WO2015038159A1 - Système de colle thermofusible fondue pour appliquer à un champ agricole un film de fumigation de sol par épandage - Google Patents

Système de colle thermofusible fondue pour appliquer à un champ agricole un film de fumigation de sol par épandage Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2015038159A1
WO2015038159A1 PCT/US2013/059950 US2013059950W WO2015038159A1 WO 2015038159 A1 WO2015038159 A1 WO 2015038159A1 US 2013059950 W US2013059950 W US 2013059950W WO 2015038159 A1 WO2015038159 A1 WO 2015038159A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
film
strip
fumigant
field
longitudinal edge
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2013/059950
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
John Stephen GODBEHERE
Original Assignee
Godbehere John Stephen
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Godbehere John Stephen filed Critical Godbehere John Stephen
Priority to PCT/US2013/059950 priority Critical patent/WO2015038159A1/fr
Publication of WO2015038159A1 publication Critical patent/WO2015038159A1/fr

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/80—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof
    • B29C66/84—Specific machine types or machines suitable for specific applications
    • B29C66/865—Independently movable welding apparatus, e.g. on wheels
    • B29C66/8652—Independently movable welding apparatus, e.g. on wheels being pushed by hand or being self-propelling
    • B29C66/86521—Independently movable welding apparatus, e.g. on wheels being pushed by hand or being self-propelling being self-propelling
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
    • A01G—HORTICULTURE; CULTIVATION OF VEGETABLES, FLOWERS, RICE, FRUIT, VINES, HOPS OR SEAWEED; FORESTRY; WATERING
    • A01G13/00—Protecting plants
    • A01G13/02—Protective coverings for plants; Coverings for the ground; Devices for laying-out or removing coverings
    • A01G13/0256—Ground coverings
    • A01G13/0287—Devices for laying-out or removing ground coverings
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C65/00—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C65/48—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor using adhesives, i.e. using supplementary joining material; solvent bonding
    • B29C65/4805—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor using adhesives, i.e. using supplementary joining material; solvent bonding characterised by the type of adhesives
    • B29C65/481—Non-reactive adhesives, e.g. physically hardening adhesives
    • B29C65/4815—Hot melt adhesives, e.g. thermoplastic adhesives
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C65/00—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C65/48—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor using adhesives, i.e. using supplementary joining material; solvent bonding
    • B29C65/52—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor using adhesives, i.e. using supplementary joining material; solvent bonding characterised by the way of applying the adhesive
    • B29C65/522—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor using adhesives, i.e. using supplementary joining material; solvent bonding characterised by the way of applying the adhesive by spraying, e.g. by flame spraying
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/01—General aspects dealing with the joint area or with the area to be joined
    • B29C66/05—Particular design of joint configurations
    • B29C66/10—Particular design of joint configurations particular design of the joint cross-sections
    • B29C66/11—Joint cross-sections comprising a single joint-segment, i.e. one of the parts to be joined comprising a single joint-segment in the joint cross-section
    • B29C66/112—Single lapped joints
    • B29C66/1122—Single lap to lap joints, i.e. overlap joints
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/40—General aspects of joining substantially flat articles, e.g. plates, sheets or web-like materials; Making flat seams in tubular or hollow articles; Joining single elements to substantially flat surfaces
    • B29C66/41—Joining substantially flat articles ; Making flat seams in tubular or hollow articles
    • B29C66/43—Joining a relatively small portion of the surface of said articles
    • B29C66/435—Making large sheets by joining smaller ones or strips together
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/80—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof
    • B29C66/83—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof characterised by the movement of the joining or pressing tools
    • B29C66/836—Moving relative to and tangentially to the parts to be joined, e.g. transversely to the displacement of the parts to be joined, e.g. using a X-Y table
    • B29C66/8362—Rollers, cylinders or drums moving relative to and tangentially to the parts to be joined
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/70—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material
    • B29C66/71—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the composition of the plastics material of the parts to be joined
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/70—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material
    • B29C66/73—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the intensive physical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the optical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the extensive physical properties of the parts to be joined, by the state of the material of the parts to be joined or by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset
    • B29C66/731—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the intensive physical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the optical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the extensive physical properties of the parts to be joined, by the state of the material of the parts to be joined or by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset characterised by the intensive physical properties of the material of the parts to be joined
    • B29C66/7318—Permeability to gases or liquids
    • B29C66/73185—Permeability to gases or liquids non-permeable
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/80—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof
    • B29C66/82—Pressure application arrangements, e.g. transmission or actuating mechanisms for joining tools or clamps
    • B29C66/822—Transmission mechanisms
    • B29C66/8221—Scissor or lever mechanisms, i.e. involving a pivot point
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29L—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS B29C, RELATING TO PARTICULAR ARTICLES
    • B29L2031/00—Other particular articles
    • B29L2031/70—Agricultural usage or equipment

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a method and apparatus utilizing hot melt glue to seam adjacent strips of soil fumigation film in order to form a solid/broadcast tarp or film for covering a fumigated agriculture field.
