Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02691483 2010-02-01
MODULAR PLANTING SYSTEM FOR ROOF APPLICATIONS
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[00011 The present invention relates to a modular planting system for roof
applications, and in
particular to a modular planting system that includes a plurality of planter
modules each
including a planter and a biodegradable insert member extending upwardly from
an
uppermost portion of the planter, thereby allowing plant matter to extend
above the upper
edge of the associated planter and the insert member to degrade once the
planter module is
placed adjacent to a plurality of other planter modules, thereby creating a
green-roof
system.
[00021 Green-roof systems are used in a wide variety of applications,
including
commercial and residential buildings. The positive thermal properties of the
systems
result in significant cost savings with respect to cooling of the associated
buildings and
structures. Further, the systems dramatically reduce the amount of water
runoff caused by
rainfall, which is particularly critical in urban areas. The systems typically
include a soil
or aggregate matter supporting plants therein, and barrier layers for
protecting the
underlying roof and for providing the necessary water barriers and drainage
for the
associated plants. These methods may include the application of seed-including
soils to
the selected roof area. However, this method typically requires a significant
amount of
time until the plants provide adequate coverage. Other methods that have been
employed
include the use of modular systems, thereby reducing the grow-time required in
order to
provide adequate coverage by allowing plants to at least partially mature
prior to being
utilized within a green roof system. However, these systems employ normal
planter boxes
wherein the plant matter rests below an uppermost edge of the associated
planter or
container. Such methods, while a vast improvement over previous methods,
typically
result in several months to years of grow time while the individual sections
grow and
subsequently fuse together to provide adequate roof coverage. Another problem
typically
associated with past methods is the inadequacy of water supply, drainage and
transport of
water and nutrients between the associated sections.
[00031 A planted roof system is desired that provides adequate roof coverage
quickly and
economically, while simultaneously being easy to install at a relative low
cost. Further,
the system should provide improved water communication between the modules
that
comprise the overall system, and allow easy maintenance thereof.
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SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[00041 One aspect of the present invention is to provide a method for
installing a modular
green roof system that comprises providing a planter that includes a bottom
wall and a
plurality of sidewalls each having an upper edge that cooperate with the
bottom wall to
form an interior space, providing a removable collar member having a bottom
edge and a
top edge, and inserting the removable collar into the interior space of the
planter such the
removable collar extends upwardly from at least a select one of the plurality
of sidewalls.
The method further comprises placing and growing a plant matter within the
interior space
of the planter such that at least a portion of the plant matter extends
upwardly from the
upper edge of the plurality of sidewalls, positioning the planter proximate to
at least one
other planter, and removing the collar member from within the interior space
of the planter
such that the portion of the plant matter extending upwardly from the upper
edge of the
planter abut a portion of plant matter extending upwardly from an upper edge
of the at
least one other planter.
[00051 Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a green roof
planter module
that comprises a planter including a bottom wall and a plurality of sidewalls
that cooperate
with the bottom wall to form an interior space, and a biodegradable insert
including a
bottom wall and a plurality of sidewalls that cooperate with the bottom wall
to form an
interior space, wherein the insert is adapted to retain a plant matter in the
interior space of
the insert, the plurality of sidewalls of the insert extend above the
plurality of sidewalls of
the planter, and wherein the plurality of the sidewalls of the insert are
adapted to retain a
plant matter that extends above the plurality of sidewalls of the planter.
[00061 Yet another aspect of the present invention is to provide a method for
installing a
modular green roof system that comprises providing a planter that includes a
bottom wall
and a plurality of sidewalls each having an upper edge and that cooperate with
the bottom
edge to form an interior space, providing a biodegradable insert that includes
a bottom
wall and a plurality of sidewalls each having an upper edge and that cooperate
with the
bottom wall of the insert to form an interior space, and inserting the insert
into the interior
space of the planter such that the upper edge of the sidewalls of the insert
extend upwardly
from the upper edge of the sidewalls of the planter. The method further
includes placing
and growing a plant matter within the interior space of the insert such that
at least a
portion of the plant matter extends upwardly from the upper edge of the
plurality of
sidewalls, positioning the planter proximate to at least one other planter,
and allowing the
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insert to degrade from within the interior space of the planter such that the
portion of the
plant matter extending upwardly from the upper edge of the planter abut a
portion of plant
matter extending upwardly from an upper edge of the at least one other
planter.
