ES2270670B1 - CONTAINER FOR THE GROWTH OF PLANTS. - Google Patents

Abstract

Container for plant cultivation. The container (1) for plant cultivation comprises at least one cultivation area (2) adapted to house the cultivation land in which the plants are planted. It is characterized in that it comprises at least one tubular body (5) open at both ends (7, 7 ''), provided with at least one opening (6, 9) in the wall portion (10) that closes said tubular body superiorly. , and because this tubular body is preferably inclined with respect to the horizontal plane, crossing, at least the lower end (7 '') of the tubular body, a side wall (8) of the container (1), allowing oxygenation of the earth from cultivation and extraction of excess irrigation water from the cultivation area.

Description

Container for plant cultivation.

Technical sector of the invention

The present invention relates to a container for the cultivation of plants, of which they comprise at least one area crop adapted to house the soil or crop substrate in which the plants are planted.

Background of the invention

There are currently known multiple containers for plant cultivation, commonly referred to as "automatic watering", which consist of two adjacent or overlapping bodies or compartments. The upper compartment is normally open at the top and is adapted to house the soil or crop mobs used to plant the plants, while the lower compartment is adapted to receive and store the irrigation water for these
plants.

In this type of pots, water access for plant or plant nutrition can be by direct irrigation from the outside through the upper opening of the container or either from the lower compartment, by overflowing it or by capillarity.

In the latter case, the compartments upper and lower are connected by wicks of hydrophilic material, so that the water in the lower compartment that soaks these wicks of hydrophilic material ascends through them to the upper compartment, where the roots of the plant or  plants, eager for water, access the water of which they are the mentioned wicks impregnated.

Among the inconveniences found in such culture devices already known, highlights the difficulty for regulating the amount of water available to the plant, especially when excess water is supplied from the outside, for example in the case of rain. The amount of water contributed can be in some cases excessive, leaving the land saturated with water, and accumulate it above the lower level of the roots, so there is a risk that the plant will end for watering.

Another associated problem that is observed is that the Water present in the cultivation area stagnates randomly, which can cause the production of sludge that damages the plant, obstructing the holes that are crossed by the wicks and thus reducing their water transport capacity.

In addition to the above drawbacks concerning the irregular presence of water in the cultivation area, there are other problems associated with the lack of oxygenation that usually presents the land of that area, such as the formation of conglomerates and the creation of bacteria that lead to harm the normal development of the plant.

A pot is known from ES 2162768 with oxygenation means consisting of a potted body within which an inverted hollow bowl is incorporated, of the that emanate hollow conduits semi-vertically up to practically reach the surface of the mouth of the body of flower pot. The air passes through the aforementioned conduits to the inside the chamber established by the bowl, which has perforations on its surface, passing air to make contact With the substrate. The pot can be replaced by another with a camera bottom with perforations, or by a pot with camera perimeter and with a lower chamber, which through perforations located in the upper outer part allow the passage of air to through them until contact with the substrate.

However, in the type of pots above described, the interior substrate area usually has problems of agglomerations and sludge, since the air that is enter exclusively by the bottom of the pot or by the  perimeter of this one, in the case of a pot with camera perimeter, hardly reaches the interior of the substrate area, So the problem is not solved conveniently.

Another embodiment is described in the US 3958366 which refers to a pot comprising a top container that houses the soil or substrate where they plant the plants and a lower container where the irrigation water that access by capillarity to the container superior to through some wicks. The upper container is provided with a series of perforated tubes on their side and spaced walls each other that extend from the outside atmosphere to the pot to the inside of the upper container, intended to oxygenate the substrate of said upper container.

A problem associated with this type of embodiments lies in the ease with which the holes of said tubes are plugged by the soil of the plants preventing the oxygenation of the substrate, in addition to not providing a drainage system for the extraction of the excess water of irrigation of the zone of culture.

It is noted therefore the lack of a container for the cultivation of plants that allow the drainage of excess water of irrigation and oxygenation of a cultivation area providing a effective solution to each and every one of the inconveniences cited.

Explanation of the invention.

The container for growing plants of the invention is of the type of those comprising at least one area of crop adapted to house the soil or crop substrate in the one that plants are planted.

