WO2022034618A1

WO2022034618A1 - Deep placement applicator

Info

Publication number: WO2022034618A1
Application number: PCT/IN2021/050780
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ayush NIGAM; Vishal Jain; Santosh Kumar; Bheem Kumar JAISWAL; Shiv Chandra VERMA
Original assignee: Distinct Horizon Private Limited
Priority date: 2020-08-13
Filing date: 2021-08-13
Publication date: 2022-02-17

Abstract

The invention discloses a deep placement applicator comprising an applicator for placing briquettes at a depth within the soil. The applicator may be self-propelled or attachable to a farm vehicle and may be raised when not in use and lowered onto the ground when application is required. The applicator comprises a hopper, a plurality of picking boxes, sets of tynes and a plurality of dispensing pipes. The applicator includes three sets of tynes, each set of tynes having five tynes, wherein the middle tyne ploughs the soil surrounding the crops and a broader tyne that facilitates closure of the furrows after placement of briquettes in the furrows. The briquettes are dispensed into the furrows made by the middle tynes employing dispensing pipes positioned above the furrows. The depth of placement may be controlled by the user. The applicator could also be used as a weeder or as a regular cultivator.

Description

DEEP PLACEMENT APPLICATOR

Cross-Reference to Related Applications

[0001] This application takes priority to Indian provisional patent application no. 202041029764 fded on 13 August, 2020.

Field of the Invention

[0002] The disclosure relates generally to agricultural equipment and in particular to a device for implanting in a field.

Description of the Related Art

[0003] Devices for planting on dry ground are generally known. However, most of them are intended for dry ground and to primarily sow seeds, such as grains, or dispense metered quantities of fertilizer, weedicide etc. These devices are mostly used prior to the sowing of the seeds or during the sowing of the seeds in the fields.

[0004] Urea applicators are known in the art, they are primarily used for applying granular urea to crop fields. However, this equipment has several drawbacks such as lack of scalability, clogging of the delivery tube with mud, non-applicability to deep pellet placement, and so on. However, a problem in the application of urea is wastage, poor availability and discharge in incorrect quantities. Deep placement in the briquette form is a more viable option as it reduces waste and fertilizer can be provided in required doses that would lead healthier and higher crop productivity.

[0005] The invention presented here proposes to address some of the drawbacks of the existing equipment to provide an improved deep placement applicator for briquette, powder, prilled or granular form fertilizer that can be placed in the root zone of growing crops. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The invention discloses an applicator for placing fertilizers or seeds in pellet or granular form, configured to be affixed to an agricultural vehicle. The applicator comprises a frame 101 housing one or more hoppers 120, the hoppers configured to carry fertilizer or seeds in the form of briquettes or granules. The frame carries multiple sets of tynes 110 located below the hoppers, wherein each set of tynes 110 comprises three rows of tynes. The first row comprising one or two front tynes 111 are configured to plough and loosen soil. Two middle tynes 112 are located behind the front tynes and are configured to provide a furrow for placement of fertilizer or seed. A furrow closure tyne 113 having vanes 114, is located behind the second row of tynes. The first, second or third rows of tynes in a set may be spaced between 25-35 cm. The applicator is configured to place fertilizer or seed in predetermined quantities at predetermined spacing within the furrows made by the middle tynes 112 at a depth d within the soil.

[0007] In some embodiments the depth d is configured to be 0-10 cm. In some embodiments the applicator comprises a metering wheel 150 having vanes 151, configured to meter distance travelled by the applicator and to control dispensing of the fertilizer or seed from the hoppers 121. In some embodiments the metering wheel 150 is configured to be placed within a tyne set 110.

[0008] In some embodiments, the distance between tynes in a row within a set of tynes is adjustable. In some embodiments, a distance between sets of tynes is 25-35 cm. In some embodiments, an intercrop row distance Ci is configured to vary between 0-120 cm. In some embodiments, a tilling width t is configured to vary between 35-80 cm. In some embodiments, a crop width Cw is configured to vary in the range 0-120 cm. In some embodiments, the distance between tyne sets 110 is variable using a lever provided to the operator.

