker and user input means, network communication means, connection to electric main, connections to water mains and sewage.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/597,406 filed May 17, 2017, which claims the benefit of Estonian Application No: U201600025 filed Jun. 3, 2016, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Present invention relates to a hydroponic plant grow cabinet. More precisely present invention relates to a home or professional appliance for growing edible plants using fully automated hydroponic technology.

BACKGROUND ART

In patent U.S. Pat. No. 5,283,974A (published Aug. 2, 1994) is known a portable grow cabinet, comprising control means for controlling various environmental functions, such as plant watering, temperature, humidity, air circulation and lighting. However said existing cabinet offers very limited automation and requires regular maintenance (for example frequent refilling) and frequent monitoring by the user.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

The aim of the present invention is to provide an easy and simple to use fully automated apparatus to grow plants hydroponically in a limited place. Said cabinet is intended for a non-professional growers, i.e. to the end users, as restaurants, offices or private homes.

The aim of the present invention is also to provide fully automated grow cabinet requiring minimum amount of an attention and maintenance from the end user.

The aim of the present invention is also to provide fully automated grow cabinet which simply requires to be plugged into the electric socket, to the water mains and sewage similarly to an ordinary washing machine.

Present invention provides a hydroponic plant grow cabinet, comprising a housing, said housing comprising main plant growing chamber and a pre-growing chamber for seed/seedlings, main tank and auxiliary tanks for a nutrient solution and pH level regulating solutions, pumps and tubing, lighting means, ventilating means, control means, sensors, display means, loudspeaker and user input means, network communication means and connection to electric main.

Also said cabinet comprises connections to water mains and sewage, inside said housing cabinet comprises:

a module of a refill cartridge system for cartridges with nutrients and chemicals for regulating pH level;

in the main chamber at least one module of plant growing pod stands, said module being slidable in and out of the chamber, where each stand comprises in vertical direction multitude of plant grow pods one above the other; and

in the pre-growing chamber at least one holder module for receiving several seed/seedling growing cups, said cup holder module being slidable in and out of the chamber.

Preferably the nutrient solution is fed from the main tank to said plant growing pod stands at the top of the main chamber into the top most growing pod, where in the bottom of each growing pod is an aperture.

The bottom aperture of the pod above opens into the pod below such that nutrient solution fed into the top most pod is fed through bottom apertures of pods from pods above to pods below. The nutrient solution exiting from the lower most pod is collected to a collecting pan to be fed further into the pre-growing chamber.

Preferably the nutrient solution fed into the pre-growing chamber is collected onto a solution pan below the holder module for receiving several seed/seedling growing cups, where level of the solution in a solution pan is kept such that at least the bottom part of each seed/seedling growing cup is immerged into the solution and the excess solution is fed into the main tank.

Preferably the concentration of nutrients in the nutrient solution in the main tank is replenished from the auxiliary tank for a nutrient solution and water from the water main.

Preferably the pH level of solution in the main tank is regulated by the chemicals from the auxiliary tanks for chemicals for regulating pH level.

Preferably the module of a refill cartridge system for cartridges with nutrients and chemicals for regulating pH level comprises three cartridges, one cartridge for nutrients for growing plant, one cartridge for chemical for regulating pH level down and one cartridge for chemical for regulating pH level up.

Preferably the control means are set to send through network communication means status and alarm messages to user's communication device, such as smart phone, computer, laptop or tablet.

For sanitation and to avoid a bacteria growth in the solution, the main tank 4 may also comprise UV-light.

Connections to the water mains and sewage may be permanent or temporary. When temporary connections to a water mains and sewage are used, said connections are made only when needed for refilling cabinet with fresh water and/or for draining the main tank. The need for such connections to be made is communicated to the user for example by displaying a corresponding message on display means and/or said message is sent to the user through communication means.

Preferably the grow cabinet according to the invention have dimensions corresponding to standard kitchen appliances, such as refrigerator. This makes it easy to integrate grow cabinet of present invention easily to any existing kitchen.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The present invention is now described in greater detail with references to the accompanying drawings, in which;

FIG. 1 represents a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of a grow cabinet according to the invention, where access door to main growing chamber and pre-growing chamber is opened and holder module with grow cups has been drawn out of the pre-growing chamber;

FIG. 2 represents a schematic diagram of a grow cabinet according to the invention showing only the main parts of the cabinet;

FIG. 3 represents a schematic diagram of a grow cabinet according to FIG. 2, showing only the lower part of the cabinet comprising pre-growing chamber, refill cartridge system and all the nutrient tanks and tubing connections.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

In the schematic diagrams for the sake of clarity only essential units and devices of the grow cabinet are depicted, therefore a wiring of fans, pumps and valves are omitted from the diagram. Also a wiring of sensors is only depicted in general manner. The liquid flow through the cabinet is depicted with dash lines ending with arrow heads.

