ES2556220B2 - MODULAR CONTAINER AND MODULAR IRRIGATION SYSTEM - Google Patents

Abstract

Modular container and modular irrigation system # The present invention relates to a modular container or irrigation module as well as a modular irrigation system obtained by arranging at least two of said modules. The proposed modular irrigation system, consisting of at least two irrigation modules of the invention, allows to define a continuous irrigation system with recirculation of excess irrigation water, as well as minimize evaporation losses, thanks to a design of the vertically stackable modules. Likewise, the module and the system of the invention make it possible to define a sustainable construction system by arranging multiple irrigation systems forming various architectural elements, such as green walls, green columns, vertical gardens and the like.

Description

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MODULAR CONTAINER AND MODULAR IRRIGATION SYSTEM

The present invention relates to a modular irrigation vessel as well as a modular irrigation system obtained by disposing at least two of said modular containers. The proposed modular irrigation system, composed of at least two modular irrigation vessels (hereinafter modules) of the invention, allows to define a continuous irrigation system with recirculation of excess irrigation water, as well as minimize evaporation losses, thanks to a vertically stackable module design. Likewise, the module and the system of the invention make it possible to define a sustainable construction system by arranging multiple irrigation systems forming various architectural elements, such as green walls, green columns, vertical gardens and the like.

The module and the modular system of the present invention is not only applicable for localized irrigation, but also for the application of chemical substances, such as fertilizers or amendments, along with irrigation water, by means of localized input in the irrigation head, application known in the relevant technical field as fertirrigation.

Stackable planters or planters are already known that allow the design of vertical gardens or green murals and that integrate an automated or autonomous irrigation system based on an arrangement of water collection pipes and conduits for each of the planters or planters. These known systems involve the installation of pipes connected to the water supply network or they accumulate the water in tanks arranged for this purpose in the system, which entails installation costs and works or a risk of excess moisture that is harmful to the plants.

For example, EP1599087B1 describes an irrigation system for plants, comprising at least one elongated plant pot, a main pipe and a plurality of openings where a plurality of bypass pipes connecting the main pipe to the openings are included (22 ) distributed in the longitudinal direction and positioned at the bottom of the plant pot, the main pipeline being also connected to means for the supply and discharge of water, and where the humidity level is regulated by regulating the water pressure in the main pipe

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Document ES1028581 describes a modular planter consisting of a tray with a vertical perimeter projection as a low partition, provided at the top and emerging outwards from an alar zone lacking edges, there are several in the lower area reinforcements or ribs, on which the assembly is attached on the horizontal surface, and which has a circular projection in the internal central area, on whose upper face and located at the central point a truncated conical configuration emerges, existing in the lateral area in which forms the staggering with the base several creasing lines that act as water channeling of the superimposed modules, where the modules are configured as a hollow cylinder equipped with semicircular projections communicated with the body, there is laterally a shoulder in the lower area provided with a vertical tongue and in the outer area near the mouth a groove to fit ar the tongue of the shoulder for stacking.

The module and the modular system provided by the present invention solve the technical problems posed and supply the need to facilitate continuous and consecutive irrigation by means of the stackable modular containers and the vertical modular system, since it allows greater use of water and / or water. fertilizers, reduces evaporation losses by a high percentage, simplifies irrigation by eliminating pipes and pipes for each and every plant and ensures a uniform distribution of water and / or fertilizers for each of them. Likewise, the module and the modular system allow increasing the number of plants to be cultivated per square meter, maximizing space and saving on costs.

In the present description, and in reference to the term "water" in this context, it uses in a non-limiting manner, generally understood as irrigation water that may optionally include other substances, such as fertilizers, nutrients, amendments, etc. Likewise, the terms "irrigation" and "fertirrigation" will generally be referred to herein as "irrigation" or used interchangeably.

