Growth sleeve

Abstract

A growth sleeve for the protection of plants, particularly in forestry, comprising an elongated, open-topped and open-bottomed covering body designed to accommodate a plant and intended for placement on the ground, which is formed by unfolding a flat section (4) by joining two free longitudinal sides, with means for stabilizing the unfolded state and for fixing the placement position on the ground, characterized in that the said means are arranged on the inside of the covering body.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a growth sleeve according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] In their initial phase, newly planted trees require protection from various environmental influences, which can cause considerable damage. For example, protection against browsing and rubbing damage is necessary, as these can damage the structure of a plant. Additional damage can be caused by rodents, bark beetles, and other pests. These influences can occur above ground and be attributed to wildlife, but they can also occur underground and affect the root system.

[0003] For the purpose of providing protective measures, so-called growth tubes are known in this context. These are protective structures designed to surround the plant to be protected at a close distance, thus providing protection against external influences such as wildlife. These structures are made of wood, cellulose, composite materials, or plastic, preferably a material that is readily and completely biodegradable. Adequate ventilation is ensured by perforations of appropriate size and distribution in the wall. A grid structure is also a possibility. The structure surrounds the plant to be protected and is designed to be placed on the ground.

[0004] Such plant shelters are known, for example, from DE 20 2025 000 425 U1 and consist of a polygonal, ground-level enclosure, produced by unfolding a flat blank, designed to hold the plant to be protected. The blank has two free longitudinal sides, one of which is provided with ribs that define the position of the two longitudinal sides when the blank is unfolded. One of the longitudinal sides is provided with locking tabs that interact with slots on the other longitudinal side and are designed to provide a locking function for the unfolded state of the blank. The blank is further equipped with retaining ribs that project outwards from the plane of one of the side walls of the enclosure and are arranged at regular intervals.A rod penetrating the openings of all the support struts allows for ground-side fixation, thus stabilizing the stability of the tree shelter. This also provides a locking mechanism to ensure the shelter's cohesion. A key characteristic of this known tree shelter is that all functional elements responsible for securing the position of the longitudinal sections and maintaining the unfolded state are located on the outside of the shelter and are therefore exposed to potentially damaging external influences. However, forestry has a particular need for tree shelters that remain stable over time.

[0005] Against this background, the object of the invention is to provide a growth sleeve according to the preamble of claim 1 which, compared to the known embodiment, offers improved structural integrity and stability against environmental influences. This object is achieved in such a growth sleeve by the features of the characterizing portion of claim 1.

[0006] By arranging the aforementioned means on the inside of the growth tube, in contrast to the prior art, reliable protection of its integrity against environmental influences, particularly damage caused by wildlife, is provided. These means can be implemented in a variety of ways. Because they are arranged on the inside of the growth tube, disturbances caused by fallen growth tubes are largely prevented. The growth tubes are preferably made of a residue-free, biodegradable material.

[0007] The end sections of the blank according to the features of claim 2 can be advantageously used during unfolding to form a covering body to increase contact areas between the nested sections of the ends to be joined, in particular side walls of the blank.

[0008] According to the features of claims 3 to 5, the means according to the invention are formed by a hollow structure, the cross-section of which can be polygonal or circular, which is designed to receive a rod-shaped retaining element that is secured at the bottom. This retaining element is guided laterally in the hollow structure in a suitable manner.

[0009] The features of claims 6 and 7 are directed to possible embodiments of the retaining elements that are technically easy to represent. Other embodiments, however, become apparent to those skilled in the art based on their intended purpose and their arrangement on the inside of the growth tube. In any case, at least one retaining element is arranged on the inside of the growth tube. According to one embodiment, the end sections at opposite ends of the side walls of the blank are nested within each other when unfolded. This nesting achieves the largest possible contact area between the side walls. According to another embodiment, surface sections at only one end of a side wall are used to represent the retaining element.

[0010] The features of claims 8 and 9 are directed to alternative representations of the surface sections surrounding the said hollow structure.

[0011] Several retaining features along the sheath body according to the features of claim 8 ensure a defined guidance of the retaining body as well as the closed state of the growth sheath.

[0012] The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and an exemplary embodiment. The drawings show: Fig. 1 an exemplary embodiment of a growth envelope in perspective view; Fig. 2 the embodiment according to Fig. 1 in top view; Fig. 3 a top view of a cut suitable for the production of the growth tube; Fig. 4 a planar view of the growth sleeve according to the invention; Fig. 5 an enlarged partial view in a section plane IV - IV of the Fig. 4; Fig. 6 an enlarged partial view in a section plane IV - IV of the Fig. 4 of an alternative embodiment; Fig. 7 an enlarged representation of the upper area of ​​the growth envelope according to Fig. 1 before inserting a holding element; Fig. 8 a representation similar to the Fig. 7 from a different perspective.

