WO2012117008A1

WO2012117008A1 - Apparatus for transferring plants from a loading structure to a receiving structure

Info

Publication number: WO2012117008A1
Application number: PCT/EP2012/053406
Authority: WO
Inventors: Aldo Maggion; Giovanni Maggion
Original assignee: Techmek S.R.L.
Priority date: 2011-03-02
Filing date: 2012-02-29
Publication date: 2012-09-07
Also published as: ITTV20110030A1

Abstract

The invention relates to an apparatus for transferring plants from a loading structure to a receiving structure. The apparatus comprises a supporting frame, a first endless conveyor belt (5), a second endless conveyor belt (6), a plurality of first conveyor cells (7) to convey said plants, integral with said first belt (5), a plurality of second conveyor cells (8) to convey said plants, integral with said second belt (6), said first and second belt (5, 6) following a closed path which comprises a loading station (10) to load said plants and an unloading station (11) to unload said plants. Said first and second belt (5, 6) are operable independently from each other and move with different speeds as a function of the position of said conveyor cells (7, 8) along said closed path, said first and second belt (5, 6) being operable so as to move in a stepwise manner at said unloading station (11) and stop at said loading station (10).

Description

APPARATUS FOR TRANSFERRING PLANTS FROM A LOADING STRUCTURE TO A

RECEIVING STRUCTURE DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to an apparatus for transferring plants from a loading structure to a receiving structure.

It is known that in agriculture or in horticulture machinery is widely used for transplanting plants, generally plants rooted in plugs.

Typically, the plants to be transplanted are first accommodated in specific containing structures, such as cell trays.

These containers are conveyed on the transplanting machine, so as to supply several transplant lines in parallel, at each of which the plants are picked up from the containers and inserted in the soil by a mechanical transplanter device.

In some prior art transplanting machines, at each transplant line, during advance of the machine on the soil, the plants are picked up manually from the aforesaid containers and inserted into a carousel that feeds the transplanter device.

Machinery of this type requires the presence of an operator for each transplant line, with consequent disadvantages in terms of times and labor costs.

Moreover, this machinery offers relatively modest performances in relation to the speed with which transplant operations are carried out. For each transplant line, the maximum speed rarely exceeds 8000 plants transplanted per hour (with typical values of 4000 plants transplanted per hour).

In fact, manual movement of the plants significantly limits the speed with which the operations to transfer plants from the container to the carousel are carried out.

Moreover, the handling speed of the plants is generally not constant over time and is significantly influenced by the performance of the operator on the machine.

Other prior art transplanting machines carry out the transplant operations without the aid of operators to transfer the plants from the containers to the transplanter device.

Machinery of this type, currently available, has a relatively complex and costly structure, which is characterized by relatively high weights and dimensions.

Often, this machinery has relatively limited flexibility of use.

For example, in general they are somewhat unsuitable for use on relatively soft soils, due to their considerable weights and dimensions.

Moreover, these machines are often designed for use only with a predefined type of plant container, with specific shape and sizes. In order to use containers of different type to those predefined, substantially modifications to the operating configuration are required. These operations are difficult to carry out on the field and often imply unacceptable times and costs.

Therefore, the main aim of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for transferring plants from a loading structure to a receiving structure which enables the aforesaid drawbacks to be overcome.

Within this aim, an object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus that enables relatively high speeds to be obtained during transfer of the plants from said loading structure to said receiving structure.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus that has a relatively light and simple structure, with limited dimensions.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus with an operating configuration that is easy to modify with simple adjustment operations on the field.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus that is easy to produce on an industrial scale and to install in operation, with relatively limited costs.

This aim and these objects, as well as other objects that will be apparent from the description below and from the accompanying drawings, are achieved, according to the invention, by an apparatus for transferring plants from a loading structure to a receiving structure according to claim 1, proposed below.

In a general definition thereof, the apparatus according to the invention comprises at least one supporting frame, a first endless belt, a second endless belt, a plurality of first conveyor cells to convey the plants, integral with said first belt, and a plurality of second conveyor cells to convey the plants, integral with said second belt.

