WO2021226638A1

WO2021226638A1 - Transplanter and method of planting seedlings

Info

Publication number: WO2021226638A1
Application number: PCT/ZA2021/050025
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jaap STEENKAMP
Original assignee: Bjorkemar Construction And Consulting (South Africa) (Pty) Ltd
Priority date: 2020-05-06
Filing date: 2021-04-26
Publication date: 2021-11-11
Also published as: ZA202211352B

Abstract

The invention relates to a transplanter (10) that includes: (i) a magazine (16, 18) for storing a plurality of seedlings (12) connected to each other by a tape (14); (ii) a gripper (18) for gripping a terminal seedling (12); (iii) a cutter (20) for cutting the tape (14) adjacent the terminal seedling (12), thereby to sever the terminal seedling (12) from the adjacent seedling (12) to which it is taped; (iv) a first disentangler (22) for passing between the severed terminal seedling (12) and its adjacent seedling (12), thereby to disentangle the branches or growth of the terminal seedling (12) from the branches or growth of its adjacent seedling (12); and (v) an actuator (24) for moving the severed terminal seedling (12) from its adjacent seedling (12). Furthermore, the invention relates to a method of planting seedlings (12) using such transplanter (10).

Description

TRANSPLANTER AND METHOD OF PLANTING SEEDLINGS

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to a transplanter and a method of planting seedlings. More specifically, the present invention relates to a transplanter that: severs a terminal seedling from a roll of tape containing seedlings; unentangles the severed seedling from the adjacent seedling; and plants the severed seedling.

Various transplanters are known. For instance:

AT74703, US3,432,985 “Strip packaging machine for nails and other similar articles”, US3,739,522 “Horticultural cell system and method of manufacture”, EP0097735, FR2758230 and FR2878689 describe tape containing seedlings, wherein the tape does not wholly enclose the seedlings.

EP0284877 describes a transplanter for planting seedlings connected to a tape stored in a zig-zag configuration.

US1 ,495,328 “Plant-settling machine”, US4,829,915 “Apparatus for transplanting tapes containing plants”, EP0182263 “A windable or foldable planting tape provided in the longitudinal direction of the tape with pockets placed consecutively and containing plants or viable plant material as well as a process for producing the tape”, DE1047512 and FR1266234 describe a transplanter for planting seedlings connected to a rolled tape.

US4,455,940 “Transplanting apparatus utilizing a disc mechanism for transplanting plants from a supply tape to the furrow” and CA822947 “Transplanting machine” describe transplanters that use a flexible band that secures seedlings thereto and release the seedlings just prior to planting.

US4, 130,072 “Field transplant system and methods and components thereof”, US4, 132,337 “Continuous paper cylinder assembly and method of separating the same and transplanting apparatus for the same”, US4,597,343 “Continuous paper-tube potted- seedling separation transplanting planting machine” and FR1108308 describe transplanters that: remove a terminal seedling from a zig-zagged / spiralled roll of tape containing seedlings; and plant the removed seedling.

US2002/043195 “Field transplanter” describes a step of disentangling a seedling to be planted from adjacent stored seedlings, and AU4261600 “Improvements to handling and planting plants” describes a comb for disentangling a seedling from adjacent (non-taped) seedlings prior to planting.

A drawback of prior art transplanters that severs a terminal seedling from a rolled / zigzagged magazine of taped seedlings for planting is that entanglement of the severed terminal seedling with adjacent seedlings inhibits the severed terminal seedling from being spaced from adjacent seedlings in preparation for planting. It is an object of the present invention to address this drawback.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention of a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a transplanter that includes: a magazine for storing a plurality of seedlings connected to each other by a tape; a gripper for gripping a terminal seedling; a cutter for cutting the tape adjacent the terminal seedling, thereby to sever the terminal seedling from the adjacent seedling to which it is taped; a first disentangler for passing between the severed terminal seedling and its adjacent seedling, thereby to disentangle the branches or growth of the terminal seedling from the branches or growth of its adjacent seedling; and an actuator for moving the severed terminal seedling from its adjacent seedling.

Typically, the seedlings connected to each other by a tape is stored in the magazine as a spiralled roll.

Generally, the first disentangler is a rigid rod that passes between the neighbouring seedlings from the seedling substrate, along the seedlings. Preferably, the tape comprises a first strip that is adhered to a second strip.

