GB2262424A

GB2262424A - Slug stop collars.

Info

Publication number: GB2262424A
Application number: GB9126700A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Sheila Southwell
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1991-12-17
Filing date: 1991-12-17
Publication date: 1993-06-23
Anticipated expiration: 2011-12-17
Also published as: GB9126700D0; GB2262424B

Abstract

Garden slugs do not like and will avoid crossing rough surfaces. Based on this, SLUGSTOP is an easy to use deterrent to garden slugs. It protects plants and, as no chemicals are used, is harmless to wild life and domestic pets and is environmentally friendly. It is a collar, flat or tubular shaped device made from metal or plastic with raised spikes 11 that provides the rough surface that garden slugs dislike. SLUGSTOP is placed around and/or adjacent to plants to provide protection. <IMAGE>

Description

SLUG STOP COLLARS Field of the Invention EfIS INVENTION RELATES TO SIMPLE, EASILY CONSTRUCTED COLLARS WHICH CAN BE PLPICED ABOUT YOUNG PLUlTS TO PREVENT THEM BEING DESTROYED EY SLUGS. THE COLLARS REQUIRE NO CHEMICAL REPELLEN T Th'D ABLE THEREFORE "ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY".

Background to the Invention Anger and frustration have been expressed down through the ages over the destruction of choice plant growth b7 slugs.

Meny suggestions have been proffered to prevent slugs from attacking plants and many types of slug traps have been devised. The production of slug pellets is a profitable commercial business but theiruse is sometimes avoided because of the possible danger to household pets and bird life.

Slugs avoid movement over fine dry granular surfaces but such surfaces cannot easily be maintained during inclement weather or when plants need watering.

A deterrent surface can however be provide3 which is not affected by inclement weather and does not deter the growth rate of young plants.

SLUG STOP COLLARS Two types of collars which can be placed about young plants to prevent them being attacked by slugs or snails. Both types can be constructed in flat-packed form for ease of manufacture and transportation and they comprise of thin material which has a plurality of sharp raised projections on the upper or outer face. One form of collar is a flat disc or ring which is split through from the outer periphery to the inner hole to facilitate placement about plant growth. The two cut edges are provided with 'popett' fasteners to secure the ring when it has been placed about a plant or seedling.

A plurality of spikes are provided about the periphery of the disc to stabilise it and prevent movement by wind or another means.

The other type of collar is constructed in the form of a thin flat rectangle with one face having a plurality of sharp raised projections, rather in the form of the domestic cheese grater. Cne edge of the rectangle would be provided with fasteners so that when the flat sheet is rolled to form a tube it can be retained in that form about any plant or seedling. In the form of a tube it can be pressed down into the soil to prevent dislodgement or damage to plant roots.

SLUG STOP COLLARS A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 illustrates the flat disc collar.

Figure 2 shows the tubular collar Prior to use.

Figure 3 shows the tubular collar placed about a plant.

Description of Preferred Embodiments.

According to Figure 1 there is provided a circular ring of metal or plastic material 10 which has a plurality of sharp raised projections 11 punched or pressed through the upper face to create a very jagged, spiky surface. The disc is split as indicated at 12 which enables the disc to be manually sprung apart for placement about plant growth.

Fasteners 13 are provided which can be pressed into suitable indentations or holes in each in half of the split 12. (see scrap view la). While the preferred shape of the collar is circular, its outline could be to any other shape as long as the inner hole can encompass plant growth without damage.

(see view lib). The type of fastening is of little consequence to the concept embodied in this specification.

SLUG STOP COLLRS The preferred material is metal and could be aluminium or steel which would be anodised or coated in epoxy resin to prevent corrosion. The use of metal produces a more jagged projection than is likely to be possible with a plastic material. Where a suitably jagged surface can be produced using plastic material the flat collar as shown in Figure 1 would be acceptable within this concept. About the outer edge of the collar 10 is provided a plurality of sharp spikes 14 which can be bent downwards, below the smooth face of the collar 10 and pressed into the soil to stabilise the said collar when in position about a plant.Alternatively and optionally the collar 10 could be provided with two or more holes 15 through which a long spike may be placed to secure the collar 10 to the ground (see scrap view lc) Reference to Figure 2 shows a SLUG STOP COLLAR 16 which is comprised of a thin flat sheet of metal or plastic with a plurality of sharp, jagged projections 17 punched or pressed through the upper face 18. The outline shape of the said sheet 16 can be rectangular as illustrated or square. The flat sheet 16 can be manually rolled to form a tube 19 as shown in view 2a and in this form can be placed about plant growth to form a protective barrier. The jagged projections 17 would face outwards away from the plant as shown.

SLUG STOP COLLARS At the edges 20 of the flat sheet would be provided a means of fastening 21, which could comply with any known means of securement. In the preferred method the two edges 20 would be releasably joined together by snap fasteners 23.

Elen formed into the tubular shape 19 and placed about a plant, the tube would be pressed into the soil some 50 mm, to prevent dislodgement and damage to the plant in high winds.

Placement of the tube 19 about a plant or seedling would be carried out at the time of planting or before root growth had developed sufficiently to be damaged by the placement of the tube 19. The SLUG STOP COLLAR 16 would be manufactured in various sizes so that tubes of varying diameters could be formed to encompass plants of small or large proportions.

The tubes 19 when placed about plants would permit such plants to be watered and would not exclude sunlight. The preferred material for the construction of the SLUG STOP COLLAR 16 is aluminium or steel and both types of metal would be corrosion proofed to withstand environmental conditions.

The concept accepts manufacture in plastic material where sufficiently jagged projections can be formed on the outer surface to prevent slug movement. It can thus be seen that the two types of SLUG STOP COLLARS described in this specification are entirely "environmentally friendly" which present no danger to household pets or birds and which will prevent damage to plants by slugs or snails.

Claims

SLUG STOP COLLARS

CLAIMS 1. SLUGSTOP is a deterrent to garden slugs based on the fact that slugs avoid movement over rough surfaces. SLUGSTOP is a collar, flat surface or tubular shaped device made from metal or plastic with a raised rough surface that is placed around or adjacent to plants.