EP0531238B1 - Method and apparatus for packaging plant roots - Google Patents

Method and apparatus for packaging plant roots Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0531238B1
EP0531238B1 EP92420289A EP92420289A EP0531238B1 EP 0531238 B1 EP0531238 B1 EP 0531238B1 EP 92420289 A EP92420289 A EP 92420289A EP 92420289 A EP92420289 A EP 92420289A EP 0531238 B1 EP0531238 B1 EP 0531238B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
substrate
plant
rollers
trough
machine according
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EP92420289A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP0531238A1 (en
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Daniel Carret
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SEBREMA
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SEBREMA
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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B25/00—Packaging other articles presenting special problems
    • B65B25/02—Packaging agricultural or horticultural products

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a process for conditioning the roots of all types of plants, and in particular shrubs such as roses, and a machine for its implementation.
  • this conditioning process has the advantages of ensuring perfect conservation of the plants even in the case of relatively long storage, of allowing the roots to develop in the root ball, which allows planting even late in the season, and to eliminate the use of plastic pots to condition the roots, the cost of which increases the price of the finished product.
  • the plants thus conditioned have an attractive visual appearance for consumers.
  • the impossibility of controlling the compaction of the substrate results in insufficient penetration of the latter inside the bundle of roots. As a result, a significant part of the conditioned plants dries up before being replanted.
  • the present invention aims to remedy all of these drawbacks.
  • the process which it relates to, according to which, in a known manner, the substrate is pressed longitudinally around the roots, the plant and the substrate are rotated around the longitudinal axis of the plant while maintaining the action for pressing the substrate, the edge of a flexible wrapping cloth is wound around the root ball and the free edge of this cloth is fixed, for example by stapling, is characterized in that it consists in depositing all or part of the substrate intended to constitute the root ball in a gutter delimited by an endless band stretched over four rollers distributed in two superimposed pairs, to place the plant in this gutter so that these roots are in contact with the substrate, to be deposited, if necessary, the rest of the substrate, to bring one of the upper rollers closer to the other upper roller in order to press the substrate around the roots and to drive the rollers in rotation so as to doing run the endless strip, drive the plant and the substrate in rotation.
  • the greater or lesser spacing of the upper rollers when the endless belt scrolling is triggered and the more or less long time in rotation of the plant and the substrate make it possible to adjust and control the compaction of the substrate on the plant roots.
  • the roots are perfectly maintained at the beginning and during the shaping of the root ball, so that they do not interfere with the realization of the latter.
  • the branches and roots of the plant are perfectly centered in the root ball, whatever their more or less irregular shape.
  • the controlled compaction made possible by the method according to the invention also makes it possible to obtain clods having sufficient strength to resist the return of the roots to their natural position, as well as perfect penetration of the substrate inside the bundle of roots. . Depending on the desired settlement, it is possible to add substrate during the formation of the clod.
  • this method makes it possible to obtain a progressive tightening of the substrate on the roots during the rotation of the plant, so that any risk of damage to the roots is eliminated.
  • the invention also relates to a machine for implementing the method described above.
  • This machine comprises four rollers distributed in two superimposed pairs, around which is stretched an endless band forming a gutter for receiving the plant and the substrate, one of the upper rollers being movable in translation between a position separated from the other roller upper, and a position close to the other roller where the endless strip is able to press longitudinally the substrate and the plant deposited in said gutter, motor means being provided to drive the rollers in rotation so, by scrolling the strip , to drive the substrate and the plant in rotation.
  • the endless band advantageously comprises a band, projecting from its surface, arranged parallel to its direction of travel, constituting a positioning mark for the collar of the plant in the gutter and around which the collar is intended to be engaged.
  • the position of the upper end of the root ball relative to the collar of the plant is thus always identical from one root ball to the other, whatever the length of the roots, which makes it possible to design a packaging for the plant on which would be spotted planting height and pruning height of branches, among others.
  • This strip also makes it possible to clearly delimit the upper end of the root ball.
  • the means for controlling the rotation drive of the rollers are positioned so as to be actuated by the arrival of the movable upper roller in position close to the other upper roller and the triggering of these control means is adjustable according to the position of the movable upper roller, to obtain more or less compacted clods depending on the nature of the plant or the substrate used.
  • the machine is advantageously inclined perpendicular to the rollers, to favor the deposition of the substrate and the plant in the gutter, the compaction of the substrate and the evacuation of residues or surplus of substrate.
  • Figures 1 to 5 show from different angles a machine 2 for conditioning the roots of a plant 3 making it possible, as shown in Figure 6, a clod 4 of substrate 5 enveloping the roots, this clod 4 being itself enveloped in an airy canvas or net 6.
  • the machine 2 comprises four rollers 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d distributed in two superimposed pairs, around which is stretched an endless band 11 forming a gutter 12 for receiving the plant 3 and the substrate 5.
  • the shafts of the rollers 10a, 10b , 10c, 10d are engaged in bearings 13 doors by the frame 14 of the machine 2.
  • One 10a of the upper rollers 10a, 10b is carried by a frame 20, comprising a handle 21 and mounted pivoting about the axis of the roller 10c situated below the roller 10a.
  • the roller 10a is thus movable between a position spaced from the roller 10b, visible in FIGS. 1 and 3, and a position close to the latter, visible in FIGS. 2 and 4.
  • FIGS 3 to 5 illustrate different phases of the operation of the machine 2 and the process which it allows the implementation.
  • the inclination of the machine 2 facilitates the maintenance of the substrate 5 in this portion of the gutter 12 and the discs 31 prevent its flow outside the latter.
  • the absence of a disc 31 on the roller 10d makes it possible to provide a passage making it possible to evacuate residues or surplus substrate.
  • the plant 3 is then deposited in the gutter 12 so that its collar 3a is located at the level of the strip 30 and that its roots are on the substrate 5, the other half of the latter then being deposited on the roots.
  • the frame 20 is then tilted so as to bring the roller 10a hitherto in the position separated from the roller 10b, in the position close to the roller 10b where the endless belt 11 exerts a longitudinal pressure on the substrate 5 which tends to compact it.
  • the roller 10a arrives in the position close to the roller 10b
  • the lateral upright of the frame 20 actuates the contactor 40, which causes the rollers 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d to rotate.
  • the plant and the substrate are then rolled so that the root ball 4 acquires, as it appears in FIG. 6, a cylindrical shape.
  • the canvas 43 can be engaged between the rollers 10a and 10b at this time so as to wind it around the root ball 4 or can, as shown in Figure 3, be placed in the bottom of the gutter 12 before deposit therein of the entire substrate 5.
  • the fabric 43 is cut to the desired length using the slider 45 then the frame 20 is tilted so as to move the roller 10a away from the roller 10b. This causes the rotation of the rollers 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d to stop.
  • the plant with its clod 4 and the canvas 43 wrapped around it can then be extracted from the gutter 12 and the end edge of the canvas 43 can be fixed to the wound part of the canvas 43 by means of staples 51 .
  • clods 4 which are always identical to each other in their diameter and their length, as well as in the compaction of their substrate.
  • the branches and roots of the plant 3 are perfectly centered in the root ball whatever their more or less regular shape since they are held in the center of the root ball during the rotation of the plant by the band. endless 11.
  • the strip 30 makes it possible to perfectly position the plant 3 relative to the top of the root ball 4 so that the insertion of the plant 3 in the root ball 4 is always ideal.
  • roller 36 makes it possible to make clods 4 of different diameters, the position of the roller 32 being adjusted using the screw 35 so as to exert the adequate tension on the strip 11.
  • the position of the switch 40 is adjustable, which makes it possible to adjust the moment when this switch is triggered by the tilting of the chassis 20 and therefore the moment when the rollers 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d are driven in rotation.
  • the longitudinal pressure of the substrate 5 exerted by the endless belt 11 before the rotation of the rollers 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d can be adjusted to obtain clods 4 more or less packed according to the plants to be packaged.
  • the machine 2 according to the invention makes it possible to obtain perfect lumps in their presentation and this at a high rate.

