Patent Application
20140158032
The present application relates to the placement or positioning of one or more items in or on the ground, and more particularly but not exclusively, to an apparatus configured to position or place one or more spherical capsules in or on the ground, and to techniques for using such an apparatus.
Advances in certain areas of technology have given rise to the need for new approaches for the placement or positioning of certain items relative to the ground. For example, and without limitation, delivery vehicles such as capsules which are configured to degrade after their implantation may be used to deliver a desired composition to a field, grove, orchard or other plant growing environment or locus that is in need of treatment by the desired composition. These capsules may release, amongst other possibilities, pesticide compositions, fertilizer compositions and combinations of the foregoing, and may include a structure that is susceptible to breakage or disruption during handling and under current placement techniques which can result in premature release of the composition therefrom. Beyond rendering the capsules unsuitable for their intended function, the premature release of the composition from the capsules may also undesirably expose the handlers thereof to the compositions being released. Similarly, in certain instances it is desired to minimize direct human handling of such capsules. Accordingly, there is a demand for further improvements in this area of technology.
Equipment for the placement or positioning of one or more items in or on the ground is provided. In one form, an apparatus includes a toolbar, a container, a metering unit configured to selectively control release of one or more items from the container and an application member configured to deliver the one or more items released from the container to the ground. In one aspect of this form, the metering unit is configured to selectively control release of one or more spherical items having a diameter in the range of about 0.25 inches to about 1.0 inches, and more particularly, but not exclusively, in the range of about 0.5 inches to about 0.75 inches, from the container to the application member. In another more particular aspect, the spherical items are capsules that include a shell wall encapsulating a pesticide composition and including a gelatin material.
In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a toolbar, a container, a metering unit configured to selectively control release of one or more items from the container, an application member configured to deliver the one or more items released from the container to soil, and an actuation system configured to selectively move the container relative to the toolbar.
In another embodiment, an apparatus includes a toolbar, a container, and a metering unit configured to selectively control release of one or more spherical items having a diameter in the range of about 0.5 inches to about 0.75 inches from the container. The metering unit includes a mounting member coupled to the container, a metering cup, and a guide plate positioned between the mounting member and the metering cup. The guide plate includes a central aperture and a thickness dimensioned to facilitate passage of the one or more spherical items from the container through the central aperture to the metering cup for release from the metering unit. The apparatus also includes an application member configured to deliver the one or more spherical items released from the container to soil.
In yet another embodiment, an apparatus includes a toolbar, a container, a vacuum source, and a vacuum metering unit configured to selectively control release of one or more spherical items having a diameter in the range of about 0.5 inches to about 0.75 inches from the container. The vacuum metering unit is coupled with the vacuum source and includes a metering plate having a first side, an opposite second side, and a plurality of substantially spherical indentations on the first side. The indentations are configured to receive and hold a spherical item having a diameter in the range of about 0.5 inches to about 0.75 inches when a vacuum force is applied to the second side by the vacuum source.
In still another embodiment, a method includes positioning a number of capsules in a container of a positioning apparatus. Each of the capsules includes a shell wall encapsulating a pesticide composition and including a gelatin material, and the positioning apparatus includes a toolbar, a metering unit coupled to the container and configured to selectively control release of the capsules from the container, and an application member coupled with the metering unit and configured to deliver the capsules released from the container to soil. The method further includes operating the apparatus relative to adjacent soil to individually position a plurality of the capsules at separate locations in the soil.
Other aspects include unique methods, systems, devices, kits, assemblies, equipment, and/or apparatus related to the placement or positioning of one or more items in or on the ground.
Further aspects, embodiments, forms, features, benefits, objects, and advantages shall become apparent from the detailed description and figures provided herewith.
For purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated device, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.
