WO2024023663A1

WO2024023663A1 - Hydroponic tray

Info

Publication number: WO2024023663A1
Application number: PCT/IB2023/057410
Authority: WO
Inventors: Paolo Colombo
Original assignee: Linea Colombo Srl
Priority date: 2022-07-25
Filing date: 2023-07-20
Publication date: 2024-02-01

Abstract

A tile for carrying out hydroponic culture comprises a body which includes side walls and a base, the side walls and the base defining a seat which is water-tight for receiving a hydroponic liquid. There is further provided a closure element for the seat which comprises a plurality of shaped openings for retaining therein hydroponic plants.

Description

HYDROPONIC TRAY

DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to a novel hydroponic tile for floorings and/or green walls .

As known, there are currently commercially available tiles which are constructed with extremely varied materials and finishes , and which can be positioned and bonded to floors or by supports or mounted on floating structures .

Among these , a particular type of tile has the possibility both of being bonded or positioned equally well to floors or walls and of containing therein products which are capable of conferring on the flooring or wall particular aesthetic ef fects .

It is further known the hydroponic culture , or cultivation without soil or outside the soil , which provides for the use of alternative cultivation techniques which do not provide for the use of the ground, but only the action of water and nutritional substances which are dissolved therein .

In particular, there are known two great types of hydroponic cultivation : cultivation which uses an inert substrate and which is composed, for example , of admixtures of perl ite , sand, expanded clay, etc . , and which is wetted and irrigated with water and nutritional substances , and hydroponic cultivation without any substrate , where the roots of the plants are immersed in the flow of the nutritional solution ( composed of water and dissolved substances ) . In this last type of cultivation, one of the most frequent causes of death of the aquatic plants is the excessive quantity of water sprinkled on during the irrigation operations .

To this end, it is fundamental to ensure that the plants which are cultivated in hydroponics also receive the correct quantity of oxygen and therefore air .

In order to obtain excellent results with hydroponic cultivation, it is fundamental to monitor some essential parameters : the temperature , the humidity, the CO2 level , the hours of light and the intensity of the illumination, the ventilation, the health of the plants and the absence of diseases .

Taking this into account , the current tiles do not have a suitable structure for managing hydroponic culture with the disadvantages which result therefrom and which arise from the fact that hydroponic culture cannot be carried out where adequate containers and a correct management thereof are absent .

The obj ective of the present invention is to provide a ti le which can be used in conventional manner for providing a green flooring to be bonded or positioned on flooring or to be mounted on a floating structure and which simultaneously also allows the ability to manage a hydroponic culture and to at least partially overcome one or more of the disadvantages set out with reference to the cited prior art .

In the context of this obj ective , an obj ect of the invention is to provide a tile for carrying out hydroponic culture which can provide surfaces which are or can be partially walked on and which are aesthetic with ef fects of colours and finishes with modularity which are dictated by the dimensions of the tile .

Another obj ect of the invention is to provide a tile for carrying out hydroponic culture with which to provide colourful environments , by changing the arboreal consistency, paths with di f ferent intervals , heights and si zes , paths which can be walked on with blind tiles , attractive lighting elements and signalling .

Another obj ect of the invention is to provide a tile for carrying out hydroponic culture which also allows vertical placement , thereby obtaining coverings for walls and partitions .

An obj ect of the present invention is also to provide a tile for carrying out hydroponic culture which allows the known installation solutions to be improved within the context of a rational solution and with relatively low costs .

This obj ective is achieved and at least one of these obj ects is at least partially achieved by the invention, with the tile of claim 1 . Preferred methods for carrying out the invention result from the remaining claims .