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  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Agronomy & Crop Science (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Pretreatment Of Seeds And Plants (AREA)
  • Hydroponics (AREA)
  • Packages (AREA)
  • Treatment Of Fiber Materials (AREA)
  • Steroid Compounds (AREA)

Abstract

The method consists in depositing the substrate (5) and the plant (3) into a gutter (12), in longitudinally pressing the substrate (5), in entraining the plant (3) and the substrate (5), maintaining the said pressure, in rolling a ventilated fabric (web) (43) around the substrate (5) and in fixing the free end of this fabric (web) (43) to the root ball. The machine comprises four drive rollers (10a to 10d) and an endless belt (11) which delimits the gutter (12), one (10a) of the rollers being movable between two positions, one of which is close to the other upper roller (10b) and one of which is at a distance therefrom. <IMAGE>

Description

La présente invention concerne un procédé de conditionnement des racines de tous types de plantes, et notamment d'arbustes tels que des rosiers, et une machine pour sa mise en oeuvre.The present invention relates to a process for conditioning the roots of all types of plants, and in particular shrubs such as roses, and a machine for its implementation.

Il est avantageux pour le consommateur d'acheter des plantes dites "prêtes à planter", c'est-à-dire dont les racines sont enveloppées dans une motte de substrat (par exemple du terreau ou de la tourbe), cette motte étant elle-même maintenue autour des racines par une toile aérée ou un filet élastique tubulaire. Après avoir creusé le trou adéquat dans la terre, il suffit en effet au consommateur d'y introduire la motte telle qu'elle et de reboucher le trou, ladite toile ou ledit filet étant en matériau biodégradable. Aucune manipulation de la plante avec ses racines nues n'est donc nécessaire, ce qui assure pratiquement le succès de la plantation, avec une mise en oeuvre très simple et rapide.It is advantageous for the consumer to buy so-called "ready to plant" plants, that is to say whose roots are wrapped in a clod of substrate (for example potting soil or peat), this clod being it -Even held around the roots by a ventilated canvas or a tubular elastic net. After having dug the appropriate hole in the ground, it suffices for the consumer to introduce the root ball as it is and to fill the hole, said canvas or said net being made of biodegradable material. No manipulation of the plant with its bare roots is therefore necessary, which practically ensures the success of the plantation, with a very simple and rapid implementation.

Pour l'horticulteur, ce procédé de conditionnement présente les avantages d'assurer une parfaite conservation des plantes même en cas de stockage relativement long, de permettre aux racines de se développer dans la motte, ce qui autorise des plantations même tardivement dans la saison, et de supprimer l'emploi de pots en matière plastique pour conditionner les racines, dont le coût augmente le prix du produit fini. En outre, les plantes ainsi conditionnées ont un aspect visuel attractif pour les consommateurs.For the horticulturalist, this conditioning process has the advantages of ensuring perfect conservation of the plants even in the case of relatively long storage, of allowing the roots to develop in the root ball, which allows planting even late in the season, and to eliminate the use of plastic pots to condition the roots, the cost of which increases the price of the finished product. In addition, the plants thus conditioned have an attractive visual appearance for consumers.

Ce procédé va également dans le sens des préoccupations écologistes puisque les toiles ou filets employés sont biodégradables et que la suppression desdits pots évite la dissémination de déchets de matière plastique.This process also goes in the direction of environmental concerns since the fabrics or nets used are biodegradable and that the removal of said pots prevents the dissemination of plastic waste.

