DE29607870U1 - Device for pruning potted plants - Google Patents

Description

H. Lienhop, Borsteler Trift 47-49, 27283 Verden/Aller Device for trimming potted plants

The present invention relates to a device for pruning potted plants, in particular azaleas, with

a unit comprising a device for raising plant parts of the respective potted plant before trimming and a cutting device arranged behind it for cutting off plant parts that protrude beyond a predetermined height, and

a device for carrying out a relative movement between the unit and the respective potted plant(s) to be trimmed.

Trimming means cutting something shorter and bringing it into a certain shape, in this case a round shape.

2827

Bremen:

Holleraüee 32, D-28209 Bremen
POB. 10 71 27. D-2S071 Bremen

Telephone (04 211 3 40 90
Fax (04 21)3 49 17 68
Telex 244 958 bopat d

Munich:

Franz-Ioseph-Siraße 58
D-80801 Munich
Telephone 10 39· =4 70 80
Fax (OM 34^0 10
Telex 524 2&iacgr;2 forbo d

Berlin-Brandenburg: Düsseldorf:

Hele=e-Langf-%(\^e^··, .·· NejälefcjraleVJ .··.

D-iüe9 Potsdam· · · ··· DM059*Düsseldorf ··

Telephone .0J"glj,2,7 54^J · '..'ItSeJlJtA Iffijl 1) 7f3^5 Tetoiix .03 31)2 75 43 21 Telefax (02 H) 7 182" 50

Leipzig

|fg*t 9 60 29 77
4]. jl 03 25

Kiel:

Niemannsweg 133
D24105 Kiel

Telephone 104 31) 8 40 75
Teleiai <043&idiagr;|»4077

Alicante:

Plaza Calvo Sotelo 1-2 ES-03001 Alicante Spain

Teiephun +34-6098 0038 W.elax 1-54

BOEHMERT & ^: BOEHMERT. l'll'·'*

In the prior art, trimming machines are known which comprise a device for lifting and gathering the plant parts (shoots) of a potted plant before making a horizontal cut on the top of the potted plant. In a known embodiment, the device comprises pliers which grasp the potted plant slightly above the edge of the pot and are subsequently guided upwards so that they "strip" the plant parts upwards. An embodiment of the device is also known which comprises rubber bands which extend above a conveyor belt and taper in the conveying direction to gradually lift and center the plant parts of a potted plant hanging to the side in the conveying direction. In addition, the device has front and rear bundling devices in the conveying direction in order to lift the plant parts of the potted plant from all four sides. The subsequent cut is usually carried out using special knives which are relatively expensive. A unit consisting of the device for lifting and gathering the plant parts of a potted plant and the cutting device is either arranged stationary and the potted plants are fed to the unit on e.g. a conveyor belt, or the unit is movable and the potted plants are arranged stationary.

The pruning machines known in the state of the art have the disadvantage that they are very complex and therefore expensive. Due to the complex design, high demands are placed on the skills of an operator and on safety. In addition, the pruning machines are only suitable for azaleas, i.e. robust potted plants.

BOEHMERT* & ^: BÖ ^# EHM*ßRf . ;*': "

placed.

The invention is therefore based on the object of providing a generic device which is relatively simple in design and is therefore cost-effective and easy to operate.

According to the invention, this object is achieved in that the erecting device comprises two brush heads facing the cutting device and inclined to the cutting plane, rotating at the same speed, which are arranged to the side of and essentially symmetrically to the axis of the relative movement in such a way that the circumferential lines of the two brush heads at least touch each other, and rotate in opposite directions in such a way that the bristles of both brush heads move from bottom to top in the area between them, and

the cutting device comprises at least one electrical, substantially continuously cutting cutting device facing the erecting device side.

It can be provided that the peripheral surfaces of the two brush heads overlap.

Furthermore, it can be provided that the extensions of the rotation axes of the two brush heads intersect on the cutting device side at a point substantially perpendicular to the axis of the relative movement.

According to a particular embodiment of the invention,

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4 -

It should be provided that the erecting device comprises at least one further rotating brush head which is offset above the first two brush heads in the direction of the cutting device and is arranged facing essentially downwards.

In particular, it can be provided that the erecting device comprises two further brush heads, facing essentially downwards and rotating at the same speed, which are offset above the first two brush heads in the direction of the cutting device, arranged to the side of and essentially symmetrically to the axis of the relative movement in such a way that the circumferential lines of the two brush heads at least touch each other, and rotate in opposite directions in such a way that the bristles of both brush heads move towards the cutting device in the area between them.