The hydroponic plant grow cabinet according to present invention comprises a housing 1, said housing 1 comprising main plant growing chamber 2 and a pre-growing chamber 3 for seed/seedlings, main tank 4 and auxiliary tanks 5, 6 and 7.

The auxiliary tank 5 is for a nutrient solution, the auxiliary tank 6 is for a chemical for regulating pH level up and auxiliary tank 7 is for a chemical for regulating pH level down. On top of the tank 5 sits a refill cartridge 8, on top of the tank 6 sits a refill cartridge 9 and, on top of tank 7 sits a refill cartridge 10.

A module of a refill cartridge system comprises refill cartridges 8, 9 and 0 and their corresponding auxiliary tanks 5, 6 and 7 for receiving their content.

Each corresponding auxiliary tank 5, 6, 7 is connected with a main tank 4 through corresponding pump 11, 12 and 13. This enables refill main tank 4 with fresh nutrient solution or chemicals for pH level regulating only when needed.

In the main tank 4 is a water intake 14 followed by a filter 15. After said filter 16 tube branches into three separate channels with their own corresponding pump 16, 17, 18.

Pump 16 is for the agitation of the liquid in the main tank 4. Pump 17 is for emptying main tank 4 into a sewage. Pump 18 is for the circulation of the nutrient solution inside of the cabinet through the grow chambers.

The main tank 4 also includes connection to the water mains through the solenoid valve 19.

In addition in the main tank 4 is a sensor set 20 for monitoring liquid level, pH level, temperature, etc.

Pump 18 feeds nutrient solution from the main tank ;4 into a upper part of the main grow chamber 2. There the solution is fed into upper ends of each pod stand 21.

Each pod stand 21 includes a spout 22 through which solution is fed into a upper most pod 23 on that stand 21.

At the bottom end of each pod 23 is an aperture 24, which opens above the pod 23 below it. In this way the nutrient solution makes its way from the upper most pod 23 through every other pod 23 on that stand 21 and via each aperture 24 at the bottom of each pod 23 to a bottom most pod 23. From the bottom most pod 23 nutrient solution is collected onto a collection pan 25. From the collection pan 25 the nutrient solution in turn is fed into a pre-growing chamber 3.

The module of plant growing pod stand comprises therefore pod stand 21, pods 23 and collection pan 25, which are slidable as an unit (module) in and out of the main chamber 2 (preferably with collection pan 25).

In the pre-growing chamber 3 said solution is collected onto a solution pan 26 below the holder module 27 for receiving several seed/seedling growing cups 28. Said cup holder module being slidable in and out of the pre-growing chamber 3.

The level of the solution in a solution pan 26 is kept such that each seed/seedling growing cup is immerged into the solution. Excess of the solution is fed back into the main tank 4.

Each pod 23 contains grow medium for the plant.

As can be seen from the FIG. 1, main chamber 2 comprises also a lighting devices 29 and environmental sensor 30 and at least one fan 33. In the pre-growing chamber 3 also includes above seed/seedling growing cups 28 a lighting device 31 and environmental sensor 32.

At the top of the housing 1 are air filters 34 and control means 35. All the sensors, pumps, fans and solenoid valves are connected to the control means 35.

The cabinet also comprises loudspeaker 36, which is also connected to the control means 35.

As can be seen from FIG. 1, different modules in the housing 1 can be accessed through access doors: a module of a refill cartridge system, the main chamber 4 and the pre-growing chamber 3. The pre-growing chamber 3 comprises a holder module 27 for receiving several seed/seedling growing cups 28 and said cup holder module 27 is slidable out of the pre-growing chamber 3.

As can be seen from the FIG. 1 each stand 21 comprises in vertical direction multitude of plant grow pods 23 one above the other.

For sanitation and to avoid a bacteria growth in the solution, the main tank 4 also comprises UV-light (not shown).

