EP3214917A1

EP3214917A1 - Plant-holding and -watering system

Info

Publication number: EP3214917A1
Application number: EP15807782.6A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Arne Hoffmann
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2014-11-07
Filing date: 2015-11-04
Publication date: 2017-09-13
Also published as: AT14614U1; WO2016070207A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a plant-holding and -watering system (1) comprising a main body (2), which is open at least on one side and which has at least one accommodating opening for releasably fastening a plant-holding element (3) or a plant pot (7), wherein the main body (2) is substantially tubular and is provided with a water feed (9) at one of the open ends of the main body, wherein a plurality of substantially circular openings, each for accommodating either a plant pot (7) or a further substantially tubular plant-holding element (3) having at least one opening, which opening is circular in the region of the longitudinal extent of said plant-holding element, is formed in the main body (2), and a water drain and optionally at least one closure element (8) for the substantially circular openings or an open end of the main body (2) are provided.

Description

PLANT HOLDING AND IRRIGATION SYSTEM

The present invention relates to a plant-holding and irrigation system comprising a main body open at least on one side and having at least one receiving opening for releasably securing a plant support or plant pot, the main body being substantially tubular, and having one of its open ended ends a water inlet is provided.

Combined plant-holding and irrigation systems are known in the most diverse forms, and in particular plant-growing systems are known in which a main body is provided in the form of a shell at least one side, in whose receiving opening plant holding elements are used either individually or in the form of an array, which plant holding elements their underside are formed open to allow fluid intake from the shell and thus the cultivation of seedlings therein.

A disadvantage of such known Pflanzenhalte- and irrigation systems with a basic body in the form of a shell is on the one hand, the large evaporation surface and on the other hand the fact that they require a relatively large footprint to grow a plurality of plants, such as vegetables, so that they for use in only small available space are not suitable.

From DE-U 20 201 1 109 100 U1 a vertical plant system has become known, which has a storage element with openings and in these openings usable planters, which engage via slots in the openings of the storage element. This planting system, which is intended in particular for wall mounting, is disadvantageous in addition to the relatively large-area design thereof, in that the storage element has a large space requirement and plant troughs or plant containers can only be inserted in openings or cavities of the storage element formed therefor, so that in addition to the relatively large space requirement, a heavy and especially less flexible system is provided.

US 2007/001 1944 A1 discloses an irrigation system with a tubular container in which substantially cylindrical holding elements can be inserted in holes formed in the tubular container, in which plants to be cultivated are arranged. The individual tubular containers are each separately with appropriate inflows and outlets provided and arranged on a common Gestellt.

US 201 1/0067301 A1 discloses a tubular irrigation system in which tubes are arranged in a meandering manner in a frame and each individual tube is provided with a gradient in order to ensure a continuous water cycle. In recesses in the meandering tubes growth containers are used for different plants. A disadvantage of this system is that due to the slope of the meandering tube there is a permanent stream of water, which can spill out nutrients and the like.

