Device for regulated drainage of a tablar

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for controlled drainage of water contained in a gardening table, intended to be integrated into a drainage orifice provided in a bottom wall of the table. According to the invention, the device has at least one upper opening (1) connected to an outlet for an overflow of water (2) at a first flow rate, and a side wall (3) comprising at least one lateral opening (4) connected to a secondary outlet (5) for controlled drainage of the water at a second flow rate, the upper opening (1) and the overflow outlet (2) have a passage section greater than that of the side opening (4) and the secondary outlet (5), so that the first flow rate is greater than the second flow rate. Figure for abstract: Fig. 1

Description

Title of the invention: Device for regulated emptying of a tablar Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of gardening tables, also commonly called tablars. The invention relates more generally to display stands or shelves intended for displaying flower pots or plants.

[0002] An advantageous application of the present invention lies in the improvement of the drainage of the water contained in these tablars. Prior art

[0003] Various tables are known from the state of the art which allow pots containing flowers or plants to be moved and used as displays, or supports, in order to present these plants to garden center customers.

[0004] Generally speaking, the tablars can be used outdoors, when used in nurseries, or indoors, when used in flower markets, in plant greenhouses, or in cold greenhouses.

[0005] These tablars are in the form of waterproof trays, generally rectangular in shape, raised by means of feet equipped with rolling means, and having a bottom and a peripheral edge. The flower or plant pots are then placed on the bottom of the tablar, and watered with water, either automatically via a suitable watering device, or manually by an operator.

[0006] This watering, also called basting, is generally carried out in the evening, when the customers leave. It consists of soaking the bottom of the pots by filling the bottom of the tablar with water up to a certain height of water. This basting has the advantage of being a gentle and very effective watering technique, adapted to the needs of the plants.

[0007] In the prior art, these tablars also have a drain plug to discharge the water from the bathing. These drain plugs, also known as "pop-up plugs" or "click-clack plugs", must therefore be closed manually the evening before bathing to keep the water in the tablar tray, and be opened manually when the establishment opens to empty the remaining water in the tablars, before the arrival of customers, spreading the remaining water from the bathing in the tray tray on the ground.

[0008] These operations of closing and opening the drain plug of the tablars have the disadvantage of being time-consuming, especially in summer when the basin must be carried out at least every day, while requiring the presence of an operator when opening and closing the store when the tablars are used indoors. When the tables are outdoors, the operator prefers to skip the watering and instead uses automatic watering, which generates significant water waste.

[0009] Thus, the state of the art discloses devices and methods for emptying tables which have major drawbacks, requiring human intervention for watering and emptying, which generates a substantial cost in personnel and maintenance. On the other hand, these devices also have the disadvantage of being ineffective when used outdoors, generating significant water consumption when an automatic watering system is preferred. Statement of the invention

[0010] One of the aims of the invention is therefore to remedy the problems of the prior art by proposing a tablar emptying device which reduces human intervention for filling and emptying the tablars, while saving water consumption when the tablars are used outdoors.

[0011] Another object of the invention is to carry out filling and emptying of the tablars in a fully automated manner, without requiring human intervention.

[0012] For this purpose, a device has been developed for the controlled drainage of water contained in a gardening table, intended to be integrated into a drainage orifice provided in a bottom wall of the table.

[0013] The controlled drainage device is characterized in that it has at least one upper opening connected to an outlet for an overflow of water at a first flow rate, and a side wall comprising at least one side opening connected to a secondary outlet for the controlled drainage of the water at a second flow rate, the upper opening and the overflow outlet have a passage section greater than that of the side opening and the secondary outlet, so that the first flow rate is greater than the second flow rate.

[0014] In this way, the emptying of a gardening table is carried out in a controlled manner with a double circuit, one for the rapid evacuation of an overflow, and one for the complete, controlled and progressive emptying, that is to say with a lower flow rate.

[0015] Preferably, the controlled emptying device comprises an upper part and a lower part provided with complementary coupling means for coupling in a sealed manner on either side of the bottom wall of the tablar, with: - the upper part provided with the upper opening and the side opening, and - the lower part including the overflow drain and the secondary drain.

[0016] In this way, the controlled draining device can be assembled by coming enclose on either side the bottom wall of the tablar, at the level of the drain orifice.

[0017] Preferably, the complementary coupling means are in the form of a first hollow cylindrical bearing surface which comprises the upper part, screwed into a second hollow cylindrical bearing surface which comprises the lower part, the first hollow cylindrical bearing surface and the second hollow cylindrical bearing surface connecting the upper opening and the overflow outlet.

[0018] Thus, the upper part and the lower part form, by their assembly, a watertight conduit for the evacuation of the overflow.

[0019] Preferably, the side wall has a plurality of lateral openings in the form of vertical slots. In this way, better regulation of the flow of water in the second controlled drainage circuit is obtained.

