Irrigation mat allowing the supply of fluids to the plant root system and irrigation system

Description

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an irrigation mat for providing fluids to the root area of ​​plants according to the preamble of claim 1 and to an irrigation system with such an irrigation mat.

[0002] Irrigation refers to the supply of fluids, especially water and / or nutrient solutions, to plants.

[0003] Water can be applied to the soil and plants from above for irrigation. To minimize water loss, the water can be applied near the individual plants using sprayers or drip irrigation systems. However, water is lost primarily through evaporation in this method.

[0004] This disadvantage can be avoided by using irrigation systems that are laid underground in the soil beneath the plants. Such irrigation systems include irrigation mats equipped with irrigation pipes that are connected to a water supply unit with valves and control devices.

[0005] From DE 695 14 365 T2, such a capillary irrigation system is known, comprising an irrigation mat fitted with several perforated irrigation pipes. The irrigation mat consists of an upper layer of capillary material and a lower layer of capillary material, between which the irrigation pipes are arranged. The terms "upper" and "lower" refer to the orientation of the irrigation mat when laid in the ground.

[0006] Pockets are provided between the two layers of capillary material to accommodate the pipes. These pockets are formed by folding the top layer. The pre-formed pockets are dimensioned so that the irrigation pipes can be inserted into them. The two layers are joined together, for example, by sewing, ultrasonic welding, or welding. These are seam-like connections, which have the disadvantage that, for example, the sewing thread can break and the joints can come undone. Laying such mats is then considerably more complex due to the potential for the individual layers to shift. Since these mats have edge lengths of 50 meters or more, not only is handling and laying the mats more difficult, but the pipes can also shift laterally and assume positions other than intended. In this case, an even distribution of water within the irrigation mat is no longer possible.

[0007] Such seam-like connections between two layers are known from DE 10 2007 036 018 A1, which discloses an irrigation mat for the large-area distribution of water, wherein means for detecting the moisture level in the irrigation mat are provided. An absorption layer in the form of absorbent fiber granules is also provided between the upper and lower layers of the irrigation mat.

[0008] Such an irrigation mat and irrigation system is known from WO-A-02082888.

[0009] Another problem is the penetration of roots into the outlet openings of the perforated pipes. The root system penetrates the mats from the outside, in the area of ​​the pockets, and extends particularly towards the water outlet openings, which can become clogged and, in the worst case, completely block the flow of water. This impairs the even distribution of water within the irrigation mats.

[0010] The object of the invention is to provide an irrigation mat and an irrigation system, wherein the irrigation mat should be easy to handle and the irrigation system should be characterized by a large fluid absorption capacity as well as fast and better distribution of the fluid.

[0011] This problem is solved using the features of claim 1.

[0012] The irrigation mat is characterized in that the upper layer made of textile fabric and the lower layer made of textile fabric are connected to each other in at least one area outside the tunnels, preferably over the entire surface.

[0013] Preferably at least 20%, and in particular at least 50%, of the available area is interconnected.

[0014] A full-surface connection means that at least 90% of the available area is connected.

[0015] The area available for the surface bond is formed by the contact surface of the lower and upper layers. Where the two layers lie on top of each other outside the tunnels, they can be bonded together over a surface area.

[0016] According to the invention, the two layers are needled together.

[0017] Needle punching, also known as felting, allows for the simple bonding of large surfaces, particularly of nonwoven fabrics, using special needle devices such as needle boards. In needle punching, both layers are pierced simultaneously. Through one or more insertions and removals, the fibers of the adjacent layers interlock, largely eliminating the dividing line between the lower and upper layers, and the two layers together form a uniform, largely homogeneous textile surface.

[0018] The manufacturing process using needle punching has the further advantage that it is more cost-effective than, for example, sewing the individual layers together to produce seam-like connections.

[0019] It has surprisingly been found that this needling process positively alters the fluid absorption and distribution properties of the layers, particularly in nonwoven fabrics. It was observed that layers bonded in this way ensure faster and more uniform fluid distribution than is the case with textile fabrics that are only joined by seams.

