Subbark injection device for substances

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device for subbark injection of a substance into a plant, the device comprising an injector head and a striking mechanism (10), the injector head comprising (i) a needle holder (4) and (iii) a guide (3), the needle holder (4) being substantially straight defining a longitudinal axis of the device and holding therein (ii) a needle (5), the central part of the needle (5) being provided with a channel along said longitudinal axis (A) which opens into at least one hole on the side of the needle (5) closer to the tip instead of the tip which penetrates the plant, the guide (3) having a cavity through which the needle holder (4) and the needle (5) are movable along the longitudinal axis (A) of the device (1), the cavity also having an opening which allows the passage of the needle (5) so that the needle (5) is inserted into the bark of the plant, and the striking mechanism (10) being capable of striking the needle holder (4) with a force of less than 10 Joules to facilitate insertion of the needle (5) beneath the bark of the plant.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] [Claim of priority] This patent application claims priority to French patent application FR2114202, filed December 22, 2022, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present invention relates to the field of injection, and more particularly to a device for the subbark injection of substances into plants. [Background technology]

[0003] The administration of substances such as insecticides, antibiotics, fungicides, nutrient solutions or growth regulators to plants is well known in the art of plant therapy, particularly to address insect, bacterial or fungal infections, nutrient deficiencies or growth problems.

[0004] Such administration can be accomplished by injecting the substance directly into the plant, i.e., under the bark (i.e., under the bark), as close as possible to the plant's internal tissues, also called xylem, which contains the vascular system that transports fiber and sap. This vascular system thus ensures the transport of the substance to the target organs, from the stem to the leaves and fruits.

[0005] Such injection applications are known in particular from international application WO / 2020 / 208189, which discloses a device for injecting a substance under the bark of a plant, comprising a body, a needle, a tank, an actuator enabling the insertion of the needle and / or the injection of the substance, a force sensor measuring the applied force of the device on the plant, the insertion force of the needle into the bark and / or the pressurizing force of the amount of substance present in the tank, and a microcontroller for operating and modulating the actuator depending on the force measured by the sensor.

[0006] It has now become apparent that with the device described in international application WO / 2020 / 208189A1 it is difficult to inject substances into trees, especially those with hard wood, and operating said device can also prove difficult for the user due to the weight of the device and the effort required to enable insertion. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The inventors have demonstrated that the use of a striker (as long as it provides at least slightly more than 1.0 Joule of energy) allows needles to be easily inserted into any type of tree while eliminating the need to apply significant force when inserting the needle using an actuator, preventing damage to the bark or cambium of the tree. Such energy requirements are relatively low and unexpected, given that commercial strikers provide approximately 10 Joules of energy for electromechanical strikers and up to 30 Joules of energy for electropneumatic strikers.

[0008] The inventors have also developed a novel device in which the injector head is integral with the body of the device, with a gap of the order of 1 cm between the injector head and the body of the device along the longitudinal axis, which corresponds to the axis of insertion of the needle into the bark, and which is therefore particularly compact and easy for the user to operate in use, and which proves to be very effective and reliable.

[0009] Therefore, the present invention relates to a more compact, more robust and easier to use injection device capable of injecting substances into the toughest bark of plants.

[0010] To this end, the present invention relates to an injection device, preferably a device for the subbark injection of substances into plants, said device comprising: The main body, an injector head including a needle holder having a generally straight needle held therein defining a longitudinal axis of the device, the central portion of the needle being pierced with a channel opening through at least one hole in a side wall (i.e., rear portion) of the needle instead of a tip that penetrates the plant; and a guide having a cavity through which the needle holder and needle are movable along the longitudinal axis of the device, the cavity having an opening to permit passage of the needle and insertion of the needle into the bark of the plant; a reservoir containing the substance to be injected and connected to the needle channel via the needle holder; a first actuator operable on the tank to pressurize a substance stored in the tank and allow said substance to be injected by said needle (5) through the channel and into the plant; a tool for supporting the device on a plant, positionable on a longitudinal axis of the device and positioned adjacent to the needles, preferably having an orifice allowing passage of the needles; and a second actuator operable on the support tool to allow withdrawal of the needle after insertion into the plant.

[0011] The injection device according to the present invention comprises: 1) The support also acts as a protective sleeve for the tip of the needle; 2) the second actuator is also capable of retracting the support when the needle is inserted into the plant; 3) The injection device (1) is also characterized in that it further comprises a striking mechanism capable of striking the needle holder with a force of less than 10 Joules to allow insertion of the needle into the plant.

