WO2016071934A1

WO2016071934A1 - Machine for pruning hedges simultaneously acting as a trimmer and collector

Info

Publication number: WO2016071934A1
Application number: PCT/IT2014/000322
Authority: WO
Inventors: Enver SALIJAJ
Original assignee: Salijaj Enver
Priority date: 2014-11-03
Filing date: 2014-12-02
Publication date: 2016-05-12

Abstract

The invention refers to a machine for pruning hedges simultaneously acting as a trimmer and collector. The machine comprises a structure movable on a track placed alongside the hedge and following the progression thereof, so as to maintain the structure adjacent to the hedge. The structure comprises, at its interior, a cavity accessible through an opening placed at a lateral wall. A pair of serrated blades, opposite and movable in reciprocating motion with respect to each other, is placed at said opening, orthogonal to the ground, along the free edge of the first wall, of the hedge. The structure also comprises, at its interior, a conveyor belt which delimits said cavity on the lower part. The belt conveys the cut hedge portions towards the suction mouth of a duct communicating with an aspirator for expelling the cut portions outside the structure.

Description

Machine for pruning hedges simultaneously acting as a trimmer and collector

Field of application of the invention

The present invention has application in the field of gardening machines em- ployable for pruning plants and, in particular, hedges, i.e. plantings generally extended in a direction preferably parallel to the ground.

In particular, the present invention refers both to the "trimmers", i.e. machines employable for cutting one or more portions of a plant (e.g. for the purpose of removing diseased parts thereof or for giving a desired form to the plant), and to "collectors", i.e. machines employable for collecting the plant portions cut, by way of example, by a trimmer.

More precisely, the present invention refers to a gardening machine simultaneously acting as trimmer and collector.

Review of the prior art

Hedges are generally ornamental plantings constituted by shrubbery plants that are planted in the ground in a preferably aligned manner, so as to form a row. Shrubbery plants are usually placed at a distance such that, in growing, they penetrate each other and confer a compact appearance to the planting, rendering it suitable for acting as a separation barrier for two ground portions, between which the hedge is interposed.

The hedges are preferably pruned in a manner such to level the faces of the hedge that rise upward from the ground, and still more preferably in a manner so as to confer a nearly rectangular cross section to the hedge (e.g. also leveling the upper face of the hedge, rendering it nearly parallel to the ground).

The pruning of the hedges can be manually performed, for example by means of shears or hedge shears, or with the aid of trimmers transported by tractors or similar motor vehicles. In both cases, The cut plant portions are allowed to fall on the ground and subsequently manually collected, for example by means of rakes, or with the aid of collectors (such as sweepers) possibly transported, on the rear part, by the same tractor transporting the trimmer on the front part. Unfortunately, on one hand the manual collection of the cut hedge portions re- quires considerable effort and involves relatively long collection times, and on the other hand the use of a collector - even if it allows limiting the effort and shortening the collection times - obliges an operator to use a further gardening machine (in addition to the trimmer).

In order to remedy the aforesaid drawbacks, trimmers have been conceived provided with choppers which crush the cut hedge portions, reducing them into extremely small fragments before they fall on the ground. Said fragments, instead of being collected, are left on the ground so as to progressively decompose and act as fertilizer. This solution, however, in addition to compromising the beauty of the hedge at the ground level, also cannot always be actuated, especially when it is necessary to prune very high hedges. Indeed, in the latter case, the accumulation of plant fragments on the ground can reach a height such to still make the removal of the same necessary.

Objects of the invention

The object of the present invention is to overcome the aforesaid objects and to indicate a machine for pruning plants and, in particular, hedges, which simultaneously allows effectively trimming and collecting the cut plant portions.

Summary of the invention

The subject of the present invention is a machine for pruning at least one plant, the machine comprising:

· first means for cutting at least one portion of the plant;

wherein, according to the invention, the machine comprises:

• at least one first containment structure communicating with the first cutting means and suitable for containing cut plant portions;

• first pneumophorous means communicating with the first containment structure for the suction of the cut plant portions and expulsion thereof from the first containment structure;

· first means for conveying the cut plant portions at least partially housed inside the first containment structure, the first conveyor means acting as means for moving said portions of plant away from the first cutting means and for moving the same portions closer to the first pneumophorous means. The cut plant portions are not left to fall on the ground, but rather they are ini- tially collected in the first containment structure and subsequently picked up from the same by means of the first pneumophorous means. Advantageously, the first conveyor means on one hand prevent the cut plant portions from accumulating at the first cutting means (with the risk of compromising the operation thereof), and on the other hand they facilitate the pick-up of said plant portions from the first containment structure by the first pneumophorous means.

Further innovative characteristics of the present invention are described in the dependent claims.

According to one aspect of the invention, the first containment structure comprises a first cavity at least partially delimited by a mutually facing first and sec- ond wall, by the first conveyor means and by a first opening in order to allow the entrance, in the first cavity, of the cut plant portions, the first cutting means being situated at the first opening, the first conveyor means comprising a first section placed in proximity of the first cutting means, the first pneumophorous means being in communication with said first cavity in proximity of a second section of the first conveyor means opposite said first section.

