WO2015113147A1

WO2015113147A1 - A system for growing plants within a wall of a building

Info

Publication number: WO2015113147A1
Application number: PCT/CA2015/000062
Authority: WO
Inventors: Andrzej MATYSIAK
Original assignee: OGOPOGO ENVIRONMENTAL & ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS Ltd
Current assignee: OGOPOGO ENVIRONMENTAL & ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS Ltd
Priority date: 2014-01-31
Filing date: 2015-01-30
Publication date: 2015-08-06
Anticipated expiration: 2016-07-31

Abstract

The present invention provides a system and a method for growing plants. The invention comprises a container that is built into the frames of building walls. The containers can be built into the frames of exterior or interior walls. The containers can have a single glass face or the containers can have two, or more, glass faces. At least one glass face includes a series of holes for permitting gas exchange between the inside of the containers, where the plants are housed, and the interior space of the building. The size, spacing and number of holes in the glass helps maintain moisture levels within the container. Variables of the system such as the size, spacing and number of holes in the glass can be optimized to develop a relatively stable water cycle within the container so that minimal further watering, if any, is required.

Description

A SYSTEM FOR GROWING PLANTS WITHIN A WALL OF A BUILDING

FIELD OF INVENTION:

[001] This disclosure generally relates to systems for growing plants. In particular, the disclosure relates to a system for growing plants that is built into wall frames of buildings and that requires minimal environmental maintenance.

BACKGROUND:

[002] Humans are spending a greater portion, upwards of 80 and 90 percent, of each day inside buildings. Many buildings include heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems (HVAC) for refreshing interior air by mechanically drawing exterior air from outside the building to replace the interior air. However, when exterior air is drawn in a building, airborne pollutants are often drawn into the building as well. In an effort to increase energy efficiency, many buildings are designed and built to be substantially airtight. Substantially airtight buildings restrict or prevent the movement of indoor airborne pollutants to outside of the building. Furthermore, the buildings themselves may also contribute to the levels of indoor airborne pollutants. For example, volatile organic compounds are known to be released by various building materials. Furthermore, some buildings may harbour fungus, moulds, bacteria and other potentially toxic microorganisms that can become airborne within the building. Some estimates indicate that levels of airborne pollutants within interior air may be many times higher than the exterior air.

[003] Additionally, the HVAC system often heats or cools the exterior air to provide a comfortable ambient temperature within the building. The interior air of many buildings is often refreshed by increasing the ventilation rates and/or volumes by which the interior air is mechanically replaced by outside air. This approach may exacerbate the problem of increased indoor airborne pollutant levels. Increasing the ventilation rates and/or volumes, in addition to the temperature regulation, increases the maintenance requirements and operational costs of HVAC systems.

i [004] The combination of indoor airborne contaminants and the large amount of time that people are spending indoors has been linked to Sick Building Syndrome (see United States Environmental Protection Agency Air and Radiation (6609J) Research and Development (MD- 56) February 1991). Sick Building Syndrome is the reported incidence of various physical symptoms that are associated with time spent indoors, yet no specific etiology is identifiable (see United States Environmental Protection Agency Air and Radiation (6609J) Research and Development (MD-56) February 1991). The physical symptoms of Sick Building Syndrome may include, one or more of: headache, dizziness, nausea, irritation of one or all of the eyes, nose or throat, dry cough, dry or itching skin, difficulties with concentration, fatigue, sensitivity to odors, hoarse voice, allergies, colds, flu-like symptoms, increased incidence of asthma attacks and personality changes (see Sumedha Joshi in Indian J Occup Environ Med. Aug 2008; 12(2): 61-64). The physical symptoms often times resolve themselves when the patient simply leaves the building, only to return upon the patient's return to the building. Sick Building Syndrome may negatively affect work place efficiency and the psychological environment of the workplace. Furthermore, poor indoor air quality has been reported to negatively affect workforce production by approximately $60 billion per year in USA (see Reitze Arnold, "The Legal Control of Indoor Air Pollution", The Boston College Environmental Affairs Law Review, 1998).

[005] The walls of buildings can incorporate living plants as an approach for reducing HVAC maintenance and operating costs and for improving the quality of interior air. Typically, planters are used to house the living plants and the planters are fixed to a surface of the building's wall. These walls are also referred to as green walls. Different coloured and types of plants can be arranged to create decorative effects. Green walls can be placed on interior or exterior walls of a building. When placed on an inner or outer surface of an exterior wall, green wail can improve the exterior walls insulation properties, which can reduce the costs associated with heating and cooling the interior air. When a green wall is placed on an interior wall, the plants' photosynthetic metabolism can act to refresh interior air by uptake of carbon dioxide and providing new oxygen. The plants within green walls can also reduce the levels of some airborne pollutants. [006] Green walls systems are often installed to include irrigation tanks, pumps and lines to provide water to the plants upon the wall. The irrigation tanks, pumps and lines of a green wall system can place a heavy maintenance burden and operating cost on the green wall system.