These features and advantages o f the invention will become more clearly evident from the following exemplary and nonlimiting description of preferred though non-exclusive embodiments of a tile for carrying out hydroponic culture for green floorings , which is illustrated in the following Figures , in which : Figure 1 is a perspective , exploded view of the ti le according to the invention;

Figure 2 is a perspective view which illustrates a number o f steps for providing the tile of the present invention;

Figure 3 is a perspective view which illustrates an example of placement on the flooring of the tile according to the present invention;

Figures 4A and 4B are two perspective views which illustrate an example of vertical placement of the tile according to the present invention in two di f ferent steps ;

Figure 5 is a perspective , exploded view of a preferred construction variant of the tile according to the invention;

Figure 6 is a sectioned side view of the internal intermediate planes of the tile of Figure 5 ;

Figures 7a, 7b, 7c show as side views spacer elements for arranging the intermediate plane at a variable distance from the undercut with respect to the cap which can be walked on according to the invention;

Figures 8a, 8b, 8c show perspective views of the intermediate plane of the tile of the invention which are also constructed with a single containment basket of the essential elements with forms and dimensions as required;

Figure 9 is a perspective view of the intermediate plane which can be arranged for receiving the standard baskets ;

Figures 10a, 10b, 10c are side views of support means for arranging the intermediate plane , the baskets and the ribs in a position suitable for supporting the hydroponic plants ;

Figures I la, 11b, 11c show charging and discharging means for changing, replacing and oxygenating the hydroponic liquid; Figure 12 shows the tile mounted vertically; Figures 13a, 13b show one possible connection system between the tiles for changing, replacing and oxygenating the hydroponic liquid in a simpli fied and centrali zed manner ;

Figures 14a, 14b, 14c show another possible connection system between the tiles for changing, replacing and oxygenating the hydroponic liquid in a simpli fied manner ;

Figure 15 is an exploded view of one possible solution for a tile with a shaped bottom;

Figures 16a and 16b show a number of sections of the tile illustrated in Figure 15 in an assembled and disassembled version;

Figures 17a and 17b illustrate another construction variant of the tile of the invention;

Figure 18 is a perspective , exploded view of the tile in another construction variant ;

Figure 19 is a perspective view of a closure element , in one possible embodiment , with a f irst plurality of shaped openings for retaining therein first hydroponic plants according to the invention;

Figure 20 is a perspective view of another closure element with a second plurality of shaped openings for retaining therein second hydroponic plants according to the invention;

Figure 21 is a perspective view of the tile with a fi lling and control device according to the invention;

Figure 22 is a perspective view of the tile with support means therein according to one possible embodiment of the invention; and

Figure 23 illustrates as a perspective view a basket for retaining the hydroponic plants according to a construction variant of the tile of the invention . With particular reference to the above-described Figures , the tile for carrying out the hydroponic culture is generally designated 1 .

This tile 1 comprises a body 2 which is preferably quadrangular and which has side walls 3 and a base 4 , wherein the side walls , together with the base , define a seat 5 which is advantageously water-tight in order to allow a hydroponic liquid to be received therein .

The tile 1 also comprises at least one closure element 6 o f the seat 5 which is formed by the body 2 .

The closure element 6 is advantageously walkable and is provided with a plurality of openings 7 , through which the hydroponic plants P can germinate .

In preferred embodiments , the tile 1 comprises at least one basket 20 which defines a respective cavity 21 , in which there can be received the seeds which are illustrated in Figure 2 and which are intended for germinating the hydroponic plants P .

It may be observed that , in preferred embodiments , the openings 7 have a passage cross-section which is less than the passage cross-section of the cavities 21 in such a manner that they can allow the passage o f the leaves o f the plants without the plant , with the root apparatus thereof , with this being instead received in the cavity 21 , being able to pass through the openings 7 .

Preferably, there are present a plurality of baskets 20 which are associated with an intermediate plane 30 , which i s configured so as to allow the support of the bas kets on the body 2 of the tile .

More generally, the baskets 20 form support means 52 which are better illustrated in Figure 9 in an additional embodiment , and which are configured to support the root portion R of the essences of the hydroponic plants P .

In the embodiment of Figure 1 , the baskets 20 and the relevant support means 52 are integrated in the intermediate plane 30 . In these embodiments , the intermediate plane 30 can be formed by a grid-like structure which therefore allows , on one hand, the seeds to be received and, on the other hand, the passage of hydroponic liquid during the cultivation steps The grid-like structure is preferably defined by a plurality of through-openings 20A which are formed in the region of the cavities 21 which are defined by the baskets 20 .

However, it will be appreciated that the baskets 20 may al so be in the form of separate elements with respect to the plane 30 . In this case , the intermediate plane 30 may comprise receiving members 53 for the support of the baskets 20 , as can be seen in Figure 9 . In these embodiments , the baskets 20 may be associated in a removable manner with the receiving members 53 . In this manner, the baskets 20 can be cultivated and/or sown in a manner separated from the tile with great convenience .

