JP2014064539A - Artificial soil molded body, greening sheet, wall greening panel and gardening blocks - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an artificial soil molded body molded from artificial soil particles which have a light weight and are easy to handle.SOLUTION: An artificial soil molded body is molded from artificial soil particles 10 such that a plurality of fillers 1 having pores 2 are connected to form a three-dimensional network with communication holes 3 formed between the fillers 1, where the total volume of the communication holes 3 is larger than the total volume of the pores 2. The pores 2 have subnanometer to submicrometer sizes, and the communication holes 3 have submicrometer to submillimeter sizes. The communication holes 3 capture moisture and nutrients from the outside, and the pores 2 are dispersed around the communication holes 3 to permit the pores 2 to receive the nutrients from the communication holes 3.

Description

  The present invention relates to an artificial soil molded body formed by molding artificial soil particles, and a greening sheet, a wall surface greening panel, and a gardening block using the artificial soil molded body.

  On the roofs and balconies of buildings and houses, etc., greening has been actively performed by spreading soil on the floor and walls, planting trees, cultivating vegetables, etc., and planting lawns. Such greening greatly contributes to the purification of the atmosphere and the mitigation of the heat island phenomenon, and also helps to create a comfortable living environment. In order to green the rooftops of buildings, the soil used as cultivated soil should be lightweight and have water retention, and the workability when constructing on the floor and walls of buildings should be good. It becomes important. Therefore, instead of natural soil having a large weight and poor workability, a vegetation mat and the like that are light in weight, excellent in water retention, and excellent in workability have been developed.

  As the vegetation mat developed so far, for example, the planting soil is slid and filled into the fiber gap of the base mat formed by depositing fibers in a non-woven form, the bottom layer is dense, the top layer is There is a vegetation mat in which a density gradient is provided so as to be rough and the lowermost layer is a water retaining layer (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In the vegetation mat of Patent Document 1, water in the vegetation mat is filled by filling the uppermost fiber gap of the base mat with finely planted soil and filling the lowermost fiber gap with coarsely-grained planted soil. In addition to improving the holding power, it prevents soil runoff due to wind and rain.

JP 2000-144749

  The vegetation mat of Patent Document 1 improves water retention by forming the lowermost fiber gap densely, and by filling the lowermost fiber gap with planted soil having a coarse particle size, the wind and rain of the planted soil. Prevents outflow. However, in the vegetation mat of Patent Document 1, when the external environment is in a wet state, the water drainage is deteriorated by excessively holding water in the lowermost layer of the vegetation mat. In such a case, the growth of the plant is inhibited and the building may be adversely affected. Furthermore, the vegetation mat of Patent Document 1 maintains water retention between densely formed fiber gaps and planting soil having a coarse particle size. In such a case, when the external environment is in a dry state, water leaks to the outside from between the fiber gap and the planting soil having a coarse particle size, so that the water necessary for the plant cannot be sufficiently retained in the vegetation mat. . Moreover, in the vegetation mat of Patent Document 1, artificial soil containing bark and coco pate is used as planting soil in order to obtain fertilizer retention. However, this artificial soil is not sufficiently lightweight, There is a problem with sex.

  This invention is made | formed in view of the said problem, and it aims at providing the artificial soil molded object formed by shape | molding the artificial soil particle which is lightweight and easy to handle. Furthermore, it aims at providing the sheet | seat for greening using the said artificial soil molded object, a wall surface greening panel, and the block for gardening.

The characteristic configuration of the artificial soil molded body obtained by molding the artificial soil particles according to the present invention for solving the above problems is as follows.
A plurality of fillers having pores are connected in a three-dimensional network to form communication holes between the fillers, and the total volume of the communication holes is larger than the total volume of the pores. It is made by molding soil particles.

  In the artificial soil molded body of this configuration, the plurality of fillers contained in the artificial soil particles to be configured are combined in a three-dimensional network, so that the structure of the artificial soil particles is stabilized. Due to the stable structure of the artificial soil particles, the artificial soil molded body obtained by molding the artificial soil particles forms a certain gap between the artificial soil particles, so that a certain drainage property is ensured. Moreover, since the artificial soil particles are configured such that the total capacity of the communication holes is larger than the total capacity of the pores, the artificial soil molded body can be reduced in weight. Since the lightweight artificial soil molding is easy to handle, it can be suitably used for greening the floor and wall surfaces on the rooftop and balcony of a building.

In the artificial soil molding according to the present invention,
The pores preferably have a size in the order of sub-nm to sub-μm, and the communication holes preferably have a size in the order of sub-μm to sub-mm.

  According to the artificial soil molded body of this configuration, in the artificial soil particles constituting the artificial soil molded body, the pores have a size of sub-nm order to sub-μm order, and the communication hole has a size of sub-μm order to sub-mm order. By having a size, moisture flows through the communication holes, and nutrients can easily enter the pores. Accordingly, it becomes possible to simultaneously supply moisture and nutrients to the plant to be cultivated.

