WO2024006703A1 - Appareil et procédé de traitement de plantes - Google Patents

Appareil et procédé de traitement de plantes Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2024006703A1
WO2024006703A1 PCT/US2023/069082 US2023069082W WO2024006703A1 WO 2024006703 A1 WO2024006703 A1 WO 2024006703A1 US 2023069082 W US2023069082 W US 2023069082W WO 2024006703 A1 WO2024006703 A1 WO 2024006703A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
conveyor
plants
conveyor belt
cleats
press wheel
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status 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 status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/US2023/069082
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Eric J. LEVESQUE
Darrell Mintz
Garrett WALLIS
James A. MOSHIER
Glenn Sakuma
Hebe M. BRADLEY
Richard BESSETTE
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Agricultural Robotics LLC
Original Assignee
Agricultural Robotics LLC
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 Agricultural Robotics LLC filed Critical Agricultural Robotics LLC
Priority claimed from US18/341,356 external-priority patent/US12023712B2/en
Priority claimed from US18/341,619 external-priority patent/US20240009879A1/en
Publication of WO2024006703A1 publication Critical patent/WO2024006703A1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B07—SEPARATING SOLIDS FROM SOLIDS; SORTING
    • B07B—SEPARATING SOLIDS FROM SOLIDS BY SIEVING, SCREENING, SIFTING OR BY USING GAS CURRENTS; SEPARATING BY OTHER DRY METHODS APPLICABLE TO BULK MATERIAL, e.g. LOOSE ARTICLES FIT TO BE HANDLED LIKE BULK MATERIAL
    • B07B4/00—Separating solids from solids by subjecting their mixture to gas currents
    • B07B4/02—Separating solids from solids by subjecting their mixture to gas currents while the mixtures fall
    • B07B4/04—Separating solids from solids by subjecting their mixture to gas currents while the mixtures fall in cascades
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B07—SEPARATING SOLIDS FROM SOLIDS; SORTING
    • B07B—SEPARATING SOLIDS FROM SOLIDS BY SIEVING, SCREENING, SIFTING OR BY USING GAS CURRENTS; SEPARATING BY OTHER DRY METHODS APPLICABLE TO BULK MATERIAL, e.g. LOOSE ARTICLES FIT TO BE HANDLED LIKE BULK MATERIAL
    • B07B7/00—Selective separation of solid materials carried by, or dispersed in, gas currents
    • B07B7/01—Selective separation of solid materials carried by, or dispersed in, gas currents using gravity
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B07—SEPARATING SOLIDS FROM SOLIDS; SORTING
    • B07B—SEPARATING SOLIDS FROM SOLIDS BY SIEVING, SCREENING, SIFTING OR BY USING GAS CURRENTS; SEPARATING BY OTHER DRY METHODS APPLICABLE TO BULK MATERIAL, e.g. LOOSE ARTICLES FIT TO BE HANDLED LIKE BULK MATERIAL
    • B07B7/00—Selective separation of solid materials carried by, or dispersed in, gas currents
    • B07B7/12—Selective separation of solid materials carried by, or dispersed in, gas currents with pulsating air currents
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
    • B65G15/00—Conveyors having endless load-conveying surfaces, i.e. belts and like continuous members, to which tractive effort is transmitted by means other than endless driving elements of similar configuration
    • B65G15/30—Belts or like endless load-carriers
    • B65G15/32—Belts or like endless load-carriers made of rubber or plastics
    • B65G15/42—Belts or like endless load-carriers made of rubber or plastics having ribs, ridges, or other surface projections
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
    • B65G2201/00—Indexing codes relating to handling devices, e.g. conveyors, characterised by the type of product or load being conveyed or handled
    • B65G2201/02—Articles
    • B65G2201/0202—Agricultural and processed food products
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
    • B65G47/00—Article or material-handling devices associated with conveyors; Methods employing such devices
    • B65G47/52—Devices for transferring articles or materials between conveyors i.e. discharging or feeding devices
    • B65G47/525—Devices for transferring articles or materials between conveyors i.e. discharging or feeding devices using fluid jets

Definitions

  • the present invention generally relates to agricultural equipment, and more particularly to a method and system for processing plants having intertwined roots.
  • Plants are sometimes raised at nurseries and then transplanted for growing in farms. Strawberries are an example of a crop that is raised this way.
  • a nursery cultivates parent strawberry plants, propagates runners to form daughter plants, and grows the daughter plants until they reach the right size and stage of dormancy for lifting.