The present invention now aims to provide a plant-holding and irrigation system which has a modular structure and can be flexibly adapted to a wide variety of insertion conditions. Furthermore, the invention aims to provide a plant-holding and irrigation system which can be expanded or reduced in a few simple steps, and which can be adapted to the available space or space with little effort small stands can be arranged. To achieve this object, the plant-holding and irrigation system according to the invention is characterized essentially in that in the main body a plurality of substantially circular openings for receiving either a plant pot or another substantially tubular, at least one circular in the region of its longitudinal extension formed opening exhibiting plant holding element is formed, and a water drain and optionally at least one closure element for the substantially circular openings or an open end of the main body are provided, and that the openings for receiving and releasably fixing plant pots are optionally provided releasably fixable holding elements, in particular retaining rings , By the main body is substantially tubular and is provided at one of its open ends formed with a water inlet, it is possible on the one hand, to provide a Pflanzenhalte- and irrigation system available, which has a low floor space requirement and articulated its water supply in or on a main body is. In addition, the main body has a plurality of essentially circular openings for receiving either one plant pot and / or another one, substantially tubular, at least one in the region of its longitudinal end. It is possible either to use the main body as such as a plant-holding or irrigation system, or to expand or expand this main body by articulating further substantially tubular-shaped plant-holding elements, and thus to make any available at the disposal to provide a customizable plant maintenance and irrigation system. In this case, it is particularly favorable that the essentially circular openings can be designed both for receiving a plant pot and for fixing further plant support elements, so that the size adjustment of the plant maintenance and irrigation system can be made as required. Needless to say that not all tubular bodies must have the same diameter, but that, for example, in a circular opening reducers or diameter-increasing elements can be installed, so that also depending on the size of the plant holding and irrigation - stem hinged plant pots a large variability can be provided. The same applies to the length of the respective plant-holding elements, it being found to be favorable for a large longitudinal extension of the plant-holding elements either to arrange another main body in order to avoid a sagging or breaking out of the plant-holding elements with certainty or, for example, a conventional stand for the plant Keep one or the free end (s) of a plant holding element available.

Finally, in order to avoid unintentional removal or falling out of plant pots from the plant holding elements with certainty, the invention is embodied such that the receiving openings are provided for detachably fixing plant pots with releasably fixable holding elements, in particular retaining rings. In one embodiment, for example, a plurality of retaining rings of different sizes can be stacked in one another, so that pots of different sizes can be inserted into one and the same opening of the plant retaining element. The retaining rings can in this case be designed as sleeves which can be stacked in one another, in particular each in the form of a truncated cone whose smaller diameter protrudes into the interior of the main body and in which cuffs plant pots can be securely held. The cuffs enclose plant pots that are inserted in such a way that inadvertent evaporation of water from the system by means of plant pots that have not been correctly inserted into the openings provided for this purpose is certainly withheld. Furthermore, the plant maintenance and irrigation system can be designed such that either a water outlet is provided, which is arranged in a favorable manner in the lower free end region of the main body, or a circulation of the supplied water is provided, in which case a particularly water sparing rendes system can be made available, which ensures optimal utilization of nutrients contained in the water also by the multiple in the circulation of the feedwater for plants to be grown.

Of course, it is possible to temporarily close individual circular openings into which neither a plant pot nor another plant retaining element is inserted.

According to a preferred development, the plant maintenance and irrigation system is designed such that the main body and / or the plant holding element (s) is (are) provided with at least one water supply element connected to the water inlet, in particular a perforated tube. Such a development makes it possible not only to allow the water to flow into the main body and / or the plant holding elements in a controlled manner, but also to transport it, via a water supply system, to the place where water is needed. Preferably, the water-guiding element is designed as a perforated tube, which perforated tube can either be arranged under the plant pots or can be guided over them in order to irrigate the plants from above.

In order to prevent in particular a too rapid outflow of water from the plant-holding and irrigation system, the invention is further developed such that the main body and / or the plant holding element (s) is provided with internals such as weirs or vanes , By providing internals, such as weirs, baffles or feed hoppers, it is ensured that an excessively rapid outflow of water is obstructed and, for example in the case of hydrocultures, there is always sufficient water either in the main body or in the plant holding elements to prevent the water the plant potted plants can be sufficiently watered and nourished.

In order to prevent inadvertent leakage of the water required for irrigation from the plant-holding and irrigation system, the invention is developed such that the plant-holding element (s) and / or the plant (s) closing element (s) by means of a sealing element, in particular a ring seal in free ends or openings of the main body and / or the (des) plant holding elements (s) are used. It goes without saying that, in addition to the provision of a sealing element, it is of course also possible to provide other types of connections, such as by means of sleeves, reducers or expansion pieces, between the main body and the plant holding elements, depending on whether an increase in diameter, diameter reduction or Also, a curvature between the individual elements is required. By fixing the plant holding elements by means of seals on the main body not only a tight seal between the individual elements, but in particular an arbitrarily releasable and re-fixable connection is provided so that the system can be adapted, rebuilt and changed depending on the requirements can.

