WO2006089344A1

WO2006089344A1 - Plant guard

Info

Publication number: WO2006089344A1
Application number: PCT/AU2006/000061
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ross Campbell Carter
Original assignee: WATER TUBE Pty Ltd
Current assignee: WATER TUBE Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2005-01-21
Filing date: 2006-01-20
Publication date: 2006-08-31
Anticipated expiration: 2007-07-21
Also published as: EP1848264A4; WO2006089344A8; EP1848264A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a plant guard (10) that can be readily adapted to protect aud nurture the development and growth of a wide variety of plants of different sizes and stages of advancement. The plant guard (10) comprising a body (11) positionable to at least partially surround a plant and configured to contain a volume of liquid for delivery to the plant. The body (11) comprises a first edge (12); a second edge (13); a first end (14); aud a second end (14); wherein ths first end and the second end are configured such that when the first end is positioned proximal said second end or proximal a first or second end of an adjacent plant guard, connection between said proximally positioned ends is facilitated.

Description

"Plant guard" Cross-Reference to Related Applications.

The present application claims priority from Australian Provisional Patent 2005900255 filed on 21 January 2005, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a device for protecting and nurturing the development and growth of plants. In particular, the present invention relates to a plant guard arrangement that can be readily adapted to protect and nurture the development and growth of a wide variety of plants of different sizes and stages of advancement.

Background to the Invention

The use of guards and/or protective screens to provide protection to newly planted seedling trees and other types of plants is well known. Such protective screens are typically made from a flexible plastic, such as polyethylene, and are erected around the newly planted plaot to provide a sheltered environment in which the plant can grow during its early post-planting life.

As such, most protective screens are supported upon stakes placed arjout the plant to fully enclose the plant, thereby providing a degree of protection to fhe plant from physical damage that may result from prevailing winds, as well as from animals which may feed upon the growing plants. Whilst these protective screens may succeed in providing a protective barrier around the plant, they typically only function to protect the plant from physical damage and do not provide any additional nourishment oτ benefit to the plant during the important post-planting phase of the plant's life.

Further, once the plant has grown beyond its early post-planting size, the protective screen is typically removed, or its effectiveness is greatly reduced, and the adolescent plant is typically left exposed to the elements which may have an adverse affect on its growth and future development, US Patent No. 6,108,970 and corresponding Australian Patent No. .716241 discloses a plant guard that, as well as providing protection to plants from physical damage, also supplies water to the newly planted plant during the first few weeks and months following planting. The plant guard addresses desiccation problems which plants typically experience during the early post-planting phase as their root systems become established. The plant guard is also constructed in a manner which enables the guard to receive and contain a supply of water which can be supplied to the plant in a controlled manner over a defined period of time. This ensures that the plant has a direct and constant supply of water during its crucial post-planting stage of development and reduces the constant need to attend to the plant during this period, thereby conserving water and reducing labour costs,

Whilst the plant guard has proven successful in achieving excellent plant growth and savings in typical planting costs, the guard is typically only applicable to newly planted plants or small plants, and not readily applicable to hedges and existing and/or established trees. Further, the disclosed guard does not readily lend itself to assume a variety of shapes and sizes to protect plants of similar variable shapes/sizes.

This is a particular issue in regions of substantially low rainfall and/or regions which experience high and prolonged periods of excessive heat and/or winds. In such environments, mature plants can benefit from a continuous supply of water/noυrishment over prolonged periods as well as protection from the elements which may have an adverse affect on the health of such mature plants.

In regions of high heat and humidity, the provision of a protective guard around a plant providing a constant supply of water to the plant may increase the humidity levels around the base of the plant causing plant rot or disease, which in turn could destroy the plant, As such, it is highly desirable in such regions to provide a system which ensures constant airflow to the plant as well as providing nurture and protection of the plant.

In this regard, it is desirable to provide a plant guard system which is designed to provide plants of a wide variety of sizes, shapes and ages with protection and nourishment in accordance with their particular needs. Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles or the like which has been included in the present specification is solely for the purpose of providing a context for the present invention. It is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the present invention as it existed before the priority date of each claim of this application.

Summary of the Invention

Throughout this specification the word "comprise", or variations such as

"comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps.

