MOUNTING PANEL FOR A VERTICAL GARDEN, VERTICAL GARDEN SYSTEM WITH FOLDABLE PANELS, AND MOUNTING AND DISMOUNTING METHODS THEREOF

Disclosed are vertical garden systems for growing and developing plants on substantially vertical or inclined wall segments, wherein said garden systems comprise a plurality of mounting panels that can be mounted, dismounted, opened and closed independently of each other, so that it is possible to generate inspection areas of the wall segment without the need to dismount the mounting panels. Such vertical garden systems can be easily installed without substantially damaging the wall segment. An irrigation system and a monitoring system for the vertical garden system with high efficiency in water consumption and low operating and maintenance costs are also envisaged. Methods of mounting and dismounting the mounting panels in the vertical garden system are also disclosed.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates, in general, to garden systems for growing and development of plants on essentially vertical or inclined wall segments, wherein said garden systems comprise a plurality of mounting panels, wherein said mounting panels are foldable independently of each other, so that they make it possible to generate one or more inspection areas of the wall segment in which said garden systems are mounted.

The invention also relates to a mounting panel for a vertical garden that comprises at least one mechanism for mounting and dismounting to a wall segment and a plurality of pixels or bags with plants or seedlings previously placed on the mounting panel, wherein the mounting and dismounting mechanism allows a selective opening of the panel mounted on the wall segment.

The invention further relates to methods of mounting and dismounting a plurality of mounting panels so as to form a vertical garden system on a wall segment.

The invention further relates to an irrigation system of the vertical garden system, which can be monitored and controlled remotely by a monitoring system so as to ensure greater quality and efficiency of the vertical garden system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Vertical gardens, also known as green walls or living walls, have been known for some time, and have been characterized by combining artistic, architectural, and even environmental aspects.

In recent times, the popularization of vertical gardens is attributed to the French botanist and researcher Patrick Blanc, who developed a hydroponic system at the end of the20th century for growing plants on vertical surfaces. His designs integrated architectural structures with integrated plants, thus creating visually impressive and, at the same time, environmentally friendly installations.

A vertical garden system is known, for example, from U.S. Pat. No. 9,226,457 B2 to Laurence et al. Such document describes, in general, a module for growing plants that is installed on a vertical wall, wherein the module includes a body for housing a growing medium for plants. Additionally, a drainage channel is installed to collect excess water that is provided to the module and that the plant is not able to retain, so that said excess water can be stored and/or recirculated in the system later through an irrigation system.

In all known vertical garden systems, including the aforementioned, there is the problem that, despite the surplus water collection systems and irrigation systems, it is inevitable that excess humidity is generated in the back of the modules that face the wall on which they are installed. Worse still, in known vertical garden systems, it is not possible to inspect the wall without having to remove the modules comprising it, so, when maintenance has not been carried out in a certain time, it is possible that the wall has substantial damage and irreparable caused by excess humidity, mold and even the formation of saltpeter. In fact, in all vertical garden systems known to date, damage due to excess humidity and the formation of mold and/or salt on the wall that supports the plant growing modules is a common problem.

In addition to the above, despite the use of irrigation systems in vertical gardens, it is common to have problems of insufficient or excess irrigation, which leads to low efficiency in plant development and a high cost to hold them in a more or less profitable manner.

Another typical problem with known vertical gardens is that their installation may cause irreversible damage to the wall segment on which they are installed, or may even require costly architectural and structural modifications which, over time, may require expensive repairs in the event that it may be necessary to permanently remove the vertical garden system.

Furthermore, in known vertical garden systems it is practically infeasible to consider the possibility or need to dismount, at least temporarily, or even permanently, one or all of the modules that make up the vertical garden system.

Furthermore, known vertical garden systems involve complex installation methods which, in many cases, require important and expensive structural or architectural modifications.

Therefore, it is desirable to have a vertical garden system that allows its modules to be easily mounted and dismounted and, at the same time, allows the wall on which said system is installed to be easily inspected without having to remove its modules.

Likewise, it is desirable to have a vertical garden system with high efficiency and low cost in plant growing, water use, and maintenance.

Furthermore, it is desirable to have a vertical garden system that requires minimal modifications to the wall for installation, maintenance, and possible temporary or permanent removal.

