METHOD FOR MANUFACTURED STANDARDIZED CONTAINERS FROM RAW CORK BARK AND RECOVERY OF CUTTING SCRAP

Abstract

The invention relates to the manufacture of flexible or rigid insulating coverings obtained by cutting, shaping, assembling, and / or packaging raw cork bark, as well as offcuts and waste from cork factories. These flexible insulating coverings are cushions 1, such as nets 2, filled with cork particles, and equipped with means allowing them to be adapted to the base of a plant 3, or to be connected to each other in a modular configuration to insulate and surround flowerbeds and borders. The rigid insulating coverings are cork sheets cut from bark and used both for the interior and exterior insulation of pre-formed containers, and for being assembled together during the manufacture of containers, such as boxes.

Description

The invention relates to the manufacture of insulating coatings spread from cork bark, both Dour la Drotection. decorating or making containers. The isolation of crop surfaces stinks. The revaluation of the raw material, in this case the binder, aims to promote the exploitation of the cork oak forest of the Mediterranean basin, which, for lack of a minimum of profitability, is doomed to progressive degradation accentuated by the fires of forest. It is still necessary to be able to use almost all of the cork produced, with its breakage, its alterations, its defects, if we want to properly amortize the production colts. It will be recalled that out of all the cork produced, only 20% of this production proves suitable for the manufacture of stoppers, all the rest being dedicated to crushing or even scrapping In the previous application, the use of cork particles (1) resulting from the grinding of bark and packaged inside nets (2) FIG1 to FIG5 was claimed. What gardeners call nmulching, using plant debris, is obtained by this insulating layer of granules (1) which, thanks to the packaging in nets (2) allows constant removability, over the seasons and climatic conditions, of the insulating coating around the foot of the FIGl plants, without raking prior. The cork granules, previously calibrated, depending on the size of the meshes of the net can come in different forms: sausages (6), rectangular pads (4) FIG3 or in an arc of a circle of 30,45,90,180 or even almost 3602 , leaving just a slot (3) for the placement of the cushion around the plant concerned and its possible tutor. The interior and exterior being naturally adapted to the size and nature of the plant concerned. The net will be made from a sheath (5) in one piece FIG4 (eg polyethylene, polypropylene) divided after filling into bags, sausages (6) FIG .2, pads FI, 3 ... closed by a link, a staple (7 a seam (8) or in the case of a thermoplastic material by a weld (9). The cushion can also be produced by the juxtaposition of two strips (10) of identical or different material FIG4.6. combining their colors, their characteristics, their respective resistance, being in any case permeable to air and water, such as for example polyester combined with fiberglass, polypropylene (11) and perforated plastic (12) . These strips are assembled singly or continuously before filling. The protection of flowerbeds and beds very often requiring a large number of cushions, these can be placed on the floor FIG7, edge to edge, a indentation (13) providing a growth space (22) for the plant. It will also be possible to connect cushion modules to each other to adapt the shape and length of the insulating layer to the specific needs of the user. It will suffice for this that the cushions (4) laterally comprise a hem, a pleat , a border (14) sewn or welded FIGll on which eyelets (15) will be arranged at regular intervals. By juxtaposing two cushions, their borders and their respective eyelets are superimposed. I1 will suffice to pass through said eyelets a clip (16) like Parisian fastener, to make these cushions united. One can also use snaps (17), mssle part on one side, female on the other, a pre-cut hem (18) inside which a rod will be threaded, or quite simply straps (20) which will be knotted. Fn connecting the cushions to each other, we obtain an insulating strip of the desired length that can be rolled up, unrolled, split at any time. The pitch of the eyelets (15) being regular, a space (22) can be cleared for the plant (FIG10), by shifting a cushion by one position or by connecting a smaller cushion. A perpendicular connectionFIG8 makes it possible to surround a solid mass. A connection in an arc of a circle FIG9 makes it possible to produce a circular covering with a large diameter... or to create an oval. For reasons of economy, FIG12 can also be inserted between the cushions, above surfaces not requiring 'islation, a plastic sheet (19) whose edges are provided with eyelets, press studs, a hem, etc. arranged in an