NL2012651B1 - A sheath foil, a method and an auxiliary device. - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a sheath foil for protecting a young plant or tree. The sheath foil comprises a pliant foil that is mainly rectangular shaped having opposite side sections, an upper section and a lower section. The upper section and the lower section are each provided with a hinged window leaving, in an open state, an opening in the foil for being traversed by a corresponding hinged window of another sheath.

Description

Title: A sheath foil, a method and an auxiliary device

The invention relates to a sheath structure for protecting a young plant or tree.

Light intensity, high temperatures and grazing by hares, rabbits, deer, goats, sheep, horses, camels and giraffes are among the biggest causes of erosion, besides drought. Growers lose millions of dollars because of these problem. Crops get lost. Young saplings have no chance to survive the first years.

Presently available solutions such as wire meshes generally suffer from several problems, such as being not tall enough, lacking flexibility when the plant grows, needing a supporting structure such as stick, being voluminous in transport and storage and being expensive to produce and to buy. Further, such plant protectors do not protect against high fight intensity and heat. Typically, these protectors can only be used in a permanent manner, and can merely be removed in a destructive manner causing pollution to the environment and damage to the growing plant or tree. As an example, trees may become useless for wood production.

It is an object of the invention to provide an improved sheath structure for protecting a young plant or tree against grazing. Thereto, a sheath foil is provided for protecting a young plant or tree, comprising a pliant foil that is mainly rectangular shaped having opposite side sections, an upper section and a lower section, wherein the upper section and the lower section are each provided with a hinged window leaving, in an open state, an opening in the foil for being traversed by a corresponding hinged window of another sheath.

By applying hinged windows in a pliant foil, individual foils can be connected, especially when formed as tube-shaped sheaths, thus forming a telescoping sheath that is flexible in height matching a height of the plant or tree to be protected against grazing animals. Further, by forming the tubes from pliant foils, the sheets can be manufactured at low cost and can be transported and stored in a very compact way, being in a flat state, as a sheet. In addition, the tube-shaped sheaths makes any supporting or stabilizing structure superfluous since the plant or tree being surrounded by the tube-shaped sheath may support or stabilize the sheath, thereby saving further material and placing costs.

Further advantageous embodiments according to the invention are described in the following claims.

The invention also relates to a method of forming an assembled sheath.

By way of example only, embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying figures in which

Fig. 1 shows a schematic view of a number of sheath foils according to the invention in a first state;

Fig. 2 shows a schematic perspective of a sheath foil according to the invention in a second state;

Fig. 3 shows a schematic perspective view of a sheath foil in an assembling phase with another sheath foil;

Fig. 4A shows a schematic perspective view of a sheath foil and an auxiliary device;

Fig. 4B shows a schematic exploded perspective view of the auxiliary device shown in Fig. 4A;

Fig. 5A shows a schematic view of another auxiliary device in a first state;

Fig. 5B shows a schematic view of the auxiliary device shown in Fig. 5A in a second state, and

Fig. 6 shows a flow chart of an embodiment of a method according to the invention.

It is noted that the figures show merely preferred embodiments according to the invention. In the figures, the same reference numbers refer to equal or corresponding parts.

Figure 1 shows a schematic view of a number of sheath foils 2 according to the invention in a first state. The sheath foils 2 form a single foil 1 that is pre-processed to form tube-like sheaths for protecting a young plant or tree. In the first state, the sheath foils 2 are flat or mainly flat. The single foil 1 may be integrally formed from a single material, e.g. polypropylene. However, the foil 1 may also be formed from another material, e.g. polyester, cardboard or paper pulp. Optionally, anti-grazing repellent material can be added to the material forming the foil. Further, a multiple number of materials can be integrated in the foil.

In the shown embodiment four sheath foils 2a-d are pre-formed and can be taken away by tearing or cutting the foils along border lines 3b,c. The foil 1 is pliable so that a tube can be formed. A sheath foil 2 a has a mainly rectangular shape having a width W and a length H, and including opposite side sections 3a,b, an upper section 3d and a lower section 3c. The upper section 3d and the lower section 3c are each provided with a hinged window 4a,d. In a closed state, the window 4 is aligned with the foil surrounding the window 4. In an open state, the window 4 leaves an opening 5 in the foil 2a, see e.g. Fig. 2. The opening 5 can be traversed by a corresponding hinged window of another sheath as described in more detail referring to Fig. 3.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, the opposite side sections 3a,b are provided with coupling elements 6, 7 for coupling with each other for forming a sheath that is closed in a circumferential direction. In Fig. 1 the coupling elements are implemented as a series of lips 6 arranged along a first side section 3a and as a series of cuts 7 arranged along a second side section 3b. By traversing each cut 7 by a corresponding lip 6 the opposite side sections 3a,b can be connected to each other. Preferably, the lip 6 is wider than the corresponding cut 7, so once the lip 6 is received by the cut 7, the lip 6 is secured and cannot get out, at least not easily. In a particular embodiment, the lip 6 is arrow-shaped. In a more preferred embodiment, the hp 6 has a rounded contour where the width of the lip 6 is locally wider than the cut width, thereby improving securing behaviour of the coupling elements and reducing a chance that the hp 6 is damaged at its lateral extending portions. Consequently, the hp 6 may provide in a rehable and stable force of resistance when an external force is exerted on the first and second side sections 3a,b of the foil. During a process of couphng the opposite side sections 3a,b the foil 2 is curved and bended forming a closed structure in a circumferential direction. Preferably, the couphng elements, specifically the lips 6, are integrally formed in the foil 2. However, in principle, the couphng elements may include separate couphng structures such as discrete couphng structures, e.g. clips, interconnecting the opposite side sections 3a,b. Further, the tube shaped can be formed in an alternative manner, e.g. using a gluing technique.