Incidentally, the first containment structure therefore comprises, in addition to the first cavity, the first and the second wall and the first opening.

According to another aspect of the invention, the first cutting means comprise at least one blade placed at an edge of at least one of the walls of the first con- tainment structure.

Preferably, the cutting means comprise two serrated blades, mutually opposite and movable in a manner such that one is in reciprocating motion with respect to each other.

According to another aspect of the invention, the first conveyor means comprise a conveyor belt slidable in a direction preferably transverse to the first cutting means.

With reference, by way of example, to the pruning of a hedge, the machine, subject of the invention, is positioned in a manner such that the wall of the first containment structure, at an edge where the serrated blades are placed, is opposite the face of the hedge to be pruned (i.e. one of the faces that rise upward from the ground or the upper face), and the conveyor belt lies at the lower zone of the first containment structure. Advantageously, by advancing the machine, subject of the invention, along the hedge in a manner such that the serrated blades at least partially penetrate the latter, the blades cut several hedge portions. Due to the advancement of the machine, the cut portions traverse the first opening of the first containment structure, subsequently falling on the conveyor belt. As mentioned above, if there was no conveyor belt, the cut hedge portions would accumulate in proximity of the serrated blades, with the risk of compromising the effectiveness of the cutting and/or risk of falling outside the machine. By way of example, assuming that the first containment structure is shaped as a rectangular parallelepiped having a lower base, an upper base and four lateral walls, and assuming that the machine, subject of the invention, is employed for pruning one of the two faces of the hedge that rise upward from the ground, said first and second wall correspond with a mutually facing first and second lateral wall, the first opening is situated at a third lateral wall, the conveyor belt is situated at the lower base and the first pneumophorous means are situated at a fourth lateral wall opposite the third wall.

Again, by way of example, assuming that the first containment structure is shaped as a right parallelepiped having a lower base, an upper base and four lateral walls, and assuming that the machine, subject of the invention, is employed for pruning the upper face of the hedge, said first and second wall corre- spond with the bases of the parallelepiped, the first opening is situated at a first lateral wall, the conveyor belt is situated at the lower base and the first pneumophorous means are situated at a second lateral wall opposite the first lateral wall.

According to another aspect of the invention, the first conveyor means comprise a spiral conveyor suitable for conveying the cut plant portions in a direction preferably transverse to the first cutting means.

According to another aspect of the invention, the machine comprises guide means on which the first containment structure is movable, during the pruning of the plant, in order to allow the cutting of said plant portions.

According to another aspect of the invention, the machine comprises means for moving the first containment structure on the guide means.

According to another aspect of the invention, the machine comprises a structure communicating with the first pneumophorous means for depositing the cut plant portions picked up from the first containment structure.

By way of example, the deposit structure consists of a container, it too movable on the guide means or in a "tray" transportable by a motor vehicle termed "skip loader".

According to another aspect of the invention, the machine comprises suitable means for making the plant portions to be cut project towards the first cutting means, during a movement of the first containment structure.

According to another aspect of the invention, the projecting means comprise a plurality of mutually spaced teeth arranged transverse to the blade of the first cutting means.

Preferably, the teeth of the projecting means are equivalent to the tines of a rake which, during the advancement of the first containment structure for the pruning of the plant, lift the branches and leaves to be pruned, facilitating the cutting by the serrated blades.

According to another aspect of the invention, the machine comprises means for chopping the cut plant portions at least partially housed in the first containment structure, the first conveyor means also acting as means for introducing, in the chopping means, the cut plant portions (in moving away from the first cutting means), and as means for picking up, from the chopping means, the chopper plant portions (in moving closer to the first pneumophorous means).

By way of example, the conveyor belt conveys the cut plant portions from the first cutting means to the chopping means, and the chopper plant portions from the chopping means to the first pneumophorous means.

According to another aspect of the invention, the machine comprises:

• second means for cutting at least one portion of the plant;

· a second structure communicating with the second cutting means and suitable for containing the cut plant portions (cut by the second cutting means);

• second pneumophorous means communicating with the second containment structure for sucking the cut plant portions (cut by the second cutting means) and expelling the same from the second containment structure;

· second means for conveying the cut plant portions (cut by the second cutting means) at least partially housed inside the second containment structure, the second conveyor means acting as means for moving said portions of plant away from second cutting means and for moving the same portions closer to the second pneumophorous means.

According to another aspect of the invention, the second cutting means are arranged transverse to the first cutting means.

With reference, by way of example, to the pruning of a hedge, due to the presence of the second cutting means and the second containment structure, the second cutting means being arranged transverse to the first cutting means, the machine, subject of the invention, advantageously allows pruning the hedge on two faces simultaneously, i.e. one of the two faces that rises upward from the ground and the upper face arranged nearly parallel to the ground. The face that rises upward from the ground is, for example, prunable by means of the first cutting means and the upper face is prunable by means of the second cutting means.

