Protective device

Abstract

The invention relates to a vine stock protection device (1) comprising a bell (1) open on one face (13) delimited by a lower edge (10.1, 11.1) of the bell (1) and having a shape generally flaring towards this lower edge (10.1, 11.1), the bell (1) having two notches (11.2) formed in said lower edge (10.1, 11.1), the notches (11.2) facing each other and adapted to receive a vine stock stake. Figure to be published with the abstract: Fig. 1

Description

Title of the invention: Protective device

[0001] Technical field.

[0002] The invention relates to the technical field of protection devices and in particular devices for protecting fruit trees and shrubs.

[0003] State of the art.

[0004] Global warming has been increasingly felt in recent years, particularly in the agricultural sector, where these seasonal changes are most felt. Indeed, the change in seasonality leads to temperature disturbances; frosts can be later and heat earlier, leading to disturbances in nature. For example, it is increasingly common to see early heat events, leading to the rise of sap in plants and therefore the appearance of buds early. In addition, it is also increasingly common to see late frosts, leading to the freezing of buds and even the first fruits due to early flowering.

[0005] During frost episodes, the dew that forms during the night freezes and forms a layer of ice covering the bud or the developing fruit. In the early morning, the thin layer of ice formed acts like a magnifying glass when the first rays of the sun reach it. These rays tend to be highly concentrated, they pass through the ice and cause the destruction of the bud or fruit. Most of the time, this destruction results from the combination of concentrated light rays, the layer of dew transformed into ice, the temperature on the ground and the presence of wind.

[0006] It is therefore known in the agricultural sector and particularly in the wine-growing sector at the time of frost, to use a plurality of means to protect the buds from frost. Among these means, we can notably find protective tarpaulins, propellers, the use of torches or burning bales of straw but these all have disadvantages.Protective tarpaulins are very expensive, especially on farms with several hectares of plants to protect. The propellers only stir the air and allow the ground temperature to be slightly increased, but they do not provide protection from the sun's rays on the thin layer of ice, especially in the event of very severe frost. Torches or bales of straw require the operator to be present throughout the night so that the fires do not go out and are lit across the several hectares of the farm. In addition, these nighttime fires are often frowned upon by the surrounding population, especially due to the smoke released.

[0007] The invention therefore falls within this context and seeks to resolve all of the aforementioned drawbacks. Thus, the invention seeks to propose a device allowing the protection of buds and / or fruits from the formation of light rays from the rising sun, wind and the transformation of dew into a thin layer of ice.

[0008] Presentation of the invention.

[0009] The subject of the invention is a device for protecting a vine stock comprising a bell open on one face delimited by a lower edge of the bell and having a shape which generally widens towards this lower edge, the bell comprising two notches formed in said lower edge, the notches facing each other and being adapted to receive a stem of the vine stock.

[0010] The protection device may be adapted for the protection of a vine stock. The device may be adapted for the protection of a branch or a portion of a branch of a fruit tree or shrub. The device may allow the protection of buds. The device may allow the protection of fruit in the process of formation.

[0011] The shape of the bell widening towards its lower edge can make it possible to form an open volume, the open face of which can be defined by the lower edge of said bell. In this open volume it can thus be possible to insert the bud(s) so that they are protected from the transformation of dew into frost as well as from the rays of the rising sun. In another embodiment, the open volume can be adapted to receive at least part of the vine stock so as to be able to protect the buds of said stock.

[0012] The bell can help keep the heat in the open volume. The bell can also help achieve a windproof effect.

[0013] The notches provided in the lower edge of the bell can make it easier to position the bell on the vine.

[0014] Advantageously, the bell comprises two longitudinal walls connected to each other by two side walls and an upper wall, the bell being open at its lower face, each of the side walls and the upper wall connecting two opposite edges of the longitudinal walls by extending along the entire length of each of these edges; the side walls are arranged so that the longitudinal walls are inclined relative to each other by converging towards the upper wall; each side wall comprises a notch formed in its lower edge, said notch being adapted to receive a stem of the vine stock.

[0015] In one embodiment the top wall may be convex, such that each longitudinal wall extends continuously with the top wall.

[0016] In one embodiment, the two longitudinal walls may be connected to each other by the two side walls connecting two opposite edges of the longitudinal walls. Said longitudinal walls and said side walls may form the volume whose lower face is open and defined by the lower edge.

