GB2080085A - A plant cover - Google Patents

Abstract

A plant cover 1 has an opening 3 and a closure 4 at either end of a hollow plant-accommodating portion 2. The closure 4 has side closure portions 4A and 4B which are angled so that when the closure 4 is inverted into the portion 2 it forms a funnel. Water droplets forming on the undersurface of the closure 4 will thus be directed back onto the plant 7 and the soil 6. The container 1 can be formed of a strong but flexible plastics material and can have a slit 5 to allow rain water collecting on the depressed closure 4 to drain away. The cover 1 may also be provided with apertures. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION A plant cover This invention relates to a plant cover.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a plant cover which when used in the cultivation of plants can provide for the protection of a plant during growth and additionally can assist its growth.

Further objects of this invention will become apparent from the following description.

According to one embodiment of the present invention there is provided a plant cover comprising a substantially hollow portion extending between an opening at one end and a closure at an opposite end, said closure being inverted or invertible into said hollow portion to form a funnel whereby condensation collecting on its lower surface is directed onto a plant accommodatable within said hollow portion.

The present invention will now be described by way of example of possible embodiments thereof and with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein; Figure 1 shows, diagrammatically, a plant cover according to one embodiment of the present invention in its collapsed condition; Figure 1A shows the cover of Fig. 1 in use positioned about a plant container; Figure 2 shows, diagrammatically, a plant cover according to a further embodiment of the invention in its collapsed condition; Figure 2A shows the cover of Fig. 2 in use and positioned about a plant container; Figure 1B shows the cover of Fig. 1A with its upper closure withdrawn upwardly.

The present invention relates to a plant cover for use in horticulture and is of the type comprising a bag-like translucent protective device which is positionable about a plant so as to protect same from adverse weather conditions, insects etc. In so doing it also produces a hot-house effect in providing a warm humid atmosphere due to water droplets forming on the inside of the cover.

Known covers have comprised a plastics bag having a plurality of holes in its periphery and an open bottom end which can be positioned around a tubular container in which a plant is growing. Some of the aforementioned water droplets forming on the inside of the cover will fall onto the plant or soil within the container. As necessary this moisture can be supplemented by additional watering through the aforementioned holes in the plastics bag.

In such known covers however much of the moisture condensing on the inside of the cover is lost to the plant as it tends to trickle down the cover wall and pass between the cover nd the wall of the tubular container in which the plant is growing.

In the cover of the present invention however its upper closure is formed or formable into a funnel which will direct water droplets accumulating on the inside of the cover back onto the growing plant.

In this manner a substantially closed system is provided where the plant's transpiration provides the necessary watering of the soil in which the plant is growing and makes the system substantially self-supporting.

In preferred embodiments of the invention the cover is formed from a heavy gauge but flexible plastics material whereby a plurality of the covers can be folded flat for easy storage.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention not specifically described hereinafter, it is envisaged that the cover could be formed from a substantially rigid plastics material for example having its upper closure permanently formed of a funnel-shape.

Referring now to Figs. 1 and 1 A of the accompanying drawings a cover according to one embodiment is referenced generally by arrow 1.

It is seen to have a substantially hollow portion 2, when erected, between an open lower end 3 and an upper closure 4. The open end 3 is shown in Fig. 1A having been slid over a sleeve or container 5 of similar diameter containing soil or other growing medium 6 in which a plant 7 is growing. Alternatively the end 3 can be placed directly on the ground and pinned at its bottom edge or secured with stakes placed internally to hold it in position about a growing plant.

The cover 1 being of a strong but at least partially flexible material is able to have its closure portion 4 depressed into the hollow portion 2. The closure 4, as seen particularly in Fig. 1, has upwardly angled side portions 4A and 4B such that when the closure 4 is depressed it forms a substantially funnelshape as shown in Fig. 1A. Condensation forming on the bottom surface of the closure 4 will therefore tend to flow towards the lower most part of the closure 4 before dropping back onto the plant 7 or the soil 6 to thus recycle water through the growing plant 7.

External application of water for the growing plant 7 is therefore minimized.

As the plant 7 grows the end 3 of the cover 1 can be lifted up along the sleeve 5 to accommodate the increased height of the plant.

The angled seals defining the side portions 4A and 4B of the closure 4 may be formed by any suitable technique, suitably in the case of a plastics material by heat sealing.

As shown in Fig. 1 B in the case of heavy rain the closure 4 may be lifted upwardly so as to form a tent-shaped structure so that water incident thereon tends to drain away and not collect.

However to deal with water incident thereon when in the depressed position shown in Fig.

1A the closure 4 is shown having a slit 5 therein through which water can pass rather than coilecting within the closure 4 when depressed.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention shown in Figs. 2 the cover 8 is again shown having an upper closure 9 and a bottom opening 10, the closure 9 being defined by side portions 9A and 9B which are angled upwardly such that when the closure 9 is depressed as shown in Fig. 2A it will form a funnel-shape directing water droplets back onto the soil 6 and plant 7.

The cover 8 is however also shown including through-apertures 11 provided to assist in air circulation within the cover so as to obviate too high a temperature within the cover 8 when in use. Also an upper aperture 1 2 is shown provided for essentially the same purpose as the slit 5 in the embodiment of Figs.

1.

Additional watering of the plants 7 may however also be effected through the apertures 11 and 1 2.

If desired one or more apertures such as apertures 11 could be provided in the cover 1 of Figs. 1.

In both embodiments shown in Figs. 1 and 2 the side portions 13, including respective gusset portions 14, of the covers fold into the front and back portions to enable the collapsed covers 1 and 8 to be substantially flat.

Where in the aforegoing description reference has been made to specific components or integers of the invention having known equivalents then such equivalents are herein incorporated as if individually set forth.

Although this invention has been described by way of example and with reference to possible embodiments thereof it is to be understood that modifications or improvements may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims (7)

1. A plant cover comprising a substantially hollow portion extending between an opening at one end and a closure at an opposite end, said closure being inverted or invertible into said hollow portion to form a funnel whereby condensation collecting on its lower surface is directed onto a plant accommodatable within said hollow portion.

2. A plant cover as claimed in Claim 1 of an at least partially flexible material, said closure having upwardly directed side portions which form said funnel when the closure is inverted into said hollow portion.

3. A plant cover as claimed in Claim 2 formed of a plastics material wherein said closure side portions are formed as angled heat seals.

4. A plant cover as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein said closure includes a water draining means therein.

5. A plant cover as claimed in any one of the preceding claims including one or more apertures for ventilation and/or warering purposes in said hollow portion thereof.

6. A plant cover as claimed in Claim 1 formed of an at least partially rigid material with said closure forming a funnel directed into said hollow portion.

7. A plant cover substantially as herein described with reference to Figs. 1 or Figs. 2 of the accompanying drawings.