[0020] Compared to seam-like connections, the flat needling creates a significantly more stable bond between the layers, thus simplifying processing and installation, especially of large irrigation mats. Because this bond between the layers does not loosen, the irrigation pipes cannot slip between the layers, ensuring even fluid distribution within the irrigation mat.

[0021] Another advantage of surface needling is that, for example, threads used for the seam-like connection according to the state of the art cannot come loose and get caught in the cutting tools when cutting the irrigation mats.

[0022] Preferably, a tunnel in which the irrigation pipe is located is formed by means of a fold in the lower layer and by means of a fold in the upper layer.

[0023] This embodiment has the advantage that equally sized upper and lower layers can be used to manufacture the irrigation mat. This simplifies the manufacturing process.

[0024] The irrigation mat has a symmetrical structure with respect to the dividing line between the upper and lower layers, so that when laying it, it is not necessary to pay attention to which layer should be on top or bottom, unless, for example, different materials are used for the upper and lower layers. This simplifies handling.

[0025] This symmetrical design of the irrigation mat also has the advantage that the fluid is distributed more evenly between the upper and lower layers.

[0026] A textile surface structure is understood to be textiles permeable to fluids, such as woven fabrics, nonwovens, composites, geotextiles, geogrids or films, which have the ability to distribute the fluid, preferably water, in particular by capillary action.

[0027] Preferably, the textile fabric is a nonwoven. A layer of nonwoven material preferably has a basis weight of 100 to 1000 g / m². Preferred basis weight ranges are 100 to 300 g / m². A basis weight of at least 100 g / m² is required to ensure stable needling.

[0028] Preferably, the textile fabric consists of at least one layer of polyester, in particular of a polyester fleece.

[0029] Preferably, at least the bottom layer consists of a textile fabric made of polyester, in particular polyester fleece. Both layers can also be made of these materials, which simplifies manufacturing.

[0030] The fluid absorption capacity and fluid distribution properties can be further improved if at least one layer, preferably the bottom layer, consists of a hydrophilic or hydrophilized material.

[0031] Hydrophilic surface structures have the advantage that they can absorb fluid, especially water, better and in larger quantities, store it for longer, and distribute the fluid better in the irrigation mat.

[0032] Polyester materials, such as the fibers of polyester nonwovens, are inherently hydrophilic. To further improve their fluid absorption and distribution properties, these materials can also undergo additional hydrophilization.

[0033] Preferably, the irrigation mat incorporates an absorbent powder for storing the fluid. The absorbent powder increases the storage capacity of the irrigation mat without increasing its density. The absorbent material swells and has the advantage of not releasing any fluid, even under pressure. Only the roots are able to reabsorb the fluid, particularly water, from the absorbent powder. The absorbent powder is capable of absorbing many times its own weight in fluid, especially water.

[0034] Preferably, the irrigation mat contains a powder made from mycorrhizal fungi. The mycorrhizal fungi supply the plant with nutrients and water and, in turn, receive some of the assimilates produced by the plant's photosynthesis. This symbiosis strengthens the roots and the plant as a whole.

[0035] Preferably, the powder, in particular the absorbent powder and the powder from mycorrhizal fungi, is introduced between the lower and upper layers. The powder can be sprinkled onto the lower layer during the manufacture of the irrigation mat. Due to the surface bonding, in particular the surface needling of both layers, the powder can be fixed between them.

[0036] The powder can also be incorporated into at least one layer. The incorporation of the powder preferably takes place during the production of the textile fabric. In the production of nonwovens, the powder is preferably added to the starting material for nonwoven production, which has the advantage that the powder is evenly distributed in the layer, particularly within the nonwoven. If the nonwoven is produced using a needling process, the powder is preferably sprinkled into the starting material before needling.

[0037] Preferably, the irrigation mat contains 5 to 40 g / m² of absorbent powder and / or 10 to 50 g / m² of mycorrhizal fungal powder. In particular, 10 to 30 g / m² of absorbent powder, and especially 10 to 20 g / m², are used. Regarding the mycorrhizal fungal powder, 20 to 40 g / m² is particularly preferred, especially 20 to 30 g / m².

