WO2014108607A1

WO2014108607A1 - Facility for growing plants off the ground

Info

Publication number: WO2014108607A1
Application number: PCT/FR2013/052877
Authority: WO
Inventors: André Barre
Original assignee: André Barre
Priority date: 2012-11-27
Filing date: 2013-11-27
Publication date: 2014-07-17
Also published as: EP2925118A1; FR2998444B1; FR2998444A1

Abstract

The facility for growing plants off the ground comprises at least one horizontal receptacle (2, 3) provided to contain growth substrates, a horizontal conduit (1) for discharging residual water occupying a lower level relative to the or each receptacle (2, 3), said discharge conduit comprising an internal channel (10) for discharging the residual water, communicating with the internal volume of the or each receptacle via discharge through-holes made in the bottom of the latter, characterised in that the or each receptacle (2, 3) is carried by the conduit (1), in that said conduit (1) has, in the upper portion, a cradle in which the or each receptacle (2, 3) is engaged and positioned, in that said cradle is arranged to provide the lateral bracing of the or each receptacle (2, 3), and in that the bottom of the cradle communicates with the channel (10) via a longitudinal opening.

Description

OFF-GROUND PLANT CULTIVATION INSTALLATION

Technical area.

The present invention is in the field of materials and techniques used for the cultivation of food crops above ground and in a greenhouse and relates more particularly to a culture plant using receptacles intended to receive culture substrates, these receptacles being supported above ground level at man's height by means of suspension.

Usually, these receptacles are associated with drainage means and discharge of runoff or integrate the latter.

State of the art

An installation of the above kind is known from patent application FR 2 791 865 applicants. This installation comprises a trough or tray and a water evacuation duct arranged under the trunking. The bottom wall of the trough is provided with through-holes for evacuation of water, and the discharge duct is provided at the top with a longitudinal slot, positioned at the right of the through-holes.

Thanks to this arrangement, the roots of the plants can not close the evacuation pipe and the water to evacuate, no longer flows on the bottom of the chute but through the holes of the latter, towards the conduit lower evacuation. Another advantage of this arrangement is to keep the plant roots away from the flow of water and thus avoid any risk of contamination of plants by pathogens carried by this flow.

In the embodiment of FR 2791 865, the chute carries the exhaust duct via independent removable suspension members engaged in the chute and in the duct. It turns out that such an arrangement increases the time of installation of the installation and makes it more tedious because the suspension members must be introduced at a time and into the chute and into the exhaust duct. In addition, during disassembly operations, these organs can be lost.

In addition, the duct is directly supported by the chute so that if the latter must support loads, the mechanical connection between these two elements needs to be strengthened. Moreover, the load, if it is very important, can cause permanent deformation of the conduit.

The prior arrangement prohibits, for the realization of the chute, the use of synthetic materials inexpensive and suitable for extrusion. On the contrary it requires the use of metal strips to be folded appropriately to achieve a trough or tray having sufficient mechanical strengths, especially in bending, to support, without deterioration, both the culture substrate and the conduit of evacuation, as well as the various associated equipment such as irrigation pipes and others.

Finally, the mechanical connection established between the trough or tank and the evacuation duct opposes any separation of these two elements so that the trough can not be removed without its evacuation duct.

Presentation of the invention.

The present invention aims to overcome the disadvantages mentioned above.

For this purpose, the plant according to the invention, for growing above ground plants, comprising at least one horizontal receptacle, having an axis

longitudinal, designed to contain culture substrates, a horizontal waste water discharge duct occupying a lower level with respect to or at each receptacle, said evacuation duct including an internal drainage channel (10), in communication relation with the internal volume of the or each receptacle through through evacuation holes made in the bottom of the latter, is essentially characterized in that the or each receptacle is carried by the evacuation duct, that this exhaust duct has in the upper part a form of cradle in which is engaged and positioned the or each receptacle, that this form of cradle is arranged to ensure the lateral wedging of the or each receptacle and that the bottom of the cradle shape communicates through a longitudinal opening with the evacuation channel that includes the conduit.

With such an arrangement, a large part of the load is supported by the exhaust duct and the or each receptacle is supported and wedged laterally in the cradle that forms the conduit. So, the or each receptacle has no need to present high mechanical strength and the latter occupies in the cradle a particularly stable position.

Moreover, the removability of the or each receptacle allows a

easy replacement of each of them and does not require any prior removal of the exhaust duct. Thus, the or each receptacle may be in the form of a tray of a few tens of centimeters in length to be easily manipulated. It then becomes possible to individually remove each receptacle while leaving the others in place on the cradle that forms the evacuation conduit. Such an arrangement is particularly useful in case of health problems affecting the plants of one of the bins. This tray can then removed and the plants he carries destroyed without having to destroy the plants of other bins.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the exhaust duct is self-supporting.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the installation comprises suspension members of the exhaust duct to a supporting structure.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the exhaust duct is arranged as a horizontal support guide rail and receives at least one assistance carriage. This carriage, suspended from the rail formed by the exhaust duct, is movable in translation along the latter. This carriage can be moved manually along the rail by an operator or, according to another characteristic of the invention, by an integrated motor.

