FR2884107A1 - LIQUID RESERVOIR DEVICE FOR CULTIVATING A SURFACE - Google Patents

Abstract

This device comprises: - a tank having a bottom wall and side walls, defining at least one reservoir for containing a liquid; - a plate (2) intended to be placed on the tank and to support a culture substrate, the tray comprising at least one well (15) whose bottom has at least one orifice capable of communicating with the liquid contained in the tray.The device further comprises means (28) for supplying liquid into the reservoir, provided at less in part on the plate and separate from the hole of the well, said liquid supply means being adapted to conduct the liquid directly to the reservoir without the liquid passing through the substrate in contact with said substrate.

Description

The present invention relates to a liquid reservoir device for

the culture of a surface.

  Such a device can be used in arid regions, for example in the Mediterranean basin, to grow grass or various plants (tomatoes, etc.) despite the thin layer of topsoil and the very high evaporation due to the heat.

  The document FR 2 851 419 describes a device of this type, comprising on the one hand a tray intended to contain a liquid, and on the other hand a tray intended to be placed on the tray and to support a culture substrate, the tray comprising a well whose bottom has at least one orifice capable of communicating with the liquid contained in the tray.

  In practice, the surface to be cultivated is covered with these devices placed next to each other then the culture substrate is placed on the trays. When the surface is watered, the excess water comes to feed the tank via the orifice. Then, by capillarity, the water thus stored in the tray can feed the substrate when it is dried.

  With this device, one can build up water reserves whose subsequent use is effected effectively. However, a very large proportion of the water supplied by the watering of the substrate evaporates, especially in very hot regions, and can therefore neither be quickly used by the plant nor through the substrate to be stored in the bin for later use. Thus, 60 to 80% of the irrigation water is useless because almost immediately evaporated. This is obviously not desirable for economic and environmental reasons.

  The present invention aims to overcome this disadvantage by providing a liquid reservoir device that allows to significantly increase the useful amount of water brought to the plant and stored in the tray.

  To this end, the invention relates to a liquid reservoir device 30 for the cultivation of a surface, comprising: - a tank having a bottom wall and side walls, defining at least one reservoir for containing a liquid; - A tray, intended to be placed on the tray and to support a culture substrate, the tray comprising at least one well whose bottom has at least one orifice adapted to communicate with the liquid contained in the tray.

  According to a general definition of the invention, the device further comprises means for supplying liquid into the reservoir, arranged at least in part on the plate and distinct from the well orifice, said means for feeding the liquid being able to conduct the liquid directly to the reservoir without the liquid passing through the substrate in contact with said substrate.

  Thus, the liquid is brought into the tray in a localized manner, unlike watering and, moreover, it does not cross the substrate, the evaporation being thereby greatly reduced.

  The liquid supply means may comprise at least one duct extending at least partially substantially parallel to the tray and adjacent to said tray, the duct comprising at least one inlet orifice intended to be connected to a feed system. in liquid and at least one opening adapted to communicate with the reservoir.

  According to one possible embodiment, the conduit is distinct from the tray and the liquid supply means comprise at least one housing formed on the tray and adapted to receive the conduit, the housing being for example in the form of a throat open downwards in which the conduit can be clipped, reversibly or not.

  In another embodiment, the conduit is integral with the tray. It can project from one side or the other of the plane, or the plane of the plate can form a median plane of the duct.

  The conduit may comprise a base portion integral with the material or inserted tray and defining an uncovered channel and a separate cover portion of the tray and tray adapted to be removably connected to the base portion to form the conduit.

  Alternatively, the liquid supply means may comprise a first channel formed on the lower face of the plate, said channel extending substantially parallel to the plate and being open downwards and a second channel formed on the tray, open towards the high and intended to cooperate with the first channel, when the tray is placed on the tray, to form the conduit.

  The conduit preferably extends from a first to a second side edge of the tray, for example between an edge and the opposite edge, or between an edge and an adjacent edge.

  The conduit may also be branched and have at least three branches extending respectively to a first, a second and a third lateral edges of the tray. In this case, the device may comprise selective sealing means intended to allow or prohibit the passage of liquid in one or the other of the branches of the conduit.

