GB2497941A - A method of making a polytunnel gutter using a coil of sheet metal - Google Patents
A method of making a polytunnel gutter using a coil of sheet metal Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2497941A GB2497941A GB1122108.2A GB201122108A GB2497941A GB 2497941 A GB2497941 A GB 2497941A GB 201122108 A GB201122108 A GB 201122108A GB 2497941 A GB2497941 A GB 2497941A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- gutter
- polytunnel
- text
- cover
- structural framework
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status 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 status listed.)
- Granted
Links
- 229910052751 metal Inorganic materials 0.000 title claims abstract description 7
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 title claims abstract description 7
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 5
- 238000005096 rolling process Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 11
- 229910000831 Steel Inorganic materials 0.000 claims abstract description 5
- 239000010959 steel Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 5
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims abstract description 5
- 239000004411 aluminium Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 4
- 229910052782 aluminium Inorganic materials 0.000 claims abstract description 4
- XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N aluminium Chemical compound [Al] XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims abstract description 4
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims description 15
- 238000005520 cutting process Methods 0.000 claims description 2
- 238000005304 joining Methods 0.000 description 5
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 4
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229920003023 plastic Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 239000004698 Polyethylene Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000004075 alteration Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000011248 coating agent Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000000576 coating method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005260 corrosion Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000007797 corrosion Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000009434 installation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000002262 irrigation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000003973 irrigation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- -1 polyethylene Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920000573 polyethylene Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920000642 polymer Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 238000001556 precipitation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 150000003839 salts Chemical class 0.000 description 1
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
- A01G9/14—Greenhouses
- A01G9/1407—Greenhouses of flexible synthetic material
-
- 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
- A01G9/14—Greenhouses
- A01G9/1476—Greenhouse gutters
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E04—BUILDING
- E04D—ROOF COVERINGS; SKY-LIGHTS; GUTTERS; ROOF-WORKING TOOLS
- E04D13/00—Special arrangements or devices in connection with roof coverings; Protection against birds; Roof drainage ; Sky-lights
- E04D13/04—Roof drainage; Drainage fittings in flat roofs, balconies or the like
- E04D13/064—Gutters
-
- 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
- Y02A—TECHNOLOGIES FOR ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02A40/00—Adaptation technologies in agriculture, forestry, livestock or agroalimentary production
- Y02A40/10—Adaptation technologies in agriculture, forestry, livestock or agroalimentary production in agriculture
- Y02A40/25—Greenhouse technology, e.g. cooling systems therefor
Landscapes
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Environmental Sciences (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Architecture (AREA)
- Civil Engineering (AREA)
- Structural Engineering (AREA)
- Tents Or Canopies (AREA)
Abstract
A method of making a polytunnel system with a gutter 10 comprising erecting a polytunnel framework 3 and 4, forming a gutter 10 from a coil of sheet metal on site and arranging it to be supported on the polytunnel framework 3 and 4 and extending a cover 7over the framework 3 and 4 such that rain water running off the cover 7 is caught in the gutter 10. The framework may have legs 3 which support hoops 4 and the gutter 10 may be support on a Y shaped portion formed by hoops 4 on adjacent polytunnels. A mobile rolling machine may be provided for the gutter 10 and brackets may be formed on the gutter for securing ropes positioned on the cover 7 in place. The gutter 10 may be steel or aluminium and may continuously extend along the length of a polytunnel.
Description
POLYTIJNNEL GUTTER
This invention relates to a gutter for use with a polytunnel system.
A polytunriel intended for use in a field typically comprises a pair of rows of legs, each leg of one row together with a corresponding leg of the other row supporting a hoop member. A plastics material covering is extended over the hoop members to form a tunnel. Where multiple polytunnels are placed side by side, each row of legs may support two hoop members that define adjacent tunnels.
The covering of the polytunnel prevents precipitation from falling on the ground under the tunnel. Rainwater falling on the covering of the polytunnel is channelled by the covering to the edges of the tunnel near the supporting legs where it may be collected by a gutter system. Such a gutter system enables the grower to collect, conserve and recycle rain water. Rain water is at the optimum electro-conductivity level for re-use onto the crop and therefore needs no treatment to reduce the level of total dissolved salts before use in irrigation.
