EP3261429A1 - Thorny carpet - Google Patents

Abstract

For industrial scale production of the thorny carpet (2) can be used three techniques: A - the construction of a single carpet (Fig. 1) produced with others of different geometric shapes, by way of example, but not limited to, triangular, square, rectangular (Fig. 3), pentagonal, hexagonal more diffusely n-gon or round or oval circle, semicircle sector, circular segment to a circular basic circular segment with two bases, in their regular (Fig. 5) or irregular shapes (Fig.1) that may be open with a cut for facilitating the placement around the plant (Fig. 7). B - The construction of a thorny carpet (2) in the roll (6) (Fig. 6) of a minimum width of 0.5 cm up to 600 cm or superior if needed flexible material and adaptable to the surface of the soil, or to the plant stem around which it is positioned. C - The construction of a carpet (2) on a rigid support by use and the needs of the cultivar. All the above examples identify the basis on which are placed spines (1), needles and pins of different sizes, lengths, inclinations and different densities of positioning on the invention according to the type of insect that can attack crawling or walking the specific cultivars. In a preferred solution, but not limiting, it identifies location or quills diametric dimension of 0.65mm with a minimum of 0.1 mm and a maximum of 10 mm at the base tapering to the tip which has a preferred size, of 10 -6 m 2, which is generally considered the standard size of a pinhead. On the above-mentioned media, are positioned with a retention system of known art pins, needles, spikes (1) of heights and sizes which may be with the same or different densities and with, or without, ramifications (3), placements (see Fig. 1) variable inclinations according to the type of insect that we don't want to walk or crawl towards the plant under cultivation. Such coupling systems and retention, suitably fixed to the support of flexible or rigid materials that can be breathable to allow the passage of rain or dew or mulching and more or less breathable, or water proof, depending on the type of cultivation. Said material base and support can be textile, iron, plastic, wooden or composite. The coupling systems and retention, are properly fixed to flexible or rigid support by way of example, but not limited to drowning, stitching, stapling, die casting, riveting, eyelets, bolting, nailing, gluing etc. with known techniques to an industry expert and represent the bases on which are fixed on one or on both sides, with multiple slopes and variable density for cm2, framework, needles, pins, quills that form the object of our invention. Examples Example 1. The thorny carpet (2) in this case of rectangular base with small holes (5) in the center and with a cut on one side of the center hole goes towards one of the short sides, is produced with needles thorns and spines (1) on one side (Fig. 1) and is positioned around the plant (7) (Fig. 7) as a deterrent for walking and crawling insects that would attack the plant (7). Example 2. The thorny carpet (2) in this case of rectangular base with a small hole (5) in the center and with a cut on one side of the center hole goes towards one of the short sides, is produced with needles thorns and spines, also on both sides, and is positioned around the plant (7) as shown in the Figure 7 (one side thorny carpet example) thus acting as a deterrent for walking and crawling insects that would attack the plant from the bottom of the ground and from the surface.

Description

Thorny Carpet

The present invention relates to the field of protection of natural and organic agricultural crop and forest from the attacks of insects crawling travelling and finding their passage to the cultivar. In particular it is a thorny carpet always customizable in size with sharp spikes of variable length on one or both surfaces which prevent the passage to walkers or crawling insects towards the plant or any plant object of the crop.

Background of the invention

The protection of crops suitable for agricultural production from walking and crawling insects from long time is one of the priorities that since ancient times has been the subject of studies and appropriate applications. In recent decades the struggle has been devolved to insecticides and pesticides that can act either by killing the insect, or acting on the reproductive life of the same using chemical (pheromone) blocking reproduction of the species.

The use of these chemicals has over the years created harm to people and the environment, just think of the dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane better known as DDT, which was used for decades in the belief that it was harmless to humans, even though it was highly toxic and a human carcinogen and heavily polluting the environment so as to be banished from the production and worldwide distribution.

For thorny carpet we mean a carpet whose base can be made of textile material, ferrous, plastic, wooden or composite to which one side or both sides are placed pins or needles of small diameter and of different heights in a conformation suitable to stop the passage of crawling or hikers insects of various sizes.

Below we describe the main families of insects that are neutralized by the thorny carpet. Ants are one of the greatest examples of organization, collaboration and group life that there is in nature.

Of this insect are existing about 6000 species, grouped in the order of the Hymenoptera, family Formicidae, the most popular, for example in Italy are the red ant, Argentine ant, the Honey ant (live in Arizona and in central and southern America) and Giant Ant .

