Greenhouse and corner connector
By introducing a core and drainage opening design into the corner connector of the greenhouse window, the problems of manufacturing complexity and insufficient sealing of existing greenhouse windows are solved, achieving efficient manufacturing and optimized climate control.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Patents(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- BOAL SYSTEMEN BV
- Filing Date
- 2022-08-12
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-10
AI Technical Summary
Existing greenhouses with closable windows require additional drilling during manufacturing to facilitate drainage, which can lead to water retention and frost damage. Furthermore, they are not airtight and have poor air exchange.
It adopts an angle connector design with a core and a drainage opening, connecting the lower profile and the first side profile, and draining water under the drainage ditch in the closed state. Combined with the sealing strip, it forms a basically continuous seal, reducing air exchange.
It achieves efficient manufacturing and excellent sealing of greenhouse windows, reduces the risk of water retention, optimizes climate conditions, reduces energy consumption, and improves sealing and air exchange control.
Smart Images
Figure CN117812998B_ABST
Abstract
Description
[0001] The present invention relates to a greenhouse comprising a sloping roof provided with a closable window having a frame including a transparent cover, the frame comprising a lower profile, an upper profile, a first side profile, and a second side profile fixed to each other such that the first and second side profiles extend between the upper and lower profiles, wherein, in the closed state of the window, the frame rests on the circumferential edge of the roof and the lower profile is located at a lower height level than the upper profile, wherein at least one of the lower profile and the first side profile has a drain extending in its longitudinal direction for conveying water such as condensate from the interior of the greenhouse, wherein at least the lower profile and the first side profile are mounted to each other by corner connectors having a first portion fixed to the lower profile and a second portion fixed to the first side profile.
[0002] Greenhouses including closable windows are known. In the rectangular frame of the closable window of a known greenhouse, a lower profile, an upper profile, a first side profile, and a second side profile are fixed to each other by corner connectors. A first part and a second part of each corner connector are fitted into the respective chambers of the two adjacent profiles. For example, the corner connector connecting the lower profile and the first side profile has a first part fitted inside and fixed to the lower profile and a second part fitted inside and fixed to the first side profile. The circumferential edge of the roof frame, in the closed state, surrounds an opening in the roof through which the interior communicates with the greenhouse environment to create ventilation when the window is open. The lower profile of the frame of the closable window of the known greenhouse has a drainage channel for collecting and transporting water. The drainage channel extends in its longitudinal direction and is positioned such that when condensate on the transparent cover inside the greenhouse flows downwards to the lower profile, the condensate is collected in the drainage channel. The drainage channel is provided with drainage holes drilled into the lower profile to drain the condensate to the outside of the frame. This requires additional steps during the manufacturing and preparation of the lower profiles before assembling the frame. Draining from the drains is important, as residual water can cause frost damage.
[0003] The purpose of this invention is to provide a greenhouse that can be manufactured efficiently.
[0004] This objective is achieved by a greenhouse according to the invention, characterized in that the corner connector has a core located between the first and second portions and between the lower profile and the first side profile and is provided with a drainage opening communicating with a drainage ditch and located below the drainage ditch in the closed state of the window so as to drain water from the drainage ditch.
[0005] The advantage of the greenhouse according to the invention is that the corner connector is multifunctional. It connects the lower profile and the first side profile to each other, and is also capable of draining water from a drainage ditch at at least one of the lower profile and the first side profile.
[0006] The lower profile, upper profile, first side profile, and second side profile can be made of extruded aluminum. The transparent cover can be a glass plate.
[0007] It should be noted that the drainage ditch can collect and transport condensate or seepage water that enters the drainage ditch from the outside or inside of the greenhouse, for example, through openings between profiles or between profiles and other components.
[0008] The drainage opening can be located on the underside of the circumferential edge of the roof when the window is closed.
