FR2924896A1 - GREEN WALL - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a module for a plant wall, comprising a first and a second flat element and a filling maintained between the two flat elements, wherein the filling comprises a material adapted to receive and feed plants, characterized in that the filling comprises at least one block provided with a core of organic material wrapped by a layer of agro foam.

Description

DESCRIPTION The invention relates to a module for a plant wall, this plant wall comprising at least two modules according to the invention and a method for manufacturing the module for a plant wall according to the invention.

In the prior art, several solutions are presented for making vertical constructions which initially form a separation such as a wall, and which are adapted to receive plants. Such a vertical construction is disclosed in the French patent application FR2637626. According to this document, an anti-noise screen is constructed using prefabricated concrete hollow elements, of particular shape, self-locking.

By using precast concrete hollow elements, a partition such as a wall, of a desired height and length, can be constructed.

According to FR2637626, the different prefabricated concrete elements are placed on top of one another. After this first step, the interior of the hollow elements is filled with earth. Once the earth is added inside the hollow elements, plants are planted in order to obtain the vegetalizable anti-noise screen.

The screen according to FR2637626 is used mainly along roads, motorways and railways whose noise level, generated by traffic, causes nuisance to residents.

A first drawback related to the use of the screen according to FR2637626 resides in the fact that the screen must be constructed using concrete elements. This means that the transport of the different elements is difficult and cumbersome because the different elements are relatively heavy.

Then, after placing the various precast concrete elements, the user must take measurements, using metal anchors to fix the position of the elements on each other, thus ensuring secure use of the screen.

Another disadvantage of the solution according to the prior art lies in the fact that the hollow elements are filled with earth. This means that the screen, according to the prior art, must be regularly fed with water to prevent the earth, especially at the top of the screen, from dries too quickly and the plants do not die. More particularly if the screen, according to the prior art, is used to protect a source of noise of a certain length, this aspect can be very troublesome.

According to the above observations, an object of the present invention is to provide a vertical construction, which can be used as a separation, but also serve as a support for growing plants, which will be less bulky and lighter than the solution according to the prior art. The construction according to the invention can also serve to isolate noise.

The invention also aims to provide food plants, and this more adequately than the solution according to the prior art.

This is the reason why a first object according to the invention is a module for a plant wall, comprising a first and a second flat element and a filling maintained between the two flat elements, wherein the filling comprises a suitable material. for receiving and feeding plants, wherein the filling comprises at least one block provided with a core of organic material wrapped by a layer of agro foam. The module according to the invention can be used to build a plant wall by using several modules next to each other.

The module according to the invention comprises two flat elements in which the interior of the element is filled with at least one block comprising an organic material and agrofoam. Plants can be planted with their roots in the organic material. The presence of agro-foam around this organic material increases the ability of this organic material to retain water. In addition, the agro-foam is able to let the roots pass. This means that the interior of the element according to the invention can be used for plants allowing their roots to grow. The agro-moss is also a source of food for plants.

The combination of two flat elements on the outside, filled with agro-foam inside, provides a sandwich construction with all the constructive advantages of such a construction. Such a sandwich construction is not only strong and rigid, but also relatively light.

In this text, the words flat elements are used. With these words flat elements, reference is made to a screen or any other element adapted to maintain a filling designed and used to grow plants. It should be understood that such a flat element is provided with openings allowing the plants to pass. This means that the plants are exposed on the outside of one side of the flat element and the roots grow in the filling towards the other side of the flat element.

In this text, the word screen is used. With the screen, reference is made to a sheet, board or other material that can be flexible and strong enough to create a recess. This embedding can then be filled either with agro foam or using a material for fixing blocks between two screens, in a predefined position. Such a substance may be composed of foam or even concrete, for example.

In this text, reference is made to agro-foam. Agro-foam is a resin foam made from urea and formaldehyde. This product was developed by the German company B.A.S.F.

Below are some characteristics of this material:

white foam, density between 12 and 30 kg / m3, open-cell structure for absorbing liquids, water-holding capacity between 50 and 70% by volume,

high water absorption rate: 25% by volume, instantly, during the first humidification, up to 45% by volume within five days and up to 50% by volume within 10 days. Its re-humidification, even after complete drying, takes place in a few minutes. chemical composition of about 33% carbon, 30% total nitrogen in poorly soluble form (comprising 0.25 to 0.50% soluble nitrogen). The rest of the composition of the agro-foam is formed of hydrogen and oxygen.

All other peculiarities of this substance can be found in the literature.

According to a preferred embodiment, the block comprises a core of organic material, provided with a first felt envelope, the whole being itself wrapped with an agro-foam layer.

According to a preferred embodiment, the filling comprises at least two blocks where the space between the two blocks and the space between the blocks and the first and second flat elements are filled with agro-foam.

In a preferred embodiment, the block or all blocks are connected to a system having pipes or tubes for conducting water from one end of the element to the block or all blocks.

