FR3056376B1 - ROLL-UP STRIP FOR THE CULTIVATION OF NON-GROUND PLANTS, AN ASSOCIATED PLANT AND GROWTH DEVICE. - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a rollable strip for growing above ground plants and an associated plant and growth device. According to the invention, the rollable strip (1) comprises a first wall (2), called internal, able to pass the nutrient fluids, a second wall (3), called external, able to control the evaporation, means of attachment (4) adapted to allow the attachment of the band (1) on a vertical growth device, and means (6) for receiving plants in the form of seeds or shoots.

Description

The present invention relates to a rollable strip for growing above ground plants and an associated plant and growth device.

TECHNICAL FIELD The invention lies in the technical field of leguminous above-ground cultivation for local consumption, particularly in the case of self-consumption.

This application is however not limiting, the invention can also be used for plant cultivation in general and in particular ornamental or medicinal plants. Furthermore, the invention can also be used on an industrial scale for the production of plants above ground, in a building or outdoors.

PRIOR ART

Various techniques are known to date allowing the above-ground growth of plants, in particular according to a first technique, there are placed on the horizontal surfaces receiving tanks of growing plants, said bins being fed with nutrient fluids in which the roots of the plants are immersed. . This first technique ensures a good growth of plants, however it requires a large space and does not allow to obtain a high density per square meter of plants.

A second technique is also known in which the plants are positioned in trays hung on a vertical surface, generally a wall. This second technique is interesting in the sense that it allows the cultivation of plants in reduced ground spaces. However, this second technique is perfectible both in the grip of the bins on the vertical surface and on the irrigation of different bins nutrient fluids for plant growth.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

A first object of the present invention is to solve all or part of the technical problems related to the aforementioned prior art.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a band and a vertical growth device for easily positioning a large number of seeds or seedlings on a small vertical surface allowing a high culture yield per square meter.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a strip and a vertical growth device having a low cost of manufacture and operation.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a band and a vertical growth device that can be easily suspended and moved.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a band and a vertical growth device whose configuration can be changed without tools to adapt to the site on which the growth device is implanted.

Another object of the present invention is to propose an installation comprising at least one vertical growth device allowing the cultivation of a large quantity of plants, in a great diversity of places, the installation possibly constituting in particular the equivalent of a urban farm.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a rollable strip for the cultivation of plants above ground and as, according to the invention, said band comprises a first so-called internal wall, able to pass the nutrient fluids, a second so-called external wall capable of controlling evaporation, fastening means adapted to allow the attachment of the band on a vertical growth device and means for receiving plants in the form of seeds or shoots. The invention also aims to protect a vertical growth device for growing above ground plants comprising at least one rollable strip, a support tube of at least one rollable strip, means for storing a nutrient fluid, means for irrigation at the walls of the tubes and means for treating and pumping the fluidic residues.

Finally, the invention also aims to protect an installation comprising at least two growth devices, said installation comprising a rail and means for fixing and moving the growth supports along the rail and / or in rotation about their longitudinal axis.

DEFINITIONS

The term "band" defines, in the sense of the present invention a flat and wide connection for fixing on itself or on a support, in the sense of the present invention it is synonymous with headband, strap or tape.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The present invention will be better understood on reading a detailed example of embodiment with reference to the appended figures, given by way of non-limiting example, among which: FIG. 1 represents a schematic exemplary embodiment of a band assembly according to the invention, - Figure 2 shows a front view of the inner wall of the band of Figure 1, - Figure 3 shows a schematic view in perspective an example of growth device with several bands, - FIG. 4 represents an example of a receiving pan of the sowing and intermediate walls assembly; FIG. 5 represents an installation comprising three growth devices, in accordance with the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to Figure 1, there is shown a rollable strip 1 for growing plants above ground. This rollable strip 1 comprises a first wall 2, called internal, a second wall 3, said external, fastening means 4 adapted to allow the attachment of the band 1 on a vertical growth device 5 and 6 plant receiving means in the form of seeds or shoots.

Referring to Figure 2, we see the inner part of the rollable tape 1. This inner wall 2 is able to let the nutrient fluids, allowing the nutrition of the plant. Advantageously this inner wall 2 is made of geotextile material. The inner wall 2 is also preferably made with a mesh geotextile, the dimensions of the mesh being between 0.5mm and 5mm.

Unlike the inner wall 2, the second outer wall 3 is able to control the evaporation, for this purpose it is advantageously provided that the outer wall is made of a semi-impermeable or impermeable material and in particular a washable plastic material. The inner and outer walls 2 and 3 are both made of a flexible material allowing a winding around a support.

Advantageously, a plurality of rollable strips 1 are placed on a growth device 5 as represented in FIG. 3. To this end, fastening means 4 are advantageously provided, advantageously of the hook loop type, also known under the trade name of FIG. Velcro.

This type of attachment is particularly suitable for the band 1 because it allows to quickly fix the band on the support, regardless of its profile, while effectively maintaining the band 1 during the growth of plants. Optionally, the user can easily readjust manually fixing the band 1 to take into account the extra thickness of the plants.

Fastening means 4 of hook loop type are however not limiting and other fastening means within the reach of those skilled in the art are also conceivable, such as repositionable adhesives.

According to a first embodiment, the windable strip 1 allows the reception of plants from a flap formed in the inner wall 2. This being in a second more advantageous embodiment, the receiving means 6 comprise at least one layer intermediate 7.

This intermediate layer 8 is able to hold the seeds or the shoots between itself and the inner wall 2. Advantageously, the intermediate layer 7, as shown in FIG. 2, is sewn on the inner wall 2.

