WO2008017621A1

WO2008017621A1 - Device and method for introducing a material into a subsoil

Info

Publication number: WO2008017621A1
Application number: PCT/EP2007/057893
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jürgen Kunstmann; Oliver Zindel; Wulf Bentlage
Original assignee: Geohumus International Vertriebs Gmbh
Priority date: 2006-08-08
Filing date: 2007-07-31
Publication date: 2008-02-14
Also published as: DE102006037053A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (20, 30, 40) for introducing a material (12) in a subsoil, wherein the device (20, 30, 40) comprises a storage container (1) for receiving the material (12), a desiccating device (9, 11) which is provided to keep the material (12) dry; and a delivery device (4) for delivering the material (12) from the storage container (1) into the subsoil.

Description

DEVICE AND METHOD FOR INTRODUCING A MATERIAL INTO A SUBSOIL

The invention relates to a device and a method for introducing a material into a subsoil.

WO 2003/000621 discloses water-absorbing, hydrogel- forming polymers as superabsorbers. Crumbled-earth-like, water-absorbing solids having sponge-like porous structures with enlarged inner surface areas can be produced by means of finely ground minerals such as volcanic rock which is bound into a cross-linked, hydrogel-forming polymer having a sponge-like structure, and alkali silicate. Such products are preferably used for soil amelioration. They can also be filled subsequently both with mineral and also with organic and/or synthetic solids and the porous structures closed by withdrawing moisture. This variability results in further applications such as animal litter, support material for superfine particles and storage material for bactericides, fungicides and pesticides.

It can be difficult to introduce superabsorbers and hybrid materials having superabsorbent properties into the soil.

It is the object of the invention to enable materials to be introduced into the soil with reasonable expenditure.

This object is achieved by a device for introducing a material into a subsoil, by a method for introducing a material into a subsoil and by a use having the features according to the independent claims.

According to one exemplary embodiment of the invention, a device for introducing a material in a subsoil is provided, wherein the device comprises a storage container for receiving the material, a desiccating device which is provided to keep the material (in particular contained in the storage container) dry, and a delivery device for delivering the material from the storage container into the subsoil.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the invention, a method is provided for introducing a material into a subsoil, wherein in the method the material accommodated in a storage container is kept dry and the material is delivered from the storage container into the subsoil. According to another exemplary embodiment of the invention, a device having the features described above is used to introduce a superabsorber-based hybrid material (in particular a material as described in WO 2003/000621) into a subsoil.

An example of such materials is a particulate, crumbly-earth-type, water-absorbing and water- swellable solid containing ground minerals as plant nutrients, adjuvants and bulk, preferably and/or predominantly finely ground volcanic rock as plant nutrients and optionally in addition other solid and/or liquid additives, where the mineral contents, relative to dry weight, yield, for example, at least 30 wt.% and are bound into a cross- linked polymer having a cross-linked structure which absorbs water and aqueous fluids to form a hydrogel, and additionally contains water-soluble alkali silicate.

According to one exemplary embodiment of the invention, a device is provided for the specific introduction of hybrid materials having superabsorbing properties and superabsorbers in carrier layers of lawn plantings (for example, of materials such as those disclosed in WO 2003/000621). This makes it possible to achieve a specific, product-preserving introduction of hybrid materials having superabsorbing properties and pure superabsorbers in carrier layers of surface plantings, in particular however of lawns.

It is thus possible to introduce said or other materials independently of weather influences into existing plantings such that these can be embedded in the earth layer at least to, but preferably below, root level. Superabsorbers and hybrid materials having superabsorbing properties can substantially be polymer materials which can absorb up to a hundred times their own weight of water. As a result of this material property, these substances are used as soil conditioners to increase the usable field capacity, that is to increase the amount of water which can be used by plants in the ground.

As a result of the progressive desire for water absorption, particularly during the introduction of such materials according to the invention, it can be ensured that no material comes to lie on the plantings. Furthermore, this can avoid visual eyesores which can arise with freely swollen materials on lawns and which can lead to considerable risk of slipping (for example, on sports fields).