[0012] Such minute impact forces are sufficient to insert needles by impacting the hardest plant xylem, while at the same time maintaining the integrity of the plant.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment, the needle holder and needle are integral with the body of the device, with a gap between them along the longitudinal axis of the device of 2 to 15 mm, preferably 3 to 10 mm, more preferably 4 to 8 mm, typically around 5 mm.

[0014] The inventors have established that, in practice, reciprocating the needle holder and needle along their longitudinal axis by a few millimeters in conjunction with a low impact force is sufficient to ensure good insertion of the needle into the bark of the plant upon impact of the needle, and ensures that the device is very compact, lightweight and user-friendly.

[0015] The connection of the needle / needle holder assembly to the body of the device is ensured by a guide, which in this case also constitutes a stop that limits the movement of the injection head relative to the body according to a predefined gap distance.

[0016] The present invention also relates to a method of treating a plant by subbark injection of a substance, the method comprising: applying the device to the bark of a plant; allowing insertion of the needle into the xylem of the plant and then activating the latter to allow subbark injection of the needle material; and withdrawing the needle from the xylem of the plant by activating a second actuator of the device.

[0017] Finally, the invention relates to the use of the device described above intended to allow the injection of substances below the bark of plants. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] 1 is a side cross-sectional view of an injection device according to the present invention; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the injector head in FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of a needle holder. [Figure 4] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of a needle holder. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional side view of the injector head prior to activation of the device. [Figure 6] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional side view of the injector head at the start of the insertion step. [Figure 7] FIG. 13 is a side cross-sectional view of the injector head during an insertion step. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional side view of the injector head at the end of the insertion step. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0019] The substances to be injected may be of several types and may belong to the families of biocides (e.g. insecticides, antibiotics, antifungals and / or antiparasitics), nutrients or growth regulators or plant defense stimulants. Here, for the purposes of the device according to the invention, the substances to be injected are phytosanitary substances.

[0020] The striking mechanism preferably has a force of more than 1.0 Joule, preferably a force of 1.2 to 8 Joules, and particularly preferably a force of 1.2 to 4 Joules.

[0021] Such a striking mechanism may be an electro-mechanical or electro-pneumatic system.

[0022] Additionally, the striking mechanism may be a direct percussion system or an indirect percussion system.

[0023] By way of example, the striking mechanism may be a rotating striker system. However, in such a system the needle and the needle holder do not rotate along the longitudinal axis. In fact, as established by European patent EP 3332630 B1, the orientation of the needle tip relative to the direction of the plant fibres is important for the injection efficiency, in particular for limiting damage to the plant during needle insertion.

[0024] Typically, the striking mechanism is subject to an activation means, such as a user operable trigger, that allows insertion to begin and may also provide a dead man type safety, shutting down the device unless permanently activated.

[0025] It is advantageous for the support to be associated in the longitudinal axis of the device with guide means which ensure the maintenance and centering of the support along the longitudinal axis of the device.

[0026] Preferably, the support comprises a support tip that can come into contact with the bark of the plant, which has a flat shape if the bark is smooth (e.g., sycamore) and a three-dimensional shape, in particular a cone shape, if the bark is cracked (e.g., pine). Such a support tip may be made of any suitable material, in particular a plastic, in particular a polyamide such as nylon. In fact, nylon is such a resistant material that, when in contact with the bark of the plant, it does not wear or is only slightly worn by friction with the bark of the plant.

[0027] In a preferred embodiment, the injection device further includes a first force sensor capable of measuring the force acting from the support to the bark of the plant, and at least one microcontroller that enables the following 1) to 2).

[0028] 1) activating the second actuator to retract the support and allow the needle to be inserted into the bark of the plant when a minimum force corresponding to an activation value is detected, advantageously this activation value being at least 2 daN. Preferably, activation of the second actuator allows the support to be retracted at a speed of at least 10 mm / s, typically of the order of 20 mm / s.

[0029] 2) activating the striking mechanism when the bearing force falls below a threshold value called the strike value. Such a reduction in bearing force is due to the activation of an unrelated second actuator simultaneously with the insertion of the needle into the tree. In effect, this displacement creates a distance between the support and the surface of the bark, which increases the risk of the needle bending (twisting). Advantageously, this impact value is less than 250N, preferably 150N. Advantageously, the microcontroller reduces the retraction speed of the support by reducing the speed of the second actuator. Typically, the retraction speed of the support is reduced by at least a factor of two, preferably by a factor of four.