Pour reconstituer la motte, il convient de tasser le substrat autour des racines nues de la plante, puis de mettre en place la toile ou le filet, en simple ou double épaisseur.To reconstitute the root ball, it is necessary to pack the substrate around the bare roots of the plant, then to set up the canvas or the net, in single or double thickness.

A cet effet, on connaît, par les brevets américains 3 008 279 et 2 048 042, de déposer la toile d'enveloppement, le substrat et la plante sur un tapis souple de réception, de rabattre une partie du tapis autour de la plante et du substrat pour les envelopper partiellement et, a l'aide de moyens mécaniques appropriés, de déplacer le tapis autour du substrat et de la plante de manière, par leur entraînement en rotation, à réaliser le tassement du substrat autour des racines ainsi que l'enroulement de la toile autour du substrat.To this end, it is known from American patents 3,008,279 and 2,048,042 to deposit the wrapping cloth, the substrate and the plant on a flexible receiving mat, to fold a part of the mat around the plant and of the substrate to partially envelop them and, using appropriate mechanical means, to move the carpet around the substrate and the plant so as, by their rotational drive, to achieve the compaction of the substrate around the roots as well as the winding of the canvas around the substrate.

Ces machines, outre le fait qu'elles sont anciennes, rudimentaires, encombrantes et peu productives, présentent plusieurs inconvénients importants.These machines, in addition to the fact that they are old, rudimentary, bulky and not very productive, have several significant drawbacks.

Tout d'abord, elles ne permettent pas de régler ni de contrôler le tassement du substrat sur les racines des plantes, alors que certaines plantes n'exigent qu'un faible tassement tandis que d'autres, tel le rosier, exigent un tassement important.First of all, they do not make it possible to adjust or control the compaction of the substrate on the roots of the plants, while certain plants require only slight compaction while others, such as the rose bush, require significant compaction. .

De plus, certaines plantes présentent des racines relativement rigides, pouvant être plus ou moins tordues et en saillie vers l'extérieur. Il est alors nécessaire de réaliser un tassement important du substrat, pour l'obtention de mottes ayant une tenue suffisante pour résister au retour des racines dans leur position naturelle, a défaut de quoi les racines pourraient désagréger la motte, ce qui conduirait au dessèchement rapide de la plante.In addition, some plants have relatively rigid roots, which can be more or less twisted and projecting outwards. It is then necessary to carry out a significant compaction of the substrate, in order to obtain clods having sufficient hold to resist the return of the roots to their natural position, failing which the roots could disintegrate the clod, which would lead to rapid drying. of the plant.

En outre, l'impossibilité de contrôler le tassement du substrat aboutit à une pénétration insuffisante de celui-ci à l'intérieur du faisceau de racines. Il en résulte qu'une partie importante des plantes conditionnées se dessèche avant d'être replantée.In addition, the impossibility of controlling the compaction of the substrate results in insufficient penetration of the latter inside the bundle of roots. As a result, a significant part of the conditioned plants dries up before being replanted.

Enfin, les machines de la technique antérieure ne permettent pas l'obtention de mottes tassées a leurs extrémités, si bien que celles-ci ont tendance à se désagréger a ces endroits, ce qui induit une perte substantielle de substrat au cours de leur manipulation et de leur transport, et n'ont qu'un aspect visuel médiocre.Finally, the machines of the prior art do not allow clods packed at their ends to be obtained, so that these tend to disintegrate at these locations, which induces a substantial loss of substrate during their handling and transport, and have only a poor visual appearance.

La présente invention vise a remédier à l'ensemble de ces inconvénients.The present invention aims to remedy all of these drawbacks.

A cette fin, le procédé qu'elle concerne, selon lequel, de manière connue, on presse longitudinalement du substrat autour des racines, on entraîne la plante et le substrat en rotation autour de l'axe longitudinal de la plante en maintenant l'action de pressage du substrat, on réalise l'enroulement du bord d'une toile souple d'enveloppement autour de la motte et on fixe le bord libre de cette toile, par exemple par agrafage, est caractérisé en ce qu'il consiste à déposer tout ou partie du substrat prévu pour constituer la motte dans une gouttière délimitée par une bande sans fin tendue sur quatre rouleaux répartis en deux paires superposées, à placer la plante dans cette gouttière de telle sorte que ces racines soient au contact du substrat, a déposer, s'il y a lieu, le reste du substrat, à rapprocher l'un des rouleaux supérieurs de l'autre rouleau supérieur pour réaliser le pressage du substrat autour des racines et à entraîner les rouleaux en rotation pour, en faisant défiler la bande sans fin, entraîner la plante et le substrat en rotation.To this end, the process which it relates to, according to which, in a known manner, the substrate is pressed longitudinally around the roots, the plant and the substrate are rotated around the longitudinal axis of the plant while maintaining the action for pressing the substrate, the edge of a flexible wrapping cloth is wound around the root ball and the free edge of this cloth is fixed, for example by stapling, is characterized in that it consists in depositing all or part of the substrate intended to constitute the root ball in a gutter delimited by an endless band stretched over four rollers distributed in two superimposed pairs, to place the plant in this gutter so that these roots are in contact with the substrate, to be deposited, if necessary, the rest of the substrate, to bring one of the upper rollers closer to the other upper roller in order to press the substrate around the roots and to drive the rollers in rotation so as to doing run the endless strip, drive the plant and the substrate in rotation.

L'écartement plus ou moins important des rouleaux supérieurs au moment du déclenchement du défilement du tapis sans fin et le temps plus ou moins long d'entraînement en rotation de la plante et du substrat permettent de régler et de contrôler le tassement du substrat sur les racines de la plante.The greater or lesser spacing of the upper rollers when the endless belt scrolling is triggered and the more or less long time in rotation of the plant and the substrate make it possible to adjust and control the compaction of the substrate on the plant roots.

