Planter and planter / rack composite body

Abstract

To provide a planter that has a simple structure and the small number of components, also has an automatic watering function, and which even a handicapped person can easily handle.SOLUTION: A planter comprises: a body case which stores culture solution; a middle plate which is arranged in the body case; a porous material arranged between a bottom surface part of the body case and a bottom surface part of the middle plate; and a nonwoven fabric sheet which is laid on the bottom surface part of the middle plate to contact the porous material, and has a root blocking layer as a top surface layer, where the planter has a structure that a flowerpot is mounted on the nonwoven fabric sheet for aptitude of a handicapped person.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to, for example, a planter, and more particularly to a planter that automatically supplies nutrient solution to a plant. [Background technology]

[0002] The planter with automatic water supply function disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a structure comprising a water storage tank section with a double sealed structure around it, an open case section (flower pot storage section) surrounded by the water storage tank section, which has a bottom section and is open on the top, an air vent pipe that connects the upper part of the water storage tank section to the bottom of the open case section which is adjusted to the water level at which the soil in the flower pot can absorb water, and a gate valve provided in a water supply pipe (water supply passage) that connects the lower part of the water storage tank section to the bottom of the open case section.

[0003] The automatic watering device for flowerpots in Patent Document 2 has a structure comprising a water storage tank section with a double-walled sealed structure around it, a flowerpot storage section surrounded by the water storage tank section, which has a bottom section and is open at the top, an air vent pipe connecting the upper part of the water storage tank section to the bottom of the flowerpot storage section which is set to the water level at which the soil in the flowerpot can absorb water, and a water supply mechanism.

[0004] The water supply mechanism of the flowerpot water supply device in Patent Document 2 has a lower end opening of the water supply pipe that communicates with the water storage tank, and an opening is provided at the bottom of the water supply pipe, which has a valve mechanism that connects the lower part of the water storage tank to the bottom of the flowerpot storage part when the water supply pipe rotates with a horizontal lever. This is the same principle as the automatic flowerpot water supply device disclosed in Patent Document 2 and the planter with automatic water supply in Patent Document 1. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 4968687 [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 5358418 Public Relations Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, the planters with automatic water supply functions described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 have a double-walled sealed water storage tank section, a flowerpot storage section, an air vent pipe, and a valve mechanism, which results in a complex structure and a large number of parts.

[0007] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT EMBODIMENT The present invention has been devised to solve the above-mentioned problems, and has an object to provide a planter which has a simple structure, a small number of parts, and an automatic watering function. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to solve the above problems, the planter of a first aspect of the present application comprises a main body case for storing culture solution, a middle plate disposed within the main body case, a porous material disposed between the bottom surface of the main body case and the bottom surface of the middle plate, and a nonwoven fabric sheet laid on the bottom surface of the middle plate in contact with the porous material and having a root barrier layer as an upper layer, and is characterized in that a flower pot is placed on the nonwoven fabric sheet.

[0009] As a planter relating to the second aspect of the present application, in the first aspect, the porous material may be a pillar of porous material, and the bottom surface portion of the middle plate may have a pillar hole into which the upper end side of the pillar of porous material is inserted, and the upper surface of the pillar of porous material exposed from the pillar hole may be in face contact with the nonwoven fabric sheet.

[0010] As a planter according to a third aspect of the present application, in the first or second aspect, the flowerpot may be configured so that slits are provided on the bottom and side surfaces.

[0011] As a planter relating to the fourth aspect of the present application, in any one of the first to third aspects, each of the main body case, the middle plate, the porous material column and the nonwoven fabric sheet may be configured to be detachable.

[0012] As a planter according to a fifth aspect of the present application, in any one of the first to fourth aspects, the middle plate may be formed from a non-permeable material.

[0013] As a planter according to a sixth aspect of the present application, in any one of the first to fifth aspects, the main body case may be placed on a frame of a rack, and a pair of leg ribs may be protruding from the back surface of the bottom portion of the main body case, positioned inside a pair of frames of the rack, when placed on the pair of frames of the rack.

