Abstract:
A green roof modular system includes at least four planter modules each including a planter including a bottom wall and a plurality of sidewalls that cooperate with the bottom wall to form an interior space, and a biodegradable insert including a plurality of sidewalls that cooperate with one another to form an interior space, wherein the insert is adapted to retain a plant matter in the interior space of the insert, the plurality of sidewalls of the insert extending above the plurality of sidewalls of the planter, and wherein the plurality of the sidewalls of the insert are adapted to retain a plant matter that extends above the plurality of sidewalls of the planter, such that one of the planter modules abuts each of the remaining three planter modules and substantially no gap exists between the abutting planter modules in plan view.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/230,837 filed on Mar. 31, 2014, entitled “MODULAR PLANTING SYSTEM FOR ROOF APPLICATIONS,” which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/787,002 filed on Mar. 6, 2013, entitled, “MODULAR PLANTING SYSTEM FOR ROOF APPLICATIONS,” now U.S. Pat. No. 8,707,618, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/623,168 filed on Jan. 15, 2007, entitled “MODULAR PLANTING SYSTEMS FOR ROOF APPLICATIONS,” and a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/553,582 filed on Sep. 3, 2009, entitled “MODULAR PLANTING SYSTEMS FOR ROOF APPLICATIONS,” now U.S. Pat. No. 8,555,546 and a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/093,458 filed on Apr. 25, 2011, entitled “MODULAR PLANTING SYSTEM FOR ROOF APPLICATIONS,” and a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/623,168 filed on Jan. 15, 2007, entitled “MODULAR PLANTING SYSTEM FOR ROOF APPLICATIONS,” the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to a modular planting system for roof applications, and in particular to a modular planting system that includes a plurality of planter modules each including a planter and a biodegradable collar member extending upwardly from an uppermost portion of the planter, thereby allowing plant matter to extend above the upper edge of the associated planter and the biodegradable collar to degrade once the planter module is placed adjacent to a plurality of other planter modules, thereby creating a green-roof system. 
         [0003]    Green-roof systems are used in a wide variety of applications, including commercial and residential buildings. The positive thermal properties of the systems result in significant cost savings with respect to cooling of the associated buildings and structures. Further, the systems dramatically reduce the amount of water runoff caused by rainfall, which is particularly critical in urban areas. The systems typically include a soil or aggregate matter supporting plants therein, and barrier layers for protecting the underlying roof and for providing the necessary water barriers and drainage for the associated plants. These methods may include the application of seed-including soils to the selected roof area. However, this method typically requires a significant amount of time until the plants provide adequate coverage. Other methods that have been employed include the use of modular systems, thereby reducing the grow-time required in order to provide adequate coverage by allowing plants to at least partially mature prior to being utilized within a green roof system. However, these systems employ normal planter boxes wherein the plant matter rests below an uppermost edge of the associated planter or container. Such methods, while a vast improvement over previous methods, typically result in several months to years of grow time while the individual sections grow and subsequently fuse together to provide adequate roof coverage. 
         [0004]    A planted roof system is desired that provides adequate roof coverage quickly and economically, while simultaneously being easy to install at a relative low cost. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    One aspect of the present invention is to provide a green roof modular system comprising at least four planter modules, each including a planter including a bottom wall and a plurality of sidewalls that cooperate with the bottom wall to form an interior space, and a biodegradable insert including a plurality of sidewalls that cooperate with one another to form an interior space, wherein the insert is adapted to retain a plant matter in the interior space of the insert, the plurality of sidewalls of the insert extending above the plurality of sidewalls of the planter, and wherein the plurality of the sidewalls of the insert are adapted to retain a plant matter that extends above the plurality of sidewalls of the planter, and wherein one of the planter modules abuts each of the remaining three planter modules such that substantially no gap exists between the abutting planter modules in plan view. 
         [0006]    Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a green roof modular system comprising at least four planter modules each including a substantially rigid planter including a bottom wall, and a biodegradable insert including a plurality of sidewalls that cooperate with one another to form an interior space, wherein the insert is adapted to retain a plant matter in the interior space of the insert, the plurality of sidewalls of the insert extending upwardly from the bottom wall of the planter, and wherein the plurality of the sidewalls of the insert are adapted to retain a plant matter above the bottom wall of the planter, and wherein one of the planter modules abuts each of the remaining three planter modules such that substantially no gap exists between the abutting planter modules in plan view. 
