WO2012089990A1 - Wall planter with water evaporator - Google Patents

Wall planter with water evaporator Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2012089990A1
WO2012089990A1 PCT/GB2011/001712 GB2011001712W WO2012089990A1 WO 2012089990 A1 WO2012089990 A1 WO 2012089990A1 GB 2011001712 W GB2011001712 W GB 2011001712W WO 2012089990 A1 WO2012089990 A1 WO 2012089990A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
evaporator
wall body
wall
tank
water
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/GB2011/001712
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Richard Alexander Sabin
Mark Laurence
Original Assignee
Biotecture Design Limited
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Biotecture Design Limited filed Critical Biotecture Design Limited
Publication of WO2012089990A1 publication Critical patent/WO2012089990A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
    • A01G—HORTICULTURE; CULTIVATION OF VEGETABLES, FLOWERS, RICE, FRUIT, VINES, HOPS OR SEAWEED; FORESTRY; WATERING
    • A01G9/00—Cultivation in receptacles, forcing-frames or greenhouses; Edging for beds, lawn or the like
    • A01G9/02—Receptacles, e.g. flower-pots or boxes; Glasses for cultivating flowers
    • A01G9/022—Pots for vertical horticulture
    • A01G9/025—Containers and elements for greening walls
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
    • A01G—HORTICULTURE; CULTIVATION OF VEGETABLES, FLOWERS, RICE, FRUIT, VINES, HOPS OR SEAWEED; FORESTRY; WATERING
    • A01G31/00—Soilless cultivation, e.g. hydroponics
    • A01G31/02—Special apparatus therefor
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
    • A01G—HORTICULTURE; CULTIVATION OF VEGETABLES, FLOWERS, RICE, FRUIT, VINES, HOPS OR SEAWEED; FORESTRY; WATERING
    • A01G31/00—Soilless cultivation, e.g. hydroponics
    • A01G31/02—Special apparatus therefor
    • A01G31/06—Hydroponic culture on racks or in stacked containers
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04C—STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS; BUILDING MATERIALS
    • E04C1/00—Building elements of block or other shape for the construction of parts of buildings
    • E04C1/39—Building elements of block or other shape for the construction of parts of buildings characterised by special adaptations, e.g. serving for locating conduits, for forming soffits, cornices, or shelves, for fixing wall-plates or door-frames, for claustra
    • E04C1/395—Building elements of block or other shape for the construction of parts of buildings characterised by special adaptations, e.g. serving for locating conduits, for forming soffits, cornices, or shelves, for fixing wall-plates or door-frames, for claustra for claustra, fences, planting walls, e.g. sound-absorbing
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02P—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS
    • Y02P60/00—Technologies relating to agriculture, livestock or agroalimentary industries
    • Y02P60/20—Reduction of greenhouse gas [GHG] emissions in agriculture, e.g. CO2

