PLANT SAVER

DISPOSITIF FAVORISANT LA BONNE CROISSANCE DES PLANTES

English Abstract

An article is provided which covers the ground around the base
of a plant so as to increase moisture and nutrient availability to
the plant. The article includes a low inner wall surrounding the
center opening. The top surface rises from the inner wall to a
higher outer wall. A slit extends from the perimeter edge to a
central opening at the inner wall so as to allow the article to be
placed in position around a plant stem or tree trunk.
Alternatively, the slit may extend through the diameter of the
article so as to define two mirror image sections. Ribs extend from
the inner wall to the outer wall on the underside if the article.
The cavity created under the article is for holding organic matter
such as compost, straw or hay. The article is provided in different
colors in order to increase or reduce the heat available to the
plant.

Claims

What is claimed is:
1. An article which covers the ground around the base of a
plant so as to increase the plant's growth comprising:
a circular shaped article with a low inner wall surrounding
a central opening, containing the plant stem, and a
higher outer wall at the perimeter;
ribs on the underside of the article extend from the inner
wall to the outer wall;
a top surface that slopes from the outer perimeter down to the
inner wall;
a cavity between the surface of the soil and the undersurface
of the article for holding organic materials;
a slit extending from the perimeter edge to the center opening
and defining radially extending opposing edges, the
opposing edges being adapted to spread apart from one
another such that the plant stem, or tree trunk can be
received in the inner opening.
2. An article which covers the ground around the base of a
plant so as to increase the plant's growth comprising:
a pair of mirror image sections having edges that matingly
abut one another;
each section having a semi-circular notch, the notches
forming a central opening through which the plant stem
extends when the sections are positioned with mating
edges;
each section having a semi-circular notch with a low wall and






a higher curved outer wall at the perimeter such that the
top surface slopes down from the outer perimeter to the
notch;
each section having ribs on the underside of the article that
extend from the inner wall to the curved outer wall;
each section having a cavity between the surface of the soil
and the undersurface of the article for holding organic
materials.
each section having a ridge on the top curved outer perimeter.

* * * * *

Description

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Specification
Plant Saver



BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Other types of ground covers or mats are used to prevent grass
and weeds from growing in undesired areas. This invention will
encourage plant growth by increasing moisture and nutrient
availability. While U.S. Pat. No. 5,323,557 functions primarily to
minimize the growth of weeds and grass, weeds and grass can grow on
the mulch that is piled on top of the mat or through the drainage
holes in the top surface. U.S. Pat. No. 5,323,557 does not maximize
the amount of moisture available to a plant because moisture can
evaporate through the holes in its surface. U.S. Pat. No. 5,323,557
does not provide a protected cavity around the plant stem or tree
trunk to contain organic materials to feed the plant. This
invention avoids these three shortcomings of U.S. Pat. No.
5,323,557.
A primary objective of the present invention is the provision
of an inwardly sloping surface around the stem of a plant or tree
trunk for the collection of moisture.
Another objective of the present invention is the provision of
a covered space around the base of a plant for the placement of
organic mulch such as compost, peat moss, straw or hay.
A further objective of the present invention is the provision
of a cover around the plant stem that maximizes the retention of
moisture.


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Another objective of the present invention is the provision of
a cover that prevents the growth of grass and weeds around the base
of a plant.
Still another objective of the present invention is to control
the amount of heat a plant is subject to by employing the invention
in various colors.



SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention is an article which covers the ground around the
base of a plant comprising a circular shape with an inner low wall
surrounding the plant stem and a higher outer wall around the
perimeter of the article. The material is flexible and durable. The
top surface of the article slopes down from the outer perimeter to
the inner edge around the plant stem. Beneath the article is an
open space covering the ground and surrounding the plant. Spaced
around the underside of the article are ribs extending from the
outer to the inner walls. A slit extends from the perimeter edge to
the inner opening so that the article can be placed in position
around the tree trunk or plant stem and its accompanying stake, if
present.
In a second embodiment, the article comprises two mirror image
sections which fit together around a tree trunk or plant stem. Each
semi-circular section consists of rigid durable material. The
higher outer perimeter walls slope downward to the lower inner
perimeter walls. A ridge is added on top of the outer perimeter
walls to enhance water collection. Beneath the article is an open




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space covering the ground and surrounding the plant. Spaced around
the underside of the article are ribs extending from the outer to
the inner walls.
In the first and second embodiments, the top and outer
surfaces of the article may be of a variety of colors or patterns.
Dark colors can be used to enhance heat retention, while light
colors can reduce heat absorption and moisture loss.



DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a plan view of the invention.
FIG. 2 is a side view of the invention in FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along lines 9-9 of FIG. 1.
FIG. 4 is a plan view an alternative embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 5 is a side view of the invention shown in FIG. 4.
FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along lines 11-11 of FIG. 4.



DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
The invention is generally designated by reference numeral 10
in the drawings. The invention is an article which covers the
ground around the base of a plant. As seen in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the
invention comprises a circular shape with an inner low wall 12
creating a central opening 2 through which the plant stem or tree
trunk extends. A higher outer wall 1 is around the perimeter of
the article. The material is flexible and durable. The top surface
8 of the article slopes down from the outer perimeter 1 to the
inner edge 12. Beneath the article is an open space 7 covering the




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ground and surrounding the plant. Organic material such as compost,
hay or straw should be placed in this cavity 7. Spaced around the
underside of the article are ribs 4 extending from the outer to the
inner walls. The ribs 4 provide support to the top surface 8 of the
article. A slit 3 extends from the perimeter edge 1 to the inner
edge 12 so that the article can be placed in position around the
tree trunk or plant stem with its accompanying stake if present. A
white colored article will be used for warm or hot seasons and a
black article will be used in cool or cold seasons. The invention,
in different sizes, can be used with plants of different sizes.
A second embodiment of the invention is designated by the
reference numeral 20 in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6. The article 20 is
substantially similar to the article 10 shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3,
and like reference numerals are used to designate the parts. In the
article 20, the split 5 extends through the entire diameter of the
article so as to form two mirror image sections, 14 and 15. A side
wall 16 and 17 extends from the outer wall 1 to the inner wall 2 on
both sections. The sections are not joined together. The article
has a raised ridge 6 around the perimeter to increase the water
capturing capacity of the surface of the article. The material is
rigid and durable.
Preferably, for use with a young tree, the central opening 2
has a 12 inch diameter, with an overall diameter of the article
being 6 feet. The height of the inner wall 12 is 4 inches and the
height of the outer wall 1 is 8 inches. In summer, a white colored
article will be used to reflect heat. In early Spring and Fall, a




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black article will be used to attract heat. Also, it is understood
that a landscaping cloth may be used beneath the slit in the
article and on the exposed soil surface in the central opening. In
the second embodiment of the invention landscaping cloth may be
used beneath the article where the two sections meet.
The invention has been shown and described above in connection
with the preferred embodiment, and it is understood that many
modifications, substitutions and additions may be made which are
within the intended broad scope of the invention. From the
foregoing, it can be seen that the present invention accomplishes
all of the stated objectives.




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Representative Drawing