Brief presentation of figures and drawings.

Other objects, advantages and characteristics of the invention will appear on reading the description of a preferred embodiment, given by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the appended drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an installation according to the invention equipped with a culture receptacle according to a first embodiment; FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an installation according to the invention equipped with a receptacle; culture according to a second embodiment,

FIG. 3 is a plan view, from the front, of a discharge duct according to the invention,

FIG. 3a is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the exhaust duct,

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a suspension member of the exhaust duct,

FIG. 4a is a plan view of another embodiment of a suspension member of the exhaust duct,

FIG. 4b is a plan view of the suspension member according to FIG. 4a associated with the evacuation duct, the latter being shown in half-view, FIG. 4c is a plan view of a variant of FIG. execution of a suspension member of the exhaust duct,

FIG. 4d is a plan view of another embodiment of a suspension member associated with an exhaust duct,

FIG. 5 is a perspective view from above of a culture substrate receptacle according to a first embodiment,

FIG. 6 is a perspective view from below of the receptacle according to FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a stack of receptacles according to the first embodiment,

FIG. 8 is a plan view, from the front, of a culture substrate receptacle according to a second embodiment,

FIG. 9 is a view of an installation equipped with an assistance carriage according to a first embodiment, the receptacles not being represented for the sake of clarity,

FIG. 10 is a detailed view of the assistance carriage according to the first embodiment,

- Figure 1 1 is a perspective view of a support carriage according to the first embodiment,

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the assistance carriage according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an installation equipped with an assistance carriage according to a second embodiment, FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the assistance carriage according to the second embodiment,

- Figure 15 is a longitudinal sectional view of the culture trolley according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a support pin,

- Figure 17 is a partial view showing two pins in position on slings to support a transverse element.

Best way to realize the invention.

FIGS. 1, 2, 9, 13 show a plant according to the invention for growing above-ground plants, for example food crops, horticultural plants and the like, this plant being able to be used outdoors or preferably to be installed in a greenhouse and other shelter.

The installation according to the invention comprises a horizontal support duct 1, of wastewater discharge, self-supporting, supported above the ground by a supporting structure and this by means of suspension members 4, said duct 1 receiving at least one receptacle 2, 3 open culture in the upper part. This receptacle 2, 3 is designed to receive a plant culture substrate, known per se.

The internal volume of the evacuation duct 1 determines a channel 10 for discharging wastewater, and has, in the upper part, a longitudinal opening 11, for this channel 10, excess water and other liquids, and effluents that can flow from the culture receptacle 2, 3 through through holes 20, 30 formed in the bottom wall of this receptacle. These through holes are in relation to

communication with the flow channel. Water flows from this channel 10 through the ends of the conduit and is preferably recovered for further processing.

In the preferred embodiment, the discharge duct 1, in the upper part, is arranged in cradle, the bottom of this cradle being equipped with the longitudinal opening 1 January. The or each receptacle 2, 3 is releasably engaged in the cradle shape of the duct 1.

According to another aspect of the invention, the exhaust duct 1 is arranged in horizontal guide rail and support and receives at least one assist carriage 5, 6. This carriage 5, 6 is movable in translation along the length of the conduit 1 and bears on two lateral guide tracks 12, right and left, flat, extending along the entire length of said duct. These guide tracks 12 form the guide rail.

According to a preferred embodiment, the evacuation duct 1 is formed by folding a magnetizable metal strip, made of galvanized steel for example, and comprises a horizontal lower flank 13, plane, forming the bottom of the duct, two rising flanks 14 , spaced from each other and each extending upwards from the lower flank 13 and two lateral flanks 15 away from the vertical plane P vertical duct, substantially horizontally from the upper end of the flanks ascending 14, the aforementioned cradle being formed and delimited by the side flanks 15. The channel 10 is delimited by the flanks 13 and 14.

The guide tracks 12 are advantageously formed in the lower zone of the rising flanks 14 and preferably are inclined laterally downwards and outwards. For this reason, the lower part of each rising flank 14 is folded and forms a dihedral directed, by the point that it forms, towards the outside of the channel 10. According to this embodiment, the track 12 is formed by the outer face of the upper wing of the dihedron. Alternatively, the dihedral can be oriented by its tip, towards the inside of the channel 10 and the track 12 be formed by the upper face of the lower flange of said dihedron.

The portion of the sidewall 14, located above the dihedron is preferably vertical.

Between the cradle and its bottom 13, the duct 1 may comprise lateral openings 16, regularly spaced, for example in the form of openings, to allow the introduction of light into the channel 10. Such a provision will oppose any development in duct 1, of the root system of plants.

