EP3484270A1

EP3484270A1 - Arched stem support

Info

Publication number: EP3484270A1
Application number: EP17827123.5A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Amos Nudler; Gal HORNER
Original assignee: Paskal Technologies Agricultural Cooperative Society Ltd
Current assignee: Paskal Technologies Agricultural Cooperative Society Ltd
Priority date: 2016-07-12
Filing date: 2017-07-11
Publication date: 2019-05-22
Also published as: WO2018011797A1; EP3484270A4; MX2019000434A

Abstract

The invention discloses a plant stem supporting device and apparatus and a related method, which can be adapted for use in a variety of plant types that require arched support in areas in case where there is concern of breakage as a result of change in the stem's direction of growth. The device and apparatus enable the plant to continue to grow freely without adjusting its trellising from an elevated horizontal cable above a certain height. The device prevents breakage of the stem caused at the highest point of support to the stem, when the weight of the free part causes it to tilt downwards. The supporting device is connected to a trellis wire system which is capable to support the plant, enabling it to grow freely while prolonging significantly its growing time period, maximizing its yield and minimizing the required sustaining treatments for both the plant and the corresponding trellising system.

Description

Arched Stem Support

Technical Field

The present invention pertains to apparatus for holding plants which are attached to trellising system and freely growing without treatment to the trellising system and plants after installing the apparatus. More particularly, the present invention pertains to a hanger-based device which is adapted to freely hold a stem of trellising plants during their continuous growth periods and prevent their breakage. Background

In the field of vegetables grown in greenhouses, vertical trellising is the main method used to exploit the greenhouse conditions to achieve maximum yield. This method is called the "Dutch method". Different methods involve work in a greenhouse in heights using various elevating devices such as height trolleys, ladders, crutches etc. In such methods, a metal cable is drawn horizontally over every row and a trellis wire attached to it drops down above each plant. This wire is connected to the base of the plant's stem, either by tying it or with a clip. The vertical trellis wire is connected to the cable directly or by a hanger that allows extending the wire by releasing it from a cartridge that is part of the hanger. This method is used for "non-ending" varieties in which the main stem continues to grow throughout the season, and as the plant grows, its petioles are removed and the main stem is attached to the trellis wire by various methods such as twining the stem or with various types of clips. When the plant reaches the horizontal cable, it is lowered by releasing more of the vertical trellis wire. This action is cyclic and continues throughout the growing season. Other alternative lowering methods include pruning the plant when it reaches the horizontal cable, also known as 'heading' method and allowing the fruits to ripe.

In the 'heading' method, the plant's growing season is short relative to other methods. In the method where the plant is allowed to continue to grow without trellising, the growing season is extended relative to the heading method and thus extra yield is gained, while lowering using the 'Dutch' method allows for extending the growing season to its maximum and thus achieving the maximum yield possible. With tomatoes, for example, the maximum growing season continues up to ten months and with cucumbers up to five months. These methods enable the extension of plants growing period by enabling them to grow freely while attached to a trellis wire. However, they might also result in various types of damages to the plants stem and subsequent yield loss, degradation in the plants performances and productivity, lower amount of crop with low fruit quality and shortened growing period.

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide device and apparatus that allow plants to continue to grow freely without adjusting the trellising above a certain height, maintaining their productivity and avoiding damage.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide device and apparatus that support the plants to avoid breakage of the plants stem when the weight of the free part causes it to tilt or incline downwards by gravity.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus that provides a solution which optimally supports the plants stem during its growing period and allows for the implementation of the free stem method regardless of the height of the horizontal cable and thus removes the need for a lifting device and allows additional flexibility in growing time periods.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a support apparatus which is designed and fabricated to carry high mechanical stresses and loads and let the plants stem grow freely without breakage.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus that can be implemented in a variety of plants, extending their growing time period, reducing the sustaining treatment in the plants and supporting apparatus and maximizing the yield and profit which can be gained from them.

