GB2351488A - System for the application of treatment material to particulate material - Google Patents
System for the application of treatment material to particulate material Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2351488A GB2351488A GB0015269A GB0015269A GB2351488A GB 2351488 A GB2351488 A GB 2351488A GB 0015269 A GB0015269 A GB 0015269A GB 0015269 A GB0015269 A GB 0015269A GB 2351488 A GB2351488 A GB 2351488A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- grain
- control unit
- particulate material
- point
- application
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
Links
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G05—CONTROLLING; REGULATING
- G05D—SYSTEMS FOR CONTROLLING OR REGULATING NON-ELECTRIC VARIABLES
- G05D11/00—Control of flow ratio
- G05D11/02—Controlling ratio of two or more flows of fluid or fluent material
- G05D11/13—Controlling ratio of two or more flows of fluid or fluent material characterised by the use of electric means
- G05D11/131—Controlling ratio of two or more flows of fluid or fluent material characterised by the use of electric means by measuring the values related to the quantity of the individual components
- G05D11/133—Controlling ratio of two or more flows of fluid or fluent material characterised by the use of electric means by measuring the values related to the quantity of the individual components with discontinuous action
- G05D11/134—Controlling ratio of two or more flows of fluid or fluent material characterised by the use of electric means by measuring the values related to the quantity of the individual components with discontinuous action by sensing the weight of the individual components
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
- A01C—PLANTING; SOWING; FERTILISING
- A01C1/00—Apparatus, or methods of use thereof, for testing or treating seed, roots, or the like, prior to sowing or planting
- A01C1/06—Coating or dressing seed
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A23—FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS; TREATMENT THEREOF, NOT COVERED BY OTHER CLASSES
- A23B—PRESERVING, e.g. BY CANNING, MEAT, FISH, EGGS, FRUIT, VEGETABLES, EDIBLE SEEDS; CHEMICAL RIPENING OF FRUIT OR VEGETABLES; THE PRESERVED, RIPENED, OR CANNED PRODUCTS
- A23B9/00—Preservation of edible seeds, e.g. cereals
- A23B9/14—Coating with a protective layer; Compositions or apparatus therefor
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A23—FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS; TREATMENT THEREOF, NOT COVERED BY OTHER CLASSES
- A23B—PRESERVING, e.g. BY CANNING, MEAT, FISH, EGGS, FRUIT, VEGETABLES, EDIBLE SEEDS; CHEMICAL RIPENING OF FRUIT OR VEGETABLES; THE PRESERVED, RIPENED, OR CANNED PRODUCTS
- A23B9/00—Preservation of edible seeds, e.g. cereals
- A23B9/16—Preserving with chemicals
- A23B9/24—Preserving with chemicals in the form of liquids or solids
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A23—FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS; TREATMENT THEREOF, NOT COVERED BY OTHER CLASSES
- A23B—PRESERVING, e.g. BY CANNING, MEAT, FISH, EGGS, FRUIT, VEGETABLES, EDIBLE SEEDS; CHEMICAL RIPENING OF FRUIT OR VEGETABLES; THE PRESERVED, RIPENED, OR CANNED PRODUCTS
- A23B9/00—Preservation of edible seeds, e.g. cereals
- A23B9/16—Preserving with chemicals
- A23B9/24—Preserving with chemicals in the form of liquids or solids
- A23B9/32—Apparatus for preserving using liquids
Landscapes
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Polymers & Plastics (AREA)
- Zoology (AREA)
- Food Science & Technology (AREA)
- Wood Science & Technology (AREA)
- Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
- General Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Soil Sciences (AREA)
- Environmental Sciences (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Automation & Control Theory (AREA)
- Agricultural Chemicals And Associated Chemicals (AREA)
Abstract
A system for applying treatment material, particularly pesticide, to a particulate material such as grain, includes means for weighing the grain 10 at a first point in a flow line. A signal relating to the weight of the grain is transmitted to a control unit 17. An applicator 23 for applying the treatment material is positioned at a second point in the flow line downstream from the first. The control unit 17 is arranged to control application of the treatment material from the applicator 23 such that it is directly related to the weight of the particulate material detected at the first point. The means for weighing the particulate material 10 may be a platform (15, fig.2) over which the particulate material is caused to flow. A load cell (16, fig.2) acted on by the platform (15, fig.2) produces an output to the control unit 17. The platform (15, fig.2) may be a substantially flat plate inclined at 45{ to the horizontal. The control unit 17 may be connected to a printer which provides a print-out of the information relating to a batch of grain.