The gills 16 of penetration of the light in the channel 10, will be practiced in each ascending flank 14. These gills 16 will be each formed by depression and localized stretching of the rising flank 14 corresponding. These gills 16 will be formed in the ascending flanks 14 away from the bottom 13 of the duct 1. This provision prevents the waters

Residuals transported through the conduit 1 escape from the latter through the openings 16. In addition, to reinforce this feature, the opening that presents each hearing 16 will be oriented upwards.

Advantageously, the gills 16 of each rising flank 14 will be disposed opposite the gills 16 of the other flank 14.

Spreaders or spacers may be arranged between the two rising flanks 14, in contact with the latter, to prevent these flanks from approaching each other under the effect of the load supported. In the case where the flanks 14 are equipped with gills 16, each spacer or spacer is engaged by its ends in two louvers 16 vis-à-vis. These spacers or spacers may also serve as suspension support conduit 1 to the carrier structure.

Preferably, each lateral flank 15 has, at a distance from the upward flank 14 to which it connects, a flange 150 inclined obliquely upwards and determining with the oblique flange 150 of the other side flank 15, a widening gradually widening upwards, this flare being in communication relation with the channel 10 through the opening 1 1. The wings 150 laterally delimit the positioning cradle of the receptacles 2, 3 and, by constituting two lateral obstacles, oppose any lateral movement of the receptacles 2, 3 in the cradle.

The portion of each flank 15 between the flange 150 and the associated flank 14 is horizontal and constitutes the bottom of the cradle.

The flange 150 of each side flank 15 is extended downwardly by a fastening flange and suspension 151 preferably vertical. This edge is obtained by folding the wing 150.

The exhaust duct is provided to cooperate in attachment with suspension members 4 to the carrier structure. As can be seen in FIGS. 1, 2, 4, 9, 13, the evacuation duct 1 is suspended by its lateral flanks 15 from the supporting structure and this by means of the flanges 151 and the suspension members 4 . According to a first practical embodiment, each suspension member 4 is in the form of a plate of constant thickness, preferably metal, and comprises in the upper part at least one through-hole 40 of suspension to the supporting structure and more particularly to a sling 1000, or other elongated element, that includes the latter. This suspension member comprises a lateral cutout 41 formed between a lateral support lip 42 and a female hook shape 43, in the form of a hollow, extending downwards, in communication relation with the lateral cutout 41. The return 151 of the corresponding lateral flank 15 is engaged in the hook shape 43 and the support spout 42 bears on this flank 15 and more.

especially on the horizontal part of the latter.

Preferably, the holes 40 are formed substantially to the right of the hook form 43.

Each suspension member 4, opposite the cutout 41, comprises an opening 44 for passage and suspension of irrigation pipes and other pipes or equipment. These pipes are supported on the banks of this opening to be carried by the suspension member 4.

According to another embodiment as shown in FIGS. 4a and 4b, the suspension member 4 is in the form of a plate of constant thickness, preferably of metal, and comprises a spout 46 oriented towards the bottom, intended to be engaged in one of the gills 16 of one of the flanks 14, this bill shape 46 being formed at the end of a first horizontal leg 45 which comprises the suspension member 4. Preferably this first tab 45 has a front end edge, vertical 45a, extending above the spout 46 shape. This edge 45a is provided to abut against the sidewall 14 corresponding. Additionally, the first tab 45 is provided with an upper horizontal support edge 45b designed to receive in abutment the lower face of the horizontal part of the lateral flank 15

corresponding.

The first tab 45, opposite to the bill shape 46, is extended upwards by a second tab 47 provided to cooperate in engagement with the angle 150a formed by the flange 150 and the rim 151 and intended to be suspended to one of the slings 1000 of the support structure. For this purpose, this second tab 47 has, in the upper part, a hook shape 47a designed to cooperate in engagement with the angle 150a formed by the flange 150 and the flange 151.

Advantageously, the hook 47a is engaged by slight forcing on said angle 150a to provide a latching function. Thus the organ of

suspension 4, due to its establishment on the exhaust duct 1 is attached to the latter.

The second tab 47 comprises a vertical support edge 47b provided to bear against the flange 151. In contrast to the bill shape 46, the second leg 47 has an opening 44 for the passage and suspension of irrigation pipes and other pipes or equipment.

The second tab 47 will be equipped with at least one through-hole suspension to the supporting structure and more particularly to a sling 1000 or other elongated element of the carrier structure.

It should be noted that in this embodiment, the duct 1 is mainly supported by the horizontal portion of the flanks 15.

Advantageously, two opposing suspension members 4, that is arranged facing each other relative to the vertical median plane of symmetry of the evacuation duct 1, can be connected to one another by a spacer 4a in the form of a bar. This spacer, not shown, will be removably attached to the two suspension members 4, or to the two slings 1000 of suspension of these two bodies.

