ES1242949U - MODULAR SYSTEM FOR HYDROPONIC OR AEROPONIC CULTIVATION - Google Patents

Abstract

1. Modular system for hydroponic or aeroponic cultivation, which is constituted from a structure that comprises a plurality of modules that are joined together, where each module comprises at least two feet (1) on which the rest of the structure supported on the ground; and it is characterized in that it also comprises: at least two telescopic legs (2) of a lower level, which are installed on the feet (1), and where said legs are adjustable in height as they are composed of two parts: - a lower part ( A) consisting of a hollow tube with an internal thread; and - an upper part (5) consisting of a tube with an external thread, which is threaded in the lower part; and and where the telescopic legs (2) are joined to each other or to the feet (1), by having two holes at their ends through which a through screw is installed, thus joining two pieces; at least one stop located in the upper part of the telescopic leg (2) where a support (4, 10) that supports a drainage channel (5, 11) rests; a plurality of telescopic legs (3) of upper levels, with a configuration similar to the telescopic legs (2) of the lower level, where the tube of the lower part (A) that has the lower thread (lower part (A) has a longer than those of the lower level; some supports (4, 10) that join the telescopic legs (2, 3) with the drainage gutter (5, 11); some gutters (5, 11) that collect the excess water from some culture bags (8) or plantations included in them, and that direct said water to one end where it is conducted to some tubes (7, 12); some tubes (7, 12), which are channels that conduct the water from drainage from the gutter (5, 11) to the bottom of the structure where it is stored in a container or tank, and a drip irrigation tape (9) that is arranged on top of the cultivation bags or plantations.

Description

DESCRIPTION

MODULAR SYSTEM FOR HYDROPONIC OR AEROPONIC CULTIVATION

Object of the invention

The present invention consists of a system based on a modular support structure, which is intended for hydroponic or aeroponic cultivation of a wide variety of plantations. Specifically, the invention focuses on the creation of a multi-level, height-adjustable structure capable of conducting the drainage water so that it can be subsequently treated. This structure is modular and can be used both in large and small extensions; in greenhouses in interior spaces; in gardens or balconies.

This invention falls within the solutions to obtain better yields in agricultural crops. Specifically, it is related to both hydroponic and aeroponic cultivation technology, which are increasingly used in a large number of plantations.

State of the art

It is now known that, due to the scarcity of irrigation water and the high production needs of farmers, it is increasingly opting to install hydroponic growing systems. Furthermore, the proliferation of what is known as “urban agriculture” makes the use of hydroponics more and more common in cities.

One of the most studied aspects is the design of systems that make hydroponic cultivation work as efficiently as possible. By means of a correct design, it is possible to maximize the plantation area, minimize consumption or facilitate harvesting, among other factors. For this reason, there are currently a multitude of possible solutions in the field of hydroponic cultivation.

Patent document EP2904894A1 shows a modular hydroponic culture system. In this system hanging units in the form of bags are installed in a structure. This same structure serves as a support for irrigation and drainage systems. The solution is mainly intended for the planting of small vegetables both in greenhouses and indoors, being a solution that is based on vertical cultivation, and for small crops.

In the patent document US2011 / 0067301A1 a hydroponic cultivation system is shown to provide a continuous flow of nutrients to the plants. The system consists of large diameter tubes interconnected with each other and with a slight slope. A pump supplies the nutrients through the upper part of the structure collecting the drainage water through the lower part. As in the previous document, the system is designed for small crops. Furthermore, this solution cannot be made modular.

Patent document US2012 / 0066972A1 shows a vertical planting system. In this system, the plants are found in bags hanging on the structure. At the bottom of it is a water storage tank with a pump capable of supplying water to the top of the structure. In this case, we are not dealing with a modular system and for small plants.

Patent document US9380751B2 shows a vertical hydroponic cultivation device for greenhouses. The system consists of a hollow tube in which a filling is inserted where the crop will be planted. As in the previous cases, this system is designed for small plants.

Additionally, none of the patents mentioned are versatile enough to be used with small crops, such as green sprouts, or with other medium crops such as strawberries or larger ones such as blueberries. All of them are suitable only for crops of small size and weight; while the present invention is capable of containing all of these.

It is also important to highlight that although all the aforementioned patents describe the increase in the density of the plantation, none teaches, suggests or discloses that modules can be coupled longitudinally, so that the total length coupled in the same unit assumes distances big. The present invention allows modules to be coupled, exceeding 50 meters, and for this a telescopic leg system is available to guarantee drainage throughout the entire length. Furthermore, no known solution is intended for cultivation in outdoor greenhouses, where simple structures such as those presented in this invention are needed, and with which many modules can be joined.

Another advantage of the present invention is that it allows the use of commercial substrates (perlite, fiber ...) and supports (sacks, bags, pots ...) and, therefore, makes the structure compatible with the products. of substrates, hydroponics, fertirrigation (irrigation tapes.) and drainage (grating s.) of commercial companies. The mentioned patents need to adapt the commercial components to the patented structure, reducing / hindering, finding standard products.

