GB2482654A

GB2482654A - A vertical planting system

Info

Publication number: GB2482654A
Application number: GB1009436.5A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Antony Roch
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-06-07
Filing date: 2010-06-07
Publication date: 2012-02-15
Also published as: GB201009436D0

Abstract

A vertical planting system is formed from at least two individual containers 4, 5 which have interlocking members 14, 15 which allow the containers to be releasably connected together. The interlocking members also enable a first container 4 to be held at a predetermined angle of rotation to a second container 5. The planting system may be a hanging planting system. The interlocking members may hold the first and second containers at an angle of between 150-60Â°, preferably 137.5Â° Â± 1Â°. The planting system may have irrigation means wherein a main irrigation conduit 11 passes through each container with there being a branch conduit that allows fluid to flow into individual containers. The planting system may also include a support framework for attaching the planting system to a wall. Also disclosed is a method of forming a vertical garden or green wall using a plurality of afore described containers.

Description

Planting System

Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a planting system for growing plants and vegetables and more particularly to a vertical growing system which can be used for example as a vertical garden, as a green wall, or for the greening of surfaces such as the facades of buildings.

Background of the Invention

Vertical planters which define vertical columns of plant pots are known. Such systems are often provided in the form of pots which can be attached to a support which itself if secured to a surface such as a wall. Alternatively, there are planting systems that are formed of a series of containers that can attach to one another to provide a vertical arrangement of planters that contain the plants. However, in such arrangements the planters are stacked one above the other.

Typically known planting arrangements are cumbersome to install. In the vertical column type arrangements the support for the plant holders first needs to be attached to a wall and then the plant holders themselves need to be attached to the support. In the known type of vertical planters where the planters are stacked one above the other, there needs to be a high level of precision in attaching the planters to one another. Also as the planters are stacked one above the other this can result in reducing the optimum growing conditions for the plant as they are in cramped conditions. In any event, in such known arrangements, assembling the vertical planters has the problem of either the process being a multi stage process to assemble the planters, which being time consuming increases the cost of putting the planters in situ, or the planters are not in the best positions for optimum plant growth.

The present invention seeks to overcome the problems with the prior art by providing a planting system which is simple and cost effective to assemble and which provides optimal conditions for plants to grow, in particular in a vertical arrangement and in particular applies the geometrical arrangement of leaves on a plant as a system for the optimal arrangement of planting receptacles in a vertical pattern.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided a planting system formed of at least two individual containers having interlocking members which allow the containers to be releasably connected together, wherein the interlocking members enable a first container to be held at a predetermined angle of rotation to a second container to which the first container is releasably connected.

The vertical system also provides diagonal branching elements connecting to and from vertical elements.

It is preferred that the planting system provides a vertical planting system or alternatively a hanging planting system.

Preferably the containers are of a fluted shape with the mouth of a container being of a wider dimension than the base of the container.

It is envisaged that the mouth of the container is elliptical in shape.

Preferably the interlocking members hold the connected first and second containers at an angle of rotation to one another of between, 150 and 60 degrees, more preferably 145 and degrees, more preferably 140 and 130 degrees, more preferably 140 and 135 degrees and even more preferably 137.5 degrees plus or minus one degree. A typical range would be an angle of between 120 and 180 degrees.

It is envisaged that the interlocking members are formed of a plug and socket arrangement so allowing for quick and simple connection of containers with one another. The plug and socket arrangement is provided as a male and female interlocking arrangement, for example by a detent on the base of one container that can interconnect with an aperture or slot on a second container. In an alternative arrangement there may be a recessed channel in the upper area of a second container.

It is envisaged that the slot is provided at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the container.

Preferably the slot or recessed channel is provided as a helix so the containers can be twisted together. It is further preferred that the helix includes a screw thread and stop.

In an alternative arrangement the interlocking members can be provided as a stepped member abutting against a correspondingly shaped recess member.

In a preferred arrangement there is a cushioning member such as a gasket between each of the containers.

Preferably the containers are made from a porous material and in particular of a clay or a ceramic type material.

The containers include a fibrous medium in contact with the porous material forming the container, the fibrous medium forming a planting medium for plants that are contained within the container.

It is preferred that one or more of the containers includes an irrigation system. Preferably the irrigation system has a main conduit passing through each of the containers with a branch conduit that allows fluid to flow to individual containers.