SUMMARY:

[007] The present invention, as further described below, provides a system for growing plants within the walls of buildings. The system provides optimized conditions for plant growth that reduces the maintenance burden of keeping the plants alive. The system avoids the need for permanent irrigation reservoir tanks, pumps, lines and overflow tanks that are requirements of known green walls and green wall systems.

[008] The present invention includes a system for growing plants that comprises a container positioned within a wall frame of a building; an interior chamber of the container is substantially closed from an exterior of the container. The container comprises a first face and a second face. At least one of the first face and the second face comprises glass. The glass defines at least one aperture that provide fluid communication between the interior and the exterior of the container. The system further comprises a soil medium that is housed within the container for supporting plant life and a soil additive within the soil medium that retains moisture within the soil medium. The variables of dimensions of the container dimensions, the size of the at least one aperture, the positioning of the at least one aperture on the glass and an initial moisture level within the soil medium are optimized so that a relatively stable water cycle establishes within the interior chamber when plants are planted within the soil medium.

[009] The present invention also provides a method of growing plants within a wall of a building, the method comprising steps of: providing a container supported within a wall frame of a building. The container includes a first face and a second face, at least one of the first face and the second face comprises glass that defines a plurality of apertures for providing fluid communication between the interior and the exterior of the container. The method also includes the steps of mounting the container within a frame of a wall, providing a soil medium within the container for supporting plant life and providing a soil additive within the soil medium that retains moisture within the soil medium. At least one plant is planted within the soil medium and a predetermined initial dose of water is added into the soil medium. Then the interior chamber is substantially closed off from an exterior of the container.

[010] The present invention can include providing an initial dose of water as a way to establish an initial moisture level within the soil medium. The initial dose of water is applied to the soil medium yet the system requires only limited further doses of water.

[Oil] Other advantages of the system may include improved air quality, an increased production of oxygen and carbon sequestering. The inventor believes that the system may provide a therapeutic effect by improving indoor air quality and reducing the symptoms of Sick Building Syndrome. Additionally, the plants that grow within the system can be artistically arranged to enhance the beauty of the building's interior space and to increase the exposure of the building's occupants to nature, which may provide various psychological benefits.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS:

[012] Various examples of the system are described in detail below, with reference to the accompanying drawings. The drawings may not be to scale and some features or elements of the depicted examples may purposely be embellished for clarity. Similar reference numbers within the drawings refer to similar or identical elements. The drawings are provided only as examples and, therefore, the drawings should be considered illustrative of the present invention and its various aspects, embodiments and options. The drawings should not be considered as limiting or restrictive to the scope of the invention.

[013] Figure 1A is a front elevation view of one example embodiment of a system for growing plants.

[014] Figure IB is a cross-sectional, side view taken along line IB-IB in Figure 1A.

[015] Figure 2A is a front elevation view of another example embodiment of a system for growing plants. [016] Figure 2B is a cross-sectional, side view taken along line 2B-2B in Figure 2A.

[017] Figure 3A is a front elevation view of another example embodiment of a system for growing plants.

[018] Figure 3B is a cross-sectional, side view taken along line 3B-3B in Figure 3A.

[019] Figure 4A is a front elevation view of another example embodiment of a system for growing plants.

[020] Figure 4B is a cross-sectional, side view taken along line 4B-4B in Figure 4A.

[021] Figure 5A is a front elevation view of another example embodiment of a system for growing plants.

[022] Figure 5B is a cross-sectional, side view taken along line 5B-5B in Figure 5A.

[023] Figure 6A is a front elevation view of another example embodiment of a system for growing plants.