[0017] In one embodiment, the two longitudinal walls may be connected to each other by the upper wall connecting two opposite edges of the longitudinal walls.

[0018] In another embodiment, the two longitudinal walls may be connected to each other by two opposite edges of said longitudinal walls forming a junction, said junction being able in this embodiment to form the upper wall.

[0019] The two side walls may connect two opposite edges of the longitudinal walls by extending along each of these edges. Thus, each side wall may be inserted between two longitudinal walls. Each side wall may be a single flat piece.

[0020] The two side walls, the two longitudinal walls and the upper wall may delimit the open volume. The lower edge of each of the side walls and each of the longitudinal walls may form a portion of the lower edge of the bell delimiting the volume. The presence of the side walls may allow the volume to be closed and therefore protect against frost, cold and humidity.

[0021] Each side wall has a substantially triangular shape so that the longitudinal walls can be inclined relative to each other. In this embodiment, the longitudinal walls can be planar. The longitudinal walls are inclined so that they converge towards the upper wall, thus the lower edges of the two longitudinal walls are spaced apart from each other by a distance greater than a distance separating the two edges connected to the upper wall. The inclination of the longitudinal walls can allow rain to run off better.

[0022] In another embodiment, the longitudinal walls may be curved, in particular concave. In another embodiment, the longitudinal walls may be curved, in particular convex.

[0023] In a particular embodiment, the bell may comprise a single longitudinal wall widening towards the lower edge from the upper wall; in this embodiment, only the lower edge of the single longitudinal wall may form the lower edge delimiting the open lower face.

[0024] In another embodiment, each side wall may comprise two portions forming an angle between them.

[0025] Each notch provided in the lower edge has a truncated pyramid shape. The base of the pyramid is merged with the open lower face, the sides of the pyramid are parallel to the longitudinal walls and the truncation is substantially parallel to the upper face. The shape and dimensions of the notch can be adapted to the shape of the vine stock.

[0026] Advantageously, the bell is made of plastic.

[0027] Advantageously, the bell has a cork covering.

[0028] The bell may be made of a translucent or transparent material over all or part of its surface and can allow sunlight to pass through indirectly. Thus, the buds placed under the bell can continue to receive sunlight to promote their growth while protecting them from direct projection.

[0029] In another embodiment, the bell may be made of an opaque material. In this case, the opaque material may preferably be reflective or diffusing, for example white in color.

[0030] In another embodiment, the bell is formed by a superposition of at least two layers, in particular of identical shapes, the layers being superimposed two by two without play or space between them, in particular by being glued. This embodiment can make it possible to maintain a temperature adapted to the buds in the volume defined by the bell.

[0031] The bell may be made of plastic, molded in one piece. Thus, the bell may be made partially or completely of plastic. Alternatively, the bell may be made of thermoplastic or composite or bi-material, for example plastic and / or cork.

[0032] The use of cork can help to counteract the humidity present under the bell, for example dew forming during the night.

[0033] The cork can be a single-piece element attached to the longitudinal walls and / or the side walls.

[0034] In another embodiment, the cork may be added by spraying onto the thermoplastic forming the bell. In the embodiment in which the bell is translucent, the cork coating may partially cover the bell so as to define a window in the sprayed cork for viewing the buds. The cork may be inside or outside the bell.

[0035] In another embodiment; a cutout may be made in the bell to form the window.

[0036] Advantageously, the device comprises a heat sink arranged inside the bell.

[0037] For example, the heat sink may be mounted on a lower face of the upper wall. The heat sink may include collectors having a diffusion cone.

[0038] The heat sink can be manufactured by 3D (three-dimensional) printing and include reflective paint.

[0039] The use of heat sinks can make it possible to heat the air contained in the volume and thus prevent the transformation of dew into ice and therefore the freezing of the buds.

[0040] Advantageously, the heat sink comprises a halogen lamp.

[0041] The device may advantageously comprise four halogen lamps. Each lamp may comprise a collector or a reflector arranged to reflect the light and the heat emitted by said lamp, towards the buds. Each collector or reflector may be elliptical. Alternatively, each collector or reflector may be parabolic.