All sensors, display means (for example screen or touch screen—not shown), loudspeaker and user input means (for example keypad or touch screen—not shown), network communication means (not shown), connection to electric main (not shown), pumps, valves, lighting device, fans are connected to control means 35. Control means 35 are essentially microprocessor-controlled control electronics (i.e. computerized control system) comprising memory means for a control program of the cabinet, which is used to maintain suitable conditions in the chambers 2 and 3 in the cabinet for seeds/seedlings and plants to grow.

The control means are responsive to user input commands for controlling various environmental functions, such as plant watering, temperature, humidity, air circulation and lighting, etc. Preferably the ambient conditions within the cabinet are programmable separately for daytime and night-time and also for seasonal cycles. The ambient temperature within the chambers can be maintained at a relatively constant level, or alternatively, a temperature differential can be maintained within chambers to accommodate various types of plants which thrive under different temperature conditions.

For example said control means 35 are also used to display on the display means information and status of the refill cartridges, information about conditions inside cabinet (temperature, humidity, lighting), etc. Through a network communication means alerts and information can be sent also to the user device (through WiFi, LAN connection, internet, mobile phone network, etc), such as smart phone, tablet, computer, etc.

The loudspeaker 36 is used to play alarms, messages and also to play music to plants.

The apparatus will automatically control & regulate the plants growth via light control (software, sensor), temperature control (ventilation, watering, sensor), humidity control (sensor, ventilation watering), watering control (software schedule & humidity), nutrient concentration level in the water (software schedule, pump, sensor), a water pH level (sensor, pump, software a water level (sensor, pump, software), a music level (software), ventilation (fans & software).

The cabinet will also automatically inform the user when the refill cartridges of nutrients and pH level regulating chemicals need to be replaced, when a fault occurs in the cabinet, for example faulty sensor, pump, valve, power failure, water supply failure from the water mains, sewage blockage, etc.

FIG. 1 depicts only one possible embodiment of the cabinet out of many. FIG. 1 shows an embodiment which could be referred as closed cabinet with one or more access doors.

The cabinet according to invention can be implemented also without said door, i.e. as so called open cabinet.

For person skilled in the art it is obvious that the present invention is not limited to the embodiment depicted in the attached drawings and described above but within the scope of attached claims many other embodiments are possible.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

• 1—housing
• 2—main plant growing chamber
• 3—pre-growing chamber
• 4—main tank
• 5—auxiliary tank for a nutrient solution
• 6—auxiliary tank for a chemical for regulating pH level up
• 7—auxiliary tank for a chemical for regulating pH level down
• 8—cartridge for a nutrient solution
• 9—cartridge for a chemical for regulating pH level up
• 10—cartridge for a chemical for regulating pH level down
• 11—pump for an auxiliary tank for a nutrient solution
• 12—pump for an auxiliary tank for a chemical for regulating pH level up
• 13—pump for an auxiliary tank for a chemical for regulating pH level down
• 14—water intake
• 15—filter
• 16—pump
• 17—pump
• 18—pump
• 19—solenoid valve
• 20—sensor set
• 21—pod stand
• 22—spout
• 23—pod
• 24—aperture
• 25—collection pan
• 28—solution pan
• 27—holder module
• 28—growing cup
• 29—lighting device
• 30—environmental sensor
• 31—lighting device
• 32—environmental sensor
• 33—fan
• 34—air filter
• 35—control means
• 36—loudspeaker

Claims

1. A hydroponic plant grow cabinet comprising

A housing, said housing comprising a main plant growing chamber; and

At least one module of plant growing pod stands placed in the main chamber of the housing, wherein each stand comprises in vertical direction a multitude of plant grow pods;

A main tank comprising a nutrient growing solution;

wherein the nutrient solution is fed from the main tank to said plant growing pod stands at the top of the main chamber into the top most growing pod, and

wherein each growing pod comprises an aperture arranged so that the aperture of each of the pods but the bottommost is above an upper end of a pod below it.

2. The hydroponic plant grow cabinet according to claim 1, wherein the aperture of each pod is located at its bottom and wherein the nutrient solution fed into the top-most pod is fed through bottom apertures of pods from pods above to pods below.

3. The hydroponic plant grow cabinet according to claim 1, further comprising a pre-growing chamber configured to house seeds and/or seedlings and comprising a holder module for receiving several seed and/or seedling growing cups.

4. The hydroponic plant grow cabinet according to claim 3, wherein the nutrient solution exiting from the lower most pod is configured to be collected to a collecting pan to be fed further into the pre-growing chamber.

