GB2375279A

GB2375279A - Mobile apparatus for laying sheet material and mulch

Info

Publication number: GB2375279A
Application number: GB0106685A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Andrew Falcon
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-03-17
Filing date: 2001-03-17
Publication date: 2002-11-13
Anticipated expiration: 2021-03-17
Also published as: GB0106685D0; GB2375279A8; GB2375279B

Abstract

A mobile apparatus (10) suitable for use in protecting plants has a wheeled chassis (11) connectable to a prime mover, such as a tractor. A container (13) for holding a mulch material is mounted to the chassis (11). The apparatus (10) also includes storage means (14) to store a sheet material (15) and laying means to lay the sheet (15) over the ground in which the plant is to be planted. A discharge means (20) dispenses mulch so that a sheet matting is laid out and a mulch dispensed to promote growth of a desired plant and impede growth of undesired plants. A method of managing a crop plant includes the steps of overlaying a sheet (15) of matting material on the ground, dispensing a mulch material, cutting a hole through the matting and penetrating the ground to enable the ground to receive a plant and planting a plant through the matting.

Description

IMPROVED MANAGEMENT OF CROP PLANT Field of the Invention The present invention relates to the protection of young plants and more particularly to an apparatus for use in the deployment of a ground covering layer to prevent weed growth around young plants.

Background to the Invention In the description that follows, reference is made to a"crop plant", which is intended to define any plant which is harvested whether for human and animal consumption or for further processing, for example, at a saw mill.

The term"mulch"as used herein is intended to be a general term directed to active and non-active materials used in connection with the present invention.

The mulch can be used as a growth or nutrient carrying medium, including composts and other"green waste"or fertilisers or as a mechanical means for weighting down matting or for drainage. The mulch ideally comprises composted food waste or plant matter including wood or bark chippings but may also include materials ranging from a liquid nutrient carrier to gravel.

When introducing a crop onto an area of ground it is common practice, after preparation of the ground, to plant a young plant rather than a seed. One of the principal reasons for this is that the success rate in growing a plant from seed is lower than from young plants. Such young plants however, still require nurturing and protection from various influences, such as animals and unsuitable weather.

Furthermore, it is advantageous if other plants (particularly weeds) are prevented

from growing around the plants as such other plants will compete not only for nutrients from the soil but also for light. Moreover, when the crop plant needs to be harvested, the other plants will often be harvested along with the crop plant and if not removed before harvest will subsequently need to be removed before further processing of the crop.

Weeds can be controlled by a number of methods, for example, a spray containing a weed killer specific to the weeds typical of area can be applied. This is both expensive and is also increasingly considered unacceptable due to the environmental impact of the chemicals used. Alternatively, the weeds can be removed manually or by machine. This control method is however labour intensive and the act of removing the weeds will often disturb the crop plant.

Moreover, at an early stage, a crop plant can be difficult to distinguish from a weed.

In a known solution, the soil around the young plant is covered with a matting, usually biodegradable. The matting prevents weed growth during the early stages of the crop plant's life and has little environmental impact as its adverse physical effects are limited and it is biodegradable. Advantageously, the matting can help with moisture retention in the soil. The application of the matting can either be before the young plant is introduced to the soil or afterwards.

In the prevention of weed growth, the use of matting is increasingly preferred to the use of herbicides. The deployment of matting is however labour intensive particularly where a layer of fertiliser is required adjacent the plant for nutrients. Difficulties are often encountered when cutting matting so that it can pass around or over an existing plant and the correct application of the fertiliser can also present its own problems.

It is an object of the present invention to seek to alleviate the above disadvantages and to provide for the improved management of plant crops to encourage growth and prevent encroachment of weed growth. It is a particular object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for laying matting for use in nurturing plants.

The invention has as a further object a means for the utilisation of certain waste materials.

Summary of the Invention Accordingly, the present invention comprises a mobile apparatus, suitable for use in protecting plants from encroachment by weeds, the apparatus comprising: a wheeled chassis connectable to a prime mover; a container mounted on said chassis for holding a mulch material; a storage means from which a protective sheet material is fed; sheet laying means adapted to convey the sheet material from the storage means and lay the sheet over the ground in which the plant is to be planted; and a discharge means for dispensing the mulch material whereby a matting in the form of a sheet may be laid out and a mulch dispensed so as to promote growth of a desired plant and impede or stifle growth or encroachment of undesired plants or weeds.

