WO2012066212A1

WO2012066212A1 - Green wall with water reservoir

Info

Publication number: WO2012066212A1
Application number: PCT/FR2011/052570
Authority: WO
Inventors: Christiane Poirot
Original assignee: Circeo Partners
Priority date: 2010-11-19
Filing date: 2011-11-03
Publication date: 2012-05-24
Also published as: EP2640180A1; FR2967550A1; FR2967550B1

Abstract

The subject of the present invention is a device for creating a wall (3) intended to be planted, comprising a reservoir (50) for storing liquid, particularly rainwater, a cage (40) extending vertically and intended to contain a substrate (42) for supplying liquid to the plants, means (30) of attaching the cage to a vertical wall (3) of the reservoir (50), and means (60) of watering the plants supplied with water by the substrate (42), the watering means (60) being supplied with water from the water reservoir (50).

Description

Green wall with water tank

The present invention relates to a device for producing a vegetated wall.

It is known from FR2919582 to have liquid storage elements or modules, in particular rainwater, delimiting a modular tank, these modules comprising assembly means for assembly with a module of the same type adjacent, fluid communication means for fluidic communication with said module of the same type adjacent.

This modular tank is satisfactory in that it allows storage of a large volume of water with a small footprint.

Such a modular tank finds its application in the recycling of rainwater.

This modular tank is also an alternative to the underground tank, and its structure allows integration into the existing one.

However, in the case where it is leaned against an existing wall or is itself a wall, this modular tank has a vertical wall that remains untapped.

The present invention aims to solve all or part of the disadvantages mentioned above by taking advantage of this vertical wall.

For this purpose, the subject of the present invention is a device for producing a vegetated wall, comprising a reservoir for storing liquid, in particular rainwater, a cage extending vertically for containing a substrate in order to feeding plants, fixing means of the cage on a vertical wall of the tank and plant watering means fed by the substrate, the watering means being supplied with water by the water tank.

This arrangement makes it possible to use the wall of the storage tank to construct a vegetated wall and to use the water contained therein to water plants.

Of course, the invention is not limited to a single face of the tank, so it can be applied, for example, to both surfaces main opposites of a parallelepiped shaped tank with a cage disposed on each of these surfaces.

According to one embodiment, the device comprises aeration means of the rear face of the substrate facing the reservoir.

This arrangement allows aeration plants to grow on the substrate.

According to one embodiment, the aeration means comprise through ventilation channels defined by the tank wall so as to pass through the latter and to open on the rear face of the substrate.

This arrangement allows to take fresh air from the rear of the tank to aerate the plants for pushing on the substrate.

According to one embodiment, the aeration means comprise ventilation channels formed on the surface of the vertical wall of the tank and opening on an edge of the vertical wall of the tank.

This arrangement allows the convective evacuation of heat accumulated between the reservoir and the substrate.

According to one embodiment, the fixing means comprise an insert housed in a solid part of the vertical wall of the tank.

This arrangement makes it possible to define hanging points for the cage.

According to one embodiment, the insert is disposed on a rib of the tank.

This arrangement allows to set up an insert that can ensure the maintenance of heavier loads.

According to one embodiment, the insert is fixed by overmolding on the reservoir.

This arrangement allows the insertion of a fixed fastening means in the body for example polyethylene tank as manufactured by molding.

According to one embodiment, the fixing means comprise a hook comprising an eye intended to be traversed by removable fixing means intended to cooperate with the insert, and a passage intended to support the cage.

This arrangement allows to introduce laterally the hook on the bar and allows the maintenance of a bar arranged vertically.

According to one embodiment, the hook has a "U" shape. This arrangement makes it possible to form a vertical passage inside the "U" shape allowing the cage to be held before tightening.

According to one embodiment, the reservoir has a modular structure comprising a set of storage elements, each storage element or module comprising assembly means for assembly with a module of the same type adjacent, and means of fluidic communication, for fluidic communication with said module of the same adjacent type.