This and other objects and embodiments of the present invention shall become apparent as the description proceeds. Summary of Invention

In one aspect, the present invention provides a plant stem supporting device that comprises:

- an attachment part for attaching the device to the vertical trellis wire;

- a support part for holding the plant stem and enabling the plant to grow freely without damage to the plant and in particular to the plant stem; and

- a locking part for manually locking the supporting device to enable holding of the plant stem within free volume enclosed by the device. In another aspect, the present invention is a part of trellising system that comprises:

- a horizontal elevated cable;

- a vertical trellis wire connected to the horizontal elevated cable; and

- the plant stem supporting device as described and illustrated in the present application. Generally, this device comprises:

- an attachment part for attaching the device to the vertical trellis wire;

- a support part for holding the plant stem and enabling the plant to grow freely without damage to the plant and in particular to the plant stem;

- a locking part for manually locking the supporting device to enable holding of the plant stem within free volume enclosed by the device.

In one particular embodiment of the present invention, the support part of the stem supporting device has an arched shape comprising:

- two supporting parts with locking elements located at their edges which enable the arched device to be locked in a closed state. The closed support part encloses a structure that contains a space which is broad enough to allow the stem to pass through and 180° arched support area with a radius large enough to support the stem during its descent and avoid breakage.

In another particular embodiment, the support part of the stem supporting device comprises a set of holes located along the enclosed arched space that allow the ventilation of the stem that passes through the supporting device open volume. These ventilation holes prevent the accumulation of moisture and reduce the risk of diseases. In still another particular embodiment, the attachment part of the supporting device comprises a pivot that enables to close the parts of the arched support part for attaching it to the trellis wire. The attachment part is configured to be attached to the trellis wire at any point on the wire above the ground. This is advantageous, because it enables attaching the supporting device at any point on the trellis wire above the ground and providing support to a plant stem at any height and corresponding load of the plant or plant stem on the support part. Accordingly, the attachment of the supporting device may be adjusted by disconnecting its attachment part off of the trellis wire and reconnecting it at another point of the wire that is more suitable to carry the load of the plant or plant stem. In addition, the supporting part has a grip strength that is at least sufficiently high to carry the load of the plant or plant stem without yielding under the load and slipping down as a result. This combination of arched support and strong grip to a trellis wire in a single device is one of the advantages of the supporting device of the present invention that provides it easier adjustment to the changing load applied by the plant or plant stem as it grows.

In still another particular embodiment of the present invention, the support part of the supporting device has a curved shape which is broad enough to allow the stem to pass through it without any damage to the plant and in particularly to the plant stem.

In still another particular embodiment, the attachment part of the supporting device is a hollow pivot enabling the insertion of the trellis wire to pass through and attach the supporting device to an elevated horizontal cable from which the trellis wire is dropped down.

In one aspect, the present invention provides a method to freely grow plant without sustaining treatment to the plants after installing plant supporting device, which results from the plants growth. Such method comprises:

- providing an elevated horizontal cable;

- providing a vertical wire, where the wire trellising from the elevated horizontal cable;

- lowering a vertical trellis wire from an elevated horizontal cable to a selected height;

- inserting the trellis wire into the attachment part of the plant stem supporting device; - placing a plant stem on the support part of the supporting device in a selected location of the stem; and

- locking the plant stem supporting device with the locking part around the plant stem. In another aspect of the present invention, the supporting device is a hanger-based device which is adapted to the plant growth during the plants life growing period and used in a variety of plant types that require support devices in areas where there is concern of breakage or any other damage as a result of a change in the stem's growth direction.

In another particular aspect of the present invention, the method and device allow plants to continue to grow freely without adapting the trellising system above a certain height, maintaining their productivity and avoiding damage. In still another particular aspect of the present invention, the device supports the plants and avoids breakage of the plants stem when the weight of the stem causes the support part to tilt downwards by gravity.

In another aspect of the present invention, the method and device provide a technical solution for optimal support for a plant stem and implementation of the free stem method regardless of the height of the horizontal cable. This removes the need for a lifting device and allows additional flexibility in growing decisions during the plant growing season.

In another aspect, the method, apparatus and device are applied in a variety of plant types extending their growing life time period, reducing the sustaining treatment from an elevated cable of the supporting system and increasing yield.