These rigid spacers 4a are intended to oppose the deformation of the duct 1 by bringing the flanks 14 closer together under the effect of the weight supported by the duct 1.

In Figure 4c is shown an alternative embodiment of the suspension member according to Figure 4a. According to this embodiment, the first tab 45 is not designed to receive the flange 15 in support and the second tab 47 opposite the hook shape 47a has a housing 47b intended to receive the flange 151. The second tab 47 is always equipped with the opening 44 for passage and pipe support. FIG. 4 d shows another embodiment of the suspension member 4. This suspension member 4 is in the form of a tee having a vertical leg 48 intended to be engaged in the duct 1 to receive in suspension by its part. lower, said duct 1. More specifically, this duct 1 is supported plane against plane, by the inner face of each guide track 12, against a bulge 48a that includes the vertical leg of the tee. The horizontal leg 49 of the tee is provided to come above the two sides 15. It will be equipped with through-holes suspension slings 1000 of the support structure. It may be noted that the lower part of the branch of the tee remains spaced from the bottom of the duct 1 so as to leave a flow gap. Furthermore this lower part has a notch facing downwards always in order to clear a gap sufficient to facilitate the flow of liquids in the tray or even the flow of soil or culture substrate during the cleaning of the ducts 1.

Suspension slings 1000 may be associated pins 1 100 or support sliders of rigid transverse elements 2000 such as those described for example in the patent application WO2012 / 072898. These rigid transverse elements are in the form of a long elongated element partly corrugated having at one of its ends a form of gripping arranged in an open ring.

Each pin 1 100 as shown in Figure 16 is formed of a resiliently flexible metal plate, rectangular in shape with two straight through holes, opposite, 1 1 10 opening for one in one of the two small sides of the blade and for the other in the other side of the metal blade. These lights 1 1 10 are parallel to the long sides of the blade and are axially aligned .. To each light 1 1 10 are associated two opposite cavities 1 120, 1 130 of substantially rectangular contour, located spaced the corresponding small side. These two through cavities communicate with the light 1 1 10, each, through an opening.

These cavities are provided to receive a sling 1000. Preferably, a 1 130 of these two cavities is larger than the other. This provision allows the mounting of the pin on slings of different diameters. In order to block it on a sling 1000, the pin 1100 is elastically folded along its small median axis and the sling 1000 is engaged for example in one of the two cavities associated with one of the lights 1 1 10 and in the homologous cavity associated with the other light. Under the effect of the elasticity of the pin, the corresponding edges of these cavities 1 120, 1 130, bear firmly against the sling 1000 which ensures the locking of the pin 1 100 along the sling 1000. In an original way, each light 1 1 10 is associated with a resilient tongue 1 150 which closes the opening in the light, the two cavities 1020, 1030 associated with this light. In the preferred embodiment, this resilient tongue 1150 extends into the lumen and is rooted to the body of the hairpin. Such an arrangement effectively opposes the unexpected withdrawal of the pin once in place on the sling 1000. In the preferred embodiment, the width of each lumen 11 is smaller than the largest dimension of the waist cavity. the most important.

In addition each pin 1 100 will be provided with two oblong through slots 1 160. Each of these lights is symmetrical, with respect to the transverse center axis of the pin, the other light 1 160. These lights are provided for receiving in suspension at least one rigid transverse support member 2000.

In Figure 17 are shown two slings 1000 each equipped with pin 1 100, according to the invention, receiving a rigid transverse member 2000 support.

In Figures 5 and 6 is shown a receptacle 2 according to a first embodiment.

It may be noted that this receptacle 2 of substantially parallelepipedal shape, is in the form of a tray and is provided with a bottom 21, two longitudinal side walls 22 extending upwards and two transverse side walls 23 s extending to the top. The opening

rectangular that has the tray 2 in the upper part is delimited by a peripheral edge 24 forming a rounded rim oriented outwardly.

Advantageously, the bottom wall 21 of each tray 2 has the minus a depression 21a, the through holes 20 discharge being formed in the wall constituting the bottom of this depression.

At least one of the sides of the peripheral edge 24 is equipped with at least one attachment lip 25 at the peripheral edge 24 of an adjacent tray, this lip 25 being configured to ensure a removable attachment.

In the preferred embodiment, the or each lip 25 forms a hook facing downwards. This hook, in hooking relationship with an adjacent tray, overlaps the peripheral edge of the latter.

Preferably, at least one of the attachment lips 25 is formed on one of the short sides of the peripheral edge 24. This arrangement makes it possible to align the containers according to their longitudinal plane in the cradle of the duct 1 and more particularly on the horizontal portions of the lateral flanks 15 and to secure these bins 2 to each other in order to form a continuous and compact alignment.