Typically, each of the first and second strips comprises substantially parallel first and second sub-strips that are spaced from each other, thereby to expose the seedlings’ root plugs between the sub-strips.

Generally, the first and second strips are made of paper.

Preferably, the first strip is substantially linear and the second strip is convoluted.

Typically, the transplanter further includes a second disentangler spaced from the first disentangler, in use, to receive seedlings therebetween.

Generally: the first disentangler rotates in a first direction operatively clockwise; and the second disentangler rotates in a second direction opposite to the first direction operatively anti-clockwise.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of planting seedlings including the steps of: providing a first strip; placing a seedling on the first strip; providing a second strip to envelope a first portion of the seedling between the first and second strips, with a second portion of the seedling protruding from the first and second strips; adhering the first strip to the second strip to form a tape and capture the first portion of the seedling therebetween; forming a spiralled roil of tape with enveloped seedlings; unrolling a portion of the tape with enveloped seedlings; severing the tape between a terminal seedling on the unrolled portion of the tape and its adjacent seedling, thereby to sever the terminal seedling from the rolled tape; passing a first disentangier between the terminal seedling and its adjacent seedling to disentangle branches or growth of the terminal seedling from the branches or growth of its adjacent seedling; spacing the severed terminal seedling from its adjacent seedling; and planting the severed terminal seedling in a planting medium.

Typically, the first strip is adhered to the second strip to form the tape.

Generally, the first strip is substantially linear and the second strip is convoluted.

Preferably, each of the first and second strips comprises parallel first and second sub-strips that are spaced from each other, thereby to expose the seedlings’ root plugs between the sub-strips.

Typically, the step of passing a first disentangier between the terminal seedling and its adjacent seedling is cotemporaneous with a further step of passing a second disentangier between the terminal seedling and its adjacent seedling.

Generally: the first and second disentanglers are spaced from each other; the first disentangier rotates in a first direction operatively clockwise; and the second disentangier rotates in a second direction opposite to the first direction operatively anti-clockwise.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described in more detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a transplanter according to a preferred embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the transplanter in Figure 1 (excluding the magazine) with a terminal seedling gripped by a gripper

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the transplanter in Figure 1 (excluding the magazine) with a terminal seedling severed from the tape connecting the terminal seedling from its adjacent seedling;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the transplanter in Figure 1 (excluding the magazine), with the severed terminal seedling spaced from its adjacent seedling; and

Figure 5 is a perspective view of seedlings being secured to a tape according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference to Figures 1 to 4 of the drawings, according to a first aspect of the invention a transplanter 10 is provided for planting seedlings 12 secured to each other by a tape 14. The transplanter 10 includes: a magazine 16 for storing a spiralled roll of tape 14 of seedlings 12; a gripper 18 for gripping a terminal seedling 12; a cutter 20 for severing the tape 14 between the terminal seedling 12 and its adjacent seedling 12; at least one disentangler 22 for disentangling branches or growth of the severed terminal seedling 12 from its adjacent seedling 12; and an actuator 24 for moving the severed terminal seedling 12 away from its adjacent seedling 12 for planting.

With reference to Figure 5, the tape 14 of seedlings 12 is made by:

• providing a first paper strip 14a, which comprises a pair of substantially parallel, spaced-apart sub-strips;

• placing seedlings 12 (spaced apart from each other) on the first strip 14a;

• providing a second paper strip 14b, which comprises a pair of substantially parallel, spaced-apart sub-strips over the first paper strip 14a (with seedlings 12 supported thereon), thereby to envelope a first portion of the seedlings 12 between the first and second strips 14a and 14b, with a second portion of the seedling protruding from the first and second strips 14a and 14b. Typically, the first portion of the seedlings 12 comprises the substrate covering the seedlings’ 12 roots; and • adhering the first strip 14a to the second strip 14b via glue lines to capture the first portion of the seedlings 12 therebetween.

Preferably, the first paper strip 14a is linear and the second paper strip 14b is convoluted (as shown in Fig, 1 of FR2878689) to receive the seedlings 12. It will be appreciated that a linear first paper strip 14a will enable the tape 14 of seedlings 12 better to resist tension (i.e. during the rolling / unrolling process). Furthernore, additives (such as fertilizer, fungicide, etc.) may be added to the first paper strip 14a. Aiternativeiy, the first and second paper strips 14a and 14b may be impregnated with such additives.