Description
1 2351488 APPLICATION SYSTEMS
Field of the Invention
This invention relates to application systems and is concerned with the provision of an improved system for the controlled application of a treatment material to a particulate material.
The invention has been developed in relation to the application of a pesticide to grain, but is not limited thereto.
Current systems for the application of pesticides to grain suffer from the disadvantage that the rate of application of the pesticide to the grain is inconsistent. It is estimated that, at present, 80% of commercial grain stores contain mites and that 25% also have beetle infestations.
It will thus be appreciated that there is a need for a method for the accurate application of pesticide to grain and it is accordingly a specific object of the present invention to provide such a method.
Summarv of the Invention According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a system for the application of a treatment material to a particulate material, the system including means for weighing the particulate material at a first point in a flow line for the particulate material and for transmitting a signal to a control unit, and an applicator for application of the treatment material to the particulate material at a second point in the flow line downstream of said first point, the control unit being arranged to control operation of the applicator such that the rate of application of the treatment material at said second point is directly related to the weight of particulate material at the first point.
The means for weighing the particulate material is preferably in the form of a weigher which includes a platform over which the particulate material is caused to flow and a load cell which produces an output directly related to the load applied to it and hence of the weight of particulate material on the platform.
The platform may be in the form of a substantially flat plate which is inclined at an angle of the order of 45" to the horizontal.
The treatment material may be either a liquid or a powder and the design of the applicator will be dependent on the nature of the treatment matehal. In either event, the applicator will include means for the delivery of a variable rate of the liquid or powder in dependence on a signal which it receives from the control unit.
According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method for the application of a pesticide to grain, which method includes causing the grain to travel along a flow line, weighing the grain at a first point in the flow line, transmitting a signal to a control unit in dependence on the weight of the grain, and applying the pesticide to the grain by means of an applicator located at a second point in the flow line, downstream of the first point and at a rate dependent on a signal transmitted by the control unit to the applicator.
The control unit preferably includes a control panel having a number of displays. One of the displays preferably provides an indication of the rate of flow of grain, for example, in tonnes per hour whilst another of the displays provides an indication of the rate of application of the pesticide, for example, in litres or kilograms per hour.
The control unit may incorporate or be connected to a phriter which provides a print-out of the information relating to, for example,. a specific batch of grain. The control unit may also be connected to a computer which stores all the data relating to operation of the system.
Brief DescriPtiOn of the Drawings
Figure 1 shows the layout of a system for the application of pesticide to grain from, for example, a grain drier, Figures 2 and 3 show a weigher which forms part of the system shown in Figure 1, Figure 4 shows the layout of an applicator head for use in applying a liquid pesticide to grain, Figure 5 is a side view of the applicator head of Figure 4, and Figure 6 is an end view of the applicator head of Figure 4.
Description of the Preferred Embodiment
The weigher 10 shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3 forms part of a conveyor system for use in, for example, a grain store and is positioned so that it receives grain from a grain drier (not shown). The weigher forms part of a flow line for the delivery of the grain from the drier to, for example, a silo in which the grain is to be stored.
The weigher 10 is in the form of an enclosure having an inlet 11 at its upper end and an outlet 12 at its lower end. The grain entering the enclosure through the inlet 11 fails on to a first inclined plate 13, which is inclined at an angle of 45' to the horizontal and carries a pair of upwardly projecting guides (not shown). The grain failing on to and flowing over the first inclined plate 13 drops on to a second inclined plate 14, which is also inclined at 4W to the horizontal, but in the opposite direction to the first inclined plate 13. The two plates 13 and 14 thus tend to absorb a major part of the downward momentum of the grain.
The grain flows from the second inclined plate 14 over a further flat plate 15, which is almost continuous with the second inclined plate 14 and beneath which a load cell 16 is located. The load cell 16 generates a signal which is dependent on the weight of grain then on the flat plate 16, i.e. an output is obtained which is dependent on the weight of grain resting on the plate 16 at any particular time. This output is passed to a control unit 17.
The weigher 10 is provided at one side with an access plate 18 for obtaining access to the load cell 16 and at the other side with an amplifier cover 19.