Equipment for the placement or positioning of one or more items in or on the ground is provided. In one form, an apparatus includes a toolbar, a container, a metering unit configured to selectively control release of one or more items from the container and an application member configured to deliver the one or more items released from the container to the ground. In one aspect of this form, the metering unit is configured to selectively control release of one or more spherical items having a diameter in the range of about 0.25 inches to about 1.0 inches, and more particularly, but not exclusively, in the range of about 0.5 inches to about 0.75 inches, from the container to the application member. In another more particular form, the spherical items are capsules that include a shell wall encapsulating a pesticide composition and including a gelatin material.
Turning now to
Apparatus 10 includes a toolbar 14 that provides a frame or support for positioning and supporting various components. A mounting portion 16 extends from toolbar 14 and is configured to engage with vehicle 12, which in turn may be used to move apparatus 10 and provide power to apparatus 10 from a power-take-off (PTO) or auxiliary hydraulic source, amongst other possibilities. An operator of vehicle 12 may also have access to controls for operating apparatus 10 and/or adjusting various aspects of operation of apparatus 10. In alternative non-illustrated forms, apparatus 10 may be self-driven and self-powered and any need for engagement with or control from vehicle 12 is thereby obviated.
Apparatus 10 further includes a number of containers 18 structured to hold a number of items to be released on or in the ground by apparatus 10. Each of containers 18 includes a metering unit 20 configured to selectively control release of the items from containers 18. Further details of forms of metering unit 20 will be provided below in connection with
Referring now also to
Actuation system 32 further includes an elongate shaft 46 which is coupled to toolbar 14 by collar 48 and configured to rotate relative to toolbar 14. More particularly, actuation system 32 includes a first sprocket 52 interconnected to a second sprocket 54 associated with shaft 46 such that rotation of first sprocket 52 results in rotation of second sprocket 54 and of shaft 46. In one form, first sprocket 52 is driven and rotated by a hydraulic or electric motor, although other means for driving first sprocket 52 are contemplated and possible. In addition, forms in which shaft 46 is rotated directly by a hydraulic or electric motor or other means are also possible. As best seen in
In the illustrated form, it should be understood that the rate of displacement of platform 34 relative to toolbar 14 and of agitation of the items in containers 18 is dependent on the rate at which shaft 46 is rotated. In one form, rotation of shaft 46 is continuous and at a constant rate during operation of apparatus 10, although forms in which rotation of shaft 46 is discontinuous and/or at non-constant rates during operation of apparatus 10 are also possible. In one particular form, rotation of shaft 46 may be associated with the speed of apparatus 10 relative to underlying ground and/or the rate at which metering units are releasing items from containers 18. For example, when relative ground speed and/or release rates of items from containers 18 are low, then shaft 46 may be rotated intermittently or at a relatively slow rate. However, as one or both of relative ground speed and release rates of items from containers 18 increases, then rotation rate of shaft 46 may be increased to resultantly increase displacement of platform 34 and agitation of the items in containers 18. Still, it should be appreciated that other techniques and parameters for operating actuation system 32 are possible.
While the illustrated form and foregoing description only provide details regarding the inclusion of a single cam member 56 on shaft 46 that engages with a single portion of platform 34, it should be understood that in non-illustrated forms actuation system 32 may include a plurality of cam members 56 that engage platform 34 at a variety of different locations. For example, in one non-illustrated form, it is contemplated that actuation system 32 may be configured such that platform 34 is intermittently engaged by separate cam members at locations adjacent to each of containers 18. It is also contemplated that, in addition to or in lieu of engagement with platform 34, each cam member of actuation system 32 may engage with and bear against a container 18 in order to agitate items stored in containers 18. Still, other arrangements for moving containers 18 relative to toolbar 14 are possible. For example, in one form, platform 34 could be positioned on a scissoring or oscillating mechanism that facilitates movement of platform 34 relative to toolbar 14. In yet another form, apparatus 10 may include one or more air shocks, ballasts, or other actuating members configured to move platform 34 relative to toolbar 14. Of course, it should also be understood that these alternative arrangements may be utilized to move containers 18 relative to platform 34 in addition to or in lieu of moving platform 34 relative to toolbar 14.