In another aspect of the present invention, the supporting device is made of materials which are strong and flexible under increasing weight of the plant and durable under high temperature, humidity and mechanical stresses. Such materials may be selected from synthetic polymers, metal and metallic materials. This type of a hanger device can be adapted for use in a variety of plant types, vegetable, fruit or other plants that require arched support in areas where there is concern of breakage as a result of a change in the stem's direction. Brief Description of the Drawings

Figs. 1A-E show perspective and zoom-in views of schematic illustrations of the arched stem supporting device, in its open state, with two different locking designs of the device locking part, demonstrating two different embodiments of the present invention.

Figs. 2A-B show side and perspective view illustrations of the arched stem supporting device, presented in Fig. 1, in its closed state, respectively.

Fig. 3 shows a front view image of attachment configuration of the arched stem supporting device for cucumber plants connected to the a vertical trellis wire.

Figs. 4A-B show front and perspective view images of the arched stem supporting device in Fig. 3.

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are schematically illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4. These figures are for illustration purposes and are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the below description in any form.

Detailed Description of the Drawings

Figs. 1A-B show perspective view schematic illustrations of the arched stem supporting device (100) in its open state, with two different locking designs of the device locking parts (4, 5) representing two different embodiments of the present invention.

Figs. 2A-B show side and perspective view illustrations of the arched stem supporting devices (100), presented in Fig. 1, in their closed state, respectively. Fig. 2A also shows the connection scheme between the arched stem supporting device (100) and the corresponding vertical trellis wire (12). In this case, the support part in the arched stem supporting device (100) comprises two supporting arms (6) shown in its open and closed states in Figs. 1-2, respectively. As shown in Figs. 2A-B, in its closed state, the arched stem supporting device is designed so that its two support arms (6) form a structure that encloses a space (11) that is broad enough to allow the stem to pass through. A 180° arched support area (7) is formed from the attachment of two parts (1, 2) to each other upon closing the device. The support part formed with closing is with a radius of support large enough to support the stalk during its descent and avoid breakage. At the center of the device (100) there is a pivot (3) that enables closing the device (100) so that the two matching locking parts (4, 5) connect to each other. The pivot (3) comprises a channel through which the trellis wire (12) can be inserted and locked. At the edges of the device (100) there is a mechanism for locking the product in closed position. This locking mechanism (14) comprises two matching locking parts (4, 5) as shown in the closed state of the arched stem supporting devices (100) in Fig. 2A. In this design, there are two optional locking mechanisms that attach and lock the locking parts (4, 5) to each other and cause the arms (6) to enclose an inner space, ensuring a sufficiently highly strong closure state for stem supporting device (100). This is illustrated in Figs. 1A and B. Fig. 1A shows the first optional locking design of the two locking parts (4, 5) comprising two females (4a), (4b) and two matching males (5a), (5b) locking elements. In this case, the two males locking elements (5a), (5b) comprise a snap-fit and a tooth shape male element, which are inserted and locked into corresponding matched female slots elements, (4a), (4b), achieving a sufficiently strong mechanical connection between the two arched arms. The tooth (5b) also serves as reference to guide the snap-fit locking of (4a) within (5a) and prevent shaking of the supporting device (100) in its closed state. This is better seen in zoom-in views in Figs. ID and IE, where the locking mechanism (14) is split to the matching parts (14a) and (14b). Fig. IB shows illustration of the second optional locking mechanism which is based on a mechanical cross locking principle of the two locking parts (4, 5). These locking parts comprise female and male shape elements configured on each side of the locking parts (4, 5). In this locking option, the left part (4) comprises two teeth shape male elements (4a) and (4b) which are inserted into two corresponding female slots (5a) and (5b), which are located on the right locking part (5). An additional locking element comprising rectangular tongue shaped male element (5c) is configured with a snap-fit locking mechanism and located on the right arm locking part (5). This element is inserted into a matched slot female element (4c) located on the left arm (4) locking part. This cross locking configuration provides a highly strong mechanical attachment between the left and the right locking parts (4, 5) of the mechanical supporting device (100). In addition, in both locking mechanisms, the teeth shaped elements labeled (5b), in Figs. 1A and ID and (4b) in Figs. IB and IE, are also used for alignment of the snap-fit female and male elements, labeled (4a) and (5a) in Figs. 1A-B and 1D-E, respectively. The middle part of the device (100) may further comprise a set of matching sets of bumps (3d) and (3e) in a zipper configuration as shown in Fig. 1C. These two sets of matching bumps (3d) and (3e) provide a better grip to the vertical trellis wire (12) to the device (100) in its closed state. As shown in Fig. IB and more clearly in the zoom-in view in Fig. 1C, two additional teeth shaped elements, (3a) and (3b), are provided in the middle of the device (100) at the right arm edge at the arched stem device pivot (3). these teeth elements are used to align the vertical trellis wire (12) to the said device (100) when installing it on the vertical trellis wire (12). In addition the matching sets of bumps (3d) and (3e) and teeth shaped elements, (3a) and (3b) are intended to prevent the wire from being released from its place and prevent the product from sliding down The matching locking parts (4, 5) that interlock with each other are ergonomically suited for being manually held and closed. The holes (8) in the spouts and arms (6) allow for the ventilation of the stem that passes through the support part formed by arms (6) and locking parts (4, 5), thereby preventing the accumulation of moisture and reducing the risk of diseases in the plants. As shown in Figs. 2A-B, the arched stem supporting device (100) is configured such that its support arms (6) are connected to the area of attachment to the wire, and incline downwards at an angle (10) relative to the longitudinal axis of the trellis wire (12). On their other side, the support arms (6) are attached with a solid triangle (9) at a certain relative angle in a manner that is adjacent to the sidewalls of the arched support area. The result of this configuration is that when the stem tends downwards as a result of its increasing weight when growing, the device (100) always turns to the direction of the free stem's inclination and thus the free stem always leans down on the arched support part (7) which is formed by the joining of the two halves of support (1, 2). The uniqueness of the "Arched Support" device (100) is its attachment to the vertical trellis wire (12). This way the grower can choose the upper support point of the plant, independent of the height of the trellis wire, as shown in Fig. 2A. The product is provided in its open form. The worker doing the trellising operations in the greenhouse closes the device on the trellis wire and the plant together, thereby attaching the product to the vertical trellis wire and trapping the plant stem within the arched support area. Fig. 3 shows perspective images of the actual attachment configuration in case of a cucumber plant comprised of the arched stem supporting device (100), the vertical trellis wire (12) and a cucumber plant (13).