[0007] The present inventive green roof system provides coverage of an entire
roof area
quickly and economically by allowing the associated modules to be planted
and/or grown
off-sight in a manner that allows the plant matter to extend upwardly from an
associated
planter and plant matter within adjacent modules to abut immediately upon
installation.
Further, the roof system is easy to install at a relatively low cost.
Moreover, the system
provides improved water communication and drainage between adjacent modules,
allows
easy maintenance of the overall system, can be installed easily and quickly by
even
unskilled personnel, is capable of a long-operating life, and is particularly
well adapted for
the proposed use.
[0008] These and other advantages of the invention will be further understood
and
appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to the following written
specification,
claims and appended drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a building employing a green roof
system
embodying the present invention;
[0010] Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a green roof planter module that
includes a collar
member removably inserted into an associated planter;
[0011] Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the planter module;
[0012] Fig. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the planter module including
a cut-away
portion of the collar member inserted into the planter;
[0013] Fig. 5A is a partial cross-sectional end view of the planter module;
[0014] Fig. 5B is a partial cross-sectional end view of a first alternative
embodiment of the
planter module;
[0015] Fig. 6 is an end view of the planter;
[0016] Fig. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view of a second alternative
embodiment of the
planer module;
[0017] Fig. 8 is a top perspective view of a third alternative embodiment of
the planter
module including a planter and a supporting drainage member;
[0018] Fig. 9 is a top plan view of the drainage member;
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[0019] Fig. 10 is an exploded perspective view of a fourth alternative
embodiment of the
planter module; and
[0020] Fig. 11 is a perspective view of the fourth alternative embodiment of
the planter
module.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
For purposes of description herein, the terms "upper," "lower," "right,"
"left," "rear,"
"front," "vertical," "horizontal," and derivatives thereof shall relate to the
invention as
oriented in Figs. 2 and 8. However, it is to be understood that the invention
may assume
various alternative orientations and step sequences, except where expressly
specified to
the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and
processes illustrated
in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification are
exemplary
embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence,
specific
dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments
disclosed herein
are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state
otherwise.
[0021] The reference numeral 10 (Fig. 1) generally designates a green roof
system
embodying the present invention and employed on a building roof 12 and
comprising a
plurality of individual green roof planter modules 14. In the illustrated
example, each of
the planter modules 14 (Figs. 2 and 3) comprises a planter 16 and an insert
18, such as a
removable collar inserted into the planter 16 such that the collar 18 extends
upwardly from
an uppermost edge of the planter 16, thereby allowing the retention of plant
matter that
extends above an upper edge of the planter 16.
[0022] Each planter 16 includes a bottom wall 20, a plurality of walls that
include
sidewalls 22 and end walls 24 that cooperate with the bottom wall 20 to form
an interior
space 26, and a plurality of support tabs 28 (Figs. 4 and 5) spaced about the
interior space
26 and that extend inwardly toward the interior space 26. Each of the
sidewalls and end
walls include a top edge 25. As best illustrated in Fig. 4, each of the
support tabs 28
extends upwardly from the bottom wall 20 and is spaced from an associated
sidewall 22 or
end wall 24. The planter 16 is preferably integrally molded by press forming,
and the like,
and is constructed of a material such as plastic. In the illustrated example,
the planter 16 is
providing a rectangularly-shaped overall plan form, however, other
configurations may
also be utilized. Further, it is noted that the tabs 28 are configured to abut
the bottom
surface of the bottom wall 20 of another planter 16 when multiple planters are
placed in a
stacked relationship. As illustrated, one of the sidewalls 22 and one of the
end walls 24
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each include an outwardly-extending overlap tab 29 that overlaps a respective
sidewall or
end wall of an adjacent planter 16.