[024] Figure 6B is a cross-sectional, side view taken along line 6B-6B in Figure 6A. DETAILED DESCRIPTION:

[025] Figures la,b to 6a, b depict various embodiments of a system for growing plants. In general, the various systems include containers that are built into the frames of building walls. The containers can be built into the frames of exterior or interior walls. The containers can have a single glass face or the containers can have two, or more, glass faces. At least one glass face includes a series of holes for permitting gas exchange between the inside of the containers, where the plants are housed, and the interior space of the building. The inventor has determined that the size, spacing and number of holes in the glass helps maintain moisture levels within the container. So that following an initial dose of water, a relatively stable water cycle is created within the container. The result of the relatively stable water cycle is that the plants within the container require minimal further watering, if any. [026] Figures 1A and IB depict one example of a system 8 for growing plants 30. The system 8 comprises a container 100, a soil medium 26 and a soil additive 28. The container 100 is designed to be built into a frame 800, for example a frame of an exterior wall 10A or an interior wall 10B of a building. Without intending to be limiting, the walls 10A, 10B can be part of a residential house, a commercial establishment, an office tower and various other types of buildings.

[027] The container 100 has a front face 12, a back face 14 a first side face 16, a second side face 18, a top face 20 and a bottom face 22. In the example depicted in Figures 1A and IB, the front face 12 is made of glass; however, any or all of the back face 14, the side faces 16,18, the top face 20 and the bottom face 22 can be made of glass as well. The glass may be any form of substantially planar transparent material such as, but not limited to, crystalline or noncrystalline materials, silica-based glass materials, oxide glass or transparent thermoplastics such as plexiglass. Optionally, the glass may be coated with a hydrophobic coating or a hydrophillic coating. The coatings may incorporate nanosized constituents, or not, and such glass may be commercially available under the name nanotechnology glass. The reference numbers used above, in regards to container 100, are used hereinafter to refer to similar features of the other examples of containers. The container 100 is oriented so that the front face 12 faces the interior of the room, which the exterior wall 10A at least partially defines, and the back face 14 is adjacent the exterior wall 10A of the building. The container 100 may also be referred to as an exterior, single-faced container.

[028] When the faces 12, 14, 16, 18, 20 and 22 of the container 100 are assembled together, the container 100 defines an interior chamber 24 of generally square or rectangular shape. In other examples of the system 8, the container 100 may define an interior chamber 24 of various shapes and various dimensions. Figure 1A depicts the second face 18 with dotted lines and discontinuity lines to convey that shape and dimensions of the interior chamber 24 are not limited and can vary. It is understood that, while the remaining Figures do not depict second face 18, in a similar fashion as Figure 1A, the remaining Figure are intended to similarly depict a container that defines an interior chamber 24 of various shapes and dimensions. For example, the dimensions of the interior chamber 24 may depend upon the overall desired size of the container 100. In some instances, the container 100 may be restricted in size by local building codes while in other jurisdictions; the container 100 may be any size that will fit within the frame 800. Optionally, the distance between the front and back faces 12, 14 (shown as X in Figure la, which is an outer edge to outer edge measurement) is large enough to allow enough soil medium 26 to be housed within the interior chamber 24 to support the growth of the plants 30. The distance X between the front and back faces 12, 14 may be within a range of about 50 mm to about 190 mm. Optionally, the distance X is at least 90 mm.

[029] When the container 100 is assembled to form the interior chamber 24, the edges of the faces are sealed together, for example by a wide variety of known caulks, sealants and adhesives. Preferably, a silicone sealant is used. More preferably, a waterproof, acetoxy silicone sealant is used. When the edges of the faces are sealed together, the interior chamber 24 of the container 100 is substantially closed off from outside of the container 100. As described further below, the term "substantially closed off" is used herein to refer to how a relatively stable water cycle may be established within the interior chamber 24. Optionally, the top face 20 may be sealed against the top edges of the front, back and side faces 12, 14, 16 and 18 by a removable adhesive tape. In this option, the removable adhesive tape may be removed to allow the top face 20 to also be removed so that access is granted to the interior chamber 24, for example, to perform any required maintenance work. In another option, all of the edges of the faces may be sealed to together by an adhesive tape to avoid possible contamination of the plants 30 by any off gasing from other types of sealants. Use of the adhesive tape will still substantially close off the interior chamber 24.

