EP2485578A1

EP2485578A1 - Method of planting plant and protection sleeve and tool for this

Info

Publication number: EP2485578A1
Application number: EP10822315A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Hans BJÖRKEMAR; Lars-Göran SUNDBLAD
Original assignee: Bjorkemar Construction & Consulting Bcc AB
Current assignee: Bjorkemar Construction & Consulting Bcc AB
Priority date: 2009-10-05
Filing date: 2010-09-28
Publication date: 2012-08-15
Also published as: SE533305C2; EP2485578A4; WO2011043716A1; WO2011043716A9; SE0901275A1

Abstract

When planting plants (P), a recess is formed in the ground (M) by the operation of a planting means (2) at a first end (3) of a plant channel of a tool (15), a plant is introduced into a second end (4) of the tool and the plant is allowed to fall through the tool and down into the recess. One or several insect protection sleeves (40) are introduced into and are supported in a protection channel (20) that is extended along the plant channel and prior to each introduction of a plant into the plant channel a protection sleeve is introduced into the plant channel at a position (1A) between its ends. After receiving the protection sleeve in the plant channel a plant is introduced into the second end thereof and falls into the introduced protection sleeve and the protection sleeve is allowed to fall down into the recess together with a plant received in said protection sleeve.

Description

Method of planting plant and protection sleeve and tool for this .

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to the planting of plants and more specifically concerns such planting where the plants are in connection with the planting provided with protection against harmful insect attacks.

BACKGROUND

Insect attacks are a serious problem in association with almost all planting of plants. When it comes to forest plants, damaging effects of the bark-gnawing pine weevil have especially been observed, both in forest plantations and in plant nurseries. Over the years different methods and types of protections have therefore been developed for reducing or completely preventing damages caused by the pine weevil in forest plantations and in plant nurseries.

Among these previously used, more or less successful methods may be mentioned horti- cultural methods/biological plant protection, spraying of chemical plant protection products that is nowadays prohibited in most countries and the use of mechanical insect protection devices.

Amongst the mechanical pine weevil protections there have in recent years been developed various basic techniques in the form of an application of a so called coating protection that is usually sprayed onto parts of the plants, as well as an application of a so-called barrier protection that may be in the form of a sleeve consisting of fabric, plastic, paper or the like and that is applied around the lower parts of a mature plant. In the most recent time, a barrier protection in the form of gently tapered plastic sleeves has been developed. Said sleeves are intended to be put into the ground in association with, and in particular just prior to, the planting of a plant and one plant is received in each one of them. Although this is a well functioning barrier protection it suffers from the fact that the planting of protection and plant becomes rather complicated and thereby not very cost effective.

SUMMARY

A general object of the invention is therefore to enable cost effective and simultaneously convenient planting of plants with insect protection devices. A more specific object of the invention is to provide a method for the practical and effective planting of plants and associated insect protection devices.

Another specific object of the invention is to provide an improved tool for performing quick and easy simultaneous planting of plants and associated insect protection devices.

These and other objects are met by the invention as defined by the accompanying patent claims.

The invention generally relates to the planting of plants, whereby a recess is formed in the ground by means of a planting tool having a plant channel with a planting means at one end. A plant is introduced at another end of the plant channel and is allowed to fall through the tool and down into the recess. To form the basis of a cost effective and practical, simultaneous planting of plants and barrier protections for them, a basic idea of the invention is to introduce a protective sleeve into a protection channel provided along the plant channel and to feed said sleeve to the plant channel prior to the introduction of a plant into said plant channel. Then, a plant is allowed to fall down into the protective sleeve that finally falls down into the recess together with the plant. This method enables performing a quick and convenient planting of plants together with a protective barrier. In accordance with another aspect of the invention there is provided an improved planting tool of the type where a plant channel at one end thereof is provided with a planting means that may be opened and shut by means of a manipulation means and at another end has an opening for receiving plants. The tool according to the invention is configured having a protection channel being extended along the plant channel and communicating with the plant channel and having stop means against which protective sleeves are intended to be supported prior to planting, whereby the action of said stop means is controlled by the manipulation means of the planting tool. With such a configuration a very advantageous, quick and practical planting of plants with protective barrier is achieved. Further developments of the invention and embodiments thereof are specified in the subclaims. Other advantages offered by the invention will become clear upon reading the below detailed description of embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention and further objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood by reference to the following description and the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side view of an embodiment of a planting tool according to the invention; Fig. 2A is a partly sectioned side view of the planting tool of Fig. 1, shown in an intermediate phase of a planting sequence;