[00231 The collar member 18 includes a plurality of walls 30 each having a
bottom edge
32 and a top edge 34. In the illustrated example, the collar member 18
comprises two
pieces that extend in a rectangular manner about the planter 16. Specifically,
the collar
member 18 extends about the interior space 26 of the associated planter 16
such that the
bottom edge 32 of each of the walls 30 is inserted between the sidewalls and
end walls 22,
24 of the planter 16 and the associated support tabs 28, thereby retaining the
collar
member 18 within the interior space 26 of the planter 16, and such that the
walls 30 of the
collar member 18 extend upwardly from the top edge 25 of the sidewalls and end
walls 22,
24 of the planter 16. Although locking tabs are illustrated between each of
the pieces of
the collar, overlapping, non-tabbed ends may also be utilized.
[00241 In operation, the collar member 18 is inserted into the interior space
26 of planter
16, in a manner described above, and a plant matter that comprises grown
plants, plant
seedlings, plant seeds and the like, and soil and/or aggregate is also
inserted into the
interior space 26 of the planter 16. Subsequently, plants are grown within the
interior
space 26 until such plant matter extends upwardly above the top edge 25 of the
sidewalls
and end walls 22, 24 of the planter 16. The planter module 14 is then placed
in rows or a
grid work-like pattern upon a roof 12 (Fig. 1) and the collar member 18
removed such that
the plant matter within the interior space 26 of the planter 16 abuts similar
plant matter in
adjacent planter modules 14, thereby providing a connected roof system that
will quickly
provide an interconnected and aesthetically-pleasing planted surface.
Alternatively, the
collar member 18 comprises a biodegradable material that may be left within
the planter
16 placed within the overall grid work of the green roof system 10. It is also
noted that the
walls 30 of the collar member 18 angles outwardly from the sidewalls and end
walls 22,
24 of the planter 16, thereby promoting a tight abutment of the plant matter
extending
above the top edge 25 of the sidewalls and end walls 22, 24 between adjacent
planter
modules 14.
[00251 The proper communication of water between adjacent planters 16 is
provided by
various elements within the planter 16. As best illustrated in Fig. 2, the
bottom wall 20 of
the planter 16 comprises a grid work-like pattern of recesses 36 segmented by
raised
portions 38. A plurality of drainage apertures 40 extend through the recesses
36 and the
raised portions 38. It is noted that at least a portion of each of the
drainage apertures 40
extend through a lowermost portion of the bottom wall 20, thereby eliminating
standing
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water within the planter 16. Each of the sidewalls and end walls 22, 24 of the
planter 16
also include arcuately-shaped recesses or apertures 42 extending therethrough
that align
with similar apertures of adjacent planters when positioned within the overall
gridwork.
As illustrated, each of the apertures extends downwardly from the top edge 25
of the
sidewalls and end walls 22, 24, a distance that is greater than half of the
distance between
the top edge 25 and a point at which the bottom wall 20 intersects the
sidewalls and/or end
wall 22, 24, thereby providing adequate water communication between adjacent
planters
16 and further allowing for the migration of plant matter therebetween.
[0026] The reference numeral 14a (Fig. 5B) generally designates another
embodiment of
the present inventive planter module. Since the planter module 14a is similar
to the
previously-described planter module 14, similar parts appearing in Figs. 2-4
and Fig. 5,
respectively are represented by the same, corresponding reference numeral,
except for the
suffix "a" in the numerals of the latter. In the planter module 14a, the top
edge 25a of
each of the sidewalls 22a and end walls 24a include an upwardly-opening
channel 33
defining a pocket 35 within which the bottom edge 32a of the collar member 18a
is
inserted.