[030] At least one of the faces of the container 100 defines at least one aperture 34. The terms "aperture" and "apertures" are used herein to refer to as both a single aperture and to multiple apertures. The apertures 34 extend through the material of the face to provide fluid communication between the interior chamber 24 and outside of the container 100. In the example depicted in Figures 1A and IB, which are not intended to be limiting, the apertures 34 are defined by the front face 12 of the container 100. The inventor has observed that the size and positioning of the apertures 34 may contribute towards establishing a relatively stable water cycle within the interior chamber 24. Through experimenting with various designs, the inventor has observed that the size and positioning of the apertures 34 may reduce the amount of water that is lost from the interior chamber 24 through the apertures 34. For example, the inventor has observed that positioning the apertures 34 proximal to the top face 20 may be advantageous. In one example of the system 8, the apertures 34 can be aligned to form a line that is substantially parallel to the top and bottom faces 20, 22. For example, the apertures 34 may be spaced from the top face 20 at the same distance that falls in a range between about 50 mm and about 150 mm (1 mm is substantially equally to approximately 0.04 inches). Preferably, the apertures 34 are spaced about 100 mm from the top face 20. Each individual aperture 34 can have a diameter of between about 15 mm and about 25 mm. Preferably, each individual aperture 34 has a diameter of about 20 mm. Each aperture 34 is spaced from an adjacent aperture by about 50 mm to about 600 mm. Preferably, each aperture 34 is spaced from an adjacent aperture by about 75mm to about 400 mm. Optionally, the apertures 34 further comprise a screen that prevents pests and other contaminants from entering the interior chamber 24 without blocking fluid communication through the apertures 34. For example, the screen may be a metal mesh screen or it may be made of other suitable materials. Preferably the screen is made of stainless steel. While the Figures depict the apertures 34 as being circular, or round, other shapes of the apertures may be used as well.

[031] The phrase "substantially closed off" refers to the limited exchange of moisture between the interior chamber 24 and outside of the container 100. The limited exchange of moisture between the interior chamber 24 and outside of the container 100 effectively traps a large percentage, if not all, of the initial moisture level of the soil medium that is introduced into the container 100 by an initial dose of water. Following the introduction of the initial dose of water, a relatively stable water cycle may develop within the interior chamber 24 with at least some of the initial water dose being stored within the soil medium 26, the air within the interior chamber 24 (e.g. as humidity) and within the plants 30 within the interior chamber 24. Establishing a relatively stable water cycle may result in most, if not all of the initial water dose remaining within the interior chamber 24. The relatively stable water cycle may reduce the maintenance requirements for the system 8 so that minimal supplemental water, which is water that is in addition to the initial water dose, is required to sustain the health and growth of plants 30 within the interior chamber 24. The inventor has observed that in some examples, plants 30 within the substantially closed off interior chamber 24 have not required any supplemental water for periods of many months. The plants in these examples are healthy, as evidenced by their growth, within the interior chamber 24. By providing a substantially closed off interior chamber 24, the plants 30 may be able to live and grow within the system 8 without the necessity of irrigation reservoir tanks, pumps, lines and overflow tanks. Optionally, if supplemental water is required to be added to the interior chamber 24 to maintain the plants 30 therein, supplemental water can be introduced via one of the apertures 34 and an access conduit such as tubing or a hose. The access conduit may also be used to provide supplemental nutrients to the soil medium 26. Alternatively, in the options where the top face 20 is sealed by a removable adhesive tape, the top face 20 may be lifted to introduce supplemental water or nutrients to the interior chamber 24 and then the top face 20 can be re-sealed to substantially close off the interior chamber 24.

[032] For example, the initial dose of water can be a predetermined volume within a range of between about 50 liters and 100 liters per cubic meter of volume of the interior chamber 24. Preferably, the initial dose of water is between 60 and 70 liters per cubic meter of interior chamber 24 volume. More preferably, the initial dose of water is about 67 liters per cubic meter of interior chamber 24 volume. Optionally, the initial dose of water is filtered to remove any organic materials, seeds or other contaminants. The inventor has observed through experimentation that if the initial dose of water is too high, then the interior chamber 24 is at risk to develop undesirable microorganisms, such as algae, which can interfere with the health of the plants 30. However, if the initial dose of water is too low, the plants 30 will not survive.

[033] The interior chamber 24 contains a soil medium 26, a soil additive 28 and one or more plants 30. The soil medium 26 can include organic matter, or not. The soil additive 28 may be present within the soil medium 26 in various amounts relative to the amount of the soil medium 26 (for example on a weight basis). For example, all of, more than half of, half of, or less than half of the total amount of the soil medium 26 may be the soil additive 28. In the examples of system 8 that are depicted in Figures la,b to 6a,b, the one or more plants 30 can be plants that were previously potted. In such examples, the soil medium 26 may comprise potting soil, which may or may not include organic material that is attached to the roots of the plant 30 when the plant 30 is transferred from the pot to the container 100. The remainder of the soil medium 26 may consist primarily, if not entirely, of the soil additive 28. Optionally, the soil medium 26 may comprise a mixture of organic and non-organic materials. Such mixtures may fall within the ranges of: about 10% to about 30% organic matter, about 30% to about 50% of a mixed blend of organic materials and the soil additive 28 with the remainder of the soil medium 26 consisting of the soil additive 28. The mixed blend may fall within a range of about 40% to about 70% organic material, with the remainder of the mixed blend consisting of the soil additive 28. Optionally, the soil medium 26 may comprises about 20% organic material, about 40% of the blended mixture and about 40% of the soil additive 28 with the blended mixture comprising about 60% organic material and about 40% soil additive 28.