[0038] Preferably, the powders are incorporated into the lower layer. When such powders are sprinkled or incorporated into the layers, it is advantageous if the basis weight of the layer in question is at least 300 g / m² to 1000 g / m².

[0039] The irrigation system according to the invention comprises an irrigation mat and at least one pipe having outlet openings. This pipe or these pipes are arranged in the tunnels of the irrigation mat.

[0040] The term "pipe" encompasses not only rigid pipes but also, for example, hose-like tubes. It includes all conduits suitable for conveying a fluid through the tunnels of an irrigation mat. Such pipes are also referred to as perforated pipes, as they typically have numerous outlet openings, usually arranged at defined intervals within the pipe.

[0041] According to one embodiment, the pipe can have a drip emitter in the area of ​​at least one outlet opening.

[0042] These drip emitters allow for precise control of the fluid delivery rate and are used in irrigation pipes laid directly in the ground. Such pipes with drip emitters are known, for example, from EP 2 248 414 A1. It has been shown that pipes equipped with a drip emitter allow for a more uniform distribution of the fluid within the irrigation mat, resulting in better overall fluid distribution across the entire mat.

[0043] Preferably, the drip emitter is equipped with a metallic component, particularly in the area of ​​the outlet opening, which prevents plant roots from penetrating the outlet opening of the drip emitter. The metallic component prevents the penetration of plant roots due to chemical reactions.

[0044] Preferably, the metallic component is made of copper or a copper alloy. Copper is not only a nutrient for plants, but also inhibits root growth when copper ions come into contact with the roots in high concentrations. The outlet opening is easily kept clear of penetrating roots.

[0045] Pipes equipped with such drip emitters are known in principle from EP 2 248 414 A1. However, the advantageous use of such pipes in combination with irrigation mats according to the invention has not yet been recognized. The advantage of this combination of a surface-needled irrigation mat and pipes with such drip emitters is that additional measures to prevent the penetration of roots into the outlet openings of the pipes, such as sheathing the pipes, can be dispensed with. The required tunnel volume is smaller than with sheathed pipes, so that the irrigation mat can be wound more tightly and the transport volume of the wound irrigation mat can be kept low.

[0046] Preferably, the pipe is made of an elastic material. Pipes made of flexible material, preferably a flexible plastic material, have the advantage that the irrigation mats fitted with these pipes can be wound much more tightly, i.e., with a smaller radius of curvature. This significantly reduces the transport volume of the wound pipes.

[0047] Such soft pipe materials have the further advantage that the irrigation mats fitted with the pipes can be cut to size without having to use different cutting tools for the irrigation mat on the one hand and the pipes on the other.

[0048] In addition to using a copper component, there is another preferred embodiment to prevent the penetration of roots into the outlet openings of the pipes.

[0049] According to one embodiment, the tube has a covering made of a textile fabric, in particular one of the preferred fabrics described above. The textile fabric can also consist of a nonwoven material. To fix the textile fabric to the tube, it is wrapped with at least one thread, preferably using the looped thread technique, also known as Kemafil technique.

[0050] The cross-section of the tunnels is preferably adapted to the cross-section of the pipe such that the lower and upper layers are at least partially in contact with the outer surface of the pipe. Preferably at least 20%, and in particular at least 50%, of the outer surface of the pipe is in contact with the upper and lower layers of the irrigation mat. The irrigation mat can also have more than one upper and / or lower layer.

[0051] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the drawings.

[0052] They show: Figure 1 shows an irrigation system with an irrigation mat with two pipes; Figure 2 shows a top view of an end section of the Fig. 1 Figure 3 shows an irrigation mat, Figure 4 a perspective view of a pipe with drip emitters, Figure 5 a section of a view of the end face of an irrigation mat according to a further embodiment, Figure 6 a perspective view of a sheathed pipe, and Figures 7 and 8 two schematic representations of a section through an irrigation mat with powders.