Figs. 4A-B show perspective zoom-in images of Fig. 3. The cucumber stem (13a) passes through, the 180° arched support area (7) shown in Fig. 2B and is bent down by the cucumber plant gravity. The specific configuration of the 180° arched support area (7) holds the cucumber stalk (13a) during its descent down and eliminates a sharp bending angle and the stem direction which may result in further damage to the cucumber plant (13), such as stalk breakage. The hold of the arched stem supporting device (100) to the vertical trellis wire (12) at the pivot (3) enables closing the device with the locking elements (4, 5) as shown in Figs. 1-2 in their opened and closed states. As a result, the present configuration of holding the plant by the trellis wire through the arched stem supporting device (100) enables the cucumber plant to grow freely for a further period of time without any required sustaining treatments to both the trellising system and cucumber plant, resulting in the free stem inclining downwards. The grip of the pivot (3) to the trellis wire (12) is sufficiently strong to hold the supporting device (100) in place carry the load that the stalk (13a) applies on its support part (1, 2) and prevent it from slipping down. It is clear from the demonstration in Figs. 3, 4A and 4B that the supporting device (100) can be relocated to any point on the trellis wire with a simple action of releasing the locking and reconnecting it again. This provides flexibility in adjusting the support that the device (100) provides with the growth of the plant (13) and its changing weight. This type of a hanger, as described in Figs. 1-4, can be adapted for use in a variety of plant types that require arched support in areas where there is concern of breakage as a result of a change in the stem's direction, be they vegetables, fruits or other plants. The described technical solution provides optimal support for the stem and allows for the implementation of the free stem method regardless of the height of the horizontal cable and thus removes the need for a lifting device and allows additional flexibility in growing decisions.