By way of example, the machine, subject of the invention, according to the above-described aspect, has a nearly L-shaped cross section. In order to perform the pruning of a hedge, the machine is positioned with one arm of the L opposite one of the faces of the hedge that rise upward from the ground, and with the other arm of the L opposite the upper face of the hedge. The cutting means are therefore situated at the arms of the L.

According to another aspect of the invention, the machine comprises: • third means for cutting at least one portion of the plant, the third cutting means being arranged transverse to the first and second cutting means, preferably interposed between the latter;

• a third structure communicating with the third cutting means and suitable for containing the cut plant portions (cut by the third cutting means), the third containment structure being communicating with the first and the second containment structure in order to allow the passage of the cut plant portions (cut by the third cutting means) into the first and second containment structure;

· means at least partially housed in the third containment structure and suitable for conveying the cut plant portions (cut by the third cutting means) towards the first and second containment structure.

With reference, by way of example, to the pruning of a hedge, due to the presence of the second and third cutting means and the second and third contain- ment structure, the third cutting means being interposed transverse to the first and second cutting means (hence, as an alternative to the preceding aspect according to which the second cutting means are arranged transverse to the second cutting means), the machine, subject of the invention, advantageously allows simultaneously pruning the hedge on three faces, i.e. the two faces that rise upward from the ground and the upper face arranged nearly parallel to the ground. The faces that rise upward from the ground are, for example, prunable respectively by means of the first and second cutting means and the upper face is prunable by means of the third cutting means.

All of the abovementioned aspect of the invention also hold true, in an equ^'iva- lent manner, for the second and third containment structure and, with them, for the second and third cutting means, the second pneumophorous means and the second conveyor means.

According to another aspect of the invention, the first containment structure comprises a second opening opposite the first conveyor means and it too delim- iting the first cavity,

the second containment structure comprising a second cavity at least partially delimited by a mutually facing third and fourth wall, by the second conveyor means, by a third opening in order to allow the entrance, into the second cavity, of the plant portions cut by the second cutting means, and by a fourth opening opposite the second conveyor means, the second cutting means being situated at the third opening, the second conveyor means comprising a third section placed in proximity of the second cutting means, the second pneumophorous means being in communication with said second cavity in proximity of a fourth section of the second conveyor means opposite said third section,

the third containment structure comprising a third cavity at least partially delimited by a mutually facing fifth and sixth wall, by the conveyor means, by a fifth opening in order to allow the entrance, into the third cavity, of the plant portions cut by the third cutting means, and by a sixth and seventh opening interposed between the fifth opening and the conveyor means, the third cutting means being situated at the fifth opening,

the second opening of the first containment structure at least partially mating with the sixth opening of the third containment structure in order to allow the passage of the plant portions cut by the third cutting means into the first containment structure,

the fourth opening of the second containment structure at least partially mating with the seventh opening of the third containment structure in order to allow the passage of the plant portions cut by the third cutting means in the second containment structure.

By way of example, the machine, subject of the invention, according to the above-described aspect, has a nearly U-shaped cross section, with the concavity directed towards the ground. In order to carry out the pruning of a hedge, the machine is positioned with the U astride the hedge. The first and second cutting means are therefore respectively at the arms of the U, and the third cutting means are at the base of the U.

During the advancement of the machine, subject of the invention, the hedge portions cut by the third cutting means (i.e. at the upper face of the hedge, near- ly parallel to the ground) come to traverse the fifth opening of the third containment structure and are then conveyed, by the conveyor means, towards the sixth and seventh opening. Through the latter openings, the hedge portions cut by the third cutting means enter into the first and second containment structure and fall onto the first and second conveyor means which convey the cut hedge portions towards the first and second pneumophorous means.

Preferably, the first, the second, the third and the fourth wall of the first and se- cond containment structure are mutually parallel, and the fifth and sixth wall of the third containment structure are mutually parallel and orthogonal to the first, second, third and fourth wall.

Preferably, in order to carry out the pruning of a hedge, the machine, subject of the invention, is positioned in a manner such that the first, the second, the third and the fourth wall of the first and second containment structure are nearly orthogonal to the ground. Consequently, the fifth and sixth wall of the third containment structure are arranged nearly parallel to the ground.

According to another aspect of the invention, the conveyor means comprise a seventh and an eighth wall interposed between the fifth and sixth wall, and mu- tually joined at a respective edge to assume the shape of a wedge with the convexity directed towards the fifth opening, the seventh and eighth wall extended up to the sixth and seventh opening.

Brief description of the figures

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be clear from the following detailed description of an embodiment thereof and from the enclosed drawings, given as a merely non-limiting example, in which:

- figure 1 shows, in a schematic perspective view, a gardening machine according to the present invention;

- figure 2 shows, in a schematic perspective view, a variant of the machine of figure 1.