These requirements can be satisfied by the system according to the invention in contrast to conventional scarifying and aerating methods in which mechanical cavities are created in the soil layer by means of stamping and perforating methods, in which seeds, fertilisers or sand is then to be introduced by means of a brushing device. In such conventional systems about 20-50% of the material comes to rest on the plants themselves or on the soil cover layer.

Furthermore, exemplary embodiments of the invention have the advantage that any swelling of the material to be introduced in the feed of the machine or in a metering and introducing device itself is reliably avoided by a desiccating device. Clumping of the material can thus be avoided so that precise metering is possible and blockage of entire machine parts is avoided.

Since in contrast to fertilisers, seeds, etc., during free swelling superabsorbing materials experience an increase in volume of up to 30-40 times, in some cases up to more than a hundred times or more, exemplary embodiments according to the invention are also superior to so-called after-sowing machines whereby the material is introduced into the ground by means of a slit device. In contrast to such conventional systems, the system according to the invention is also suitable for operation at elevated relative air humidity or during precipitation. This avoids machine down times or increased cleaning and maintenance times.

Provided in particular according to the invention is a device for introducing hybrid materials having superabsorbing properties and superabsorbers into existing flat plantings, in particular lawns, which enables the material to be introduced almost completely to and/or below the root level of the plants. Furthermore, the depth of introduction can be adapted to the circumstances. In addition, a moisture-free feed and/or metering system can be implemented.

Such a device can also be used to introduce superabsorbing material into an existing lawn, preferably below the grass cover, whereby early swelling of the material from such a machine can be avoided. In other words, moistening of the material before introduction can be avoided or suppressed.

Using a device according to one exemplary embodiment of the invention, it is also possible to reliably introduce a swellable material with active substances embedded therein (for example, pesticides, herbicides, fungicides etc.) into the soil without there being any need to fear a health risk to the operating staff. In contrast to conventional aerosol systems, the active substances can be introduced into the soil bound in solids so that aerosol- free and delayed release of the active substance is possible. The machine can be configured so that contamination with active substances or incorrect deposition of active substances can be reliably avoided.

According to one exemplary embodiment of the invention, a device is provided comprising a base frame with hydraulically lowerable tyre wheels for transporting the device. The device can be configured as self-propelled or non-self-propelled and can, for example, be connected to a towing vehicle by means of a coupling system. This can involve not only a non-positive towing connection but also a drive shaft connection for operating mechanical components and hydraulic pumps as well as an electrical connection to the towing vehicle, which can be advantageous particularly for applications in agricultural engineering.

The material to be introduced can be kept in a storage container which can be closed when operating and by design measures can be configured as "protected against spray water" in the usual industrial classification. The air moisture of the residual air in the feed can be reduced or minimised by an active system by means of a compactor or by a passive system comprising salt and/or superabsorber material for removing moisture from the air.

The material can enter into metering devices driven by gravity, for example, through outlet openings which can be provided at the bottom of the storage container, which metering device detects quantities, for example, gravimetrically, volumetrically, by ultrasound, optically or capacitively (i.e. electrically) and can meter a desired quantity of material proportional to the speed of advance of the device. In this case, the number of metering devices can be determined according to the number and spacings of the desired entry slots.

The metering device can also be configured with protection against spray water. From the respective metering device, the material can enter into a so-called introducing device with an excess pressure lock, a round or angular channel, for example, depending on the requirement at the upper end whereof material can enter from the metering device and can be entrained by means of a gas stream (for example, dried air, inert gas) depending on the pre-pressure, in addition to gravity, so that it can fall onto the base of the inserted slot with a defined acceleration.

The excess pressure, which can be adjusted, ensures that regardless of the weather, even in the event of rain, moisture or moist air, no liquid can enter into the interior of the device and thus the material can be inserted into the gap with the highest possible reliability and dryness.

