WO2011012738A1

WO2011012738A1 - Tank for collecting rainwater for watering purposes with a nurse-plant-like protective effect

Info

Publication number: WO2011012738A1
Application number: PCT/ES2010/000146
Authority: WO
Inventors: Juan José MUÑOZ RODRIGUEZ; Antonio GARCÍA FUENTES
Original assignee: Universidad De Jaén
Priority date: 2009-07-29
Filing date: 2010-03-25
Publication date: 2011-02-03
Also published as: ES2351840B1; ES2351840A1

Abstract

Device for protecting and watering plants that comprises a cylindrical structure with a mesh sunshade and a water tank with a concave cover, and with a check valve that allows rainwater to enter by gravity, said tank being connected to a drip-watering tube that may be controlled by a timer or delayed-discharge device, with the option to install a photosensitive mechanism. The tank may have an awning-type extension made of microperforated material, and may be connected in series with other, similar tanks.

Description

Rain collector tank for irrigation with protective effect type nurse plant

SECTOR OF THE TECHNIQUE

The sector of the technique of the present invention is that of irrigation devices that incorporate tanks to automate the irrigation process and increase the water supply. Specifically irrigation systems that include a structure for the protection of the plant against external agents (animals, weather, etc.) and systems with a container for collecting precipitation water and delayed irrigation.

STATE OF THE TECHNIQUE

Tree plantations and reforestation have great utility in our society. Its benefits are varied and important: obtaining raw materials (wood, cellulose, fruits, etc.), preventing erosion, maintaining biodiversity, reducing the greenhouse effect or global warming, etc. However, many of these plantations, when carried out in wild environments and in large areas, have various difficulties of a technical and economic nature, which make them expensive and unsuccessful, mainly due to the unfeasible use of traditional means of irrigation.

On the other hand, there are numerous scientific studies that confirm the beneficial effect of some plant species characteristic of the successional dynamics of the ecosystem, for the growth of woody species with greater water or environmental requirements. Woody species can also be very fragile against herbivores in juvenile phases, and can benefit from some protection by growing under other plants more resistant to herbivores. This phenomenon known in biological terms as facilitation, is responsible for the dynamics progressive succession of the ecosystem, which allows the development of forests from unfavorable initial conditions. The species that facilitate the development of more demanding ones are called nurse plants.

Two parameters are involved in the water balance of a plant, on the one hand the contribution of water to the soil available for the roots, and on the other the consumption of water by the plant, for example to regulate its temperature. This water consumption is mainly due to the evapotranspiration of the plant. Therefore, the water balance can be greatly improved by reducing evapotranspiration. For example, if we provide the plant with some shade, its temperature and its need for evapotranspiration will decrease, improving the water balance in times of shortage.

There are systems in the state of the art that incorporate deposits and automate irrigation and increase water supply, such as those contained in documents P0473840, U9803199, WO202273FR and P8800414. However, these systems do not meet other needs of seedlings, such as that of moderate heat stroke, nor do they offer protection against animals; so that depending on the goodness of the climate and the fragility of the seedlings there are numerous casualties. For example, in environments with a certain aridity or in Mediterranean environments it is common to achieve mortality rates in the first plantations close to 80% or even higher. This implies significant losses, having to remove dead plants and replace the casualties with new ones in successive seasons. It is often the case that the most valued species from the productive or environmental point of view are more demanding species from the water / climate point of view or more sensitive to herbivores, such as hardwoods (oaks, cork oaks, beech, etc.). In addition, in certain places, due to the risk of erosion or its great environmental value, the mortality of the planting and the consequent delay in the development time of the vegetation cover is a serious damage, which with the current technique is difficult to avoid.