Furthermore, the present invention can be used for both hydroponic and aeroponic, for which the invention comprises replaceable means that simply serve both uses.

Taking into account the aforementioned, it can be said that there are a multitude of solutions to install hydroponic crops, and if we look at the current needs of the population in regards to hydroponic growing, we can see that we are facing a revolution in the sector of farming. For this reason, a system with a high degree of versatility that can be used both in greenhouses and indoors is essential, which is not solved by the systems and structures known to date. In addition, since hydroponics is increasingly used in all types of plantations, it is essential to have a system that can be adapted to any type of crop. In order to solve this technical problem and the needs outlined above, the present invention, which is described below, allows obtaining a fully multipurpose hydroponic cultivation system to be used in a wide variety of situations and crops.

Description of the Invention

The invention consists of a new system for planting hydroponic crops, where this system is valid for implanting it in large areas in greenhouses as well as in small private urban crops.

The system is made up first of two feet on which the rest of the structure is attached. The main mission of these feet is to prevent the crop from overturning, as well as to distribute its weight on the ground.

Two telescopic legs are installed on the feet. These legs are preferably of short length (30-40cm) and are made up of two parts. The lower part consists of a hollow tube with an internal thread. The upper part is a tube with an external thread. By screwing both parts, the desired height can be achieved at each point.

In order to connect the telescopic legs to each other or to the feet, two holes are provided at their ends through which a through screw is installed, thus joining two parts. In addition, the upper part has a stop on which the piece that supports the gutter rests.

The telescopic legs on the upper levels are designed in the same way as the lower level. The only difference is that the tube with the bottom thread is longer. In this way, a greater separation between culture levels is achieved.

The following elements that make up the invention are the supports that are responsible for connecting the telescopic legs with the drainage gutter. These supports are V-shaped with two end rings. These rings will be inserted into the telescopic legs up to the stop they have.

Another of the main elements that make up the system is the drainage channel. It is a V-shaped plastic channel in charge of collecting the excess water from the plant and directing it to the end where it will be led to a tank. The gutters can be coupled longitudinally, thus being able to cover long crop lengths.

Attached to the drainage gutter is the grid that supports the growing bags. The purpose of this grid is to support the weight of the crop that will be placed on top and facilitate the passage of water from these bags to the drainage gutter.

The pipes lead the drainage water from the gutter to the bottom of the structure where it will be stored in a container.

Regarding the supply of water, there is a drip irrigation tape that will be arranged on top of the substrate bags. This tape will take the water from a network that will supply all the lines where the structure is installed.

The structure described above can also be adapted to house aeroponic cultures that are housed in plastic tubes. In this case, the supports that will support the tubes must be used. Regarding the contribution and drainage of water, this will be done through the pipes.

The system can also be adapted for larger crops that are planted in pots such as blueberries. In this case, only the lower level will be arranged, thus facilitating the growth of the plant.

Another feature of this invention is that it is designed to fit all the modules that are necessary, thus being able to cover large distances. In this case, it will be necessary to correctly adjust the height of each level in order to achieve a slight slope that covers the entire crop. In this way, we can lead the drainage water to the extreme

In this way, compared to the technologies and solutions known in this industrial sector, the structure on which the invention is based allows a modular system for hydroponic or aeroponic cultivation to be achieved, which is totally versatile and adaptable to a wide variety of crops and situations, where thanks to the telescopic legs, the desired height can be achieved in each place; in which several legs can be superimposed thus obtaining several levels and increasing, therefore, the planting density; where thanks to the telescopic legs, you can create a slope that allows the drainage water to be driven to the extreme to be collected and reused; and where thanks to the supports, the system can be adapted to both large, medium and small crops.

It is noted that, throughout the description and the claims, the term "comprises" and its variants are not intended to exclude other additional technical features or elements.

Brief description of the Figures

In order to complete the description and to help a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention, a set of figures and drawings is presented, where the following is illustrated and not limiting:

Figure 1. A general view of the system is shown in free perspective, with all the components that make up the structure, including the culture bags.

Figure 2. A view of the system is represented, according to the previous figure, showing a general view of the system without the culture bags.

Figure 3. This figure shows the union of the legs with the feet of the structure.

Figure 4. This figure represents the union of two levels.

Figure 5. The composition of a telescopic leg is presented in detail.

Figure 6. A gutter support is shown in detail and in perspective. Figure 7. The configuration of a gutter and a grid is represented in perspective.

Figure 8. It is shown in free perspective how the system adapts to an aeroponic culture.

Figure 9. A support is represented in detail so that an aeroponic culture can be carried out.

Figure 10. It is represented in free perspective how the system adapts to large crops.

Figure 11. It is represented in free perspective, and following the line of the previous figure, how the system adapts to the dimensions and heights that are necessary by joining several modules.