  • the plants are in their dormant period, they are lifted (i.e., dug up), either manually or by machine, by undercutting the plants and removing them from the soil, either manually or with a machine.
  • the techniques described herein relate to an apparatus for sorting agricultural material, the apparatus including: a first conveyor having a head, where the first conveyor is operable to transport agricultural material in a first direction towards the head; a second conveyor having a tail positioned below the head of the first conveyor and separated from the head of the first conveyor by a gap; and an air curtain apparatus having an air discharge, where the air curtain apparatus is operable to generate an air curtain from air discharge and towards the gap, such that when the first conveyor, the second conveyor, and the air curtain apparatus are operated, the air curtain deflects at least some of the agricultural material falling across the gap away from the second conveyor.
  • the techniques described herein relate to an apparatus, where the first conveyor moves upwards at an angle, 9, relative to a horizon, and where the angle is sufficient to prevent rocks in the agricultural material from reaching the head of the first conveyor.
  • the techniques described herein relate to an apparatus, where the angle is between 15 degrees and 25 degrees.
  • the techniques described herein relate to an apparatus, where the air curtain is directed towards the gap in a second direction opposite to the first direction.
  • the techniques described herein relate to an apparatus, where an average air curtain flow velocity at the air discharge is between 20 feet/min (6 m/min) and 200 feet/min (60 m/min).
  • the techniques described herein relate to an apparatus, where the air curtain at the air discharge is directed at an angle of between -20° and +20° relative to a horizon.
  • the techniques described herein relate to an apparatus, where an initial height of the air curtain at the air discharge is between 1 inch (25 mm) and 5 inches (125 mm).
  • the techniques described herein relate to an apparatus, where a horizontal distance between the air discharge and the head of the first conveyor is between 3 inches (75 mm) and 20 inches (0.5 m).
  • the techniques described herein relate to an apparatus, where a vertical distance between the air discharge and the head of the first conveyor is between +15 inches (+375 mm) and -15 inches (-375 mm).
  • the techniques described herein relate to a method for separating agricultural material, the method including: directing the agricultural material between a head of a first conveyor in a first direction to a tail of a second conveyor, where the tail of the second conveyor is spaced below the head of the first conveyor by a gap; and directing an air curtain from an air discharge towards the gap, such that the air curtain deflects at least some of the agricultural material falling across the gap away from the second conveyor.
  • the techniques described herein relate to a method, where the first conveyor forms an angle to a horizon, and where the angle is sufficient to prevent rocks in the agricultural material from reaching the head of the first conveyor.
  • the techniques described herein relate to a method, where the angle is between 15 degrees and 25 degrees.
  • the techniques described herein relate to a method, where the air curtain is directed towards the gap in a second direction opposite to the first direction.
  • the techniques described herein relate to a method, where an average air curtain flow velocity at the air discharge is between 20 ft/min and 200 ft/min.
  • the techniques described herein relate to a method, where the air curtain at the air discharge is directed at an angle of between -20° and +20° relative to a horizon.
  • the techniques described herein relate to a method, where an initial height of the air curtain at the air discharge is between 1 inch (25 mm) and 5 inches (125 mm).
  • the techniques described herein relate to a method, where a horizontal distance between the air discharge and the head of the first conveyor is between 3 inches (75 mm) and 20 inches (0.5 m).
  • the techniques described herein relate to a method, where a vertical distance between the air discharge and the head of the first conveyor is between +15 inches (+375 mm) and -15 inches (-375 mm).
  • the techniques described herein relate to an apparatus for trimming plants, the apparatus including: conveyor belt having a width between a first side of the conveyor belt and a second side of the conveyor belt, and a plurality of, where each cleat of the plurality of cleats extends a height above the conveyor belt, and where a space between adjacent cleats of the plurality of cleats are adapted to accept plants; a press wheel positioned above conveyor belt, where the press wheel forces accepted plants against the conveyor belt; and a saw blade parallel to the first side of the conveyor belt and adjacent to the press wheel, where the saw blade is operable to trim one end of the accepted plants, such that accepted plants are trimmed by the apparatus.
  • the techniques described herein relate to an apparatus, where the saw blade is a first saw blade, where the apparatus further includes a second saw blade parallel to the second side of the conveyor belt and adjacent to the press wheel, where the second saw blade is operable to trim an opposite side of the accepted plants.
  • the techniques described herein relate to an apparatus, where the press wheel is positioned over the plurality of cleats and where the press wheel forces one or more cleats and the accepted plants against the conveyor belt.
