Expanded polyethylene (EPE) hydroponic tube column

Abstract

An expanded polyethylene (EPE) hydroponic tube column (2), comprising an EPE hollow tube (20), the wall surface of a cylindrical tube body thereof being provided with circular planting holes (200) used for accommodating planting baskets; and upper and lower cover plates (21), which are circular hole covers made of EPE, wherein the upper and lower cover plates (21) are each provided with a hole (210), so that a water nozzle (30) of a three-way loop connector (31) of a cultivation pipe (3) passes through the holes (210) and is fixed. During assembly, the top and bottom of the EPE hollow tube (20) are closed by fitting the upper and lower cover plates (21) to form a loop water flow.

Description

[0001] This invention relates to an EPE (Expanded Polyethylene) hydroponic tube column, which is made of hollow EPE tubes and features lightweight construction, reducing the cost of hydroponic systems. Background: Hydroponics is a vegetable cultivation method that uses water and nutrient solution to provide the necessary nutrients for plants. This novel planting method improves crop production efficiency, and the hydroponic system uses a closed-loop system, allowing for water reuse. Compared to traditional soil cultivation, water consumption can be reduced by up to 90%. Therefore, hydroponics is particularly important in water-scarce areas, not only aligning with the concept of sustainable development but also effectively controlling water use and reducing environmental burden. Furthermore, with the acceleration of urbanization, urban agriculture has become a development trend. If hydroponic technology can be improved to suit the use of small urban spaces, it will not only provide a source of fresh vegetables but also improve the quality of urban green spaces. Traditional hydroponics, especially commercial hydroponics, still requires a considerable amount of space, which is difficult to acquire and relatively expensive. Therefore, vertical hydroponic systems that reduce planting area have gradually developed. Among these are dedicated upright hydroponic towers, which use a stacked planting method to save space; these are injection-molded from plastic, resulting in a relatively high unit cost. Another simpler vertical hydroponic device, as shown in Figure 1, is a three-dimensional view of a known hydroponic tube column. This known PVC hydroponic tube 1 consists of a PVC water pipe 10 and a nutrient solution container 11. During assembly, the PVC water pipe 10 has several slots 100 in its wall, and the PVC water pipe 10 is placed into the nutrient solution container 11. In use, a vegetable planting basket is placed into the slots 10, and the vegetables grow using the water and nutrient solution in the nutrient solution container 11. While the aforementioned PVC hydroponic pipe 1 is relatively easy to obtain, its unit cost remains high, and processing is difficult. In particular, the PVC hydroponic pipe 1 is heavy and not suitable for vertical hanging, thus its length must be limited, and the number of plants that can be grown is also limited. Therefore, conventional hydroponic agriculture still has many shortcomings. Furthermore, the conventional hydroponic device requires a separate power supply system to transport nutrient solution and water, which is quite inconvenient and hinders its promotion and development. Especially since the water supply system for hydroponics is not a sealed device, its pipes and containers are prone to leakage. The numerous wiring connections also lead to leakage and electrical conduction, frequently resulting in injuries to workers or even endangering lives.The inventors, recognizing the high cost and heavy weight of PVC hydroponic pipes in known vertical hydroponic towers, developed a novel vertical hydroponic column. Through continuous experimentation and testing, they created a column made of EPE (Expanded Polyethylene) hollow tubing. This column is lightweight, reduces equipment, packaging, and transportation costs, and increases production capacity, representing a significant innovation in the industry. The purpose of this invention is to provide an EPE hydroponic column. The technical solution adopted in this invention is as follows: An EPE pearl cotton hydroponic tube column, which includes at least: an EPE pearl cotton hollow tube, the cylindrical tube wall of which has a circular planting groove hole for accommodating a planting basket; upper and lower cover plates, which are circular hole covers made of EPE pearl cotton; wherein, the upper and lower cover plates are each provided with a hole for the water spray head of the three-way loop connector of the cultivation pipe to pass through and be fixed; during assembly, the top and bottom of the EPE pearl cotton hollow tube are locked together by the upper and lower cover plates to form a loop water flow. According to another aspect of the present invention, an EPE (Expanded Polyethylene) hydroponic tube column is provided, comprising at least: an EPE hollow tube with a circular planting groove on its cylindrical tube wall for accommodating a planting basket; upper and lower cover plates, which are circular caps made of EPE foam to close the top and bottom of the EPE hollow tube to form a circulating water flow; wherein the upper and lower cover plates are each provided with a hole for the spray head of the tee-type circulating joint of the cultivation pipe to be inserted and fixed; an EPE hollow inner tube with a diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the EPE hollow tube; a drain pipe, which is a metal tube with a closed top and several drain holes on the top; and a water-permeable cotton cloth layer, which is a water-permeable cotton cloth of appropriate size; during assembly, the drain pipe is first clamped into the central inner hole of the EPE hollow tube. Then, the EPE pearl cotton hollow inner tube is wrapped with a water-permeable cotton cloth to form the water-permeable cotton cloth layer, and then the core of the EPE pearl cotton hollow tube is snapped