The invention relates to a stabilizing element for stabilizing a removable plant protection system.

The International patent publication WO 2009/078721 in the name of the applicant discloses a removable plant protection system, comprising a tube for surrounding a young plant at least partially sideways.

By using such a removable plant protection system, plants may grow up in dry regions where growth is otherwise very moderate or absent, such as desert areas.

It appears, however, that such areas might suffer from heavy winds blowing away all kind of artificial structures.

It is an object of the invention to provide a stabilizing element for stabilizing a removable plant protection system. Thereto, the stabilizing element comprises a body extending between two opposite ends, wherein a first end is provided with coupling means for coupling to a side or bottom part of the plant protection system, and wherein the second end is arranged for fixation to the soil.

By providing a stabilizing body that can be coupled, at a first end, to a side part of the plant protection system, and, at a second end, to the soil, the plant protection system can be made considerably more stable, thus

counteracting that the system is blown away. Further, since the plant protection system is fixed to the soil, undesired removal by people is counteracted.

Preferably, the plant protection system includes a multiple number of stabilizing elements coupled to the side or bottom part at evenly distributed angular positions, thereby further improving the stability of the system significantly. Further advantageous embodiments according to the invention are described in the following claims.

The invention also relates to a removable plant protection system.

Further, the invention relates to a kit of parts.

The invention also relates to a method of stabilizing a removable plant protection system.

By way of example only, embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying figures in which

Fig. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a stabilizing element according to the invention;

Fig. 2 shows a schematic perspective bottom view of a removable plant protection system according to the invention;

Fig. 3 shows a schematic perspective top view of the removable plant protection system shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 shows a schematic side view of the removable plant protection system as shown in Fig. 3 on a soil surface;

Fig. 5 shows a schematic side view of the removable plant protection system as shown in Fig. 3 in a hole provided in the soil;

Fig. 6 shows a schematic perspective view of a fixation element to be used with the stabilizing element of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 7 shows a further removable plant protection system according to the invention.

It is noted that the figures show merely a preferred embodiment according to the invention. In the figures, the same reference numbers refer to equal or corresponding parts.

Figure 1 shows a schematic perspective top view of a stabilizing element 1 according to the invention. The stabilizing element 1 comprising a body 2 extending between two opposite ends 3,4. The stabilizing element 1 is arranged for stabilizing a removable plant protection system that includes a tube for surrounding a young plant at least partially sideways, as explained below. A first end 3 is provided with coupling means 5 for coupling to a side part of a plant protection system. Further, the second, opposite end is arranged for fixation to the soil.

The body 2 includes a substantially two-dimensional structure, preferably flat. The structure may, however, also extend in a curved two- dimensional plane. Further, the structure may include three-dimensional elements, such as ball shaped elements. As shown in Fig. 1, the body 2 includes a rigid frame, more specifically a thread frame 6. By employing a framed structure, the body obtains a desired rigidity, thus improving its stabilizing performance. Further, by employing a thread frame 6, the weight of the element 1 can be low and the thickness of the individual strips can be moderate, e.g. circa 4 mm, while the stiffness is sufficient. Further,

manufacturing costs can be kept relatively low. The tread frame 6 is provided with a ribbon structure including curved sections 17, 18, 19. As an alternative, the body may include a uniform or hollow structure. Further, the framed structure may include additional stiffening elements, such as planar sections extending between ribbons. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, such planar sections 2a are provided near the first end 3 of the body 2. However, the planar sections can also be applied at other parts of the body 2. As an alternative, the framed structure can be designed without additional stiffening elements, e.g. for saving material and weight. Preferably, the body 2 is an injection moulding product, thus further reducing manufacturing costs. However, in principle, the body 2 can also be formed from separate elements.