[0009] In one particular embodiment, at least one of the circumferential edges of the frame and the roof is provided with a sealing strip that extends along the circumferential edge between the frame and the circumferential edge when the window is closed, with a drainage opening located on the side of the sealing strip opposite to the window. This means that, with the window closed, water from the drain can be discharged through the corner connector to a location outside the sealing strip, as seen from the opening surrounded by the circumferential edge. Therefore, the sealing strip can form a substantially continuous sealing strip along the circumferential edge. Properly sealed windows are advantageous for sustainable greenhouse cultivation, where optimized climatic conditions, such as temperature, humidity, CO2 concentration, and light, are combined with limited energy use, as minimizing air exchange between the greenhouse interior and its environment is crucial in such sustainable greenhouses. Corner connectors offer a better opportunity to seal windows compared to conventional greenhouses, resulting in less air exchange between the greenhouse interior and its environment. The corner connectors are used to drain water from the window in a controlled manner while preventing water from entering the greenhouse through the drainage opening. Simultaneously, the cooperation of the corner connectors and the sealing strip prevents water from entering the greenhouse from the outside through the window, for example, due to rainfall under windy conditions. The sealing strip can be formed from a single section of flexible material, but it can also be part of the circumferential edge of the frame and / or roof, which fit together tightly when the window is closed.
[0010] Preferably, the lower profile has a support surface supporting the transparent cover and a drainage groove extending below the support surface and formed on the side facing the upper profile to collect condensate from the transparent cover. The core is provided with a drainage opening communicating with the lower profile drainage groove, as the lower profile drainage groove is able to collect condensate flowing downwards from the transparent cover on its interior-facing side. The collected condensate can flow through the lower profile drainage groove to the corner connector. Therefore, it is not necessary to drill holes in the lower profile to drain the condensate.
[0011] The lower profile may have one or more additional lower profile drainage channels, wherein the lower profile drainage openings include one or more lower profile drainage openings in the core that communicate with the additional lower profile drainage channels.
[0012] In another specific embodiment, the first side profile has a drainage groove, wherein the core is provided with a drainage opening that communicates with the first side profile drainage groove. The first side profile drainage groove can collect condensate or leakage water and direct it toward the corner connector, whereby the water can be discharged via the first side profile drainage opening of the corner connector.
[0013] The drainage openings of the lower profile and the first side profile can form a common drainage opening.
[0014] In a particular embodiment, at least one of the first and second portions is respectively fitted inside the lower profile and the first side profile. The first portion may be fitted inside the lower profile such that rotation of the corner connector about the longitudinal axis of the lower profile and displacement of the corner connector in the lateral direction of the longitudinal axis of the lower profile are blocked. Similarly, the second portion may be fitted inside the first side profile such that rotation of the corner connector about the longitudinal axis of the first side profile and displacement of the corner connector in the lateral direction of the longitudinal axis of the first side profile are blocked. This creates a rigid frame.
[0015] In one embodiment, at least one of the first and second portions is respectively fitted inside the lower profile and the first side profile, wherein the screw is screwed into the at least one of the first and second portions through the outer walls of the lower profile and the first side profile, respectively, wherein the outer wall of the at least one of the first and second portions is adjacent to the inner side of the screw. This prevents the corresponding outer wall from forming a dent under the screw when the screw is tightened. For example, the at least one of the first and second portions may have two extensions, which are respectively fitted into parallel cavities of the lower profile and the first side profile separated by an intermediate wall, wherein the screw passes through one of the adjacent outer walls of the extension and is screwed into the other extension through the intermediate wall. Thus, the screw passes through one of the extensions without being screwed into it, but when the screw is tightened, it prevents the corresponding outer wall from forming a dent under the screw.
[0016] The drainage ditch can be formed by the hollow core of at least one of the lower profile and the first side profile.
[0017] The corner connector can be a single unit made of aluminum, preferably molded. Alternatively, it can be made of plastic or fiber-reinforced plastic.