in. Finally, the top and bottom covers of the EPE pearl cotton hollow tube are snapped closed. According to another aspect of the present invention, an EPE pearl cotton hydroponic tube column is provided, comprising at least: an EPE pearl cotton hollow tube, the cylindrical tube wall of which has several rows of circular planting grooves; wherein, the planting grooves are formed by opening the surface of the cylindrical tube, so that the tube wall faces downwards at a 45° angle.The EPE hydroponic tube column has the following features: an angled top and bottom cover plate, which are circular perforated covers made of EPE pearl cotton; each cover plate has a hole; a water-guiding cylinder with a diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the EPE pearl cotton hollow tube, wherein the surface of the cylinder forms several water-guiding grooves; during assembly, the water-guiding cylinder is inserted into the core of the EPE pearl cotton hollow tube, and then the top and bottom covers of the EPE pearl cotton hollow tube are closed. The planting slots in the EPE pearl cotton hydroponic tube column are formed by opening one or more rows of planting slots on the cylindrical wall of the EPE pearl cotton hollow tube. The planting slots in the EPE pearl cotton hydroponic tube column are formed on the surface of the cylindrical tube, creating a 45° angle with the tube wall facing downwards. The planting slots in the EPE pearl cotton hydroponic tube column are elliptical. The EPE pearl cotton hydroponic tube column, wherein the top and bottom cover plates of the hollow EPE pearl cotton tube are designed to be rotatable at the junction with the tee-shaped loop connector of the cultivation pipe, allowing for adjustment of the angle of the EPE pearl cotton hydroponic tube column. The EPE pearl cotton hydroponic tube column, wherein the planting basket is used for planting leafy vegetables and flowering plants. The EPE pearl cotton hydroponic tube column, wherein the planting basket is an EPE pearl cotton column with a cut. The EPE pearl cotton hydroponic tube column, wherein the water outlet is a rigid plastic tube with a closed top. The EPE pearl cotton hydroponic tube column, wherein the water-conducting cylinder is a metal tube or a rigid plastic tube. In use, first, insert the top spray nozzle of the EPE pearl cotton hydroponic column and suspend it upwards using a steel cable or rope, allowing it to hang in the air. Then, place the planting basket containing leafy vegetables or flowering plants into the planting slot of the hydroponic column and secure it. Alternatively, cut a slit in an EPE pearl cotton column of appropriate length, insert the leafy vegetables or flowering plants into the slit, and finally place it into the planting slot of the hydroponic column and secure it. During cultivation, use the spray nozzle to inject nutrient solution and water into the core of the EPE pearl cotton hydroponic column by spraying or dripping. The roots located at the bottom of the planting basket or EPE pearl cotton tube absorb the nutrient solution and water from the hydroponic column, thus completing hydroponic cultivation. The spray nozzles on the upper and lower cover plates, combined with the T-joint, are designed to rotate, allowing adjustment of the EPE pearl cotton hydroponic column's sun-facing position. This ensures that the planting basket receives ample sunlight, meeting the growth requirements of leafy vegetables.This invention relates to a cultivation pipeline system where a water tower at the top supplies nutrient solution and water. The liquid flows naturally downwards from the water tower into the EPE pearl cotton hydroponic column, where a spray nozzle at the top allows the liquid to be absorbed by the roots and seedlings of leafy vegetables and flowering plants along the inner wall of the pipe. Excess liquid flows back through the cultivation pipe at the bottom of the EPE pearl cotton hydroponic column to a collection tank, and finally is pumped back to the water tower above, forming a water circulation loop. Only one pump is needed to supply the required amount of water for all the plants in the cultivation area. The device has a simple structure and a low failure rate. In another embodiment of this invention, the EPE pearl cotton hydroponic column includes at least: an EPE pearl cotton hollow tube, the cylindrical tube wall of which has one or more rows of circular or elliptical planting slots; wherein, the planting slots are formed on the surface of the cylindrical tube, with the tube wall facing downwards at approximately 45 degrees. An angled cover for accommodating the planting basket; a set of upper and lower cover plates, round perforated covers made of EPE pearl cotton, used to close the top and bottom of the EPE pearl cotton hydroponic column to form a circulating water flow; wherein, the cover plate has a hole for the water spray head of the cultivation pipe to pass through and be fixed; an EPE pearl cotton hollow tube of appropriate length, the diameter of which is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the EPE pearl cotton hydroponic column; a drain pipe, made of a metal or plastic rigid pipe of appropriate length, which is a closed tube body with several drain holes at the top; a permeable cotton cloth layer, which is a permeable cotton cloth of appropriate size. During assembly, first, clamp the metal or plastic rigid tube into the central inner hole of the EPE pearl cotton hollow tube; then, wrap the outer surface of the EPE pearl cotton hollow tube with a water-permeable cotton cloth to form a water-permeable cotton cloth layer, and then clamp it into the core of the EPE pearl cotton hydroponic tube column. Finally, close the top and bottom of the EPE pearl cotton hydroponic tube column with cover plates, and insert a water spray head through the holes of the upper and lower cover plates, and use a T-joint to connect it to the cultivation pipe so that the nutrient solution and water drip into the core of the EPE pearl cotton hydroponic tube column. During use, the