In essence, the container for the cultivation of plants is characterized because it comprises at least one tubular body open at both ends, provided with at least one opening in the portion of wall that closes said tubular body superiorly, and because this tubular body is preferably arranged inclined with respect to the horizontal plane crossing, at least the lower end of the tubular body, a side wall of the container, allowing the entry of air through its mouth, and the contribution of oxygen to the farmland, and entering through the opening or openings of the tubular body the water of leftover irrigation present in the cultivation area, which is channeled by the same tubular body to its lower open end, through from which the collected water is extracted from the cultivation area.

According to another feature of the invention, the opening or openings of the closing wall portion superiorly the tubular body is covered by a sheet openwork, such as a grid, or a filter sheet, intended for maintain the perspiration of the tubular body in the culture area and avoid clogging of the aforementioned openings by accumulation of the soil or substrate present in the cultivation area.

According to another feature of the invention, enter the wall portion that upperly closes the tubular body and the openwork sheet or the filter sheet covering the opening or openings interposes a separator element that prevents contact directly between said wall portion and the openwork sheet or the filter sheet

According to a preferred embodiment, the opening or openings of the wall portion that superiorly closes the body Tubular are covered by a layer of porous material to maintain the perspiration of the tubular body in the culture area and avoid clogging the aforementioned openings by accumulation of the soil or substrate present in the cultivation area.

According to another aspect of the invention, the layer of Porous material is a layer of arlite.

According to another feature of the invention, the wall portion that upperly closes the body Tubular is provided with an opening consisting of a groove longitudinal.

According to another feature of the invention, the portion of wall that closes the tubular body superiorly is provided with several openings consisting of multiple holes regularly distributed along the length of the aforementioned tubular body

According to another aspect of the invention, the background of The cultivation area is adapted to pass through strips or wicks of a hydrophilic material intended to be irrigated by Capillarity of the crop area with irrigation water from An irrigation zone.

According to another feature of the invention, the irrigation area consists of a container compartment adapted to store irrigation water, arranged below The cultivation area.

According to another feature of the invention, the cultivation area is adapted for removable coupling with the container compartment

According to another feature of the invention, the container compartment is provided with at least one hole of reception adapted to receive the extra irrigation water extracted of the cultivation area by the mouth of the lower end of the tubular body

Brief description of the drawings

The attached drawings illustrate, by way of non-limiting example, a preferred embodiment of the container for the cultivation of plants object of the invention. In said drawings:

Fig. 1, is a perspective view and partially sectioned of a specific embodiment of the container according to the invention;

Fig. 2, is a sectional view of another form of concrete embodiment of the container according to the invention;

Fig. 3, is an elevation view of a body tubular, in horizontal position, provided with multiple holes along its length;

Fig. 4, is a sectional view of the body tubular of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5, is a perspective view of the tubular body of Fig. 3;

Fig. 6, is an elevation view of another body tubular, in horizontal position, provided with a groove longitudinal;

Fig. 7, is a sectional view of the body tubular of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8, is a perspective view of the tubular body of Fig. 6;

Fig. 9, is a perspective view of a third tubular body, quadrangular section;

Fig. 10, is a perspective view of the tubular body of Fig. 5 covered by an openwork sheet;

Fig. 11, is a sectional view of a room tubular body, semicircular section; Y

Fig. 12, is a sectional view of another concrete embodiment of the container according to the invention, in which The irrigation zone comprises a container compartment.

Detailed description of the drawings

A concrete example of realization of a container 1, or pot, in which although it appreciate that the crop refers to a few plants 4, it should be expensive that the invention is also applicable to shrubs and trees of any type, while the size of the pot is adapted or container.

As seen in Fig. 1, container 1 for the cultivation of plants it comprises two separate zones, constituted by two compartments 20 and 30, the first of the which is a cultivation zone 2 adapted to contain the land or the culture substrate on which plants 4 are planted and under the which is the second zone, called irrigation zone 3, whose compartment is adapted to contain irrigation water for floors 4. Both compartments 20 and 30 are linked through wicks 12 of hydrophilic material, so that the irrigation water present in irrigation zone 3 soaks the wicks and ascends by capillarity to the cultivation zone 2, where the roots of plants 4, eager for water, access the water that impregnate the mentioned wicks 12.

