Onboard and deployable hopper for storing and feeding particles to mobile projection equipment.

Abstract

A device for automatically feeding mulch application equipment, minimizing the need for external equipment and reducing the physical strain on operators. The invention relates to a hopper [1] mounted on the application equipment. The hopper consists of a sliding metal structure [2] covered with a tear-resistant reinforced tarpaulin [3] or nested metal shells that unfold to take its final shape by sliding and widening towards the rear of the trailer to create a hopper capable of receiving a large volume of fibers or particles delivered by trucks with tipping platforms that unload directly into the hopper. The hopper will be equipped with a foldable mechanical conveyor [4] that follows the contours of the hopper's base to lift the fibers to the blowing system.The system will eliminate the physical strain on the workforce, the use of lifting equipment, and damage to the storage site, while significantly increasing efficiency. See figure [fig.3] for the abstract.

Description

Title of the invention: On-board and deployable hopper for storing and feeding particles to a mobile projection device.

[0001] The present invention relates to a device intended to limit the particularly physical and slow human intervention in the feeding of fibers or particles to the mechanized projection equipment for soil mulching for landscaping and agriculture and horticulture.

[0002] In a previous invention filed under No. 99947557.7 and another No. 130 2590, the mechanized projection system is manually fed with fibers or particles using a shovel (which limits the volume applied by the machine) or using external mechanical equipment such as a telescopic bucket that feeds a hopper at a height by gravity with fibers or particles that, in both cases, are previously deposited loose on the ground by transport trucks. This operating method requires a designated area for unloading and storing the loose fibers or particles. For each intervention, even on a small surface, the logistics and rental of a telescopic handler, in addition to the damage caused to the various sites that will need to be cleaned and restored, make the process cumbersome and financially costly.

[0003] The device according to the invention overcomes these drawbacks. The innovation lies in the fact that the mobile and self-contained fiber or particle projection equipment is fitted with an on-board hopper, deployable on-site while remaining attached to the trailer. This allows for direct dumping of the fiber or particle supply truck's tipper bed into the on-board hopper for regular refilling. The hopper's buffer volume allows supply trucks to rotate without interruption. This hopper device will be folded and stored in the projection machine at the end of the application for road transport.

[0004] A metal structure, covered with tear-resistant reinforced fabric or nested metal shells, housed at the rear of the trailer, will unfold on two rails by sliding horizontally from each side of the conveyor towards the rear of the trailer. The structure will unfold to create a width greater than its own trailer and capable of coinciding with the width of the larger truck beds. The structure unfolds with support on the ground to create a hopper capable of receiving the direct unloading of fibers or particles by tipper trucks. The deployed hopper, equipped with a 2- or 3-plane conveyor as applicable, will raise the fibers or particles towards the carding machines inside the machine and then to the projection system. of the prior invention. There is therefore a great saving in resources deployed, reduced physical strain on employees and increased productivity by applying this innovation.

[0005] The attached drawings illustrate the invention.

[0006] Fig. 1 represents the hopper during transport

[0007] Figure 2 shows the hopper during deployment.

[0008] Figure 3 represents the operating position receiving the fibers or particles

[0009] With reference to these drawings, the device comprises a metal structure covered with a reinforced canvas which slides horizontally and unfolds to form a hopper capable of holding a buffer volume and quantity of fibers to avoid supply disruption and without manual assistance.

[0010] In summary, the invention relates to a device for feeding a soil mulching machine by projecting fibers or particles, without manual assistance or lifting equipment. It is characterized by a loading hopper mounted on the projection unit, which unfolds to receive the fibers or particles that are directly discharged by tipper trucks thanks to the adjustable width of the hopper structure. The hopper's folding structure, made of reinforced fabric or several nested metal shells, fits inside one another in increasing sizes for transport. A retractable or fixed mechanical conveyor, deployed and housed in the bottom of the hopper, carries the fibers or particles up to the projection system using one or more ascending planes.

Claims

Demands

1. Device characterized for supplying a soil mulching machine by projection, of fibers or particles, without manual assistance or lifting equipment, characterized in that it comprises a loading hopper integrated on a mechanical projection device and which deploys to receive the fibers or particles directly dumped by tipper trucks into the hopper thanks to the adjustable width of the hopper structure.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the deployable and foldable structure forms a hopper in reinforced canvas or in several metal or plastic shells formed in a nesting fashion which fit one inside the other by their increasing sizes for the purpose of transport.

3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by an automatic retractable or non-retractable conveyor for transport, deployed and housed in the bottom of the hopper, with rising planes to bring the fibers or particles to the mechanical projection equipment.

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