WO2008136686A1

WO2008136686A1 - Growth function box device

Info

Publication number: WO2008136686A1
Application number: PCT/NO2008/000159
Authority: WO
Inventors: Dagfinn W. Gulliksen
Original assignee: Fahp-Vekstfunksjoner
Priority date: 2007-05-07
Filing date: 2008-05-07
Publication date: 2008-11-13

Abstract

A planter box (100) intended for a growth medium, comprising a plurality of side panels (40) and uprights (30) and a bottom dividing plate (50). Below the dividing plate (50) there is located a reservoir (60) for a liquid, the dividing plate (50) comprising openings (52) between the reservoir and the said compartment above. At least one liquid transport element (54) is installed that extends from the reservoir (60) through a respective opening (52) and up into the said compartment, along at least one of the side panels (40). Each upright (30) comprises a first and a second longitudinal locking groove (34a, 34b), and each locking groove is provided with at least one locking peg (20) which connects one of the locking grooves in one upright to one of the locking grooves in another upright.

Description

Growth Function Box Device

The invention relates to installations for growing and cultivating plants, and more specifically it relates to a planter box comprising a compartment capable of containing a growth medium, said compartment being defined by a plurality of side panels and uprights and a bottom dividing plate, and wherein below the dividing plate there is located a reservoir for a liquid, the dividing plate comprising openings between the reservoir and the said compartment. The invention further relates to a planter box with walls comprising four side panels and a bottom, wherein each side panel comprises an upper edge portion and a lower edge portion and two end portions, and wherein each side panel at its respective two end portions is equipped with longitudinal uprights and wherein one of the two longitudinal uprights attached to one side panel abuts against one of the two longitudinal uprights attached to another of the side panels.

Flower boxes, plant boxes and similar containers for growing and cultivating various plants are well known. A number of such boxes comprise a water reservoir in the bottom, separated from the growth medium (soil etc.) above by a dividing plate or partition. The water in the reservoir may be supplied to the growth medium in a number of ways. EP 0 748 585 describes such a device, where absorbent bars 13 project from the reservoir through the partition 11 and a certain distance into a compartment above in which a growth medium may be located. In use, water is transported in the bars 13 from the reservoir to the growth medium by capillary action. The partition 11 is in addition perforated so that excess water can run back to the reservoir. JP 2005218303 teaches a similar device. FR 2 875 997 describes another variant where the water reservoir has a design such that the water exerts permanent pressure against the ends of capillary rods which then transport water up into the growth medium.

One disadvantage of the prior art, where EP 0 748 585 is regarded as the most relevant document, is that water from the reservoir is not distributed evenly in the growth medium. This is manifest in particular along the walls of the plant box where the growth medium (humus soil, peat, etc.) has a tendency to dry out because the walls are heated (convection from surrounding air and radiation heat from sunlight) with the result that the growth medium contracts, thereby producing a gap between the growth medium and the walls. This gives a greater surface and leads to an increased evaporation of water from the growth medium. The part of the growth medium that is dry is also more porous, so that air is admitted and accelerates the drying out. An increased evaporation of this kind leads to a faster emptying of the reservoir and a greater danger of the roots drying out.

There is therefore a need for a device which gives a more reliable and more complete 5 supply of water to the growth medium and thus to the roots of the plants planted in the growth medium, which ensures that the water is distributed more evenly than is the case in the known solutions.

It is also known to use flower boxes of different materials and different configurationo outdoors, often in densely populated areas, and as dividing elements between different types of outdoor space. However, such plant boxes do not always function optimally as they are not designed with a view to being joined together and integrated with, e.g., garden furniture. s There is therefore a need for a planter box that can be integrated with other elements, such as garden furniture, and that can easily be changed as required.

To meet these needs there is provided a planter box comprising a compartment capable of containing a growth medium, said compartment being defined by a plurality of side0 panels and uprights and a bottom dividing plate, and wherein below the dividing plate there is located a reservoir for a liquid, the dividing plate comprising openings between the reservoir and the said compartment, characterised by at least one liquid transport element extending from the reservoir through a respective opening and up into the said compartment, along at least one of the side panels. The liquid transport element is₅ preferably in contact with the side panel.