Claims

1. A plant stem supporting device comprising:

- an attachment part for attaching said device to a vertical trellis wire;

- a support part for enclosing said plant within a free volume of said device and holding said plant stem and enabling said plant to grow freely without damage to said plant or plant stem while change of growth direction from vertical growth to horizontal growth and/or when said plant or plant stem inclining downward; and

- a locking part for manually locking said supporting device to enable holding said plant stem within said volume of said device.

2. The plant stem supporting device according to claim 1, wherein said attachment part comprises a pivot, said pivot comprises a channel for inserting said vertical trellis wire through and holding said wire within said pivot, said pivot is configured to attach to said trellis wire with a grip that is at least sufficiently high to carry load of said plant or plant stem and prevent said supporting device from slipping down.

3. The plant stem supporting device according to claim 1, wherein said support part comprises:

- two parts, said two parts complementing each other to form an arched shape upon attaching one to the other, said arched shape comprising a 180° arched surface configured for carrying said plant or plant stem and enabling it to incline downwards upon growth of said plant or plant stem; and

- a pair of arms connected to said attachment part on first end and forming an aperture at a selected angle relative to said attachment part, said pair of arms forming an inner space for accommodating said plant stem, each one of said pair of arms comprising a triangle on second end opposite said first end at a selected angle, and each one of said triangles is connected to one of said two parts.

4. The plant stem supporting device according to claim 3, wherein said two parts comprise holes in said curved surface, said holes enabling ventilation of said plant stem.

5. The plant stem supporting device according to claim 3, wherein said arms comprise holes, said holes enabling ventilation of said plant stem.

6. The plant stem supporting device according to claim 1, wherein said locking part comprises male -female connection means in said support part, said male and female locking means are locked one to the other upon closing said support part.

7. The plant stem supporting device according to clam 6, wherein said male-female connection means comprises tooth and slot snap-fit locking mechanism and a second tooth-hole matching for guiding said snap-fit locking mechanism and stabilizing said device in closed state.

8. The plant stem supporting device according to claim 6, wherein said male-female connection means comprises tongue and slot snap-fit locking mechanism and a pair of teeth and a pair of holes matching said pair of teeth, said snap-fit locking mechanism and pair of teeth and matching holes are configured in cross locking configuration of the device and stabilizing said device in closed state.

9. The plant stem supporting device according to claim 2, wherein said pivot further comprises a pair of teeth to align the vertical trellis wire and guide it to said device to closed state and stabilizing said device in said closed state.

10. The plant stem supporting device according to claim 9, wherein said pivot further comprises zipper configured bumps that provide a better grip to the vertical trellis wire to said device to closed state and stabilizing said device in said closed state.

11. The plant stem supporting device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said device is configured to enable plants attached to said vertical trellis wire to grow freely without adjusting said wire with growth of said plant and plant stem.

12. The plant stem supporting device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the said device is configured to enable said plant to tilt downwards with gravity and avoid breakage of stem of said plant by weight of free part of said stem.

13. An apparatus for holding a plant in a trellising system comprising:

- an elevated horizontal cable;

- a vertical trellis wire connected to said elevated horizontal cable; and

- a plant stem supporting device as described and claimed in any one of claims 1- 12, wherein said apparatus is configured for holding said plant to said elevated horizontal cable with said vertical trellis wire connected to said plant stem supporting device without sustaining treatments to said trellising system and adjustment to said trellis wire with growth of said plant.

14. The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said apparatus is configured to allow said plant to grow freely without trellising above a certain height, maintain productivity and avoid breakage of stem of said plant.

15. The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the said plant stem supporting device is configured to enable said plant to tilt downwards with gravity and avoid breakage of stem of said plant by weight of free part of said stem.

16. A method for freely growing plants attached to a trellising system without

sustaining treatment to said system and plants, said method comprising:

- providing an elevated horizontal cable;

- providing a vertical wire, said wire trellising from said elevated horizontal cable;

- lowering said vertical trellis wire from said elevated horizontal cable to a selected height;

- inserting said wire into an attachment part of a plant stem supporting device;

- placing a plant stem within inner space formed within said device in closed state and letting said plant stem to lean on a support part of said device in a selected location of said stem; and

- locking said device with a locking part around said plant stem.