Patent Description:
In particular, the present invention relates to an edible medium and/or support for the cultivation of vegetable products.

Techniques involving the cultivation of vegetables to ensure their supply in every season are known and widely used, for example the well-known techniques of greenhouse cultivation.

The techniques of indoor soilless cultivation, for example in a domestic environment, are also becoming more and more widespread, including the type of cultivation known as hydroponic cultivation or aeroponic cultivation.

Soilless growing techniques use special equipment, or growers, and structures which create a controlled environment for the cultivation of vegetable products. In both greenhouse and aeroponic growing techniques, the seeds of the product to be grown are placed on a growing substrate and this step is followed by the steps of germination and/or growth of the desired product.

The substrate comprises, for example, soil or a matrix of natural, biodegradable fibres, which is conveniently irrigated and possibly supplemented with organic fertilizers and/or manures necessary for the vegetable product to germinate and ripen.

Once ripe, the vegetable product is harvested for use.

It is the object of the invention to propose a new system, alternative to the known systems, for the cultivation of vegetable products.

It is a particular object of the invention to propose a new cultivation system which facilitates the use of the products by the user.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, therefore, the same concerns an edible medium and/or support for the cultivation of at least one vegetable product according to claim <NUM>, wherein said edible medium is layered and comprises:.

The word "excipient" means a substance used to improve the shape and taste of the second edible layer.

In a preferred embodiment, the first edible layer comprises an amount of water suited to ensure the germination and/or growth of the vegetable product. According to a preferred embodiment, the amount of water is present in the first edible layer in a weight percentage higher than <NUM>% of the weight of the first edible layer.

Preferably, the first edible layer comprises at least one gelling element.

In a preferred embodiment, said at least one gelling element of the first edible layer comprises agar, preferably comprises agar in a weight percentage included between <NUM>% and <NUM>%, more preferably in a weight percentage equal to <NUM>%, with respect to the first edible layer.

According to the invention, said at least one thickening element of the second edible layer comprises carob seed flour. According to a preferred embodiment, said carob seed flour is in a weight percentage included between <NUM>% and <NUM>%, more preferably in a weight percentage equal to <NUM>%, with respect to the second edible layer.

Preferably, said at least one gelling element of the second edible layer comprises agar in a weight percentage included between <NUM>% and <NUM>%, more preferably in a weight percentage equal to <NUM>%, with respect to the second edible layer.

In a preferred embodiment, said at least one excipient of the second edible layer comprises sugar in a weight percentage included between <NUM>% and <NUM>%, more preferably in a weight percentage equal to <NUM>%, with respect to the second edible layer and xanthan gum in a weight percentage included between <NUM>% and <NUM>%, more preferably in a weight percentage equal to <NUM>%, with respect to the second edible layer.

According to a preferred embodiment, said at least one excipient of the second edible layer furthermore comprises:.

Preferably, said second edible layer furthermore comprises at least one functional element.

In a preferred embodiment, said at least one functional element comprises:.

According to a preferred embodiment, said second edible layer comprises water for the remaining part in addition to said at least one mixture.

Preferably, the first edible layer furthermore comprises a stabilizing element.

A stabilizer is understood to be a substance capable of holding many molecules of other substances within itself, being able to accommodate these molecules on its wide inner surface area.

In a preferred embodiment, said stabilizing element comprises activated vegetable carbon in a weight percentage included between <NUM>% and <NUM>%, more preferably in a weight percentage equal to <NUM>%, with respect to the first edible layer.

According to a preferred embodiment, the medium furthermore comprises a third edible layer interposed between the first edible layer and said second edible layer, said third layer being suited to prevent the migration of one or more substances between said first layer and said second layer.

Preferably, said third edible layer comprises a gelling element and a stabilizing element.

In a preferred embodiment, said gelling element of the third edible layer comprises agar in a weight percentage included between <NUM>% and <NUM>%, more preferably in a weight percentage equal to <NUM>% with respect to said third edible layer, and said stabilizing element of the third edible layer comprises activated vegetable carbon in a weight percentage included between <NUM>% and <NUM>%, more preferably in a weight percentage equal to <NUM>%, with respect to said third edible layer.

According to a preferred embodiment, said third edible layer comprises an amount of water.

Preferably, the first edible layer comprises the seeds of said at least one vegetable product.

Further advantages, objectives and characteristics as well as forms of embodiment of the present invention are defined in the claims and clarified below by means of the following description, wherein reference is made to the accompanying drawings; in the drawings, corresponding or equivalent characteristics and/or component parts of the present invention are identified by the same reference numbers. In particular, in the figures:.

Although the present invention is described below with reference to its preferred embodiments shown in the drawings, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below and shown in the drawings. On the contrary, the embodiments described and illustrated herein clarify certain aspects of the present invention, the scope of which is defined by the claims.

The present invention has been found to be particularly advantageous with reference to soilless cultivation in indoor growers or in a controlled environment, such as in greenhouse cultivation.