  • Agricultural crops are quite susceptible to various types of diseases and damage from soil borne pathogens and subterranean pests, such as nematodes, weeds, fungi, bacteria and insects.
  • soil borne pathogens and subterranean pests such as nematodes, weeds, fungi, bacteria and insects.
  • the soil in which the crops are to be planted is commonly treated by a suitable soil fumigant.
  • fumigants are volatile products that disperse rapidly through the soil profile to eradicate subterranean pests.
  • Land to be planted in high value crops is typically first fumigated and then promptly covered with a suitable plastic fumigation film.
  • a suitable plastic fumigation film is designed to retain the fumigant within the planted ground for as long as possible so that the fumigant works most effectively. If a planted field is left uncovered, volatile fumigants are apt to evaporate rapidly into the atmosphere. This tends to significantly reduce the effectiveness of the fumigation.
  • Conventional fumigation films and tarps retard fumigant evaporation so that improved pest eradication is achieved.
  • the fumigation film is typically applied in disconnected parallel strips, which cover the respective rows. Alternatively, when broadcast fumigation of an entire field is required, a continuous tarp or film must be applied to cover the entire field.
  • Low density polyethylene film (LDPE) and high density polyethylene film (HDPE) have long been used in the fumigation of agricultural fields.
  • LDPE Low density polyethylene film
  • HDPE high density polyethylene film
  • VOC's volatile organic concentrates
  • adhesives When such adhesives are used with LDPE film, they typically achieve tack and are capable of adhering the adjoining strips together within 15 - 30 seconds. These adhesives tack due to evaporation of the solvent from the adhesive. Nonetheless, LDPE and HDPE polyethylene film tend to be undesirably permeable to many fumigants. Such fumigants can dissipate through the film and move off of the treated field.
  • VI F film is far less permeable to fumigants than traditional polyethylene film.
  • VI F film is so impervious that the solvent in standard solvent based adhesives cannot quickly evaporate through the film and adhesive tack.
  • VOC adhesive is used to join together an adjoining pair of VI F strips, the adhesive requires an undesirably lengthy time to tack sufficiently to secure the strips together. Because the adjoining strips take too long to adhere securely to one another, even a slight amount of wind can cause the adjoining film strips to separate. This, in turn, allows fumigant to escape from the field and through the broken seam of the tarp. Effective fumigation and pest control are therefore frustrated.
  • VI F film and even more impervious fumigation film known as totally impermeable film (TIF) have not, to date, been adopted for broadcast or solid tarp fumigation. These films simply do not allow currently available high solvent adhesives to tack and seam the film quickly enough to adequately retain the fumigant within the treated soil for proper pest eradication.
  • This invention results from a realization that a more effective broadcast fumigation tarp that significantly reduces fumigant dissipation may be assembled using impervious VI F and TIF film strips that are joined by a hot melt glue adhesive.
  • Such adhesive eliminates the need to use standard solvent based adhesives, which are generally ineffective for use in joining VI F and TIF strips.
