WO2006070409A2

WO2006070409A2 - An improved polyhouse

Info

Publication number: WO2006070409A2
Application number: PCT/IN2005/000435
Authority: WO
Inventors: Rajesh Edke
Original assignee: Rajesh Edke
Priority date: 2004-12-27
Filing date: 2005-12-26
Publication date: 2006-07-06
Also published as: WO2006070409A3; CN101087922A; CN101087922B

Abstract

The invention relates to a method and process for using bamboos in polyhouse construction. It relates to the use bamboos in building a polyhouse. The bamboo is being filled with volume-retaining material for support and strength. The invention thus makes the Polyhouse durable, easy to construct and cost effective.

Description

AN IMPROVED POLYHOUSE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a method and process for using bamboos in polyhouse construction. It relates to the use of bamboos in building a polyhouse. The bamboo is being filled with volume-retaining material for support and strength. The invention thus makes the Polyhouse durable, easy to construct and cost effective.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Polyhouse construction is a well-proven method and process, which enables intensive and scientific farming. Polyhouse technology has been in use for crop production in more than fifty countries all over the world. Application of this technology for fresh vegetables and flowers in India is a recent phenomenon. There is always a large and sustained demand of fresh vegetables and flowers all round the year. There are a number of vegetables and flowers that can be grown in one season but they cannot be grown in next season. To facilitate their production in off-season, polyhouse cultivation is the alternative.

The size of polyhouse varies from five hundred square meters to hectares. Bamboo based Polyhouses are framed structures covered with transparent or translucent material, large enough to grow crops under partial or fully controlled environmental conditions to get maximum productivity and quality produce. They are lighter in weight, cheap and easy for installation. But the main problem faced while using bamboo, as the main ingredient is that it can degenerate or decay with continuous contact with water or moist soil. It is the object of the invention to build a strong structure using bamboos and at the same time ensure that it does not his degenerate or decay.

PRIOR ART

US 6,447,198

A bamboo tube connection includes a first bamboo tube and a second bamboo tube, the first and second bamboo tubes being in butting relationship, possibly at an angle to each other. A longitudinal insert member is fixed in at least the first bamboo tube in an end region thereof. A longitudinal connector at least indirectly releasable connects the longitudinal insert member to the second bamboo tube. In one embodiment the insert member is so positioned in the longitudinal direction in the first is a bamboo tube so that, when the tubes are connected together, the second bamboo tube is pressed with its peripheral surface against an end face of the insert member..

A better and more complete understanding of the invention may be garnered from the detailed description of the preferred embodiment of the best mode of the invention as contemplated by the inventor.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention will now be described with reference to the drawings of the accompanying specification where in salient features have been shown by suitable numerals and referred to appropriately in the following description.

The invention aims at building a strong, ergonomical and durable polyhouse. Therefore the foundation of the structure is a key element. It has to be strong.

The Foundation of the present invention provides a means to elevate bamboo elements from ground. By elevating bamboo from the ground two main objectives are achieved. Firstly to prevent bamboo from coming in contact with ground, thus the water and moisture and secondly insects are not able to attack from the ground. Culm of bamboo is hollow till the knot. This cavity is utilized to integrate the steel rod. Culm of bamboo is filled with the volume retaining cement-based material along with polymer-based adhesives.

If the chemicals inserted for bonding, contract after settling, then the pipe will get dislodged and if the chemicals expand after settling then the culm will burst. It is therefore one of the objective of the invention to have volume retention properties. The invention is being explained with the help of drawings comprising of 4 figures.

Fig 1: The galvanized steel pipe (1) of the diameter Yi' to 1" (half inch to one inch) is inserted in the culm (3). The filling material (2) is used for bonding the steel pipe (1) and the culm (3).

Fig 2: Filling is done in such a way that 2 mm to 4 mm water layer (4) is maintained on the top of filling thus providing necessary water for curing. The water is sprinkled every 8 hours for 72 hours to achieve the necessary strength.

Fig 3 The steel pipe is drilled with holes of 8mm to 10mm diameter at one end to insert a steel rod for foundation. Steel Fastners of 45-60 mm outer diameter are fastened around the culm (7) where the Gl steel pipe is inserted. The concrete, which is, known as 'M20' (1 part grave!+1part sand+1/2 part (53 grade) cement) is poured into the foundation pit (6) and a cone is formed on the top.