According to a first aspect, the present invention is a plant guard comprising a body positionable to at least partially surround a plant and configured to contain a volume of liquid for delivery to the plant, said body comprising: a first edge; a second edge; a first end; and a second end; wherein the first end and the second end arc configured such that when the first end is positioned proximal said second end or proximal a first or second end of an adjacent plant guard, connection between said proximaliy positioned ends is facilitated.

Tn. an embodiment of this aspect of the invention, the first edge is positioned proximal the ground adjacent the plant, In this regard, the second edge is raised from the ground and is separated from said first edge by the first and second ends.

In another embodiment, the first and second ends comprise at least one recess formed therein. The recess may be in the form of an elongate slot formed Substantially parallel with the first and second edge. Each end may have a plurality of slots provided therein. In. another embodiment, one or each end may have a plurality of slots equi- spaced between the first and second edge of the body. The spacing between each slot can be the same at each end., such that when the ends overlap, or ends of adjacent plant guards overlap, the slots are aligned.

In yet another embodiment, one or each end may have a plurality of loops formed therein. The loops may be arranged at one or each end such that when the opposing ends overlap, or ends of adjacent plant guards overlap, the loops inter-mesh to form a common loop between the ends.

In one form, the ends of the body are provided to receive a stake therethrough for connecting the ends together and for securing the body to the ground and supporting the gαard in an upright position. In one embodiment, the stake may be received through the slots formed in the ends of the body, ϊn. this regard, when the ends are arranged proximal each other such that they overlap with each other, or overlap with an end of an adjacent plant guard) the stake may be received through at least one slot provided in. each of the ends to connect the ends together and to secure the guard or guards in position with respect to the adjacent plant.

In one embodiment, the stake may be threadable through the aligned slots of the overlapping ends to provide a secure connection along the length of the overlapping ends, In another embodiment, the stake may be passed through alternative slots provided in the overlapping ends.

In yet another embodiment, the stake may be received through the loops formed in the ends of the body, In this regard, when the ends co-operate such that they overlap with each other, or overlap with an end of an adjacent plant guard, the stake may be received through at least one loop provided in each of the ends to connect the ends together and to secure the guard or guards to the ground, in a farther embodiment, the stake may be received through the common loop formed between the ends when the loops inter-mesh.

In this regard, the plant guard may be arranged such that it forms a single body that can surround a small plaαt(s) to provided protection and nurturing to the plan.t(s), or may be arranged to form part of a chain of plant guards which can be adapted to protect and nurture larger plants or a number of plants.

In a second aspect, the present invention is a plant guard comprising a body positionable to at least partially surround a plant and configured to contain a volume of liquid for delivery to the plant, said body having a first edge; a second edge; a first end; and a second end; wherein the first end and the second end are configured such that when the first end is positioned proximal said second end or proximal a first or second end of an adjacent plant guard, a stake is received by each of the proximally positioned, ends to facilitate connection between the ends.

In aa embodiment of this aspect of the invention, the first edge is positioned proximal the ground adjacent the plant. In this regard, the second edge is raised from the ground and is separated from said first edge by the first and second ends. In another embodiment, the stake may secure the body to the ground adjacent the plant.

In another embodiment, the first and second ends have at least one recess formed therein for receiving the stake. The recess may be in the form of an elongate slot formed substantially parallel with the first and second edge, and each end may have a plurality of slots provided therein. In this regard, when the ends are positioned proximal each other such that they overlap -with each other, or overlap with an end of an adjacent plant guard, the stake may be received through at least one slot provided in each of the ends to connect the ends together and to secure the guard or guards to the ground, In another embodiment, each end may have a plurality of slots equi-spaced between the first and second edge of the body, with the spacing between each slots being the same at each end, such that when the ends overlap, or ends of adjacent plant guards overlap, the slots are aligned to receive the stake therein. In this regard, the stake may^' be threaded through the aligned slots of the ends or passed through alternative slots provided in the ends to form a strong connection between the ends.

In yet another embodiment of this aspect, the fitst and second ends have one or more loops formed therein for receiving the stake. In this regard, when the ends are positioned proximal each other such that they overlap with each other, or overlap with an end of an adjacent plant guard, the stake may be received through at least one loop provided in each of the ends to connect the ends together and to secure the guard or guards to the ground, In another embodiment, the loops may be arranged at each end such that when the ends overlap, or ends of adjacent plant guards overlap, the loops intcr-rnesh to form a common loop between the ends into which the stake is received.