  In addition, the conduit may comprise a plurality of small holes allowing a passage of the liquid to the drop-type reservoir.

  For good understanding, the invention is again described below with reference to the accompanying figures showing, by way of non-limiting examples, several possible embodiments of the liquid reservoir device.

  Figures 1 to 3 are perspective views respectively of a tray, a tray seen from above and the same tray from below according to a first embodiment of the device according to the invention; Figures 4 and 5 are perspective views respectively of a tray and a tray according to a variant of the first embodiment; Figures 6 to 8 are perspective views of a tray according to different variants of a second embodiment; Figure 9 is a perspective view of a tray according to a second embodiment, on which can be placed one of the trays of Figures 6 to 8; Figures 10 and 11 are perspective views respectively of a plate according to a variant of the second embodiment and a closure means intended to be associated with the plate of Figure 11, to allow a user to choose the path taken by the liquid; Figures 12 to 14 are perspective views respectively of a tray viewed from above, the same tray from below and a tray according to a third embodiment; Figure 15 is a side view of a jumper connecting two adjacent trays; Fig. 16 is a perspective view of a tray according to a fourth embodiment; Fig. 17 is a perspective view of a cover portion for assembly to the tray of Fig. 16; and Fig. 18 is an enlarged view of detail A of Fig. 16.

  The liquid reservoir device comprises a tray 1 to be placed on a surface to be cultivated and a tray 2 to be placed on the tray 1 and to support a culture substrate. The tray 1 and the tray 2 are for example made of a molded plastic material.

  Tray 1 has a rectangular or square shape. It comprises a bottom wall 3 provided with external pins 4 for better holding the tank 1 on the ground, as well as four side walls 5.

  It also comprises four partitions 6 arranged in a cross inside the tray 1, and defining four tanks 7 substantially identical. Each partition 6 is formed of two parallel walls spaced apart from each other, connected in the upper part by a horizontal wall 8, the partition being open at its lower part. It is possible, by cutting the horizontal wall 8 of a partition 6, to separate at least one tank 7 from the rest of the tray 1, to adapt to the constraints of the ground (presence of a tree, etc.). The reservoirs 7 communicate with one another via one or more openings 9 made in the partitions 6.

  Legs 10 project in the extension of the side walls 5, upwards. The space between two legs 10 may allow the flow of liquid to the outside of the tray 1 (overflow). In addition, some side walls 5 have notches 11 while other side walls 5 have hooking means 12 projecting to cooperate with the notches 11 of an adjacent tray 1 for the removable association of the two bins 1 The notches 11 also allow the communication of the liquid between two tanks 1 thus associated.

  The plate 2 comprises a substantially flat portion 13 of shape and dimensions adapted to those of the tray 1, and in which are provided slots 14 intended to be engaged on the legs 10 of the tray 1, to allow the correct positioning and maintenance tray 2 on tray 1.

  The plate 2 also comprises four wells 15, each made in a quadrant of the flat portion 13. Each well 15 has the shape of a cross and comprises a bottom wall 16 provided with an orifice 17 in each of the branches of the cross . In addition, the bottom wall 16 includes outer bosses 18 (see Figure 13). The flat portion 13 of the tray 2 can be cut between two wells 15, to separate at least one well 15 from the rest of the tray 2, similarly to what has been described for the tray 1.

  In addition, some lateral edges 19 of the plate 2 comprise tabs 20 projecting in the extension of the flat portion 13 while other side edges 19 have notches surmounted by a cover wall 21 defining a housing adapted to receive the tab 20 of a tray 2 placed on an adjacent tray 1.

  When the tray 2 is placed on the tray 1, on the one hand the flat part 13 rests on the horizontal walls 8 of the partitions 6, and on the other hand the bosses 18 rest on the bottom wall 3. Each of the wells is inserted in one of the four tanks 7 of the tank 1.

  The tray 1 and / or the tray 2 comprise means for directly bringing the liquid into the tanks 7, without the liquid passing through the substrate, in which a large part of the liquid could evaporate without reaching either the plant or 7. The liquid is usually water or water mixed with various products such as fertilizers.

