SK2792002A3 - Plastic sheet with shaped pockets along its sides for weight insertion - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention refers to a plastic sheet for agricultural use (ground covering of any linear cultivation or any linear cultivation under low tunnels). For the firm fixing of plastic sheet (1) on a cultivation line, complex shaped pockets (9, 10) exist in which weight is inserted during its use on the field. The complex shaped pockets (9, 10) are formed by a complex shaped welding of two superimposed parts of the plastic sheet (1) along its sides. The complex shaped pockets (9, 10) along the two sides of the sheet (1) comprise two series of pockets of which one (10) can facilitate water or and the other (9) can facilitate soil. The advantage of this pattern is that the farmer can fix the plastic sheet (1) on the low tunnel or on the characteristic dyke of the asparagus cultivation, by either using soil or water or even both of the above.

Description

Technical field

The invention relates to plastic films for agricultural use (covering the soil in any rows cultivation or any cultivation under low tunnels). There are associated molded pockets for firmly fastening the plastic sheets to the workpiece row, into which the load is filled when used in the field. The composite shaped pockets are formed by the complex, shaped welding of two superposed parts of the plastic film along their sides. The composite shaped pockets along the two sides of the film include two rows of caps, one of which facilitates the filling with water and the other of the soil. The advantage of this pattern is that the farmer can attach the plastic film to a low tunnel or to the characteristic asparagus growth level, either by using soil or water, or even both of these ballast materials.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The plastic foils used for covering the soil or any cultivation under low tunnels can be divided into two categories depending on their laying and their use:

(a) Traditional plastic films which, when used, are manually or mechanically fixed to the workpiece by placing soil on the surface of the film along its two sides. The manufacturing process of these films is quite simple, as is their laying on the field. The main drawback of this type of plastic sheeting is that they interfere with the desired machining process on the machined row, making their use unsuitable for any linear machining (e.g. asparagus).

b) Films that provide access to the workpiece row that are more complex and have load-loading pockets along their two sides that can secure the film to the workpiece row. The only category that was widely accepted is the one that was widely adopted, in which soil is used as a load (there is enough in the field and does not entail any additional costs). There are other categories, such as those that use water (which is also plentiful and does not entail any additional costs). However, farmers are cautious with the use of water, since any damage occurring on the pockets leads to water leakage and therefore these foils are characterized as inappropriate.

Several other solutions have been used, such as the insertion of ropes along the tubes formed on the sides of the film, or the bonding of the plastic film (several methods have been adopted) at regular intervals to achieve its firm fixation. These solutions were used only at the experimental level.

In WO-A-98, 30082 (A.Daios), the present Applicant discloses an invention representing a plastic sheet used for covering the soil produced by extrusion from a flat or circular die head used for cultivation with soil covering or for shallow ditches. To keep the foil securely on the ground, it carries repeating, separate pockets of water on both sides. The water flows into the casing through the feed tubes and provides a load for firmly holding the film to the shallow ditch frame or the like. However, it has been found that this plastic film (pockets or filling tubes) can be punctured, which is often the case when it is not used properly and carefully. It is meant that this film is intended to be reused over the years and it is clear that the possibility of misuse increases with time.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,158,395 (D. Holmberg) discloses a system for controlling the erosion of beaches and dunes of the backward receding coast, comprising placing a large permeable mat with load pockets circumferentially and attached to the mat at the bottom of the body of water so that at least a portion of this mat extends to a position where the current has a velocity sufficient to erode the bottom and stabilizers are below the water surface. These stabilizers are tubular elements filled with cementitious material, while the loaded pockets are filled with beach sand. This structure is completely different in its function and cannot be used in agriculture. It is used only on coasts and beaches, i. on receding sandy surfaces that are lashed out by tides and waves to prevent erosion, undermining the banks, the formation of artificial sandy barriers, etc. Used circuit or O / ···· · ····························· Loaded pockets are in no way similar to the pockets used in the soil covering foils because their shape and function are different.

