GB2078479A - Devices for destroying weeds - Google Patents

Abstract

A device for destroying weeds and preventing weeds growing around posts, trees, bushes or anything else projecting from the ground comprises a sheet 10 of plastics material having an aperture 12 for surrounding the base of a tree 14, and a slit 16 for allowing the device to be put around the tree. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Devices for destroying weeds The invention relates to devices for destroying weeds and preventing weeds growing around posts, trees, bushes or anything else projecting from the grouhd.

Weeds, including grasses particularly, grow thickly around the bases of such projections, and their control presents a problem. Repeated cutting is expensive, and both projection and cutter tend to be damaged by contact. The application of chemical weed killers and burning leave an unsightly scorched area, and can present a danger to the health of children, pets and wild life.

A device according to the invention comprises a sheet of plastics material, an aperture in the sheet for surrounding the base of a projection, and a slit extending from the aperture to the periphery of the sheet, the sheet being of sufficient flexibility to allow the device to be put around the projection.

The sheet may be circular or of any desired peripheral shape, such as star- or petal-shaped. Its upper surface may be of any colour or texture, for example green and lined to match surrounding grass, or grey to match a patio or tarmac or paving, or pebbled.

The plastics material may be of sufficient flexibility to adapt to the contours of the ground on which it is to lie, or it may be comparatively rigid, allowing sufficient flexing only for application around the projection. The device may be of sufficient weight to kill weeds on which it lies and preventfurthergrowth, and/or it may need to be secured in position by means of pegs or spikes. To this end, pegs may be made integral with the device for pushing into the ground on use.

The aperture may be surrounded by one or more lines of weakening so that the aperture can readily be enlarged before use around a thick projection.

The slit may be provided with a closure for securing it in position and/or may allow an overlap at the junction between the two ends.

A device according to the invention may be made by moulding with a convex or concave upper surface and/or with an upstanding ridge to deflect rainwater and/or retain granular or solid material as desired.

The device may be impregnated with chemical weed killer or fertilizer allowing sustained release over a period of time. The device may take the form of a cap for application to the top of a plant pot.

Figure 1 shows the simplest form of a device according to the invention; and Figure 2 illustrates a similar device in use around the trunk of a tree.

In the drawings, the device comprises a sheet 10 of plastics material, an aperture 12 in the sheet for surrounding the base of a tree 14, and a slit 16 for allow ing the device to be put around the tree.

In Figure 2, there is also shown an annular ridge 18 for helping rain to run off the device, and a number of pegs 20 whereby the device is secured to the ground.

1. A device for destroying weeds and preventing weeds growing around posts, trees, bushes or anything else projecting from the ground which comprises a sheet of plastics material, an aperture in the sheet for surrounding the base of a projection, and a slit extending from the aperture to the periphery of the sheet, the sheet being of sufficient flexibility to allow the device to be put around the projection.

2. A device according to claim 1 in which the sheet is circular, star- or petal-shaped.

3. A device according to claim 1 or claim 2 in which the plastics material may be of sufficient flexibility to adapt to the contours of the ground on which it is to lie.

4. A device according to any preceding claim which is of sufficient weight to kill weeds on which it lies and prevent further growth.

5. A device according to any preceding claim in which the aperture is surrounded by one or more lines of weakening so that the aperture can readily be enlarged before use around a thick projection.

6. A device according to any preceding claim in which the slit is provided with a closure for securing it in position.

7. A device according to any of claims 1 to 5 in which the slit allows an overlap at the junction bet ween the two ends.

8. A device according to any preceding claim which is made by moulding with a convex or concave upper surface.

9. A device according to any preceding claim which is with an upstanding ridge to deflect rainwater and/or retain granular or solid material as described.

10. A device according to any preceding claim which is impregnated with chemical weed killer or fertilizer allowing sustained release over a period of time.

