Abstract:
Described are devices and methods for providing protection to plants from cold and other weather. A plant cover or protector is constructed of a translucent or other material, a flexible or bendable material, cut into a two-dimensional blank or shape and provides an easily assembled, self-supporting structure to be placed over one or more plants or a location. The plant protector is erected without the use of tools or need for a separate frame or support. The plant protector may be used with stakes or spikes. The plant protector may be collapsed to a planar configuration. The plant protector may be easily and inexpensively manufactured. The plant protector may be repeatedly used from season to season. A top portion of each plant protector may be easily and quickly closed or opened such as by manual manipulation. The plant protector comprises one or more supports or feet for increased contact with the ground and resilience against wind. The plant protector may be folded from a blank into a three-dimensional frustum or conical shape and placed in a desired location. Other shapes such as hexagonal and octagonal cross sections are possible. A preferred form is tapered from bottom to top.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates generally to systems, devices and methods for protecting plants by covering them with a foldable self-supporting cover or protector made of plastic or other material. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    Seeds and bulbs are often started in a greenhouse or controlled growing environment. In such place, sensitive plants are protected from damaging conditions until they reach a size or state to withstand adverse weather. The use of greenhouses to extend the growing season dramatically increases the cost of production of fruits, flowers, vegetables and other plants and crops. 
         [0005]    Through the years, various assemblies have been created and used to protect plants and crops during early growth in the spring and from low temperatures and frost in the spring. For example, a plastic or cardboard container is placed over each tomato plant in a garden to protect them from nightly cold temperatures. The containers allow tomato plants to get an early start on the growing season. The containers prevent or reduce the risk of transplanting before the overnight ambient temperature is sufficiently tolerable for plants. 
         [0006]    Individual plant protectors tend to be expensive when compared to the price of produce obtained from each covered plant. It is often necessary to spread the cost of plant protectors over multiple growing seasons to make the return on investment worthwhile. Further, it is often difficult to anchor a plant protector to the ground so that it will not be blown away by a wind. Many plant protectors do not offer much ventilation. Although a user could cut ventilation openings in each container, such openings would reduce the insulation value of such modified containers. 
         [0007]    Some types of containers require that someone remove them from plants each morning and replace each of them as night falls. Such requirement is impractical or expensive when used on a large number of plants or on an agricultural field containing many hundreds of plants. 
         [0008]    One type of plant cover involves water-filled pockets or columns of a plastic material. This type of cover has several drawbacks. For example, it is difficult to use and maintain, and it is difficult to fill the individual tubes during or prior to installation. The water-filled plant cover is relatively heavy and presents a risk of damaging plants if handled improperly. Filling each tube is a time intensive endeavor thereby increasing the cost to benefit ratio of using such type of device. 
         [0009]    Other embodiments of plant covers prevent ventilation or sunshine from reaching the plant. Other plant covers do not protect a plant from heavy rains, hail, or wind. Yet other plant covers require separate internal structures. These and other shortcomings are overcome through use of the current invention. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0010]    A plant cover or protector provides an easily assembled, self-supporting structure to be placed over individual plants, groups of plants or location. The plant protector shields a plant from cold and weather damage. The plant protector is easily and quickly erected by hand without the use of tools. The plant protector may be erected from a single planar form without other materials or need for a separate frame or support. The plant protector may be used with stakes or spikes to increase wind resistance. 
         [0011]    The plant protector may be collapsed to a planar configuration quickly and easily. One or more plant protectors may be stored in a minimum of space. 
         [0012]    A top portion of each plant protector may be easily and quickly closed or opened such as by manual manipulation. An open top allows increased light to enter and increases ventilation. 
         [0013]    The plant protector comprises a material that both acts as a thermal insulator, yet permits transmission of solar radiation into an interior space. Incident and ambient light and/or radiation pass through the plant protector. Heat is retained in the interior space, plant(s) and ground. Over night, the interior space usually remains warmer than an ambient temperature. 
         [0014]    The plant protector designed for use in spring and autumn to maximize each growing season. 
         [0015]    The plant protector may be easily and inexpensively manufactured. The plant protector may be repeatedly used—stored and re-used from year to year. 
         [0016]    Optionally, the plant protector comprises ventilation openings that, for example, may be opened to permit watering and to provide increased ventilation to the interior of the plant protector. 