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a wall planter with water evaporator.
  • Such a wall is typically a planar structure placed inside or outside a building, and is secured to a vertical planar wall of the building.
  • the invention seeks to provide a solution to this problem.
  • a wall planter comprising a wall body supporting plants in a growing medium, an evaporator having an evaporator surface connected to the bottom of the wall body, a tank adapted to store water below the evaporator, and delivery means to deliver water from the tank to the top of the wall body, in use water is delivered to the top of the wall body and allowed to drain through the growing medium to the bottom of the wall body, drain into the evaporator, and back into the tank, said evaporator evaporating some of the water into ambient air.
  • the evaporator is a tank with an overflow leading into the tank.
  • the bottom of the wall body includes a water collection channel to direct water from the bottom of the wall body to the evaporator.
  • the evaporator has a contoured evaporating surface to increase its surface area relative to its footprint adapted to allow water to evaporate therefrom.
  • a wall planter having a wall body supporting plants in a growing medium, a tank adapted to store water below the wall body, delivery means to deliver water from the tank to the top of the wall body, means to support the wall body and tank on wheels, in use water is delivered to the top of the wall body and allowed to drain through the growing medium to the bottom of the wall body, and back into the tank, said wheels allowing the wall planter to be moved.
  • the wall planter further includes an evaporator to allow water to evaporate therefrom.
  • the evaporator may as defined above in relation to the first aspect of the present invention.
  • FIG. 10 a wall planter 10, sometimes referred to as a living wall.
  • Planter 10 has a vertical wall body 20 supporting plants "X" in a growing medium such as blocks formed from a mineral fibre such as “Grodan” (trade mark). The blocks may be supported in removable panels.
  • Wall body 20 may be similar to that described in patent specifcation
  • An evaporator in the form of a shallow tank 30 having an evaporator surface 31 formed from a countered surface of material such as foam or stones connected to the bottom of the wall body 20.
  • the contoured evaporator surface increase its surface area relative to its footprint adapted to allow water to evaporate therefrom more readily.
  • a water tank 40 is provided below the evaporator 30 adapted to store water below the evaporator 30.
  • a delivery means in the form of an electric water pump 50 delivers water from the tank 40 to the top of the wall body 20 through an irrigation pipe 51 with water outlet nozzles 52 to irrigate plants "X".
  • irrigation pipe 51 may also deliver water to different sections of the wall body below the top of the wall body as is known in the art.
  • the evaporator tank 30 has an overflow 32 leading into the tank 40 which maintains a layer of water in the evaporator tank 30 but allows excess water to flow into tank 40.
  • the bottom of the wall body 20 includes a water collection channel 60 to direct water from the bottom of the wall body to the evaporator tank 30.
  • Wall body 20, evaporator tank 30, water tank 40, pump 50, and channel 60 are supported on an L-shaped frame 70 mounted on wheels 71A,71B,71C,71D (71C not visible).
  • water (often with plant nutrients) is delivered to the top of the wall body 20 and allowed to drain through the growing medium to the bottom of the wall body into drainage channel 60 where it is directed into the evaporator 30 and back into the tank 40.
  • Some of the water evaporates from the evaporator surface 31 into ambient air increasing the humidity around the plants "X" above it to promote the growth and health of the plants. Also humidity of the building in which the planter 1 is located is increased.
  • Planter 1 on wheels can be re-positioned to different locations in a building without the need for fixations to secure the wall body to a building wall. Also it can be wheeled in and out of a building for replacement or replanting. A planter on wheels need not have an evaporator.
  • a wall planter having a wall body supporting plants in a growing medium, a tank adapted to store water below the wall body, delivery means to deliver water from the tank to the top of the wall body, means to support the wall body and tank on wheels, in use water is delivered to the top of the wall body and allowed to drain through the growing medium to the bottom of the wall body, and back into the tank, said wheels allowing the wall planter to be moved.
  • the wall planter further includes an evaporator to allow water to evaporate therefrom.
  • the evaporator may as defined above in relation to the first aspect of the present invention.
  • the invention may take a form different to that specifically described above.

Landscapes

  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Environmental Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Architecture (AREA)
  • Civil Engineering (AREA)
  • Structural Engineering (AREA)
  • Cultivation Receptacles Or Flower-Pots, Or Pots For Seedlings (AREA)

Abstract

The invention relates to wall planter 10 comprising a wall body 20 supporting plants "X" in a growing medium, an evaporator 30 having an evaporator surface 31 connected to the bottom of the wall body 20, a tank 40 adapted to store water below the evaporator, and delivery means 50,51,52 to deliver water from the tank to the top of the wall body. In use water is delivered to the top of the wall body and allowed to drain through the growing medium to the bottom of the wall body, drain into the evaporator, and back into the tank, said evaporator evaporating some of the water into ambient air.