Likewise, it is desirable to have an irrigation system for a vertical garden system that allows to take advantage of the water resource and ensure an adequate level of hydration for the plants in the vertical garden system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

In order to resolve the drawbacks of the state of the art, certain aspects of the invention refer to a mounting panel for vertical gardens that comprises a plurality of plants or seedlings mounted on a first face, and at least one hinge mechanism that allows mounting and dismounting the panel, as well as selectively opening it to the left or right, in a substantially vertical wall segment.

Additional aspects of the invention relate to a support structure, which can be installed in a substantially fixed manner in a wall segment and which comprises a hinge mechanism designed to coincide with the hinge mechanism of the mounting panel, so that, on one hand, the support structure allows easy and quick installation in the wall segment without causing considerable damage and, on the other hand, it enables selective mounting, dismounting and opening of a plurality of mounting panels independently of each other.

According to certain aspects, a method of mounting a plurality of mounting panels on a plurality of support structures is disclosed which, in turn, are substantially fixedly installed on a wall segment, wherein the wall segment can have an inclination between0º and up to105º with respect to the horizontal or earth surface.

Additional aspects of the invention relate to an irrigation system for a vertical garden system comprising a plurality of hollow, rigid or flexible conduits, or a combination thereof, suitable for water distribution, and a plurality of sprinklers installed in at least one of said conduits, so as to supply water substantially uniformly to the vertical garden system. The irrigation system also comprises a water tank or reservoir, which is preferably enabled with a remote on and off control, wherein said tank or reservoir has enough capacity to supply all the plants of the vertical garden system without an external source for a certain time. Additionally, the use of a water pumping means is provided for supplying water from the tank or reservoir to the plurality of sprinklers, and at least one stop valve, which, preferably, is enabled with a remote opening and closing control. In addition, the use of at least one water collection gutter is provided, which is installed to capture excess water that can be filtered from the plants of the garden system or generated from external sources such as, for example, rain or external irrigation through drinking water supply tankers. Furthermore, the use of a filtration means appropriately installed between the collection gutter and the tank or reservoir is provided in order to eliminate or at least reduce the presence of both organic and inorganic contaminating agents.

Additional aspects of the invention relate to a remote monitoring system for monitoring and controlling the hydration status of a vertical garden system, comprising a first computer system in communication with a second computer system via a communication network, as is known in the art. Preferably, the first computer system is installed locally in the vertical garden system, while the second computer system is installed remotely. Both the first computer system and the second computer system are configured to monitor and control certain parameters of the vertical garden system such as, for example, the level of water stored in the tank or reservoir of the irrigation system, the turning on and off of the water pumping means, the opening and closing of the stop valve, the humidity level of at least one section of the vertical garden, the level of water flow supplied by the irrigation system. In this way, the remote monitoring system can implement a computer-readable medium that enables or executes a software application to monitor and control certain parameters of the vertical garden system, as well as to generate records and projections of water consumption, longevity of the plants, and cost of operation and maintenance of the vertical garden system.

These and other aspects and advantages of the present invention and the solution to the previous objectives, and even others, will be apparent to those skilled in the art from reading the following detailed description of embodiments of the invention that, together with the accompanying drawings, illustrate aspects of the invention without limitation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A mounting panel10for vertical gardens in accordance with certain aspects of the invention is shown schematically inFIG.1. The mounting panel10for vertical gardens comprises a front wall11and a rear wall12. The front wall11constitutes a first mounting face for a plurality of pre-planted bags or pixels, as will be described in greater detail below. On the other hand, the rear wall12constitutes a second mounting face for at least one hinge mechanism13which allows, on one hand, to mount and dismount the mounting panel10on a substantially vertical wall or surface, as will be described later, and on the other hand, open the mounting panel10selectively to the right or left, seen from the front, and close the mounting panel10again, when the mounting panel10is mounted on a wall substantially vertical. Preferably, the rear wall12comprises two hinge mechanisms13, which can be installed and manipulated independently of each other or even simultaneously. Each hinge mechanism13may comprise at least one vertical bar14which is attached by suitable means to the rear wall12of the mounting panel10, for example, by screws, rivets, bolts, adhesive, welding or a combination thereof. Furthermore, at least one winding pin or spool19is arranged such that it passes at least substantially through the mounting panel10and the vertical bar14. Preferably, each hinge mechanism13comprises two winding spools19. Optionally, each hinge mechanism13may comprise three or more winding spools19.

