FR3070235A1 - SURFACE PLANT CULTURE DEVICE AND KIT COMPRISING SUCH A DEVICE - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an above-ground plant cultivation device (1) comprising a hollow column (2) provided with at least one planar face (21) extending vertically on which cells (3) are arranged. Each cell (3) defines a window (30) and includes an upper plate (31) and a lower plate (32). The upper plate (31) is configured to be oriented towards the inside of the column (2) with a downward orientation. The bottom plate (32) is configured to face the outside of the column (2) with an upward orientation. The window (30) and the upper (31) and lower (32) plates are configured to partially insert into said window (30) a pot (4) for plant plant, maintaining it with an upward inclination.

Description

DEVICE FOR PLANT GROWING ABOVE GROUND AND

KIT INCLUDING SUCH A DEVICE

Technical area

The present invention relates to the field of above-ground plant cultivation devices which equip installations such as hydroponic or aquaponic installations.

State of the art

Hydroponic and aquaponic systems have been developed for above-ground plant cultivation, such as vegetables or plants. Hydroponics and aquaponics generally use much less water than is necessary for traditional soil crops.

In the case of hydroponics, plants are grown directly in a nutrient solution based on water and liquid chemical or organic fertilizer containing all the essential nutrients, minerals and trace elements required for the development of these plants. In the case of a liquid fertilizer of organic origin, this is called bioponics.

Aquaponics allows the recycling of nitrogenous waste generated in aquaculture by fish or crayfish, in fertilizer for plants cultivated on the principle of hydroponics. The nitrogenous waste, loaded with ammonia, is transported by the pond water then transformed by bacteria and worms into nitrite then nitrate, the latter being able to be absorbed by plants. The water is further purified and returned to the basin, which turns in a closed circuit.

It is known to use devices serving as support for plant cultivation above ground, in particular the device described in international patent application WO 2011/016856 A1. This device is in the form of a vertical column in the form a tower with four faces, with a slot arranged along one of its faces. A medium is inserted in the tube and allows the rooting of the plants which pass through the slot to push outside the column. This medium also allows the retention of the nutritive aqueous solution.

The following patent applications and patents are also known: US 4,070,793; US 2004/0103583 A1; US 2006/0032128 A1 and US 4,175,355.

In US patent 4,070,793 and in US patent application 2004/0103583 A1, the above-ground plant cultivation devices comprise a tube provided with cross-cuts allowing the passage of plants, the roots of these plants developing in a media inserted in said tube.

In patent application US 2006/0032128 A1, the above-ground plant culture device comprises a vertical cylindrical column. Cells are arranged around and over the height of the column. These cells each consist of a mouthpiece opening to the outside of the column with an upward inclination. The column is filled with media. Plant plants are inserted into and supported by cells, their roots clinging and growing in the media.

In US patent 4,175,355, the above-ground plant growing device comprises a tube on which pots are attached. The tube includes orifices which receive irrigation tips, these irrigation tips being housed in the bottoms of the pots which are positioned against the external face of the tube.

Summary of the invention.

The present invention aims to design a variant of an above-ground plant culture device, which comprises a hollow column provided with at least one planar face extending vertically on which cells are arranged. Each cell defines a window and includes an upper plate and a lower plate. The top plate is configured to be oriented toward the inside of the column with a downward orientation and the bottom plate is configured to be oriented toward the outside of the column with an upward orientation. In addition, the window and the upper and lower plates are configured to partially insert into said window a pot for a plant, maintaining it with an inclination upwards.

Thus, the design of the above-ground plant cultivation device according to the invention facilitates the preparation of plant plants in pots which are then brought back into the cells on the column. This preparation of a plant will be done by placing a substrate in the pot in which we will have introduced the roots of the plant. Then simply position the above-ground plant culture device in the desired location and insert the pots containing the plant plants into the cells. This design of the device also facilitates the diversification of plant plants, for example in some pots to have salads and in other pots of aromatics. The introduction of an aqueous nutritive solution at the top of the column will allow it to run down along the internal wall of the flat face and on the upper plates, which will ensure the irrigation of the pots and the growth of the plants. plants. It goes without saying that the pots will be perforated to allow irrigation of the roots arranged inside these pots. It is also possible to provide a pot, the material of which itself provides water retention.

