GB2350274A - Seedling protector - Google Patents

Abstract

The protector comprises a generally tubular housing having a peripherally-extending ridge or channel 17. The housing may be formed from two identical halves 11, 12 which snap fit together and having a peripheral channel 17 to receive slug pellets. The top edge of the protector may have slots 30 therein to receive and hold a hose for watering an enclosed seedling.

Description

2350274 SEEDLING PROTECTOR The present invention relates to a seedling

protector device and especially to a device which protects small plants from the weather and/or from predators such as siuas and snails.

Existing protectors for seedlings comprise tubular devices which are placed over a planted seed to a small plant. The cut-off tops of plastic bottles are also employed as protector devices.

None of these known devices incorporates means for discouraging predators. Accordingly. slug pellets or other chemicals need to be used and these can pollute the soli. Furthermore. it can be difficult to remove the devices without endangering the plant, particularly if the plant has been allowed to grow over the top of the devices. Moreover. maintaining an adequate water supply to the seedling can be a problem.

The present invention seeks to overcome or reduce one or more of the above problems.

According to the present invention there is provided a seedling protector comprising a generally tubular housing having a peripheral ly-extending external ledge or channel.

The housing preferably comprises at least two parts which engage along edges extending from top to bottom. The parts may be identical.

At least the top edge of the housing may be provided with a plurality of slots arranged to receive a hose member.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:

Figure 1 is a front view of a seedling protector in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention; 2 Figure 2 is a side view of the protector of Figure I showing the join between the parts:

t.:' Figure 3 is a top view of the protector of Figures I and Figure 4 is a perspective view of a part forming one half of a protector in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention: and Figure 5 is a perspective view of two parts forming a protector in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention, illustrating the method of assembly.

Refer-ring now to the drawings, Figures I to 3 show a seedling protector 10 comprising Iwo identical halves 11, 12 of injection moulded. 3mm high impact, clear acrylic material. The halves are each of generally semicircular cross-section. so that together they form a cylindrical enclosure. Typical dimensions of the wall thus formed are: height 200 to 300mm, preferably 250mm and diameter 75 to 150mm, preferably 100mm. The protector has a top edge 14 and a bottom edge 15.

Arranged generally centrally of the height of the protector, is an external channel or collar 17 comprising a horizontal base 18 and an external wall 19 parallel to the wall of the enclosure. Each half of the channel 17 is integral with a corresponding half 11. 12 as shown in Figure 3 for example. The height "h" of the channel is typically 20mm and its di Zn I iameter is 30 to 90min greater than that of the wall i.e. between 105 and To attach the halves 11, 12 to each other along a joining line 20, each half is provided along one vertical edge with a central flap 23 and recesses 24 at the top and bottom. At its other vertical edge each half is provided with a central recess 25 and flaps 26 at the top and bottom for mating with the corresponding formations on the other half. The flaps -13 and/or 26 may have projecting ribs 27, Figure 4, which snap fit into corresponding grooves 28 adjacent the edges of recesses 24 and/or 25, or vice versa. The depths of the flaps and recesses are typically 10mm.

3 Each half of the top edge 14 of the protector has two substantially Ushaped notches or slots 30, typically of width 20mm.

In use, the two halves 11, 12 are attached to each other as shown. The bottom edge 15 ot the protector 10 is inserted into the ground around a seedling or other small plant (or around a location where one or more seeds have been planted) so that the bottom of channel 17 is substantially level with or just above the ground. The gardener can then insert slug pellets or other chemicals in the channel 17. To facilitate watering. especially in a prolonged absence of the gardener, a small diameter hose with small outlet holes distributed along its length may be inserted in the slots 30. By arranging the outlet holes within the protector. water is provided just where it is needed.

When the plant has grown sufficiently, one presses on the halves 11. 12 to slightly depress the flaps 26 say, and the halves can then be separated in a sideways direction away from the plant.

The above-described separator has numerous advantages. In particular it serves to protect plants and seedlings from predators such as slugs and snails. It enables the gardener to use slug pellets or other chemicals (in the collar' 17 surrounding the tube) without polluting the soil. Even if chemicals are not used, the collar 17 makes it more difficult for predators to climb in. Furthermore, it acts as a cloche, giving protection to young plants from L_ - intemperate weather in early spring. Moreover, it enables the gardener to economise on the amount of water required. Applying water to the enclosure formed by the protector 10 ensures it goes straight down to the root system.

In addition, it enables the gardener to remove the protector when the plant has become established without damaging the plant during the removal procedure, even if it has grown upwards and outwards beyond the top edge 14.

4 Since the halves are identical, only a single mould is required and this provides cost savings.

Various modifications may be made to the above-described arrangement. For example. as shown in the protector 40 of Figure 5, the channel 17 may be omitted. Figure 5 shows in greater detail how the two halves 11 and 12 clip together. However. in view of i us in ts e preventing predator attack, channel 17 is provided in preferred arrangements.

Part of the protector, e.g. the channel 17, may be of opaque or coloured material. The channel may be moulded at any position over the height of the protector. but preterably in the middle third thereof. In a further modification- the channel may be a separate member. which can be moved to a desired height on each occasion of use.

The two halves do not need to be identical. For example two slots 30 may be provided in the top edge of one half, with the top edge of the other half having no slots. Moreover. the connecting members 23-26 may be arranged asymmerrically on the two halves.

The channel 17 may be replaced by a radial ly-extend ing ledge or other formation protruding from the exterior of the protector. The ledge or other formation may slope upwardly away from the protector wall. Also the formation does not need to extend around the entire periphery. However, a completely peripheral channel retains slug pellets efficiently and forms an effective barrier.

The protector can be of any cross-sectional shape including elliptical, square, rectangular or polygonal. In additional all or part of the walls may extend conically (tapering upwardly or downwardly) and/or the top may be dome-shaped.

Instead of ribs and grooves the two halves can be connected by other snapfit means, e.g. studs engaging in holes. Alternatively, the halves may be attached to each other in different ways; for example, they may simply engage each other and then be attached by additional securing means, e.g. straps. The protector 10 may comprise more than two parts, with the further joins being along vertical and/or horizontal Imes.

In a further modification the protector is provided as a single integral moulding, although this should be removed before the seedling grows too large.

6

Claims (9)

1 A seedling protector comprising a generally tubular housing having a peripherally- extending external ledge or channel.

2. A protector according to claim 1, wherein the housing comprises two releasably- connected sections.

3. A protector according to claim 2. wherein the sections are arranged to snap-fit together.

4. A protector according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the sections are identical.

5. A protector according to any preceding claim, wherein the top edge of the housing has a plurality of slots therein.

6. A protector according to any preceding claim. wherein the housing is generally cylindrical.

7. A seedling protector comprising a generally tubular housing comprising two releasably-connected parts which, upon disconnection, can be moved away from each other in directions transverse to the axis of the tube.

8. A seedling protector comprising a generally tubular housing having a top edge which has a plurality of slots therein.

9. A seedling protector substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 1 to 3, Figure 4 or Figure 5 of the accompanying drawings.