Particularly preferably, a plurality of mounting panels10is provided, wherein each mounting panel10may have variable dimensions and shape, for example, square in shape with dimensions of 60×60 cm or 120×120 cm, or of rectangular shape with dimensions of 60 cm base×120 cm height, or 120 cm base×60 cm height. Furthermore, each mounting panel10may have a thickness between 10 and 20 mm.

Preferably, each mounting panel10is made in one piece from a plastic material, for example, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polypropylene (PP), foamed polyvinyl chloride (PVC).

On the other hand, preferably, each of the vertical bars14is made of metal, for example, steel, stainless steel, aluminum or aluminum alloy.

Furthermore, the vertical bars14can be attached to the mounting panel10by suitable means, for example, by adhesive suitable for joining metals and plastics, but also by bolts, pins, screws, or a combination thereof.

FIG.2is a schematic representation of the mounting panel10from a rear view ofFIG.1. As seen in this figure, the rear wall12comprises, for example, at least one, in particular two hinge mechanisms13, each of which is installed near the vertical side edges of the mounting panel10. Each of the vertical bars14comprises at least one, preferably two primary hinge elements15, and at least one, preferably two support and guide elements16. Furthermore, a respective fixing bolt17is arranged to pass at least partially through a respective primary hinge element15and a respective support and guide element16such that each fixing bolt17can move upwards (contracted position) and downwards (extended position) through both the respective primary hinge element15and the respective support and guide element16. The fixing bolt17is slidable upwards by a pulling element18, for example, a metal cable, preferably a steel cable, which in turn can be wound around the respective bolt or winding spool19. Furthermore, each fixing bolt17is slidable downwards by the action of an elastic element20, for example, a spring, as will be described in more detail below.

Particularly preferably, each of the fixing bolts17is designed to remain in its extended position due to the elastic element20. Furthermore, particularly advantageously, each fixing bolt17can include a means for locking the same in its retracted position, the locking means of which can be activated and deactivated by the use of a tool that acts on the respective winding spool19.

FIGS.3,4and5are schematic representations of the mounting panel10according toFIG.2now showing, in an exemplary manner, a pair of support structures40, also called battens, in which said mounting panel10can be foldably mounted. Each of the support structures40may in turn be mounted, for example, to a substantially vertical wall by suitable mounting means such as, without limitation, bolts, screws, pegs, hardware, etc., as will be described later. Each support structure40comprises at least one vertical bar41and at least one, preferably two secondary hinge elements42. The mounting panel10can be mounted on, and detached from, the support structures40through the use of a tool30, as will be described in greater detail below. In use, each of the tools30can be aligned with a respective head portion of each of the winding spools19along a respective rotation axis, such that each tool30can cause one rotation of each winding spool19in its respective longitudinal axis which, in turn, can cause a pulling or releasing effect of the respective pulling element18, as described in greater detail below.

Preferably, each of the tools30has a distal portion that is designed to match with a head portion of the winding spools19, such that the distal portion of the tools30allows for a form-fitting engagement with, and can therefore exert a rotational action on the head portions of the winding spools19.

As can be seen inFIG.5, each hinge mechanism13is substantially, non-permanently, fixedly mounted on a respective support structure40. More specifically, each primary hinge element15rests at least partially on a respective secondary hinge element42, and each respective fixing bolt17can substantially pass through the respective primary hinge element15and the respective secondary hinge element42. Each set formed by a primary hinge element15, a secondary hinge element42and a fixing bolt17forms what is generally known in the art as a hinge in which the primary hinge element15and the secondary hinge element42are rotatable relative to each other with respect to the fixing bolt17. Nevertheless, unlike traditional hinges, the primary hinge element15can be separated from, i.e. no longer supported by, the respective secondary hinge element42by removing the fixing bolt17away from the secondary hinge element42, as will be described later.

FIGS.6to8show schematic representations of the steps of a method for constructing a vertical garden panel in accordance with certain aspects of the invention. According to the invention, at least one mounting panel10is provided having a front wall11and a rear wall12. At least two hinge mechanisms13are installed on the rear wall12of the mounting panel10, as described above. A plurality of winding spools19are positioned spanning from the front wall12to the vertical bar14of the respective hinge mechanisms13. Additionally, at least one plant and bag assembly50, referred to herein as pre-planted pixel, is provided, each of which can be mounted in a substantially fixed manner on the front wall11of the mounting panel10. Each pre-planted pixel50comprises at least one receptacle or bag51for receiving at least one plant or seedling53therein and a growth and development means for plants, as is known in the art. Each receptacle or bag51is mounted with the aid of a plurality of suitable fixing means52, for example, by means of screws or pins, which pass through a portion of the receptacle or bag51and at least partially the front wall11of the mounting panel10.

