WO2005011364A1

WO2005011364A1 - Greenhouse or glasshouse with improved light yield

Info

Publication number: WO2005011364A1
Application number: PCT/NL2004/000487
Authority: WO
Inventors: Johannes Bernadus Maria Van Der Valk
Original assignee: Van Der Valk Systemen B.V.
Priority date: 2003-07-08
Filing date: 2004-07-07
Publication date: 2005-02-10
Also published as: NL1023853C2

Abstract

A greenhouse or glasshouse for growing plants, comprises a structure which throws a shadow onto the plants, which structure at least comprises a framework (1) composed of elements such as columns (2), a roof which is supported on the columns (2) and comprises gutters (4), roof-supporting elements, such as an assembly comprising ridges (6) and bars which run obliquely upward toward the ridges (6) and support light-transmitting panels or film, and/or arch elements which support a sheet, if appropriate a screen device (19) comprising screen cloths (20), screen strips (11), couplings and drive members connected to the screen strips via the couplings, which screen cloths (20) at one end are fixed with respect to the framework (1) and at the opposite end are connected to a screen strip (11) and, by means of the screen strip (11), can be transferred between a closed position and an open position, in which they are compressed by the screen strip (11), which couplings interact with a drive member for displacing the screen strip (11), and if appropriate a carrier (9) for, for example, lighting elements (10), equipment for air humidification and/or pesticides and herbicides. At least one element (2, 4, 5, 9, 11) which throws a shadow onto the plants at least partially comprises an oPen-work design, such as a metal wire structure (12).

Description

Greenhouse or glasshouse with improved light yield

The invention relates to a greenhouse or glasshouse for growing plants, comprising a structure which throws a shadow onto the plants, which structure is at least composed of a framework comprising elements such as columns, as well as a roof supported on the columns and comprising gutters with roof-supporting elements, such as ridges and bars which run obliquely upward toward the ridges and bear light-transmitting panels or sheet. As an alternative, the roof-supporting elements may comprise arches which bear the sheet, as is the case with a plastic-sheet greenhouse. If appropriate, the greenhouse may also comprise a screen device comprising screen cloths, screen strips, couplings and drive members connected to the screen strips via the couplings, which screen cloths, at one end, are fixed with respect to a beam and, at the opposite end, are connected to a screen strip and can be transferred, by means of the screen strip, between a closed position, in which they in each case cover the space between two beams, and an open position, in which they are compressed onto the beam by the screen strip, which couplings interact with a drive member for displacing the screen strip. It is also known that the greenhouse may include an optionally movable carrier, such as a substantially horizontal beam, from which, for example, lighting elements may be suspended.

All these elements, i.e. the columns, beams, gutters, bars, ridges, screen strips, carriers and the like, throw a certain shadow onto the plants in the greenhouse, which is of course disadvantageous for the growth of the plants. As is customary, extruded aluminum profiled sections are often used for elements such as bars, ridges and gutters. Aluminum and steel box sections for columns are also known. Although it is always attempted to reduce the extent to which they throw shadows by mimmizing the cross section of these elements, such efforts can inevitably only go so far, with the lower limit depending on the capacity required with regard to strength and rigidity.

Therefore, it is an object of the invention to provide a greenhouse or glasshouse of the type described above which nevertheless has a light yield which is improved further. This object is achieved by virtue of the fact that at least one element which throws a shadow onto the plants at least partially comprises an open-work design, such as a metal wire structure.

Open-work elements, such as with a metal wire structure, on the one hand have a sufficiently high strength and rigidity, while on the other hand relatively little light is blocked by elements of this type. The cross section of elements of this type can be matched to the expected loads, for example by positioning the wires, in particular the wires running in the longitudinal direction, as far as possible away from the neutral line. The thickness of the wires, and therefore the extent of shadow which remains, depends on the materials properties of the wires.

The metal wire elements can be designed in various ways. As an example, the metal wire structure may comprise wires which cross one another and are secured to one another at the location of the crossing points. It is preferable for the wires to be welded together.

As has been mentioned above, various elements of the greenhouse can be designed in this way. In particular, however, the greenhouse may comprise at least one screen strip which is designed as a metal wire structure and has a first series of wires, which are oriented parallel to one another in the longitudinal direction of the screen strip, and a second series of wires, which run transversely, i.e. at right angles or perpendicular, to the wires from the first series. In this case, the wires from the second series may be identical in form, with a substantially horizontal wire section and a wire section which is upright with respect thereto.

It is also possible for the wires from the second series to have wire sections in loop form, in which a sealing profiled section is secured, which sealing profiled section is located on that side of the screen strip which is remote from the screen cloth. In addition, the wires from the first series and/or the second series may have wire sections in loop form for guiding support wires for the screen cloth.