Les racines sont parfaitement maintenues au début et au cours de la mise en forme de la motte, de sorte qu'elles ne viennent pas gêner la réalisation de cette dernière. Ainsi, les branches et les racines de la plante sont parfaitement centrées dans la motte, quelle que soit leur forme plus ou moins irrégulière.The roots are perfectly maintained at the beginning and during the shaping of the root ball, so that they do not interfere with the realization of the latter. Thus, the branches and roots of the plant are perfectly centered in the root ball, whatever their more or less irregular shape.

Le tassement contrôlé rendu possible par le procédé selon l'invention permet également l'obtention de mottes ayant une tenue suffisante pour résister au retour des racines dans leur position naturelle, ainsi qu'une parfaite pénétration du substrat à l'intérieur du faisceau de racines. En fonction du tassement désiré, il est possible de rajouter du substrat en cours de formation de la motte.The controlled compaction made possible by the method according to the invention also makes it possible to obtain clods having sufficient strength to resist the return of the roots to their natural position, as well as perfect penetration of the substrate inside the bundle of roots. . Depending on the desired settlement, it is possible to add substrate during the formation of the clod.

En outre, ce procédé permet d'obtenir un serrage progressif du substrat sur les racines au cours de la rotation de la plante, de telle sorte que tout risque d'endommagement des racines est écarte.In addition, this method makes it possible to obtain a progressive tightening of the substrate on the roots during the rotation of the plant, so that any risk of damage to the roots is eliminated.

L'invention se rapporte également à une machine de mise en oeuvre du procédé décrit ci-dessus.The invention also relates to a machine for implementing the method described above.

Cette machine comprend quatre rouleaux répartis en deux paires superposées, autour desquels est tendue une bande sans fin formant une gouttière de réception de la plante et du substrat, l'un des rouleaux supérieurs étant mobile en translation entre une position écartée de l'autre rouleau supérieur, et une position rapprochée de l'autre rouleau où la bande sans fin est apte à presser longitudinalement le substrat et la plante déposés dans ladite gouttière, des moyens moteurs étant prévus pour entraîner les rouleaux en rotation de manière, en faisant défiler la bande, à entraîner le substrat et la plante en rotation.This machine comprises four rollers distributed in two superimposed pairs, around which is stretched an endless band forming a gutter for receiving the plant and the substrate, one of the upper rollers being movable in translation between a position separated from the other roller upper, and a position close to the other roller where the endless strip is able to press longitudinally the substrate and the plant deposited in said gutter, motor means being provided to drive the rollers in rotation so, by scrolling the strip , to drive the substrate and the plant in rotation.

La bande sans fin comporte avantageusement une bande, faisant saillie de sa surface, disposée parallèlement à sa direction de défilement, constituant un repère de positionnement du collet de la plante dans la gouttière et autour de laquelle le collet est destiné à être engagé. La position de l'extrémité supérieure de la motte par rapport au collet de la plante est ainsi toujours identique d'une motte à l'autre, quelle que soit la longueur des racines, ce qui permet de concevoir un emballage pour la plante sur lequel seraient repérées la hauteur de plantation et la hauteur de taille des branches, entre autres. Cette bande permet également de délimiter nettement l'extrémité supérieure de la motte.The endless band advantageously comprises a band, projecting from its surface, arranged parallel to its direction of travel, constituting a positioning mark for the collar of the plant in the gutter and around which the collar is intended to be engaged. The position of the upper end of the root ball relative to the collar of the plant is thus always identical from one root ball to the other, whatever the length of the roots, which makes it possible to design a packaging for the plant on which would be spotted planting height and pruning height of branches, among others. This strip also makes it possible to clearly delimit the upper end of the root ball.

De préférence, les moyens de commande de l'entraînement en rotation des rouleaux sont positionnés de manière à être actionnés par l'arrivée du rouleau supérieur mobile en position rapprochée de l'autre rouleau supérieur et le déclenchement de ces moyens de commande est réglable selon la position du rouleau supérieur mobile, pour l'obtention de mottes plus ou moins tassées selon la nature de la plante ou du substrat employé.Preferably, the means for controlling the rotation drive of the rollers are positioned so as to be actuated by the arrival of the movable upper roller in position close to the other upper roller and the triggering of these control means is adjustable according to the position of the movable upper roller, to obtain more or less compacted clods depending on the nature of the plant or the substrate used.

Selon d'autres caractéristiques, la machine comprend :