There is further provided a planter box with walls comprising four side panels and a bottom, each side panel comprising a upper edge portion and a lower edge portion and two end portions, and wherein each side panel at its respective two end portions is0 equipped with longitudinal uprights and where one of the two longitudinal uprights attached to one side panel rests against one of the two longitudinal uprights attached to another of the side panels, characterised in that each upright comprises a first and a second longitudinal locking groove and in that each locking groove is provided with at least one locking peg which connects one of the locking grooves in one upright with oneS of the locking grooves in another upright. An embodiment of the invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the attached figures where like reference numerals designate like parts.

Figures 1 and 2 are perspective drawings of the planter box according to the invention;

Figure 3 is a perspective drawing of three planter boxes according to the invention, in an assembled stated;

Figure 4 is an exploded drawing of the planter box according to the invention;

Figure 5 is a perspective sectional drawing of the planter box according to the invention, to show some internal details;

Figure 6 is a perspective drawing of the planter box according to the invention, where some components have been removed for illustration purposes;

Figure 7 is a perspective drawing of the planter box according to the invention;

Figure 8 is a partially exploded drawing of a section of the planter box according to the invention;

Figure 9a is a perspective drawing of a combined leg and connecting element; Fig. 9b is a drawing of the device in Fig. 9a, seen from one side; Fig. 9c is a drawing of the device in Fig. 9a, seen from one end;

Fig. 10 is a drawing of the planter box according to the invention in a packed state, seen from one side;

Fig. 11 is a perspective drawing of the planter box according to the invention mounted together with other components;

Fig. 12a is a perspective drawing of an alternative embodiment of the planter box according to the invention;

Fig. 12b is a perspective drawing of an assembly based on the embodiment shown in Figure 12a. Fig. 13a is an enlarged section of the detail A in Figure 3, but shown without cover plugs.

Fig. 13b is a section corresponding to that in Fig. 13a, but is a partially exploded drawing, the locking pegs being shown in a non-mounted state. s

Reference is first made to Figure 1 and Figure 4 which show an embodiment of the planter box according to the invention, indicated by the reference numeral 100. Figure 4 is an exploded drawing of the planter box shown in Figure 1. It can be seen from the figures that the planter box 100 comprises four side panels 40 which are fastened

I₀ together into a box with the aid of elongate elements, or uprights 30, which also function as the legs of the box. These uprights may also be equipped with wheels (not shown) so that the planter box is wheelable. Each of the four side panels 40 is equipped with two uprights 30, one on each of the side edges of the side panel 40. The planter box 100 further comprises a reservoir 60 for water and optionally nutrients for the is plants. The reservoir is equipped with at least one overflow opening 62, as shown in Fig. 7. The reservoir 60 is supported by bearing parts 64 on each of the panels 40, as shown in particular in Figure 4. There is also mounted a dividing plate 50 over the reservoir 60. The dividing plate 50 acts as a dividing element between the reservoir 60 and the compartment above. This compartment, which is defined by the side panels 40

20 and by the dividing plate 50, is suitable for growth media, as for instance, humus soil, in which different plants can be grown and cultivated.

The side panels 40 are preferably configured with ribs 42, shown in particular in Figures 5, 8 and 10. The ribs 42 are raised parts that face out of the planter box when it is in a 25 mounted state, with corresponding recesses 42' on the side of the side panels which face into the planter box.

Each side panel 40 is, as mentioned, equipped with two uprights 30. One such upright 30 is shown in Figures 9a-c. The upright 30, which, for example, may be made of

30 extruded aluminium, is equipped with a longitudinal groove 32, delimited at the bottom by a wall 36. When an upright 30 is to be mounted on a side panel 40, the respective part of the side edges of the side panel 40 is received in the longitudinal groove 32 as shown in Figure 8. The width of the longitudinal groove 32 is adapted to the width of the side panel 40 to obtain optimal fastening. Optionally, the respective part of the side

35 panel 40 and/or an internal area in the groove 32 can be equipped with fastening means such as barbs or the like. The upright 30 is also equipped with two longitudinal and preferably parallel grooves 34a,b, hereafter called locking grooves 34a,b, as these grooves are crucial when the four side panels 40 are locked together to form a box. This is illustrated in particular in Figure 8, which shows a section of a planter box 100 in a partly mounted state. Two