[0018] In one particular embodiment, the first side profile has a support surface that supports the transparent cover, and the core has an upper surface portion that is adjacent to and flush with or directly below the support surfaces of the lower profile and the first side profile, respectively. If the upper surface portion is flush with the support surfaces of the lower profile and the first side profile, it also supports the transparent cover; if the upper surface portion is directly below the support surfaces of the lower profile and the first side profile, it is prevented from supporting the transparent cover to avoid localized stress, for example, in the event of deviation from manufacturing tolerances, where the upper surface portion slightly protrudes above the support surfaces of the lower profile and the first side profile.
[0019] In one particular embodiment, the lower profile and the first side profile are respectively provided with flexible lower profile clamping strips and flexible first side profile clamping strips covering the respective edge portions of the transparent cover, wherein the clamping strips are inclined upward relative to the plane of the transparent cover in the outward direction of the transparent cover, wherein the width of the lower profile clamping strip is such that it slightly overlaps with the first side profile, wherein the end of the first side profile clamping strip overlaps with a portion of the lower profile clamping strip, and wherein the core is provided with upwardly pointing lugs for bending upward at the corners of the lower profile clamping strips that overlap with the ends of the first side profile clamping strips. This means that rainwater from the first side profile clamping strip is guided onto the lower profile clamping strip, which minimizes the risk of leakage between the first side profile clamping strip and the lower profile clamping strip, and minimizes the size of the hole between the first side profile clamping strip and the lower profile clamping strip due to the inclination of the clamping strips. The overlap is used to avoid gaps between the clamping strips, for example, in the case of clamping strip contraction.
[0020] The present invention also relates to a corner connector for mounting a lower profile and a first side profile of a frame for a closable window of a greenhouse as described above to each other. The corner connector includes a first portion configured to be fixed to the lower profile, a second portion configured to be fixed to the first side profile, and a core located between the first and second portions. The core is provided with a drainage groove opening on a side where at least one of the first and second portions is located, so as to communicate with a drainage groove at the at least one location on the lower and first side profiles, respectively, when the corner connector is mounted to the lower and first side profiles. The core is provided with a drainage opening that communicates with the drainage groove opening and is located on a side of the core different from the side where the first and second portions are located.
[0021] In one particular embodiment, the first and second portions protrude from the core in directions perpendicular to each other, thereby spanning the angle connector plane.
[0022] The drainage opening can be located on one side of the core, parallel to the plane of the corner connector.
[0023] In addition, corner connectors can be provided with other features as described above.
[0024] The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate embodiments of the invention by way of example.
[0025] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a greenhouse according to the present invention.
[0026] Figure 2 is an enlarged top view of the closable window of the greenhouse shown in Figure 1.
[0027] Figure 3 is an enlarged view of the closable window shown in Figure 1, which is denoted by III in Figure 2.
[0028] Figure 4 is a perspective view of the portion shown in Figure 3 from above.
[0029] Figure 5 is similar to Figure 4, but shows a portion of a closable window without the clamping strip.
[0030] Figure 6 is similar to Figure 4, but shows a portion of the closable window as viewed from below.
[0031] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view along line VII-VII in Figure 4.
[0032] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view along line VIII-VIII in Figure 4.
[0033] Figure 9-12 is a perspective view of the corner connector located in the closable window section shown in Figure 3-6.
[0034] Figure 13 is a schematic diagram of the first part of the corner connector being installed onto the lower profile of the closable window.
[0035] Figure 14 is similar to Figure 13, but shows how the second part of the corner connector is installed onto the first side profile of the closable window.
[0036] Figure 15 is similar to Figure 6, but shows the sealing strip.
[0037] Figure 1 shows an embodiment of a Venlo greenhouse 1, which has a roof 2 comprising two sloping roof sections located on opposite sides of a ridge 3. The roof 2 is provided with rods 4, which are arranged at equal intervals along the ridge 3 and extend perpendicularly to the ridge 3. The rods 4 support glass panels 5. The ridge 3 and the rods 4 are preferably made of extruded aluminum.
