BE1025365B1 - NON-GROUND CULTIVATION DEVICE COMPRISING DRAINAGE MEANS COOPERATING WITH OVERFLOW MECHANISM FOR EVACUATING OVERFLOW WATER - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an off-soil cultivation device (100) comprising: - a tank (10) having four peripheral walls (11, 12, 13, 14) and a bottom (15) together forming a receptacle of substantially parallelepipedal shape for to receive especially water and earth, and - a set of feet (20) integrally fixed to said tray (10) and dimensioned to raise said tray (10) relative to the ground so that said tray (10) is at height of man, wherein said bottom (15) comprises drainage means (30) adapted to cooperate with an overflow mechanism (40) for a gravity evacuation of the overflow of water in said tank (10) .

Description

The present invention relates to the field of culture and gardening.

The present invention relates more particularly to an above-ground culture device of the furniture type intended to be installed at home on a small outdoor surface of the courtyard, balcony or terrace type, or even on an interior surface.

The present invention will find numerous advantageous applications for the cultivation of vegetables, fruits, plants, flowers or even mushrooms. We will speak here of plantations in the general sense.

Gardening and cultivating a vegetable garden are fun activities practiced by many people, especially the elderly who, for example, no longer have a professional activity or have a reduced activity.

We note that these outdoor activities are also finding renewed interest among urban residents looking for a return to nature and "home-made".

Ors notes at the same time that the so-called workers' gardens are multiplying around the cities. We are now talking about urban gardening.

The Applicant observes, however, that green spaces are more and more reduced, especially in large cities.

It becomes more and more difficult to carry out your own gardening when you have skill in the city, this both for reasons of space and for reasons of cost.

In addition to these problems associated with green spaces and the garden, the Applicant has further observed that gardening and cultivating a vegetable garden are tiring activities which

BE2018 / 5395 very often require to be in a folded or squatting position, which is not a comfortable posture.

Maintaining such a posture can lead to back pain.

Very often, people suffering from an unfortunately more indulge in this activity account for the posture to hold.

In the prior art, we know the iardinières and ^? S health problem can not tenu physical effort to provide and the flower tubs with capillary or drip irrigation devices. These solutions do not solve the problem of posture; it is always necessary to lower or squat to garden.

There are pieces of furniture intended for the culture above-ground.

However, this furniture does not offer modularity, accessibility or the implementation of a cultivation function such as an efficient irrigation system ensuring the drainage of the tank and preventing the plantations from being drowned.

The Applicant considers that to date there is no culture device for gardening and / or cultivating a vegetable garden comprising an integrated irrigation system making it possible to practice gardening on a reduced surface without having to to fold.

Summary and obiei of this fovmfon

The present invention aims to improve the situation described above.

One of the objectives of the present invention is to remedy the various drawbacks mentioned above by proposing a device of the furniture type for growing above ground.

The present invention relates more particularly to an above-ground cultivation device comprising a tank having at least three peripheral walls and a bottom.

According to the invention, the peripheral walls and the bottom together form a receptacle intended in particular to receive water and a culture substrate.

By culture substrate according to the present invention is meant here a culture support in which the plantation lives and draws the minerals that die needs. Such a substrate can either be organic or inorganic in nature. It can be for example earth, potting soil or even clay.

BE2018 / 5395

M there is one

The device according to the present invention comprises in blackberries a set of feet integrally, fixed to said tank and sized to raise the tank relative to the ground so that it is at breast height. This set of feet combined with the tray makes it possible to cultivate plantations or an above-ground vegetable garden.

According to the present invention, the bottom of the tank, which here forms a water retention zone.

comprises drainage means able to cooperate with an overflow mechanism for a gravitational evacuation of the water overflow in the tank.

Thanks to this combination of technical means, characteristic of the present invention, the user has an above-ground culture furniture allowing him to do gardening at breast height without having to bend down while having a system of irrigation ensuring the evacuation of the overflow of water from the tank.

Such furniture forms a gardening micro-ecosystem for growing in. height without the constraints of maintenance and ergonomics of gardening.

Advantageously, the drainage means according to the invention comprise two bottom walls spaced apart to form over all or part of the length of the tank a drainage tent capable of allowing the gravitational evacuation of the water under the tank.

Alternatively, the bottom walls are of substantially the same identical dimensions. In this variant, it is then understood that the drainage slot is centered.

In an alternative variant, the bottom walls have different dimensions. In this variant, the drainage slot can be offset.

Advantageously, each bottom wall has a rim extending at the edge extending upward perpendicularly to the plane of the bottom to constitute the overflow mechanism with the drainage tent.

Advantageously, the edges press corresponding to the level of the overflow of water from the tank.

Avanrageusemem, each edge is formed by each a determined height folding a portion of the bottom wall.

In a particular embodiment, each flange has a substantially cross section. U shape. We will understand here that it is a U turned to. 90 °.

BE2018 / 5395. In this variant, the wall portion was folded twice successively to obtain this U shape.

In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the bottom walls extend in the same plane, this plane being substantially parallel to the ground plane.