identical manner, following the same pitch, allowing this sheet among itself- Têwe connected to said cushions. To avoid unsightly whitening of the particles under the action of the sun, they may, before bagging, be coated with a stain. It is also possible to insulate the surfaces, in particular in public gardens, by directly using cork plates, the bark of which will be made permeable to air and water through openings. The previously treated bark will be cut e depending on the shape and size of the container, such as a pot FIG 13 or a ja-diraière FIG14. Notches (13) will be cut in the middle of the plate (23) for the plants (27). The plate (23) will be split into equal fractions FIG13 / 14 to facilitate the placement on either side of the plant(s). Each of these can be manipulated independa = ment of the other inside (outside) of the planter (26). To allow the aeration of the earth and the infiltration of water, openings (24), holes / slots will be arranged. Pins (28) stuck in the ground (25) through the openings (24) FIG17, will hold the plates in place around the plants The pieces of cork too small to make the plates will be used to make cork tiles or squares (29) FIG16 perforated and made individually or in strips. In the latter case, the internal face (30: of the bark will be pre-notched (31) making it possible to sc: nder, by simply breaking the strip of tiles to the desired length. These modules will be assembled FIV.15, all around the space (22) provided for the plant. To compensate for any differences in thickness of the slabs, floor tiles, cork tiles, buttons (32) FIG 17 can be arranged, with or without thread, which will be driven, screwed, into the perforations (24) of the slabs / tiles in order to to upgrade them. These elevation buttons (32) resting, thanks to their large head, on the surface of the earth (25) will create a space (33) allowing on the one hand to absorb the irregularities of the internal face of the bark ( 90) and on the other hand to improve additionally to the openings (24) the circulation of air and water between the internal face of the bark and the earth. In addition, by further raising the buttons (32) outside of the plate than those in the middle, a "gutter" is thus created concentrating the runoff water towards the central indentations (13) and towards the plants. To make these slabs, tomettes, cork tiles, female cork planks will be used, the thinness of which makes them unsuitable for the manufacture of corks as well as offcuts and scrap from cork factories. In times of drought, cushions and cork sheets allow significant water savings, especially if their use is combined with "drip" type watering, in which pipes, fittings, drippers can enter, depending on the installation and the need, partially or totally covered and protected by this insulating coating. For the reasons specified in the preamble, the invention is limited to the specific applications of cork. but replacing this material with another insulating material of vegetable origin (pine bark, etc.), mineral (expanded clay balls, glass wool, etc.), synthetic expanded polystyrene), or replacing partial or total nets by plastic bags made permeable to air and battened by perforations (12) FIG6 thermowelded, or the substitution of the cork of the plates and tiles by agglomerated cork or another material are possible, since they constitute for the cultivated land an insulating cover, flexible or rigid, removable, permeable, imputrescible, even modular applicable to the protection and isolation of crops and plants. The invention also relates to the manufacture and decoration of insulating containers from raw cork bark. It will be recalled, for the record, the method of manufacturing a box with lid made from a tube (36) or a cork board. The bark is split, after cutting to the desired length, into three fractions, the central part of which forms the lid (35) FIG18. Opposite the cover is the cracked bottom (37) by the demiculation of the tube (36) on the trunk of the tree. If this crack is large, a flat (3) will be formed by sawing / planing on which a plate (40) will be made to close the bottom and give the base to the cabinet. On the other hand, if the crack (37) is insignificant, it will be sealed by a mastic joint (41). In this case the box will rest on its natural ribs (42) and will only find a correct seat after incision at the base of the bark of slits, in which pads (43), forming poorly, will ensure its stability. The front / rear faces of the FIG18 box will be closed off by machined flanges (44) fixed on each side, or by a plate (45) of cement / mortar / resin / terracotta, molded directly inside the ends of the tube (36), above hooks (46) thus embedded. Inside the box, the bottom (47) can be leveled and rendered. sealed by a coat of coating. Externally, this box will therefore appear