This arrangement makes it possible to increase the volume of the tank.

According to a mode of real isation, the fluidic communication means are arranged to allow the setting in fluidic communication during assembly of the modules according to at least two assembly directions.

These fluidic communication means allow the liquid to flow from one module to another and to distribute the mass of the liquid uniformly within the bottom of the tank.

According to one embodiment, at least one module supports an independent cage.

According to another embodiment, at least two modules support a single cage maintained by all the fastening means available on the two modules.

According to one embodiment, the means for irrigating the substrate comprise means for taking water from the reservoir disposed at a point disposed in a lower part of the reservoir, means for supplying water above the position la higher of the cage on the wall to be planted, spray nozzles arranged above the cage.

This arrangement makes it possible to collect a maximum of water from the tank and to use them for watering the substrate contained in the cage.

According to one embodiment, the watering means comprise a pump.

This arrangement allows the supply of water from a low point to a high point.

According to one embodiment, the device comprises time control means of the pump.

This arrangement makes it possible to program times and frequencies of watering, for example early in the morning or in the evening in summer. According to one embodiment, the device comprises means for detecting the level of water in the reservoir.

This provision allows to prohibit the start of the pump when the water level in the tank is too low.

According to one embodiment, the device comprises means for connection to a water distribution network.

This arrangement allows the watering of the substrate even when the water level in the tank is too low.

According to one embodiment, the device comprises support means arranged to maintain a determined spacing between a cage and a support.

According to one embodiment, the support is the cage of another adjacent reservoir or a base placed on the ground.

This arrangement allows the cages to maintain their original shape by preventing them from sagging under the weight of the substrate.

In any case, the invention will be better understood with the aid of the description which follows, with reference to the appended schematic drawing showing, by way of nonlimiting example, modules, and a device for producing a vegetated wall according to the invention.

Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a storage tank module.

Figure 2 is a schematic representation of an assembly of two collector type tank modules.

Figure 3 is a diagrammatic representation in perspective according to a first angle of view of the tank comprising modules assembled in two horizontal directions.

Figure 4 is a schematic perspective representation at a second viewing angle of the reservoir of Figure 3.

Figure 5 shows in detail the fastening means disposed on the reservoir.

Figure 6 illustrates the operation of the distribution of water within a reservoir comprising a set of modules.

Figure 7 is a schematic representation of a device for producing a vegetated wall comprising a reservoir and a cage for retaining a substrate feeding plants. As illustrated in FIG. 7, a device 100 for producing a vegetated wall comprises a reservoir 50 for storing liquid, in particular rainwater, a cage 40 extending vertically for containing a substrate 42 for the purpose of supplying plants, fixing means 30 of the cage 40 on a vertical wall 4 of the tank 50 and the watering means 60 of the plants fed by the substrate 42, the watering means 60 being fed by the tank of water 50.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 and 6 to 7, according to one embodiment, the storage tank 50 has a modular structure comprising a set of modules 1, 2,.

The modules 1, 2 are in two types: a first type called storage modules 1 shown in Figure 1 and a second type called collector modules 2 shown in Figure 2.

Each module 1, 2 comprises assembly means 12, 13, 1 5, 1 6, 24, 25 intended for assembly with a module of the same type adjacent, and fluid communication means 19, intended for the installation in fluid communication with said module 1, 2 of the same adjacent type

The modules 1, 2 comprise a hollow body portion of substantially parallelepipedal shape having an interior volume for the storage of liquid.

The modules 1, 2 comprise a structure made of a dimensionally stable material. The dimensionally stable material makes it possible to maintain the shape of the modules 1, 2 in the presence of liquid.

The modules 1, 2 comprise a wall 3 comprising two parallel panels 4. Each panel 4 has a first side edge 5 and a second side edge 6. The first two lateral edges of each panel 4 are connected by a first field 7. The second lateral edges 6 of each panel 4 are connected by a second field 8, parallel to the first field 7.

The wall 3 of the modules 1, 2 is delimited vertically by a lower portion 10 and an upper portion 11 January.