  • des disques montés sur au moins certains des axes des rouleaux, coaxialement à ceux-ci, en bordure de la bande sans fin et du côté de la gouttière destine a recevoir la plante et le substrat, ces disques étant légèrement décalés axialement les uns par rapport aux autres afin de pouvoir se chevaucher lorsque les rouleaux supérieurs sont en position rapprochée l'un de l'autre ; ces disques permettent de fermer la gouttière côté plante et substrat, pour empêcher l'écoulement de celui-ci et former le fond de la motte de manière nette, avec tassement de celui-ci ;
  • au moins un rouleau tenseur réglable en position, pour régler la tension de la bande en fonction du diamètre de la motte à réaliser ;
  • plusieurs cylindres interchangeables, de diamètres différents, pouvant être montés tour à tour sur la machine du côté de la gouttière opposé à celui recevant la plante et le substrat pour marquer la gouttière et faire varier son diamètre en fonction du diamètre désiré pour les mottes ;
  • au moins une balayette ou un racloir de nettoyage de la bande ;
  • un châssis basculant sur lequel est monté le rouleau supérieur mobile, ce châssis étant, de préférence, monté pivotant autour de l'axe du rouleau situé en dessous dudit rouleau supérieur mobile, comprenant un contrepoids facilitant son basculement et déclenchant, à son arrivée en fin de course de basculement dans le sens du rapprochement des rouleaux supérieurs, l'entraînement en rotation des rouleaux ; selon une forme de réalisation simple de l'invention, le châssis comprend une patte sur la trajectoire de laquelle se situent les moyens de commande de l'entraînement des rouleaux, cette patte étant apte à déclencher ces moyens de commande ;
  • un dévidoir pour ladite toile aérée ou filet et des moyens pour sa coupe à longueur désirée ;
  • des moyens automatisés d'amenage de quantité déterminée de substrat dans la gouttière.
According to other characteristics, the machine includes:
  • discs mounted on at least some of the axes of the rollers, coaxial to them, at the edge of the endless band and on the side of the gutter intended to receive the plant and the substrate, these discs being slightly offset axially with respect to to the others so as to be able to overlap when the upper rollers are in position close to one another; these discs make it possible to close the gutter on the plant and substrate side, to prevent the flow of the latter and form the bottom of the root ball in a clean manner, with compaction thereof;
  • at least one tensioning roller adjustable in position, to adjust the tension of the strip as a function of the diameter of the root ball to be produced;
  • several interchangeable cylinders, of different diameters, which can be mounted in turn on the machine on the side of the gutter opposite to that receiving the plant and the substrate to mark the gutter and vary its diameter as a function of the diameter desired for the clods;
  • at least one brush or a strip cleaning scraper;
  • a tilting frame on which is mounted the movable upper roller, this frame preferably being mounted pivoting about the axis of the roller located below said movable upper roller, comprising a counterweight facilitating its tilting and triggering, upon its arrival at the end tilting stroke in the direction of approach of the upper rollers, the rotation drive of the rollers; according to a simple embodiment of the invention, the chassis comprises a lug on the path of which are located the control means for driving the rollers, this lug being able to trigger these control means;
  • a reel for said ventilated fabric or net and means for cutting it to the desired length;
  • automated means for supplying a determined quantity of substrate in the gutter.

En outre, la machine est avantageusement inclinée perpendiculairement aux rouleaux, pour favoriser le dépôt du substrat et de la plante dans la gouttière, le tassement du substrat et l'évacuation de résidus ou du surplus de substrat.In addition, the machine is advantageously inclined perpendicular to the rollers, to favor the deposition of the substrate and the plant in the gutter, the compaction of the substrate and the evacuation of residues or surplus of substrate.

De toute façon, l'invention sera bien comprise à l'aide de la description qui suit en référence au dessin schématique annexe représentant, à titre d'exemple non limitatif, une forme de réalisation préférée de la machine qu'elle concerne.

  • Figures 1 et 2 en sont des vues en perspective, sous deux angles différents ;
  • Figures 3 et 4 en sont des vues simplifiées en bout selon deux phases de fonctionnement différentes ;
  • Figure 5 en est une vue en coupe selon V-V de figure 3 ; et
  • Figure 6 est une vue d'une plante dont les racines ont été conditionnées par le procédé que la machine permet de mettre en oeuvre.
In any case, the invention will be well understood with the aid of the description which follows with reference to the appended schematic drawing representing, by way of nonlimiting example, a preferred embodiment of the machine which it relates to.
  • Figures 1 and 2 are perspective views from two different angles;
  • Figures 3 and 4 are simplified views at the end according to two different operating phases;
  • Figure 5 is a sectional view along VV of Figure 3; and
  • Figure 6 is a view of a plant whose roots have been conditioned by the process that the machine allows to implement.

Les figures 1 à 5 représentent sous différents angles une machine 2 de conditionnement des racines d'une plante 3 permettant de réaliser, comme le montre la figure 6, une motte 4 de substrat 5 enveloppant les racines, cette motte 4 étant elle-même enveloppée dans une toile aérée ou un filet 6.Figures 1 to 5 show from different angles a machine 2 for conditioning the roots of a plant 3 making it possible, as shown in Figure 6, a clod 4 of substrate 5 enveloping the roots, this clod 4 being itself enveloped in an airy canvas or net 6.

La machine 2 comprend quatre rouleaux 10a,10b,10c,10d répartis en deux paires superposées, autour desquels est tendue une bande sans fin 11 formant une gouttière 12 de réception de la plante 3 et du substrat 5. Les arbres des rouleaux 10a,10b,10c,10d sont engagés dans des paliers 13 portes par le bâti 14 de la machine 2.The machine 2 comprises four rollers 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d distributed in two superimposed pairs, around which is stretched an endless band 11 forming a gutter 12 for receiving the plant 3 and the substrate 5. The shafts of the rollers 10a, 10b , 10c, 10d are engaged in bearings 13 doors by the frame 14 of the machine 2.

L'un 10a des rouleaux supérieurs 10a,10b est porté par un châssis 20, comprenant une poignée 21 et monté pivotant autour de l'axe du rouleau 10c situé en dessous du rouleau 10a. Le rouleau 10a est ainsi mobile entre une position écartée du rouleau 10b, visible sur les figures 1 et 3, et une position rapprochée de celui-ci, visible sur les figures 2 et 4.One 10a of the upper rollers 10a, 10b is carried by a frame 20, comprising a handle 21 and mounted pivoting about the axis of the roller 10c situated below the roller 10a. The roller 10a is thus movable between a position spaced from the roller 10b, visible in FIGS. 1 and 3, and a position close to the latter, visible in FIGS. 2 and 4.

