JP2000201537A - Plant cultivation unit - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide the subject unit capable of realizing water holding and maintaining of a plant rearing material for a long period even in the case of no water absorption and maintaining the life of a cultivated plant for a long period by providing a water absorbing part having a specific water absorbing power. SOLUTION: This plant cultivation unit 10 is obtained by placing a container body 20 having the opened top and provided with water absorbing parts 24 in the outer part of the bottom 22 on a water storage tank and is capable of forming a water storage space 40 between the bottom 22 of the container body 20 and the bottom 32 of the water storage tank. The plant cultivation unit 10 is composed so that water in the water storage space 40 is absorbed by the water storage space 40 in many stages and the water absorbing power thereof is weakened toward a height close to the bottom 32 of the water storage tank. At this time, the positions at the lower end of the water absorbing parts 24 are preferably set at a prescribed height without reaching the vicinity of the bottom 32 of the water storage tank. The plural water absorbing parts 24 are preferably installed at stepwise heights.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a plant cultivation unit used as a part of a greening measure on a rooftop, a veranda, etc., and particularly to a water storage tank below a container body even when there is no rainfall or when water is not supplied for a long time. The present invention relates to a plant cultivation unit for extending the period during which water can be absorbed into a plant breeding material in a container body, thereby maintaining a long life of the cultivated plant.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, the importance of greening measures in cities has been recognized, and greening has also been promoted on building roofs, verandas, and the like. As a means for contributing to such greening, for example, a bottom irrigating type plant cultivation unit as shown in FIG. 8 has been proposed, and a plant can be cultivated on the rooftop of a building or the like using this unit.

The plant cultivation unit 1 comprises a container body 2 and a water storage tank 3. The container body 2 has a substantially rectangular shape with an open top, and has legs 2 at its four corners on the outer surface of a bottom 2a.
b, and a plurality of protrusions 2c, which are water absorbing portions for absorbing moisture, are formed at the same height. Therefore, a plurality of water absorption holes 2d are formed in the bottom surface of the protrusion 2c. At a lower end portion of the side wall 2e of the container body 2, a required number of drain holes 2f for draining surplus water due to rainfall or the like are formed. The height of the side wall 3a is substantially the same as the height of the leg 2b, and the height of the protrusion 2c does not reach the bottom 3b but is located near the bottom 3b. The size is such that the legs 2b at the four corners can be just fitted.

When the plant cultivation unit 1 is used on the roof of a building or the like, the water tank 3 is first placed at a required location on the laying surface, and then the container body 2 is placed on the water tank 3.
Is placed. At this time, the water tank 3 receives the leg 2b of the container body 2, the inner surface of the side wall 3a and the leg 2b are fitted,
Both fit without gaps. In addition, all the lower ends of the protrusions 2c, which are water absorbing bodies, reach near the inner surface of the bottom 3b of the water storage tank 3.

[0005] In the plant cultivation unit 1 arranged on the laying surface as described above, soil or the like is packed as a plant growing material, and a plant such as a lawn is planted, and water is supplied by a watering can or the like. Water is stored in the water storage tank 3. Then, according to the dry state of the plant growing material packed in the container body 2, the water in the water storage tank 3 is absorbed from the lower end of the projecting portion 2c of the container body 2, and the growth of the growing plant is promoted. Become.

However, the above-mentioned plant cultivation unit 1
In the water absorption by the protruding portion 2c, the height of the protruding portion 2c is all the same and reaches near the bottom 3b of the water storage tank 3, and the water absorption area is always constant regardless of the water storage level, and the water is stored in the water storage tank 3. The water that has diminished and disappeared in a short time,
In a short period of time, the cultivated plants will be in a state of water shortage. In such a state of insufficient water, it is necessary to supply water from the upper surface of the container body 2 with a watering can or the like.

[0007] For this reason, when plant cultivation cannot be performed for a long period of time, there are many situations in which the water in the water tank is completely lost, the plant growing material dries, and the growing plant eventually withers. Become. In particular, when the moisture evaporating from the leaves of the growing plant and the surface of the plant growing material is extremely large, such as on a hot summer day, the amount of water absorbed from the bottom of the container increases accordingly. May wither.

