EP0194306A1

EP0194306A1 - Process and means for manufacturing rods for supporting and watering plants, and rods obtained thereby

Info

Publication number: EP0194306A1
Application number: EP19850904809
Authority: EP
Inventors: Tommaso Vanetti
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1984-09-17
Filing date: 1985-09-17
Publication date: 1986-09-17
Also published as: WO1986001681A1

Abstract

Une tige tubulaire (9) comprend au moins une fente (98) longitudinale à au moins une de ses extrémités (9"). Cette extrémité fendue (9") est enveloppée par un collier de renforcement (91) dont le diamètre intérieur est au moins égal au diamètre extérieur de ladite tige tubulaire (9) plus deux fois l'épaisseur de la paroi de cette tige. L'écorce (99) en matériau mousse expansé entoure la tige tubulaire sur toute sa longueur, y comris la partie enveloppée par le collier de renforcement (91), et comprend un joint d'étanchéité qui maintient dilatée ladite extrémité (9") de la tige. Une réserve d'eau ou d'autres liquides hydroponiques ou similaires comprend au moins une membrane (5) étanche à l'eau, au moins scellée par ladite résine (4-19) et de préférence incorporée dans celle-ci. Les sections du corps dilaté de la tige qui constituent la membrane (5) et le collier (91) comprennent un corps unique (19), l'écorce (99) traversant les fentes (98), connecté au moins par les pores de la mousse à l'écorce (99), de sorte que tout liquide versé sur la membrane (5) peut s'écouler rapidement et tremper l'écorce (99).A tubular rod (9) comprises at least one longitudinal slot (98) at at least one of its ends (9 "). This split end (9") is wrapped by a reinforcement collar (91) whose internal diameter is at less equal to the outside diameter of said tubular rod (9) plus twice the thickness of the wall of this rod. The bark (99) of expanded foam material surrounds the tubular rod over its entire length, including the part enveloped by the reinforcing collar (91), and includes a seal which keeps said end (9 ") expanded. A reservoir of water or other hydroponic liquids or the like comprises at least one waterproof membrane (5), at least sealed by said resin (4-19) and preferably incorporated therein. The sections of the expanded body of the rod which constitute the membrane (5) and the collar (91) comprise a single body (19), the bark (99) passing through the slots (98), connected at least by the pores of the foam at the bark (99), so that any liquid poured onto the membrane (5) can flow quickly and soak the bark (99).

Description

PROCESS AND MEANS FOR MANUFACTURING RODS FOR SUPPORTINGAND WATERING

PLANTS, AND RODS OBTAINED THEREBY.

The present invention relates to process and means for manufacturing rods for supporting and watering plants, and rods obtained thereby.

Manufacturing process and means as well as rods, for supporting and watering plants, obtained therefrom are known as set forth in the foreward of claims 1,

2, 9, 10 (U.S. Patents 1.294.269 - 3.188.771 - 3.334.440 - 4.117.628 -

4.218.415).

The known arrangements have several drawbacks. The object of the present invention is to eliminate such drawbacks.

According to the present invention a process comprises at least an expanding step of a foaming resin whereby it expands, at the same time inwardly and outwardly of a tubular member as a result of dropping of resin being expanded in a cavity provided by a mould and by the outer wall of the tubular member. The expansion occurring at the same time inside and outside of tubular member is provided at different densities. The density of the expanded resin in the core i.e. inside the tubular member, is much higher then the density of the same out of the tubular member whereby permeability is minimized in the core and maximized in the bark. The expansion at the same time and the different densities and/or permeabilities are provided by a system of communicating vessels at the foot of the mold or of tubular member through its wall to supply inside and outside thereof suitable quantities of resin to be expanded. The rods for supporting and watering plants tubular have a member which is provided at one end at least with a lengthwise cut, such end and cut being involved in a strengthening collar having an inner diameter at least equal to the outer diameter of tubular member end plus twice the thickness of the tubular member wall. The bark of expanded resin embodies the cut end involved in said strengthening collars whereby to provide between them a connection or joint, which maintain therealong the tubular member end duly spread out whereby to receive therein the bottom end of similar tubular member or device. The core inside the tubular member is a single piece strongly adherring to the inside wall of tubular member and being of the same material of the bark but of higher density than it, the same core, at the end comprise a skin casually permeable whereby to provide a gap between the core top and the cut bottom including a store pool for water, hydroponic liquid and the like for slowly watering substantially with stationary attitude the core as well as quickly towards the bark through the cut or cuts.

