FR2791865A1 - Cultivation system for above ground level comprises cultivation subrate arranged inside trough made from thermally conductive material with side faces curved along upper longitudinal edge to form longitudinal radius. - Google Patents

Abstract

The system uses a cultivation substrate (1) and a self supporting trough (2) that is suspended above ground level and designed to receive the cultivation substrate either in bulk, or as a package. The trough is made from material with a raised coefficient of thermal conduction. It has two side faces (2a) and a base. Each side face is curved on its upper longitudinal edge towards the exterior and towards the base to form a longitudinal radius at this level and create a longitudinal channel (4). The base of the trough is formed from two longitudinal planes that are inclined towards a median line, with the base forming a V.

Description

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ABOVE GROUND CULTIVATION SYSTEM.

  The subject of the present invention is an above-ground culture system in a greenhouse, for example comprising at least one culture substrate and at least one self-supporting container intended to receive the culture substrate, the latter being able to be in bulk or packaged in bags, cases. , pots and other containers. The above-ground cultivation technique uses neutral or nutrient-loaded growing substrates arranged in containers arranged side by side in rows on horizontal supports arranged in suspension above the ground. AT

  each row is associated with a drip type irrigation device.

  These growing substrates, which can be soil loaded with nutrients specific to the production envisaged, or vermiculite or the like, can be in the form of parallelepipedic blocks placed in bags of waterproof plastic. These substrates are

  arranged in a line in wire mesh forming horizontal supports.

  Generally these supports are arranged at a distance from the ground suspended on

  wires fixed to the frame of the greenhouse or the culture building.

  The bags in the upper part are provided with holes through which the root zones of the plants are introduced into the substrate. In addition, other holes are made in the upper part. Through these holes, irrigation water is introduced, this water possibly being able to be added with nutritive substances. The bags are drilled in the lower part for the evacuation of drainage water. With the use of lattice supports it is difficult to recover drainage water at low cost and very often this water

  flow directly to the ground.

  The use of bagged substrates poses the problem of the subsequent elimination of bags which are often made of synthetic material. It is therefore preferable to use non-bagged substrates. With such a technique then arises the problems associated with the development of weeds which can slow down the development of plants. It is possible to spread weed killers to control these weeds but such

  use results in an additional cost.

  In the case of bulk use, the substrate is placed in pots or in plastic or metal boxes depending on the type of production envisaged. The use of boxes is suitable for mass production, generally these are also arranged in a row on supports which can be constituted by trellis suspended above the ground and hung on ropes fixed to the frame of the greenhouse or culture room. The advantage of using boxes which constitute separate culture units lies essentially in the fact that the batches of plants which are grown there can individually undergo heat treatments, for example placing in a cold room for a determined period of time. so that

  simulate the winter life cycle.

  The plastic boxes have a drainage device for recovering runoff water. These waters flow into a drainage channel common to the row. It is common for the roots of plants to pass through the flow holes and come into the trough in contact with the drainage water so that if the latter are contaminated with pathogens, the contamination can spread throughout the row and affect the whole culture. Another drawback is that the roots can block the drainage channel. In this case

  the substrate is quickly saturated with water and the plants die quickly.

  In addition, due to the different dimensions, each case or container corresponds to a particular type of support. Thus the boxes of synthetic or metallic materials cannot be positioned on supports originally intended to receive bags. Likewise, these supports cannot receive pots of small dimensions. For this reason the change of container supposes the change of support which is quickly prohibitive. The culture supports are generally equipped with heating means constituted by tubes in which circulates a heat-transfer fluid which can be water. Generally, each culture medium is associated with a fluid supply tube positioned near the substrates and a return tube arranged in the foliage of the plants. This provision does not provide

efficient heating.

  Finally, it is useful to keep the fruits formed away from the moisture which emerges from the culture supports. This facilitates fertilization and reduces

  risks of diseases such as botrytis.

  The object of the present invention is to overcome the drawbacks mentioned above by implementing a new type of container for cultivation above ground, versatile, self-supporting, which can receive a bulk substrate but also which can constitute a support for containers of substrates such as

  bags, jars, crates and the like.

  Another object of the present invention is a culture container provided with

improved means of heating.

  Another object of the present invention is a culture container designed to

  avoid contact with roots with drainage water.