Their body consists of head, thorax and abdomen, the ants have six legs and are equipped with antennae and chewing mouthparts. Some species have a sting or venom glands for defense. A nest of leaf cutter ants consume every day a mass of leaves equal to that consumed by an adult cattle.

Cockroach or Blattoidea (Blattodea) are an order of insects commonly known as cockroaches or cockroaches. The order includes over 4000 species, divided in 6 families.

The phytophagous species, are harmful to crops.

The Blattodei are also possible vectors of viruses, bacteria, protozoa, nematodes, cestodes, in turn responsible of more or less serious affections. Among the possible diseases transmitted through food contamination are cited dysentery, salmonellosis, hepatitis A, polio, Legionnaires' disease. The beetles also transmit antigens that cause the onset of asthma.

Scorpions are one order of venomous arthropods of the class of arachnids. There are about 1,300 species of scorpions in the world, characterized by an elongated body and a segmented tail ending in a sting from which the poison is injected. Special features of scorpions is to become luminescent when exposed to certain frequencies of ultraviolet rays. Commonly thought scorpions as desert animals, but also live in many other landscapes, such as grasslands and savannas, deciduous forests, rain forests, and caves. The venom of scorpions is mainly used to capture prey and is formed by complex mixtures of neurotoxins (toxins that block the function of the nervous system), composed mostly of protein and sodium cations and potassium (molecules); each species has its own unique blend.

Some scorpions, however, mainly the family of Buthidae (like the scorpion Golden China), they can be very dangerous to humans. Among the most dangerous species is the Deathstalker, which possesses the most potent venom of his family and members of the genera Parabuthus, Tityus and Androctonus. These scorpions were responsible for many deaths, although in general these animals are not able to inject the poison enough to kill a healthy adult.

Spiders are an order of arachnids, divided in 2008, 109 families who comprise just over 40,000 species.

Chelicerates terrestrial arthropods, they have the body divided into two segments and eight legs. Some species procure bites serious enough from the medical point of view, mainly as spiders-violin, and black widows, that bite if they feel threatened directly and so insistent, although this can also happen by accident. In the literature, approximately 100 deaths attributed to spider bites over the entire twentieth century, in comparison with the 1500 deaths attributable to the stinging tentacles and stings of jellyfish in the same period. The Forficula, also known as scissors or earwigs, these insects are very common and present in very different habitats. Their diet includes other small insects, but also plant organs such as buds, pollen, flower parts (often constitute a serious problem in floral crops in greenhouses). Usually they prefer rather moist environments, and it is not difficult to find them under logs and bark, but also hidden within flowers (most often in the rose), under rocks, in cracks in the walls, etc. Despite numerous rumors and urban legends that concern forficulae, this kind of insects are completely harmless to humans, but not for plants.

Millipedes, belong to the order of millipedes and they are very different between species and species, their length vary from 7 to 50mm. of narrow and cylindrical body, with body divided into segments. A pair of legs for each segment, for a total of 17-100 pairs of legs. The millipedes feed themselves on plants and plant substances in decomposition.

Mealy bugs, characteristic of mealy bugs is the secretion of various substances with which cover the body called shield. This kind of insect has visible irregularities in the cortex, the axils of the leaves and stalks, on the undersides of leaves and sometimes on fruits. Cause deformation and loss of color of the leaves often covered with blackish gray mold (sooty mold) due to the production of honey dew from mealy bugs, similar to that described for aphids. In case of severe attacks the plant itself can die.

Mole cricket, the appearance of this insect, 30-60 mm long, looks similar to the common crickets, but differs from it for the presence of blackish shield that covers the front of the body, it has powerful front legs fitted with teeth. Mole cricket does not directly attacks the plants, but, digging long tunnels of extended surface, causes considerable damage to floral / ornamental and horticultural since severs all roots that meets in his excavation, plants which in this case, are protected from the bottom of the thorny carpet.