The first and second belt follow a closed path that comprises a loading station to load the plants into said conveyor cells and an unloading station to unload the plants from said conveyor cells onto the aforesaid receiving structure.

According to the invention, the first and second belt are operable separately from each other and are moved with different speeds as a function of the position of the conveyor cells along said closed path, said first and second belt being operable so as to move in a stepwise manner at said unloading station and stop at said loading station.

The apparatus according to the present invention, is particularly suitable for use on transplanting machines but can be used effectively in any type of machinery in which it is necessary to automatically transfer plants from a loading structure to a receiving structure. Experimental tests have shown how the apparatus according to the invention enables a significant increase in the performance and flexibility of use of the machine on which it is installed, with significant operating and economic advantages.

Although the apparatus according to the invention enables plants, in particular plants rooted in plugs, to be handled with relatively high speeds, it has a relatively simple overall structure with limited weights and dimensions, and is easy to install on a movable supporting structure. The operating configuration of the apparatus according to the invention can be easily modified, according to needs, for example on the basis of the type of loading structure and/or of receiving structure.

The apparatus according to the invention is simple and inexpensive to produce on an industrial scale.

Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will be more apparent with reference to the description given below and to the accompanying figures, provided purely for explanatory and non-limiting purposes, wherein:

- Fig. 1 schematically shows a partial perspective view of an embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention;

- Fig. 2 schematically shows a partial side view of the apparatus of Fig. 1;

- Fig. 3 schematically shows a partial front view of the apparatus of Fig. 1;

- Fig. 4 schematically shows a portion of the apparatus of Fig. 1;

- Fig. 5 schematically shows a further portion of the apparatus of Fig. 1;

- Figs. 6-10 schematically show some steps of the operation of the apparatus of Fig. 1;

- Figs. 11-12 schematically show a further portion of the apparatus of Fig. 1.

With reference to the aforesaid figures, the present invention relates to an apparatus 1 for the transfer of plants 100 from a loading structure 2 to a receiving structure 3 (Fig. 6).

The plants 100 can be of any type, for example plants rooted in plugs.

The loading structure 2 can be constituted by a container in which the plants have been previously housed, for example a tray with multiple parallel rows of cells adapted to contain the plants.

Alternatively, the loading structure 2 can be any mechanical or electromechanical loading device or a part thereof, operatively associated with the apparatus 1 to supply the plants 100 to the apparatus 1.

The receiving structure 3 could be a mechanical device operatively associated with the apparatus 1, for example the feed carousel of a transplanter device (Figs. 6 and 10) or a further container for the aforesaid plants.

The apparatus 1 is particularly suitable and effective for use on transplanting machines and its operation will be described, for simplicity of exposition, with particular reference to this type of use.

However, it can be used in any machinery in which it is necessary to transfer plants automatically from a loading structure to a receiving structure.

According to the invention, the apparatus 1 comprises at least one supporting frame 4, preferably fastenable to a movable supporting structure, for example the supporting structure of a transplanting machine.

The apparatus 1 advantageously comprises a moving section 1 A, in which a first and a second endless conveyor belt 5, 6 are arranged.

A plurality of first conveyor cells 7 and a plurality of second conveyor cells 8 to convey the plants 100 are integrally connected respectively with the belts 5, 6.

Appropriate fastening means (not shown), such as screws or rivets, can be used to fasten the conveyor cells 7, 8 to the belts 5, 6.

The conveyor cells 7, 8 are preferably cradle-shaped, so as to facilitate optimal positioning of the plants 100. However, the aforesaid conveyor cells could have a different structure to the one illustrated.

The belts 5, 6 both follow a closed path 9 which comprises a loading station 10 and an unloading station 11, at which the plants 100 are loaded/unloaded into/from the conveyor cells 7, 8.

As illustrated in the aforesaid figures, the closed path 9 advantageously consists in a first connecting section 9 A extending from the loading station 10 to the unloading station 11 and a second connecting section 9B extending from the unloading station 11 to the loading station 10.

Preferably, to reduce the dimensions, the closed path 9 has the form of an upside down triangle. Naturally, it could also have a different geometry to the one illustrated.