  Another object of the present invention is a culture tank capable of

keep the fruit dry.

  To this end, the above-ground culture system, comprising a culture substrate and at least one self-supporting tank intended to receive the culture substrate, characterized in that: - the tank is made of a material having a high coefficient of thermal conduction, - the tray comprises two longitudinal side blanks and a bottom connected to said blanks, this bottom being in the form of a chute, - each lateral blank (according to its horizontal upper edge is curved longitudinally outwards and downwards to form at this level a

  longitunal stiffener and always define a longitudinal channel at this level.

  Thanks to these technical characteristics, the tray thus formed can receive bulk substrate but also is strong enough to receive

boxes loaded with substrate.

  According to another characteristic of the invention, the bottom of the tank is formed by two longitudinal planes inclined towards a median line, the bottom

  forming a Vé. The sides are slightly inclined relative to the horizontal.

  This arrangement is suitable for placing containers in the container under

shape of pots.

  According to another embodiment, each lateral blank is associated with a conduit for transporting a heat-transfer fluid, the conduit for transporting said fluid being in contact with said blank and being made of a material with a good coefficient of thermal conduction so that the heat transported by the

  conduit is transferred to said blank, said tank and the culture substrate.

  According to another characteristic of the invention, the fluid transport duct associated with each lateral blank is housed in the channel formed by the latter. This arrangement increases the importance of the contact surfaces between the fluid transport duct and the tank. In addition, the channel shape ensures the maintenance of the

  conducts and increases the self-supporting quality of the tank.

  According to another characteristic of the invention, each lateral blank of the tank is associated with an additional blank extending downward from the upper edge of the tank, the conduit for transporting the heat transfer fluid being arranged in the interval

  between the side blank of the tank and the additional blank.

  This additional blank ensures the maintenance of the heat in the interval which it delimits with the lateral blank of the tank, this heat can then spread uniformly towards

  the growing medium and towards the root zone of the plants.

  According to another characteristic of the invention, the horizontal lower edge of each additional blank develops at a lower height level by

  relationship at which the bottom of the tank develops.

  This additional blank prevents contact between the fruit and the container. In addition,

  fruits in contact with the additional custard are kept at an appropriate temperature.

  According to another characteristic of the invention, the internal face of each

  tray is covered with a sheet of waterproof plastic.

  The purpose of the waterproof sheet is to protect the walls of the tank from

  corrosion. This avoids any relatively expensive adapted surface treatment.

  According to another characteristic of the invention, the additional blanks are

  formed by the synthetic covering sheet of the internal face of the tank.

  This particularly simple arrangement is simple and inexpensive to use. According to another characteristic of the invention, a drainage conduit is disposed on the sheet deep within the chute that forms the bottom of the tank, this drainage conduit being provided with several drills, radial cages for the

  recovery of runoff water.

  This provision ensures the self-maintenance of the drainage conduit in the area of

flow water convergence.

  As a variant, according to another characteristic of the invention, the drainage conduit is disposed outside the tank and is provided with a longitudinal slot through which the chute formed by the bottom of the tank is engaged in the pipe, the bottom of the chute being provided with pierces, through ages of water flow

towards the conduit.

  The engagement of the tank in the drainage pipe ensures self-positioning

of the duct in relation to the tank.

  According to another characteristic of the invention, the drainage conduit is made of material transparent to light. This characteristic is opposed to

  root development in the drainage canal.

  According to another characteristic of the invention, the substrate is surrounded by a sheet of synthetic material provided with micro perforations of sufficient size to allow the passage of water and of size too small to allow the passage of the roots of the planes, said sheet being folded over the substrate. This avoids any contact of the roots with the drainage water and we thus separate

  the risks of contamination of plants with this water.

  According to another characteristic of the invention, several trays are provided.

  freestanding abutting each other.

  Other advantages and characteristics of the invention will become apparent on

  reading the description of a preferred embodiment given as

  non-limiting example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which - Figure 1 shows in cross section a culture system according to the invention according to a first embodiment, - Figure 2 is a cross sectional view of a system culture according to a second embodiment, - Figure 3 is a top view of the culture system according to the second embodiment, - Figure 4 is a front view of the culture system according to the second embodiment, - Figure 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of the culture system according to the

second embodiment.