Preferably, the bag51of each pre-planted pixel50is configured with a substantially rectangular shape, in particular square in shape, with preferred dimensions of 15×15 cm, with a 2 cm flange on its upper portion. Additionally, each bag51may be manufactured from a needle-punched plastic textile material, for example, felt. To elaborate each bag51, a preform is used to obtain pieces of such textile material in a rectangular shape with dimensions, for example, 32 cm×17 cm; said rectangular shape is folded along a longitudinal axis located at a distance of 15 cm from the long side of the rectangle, thus obtaining two squares, one with dimensions of 15×17 cm and one of 17×17 cm. Subsequently, using nylon thread, a 15 cm longitudinal seam is made one centimeter from each of the edges perpendicular to the fold previously made. Finally, the piece is turned over so that the faces that were previously inside are on the outside and vice versa, thus ensuring that the seams are hidden inside and resulting in a bag51with dimensions of 15×15 cm with the two centimeter tab on the top side.

Particularly preferably, a plurality of bags51is mounted on the front wall11of the mounting panel10in a matrix arrangement (see in particularFIG.8), such that the plurality of bags51covers at least substantially an area surface of the front wall11of the mounting panel10.

Referring now toFIGS.9and10, steps regarding mounting a mounting panel10on a support structure40, also referred to as a batten, are shown in greater detail in accordance with certain aspects of the invention. The mounting panel10comprises a plurality of pre-planted pixels50, each with at least one bag51which, in turn, comprises at least one plant or seedling53, on the front wall11of the mounting panel10. At least a hinge mechanism13is mounted on the mounting panel10so that the vertical bar14is fixed on the rear wall12of the mounting panel10. The mounting panel10is mounted on a support structure40so that each primary hinge element15of the hinge mechanism13is at least partially mounted on a respective secondary hinge element42of the support structure40. This requires at least one installer or technician to manipulate a tool30to rotate in a first direction the winding bolt or spool19so that the pulling element18is wound on the winding bolt or spool19and, in turn, pulls or retracts the fixing bolt17, simultaneously causing a contraction action on the elastic element20, as shown inFIG.9. Once all the fixing bolts17are retracted and the primary hinge elements15are aligned with the respective secondary hinge elements42, the technician manipulates each tool30to rotate the winding bolts or spools19in a second direction, opposite to the first direction, so that the contraction force exerted on the elastic elements20can be released and the fixing bolts17pass substantially through the respective secondary hinge elements42, as shown inFIG.10. In this condition, each hinge mechanism13is fixedly, non-permanently mounted, on the respective support structure40.

Referring now toFIGS.11to15, steps regarding mounting a plurality of mounting panels10on at least one wall segment60are shown in greater detail. Particularly advantageously, the wall segment60can have an inclination angle α between 0° and up to 105° with respect to the horizontal or earth surface.

With particular reference toFIG.11, a plurality of support structures40are provided, each support structure40comprising a vertical bar41which in turn comprises a plurality of secondary hinge elements42, which are designed to match in size, dimension and spacing with respective primary hinge elements of the mounting panels, as illustrated inFIG.12.

Subsequently, as illustrated inFIGS.12and13, a plurality of mounting panels10are provided, each of which is composed as described above in relation toFIGS.1-8. Each mounting panel10is aligned, either on its left or right vertical side, with the wall segment60so that, in particular, the primary hinge elements of the hinge mechanism13are aligned with respective secondary hinge elements42of the support structure40. Preferably, a technician uses a tool to rotate the bolts or winding spools in a first direction so as to retract the fixing bolts (see, e.g.,FIG.9and its related description). Once the winding pins or spools are retracted, the primary hinge elements are mounted to the secondary hinge elements42. The technician then uses the tool to rotate the winding bolts or spools in a second direction causing the fixing bolts to extend (see, e.g.,FIG.10and its related description). Once the fixing bolts have extended, a joint has been generated that allows the mounting panel10to rotate with respect to the support structure40in a manner similar to a door. At this time, the technician can rotate each mounting panel10already mounted on a support structure40so as to align each free or “cantilevered” hinge mechanism with a respective free mounting structure40. Once again, the technician is required to rotate each bolt or winding spool in a first direction in order to retract the fixing bolts and, once the primary hinge elements are mounted on the respective secondary hinge elements42, the technician rotates the bolts or winding spools in a second direction in order to cause extension of the fixing bolts through the primary and secondary hinge elements. This process is carried out on each of the mounting panels10such that, as illustrated inFIG.14, the wall segment60comprises a vertical garden system70formed by a plurality of mounting panels10.