[0027] The planter 16 (Fig. 6) further includes a pair of gripping reliefs 44
located at each
end thereof. Specifically, each relief 44 is provided within the intersection
of an
associated end wall 24 and the bottom wall 20 such that a user is able to
insert their fingers
into the reliefs 44, thereby allowing easy gripping and support of the planter
module 14.
[0028] The reference numeral 14b (Fig. 7) generally designates another
embodiment of
the present inventive planter module 14. Since the planter module 14b is
similar to the
previously-described planter module 14, similar parts appearing in Figs. 2-4
and Fig. 7,
respectively are represented by the same, corresponding reference numeral,
except for the
suffix "b" in the numerals of the latter. In the planter module 14b, the
intersecting corner
46 between the sidewalls 22b and the end walls (not shown) are provided with
an aperture
48 extending therethrough, while corresponding corners of the collar member
18b are
provided with an aperture or recess 50. The alternative embodiment planter
module 14b
further includes a retainer member that extends about the exterior of the
sidewalls and end
wall 22b, 24b of the planter 16b and extends into the aperture 48 of the
planter 16b and the
apertures 50 of the collar member 18b, thereby retaining the collar member 18b
to the
outside of the planter 16b. It is preferred that the retainer member 52
comprises an
elastically-deformable material, such as an elastic cord or rubber band. The
retainer
member 52 assists in retaining the collar member 18b about the planter 16b,
but allows
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easy removal of the retaining member 52 and the collar member 18b from about
the
planter 16b.
[0029] The reference numeral 14c (Fig. 8) generally designates another
embodiment of
the present inventive planter module. Since the planter module 14c is similar
to the
previously-described planter module 14, similar parts appearing in Figs. 2-4
and Figs. 8
and 9, respectively are represented by the same, corresponding reference
numeral, except
for the suffix "c" in the numerals of the latter. The planter module 14c
includes a planter
16c, a collar member 18c, and a drainage member 54 supporting the planter 16c.
The
planter 16c and collar member 18c are similar to the previously-described
planter 16 and
collar member 18, the most notable exception being that the bottom wall 20c of
the planter
16c is substantially flat with a plurality of drainage holes or apertures 56
extending
therethrough. The drainage member 54 is provided substantially the same plan
form shape
as the planter 16c and includes a top wall 58, a bottom wall 60, and a
plurality of sidewalls
62. As illustrated, the planter 16c includes a plurality of downwardly-
extending pegs 63
that are embedded into the drainage member 54. As best illustrated in Fig. 9,
the top wall
58 includes an inwardly-extending grid work of passages or recesses 64. These
passages
extend between and through the sidewalls 62 of the drainage member 54. In
assembly, the
bottom wall 20c of the planter 16c is supported on the top wall 58 of the
drainage member
54 such that the drainage apertures 56 of the planter 16c aligns with the
recesses 64 of the
drainage member 64, thereby allowing water communication therebetween.
Further, the
recesses 64 of the drainage member 54 are arranged so as to align the recesses
64 of
adjacent drainage members 54 within the overall grid work of planter modules
14c when
placed upon the roof 12 of the associated building, thereby allowing proper
fluid
communication between all adjacent planter modules 14c. Preferably, the
drainage
member 54 is comprised of a deformable foam material that allows the bottom
wall 60 to
be easily deformed when placed upon an uneven roof surface thereby eliminating
the need
for blocking or altering any of the planters 16c. The foam material also
provides
insulative properties between the planters 16c and associated roof 12.