Detailed description of some preferred embodiments of the invention

In the present description, for facilitating the exposition, reference will only be made to a preferred embodiment of the invention, in which the machine is employed for pruning a hedge. It must be clear that the described machine is not limited to the aforesaid embodiment but can be employed for pruning/trimming any one plant.

Hereinbelow in the present description, a figure can also be illustrated with ref- erence to elements not expressly indicated in that figure but in other figures. The scale and proportions of the various depicted elements do not necessarily correspond to actual scale and proportions.

Figure 1 shows a gardening machine 1 employable for pruning a planting 2 ex- tended in a direction preferably parallel to the ground, such as a hedge. The machine 1 comprises a first structure 3 movable, preferably, on a track 4 (only one rail of which is visible in figure) by means of two pairs of wheels 5 (only one pair of which is visible in the figure). The track 4 is preferably placed alongside the hedge 2 and it follows the progression in longitudinal direction of such hedge. The track 4, acting as a guide for the structure 3, maintains the latter adjacent to the hedge 2. The machine 1 also comprises a motor (not shown in the figure) for moving the structure 3 on the track 4.

By way of example, the structure 3 has nearly right parallelepiped shape and comprises two mutually facing walls 6 and 7 preferably arranged nearly orthogonal to the ground (and therefore corresponding to two lateral walls of the parallelepiped). The structure 3 and the track 4 are preferably positioned in a manner such that the walls 6 and 7 are arranged nearly parallel to one face 8 of the hedge 2, and still more preferably in a manner such that the wall 7 is opposite the face 8. The structure 3 further comprises a lower base 9, an upper base 10, a bottom wall 11 interposed between the walls 6 and 7, and an opening 12 opposite the wall 11. The bases 9 and 10 are preferably arranged nearly parallel to the ground. The wall 11 is preferably arranged nearly orthogonal to the ground and to the walls 6 and 7.

As can be observed in figure 1 , the wall 6 preferably has an area slightly greater than that of the wall 7. Due to this, the free edge 13 of the wall 6 (i.e. that situated at the opening 12) is situated at a greater distance from the wall 11 than the free edge 14 of the wall 7. In other words, with reference to a direction oriented from the wall to the opening 12, the edge 13 is in advanced position with respect to the edge 14. The opening 12 is therefore tilted with respect to the wall 11 , so as to make the bases 9 and 10 assume the shape of right trapezoids. Given that the structure 3 and the track 4 are preferably arranged in a manner such that the wall 7 is opposite the face 8 of the hedge 2 (i.e. with the smaller bases of the aforesaid trapezoids opposite the latter, the opening 12 is tilted towards the hedge 2.

Preferably, the lower base 9 has an area slightly greater than that of the upper base 10. Due to this, the free edge of the base 9 (corresponding with the oblique side of the trapezoid) is less tilted than the corresponding free edge of the base 10, with respect to the wall 6 (i.e. the base 9 has a form "closer" to that of a rectangle with respect to the base 10).

The structure 3 comprises, at its interior, a cavity 15 accessible through the opening 12 in which a conveyor belt 16 is housed that is extended from the opening 12 to the wall 11. The belt 16 is placed at the base 6 and is preferably arranged parallel to the ground. The cavity 15 is thus delimited by the walls 6, 7 and 11 , by the upper base 10, by the opening 12 and by the belt 16.

The machine 1 also comprises a pair of blades 17, preferably serrated, mutually opposite and movable in a manner such that one is in reciprocating motion with respect to the other. The blades 17 are placed at the opening 12 and preferably at the edge 14 parallel to the latter, with the cutting profile directed towards the structure 3 exterior. The blades 17 are movable in reciprocating motion, preferably orthogonal to the ground, by means of an electric motor (not shown in the figure) and act as means with which it is possible to cut portions of the hedge 2. The blades 17 are preferably arranged parallel to the wall 7, and still more preferably are nearly coplanar thereto.

At the edge 14, it is possible to observe, in addition to the blades 17, a plurality of mutually spaced teeth 18, preferably coplanar and parallel to each other, and still more preferably arranged transverse to the blades 17 (i.e. parallel to the ground). The teeth 18 thus lie in a plane preferably orthogonal to the ground and have a length such to project outward towards the structure 3 exterior, beyond the blades 17. The blades 17 are preferably interposed between the opening 12 and the teeth 18. The latter are preferably tilted on the side opposite the opening 12 with respect to the plane where wall 7 lies.

At the upper base 10, preferably outside the structure 3, an aspirator 19 is visible communicating with the cavity 15 by means of a duct 20 which, by traversing the base 10, penetrates inside the structure 3, remaining in proximity of the wall 11. The duct 20 has a suction mouth 21 in proximity of the belt 16 and an expulsion mouth (not shown in the figure) outside the structure 3. The aspirator 19 and the duct 20 act as pneumophorous means, with which it is possible to create reduced pressure at the belt 16, in proximity of the mouth 21.