The foregoing and other important objects of the present invention will become more apparent during the following disclosure and by referring to the drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a sketch perspective view of a head of an extruding machine (not shown) comprising two annular bores, in the attitude of extruding two tubular members of such diameters to be fit each other. Such extrusion substantially represents the first stage of the process.

Figure 2 is a sketch view showing the cutting of a length from the extruded tube, providing the rod of the device, and this comprises the second step of the process according to the present invention, whose result is shown too. Figure 3 is a sketch view showing the cutting of a short length from the extruded tube of larger diameter providing a strengthening collar for one end of the rod; this comprising the third step of the process according to the present invention whose result is shown too

Figure 4 is a perspective sketch view of a feβdbox, holding the tubular members resulting from the step shown at figure 2, in the aim to supply them in the next steps with a frequency different from extruding or cutting frequency.

Figure 5 is a sketch perspective view, of the next two steps occurring at the same time, as they are provided along different lengths of the same tubular member and comprising: drilling of radial bores therethrough in the wall thereof as well as providing, at one end of the tubular member wall, a set of lengthwise cuts therethrough, substantially along a length from 6 to 20 per cent of the total length of tubular member.

Figure 6 is a perspective view, in a reduced scale, representing the incipient coupling between the tubular member resulting from the step of figure 5, and the collar resulting from the step shown at figure 3.

Figure 7 is substantially a repetition of figure 6 but at the end of the coupling.

Figure 8 is an exploded, perspective view of molding means adapted to provide the rod therearound with a bark of porous material such as a resin foam; in the middle of the mould the unit of figure 7 is shown but in view of the plug exploded over the top seat so as to enlarge the same.

Figura 9 is a perspective, in an enlarged scale with respect to figure 3, partially in cross-section, substantially along a rigth angle and showing the means as shown at the same figure 8, in dosed position but upon injection in the mould of an expandible resin, the same being expanded therein.

Figure 10 is a simbolic, perspective, view of a next step or finishing step of the process, whereby the rod device is removed from the mold, resulting covered with a skin substantially watertight which is to be suitably stripped for watering purpose.

Figure 11 is a perspective view showing a first finished rod, with the top end brocken away in the attitude whereby the bottom male end of a second rod is being fit inside the upper end of the former.

Figure 12 is a sketch perspective view, of a four-place mould, to make vessels providing the bottom of water reserve pool to be included within the tubular member or rod of the device. The result of this step being shown too. Figure 13 is substantially a repetition of fig. 5 and shows a similar step but referring to another embodiment of the present invention, whereby only the cuts are provided.

Figure 14 is substantially a repetition of fig. 8 and shows a similar mould but referring to another embodiment of , the present invention; in the middle of the mould a unit is shown resulting by coupling of tubular member obtained from the step of figure 13, with the collar obtained with the step of fig. 3 and with the pool obtained from the step of fig. 12, wherein the vessel is in an attitude relatively close to the coupling whereby the water reserve is reduced.

Figure 15 is substantially a repetition of a detail of fig. 14, whereby the vessel is provided within the tubular member but at a distance from the coupling to provide an aboundant water reserve.

Figure 16 is a cross-section of one half of the device in an enlarged scale, with respect to figs. 14 and 15, showing the means represented, in the same figs. 14 and 15 same in closed attitude but upon injection within the mold of a resin to be expanded and upon expansion thereof within the tubular member and outside of the male member shown in fig. 14. Figure 17 is sustantially a repetition of fig. i6 but regarding the member of figure 15.

Figura 18 is sostantially a repetition of the bottom part of fig. 17 but in the attitude when the piston is being removed.

Figure 19 is substantially a repetition of the bottom part of figure 16 but upon removal of the piston and upon loading a supply of water in the pool.

Referring now to the figures of the drawings a process for manufacturing rods for supporting and watering plants, conventionally, comprises extruding from a head 900 of an extruder, not shown, a continuous tube, shearing with a tool 901 (figure 2) a length 9 thereof, drilling therethrough, by drills 902, interpaced holes 90 piercing the tube wall (figure 5), and once that the tubular is placed in a mould β and closed therein ex panding, therearαund a foaming material to provide a bark 99. Acording to one preferred embodiment of thje invention, as shown in figures from 5 to 9, a contemporary expansion is provided both inside and outside of the tubular member 9, by pouring the foaming resin 4 (figure 9) into the space 80 between the inner wall 80 of mould 8 and the outer wall of tubular member 9. Expansion both inside and outside of tubular member 9, is provided at different densities; viz. the density of the foaming resin in the core 09 is kept very higher than the density in the bark 99, whereby in said core 09, permeability is minmized and in said bark 99 is maximized.

