RS20160378A1 - THREE-PART RING COVER FOR PLANT MALCHING - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a three-part ring mulch for mulching plants, consisting of an assembly (1) which is basically a plate of circular shape and consisting of three segments (2, 3, 4). The assembly (1), or segments (2, 3, 4), consist of three annular rings (6, 7, 8) that are vertically elevated relative to the base of assembly (1) and in cross-section are in the shape of a Cyrillic letter P. and the inner vertical walls of the garlands (6, 7, 8) are perforated, respectively, with holes (9, 9 '), with openings (9) on the outer walls and openings (9') on the inner walls of the garlands (6, 7, 8) angularly displaced with each other. The rims (6, 7, 8) of the segments (2, 3, 4) are interconnected by radially directed ribs (10, 11, 12, 13, 14) for stiffening the cover and collecting precipitation. In the segments (2, 3, 4) and / or in assembly (1), recesses and / or collecting surfaces (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22) are formed. A groove (25) is cut into each surface (22) of segments (2, 3, 4).

Description

THREE-PART RING COVER FOR MULCHING PLANTS

Technical field

The subject of the invention belongs, generally speaking, to the field of current life needs, that is, to the field of agriculture and forestry, more closely to the field of plant and tree protection.

According to the International Classification of Patents (IPC<15>), the subject of the invention is marked and classified with the basic classification symbols: A 01 G 13/02, which refers to protective covers for plants and devices for their placement, and A 01 G 13/10, which refers to devices for protecting plants from animals, birds or other pests.

Technical problem

The technical problem to be solved by the present invention consists in the following: how to structurally solve a cover for mulching plants which, by covering the soil especially around the tree of the seedling, would alleviate extreme temperatures, reduce evaporation and loss of moisture, prevent the arrival of animals to the plants, prevent the sprouting of weeds and improve the structure of the soil and its fertility, whereby the cover would ensure the collection, introduction and flow of water into the space under the mulch, directing moisture and fertilizers to seedling-plant, reduced the total costs, while this solution would be simple to make and set up, economical and long-lasting.

State of the art

Mulching (professional terminology) means covering the soil that we cultivate with natural materials. Mulching is not a new technique, but it is a transmitted observation from nature - in a natural form where the soil is nowhere bare as in "conventional" tillage. Bare soil is exposed to the harsh effects of nature: the sun dries the soil, the winds blow away the upper humus layer, the rain hits the soil surface, destroys the structure of the soil and washes away the humus, and under these conditions a crust forms on the ground through which air cannot pass, during the winter frost penetrates deep into the unprotected soil and makes life in the upper layers of the soil impossible. Namely, mulching is the placement of material around planted seedlings with the aim of covering the soil in order to mitigate extreme temperatures, reduce evaporation and moisture loss, control weeds and improve soil structure and fertility. The effectiveness of rnalching depends on the material, size, price and durability. The biological impact of irrigation depends on the type of material. Mulching materials can be divided into loose and compact. Loose materials are usually sand, sawdust and other organic materials. Compact materials are waste paper (old newspapers, cardboard and mixtures made from paper), various types of plastics (polyethylene, biodegradable plastics, etc.) and textiles (waste covers, natural, synthetic fibers and their mixture). This invention relates to a three-part mulch ring type protector-cover that is functionally designed and structurally adapted to encompass the entire seedling by interlocking segments with adaptations that are unique in that they make new and useful improvements not found in earlier mulch ring solutions.