  The above-ground cultivation system of fruit plants according to the invention comprises a growing substrate 1 in bulk or packaged in bags, cases or pots and at least one self-supporting tank 2 in galvanized steel carried by vertical stakes fixed to the ground to the property by links suspended from the structure of the building in which the said system is formed, this building possibly being a greenhouse. Preferably, several trays 2 are provided which are removably abutted to one another in order to form one or more horizontal rows, the trays in the row being able to individually receive a bulk culture substrate or one or more bags containing a culture substrate or a or more boxes containing a growing medium or one or more

  pots always containing a growing medium.

  In the case where the row of tanks receives a bulk substrate, it will be equipped at each end with a removable transverse closure partition 12 formed in the preferred embodiment, by folding a metal plate so as to form a vertical wing constituting closure and a horizontal wing covered by the substrate. The weight of the substrate on the horizontal wing opposes the tilting of the partition. The row of tanks and / or each tank receives intermediate transverse partitions of the same type as those previously described. With these intermediate partitions it is possible to form crop units separate from each other and assigned individually to the cultivation of a variety of plants. Intermediate partitions 12 may be arranged at each end of one or more

  bins to allow the removal of these bins from the row without loss of substrate.

  In the culture substrate 1 are planted at regular intervals several fruit plants, for example strawberries. At the level of each plant, a distribution cannula 3 connected to a pipe is inserted in the substrate.

  supply of irrigation water possibly loaded with nutrients.

  Each tray 2 is formed by folding a metal sheet of rectangular shape and has a V-shaped bottom 2b forming a chute and two lateral vertical side blanks 2a (FIG. 1) or according to the second embodiment (FIGS. 2 to 5) inclined to the vertical so as to form a

  flaring gradually widening upwards.

  Each side blank 2a, in the upper part, is provided with a channel of polygonal cross section 4, in which is arranged a conduit 5 for transporting a heat transfer fluid which is preferably water. This channel 4 is formed

  by folding, from the upper border of the corresponding blank.

  According to the first embodiment, this folding is carried out at right angles so as to form a channel of square or rectangular cross section. Thus the blank 2a is folded a first time at a right angle towards the outside of the tank 2 to form a horizontal upper wing 21 then a second time at a right angle downwards to form a vertical wing 22 and finally a third time at

  right angle to the side blank 2a to form a horizontal lower wing 23.

  In the channel thus formed is introduced the transport conduit 5, this conduit being held there by the wings, lower horizontal, lateral and the side blank. The fold lines formed are at a distance from each other and extend

  horizontally along the length of the tank.

  According to a second embodiment Figures 2 to 5, the side blank 2a is folded a first time outward to form a horizontal wing 24, a second time downward and outward to form a wing 25 inclined to 45 degrees and a third time down to form a vertical wing 26. The fold lines formed are at a distance from each other and extend

  horizontally along the length of the tank.

  In order to maintain the transport duct 5 in the channel thus formed, the vertical wing 26 is provided with several holding tabs 27 each delimited by two vertical slots formed in the vertical wing 26. By bending towards the inside of the channel, these tabs 27 are brought against the conduit so as to

  hold it against the canal.

  Preferably the bins are butted by introduction of the end of one into the end of the other and to do this at one of the two

  ends of each tray 2 the wings forming the two channels are notched.

  The transport conduit 5 made of a good thermal conductive material has a diameter equal to the circle which can be inscribed in the internal cross section of the channel 4. This arrangement ensures contact on several surfaces between the channel 4 and the transport conduit heat transfer fluid. This facilitates the propagation by conduction of the heat of the

  leads to the ferry. This propagation also takes place by radiation.

  The tank 2 receives a sheet 6 covering its internal face in order to protect the latter from corrosion. This sheet 6, made of synthetic material

  is waterproof and heat permeable.

  This sheet 6 externally to the tray forms two additional substantially vertical blanks 6a defining with the side blanks 2a of the tray 2, two air pockets in contact with the channels presented by the side blanks of the tray. The air contained in these pockets is therefore heated by the conduits for transporting the heat transfer fluid. The heat communicated to the two air masses contained in these pockets is diffused in the substrate 1, by passage through the walls of the tank. In this way the root zone of the planes is maintained at an adequate temperature. The additional blanks 6a formed by the covering sheet form two protective flaps preventing the fruit from coming into contact with the walls of the tank. In addition, the fruits in contact with these additional blanks are kept at a suitable temperature higher than the temperature of the

root zone.