  The various embodiments of these liquid supply means are now described.

  According to a first embodiment, shown in Figures 1 to 3, the plate 2 comprises two grooves 22 formed projecting on the flat portion 13, substantially parallel thereto. The grooves 22 are of semi-circular section, open at their two ends and open downwards, substantially in the plane of the flat portion 13. The grooves 22 form a cross connecting the midpoints of the opposite side edges 19 of the plate 2, and are intended to receive one and / or the other a water supply conduit (not shown). This duct is for example formed of a flexible pipe pierced with small holes in its lower part, and clipped into the groove 22, reversibly.

  In the lugs 10 of the tray 1 located in the middle of the side walls 5 are formed lights 23 for the passage of the conduits, which will rest on the horizontal walls 8 of the partitions 6. In addition, the openings 9 of communication between the tanks 7 are located at the junction of the four partitions 6, in the center of the tray 1. In this way, there is sufficient space to allow, in the middle of the device, the overlap of the two ducts each placed in a groove 22.

  The water is fed through the clipped pipes in the grooves 22 and then drops by drop, through the holes of the pipe, directly into the tanks 7, from which the plant can take the amount of water it needs. The openings 9 make it possible to ensure a good distribution of the water in the various tanks 7. The assembly of several bins 1 and trays 2 next to each other makes it possible to form water supply paths on the whole area to cultivate.

  In addition, the side walls 5 of the tank 1 are provided with orifices 24 connected to a tube 25 for evacuating any overflow from the tanks 7.

  According to a variant of this first embodiment, shown in Figures 4 and 5, the two grooves 22 are substantially parallel to each other and formed near two opposite side edges 19 of the tray 2. The tray 1 is then modified accordingly: the openings 23 for the passage of the ducts are formed in the lugs 10 located near the corners of the tank 1, and a partition 6 comprises two notches 26 located near the side walls 5, for the reception of the water supply duct clipped in the throat 22.

  The tank may also comprise means 27 for hooking up a water level sensor in the tanks 7. The sensor may be connected to a control system controlling the supply of water to the tanks 7 when the level of water water in these is below a predetermined threshold.

  According to a second embodiment, shown in Figures 6 to 8, the plate 2 comprises one or more conduits 28 of circular section, integrally formed with the plate 2, for example by molding. The duct 28 extends from one lateral edge 19 to another lateral edge 19 of the plate 2, on the upper face of the flat portion 13 and substantially parallel thereto, the flat portion 13 of the plate 2 forming a plane tangential to the conduit 28. The conduit 28 is closed except for its ends, for the delivery of water, and small holes (not shown) provided at its lower part, through the flat portion 13 of the plate 2 to communicate with tanks 7.

  The duct 28 can extend from a lateral edge 19 to the opposite lateral edge 19 (FIG. 6) or form a bend and extend from a lateral edge 19 to an adjacent lateral edge 19 (FIG. 7). It can also be branched in T (Figure 8).

  One or the other of these different types of trays 2 is placed on a tray 1 of the type of that of Figure 2, as required. Several devices are then juxtaposed, in which the adapted plate 2 is chosen, the open ends of two adjacent ducts 28 being connected by a nozzle (not shown). It is thus possible to create the route for conveying the desired water.

  On the trays 2 of Figures 6 and 7, a side edge 19 comprises two tabs 20, the opposite side edge comprises two cover walls 21, while the other side edges are devoid of such elements.

  On the other hand, the plate of FIG. 8 comprises, on each of its lateral edges 19, a notch 20 and a cover wall 21, these two elements being alternated on the periphery of the plate 2. The plate of FIG. 8 is more particularly intended to be placed on the tray of Figure 9, which comprises, on one of its side walls 5, two attachment means 12 and on each of its other side walls 5 two notches 11. Thus, it is possible to rotate the tray 2 relative to the tray 1 by quarter turn, the tray 2 fitting perfectly to the tray 1 in each of these four positions. In this way, the conduit 28 is oriented in T in the desired direction to form, with the adjacent trays 2, a route for conveying the water as required. The combination of two adjacent trays 2 is possible regardless of their relative orientation, because of the alternation of the notches 20 and the cover walls 21 on the lateral edges 19.