The gap itself can be produced using a disk blade (the radius whereof can define the maximum slot depth) which can be made to oscillate vertically with an amplitude of, for example, 0-30 mm, by means of a vibration unit. As a result of the vibrating blade, a good cutting quality can be ensured even under difficult soil conditions and adherence to the blade can be avoided. Depending on the application, the disk blade can have a V- shaped profile (which can be adjusted, for example). In other words, the disk can taper towards the disk edge in order to be able to introduce a V-shaped slotted groove into the ground.

A following roller system can close the slots again after the material has been introduced and level the treated area.

According to another exemplary embodiment, the pressure rollers can be replaced by tyre wheels with an unprofiled cover so that these can be used both for closing the slits and for moving the device.

Furthermore, an additional second upstream disk blade can be provided for scoring the uppermost soil cover layer, which can be used, for example, for particularly sensitive plantings.

An electric heater can be used in the feed for a particularly substantial reduction in the air moisture.

Thus, according to one exemplary embodiment of the invention, a device can be provided for specific product-protecting introduction of hybrid materials having superabsorbing properties and pure superabsorbers in carrier layers of flat plantings, in particular lawns. Such a device can have a storage container protected against spray water, with a device for removing moisture from the container volume. A spray-water- protected proportional metering device can be provided. An oscillating cutting device can be used for protective slitting of the earth and plant layer. In addition, an introducing device with excess pressure lock can be provided, which can be operated for example with dehumidified air or inert gas. A frame can be operated so that it can be lowered hydraulically with a wheel system. In addition, a coupling device can be provided for positive connection to towing machines to use mechanical and/or electrical energy of the towing vehicle. Rollers which can be lowered hydraulically can be provided for closing and/or smoothing the treated area.

Instead of rollers, the wheels can be attached behind and in alignment with, and in a sufficient number according to the number of cutting devices and metering devices as well as introducing devices, instead of in a lateral orientation.

In addition to the cutting devices, another aligned upstream scoring disk blade can also be used.

In addition to or instead of the air dehumidifying, an electrical accompanying heater can also be installed.

According to one exemplary embodiment of the invention, a device can be provided for specific product-protecting introduction of hybrid materials having superabsorbing properties and pure superabsorbers in carrier layers of flat plantings, in particular lawns. Such a device can have a supporting frame with wheel system which can be lowered hydraulically. This frame can be connected non-positively via a coupling device to a towing machine. At the same time, this coupling system can provide a shaft drive for operating hydraulic pumps and an electrical connection for supplying electrical equipment from the on-board network of the towing machine. The material to be introduced can be held in a storage container and metered via a metering device into an introducing device. This can convey the material into the slotted grooves produced by the cutting device which can then be closed by the rollers and smoothed.

Exemplary embodiments of the device are described hereinafter. These apply to the method and to the use.

The storage container can be provided as protected from spray water. This can avoid any penetration of moisture into the (for example, swellable) material so that metering can be effected particularly accurately and undesirable clumping can be avoided.

The storage container can be provided as funnel-shaped so that the material to be introduced into the subsoil can move automatically through the downward-tapering shape of the funnel and be concentrated in the direction of the metering device. This ensures cost-effective and efficient advance of the material.

The desiccating device can be set up in the storage container for removing moisture from the air. Such removal of moisture from the air avoids any swelling up of swellable material through moisture so that the metering can be inaccurate. Such a desiccating device can be implemented by means of a compaction unit, that is a fluid compressor which can help to remove moisture from the air.

Additionally or alternatively, the desiccating device can be equipped with a moisture- absorbing air dehumidifying material. Such a desiccant material can be used to selectively remove moisture from moist air before reaching the material to be metered and introduced to protect the material from swelling. The desiccant material can then be disposed of or recycled by drying.

Alternatively or additionally, a heating device can be used for desiccation, which can expel any moisture from the material by means of thermal energy.