  • each cleat of the plurality of cleats has a width less than the width of the conveyor belt, and where the press wheel is positioned between the first side of the conveyor belt and the plurality of cleats.
  • the techniques described herein relate to an apparatus, where the press wheel is a first press wheel, and where the apparatus further includes: a second press wheel positioned between the second side of the conveyor belt and the plurality of cleats.
  • the techniques described herein relate to an apparatus, where the saw blade is a first saw blade, and where the apparatus further includes: a second saw blade parallel to the second side of the conveyor belt and adjacent to the press wheel, where the second saw blade is operable to trim an opposite side of the accepted plants.
  • the techniques described herein relate to an apparatus, further including: a mechanism to count plants on the conveyor belt, where the mechanism includes an arm and an encoder, where the arm extends from a first end that contacts the conveyor belt and a second end supported by the encoder, such that when plants on the conveyor belt pass under the first end of the arm, the arm rotates about the second end and the encoder registers a passage of the plants.
  • the techniques described herein relate to a method for trimming plants, the method including: transporting plants between adjacent cleats of a plurality of cleats on a conveyor belt having a first side and a second side, where each cleat of the plurality of cleats extends a height above the conveyor belt, and where a space between adjacent cleats of the plurality of cleats are adapted to accept plants; restraining the accepted plants with a press wheel positioned above trim belt as the accepted plants move under the press wheel; and trimming one end of the restrained plants with a saw blade.
  • the techniques described herein relate to a method, where the saw blade is a first saw blade, where said trimming further trims another side of the restrained plants with a second saw blade.
  • the techniques described herein relate to a method, where the press wheel is positioned over the plurality of cleats and where the restraining the accepted plants with the press wheel also forces one or more cleats against the conveyor belt.
  • the techniques described herein relate to a method, where each cleat of the plurality of cleats has a width less than the width of the conveyor belt, and where the press wheel is positioned between the first side of the conveyor belt and the plurality of cleats.
  • the techniques described herein relate to a method, where the press wheel is a first press wheel and where said restraining includes restraining the accepted plants with a second press wheel positioned between the second side of the conveyor belt and the plurality of cleats.
  • the techniques described herein relate to a method, where the saw blade is a first saw blade, and where said trimming further trims another side of the restrained plants with a second saw blade parallel to the second side of the conveyor belt and adjacent to the press wheel.
  • the techniques described herein relate to a method, further including: counting the plants on the conveyor belt using a mechanism including an arm and an encoder, where the arm extends from a first end that contacts the conveyor belt and a second end supported by the encoder, such that when plants on the conveyor belt pass under the first end of the arm, the arm rotates about the second end and the encoder registers a passage of the plants.
  • FIGS. 1 and 2 are a top view and side view, respectively, of an agricultural sorting apparatus
  • FIG. 3 is a front left perspective view of one embodiment of air curtain apparatus;
  • FIG. 4 is a left side view of the air curtain apparatus of FIG. 3;
  • FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a trim station
  • FIG. 6 is a side view of the trim station of FIG. 5;
  • FIG. 7 is a rear view of a trim station showing a counting device
  • FIGS. 8, 9, and 10 are a perspective view, a top view, and a side view, respectively, of a second embodiment conveyor line;
  • FIGS. 11 and 12 are a top view and a perspective view, respectively, highlighting the waste handling system of the conveyor line of FIG. 8;
  • FIGS. 13 and 14 are a top view and an end view, respectively, a conveyor of FIG. 8;
  • FIGS. 15, 16, and 17 are a top view, a rear view, and a perspective view of the trim stations of the trim station of FIG. 8.
  • an apparatus is described to sort individual plants, P, from lifted agricultural material, M.
  • lifted agricultural material M
  • strawberry plants are grown in a nursery to a size suitable for transplanting, at which time the plants and surrounding agricultural material are removed (“lifted”) from the soil and individual plants are separated, trimmed, and packaged for delivery to a farm.
  • lifted agricultural material, M includes individual plants, clumps of two or more strawberry plants having intertwined roots, and other material including damaged plants, dirt, rocks, etc.
  • FIGS. 1 and 2 are a top view and of a side view respectively, of an apparatus 100 for sorting agricultural material into individual plants.
  • Apparatus 100 includes, sequentially: a separating unit, or singulator 110, having an input bin 111 for accepting lifted agricultural material, M; an air curtain apparatus 120 to perform a first sorting of the lifted agricultural material; and conveyor line(s) 130 for separating individual plants, P, trimming the individual plants, packaging the trimmed individual in output bins 134.
