GB2445618A

GB2445618A - Rotatably mountable dispenser for planter

Info

Publication number: GB2445618A
Application number: GB0700566A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Arthur Brown; Michael Brown
Original assignee: FLOWER IND AFRICA Ltd
Current assignee: FLOWER IND AFRICA Ltd
Priority date: 2007-01-12
Filing date: 2007-01-12
Publication date: 2008-07-16
Also published as: GB0700566D0

Abstract

The invention relates to a dispenser 10 for use with planting equipment 50. The dispenser 10 comprises a hopper 12 for storing particles, the hopper 12 being rotatably mountable to the planting equipment 50. The periphery 14 of the hopper 12 includes one or more holding regions 16 arranged to move into a dispensing orientation during rotation of the hopper 12, each holding region 16 having an aperture (26 see fig 2) at its outer end. Each holding region 16 is configured, typically by having an appropriate diameter and depth, to inhibit the dispensation of particles after one or more particles have passed through its aperture, by further particles bridging the holding region 16. The dispenser may rotate with a ground engaging wheel 52, so that when a holding region is near to being above an axis of rotation, the particles fall out of the holding region 16 due to gravity. The dispenser may comprise two hoppers. One may be for seeds and the other may be for fertilizer.

Description

A DISPENSER

The invention relates to a dispenser, and more particularly a dispenser for use with planting equipment.

Background of the Invention

In Africa, peasant farmers plant by digging a hole with a hoe and throwing in seeds. In the Indian subcontinent, peasant farmers have a method of planting which uses three labourers. One farmer pulls a branch with a fork to form a furrow. A funnel is fixed onto the fork. A second farmer steers the branch, while a third farmer throws seed into the funnel as they walk along. Fertiliser, when used, is placed manually and extremely haphazardly.

Generally, any form of mechanised planting equipment is unsuitable for the third world owing to its expense and the need for use in comparatively small fields.

Summary of the Invention

Accordmg to the invention, there is provided a dispenser for use with planting equipment, the dispenser comprising a hopper for storing particles, the hopper being rotatably mountable to the planting equipment, a periphery of the hopper including one or more holding regions arranged to move into a dispensing orientation during rotation of the hopper, each holding region having an aperture at its outer end, wherein the or each holding region is configured to inhibit the dispensation of particles, after one or more particles have passed through its aperture, by further particles bridging the or each holding region.

Preferably, the entry to each holding region is at least 25% larger in area than the exit.

By "recessed" is meant that the region extends outwardly from a main peripheral surface of the hopper. A configuration of a holding region may include any one, some or all of the characteristics including but not limited to shape, size, onentation, and surface texture. A preferred configuration comprises a straigbt-sided cylinder of circular cross-section and smooth surface texture, the axis of the cylinder being mounted perpendicularly to the rotational axis of the hopper.

The or each holding region may be configured to stabilise one or more particles momentarily to facilitate their bridging of the holding region. I0

The or each aperture may have a diameter which is between 1% and 100% larger than the nominal diameter of a particle to be dispensed. The or each holding region may have a diameter which is greater than 150% of the nominal diameter of a particle to be dispensed. The or each holding region may have a depth which is greater than 150% of the nominal diameter of a particle to be dispensed. The aperture may be circular. The holding region may be prismatic. The or each holding region may extend radially with respect to an axis of rotation of the hoppcr. A surface texture of the holding region may be substantially smooth.

The or each holding region may be further configured to become unblocked when the rotation of the hopper brings the or each holding region to an orientation in which gravity pulls the particles bridging the or each holding region back into the hopper. Alternatively, means may be provided to facilitate the clearing of blocked holding regions. Such means may take the form of a freely rotating brush or better a flat brass spnng.

The or each aperture and/or holding region may be formed in a removable portion of the hopper. In this way, the configuration of the or each aperture and/or holding region can be modified by selective replacement of the or each removable portion with other removable portions having differently-configured apertures and/or holding regions. In addition, selected apertures and/or holding regions can be

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replaced with other removable portions having no apertures andlor holding region, in order to alter the spacing of the apertures and/or holding regions.