Further, in the plant cultivation unit 1 described above, only the water is drained from the drain hole 2f formed in the lower part of the side wall 2e of the container body 2, and the residual water in the water storage tank 3 is not replaced at all, and the excess rainwater is removed. It only adds. Therefore, there is a possibility that the remaining water in the water storage tank 3 may be rotten. Although there is an automatic irrigation method to prevent such water rot, the cost of construction and maintenance is unavoidably high.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention has been developed from a completely different point of view. By gradually adjusting the water content in the tank into the plant growing material and absorbing water, even if there is no water supply for a long period of time, water retention of the plant growing material is realized,
An object of the present invention is to provide a plant cultivation unit that can maintain the life of a cultivated plant for a long time.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a plant cultivation unit which can prevent water decay of residual water in a water storage tank and can be easily managed at an extremely low cost.

[0011]

According to the plant cultivation unit of the present invention, a container body having an upper opening provided with a water absorbing portion outward from the bottom is placed in a water tank having an upper opening, and the bottom of the container body and the container body having the water absorbing section are connected to the bottom. In the plant cultivation unit that forms a water storage space between the bottoms of the water storage tanks, the water absorption unit absorbs water in the water storage space in multiple stages, and the water absorption capacity becomes weaker as the water absorption power becomes closer to the water storage tank bottom. It is characterized by having such a configuration.

The plant cultivation unit is characterized in that the position of the lower end of the water absorbing section is set to a predetermined height that does not reach the vicinity of the bottom of the water tank.

Further, the plant cultivation unit is characterized in that a plurality of the water absorbing portions are provided at a stepwise height.

Further, these plant cultivation units are characterized in that an opening is formed near the boundary between the container body and the water storage tank.

[0015]

The plant cultivation unit according to the present invention employs a water guiding means having a structure for gradually reducing the amount of water supply in multiple stages when water is introduced from the water storage tank to the plant growing material in the container body. It is possible to maintain the cultivated plants for a long period of time even when the plant is absent for a long period of time, and to construct a plant cultivation system that can cope with a long-term non-water supply state.

Further, by forming the opening, when water is introduced into the water storage tank due to rainfall or the like, the water in the water storage tank is discharged and replaced. As a result, the water stored in the water storage tank is purified by self-help, and water rot in the water storage tank is prevented.

[0017]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, the present invention will be described based on specific embodiments, but the present invention is not limited to such embodiments.

The first embodiment of the plant cultivation unit 10 comprises a container body 20 and a water tank 3 as shown in FIGS.
It consists of 0. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the first embodiment of the plant cultivation unit, and FIG. 2 is a partial longitudinal sectional view of FIG.

The container body 20 has a side wall 2 having an open top.
1 and a bottom 22, the side wall 21 has a step and the upper opening area is large. Discontinuous legs 23 are formed at the four corners of the outer surface of the bottom 22, and a plurality of protrusions 24 serving as water absorbing portions are protruded outward in a range surrounded by the legs 23 on the outer surface of the bottom 22. . A plurality of water absorption holes 24b are formed in the lowermost bottom surface 24a of each projection 24. When growing plants are planted in the container body 20, it is preferable that a material that absorbs moisture, such as a nonwoven fabric or perlite, be stored inside the protruding portion 24 to form a moisture absorbing portion as a whole. Further, the protruding portion 24 itself may be formed of a substance capable of absorbing moisture to serve as a water absorbing portion. still,
The projecting portion 24 serving as a water absorbing portion may be singular.

The water storage tank 30 has a substantially rectangular shape in plan view including a side wall 31 having an open top and a bottom part 32, and is substantially the same size as the bottom part 22 of the container body 20.
A concave portion 31a for fitting and positioning the discontinuous leg portion 23 of the container body 20 is formed.

In the above description, the height of the discontinuous leg 23 of the container body 20 and the depth of the side wall recess 31a of the water storage tank 30 are determined by setting the container body 20 on the water storage tank 30 and
3 and the recess 31a are fitted together, the container body 2
The water storage space 40 is formed between the outer surface of the bottom part 22 of the water tank 0 and the inner surface of the bottom part 32 of the water storage tank 30, and the opening 50 is provided near the upper part of the water storage space 40. The opening 50 is provided between the discontinuous legs 23 and between the bottom 22 and the side wall 31.
It is formed between the upper ends, and the height h is appropriate.

