FR3000872A1 - Modular panel for soilless plant culture device to culture plants on vertical surface to form e.g. plant wall, has support frame comprising gutter in form of channel whose cross sectional shape allows partial fitment of bottom of gutters - Google Patents

Abstract

The panel (10) has a parallelepiped support frame (6) comprising structure elements e.g. gutters (7), in shape of semi-cylindrical channel with perforations (7b) containing a water supply duct (8). The gutters placed in front of a lower side and/or a lateral side of plant culture material includes a type (7-2) of gutter with its bottom turned toward exterior of the panel. Shape of the channel in cross section allows partial fitment of the bottom of a second type (7-1) of gutter with the first type of gutter.

Description

The present invention relates to a modular panel of hydroponic plant culture device, for the cultivation of plants on a substantially vertical surface, in particular to form a plant wall or a vertical surface vegetation coating. such as a facade, by assembling a plurality of modular panels. Hydroponic plant culture supports are described in patents FR 2 634 971, FR 2 747 265, FR 2 923 139 and FR 2 956 283.

They are composed of successive layers of imputrescible layers with water retentive between which are maintained the roots of the plants. These culture supports operate with a water supply made in open or closed circuit: the water flowing by gravity from the top of a said culture support layer arranged vertically to its lower end at which water is connected in a tank before being reinjected at the top of the culture web via pumping means for a closed circuit. In FR 2 956 283, the layered materials for plant culture and their hydration are applied to a rear rigid support.

A panel of this type is known in the form of a modular panel comprising a support frame forming the plant culture device. However, these modular panels are not adapted to facilitate assembly of a plurality of modular panels to form a plant wall, fence wall.

The object of the present invention is to provide a modular panel of hydroponic plant culture device adapted to a combination with acoustic insulation means to be preserved from any wet contact and especially any contact with irrigation water devices. of vegetable culture.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a modular panel adapted to an assembly for forming a plant wall or a fence wall coated with said panels. Another object of the present invention is to provide a modular panel which makes it possible to optimize the acoustic insulation properties of a modular panel of a plant culture device. To do this, the present invention provides a modular panel of rectangular shape whose side of greater length can be adapted in horizontal or vertical position indifferently in different positions for the various panels constituting the assembly of modular panels on the one hand and on the other hand equipped with means for interlocking guidance of the various panels for their assembly in the form of a plant wall comprising means for optimizing the water supply conditions of said panels at different levels in height of the plant wall constituted by assembling a plurality of modular panels according to the invention. More specifically, the present invention provides a support frame comprises semi-cylindrical channel-shaped structure elements with perforated bottom, called gutters, able to contain a water supply line, said gutters being arranged vis-à-vis the thickness of the said layer (s) of vegetable culture material (x) extending substantially the entire length of at least one of the upper and lower horizontal sides of the (or said layer (s) of vegetable culture material (s), and at least one of the two vertical lateral sides of the said layer (s) of material (s) plant culture, at least one said gutter disposed vis-à-vis an upper side and / or a first lateral side of the (or) said layer (s) of material (x) of plant culture having a first type of gutter arrangement with its bottom facing the (or) said layer (s) of material (s) plant culture, and at least one gutter arranged vis-à-vis a lower side and / or the second lateral side of the (or) said layer (s) of material (s) of plant culture presenting a second type of gutter arrangement with its bottom turned towards the outside of the panel, the shape of said channel in cross section allowing at least partial interlocking of the bottom of a gutter of a said second type of a first said modular panel inside a gutter of a said first type of a second said modular panel. Said panel therefore comprises at least one upper or lower horizontal gutter disposed vis-à-vis the upper or lower side of the (or) said layer (s) of material (x) of plant culture.

In one embodiment, a gutter is disposed according to said first type of gutter arrangement vis-à-vis only the upper side or only a first lateral side of said layer of plant culture material, and a gutter is disposed according to said second type of arrangement vis-à-vis only the second lateral side or respectively only the lower side of said layer of plant culture material. More particularly, a gutter is disposed according to said first type of gutter arrangement vis-à-vis only the upper side of said layer of plant culture material, and said second type of gutter arrangement is arranged vis-à-vis only the lower side of said layer of plant culture material. In a preferred embodiment, said panel comprises 4 aligners arranged opposite each other on the four sides of the rectangular-shaped panel, its length being equal to a multiple of its width, in particular its length being twice its width, and the gutters are disposed according to said first type of gutter arrangement opposite the top side and a first side side of the panel, and according to said second type of gutter arrangement of the second side side and the bottom side of said panel. In a known manner, said layer of plant culture material may be a multiple layer, ie composed of several layers of different materials as described below.

It is understood, in other words, that the support frame has upper and lower horizontal edges and lateral vertical edges forming a gutter that is to say have a cross section in a direction perpendicular to their longitudinal direction forming a hollow for the upper edge and one of the side edges or forming a hump of complementary shape to said hollow for the lower edge and the other side edge so that the lower convex face of a lower gutter of an upper panel can be engaged in the upper gutter of the upper edge of a lower panel and the outer convex lateral gutter of a first panel can be engaged in the concave side gutter facing outward of another panel. The channel is perforated so as to allow the flow of water through the bottom of the gutter preferably the orifices being located in the center of the bottom of the gutter in cross section. A modular panel according to the invention makes it possible to form a plant wall by assembling modular panels according to the invention nested superimposed and laterally juxtaposed, and ensures a better water irrigation of the panels by arranging pipes or hoses. water irrigation of the plant culture material, at several levels in height and not simply on the upper edge of the wall, said pipes being able to be arranged in an upper gutter or the upper panels juxtaposed laterally at the same height and in gutters upper or lower panels arranged below the upper panel or panels being understood that for the last bottom panel, the pipe will not be arranged in the lower gutter. The upper gutters of the other panels below the top panel are occupied by the interlocking of the lower chute of the top panel. In practice, it is desirable to have pipes or horizontal water supply pipes every 2m to 2,50m in height.

