FR3068200A1 - OFF-GROVE CULTURE DEVICE COMPRISING AN INTEGRATED GREENHOUSE STRUCTURE - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an off-soil cultivation device (100) comprising: - a tank (10) having at least three peripheral walls (11) and a bottom (12) together forming a receptacle intended to receive in particular water and a culture substrate, - a set of at least two feet (20) integrally attached to said tray (10) to ensure the stability of said tray (10) and dimensioned to raise said tray (10) relative to the ground so that said tray (10) at a height of man, wherein said at least two feet of said set (20) are extended upwards to form two uprights (31) erecting above said tray (10) to form a structure greenhouse (30).

Description

ABOVE GROUND CULTIVATION DEVICE

INCLUDING AN INTEGRATED GREENHOUSE STRUCTURE

Technical field and prior art

The present invention relates to the field of culture and gardening.

The present invention relates more particularly to an aboveground culture device of the furniture type intended to be installed at home on a small outdoor surface of the courtyard, balcony or terrace type, or even on an interior surface.

The present invention will find numerous advantageous applications for the cultivation of vegetables, fruits, plants, flowers or even mushrooms.

We will speak here of plantations in the general sense.

Gardening and growing a vegetable garden are fun activities for many people, especially the elderly who, for example, no longer have a professional activity or have a reduced activity.

We can see that these outdoor activities are also finding renewed interest among urban dwellers looking for a return to nature and "home-made".

We note at the same time that the so-called workers' gardens are multiplying around the cities. We are now talking about urban gardening.

The Applicant observes, however, that green spaces are more and more reduced, especially in large cities.

It becomes more and more difficult to carry out your own gardening when you live in the city, this both for reasons of space and for reasons of cost.

In addition to these problems associated with green spaces and the garden, the Applicant has further observed that gardening and cultivating a vegetable garden are tiring activities which very often require being in a folded or squatting position, which is not not a comfortable posture.

Maintaining such a posture can lead to back pain.

Very often, people suffering from a health problem unfortunately can no longer engage in this activity given the physical effort to provide and the posture to maintain.

In the prior art, planters and flower boxes are known. These solutions do not solve the problem of posture; it is always necessary to lower or squat to garden.

There are pieces of furniture intended for the culture above-ground.

However, this furniture does not offer modularity, accessibility or the implementation of a cultivation function such as a greenhouse structure favoring the cultivation of plantations.

The Applicant considers that there is to date no culture device for gardening and / or cultivating a vegetable garden comprising an integrated greenhouse structure making it possible to practice gardening on a reduced surface without having to bend.

Summary and object of the present invention

The present invention aims to improve the situation described above.

One of the objectives of the present invention is to remedy the various drawbacks mentioned above by proposing a device of the furniture type for growing above ground.

The present invention relates more particularly to an above-ground cultivation device comprising a tank having at least three peripheral walls and a bottom.

According to the invention, the peripheral walls and the bottom together form a receptacle intended in particular to receive water and a culture substrate.

By culture substrate within the meaning of the present invention is meant here a culture support in which the plantation lives and draws the minerals it needs. Such a substrate can be organic or mineral in nature. It can be for example earth, potting soil or even clay.

The device according to the present invention further comprises a set of at least two feet fixedly attached to the tank. The two feet are configured to ensure good stability of the tank.

Advantageously, the set of feet is dimensioned to raise the container from the ground so that the container is at breast height. This set of feet combined with the tray makes it possible to cultivate plantations or an above-ground vegetable garden.

Advantageously, at least two of the feet of said set are extended upward to form two uprights standing above the tank in order to constitute a greenhouse structure. Thanks to this combination of technical means, characteristic of the present invention, the user has an above-ground culture furniture allowing him to do gardening at breast height without having to bend down while having a structure of tight.

The mass of the tank and its contents thus form a real load-bearing structure making it possible to design a greenhouse structure able to withstand, for example, crosswinds and tremors. It is also possible to add accessories to this structure, the tank and its mass acting as a counterweight.

This greenhouse structure therefore allows the establishment of a greenhouse favoring the cultivation of plantations. Such a piece of furniture thus forms a gardening micro-ecosystem making it possible to cultivate in height without the constraints of maintenance and ergonomics of gardening.

Advantageously, the greenhouse structure comprises greenhouse effect means connecting the two uprights.

In a variant, the greenhouse means comprise at least one translucent vertical panel extending one of the peripheral walls of the tank.

Preferably, provision may be made in this variant for each vertical panel to comprise glazing of the polycarbonate type.