[0038] In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, one of the sloping roof sections is provided with a closable window 6, which is shown separately in Figure 2. The window 6 has a circumferential frame 7, which includes a lower profile 8, an upper profile 9, a first side profile 10, and a second side profile 11 fixed to each other. In the embodiment shown in Figure 2, the frame 7 is rectangular. Figure 1 shows the window 6 in the open state, thus providing roof ventilation. In the closed state of the window 6, the lower profile 8 is at a lower height level than the upper profile 9. The first side profile 10 and the second side profile 11 extend between the lower profile 8 and the upper profile 9. The upper profile 9 is mounted to the ridge 3 via hinges 12 to allow the window 6 to be opened or closed. The frame 7 supports a transparent cover in the form of a glass panel 13.
[0039] With window 6 closed, frame 7 rests on the circumferential edge of roof 2, which surrounds the opening. When window 6 is open, the opening opens the interior of greenhouse 1 to the environment. The circumferential edge can be formed by a portion of rod 4, ridge 3, and beams. With window 6 closed, lower profile 8 rests on the beams.
[0040] The lower profile 8 is secured to the first side profile 10 and the second side profile 11 via corner connectors 14. The two corner connectors 14 shown in Figure 2 are similar but mirror images of a plane extending perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the lower profile 8. Figures 3-14 show the corner connector 14 between the lower profile 8 and the first side profile 10 in more detail. The corner connector 14 will be described below, but it should be noted that another corner connector, namely the one connecting the lower profile 8 and the second side profile 11 to each other, has similar characteristics.
[0041] The corner connector 14 has a core 15, a first portion 16 protruding from the core 15, and a second portion including an inner extension 17a and an outer extension 17b that are parallel to each other and protrude from the core 15. The first portion 16 and the second portions 17a and 17b point in directions perpendicular to each other. The core 15 is located between the first portion 16 and the second portions 17a and 17b, and between the lower profile 8 and the first side profile 10.
[0042] The first part 16 is fitted inside the hollow core 18 of the lower profile 8 and is fixed to the lower profile 8 by screws 19, which pass through a through hole in the outer wall of the lower profile 8 and are screwed into a corresponding hole 20 in the first part 16. The inner extension 17a of the second part is partially fitted inside the channel 21 of the first side profile 10, and the outer extension 17b is fitted inside the hollow core 22 of the first side profile 10. The second parts 17a and 17b are fixed to the first side profile 10 by screws 23, which pass through a through hole in the outer wall of the first side profile and a through hole in the intermediate wall between the channel 21 and the hollow core 22 and are screwed into a corresponding hole 24 in the inner extension 17a of the second part. The fitting of the first part 16 inside the lower profile 8 prevents the rotation of the corner connector 14 about the longitudinal axis of the lower profile 8 and the displacement of the corner connector 14 in the lateral direction of the longitudinal axis of the lower profile 8. Similarly, the second parts 17a and 17b are fitted inside the first side profile 10, thereby preventing rotation of the corner connector 14 about the longitudinal axis of the first side profile 10 and displacement of the corner connector 14 in the lateral direction of the longitudinal axis of the first side profile 10. It should be noted that screws 19 and 23 can be self-tapping screws, eliminating the need for through holes in the lower profile 8, the first side profile 10, and / or the corner connector 14.
[0043] Viewed from the core 15, the inner extension 17a extends beyond the outer extension 17b, allowing the screw 23 to pass through the outer extension 17b. When tightening the screw 23, to avoid dents in the outer wall of the first profile 10 below the screw 23, the outer extension 17b is adjacent to the inner side of the outer wall next to the screw 23, thus applying a reaction force to the outer wall if it tends to form a dent. Similarly, the first portion 16 surrounds the screw 19, adjacent to the inner side of the outer wall of the lower profile 8, thus applying a reaction force to the outer wall if it tends to form a dent when tightening the screw 19.