The attachment lip 25, formed on one of the short sides of the border

24, has two through holes, vertical and receives a hoop engaged by these side branches in the two through holes. This hoop ensures the maintenance on the tray 2 of a garden hose or other hose type drip for example.

Advantageously, each culture tank 2 comprises rolling members 26 by which it bears in the cradle, on the parts

15. Such an arrangement facilitates the movement of each tray or the tray alignment in the cradle that forms the exhaust duct.

Preferably, each rolling member 26 is in the form of a roller parallel to the central vertical longitudinal plane of the tray, having a horizontal support shaft mounted in a clevis shape formed by two wings that includes the bottom 21 of the tray 2. Preferably, each tray 2 has four rolling members 26. These rolling members 26 may be removable.

According to the preferred embodiment, one of the long edge sides 24 is also equipped with at least one hooking lip 25 to be hung on one side of the border 24 of an adjacent tray.

In this way, the bins 2 can be hooked to each other by the small and large sides of the peripheral rim 24 to form a compact set of rows and columns that lend themselves, without risk of overturning, to a transport on palette.

In order to transport them on a pallet, the bins 2 can be stacked in a staggered manner and crossed one over the other and to ensure a keying of the bins from one floor to another, the bottom 21 of each bin 2, parallel to the short sides of the border will be provided with three parallel grooves 27 assembly to lower trays. These grooves 27 are provided to receive the short sides or the long sides of the borders of the lower trays and the lips 25

associated hooking and thus perform a keying.

One of these grooves 27 will be central while the other two will be arranged laterally beyond the rolling members so that the latter during a stack are found housed in the upper part of the volumes of the lower trays.

Such an arrangement allows an assembly of bins 2 placed on each other crosswise as can be seen in Figure 7. In this configuration the bins do not penetrate into each other, but rest on the borders 24 bins 2 lower. Thus, bins 2 equipped with culture substrates and possibly seeded can be arranged on top of each other while being keyed together and thus grouped together in a small space while waiting for their installation on evacuation ducts. 1.

Advantageously, the tray 2 is of flared shape to be engaged in the internal volume of another tray in a stacking relationship and the bottom wall of each tray, in the internal volume of said tray, has vertical fins 28 forming stops. These wings limit the penetration of the bins 2 into each other, so that their side walls, when in stacking relationship with each other, are kept spaced from each other. This avoids jamming bins into each other.

The longitudinal walls 22 and / or the transverse walls may be provided with through holes, the plants can then push through these holes.

In Figure 8 is shown a culture receptacle 3 according to a second embodiment.

This receptacle 3 is arranged in a chute and is preferably formed by extrusion of a synthetic material. This chute 3 has a bottom 31 provided with through-holes 30 for discharging water and other liquids towards the channel 10 of the evacuation duct 1. This chute further has two longitudinal side walls 32 and is free of transverse side walls to form a longitudinally open volume.

Preferably, the bottom 30 of the chute has a U-shaped cross section and comprises a basal flange 310, preferably horizontal, and two lateral wings 31 1, preferably oblique, in order to form a flaring widening progressively upwards. This chute is designed to be positioned in the cradle shape that the evacuation duct presents. The bottom 31 is provided to be engaged in the opening 1 1 and positioned in the upper part of the channel 10 of the exhaust duct, and each side wall 32 of the chute is arranged to bear against the plane, against the flank lateral 15 corresponding to the exhaust duct 1. Thus, each side wall 32 has a horizontal portion bearing on the horizontal portion of the corresponding sidewall 15 and an oblique portion bearing against the oblique portion 150 of said sidewall 15.

Advantageously, each side wall 32 of the chute has a lateral extension 320 provided with a convex upper face adapted to receive in support the stems of the plants.

Finally, the bottom 31 and the side walls 32 of the chute comprise longitudinal cavities 33 opening at the end of said chute.

In FIGS. 9 and 10 and 11 is shown a support carriage 5 according to a first embodiment. This carriage 5 comprises a horizontal tray 50 and vertical candles 51, for example four in number, fixed by their lower end to the plate 50 and each having, at their end

upper, a rolling member 52 provided for rolling on the guide rail formed by the exhaust duct 1 and more particularly on one of the two guide tracks and rolling 12 that includes the exhaust duct 1 (Fig.10).

The plate 50 of this carriage is thus suspended from the guide rail formed by the exhaust duct 1 and is located under and away from this duct. The tray 50 can thus receive various accessories, useful for example at harvesting, such as trays 53 of crop conditioning and weighing scale 54 for weighing the crop contained in each tray to form lots of weight uniform.

Vertical candles 51 may be braced.

Each rolling member 52, in the form of a roller, will be engaged on a horizontal axis formed at the end of the corresponding candle 51 and have a truncated cone tread to be able to properly bear on the corresponding track 12.