According to the embodiment represented in Fig. 1, the container 1 comprises a tubular body 5 opened by both ends 7 and 7 'that crosses the cultivation zone 2 and the wall side 8 of the container 1. In the examples of containers 1 represented in Figs. 1, 2 and 12, said tubular body 5 It is arranged inclined with respect to the horizontal plane. He tubular body shown in Fig. 1 corresponds to the embodiment of the tubular body 5 of Figs. 3, 4 and 5, according to the which wall portion 10 that closes said tubular body 5 is provided with multiple openings, and more specifically, holes 6 regularly distributed along the length of said body while the wall portion Lower 13 lacks them.

The tubular body 5 performs two functions essential for the proper development of the plant, the functions of drainage and oxygenation of the cultivation area 2.

Indeed, when it rains or when watering plants 4 by conventional means, such as by means of a watering can, crop area 2 may contain water from leftover irrigation that, if not evacuated outside said area, can impair the development of the 4 plants grown in it. In container 1, the excess irrigation water is introduced by the openings of the tubular body 5 and is channeled through it until leaving to the outside by its lower end 7 ', thus withdrawing excess water from the cultivation area 2.

In the case of placing said tubular body 5 on the bottom or very close to the bottom of the cultivation zone 2, to as the excess irrigation water accumulates in said bottom, the water level will rise until it reaches the inside the tubular body 5 through the openings, being able to be evacuated to the outside through ends 7 and 7 'of the body tubular 5 although the inclination of the tubular body 5 is despicable or nonexistent.

Moreover, the tubular body 5 also contributes to the oxygenation or aeration of the soil or substrate of the cultivation zone, since when crossing the tubular body 5 the zone of culture 2 and the wall or side walls of the container 1 adjacent to that area, outside air is introduced by open ends 7 and 7 'of the tubular body 5 and is contributed to the cultivation zone 2 through its openings or holes 6.

Another possible embodiment of container 1 of the invention differs from that described above in that the body tubular 5 arranged inclined does not pass through both ends 7 and 7 ' the side walls 8 of the container 1, but only by the lower end 7 '. In this case the oxygenation capacity and culture area drainage depends on body length tubular 5 since the longer it is, the larger the growing area encompasses and better results are achieved.

Figs. 6, 7 and 8 show perspectives of a realization of a tubular body 5 in which, unlike the embodiment depicted in Figs. 3 and 4, the wall portion 10 which closes the above mentioned tubular body 5 is not provided with multiple holes regularly distributed, but it is provided with an opening constituted by a groove longitudinal 9.

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of another possible embodiment of tubular body 5, in this case section quadrangular, in which similar to the tubular body of Figs. 3 and 4, the wall portion 10 that closes the body superiorly Tubular 5 is provided with multiple holes 6 regularly distributed along the length.

The sectional view of Fig. 2 shows that the openings of the closing wall portion 10 superiorly the tubular body 5, not shown in the drawing, are covered by a layer of porous material 11 to maintain the perspiration of the tubular body 5 in the culture zone 2 and avoid the clogging of said openings by accumulation of soil or substrate particles present in the growing area 2. The layer of porous material 11 has been represented as a layer of arlita configured as small balls.

As an alternative to the layer of porous material 11 for the purpose of preserving the perspiration of the tubular body 5 in the cultivation zone 2 and preventing the clogging of the openings or holes 6, said openings can be covered by an openwork sheet 16, such like a grid, or a filter sheet. Fig. 10 depicts a tubular body 5 wrapped in an openwork sheet 16, leaving its ends 7 and 7 'open, so that the holes 6 are prevented from being clogged by dirt particles that prevent the passage of oxygen to the cultivation zone 2 and the excess water inside said tubular body 5. In the same way that the holes 6 can be covered by an openwork sheet 16, either rigid or flexible, the plugging of the same can also be avoided by covering them with a mesh or a net
woven

Fig. 11 shows a sectional view of a embodiment of tubular body 5 of semicircular section, in which it is noted that interposed between the wall portion 10 that closes superiorly the tubular body and the openwork sheet 16, such as a grid, there is a separator element 40, such as a block. This separator element 40 prevents direct contact between said wall portion 10 and the openwork sheet 16, creating a chamber of air to facilitate ventilation inside the tubular body 5 through the holes 6.