Such gutter systems are typically comprised of a number of pre-formed plastic or metal sections, which are assembled on site to form a sectional gutter extending the full length of the polytunnel. Gutter sections are typically joined together by overlapping sections, or using a joining piece that overlaps two abutting sections of gutter. Joints between gutter sections often leak, and require additional material to provide the joining pieces or overlap. Sectional gutter systems are bulky to transport, and considerable effort is required in the positioning, fixing and joining of the many sections required for a typical field scale polytunnel installation Furthermore, each section of a sectional gutter must be individually secured to the structural framework of the polytunnel.
Another difficulty with such gutter arrangements is that the elongate form of the sections of gutter makes them large, and so difficult and inconvenient, to transport to the site.
It is an object of the invention to provide an improved method of making and installing a gutter system for polytunnels.
According to the present invention, there Is provided a method for producing and installing a gutter system for a polytunnel comprising the steps of erecting at a site a polytunnel comprising a cover extending over a structural framework, on the site, forming from a coil ci sheet metal a continuous gutter channel, and arranging the continuous gutter channel to be supported by the structural framework to catch rain water running off the cover of the polytunnel.
Conveniently, the structural framework comprises a pair of rows of legs that support hoop members extending between the rows, with each leg of one row, together with the corresponding leg of the other row, supporting each hoop member. The gutter may extend along at least one of the rows of legs. A plurality of polytunnels may be erected side by side. Conveniently, each leg between adjacent polytunnels comprises a V piece which supports a first hoop member of a first adjacent polytunnel and a second corresponding hoop member of a second adjacent polytunnel, and the gutter is supported by theY piece and/or lower portions of the hoop members.
The method may further comprise the additional step of attaching brackets to the glitter to which ropes securing the cover may be secured.
The forming step may comprise rolling. The forming may be carried out using a mobile rolling machine.
The gutter may be extended along the length of the polytunnel as it is formed. The gutter is preferably supported by the structural framework of the polytunnel as it is extended. A mobile rolling machine may be positioned to extend the gutter between adjacent polytunnels.
The forming step may comprise cutting the gutter to length using a guillotine. The gutter conveniently extends continuously for the full length of the polytunnel without any joins.
The gutter may be arranged along the length of the structural framework of the poiytunnel before the polytunnel cover is extended over the structural framework.
The coil conveniently comprises steel or aluminium.
The invention will further be described, by way of example1 with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a diagram of a gutter made and installed according to an embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is a diagram showing a more detailed view of the gutter of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a schematic of a mobile roller forming a continuous gutter according to an embodiment of the invention; Figure 4 is a schematic of a mobile roller extending a continuous gutter along the length of a polytunnel as it is formed.
Figure 1 is a schematic end view of part of two adjacent polytunnels 1 and 2 with a gutter 10 according to an embodiment of the invention installed in the valley between them. Each polytunnel 1, 2 comprises a cover 7 which is extended over and supported by a structural framework. The covet 7 is transparent or translucent and is substantially impermeable, typically being made from polyethylene, thereby providing a sheltered growing environment with plenty of light. The structural framework is typically of galvanized tubular steel, and comprises a pair of rows of legs that support hoop members extending between the rows, with each leg of one row, together with the corresponding leg of the other row, supporting each hoop member. Corresponding arch members 4 of adjacent polytunnels 1, 2 share a single supporting leg 3 which supports an end of each corresponding. arch member 4 via a V piece 6 at the end of the leg 3.
The end of each arch member 4 slides over the end of the V piece 6, and may be secured thereto.
As shown more clearly in Figure 2, a gutter 10 is placed in the valley between the adjacent arch members 4 of the polytunnels, extending along the row of suppOrting legs 3, The gutter is conveniently supported in this position by the V piece 6 of the supporting leg 3 and/or the lower portions of the arch members 4 near the V piece 6.
The cover 7 extends into the gutter 10, so that rainwater running down the cover will end up in the gutter 10.
The gutter is in the form of a channel 11 which has two sloping wails and a substantially horizontal base, and is formed from a sheet of metal of substantially uniform thickness. The metal may for example be steel or aluminium, and may comprise a surface coating to inhibit corrosion (for example, may be galvanised or pre-S coated with a polymer).
The gutter 10 is secured to the framework of the polytunnel by brackets 131 which pass around the framework and are fixed to the sloping walls of the gutter channel 11 by bolts. A rope bracket 12 is provided, secured to the base of the gutter channel 11 (for instance by a bolt), to which ropes used for securing the cover 7 may be secured.