nutrient solution and water drip downwards from the spray nozzle onto the core of the EPE pearl cotton hydroponic column. When the amount of liquid dripped is small, it is absorbed by the permeable cotton cloth and then preferentially and evenly introduced into the inner wall of the EPE pearl cotton hydroponic column to facilitate absorption by the roots at the bottom of the planting basket. When the amount of liquid dripped is large, the liquid is introduced through the overflow hole on the overflow pipe, and then diverted from the lower end of the metal or plastic rigid pipe to the permeable cotton cloth layer, and then guided to the entire inner wall of the EPE pearl cotton hydroponic column for absorption by the roots at the bottom of the planting basket.In another embodiment of the present invention, the EPE pearl cotton hydroponic column includes at least: an EPE pearl cotton hollow tube, the cylindrical tube wall of which has one or more rows of circular or elliptical planting grooves; wherein the planting grooves are formed by opening the surface of the cylindrical tube, so that the tube wall forms an angle of about 45° downwards to accommodate the planting basket; a set of upper and lower cover plates, which are circular cover plates made of EPE pearl cotton, used to close the top and bottom of the EPE pearl cotton hydroponic column to form a circulating water flow; wherein the cover plate has a hole for the water spray head of the cultivation pipe to pass through and be fixed; and a rigid plastic or metal water-guiding cylinder with a diameter slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the EPE pearl cotton hydroponic column, wherein the water-guiding cylinder has one or more water-guiding grooves on its surface. During assembly, first, the water-guiding cylinder is inserted into the core of the EPE pearl cotton hydroponic tube column. Finally, the top and bottom of the EPE pearl cotton hydroponic tube column are closed with cover plates. A spray nozzle is then inserted through the holes at the top of each cover plate and connected to the cultivation pipe using a T-joint connector, allowing nutrient solution and water to drip into the core of the EPE pearl cotton hydroponic tube column. During use, the nutrient solution and water drip from the spray nozzles into the core of the EPE pearl cotton hydroponic tube column. The dripping liquid is evenly guided into the inner wall of the EPE pearl cotton hydroponic tube column by the water-guiding grooves on the surface of the water-guiding cylinder. Therefore, only a small amount of nutrient solution and water is needed to supply the roots at the bottom of the planting basket near the inner wall of the EPE pearl cotton hydroponic tube column for absorption and growth, greatly reducing water waste and nutrient solution costs. In the above embodiments of the present invention, a slit is cut into an EPE pearl cotton column of appropriate length, and leafy vegetables or flowering plants are inserted into the slit. Finally, planting slots are made on the cylindrical wall of the hollow EPE pearl cotton tube to accommodate the EPE pearl cotton column planted with leafy vegetables or flowering plants. This slit-cut EPE pearl cotton column is used to replace the more expensive plastic planting baskets; it is readily available and inexpensive to manufacture, effectively reducing the cost of hydroponic equipment.This invention relates to hydroponic columns made of EPE (Expanded Polyethylene) pearl cotton. Utilizing the lightweight nature of this material, the columns can be easily suspended in the air, avoiding contact with soil and preventing interference from weeds or pests, thus eliminating the need for pesticides. This not only reduces environmental pollution but also provides consumers with healthier vegetable products. Especially when several rows of hydroponic columns planted with flowers are suspended in the air, they create a beautiful decorative landscape, enhancing urban greening. Furthermore, the length of the hydroponic columns can be increased as needed, significantly increasing the planting area per unit area and overcoming terrain and location limitations, effectively improving the production efficiency of vertical hydroponics. Moreover, the nutrient solution and water of this invention are transported downwards from an upper water tower, eliminating the need for electrical wiring, saving energy and equipment costs, and avoiding the risks of water and electrical leaks, demonstrating considerable advancement. Figure 1 is a perspective view of a known hydroponic column. Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of this invention. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of this invention. Figure 4 is a first sectional view of the planting process of the present invention. Figure 5 is a second sectional view of the planting process of the present invention. Figure 6 is a third sectional view of the planting process of the present invention. Figure 7 is a first three-dimensional schematic diagram of the assembly of the present invention and the cultivation pipe. Figure 8 is a second three-dimensional schematic diagram of the assembly of the present invention and the cultivation pipe. Figure 9 is a first schematic diagram of the use of the present invention. Figure 10 is a second schematic diagram of the use of the present invention. Figure 11 is a third schematic diagram of the use of the present invention. Figure 12 is a fourth schematic diagram of the use of the present invention. Figure 13 is a fifth schematic diagram of the use of the present invention. Figure 14 is an exploded perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention. Figure 15 is an assembly schematic diagram of another embodiment of the present invention. Figure 16 is a usage schematic diagram of another embodiment of the present invention. Figure 17 is a top view of another embodiment of the present invention. Figure 18 is an exploded perspective view of yet another embodiment of the present invention. The reference numerals are as follows:

[0002] 1 > Commonly known PVC hydroponic pipes;

[0003] 22 EPE pearl cotton hollow inner tube;

[0004] 23 > Overpass pipe;

[0005] 230 > Excess water hole;

[0006] 24 > Water-permeable cotton fabric layer;

[0007] 25. Water-guiding cylinder;

[0008] 250 > Water guide channel;

[0009] 3 > Cultivation pipes;

[0010] 30 > Sprinkler head;

[0011] 31 > Tee-type loop connector;

[0012] 310 > Perforation;

[0013] 32. Steel cable;

[0014] 33 > Water tower;

[0015] 34 > Water collection tank;

[0016] 35. Water pump;

[0017] 36 > Circular steel cable;

[0018] 4 > Planting basket;

[0019] 40 > Leafy vegetables;

[0020] 5 EPE pearl cotton cylinders; 50mm tear;

[0021] 6. Specific Implementation of the Wall Surface First, please refer to Figure 2, which is an exploded perspective view of the present invention. The present invention provides an EPE pearl cotton hydroponic tube column 2, comprising: an EPE pearl cotton hollow tube 20, the cylindrical tube wall having several rows of downward-facing circular planting groove holes 200 at approximately 45° angles; a set of upper and lower cover plates 21, which are circular hole covers made of EPE pearl cotton, used to respectively close the top and bottom of the EPE pearl cotton hollow tube 20; wherein, the upper and lower cover plates 21 are each provided with a hole 210°. Next, please refer to Figure 3, which is a cross-sectional view of the present invention. The present invention provides an EPE pearl cotton hydroponic tube column 2, comprising: an EPE pearl cotton hollow tube 20, the cylindrical tube wall having several rows of downward-facing circular planting groove holes 200 at approximately 45° angles. A beveled circular planting groove 200 is used to accommodate the planting basket; upper and lower cover plates 21, circular perforated covers made of EPE pearl cotton, are used to close the top and bottom of the EPE pearl cotton hollow tube 20; wherein, the upper and lower cover plates 21 are each provided with a hole 210 for the water spray head 30 to pass through and be fixed, and the water spray head 30 is connected to the cultivation pipe 3 via a three-way loop connector 31. Then, please refer to Figure 4, which is a schematic diagram of the first planting section of the present invention. When the EPE pearl cotton hydroponic tube column 2 of the present invention is used for planting, the cylindrical tube wall of its EPE pearl cotton hollow tube 20 is provided with planting groove holes 200 to accommodate the planting basket 4 planted with leafy vegetables 40. Next, please refer to Figure 5, which is a schematic diagram of the second planting section of the present invention. When using the EPE pearl cotton hydroponic tube column 2 of this invention for planting, a slit 50 is cut into an EPE pearl cotton column 5 of appropriate length, and leafy vegetables 40 are inserted into the slit 50. Finally, planting slots 200 are made on the cylindrical tube wall of the EPE pearl cotton hollow tube 20 to accommodate the EPE pearl cotton column 5 planted with leafy vegetables 40, replacing the more expensive plastic planting baskets. Next, please refer to Figure 6, which is a schematic diagram of the planting cross-section of this invention. When using the EPE pearl cotton hydroponic tube column 2 of this invention for planting, the planting basket 4 planted with leafy vegetables 40 is placed into the planting slot 200 of the EPE pearl cotton hollow tube 20 and locked in place, so that the roots of the leafy vegetables 40 protrude slightly from the inner wall of the EPE pearl cotton hollow tube 20. Next, please refer to Figure 7, which is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the assembly of this invention and the cultivation pipe.After the top and bottom of the EPE pearl cotton hydroponic tube 20 of the present invention are closed by a cover plate 21, a water nozzle 30 is inserted into the hole 210 at the top of the cover plate 21 and connected to the cultivation pipe 3 through a three-way loop connector 31. A steel cable 32 is then threaded through the second through hole 310 of the three-way loop connector 31. Finally, both ends of the steel cable 32 are fixed to the wall (not shown in the figure), so that the EPE pearl cotton hydroponic tube 2 is suspended in the air. Continuing, please refer to Figure 8, which is a two-dimensional schematic diagram of the assembly of the present invention and the cultivation pipe. After inserting a water nozzle 30 into the hole 210 at the top of the cover plate 21 of the present invention, and connecting it to the cultivation pipe 3 through a three-way loop connector 31, a steel cable 32 is then threaded through the second through hole 310 of the three-way loop connector 31. In this invention, the