In the artificial soil molding according to the present invention,
It is preferable that the pores are distributed around the communication holes so that the communication holes take in moisture and nutrients from the outside and the pores can receive the nutrients from the communication holes.

  According to the artificial soil molded body of this configuration, the artificial soil particles constituting the artificial soil molded body have a specific relationship between the pores and the communication holes in one particle. Since the different functions are shared by the communication holes, high quality and functional artificial soil particles that can demonstrate the basic performance of the soil in a balanced manner (ie, excellent balance between water retention and fertilizer retention). Can be realized. In addition, since such artificial soil particles can appropriately supply moisture and nutrients to the plant to be cultivated, maintenance is not required and handling is easy.

In the artificial soil molding according to the present invention,
It is preferable that a water retention material is introduced into at least a part of the communication hole and that the ion exchange ability is imparted to the pore.

  According to the artificial soil molded body of this configuration, in the artificial soil particles constituting the artificial soil molded body, the water retention capacity of the communication holes is further increased by introducing the water retention material into at least a part of the communication holes. As a result, the water retention capacity of the artificial soil molded body is further increased, and it can be made resistant to drying. Moreover, the fertilizer of a pore improves further by providing ion exchange ability to a pore. As a result, the plant can efficiently absorb the fertilizer contained in the artificial soil molding while suppressing the loss of the fertilizer from the artificial soil molding.

The characteristic configuration of the greening sheet according to the present invention for solving the above problems is as follows.
One of the above artificial soil molded bodies is laid in a sheet shape.

  Since the greening sheet of this configuration is the artificial soil molded body of the present invention laid in a sheet shape, it is lightweight and easy to handle. Such a greening sheet can be easily applied to a floor surface and a wall surface on the roof or balcony of a building. Moreover, since the artificial soil molded body which comprises the sheet | seat for greening is provided with water retention and a fertilizer, a water | moisture content and a nutrient can be supplied appropriately with respect to the plant of cultivation object, and a maintenance does not take effort.

The characteristic configuration of the wall greening panel according to the present invention for solving the above problems is as follows:
One of the above artificial soil moldings is held by a frame.

  The wall greening panel of this configuration is a lightweight and easy to handle because the artificial soil molded body of the present invention is held by a frame. Such a wall greening panel can be easily constructed on a floor surface and a wall surface on the roof or balcony of a building. Moreover, since the artificial soil molding which comprises a wall surface greening panel is equipped with water retention property and fertilization property, a water | moisture content and a nutrient can be supplied appropriately with respect to the plant of cultivation object, and maintenance does not take effort.

The characteristic configuration of the horticultural block according to the present invention for solving the above problems is as follows:
It exists in having laminated | stacked any one said artificial soil molded object in the block shape.

  Since the horticultural block of this configuration is obtained by laminating the artificial soil molded body of the present invention in a block shape, it is lightweight and easy to handle. Such a horticultural block can be easily constructed on a floor surface and a wall surface of a building rooftop or balcony. Moreover, since the artificial soil molding which comprises a horticultural block has water retention property and fertilization property, a water | moisture content and a nutrient can be supplied appropriately with respect to the plant of cultivation object, and a maintenance does not take effort.

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram conceptually showing artificial soil particles used in the present invention. FIG. 2 is a model diagram conceptually showing the positional relationship between the pores and communication holes of the artificial soil particles used in the present invention. FIG. 3 is an explanatory view showing the water retention and fertilization retention mechanism of the artificial soil particles used in the present invention. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of the artificial soil molded body of the present invention. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of the greening sheet of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a state in which a plant is planted on the greening sheet of the present invention. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of the wall greening panel of the present invention. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of the gardening block of the present invention.

  Hereinafter, the embodiment regarding the artificial soil molded object of this invention, the sheet | seat for greening, a wall surface greening panel, and the gardening block is described based on FIGS. In addition, in this specification, the artificial soil particle which comprises the artificial soil molded object of this invention is demonstrated first for convenience of explanation. However, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the configurations described in the embodiments and drawings described below.

<Artificial soil particles>
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram conceptually showing an artificial soil particle 10 used in the present invention. FIG. 1A illustrates an artificial soil particle 10 using a zeolite 1a, which is a porous natural mineral, as the filler 1. FIG. 1B illustrates an artificial soil particle 10 using a hydrotalcite 1 b that is a layered natural mineral as the filler 1. Note that the symbols x, y, and z shown in FIG. 1 represent the sizes of the pore 2, the communication hole 3, and the artificial soil particle 10 described later, respectively, but the sizes of x, y, and z on the drawing. Does not reflect the actual size.

  The artificial soil particle 10 is a granular material in which a plurality of fillers 1 are aggregated. A communication hole 3 is formed between the plurality of fillers 1 constituting the artificial soil particle 10. The plurality of fillers 1 in the artificial soil particles 10 are not necessarily in contact with each other, and are bonded in a three-dimensional network form through a binder or the like in one particle, and the communication holes 3 are formed between the fillers 1. Should just be formed. The communication hole 3 is connected to the outside of the artificial soil particle 10 and ensures water permeability between the inside of the artificial soil particle 10 and the external environment.