Moths, insects characterized by large membranous wings covered with scales, at the adult stage, by a sucking mouthparts. This insect is especially dangerous at the larval stage. The diet of the larvae of moths is generally very specialized: each species feeds on a very specific type of plant. This creates a close relationship between moths and plants, and is binding for the spread of new generation. It follows that the distribution area of the single species of moths is relatively small, except in cases of butterflies or moths that lay eggs on plant species widely distributed. The order is divided into several dozen families. Among those that include nocturnal species, the family of small moths Tineids (Tineidae) includes better known as moths, which feed on wool fabric; the Tortricids (Torticidae) boast among its members the bug apple (Codling moth); the Geometer Moths (Geometridae) owe their name to the locomotion system of the caterpillars. It is part of this group the famous Peppered Moth (Biston Betularia) still, citing the families of noctuids (Noctuidae) and Hawk Moths (Sphingidae).

Snails and Limacea are gastropods, which belong to the family of mollusk. This kind of insect, if present in the field in large number, can cause serious damage, since they feed themselves on the leaves and stems of herbaceous plants both horticultural and ornamental, with preference for softer tissues (young leaves and plants).

Cut worms, this insect overwinters in the soil; it performs 2 to 4 generations per year; it attacks the reproductive parts (flowers, berries). The larvae destroy the flowers. On berries came out holes outside that destroy usually 70- 80% of the product. The attacked berries fall, ripe berries rot to the onset of rot. The damage can affect nearly all production.

Pine Processionary, widespread in the regions of the basin of the Mediterranean Sea, the Pine Processionary (scientific name Thaumatopoea Pityocampa) is a moth belonging to the family of Notodontidae; it attacks several species of pine, with a preference for the black pine and Scots pine. More rarely infests larch and cedar. His presence threatens the life of the conifers and is considered one of the limiting factors for the development of the plants of the Mediterranean. Usually infest the street trees and those limits formations forested, but not only.

Their presence is easily recognizable thanks to the nests where the larvae overwinter, positioned on the tops of the branches and the quotes (such Thaumatopoea), which are visible from a distance (in the photo).

The nests appear at the end of autumn and cause necrosis to the leaves of the plant, causing, if the infestation is not eradicated, even death. The Pine Processionary is also harmful to humans. To contact the hairs of Processionary entering the skin and cause a Papular Rash (similar to that caused by the "hairy cats" another member of the family of moths) that usually disappears in a few days. Very dangerous is instead the contact with the eyes, nose, mouth or worse respiratory and digestive. In these cases you need urgent medical attention. The young larva is the state of this insect and the most dangerous. Even out of the nest is easily recognizable: 3-4 cm long and moving generally in groups ordered in row (this is their common name derived from "procession").

We have previously mentioned some groups of insects that carry out attacks on plants, thanks to the present invention can be said that all of these insects are stopped or deterred by the thorny carpet; moreover, the thorns of various sizes are present in nature in defense of many plant varieties.

There are few international patents for the natural defense of woody plant crops, trees and shrubs by crawling insects and walkers, but from research carried out have not highlighted similarities with our invention.

We cite some examples of the state of the art, even if very different from our invention:

JP2002273613 - Carpet and House. The Problem to be solved: to provide a carpet capable of preventing damage caused by an insect pest such as a tick by inhibiting the proliferation of the insect pest such as the tick without using an insect repellent; and to provide a house without the damage caused by the insect pest such as the tick. The solution: the carpet comprises a back surface material and a front surface material formed on the back surface material. The front surface material is a cloth having a function of the carpet, and the back surface material is a sheet or a cloth having moisture-absorbing and releasing properties. The carpet is stuck to a laying surface.

This invention is not in any way comparable to our invention. JP 2000015872 - Fabric having insect-controlling function such as carpet and method for producing the same - To provide a fabrics such as a carpet, at a low cost, excellent in view of safety, having an excellent insect-controlling function capable of exhibiting a high insect repelling effect and excellent in its sustaining property, and a method for producing the same. This fabric having the insect-controlling function is obtained by constituting its back lining layer installed at the lower surface of a fibrous base substrate with an alkaline resistant insect repellant and a specific carrier agent contained in a layer consisting of a resin or a rubber in a dispersed state, and on the one hand, fixing a microcapsule material encapsulating a composition containing the insect repellant and the specific carrier agent to a pile layer with a binder. The back lining layer is formed by applying an aqueous polymer emulsion containing the alkaline resistant insect repellant and the carrier on the lower surface of the fibrous base substrate, and the treatment of the pile layer is performed by using and a treating agent containing the above microcapsule material and the binder resin for fixing the back lining to the piled yarn.

This invention is not in any way comparable to our invention.