[0020] According to a particular embodiment, the device comprises a hood covering the vertical slots over part of their length to reduce the water passage section for controlled drainage. Thus, it is possible to further regulate the second flow rate.

[0021] According to a preferred embodiment, the overflow outlet and the secondary outlet each comprise a thread or any other type of connection means. In this way, it is possible to connect or screw to the lower part a first pipe and a second pipe for emptying and / or filling the tablar in an automated manner.

[0022] According to a second aspect of the invention, the invention relates to a tablar comprising a bottom wall with a drain orifice integrating a controlled water draining device as mentioned above.

[0023] Advantageously, the tablar comprises a tank to which the overflow outlet and the secondary outlet are connected, and a pump connected to the tank to draw water and to the secondary outlet or to the overflow outlet to reinject the water into the tablar.

[0024] This makes it possible to remotely control the filling of the tablar, for example in an automated manner by implementing a programmer. Brief description of the drawings

[0025] [Fig. 1] is a perspective and longitudinal sectional view of the upper part of the controlled emptying device of the invention.

[0026] [Fig.2] is a perspective and longitudinal sectional view of the lower part of the controlled drainage device, according to a first embodiment illustrating the evacuation of the overflow.

[0027] [Fig.3] is a view similar to that of [Fig.2], illustrating the secondary evacuation.

[0028] [Fig.4] is a perspective and longitudinal sectional view of the lower part of the regulated drainage device, according to a second embodiment.

[0029] [Fig.5] is a perspective view of the upper part of the draining device controlled.

[0030] [Fig.6] is a view similar to that of [Fig.5], from another angle of view.

[0031] [Fig.7] is a perspective view of the lower part of the draining device controlled, according to the first embodiment of [Fig.3].

[0032] [Fig.8] is a perspective view of the lower part of the draining device controlled, according to the second embodiment of [Fig.4]. Detailed description of the invention

[0033] The invention relates to a device for controlled drainage of water contained in a gardening table, as illustrated in Figures 1 to 8, intended to be integrated into a drainage orifice provided in a bottom wall of the table.

[0034] The device according to the invention comprises an upper part (6) and a lower part (7), which are provided with openings and drains for the flow of water contained in the tablar, as illustrated in Figures 1 to 4.

[0035] More particularly, the upper part (6) comprises a plurality of upper openings (1) for the flow of overflow water, as well as a plurality of lateral openings (4), arranged in a lateral wall (3), for the progressive and controlled flow of the rest of the water contained in the tablar.

[0036] The lower part (7) comprises an overflow water outlet (2), as well as secondary outlets (5) for draining the remaining water contained in the tablar in a controlled manner.

[0037] The upper openings (1) of the upper part (6) and the overflow water outlet (2) of the lower part (7) together form a first drainage circuit. In the same way, the lateral openings (4) of the upper part (6) and the secondary outlets (5) of the lower part (7) form a second drainage circuit.

[0038] The first overflow evacuation circuit has a passage section for the water greater than the passage section of the second drain circuit, so that the first drain circuit has a first flow rate greater than the second flow rate formed by the second drain circuit. The passage sections are dimensioned without difficulty by a person skilled in the art. The evacuation of the overflow must be carried out quickly, for example with a flow rate greater than that used to fill the tablar. While the controlled evacuation is carried out with a flow rate low enough to allow the bottom of the tablar to be emptied in a few hours, the time to water the plants present in the tablar well from below and in particular during the night, in order to have an empty tablar the next morning. A person skilled in the art will know how to adapt the flow rates depending on the volumes of water used.

[0039] The upper part (6) and the lower part (7) of the draining device, preferably cylindrical in shape, are provided, for each of them, with complementary coupling means for coupling in a sealed manner on either side of the bottom wall of the tablar, and more precisely so as to fit into the draining orifice provided in a bottom wall of the tablar.

[0040] The upper part (6) of the draining device has a bearing face (12) on the bottom of the tablar at the edge of the drain orifice. This bearing face (12) has a diameter greater than that of the drain orifice of the tablar.

[0041] The complementary coupling means are in the form of a first hollow cylindrical bearing surface (8) on the upper part (6), provided with a thread (11) and which opens into the upper openings (1), and in the form of a second hollow cylindrical bearing surface (9) for the lower part (7), provided with a thread (13); these two cylindrical bearing surfaces having the same axis of revolution as the upper cylindrical part (6). When the two upper (6) and lower (7) parts are assembled by screwing, the first hollow cylindrical bearing surface (8) and the second hollow cylindrical bearing surface (9) form a sealed conduit connecting the upper openings (1) and the overflow outlet (2). This conduit allows the overflow to be evacuated according to a circuit separate from the evacuation circuit for controlled emptying.

[0042] When assembling the upper part (6) and the lower part (7), a collar (14) integral with the upper part (6), shown in Figures 1 and 5, engages in a clearance (15) of the lower part (7), shown in Figures 2 to 4, 7 and 8.

