AGRICULTURAL APPLICATOR

Abstract

The invention relates to an agricultural applicator (1) that comprises a tubular body (4) made of biopolymers and has outlet holes (10, 11) for the element to be applied. The applicator comprises upper die-cuts (40) that form retainers for dripper pipes.

Description

[0001] AGRICULTURAL APPLICATOR

[0002] DESCRIPTION

[0003] OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The present invention relates to an agricultural applicator, produced in various formats, usable to improve irrigation, planting and sowing, at a certain depth, protecting water, seeds, nutrients and loads, from the temperature or erosion inherent to the surface of the ground.

[0005] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0006] Currently, we know that certain irrigation devices (pipes, diffusers, etc.) are used in agriculture. These devices are made from traditional plastics with a high content of polluting elements that are not environmentally friendly, such as chlorine in PVC or polyolefins with degradability cycles lasting thousands of years.

[0007] Document KR101998681 B is known to refer to a perforated pipe for vegetation, manufactured with ecological materials to primarily prevent environmental pollution after discharge and facilitate tree establishment and growth. This document describes an agricultural applicator consisting of a tube-shaped body with outlet holes for the various elements to be applied, such as water, nutrients, fertilizers, etc., made of biopolymers. This applicator can also include additional fertilizer, plant, or reinforcement fillers such as coconut fibers, a top cover, and several layers of varying degradability.

[0008] The applicant is not aware of any device that is an agricultural applicator with the configuration of the applicator of the invention.

[0009] DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The agricultural applicator of the invention comprises a tube-shaped body made of biopolymers, with outlet holes for the ingredient or substance to be applied, and which, according to the invention, comprises upper die-cuts that form retainers for dripper tubing. In this way, an applicator is obtained that allows the dosage and placement of seeds, nutrients or irrigation, respectively, as well as irrigation water directly to the root zone, at the appropriate depth so as to optimize water use or the progressive dosage of nutrients in plantations and crops, but which has resistance characteristics adequate for its function, and also biodegradability that prevents soil contamination.

[0011] In addition, it provides the following advantages:

[0012] -It is a material that allows for both highly degradable, flexible formulations and rigid and durable ones for use in multiple campaigns, as is the case with tubes.

[0013] -An accidental breakage of a pipe while tilling the soil will not contaminate the soil or crops, but the pieces will end up degrading or composting over time.

[0014] -The formulation allows for regulation of the desired degree of degradation over time, as well as the provision of nutrients and additives resulting from the progressive decomposition of the applicator.

[0015] - Applicators can be designed with holes to allow water to pass through, or without holes to collect water, with a formulation that adds mineral or plant fillers to their composition, making them hygroscopic to absorb and accumulate the maximum amount of water.

[0016] -Tubular applicators increase irrigation efficiency by transporting water to a depth away from the surface to prevent evaporation, and by allowing water to reach the roots directly. The soil above acts as a thermal insulator and acts as a blanket to prevent evaporation. Water located at a depth of, say, about 20 centimeters encounters temperatures that can vary by 20 degrees compared to the sun-baked surface. Avoiding water on the surface around the plant makes weed growth more difficult.

[0017] -The material allows for the design of seedbeds or cartridges of various shapes for planting species that require direct sowing in degradable seedbeds that also provide the nutrients they contain.

[0018] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] Figures 1 to 4 show different embodiments of the tubular applicator with both ends open or only the upper one and with one of the possible drainage grooves or with a smooth finish, and with the upper die-cut to accommodate the drip tube, although it may not have them.

[0020] Figure 5 shows an embodiment of an applicator in band configuration, unwound from a reel.

[0021] Figure 6 shows an embodiment of an applicator in sheet configuration, with incorporated irrigation pipes, also unwound from a reel.

[0022] Figure 7 shows an embodiment of the applicator in sheet configuration similar to that shown in Fig. 6, without the incorporated irrigation pipes.

[0023] Figure 8 shows a section of a crop with tubular applicators and droppers arranged in them.

[0024] Figure 9 shows a section of a crop with a band or foil applicator.

[0025] Figure 10 shows a section of a crop with tubular applicators with elbows and droppers arranged in them.

[0026] Figure 11 shows the winding of an applicator in the form of a band of alveolar or multi-walled sheet with a grooved section.

[0027] DESCRIPTION OF A PRACTICAL EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0028] The agricultural applicator (1) comprises a body in the form of a sheet (2), a band (3), and in the invention, in the form of a tube (4) and materialized in biopolymers, with outlet holes (10, 11) for the principle or substance to be applied.

[0029] In addition, the body may comprise additional organic, mineral, or plant fillers, such as hygroscopic mineral or plant fillers, to help retain moisture in the root environment, or fertilizer fillers, so that as the bioplastic degrades, it provides fertilizers to the soil right in the area closest to root growth, or seed fillers.

[0030] It can also include plant fillers or reinforcing fibers such as coconut or kenaf, which, in addition to providing mechanical resistance, can help moderate the effect of degradation. Flexible applicators (strips and sheets) can help support the soil on slopes until the plants and their roots begin to grow. Similarly, the body can include several layers of biopolymers with different degradability, thus determining various stages of degradation and additive addition depending on the plant's growth phases. For example, the tubular applicator can include layers with different degrees of degradability, to degrade with plant growth, and a layer that remains for irrigation in subsequent years.

[0031] The tube-shaped applicator (4) can have a variable length, with a minimum length of 15 centimeters, since this allows shallow deepening for plantations with superficial roots, as well as going deeper to bring water to deeper roots as is the case with trees.

[0032] At greater depths, the irrigation water encounters lower temperatures compared to the sun-scorched surface, minimizing evaporation. This also prevents the presence of water on the surface around the plant, which makes weed growth more difficult. The length of the applicator (4) will also depend on the height of the installation, depending on the type of crop: a few centimeters from the ground for small plant irrigation lines, or taller to allow farmers to work or walk below the plantation's irrigation pipes.

[0033] Likewise, it is preferred that the tube-shaped applicator (4) comprises upper die-cuts (40) that form retainers for the dripper pipe (14). In this way, each dripper in the line will pour into the tube (4) in agricultural farms or large plantations (see fig. 8). Said die-cuts (40) can have progressive sections by sections (40a, 40b) to adapt to tubes of different sections.

[0034] Furthermore, the tube-shaped applicator (4) may comprise irrigation outlet holes, which may be linear (10) and / or punctual (11) (square, circular, etc.), or may not even have these die-cuts. In the case of linear holes (produced by using discs for example), they guarantee progressive drainage along the length or height of the tubes, this version being more recommendable for crops that are intensive in the use of water, such as lettuce. Furthermore, the tube-shaped applicator (4) may comprise an optional cover (44) to prevent evaporation, which also helps to improve the support of the drip tubes.

[0035] The tube-shaped applicator can be rigid and straight for vertical installation close to the roots, or curved to reach the root from a more distant point, depending on the type of crop required. These curved tubes can be flexible with a smooth profile, or corrugated, similar to those used in electrical installations. In the case of rigid tubes, elbow-shaped fittings (45) or curves of various degrees must be used for correct positioning. These are similar to those existing in the plumbing world for PVC pipe conduits. To prevent aeration of the roots and water evaporation, external covers and / or siphon-shaped fittings, not shown, can be used, which would remain buried.

[0036] For its part, an applicator in the form of a band (3) or sheet (2) may comprise irrigation pipes (8) (drip irrigation tapes or tubes) directly distributed and coupled along its surface (see fig. 6), ready to be unrolled and installed with the incorporated irrigation system. They extend over the ground and can be covered with prepared soil or substrate (15), or left directly on the surface, depending on the type of sowing or treatment required. Likewise, the applicator in the form of a band (3) may comprise an alveolar or multi-walled sheet with a grooved section (see alveoli (33) and channels (34) in fig. 10), such that its design allows it to be rolled up like a scroll. Depending on the length and width in which the sheet is cut, when rolled up an applicator of greater diameter and height will be obtained, tailored to the consumer.

[0037] Having sufficiently described the nature of the invention, as well as the manner of its implementation in practice, it should be noted that the provisions indicated above and represented in the attached drawings are susceptible to modifications in detail as long as they do not alter the fundamental principle.

Claims

MODIFIED CLAIMS received by the International Bureau on 4 November 2024 (04.11.2024) 1.- Agricultural applicator (1), which is coupled to the dripper of a drip tube, characterized in that it comprises a body in the form of a sheet (2), band (3) or tube (4) and materialized in biopolymers, with holes (10, 11) for the element to be applied to exit.

2. -Agricultural applicator (1) according to claim 1, comprising additional organic or mineral fillers selected from: -hygroscopic mineral or vegetable fillers, -fertilizer loads. -seed loads.

3. -Agricultural applicator (1) according to any of the preceding claims, comprising vegetable fillers or reinforcing fibers.

4. -Agricultural applicator (1) according to any of the preceding claims, comprising several layers of biopolymers of different degradability.

5. -Agricultural applicator (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the applicator is tube-shaped (4) and has a minimum length of 15 centimeters.

6. -Agricultural applicator (1) according to claim 5, where the tube-shaped applicator (4) comprises upper die-cuts (40) that form retainers for dripper pipes.

7. -Agricultural applicator (1) according to claim 6, where the die-cuts (40) have progressive sections in sections (40a, 40b).

8. -Agricultural applicator (1) according to any of claims 5 to 7, wherein the tube-shaped applicator (4) comprises irrigation outlet holes, linear (10) or punctual (11).

9. -Agricultural applicator (1) according to any of claims 5 to 8, wherein the tube-shaped applicator (4) comprises a cap (44).

10. -Agricultural applicator (1) according to any of claims 5 to 9, wherein the tube-shaped applicator (4) is rigid or flexible.

11. -Agricultural applicator (1) according to any of claims 5 to 10, wherein the tube-shaped applicator (4) is straight or curved.

12. -Agricultural applicator (1) according to any of claims 5 to 11, wherein the tube-shaped applicator (4) comprises siphon-shaped accessories.

13. -Agricultural applicator (1) according to any of claims 5 to 12, wherein the applicator in the form of a rigid tube (4) comprises accessories in the form of an elbow (45) or curve.

14. -Agricultural applicator (1) according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the applicator is in the form of a band (3) or sheet (2) and comprises irrigation pipes (8) directly distributed and coupled along its surface.

15. -Agricultural applicator (1) according to claim 14, wherein the band-shaped applicator (3) comprises an alveolar or multi-walled sheet shape with a grooved section. DECLARATION ACCORDING TO ARTICLE 19 (1) Pursuant to Art. 19 and Rule 46 of the PCT Treaty, applicant PCT / ES2024 / 070289 proposes the following modified Reiv. 1:

1. - Agricultural applicator (1), which is coupled to the dripper of a drip tube, characterized in that it comprises a body in the form of a sheet (2), band (3) or tube (4) and materialized in biopolymers, with holes (10, 11) for the element to be applied to exit. The added and underlined part in the preamble is supported by the description, for example, in: page 3 lines 34-36 “...embodiments of the tubular applicator... for housing the drip tube...”; page 5 lines 23-27 “...for the dripper pipe (14). In this way, each dripper in the line will pour into the tube / applicator (4) in agricultural holdings or large plantations.. page 5 line 36 “...which also helps to improve the fastening of the drip tubes”; Fig. 8, which unequivocally shows that a plurality of applicators are coupled to a dripper pipe. Document D01 - KR101998681 B discloses a type of tubular element that is installed around trees to facilitate the breathing and feeding of their roots, but it consists of an element independent of any irrigation system, that is, it is an isolated element that is intended for another purpose, and it is not suggested that it is not connected to any type of irrigation installation or an irrigation pipe, and in no case to a drip irrigation pipe. Document D02 - KR20210041256 consists of a tubular fitting similar to the previous one for tree root respiration and nutrient dosing; however, it is not connected to an irrigation system, and it is not suggested that it can be connected to an irrigation pipe. Internet disclosure D03 consists of a fixing element whose purpose is exclusively to mechanically fix irrigation pipes to the ground so that they do not move from the position in which they are placed, but it has no relation to a hydraulic element that forms part of an irrigation system. It is considered that an expert in the field, based on what is disclosed in D01, and / or its possible combination with D02-D03, would not be directed to develop an applicator. coupled neither to a dripper nor to a drip irrigation pipe, at least not in an obvious way, since none of those antecedents D01-D03 teach, disclose or suggest that an applicator can be coupled to a dripper of a drip irrigation pipe, nor do they suggest how it could be done. Therefore, it is considered that the new Reiv.1 meets the requirement of novelty and inventive step, and is intended to solve a technical problem that is not even raised in D01-D03. It is confirmed that there are no modifications to the remaining claims.