The hopper may be shaped to direct particles towards a said holding region which is in the dispensing orientation. In this regard, a said holding region may be located at a part of the hopper having a larger radius than a remainder of the hopper, whereby particles gravitate towards that part and are directed towards the said holding region.

The hopper may include guides on its internal surface, the guides being arranged to direct particles towards the said holding region.

The holding region may include a i-mi around its edge at the point where it meets the interior of the hopper, in order to agitate the particles and prevent their pouring through the aperture. Additionally or alternatively, the interior surface of the hopper may include ridges or other protrusions arranged to agitate particles within the hopper.

The present invention includes one or more aspects, embodiments and/or features of said aspects and/or embodiments in various combinations whether or not specifically stated in that combination.

Brief Description of the Drawings

In order that the invention may more readily be understood, a description is now given, by way of example only, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in which:-Figure 1 is a side view of a dispenser; Figure 2 shows a holding region; Figure 3 shows the holding region of Figure 2 during the dispensing of particles; Figure 4 shows the holding region of Figure 2 with an aperture cap;

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Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of two dispensers of Figure 1 mounted to a common axle.

Detailed Description of the Invention

Figure 1 shows a dispenser 10 mounted to a wheel 52 of planting equipment 50.

The dispenser 10 includes a hopper 12 for storing particles such as seeds, grains, granular fertiliser or pellets. The hopper 12 is mounted to the wheel 52 of the planting equipment 50 such that the hopper 12 rotates in a vertical or semi-vertical plane at the same rate as the wheel 52 when the planting equipment 50 moves along the ground. The hopper 12 includes a plurality of holding regions 16 spaced at predetermined intervals around its periphery 14. The holding regions 16 arc spaced around the periphery 14 in accordance with a desired linear distance between the points at which particles are to be deposited onto the ground.

Figure 2 shows a holding region 16 in more detail. Each holding region 16 extends outwardly from the periphery 14 of the hopper and is hollow so as to form a cavity. The holding region 16 includes an aperture 26 at its outer end. In this embodiment, each holding region 16 is prismatic, having a cylindncal shape with an internal diameter of 22mm and an internal depth of 22mm. An axis of each holding region 16 extends in a radial direction with respect to an axis of rotation of the hopper 12. The surface texture of the holding region 16 is smooth As seen, the aperture 26 has a smaller diameter than the internal diameter of the holding region 16. The diameter of the entry into the holding region is preferably substantially greater than the exit aperture. The material of the hopper 12 immediately surrounding the aperture 26 is as thin as practicable. Holding regions 16 having such a configuration are well suited to the planting of many horticultural crops, for example Omithogalum Sauridersii, and of maize, carrots and beet.

In use, rotation of the hopper 12 causes each ho]ding region 16 to move, in turn, into a dispensing orientation, in which the holding region 16 is located at a lower

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part of the hopper 12 such that a particle is able to fall through its aperture 26. The configuration of each holding region 16 is such that, following the dispensation of typically one particle (maybe two, but most unlikely significantly more than that) through its aperture 26 upon the holding region 16 reaching the dispensing orientation, further particles block the holding region 16 by bridging across it, thereby preventing further dispensation by that holding region 16 until the holding region 16 is unblocked.

Figure 3 shows this effect taking place in the holding region 16 of Figure 2 during the dispensing of particles 30. As the planting equipment 50 moves along, irregularities on the ground may cause a vibration which agitates the particles 30 within the hopper 12. As a particular holding region 16 reaches the dispensing onentation, it is likely that at least the first particle 30 to reach the holding region 16, and possibly the first two or so particles 30, will pass straight through the aperture 26. As further particles enter the holding region 16, they collide with the part of the holding region 16 immediately surrounding the aperture 26, whereupon the holding region 16 serves to stabilise several of the particles 30 momentarily, such that those particles 30 jam or bridge the holding region 16, thereby blocking it and preventing the dispensation of further particles 30 through the aperture 26.

The mass of particles 30 within the hopper 12 will remain agitated through the motion of the hopper 12.