The delivery device can be provided for delivering material from the storage container into the subsoil by means of an excess pressure lock. Since the material can be driven into the subsoil under pressure and therefore by means of a mechanical force, the material can be introduced particularly deeply.

The excess pressure lock can generate such an excess pressure, for example, by means of dried air or an inert gas (such as helium or nitrogen). Such gases are suitable for introducing material into the soil substantially without absorption of moisture.

A coupling device can be provided, for example, for non-positive coupling of the device to a separate driving vehicle for driving the device. Alternatively, however, a motor or another drive unit can be provided in the device itself.

The device can have a metering device which is arranged between the storage container and the delivery device and is provided to detect a quantity of the material and to deliver a pre-determined quantity of the material from the storage container into the subsoil. This metering device can introduce a predetermined quantity into the soil, where any arbitrary measurement principle, for example, a gravimetric, volumetric, ultrasound- based, optical or capacitive measuring device can be used to detect the quantity. The metering device can also be provided with protection from spray water to avoid undesirable moistening of the material during the metering process.

Furthermore, at least one, preferably at least two, cutting devices can be provided for cutting at least one slot in the subsoil, wherein the material can be delivered by means of the delivery device from the storage container into at least one slot in the subsoil. Such a cutting device can comprise a pre-scoring device and a main scoring device, wherein the pre-scoring device scores a slot in the soil which can be enlarged or deepened by means of the main scoring arrangement.

The cutting device can in particular comprise a vibrating blade so that a particularly deep and lateral slot can be made and undesirable adhesion of earth material to the cutting device can be avoided.

The cutting device can comprise a disk blade or it can be provided with a different configuration. If the at least one cutting device comprises a profile which tapers towards the subsoil, in particular is substantially V-shaped, V-shaped slots can be inserted which in turn make it possible to introduce the bulk material deep into the soil by funnelling.

A roller device can at least partially close and/or level the at least one slot inserted in the subsoil by means of the at least one cutting device. Such a rolling device can be arranged after the cutting device (in the direction of movement of the device) so that the open scoring after introducing the material can be closed again by means of the rolling device.

The rolling device can be provided such that it can be selectively lowered or raised, in particular can be raised or lowered hydraulically. The rolling device can thus be functionally switched on or off since it can be lowered in the device (deactivation) or placed on the ground (activation).

Furthermore, the device can have at least one tyre wheel which can be suitable for moving the device and which is provided such that it can be selectively lowered or raised (for example, by means of a hydraulic mechanism). By lowering the tyre wheel, this can be placed on the ground, thus allowing movement of the device. Moreover, movement can be prevented by raising the tyre wheel. The at least one tyre wheel can preferably be provided as substantially profile-free so that the at least one tyre wheel can be provided for at least partially closing and/or levelling the at least one slot inserted in the subsoil by means of the at least one cutting device. Since the peripheral surface of the tyre wheel is configured as substantially planar, the tyre wheel can therefore simultaneously fulfil a rolling function and a drive function which can result in a synergistic function of such a tyre wheel.

Exemplary embodiments of the invention are presented in the figures and explained in detail hereinafter.

In the figures:

Figure 1 to Figure 3 show introducing devices according to exemplary embodiments of the invention.

The same or similar components in different figures are provided with the same reference numerals. The diagrams in the figures are schematic and not to scale.

Described hereinafter with reference to Fig. 1 is a device 20 for introducing a material 12, for example, a superabsorbing material, into a subsoil, for example, into a lawn of a golf course, according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

The device 20 comprises a funnel-shaped storage container 1 for receiving the material 12. Also provided is a desiccating device 9 for keeping the material accommodated in the storage container 1 dry. The storage container 1 is provided with protection from spray water. A delivery device 4 can be used to deliver the material from the storage container 1 into the subsoil.

The desiccating device 9 is provided for removing moisture from the air in the storage container 1 and has a compressor unit for this purpose.