         [0017]    The plant protector comprises fold-out flaps, support flaps, or feet for increased contact with the ground and increased resilience against wind. Optionally, the plant protector comprises one or more apertures through which a stake, spike or other object may be attached to the plant protector. 
         [0018]    The plant protector may be manufactured in a wide variety of sizes, shapes and colors without substantially altering its protective features. 
         [0019]    In short, described herein is an improved plant protector made from a flexible or bendable material that is cut or formed into a two-dimensional blank or shape. The plant protector may be folded from the blank into a three-dimensional frustum or conical shape and installed or placed in a desired location. Other shapes such as hexagonal and octagonal cross sections are possible. The general form is tapered from bottom to top. 
         [0020]    This Summary has introduced a non-exclusive selection of aspects or concepts about the present invention in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, and is not intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0021]    The novel features believed characteristic of the subject matter are set forth in the appended claims. Throughout, like numerals refer to like parts with the first digit of each numeral generally referring to the figure which first illustrates the particular part. The subject matter and a preferred mode of use are best understood by reference to the following Detailed Description of illustrative implementations when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
           [0022]      FIG. 1  is an overhead view of a two dimensional plant protector blank formed from a sheet of material according to an exemplary implementation of the invention; 
           [0023]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the plant protector shown in  FIG. 1  and partially assembled; and 
           [0024]      FIG. 3  is a side view of the plant protector shown in  FIG. 1 , fully assembled and placed to provide protection to a plant. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0025]    In view of the current state of plant covers or protectors as described in the Background, there is a need for an improved plant cover or protector. Described herein are systems, devices and methods for creating, forming, providing and installing an improved plant cover or protector. 
         [0026]      FIG. 1  is an overhead view of a plant cover or plant protector  100  in an unassembled state. The plant protector  100  is preferably formed from a sheet of material  102  according to an exemplary implementation of the invention. With reference to  FIG. 1 , a plant protector  100  or plant protector blank (unassembled plant protector) comprises several features. One or more assembly tabs  104  are formed at or near one or more places along a first lateral edge  124  of the plant protector blank  100 . Each assembly tab  104  comprises one or more fingers, protuberances, extensions or tab members  106 . A tab member  106  may be extended through an assembly slot  114 . There may be one or more corresponding assembly slots  114  for each assembly tab  104  or tab member  106 . Tab members  106  not extended into or through an assembly slot  114  provide a gripping feature for improved or easier manual assembly and disassembly of the plant protector  100 . Tab members  106  not extended into or through an assembly slot  114  also provide improved connection to and support of the first lateral edge  124  with respect to a second lateral edge  126 . 
         [0027]    The plant protector  100  also comprises one or more ventilation features. With reference to  FIG. 1 , an exemplary ventilation feature is a ventilation flap  108  formed in the plant protector blank  100 . In practice, one or more ventilation flaps  108  may be opened by manually pushing the ventilation flap  108  inward, toward an interior space enclosed by a plant protector  100 , or by manually pulling the ventilation flap  108  outward and thereby exposing a opening into the interior space enclosed by a plant protector  100 . 
         [0028]    The plant protector  100  further comprises one or more flexible, bendable or hinged top flaps  110 . One or more top flaps  110  may be used to partially or fully enclose a top portion of the plant protector  100  when the plant protector  100  is assembled. Each top flap  110  may be of any shape such as square, rounded, scalloped and triangular. The shape of each top flap  110  may be the same as or different from each other. Similarly, the size of each top flap  110  may be the same as or different from each other. In a preferred implementation, the shape and size of each top flap  110  is approximately the same as the others. Also in a preferred implementation, a plurality of top flaps  110  is formed in the sheet of material  102 . 
         [0029]    One or more of the top flaps  110  each comprise one or more top tabs  112 . In a preferred implementation, each of at least two top flaps  110  comprises a slotted top tab  112 . The slotted top tabs  112  may be easily engaged with each other to partially or fully enclose a top portion of the plant protector  100  when the plant protector  100  is assembled. The top flaps  110  may overlap or abut one another. When overlapped, the top flaps  110  may partially or fully overlap each other. One or no edge of each top flap  110  may be exposed when one or more of the top tabs  112  are engaged to hold the set of top flaps  110  in place when the plant protector  100  is assembled. In one implementation, and as shown in  FIG. 1 , four top flaps  110  are formed in the sheet of material  102  and two opposing top flaps of the four top flaps  110  each comprise a slotted top tab  112 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , each slot  122  of the slotted top tabs  112  are in the same location relative to the respective top tab  112 . When the plant protector is assembled, a slot  122  of a first top tab  112  may be engaged with a slot of a second top tab  112  thereby creating a reversibly locking mechanism to hold the top portion of the plant protector  100  closed. The slots  122  and top tabs  112  are designed to be easily and manually manipulated so that a minimal amount of time and effort is required to close a top portion of a plant protector  100 . 