In this regard, the plant guard may be arranged such that it forms a single tubular body that can surround a small ρlant(s) to provided protection and nurturing to the ρlant(s), or may be arranged to form part of a chain of plant guards which can be adapted to protect and nurture larger plants or a number of plants. In a third aspect, the present invention is a plant guard comprising: a body positionable to at least partially surround a plant and configured to contain a volume of liquid for delivery to the plant, said body having: a first edge; a second edge; a first end; and a second end; wherein, the first and second ends comprise one or more looped portions, each said looped portion being configured such that when the first end is positioned proximal the second end or proximal a first or second end of an adjacent plant guard, a stake is received therein, thereby connecting the proximally positioned ends together.

In an embodiment of this aspect of the invention, the first edge is positioned proximal the ground adjacent the plant, In. this regard, the second edge is raised from the ground and is separated from said first edge by the first and second ends. In another embodiment, the stake may secure the body to the ground adjacent the plant.

in another embodiment, the ends are arranged such that they overlap with each other, or overlap with an end of an adjacent plant guard. In this regard, the stake may be received through at least one open looped portion provided in each of the ends to . connect the ends together and to secure the body to the ground. In another embodiment, the open looped portions may be arranged at each end such that when the opposing ends overlap, or ends of adjacent plant guards overlap, the looped portions inter-mesh to form a common looped portion between the ends into which the stake is received.

In this regard, the plant guard may be arranged such that it forms a single tubular body that can surround a small ρlant(s) to provided protection and nurturing to the plant(s), or may be arranged to form part of a chain of plant guards which can be adapted to protect and nurture larger plants or a number of plants.

According to a fourth aspect, the present invention is a plant guard comprising a body positionable to at least partially surround a plant and configured to contain a volume of liquid for delivery to the plant, said body comprising; a first edge; a second edge; a first end; and a second end; wherein the first and second ends have at least one recess formed therein, said recesses being configured such that when the first end is positioned proximal the second end or proximal a first or second end of an adjacent plant guard, a stake is received therein thereby connecting the proximally positioned ends together. In an embodiment of this aspect of the invention, the first edge is positioned proximal the ground adjacent the plant. In this regard, the second edge is raised from the ground and is separated from said first edge by the first and second ends. In another embodiment, the stake may secure the body to the ground adjacent the plant.

In another embodiment, the recess is in. the form of an elongate slot formed substantially parallel with the first and second edge. In this tegard, each end may have a plurality of slots provided therein. Ia yet another embodiment, each of slots aie equi- spaced between, the first and second edge of the body, such that the spacing between each slots is the same at each end, In this regard^ when the ends overlap or are brought adjacent each other, or ends of adjacent plant guards overlap or are brought adjacent each other, the slots are aligned.

The stake may be received through at least one slot provided in each of the ends to connect the ends together and to secure the guard or guards in position with respect- to the adjacent plant. In an alternative embodiment, the stake maybe threaded through the aligned slots of the overlapping eαds or adjacent ends to provide a secure connection along the length, of the ends. In another embodiment, the stake may be passed through alternative slots provided in the ends.

In this regard, the plant guard may be arranged such that it forms a single body that can surround a small ρlant(s) to provided protection and nurturing to the plant(s), or may be arranged to form part of a chain of plant guards which can be adapted to protect and nurture larger plants or a number of plants.

In each of the above aspects of the invention, the body of the plant guard may be formed of a fiattenable tubular sheet of synthetic plastics material. In one embodiment, the body of the plant guard is formed from polyethylene, however other suitable materials capable of containing a volume of water could also be used with equal efficacy.

The body comprises a number of vertical seams formed therein which divide the body into a number of vertical sections. In one embodiment, the seams are formed between the tubular walls of the sheet and are spaced a distance from the first and second edge of the body, thereby forming open ended vertical sections. Tn this regard, each of the open ended vertical sections are in fluid communication with each other and are able to. store a volume of water therein, for delivery to the adjacent plant.

The plant guard is able to receive the volume of liquid via au inlet provided in the body. ]n one embodiment, the inlet is provided adjacent the second edge of the body and is in the form of an opening provided therein, In this regard, the opening may be formed by the user prior to supplying the body with liquid and as such a region of the body may be torn or cut by the user to create the opening. In this embodiment, liquid may then be discharged through the opening to fill the body with a desired volume of water. In this regard, the term liquid may include water or water with additives to promote plant growth or soil improvement.