The control unit 17 is programmed to convert the signal which it receives from the load cell 16 along a line 20 into a reading concerning the rate of flow of the grain through the weigher 10 in, for example, tonnes per hour. The control unit 17 includes a display panel 21 on which this reading is displayed. The control unit 17 is connected to a computer (not shown) which stores all the data received by the control unit 17 and can be connected to a printer G- (also not shown) which provides a print-out of, for example, the total weight of grain in a particular batch, the rate of flow of grain through the weigher and the amount of pesticide, e.g. insecticide, added to the grain.
The control unit 17 transmits a signal along a line 22 to a pesticide applicator 23 which, as shown, is for use in applying a pesticide which is in liquid form.
The signal transmitted by the control unit 17 to the applicator 23 is dependent on the required rate of application of the pesticide and this is determined by the signal obtained from the load cell 16. In a typical installation, providing an average rate of delivery from a grain drier of 20 tonnes of grain per hour, the actual rate of flow of grain through the weigher 10 may vary from, for example, 10 tonnes per hour to 25 tonnes per hour.
The amount of pesticide which is applied will be a constant proportion of the weight of the grain so that a uniform rate of application is applied. If, therefore, the average weight of application of the pesticide is X kilograms per hour, the actual rate of application of the pesticide may vary from 50% X kilograms per hour to 125% X kilograms per hour.
The pesticide applicator 23 is positioned downstream of the weigher 10 by a known distance and the control unit 17 is so programmed that the rate of application of the pesticide at any particular time is determined by the rate of flow of grain through the 7 weigher 10 at an earlier time, i.e. at a time interval corresponding to the time for the grain to flow from the weigher 10 to the pesticide applicator head 23.
The liquid pesticide is introduced to the applicator head 23 via a chamber 24 which contains a filter and the liquid pesticide flows along a pipe containing a proportioning valve 25, the degree of opening of which is controlled by the signal from the control unit 17. The rate of supply of the liquid pesticide is then measured by means of a flow sensor 26 which sends a flow rate feed-back signal to the control unit 17.
Thus, the control unit 17 sends a signal corresponding to the required pesticide flow rate to the proportioning valve 25 and the flow sensor 26 measures the actual liquid pesticide flow rate and sends the feed-back signal to the control unit 17.
The control unit 17 takes account of any changes in the signal which it is receiving from the weigher 10 and of any difference between the required pesticide flow rate and the actual liquid flow, and sends a new signal to the proportioning valve 25. This sequence is repeated over ten times per second to ensure that there is a rapid response to any vahations in the rate of supply of the grain and any unexpected variations in the rate of supply of the pesticide.
The applicator head 23 can contain three booms 27, 28 and 29 arranged to discharge the pesticide at rates within different ranges. The liquid pesticide will thus be supplied via the proportioning valve 25 to a selected boom 27, 28 or 29 (such selection being effected by transmission of a signal from the control unit) which will be so designed that it can deliver the pesticide at a rate within a predetermined range - with the particular value of the required rate being determined by the setting of the proportioning valve 25.
Although the pesticide is preferably applied as a liquid, a pesticide in powder form may alternatively be employed.
19,
Claims (1)
- Claims:-1. A system for the application of a treatment material to a particulate material, the system including means for weighing the particulate material at a first point in a flow line for the particulate material and for transmitting a signal to a control unit, and an applicator for application of the treatment material to the particulate material at a second point in the flow line downstream of said first point, the control unit being arranged to control operation of the applicator such that the rate of application of the treatment material at said second point is directly related to the weight of particulate at the first point.2. A system as claimed in Claim 1, in which the means for weighing the particulate material is in the form of a weigher which includes a platform over which the particulate material is caused to flow.3. A system as claimed in Claim 2, which includes a load cell acted on by said platform, the load cell being arranged to produce an output which is directly related to the load applied to it and hence of the weight of particulate material on the platform.4. A system as claimed in Claim 2 or Claim 3, in which the platform is in the form of a substantially flat plate which is inclined at an angle of the order of 4511 to the horizontal.5. A system for the application of a treatment material to a particulate material, said system being constructed and arranged