AU2016200375A1

AU2016200375A1 - Device for dispensing fertiliser to a seedling

Info

Publication number: AU2016200375A1
Application number: AU2016200375A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Michael Wyllie
Original assignee: Mareeba Tas Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Mareeba (tas) Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2015-01-23
Filing date: 2016-01-22
Publication date: 2016-08-11

Abstract

Abstract A device for mounting on the body of a planting tool of the type described, the device being operable to deliver fertiliser into a hole formed in the ground by the planting tool and comprising a body attachable to the planting tool; a delivery conduit within the body for receiving a predetermined quantity of fertiliser fed from a storage reservoir; and a piston reciprocable in the delivery conduit and operable for displacing fertiliser from the conduit to a hollow shaft of the planting tool to deliver the fertiliser into the hole. 30a, 16 30b Figure 1 30a.,N 3 2a~ 28 Figure 2

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference to Figure 1, there is shown a device 10 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The device 10 is configured for mounting on the 5 body of a planting tool 20 of the type described, the device 10 being operable to deliver fertiliser into a hole formed in the ground by the planting tool 20.

The device 10 comprises a body 12 attachable to the planting tool 20, in particular, attachable to a hollow shaft of the planting tool 20. The body 12 is preferably formed of a 10 tough, durable plastic such as Nylon, though other plastics will also be suitable. Within the body 12 is a delivery conduit 14 (refer Figure 9) for receiving a predetermined quantity of fertiliser fed from a storage receptacle or reservoir 16. Also within the body 12 is a piston 18 (refer Figure 11) which is reciprocable in the delivery conduit 14 and operable for displacing fertiliser from the delivery conduit 14 to a hollow shaft of the planting 15 tool 20 to deliver the fertiliser into the hole while planting the seedling.

Operation of the piston 18 causes the fertiliser to be displaced into a hollow tube of the planting tool 20 so that the fertiliser falls into the hole in the ground or transplant site formed by the planting tool 20. In use, the fertiliser may be delivered into the hole before 20 the seedling is dropped into the tube or afterwards, as desired.

During operation of the piston 18, it acts as a valve for opening and closing an inlet 22 and an outlet 24 to the conduit 14. In this regard, in a resting condition the piston 18 is biased by return spring 26 to a position in which the inlet 22 is open and the piston 18 allows 25 fertiliser to pass from the reservoir 16 into the delivery conduit 14. In this position, fertiliser surrounds a narrow portion 18A of the piston 18.

The piston 18 is operable via an actuator 28 extending from the piston 18 and outside of a body 12 of the device 10. As the piston 18 is advanced within the body 12, larger 30 portion 18B of the piston closes the inlet 22 to prevent further fertiliser passing into the delivery conduit 14. The predetermined quantity of fertiliser already in the delivery conduit 14 is advanced with the piston toward the outlet 24, which is closed in the resting condition by end portion 18C, which is of a size corresponding to the outlet 24 to prevent passage of matter (fertiliser or dirt) through the outlet 24 in the resting state. The piston 18 may be provided with a seal on end portion 18C to ensure adequate sealing of the 5 outlet 24. As the piston 18 is advanced, end portion 18C passes into the hollow shaft of the planting tool 20, opening the delivery conduit 14 so that the predetermined quantity of fertiliser received therein can fall into the hollow shaft of the planting tool 20 and fall into the hole formed in the ground. 10 In the illustrated embodiment, the piston 18 is configured to slide within the body 12 under linear movement of the actuator 28, though it will be appreciated that the actuator 28 may be otherwise operable under other forms of movement. In this regard, the actuator may operate in conjunction with a crank arm/lever or cam arrangement or other rotational mechanism. 15

As illustrated in Figure 1, the actuator 28 is resiliently biased by spring 26 to a position in which the delivery conduit is open. The actuator 28 is configured to be operable by a foot of a user and is formed with a stopper on an outer end thereof, the stopper providing a larger contact point for contact with the user's foot. The stopper may be configured so as to 20 retain the spring 26 in contact with the actuator and may also provide for tensioning of the spring 26.

The illustrated reservoir 16 is formed separately from the body 12, though it will be appreciated that it may also be integrally formed with the body 12. The body may be 25 formed with a threaded portion at the inlet 22 which allows the reservoir 16 to be secured to the body 12. The body 12 may also be provided with a locator 19 which is configured to rest inside a hole formed in the planting tube 20 to ensure the device correctly engaged the planting tube 20. 30 The reservoir 16 is in the form of a cylindrical bottle, which in some embodiments may be a conventional PET bottle used for soft drinks, though it may be otherwise formed and take other shapes, including rigid and semi rigid bags/containers. Furthermore, the device may be configured to receive two or more reservoirs. The device 10 is configured so that the reservoir 16 is mounted above the body 12 so that the delivery conduit 14 is disposed below the reservoir 16 so that the fertiliser falls into the delivery conduit 14 under the 5 action of gravity.

In the illustrated embodiments, the delivery conduit 14 is cylindrical, though it will be appreciated that it may be otherwise formed and that the piston 18 will be correspondingly shaped for use in the delivery conduit 14. 10

The device 10 is clamped to the planter by way of an upper clamp pair 30a, 30b and a lower clamp pair 32a, 32b, each pair being securable together using threaded fasteners to secure the device 10 to the shaft of the plating tool 20. The clamps 30a, 30b, 32a, 32b are preferably formed of steel, though it will be appreciated that other materials may also be 15 used.

The described embodiments are configured for use with granulated fertiliser, though it will be appreciated that the device 10 may be configured for use with other forms of fertiliser. 20 The embodiments have been described by way of example only and modifications are possible within the scope of the invention disclosed.

Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" and "comprising", will 25 be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.

The reference in this specification to any prior publication (or information derived from it), or to any matter which is known, is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgment or 30 admission or any form of suggestion that that prior publication (or information derived from it) or known matter forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavor to which this specification relates.

Claims

THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS:

1. A device for mounting on the body of a planting tool of the type described, the device being operable to deliver fertiliser into a hole formed in the ground by the planting 5 tool and comprising: a body attachable to the planting tool; a delivery conduit within the body for receiving a predetermined quantity of fertiliser fed from a storage reservoir; and a piston reciprocable in the delivery conduit and operable for displacing fertiliser 10 from the conduit to a hollow shaft of the planting tool to deliver the fertiliser into the hole.
2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the piston forms a valve for opening and closing an inlet and an outlet to the conduit during operation of the piston.
3. An apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the piston is operable via an 15 actuator extending from the piston and outside of the body of the device.
4. An apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the actuator is resiliently biased to a position in which the delivery conduit is open.
5. An apparatus according to claim 3 or claim 4, wherein the actuator is configured to be operable by a foot of a user.
6. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the receptacle is formed separately from the body.
7. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the receptacle is in the form of a bottle.
8. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the delivery cylinder is 25 disposed below the receptacle so that the fertiliser falls into the delivery conduit under the action of gravity.
9. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the delivery conduit is cylindrical.
10. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the device is clamped to the 30 planting tool.
11. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the fertiliser is granulated.