In an alternative embodiment, each bottom wall is inclined in the direction of the drainage slot to form a slope favoring the flow of the water towards the slot.

Optionally. the overflow mechanism includes a protective cover covering the drainage means to allow the gravitational evacuation of water through the drainage means, preventing the earth from "obstructing them.

Preferably, the device according to the present invention comprises a filter positioned in the bottom of the tank in order to separate the substrate from the drainage means and from the overflow mechanism.

Preferably, this filter is in the form of an openwork film configured to allow the passage of water while preventing the passage of the substrate towards the drainage means and the overflow mechanism.

In a particular embodiment, this filter is a textile film.

In a variant, the bottom of the tank is filled with clay balls.

It will be observed here that other absorbent materials may be used in the context of the present invention.

Preferably, the feet are adjustable in height or. from a height on demand. This embodiment allows the height of the container to be adjusted according to the size of the user.

This mode is particularly advantageous for adjusting the size of the feet when, for example, the user is a small person or a person traveling in a wheelchair.

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Thus, thanks to the different structural and functional technical characteristics described above. Γ user has an above-ground cultivation unit that he can install at home on a reduced surface and allow him to practice a gardening activity without the constraints encountered so far.

BE2018 / 5395 β / 'brief description of the attached figures

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will emerge from the description below, with reference to the appended FIGS. 1 to 4 which illustrate an exemplary embodiment thereof without any limiting character and in which:

FIG. 1 represents a schematic perspective view of an above-ground cultivation device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention:

- Figure 2 shows a schematic perspective view from above of a tank provided with a bottom with an overflow mechanism and drainage means:

- Figure 3 shows a schematic perspective view from below of a tray according to Figure 2;

- Figure 4 shows a perspective sectional view of the drainage means and the overflow mechanism.

Detailed description for an advantageous embodiment

An above-ground cultivation device according to an exemplary embodiment will now be described in what follows with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide users with a device of the furniture type for above-ground cultivation.

One of the other objects of the present invention is to ensure the drainage of such a piece of furniture to ensure good irrigation of the plantations while preventing them from being drowned.

This is made possible in the following example.

In this example and as illustrated in particular in FIG. 1. or has a culture device, above ground .100 comprising a tank 10 having, four peripheral walls 1.1, 12, 13 and 14 as well as a bottom 15.

These elements 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15 here form a receptacle of substantially parallelepiped shape intended in particular to receive water and a growing substrate such as for example soil or potting soil.

BE2018 / 5395

We understand that this is an example of an embodiment among others and that the skilled person will be able to consider back bins of another shape: triangular, square, polygonal, etc.

We can also provide a form of tray with a recess so as to allow a person in a wheelchair to advance in the tray so as to have access to the entire cultivation area.

In this example, the peripheral walls 11, 12, .13 and 14 as well as the bottom 15 are made of a metallic material which has preferably received an anti-rust and anti-corrosion treatment. In addition to the mechanical robustness of the device 100 and its resistance to weathering, the use of such a material ensures good sealing.

It should be noted here that a person skilled in the art may consider the use of other materials offering equivalent performance (for example a composite material).

.In this example and as illustrated in FIG. 1, the device 100 also includes a set of feet 20. Each foot 20 is integrally fixed to the tank 10 to ensure good stability. ground.

Provision may be made for the use of fixing plates (not shown here) for securing the legs 20 to the ground in solidity.

In this example, the feet 20 are dimensioned to raise the tank 10 relative to the ground so that it is at breast height. This is particularly appreciated by users who will no longer have to bend or squat to garden.

In an exemplary embodiment not illustrated here. height-adjustable feet are provided to adapt to the height of users or feet of different heights. As indicated above, this embodiment is particularly appreciated by people moving in a wheelchair.

By allowing the tray 10 to be positioned at breast height, the above-ground cultivation device 100 according to the present invention adapts to people having difficulty bending down and allows them to continue gardening, which doesn is not the case today with existing solutions.

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The present invention will thus find a particularly advantageous use in retirement homes or rest homes, or even directly in private homes.

S who encounter such difficulties.

Schools may also be interested in the concept of initiation to gardening without the problem linked to the mud in which children walk with existing solutions.

The bottom 15 of the tank 10 then forms a water retention zone.

As mentioned previously, the present invention also provides the irrigation functions of the plantations required for proper gardening.

It is desirable here that the water retained in the bottom 15 of the tank H) does not drown the plantations. In the example described here, provision is therefore made for the bottom 15 to comprise drainage means 30 and an overflow mechanism 40.

In this example, these drainage means 30 and this overflow mechanism. 40 cooperate together to allow gravity drainage under the overflow of water in the tank 10.

It is thus provided in this example that the drainage means 30 are constituted by two bottom walls 15a and ISb; these two walls 15a and 15b are substantially the same dimensions and are spaced apart to form over all or part of the length of the tank 10 a drainage slot 31 (see in Figure 3).

In this example, it is this drainage slot 31 which is situated substantially along the central axis of the bottom 15 which will allow the gravitational evacuation of the water under said tank 10.