As indicated above, apparatus 10 includes a number of metering units 20 configured to selectively control release of the items from containers 18. A drive system 26 is configured to control operation of metering units 20. With more particular reference to
Generally speaking, the rate at which items from containers 18 will be released therefrom is dependent on the speed at which metering units 20 are driven by system 26. In one form, system 26 includes a rate controller configured to control operation of drive member 64, and rotation of shaft 66, such that the speed at which metering units 20 are operated is associated with the speed of apparatus 10 relative to underlying ground in order to maintain consistent release of items from containers 18 and spacing therebetween in the underlying soil as speeds of apparatus 10 change. For example, in one non-limiting form, as the relative speed of apparatus 10 over underlying ground increases, the rate controller reacts by increasing the operation rate of drive member 64 in order to increase the speed at which metering units 20 operate and the rate at which items will be released from containers 18. In contrast, as the relative speed of apparatus 10 over underlying ground decreases, the rate controller reacts by decreasing the operation rate of drive member 64 in order to decrease the speed at which metering units 20 operate and the rate at which items will be released from containers 18. In this arrangement, the spacing and application rate of items released from containers 18 by metering units can remain consistent regardless of the of the speed at which apparatus 10 is moved over underlying ground. Other variations in the operation of system 26 and release of items from containers 18 by metering units 20 are also possible. For example, the rate controller could upwardly or downwardly adjust the operation rate of drive member 64 in order to adjust the speed at which metering units 20 operate and the rate at which items will be released from containers 18 regardless of ground speed in order to have a higher or lower application rate of the items from containers 18 in one or more areas relative to one or more other areas. In the various different forms described above, it should be understood that the rate controller could be adjusted manually and/or be automatically responsive to changes in the relative ground speed of apparatus 10 in order to properly adjust application rates of the items from containers 18.
Application members 22 are configured to position the items released from containers 18 on or in soil depending on their positioning relative to the ground underlying apparatus 10. As indicated above, application members 22 are mounted to adjustable subframe 24. As illustrated in
With further reference to
Apparatus 10 further includes a number of tubular members 62 extending between and coupling guide members 60 with application members 22. In one form, tubular members 62 may have a generally flexible configuration, although embodiments in which more rigid forms of tubular members 62 are used are also possible. As best seen in
As indicated above, metering units 20 are configured to selectively control release of the items from containers 18. Various aspects of one form 20a of metering unit 20 structured for use in apparatus 10 are illustrated in
In certain aspects for example, apparatus 10 is configured to position one or more spherical items having a diameter in the range of about 0.5 inches to about 0.75 inches. In certain forms, metering unit 20a may be particularly structured for use in forms of apparatus 10 configured to position one or more spherical items having a diameter in the range of about 0.5 inches to about 0.75 inches. For example, in one form, the thickness T (
Various aspects of a vacuum metering unit 20b form of metering unit 20 structured for use in apparatus 10 are illustrated in
Once released from metering plate 118, the items can be guided to tubular portion 21 for positioning by applications members 22 in the manner discussed above. However, it should also be understood that alternatively designed arrangements for delivering the items from metering unit 20b to their final positioning location are possible. For example, in one non-limiting form, it is contemplated that metering unit 20b is directly coupled, without guide member 60, to a location between discs or wheels that create a furrow or groove in which the items are positioned. While not previously discussed, it should be appreciated that metering unit 20b may facilitate more precise spacing or singulation of the items released from container 18 by, for example, adjusting the rate at which metering plate 118 is operated relative to the speed at which apparatus 10 is moved over underlying ground.
