Seedling raising device, supporting device and cell plug for use in seedling raising device

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11266078-B2
Application number	US-201716330137-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 23, 2017
Priority date	Sep 6, 2016
Publication date	Mar 8, 2022
Grant date	Mar 8, 2022

Abstract

A seedling raising device includes: a cell plug for seedling raising that is formed as a single pot body; and a supporting device configured to detachably arrange and support a plurality of cell plugs, wherein the supporting device is capable of supporting the cell plug in either one of a first supporting position where the cell plug is slidably supported in a horizontal direction and a second supporting position where the cell plug is detachably supported in a top position.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A seedling raising device comprising:
a cell plug for seedling raising that is formed as a single pot body; and
a supporting device configured to detachably arrange and support a plurality of cell plugs, wherein
the supporting device is capable of supporting the cell plug in either one of a first supporting position where the cell plug is slidably supported in a horizontal direction and a second supporting position where the cell plug is detachably supported in a top position, wherein
the supporting device includes a first member and a second member that face each other and is configured to be capable of changing an interval between the first member and the second member,
the first member is provided with a first engaging portion extending in the horizontal direction,
the second member is provided with a second engaging portion facing the first engaging portion and extending in the horizontal direction,
the cell plug is slidable in the horizontal direction while being engaged with the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion,
the first member is provided with a first mounting portion extending in the horizontal direction,
the second member is provided with a second mounting portion facing the first mounting portion and extending in the horizontal direction, and
the cell plug is mounted on the first mounting portion and the second mounting portion and is detachable in the top position, and
wherein a first concave portion recessed downward and extending in the horizontal direction is provided on an upper end of the first member,
a second concave portion recessed downward and extending in the horizontal direction is provided on an upper end of the second member,
the first concave portion and the second concave portion are capable of storing therein a liquid, and
the seedling raising device further comprises a liquid supply member capable of supplying the liquid stored in the first concave portion or the second concave portion into the cell plug.

2. The seedling raising device according to claim 1 , wherein the supporting device is configured to support the cell plug in either one of the first supporting position and the second supporting position in such a manner as to flexibly set an interval between the cell plugs.

3. The seedling raising device according to claim 1 , wherein the first concave portion and the second concave portion are exposed to atmosphere, and
the liquid supply member is made of a lubricating medium and is configured to supply the liquid stored in the first concave portion or the second concave portion into the cell plug using a capillary phenomenon.

4. The seedling raising device according to claim 1 , wherein the cell plug comprises a portion to be engaged that is engageable with the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion, and a portion to be mounted that is mountable on the first mounting portion and the second mounting portion, and
the portion to be engaged and the portion to be mounted are configured to protrude laterally outward from a main body of the cell plug.

5. The seedling raising device according to claim 1 , wherein the cell plug has a through hole formed in a bottom wall thereof.

6. A supporting device configured to detachably support a cell plug for seedling raising, the cell plug being formed as a single pot body,
the supporting device comprising a first member and a second member that face each other, the supporting device being configured to be capable of changing an interval between the first member and the second member, wherein
the first member is provided with a first engaging portion extending in a horizontal direction,
the second member is provided with a second engaging portion facing the first engaging portion and extending in the horizontal direction,
the first member is further provided with a first mounting portion extending in the horizontal direction, and
the second member is further provided with a second mounting portion facing the first mounting portion and extending in the horizontal direction, and wherein
a first concave portion recessed downward and extending in the horizontal direction is provided on an upper end of the first member,
a second concave portion recessed downward and extending in the horizontal direction is provided on an upper end of the second member,
the first concave portion and the second concave portion are capable of storing therein a liquid, and
the seedling raising device further comprises a liquid supply member capable of supplying the liquid stored in the first concave portion or the second concave portion into the cell plug.

Assignees

• Univ Osaka Public Corp
• Kusakabe Kikai Co Ltd

Inventors

• Nishiura Yoshifumi
• Shimada Koji

Classifications

• A01G9/0295 Primary

  Units comprising two or more connected receptacles · CPC title

• A01G27/06

  having a water reservoir, the main part thereof being located wholly around or directly beside the growth substrate · CPC title

• A01G9/027

  Pots connected in horizontal rows · CPC title

• A01G9/028

  Multi-compartmented pots · CPC title

• A01G9/0297

  Grids for supporting several receptacles · CPC title