  According to a variant of this second embodiment, shown in FIG. 10, the duct 28 forms a cross connecting the media of the opposite lateral edges 19, and comprises in its center a cylinder 29 of axis orthogonal to the flat portion 13, provided with four orifices 30 each communicating with one of the four branches of the conduit 28 crosswise. In this cylinder 29 is placed a selective closure means 31, as shown in FIG. 11. This closure means 31 comprises on the one hand a transverse wall 32 comprising a cavity 33, for example with hexagon socket, and on the other hand a cylindrical skirt 34 intended to be inserted in the cylinder 29, and in which are formed openings 35, here three in number. With the aid of a suitable tool introduced into the cavity 33, the closure means 31 can be rotated about its axis inside the cylinder 29, and thus or not closing the orifices 30 of the cylinder 29, so as to to allow or prohibit the passage of water in one or other of the branches of the conduit 28. The device is perfectly scalable according to the route of the water that the user wants to create.

  According to a third embodiment, represented in FIGS. 12 to 14, the flat portion 13 of the plate 2 has a substantially flat upper surface, devoid of duct, but comprises on its lower face four substantially identical assemblies of two parallel walls, forming four channels 36 open downwards, arranged in a cross and communicating with each other in the center of the plate 2. The height of these channels 36 is less than the height of the wells 15, for example of the order of a quarter. It is also possible to place a tap (not shown) in the center of the channels 36.

  Each partition 6 of the tank 1 has, at its upper part, not a horizontal wall 8 but a channel 37 open upwards, delimited by two substantially parallel lateral walls spaced from each other by a distance greater than the width of the channels 36. The four channels 37 communicate with each other in the center of the tray 1, and have a height less than the height of the partitions 6, for example of the order of a quarter. One of the four partitions 6 has a notch 38 formed in one of its side walls, and allowing the passage of water from the channel 37 to one of the tanks 7. Finally, the openings 9 of communication between the tanks 7 are located on each partition 6 near the side walls 5.

  When the tray 2 is placed on the tray 1, the channels 36 are inserted into the channels 37, thus forming a closed conduit with the exception of its four ends located near the side edges 19 of the tray 2 and the notch 38.

  The flat portion 13 of the plate 2 further comprises holes 39 preformed to the molding, and provided with a lid. These holes are intended to allow the assembly of two adjacent trays 2 by means of a jumper 40, shown in FIG. 15. The jumper 40 is U-shaped, each of the branches 41 of the U being intended to be introduced into a hole 39 of a plate 2, the lid being broken during the first use.

  Finally, Figures 16 to 18 illustrate a fourth embodiment.

  The flat portion 13 of the plate 2 has a substantially flat bottom face, devoid of duct, but comprises on its upper face four substantially identical sets of two parallel walls, forming four channels 42 open upwards, arranged in a cross and communicating with each other. center of the plate 2. Between the walls delimiting a channel 42, the flat portion 13 is provided with small holes 43 aligned allowing water flowing in the channels 42 to fall into the tray 1 on which the tray 2 is placed, by drop by drop.

  As shown in FIG. 18, each of the lateral walls delimiting the channels 42 is provided with a slideway 44, on its inner face to the channel 42 and in the vicinity of the center of the plate 2. A slideway 44 is formed of two parallel ribs perpendicular to the flat part 13 and defining between them a groove. The two slides 44 of the same channel are located opposite one another. Thus, a shutter means constituted by a small plate (not shown) can be slid into the grooves and close the corresponding channel 42. Here again, the user can in this way create the route of the water he wants.

  The channels 42 are intended to be covered by a cover portion 45 of complementary shape to that of the channels 42 (the cover portion 45 shown in FIG. 17 is T-shaped and not cross-shaped, and is therefore intended to be assembled to a plate comprising a channel 42 in T). The covering portion 45 comprises a flat upper wall 46 and side walls 47 intended to be inserted between the walls defining the channels 42, thus forming a closed duct with the exception of the holes 43. In addition, the upper wall 46 comprises orifices surrounded by nozzles 48 for connecting a water supply pipe to the duct thus formed.