  • This invention features a method of installing a broadcast fumigation film over an agricultural field treated with a fumigant.
  • a plurality of elongate film strips are successively extended across the field such that the strips are longitudinally juxtaposed in a substantially parallel pattern wherein each adjacent pair of strips overlaps along respective longitudinal edges.
  • a melted hot glue adhesive is applied between the overlapping longitudinal edges in each adjacent pair of strips.
  • the overlapping edges of the strips are pressed together to adhesively interengage the adjacent strips along respective seams, which join the strips together.
  • an elongate first film strip is extended across the film and the melted hot glue adhesive is applied to the first film strip along a trailing longitudinal edge thereof.
  • An elongate second film strip is extended across the field and juxtaposed beside the first film strip with a leading longitudinal edge region of the second strip overlapping the trailing longitudinal edge of the first strip. The leading longitudinal edge of the second strip is then pressed against the trailing longitudinal edge of the first strip to adhesively interengage the first and second film strips along a seam that joins the strips together.
  • Each strip may be extended across the field by unwinding the strip from a roll of film.
  • the hot glue adhesive is sprayed onto the trailing longitudinal edge of the first film strip.
  • the method is especially advantageous for use in joining juxtaposed strips of virtually impermeable film (VIF) and totally impermeable film (TIF).
  • the method may also be used for joining together adjacent strips of low density polyethylene film (LDPE) and high density polyethylene film (HDPE) to form a continuous fumigation tarp or broadcast fumigation film.
  • LDPE low density polyethylene film
  • HDPE high density polyethylene film
  • the invention also features an apparatus for installing a broadcast fumigation film in accordance with the foregoing method.
  • the apparatus includes a tractor or other vehicle for making a series of generally parallel passes in a successive alternating directions across adjacent, generally parallel rows of the field.
  • a dispensable roll of fumigation film is drawn behind the vehicle, whereupon each pass of the vehicle, a free end of the film is fixed relative to the field and the vehicle is moved across the field to unwind and dispense a respective elongate strip of the film onto the field.
  • the vehicle thereby dispenses, in a series of passes across the field, a juxtaposed succession of elongate strips of film having overlapping longitudinal edges.
  • a carriage is attached to and driven by the vehicle.
  • the carriage transversely spans the roll of film being dispensed.
  • a pair of glue applicators are carried proximate respective ends of the carriage.
  • Control means are provided for alternately activating the glue applicators on respective successive passes of the vehicle across the field. This supplies the hot glue adhesive to a trailing longitudinal edge of a previously dispensed strip of film.
  • a succeeding juxtaposed strip of film is unwound as the vehicle moves across the field and dispensed onto the field such that a leading longitudinal edge thereof overlaps the trailing longitudinal edge of the previously dispensed strip to which adhesive has been applied.
  • a pressure applicator is supported by a carriage for pressing the overlapping longitudinal edges of the juxtaposed strips of film together to adhesively interengage those strips along a seam that joins the strips together.
  • the apparatus may also include a generator or other electrical current source for heating and controlling the hot melt glue adhesive.
  • a pneumatic pressure source may be communicably connected to at least one of the adhesive supply and the glue applicators.
  • a solenoid valve may be interconnected between the adhesive supply and the glue applicator. The solenoid may be responsive to the control means for selectively opening to deliver hot melt glue from the adhesive supply to the applicator and closing to restrict the transmission of hot melt glue from the adhesive supply to the applicator.
  • FIG. 1 is a simplified plan view of an apparatus for installing broadcast fumigation film in accordance with the method of this invention
  • FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the apparatus installing broadcast fumigation over a field treated with a fumigant
  • FIG. 3 is a schematic view of the key components of the apparatus
  • FIG. 4 is a rear elevational view of the apparatus.
  • FIG. 5 is a perspective view that shows the use of the apparatus to install VI F film over a field that has been fumigated.
  • FIGS. 1 and 2 There is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 an apparatus 10 for assembling and installing a broadcast fumigation film or tarp 12 over an agricultural field 14 that is simultaneously being treated with a fumigant.