As indicated above, in certain aspects apparatus 10 is configured to position one or more spherical items having a diameter in the range of about 0.5 inches to about 0.75 inches. In certain forms, metering unit 20b may be particularly structured for use in forms of apparatus 10 configured to position one or more spherical items having a diameter in the range of about 0.5 inches to about 0.75 inches. For example, in one form as illustrated in
While not previously discussed in detail, it should be appreciated that apparatus 10 may be used to place or position, subterraneously or otherwise, a variety of different items. In one form, these items may include agricultural products such as delivery vehicles that include one or more fertilizers or pesticides or combinations of these materials. As used herein, the term “pesticide” is intended to encompass herbicides, fungicides, insecticides and bactericides. Similarly, depending on the particular form of the pesticide composition, pests that can be targeted by the disclosed delivery vehicles include insects, plant pathogens, weeds, molluscs, nematodes, and microbes. It should be appreciated however that the foregoing are merely non-limiting examples.
In one aspect, the delivery vehicle is a capsule configured to resist release of a pesticide composition before application of the capsule at a locus where pest control is desired. The capsule is further configured to degrade following application at the locus where pest control is desired to facilitate release of the pesticide composition. In certain forms, the capsule is also configured to control various aspects of the release of the pesticide composition, including for example its time and rate of release. In one particular but non-limiting form, the capsule includes a shell wall including a gelatin material and encapsulating a pesticide composition that includes a fumigant such as 1,3-dichloropropene. Further details regarding forms of this and other types of capsules that can be subterraneously placed or positioned with apparatus 10 are found in U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/640,392, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. In view of the foregoing, in one non-limiting embodiment apparatus 10 includes a plurality of capsules that include a pesticide composition contained in containers 18, although forms in which other types of items or capsules are stored in containers 18 are possible.
Other examples of pesticides that could be included, either singularly or in combination, in capsules that can be placed or positioned, subterraneously or otherwise, by apparatus 10 include insecticides such as antibiotic insecticides, macrocyclic lactone insecticides (for example, avermectin insecticides, milbemycin insecticides, and spinosyn insecticides), arsenical insecticides, botanical insecticides, carbamate insecticides (for example, benzofuranyl methylcarbamate insecticides, dimethylcarbamate insecticides, oxime carbamate insecticides, and phenyl methylcarbamate insecticides), diamide insecticides, desiccant insecticides, dinitrophenol insecticides, fluorine insecticides, formamidine insecticides, inorganic insecticides, insect growth regulators (for example, chitin synthesis inhibitors, juvenile hormone mimics, juvenile hormones, moulting hormone agonists, moulting hormones, moulting inhibitors, precocenes, and other unclassified insect growth regulators), nereistoxin analogue insecticides, nicotinoid insecticides (for example, nitroguanidine insecticides, nitromethylene insecticides, and pyridylmethylamine insecticides), organochlorine insecticides, organophosphorus insecticides, oxadiazine insecticides, oxadiazolone insecticides, phthalimide insecticides, pyrazole insecticides, pyrethroid insecticides, pyrimidinamine insecticides, pyrrole insecticides, tetramic acid insecticides, tetronic acid insecticides, thiazole insecticides, thiazolidine insecticides, thiourea insecticides, urea insecticides, as well as, other unclassified insecticides.