         [0030]    With reference to  FIG. 1 , one or more assembly slots  114  are formed an overlap distance  116  from the second lateral edge  126 . In one implementation, each assembly slot or pair of assembly slots  114  may have the same overlap distance  116  as the other assembly slots  114 . In another implementation, each assembly slot or pair of assembly slots  114  may have its own overlap distance  116  somewhat or fully independently of the overlap distance  116  of the other assembly slot or pair of assembly slots  114 . The overlap distance  116  as measured at any given location along the second lateral edge  126  is selected based on one or more factors. These factors may include a composition or characteristic of the sheet of material  102  (e.g., thickness, bendability or effort needed to flex, curl or assemble a plant protector  100 ); a size, width or length of tab member  106  or assembly tab  104 ; amount of overlap of the first lateral edge  124  with the second lateral edge  126 ; position of assembly tab  104  along the first lateral edge  124  or other location of the assembly tab  104 ; size or location of a ventilation flap  108  in the plant protector  100 ; size or shape of flexible top flap  110 ; and shape or size of one or more foot panel  130 . 
         [0031]    The plant protector  100  further comprises a bottom edge  128 . In a preferred implementation, and as shown in  FIG. 1 , the bottom edge  128  is curvilinear so as to form a substantially even plane and base for the plant protector  100  when the plant protector  100  is assembled. In a preferred implementation, and as implicated by the shape of the plant protector blank in  FIG. 1 , the plant protector  100  forms a frustum, conical or pyramidal shape when the plant protector  100  is substantially or fully assembled. A frustum or conical shape generally has a smaller or narrower top than bottom as measured by cross-sectional area, diameter or distance through the plant protector. 
         [0032]    The plant protector  100  preferably comprises one or more feet or foot panels  130  formed along or as part of the bottom edge  128 . During assembly, a foot or foot panel  130  may be bent, flexed or extended out from the frustum, conical or pyramidal shape of the plant protector  100 . One or more of the foot panels  130  may be formed with one or more apertures  132  for receiving or attaching a stake, peg or other entity. 
         [0033]    The plant protector optionally comprises one or more arches  134  formed in the bottom edge for receiving a drip hose or other entity (not shown in  FIG. 1 ). A presence of a drip hose would allow for watering of a plant protected by a plant protector  100  without a requirement to partially or fully open an enclosed top portion of a plant protector  100  prior to watering the plant. 
         [0034]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the plant protector shown in  FIG. 1 , wherein the plant protector  200  is partially assembled. With reference to  FIG. 2 , a first engaged assembly tab  202  is reversibly attached to the body of the plant protector  200  near a second lateral edge  126 . Two of the tab members  106  have been inserted through respective assembly slots  114 . One method of assembling an assembly tab  104  is to manually bend an opposing pair of tab members  106  approximately 90 degrees to a near perpendicular orientation relative to the plant protector sheet  102  and insert each of the tab members  106  through a respective slot  114 . A pair of tab members  106  may be quickly and easily inserted in a pair of slots  114 . This process may be repeated as needed to assemble each of the assembly tabs  104  and thereby form the plant protector  200  into a frustum or cone shape. 
         [0035]    With reference to  FIG. 2 , each of the foot panels  130  have been folded or curved outward from the partially formed frustum or cone shape of the plant protector  200 . These foot panels  130  provide lateral support to the plant protector  200 , allowing the plant protector  200  to resist lateral forces when in place on a surface or over a plant. Alternatively, the foot panels  130  may be folded, curved or bent toward an inward side of a plant protector  200 . The foot panels  130  also provide lateral stability so as to reduce the chance that the plant protector  200  tips over and partially or fully exposes the plant and space beneath it. An exposed plant is then exposed to ambient weather and temperatures. 