[0044] Figure 5 shows a portion of the frame 7 without the glass panel 13. The lower profile 8, upper profile 9, first side profile 10, and second side profile 11 each have a supporting surface for supporting the glass panel 13; the supporting surfaces 25 and 26 of the lower profile 8 and the first side profile 10 are shown in Figure 5, respectively. The core 15 is provided with an upper surface portion 27 that is flush with or below the supporting surfaces 25 and 26 of the lower profile 8 and the first side profile 10, respectively. If it is flush with the supporting surfaces 25 and 26 of the lower profile 8 and the first side profile 10, it can also support the glass panel 13.
[0045] The lower profile 8 is provided with a lower profile drain 28 extending in its longitudinal direction. The lower profile drain 28 extends below the support surface 25 of the lower profile 8 and opens on the side pointing towards the upper profile 9. In this case, the lower profile drain 28 is formed by undercutting. When condensation is formed on the inner side of the glass plate 13, the condensation is guided into the interior of the greenhouse 1 and flows downward along the glass plate 13 when the window 6 is closed. The condensation flows into the lower profile drain 28, where it is collected. Subsequently, the condensation can flow through the lower profile drain 28 to the corner connector 14. The core 15 of the corner connector 14 is provided with a drain opening 29 on its underside, which, when the window 6 is closed, points towards the circumferential edge of the roof 2, as shown in Figures 6-8. The drain opening 29 communicates with the lower profile drain 28, as shown in Figure 6. With window 6 closed, the drainage opening 29 is located below the lower profile drainage ditch 28, allowing condensate to flow from the lower profile drainage ditch 28 through the drainage opening 29 to the circumferential edge of the roof 2, so that it can flow further downward on the upper side of the roof 2 below window 6.
[0046] Figure 6 shows the sealing strip receiving grooves 30 and 31 in the lower profile 8 and the first side profile 10, respectively, which accommodate the flexible sealing strip 48, as shown in Figure 15. The flexible sealing strip 48 can be made of rubber, for example. The second side profile 11 also has a sealing strip receiving groove for accommodating the flexible sealing strip 48, similar to those in the lower profile 8 and the first side profile 10. In this case, the upper profile 9 does not have a sealing strip receiving groove for receiving the flexible sealing strip 48, unlike the lower profile 8 and the first and second side profiles 10, because the upper profile 9 directly contacts the ridge 3 when the window 6 is closed. The flexible sealing strip 48 in the lower profile 8, the first side profile 10, and the second side profile 11, together with the direct contact between the upper profile 9 and the ridge 3, provides a common sealing strip that extends substantially continuously along the circumferential edge between the frame 7 and the circumferential edge when the window 6 is closed. Figure 6 shows the drainage opening 29 located on the side of the common sealing strip opposite to the window 6. Therefore, condensate can exit greenhouse 1 via corner connector 14 by bypassing the common sealing strip when window 6 is closed. Due to the location of drain opening 29 and the presence of flexible sealing strip 48, water can easily exit greenhouse 1 via corner connector 14 of window 6, but it is difficult or impossible for it to enter the interior of greenhouse 1 from the outside via window 6. It should be noted that, in practice, greenhouse 1 can be installed at a slight angle in its longitudinal direction, so that the lower profile drain ditch 28 is also slightly inclined. This means that most of the condensate will drain through one of the two corner connectors 14 of window 6 located at the lowest height. Furthermore, in an alternative embodiment, upper profile 9 can also be provided with a flexible sealing strip.