  The filler 1 constituting the artificial soil particle 10 has a large number of pores 2 from the surface to the inside. The pore 2 includes various forms. For example, when the filler 1 is zeolite, voids 2a existing in the crystal structure of the zeolite 1a are pores 2, as shown in FIG. When the filler 1 is hydrotalcite, as shown in FIG. 1B, the hydrotalcite 1 b forms a layer structure, and therefore the interlayer 2 b existing in the layer structure becomes the pores 2. That is, in the present invention, “pores” mean voids, interlayers, spaces, etc. existing in the structure of the filler 1, and these are not limited to “pore-like” forms.

  The size of the pores 2 of the filler 1 (the average value of the size x of the void 2a or the interlayer 2b shown in FIG. 1) is on the order of sub-nm to sub-μm. For example, when the filler 1 is the zeolite 1a shown to Fig.1 (a), the size (diameter) of the space | gap 2a which exists in the crystal structure of the said zeolite 1a is about 0.3-1.3 nm. When the filler 1 is the hydrotalcite 1b shown in FIG.1 (b), the size (distance) of the interlayer 2b which exists in the layer structure of the said hydrotalcite 1b is about 0.3-3.0 nm. In addition, the organic porous material mentioned later can also be used as the filler 1, and the diameter x of the pore 2 in that case is about 0.1 to 0.8 μm. The size of the pores 2 of the filler 1 is optimal using a gas adsorption method, a mercury intrusion method, a small-angle X-ray scattering method, an image processing method, or a combination of these methods depending on the state of the object to be measured. Measured by the method.

  The size of the communication hole 3 (the average value of the distance y between adjacent fillers 1 shown in FIG. 1) can vary depending on the type, composition, and granulation conditions of the filler 1 and the binder. Become. For example, when the filler 1 is the zeolite 1a shown in FIG. 1 (a) or the hydrotalcite 1b shown in FIG. 1 (b), and the polymer gelling agent is used, the size of the communication hole 3 is 0.00. 1-20 μm. The size of the communication hole 3 is measured by an optimal method using a gas adsorption method, a mercury intrusion method, a small-angle X-ray scattering method, an image processing method, or a combination of these methods depending on the state of the measurement object. Is done. In this embodiment, the size of the communication hole 3 was measured by the following measurement method. First, the artificial soil particles to be measured are observed together with a scale with a microscope, and the microscope image is acquired using image processing software (two-dimensional image analysis processing software “WinROOF”, manufactured by Mitani Corporation). 100 artificial soil particles are selected from the image and the outline of the communication hole is traced. The diameter of the equivalent circle is calculated from the circumference of the traced figure. The average of the diameters (100 pieces) of the equivalent circles obtained from the respective communication holes is defined as the average size (unit: pixel). Then, the average size is compared with the scale in the microscope image, converted to a unit length (μm order to mm order), and the size of the communication hole is calculated.

  The artificial soil particles 10 used in the present invention have a specific relationship between the pores 2 of the filler 1 and the communication holes 3 formed between the fillers 1 in one particle. That is, the pores 2 and the communication holes 3 existing in the artificial soil particle 10 are arranged so that the communication holes 3 take in moisture and nutrients from the outside, and the pores 2 can receive nutrients from the communication holes 3. Are distributed around the communication hole 3. The positional relationship between the pores 2 and the communication holes 3 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 2 is a model diagram conceptually showing the positional relationship between the pores 2 and the communication holes 3 of the artificial soil particles 10 used in the present invention. FIG. 2 models the internal structure of the artificial soil particle 10 shown in FIG. 1, but does not reflect the actual internal structure of the artificial soil particle 10 as it is. In the artificial soil particles 10, the pores 2 are dispersedly arranged around the communication holes 3. The pores 2 are connected to the communication holes 3 and the pores 2 connected to the communication holes 3 are substantially. It exists that exists in the whole circumference | surroundings of the communicating hole 3. For example, referring to FIG. 2, a large number of pores 2 of size x are connected to a communication hole 3 of size y, and a large number of pores 2 exist along the entire length of the communication hole 3. The state is shown. Such a specific positional relationship between the pores 2 and the communication holes 3 is a major feature of the artificial soil particles 10 used in the present invention. This specific positional relationship may be approximately half or more of the pores 2 and the communication holes 3. In FIG. 2, the specific positional relationship between the pores 2 and the communication holes 3 is shown two-dimensionally due to space limitations, but the actual artificial soil particles 10 are expanded in a three-dimensional manner as described above. A specific positional relationship is formed. The conditions for causing the specific positional relationship between the pores 2 and the communication holes 3 to appear have not yet been clarified yet. For example, a material having high crystallinity can be selected as the filler 1, A material having a unique crystal structure is selected as the filler 1, a plurality of types are used as the filler 1 in a specific combination, the crystal structure or layer structure of the filler 1 is controlled, or the filler 1 is oriented. Possibility to make it appear stronger by processing, adding a specific additive when granulating the filler 1 or optimizing the granulation method (granulation conditions) of the filler 1 It is thought that there is.