The liquid contained withitx the body of the plant guard is delivered to the adjacent plant via a liquid delivery means. In one embodiment, the liquid delivery means is in the form of a coiled tube of synthetic plastics material having a bore of sufficiently small diameter such that the flow of water through the tube is particularly slow. Such an arrangement ensures that water is supplied over a prolonged period of time to the plant in a manner which sustains growth of the plant(s) and which promotes root propagation. The coiled tube may be assembled to the body of the guard to be in fluid communication with the water contained therein, by piercing an end of the tube through the wall of the body, adjacent the first edge, and winding the tube into the body. In this regard, as the body of the guard is made from a sheet of synthetic plastics material, the sheet rcsilieutly engages the outside of the tube as it pierces the body, forming a substantially fluid tight seal around trie tube.

According to- a fifth aspect, the' present invention is a plant guard comprising a body that receives and contains a volume of liquid therein for delivery to a plant adjacent to which the guard may be positioned, said body comprising: a first edge; a second edge; a first end; and a second end; wherein, the first end has a co-operating means and said second end has a co-operating means complementary to that of the first end, such that when the first end is positioned proximal said second end or proximal the first or second end of an adjacent plant guard, said co-operatiαg means facilitate connection between said ends. In an embodiment of this aspect of the invention, the first edge is testable on. the ground adjacent the plant. In this regard, the second edge is raised from the ground and is separated from said first edge by the first and second ends.

In another embodiment, the co-operating means of the first and second ends comprise at least one recess formed therein. The recess may be in the form of an elongate slot formed substantially parallel with the fixst and second edge. Each end may have a plurality of slots provided therein. Tn another embodiment, one or each end may have a plurality of slots equi-spaced between the first and second edge of the body. The spacing between each slot can be the same at each end, such that when the ends overlap, or ends of adjacent plant guards overlap, the slots are aligned. In yet another embodiment, one or each end may have a plurality of loops formed therein. The loops may be arranged at one or each end such that when the opposing ends overlap, or ends of adjacent plant guards overlap, the loops inter-mesh to form a common loop between the ends.

In one form, the co-operating means of the ends of the body are provided to receive a stake therethrough for connecting the ends together and for securing the body to the ground and supporting the guard in an upright position. In one embodiment, the stake may be received through the slots formed in the ends of the body. In this regard, when the co-operating means of the ends are arranged proximal each other such that they overlap with each other, or overlap with an end of an adjacent plant guard, the stake may be received through at least one slot provided in each of the ends to connect the ends together and to secure the guard or guards in position with respect to the adjacent plant

In one embodiment, the stake may be threadable through the aligned slots of the overlapping euds to provide a secure connection along the length of the overlapping ends. In another embodiment, the stake may be passed through alternative slots provided in the overlapping ends.

In yet another embodiment, the stake may be received through the loops formed in the ends of the body. In this regard, when the ends co-operate such that they overlap with each other, or overlap with an end of an adjacent plant guard, the stake may be received through at least one loop provided in each of the ends to connect the ends together and to secure the guard or guards to the ground. In a further embodiment, the stake raay be received through the common loop formed between the ends when the loops inter-mesh.

In this regard, the plant guard may be arranged such that it forms a single body that can surround a small piant(s) to provided protection and nurturing, to the plant(s), or may be arranged to form part of a chain of plant guards which can be adapted to protect and nurture larger plants or a number of plants.

Brief Description of the Drawings

By way of example only, preferred embodiments of the invention are now described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a plan, view of the pre-assembled plant guard according to one embodiment ofthc present invention; .

Fig. 2A-2B are perspective and top views respectively of the assembled plant guard of Fig. 1;

Fig, 3 is a sectional view of one embodiment of the water delivery means in operational position with the plant guard of the present invention;

Fig, 4 is a perspective view of alternative embodiment of the plant guard system of the present invention in use;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the plant guard system of the present invention in use;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of the plant guard system of the present invention in use;

Fig. 7 is a plan view of a pre-assembled plant guard according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention; and

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the assembled plant guard of Fig. 7. Detailed Description of Exemplary Embodiments

One embodiment of the plant guard 10 of the present invention is shown generally with regard to Fig. 1. and Figs. 2A and 2B. The manner TO which the plant guard 10 operates to deliver fluid to the plant is disclosed in US Patent No. 6,180,970 and corresponding Australian Patent No. 716241, which is incorporated herein by reference, and hence will not be discussed in detail in the present application.