It should be noted, however, that the present invention is not limited to this type of cultivation. On the contrary, the present invention can be conveniently applied in all cases involving the cultivation of vegetable products ready for use.

<FIG> shows an edible medium and/or support <NUM> according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

The edible medium <NUM> according to the invention allows the cultivation of vegetable products P as illustrated for example in <FIG>, in which the vegetable products P are shown in an advanced stage of growth after germination on the edible medium <NUM>.

Vegetable products P are understood to be any edible plant, such as vegetables, greens, mushrooms, etc..

According to an aspect of the present invention, the edible medium <NUM> is layered and comprises a first edible layer <NUM> suited to allow the germination and/or growth of said at least one vegetable product P and a second edible layer <NUM> comprising at least one mixture of the following: at least one thickening element, at least one gelling element and at least one excipient.

The word "excipient" means a substance used to improve the shape and taste of the second edible layer <NUM>.

In a preferred embodiment, the first edible layer <NUM> according to the invention includes the seeds S of the vegetable product P to be grown. Furthermore, preferably, the first edible layer comprises an amount of water suited to ensure the germination and/or growth of the vegetable product.

The first edible layer <NUM> preferably comprises a gelling element, more preferably agar.

The gelling element constituted by agar is present in a weight percentage included between <NUM>% and <NUM>%, more preferably in a weight percentage equal to <NUM>%, with respect to the first edible layer <NUM>.

In such a case, preferably, the amount of water is present in a weight percentage higher than <NUM>% of the weight of the first edible layer <NUM>, more preferably in a weight percentage equal to <NUM>%.

The first edible layer <NUM> has the function to receive the seeds S of the vegetable product P to be cultivated and to allow the germination of the seeds S and the subsequent growth of the vegetable product P due to the amount of water of which the first edible layer <NUM> itself is constituted.

The second edible layer <NUM> has the function to define a carrier for food supplements and/or functional foods, as described in greater detail below.

According to the invention, the mixture of the second layer <NUM> comprises a thickening element constituted by carob seed flour.

Preferably, carob seed flour is present in a weight percentage included between <NUM>% and <NUM>%, more preferably in a weight percentage equal to <NUM>%, with respect to the second layer <NUM>.

In a preferred embodiment, the gelling element of the mixture of the second layer <NUM> is constituted by agar.

Preferably, agar is present in a weight percentage included between <NUM>% and <NUM>%, more preferably in a weight percentage equal to <NUM>%, with respect to the second layer <NUM>.

In a preferred embodiment, the second layer <NUM> comprises two excipients constituted by sugar and xanthan gum.

Preferably, sugar is present in a weight percentage included between <NUM>% and <NUM>%, more preferably in a weight percentage equal to <NUM>% with respect to the second layer <NUM>, and preferably xanthan gum is present in a weight percentage included between <NUM>% and <NUM>%, more preferably in a weight percentage equal to <NUM>%, with respect to the second layer <NUM>.

Finally, the second layer <NUM> comprises water for the remaining part in addition to said mixture comprising a thickening element (carob seed flour), a gelling agent (agar) and excipients (sugar and xanthan gum).

The edible medium <NUM> according to said first preferred embodiment is therefore defined as shown in the table below:.

In a second preferred embodiment, the second layer <NUM> furthermore comprises one or more of the following excipients: gum arabic, various seeds, chopped nuts, plant extracts. Such excipients may be present individually or conveniently combined with each other within the second layer <NUM>, in addition to sugar and xanthan gum.

Gum arabic is preferably present in a weight percentage included between <NUM>% and <NUM>%, more preferably in a weight percentage equal to <NUM>%, with respect to the second edible layer <NUM>.

Various seeds are preferably present in a weight percentage included between <NUM>% and <NUM>%, more preferably in a weight percentage equal to <NUM>%, with respect to the second edible layer <NUM>.

Chopped nuts are preferably present in a weight percentage included between <NUM>% and <NUM>%, more preferably in a weight percentage equal to <NUM>%, with respect to the second edible layer (<NUM>).

Plant extracts are preferably present in a weight percentage included between <NUM>% and <NUM>%, more preferably in a weight percentage equal to <NUM>%, with respect to the second edible layer (<NUM>).

The edible medium <NUM> according to said second preferred embodiment is therefore defined as indicated in the table below in which, as mentioned, gum arabic, various seeds, chopped nuts and plant extracts may be present individually or conveniently combined with each other within the second edible layer <NUM>:.

In further variant embodiments, the second layer <NUM> may furthermore comprise a functional element.

A functional element is understood to be a substance naturally rich in molecules with beneficial and protective properties for the body.

In a preferred embodiment, the second layer <NUM> comprises one or more of the following functional elements: inulin, phycocyanin, astaxanthin, echinacoside, spirulina, protein hydrolysates, added vitamins and added mineral salts. These functional excipients may be present individually or conveniently combined with each other within the second layer <NUM>.

Inulin is preferably present in a weight percentage included between <NUM>% and <NUM>%, more preferably in a weight percentage equal to <NUM>%, with respect to the second edible layer (<NUM>).

