Phytopanel with automatic watering

Abstract

FIELD: agriculture.SUBSTANCE: invention relates to devices for vertical plant cultivation used in the production of vegetables, berries and salads, as well as in landscape design and interior design solutions. The phytopanel section with automatic watering comprises a housing with planting places, pipelines with nozzles and a drainage tray. The pipelines with nozzles are located inside the housing. The walls of the housing are configured for tilting at an angle of 15°up to 45° relative to the vertical, and the angle of inclination can be adjusted. The housing is adapted for joining with other sections by means of connecting elements. A drainage tray with sides is located under the inclined walls and is adapted to the width of the section and the angle of inclination of one or two walls of the section. The planting pockets are designed as 5 to 20 cm deep pockets.EFFECT: efficient and secure operation of the automatic irrigation system through the complete integration of irrigation elements within the structure, automatic removal of excess moisture through sloping walls, and adaptation to any spatial conditions by connecting sections.5 cl, 3 dwg

Description

[0001] The invention relates to devices for vertical plant cultivation, as well as vertical landscaping, namely to phytopanels with automatic plant watering, used in the production of vegetables, berries and salads, as well as in landscape design and interior solutions.

[0002] The closest analogue to the patented solution is a phytopanel with automatic irrigation, known from patent CN218634844U, published on March 17, 2023. The phytopanel is characterized by a wall with reinforcing beams, planting spaces for plants located on the wall, and pipes running above the rows of plants, on which rows of spray nozzles are installed for automatic irrigation of the plants.

[0003] The disadvantage of the known solution is that it does not provide full integration of irrigation, effective drainage and modularity of the design.

[0004] The technical problem solved by the claimed invention is the need to integrate an irrigation system into a structure to protect it from damage, ensure effective drainage through the slope of the walls, and create a modular system that can be scaled to any size.

[0005] The task is solved by placing pipelines with nozzles inside the housing, making the walls of the housing inclined for directed water flow and ensuring the joining of sections to form compositions of variable geometry.

[0006] The technical result of the claimed invention is to ensure the efficient and secure operation of an automatic irrigation system due to the complete integration of irrigation elements into the structure, automatic removal of excess moisture through inclined walls, and adaptation to any spatial conditions by joining sections.

[0007] The stated technical result is achieved through the design of a phytopanel section with automatic irrigation, comprising a housing with planting spaces, pipelines with nozzles, and a drainage tray. The pipelines with nozzles are located inside the housing, the housing walls are sloped, and the housing can be joined to other sections using tongue-and-groove joints, guides, or latches, allowing the individual sections to be combined into a single structure. A drainage tray with sides is located beneath the sloped walls, with the tray width adapting to the width of the installation.

[0008] The solution is further explained with references to figures, which show the following.

[0009] Fig. 1 – general view of the phytopanel.

[0010] Fig. 2 – view of the phytopanel from the inside.

[0011] Fig. 3 – side view of the phytopanel.

[0012] The phytopanel design is a modular vertical growing / greening system consisting of several key elements. The core of the structure is frame 1, made of durable plastic or a metal frame. Frame 1 has characteristic inclined walls 2 with an angle of 15 to 45 degrees, which can be adjusted using various known mechanisms installed either in the parallel side walls or at the bottom of the frame. The inclined walls serve a dual function: they provide structural rigidity and direct drainage for excess moisture.

[0013] The interior of housing 1 contains an irrigation system consisting of pipelines 5 with nozzles 6. Pipes 5 are laid along horizontal rows of planting pockets 3, delivering water directly to the plant root zone. Nozzles 6 can be drip or mist-forming, with adjustable intensity by adjusting the water pressure through a pump.

[0014] The pipelines are made of polypropylene, polyethylene or stainless steel and have a modular connection design that can be removed for maintenance.

[0015] Planting pockets 3, varying in depth from 5 to 20 cm, are located on the front surface of housing 1. Their design ensures that plants remain upright. The sloping configuration of the walls 2 ensures the natural drainage of excess water into the drainage tray 4 located at the bottom of the structure.

[0016] The drainage system consists of a tray 4 with sides, which can be either fixed or removable. Tray 4 is equipped with either a drain pipe 8 for water drainage or a removable container for collecting it. The tray has an extendable bottom to accommodate the width and angle of the section (for example, by increasing the angle of one or both walls of the section, the width of the lower section also increases accordingly, and the tray is extended to match the width of the lower section). The tray can be extended by dividing the bottom into two parts and sliding one part over the other, by folding along fold lines in the central part of the bottom, or by making the bottom flexible.