At the connecting section 9A, one or more guide elements 90 are preferably operatively positioned in parallel to the belts 5 and 6 so as to maintain the plants 100 in position inside the conveyor cells 7, 8. Naturally, positioning of these guide elements can change as a function of the direction of movement of the belts 5, 6.

According to the invention, the belts 5, 6 are operable separately from each other, with different speeds as a function of the position of the conveyor cells 7, 8 along the closed path 9.

According to the invention, also the type of movement imparted to the belts 5, 6 may be varied as a function of the position of the conveyor cells 7, 8 along the closed path 9. In particular, the belts 5, 6 are operable, so as to move in a stepwise manner at the unloading station 11 and stop at the loading station 10.

Further, the belts 5, 6 are preferably operable, so as to move in a continuous manner along the connecting sections 9 A, 9B.

Preferably, the first and second belt 5, 6 are arranged so that the plants 100 are unloaded one at time from these latter, at the unloading station 11.

Preferably, the belts 5, 6 are moved with a same direction of movement and so that the conveyor cells 7, 8 of each belt never occupy the same position along the closed path 9.

Preferably, each of the belts 5, 6 is moved an adjustable manner, so as to satisfy the following time relation:

Tl + TC + T2 <= TS-N

where:

TS is the unloading time of a plant 100 from one of the conveyor cells 7, 8 of each of the belts 5, 6 and N is the number of conveyor cells operatively associated with each of the belts;

Tl is the travel time of the conveyor cells of each of the belts along the connecting section

9A;

T2 is the travel time of the conveyor cells of each of the belts along the connecting section 9B;

TC is the dwell time of the conveyor cells of each of the belts at the loading station 10. Preferably, the belts 5, 6 are moved to satisfy an even stricter time relation to the one expressed above, and namely:

Tl + TC + T2 <= TS-(N-2)

where:

9A;

TC is the dwell time of the conveyor cells of each of the belts at the loading station 10. An example of operating cycle in the movement of the belts 5, 6 will now be illustrated in greater detail. Initially, it is assumed that the conveyor cells 7 of the belt 5 are at the loading station 10 and the conveyor cells 8 of the belt 6, loaded with the plants 100, are at the unloading station 11. The belt 5 is advantageously stopped so that the respective conveyor cells 7 can receive the plants 100 transferred from the loading structure 2 (Fig. 10).

As better described in the following, the loading means 20, 30 load a plurality of plants 100 on conveyor cells 7 of the belt 5, while this latter is stopped at the loading station 10.

In the meantime, the belt 6, moves in a stepwise manner, in counter-clockwise direction 50, so as to take each of the respective conveyor cells 8 reaches a release position 11A of the closed path 9, at the unloading station 11.

The plants 100 are unloaded from the belt 6 one at time as soon as the respective conveyor cell 8 reaches the release position 1 1 A.

Preferably, the release of the plants 100 toward the receiving structure 3 takes place by free falling as soon as the plants 100 abandon the guide elements 90 (Figs. 6 and 10).

In the case in which the receiving structure 3 is a movable structure, for example the feed carousel of the transplanter device of a transplanting machine, the stepwise movement of the belt 6 is advantageously synchronized with the movement of the same receiving structure. When the conveyor cells 7 of the belt 5 have been loaded with the plants 100, the belt 5 is moved, in the same direction 50, so as to travel at relatively high speed along the connecting section 9 A toward the unloading station 11.

According to the movement times of the belts 5, 6 illustrated above, the conveyor cells 7 of the belt 5 reach the area of the unloading station 11 when the operations to release the plants 100 by the conveyor cells 8 of the belt 6 are not yet completed.

The conveyor cells 7 of the belt 5 are thus placed behind the conveyor cells 8 of the belt 6 and the belt 5 is made to advance with movement synchronized with the stepwise movement of the belt 6.

When the plants 100 have been unloaded from all the conveyor cells 8 of the belt 6, the belt 6 is moved, always in the same direction 50, so as to travel at relatively high speed along the connecting section 9B until reaching the loading station 10, at which it stops to allow the plants to be loaded into the respective conveyor cells.