Advantageously, the mulch material comprises"green waste"ideally comprising foodstuffs and/or plant waste. In this arrangement a convenient and economically expedient utilisation of waste matter is realised.

Alternatively, the mulch material comprises a growth or nutrient carrying medium including pourable solid materials such as fertiliser. Optionally, the mulch material is a liquid medium. Conveniently, the mulch material is dispensed onto the matting lying on the ground.

Advantageously, disposed within the container there is provided an endless belt to convey the mulch material from within the container to a discharge port adapted to meter the mulch material dispensed therefrom.

The sheet material is preferably accommodated within the storage means as a continuous elongate strip, conveniently in the form of a roll.

The apparatus conveniently includes a loading means to load the mulch material from a storage area into the container. This arrangement facilitates the replenishment of the container from a remote or central storage area which may be accessible by contractors or the general public for the deposition of organic waste materials for subsequent reuse rather than disposal in land-fill sites.

The rate of discharge of sheet material and mulch material is preferably controlled, in order to deliver a pre-determined amount of said mulch onto the sheet material. The discharge rate is advantageously proportional to the rotation of a drive wheel, the drive wheel rotating as the vehicle moves across the area being planted. The drive wheel is conveniently in contact with the ground to give a direct measure of the ground covered and also to support the vehicle. The vehicle includes sensors to monitor the discharge rate.

In one arrangement, the prime mover comprises an on-board motor.

The storage means additionally comprise a cover to retain the sheet material in a dry condition during use and to protect the sheet from the elements.

The sheet material is alternatively fed from two adjacent rolls which via the sheet laying means are brought to side-by-side position against the stalk of a crop-plant. Optionally, one or more of the adjacent edges of the material is cut so that a portion thereof deflects to accommodate a plant stalk. This arrangement facilitates edge overlapping of adjacent sheets.

A cutting means is optionally included to form a hole in the mat being laid to receive a young plant.

In an alternative construction of the apparatus, there is provided a self-propelled vehicle comprising:

a wheeled chassis carrying a drive motor; a driver cabin including means for steering the vehicle wheels; a container mounted on said chassis for holding a mulch material; a storage means from which a protective sheet material is fed; a discharge means for dispensing the mulch material; a hole cutting means adapted to punch a hole in the mat; and a planter mechanism adapted to retrieve a young plant from a plant storage compartment within or adjacent the container and place the plant into the ground through the hole.

The invention further provides a method of managing a crop plant, the method comprising : overlying a sheet of matting material on ground prepared to receive a crop plant; dispensing a mulch material; cutting a hole through said matting and penetrating the ground so as to form a plant receiving aperture; and planting a plant in said aperture.

Conveniently, the mulch material is dispensed over said matting material.

Brief Description of the Drawings The invention will now be described more particularly with reference to the accompanying drawings which show, by way of example only, one embodiment of mobile apparatus for laying matting in accordance with the invention. In the

drawings: Figure 1 is a side elevation of the apparatus; and Figure 2 is a rear view of the apparatus in accordance with the invention.

Detailed Description of the Invention Referring to the drawings, Figures 1 and 2 show an apparatus 10 for use in deploying a matting and a layer of a mulch material. The apparatus 10 is formed as a trailer for drawing by a prime mover such as an agricultural tractor. The apparatus 10 has a chassis 11 to which there is mounted an axle bearing a pair of wheels 12. An open-mouthed container 13 mounted on the chassis 11 accommodates a mulch material such as composted foodstuffs and/or vegetation.

At one end of the container 13, a holder 14 is provided to receive a roll of matting material 15. The matting material 15 is freely rotatable on the holder 14 which is disposed within a cover 16 to protect the matting material 15 from the elements during use.

From the holder 14, the matting material 15 passes through a system of tension wheels 17 which draws the material 15 from the holder 14 so that it may be laid onto the ground. The tensioning wheels 17 are connected by a drive belt 18 to a drive wheel 19.

At the base of the container 13, there is provided a conveyor which comprises an endless belt 20 which passes around tensioning rollers 21,22 one of which is driven optionally via the drive wheel 19. The belt 20 passes through a metering aperture 23 in the container 13, so that the mulch material contained within is deposited onto the dispensed matting. Movement of the belt 20 is such that mulch material in the container 13 is conveyed out of the opening 23 and deposited as the belt 20 moves over the first roller 21 and returns beneath the container 13 before entering the base of the container 13 again around the second roller 22.