It can be provided that the peripheral surfaces of the two other brush heads overlap.

Furthermore, it can be provided that the rotation axes of the first two brush heads run parallel to each other.

In addition, it can be provided that the rotation axes of the first two brush heads are aligned almost parallel to the cutting plane. "Almost parallel" means that the first two brush heads are inclined at only a very small angle to the cutting plane.

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In addition, it can be provided that the first two brush heads have a smaller diameter than the other brush head(s).

Advantageously, at least one brush head comprises a disc brush.

In particular, it can be provided that at least one disc brush has bristles that are inclined towards the brush head surface.

Advantageously, the bristles of the disc brush(s) are arranged in a ring shape.

The brush heads are advantageously interchangeable. This makes it possible to adapt the diameter of the brush heads to the dimensions of a potted plant.

Furthermore, it can be provided that the orientation of at least one brush head is variable.

Furthermore, it can be provided that the vertical arrangement of at least one brush head is variable.

Furthermore, it can be provided that the horizontal arrangement of at least one brush head is variable.

Furthermore, it can be provided that the arrangement is variable transversely to the axis of the relative movement of at least one brush head.

BOEHMEIH ¹ *^

Furthermore, it can be provided that the distances between the brush heads can be varied.

Advantageously, the distance between the erecting device and the cutting device can be varied.

Preferably, the rotation speed(s) of the brush heads is/are variable.

Advantageously, the rotation speed(s) is/are variable depending on the speed of the relative movement between the unit and the respective potted plant(s) to be trimmed.

In particular, it can be provided that the rotation speed(s) can be continuously varied.

Furthermore, it can be provided that the vertical arrangement of the cutting device is variable.

It is more advantageous if the cutting device includes an exchangeable blade device. This makes it possible to adapt the width of the blade to the dimensions of a potted plant.

In a further particular embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that the cutting device comprises a pair of garden shears.

Advantageously, the cutting speed of the cutting device can be varied.

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In particular, the cutting speed can be varied depending on the speed of the relative movement between the unit and the respective potted plant(s) to be trimmed.

In addition, the height of the unit can be varied depending on the potted plant(s) to be trimmed.

According to a further particular embodiment, roller brushes extend laterally from and symmetrically to the axis of the relative movement in the longitudinal direction of the erecting device on the side of the erecting device facing away from the cutting device.

In addition, it can be provided that the device comprises a centering device for lower and/or projecting plant parts on the side of the erecting device facing away from the cutting device.

Furthermore, the device can comprise a centering device for the plant pots.

Furthermore, it can be provided that the device comprises a discharge device for the trimming waste.

It can be provided that the discharge device comprises at least one guide plate.

In particular, it can be provided that the discharge device comprises a trough conveyor belt. This makes it possible to remove the support waste falling onto the trough conveyor belt.

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p

In case of cuttings, select them and immediately dispose of the remaining waste in appropriate containers.

Furthermore, it can be provided that the device comprises a device for blowing away the trimming waste.

Preferably, the device comprises an air pressure nozzle for blowing out the pot surface. This is useful for phytosanitary reasons.

According to another particular embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that the device for carrying out a relative movement comprises a movable frame in which the unit is arranged. The movable frame can, for example, travel over a plant bed or potted plants arranged on a particular surface.

Alternatively, it can also be provided that the device for carrying out a relative movement comprises a conveyor device for potted plants and a stationary frame in which the unit is arranged above the conveyor device.

It can be provided that the vertical distance between the unit and the conveyor is variable.

Furthermore, it can also be provided that the conveying device comprises a conveyor belt.

Finally, it can also be provided that the conveying speed of the conveyor device can be varied.