Phycocyanin is preferably present in a weight percentage included between <NUM>% and <NUM>%, more preferably in a weight percentage equal to <NUM>%, with respect to said second edible layer (<NUM>).

Astaxanthin is preferably present in a weight percentage included between <NUM>% and <NUM>%, more preferably in a weight percentage equal to <NUM>%, with respect to said second edible layer (<NUM>).

Echinacoside is preferably present in a weight percentage included between <NUM>% and <NUM>%, more preferably in a weight percentage equal to <NUM>%, with respect to the second edible layer (<NUM>).

Spirulina is preferably present in a weight percentage included between <NUM>% and <NUM>%, more preferably in a weight percentage equal to <NUM>%, with respect to the second edible layer (<NUM>).

Protein hydrolysates are preferably present in a weight percentage included between <NUM>% and <NUM>%, more preferably in a weight percentage equal to <NUM>%, with respect to the second edible layer (<NUM>).

Added vitamins are preferably present in a weight percentage included between <NUM>% and <NUM>%, more preferably in a weight percentage equal to <NUM>% with respect to the second edible layer (<NUM>).

Added mineral salts are preferably present in a weight percentage included between <NUM>% and <NUM>%, more preferably in a weight percentage equal to <NUM>%, with respect to the second edible layer (<NUM>).

The amount of water in the second layer <NUM> will be adjusted from time to time to complete the second layer <NUM>.

The edible medium <NUM> according to said second preferred embodiment is therefore defined as shown in the table below in which, as mentioned, inulin, phycocyanin, astaxanthin, echinacoside, spirulina, protein hydrolysates, added vitamins and added mineral salts may be present individually or conveniently combined with each other within the second layer <NUM>:.

According to an advantageous aspect of the present invention, the layered form of the edible medium <NUM> allows the germination of the seeds S and the subsequent growth of the vegetable product P.

In a further preferred embodiment, a stabilizing element may be present within the first layer <NUM>.

A stabilizing element is understood to be a substance capable of retaining many molecules of other substances within itself, being able to accommodate these molecules on its wide inner surface area.

Said stabilizing element preferably comprises activated vegetable carbon. Activated vegetable carbon is preferably present in a weight percentage included between <NUM>% and <NUM>%, more preferably in a weight percentage equal to <NUM>%, with respect to the first layer <NUM>.

The edible medium <NUM> according to said second preferred embodiment is therefore defined as shown in the table below:.

<FIG> shows a possible variant embodiment of the edible medium <NUM> according to the invention.

Said edible medium <NUM> differs from the edible medium <NUM> described with reference to the previous figures in that it comprises a third edible layer <NUM> interposed between the first layer <NUM> and the second layer <NUM>. Component parts corresponding or equivalent to those of the first embodiment are identified by the same reference numbers, in particular the first and the second layer <NUM>, <NUM> can be made as described above.

The edible medium <NUM> according to said embodiment allows the cultivation of vegetable products P, as illustrated for example in <FIG>, in which the vegetable products P are shown in an advanced stage of growth after germination on the edible medium <NUM>.

According to an aspect of the present invention, the third layer <NUM> is conveniently configured to prevent the migration of one or more substances between the first and the second layer <NUM>, <NUM>.

In a preferred embodiment, the third layer <NUM> comprises a gelling element and a stabilizing element.

In a preferred embodiment, the gelling element of the third layer <NUM> is constituted by agar.

Preferably, agar is present in a weight percentage included between <NUM>% and <NUM>%, more preferably in a weight percentage equal to <NUM>%, with respect to the third edible layer <NUM>.

In a preferred embodiment, the stabilizing element of the third edible layer <NUM> is constituted by activated vegetable carbon.

Preferably, the stabilizing element of the third edible layer <NUM> comprises activated vegetable carbon in a weight percentage included between <NUM>% and <NUM>%, more preferably in a weight percentage equal to <NUM>%, with respect to the third edible layer <NUM>. Finally, the third layer <NUM> comprises water for the remaining part in addition to the gelling element and the stabilizing element. Possible embodiments of the edible medium <NUM> including the third intermediate layer <NUM> are shown by way of example in the tables below.

Advantageously, as a result of the above, following the autonomous germination and growth of the vegetable product P, the product and the edible medium can be eaten directly, since they actually make up a portion of food.

The above clearly shows that the medium according to the invention allows the set objects to be achieved.

In particular, it is clear that the proposed solution provides a new system for the cultivation of vegetable products that is particularly convenient in terms of use by the user.

Claim 1:
Edible medium (<NUM>; <NUM>) for the cultivation of at least one vegetable product (P); wherein said edible medium (<NUM>; <NUM>) is layered and comprises:
- a first edible layer (<NUM>) suited to allow the germination and/or growth of said at least one vegetable product (P);
- a second edible layer (<NUM>) comprising at least one mixture of the following: at least one thickening element, at least one gelling element and at least one excipient;
wherein said at least one thickening element of said second edible layer (<NUM>) comprises carob seed flour.