Reflectors for fruit trees

Abstract

To provide a reflection plate for fruit trees that enables moderate diffusion and reflection of reflected light and allows for easy installation work.SOLUTION: A reflection plate for fruit trees 1 includes: a reflection plate body 2 made from a resin foam; a reflection part 3 provided on one side of the reflection plate body 2; a rib structure part 4 provided on an opposite side of the reflection plate body 2 from the reflection part 3; and a fixed pin insertion hole 5 provided to penetrate the reflection plate body 2. The reflection part 3 has a white curved face 30.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a foam resin fruit tree reflector that reflects light irradiated on the ground around fruit trees.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, in the cultivation of fruit trees such as apples, peaches, and grapes, a cultivation method of laying an agricultural reflective sheet on the ridges of the orchard or around the roots of the fruit trees has been implemented. In this cultivation method, by using the reflective sheet to reflect the light irradiated on the surrounding ground, more light can be irradiated on the leaves and fruits of the fruit trees, assisting the photosynthesis of the fruit trees. For example, the sugar content of the fruits can be increased, and the color and taste of the fruits can be improved.

[0003] In addition, as such an agricultural reflective sheet, a laminated sheet composed of a cloth-like fiber aggregate layer, a mirror-reflective foil-like metal layer such as an aluminum foil, and a synthetic resin film layer is known (for example, see Patent Document 1). Since this reflective sheet has a mirror-reflective light reflection layer such as aluminum, it can reflect light with high efficiency, and since the light transmittance is low, it also has the effect of suppressing the growth of weeds on the laid ground.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, reflective sheets with specular reflectivity as described above tend to reflect light only in specific directions relative to incident light, and the reflected light may be locally irradiated, potentially causing, for example, heat burn on fruit. In particular, because reflective sheets are thin, sheet-like materials, they are easily affected by the topography of the place where they are laid. For example, if there are depressions or slopes in the ground, the outer surface of the reflective sheet laid on top of them will be concave, forming a partially concave reflective surface, which can concentrate the reflected light to a specific area.

[0006] Furthermore, because the specular reflective sheets described above are large, thin sheet-like materials, they can easily be blown away by the wind, for example, requiring multiple people to lay them down, making the installation process time-consuming.

[0007] This invention has been made in view of the above problems, and aims to provide a reflector for fruit trees that can appropriately diffuse and reflect reflected light, and that can be easily installed. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] To solve the above problems, the present invention comprises a reflector body made of foamed resin, a reflective portion provided on one side of the reflector body, a rib structure provided on the side of the reflector body opposite to the reflective portion, and a fixing pin insertion hole provided so as to penetrate the reflector body, wherein the reflective portion has a white curved surface.

[0009] In the above-described reflector for fruit trees, it is preferable that the surface of the curved surface is covered with a resin sheet by vacuum integral molding.

[0010] In the above-mentioned fruit tree reflector, the curved surface is preferably convex in shape with a protruding center.

[0011] In the above-described reflector for fruit trees, it is preferable that the rib structure has a concave portion corresponding to the convex shape of the curved surface.

[0012] In the above-described reflector for fruit trees, it is preferable that the outer shape of the reflector body is circular.

[0013] In the above-described reflector for fruit trees, it is preferable that the outer shape of the reflector body is hexagonal.

[0014] In the above-described reflector for fruit trees, it is preferable that the outer shape of the reflector body is rectangular.

[0015] In the above-mentioned reflector for fruit trees, it is preferable that the curved surface has a concave shape with a depression in the center. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] According to the fruit tree reflector of the present invention, the curved surface of the reflector is white based on the color of the foamed resin that constitutes the main reflector body, and its surface has a fine uneven shape due to the uneven foamed beads, so that the localized irradiation of reflected light is suppressed. Furthermore, because it is a structure with a rib structure, the shape of the surface of the reflector does not change, regardless of the terrain of the installation site. Therefore, it can diffusely reflect reflected light appropriately. In addition, because it is made of foamed resin it is lightweight and its shape is fixed by the rib structure, so it can be carried by one worker without difficulty, it does not get blown over by the wind, and it can be fixed by inserting a pin into the fixing pin insertion hole, making installation work easy. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0017] [Figure 1] (a) is a perspective view mainly of the plan view of a fruit tree reflector according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and (b) is a perspective view mainly of the bottom view. [Figure 2] (a) is a plan view of the fruit tree reflector, (b) is a bottom view, (c) is a front view, and (d) is a cross-sectional view of (a) along line AA. [Figure 3] (a) through (c) are diagrams illustrating the procedure for vacuum integral molding of a resin sheet. [Figure 4] A diagram showing an example of the use of the reflector for fruit trees. [Figure 5](a) is a perspective view mainly showing the plane of the fruit tree reflector according to the second embodiment of the present invention, (b) is a perspective view mainly showing the bottom surface, (c) is a plan view, (d) is a bottom view, (e) is a front view, and (f) is a side view. [Figure 6] (a) is a perspective view mainly showing the plane of the fruit tree reflector according to the third embodiment of the present invention, (b) is a perspective view mainly showing the bottom surface, (c) is a plan view, (d) is a bottom view, (e) is a front view, and (f) is a side view. [Figure 7] (a) is a perspective view mainly showing the plane of the fruit tree reflector according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, (b) is a perspective view mainly showing the bottom surface, (c) is a plan view, (d) is a bottom view, (e) is a front view, and (f) is a side view.

