WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:
1. A shingle for a modular support for plants, comprising
a waterproof backing comprising a plurality of perforations for receiving an anchor;
a porous cover comprising an array of openings and attached to the waterproof backing, and enclosing a hydroponic substrate comprising an array of holes, the openings of the porous cover aligning with the holes of the enclosed hydroponic substrate, for support of a plant in the shingle;
the porous cover and hydroponic substrate positioned off-center of the waterproof backing, providing two or more consecutive extended edges; and
the two or more consecutive extended edges providing for a regular overlapping arrangement of shingles when assembled into a modular support.
2. The shingle of claim 1 , wherein the waterproof backing comprises a thermoplastic olefin.
3. The shingle of claim 1, wherein the porous cover comprises polypropylene felt.
4. The shingle of claim 1 , wherein the hydroponic substrate comprises mineral wool, polyester, wool, or a combination thereof.
5. The shingle of claim 1, wherein the opening is round, slit-shaped, cross-shaped or channel-shaped.
6. The shingle of claim 1 , wherein the shingle is of a square, rectangular or hexagonal configuration.
7. A modular support for plants comprising a plurality of shingles, each shingle comprising: a waterproof backing comprising a plurality of perforations for receiving an anchor;
a porous cover comprising an array of openings and attached to the waterproof backing, and enclosing a hydroponic substrate comprising an array of holes, the openings of the porous cover aligning with the holes of the enclosed hydroponic substrate, for support of a plant in the shingle;
the porous cover and hydroponic substrate positioned off-center of the waterproof backing, providing two or more consecutive extended edges; and
the two or more consecutive extended edges providing for a regular overlapping arrangement of shingles, allowing for development of a root system of the plant to extend into the hydroponic substrate of one or more adjacent shingles and anchor the one or more adjacent shingles one to another. |
TITLE MODULAR SUPPORT FOR PLANTS
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a modular support for plants.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to the support of plants in a vertical arrangement. Several vegetation supporting systems are currently on the market such as Patrick Blanc's Mur Vegetal, Dr. Allan Darlignton's Naturaire Breathing Wall, Elevated Landscape Technologies living wall panel and G-SKY's Green Wall System. Most of these systems are adaptable to indoor or outdoor conditions as well as various climates.
[0003] The Mur Vegetal and Naturair Breathing Wall are both planted onsite, hydroponic systems and require a continual pumping of nutrients and water in order for the plants to survive. The Naturair Breathing Wall is focused on indoor air purification. It has an integrated ventilation system to circulate the indoor air through the root system of the plants, where the bio-filtration occurs. The installation of these systems are lengthy and messy as the planting occurs onsite creating much disturbance.
[0004] The ELT panel and the G-SKY Green Wall are both growing media based modular plastic systems. Their modularity is convenient for pre-growing, installation and repairs, but the plastic casings limit root growth, which has a negative impact on the plants' size and longevity. The soil based growing media are also very heavy when saturated.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The present invention relates to a modular support for plants.
[0006] In accordance with one aspect of the invention, there is provided a shingle for a modular support for plants, comprising a waterproof backing comprising a plurality of perforations for receiving an anchor; a porous cover comprising an array of
openings and attached to the waterproof backing, and enclosing a hydroponic substrate comprising an array of holes, the openings of the porous cover aligning with the holes of the enclosed hydroponic substrate, for support of a plant in the shingle; the porous cover and hydroponic substrate positioned off-center of the waterproof backing, providing two or more consecutive extended edges; and the two or more consecutive extended edges providing for a regular overlapping arrangement of shingles when assembled into a modular support.
[0007] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided a modular support for plants comprising a plurality of shingles, each shingle comprising: a waterproof backing comprising a plurality of perforations for receiving an anchor; a porous cover comprising an array of openings and attached to the waterproof backing, and enclosing a hydroponic substrate comprising an array of holes, the openings of the porous cover aligning with the holes of the enclosed hydroponic substrate, for support of a plant in the shingle; the porous cover and hydroponic substrate positioned off-center of the waterproof backing, providing two or more consecutive extended edges; and the two or more consecutive extended edges providing for a regular overlapping arrangement of shingles, allowing for development of a root system of the plant to extend into the hydroponic substrate of one or more adjacent shingles and anchor the one or more adjacent shingles one to another.
[0008] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the waterproof backing comprises a thermoplastic olefin.
[0009] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the porous cover comprises polypropylene felt, wool felt, or a combination thereof.