La machine 2 comprend en outre :

  • un moto-réducteur 25 pour l'entraînement en rotation des rouleaux 10a,10b,10c,10d par l'intermédiaire d'un jeu de pignons 26 et de chaînes 27, ce moto-réducteur 25 étant protégé par un capot 28 dans lequel une lumière 29 en arc-de-cercle est ménagée pour rendre possible le mouvement du châssis 20 ;
  • une bande souple 30, faisant saillie de la bande sans fin 11 et étant disposée sur elle parallèlement à sa direction de défilement, servant de repère de positionnement du collet 3a de la plante 3 et autour de laquelle le collet 3a de la plante 3 est destiné à être engagé.
  • des disques 31 montés sur les arbres des rouleaux 10a,10b et 10c, coaxialement à ceux-ci, ces disques étant situés en bordure de la bande sans fin 11 et du côté de la gouttière 12 destiné à recevoir la plante 3 et le substrat 5 ; les disques 31 sont légèrement décalés axialement les uns par rapport aux autres afin de pouvoir se chevaucher lorsque les rouleaux supérieurs 10a,10b sont en position rapprochée l'un de l'autre ;
  • un rouleau tenseur 32 porté par des paliers 33 eux-mêmes montés sur un châssis 34, ce châssis 34 étant monté pivotant sur le bâti 14 de la machine 2 par l'un de ses côtés parallèles à l'axe du rouleau 32 et étant fixé à ce bâti 14 par son autre bord parallèle au rouleau 32 au moyen d'une vis 35 dont le serrage ou le desserrage permet de régler la tension qu'exerce le rouleau 32 sur la bande sans fin 11 ;
  • un cylindre 36 dont l'axe est solidaire d'une patte radiale 37 pouvant être fixé, selon une hauteur réglable, à un montant 38 solidaire du bâti 14, ce cylindre 35 faisant partie d'une serie de cylindres interchangeables, de diamètres différents, pouvant être montés tour à tour sur la machine 2 du côté de la gouttière 12 opposé à celui où se trouvent les disques 31 pour marquer la gouttière 12 et faire varier son diamètre en fonction du diamètre désiré pour les mottes 4 ;
  • un contacteur 40 de mise en fonctionnement des rouleaux 10a,10b,10c,10d, réglable en position et situé sur la trajectoire d'un montant latéral du châssis 20 ou d'une patte portée par lui ;
  • un châssis 41 formant dévidoir pour un rouleau 42 de toile aérée 43 et comportant une glissière 44 dans laquelle peut être déplacé un coulisseau 45 porteur d'une lame, pour découper à la longueur désirée la toile 43 se dévidant plus ou moins à la verticale de l'extrémité de la gouttière 12 où se trouvent les disques 31.
Machine 2 further includes:
  • a gear motor 25 for driving the rollers 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d in rotation by means of a set of sprockets 26 and chains 27, this gear motor 25 being protected by a cover 28 in which a light 29 in an arc is provided to make possible the movement of the frame 20;
  • a flexible strip 30, projecting from the endless strip 11 and being disposed on it parallel to its direction of travel, serving as a positioning marker for the collar 3a of the plant 3 and around which the collar 3a of the plant 3 is intended to be engaged.
  • discs 31 mounted on the shafts of the rollers 10a, 10b and 10c, coaxially with these, these discs being located at the edge of the endless band 11 and on the side of the gutter 12 intended to receive the plant 3 and the substrate 5 ; the discs 31 are slightly offset axially with respect to one another so as to be able to overlap when the upper rollers 10a, 10b are in position close to one another;
  • a tensioning roller 32 carried by bearings 33 themselves mounted on a chassis 34, this chassis 34 being pivotally mounted on the frame 14 of the machine 2 by one of its sides parallel to the axis of the roller 32 and being fixed to this frame 14 by its other edge parallel to the roller 32 by means of a screw 35 whose tightening or loosening makes it possible to adjust the tension exerted by the roller 32 on the endless belt 11;
  • a cylinder 36 whose axis is secured to a radial lug 37 which can be fixed, at an adjustable height, to an upright 38 secured to the frame 14, this cylinder 35 being part of a series of interchangeable cylinders, of different diameters, can be mounted in turn on the machine 2 on the side of the gutter 12 opposite to that where the discs 31 are located to mark the gutter 12 and vary its diameter depending on the desired diameter for clods 4;
  • a contactor 40 for putting the rollers 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d into operation, adjustable in position and situated on the path of a lateral upright of the chassis 20 or of a lug carried by it;
  • a frame 41 forming a reel for a roll 42 of ventilated canvas 43 and comprising a slide 44 in which a slide 45 carrying a blade can be moved, in order to cut the canvas 43 which is more or less vertical to the desired length the end of the gutter 12 where the discs 31 are located.

Il est en outre visible sur la figure 5 que la machine 2 est inclinée du côté de la gouttière 12 où se trouve le rouleau 42 et que le rouleau tenseur 32 comprend une gorge 50 pour permettre le passage de la bande 30.It is also visible in FIG. 5 that the machine 2 is inclined on the side of the gutter 12 where the roller 42 is located and that the tensioning roller 32 includes a groove 50 to allow the passage of the strip 30.

Les figures 3 à 5 illustrent différentes phases du fonctionnement de la machine 2 et du procédé dont elle permet la mise en oeuvre.Figures 3 to 5 illustrate different phases of the operation of the machine 2 and the process which it allows the implementation.