Embodiments for Carrying out the Invention

[0018] The fruit tree reflector according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4. As shown in FIGS. 1(a)(b) and FIGS. 2(a) to (d), the fruit tree reflector 1 of the present embodiment includes a reflector main body 2 made of foamed resin, a reflection part 3 provided on one surface side of the reflector main body 2, a rib structure part 4 provided on the surface of opposite side of the reflection part 3 in the reflector main body 2, and a fixing pin insertion hole 5 formed so as to penetrate the reflector main body 2. Further, the reflection part 3 has a white curved surface 30. In the present embodiment, the surface of the curved surface 30 is covered with a resin sheet 6 (see FIG. 3 described later) by vacuum integral molding. In FIGS. 1 and 2, the illustration of the resin sheet 6 is omitted.

[0019] The reflector body 2 is a structure in which the reflecting portion 3 and the rib structure portion 4 are integrally molded. The material constituting the reflector body 2 is, for example, a foamed synthetic resin such as a polyolefin-based resin such as polystyrene, polyethylene, or polypropylene. In this embodiment, expanded polystyrene (EPS) is used. The polystyrene grains (beads) as raw materials are colorless and transparent themselves, but the molded body formed by foaming and molding them is white in appearance. Also, since the expanded polystyrene is thermoformed into a predetermined shape after foaming the beads, fine uneven shapes due to the foamed beads appear on the surface of the reflector body 2 which is the molded body.

[0020] The reflector body 2 of this embodiment has a circular outer peripheral shape and is, for example, a disk-shaped member with an outer diameter of 900 mm and a height of 100 mm. The upper surface of the reflector body 2 serves as the reflecting portion 3. Also, the curved surface 30 of the reflecting portion 3 has a convex shape with the center most protruding with respect to the outer periphery, and is, for example, a gently convex surface formed with a radius of curvature R of 1000 to 1300. Also, four fixing pin insertion holes 5 are provided at 90° intervals in the vicinity of the outer periphery of the curved surface 30.

[0021] On the lower surface of the reflector body 2, eight rib structure portions 4 are provided radially from the center toward the periphery. Also, the lower surface of the reflector body 2 has an annular peripheral surface 41 that forms a smooth surface, and the peripheral surface 41 has a connecting portion 42 extending toward the outer end portion of the rib structure portion 4. Among the eight connecting portions 42, the connecting portion 42 located at the position where the fixing pin insertion hole 5 is provided is formed such that the flat portion is larger than the other connecting portions 42. The thickness of the reflector body 2 is, for example, 50 mm at the location where the rib structure portion 4 is present and 30 mm at the location where the rib structure portion 4 is not present.

[0022] Furthermore, the rib structure 4 has a concave portion 43 that corresponds to the convex shape of the curved surface 30 (see Figures 1(b) and 2(d)). That is, the thickness of the rib structure 4 is generally uniform from the central portion to the connecting portion 42. Because of this concave portion 43, when multiple reflector bodies 2 are stacked, the concave portion 43 of the upper reflector body 2 overlaps the curved surface 30 of the lower reflector body 2, allowing multiple reflector bodies 2 to be stored in a space-saving manner.

[0023] Next, the procedure for covering the reflector body 2 with a resin sheet will be explained with reference to Figure 3. First, as shown in Figure 3(a), a reflector body 2 made of foamed resin molded into the shape described above is prepared. Then, the entire outer surface of this reflector body 2 is covered with a resin sheet 6 by vacuum integral molding. The reflector body 2 is placed on the upper surface of the vacuum container 81 with its upper surface (reflective part 3) facing upwards, and the resin sheet 6 is placed on top of it. Note that in Figure 3(a), a resin sheet 6 with a hatching pattern is shown for the sake of explanation, but the resin sheet 6 is transparent or the same white color as the reflector body 2.