Then the planting equipment 50 moves along the ground causing further rotation of the hopper 12, and so the holding region 16, which had dispensed particles and had been blocked, moves from the dispensing orientation to reach an upper part of the hopper 12, whereupon the particles previously blocking the holding region 16 fall back into the hopper 12 under the action of gravity.

Continuous rotation of the hopper 12 causes each of the holding regions 16 to move into and out of the dispensing orientation, with successive holding regions 16 dispensing particles, becoming blocked and being cleared in the manner described above.

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It will be understood that the skilled person can, without undue burden, experiment readily with different configurations of the holding region andlor aperture in order to find the configuration most appropriate for use with a particular type of particle, in order to achieve the dispensing, blocking and clearing effect described above. For example, the skilled person may begin with a particular diameter of aperture and/or holding region, and vary the diameters thereof until the dispenser continuously fails to dispense particles due to the blocking effect. The skilled person can then select a diameter of aperture and/or holding region which is slightly larger, in order to dispense small amounts of particles reliably. Notwithstanding the ease of experimentation, Table I below provides details of how to arrange the dispenser for use with various types of particulate.

Fiarticu1ate jTypicai ship ypical size o verage no. 0 perture rezoire Holding Holding Linear spacin of particulate articulate eeds o insenslon region eVOD etween articulate pe utensil oternal perturea ______________ _____________ _____________ rop _________________ __________,idth leptb ________________ eeUoot seeds Irregular 3-5mm 3-2 1 155mm ough 022mm 22mm 2cm IDAP Roundish -4mm -15 15 0mm mooth 0 22mm 22mm ccordsng so seed KDiammomum r 09 0mm hosphase) ependmg 0: eruliser pellets mount required pe _____ _____ _____ _____ sop ____ ____ ____ ______ laize seed lat an -10mm.2 14mm anes 22mm 22mm 32cm 11513) irregular ________ ________ ___________ _______ _______ _______ __________ cans Nyayo,o Elongate an 7mm thick 14 111mm Smooth an 22mm 22mm 2cm nec Coco seeds ounded 15mm long ____________ _______________ lippery __________ __________ _______________ arrot seeds Elongate 1mm tlucl 5 13 5mm &ough)22mm 22mm Scm mm long Lrtetnesta Anna Elongate 1mm long 1 2mm Rough 22mm 22mm 107cm lush 1 5mm thick malaria nedscine)

Table I

As seen in Figure 1, the hopper 12 includes a number of openings 18 having aperture caps 20 and sealing caps 22. The aperture caps 20 include apertures 26 while the sealing caps 22 do not, such that the sealing caps 22 seal their respective openings 18. The aperture caps 20 and sealing caps 22 are interchangeable, which allows the configuration and spacing of the apertures 26 to be modified by selective replacement of caps 20, 22. For example, the dispenser 10 can be rapidly modified for use with a different type of particulate simply by replacing the existing aperture caps 20 for other aperture caps 20 having apertures 26 of an appropriate size. In a variant, the entire holding region 16 is formed in a removable portion of the hopper 12 so as to be replaceable. In addition, by choosing which openings 18 are sealed by sealing caps 22, it is possible to vary the linear distance between the points at which particulate is deposited onto the ground. The caps 20, 22 may be colour coded according to their type/dimensions.

Figure 4 shows an aperture cap 20 in more detail. The aperture cap includes a threaded portion 28b to engage a corresponding threaded portion 28a on the exterior surface of the holding region 16 of the hopper 12. The aperture cap 20 includes the aperture 26. It will be understood that a sealing cap 22 is identical to the aperture cap 20 shown in Figure 4 except for the absence of the aperture 26.

Figure 5 shows two dispensers lOa and lOb fitted to either side of the wheel 52.

The first dispenser lOa dispenses seed while the second dispenser I Ob dispenses fertiliser granules or powder at the best distance from the plant.

As can be seen in Figure 5, each hopper 12a, 12b is shaped to direct particles towards a holding region 1 6a, I 6b which is in the dispensing onentation by having a radius which is larger at the axial location of the holding regions 16a, 16b than at axially distal points of the hopper 1 2a, I 2b. In this way, particles gravitate towards the area 24a, 24b and are directed towards any holding regions I 6a, 1 6b which are in the dispensing orientation.