Preferably, the lateral gutters and the upper and lower gutters all have the same shape in section of male (convex) / female (concave) shape, so that when the modular panel according to the invention is rectangular, it can be arranged with its length vertically or horizontally which allows for various assemblies. More particularly, the gutter has a flared cross-sectional shape with flared lateral sides going away from the bottom towards its open face, preferably having a cross section of the same trapezoidal shape, namely: for the first type of gutter arrangement, flared sideways extending from top to bottom for the upper gutter and from the outside of the panel toward the bottom facing said layer material (s) for one lateral gutters, and - for the second type of gutter arrangement, flared lateral sides going away from the bottom upwards for the lower gutter, and from the bottom facing said layer material towards the outside of the panel for the other side gutter. More particularly, each gutter has a cross section of flared shape, preferably trapezoidal, the flat bottom of each said gutter being the small base of the trapezium, the large base being open, the two longitudinal edges of the two flared side walls defining the face open the gutter. More particularly, the two longitudinal edges of each channel are fixed on one side of a first flat frame delimiting the open front face of said support frame and respectively one side of a second flat frame delimiting the open rear face of said support frame, said layer of plant culture material being interposed between said two first and second flat front and rear frames secured parallel to each other by the so-called 4 gutters, said gutters thus forming the peripheral walls of said open support frame on its front and rear faces, surrounding said layer or multilayer of plant culture.

The said gutters have the following advantageous cumulative technical functions: -They give rigidity to the support frame to the vegetal panels, and -They constitute elements of interlocking of the different standard modular panels against each other, and -They are likely to serve as a support for a pipe or water supply pipe of the panel, and -The flared shape of said gutter channels the water to orifices at the bottom of the gutter located vis-à-vis a median plane of the panel . According to another aspect of the invention, the modular panels according to the present invention further comprise an acoustic and / or thermal insulation device comprising a layer of acoustic and / or thermal insulation material arranged opposite the a rear face of a said plant culture layer supported by a said peripheral support frame whose rear face is open. The term "open back face of said support frame" is understood here to mean that said support frame has no closed rigid bottom wall, it being understood that said rear face of the frame and said rear face of said plant culture layer may advantageously be covered with a microperforated, water-permeable, air permeable sheet or film as described hereinafter. More particularly, said layer of acoustic and / or thermal insulation material is contained in a box, preferably parallelepiped, having a closed bottom and an open front facing towards said layer of plant culture material. This type of packaging of said insulation layer is particularly advantageous for the handling and implementation of a modular panel according to the invention. But above all, this type of packaging ensures the sealing of the acoustic insulation material when said insulation material must remain dry to have insulation properties, provided, on the other hand, that the sound insulation material must be able to to be crossed by the air coming from the outside. This is why said box is open on its front face. More particularly, the edges of the lateral peripheral walls delimiting the open face of said box are applied against the open rear face of said support frame of the plant culture device. The acoustic insulation material may be any material known for its noise-proofing acoustic properties and / or thermal insulation. Fibrous materials or particulate materials in bulk or agglomerates are more particularly mentioned, given that they are packaged in a form of steel or plastic, in particular A.B.S. In one embodiment, the insulation material is interposed between two plant culture device panels arranged symmetrically with the plant-coated face disposed on the external faces opposite to the internal face facing the insulation material. . In this case, the conditioning box or support of the acoustic insulation material may be open on its 2 opposite main parallel faces, said box then being a frame surrounding the acoustic material supported or supporting the support frames surrounding the plant culture material. In one embodiment, the acoustic insulation material is made of the same fibrous material based on plant fibers as the back layer of the vegetable culture material. Even more particularly, a layer of air-permeable material impervious to water, preferably a micro-perforated film or fabric, is interposed between the back side of said layer of plant-growing material and said layer. of insulation material. More particularly, said insulation material is confined between said box and said air permeable layer and / or said layer of plant culture material is coated on its back side with said air permeable layer fixed against a said second flat frame defined above.