The invention is based on the surprising discovery that the use of brushes according to the invention means that at least almost all parts of the plant are grasped and "brushed" upwards, and consequently potted plants can be trimmed with little design effort in terms of the device. Due to its few and simple components, the device according to the invention is more cost-effective to manufacture and easier to operate. In addition, considerably more potted plants can be trimmed per hour than with the trimming machines according to the state of the art. With the devices for trimming potted plants according to the state of the art, theoretically a maximum of approx. 4000 potted plants per hour can be trimmed (trimming machine with rubber bands). In practice, the number is reduced to a maximum of approx. 3500 potted plants per hour, since the pots have to run into the machine at a distance in order to avoid plant shoots getting caught in one another and pots falling over, and consequently the machine having to be stopped. This is not necessary with the device according to the invention. With the present device according to the invention, up to 6000 to 7000 potted plants can be trimmed per hour, since the potted plants stand "pot to pot" on the ground or on a table and can be placed on a conveyor belt using, for example, forks (e.g. 12 pots at once) and do not have to be "pulled apart", i.e. diverted to a faster conveyor belt. In addition, the present invention can increase the hourly output per worker. In a device according to the state of the art, one worker forks onto the belt, another checks the potted plants after the

BOEHMERT &* BOEHMOT. : : I.. &bull; · · · · * ···· * ··· · ·

- 10 -

Trimming process and a third worker forks the potted plants from the conveyor belt and places them back on a bed. Since a worker forks a maximum of approx. 3000 potted plants per hour, this means that the hourly output per worker is 1000 potted plants with a device according to the state of the art. Since the trimming output of the device according to the invention is a maximum of 6000 to 7000 potted plants per hour, an hourly output per worker of more than 1200 potted plants can be achieved, even though two workers are then required to load and unload the potted plants, but only one worker still checks the plants.

The device according to the invention can basically be used anywhere where a circular cut and therefore also the capture of hanging plant parts is required. In addition, the device according to the invention can also be easily "converted" to trim softer types of plants, such as roses and cushion phlox, by adjusting the diameter of the brushes as well as the position and hardness of the bristles accordingly.

Further features and advantages of the invention are apparent from the appended claims and the following description, in which an embodiment is explained in detail using the schematic drawings. In this:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment

BOEHMERT &&Bgr;0&Egr;&EEgr;&Mgr;£&&Ggr;· · · j ^: ·;· · *··· ·";

- 11 -

form of the device according to the invention,
Fig. 2 shows a section of the

device, and
Fig. 3 a view of the device according to the invention

in potted plant conveying direction.

Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment
of the device according to the invention. Across
A conveyor belt 12 extends over a stationary frame 10 and conveys potted plants 14 in the direction indicated by an arrow F. Within the frame 10 and
Above the conveyor belt 12, a unit 16 is arranged, which in the conveying direction comprises a device for raising plant parts of the potted plants 14 in the form of rotating brush heads 20, 22 in front of a nozzle as well as a
Cutting device arranged behind it in the form of a
Garden shears 18 for cutting off plant parts that protrude above a predetermined height. The brush heads 20, 22, which rotate at the same speed, face the cutting device, are inclined to the cutting plane and are arranged laterally from and essentially symmetrically to the axis of the relative movement, which is identical to the conveying direction (arrow F), in such a way that the
Circumferential surfaces of the two brush heads 20, 22 overlap
(see Fig. 3). The two brush heads 20, 22
rotate in opposite directions (see arrows D in Fig. 3) in such a way that the bristles of both brush heads 20 move from bottom to top in the area between them, ie in the area of overlap of the two circumferential surfaces. The garden shears 18 face the brush heads 20, 22 and are aligned in such a way that all upward

BOEHMERT & BOEHMEkTj . | j "·· · *··· ·

"brushed" plant parts that protrude above a predetermined height are cut off. The cutting plane is therefore a horizontal plane. The brush heads 20, 22 are driven by belts 24, 26 using a common drive shaft 28 (see also Fig. 2). The extensions of the rotation axes of the two brush heads 20, 22 intersect on the cutting device side at a point perpendicular to the axis of the conveying direction. Each brush head 20, 22 comprises a disc brush with bristles arranged in a ring that are inclined towards the respective brush head surface. The brush heads 20, 22 are interchangeable. This makes it possible to use brush heads with different diameters, brush types and bristle hardnesses and thus to convert the device to trim softer or harder plant species. Both brush heads 20, 22 can be moved vertically along a respective vertical strut 30 or 32 with perforated profiles. In addition, the inclination of each brush head 20, 22 can be varied via an articulated connection (of which only the front 34 is visible here) with the strut 30 or 32 (see Fig. 2). The garden shears 18 are arranged in the frame 10 so that they can be moved in or against the conveying direction. With regard to the arrangement of the brush heads 20, 22 in relation to the garden shears 18, it is important to mention that the brush heads 20, 22 at least partially protrude beyond the blade device 19. In addition, the device according to the invention comprises a centering device in the form of two lateral boundaries 36, 38 on the side of the brush heads 20, 22 facing away from the garden shears 18, which are arranged at pot height and extend obliquely to the center in the conveying direction (see arrow F).