  • the apparatus and method of this invention may be utilized effectively in connection with the fumigation of all types of agricultural fields and other planted areas to be fumigated.
  • the system of this invention may be employed to achieve effective fumigation of golf courses, athletic fields, ornamental plantings, nurseries, etc.
  • the method and apparatus of the invention are especially effective for producing and installing a broadcast fumigation film or tarp 12.
  • the invention advantageously permits the use of highly impervious TIF and VIF film for broadcast fumigation.
  • Apparatus 10 features a tractor or similar agricultural vehicle 16 that is driven back and forth in successive parallel passes across field 14 to dispense successive strips of plastic fumigation film 18a, 18b, etc. over the field.
  • the method and apparatus of this invention may be practiced with various known types of fumigation film including previously used LDPE and HDPE film.
  • the invention is also particularly effective for the first time in applying TIF and VIF film, which feature an advantageous high degree of impermeability that severely limits undesirable dissipation of fumigant from the field.
  • Tractor 16, itself may comprise any of various known types of machines that are suitable for use in agricultural, landscaping and similar applications. The particular details of the tractor or other vehicle 16 are not limitations of this invention.
  • Tractor 16 includes a trailing portion 20 that houses, carries or otherwise supports assorted equipment utilized in the hot melt glue adhesive system of this invention. Such equipment is described more fully below.
  • portion 20 of tractor 16 pulls (through a conventional drawbar, hitch or other form of connection) a carriage 22 that transversely spans the tractor and each row that the vehicle traverses during a respective pass across the field.
  • Carriage 22 supports, proximate respective opposite ends thereof, a pair of hot melt glue applicators 38 used in the process of this invention. Only one applicator is depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2.
  • carriage 22 pulls a dispensable roll of plastic fumigation film F that is attached to carriage 22 by a pair of brackets 24 that extend rearward ly from carriage 22.
  • Film roll F is axially rotatably mounted on a spindle that is interconnected between the opposing brackets 24.
  • a pair of pressure roller wheels 26 are likewise connected to respective ends of carriage 22 by respective mounting arms 28. These rollers operate to press together adjacent strips of film after glue has been applied in a manner described more fully below.
  • the various components of the film dispensing mechanism including the carriage, the film roll and the pressure rollers may be structurally varied within the scope of the invention. Alternative types of structure may be used to support the adhesive applicators and the film strips. Likewise other varieties of pressure applying mechanisms may be utilized.
  • a hot melt glue supply 30, as well as a 240 volt AC generator 32 and an air compressor 34 are mounted on rearward portion 20 of tractor 16.
  • a microprocessor based control circuit 36 for controlling application of hot glue to the dispensed film is likewise mounted on rearward portion 20.
  • Each of these components may comprise various types of known equipment, which will be well understood to persons skilled in the art.
  • Air compressor 34 is typically mounted to the standard power take-off unit of tractor 16. Compressor 34 provides pneumatic pressure to both glue supply 30 and glue head applicators 38, which are, in turn, mounted proximate respective ends of carriage 22 as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4. Such applicators effectively resist vibration and the abuse to which they are subjected as the carriage is pulled across the field and glue is dispensed during the fumigant film assembly process.
  • the glue applicators 38 may comprise various known types of hot glue heads and systems such as those manufactured by Nordson®.
  • Glue supply 30 is communicably connected to glue heads 38 through respective glue lines 40, which may comprise hoses, pipes or similar conduits. Each glue line 40 is joined to respective glue head 38 through a solenoid 42. The solenoids are operated by controller 36 so that the glue heads 38 dispense adhesive in accordance with the process of this invention and in the manner described more fully below.
  • Generator 32 provides power to melt the glue in glue supply 30. It also provides power to controller 36.
  • the compressor 34 provides pneumatic pressure to glue heads 38 and glue supply 30 through respective pneumatic regulators 46. The air provided by compressor 34 allows the glue heads to spray in an effective swirl pattern as described more fully below.
  • the compressor also provides pneumatic pressure to an air powered piston type glue pump (not specifically shown) that is an internal part of glue supply 30 so that hot melt glue is pumped to the glue heads as needed.