Advantageously, the plant culture device in hydroponics is of the multilayer type comprising a first layer of fibrous material comprising a first type of fiber called first fibers, at least the front face of which is applied to and directly in contact with a rear face of a second layer of fibrous material comprising a second type of fiber called second fibers, said first layer being thicker and more dry-ventilated than said second layer and having a water absorption capacity greater than that of the second layer, preferably the dry density of said first layer being lower than that of said second layer. This plant culture device is adapted to receive plant roots introduced between said first and second layers by means of pre-cuts made on the surface and through said second layer, said first layer thus forming a fibrous culture substrate. It is known that plants need to develop their roots to be supplied with water and preferably enriched with nutrients and at least partially aerated. In this respect, the more ventilated dry structure of said first layer is able to allow better penetration and better root development within it and constitutes a culture substrate. Here, the term "more dry air" means that the proportion of empty volume in said first layer is greater than that of said second layer and "water absorption capacity", the amount of water that can be absorbed by said layer. It is understood that said first layer has a water absorption capacity greater than that of said second layer partly because of the greater volume of vacuum it contains and especially if necessary the internal volume of the hollow or porous fibers that 'it contains. On the other hand, the intrinsic weight capacity of water absorption of the second layer (that is to say here the weight of water absorbed by the layer relative to the weight of the layer, that is to say the ratio [weight of water absorbed by the layer] / [weight of the layer]) is not necessarily greater than that of the first layer. However, it is understood that the ratios of the intrinsic capacities of water absorption of the two layers (in terms of weight of water absorbed relative to the weight of the layer), ratio of the respective thicknesses of the two layers and ratio of the respective densities of the two layers are such that the water absorption capacity in terms of absolute absorbed water weight of the first layer is greater than that of the second layer. More particularly, the ratio of the thicknesses of the first / second layer is from 4 to 100, more particularly from 10 to 40, and the ratio of the density densities of the first / second layer is from 1/10 to 1, more particularly from 1/5 to 1/2. More particularly, said first and second layers have water absorption properties, such that their intrinsic capacity for water absorption makes them capable of absorbing more than 2 times, preferably more than 4 times their weight in water. . When circulating in said second layer water, or preferably a nutrient solution that is to say an aqueous solution containing nutrients ensuring the growth of plants such as inorganic salts especially potassium and phosphorus compounds such as phosphates and nitrogen compounds such as nitrates, said second layer absorbs from said aqueous solution and diffuses it into said first layer which can thus absorb it by contact with said second layer. Because of its contact with said second layer, and its greater water absorption capacity, especially greater wettability, said first layer is able to capture water from said second layer when it is soaked with water, said first layer being able to keep even wet a texture, preferably at least partially aerated, able to hold vertically and to allow better development of said roots. Due to its fibrous nature, said second layer absorbs said aqueous solution substantially uniformly over its entire surface, and diffuses it substantially homogeneously over the entire surface of said first layer, the fibrous nature of said first layer ensuring homogeneity of humidifying said first layer despite its greater volume and greater porosity than said second layer. Preferably, said first layer has a rigidity greater than that of said second layer. "Higher rigidity" is understood here to mean a better shape-keeping, in particular in a vertical position, of said first layer than that of said second layer. In other words, the greater rigidity of said first layer makes it possible to ensure a better mechanical strength, even wet, and the maintenance of its airy structure despite its greater thickness, the first fibers can be kept spaced between them and said first layer is thus also able to absorb a larger amount of water without sagging. Finally, because of its greater rigidity, said first layer is wetted more slowly than the second layer, but conversely and advantageously it also dries more slowly, that is to say that the water evaporates more slowly and remains available. roots longer. Said second layer supplied with aqueous nutrient solution or water acts as an irrigation layer of said first layer, the latter by its more ventilated and more rigid structure constituting a reservoir of greater volume and keeping the water available to the roots more long time. This results in a decreased water loss with less frequent watering and an economic gain in terms of energy consumed for watering compared to systems prior to a single layer of fibrous substrate.

The cooperation of said first and second layers makes it possible to constitute a larger water reserve in said first layer more rapidly and thus to avoid losses of water and makes it possible to avoid inhomogeneous humidification which would occur without the irrigation vector of said second layer. Said first layer thus makes it possible to store the nutrient solution and to restore to the roots, over a prolonged period of time, the water and especially the nutritive elements that it contains under the osmotic pressure of said roots. And, because of the properties of said first layer when it is disposed in a vertical or substantially vertical position, the water remains stored therein longer.

More particularly still, the plant culture device comprises: a first layer consists of a semi-rigid sheet of mixture of entangled plant fibers, preferably bound together by an organic, synthetic or natural binder, comprising said first selected fibers; from hemp, bamboo, coconut, kenaf, jute, flax, abaca, sisal and ramie fibers, and - a second layer consists of a web of fibrous nonwoven fibrous material comprising cotton fibers or staple fibers. cotton mixed with synthetic fibers preferably polypropylene fibers, and - preferably, the front face of said second layer and the rear face of said first layer are coated with a third layer breathable vapor barrier and substantially impermeable to water preferably made of a micro-perforated synthetic fabric, preferably polypropylene, preferably still e an armed fabric. This third outer layer has by its structure a function of mechanical maintenance of the plants likely to have a tendency to tear from said first and second layers between which they are interposed in particular when vertical application of said culture device and a function of limiting the evaporation of the circulating water, especially if appropriate in said second layer and finally optionally a decorative function. Said third finishing layer also allows air access to the roots through said second and first layers. More particularly in the plant culture device according to the invention: said second layer has a thickness of 1 to 10 mm and an ability to absorb from 2 to 5 times its weight in water, and said first layer has a thickness of 40 to 100 mm and an ability to absorb 2 to 4 times its weight in water. These needled layers of the second layer, also called "felts", are known to those skilled in the art as an irrigation layer in the field of plant culture, that is to say as having a retention function. and homogeneous diffusion of the water placed under the culture substrates in aboveground culture. In particular, a layer of felt made from recycled cotton is marketed under the name "AQUANAPPE", as well as needleloom tablecloths made of a mixture of synthetic fibers, in particular polypropylene and natural fibers, in particular cotton fibers, distributed by the company ENVIROTISS (France) under the brands, IRRINOV and IRRITHERM. These needled plies of the second layer have absorption capacities of 2 to 5 times their weight in water. In a particular embodiment, said first layer comprises a mixture of plant fibers comprising first vegetable fibers chosen from hemp fibers and a second type of plant fibers consisting of cotton fibers, preferably more than 50% by weight of said fibers. wherein said first and second fibers are bonded to each other by a synthetic or natural organic binder, preferably a corn or polyester starch binder, particularly in the form of polyester-based heat-fusible synthetic binder fibers.