  The pore 2 and the communication hole 3 of the artificial soil particle 10 are configured so that the total volume of the communication hole 3 is larger than the total volume of the pore 2. Thereby, since the artificial soil particle 10 becomes lightweight, a bulk density becomes small. The lightweight artificial soil particles 10 can be suitably used for an artificial soil molded body used on the roof of a building such as a building or a house or on the floor and wall surface of a balcony. Further, when the total volume of the communication hole 3 is larger than the total volume of the pore 2, the water retention capacity of the communication hole 3 is sufficiently secured, and the nutrient contained in the water can be smoothly transferred from the communication hole 3 to the pore 2. Can be made. The artificial soil particles 10 are light in weight and have excellent basic performance as soil such as water retention, fertilizer retention, drainage, air permeability, etc. due to the large number of voids present in the interior, and have high added value. ing.

  The particle size of the artificial soil particles 10 (average value of the size z of the artificial soil particles 10 shown in FIG. 1) is 0.2 to 10 mm, preferably 0.5 to 5 mm, more preferably 1 to 5 mm. is there. Adjustment of the particle size of the artificial soil particle 10 can be performed by classification with a sieve, for example. When the particle diameter of the artificial soil particles 10 is less than 0.2 mm, the gap between the artificial soil particles 10 is reduced and the drainage performance is lowered, so that the plant to be cultivated may hardly absorb oxygen from the roots. On the other hand, if the particle size of the artificial soil particles 10 exceeds 10 mm, the gap between the artificial soil particles 10 becomes large and the drainage property becomes excessive, so that it becomes difficult for the plant to absorb moisture, or the artificial soil particles 10 There is a risk that the plant will fall on its side. The particle diameter of the artificial soil particle 10 is measured using, for example, an optical microscope observation and an image processing method. In the present embodiment, the particle size of the artificial soil particles 10 is measured by the measurement method using the image processing described above.

  In designing the artificial soil particles 10, it is possible to further increase the water retention capacity of the communication holes 3. One method for improving the water retention of the communication hole 3 is to introduce a water retention material into the communication hole 3 of the artificial soil particle 10. The water retention material can be introduced, for example, by filling the entire communication hole 3 with a water retention material or coating the surface of the communication hole 3 with a film of the water retention material. At this time, the water retaining material only needs to be present in at least a part of the communication hole 3. The introduction of the water retention material is performed, for example, by dissolving a polymer material having water retention in a solvent to prepare a polymer solution, and impregnating the artificial soil particles 10 with the polymer solution. In this case, since the artificial soil particles 10 greatly improve the water retention capacity of the communication holes 3, for example, when the artificial soil particles 10 are molded into a thin mat shape, plant dying and poor growth are prevented without providing water for a long time. can do.

  Examples of polymer materials that can be used as water-retaining materials include synthetic polymer water-retaining properties such as polyacrylate polymers, polysulfonate polymers, polyacrylamide polymers, polyvinyl alcohol polymers, and polyalkylene oxide polymers. Examples thereof include natural polymeric water-retaining materials such as materials, polyaspartate-based polymers, polyglutamate-based polymers, polyalginate-based polymers, cellulose-based polymers, and starches. These water retaining materials can be used in combination of two or more.

  As another method for improving the water retention of the communication hole 3, in preparing the artificial soil particles 10, it is possible to use a water retention filler for a part or all of the filler 1 as a raw material. In this case, the generated artificial soil particles 10 themselves have water retention properties, so that a special post-treatment for improving the water retention properties is not necessary. Hydrophilic fillers and porous granular materials can be used as water retention fillers, and examples of hydrophilic fillers include zeolite, smectite minerals, mica minerals, talc, silica, and double hydroxides. Examples of the porous particulate material include foamed glass, porous metal, porous ceramic, polymer porous body, and hydrophilic fiber.

  The filler 1 can also use a material in which the ion exchange capacity is imparted to the pores 2 so that the artificial soil particles 10 have a sufficient fertilizer. In this case, as the material imparted with ion exchange ability, a material imparted with cation exchange ability, a material imparted with anion exchange ability, or a mixture of both can be used. In addition, a porous material having no ion exchange ability (for example, a polymer foam, a glass foam, etc.) is prepared separately, and a material in which the ion exchange ability is imparted to the pores 2 of the porous material is prepared. It is possible to use the filler 1 by introducing it by press-fitting or impregnation. Examples of the material imparted with the cation exchange ability include cation exchange minerals, humus, and cation exchange resins. Examples of the material imparted with the anion exchange ability include anion exchange minerals and anion exchange resins.

  Examples of the cation exchange mineral include zeolite, montmorillonite, bentonite, beidellite, hectorite, saponite, stevensite, and other smectite minerals, mica minerals, and vermiculite. Examples of the cation exchange resin include a weak acid cation exchange resin and a strong acid cation exchange resin. Among these, the zeolite or bentonite used in this embodiment is preferable. The cation exchange mineral and the cation exchange resin can be used in combination of two or more. The cation exchange capacity of the cation exchange mineral and the cation exchange resin is set to 10 to 700 meq / 100 g, preferably 20 to 700 meq / 100 g, and more preferably 30 to 700 meq / 100 g. When the cation exchange capacity is less than 10 meq / 100 g, the nutrients cannot be taken in sufficiently, and the taken-up nutrients may be lost early due to irrigation or the like. On the other hand, even if the fertilizer is excessively increased so that the cation exchange capacity exceeds 700 meq / 100 g, the effect is not greatly improved and it is not economical.

