Pot for the semination and culture of plants and flowers, and process for its manufacture.

p0001The invention relates to a usable tray for germination of seeds for cultivation of plants, for the completion of various floral arrangements.

p0002The tray is used here to refer to the object of the invention independently of the dimensions and shapes that can be given him, and which may vary in a wide range. Towards the lower limit of this range The tray may become a pot size larger or smaller as the pots of flowers or a crown or a cross for floral composition; The upper limit to the range, the tray may become a vessel for cultivation without soil.

p0003One. The difficulties of growing plants in containers filled with soil is that of watering. Found in trade trays water reserve designed to allow spacing watering; Nevertheless, we find that the earth goes through alternating excessive moisture when the water reservoir has been filled and drought on when the level of water begins to drop in the reserve.

p0004In Cultivation of plants without soil or hydro culture through aqueous solutions of salts nutritious The main difficulty is that of rooting plants that need to provide an environment in Which roots can attach and through which solutions aqueous are circulated. This circulation of aqueous solutions is necessary because the middle of fixing roots retains generally not enough these solutions; however, this essential traffic is not without disadvantage because it is the cause of a water evaporation which is the result of constant change The concentration of nutrients.

p0005The invention has the main purpose to bring a tray for sowing and cultivation of plants that includes a root fixation medium and storage for extended periods up to several months and even a year for a solution of nutrients substantially subtracted direct to evaporation without excessive initial moisture harmful to plants.

p0006According to another object of the invention, cetle It aims to bring a tray of the type above further operable, when the medium is dry or partially waterlogged for Achieving rapid compositions of cut flowers or cut plant.

p0007Is known by DE-A-1949473, a substantially cubic body, consisting of a block of polyurethane foam surrounded on four sides Catérales a sheet of plastic which is shaped sheath by welding two longitudinal edges extreme opposites. Doe s'obtient body from a foam bar on the side faces of which are folded the sheet as the welding then to itself for the close. Then cut into sections that coated bar. The body thus obtained has a lower face and an upper face which remain uncovered. TeL a body used to the crop plants, mainly by means of holes that are dug from the upper face to contain nutrient compositions; The body can also be partially immersed in water it absorbs by its underside.

p0008A tray according to the invention comprises a block of foam in hydrophilic plastic, open-pore, with a density between 0.15 and 0.35 and having a lower side outer surface of which a proportion including said lower face, between 15% and 95 X, is covered with a continuous layer of impermeable material insensitive the action of the water and the surrounding environment, this layer being compatible with Said foam and closely adhering to the surface of the foam that she covers.

p0009Preferably, this impermeable material is a plastic material having a thickness of a fraction of a millimeter to several millimeters.

p0010Advantageously the continuous layer of plastic adheres closely to the foam surface hydrophilic by infiltration in the pores of the foam. We arrive at such a pan preferred by also making method covered by the invention and that is deposited on the portion of the outer surface of the foam block that you want waterproof material initially covering a fluid that hardens in preparation situ at a temperature below the melting or decomposition of the foam plastic. Preparations of this type are known in the field of plastic materials they generally include two components, one of which plays the role of catalytic polymerization, that's it meets at the time of use. Other preparations are based on the reaction of two bodies as an isocyanate and a polyhydric alcohol or a polyester. For example Bayer German Society provides two components consisting essentially One by a known polyisocyanate under the name Desmophen, the other by a polyol known as The name Desmodur. Of course, various additives and in particular a filler such as barium sulfate may be added to the at least one of two components.

p0011After gathering intimately Both components, is poured or is spread or is sprayed on the mixture outer surface of the block of foam, according to many practical means known in the art of application of this mixture.

p0012According to a variant of the process of the invention, when the preparation is sufficiently low viscosity is immersed The block of foam in preparation to the desired level of recovery of its face side, it's removed and let harden the preparation layer driven with foam, preferably in a warm atmosphere that accelerates the curing.

p0013Some other products, such plastisols, are also used, for example, by dipping the foam block hydrophilic, provided their gelling temperature exceeds not what Foam can withstand without deteriorating.

p0014Also known are products which cure after mixing with water; they also agree in the framework of the invention provided that their viscosity Their will effectively adhere to the foam s'infiltrant superficially in the pores, and, after hardening, they give birth to a layer waterproof and insensitive The humidity, with sufficient strength, mainly shock, in a small thickness.

p0015The foam used is preferably a hydrophilic polyurethane foam having a density in the range of 0.15 to 0, 28.