Tablecloths in the form of rolls or semi-rigid panels of vegetable fiber mixture of this type are sold in particular by the company St Gobain under the trademark "FLORAPAN + ®" or marketed by the company Technichanvre. These fibrous sheet materials are marketed under the name "Hemp seed". They have a density of 20 to 50 kg / m 3, especially 5 to 45 kg / m 3. The organic binder gives the product a certain elasticity and cohesion. The presence of cotton fibers mixed with hemp fibers increases the flexibility of the panel. According to other characteristics described in FR 2 956 283: said first layer comprises a water retention additive (6) in bulk in the form of grains or in powder introduced at least locally into the empty interstices between the fibers; the plant culture device comprises on its front face open bags containing or capable of containing said plant roots, said pockets being inserted through cuts made in said second and optionally third layers, said pockets being interposed between said first and second layers, said pouches comprising a plant culture substrate, said plants being preferably pre-cultured in said pockets prior to insertion of said pockets into said cutouts; and the envelope of said open pockets is made from the same fibrous material as said second layer and comprises as culture substrate the same material as the fibrous material constituting the first layer, preferably with a retention additive therein. bulk water in the form of grains or in powder, more preferably the same as said first layer. According to another advantageous characteristic of the present invention, the first layer is further covered with said second layer on its peripheral faces constituting its thickness vis-a-vis said gutters, preferably said first layer is entirely wrapped on all its faces by a said second layer.

In a preferred embodiment, the layer of acoustic insulation material is made of the same material as said layer of plant culture material, said insulation layer having a greater thickness preferably at least twice that of said plant culture layer, preferably said first layer. According to another aspect of the present invention, the insulating material and said first layer consist of a semi-rigid sheet of entangled plant fiber mixture, preferably bound together by an organic, synthetic or natural binder, comprising said first hemp fiber. Such a material indeed has exceptionally high acoustic noise properties of class A4 according to standard NF EN ISO 354. It has in fact been discovered that a material of this type gives exceptionally high acoustic insulation properties to a panel modular according to the invention as reported in the detailed description which follows. The present invention also provides a plant wall consisting of an assembly of modular panels according to the invention superimposed and / or juxtaposed laterally with gutters of a first panel nested in the gutters of a second panel, said upper gutters and / or inferior containing water supply lines. In one embodiment, said supply lines 25 may be arranged exclusively in upper gutters, it being understood that the bottom of the feed pipe within the upper gutter of a given panel will be disposed below the bottom of a pipe. lower pipe of an upper panel. Preferably, supply lines are arranged in: - one or more upper gutters (or respectively) panel (s) arranged at the same height substantially horizontally, and (or respectively) panel (s) lower (s) arranged at the same height substantially horizontally, and - lower gutters of intermediate height panels between the upper and lower panels. In a wall according to the invention, said water supply means are capable of supplying water to the upper part of said layer of plant culture material, in particular said second layer, of one or more panels situated at different heights and thus allow a flow of water by gravity within said layer of plant culture material, the water being recovered in a reservoir or a lower gutter disposed below a said panel or said wall and said reservoir cooperating with pumping means ensuring the closed circuit circulation of water between said tank and said water supply means in the upper part of the panel or panels of said wall at different heights. The main purpose of a modular panel or wall according to the present invention is for the realization of exterior wall cladding of buildings or for the realization of fence walls. Advantageously, the various panels are assembled to each other and fixed against a building facade wall or on vertical poles spaced to form a fence with rails and fasteners optionally fixed to the rear face of a said caisson.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the light of the detailed description of the embodiment which will follow with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7 below, in which: FIG. 1 represents a transverse vertical sectional view of a plant culture device 10 as described in FR 2 956 283 and can be used herein in a modular panel according to the present invention. FIG. 2 shows a modular panel of a plant culture device 1 according to the present invention applied to a wall 14. FIG. 3 represents the various constituents of a modular panel 10 of FIG. 2. FIG. an assembly of 3 modular panels 10-1, 10-2 and 10-3 assembled by interlocking their respective gutters 7-1 and 7-2. - Figure 5 is a horizontal sectional view of a modular panel 10 according to the invention, the plant culture device 1, the acoustic chamber 2 and the gutters 7 are separated. FIG. 6 is a transverse vertical sectional view at the junction between two superimposed panels 10-1 and 10-2 fixed on a wall 14. FIG. 7 is a variant of FIG. 6 in which the fixing of the box 11 on frame 6 is different. FIG. 1 shows a plant culture device 1 as described in FR 2 956 283, which in particular makes it possible to adapt the plants better because of the use of pre-culture bags 17. The plant culture device 1 is positioned vertically or substantially vertically comprising a plurality of superimposed layers 3, 4, 5 constituting the plant culture device itself can also use in a modular panel according to the invention described with reference to Figures 2 to 7 below. In FR 2 956 283, the plant culture layers 3, 4, 5 were applied on a solid support 15 formed from a waterproof impotent material or at least covered with a waterproof rotproof material. According to the present invention, as described in FIGS. 2 to 7 below, all of the plant culture layers 3, 4 and 5 of a plant culture device 1 are applied not on a plane support but on a device The plant culture device 1 comprises a first layer 3 of culture substrate based on hemp fibers and recycled cotton agglomerated with an organic binder based on polyester binder.