         [0036]    When the planar plant protector blank  102  is flexed or curled for assembly, each of a pair of top tabs  112  is coordinated with and oppose one another. In the implementation shown in FIG.  2 , slots  114  of the top tabs  112  are designed to be engaged in one another. Slots  114  are an exemplary closure mechanism for the top flaps  110 . Other mechanisms may be used including snaps, loops, hooks, tab and slot arrangements, hook and loop fasteners and adhesive. Slotted top tabs  112  as shown in  FIG. 2  are preferable at least because they can be operated, engaged or disengaged with a single hand or a combination of a thumb and one or two fingers. 
         [0037]      FIG. 3  is a side view of the plant protector  300  shown in  FIG. 1 , fully assembled and placed to provide protection to a plant  302 . With reference to  FIG. 3 , a plant protector  300  has been fully assembled; each of the engaged assembly tabs  202  maintain the plant protector  300  in a closed state. Foot panels  130  have been folded outward (or inward). In a preferred method of installation, the ground or place of installation  304  should be at least moderately firmed prior to installing an assembled plant protector  300  to avoid tipping and/or lateral movement. After firming the ground  304 , an assembled plant protector  300  is placed over one or more plants  302  and over a drip hose  310  or other fixture for delivering water, substance, heat or light. Optionally, a stake, peg, rod or other implement  308  may be placed in one or more apertures  132  of one or more foot panels  130 . Then, loose dirt or other material or object is brought up and packed against a bottom portion of the assembled plant protector  300 . The addition of such packing usually prevents the assembled plant protector  300  from tipping over even in wind and assists with heat retention when the temperature drops. Optionally, once an assembled plant protector  300  is installed, its top portion may be enclosed by engaging one or more top tabs  112 . The top portion and top flaps  110  may be opened or closed as desired. At night, the top portion of the assembled plant protector  300  is preferably closed to preserve heat inside. During periods of direct sunlight or light, top portion of the assembled plant protector  300  can be opened to encourage air circulation, allow light to directly reach a plant  302 , prevent mold or mildew formation and to reduce the opportunity for over-heating the interior of the assembled plant protector  300 . 
         [0038]    Once installed, the assembled plant protector  300  can provide several forms of protection and several benefits. For example, the assembled plant protector  300  provides protection from wind damage. Further, the assembled plant protector  300  acts as a mini greenhouse boosting the temperature around the plant or plants  302 . This is especially advantageous in the fall. Increased temperatures in cooler fall conditions help extend the growing season and thus can help yield more produce. Increased temperatures also help ripen fruits and vegetables, and reduce or eliminate damage from frost. Expedited ripening assists growers to harvest their plants before serious snow or frost ruins a season&#39;s worth of hard work. Further, expedited ripening allows growers to harvest their plants at an appropriate time when fruits and vegetables are ripe. 
       Variations 
       [0039]    While the invention is described with respect to one or more exemplary and preferred implementations, other implementations are possible. The concepts disclosed herein apply equally to other systems, devices and methods for covering and protecting plants. The invention is described with reference to the accompanying figures where it is noted that characteristics and features shown in the figures are not drawn to scale unless otherwise noted herein. 
         [0040]    It will be understood that terms used herein, including in the claims, are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to”). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. 
         [0041]    For example, as an aid to understanding, the following claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations. The use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to inventions containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and “an” should typically be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”). The same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). 
         [0042]    Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, and C,” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, or C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, or C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase “A or B” will be understood to include the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.” Moreover, “can” and “optionally” and other permissive terms are used herein for describing optional features of various embodiments. These terms likewise describe selectable or configurable features generally, unless the context dictates otherwise. 
         [0043]    The described aspects of the invention depict different components contained within, or connected with, different other components. It is to be understood that such depicted architectures are merely exemplary, and that in fact many other architectures can be implemented which achieve the same functionality. Further, it is to be understood that one of ordinary skill in the art as to the invention described herein is someone familiar with constructing commercial swimming pools. 
         [0044]    The foregoing discussion has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. Various features from one implementation can be combined with other features from other implementations. The description is not intended to limit the invention to the form or forms disclosed herein. Consequently, variation and modification commensurate with the above teachings, within the skill and knowledge of the relevant art, are within the scope of the present invention. The implementations described herein and above are also intended to explain the best mode presently known of practicing the invention and to enable others skilled in the art to use the invention, or in other implementations, and with the various modifications required by their particular application or uses of the invention. It is intended that the appended claims be construed to include alternate implementations to the extent permitted. Thus, the appended claims are to encompass within their scope all variations and modifications as are within the spirit and scope of this subject matter described herein.