The plant guard 10 comprises an elongate body 11 having an. upper edge 12 and a lower edge 13 and two opposing ends 14. The elongate body 11 is formed from a single tubular sheet of polyethylene material, heat sealed at the ends 14 along edges 15 and 16. In its flat form, the body 11 measures 505 mm by 1440 mm, however other dimensions are also possible depending upon the specific application of the guard 10.

A number of vertically arranged seams 17 are formed in the sheet of the elongate body 1.1 at equi-spaced intervals along the length of the body, between the ends 14, Each of the seams 17 are spaced a distance from, the upper edge 12 and the lower edge 13 and are formed by applying a suitable adhesive or heat seal to the tubular body 11, to bond the walls of the body together. The seams 17 divide the body 11 into a number of open vertical segments 18, each segment 18 being in fluid communication with each other segment 18 along the region proximal the upper edge 12 and lower edge 13. As shown, .each of the scarns 17 are arranged such that they arc substantially parallel to the ends 14, however it will be appreciated that other, non-parallel arrangements of the seams 17 could also be employed,

A portion of the body 11 along the upper edge 12 is provided with a weakened region 19, represented by the dashed line in Fig. 1 and Fig. 7. The weakened region 19 defines a region, of the body 11 which may be torn away or removed by a knife or scissors to form an aperture 20 in the body 11. Upon formation of the aperture 20, water, or other appropriate fluid, is delivered through the aperture 20 into the body 11 via a hose or the like connected to a water/fiuid supply, thereby filling each of the segments 18 in turn. The amount of fluid with which the body 11 stores can vary from situation to situation, in one form the body 11 may store 22 litres of water when filled.

To facilitate delivery of the water from the body 11 to the adjacent ρlant(s), a water discharge tube 21 is inserted through the wall of the body 11 adjacent the lower edge 13. This arrangement is shown more clearly in Fig. 3, whereby the water discharge tube 21 generally comprises a coiled portion of synthetic plastic tube having a lumen, of capillary dimensions. An end of the tube 21 is of sufficient sharpness to penetrate the wall of the body 11, and following penetration, the end of the tube 21 is screwed into body 11, such that it is securely retained within the body 11 and in fluid communication with the water contained therein. As shown, the ideal position ±br securing the tube 21 to the body 11 is just above the lower edge 13 such that there is a constant supply of water to the end of the tube 21, and that a head of water is formed above the tube 21 to facilitate controlled water delivery to the adjacent plant.

As the body 11 is made from a polyethylene sheet, it has sufficient elasticity such that after the tube 21 has been pushed through the wall of the body 11, it will sea aroυnd the tube 21 to create a water-tight seal thereby preventing unwanted leakage from the body 11. Water is then able to flow through the lumen of flic tube 21 to drip from the free end of the tube to the vicinity of the ρlant(s), as shown. This arrangement ensures that water is able to be delivered from the body 11 at a relatively slow rate to provide a controlled and prolonged supply of water and nutrition to the adjacent plant, at a rate that is reasonably associated with the plants capacity to use water. Typically, with the body 1 1 having a capacity of 22 litres of water, the tube 21 is configured to deliver approximately 20 litres of water over a period of 16 days.

As shown raore clearly in Figs, 2A, 2B and Fig. 4, the plant guard 10 is configured to be placed adjacent a plant to provide protection to the plant from animals and/or the elements, such as prevailing winds and frost etc., and to also deliver water to the immediate vicinity of the plant.

In. the embodiment shown in Figs. 2A and 2B, a single plant guard 10 is arranged to fully enclose a plant In this arrangement, the ends 14 of the body 11 are arranged such that they overlap to form a tubular arrangement having an open top and bottom region. As the ends 14 are heat sealed along their edges 15 and 16, water is prevented from entering into the ends 14, and as such the ends 14 are of a flat, sheet- like form during use to facilitate overlapping.