This first layer 3 is intended to receive the implantation of the roots 20a of the plants 20 penetrating within it during their development on the one hand and on the other hand a nutrient solution captured mainly from the second layer 4 which will be described below. . The first layer 3 retains an at least partially aerated texture with at least partially aerated recessed structures despite absorption of the aqueous nutrient solution from the second layer. The roots 20a pump the nutrient solution included in the substrate 3 by the osmotic pressure they exert. The first substrate layer 3 may itself be in the form of a panel such as the FLORAPAN + ® semi-rigid panels marketed by the company Saint Gobain Isover France. These panels have a thickness of 40 to 100 mm, width of 60 cm and length of 120 cm. FLORAPAN + ® panels are made from hemp fiber, recycled cotton and organic polyester binder to ensure the mechanical strength of the product. The cotton fiber content is about 40% by weight. The content of polyester-based organic binder is about 15 to 20% by weight. It is also possible to use a hemp wool such as that sold by the company Technichanvre obtained by fraying and expanding hemp fibers of exclusively mechanical manufacture. This agglomerated fibrous complex substrate is treated against fungal attack to eliminate the risk of degradation over time. On the other hand, because of its airy texture, it has remarkable thermal and acoustic insulation properties. The fibrous substrate of the first layer 3 may further be supplemented with a water-absorbing additive or adjuvant 16 and nutrient nutrients it contains, in the form of powdery or granular or particulate bulk products which are localized. more particularly in the areas of the fibrous substrate of the first layer 3 intended to receive plantations. Such adjuvants, referred to as water retainers or wetting agents, are well known to those skilled in the art. In particular, the product marketed under the tradename FERTISORB ™, or AQUAMIX® (from the company Fertil SA France) is used. Said first layer 3 of complex fibrous substrate of agglomerated fibers is covered with a second layer 4 called the irrigation layer consisting of a rotten recycled cotton fiber felt marketed under the trademark AQUANAPPEC, the qualification of geotextile felt. This felt has a thickness of 1 to 5 mm and a density of 100 to 500 gr / m2, much higher than that of FLORAPAN + ® (20 to 50 kg / m3). Said second layer 4 is essentially used to absorb the water rapidly in the plant culture device and diffuse it and the nutrients it contains in the fibrous substrate of the first layer 3. This is why the second layer 4 also covers the first layer on its upper and lower edges by layers 4a, the layer 4a of the upper portion being located below a water supply line 8 disposed above the plant culture device 1. functions of water retention on the one hand and on the other hand home roots in an aerated structure to allow them to draw water and nutritive mineral salts are assigned to two distinct layers namely respectively the second layer 4 for the feeding irrigation function and said first layer 3 for the root reception function, storing the nutrient solution and returning it plant roots under the osmotic pressure of the latter. This separation of the two functions and their optimization is allowed thanks to the distinctive properties of said first and second layers. Indeed, said second layer of cotton fibers AQUANAPPE type has the property of imbibing water faster. The fibrous substrate of the first layer 3 is fed by simple capillarity or percolation by contacting with said second layer 4 of hydrated cotton fiber felt, the hydration of the fibrous substrate of the first layer 3 is more uniform over its entire surface said second layer 4 having the essential advantageous property of a homogeneous diffusion over its entire surface for homogeneously hydrating said first layer. The first layer 3 of hemp fibers hydrates more slowly than the second layer of AQUANAPPE but it is capable of containing a larger quantity of water on the one hand and on the other hand it dries less quickly and restores the water to the roots more prolonged and more progressive than said second layer of AQUANAPPE.

Said second layer 4 is coated on its outer front face with a semi-hermetic synthetic fabric 5 of micro-perforated polypropylene film type 100 to 500 gr / m2 preferably reinforced. This synthetic fabric 5 provides air permeability functions while constituting a relative impermeability with respect to the evaporation of water (vapor barrier function) while being able to bring an aesthetic finish and especially by protecting the roots of direct exposure to UVA. Finally, this synthetic fabric 5 provides mechanical support to the first layer 3 and second irrigation layer 4, for the support of plants 10 whose roots 10a are implanted within them as will be explained below. In a preferred embodiment, the plants are implanted in the filter culture substrate of the first layer 3 in the following manner. Bags 17 are made open at their upper part made of a permeable fabric envelope preferably of the same materials as said second layer 4 of conically bent AQUANAPPE® type rotten cotton fiber felt 4 and in which is incorporated fibrous material 3a preferably identical to that of said first layer 3 and the water-absorbing absorbent additive 16. The roots 20a of the plants are introduced into these pockets in which they are cultured prior to their implantation into the skin. plant culture device 10 in order to acclimate roots from the beginning with their final conditions of culture when they are implanted in the substrate of the first layer 3. In fact, slits 18 are produced 5 to 10 cm cut at the surface of said third top layer 5 and second irrigation layer 4, regularly spaced at the surface of the panel at a rate of e 25 to 35 slots per m2 so as to be able to introduce pockets formed by the pockets 17 filled with said fibrous substrate 3 and adjuvant 16 also containing the roots 20a of plants 20. The finishing fabric 5 is advantageously made of a fabric having a grid reinforcement so as to improve the mechanical support of the plants 20 thus implanted.

In Figure 3, there is shown the various components of a modular panel 10 according to the invention comprising from the front to the back: - A first perforated polypropylene vapor barrier film 5-1 as described above and - A first rectangular PVC flat frame 6-1 on the outside of which the first polypropylene film 5-1 is applied, and - A second said AQUANAPPE® 4 applied on the inner face of said first PVC frame 6- 1, and - A said first layer of hemp 3 as described above, and - A said second layer 4 as in fact the first layer 3 is entirely enveloped on all sides by a said second layer of AQUANAPPE® 4 and a second rectangular PVC flat frame 6-2 applied to the rear face of the second layer back layer 4, and a second micro-perforated 5-2 polyethylene film applied to the rear face of the second PVC flat frame. 6-2. The two flat frames 6-1 and 6-2 have 4 flat profiles defining rectangular openings covered by said micro perforated films 5-1 and 5-2 so that the air can pass through said plant culture device 1 from one side to the other so that air can reach the sound insulation device 2 described below. The 4 gutters 7 are fixed on the 4 outer edges of the longitudinal sides of the 2 flat frames 6-1 and 6-2 to form a support frame 6 of the plant culture device 1. The 4 aligners 7 all have the same shape with a section transverse (perpendicular to their longitudinal direction) substantially of trapezoidal shape whose small base represents the narrow flat bottom 7a of the gutter bordered by 2 flat lateral walls 7c inclined symmetrically at V, inclined at an angle of about 20 ° with respect to an axial longitudinal median plane of the gutter. Said inclined walls 7c having at their free end longitudinal longitudinal flanges 7d parallel to the bottom 7a and defining the opening of the gutter at the large base of the trapezium. The bottom 7a of each gutter has perforations 7b regularly spaced along the gutter. Each gutter is fixed on the two longitudinal outer edges of respectively two flat frames 6-1 and 6-2 respectively at each of its two flat edges 7d, a first flat edge 7d is fixed on the edge of a longitudinal side of first frame 6-1, the other flat edge 7d being fixed on the corresponding edge of a longitudinal side of the other flat frame 6-2.

