FR2858918A1 - Clip for attaching greenhouse plants to vertical supporting wires has two hinged and curved branches that grip wire and surround plant when pressed together - Google Patents

Abstract

The clip (1), preferably made from a biodegradable or biofragmentable material, has two hinged and curved branches (3) with rounded edges (2) to avoid damage to plants. The hinge has a double zone of rotation (8) with internal projections that grip a supporting wire when the two branches are pressed together so that their free ends (4) engage.

Description

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  The present invention serves to maintain the stem of a plant along a vertical wire.

  For tomatoes, cucumbers, zucchini, etc., in general all plants that produce fruits or vegetables of a certain weight need to be staked. In greenhouses, to facilitate and rationalize the harvesting and cultivation of plants, a preferably flexible yarn is drawn from the ground to a support under the ridge of the greenhouse. This flexible thread serves as a tutor. The plant runs along this thread. It is held by a clip that will surround the rod and attach itself to the wire. In the case of soilless cultivation, after the season, the plants are removed from the greenhouses with their organic support, the threads, the clips, all mixed together. Then, this waste will be landfilled and the compost that will follow be polluted by all that will not be degraded and its re-use is more difficult. The present invention will overcome the many problems posed by the use of the clips so far used.

  The staking clip of the stem of a plant giving vegetables or fruits of a certain weight that we have developed, to a round body (1) in the closed position with perfectly rounded edges (2) and 'a certain height not to hurt the plant. The orientation and the arrangement of the branches (3) preform a wide opening and amply promote his apprehension between the thumb and the index making it faster to clipping. The branches are terminated by a device (4) vee rusting the closure given by 285891 8 - 2 - indicative but not limiting method and form. A simple pressure on the branches (zone 9) is enough to ensure the closure.

  The hinge system 5) with double rotation zone (8) has the originality to have the flexibility to connect the two branches (2) of the body (1) of the staking clip and have the firmness to maintain the guard wire in a compression zone (6). When closing the clip, the two mini-branches (7) of the closure system will pivot and come into contact with each other and form the compression zone (6) of the wire with the base of the hinge ( 6a). The closed clip can no longer wander along the guard wire. The rotation zone (8) of the mini-branches is given for information only, the importance of this zone playing with the material used for manufacturing so as not to weaken the hinge. One can also make only a rotation zone to lower the cost price of the parts produced.

  Each application of the staking clip can be adequately manufactured. For ecological reasons and not to find the clips in the compost, they will be made of biodegradable material. For economic reasons, in order not to increase the costs of the culture, we will use less noble materials. By adding a greater or lesser amount of natural plant substance that can reach the threshold of the mechanical rupture of the chosen material, we create micro-primers of natural rupture and thus promote fragmentation when the pieces are thrown into compost (phenomenon biofragmentation).

  285891 8 3 If the ecological method is not retained, our clip can be made with other non-degradable materials where it will excel thanks to its morphology in this kind of culture or for other staking cultures.

  We can also provide prohéminences inside the clip to avoid the wanderings and the maintenance more supported of the stem of the plant.

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Claims (3)

4 CLAIMS   1 - The staking clip of the stem of a plant giving vegetables or fruits of a certain weight serves to maintain along a vertical wire the stem of a plant. It has a round body (1) in the closed position with edges (2) perfectly round and of a certain amplitude (fig 2) not to hurt the plant. The orientation and the arrangement of the branches (3) preform a wide opening and amply promote apprehension between the thumb and the index finger and makes it quicker to close by pressing on said branches terminated by a locking device. indicative but not limiting (4) fig: 1 and 2).   2 - staking clip according to claim 1 having a hinge double rotation area (8) originality to have the flexibility to connect the two branches (2) of the body (1) and have the firmness to maintain the tutor wire in a compression zone (6). The two mini-branches (7) of the system will pivot to get closer to form the compression zone (6) (6a). The importance of the rotating area (8) mini-branches playing with the material used in the manufacture to not weaken the hinge.   3 - stanchion clip according to claim 1 and 2 may have a hinge single rotation.   4-staking clip according to claim 1, 2 and 3 characterized in that it is manufactured for an environmentally friendly choice of biodegradable material.   5 staking clip according to claim 1, 2 and 3 characterized in that it is manufactured for an economical choice of material loaded with natural plant substances that can reach the threshold of the mechanical breakage of the material used to promote bio fragmentation .   The staking clip of any one of the preceding claims may have inner prongs to hold the stems of the plant more firmly and may be used for other staking applications.