  • conveyor line(s) 130 may be one conveyor line, or two or conveyor lines arranged in parallel or in serial.
  • FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate illustrative conveyor lines 130 as including a first conveyor line 140 and a second conveyor line 150.
  • Apparatus 100 also includes waste bins for handling rejected material from air curtain apparatus 120 and conveyor line(s) 130, as discussed subsequently.
  • Singulator 110 includes a conveyor 113 to transport the lifted agricultural material, M, from input bin 111 to a distal end 115, from which individual plants, P, and waste W exit the singulator.
  • a conveyor 113 to transport the lifted agricultural material, M, from input bin 111 to a distal end 115, from which individual plants, P, and waste W exit the singulator.
  • the “’586 patent” includes is one example of singulator 110 that the “’586 patent, includes a mechanism that separates at least some individual plants from the clumps of plants.
  • singulator 110 is configured to process from 300 lbs. (136 kg) to 1,500 lbs. (680 kg) of lifted agricultural material, M, has a width, Wl, of approximately 5 feet (1.5 m) to 6.5 feet (2.0 m), with a velocity of conveyor 113 of from 1 in/sec (25 mm/sec) to 12 in/sec (300 mm/sec).
  • Material discharged from distal end 115 is provided to a conveyor tail 122 of an air curtain conveyor 121 for further processing.
  • FIG. 3 is a front left perspective view of one embodiment of air curtain apparatus 120 of FIGS. 1 and 2, and Figure 4 is a left side view of the air curtain apparatus of FIG. 3.
  • a right side view of air curtain apparatus 120 is a mirror image of the view of FIG. 3.
  • Air curtain apparatus 120 provides for a first sorting of material from singulator 110, and includes air curtain conveyor 121 having a conveyor head 123 and a mechanism to provide an air curtain 303.
  • Conveyor line 140 includes a first sorting conveyor 141 having a tail 142 positioned below conveyor head 123 such that material from air curtain conveyor 121 falls towards first sorting conveyor 141 while being impinged by air curtain 303.
  • Air curtain conveyor 121 has a length from conveyor tail 122 to conveyor head 123 of from 5.5 feet (1.7 m) to 6.5 feet (2.9 m), and forms at an upwards angle, 0, relative to the horizon, of from of + 15 to +25 degrees.
  • the angle, 0, of the moving air curtain conveyor 121 is selected to separate large objects, such as rocks, from reaching air curtain 303. With a sufficiently large angle, 0, rocks and other large objects are preferentially sorted by not being able to reach conveyor head 123.
  • Air curtain conveyor 121 and all of the other conveyors described herein that are used for transporting lifted agricultural material M, individual plants, P, and waste, M, may be formed from White, Food Grade, PVC type C, Multi-Ply, Friction Underside Belting, such as Grainger model 20103841-06 (W.W. Grainger, Inc., Lake Forest, IL)
  • the air curtain 303 is generated within an air curtain apparatus housing 124 having a mesh at an air intake 125, one or more blowers 301, and an air curtain duct 127 that directs air from the blowers to an air discharge 126.
  • adjustable settings of air curtain 303 include an air volumetric flow, Q, an average flow velocity, V, a flow direction, a, relative to the horizon, a height, h, a longitudinal separation, L, of air discharge 126 and air curtain conveyor 121, and a vertical separation, d, of air discharge 126 and air curtain conveyor 121.
  • the direction of air curtain 303 is towards the oncoming material on air curtain conveyor 121.
  • the settings for air curtain 303 such as one or more of Q, V, a, h, L, and or V, may vary from one batch of process material to another and may also depend on the moisture content of the plant material and/or soil.
  • Air curtain apparatus 120 includes various mechanisms for adjusting or controlling air curtain 303 include a switch or knob 401 that is operable to control one or more blowers 301 and which thus may be used to adjust Q and/or V.
  • Air curtain apparatus 120 includes various mechanisms to adjust longitudinal separation, L, and vertical separation, d, of air discharge 126 including a first member 402, a first set screw 403, a second member 404 including a first portion 405 and a second portion 406, a bracket 407, and a second set screw 408.
  • first member 402 which may be a tube having a square or rectangular cross section, has one end fixed relative to air curtain conveyor 121 and a second end that passes through the interior of first portion 405.