EPE pearl cotton hydroponic tube column 2 is suspended in the air. Its design allows for rotation at the junction of the spray nozzle and the three-way loop connector, enabling adjustment of the angle of the planting slot 200 facing the sunlight by rotating the EPE pearl cotton hollow tube 20. Continuing, please refer to Figure 9, which is a schematic diagram of the invention's use. A planting basket 4 containing leafy vegetables 40 is placed into the planting slot 200 of the EPE pearl cotton hollow tube 20 of the EPE pearl cotton hydroponic tube column 2. Since the planting slot 200 is formed at approximately a 45° angle with the tube wall of the pearl cotton hollow tube 20 facing downwards, the planting basket 4 is secured, and its roots at the bottom absorb the nutrient solution 30 and water from the hydroponic tube column. Next, please refer to Figure 10, which is a schematic diagram of the invention's use. In use, the steel cable 32 is threaded through the two through holes 310 of the three-way loop connector 31 of the cultivation pipe 3, and then both ends of the steel cable 32 are fixed to the wall 6, so that the array of EPE pearl cotton hydroponic pipe columns 2 is suspended upward in the air. The planting basket 4 planted with leafy vegetables 40 is placed into the planting groove hole 200 of the EPE pearl cotton hollow tube 20 of the EPE pearl cotton hydroponic pipe column 2. Since it is suspended upward and does not touch the ground, it avoids contact with the soil and interference from weeds or pests. The cultivation pipe 35 is supplied with nutrient solution and water by a water tower 33 located above. The liquid flows naturally downward from the water tower 33 into the spray head 30 at the top of the EPE pearl cotton hydroponic pipe column 2. Excess liquid flows back to the water collection tank 34 through the cultivation pipe 3 at the bottom of the EPE pearl cotton hydroponic pipe column 2, and finally is drawn back to the water tower by the water pump 35. Continuing, please refer to Figure 11, which is a schematic diagram of the use of the present invention.In use, the steel cable 32 is threaded through the second through hole 310 of the three-way loop connector 31, and then both ends of the steel cable 32 are fixed to the wall 6, so that the array of EPE pearl cotton hydroponic tube columns 2 are suspended upwards in the air, forming the first row; then the above steps are repeated to suspend another array of EPE pearl cotton hydroponic tube columns 2 above the first row, forming the second row. Then, the planting basket 4 planted with leafy vegetables 40 is placed into the planting slots 200 of the EPE pearl cotton hollow tubes 20 of the first and second rows of EPE pearl cotton hydroponic tube columns 2. Due to the lightweight material properties of EPE pearl cotton, it can be suspended in multiple layers without terrain restrictions, increasing the unit planting area and improving production efficiency. Next, please refer to Figure 12, which is the fourth schematic diagram of the use of the present invention, and Figure 13, which is the fifth schematic diagram of the use of the present invention. In use, the three-way loop connectors 31 and two through holes 310 of the array of EPE pearl cotton hydroponic tube columns 2 are threaded onto a ring-shaped steel cable 36. The ring-shaped steel cable 36 is then suspended from a steel cable 32 stretched between two walls 6 and fixed to the walls 6, so that the array of EPE pearl cotton hydroponic tube columns 2 is suspended upwards in a ring-shaped arrangement 20. A planting basket 4 planted with leafy vegetables 40 is then placed into the planting slots 200 of the hollow tubes 20 of the array of EPE pearl cotton hydroponic tube columns 2. Due to the lightweight nature of EPE pearl cotton, multiple sets of EPE pearl cotton hydroponic tube columns 2 can be suspended simultaneously, increasing the unit planting area and improving production efficiency. Next, please refer to Figure 14, which is an exploded perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention. This invention provides an EPE (Expanded Polyethylene) hydroponic tube column 2, comprising at least: an EPE hollow tube 20, the cylindrical tube wall having several rows of downward-facing circular planting groove holes 200 at approximately 45° angles; upper and lower cover plates 21, which are circular caps made of EPE foam to close the top of the EPE hydroponic tube column 2; wherein each of the upper and lower cover plates 21 has a hole 210 (only the upper cover plate is shown in the figure); an EPE hollow inner tube 22, the diameter of which is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the EPE hydroponic tube column; a drainage pipe 