Preferably the irrigation system within each container is formed of an irrigation conduit, which is in fluidic contact with a porous material which absorbs fluid from the irrigation conduit and allows the fluid to disperse within the container over a period of time.

It is envisaged that the branch conduits include a valve such that the flow of fluid to individual containers through a branch conduit can be regulated. This has particular advantage in that some containers, because of their position may become drier than others.

Also, some plants need a different level of watering from others and therefore it is useful to be able to control the levels of water delivered to an individual container. Preferably the irrigation system is a hydroponic system.

It is preferred that the container include a drainage system to allow excess fluid in a container to be released from an individual container.

It is envisaged that the planting system can be connected to an optional support framework, for example a framework which itself forms a decorative element for the surface to which the system is attached.

The planting system can include branch elements that form an angle from the vertical and can connect to and from the vertical elements of the system or to and from adjacent existing building structures. These branch elements provide a lateral support framework or connections for an irrigation system.

Further the planting system includes a base member into which individual columns of the planting system can be inserted to support the system.

According to a further embodiment of the invention there is provided a planting container to be used in a system according to any preceding claim.

According to a further embodiment of the invention there is provided a method of forming a vertical garden or green wall or for covering a wall or facade whereby at least two individual containers having interlocking members which allow the containers to be releasably connected together such that the interlocking members enable hold a first container at a predetermined angle of rotation to a second container are connected to one another and plants are introduced into the containers either prior to connecting the first or second container or after connection.

The present invention is advantageous in that it provides an easy to assemble structure which is formed of individual units that can be connected together in a predetermined arrangement that allows for optimal growth of plants contained in the units of the structure.

Brief Description of the Drawings

An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only and not in any limitative sense, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1: shows a vertical planting system according to an embodiment of the invention placed against a wall; Figure 2: shows a perspective view of a pair of containers used in a planting system according to an embodiment of the invention; Figure 3: shows a side view of a pair of pair of containers according to an embodiment of the invention that are connected to one another; Figure 4: shows a front view of a container according to an embodiment of the invention and the relative positioning of the mouth of the container and a connector for the container; Figure 5: shows a view from above of the angle at which one container can be held relative to a container to which it is attached; Figure 6: shows a sectional view of a container and the growing and irrigation system Container within the container; Figure 7: shows a side view of an irrigation system according to a first embodiment of the invention; and Figure 8: shows a side view of an irrigation system according to a further embodiment of the invention.

Detailed Description of the Invention

Figure 1 is a schematic view of a planting system according to the invention, which is shown generally as 1 in the Figure. The planting system is formed of a series of columns of containers 2 which can hold plants 3. The columns are generally upright and for ease of reference they are said to be vertical but the person skilled will understand that vertical does not mean that the columns are at right angles to the ground, there could be a variance if several degrees from the vertical to allow for some leeway when installing the planting system. Furthermore the planting system could be formed of depending columns thereby creating a hanging planting system. The planting system is designed to provide a vertical garden, a green wall or to provide a covering for a facade of a building or for walls so as to introduce a green element to urban structures thereby enhancing the visual aspect of an area.

The containers making up the planting system are shown in more detail in Figure 2. A first planter is shown as 4 and the base of that planter is interlocked with a second planter 5 so the planters are held at a predetermined angle to one another. The containers are generally of a fluted shape. The angle of rotation between each of the containers is preferably 137.5 degrees. It has been found that this angle is the most common angle for the arrangement of leaves on a plant, with each leaf on the stem of a plant coming off the stem at an angle of 137.5 degrees from the leaf below it. The invention allows for containers to be connected to one another so they provide plants 3 in the containers with the best possible exposure to environmental factors such as light and water for them to grow.

Figure 3 shows a side view where two containers 4 and 5 of a planting system are shown in the interlocked position. The mouth 4a of the upper container 4 is held at an angle of rotation to the mouth 5a of the lower container 5 and the mouth of each container is itself formed at an oblique angle to the axis of the container. By having the mouth of the container at an oblique angle, this creates space between the containers such that as a plant grows it grows into the space and hence grows at an angle to each of the containers so providing a denser and more even growth pattern to cover the surface against which the plating system is situated. The lower container has a connecting member which is shown as a slot or recessed channel 6, which can interconnect with a corresponding connecting member on a container that is positioned below container 5. The connecting member as shown is in the form of a slot and this slot may be variable in depth or dimensions when viewed from the side. In an alternative arrangement the slot or channel may be stepped so it interlocks with a member having a profile that corresponds to the dimension of the stepped slot.