[0014] As a planter relating to the seventh aspect of the present application, in any one of the first to sixth aspects, the main body case may have a peripheral flange portion protruding outward, and a vertical flange portion extending downward from the protruding end of the peripheral flange portion, and the vertical flange portion is continuous with a vertical flange portion extending downward at its protruding end, and the vertical flange portion may be formed into an inclined surface that is short in the central part in the longitudinal direction and gradually becomes longer toward both ends near the ends.

[0015] As a planter relating to the eighth aspect of the present application, in any one of the first to seventh aspects, the main body case may have an injection port, and the injection port may be formed in a circumferential arc of at least a semicircular arc when viewed in a plane.

[0016] As a planter according to a ninth aspect of the present application, in the eighth aspect, the injection port may be arc-shaped, and the connection part with the surrounding part may be formed in a rounded shape.

[0017] A planter according to a tenth aspect of the present application may be configured in any one of the first to ninth aspects to have a top plate with pot insertion holes arranged at equal intervals for accommodating flower pots, the top plate being formed from a non-transparent material and placed on top plate ribs at multiple locations on the middle plate and accommodated in the main body case.

[0018] As a planter according to an eleventh aspect of the present application, in the tenth aspect, the top plate may be configured so that the plurality of pot insertion holes having different intervals (numbers) can be selectively used.

[0019] As a planter according to a twelfth aspect of the present application, in any one of the first to eleventh aspects, the porous material may be configured to be formed of continuous pores.

[0020] As a planter according to a thirteenth aspect of the present application, in any one of the first to twelfth aspects, the nonwoven fabric sheet may be configured to have a nonwoven fabric layer below the root barrier layer.

[0021] A planter according to a fourteenth aspect of the present application may be configured in any one of the first to thirteenth aspects such that the structure of the planter is adapted to the aptitudes of disabled people. Effect of the Invention

[0022] According to each aspect of the present invention, the planter only needs to have a main case, a middle plate, a porous material, and a nonwoven fabric, and does not require a water storage tank or a valve mechanism with a sealed structure, so that the structure is simple and the number of parts is small. The porous material absorbs the culture solution in the main case, and the absorbed culture solution permeates the entire sheet due to the water absorption and diffusibility of the nonwoven fabric sheet, so that the culture solution is evenly supplied to the flowerpots placed at any position on the nonwoven fabric. Therefore, a planter with a simple structure, a small number of parts, and an automatic watering function can be provided. In addition, the nonwoven fabric sheet has a root-shielding layer as an upper surface layer, so that root entanglement can be prevented. Since the roots of the plant cannot penetrate the nonwoven fabric sheet, the plant's resistance is improved, which also contributes to the plant's growth. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0023] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a planter according to one embodiment of the present invention, the planter being installed on a rack. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway perspective view of the planter of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a partial bottom view of the planter of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 8(a) is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a planter according to one embodiment of the present invention when mounted on a rack (cross-section along line AA in FIG. 8(a)), and FIG. 8(b) is an enlarged view of a key portion showing the contact state between the porous material cylinder and the nonwoven fabric sheet. [Diagram 5] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view (a cross-section taken along line BB in FIG. 8) of the planter according to one embodiment of the present invention, when the planter is installed on a rack. [Figure 6] 1 is an assembled perspective view of a main body case and a middle plate of a planter according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 7] 1 is a perspective view of a planter according to one embodiment of the present invention before the main body case and the middle plate are assembled. FIG. [Figure 8] 1A is a plan view of a planter according to one embodiment of the present invention in which the main case and middle plate are assembled, and FIG. 1B is a side view of the main case and middle plate in the assembled state. [Figure 9] 1A is a perspective view of a planter according to one embodiment of the present invention, seen from the top side of a main body case, and FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the main body case, seen from the back side. [Figure 10] 1A is a top view of a main body case of a planter according to one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1B is a back view of the main body case, FIG. 1C is a front view of the main body case, and FIG. [Figure 11] 1A is a perspective view of the main parts of the injection port of a planter according to one embodiment of the present invention with the middle plate attached, and FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the main parts of the injection port with the middle plate removed. [Figure 12]FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a planter according to one embodiment of the present invention, seen from the top side of a middle plate, and FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 1A is a top view of a mid-plate of a planter according to one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1B is a back view of the mid-plate, FIG. 1C is a front view of the mid-plate, and FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0024] The embodiments shown below are merely examples of devices and methods for embodying the technical ideas of the invention, and the technical ideas of the present invention are not limited to those described below. The technical ideas of the present invention can be modified in various ways within the scope of the matters described in the claims. In particular, it should be noted that the drawings are schematic and may differ from the actual product. Descriptions of parts that are already known technologies have been omitted.