In additional construction variants , the intermediate plane 30 can also be constructed with a single containment basket of the essences , with forms and dimensions as required, as illustrated in Figure 8c . These forms and dimensions can further correspond to the holes and shapes of the closure element 6 , the closure element instead having any forms , so as to obtain di f ferent , aesthetic and functional ef fects and solutions .

Now with reference again to Figure 1 , in order to allow a simple support of the intermediate plane 30 , and consequently of the bas kets 20 , on the body 2 , the ti le 1 may comprise on the side walls 3 at least one undercut 50 , on which the intermediate plane can rest and consequently be supported . Naturally, a plurality of undercuts can be constructed in order to have maximum flexibility for positioning the plane 30 . In Figures 5 and 6, for example, two undercuts 50 and 60 are illustrated .

Furthermore , the tile could provide second intermediate internal planes 37 with shapes and formations which are identical , similar and/or di f ferent, in order to ensure additional structural supports and/or in order to arrange additional nutritional elements and/or for other speci fic cultivation needs , as can be seen in Figure 6 .

In some embodiments , the tile also has spacer elements 51 for arranging the intermediate plane 30 at a variable di stance from the undercut 50 with respect to the walkable closure element 6 , as illustrated in Figures 7a, 7b and 7c .

This technical solution allows many important advantages , such as , for example : the possibility of protecting the root apparatus and the portion near the base of the plant which, i f walked on, could involve the death of the essence because it is more delicate , increasing and decreasing the light received by the plant thanks to the variable height , increasing and decreasing the light and ventilation thanks to the correspondence , or not , of the openings 7 which are present in the closure element 6 and, not least , of adapting to the di f ferent needs of the essences .

It may be noted, for this purpose , that in some embodiments a gap is defined between the closure element 6 and the intermediate plane 30 which is configured so as to maintain the root apparatus R of the plant P at a suf ficient distance from the closure element 6 to prevent or limit footfall thereon during the use of the tile . It may further be observed that the spacer elements 51 are configured in such a manner as to vary the height of the gap, that is to say the distance between the closure element 6 and the intermediate plane 30 , since the closure element 6 is being supported on the side walls 3 of the body 2 , preferably on an edge thereof which is directed outwards , while the intermediate plane 30 is being supported on the undercut 50 through interposition of the spacer elements 51 . In other embodiments , the same concept may be applicable to the presence of a plurality o f undercuts 50 , 60 , for example , according to what has been set out above , where applicable also in the absence of the spacer elements .

It may further be understood that , in preferred embodiments , the closure element 6 is arranged so as to cover the intermediate plane and the relevant support means 52 , and the baskets 20 i f present .

The intermediate plane 30 can also be provided to receive the baskets and/or the special seats which are conceived in accordance with requirements and the types of essences . Advantageously, the intermediate plane 30 and the baskets 20 are or can be constructed from compostable material . This ensures a simple , rapid, and sustainable replacement of the essences and the supports at the end of their lives .

In some embodiments , such as the ones illustrated in Figures 7a, 7b and 7c, the plane 30 may further have ribs 31 which are arranged above or below it or between the plane 30 and at least one second plane 37 .

In preferred embodiments , there are provided lower support means 9 in order to arrange the intermediate plane 30 , the baskets 20 or the ribs 31 in a position suitable for supporting the hydroponic plants , as can be seen in Figures 10a, 10b, 10c . The lower support means 9 can further def ine internal dividers 101 and 102 which are particularly illustrated in Figures 10b and 10c and which are suitable for reinforcing the ability of the tile itsel f to be walked on . These dividers are further preparatory for the growth o f the essences of the hydroponic plants .

It may also be noted that all the elements of the tile can be made from compostable material .

Now with reference again to Figure 2 , it will be appreciated that in the tile according to the present invention the intermediate plane 30 , before it is put to final use , can be supplemented and prepared beforehand with one or more hydroponic cultures . In this manner, the sowing and the preparation of the vegetation can occur in a place which i s more suitable for this type of processing in order then to carry out the transport and the final placement . The basket 20 of the intermediate plane 30 may have a shape and dimensions as required, as the intermediate plane 30 can also have a form and morphology in accordance with the supports for the vegetation .