[034] Because the volume of the interior chamber 24 may depend upon the size of the frame 800 that the system 8 is being built into, variable amounts of soil medium 26 may be used. Optionally, a minimum amount of the soil medium 26 provides a soil bed that is 1/4 to 1/3 of the entire height of the interior chamber 24.

[035] The soil additive 28 is selected from the group consisting of expanded shale, expanded clay, expanded slate, perlite, vermiculate, pumice, volcanic rock, growstones, rock wool, sand and gravel. Preferably, the soil additive 28 is an expanded shale such as the type that is commercially available under the brand name Utelite 3/8" E-Soil. The soil additive may retain moisture and aerate the soil medium.

[036] The system 8 includes various different plants 30 that can be selected based upon various criteria that may include one or more of the following:

[037] (i) Aesthetic value - some plants will grow within the interior chamber 24 may be selected based upon a preference of how the one of more plants appear together within the interior chamber. For example, plants that may be suitable for growing in the system 100, either as a monoculture or in combinations of: various Snake Plants; Golden Pothos; Satin Pothos; various Philodendron plants; Zamioculcas; Wondering Jew; Ponytail Palm; Syngonium; Goldfish; Purple Star Lipstick; Mona Lisa Lipstick; Sugar vine; Peace Lily; Zebra Plant; or various Orchid Plants including at least Moth Orchid, Dendrobium Orchid, Oncidium Orchid; Golden moss; green moss; or various ferns such as Birdnest fern; Pteris Parkeri; Asparagus fern; Tarantula fern or creeping fig. Other plants that are indigenous to tropical climates may also be preferred.

[038] (ii) Air cleansing potential - some plants have demonstrated abilities to reduce air borne contaminants, for example volatile organic compounds (VOC) such as acetone, benzene, ethylene glycol, formadehyde, methylene chloride, perchloroethylene, toluene, xylene, 1,3- butadiene. Examples of VOC reducing plants may include at least any one of, or combinations of, the following: the spider plant, plants from the pothos family, plants from the philodendron family, the peace lily, zamioculcas plant, plants from the ivy family, plants from the palm family, plants from the orchid family or the syngonium plant. The following plants have also been associated with improving air quality and may be suitable for growing in the system 100, either as a monoculture or in combinations of: Aloe Vera (Aloe barbadensis); Areca Palm (Chrysalidocarpus lutescens); Baby Rubber Plant (Peperomia obtusifolia or Ficus robusta); Bamboo Palm or Reed Palm (Chamaedorea seifrizii); Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata Bostoniensis); Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema sp.); Corn Cane or Mass Cane (Dracaena massangeana or dracaena fragrans Massangeana); Dwarf/Pygmy Date Palm (Phoenix roebelenii); English Ivy (Hedera helix); Ficus alii (Ficus maeleilandii alii); Gerbera Daisy (Gerbera sp. or Gerbera jamesonii); Golden Pothos (Epipremnum aureum syn. Scindapsus aureus); Janet Craig (Draecana deremensis); Lady Palm (Rhapis Excelsa); Marginata or Dragon tree (Dracaena marginata); Moth Orchid (Phalaenopsis); Mums (Chrysanthemum sp. or Chrysanthemum morifolium); Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum sp.); Philodendron (P. cordatum, P. scandens or P. selloum); Snake Plant (Sansevieria trifasciata); Schefflera, or Umbrella Tree (Brassaia actinophylla); Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum); Warneckii or Dracanaena warneckei (Dracaena deremeusis or Dracanea deremensis warneckei); or Weeping Fig or Ficus Tree (Ficus benjamina).

[039] (iii) Food growing potential - some plants 30 may be selected based upon the ability to produce edible vegetation such as fruits, vegetables, and herbs. The following plants may be suitable for growing in the system 8, either in monoculture or combinations: mint, rosemary, sage, lettuce, dill, spinach, meschum mixture, basil, oregano or tomatoes. Other food growing plants may also be suitable for growing in the system 8.

[040] (iv) Flower growing potential - some plants may be selected based upon the ability to flower. The following plants may be suitable for growing in the system 8, either in monoculture or in combinations: plants from the Snow Crocus family, plants from the Crocus family, plants from the Hyacinths family or plants from the Galanthus family. Other flower growing plants may also be suitable for growing in the system 8.

