Plant Weed Shield with Concave Panel for Water Collection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing solutions for preventing weeds and enhancing plant growth in outdoor environments are either expensive, inefficient in water and fertilizer retention, or fail to address issues like sliding, nesting, and increased water collection area.

Innovation Solution

A low-profile, rectangular, impermeable, and opaque shield with a keyhole-like slot and center aperture is designed to surround in-ground plants, featuring a concave top panel that channels water and retains heat, while being durable, inexpensive, and easy to store.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a flat-bottomed plant protector collar is used, then the device is simple to manufacture, but it slides around in heavy rain and does not grip the soil

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of manufactureVSAvoidstability in soil

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The bottom surface of the plant protector collar is formed with a concave curvature instead of a flat surface. This curved configuration allows the collar to conform to the rounded surface of soil clumps or roots, creating friction and mechanical interlocking that prevents sliding during heavy rain, while maintaining simplicity in manufacturing through mold-based formation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Ease of operation

If a porous mulch pad is used, then water can penetrate through, but it does not retain heat and water effectively

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater permeabilityVSAvoidheat retention

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The collar employs selective permeability where the bottom surface is porous to allow water infiltration into the soil, while the side walls are made impermeable to prevent water loss through the sides. This local differentiation of material properties enables simultaneous water penetration at the bottom and heat/water retention through the sides

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Device complexity

If a flat collar is used, then it is simple in design, but it leaves puddles of water that attract mosquitoes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedesign complexityVSAvoidmosquito attraction

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The concave curved bottom surface of the collar prevents water from pooling by allowing it to drain through to the soil below, eliminating standing water that would attract mosquitoes while maintaining design simplicity through the continuous curved geometry

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

4Ease of manufacture

If circular plant protectors are used, then they are easy to manufacture, but they do not significantly increase water collection area when placed on circular containers

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of manufactureVSAvoidwater collection area

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The collar transitions from a circular shape to an asymmetric irregular polygonal shape with multiple sides of varying lengths. When placed on a circular container, this asymmetric configuration extends beyond the container perimeter in multiple directions, significantly increasing the water collection area compared to a circular collar of equivalent size

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

5Productivity

If multiple plant protector units are used, then more plants can be protected, but they require considerable storage space and are expensive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of plants protectedVSAvoidstorage space

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The collar is designed with a collapsible structure that allows multiple units to be nested within one another when not in use. This nesting capability dramatically reduces storage space requirements and eliminates the need for costly storage facilities, while maintaining the ability to protect multiple plants

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution effectively inhibits weed growth, maintains a warmer and moister environment, and increases water collection area, allowing for improved plant growth and easy storage, while being cost-effective and reusable.

Implementation Method 1

The top panel is generally concave and inclined toward the central aperture

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravitational flow: Gravitation

Implementation Method 2

The present invention provides a substantially rectangular and low-profile impermeable opaque shield

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal radiation blocking: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 3

Another object of the present invention by virtue of its impervious and dark-colored top is to maintain a warmer and moister environment around a plant and its roots

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEvaporation prevention: Evaporation

Data Source

PatentUS10798883B2Plant weed preventer enhancing water and heat retention

Publication Date: 2020.10.13 CASTELLUCCI NICHOLAS T

AI summary

A substantially rectangular and open bottom shield configured to be fitted around an in-ground plant at ground level as enabled by an elongated slit and central aperture. A peripheral wall perpendicular to an opaque top panel extends downward around at least 75% of the perimeter of the top panel. The top panel is inclined toward the central aperture through which water and fertilizer can flow toward the plant root system.