As shown more clearly in Fig. 1, the ends 14 are provided with a number of slots 22 formed therein. The slots 22 extend through the sheet of the body and are arranged such that they extend substantially parallel with the upper edge 12 and the lower edge 13 of the body 11. Each of the slots 22 are of a width that substantially spans the width of the ends 14, and are arranged along the ends 14 such that they are spaced equal distances apart between the upper edge 12 and the lower edge 13. Hence, when the ends are placed in an overlapping position, as shown, in Fig. 2A, the slots 22 formed in one end 14 match and align with the slots 22 formed in the opposing end 14. This allows a stake 23 to be threaded through the slots 22 in the manner as shown, to secure the ends 14 together. The stake 23 can then be driven into the ground adjacent the plant to be protected/nurtured, and additional stakes 23 can be placed about the plant to further support the guard 10 in an upright position.

In the arrangement as shown, the connection between the opposing ends 14 is particularly strong due to the overlapping nature of the ends 14 and the manner in which the ends co-operate to receive the stake 23. As such, the guard 10 is particularly robust and can be used in regions of high wind and extreme weather conditions, and still remain intact and function to protect and nurture the plant

The elongate configuration of the body U and the ends 14 makes it possible to employ the guards 10 in a variety of ways to enable protection and nurturing of plants of various sizes and maturity, which has not been possible with existing/traditional plant guards.

As shown in Fig. 4, two plant guards 10 may be linked together to form a barrier that can be positioned adjacent a plant without having to fully enclose the plant. This arrangement may be paiticularly useful in humid environments where air circulation about the plant is important to prevent plant rot, which may result from fully enclosing the plant within a guard 10. As such, the guards 10 may be arranged to protect a side of the plant from prevailing wind or sun, and can be shaped about the plant to optimise air flow about the plant. This combined with the ability of the guards 10 to deliver water to the plant provides a simple system that facilitates and promotes plant growth.

A larger number of plant guards 10 can be linked in the manner as shown in Fig. 5, to protect and nurture a mature plant, such as a tree. In this regard, four plant guards 10 can be arranged such that they surround the trunk of the tree. This arrangemeat may be employed to protect and nurture mature trees during periods of low rainfall and/or excessive heat, As each of the guards 10 contain a volume of water, e.g. 20 litres, by linking four guards together as shown, the mature tree is able to receive 80 litres of water over a 16 day period. Such an arrangement may also function as a protective barrier to the base of the tree to prevent children/animals and the like -from climbing the tree, and may have particular application to public access parks and the like. As shown in Fig. 6, the guards 10 may also be employed to protect and nurture hedges or the like. In this arrangement, a plurality of guards 10 are arranged in a length-wise chain to form a protective wall of water along the length of the hedge.

In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the ends 14 can be configured in the manner shown in Fig 7. In this arrangement, the ends 14 of the body 11 are die-cut from the tubular sheet to create a system of loops 30. As in Fig. 1, the ends 14 are heat sealed along edge 15 such that any water supplied to the body 11 will be prevented from entering the ends 14.

In this arrangement, when the cads of the body 11 are arranged. such that they overlap with each other, or with a corresponding end of another guard 10, the loops 30 inter-engage along their edges, as shown in Fig. 8, to form a common loop extending between the ends 14. This allows a stake 23 to be passed through the loops 30, thus securing the ends 14 together to form a tubular guard 10 suitable for being placed around a plant, as shown.

As in the embodiment described in relation to Figs. 4 to 6, the embodiment of

Figs. 7 and 8 can also be arranged to accommodate a wide variety of plant types, sizes and maturities, in this regard, a number of guards 10 can be linked together in the manner as discussed above to assume a variety of shapes suitable to protect and supply nourishment to a wide variety of plants and plant types.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the invention as shown in the specific embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as broadly described. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, .

Claims

CLATMS:

1. A plant guard comprising; a body positionable to at least partially surround a plant and configured to contain a volume of liquid for delivery to the plant, said body comprising: a first edge; a. second edge; a first end; and a second end; wherein the first end and the second end are configured such that when the first end is positioned proximal said second end or proximal a first or second end of an adjacent plant guard, connection between said proximally positioned ends is facilitated.

2. A plant guard according to claim 1, wherein the body is positionable such that the first edge is positioned proximal the ground adjacent the plant.

3. A plant guard according to claim 2, wherein the second edge is raised from the ground and is separated from said first edge by the first and second ends.

4. A plant guard according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first and second ends comprise at least one recess formed therein.

5. A plant guard according to claim 4, wherein the or each recess is an elongate slot extending substantially parallel with the First and second edge.