  Anion-exchange minerals include, for example, natural layered double hydroxides that have double hydroxides as the main skeleton such as hydrotalcite, manaceite, pyroaulite, sjoglenite, patina, synthetic hydrotalcite and hydrotalcite-like Materials, clay minerals such as allophane, imogolite, kaolin and the like. Examples of the anion exchange resin include weakly basic anion exchange resins and strong basic anion exchange resins. Among these, the hydrotalcite used in this embodiment is preferable. An anion exchange mineral and an anion exchange resin can be used in combination of two or more. The anion exchange capacity of the anion exchange mineral and the anion exchange resin is set to 5 to 500 meq / 100 g, preferably 20 to 500 meq / 100 g, and more preferably 30 to 500 meq / 100 g. When the anion exchange capacity is less than 5 meq / 100 g, the nutrients cannot be taken in sufficiently, and the taken-up nutrients may be lost early due to irrigation or the like. On the other hand, even if the fertilizer is excessively increased so that the anion exchange capacity exceeds 500 meq / 100 g, the effect is not greatly improved and it is not economical.

<Filler granulation method>
When the filler 1 is an inorganic natural mineral such as zeolite 1a or hydrotalcite 1b shown in the present embodiment, a binder is used to collect a plurality of fillers 1 to form a granular material (artificial soil particle 10). Can be granulated. Here, the artificial soil particles 10 need to make the total volume of the communication holes 3 larger than the total volume of the pores 2 by combining the fillers 1 in a three-dimensional network. This can be performed by granulating the filler 1 by, for example, combining the fillers 1 with each other while air is contained in the mixture of the filler 1 and the binder. In this case, the plurality of fillers 1 are three-dimensionally bonded while forming a large number of voids, and a filler aggregate (artificial soil particle 10) having a three-dimensional network structure is formed. Since the artificial soil particles 10 have a three-dimensional network structure, the bulk density is low and the structure is stable while being lightweight.

  Formation of artificial soil particles 10 using a binder is performed by adding a binder or a solvent to the filler 1 and mixing the mixture, introducing the mixture into a granulator, rolling granulation, fluidized bed granulation, stirring granulation, compression granulation. It can be performed by a known granulation method such as granulation, extrusion granulation, crushing granulation, melt granulation, spray granulation or the like. The obtained granulated body is dried and classified as needed, and the artificial soil particle 10 is completed. In addition, a binder is added to the filler 1 and, if necessary, a solvent or the like is added and kneaded, and the resulting dried block is pulverized as appropriate with a mortar and pestle, hammer mill, roll crusher or the like It is also possible to obtain a granular material. This granular material can be used as the artificial soil particle 10 as it is, but it is preferable to adjust to a desired particle size by sieving.

  As the binder, either an organic binder or an inorganic binder can be used. Organic binders include, for example, synthetic resin binders such as polyolefin binders, polyvinyl alcohol binders, polyurethane binders, polyvinyl acetate binders, polysaccharides such as starch, carrageenan, xanthan gum, gellan gum, alginic acid, and animal properties such as glue. Examples include natural product-based binders such as proteins. Examples of the inorganic binder include silicate binders such as water glass, phosphate binders such as aluminum phosphate, borate binders such as aluminum borate, and hydraulic binders such as cement. An organic binder and an inorganic binder can be used in combination of two or more.

  When the filler 1 is an organic porous material, the formation of the artificial soil particles 10 may be performed by the same method as the granulation method of the filler 1 using a binder, but the filler 1 constitutes the filler 1. It is also possible to form the artificial soil particles 10 by heating to a temperature equal to or higher than the melting point of the organic porous material (polymer material or the like) to be fused and granulating the surfaces of the plurality of fillers 1 by heat fusion. is there. In this case, a granular material in which a plurality of fillers 1 are assembled can be obtained without using a binder. As such an organic porous material, for example, an organic polymer foam obtained by foaming an organic polymer material such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polyurethane, polyvinyl alcohol, and cellulose, and the powder of the organic polymer material is heated and melted. An organic polymer porous body having an open cell structure is exemplified.