Environ la moitié du substrat 5 prévu pour constituer la motte 4 est tout d'abord déposée dans la gouttière 12 entre la bande 30 et l'extrémité de la bande sans fin 11. L'inclinaison de la machine 2 facilite le maintien du substrat 5 dans cette portion de la gouttière 12 et les disques 31 empêchent son écoulement en dehors de cette dernière. L'absence d'un disque 31 sur le rouleau 10d permet de ménager un passage rendant possible l'évacuation de résidus ou du surplus de substrat. La plante 3 est ensuite déposée dans la gouttière 12 de telle sorte que son collet 3a soit situé au niveau de la bande 30 et que ses racines soient sur le substrat 5, l'autre moitié de celui-ci étant ensuite déposée sur les racines. Le châssis 20 est alors basculé de manière a amener le rouleau 10a jusqu'alors en position écartée du rouleau 10b, en position rapprochée du rouleau 10b où la bande sans fin 11 exerce une pression longitudinale sur le substrat 5 qui tend à le tasser. Au moment de l'arrivée du rouleau 10a en position rapprochée du rouleau 10b, le montant latéral du châssis 20 vient actionner le contacteur 40, qui provoque l'entraînement en rotation des rouleaux 10a,10b,10c,10d. La plante et le substrat sont alors roulés de telle sorte que la motte 4 acquiert, comme cela apparaît sur la figure 6, une forme cylindrique.About half of the substrate 5 provided to form the root ball 4 is first deposited in the gutter 12 between the strip 30 and the end of the endless belt 11. The inclination of the machine 2 facilitates the maintenance of the substrate 5 in this portion of the gutter 12 and the discs 31 prevent its flow outside the latter. The absence of a disc 31 on the roller 10d makes it possible to provide a passage making it possible to evacuate residues or surplus substrate. The plant 3 is then deposited in the gutter 12 so that its collar 3a is located at the level of the strip 30 and that its roots are on the substrate 5, the other half of the latter then being deposited on the roots. The frame 20 is then tilted so as to bring the roller 10a hitherto in the position separated from the roller 10b, in the position close to the roller 10b where the endless belt 11 exerts a longitudinal pressure on the substrate 5 which tends to compact it. When the roller 10a arrives in the position close to the roller 10b, the lateral upright of the frame 20 actuates the contactor 40, which causes the rollers 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d to rotate. The plant and the substrate are then rolled so that the root ball 4 acquires, as it appears in FIG. 6, a cylindrical shape.

La toile 43 peut être engagée entre les rouleaux 10a et 10b à ce moment là de manière à réaliser son enroulement autour de la motte 4 ou peut, ainsi que cela est représenté sur la figure 3, être placée dans le fond de la gouttière 12 avant dépôt dans celle-ci de la totalité du substrat 5.The canvas 43 can be engaged between the rollers 10a and 10b at this time so as to wind it around the root ball 4 or can, as shown in Figure 3, be placed in the bottom of the gutter 12 before deposit therein of the entire substrate 5.

Après son enroulement, la toile 43 est coupée à la longueur désirée à l'aide du coulisseau 45 puis le châssis 20 est basculé de manière a éloigner le rouleau 10a du rouleau 10b. Ceci provoque l'arrêt de la rotation des rouleaux 10a,10b,10c,10d. La plante avec sa motte 4 et la toile 43 enroulée autour d'elle peut alors être extraite de la gouttière 12 et le bord d'extrémité de la toile 43 peut être fixé à la partie enroulée de la toile 43 au moyen d'agrafes 51.After its winding, the fabric 43 is cut to the desired length using the slider 45 then the frame 20 is tilted so as to move the roller 10a away from the roller 10b. This causes the rotation of the rollers 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d to stop. The plant with its clod 4 and the canvas 43 wrapped around it can then be extracted from the gutter 12 and the end edge of the canvas 43 can be fixed to the wound part of the canvas 43 by means of staples 51 .

Grâce à la machine 2, il est possible d'obtenir, comme cela est visible sur la figure 6, des mottes 4 toujours identiques entre elles dans leur diamètre et leur longueur, ainsi que dans le tassement de leur substrat. En outre, les branches et les racines de la plante 3 sont parfaitement centrées dans la motte quelle que soit leur forme plus ou moins régulière puisqu'elles sont maintenues au centre de la motte lors de l'entraînement en rotation de la plante par la bande sans fin 11. La bande 30 permet de parfaitement positionner la plante 3 par rapport au sommet de la motte 4 de telle sorte que l'enfoncement de la plante 3 dans la motte 4 est toujours idéal.Thanks to the machine 2, it is possible to obtain, as can be seen in FIG. 6, clods 4 which are always identical to each other in their diameter and their length, as well as in the compaction of their substrate. In addition, the branches and roots of the plant 3 are perfectly centered in the root ball whatever their more or less regular shape since they are held in the center of the root ball during the rotation of the plant by the band. endless 11. The strip 30 makes it possible to perfectly position the plant 3 relative to the top of the root ball 4 so that the insertion of the plant 3 in the root ball 4 is always ideal.

L'interchangement du rouleau 36 permet de réaliser des mottes 4 de différents diamètres, la position du rouleau 32 étant réglée à l'aide de la vis 35 de manière à exercer sur la bande 11 la tension adéquate.The interchange of the roller 36 makes it possible to make clods 4 of different diameters, the position of the roller 32 being adjusted using the screw 35 so as to exert the adequate tension on the strip 11.

La position du contacteur 40 est réglable, ce qui permet de régler le moment où ce contacteur est déclenché par la basculement du châssis 20 et donc le moment où les rouleaux 10a,10b,10c,10d sont entraînés en rotation. Ainsi, la pression longitudinale du substrat 5 exercée par la bande sans fin 11 avant l'entraînement en rotation des rouleaux 10a,10b,10c,10d peut être réglée pour l'obtention de mottes 4 plus ou moins tassées selon les plantes à conditionner.The position of the switch 40 is adjustable, which makes it possible to adjust the moment when this switch is triggered by the tilting of the chassis 20 and therefore the moment when the rollers 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d are driven in rotation. Thus, the longitudinal pressure of the substrate 5 exerted by the endless belt 11 before the rotation of the rollers 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d can be adjusted to obtain clods 4 more or less packed according to the plants to be packaged.

La machine 2 selon l'invention permet l'obtention de mottes parfaites dans leur présentation et ce à une cadence élevée.The machine 2 according to the invention makes it possible to obtain perfect lumps in their presentation and this at a high rate.

