WO2020110142A1

WO2020110142A1 - A system for multi-tier hanging planter-pods

Info

Publication number: WO2020110142A1
Application number: PCT/IN2019/050863
Authority: WO
Inventors: Rajalakshmi Iyer IYER
Original assignee: Iyer Rajalakshmi Iyer
Priority date: 2018-11-27
Filing date: 2019-11-23
Publication date: 2020-06-04
Also published as: WO2020110142A8; SG11202105467SA

Abstract

The invention is a system which allows multiple aerodynamic planter-pods to be suspended/attached one below the other, with a specialized connector system that enables the conduiting of water for irrigation as well as drainage – thus enabling plant growth in hydroponic or soil-less mediums in the planters.The invention also allows for an efficient system that enables wick irrigation without the accompanying salt build-up that typically accompanies wick irrigation systems.This is of three functionally identifiable parts, even if they may or may not be integrated with each other.1. Planter-Pods 2. ECCS (Easy Connector Conduiting System) 3. Media Chamber in Planter Pods.

Description

TITLE OF INVENTION:

A System for Multi-Tier Hanging Planter-pods TECHNICAL FIELD:

The invention is in the filed of horticulture and particularly for growing flora vertically and more particularly with an emphasis on integrated watering and structural system and on easy usability.

BACKGROUND ART:

Currently there are plenty of planters which are suspended in the air and which are manually watered.

Some typical examples (Fig. l, Fig.2, Fig.3)

Problems with current solutions are that those allow planters to be suspended one below the other

1. Normally water spills out of the top planter - either from sides or from bottom,

2. If the water does not exit the planter, then there is a salt build-up inside the planter over the time,

3. To prevent this salt build-up, planters need a water-drainage point,

4. Suspended planters have open drainage points which often splash/spill water, and water drainage is visible,

5. Suspended modular planters do not allow non-visible water conduiting (whether for drainage or irrigation),

6. Most hanging planters are not designed for minimal wind-resistance,

7. Planters provide a space only for the plant roots, without providing protection to plant stem/leaves from the side and top against the wind/sun,

8. Most vertically placeable planter systems have a backing grid that provides wind

resistance and hence cannot be used as a screen.

9. Growth Medium is not in an easily accessible media chamber, thus making maintenance difficult OBJECT OF THE IVENTION:

The main object of the invention is to obviate the drawbacks in the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:

The invention is a system which allows multiple aerodynamic planter-pods to be suspended/attached one below the other, with a specialized connector system that enables the conduiting of water for irrigation as well as drainage - thus enabling plant growth in hydroponic or soil-less mediums in the planters.

The invention also allows for an efficient system that enables wick irrigation without the accompanying salt build-up that typically accompanies wick irrigation systems.

Usability also involves ease of access to the growth medium through openable window covers as well as a water bowl for water-drainage connected to the pod system through the connector system

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS:

The drawings are used to provide further understanding of the disclosure, as a part of the specification, are used with embodiments of the disclosure to explain the disclosure, and are not meant to limit the disclosure. In the drawings,

Fig.1 represents planters of prior art

Fig.2 represents planters of prior art

Fig.3 represents planters of prior art

Fig.4 represents a Single Piece Planter-Pod

Fig.5a represents Multi-Component Planter-Pod

Fig.5b represents Multi-Component Planter-Pod

Fig.8 represents a suspendable Planter-Pod

Fig.7a represents multiple suspended Planter-Pods

Fig.7b represents multiple suspended Planter-Pods

Fig.8 shows the weight of each pod is transferred to the central cable independently to prevent lower pods from bearing the weight of the upper pods Fig.9 represents planter Pods attached to Metal Grille

Fig.10 represents rigid, pivoted or flexible attachment between two planters

Fig.11 represents Integrated ECCS Connector that allows pivoting movement of one pod relative to the other pod.

Fig.12 represents Separate ECCS connector that allows pivoting movement of one pod relative to the other pod.

Fig.13 represents Separate ECCS with pipe conduiting, and which can pass fluid through the same conduit.