The system, comprising pipes or tubes for guiding the water towards the different blocks inside the element according to the invention, provides an additional possibility of feeding the various plants planted in the organic material present in the plants. blocks. By using pipes or tubes, the water can be transported to the organic material very efficiently. According to a preferred embodiment, the flat element comprises a braided structure. An advantage of this structure lies in the fact that the space between two parts of this braided structure leaves enough room for passing plants.

According to a preferred embodiment, the module is provided with connection means for connecting a first module next to a second module. With the connection means, different modules can be connected next to each other to perform a separation of a certain length. In this way, the module according to the invention forms a part for a modular system for creating a separation of a preferred length.

A second object according to the invention relates to a plant block, adapted for use in the module according to one of claims 1 to 6 wherein the block comprises a core of organic material wrapped with a layer of agro foam.

In a preferred embodiment, the block comprises a core of organic material, provided with a first felt envelope, the assembly itself being wrapped with a layer of agro foam. A third object according to the invention relates to a plant wall comprising a plurality of elements.

A fourth object according to the invention relates to a method comprising the steps of: creating a core of organic material, - wrapping the organic material with an agro-foam layer to form a block, - placing the block between a first and a second screen, 30 - fill the space between the first and the second screen, around the block. This means that according to the invention it is possible to provide a structure in which a plant block having an organic material core wrapped in agro foam is first formed. This block can be arranged inside any structure. Then, the structure is itself filled with a suitable material. This material may be composed of a conventional foam or concrete. In this case, the craftsman retains an unlimited freedom of construction creation.

During construction, the craftsman can ensure that the connection between the plant block within the building and the exterior of the building itself is effective. This is to facilitate the introduction of plants into the plant block, inside the structure.

In a preferred embodiment, the method according to the invention comprises the step of filling the space between the first and the second screen with agro-foam.

By using agro-foam to fix one or more plant blocks inside a building, the technical result is to obtain the entire interior of the structure filled with agro-foam. This means that the plant roots, arranged in the different plant blocks, retain complete freedom to move within a structure. The agro-foam, added inside the structure to fix the different blocks in a predefined position, has the advantage of feeding and letting the roots of the different plants planted in the different plant blocks grow.

In a preferred embodiment, the method comprises the step of:

- Wrap the core of organic material with a felt layer before wrapping the entire organic material and felt with a layer of agro-foam. The invention would be better appreciated on reading the description, by virtue of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 shows the production of a block used as a filling for the module according to the invention; FIG. 2 shows, in a second view, the production of a block according to FIG. 1; FIG. an agro-foam block prepared using the method shown in FIGS. 1 and 2; FIG. 4 shows the block according to FIG. 3 in section, showing the core of organic material inside the block; FIG. 5 shows a recess in which several blocks are present, - FIG. 6 shows the frame and the blocks according to FIG. 5 seen from the front, - FIG. 7 shows the assembly of a module according to the invention, in which two flat elements are used to cover the blocks included in the recess according to Figures 5 and 6 and - Figure 8 shows a module according to the invention, wherein the module is used to grow plants.

Figure 1 shows a housing 1 in which a roof element is placed using a first pipe 3 and a second pipe 4. Using the two pipes 3 and 4, the element 2 is held in the center of the housing 1. The element 2 comprises an envelope of a suitable material, such as felt filled, in its interior, with an organic material, such as earth. The pipe 3 remains connected to the element 2 after the production of a block. Element 3 is part, as explained below, of the irrigation system of the final block. The element 4 may also be part of this irrigation system or may, after the production of the block, be removed from the element 2 and, in this case, simply used during the construction of the block, in order to keep in place the element 2. The space located inside the housing 1, around the element 2, can be filled with agro-foam. This agro-foam is injected into the casing 1 after a cover 5 is installed on the casing 1, as shown in FIG. 2, to prevent the agro-foam from exiting the internal space of the casing 1. The agro-foam can be injected inside the casing 1 with the aid of the hole 6 inside the lid 5.

The agro-foam can solidify inside the casing 1. Once the block has been made, the agro-foam block, comprising in its interior the element 2, it is provided with either a pipe 3 or several pipes 3, 4 and can be released from the housing 1. The block 10, obtained by means of the method described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, is shown in FIG. 3. The block 10 comprises, in its exterior, agricultural equipment. foam 11. Hoses 3 and 4 are clearly visible. The block 10 is thus shown, in section, in FIG. 4. In its interior, the element 2 comprising an envelope 12 and the organic material 13 is clearly visible. In order to obtain the module according to the invention, a plurality of blocks 10 are initially placed in a structure comprising a frame 20. Inside this frame, several vertical and / or horizontal elements 22 may be provided in order to keep in place the various elements 10. The frame 20, comprising in its interior the various blocks 10, is also shown in Figure 6. Figure 6 clearly shows the various pipes 30, 40 forming a connection between the different blocks.

In an alternative embodiment, the pipes 30 or 40 may be used to provide an irrigation system to the blocks 10. The pipes 30 and 40 are connected through a connection 50 adapted to be connected to a source of water. When said water source is connected to the connection 50, water, possibly under pressure, can be injected into the different blocks 10 using the pipes 30 and 40. In this way, efficient irrigation is ensured for all the blocks 10.