[041] It is understood that the specific plants provided herein are not intended to be limiting. The specific plants provided herein, and other types of plants, may be suitable for growing in the system 8 in monocultures or various combinations.

[042] Figures 2A and 2B depict another example of a container 200 for use with the system 8. The container 200 may be the same as container 100 described above with the primary difference being that both of the front face 12 and the back face 14 comprise glass. The container 200 may also be referred to as an exterior, double-faced container because it is designed to be built into the frame of an exterior wall 10A. The container 200 comprises glass for both of the front face 12 and the back face 14. The use of glass for the front and back faces 12, 14 allows an observer to see the contents of the interior chamber 24 from both sides of the exterior wall 10A i.e. from inside the building and outside of the building. In this example, only the front face 12 of the container 100, which is the face that is inside of the building, defines the apertures 34. In other words, in container 200 the interior chamber 24 is in fluid communication with inside of the building and not outside of the building. Optionally, the back face 22, which faces the exterior of the building may comprise insulated glass. [043] Figures 3A and 3B depict another example of a container 300 for use with the system 8. The container 300 may be the same as container 100 described above with the primary difference being that the container 300 is designed to be built into the frame 800 of an interior wall 10B of the building. The interior wall 10B may be a load-bearing wall, or not. The container 300 may also be referred to as an interior, single-faced container because it has only one face that allows an observer to see the contents of the interior chamber 24. The other face will abut a closed portion of the interior wall 10B. For example, the closed portion may be closed by dry wall, plaster, panelling or any other building material that is attached to the frame 800 to form interior walls 10B.

[044] Figures 4A and 4B depict another example of a container 400 for use with the system 8. The container 400 may be the same as container 200 described above, including a glass front and back face 12, 14 with the primary difference being that the container 400 is designed to be built into the frame 800 of an interior wall 10B of a building. The interior wall 10B may be a load-bearing wall, or not. The container 400 may also be referred to as an interior, double- faced container because it comprises glass for at least the front and back faces 12, 14. Optionally, the front and back faces 12, 14 of container 400 define the apertures 34.

[045] Figures 5A and 5B depict another example a container 500 for use with system 8. While Figures 5A and 5B depict the container 500 as being similar to container 400, that is, for being built into the frame 800 of an interior wall 10B, the container 500 may also be built into frame 800 in a similar manner as any of containers 100, 200, 300 or 400, as described above. The primary difference of the container 500 from the other containers 100, 200, 300, 400 is that at least one face defines an access port 40, an access door 42 and a hinge system 44. The hinge system 44 rotatably supports the access door 42 on edge of the access port 40 so that the access door 42 can be moved between and open position and a closed position. In the open position, a user may access the interior chamber 24 for example to harvest food-growing plants 30 therein. In the closed position, the access door 42 mates with an outer edge of the access port 40 to form a seal. Optionally, a sealing material 46 may be positioned on either the outer edge of the access port 40 or the outer edge of the access door 42 to enhance the seal formed therebetween. Optionally, the sealing material 46 may be deformable, for example a rubber or silicone that is waterproof and resistant to damage caused by ultraviolet radiation. The seal formed between the access port 40 and the access door 42 may be airtight and prevent the communication of fluids between the interior chamber 24 and outside of the container 500. When the access door 42 is sealed closed, the interior chamber 24 may be substantially closed off to outside of the container 500. When the access port 500 is opened, the interior chamber 24 will no longer be substantially closed off. In this case, supplemental water may be added to the interior chamber 24 via the access port 40. Additionally, if food-growing or flowering plants 30 are growing within the interior chamber, the soil medium 26 may require supplemental organic materials, which can also be added to the interior chamber 24 via the access port 40 when the access door 42 is in the open position. Optionally, the access door 42 may further include a latch member 48 or locking member that holds the access door 42 in the closed position. In one example of container 500, the inventor seeded planted lettuce, spinach and meschum mixture in the interior chamber 24. These plants grew for 40 days with a 24-hour light cycle. Following the initial dose of water, the plants were harvested without any supplemental water required. In another example of the container 500, the inventor planted basil, mint, rosemary, oregano and sage in the interior chamber 24 and no supplemental water was required for two months. In another example of the container 500, the inventor Orange Monarch snow crocus, Ruby Giant snow crocus, Yellow Mammoth crocus,Gipsy Girl snow crocus, Firefly snow crocus, Jan bos hyacinths and Snowdrop Single-Elwesii galanthus in the interior chamber 24. Following a bulb stratification process no supplemental water was required for at least four weeks.