[0047] The glass panel 13 of window 6 is covered around its periphery by a flexible clamping strip, which may be made of plastic. Figure 4 shows a lower profile clamping strip 32, the fixing portion of which is installed in the lower profile clamping strip channel 33 of the lower profile 8, and the covering portion of which covers the glass panel 13; and a first side profile clamping strip 34, the fixing portion of which is installed in the first side profile clamping strip channel 35 of the first side profile 10, and the covering portion of which covers the glass panel 13. Figure 5 shows the lower profile clamping strip channel 33 and the first side profile clamping strip channel 35. Figure 5 also shows that the core 15 of the corner connector 14 is provided with a clamping strip groove 36 that aligns with the lower profile clamping strip channel 33 to receive the fixing portion of the lower profile clamping strip 32. The first side profile clamping strip 34 extends upward to the core 15.
[0048] The covering portions of the lower profile clamping strip 32 and the first side profile clamping strip 34 are inclined upward relative to the plane of the glass plate 13 in the outward direction, as shown in Figure 4. The width of the lower profile clamping strip 32 is such that its covering portion slightly overlaps with the first side profile 10. Therefore, the end of the first side profile clamping strip 34 overlaps with a portion of the covering portion of the lower profile clamping strip 32, as shown in Figure 4. This means that rainwater is guided from the first side profile clamping strip 34 onto the lower profile clamping strip 32. This minimizes the risk of leakage between the first side profile clamping strip 34 and the lower profile clamping strip 32.
[0049] As shown in Figure 4, in order to minimize the size of the hole 37 between the first side profile clamping strip 34 and the lower profile clamping strip 32, the corner of the lower profile clamping strip 32 is bent upward by the corner connector 14 through the upward-pointing lug 38 at the core 15.
[0050] The support surface 25 is provided with a shallow recess along the lower profile 8, as shown in Figure 7. The recess of the lower profile 8 and the lower profile clamping strip channel 33 are also connected to the drainage opening 29 through the hole 39 and the channel 40 in the upper side of the core 15 of the corner connector 14. The hole 39 is adjacent to the upper surface portion 27 of the core 15, as shown in Figure 5. Therefore, the recess of the support surface 25 of the lower profile 8 and the lower profile clamping strip channel 33 also form a drainage channel that can drain condensate or leakage water. Similarly, the hollow core 18 in the lower profile 8 is connected to the drainage opening 29 through the core 15, so that the hollow core 18 also functions as a drainage channel, as shown in Figure 6.
[0051] The first side profile 10 also includes a first side profile drainage channel for draining condensate or seepage water, which is formed by the first side profile retaining strip channel 35 and the hollow core 22. The first side profile retaining strip channel 35 and the hollow core 22 communicate with the drainage opening 29 through an upwardly pointing groove 41 in the core 15 of the corner connector 14, as shown in Figures 8, 9, 12, and 14. The support surface 26 of the first side profile 10 is provided with a shallow recess along the first side profile 10, as shown in Figure 8. This recess also communicates with the drainage opening 29 through a hole 39 in the upper side of the core 15 of the corner connector 14 and a channel 40 therein. Another first side profile drainage channel may be formed by a channel 21 of the first side profile 10; however, in this case, the channel 21 does not communicate with the drainage opening 29, but the water collected in the channel 21 can evaporate inside the greenhouse 1.
[0052] Drainage opening 29 forms a common drainage opening that communicates with the lower profile drainage ditch 28, the hollow core 18 of the lower profile 8, the first side profile clamping strip channel 35, the hollow core 22 of the first side profile 10, the recesses of the support surfaces 25 and 26, and the lower profile clamping strip channel 33, but they may also have their own separate drainage openings.
[0053] The corner connector 14 can be a single unit made of aluminum, preferably molded. It can also be made of plastic, but this is less popular due to its limited durability and strength.
[0054] Figure 9-14 shows that the inner extension 17a of the first portion of the corner connector 14 is provided with two rivet recesses 42 on opposite sides of the lateral protrusion 43. The lateral protrusion 43 provides a rigid connection within the channel 21 of the first side profile 10 and also conceals the screw 23, making it invisible from the interior of the greenhouse 1. Furthermore, it minimizes the risk of anything getting caught behind the screw 23, improving the installation environment. The rivet recesses 42 can be used to receive the riveted edge of the channel 21 of the first side profile 10 when the corner connector 14 is secured to the first side profile 10 by riveting, in addition to or in place of the screw 23.