Existing solutions, while allowing access to linear machining (eg asparagus, which is grown in artificial levels), have several drawbacks. Some of them will be briefly discussed here:

c) They cannot be easily reused. This is an important disadvantage when considering the relatively high cost of these films and the resulting environmental protection issues (recycling).

d) Costs of own use, if the soil is used.

(e) Uncertainty in the use of water.

d) The fact that the above-mentioned solutions are not widely accepted, which makes the plastic film manufacturers need to have two products available.

d) The construction of the volume of the pockets is based on the maximum wind speed, which is not necessary in most cases.

It is clear from the above description that both solutions containing either the use of soil or water have several advantages, but at the same time they are disadvantageous in assessing themselves.

The complex problems of conventional access enabling plastic films and soil covering methods are solved by the present invention of plastic film with associated, shaped pockets for load-filling, with an innovative solution.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The plastic film has two rows of different caps on both sides, instead of one. One is filled with soil, while the other is filled with water.

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This solution combines the advantages of the capsules with both water and soil. In addition, it is a solution that combines the ease of use of water, the easily distributed load due to its fluidity, and assuring the user of an alternative solution in case the water pockets are damaged. Obviously, the present invention automatically solves all of the above problems.

The end user may have a plastic film which can be used in four different ways:

a) Filling with soil only pockets designed for filling with soil (water pockets remain empty). This solution significantly reduces labor costs, but requires the use of special equipment to fill the casings with water.

b) Filling the pockets with both water and soil. This solution is recommended in areas with prevailing wind conditions.

c) Filling several parts of the film length with water and several others with soil. This solution is mainly used when the plastic film has been used for more than one year, when several pockets have already been damaged.

Several combinations can be adopted to meet the requirements of the end user and moreover it simplifies the production of the plastic film, since only one type of plastic film is produced for all possible applications.

A different possibility arises when the plastic film has two rows of pockets for loading with the same type of load (eg two rows of soil pockets on its side). This solution is best suited for users who support a single solution (either water or soil only) and intend to use the film for several consecutive years. Thus, if there are two rows of consecutive caps, one of them can be used in the first year and can be calmly destroyed during field collection to empty the contents from the caps. In the second year, the remaining row can be used. The same applies to the solution with water pockets.

The durability of the plastic foil is ensured by the use of raw materials that exhibit exceptional tear and puncture resistance. Thus, polyolefin or polyolefin combinations (LLDPE, LDPE, mLLDPE, EVA, PP) can be used as raw materials. In addition, ingredients can be mixed with the raw material to achieve the desired properties (color, resistance to deterioration, thermal properties, etc.).

The combination of the durability of the plastic film and the existence of two different types of caps along the sides of the film provides the possibility of a service life of more than one year. The farmer can choose to use the water caps in the first year and the soil caps in the next year. In addition, there is ······························································· The possibility of using water pockets - because they can be easily emptied if necessary (due to their shaped form) - longer than one year and thus extend the life of the film.

In addition, both solutions can be used simultaneously in areas with prevailing wind conditions, inherent duplication of the load. This provides an indirect opportunity to design (design) the plastic film in such a way as to withstand the most extreme wind conditions, and at the same time the pocket can be designed to have a volume sufficient for milder weather conditions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is described by reference to the following drawings in which:

Fig. 1 - a method of making a plastic film with associated molded pockets for load filling along its sides (made from a flattened tube).

Fig. 2 - a second method of manufacturing a plastic film with associated shaped pockets for load-loading along its sides (made from a flattened tube).

Fig. 3 - a third method of manufacturing a plastic film with associated molded load pockets along its sides (manufactured from a single film having folded portions along its sides).

Fig. 4 - detail of the method of forming the combined molded caps for load-filling.

Fig. 5 is a detail of a second method of forming the associated molded plastic film caps.