In Figure 7, the assembly of a module according to the invention is shown. In the center, the frame 20 is shown with, in its interior, the different blocks 10. In a first step, the two sides of the frame 20 are covered with a sheet 61 and 62. Then, flat elements 71 and 72 are connected to the frame 20. When all the elements are assembled, there is obtained a module comprising, in its interior, the frame 30 which itself comprises, in its interior, the different blocks 10 The sheets 61 and 62 are designed to inject a surplus of agro-foam into the interior of the module in order to fill the space between the different blocks 10. When this space is filled with agro-foam, the In Figure 7, an embodiment is shown wherein the flat members 71 and 72 have a braided structure. Reference is made to the flat elements 71 and 72. Between two ends 81 and 82, horizontal elements 83 are braided around two vertical elements 84 and 85. FIG. 7 clearly shows the space created between two horizontal elements 83 which are connected to each other. one next to the other. The different spaces between the horizontal elements 83 are large enough to let plants pass. The module obtained with the assembly according to FIG. 7 is shown in FIG. 8. The module 90 is shown with, on its outside, the different plants 100. The plants are placed on the module 90 so that their roots are in contact with the organic material forming the core of the blocks 10 (see Figure 4). The roots have complete freedom to push and move inside the module 90. The space, located inside the module 90, is completely filled with agro-foam, which foam has the advantage of let the roots pass. The plants 100 may be present on both sides of the module 90. The different plants 100 may be installed on the module 90, taking into account the exposure of the module relative to the sun. On one side of module 90, plants needing permanent sun exposure can be installed while those requiring moderate exposure can be installed on the other side of the module.

The various plants 100 may be flowers, vegetables or any other plant that can be installed in a traditional container.

The food of the plants 100 is, initially, provided by the organic material present in the various blocks 10. In addition, the agro-foam present inside the module also provides the plants with an alternative nutrition. Finally, the water can be supplied through the connection 50 on the module 90.

The module 90, as shown in FIG. 8, can be used alone or in combination with other modules for, together, formed a plant wall. In order to facilitate the assembly of the different modules 90, next to each other, connection means can be provided.

An important advantage of the module 90 according to the invention lies in the fact that the module is relatively light in itself. The different elements used can be relatively thin and light. The agro-foam has a weight of about 12kgs / m3 to 30kgs / m3. The final weight of the module 90 depends on the flat elements used to cover the different agro-foam blocks inside the module. By virtue of the relatively limited weight of the module 90, it can be used for the construction of temporary plant walls. This can be the case if the module 90 is used to create a wall in a place located, for example, in the city center, in a place where work is done. According to the prior art, such a place is typically separated using fences. Thanks to the module according to the invention, the separation is embellished and, therefore, more pleasant to look at.

As indicated above, the use of agro-foam has several important advantages. One of them is that the agro-foam is especially well adapted to hold water. Indeed, once installed, the module 90 can be irrigated relatively simply. The module according to Figure 8 requires, depending on local circumstances, a monthly irrigation. The modules 90 require little maintenance, so they are perfectly suited for the creation of long separation. They are perfectly well suited to be used as a screen beside a railway or a highway. The modules 90 can also be used, advantageously, around the houses. They can be used as walls around a garden or to gain space. The surface of the module 90 having two faces usable for plants, only one of these elements 90 may allow the creation of a vegetable garden.

Claims (12)

1. Module for a plant wall, comprising a first and a second flat element and a filling maintained between the two flat elements, wherein the filling comprises a material adapted to receive and feed plants, characterized in that the filling comprises at least one block provided with a core of organic material wrapped with a layer of agro-foam, 2. Module according to claim 1, wherein the block comprises a core of organic material, provided with a first felt envelope, the assembly itself being wrapped with an agro-foam layer, 3. Module according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the filling comprises at least two blocks where the space between the two blocks and the space between the blocks and the first and the second flat element are filled using agro-foam, 4. Module according to claim 1 to 3, wherein the block or all blocks are connected to a system comprising pipes or tubes for conducting water from one end of the element to the block or all blocks. 5. Module according to claims 1 to 4, wherein the flat element comprises a braided structure. 6. Module according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the module is provided with connection means for connecting a first module next to a second module. 7. Vegetation wall comprising a plurality of modules according to one of claims 1 to 6. 8. Plant block, adapted for use in the module according to one of claims 1 to 6 wherein the block comprises a core of organic material wrapped with a layer of agro foam. The plant block of claim 8 wherein the block comprises a core of organic material, provided with a first felt shell, the assembly being itself wrapped with an agro foam layer. 10. A method of constructing a plant structure adapted to grow plants in said structure, wherein the process comprises the steps of: creating a core of organic material, wrapping the organic material with an agro-foam layer to form a block, placing the block between a first and a second screen, filling the space between the first and the second screen, around the block, 20 to fix the block in the structure. The method of claim 10 wherein the method comprises the steps of: filling the gap between the first and second screens with agro-foam The method of claim 8, wherein the method comprises the step of: wrapping the organic material core with a felt layer prior to wrapping the entire organic material and felt with a layer of agro-foam.