FIG18 as a "bhche", an insulating and decorative container ideal for confectionery, various products, especially during the end-of-year celebrations. To highlight the beauty of cork, its interior surface, and if necessary exterior, can be varnished. But the natural weakening of the male cork bark, between the ribs, very often causes the cork tube to break during lifting. Split in this way, the arc of a circle of the fragments often turns out to be insufficient teep to allow the production of a box with a lid as previously described, even with an added bottom. To remedy this, the missing fraction will be replaced by a machined part, and this in two distinct and complementary ways. FIGl9. In the first case, a box will be produced, the longitudinal members (48) of which will be made of cork and the cover (49) consisting of a strip of factory material (wood, plastic, cardboard, agglomerated cork, etc.) comprising chamfers (5C) marrying that of each of the cork spars on which this strip, acting as a cover, will rest. In the second case, at 1 reverse, the cover (51) will consist of a curved cork plate, char.; ~ eir.ée (50), resting on the corresponding angle of the longitudinal members (52) of the box previously machined. The front and rear faces (53) of the box can be obtained by cutting and folding a sheet of cardboard / plastic forming the bottom (54), acting as a "cradle", making it possible to receive and fix the longitudinal members of the box. Said "cradle" can also be obtained by an assembly of machined inserts (wood). To make semi-spherical containers, in addition to fragments of female cork bark, offcuts and scrap from corks (crohte / flesh / bark skin) can be used. This container will be in the form of a " cork flower" of which each of the "petals" will be cut, thinned, curved...depending on the nature of the cork used, so as to standardize its appearance as much as possible FIG20. Juxtaposed to each other, these trapézoTdales parts (55) FIG21, will be assembled directly between them and / or through a hoop (57), to form a "corolla" (58) whose bottom (59 ) will be sealed by molding or by fitting a circular plate. This "corolla" (58) may be externally reinforced by a plastic / metal crown (60) forming a sort of "calyx of the sepals" of this "cork flower". A base (61) will give this container its foundation and its stability. I1 should be noted that the molding which forms the bottom (59), also covers the base of the petals, the "grip" of which will be improved if each of them has at its base a hook which will in turn be embedded in the material of the cast. This half-spherical container can be used as it is, or receive inside a glass cup whose diameter will be appropriate to the internal diameter of the corolla, so as to be able to pour into it, through this cup liquids. Various objects / products can also be placed inside, such as a luminous globe (63) whose corolla will provide insulation / decoration FIG22. If it is desired to use a cork tube to contain a liquid therein, there arises a sealing problem. To this end, the invention proposes two different VIG.23 solutions. In the first case, it will suffice to mold at the lower end of the tube (64) a bottom plate (65) and to coat the interior walls of the tube with a water-repellent product (66) which can be varnished. if needed. Thus will be realized for example an ice bucket or a champagne bucket. In the second case, depending on the inside diameter of the tube, there will be a cylindrical container (glass / plastic) open (vase) or closed (jar / bottle). The recesses located between the inner wall of the bark (67) and the outer wall of the container will be rem-. folds with cork powder (ó9). The container already resting on the molded bottom plate (65) at the base of the tube and blocked inside by the filling of cork particles, it will suffice to mold above them, on the upper edge of the tube , a resin collar (70) to permanently integrate this container into this tube. This container can for example be used to receive olive oil which can be closed by means of a large cork stopper (71). Since terracotta or plastic planters have standardized formats, it will be interesting to use for their insulation and decoration plates cut from cork bark according to the formats. L+1+H of these planters / balconies and presented in the form of "kits" that everyone can adapt themselves. FIG24 The ends of each of these plates (72) will be closed by flanges or by molding a wall (74) at each end FIG25. These plates previously varnished or coated with a stain, will be suspended from the upper edges (75) of the planter (73) by means of hooks (76) fitted with screws (77) whose tightening will prevent accidental dislocations. The cork bark will thus enhance the plants while insulating the walls of the sardine bed from excessive temperatures.