The 4 gutters are arranged according to 2 dispositions 7-1 and 7-2 as follows. The gutter intended to form the upper gutter of the support frame 6 and one of the other 2 gutters which is perpendicular and which is intended to form one of the vertical lateral sides of the support frame 6 once the modular panel in place vertically has a first disposition 7-1 gutter with the bottom 7a of the gutter turned from the inner side to the frame 6 namely vis-à-vis the plant culture layers 3, 4, the open face of the gutter and its longitudinal flat edges 7d being facing outward of support frame 6.

According to a second disposition 7-2 of gutter corresponding to the gutters intended to form a horizontal lower gutter and the other lateral vertical gutter of a panel 10 according to the invention. The disposition 7-2 of the gutter is opposite to the provision 7-1 namely that the flat longitudinal longitudinal edges 7d of each gutter delimiting the open face of the gutter are turned towards the inside of the frame or closer to the culture layers plant 3-4 while the bottom 7a is turned outward and further away from the plant culture layers 3-4. The gutters are thus arranged, it is understood that whatever the arrangement of the support frame 6 and the panel 10 with a horizontally disposed side, it will always present 2 upper and lower gutters with a flat bottom 7a in the low position and its side walls 7c flared upwards so that the upper and lower gutters thus formed can receive and support a supply line 8 inside said gutters. The four gutters are thus arranged in opposite directions between the two lateral gutters on the one hand and the upper and lower two gutters on the other hand, it is understood that said gutters also constitute guide elements for interlocking two panels juxtaposed laterally. or 2 vertically stacked panels, a gutter of a first type 7-1 being able to receive and contain at least partially a gutter of a second type 7-2 as shown in Figures 6 and 7. When forming a assembly of modular panels 10-1 to 10-3 nested in each other as shown in Figure 4, there will be a feed pipe at the upper gutters in horizontal alignment of all the different panels and for the panels below, we will have the water supply lines 8 inside the lower gutters. Because the gutters have a perforated bottom, the water flowing from an upper panel will flow through the perforations 7b of the bottom gutter of the panel to fall into the upper gutter of the bottom panel and flow through its walls. perforations 7b inside the plant culture layers 3, 4 of the lower panel. It is not necessary to have the water supply lines 8 at each panel. In general, horizontal water supply pipes will be available every 2 to 2.5 meters. The upper panels delimiting the upper edge of the panel assembly 10 according to the invention comprises a supply line 8 in water at its upper gutter. All other panels will contain water supply lines 8 only at their lower gutters except for the bottom panels of a panel assembly that will not contain any water supply lines being supplied with water through the water line. a lower gutter of the panels of the top the lower panels. A plant culture device 1 comprising a frame 6 surrounding and supporting the plant culture layers 3 to 4, bordered by 2 micro-perforated films 5-1, 5-2, is applied against an acoustic insulation device 2 as described above. 5 to 7. The acoustic insulation device 2 comprises a parallelepipedal box 11 completely filled with a thicker layer 9, in particular 10 to 20 cm thick corresponding to the depth of the side wall 11a of the box 11, an acoustic insulation material consisting of the same material as said first layer 3, namely a FLORAPAN + ® layer consisting of hemp fiber and cotton bonded with a polyester organic binder as described above.

To fulfill its acoustic insulation function, it is necessary that air and noise coming from the outside passes through the plant culture device 1 to reach the acoustic insulation layer 9. This is why in this embodiment according to the present invention, the plant culture device is open both on its front and rear faces of an air permeable micro-perforated layer or film 5 passing through the rectangular openings of the frames delimited by said flat frames. 1 and 6-2. The housing 11 is made for example of rigid plastic material such as ABS. The rectangular bottom wall 11d of the box is bordered by side walls 11a perpendicular to the bottom 11d, delimiting an open front face. In an embodiment shown in FIGS. 3, 5 and 7, the side walls 11a are extended by internal flat flanges 11b, 11c capable of supporting the frame 6. Certain flat flanges 11b, 11c may comprise end pieces (not shown) capable of to cooperate with openings 6a of the second flat frame 6-2 to achieve the attachment of the plant culture device 1 against the open face of the box 11 filled with the insulating material 9. In Figure 6, there is shown a section of the box 11 at the level of an internal flat rim 11c at an angle of the box. In the embodiment of FIG. 6, the side walls 11a of 2 boxes of 2 juxtaposed panels are in direct contact with one another and the device 1 is fixed to the device 2 by adjusting the second flat frame 6-2 with its gutters 7 on each of its sides abutting abutment elements 11c on the inner face of the side walls 11a. The cumulative thickness of 2 side walls 11a corresponds to the distance between two bottoms 7a of 2 aligners nested one inside the other.