As may be observed in Figure 2 , the hydroponic plants can be cultivated in the basket without it necessarily already being associated with the body 2 . In fact , it is possible to insert the seeds S in the cavities 21 , to arrange the closure element 6 on the intermediate plane 30 with the baskets 20 and to germinate the plants P which, once the necessary time for their growth has elapsed, pass through the openings 7 o f the closure element forming a green covering .

The presence of the through-openings 20A or, in general , the grid-like structure in the basket 20 allows at the same time the passage of the roots R of the plant P .

This germination step may occur before the positioning of the tile 1 , therefore allowing the desired green ef fect at the same time as the positioning of the tile .

The roots R of the plant can reach the hydroponic liquid present in the seat 5 of the body 2 of the tile 1 , thereby allowing the hydroponic cultivation required .

As illustrated in Figure 1 , the connection of the body 2 to the closure element 6 is advantageously carried out by reversible connection means 22 . In preferred embodiments , these connection means 22 comprise a tongue 23 which can be snap- fitted in a respective seat 24 . The tongue 23 and the seat 24 are formed on the body 2 and on the closure element 6 , respectively, or vice versa . For example , the tongue 23 can be formed at or near an external edge of the side walls 3 of the body 2 and may comprise a pair of extensions which engage , in a snap- fitting manner, in a gap which is formed at a corresponding edge o f the closure element 6 .

Now with reference also to Figure 2 , it may be observed that the intermediate plane 30 can be in turn associated with the closure element 6 , forming an assembly 300 , the use of which will be set out in greater detail below .

The connection means 22 therefore allow the assembly 300 which is formed by the intermediate plane 30 and the covering element 6 to be fixed to the body 2 .

It will generally be appreciated how the use o f the reversible connection means 22 allows both the positioning of the bodies 2 of the plate 1 , without the basket and the hydroponic plant having been positioned, and the potential replacement to be carried out where necessary .

With reference again to Figure 1 , it may be observed that in preferred embodiments additional reversible connection means 22A are present , which allow the connection between the intermediate plane 30 and the closure element 6 . For example , undercuts which engage in a snap- fitting manner with corresponding seats , which are formed in the intermediate plane 30 and the covering element 6 , can be provided .

Advantageously, there may be positioned a plurality of bodies 2 so as to form a flooring or, as will be seen below, also vertically so as to form a wall , by providing the hydroponic system through tubes 33 which are capable of supplying the hydroponic liquid necessary for the cultivation .

The tile of the invention in fact provides also for one or more charging tubes 33 and one or more discharge tubes 35 for the hydroponic liquid, as i llustrated in Figure 3 . The charging and discharging can be carried out lateral ly relative to the tile , but also at the bottom, in accordance with needs and the application solutions .

Through the tubes 33 , therefore , it is possible to supply the water to the plants , together with the nutrients necessary for the hydroponic cultivation . To this aim, there can also be used an intermediate tube 34 , which connects the charging tubes 33 and the discharge tubes 35 and which is provided with a noz zle 36 , by which the nutrients can be dispensed to the plants P .

The nutrient can be brought through the tubes 33 and 35 to all the tiles 1 which form the flooring or the wall covering .

In the embodiment of Figures 13a and 13b, in which the discharge 35 is at the bottom o f the body 2 , it may comprise an overflow system, with variable height in order to allow liquid to remain at the bottom of the tile , as required . The discharge 35 may also be provided at the side , in accordance with technical requirements .

The discharge 35 may also not have the overflow system, which can be replaced by sensors or more precise techniques of detection and control which are not illustrated . Carefully activating charging and discharge , they allow the hydroponic liquid contained in the tile to be changed, replaced, and oxygenated, thereby correctly supplying the cultivated essential elements .

As may be observed, for example , in Figure 3 , it is possible to connect the tiles to each other and, where applicable , to connect di f ferent charging and/or discharge tubes by suitable connection elements 330 which are positioned beside the side walls 3 of the body 2 of the tile .

In particular, these connection elements 330 are configured so as to hydraulically j oin two adj acent tiles . In addition, as will be set out below, the connection elements 330 can also allow the hydraulic connection with respect to the tubes 33 , 35 .