[0010] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the hydroponic substrate comprises mineral wool, polyester, wool, or a combination thereof.
[0011] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the opening is round, slit- shaped, cross-shaped or channel-shaped.
[0012] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the shingle is of a square, rectangular, oval, round or hexagonal configuration.
[0013] In some embodiments, the present invention provides a modular support for plants which is porous in order to allow the root system of the plants to migrate laterally beyond its modular format into adjacent shingles. The support may be substantially vertical, such as for a wall, or may be angled or flat, or substantially flat, such as for a roof or awning.
[0014] In another embodiment, the present invention provides a protective building envelope to shed water downwards and away from the building structure while allowing air circulation between and behind the shingles.
[0015] In another embodiment, the present invention provides methods of manufacturing, pre-growing and installing a lightweight modular plant support system.
[0016] Another objective is to promote the reintegration of indigenous plant communities onto our built environment.
[0017] It is therefore an advantage of some aspects of the present invention to provide a water and energy efficient integrated irrigation system as part of the plant support system. The system allows for individual shingles to be replaced without the need to disassemble the entire system.
[0018] Another objective is to retain water and nutrients in the hydroponic substrate.
[0019] This summary of the invention does not necessarily describe all features of the invention. Other aspects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon review of the following description of specific embodiments of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0020] These and other features of the invention will become more apparent from the following description in which reference is made to the appended drawings wherein:
[0021] FIG 1 shows a trimetric view of the Vegetated Shingle unit.
[0022] FIG 2 shows components of the Vegetated Shingle Unit
[0023] FIG 3 shows features of the Vegetated Shingle description
[0024] FIG 4 shows components of the shingle
[0025] FIG 5 shows a shingle with plants and growing medium inserted in place
[0026] FIG 6 Vegetated Shingle - rainscreen system parts list
[0027] FIG 7 shows a vegetated shingle mounted on a weatherproof structure
[0028] FIG 8 shows a plurality of overlapping vegetated shingles mounted on a weatherproof structure.
[0029] FIG 9 shows a plurality of overlapping vegetated shingles connected to an irrigation system
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0030] In the description that follows, a number of terms are used extensively, the following definitions are provided to facilitate understanding of various aspects of the invention. Use of examples in the specification, including examples of terms, is for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to limit the scope and meaning of the embodiments of the invention herein.
[0031] Referring to Figure 1 , a modular support for plants according to some embodiments of the invention is shown. The modular support comprises a plurality of shingles, each shingle comprising a porous cover 4 which is attached along all or a portion of the perimeter of the cover to a waterproof backing 2, and contains an absorbent hydroponic substrate 3. A corner of the cover 5 in the proximity of a perforation 2b is sealed to the backing to allow for secure attachment of the shingle when the surface is assembled. The cover 4 may be attached to the waterproof
backing 2 by any suitable method - for example, by sewing or stitching, adhesive, welding (heat, high frequency). Choice of a suitable method will be dependent on the selected materials, and apparent to those familiar with use of such materials. If the shingle is stitched, the thread is preferably UV resistant. The shingle may be provided as a complete unit comprising the hydroponic substrate sandwiched between the cover and backing, with substantially the entire perimeter of the cover attached to the backing. Alternately, the cover may be attached to the backing along a portion of the perimeter, allowing for the hydroponic substrate to be inserted after manufacture. The cover may be made of any suitable material that provides cover and protection of the hydroponic substrate, for example recycled polypropylene felt.
[0032] The hydroponic substrate may be made of any suitable material that provides a lightweight and absorbent growing medium, support for plants, aeration and water supply, and nutrient retention at the location of the plant. Examples of such substrates include, but are not limited to, mineral wool, polyester or wool, or a combination of these. The porous cover 4 has an array openings 4c which align with an array of holes 3b in the hydroponic substrate. These openings hold the plant plugs 5 in place while their root system develops and anchors into the substrate. The openings may be any suitable shape or dimension to hold the plant plugs in position (for example, round, slit, cross-shaped, channel-shaped etc.), and may be adjusted to suit the size of the plant.
[0033] The waterproof backing 2 prevents rain and water from falling behind the shingle, restricts the roots to the front of the shingle, and provides mechanical support. Perforations 2b in the backing allow the shingle to be hung onto the anchoring system. The example illustrated in Figure 1 shows the cover attached off- center of the waterproof backing, at or close to the edge of the backing of two consecutive sides (8 and 9), with two consecutive sides of the backing extending beyond the dimension of the cover, providing extended edges (6 and 7). The width of the extended edges may vary with the overall size of the shingle, but are to be of sufficient width to provide for secure perforations 2b that support the mass of the
shingle when in use and prevent a tear-out of the perforation when the shingle is attached to a support structure, such as a wall. The extended edge facilitates overlapping attachment of a plurality of shingles to a wall, roof or awning.