The dispenser dispenses particles from two opposing chambers at locations in two lines so that the appropriate amount of fertiliser is placed at the best distance from a plant. Current machines typical]y drop fertiliser in continuous lines on top of the seeds (a) inhibiting germination, (b) wasting fertiliser, and (c) polluting the groundwater. This invention is designed to overcome this.

One embodiment may have two hoppers side by side with a corrugated internal dividing wall and apertures positioned in the corrugated region, such that particles from two opposing chambers can be alternately deposited in a single line.

In another arrangement, the dispenser dispenses particles from two opposing chambers at staggered locations in two lines.

A hopper may have a compartment or compartment(s) to hold a powder and/or water which is releaseable into the hopper and/or the holding region when required, for attachment to the seeds/fertiliser and to enhance the bridging effect.

Such powder or water may be particularly useful in ensuring that blocking or bridging of the aperture of the holding region occurs between particles when the seed/fertiliser has a regular (eg spherical) and/or smooth surface. The compartment may have a mechanism to regulate or adjust the rate of release of the powder/water. Additionally or alternatively, powder and/or water can be manually placed in the hopper, e.g. with the seed.

Although the dispenser has been described for use with planting equipment in the distribution of seeds and fertiliser, it should be understood that the invention is applicable to the dispensation of any particulate or granular items.

The applicant hereby discloses in isolation each individual feature described herein and any combmation of two or more such features, to the extent that such features or combinations are capable of being carried out based on the present specification as a whole in the light of the common general knowledge of a person skilled in the art, irrespective of whether such features or combinations of features solve any problems disclosed herein, and without limitation to the scope of the claims. The applicant indicates that aspects of the present invention may consist of any such individual feature or combination of features. In view of the foregoing description it will be evident to a person skilled in the art that various modifications may be made within the scope of the invention.

Claims

A dispenser for use with planting equipment, the dispenser comprising a hopper for storing particles, the hopper being rotatably mountable to the planting equipment, a periphery of the hopper including one or more holding regions arranged to move into a dispensing orientation during rotation of the hopper, the or each holding region having an aperture at its outer end, wherein the or each holding region is configured to inhibit the dispensation of particles, after one or more particles have passed through its aperture, by further particles bridging the or each holding region.
2. The dispenser of claim I wherein the or each holding region is configured to stabilise one or more particles momentarily to facilitate their bridging of the holding region.
3. The dispenser of claim I wherein the or each aperture has a diameter which is between 1% and 100% larger than the nominal diameter of a particle to be dispensed.
4. The dispenser of claim I wherein the or each holding region has a diameter which is greater than 150% of the nominal diameter of a particle to be dispensed.
5. The dispenser of claim I wherein the or each holding region has a depth which is greater than 150% of the nominal diameter of a particle to be dispensed.
6. The dispenser of claim I wherein the aperture is circular.
7. The dispenser of claim 1 wherein the holding region is prismatic.
8. The dispenser of claim I wherein the or each holding region extends radially with respect to an axis of rotation of the hopper.
9. The dispenser of claim I wherein a surface texture of the holding region is substantially smooth.
10. The dispenser of claim I wherein the or each holding region is further configured to become unblocked when the rotation of the hopper brings the or each holding region to an orientation in which gravity pulls the particles bridging the or each holding region back into the hopper.
11. The dispenser of any preceding claim wherein the or each aperture and/or holdmg region is formed in a removable portion of the hopper.
12. The dispenser of claim 11 wherein the or each removable portion is a removable aperture cap, the hopper including a plurality of opemngs one or more of which are arranged to receive removable aperture caps.
13. The dispenser of any preceding claim wherein the hopper is shaped to direct particles towards a said holding region which is in the dispensing orientation.
14. The dispenser of claim 13 wherein a said holding region is located at a part of the hopper having a larger radius than a remainder of the hopper, whereby particles gravitate towards that part and are directed towards the said holding region.
15. The dispenser of claim 13 wherein the hopper includes guides on its internal surface, the guides being arranged to direct particles towards the said holding region.
16. A dispenser substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and/or as illustrated in, any one or more of the accompanying drawings.