More particular examples of insecticides include, but are not limited to, labamectin, acephate, acetamiprid, acethion, acetoprole, acrinathrin, acrylonitrile, alanycarb, aldicarb, aldoxycarb, aldrin, allethrin, allosamidin, allyxycarb, alpha-cypermethrin, alpha-endosulfan, amidithion, aminocarb, amiton, amitraz, anabasine, athidathion, azadirachtin, azamethiphos, azinphos-ethyl, azinphos-methyl, azothoate, barium hexafluorosilicate, barthrin, bendiocarb, benfuracarb, bensultap, beta-cyfluthrin, beta-cypermethrin, bifenthrin, bioallethrin, bioethanomethrin, biopermethrin, bioresmethrin, bistrifluron, borax, boric acid, boric acid, bromfenvinfos, bromocyclen, bromo-DDT, bromophos, bromophos-ethyl, bufencarb, buprofezin, butacarb, butathiofos, butocarboxim, butonate, butoxycarboxim, cadusafos, calcium arsenate, calcium polysulfide, camphechlor, carbanolate, carbaryl, carbofuran, carbon disulfide, carbon tetrachloride, carbophenothion, carbosulfan, cartap, chlorantraniliprole, chlorbicyclen, chlordane, chlordecone, chlordimeform, chlorethoxyfos, chlorfenapyr, chlorfenvinphos, chlorfluazuron, chlormephos, chloroform, chloropicrin, chlorphoxim, chlorprazophos, chlorpyrifos, chlorpyrifos-methyl, chlorthiophos, chromafenozide, cinerin I, cinerin II, cismethrin, cloethocarb, closantel, clothianidin, copper acetoarsenite, copper arsenate, copper naphthenate, copper oleate, coumaphos, coumithoate, crotamiton, crotoxyphos, crufomate, cryolite, cyanofenphos, cyanophos, cyanthoate, cyclethrin, cycloprothrin, cyfluthrin, cyhalothrin, cypermethrin, cyphenothrin, cyromazine, cythioate, DDT, decarbofuran, deltamethrin, demephion, demephion-O, demephion-S, demeton, demeton-methyl, demeton-O, demeton-O-methyl, demeton-S, demeton-S-methyl, demeton-S-methylsulphon, diafenthiuron, dialifos, diatomaceous earth, diazinon, dicapthon, dichlofenthion, dichlorvos, dicresyl, dicrotophos, dicyclanil, dieldrin, diflubenzuron, dilor, dimefluthrin, dimefox, dimetan, dimethoate, dimethrin, dimethylvinphos, dimetilan, dinex, dinoprop, dinosam, dinotefuran, diofenolan, dioxabenzofos, dioxacarb, dioxathion, disulfoton, dithicrofos, d-limonene, DNOC, doramectin, ecdysterone, emamectin, EMPC, empenthrin, endosulfan, endothion, endrin, EPN, epofenonane, eprinomectin, esfenvalerate, etaphos, ethiofencarb, ethion, ethiprole, ethoate-methyl, ethoprophos, ethyl formate, ethyl-DDD, ethylene dichloride, ethylene oxide, etofenprox, etrimfos, EXD, famphur, fenamiphos, fenazaflor, fenchlorphos, fenethacarb, fenfluthrin, fenitrothion, fenobucarb, fenoxacrim, fenoxycarb, fenpirithrin, fenpropathrin, fensulfothion, fenthion, fenthion-ethyl, fenvalerate, fipronil, flonicamid, flubendiamide, flucofuron, flucycloxuron, flucythrinate, flufenerim, flufenoxuron, flufenprox, fluvalinate, fonofos, formetanate, formothion, formparanate, fosmethilan, fospirate, fosthietan, furathiocarb, furethrin, gamma-cyhalothrin, gamma-HCH, halfenprox, halofenozide, HCH, HEOD, heptachlor, heptenophos, heterophos, hexaflumuron, HHDN, hydramethylnon, hydrogen cyanide, hydroprene, hyquincarb, imidacloprid, imiprothrin, indoxacarb, iodomethane, IPSP, isazofos, isobenzan, isocarbophos, isodrin, isofenphos, isoprocarb, isoprothiolane, isothioate, isoxathion, ivermectin, jasmolin I, jasmolin II, jodfenphos, juvenile hormone I, juvenile hormone II, juvenile hormone III, kelevan, kinoprene, lambda-cyhalothrin, lead arsenate, lepimectin, leptophos, lindane, lirimfos, lufenuron, lythidathion, malathion, malonoben, mazidox, mecarbam, mecarphon, menazon, mephosfolan, mercurous chloride, mesulfenfos, metaflumizone, methacrifos, methamidophos, methidathion, methiocarb, methocrotophos, methomyl, methoprene, methoxychlor, methoxyfenozide, methylchloroform, methylene chloride, metofluthrin, metolcarb, metoxadiazone, mevinphos, mexacarbate, milbemectin, milbemycin