The modules 1, 2 comprise connecting means 12, 13, 15, 16, 24, 25 in the vertical direction and in the horizontal direction.

The vertical assembly means 15, 16 are arranged on the upper portion 1 1 of the modules 1, 2 and on the lower portion 10 of the single reserve module 1. The vertical assembly means 15 comprise on the upper portion 1 1 of the modules 1, 2 a narrowing 15 extending on the two parallel panels 4 by vertical channels 23.

The vertical assembly means 16 comprise on the lower portion 1 0 of the reservoir 1 of the housing 16 of complementary shape to the narrowing 15 of the modules 1, 2.

The lower portion 10 of the collector modules is flat.

The vertical assembly means 15 of the upper portion 1 1 of the modules 1, 2 can be assembled two storage modules 1 or a spare module 1 and a collector module 2 when the upper portion 1 1 of the modules 1, 2 and the lower portion 10 of a reserve module 1, whose shapes are complementary, are adjacent.

The assembly means 1 2, 1 3, 24, 25 are in turn arranged in the maximum longitudinal direction of the modules 1, 2.

According to a first embodiment, as represented in FIGS. 3 and 4, the horizontal assembly means 12, 13 are respectively disposed on the first lateral field 7 and the second lateral field 8 on the modules 1, 2.

The horizontal assembly means 13 of the second lateral field 8 comprise at least one boss 13. The assembly means 12 of the first chamber 7 have at least one housing 1 2 of complementary shape to the boss 13 .

The horizontal assembly means 12, 13 of the lateral fields 7, 8 make it possible to assemble two modules 1, 2 when the second lateral field 8 of a first module 1, 2 and the first lateral field 7 of a second module 1 , 2 of the same type, whose shapes are complementary, are adjacent.

According to a second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the horizontal assembly means 24, 25 are arranged on the upper portion 1 1 of the modules 1, 2. They comprise two hooks 24 arranged near the second field 8 and two housing 25 of complementary shape to the hooks 24 disposed near the first field 7.

These horizontal assembly means 24, 25 are intended to assemble two modules 1, 2 of the same type when the second field 8 of a first module 1, 2 is adjacent to the first field 7 of a second module 1, 2. According to a third embodiment, as represented in FIG. 2, the modules 1, 2 comprise horizontal assembly means 24, 25 arranged on the upper portion 1 1 of the modules 1, 2 and horizontal assembly means 12, 1 3 arranged on the first lateral field 7 and the second lateral field 8 of the modules 1, 2.

The upper portion 1 1 of the modules 1, 2 and the lower portion 1 0 of a mod u l reserve 1 further comprise means of fluid communication 19.

The fluidic communication means 19 comprise a circular opening 19 passing through the thickness of the portion. The fluid communication means 19 allow fluid communication to be set when the upper portion 11 of one of the modules 1, 2 is connected to the lower portion 10 of a spare module 1.

The fluidic communication means 19 comprise a not shown joint allowing a tight connection when assembling two modules 1, 2.

The fluidic communication means 19 further allow the connection of a fluid circulation apparatus as well as a filtration apparatus in general.

According to one embodiment, the collector module 2 comprises a fluid communication means 19 on at least one of its fields 7, 8.

The surface of the two parallel panels 3 of the reserve module 1 further comprises a one of a n a ble air vent or opening through res 22 forming a set of spacers. The spacers are made in the form of elements joining the two panels 3. The spacers are intended to increase the resistance of a spare module 1 and the openings 22 which they form the wall are intended to allow the routing of the air on the face of the panel 3 of the spare module 1.

Thus the channels 23 and the openings 22 form aeration means 21 of the rear face of the substrate 42 facing the reservoir 50.

As shown in Figure 1, the two parallel panels 4 of the reserve module 1 comprise ribs 20 reminiscent of the form of cladding in general.

As shown in FIG. 6, a modular tank 50 is made by assembling a first column 51 and a second column 52. Each column 51, 52 comprises four modules 1, 2 assembled vertically.