Fig. 12 represents another possible embodiment of the container 1, according to which the compartment 20 of the area of crop 2 is adapted for removable coupling to container compartment 30 that stores the irrigation water and that constitutes the irrigation zone 3. This container compartment 30 it is provided on its upper face 17 with several adapted holes for the passage of the wicks 12 that irrigate the cultivation zone 2, crossed by the tubular body 5, in addition to a device 18 for the control of the level of water stored in said container container 30.

Another feature to highlight is that the face top 17 of the container 30 of the irrigation water is provided with a receiving hole 15, adapted to receive the leftover irrigation water extracted from the cultivation zone 2 by the mouth of the lower end 7 'of the tubular body 5.

Claims (11)

1. Container (1) for the cultivation of plants comprising at least one cultivation area (2) adapted to house the soil or the cultivation substrate on which the plants are planted, characterized in that it comprises at least one tubular body (5) open at both ends (7, 7 '), provided with at least one opening (6, 9) in the wall portion (10) that closes said tubular body (5) superiorly, and because this tubular body is preferably arranged inclined with respect to the horizontal plane crossing, at least the lower end (7 ') of the tubular body (5), a side wall (8) of the container (1), allowing the entry of air through its mouth, and the contribution of oxygen to the cultivation land, and the excess irrigation water present in the cultivation area, which is channeled through the same tubular body into its opening through its opening or openings (6, 9) of the tubular body (5) open bottom end, through which the collected water is ext thread of the area
culture. 2. Container (1) for plant cultivation according to claim 1, characterized in that the opening or openings (6, 9) of the wall portion (10) that upperly closes the tubular body (5) is covered by an openwork sheet , such as a grid, or a filter sheet, intended to maintain the perspiration of the tubular body in the cultivation area (2) and prevent clogging of said openings by accumulation of the soil or substrate present in the cultivation area ( 2). 3. Container (1) for plant cultivation according to claim 2, characterized in that between the wall portion (10) that closes the tubular body (5) and the openwork sheet or the filter sheet covering the opening or openings ( 6, 9) a separating element (40) is interposed that avoids direct contact between said wall portion and the sheeted sheet or the filter sheet. 4. Container (1) for plant cultivation according to claim 1, characterized in that the opening or openings (6, 9) of the wall portion (10) that upperly closes the tubular body (5) are covered by a layer of porous material (11) to maintain the perspiration of the tubular body in the cultivation area (2) and avoid clogging of said openings by accumulation of the soil or the substrate present in the cultivation area. 5. Container (1) for plant cultivation according to claim 4, characterized in that the layer of porous material (11) is an arlite layer. 6. Container (1) for plant cultivation according to claim 1, characterized in that the wall portion (10) that closes the tubular body (5) superiorly is provided with an opening constituted by a longitudinal groove (9). 7. Container (1) for plant cultivation according to claim 1, characterized in that the wall portion (10) that closes the tubular body superiorly (5) is provided with several openings consisting of multiple holes (6) regularly distributed thereto. along the length of said tubular body. 8. Container (1) for growing plants according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bottom of the growing area (2) is adapted for passage through strips or wicks (12) of a hydrophilic material intended to irrigate by capillarity the cultivation area (2) with the irrigation water from an irrigation zone (3). 9. Container (1) for plant cultivation according to claim 8, characterized in that the irrigation zone (3) is constituted by a container compartment (30) adapted to store the irrigation water, arranged below the cultivation zone (2). 10. Container (1) for plant growing according to claim 9, characterized in that the growing area (2) is adapted for removable coupling with the container compartment (30). 11. Container (1) for plant cultivation according to claim 10, characterized in that the container compartment (30) is provided with at least one receiving orifice (15) adapted to receive the excess irrigation water extracted from the cultivation area (2) by the mouth of the lower end (7 ') of the tubular body (5).