         [0007]    Still another aspect of the present invention is to provide a method for installing a modular green roof system that comprises providing at least four planter modules, wherein the steps of providing each planter module comprises providing a planter that includes a bottom wall and a plurality of sidewalls each having an upper edge and that cooperate with the bottom wall to form an interior space, providing an insert that includes a plurality of sidewalls each having an upper edge and that cooperate with one another to form an interior space, and inserting the insert into the interior space of the planter such that the upper edge of the sidewalls of the insert extend upwardly from the upper edge of the sidewalls of the planter, and placing and growing a plant matter within the interior space of the insert such that at least a portion of the plant matter extends upwardly from the upper edge of the plurality of sidewalls of the planter. The method of installing the modular green roof system further comprises positioning one of the planter modules such that the one planter module abuts the remaining three planter modules and substantially no gap exists between the abutting planter modules in plan view, and removing the insert from within the interior space of the planter of each of the planter modules such that the portion of the plant matter extending upwardly from the upper edge of the sidewalls of the planter abut a portion of plant matter extending upwardly from an upper edge of the planter of at least one of the other planter modules. 
         [0008]    The present inventive green roof system provides coverage of an entire roof area quickly and economically by allowing the associated modules to be grown off-sight in a manner that allows the plant matter to extend upwardly from an associated planter and plant matter within adjacent modules to abut immediately upon installation. Further, the roof system is easy to install at a relatively low cost. Moreover, the system provides improved water communication and drainage between adjacent modules, allows easy maintenance of the overall system, can be installed easily and quickly by even unskilled personnel, is capable of a long-operating life, and is particularly well adapted for the proposed use. 
         [0009]    These and other advantages of the invention will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to the following written specification, claims and appended drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a building employing a green roof system embodying the present invention; 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a green roof planter module that includes a collar member removably inserted into an associated planter; 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view of the planter module; 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is an enlarged perspective view of the planter module including a cut-away portion of the collar member inserted into the planter; 
           [0014]      FIG. 5A  is a partial cross-sectional end view of the planter module; 
           [0015]      FIG. 5B  is a partial cross-sectional end view of an alternative embodiment of the planter module; 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is an end view of the planter; 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  is a partial cross-sectional view of another alternative embodiment of the planer module; 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  is a top perspective view of another alternative embodiment of the planter module including a planter and a supporting drainage member; 
           [0019]      FIG. 9  is a top plan view of the drainage member; 
           [0020]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a building employing a green roof system embodying the present invention; 
           [0021]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of a green roof planter module that includes a biodegradable collar member in-molded within an associated planter; 
           [0022]      FIG. 12  is an exploded perspective view of the planter module; 
           [0023]      FIG. 13  is an enlarged perspective view of the planter module including a cut-away portion of the collar member in-molded the planter; and 
           [0024]      FIG. 14  is a partial cross-sectional end view of the planter module. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0025]    For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,” “left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in  FIG. 2 . However, it is to be understood that the invention may assume various alternative orientations and step sequences, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification are exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise. 
         [0026]    The reference numeral  10  ( FIG. 1 ) generally designates a green roof system embodying the present invention and employed on a building roof  12  and comprising a plurality of individual green roof planter modules  14 . In the illustrated example, each of the planter modules  14  ( FIGS. 2 and 3 ) comprises a planter  16  and a removable collar  18  inserted into the planter  16  such that the collar  18  extends upwardly from an uppermost edge of the planter  16 , thereby allowing the retention of plant matter that extends above an upper edge of the planter  16 . 
         [0027]    Each planter  16  includes a bottom wall  20 , a plurality of walls that include sidewalls  22  and end walls  24  that cooperate with the bottom wall  20  to form an interior space  26 , and a plurality of support tabs  28  ( FIGS. 4 and 5 ) spaced about the interior space  26  and that extend inwardly toward the interior space  26 . Each of the sidewalls and end walls include a top edge  25 . As best illustrated in  FIG. 4 , each of the support tabs  28  extends upwardly from the bottom wall  20  and is spaced from an associated sidewall  22  or end wall  24 . The planter  16  is preferably integrally molded by press forming, and the like, and is constructed of a material such as plastic. In the illustrated example, the planter  16  is providing a rectangularly-shaped overall planform, however, other configurations may also be utilized. Further, it is noted that the tabs  28  are configured to abut the bottom surface of the bottom wall  20  of another planter  16  when multiple planters are placed in a stacked relationship. As illustrated, one of the sidewalls  22  and one of the end walls  24  each include an outwardly-extending overlap tab  29  that overlaps a respective sidewall or end wall of an adjacent planter  16 . 