By, as corresponds to a development of the invention, the Pflanzenhalte- and irrigation system is further developed so that a lower free end of the tubular main body is provided with at least one open and closed lid, depending on the requirements, an open or closed system be made available which either with the lid closed has a water reservoir in the lower region of the tubular main body or at any time allows the discharge of excess water.

A particularly versatile application of the plant-holding and irrigation system is given by the fact that, as corresponds to a development of the invention, the main body and the plant support members are designed as straight, elongated plastic pipes. By providing straight and elongated plastic pipes both as a main body and as plant support elements, the system can be assembled, for example, from common pipe systems available in hardware stores, such as sewage pipes, any commercially available sealing and connector elements can be used. To accommodate the plant pots it is sufficient to cut into such commercially available elongated tubes corresponding openings, which can be used for holding the plant pots receiving rings, in particular conical receiving rings in the openings to hold back a wobbling or unintentional pivoting of the plant pots. Furthermore, with such an embodiment, it is possible to use existing spaces as efficiently as possible, in particular by means of the vertical arrangement of the elongated, straight tube designed as the main body, and it is still possible to turn to corresponding ones Room sizes or plant sizes to take into account, for example, not to provide each opening of the main body with a plant pot or a plant support element. Another embodiment of the plant holding and irrigation system is in this case designed such that the main body is designed as a tube arranged in the form of meanders and that the openings for receiving in each case a plant pot are formed on horizontally extending regions of the plastic tube. With such a design, the attachment of separate plant retaining elements is dispensed with, and only the horizontally extending regions of the main body, which constitute the plant retaining elements, form receiving openings for the plant pots. Depending on the distance between the individual horizontal parts of the meander, these receiving openings can be located directly underneath the tube below or can be formed laterally on the tubes, which makes it possible, for example, to achieve green walls by means of a corresponding arrangement of plant pots in the main body.

By, as corresponds to a development of the invention, the Pflanzenhalte- and irrigation system is designed so that in the hose line system a water circulating pump, in particular in the region of at least one provided in the lower free end of the tubular main body open and closable lid is interposed, It is possible to permanently recirculate existing water and thereby prevent water, for example, from standing in the lower end region of the main body and getting brackish or causing odor nuisance by forming mold or the like.

By interposing the water circulation pump in the region of an openable and closable cover provided in the free end region of the main body, the secure accessibility of the circulation pump is furthermore ensured, thereby preventing the entire system from having to be disassembled when maintenance work on the circulating pump may be required. Such a design with water inlet, circulation pump, main line and branch lines, either with perforated hoses or merely by providing built-in elements in the plant holding elements, it is possible to design the system for a variety of applications, be it for hydroponics, normal cultivation of plants in soil or Substrate or other substrates, such as in clay granules or the like. To grow plants. With such an irrigation system It allows for extremely low water consumption while ensuring targeted and adequate supply of water to the plants, which not only results in faster plant growth, but also prevents plants from yellowing or becoming lazy due to an oversupply of water. With such a drainage system, moreover, the growth of plants can be controlled and the water supply or nutrient supply for the plants can be adjusted depending on plants to be grown in the plant maintenance and irrigation system. In order to avoid a standing of water in the plant holding elements with certainty, they may, as in a further development of the invention, be arranged so that the plant holding elements on the main body with an inclination between 0.5 ° and 4 °, in particular 0.6 ° and 2 ° are articulated. With such a tendency, the outflow of excess water is ensured without drying out of the plants would be feared. Such a design is particularly beneficial when the plants are supplied with water from above, in which case excess, ie water passing through the substrate and the plant pot, is immediately dissipated and the plants are prevented from standing in water, which is usually suitable for cultivation of plants in substrate is not favorable. If the plant pots are tightly inserted into the designated receiving openings, is also ensured with such a system that the evaporation of water is kept as low as possible.