In an alternative variant, the greenhouse means comprise a translucent plastic sheet.

Preferably, provision may be made in this variant for the plastic sheet to be constituted at least partially in a material of the polypropylene type with a thickness of, for example, between 150 to 200 microns.

Preferably, the greenhouse structure comprises on all or part of its external surface cladding (translucent or opaque).

Advantageously, the greenhouse structure comprises a spacer connecting the two uprights at the top.

Optionally, the spacer has over all or part of its length a plurality of housings for maintaining the position of stakes. Having guardians held high above face level promotes safety. It should be noted here that with stakes fixed in a substrate at ground level (and not held in the upper part), there is a risk of injury when the user bends over without paying attention.

Optionally, the greenhouse structure is configured to allow the attachment of accessories of the type on the rear part of the device, for example a clothes dryer, a blind or even a blind or sun visor. Those skilled in the art will understand here that the attachment of other accessories may be envisaged in the context of the present invention.

Correlatively, the object of the present invention relates to a set of a plurality of above-ground cultivation devices as described above, said devices being arranged between them to delimit a private space or a closed and covered greenhouse.

This private space or this greenhouse is provided with a passage opening, possibly equipped with a door.

One could for example plan to arrange the devices to form a closed square or rectangle with at least one door-type access opening. Such an arrangement makes it possible to have a closed and covered greenhouse.

Alternatively, you can align the devices to delimit an area in the garden or hide from its neighbors, for example when a privacy screen is attached to the rear part of the device.

Thus, thanks to the different structural and functional technical characteristics described above, the user has an above-ground cultivation unit that he can install at home on a reduced surface and allow him to practice a gardening activity without the constraints encountered so far.

Brief description of the attached figures

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will emerge from the description below, with reference to the appended FIGS. 1 to 2 which illustrate various embodiments thereof which are not limiting in any way and in which:

- Figure 1 shows a schematic perspective view of an above-ground cultivation device according to a first embodiment of the present invention; and

- Figure 2 shows a schematic perspective view of an above-ground cultivation device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed description for an advantageous example of embodiment

An above-ground cultivation device according to different exemplary embodiments will now be described in what follows with reference to Figures 1 to 2.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide users with a device 100 of the furniture type for above-ground cultivation.

One of the other objects of the present invention is to propose the use of several devices 100 to produce a greenhouse 200.

This is made possible in the various examples which follow.

In each of the examples described here and as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, there is an above-ground cultivation device 100 comprising a tank 10 having four peripheral walls 11 as well as a bottom 12.

Preferably, the volume defined by the tray 10 must be sufficient so that once filled the tray has a sufficient mass allowing it to play the function of supporting structure.

The bottom 12 can take any possible form.

These elements 11 and 12 form between them a receptacle of substantially parallelepiped shape intended in particular to receive water and a growing substrate such as for example earth or potting soil for making a vegetable patch.

It is understood that this is an example of an embodiment among others and that the person skilled in the art can envisage tubs of another shape: triangular, square, polygonal, etc.

We can also provide a form of tray with a recess 10a on its front part (Figure 2) allowing a person in a wheelchair to move forward in tray 10 so that it has access to the entire cultivation area.

In this example, the peripheral walls 11 and the bottom 12 are made of a metallic material which has preferably received an anti-rust and anti-corrosion treatment. In addition to the mechanical robustness of the device 100 and its resistance to weathering, the use of such a material ensures good sealing.

It should be noted here that a person skilled in the art may consider the use of other materials offering equivalent performance (for example a composite material).

In this example and as illustrated in FIG. 1, the device 100 also includes a set of feet 20.

In this example, two feet 20 are provided ensuring good stability of the tank 10 relative to the ground.

Here, each foot 20 is fixedly attached to the tank 10. We can provide for the use of fixing plates (not shown here) to fix the feet 20 to the ground.

In this example, the feet 20 are dimensioned to raise the tank 10 relative to the ground so that it is at breast height. This is particularly appreciated by users who will no longer have to bend or squat to garden.

By allowing the tray 10 to be positioned at breast height, the above-ground cultivation device 100 according to the present invention adapts to people having difficulty bending down and allows them to continue gardening, which is not not the case today with existing solutions (flower box, planter or others).

The present invention will thus find a particularly advantageous use in retirement homes or rest homes, or even directly in individuals who encounter such difficulties. Schools may also be interested in the concept of initiation to gardening without the problem linked to the mud in which children walk with existing solutions.