[0055] The core 15 is also provided with a cover protrusion 44 for transition between the lower profile 8 and the core 15 and between the first side profile 10 and the core 15.
[0056] Furthermore, the support 45 at the core 15 prevents the first side profile clamping strip 34 from moving downward, as shown in Figures 9 and 10. The core 15 is provided with a first stop 46 adjacent to the flexible sealing strip 48 in the sealing strip receiving groove 31 and a second stop 47 adjacent to the flexible sealing strip 48 in the sealing strip receiving groove 30, as shown in Figures 6 and 15.
[0057] Considering the corner connector 14 itself, it can be defined as having a first portion 16 configured to be fixed to the lower profile 8, second portions 17a and 17b configured to be fixed to the first side profile 10, and a core 15 located between the first portion 16 and the second portions 17a and 17b. The core 15 is provided with a drainage groove opening on one side where at least one of the first portion 16 and the second portions 17a and 17b is located, so as to communicate with at least one of the drainage grooves 18, 22, 25, 26, 28, 33, and 35 of the lower profile 8 and the first side profile 10 when the corner connector 14 is installed to the lower profile 8 and the first side profile 10. A drainage opening 29 of the core 15 communicates with this drainage groove opening and is located on a side different from the side where the first portion 16 and the second portions 17a and 17b are located. An upwardly pointing groove 41 in the core 15 is a clearly visible example of such a drainage groove opening communicating with the drainage opening 29, for example, see Figure 9.
[0058] In fact, the first portion 16 and the second portions 17a, 17b protrude from the core 15 in a direction perpendicular to each other, such that they span the corner connector plane. In the embodiment shown in the figures, the drain opening 29 is located on the side of the core 15 parallel to the corner connector plane. In other words, the drain opening 29 is located on the side of the core 15 perpendicular to the side from which the first portion 16 and the second portions 17a, 17b protrude, respectively.
[0059] This invention is not limited to the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings and described above, which may vary in different ways within the scope of the claims and their technical equivalents. For example, the first and second portions of the corner connector, as well as the lower profile and the first side profile, may have different shapes.
Claims
1. A greenhouse (1) comprising a sloping roof (2) provided with a closable window (6), the window (6) having a frame (7) including a transparent cover (13), the frame (7) comprising a lower profile (8), an upper profile (9), a first side profile (10), and a second side profile (11) fixed to each other, such that the first side profile (10) and the second side profile (11) extend between the upper profile (9) and the lower profile (8), wherein, With the window (6) closed, the frame (7) rests on the circumferential edge of the roof (2), and the lower profile (8) is positioned at a lower height level than the upper profile (9). At least one of the lower profile (8) and the first side profile (10) has a drainage ditch extending in its longitudinal direction for conveying water from the interior of the greenhouse (1). At least the lower profile (8) and the first side profile (9) are mounted to each other via corner connectors (14), the corner connectors (14) having a fixed connection to the... The first part (16) of the lower profile (8) and the second part (17a, 17b) fixed to the first side profile (10) are characterized in that the corner connector (14) has a core (15) located between the first part (16) and the second part (17a, 17b) and between the lower profile (8) and the first side profile (10) and is provided with a drainage opening, the drainage opening communicating with the drain and located below the drain in the closed state of the window (6) to drain water from the drain.
2. The greenhouse (1) according to claim 1, wherein the drainage opening is located on the underside of the circumferential edge of the roof (2) of the core (15) in the closed state of the window (6).