According to an embodiment of the invention, the gutter channel 11 is formed on the site where the polytunnels 1, 2 are located, and extends along the full length of the polytunnets 1. 2 in a continuous unbroken length. Forming the gutter channel 11 in this way removes the needfor a sectional gutter system to be transported to the site and assembled. A continuous gutter system uses less material than a sectional gutter, not requiring joining pieces or overlap at joints, and does not suffer from the problems at leaking at joints. A continuous channel is more stiff than a channel comprising marty sections, arid may require less points of attachment to the structural frame to satisfactorily secure it.
As shown in Figure 3, according to an embodiment of the invention, the gutter channel ills produced by roll forming a coil of metat sheet 20 using a mobile rolling machine 21. As a length of coil 20 is taken up by the mobile rolling machine 21, a corresponding length of continuous gutter channel 11 emerges from the other end of the machine 21.
In this way a continuous gutter channel 11 of arbitrary length may be formed on the site of the polytunnels 1, 2. The rolling machine 21 further comprises a guillotine which cuts the continuous gutter channel 11 at an appropriate length.
As shown in section AA, the gutter channel 11 is formed into a profile that substantially conforms to the shape of the structural frame of the polytunnel to which it is to be attached andlor by which it will be supported. The gutter channel profile may include ribs to increase its stiffnes& Figure 4 shows the mobile rolling machine 21 located in front of a row of supporting legs 3 shared by two adjacent polytunnels 1, 2. The rolling machine 21 is arranged to extend the gutter channel 11 along the valley between the adjacent polytunnels 1, 2 as it is formed. The gutter channel ills thereby supported by the structural frame of the polytunnel as it is extended. In an arternative embodiment the gutter 10 may be extended along an outer row of support legs along an edge of a pofytunnel that is not shared by an adjacent polytunnel A gutter may be supported along such an outer row of legs by brackets mounted on the outer row of support legs. Such a row of brackets along an outer row of legs may similarly support the gutter as it is extended a?ong the length of the polyturinel.
One the gutter is extended along the length of the polytunnel 1, 2, it is secured to the framework, for instance by bolting it to the V piece 6 of the legs 3, or by securing it to the hoop members 4 and/or Y piece S using brackets 13.
The continuous gutter system according to an embodiment of the invention is less prone to leaking, more robust, consumes less materials and is faster tO install than prior-art pre-formed sectional systems. By forming the gutter on site and directly installing it onto the polytunnel, the need for laboriously assembling and joining together a sectional system is avoided, along with all the problems associated with joints. A continuous gutter according to an embodiment Of the invention, may be retro-fitted to existing polytunnels, or installed as the polytunnel is being erected.
Whilst a specific form of gutter and polytunne! has been described hereinbefore, It will b appreciated that a number of modifications and alterations may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the invention.
Claims (1)
- <claim-text>CLAIMS: 1. A method for producing and installing a gutter system for a polytunnel comprising the steps of: erecting at a site a polytunnel comprising a cover extending over a structural framework: on the site, forming from a coil of sheet metal a continuous gutter channel; and arranging the continuous gutter channel to be supported by the structural framework to catch rain water running off the cover of the polytunnel.</claim-text> <claim-text>2 The method of claim 1, wherein the structural framework comprises a pair of rows of legs that support hoop members extending between the rows, with each leg of one row, together with the corresponding leg of the other row, supporting oath hoop member.</claim-text> <claim-text>3. The method of claim 2, wherein the gutter extends along at least one of the rows of legs.</claim-text> <claim-text>4. The method of any preceding claim, wherein 2 plurality of polytunnels are erected side by side.</claim-text> <claim-text>5. The method of claim 4, wherein: each leg between adjacent polytunnels comprises a V piece which supports a first hoop member of a first adjacent polytunnel and a second corresponding hoop member of a second adjacent p&ytunnet; and the gutter is supported by the V piece and/or lower portions of the hoop members.</claim-text> <claim-text>6. The method of any preceding claim comprFsing the additional step of attaching brackets to the gutter to which ropes securing the cover may be secured.