In this specification, the phrase “substantially parallel” is intended to mean does not deviate from parallel by more than 5 degrees.

It will be appreciated that by covering only a portion of the seedling 12 substrate with spaced-apart paper sub-strips 14, the seedling 12 roots can grow while being only partly constrained by the tape 14. As the tape 14 disintegrates, the entire substrate becomes unconstrained.

The tape 14 of seedlings 12 is spiralled into a roll and stored in a magazine 16 (otherwise referred to as a carousel). The magazine 16 is generally cylindrical, with one closed axial end and a post 26 (with handle) extending axially along the magazine from the closed axial end. The tape 14 is spirally wound around this post 26.

The gripper 18 comprises a pair of gripping arms that are sized and shaped to grip a seedling 12, preferably, the seedling’s 12 substrate.

The cutter 20 comprises a pair of blades for cutting the tape 14 extending between a seedling 12 gripped by the gripper 18 and the seedling 12 adjacent such gripped seedling 12. Alternatively, the cutter 20 could be a rotating cutting wheel that is pushed pneumatically, hydraulically, electrically or mechanically into contact with the tape 14.

The at least one d!sentangler 22 comprises a rigid rod that moves or pivots relative to the gripper 18, thereby to move between the seedling 12 gripped by the gripper 18 and the seedling 12 adjacent such gripped seedling 12, from such neighbouring seedlings’ 12 substrate, along the length of the neighbouring seedlings 12. Preferably, the disentangler 22 can be manipulated in all three dimensions and pivoted / rotated to effect disentanglement of paired seedlings 12. Alternatively, the disentangler 22 could comprise a flexible lever. Further alternatively, the disentangler 22 could comprise an extendable rigid lever with a flexible coating (e.g, with a foam cover), and could be adjustable in length (I.e. telescoping) to accommodate seedlings 12 of varying length. Optionally, the base of the disentangler 22 is adjustable, in use, to adjust its height and spacing of the base of the disentangler 22 relative to the seedlings 12.

It will be appreciated that the disentangler 22 may be mechanically, electrically, hydraulically or pneumatically operated, with speed control (e.g. via a slip clutch device or a tension belt with electronic speed control). Furthermore, although the disentangler 22 has been described as able to be manipulated in all three dimensions and pivoted / rotated, it will be appreciated that the disentangler 22 may move using polar rotation (including 360 degree rotation), vertical, horizontal, swing, cam or linear movement.

Optionally, a first disentangler 22 may be disposed on a first side of the seedlings 12 and a second disentangler (not shown) may be disposed on a second side of the seedlings 12, with first and second disentanglers 22 rotating in opposite directions. In such an arrangement, the first and second disentangiers 22 may move In polar opposite rotation, with the first disentangler 22 moving in an operative clockwise polar rotation and the second disentangler moving in an operative anti-clockwise polar rotation (opposite to the polar rotation of the first disentangler 22).

The actuator 24 is a pneumatic piston and cylinder that actuates the gripper 18, thereby: to move the gripped seedling 12 from its adjacent seedling 12; and position the gripped seedling 12 for delivery to a seedling depositor and ultimately for planting in a planting medium 30 (e.g. soil).

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of planting seedlings 12 including the steps of:

• providing a first paper strip 14a;

• placing a plurality of seedlings 12 on the first strip 14a;

• providing a second paper strip 14b to envelope a first portion of the seedlings 12 between the first and second strips 14a and 14b, with a second portion of the seedlings 12 protruding from the first and second strips 14a and 14b; • adhering the first strip 14a to the second strip 14b to form a tape and capture the first portion of the seedlings 12 therebetween;

• forming a spiralled roll of tape 14 with enveloped seedlings 12;

• storing the spiralled roll of tape 14 with enveloped seedlings in a magazine 16;

• placing the magazine 16 on a mobile transplanter body 28;

• unrolling a portion of the tape 14 with enveioped seediings 12 from the magazine 18 (as shown in Figures 1);

• gripping a terminal seedling 12 via the gripper 18 (as shown in Figures 2);