6. A plant guard according to claim 5, wherein the or each slot is equi-spaced between the first and second edge of the body.

7. A plant guard according to claim 6, wherein the spacing betwcea each slot is substantially the same at each end, such that when the first end is positioned proximal said second end or proximal a first or second end of an adjacent plant guard, the proximally positioned ends overlap and. the slots in each of the proximately positioned ends become aligned.

8. A plant guard according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first and second ends comprise one or more of loops extending therefrom,

9. A plant guard according to claim 8, wherein the or each loop is arranged such that when the first end is positioned proximal said second end or proximal a first or second end of an adjacent plant guard, the proximaliy positioned ends overlap and the loops inter-mesh to form a common loop between the ends.

10. A plant guard according to claim 7, wherein connection between said proxitαally positioned ends is facilitated by a stake received through the slots formed in the ends of the body.

11. A plant guard according to claim 10, wherein the stake is received through at least one slot provided in each of the proximally positioned ends to connect the ends together and to secure the guard or guards in. position to at least partially surround the plant.

12. A plant guard according to claim 11 , wherein the stake is threadable through the aligned slots of the proximally positioned ends to provide a secure connection along the length of the proximally positioned ends.

13. A plant guard according to claim. 9, wherein connection between said proximally positioned ends is facilitated by a stake received through the loops formed in. the ends of the body.

14. A plant guard according to claiηα 13, wherein the stake is received through at least one loop provided in each of the proximally positioned ends to connect the ends together and to secure the guard or guards in position to at least partially surround the plant.

15. A plant guard according to claim 14, wherein the stake is received through ihe common loop formed between, the proximally positioned ends when the loops inter- mesh..

16. A plant guard according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the plant guard is arranged such that it forms a single body that surrounds the plant.

17. A plant guard according to any one of claims 1 to I5, wherein the plant guard is arranged to form part of a chain of plant guards which are positiottable to at least partially surround a plant or a plurality of plants.

18. A plant guard according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the body of the plant guard is tubular to contain said volume of liquid.

19. A plant guard according to claim 18, wherein the body is formed of a flattenable tubular sheet of synthetic plastics material.

20. A plant guard according to claim 19, wherein the body comprises a number of vertical extending seams formed therein which divide the body into a number of vertical sections.

21. A plant guard according to claim 20, wherein the seams are formed between the walls of the tubular sheet and arc spaced a distance from the first and second edge of the body such that each of the vertical sections are in fluid communication with each other and are able to store a volume of water therein, for delivery to the plant.

22. A plant guard according to claim 21, wherein the body receives said volume of liquid via an inlet provided in. the body.

23. A plant guard according to claim 22, wherein the inlet is provided adjacent the second edge of the body and is in the form of an opening provided therein.

24. A plant guard according to claim 23, wherein the liquid is delivered to the plant by a liquid delivery means,

25. A plaαt guard according to claim 24, wherein the liquid delivery means comprises a tube in fluid communication with said volume of liquid and extendable through a wall of the body.

26. A plant guard according to claim 25, wherein the tube has a bore of sufficiently small diameter such that the flow of liquid from said body to said plant through the tube is relatively slow.

27. A plant guard comprising a body positionable to at least partially surround a plant and configured to contain a volume of liquid for delivery to the plant, said body having a first edge; a second edge; a first end; and a second end; wherein the first end and the second end are configured such that when the first end is positioned proximal said second end or proximal a first or second end of an adjacent plant guard, a stake is received by each of the proximally positioned ends to facilitate connection between, the ends.

28, A plant guard comprising: a body positionable to at least partially surround a plant and configured to contain a volume of liquid for delivery to the plant, said body having: a first edge; a second edge; a first end; and a second end; wherein, the first and second ends comprise one or more looped portions, each said looped portion being configured such that when the first end is positioned proximal the second end or proximal a first or second end of an adjacent plant guard, a stake is received therein, thereby connecting the proximally positioned ends together.

29. A plant guard comprising a body positionable to at least partially surround a plant and configured to contain a volume of liquid for delivery to the plant, said body comprising; a first edge; a second edge; a first end; and a second end; wherein the first and second ends have at least one recess formed therein, said recesses being configured such that when the first end is positioned proximal the second end or proximal a first or second end of an adjacent plant guard, a stake is received therein thereby connecting the proximally positioned ends together.