Fig. 6 - detail of the method of filling the rows of pockets (10) to water. On the supply pipe (11), the openings (14) are transverse or bevelled to allow filling the water pockets.

Fig. 7 - detail of the method of filling the rows of water pockets by means of an uncooked portion at the bottom of each pocket (15) onto the soil into which the supply pipe (16) is inserted.

Fig. 8 - detail of a method of filling rows of water pockets having a self-closing valve or a manually adjustable valve (17).

Fig. 9 - plastic foil with associated molded pockets for load filling along its sides (2), used in cultivation under low tunnels (18).

Fig. 10 - plastic foil with associated shaped pockets for load filling along its sides (2), used on the level (20) in growing asparagus.

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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Described below is a method of making a film with associated molded pockets for loading.

The plastic film is produced by extrusion (coextrusion) or coextrusion from a circular as flat mold and has a width A of up to 4 m, preferably of 1 to 2 m and a thickness of up to 200 µm.

The plastic film may have:

a) A flattened tube 1 (FIGS. 1 and 2) of flattened portion A and circuit 2A.

b) The form of a single film 2 (Figures 3 to 10) having folded portions along its two sides 3 with a width of up to 25 cm and preferably 17 cm.

On two sides along the entire length of the foil, the superimposed parts are welded (which exist either as a fold or as a flattened tube) by a combination of welds in such a way that a composite shaped pocket for loading is formed. This pocket contains:

(a) a series of consecutive load-bearing, for use with soil,

(b) a series of consecutive load-bearing casings for use with water.

Such a combination of welding could arise from:

a) linear, continuous welding parallel to the length of the plastic film and at a distance of bi. up to 15 cm, preferably 7 cm, from the edge 4,

b) a linear, partial welding 5 with a length L3 having a repetitive length (interval) L1. parallel to the length of the plastic film and at a distance b2 up to 20 cm, preferably 15 cm, from the edge 4, f

c) repeated, formed welding 7 of a repetitive length L2 and of any geometric shape (e.g., part of the curve) that extends from the edge 4 and ends at a minimum distance of 3 cm from the linear welding 6,

d) repeating, transversal or beveled welding 8 with a repeating length L1. which starts from a continuous weld 6 and preferably ends in the center of each partial weld 5.

The volume created in this way between the partial welding 5 and the linear welding 6 and the two transverse welds 8 is a pocket 9 for loading with a load for use with the soil. The load is inserted through the uncooked portion between the two partial welding portions 12a and its length is d = L1-L3.

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Each water pocket 10 is formed between the edge 4 and the formed welding 7 of a repetitive length L2. The distance between two consecutive welds 9 is a passage 13 through which water flows into each pocket through a parallel tubular guide with a variable cross-sectional area.

This pipe is formed between continuous welding 6 and repeated molded welding 7 and has a diameter of at least 2 cm (in full circular section).

In this way, two rows of caps are formed. On the inner part (regarded as the reference centerline along the plastic film), successive pockets of repeating length L1 (preferably greater than lm) are formed and are intended to facilitate the use of soil 9. On the outer part (considered as the center reference axis along the plastic successive pockets of repeating length L2 are formed and are intended to facilitate the use of water 10. The tubing 11 is positioned between two rows of pockets. For simplicity, the repeating lengths of the L1 and L2 structures could be the same.

The composite pattern of load-bearing caps is preferably the same on both sides of the film.

Yet another method of manufacturing this film (FIG. 5 - detail) is by molding on the inner portion of a single film or flattened tube a water casing 10 and an exterior portion of a soil casing (considering the reference centerline along the plastic film). In this case, welding 7 is formed between two linear (6a, 6b), continuous and parallel welds. And therefore:

a) One continuous and linear welding 6a could be at a distance b2 up to 20 cm, preferably 15 cm from the edge 4.

b) The second continuous and linear welding could be at a distance of up to 15 cm and preferably 8 cm from the edge 4.

c) Each repetitive formed welding 7 should be based on a second continuous welding 6b terminating not less than 3 cm from the first continuous welding and should have a repeating length L2.

d) The successive transverse welding should have a repetitive length L1 and start from the edge 4 terminating in the second continuous welding 6b.