Preferably, the couphng elements provide a connecting structure that can be disconnected, thereby providing a removable sheath foil. The sheath can be removed from the plant or tree, e.g. when the stem of the plant or tree becomes too large relative to the sheath diameter. If desired, another sheath foil having a larger diameter can be applied for protecting the plant or tree. In principle, the removed sheath foil can be re-used for protecting other plants or trees. The durability of the sheath foil can be extended, e.g. by including anti oxidant material and/or UV protective material to the foil.

Figure 2 shows a schematic perspective of a sheath foil 2 according to the invention in a second state. Here, the opposite sides sections 3a,b are mutually coupled forming the tube-like structure that is closed in a circumferential direction.

The foil 2 is provided with an incision 8a,b defining a border contour of the hinged window 4a,b. The window may swivel from the closed state to the open state, and vice versa, relative to a hinge 9a,b. The hinge 9a,b can be created by providing a perforated edge in the foil. However, the hinge 9a,b can also be created otherwise, e.g. by providing a pre-folded edge or an edge having a reduced thickness in the foil. The incision 8a,b has two end sections 10 adjacent the hinge 9a,b. In the shown embodiment, the end sections 10 are aligned with the hinge of the window. Also, an end portion 11 of the incision 8a,b may be curved with its convex side C directed to the hinge 9a,b of the window, see Fig. 3. By providing a curved end portion 11 and/or by providing end sections 10 aligned with the hinge 9a,b, the window of another foil, when traversing the opening defined by the incision 8a,b, may be locked to counteract that the window 4 swivels back into a closed state. In an alternative embodiment, another incision contour is applied, e.g. a rectangular contour.

Advantageously, the foil 2 is provided with perforations 12 to enable an air flow through the foil 2, thus providing fresh air inside the tube counteracting the growth of fungus. Preferably, the size of the perforations 12 is large enough to allow a moderate wind flow to pass through the perforations 12 thereby counteracting dehydration, but small enough to block a branch or twig to grow through the perforation, in order to counteract that animals pull such branches or twigs, thereby de-stabilizing the sheath and the plant or tree. As an example, the perforations may have a diameter that is equal to or smaller than circa 0.5 mm.

In a highly preferable embodiment, the foil 2 is diffuse or opaque, so that animals may not be able to visually identify the tree or plant protected by the sheath. In addition, the plant or young tree may be shielded against direct sun exposure. Further, the sheath foil 2 may have a specific colour, preferably matching the colour of the tree or plant that is protected by the sheath. As an example, the sheath foil 2 is green, thereby allowing other colours such as red and blue light to pass through the foil to stimulate the photosynthesis process of the plant or tree. In the meantime, the plant or tree is cooled by protecting against the green part of the sun spectrum.

The sheath foil 2 can be placed around a plant or young tree. Since the foil 2 is closed in a circumferential direction, an animal can not reach the plant or young tree through the foil 2. Further, since the sheath foil 2 surrounds the plant or young tree, the sheath foil 2 is stabilized by the plant or young tree itself with the use of an additional stability element, such as a stick.

Preferably, the pliability of the foil is great enough that it can be bended to form a closed tube but small enough that no protrusions can be formed by externally manipulating the foil. As an example, the foil may be formed from a plastic layer having a thickness ranging from circa 0.5 to circa 0.75 mm. However, also other thicknesses may be applicable, e.g. depending on the foil material and the diameter of the tube. A typical diameter of the tube may be circa 8 cm, while a typical height of the tube may be circa 50 cm. However, also other dimensions are applicable. In general, if the thickness of the plastic layer is too small, the sheath foil may be too weak to surround the plant or tree in a stable manner. On the other hand, if the thickness of the plastic layer is too large, the flexibility of the material may reduce allowing merely a local bending having a radius that is too large to generate a uniformly rounded profile, around the plant or tree, offering relative jagged portions of foil in which animals may grasp or bite de-stabilizing the sheath.