Then, the container main body 20 is placed and fitted in the water storage tank 30 to form the plant cultivation unit 10. At this time, the lower end position of the projecting portion 24 serving as the water absorption part of the container main body 20 is located near the water storage tank bottom 32. The height is set so as not to reach the predetermined same height. That is, the lower ends of the plurality of protrusions 24 located in the water storage space 40 formed by the container body 20 and the water storage tank 30 are located at predetermined predetermined heights where the water 41 in the water storage space 40 cannot be directly absorbed. Therefore, the water 41 in the water storage tank 30 is directly absorbed from the lower end of the protruding portion 24 to the water level at this position, and the water is guided to the plant growing material in the container body 20 to grow the growing plant. Therefore, the water 41 that is not directly absorbed from the lower end of the protruding portion 24 without reaching the lower end of the protruding portion 24 serving as the water absorbing portion is formed.
Will remain within.

After the height of the water 41 in the water storage tank 30 reaches a predetermined level, the water 41 in the water storage tank 30 evaporates spontaneously, and the protrusion 2 serving as a water absorption part on the outer surface of the container body bottom 22.
4 attached to the lower end, and is absorbed by the plant growing material through the water absorption hole 24b. In addition, this plant growing material itself may constitute a part of the water absorption part. Although the water 41 that evaporates spontaneously is very small, the above-described configuration can maintain the water 41 in the water tank 30 for a long time, and maintain the life of the cultivated plant for a long time although the activity of the cultivated plant cannot be expected much. Becomes possible. That is, it has a two-stage water absorption structure of water absorption by direct water absorption and natural evaporation.

The plant cultivation unit 10 according to the present invention
Another embodiment will be described. FIG. 3 is a partial longitudinal sectional view of the second embodiment of the plant cultivation unit.

FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment of the plant cultivation unit 10. In the above-described first embodiment, the projecting heights of the lower ends of the projecting portions 24 are all substantially the same, whereas in the present embodiment, a plurality of projecting portions 24 serving as water absorbing portions are provided on the outer surface of the bottom portion 22 of the container body 20. Although the lower end position of some of the protrusions 24 is set to be the same height that does not reach the vicinity of the water tank bottom 32, the lower end position of the remaining one of the protrusions 24 is the same. The position is set to a height reaching the vicinity of the inner surface of the bottom 32 of the water storage tank 30. That is, the water absorption structure is a two-stage type water absorption structure in which the bottom surface 24a of some of the protrusions 24 has a height almost reaching the water storage tank bottom 32 which is the lowermost part of the water storage space 40.

In the above structure, when the water 41 in the water storage space 40 reaches the lower end position of the short protrusion 24, water can be directly absorbed by both the short protrusion 24 and the long protrusion 24. Then, when the water level decreases, water can be directly absorbed only by the long protrusion 24 protruding to the lower end of the water storage space 40. The water absorption cross-sectional area of the bottom surface 24 a of the long protrusion 24 is designed to be smaller than that of the short protrusion 24. With this two-stage water absorption structure, it is possible to hold the water 41 stored in the water tank 30 for a long time,
The life of the cultivated plant can be maintained for a long time.

FIG. 4 is a partial longitudinal sectional view of the third embodiment of the plant cultivation unit 10. In this embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, the bottom 22 of the container body 20 is provided.
A plurality of projecting portions 24 serving as absorbing portions project from the outer surface, and all the lower end positions of the projecting portions 24 where the water absorbing holes 24b are located do not reach the vicinity of the water tank bottom 32 which is the lower end portion of the water storage space 40. It is set to be the height. The lower end position of the protruding portion 24 of the present embodiment is
Within 0, it is designed to be positioned at a required level in a stepped manner.

In the above structure, when the plant growing material in the container body 20 absorbs water from the water storage tank 30, the water storage space 4
When there is a water level up to the lower end position (first level) of the short protruding portion 24 located above the short protruding portion 24, the short protruding portion 2
Water can be directly absorbed by both the protrusion 4 and the long protrusions 24 located on the left and right thereof. When there is a water level between the first level and the lower end position (second level) of the long protrusion 24 in the water storage space 40, water can be directly absorbed only by the long protrusion 24, and thus, the growing plant can have water absorption. Can be replenished. At this time, at the lower end of the long protrusion 24 located below in the water storage space 40, the cross-sectional area of water absorption by the water absorption hole 24b is smaller than the cross-sectional area of water absorption at the lower end of the short protrusion 24.