3. The greenhouse (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least one of the circumferential edges of the frame (7) and the roof (2) is provided with a sealing strip (48) extending along the circumferential edge between the frame (7) and the circumferential edge in the closed state of the window (6), wherein the drainage opening is located on the side of the sealing strip (48) away from the window (6).
4. The greenhouse (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the lower profile (8) has a supporting surface for supporting the transparent cover (13) and a drainage groove, the drainage groove being a lower profile drainage groove (28) extending below the supporting surface and opened on one side pointing toward the upper profile (9) for collecting condensate from the transparent cover (13), wherein the core (15) is provided with a drainage opening, the drainage opening being a lower profile drainage opening communicating with the lower profile drainage groove (28).
5. The greenhouse (1) according to claim 4, wherein the lower profile (8) has one or more additional lower profile drainage channels, wherein the lower profile drainage openings include one or more lower profile drainage openings in the core that communicate with the additional lower profile drainage channels.
6. The greenhouse (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first side profile (10) has a drainage ditch, the drainage ditch being a first side profile drainage ditch, wherein the core (15) is provided with a drainage opening, the drainage opening being a first side profile drainage opening communicating with the first side profile drainage ditch.
7. The greenhouse (1) according to claim 6, wherein the one or more lower profile drainage openings and the first side profile drainage opening form a common drainage opening.
8. The greenhouse (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least one of the first part (16) and the second part (17a, 17b) is respectively fitted inside the lower profile (8) and the first side profile (10).
9. The greenhouse (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the drainage ditch is formed by the hollow core of at least one of the lower profile (8) and the first side profile (10).
10. The greenhouse (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the corner connector (14) is a single unit made of aluminum.
11. The greenhouse (1) according to claim 10, wherein the corner connector (14) is manufactured by molding.
12. The greenhouse (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first side profile (10) has a supporting surface for supporting the transparent cover (13), and the core (15) has an upper surface portion (27) adjacent to and flush with or directly below the supporting surfaces of the lower profile (8) and the first side profile (10).
13. The greenhouse (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the lower profile (8) and the first side profile (10) are respectively provided with a flexible lower profile clamping strip (32) and a flexible first side profile clamping strip (34) covering each edge portion of the transparent cover (13), wherein the lower profile clamping strip (32) and the first side profile clamping strip (34) are inclined upward relative to the plane of the transparent cover (13) in the outward direction of the transparent cover (13), wherein the width of the lower profile clamping strip (32) is such that it slightly overlaps with the first side profile (10), wherein the end of the first side profile clamping strip (34) overlaps with a portion of the lower profile clamping strip (32), wherein the core (15) is provided with an upwardly pointing lug (38) for bending upward at the corner of the lower profile clamping strip (32) that overlaps with the end of the first side profile clamping strip (34).
14. A corner connector (14) for mounting a lower profile (8) and a first side profile (10) of a frame (7) of a closable window (6) of a greenhouse (1) according to any of the preceding claims 1-13 to each other, the corner connector (14) comprising a first portion (16) configured to be fixed to the lower profile (8), a second portion (17a, 17b) configured to be fixed to the first side profile (10), and a core (15) located between the first portion (16) and the second portion (17a, 17b), wherein the core (15) is located between the first and second side profiles (8). At least one of the first and second portions is provided with a drainage groove opening (41) on one side so that when the corner connector (14) is installed on the lower profile (8) and the first side profile (10), it communicates with the drainage groove at at least one of the lower profile (8) and the first side profile (10), respectively, wherein the core (15) is provided with a drainage opening that communicates with the drainage groove opening (41) and is located on a side of the core (15) that is different from the side on which the first portion (16) and the second portion (17a, 17b) are located.
15. The corner connector (14) according to claim 14, wherein the first portion (16) and the second portion (17a, 17b) protrude from the core (15) in a direction perpendicular to each other, thus spanning the corner connector plane.
16. The corner connector (14) according to claim 15, wherein the drainage opening is located on one side of the core (15) parallel to the plane of the corner connector.