According to an alternative embodiment, as shown in FIG. 12, the carriage 5 is supported by two adjacent ducts 1 and comprises two trays 50 connected to each other by a bridge shape 500. According to this embodiment, each plate 50 is always suspended from its conduit 1 by candles 51 provided with rollers 52 resting on the tracks 12.

In Figures 13, 14 and 15 is shown a support carriage 6 according to a second embodiment. This carriage 6 is of the automotive type and comprises a frame 60 provided with vertical candles 61, extending upwards, each equipped at the upper end with a rolling member 62 provided for rolling on one of the rolling tracks 12 and guidance provided by the exhaust duct 1. In this embodiment, the axis of rotation of each rolling member 62 is vertical and this rolling member is in the form of a roller arranged diabolo. Thus the tread of this roller is formed by two opposite frustoconical surfaces joined by their small base. The dihedral shape of the rising flank 14 penetrates into the diabolo shape of the roller.

The chassis 60 made of non-magnetic material, for example aluminum, forms a sliding sole around which and against which the magnetic links 64 of an endless track 63 slide, in relation to each other. meshing with a drive motor means 65 carried by the frame 60. The upper run of the track, by the magnetic links 64, cooperates in magnetic bonding relation with the bottom of the conduit 1 namely the sidewall 13, said conduit 1 being made of magnetizable material.

According to the preferred embodiment, the track 13 is formed of a chain of the Galle 630 type, in meshing relation with the motor means 65, to which are associated laterally two rows of magnetic links 64 mounted articulated on lateral extensions. axial axes of the rollers of the chain 630. These axes by their ends are connected in pairs by side hinged sides.

Each magnetic link 64 has a flat face through which it comes into contact with the bottom 13 of the evacuation duct 1.

The chassis 60, in the path of the track, has two semi-cylindrical ends each provided with a central cut-out in which is mounted in attachment on an axis 655, a pinion gear 656 meshing with the chain 630. The axis 655, support of the pinion gear 656 is engaged in rotation in cylindrical bearings formed in said end. The chain 630 is thus mounted on two pinions 656 end, one of these two gears being driving and the other led. The axis 655 of the drive gear is coupled to the motor means 65 in a manner known per se. In the preferred embodiment, the axis 655 of the drive gear, externally to its bearing receives a gear 651. This toothed wheel 651 is geared with toothed gear 650 fixed to the rotary output shaft of the motor means 65.

The motor means 65 may be formed by an electric motor supplied with electrical energy by a set of electric accumulators carried by the frame 60.

Alternatively, the motor means will be constituted by a volumetric motor powered by a gaseous fluid.

This assistance carriage 6 is autonomously movable along the exhaust duct. To limit the stroke of the assistance carriage and possibly reverse its direction of travel, the exhaust pipe 1 will be equipped with limit stop, known per se, and the chassis 60 will be equipped with at least an end-of-stroke sensor intended to be actuated by the limit stops. The actuation of this sensor will cause self shutdown of the electric or volumetric motor, ie reversal of the direction of operation.

This assistance carriage 6, as described, is mainly intended to carry a spray bar 7 of pesticides (Fig. 13). These products are intended to be sprayed in a direction directed in the closed space of a greenhouse and this without human presence.

As can be seen, the ramp 7 is fixed in any known manner to the frame 60 and is connected by a hose, mounted on the winder 8, to a source 9 of phytosanitary product under high pressure.

Advantageously, the volumetric motor 65 may be supplied with energy by the phytosanitary product.

As it is an electric motor, it can be powered by electrical cables integrated into the product supply pipe

Phytosanitary.

It goes without saying that the present invention can receive any arrangements and variants of the field of technical equivalents without departing from the scope of this patent as defined by the claims below.

Claims

1 / Plant for growing above-ground plants comprising at least one horizontal receptacle (2, 3), having a longitudinal axis, intended to contain culture substrates, a horizontal duct (1) for discharging wastewater occupying a lower level with respect to or each receptacle (2, 3), said evacuation duct having an internal channel (1 0) for evacuation of waste water, in communication relation with the internal volume of the or each receptacle through through-going evacuation holes (20, 30) formed in the bottom of the latter, characterized in that the or each receptacle (2, 3) is carried by the duct (1), which this duct (1) has in part a form of cradle in which is engaged and positioned the or each receptacle (2, 3), that this form of cradle is arranged to ensure the lateral setting of the or each receptacle (2, 3) and that the bottom of the form cradle communicates with through a longitudinal opening (1 1) with the channel (1 0).

21 Installation according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the discharge duct (1) is self-supporting.

3 / Apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that it comprises suspension members (4) of the discharge duct (1) to a supporting structure.

4 / Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the discharge duct (1) is arranged as a guide rail and support and receives at least one assistance carriage (5, 6).

5 / Apparatus according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the guide rail is constituted by two lateral guide tracks (1 2) extending along the entire length of the discharge duct (1).