[0043] With reference to figures 1 and 6, the overflow discharge conduit (2) opens at the top onto a funnel-shaped portion (16), which opens onto the upper openings (1).

[0044] When the overflow of water has been evacuated from the tablar, the water remaining in the bottom of the tablar is evacuated gradually and in a controlled manner thanks to the second drainage circuit by means of the lateral openings (4) provided in the side wall (3).

[0045] With reference to Figures 1 and 5, the lateral openings (4) of the upper part (6) are in the form of a plurality of vertical slots formed in the side wall (3), and extending between the upper face (17) to the bearing face (12).

[0046] These vertical slots are covered over part of their length by a hood (10), which reduces the passage section of the water remaining in the tablar, in order to reduce the water evacuation flow rate. The water remaining in the bottom of the tablar will thus flow through this passage section, cross the vertical slots and flow, independently of the flow of water from the overflow, into a space in the lower part (7) formed between the internal wall (18) of the lower part (7) and the wall of the second cylindrical bearing surface (9), as illustrated in Figures 1 to 4.

[0047] According to a first embodiment, illustrated in figures 2, 3 and 7, the controlled drainage device has, at its lower part (7), secondary drains (5) arranged in a bottom wall (19) of the lower part (7). The diameter of these secondary drains (5) makes it possible to limit the flow of water in order to better control the second flow rate.

[0048] Still according to this first embodiment, the overflow outlet (2) has a diameter greater than that of the secondary outlets (5).

[0049] This first embodiment thus makes it possible to reduce human intervention, which is only necessary for filling the tablar with water, the complete emptying of the tablar being carried out by gravity and in a controlled manner.

[0050] According to a second embodiment, illustrated in Figures 4 and 8, the lower part (7) has an overflow water outlet (2) and a secondary outlet (5) of substantially identical diameters. These two outlets each have a thread (11) for fixing a first pipe, screwed to the overflow outlet, and for fixing a second pipe, screwed to the secondary outlet. Still according to this embodiment, the overflow outlet (2) and the secondary outlet (5) are provided in a lateral portion (20) of the wall of the lower part (7). The overflow outlet has in this embodiment an angled portion (21) for directing the water flow radially.

[0051] In this embodiment, the tablar preferably comprises a tank, not shown, to which the overflow outlet (2) and the secondary outlet (5) are connected, and a pump connected to the tank to draw water and to the secondary outlet (5) or to the overflow outlet (2) to reinject the water into the tablar in order to water the plants. This second embodiment makes it possible to do without human intervention entirely. The tablar may comprise a control system for actuating the pump, ideally coupled to a timer or programmer.

[0052] It is clear from the above that the invention provides a tablar emptying device which reduces human intervention for filling and emptying the tablars, while saving water consumption when the tablars are used outdoors.

Claims

Claims

1. Device for controlled drainage of water contained in a gardening table, intended to be integrated into a drainage orifice provided in a bottom wall of the table, characterized in that it has at least one upper opening (1) connected to an outlet for an overflow of water (2) according to a first flow rate, and a side wall (3) comprising at least one lateral opening (4) connected to a secondary outlet (5) for the controlled drainage of the water according to a second flow rate, the upper opening (1) and the overflow outlet (2) have a passage section greater than that of the side opening (4) and the secondary outlet (5), so that the first flow rate is greater than the second flow rate.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises an upper part (6) and a lower part (7) provided with complementary coupling means for coupling in a sealed manner on either side of the bottom wall of the tablar, with: - the upper part (6) provided with the upper opening (1) and the lateral opening (4), and - the lower part (7) comprising the overflow outlet (2) and the secondary outlet (5).

3. Draining device according to claim 2, characterized in that the complementary coupling means are in the form of a first hollow cylindrical bearing surface (8) which comprises the upper part (6), said first hollow cylindrical bearing surface (8) being screwed into a second hollow cylindrical bearing surface (9) which comprises the lower part (7), the first hollow cylindrical bearing surface (8) and the second hollow cylindrical bearing surface (9) connecting the upper opening (1) and the overflow outlet (2).

4. Draining device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the side wall (3) has a plurality of lateral openings (4) in the form of vertical slots.

5. Draining device according to claim 4, characterized in that it comprises a cover (10) covering the vertical slots over part of their length to reduce the water passage section for controlled draining.

6. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the overflow outlet (2) and the secondary outlet (5) com- each take a thread (11).

7. Table comprising a bottom wall with a drain orifice incorporating a controlled water drain device according to one of the preceding claims.

8. Tablar according to claim 7, characterized in that it comprises a tank to which the overflow outlet (2) and the secondary outlet (5) are connected, and a pump connected to the tank to draw water and to the secondary outlet (5) or to the overflow outlet (2) to reinject the water into the tablar.

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