Thereafter, when the water level falls below the second level, the water 41 in the water storage tank 30 evaporates spontaneously as in the first embodiment, and becomes a water absorbing portion protruding from the outer surface of the container body bottom 22. The water adheres to the bottom surface 24a of each protrusion 24 and is guided to the growing plant through the water absorption hole 24b. It should be noted that the plant growing material may constitute the absorbing section. Although the amount of naturally evaporated water is very small, this structure can hold the water 41 in the water tank 30 for a long period of time, and the activity of the cultivated plant cannot be expected so much, but its life can be maintained for a long period of time. That is, it has a three-stage water absorption structure of two stages of direct water absorption and water absorption by natural evaporation.

FIG. 5 is a partial longitudinal sectional view of the fourth embodiment of the plant cultivation unit 10. In the present embodiment, five protruding portions 24, which are water absorbing portions, protrude from the outer surface of the container main body bottom portion 22 in each row. As in the first and third embodiments, all of the protruding portions 24 are provided. The lower end position is set so as not to reach the vicinity of the water tank bottom 32 which is the lower end of the water storage space 40, and is designed so as to be positioned at a required level in the water storage space 40 in a stepped manner.

In the above structure, when the plant growing material in the container body 20 absorbs water from the water tank 30, the water storage space 4
When there is a water level up to the lower end position (first level) of the short protruding portion 24 located above the short protruding portion 24, the short protruding portion 2
4 and all of the intermediate-length projections 24 and the longest projections 24 located on the left and right sides thereof can directly absorb water. When there is a water level between the first level and the lower end position (second level) of the intermediate-length projection 24 in the water storage space 40, the intermediate-length projection 24 and the longest projection located on the left and right sides thereof. Direct water absorption in section 24 is possible. When there is a water level between the second level and the lower end position (third level) of the longest protruding portion 24, only direct water absorption at the longest protruding portion 24 is possible, thereby supplying water to the growing plant. can do. At this time, the lower the protrusion 24 located in the water storage space 40, that is, the longer the protrusion 24, the more the water absorption hole 2
The cross section of water absorption by 4b is small.

Thereafter, when the water level falls below the third level, the water 41 in the water storage tank 30 evaporates spontaneously as in the case of the first embodiment, and becomes a water absorbing portion protruding from the outer surface of the container body bottom 22. The water adheres to the bottom surface 24a of each protrusion 24 and is guided to the growing plant through the water absorption hole 24b. It should be noted that the plant growing material may constitute the absorbing section. Although the amount of naturally evaporated water is very small, this structure can hold the water 41 in the water tank 30 for a long period of time, and the activity of the cultivated plant cannot be expected so much, but its life can be maintained for a long period of time. That is, the arrangement level of the lower end of the water absorption section is three steps, which is further increased by one step from the above, and has a four-step water absorption structure of three steps of direct water absorption and water absorption by natural evaporation.

In each of the above embodiments, the water absorption cross-sectional area of the water absorption hole 24b at the lower end of the protrusion 24 protruding from the outer surface of the bottom 22 of the container body 20 placed in the water storage tank 30 is equal to the protrusion 24. The smaller the lower end of the water storage space 40 is, the smaller the size is. As a result, the water absorption capacity is weakened, and as the water level in the water storage tank 30 decreases, the amount of water absorption from the protrusion 24 as the water absorption part decreases. Therefore, the water in the water storage space 40 can be maintained for a long time, the water for the plant growing material can be maintained for a long time, and the life of the cultivated plant can be maintained for a long time. It should be noted that a water absorbing portion of the core body may be used instead of the water absorbing portion of the above embodiment. Further, it is appropriate to combine the water absorbing portion and the core of the above-described embodiment to form various multi-stage water absorbing devices.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the plant cultivation unit of the present invention, and FIG. 7 is a partial longitudinal sectional view thereof. 6 and 7 show an embodiment in which a water-absorbing core is used as the above-described water-absorbing portion. In this embodiment, a plurality of holes 25 are formed in the outer surface of the bottom portion 22 of the container body 20, and a water-absorbing core 26, that is, a water-absorbing portion is suspended from the hole 25 from the inside of the container body 20. 26
Are arranged so that the lower end of each of them is positioned at each height level in the water storage space 40, and the other configuration is the same as that of the above embodiment. In each core 26 of the illustrated example having a lower end at each height level, the water absorption cross-sectional areas are all the same,
As shown in the example in FIG. 5, the core 26 located at the lower portion near the water tank bottom 32 has a smaller cross-sectional area, in other words, the thin core 26 has the above-described effect on the water absorption. can do. Alternatively, even if the cross-sectional area of each core body 26 is gradually changed and becomes smaller as approaching the water tank bottom 32, the effect on the water absorption can be exerted.