  • Apparatus 10 is preferably utilized to assemble and install fumigation film having an exceptionally low fumigant permeability such as TIF and VI F film in accordance with the following operation. Preliminarily, field 14, FIGS.
  • Tractor 16 which is equipped with the roll of film F and the glue application equipment previously described, then performs successive parallel passes across field 14, each time dispensing a respective strip of film. Initially, a distal edge of film roll F is secured proximate or along an edge of the field to be covered. The film is fastened in place by various known means of attachment, not shown. Tractor 16 then proceeds to make an initial pass across the field so that a first strip of film 18a, FIG. 1 , is dispensed (unwound) from the roll and extended across the field behind the tractor. When tractor 16 reaches the end of its initial pass, the dispensed strip 18a is transversely cut from the remainder of film F. A leading longitudinal edge 50 is then tucked into the field and thereby sealed in the field in a conventional manner.
  • Tractor 16 next reverses direction and makes a second pass across field 14. Indeed, in FIGS. 1 and 2, tractor 16 is shown traveling in a reverse direction as it makes a second pass across the field, as indicated by arrow 52. Once again, as the tractor commences a second pass across the field, the free or distal end of film F on the rolled supply of film is secured in place adjacent to the field. Tractor 16 then pulls the film so that a second juxtaposed strip 18b is unwound from the roll and extended across the field and juxtaposed beside initial strip 18a. More particularly, the tractor is positioned for the second pass such that a leading longitudinal edge 60 of strip 18b overlaps the trailing longitudinal edge 62 of previously dispensed strip 18a.
  • controller 56 directs just the right-hand solenoid 42 to open and causes hot melt glue to be pumped from adhesive supply 30 through line 40 to the glue head 38 located on the right-hand side of carriage 22, as depicted in FIGS. 1 and 3.
  • Pressure from the air driven piston glue pump supply 30 causes hot melt glue adhesive to be sprayed, as shown by 51 , FIG. 2, from that applicator 38 onto the upper surface of film strip 18a along trailing longitudinal edge 62 thereof. See FIGS. 1 and 2.
  • the pneumatic pressure supply to the glue head provides the spray 51 with a swirl pattern that effectively distributes the hot melt adhesive onto the previously dispensed film. This allows the adhesive to tack quickly so that the juxtaposed and interengaged strips bond securely together almost immediately when pressure roller 26 is applied.
  • a continuous longitudinal seam is formed between the adjoining strips 18a and 18b.
  • the hot melt glue adhesive tacks quickly and permanently joins the adjoining strips together along respective seams to form a continuous fumigation film or tarp. See seam S between strip 18b and succeeding strip 18c in FIG. 5.
  • the seam is extremely tight and does not permit the adjoining strips to blow apart or separate. The seam also prevents fumigant from dissipating between the strips and into the air.
  • the second film strip is again transversely cut and the ends tucked under the soil.
  • the tractor may make as many successive passes as are required to form a continuous broadcast fumigation film that is large enough to cover the treated field.
  • the glue applicator and film dispensing apparatus operate in a manner analogous to that previously described.
  • Controller 36 maintains the solenoid for the other applicator closed so that no glue is dispensed from that glue head. For example, if tractor 52 makes a third pass across the field (i.e.
  • the glue applicator located at the left-hand end of carriage 22 in FIG. 1 (see also the left-hand applicator in FIG. 3) is operated so that the leading end of the third dispensed strip of film is adhesively secured to the trailing end of strip 18b in a manner analogous to that by which strip 18b is joined to strip 18a.
  • the applicator shown as operating in FIGS. 1 and 2 is effectively shut off during the third pass.
  • the glue applicators continue to operate in an alternating manner during successive passes across the field. As previously indicated, during the initial pass of the tractor across the field, neither glue applicator operates so that glue is not dispensed during that pass.
  • the process of the present invention is especially effective because it permits highly impermeable plastic such as VI F and TIF film to be utilized in broadcast fumigation applications.