23, which is a top-closed metal tube with several drainage holes 230 on the top; and a water-permeable cotton cloth layer 24, which is a water-permeable cotton cloth of appropriate size. Furthermore, please refer to Figure 15, which is an assembly schematic diagram of another embodiment of the present invention.When assembling the EPE pearl cotton hydroponic tube column 2 of the present invention, firstly, the water outlet tube 23 is clamped into the central inner hole of the hollow inner tube 22 of EPE pearl cotton; then, the hollow inner tube 22 of EPE pearl cotton is wrapped with a water-permeable cotton cloth to form a water-permeable cotton cloth layer 24, and then clamped into the core of the EPE pearl cotton hydroponic tube column 2; finally, the top and bottom of the EPE pearl cotton hydroponic tube column 2 are clamped closed with a cover plate 21. Further, please refer to Figure 16, which is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of the present invention. When using the EPE pearl cotton hydroponic tube column 2 of this invention, a spray head 30 (only the upper cover plate is shown in the figure) is inserted through the hole 210 at the top of the upper and lower cover plates 21. A three-way loop connector 31 is used to connect it to the cultivation pipe 3. During use, nutrient solution and water drip from the spray head 30 onto the core of the EPE pearl cotton hydroponic tube column 2. After being absorbed by the permeable cotton layer 24, the liquid is evenly introduced into the tube wall of the EPE pearl cotton hydroponic tube column 2 to facilitate absorption by the roots at the bottom of the planting basket (not shown in the figure). When a large amount of liquid is dripped, the liquid is introduced through the overflow hole 230 on the overflow pipe 23, and then diverted from the lower end of the overflow pipe 23 to the permeable cotton layer 24, and then guided to the entire tube wall of the EPE pearl cotton hydroponic tube column 2. Next, please refer to Figure 17, which is a top view schematic diagram of another embodiment of this invention. When using the EPE pearl cotton hydroponic tube column 2 of this invention, the nutrient solution and water drip from the spray head 30 onto the core of the EPE pearl cotton hydroponic tube column 2 (not shown in the figure, please refer to Figure 16). After being absorbed by the water-permeable cotton layer 24, the liquid is evenly introduced into the tube wall of the EPE pearl cotton hydroponic tube column 2. When a large amount of liquid is dripped in, the liquid is introduced through the water outlet hole 230 on the water outlet pipe 23 (not shown in the figure, please refer to Figure 15), and then diverted from the lower end of the water outlet pipe 23 to the water-permeable cotton layer 24, and then guided to the entire tube wall of the EPE pearl cotton hydroponic tube column 2. Finally, please refer to Figure 18, which is an exploded perspective view of another embodiment of this invention.The EPE pearl cotton hydroponic tube column comprises at least: an EPE pearl cotton hollow tube 20, the cylindrical tube wall of which has several rows of circular planting grooves 200; wherein, the planting grooves 200 are formed by opening the surface of the cylindrical tube, so that the tube wall forms an angle of about 45° downwards; upper and lower cover plates 21, which are circular hole covers made of EPE pearl cotton; wherein, the upper and lower cover plates 21 are each provided with a hole 210 (only the upper cover plate is shown in the figure); and a water guiding cylinder 25 with a diameter slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the EPE pearl cotton hydroponic tube column, wherein the outer surface of the water guiding cylinder 25 forms several water guiding grooves 250. During assembly, the water-guiding cylinder 25 is snapped into the core of the EPE pearl cotton hydroponic column 20. This allows the nutrient solution and water to be evenly guided into the inner wall of the EPE pearl cotton hydroponic column 200 through the water-guiding grooves 250 on the outer wall of the water-guiding cylinder 25. Only a small amount of water is needed to effectively supply the growth of hydroponic plants. In summary, this invention uses a hydroponic column made of EPE pearl cotton. Due to its lightweight material properties, it can be easily suspended in the air with a simple device, avoiding contact with soil and interference from weeds or pests. Furthermore, the length of the hydroponic column can be increased as needed to increase the unit planting area, effectively improving the production efficiency of vertical hydroponics. It also does not require electricity, demonstrating considerable advancement.