[0025] An embodiment of the planter of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a planter 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, which is installed on a rack 2. FIG. 2 shows a partially cutaway perspective view of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 shows a partial bottom view of FIG. 1. FIG. 4(a) shows a vertical cross-sectional view (a cross-sectional view along the cut line in FIG. 2) of the planter 1 installed on a rack 2, and FIG. 4(b) shows an enlarged view of a main part showing the contact state between a porous material column 35 and a nonwoven fabric sheet 36. FIG. 5 shows a horizontal cross-sectional view of the planter 1 installed on a rack 2. FIG. 6 shows an assembled perspective view of the main case 10 and the middle plate 20. FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of the main case 10 and the middle plate 20 before assembly. FIG. 8(a) shows a plan view of the main case 10 and the middle plate 20 in an assembled state, and FIG. 8(b) shows a side view of the main case 10 and the middle plate 20 in an assembled state. FIG. 9 to FIG. 13 show detailed views of the main case 10 and the middle plate 20, respectively.

[0026] The planter 1 is suitable for hydroponic cultivation, and is installed on the rack 2 to care for and grow plants planted in flowerpots 40. The planter 1 is taken down from the rack 2 to refill the culture solution 45, observe the plants, and care for the plants, and is returned to the rack 2 after these tasks are completed. First, the configuration of the rack 2 will be described. The rack 2 includes four vertical frames 3 that are erected at intervals, a pair of front and rear frames 4 that extend horizontally and connect the vertical frames 3, a pair of left and right frames 5 that extend horizontally and connect the vertical frames 4, and a plurality of support frames 6 (shown in FIG. 3) that connect the pair of front and rear frames 4 at positions between the pair of left and right frames 5. In this embodiment, each of the front and rear frames 4 has a cylindrical cross section. Each of the support frames 6 is flat.

[0027] A pair of front and rear frames 4, a pair of left and right frames 5, and a number of support frames 6 are arranged in several tiers at intervals in the vertical direction of the vertical frame 3. Only one tier is shown in Fig. 1. In Fig. 1, two planters 1 are arranged side by side in one tier. One planter 1 is shown with the top plate 30 removed.

[0028] Next, the configuration of the planter 1 will be described. The planter 1 comprises a main case 10, a middle plate 20 arranged within the main case 10, a top plate 30 also arranged within the main case 10, a plurality of columns 35 made of a porous material arranged in the space between the bottom portion 11 of the main case 10 and the bottom portion 21 of the middle plate 20, and a nonwoven fabric sheet 36 arranged on the upper surface of the bottom portion 21 of the middle plate 20, and a flower pot 40 is placed on the nonwoven fabric sheet 36.

[0029] The main body case 10 is made of a light-transmitting material, for example, polypropylene. The main body case 10 has a generally rectangular parallelepiped shape with an open top, and functions as a liquid storage tank for storing the culture solution 45 therein.

[0030] The main body case 10 has a bottom portion 11 and side portions 12 extending upright from all four sides of the bottom portion 11. A central rib 13 protrudes over a large area from the center of the back surface of the bottom portion 11. A pair of leg ribs 14 protrude further outward on both sides of the central rib 13 on the back surface of the bottom portion 11. The pair of leg ribs 14 extend in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. The longitudinal width dimension W1 (Figures 3 and 4(a)) of the pair of leg ribs 14 is set slightly smaller than the spacing W2 (Figures 3 and 4(a)) of the gap space between the pair of front and rear frames 4 of the rack 2 described above. In other words, when the main body case 10 is placed on the front and rear frames 4 of the rack 2, the pair of leg ribs 4 are placed in a state where they are fitted near the inside of the pair of front and rear frames 4 (see Figures 2 to 5). In addition, the support frames 6 of the rack 2 are positioned between the central rib 13 and each leg rib 14 (see Figure 3).