The connection elements 330 are advantageously constructed in a liquid-tight manner and, in some embodiments , can define an overflow system, through which it is possible to recover extra liquid and to discharge it in a suitable manner by the elements 330 which are connected to the discharge .

This is particularly advantageous i f the tile 1 is placed by a suspended flooring support structure 27 which is formed by a grid on which a proj ecting edge 28 of the tile can become engaged .

Naturally, the positioning of the tile can also be brought about by di f ferent systems , for example , it can be carried out both by bonding or by direct fixing to the flooring, both on conventional , fixed, or adj ustable standard floating supports or ones which are constructed ad hoc, or on spacers or peripheral blocks , or also simply by j uxtapositioning or by peripheral or angular j oint systems .

It will be appreciated that , although in the Figures there are present three elements 330 for each side o f the ti le 1 , there may also be provision for using a di f ferent number o f elements 330 , in accordance with the speci fic operating requirements and the di f ferent embodiments .

Figures 14a, 14b, 14c illustrate an example of connection o f a group of tiles 1 through the connection elements 330 .

In this embodiment , there is provision for a charging location 33 and a discharge location 35 which allow control of the group of tiles which are connected by the connection elements 330 .

In an additional example , which is illustrated in Figures 13a and 13b, the charging takes place laterally and the discharge takes place at the bottom . Between the tiles which are beside each other, the connection element 330 allows a supply and discharge passage which is simpli fied and there fore centrali zed to be produced .

As already partially described, the connection element 330 can also have an overflow function for charging and discharging .

The solutions set out are only some of the possible solutions to make the positioning and control of the system easier .

Another example which is not illustrated in the Figures may be defined by the use of a single element 330 which could be suf ficient i f the charging and discharge are carried out by a common tube . In this case , the element 330 could allow the discharge and it could thereby provide for an inlet of the charging tube 33 which may then be wedged at the bottom o f the body 2 .

The bodies 2 , which are positioned in this manner, may therefore be combined with the assemblies 300 which are formed by the intermediate plane 30 , with the relative baskets 20 , and the closure elements 6 , in which the plants have already been germinated .

The provision of reversible connection means 22 also allows , in addition to simple positioning, the replacement , i f necessary, of one or more of the assemblies 300 to be readily carried out , and, therefore , o f the relative plants . In this case , the possibility of germinating the plants separately from the positioning body 2 of the tile 1 also allows resumption, substantially immediately, of the appearance o f the green covering which is conferred by the flooring of the present invention .

In the alternative embodiments , such as the one illustrated in Figure 9 , in which the intermediate plane 30 is configured to receive the baskets 20 in a removable manner, the same concept will be applied to the single plant which, as set out above , may be sown and/or cultivated with great convenience in a manner separate from the tile 1 .

Now with reference again to Figure 1 , in some embodiments the lower support means 9 can be directly formed at the bottom of the body 2 , inside the seat 5 . As mentioned above , the lower support means 9 allow support of the intermediate plane 30 or more generally the closure element 6 , in order to ensure the ability thereof to be walked on and the possibility of al so withstanding heavy loads .

These lower support means 9 may therefore be constructed through a plurality of supports 91 which are formed, for example by moulding, at the bottom of the body 2 of the tile . The height of the lower support means 9 is therefore such that , when the intermediate plane 30 is combined with the body 2 of the tile 1 , the same plane 30 is supported on the supports 91 .

As may better be observed in the embodiment of Figures 10b and 10c, the lower support means 9 allow an arrangement o f the intermediate plane 30 , the baskets 20 or the ribs 31 , i f present , in a position suitable for supporting the hydroponic plants .

Now with reference to Figures 4A and 4B, with technical arrangements applied to the components , the tile can al so be mounted vertically, obtaining walls , dividers or decorations with hydroponic greenery .

This arrangement is particularly carried out by us ing containers 38 which are configured to be arranged in a hori zontal manner in the seat 5 of the body 2 when the tile 1 is arranged vertically .

Advantageously, fixing means 92 for the containers 38 can be provided in the body 2 . In preferred embodiments , the fixing means 92 are formed on the bottom o f the body 2 and can be constructed so as to f ix the containers 38 in a removable manner .