Description

Title: Wall Planter with Water Evaporator
The present invention relates to a wall planter with water evaporator.
It is known to provide an irrigated wall for growing plants. Such a wall is described in
GB2457537A. Such a wall is typically a planar structure placed inside or outside a building, and is secured to a vertical planar wall of the building.
One problem with growing plants in buildings is that the air can be dry and this affects growth and health of many plants. Also it is often desirable to increase the humidity in buildings, e.g. in offices where workers can find the air too dry.
The invention seeks to provide a solution to this problem.
According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a wall planter comprising a wall body supporting plants in a growing medium, an evaporator having an evaporator surface connected to the bottom of the wall body, a tank adapted to store water below the evaporator, and delivery means to deliver water from the tank to the top of the wall body, in use water is delivered to the top of the wall body and allowed to drain through the growing medium to the bottom of the wall body, drain into the evaporator, and back into the tank, said evaporator evaporating some of the water into ambient air. Preferably the evaporator is a tank with an overflow leading into the tank. Preferably the bottom of the wall body includes a water collection channel to direct water from the bottom of the wall body to the evaporator.
Preferably the evaporator has a contoured evaporating surface to increase its surface area relative to its footprint adapted to allow water to evaporate therefrom.
According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a wall planter having a wall body supporting plants in a growing medium, a tank adapted to store water below the wall body, delivery means to deliver water from the tank to the top of the wall body, means to support the wall body and tank on wheels, in use water is delivered to the top of the wall body and allowed to drain through the growing medium to the bottom of the wall body, and back into the tank, said wheels allowing the wall planter to be moved.
Preferably the wall planter further includes an evaporator to allow water to evaporate therefrom. The evaporator may as defined above in relation to the first aspect of the present invention.
An embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing. Referring to the drawing there is shown a wall planter 10, sometimes referred to as a living wall.
Planter 10 has a vertical wall body 20 supporting plants "X" in a growing medium such as blocks formed from a mineral fibre such as "Grodan" (trade mark). The blocks may be supported in removable panels. Wall body 20 may be similar to that described in patent specifcation
GB2457537A.
An evaporator in the form of a shallow tank 30 is provided having an evaporator surface 31 formed from a countered surface of material such as foam or stones connected to the bottom of the wall body 20. The contoured evaporator surface increase its surface area relative to its footprint adapted to allow water to evaporate therefrom more readily.
A water tank 40 is provided below the evaporator 30 adapted to store water below the evaporator 30.
A delivery means in the form of an electric water pump 50 delivers water from the tank 40 to the top of the wall body 20 through an irrigation pipe 51 with water outlet nozzles 52 to irrigate plants "X". Depending on the height of the wall, irrigation pipe 51 may also deliver water to different sections of the wall body below the top of the wall body as is known in the art. The evaporator tank 30 has an overflow 32 leading into the tank 40 which maintains a layer of water in the evaporator tank 30 but allows excess water to flow into tank 40. The bottom of the wall body 20 includes a water collection channel 60 to direct water from the bottom of the wall body to the evaporator tank 30.
Wall body 20, evaporator tank 30, water tank 40, pump 50, and channel 60 are supported on an L-shaped frame 70 mounted on wheels 71A,71B,71C,71D (71C not visible).
In use water (often with plant nutrients) is delivered to the top of the wall body 20 and allowed to drain through the growing medium to the bottom of the wall body into drainage channel 60 where it is directed into the evaporator 30 and back into the tank 40. Some of the water evaporates from the evaporator surface 31 into ambient air increasing the humidity around the plants "X" above it to promote the growth and health of the plants. Also humidity of the building in which the planter 1 is located is increased.
Planter 1 on wheels can be re-positioned to different locations in a building without the need for fixations to secure the wall body to a building wall. Also it can be wheeled in and out of a building for replacement or replanting. A planter on wheels need not have an evaporator. Thus according to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a wall planter having a wall body supporting plants in a growing medium, a tank adapted to store water below the wall body, delivery means to deliver water from the tank to the top of the wall body, means to support the wall body and tank on wheels, in use water is delivered to the top of the wall body and allowed to drain through the growing medium to the bottom of the wall body, and back into the tank, said wheels allowing the wall planter to be moved.
Preferably the wall planter further includes an evaporator to allow water to evaporate therefrom. The evaporator may as defined above in relation to the first aspect of the present invention.
The invention may take a form different to that specifically described above.
Further modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A wall planter comprising a wall body supporting plants in a growing medium, an evaporator having an evaporator surface connected to the bottom of the wall body, a tank adapted to store water below the evaporator, and delivery means to deliver water from the tank to the top of the wall body, in use water is delivered to the top of the wall body and allowed to drain through the growing medium to the bottom of the wall body, drain into the evaporator, and back into the tank, said evaporator evaporating some of the water into ambient air.
2. A wall planter according to claim 1 , wherein the evaporator is a tank with an overflow leading into the tank.
3. A wall planter according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the bottom of the wall body includes a water collection channel to direct water from the bottom of the wall body to the evaporator.
4. A wall planter according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the evaporator has a contoured evaporating surface to increase its surface area relative to its footprint adapted to allow water to evaporate therefrom.
5. A wall planter comprising a wall body supporting plants in a growing medium, a tank adapted to store water below the wall body, delivery means to deliver water from the tank to the top of the wall body, and means to support the wall body and tank on wheels, in use water is delivered to the top of the wall body and allowed to drain through the growing medium to the bottom of the wall body, and back into the tank, said wheels allowing the wall planter to be moved.
6. A wall planter according to claim 5, wherein the wall planter further includes an evaporator to allow water to evaporate therefrom.
7. A wall planter according to claim 6, wherein the evaporator has an evaporator surface connected to the bottom of the wall body.
8. A wall planter according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the evaporator is a tank with an overflow leading into the tank.
9. A wall planter according to claim 6, 7 or 8, wherein the bottom of the wall body includes a water collection channel to direct water from the bottom of the wall body to the evaporator.
10. A wall planter according to any of claims 6 to 9, wherein the evaporator has a contoured evaporating surface to increase its surface area relative to its footprint adapted to allow water to evaporate therefrom.
11. A wall planter substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.
PCT/GB2011/001712 2010-12-31 2011-12-14 Wall planter with water evaporator WO2012089990A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB1022126.5 2010-12-31
GB1022126.5A GB2487182A (en) 2010-12-31 2010-12-31 A vertical wall planter with evaporator

