Plant husbandry – Water culture – apparatus or method – Porous support
Patent
1997-04-03
1999-11-30
Nelson, Peter A.
Plant husbandry
Water culture, apparatus or method
Porous support
47 59, A01G 3100
Patent
active
059920939
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to growth substrates which predominantly consists of mineral wool fibres formed into a coherent matrix and mutually bonded by a cured binding agent and if appropriate impregnated with a wetting agent for rapid water uptake before use. These mineral wool fibres may be stone wool fibres, glass fibres, slag fibres and the like.
2) Description of the Prior Art
The air and water distribution within the growth substrate is dependent on the hydraulic pressure over the height of the growth substrate, but also dependent on the internal surface.
The internal surface is a function of the density of the growth substrate, of the fibre diameter of the mineral wool fibres used and of the content of non-fibre material (shot).
Growth substrates have a total density within the range of 5-200 kg/m.sup.3, preferably between 20-180 kg/m.sup.3, more preferably 40-120 kg/m.sup.3, and practically 50-70 kg/m.sup.3.
The fibre diameter is normally within the range of 1-20 micrometer, preferably 2-10 micrometer, such as 3-8 micrometer.
The amount of shot varies between 0-50 Wt % such as 0-40 Wt %. For stone wool it is normally 30-35 Wt % and for glass wool it is 5-10 Wt %.
Furthermore the aspect ratio (length over diameter ratio) is normally less than 5 for shot.
The value for the internal surface varies between 5,000 and 20,000 m.sup.2 /m.sup.3. A high internal surface is in the range of 16,000-20,000, low in the range of 5,000-8,000 and moderate in the range of 9,000-15,000 m.sup.2 /m.sup.3.
The invention has for its object to provide new growth substrates which possess better properties, such as a better water distribution, a better air distribution, a better root penetration and distribution, and further a better compression or bending strength.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
These new growth substrates have become available because of the use of a new technology for the production of growth substrates, that is the provision of substrates comprising at least one layer of short transversally extending fibres. Such a layer is produced by superfolding in an up/downward direction a web of mineral wool fibres within which the fibres are predominantly horizontally orientated. Accordingly there is produced in a longitudinal direction a zigzag-wise formed layer which is indicated within this application as a layer of short transversally extending mineral wool fibres. For schematic illustrations reference is made to the annexed drawings. Each fold has a width in the range of 2-50 mm, preferably 4-40 mm, such as 2-40 mm.
In general the present invention provides a growth substrate, comprising at least one layer of short transversally extending mineral wool fibres and at least one surface layer of mineral wool fibres. By using such a layer of short transversally extending fibres, within that layer there is a better compression strength, a better root penetration and also a better water drainage. All these improved properties will be sold in an improved growth that provides better initial growth, better yield and the like. Due to the presence of a surface layer which maybe on top or on the bottom side, a better water spreading from the dripping point, a better drainage or a better growth substrate walkability or fixation to the underground may be obtained. Accordingly it is preferred that the growth substrate have the layer of short transversally extending mineral wool fibres interposed between two surface layers of mineral wool fibres.
According to a preferred embodiment the surface layer comprises horizontally extending mineral wool fibres. Accordingly a growth substrate is provided comprising a better water spreadability from the dripping point, a better compression strength, a better root penetration and a better drainage.
According to another preferred embodiment the layer of short transversally extending mineral wool fibres is interposed between two surface layers of horizontally extending mineral wool fibres. Such a growth substrate maybe used for roof g
REFERENCES:
patent: 4949503 (1990-08-01), Blok
patent: 5009031 (1991-04-01), Knop et al.
patent: 5133151 (1992-07-01), Blok
patent: 5224292 (1993-07-01), Anton
patent: 5724766 (1998-03-01), Behrens
De Groot Jacob Frank
Hansen Lars
Nelson Peter A.
Rockwool/Grodan B.V.
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