Both in the domestic and foreign patent/non-patent literature, a large number of documents are known in which the technologies and constructions of devices or means that solve the specified problem of rnalching are shown. Some of the characteristic solutions are as follows: In US patent number US 3,305,969, a "Protective buffer pad for trees or plants" is described and shown, and it refers to a protective ring for trees or plants and is circular in shape. This mulch ring is one-piece, concave, which retains rainwater and directs it towards the central opening. The surface of this mulch ring is coated or coated with a plastic film or an equivalent material of predetermined color and texture that is impermeable to water and moisture. Namely, for use in promoting the growth of a tree or plant, a protective buffer pad is provided, which consists of a ring with an opening of a certain size and shape, which is designed and adapted to surround the tree trunk in its center with its rim and which is arranged in a circle around the said tree. Said ring shall be so dimensioned at the factory that a significant amount of soil surrounding the trunk can cover it in such a way as to suffocate and prevent the growth of vegetation, such as weeds or grass within the limits of the covered area. Said ring has a normally closed radial slot opening at the outer and inner ends of the peripheral edge of said central opening. The inner side of said ring is made of compressible elastic porous material that allows water distribution and keeps the covered surface moist. The outer side of the mentioned ring is coated with a thin plastic film of a defined color. The mentioned layer is impervious to the passage of moisture, and in addition, it has minimal light-reflecting properties, which minimizes the glare of the sun and natural light, especially during warm sunny days. The entire outer side of the said ring is concave which captures and stores water which can then be used by the said tree placed in the center of the said opening.

In US patent number US 3,571,972, a "Substrate for soil protection" is described and shown, and it refers to a mulch ring made of waterproof material. This mulch ring is two-part and consists of an outer ring that lies on the ground and an inner ring that climbs up the tree. It is recommended to use mats of laminar construction. Wrapping upright elements such as trees, in order to prevent the growth of vegetation at ground level, a ring of waterproof sheet material is formed to secure the tree trunk wrap. Most of the circular inner rings are formed within the material towards the center of the opening, to define most of the flexible fingers that span the trunk and are placed to prevent plant growth. It is preferable that the layer is of laminated construction, and the internal slits are formed in such a way that the fingers formed in the two laminated plates are mutually spaced so that the main slits in the two layers do not face each other.

In another US patent number US 3,857,195, a "Mulch package" is described and shown and refers to small mulch packages for application to soil surrounding plants. The package includes a perforated base of impermeable material and a degradable and water-soluble cover layer that is bonded to the base along the outer edges as well as in the center. Mulch material and in some cases fertilizers, various mineral additives to the soil, are spread into the space between the base and the cover layer. The central part of the package contains several concentric rings and radial slits - outlets that connect the innermost rings with the periphery of the package, that is, which connect the central ring with the outer edge. The upper surface of the mulch package is preferably concave, so that it can hold water and ensure that the water will drain down to the mulch material and other components that are contained in the soil.

In another US patent number US 5,085,001, the "Fixing Mulch Cover" is described and shown, the solution refers to a mulch ring for inhibiting the growth of vegetation around a tree or tree, it is formed from a single leaf that had an initial axial opening and an expansion of the opening from the axial opening to a point on the periphery of the ring. A number of adjustment bands are formed around the axial opening, by means of successive concentric rows of distortion. The mulch ring can be sized in place around the selected tree or trunk, removing the inner part of the ring along with the selected row of distortion that corresponds in diameter to the basic diameter of the tree or trunk on which the mulch ring will be used. The mulch ring can be stabilized by a ring, which expands around the periphery of the ring and by securing a pin to secure the ring to the ground.

In Serbian patent file no. 53921B1 entitled "Procedure of complete mulching of the soil for the purpose of raising young seedlings of woody plants in adverse environmental conditions" shows a technological procedure that enables, even in the most difficult environmental conditions, the successful raising of intensive and energetic plantings, the raising of new forests where there were none before, as well as the conversion of existing low-quality stands to a higher cultivation form, all without the need for irrigation. The novelty is reflected in the specific and layered process of laying mulch in an uninterrupted sequence in order to completely cover the soil with artificial materials impermeable to water and light on large areas, which ensures the inflow of water from atmospheric sediments into the space under the mulch and prolonged retention of moisture in the soil, while reducing water expenditure on evaporation and transpiration of unwanted types of plants (weeds are suppressed in this way without the use of herbicides and pesticides) and at the same time the cultivated species are given full access existing reserves of moisture and nutrients in the soil.

However, all the previously described solutions have a number of disadvantages, such as, for example, mandatory pre-treatment and preparation of land for planting, engagement of a larger volume of labor and mechanization, as well as the necessity of additional irrigation of the type of plants planted. During these procedures, it is necessary to use different chemical agents in the fight against unwanted plant species, which additionally causes pollution of the soil, surface and underground watercourses and the environment in general. In this way, the complete and wider application of the system in rural areas and areas that are not provided with water is prevented.