[0053] In the Figure 1An irrigation system 1 with an irrigation mat 10 and two pipes 40 is shown in perspective. The irrigation mat 10 has a lower layer 12 and an upper layer 14 made of a textile fabric. This textile fabric can consist of a nonwoven material, with each layer having a basis weight of < 300 g / m².

[0054] When this irrigation system 1 is laid in the ground, the irrigation mat 10 is arranged such that the upper layer 14 faces the plants.

[0055] Both layers 12 and 14 each have two folds 18 and 19, so that two straight tunnels 16 are formed between the lower layer 12 and the upper layer 14, in which the pipes 40 are arranged. The tunnels 16 extend over the entire width B of the irrigation mat 10. The folds 18 and 19 are essentially the same size, so that the irrigation mat 10 is symmetrical with respect to the dividing plane E between the layers 12 and 14.

[0056] If the two layers 12, 14 are identical, i.e., in particular made of identical material, the irrigation mat 10 can also be laid in such a way that the lower layer 12 and the upper layer 14 are swapped.

[0057] The cross-section of the tunnels 16 is matched to the cross-section of the pipes 40 such that the lower layer 12 and the upper layer 14 lie predominantly flat against the outer surface 41 of the pipes 40 in the area of ​​the folds 18, 19. The smaller the cross-section of the tunnels 16, the closer the edge 24 of the folds 18, 19 moves to the tunnels 16 and the larger the area of ​​the irrigation mat 10 available for needling becomes.

[0058] The irrigation mat 10 has four edges 20a to 20d. Between the edges 24 of the folds 18, 19 and the respective edges 20a to 20d, a total of three areas 22a,b,c are formed, in which the lower and upper layers 12, 14 are connected by pinning.

[0059] In areas 22a,b,c, the lower layer 12 and the upper layer 14 are needled together across their entire surface, i.e., the entire area of ​​areas 22a,b,c was used for needled bonding. This is also evident in the Figure 2 shown, which shows a section of the front surface of the irrigation mat 10 of the Figure 1 shows. The needled end-surface section 30 extends from the edge 20a to the edge 24, where the layers 12, 14 diverge to form the tunnel 16.

[0060] The entire available area is in the Figures 1 and 2 The embodiment shown is needled.

[0061] Due to the needling, the fibers of the superimposed layers 12 and 14 are so intertwined or felted together that the dividing line between the layers 12 and 14 is largely eliminated. This is indicated by the dashed line in the Figure 2 hinted at.

[0062] One or both layers 12, 14 can consist of a hydrophilic or hydrophilized material. Preferably, the lower layer 12 is made of such a material.

[0063] Furthermore, at least one layer can consist of polyester, in particular a polyester fleece. It is preferred that at least the lower layer 12 consists of a polyester material.

[0064] In the Figure 3 An embodiment of a tube 40 is shown in perspective. Inside the tube 40, in the area of ​​the outlet openings 42, drip emitters 44 are arranged, which have an outlet opening 48.

[0065] In the Figure 4The image shows such a drip emitter 44 enlarged and only schematically represented. The drip emitter 44 has a metallic component 46 made of copper or a copper alloy in the form of a cover plate, in which the outlet opening 48 is provided. The copper part can also be arranged inside the drip emitter 44.

[0066] In the Figure 5 Figure 1 shows a further embodiment of an irrigation system 1 in which the pipe 40 is provided with a sheath 50. The sheath preferably consists of a nonwoven fabric that is wrapped around the pipe. At least one thread 52, which is looped using a looped thread technique (see Figure 1), is used to create a protective layer. Figure 6 ) is wrapped around the sheathing 50, the sheathing 50 is fixed onto the pipe 40.

[0067] In the Figures 7 and 8 Two sections of irrigation mats 10 according to further embodiments are shown.

[0068] As in Figure 7As can be seen, an absorbent powder 60 and / or a powder 62 made from mycorrhizal fungi is incorporated into the lower layer 12. The amount of the absorbent powder is preferably 15 g / m². The amount of the powder made from mycorrhizal fungi is preferably 30 g / m².

