GB2444760A

GB2444760A - Self-watering planter

Info

Publication number: GB2444760A
Application number: GB0511715A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Lawrence Mckenzie
Original assignee: CORPORATE IP Ltd
Current assignee: CORPORATE IP Ltd
Priority date: 2005-06-09
Filing date: 2005-06-09
Publication date: 2008-06-18
Anticipated expiration: 2025-06-09
Also published as: GB2444760B; GB0511715D0

Abstract

A container comprises an enclosure containing sand to grow plants and water and in which a humid environment is produced due to temperature fluctuations. Preferably water is contained in a reservoir beneath the sand which can act as a filter, the water rising as moisture and gathering on an upper surface of the enclosure before falling back onto the sand surface. Advantageously the enclosure comprises a surface made of plastic or any type of rigid material such as glass and further comprises an adjustable ceiling, retained by metal or plastic grids.

Description

I

GLOBULE BOX

THE GROWING MACHINE BY PERPETUAL MOTION

The present invention relates to a method for the estabhshment of vegetables, all types, by virtue of perpetual motion, within an enclosed unit and environment, Methods that is simplistic to any grower, increasing yield factors for vegetables that requires enhanced humidity but is self sufficient in their establishment for example marrows, cucumbers, tomatoes, along with any moisture loving plants.

The Globule Box is ideal for climatic conditions where the fluctuation of ambient Temperatures is required, for example where it is hot and arid by day and colder at nights. Ideally a temperature fluctuation measurable between 15 degrees C and 25 degrees C when too much humidity or damp is generated panels can be removed to stop globulation occumng, the process can be restored by reinserting the panel (s) to enable self-watering to take place.

A further embodimentof the invention incorporates our existingPatent No GB 2373702 Entitled Encapsulated wild flower seed" whereby the use of the pre-treated pellets, which include pH modifers along with selected nutrients which are built into the pelteted format -prior to final encapsulation -are spreadorito the sand surface prior to any growing. The pellets being honed to the specific needs of each crop. This process has the addedeffect of pH modification and increasing symbiotic N fixation to the caretuy prepared bed of sand, resuiting in an inert sterilized medium prior to planting any type of moisture loving plants -vegetables or fruits.

The Globule Box consists of an undeiround trough; sues will fluctuate, and can be circular, triangular, hexagonal or rectangular, consisting of a flat surface with sides of approximately 10 cm, the sides can be made In several

I )

components but must be durable and capable of holding water preferably metal, plastic, concrete Mood.

It was noted that a further embodimentoftheinvention, incorporating our existing Patent, using pH modifers and nutrients, that fruit and vegetables grown in this manner had a greatly reduced leaf structure allowing the maximum nutrients available to enhance the growth of the fruit or vegetable resulting in larger

fruits/vegetables.

By growing in inert building sand nitrogen fixation required by symbiotic Nitrogen would annually mineralize lbs of nitrogen to the sq metre of organic matter and make-up into the encapsulated seed process, thereby growing in an optimum ehviforiment for all inbistüre äbsoibing pFahts, creating a better and rhore efficient method. of establishment of plants.

Methods derived when ammonia, being a polar gas, and in the inert medium of sand NH3 reacts with water and a combination of 1-1+ to formulate a derivative NH4 + these being absorbed due to a cation exchange capacity in the K + ammonia fixation -giving the building sand present in the bottom of the Globule Box a highly charged medium for the establishment ofall plants, the clay content being part of our eailier patent, giving rise to increasing the cation exchange capacity.

The Globule Box is self watenng, the water being retained in a reservoir beneath the surface iCVCi of the sand acts as a fllter (Fig 2 of 5) -moisture rises to the flat surface of the Globule Box and is. gathered on the ceiling surface globulates (Fig I of 5) and falls as fresh water onto the existing sand surface thus watering plants by virtue of perpetual motion brought about by humidity and globulation (FIg 5 of 5).

The base of the invention can be made up of any shape but a preferred embodiment is oblong in structure, the ideal height of the Globulation Box being 183 cm plus to give the grower room to manuover without their head colliding ) with the ceiling, although this can be adjustable.

In the make up of the box it is imperative to retain a level ceiling height using metal or plastic grids (or any other suitable material) to ensure even globulation and no sagging after a heavy rain storm on the outer surface of the polythene or plastic or any type of rigid material such as glass.

The ground level and reservoir of water being held into compartments for water storage -a fine mesh grid is placed on the surface of the steel grid and supported *by.pillars to retain rigidity and retain the weight of same to approximately a depth of 15 cm for plant establishment, oUtlet pipes can be attathed to the Globule Box to drain water if it becomes stale and replenished with fresh water. Hosepipe normally at one monthly intervals. The sides of the Box are sealed but have at least one panel vertically to control humidity and excess water although more than one is preferable (Fig3of 5 and FIg 4 of 5) The side can be made up of polythene, plastic or any rigid construction for permanent usage and is preferably in clear plastic or glass or any transparent material.

The size of the Globutation Box can vary but for growers can be extended to any length or width but the height is prefened at around 183 cm for easy access, paths can be made up of concrete for ease of planting! within the globule unit. )

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. I of 6 Illustrates steel ceiling grid.

FIG. 2 of 5 Illustrates the trough, pillars, stwcture, compounds used for the reservoir and line mesh steel grid and sand FIG. 3 of 5 Illustrates removal front and side panels, dependant upon size, showing.polylhene sheeting.

FIG 4 of 5 Illustrates smaller side panel with polythene sheeting.

FIG 5 of 5 Illustrates perpetual motion, moist air rising from below surface and trough, globulation ouurs on the ceiling and falls as rain -thereby watering the plants in a continuous cycle.

Claims

1) A Globule Box, as per Fig 5/5, by virtue of perpetual motion using sand or similar inert material to grow vegetables or plants that require enhanced humidity through globulation with a fluctation of temperatures that vary between 1 5degrees C and 25 degrees C throughout a twenty four hour period using poor water.

2) A method of growing according to claim 1, using contaminated or saline water.

3) A method of modification according to claim 2, by removing certain panels : *..* to instantly stop the watering process when required. I...

4) A method according to claim 3, of using a grid! rigid mesh to retain ceiling * **** in order to produce an even glogulation of the water. S... *....

* . 5) A method according to claim.4 of using the sand base to filter the water which rises by humidity and then globulates on the flat ceiling falling like rain in its *:*. self contained environment 6) A method according to any claims 1 -5 when growing fruits of reducing the leaf structure on the plants producing larger fruits.

7) A method according to any claims 1-6 of increasing photosynthesis to enhance growth.

8) A method according to claims 1-7 of creating a charge or reaction by use of ammonia gas and inert sand reacting with water to formulate a derivative NH 4 + being absorbed due to cation exchange in K+ ammonia fixation resulting in the plants receiving a highly charged cation exchange capacity through the sand intself when encapsulated pellets are used.