The four modules 1, 2 of each column 51, 52 consist of a collector module 200, 201 located at the base of the column 51, 52 of a lower reserve module 101, 111 located above the collector module 200 , 201, an intermediate reserve module 102, 112 located above the lower reserve module 101, 111 and an upper reserve module 103, 113 located above the intermediate reserve module 02, 112.

The two columns 51, 52 are assembled horizontally according to the first field 7 of each module 200, 101, 102, 103 of the first column 51 with the second field 8 of each module 201, 111, 112, 113 vis-à-vis of the same type in the second column 52.

The fluid communication means 19 of the modules 200, 201, 101, 111, 102, 112, 103, 113 allow the liquid subjected to the gravitational force to flow from an upper module to a lower module.

The liquid to be stored enters through the opening of the upper portion 11 of the upper module 103, 113.

When the liquid reaches the lower portion 10 of the upper reserve module 103, 113, it enters the intermediate reserve module 102, 112.

When the liquid reaches the lower portion 10 of the intermediate reserve module 102, 112, it enters the lower reserve module 101, 111.

When the liquid reaches the lower portion 10 of the lower reserve module 101, 111, it penetrates into the collector module 200, 201.

As mentioned above, the two parallel panels 4 of the reserve module 1 comprise a set of fixing means 30 distributed near the lateral fields 7, 8.

The cage 40 has in turn bars 41 intended to be oriented vertically.

As shown in detail in FIG. 5, the fixing means 30 intended to retain this cage 40 comprise threaded inserts 31 overmolded with the reserve module 1.

These connecting means 30 also comprise removable connection means 32 constituted by threaded screws 32. Each threaded screw 32 comprises a head 32b and a threaded body 32a intended to be screwed into one of the threaded inserts 31.

In addition, the connecting means 30 also comprise a hook 33.

The hook 33 is in the general form of a "U" whose two branches 33a, 33b each respectively comprise an eye 34a, 34b of circular section of sufficient diameter to allow the passage of the threaded body 32a of the threaded screw 32 and small enough diameter to prevent the passage of the screw head 32b.

Of course, without leaving the frame of the invention each eye 34a,

34b could also have an oblong section.

Thus, when the threaded screw 32 passes through the eye 34a, 34b disposed on each of the branches 35a, 35b of the hook 33, the latter forms a passage 36 for the bar 41 of the cage 40 intended to retain a substrate 42, for example from sphagnum, which can feed plants.

The bar 41 of the cage 40 can thus be clamped in the passage 36 by tightening the threaded screw 32 in the threaded insert 31.

The bra nches 33a, 33b of a U-shaped hook are resilient and tend to give the hook 33 its "U" shape. When these branches 33a, 33b are clamped against each other, the hook 33 also performs the function of an anti-loosening means for the threaded screw 32.

As mentioned above, the device 100 for producing a plant wall also comprises means 60 for spraying the substrate 42.

These watering means 61 comprise first water supply means 61a connecting the interior volume of a collection module 2 to a feed inlet of a pump 62, and second water supply means 61 b connecting a discharge outlet of said pump 62 to spray nozzles 63 located above the highest position of the cage 40 on the wall 3 to be vegetated.

Thus, the water will diffuse into the substrate 42 by gravitation from the top of the wall 3 towards the bottom of the wall 3, and impregnate with water as the substrate 42 progresses.

In addition, the substrate 42 has a large capacity for water retention, as is the case for example sphagnum. The device 100 thus allows water to be taken from the collecting modules 2 of the tank 50 to water the substrate 42 contained in the cage 40 and thus provide the water necessary for the plants anchored in the substrate 42.

This watering can optionally programmed by temporal control means (not shown) of the pump to optimize water losses.

According to a variant not shown, the reservoir 50 comprises means for maintaining the liquid freezing.

The frost-free holding means of the liquid are disposed inside the tank 50 and comprise at least one dipping heating resistor.

