Protective device for tree trunks of recently planted trees

Abstract

The present invention relates to a protective device for tree trunks of recently planted trees consisting of two couplable parts made of plastic which define a covering surface for covering the ground around the tree trunk on which the parts are used. Thus, the protective device of the invention has a central area that adapts to the tree trunk to be protected and tongue-and-groove coupling means formed by at least two male elements and two female elements, located on the parts such that, when the coupling means are coupled, they take on an opposing arrangement along the same horizontal plane. In this way, the parts of the protective device are coupled without overlapping or relative rotations between parts, specifically laterally, i.e., via movement along a horizontal plane.

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] Protective device for trunks of newly planted trees.

[0003] TECHNICAL SECTOR

[0004] The present invention relates to a device specifically designed to provide protection against unwanted weeds for the trunks of newly planted or young trees. It is not advisable to protect them from such unwanted weeds by applying pesticides, as this could kill the tree itself. Unwanted weeds rob the tree of nutrients and water.

[0005] The object of the present invention is to provide a device that prevents the proliferation of unwanted weeds around the tree trunk, based on a construction solution that is easy to implement and has a low associated cost.

[0006] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0007] In the field of practical application of the invention, that of the exploitation of trees such as olive trees, pistachio trees, orange trees, or any other type of tree that is deemed appropriate, when planting said trees one must be very careful with them, since during the first two or three years they cannot be subjected to pesticides that prevent the growth of unwanted weeds, since the tree is still very young and this type of product could kill it.

[0008] This means that unwanted weeds can grow around the tree, specifically around the trunk, both in drip-irrigated trees and in trees that are not irrigated.

[0009] As is well known, the proliferation of unwanted weeds slows tree growth by stealing nutrients and water, so their removal is essential to maximizing crop yields, as the roots of unwanted weeds compete with the tree's roots for water and nutrients.

[0010] While the use of agricultural machinery such as brush cutters is well-known, their purpose is to remove unwanted weeds that grow in the field, such machinery cannot be used to remove unwanted weeds that proliferate around young trees, as it can damage the bark and roots of the tree trunk. Farmers typically leave a minimum of 10 cm between the blade and the tree roots.

[0011] Therefore, every time a farmer plows his young trees to remove unwanted weeds, he faces the problem of not being able to get close to the tree trunk with familiar machinery, which causes unwanted weeds to proliferate at the base of the trunk, causing the tree to lose nutrients and moisture.

[0012] With all this in mind, farmers currently have to remove unwanted weeds that have grown on each tree one by one, wasting time and money.

[0013] In an attempt to avoid this problem, the applicant himself is the owner of utility model ES1284981 , which describes a protective device for trees that is made up of two complementary pieces that can be coupled together, where each complementary piece includes on one of its free edges a tab on which some studs emerging in an upper direction are established, and on the opposite free edge some complementary holes, such that the studs of each complementary piece are snap-fitted into the holes of the other complementary piece, and where each complementary piece is affected by a notch such that when coupled together they determine a central hole for the tree trunk to pass through, while the complementary pieces coupled together define a covering surface for the ground around the trunk of the tree to which they are applied, preventing the proliferation of unwanted weeds.

[0014] Although this device fulfills its intended function, once developed, a problem was identified: difficulty in coupling the two parts defined in the device, through the respective pins and holes.

[0015] Specifically, when the user wants to use the device of the utility model ES1284981 , he has to superimpose the two pieces in order to be able to couple them together, in order to connect the pin of one of the parts in its corresponding hole, movement that involves a double maneuver, in which the devices must be moved vertically with a relative rotation between them, resulting in a complex maneuver that makes its use difficult, since the trunk itself hinders said angular movement or relative rotation, to which must be added that this is not always perfectly straight so that possible irregularities that may appear in said trunk can also negatively affect the relative vertical and angular movements between both pieces.

[0016] EXPLANATION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] The protective device for newly planted tree trunks that is recommended fully satisfactorily resolves the problem described above, based on a simple but effective solution, in which the coupling is carried out without overlapping or relative rotations between pieces, specifically laterally, that is, by moving in a horizontal plane, in which any irregularity of the trunk in its vertical distribution does not affect the coupling maneuvers between pieces, offering simpler and faster coupling means to use, without the need for any type of tool.

[0018] To this end, the device of the invention is made from a disc-shaped body, which is obtained from two complementary and interconnectable pieces, made of plastic, preferably recycled and opaque in nature, designed to fit around the trunk at the base of young trees.

[0019] More specifically, each of the two complementary pieces includes on one of its free edges tongue and groove coupling means for coupling by movement in the horizontal plane, including preferably chamfered receiving mouths for the male elements, that is, it has been provided that the mouths preferably have a slope on their internal faces that facilitates the confrontation, guidance and coupling maneuver between the two pieces.