Figure 12. A connection between two gutters is shown in detail and in perspective.

Detailed description of the invention

The invention, as can be seen in the previous figures, consists of a system for planting both hydroponic and aeroponic crops, where This system is valid to implement it in large extensions in greenhouses as well as in small private urban crops, and where the system is based on a modular structure that comprises a plurality of modules that are joined together, where each module comprises:

- at least two feet (1) on which the rest of the structure is attached, and where the function of these feet is to prevent the crop from overturning, as well as to distribute its weight on the ground;

- at least two lower level telescopic legs (2), which are installed on the feet (1), where these legs are preferably of short length, around 30-40cm, and where said legs are made up of two parts :

or a lower part (A) consisting of a hollow tube with an internal thread; and o an upper part (B) consisting of a tube with an external thread; and where by screwing both parts the desired height can be achieved at each point; Y

where to be able to couple the telescopic legs (2) to each other or to the feet (1), they are arranged at the ends of two holes through which a through screw is installed, thus joining two pieces.

- at least one stop located on top of the telescopic leg (2) where the support that supports a gutter rests;

- a plurality of telescopic legs (3) of higher levels, with a configuration similar to those of the lower level, where the tube with the lower thread (lower part (A)) has a greater length than in those of the lower level; so that a greater separation between cultivation levels is achieved.

- supports that are responsible for connecting the telescopic legs (2, 3) with the drainage gutter;

- gutters that are plastic channels responsible for collecting the excess water from the plant and directing it to the end where it is led to a tank by means of pipes (7, 12); where the gutters can be coupled if by means of reinforcements (13) or clamps;

- tubes (7, 12), which are pipes that carry the drainage water from the gutter to the lower part of the structure where it is stored in a container or tank; Y

- where the gutters can be for:

or hydroponic cultivation, whereby the supports (4) are V-shaped with two rings at the ends, and where these rings are inserted into the telescopic legs (2,3) up to the stop they have; and where gutters (5) are V-shaped, and where on its upper part there is a grid (6) that supports growing bags (8).

or aeroponic cultivation, with which the supports (10) are straight sheets with two rings at the ends, and where these rings are inserted into the telescopic legs (2,3) up to the stop they have; and where the gutters (11) are tube-shaped with a plurality of holes in their upper part, and where the growing bags or plantations are housed in those holes.

Additionally, with regard to water supply, the system has a drip irrigation tape (9) that is arranged on top of the cultivation bags or plantations, where this tape takes the water from a network that supplies all the lines where the structure is installed.

Claims (5)

1. - Modular system for hydroponic or aeroponic cultivation, which is constituted from a structure that comprises a plurality of modules that are joined together, where each module comprises at least two feet (1) on which the rest of the the structure resting on the ground; and is characterized by the fact that it also includes: at least two lower level telescopic legs (2), which are installed on the feet (1), and where said legs are adjustable in height as they are made up of two parts: or a lower part (A) consisting of a hollow tube with an internal thread; Y or an upper part (B) consisting of a tube with an external thread, which is threaded at the bottom; Y and where the telescopic legs (2) are attached to each other or to the feet (1), as they have two holes at their ends through which a through screw is installed, thus joining two pieces; at least one stop located in the upper part of the telescopic leg (2) where a support (4, 10) rests that supports a drainage gutter (5, 11); a plurality of upper level telescopic legs (3), with a configuration similar to the lower level telescopic legs (2), where the tube of the lower part (A) having the lower thread (lower part (A) has a greater length than in the lower level; supports (4, 10) that connect the telescopic legs (2, 3) with the drainage gutter (5, 11); gutters (5, 11) that collect the excess water from some culture sacks (8) or plantations included in them, and that direct said water to an end where it is led to tubes (7, 12); tubes (7, 12), which are pipes that conduct the drainage water from the gutter (5, 11) to the bottom of the structure where it is stored in a container or tank; Y a drip irrigation tape (9) that is arranged on top of the growing bags or plantations. 2. - Modular system for hydroponic or aeroponic culture, according to claim 1, characterized in that in a hydroponic culture the supports (4) are V-shaped with two rings at the ends, and where these rings are inserted into the legs telescopic (2,3) to the top that they have; where the gutters (5) are V-shaped, and where on its upper part there is a grid (6) that supports the growing bags (8) or plantations. 3.- Modular system for hydroponic or aeroponic culture, according to claim 1, characterized in that in an aeroponic culture the supports (10) are straight sheets with two rings at the ends; where these rings are inserted into the telescopic legs (2,3) up to the stop they have; where the gutters (11) are tube-shaped with a plurality of holes in their upper part, and where the growing bags or plantations are housed in those holes. 4.- Modular system for hydroponic or aeroponic cultivation, according to any of the previous claims, characterized in that gutters (5, 11) are plastic. 5. Modular system for hydroponic or aeroponic cultivation, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that gutters (5, 11) are coupled to each other by means of reinforcements (13) or clamps.