Exposition of the essence of the invention

The invention relates to a three-part ring cover for mulching plants, which consists of an assembly that is basically a circular plate and which consists of three triangle-shaped segments. What makes the invention new is that the assembly, that is, the segments, consist of three ring rings that are vertically raised in relation to the base of the assembly and in cross-section are in the shape of the Cyrillic letter II. One of the novelties is the structural feature of the wreaths, where the outer and inner vertical walls of the wreaths are perforated, that is, they are made with openings, where the openings on the outer walls and the openings on the inner walls of the wreaths are angularly offset from each other. The crowns of the segments are connected to each other by radially directed ribs to stiffen the cover and collect precipitation. In the segments, that is, in the assembly, depressions, that is, collecting surfaces, were formed. A groove is cut into each of the surfaces of the segments.

The main goal of the invention is to provide such a cover solution that would: prevent the growth of weeds (which does not require work on plant care), reduce the loss of moisture from the soil (reduce evaporation), direct precipitation (both horizontally - dew, frost, and vertical - rain, snow) to the roots of young plants and thus increase the millimeters of precipitation by directing water to the roots, enable better use of fertilizers in plant care, enable the planting of smaller (younger) seedlings, protected the seedling from being eaten by wild game, influenced the change in soil temperature with its color, protected the soil from erosion processes (e.g. raindrops), reduced insulation (radiation), was suitable for use in agriculture (e.g. vegetables), enabled easier monitoring of the seedlings because they were noticeable, made the use of herbicides (herbicides, pesticides) redundant, etc.

Certainly, the cover should be made of natural and degradable materials, as well as the appropriate color, in order to achieve the most favorable microclimatic conditions for the plant and regulate the temperature. According to the previous one, it is preferable that the cover has a zebra skin pattern.

The three-part ring cover for mulching plants, according to this invention, has several advantages, a few of which are the most urgent:

• simple construction with the use of existing materials at a low cost of production,

• simple installation and maintenance,

• increasing the success of planting,

• intensification of plant growth,

• shortening the production cycle of crops,

• better retention and deposition of moisture in the zone of the root system of the tree,

• controlled appearance of weeds without the use of herbicides or pesticides, etc.

Brief description of the draft images

For the sake of easier understanding of the invention, as well as for showing how it can be realized in practice, the applicant refers to the attached drawing in which: ^Figure 1 shows the appearance of the assembly of a three-part ring cover for mulching plants,

according to the invention, in a top view,

^Figure 2 shows the appearance of the three-part ring cover of Figure 1, in a side view

front side,

<A>Figure 3 shows the appearance of one segment of the assembly from Figure 1, in axonometry,

<x>Figure 4 shows the appearance of the assembly in a section along the line l-l from Figure 1,

<A>Figure 5 shows the appearance of the assembly in a cross-section along the line ll-ll from Figure 1,

<A>Figure 6 shows the appearance of the assembly in a section along the line lll-lll from Figure 1 i

<x>Figure 7 shows detail A from Figure 4 on an enlarged scale.

Detailed description of the invention

The three-part ring cover for mulching plants, according to the invention and Figures 1 to 7, consists of assembly 1, which is basically a circular plate and which consists of three segments 2, 3, 4 in the shape of a triangle. The side edges of segments 2, 3, 4 are placed at an angle of 120° to each other, while the third front (outer) edge of each segment is part of the circle of assembly 1. Assembly 1 was formed by overlapping segments 2, 3, 4 with their side edges according to the male-female overlap principle and, e.g. with pins, connected at the ends of the front peripheral edge both to each other and to the ground.