Inside the structure 3, it is possible to observe a device 22 traversed by the belt 16 and suitable for chopping portions of the hedge 2 conveyed by the belt 16. In an alternative embodiment of the machine, subject of the invention, not shown in the figures, the teeth 18, analogous to the blades 17, are movable in reciprocating motion, preferably orthogonal to the ground, by means of an elec- trie motor (not shown in the figure).

With regard to the operation illustration, in order to prune the hedge 2, the machine 1 is positioned as shown in figure , i.e. with the wall 7 opposite the face 8 of the hedge 2. In this position, given that the teeth 18 are tilted on the side opposite the opening 12 (i.e. towards the hedge 2), these partially penetrate the hedge 2. By making the structure 3 advance along the track 4 in the direction oriented from the wall 11 to the opening 12, the teeth 18 make several portions of the hedge 2 project from the face 8, guiding them towards the blades 17. The latter cut the portions of the hedge 2 that are "lifted" by the teeth 18. Due to the advancement of the structure 3, the cut portions traverse the opening 12, pene- trating into the cavity 15 and falling to a first section of the belt 16 placed in proximity of the opening 12 (and hence of the blades 17). The teeth 18 therefore facilitate the cutting of portions of the hedge 2 by the blades 17. In the absence of the teeth 18, the blades 17 will partially penetrate the hedge 2. The traversing of the opening 12 by the cut portions of the hedge 2 is facilitated by the fact that, as mentioned above, the opening 12 is tilted towards the hedge 2. The track 4 is preferably arranged in a manner so as to allow an advancement of the structure 3, maintaining the wall 7 opposite the face 8. It is the advancement of the structure 3 along the track 4 to determine the pruning of the hedge 2.

The structure 3, being in communication with the blades 17 through the opening 12, acts as a structure for containing the cut portions of the hedge 2, preventing the latter from falling on the ground. The machine 1 simultaneously acts as trimmer and collector. The belt 16 slides transverse to the blades 17, in a direction oriented from the opening 12 to the wall 11 , so as to move the cut portions of the hedge 2 away from the opening 12 and the blades 17, and move said cut portions closer to the suction mouth 21 of the duct 20. The latter is placed in proximity of a second section of the belt 16 opposite the first section, at which the cut portions of the hedge 2 are sucked by the aspirator 19 for expelling the same from the structure 3. The belt 16 on one hand prevents the cut hedge portions 2 from accumulating at the opening 12 and at the blades 17 (with the risk of compromising the effectiveness of the cutting and falling outside the structure 3), and on the other hand it facilitates the pick-up of said hedge portions 2 from the structure 3 by the aspirator 19. Before reaching in proximity of the suction mouth 21 , the cut portions of the hedge 2 traverse the chopper 22, where they are chopped for the purpose of facilitating the suction thereof. The belt 16 therefore also acts as means for introducing, in the chopper 22, the cut portions of the hedge 2, and as means for picking up, from the chopper 22, the chopped portions of the hedge 2.

Preferably, the duct 20 communicates, at the expulsion mouth, with a structure (not shown in the figure) at which the portions of the hedge 2 sucked from the structure 3 are deposited. By way of example, this deposit structure consists of a container, it too movable on the track 4 (i.e., a kind of trailer of the structure 3) or of the tank of a sweeper truck or of a tray transportable by a skip loader. At the free edge of the upper base 10, it is possible to observe a blade for cutting possible hedge portions arranged transverse to said blade.

In another alternative embodiment of the machine, subject of the invention, not shown in the figures, instead of the rails 4, the machine comprises a pair of grooves, analogous to the rails 4, preferably lying alongside hedge 2 so as to form a track that follows the progression of the hedge 2 in longitudinal direction. The structure 3 is movable along the grooves by means of wheels at least partially housed in said grooves and preferably equipped with tires. Said grooves therefore act as guide means for the structure 3. Analogous to the machine 1 , the machine according to the present embodiment comprises a motor for moving the structure 3 along said grooves. In another alternative embodiment of the machine, subject of the invention, not shown in the figures, the machine also comprises a unit movable on the rails 4 by means of wheels moved by a motor preferably housed in said unit. The structure 3 lacks wheels 5 and motor, and is supported by said movable unit by means of, for example, a hydraulic mechanical arm connected to said movable unit at a first end, and to the structure 3 at a second end opposite said first end. Said movable unit is, by way of example, a vehicle with a driver on board the same, or a vehicle remotely conducted by means of a remote control and/or with the aid of a satellite navigator.

Figure 2 shows a machine 30 that constitutes a first variant of the machine 1 of figure 1. The machine 30 comprises a first module 31 substantially corresponding to the machine 1 , a second module 32 symmetric to the module 31 with respect to a plane parallel to the walls 6 and 7, and a third module 33 transverse to the modules 31 and 32 and joining the latter at their upper bases 10. The machine 30 therefore has a nearly U-shaped cross section with the concavity directed towards the ground, so as to delimit a tunnel 34 in which a section of the hedge 2 (not shown in figure 2) can be housed. In particular, the tunnel 34 is laterally delimited by the walls 7 of the modules 31 and 32.