  Each additional blank 6a by its lower horizontal edge is situated at a height level lower than that according to which the bottom of the chute is arranged.

formed by the bottom of tank 2.

  On the bottom of the chute formed by the bottom of the tank is arranged a drainage conduit 7 intended for the recovery of the water flowing from the culture substrate. This drainage conduit, made of a synthetic material, is provided with several radial through holes intended for flow in the channel

  internally it forms, water flowing from the growing medium.

  Preferably in tray 2, on the protective sheet and on the duct

  a containment sheet 8 of the culture substrate 1 is arranged.

  This plastic sheet has at least opposite the chute, micro perforations of sufficient size to allow passage to the drainage conduit 7 of the flow water. The size of these micro perforations is however insufficient to allow the passage of the roots towards the conduit

drainage.

  The containment sheet 8 is folded over the substrate 1 around the stems of the plants to prevent the development of weeds and other unwanted plants. This covering is also opposed to the losses of water by evaporation and consequently to the losses of heat and in contact with the

fruit with the substrate.

  According to another embodiment of the invention; the drainage duct 7 is disposed outside of the tank 2 and is provided with a longitudinal slot through which the lower part of the chute formed by the bottom is engaged in the drainage duct. To ensure the evacuation of runoff water, the lower part of the chute is provided with through holes. Next to these

  holes, the protective sheet has through holes.

  To avoid root development in the drainage canal, the

  wall of the latter is made of a material transparent to light.

  According to another embodiment, the drainage conduit is arranged outside the tank, and the bottom of the tank along its midline is provided with several oblong through holes 9, for discharging water. The drainage pipe 7 has a longitudinal slot 10 positioned opposite the oblong through holes 9 of the tank so as to recover the water flowing from the tank and the drainage pipe is secured to the tank by suspension members 11 to the latter. Preferably, the drainage conduit 7 is moved away from the tank so as to allow one day to remain. This day opposes development

root outside tray 2.

  According to the preferred embodiment, each suspension member 11 is constituted by a tab having on the one hand a bulged head 1 a of width greater than that of each oblong hole for discharging water, said head being disposed in the tank in support on the peripheral edge of said discharge bore and on the other hand a foot 1b of width greater than that of the longitudinal slot of the drainage tube, said tube by the edge of the longitudinal slot coming to bear on the foot. It should be noted that each suspension member 11 can conduct the drops of water from the substrate to the drainage tube. In addition, the head 11 a can be surmounted by a pointed shape.

to perforate sheets 6 and 8.

  Each suspension member can be made of galvanized steel or

good in synthetic material.

  Finally the drainage conduit according to the second embodiment may

  be made of a material transparent to light.

  Between the sheet 6 and the tray can be arranged a plastic mesh. The purpose of this trellis will be to keep the sheet 6 at a distance from the internal faces of the tank and to allow air circulation between said sheet and said internal face. The internal face of the tank may be coated with a protective layer, protecting the tank from corrosion. Thanks to this protective layer can be

  avoided the use of sheet 6 and / or sheet 8.

  Finally, the bottom of the tank while having two sloping blanks can be formed so that these two blanks tilt down from the center line. With such an arrangement, the oblong holes will be made at the edges formed between the bottom 2b and the blanks 2a and will be provided under these edges and under the holes 9 two drainage conduits 7. Alternatively the

  drainage pipes may be arranged in the tank.