Assembly 1, and therefore also segments 2, 3, 4, Figures 1, 2, 3, consist of three ring crowns 6, 7, 8, which are vertically raised in relation to the plate base of assembly 1 and in cross-section are in the shape of the Cyrillic letter n. Wreath 6 is the outer-peripheral wreath with edge 6' directed outwards, wreath 7 is the central wreath while wreath 8 is the inner central wreath, where wreaths 7 and 8 are at a smaller distance from each other and closer to the central axis of assembly 1. The vertical walls, both external and internal, of wreaths 6, 7, 8 are perforated, that is, they are made with openings 9, 9', Figure 2. It is important note that the openings 9 on the outer walls and the openings 9' on the inner walls of the rings 6, 7, 8 are angularly offset from each other by e.g. half the distance between the two openings. This is especially clear from the sections in Figures 4, 5, 6. Openings 9, 9' were made on the vertical walls of the crowns 6, 7, 8 of the cover in order to allow and direct precipitation (horizontal and vertical) towards the roots of young plants and at the same time prevent the leaves from closing those openings.

Crowns 6, 7, 8 of segments 2, 3, 4, Figures 1, 2, 3, are connected to each other by ribs for stiffening and collecting water, which in assembly 1 are generally radially directed. Crowns 6, 7, 8 are on each segment 2, 3, 4 interconnected with edge ribs 10, 11, which are made on the side sides of the segment, and placed radially and in the central axis of the assembly 1, Figures 1, 3. Crowns 6, 7, 8 are also interconnected by a central rib 12, which overlaps with ribs 10, 11 at an angle of 60° and lies on diameter of the assembly 1. The rings 6, 7 are additionally connected to each other by two ribs 13, 14 which are placed between the ribs 10, 12 and the ribs 11, 12 and are directed radially in relation to the assembly 1, whereby the radial longitudinal axes of the ribs 13, 14 are moved outside the central axis of the assembly 1 towards the side edges of the segment. According to the previous one, it is important to note two things: a. all ribs 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 are in the cross-section of the most favorable shape of Cyrillic letters n and b. due to the shape and configuration of the ribs 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 and the crowns 6, 7, 8 in segments 2, 3, 4, i.e. in assembly 1, depressions, i.e. collecting surfaces 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, were formed. Collecting surfaces 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22 are placed symmetrically on each of the segments. Smaller surfaces 16, 19 are formed between rings 6, 7 and ribs 10, 14 and 11, 13, while larger surfaces 17, 18 are formed between rings 6, 7 and ribs 12, 13 and 12, 14. Collecting surfaces 16, 17, 18, 19 are made at an angle in relation to the horizontal plane and are inclined towards to the central axis of the segment, Figures 4, 5, 6. The central inner surfaces 20, 21 are formed between the crowns 7, 8 and the ribs 10, 12 and 11, 12 and in relation to the horizontal plane, they are made without inclination. The central surface 22 around the central axis of the segments, also designed as a horizontal surface, is ring-shaped with a concave depression 23 for the stem of the seedling.

In assembly 1, recesses 23 on segments 2, 3, 4, Figure 1, form an opening in which the seedling stem is located. In each of the surfaces 22 of segments 2, 3, 4, Fig. 3, a groove 25 is cut, which is placed diagonally so that these grooves in assembly 1 form a triangle whose vertices are placed at the edge joints of the segments. These grooves 25, Fig. 7, on the segments 2, 3, 4 allow that, when the seedling grows and increases the circumference of the tree placed in the opening-indentation 23, the inner part of the surface 22 folds up. In this way, the diameter of the recess 23 is expanded, the diameter of the central cover opening is increased, and the space for the growth of the tree and the seedling is freed.

At the corners of the segments 2, 3, 4, that is, at the ends of the rim 6, and at the edge 6', at least two openings 26 are made for connecting the two segments to each other and for securing the entire assembly 1 to the ground.

The method of setting up and functioning of the three-part ring cover for mulching plants, according to the invention, is simple and follows in an obvious way from the previous description and drawing, so it is not necessary to describe it in detail. However, it should be emphasized that the assembly 1 of the cover with its surfaces 6, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22 ensures the collection, introduction and flow of any type of water (horizontal or vertical) through the openings 9, 9' into the space under the cover, whereby the assembly, in addition to directing this moisture and fertilizer to the seedling-plant, also prevents the growth of weeds.