Further, the foil has preferably a smooth surface, thereby further reducing a risk that an animal may mechanically manipulate or even damage the sheath. In a specific embodiment, the foil has a separate top layer enhancing the smoothness of the foil, e.g. an oil or fat layer.

Figure 3 shows a schematic perspective view of a sheath foil in an assembling phase with another sheath foil. Two sheath foils 2 can be combined forming a single extended sheath foil. According to an aspect of the invention, the upper section 3d of a first tube-shaped foil 2b and the lower section 3c of the second tube-shaped foil 2a are shifted into each other, e.g. by moving the first foil 2b upper section 3d into the second foil 2a lower section 3c, as shown in Fig. 3 It is noted however, that the foils can also be shifted into each other in another way, e.g. by moving the first foil 2b lower section 3c into the second foil 2a upper section 3d. Then, the hinged window 4b in the upper section 3d of the first tube-shaped foil 2b is aligned with the hinged window 4a in the lower section 3c of the second tube-shaped foil 2a. The aligning process may include mutually shifting the first and second foil 2a,b in the longitudinal direction S parallel to the body axis of the tubes, and mutually rotating the first and second foil in the circumferential direction C. Then, the aligned windows 4a,b are pressed through the corresponding openings 5 in the foil, inwardly towards the interior of the tubes, thereby blocking a mutual replacement of the first and second sheath 2 so as to secure the sheaths 2 a, b to each other.

In principle, a multiple number of sheath foils 2 can be assembled in the above described manner, forming a chain of up to two, three, four, five or even more individual sheath foils 2. Then, plants and trees higher than the height of an individual sheath foil 2 can be protected by surrounding them by an assembled telescoping sheath. The assembled sheath can be used for surrounding a plant or young tree. Further, a sheath that is already used for protecting a young plant or tree can be extended by adding and connecting a next tube to it, e.g. if the young plant or tree has been grown.

Fig. 4A shows a schematic perspective view of a sheath foil 2a and an auxiliary device 50. The process of forming the sheath from a mainly rectangular shaped pliant foil 2 having opposite side sections 3a,b can be performed by plying the foil in a tubular shape such that the opposite side sections 3a,b and by coupling the opposite side sections 3a,b with each other using the above-mentioned coupling elements for forming a sheath that is closed in a circumferential direction C.

The steps of plying the foil and coupling the side sections can be performed by hand. However, also an auxiliary device 50 can be used to assist in forming the sheath. In a very advantageous embodiment, the auxiliary device 50 has an annular shaped element for receiving the plied foil 2 with the opposite side sections 3a,b meeting each other. By shifting the plied foil 2 inside the annular shaped element of the auxiliary device 50 the foil is maintained in the tubular shape, so that the opposite side sections 3a,b can be coupled with each other in a more convenient way.

The auxiliary device 50 can be portable or stationary. In the latter case, the auxiliary device may include a frame bearing the annular shaped element.

Figure 4B shows a schematic exploded perspective view of the auxiliary device shown in Fig. 4A. In the shown embodiment, the annular element includes four annular segment elements 51, 52, 53, 54. In a first state, the annular segment elements of the auxiliary device 50 are separate so that they can be stored and/or transported in a very compact way, also if they are rigid. In a second state, the annular segment elements 51-54 are assembled to form the annular shaped element show in Fig. 4A. The elements 51-54 can e.g. be assembled using snap elements or other connection elements. In alternative embodiments, the annular element includes another number of annular segment elements, e.g. five or six annular segment elements. Preferably, the annular segment elements are mainly similar or even identical. In a further embodiment, the annular element includes annular sub-elements each forming an entire annular element module with relatively small height. The annular element can be formed by assembling the annular sub-elements are placed on top of each other, and mutually connected.

Figure 5A shows a schematic view of another auxiliary device 50 in a first state. Here, the device 50 comprises a foil 60, preferably of the same material as the foil 2 forming the sheath. The foil 60 of the auxiliary device 50 is preferably mainly rectangular having two side sections 63a, 63b, a lower section 63c and an upper section 63d. Further, the foil 60 has a width W’ that is somewhat larger than the width W of the foil 2 forming the sheath. As an example, the foil width W’ of the auxiliary device 50 is circa one to circa ten cm larger than the foil width W of the sheath. The length H’ of the auxiliary device foil 60 can be substantially smaller than the length H of the sheath foil 2. As an example, the ratio between the sheath foil length H and the auxiliary device foil length H’ is between circa two to circa 10. In a typical example, the sheath foil length H is circa 45 cm and the auxiliary device foil length H’ is circa 15 cm, so that the above-mentioned ratio is circa three. Preferably, the auxiliary device foil 60 is thicker than the sheath foil 2 to provide an auxiliary device with greater strength and rigidity. As an example, the auxiliary device foil 60 has a thickness of circa 1.2 mm.