[0042] In an alternative embodiment, the heat sink may comprise an ultraviolet lamp.

[0043] In another embodiment, the heat sink may comprise a resistor.

[0044] Advantageously, the device comprises a control unit capable of controlling the heat sink and a sensor capable of receiving local meteorological information, the control unit being arranged to control the heat sink as a function of said local meteorological information received.

[0045] The sensor of the control unit may be a rain sensor, a brightness sensor, an ambient air temperature sensor or a receiver capable of receiving information from a weather station or a weather data collection service.

[0046] The control unit may be arranged to automatically activate the heat sink when the temperature falls below a threshold temperature value and to automatically deactivate the heat sink when the temperature rises above a defined threshold temperature value. The control unit may be arranged to control the amount of heat dissipated by the heat sink.

[0047] Thus the use of a heat sink control unit can make it possible to maintain a defined temperature under the bell, so that a layer of ice cannot form on the bud.

[0048] In one embodiment, the device may be without a heat sink.

[0049] In this embodiment, the device may be without a heat sink, that is to say that only the bell can maintain a temperature higher than that of the ambient air. The bell can thus form by itself a protection against the drop in temperature since the restricted volume contained in the bell can maintain a suitable temperature to prevent the buds from freezing.

[0050] Advantageously, the device comprises an electrical connector adapted to be connected to an electrical power source and arranged to transmit electrical power distributed by said source to the heat sink.

[0051] The electrical connector may be mounted on a side wall of the bell. The side wall of the bell may have a bore, the electrical connector being able to be mounted in this hole. The heat sink may have a cable extending into the bell from the electrical connector to said heat sink.

[0052] Where appropriate, the electrical connector may be adapted to transmit electrical power distributed by said source to the control unit. The control unit may comprise a cable extending in the bell from the electrical connector to said control unit.

[0053] The electrical connector may allow a power supply to be added to the device. The connector may allow the connection between the power supply and the control unit and / or the heat sink.

[0054] Advantageously, the protection device comprises said electrical power source, said electrical power source being mounted on an outer face of a wall of the bell.

[0055] The electrical power source may be mounted on an exterior face of the upper wall.

[0056] The power supply may be adapted to power the heat sink. The power supply may be adapted to power the heat sink control unit.

[0057] The power supply may be mounted on an upper face of the upper wall.

[0058] In another embodiment, the power source may be mounted on a lower face of the upper wall.

[0059] In another embodiment, the electrical power source may be mounted on one of the side walls. In a different embodiment, the electrical power source may be mounted on an interior surface or an exterior surface of the longitudinal wall.

[0060] Advantageously, the electrical power source comprises at least one photovoltaic panel.

[0061] The photovoltaic panel can advantageously be mounted on the upper face of the upper wall. The photovoltaic panel can be mounted on the longitudinal walls.

[0062] In the embodiment in which the upper wall may be convex, the photovoltaic panel may be mounted at this convex area.

[0063] The photovoltaic panel may be a flexible panel integrated into a fabric adapted to completely cover the surface of the bell. For example, photovoltaic solar cells, at least the active layer of which may be made up of organic molecules, may be integrated within a flexible support. Therefore, the flexible panel may conform to the shape of the bell and completely or partially cover said bell. Advantageously, the protection device may comprise a cable power supply connected to the connector and capable of being connected to an electrical distribution network.

[0064] The wired electrical power source may be a battery.

[0065] The battery may be mounted on the underside of the upper wall so as to be protected from rain.

[0066] Advantageously, each notch of the bell comprises at least one Faste attachment member.

[0067] The attachment members may include teeth adapted to hold the device on the Faste of the vine stock.

[0068] The hooking members may allow the device to be positioned so that the heat sink should be at a distance of between 5 and 7 cm from the buds.

[0069] Brief description of the figures.

[0070] Other advantages and characteristics of the present invention are now described with the aid of examples which are purely illustrative and in no way limitative of the scope of the invention, and from the appended drawings, drawings in which the various figures represent:

[0071] [Fig-1] schematically represents a perspective view of a bell according to a embodiment of the invention.

[0072] [Fig.2] schematically represents a perspective view of a bell comprising a means of electrical supply according to one embodiment of the invention.

[0073] [Fig.3] schematically represents a view from below of a bell according to a mode of carrying out the invention.