In the meantime, the belt 5 advances with a stepwise movement, at the unloading station 11, so as to take each of the respective conveyor cells 7 to the release position 11 A.

The operating cycle of the belts 5, 6, described above, can thus start over again with the sides reversed. On the basis of the above, it is evident how the belts 5, 6 are advantageously moved so as to alternately repeat the same operating cycle, according to the times and movement methods illustrated above.

This ensures that conveyor cells loaded with plants 100 are always present at the unloading station 11 , ready to unload the plants toward the receiving structure 3.

In this way, transfer of the plants 100 from the loading station 10 to the receiving structure 3 can take place without interruption, with considerably advantages in relation to the handling speed of these plants.

Preferably, the apparatus 1 comprises drive means to drive the belts 5, 6.

These drive means comprise a first motor 12 and a second motor 13 operatively associated respectively with first and second drive rollers 14, 15 which transmit the motion generated by the motors 12, 13 to the belts 5, 6.

Advantageously, the aforesaid drive means also comprise tensioning rollers 16 adapted to maintain the belts 5, 6 in tension during the movement thereof.

Preferably, the apparatus 1 comprises a loading section IB, in which loading means 20, 30 are arranged for automatically managing the transfer of the plants 100 from the loading structure 2 to the loading station 10.

Preferably, the loading means 20, 30 are arranged so as to load, with a single movement, a plurality of plants 100 from the loading structure 2 to each the first and second belt 5, 6, at the loading station 10.

In the embodiment illustrated in the aforesaid figures, the loading means 20, 30 are structured, so as to be particularly effective in transferring the plants 100 from a loading structure 2, when this latter is constituted by a container with multiple parallel rows of cells in which the plants 100 are contained, as takes place in the case of use on a transplanting machine.

According to this embodiment, conveyor means 20 are arranged to move the loading structure 2 to progressively position each row of plants 100 at a pick up position 21.

As illustrated in the aforesaid figures, the conveyor means 20 advantageously comprise a lifting structure 201 which defines a passage 202 along which the loading structure 2, loaded with the plants 100, is moved upwardly (Fig. 6).

Movement means 203 are advantageously provided for upwardly moving the loading structure 2, in the direction 51 of the pick up position 21, preferably with stepwise movement. Regulation means 205 allow the configuration of the lifting structure 201 to be adjusted with simple manual operations, so as to adapt the dimensions of the passage for upward movement 202 to the dimensions of the loading structure 2 (fig. 2). According to the embodiment illustrated, pick up means 30 are provided to pick up from the loading structure 2 the plants 100 that are positioned at the pick up position 21 and load the aforesaid plants into the conveyor cells 7, 8 of the belts 5, 6, at the loading station 10.

Preferably, the pick up means 30 are arranged so as to be capable of transferring a plurality of plants from the loading structure 2 to the loading station with a single movement.

Preferably, the pick up means 30 comprise a comb 301 comprising a plurality of retractable needles 302, reversibly movable between an idle position (fig. 12) and an activated position (fig. 12), at which they project from the body of the comb 301, so as to be able to penetrate the plugs of the plants 100.

The comb 301 is advantageously movable along sliding guides 303. At each side portion of the comb 201 a plurality of rollers (not shown) are arranged to run along corresponding parallel sliding guides 303.

Further, movement means 304 are provided to regulate the movement of the comb 301 and of the related retractable needles 302 so that the plants 100 are picked up from the loading structure 2, transferred from the pick up position 21 to the loading station 10 and, at this latter, placed in the conveyor cells 7, 8 of the belts 5, 6.

The comb 301 is advantageously capable of picking up a whole row of plants from the loading structure 2, transferring it, with a single movement, from the pick up position 21 to the loading station 10.

The comb 301 comprises a plurality of comb elements 310, which are advantageously arranged side by side for providing support to corresponding couples of retractable needles 302.

Each comb element 310 comprises a first and second guide element 304, 305 that respectively support and guide a corresponding first and second retractable needle 302 A, 302B.

The first and second guide elements 304, 305 are joined by a spacing element 306, to which they are fixed by means of fixing elements 307.