[0031] The length (height) of the leg ribs 14 is set to the same height as the central rib 13. When the planter 1 is placed on flat ground, the pair of leg ribs 14 and the central rib land on the flat ground. This allows the planter 1 to be placed on flat ground without any rattling.

[0032] The upper edges of the four side surfaces 12 are provided with peripheral flanges 15 that protrude outward in the horizontal direction around the entire periphery. The pair of peripheral flanges 15 provided along the longitudinal side surfaces 12 have a larger protruding dimension than the pair in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, and are connected to vertical flanges 16 that extend downward at their protruding ends. The pair of vertical flanges 16 are short in the longitudinal center and have inclined surfaces 16a that gradually become longer toward both ends.

[0033] An injection port 17 opens at approximately the center of one of the longitudinal peripheral flange portions 15. In a plan view, the injection port 17 is formed as a circumferential arc of at least a semicircular arc. The injection port 17 is provided contiguous with the side portion 12. The injection port 17 opens on the inner surface side of the side portion 12. The injection port 17 has a shape that gradually reduces in diameter toward the bottom surface side of the side portion 12, and its lowest end reaches the bottom surface portion 11. In other words, the injection port 17 opens over the entire height of the side portion 12.

[0034] All corners of the main body case 10, including the injection port 17, are formed in a rounded shape. In other words, the injection port 17 is arc-shaped, and the connection points with the surrounding parts are formed in a rounded shape. The middle plate 20 is formed of a non-light-transmitting material, and by not transmitting light, for example, the proliferation of algae and the like is suppressed. The middle plate 20 has a flattened, approximately rectangular parallelepiped shape with an open top. The middle plate 20 has a bottom surface portion 21 and side surfaces 22 erected from the four sides of the bottom surface portion 21. A plurality of column holes 23 are opened in the bottom surface portion 21. The plurality of column holes 23 are evenly arranged at equal intervals without being unevenly distributed in a part of the bottom surface portion 21.

[0035] Spacer ribs 24, 25 of the same height are provided protrudingly at the center and peripheral positions on the back surface of the bottom surface portion 21, where there are no openings for column holes 23. The spacer rib 24 at the center is provided in two locations, and each spacer rib 24 has a cross shape when viewed from the bottom. The spacer ribs 25 at the peripheral positions are arranged intermittently along the periphery of the bottom surface portion 21. Peripheral flange portions 26 are provided on the upper edges of the four side surface portions 21, protruding horizontally outward along the entire periphery.

[0036] A plurality of tabletop ribs 27 protrude from the inner surfaces of the four side surface portions 22. The tabletop ribs 27 have their lower ends connected to the bottom surface portion 21 and their upper ends set at the same height as the upper surface of the peripheral flange portion 26.

[0037] When the middle plate 20 is housed in the main case 10, the spacer ribs 24, 25 come into contact with the bottom surface 11 of the main case 10, thereby positioning the middle plate 20 in a hollow position in the main case 10. All corners of the middle plate 20 are formed in a rounded shape.

[0038] The top plate 30 is made of a non-light-transmitting material (reflective material such as aluminum) and is formed so as to prevent the growth of, for example, algae. The top plate 30 has a flat plate shape and is formed to have dimensions slightly smaller than the middle plate 20 in a plan view. The top plate 30 has a plurality of pot insertion holes 31 formed at equally spaced positions. The top plate 30 is accommodated in the main body case 10 by having its periphery supported at appropriate positions by the plurality of top plate ribs 27 of the middle plate 20. A plurality of top plates 30 with different intervals (numbers) of the pot insertion holes 31 are prepared so that the type of top plate 30 can be changed according to the growing conditions of the plants. The top plate 30 may be formed so that all corners are rounded, or may be partially chamfered but cut.