[0074] [Fig.4] schematically represents a perspective view of a bell according to a embodiment of the invention.

[0075] [Fig.5] schematically represents a perspective view of a bell according to a another embodiment of the invention.

[0076] [Fig.6] schematically represents a perspective view of a bell according to a different embodiment of the invention.

[0077] [Fig.7] schematically represents an overall view of a row of vines comprising a plurality of bells according to several embodiments.

[0078] In the following description, elements that are identical, by structure or by function, appearing in different figures retain, unless otherwise specified, the same references.

[0079] Description of the embodiments.

[0080] [Fig.l] shows a device for protecting a vine stock according to an embodiment of the invention, described in connection with [Fig.2] and [Fig.3]. [Fig.4], [Fig.5] and [Fig.6] describe a plurality of embodiments of a bell of the protection device described in [Fig. 1].

[0081] The protection device 1 described in [Fig.l] comprises a bell 1. The bell 1 is open on a lower face 13 delimited by a lower edge 10.1, 11.1 of said bell 1. The bell 1 has a shape which generally widens towards this lower edge 10.1, 11.1. The lower face 13 of the bell 1 is open.

[0082] The bell 1 comprises two longitudinal walls 10 connected to each other by two side walls 11 and an upper wall 12.

[0083] The two longitudinal walls 10 are substantially planar. Each longitudinal wall 10 has a lower edge 10.1 forming a portion of the lower edge 10.1, 11.1 delimiting the lower face 13. Each longitudinal wall 10 has an upper edge opposite the lower edge 10.1.

[0084] Each side wall 11 has a lower edge 11.1 forming a portion of the lower edge 10.1, 11.1 delimiting the lower face 13. Each side wall 11 has an upper edge opposite the lower edge 11.1. Each side wall 11 is a substantially flat part.

[0085] Each side wall 11 connects two opposite edges of the longitudinal walls 10 by extending along the entire length and continuously of each of these edges. The upper wall 12 connects two opposite upper edges of the longitudinal walls 10 by extending along the entire length and continuously of each of these upper edges. Therefore, each side wall 11 can be inserted between two longitudinal walls 10 arranged on either side of said side wall 11 and under the upper wall 12 arranged at the upper edge of the side wall 11.

[0086] The side walls 11 each have a shape allowing the longitudinal walls 10 to be inclined relative to each other. Therefore, the longitudinal walls 10 are inclined so as to converge towards the upper wall 12. The lower edges 10.1 of the longitudinal walls 10 are spaced apart from each other by a distance greater than a distance separating the upper edges of said longitudinal walls 10. It is the inclination of the longitudinal walls 10 which makes it possible to give a flared shape to the bell 1.

[0087] The longitudinal walls 10, the side walls 11 and the upper wall 12 delimit a volume open at the level of the lower face delimited by the lower edge 10.1, 11.1 and adapted to receive a portion of the vine stock.

[0088] Each lateral face 11 has a notch 11.2 formed in the lower edge 10.1, 11.1, so that the bell 1 has two notches 11.2 facing each other. The notches 11.2 are adapted to receive a stem of the vine.

[0089] Each notch 11.2 formed in the lower edge 10.1, 11.1 has a truncated pyramid shape. The base of the pyramid is merged with the open lower face 13, the sides of the pyramid are parallel to the longitudinal walls 10 and the truncation is substantially parallel to the upper face 12. The shape and dimensions of the notch 11.2 are adapted to the shape of the vine stock.

[0090] As described in [Fig.2] and [Fig.3], each notch 11.2 comprises a holding member 11.2a. The holding member 11.2a comprises teeth adapted to hold the bell 1 on the Faste of the vine stock.

[0091] [Fig.2] describes another embodiment of the bell 1. [Fig.2] is described in link with [Fig.3]. In this embodiment, the bell 1 comprises an electrical power source 16 and a heat sink 14.

[0092] The heat sink 14 is arranged inside the bell 1, on a lower face of the upper wall 12. The heat sink 14 comprises four halogen lamps. Each lamp comprises a collector or a reflector forming a diffusion cone arranged to reflect the light as well as the heat emitted by said lamp, in the direction of the buds and Faste. Each collector or reflector is elliptical or parabolic and comprises on its internal face a reflective paint to increase the reflection of the light and the heat in the direction of Faste and the buds. The heat sink 14 is positioned at a distance of in particular between 5 and 7 cm from the buds.