The delivery device 4 is provided for delivering the material 12 from the storage device 1 into the subsoil by means of an excess pressure lock where inert gas can be fed vertically downwards according to Fig. 1 for generating the excess pressure, whereby material 12 can be entrained and introduced into the subsoil as shown. A coupling device 7 is provided for mechanical coupling of the device 20 to a drive vehicle 13, merely indicated schematically in Fig. 1, for driving the device 20 in a drive direction 14.

The metering device 2 can be arranged between the storage container 1 and the delivery device 4 and is provided to detect a quantity of material 12 and to deliver a predetermined quantity of the material 12 (a dose) from the storage container 1 into the subsoil. The detection can be made, for example, gravimetrically or volumetrically. The metering device 2 is also protected against spray water in order to avoid undesirable moistening of the material 12 and therefore possible swelling of the same or clogging of the machine 20 during supply of the material through the metering device 2 into the subsoil.

Also shown is a cutting device 3 provided for cutting a slot in the subsoil. The material 12 can be delivered by means of the delivery device 4 from the storage container 1 into the slot inserted in the subsoil. The cutting device 3 can be a vibrating disk blade having a V-shaped profile.

A roller device 8 can also be provided for closing and levelling the slot inserted in the subsoil by means of the cutting device 3 after the material 12 has been introduced into the slot. The roller device 8 can be provided so that it can be selectively lowered or raised by means of a hydraulic mechanism.

Also shown are tyre wheels 6 which are provided so that they can be selectively lowered or raised (by means of a hydraulic mechanism) for moving the device 20.

Figure 1 thus shows an embodiment of a device 20 according to the invention comprising a frame 5 in which the wheel system 6 is secured via a hydraulic lifting device. In the lowered state, the cutting devices 3 have a minimum distance from the ground and the device 20 can easily be transported in this position. When the wheels 6 are raised, the cutting device 3 make contact with the ground. The lifting height determines the depth of penetration of the cutting device 3 and thus the depth of penetration of the absorbing material 12.

In the storage container 1 this absorbing material 12 is protected from spray water, stored dry by means of the air dehumidifϊer 9 and transported into the metering device 2 - l i ¬

as required. There, quantities are metered in proportion to the speed of advance of the towing machine 13.

The metered quantities now pass into the penetrating device 4 although the material 12 undergoes acceleration by a gas stream in addition to gravity in order to penetrate as deeply as possible into the slotted grooves. In addition the superposition of gas and air ensures that no moisture can penetrate into the penetrating device 4 which would result in clumping or clogging by the superabsorbing material 12.

The hydraulically lowerable rollers 8 can be used to close the slotted grooves and for final smoothing of the treated areas.

In the device 30 in Fig. 3 the rollers 8 are omitted. Their function is replaced by the wheels 6, the tyre wheels 6 being provided as substantially profile-free so that the tyre wheels 6 are provided for at least partially closing and/or levelling the slots inserted in the subsoil by means of the cutting device 3. In other words, the tyre wheels 6 simultaneously fulfil a movement and a levelling function.

In the device 40 from Fig. 3, the air dehumidification by means of the compressor principle is replaced by an auxiliary electrical heater 11 which heats the material 12 and thus expels liquid from the material. The auxiliary electrical heater 11 can be supplied with electrical energy by the device itself 40 or by a drive vehicle 14 which can be connected (not shown in Fig. 3).

In addition, it should be noted that "comprising" does not exclude any other elements or steps and "one" or "a" does not exclude a plurality. It should also be noted that features or steps which have been described with reference to one of the above exemplary embodiments can also be used in combination with other features or steps of other exemplary embodiments described above. Reference numerals in the claims should not be regarded as a restriction.

Claims

1. A device (20, 30, 40) for introducing a material (12) in a subsoil, wherein the device (20, 30, 40) comprises: a storage container (1) for receiving the material (12); a desiccating device (9, 11) which is provided to keep the material (12) dry; a delivery device (4) for delivering the material from the storage container (1) into the subsoil.