[0009] This and other aspects are disclosed herein. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0001] The invention has other advantages and features which will be more readily apparent from the following detailed description of the invention and the appended claims, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0002] FIG. 1A illustrates a front isometric view of the applicator.

[0003] FIG. IB illustrates front view of the applicator showing tyne sets.

[0004] FIG. 1C illustrates an embodiment of the applicator with metering wheel placed inwards of the frame.

[0005] FIG. ID illustrates position of tynes and corresponding furrows and fertilizer placement in one embodiment of a tyne set having 4 tynes.

[0006] FIG. IE shows fertilizer dispensing from picker boxes in the form of briquettes or granules.

[0007] FIG. IF shows arrangement to vary distance between tyne sets.

[0008] FIG. 2A illustrates position of tynes and corresponding furrows and fertilizer placement in one embodiment of a tyne set having 5 tynes.

[0009] FIG. 2B shows fertilizer placed at depth with reference to crops rows.

[0010] FIG. 3 illustrates inter-crop distance Ci and crop width Cw in relation to tilling width t.

[0011] Referring to the figures, like numbers indicate like parts throughout the views.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0010] While the invention has been disclosed with reference to certain embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt to a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from its scope.

[0011] Throughout the specification and claims, the following terms take the meanings explicitly associated herein unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. The meaning of "a", "an", and "the" include plural references. The meaning of "in" includes "in" and "on." Referring to the drawings, like numbers indicate like parts throughout the views. Additionally, a reference to the singular includes a reference to the plural unless otherwise stated or inconsistent with the disclosure herein.

[0012] The invention in its various embodiments discloses an apparatus and method for placing fertilizer, seeds and the like at a depth near the root zone of standing crops. The apparatus 100 in various embodiments is an applicator that may be mounted on a tractor or any other farm vehicle, as illustrated with reference to FIG. 1A-1C. In some embodiments the applicator may be self-propelled. The apparatus 100 is configured to place fertilizer at a predetermined depth in a field. It may also be used for ploughing the field for removing weeds between the crop rows. In one embodiment, the applicator 100 comprises a frame 101 mounted with one or more hoppers 120 having a plurality of picking boxes 121. The hoppers and picking boxes may be configured to hold fertilizer in the form of pellets, briquettes or granules. In various embodiments, the hoppers 120 and picking boxes 121 are provided with sloping surfaces so that the contained solid materials are conveyed to the bottom without any dead volume remaining within the spaces therewithin. In various embodiments the applicator is provided with multiple sets of tynes and a plurality of dispensing pipes as illustrated in FIGs. 1A-1C. The applicator may be raised when not in use and lowered onto the ground when the application is required.

[0013] In various embodiments, the applicator includes three sets 110 of tynes separated from each other along the direction of travel, each set having either four or five tynes for ploughing the hard soil between the crop rows. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1A, each tyne set 110 is shown with 4 tynes. As illustrated with reference to FIG. 1A and IB, the tyne set comprises one or two front tynes 111, two middle tynes 112 on either side of the front tynes, and one rear tyne 113. The middle two tynes 112 of each set of tynes are configured to furrow the soil surrounding the crops.

[0014] As further explained with reference to FIG. IE, the applicator further includes a plurality of dispensing pipes 115 and 116 that are disposed behind the middle tynes 112 such that they are positioned above the furrows made by the middle tynes. The dispensing pipes 115 are configured to dispense the briquettes received from the hopper through the picking boxes into the furrows created in the soil by the tynes 112. The dispensing pipes 116 are configured to continuously dispense granular or prilled fertilizer. In various embodiments, the first, second or third rows of tynes in a set may be spaced between 25-35 cm. In some embodiments, the apparatus may be configured to place briquettes 201 at discrete intervals and to drop granular fertilizer 202 at a continuous metered rate. In various embodiments, the tyne sets 110 are configured to be uniformly together or further apart, as illustrated in FIG. IF. This facilitates use of the applicator 100 for variations in the field.