It is needless to say that the choice of material for the plant maintenance and irrigation system is largely free, so that in addition to the holding and watering of the plants, for example, light and heat protection effects can be achieved and a visually appealing appearance of the plant and irrigation system can be provided. Particularly in the case of plants sensitive to cold, it is of great importance that the plant-holding and irrigation system, with a suitable choice of material, also ensures thermal protection for the plants to be grown.

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to embodiments shown in the drawing. In these show:

1 shows a plant holding and irrigation system according to the invention with only one main body, 2 shows a variant of the plant holding and irrigation system according to the invention with a main body and a plurality of plant holding elements,

3 shows a partial view of a plant-holding and irrigation system according to the invention, in which the irrigation system is designed as a perforated tube; and FIG. 4 shows a partial view of a variant of the plant-holding and irrigation system in which the water drains off too rapidly with the aid of weirs from the plant-holding elements is prevented.

In Fig. 1, 1 denotes a plant-holding and irrigation system, which consists of a main body 2, which is formed substantially as a meandering, tubular element. The main body 2 in this case has substantially horizontally extending tubular plant holding elements 3, and by means of connecting pieces 4 hinged to the tubular plant support members 3 elbow 5. The main body 2 of the Pflanzenhalte- and irrigation system 1 is in this case designed as a tube open on both sides and can in particular at its upper End region 6, for example, with a connecting element 4 and a manifold 5 are provided in order to further enlarge the meandering formed Pflanzenhalte- and irrigation system 1. In the plant-holding elements 3 of the plant-holding and irrigation system 1, a plurality of plant pots are inserted, as shown schematically in FIG. In order that the plant pots 7 can be inserted into the plant holding elements 3 of the main body 2, corresponding recesses or holes are formed in the plant holding elements 3 of the main body 2.

In Fig. 2, in which the reference numerals of Fig. 1 are maintained as far as possible, again a plant-holding and irrigation system 1 is shown, which has a in the

Has substantially vertically extending main body 2, to which a plurality of horizontally arranged plant support members 3 are hinged. The plant support elements 3 are in turn articulated with flanges 4 on the main body 2, wherein between the flanges 4 and the main body 2 is usually a sealing ring, which is not shown in this figure, interposed, to a leakage of liquid from the system with security avoid. Both the main body 2 and the plant holding elements 3 can in this case be provided with open and closable lids at their open end regions, as is indicated schematically in FIG. 2 by 8. The cover 8 can hereby be opened and closed as desired in order to have free access both to the main body 2 and to the plant holding elements 3. In Fig. 2, in turn, a plurality of 7 are schematically indicated in the plant holding elements 3, in which plants to be grown can be used. It is needless to say that the distance between the individual plant support members 3 may be larger or smaller and that they may not only depart from the main body in two directions, but may for example be arranged helically around the main body or in any arrangement. Also, the length of the plant holding elements 3 is variably selectable. Fig. 3, which shows a partial view of the plant-holding and irrigation system 1 of Fig. 2, the plant-holding and irrigation system 1 is shown in section, so that in addition to the elements shown in Fig. 2, the irrigation system is recognizable. In the main body 2, a feed pipe 9 of an irrigation system is shown, from which feed pipe 9 branch lines 10 are guided in the individual plant holding elements 3. In the illustration of Fig. 3, water is pumped according to the arrow 1 1 in the inlet pipe 9 and guided into the branch lines 0. The branch lines 10 are in this case formed as perforated tubes, wherein the holes 12 of the perforated tube are always arranged so that water exits directly under a plant pot 7 in the interior of the plant-holding element 3. With such a training, sufficient water is provided for the cultivation of any plants without the risk of over-watering of the plants. Unnecessary water in the embodiment of FIG. 3 flows directly under the branch lines 10 back into the main body 2 of the Pflanzenhalte- and irrigation system 1 and is in the lower end of the main body 1 by a pump, not shown in FIG. 3 again in the inlet pipe. 9 returned to the irrigation system.

