GB2449995A

GB2449995A - Self watering cellular green wall system

Info

Publication number: GB2449995A
Application number: GB0810356A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Christopher Churchman; Andrew Thornhill
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-06-05
Filing date: 2008-06-05
Publication date: 2008-12-10
Anticipated expiration: 2028-06-05
Also published as: GB2449995B; GB0710691D0; GB0810356D0

Abstract

The invention relates to a plant based cellular system 10 for cladding or constructing a wall. The system comprises a cellular structural panel 12 with water retention pockets 18 and means 14 to direct water into at least some of the water pockets. The means to direct water is preferably a metal plate 14 which bears profiled apertures, clearly shown in Figure 3. The cellular panel may include a first pair of side interlocking means to enable the attachment and detachment of one cellular panel to an adjacent cellular panel. The system may be provided as a kit of parts. The purpose of the metal backing plate is to capture rainwater or condensation and to direct it towards the moisture absorbing growing medium for the plant roots, thus the system is not reliant on artificial irrigation for plant survival. However, the system may further comprise an irrigation system.

Description

SELF WATERING CELLULAR WALL

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a plant based cellular cladding system that is not reliant on artificial irngation for its survival.

Background of the Invention

Previous "green wall" systems have been based on climbing plants clinging to walls through suckers, or to wires with tendrils. More recent systems have relied on a saturated geotextile mat or fleece as the growing medium to support the planting which is then hung from the facade of a building with water fed through the fleece via an irrigation system.

Summary of the Invention

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a cellular plant system for cladding or constructing structural walls, the system comprising a cellular structural panel having water retention pockets, and means for directing water into at least some of said water retention pockets.

Preferably, the means for directing water is a metal plate. Use of a profiled metal plate enables the system to harness moisture from condensation generated by the manipulation of air through a profiled backing plate.

Preferably, the means for directing water is profiled to form a series of profiled apertures. The profiled apertures are arranged so as to direct water into the water retention pockets of the cellular panel.

Preferably, the cellular panel may include a first pair of side interlocking means for attachably detaching one cellular panel to an adjacent cellular panel, the first pair of locking means located on a first pair of opposite sides.

The cellular panel may comprises a second pair of side interlocking means for attachably detaching one cellular panel to an adjacent cellular panel, the second pair of locking means located on a second pair of opposite sides.

By providing the system with interlocking means the system is panellised and can therefore either be applied to the structural frame or structural skin of any building or may be used as the structure itself Furthermore, since the system is comprised of a number of panels, it is possible to remove or replace panels relatively easily, either because they are damaged or because a different visual effect is preferred. It is also possible to erect this system extremely quickly, the green panels are grown off site and simply slotted together on site in their established form.

The cell plant system may comprise a free draining compost with water retentive additive and planting. The planting may be drought tolerant planting.

This cellular self watering system is a more sustainable approach which uses the structural characteristics of the cells to hold the system up, the binding qualities of the roots to hold the growing medium in place, rainwater and condensation as the source of water and the characteristics of the plants to keep the system alive.

Unlike earlier so called green wall systems, this product does not require watering and is therefore much more sustainable. However, the system may further comprise an irrigation system.

This cellular plant system may be based entirely on natural components or components that are formed from recycled materials.

Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention, given by way of example only, which is made with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Figure i shows a cellular plant system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 shows a side view of a cellular panel for use in the arrangement of Figure 1.

Figure 3 shows a side view of a metal profiled sheet for use in the arrangement of Figure 1 Figure 4 shows a side view of the cellular panel of Figure 2 having the profiled sheet of Figure 3 fitted thereon in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention Figure 5 shows a cellular plant system with established and new grass according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 6 shows a cellular plant system with grass showing root growth.

Detailed Description of the Invention

Figure 1 illustrates a cellular plant system 10 consisting of: a) a rigid cellular panel 12 which can be used individually or in combination; b) a profiled metal backing sheet 14; c) a free draining growing medium; and d) drought resistant vegetation.