Figs. 2B-C are partial views corresponding to Fig. 2A and illustrating a final phase of a planting sequence and a first phase of a subsequent sequence, respectively;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged view of the detail A of Fig. 2A, illustrating parts of the stop and separating means in a separation phase for two lowermost sleeves of a stack; and

Fig. 4 is a schematic view illustrating the function of the stop and separating means illustrated in Fig. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The basic concept of the invention will now be explained with reference to an exemplifying embodiment of the invention that is illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The embodi- ment of the invention that is illustrated in the drawings is an example of an application of the basic inventive principles to a Icnown type of planting tube that is used for manual planting of forest plants. However, it shall be emphasized that the sole purpose of the illustrated embodiment is to illustrate a presently preferred configuration of a tool according to the invention and is not intended to restrict the invention to the details shown in the drawings.

Fig. 1 schematically illustrates a plan view from one side of a planting tool 15 according to the invention. The tool 15 that is primarily intended for purely mechanical planting of forest plants P, basically has a conventional configuration similar to that of a so called planting tube. Thus, the tool 15 has a generally tubular plant channel 1 that at a first end 3 is provided with a planting means 2 that is supported by the actual channel or tube 1. At a second end 4 thereof the plant channel 1 is provided with a handle 7 and an opening 5 in which plants P may be introduced in order to be accommodated therein. In a known manner, the actual planting means 2 consists of a beak that may be opened and shut through an actuator means 8 and manipulation means 6, respectively. The beak 2 is formed by a fixed jaw 2A that is connected to or that forms an integrated part of the channel 1 and a moveable jaw 2B that is pivotally supported at the first end 3 of the channel 1. The moveable jaw 2B is pivotal about a joint 2C and is fixedly connected to an actuator means 8 in the shape of a foot pedal 8 by means of which it may be pivoted to an open position (Fig. 2B) for opening the planting means 2. Closing of the planting means 2, i.e. pivoting of the moveable jaw 2B in the opposite direction around the joint 2C, is performed in a known manner through manipulation means 6. Said manipulation means 6 include an operation link 10 that at a lower one of its ends is connected to the pivotal jaw 2B and to the foot pedal 8, respectively, through a joint 14 and a fixed link 13. At its other, upper end the operation link 10 is movably, for displacement essentially in its longitudinal direction, but fixably connected to the upper or second end 4 of the plant channel 1. Locking of the operation link 10 takes place in a position where it has been pushed upwardly by depressing the foot pedal 8 for opening of the jaw at the final stage of a later described planting sequence. After completed planting, a release lever 12 is actuated, which releases the operation link 10 for return movement, whereby the force from a spring 11 in a known manner effects such automatic return and thereby closing of the planting means 2. Said spring 11 is provided around the operation link 10 and acts between the link and the plant channel 1. As far as it has been described now, the planting tool 15 is configured as a traditional planting tube.

To achieve the above indicated main objective the planting tool 15 according to the invention is provided with a protection channel 20 that is extended along at least a part of the plant channel 1, that is adapted for receiving insect protection sleeves 40 and that is described with specific reference also to Figs. 2A and 3. The insect protection channel 20 is in open communication with the plant channel 1 at a position 1A that is located between the first and second plant channel ends 3 and 4, respectively and in the illustrated configuration more specifically in close association with the first end 3. The protection channel 20 also has stop means 30; 28A against which the insect protection sleeve or -sleeves 40 are each adapted to be temporarily, separately supported prior to a planting sequence for them and for an associ- ated plant P. In the illustrated embodiment two supplementary stop means 30; 28 A are employed at the protection channel 20, which are functionally connected to the manipulation means 6, 10-14 of the planting means 2. Their design and function will be more closely described in association with Figs. 2A, 3 and 4. However, it shall now already now be emphasized that these stop means are only shown for the purpose of exemplification and that they in other practical applications may be designed differently without departing from the invention.