5. The hydroponic plant grow cabinet according to claim 4, wherein the nutrient solution fed into the pre-growing chamber is configured to be collected onto a solution pan and the excess solution is configured to be fed into the main tank.

6. The hydroponic plant grow cabinet according to claim 1, further comprising a network communication component configured to communicate with a user device and wherein the hydroponic plant grow cabinet is configured to send through the network communication component status and alarm messages to the user device.

7. The hydroponic plant grow cabinet according to claim 1, further comprising a controller configured to maintain suitable conditions for growing plants.

8. The hydroponic plant grow cabinet according to claim 7, wherein the controller is configured to adjust at least one of plant watering, temperature, humidity, air circulation and lighting based on user input.

9. The hydroponic plant grow cabinet according to claim 6, further configured to communicate to a user the need to connect the hydroponic plant grow cabinet to water supply and/or sewage by displaying a corresponding message on a display component and/or by sending a message to the user via the network communication component.

10. The hydroponic plant grow cabinet according to claim 1, wherein the dimensions of the hydroponic plant grow cabinet approximately correspond to a refrigerator.

11. The hydroponic plant grow cabinet according to claim 1, further comprising a loudspeaker configured for at least one of playing alarms, messages and playing music to plants.

12. The hydroponic plant grow cabinet according to claim 1, wherein ambient conditions within the cabinet are programmable separately for daytime and night-time and/or for seasonal cycles.

13. The hydroponic plant grow cabinet according to claim 1, wherein the plant grow pods are arranged on each stand in an angularly offset configuration so as to align the aperture of each upper pod with a top opening of each subsequent lower pod.

14. The hydroponic plant grow cabinet according to claim 1, wherein the plant grow pods are arranged in a spiral pattern on each stand, wherein each lower pod is arranged with a an angular offset with respect to its predecessor, said angular offset lying in a plane substantially perpendicular to the stand, said offsets of all the pods arranged on one stand tracing at least a half circle on the said perpendicular plane.

15. The hydroponic plant grow cabinet according to claim 1, wherein the aperture is at the bottom of each pod and wherein the lower part of each pod above the aperture is funnel-shaped.

16. The hydroponic plant grow cabinet according to claim 1, wherein each plant growing pod comprises an opening in its top surface and wherein the diameter of the aperture is smaller than the diameter of the opening of the pod.

17. The hydroponic plant grow cabinet according to claim 16, wherein the subsequent pods are arranged on each stand so as to align the aperture of the top pod with the opening of the lower pod.

18. A method for hydroponically growing plants, the method comprising

Providing a hydroponic plant grow cabinet comprising a housing with a main plant growing chamber;

Placing at least one module of plant growing pod stands into the main chamber so that each stand comprises in vertical direction multitude of plant grow pods arranged at least in part one above the other;

Placing a nutrient growing solution into a main tank of the hydroponic plant grow cabinet;

Feeding the nutrient solution from the main tank to the plant growing pod stands at the top of the main chamber into the top most growing pod;

The nutrient solution flowing from the top most growing pod to each subsequent growing pod via an aperture at the bottom of each growing pod.

19. The method according to claim 18, further comprising collecting the exiting nutrient solution from the lower most pod to a collecting pan and feeding it further into a pre-growing chamber of the hydroponic plant growth cabinet, said pre-growing chamber configured to receive seeds and/or seedlings.

20. The method according to claim 18, further comprising the hydroponic plant grow cabinet communicating with a user device, said communication relating to at least one of

Providing status of the hydroponic plant grow cabinet and/or status of its individual components; Providing status of the plants growing in the hydroponic plant growth cabinet; Requesting to perform a maintenance action on the hydroponic plant grow cabinet.

21. The method according to claim 18 further comprising the hydroponic plant grow cabinet adjusting at least one of plant growing parameters in response to input via a user device.

22. A system for hydroponically growing plants, the system comprising

A hydroponic plant grow cabinet according to claim 1; and

A user device;

Wherein the hydroponic plant grow cabinet is configured to communicate with the user device via a network communication component.

23. The system according to claim 22, wherein the hydroponic plant grow cabinet is further configured to send information to the user device, said information relating to at least one of

Status of the hydroponic plant grow cabinet and/or status of its individual components;

Status of the plants growing in the hydroponic plant growth cabinet;

Request to perform a maintenance action on the hydroponic plant grow cabinet.

24. The system according to claim 22, wherein the hydroponic plant grow cabinet is further configured to adjust at least one of plant growing parameters in response to input via the user device.