  • This process eliminates the use of high solvent adhesives which can tack quickly only when fairly permeable plastics such as HOPE and LDPE are used.
  • the present invention eliminates the use of such environmentally problematic adhesives and instead employs an environmentally benign hot melt glue adhesive that tacks quickly even in the presence of VI F and TIF film.
  • these effective types of dissipation resistant films may be used in broadcast fumigation applications. Because the adhesive tacks fairly quickly and allows the adjoining strips of VIF/TIF to promptly bond along respective seams, the adjoining strips are far less apt to blow apart or otherwise separate.
  • a tight impermeable seam S is formed between strips 18b and 18c.
  • the applied fumigant will dissipate into the air and be less than optimally effective.
  • Much improved control of targeted pests is thereby achieved.
  • a smaller, more cost effective amount of the fumigant can be used to effectively treat a field.
  • the process of this invention provides for improved crop yields, healthier plantings, cost savings and significant environmental benefits.
  • adjacent strips of film may be joined manually rather than using the above described machine. Successive overlapping strips may be layed across the field and a worker may spray or brush the hot melt glue between the overlapping strips. Pressure is then applied to the overlapping strips to adhesively interengage the overlapping edges. A roller or other tool may be used to generate this pressure. Alternatively, a worker can manually walk across the overlapping edges with glue dispensed therebetween.
  • the apparatus of this invention provides for a method and apparatus utilizing hot melt glue to seam adjacent strips of soil fumigation film in order to form a solid/broadcast tarp or film for covering a fumigated agriculture field. While this detailed description has set forth particularly preferred embodiments of the apparatus of this invention, numerous modifications and variations of the structure of this invention, all within the scope of the invention, will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is understood that this description is illustrative only of the principles of the invention and is not limitative thereof.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Toxicology (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Environmental Sciences (AREA)
  • Catching Or Destruction (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention porte sur un procédé et sur un appareil (10) pour installer des types de film de fumigation par épandage (12), tels que du polyéthylène basse densité, du polyéthylène haute densité, du film totalement imperméable (TIF) et du film virtuellement imperméable (VIF), sur un champ (14) traité avec un fumigant. Une première bande de film allongée (18a) est étendue sur le champ, avec une injection de fumigant simultanée sous le film, et une colle thermofusible fondue (51) est appliquée sur la première bande le long d'un bord longitudinal arrière (62) de cette dernière. Une seconde bande de film allongée (18b) est appliquée sur le champ et juxtaposée à la première bande de film avec un bord longitudinal avant (60) de la seconde bande de film qui chevauche le bord longitudinal arrière de la première bande. Le bord longitudinal avant de la seconde bande est pressé contre le bord longitudinal arrière de la première bande de façon à faire venir en prise mutuelle par adhérence les première et seconde bandes le long d'un raccord (S) qui réunit les bandes l'une à l'autre.