The position of the needles 302 on the comb 301 can be varied, according to the needs.

This can be achieved by properly positioning the needles 302 along a guide 312 that extend substantially orthogonally with respect to the main extension axes of the needles 302.

The relative position of two needles 302A, 302B of a same comb element 310 may be tuned by varying the position, at which the first and second guide elements 304, 305 of said comb element 310 are fixed with the corresponding spacing element 306. The relative position between two couples of needles 302A, 302B of two comb elements 310 may be tuned by varying the size of one or both the spacing elements 306 of said comb elements.

Preferably, the relative distance between the comb elements 310 may be varied by means of displacing belt 309 that is operatively coupled with said comb elements and is actuated by a piston (not shown) or other actuating means.

By actuating the displacing belt 309, the comb elements 310 may be automatically positioned closer or spaced one with the other, according to the needs.

Thanks to the arrangements described above, the comb 301 is characterised by a relevant flexibility in operation.

A same comb 301 is thus advantageously capable of picking up and transfer plants of different size and/or positioned at different relative distances and/or picking up plants from loading structures of different size and/or picking up plants from loading structures, in which the plants are differently spaced.

The lifting structure 201 is advantageously arranged so that during emptying of a loading structure 2, a further loading structure loaded with plants 100 can be positioned behind the preceding one.

The lifting structure 201 is also advantageously arranged so that a loading structure 2, completely emptied of plants 100, is ejected upward.

Further tubular guide elements 204 are positioned at the upper end of the passage for upward movement 202 to accompany ejection the loading structure 2 from the lifting structure 201, after unloading of the plants 100 from the same loading structure has been completed.

The transfer operations of the plants 100 from the loading structure 2 to the loading station 10 are now described in greater detail.

Due to the action of the movement means 203, the loading structure 2 can move along the passage for upward movement 202.

The movement means 203 move the loading structure 2 upward with a stepwise movement (arrow 51, Fig. 6), until a row of plants 100, contained in the loading structure 2, is in the pick up position 21.

At this point, the needles of the comb 301 emerge from the corresponding comb elements 310 of the comb 301 and are inserted in the plugs of the plants 100 (Fig. 7, 11).

The comb 301 is thus able to pick up a whole row of plants contained in the loading structure

2. The comb 301 is then moved along the guides 303 by the movement means 304, so as to transfer the row of plants thus picked up toward the loading station 10, at which the conveyor cells of one of the belts 5, 6 are present.

The movement of the comb 301 is completed by depositing the plants 100 into the relative conveyor cells 7, 8.

At this point, the needles of the comb 301 are retracted in their idle position (Fig. 12) and the comb 301 returns, with reverse movement, toward the loading position 21.

The loaded conveyor cells can thus be moved toward the unloading station 11, according to the mode described above.

By synchronizing the movement of the loading structure 2 with that of the comb 301, it is possible to ensure that when this latter returns to the pick up position 21, it finds a new row of plants ready to be picked up.

It is therefore possible to repeat the operating cycle described above.

From the above, it is evident that, by synchronizing operation of the conveyor means 20 and pick up means 30 with the movement of the belts 5, 6, it is possible to ensure that transfer of the plants 100 from the loading structure 2 to the receiving structure 3 takes place without interruption.

For this purpose, it is possible to use an open loop control system which simply provides for synchronized operation of the motors 12 and 13 and the movement means 203 and 304.

Simple adjustment operations enable regulation of the conveyor and pick up 20, 30 means and of the belts 5, 6 according to contingent needs.

According to alternative embodiments (not illustrated) of the present invention, the apparatus 1 could comprise more than two conveyor belts to transfer the plants 100 from the loading station 10 to the unloading station 11.

Moreover, the belts 5, 6 could be replaced by chains or by other structures capable of moving along a closed path.

The direction of movement of the belts 5,6 could differ from the one (counter-clockwise) represented in the aforesaid figures.

Moreover, according to some particular embodiments of the present invention (not illustrated), the belts 5, 6 could move in opposite directions.

Further variants and modifications, all falling within the invention concept, are possible for those with average skill in the art.