[0039] Each porous column 35 has a cylindrical shape, and a cylindrical protrusion 35a protrudes from the center of the upper surface. The protrusion 35a is inserted into the column hole 23 of the middle plate 20 without any gap. The lower end surface of the porous column 35 is in surface contact with the bottom surface 11 of the main body case 10, and the upper end surface of the protrusion 35a is exposed on the upper surface from the column hole 23 of the middle plate 20. The porous column 35 has many fine holes that are continuous inside, and is formed of a material that can suck up the culture solution 45 stored in the main body case 10 upward by capillary action. The porous column 35 is preferably formed of a sponge, more preferably a PVA sponge. The PVA sponge is made of polyvinyl alcohol and has fine continuous pores. In addition, the PVA sponge is highly hydrophilic and has excellent water absorption ability. Due to the continuous pore structure, it has low resistance and excellent filtration performance. It is durable and does not generate dust by itself. It also has excellent resistance to abrasion and chemicals. Its elasticity when absorbing water is very soft and flexible, so it feels good when it comes into contact with the surface of the object. It is possible to process PVA sponges to suit various applications, such as the size and shape of the pores.

[0040] The nonwoven fabric sheet 36 is laid over almost the entire area of ​​the bottom surface 21 of the middle plate 20. The nonwoven fabric sheet 36 is in surface contact with the upper end surface of the columnar body 35 made of a porous material. The nonwoven fabric sheet 35 has a water-permeable root barrier layer as an upper surface layer, and a nonwoven fabric layer below the root barrier layer. When the nonwoven fabric sheet 35 comes into contact with culture solution (liquid) 45, it starts to absorb the culture solution 45 at high speed, and retains the culture solution 45 while dispersing it evenly. In this embodiment, the nonwoven fabric sheet 36 has a sheet structure in which a root barrier sheet and a water-absorbing mat (nonwoven fabric) are bonded together.

[0041] The flowerpots 40 (see Fig. 4 and Fig. 5) are accommodated in the pot insertion holes 31 of the top plate 30. Only two flowerpots 40 are shown in Fig. 4(a) and Fig. 5. The flowerpots 40 accommodated in the pot insertion holes 31 are arranged with their bottoms in contact with the nonwoven fabric sheet 35. The flowerpots 40 are formed so that at least the bottoms are permeable, that is, water-permeable. In this embodiment, the flowerpots 40 are formed to be water-permeable by providing a plurality of slits 40a (see Fig. 4(b) in particular) in the bottom and side of the flowerpots 40. The slits 40a allow the culture solution 45 soaked in the nonwoven fabric sheet 36 to penetrate into the inside of the flowerpots 40. The flowerpots 40 are accommodated inside in a dense state with absorbent granular soil (not shown). Plants (e.g., cuttings) are planted in the dense soil. As a medium, for example, hydroballs (ball-shaped stones made by baking clay at high temperatures to foam) that have capillary action are used. This is the so-called hydroculture cultivation.

[0042] Next, the automatic watering function of the planter 1 and the operation of refilling the culture solution will be explained. A funnel 50 is inserted into the injection port 17 of the planter 1 (see FIG. 1, etc.), and the culture solution 45 is injected through the funnel 50. The maximum amount injected is close to the bottom surface of the middle plate. The culture solution 45 injected from the injection port 50 flows into the main case 10 and accumulates at the bottom of the main case 10. The accumulated culture solution 45 is sucked up by capillary action by each of the porous material columns 35.

[0043] The culture solution 45 that has been sucked up is absorbed by the nonwoven fabric sheet 36 from the upper end surface of each porous material column 35. The culture solution 45 absorbed by the nonwoven fabric sheet 36 is held and diffused almost evenly over the entire area of ​​the sheet due to the liquid retention and diffusion properties of the nonwoven fabric sheet 36. In this manner, the bottom surface of the flowerpot 40 is automatically watered, and the culture solution 45 is supplied to the flowerpot 40 on the nonwoven fabric sheet 36 through the slits 40a. The culture solution 45 is also supplied when the roots of the plant protrude from the slits 40a of the flowerpot 40 to the outside of the flowerpot 40 and directly absorb the culture solution 45 from the nonwoven fabric sheet 36.