  • First set screw 403 passes through first portion 405 to first member 402, and is used to fix a location of first portion 405 on first member 402.
  • Second set screw 408 that passes through bracket 407 to second portion 406, and is used to fix the location of bracket 407 on the second portion 406.
  • Air curtain duct 127 also has a duct portion 409 that is connected to the duct by a hinge 410 and includes a set screw 411 which can be used to set the height, h, which can also average flow velocity, V.
  • the width, Wl is the same as the width of singulator 110, the setting for separating strawberry plants may, have setting that permit, for example and without limitation, an air curtain flow volume, Q, between from 2,000 standard cubic feet per minute (57 standard cubic meters per minute) and 8,000 standard cubic feet per minute (225 standard cubic meters per minute), the air curtain flow velocity, V, is between 20 feet/min (6 m/min) and 200 feet/min (60 m/min), the air curtain flow direction, a, is between -20° and +20° relative to the horizon, the initial air curtain height, h, is between 1 inch (25 mm) and 5 inches (125 mm), the distance, L, is between 3 inches (75 mm) and 20 inches (0.5 m), and the vertical position, V, is between +15 inches (+375 mm) and -15 inches (-375 mm).
  • an air curtain flow volume, Q between from 2,000 standard cubic feet per minute (57 standard cubic meters per minute) and 8,000 standard cubic feet per minute (225 standard cubic meters per minute)
  • first conveyor line 140 which includes: a first sorting conveyor 141 having a width, Wl, a left side 141L, a right side 141R, a tail 142, and a head 143; a pair of plant conveyors 144 including a left plant conveyor 144L and a right plant conveyor 144R; a pair of cutting/trim stations 149 including a left cutting/trim station 149L and a right cutting/trim station 149R; a transverse conveyor 147; and second waste bin 148.
  • Left plant conveyor 144L is adjacent to left side 141L
  • right plant conveyor 144R is adjacent to right side 141R
  • the left and right plant conveyors each extend from a corresponding tail 145 to a corresponding head 146.
  • Left cutting/trim station 149L is positioned to accept left plant conveyor 144L
  • right cutting/trim station 149R is positioned to accept right plant conveyor 144R.
  • First transverse conveyor 147 is positioned below head 143.
  • Second conveyor line 150 includes a conveyor 131 having a width, W2, that is less than Wl, and other components that are generally similar to first conveyor line 140 including: a second sorting conveyor 151 having a width, W2, a left side 151L, a right side 151R, a tail 152, and a head 153; a second pair of plant conveyors 144 including left plant conveyor 144L adjacent to left side 151L and right plant conveyor 144R adjacent to right side 151R; a second pair of cutting/trim stations 149 including left cutting/trim station 149L and right cutting/trim station 149R; a second transverse conveyor 147; and a waste bin 148.
  • a second sorting conveyor 151 having a width, W2, a left side 151L, a right side 151R, a tail 152, and a head 153
  • a second pair of plant conveyors 144 including left plant conveyor 144L adjacent to left side 151L and right plant conveyor 144R adjacent to right side
  • Left plant conveyor 144L is adjacent to left side 151L
  • right plant conveyor 144R is adjacent to right side 151R
  • the left and right plant conveyors each extend from corresponding tail 145 to a corresponding head 146.
  • Left cutting/trim station 149L is positioned to accept left plant conveyor 144L
  • second right cutting/trim station 149R is positioned to accept right plant conveyor 144R.
  • Second transverse conveyor 147 is positioned below head 153.
  • Conveyor 131 has width, W2, and has a tail 132 and a head 133, with tail 132 positioned below head 143 and with head 133 positioned above second sorting conveyor 151.
  • Material conveyed by first sorting conveyor 141 to head 143 thus falls either onto first transverse conveyor 147 as waste provided to second waste bin 148 or onto conveyor 131 and then onto second sorting conveyor 151 for further sorting.
  • Second sorting conveyor 151 has a left side 151L, a right side 151R, a tail 152 and a head 153.
  • Left plant conveyor 144L is adjacent to left side 151L
  • right plant conveyor 144R is adjacent to right side 151R
  • the left and right trim conveyors each extend from corresponding trim conveyor tail 155 to a corresponding trim conveyor head 156.
  • Second left cutting/trim station 149L is positioned to accept left plant conveyor 144L and first right cutting/trim station 149R is positioned to accept right plant conveyor 144R.
  • Second transverse conveyor 147 is below head 153 and collects waste from second sorting conveyor 151.