BOEHMERT &&Bgr;&Ogr;&Egr;&EEgr;&Mgr;£&&Pgr;

are. Furthermore, the device according to the invention comprises a discharge device in the form of guide plates (of which only the front 40 is visible) for the trimming waste. Both the conveying speed of the conveyor belt 12 and the rotational speed of the brush heads 20, 22 can be continuously varied and coordinated with one another. The rotational speed of the brush heads 20, 22 is to be selected depending on the conveying speed. Since the garden shears 18 cut almost continuously, the potted plants 14 can be arranged directly one behind the other on the conveyor belt 12 without any gaps. Consequently, the achievable number of trimmed potted plants per unit of time is considerably higher than with the pruning machines according to the state of the art, i.e. considerably higher than 3000 plants per hour.

In general, it is advantageous if the cutting device is constructed or designed in such a way that vibrations caused by a moving knife are eliminated as far as possible.

If, according to another embodiment of the device according to the invention, which is not shown in the drawing here, two additional brush heads are used in the upper area of the potted plants and offset in the direction of the cutting device, the rotation axes of the first two brush heads can also be arranged parallel to each other and with a slight inclination to the cutting plane. The two additional brush heads rotate in opposite directions so that the bristles of both brush heads are in the area between them.

BOEHMERT & BOEHMESTJ . jj ij . '·.·;" _:

to move onto the cutting device. The first two brush heads may comprise disc brushes with a smaller diameter than when only two brush heads are used and with non-inclined bristles.

The features of the invention disclosed in the preceding description, in the drawings and in the claims can be essential both individually and in any combination for the realization of the invention in its various embodiments.

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Reference symbol list

10 22 stationary frame 12 26 Conveyor belt 14 Potted plant 16 32 Unit 18 Garden shears 19 38 Knife device 20, Brush head 24, belt 28 drive shaft 30, strut 34 Articulated connection 36, Limitation 40 Baffle D Direction of rotation F Conveying direction

Claims (41)