2. The device (20, 30, 40) according to claim 1, wherein the storage container (1) is provided with protection from spray water.

3. The device (20, 30, 40) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the storage container (1) is provided as funnel-shaped.

4. The device (20, 30, 40) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the desiccating device (9, 11) for removing moisture from air and/or the material (12) is provided in the storage device (1).

5. The device (20, 30, 40) according to any device container (9, 11) for removing moisture from air and/or the material (12) in the storage device (1) is provided by means of a compression unit.

6. The device (20, 30, 40) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the desiccating device (9, 11) for removing moisture from air and/or the material (12) in the storage device (1) is provided by means of a moisture-absorbing desiccant material.

7. The device (20, 30, 40) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the desiccating device (9, 11) for removing moisture from air and/or the material (12) in the storage device (1) is provided by means of a heating device.

8. The device (20, 30, 40) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the delivery device (4) for delivering material (12) from the storage container (1) into the subsoil is provided by means of an overpressure lock.

9. The device (20, 30, 40) according to claim 8, wherein the overpressure lock for generating an excess pressure is provided by means of dried air and/or by means of an inert gas.

10. The device (20, 30, 40) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, comprising a coupling device (7) provided for coupling the device (20, 30, 40) to a drive device (13) for driving the device (20, 30, 40).

11. The device (20, 30, 40) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, comprising a metering device (2) which is arranged between the storage container (1) and the delivery device (4) and is provided to detect a quantity of the material (12) and to deliver a pre-determined quantity of the material (12) from the storage container (1) into the subsoil.

12. The device (20, 30, 40) according to claim 11, wherein the metering device (2) for detecting a quantity of the material (12) is provided by means of at least one group consisting of gravimetric detection, volumetric detection, ultrasound- based detection, optical detection and capacitive detection.

13. The device (20, 30, 40) according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the metering device (2) is provided with protection from spray water.

14. The device (20, 30, 40) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, comprising at least one cutting device (3) which is provided for cutting at least one slot in the subsoil, wherein the material (12) can be delivered by means of the delivery device (4) from the storage container (1) into at least one slot in the subsoil.

15. The device (20, 30, 40) according to claim 14, wherein the at least one cutting device (3) comprises a vibrating blade.

16. The device (20, 30, 40) according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the at least one cutting device (3) comprises a disk blade.

17. The device (20, 30, 40) according to any one of claims 14 to 16, wherein the at least one cutting device (3) comprises a profile which tapers towards the subsoil, in particular is substantially V-shaped.

18. The device (20, 30, 40) according to any one of claims 14 to 17, comprising a roller device (8) which is provided for at least partially closing and/or levelling the at least one slot inserted in the subsoil by means of the at least one cutting device (3).

19. The device (20, 30, 40) according to claim 18, wherein the rolling device (8) is provided such that its position can be varied in a direction substantially orthogonal to the subsoil, in particular can be raised or lowered hydraulically.

20. The device (20, 30, 40) according to any one of claims 1 to 19, comprising at least one tyre wheel (6) for moving the device (20, 30, 40) which is provided such that its position can be varied in a direction substantially orthogonal to the subsoil, in particular can be raised or lowered hydraulically.

21. The device (20, 30, 40) according to claim 20, wherein the at least one tyre wheel 6 is provided substantially profile-free so that the at least one tyre wheel (6) is provided for at least partially closing and/or levelling the at least one slot inserted in the subsoil by means of the at least one cutting device (3).

22. The device (20, 30, 40) according to any one of claims 1 to 21, provided as a ground trimmer, in particular a lawn trimmer.

23. A method for introducing a material (12) into a subsoil, wherein the method comprises: desiccating the material (12) accommodated in a storage container (1); delivering the material (12) from the storage container (1) into the subsoil.

24. Use of a device (20, 30, 40) according to any one of claims 1 to 22, for introducing a hybrid material (12) based on superabsorbers into a subsoil.