On the other hand, the current technique includes irrigation system devices that combine a structure for the protection of the plant against weather agents, with a container for collecting water from precipitation and subsequent irrigation; as described in WO2005034611 and US2008092440. However, in these devices the protection elements either interfere with the natural water contributions or collect water that the seedling could use naturally, thus being inefficient. In addition, these irrigation and collection devices are not designed for protection against animals and can be expensive or complex, which makes them unfeasible in various circumstances, such as forest means.

Faced with this, the proposed invention proposes a low cost device that simultaneously allows the natural water supply of the plants, a supplementary irrigation by deferred water supply and protection against external agents. Its use would mean improving the success of the plantations or accelerating the development of the plants.

EXPLANATION OF THE INVENTION The proposed device is composed of two components. The first component is a reservoir capable of storing water, collecting water from precipitation avoiding its loss and supplying it to a plant. The water supply is carried out gradually, by means of a mechanism delayed after rainfall, so that in addition to increasing the amount of water supplied to the plant, the period of time in which the water is available for the plant, keeping the soil moist and increasing the balance of number of rain days / dry days. Thus, the plant receives a water contribution not only on rainy days, but also on subsequent days, from the water collected in the reservoir. The second component is a structure capable of providing some shade and / or mechanical protection to a plant, and thus reducing the excess of solar radiation and / or the damaging action of weather and / or herbivorous animals. This structure is designed not to reduce the natural water supply that the plant would receive. For example, it could be a cross-linked cylindrical structure with a shading mesh cover that provides protection to the seedling, but allows the rainwater that this seedling receives naturally to pass through.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To complement the description that is being made and in order to help a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention, this descriptive report is attached, as an integral part thereof, of a set of drawings, in which with character Illustrative and not limiting, the following has been represented:

Figure number 1 shows a sectional view, according to a vertical section, of the tank (D) with a concave lid (T), in which the location of the non-return valve (V) is shown.

Figure number 2 shows a sectional view, according to vertical section, of the hole of the cover (T) that allows the entry of water into the tank, by opening a non-return valve that is operated by springs (M) that allow the change of position of the sealing element (A) depending on the weight of the water that accumulates in the lid.

Figure number 3 shows a working diagram of the closure of the delayed discharge device comprising a bowl or container (C), located at one end of an element, which when filled with water exerts a weight on an element that pivots on an point (O) as a lever, and at the end of which there is a rubber seal (X) that acts as a stopper on the outlet of the dropper (G), closing the water passage.

Figure number 4 shows an operation scheme of the opening of the tank discharge device, in which when the bowl or container is empty (C) the water pressure of the dripper displaces the rubber gasket (X), allowing the outlet of water.

Figure 5 shows a sectional view, according to vertical section, of the device, according to an example of embodiment, showing the main parts and elements that integrate it, as well as the configuration and arrangement thereof, particularly distinguishing the tank (D), the protection element by shading (S), the support and protection element against herbivores (P) and the protected plant (Pl).

Detailed description of the invention

The first component, the tank or tank for irrigation, can be individual or for a group of plants. This tank (Fig. 1) has a suitable way to collect rainwater, for example it has a lid (T) or concave shaped upper element, in the form of a funnel or inverted umbrella. In this way the precipitated water is diverted and concentrated towards the entrance of the tank. The tank inlet is constituted by a small opening, a small grid or a non-return valve (V). The function of the small opening, of the grid or of the non-return valve is to allow the gravity to enter the tank by gravity, reducing the exit of it by evaporation, as well as preventing the entry of animals or small objects into the tank . For example (Fig. 2) in a possible type of valve, the weight of the water accumulated on the concave lid partially overcomes the resistance of the elastic means, for example springs (M), which hold the plug (A) under the opening . The plug (A) goes down and the water enters the tank by gravity. Once the water has entered, the cap returns to its original position and the opening of the springs (M) keeps the opening closed, preventing evaporation and the entry of particles.

The design and dimensions of the deposit are particularized for each type of plant and environment in particular. This design must be appropriate to optimize the following variables: • Amount of rainfall, average rainfall and distribution, according to the existing weather in the area.