The auxiliary device foil 60 further includes, near the opposite side sections 3a,b, coupling elements 66, 67 for coupling the side sections 63a,b with each other for forming an annular element that is closed in a circumferential direction. In addition, in the shown embodiment, the auxiliary device foil 60 is divided into a multiple number of strips 71 that are arranged in parallel and are separated from each other via folding lines 70. The folding lines 70 are pre-folded or formed as hinges with reduced thickness. Further, the folding lines 70 may include perforations.

Figure 5B shows a schematic view of the auxiliary device of Fig. 5A shown in a second state, wherein the side sections 63a,b are mutually connected, as described above. Then, the multiple number of strips 71 form, in cross sectional view, a polygon, in the shown embodiment, a polygon with eight corners. Also, polygons with another number of corners can be formed, e.g. a sex corner polygon. Then, the auxiliary device foil 60 is divided in six parallel strips.

Fig. 6 shows a flow chart of an embodiment of a method according to the invention. The method can be used for forming an assembled sheath for protecting a young plant or tree. The method comprises a step of providing 110 a first and a second tube-shaped foil each having an upper section and a lower section, wherein both the upper section and the lower section are provided with a hinged window leaving, in an open state, an opening in the foil, a step of shifting 120 the upper section of the first tubeshaped foil and the lower section of the second tube-shaped foil into each other, a step of aligning 130 the hinged window in the upper section of the first tube-shaped foil with the hinged window in the lower section of the second tube-shaped foil, and a step of pressing 140 the aligned windows through the corresponding openings in the foil, inwardly.

The invention is not restricted to the embodiments described herein. It will be understood that many variants are possible.

Other such variants will be apparent for the person skilled in the art and are considered to fall within the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims. For the purpose of clarity and a concise description features are described herein as part of the same or separate embodiments. However, it will be appreciated that the scope of the invention may include embodiments having combinations of all or some of the features described.

Claims (18)

A protective sleeve foil for protecting a young plant or tree, comprising a flexible foil that is substantially rectangular shaped with opposite side sections, an upper section and a lower section, wherein the upper section and the lower section are each provided with a hinged window which, in a open state, leaving an opening in the foil to provide access to a corresponding hinged window of another tube. Protective sheath film according to claim 1, wherein the opposite side sections are provided with coupling elements for coupling together to form a sheath that is closed in a circumferential direction. Protective tube foil according to claim 2, wherein the coupling elements are integrally formed in the foil. Protective tube foil according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the foil is provided with an incision that defines a boundary contour of the hinged window. The protective sleeve foil according to claim 4, wherein the incision has an end section aligned with the hinge of the window. Protective sheath film according to claim 3 or 4, wherein an end portion of the incision is curved with the convex side facing the hinge of the window. Protective tube foil according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the foil is provided with perforations. Protective tube foil according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the foil is integrally formed from a single material. Protective sheath film according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the film is diffuse or opaque. A protective sleeve foil according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the foil is green. A protective tube foil according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the opposite side sections are mutually coupled to form a tube that is closed in a circumferential direction. A method for forming a composite sleeve for protecting a young plant or tree, comprising the steps of: - providing a first and a second tubular film, each with an upper section and a lower section, wherein both the upper section and the upper section ondesection are provided with a hinged window which, in an open state, leaves an opening in the foil; sliding the upper section of the first tubular film and the lower section of the second tubular film together; - aligning the hinged window in the upper section of the first tubular film with hinged window in the lower section of the second tubular film, and - pressing the aligned windows inward through the corresponding openings in the film. A method according to claim 12, comprising the steps of: - forming the first tubular film from a flexible film that is substantially rectangular shaped with opposite side sections, the forming step comprising the sub-steps of: - bending the film into a tubular shape such that the opposite side sections meet, and - coupling the opposite side sections together using coupling elements to form a sleeve closed in a circumferential direction. A method according to claim 13, wherein the forming step further comprises the substeps of: - sliding the film into an annular element of an auxiliary device for holding the film in the tubular form after performing the bending substep. An auxiliary device with an annular element for receiving a flexible film which is substantially rectangular in shape with opposite side sections, the film being bent into a tubular shape. Auxiliary device according to claim 15, comprising a plurality of individual ring segment elements that form the annular element in an assembled state. 17. Auxiliary device as claimed in claim 15 or 16, comprising a foil with coupling elements for coupling side sections of the foil together to form an annular element which is closed in a circumferential direction. Auxiliary device according to claim 17, wherein the film is divided into a plurality of strips arranged in parallel and separated from each other via folding lines.