         [0028]    The collar member  18  includes a plurality of walls  30  each having a bottom edge  32  and a top edge  34 . In the illustrated example, the collar member  18  comprises two pieces that extend in a rectangular manner about the planter  16 . Specifically, the collar member  18  extends about the interior space  26  of the associated planter  16  such that the bottom edge  32  of each of the walls  30  is inserted between the sidewalls and end walls  22 ,  24  of the planter  16  and the associated support tabs  28 , thereby retaining the collar member  18  within the interior space  26  of the planter  16 , and such that the walls  30  of the collar member  18  extend upwardly from the top edge  25  of the sidewalls and end walls  22 ,  24  of the planter  16 . Although locking tabs are illustrated between each of the pieces of the collar, overlapping, non-tabbed ends may also be utilized. 
         [0029]    In operation, the collar member  18  is inserted into the interior space  26  of planter  16 , in a manner described above, and a plant matter that comprises grown plants, plant seedlings, plant seeds and the like, and soil and/or aggregate is also inserted into the interior space  26  of the planter  16 . Subsequently, plants are grown within the interior space  26  until such plant matter extends upwardly above the top edge  25  of the sidewalls and end walls  22 ,  24  of the planter  16 . The planter module  14  is then placed in rows or a grid work-like pattern upon a roof  12  ( FIG. 1 ) and the collar member  18  removed such that the plant matter within the interior space  26  of the planter  16  abuts similar plant matter in adjacent planter modules  14 , thereby providing a connected roof system that will quickly provide an interconnected and aesthetically-pleasing planted surface. Alternatively, the collar member  18  comprises a biodegradable material that may be left within the planter  16  placed within the overall grid work of the green roof system  10 . It is also noted that the walls  30  of the collar member  18  angles outwardly from the sidewalls and end walls  22 ,  24  of the planter  16 , thereby promoting a tight abutment of the plant matter extending above the top edge  25  of the sidewalls and end walls  22 ,  24  between adjacent planter modules  14 . 
         [0030]    The proper communication of water between adjacent planters  16  is provided by various elements within the planter  16 . As best illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the bottom wall  20  of the planter  16  comprises a grid work-like pattern of recesses  36  segmented by raised portions  38 . 
         [0031]    A plurality of drainage apertures  40  extend through the recesses  36  and the raised portions  38 . It is noted that at least a portion of each of the drainage apertures  40  extend through a lowermost portion of the bottom wall  20 , thereby eliminating standing water within the planter  16 . Each of the sidewalls and end walls  22 ,  24  of the planter  16  also include arcuately-shaped recesses or apertures  42  extending therethrough that align with similar apertures of adjacent planters when positioned within the overall gridwork. As illustrated, each of the apertures extends downwardly from the top edge  25  of the sidewalls and end walls  22 ,  24 , a distance that is greater than half of the distance between the top edge  25  and a point at which the bottom wall  20  intersects the sidewalls and/or end wall  22 ,  24 , thereby providing adequate water communication between adjacent planters  16  and further allowing for the migration of plant matter therebetween. 
         [0032]    The reference numeral  14   a  ( FIG. 5B ) generally designates another embodiment of the present inventive planter module. Since the planter module  14   a  is similar to the previously-described planter module  14 , similar parts appearing in  FIGS. 2-4  and  FIG. 5 , respectively are represented by the same, corresponding reference numeral, except for the suffix “a” in the numerals of the latter. In the planter module  14   a,  the top edge  25   a  of each of the sidewalls  22   a  and end walls  24   a  include an upwardly-opening channel  33  defining a pocket  35  within which the bottom edge  32   a  of the collar member  18   a  is inserted. 
         [0033]    The planter  16  ( FIG. 6 ) further includes a pair of gripping reliefs  44  located at each end thereof. Specifically, each relief  44  is provided within the intersection of an associated end wall  24  and the bottom wall  20  such that a user is able to insert their fingers into the reliefs  44 , thereby allowing easy gripping and support of the planter module  14 . 