One can provide height adjustment means (not shown here) configured to adjust the height of the feet 20. These adjustment means can be used for example by the installer when mounting the greenhouse.

Providing a greenhouse structure is particularly appreciated by users. The presence of a greenhouse greatly promotes the cultivation and well-being of the plantations.

The underlying concept of the present invention is here to use the mass of the tank and its contents in order to have a support structure making it possible to design a greenhouse structure 30 and / or to adapt accessories of the dryer type, screen or blinds or sun visor.

It is thus provided in each of the examples described here to have two feet 20 extending upward to form two uprights 31 rising above the tray 10 in order to constitute a greenhouse structure 30.

In the example described here, the greenhouse structure 30 comprises greenhouse means between the two uprights 31. A distinction is more particularly made in the appended figures on the presence of vertical translucent panels 34 or a translucent tarpaulin (not shown here ) extending the rear and front peripheral wall of the tank 10.

In FIG. 1, the vertical panels 34 slide between them horizontally so as to be able to close or open the internal volume defined by the greenhouse structure 30.

As indicated previously in the description, the vertical panel 34 may alternatively comprise a glazing of the polycarbonate type.

In the same way, one can also provide for the use of a tarpaulin composed at least partially in a material of the polypropylene type with a thickness of between 150 to 200 microns.

As can be distinguished in FIGS. 1 and 2, there is provided on the greenhouse structure 30 at least one spacer 32 connecting the two uprights 31 at the top. This or these spacers 32 make it possible to stiffen the solidity of the structure 30.

In this example, the spacer 32 has, over all or part of its length, a plurality of housings for maintaining the stakes position 36. The fact of having stakes 36 held in the upper part above the level of the face promotes security.

It is also conceivable to fix a planter 35 between the two uprights 31 halfway between the spacer 32 and the tray. The attachment of such a planter 35 also serves as a counterweight.

It will be understood that by having several devices 100 between them, it becomes possible to form a closed greenhouse 200 as illustrated in FIG. 2 with a passage opening 201 allowing users to access the greenhouse 200.

In this variant, it is observed that it is no longer necessary to have vertical panels 34 inside the internal volume defined between the devices.

The present invention therefore provides users with an above-ground furniture-type cultivation device 100 allowing the design of a real greenhouse 200 for gardening and / or growing a vegetable garden on a small area such as by example an interior courtyard or a terrace while ensuring the greenhouse functions necessary for a good culture and / or functions of utility and comfort.

It should be observed that this detailed description relates to a particular embodiment of the present invention, but that in no case this description does not have any limiting character to the subject of the invention; on the contrary, it aims to remove any possible inaccuracy or misinterpretation of the claims which follow.

It should also be observed that the reference signs put in brackets in the following claims are in no way limiting; the sole purpose of these signs is to improve the intelligibility and understanding of the claims which follow, as well as the scope of the protection sought.

Claims (10)

1. Above-ground cultivation device (100) comprising: - a tank (10) having at least three peripheral walls (11) and a bottom (12) together forming a receptacle intended to receive in particular water and a culture substrate, - A clearance of at least two feet (20) integrally fixed to said tank (10) to ensure the stability of said tank (10) and dimensioned to raise said tank (10) relative to the ground so that said tank (10) is height of man, in which said at least two feet (20) are extended upward to form two uprights (31) standing above said tank (10) in order to constitute a greenhouse structure (30). 2. Device (100) according to claim 1, wherein the greenhouse structure (30) comprises greenhouse means (34) between said two uprights (31). 3. Device (100) according to claim 2, wherein the greenhouse means (34) comprise at least one vertical panel (34) translucent extending one of the peripheral walls (11) of said tank (10). 4. Device (100) according to claim 3, wherein each vertical panel (34) comprises a glazing of the polycarbonate type. 5. Device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the greenhouse means (34) comprise a translucent plastic sheet. 6. Device (100) according to claim 5, wherein the plastic sheet is formed at least partially in a polypropylene type material with a thickness between 150 to 200 microns. 7. Device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the greenhouse structure (30) comprises at least one spacer (32) connecting said two uprights (31) in the upper part. 8. Device (100) according to claim 7, wherein said spacer (32) has over all or part of its length a plurality of housings for maintaining the position of stakes (35). 5 9. Device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which said greenhouse structure (30) has on its outer surface a cladding (33). 10. An assembly of a plurality of above-ground cultivation devices (100) according to any one of the preceding claims arranged between them to delimit a private space 10 (200) or a greenhouse (200) closed and covered having an opening of passage (201).