Preferably, the fixing means 92 are constructed to be integral with the body 2 and can be formed by a slot or series of slots , each one advantageously being defined between a support 91 and a relief 93 .

It may be noted that the relief 93 may have a height , that is to say an extent away from the bottom of the seat 5 , which is less than the support 91 in such a manner that , when the tile is used in a hori zontal position, the relief does not excessively compromise the useful space in the seat 5 for the hydroponic liquid .

In this manner, the same structure of the body 2 may be suitable both in the case of hori zontal fixing and in the case of vertical fixing .

There is further provided in the containers 38 at least one internal discharge 39 , through which the liquid present in a container is discharged into the container below . The discharge 39 can be configured so as to allow a controlled outflow in order to maintain a correct wetting of the hydroponic plants .

There may further be provided an internal charging inlet 40 which is connected through a respective tube 41 to the internal discharge 39 of the container above , with the obj ective of improving the conveying of the liquid discharged by the internal discharge 39 towards the following container . It may be noted that , although the Figure illustrates an embodiment in which a pair of internal charging inlets 40 , internal discharges 39 and relevant tubes 41 for each container 38 are used, there are also provided embodiments in which each container is provided with a single charging inlet 40 , internal discharge 39 and tube 41 .

The use of a solution with pairs may potentially be advantageous for avoiding problems in the case of occurrences of clogging, in any case ensuring a correct outflow of the hydroponic liquid .

Figure 12 illustrates an alternative embodiment , in which the tubes 41 are not present .

Also in this case , the tile is positioned vertically, and it is shown how the charges , discharging and the retention o f the hydroponic liquid are obtained .

It is also possible to observe from this Figure how the hori zontal containers 38 are generally positioned in the tile near the root apparatuses of the plants .

Another possible embodiment of the tile is illustrated in Figure 15 .

Also in this embodiment , the bottom 4 comprises the supports 91 which are defined by the lower support means 9 in order to improve the rigidity of the cap 6 and particularly of the grid 7 .

In this embodiment , the supports 91 can be arranged in a central zone of the bottom 4 and can be associated with supports 307 on which the intermediate plane 30 is supported . Figures 16a and 16b illustrate the variant of the tile o f Figure 15 as a version which is exploded and assembled, respectively .

Figure 17a shows an embodiment of the closure element 6 with the openings 7 which are obtained by using a grid of metal rods , while Figure 17b shows a snapshot of this variant . I t may be observed that , as an alternative to the metal materials , there may also be used materials of another type , for example , plastics materials , or of a di f ferent type .

Using a grid, which in the illustrated case uses rods , allows the provision of an opening 7 which does not "cut" the leaves and further ensures a passage of light which is balanced and distributed over the portion of the plant inside the tile .

This solution therefore allows the plant to grow in the step in which the leaves have not yet grown beyond the closure element 6 and consequently require suf ficiently di f fused light which is suf ficient as far as a location inside the openings 7 .

Additional variants of the present invention are illustrated in the examples of Figures 18 to 23 .

As may be observed in Figures 19 and 20 , in these embodiments the closure element 6 is of the interchangeable type with respect to at least one additional closure element 13 which has at least a second plurality of shaped openings 14 , with the function of retaining therein second hydroponic plants P2 , which are inserted beforehand and cultivated in the same second openings . It may also be observed that , as can be seen in Figure 18 , the closure element 6 is in the form of a cap and is configured so as to form an optimum containment for the hydroponic liquid . As may be observed in the Figure , the shaped openings 7 also allow f: rst hydroponic plants 8 to be retained therein .

The first and/or second closure elements , before being put to use , can be supplemented with one or more hydroponic cultures In this manner, the vegetation can be cultivated in a place suitable for growth in order then to carry out the transport and installation of the cap which receives the vegetation .

What has been set out is a demonstration of the versatility of use of the tile , the closure element of which can have di f ferent types of openings and hydroponic cultures which have been cultivated beforehand and which can thereby be readily replaced in accordance with requirements .

In some embodiments , such as , for example the one in Figure 18 , the lower support means 9 have a support of elongate form, in which at least the length thereof is substantially equal to the length of one of the side walls so as to engage without any play inside the seat 5 .