Expansion of foaming resin 4 is limited both inside and outside of tubular member 9. In fact expansion is limited outside at a first end of tubular member 9 to leave free a length thereof to provide a plug 9' and inside at a second end 9" of tubular member 9 to provide a free space comprising firstly a pool for water, hydroponic liquids and the like, purposed to flow outwardly to soak bark 99 which is the direct means for watering the plant and secondly a socket complementary for engagement of the plugs of contiguous members, not shown. According to an important feature of the present invention, during provision of main tubular member 9 (figures 1, 2 and 3) by the same extruder 900 a second tubular member is provided too and is sheared in short lengths 91 (figure 3). Such tubular short lengths 91 have an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of main tubular member 9, and provides a strengthening collar to be worn about the first end section 9". Upon expansion of material 4 such tubular members 9" and 91 are sealed or welded thereby. Along section 9" purposed to receive therein said plug at least two longitudinal cuts 98 (four cut 98 are shown in the drawings). Upon mould closing and resin expansion a piston 89 is penetrated to provide the space of socket 9" while as aforesaid the resin expansion results in a sealing or welding of the cut reinforced section including collar 91.

With reference to the embodiment as shown in figures from 5 to 9, mould 8 comprises two half sections 83, 84, substantially demicylindrical, and an upper lid 35. The mould receives in its cavity the main tubular member 9 and its collar 91 and thereafter is tight closed with exception of inlet 08 for foaming resin supply through the lid 85 and air discharge outlets, not shown, also comprised in upper lid 85. The lid 3 is provided with a piston 89 downwardly projecting therefrom, a piston (89) circular in cross-section having at least the length section adjacent to the same lid (85) of the same diameter than the outer diameter of said tubular rod (9) and a beveled section 89". The rods for supporting and watering plants, according both embodiments of the present invention comprise a tubular member 9 made of substantially rigid material comprising at least an outer bark 99 of foam or expanded material, said tubular rod 9 being barkless at one end 9' and coreless at the other end 9". The tubular rod 9 comprises at least one cut 98 (four cuts are shown in the drawings) extending longitudinally at least at one end thereof. The cut end 9" is envolved in a strengthening collar 91 whose inner diameter is at least equal to outer diameter of said tubular rod 9 plus the double thickness of the wall of same rod 9. The bark 99 of expanded material including the length 9" of tubular rod 9 involved by the strengthening collar 91 comprise a sealed joint which maintain spread out said rod end length 9" to comprise a socket adapted to receive a complementary end 9' of a contiguous rod.

Thus, it is self evident as, in this embodiment, shown at figures from 5 to 9, for providing a water pool 05 at one end of the rod it is necessary to expand the foaming resin 4', towards the opposite end whereby to provide at least the pool bottom 09'.

As the same task may be performed by a specific member to be described in the following, according to another embodiment of the present invention, shown at figures from 12 to 19, a vessel 5 is provided with dyes 51, 52, preferably beveled (figura 12), whose maximum diameter is equal to the inner diameter of tubular member 9, to be fitted thereto. Vessel 5 is tight fit, on the bottom end 89' of piston shown at figures 14 and 16 and figures 15, 17, 18 and 19 which is complementary shaped. Inside of vessel 5, are preferably provided at least three longitudinal nervature 50 (four nervature are shown in the drawings) for the reason to be explained later on. Thus, according to the present invention, the foaming material 4, poured from 08, drops on the bottom of mould sections 83 ed 84 and espands upwardly. Its inward expansion as better shown in figures from 12 to 17, within the tubular member or rod 9, is limited to section 9" of the rod. Such section 9" comprises a coupling socket, a pool and a flow connection, at least of capillar kind between the vessel 05 and the bark 99. In other words between the vessel 5 and the piston whose section 89 spreads out the coupling socket 9" and whose bottom end provide a support of vessel 05. Piston 89, 89", 89' provides favourable conditions whose result is the formation of a mantel 19 therearound (figures from 16 to 19) of expanded resin, which bridge a gap including a vertical portion of vessel 5 and at least a bottom section of cuts 98. In other words the resin expansion cavity of mould 8 including the rod end 9" of rod 9, providing a coupling, thus comprising the cuts or opening 98 substantially longitudinal, strengthening collar 91, piston 89, 89", 89' and providing a support for vessel 5 include a structure permeable by the resin to be expanded wereby the resin embodies in a whole any of said members with provision of an expansion 19 a grembiule o a bussola, bridging in heigth, at least gap between the bottom wall of the vessel 5 and the bottom 98' of cuts 98. As the result of resin expansion is a skin 09", which is scarcely or at all permeable, piston 89' viene provided with cutters 39 in its leading end, whereby to pierce such skin 09". Thus a capillar system is provided which in operation (figure 17), when water 3 is supplied to the pool 05 the same not impeded any longer by the skin 09" soaks the pores 03 and flows outwardly wetting the whole bark 99. An incipient limit 03' of advance is shown in figure 11.