[046] The plants 30 within the system 8 may receive light entirely from natural light or the system 8 may further comprise a light system 60 to replace or supplement the natural light. The light system 60 may provide a predetermined light cycle for the plants 30. For example, the light system 60 may provide a 12-hour light/dark cycle, a 24-hour light cycle, and any other combination of light hours to dark hours that may be appropriate for the plants 30 within the interior chamber 24. The light system 60 may comprise one or more light bulbs 62 that provide either full or partial spectrum light to the plants 30. Optionally, the light bulbs 62 are full spectrum flower lamps. As a further option, the light bulbs 62 may be 28W T5 fluorescent bulbs, 24W T5 fluorescent bulbs with a preferred minimum performance of 120-240 V. The light bulbs 62 may also be light emitting diodes, or incandescent bulbs, with a similar preferred minimum performance as the fluorescent bulbs. The light bulbs 62 may be positioned around the system 8 in various positions to provide light to the plants 30 within the interior chamber 24. For example, light bulbs 62 may be positioned on top of the container 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, on one or both sides of the container 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, directed at the front and/or back face 12, 14, or combinations of any and all of the above. Optionally, a light bulb 62 that is positioned on the top of the container will be spaced from the top face 20. For example, the light bulb 62 may be spaced at least 100 mm from the top face 20 or other distances, which may depending upon the type of light bulb 62 that is used. While the light bulbs 62 may be positioned within the interior cavity 24, preferably they are outside of the interior cavity 24 to enable replacement. Alternatively, Figures 6a,b, which are not intended to be limiting, depict another example of the light system 60 that comprises one or more light tubes 64, which are also referred to as solar tubes. The light tubes 64 redirect natural light from various locations around the building into the interior chamber 26. Optionally, the light system 60 may comprise both light bulbs 62 and light tubes 64.

[047] In another example of the system 8, the container may further include one face 12, 14 that comprises reflective glass. For example, the front face 12 may define the access port 40 and access door 42 while at least one of the back and side faces 14, 16, 18 may comprise reflective glass. The inventor has observed that using reflective glass for the back and side faces 14, 16, 18 may improve the growth of the plants 30 within containers that do not have transparent glass for both the front and back faces 12, 14.

[048] In one example of the system 8, at least one face of the container 100 is made of safety glass 32. For example, the front face 12 is made of safety glass 32 that is stronger than normal glass and less susceptible to shattering or breaking. The safety glass 32 can be toughened glass, which is also referred to as tempered glass, which is made through one or more treatments such as thermal treatments or chemical treatments. The safety glass 30 can be used for any face 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22. Preferably, safety glass 30 is used for the face that has the greatest chance of being impacted, for example by being struck by occupants of a room that is defined by the wall 10A.

[049] All of the containers 100, 200, 300, 400 and 500 are designed to be built into the frame 800 so that the containers are integral the walls 10A or 10B of a building. For example, the top and bottom faces 20, 22 may abut against a lintel and a sill trimmer, respectively. The lintel and sill trimmers are supported by a series of studs and jack studs that are fixed to other structures of the frame 800, such as a ceiling 802, floor 804 and weight bearing structures. Furthermore, the first and second side faces 16, 18 may abut against a primary, or secondary, jamb stud 806. The frame 800 may be made of any suitable building material such as wood, wood composites, steel, concrete or combinations thereof. Preferably, the building materials have a low environmental impact and have a high degree of sustainability. Furthermore, it is preferred that the system 8 and the frame 8 avoid the use of plastics that may release airborne chemicals that may be detrimental to the plants 30. For example, polyvinylchloride and polymer filler blends, such as those known by the trade name thermoplastic polyolefin, are preferably avoided. Optionally, an electrical receptacle 808 may be positioned within the wall frame 800 to provide electrical power to any light bulbs 42 that may be used. Preferably, the electrical receptacles 808 are positioned to minimize any detrimental effect the electrical current may have on the growth of the plants 30. Additional materials, such as insulation materials and isolation materials may be incorporated into the system 8 when the container is built into the frame 800. For example, local building codes may require a minimum standard and amount of insulation materials between the exterior face of an exterior wall 10A. This insulation material could, for example, be positioned adjacent the back face 14 of container 100. Furthermore, isolation material, such as isolation foam, may be positioned between one or more faces of the container 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 and the frame 800. The isolation material may dampen vibrations to protect the system 8 from various movements. One example of a suitable isolation material is commercially available under the brand name Reflectix Bubble Pack. [050] In another example of the system 8, the container 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 may also include one or more sensors 900 (see Figure 1A) for monitoring one or more parameters, including temperature, oxygen levels, carbon dioxide levels, pH, and moisture/humidity levels within the interior chamber 24. The sensors 900 can be hard wired or wirelessly connected to a display monitor to allow a user to visualize the monitored parameters.