Depending on various parameters and in particular the size and the number of plants to be received, it is expected that the band 1 comprises at least two intermediate layers 7, in particular geotextile between which are disposed the seeds or shoots.

Referring this time to Figure 4, there is shown several intermediate layers 7, placed in a tray 8, between which are arranged the plants. Indeed, advantageously, it is expected that the intermediate layers 8 are detachable and attachable to the band 1 to achieve part of the growth of plants in the intermediate layers outside the band 1.

This arrangement makes it possible, for example, to deliver to the grower intermediate layers 7 with non-sprouted seedlings and then to place the latter in a tank to soak them for a few days before positioning them on the rollable strip 1 and to fix the latter on its growth support 7. The attachment between the layer or intermediate layers 7 and the inner wall 2 may be achieved by a hook loop assembly or by a seam 9, as shown in Figure 2, again by a natural glue based on starch.

According to an advantageous variant of the invention, a light source is also provided on the roll-up strip 1, not shown in the appended figures. This light source accelerates photosynthesis and therefore the growth of plants. This light source will comprise in particular at least one light-emitting diode, preferably fixed at the upper edge of the roll-up strip 1.

According to another advantageous embodiment of the invention, there is provided a sealed orifice for injection from the outside complement for plants. This orifice allows access to the plant, especially at its roots without undoing the rollable tape 1. The sealed orifice opens under pressure, for example, under the pressure of a syringe needle and allows to inject different products such as nutritional supplements at the roots of the plant.

Referring again to FIG. 3, there is shown a vertical growth device 5 for the cultivation of aboveground plants comprising several rollable strips.

The growth device 5 further comprises a support tube 10 of at least one roll-up strip 1, means for storing a nutrient fluid, irrigation means at the walls of the tubes, and means of treatment and treatment. pumping fluidic residues. In this way each growth device 5 is autonomous for the growth of the plants. In this respect, to improve the autonomy and the efficiency of this growth device 5, a control unit and sensors for brightness and / or temperature and / or hygrometry are provided, which modulate the irrigation as a function of measurements of said sensors.

In the example of FIG. 3, the growth device 5 comprises a support tube 10 and the nutrient fluids flow by gravity from the top of the tube 10 to the bottom of the tube by its external surface. In this way the fluid flows from rollable tape 1 in rollable tape 1 and all the bands 1 is irrigated.

That being in an alternative embodiment, the tube may have openings at the rollable strips and the irrigation will be from the inside of the tube 10 to the rollable strips 1 through said openings.

In the example of Figure 3, the growth device 5 comprises a support tube 10 connected to the ground. However, and as shown in Figure 5 the growth device may also be suspended.

In an advantageous embodiment variant, the support tube 10 comprises a light source, in the form of a led strip or light-emitting diode.

FIG. 5 represents an installation 11 comprising at least two growth devices 5. This installation 11 comprises a rail 12 and means of displacement 13 of the support tubes 10, along the rail 12 and / or in rotation about their longitudinal axis . These displacement means 13 make it possible to position the plants optimally with respect to the brightness in the culture space. They also make it easier to harvest the plants.

Of course, other features of the invention could also have been envisaged without departing from the scope of the invention defined by the claims below. By way of example according to an alternative embodiment, the vertical growth device 5 comprises at least two support tubes 10 with suspension means in particular on a rail and means for superposing the tubes together. Advantageously, the support tubes 10 will be assembled together by interlocking. By way of example also, rollable strips of different colors or with marking elements are provided, in particular enabling the farmer to identify the type of plant present in the rollable strip 1. This characteristic being particularly advantageous when the rollable strip 1 is marketed with the seeds. By way of example, at the outer surface 3, rollable strips are provided for the storage of various elements and, for example, scoring sheets relating to the growth of plants.

Claims (13)

Claims: 1. rollable strip for growing above ground vegetables characterized in that it comprises a first wall, said internal, able to let the nutrient fluids, a second so-called external wall capable of controlling evaporation, suitable fastening means to allow the fixing of the band, by winding, on a vertical growth device and means for receiving plants in the form of seeds or shoots. 2. rollable tape according to claim 1 wherein the receiving means comprise at least one intermediate layer adapted to maintain the seeds or shoots. 3. rollable strip according to the preceding claim comprising at least two intermediate layers of geotextile between which are disposed the seeds or shoots. 4. rollable tape according to claim 3 wherein the intermediate layers are detachable and attachable to the strip to achieve part of the growth of plants in the intermediate layers outside the band. 5. rollable tape according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the fastening means are hook loop type. 6. Rollable strip according to any one of the preceding claims comprising a light source with at least one light emitting diode. A rollable strip according to any one of the preceding claims including a sealed port for injection from the outside of the plant supplement. 8. vertical growth device for growing above ground plants comprising at least one rollable strip according to any one of the preceding claims, a support tube of at least one rollable strip, means for storing a nutrient fluid, irrigation means at the walls of the tubes and means for treating and pumping the fluidic residues. 9. Vertical growth device for growing above ground plants according to claim 8 comprising at least two support tubes, suspending means and means for superposing the tubes together. 10. vertical growth device for growing above ground plants according to any one of claims 8 and 9 wherein the irrigation means allow the irrigation of plants from within the support tube. 11. vertical growth device for growing above ground plants according to any one of claims 8 to 10 wherein the support tube comprises a light source in the form of a led strip. 12. vertical growth device for growing above ground plants according to any one of claims 8 to 11 comprising a control unit and sensors of brightness and / or temperature and / or hygrometry to modulate the irrigation according to the measurements of said sensors. 13. Installation comprising at least one growth device according to any one of claims 8 or 9, said installation comprising a rail and means for moving the support tubes along the rail and / or in rotation about their longitudinal axis.