A loader member 24 is pivotally supported by a support arm 25 and an upright support 26. The support arm 25 for the loader member 24 is pivotable to enable the loader member 24 to pick up a load from a central mulch material store and deposit it into the container 13.

The apparatus 10 includes a draw bar 27 which is welded along the central axis of the underside of the chassis 11. A hitch 28 is coupled to the face of the bar 27 enabling that apparatus 10 to be linked to and drawn by a prime mover, for example, a tractor (not illustrated).

In use, the apparatus 10 is hitched to a tractor and drawn adjacent a stock pile of mulch material. The material is transferred by the loader member 24 from the stock pile to the container 13. The vehicle 10 is towed to the area in which young plants, for example, trees are to be planted. The drive wheel 19 is engaged to the tensioning wheels 17 and the roll of matting material 15 is unfurled as the vehicle 10 is towed across the area.

This arrangement allows for the convenient collection, storage and subsequent distribution of"green waste"which can be used for weighing down the matting material, providing a nutrient carrying medium for promoting plant growth or both.

The rotation of the drive wheel 19 causes matting material 15 to be unfurled from the holder 14 and laid onto the ground, forming a strip approximately 1m wide.

Simultaneously and synchronously the rollers 21,22 are also rotated causing the belt 20 to convey mulch material from the container 13, through the container opening 23, and deposit the material on the already laid matting material 15.

Several options are thus presented for dealing with the plants to be managed.

Using the embodiment of apparatus as described hereinabove, the matting and mulch material is laid over ground which is preferably prepared for receiving young plants or saplings. The ground may be tilled or have drainage ditches formed between furrows, for example. The matting, with mulch material in place, may be laid out months in advance of a planting program with minimal risk of

adversely affecting the growing properties of the"crop plant"but may ensure that weeds or grasses are substantially eliminated or subdued. Where the matting is already in place, a hole is cut therethrough so that the root structure and a portion of the plant stalk or trunk can pass and be planted securely. A drilling machine may be modified for planting through the matting. For planting trees manually, a forester may use a spade blade to create a cut in the matting and an adequate hole for a tree in one motion.

The apparatus of the invention may also be adapted to cut the matting material as it is dispensed to form a hole to allow the mat to pass over an existing plant.

Alternatively, the matting material is dispensed from two adjacent rolls which may be angled with respect to one another so that when laid on the ground, the edge of one sheet overlaps the edge of the adjacent sheet except at the stalk or trunk or the plant where it simply lies against its surface.

In an unillustrated construction, the apparatus includes a hole cutting device adapted to cut an aperture in the matting as it is dispensed so as to accommodate existing plants. A defecting rod is provided to time the cutting device so that the aperture coincides with the plant. Alternative detecting devices will be apparent to those skilled in the art and include, for example, opto-coupled devices.

An alternative construction of hole cutting device comprises a spike or blade adapted to form an aperture in the matting after it is laid on the ground. Indeed, the hole cutting device may be combined with a planting mechanism which retrieves a plant from a reserve, mounted for example on the side of the container, protectively grips the root structure of the plant and punches it through the matting.

It will be appreciated by the skilled reader that the dispensing of the fertiliser onto the ground before coverage by the matting material or the preferred provision of fertiliser cover the matting depends on the particular plant and application to which the invention is put.

Where young trees are to be planted it is preferred that the matting is adjacent the ground with a layer of mulch material over the matting. With strawberries, for example, it is preferred that a nutrient carrying medium or fertiliser is spread over or mixed into the upper layer of soil before the matting material is laid over it. In this case, the matting material comprises plastics material sheeting not only to attenuate the growth of other materials but also to provide a platform for supporting the fruit as it develops. The plastics material is usually black polythene sheeting which absorbs heat and creates an improved environment for strawberries to grow. Stabilising compounds normally associated with plastics sheeting may be omitted so that the material degrades over time. Additional mulch material such as gravel may be applied over the matting to prevent it blowing away.

In addition to the arrangements described above, the apparatus can also include a number of additional features which do not depart from the scope of the invention.

The apparatus can include any cutting means to cut through the matting material at a pre-set interval or at intervals determined by a detector device as described hereinabove. Cutting can take place prior to the matting being laid down or once the matting is on the ground. In the latter case, cutting can take place either before or after deposit of the fertiliser material.

Sensors can be used to monitor and control the rate of deposition of both the matting material and the fertiliser material. Furthermore, a motor can also be used to drive the rotation of the matting material and of the rollers 21,22 about which the belt 20 is mounted.