Method of industrial or other application of the invention

The method of application of the invention follows in an obvious way from the previous text, i.e. for the commercial use of the reported invention, no special knowledge, instructions or experience are required to successfully apply the invention. Only the knowledge in the subject area possessed by an average expert is necessary and sufficient for the successful application of the subject invention based on the given description. All structural and functional features of the invention were successfully checked by the inventor on the prototype.

Also, any structural improvements or changes that would be within the shown assembly of the three-part ring cover for mulching plants, and that would be for the purpose of its functional improvement, are considered to be covered by this application.

Claims (7)

1. Three-part ring cover for mulching plants, indicated by the fact that it consists of an assembly (1) which is basically a circular plate and which consists of three segments (2, 3, 4) in the shape of a triangle, which assembly (1), i.e. segments (2, 3, 4), consist of three ring crowns (6, 7, 8) which are vertically raised in relation to the base of the assembly (1) and in cross-section are shaped Cyrillic letter D, which means that the vertical walls, both external and internal, of the wreaths (6, 7, 8) are perforated, i.e. they are made with openings (9, 9'), whereby the openings (9) on the outer walls and the openings (9') on the inner walls of the wreaths (6, 7, 8) are mutually angularly shifted by half the distance between the two openings (9, 9'), which are the wreaths (6, 7, 8) segments (2, 3, 4) connected to each other by radially directed ribs (10, 11, 12, 13, 14) for stiffening the assembly (1) and collecting water, which are in the segments (2, 3, 4), i.e. in the assembly (1), depressions, i.e. collecting surfaces (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22) are formed and what is in each of the surfaces (22) segments (2, 3, 4) cut groove (25). '?''??/'?'?<.> 2. Three-part ring cover according to claim 1, indicated by the fact that the segments (2, 3, 4) are overlapped with their side edges according to the male-female overlap principle, where the side edges of the segments (2, 3, 4) are placed at an angle of 120°, while the third front (outer) edge of each of the segments (2, 3, 4) is part of the assembly circle (1). 3. Three-part ring cover according to claim 1, it is indicated that the crown (6) is the outer-peripheral crown with the edge (6') directed outwards, the crown (7) is the central crown, while the crown (8) is the inner central crown, whereby the crowns (7, 8) are placed at a smaller distance from each other and are closer to the central axis of the assembly (1). 4. Three-part ring cover according to claim 1, indicated by the rings (6, 7, 8) on the segments (2, 3, 4) interconnected by the edge ribs (10, 11), the central rib (12) which overlaps the angle of 60° with the ribs (10, 11) and lies on the diameter of the assembly (1) and with the ribs (13, 14) which are placed between the ribs (10, 12) and ribs (11, 12), that the radial longitudinal axes of the ribs (13, 14) are moved outside the central axis of the assembly (1) and towards the side edges of the segment (2, 3, 4) and that the ribs (10, 11, 12, 13, 14) in the cross section are of the most favorable shape of Cyrillic letters l~l. 5. Three-part annular cover according to claim 1, indicated by the name f, the smaller collecting surfaces (16, 19) on the segments (2, 3, 4) are formed between the rings (6, 7), ribs (10, 14) and ribs (11, 13), while the larger surfaces (17, 18) are formed between the rings (6, 7), ribs (12, 13) and ribs (12, 14), which are the collecting surfaces (16, 17, 18, 19) in relation to the horizontal plane, made at an angle and inclined towards the central axis of the segment (2, 3, 4), which are the central internal surfaces (20, 21), formed between the rings (7, 8), ribs (10, 12) and ribs (11, 12), and made without inclination in relation to the horizontal plane and that the central surface (22) is approx the central axis of the segments (2, 3, 4) made as a horizontal ring-shaped surface and with a concave recess (23) for receiving the seedling stem. 6. Three-part ring cover according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the grooves (25) cut on the surface (22) are placed diagonally, and the grooves (25) in the assembly (1) form a triangle whose vertices are placed at the edge joints of the segments (2, 3, 4). 7. Three-part ring cover according to claim 1, it is indicated that at the corners of the segments (2, 3, 4), that is, at the edge (6') of the rim (6), there are at least two openings (26) for connecting the segments (2, 3, 4) to each other and for securing the entire assembly (1) to the ground.