ES1290021U - Air purifier for vertical surfaces (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding) - Google Patents

Abstract

Air purifier for vertical surfaces consisting of a modular container device with floral plants that, installed in large vertical surfaces, is conceived to purify the air, naturally, in (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding)

Description

DESCRIPTION

Air purifier for vertical surfaces

Technical object of the invention

The present invention relates to a modular device that, combining containers and special floral plants, is designed to naturally purify the air in large cities, industrial estates, rural areas and highly populated areas. It is installed on the facade of buildings or on any vertical surface so, being very compact, it serves as insulation and protection without reducing the public space with the added advantage that it beautifies said space.

Sector of the technique to which the invention refers

The invention that is presented affects the Sector of Current Necessities of Life, Chapter of Rural Activities, Gardening, with regard to decorative plants for interior or exterior, influencing from the industrial point of view in the commercialization of decorative elements based on containers for plants and flowers such as pots, planters, trellises and similar solutions.

Background of the invention

The use of plants as decorative elements in parks and gardens in public or private areas of cities, indoors and on balconies of private homes, has been practiced since ancient times.

For its easy handling in small spaces, pots of all kinds, planters or containers are used that allow the care of plants in a simple way while said activity constitutes a very pleasant reason for satisfaction.

For this reason, the existence of a multitude of registered antecedents related to containers for the cultivation of plants and flowers is normal. In some cases vertical growth is facilitated up or down (hanging plants). Others focus on innovations in the irrigation system and control, which is absolutely essential, to a greater or lesser extent, in any case.

The invention presented here takes into account, in addition to decorative purposes, the general property, common to all plants, known as photosynthesis, according to which, thanks to the action of sunlight, plants capture CO ² during day, simultaneously releasing oxygen with the corresponding beneficial effects for people. There are some solutions that have some similarity with this invention. As an example, we can cite "Puppy", the guard dog of the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, which has been installed for about twenty years in front of the main door of the museum and is covered in a mantle of multicolored flowers.

The vertical garden installed on the front of the Caixa Forum building in Madrid for purely decorative purposes is also well known.

Another precedent, somewhat related to what is described in this document, is the invention entitled "Modular planter for hanging plants" which is registered as Utility Model ES-1160735 U.

In any case, there is no known history that describes a solution designed to cover large vertical surfaces with the dual purpose of purifying the air and serving as an ornament for such surfaces by isolating them, protecting them and reducing maintenance costs, so it is an idea innovative that will be attractive for its application in urban centers, polygons or even rural areas where many people are concentrated.

The following are the most important general advantages provided by this air purification device:

- Easy installation on facades, walls and other vertical surfaces, generating a layer of air that, ensuring good insulation, prevents humidity

- Important ornamental effect

- Low maintenance costs of the support structure by using recyclable thermoplastic material reinforced with plant fiber

- Low maintenance costs of the chosen plants that are resistant to adverse weather conditions, with shallow roots and slow growth.

Summary description of the invention

As indicated above, the present invention relates to a modular device designed to purify the air, naturally, in areas with high population density based on the process of photosynthesis, according to which plants capture carbon dioxide and they emit oxygen, during the day, when subjected to solar radiation. Currently, many products that purify the air require a lot of space because they are placed on the ground or on substantially horizontal planes. The idea described here refers to a new concept of green space conceived for installation in highly populated areas that takes advantage of facades and other vertical surfaces where there are large free spaces.

The invention, of a modular type, consists of the grouping of "unitary modules", of three types, which make up "installation modules" that are installed on any type of vertical surface where, previously, metallic profiles of those used , in a usual way, to hold plasterboard panels.

The unitary modules, made of thermoplastic material reinforced with vegetable fibers, have the shape of a hollow straight prism with a square base and a small height, where the earth or peat is introduced, which is confined by means of a lid and a special grid, which, by trying to close the module and the stabilization of the content, enables the growth of plants and flowers through it.