• Size or volume and three-dimensional distribution of the root system of the seedling / s to be irrigated.

• Water needs of the seedling / s to be irrigated. • Cost of manufacturing the device.

• Protective effect due to the shape of the device.

The quantification of the mentioned variables can be used to design a tank sized to the plant, to the irrigation doses and to the specific climatic environment. The tank, in its lower part, has an outlet mechanism for emptying the tank by gravity, which is connected to an irrigation medium, such as a microtube for drip irrigation.

The emptying of the tank is carried out by means of a delayed discharge device, in such a way that it releases water at moments after the precipitation falls. This delayed discharge device can be of various types, such as a shut-off valve controlled by a counterbalance of collected rainwater; in such a way that when it rains the weight of the water closes the valve and in later days, when the rainwater evaporates, the valve opens allowing the exit of the stored water (Fig. 3 and 4). Other examples of a delayed discharge device could be pieces of porous materials (fibers, clays, etc.) that allow capillary irrigation slowly. A piece of dilatable material that contains a very fine microtube or an opening for the water outlet could also be used, so that when the piece is contracted on the rainy day it does not discharge (for example because it is cold and / or soaked), but in later days when the piece dilates (for example when heated with the sun) allows the discharge through the opening or microtube. Finally, a more sophisticated discharge mechanism could be used, such as a timer valve, or a valve with a photosensitive mechanism that does not discharge on cloudy days. The invention can also incorporate connections to connect several tanks with each other or with auxiliary tanks, to allow the consecutive emptying of several irrigation doses, or to allow irrigation supplements from other sources (such as wells or tankers). This mechanism should have at least one entry in the base of the tank of equal or smaller diameter than an exit to the next tank, located in the upper part of said tank. By connecting the tanks alternately in this way, all the water could be irrigated plantation making a contribution from a single higher point, taking advantage of the filling and overflowing of gravity deposits. One or more tanks can also be connected to one or more intermittent or consecutive irrigation dose discharge mechanisms; such as several tanks connected to delayed opening devices with different delays to discharge at different successive times. This could be achieved, for example, with delayed opening mechanisms (Figs. 3 and 4) with bowls or containers of different capacities, capable of quickly filling with water when it rains.

The second component (Fig. 5), the structure of protection against external agents, provides the device with a "nurse effect", to protect and facilitate the growth of plants. With the appropriate design, it provides the plant with some shade, reducing its temperature and its need for evapotranspiration, thus improving the water balance in times of shortage.

At the same time that shadow is produced, with an appropriate design of the structure it is also relatively easy to protect against the attack of certain herbivores and other weather conditions (stony, winds, snow, excess heat stroke). An example (Fig. 5) could be an attached tank with a cross-linked cylindrical shield (P) with shading mesh (S) in certain areas.

Example of embodiment

Individual deposit for irrigation of reforestation in Mediterranean environments. It comprises a tank with a shape similar to a bucket or bucket of about 30 liters capacity, made with waterproof material, preferably biodegradable. The tank has a slightly concave shaped funnel cover (T). In the center of the cover there is a small check valve (V) operated by a soft spring (M), which allows the entry of water from above by gravity, but keeps the opening closed by means of an element that closes (A) if the Water deposited in the lid does not exert sufficient weight, reducing evaporation and preventing access of animals or objects inside.

The tank is connected at its base by means of a microtube to a delayed opening dropper (G). The delayed opening mechanism comprises a container, in the form of a small open bowl, or microbasin, (C and C), capable of quickly filling with water when it rains. This microbasin when full (C), exerts a weight on an element that pivots on a point (O) as a lever, whose support is a rubber gasket (X) that functions as a plug on the outlet of the dropper, closing The step when the microbasin is full. When the water in the microbasin evaporates (C) _{1 it} decreases its weight and allows the irrigation drop by drop in later days (Fig. 4).