  • first sorting conveyor 141 has a length from tail 142 to head 143 of from 12 feet (3.66 m) to 14 feet (4.27 m); conveyor 131 has a length from tail 132 to head 133 of from 8 feet (2.44 m) to 10 feet (3.05 m); second sorting conveyor 151 has a length from tail 152 to head 153 of from 12 feet (3.66 m) to 14 feet (4.27 m).
  • first sorting conveyor 141, conveyor 131, and second sorting conveyor 151 each move at the same rate of from 0.5 feet/sec (0.15 m/sec) to 5.0 feet/sec (1.5 m/sec).
  • each of plant conveyors 144 has a length from tail 145 to head 146 of from 17 feet (5.2 m) to 19 feet (5.8 m) and they move at the same rate of from 0.5 feet/sec (0.15 m/sec) to 5.0 feet/sec (1.5 m/sec).
  • each left plant conveyor 144 includes a conveyor belt 501 of thickness, t, and width, W3, with a plurality of cleats, or cleats 503 each having a height, Hl, and equally spaced along conveyor belt 501 with a spacing, S.
  • first conveyor line 140 adjacent to left plant conveyor 144L and right plant conveyor 144R.
  • workers manually select and remove individual plants from first sorting conveyor 141 and place them on the adjacent right plant conveyor 144R or left plant conveyor 144L and between a pair of cleats 503.
  • Material that was not removed by workers from head 143 either falls on to first transverse conveyor 147, where it is either treated as waste or recycled back into singulator 110 to further separate clumps of plants, or is transported onto conveyor 131 and then onto second sorting conveyor 151.
  • individual plants, P are aligned in plant conveyors 144 with either the roots or stems placed towards users, U.
  • FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate a representative trim station 149, which may be one of trim station 149L or trim station 149R. Specifically, left plant conveyor 144L passes through trim station 149L, and right plant conveyor 144R passes through trim station 149R. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, each trim station 149 includes a press wheel 511, a first saw blade 513 adjacent to an individual plant conveyor, and optionally a second saw blade 515 adjacent to an individual plant conveyor on the opposite side of first saw blade 513, and a motor 517 for each saw blade.
  • each plant conveyor 144 includes a conveyor belt 501 of thickness, t, and a width, W3. with a cleats 503 each having a height, Hl, and equally spaced along conveyor belt 501 with a spacing, S. Adjacent cleats 503 orient the plants with roots on one side, stems on the other and the crown placed for best stem cost (2” or 4”, for example).
  • Each of the cleats 503 are semirigid and are designed to keep plants oriented by their height, pitch, and length by press wheel 511 as they pass by first saw blade 513 and or second saw blade 515.
  • the spacing, S, between adjacent cleats 503 may hold from between one individual plant, P, or as many as 10 individual plants.
  • the thickness, tl is from 1/8 inch (3.2 mm) to 1/4 inch (1.6 mm)
  • the thickness, t2 is from 5/16 inch (8 cm) to 0.5 inch (12 mm)
  • the width, W4 is from 4 inches (100 mm) to 7 inches (180 mm)
  • height, Hl is from 1.2 inches (30 mm) to 4 inches (100 mm)
  • spacing, S is from 1 inch (25 mm) to 3 inches (75.
  • the flights are bendable and may be formed from or include, for example and without limitation, a rubber material.
  • press wheel 511 pushes down on cleats 503 holding the individual plants in place and proper orientation for trimming by first saw blade 513 and/or second saw blade 515.
  • the spacing between first saw blade 513 and/or second saw blade 515 is selected so that a proper amount of excess material is removed from the plants, resulting in the exact amount of stem and/root material remaining on the plants for packaging.
  • the first saw blade 513, and second saw blade 515 are Diablo brand, 10 inch, 90 Tooth, Ultimate Polished Finish blades (Diablo Tools, High Point, NC), the motors driving each blade is a U horse power electric motors.
  • Press wheel 511 is a 10 inch (.25 m) to 12 inch (.30 m), heavy foam rubber outer layer bonded to forged metal wheel, and operates as an idle wheel with gravity leveraged from hinged moment arm.
  • Figure 7 is a rear view of a trim station 149 and the respective plant conveyor 144 as it leaves the trim station, and a counting device 700 including an arm 701 having one contacting the plant conveyors and a second end rotatably attached to an encoder 703, and electronics 705. As individual plants, P, pass under arm 701, the arm rotates about encoder 703 and sends a signal to electronics 705 indicating the presents of plants.