5 side panels 40, with respective uprights 30 are placed opposite each other. When the planter box is to be mounted, locking pegs 20 are used which are configured so that a first part of the locking peg 20 fits into a locking groove 34a in one of the uprights 30, and a second part of the peg 20 fits into a locking groove 34a in the second upright 30. When a locking peg 20 is passed into the respective locking grooves 34a in each end of io the respective uprights 30, the side panels 40 are locked together to form a box structure. In order to form such a box structure, there are thus used four side panels 40, eight uprights 30 and eight locking pegs 20. The upper end openings 34a,b of the grooves can advantageously be hidden by covers 10, as shown in, for example, Figures 1, 4 and 8.

I₅

The dividing plate 50 is equipped with an opening (not shown) for a filling tube 68 which is well known. The reservoir 60 can be supplied with water and nutrients through this filling tube 68. Figure 1 also shows how the filling tube 68 is equipped with a measuring stick to show the amount of water in the reservoir. The measuring

20 stick is in a well known way connected to a float (not shown) in the reservoir 60. The dividing plate 50 is further equipped with a plurality of openings or slits 52. These are shown in particular in Figure 6, which is a sectional drawing of the planter box according to the invention. A liquid transport element 54 is passed through the slits and extends from the reservoir 60 bottom, though the slits 52 and up into the compartment

2₅ in which the growth medium can be placed. The liquid transport element 54 is preferably flexible, strip-shaped and made of a web material which with the aid of capillary action can transport (suck) liquid from the reservoir 60 and up into the compartment above the dividing plate 50, thereby supplying liquid to the growth medium that may be in this compartment. The liquid transport element 54 may consist

30 of known materials. Figure 6 shows such an element 54 mounted through four such slits, whilst three slits, for illustration purposes, are shown without an element 54 mounted therein. Figure 5 is a sectional drawing showing how the liquid transport element 54 extends down into the reservoir 60. The same is shown in Figure 7, which is a section of the planter box without the dividing plate 50, for illustration purposes.

35

It can be seen clearly from, for example, Figures 1, 5 and 7, how the liquid transport element 54 rests against the side panels 40 when the planter box is in a mounted stated. During mounting, and prior to the growth medium being added, the liquid transport element 54 is prevented from sliding down towards the dividing plate 50 in that a part of the element 54 is formed as a ridge 55 that is placed in a part of the previously mentioned recesses 42' in the side panels.

5

In use, when the liquid transport element 54 is positioned in this way and a growth medium (e.g., soil) has been filled in the compartment above the dividing plate 50, the liquid is drawn up through the liquid transport element 54 and thus along the side panels 40. The roots of the plants planted in the soil will have a tendency to grow out towards io the moist walls in the planter box. This gives a better distribution of the root system and a more even distribution of moisture in the growth medium compared with the known solutions. It is also advantageous that the roots are in an area close to the walls which under certain conditions (because of solar irradiation, etc.) have a higher temperature than the temperature within the growth medium.

I₅

The gaps 43 between the ribs 42 on the outer sides of the side panels 40 may advantageously accommodate decorative elements, as for example wooden panels 44, as shown in Figure 5. Each panel could be held in place in its respective gap by means of grooves 32 (see, for example, Fig. 8).

20

Figure 3 shows an example of how several of the planter boxes 100 according to the invention, by means of the uprights 30 and the locking pegs 20, can be joined together. Figure 3 shows three interconnected boxes, but those of skill in the art will understand that additional boxes can be added. The section A in Figure 3 is enlarged in Figures 13a

25 and 13b. Figure 13a shows the section A, but the cover plugs 10 have been removed for purposes of illustration. Figure 13b shows the same configuration as Figure 13a, but with the locking pegs 20a, b, c, d in a non-mounted state. In Figures 13a and 13b the side panel 40a forms a wall between a first box 100a and a third box 100c, the side panel 40b forms a wall between the first box 100a and a second box 100b, whilst the

30 side panels 40c and 4Od form respective side walls in the third and second box respectively. A first locking peg 20a connects a first upright 30a to a second upright 30b; a second locking peg 20b connects the second upright 30b to a third upright 30c; a third locking peg 20c connects the third upright 30c to a fourth upright 30d; and a fourth locking peg 2Od connects the fourth upright 30d to the first upright 30a. In this way,

35 several boxes can be joined together. In addition to such "four- way" couplings as shown in Figures 13a, b, Figure 3 also shows "three-way" couplings in the connection between two boxes, e.g., 100a and 100b. Those of skill in the art will understand that locking pegs in a similar way are inserted into the uprights from the other (lower end) of the respective uprights.