The tank has an extension on the upper part in the form of a visor made with shading mesh (S) or biodegradable microperforated material, and positioned substantially perpendicular to the tank thanks to a cross-linked cylindrical protective element (P), so that casts shade during the hours of maximum sunshine on the seedling located in the lower part. Its situation and design protects from other external agents (herbivores, frost, etc.) and gives shade to the seedling reducing evapotranspiration, without decreasing the access of the plant to rainwater. While providing shade and protection, it performs a delayed supplementary irrigation to the nearest lower floor (Fig. 5).

Claims

1. Device for irrigation and protection of plants, comprising at least two elements, the first element being a reservoir whose design allows to collect rainwater not usable by the plant, store water and release it in a delayed and / or intermittent way to the plant ; and the second element is a global protection structure (nurse effect) against external agents (sunstroke, animals, weather conditions, ...) that does not modify the natural water supply of rainfall that reaches the plant and that provides an effect nurse or ecological facilitation. 2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the reservoir has a concave top cover or shape, in the form of an inverted funnel or umbrella, with a small opening, a grid or a non-return valve, which allows the gravity to enter the reservoir by gravity and prevents the entry of animals or small objects inside. 3. Device according to any of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the weight of the water on the cover partially overcomes the resistance of the elastic means, preferably springs, which hold the stopper of the non-return valve, allowing the entry of water by gravity.

4. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the tank, in its lower part, has an outlet mechanism for emptying the tank by gravity, connected to a means of irrigation or discharge, preferably a microtube for drip irrigation.

5. Device according to any one of claims 1 or 4, characterized in that the tank emptying mechanism is a delayed and / or intermittent discharge device.

Device according to any one of claims 1, 4 or 5, characterized in that the delayed discharge device comprises a shut-off valve controlled by the counterweight of water in a bowl or container, so that when the bowl is full it exerts a weight on lever, whose support is a rubber gasket as a stopper that closes the water outlet, and when the bowl is empty the lever yields by moving the rubber gasket and allowing the passage of water.

7. Device according to any one of claims 1, 4 or 5, characterized in that the delayed discharge device comprises one or more pieces of porous materials that allow capillary water to pass slowly.

8. Device according to any one of claims 1, 4 or 5, characterized in that the delayed discharge device comprises one or several pieces of material expandable by temperature and / or humidity, so as to regulate the water outlet from the tank according to its expansion-contraction, depending on whether it is respectively cold and / or soaked or hot and / or dry, for example by decreasing or increasing an opening in the water outlet. θ Device according to any one of claims 1, 4 or 5, characterized in that the delayed discharge device comprises a timer valve.

10. Device according to any of claims 1, 4 or 5, characterized in that the delayed discharge device comprises a photosensitive mechanism that prevents watering on cloudy days.

11. Device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tank incorporates one or more connections to others tanks and / or auxiliary tanks and / or delayed and / or intermittent discharge means, which allow the consecutive emptying of several irrigation doses as well as irrigation supplements from other sources, such as wells or tankers, depending on weather conditions and the characteristics and requirements of the plant.

12. Device according to any of claims 1 or 11, characterized in that the tank has at its base at least one inlet that connects it to the previous tank and in its upper part an outlet that connects it to the back tank, the entrance being equal or smaller diameter than the outlet, in such a way that by making a single contribution from an elevated tank a large area can be irrigated, due to the effect of filling and overflowing of the deposits by gravity.

13. Device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second element comprises a cylindrical cross-linked protector with shading mesh in certain areas.

14. Device according to any of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the second element comprises an extension of the tank in its upper part, in the form of a visor, made with shading mesh or microperforated material that allows the passage of water through it, placed substantially perpendicular to the deposit, so that it casts shade during the hours of maximum sunshine on the plant located in the lower part.

15. Device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that all or part of the materials used in its manufacture are biodegradable, not limiting or subsequently preventing the growth of the plant.