Inside, PVC pipes are installed for the supply of water for drip irrigation. These pipes have three different configurations, corresponding to three unit modules, which allow the formation of a kind of irrigation coils in each installation module. . The simple adjacent position of the single modules, with the addition of small union fittings, gives continuity to the general duct. As a complementary installation, which does not characterize the invention, a pumping device and connection to the water network or to a supply tank is required. For the best development of plants Fertilizer fertilizers can be added to the irrigation water tank, when considered convenient.

For the definition of the fastening means of each unitary module on the metallic profiles, integral with the vertical surface, previous studies have been carried out, with digital simulations, applying the different forces to which the product object of the invention will be subjected, resulting in that to achieve a good degree of security, eight screws are required, which are located at the vertices and midpoints of the sides of the square. The chosen plant, recommended by its inventors, is the "Heuchera" very appropriate for the purposes pursued, since its perennial leaves remain green all year round, it has shallow roots, it supports any temperature well and it develops well in pots. . Its flowers, which are grouped in clusters of bright and varied colors, are known as coral bells. However, other plant species with similar characteristics are not ruled out.

The following sections include the schematic figures and the detailed description of the invention for proper understanding.

Brief description of the drawings

Five figures are included, which are considered sufficient for the correct interpretation of the invention.

Figures 1 and 2

They represent the side (Fig.1) and top (Fig.2) views of the unitary module of the invention. The following elements are indicated:

1. - Unit module

2. - Lid

2.1.- Grid

3. - Vertex hole

4. - Intermediate hole

Figures 3 and 4

They represent the perspective view of the unitary module with the cover and grid displaced upwards. In addition to the above references, the following is noted:

5. - Drip irrigation conduit

6. - Support and interconnection hole

Figure 5

Shown here is a schematic top view of an installation module made up of three types of unit modules. In principle, a module with three rows and four columns is represented, although other compositions are proposed, as indicated in the following section:

7. - Installation module

1.1. - Unit module for row/column change

1.2. - Continuity unit module

1.3.- Return unit module

8. - Union fitting

9. - Flowering plant

Detailed explanation of an embodiment of the invention

Air purifier for vertical surfaces (Figs.1, 2, 3, 4 and 5) consisting of a modular container device with floral plants that, installed on large vertical surfaces, is designed to naturally purify the air in areas with high population density. In an embodiment preferred by its inventors, it is made up of a series of groupings of unitary modules (1) that form installation modules (7) that are easily manageable for fixing to building facades or large vertical surfaces of those existing in any core. urban, industrial estate or rural area with a high population density.

The unitary modules (1), in a hollow right prism with a square base, are formed by a piece that acts as a container for the prepared soil or substrate where the ornamental plants grow. They are closed by a cover (2), equipped with a grid (2.1), holding on to hardware the same or similar to those used in construction for placing the plasterboard panels, by means of eight stainless steel screws. The aforementioned fittings are previously fixed on the facades by means of any of the usual means of fastening.

In the grid (2.1) there is a solid part with the lid (2), which acts as a closure for the container and two other elements, also referenced as (2.1) (Fig.3) as they are the same piece, which they are introduced into the container, perpendicular to the plane of the lid (2), compartmentalizing the volume and stabilizing the soil; all this allowing the passage of plants through it without impeding the normal growth of stems and roots.

For the formation of the installation modules (7), depending on the needs of each specific project, several unit modules (1) are grouped in matrices of four by three, four by two or three by three, although not any other combination is discarded. For the formation of a drip irrigation conduit, the manufacture of three types of unit modules (1) has been planned, as outlined in (Fig.5) where unit modules are included for row/column change (1.1) ( opposed tubes in “L”), unit continuity modules (1.2) (parallel straight tubes) and unit return modules (1.3) (tube in “U”). In it (Fig.5) it can be seen that the proper grouping of these unitary modules forms a serpentine conduit whose continuity is guaranteed not only by the adjacent position of some modules with others but also by the interposition of the corresponding union fittings. (8) that prevent possible water leaks. (See the enlarged detail of the coupling of two modules).