6 / Apparatus according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the two tracks (1 2) for guiding are inclined laterally downwards.

71 Installation according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the discharge duct (1) comprises a horizontal lower flank (1 3), plane forming the bottom of the duct, two flanks (14) ascending, separated l one from the other and each extending upwards from the lower flank (13) and two lateral flanks (15) moving away from the vertical central plane P of the duct, substantially horizontally, from the upper end of the rising flanks (13), the cradle being formed and delimited by the lateral flanks ( 15).

8 / Apparatus according to claims 5 and 7, characterized in that the guide tracks (12) are formed in the lower zone of the ascending flanks (14).

9 / Apparatus according to claim 7 or claim 8, characterized in that each side flank (15) of the duct (1) has at a distance from the rising flank (14) to which it is connected, a wing (150) obliquely inclined towards the high and determining with the oblique wing (150) of the other lateral flank (15), a widening widening progressively upwards, this flare being in communication relation with the channel (12) through the opening (1 1), said wings (150) laterally delimiting the positioning cradle of the receptacles (2, 3).

10 / installation according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the wing (150) of each side flank (15) is extended downwardly by a hooking and suspension flange (151) provided to cooperate in engagement with organs (4) suspension to the supporting structure.

1 1 / Installation according to the preceding claim, characterized in that each suspension member (4) in the form of a constant thickness plate, comprises in the upper part at least one through hole (40) of suspension to the supporting structure and a side cut (41) formed between a lateral support spout (42) and a female hook shape (43), in the form of a downwardly extending recess, in communication relation with the side cutout (41), said female hook being provided to receive the return (151) of the lateral flank (15) the support spout (42) being provided to bear on the corresponding flank (15).

12 / installation according to the preceding claim, characterized in that each suspension member (4), opposite the cutout (41) comprises an opening (44) for the passage of irrigation pipes and other pipes or equipment. 13 / Apparatus according to claim 10, characterized in that each suspension member (4) in the form of a plate of constant thickness, comprises a beak shape (46) oriented downwards, intended to be engaged in the one of the gills (16) of one of the flanks (14) of the duct (1), that said spout (46) is formed at the end of a first horizontal lug (45) having a front end edge, vertical (45a), extending above the spout shape (46) provided to bear against the corresponding flank (14), that the first flap (45) is provided with a top horizontal support edge (45b) adapted to receive in abutment the lower face of the horizontal part of the side flank (15) corresponding, that the first tab (45), opposite the bill shape (46), is extended upwards by a second tab (47) designed to cooperate in engagement with the angle formed by the wing (150) and the rim (151) of the sidewall (15) and is provided for To be suspended from the support structure, this second tab (47) has, in the upper part, a hook shape (47a) designed to cooperate in engagement with the angle (150a) formed by the wing (150) and the rim (151).

14 / Apparatus according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the second leg (47) comprises a vertical bearing edge (47b) provided to bear against the flange (151) and that opposite the shape of nozzle (46), the second leg (47) has an opening (44) for the passage and suspension of irrigation pipes and other pipes or equipment.

15 / Apparatus according to claim 10, characterized in that the suspension member (4) takes the form of a tee having a vertical leg (48) intended to be engaged in the conduit (1) to receive in suspension, by its lower part, said duct 1 and the horizontal leg (49) of the tee is provided to come above the two flanks (15) of the duct (1).

16 / Apparatus according to claims 5 and 15 taken together,

characterized in that the vertical leg (48) has in the lower part a bulge (48a) against which bears the inner face of each guide track (12).

17 / Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the receptacle (2), of substantially parallelepipedic, is in the form of a tray and is provided with a bottom (21), two longitudinal side walls (22) extending upwards and two transverse side walls (23) extending towards the high, said tray having in the upper part a rectangular opening defined by a peripheral edge (24) forming an outwardly rounded rim, at least one side of the peripheral edge (24) being equipped with at least one hooking lip (25) to the peripheral edge (24) of an adjacent tray, said lip (25) being configured to ensure a removable hooking.

18 / installation according to the preceding claim, characterized in that at least one of the attachment lips (25) is formed on one of the short sides of the peripheral edge (24).

19 / Apparatus according to claim 17 or claim 18,

characterized in that one of the long edge sides (24) is provided with at least one hooking lip (25) to be hooked to one side of the border (24) of a tray (2). ) adjacent.

20 / Apparatus according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the bottom (21) of each tray 2, parallel to the short sides of the edge (24) is provided with three parallel grooves (27) for assembly to lower trays, the grooves (27) being provided to receive the short sides or the long sides of the borders (24) of the lower trays and the associated lips (25).

21 / Apparatus according to any one of claims 17 to 20, characterized in that each culture tank (2) comprises rolling members (26) by which it bears in the cradle formed by the conduit (1) in part higher.