11. A device according to any preceding claim which is in the form of a cap for application to the top of a plant pot.

12. A device for destroying weeds and preventing weeds growing around posts, trees, bushes or anything else projecting from the ground as herein described with reference to the drawings.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (12)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Devices for destroying weeds The invention relates to devices for destroying weeds and preventing weeds growing around posts, trees, bushes or anything else projecting from the grouhd. Weeds, including grasses particularly, grow thickly around the bases of such projections, and their control presents a problem. Repeated cutting is expensive, and both projection and cutter tend to be damaged by contact. The application of chemical weed killers and burning leave an unsightly scorched area, and can present a danger to the health of children, pets and wild life. A device according to the invention comprises a sheet of plastics material, an aperture in the sheet for surrounding the base of a projection, and a slit extending from the aperture to the periphery of the sheet, the sheet being of sufficient flexibility to allow the device to be put around the projection. The sheet may be circular or of any desired peripheral shape, such as star- or petal-shaped. Its upper surface may be of any colour or texture, for example green and lined to match surrounding grass, or grey to match a patio or tarmac or paving, or pebbled. The plastics material may be of sufficient flexibility to adapt to the contours of the ground on which it is to lie, or it may be comparatively rigid, allowing sufficient flexing only for application around the projection. The device may be of sufficient weight to kill weeds on which it lies and preventfurthergrowth, and/or it may need to be secured in position by means of pegs or spikes. To this end, pegs may be made integral with the device for pushing into the ground on use. The aperture may be surrounded by one or more lines of weakening so that the aperture can readily be enlarged before use around a thick projection. The slit may be provided with a closure for securing it in position and/or may allow an overlap at the junction between the two ends. A device according to the invention may be made by moulding with a convex or concave upper surface and/or with an upstanding ridge to deflect rainwater and/or retain granular or solid material as desired. The device may be impregnated with chemical weed killer or fertilizer allowing sustained release over a period of time. The device may take the form of a cap for application to the top of a plant pot. Figure 1 shows the simplest form of a device according to the invention; and Figure 2 illustrates a similar device in use around the trunk of a tree. In the drawings, the device comprises a sheet 10 of plastics material, an aperture 12 in the sheet for surrounding the base of a tree 14, and a slit 16 for allow ing the device to be put around the tree. In Figure 2, there is also shown an annular ridge 18 for helping rain to run off the device, and a number of pegs 20 whereby the device is secured to the ground. CLAIMS

1. A device for destroying weeds and preventing weeds growing around posts, trees, bushes or anything else projecting from the ground which comprises a sheet of plastics material, an aperture in the sheet for surrounding the base of a projection, and a slit extending from the aperture to the periphery of the sheet, the sheet being of sufficient flexibility to allow the device to be put around the projection.

2. A device according to claim 1 in which the sheet is circular, star- or petal-shaped.

3. A device according to claim 1 or claim 2 in which the plastics material may be of sufficient flexibility to adapt to the contours of the ground on which it is to lie.

4. A device according to any preceding claim which is of sufficient weight to kill weeds on which it lies and prevent further growth.

5. A device according to any preceding claim in which the aperture is surrounded by one or more lines of weakening so that the aperture can readily be enlarged before use around a thick projection.

6. A device according to any preceding claim in which the slit is provided with a closure for securing it in position.

7. A device according to any of claims 1 to 5 in which the slit allows an overlap at the junction bet ween the two ends.

8. A device according to any preceding claim which is made by moulding with a convex or concave upper surface.

9. A device according to any preceding claim which is with an upstanding ridge to deflect rainwater and/or retain granular or solid material as described.

10. A device according to any preceding claim which is impregnated with chemical weed killer or fertilizer allowing sustained release over a period of time.

11. A device according to any preceding claim which is in the form of a cap for application to the top of a plant pot.

12. A device for destroying weeds and preventing weeds growing around posts, trees, bushes or anything else projecting from the ground as herein described with reference to the drawings.