Claims

C L A I M S

1. Process and means for manufacturing rods for supporting and watering plants, of the type comprising at least one rod (9), substantially tubular, whose ends (9', 9") are complementary for engagement of contiguous member ends, said tubular member having plurality of radial holes (90) made therethrough around said tube (9), at least a core (09) and a thick outer bark (99) made of porous material (4), the core and bark pores being intercomunicating through said radial holes (90), to provide a water outward and dawnward flow and wherein the material comprising at least the bark (99) is provided by mounting the tubular rod (9, 91) in a closed mould (8) and expanding a foam forming resi n (4) therein directly on the tubular rod (9) while the core is filled with foamed material leaving an inner free space (9") in the upper part of the tubular rod to provide a socket adapted to engage the complementary plug end (9') of a contiguous member, characteriz ed: that it includes at least an expanding step upon which the foaming material (4), dropped in the space between the inner wall (80) of the mould (8) and the outer wall of the rod (9), expands at least outside of the tubular rod (9), whereby the expansion at least outside of the tubular rod is limited at the bottom (9') thereof to provide a plug (9') and at the top of the same rod to provide a space comprising firstly a container reserve of water for outward capillar flow to impregnate the bark (99) including the direct means to feed the plant and secondly a coupling socket (9") to engage the complementary plug of a contiguous member, a skin growth being favoured at least inside the tubular rod (9) while the outer skin is stripped and that a strengthening collar (91) whose internal diameter is larger than the outer diameter of the tubular rod (9) is worn outwardly on the tubular rod top before expanding the foaming material (4) and that upon expansion of suc foaming material the coupling is settled and welded along the tubular rod sections to be spread out, at least two longitudinal cuts (98) being provided therealong to receive a mould piston (89) which is penetrated when the mould (8) is closed and the foaming material (4) expanded to provide a socket (9"), while the expanded foam comprises a connection between the cut section of the tubular rod and said strengthening collar (91 ) and the centripetal expansion of foaming material occurring inside the tubular rod or tube (9) is limited to the upper section thereof (9") purposed to provide a coupling, a pool (05) and at least a capillar flow connection between the pool (05) and the bark.

2. The process as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the water reserve pool (05) within the device is obtained by at least an expanding step of a foaming resin (4) whereby its expansion, take place at the same time inwardly and outwardly of a tubular member as result of dropping of resin being expanded in a cavity (80) provided by a mould (3) and by the outer wall of said tubular member (9), such contemporary expansion being provided a different densities viz. much higher in the core (09) than in the bark (99) whereby permeability is minimized in the former and maximized in the bark (99), such contemporary expansion being provided by a system of communicating vessels arrangement at the foot the mould or of tubular member through its wall, to supply, inside and outside thereof, suitable quantities of resin (4, 4') to be expanded, such tubular member being provided at one end (9") at least with a lengthwise cut (98), such end and cut being involved in a strengthening collar (91) having an inner diameter at least equal to the outer diameter of tubular member (9') end plus twice the thickness of the tubular member wall, the bark (99) of expanded resin embαding the cut end involved in said strengthening collar (91) whereby to provide between them a connection or joint, which maintains therealong the tubular member end (9) duly spread out whereby to receive therein the bottom end (9') of a similar tubular member or device, the core inside such tubular member being in a single piece strongly adherring to the inside wall of tubular member and being of the same material of the bark (99) but of higher density than it, the same core, at the end comprise a skin (09') casually permeable, whereby to provide a gap between the core top and the cut bottom (98) including a store pool (05) for water, hydroponic liquids and the like, for slowly watering, substantially with a stationary attitude the core (09), as well as quickly flowing towards the bark (99) through the cut or cuts (98).

3. Process, as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the pool (05) is manufactured separately at least in the form of diaphragm or vessel (5) and supplied within the mould (8).