According to an embodiment of the device which is the subject of the invention, the upper plate includes perforations. These perforations will facilitate the irrigation of the pot placed under the upper plate.

According to an embodiment of the device which is the subject of the invention, each cell comprises water retention means configured to come into contact with a pot for a plant plant inserted in said cell. Preferably, the means for retaining an aqueous nutritive solution comprise a strip, the material of which ensures the retention of this aqueous nutritive solution. One could consider having a retention foam inside the column and coming into contact with the pots inserted in the cells. Preferably, the strip of material is positioned under the upper plate in order to come directly into contact with a plant plant pot inserted in the cell. One could consider placing this strip above the upper plate and letting it hang so as to come into contact with the pot.

According to an embodiment of the device which is the subject of the invention, each cell is formed by cutouts on the flat face. These cutouts allow the formation of the window, an upper flap and a lower flap. The upper plate is formed by the upper flap which is configured to be folded inwardly of the column with a downward inclination and the lower plate is formed by the lower flap which is configured to be folded outwardly from the column with an inclination upwards.

According to an embodiment of the device which is the subject of the invention, each cell comprises a tab which is arranged at the upper side of the upper plate and which extends towards the outside of the column with a downward inclination. This tab is configured to hold a plant plant pot inserted in the window so as to prevent its release. Thus, when the plant has grown, the tongue maintains the pot which tends to tilt outwards from the cell under the effect of the weight of the vegetation.

According to this aforementioned embodiment of the device and when the cells are formed by cutouts on the flat face as mentioned above, the tongue is also formed by a cutout implemented on the flat face. Preferably, this cut-out allowing the tongue to form, is arranged in a part of the upper flap situated at a fold line of this upper flap.

According to an embodiment of the device which is the subject of the invention, all the cells on the same flat face are distributed one above the other over the height of said flat face over at least one vertical row. Preferably, the cells on a flat face will be arranged in a single row, but one could envisage several rows on the same flat face, depending on the width of the latter on the column.

According to an embodiment of the device which is the subject of the invention, the column comprises the form of a tube with a polygonal section, at least one of the faces of which comprises cells. Preferably, the tube has a rectangular or square section, two opposite faces of said tube being provided with cells. One could also consider a rectangular or square section tube with only one of the four faces which would be provided with cells. One could also provide a triangular section tube with only one of the three faces which would be provided with cells. One could also provide cells on each face or on certain faces of the column, this column having any polygonal section or any section with at least one straight side. Preferably, when two opposite faces are provided with cells, the cells on the first face and the cells on the second face are staggered. This ensures a better distribution of the pots inserted on the column.

According to a preferred embodiment of the device which is the subject of the invention, the window of each cell is of square shape. Other variants of shapes could be envisaged, in particular a rectangular shape or even a circular shape.

According to an embodiment of the device which is the subject of the invention, it is made of polypropylene material (PP), preferably of cellular food polypropylene (PPAA). The use of this material makes it possible to lighten the device. This will also make it easier to cut the flat faces on the column for cell formation, in the version with upper flap and lower flap as mentioned above.

Of course, it is possible to envisage a variant of the device according to the invention combining one and / or the other of the characteristics of the abovementioned embodiments.

The invention also relates to a kit comprising at least one above-ground plant cultivation device which has one and / or the other of the above characteristics. The kit also includes as many pots for plant plants as there are cells present on at least one device. These pots have a shape adapted to that of the cell window. These pots will be perforated and / or in a material ensuring in itself a retention of the nutritive aqueous solution.

Preferably, the kit according to the invention also comprises substrate which will be placed in the pots during the preparation of plant plants.

Preferably, the kit according to the invention additionally comprises a pump and an irrigation circuit. This pump and this irrigation circuit will allow the distribution of the nutritive aqueous solution inside the column.

