MOTORISED RUBBER TAPPING MACHINE
Field of the Invention
This invention relates to rubber tapping (Latex) from Rubber trees by cutting the bark systematically.
Background
Rubber tapping is the process by which the rubber sap is gathered by carving an incision in the bark of the rubber tree. Typically a manual tapping knife is generally used to shear off a thin layer of rubber tree's bark. The bark of the rubber tree is cut systematically to the width and depth in a channel shaped position. After the incision is carved in the tree, the latex starts flowing and may be collected into a container attached to the tree. Few hours after cutting the surface of the bark, a clots is formed in the incision that stops the seeping of the latex. To start the flow of latex a small layer of bark or the clot is required to be removed from the incision. This prcess is repeted on regular basis to get the maximum Latex from an incision.
For rubber tapping it is essential that the tapping knife must be operated by a skilled worker who can cut and remove the thin layer of the bark or the clotted latex meticulously from the bark. While cutting the tree bark, care must be taken not to cut too deep, since it will injure the tree. Further the care is require to avoid uneven cuts on the tree or bark that may damage the tree trunk and reduce the productivity life of the tree.
Object of the Invention
It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for rubber tapping that may precisely and uniformly remove the bark from the incision in the rubber tree.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for rubber tapping that may be operated by an unskilled worker.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a motorized operated knife for taping latex from the rubber tree.
Summary of the Invention
An apparatus for rubber tapping is disclosed according to an embodiment of the present invention. The disclosed rubber tapping apparatus comprising a hollow body, a shaft, a motor, a pair of cam and plurality of bearings. The shaft being configured in the hollow body and is attached to the motor at one end. The motor is
attached to one end of the hollow body and is configured to rotate the shaft within the hollow body. The hollow body has atleast one slot. The pair of cam is moveably configured on the shaft and has a first cam and a second cam. The first cam have at least one knife and the second cam have at least one hop thrust means attached thereto, such that the knife and the thrust means protrude through the slot provided on the body. The plurality of bearings is provided on the shaft such that the bearings provide a reciprocating motion to the cams when the shaft is rotated by the motor that in turn produces a cutting action.
Other details and advantages of the invention will become apparent by reference to the following description and illustrative drawings of certain present embodiments thereof.
Brief Description of the Drawings
A more complete appreciation of this disclosure will be understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like reference symbols indicate the same or similar components, wherein:
Figure 1 illustrates a cross section view of rubber tapping apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 2 illustrates a perspective view of rubber tapping apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 3 illustrates a side cross section view of rubber tapping apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 4 illustrates a side cross section view of rubber tapping apparatus according to an yet another embodiment of the present invention;
Detailed Description Of Preferred Embodiments
The present invention discloses an apparatus for tapping rubber having a motorized knife as illustrated in figure 1, 2, 3 and 4. The disclosed apparatus have a hollow body 1 , a shaft 2, a motor 3, a pair of cam 4,5 and plurality of bearing 6a, 6b, 6c and 6d. The shaft 2 is arranged in the hollow body 1 and is attached to the motor 3 at one end. The motor 3 is attached on one end of the hollow body 1 and is configured to rotate the shaft 2 within the hollow body 1. The hollow body 1 has atleast one slot 7 as shown in figure 2. According to an embodiment, the hollow body 1 has two slots configured vertically opposite to each other. The pair of cam 4,5 is moveably
configured on the shaft 2 and has a first cam 4 and a second cam 5. The first cam 4 have at least one knife 8 and the second cam 5 have at least one hop thrust means 9 attached thereto. According to an embodiment, the first cam 4 has two knifes 8 arranged parallel to each other. According to yet another embodiment, the second cam 5 has two hop thrust means 9 arranged parallel to each other. The knife 8 and the hop thrust means 9 protrude through the slot 7 provided on the hollow body 1. The plurality of bearings 6a, 6b, 6c and 6d provided on the shaft 1 provides a reciprocating motion to the cams 4, 5 when the shaft 1 is rotated by the motor 3 that in turn provide reciprocating motion to the knife 8 and the hop thrust means 9.
The bearings 6a and 6b are configured diagonally opposite to each other across the first cam 4. The bearings 6c and 6d are configured diagonally opposite to each other across the second cam 5. The bearings are immovably attached to the shaft 2 and revolved along with the shaft 2. As the motor 3 rotates the shaft 2, the bearings 6a, 6b, 6c and 6d start revolving thereby pushing the cams 4, 5 to produce a to-and- fro motion. The cams 4, 5 moving in to-and-fro motion result in reciprocation the knife 8 and the hop thrust means 9. The reciprocating movement of the knife 8 and the hop thrust means 9 is so configured that it produces a cutting action when brought in touch with the bark of rubber three. The knife 8 cutes into the bark of the tree and the hop thrust means 9 function as ratchet. According to an embodiment, a guard 10 may be provided on the hollow body 1 that may restrict the removal of the bark upto a predetermined width.
According to yet another embodiment the hop thrust means 9 comprises a spindle and spring means 1 1. The spindle and spring means 1 1 helps the hop thrust means work as a ratchet while the knife slice the bark. According to yet another embodiment sensors may be provided in communication with the knife 8 and the hop thrust means 9 to sense the depth of the incision on the bark and prevents the cutting elements from penetrating into the bark of the tree.
According to another embodiment, a back support 12 may be provided below the knife 8 that maintain the depth of cut on the bark and allows smooth moment of the apparatus on the bark. According to yet another embodiment a handle 13 may be provided so that the rubber tapping apparatus may be hold in a desired position.
The cutting element operates by motor; horizontally cuts the thin layer from the intact section of bark thus refreshes the surface effecting profuse latex seep. The sensor and guide maintains the cut size; depth and width, along the trunk on the rubber tree, and prevents the cutting element from penetrating into the cambium or bark. According to another embodiment, a fixed knife 14 may be attached to the free end of the motor assembly 3 or on the free end of the hollow body 1. The fixed knife 14 may be used to shear off the starting and ending area of the incision on the bark.
While certain present preferred embodiments of the disclosure and certain preferred methods of practicing the same have been illustrated and described herein, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited thereto, but may be otherwise variously embodied and practiced within the scope of the following claims.