According to a further option, the bars may comprise metal wire carriers. With a view to the securing of transparent panels, a rebate element which comprises, for example, aluminum is situated on the top side or the underside of the metal wire carrier of the bar. Furthermore, the gutters may comprise metal wire carriers, in which case gutter elements which comprise, for example, aluminum are located on the top side or the underside of the carriers.

One further option for usirig the invention is in the field of carriers from which equipment for supplying media to the plants is suspended. This equipment may include

wire, so that in this case too it is possible to transmit increased light compared to the known carriers which have a closed structure.

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The invention will now be explained in more detail on the basis of a number of exemplary embodiments illustrated in the figures, in which: Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a greenhouse or glasshouse. Figures 2 and 3 show a perspective view and a cross-sectional view, respectively, of a metal wire screen profiled section. Figure 4 shows a cross section through a bar. Figure 5 shows a cross section through a gutter structure in the form of an exploded view. Figures 6 and 7 show. a. cross section through a beam or column. Figure 8 shows a cross section through an alternative embodiment of a screen profiled section. Figure 9 shows an auxiliary element for suspending, for example, lighting equipment. Figure 10 shows a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a screen profiled section.

The greenhouse shown in Figure 1, which is of the type known as Nenlo,_. comprises, in a known way, a structure which comprises a framework 1 composed of columns 2, beams 3, gutters 4, ridges 6 and bars 5. There may also be windows which are known per se and are not shown for ventilating the greenhouse. Between the bars 5, ridges 6 and gutters 4 there are transparent panels 7. The structure may also comprise auxiliary elements, such as beams 9, from which light sources 10 are suspended. Other equipment for supplying media to the plants may also be suspended from these beams 9, for example equipment for humidification of air or for supplying pesticides or herbicides.

There is also a screen installation 19 (cf. also Fig. 2 and 3), which comprises screen strips 11 and cloths 20. The screen strips 11 can move to and fro between the beams 3 in a known way. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated, one edge of the cloth 20 is in each case secured to a beam 3, while the other end is in each case secured to the screen strip 11. The cloth can therefore be moved into an open position, in which it is compressed between a screen strip 11 and the beam 3, and into a closed position, in which the screen profiled section extends between two beams 3 and the screen profiled section 11 bears against the opposite beam 3.

As is known, all these elements, i.e. the columns 2, beams 3, gutters 4, bars 5, ridges 6, screen strips 11, beams 3 and auxiliary elements 9, throw a shadow onto the plants to a greater or lesser extent. To minimize the size of shadow thrown, the invention provides a metal wire structure for these elements. The example of Figure 3 shows a first variant of a screen strip 11 , comprising a metal wire structure 12 with parallel straight wires 13 and shaped wires 14 running transversely with respect thereto. These wires 14 have a substantially horizontal wire section 15 and the wire section 16 which is upright with respect thereto. The wire sections 16 also have a section 17 in loop form, in which a seal 28 is secured, for example by means of a cord 21.

As shown in Figure 2, the wires 13 may be lengthened so as to form eyelets 18 for guiding support wires 22 between which the screen cloth 20 is held. The screen cloth 20 is secured to the screen strip 11, for example at the location of the sections 29 in loop form.

The auxiliary elements, which are designed as beams 9 and from which lighting equipment 10, equipment for supplying pesticides and herbicides and/or for humidification of air may be suspended, are preferably likewise formed from a metal wire structure as shown in Figure 9. Beams of this type may be suspended in a fixed and/or displaceable position, hi addition to the parallel wires 13 and the crossing wires 14, there are obliquely running strut wires 30 with a view to providing stability.

The bar 5 may also have a wire structure of this type, as shown in Figure 4. This structure in this case comprises parallel wires 13, which are connected to one another by wire loops 14. These wires 13, 14 form a metal wire element 25. An aluminum rebate profiled section 26 can be secured to the said metal wire element 25 for the purpose of connection of the panels 7. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated, the said aluminum rebate profiled section has barb-like edges 27 which can be click-fitted onto the top parallel wires 13.

Figure 5 shows a gutter 4 comprising a metal wire element 24 which likewise comprises parallel wires 13 which are connected to one another by wire loops 14. A gutter element 23 can be secured to the said wire element 24 by means of the barbs 27 which can be click-fitted onto the top wires 13.

Figure 6 and 7 show cross sections through possible embodiments for the columns 2 and beams 9. Finally, Figure 8 shows an alternative embodiment for a simplified screen strip 11 with an element 12 in wire form.