• severing the tape 14 between the gripped terminal seedling 12 on the unrolled portion of the tape 14 and its adjacent seedling 12, thereby to sever the terminal seedling 12 from the rolled tape 14 (as shown in Figure 3);

• passing the disentang!er between the gripped severed terminal seedling 12 and its adjacent seedling 12 to disentangle branches or growth of the gripped severed terminal seedling 12 from the branches or growth of its adjacent seedling 12. Preferably, the disentangier 22 can be manipulated in all three dimensions and pivoted / rotated to effect disentanglement of paired seedlings 12. It will be appreciated that this disentangling step could occur either before or after the severing step above;

• operating the actuator 24 to move the gripper 18 and thereby space the gripped severed terminal seedling 12 from its adjacent seedling (as shown in Figures 4);

• delivery of the severed terminal seedling 12 to a seedling depositor (not shown); and

• planting the severed terminal seedling 12 in a planting medium.

It will be appreciated that although the actuator 24 has been described a pneumatic piston and cylinder, it will be appreciated that the transplanter could be operated using pneumatic, mechanical, electric or hydraulic systems, with speed controls.

Claims

1. A transplanter (10) including: a magazine (16) for storing a plurality of seedlings (2) connected to each other by a tape (14); a gripper (18) for gripping a terminal seedling; a cutter (20) for cutting the tape adjacent the terminal seedling, thereby to sever the terminal seedling from the adjacent seedling to which it is taped; a first disentangler (22) for passing between the severed terminal seedling and its adjacent seedling, thereby to disentangle the branches or growth of the terminal seedling from the branches or growth of its adjacent seedling; and an actuator (24) for moving the severed terminal seedling from its adjacent seedling.

2. The transplanter according to claim 1 , wherein the seedlings connected to each other by a tape is stored in the magazine as a spiralled roll.

3. The transplanter according to claim 2, wherein the first disentangler is a rigid rod that passes between the neighbouring seedlings from the seedling substrate, along the seedlings.

4. The transplanter according to claim 3, wherein the tape comprises a first strip (14a) that is adhered to a second strip (14b).

5. The transplanter according to claim 4, wherein each of the first and second strips comprises substantially parallel first and second sub-strips that are spaced from each other, thereby to expose the seedlings’ root plugs between the sub-strips.

6. The transplanter according to claim 5, wherein the first and second strips are made of paper.

7. The transplanter according to claim 6, wherein the first strip is substantially linear and the second strip is convoluted.

8. The transplanter according to claim 7, further including a second disentangler spaced from the first disentangler, in use, to receive seedlings therebetween.

9. The transplanter according to claim 8, wherein: the first disentangler rotates in a first direction operatively clockwise; and the second disentangler rotates in a second direction opposite to the first direction operatively anti-clockwise.

10. A method of planting seedlings including the steps of: providing a first strip (14a); placing a seedling (12) on the first strip; providing a second strip (14b) to envelope a first portion of the seedling between the first and second strips, with a second portion of the seedling protruding from the first and second strips; adhering the first strip to the second strip to form a tape (14) and capture the first portion of the seedling therebetween; forming a spiralled roll of tape with enveloped seedlings; unrolling a portion of the tape with enveloped seedlings; severing the tape between a terminal seedling on the unrolled portion of the tape and its adjacent seedling, thereby to sever the terminal seedling from the roiled tape; passing a first disentangler (22) between the terminal seedling and its adjacent seedling to disentangle branches or growth of the terminal seedling from the branches or growth of its adjacent seedling; spacing the severed terminal seedling from its adjacent seedling; and planting the severed terminal seedling In a planting medium (30).

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the first strip is adhered to the second strip to form the tape.

12. The method according to claim 11 , wherein the first strip is substantially linear and the second strip is convoluted.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein each of the first and second strips comprises parallel first and second sub-strips that are spaced from each other, thereby to expose the seedlings’ root plugs between the sub-strips.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the step of passing a first disentang!er between the terminal seedling and its adjacent seedling is cotemporaneous with a further step of passing a second disentangier between the terminal seedling and its adjacent seedling.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein: the first and second disentanglers are spaced from each other; the first disentangier rotates in a first direction operatively clockwise; and the second disentangier rotates in a second direction opposite to the first direction operatively anti-clockwise.