Claims (15)

  1 / Above-ground culture system, comprising a culture substrate (1) and at least one self-supporting container (2) suspended above the ground intended to receive a bulk or conditioned culture substrate characterized in that: - the container (2) is made of a material having a high coefficient of thermal conduction, - the tank (2) comprises two longitudinal side blanks (2a) and a bottom (2b) connected to said blanks (2a), this bottom (2b) is having the form of a chute, - each lateral blank (2a), along its horizontal upper edge, is curved longitudinally outward and downward to form at this level a   longitudinal stiffener and always define a longitudinal channel at this level (4).   2 / Above-ground cultivation system according to claim 1, characterized in that the bottom of the tank (2b) is formed by two longitudinal sides inclined planes   towards a median line, the bottom forming a V.   3 / Above-ground cultivation system according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that each lateral blank (2a) is associated with a conduit (5) for transporting a heat-transfer fluid, the conduit for transporting said fluid being in contact with said blank (2a) and being made of a material with a good coefficient of thermal conduction so that the heat transported by   the conduit is transferred to said blank (2a), to said tank (2) and to the culture substrate.   4 / Above-ground cultivation system according to claim 3, characterized in that the conduit (5) for transporting fluid associated with each lateral blank (2a) is   housed in the channel (4) formed by the latter.   / Soilless cultivation system according to any one of the claims   above, characterized in that at least one drainage conduit (7) is disposed in the tank (2) deep within the chute formed by the bottom of the latter, this drainage conduit (7) being provided with several bores radial   for the recovery of runoff water.   6 / Drainage system according to any one of claims 1 to 4,   characterized in that at least one drainage conduit (7) is arranged outside the tank (2), that the bottom (2b) of the tank (2) along its center line is provided with several oblong through holes (9 ), for water evacuation, that the drainage conduit (7) is provided with a longitudinal slot (10) positioned opposite the through holes (10) so as to recover the water flowing from the tank and that the conduit drainage (7) is secured to the tank (2) by   members (11) for suspending the latter.   7 / Drainage system according to claim 6, characterized in that the drainage conduit (7) is spaced from the tank (2) so as to leave a day. 8 / drainage system according to claim 6 or claim 7, characterized in that each suspension member (11) is constituted by a tab having on the one hand a swollen head (11 b) of width greater than that of the oblong bore (9) for water evacuation, said head (11 a) being disposed in the tank (2) bearing on the peripheral edge of said evacuation bore (9) and on the other hand a foot (1 lb) in width greater than that of the longitudinal slot (10) of the drainage conduit (7), said conduit (7) by the edge of   the longitudinal slot (10) coming to bear on the foot (11b).   9 / culture system according to any one of claims 6 to 8,   characterized in that the drainage conduit (7) is made of a material transparent to light.   / Soilless cultivation system according to any one of   previous claims, characterized in that at each side blank (2a) of the   tank (2) is associated with an additional blank (6a) extending downwards from the upper edge of the tank, the conduit (4) for transporting the heat transfer fluid being disposed   in the interval between the side blank (2a) of the tank and the additional blank (6a).   11 / Above-ground cultivation system according to claim 10, characterized in that the horizontal lower edge of each additional blank (6a) develops at a lower height level relative to which the bottom develops (2b) of the tank (2).   12 / Above ground cultivation system according to claim 10 or claim 1 1 characterized in that each additional blank (6a) is constituted   by a sheet of waterproof synthetic material.   13 / Soilless culture system according to any one of   previous claims. characterized in that the internal face of each tank   is covered with a sheet of waterproof plastic (6).   14 / Above-ground cultivation system according to claim 12 and claim 13 characterized in that the additional blanks (6a) are formed   by the synthetic sheet (6) covering the internal face of the tank (2).   / Above-ground cultivation system according to claims 6 and 13   characterized in that the waterproof sheet (6) is perforated opposite the holes   through oblongs (9) for water evacuation.   16 / Above-ground cultivation system according to any one of   previous claims, characterized in that the container (2) receives at least one removable transverse partition (12).   17 / Soilless cultivation system according to any one of   previous claims, characterized in that the container (2) receives   containers of substrates in the form of cases.   18 / Above-ground cultivation system according to any one of   Claims 1 to 16, characterized in that the container (2) receives containers for substrates in the form of pots.   191 Soilless culture system according to any one of claims 1 to   16, characterized in that the culture substrate (1) is placed in bulk in the tank (2) and that said substrate is surrounded by a sheet of synthetic material (8) provided with micro perforations of sufficient size to allow the passage of water and too small in size to allow the passage of the roots of the planes,   said sheet (8) being folded over the substrate (1).   20 / Above-ground cultivation system according to any one of   previous claims, characterized in that it has several bins   self-supporting (2) butted together and forming at least one horizontal row.