It has been seen in practice how the apparatus according to the present invention allows the set objects to be achieved. The apparatus according to the invention advantageously enables the plants to be moved with relatively high speeds. This enables a considerable increase in the performance of the machines on which it is installed.

For example, it has been verified how a transplanting machine, provided with the apparatus according to the invention, is able to transplant over 14000 plants per hour, with performances that are constant over time and greatly above those offered by prior art machines.

The apparatus 1 has a structure of limited dimensions, easily installable on a movable supporting structure, such as the supporting structure of a transplanting machine.

It is characterized by high flexibility of use, given that its operating configuration can be easily modified according to needs, by simple adjustment operations, which can be carried out directly on the field.

The apparatus according to the invention has a relatively simple and sturdy structure, which is easy and inexpensive to produce on an industrial scale and easy to install in operation.

Claims

An apparatus (1) for transferring plants (100) from a loading structure (2) to a receiving structure (3) characterized in that it comprises a supporting frame (4), a first endless conveyor belt (5), a second endless conveyor belt (6), a plurality of first conveyor cells (7) to convey said plants, integral with said first belt, a plurality of second conveyor cells (8) to convey said plants, integral with said second belt, said first and second belt following a closed path (9) comprising a loading station (10) to load said plants and an unloading station (11) to unload said plants, said first and second belt being operable separately from each other and movable at different speeds as a function of the position of said conveyor cells (7, 8) along said closed path, said first and second belt (5, 6) being operable so as to move in a stepwise manner at said unloading station and stop at said loading station.

The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that said first and second belt (5, 6) are arranged so that said plants (100) are unloaded one at time from said first and second belt, at said unloading station (11).

The apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said closed path (9) comprises a first connecting section (9 A) from said loading station (10) to said unloading station (11) and a second connecting section (9B) from said unloading station to said loading station, said first and second belt (5, 6) being operable, so as to move in a continuous manner along said first and second connecting section (9 A, 9B).

The apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said closed path (9) comprises a first connecting section (9 A) from said loading station (10) to said unloading station (11) and a second connecting section (9B) from said unloading station to said loading station, said first and second belt (5, 6) being moved so that the sum of the travel time (Tl) of said first connecting section (9 A), of the dwell time (TC) in said loading station and of the travel time (T2) of said second connecting section (9B), employed by said conveyor cells (7, 8), is less than or equal to the time TS-N, TS being the unloading time of one of said conveyor cells (7, 8) and N being the number of said conveyor cells.

The apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that said first and second belt (5, 6) are moved so that the sum of the travel time (Tl) of said first connecting section (9 A), of the dwell time (TC) in said loading station and of the travel time (T2) of said second connecting section (9B), employed by said conveyor cells (7, 8), is less than or equal to the time TS-(N-2), TS being the unloading time of one of said conveyor cells (7, 8) and N being the number of said conveyor cells.

6. The apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises drive means to drive said first and second belt (5, 6), said drive means comprising a first and second motor (12, 13) associated respectively with first and second drive rollers (14, 15) of said first and second belt.

7. The apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims characterized in that it comprises a loading means (20, 30) for loading, with a single movement, a plurality of plants (100) from said loading structure (2) into said conveyor cells (7, 8), at said loading station (10).

8. The apparatus according to claim 7, characterized in that said loading means comprise conveyor means (20) to convey said loading structure (2), said conveyor means being adapted to move said loading structure so as to position said plants (100) at a pick up position (21).

9. The apparatus according to one or more of the claims from 7 to 8, characterized in that said loading means comprise pick up means (30) adapted to pick up said plants (100) from said loading structure (10), with said plants positioned at a pick up position (21), and to load said plants into said conveyor cells (7, 8), at said loading station (10).

10. The apparatus according to claim 9, characterized in that said pick-up means (30) comprise a comb (301) movable along sliding guides (303), said comb comprising a plurality of retractable needles (302, 302 A, 302B), reversibly movable between an idle position and an activated position.

11. A transplanting machine characterized in that it comprises an apparatus (1) for transferring plants according to one or more of the preceding claims.