Patent ID: 7568308
Filing Date: 2009-08-04
Classification: A01G

Abstract:
1. A soil protection device for inhibiting access to soil surrounding a stem of a plant potted in a plant receptacle, said soil protection device comprising: a cover member having a first portion and a second portion releasably and pivotally connected to said first portion for relative movement between a closed configuration and an open configuration; wherein said cover member defines a stem hole situated generally at a junction between said first and second portions when said first and second portions are at said closed configuration, said stem hole having a configuration for allowing the plant stem to extend therethrough; wherein said first and second portions each include a circumferential edge having an arcuate configuration and a linear edge extending between end points of said circumferential edge, respective linear edges bearing against one another at said closed configuration and being completely displaced from one another at said open configuration; wherein said circumferential edges of said first and second portions are free and unattached to any other structure; a hinge coupled to outer surfaces of adjacent ends of said circumferential edges of said first and second portions of said cover member for pivotally connecting said second portion to said first portion; a plurality of lines of weakness concentrically arranged about said stem hole so as to form a plurality of expansion sections, each line of weakness being continuous and without intervals of non-weakness, said plurality of lines of weakness being evenly spaced apart between said stem hole and said circumferential edges of said first and second portions; wherein each line of weakness has a terminal end that is exposed, accessible, and immediately adjacent a respective linear edge of respective first or second portions when said first and second portions of said cover member are at said open configuration such that a respective line of weakness is completely severable and an associated expansion section is removable; wherein said linear edges of said first and second portions include complementary flanges that selectively secure said first portion to said second portion at said closed configuration, a respective complementary flange being positioned at a respective line of weakness terminal end; and wherein each of said first and second portions of said cover member defines a plurality of spaced apart apertures for allowing water to pass therethrough, each of said plurality of apertures being immediately adjacent a next aperture, a portion of said plurality of apertures being situated between but not in contact with each successive lines of weakness.