Brief description of the figures

The characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the following description based on figures, among which:

- Figure 1 illustrates an overview of the above-ground plant cultivation device, according to a preferred embodiment, in the form of a tube with square section;

- Figure 2 illustrates two opposite faces of a tube similar to that of Figure 1, the only difference being the number of cells present on the opposite faces, which are brought in the same plane in this Figure 2 to show the arrangement cells on both sides;

- Figure 3 illustrates a pot inserted into a cell of the device according to the invention.

detailed description

In the following description, the above-ground plant growing device which is the subject of the invention is called a "device", unless otherwise indicated. In addition, the same references are used to define the same characteristics or their equivalents, according to the different variants of the device.

In FIG. 1, the device 1 comprises a column 2 which is hollow and which extends vertically. Column 2 is in the form of a square section tube comprising four faces 21, 22, 23, 24. However, one could provide a rectangular section tube (with also four faces 21, 22, 23, 24) or triangular (with only three faces), even other sections of polygonal shapes. In FIG. 1, cells 3 are arranged in a vertical row on a first face 21 and, similarly, on a second face 23 opposite the first face 21. In FIG. 2, these two opposite faces 21, 23 have been brought back in the same plane in order to highlight the staggered arrangement of the cells 3 on the first face 21 with respect to the cells 3 on the second face 23. All the cells 3 are preferably of identical designs. We could consider a variant of the device 1 with cells 3 only on the face 21 of the column 2. We could also consider a variant of the device

1, with a column 2 having another shape and a flat face similar to the face 21, on which the cells 3 are arranged. One could also envisage another variant of the device 1 with a column 2 provided with one or two flat faces , similar to the faces 21 and 23, several vertical rows of cells 3 being arranged on each flat face of greater width. These above examples are not limitative; at the limit, cells 3 could be provided on all the flat faces present on column 2, by dimensioning the section of this column 2 accordingly.

FIG. 3 shows a cell 3 on the face 21 of the column 2. This cell 3 comprises a window 30, an upper plate 31 which is inclined downwards inside the column

2, and a bottom plate 32 which is inclined upwards on the outside of the column 2, as illustrated in FIG. 3. The window 30 is preferably square in shape, but other forms could be envisaged depending on the shape of the pot 4 which it receives, for example a rectangular, cylindrical or oval shape. The upper side 310 of the upper plate 31 is attached to the upper side 300 of the window 30. Likewise, the lower side 320 of the lower plate 32 is attached to the lower side 301 of the window 30. The upper plates 31 and lower 32 are more or less arranged parallel Tune with respect to the other in the position of use illustrated in FIG. 3. The cell 3 also includes a tongue 33 which is inclined downwards and outside the column 2, as shown FIG. 3. The upper side 330 of this tongue 33 is attached to the upper side 310 of the upper plate 31, said tongue 33 being more or less placed at right angles to the upper plate 31, as illustrated in FIG. 3.

According to this configuration, the cell 3 can receive a pot 4 of plant plant comprising a rim 40. When the pot 4 is in position in the window 30, the lower part 400 of the rim 40 bears against the upper side 321 of the plate lower 32 and the upper part 401 of the rim 40 is disposed under the tongue 33 and pressing against the lower face 311 of the upper plate 31, at its upper side 310, as illustrated in FIG. 3. Of course, the lower part 41 of the outline of the pot 4, adjoining the internal face 322 of the lower plate 32, may come to bear on said internal face 322 under the effect of the weight of the developing vegetation. The pot 4 is held in position in the window 30, with an inclination upward, by virtue of these abovementioned supports on the upper plate 31 and on the lower plate 32. In addition, the tongue 33 makes it possible to prevent the pot 4 from tilt to the outside of cell 3 under the action of the weight of the vegetation.

The following passage will describe the preferred implementation of the window 30, the upper plate 31, the lower plate 32 and the tongue 33 on the cell 3. The cell 3 comprises two lateral cutouts 340, 341, a cutout transverse 342 disposed at mid-height of cell 3, and two fold lines 343, 344, one 343 at the upper end of cell 3 and the other 344 at the lower end of cell 3, which allows define the window 30 of square shape delimited by the lateral cutouts 340, 341 and by the fold lines 343, 344 and makes it possible to form an upper flap 35 and a lower flap 36. The upper flap 35 can be folded at the level of the upper fold line 343, towards the inside of the column 2 with a downward inclination, thus forming the upper plate 31. Similarly, the lower flap 36 can be folded at the level of the lower fold line 344, towards the 'Extéri eur of column 2 with an inclination upwards, thus forming the lower plate 32. The cell 3 also comprises a cut 345 in U extending on the upper flap 35 from the upper fold line 343, this cut 345 allowing the formation of a small flap 37. This small flap 37 can be folded at the level of the upper fold line 343, towards the outside of the column 2 with a downward inclination, thus forming the tongue 33.