[051] While the above disclosure describes certain examples of the present invention, various modifications to the described examples will also be apparent to those skilled in the art. The scope of the claims should not be limited by the examples provided above; rather, the scope of the claims should be given the broadest interpretation that is consistent with the disclosure as a whole.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A system for growing plants comprising: a. a container adapted to be supported within a wall frame of a building, an interior of the container is substantially closed off from an exterior of the container, the container comprising:

Ί. a first face and a second face, at least one of the first face and the second face comprises glass that defines at least one aperture for providing fluid communication between the interior and the exterior of the container; b. a soil medium housed within the container for supporting plant life; and c. a soil additive within the soil medium that retains moisture within the soil medium, wherein one or more variables of dimensions of the container, a size of the at least one aperture, a position of the at least one aperture on the glass and an initial moisture level within the soil medium are optimized so that a relatively stable water cycle establishes within the interior chamber when plants are planted within the soil medium.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising one or more plants that are positioned at least partially within the soil medium.

3. The system of either of claim 1 or claim 2, further comprising a light system, wherein the light system comprises light bulbs, light tubes or a combination thereof.

4. The system of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein each aperture of the plurality of apertures has a diameter of between about 15 mm to about 25 mm.

5. The system of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein each aperture of the plurality of apertures has a diameter of about 20 mm.

6. The system of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the container further comprises a top face and wherein the plurality of apertures are spaced between about 50 mm to about 150 mm from the top face.

7. The system of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the container further comprises a top face and wherein the plurality of apertures are spaced about 100 mm from the top face.

8. The system of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein each aperture of the plurality of apertures is spaced from an adjacent aperture by between about 50 mm to about 600 mm.

9. The system of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein each aperture of the plurality of apertures is spaced from an adjacent aperture by between about 75 mm to about 400 mm.

10. The system of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the first face alone comprises glass.

11. The system of any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein each aperture of the plurality of apertures comprises a screen.

12. The system of any one of claim 1 to 11, wherein the plurality of apertures are in a substantially linear arrangement.

13. The system of any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the soil additive is selected from a group consisting of: expanded shale, expanded clay, expanded slate, perlite, vermiculate, pumice, volcanic rock, growstones, rock wool, sand, gravel and combinations thereof.

14. The system of any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the soil additive is expanded shale.

15. The system of any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the soil medium further comprises bacteria.

16. The system of any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the soil medium further comprises fungi.

17. The system of any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the wall frame of the building is an interior wall frame of the building.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein both the first face and the second face comprise glass that defines the plurality of apertures.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein both the first face and the second face comprise glass and wherein the first face glass or the second face glass define the plurality of apertures.

20. The system of any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the wall frame of the building is an exterior wall frame of the building.

21. The system of claim 20, wherein the first face comprises the glass that defines the plurality of apertures and the second face comprises glass.

22. The system of any one of claims 1 to 21, wherein the glass that defines the plurality of apertures is safety glass.

23. The system of claim 20, wherein the first face glass and the second face glass are both safety glass.

24. The system of any one of claims 1 to 23, wherein at least one of the first face and the second face comprise glass that further comprises reflective glass.

25. The system of any one of claims 1 to 24, further comprising an access door for accessing the interior of the container.

26. The system of any one of claims 1 to 24, further comprising an access conduit that is removably insertable through an aperture of the plurality of apertures, the access conduit for delivering at least one of water and nutrients to the soil medium.

27. A method of growing plants within a wall of a building, the method comprising steps of: d. providing a container that is supportable within a wall frame of the building, the container comprising: i. a first face and a second face, at least one of the first face and the second face comprises glass that defines at least one aperture for providing fluid communication between the interior and the exterior of the container; e. mounting the container within a wall frame of the building; f. providing a soil medium within the container for supporting plant life; g. providing a soil additive within the soil medium that retains moisture within the soil medium; h. planting at least one plant within the soil medium; i. adding a predetermined initial dose of water into the soil medium; and j. substantially closing off an interior chamber of the container from an exterior of the container.

28. The method of claim 27, further comprising a step of optimizing one or more variables of dimensions of the container, a size of the at least one aperture, a position of the at least one aperture on the glass and an initial moisture level within the soil medium so that a relatively stable water cycle establishes within the interior chamber when plants are planted within the soil medium.