[0044] When the culture solution 45 is supplied to the flowerpot 40 and the amount of liquid retained by the nonwoven fabric sheet 45 decreases (when the liquid retention capacity of the nonwoven fabric sheet becomes smaller than the suction power due to capillary action), the culture solution 45 is replenished to the nonwoven fabric sheet 36 from the pillar 35 due to the capillary action of the porous material (a physical phenomenon in which the liquid inside a thin tubular object (capillary) moves through the tube without being given energy from the outside). When the liquid retention capacity of the pillar 35 made of porous material decreases, the pillar 35 made of porous material absorbs the culture solution 45 accumulated in the main case 10, and this operation is repeated until the culture solution 45 accumulated in the main case 10 is used up.

[0045] An operator periodically checks the water level of the culture solution 45 in the planter 1 placed on the rack 2. Since the main body case 10 and the middle plate 12 of the planter 1 are made of a non-light-transmitting material, the operator can check the amount of the culture solution 45 from outside the planter 1.

[0046] When the amount of culture solution 45 stored in the main case 10 reaches the replenishment level, the culture solution 45 is replenished. Since the dimensions of the planter 1 make it difficult for one person to carry it, for example, when it is located at the position of the rack 2, the culture solution 45 is replenished while the planter 1 is placed on the rack.

[0047] When the planter 1 is removed from the rack 2 for the purpose of tending the plants or observing their growth, or when the planter 1 is returned to its original position on the rack 2, this task requires two workers.

[0048] As described above, the planter 1 only needs to have the main body case 10, the middle plate 20, the top plate 30, the porous material (the columnar body 35 of the porous material), and the nonwoven fabric sheet 36, and does not need a water storage tank or a valve mechanism with a sealed structure, so that the structure is simple and the number of parts is small. The culture solution 45 is sucked up by the columnar body 35 of the porous material, and the sucked up culture solution 45 permeates the entire sheet due to the water absorption and diffusibility of the nonwoven fabric sheet 36, so that the culture solution is evenly supplied to the flower pots 40 placed at any position on the nonwoven fabric sheet 36. Therefore, the culture solution is automatically supplied to the flower pots 40. As described above, the planter 1 can be provided with a simple structure, a small number of parts, and an automatic watering function. In addition, the nonwoven fabric sheet 36 has a root-shielding layer as an upper surface layer, so that root entanglement can be prevented. Since the roots of the plant cannot penetrate the nonwoven fabric sheet 36, the resistance of the plant is improved, which contributes to the growth of the plant. There is no need to lay a separate root barrier sheet on top of the nonwoven fabric sheet 36.

[0049] The flowerpot 40 has slits 40a on the bottom and side. Therefore, the culture solution 45 soaked in the nonwoven fabric sheet 36 is supplied to the inside of the flowerpot 40 through the slits 40a of the flowerpot 40, so that a sufficient supply of the culture solution 45 is possible. Furthermore, the roots of the plant can come out of the flowerpot 40 through the slits 40a of the flowerpot 40 and absorb the culture solution 45 directly from the nonwoven fabric sheet 36. Although the slits 40a are provided on the bottom and side of the flowerpot 40 in this embodiment, the slits 40a may be provided only on the bottom. Furthermore, the flowerpot 40 is formed to be water-permeable by providing the slits 40a in this embodiment, but instead of the slits 40a, round holes, elliptical holes, etc. may be used. Furthermore, the material of the flowerpot 40 itself may be water-permeable.

[0050] The porous material is supplied to the nonwoven fabric sheet 36 from the porous material pillars 35 through the pillar holes 23 in the middle plate 20. The number of the porous material pillars 35 is determined according to the area of ​​the nonwoven fabric sheet.

[0051] The middle plate 20 is a multi-functional part that holds the porous material pillars 35, holds the top plate 30, and provides a place for installing the nonwoven fabric sheet 36 and a place for placing the flower pots 40, thereby contributing to a reduction in the number of parts.

[0052] The middle plate 20 is removable from the main case 10, and the top plate 30, the porous pillars 35, and the nonwoven fabric sheet 36 are removable from the middle plate 20. In other words, the main case 10, the middle plate 20, the top plate 30, the porous pillars 35, and the nonwoven fabric sheet 36 are each provided so that they can be separated. Therefore, all parts can be easily washed. It is easy to handle because it is adapted to the needs of not only healthy people but also disabled people. It can be said that the structure takes into consideration the characteristics of disabled people, such as anxiety and hypersensitivity, and the need to clean every detail.