p0016Referring now to the accompanying drawings to give a more detailed explanation of the invention by describing exemplesde realization. In this drawing:<ul><li>- Figure 1 is a perspective view of a ferry line with the invention with an ornamental plant,</li><li>- Figure 2 is a section on II-II of Figure 1 showing the roots of the plant in the block of foam,</li><li>- Figure 3 is a perspective view of a half block of foam,</li><li>- Figure 4 is a greatly enlarged detail showing the close link of the outer layer in plastic with the foam block,</li><li>- Figures 5 and 6 are views in section similar to Figure 2 showing two embodiments of a culture-tray of the invention,</li><li>- Figures 7-8 are views in elevation bins according to the invention for the preparation of compositions from cut flowers and / or cut plants,</li><li>- Figure 10 is a detailed view in section along XX of Figure 9,</li><li>- Figure 11 is a detail view similar to Figure 10 and showing an alternative embodiment.</li></ul>

p0017Figure 1 shows a foam block 1, substantially cubic, which has approximately 20 cm in side length; It was cut in the hydrophilic polyurethane foam having a density of 0.15 to 0.28.

p0018This foam block 1 has 6 faces which have a total surface S. The bottom face which serves background underlying the block and the four sides are covered with a continuous layer 2 of thick plastic 1 3 mm with an average value of 2 mm. This layer covers all the lower face and covers the lateral faces to a height of 16 cm; Therefore, Layer 2 covers 70% of the total area S of the foam block 1.

p0019The layer 2 was made from the mixture of two components One known polyisocyanate in the trade under the designation Desmodur VL The other known polyol in trade under the name Desmophen 1150 the German Society Bayer. The material obtained after mixing and curing contains about 22% of Desmophen 1150, 18.7% of Desmodur VL, 38% of barium sulfate and various additives. As soon as the mixture of the two components has been achieved, it was spread with a spatula onto the surface to be covered of one block of foam and it was then placed in an oven heated at 40 ° C. This treatment Heat accelerates the curing.

p0020Figure 4 shows that the mixture spread on the foam block 1 is fluid enough to penetrate the small gaps that exist in the structure of the foam and to form many filaments anchor 3. Not only Layer 2 waterproof and incorrodible ment is strong and closely attached to the foam, but in addition, it ensures a certain tightness on any surface it covers.

p0021In the upper face 4 of the uncovered foam block 2 was dug a recess 5 and the foam block 2 was completely soaked in a solution of aqueous nutrient salts as found in trade.

p0022A small plant was planted in the recess 5 has been punched with foam powder; after several months without watering the plant s'est highly developed as the shows Figure 1. A cut (Figure 2) of the block of foam showed that the roots of the plant 6 infiltrated with ease across the block 1 foam.

p0023It was found by experience due Block foam s'imbibe also at all points of the aqueous solution nutritious and that, contrary to what happens with any culture medium, solution remains retained in any volume and will gather virtually, in excess, in the lower part.

p0024The culture media with known moisture collects at the bottom and creates an excessive degree of moisture which tends to cause The root rot, however, that in the upper part, there is an excessive dryness unfavorable.

p0025With the tray of the invention, the aqueous solution is dispersed in volume to a level that suits the roots 6. The drying firstly produced by evaporation in the portion of the total area not covered and, secondly and mainly by absorption and evaporation of the water by the plant. This continual drying from the top to the top is progressive; Leave it in volume content Inside, the impermeable layer 2 a suitable moisture where roots grow 6 without the risk of rot. This drying is slow, easily monitored using a rod 7 pushed into the foam block 1. IL Just add water to Far in the distance.

p0026Figure 3 shows a half-block of foam 8 resulting from block 1 into two halves split across a large central recess 9. The latter serves to receive developed roots of a plant already significant; after the establishment of the latter, it brings the two halves and covers outer surface of a layer and waterproof incorrodible as explained above; after curing this layer holds together the two halves of the block of foam.

p0027The portion of the outer surface of the foam block 1 is covered with the layer 2 depends largely on the plant, as it more or less like a wet environment. IL n'est not impossible in the spirit of the invention, to cover the entire side faces and even Virtually all of the top face 4, with the exception of a hole around the plant for watering. With plants that prefer a medium rather dry, iL is best to cover the side faces to a level lower.

p0028Of course, it is also possible to sow the seeds in the recess 5 (figure 2) of a tray according to the invention.