It is clear that in the case of soil pockets 9 (which are formed between the second continuous welding 6b, the edge 4 and the two transverse welds 8), a load filling opening 12b should be formed. This aperture is formed in the production of the film by dividing the film over regular distances L2. These slots should be folded and have a length d - preferably they should be located half the length of each soil pocket, very close to the second linear welding 6b.

It is clear that each of the above methods of manufacturing the invention could be formed by only one complex welding having a repetitive length L1 and comprising portions of linear and parallel welding 6, formed welding 7 and cross welding 8.

It is clear that the present invention provides several possibilities of combined welding so that pockets of any shape and use can be formed along the plastic film. In this way, the soil pockets and the water pockets could have any geometric or natural shape (e.g., a bevelled parallelogram, oval, shaped shape, etc.).

Some combinations are as follows:

(a) Soil / soil pockets. Linear continuous welding is associated with partial welding, repeating transverse welding with a repeating length L1 and repeating slots of repeating length L1 with a length (d).

b) Water / water pockets. This is the most difficult case requiring two continuous welds parallel to the length of the film and two rows of formed welds. One of the formed welds should be placed between the edge and one linear welding and the other between the linear welds.

It is clear that the length of these plastic films used limits the supply of water to the full length of the film (1 or 2).

It is common practice that the length of the line to be cut exceeds 300 m, while the pipe duct 11 with a thickness of 0.005 to 0.2 mm would not withstand the water pressure required to fill 100 m of plastic film. For this reason, the water should be supplied through special openings arranged regularly to supply water to the pipe. These openings could be:

a) a transverse or slanted slot 14 along the tubular duct. There should also be a weld in such a way that it prevents any water leakage from the adjacent pocket, while this slot provides the desired opening for filling the next pocket (Fig. 9),

(b) a small uncooked portion in the soil pocket designed to allow access to the duct (Figure 7);

(c) a self-closing or manually adjustable valve located at the bottom of the soil pocket to allow access to the tubing (Figure 8).

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To protect the soil pockets 9 from excessive rainwater, there should be a small opening just below the load filling opening (12a, 12b), to allow any trapped water to escape.

The plastic film with the folded shaped pockets along its sides 1 is wound in rolls during its production, preferably up to 1000 m, and could be absolutely symmetrical, considering the central axis as a reference.

When using plastic field film, a field farmer could use it in three different ways:

a) Filling the pockets 9 with soil. Each pocket is filled individually. The water pockets 10 remain empty.

b) Filling the pockets 10 with water. The plastic film having 1 or 2 associated molded load pockets along its sides is filled with water from one or two ends or from supply holes 14 or 15 or 16. The soil pockets 9 remain empty.

c) Filling the caps with both water and earth. In this case, a) and b) are accepted. This is recommended for areas with prevailing wind conditions.

For the end user, the plastic film with the pockets to be loaded along its sides 1 or 2 constitutes a trustworthy step towards ensuring the use of water due to the fact that the user has an alternative use of soil.

Claims (8)