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2012089990A1 true WO2012089990A1 (en) 2012-07-05

Family

ID=43599130

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/GB2011/001712 WO2012089990A1 (en) 2010-12-31 2011-12-14 Wall planter with water evaporator

Country Status (2)

Country Link
GB (1) GB2487182A (en)
WO (1) WO2012089990A1 (en)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN108401877A (en) * 2017-01-17 2018-08-17 郭宗 A kind of device and method for plant growth
CN110777968A (en) * 2019-11-14 2020-02-11 卢立才 Assembled vertical greening wall structure based on green building

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN202750524U (en) 2012-06-26 2013-02-27 宁波微雨节水灌溉制品有限公司 Green wall
GB2507372A (en) * 2012-10-23 2014-04-30 Gerald Sung Green wall planting support apparatus

Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1486553A (en) * 1974-08-29 1977-09-21 Howgill M Cultivation containers
US4825592A (en) * 1987-12-17 1989-05-02 Earls Gilbert W Vertical plant support having top reeder
FR2634971A1 (en) * 1988-08-08 1990-02-09 Blanc Patrick Device for growing plants without soil on a vertical surface
EP0393735A1 (en) * 1989-03-17 1990-10-24 Rockwool/ Grodan B.V. Wall on which vegetation can grow
EP0533939A1 (en) * 1991-03-06 1993-03-31 M-Hydroponics Research Co., Ltd. Vertical type planting bed
US5502922A (en) * 1993-05-04 1996-04-02 N.C.A. Ltd. Plant holder
GB2457537A (en) 2008-02-19 2009-08-26 Richard Alexander Sabin Wall component for growing plants
US20090211154A1 (en) * 2008-01-22 2009-08-27 Dimaggio Angela Mobile garden cart

Family Cites Families (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE3835787A1 (en) * 1988-10-18 1990-04-19 Mielke Horst Guenter Rack for storing and keeping plants
GB2430856A (en) * 2005-10-05 2007-04-11 Jonathan Nigel Hinton Vertically arranged plant containers
FR2923139B1 (en) * 2007-11-02 2009-12-18 Jardins De Babylone DEVICE FOR CULTIVATION OF PLANTS ON A SUBSTANTIALLY VERTICAL SURFACE
GB2458904A (en) * 2008-04-01 2009-10-07 Ian Wolfenden Plant Support Structure
US8234814B2 (en) * 2008-07-29 2012-08-07 Malcolm Glen Kertz Plant growing assembly

Patent Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1486553A (en) * 1974-08-29 1977-09-21 Howgill M Cultivation containers
US4825592A (en) * 1987-12-17 1989-05-02 Earls Gilbert W Vertical plant support having top reeder
FR2634971A1 (en) * 1988-08-08 1990-02-09 Blanc Patrick Device for growing plants without soil on a vertical surface
EP0393735A1 (en) * 1989-03-17 1990-10-24 Rockwool/ Grodan B.V. Wall on which vegetation can grow
EP0533939A1 (en) * 1991-03-06 1993-03-31 M-Hydroponics Research Co., Ltd. Vertical type planting bed
US5502922A (en) * 1993-05-04 1996-04-02 N.C.A. Ltd. Plant holder
US20090211154A1 (en) * 2008-01-22 2009-08-27 Dimaggio Angela Mobile garden cart
GB2457537A (en) 2008-02-19 2009-08-26 Richard Alexander Sabin Wall component for growing plants

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN108401877A (en) * 2017-01-17 2018-08-17 郭宗 A kind of device and method for plant growth
CN110777968A (en) * 2019-11-14 2020-02-11 卢立才 Assembled vertical greening wall structure based on green building

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB2487182A (en) 2012-07-18
GB201022126D0 (en) 2011-02-02

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