The modules 31 and 31 comprise the same components of the machine 1 with, possibly, only two exceptions. The first exception consists of the fact that the modules 31 and 32 do not each comprise an aspirator 19, but rather there is a single aspirator 35 communicating with both ducts 20. The second exception consists of the fact that the modules 31 and 32 do not each comprise a track 4 and two pairs of wheels 5, but rather one rail 36 and one pair of wheels 37. The two rails 36 (of which only that of the module 31 is visible in the figure) preferably lie on opposite sides of the hedge 2, forming a track that follows the progression of the hedge 2 in longitudinal direction. Given that the hedge is interposed between the rails 36, the machine 30 is placed astride the hedge 2. In particular, the structures 3 of the modules 31 and 32 and the track 36 are pref- erably arranged in a manner such that the wall 7 of each of the modules 31 and 32 (i.e. the wall delimiting the tunnel 34) is opposite one of the faces of the hedge 2 that rise upward from the ground, and the teeth 18 of each of the mod- ules 31 and 32 partially penetrate the hedge 2.

The machine 30 also comprises, at least one motor (not shown in the figure) for moving the modules 31 , 32 and 33 on the track 36.

In an alternative embodiment of the machine, subject of the invention, not shown in the figures, rather than the rails 36, the machine comprises a pair of grooves, analogous to the rails 36, preferably lying on opposite sides of the hedge 2 so as to form a track that follows the progression of the hedge 2 in longitudinal direction. The modules 31 , 32 and 33 are movable along the grooves by means of wheels at least partially housed in said grooves, preferably equipped with tires. Said grooves therefore act as guide means for the modules 31 , 32 and 33. Analogous to the machine 30, the machine according to the present embodiment comprises a motor for moving the modules 31 , 32 and 33 along said grooves.

In another alternative embodiment of the machine, subject of the invention, not shown in the figures, the rails on which the modules 31 , 32 and 33 are movable, rather than being on opposite sides of the hedge 2, lie on the same side with respect to the latter and the machine further comprises a unit movable on said rails by means of wheels moved by a motor preferably housed in said unit. Analogous to the machine 30, in the machine according to the present embodi- ment the modules 31 , 32 and 33 overall have U-shaped cross section with the concavity directed towards the ground and they are placed astride the hedge 2. The modules 31 and 32 however lack wheels and motor, and are supported, together with the module 33, astride the hedge 2 by said movable unit by means of, for example, a hydraulic mechanical arm connected to said movable unit at a first end, and to the modules 31 , 32 and 33 at a second end opposite said first end. Said movable unit is, by way of example, a vehicle with a driver on board the same, or a vehicle remotely conducted by means of a remote control and/or with the aid of a satellite navigator.

The module 33 comprises a structure 38 having:

· a lower base 39 that on the upper part delimits the tunnel 34 and is partially superimposed on the upper bases 0 of the modules 31 and 32. The structures 3 of the modules 31 and 32 and the track 36 are, therefore, preferably arranged in a manner such that the base 39 is opposite an upper face of the hedge 2;

• an upper base 40 facing a portion of the base 39 that is extended starting from an edge 41 of the latter following the edges 14 of the walls 7 of the modules 31 and 32. Preferably, the bases 39 and 40 are arranged parallel to the ground (and hence orthogonal to the walls 7),

• two lateral walls 42 and 43 orthogonally interposed between the bases 39 and 40. Preferably, the walls 42 and 43 are respectively placed on top of the upper bases 10, they are symmetric with respect to the same plane of sym- metry of the modules 31 and 32 and are divergent starting from the edge 41 ;

• an opening 44 interposed, at the edge 41 , between the bases 39 and 40 and the walls 42 and 43;

• two bottom walls 45 and 46 opposite the opening 44 and interposed, preferably orthogonally, between the bases 39 and 40. The walls 45 and 46 are symmetric with respect to the same plane of symmetry of the modules 31 and 32 and are divergent starting from a common edge 47 (at which they are joined). The walls 45 and 46 are therefore shaped as a wedge, with the convexity directed towards the opening 44;

The structure 38 comprises, at its interior, a cavity 48 accessible from outside the machine 30 through the opening 44. The cavity 48 communicates with the cavities 15 of the modules 31 and 32 through two openings 49 and 50 respectively made in the lower base 39 of the module 33 and in the upper bases 10 of the modules 31 and 32, where the base 39 and the bases 10 are superimposed. The opening 49 is delimited by the base 39 and by the walls 42 and 45. The opening 50 is delimited by the base 39 and by the walls 43 and 46. The cavity 48 is therefore delimited by the bases 39 and 40, by the walls 42, 43, 45 and 46, and by the openings 44, 49 and 50.

By way of example, the aspirator 35 is placed at the base 39 outside the cavity 48 and in proximity of the bottom walls 11 of the modules 31 and 32.