[0015] In various embodiments, the hoppers 120 are provided with special boxes 122 and 123 that are configured to dispense either briquettes or prilled fertilizer, as illustrated in FIG. 1C. The boxes 122 are configured with a picker wheel for metering briquettes down the dispensing pipes 115. The box 123 is configured to dispense granular fertilizer at a continuous metered rate. Both the boxes 122 and 123 are configured with specially shaped bottoms so that no space is available for fertilizer to accumulate.

[0016] In various embodiments, the applicator 100 includes a metering wheel 150 having vanes 151. The metering wheel 150 is configured to measure distance traversed by the applicator and to control dispensing of a predetermined quantity of fertilizer at predetermined intervals along the line of traverse. In some embodiments, the predetermined quantity may be in the form of discrete pellets or briquettes. In some embodiments the predetermined quantity may be continually or continuously dispensed as granules from the picking boxes 121. In some embodiments, the metering wheel 150 may be placed forward of the applicator 100, as shown in FIG. 1A. In other embodiments, the metering wheel 150 may be placed below the frame as illustrated in FIG. 1C. In some embodiments, the metering wheel 150 may be placed within a tyne set 110.

[0017] The rear tyne 113 mounted between the middle tynes is configured to have a broad blade 114 that serves to close the furrow furrows made by the middle tynes once the briquettes have been dispensed in the furrows as illustrated in FIG. ID. FIG. ID shows plan view of tyne positions of an embodiment of the device with 4 tynes per tyne set. The relative positions of the front tyne 111, the middle tynes 112 and rear tyne 113 are shown. The front tyne 111 produces a furrow 210, which serves to plough and loosen the soil and provides earth for pushing into the furrows 212 produced by the middle tynes 112. The furrow closure tyne 113 produces a wide swathe and is configured to push soil into the furrows 211 after fertilizer is dropped. Fertilizer pellets 201 and granules 202 are shown in the furrows 211 in the figure.

[0018] The width between tynes in each tyne set 110 may be adjusted manually as per requirement based on the crop for which the applicator is to be used. This facilitates the usage of the applicator for a broad range of intercrop row spacing. In some embodiments the entire set of tynes could be shifted. As the applicator ploughs the field between the crop rows, it acts as a weeder as well. In some embodiments, the middle tynes 112 in each tyne set may be spaced between 35-80 cm from each other. In various embodiments, the distance between tyne sets may be 0-90 cm, depending on the type of crop and according to requirements.

[0019] In another embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2A, the each tyne set llOof the applicator 100 may be provided with 5 tynes, having 2 front tynes 111. This embodiment may be useful for certain crops where the row spacing is wider, since more soil may be ploughed as required. The inter-tyne spacing of the front tynes in this embodiment may vary between 20-30 cm. Further, although the embodiments described and illustrated with reference to FIG. 1A and B show 3 sets of tynes 110, it may be understood by those familiar with the art that the invention also includes devices with smaller or larger numbers of tyne sets, as may be possible with tractors of smaller or larger capacity.

[0020] The applicator facilitates the deep placement of the briquette fertilizer 201 in desired doses near the roots of 1 to 3-month-old standing crops C, as illustrated in FIG. 2B. FIG. 2B shows the fertilizer briquettes placed at a depth in soil. In some embodiments the depth d may vary between 0-10 cm.

[0021] In various embodiments, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the invention envisages tilling crops for a tilling width t using one set of tynes, wherein the tilling width may vary in the range 35-80 cm. The crop width Cw may vary between 0-120 cm in various embodiments. In various embodiments, the intercrop row distance Ci may vary between 65-150 cm. The number of tynes and their spacing within each set 110 of the applicator 100 may be adjusted to achieve the required tilling width and intercrop row distance in the respective embodiments.