[0093] The electrical power source 16 is mounted on a wall of the bell 1. The electrical power source is mounted on an outer face of the upper wall 12. Thus, the heat sink 14 and the electrical power source 16 are mounted on either side of the upper wall 12.

[0094] The electrical power source 16 is adapted to power the heat sink 14 described in [Fig.3] by means of the electrical connector 15.

[0095] The electrical connector 15 is mounted on a side wall 11 of the bell 1. The side wall of the bell may comprise a bore, the electrical connector being able to be mounted in this bore. The electrical connector 15 is adapted to be connected to the electrical power source 16 and arranged to transmit electrical power distributed by said source 16 to the heat sink 14. The heat sink 14 comprises a cable extending in the bell 1 from the electrical connector 15 to said heat sink 14.

[0096] The device 1 comprises a control unit (not shown) capable of controlling the heat sink 14 and a sensor C described in [Fig.7]. Said sensor C is capable of receiving local meteorological information, the control unit being arranged to control the heat sink 14 as a function of said local meteorological information received. The sensor C comprises a rain sensor, a brightness sensor, an ambient air temperature sensor and / or a receiver capable of receiving information from a weather station or a meteorological data collection service.

[0097] The control unit is arranged to automatically activate the heat sink 14 when the temperature falls below a threshold temperature value and to automatically deactivate the heat sink 14 when the temperature rises above a defined threshold temperature value. The control unit is arranged to control the amount of heat dissipated by the heat sink 14.

[0098] The control unit is connected to the electrical connector 15 so that said electrical connector 15 provides the connection between the electrical power source 16 and said control unit.

[0099] The electrical connector 15 is adapted to transmit electrical power distributed by said source 16 to the control unit. The control unit comprises a cable extending in the bell 1 from the electrical connector 15 to said control unit.

[0100] [Fig.4] describes another embodiment of the bell 1. In this embodiment, the two longitudinal walls 10 are connected to each other by two side walls 11. The two longitudinal walls 10 are substantially flat. Each side wall 11 connects two opposite edges of the longitudinal walls 10 by extending along the entire length and continuously of each of these edges.

[0101] The two opposite upper edges of the two longitudinal walls 10 are connected to each other along their entire length and in a continuous manner. Therefore, each side wall 11 can be inserted between two longitudinal walls 10 arranged on either side of said side wall 11.

[0102] The side walls 11 each have a shape allowing the longitudinal walls 10 to be inclined relative to each other. Therefore, the longitudinal walls 10 are inclined so that each of their upper edges converges towards each other. The lower edges 10.1 of the longitudinal walls 10 are distant from each other and the upper edges of the longitudinal walls 10 are merged.

[0103] [Fig.5] describes another embodiment of the bell 1. In this embodiment, the bell 1 comprises a single longitudinal wall 10 surmounted by an upper wall 12. The longitudinal wall 10 comprises a lower edge 10.1 forming the lower edge of the bell 1 and delimiting the lower face 13.

[0104] [Fig.5] describes another embodiment of the bell 1. In this embodiment, the bell comprises a single longitudinal wall 10 widening towards the lower edge 10.1, from the upper wall 12. The bell 1 has the shape of a truncated cone, the truncation corresponding to said upper wall 12.

[0105] The lower edge 10.1 is the only one to form the lower edge delimiting the open lower face 13. Thus, the two notches 11.2 are cut out in the same lower edge 10.1 while facing each other.

[0106] [Fig.6] describes another embodiment of the bell 1. In this embodiment, the two longitudinal walls 10 are connected together by two side walls 11. The two longitudinal walls 10 are substantially planar. Each side wall 11 has two portions forming an angle between them. The two portions of each side wall 11 are arranged to form a notch suitable for receiving a stem of the vine stock.