  In forming the artificial soil particles 10, a gelation reaction of a polymer gelling agent can be used. Examples of the gelation reaction of the polymer gelling agent include a gelation reaction between an alginate and a polyvalent metal ion, a gelation reaction of carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), and a gel formed by a double helical structure reaction of a polysaccharide such as carrageenan. Reaction. Among these, the gelation reaction between an alginate and a polyvalent metal ion will be described. Sodium alginate, which is one of alginates, is a neutral salt in which the carboxyl group of alginic acid is bonded to Na ions. Alginic acid is insoluble in water, but sodium alginate is water soluble. When an aqueous sodium alginate solution is added to an aqueous solution of polyvalent metal ions (for example, Ca ions), ionic crosslinking occurs between the molecules of sodium alginate and gelation occurs. In the case of this embodiment, the gelation reaction can be performed by the following steps. First, an alginate aqueous solution is prepared by dissolving alginate in water, filler 1 is added to the alginate aqueous solution, and this is sufficiently stirred to form a mixed solution in which filler 1 is dispersed in the alginate aqueous solution. . Next, the mixed solution is dropped into the polyvalent metal ion aqueous solution, and the alginate contained in the mixed solution is gelled in a granular form. Thereafter, the gelled particles are collected, washed with water, and sufficiently dried. Thereby, the artificial soil particle 10 as the granular material which the filler 1 disperse | distributed in the alginic acid gel formed from an alginate and a polyvalent metal ion is obtained.

  Examples of alginates that can be used in the gelation reaction include sodium alginate, potassium alginate, and ammonium alginate. These alginate can be used in combination of two or more. The concentration of the alginate aqueous solution is 0.1 to 5% by weight, preferably 0.2 to 5% by weight, and more preferably 0.2 to 3% by weight. When the concentration of the alginate aqueous solution is less than 0.1% by weight, the gelation reaction hardly occurs. When the concentration exceeds 5% by weight, the viscosity of the alginate aqueous solution becomes too large. In addition, it is difficult to drop the mixed solution into the aqueous solution of the polyvalent metal ion.

  The polyvalent metal ion aqueous solution to which the alginate aqueous solution is dropped may be a divalent or higher metal ion aqueous solution that reacts with the alginate and causes gelation. Examples of such polyvalent metal ion aqueous solutions include aqueous chloride solutions of polyvalent metals such as calcium chloride, barium chloride, strontium chloride, nickel chloride, aluminum chloride, iron chloride, cobalt chloride, calcium nitrate, barium nitrate, aluminum nitrate. Nitrate aqueous solutions of polyvalent metals such as iron nitrate, copper nitrate and cobalt nitrate, lactate aqueous solutions of polyvalent metals such as calcium lactate, barium lactate, aluminum lactate and zinc lactate, aluminum sulfate, zinc sulfate, cobalt sulfate etc. An aqueous solution of a valent metal sulfate is mentioned. These polyvalent metal ion aqueous solutions can be used in combination of two or more. The concentration of the polyvalent metal ion aqueous solution is 1 to 20% by weight, preferably 2 to 15% by weight, and more preferably 3 to 10% by weight. When the concentration of the polyvalent metal ion aqueous solution is less than 1% by weight, the gelation reaction hardly occurs. When the concentration exceeds 20% by weight, it takes time to dissolve the metal salt and excessive materials are used. Not economical.

<Mechanism of water retention and fertilization of artificial soil particles>
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing the water retention and fertilizer retention mechanisms of the artificial soil particles 10 used in the present invention. FIGS. 3A and 3B show the state in which moisture W and nutrients K, N, and P are taken into the artificial soil particle 10 from outside. Here, nutrient K represents potassium, nutrient N represents nitrogen, and nutrient P represents phosphorus.

  When the artificial soil particles 10 come into contact with the moisture W containing the nutrients K, N, and P, the moisture W and the nutrients K, N, and P are first taken into the communication holes 3 as shown in FIG. When the communication hole 3 is sufficiently wet, as shown in FIG. 3 (b), the nutrients K, N, and P out of the moisture W and the nutrients K, N, and P taken into the communication hole 3 are communication holes. 3 to the pore 2. In the artificial soil particle 10 of the present invention, nutrients K, N, and P are mainly taken into the pores 2 and moisture W is held in the communication holes 3 so that the pores 2 are mainly responsible for fertilization. In addition, the communication hole 3 is responsible for water retention. Thus, by assigning different functions between the pores 2 and the communication holes 3, it is possible to obtain functional artificial soil particles 10 having an excellent balance between water retention and fertilizer retention. Moreover, since the artificial soil molding using such artificial soil particles 10 can appropriately supply moisture W and nutrients K, N, and P to the plant to be cultivated, it does not require maintenance and is easy to handle. It will be easy.

<Artificial soil molding>
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of the artificial soil molded body 100 of the present invention. A dotted circle shown in FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged view of the artificial soil particle 10 constituting the artificial soil molded body 100, and represents a cross section of the artificial soil particle 10. The artificial soil molded body 100 is obtained by molding a plurality of artificial soil particles 10 into a predetermined shape. The artificial soil molded body 100 can be processed into various shapes such as a sheet shape, a block shape, a plate shape, a belt shape, a spherical shape, a rod shape, and an indeterminate shape depending on applications. The artificial soil molded body 100 has a certain gap 11 between adjacent artificial soil particles 10. Since this gap 11 allows air and water to pass therethrough, excess water can be discharged while holding water necessary for the plant. When the artificial soil molded body 100 is in a wet state, excess water is discharged from the gap 11, and when the artificial soil molded body 100 is in a dry state, moisture existing in the surroundings due to the capillary phenomenon of the gap 11. Can suck up. As described above, the artificial soil molded body 100 achieves excellent air permeability and drainage by the gaps 11 formed between the adjacent artificial soil particles 10. In addition, the gap 11 provides a space for the plant roots to grow, so that the plant roots can be easily stretched, and thus the plant growth can be promoted.