The module 33 also comprises, a pair of blades 51 , preferably serrated, mutually opposite and movable in a manner such that one is in reciprocating motion with respect to the other. The blades 51 are placed at the opening 44 and pref- erably at the edge 41 parallel to the latter, with the cutting profile directed towards the structure 38 exterior. The blades 51 are movable in reciprocating motion, preferably parallel to the ground, by means of an electric motor (not shown in the figure) and act as means with which it is possible to cut portions of the hedge 2 at the upper face thereof. The blades 51 are preferably arranged parallel to the base 39, and still more preferably they are nearly coplanar therewith. At the edge 41 , it is possible to observe, in addition to the blades 51 , a plurality of mutually spaced teeth 52, preferably coplanar and parallel to each other, and still more preferably arranged transverse to the blades 51 and parallel to the ground. The teeth 52 therefore lie in a plane preferably parallel to the ground and have a length such to project towards the structure 38 exterior, beyond the blades 51. The blades 51 are preferably interposed between the opening 44 and the teeth 52. The latter are preferably tilted towards the ground.

With regard to illustrating the operation, for pruning the hedge 2, as mentioned above, the machine 30 is positioned astride the hedge 2, i.e. with the walls 7 of the modules 31 and 32 opposite the faces of the hedge 2 that rise upward from the ground, and the lower base 39 of the module 33 opposite the upper face of the hedge 2. In this position, given that the teeth 18 of the modules 31 and 32 are tilted on the side opposite the opening 12 and given that the teeth 52 of the module 33 are tilted towards the ground, the teeth 18 and 52 partially penetrate the hedge 2. By advancing the modules 31 , 32 and 33 along the track 36 in the direction oriented from the walls 11 to the openings 12, the teeth 18 and 52 make several portions of the hedge 2 project from the faces of the latter, guiding said portions towards the blades 17 and 51. The latter cut the portions of the hedge 2 "lifted" by the teeth 18 and 52. Due to the advancement of the modules 31 , 32 and 33, analogous to that stated with reference to the machine 1 , the portions cut by the blades 17 of the modules 31 and 32 traverse through the openings 12, penetrating into the cavities 15 and falling to the first section of the belts 16. The portions cut by the blades 51 of the module 33 traverse the open- ing 44 and are deposited on the base 39. The teeth 18 and 52 therefore facilitate the cutting of portions of the hedge 2 by the blades 17 and 51. In the absence of the teeth 18 and 52, the blades 17 and 51 will partially penetrate the hedge 2.

The track 36 is preferably arranged in a manner so as to allow an advancement of the modules 31 , 32 and 33, maintaining the walls 7 and the base 39 opposite the faces of the hedge 2. It is the advancement of the modules 31 , 32 and 33 along the track 36 to determine the pruning of the hedge 2.

Analogous to the structures 3 of the modules 31 and 32, the structure 38 of the module 33, being in communication with the blades 51 through the opening 44, acts as a structure for containing the portions of the hedge 2 cut by the blades 51 , preventing the latter from falling on the ground. Analogous to the machine 1 , the machine 30 simultaneously acts as trimmer and collector.

Due to the advancement of the modules 31 , 32 and 33, the portions of the hedge 2 cut by the blades 51 push, towards the walls 45 and 46, the portions previously cut and deposited on the base 39. The walls 45 and 46, due to the wedge shape, convey the cut portions towards the openings 49 and 50. After having traversed the latter due to the weight force, the portions of the hedge 2 cut by the blades 51 fall onto the belts 16 and are conveyed by the same towards the suction mouths 21 for the expulsion from the machine 30.

Analogous to that stated with reference to the machine 1 , the ducts 20 preferably communicate, at the expulsion mouth, with a structure (not shown in the fig- ure) at which the portions of the hedge 2 sucked from the structures 3 are deposited.

A second variant of the machine 1 of figure 1 , not shown in the figures, comprises said first and second module and is differentiated from said first variant due to the absence of the third module and due to the fact that the second module, rather than being symmetric to the first module with respect to a plane parallel to the wall 7, is transverse to the first module so as to confer to the machine, subject of the invention, an L-shaped cross section, with an arm thereof that can be opposite the face of the hedge that rises upward from the ground, and the other arm of the L that can be opposite to the upper face of the hedge. With respect to the second module of figure 2, in the second module of said second variant, the conveyor belt is situated at the lower base, and the serrated blades, together with the mutually spaced teeth, are situated at the free edge of the lower base.

On the basis of the description provided for a preferred embodiment, it is clear that some changes can be introduced by the man skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention, as defined by the following claims.

Claims

C L A I M S

1. Machine (1 , 30) for pruning at least one plant (2), said machine (1 , 30) comprising:

• first means (17) for cutting at least one portion of said plant (2);

said machine (1 , 30) being characterized in that it comprises:

• at least one first structure (3) for containing said cut portions of plant (2);

• first pneumophorous means (19, 20, 21 ) communicating with said first containment structure (3) for the suction of said cut portions of plant (2) and the expulsion thereof from said first containment structure (3);

· first means (16) for conveying said cut portions of plant (2), at least partially housed inside said first containment structure (3), the first conveyor means ( 6) acting as means for moving said portions of plant away from said first cutting means (17) and for moving said cut portions of plant (2) close to said first pneumophorous means (19, 20, 21).