FIG. 6 shows the fixing of the panels 10 against a wall 14 by means of fastening elements 13a fixed to the rear face of the bottom wall 11d of the box 11, said fastening elements 13a cooperating with complementary fixing rails 13b fixed in horizontal position on the wall 14. As represented in FIG. 2, there will be 2 fixing and rail assemblies 13a, 13b close to the upper and lower edges of the vertical bottom wall 11d of a box 11. Because the modular panels have a length L which is a multiple of the width I of said panel in this case L = 2x1, it is possible to arrange the different panels with their lengths differently in the vertical position or in the horizontal position allowing and to diversify and / or optimize the number of panels necessary to achieve a plant wall consisting of an assembly of modular panels juxtaposed and / or superimposed nested one in the others at their respective gutters as described above. The supply pipes 8 allow the supply of water or a nutritive aqueous solution, which can be stored at the lower end of the panel or wall in a holding tank or in a buried tank and pumped with the aid of a pump (not shown) for circulating through one or more pipes supplying the perforated pipes 8 arranged in the upper gutters of the upper panels and lower gutters of the other panels arranged below the upper panels (with the exception of the lower gutters of the lower panels ). The operation of the water supply can be controlled by a programmer set according to the exposure of the panel 1 preferably the hydraulic pump will use solar energy for its operation. The solution, the water and its nutrients, passes through said second layer of felt 4 by gravity and capillarity and imbibes by homogeneous diffusion for its entire fibrous substrate surface of the first layer 3. The retention tank on the one hand recovers the surplus water after the water saturation of the fibrous substrate of the first layer 3 and on the other hand stores fertilized water for subsequent waterings. Because the watering system is in closed circuit, it avoids wasting water and pollution of the natural environment. Preferably, it is possible to implement a humidity probe capable of detecting the water content of said first layer and thus trigger the implementation of the pump and the watering in case of lack of hydration of said first layer detected. by the probe. Thus in practice a panel according to the invention as described above has acoustic insulation properties with an acoustic insulation coefficient. A modular panel equipped with a plant culture device 1 and an acoustic insulation device 2 as described above. The unique evaluation index of sound absorption performance DLa of a green screen consisting of assembled modular panels described below was determined. The measurements were carried out according to standard NF EN ISO 354 (2004) complemented by standards NF EN 1793-1 (1997) and NF EN 1793-3 (1997) for the expression of the unique evaluation index DLa of sound absorption performance of road noise barriers.

In the results reported hereinafter, the absorption coefficient as according to standard NF EN ISO 354 is measured per third of an octave from 100 to 5000 Hz. For each third octave, a weighting of the index is carried out. in accordance with the normalized sound spectrum of the circulation (L) defined in standard NF EN 1793-3: 18 10 18 1 ri-81100,14 DL, = -101og The unique acoustic absorption evaluation index DLa is classified as follows: Category DLOE in dB AO Not determined Al <4 A2 4 to 7 A3 8 to 11 A4> 11 The green screen consisted of 15 panels (3x5 culture panels 1184 x 592 x 160 (mm) ). Each panel consisted of an acoustic box 2 combined with a plant culture device 1 serving as a cover as described below. Plants inserted into substrate filled pouches were introduced into slots 18 on the outer face of the plant culture device.

The composition of the modular panel tested was specifically Caisson 2 Hull made of ABS thermoplastic polymer (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) in which is plated with hemp wool ref. Florapan + (SAINT GOBAIN ISOVER) with a thickness of 100 and a nominal density of 35 kg / m3. Module of two frames 6-1, 6-2 PVC expanded planting thickness 1 30mm sandwiching a multilayer composed of: - A non-woven felt in recycled acrylic 4 Ref. Aquanappe thickness 5 and weight 350g / m2, reinforced with a polypropylene grid, - A hemp wool 3 Ref. Florapan + (SAINT GOBAIN ISOVER) with a thickness of 40 and a nominal density of 35 kg / m3 as a cultivation substrate, - A non-woven felt in recycled acrylic 4 Ref. Aquanappe with a thickness of 5 and a surface weight of 350g / m2, reinforced with a polypropylene grid. The whole is covered with a non-woven film of micro-perforated polypropylene 5 Ref. DANEX F.R (DANORS INDUSTRIES) with a surface mass of 90g / m2. The frames and the multilayer are held together by 30 peripheral gutters glued between the two frames. Recycled acrylic non woven felt envelope pocket plantation 17 Ref. Aquanappe with a thickness of 5 and a surface weight of 350g / m2, reinforced with a polypropylene grid. The bag is filled with fibrous material of hemp wool type Ref. Florapan + (SAINT GOBAIN ISOVER) with a thickness of 40mm and a nominal density of 35kg / m3 as a growing medium for plants. The panels were placed side by side on the floor of the test room, the vegetated side up. Two tests were carried out, namely a test No. 1 in which the plant-growing device 1 was in the dry state and a test No. 2 in which the plant-growing device 1 was in the wet state, approximately 0, 7L of water have been added per panel. 1. Dry test 1.1. The main characteristics of the screen were: Dimensions in mm: 2920 x 3410 Surface in m2: 10 Thickness in mm: 160 Weight in kg / m2: 13,9 1.2 Measurement conditions: - empty room: Temperature: 21, 5 ° C Relative humidity: 64% - Room with display: Temperature: 21.5 ° C Relative humidity 65% 1.3 Results Table 1 F (Hz) as 100 0.76 125 0.91 160 1.13 200 1.05 250 1.07 315 1.11 400 1.07 500 1.10 630 1.05 800 1.05 1000 1.05 1250 1.04 1600 1.01 2000 1.02 2500 1.00 3150 1.01 4000 1, 03 5000 1.03 An LDa of 20dB corresponding to an A4 rating was calculated from the data in Table 1. 2. Wet test 2.1. The main features of the screen were: Dimensions in mm: 2920 x 3410 Surface in m2: 10 Thickness in mm: 160 Weight in kg / m2: -14,9 2.2 Measurement conditions - empty room: Temperature: 21, 5 ° C Relative humidity: 64% - Room with display: Temperature: 21.5 ° C Relative humidity: 61% 2.3 Results Table 2 f (Hz) as 100 0.78 125 0.87 160 1.06 200 1.07 250 1.07 315 1.08 400 1.03 500 1.04 630 1.04 800 1.03 1000 1.04 1250 1.01 1600 1.05 2000 1.04 2500 0.99 3150 1.02 4000 1 , 03 5000 1.05 An LDa of 20dB corresponding to an A4 rating was calculated from the data in Table 2.