[0030] The reference numeral 14d (Figs. 10 and 11) generally designates
another
alternative embodiment of the green roof planter modules. Since the planter
module 14d
is similar to the previously-described planter module 14, similar parts
appearing in Figs. 2-
4 and Figs. 10 and 11, respectively, are represented by the same corresponding
reference
numerals, except for the suffix "d" in the numerals of the latter. In the
illustrated example,
the planter module 14d comprises a planter 16d and a biodegradable insert 18d
inserted
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into the planter 16d such that the insert 18d extends upwardly from an
uppermost edge of
the planter 16d, thereby allowing the retention of plant matter that extends
above an upper
edge of the planter 16.
[00311 Each planter 16d includes a bottom wall 20d, a plurality of walls that
include
sidewalls 22d, and end walls 24d that cooperate with the bottom wall 20d to
form an
interior space 26d. Each of the sidewalls 22d and end walls 24d include a top
edge 25d.
The planter 16d is preferably integrally molded by press forming, and the
like, and is
constructed of a material such as plastic. In the illustrated example, the
planter 16d is
providing a rectangularly-shaped overall plan form, however, other
configurations may
also be utilized. As illustrated, one of the sidewalls 22d and one of the end
walls 24d each
include an outwardly-extending overlap tab 29d that overlaps a respective
sidewall or end
wall of an adjacent planter 16d.
[00321 The insert 18d includes a plurality of sidewalls 30d each having a
bottom edge 32d
and a top edge 34d, and a bottom wall 35d extending between and cooperating
with the
sidewalls 30d to form an interior space 37d. In the illustrated example, the
insert 18d is
sized so as to be received within the planter 16d and is shaped similarly to
the planter 16d.
Preferably, the insert 18d comprises a biodegradable material, such as
cellulose,
biodegradable plastic, a wood product such as coconut fiber or bamboo fiber,
cardboard,
and/or paper. Further, the base material of which the insert 18d is
constructed may be
coated with a material that retards biodegradation, such as paraffin. The
coating may also
be applied selectively, thereby allowing select portions of the insert 18d to
degrade more
quickly than others.
[00331 In operation, the insert 18d is inserted into the interior space 26d of
planter 16d,
such that the sidewalls 30d and bottom wall 35d of the insert 18d abut the
sidewalls 22d
and bottom wall 20d of the planter 16d, respectively. A plant matter that
comprises grown
plants, plant seedlings, plant seeds and the like, and soil and/or aggregate
is then inserted
into the interior space 37d of the planter insert 18d. Subsequently, plants
are grown within
the interior space 18d until such plant matter extends upwardly above the top
edge 25d of
the sidewalls and end walls 22d, 24d of the planter l6d. The planter module
14d is then
placed in rows or a grid work-like pattern upon a roof 12 (Fig. 1). The insert
18d then
biodegrades such that the plant matter within the interior space 26d of the
planter 16d
abuts similar plant matter in adjacent planter modules 14d, thereby providing
a connected
roof system that will quickly provide an interconnected and aesthetically-
pleasing planted
surface. It is also noted that the walls 30d of the insert 18d angles
outwardly from the
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sidewalls and end walls 22d, 24d of the planter 16d, thereby promoting a tight
abutment of
the plant matter extending above the top edge 25d of the sidewalls and end
walls 22d, 24d
between adjacent planter modules 14d.
[0034] The present inventive green roof system provides coverage of an entire
roof area
quickly and economically by allowing the associated modules to be grown off-
sight in a
manner that allows the plant matter to extend upwardly from an associated
planter and
plant matter within adjacent modules to abut more quickly subsequent to
installation.
Further, the roof system is easy to install at a relatively low cost.
Moreover, the system
provides improved water communication and drainage between adjacent modules,
allows
easy maintenance of the overall system, can be installed easily and quickly by
even
unskilled personnel, is capable of a long-operating life, and is particularly
well adapted for
the proposed use.
[0035] In the foregoing description, it will be readily appreciated by those
skilled in the
art, that modifications may be made to the invention without departing from
the concepts
as disclosed herein, such modifications are to be considered as included in
the following
claims, unless these claims by their language expressly state otherwise.
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