GB2338163A

GB2338163A - Clear slug guard with spikes

Info

Publication number: GB2338163A
Application number: GB9812298A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Patricia Jean Milne
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1998-06-09
Filing date: 1998-06-09
Publication date: 1999-12-15
Also published as: GB9812298D0

Abstract

A slug guard comprises a flexible, clear plastics strip 1, a skirt 2, and at least one row of spikes 3. There may be a plurality of rows of spikes 3. An end of the slug guard may have gripping means 4 for gripping the other end of the guard when the guard is wrapped around a plant. Pegs (figs 1, 5, 6) may also support the guard in position. The strip 1 may have lines of perforations to enable the strip to be separated into smaller discrete units.

Description

2338163 1 SLUG GUARD.

This invention relates to a device to protect plants from damage by slugs and snails.

Slugs and snails are responsible for damage to many plant species both ornamental and edible.

Many people are reluctant to use chemical deterrents against slugs and snails.

According to the present invention there tis provided a slug guard device comprising a flexible clear plastic strip having a'skirt' projecting from a side wall thereof, an edge portion of the skirt having a series of short closely alligned spikes.

The slug guard can be placed around a single plant or large areas of planting.

The slug guard has rows of short, sharp plastic spikes very closely alligned along the edge of projecting'skirts'to deter the upward movement of slugs and snails. The 'skirts'are mounted along a length of clear, flexible plastic with an area left for overlap at one end.

1n a preferred embodiment gripping means are provided spaced along the length of the stripr. Optionally cut the strip at the back grippers so that it can be placed around the plants. Gripping means could include raised spikes, velcro, glue, adhesive strips.

Pegs (e.g. plastic pegs) hold the device in position in the ground.

The slug guard can also be used around pots and tubs without using the pegs.

A disposable sticky tape may cover the'skirts'for packaging and protection.

Height, length and number of rows of'skirts'can be variable, e,g. from 110, suitably 1-6, preferably about 3.

This device could, in many cases, be removed once plants are established.

The slug guard could optionally be provided as a stnip preferably with perforations to allow discrete units to be prepared'ln situ'.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:- Figure 1 shows the slug guard device'ln situ'around plants and held in position by pegs.

Figure 2 shows the rows of spiked projecting 'skirts' on a length of clear flexible plastic. This figure also shows the overlap area with grippers.

G) Figure 3 shows the rear view of the clear plastic strip with grippers at one end.

Figure 4 shows a side view of the spiked projections attached to the clear plastic strip.

Figure 5 shows one of the pegs used to hold the slug guard in position.

Figure 6 shows the device rolled up and ready for packaging.

(A disposable sticky tape (not shown) may cover the rows of projecting 'ski rts' for packaging and protection). This slug guard device (Fig. 1) comprises a flexible clear plastic sheet (1) having projections (2) with edges of short, sharp spikes (3) which are very closely alligned to deter the'foot'of slugs and snails. Fig. 1 and 2.

An area (4) at one end of the clear plastic strip is left without projecting 'skirts' and has grippers. Fig. 2.

On the bac of the clear plastic strip, at the opposite end to the front, is another area of grippeAUhich overlap the front grippers and hold the device together. Fig. 3.

The rows of projecting 'skirts' should be fixed to a flexible clear plastic strip so that the angle of the projecting 'skirts' to the clear plastic strip is approximately 60 degree,dl Fig. 4.

101 Clear plastic is used to allow light to get to the plants in order that photosynthesis and growth can continue.

The pegs are designed so that the peg covering the front of the device does not reach down far enough to cover the rows of proj ecti rig 'skirts'. The back of the peg is long enough to reach into the ground and hold the device'in situ'. Preferably one peg is used at the overlap position for additional grip. Fig 5.

The slug guard can be used around plant pots and tubs without the use of pegs.

A disposable sticky tape optionally covers the 'skirts'for packaging and protection.

The slug guard can be rolled up with the pegs in the centre for packaging. Fig 6.

1 3

Claims

CLAIMS.

A slug guard device comprising a flexible clear plastic strip having a'skirt' projecting from a side wall thereof, an edge portion of the skirt having a series of short closely alligned spikes.

A slug guard device as claimed in claim 1 where the projecting 'skirt' is at an angle of from 40 - 90 degrees to the clear plastic strip.

3) A slug guard device as claimed in claim 1 and 2 where the projecting 'skirt' is at an angle of 60 degrees to the clear plastic strip.

A slug guard as claimed in claims 1, 2 and 3 with an area of gripping means at one end of the front of the device and also at the opposite end of the rear of the device.

5) A slug guard as claimed in claims 1, 2, 3 and 4 with an area of gripping means at one end of the front of the device and at intervals along the rear of the device.

6) A slug guard as claimed in claims 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 with pegs to hold the guard'ln situ'and these pegs designed not cover the rows of'skirts'.

7) A slug guard substantially as described herein with reference to figures 1 - 6 of the accompanying drawing.