[0034] The waterproof backing may be rigid or flexible, and may be made of any suitable material, for example a plastic or thermoplastic polyolefin.
[0035] The shingle exemplified herein is illustrated as of a square configuration. It will be apparent to a skilled reader that the configuration may be rectangular, or hexagonal. For a hexagonal shingle, the cover would also comprise a hexagonal configuration, and be attached at or close to the edge of the hexagonal shaped backing along three consecutive edges, with three consecutive sides of the backing extending beyond the dimension of the cover, providing an extended edge to facilitate overlapping attachment of a plurality of shingles.
[0036] PLANTING AND GROWING PROCESS
[0037] Referring to Figure 2, plant plugs 5 are inserted through the openings in the cover 4 and into the holes 3b of the hydroponic substrate. The shingle is coupled to a hydroponic growth system and the plant plugs allowed to grow until a root system is established and desired plant coverage of the shingle is achieved. Suitable or desired plant coverage of a shingle may be dependent on several factors including the intended application of the shingle, the environment where it is to be placed, the plant type, growing medium, or on esthetic considerations.
[0038] Plant plugs, comprising a plant plus growing medium, are commonly available as nursery items. The shingle can be pre-grown before installation and/or planted with plugs before installation.
[0039] When used in multiples, the shingles are assembled in an overlapping fashion set off from the inner layers of the wall by a one inch air space. This configuration, which allows air to flow through while protecting the building envelope from wind- driven rain, is known as a 'pressure-equalizing rainscreen', which is a standard type
of wall assembly familiar to skilled building professionals. The shingles may also be assembled indoors, where the weather protecting performance is not required.
[0040] Referring to Figure 7, to assemble a plurality of shingles into a wall, roof, awning or other surface, holes are drilled into the surface. Anchors 6 are screwed and sealed into the holes, and perforations in vertical spacer 7 are aligned and the spacer placed on the anchors. A first shingle is then mounted onto the spacers by aligning the perforations 2b over the anchors. The gaskets 8 are then placed over the shingle, onto the anchor.
[0041] Referring to Figure 8, second and subsequent shingles are placed in an overlapping relationship, side to side and bottom to top, so that the extended edge of a first, lower shingle 9 is positioned under the adjacent upper shingle 10. This method of layering allows the water to be shed away from the building envelope and provides a root barrier. The fasteners 8 are then put on the anchor and secured with a bolt. Once assembled, the shingles housing the plant plugs may be maintained by an irrigation system. Conventional irrigation systems are available to provide sufficient volume of water appropriate to the climate or geographic location, as well as the plant type or types. Such an irrigation system may include, for example, a back flow valve to prevent water in the irrigation system from entering the water supply, a filter or filters to trap particulates and a flush valve to expel particulates from the system, a regulator to control the pressure in the system (to prevent 'blow-outs', or to ensure that the water is provided to the appropriate vertical level in the assembled shingles), a fertilizer injector, a timer to provide automated control of irrigation, and mainlines and sublines to deliver water to the array of shingles.
[0042] Referring to Figure 9, after the shingles are assembled, a mainline 9 is attached to one side of the shingle assembly. Drip irrigation sub-lines 10 are in fluid communication with the mainline and with each shingle. In the example illustrated, each sub-line has drip emitters and is inserted inside the cover 4 along the top of each row of shingles. These sublines then connect with the mainline. The mainline is
then connected to a water source and the irrigation schedule is controlled by a computerized timer. A fertilizer injector may be included in the irrigation system to allow for introduction of nutrients, insect or plant growth regulators, or other desired water-soluble agents into the system.
[0043] In the assembled modular support comprising the plurality of shingles, each of the cover and hydroponic substrate arrangements are adjacent, or nearly adjacent, and allow for growth of plant root systems into one or more adjacent shingles' cover and hydroponic substrates, thus providing a larger area for root development.
[0044] The irrigation sub-lines are inserted through a small hole at the top of the porous cover of the shingles.
[0045] The system, properly configured, will retain water and nutrients in the substrate, and as such, will require minimal drainage..
[0046] One or more currently preferred embodiments have been described by way of example. It will be apparent to persons skilled in the art that a number of variations and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the claims.
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