[0024] The resin sheet 6 is a sheet member that softens and deforms when heated, while hardening at room temperature, and possessing sufficient strength and surface durability to support heavy objects. In this embodiment, it is preferable that the resin sheet 6 be made of the same compound as the reflector body 2. If the reflector body 2 is made of the expanded polystyrene described above, then, for example, a high-impact polystyrene (HIPS) sheet is used for the resin sheet 6.

[0025] As shown in Figure 3(b), a heater 82 is positioned above the resin sheet 6, and the heater 82 heats the resin sheet 6, softening it. The vacuum container 81 is provided with a suction port (not shown) that passes through the internal space and the upper external side of the vacuum container 81, and a depressurization pump 83 that reduces the pressure in the internal space. The vacuum container 81 on which the reflector body 2 is placed is movable upward, and the reflector body 2 is brought into close contact with the resin sheet 6 softened by the heater 82, and the depressurization pump 83 is activated to suck air between the reflector body 2 and the resin sheet 6 through the vent (not shown), causing the resin sheet 6 to be vacuum-adhered to the reflector body 2. As a result, the reflective portion 3 (curved surface 30) on the upper surface of the reflector body 2 is covered without gaps by the resin sheet 6.

[0026] Next, the resin sheet 6 is applied to the lower surface of the reflector body 2 using the same procedure as described above. This makes it possible to obtain a reflector body 2 with its entire outer surface covered by the resin sheet 6, as shown in Figure 3(c). Then, using a puncher with the same diameter as the fixing pin insertion hole 5, the resin sheet 6 covering the upper and lower openings of the fixing pin insertion hole 5 is cut to obtain the fruit tree reflector 1 of this embodiment. Note that the resin sheet 6 may be applied only to the upper surface (curved surface 30) of the reflector body 2, without covering the lower surface of the reflector body 2.

[0027] The fruit tree reflector 1, manufactured as described above, is placed on the ground around the fruit tree FT, as shown in Figure 4, so as to surround the fruit tree FT. The fruit tree reflector 1 can then be fixed in place by inserting the pin P into the fixing pin insertion hole 5 and driving the pin P into the ground. In the example shown, the L-shaped pin P is shown to be somewhat large, but the size and shape of the pin P are not limited to those shown, as long as it can fix the fruit tree reflector 1.

[0028] The fruit tree reflector 1 has a reflective section 3 with a convex curved surface 30 on its upper surface. The reflective section 3 is white, based on the color of the foamed resin (or resin sheet 6) that constitutes the main reflector body 2, and its surface has a fine uneven shape due to the uneven foamed beads. Therefore, light L irradiated onto the surface of the reflective section 3 is diffusely reflected and scattered into the surroundings. As a result, localized irradiation of reflected light is suppressed compared to conventional resin sheets with specular reflectivity. Furthermore, since the fruit tree reflector 1 is a structure with a rib structure 4, its shape is fixed. Therefore, even when installed on a recessed slope, such as the fruit tree reflector 1A shown in Figure 4, the shape of the surface of the reflective section 3 does not change. Consequently, the fruit tree reflector 1 can diffusely reflect reflected light appropriately, preventing heat damage to the fruit.

[0029] Furthermore, the fruit tree reflector 1 is lightweight because its main component, the reflector body 2, is made of foamed resin, and its shape is fixed by the rib structure 4. Therefore, it can be easily carried by a single worker and will not be blown away by the wind. In addition, the fruit tree reflector 1 can be easily fixed to the ground by inserting a pin P into the fixing pin insertion hole 5. Thus, workers can easily install the fruit tree reflector 1.

[0030] Furthermore, in the fruit tree reflector 1 of this embodiment, a resin sheet 6 is vacuum-molded integrally onto the outer reflective portion 3 (curved surface 30), so it is less prone to dirt than those with exposed foamed resin, and dirt can be easily removed by simple cleaning such as washing with water. Also, since the reflective portion 3 is a convex curved surface 30, even if fallen leaves adhere to it, they are easily blown away by the wind. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the decrease in the reflective efficiency of the reflective portion 3 due to the accumulation of dirt and fallen leaves.

[0031] Next, a fruit tree reflector according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figure 5. As shown in Figures 5(a) to (f), the fruit tree reflector 1 of this embodiment has a hexagonal outer periphery of the reflector body 2. The other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment described above.

[0032] If the outer circumference of the reflector body 2 is circular, as shown in Figure 4, even if multiple fruit tree reflectors 1 are installed around a fruit tree FT, gaps will form between adjacent fruit tree reflectors 1, and the light shining into these gaps cannot be used as reflected light. In contrast, with the fruit tree reflector 1 according to this embodiment, since the outer circumference of the reflector body 2 is hexagonal, the gaps between adjacent fruit tree reflectors 1 can be reduced by installing multiple fruit tree reflectors 1 in a honeycomb pattern. As a result, the number of fruit tree reflectors 1 that can be placed in a predetermined space increases, and reflected light can be irradiated onto the fruit tree more effectively. In addition, light shining into the gaps between adjacent fruit tree reflectors 1 can suppress the growth of weeds.

[0033] Next, a fruit tree reflector according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figure 6. As shown in Figures 6(a) to (f), the fruit tree reflector 1 of this embodiment has a rectangular outer periphery of the reflector body 2. In addition, while in the first and second embodiments described above the center was the curved surface 30 that protruded most from the outer periphery, in this embodiment the curved surface 30 is trough-shaped (see Figure 6(f) in particular). Furthermore, the rib structure 4 is formed in a grid pattern and has concave portions 43 corresponding to the convex shape of the curved surface 30, and the peripheral edge surfaces 41 that abut the ground surface are provided only on two sides of the trough shape.

[0034] When installing fruit tree reflectors 1 to surround fruit trees, the outer shape of the reflector body 2 is preferably circular or hexagonal, as shown in the first and second embodiments above. However, when fruit trees are planted at regular intervals along rows and the fruit tree reflectors 1 are arranged in rows along the rows, as in this embodiment, the outer shape of the reflector body 2 is rectangular, allowing for more efficient installation of multiple fruit tree reflectors 1.

[0035] Next, a fruit tree reflector according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figure 7. As shown in Figures 7(a) to (f), the fruit tree reflector 1 of this embodiment has a rectangular outer periphery of the reflector body 2, and the curved surface 30 of the reflective portion 3 has a concave shape with a depression in the center, and the curved surface 30 is inclined in one direction.

[0036] In an orchard where fruit tree reflectors 1 are arranged in a grid pattern along the rows, as described in the third embodiment above, there are no fruit trees beyond the fruit tree reflectors 1 placed in the outermost row. In such a case, if the curved surface 30 of the reflector 3 is convex, light will be wasted by being reflected outwards where there are no fruit trees. Therefore, in this embodiment, by making the curved surface 30 of the reflector 3 concave, light can be efficiently reflected inwards towards where the fruit trees are located. Furthermore, since the surface of the reflector 3 of the fruit tree reflector 1 is white and has a fine uneven surface, even if the curved surface 30 of the reflector 3 is concave, the light-gathering ability is low, and there is almost no risk of the fruit being scorched by heat.

[0037] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above embodiments, and various modifications are possible without changing the spirit of the invention. In the above embodiments, the outer shape of the reflector body 2 is shown to be circular, hexagonal, and rectangular, but it may be in other shapes. Also, instead of having multiple fixing pin insertion holes near the outer circumference of the fruit tree reflector 1, it may be provided, for example, in one location in the center of the fruit tree reflector 1. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0038] 1. Reflector for fruit trees 2. Reflector body 3 Reflector 30 Curved surface 4. Rib structure 5. Pin insertion holes 6. Resin sheet FT Fruit Trees

Claims

1. The reflector comprises a foamed resin body, a reflective portion provided on one side of the reflector body, a rib structure provided on the side of the reflector body opposite to the reflective portion, and a fixing pin insertion hole provided so as to penetrate the reflector body. The reflective portion is characterized by having a white, curved surface, and is a reflector for fruit trees.

2. The fruit tree reflector according to claim 1, characterized in that the surface of the curved surface is covered with a resin sheet by vacuum integral molding.

3. The fruit tree reflector according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the curved surface has a convex shape with a protruding center.

4. The fruit tree reflector according to claim 3, characterized in that the rib structure has a concave portion corresponding to the convex shape of the curved surface.

5. The fruit tree reflector according to claim 3, characterized in that the outer circumference of the reflector body is circular.

6. The fruit tree reflector according to claim 3, characterized in that the outer shape of the reflector body is hexagonal.

7. The fruit tree reflector according to claim 3, characterized in that the outer periphery of the reflector body is rectangular.

8. The fruit tree reflector according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the curved surface has a concave shape with a depression in the center.

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