Claims (12)

  1. Method for packaging the roots of a plant, according to which, in a known manner, substrate is pressed longitudinally around the roots, the plant and the substrate are rotated about the longitudinal axis of the plant while maintaining the action of pressing the substrate, the edge of a ventilated cloth is wound around the clod and the free edge of this cloth is fixed, for example by stapling, characterised in that it consists of depositing all or part of the substrate (5) intended to form a clod (4) in a trough (12) delimited by an endless belt (11) tensioned over four rollers (10a to 10d) arranged in two pairs placed one above the other, of placing the plant (3) in this trough (12) in such a way that its roots are in contact with the substrate (5), of depositing, if necessary, the rest of the substrate (5), of bringing one (10a) of the upper rollers (10a, 10b) closer to the other upper roller (10b) in order to press the substrate (5) around the roots, and of rotating the rollers (10a to 10d) so that, by causing the endless belt (11) to move, the plant (3) and the substrate (5) are rotated.
  2. Machine for implementing the method according to Claim 1, comprising four rollers (10a to 10d) arranged in two pairs placed one above the other, around which an endless belt (11) is tensioned, forming a trough (12) for receiving the plant (3) and substrate (5), one (10a) of the upper rollers (10a, 10b) being movable in translation between a position distant from the other upper roller (10b) and a position near to the other roller (10b) in which the endless belt (11) is able to longitudinally press the substrate (5) and the plant (3) deposited in the said trough (12), drive means (25) being provided for rotating the rollers (10a to 10d) so as to rotate the substrate (5) and plant (3) by causing the endless belt (11) to move.
  3. Machine according to Claim 2, characterised in that the endless belt (11) has a guide (30) for positioning and keeping the neck (3a) of the plant (3) in the trough (12).
  4. Machine according to Claim 2 or Claim 3, characterised in that the means (40) for controlling the rotation of the rollers (10a to 10d) are positioned so as to be activated by the arrival of the movable upper roller (10a) in the position in which it is near to the other upper roller (10b).
  5. Machine according to Claim 4, characterised in that the triggering of these control means (40) is adjustable according to the position of the movable upper roller (10a).
  6. Machine according to one of Claims 2 to 5, characterised in that it comprises discs (31) mounted on at least some of the shafts of the rollers (10a to 10d), coaxial with the latter, at the edge of the endless belt (11) and on the side of the trough (12) designed to receive the plant (3) and the substrate (5), these discs (31) being slightly offset axially with respect to each other in order to be able to overlap when the upper rollers (10a, 10b) are in the position in which they are near to each other.
  7. Machine according to one of Claims 2 to 6, characterised in that it comprises at least one tensioning roller (32) whose position is adjustable, for regulating the tension of the belt (11) according to the diameter of the clod (4) to be produced.
  8. Machine according to one of Claims 2 to 7, characterised in that it comprises several interchangeable cylinders (36), with different diameters, able to be mounted in turn on the machine (2) on the side of the trough (12) opposite that receiving the plant (3) and the substrate (5) in order to determine the trough (12) and vary its diameter according to the diameter desired for the clods (4).
  9. Machine according to Claims 2 to 8, characterised in that it comprises at least one brush or scraper for cleaning the belt (11).
  10. Machine according to one of Claims 2 to 9, characterised in that it comprises a tilting underframe (20) on which is mounted the movable upper roller (10a), this underframe (20) being mounted so as to pivot about the shaft of the roller (10c) situated below the said movable upper roller (10a), comprising a counterweight facilitating its tilting and triggering the rotation of the rollers (10a to 10d) when it reaches the end of its tilting travel in the direction bringing the upper rollers (10a, 10b) closer together.
  11. Machine according to one of Claim 2 to 10, characterised in that it comprises a paying-out device (41) for the said ventilated cloth or netting (43) and means (44, 45) for cutting it to the desired length.
  12. Machine according to one of Claims 2 to 11, characterised in that it comprises automated means for bringing a predetermined quantity of substrate (5) into the trough (12).
EP92420289A 1991-09-02 1992-09-01 Method and apparatus for packaging plant roots Expired - Lifetime EP0531238B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR9111027 1991-09-02
FR9111027A FR2680752B1 (en) 1991-09-02 1991-09-02 PROCESS FOR CONDITIONING THE ROOTS OF A PLANT AND MACHINE FOR ITS IMPLEMENTATION.

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0531238A1 EP0531238A1 (en) 1993-03-10
EP0531238B1 true EP0531238B1 (en) 1995-05-31

Family

ID=9416695

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP92420289A Expired - Lifetime EP0531238B1 (en) 1991-09-02 1992-09-01 Method and apparatus for packaging plant roots

Country Status (5)

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EP (1) EP0531238B1 (en)
AT (1) ATE123266T1 (en)
DE (1) DE69202741T2 (en)
ES (1) ES2075664T3 (en)
FR (1) FR2680752B1 (en)

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
NL1023719C2 (en) * 2003-06-22 2004-12-28 Schrauwen Holding B V C Packaging device for roots of plants, e.g. for trans=planting trees, comprises feed for non elastic packaging material and wrapping device

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2048042A (en) * 1935-05-06 1936-07-21 Robert C Wedge Wrapping machine
US3008279A (en) * 1959-10-16 1961-11-14 John A Weller Packaging machine
US3823528A (en) * 1973-01-19 1974-07-16 W Janssen Device for packing in foil a bunch of elongated objects
DE3812273A1 (en) * 1988-04-13 1989-10-26 Kordes Soehne Rosenschulen METHOD AND MACHINE FOR BALLING SHRUBBLE PLANTS

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
FR2680752A1 (en) 1993-03-05
ES2075664T3 (en) 1995-10-01
DE69202741T2 (en) 1996-02-08
DE69202741D1 (en) 1995-07-06
FR2680752B1 (en) 1994-11-25
EP0531238A1 (en) 1993-03-10
ATE123266T1 (en) 1995-06-15

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