US 10934968 - A device that attracts, and subsequently allows flies, and other flying insects, to exit from an enclosed area, such as rooms in a house or commercial building. This device is not a trap, nor does it exterminate flying insects. Rather it enables flying insects to return to the outside environment alive. The device is comprised of a single, unobtrusive, clear, plastic material attachment to a corner of a screen or window. There is a funnel-like hole or tube in the center of the device that is punched through the screen and allows flying insects to "escape" an enclosed area. At the outer portion of the tube there are converging pointed tabs that prevent flying insects to enter or return to the enclosed area. This invention is attached to a window screen by barbed prongs that grab the screen and holds this device firmly in place. This invention is not in any way comparable to our invention.

KR1020030026595 - Device for capturing noxious insects capable of optimizing ecological safety and control thereof. Purpose: Provided is a device for capturing noxious insects including moths and flies to more effectively exterminate noxious insects and thus, to optimize ecological safety and control thereof. Constitution: The device for capturing noxious insects includes a cylindrical shaped body made of an opaque material, and having sawtoothed upper and lower jaws at the bottom surface; a horizontal induction tube installed inwardly on the circumferential surface of the body; an upper plate having a switch mounted on the upper surface, and being installed on the upper end of the body by means of tie pieces and suspension jaws; and a lower plate having a vertical induction tube installed upwardly from the center, and being attached to the lower end of the body by means of a sawtoothed jaw. This invention is not in any way comparable to our invention.

NZ9700094 - A method of insect-resist treating carpets, textiles and insulation products and a product produced by the method in which a proportion of synthetic or regenerated natural fibre, which has been pre-treated with an effective insecticide, is blended with wool fibres. The effective insecticide can be any insect growth regulator which has an insect-resist effect such as permethrin. When using the pre-treated fibre to insect-resist wool the aim is to add as little as possible to the overall fibre blend so as to minimise the proportion of synthetic or regenerated natural fibres in the blend. This invention is not in any way comparable to our invention.

EP14002131 - EP2807921A1 - An insect trap. A packaged chemical heat pad for an insect trap. The heat pad comprises an air tight protective packaging surrounding the chemical heat pad. The chemical heat pad comprises a semipermeable membrane which is filled with chemicals, which on activation by oxygen, following the removal of the protective packaging generate infrared heat and water vapor. The pad will, over at least an 8 hour operating span, maintain a pad surface temperature at between 20°C and 40°C and a relative humidity at least 10% higher than the prevailing humidity. The pad is used within an insect trap to mimic the characteristics of mammalian bodies and is used in particular to attract bed bugs.

This invention is not in any way comparable to our invention.

As evident from the above examples of state of the art, no one is similar to our invention of thorny carpet.

Summary of the invention

The present invention overcomes the technical problems described above, thanks to a new thorny carpet (2) on one or both surfaces (Fig 1 and Fig 2), which allows, thanks to the placement of pins and needles (1) of different sizes to stop insects walkers or creeping towards any type of professional or hobby crop.

The thorny carpet, is composed of one or two surfaces (2) covered with needles and pins (1) of varying length and size positioned so as to create an insurmountable barrier by insects crawling walkers that in contact with the barrier of thorns (1) they go back not reaching than the culture or dying because of the sharp spines of which both the top of the carpet (2) and the lower part are provided.

The thorny carpet (2) can be industrially produced with a base that can be built in a material, however breathable, to allow the passage of rain or dew or mulching breathable and more or less depending on the type of cultivation or totally water proof. Said material base can be textile, ferrous, plastic, wooden or composite, the support base (2) to which one side or both sides are placed pins (1) or needles (1) of small diameter and of different heights in a conformation suitable to stop the passage of crawling or walking insects of different sizes. Said pins (1) or needles (1) can be, by way of example, but not limited, to be made of steel, plastic material or composite material. In a preferred embodiment and illustrative, but not limiting steel is used with high mechanical resistance. Said pins are fixed to the support by means of suitable fastening systems (4) of the prior art to an expert in the field. These fasteners items (4) can be for example, but not limited, rivets, rivet heads, bolts, nuts, metal inserts, wire, glue, etc.

The thorny carpet (2) is constructed industrially in a continuous manner as a coil and can be easily cut to the desired size suitable to position it, all around the crop to be protected. The thorny carpet (2) can also be produced in a roll (6) continuous pre-cut with holes (5) of the desired size in order to place inside the hole the desired crop (Fig. 4).