[0030] The striking mechanism itself preferably has a force of 1.2 to 4 Joules, more preferably 1.2 to 2 Joules.

[0031] Advantageously, the microcontroller comprises: 3) Allowing the second actuator to be stopped when the supporting force falls below a limit value. Such stopping helps to limit the risk of damage to the needle. Preferably, this limit value is less than 50 N. Advantageously, the microcontroller increases the force of the striking mechanism. Typically, it increases the force of the striking mechanism by more than 50%, preferably by more than 100%.

[0032] The striking mechanism preferably has a force of 2 to 8 joules, and particularly preferably 2 to 4 joules.

[0033] Also advantageously, the microcontroller 4) Allow the striking mechanism to stop if the pressure drops below the threshold for more than 5 seconds, preferably more than 2 seconds.

[0034] The combination of this first force sensor and the microcontroller constitutes the elements necessary for optimal insertion of the needle into the xylem of the plant and thus for the operation of the device.

[0035] In a preferred embodiment, the injection device further comprises a first position sensor capable of measuring the insertion depth of the needle into the bark of the plant and associated with the second actuator.

[0036] Advantageously, the microcontroller determines, with respect to the information transmitted by this first position sensor: 1) when the needle reaches a target depth in the plant to be inserted, authorises the deactivation of the second actuator and the striking mechanism, advantageously the microcontroller then authorises the activation of the first actuator operable to act on the tank to pressurise the substance stored in the tank, and to inject the substance into the plant by the needle.

[0037] By way of example, such a target depth may be 45 mm for large trees such as chestnuts, chestnut trees or pines, 38 mm for fruit trees such as apple trees, or 25 mm for thin, hard trees such as cherry trees.

[0038] Advantageously, the microcontroller allows the following 2) to 3) after the striking mechanism has been stopped because the application force has been below the limit value for more than 5 seconds, preferably for more than 2 seconds.

[0039] 2) when the needle reaches a threshold depth of insertion into the plant, activating a first actuator operable to act on the tank to pressurize the substance stored in the tank, thereby commencing injection of the substance into the plant by the needle;

[0040] 3) Informing the user that the insertion procedure has failed if the needle does not reach the critical depth of the plant to be inserted. Such information can be provided by a light and / or sound indicator.

[0041] In fact, below a critical depth, there is a risk that the injection of the substance will damage the base of the cambium, since the pressure of the injection of the substance will cause the bark to peel off. For example, such a depth limit is 33 mm for large trees such as chestnuts, chestnut trees or pines, 29 mm for fruit trees such as apple trees, or 18 mm for thin, hard trees such as cherry trees.

[0042] The microcontroller then activates a second actuator to withdraw the needle from the bark of the tree, thereby allowing the start of a new insertion / injection procedure at another location in the bark.

[0043] As for the needle itself, the diameter is 1-3 mm, preferably 1.5-2 mm. In practice, the small diameter facilitates healing of the plant injury caused by the needle penetrating the plant bark during injection.

[0044] The length of the needle is 2 to 20 cm, preferably 2 to 10 cm, and more preferably 3 to 7 cm. The shape of the needle may be cylindrical.

[0045] At least one hole present in the side wall of the needle instead of the tip which penetrates the plant may be located less than 1 cm, less than 5 mm, in particular less than 4 mm, less than 3 mm away from said tip.

[0046] Here, the needle may include several tip holes forming multiple exits from the channels and allowing dispersion of the substance throughout the plant.

[0047] The needles are ideally held in place, particularly by the support described below, so that they offer good resistance when impacted and inserted into the bark of the plant.

[0048] To facilitate the placement and exchange of needles in the needle holder, the needle holder comprises a frame. Indistinctly, this frame may be an integral part of the needle holder (i.e. it forms one part with the needle holder) or it may be a separate part fixed to the needle holder. In the latter case, the needle frame and the needle holder are associated in a watertight manner (with the addition of seals, if necessary) and by a reversible fixation (for example by screws, bearings or any form of quick release).

[0049] If the frame forms an integral part of the needle holder, the needle is reversibly associated with the needle holder (e.g., by set screws, circlips, screwing, etc.) If the frame is separable from the needle holder, the needle may be reversibly or irreversibly associated with the frame (e.g., by bonding, welding, soldering, etc.).

[0050] The needle and frame may be combined over a length of 5 mm to 35 mm, particularly 15 mm to 25 mm, more particularly 20 mm.