22 / installation according to any one of claims 13 to 17, characterized in that each tray (2) is of flared shape to be engaged in the internal volume of another tray (2) in a relationship

stacking and that the bottom wall of each tray, in the internal volume of said tray (2), has vertical fins (28) forming stops at the

penetration of the bins into each other so that their side walls, in stacking relationship with each other are maintained at a distance each other.

23 / Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the receptacle (3) is arranged in chute, this chute has a bottom (31) with through holes (30) for the evacuation of the water and other liquids to the channel (10) of the exhaust duct (1) that said chute has two longitudinal side walls (32), that the bottom (30) of said chute has a U-shaped cross section and comprises a wing basal (310) horizontal and two lateral wings (31 1), the bottom 31 is provided to be engaged in the opening (1 1) of the conduit and positioned in the upper part of the channel (10) of said discharge duct ( 1), and that each side wall (32) of the chute is arranged to bear plane against plane, on the corresponding lateral side 15 of the exhaust duct.

24 / Apparatus according to the preceding claim, characterized in that each side wall (32) of the chute has a lateral extension (320) having a convex upper face provided to receive in support the stems of the plants.

25 / Apparatus according to any one of claims 4 to 6,

characterized in that the assistance carriage (5) comprises a horizontal plate (50) and vertical candles (51), fixed at their lower end to the plate (50) and each having at their upper end a rolling member. (52) provided for rolling on the guide rail formed by the exhaust duct (1), said plate (50) being located under and away from the exhaust duct (1).

26 / Apparatus according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the carriage (5) is supported by two ducts (1) adjacent and comprises two trays (50) connected to each other by a bridge shape (500).

27 / Apparatus according to any one of claims 4 to 6,

characterized in that the automobile-type assistance carriage (6) comprises a non-magnetic chassis (60) with vertical upwardly extending candles (61), each equipped at the upper end with a running gear ( 62) provided for rolling on the guide rail formed by the exhaust duct (1), that said frame (60) forms a sliding sole around which and against which slide the magnetic links (64) of an endless track (63) in meshing relation with a drive motor means (65) carried by the frame (60), the upper run of the track, by the magnetic links 64 cooperating in magnetic bonding relation with the bottom of the conduit (13), said conduit (1) being made of magnetizable material.

28 / Apparatus according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the track (63) is formed of a chain of the Galle type (630) in relation

meshing with the motor means (65), to which are associated

laterally two rows of magnetic links (64) mounted articulated on axial lateral extensions of the axes of the rollers of the chain (630).

29 / Apparatus according to claim 27 or claim 28,

characterized in that each magnetic link (64) has a planar face through which it comes into contact with the bottom (13) of the exhaust duct (1).

30 / Apparatus according to any one of claims 27 to 29, characterized in that the frame (60) in the path of the caterpillar (63) has two semi-cylindrical ends each having a central cutout in which is mounted in fixing on a shaft (655), a pinion gear (656) meshing with the chain (630), that the pinion (655) of the pinion gear (656) is rotated in cylindrical bearings formed in said end and that the axis of one of the pinions, the driving gear, is coupled to the motor means (65).

31 / Apparatus according to any one of claims 27 to 30, characterized in that the carriage (6) carries a spray bar (7) of phytosanitary products, said ramp (7) being connected by a hose, mounted on a winder (8), to a source (9) of phytosanitary product under high pressure.

32 / Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that between the cradle and its bottom, the conduit (1) has lateral openings (16) to allow the introduction of light into the channel (10) .

33 / Apparatus according to claims 7 and 32 taken together,

characterized in that the side openings (16) in the form of gills are formed in the rising flanks (14). 34 / Apparatus according to claim 7 or claim 33,

characterized by spacers or spacers disposed between and in contact with the rising flanks (14).

35 / Apparatus according to claim 14, characterized in that the hooking lever (25), formed on one of the short sides of the edge (24), is provided with two through holes, vertical, receiving the lateral branches d a holding bar on the tray (2) of a pipe.

36 / Apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that the support structure is equipped with sling (1000) receiving pins (1 100) formed of a resiliently flexible metal plate, rectangular in shape with two rectilinear through holes, opposite, ( 1 1 10) opening for one in one of the two small sides of the blade and for the other in the other small side of the metal blade, that these lights (1 1 10) are parallel to the long sides of the blade, that at each light (1 1 10) are associated two opposite cavities (1 120, 1 130) of substantially rectangular contour, located at a distance from the corresponding small side of the blade, that these two through cavities communicate with the light (1 1 10), each by an opening and that each light (1 1 10) is associated with an elastic tongue (1 150) adapted to close the opening in the lumen, the two cavities (1020, 1030 ).

37 / Apparatus according to the preceding claim, characterized in that each pin (1 100) is provided with two oblong through slots (1 160) symmetrically opposite to the transverse center axis of said pin.