The present invention also solves other technical problems decreasing drastically, in fact, the use of insecticides for creeping or walking insects, while the fight against flying insects can be facilitated in a natural way by means of free good insects like ladybugs, consequently, thanks to the present invention, biological cultivations can be performed, actually eliminating the use of pesticides.

Description of the invention

Definitions

For purposes of the present invention with the term thorny carpet (2) we mean a thorny carpet (2) supported in textile material, ferrous, plastic, wooden or composite, support to which one side or both sides are placed, with anchoring systems of known technic, pins (1) or needles (1) of small diameter and of different heights and gradient in a suitable conformation to stop the passage of crawling or hikers insects of various sizes of the types as previously mentioned. In the context of the present invention is intended for thorny carpet a support (2) of a number of materials that can be breathable to allow the passage of rain or dew or mulching breathable and more or less depending on the type of cultivation or water proof. Said structural material of the base and support can be textile, ferrous, plastic, wooden or composite, on which are attached with the known technique from one side if desired, or from both sides, depending on the preferred solution appropriate quills (1) pins or needles of deterrence of walkers and crawling insects of various heights and inclinations, and also with random ramifications (3).

An object of the present invention is a thorny carpet act to deter insects from crawling travellers and attack the cultivar; said belt is formed by a support (2) which acts as a base in plastic material, in a preferred embodiment, but not limited, to which are connected by means of known techniques (4), sharp spikes (1) of different lengths, inclinations and materials with, or without (Fig. 5), ramifications (3). The present invention comprises:

1 A carpet with sharp points of variable size and inclination, fasten with known technique to a support base, on one side only (Fig.l and Fig.5)

2 A carpet with sharp points of variable size and inclination, fasten with known technique to a support base on two sides (Fig. 3).

Figures

Figure 1 - Section of a one side carpet.

Figure 2 - Section of a two sides carpet with branched pins.

Figure 3 - Rectangular carpet.

Figure 4 - Rectangular carpet with holes for trees.

Figure 5 - Section e prospecting view of a thorny carpet with single pins

Figure 6 - Continuous coil of thorny carpet

Figure 7 - Thorny Carpet around a tree trunk - longitudinal and horizontal sections

Claims

Claims

1 Thorny carpet, with breathable support to allow the passage of rain or dew or mulching, and more or less breathable depending on the type of crop, or totally water proof, on the base which can be made of textile material, ferrous, plastic, wooden or composite, are positioned on one hand, needle, thorns and spines to deter insects from reaching the plant under cultivation.

2 Thorny carpet, as claimed in claim 1 on the basis of support breathable to allow the passage of rain or dew or mulching breathable and more or less depending on the type of crop, or totally water proof, on the base that can be made of textile material, ferrous, plastic, woody or composite, are positioned on both sides of the upper and lower surfaces, needles, thorns and spines to deter insects walkers and crawling from reaching the plant under cultivation.

3 Thorny carpet, according to claim 1 and 2 on whom are positioned on a support at a variable distance, fixed on one or both sides, in a vertical standing, straight up position, needles, thorns and spines to deter insect from reaching crops under cultivation.

4 Thorny carpet, according to claim 1, 2 and 3 on which basis of support, are positioned with variables distances and inclinations, from one or both sides of the upper and lower surfaces, needles, thorns and spines to deter insects walkers and crawling from reaching the plant object of cultivation.

5 Thorny carpet, according to claim 1- 2 - 3 and 4 act to defend cultivations in a natural way, without the use of pesticides to crops.

6 Thorny carpet, to claims 1 to 5 industrially individually built of various geometric shapes.

7 Thorny carpet, as claimed in claim 6 in whose center there is a hole to promote the growth of the plant object of cultivation. 8 Thorny carpet, according to claim 7 cut from the side to the center hole in order to wrap the object of plant cultivation.

9 Thorny carpet, according to claim 1 to 8 having needles, thorns and spines wrapping the base of the trunk under cultivation.

10 Thorny carpet, according to claims from 1 to 9 built in a continuous coil.

11 Thorny carpet, according to claim 10 built in a continuous coil with holes spaced apart to allow the positioning on the ground of the plant object of cultivation.

Summary

It describes a thorny carpet, from one or both sides, with pins or needles spines appropriately attached to a support, flexible or rigid, permeable or impermeable.

These spines or prickles, needles are placed with various inclinations adequate to deter insects from reaching the plant under cultivation, walking or crawling.