According to one embodiment, the reservoir 50 of liquid comprises low voltage lighting means.

According to an embodiment illustrated in Figure 7, the device 100 comprises support means 43 disposed between two adjacent stands 40.

Thus, a lower level cage 40 in a stack of modular tanks 50 serves to support a cage 40 at a higher level.

This arrangement makes it possible to provide support to the cage 40 of higher level in order to contribute to maintaining its original shape by preventing them from sagging under the weight of the substrate.

In the case of the cage 40 of the tank 50 located closest to the ground, the support means 43 is supported on a base 44 disposed on the ground.

It goes without saying that the invention is not limited to the embodiments of this embodiment of a wall intended to be vegetated, described above by way of example, but on the contrary embraces all the variants.

Thus, in another embodiment, the fixing means 30 comprise a hook 33 having only one branch

35a with a single eye 34a, the holding function exerted by the second branch 35b in the previous embodiment being exerted by a solid portion 20 of the vertical wall 3 of the reservoir 50.

In addition, without departing from the scope of the invention, the device 100 may also comprise, in addition to first fixing means 30 of the cage 40 on a vertical wall 3 of the tank 50, second fixing means (not shown) of the cage 40 directly on a building wall on which can be backed the tank 50 of liquid storage.

This embodiment may be useful in the case where the cage 40 extends beyond the vertical wall 3 of the tank 50 to which it is attached.

These second fixing means may for example consist on the one hand of threaded rods of length greater than the thickness of the tank 50 and held against the bars 41 of the cage 40, and on the other hand expanded pins in variable formats, arranged to receive the threaded rods so as to achieve the direct attachment of the cage 40 to the wall of the building.

Claims

1. Device (100) for producing a wall (3) intended to be vegetated, comprising:

a reservoir (50) for storing liquid, in particular rainwater,

a vertically extending cage (40) for containing a substrate (42) for feeding plants,

- fixing means (30) of the cage on a vertical wall (3) of the tank (50);

and means for watering (60) the plants fed by the substrate (42), the watering means (60) being supplied with water by the water tank (50).

2. Device (100) according to claim 1, comprising aeration means (21) of the rear face of the substrate (42) facing the reservoir (50).

3. Device (100) according to claim 2, wherein the aeration means (21) comprise through aeration channels (22) del mimi by the wall of the tank (3) so as to pass through it and to open on the rear face of the substrate (42).

4. Device (100) according to one of claims 2 or 3, wherein the aeration means (21) comprise ventilation ducts (23) formed on the surface of the vertical wall (3) of the tank (50). ) and opening on an edge (5, 6) of the vertical wall (3) of the tank (50).

5. Device (100) according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the fixing means (30) comprise an insert (31) housed in a solid portion (20) of the vertical wall (3) of the tank (50). ).

6. Device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the fixing means (30) comprise a hook (33) having an eye (34a, 34b) to be traversed by removable fastening means (32). intended to cooperate with the insert (31), and a passage (36) for supporting the cage (40).

7. Device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the reservoir (50) has a modular structure comprising a set of storage elements or modules (1, 2), each module (1, 2) comprising assembly means (12, 13, 15, 16, 24, 25) for assembly with a module (1, 2) of the same type adjacent, and means for fluidic communication (19) for fluidic communication with said module (1, 2) of the same adjacent type.

8. Device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the sprinkler means (60) of the substrate (42) comprise:

- water withdrawal means (61a, 62) in the reservoir (50) arranged at a point disposed in a lower portion of the reservoir (50);

- Water supply means (61b) above the highest position of the cage (40) on the wall (3) to be vegetated;

- Spray nozzles (63) disposed above the cage (40).

9. Device (100) according to claim 8, wherein the watering means (60) comprise a pump (62).

10. Device (100) according to claim 9, comprising time control means of the pump (62).

1 1. Device according to one of the claims 1 to 10, comprising support means (43) arranged to maintain a determined spacing between a cage (40) and a support (40, 44).