As set out above , in these embodiments the lower support means 9 can also define at least one divider 101 , 102 , as for example illustrated in Figure 5 . The dividers 101 , 102 of fer the advantage of cooperating with the lower support means 9 in order to ensure an excellent support for the closure element and the advantage o f allowing the subdivision of the seat into a plurality of chambers 11 , as may be observed for example in Figure 22 . In this manner, it becomes possible to have hydroponic cultures of di f ferent types without there being any interference , for example , between the roots 12 thereof .

Now with reference to Figure 21 , advantageously the tile of the invention may comprise a device 16 for filling the seat thereof with the hydroponic liquid . This device may comprise a passage 17 , which is present on the closure element 6 or on the body 2 , in order to allow the seat 5 to be f il led, where necessary, with the hydroponic liquid . It is also possible to provide an automated daily charging system in order to autonomously regulate the level of liquid in the respective seat 5 or chamber 11 .

The device 16 further has sensors and/or systems 18 for controlling the temperature , the humidity, the level of CO2 , the hours of light , the intensity of the illumination and the ventilation for the health of the plants .

It will be appreciated that the device 16 can be used in all the embodiments of the present invention .

The invention thereby solves the problem proposed, at the same time achieving a plurality of advantages .

In particular, as indicated above , the placement of the plate can also be carried out vertical ly with di f ferent methods , for example , by direct bonding or fixing to the flooring, on floating supports which are fixed or adj ustable , conventional or constructed ad hoc, with the use of spacers or peripheral blocks , or simply by uxtapositioning or by peripheral or angular j oint systems . The tile can be made from plastics material , metal , wood or any other material which is found to be advantageous in aesthetic terms , functional and economically advantageous .

The same tile may be produced by inj ection-moulding, blowmoulding, intermediate plane processing, deep-drawing or any other technology which is considered to be advantageous for the production requirements .

The invention may be rigid, soft , hard, flexible in accordance with the requirements for use and the aesthetic functional result which it is desirable to achieve .

The invention which is configured in this manner will allow the formation of green surfaces , which can be walkable or partially walkable , with ef fects of colours and finishes , and the modularity of which will be dictated by the dimensions of the tile .

With the tile to which the invention relates it is poss ible to carry out colourful environments by changing the arboreal consistency, paths with intervals , heights and si zes which are di f ferent , walkable paths with blind tiles , attractive light elements , and signalling .

All this will vary the geographies of the floorings and the walls , obtaining innovative e f fects which are temporary, and variable as required .

The invention which is configured in this manner is capable of modi fications and variants , which are all included within the inventive concept indicated for technical equivalence . In the same manner, the materials, and dimensions, which may be freely selected in accordance with requirements, are also included within the indicated inventive concept.

Thus, for example, the tile of the invention may have a quadrangular shape, circular shape or another shape which is determined by the environmental requirements.

Claims

1. A tile (1) for carrying out hydroponic culture, comprising a body (2) which includes side walls (3) and a base (4) , the side walls and the base defining a seat (5) which is watertight for receiving a hydroponic liquid, a closure element (6) for the seat being provided, the closure element (6) comprising a plurality of shaped openings (7) for retaining therein hydroponic plants (P) .

2. A tile according to claim 1, comprising at least one intermediate plane (30) which is configured in order to be received in the seat (5) and which comprises support means (52) which are configured to support a root portion (R) of the hydroponic plants P.

3. A tile according to claim 2, wherein the intermediate plane (30) and the closure element (6) are configured so as to be combined in a single assembly (300) , and wherein there are provided reversible connection means (22) which are configured so as to fix in a removable manner the assembly (300) to the body (2) so as to allow germination of the plants (P) in the assembly (300) in a position remote from the body (2) and, subsequently, to combine the assembly (300) with the germinated plants (P) with the body (2) .

4. A tile according to claim 3, wherein the intermediate plane comprises a grid-like structure which is configured so as to allow seeds for the plants (P) to be received and a passage of hydroponic liquid for cultivating the plants (P) .

5. A tile according to any one of claims 2 to 4, comprising on the side walls at least one undercut (50) for supporting the intermediate plane (30) .

6. A tile according to claim 5, comprising one or more spacer elements (51) which are configured for the arrangement of the intermediate plane (30) at a variable distance from the undercut (50) with respect to the closure element (6) .