PATENT CLAIMS 1. Plastic sheet for covering soil, with associated molded load pockets along its sides, made of tear-resistant and puncture-resistant material such as LLDPE LDPE, PP, EVA, etc., or combinations thereof, of any color having width / AJ up to 4 m and a thickness of up to 200 µm, the plastic film may be in the form of a flattened tube (1) or in the form of a single film (2) having folds along its sides (3), characterized in that it has along its side (3) / a arranged one after the other: (a) a series of consecutive casings (9) for loading, for use with soil and length (L 1), b) a series of successive pockets (10) for loading, for use with water of any shape and length (L2), so that the film can be used either as filled with soil or filled with water. A plastic film with associated molded pockets for load loading along its sides, according to claim 1, characterized in that all the pockets are formed on the plastic film by complex welding of two superposed parts along the sides of the film. Plastic film with associated molded pockets for load-filling along its sides according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the complex welding of two superposed parts on its sides is a combination of: a) continuous, linear welding (6), parallel to its length at a distance (b1) of up to 15 cm, preferably 8 cm, from the edge (4), b) repeated, partial welding (5) with a repetitive length (L 1) parallel to its length at a distance (b2) up to 20 cm, preferably 15 cm, from the edge (4), c) repeated, formed welding (7) with a repetitive length (L2) of any geometric and natural shape starting from the edge (4) and ending at a minimum distance of 3 cm from the continuous linear welding (6); · · ······· · · · · · · · ο · ·····? d) repetitive, transverse or beveled welding (8) with a repetitive length (L1) starting from the continuous linear welding and preferably terminating at the midpoint of each discontinuous welding (5). Plastic film with associated molded pockets for load-filling along its sides, according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the complex welding of two superposed parts on its sides is a combination of: a) linear, continuous welding (6a), parallel to its length at a distance Zb2 / up to 20 cm, preferably 15 cm, from the edge (4), b) linear, continuous welding (6b), parallel to its length at a distance (b 1) of up to 15 cm, preferably 8 cm, from the edge (4), c) repeated, formed welding ΠΙ of repeated length (L2), of any geometric or natural shape, starting from the second continuous linear welding (6b) and ending at a minimum distance of 3 cm from the first continuous linear welding (6a), d) repeating transverse or beveled welding (8) with a repeating length (L1) starting from the edge (4) and ending in a second linear welding (6b); and has successive slits (12b) in repeating length (L1) with length (d) parallel to the plastic film and very close to the continuous linear welding (6b) and preferably at a midpoint between successive transverse or beveled welds (8) . Plastic foil with associated molded pockets for load loading along its sides, according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the complex welding of two superposed parts along its sides is a combination of: a) continuous, linear welding (6a), parallel to its length at a distance (b2) of up to 20 cm, preferably 15 cm, from the edge (4), b) linear, continuous welding (6b), parallel to its length at a distance (b 1) of up to 15 cm, preferably 8 cm, from the edge (4), c) repeated, formed welding of repetitive length (L2), of any geometric or natural shape starting from the edge (4) and ending at a minimum distance of 3 cm from the first continuous linear welding (6a), • ·· ··· · · · · · · · · • · • · • · • · • · φ · · · φ · φ · φ · · Φ φφφφ P? QW-FO. d) repeated transverse or angled welding (8), each of which comes from a second continuous, linear welding (6b) and ends in a first linear, continuous welding (6a); and has successive slits (12b) of repeating length (L 1), with length (d), parallel to the plastic film and very close to the continuous linear welding (6b) and preferably at a midpoint between successive transverse or beveled welds / 8 /. Plastic foil with composite shaped pockets for load loading along its sides, according to claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the repeating length (L1) is equal to the repeating length (L2). Plastic foil with composite shaped pockets for load loading along its sides, according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the complex welding of two superposed parts on its side is formed by successive welding of a composite shaped welding mold, the welding of which forms one or more soil pockets (9) of any shape and one or more water pockets (10) of any shape. Plastic foil with composite shaped pockets for load filling along its sides according to claims 1 to 7, characterized in that at regular distances up to 100 m opening points are provided for the entry of water into successive water caps, which may be formed by several ways such as: a) by slots (14) which are perpendicular or sloping on the water pocket, b) leaving one soil pocket, which in this case will not be used for soil, in connection with the water pockets through the uncooked part (15), c) inserting a self-closing or manually adjustable valve (17) into the soil pocket, which in this case will not be used for the soil in conjunction with the water pockets; or (d) any combination of holes.