PCT/US2013/059950 2013-09-16 2013-09-16 Système de colle thermofusible fondue pour appliquer à un champ agricole un film de fumigation de sol par épandage WO2015038159A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/US2013/059950 WO2015038159A1 (fr) 2013-09-16 2013-09-16 Système de colle thermofusible fondue pour appliquer à un champ agricole un film de fumigation de sol par épandage

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/US2013/059950 WO2015038159A1 (fr) 2013-09-16 2013-09-16 Système de colle thermofusible fondue pour appliquer à un champ agricole un film de fumigation de sol par épandage

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WO2015038159A1 true WO2015038159A1 (fr) 2015-03-19

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Citations (17)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3252251A (en) * 1964-12-21 1966-05-24 Kendall & Co Covering for a seed or plant bed
US4050972A (en) * 1977-02-25 1977-09-27 Cardinal Jr Daniel E Laying down of large sheets of film
GB1504967A (en) * 1976-02-26 1978-03-22 Pearson L Laying flexible material
US4513530A (en) * 1983-06-22 1985-04-30 Mechanical Transplanter Company Machine for laying film material
US4725328A (en) * 1986-03-06 1988-02-16 Warren Arnold Single ply roofing applicator
US4834827A (en) * 1986-06-05 1989-05-30 Obeda Edward G Apparatus and method for ultrasonically joining sheets of thermoplastic materials
US5070641A (en) * 1988-02-19 1991-12-10 Anchor Continental, Inc. Crop protection tape
US5226376A (en) * 1991-10-25 1993-07-13 Ellsworth Shaw Machine for laying agricultural plastic film
US5863153A (en) * 1993-11-09 1999-01-26 Geohess (Uk) Limited Waste treatment
US5934521A (en) * 1996-02-16 1999-08-10 Nireco Corporation Hot melt applicator and nozzle used therefor
US6484781B2 (en) * 1998-11-16 2002-11-26 Joseph H. Weaver Cold process roofing felt applicator
US6558079B1 (en) * 2000-02-22 2003-05-06 Epi Environmental Technologies Inc. Method and apparatus for covering landfill
US6866732B2 (en) * 1998-11-20 2005-03-15 Omnova Solutions Inc. Method for seaming wide panels of EPDM membrane to form a composite EPDM roofing membrane
US20100202835A1 (en) * 2008-11-10 2010-08-12 Mark L Jordan Multilayer Films Having Breathable Regions for Use in Broadcast Fumigation
US7866088B1 (en) * 2006-10-02 2011-01-11 Cadillac Products Packaging Company Barrier mulch films
WO2013030513A1 (fr) * 2011-09-01 2013-03-07 Arkema France Film photocatalytique pour la fumigation des sols
EP2601829A2 (fr) * 2011-12-05 2013-06-12 Wilhelmus Johannes Peter Seelen Procédé de zone d'étanchéité avec couverture hermétique et machine adaptée à l'application du procédé

Patent Citations (17)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3252251A (en) * 1964-12-21 1966-05-24 Kendall & Co Covering for a seed or plant bed
GB1504967A (en) * 1976-02-26 1978-03-22 Pearson L Laying flexible material
US4050972A (en) * 1977-02-25 1977-09-27 Cardinal Jr Daniel E Laying down of large sheets of film
US4513530A (en) * 1983-06-22 1985-04-30 Mechanical Transplanter Company Machine for laying film material
US4725328A (en) * 1986-03-06 1988-02-16 Warren Arnold Single ply roofing applicator
US4834827A (en) * 1986-06-05 1989-05-30 Obeda Edward G Apparatus and method for ultrasonically joining sheets of thermoplastic materials
US5070641A (en) * 1988-02-19 1991-12-10 Anchor Continental, Inc. Crop protection tape
US5226376A (en) * 1991-10-25 1993-07-13 Ellsworth Shaw Machine for laying agricultural plastic film
US5863153A (en) * 1993-11-09 1999-01-26 Geohess (Uk) Limited Waste treatment
US5934521A (en) * 1996-02-16 1999-08-10 Nireco Corporation Hot melt applicator and nozzle used therefor
US6484781B2 (en) * 1998-11-16 2002-11-26 Joseph H. Weaver Cold process roofing felt applicator
US6866732B2 (en) * 1998-11-20 2005-03-15 Omnova Solutions Inc. Method for seaming wide panels of EPDM membrane to form a composite EPDM roofing membrane
US6558079B1 (en) * 2000-02-22 2003-05-06 Epi Environmental Technologies Inc. Method and apparatus for covering landfill
US7866088B1 (en) * 2006-10-02 2011-01-11 Cadillac Products Packaging Company Barrier mulch films
US20100202835A1 (en) * 2008-11-10 2010-08-12 Mark L Jordan Multilayer Films Having Breathable Regions for Use in Broadcast Fumigation
WO2013030513A1 (fr) * 2011-09-01 2013-03-07 Arkema France Film photocatalytique pour la fumigation des sols
EP2601829A2 (fr) * 2011-12-05 2013-06-12 Wilhelmus Johannes Peter Seelen Procédé de zone d'étanchéité avec couverture hermétique et machine adaptée à l'application du procédé

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