Modular container and modular irrigation system
A modular container or irrigation module, as well as a modular irrigation system obtained by arranging at least two of said modules. The proposed modular irrigation system comprises at least two irrigation modules of the invention, and by stacking the modules vertically, the system can be used to form a continuous-flow irrigation system in which excess irrigation water is recirculated and evaporation losses can be minimized. Similarly, the module and the system of the invention can be used to form a sustainable construction system in which multiple irrigation systems are arranged to form various architectural elements, such as green walls, green columns, vertical gardens and the like.
1. A vertical modular irrigation container or module comprising:
a first container intended for housing a substrate for plants and having vertical peripheral walls with one or more side openings for plant growth, and the first container having a lower part and an upper part; and
inside said first container is arranged at its center a second container with side walls, wherein the side walls are water permeable, a reserve tank and a drainage grated spacer element, wherein
the second container has therein a tube, with an open upper end, and in a bottom end having one or more through holes which allow water to go through the tube directly to the reserve tank when a water level rises inside the second container and flows into the tube and reaches the one or more through holes; and
vertical tubes having side walls arranged in the lower part of the first container, the vertical tubes projecting vertically into the reserve tank, the side walls of the vertical tubes being impermeable to direct passage of water, the vertical tubes determining a maximum water fill level in the reserve tank based on a height of the vertical tubes; and
at least one tubular drain hole at a base of the first container of the module, the at least one tubular drain hole projecting vertically into the first container, a height of the at least one tubular drain hole is greater than the height of the vertical tubes such that when a water flow rate exceeds a capacity of the vertical tubes and the vertical tubes overflow, overflow water will flow through the at least one tubular drain hole to a next lower module, and the water level drops to a reserve water level in the reserve tank once irrigation ends.
2. The vertical modular irrigation container or module according to claim 1 , wherein a side wall of the second container is a permeable mesh or barrier.
3. The vertical modular irrigation container or module according to claim 1 , wherein circulation of water through an inside of the first container is provided by conduits with two open ends, having a tubular or semi-tubular section, such conduits being arranged inside the said peripheral walls of the module such that the conduits of the said module are aligned.
4. The vertical modular irrigation container or module according to claim 1 , wherein the reserve tank consists of a space which keeps the water separated from the substrate once irrigation ends by means of the drainage grated spacer element, preventing direct contact of the water with the substrate except for absorbent elements or wicks which allow capture of water contained in the reserve tank by capillary action.
5. The vertical modular irrigation container or module according to claim 4 , wherein the drainage grated spacer element defines an air chamber between the reserve tank and the tube of the second container, the air chamber separating the substrate from the water except for the absorbent elements located in the reserve tank, which allow the passage of water from the reserve tank to the substrate, and for draining excess water into the reserve tank.
6. The vertical modular irrigation container or module according to claim 4 , wherein a tubular spacer element has a shape that is adapted to the shape of the second container housing it and is sized with a size smaller than a size corresponding to said second container and includes a hollow central channel projecting vertically upwards into the second container and intended for housing the second container.
7. The vertical modular irrigation container or module according to claim 1 , wherein it further includes a water collection tank with peripheral walls formed by a reservoir with an upper part and a lower part, the upper part having a shape similar to a shape of the module, open in the upper part and at least partially closed in the lower part, said lower part being able to be widened in order to increase the stability of the module.
8. The vertical modular irrigation container or module according to claim 7 , wherein automatic water recirculation for recirculating water for the modular irrigation container is arranged inside the water collection tank.
9. The vertical modular irrigation container or module according to claim 7 , wherein there is arranged in the peripheral walls of the upper part of the collection tank a channel suitable for supplying water and nutrients to the water collection tank.
10. The vertical modular irrigation container or module according to claim 9 , wherein the channel includes a cover which includes a conduit to pass a pipe for automatic water recirculation.
11. The vertical modular irrigation container or module according to claim 7 , wherein the lower part of the collection tank includes legs with wheels.
12. The vertical modular irrigation container or module according to claim 7 , wherein the collection tank can house a device for measuring a level of water accumulated therein, along with, a device for providing a notification of a maximum tank level thereof.
13. The vertical modular irrigation container or module according to claim 7 , wherein the collection tank includes in the peripheral walls, conduits with two open ends, which are capable of housing cables, water transport pipes, anchoring structures or inner reinforcement elements.
14. The vertical modular irrigation container or module according to claim 1 , wherein it further includes a spacer element which has an open upper end, a diameter which is adapted to dimensions of the upper part of the first container of the module and the spacer element has peripheral walls which have side holes with a height less than a height of the peripheral walls, to allow access to inside of said spacer module for arranging said plants in cavities.
15. The vertical modular irrigation container or module according to claim 14 , wherein a lower base having a conduit at its center, said conduit projects vertically into the spacer element and is closed at its end in contact with the lower base of said module except for side holes made adjacent to said end as well as surrounding the conduit along a perimeter thereof, and has holes or grooves at the lower base of the said conduit for regulating an outflow of water therethrough.
16. The vertical modular irrigation container or module according to claim 14 , wherein the spacer element further includes corresponding conduits which are capable of housing cables, water transport pipes, anchoring or reinforcement elements arranged inside the peripheral walls of the spacer element.
17. A vertical modular irrigation system of claim 1 , wherein it includes at least two modules stacked vertically.
18. The vertical modular irrigation system according to claim 17 , wherein it includes at least two modules stacked vertically, wherein at least one of the one or more side openings is used for connecting the at least two modules vertically to one another in order to form meshes, green walls, or vertical gardens.