Of course, in the same way the training be chosen so that instead of the arrangement of the perforated tubes under the plant pots 7, these are arranged above the plant pots 7, whereby water trickles from above into the plant pots 7. Which type of irrigation system is chosen depends on the particular kind of plants to be cultivated and on the type of substrates which are considered particularly favorable for the cultivation of the respective plants.

4, a variant of the irrigation system of Fig. 3 is shown. The pump, not shown, in turn pumps water into the inlet pipe 9 of the irrigation system in the direction of the arrow 1 1, which water flows from the inlet pipe 9 into the branch pipes 10. leads. The branch lines 10 end here immediately after the flange, with which the plant holding member 3 is hinged to the main body 2 and water runs freely into the plant holding element 3. In order to prevent an immediate outflow of water from the plant holding element 3, the plant holding element 3 is in this case with a Weir 13 formed, which weir 13 ensures that water always has a certain filling level in the interior of the plant-holding element 3. In such a design, which is particularly suitable for hydroponics, the lower end portion of the plant pots 7 extend into the water and excess water runs when the filling height of the weir 13 is reached via the weir 13 and again runs into the lower end Area of the main body 2 from where it is in turn pumped by the pump, not shown, 1 1 in the piping system. In such a design, an optimal utilization of the available water is ensured and in particular the evaporation of the water kept as low as possible, since any openings of Pflanzenhaite- and irrigation system 1 are substantially sealed either by cover 8 or by planting pots 7 substantially.

It is needless to say that, of course, in the irrigation system consisting of feed pipe 9 and branch lines 10, additional nutrients for the plants can be circulated, wherein the metered addition of nutrients takes place in a favorable manner in the region of the circulating pump, not shown.

Claims

Claims :

A plant-holding and irrigation system (1) comprising a main body (2) open at least on one side and having at least one receiving opening for releasably securing a plant retaining element (3) or a plant pot (7), the main body (2) being substantially tubular is provided, and at one of its open ends with a water inlet (9), characterized in that in the main body (2) has a plurality of substantially circular openings for receiving either a respective plant pot (7) or another substantially tubular, at least one in the region of its longitudinal extension circular shaped opening containing plant holding element (3) is formed, and a water outlet and optionally at least one closure element (8) for the substantially circular openings or an open end of the main body (2) are provided, and that the openings z ur recording and releasable fixing of plant pots (7) with optionally releasably fixable holding elements, in particular retaining rings are provided.

2. Plant maintenance and irrigation system (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the main body (2) and / or the plant holding element (s) (3) with at least one with the water inlet (9) connected to the water guide element , in particular a perforated tube is (are) connected.

3. plant holding and irrigation system (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the main body (2) and / or the (the) plant holding element (s) (3) with built-in structures, such as weirs or guide elements (13) is (are) provided.

4. Pflanzenhalte- and irrigation system (1) according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the (s) plant holding element (s) (3) and / or the (s) closure element (s) (3) by means of a Sealing element, in particular a ring seal in free ends or openings of the main body (2) and / or the (of) plant holding elements (s) (3) are used.

5. Pflanzenhalte- and irrigation system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that a lower free end of the tubular main body (2) with at least one open and closable lid (8) is provided.

6. Pflanzenhalte- and irrigation system (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the main body (2) and the Pflanzenhalteeiemente (3) are designed as straight, elongated plastic pipes.

7. Pflanzenhalte- and irrigation system (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the main body (2) is designed as a meandering in the form of pipe and that the openings for receiving a respective plant pot (7) on horizontal extending portions of the plastic tube are formed.

8. Pflanzenhalte- and irrigation system (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that in the hose line system (9, 10) a water circulation pump, in particular in the region of at least one in the lower free end of the tubular main body (2) provided open and closable lid (8) is interposed.

9, plant maintenance and irrigation system (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the Pflanzenhalteiemente (3) on the main body (2) with an inclination between 0.5 ° and 4 °, in particular 0.6 ° - Are articulated.