According to an aspect of the invention, the second end of the stabilizing element 1 is provided with at least one fixation element 16 extending in a direction P transverse to the orientation D of the stabilizing element body 5, for fixation to the soil. In the shown embodiments, a single stabilizing element 1 includes two fixation elements 16a,b implemented as nails. However, the stabilizing element 1 may include also another number of fixation elements, e.g. one fixation element, or three or four fixation elements. Further, the fixation elements can be implemented in an alternative way, e.g. as nails or pins with barbs or as screws. The fixation element can be

manufactured from various materials, such as steel or a plastic. Preferably, the at least one fixation element is removable, so that the plant protection system 8 can be fixed and released from the soil. However, the at least one fixation elements can also be integrated with the body 2 of the stabilizing element 1.

Figures 2 and 3 show a schematic perspective bottom and top view, respectively, of a removable plant protection system 8 according to the invention. The plant protection system 8 comprises a reservoir defined by a bottom 9, a radial exterior side part 10 and a radial inner wall, the tube 11. The reservoir thus extends circumferentially around the tube 11. The tube 11 itself extends in a substantially vertical direction, through the system 8 for enclosing a young plant sideways. The reservoir may contain water, e.g. rain water, to be delivered to the young plant or plants in a dosed manner, using irrigation means, thereby improving surviving chances of the young plant(s). The plant protection system 8 further comprises a water receiving surface 13 for collection water that is present in the atmosphere and flowing the water to the reservoir. As shown in Fig. 3, the water receiving surface 13 is provided with a water excess channel 14 leading to an overflow opening 15 in the exterior side part 10 of the system 8. Such a plant protection system is e.g. known from International patent publications WO 2006/132526 and WO 2009/078721, and the Dutch patent publication NL 2 003 479, all in the name of the applicant.

In this respect it is noted that the tube 11 can have different cross sectional views, e.g. a bar-bell shaped profile as shown in Fig. 2 and 3. Further, the tube 11 may enclose a single or a multiple number of young plants. It is also noted that not only a young plant, but also a seed(s), bush or small tree might be protected by the removable plant system 8. In addition, it is noted that the tube 11 can also be designed to partially surround the young plant sideways, e.g. by providing a profile that is open at a certain angular range.

According to an aspect of the invention, the coupling means 5 of the stabilizing element are arranged for cooperation with a corresponding receiving module 12 in the bottom part 9 of the plant protection system. Here, the coupling means 5 includes a deformable clicking element 7a,b so that the stabilizing element 1, also called wing, can easily be attached and detached from the plant protection system. It will be apparent to the person skilled in the art that the coupling principle can also be applied in a reverse way, viz. by including a deformable clicking element on the bottom part 9 of the plant protection system. In another embodiment according to the invention, the stabilizing element can be connected to the side part 10 of the system, preferably near the bottom of the system. After coupling, the body of the stabilizing element 1 extends radially away from the tube 11, in a direction substantially transverse with respect to the side part 10 of the system 8.

As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the system includes two stabilizing elements 1 coupled to the bottom 9 at opposite positions. More generally, the system includes a multiple number of stabilizing elements 1 coupled to the side or bottom part at evenly distributed angular positions to provide stability in respect of pulling forces from various angular directions. In principle, however, the system can also be provided with a single stabilizing element 1.

According to another aspect of the invention, a method of stabilizing a removable plant protection system is provided. The method comprises the step of providing a stabilizing element 1 including a body 2 extending between two opposite ends, wherein a first end 3 is coupled to a side 10 or bottom part of the plant protection system, the method further comprising the step of fixing the second end 4 of the stabilizing element 1 body to the soil.

Figure 4 shows a schematic side view of the removable plant protection system 8 on a soil surface 20. The fixation step is performed by driving a single or multiple number of fixation elements 16a,b through corresponding openings in the body 2 of the stabilizing elements 1 into the soil, using e.g. a hammer 27. The soil surface 20 covers a second soil layer 21.

Preferably, the method includes the step of coupling the stabilizing element 1 to the side or bottom part of the plant protection system prior to fixing the second end of the stabilizing element body to the soil.

