FR2657229A1 - Device for keeping a plastic film in position at the foot of plants - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a device which makes it possible to keep a plastic film in position, which film is intended to prevent the growth of undesirable plants on the rooting surface of plants, trees and shrubs. It is constituted by an assembly consisting of two elements: a gutter (1) which can be made of plastic material and on the groove of which a film is applied, the film being kept in position at the bottom of the groove (1) by a rod (5) which can be made of plastic material and fits into the groove by pressure applied by the user, the cheeks of the gutter (1) moving apart as the rod (5) passes and closing over it again, forming a clip. The gutter (1) and the rod (5) each have an interruption at a point. Their relative elasticity makes possible their moving apart to facilitate their putting in position around the trunk. The gutter (1) has points (3) on its lower face which make it possible for it to be kept in position by insertion into the ground. The device according to the invention is intended for keeping plastic film in position, which film is arranged for preventing the growth of undesirable plants.

Description

 The present invention relates to a device for maintaining a film placed at the foot of plants, trees, shrubs, film intended to prevent the appearance and growth of undesirable plants.

 Usually, this film spread on the ground and covering the surface that we intend to preserve is held in place, either by the weight of pebbles, stones, gravel, or by that of slats, battens, boards, or even that of earth , one or the other deposited on, and at the periphery of the film to be immobilized.

 This method of fixing has the drawback of requiring either the supply of disparate materials, the aesthetics and efficiency of which are not always perfect, and in the case of the use of earth, to provide a new support for the 'We wanted to eliminate, and later make it difficult to completely remove the film, it being taken intimately between the ground and the hardened crust of the filler soil.

 The device according to the invention overcomes these drawbacks. It indeed comprises, according to a first characteristic, a first element, constituted by a gutter (1), in the shape of a "U" seen in section, the vertical cheeks of which approach from each other upwards, act as forceps at the level of their lips. The gutter (1), which may be made of plastic, on the groove of which a film (6) is applied, the film being held at the bottom of the groove (1), by a rod (5), which may be in plastic material which sty embeds by pressure of the user, the cheeks of the gutter (1), moving away from the passage of the rod (5), and closing on it by forming a clamp.

 On its underside, this gutter has spikes (3 integral with the body, directed downwards, acting as stakes, crampons, and which serve to fix it by sinking into the ground.

 The points are of a length, and in sufficient number to provide the gutter with effective support.

 This gutter can be of variable dimensions, and have either a circular, or square, polygonal, or any other shape that we want to give it.

 It has at one point, a discontinuity (2), oriented perpendicular to the groove, the elasticity of the material then allowing, the spacing necessary for the passage of the third drop around the stem of the plant to be protected, the same elasticity then bringing back (according to f) into contact the two previously separated edges.

 This first element constituted by the gutter, receives in its groove the plastic film which is held there by a second element (5), designed in such a way, that it is housed by simple pressure in the concavity of the gutter where it is retained by the clip formed by the cheeks and lips of the latter.

 This second element, like the gutter, has at one point and for the same reasons, a discontinuity (4), which allows the passage around the stem of the plant to be protected, and likewise the return to contact of the two ends. (according to arrow f).

 According to a particular embodiment, the external lip of the gutter may have around its periphery, a toothing allowing the cutting of the excess film.

 By way of nonlimiting example, this plastic film holding device, when it has a circular shape, may have a diameter of forty centimeters, and without taking account of the fixing points, three or four in number, a height of two centimeters.

 This plastic film holding device is preferably made of plastic by means of an injection molding operation.

 Figure 1 shows the first part of the system, in vertical view.

 Figure 2 shows the first part of the system, in horizontal view with cutaway.

 Figure 3 shows the second part of the system, in vertical view.

 Figure 4 shows the second part of the system, in horizontal view.

 FIG. 5 represents the first and second part of the system assembled in vertical view.

 Figure 6 shows in section the first and second parts of the assembled system.

 Figure 7 shows an enlarged sectional view of the assembly in position.

With reference to these drawings, the device has two separate parts
1st part: a gutter (1), in the shape of a "U" in the cut, whose vertical cheeks approach each other upwards and act as forceps at the level of their lips. On its underside, this gutter has points (3), integral with the body (1), directed downwards. This gutter can be of variable dimensions, and have either a circular, or square, or polygonal, or any other shape that we want to give it.

It has at one point, a discontinuity (2), oriented perpendicular to the groove.

 2nd part: the second part is constituted by a rod (5) of the same dimensions and the same shape as the groove of the first part (as illustrated in FIG. 7) where it is housed by simple pressure but which can be of different shape (as illustrated in figure 6), for example: circular. This ring also has a discontinuity (4), like the first part, for reasons identical to those of the latter.

 The device according to the invention is intended for holding plastic film (6), covering the rooting surface of plants (8) used in agriculture, horticulture, forestry.

 A toothing (7) may be existing on the upper part of the outer lip of the gutter (1), as illustrated in FIG. 7, which cuts the part to be removed from the film (6), after putting in place place the compression ring (5).

 I1 should be noted in this figure the upper approximation of the lips in "U" of the gutter ensuring the pinching of the film in the upper part. In all cases, the rod has at least part of its section wider than the space between the lips of the gutter in the rest position. To facilitate the removal of the rod after use, it is positioned in the gutter so that its discontinuity (4) does not overlap the discontinuity (2) of said gutter, in particular by being disposed at the opposite as illustrated in figure 5.

Claims (2)

 1) Device for maintaining a film placed at the foot of plants, film intended to prevent the appearance and growth of undesirable plants on the rooting surface, characterized in that it comprises a gutter (1), having in one point of this circumference or its perimeter, a discontinuity ensuring the spacing of the system (t, gutter in which a rod is housed (5), also having a discontinuity (4), the gutter is provided with anchoring feet S3) *  2) Device according to claim 1 characterized in that the outer lip of the gutter has on its periphery a toothing (7), allowing the cutting of the excess film.