[0069] In the Figure 8 Another embodiment is shown in which the powder 60 and / or 62 is sprinkled in during the manufacturing process of the irrigation mat 10. The powder is preferably sprinkled onto the lower layer 12 before the upper layer 14 is placed on top and pinned to the lower layer 12. The pinning process distributes the powder 60, 62 largely uniformly in the contact area between the two layers 12, 14. Reference symbol list

[0070] 1 Irrigation system 10 Irrigation mat 12 Bottom layer 14 Top layer 16 Tunnel 18 Fold of bottom layer 19 Fold of top layer 20a,b,c,d Edge of the irrigation mat 22a,b,c Connected area of ​​the layers 24 Edge of the fold 30-needled end face section 40 Pipe 41 Outer surface of the pipe 42 Outlet opening 44 Drip emitter 46 Metallic component 48 Outlet opening 50 Pipe sheathing 52 Thread 60 Absorber powder 62 Powder from mycorrhizal fungi B Width of the irrigation mat E Separation level

Claims

1. A watering mat (10) for supplying fluids for the root region of plants, having at least one lower layer (12) and one upper layer (14), each made from a sheet-like textile structure, wherein at least one tunnel (16) for accommodating at least one pipe (40) having outlet openings (42) for the fluid, is formed between the lower layer (12) and the upper layer (14), and wherein the lower layer (12) and the upper layer (14) are connected to one another in at least one region (22a, b, c) outside the at least one tunnel (16), characterised in that, in the at least one region (22a, b, c), the lower layer (12) and the upper layer (14) are needled to one another in a sheet-like manner.

2. The watering mat according to claim 1, characterised in that, in the at least one region (22a, b, c), the lower layer (12) and the upper layer (14) are connected to one another over the entire area thereof.

3. The watering mat according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the at least one tunnel (16) is formed by a fold (18) of the lower layer (12) and by a fold (19) of the upper layer (14).

4. The watering mat according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the sheet-like textile structure is a non-woven fabric.

5. The watering mat according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the sheet-like textile structure consists of at least one layer (12, 14) made of a polyester material.

6. The watering mat according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the sheet-like textile structure consists of at least one layer (12) made of a hydrophilic or hydrophilised material.

7. The watering mat according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the watering mat (10) has an absorbent powder (60) for storing the fluid.

8. The watering mat according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the watering mat (10) has a powder (62) made of mycorrhizal fungi.

9. The watering mat according to claim 7 or 8, characterised in that the powder (60, 62) is introduced between the lower layer (12) and the upper layer (14).

10. The watering mat according to one of claims 7 to 9, characterised in that the powder (60, 62) is incorporated into at least one layer (12, 14).

11. The watering mat according to one of claims 7 to 10, characterised in that it contains 5 to 40 g / m2 of absorbent powder (60) and / or 10 to 50 g / m2 of powder (62) made from mycorrhizal fungi.

12. A watering system (1) having a watering mat (10) according to one of claims 1 to 11 and having at least one tube (40), which has outlet openings (42).

13. The watering system according to claim 12, characterised in that the tube (40) has a drip emitter (44) in the region of at least one outlet opening (42).

14. The watering system according to claim 13, characterised in that the drip emitter (44) has at least one outflow opening (48) and in that a metallic component (46) is arranged in the region of the outflow opening (48) to prevent the penetration of plant roots into the outflow opening (48).

15. The watering system according to claim 14, characterised in that the metallic component (46) consists of copper or a copper alloy.

16. The watering system according to one of claims 12 to 15, characterised in that the tube (40) consists of an elastic material.

17. The watering system according to one of claims 12 to 16, characterised in that the tube (40) has a casing (50) made of a textile fabric.

18. The watering system according to claim 17, characterised in that the casing (50) is wound with at least one thread (52) using a looped thread technique.

19. The watering system according to one of claims 12 to 18, characterised in that the cross section of the at least one tunnel (16) of the watering mat (10) is matched to the cross section of the tube (40) in such a way that the lower layer (12) and the upper layer (14) of the watering mat (10) rest at least partially flat against the outer surface (41) of the tube (40).