Joinery is of threaded steel rods of 6mm to 12 mm diameter, depending upon the strength perception. The two ends of the steel rod are attached with the nut and spring washer. Wherever steel rod is not required to protrude then it is pulled in side the culm to give a smooth surface for polythene fixing on the bamboo

Gutters are also a specialized contraption and are made out of PVC pipes used for water. These pipes are cut in half and used to form gutter.

In the preferred embodiment the following characteristics are observed:

Bamboo: The bamboo aged 3 years or more is used. The wall thickness of the bamboo has to be minimum 4 mm at the point where galvanized pipe is inserted into the culm. The culm height shall be minimum 45 cm. A bamboo variety called 'Mess' (local name), is found most suitable for the strength. Bamboo has to be minimum 20 feet long. These bamboos are selected and fumigated for minimum period of 2 weeks for 24 hours each day. The bamboos selected for fumigation are put on stand and smoke is pumped from below. The active ingredients of fumigation are Neem cake and tar along with dry wood.

Bamboo is a bad conductor of heat and electricity. So even in the scorching sun or in extreme cold, the outside environmental changes do not have an effect on the ecology inside the polyhouse. The benefit is also evident at the contact point where the polythene touches the bamboo member elements. At this contact point polythene expansion is less compared to the contemporary steel Polyhouses (as in prior art) due to less heating, thus enabling polythene to last longer. Another feature of bamboo is that it can withstand the wind load effectively. It has a knotty structure, which allows it to swing under high wind load without breaking.

Gl steel: A hollow ³A" (3 quarter of an inch) 'C class pipe offers necessary strength to withstand the load of structure and offers enough space for bonding the special chemical with the inner surface of bamboo culm. The length of the Gl pipe has to be minimum 5 feet. The structure shall be elevated above ground minimum 2 feet so that bamboo does not come into direct contact with soil even when vegetation soil beds are made of 1.5 feet above the ground.

PVC material: PVC pipes are used to create gutters. Gutters form very important part of structure for draining water effectively off. PVC pipe of 250mm outer diameter with the 4.5kg/cm2 density resulting into 4 mm of wall thickness is used for this structure. These pipes are cut into exact halves and edges are softened so that polythene does not get torn when in contact with it. PVC pipes are designed for water flow. And also avoid the issues of rusting and then leakage, which is an issue if metal gutters are used. The life of gutter is much higher than metal and also allows rainwater harvesting easily. PVC pipes also offer kind of flexibility required by the bamboo structures to mould the form along the perlines. Perlines are the bamboo element, which hold the gutters. Additionally, it conducts heat much less compared to metal gutters and does not rust like metal gutters

For bonding non-expanding grout along with polymer-based adhesives is mixed in the proportion of 1.5: 1.

Procedure of mixing:

Hardner and the active components are separated out in proportion. While mixing these two components, volume-retaining grout is mixed into the dough. When sufficient workability is_. achieved then the mixture is left to settle for 1 minute. After that it is used. Special properties achieved: The new mixture offers firm bonding with the metal and internal wall of the bamboo and is the key to the invention. It also provides a seal for insects crawling and trying to enter the wood from the base.

STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION

Therefore according to the present invention, an improved Polyhouse structure comprising a rust resistant hollow pipe being cut into pieces of certain length and holes of certain diameter. The said hollow pipe is drilled at one end to allow a steel rod to be inserted; Plurality of fumigated bamboos, the said bamboos being selected and fixed in the ground by means of the said hollow pipe to elevate the Polyhouse structure from the ground; Inserting and gluing the said steel rod in the culm cavity of the top end of the said bamboo by means of an adhesive filling material. The said filling material is cured by retaining water level on the top of the filling; Sprinkling of water after every 8 hours for a period of 72 hours to achieve the necessary strength. Fastening around the said culm where the said steel pipe is inserted. A foundation pit is dug and Concrete is poured into the foundation pit; The entire structure is covered by polythene. The said steel pipe piece is at least 5 feet long and is of ¹C class and is drilled with at least 2 holes which are 6 inch apart for the rod to be inserted.