[0020] In accordance with another feature of the invention, it is optionally provided that, corresponding to the central area of ​​the disc-shaped element, a sector of circular configuration in plan view is established, which is affected by radial cuts, which define trapezoidal fins or sectors. This sector may be coplanar with the main body itself, or constitute a raised elevation in the form of a truncated cone. Thus, the central area of ​​this raised elevation is affected by a plurality of radial cuts, while its lateral surface includes another distribution of also radial cuts, but more widely spaced, defining a closed surface, which prevents the passage of light, but which also defines a plurality of main or central fins and secondary or perimeter fins that are easily deformable and adaptable to the diameter of the tree trunk, preventing the growth of additional weeds around the plant being tutored.

[0021] Optionally, both in the case in which the sector defined in the central area is coplanar to the main body of the device and in the case that it is an elevation, these fins or petals defined by the radial cuts can be easily eliminated by breaking them, for which it has been provided that in correspondence with the end of said fins, a groove or perimeter weakening is arranged, transversal to said cuts, which facilitates its folding and breaking.

[0022] According to another of the optional features of the invention, the device will include on at least one of the two pieces a cross-shaped die-cut that allows the installation of a tutor passing through said die-cut.

[0023] The discoidal body will have a configuration or profile resembling an inverted plate, in order to better adapt to the irregularities of the terrain. The perimeter edge will include frangible arched dies, which can be selectively removed to make way for drip irrigation pipes.

[0024] From this configuration, the following advantages arise:

[0025] - Prevention: Blocks sunlight, preventing the growth of unwanted weeds around the tree trunk.

[0026] - Compatibility: It is compatible with interceptors and brush cutters. It is suitable for both dryland and drip or traditional irrigation. - Durability: The plastic it is made from is sustainable and is the same as that used in drip irrigation tubing. It can withstand direct sunlight and inclement weather for many years.

[0027] - Growth adaptation: It is designed to adapt to trunk growth, deforming to avoid strangling the trunk. After the fifth or sixth year, it can be removed from the crop because tree roots are large and deep. However, the time required to remove the device will depend on the tree and the type of irrigation.

[0028] - Includes means to allow the installation of a tutor.

[0029] - Presence of arched dies that can be broken if a drip irrigation system is to be implemented.

[0030] - Healthy growth: Promotes more vigorous and rapid tree development, with an estimated production increase of 10-20% in the first 10 years.

[0031] - Sustainable and ecological: A safe and environmentally friendly alternative to herbicides. By keeping unwanted weeds out, you save water, as all of it goes to the tree.

[0032] - Savings: significantly reduces manual labor hours, eliminating the need to remove unwanted weeds around each tree.

[0033] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0034] To complement the description that follows and in order to help better understand the characteristics of the invention, in accordance with a preferred example of practical implementation thereof, a set of drawings is attached as an integral part of said description, in which the following has been represented for illustrative and non-limiting purposes:

[0035] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a protective device for newly planted tree trunks made in accordance with the object of the present invention in the disassembly position, that is, prior to its implantation on the corresponding tree trunk.

[0036] Figure 2.- Shows a perspective view of the coupling form of the two pieces that participate in the device, through a displacement on an imaginary horizontal plane.

[0037] Figure 3.- Shows a profile view of one of the pieces.

[0038] Figure 4.- Shows a bottom plan view of the element in figure 3.

[0039] Figures 5 and 6 show enlarged details of the female element of the coupling means between the two parts that participate in the device of the invention.

[0040] Figure 7.- Shows an enlarged detail of the male element of the coupling means between the two pieces that participate in the device of the invention.

[0041] Figure 8.- Finally, it shows an inverted perspective view of one of the two pieces that participate in the device of the invention.

[0042] PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0043] In view of the figures shown, it can be seen how in the preferred embodiment of the invention the device is made up of two pieces (1) that define a covering surface for the ground around the trunk of the tree to which they are applied, where the protective device has a central area of ​​adaptation to the trunk of the tree to be protected. To this end, in the preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figures 1 to 8, the pieces have tongue and groove coupling means formed by two male elements (2) and two female elements (3) located in the pieces. Thus, when the coupling maneuver of the pieces is being carried out, the coupling means adopt an opposite arrangement in the same horizontal plane. In accordance with another of the characteristics of the invention, the protective device for trunks of newly planted trees is materialized in recycled plastic of an opaque nature.

[0044] On the other hand, in an embodiment not shown in the figures accompanying this specification, it is provided that each of the parts of the protective device includes either the male elements (2) or the female elements (3), that is to say, that one of the two parts comprising the protective device only has the male elements (2), and the other part only has the female elements (3). This embodiment, not shown, has the same mechanical characteristics as the preferred embodiment described in the figures. However, the manufacturing cost of these parts is high, since the two parts defining the protective device cannot be manufactured with the same mould.