</claim-text> <claim-text>7. The method of any preceding claim, wherein forming comprises rollirig 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the forming is carried out using a mobile rolling machine.9. The method of any preceding claim wherein the gutter is extended along the length of the polytunnel as it is formed.10. The method of claim 9, wherein the gutter is supported by the structural framework of the polytunnel as it is extended.11. The method of claim 10, wherein a mobile rolling machine is positioned to extend the gutter between adjacent polytunnels.12. The method of any preceding claim1 wherein forming comprises cutting the gutter to length using a guillotine.13. The method of any preceding claim, wherein the gutter extends continuously for the full length of the polytunner without any joins.14. The method of any preceding claim, wherein the gutter is arranged along the length of the structural framework of the polytunnel before the polytunnel cover is extended over the structural framework.15. The method of any preceding claim, wherein the coil comprises steel or aluminium.</claim-text>
Priority Applications (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB1122108.2A GB2497941B (en) | 2011-12-22 | 2011-12-22 | Polytunnel gutter |
| PCT/GB2012/053125 WO2013093430A1 (en) | 2011-12-22 | 2012-12-13 | Polytunnel gutter |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB1122108.2A GB2497941B (en) | 2011-12-22 | 2011-12-22 | Polytunnel gutter |
Publications (3)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB201122108D0 GB201122108D0 (en) | 2012-02-01 |
| GB2497941A true GB2497941A (en) | 2013-07-03 |
| GB2497941B GB2497941B (en) | 2017-01-04 |
Family
ID=45572874
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB1122108.2A Active GB2497941B (en) | 2011-12-22 | 2011-12-22 | Polytunnel gutter |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| GB (1) | GB2497941B (en) |
| WO (1) | WO2013093430A1 (en) |
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2540851A (en) * | 2015-05-26 | 2017-02-01 | Haygrove Ltd | Tunnel arrangement |
| GB2541867A (en) * | 2015-08-21 | 2017-03-08 | Haygrove Ltd | Polytunnel arrangement |
Families Citing this family (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN109769527B (en) * | 2019-01-29 | 2024-02-23 | 成都乡春智农农业研发中心 | Ventilating and rain-sheltering greenhouse |
Citations (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JPS58170950U (en) * | 1982-05-08 | 1983-11-15 | 恵和商工株式会社 | Toy for multi-building house |
| JPH0252557U (en) * | 1988-10-05 | 1990-04-16 | ||
| US5356164A (en) * | 1993-05-20 | 1994-10-18 | Miller Chase E | Seamless gutter rolling support |
| WO2000025571A1 (en) * | 1998-10-30 | 2000-05-11 | Rovero Systems B.V. | Building having joists and a gutter, and a gutter and joist for use therein |
Family Cites Families (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FR1479336A (en) * | 1966-03-07 | 1967-05-05 | So Co Me Plast | Improvements to cultivation greenhouses |
| GB2070663B (en) * | 1980-02-26 | 1983-10-05 | Grimalda Ltd | Multispan greenhouse structures |
| FR2527420A1 (en) * | 1982-05-28 | 1983-12-02 | Serradimigni Fernand | Sheet tensioning and gutter for multi-arch roof - anchors sheet edges to trapezoidal section gutter retained by Y=shaped column head arms |
| US5197238A (en) * | 1989-06-15 | 1993-03-30 | Alexander Peleg | Enclosed structures |
| WO2008044168A2 (en) * | 2006-10-13 | 2008-04-17 | Lawrence Fredrick Croeser | A gutter installation system |
-
2011
- 2011-12-22 GB GB1122108.2A patent/GB2497941B/en active Active
-
2012
- 2012-12-13 WO PCT/GB2012/053125 patent/WO2013093430A1/en not_active Ceased
Patent Citations (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JPS58170950U (en) * | 1982-05-08 | 1983-11-15 | 恵和商工株式会社 | Toy for multi-building house |
| JPH0252557U (en) * | 1988-10-05 | 1990-04-16 | ||
| US5356164A (en) * | 1993-05-20 | 1994-10-18 | Miller Chase E | Seamless gutter rolling support |
| WO2000025571A1 (en) * | 1998-10-30 | 2000-05-11 | Rovero Systems B.V. | Building having joists and a gutter, and a gutter and joist for use therein |
Cited By (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2540851A (en) * | 2015-05-26 | 2017-02-01 | Haygrove Ltd | Tunnel arrangement |
| GB2540851B (en) * | 2015-05-26 | 2021-05-12 | Haygrove Ltd | Tunnel arrangement |
| GB2541867A (en) * | 2015-08-21 | 2017-03-08 | Haygrove Ltd | Polytunnel arrangement |
| GB2541867B (en) * | 2015-08-21 | 2021-08-04 | Haygrove Ltd | Polytunnel arrangement |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| WO2013093430A1 (en) | 2013-06-27 |
| GB201122108D0 (en) | 2012-02-01 |
| GB2497941B (en) | 2017-01-04 |
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