2. Machine (1 , 30) according to claim 1 , characterized in that said first containment structure (3) comprises a first cavity (15) at least partially delimited by a mutually facing first (6) and second wall (7), by said first conveyor means (16) and by a first opening (12) in order to allow the entrance, in said first cavity (15), of said cut portions of plant (2), said first cutting means (17) being situated at said first opening (12), said first conveyor means (16) comprising a first section placed in proximity of said first cutting means (17), said first pneumophorous means (19, 20, 21) being in communication with said first cavity (15) in proximity of a second section of said first conveyor means (16) opposite said first section.

3. Machine (1 , 30) according to claim 1 , characterized in that it comprises guide means (4) on which said first containment structure (3) is movable in order to allow the cutting of said portions of said plant (2).

4. Machine (1 , 30) according to claim 1 , characterized in that it comprises means for moving said first containment structure (3) on said guide means (4).

5. Machine (1 , 30) according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a structure communicating with said first pneumophorous means (19, 20, 21 ) for depositing said cut portions of plant (2) picked up from said first containment structure (3).

6. Machine (1 , 30) according to claim 1 , characterized in that it comprises means (18) for projecting, towards said first cutting means (17), said por- tions of plant (2) to be cut during a movement of said first containment structure (3).

7. Machine (1 , 30) according to claim 1 , characterized in that it comprises means (22) for chopping said cut portions of plant (2), at least partially housed in said first containment structure (3), said first conveyor means (16) also acting as means for introducing, in said chopping means (22), said cut portions of plant (2), and as means for picking up, from said chopping means (22), said chopped portions of plant (2).

8. Machine (30) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it comprises:

• second means for cutting at least one portion of said plant (2);

· a second structure for containing said portions of plant (2) cut by said second cutting means;

• second pneumophorous means communicating with said second containment structure for the suction of said portions of cut plant (2) and the expulsion of said portions of cut plant (2) from said second containment structure;

• second means for conveying said cut portions of plant, at least partially housed inside said second containment structure, said second conveyor means acting as means for moving said portions of plant (2) away from said second cutting means and for moving said cut portions of plant (2) close to said second pneumophorous means.

9. Machine (30) according to claim 8, characterized in that said second cutting means are arranged transverse to said first cutting means.

10. Machine (30) according to claim 8 when dependent on claim 2, characterized in that it comprises:

· third means (51 ) for cutting at least one portion of said plant, said third cutting means (51) being arranged transverse to said first (17) and second cutting means; • a third structure (38) for containing said cut portions of plant (2) cut by said third cutting means (51 ), said third containment structure (38) being communicating with said first (3) and second containment structure in order to allow the passage of said portions of plant (2) cut by said third cut- ting means (51 ) into said first (3) and second containment structure;

• means (45, 46) at least partially housed in said third containment structure (38) and suitable for conveying said portions of plant (2) cut by said third cutting means towards said first (3) and second containment structure.

11. Machine (30) according to claim 10, characterized in that said first containment structure (3) comprises a second opening (49) opposite said first conveyor means (16) and it too delimiting said first cavity (15),

said second containment structure comprising a second cavity at least partially delimited by a mutually facing third and fourth wall, by said second conveyor means, by a third opening in order to allow the entrance, in said second cavity, of said portions of plant (2) cut by said second cutting means, and by a fourth opening (50) opposite said second conveyor means, said second cutting means being situated said third opening, said second conveyor means comprising a third section placed in proximity of said second cutting means, said second pneumophorous means being in communication with said second cavity in proximity of a fourth section of said second conveyor means opposite said third section,

said third containment structure (3) comprising a third cavity (48) at least partially delimited by a mutually facing fifth (39) and sixth wall (40), by said conveyor means (49, 50), by a fifth opening (44) in order to allow the entrance, in said third cavity (48), of said portions of plant (2) cut by said third cutting means (51), and by a sixth (49) and seventh opening (50) interposed between said fifth opening (44) and said conveyor means (49, 50), said third cutting means (51) being situated at said fifth opening (44),

said second opening (49) at least partially mating with said sixth opening (49) in order to allow the passage of said portions of plant (2) cut by said third cutting means (51) in said first containment structure (3); said fourth opening (50) of said second containment structure at least partially mating with said seventh opening (50) of said third containment structure (38) in order to allow the passage of said portions of plant (2) cut by said third cutting means (51 ) into said second containment structure.

12. Machine (30) according to claim 10, characterized in that said conveyor means comprise a seventh (45) and an eighth wall (46) interposed between said fifth (39) and sixth wall (40), and mutually joined at a respective edge (47) to assume the shape of a wedge with the convexity directed towards said fifth opening (44), said seventh (45) and eighth wall (46) extended up to said sixth (49) and seventh opening (50).