Through these drip irrigation conduits (5) the necessary water is delivered, which comes from the general network passing through regulating tanks, which allow the addition of fertilizing fertilizers to optimize the development of the plants.

For a better understanding of the structuring of an installation module (7), (Fig.5) shows separately, in the upper right corner, a single return module (1.3) without cover (2) or grille (2.1). In the lower right vertex, another unitary return module (1.3) with cover (2) and grid (2.1) and in the lower left position, two unitary modules complete with prepared soil and plants (9).

It is understood that several installation modules (7) are required to cover a large vertical surface, which are separated from said surface as a result of the existence of intermediate fixing hardware. This separation forms an air chamber with benefits of insulation, moisture absorption and consequent reduction in maintenance costs.

The floral plants (9) integrated in the device of the invention as an active element to purify the air must be carefully chosen to achieve good results.

Although the inventors have opted for what are known as "coral bells" (technically "heuchera"), other angiosperm species with similar characteristics in terms of duration, growth mode, flowering and necessary frequency of irrigation are not ruled out. The choice of flowering plants that develop well with short roots is considered of great importance, taking into account that the unit modules have little depth.

The unitary modules (1) are made of recyclable thermoplastic material, reinforced with vegetable fiber. For easy identification of each of the three types, you can choose to manufacture them in different colors. The drip irrigation pipes (5) are made of PVC and all the fastening screws are stainless steel Allen.

It is not considered necessary to make the content of this description more extensive so that a person skilled in the art can understand the scope and advantages derived from the invention, as well as develop and put into practice the object of the same. However, it must be understood that the invention has been described according to some preferred embodiments of the same, and may be subject to modifications without this affecting or implying any alteration of the foundation of said invention. In other words, the terms in which this invention has been exposed must always be taken broadly and not limitingly.

Claims (6)

1. Air purifier for vertical surfaces consisting of a modular container device with floral plants that, installed on large vertical surfaces, is designed to naturally purify the air in densely populated areas, characterized by being composed of a series of groupings of unitary modules (1), in the form of a hollow right prism with a square base, with a container that houses the soil or substrate, where flowering plants (9) grow, and a lid (2) equipped with a grid (2.1) of protection, existing inside the container a drip irrigation conduit (5), with open ends, which are connected with the conduits of the adjacent unit modules (1), by means of union connectors (8), said groupings remaining solidary on fittings that, in turn, are solidarized on building facades or vertical surfaces. 2. Air purifier for vertical surfaces, according to the first claim, characterized in that the grid (2.1), integral with the cover (2), consists of a part in a plane parallel to that of said cover and two elements, parallel to each other, which they are inserted into the body of the unitary module (1) along planes perpendicular to that of the cover (2). 3. Air purifier for vertical surfaces, according to the first claim, characterized in that the unit modules (1) comprise drip irrigation ducts (5), where said ducts (5) can be opposed L-shaped tubes (1.1 ), or parallel straight tubes (1.2), or "U" shaped tubes (1.3). 4. Air purifier for vertical surfaces, according to the first and second claims, characterized by being manufactured in matrix groups of four by three, four by two or three by three forming installation modules (7) whose associated drip irrigation ducts (5) They take the form of a serpentine. 5. Air purifier for vertical surfaces, according to the first claim, characterized in that there are, in each unitary module (1), four vertex holes (3) and four intermediate holes (4) for the purpose of fixing them on the fittings. support, by means of stainless steel Allen screws and support and interconnection holes (6) for immobilization of drip irrigation conduits (5) and adjustment of union fittings (8) between unit modules (1). 6. Air purifier for vertical surfaces, according to the first claim, characterized in that each type of unitary module is manufactured in recyclable thermoplastic material of different colors reinforced by vegetable fibers.