The apparatus optionally includes an on-board motor and a steering system so that it forms a self-propelled vehicle. Mirrors can be located at various points on the container to enable the operator to view mat laying and assess whether damage is being inflicted on plants.

The matting material used is typically biodegradable and thus should pose no risk to the environment whilst at the same time providing a food source for the

growing plant. The matting material may for example comprise a fabric or fibrous structure capable of absorbing a liquid nutrient medium which can act to weigh the matting down and release the nutrients therein over time. The release action may be augmented by rainfall which when absorbed substantially maintains the weighting action of the matting. The mulch material used can be growth promotion and/or nutrient carrying media commonly used in the art and includes so-called green waste, for example that arising from domestic sources such as food scraps and lawn cuttings. The invention provides an economic and environmentally sustainable means of disposing of such waste.

It will of course be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific details described herein, which are given by way of example only, and that various modifications and alterations are possible within the scope of the invention.

Claims

Claims 1. A mobile apparatus, suitable for use in protecting plants from encroachment by undesired plants or weeds, the apparatus comprising : a wheeled chassis connectable to a prime mover; a container mounted on said chassis for holding a mulch material; adjacent said container, a storage means from which a protective sheet material is feedable; sheet laying means adapted to convey sheet material from the storage means and to lay sheet material over the ground into which protected plants are to be planted; and a discharge means for dispensing mulch material onto laid sheet material for dispersing mulch material thereby to promote growth of desired plants and impede or stifle growth or encroachment of undesired plants or weeds.
2. An apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein the container holds mulch material comprising"green waste"such as foodstuffs and/or plant waste.
3. An apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein the container holds mulch material comprising a growth or nutrient carrying medium including pourable solid materials such as fertiliser.
4. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the container holds mulch material in the form of a liquid medium.
5. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the discharge means dispenses mulch material onto laid sheet material.

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6. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein an 0 t7 > endless belt is disposed within the container to convey mulch material from within the container to a discharge port adapted to meter mulch material dispensed therefrom.
7. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the storage means accommodates sheet material therein as a continuous elongate strip.
8. An apparatus according to Claim 7, wherein the storage means accommodates sheet material in the form of a roll.
9. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the apparatus includes a loading means to load mulch material from a storage area into the container.
10. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the rate of discharge of sheet material and mulch material is controlled, in order to deliver a pre-determined amount of mulch onto laid sheet material.
11. An apparatus according to Claim 10, wherein the discharge rate is proportional to the rotation of a drive wheel, the drive wheel rotating as the apparatus moves across an area being planted.
12. An apparatus according to Claim 11, wherein the drive wheel is in contact

with the ground to give a direct measure of the ground covered.

ZD
13. An apparatus according to any of Claims 10 to 12, wherein the apparatus includes sensors to monitor the discharge rate.
14. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the apparatus comprises an on-board motor.

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15- An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the zn storage means comprise a cover to retain in a dry condition sheet material during use and to protect sheet material from adverse weather conditions.
16. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the storage means includes two adjacent rolls from which sheet material is fed and the sheet laying means is adapted to lay sheet material in a side-by-

side position against the stalk of a protected plant. z : l
17. An apparatus according to Claim 16, wherein the sheet laying means is adapted so that one or more adjacent edges of laid sheet material is cut to accommodate a plant stalk.
18. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sheet laying means includes a cutting means to form a hole in laid sheet material to receive a young plant or plant stalk.
19. A self-propelled vehicle comprising: a wheeled chassis carrying a drive motor; a driver cabin including means for control of the vehicle; a container mounted on said chassis for holding a mulch material; adjacent said container, a storage means from which a protective sheet material is feedable; a discharge means for dispensing mulch material; a hole cutting means adapted to punch a hole in feed sheet material; and a planter mechanism adapted to retrieve a young plant from a plant storage compartment within or adjacent the container and place the plant into the ground through the hole.

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20. A method of managing a crop plant, the method comprising the steps of : z, t-I overlying sheet material onto ground prepared to receive a crop plant ; dispensing a mulch material ; cutting a hole through said sheet material and penetrating the ground so as to form a plant receiving aperture; and planting a plant in said aperture.
21. A method according to Claim 20, wherein mulch material is dispensed over said sheet material.
22. An apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
23. A vehicle substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
24. A method substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.