[0017] The system's modularity is ensured by 7 tongue-and-groove or latching connectors on the side walls of the housing, which allow individual sections to be joined into a single structure. The 7 connecting units not only mechanically connect the sections but also seal their irrigation systems.

[0018] The overall dimensions of one section may vary within the range: length 1-6 m, height 0.5-6 m, width 0.2-2 m. All structural elements 1-7 are designed in such a way as to ensure ease of installation, maintenance and replacement of individual components.

[0019] Examples of implementation.

[0020] Example 1.

[0021] For decorative indoor use, such as in offices or shopping centers. The wall slope of this section is minimal, 15 degrees, ensuring sufficient water drainage during watering while visually compacting the structure, saving space. The planting pockets are set at 5 centimeters deep, ideal for growing herbs and succulents with small root systems. The overall dimensions of the section are minimal: 1.2 meters long, 0.7 meters high, and 0.25 meters wide. This configuration uses low-flow drip nozzles, preventing splashing and overwatering in the interior. The drainage channel is removable and extendable, its width adapted to the slight slope; it does not have a drain pipe, but a removable container for manual emptying. The individual sections are connected into a composition using discreet side latches.This ensures the creation of an ergonomic and aesthetically pleasing phytopanel that functions effectively in confined spaces, providing targeted irrigation and the careful collection of excess water.

[0022] Example 2.

[0023] For universal use in façade landscaping or creating green areas on terraces. In this design, the wall slope is 30 degrees, an optimal compromise that ensures effective drainage during intensive watering or rain while preserving a significant usable area for planting. The planting pocket depth is 12 centimeters, allowing for the cultivation of most salad crops, berries, and ornamental plants. The section dimensions are 3 meters long, 2 meters high, and 0.5 meters wide, convenient for installation and the formation of larger structures. The irrigation system is equipped with combination nozzles that can be switched between drip and mist modes depending on weather conditions and plant needs. The drainage channel in this configuration is fixed and extendable, and is connected to the drainage system via a drain pipe.The system's modularity is ensured by reliable tongue-and-groove connections, additionally equipped with seals to ensure a watertight seal across both the structure and the irrigation system. The result is a reliable and durable solution for outdoor use, offering high versatility, reliability, and efficient water management.

[0024] Example 3.

[0025] For use in intensive vertical farming environments, such as industrial greenhouses. The wall angle is set to a maximum of 45 degrees, ensuring immediate and complete drainage of excess nutrient solution, critical for preventing root diseases due to frequent watering. The planting pockets are 20 centimeters deep, essential for the development of strong root systems in highly productive crops. Each section has maximum dimensions: 5.5 meters long, 4 meters high, and 0.8 meters wide, minimizing the number of joints in a large structure and maximizing usable growing space. The irrigation system uses high-pressure misting nozzles, creating a fine aerosol optimal for plant uptake. The piping is made of stainless steel to withstand aggressive nutrient solutions.A wide drainage channel, extended to its maximum width, is directly integrated into the mortar recirculation system. The connecting elements are reinforced, made of the same material as the frame, and are also sealed.

Claims

1. A phytopanel section with automatic watering, comprising a housing with planting places for plants, pipelines with nozzles and a drainage tray, characterized in that the pipelines with nozzles are located inside the housing, the walls of the housing are made with the possibility of tilting at an angle from 15° to 45° relative to the vertical, wherein the angle of inclination can be adjusted, the housing is made with the possibility of joining with other sections by means of connecting elements, a drainage tray with sides is located under the inclined walls and is made with the possibility of adapting to the width of the section and the angle of inclination of one or two walls of the section, the planting places are made in the form of pockets with a depth of 5 to 20 cm.

2. The section according to paragraph 1, characterized in that the nozzles are fog-forming or drip-forming, with the ability to adjust the intensity.

3. The section according to paragraph 1, characterized in that the connecting elements are tongue-and-groove or latching type connecting units.

4. The section according to paragraph 1, characterized in that the pipelines are made of polypropylene, polyethylene or stainless steel and have a modular connecting structure with the possibility of removal for maintenance.

5. The section according to item 1, characterized in that the connecting elements are additionally provided with seals to ensure tightness.

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