A single container 5 is shown in Figure 4. The mouth of the container 5a is at a first position with the connecting member, which in this case is shown as a slot or channel, being at an angle to the mouth of 5a of the container. The position of the slot in relation to the mouth of the container means that when two containers are interlocked, the plants will be located around the central axis of the stem at an angle to one another.

Figure 5 shows the mouth of the container which when viewed from above is in the form of an ellipse. The connecting member provided as slot 6 is held at an angle of 137.5 degrees to the central axis of the container.

A sectional view is shown in Figure 6 of the components that form or are used in a container according to an embodiment of the invention. The container 5 is formed of a shaped material 7 which may be a ceramic material or a clay type material but it is desirable that the material has a degree of porosity so allow evaporation from the container to help prevent roots from becoming waterlogged. There is a planting area 8, which is where the plant roots are situated. The planting medium could be soil but more preferably it is a fibrous material such as coco fibre which allows the roots to breathe. Having a planting material that has many air holes is good for plants such as orchids, or epiphytes which prefer a breathable area around their roots rather than compacted soil. However the invention allows for many different types of plants to be used making it particularly useful in different countries where the growing conditions are suited to particular types of plants.

Towards the centre of the container there is a tube 9 having apertures and/or the tube may be formed of a porous material. The apertures and/porous material allow the flow of fluid into the planting medium. The tube may also have a structural function in the support of the assembled structure and may be of such a profile in section as to incorporate grooves or channels along its length. Typically the profile is a Y shape with three channels. Towards the centre of the container there is an irrigation pipe 11, which brings fluid into the container.

The irrigation pipe has a number of openings 13 which allows the fluid in the irrigation pipe to pass into the container. Between the irrigation pipe and the tube 9, there is optionally a sponge type material which can absorb fluid from the irrigation pipe and hold it as a reservoir before it is sucked up into the growing medium as a result of capillary action as the plant roots draw the fluid up. Such a system provides an ebb and flow irrigation system which provides the best oxygenation of plant roots. However it is possible to use a conventional irrigation system with the invention, where fluid is pumped under pressure.

The irrigation pipe and the porous tube may also be connected together so fluid such as water is drawn into the planting area of the container.

The irrigation pipe 11 also acts as a structural support for the connection between two containers 4 and 5 and helps prevent deflection between containers and also provides a degree of rigidity to allow the planting system to be connected to a structural support. The sponge structure within the container also assists in providing a support and reduces the risk of fluid leaking between containers.

Figure 7 shows a sections view through the longitudinal axis of a pair of containers 4 and 5.

An irrigation pipe 11 runs through both containers which are held at an angle to one another. The connection between the containers is shown as a slot 15 on the upper container 4, which can interlock with a detent 14 on the lower container 5. The slot is towards the lower portion of the container while the detent is toward the upper part of a container. It is to be understood that the opposite type of arrangement could be used where the lower portion of the container has a detent which interacts with a channel recess or slot on an upper portion of another container.

With the socket type connection the containers can only be stacked one on another in a specific arrangement. The socket may be in two forms, either a detent on a slot in the wall of a container, which connects with a slot on a detent in another container. Alternatively the connection may be in the form of a stepped potion on one container abutting against and so interlocking with a stepped aperture on another container. Having a slot, which typically is poisoned on a slant to the axis of the container and a detent provides a great deal of resistance to mechanical damage during assembly. The slanting aperture may form a helical cut out towards the base of a container, with a stop positioned at the end of the helix. This provides an arrangement where two containers can be connected by first locating the socket and then screwing the two containers together until the stop is reached. To assist in connecting the containers a screw thread may be incorporated to assist in movement between the two containers. This screw action type arrangement allows for connecting of the containers whilst providing an arrangement that would prevent them from being pulled apart, so providing a further safety feature.

Using a stepped edge connection has the advantage of locking two containers together, with there being no twisting of the twO so providing a rigid structure. In both arrangements a seal such as a gasket is placed between the connections to absorb any movement in the connection area.