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Thus, the module of the invention is essentially formed on the basis of a first container intended to house the desired substrate for the plant and which has one or more lateral openings in its perimeter wall, in the latter case at different heights of the perimeter wall, to arrange plants or seeds inside and allow them to grow and go outside. Within this first container, a second container is centered, whose side walls are permeable to the passage of water. Inside this second container there is a blind tube at the top and open at the bottom, in whose upper and lower terminal areas it has two through holes that define a communication with the second container and whose function is to define the level of water reservoir desired for the first container. The upper part of the first container serves as a support for a tray as a water tank and which, by means of a regulating element located in its lower base, doses the passage of water from the water storage tray to said first container, so that direct contact between the substrate contained in this first container and the water in the tray is avoided. In order to avoid losses by evaporation or by turning the module, said water storage tray is closed with an upper cover. Finally, and in order to collect a possible excess of water in the first container, it has at its base a second water recovery tray, a second tray that, optionally exchanged for the water storage tray in order of reusing such excess water for a new irrigation manually or it includes a pumping system that allows the water to be taken to the highest point, the tray located at the top.

The module of the invention, being vertically stackable, thus allows to define a modular system in which the modules described above are stacked one upon another vertically. To do this, it is only necessary to remove the water recovery tray from an underlying adjacent module and place it at the base of the last stackable module in the system.

The invention is described below on the basis of an embodiment thereof and with reference to the attached figures, in which:

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Fig. 1:

Schematic section view of a modular system showing three

vertically stackable modules according to the invention;

Fig. 2:

Elevation view of the modular system of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3:

Perspective view of the modular system of Fig. 1

Although a stackable module according to the invention with an essentially cylindrical outer shape is shown in the present description and in the figures, the invention is not limited to the use of this general form for the modules, which may have any suitable outer shape.

As seen in Fig. 1, each of the modules (1) is formed on the basis of a first container (2) intended to house the desired substrate for the plant. Said substrate may be any suitable for the growth of the plants to be housed, for example peat, ligno-cellulosic materials, siliceous sands, vermiculite, etc., as well as mixtures thereof.

This first container (2) has in its vertical perimeter wall one or more lateral openings (3), in the latter case at different heights of the perimeter wall, to arrange inside plants or seeds and allow them to grow and leave the environment Exterior. Although in the embodiment shown in the figures the side openings (3) have an essentially keyhole shape, such openings may have any suitable shape as long as they fulfill the function described herein. Some of the lateral openings (3) can also be used to connect, by means of bridge-like tubes, several modular systems to each other in order to form meshes, walls or other constructive forms or to facilitate the assembly of some systems with others using correspondingly fitting connecting pieces in such openings.

The upper part of the first container (2) supports a first tray

(4) by way of a water tank tightly connected at its bottom to the base of the first container (2). In order to avoid losses by evaporation or by turning the module, said first water storage tray (4) is closed with an upper cover (6).

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This first tray (4) allows the passage of the water stored there to the first container (2) through a regulator / metering element (7) located in its lower base, so that direct contact between the substrate contained in this substrate is avoided first container (2) and the water of the tray (4) except for several holes or slits arranged in said regulator / dosing element (7) that allow the passage of water as a mecha.

The lower base of the container (2) is perforated in its central area to allow the passage of water to a second lower module (1) adjacent to the one that is tightly joined in case of a modular system with more than one module (2) or to allow the exit of a possible excess of water in the first container (2) to second a water recovery tray (5), also coupled to the lower base of the container (2) in a hermetic way.

This second recovery tray (5), is interchangeable by the water storage tray (4) in order to reuse excess water for a new irrigation manually or includes a pumping system and corresponding means that allow carrying the water to the highest point, the tray

(4) located at the top.

Inside this first container (2) a second container (8) is centrally arranged whose side walls are permeable to the passage of water. In a preferred embodiment, the permeability of the side walls of the container (8) is achieved by holes made in its side wall, as shown in the figures. In another preferred embodiment, the side walls of the container (8) are designed in the form of a mesh to guarantee said permeability.

This second container (8) has inside it a tube (9) blind in its upper part and open in its lower part, in whose upper and lower terminal areas there are two through holes that allow fluid communication with the second container ( 8). The function of the tube (9) is to define the maximum and minimum water levels that are desired for the second container (8) and therefore for the first container (2), allowing to maintain this system, a minimum of water reserved in the bottom of the container (2), as well as controlling the maximum level of overflow that is desired for the second container (8). The system includes a separator that prevents the pooling by direct contact between the substrate and the water deposited in the minimum level cavity, this separator facilitating the gradual absorption of water and without substrate dragging.