Expectations 1. Device for pruning potted plants, in particular azaleas, with a unit (16) which comprises a device for raising plant parts of the respective potted plant (14) before trimming and a cutting device (18) arranged behind it for cutting off plant parts which protrude beyond a predetermined height, and a device (12) for carrying out a relative movement between the unit (16) and the respective potted plant(s) (14) to be trimmed, characterized in that 2827 Bremen: Hollerallee 32, D-28209 Bremen
RO B. 10 71 27, D-28071 Bremen Telephone (M 21) 3 40 90
raoiax 104 31) 5 49 1" 68
Telex 2« 958 bopat d Munich: Franz-Ioseph-Straße 38 D-80801 Munich Telephone (0 891 34 70 80 Fax IO 89| 34 70 10 Telex S24 282forbod Berlin-Brandenburg: Düsseldorf: Leipzig: He.er.e-Langc-Saaie 5 ·· * JJ J Te,«nom03 jl»27 54 Te.eiax .03 Vi *T:eIefa.!?*(02 1 f} 7 18 2**0 Teleiax {oftl} 31 03 Kiel: Alicante: Niemannsweg 133 Plaza Calvo Sotelo D-24105 Kiel ES-03001 Alteanw Telephone (04 311 8 40 "5 Telephone t34-6-596 Fax (0411(8 40 77 Telephone +34-5'^i: i-2 Spain's ■/J33 ■ 'jYa2 &bgr;&ogr;&eegr;&mgr;&egr;&kgr;&ggr; & boehmeft: the erecting device comprises two brush heads (20, 22) facing the cutting device (18) and inclined to the cutting plane, rotating at the same speed, which are arranged laterally from and essentially symmetrically to the axis (F) of the relative movement in such a way that the circumferential lines of the two brush heads (20, 22) at least touch each other and rotate in opposite directions (D) in such a way that the bristles of both brush heads (20, 22) move from bottom to top in the area between them, and the cutting device (18) comprises at least one electrical, substantially continuously cutting knife device (19) facing the erecting device side. 2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the peripheral surfaces of the two brush heads (20, 22) overlap. 3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the extensions of the axes of rotation of the two brush heads (20, 22) intersect on the cutting device side at a point substantially perpendicular to the axis (F) of the relative movement. 4. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the erecting device comprises at least one further rotating brush head which is offset above the first two brush heads (20, 22) in the direction of the cutting device (18) and is arranged facing essentially downwards. &bgr;&ogr;&eegr;&mgr;&egr;&kgr;&ggr; & boehmert: 5. Device according to one of claims 1, 2 or 4, characterized in that the erecting device comprises two further brush heads, which are directed essentially downwards and rotate at the same speed and are offset above the first two brush heads (20, 22) in the direction of the cutting device (18), arranged laterally from and essentially symmetrically to the axis (F) of the relative movement in such a way that the circumferential lines of the two brush heads at least touch one another, and rotate in opposite directions in such a way that the bristles of both brush heads move in the area between them towards the cutting device (18). 6. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that the peripheral surfaces of the two further brush heads overlap. 7. Device according to one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that the axes of rotation of the first two brush heads (20, 22) run parallel to one another. 8. Device according to one of claims 4 to 7, characterized in that the axes of rotation of the first two brush heads (20, 22) are aligned almost parallel to the cutting plane. 9. Device according to one of claims 4 to 8, characterized in that the first two brush heads (20, 22) have a smaller diameter than the other brush head(s). BOEHMERT & BOEHME8T -A- 10. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one brush head (20, 22) comprises a disc brush. 11. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one disc brush has bristles inclined towards the brush head surface. 12. Device according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the bristles of the disc brush(s) are arranged in a ring shape. 13. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the brush heads (20, 22) are replaceable. 14. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the orientation of at least one brush head (20, 22) is variable, 15. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the vertical arrangement of at least one brush head (20, 22) is variable. 16. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the horizontal arrangement of at least one brush head (20, 22) is variable. 17. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the arrangement transverse to the axis (F) of the relative movement of at least one brush head BOEHMERT &&Bgr;&Ogr;&Egr;&EEgr;&Mgr;&Egr;&Kgr;&Pgr; , : : 1*1, . \.l &Igr;", (20, 22) is variable. 18. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the distances between the brush heads are variable. 19. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the distance between the erecting device and the cutting device (18) is variable. 20. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the rotation speed(s) of the brush heads (20, 22) is/are variable. 21. Device according to claim 20, characterized in that the rotation speed(s) can be varied depending on the speed of the relative movement between the unit (16) and the respective potted plant(s) (14) to be trimmed. 22. Device according to claim 20 or 21, characterized in that the rotation speed is continuously variable. 23. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the vertical arrangement of the cutting device (18) is variable. 24. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cutting device comprises a &Bgr;&Ogr;&Egr;&EEgr;&Mgr;&Egr;&Kgr;&Ggr; & RnKMMPCT. · · ·· interchangeable knife device included. 25. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cutting device (18) comprises a pair of garden shears. 26. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cutting speed of the cutting device (18) is variable. 27. Device according to claim 26, characterized in that the cutting speed depends on the speed of the relative movement between the unit (16) and the respective potted plant(s) to be trimmed (14) is/are variable. 28. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the height of the unit (16) above the potted plant(s) (14) to be trimmed is variable. 29. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that on the side of the erecting device facing away from the cutting device (18), roller brushes extend laterally from and symmetrically to the axis (F) of the relative movement in the longitudinal direction of the same. 30. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a centering device for lower and/or projecting &Bgr;&Ogr;&Egr;&EEgr;&Mgr;&Egr;&Kgr;&Ggr;& BOEHM ¹ EST : Plant parts included. 31. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a centering device (36, 38) for the plant pots on the side of the erecting device facing away from the cutting device (18). 32. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a discharge device for the trimming waste. 33. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the discharge device comprises at least one guide plate (40). 34. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the discharge device comprises a trough conveyor belt. 35. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a device for blowing away the trimming waste. 36. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises an air pressure nozzle for blowing out the pot surface. 37. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device for carrying out a relative movement comprises a movable frame in BOEHMERT & boehmMt ·. · · ·.:.. ^: &ldquor;: :··. in which the unit (16) is arranged. 38. Device according to one of claims 1 to 36, characterized in that the device for carrying out a relative movement comprises a conveyor device for the potted plants (14) and a stationary frame (10) in which the unit (16) is arranged above the conveyor device. 39. Device according to claim 38, characterized in that the vertical distance between the unit (16) and the conveyor device is variable. 40. Device according to claim 3 8 or 39, characterized in that the conveying device comprises a conveyor belt (12). 41. Device according to one of claims 38 to 40, characterized in that the conveying speed of the conveying device is variable.