to operate substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.6. A method for the application of a pesticide to grain, which method includes causing the grain to flow along a flow line, weighing the grain at a first point in the flow line, transmitting a signal to a control unit in dependence on the weight of the grain, and applying the pesticide to the grain by means of an applicator located at a second point in the flow line, downstream of the first point and at a rate dependent on a signal transmitted by the control unit to the applicator.7. A method as claimed in Claim 6, in which the control unit has a number of displays, one of which provides an indication of the rate of flow of grain whilst another provides an indication of the rate of application of the pesticide.8. A method as claimed in Claim 6 or Claim 7, in which the grain is weighed by causing it to flow over an inclined plate beneath which a load cell is located.9. A method as claimed in Claim 7, in which the control unit incorporates or is connected to a printer which provides a print-out of the information relating to a batch of grain.1.4 10. A method for the application of a pesticide to grain, said method being carried out substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBGB9914795.1A GB9914795D0 (en) | 1999-06-25 | 1999-06-25 | Application systems |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB0015269D0 GB0015269D0 (en) | 2000-08-16 |
| GB2351488A true GB2351488A (en) | 2001-01-03 |
Family
ID=10855995
Family Applications (2)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBGB9914795.1A Ceased GB9914795D0 (en) | 1999-06-25 | 1999-06-25 | Application systems |
| GB0015269A Withdrawn GB2351488A (en) | 1999-06-25 | 2000-06-23 | System for the application of treatment material to particulate material |
Family Applications Before (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBGB9914795.1A Ceased GB9914795D0 (en) | 1999-06-25 | 1999-06-25 | Application systems |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| GB (2) | GB9914795D0 (en) |
Cited By (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NL1021779C2 (en) * | 2002-10-30 | 2004-05-06 | Synthesis B V | Film coating method, especially for seeds, comprises mixing components and applying resulting mixture directly to agricultural product without intermediate storage |
| FR2910229A1 (en) * | 2006-12-21 | 2008-06-27 | C I 2 T Sarl Soc Responsabilit | Spray mixture e.g. water, injecting device for coating agricultural seed, has automation controlling preset time defined by user, where phytosanitary product is injected in mixer and is diluted by water before being injected |
| WO2009064508A1 (en) * | 2007-11-13 | 2009-05-22 | Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. | Intelligent seed treatment system and method |
| WO2014008571A1 (en) * | 2012-07-09 | 2014-01-16 | Bayer Cropscience Inc. | Low profile seed treater with metering functionality |
Citations (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB1330216A (en) * | 1970-09-10 | 1973-09-12 | Wilska M G | Applicator |
| US4628807A (en) * | 1984-01-30 | 1986-12-16 | Mantis ULV - Spruhgerate GmbH | Device for the wet treating of seed material |
-
1999
- 1999-06-25 GB GBGB9914795.1A patent/GB9914795D0/en not_active Ceased
-
2000
- 2000-06-23 GB GB0015269A patent/GB2351488A/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB1330216A (en) * | 1970-09-10 | 1973-09-12 | Wilska M G | Applicator |
| US4628807A (en) * | 1984-01-30 | 1986-12-16 | Mantis ULV - Spruhgerate GmbH | Device for the wet treating of seed material |
Cited By (8)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NL1021779C2 (en) * | 2002-10-30 | 2004-05-06 | Synthesis B V | Film coating method, especially for seeds, comprises mixing components and applying resulting mixture directly to agricultural product without intermediate storage |
| FR2910229A1 (en) * | 2006-12-21 | 2008-06-27 | C I 2 T Sarl Soc Responsabilit | Spray mixture e.g. water, injecting device for coating agricultural seed, has automation controlling preset time defined by user, where phytosanitary product is injected in mixer and is diluted by water before being injected |
| WO2009064508A1 (en) * | 2007-11-13 | 2009-05-22 | Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. | Intelligent seed treatment system and method |
| US7869902B2 (en) | 2007-11-13 | 2011-01-11 | Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. | Intelligent seed treatment system and method |
| WO2014008571A1 (en) * | 2012-07-09 | 2014-01-16 | Bayer Cropscience Inc. | Low profile seed treater with metering functionality |
| AU2012385439B2 (en) * | 2012-07-09 | 2018-04-05 | Bayer Cropscience Inc. | Low profile seed treater with metering functionality |
| EA030350B1 (en) * | 2012-07-09 | 2018-07-31 | Байер Кропсайенс Инк | Low profile seed treater with metering functionality |
| US10631453B2 (en) | 2012-07-09 | 2020-04-28 | Bayer Cropscience Inc. | Low profile seed treater with metering functionality |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB0015269D0 (en) | 2000-08-16 |
| GB9914795D0 (en) | 1999-08-25 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| WAP | Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1) |