At a first end 21 thereof the protection channel 20 has an opening 23 for the introduction of insect protection sleeves 40 therein. A second end 22 of the protection channel 20 communicates with the plant channel 1 at said position 1A in association with the planting means 2, at the first end 3 of the plant channel 1. A main portion 24 of the protection channel 20 is provided essentially extended parallel to the plant channel 1 and this main portion continues into an angled and/or alternatively arc shaped portion 25 that connects to the plant channel 1 at said position 1A. In the shown embodiment a guide sleeve 26 is also provided at the protection channel 20. The guide sleeve 26 is arranged surrounding the protection channel 20 and is displaceable along the protection channel to control the feeding of guide sleeves 40 into the plant channel 1 and thereby to a planting position (see Fig. 2C), in a later described manner. The guide sleeve 26 functionally integrates the manipulation means 6, 10-14 and the stop means 30; 28A of the tool 15. In its most basic function the guide sleeve, by its displacement, is adapted to overcome and/or alternatively deactivate the supporting stop function of the stop means 30; 28A, and to release a new insect protection sleeve 40 for introduction into the plant channel 1. This is done after each performed planting sequence, i.e. in practice each time that the planting means 2 is closed by means of the manipulation means 6, 10-14 after a performed planting. Specifically, the displacement of the guide sleeve 26 is coupled to the displacement of the manipulation means 6 of the tool 15 through two coil springs 31, 33. Said coil springs 31, 33 are at first spaced ends thereof connected to spring mounts 32 and 34, respectively, on the operation link 10 and are at second adjacent ends connected to a pin 35 provided at the exterior of the guide sleeve 26. At its inner side the guide sleeve is provided with resilient shifting dogs 27. Said dogs 27 are preferably provided diametrically opposite each other and are extended through slits (not specifically designated) in the protection channel 20 and into its interior.

The illustrated, exemplifying configuration of the stop means 30, 28 A shall now be described with specific reference to Figs. 3 and 4. Said configuration is specifically made for use by a protection channel 20 that is adapted for receiving a stack 41 consisting of several insect protection sleeves 40A-D received in one another. In this case the stop means on the one hand consist of a compression spring 30 that is extended around restricted parts or alternatively around a main portion of the inner circumference of the protection channel 20 and that is adapted for acting with a relatively weak pressing force upon a protection sleeve 40A being in the infeed position (see Fig. 3). On the other hand said stop means consist of at least two hook-like flat springs 28 A that are preferably provided diametrically opposite each other. The first stop means 30 in the form of the compression spring acts to maintain a protection sleeve 40A in position in the protection channel 20 through frictional force. The second stop means 28A in the form of the hook-like flat springs are pivotal around a joint 29 for pivoting into a stop or support position below an edge of the protection sleeve 40A being next to be intro- duced into the plant channel 1 and for pivoting in the opposite direction to a position releasing the protection sleeve, respectively.

Each of the second stop means 28 A are directly, fixedly connected to a separating means 28B that also consists of a flat spring, and preferably the second stop means 28A and the associ- ated separating means 28B are made in one piece from the same flat spring. The separating means 28B are insertable between successive protection sleeves to thereby accomplish separation of first 40A and second 40B protection sleeves in the stack 41. The separation takes place when the planting means 2 is opened by the actuator means 8 in each planting sequence. Through the described displacement of the guide sleeve 26 the separating means 28B are also functionally connected to the manipulation means 6 motion that by the pivoting of the flat springs 28A, 28B shift them to and from their stop and separating positions, respectively, as will be explained further below. It shall be emphasized that in drawing figures 3 and 4 the direct cooperation between the guide sleeve 26 and the second stop means 28A and the separating means 28B, respectively, that causes shifting of them between their positions, has not been represented realistically but very simplified in order to enhance clearness. In fact, this shifting may take place e.g. by the fact that the guide sleeve 26, when it is displaced, comes into contact with and acts on these stop and separating means 28A and 28B respectively. This contact may be direct or alternatively through separate elements, such as the shifting dogs 27 supported thereby.