The alternative embodiment of the screen profiled section as shown in Figure 10 has parallel straight wires 13, as well as wires 30 running in zigzag form or obliquely with respect thereto. These obliquely or diagonally running wires impart additional rigidity to the screen profiled section 11, in particular in the horizontal plane 31 and the plane 32 which is upright with respect thereto.

Although the above text has described the invention on the basis of a Venlo greenhouse or glasshouse with bars and ridges, the invention can be used for any type of greenhouse. As a further example, mention should be made of a plastic-sheet greenhouse. A greenhouse of this type has arches for supporting a plastic-sheet roof; arches of this type may therefore likewise comprise a wire metal structure in order to increase the light yield.

Claims

1. A greenhouse or glasshouse for growing plants, comprising a structure which throws a shadow onto the plants, which structure at least comprises a framework (1) composed of elements such as columns (2), a roof which is supported on the columns (2) and comprises gutters (4), roof-supporting elements, such as an assembly comprising ridges (6) and bars (5) which run obliquely upward toward the ridges (6) and support light-transmitting panels or sheet, and/or arch elements which support a sheet, if appropriate a screen device (19) comprising screen cloths (20), screen strips (11), couplings and drive members connected to the screen strips via the couplings, which screen cloths (20) at one end are fixed with respect to the framework (1) and at the opposite end are connected to a screen strip (11) and, by means of the screen strip (11), can be transferred between a closed position and an open position, in which they are compressed by the screen strip (11), which couplings interact with a drive member for displacing the screen strip (11), and if appropriate a carrier (9) for, for example, lighting elements (10), equipment for air humidification and/or pesticides and herbicides, characterized in that at least one element (2-5, 9, 11) which throws a shadow onto the plants at least partially comprises an open-work design, such as a metal wire structure (12).

2, The greenhouse as claimed in claim 1, in which the metal wire structure (12) comprises wires (13, 14) which cross one another and are secured to one another at the location of the crossing points.

3. The greenhouse as claimed in claim 2, in which the wires (13, 14) are welded to one another.

4. The greenhouse as claimed in one of the preceding claims, comprising at least one screen strip (11) which is designed as a metal wire structure (12) and has a first series of wires (13), which are oriented parallel to one another in the longitudinal direction of the screen strip (11), and a second series of wires (14), which run transversely with respect to the wires belonging to the first series (13).

5. The greenhouse as claimed in claim 4, in which the wires (14) from the second series are identical in form, having at least a substantially horizontal wire section (15) and a wire section (16) which is upright with respect thereto.

6. The greenhouse as claimed in claim 4 or 5, in which the wires (14) from the second series have wire sections (29) in loop form, in which the screen cloth (20) is secured.

7. The greenhouse as claimed in claim 4, 5 or 6, in which the wires (14) from the second series have wire sections (17) in loop form in which a sealing profiled section

(28) is secured, which sealing profiled section (28) is located on that side of the screen strip which is renϊote'firøm the screen cloth (20).

8. The greenhouse as claimed in one of claims 4-7, in which the wires (13, 14) from the first series and/or the second series have wire sections (18) in loop form for guiding support wires^' (22) for the screen cloth (20).

9. The greenhouse as claimed in claim 8, in which the wire sections (18) in loop form for guiding the support wires are located at a longitudinal edge of the screen strip (11).

10. The greenhouse as claimed in one of claims 4-9, in which the wires (30) from the second series form part of one or more wire elements which rim in zigzag form.

11. The greenhouse as claimed in one of the preceding claims, in which at least one of the bars (5) comprises a metal wire element (25).

12. The greenhouse as claimed in claim 11, in which a rebate element (26) which comprises, for example, aluminum is secured to the metal wire element (25) of the bar.

13. The greenhouse as claimed in one of the preceding claims, in which at least one of the gutters (4) comprises a metal wire element (24).

14. The greenhouse as claimed in claim 13, in which a gutter element (23) which comprises, for example, aluminum is secured to the metal wire element (24) of the gutter (4).

15. The greenhouse as claimed in one of the preceding claims, in which the carrier (9) is designed as a substantially horizontal beam formed from a metal wire element.

16. The greenhouse as claimed in claim 15, in which the beam (9) is suspended in a fixed or movable position.

17. The greenhouse as claimed in one of the preceding claims, in which at least one of the columns (2) comprises a metal wire element.

18. The greenhouse as claimed in one of the preceding claims, in which the open- work design comprises a grate.

19. The greenhouse as claimed in one of the preceding claims, in which the thickness of the metal wire structure is at most a few times, for example three times, thicker than the thickness of a wire of the metal wire structure.