Claims (12)

REVENDICATIONS1. Modular panel (10) of a plant culture device (1) comprising a peripheral support frame (6), preferably parallelepipedic, supporting at least one layer (3, 4) of hydroponic plant culture material capable of cooperating with water supply means (8) characterized in that said support frame (6) comprises structure elements (7) in the form of a semi-cylindrical channel with perforated bottom (7a) (7b), called gutters, which are able to contain a water supply pipe (8), said gutters being arranged vis-à-vis the thickness of the said layer (s) of material (s) of plant culture extending substantially along the entire length of at least one of the upper and lower horizontal sides of the said layer (s) of vegetable culture material (s), and at least one of the two sides vertical sides of the said layer (s) of vegetable culture material (s), at least one of ite gutter disposed vis-à-vis an upper side and / or a first lateral side of the (or) said layer (s) of vegetable culture material (s) having a first type of arrangement (7-1) gutter with its bottom (7a) facing the (or) said (s) layer (s) of vegetable culture material (s), and at least one gutter arranged vis-à-vis a lower side and / or the second lateral side of the said layer (s) of vegetable culture material (x) having a second type of gutter arrangement (7-2) with its bottom (7a) turned towards the outside of the panel, the shape of said channel in cross section allowing at least partial engagement of the bottom of a gutter of a said second type (7-1) of a first said modular panel (10-1) inside a gutter of a said first type (7-2) of a second said modular panel (10-2). 2. Modular panel according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises an acoustic and / or thermal insulation device (2) comprising a layer of acoustic and / or thermal insulation material (9) arranged in view of a rear face of a said plant culture layer (3,4) supported by a said peripheral support frame (6) whose rear face is open. 3. Modular panel according to claim 2 characterized in that said layer of acoustic and / or thermal insulation material (9) is contained in a box (11), preferably parallelepiped, having a bottom (11d) closed and a face before open facing said layer of plant culture material. 4. Modular panel according to claim 2 characterized in that a layer (5, 5-2) of air-permeable material and impermeable to water, preferably a micro-perforated film or fabric, is interposed between the back side of said layer of plant culture material (3,4). and said layer of insulation material. 5. Modular panel according to one of claims 1 to 4 characterized in that the plant hydroponic culture device is of the multilayer type comprising a first layer (3) of fibrous material comprising a first type of fiber called first fibers, at least the front face is applied to and directly in contact with a rear face of a second layer (4) of fibrous material comprising a second type of fibers called second fibers, said first layer being thicker and more dry-ventilated than said second layer; and having a water absorption capacity greater than that of the second layer, preferably the dry density density of said first layer being lower than that of said second layer. 6. Modular panel according to claim 5 characterized in that: - said first layer (3) consists of a semi-rigid sheet of mixture of entangled plant fibers preferably bonded together by an organic binder, synthetic or natural, comprising said first fibers selected from hemp, bamboo, coconut, kenaf, jute, flax, abaca, sisal and ramie fibers, and said second layer (4) is made of a fibrous nonwoven fibrous material web comprising cotton fibers or cotton fibers mixed with synthetic fibers, preferably polypropylene fibers, and preferably the front face of said second layer and the rear face of said first layer are coated with a third layer vapor barrier (5, 5-1, 5-2) permeable to air and substantially impervious to water, preferably consisting of a micro-perforated synthetic fabric, preferably polypropylene, more preferably an armed fabric. 7. Modular panel according to claim 5 or 6 characterized in that said first layer (3) is further covered with said second layer (4) on its peripheral faces constituting its thickness vis-à-vis said gutters, preferably said first layer (3) is entirely enveloped on all sides by a said second layer (4). 8. Modular panel according to one of claims 2 to 7 characterized in that said layer of acoustic insulation material is made of the same material as said layer of plant culture material (3), said layer of insulation having a thickness preferably greater than at least twice that of said plant culture layer. 9. Modular panel according to one of claims 4 to 7 and claim 8 characterized in that said insulating material and said first layer consist of a semi-rigid sheet of mixture of entangled plant fibers preferably bonded together. by an organic binder, synthetic or natural, comprising said first hemp fibers. 10. Panel according to one of claims 1 to 9 characterized in that it comprises 4 aligners arranged opposite each other on the 4 sides of the rectangular-shaped panel, its length preferably being equal to a multiple of its width, and the gutters being disposed according to said first type of gutter arrangement vis-à-vis the upper side and a first side side of the panel, andaccording to said second type of gutter arrangement of the second side side and the lower side of said panel . 11. Vegetable wall consisting of an assembly of modular panels according to one of claims 1 to 9 superimposed and / or juxtaposed laterally with gutters (7-1,7-2) of a first panel (10-1) nested in gutters of a second panel (10-2), said upper and / or lower gutters containing water supply lines (8). 12. Vegetation wall according to claim 11 characterized in that supply lines are arranged in: - one or more upper gutters (or respectively) panel (s) (s) arranged at the same height substantially horizontally, and (or respectively) panel (s) lower (s) arranged at the same height substantially horizontally, and - lower gutters of intermediate height panels between the upper and lower panels.