Figure 8 shows more detail of an irrigation system according to an embodiment of the invention. An upper container 4 connects with a lower container 5. An irrigation pipe 11 runs through both containers. The lower portion of container 4 is formed of a stem that sits in the fluted mouth 5a of lower container 5. The lower portion of the container 4 is formed of a porous material 9 and there are also tubes 12 running to the porous material from the irrigation pipe 11. There is a portion of irrigation pipe 11 that continues through the axis of lower container 5. This section of pipe has a valve 16, which can control the flow of water to a reservoir, which in this case if formed of a porous sponge 10. The flow to the sponge may is by separate conduits 17 from the irrigation pipe 11, which allows for even distribution of the fluid through the sponge so it can be drawn into the container evenly so the roots of the plant receive an even distribution of fluid. The control of the irrigation of the container can be enhanced by using the porous container wall as well as a separate fluid reservoir as shown in Figure 8.

It should be noted that the above mentioned embodiment illustrates rather than limits the invention and that alterations or modifications are possible without departing from the scope of the invention as described. It is to be noted that the invention covers not only individual embodiments described but also combinations of those embodiments.

Claims

Claims 1. A planting system formed of at least two individual containers having interlocking members which allow the containers to be releasably connected together, wherein the interlocking members enable a first container to be held at a predetermined angle of rotation to a second container to which the first container is releasably connected.
2. A planting system according to claim 1 providing a vertical planting system or a hanging planting system.
3. A planting system according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the containers are of a fluted shape with the mouth of the container being of a wider dimension than the base of the container.
4. A planting system according to claim 3, wherein the mouth of the container is elliptical in shape.
5. A planting system according to any preceding claim wherein the interlocking members hold the connected first and second containers at a predetermined angle of rotation to one another of preferably between 150 and 60 degrees, more preferably 145 and 90 degrees, more preferably 140 and 130 degrees, more preferably 140 and 135 degrees and more preferably 120 and 180 degrees.
6. A planting system according to any of claims 1 to 4 wherein the interlocking members hold the connected first and second containers at 137.5 degrees plus or minus one degree.
7. A planting system according to any preceding claim wherein the interlocking members are formed of male and female connecting members.
8. A planting system according to claim 7, wherein the male part is a detent and the female part is an aperture or slot.
9. A planting system according to claim 9, wherein the slot has a variable width along the length of said slot.
10. A planting system according to claim 10, wherein the slot is provided at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the container.
11. A planting system according to any of claims 8 to 10, wherein slot is provided as a helix so the containers can be twisted together.
12. A planting system according to claim 11, wherein the slot is provided with a screw thread and stop.
13. A planting system according to any of claimsl to 7 wherein the interlocking members are a stepped member abutting against a correspondingly shaped recess member.
14. A planting system according to any preceding claim including a cushioning member such as a gasket between each of the containers.
15. A planting system according to any preceding claim wherein the containers are made from a porous material and in particular a clay or a ceramic type material.
16. A planting system according to claim 15, including a fibrous medium in contact with the porous material forming the container.
17. A planting system according to any preceding claim including an irrigation system.
18. A planting system according to claim 17 wherein a main irrigation conduit passes through each of the containers with there being a branch conduit that allows fluid to flow to individual containers.
19. A planting system according to claim 17 or claim 18, wherein there is a porous material which absorbs fluid from the irrigation conduit and allows the fluid to disperse within the container over a period of time.
20. A planting system according to any of claims 17 to 19, wherein there is a tube positioned between the irrigation conduit and a medium into which a plant is to be planted so that fluid from the irrigation conduit can pass in a controlled manner to the medium by way of the apertures or pores in the tube.
21. A planting system according to any preceding claim including valves to control the flow of fluid.
22. A planting system according to any preceding claim including a drainage system to allow excess fluid in a container to be released from an individual container.
23. A planting system according to any preceding claim in combination with a support framework to attach the planting system to a wall.
24. A planting system according to claim 23 in combination with a base member into which individual columns of the planting system can be inserted to support the system.
25. A planting container adapted for use in a planting system according to any preceding claim.
26. A method of forming a vertical garden or green wall or covering a wall or facade whereby at least two individual containers having interlocking members which allow the containers to be releasably connected together such that the interlocking members enable hold a first container at a predetermined angle of rotation to a second container are connected to one another and plants are introduced into the containers either prior to connecting the first or second container or after connection.
27. A planting system as substantially described herein with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying Figures.
28. A planting container as substantially described herein with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying Figures.
29. An irrigation system as substantially described herein with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying Figures.