Other configurations could be envisaged (for example an eccentric drainage slot ').

In order to ensure the drainage function, an overflow mechanism 40 is provided which makes it possible to evacuate the excess water in the tank 10. It is indeed this excess water which tends to drown the plantations, which is not good for culture.

It is thus provided in this example that the mowing walls 15a and 15b have a rim 41a and 41b respectively at the edge of the slot 31. These edges 41a and 41b are formed by the successive folding of a portion of the bottom walls 15a and 15b. Here, each flange 41 a-41 b has a cross section substantially in the form of (J.

BE2018 / 5395

It is understood that these edges 41a and 41b extend upwards perpendicular to the plane of the bottom and constitute, with the drainage tent 31, the overflow mechanism 40 ensuring the evacuation of the water overflow in the tank 10. The height of the edges 41a and 41b determines the level of the overflow of water from said tank 10. In other words, the height of these edges defines the retention zone.

In this. example, the bottom walls 15a and 1 Sb extend in the same plane, this plane is substantially parallel to the ground plane.

Alternatively, a person skilled in the art may plan to tilt the walls 15a and 15b towards the central axis of the bottom to form two slopes on either side of the drainage slot 31. This configuration promotes the flow of the water, to slot 31.

To allow good evacuation of the water overflow and avoid obstruction of the drainage slot 31, the overflow mechanism 40 includes a protective cover 42 (see FIGS. 2 and 4) covering the feme 31.

In the example described in FIG. 4, the cover 42 is presented as a profiled part having a cross section in the shape of a U. In this example, the branches of the U are placed respectively on the bottom walls 15a and 15b . This profiled part is machined so as to have openings 43 to allow the passage of water in the overflow and thus allow the gravitational evacuation of the water through the slot 31.

To prevent the substrate from obstructing the tents 43 of the cover 42, it is also possible to envisage covering the bottom 15 of the container 10 and the cover 42 with a filter (not shown here) such as for example a textile film. The use of such a film allows the passage of water while avoiding that of the substrate. In the same way, we can consider filling the bottom of the tank. and in particular the retention zone under the filter, of clay balls.

The present invention therefore provides users with an above-ground cultivation device of the furniture type 100 allowing gardening and / or cultivation of a vegetable garden on a small area such as for example an interior courtyard or a terrace while ensuring the functions of evacuation of the overflow of water necessary for good irrigation of the plantations.

It should be observed that this detailed description relates to a particular embodiment of the present invention, but that in no case does this description have any

BE2018 / 5395 any character limiting the subject of the invention; on the contrary, its objective is to seek any possible imprecision or any misinterpretation of the claims which follow. It should also be observed that the reference signs placed in parentheses in the claims which follow are in no way limiting in nature: these 5 signs have the sole purpose of improving the intelligibility and understanding of the claims which follow as well as the scope of protection sought.

Claims (10)

l. Above-ground cultivation device (100) comprising: - a tank (10) having at least three peripheral walls (11, 12, 13, 14) and a bottom (15) together forming a receptacle intended to receive in particular water and a culture substrate, - A set of feet (20) fixedly fixed to said tank i 10) and dimensioned to raise said tank (10) relative to the ground so that said tank (10) is at breast height, in which said bottom (.15) comprises drainage means (30) able to cooperate with an overflow mechanism (40) for a gravity discharge of the overflow of water in said tank (10). drainage (3D able to allow evacuation 2. Device (100) according to claim 1. wherein the drainage means (30) have two walls. bottom (15a, 15b) spaced apart to form over all or part of the length of said tank (10) a gravity slot of the water under said tank (10). 2, in which each bottom wall (15a, 15b) has an upwardly extending edge (41a, 41b) 3. Device (100) according to the claim present at the edge of the slot (31) perpendicular to the plane of the bottom to constitute with said drainage slot (31) said overflow mechanism (40). 4. Device (100) according to claim 3, in which the flanges (41a, 41b) each have a determined height corresponding to the level of the overflow of water from said tank (10), 5, device ¢ 1 () 0) according to claim. 3 or. 4, in which each edge (41a, 41b) is formed by folding a portion of the bottom wall (15a, 15b). 6. Device (100) according to any of claims 2 to 5. wherein the bottom walls (15a. 15b) extend in the same plane substantially parallel to the ground plane. BE2018 / 5395 7. Device (100) according to any one of claims 2 to 5, in which each bottom wall (15a. 15b) is inclined in the direction of said drainage slot (31) to form a slope promoting the flow of water towards said slot (31). T 8. Device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the overflow mechanism. (40.) comprises a protective cover (42) covering the drainage means (30) and authorizing the gravitational evacuation of water through said drainage means (30) ers preventing the substrate of the tank from obstructing those -this. 9. Device il00) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the feet (20) are adjustable in height. 10. Device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, which comprises a filter positioned in the bottom (15) of the tank (10) in order to separate the substrate from the drainage means (30) and from the overflow mechanism. full (40). said filter being in the form of an openwork film configured to allow the passage of water while preventing the passage of the substrate towards the drainage means and the overflow mechanism.