By means of e.g. the described tool 15 a method according to the invention is carried out for planting plants P, whereby a planting sequence for each plant in the known manner comprises forming a recess R in the ground M (Fig. 2B-C) by depressing and operating the planting means 2 at the first end 3 of the plant channel 1 of the planting tool 15. In a later phase, described below, a plant P is introduced into a second end 4 of the plant channel to fall through the tool 15 and down into the recess R. According to the invention at least one insect protection sleeve 40; 40A-D is also introduced into and is temporarily supported in the protection channel 20 that is extended at least partly along the plant channel 1. Prior to each insertion of a plant P into the plant channel 20 an insect protection sleeve 40; 40A-D, in the applicable case after having been separated from the other protection sleeves supported in the protection channel, is introduced into the plant channel 1 at the position 1 A between its ends 3, 4. When the protection sleeve 40; 40A-D has been received in the plant channel 1 a plant P is introduced into the second end 4 of the plant channel and is allowed to fall down into the introduced protection sleeve, whereupon the protection sleeve 40; 40A-D is allowed to fall down into the recess R together with the plant P received therein. In a practical variant of the method several insect protection sleeves 40A-D are simultaneously introduced into and temporarily supported in a stack 41 in the protection channel 20, whereby the described phases of a planting sequence are repeated until new protection sleeves of a new stack 41 need to be charged into the protection channel 20. However, in a simplest variant of the method, one insect protection sleeve 40 at a time may be introduced into and temporarily supported in the protection channel 20, whereby the described phases of a planting sequence are repeated for each new plant P to be planted. Irrespective of the variant of the method the protection sleeves 40; 40A-D that are separately introduced into the plant channel 1 are brought into engagement with the planting means 2 at the first end 3 of the plant channel 1 before receiving a plant P therein. Then the protection sleeve, with a plant P introduced therein, is released from the planting means 2 by the operation of the latter to an open position, and is allowed to fall down into the formed recess R in the ground M. The introduction of an insect protection sleeve from the protection channel 20 and into the plant channel 1 and in the applicable case the separation of the sleeves 40A-D from each other is functionally controlled by an operation of the planting means 2 to a closed and/or an open position in each planting sequence.

With specific reference to Fig. 4 a planting sequence according to the invention consists of i.a. the following phases:

Phase I. The guide sleeve 26 that is in a lower position is displaced in an upward direction U by the upwardly directed displacement of the operation link 10 when the planting means 2 is opened. The lowermost protection sleeve 40A, like the rest of the stack 41, is thereby held by the second stop means 28 A that are pivoted in the protection channel 20 and that have this position as a normal position or position at rest. The compression springs 30 on the inside of the protection channel 20 also assist in supporting the lowermost protection sleeve 40A.

Phase II. The guide sleeve 26 is in the uppermost position. In this position the guide sleeve 26 directly or indirectly pushes the stop and separating means 28A, 28B so that they have shifted position and have separated the first 40A and second 40B protection sleeve and so that the separating means 28B now prevent the second, next-lowermost protection sleeve 40B from falling down. At the same time the lowermost protection sleeve cannot move upwardly. The lowermost protection sleeve 40A is now released but is prevented from falling down by a light pressure/friction from the compression springs 30 of the first stop means at the inside of the protection channel 20. In the upward movement of the guide sleeve 26 the resilient shifting dogs 27 in the sleeve have slid over the edge of the lowermost protection sleeve 40A.

Phase III. The guide sleeve 26 is pushed downwardly N by the downwardly directed displacement of the operation link 10 when the planting means 2 is closed and the lowermost protection sleeve 40A is pushed along downwardly due to the fact that the guide sleeve 26 shifting dogs 27 by the downward movement press against the edge of the protection sleeve 40A. This movement overcomes frictional force from the compression springs of the first stop means 30 and the second stop means 28A. The separation means 28B now return to the position at rest and prevent the "new" lowermost protection sleeve 40B from falling down. When the guide sleeve 26 reaches a lower end position and stops, the lowermost protection sleeve 40 A proceeds downwardly and is discharged into the beak 2 of the planting tool 15.

In alternative, but not specifically illustrated embodiments of the invention variants or modifi- cations of the different parts of the tool may be employed without departing from the scope of the invention. Above all, the invention is not restricted to the illustrated and described, schematical configuration of the stop and separating means, but includes variants and modifications thereof that perform the same basic functions as those described above. Another example thereof is that in its simplest form the invention also includes a design where the protection channel does not receive stacks of protection sleeves but where single insect protection sleeves are separately introduced into the protection channel in connection with the planting of each plant. In such a simplified configuration it may be sufficient to use only the stop means 30 in the form of the flat spring to temporarily hold the single protection sleeve. Although the invention has been illustrated and described with specific reference to an application for planting forest plants together with a specific, cup- or sleeve-like protection device, the invention shall in no way be restricted exactly to said specific application. The basic principles of the invention may thus be applied to other types of planting tubes and in the applicable cases to other types of protection devices for planting together with the plant.

The invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered the most practical and preferred embodiments, but it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. The invention is therefore intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS

1. A method of planting plants (P), whereby a planting sequence for each plant includes forming a recess (R) in the ground (M) by depressing and operating a planting means (2) at a first end (3) of a plant channel (1) of a planting tool (15) and introducing a plant in a second end (4) of the plant channel, allowing the plant to fall through the tool and down into the recess, characterized by:

a) introducing and temporarily supporting at least one insect protection sleeve (40; 40A- D) in a protection channel (20) extending at least partly along the plant channel;

b) introducing an insect protection sleeve, in the applicable case after having been separated from other insect protection sleeves supported in the protection channel, into the plant channel at a position (1A) between its ends and prior to each introduction of a plant into the plant channel;

c) introducing a plant into the second end of the plant channel after receiving the protection sleeve in the plant channel and allowing the plant to fall down into the introduced protection sleeve; and

d) allowing the protection sleeve to fall down into the recess together with a plant received in the protection sleeve.

2. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that several insect protection sleeves (40A-D) are simultaneously introduced into and are temporarily supported in the protection channel (20) and in that phase b) to d) are repeated in sequence until new protection sleeves are charged into the protection channel.

3. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that an insect protection sleeve (40) at a time is inserted and is temporarily supported in the protection channel (20) and in that phase a) to d) are repeated for each new plant (P) to be planted.

4. A method according to one or several of claims 1-3, characterized in that the protection sleeves (40; 40A-D) that are separately introduced into the plant channel (1) are brought into engagement with the planting means (2) at the first end (3) of the plant channel prior to receiving a plant (P) therein and in that protection sleeves having a plant introduced therein are released from the planting means through an operation thereof to an open position and are allowed to fall down into the formed recess (R) in the ground (M).

5. A method according to one or several of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the introduction of an insect protection sleeve (40; 40A-D) from the protection channel (20) into the plant channel (1) and in the applicable case the separation of the sleeves from each other is functionally controlled by an operation of the planting means (2) to an open and/or closed position in each planting sequence.

6. A tool (15) for planting plants (P), having a plant channel (1) that at a first end (3) carries a planting means (2) that may be opened and shut tlirough an actuator means (8) and a manipulation means (6), respectively, and that at a second end (4) thereof is provided with an opening (5) for receiving plants, characterized in that:

a) along at least a portion of the plant channel (1) is extended a protection channel (20) being adapted for receiving one or several insect protection sleeves (40; 40A-D); b) the protection channel (20) is in open communication with the plant channel (1) at a position (1A) between the first and second ends of the plant channel;

c) the protection channel has stop means (30; 28A) against which the insect protection sleeve or sleeves are adapted to be temporarily supported prior to a planting sequence for them and an associated plant; and

d) the stop means of the protection channel are functionally connected to the manipulation means (6, 10-14) of the planting means (2).

7. A tool (15) according to claim 6, characterized in that the protection channel (20) at a first end (21) has an opening (23) for the introduction of insect protection sleeves (40; 40A-D) and at a second end (22) communicates with the plant channel (1) at the position (1A) in association with the planting means (2).

8. A tool (15) according to claim 6 or 7, characterized by a guide sleeve (26) that is displaceable at the protection channel (20) and that functionally integrates the manipulation means (6, 10-14) and the stop means (30; 28A) and that is adapted to overcome and/or alternatively deactivate the supporting stop function of the stop means by its displacement, to thereby release a new insect protection sleeve (40; 40A-D) for introduction into the plant channel (1) after each performed planting sequence.

9. A tool (15) according to one or several of claims 6-8, characterized in that a main portion (24) of the protection channel (20) is essentially parallel to the plant channel (1) and in that the main portion continues into an angled and/or alternatively arc shaped portion (25) that connects to the plant channel.

10. A tool (15) according to one or several of claims 6-9, having a protection channel (20) for receiving a stack (41) of insect protection sleeves (40A-D), characterized by stop means

(28A) that are each directly connected to separating means (28B) that are likewise functionally connected to the manipulation means (6, 10-14) for introduction between and thereby separation of first (40A) and second (40B) protection sleeves of the stack in connection with opening of the planting means (2) through the actuator means (8) in each planting sequence.