The said bamboo is at least 3 years old, has a minimum thickness of 4 mm and has a minimum height of 20 feet. The bamboos are fumigated for a period of at least 2 weeks for 24 hours. The height of the said culm is at least of 45 cm. The water level retained in the bamboo is between 2 mm - 4 mm. The steel pipe is drilled with holes of 8mm to 10mm diameter. Further the fasteners are of 45-60 mm outer diameter. The concrete is a mixture of 1 part gravel, 1part sand and 1/2 part (53 grade) cement. The filing material is a mixture of non-expanding grout and polymer based adhesives in the proportion 1.5: 1. Gutters are provided at 4-meter height for drainage of rainwater. These gutters are made of PVC pipes of 250mm to 350mm outer diameter with the minimum density of 4.5 kg/cm² and a minimum 4 mm wall thickness.

Although a specific embodiment of the invention has been described herein in detail, this has been done solely for the purpose of illustrating the invention in several of its aspects, and it is to be understood that the foregoing description does not limit the scope of the invention. It is contemplated that various substitutions, alterations and/or modifications to the embodiment of the invention disclosed herein, including but not limited to those implementation options specifically noted herein, may be made to the invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION:

1. It reduces the cost of the investment thus making the polyhouse-based agriculture more financially viable.

2. It requires less skilled people for the erection of Polyhouse. The method of construction eliminates use of specialized machinery and prefabrication in the factory.

3. Bamboo is an environment friendly material. It is important that precious earth is not scorched of resources. This invention uses less steel, less, cement, water and electricity for the construction.

4. It takes less time to construct. 5. This can be constructed on the land with gradient thus offering even more savings to the farmer.

6. The outside temperature conduction is lessened due to bamboo being bad conductor of heat.

Claims

I Claim:

1. An improved Polyhouse structure comprising a rust resistant hollow pipe being cut into pieces of certain length and holes of certain diameter ; the said hollow pipe being drilled at one end to allow a steel rod to be inserted;

Plurality of fumigated bamboos, the said bamboos being selected and fixed in the ground by means of the said hollow pipe to elevate the

Polyhouse structure from the ground;

Inserting and gluing the said steel rod in the culm cavity of the top end of the said bamboo by means of an adhesive filling material

The said filling material being cured by retaining water level on the top of the filling;

Sprinkling of water after every 8 hours for a period of 72 hours to achieve the necessary strength; Fastening around the said culm where the said steel pipe is inserted;

Digging a foundation pit and pouring Concrete into the foundation pit;

Covering the entire structure by polythene.

2. The improved polyhouse as per claim 1 , wherein the said steel pipe piece is at least 5 feet long and is of 'C class.

3. The improved polyhouse as per claim 2, wherein the said steel pipe is drilled with at least 2 holes which are 6 inch apart for the rod to be inserted.

4. The improved polyhouse as per claim 1 , wherein the said bamboo is at least 3 years old.

5. The improved polyhouse as per claim 1 and 2, wherein the said bamboo has a minimum thickness of 4 mm.

6. The improved polyhouse as per claim 3, the said bamboo has minimum usable height of 20 feet.

7. The improved polyhouse as per claim 1 , wherein the said bamboos are fumigated for a period of at least 2 weeks for 24 hours.

8. The improved polyhouse as per claim 1 , wherein the height of the said culm where hallow metal pipe is to be inserted is at least of 45 cm.

9. The improved polyhouse as per claim 1, wherein the said water level retained is between 2 mm - 4 mm.

10. The improved polyhouse as per claim 1, wherein said steel pipe is drilled with holes of 8mm to 10mm diameter.

11.The improved polyhouse as per claim 1 , wherein the said fasteners are of 45-60 mm outer diameter.

12. The improved polyhouse as per claim 1 , wherein the said concrete is a mixture of 1 part ³A" gravel, 1part sand and 1/2 part (53 grade) cement.

13. The improved polyhouse as per claim 1, wherein the said filing material is a non-expanding grout with polymer based adhesives.

14. The improved polyhouse as per claim 13, wherein the filling material consists of nonexpanding grout and polymer based adhesives in the proportion 1.5: 1.

15. The improved polyhouse as per claim 1 , wherein at every 8 meters gutters are constructed for drainage of rainwater.

16. The improved polyhouse as per claim 15, wherein the said gutters are made of PVC pipes of 250mm to 350mm outer diameter with the minimum density of 4.5 kg/cm² and a minimum 4 mm wall thickness.

17. The improved polyhouse as per claims 1- 16 such as herein described with reference to the accompanying specification and drawings.

Dated this 26 ;t^thⁿ day of December 2005.