Claims

SALES 1) A process for manufacturing insulating articles from tubes, boards, pieces and particles of raw cork bark, characterized in that means of cutting, surface treatment as well as assembly and packaging allow the production of flexible or rigid insulating coverings, both for the protection of growing surfaces and for the insulation and decoration of containers already formed in a non-insulating material, as well as the manufacture of containers whose structures in raw cork bark are combined with those of parts obtained in a different material. 2) Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the means for conditioning flexible insulating coatings for the protection of growing surfaces are straight or arc-shaped cushions filled with cork particles, provided if necessary with notches, permeable to air and water, such as nets obtained from a single piece sheath or the assembly of two superimposed strips of the same or two different materials, and the closure of which is carried out by means of a tie, a seam or a weld depending on the nature of the material(s) used to make these cushions. 3) Device according to claims 1 and 2 characterized in that the cushions are provided with borders, folds or hems, sewn or welded, on which eyelets, snap fasteners, straps are arranged at regular intervals, allowing the cushions to be connected to each other according to a modular covering, depending on the shape, length and surface area required for plant protection. 4) Device according to claim I characterized in that the rigid insulating coverings for the protection of growing surfaces in open ground or in pots, are notched plates, terracotta tiles and pre-cut tile strips made from pieces of cork bark, forming modules that can be placed side by side around the plants and made permeable to air and water by openings which also allow these modules to be raised to the required level and fixed to the ground by means of buttons, screws and pins engaged through said openings in the thickness of the bark. 5) Device according to revision 1, characterized in that the containers whose structures in cork bark are combined with those of parts obtained in a different material, are boxes made up of cork tubes sectioned into three fractions, the central part of which forms the lid, and the sides of which are closed by flanges or by direct molding at the ends and inside the tube of walls covering hooks, said box resting on pads engaged in slots incised at its base. 6) Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the containers whose cork bark structures are combined with that Pieces made from a different material are strips of bark. of cork as well as another material previously cut to the same length and chamfered, said strips forming the longitudinal members and the lid of a box placed inside a cradle whose The base and sides are made by folding or thermoforming a plate or by assembling added parts. 7) Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the containers whose structures are combined with those of a material different, are hemispherical containers, obtained by cutting of trapezoidal pieces in fragments of bark and waste from cork manufacturing, and which after standardization of their thickness and bending respective are assembled directly between keys or through of an arch or a crown, and whose bottom is closed by a plate that circular or by a layer of resin / mortar embedding the base of the parts and their hooks before mounting the container on a base. 8) Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the coating providing insulation and decoration for a container made in a non-insulating material, such as a garden shed / balcony. bark boards cut to the outside size of the container on the around the periphery of which these plates are suspended by hooks and screws, each of the boards being equipped at its lateral ends of flanges or molded walls closing the sides, before the said The plates should be covered with a stain or varnish. 9) Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the The insulating lining of a container is a cork tube whose bottom is sealed with a molded plate and the walls are made watertight by sealant joints and a water-repellent coating, or by introducing the inside of the tube of a pre-formed, open glass / plastic container or closed, like a vase or a jar, resting on the base plate and whose difference in diameter with that of the tube is compensated by a interior lining and / or molding of a coating. 10) Device according to claims 1, 2, 3, 4, characterized in that that the flexible or rigid insulating coating protecting the surfaces of cultivation and saving irrigation water is used in com- complement to a drip irrigation system, including this coating can also assume the covering and insulation 11) Device according to claims 2 / characterized in that sheets of a material, such as plastic, are provided at their periphery with means of fixing identical to the cushions, allowing these sheets to be connected to said cushions to cover in particular uncultivated surfaces and intervals,