         [0034]    The reference numeral  14   b  ( FIG. 7 ) generally designates another embodiment of the present inventive planter module  14 . Since the planter module  14   b  is similar to the previously-described planter module  14 , similar parts appearing in  FIGS. 2-4  and  FIG. 7 , respectively are represented by the same, corresponding reference numeral, except for the suffix “b” in the numerals of the latter. In the planter module  14   b,  the intersecting corner  46  between the sidewalls  22   b  and the end walls (not shown) are provided with an aperture  48  extending therethrough, while corresponding corners of the collar member  18   b  are provided with an aperture or recess  50 . The alternative embodiment planter module  14   b  further includes a retainer member that extends about the exterior of the sidewalls and end wall  22   b,    24   b  of the planter  16   b  and extends into the aperture  48  of the planter  16   b  and the apertures  50  of the collar member  18   b,  thereby retaining the collar member  18   b  to the outside of the planter  16   b . It is preferred that the retainer member  52  comprises an elastically-deformable material, such as an elastic cord or rubber band. The retainer member  52  assists in retaining the collar member  18   b  about the planter  16   b,  but allows easy removal of the retaining member  52  and the collar member  18   b  from about the planter  16   b.    
         [0035]    The reference numeral  14   c  ( FIG. 8 ) generally designates another embodiment of the present inventive planter module. Since the planter module  14   c  is similar to the previously-described planter module  14 , similar parts appearing in  FIGS. 2-4  and  FIGS. 8 and 9 , respectively are represented by the same, corresponding reference numeral, except for the suffix “c” in the numerals of the latter. The planter module  14   c  includes a planter  16   c,  a collar member  18   c , and a drainage member  54  supporting the planter  16   c.  The planter  16   c  and collar member  18   c  are similar to the previously-described planter  16  and collar member  18 , the most notable exception being that the bottom wall  20   c  of the planter  16   c  is substantially flat with a plurality of drainage holes or apertures  56  extending therethrough. The drainage member  54  is provided substantially the same planform shape as the planter  16   c  and includes a top wall  58 , a bottom wall  60 , and a plurality of sidewalls  62 . As illustrated, the planter  16   c  includes a plurality of downwardly-extending pegs  63  that are embedded into the drainage member  54 . As best illustrated in  FIG. 9 , the top wall  58  includes an inwardly-extending grid work of passages or recesses  64 . These passages extend between and through the sidewalls  62  of the drainage member  54 . In assembly, the bottom wall  20   c  of the planter  16   c  is supported on the top wall  58  of the drainage member  54  such that the drainage apertures  56  of the planter  16   c  aligns with the recesses  64  of the drainage member  64 , thereby allowing water communication therebetween. Further, the recesses  64  of the drainage member  54  are arranged so as to align the recesses  64  of adjacent drainage members  54  within the overall grid work of planter modules  14   c  when placed upon the roof  12  of the associated building, thereby allowing proper fluid communication between all adjacent planter modules  14   c.  Preferably, the drainage member  54  is comprised of a deformable foam material that allows the bottom wall  60  to be easily deformed when placed upon an uneven roof surface thereby eliminating the need for blocking or altering any of the planters  16   c.  The foam material also provides insulative properties between the planters  16   c  and associated roof  12 . 
         [0036]    The reference numeral  10   d  ( FIG. 10 ) generally designates another embodiment of the green roof system embodying the present invention and employed on a building roof  12   d  and comprising a plurality of individual green roof planter modules  14   d.  Since the green roof system  10   d  is similar to the previously described green roof system  10 , similar parts appearing in  FIGS. 1-5   a  and  FIGS. 10-14  are represented by the same corresponding numeral, except for the suffix “d” in the numerals of the latter. In the illustrated example, each of the planter modules  14   d  ( FIGS. 11 and 12 ) comprises a planter  16   d  and a biodegradable collar  18   d  in-molded within the planter  16   d  such that the collar  18   d  extends upwardly from an uppermost edge  17   d  of the planter  16   d,  thereby allowing the retention of plant matter that extends above the uppermost edge  17   d  of the planter  16   d.    
         [0037]    Each planter  16   d  includes a bottom wall  20   d,  and a plurality of walls that include sidewalls  22   d  and end walls  24   d  (all generally referred to herein as sidewalls) each including a bottom portion  23   d  and an upper portion  25   d  that cooperate with the bottom wall  20   d  to form an interior space  26   d.  Each of the sidewalls and end walls include an uppermost or top edge  17   d.  As best illustrated in  FIGS. 13 and 14 , the planter  16   d  includes a plurality of spacing tabs  28   d  that extend upwardly from the bottom wall  20   d  for spacing stacked planters  16   d  from one another as described herein. The planter  16   d  is preferably integrally molded by press forming, and the like, and is constructed of a material such as plastic. In the illustrated example, the planter  16   d  is providing a rectangularly-shaped overall planform, however, other configurations may also be utilized. Further, it is noted that the tabs  28   d  are configured to abut the bottom surface of the bottom wall  20   d  of another planter  16   d  when multiple planters are placed in a stacked relationship. 