7. A tile according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising baskets (20) which can be removed from the body (2) and which are configured so as to allow the cultivation and/or the sowing of the plants (P) in a place which is remote from the tile or preparation location.

8. A tile according to claim 7, when dependent on claim 2, wherein the baskets (20) form the support means (52) for the root portion (R) of the hydroponic plants (P) .

9. A tile according to claim 8, wherein the baskets (20) are configured so as to be removable from the body (2) so as to be cultivated and/or sown at a location remote from the tile.

10. A tile according to claim 9, wherein the baskets (20) are removable together with the intermediate plane (30) .

11. A tile according to claim 10, wherein the baskets (20) are integral in the intermediate plane (30) .

12. A tile according to any one of claims 2 to 11, when dependent on claim 7, wherein at least the intermediate plane (30) and the baskets (20) are made from compostable material.

13. A tile according to any one of the preceding claims, when dependent on claim 2, wherein the intermediate plane (30) has ribs ( 31 ) .

14. A tile according to claim 13, wherein the ribs (31) are arranged above or below the intermediate plane (30) or between the intermediate plane (30) and at least one second plane ( 37 ) .

15. A tile according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising one or more internal dividers (101, 102) which are able to reinforce the ability thereof to be walked on, the divider (s) further being preparatory for the growth of the essences of the hydroponic plants.

16. A tile according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising lower support means (9) which are configured to arrange the closure element (6) and/or the intermediate plane (30) and/or the baskets (20) and/or the ribs (31) in a position which can support the hydroponic plants.

17. A tile according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising one or more charging tubes for the hydroponic liquid ( 33 ) .

18. A tile according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising one or more discharge tubes (35) , the discharge tubes preferably being provided with an overflow at a variable height in order to allow the liquid to remain at the bottom, as required.

19. A tile according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a series of horizontal containers (38) which are positioned in the tile near the root apparatuses of the plants and which are configured so as to contain hydroponic liquid when the tile is in a vertical position.

20. A tile according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising connection elements (330) which are configured so as to allow the connection of the tile to an additional tile in order to allow the production of a simplified charging and discharge system.

21. A tile according to any one of the preceding claims, when dependent on claim 16, wherein the lower support means (9) of the closure element (6) are formed inside the seat (5) .

22. A tile according to claim 21, wherein the lower support means (9) have at least the length thereof substantially equal to the length of one of the side walls.

23. A tile according to any one of the preceding claims, when dependent on claims 15 and 16, wherein the lower support means (9) define the at least one divider (101, 102) which cooperates with the lower support means (9) for supporting the closure element (6) and for subdividing the seat (5) into a plurality of chambers (11) .

24. A tile according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the closure element (6) is interchangeable with at least one additional closure element (13) having at least a second plurality of shaped openings (14) for retaining therein second hydroponic plants (P) .

25. A tile according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a filling device (16) for filling the seat (5) with the hydroponic liquid.

26. A tile according to claim 25, wherein the filling device (16) comprises a passage (17) for the hydroponic liquid in the seat (5) through the closure element (6) .

27. A tile according to claim 26, wherein the filling device provides for an automated daily charging and control system (18) .

28. A tile according to one or more of the preceding claims, when dependent on claim 16, wherein the base (4) is shaped and defines the support means (9) which are provided to assist in supporting and distributing the pedestrian load including at the bottom of the tile and/or the intermediate plane (30) and/or the second plane (37) .

29. A tile according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it has a quadrangular shape, circular shape or another shape determined by the scenographic requirements .

30. A tile according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the portions which constitute the tile system are partially or completely made from compostable or recycled and recyclable material.

31. A tile according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the openings (7) which are present on the closure element (6) are constructed by using a grid of rods, preferably made of metal, so as to form holes which are configured so as not to cut the leaves and to further ensure a passage of light which is more balanced and distributed over the portion of plant which is located inside the tile.

32. A tile according to any one of the preceding claims, when dependent on claim 2, wherein there is defined a gap between the closure element (6) and the intermediate plane (30) which is configured so as to maintain the root apparatus (R) of the plant (P) at a distance from the closure element (6) so as to prevent or limit the trampling of the root apparatus (R) during use of the tile.