Advantageously, the vertical garden system70according to aspects of the invention allows a technician to “open” and “close” each of the mounting panels10independently of each other. For the opening process, the technician uses the tool described above to rotate the bolts or winding spools that are located on a vertical side on either the left side or the right side of the vertical mounting panel10, which releases (retracts) the fixing bolts of the primary and secondary hinge elements, so that it is now possible to rotate the mounting panel10, for example, to the left as inFIG.15. In this way, with at least one open mounting panel10it is possible to visualize at least one inspection area61of the wall segment60. After inspection, it is possible to “close” again each of the mounting panels10that have been opened in the same way as described above. Accordingly, the vertical garden system70according to the invention comprises a plurality of mounting panels10, each of which is foldable independently of the others.

Referring now toFIG.16, the components of an irrigation system80in accordance with certain aspects of the invention are schematically illustrated. The irrigation system80is intended to provide drinking water to a vertical garden system70, which comprises a plurality of mounting panels10as described above. The irrigation system80comprises a plurality of rigid or flexible hollow tubes or conduits82, or a combination thereof, suitable for water distribution, as is known in the art. In addition, a plurality of sprinklers81are installed in at least one of the plurality of tubes or conduits82. The irrigation system80further comprises a water reservoir or tank83, which has enough capacity to supply all the plants mounted on the plurality of mounting panels10for at least 5 days without the need to be replenished from an external source, and a water pumping means84and at least one stop valve85, which preferably is a remote controlled solenoid valve.

The irrigation system80further comprises at least one water collection gutter86, which is configured to collect, on one hand, excess water that filters downwards after dispensing water through the plurality of sprinklers81and, on the other hand, capture excess water that may be produced by external sources, for example, by rain or external irrigation. The water collection gutter86may be connected to the tank or reservoir83by suitable return pipe87, as is known in the art. Additionally, at least one filtration means88can be installed between the water collection gutter86and the tank or reservoir83in order to eliminate or at least reduce the presence of organic or inorganic contaminating agents.

Referring now toFIG.17, the components of a remote monitoring system90in accordance with certain aspects of the invention are schematically illustrated. The remote monitoring system90is configured to monitor and control the hydration status of the vertical garden system70, which comprises a plurality of mounting panels10as described above.

The remote monitoring system90comprises a first computer system91in communication with a second computer system92via a wired and/or wireless network93, as is known in the art. Preferably, the first computer system91is configured to locally monitor and control certain parameters in the vertical garden system70, while the second computer system92is configured to remotely monitor and control said parameters.

The remote monitoring system90further comprises a controller94in communication with at least one water level sensor95, which is suitably installed inside the tank or reservoir83, with at least one humidity sensor96installed in at least one of the panels10of the vertical garden system70, and with a flow sensor99which is suitably installed in the irrigation system80.

Furthermore, the controller94is in communication with a first actuator97configured to remotely control the turning on and off of the pumping means84, and with a second actuator98configured to remotely control the opening and closing of the stop valve85.

Particularly advantageously, the first computer system and the second computer system are configured to execute a computer-readable medium, which in turn enables or executes a software application to monitor and control certain parameters of the vertical garden system; for example, measuring the fill level of the water tank or reservoir, measuring a humidity level of at least one section of the vertical garden system, measuring the level of water flow supplied by the irrigation system, controlling the turning on and off of the water pumping means, open and close the stop valve, as well as generate records and projections of water consumption, plant longevity, operation and maintenance cost of the vertical garden system.

The aspects described in this specification can be carried out in various ways depending on the needs. Modifications or variations to adapt the invention to meet those needs will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such modifications or variations are intended to be included in this disclosure.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS