A system for water drainage and protection in gardens and plantations

Abstract

The invention relates to a system (2) for water drainage and protection in gardens, plantations and soil intended for trees, flowers and plants, comprising at least two sheets (4a, 4b, 4n) of an impermeable material, such as rubber. Each sheet has a front side (6a, 6b) provided with channels (8) and a backside (10). The sheets (4a, 4b, 4n) are laid at ground level, partly overlapping one another. The sheets (4a, 4b, 4n) are arranged with the front sides (6a, 6b) in a direction facing away from the ground level and the backsides (10) facing down, towards ground or an adjacent overlapping sheet (4a, 4b, 4n), such that the water in the channels (8) can flow from one side (12) to another side (14).

Description

[0001] A SYSTEM FOR WATER DRAINAGE AND PROTECTION IN GARDENS AND PLANTATIONS

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The invention relates to a system for water drainage and protection in gardens, plantations and soil intended for trees, flowers and plants.

[0004] BACKGROUND

[0005] The invention is advantageously used for watering gardens, plantations and soil, with a system intended for drainage of the water provided and for providing protection from strong sunlight, animals and weed.

[0006] Plants and trees in gardens and plantations need an adequate amount of water to grow and develop in the desired way. Insufficient amount of water, as well as too much water, provided to the soil in gardens and plantations may result in undesirable effects on the growth of trees, flowers and plants. When raining it is usual that the water is gathered in puddles of water at the soil surface, even at moderate amounts of rainwater. This can also be a problem when using artificial application of water to soil, by various irrigation systems. The watering of soil, trees, flowers and various plants may then be unequally distributed over the area of the plantation or garden.

[0007] Another problem is that water evaporates quickly in hot climate, especially at dry and hot weather conditions, and with strong sunlight. The problem is even worse when using fibre cloth, such as landscaping fabric, on the soil in plantations and gardens for preventing weed seeds buried in soil from sprouting. Hence, all in all, this results in a large water consumption.

[0008] A further problem is weed grow quickly when providing water by irrigation. Yet another problem is that animals, e.g. deer, like to eat up flower bulbs in gardens.

[0009] There is a desire to improve water drainage when providing water to the soil in gardens and plantations, both in small and larger ground areas, in such a way that the water is distributed uniformly and as far as possible avoiding puddles of water at the soil surface. There is also a desire to avoid evaporation of water from the surface of gardens and plantations.

[0010] Yet a desire is to decrease the water consumption during watering of gardens and plantations.

[0011] A further desire is to restrict or avoid weed and other undesired vegetation other than the desired plants, trees and flowers.

[0012] There is also a desire to restrict or preclude animals to eat up flower bulbs in gardens and plantations.

[0013] A further desire is to provide an uncomplicated, effective and inexpensive system for water drainage and protection in gardens, plantations and soil, that can be efficiently produced.

[0014] SUMMARY

[0015] An object of the invention is to improve a conventional artificial application of water to soil, by various irrigation systems.

[0016] Another object of the invention is to improve the use of conventional systems, e.g. fibre cloth, such as landscaping fabric, on the soil in plantations and gardens for preventing weed seeds buried in soil from sprouting.

[0017] A further object is to decrease the water consumption in systems for water drainage.

[0018] Another object is to provide a protection for decreasing evaporation of water from the surface of gardens and plantations, especially in climate with dry and hot weather conditions.

[0019] Yet a further object is to eliminate the risk that animals to eat up flower bulbs in gardens and plantations. Yet another object is to provide an uncomplicated, effective and inexpensive system for water drainage, that can be efficiently produced.

[0020] The objects are achieved by a system for water drainage and protection in gardens, plantations and soil intended for trees, flowers and plants according to claim 1. Thus, the objects are achieved by a system comprising at least two sheets of an impermeable material, such as rubber, each sheet has a front side provided with channels and a backside. The sheets are laid at ground level, partly overlapping one another. The sheets are arranged with the front sides in a direction facing away from the ground level and the backsides facing down, towards ground or an adjacent overlapping sheet.

[0021] As a result, although the sheets are overlapping one another, the water in the channels can flow from one side to another side. Water on the surface of each sheet can be evenly spread and distributed to the soil, without staying on the surface of the sheets. The soil is protected at the same time, from sunlight, animals and weed.

[0022] As a result, an improved system for water drainage and protection in gardens, plantations and soil intended for trees, flowers and plants, can be provided.

[0023] Thanks to the fact that the sheets are laid at ground level, partly overlapping one another, the water provided can be evenly distributed to the soil.

[0024] A further advantage is that the sheets can be provided in manageable sizes, it can be easily handled by one person.

[0025] Further, an efficient and inexpensive system for water drainage and protection in gardens, plantations and soil intended for trees, flowers and plants, that in addition can be efficiently produced, is provided.

[0026] According to an aspect of the invention, the backsides of the sheets are essentially flat. According to yet a further aspect of the invention, the sheets are partly displaced to each other. These aspects improve the flow of water in the channels and the evenly distribution of the water to the soil, and at the same time the risk for immediate evaporation can be decreased. According to yet a further aspect of the invention, the sheets have a substantially rectangular shape and several channels are arranged in parallel extending from one long side to the opposite long side, such that the water in the channels can flow from one long side to the opposite long side. A further aspect is that the channels are open and mouths at each long side of the sheet. This provides that the arrangement of the sheets in the system is easy to adapt and uncomplicated to use, and at the same time facilitate for an evenly distribution of water for drainage to the soil.

[0027] According to yet a further aspect of the invention, the sheets are suitable for providing through holes for growing plants, trees or flowers. Thanks to the fact that the sheets can be provided in a flexible and durable material, such as rubber, each sheet can be individually designed when arranged in gardens, plantations and soil. Holes can be easily cut out in the sheet to make room for a tree, a flower or any plant. At the same time the durable sheet material protects the roots and bulbs in the soil from being eaten and destroyed by animals.

[0028] Further advantages and advantageous features of the invention are disclosed in the following description and in the dependent claims.

[0029] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] Below, embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the drawings, in which:

[0031] Fig. 1 shows in a perspective view two overlapping sheets in a system for water drainage and protection in gardens, plantations and soil, according to an embodiment of the invention,

[0032] Fig. 2 illustrates schematically in a view from above a system for water drainage and protection in gardens, plantations and soil, according to another embodiment of the invention, and

[0033] Fig. 3 shows the system in fig.2 in a cross section view A-A from the side. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0034] Fig. 1 shows a system 2 for water drainage and protection in gardens, plantations and soil intended for trees, flowers and plants. The system 2 comprising at least two sheets 4a, 4b of an impermeable material, such as rubber, preferably recycled rubber for instance from used rubber tires, old rubber products or the like. Each sheet 4a, 4b has a front side 6a, 6b provided with channels 8, and a backside 10.

[0035] The sheets 4a, 4b have preferably a substantially rectangular shape and provided with several channels 8, at least two or more channels 8, are arranged in parallel and extending in a longitudinal direction L from one long side 12 to the opposite long side 14, such that the water in the channels can flow from one long side 12 to the opposite long side 14.

[0036] The preferred substantially rectangular shape of the sheets 4a, 4b may have length equal to or not less than about 30 cm and up to or equal to not more than about 300 cm, suitably equal to or not less than about 30 cm and up to or equal to not more than about 200 cm, preferably equal to or not less than about 35 cm and up to or equal to not more than about 150 cm, and most preferred equal to or not less than about 40 cm and up to or equal to not more than about 100 cm.

[0037] The preferred substantially rectangular shape of the sheets may have width equal to or not less than about 20 cm and up to or equal to not more than about 150 cm, suitably equal to or not less than about 20 cm and up to or equal to not more than about 100 cm, preferably equal to or not less than about 25 cm and up to or equal to not more than about 100 cm, and most preferred equal to or not less than about 25 cm and up to or equal to not more than about 80 cm.

[0038] The preferred substantially rectangular shape of the sheets 4a, 4b may also have slightly curved sides providing a kidney shape. The suitable kidney formed shape may preferably be used in gardens or plantations to fit in the sheets around trees, bushes or other rounded plants or objects, without the need to cut out the sheets for a perfect fit.

[0039] The narrow ranges in length and width mentioned above, are suitable for private use in small gardens where the sheets 4a, 4b can be easily used by one person. The larger dimensions mentioned above are suitable for commercial use in large plantations, gardens and vineyards.

[0040] The distance between two adjacent parallel channels 8 may be at least equal to or not less than about 1 cm and up to or equal to not more than about 20 cm. The width of a channel 8 may be at least equal to or not less than about 1 cm and up to or equal to not more than about 20 cm, preferably at least equal to or not less than about 1 cm and up to or equal to not more than about 5 cm, most preferred at least equal to or not less than about 1 cm and up to or equal to not more than about 3 cm.

[0041] When a plurality of sheets 4a, 4b, 4n are laid at ground level, partly overlapping one another, the sheets 4a, 4b, 4n are arranged with the front sides 6a, 6b in a direction facing away from the ground level and the backsides 10 facing down, towards ground or an adjacent overlapping sheet 4a, 4b, such that the water in the channels 8 can flow from one long side 12 of a sheet 4a to another opposite long side 14. Since the sheets 4a, 4b, 4n are laid partly overlapping one another, each sheet in the arrangement of a number of sheets 4n will be arranged in an inclined position if arranged on an essentially horizontal soil surface or in a slope, as evident in the embodiment described with reference to Figs. 2-3, below. Obviously, the first laid sheet 4a should be arranged at the position from where the water should start flowing and the next coming sheets 4b, 4n in the desired direction for the flow of water.

[0042] Hence the water on the surface of each sheet 4a, 4b, 4n etc can be evenly spread and distributed to the soil, without staying on the surface of the sheets 4a, 4b, 4n while the soil is protected at the same time, from sunlight, animals and weed. Preferably, the channels 8 are open and mouths at each long side 12, 14 of the sheet 4a, 4b, 4n.

[0043] The backsides of the sheets 4a, 4b are essentially flat. If the backsides 10 are not completely flat, provided with some surface structure, it is important that any protruding structure on the surface of the backside 10 of one sheet 4a not interfere and block the channels 8 on the front side 6a of an adjacent sheet 4b.

[0044] The sheets are preferably partly displaced relative each other. Hence, adjacent partly overlapping sheets 4a, 4b, 4n are preferably arranged partly displaced relative each other in the longitudinal direction L of the extension of the channels. Further, adjacent overlapping sheets 4a, 4b, 4n are also preferably arranged partly displaced relative each other in the transverse direction T.

[0045] Fig. 2 and 3 shows schematically a system 2 for water drainage and protection in gardens, plantations and soil intended for trees, flowers and plants, according to another embodiment of the invention. The same reference numerals are used for the corresponding features as shown and described with reference to fig. 1. As shown in fig.2, a plurality of sheets 4a, 4b, 4n have been arranged adjacent each other and displaced in the transverse direction T as well as in the longitudinal direction L. Preferably, adjacent sheets in the transverse direction T can be attached to each other with one or more clips 15.

[0046] As illustrated in Fig. 2, the sheets 4a, 4b, 4n can be provided with one or more through holes 16 in one or more of the sheets 4n. Preferably, since the sheets 4a, 4b, 4n suitably are made of impermeable material, such as rubber, the user of the system may preferably provide the holes 16 in the sheets 4a, 4b, 4n by cutting an appropriate hole size for a plant, a flower or a tree in the garden or plantation. By making a suitable hole size in the sheet 4n, the user may restrict or preclude animals to eat up the part of the plant, flower or tree in the soil, such as roots and flower bulbs in gardens and plantations.

[0047] It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and illustrated in the drawings; rather, the skilled person will recognize that many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A system (2) for water drainage and protection in gardens, plantations and soil intended for trees, flowers and plants, comprising at least two sheets (4a, 4b, 4n) of an impermeable material, such as rubber, each sheet has a front side (6a, 6b) provided with channels (8) and a backside (10), characterized in that the sheets (4a, 4b, 4n) are laid at ground level, partly overlapping one another, the sheets (4a, 4b, 4n) are arranged with the front sides (6a, 6b) in a direction facing away from the ground level and the backsides (10) facing down, towards ground or an adjacent overlapping sheet (4a, 4b, 4n), such that the water in the channels (8) can flow from one side (12) to another side (14).

2. The system (2) according to claim 1 , wherein the backsides (10) of the sheets (4a, 4b, 4n) are essentially flat.

3. The system (2) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the sheets (4a, 4b, 4n) are partly displaced to each other.

4. The system (2) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the sheets (4a, 4b, 4n) have a substantially rectangular shape and several channels (8) are arranged in parallel, extending from one long side (12) to the opposite long side (14), such that the water in the channels (8) can flow from one long side (12) to the opposite long side(14).

5. The system (2) according to claim 4, wherein the channels (8) are open and mouths at each long side (12, 14) of the sheet (4a, 4b, 4n).

6. The system (2) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the sheets (4a, 4b, 4n) are suitable for providing through holes (16) for growing plants, trees or flowers.

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