In FIG. 3, the cell 3 comprises a strip 38 made of a material ensuring water retention, for example a geotextile material. This strip 38 is positioned under the lower face 311 of the upper plate 31, the upper edge 380 being fixed to the upper side 310 of said upper plate 31. The strip 38 hangs under the action of gravity. When the pot 4 is inserted into the cell 3, this band 38 comes into contact with the upper part 42 of the outline of the pot 4, as shown in FIG. 3. The length of the band 38 is dimensioned so that its upper part 380 covers complements the upper part 42 of the outline of the pot and that its lower part 381 hangs behind the bottom 43 of the pot 4, as illustrated in the figure

3. The upper plate 31 includes perforations 312 which pass through its thickness. When the aqueous nutritive solution is injected inside the column 2 by its upper end 20, this aqueous nutritive solution trickles along the internal wall 210 of the face 21 and on the upper face 313 of the upper plate 31. The aqueous nutritive solution passes through the perforations 312 and soaks the band 38 which ensures retention of said aqueous nutritive solution. The pot 4 is either openwork or made of a material ensuring water retention, in order to allow the irrigation of the roots of the plant plant 5 placed in the pot

4, via the band 38. Of course, the aqueous nutritive solution can also trickle directly onto the band 38 and / or onto the pot 4 by the lateral sides of the upper plate 31. It is also possible to use a sock made of geotextile material which envelops the pot 4, in place of the band 38.

One could consider, in a variant, positioning the strip 38 on top of the upper plate 31, that is to say in abutment against the upper face 313 of the upper plate 31 and provide this strip 38 sufficiently wide and long so that it falls on the lateral sides of the upper plate 31 and comes to cover the outline of the pot 4, the lower part 381 of the band 38 also hanging behind the bottom 43 of the pot 4.

Preferably, column 2 is made of polypropylene material (PP), preferably of alveolar food polypropylene (PPAA), which allows this column to be lightened considerably

2. This also facilitates the production of the cuts 340, 341, 342, 345 on the cell 3.

One can however consider the implementation of column 2 in other materials, for example hard plastics or aluminum, or even stainless steel. In this case the window 30, the upper 31 and lower 32 plates and the tongue 33, constituting the cell 3, will be preformed on the face 21 of the column 2. Similarly on the face 23 opposite to the face 21, when cells 3 are provided on it.

Other characteristics can be envisaged on the device 1, without departing from the scope of the invention.

One can in particular provide a base (not illustrated) fixed to the lower end 25 of column 2 so as to stabilize this column 2. Alternatively, one can provide a hook (not illustrated) fixed to the upper end 20 of the column 2, so as to suspend said column 2. It is also possible to provide anchoring means (not illustrated) on a wall wall, in particular in a variant of column 2 where only one face 21 has cells 3, the face opposite 23 used for anchoring on the wall.

It is also possible to provide, as a replacement or in addition to the strip 38, a medium (not illustrated) disposed inside the column 2 over its entire height, this medium ensuring retention of the aqueous nutritive solution so as to irrigate the pots. 4 openwork patterns arranged in the cells

3. For example, this media can consist of an aerated foam, a geotextile, clay balls.

It is also conceivable that the pots 4 are themselves made of a material ensuring retention of the nutritive aqueous solution, which will also make it possible to irrigate the roots of the plant plants 5 in these pots 4. It is also possible to use peat pots wrapped in geotextile socks.

In FIG. 1, the faces 21, 23 each have four cells 3, but this number is not limiting. By way of example, in FIG. 2, eight cells 3 are shown on each of the two faces 21, 23. Preferably each row of cells 3 will have between two and ten cells 3.

The outside of column 2 is preferably white in color to allow reflection of light and to avoid overheating said column 2. This also makes it possible to repel certain insects.