Claims

The International Bureau received the amended claims on April 30, 2026 (30.04.2026).

1. An EPE (Expanded Polyethylene) hydroponic tube column, characterized in that, It comprises at least: an EPE (Expanded Polyethylene) hollow tube, the cylindrical tube wall of which has circular planting slots for accommodating planting baskets; upper and lower cover plates, which are circular caps made of EPE foam to close the top and bottom of the EPE foam hollow tube to form a circulating water flow; wherein each of the upper and lower cover plates has a hole for the spray head of the tee-type circulating connector of the cultivation pipe to pass through and be fixed; an EPE foam hollow inner tube, the diameter of which is smaller than the inner diameter of the EPE foam hollow tube; a drain pipe, which is a metal tube with a closed top and several drain holes at the top; and a water-permeable cotton cloth layer, which is a water-permeable cotton cloth of appropriate size; during assembly, firstly, the drain pipe is clamped into the central inner hole of the EPE foam hollow tube; then, the EPE foam hollow inner tube is covered with the water-permeable cotton cloth to form the water-permeable cotton cloth layer. Then, insert the core of the EPE hollow tube and then close the top and bottom cover plates of the EPE hollow tube.

2. The EPE pearl cotton hydroponic tube column as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The planting slots are formed by opening one or more rows of planting slots on the cylindrical tube wall of an EPE hollow tube.

3. The EPE pearl cotton hydroponic tube column as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The planting slot is formed by cutting into the surface of a cylindrical tube, creating a 45° angle with the tube wall facing downwards.

4. The EPE pearl cotton hydroponic tube column as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The planting slot is oval in shape.

5. The EPE pearl cotton hydroponic tube column as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The top and bottom covers of the EPE pearl cotton hollow tube are designed to be rotatable at the junction with the tee loop joint of the cultivation pipe, so as to adjust the angle of the EPE pearl cotton hydroponic tube column.

6. The EPE pearl cotton hydroponic tube column as described in claim 1, characterized in that, These planting baskets are used for planting leafy vegetables and flowering plants.

7. The EPE pearl cotton hydroponic tube column as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The planting basket is a column of EPE pearl cotton with a cut.

8. The EPE pearl cotton hydroponic tube column as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The drain pipe is a rigid plastic pipe with a closed top. 13 Amended page (Article 19 of the Treaty)

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