oxime, mipafox, mirex, monocrotophos, morphothion, moxidectin, naftalofos, naled, naphthalene, nicotine, nifluridide, nitenpyram, nithiazine, nitrilacarb, novaluron, noviflumuron, omethoate, oxamyl, oxydemeton-methyl, oxydeprofos, oxydisulfoton, para-dichlorobenzene, parathion, parathion-methyl, penfluron, pentachlorophenol, permethrin, phenkapton, phenothrin, phenthoate, phorate, phosalone, phosfolan, phosmet, phosnichlor, phosphamidon, phosphine, phoxim, phoxim-methyl, pirimetaphos, pirimicarb, pirimiphos-ethyl, pirimiphos-methyl, potassium arsenite, potassium thiocyanate, pp′-DDT, prallethrin, precocene I, precocene II, precocene III, primidophos, profenofos, profluthrin, promacyl, promecarb, propaphos, propetamphos, propoxur, prothidathion, prothiofos, prothoate, protrifenbute, pyraclofos, pyrafluprole, pyrazophos, pyresmethrin, pyrethrin I, pyrethrin II, pyridaben, pyridalyl, pyridaphenthion, pyrifluquinazon, pyrimidifen, pyrimitate, pyriprole, pyriproxyfen, quassia, quinalphos, quinalphos-methyl, quinothion, rafoxanide, resmethrin, rotenone, ryania, sabadilla, schradan, selamectin, silafluofen, silica gel, sodium arsenite, sodium fluoride, sodium hexafluorosilicate, sodium thiocyanate, sophamide, spinetoram, spinosad, spiromesifen, spirotetramat, sulcofuron, sulfluramid, sulfotep, sulfuryl fluoride, sulprofos, tau-fluvalinate, tazimcarb, TDE, tebufenozide, tebufenpyrad, tebupirimfos, teflubenzuron, tefluthrin, temephos, TEPP, terallethrin, terbufos, tetrachloroethane, tetrachlorvinphos, tetramethrin, theta-cypermethrin, thiacloprid, thiamethoxam, thicrofos, thiocarboxime, thiocyclam, thiodicarb, thiofanox, thiometon, thiosultap, thuringiensin, tolfenpyrad, tralomethrin, transfluthrin, transpermethrin, triarathene, triazamate, triazophos, trichlorfon, trichlormetaphos-3, trichloronat, trifenofos, triflumuron, trimethacarb, triprene, vamidothion, vaniliprole, XMC, xylylcarb, zeta-cypermethrin, zolaprofos, and α-ecdysone.
For more information consult “C
In forms in which apparatus 10 is used to place or position, subterraneously or otherwise, a capsule that includes a pesticide, the locus to which the capsules may be applied can be any locus inhabited by a pest including, for example, areas having vegetable crops, fruit and nut trees, grape vines, grasses, and ornamental plants, just to provide a few non-limiting possibilities. Controlling pests generally means that pest populations, activity, or both, are reduced in a locus. This can come about when: pest populations are repulsed from a locus; when pests are incapacitated in or around a locus; or pests are exterminated, in whole or in part, in or around a locus. Of course a combination of these results can occur.
While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only certain embodiments have been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the inventions are desired to be protected. It should be understood that while the use of words such as preferable, preferably, preferred or more preferred utilized in the description above indicate that the feature so described may be more desirable, it nonetheless may not be necessary and embodiments lacking the same may be contemplated as within the scope of the invention, the scope being defined by the claims that follow. In reading the claims, it is intended that when words such as “a,” “an,” “at least one,” or “at least one portion” are used there is no intention to limit the claim to only one item unless specifically stated to the contrary in the claim. When the language “at least a portion” and/or “a portion” is used the item can include a portion and/or the entire item unless specifically stated to the contrary.
The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/734,486 filed Dec. 7, 2012, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61734486 | Dec 2012 | US |