In all of the above-described embodiments of the present invention, the opening 50 is formed near the boundary between the container body 20 and the water tank 30, and the container body 20 and the water tank 30 are formed.
To prevent the water storage space 40 from being closed. As a result, the container body 2
It is possible to prevent corrosion of the plant growing material within 0, prevent root rot of the growing plant, and prevent water rot of the water stored in the water storage tank 30. In addition, rainfall or the like permeates the plant growing material in the container body 20, and the water flowing into the water storage tank 30 from the water absorbing portion of the bottom 22 replaces the water stored in the water storage tank 30 with the inflowing rainwater, etc. The water is discharged to the outside of the water tank 30 from the water tank 50, and the water in the water tank 30 is purified by self-help to prevent the water in the water tank 30 from being rotten.

In the plant cultivation unit of the present invention,
The shape of the container body 20 in plan view and the shape of the water storage tank 30 in plan view are not limited, and all shapes such as polygons, circles, and ellipses including the squares of the embodiment can be applied. Further, although the leg 23 formed on the container body bottom 22 of the embodiment is discontinuous, a fitting recess is continuously formed on the leg 23 and the water tank 30 side, and the fitting recesses are engaged with each other. The configuration is appropriate. The engagement fitting may be performed by forming a concave portion on the inner surface of the side wall 31 of the water storage tank 30. Further, the container body 20
The opening 50 formed between the outer surface of the bottom portion 22 and the outer peripheral edge of the upper end portion of the side wall 31 of the water storage tank 30 may be provided between the fitting leg portions 23. Cut out a part of the leg 23 or use the water tank 30
Of the outer peripheral edge of the upper end of the side wall 31 is notched.

[0037]

Since the plant cultivation unit of the present invention has the above-described structure, in the plant cultivation unit using the bottom watering method, the water in the water storage tank on the bottom of the container is adjusted stepwise into the plant growing material to absorb water. Therefore, even if water is not supplied for a long time, water retention of the plant cultivation material is realized, and the effect of enabling the life of the cultivated plant to be maintained for a long time is achieved.

Further, the plant cultivation unit has the effect of preventing water decay of the residual water in the water storage tank and enabling easy management at a very low cost.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a plant cultivation unit of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a partial longitudinal sectional view of the first embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a partial longitudinal sectional view of a second embodiment of the plant cultivation unit of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a partial longitudinal sectional view of a third embodiment of the plant cultivation unit of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a partial vertical sectional view of a fourth embodiment of the plant cultivation unit of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the plant cultivation unit of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a partial longitudinal sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8A is a perspective view of a conventional plant cultivation unit. (B) Partial longitudinal sectional view of a conventional plant cultivation unit.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Plant cultivation unit 20 Container main body 22 Bottom part 23 Leg part 24 Projection part 24a Bottom surface 24b Water absorption hole 26 Water absorption core 30 Water tank 32 Bottom 40 Water storage space 50 Opening

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) A01G 27/02 A01G 27/00 505B

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A plant cultivation unit in which a container main body having an upper opening provided with a water absorbing part outward from a bottom is placed in a water storage tank and a water storage space is formed between the container main body bottom and the water storage tank bottom. A plant cultivation unit characterized in that the water absorbing section absorbs water in the water storage space in multiple stages, and the water absorbing power is reduced as the water absorbing power becomes closer to the bottom of the water storage tank. 2. The plant cultivation unit according to claim 1, wherein the position of the lower end of the water absorption section is set to a predetermined height that does not reach the vicinity of the bottom of the water tank. 3. The plant cultivation unit according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of the water absorbing portions are provided at stepwise heights. 4. An opening is formed near the boundary between the container body and the water storage tank.
A plant cultivation unit as described.