[0022] In various embodiments, the applicator is configured to have a ground clearance of 700mm, and may be used for crops which have height up to 700mm. The applicator facilitates the placement of the briquettes in controlled depth and proper closure of the furrows in which briquettes have been dropped to ensure that the briquettes remain undisturbed. Another feature of the invention is that the applicator may be used to dispense seeds and serves to minimize seed displacement. The applicator may operate in multiple rows simultaneously. The applicator is compatible with existing tractors and allows easy engagement and disengagement from the tractor, via standard coupling arrangements. The applicator is configured to operate at a speed sufficient to cover one acre in 30min and is capable of covering 48 acres in 24 hours. For using the applicator on crops that are older than 3 months, the applicator is required to be connected with tall tractors which have high ground clearance and especially designed for standing crops instead of the standard tractors which do not have high ground clearance and may cause crop damage.

[0023] In various embodiments, a method of dispensing fertilizer or seeds using the applicator 100 is now described. The applicator 100 is connected to a tractor which facilitates lifting the applicator and ensures that the applicator is positioned well above the ground. The tractor is positioned between rows of standing crops C and the applicator is lowered such that the tyneslll, 112 and 113 touch the ground surface for calibrating depth. The width of each tyne set may be adjusted as per the distance of the crop rows. The briquettes are poured into the hopper 120 and spread evenly inside the hopper to facilitate the easy flow of the briquettes through the picking boxes. Forward movement of the applicator causes the metering wheel 150 to dispense the briquettes or granules/seeds to drop into the furrows, as previously illustrated with reference to FIG. ID.

[0024] The disclosed applicator is intended for dry or moist soil to fertilize standing crops, which functionality is currently not provided by existing devices. The disclosed applicator is time and cost efficient as well as reduces the surface application of fertilizers, which causes wastage due to washing off. This increases productivity through lower usage of fertilizer. Some of the other advantages of the applicator include increase in yield of crops because of deep placement of the fertilizer. Thus, the inventive apparatus contributes to production of healthier crops, increase in soil fertility, reduction in the greenhouse gas emission and control of eutrophication.

[0025] While the invention has been disclosed with reference to certain embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt to a particular situation or material the teachings of the invention without departing from its scope, which should be as delineated in the claims to follow.

Claims

WE CLAIM:

1. An applicator for placing fertilizers in pellet or granular form among standing crops, and configured to be affixed to an agricultural vehicle, the apparatus comprising: a frame 101 housing one or more hoppers 120, the hoppers configured to carry fertilizer or seeds in the form of briquettes or granules, the frame carrying multiple sets of tynes 110 located below the hoppers, wherein each set of tynes 110 comprises three rows of tynes, the first row comprising one or two front tynes 111 configured to plough and loosen soil, two middle tynes 112 located behind the front tynes and configured to provide a furrow for placement of fertilizer or seed and a furrow closure tynel 13 having vanes 114, wherein the first, second or third rows of tynes in a set may be spaced between 25-35 cm, and wherein the applicator is configured to place fertilizer or seed in predetermined quantities at predetermined spacing within the furrows made by the middle tynes 112 at a depth d within the soil.

2. The applicator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the depth d is configured to be 0-10 cm.

3. The applicator as claimed in claim 1, comprising a metering wheel 150 having vanes 151, configured to meter distance travelled by the applicator and to control dispensing of the fertilizer or seed from the hoppers 121.

4. The applicator as claimed in claim 3, wherein the metering wheel 150 is configured to be placed within a tyne set 110.

5. The applicator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the distance between tynes in a row within a set of tynes is adjustable.

6. The applicator as claimed in claim 1, wherein a distance between sets of tynes is 25-35 cm.

7. The applicator as claimed in claim 1, wherein an intercrop row distance Ci is configured to vary between 0-120 cm.

8. The applicator as claimed in claim 1, wherein a tilling width t is configured to vary between 35-80 cm.

9. The applicator as claimed in claim 1, wherein a crop width Cw is configured to vary in the range 0-120 cm.

10. The applicator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the distance between tyne sets 110 is variable using a lever provided to the operator.