The device 1 according to the invention can be marketed independently. However, it is also possible to envisage the marketing of an above-ground plant culture kit (not illustrated in detail) comprising one or more device 1 and pots 4 of shape adapted to that of window 30 on each cell 3. The number of pots 4 will correspond to at least the total number of cells 3 present on the device or devices 1. These pots 4 will be perforated and / or made of a material ensuring water retention.

The kit can also include a substrate (not illustrated) which will be placed in each pot 4, for example clay balls, coconut fiber, rock wool, perlite or sphagnum chili. This substrate will anchor the roots of the plant and their development, while protecting them from light.

The Kit can also include a pump (not shown) and a circuit (not shown) for irrigation of the aqueous nutrient solution which circulates in this circuit thanks to the pump. The circuit will make it possible to spray the aqueous nutritive solution on the internal walls 210, 230 of the two opposite faces 21, 23 comprising the cells 3. It is also possible to envisage that the circuit comprises nozzles arranged inside the column 2, near cells 3, so as to directly spray the openwork pots 4.

Claims (17)

1. Device (1) of above-ground plant culture comprising a hollow column (2) provided with at least one flat face (21, 23) extending vertically on which cells (3) are arranged, characterized in that each cell (3) defines a window (30) and comprises an upper plate (31) and a lower plate (32), the upper plate (31) being configured to be oriented towards the inside of the column (2) with an orientation downwards and the lower plate (32) being configured to be oriented towards the outside of the column (2) with an upward orientation, the window (30) and the upper (31) and lower (32) plates being configured to partially insert into said window (30) a pot (4) for a plant, maintaining it with an inclination upwards. 2. Device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the upper plate (31) comprises perforations (312). 3. Device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 2, in which each cell (3) comprises means for retaining (38) an aqueous nutritive solution configured to come into contact with a pot (4) for inserted plant plant in said cell (3). 4. Device (1) according to claim 3, wherein the means for retaining an aqueous nutritive solution comprise a strip (38) whose material ensures retention of the aqueous nutritive solution. 5. Device (1) according to claim 4, wherein the strip (38) is positioned under the upper plate (31) so as to come directly into contact with a pot (4) for plant plane inserted in the cell (3). 6. Device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, in which each cell (3) is formed by cutouts (340, 341, 342, 345) on the flat face (21, 23), these cutouts allowing the formation window (30), an upper flap (35) and a lower flap (36), the upper plate (31) being formed by the upper flap (35) which is configured to be folded inwards of the column (2) with a downward inclination and the lower plate (32) being formed by the lower flap (36) which is configured to be folded towards the outside of the column with an upward inclination. 7. Device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, in which each cell (3) comprises a tongue (33) which is arranged at the upper side (310) of the upper plate (31) and which extends towards the outside of the column (2) with a downward inclination, said tongue being configured to retain a pot (4) of plant plant inserted in the window (30) so as to prevent its release. 8. Device (1) according to claim 7 attached to claim 6, wherein the tongue (33) is formed by a cutout (345) implemented on the flat face (21, 23). 9. Device (1) according to claim 8, wherein the cutout (345) allowing the formation of the tongue (33) is arranged in a part of the upper flap (35) located at a fold line (343) of this upper flap. 10. Device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9, in which all the cells (3) on the same flat face (21, 23) are distributed one above the other over the height of said flat face (21, 23) on at least one vertical row. 11. Device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 10, in which the column (2) comprises the form of a tube with polygonal section of which at least one of the faces (21, 23) comprises cells (3) . 12. Device (1) according to claim 11, in which the tube has a rectangular or square section, two opposite faces (21, 23) of said tube being provided with cells (3). 13. Device (1) according to claim 12, wherein the cells (3) on the first face (21) and the cells (3) on the second face (23), opposite the first face, are staggered. 14. Device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the window (30) of each cell (3) is square. 15. Device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 14, which is designed in polypropylene material (PP), preferably in cellular alveolar polypropylene (PPAA). 16. Kit comprising at least one device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 15 and as many pots (4) for plant plants as there are cells (3) present on the at least one device (1), said pots (4) being of a shape adapted to that of the window (30) of the cell (3). 17. Kit according to claim 16, which additionally comprises a pump and an irrigation circuit.