  In practice, bins 1 are placed side by side on the surface to be cultivated and assembled to each other through notches 11 and attachment means 12. Where appropriate, because of the presence of an obstacle, one or more bins 1 can be cut. Trays 2 corresponding to the trays 1 thus positioned are then placed on the trays 1. The embodiment of the trays 2 is adapted to that of the trays 1, and the user further chooses the trays 2 depending on the water circuit that he wants to realize (straight, bent, branched ducts). The plates 2, cut if necessary, are assembled to each other by the cooperation of the tabs 20 and the housing formed by the cover walls 21. In addition, the water supply ducts are connected us to the others. These conduits are also connected and connected to a water supply system. Finally, the trays 2 are covered with the culture substrate.

  Thus, the invention provides a decisive improvement to the prior art, by providing a liquid reservoir device for growing a surface that is simple, efficient and very water efficient. Its main advantages are the following: - the water coming from the feed system is directed directly into the tanks, without crossing the substrate, thus with a very limited evaporation. The plant then draws the water it needs directly from the tank; the quantity of water supplied is perfectly controlled, as is the path it takes on the surface to be cultivated, by means of the choice of trays, of the drip system, by the use of level sensors in reservoirs, which contributes to better water management.

  - the whole is totally flexible and modifiable.

  It goes without saying that the invention is not limited to the embodiment described above by way of example but that it encompasses all variants.

Claims (13)

  A liquid reservoir device for culturing a surface, comprising: - a tank (1) having a bottom wall (3) and side walls (5), defining at least one reservoir (7) for containing liquid; a tray (2) intended to be placed on the tray (1) and to support a culture substrate, the tray (2) comprising at least one well (15) whose bottom comprises at least one aperture (17) adapted to to communicate with the liquid contained in the tray (1); characterized in that it further comprises means (22, 23, 26, 28, 29, 36, 37, 38, 42) for supplying liquid into the reservoir (7), arranged at least partly on the plate (2) and distinct from the orifice of the well (15), said liquid supply means being able to conduct the liquid directly to the reservoir (7) without the liquid passing through the substrate in contact with said substrate.   2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the liquid supply means comprise at least one conduit (28) extending at least partially substantially parallel to the plate (2) and adjacent to said plate, the conduit comprising at least one inlet for connection to a liquid supply system and at least one opening (38, 43) adapted to communicate with the reservoir (7).   3. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the conduit is separate from the plate (2) and in that the liquid supply means comprise at least one housing (22) provided on the plate (2) and adapted to receive the conduit.   4. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that the housing is in the form of a downwardly open groove in which the conduit can be clipped.   5. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the conduit (28) is integral with the plate (2).   6. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the conduit comprises a base portion secured to the plate (2) and defining an uncovered channel (42) and a cover portion (45) separate from the tray (1) and the tray (2) adapted to be removably connected to the base portion (42) to form the conduit.   7. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the liquid supply means comprises a first channel (36) formed on the lower face of the plate (2), said channel extending substantially parallel to the plate (2) and being open towards the bottom and a second channel (37) formed on the tray (1), open upwards and intended to cooperate with the first channel (36), when the tray (2) is placed on the tray (1) , to form the conduit.   8. Device according to one of claims 2 to 7, characterized in that the duct extends from a first to a second side edge (19) of the plate (2).   9. Device according to one of claims 2 to 8, characterized in that the duct is rectilinear and extends between a side edge of the plate (2) and the opposite side edge.   10. Device according to one of claims 2 to 8, characterized in that the duct forms at least one elbow and extends between a side edge of the plate (2) and an adjacent lateral edge.   11. Device according to one of claims 2 to 8, characterized in that the duct is branched and comprises at least three branches extending respectively to a first, a second and a third side edges of the plate (2).   12. Device according to claim 11, characterized in that it comprises selective sealing means (31) for allowing or prohibiting the passage of liquid in one and / or other of the branches of the conduit (28). .   13. Device according to one of claims 2 to 12, characterized in that the conduit comprises a plurality of small holes (43) for passage of the liquid to the reservoir (7) of the drop-by-drop type.