The planter box 100 according to the invention can be integrated with modules that are constructed according to the same principle as the planter box and linked together via elongate elements 30 and associated locking pegs 20. Figure 11 shows an example of this, where between two planter boxes 100 there are mounted two closed modules 200, which, for example, may be equipped with lids, and an open module 205 with a storage compartment 210.

As shown in Figures 12a and 12b, the planter box according to the invention may also have other configurations than rectangular. Figure 12b shows an embodiment of the planter box 100' where two of the side panels are curved but with different curve lengths. Several of such planter boxes 100' can be used to form an installation as outlined in Figure 12a.

The Norwegian University for Life Sciences has conducted experiments with the planter box according to the invention with the object of testing water consumption. The following are the parameters involved: - The compartment containing the growth medium has in this embodiment a volume of 106 litres.

- Two cucumber plants were planted when they had reached the 6-8 leaf stage.

- The box was placed in a testing room with day light and artificial light.

- The temperature was set at 22⁰C in the day and 18⁰C at night (length of day: 18 hours). - The light level was set at 20,000 lux using a SON-T type lamp.

- The growth medium was Floralux fertilised peat or the like.

- For watering and filling the reservoir, feeding water from the mains was used.

At the start, the growth medium in the box was saturated and the reservoir was filled up to the overflow. This corresponds to an amount of water of 16.6 litres.

It was recorded how long it takes from the start with a saturated box and full reservoir until the plants do not find available water and begin to show signs of drying stress in that the leaves droop and begin to hang. A preliminary report shows that it took two weeks before the plants began to shows signs of drying stress and it was necessary to fill up with water.

Claims

P a t e n t c l a i m s

1.

A planter box (100) comprising a compartment capable of containing a growth medium,

5 said compartment being defined by side panels (40) and a bottom dividing plate (50), and wherein below the dividing plate (50) there is located a reservoir (60) for a liquid, the dividing plate (50) comprising openings (52) between the reservoir and the said compartment, characterised by at least one liquid transport element (54) extending from the reservoir (60) through a respective opening (52) and up into the said compartment,

I₀ along at least one of the side panels (40).

2.

A planter box according to claim 1, characterised in that the liquid transport element is preferably in contact with the side panel (40).

I₅

3.

A planter box according to claim 1, characterised in that the liquid transport element (54) extends to an area by the side panel (40) that is furthest away from the dividing plate (50).

20

4.

A planter box according to claim 1, characterised in that the liquid transport element

(54) comprises a flexible, strip-shaped element.

25. 5.

A planter box according to claim 1, characterised in that the side panel (40) comprises supporting parts (42') for respective portions (55) of the liquid transport element (54).

6.

30 A planter box according to claim 1 , characterised in that the side panels (40) are joined together by uprights (30).

7.

A planter box according to claim 6, characterised in that it comprises four side panels 3₅ (40) and a bottom (50), wherein each side panel comprises an upper edge portion and a lower edge portion and two end portions, and wherein each side panel at its respective two end portions is equipped with longitudinal uprights (30) and wherein one of the two longitudinal uprights (30) attached to one side panel abuts against one of the two longitudinal uprights (30) attached to another of the side panels (30).

8. A planter box according to claim 7, characterised in that each upright (30) comprises a first and a second longitudinal groove (34a, 34b) and that each locking groove is provided with at least one locking peg (20) that connects one of the locking grooves in one upright with one of the locking grooves in another upright.

9.

A planter box according to claim 7, characterised in that under the bottom (50) there is located a liquid reservoir (60) and that the bottom is provided with openings (52), preferably in an area close to the edges of the bottom.