[0107] [Fig. 7] describes a row comprising a plurality of vine stocks on which protection devices 1 are installed. The protection devices are produced according to several embodiments. Each protection device comprises a sensor C mounted on one of the side walls 11. The sensor C is capable of receiving local meteorological information and of restoring it to the control unit arranged to control the heat sink 14. One of the devices comprises a power source 16 mounted on one of the longitudinal walls 10. One of the devices comprises a power source 16 mounted on the upper wall 12. One of the devices comprises a power source 16 in the form of a flexible panel integrated in a canvas and adapted to cover the surface of the bell 1 by matching the shape of the bell 1

[0108] The foregoing description clearly explains how the invention makes it possible to achieve the objectives it has set itself, namely to propose a device allowing the protection of buds and / or fruits against the formation of light rays from the rising sun, the wind and the transformation of dew into a thin layer of ice, by proposing a device for protecting a vine stock comprising a bell open on one face delimited by a lower edge of the bell and having a shape generally widening towards this lower edge, the bell comprising two notches made in said lower edge, the notches facing each other and being adapted to receive a stem of the vine stock.

[0109] In any event, the invention cannot be limited to the embodiments specifically described in this document, and extends in particular to all equivalent means and to any technically effective combination of these means. In particular, it may be envisaged: - the longitudinal walls 10 can be curved, in particular concave; - the longitudinal walls 10 may be curved, in particular convex; - the bell 1 may comprise a single longitudinal wall 10 widening towards the lower edge 10.1 from the upper wall 12; - only the lower edge 10.1 of the single longitudinal wall 10 can form the lower edge delimiting the open lower face 13; - each side wall 11 may comprise two portions forming an angle between them; the device 1 may be without a heat sink; the heat sink 14 may comprise an ultraviolet lamp; the heat sink 14 may comprise a resistor; the power supply 16 can be mounted on one of the side walls 11; the electrical power source 16 may be mounted on an interior surface or an exterior surface of the longitudinal wall 10; the device 1 may be devoid of heat sink 14; the power supply 16 is a wired power supply; the protection device 1 may comprise an electrical power supply cable connected to the connector 15 and capable of being connected to an electrical distribution network; the power source 16 may be a battery; the power supply 16 can be mounted on one of the side walls 11; the photovoltaic panel 16 can be mounted on the longitudinal walls 12; the photovoltaic panel 16 may be a flexible panel integrated into a canvas adapted to completely cover the surface of the bell 1, the flexible photovoltaic panel may take the shape of the bell 1 and completely or partially cover said bell 1.

Claims

Claims

1. Protective device (1) for a vine stock comprising a bell (1) open on one face (13) delimited by a lower edge (10.1, 11.1) of the bell (1) and having a shape generally widening towards this lower edge (10.1, 11.1), the bell (1) comprising two notches (11.2) formed in said lower edge (10.1, 11.1), the notches (11.2) facing each other and being adapted to receive a stem of the vine stock.

2. Protective device (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the bell (1) comprises two longitudinal walls (10) connected to each other by two side walls (11) and an upper wall (12), the bell (1) being open at its lower face (13), characterized in that: - Each of the side walls (11) and the upper wall (12) connects two opposite edges of the longitudinal walls (10) by extending along the entire length of each of these edges; - The side walls (11) are arranged so that the longitudinal walls (10) are inclined relative to each other, converging towards the upper wall (12); - Each side wall (11) comprises a notch (11.2) formed in its lower edge (11.1), said notch (11.2) being adapted to receive a stem of the vine stock.

3. Protective device (1) according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the bell (1) is made of plastic.

4. Protective device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the bell (1) has a cork covering.

5. Protective device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it comprises a heat sink (14) arranged inside the bell.

6. Protective device (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the heat sink (14) comprises a halogen lamp.

7. Protective device (1) according to one of claims 5 or 6, characterized in that it comprises a control unit capable of controlling the heat sink and a sensor (C) capable of receiving local meteorological information, the control unit being arranged to control the heat sink as a function of said meteorological information. local rological received.

8. Protective device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises an electrical connector (15), adapted to be connected to an electrical power source (16) and arranged to transmit electrical power distributed by said source to the heat sink.

9. Protective device (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that it comprises said electrical power source, said electrical power source (16) being mounted on an outer face of a wall of the bell (1).

10. Protection device (1) according to one of claims 8 or 9, characterized in that said electrical power source (16) comprises at least one photovoltaic panel.

11. Protective device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each notch (11.2) of the bell comprises at least one member for attachment to the base (11.2a).

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