Fig.14 represents the Media Chamber

Fig.15 shows the Media Pouch inside Planter Pod

Fig.16 shows a see-through Screens or partitions that do not block the view of the other side using the planters pod

Fig.17 shows planter Pods may also be supported from below Fig.18 shows two parts of the planter Pods.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS:

Features of the New Product

The Invention consists of three functionally identifiable parts, even if they may or may not be integrated with each other.

1. Planter-Pods

2. ECCS (Easy Connector Conduiting System)

3. Media Chamber in Planter Pods

Planter-Pods

1. Planter-pods provide an enclosed space for growth of plants. A Planter-pod is designed for providing maximum protection to Sapling by covering it from the sides as well as from top- with openings on the side for the Sapling to receive light and to grow. This is unlike planters which provide a space only for the plant roots, without providing protection to plant stem/leaves from the side and top. 2. Planter-pods specifically offer protection to a young sapling from being destroyed by the wind and harsh sun - by providing a partially enclosed space.

3. Planter-pods are specifically designed for being suspended and not for placing on ground

4. Planter-pod Shell may be Single shell or made of multiple components.

5. Planter-pods can be suspended from top, or anchored to a flexible cable passing through it, or to a rigid member passing through it (like a metal bar in a grille).

6. Planter-pods are more aerodynamic to allow air to pass around them - thus making them ideal for vertical mid-air suspension by rigid or flexible members.

7. Planter-Pods may be attached to any structural member by means of any rigid or flexible member

Embodiment: Single Piece Planter-Pod (Fig.4). The Aerodynamic Shape allows air to pass around it with minimal damage to the plants sheltered inside.

Planter Pod provides protection to not only the Plant Roots, but also its leaves, by sheltering it from the sides and top.

Embodiment: Multi -Component Planter-Pod(Fig.5a and 5b)

Embodiment: Suspended Planter-Pod - Can be suspended by any means like rope, string or chain from a top support (Fig.6)

Embodiment: Suspended Planter-Pod - Can be suspended by any means like rope, string or chain from a top support (Fig.7a and 7b)

Embodiment: Multiple Planter-Pods Attached to a Structural Cable and connected by a flexible ECCS. The weight of each pod is transferred to the central cable independently to prevent lower pods from bearing the weight of the upper pods. (Fig.8)

Embodiment: Planter Pods attached to Metal Grille (Fig.9)

Easy Connector Conduit System (Referred to as the ECCS or ECC System)

Planter Shell may have a special connector that enables the lower pod to connect to the upper pod. This connector detail may be a physically separate element, or it may be integrated into the Planter shell. This connector detail effectively allows one planter to be suspended below another planter, while bearing structural load. This suspension may be rigid or non-rigid.

Structural weight may be borne independently by the ECCS and/or by transmitting the weight of the Planter shell to another structural load-bearing element like a steel cable or wall-mounting.

The ECCS also allows the conduiting of any or all the following -

Fluids (water or liquid fertiliser or such other fluids)

Tubes carrying above fluids

Structural elements such as steel cables, nylon cables, metal rods, pipes, etc.

This internal conduiting may be provide movement for any fluids in both directions- top-to- bottom or bottom-to-top.

The ECCS may provide a rigid, pivoted or flexible attachment between two planters Fig.10

The ECCS may allow the pods to swing, pivot or flex (relative to each other) around the

connector, while serving as a conduit for fluids and/or tubes and/or cables. OTOH, the ECCS may also be rigid, thus allowing it to sway together as a single body. This swinging and pivoting may be in single axis or multiple axes.

By virtue of allowing Fluid or tube conduit between Planter-Pods, the ECCS allows for water or other fluids to flow between pods in a semi-controlled manner - whether by pressure or by

gravitational force. This enables the deployment of pressurized drip irrigation in every pod, as well as manual watering, as well as gravity-enabled watering, where watering the top planters allows the excess water to drain into lower pods, thus watering them easily.

(The excess water may also be recirculated in the pods through electro-mechanical means by collecting it in any suitable container which is independent or integrated into the system)

Flexible ECCS allows the swinging of one pod relative to another pod - thus making it less amenable to breakage due to the ability of the column to bend/pivot instead of breaking. This swinging and pivoting may be in single axis or multiple axes.

The ECCS also has a facility for securely attaching the connector to another pod. This method of attachment may be held in place by a positive mechanical lock, or a snap-fit, or a gravity-assisted locking.