p0029It is not necessary that the foam block 1 is cut so as cubic or parallelepiped; it could be spherical, which would facilitate the realization by soaking the waterproof layer as explained above.

p0030A rectangular tray large accordance with the invention is suitable for cultivation without soil.

p0031In the variations illustrated by Figures 5 and 6, the continuous layer 2 was carried out by spraying with an impermeable material on the five faces of a cube except for the top face. In addition to the rod 7 as a control humidity, a vertical hole 10 was drilled in the hydrophilic foam 1, from the upper face DeCou green; this hole is for the addition of fertilizer in the modsse block. In the case of Figure 6, at the time of planting The recess 5 has been dug to dimensions greater than in the example of Figures 2 and 5 to contain a certain volume of the homeland of the plant 11 transplanted. The roots of that then develop through the foam as the mentioned above.

p0032Figures 7-9 show that a bin accordance with the invention is also usable advantageously for Achieving compositions of cut flowers and / or plants cut.

p0033The already using polyurethane foam for the realization of compositions based mainly cut flowers, replacing natural foam or straw braided.

p0034In US-A-3003284 describes the use of a synthetic resin foam for the manufacture of bouquets of cut flowers and it lists its advantages: The retention of water by the foam, which holds more long freshness of the flowers, and the ease of composing bouquet by pressing the flower stems directly through the foam, if necessary by reinforcing rods in lower using a wire métallque.

p0035GB-A-1544 630 explains that it is better to use foam Artificial The partially introducing into a container in plastic rigid. This container covers the lower surface and a fraction of the height of the side faces of the artificial foam. Thus the lower part of the foam is covered with a skin harder and all, being more Heavy, more than sTabiliTy. The foam is simply inserted by sliding into the container to Him for.

p0036According to this document, and as is s'est widespread in trade, the container is made separately by molding in rigid plastic. IL result, it must first make at least one mold for injection of the plastic that makes up each container and that the result, you can not change as easily as would the The shape of the since foam is necessary at this time to change also the container and thus to manufacture a new mold.

p0037There are many forms of foam blocks, including bouquets and wreaths funeral (racket, crown, cushion, pillow, heart, cross, etc ..) which all required the manufacture of molds for molding corresponding separate container.

p0038The foam is friable; it is easy to work for The Give an infinite form. Exploiting this property of the foam was not possible until now because of the practical impossibility for economic reason, to make at least a mold for the manufacture of containers for each change of the shape of the foam.

p0039The present invention provides an advantageous solution which eliminates the trouble explained above.

p0040A ferry line with the invention, produced using the method defined above, is also used for the realization of compositions based on cut flowers and / or plants cut. IL Simply Limit value desired height on which the forces of the lateral block of foam covered in addition to the lower side by the layer of waterproof material.

p0041Figure 7 and Figure 8 respectively relate to a crown and a cross-shaped classic, but made according to the invention. Foam ring 12 is covered on its lower face and on a fraction of the height of its side surface 13 a continuous layer 14 made according to the method of the invention. IL is the same for the cross 15 of Figure 8. The continuous layer 14 then covers 30% to 40% of the total surface of the foam block.

p0042Figure 9 shows the advantage provided by the invention. A foam block 16 has been cut or carved to resemble an urn and the lower part of it was covered with a continuous layer of material 17 waterproof and lasts, according to the method of the invention. This continuous layer 17 which adheres closely to the foam plays the role of a container, but does not require the prior manufacture of a mold. It may therefore change in the unit, the final form given to the block of foam. It is also with great ease making decorative motifs 18, sunk into, disintegrating foam in the part of the front side intended to be covered by the layer 17. The decoration can be made to help a suitable tool, manually or automatically. The engraved pattern recessed is also covered from the continuous layer 17 in which it appears also in the hollow as shown Figure 10.

p0043Figure 11 relates to the case where the reverse pattern 20 is embossed. You can either cut all the front side of the block of foam by bringing into relief the ground 20 or more units identical or similar. But it is preferable to manufacture separately the patterns 20 and the fix for example by bonding, on the face side of the block of foam 16. After completion of the continuous layer 17, 20 The reasons appear as raised in this layer.

p0044The method of the invention allows great flexibility in the implementation, with many various forms and with a variety of decorative patterns, economically, foam blocks with adherent container. Note that this feature is also usable in the manufacture of containers for seedlings and planting, which makes possible the realization of flowerpots diverse in forms and decorative motifs, without the need to make molds for expensive the molding parts made of rigid plastic.