[0053] The corners of the main body case 10, the middle plate 20, and the top plate 30 are rounded. This makes cleaning easy and simple. It is easy to handle because it is designed to suit not only healthy people but also disabled people. It can be said that the structure takes into consideration the characteristics of disabled people, such as anxiety and hypersensitivity, and the need to clean every detail. The pillars 35 of each porous material are cylindrical in the embodiment, but may be any shape (for example, rectangular pillar, elliptical pillar).

[0054] The porous pillar 35 is preferably made of a sponge, more preferably a PVA sponge. The PVA sponge has a very strong ability to suck up the culture solution 45 by capillary action, so that the culture solution 45 is reliably sucked up in a large amount, and the culture solution 45 is diffused abundantly in the nonwoven fabric sheet 36 and retained therein.

[0055] The nonwoven fabric sheet 36 has a root-blocking layer (not shown) as an upper surface layer, which can prevent so-called root entanglement, in which plant roots penetrate into the nonwoven fabric layer (not shown). In addition, because plant roots cannot penetrate into the nonwoven fabric sheet 36, the resistance of the plants is improved, which is favorable for plant growth. Furthermore, because plant roots cannot penetrate into the nonwoven fabric sheet 36, the life of the nonwoven fabric layer (not shown) is extended.

[0056] Since the top plate 30 has a plurality of pot insertion holes 31 at equal intervals, the flowerpots 40 can be easily arranged at equal intervals, providing a nearly uniform growing environment for the plants planted in each flowerpot 40. It is easy to use not only for healthy people but also for people with disabilities. A plurality of top plates 30 with different intervals (numbers) of the pot insertion holes 31 are prepared and can be used selectively. Therefore, the type of top plate 30 can be changed according to the growing condition of the plants, providing an environment according to the growing condition of the plants.

[0057] The planter 1 placed on the rack 2 has a pair of leg ribs 14 protruding from the bottom surface of its main case 10 that fit close to the inside of a pair of front and rear frames 4 of the rack 2. Therefore, the main case 10 placed on the front and rear frames 4 of the rack 2 does not shift significantly to the side, preventing it from falling due to lateral shifting. It is easy to handle as it is designed to suit the needs of not only able-bodied people but also disabled people. It can be said that the structure is designed to prevent emergencies such as falls when the disabled person accidentally touches it due to their attention deficit or physical disability, which are characteristics of the disabled.

[0058] The planter 1 is easy to hold because the main body case 10 is provided with a peripheral flange portion 15 and a vertical flange portion 16. The peripheral flange portion 15 is provided at its protruding end with a vertical flange portion 16 extending downward. The pair of vertical flange portions 16 are short at the center in the longitudinal direction, and have inclined surfaces 16a near both ends so that they gradually become longer toward both ends. Therefore, when an operator places his / her fingers on the vertical flange portion 16 to lift the planter 1, the inclined surfaces 16a prevent the position where the fingers are placed from slipping toward the ends for some reason, and the planter 1 can be prevented from falling due to the position where the fingers are placed slipping. It is easy to handle because it is adapted to the aptitudes of not only able-bodied people but also able-bodied people. It can be said that the structure is designed to prevent accidents such as falling when an operator accidentally touches the planter due to attention deficit or physical disability, which is one of the characteristics of able-bodied people.

[0059] The middle plate 20 and the top plate 30 are formed of a light-impermeable material, which makes it possible to inhibit the growth of algae and the like inside the planter 1.

[0060] Here, when initially supplying culture medium 45 or when subsequently replenishing it, it is preferable to provide marks on main body case 10 indicating the maximum liquid level at which culture medium 45 should be injected and the minimum liquid level at which culture medium should be replenished.