  Examples of the method for molding the artificial soil molded body 100 include a method in which a secondary binder is added to the artificial soil particles 10 and kneaded, and the mixture is adjusted to a predetermined shape and dried. As the secondary binder, the same binder (primary binder) used in the formation of the artificial soil particles 10 can be used, but different types of binders may be used. The amount of secondary binder added can be, for example, 1 to 30% by weight. If the added amount of the secondary binder is less than 1% by weight, the binding force between the artificial soil particles 10 may be insufficient, and if the added amount of the secondary binder exceeds 30% by weight, the gap between the artificial soil particles 10 11 becomes small and there exists a possibility that the drainage of the artificial soil molded object 100 may fall. At the time of molding, it is also possible to mix a flexible granular material (for example, a crushed product of polyurethane foam) with the secondary binder. In this case, the elongation of the roots of the plant is not hindered, and the gap between the artificial soil particles 10 constituting the artificial soil molded body 100 can be expanded in accordance with the elongation of the roots. In addition, it is also possible to produce | generate the artificial soil molded object 100, without using a secondary binder. For example, when artificial soil particles 10 are filled in a mold having a desired shape and pressed, the artificial soil particles 10 are fixed to each other, and an artificial soil molded body 100 is obtained. When heating is performed at an appropriate temperature at the time of pressurization, the surface of the artificial soil particles 10 exhibits stickiness, and thus the binding force between the artificial soil particles 10 can be increased.

<Greening sheet>
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of the greening sheet 200 of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a state in which the plant 24 is planted on the greening sheet 200 shown in FIG. The greening sheet 200 is obtained by laying the artificial soil molded body 100 described above in a sheet shape. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. It has the structure provided with the water-permeable sheet 20 to support and the planting base layer 21 which laminated | stacked the artificial soil particle 10 formed on the water-permeable sheet 20. As shown in FIG. The planting base layer 21 is formed in two layers as shown in FIG. In the planting base layer 21, a drainage layer 22 in which artificial soil particles 10 having a large particle size are stacked is formed in a lower layer, and a water retention layer 23 in which artificial soil particles 10 having a small particle size are stacked is formed in an upper layer. As a molding method of the planting base layer 21, the molding method of the artificial soil molded body 100 is used. The water-permeable sheet 20 is comprised with the material which can permeate | transmit the water drained from the planting base layer 21, for example, the nonwoven fabric which consists of synthetic fibers, such as polyethylene and a polypropylene, is mentioned.

  The plant 24 can use water stored in the upper water retention layer 23. The water retention layer 23 retains moisture in the communication holes 3 of the artificial soil particles 10 and also retains moisture in the gaps 11 where the artificial soil particles 10 are densely formed. Can be supplied. In the lower drainage layer 22, excess water contained in the gap 11 can be discharged while retaining water necessary for the plant 24 in the artificial soil particle 10, so that air permeability is secured to the root of the plant 24. Thus, root rot of the plant 24 can be prevented. In addition, since the drainage layer 22 is roughly filled with the artificial soil particles 10, the roots of the plants 24 are easily stretched, and the plants 24 can be prevented from falling down.

  Since the artificial soil particles 10 used for the greening sheet 200 are lightweight and stable, the thickness of the greening sheet 200 can be easily adjusted and handled easily. For this reason, the workability | operativity at the time of constructing on the floor surface and wall surface of a building becomes a favorable thing. Many kinds of plants 24 can be cultivated by appropriately adjusting the thickness of the greening sheet 200. In addition, the greening sheet 200 can adjust the thickness of the sheet more widely by using the artificial soil particles 10 to which the water retention material is added. The thickness of the greening sheet 200 is different depending on the type of plant, that is, the depth of the root, when used on the roof of a building or a house or the floor of a balcony. Is preferable, and 30-100 mm is more preferable.

  In this embodiment, although the example which divided the planting base layer 21 into two layers was shown, the structure of the planting base layer 21 can be appropriately changed depending on the use place and use form of the greening sheet 200. . For example, the planting base layer 21 may be divided into three or more layers to change the density of the artificial soil particles 10, and the planting base layer 21 has a continuous density gradient in the thickness direction from the upper layer to the lower layer. You may form so that it may have. Or you may form so that the planting base layer 21 may become the same density in the thickness direction.