[0045] To further facilitate the coupling maneuver by displacement in the same horizontal plane, it has been planned that the female element (3) includes a chamfered mouth (12), that is, on the internal face of the female element (3) inclined planes have been defined that facilitate the confrontation and self-guiding maneuver for the coupling between the male element (2) and the female element (3), as shown in figures 5 to 7.

[0046] In this way, as can be seen in detail in figures 1 and 2, each piece (1) of the protective device will have a preferably discoidal configuration, in the form of an inverted plate, in order to define a convex surface that allows sealing a perimeter around the trunk of the tree to be protected, adapting to the irregularities of the terrain, for which said configuration in the form of an inverted plate is optimal, although it could adopt other profiles without affecting the essence of the invention.

[0047] In any case, corresponding to the central area of ​​the device, a sector of circular configuration in plan is included, which is affected by central radial cuts (4), determining triangular flexible fins (5) deformable for the correct adaptation to the tree trunk. As previously stated, the sector of the central area can be coplanar to the main body itself, or present an elevation (11), preferably defined by a truncated cone, as shown in the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 8, elevation (11) on which the triangular flexible fins (5) are distributed, while the side wall of the elevation (11) includes peripheral radial cuts (6) determining trapezoidal sectors (7) also deformable, from which the triangular flexible fins (5) emerge.

[0048] In this way, the trapezoidal sectors (7) of the raised central area (11) will have a distance between them greater than the distance between the triangular flexible fins (5), that is, several triangular flexible fins (5) will emerge from the same trapezoidal sector (7), as can be seen in figures 1 and 2.

[0049] Finally, it has been planned that the trapezoidal sectors (7) are surrounded by their lower base through a polygonal weakening line (8) to facilitate their breaking when the diameter of the tree trunk increases in size. This weakening (8) should preferably have a polygonal configuration since, if it were circular, said configuration would make it difficult to break the trapezoidal sectors (7).

[0050] The protective device will additionally have on at least one of its two parts (1), preferably on both, a cross-shaped die-cut (9) determining an opening for the passage of a tutor that crosses said cross-shaped die-cut (9). Preferably on the perimeter edge of the parts (1) frangible arched dies (10) are included, which can be selectively removed to make way for drip irrigation pipes.

[0051] According to the previously described design of the trunk protection device, a simple, economical, and easy-to-implement device is achieved that prevents the growth of unwanted weeds around the tree trunk, which until now had to be removed by hand, thus ensuring a much healthier and more vigorous development of tree crops.

[0052] Finally, it remains to be noted that the developed device constitutes a sustainable and efficient solution that protects and increases the production of tree crops, and is applicable to any type of fruit tree, whether woody or not.

Claims

CLAIMS 1 a .- Protective device for trunks of newly planted trees, which being of the type made from two coupleable pieces obtained from plastic, define a covering surface for the ground around the trunk of the tree to which they are applied, and where the protective device has a central area of adaptation to the trunk of the tree to be protected, characterized in that it has tongue and groove coupling means formed by at least two male elements (2) and two female elements (3), located in the pieces such that, when coupled, the coupling means adopt a facing arrangement in the same horizontal plane. 2 a .- Protective device for newly planted tree trunks, according to claim 1 a , characterized in that each piece includes the male elements (2) or the female elements (3). 3 a.- Protective device for newly planted tree trunks, according to claim 1 a , characterized in that each female element (3) includes a chamfered mouth (12), in which inclined self-guiding planes are defined for coupling the male element (2). 4 a .- Protective device for newly planted tree trunks, according to claim 1 a , characterized in that the central area includes a sector of circular configuration, which is affected by central radial cuts (4), determining triangular flexible fins (5) deformable 5 a .- Protective device for trunks of newly planted trees, according to claim 1 a or 4 a , characterized by the fact that the central area has an elevation (11). 6 a .- Protective device for newly planted tree trunks, according to claim 5 a, characterized in that the triangular flexible fins (5) are distributed over the central area of the raised elevation (11), while the side wall of the central raised elevation area (11) includes radial perimeter cuts (6) determining trapezoidal sectors (7) that are also deformable, from which the triangular flexible fins (5) emerge. 7 a .- Protective device for newly planted tree trunks, according to claim 6 a , characterized in that the trapezoidal sectors (7) include in their lower base a polygonal weakening line (8). 8 a .- Protective device for newly planted tree trunks, according to claim 1 a , characterized in that the device adopts an inverted plate configuration. 9 a .- Protective device for trunks of newly planted trees, according to claim 1 a or 8 a, characterized in that on the external perimeter edge of at least one of the pieces (1) there is included at least one frangible arched die (10) determining a hole for the passage of irrigation pipes. 10 a .- Protective device for newly planted tree trunks, according to claim 1 a , characterized in that at least one of the pieces (1) includes a cross-shaped die-cut (9) determining an opening for the passage of a tutor. 11 a .- Protective device for newly planted tree trunks, according to claim 1 a , characterized by being made of recycled plastic of an opaque nature.

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