         [0038]    The collar member  18   d  includes a plurality of walls  30   d  each having a bottom portion  31   d  with a bottom edge  32   d  and top portion  35   d  with a top edge  34   d.  In the illustrated example, the collar member  18   d  comprises two pieces that extend in a rectangular manner about the planter  16   d,  and is constructed of a biodegradable material such as fiber products, paper products, wood products, biodegradable plastics, and the like. Specifically, the collar member  18   d  extends about the interior space  26   d  of the associated planter  16   d  such that the bottom portion  31   d  of each of the walls  30   d  is in-molded within the upper portion  25   d  of each of the sidewalls and end walls  22   d,    24   d  of the planter  16   d,  thereby securing the biodegradable collar member  18   d  within the interior space  26   d  of the planter  16   d,  and such that the walls  30   d  of the collar member  18   d  extend upwardly from the top edge  17   d  of the sidewalls and end walls  22   d,    24   d  of the planter  16   d.  The collar member  18   d  is in-molded within the planter  16   d  to form a single, integral unit which may be formed by placing the collar member  18   d  within an associated mold prior to forming the planter  16   d  via a press-forming process, blow molding process, injection molding process or other forming process known in the art. 
         [0039]    In operation, a plant matter that comprises grown plants, plant seedlings, plant seeds and the like, and soil and/or aggregate is inserted into the interior space  26   d  of the planter  16   d . Subsequently, plants are grown within the interior space  26   d  until such plant matter extends upwardly above the top edge  17   d  of the sidewalls and end walls  22   d,    24   d  of the planter  16   d . The planter module  14   d  is then placed in rows or a grid work-like pattern upon a roof  12   d  ( FIG. 10 ), where the biodegradable collar member  18   d  quickly degrades such that the plant matter within the interior space  26   d  of the planter  16   d  abuts similar plant matter in adjacent planter modules  14   d,  thereby providing a connected roof system that will quickly provide an interconnected and aesthetically-pleasing planted surface. It is also noted that the walls  30   d  of the collar member  18   d  angles outwardly from the sidewalls and end walls  22   d,    24   d  of the planter  16   d,  thereby promoting a tight abutment of the plant matter extending above the top edge  17   d  of the sidewalls and end walls  22   d,    24   d  between adjacent planter modules  14   d.    
         [0040]    The proper communication of water between adjacent planters  16   d  is provided by various elements within the planter  16   d.  As best illustrated in  FIG. 11 , the bottom wall  20   d  of the planter  16   d  comprises a grid work-like pattern of recesses  36   d  segmented by raised portions  38   d.  A plurality of drainage apertures  40   d  extends through the recesses  36   d  and the raised portions  38   d.  It is noted that at least a portion of each of the drainage apertures  40   d  extend through a lowermost portion of the bottom wall  20   d,  thereby eliminating standing water within the planter  16   d.  Each of the sidewalls and end walls  22   d,    24   d  of the planter  16   d  also include arcuately-shaped recesses or apertures  42   d  extending therethrough that align with similar apertures of adjacent planters when positioned within the overall gridwork. As illustrated, each of the apertures extends downwardly from the top edge  17   d  of the sidewalls and end walls  22   d,    24   d,  a distance that is greater than half of the distance between the top edge  17   d  and a point at which the bottom wall  20   d  intersects the sidewalls and/or end wall  22   d,    24   d,  thereby providing adequate water communication between adjacent planters  16   d  and further allowing for the migration of plant matter therebetween. 
         [0041]    The present inventive green roof system provides coverage of an entire roof area quickly and economically by allowing the associated modules to be grown off-sight in a manner that allows the plant matter to extend upwardly from an associated planter and plant matter within adjacent modules to abut immediately upon installation. Further, the roof system is easy to install at a relatively low cost. Moreover, the system provides improved water communication and drainage between adjacent modules, allows easy maintenance of the overall system, can be installed easily and quickly by even unskilled personnel, is capable of a long-operating life, and is particularly well adapted for the proposed use. 
         [0042]    In the foregoing description, it will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art, that modifications may be made to the invention without departing from the concepts as disclosed herein, such modifications are to be considered as included in the following claims, unless these claims by their language expressly state otherwise.