Technical field

In general, present invention relates to planting seedlings by a seedling planting machine. More especially the present invention relates to an intermediate seedling storage system of a seedling planting machine according to preamble part of the independent system claim.

Backqround

Seedling planting machines are used for planting tree seedlings into the soil. The seedlings are typically either spot seedlings or seedlings with a root ball. For example, spruce, pine, eucalyptus or sugar cane seedlings have a root ball with them. In the tree seedling planting, typically a hummock or a mound with a planting hole is formed to the soil by the seedling planting machine. The tree seedling is then planted to the hole in the hummock or in the mound. Typically, after the tree seedling has been planted the soil surface around the tree seedling is packed.

The seedling planting machines are typically fastened to a boom, typically to an articulated boom, which boom is vehicle-mounted to a working vehicle, for example to a forest tractor or to an all-terrain vehicle. The seedling planting machine is powered by the working vehicle, for example by pressurized air, hydraulic and electricity received via cables or like from the working vehicle. The planting machine is also remote controllable from the control cabin of the working vehicle or via a separate control device connected to the seedling planting machine.

The seedling planting machines typically comprises planting devices configured to guide and to place a seedling to a planting spot, at least one seedling storage, in which several seedlings can be placed next to each other, a feeding device for simultaneous handling of several seedlings and transfer devices, to which the feeding device is coupled and which is configured to convey the feeding device to the seedling storage and to place the feeding device to the seedlings to be picked up, as well as to convey the feeding device to a predetermined location, to which the seedlings can be delivered, either one by one or several seedlings at a time and an intermediate storage in which several seedlings can be placed and which is configured to guide seedlings one by one to the planting devices and the feeding device being further configured to deliver several seedlings to the intermediate storage for refilling.

In patent application publication Fl 200135337 A is disclosed a planting machine, in which the seedlings are taken from a stationary seedling storage to an elongated magazine acting as an intermediate storage. The magazine is adapted to move longitudinally back and forth with the aid of an actuator. From the intermediate storage the seedlings are guided to the planting devices.

In patent application publication W02013190176A1 is disclosed an apparatus for handling seedlings, comprising at least one seedling storage, a feeding device which is, for the simultaneous handling of several seedlings, equipped with two or more grippers next to each other, wherein each gripper is configured both to close and to open, and transfer devices to which the feeding device is connected and which are configured to convey the feeding device to a seedling storage and to position the feeding device at the seedlings, as well as to convey the feeding device to a location where the seedlings are delivered either one by one or simultaneously. In an example, the apparatus is placed in a planting machine equipped with planting devices for conveying a seedling to a planting spot and placing it there. In an example, the planting machine is connected to a controllable articulated boom in a working machine which is an all-terrain vehicle.

The intermediate seedling storage systems of seedling planting machines known from prior art are often complicated as sensor/-s and/or hydraulic cylinder/-s are needed to position the seedlings. Also, often number of the seedlings is limited in the intermediate seedling storage. Often in the intermediate seedling storage systems of seedling planting machines known from prior art planting of bareroot seedlings is problematic, as roots of the seedlings may easily stick between the storage and its frame structure, which causes disturbances in operation of the seedling planting machines. Summary

An object of the invention is to create an intermediate seedling storage system of a seedling planting machine, in which the disadvantages and problems of prior art are eliminated or at least minimized.

An object of the invention is to create an improved intermediate seedling storage system of a seedling planting machine, especially in view of transferring the seedlings from the intermediate seedling storage to a feeding funnel.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned objects, the intermediate seedling storage system of the seedling planting machine according to the invention is mainly characterized by the features of the characterizing clause of the independent system claim.

Advantageous embodiments and features are disclosed in the dependent claims.

According to the invention the intermediate seedling storage system of a seedling planting machine comprises at least one seedling magazine for the seedlings and at least one planting means for planting the seedlings, which intermediate seedling storage system also comprises at least one planting channel configured to provide the seedlings from the seedling magazine to the planting means for planting the seedlings by the planting means, wherein the intermediate seedling storage system further comprises at least one gate plate positioned between an upper end of the planting channel and the seedling magazine, and the gate plate is configured to be turnable from a closed position to an opened position and vice versa such, that turning of the gate plate from the closed position to the opened position is configured to release seedlings in the seedling magazine for entering to the planting channel.

According to an advantageous feature of the invention the gate plate is mechanically turnable.

According to an advantageous feature the seedling magazine is movable and that the seedling magazine comprises at least one mechanical element configured to mechanically turn the gate plate, when the seedling magazine is moved.

According to an advantageous feature of the invention the gate plate is turned by means of an actuator, for example by a pneumatic device or by an electric device or by a hydraulic device.

According to an advantageous feature of the invention the gate plate comprises at least one joint around which the gate plate is configured to turn from the closed position to the open position and vice versa.

According to an advantageous feature of the invention the intermediate seedling storage system further comprises at least one feeding funnel located between the seedling magazine and the planting channel and the gate plate is positioned between an upper end of the feeding funnel and the seedling magazine.

According to an advantageous feature of the invention the seedling magazine comprises seedling cells for seedlings, the seedling magazine is cylindrical and that the seedling cells are positioned radially in rows such, that each row extends from outer circumference of the cylindrical form of the seedling magazine towards center of the cylindrical form of the seedling magazine.

According to an advantageous feature of the invention the position of the feeding funnel or the planting channel in view of the radial position of the row of the seedling sells is slightly inclined such, that one seedling from the seedling cells at time is released to the feeding funnel.

According to an advantageous feature of the invention the seedling magazine comprises magazine elements comprising seedling cells for seedlings, the seedling magazine is cylindrical and the magazine elements with the seedling cells are positioned radially such, that each magazine element extends from outer circumference of the cylindrical form of the seedling magazine towards center of the cylindrical form of the seedling magazine.

According to an advantageous feature of the invention the position of the feeding funnel or the planting channel in view of the radial position of the magazine element is slightly inclined such, that one seedling from the seedling cells at time is released to the feeding funnel.

According to an advantageous feature of the invention the seedling magazine is cylindrical and that seedling magazine is turnable around its center.

According to an advantageous aspect of the invention the seedling magazine of the intermediate seedling storage is mounted above the planting channel of the planting means. Between the seedling magazine and the planting channel the feeding funnel is located. The feeding funnel has openings at each end and guides the seedlings to the planting channel of the planting means. Advantageously, the seedling magazine has a circumferential form and comprises radially located magazine, each comprising at least one cell for a seedling, typically 1 -6 cells. To each cell one seedling can be located. Thus, total number of seedlings is defined by number of the magazine elements and number of cells in the magazine element. To bottom of a magazine element a gate plate is mounted. The gate plate is configured to open when the magazine element moves at the locating over the upper opening of the feeding funnel for transferring the seedlings via the feeding funnel to planting channel. Advantageously, the upper opening of the feeding funnel is inclined, preferably about 10 degrees, in view of the magazine element, such that the opening is configured to open one cell at the time, as the magazine element moves to its position.

By the invention and its advantageous features several benefits are achieved: the seedling can be smoothly without disturbances transferred to the feeding funnel from the seedling magazine. The gate plate prevents any roots from sticking between the seedling magazine and its frame structure and thus, the transfer of the seedling from the seedling magazine via the feeding funnel to the planting channel is smooth. Additionally, by the radially located magazine elements in the seedling magazine number for the seedlings is increased and size of the elements can easily be varied.

The exemplifying embodiments of the invention presented in this patent application are not to be interpreted to pose limitations to the applicability of the appended claims. The verb "to comprise” and its derivatives are used in this patent application as an open limitation that does not exclude the existence of also unrecited features. The features described hereinafter are mutually freely combinable unless explicitly stated otherwise.

Brief description of the drawings

In the following the invention is explained in detail with reference to the accompanying drawing to which the invention is not to be narrowly limited, in which

In figures 1A-1B is shown schematically an example of an intermediate seedling storage system of a seedling planting machine,

In figures 2A-2B is shown very schematically operation of feeding seedlings in an example of an intermediate seedling storage system of a seedling planting machine,

In figures 3A-3B is shown schematically an example of a seedling magazine of an intermediate seedling storage system of a seedling planting machine.

Detailed description

During the course of the following description like numbers and signs will be used to identify like elements according to the different views which illustrate the invention and its advantageous examples. In the figures some repetitive reference signs have been omitted for clarity reasons.

In the example of figures 1A-1 B is schematically shown an example of an intermediate seedling storage system 10. The intermediate seedling storage system 10 comprises a seedling magazine 11 , comprising magazine elements 19 forming rows 12 of seedling cells 13. In the example there is four seedling cells 13 in each row 12 but number of seedling cells 13 in a row can vary, typically from 1 to 6. The seedling magazine 11 is cylindrical and the rows 12 are positioned radially such, that each row 12 extends from the outer circumference towards the center of the cylindrical from. The seedling magazine 11 is turnable around its center. The intermediate seedling storage system 10 also comprises a frame and equipment for turning the seedling magazine 11. The seedling magazine is connected to the seedling planting machine and is filled with seedlings by feeding means of the seedling planting machine. The intermediate seedling storage system 10 is mounted on a frame structure 15. The intermediate seedling storage system 10 also comprises a feeding funnel 14 to provide the seedlings via a planting channel 18 for planting by planting means 16 of the seedling planting machine. The seedlings from the seedling magazine 11 are fed to the feeding funnel 14 from one row 12 at the time. When one row 12 of the seedlings has been fed to the feeding funnel 14 the seedling magazine is turned such, that the next row 12 seedlings can be fed to the feeding funnel 14. From the feeding funnel 14 the seedling is guided to the planting channel 18 and to planting means 16 for planting.

In figures 2A-2B is schematically shown operation of feeding seedlings in an example of an intermediate seedling storage system of a seedling planting machine. In the figure 2A part of the magazine is shown from above. The seedling cells 13 are located in magazine elements 19 located in the seedling magazine in radially extending rows 12. And in this operation stage one row 12 of the seedling cells 13 is located above the upper end of the feeding funnel 14. The position of the feeding funnel 14 in view of the position of the row 12 and its seedling cells 13 are slightly inclined such, that one seedling 17 from the seedling cells 13 at time is released to the feeding funnel 14 as the upper part of the feeding funnel wall prevents all the seedlings 17 to be released at the same time, this is indicated by the dashed line. In the figure 2B is shown a gate plate 20, which is turnable around a joint 21 , from a closed position to an opened position (dashed line). Turning of the gate plate 20 from the closed position to the opened position is configured to release seedlings in the one row 12 of the seedling cells 13 to enter the feeding funnel 14. The gate plate 20 is advantageously mechanically turnable such that no activators or other power means are needed in order to open and close the gate port 20. The gate plate can alternatively be turned by means of an actuator, for example by a pneumatic device or by an electric device or by a hydraulic device.

In figures 3A-3B is shown is shown a seedling magazine 11 of an intermediate seedling storage system 10 of a seedling planting machine. In figure 3A is shown the seedling magazine 11 from above in slightly inclined position. The seedling magazine 11 comprises the magazine elements 19 in radially extending rows 12 of seedling cells 13. In the example there is three seedling cells 13 in each row 12 but number of seedling cells 13 in a row can vary, typically from 1 to 6. The seedling magazine 11 is cylindrical and the rows 12 are positioned radially such, that each row 12 extends from the outer circumference towards the center of the cylindrical from. The seedling magazine 11 is turnable around its center. The seedling magazine is connected to the seedling planting machine and is filled with seedlings by feeding means of the seedling planting machine. As shown in figure 3B, in which a partial view of the seedling magazine from below is shown, the seedling cells 13 are open at the bottom. The seedling cells 13 are located in the magazine elements 19 located in the seedling magazine 11 in radially extending rows 12. During the operation one row 12 of the seedling cells 13 i.e. one magazine element 19 at time is located above the upper end of the feeding funnel 14. The position of the feeding funnel 14 in view of the position of the row 12 and its seedling cells 13 are slightly inclined such, that one seedling 17 from the seedling cells 13 at time is released to the feeding funnel 14. The gate plate 20 is turnable from a closed position to an opened position (shown in the figure 3B). Turning of the gate plate 20 from the closed position to the opened position is configured to release seedlings in the one row 12 of the seedling cells 13 for entering the feeding funnel 14. The gate plate 20 is advantageously mechanically turnable such that no activators or other power means are needed in order to open and close the gate port 20. The gate plate can alternatively be turned by means of an actuator, for example by a pneumatic device or by an electric device or by a hydraulic device.

As can be seen from the figures the seedling magazine 11 of the intermediate seedling storage 10 is mounted above the planting channel 18 of the planting means 16. Between the seedling magazine 11 and the planting channel 18 the feeding funnel 14 is located. The feeding funnel 14 has openings at each end and it guides the seedlings to the planting channel 18 of the planting means 16. The seedling magazine 11 has a circumferential form and comprises radially located magazine elements 19, each comprising at least one cell 13 for a seedling, typically 1 -6 cells 13. To each cell 13 one seedling can be located. To bottom of the seedling magazine 11 a gate plate 20 is mounted at the location of the upper end of the feeding funnel 14. The gate plate 20 is configured to open, when a magazine element 13 moves at the location over the upper opening of the feeding funnel for transferring the seedlings via the feeding funnel 14 to planting channel 18. Advantageously, the upper opening of the feeding funnel 14 is inclined, preferably about 10 degrees, in view of the radial direction of the magazine element 13 such, that the opening is configured to open one cell 13 at the time, as the magazine element 19 moves to its position as the seedling magazine 11 turns.

In the description in the foregoing, although some functions have been described with reference to certain features and examples, those functions may be performable by other features and examples whether described or not. Although features have been described with reference to the certain examples, those features may also be present in other examples whether described or not.

Above only some advantageous examples of the invention have been described to which examples the invention is not to be narrowly limited, and many modifications and alterations are possible within the invention.