<Wall greening panel>
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of the wall surface greening panel 300 of the present invention. The wall surface greening panel 300 is obtained by holding the artificial soil molded body 100 described above on the frame body 30. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the artificial soil molded body 100 is disposed in the recess 31 formed in the frame body 30. The artificial soil molded body 100 is provided with, for example, a plurality of hooks (not shown) in the recess 31 so that the artificial soil molded body 100 does not fall from the frame 30, and the artificial soil molded body 100 is held by being hooked on the hooks. ing. Plants 24 are planted throughout the artificial soil molded body 100, and when the plants 24 grow, the front surface of the wall surface greening panel 300 is substantially covered with the plants 24 and greened. It is preferable that the frame 30 used for the wall greening panel 300 is made of a lightweight material having water resistance and corrosion resistance so that it can be used outdoors. Examples of the material of the frame 30 include synthetic resin materials such as polyethylene resin, polystyrene resin, PET resin, and ABS resin, lightweight metal materials such as aluminum alloy and magnesium alloy, and wood such as cedar, cypress, and bamboo. .

  As shown in FIG. 7, the frame body 30 used for the wall surface greening panel 300 of the present embodiment is configured to be rectangular when viewed from the front. However, the shape and structure of the frame body 30 is such that the wall surface greening is performed. It can be changed as appropriate according to the situation of the location. In addition, since the artificial soil molded body 100 has a stable structure, if the artificial soil molded body 100 is light to some extent, a reinforcing tape instead of the frame body 30 is wrapped around the artificial soil molded body 100. Thus, the configuration of the frame body 30 can be simplified or omitted. According to the present invention, wall greening suitable for the situation of the place where the wall greening panel 300 is installed can be performed by combining the wall greening panels 300 of various forms.

  By the way, when the wall surface greening panel 300 is attached to a vertical wall surface, when water is sprayed on the wall surface greening panel 300, the water held in the artificial soil molded body 100 falls by gravity. The portion located above the wall greening panel 300 in the vertical direction is likely to dry, and the portion located below the vertical direction may be excessively watery due to water falling from above. Therefore, in the wall greening panel 300, the artificial soil is provided with a density gradient so that the density of the artificial soil particles 10 positioned in the upper vertical direction is dense and the density of the artificial soil particles 10 positioned in the lower vertical direction is coarse. The molded body 100 can also be configured. If the wall surface greening panel 300 is configured using such an artificial soil molded body 100, the unevenness of moisture retained between the upper and lower sides in the vertical direction of the wall surface greening panel 300 is reduced, and plants are grown evenly on the entire wall surface. It becomes possible to make it.

<Gardening block>
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of the gardening block 400 of the present invention. The horticultural block 400 is obtained by laminating the above-mentioned artificial soil molded body 100 in a block shape. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, the artificial soil molded body is formed in the shape of a container for plant cultivation. It is. As a method for molding the horticultural block 400, the molding method of the artificial soil molded body 100 can be used. In the vicinity of the upper center of the gardening block 400, a concave planting portion 40 for planting a plant is formed. Thereby, the gardening block 400 can be commercialized as a plant pot in which artificial soil and plants are integrated. The horticultural block 400 can be added with a synthetic polymer material or a natural polymer material that can function as a water retention material when the artificial soil particles 10 are molded so that the irrigated water does not leak to the outside. . In this case, the same water retaining material as that used for the artificial soil particles 10 can be used as the water retaining material, but a different type of water retaining material may be used. By improving the water leakage resistance of the horticultural block 400, it can be suitably used indoors.

  The horticultural block 400 can also be configured with a two-layer structure including an outer portion and an inner portion. For example, a layer with high water retention is formed by adding a water retention material to the outer side, and a layer with high fertilization is formed by adding a material having ion exchange capacity to the inner side. In this case, water does not leak to the outside of the horticultural block 400 even when irrigated while ensuring the water permeability and air permeability of the inner part. Moreover, when a fertilizer is added to the planting part 40 of the gardening block 400, since an inner part has fertilizer, the plant can absorb nutrients reliably.

  Artificial soil moldings obtained by molding artificial soil particles according to the present invention, and greening sheets, wall greening panels, and horticultural blocks using the artificial soil moldings are used for greening on the roofs and balconies of buildings and houses. And can be used for planting.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Filler 2 Pore 3 Communication hole 10 Artificial soil particle 100 Artificial soil molding 200 Greening sheet 300 Wall greening panel 400 Gardening block

Claims (7)

  A plurality of fillers having pores are connected in a three-dimensional network to form communication holes between the fillers, and the total volume of the communication holes is larger than the total volume of the pores. Artificial soil molding formed by molding soil particles.   2. The artificial soil molded body according to claim 1, wherein the pores have a size of sub nm order to sub μm order, and the communication holes have a size of sub μm order to sub mm order.   The pores are dispersedly arranged around the communication holes so that the communication holes take in moisture and nutrients from the outside and the pores can receive the nutrients from the communication holes. The artificial soil molded body described in 1.   The artificial soil molded body according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a water-retaining material is introduced into at least a part of the communication holes, and ion exchange capacity is imparted to the pores.   The greening sheet | seat which laid in the sheet form the artificial soil molded object as described in any one of Claims 1-4.   The wall surface greening panel which hold | maintained the artificial soil molded object as described in any one of Claims 1-4 with the frame.   The gardening block which laminated | stacked the artificial soil molded object as described in any one of Claims 1-4 in the shape of a block.

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