[0061] Since the injection port 17 is provided on the peripheral flange portion 15 of the main case 10, it does not protrude outward from the peripheral flange portion 15, and is therefore easy to handle. Furthermore, the injection port 17 can be seen from above, and the position of the injection port 17 can be safely identified by touching the peripheral flange portion 15 of the main case 10. It is easy to handle not only for able-bodied people but also for disabled people. This structure takes into consideration the fact that one characteristic of disabled people is that they find it difficult to confirm things visually.

[0062] In a plan view, the injection port 17 is formed into a circumferential arc of at least a semicircular arc. Therefore, when the funnel 50 is inserted into the injection port 17, the funnel 50 will not fall off, making injection easy. It is easy to use not only for able-bodied people but also for disabled people. It can be said that this structure is designed to prevent the funnel 50 from falling or the injected water from spilling when it is accidentally touched due to attention deficit or physical disability, which are characteristics of disabled people.

[0063] The flowerpots 40 are accommodated in the pot insertion holes 31 provided at equal intervals in the top plate 30. Therefore, a plurality of flowerpots 40 can be arranged at equal intervals, which contributes to uniform absorption of the culture solution 45. In addition, the flowerpots 40 can be prevented from falling over.

[0064] The present embodiment is not limited to these, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the present embodiment. [Explanation of symbols]

[0065] 1. Planter 2 Rack 4 Frames (front and rear frames) 10 Main unit case 11 Bottom part 15 Peripheral flange 16 Vertical flange section 16a Slope 20 Middle Plate 21 Bottom part 23 Column hole 27 Ribs for top plate 30 Tabletop 31 Pot insertion hole 35 Porous material cylinder (porous material) 36 Non-woven sheet 40 Flower Pot 40a slit 45 Culture solution

Claims

1. A main case for storing culture fluid, A midplate disposed within the main body case; A porous material disposed between a bottom surface of the main body case and a bottom surface of the middle plate; A nonwoven fabric sheet is laid on the bottom surface of the middle plate, contacts the porous material, and has a root barrier layer as an upper surface layer; A planter in which a flowerpot is placed on the nonwoven fabric sheet.

2. the porous material is a column of porous material; A planter as described in claim 1, characterized in that the bottom surface of the middle plate has a pillar hole into which the upper end side of the porous material pillar is inserted, and the upper surface of the porous material pillar exposed from the pillar hole is in face contact with the nonwoven fabric sheet.

3. 2. The planter according to claim 1, wherein the flowerpot has slits in the bottom and side surfaces.

4. 2. The planter according to claim 1, wherein each of the main body case, the middle plate, the porous material column and the nonwoven fabric sheet is detachable.

5. 2. The planter of claim 1, wherein the mid-plate is formed from an impermeable material.

6. The main body case is placed on a frame of a rack, A planter as described in claim 1, characterized in that a pair of leg ribs are protruding from the back surface of the bottom portion of the main body case, and are positioned inside the pair of frames when placed on the pair of frames of the rack.

7. The planter described in claim 1, characterized in that the main body case has a peripheral flange portion protruding outward, a vertical flange portion extending downward from the protruding end of the peripheral flange portion, the vertical flange portion being continuous with a vertical flange portion extending downward at its protruding end, and the vertical flange portion being formed into an inclined surface so that it is short at the central point in the longitudinal direction and gradually becomes longer toward both ends near both ends.

8. 2. The planter according to claim 1, wherein the main body case has an injection port, and the injection port is formed in a circumferential arc of at least a semicircular arc in a plan view.

9. 9. The planter according to claim 8, wherein the injection port is arc-shaped and a portion connected to the surrounding area is formed in a rounded shape.

10. The planter has a top plate on which pot insertion holes for receiving flower pots are provided at equal intervals, 2. The planter according to claim 1, wherein the top plate is made of an impermeable material, placed on a plurality of top plate ribs of the middle plate, and housed in the main body case.

11. The planter according to claim 10, characterized in that the top plate can be selectively used with different intervals (number) of the pot insertion holes.

12. 2. The planter according to claim 1, wherein the porous material is formed of interconnected pores.

13. The planter according to claim 1 , wherein the nonwoven fabric sheet has a nonwoven fabric layer below the root barrier layer.

14. 14. The planter according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the structure of the planter is adapted to the aptitudes of disabled people.

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