Figure 5 shows a schematic side view of the removable plant protection system 8 in a hole provided in the soil. A top layer 20 covers a hard pan layer 21 that covers a lower soil layer 22. In a process of planting plants, seeds, bushes or trees, a hole can be dug or drilled, the hole being provided with a tapered side wall 23 and a horizontal, flat bottom 24 whereon the plant protection system 8 is positioned. Here, the stabilizing elements can be fixed to the soil by covering the stabilizing elements, also the second ends 4 of the bodies 2 with soil particles 25 that have been removed while digging or drilling the hole in the ground. Figure 5 also shows two young plants that are surrounded sideways by the tube 11.

Figure 6 shows a schematic perspective view of a fixation element 16c that can be used in connection with the stabilizing element 1 according to the invention. The fixation element 16c has a screw-like form and includes a shaft provided, at a first end, with a downwardly tapered point 31, and, at a second, opposite end, with an engaging module 32 allowing engaging the fixation element 16c. The tapered point 31 may facilitate driving the screw into the ground. Further, the engaging module 32 includes a bolt-type coupling element for coupling with an external rotating device such as a ring spanner or an open-end spanner. The engaging module 32 can, as an alternative, be provided with another coupling element for coupling with an eternal rotating device, e.g. a hex key. As a further alternative, the engaging module includes a nail-type head for receiving hammer strokes. Thus, the fixation element 16c can be driven in the ground by hammer strokes or screwing movements. The fixation element 16c shown in Fig. 6 is further provided with spiraling screw thread segments 33a,b attached at the outer surface of the shaft 30. The screw thread segments 33a,b are arranged offset with respect to each other, thus facilitating driving the fixation element 16c into the ground either via hammer strokes or screwing movements. Such a universal fixation element 16c can be driven into ground or rocky structures. In this respect it is noted that the spiraling screw thread segments 33a,b facilitate a relatively easy removal of the fixation element 16c from the ground, if desired. As an alternative, the fixation element 16c includes a continuously spiraling screw thread and/or barbs.

Figure 7 shows a further removable plant protection system 40 according to the invention. The system is similar to the plant protection system 8 shown in Figs. 2 and 3, but is also provided with an intermediate locking module 41 extending between the stabilizing element 1 and the water receiving surface 13. Here, the stabilizing element 1 is fixed to the ground by using a fixation element 16d including a spiraling shaft. By interconnecting the intermediate locking module 41 with both the stabilizing element 1 and the water receiving surface 13, not only the water reservoir, but also the water receiving surface 13 is fixed to the ground.

Further, the removable plant protection system 40 includes an anti- gnaw structure 42, placed on top of the tube 11 to protect the young plant against gnawing animals. The anti-gnaw structure 42 includes a rigid grid 43 forming a surrounding side wall extending upwardly from the tube so as to protect a young plant that is surrounded by the tube 11 against gnaw by mammals. The grid 43 defines slid shaped openings for allowing air and sun light to the interior space surrounded by the anti-gnaw structure 42. The dimensions of the openings 44 are such that mammals can not enter said interior space, thus preventing that the young plant is gnawed by the mammals. Typically, the width of the openings 44 is in a range between circa 5 mm and circa 5 cm. However, also another width can be chosen, e.g. less than 5 mm. Preferably, the grid includes rails 48 that have a tilted orientation with respect to the horizontal plane. As a result, the entrance of sun light can be regulated. Further, the orientation of the openings 44 varies in a

circumferential direction along the horizontal grid contour. As an example, in a sun rise and sun set direction (East and West), the orientation of the openings 46 is mainly vertical, thus allowing the entrance of a relatively large amount of sun light, while the orientation of the openings 45 in intermediate directions (South and North) is mainly horizontal, thus reducing the entrance of sun light on midday. As a result, the entrance of sun light is dynamically filtered using a static grid. The varying light beam orientation caused by the sun orbit generates, in combination with the static grid, a dynamic light filter behaviour. In this respect it is noted that the expression "in a sun rise direction", "in a sun set direction" and "in intermediate directions" means positions along the horizontal grid contour in said direction when seen from a centre point of the horizontal grid contour.