[0013] The Fig. 1 and Fig. Figure 2 shows an embodiment of the growth sleeve according to the invention from different viewing angles. It consists of a square-section, elongated sleeve body 1, open at both ends, which is provided on its inner side with three retaining recesses 2 arranged at a uniform distance from one another along the longitudinal extent of the sleeve body 1. The retaining recesses 2 have a U-shaped form and are designed to guide a rod-shaped support body 3.

[0014] The retaining element 3 is designed to secure the position of the tree shelter at ground level. It extends essentially over its entire height. It can have a circular or square cross-section, is driven into the soil for practical use, and has a pointed end for this purpose.

[0015] The envelope body 1 consists of a planar, in Fig. The cut 4 shown in Figure 3 was produced, which has fold lines 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 that define the side walls 10 to 13 and the two end sections 14 and 15 of the envelope 1. The purpose of these end sections will be explained below.

[0016] At 16, they are in the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 ventilation openings are designated, which are provided in an approximately uniform distribution along each of the side walls 10 to 13 of the shell body 1.

[0017] The retaining recesses 2, to be produced by unfolding the receiving blanks 21, are symmetrical to the fold lines 5 and 9 and are marked in the blank 4 by fold lines 17, 18, 21', 21'' parallel to the fold lines 5, 9, and by pre-cuts 19, 20, the pre-cuts 19, 20 extending perpendicular to the fold lines 5, 9. Analogous fold lines and pre-cuts are assigned to the receiving blank 21 of fold line 5, so that further description is unnecessary in this respect.

[0018] In the unfolded, in the Fig. 4 and Fig. In the state of the growth tube shown in Figure 5, the receiving sections 21 for the production of the retaining recesses 2 are folded inwards such that their sections on both sides of the fold lines 5, 9 each form a right angle, with the remaining sections 24, 25 each lying against the outside of the side wall 10 and the inside of the side wall 13, respectively. The profiles of the unfolded sections 22, 23 of the receiving sections of the side wall 10 and 22', 23' of the side wall 13 are nested within each other and together define a U-shaped retaining recess 2 with a square cross-section. The sections 24, 25 each form part of the aforementioned end sections 14, 15.

[0019] The aforementioned cross-section of the holding fixture is dimensioned such that a rod-shaped holding body 3 is accommodated within it.

[0020] Due to the superimposed arrangement of several, here three, such holding mounts 2 – viewed in the longitudinal direction of the growth tube – a reliable guide is provided for a holding body 3, which penetrates the three holding mounts 2 and is to be anchored on the ground side, thus ensuring stable securing of the respective installation position of the growth tube.

[0021] The system of retaining mounts 2, in conjunction with the retaining body 3, simultaneously forms the inner closure of the growth tube. This closure is thus protected from harmful external influences.

[0022] The in Fig. The alternative holding device 2' shown in Figure 6 differs from the holding device 2 described above in that only the end section 15 of the side wall 13 is now used to represent the profile surrounding the area of ​​a holding body.

[0023] The Fig. 7 and Fig. Figure 8 shows the state of the growth tube before closure and insertion of the retaining element 3. The end section 15 is not yet fully unfolded over the side wall 10, so that the side walls 10 and 13 are not yet abutting each other and the end sections 14 and 15 are not yet in their final position against the side walls 10 and 13. Accordingly, the retaining receptacles 2 are not yet in their final state, which in the variant according to Fig. 5 is characterized by a completed engagement of sections 22, 22' and 23, 23'. As soon as the retaining receptacles 2 are in their final, nested position, the retaining body 3 can be inserted, so that the closure of the growth sheath is established and secured. Reference symbol list: 1. Hollow body 2. Holding shots 3. Holding body 4. Cutting 5. Fold line 6. Folding line 7. Folding line 8. Fold line 9. Fold line 10. Side wall 11. Side wall 12. Side wall 13. Side wall 14. Final Section 15. Final Section 16. Ventilation opening 17. Folding line 18. Fold line 19. Pre-cutting 20. Pre-cutting 21. Image cropping 21'. Folding line 21'' . Fold line Section 22 22'. Section Section 23 23'. Section Section 24 Section 25 QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] DE 20 2025 000 425 U1

[0004]

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