Embodiment: Integrated ECCS Connector that allow pivoting movement of one pod relative to the other pod. This may be multi-axes pivoting or single axis pivoting (Sectional View)(Fig.11)

Embodiment: Separate ECCS connector that allow pivoting movement of one pod relative to the other pod. This may be multi-axes pivoting or single axis pivoting (Sectional View) (Fig.12 ) Embodiment: Separate ECCS with pipe conduiting, and which can pass fluid through the same conduit. This may be multi-axes pivoting or single axis pivoting (Sectional View) (Fig.13)

Media Chamber (Fig.14)

The Planter Pod has a media chamber. The media chamber may be directly filled with media such as soil or soil-less media, or it may contain a media pouch that is inserted into the media chamber. This media pouch may be filled with the appropriate soil or soil-less media for plants to grow.

The Media chamber and/or the Media pouch will also be able to absorb and retain water for nourishing the plants.

Embodiment: Media Pouch inside Planter Pod (Fig.15). This media pouch may be filled with soil or soil-less media for growing the plant.

Typical Applications:

As see-through Screens or partitions that do not block the view of the other side as shown in Fig.16.

The Planter-pods can also be installed as individual planter pods or single column Planter-pods. Variation

The planter Pods may also be supported from below, rather than being only suspended from top as shown in Fig.17.

In this case, watering may be manual or through electromechanical means. Here the ECC system would provide rigid structural support rather than a flexible or pivoting support.

The Planter Pods may be attached to the ECCS, in a way by which the ECCS also may act as a full or partial mechanical Joinery and support to the Planter-pod shells.

In such an arrangement, the Planter pod shells may be openable individually for maintenance without needing to dismantle the rest of the pod from the structure. The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various alterations, modifications, and/ or alternative applications of the invention may be possible, if desired, without departing from the scope and sprit of the invention, which can be read from the claims and the entire specification. All these possible alterations, modifications, and /or alternative applications of the invention are also intended to be within technical scope of the present invention.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1.A System for Multi-Tier Hanging Planter-pods which allows multiple aerodynamic planter-pods to be suspended/attached one below the other, comprising of three functionally identifiable parts, Planter- Pods, ECCS (Easy Connector Conduiting System) and Media Chamber in Planter Pods.

2. A System for Multi-Tier Hanging Planter-pods as claimed in claim 1, wherein the

Planter-Pods comprising an enclosed space for growth of plants and is designed for providing maximum protection to Sapling by covering it from the sides as well as from top- with openings on the side for the Sapling to receive light and to grow.

3. A System for Multi-Tier Hanging Planter-pods as claimed in any of the previous claims, wherein the Planter-pods are suspendable from top, or anchorable to a flexible cable passing through it, or to a rigid member passing through it (like a metal bar in a grille).

4. A System for Multi-Tier Hanging Planter-pods as claimed in any of the previous claims, wherein the Planter-pods are of Single shell or made of multiple components.

5. A System for Multi-Tier Hanging Planter-pods as claimed in any of the previous claims, wherein the Easy Connector Conduit System (Referred to as the ECCS or ECC System)

allows one planter to be suspended below another planter, while bearing structural load.

6. A System for Multi-Tier Hanging Planter-pods as claimed in any of the previous claims, wherein the suspension of Easy Connector Conduit System is rigid or non-rigid.

7. A System for Multi-Tier Hanging Planter-pods as claimed in any of the previous claims, wherein the Easy Connector Conduit System allows the conduiting of Fluids (water or liquid fertiliser or such other fluids) or Tubes carrying above fluids or Structural elements such as steel cables, nylon cables, metal rods, pipes, etc.

8. A System for Multi-Tier Hanging Planter-pods as claimed in any of the previous claims, wherein the Media Chamber is directly filled with media such as soil or soil-less media, or it may contain a media pouch that is insertable into the media chamber.

9. A System for Multi-Tier Hanging Planter-pods as claimed in any of the previous claims, wherein the Media Chamber and/or the Media pouch is also be able to absorb and retain water for nourishing the plants.

10. A System for Multi-Tier Hanging Planter-pods which allows multiple aerodynamic planter- pods to be suspended/attached one below the other as described herein with reference to the attached drawings