Advantageously, rails 48 of the grid are provided with sharp, protruding elements 47 to prevent that mammals destroy the grid structure. Further, the grid is fixed to the tube by a connection to the intermediate locking module 41 described above, so that the tube 11, the reservoir, the water receiving surface 13 and the grid 43 are fixed to the ground. Apparently, the grid 43 can also be connected in another way, e.g. by directly connecting to the tube 11.

The horizontal grid contour has a shape that is substantially similar to the cross sectional contour of the tube 11, in the shown embodiment a barbell shape, so that the rigid grid 43 fits to the tube 11 upper side. In another embodiment, the cross sectional contour of the tube 11 is different, e.g. circular. Then, also the horizontal grid contour can be chosen to be circular, thereby fitting to the tube.

The anti-gnaw structure 42 includes three grid modules 49a,b,c placed on top of each other. The cross sectional area surrounded by the horizontal grid contour increases with increasing height, thereby providing more room for the young plant or tree at greater heights. In the shown embodiment, the grid modules have a constant horizontal cross section.

However, the highest grid module encloses a larger horizontal cross sectional area than the grid module below the highest grid module does. Again, the lowest grid module encloses a horizontal cross sectional area that is smaller than the horizontal cross sectional area that is enclosed by the grid module above the lowest grid module. By increasing the enclosed horizontal cross sectional area with increasing height, the young plant or tree obtains more space for development of branches, leaves etc. The three grid modules are interconnected by a click system or another coupling mechanism, e.g. a glue connection. Instead of three grid modules also another multiple number of grid modules can be used, e.g. four or five grid modules, so that the anti-gnaw structure 42 can be build up to a desired height, e.g. circa 25 cm, circa 50 cm and circa 75 cm. Also the application of a single grid module can be realized. The individual grid modules are substantially invariant in a vertical direction, thus facilitating a manufacture method thereof. However, the modules can also be formed in another shape, e.g. as a sphere or a hemi-sphere.

It is noted that the anti-gnaw structure including a rigid grid forming a surrounding side wall extending upwardly from the tube can not only be applied in combination with a removable plant protection system comprising a stabilizing element, but also, more generally, in combination with a removable plant protection system comprising a tube for surrounding a young plant at least partially sideways. Even more generally, the anti-gnaw structure including a rigid grid forming a surrounding side wall extending upwardly can be used without a tube surrounding a young plant. The rigid grid can be placed on the ground, around the young plant, thus protecting the young plant sidewardly. Preferably, the rigid grid is then secured to the ground using the stabilizing element as disclosed above. By connecting the grid to the first end of the stabilizing element, the rigid grid is fixed to the ground. The invention is not restricted to the embodiments described herein. It will be understood that many variants are possible.

Instead of coupling the stabilizing element to the plant protection system, the system and the single or multiple number of elements can also be integrally formed with the plant protection system, as a single piece, e.g. using an injection moulding product. However, the system and the single or multiple number of elements can also be manufactured and delivered separately, as a kit of parts.

Further, after positioning, the plant protection system may stay around the young plant. However, the system can also be removed, e.g. by removing the fixation elements from the soil, and lifting the system from the ground, e.g. for re-use purposes.

It is further noted that the stabilizing element can be coupled to the side or bottom part defining a radial side wall and bottom of the reservoir, but also to the tube itself that may define a radial exterior side part of the plant protection system. In addition, the stabilizing element can be coupled to the side or bottom part of another object that can be blown away, such as a solar cell panel, a post, a fence, concrete blocks, a guard-rail, a wire netting, a net, an anti-gnaw tube, an irrigation element or a light armature.

Other such variants will be apparent for the person skilled in the art and are considered to lie within the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.