4. Process as claimed in claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the cavity (80) of the mould (8), the end of the tubular member comprising a socket (9") with said longitudinal cuts (98), said collar (91), the spreading piston (39) and the vessel (5) provide a space permeable to the expandible material (4) whereby such expandible material embodies as whole any of such members providing at least a latticed mantel (19) bridging at least the gap between the vessel wall and the bottom of at least one cut (93).

5. Process as claimed in claims from 1 to 3, characterized in that the vessel (5) is provided at least with an outer wall substantially engageable by the inner wall of the tubular member (9) and an inner size and shape engageable by the bottom end of a spreading piston (89).

6. Process, as claimed in claims from 1 to 5, characterized in that at least the spreading piston (39) is provided with means (39) for spoiling at least partially and at least in one point towards the vessel (5) to be provided the skin resulting from expansion offoaming material (4).

7. Process, as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that the frame permeable to the expanding resin (4) provides chances and expansion conditions such that the resin upon lackening of the expansion power provides dawnward wicklike projections (19) adapted to draw water from the vessel or pool (05) to provide a water flow to the outer bark (99).

8. Means for manufacturing rods for supporting and watering plants, in accrdance to the process as claimed in claims from 1 to 7, characterized in that they comprise at least a mould (8) or the like comprising at least three members including two mould halves (83, 84) which are substantially steplike with two lengthwise demicylindrical steps and a substantially cylindrical mould top lid (85) to provide jointly a dosable unit (8) allaround the tubular rod (9) except an inlet (08) for the foaming resin provided in the lid (85) as well as an outlet hole for the air also provided in the lid (85), which comprises, projecting dawnardly, a piston (89) having at least the length section adjacent to the same lid of the same diameter than the outer diameter of said tubular rod (9) and a bottom end shaped in a way to be engageable with the bottom vessel comprising the bott and betweem the same lengths an easily removable beveled length (89") or the like the spreading piston being provided with at least a blade or the like (39) to at least break the skin (19) resulting from resin expansion.

9. Rods for supporting and watering plants, produced with the process as claimed in one more claims from 1 to 7 and with the means as claimed in claim 8, of the kind comprising a tubular member (9) made of substantially rigid material comprising at least an outer bark (99) of foam or expanded material, said tubular rod (9) being barkless at one end (9') and coreless at the other end (9"), characterized in that the tubular rod (9) comprises at least one cut (98) extending longitudinally at least at one end (9") thereof, such cut end (9") being envoi ved in a strengthening collar (91) whose inner diameter is at least equal to outer diameter of said tubular rod (9) plus the double thickness of the wall of same rod; the bark (99) of expanded foam material including the length of tubular rod involved by the strengthening collar (91) comprising a sealed joint which maintain spread out said rod end length (9"); and further characterized in that at the bottom of said socket (9") or at any optional level, sustantially in the upper section of the tubular rod 9 comprising said reserve of water or other hydroponic liquids and the like, comprises at least a watertight diaphragm (5), at least sealed by said resin (4 - 19) and preferably embodied by same, whereby said sections of expanded body emboding said diaphragm (5) said collar (91) comprise a single body (19) with said bark (99) at least through said cuts (98) and at least connected by said foam pores to said bark (99) whereby any liquid poured over such diaphragm (5) may flow quickly to soak said bark (99).

10. Rods for supporting and watering plants, produced with the process as claimed in one or more claims from 1 to 7 and with the means as claimed in claim 8» of the kind comprising a tubular member (9) made of substantially rigid material comprising an out bark (99) of foam or expanded material (4) and an inner core, with a plurality of holes

(90) piercing said tubular rod, connecting therethrough, in interspaced points thereof said core (09) with said bark (99), the tubular rod (9) being barkless at a first end (9')

and coreless at a second end (9"), wherein the tubular rod (9) comprises at least one cut (93) extending longitudinally at least at one end thereof, such cut end being envolved in a strengthening collar (91) whose inner diameter is at least equal to outer diameter of said tubular rod plus the double thickness of the wall of same rod; the bark (99) of expanded material including the length of tubular rod involved by the strengthening collar

(91) comprising a sealed joint which maintain spread out said rod end length, characterized in that said core (09) inside said tubular rod comprise a single unit therewith and with said bark (99) made of the same material but of a higher density than said bark (99), whereby said core (09) comprises at the top a skin (09') casually permeable, whereby to provide in the interval between the core top (090 and the cut bottom (98) a reserve pool (05) of water or other hydroponic liquids and the like, which from one side will wet with a very slow and substantially steady action the core (09) whereas the water or the like exceding such level facing at least one cut (98) flows therethrough to soak said bark.