GB2274379A

GB2274379A - Horticultural protection device

Info

Publication number: GB2274379A
Application number: GB9301164A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Lewis George Vardey
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1993-01-21
Filing date: 1993-01-21
Publication date: 1994-07-27
Also published as: GB9301164D0

Abstract

The device (specifically a cloche 1) comprises a cover provided with at least one opening 31, 33 for ingress of (rain) water. Preferably, the cover comprises at least two side walls 3, 7 and a top portion 21. Reservoir means such as depressions 23, 25 in the top are preferably also provided; the depressions are shown arranged as a 5 x 5 matrix. The cloche 1 is vacuum-formed as a single piece from clear polyvinyl chloride incorporating an additive to improve resistance to ultra-violet light. <IMAGE>

Description

HORTICULTURAL PROTECTION DEVICE The present invention relates to a horticultural protection device, for example a cloche such as is used to protect seedlings and small or delicate plants, or for faster propagation of more hardy varieties. Such devices may also be positioned over newly planted seeds sewn in soil and awaiting germination.

Typically, seedlings and young tender plants under glass cloches, or polythene sheet stretched over wire hoops to form a tunnel, need access for watering.

Conventionally, it is necessary for a person to bend down and open the cloche or fold back the polythene sheet. If using a hose or watering can, care must be taken not to damage the plants with excessive water pressure. After watering, the user must again bend down to close the cloches or carefully replace and anchor the polythene sheets down to soil level.

A new form of horticultural protection device which mitigates or overcomes at least some of these disadvantages has now been devised. Thus, a first aspect of the present invention provides a horticultural protection device comprising a cover provided with at least one opening for ingress of water.

Preferably, the cover comprises at least two sides and a top. According to a preferred embodiment, a device according to the present invention is provided with a cover and four sides so as completely to enclose the interior thereof. Of course, cylindrical or other shapes may be used in the alternative, in order to provide complete enclosure. At least one opening is preferably situated in the top of the device.

It is especially convenient for the device to comprise reservoir means. For example, this reservoir means may comprise at least one depression in the top of the cover.

Preferably, at least two of the sides are provided with a lower lip member, most preferably all of the sides. When the sides are continuous to present a complete enclosed wall, it is preferred for the lip members to depend from the lower ends of all sides to present a continuous or semi-continuous peripheral lip.

Preferably, the device comprises a plurality of openings in the cover, more especially in the top of the cover. It is also preferred for the top to be generally flat and oriented so that it will be generally parallel to the ground during use. However, curved and other tops are also possible.

Where the reservoir means comprises a depression, preferably separate depressions are provided for all such openings. It is preferred for the or each opening to be located within each depression, for example at or towards centre thereof. Such depressions may conveniently be of conical or approximately conical form, although depressions of other types may also be used.

Where there is a plurality of openings in the cover, it is preferred for these to be arranged in a regular matrix form to provide even distribution of water over the enclosed area.

The depression or depressions will usually provide adequate ventilation, although one or more flaps may be cut into the side of the device to provide for same.

Whilst these may be cut during manufacture, often it will be convenient for the user to cut them if required. Instructions to that effect may be provided with the device as sold. Markings may be provided on the cloche to indicate where the user is to cut.

The device according to the present invention is preferably provided as a one-piece moulded item, most preferably fabricated by a vacuum-forming technique.

Preferably, at least part of the device is formed of a translucent or transparent plastics material. Most preferably, substantially all of the device is formed from such a translucent or transparent plastic material.

A second aspect of the present invention provides a method of manufacturing a horticultural protection device, the method comprising moulding said device in one piece. Most preferably, the device is moulded by vacuum-forming from a plastics material.

The present invention will now be explained in more detail by the following non-limiting description of a preferred embodiment in which: - Figure 1 shows a plan view of a horticultural protection device according to the present invention: and Figure 2 shows a cross-section along the line II-II shown in Figure 1.

A cloche 1 is vacuum-formed as a single piece from clear polyvinyl chloride, preferably incorporating an additive to improve resistance to ultra-violet light.

It comprises four side-walls 3,5,7,9 upstanding from a continuous peripheral lip 11. The lip 11 comprises four lip members 13,15,17,19 respectively continuous with the lower edges of the side walls. In cross-section through the side walls parallel to the lip, the cloche is generally square although it could be any other shape, for example rectangular.

The side walls taper inwardly from the lip members from the lower part of the cloche to the upper part where the side walls are connected at their upper edges by a top portion 21. This tapering facilitates stacking of the cloches during storage. The side walls curve as they taper, the curvature being convex when viewed from the exterior of the cloche. The top portion comprises twenty five depressions 23, 25 etc. arranged as a 5 x 5 square matrix. Each depression comprises a downwardly narrowing approximately conical surface 27,29 etc.

terminating at its centre in an opening 31,33 etc.

A downwardly depending nozzle 35,37 etc. is formed around each opening on the underside of the top, e. g. as a flashing resulting from the moulding pieces. In this embodiment the conical surface happens to make an angle of approximately 250 with the horizontal.

The cloche is placed over the chosen piece of ground and anchored in place by raking or sprinkling soil over the top of the lip members. Water is applied to the seeds, seedlings, plants or whatever, underneath the cloche, by sprinkling the top, for example with a hose or watering can. Of course, rain will fulfill the same purpose. The water collects in the depressions and falls through the openings to the soil below.

In the light of this disclosure, modifications of the described embodiment, as well as other embodiments, all within the scope of the appended claims will now be apparent to persons skilled in the art.

Claims

1. A horticultural protection device comprising a cover provided with at least one opening for ingress of water.

2. A device according to claim 1 wherein the cover comprises at least two sides and a top, with the at least one opening being provided in the top.

3. A device according to claim 2, wherein the top is generlly flat.

4. A device according to claim 3, wherein the top is arranged to be generally parallel to the ground during use.

5. A device according to either preceding claim, further comprising reservoir means.

6. A device according to any of claims 2-5, wherein the at least one opening is provided in at least one depression.

7. A device according to any of claims 2-6, wherein at least two of the sides are provided with a lower lip.

8. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein a plurality of said openings is provided in the cover.

9. A device according to claim 8, wherein said plurality of openings is arranged in a matrix form in the cover.

10. A device according to any preceding claim, provided as a one-piece moulded item.

11. A device according to claim 10, formed by a vacuum-forming technique.

12. A device according to any preceding claim wherein at least part thereof is formed from a translucent or transparent material.

13. A device according to claim 12, substantially all formed from a translucent or transparent plastics material.

14. A method of manufacturing a horticultural protection device comprising moulding said device in one piece.

15. A method according to claim 14, wherein said moulding comprises vacuum-forming.

16. A method according to claim 14 or claim 15 comprising moulding from a plastics material.

17. A horticultural protection device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any of the accompanying drawings.

18. A method of manufacturing a horticultural protection device, the method being substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any of the accompanying drawings.