  • counting device 700 would be obvious to one skilled in the art.
  • the individual plants, P then reach the end of plant conveyor 144 and are deposited into output bins 134.
  • a worker transfers individual plants, P, into output bins 134, and may alternate their direction to pack the plants into the output bins.
  • Figures 8, 9, and 10 are a perspective view, a top view, and a side view, respectively, of a second embodiment conveyor line 800.
  • Second embodiment conveyor line 800 is generally similar to conveyor line(s) 130, except as explicitly stated.
  • Conveyor line 800 has an input end 801, a first output end 803, and a second output end 806, and includes distribution system 810 at input end 801, and two conveyor lines, each shown as conveyor line 820 at first output end 803, and a waste conveyor 805 at second output end 806.
  • Distribution system 810 includes a right conveyor 811 having a tail 812 and a head 813 and a left conveyor 814 having a tail 815 and a head 816.
  • Tail 812 and tail 815 are, for example and without limitation, provided with agricultural material to be sorted.
  • right conveyor 811 and left conveyor 814 are positioned to both receive material from air curtain apparatus 120, such as by replacing first sorting conveyor 141 of FIG. 1.
  • Conveyor line 820 includes: a conveyor 821 having a tail 822 and a head 823 and includes a right conveyor 821R and a left conveyor 821L; a plant conveyor 824 having a tail 825 and a head 826 and includes a right plant conveyor 824R and a left plant conveyor 824L; a trim station 830 including a right trim station 830R and a left trim station 830L; waste transport system 840 including a waste deflector 841 and a conveyor 842 having a tail 843 and a head 844; and conveyors 851 for holding output bins 134.
  • Plant conveyor 824 is generally similar to plant conveyors 144.
  • Right conveyor 811 and left conveyor 814 each have a length of from 10 ft (3.0 m) to 12 ft (3.7 m), an upwards angle of from 10 degrees to 30 degrees, and a speed of from 0.5 ft/sec (0.15 m/sec) to 5.0 ft/sec (1.5 m/sec).
  • FIGS. 11 and 12 are a top view and a perspective view, respectively, highlighting the waste transport system 840.
  • the views of FIGS. 11 and 12 are similar to those of FIGS. 8-10, where certain components have been removed to show waste transport system 840.
  • Waste transport system 840 includes conveyor 842 with tail 843 and waste deflector 841 positioned below trim station 830 and shaped to direct waste from the trim station to conveyor 842.
  • Head 844 of waste transport system 840 of one of conveyor line 820 provides waste to waste conveyor 805, where it is conveyed to second output end 806, and head 844 of waste conveyor 805 located at second output end 806.
  • Figures 13 and 14 are a top view and an end view, respectively, a conveyor 821.
  • Tail 822 includes a deflector 1301 which is positioned below head 813 of right conveyor 811 or head 816 of left conveyor 814, to ensure that material is directed to one of right conveyor 821R or left conveyor 821L.
  • right conveyor 821R and left conveyor 821L are both at an angle, P, to the horizon. This angle permits material falling onto right conveyor 821R to move towards right plant conveyor 824R and material falling onto left conveyor 821L to move towards left plant conveyor 824L.
  • the angle, is from 10 degrees to 24 degrees.
  • FIGS 15, 16, and 17 are a top view, a rear view, and a perspective view of the trim stations of trim station 830.
  • Trim station 830 is generally similar to trim station 149 except where explicitly stated.
  • Trim station 830 has a frame 1501 that supports a right trim station 830R and a left trim station 830L, where the left and right trim stations are generally similar and may be mirror images of each other.
  • right trim station 830R includes a first trim system 1510, a second trim system 1540, a first press wheel system 1520, a second press wheel system 1530, and a chute 1550.
  • First trim system 1510 includes a motor 1511 operable to rotate a first saw blade 1513 and a translation mechanism 1515 to transversely position first saw blade 1513 relative to and near one edge of conveyor belt 501 of right plant conveyor 824R.
  • Second trim system 1540 includes a motor 1541 operable to rotate a second saw blade 1543 and a translation mechanism 1545 to transversely position second saw blade 1543 relative to and near the opposite edge of conveyor belt 501 of right plant conveyor 824R.
  • First press wheel system 1520 includes a first press wheel 1521 and a mechanism 1523 to translate first press wheel 1521 to a region between an edge of conveyor belt 501 and cleats 503 of right plant conveyor 824R and to provide a force onto conveyor belt 501.