The cellular panels 12 are a three dimensional matrix of struts or ribs constructed from extruded polypropylene, the struts or ribs define open cells or voids 18 which can be filled with soil. The cellular panels are of variable depths, 50mm for a cladding system, 100mm -300mm where the cells are to be used as a structural wall. The cellular panels 12 are of varying sizes starting at 27cm x 47cm. The sides of the cells are open except at their bases 24 where they become solid, to form a series of pockets so that, when the panel is hung in its vertical position, the base of each cell 18 is a small receptacle which can capture and hold rainwater.

The back of the panel 12 sits against a profiled metal sheet 14 which is slit then pressed outward to form a series of profiled openings 22 at the back of the cellular panel 12. The purpose of this metal sheet 14 is to capture rainwater, and direct it into the pockets formed in the cellular panel and the roots of the plants located therein. The metal sheet 14 also generates condensation, because the panels are hung onto the face of a wall, they will cast a shadow, which will create a pocket of cool air at the back of the panels. The front of this metal sheet 14 will be set against the back of the soil filled cellular panel 12 and will therefore be warm, the back of the metal sheet will be exposed to this cold pocket of air, thereby establishing a temperature differential, which in turn induces condensation.

The cells 18 are filled with a free draining compost 26 which is mixed with a starch base water retention compound. When rain or condensation form then the starch absorbs moisture, releasing it to the plants 28 during drier spells.

The planting 28 consists of grasses, herbaceous plants and herbs which are drought resistant and have a strong root system. The roots interlock between the cells locking the soil in place.

Referring now to Figure 2, there is illustrated an extruded plastic panel which may be used as the cellular panel 12 shown in Figure 1. The panel 12 is provided with a first pair of side interlocking means 20 and a second pair of side interlocking means 21 which are formed so to be able to attach one cellular panel 12 to an adjacent panel. As can be seen in figure 2 the second pair of interlocking means 2 1 are located opposite each other. The first pair of interlocking means 20 are also located opposite each other, but cannot be seen in figure 2.

The cellular panel 12 shown in figure 2 does have the pockets formed in the panel during extrusion, but rather allow receptacles to be inserted into the panel to form pockets of water retention.

Referring now to Figure 3, there is shown a metal profiled sheet 14 having openings arranged so as to be able to direct water from one side of the sheet to the other when the sheet is arranged as shown in Figure 4.

Referring to Figure 5, there is illustrated a plurality of cellular panels 10, interconnected to form a rigid two dimensional panel which can be hung onto a wall, or a three dimensional structure.

Referring to Figure 6, there is illustrated a single cellular panel that having planting established therein. It is envisaged that a plurality of individual panels with planting can be developed and that these established panels of planting can then either used to construct walls, or arc hung onto an existing wall as illustrated in Figure 5.

The above embodiments are to be understood as illustrative examples of the invention. Further embodiments of the invention are envisaged. For example, by adding a drip irrigation system, thereby enabling a greater range of plants to be grown. it is to be understood that any feature described in relation to any one embodiment may be used alone, or in combination with other features described, and may also be used in combination with one or more features of any other of the embodiments, or any combination of any other of the embodiments. Furthermore, equivalents and modifications not described above may also be employed without departing from the scope of the invention, which is defined in the accompanying claims.

Claims

Claims 1. A cellular plant system for cladding or constructing

structural walls, the system comprising a cellular structural panel having water retention pockets, and means for directing water into at least some of said water retention pockets.
2. A cellular plant system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the means for directing water is metal.
3 A cellular plant system as claimed in either of claim 1 or 2, wherein the directing means comprises a series of profiled apertures.
4. A cellular plant system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cellular panel includes a first pair of side interlocking means for attachably detaching one cellular panel to an adjacent cellular panel, the first pair of locking means located on a first pair of opposite sides.
5. A cellular plant system as claimed in claim 4, wherein the cellular panel further comprises a second pair of side interlocking means for attachably detaching one cellular panel to an adjacent cellular panel, the second pair of locking means located a second pair of opposite sides.
6. A cellular plant system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the system further comprising an irrigation system.
7. A cellular plant system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cell plant system further comprises a free draining compost with water retentive additive and planting.
8. A cellular plant system as claim in claim 7, wherein the planting is drought tolerant planting.
9. A kit of parts for a cellular plant system as claimed in any one of claims I to 8.
10. A cellular plant system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 6 of the accompanying drawings.