EP0300536A1
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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Method and device for mineral wool culture of plants with suction pressure control
Assignee: Rockwool Lapinus BV
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Filing: 1988-07-01
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2008-07-01
Abstract
Abstract The invention relates to a method for the mineral wool culture of plants, whereby water and any fertilizers that may be comprised therein are supplied to, and if necessary discharged from, the mineral wool in which the plant grows, whereby in said mineral wool the suction pressure is adjusted using a capillary system connected for liquid communication with mineral wool, with which capillary system water and any required nutrients are actively supplied to and/or discharged from said mineral wool, in order to readjust the predetermined suction pressure; and to a device for the mineral wool culture of plants, comprising: mineral wool in which the plants can grow; means for supplying water and any fertilizers that may be comprised therein to said mineral wool; and means for discharging water and any fertilizers that may be comprised therein from said mineral wool, wherein a capillary system connected for liquid communication with said mineral wool, to which system are linked means for adjusting the suction pressure in said mineral wool in which the plant grows, and means for determining the actual suction pressure of the mineral wool, and based on the determined actual suction pressure control the amount of water supplied by the water supplying means and/or discharged by the water discharging means.
Inventors
- 👤 Christiaan Blok
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 10:44
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01G; A01G31/00; A01G31/02; Y; Y02; Y02P; Y02P60/00; Y02P60/20; Y02P60/21
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
84 words
Method for the mineral wool culture of plants, whereby water and any fertilizers that may be comprised therein are supplied to, and if necessary discharged from, the mineral wool in which the plant grows, characterized in that in said mineral wool and suction pressure is adjusted using a capillary system connected for liquid communication with mineral wool, with which capillary system water and any required nutrients are actively supplied to and/or discharged from said mineral wool, in order to readjust the predetermined suction pressure.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
84 words
Method for the mineral wool culture of plants, whereby water and any fertilizers that may be comprised therein are supplied to, and if necessary discharged from, the mineral wool in which the plant grows, characterized in that in said mineral wool and suction pressure is adjusted using a capillary system connected for liquid communication with mineral wool, with which capillary system water and any required nutrients are actively supplied to and/or discharged from said mineral wool, in order to readjust the predetermined suction pressure.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
Method as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the suction pressure in the mineral wool is maintained at a constant value.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
Method as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the capillary system comprises at least one capillary element connected for liquid communication with the rockwool, which element is connected at its other side to suction pressure setting means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
Method as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that the capillary element is a perforated capillary tube which extends into the rockwool.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
50 words
Method as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that the capillary element consists of a number of perforated capillary tubes located adjacent to one another, which connect onto a main tube and are inserted into the rockwool, and that said main tube is connected to the suction pressure setting means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
Method as claimed in claims 1-3, characterized in that the capillary element is a strip of mineral wool.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
Method as claimed in claims 1-6, characterized in that the mineral wool in which the plant grows is at least partially enclosed by a liquid-tight material.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
39 words
Method as claimed in claim 7, characterised in that arranged in the watertight material is at least one passage, via which passage the capillary system is connected for liquid communication with the mineral wool in which the plant grows.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
Method as claimed in claims 3-8, characterized in that the mineral wool and the capillary element are enclosed by the liquid-tight material.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
32 words
Method as claimed in claims 1-9, characterized in that the capillary system and the plants are separated from each other by a barrier impenetrable by plant roots, for example an anti-root sheet.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
Method as claimed in claims 1-10, characterized in that the predetermined suction pressure is about 0 to about 20 cm. water column.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
Method as claimed in claim 11, characterized in that the set suction pressure amounts to 5 to 10 cm. water column.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
121 words
Device for the mineral wool culture of plants, comprising: mineral wool in which the plants can grow; means for supplying water and any fertilizers that may be comprised therein to said mineral wool; and means for discharging water and any fertilizers that may be comprised therein from said mineral wool, characterized by a capillary system connected for liquid communication with said mineral wool, to which system are linked means for adjusting the suction pressure in said mineral wool in which the plant grows, and means for determining the actual suction pressure of the mineral wool, and based on the determined actual suction pressure control the amount of water supplied by the water supplying means and/or discharged by the water discharging means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
121 words
Device for the mineral wool culture of plants, comprising: mineral wool in which the plants can grow; means for supplying water and any fertilizers that may be comprised therein to said mineral wool; and means for discharging water and any fertilizers that may be comprised therein from said mineral wool, characterized by a capillary system connected for liquid communication with said mineral wool, to which system are linked means for adjusting the suction pressure in said mineral wool in which the plant grows, and means for determining the actual suction pressure of the mineral wool, and based on the determined actual suction pressure control the amount of water supplied by the water supplying means and/or discharged by the water discharging means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
39 words
Device as claimed in claim 19, characterized in that the suction pressure means comprise a suction pressure sensor, which is connected to a control unit controlling pump means included in the water supply means and/or water dis charge means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
24 words
Device as claimed in claims 13 or 14, characterized in that the capillary system is a perforated capillary tube which extends into the rockwool.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
50 words
Device as claimed in claims 13-15, characterized in that the capillary element consists of a number of perforated capillary tubes located adjacent to one another, which connect onto a main tube and are inserted into the rockwool, and that said main tube is connected to the suction pressure setting means..
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
18 words
Device as claimed in claims 13-16, characterized in that the capillary element is a strip of mineral wool.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
26 words
Device as claimed in claims 13-17, characterized in that the mineral wool in which the plant grows is at least partially enclosed by a liquid-tight material.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
39 words
Device as claimed in claim 18, characterized in that arranged in the watertight material is at least one passage, via which passage the capillary system is connected for liquid communication with the mineral wool in which the plant grows.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
22 words
Device as claimed in claims 13-19, characterized in that the mineral wool and the capillary element are enclosed by the liquid-tight material.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
32 words
Device as claimed in claims 13-20, characterized in that the capillary system and the plants are separated from each other by a barrier impenetrable by plant roots, for example an anti-root sheet.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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