  • 1530 includes a second press wheel 1531 and a mechanism 1533 to translate second press wheel
  • Chute 1550 has a housing 1551 with a first opening 1552 near tail 825 of right plant conveyor 824R, a second opening 1554, and a flap 1553.
  • Second embodiment conveyor line 800 operates in a manner similar to conveyor line(s) 130.
  • Material from air curtain apparatus 120 is deposited at input end 801 onto right conveyor 811 and left conveyor 814, and is transported to head 813 of right conveyor 811 and to head 816 of left conveyor 814.
  • the material from right conveyor 811 then falls onto conveyor 821, with deflector 1301 directing the material onto either right conveyor 821R or left conveyor 821L.
  • Workers on either side of right conveyor 811 select individual plants from conveyor 821 and transfer the plants onto the nearest one of right plant conveyor 824R or left plant conveyor 824L. Any material not removed from conveyor 821 by the workers falls from head 823 on to conveyor 842 and is transported towards second output end 806, where it is disposed of.
  • Right plant conveyor 824R continues through right trim station 830R, where first press wheel 1521 and second press wheel 1531 press plants on right plant conveyor 824R onto conveyor belt 501 and where first saw blade 1513 and second saw blade 1543 trim the plants at the edge of conveyor belt 501.
  • left plant conveyor 824L continues through left trim station 830L where first press wheel 1521 and second press wheel 1531 press plants on left plant conveyor 824L onto conveyor belt 501 and where first saw blade 1513 and second saw blade 1543 trim the plants at the edge of conveyor belt 501.
  • First press wheel 1521 and second press wheel 1531 are generally similar to press wheel press wheel 511, and the saw blades and motors of first trim system 1510 and second trim system 1540 are generally the same as the saw blade and motor illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6.
  • Waste from the trimming of the plants falls to waste deflector 841 and onto conveyor 842 and eventually to second output end 806.
  • second embodiment conveyor line 800 includes counting device 700. In certain other embodiments, in certain other embodiments, second embodiment conveyor line 800 includes a counting device 700 including an LED and photodetector to count plants. In yet other embodiments, second embodiment conveyor line 800 does not include a counting device.
  • flap 1553 may be operated to prevent plants from exiting second opening 1554 while a new output bins 134 is in place.
  • a worker assists the loading of output bins 134 by alternating the orientation of plants, P, to tightly pack the output bins.
  • an apparatus may include a singulator, an air curtain and then, as in apparatus 100, a single second embodiment conveyor line 800 having the same width as the singulator and the air curtain.
  • This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed invention requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the claims following the Detailed Description are hereby expressly incorporated into this Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment of this invention.

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Abstract

La présente invention concerne un appareil et un procédé de traitement de plantes contenues dans une matière agricole. L'appareil comprend un premier transporteur (121), un second transporteur (141) et un appareil à rideau d'air (124), lequel rideau d'air dévie au moins une partie de la matière agricole tombant le long de l'ouverture à distance du second transporteur.
PCT/US2023/069082 2022-06-28 2023-06-26 Appareil et procédé de traitement de plantes Ceased WO2024006703A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (6)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US202263367205P 2022-06-28 2022-06-28
US63/367,205 2022-06-28
US18/341,356 2023-06-26
US18/341,356 US12023712B2 (en) 2022-06-28 2023-06-26 Apparatus and method for separating plants using an air curtain
US18/341,619 US20240009879A1 (en) 2022-06-28 2023-06-26 Apparatus and method for trimming plants
US18/341,619 2023-06-26

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WO2024006703A1 true WO2024006703A1 (fr) 2024-01-04

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Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0613615A1 (fr) * 1993-03-03 1994-09-07 G.A.E.C. Radet Agri Dispositif d'effanage de pommes de terre, ou autres tubercules et racines
US20110034222A1 (en) * 2009-08-07 2011-02-10 Ricketts Jonathan E Corn cob cleaning conveyor system
US9358586B2 (en) 2013-08-22 2016-06-07 Agricultural Robotics LLC Apparatus and method for separating plants

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0613615A1 (fr) * 1993-03-03 1994-09-07 G.A.E.C. Radet Agri Dispositif d'effanage de pommes de terre, ou autres tubercules et racines
US20110034222A1 (en) * 2009-08-07 2011-02-10 Ricketts Jonathan E Corn cob cleaning conveyor system
US9358586B2 (en) 2013-08-22 2016-06-07 Agricultural Robotics LLC Apparatus and method for separating plants

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