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The second container (8) allows to avoid the direct passage of the water that falls from the upper tray (4), thereby preventing the water from overflowing through the lateral openings of the first container (2). It also allows the water and / or other substances to be uniformly dosed by the substrate in each of the modules (1), also allowing the direct excess of water to overflow to the immediately lower module (1). The second container (8) also makes it possible to store a percentage of water that by sub-irrigation will help keep the substrate hydrated for a longer time. In addition, another of its functions is to prevent the flooding of a lower module (1) which, in the case of a modular system, receives water from an immediately higher module (1).

As shown in the figures, the module (1) of the invention, being vertically stackable, allows defining a modular system in which at least two of the modules (1) described above are stacked vertically. To do this, it is only necessary to remove the water recovery tray (5) from an underlying adjacent module and place it at the base of the last stackable module (1) of the modular system.

To define the modular system of the invention, the modules (1) above are shaped so that they fit together in a tight manner, greatly preventing evaporation.

The present invention allows a continuous irrigation, cyclically recirculating the irrigation of the modules that constitute the modular system and which are installed one above the other.

This modular system thus provides a continuous and homogeneous flow within a closed circuit, from one module to the next immediately below, until finally, reaching the first, without spilling water through any of the side holes and getting a distribution of water and / or of homogeneous nutrients, at the same time maintaining a reserve of available water for the plants to use according to their needs and conserving and protecting the plants from possible water stress, as well as extreme temperatures and environmental conditions.

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Claims (11)

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one.

Modular container or module (1) of irrigation of vertically stackable type that includes a first container (2) destined to house a substrate for plants and that presents in its vertical perimeter wall one or more lateral openings (3) for the growth of the same , characterized in that inside said first container (2) a second container (8) is centrally arranged whose side walls are permeable to the passage of water and which has a tube (9) inside it blind and open at the top its lower part, in whose upper and lower terminal areas two through holes are made that allow fluid communication with the second container (8), the function of the tube (9) being to define the water reserve level and the maximum level of overflow that is desired for the second container (8).

2.

Irrigation module (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the permeability of the side walls of the container (8) is achieved by holes made in its side wall.

3.

Irrigation module (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the side walls of the container (8) are designed in the form of a mesh.

Four.

Irrigation module (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the upper part of the first container (2) supports a first tray (4) as a water tank tightly connected by its lower part to the base of the first container (2), closing this first water storage tray (4) with an upper lid (6) to avoid losses by evaporation or by turning the module (1).

5.

Irrigation module (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the first tray (4) includes a regulator / metering element (7) located in its lower base that allows the passage of stored water to the first container (2) through it avoiding the direct contact between the substrate contained in the first container (2) and the water of the tray (4) except for several holes or slits arranged in said element

regulator / dispenser (7) that allow the passage of water as a mecha.

6.

Irrigation module (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the lower base of the container (2) is perforated in its central area to allow the passage of water to a second lower module (1) contiguous to the one that is tightly joined in case of stacking more than one module (2) or to allow the exit of a possible excess of water in the first container

(2) to second a recovery tray (5) of water, also coupled to the bottom base of the container (2) in a tight manner.

7.

Irrigation module (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that the second recovery tray (5) is interchangeable by the water storage tray (4) in order to reuse excess water for a new irrigation manually.

8.

Irrigation module (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that the second recovery tray (5) includes a pumping system and corresponding means that allow the water to be taken to the highest point, the tray (4) located at the top .

9.

Irrigation module (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that it includes a separator that prevents the pooling by direct contact between the substrate and the water deposited in the minimum level cavity, this separator facilitating the gradual absorption of water and without substrate drag .

10.

Modular irrigation system characterized in that it includes at least two modules (1) according to any of the preceding claims stacked vertically.

eleven.

Modular irrigation system according to claim 9, characterized in that at least one of the lateral openings (3) is used to connect, by way of bridges, several modular systems to each other in order to form meshes, walls, greens, gardens vertical or other constructive forms or to facilitate the assembly of some

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