[0051] Associated with the guide acting as a stop is a return means, generally in the form of a spring, which allows the needle holder to return towards the striking mechanism to receive a new impact after it has been struck by the striking mechanism and advanced along the longitudinal axis of the device. Here, the inventors have shown that such a return means is not necessary and that the force acting on the plant when the needle is inserted is sufficient to quickly return the needle holder to the striking mechanism.

[0052] Advantageously, this guide acting as a stop can be removed.

[0053] Preferably, the guide is pivotally mounted relative to the body about a transverse axis that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the device, thus allowing the user to more easily and quickly change needles and / or needle holders.

[0054] Preferably, the pivoting of the guide also allows access to a reservoir of the substance to be injected, so that this reservoir can be refilled or, if the reservoir is advantageously movably mounted, replaced.

[0055] As for the reservoir, it is connected to the needle and its channel via a conduit, advantageously in the form of a hose, which is connected to the needle holder.

[0056] The reservoir preferably takes the form of a movable container, in particular a syringe.

[0057] As regards the first actuator, which is capable of acting on the tank to pressurise the substance stored in the tank and to enable said substance to be injected by the needle through the channel into the plant, it ideally takes the form of a jack.

[0058] In a preferred embodiment, the injection device further includes a second force sensor capable of measuring the applied pressure of the substance stored in the tank, and at least one microcontroller that enables the following 1) to 2).

[0059] 1) Adjusting the compression of the substance amount in the tank by the first actuator and thus the injection of this substance into the plant depending on the force measured by the second force sensor.

[0060] 2) If the applied pressure is too high, the injection is interrupted by stopping the first actuator. Such an excessive applied pressure corresponds to a force of more than 100 daN, preferably more than 200 daN. Such an excessive applied pressure can result, for example, from too hard areas of the plant or from blocking of the needle holes. There is then a risk of damage to the trunk of the tree and possibly to the tank or the device, due to separation of the base of the cambium causing large areas of irreparable and, in particular, unacceptable damage for the treatment.

[0061] 3) The injection is interrupted by stopping the first actuator because the applied pressure is too low, which corresponds to a force of less than 5 daN. Such a low applied pressure can result, for example, in internal damage to the plant, and there is a risk of an ineffective injection and, inter alia, an unnecessary dispersion of hygienic plant products to the external environment.

[0062] If these last two injection procedures are interrupted, the microcontroller can inform the user of the interruption. Such information can be provided by a light and / or sound indicator. The microcontroller can then activate a second actuator to withdraw the needle from the xylem of the tree in order to start a new insertion / injection procedure at another location in the bark.

[0063] The device according to the invention may also include a second position sensor, associated with the first actuator, making it possible to inform the user, and potentially the device, of the amount of substance introduced into the plant. Based on the information provided by this second position sensor, the microcontroller can interrupt the injection phase after the desired amount of substance has been injected into the plant, or record the amount of substance actually introduced if the injection is interrupted for any of the above reasons.

[0064] This makes it possible, for example, to adjust the amount of substance injected depending on the plant to be treated specified by the user.

[0065] The device is powered by a power source which may take the form of a sector or a battery connection.

[0066] The device may optionally include a memory for storing operating parameters of the device and the parameters to be used depending on the plant to be injected.

[0067] Ideally, the device according to the present invention includes an operating indicator, such as an indicator light (LED).

[0068] Advantageously, devices according to the invention include gripping means, such as a handle, to facilitate holding the device by a user.

[0069] The device according to the present invention may further include carrying means, such as a strap, to reduce the weight of the device for the user.

[0070] The device advantageously includes a visual interface such as a control screen, possibly a touch screen, via which the user can select the control parameters (strike force, rotation speed, force measurements, actuator motor strength, etc.) and which informs the user of the remaining battery power, the amount of material in the tank, etc. The visual interface also warns the user of any abnormal operation of the device (e.g. excessive force detected, leaking hose, etc.).

[0071] The device also includes means for protecting the housing, such as a protective pad to protect the device if dropped.

[0072] The device includes a normal USB type connector or the like for data transfer, which may be performed via a wireless connection such as Wi-Fi or Bluetooth.

[0073] With respect to the method of treating plants by injection using the above-described device, the inserting step is preferably carried out with a force of the striking mechanism greater than 1.0 Joule, typically between 1.2 and 8 Joule, more preferably between 1.2 and 4 Joule.

[0074] Finally, to permit subbark injection of substances using the above described device, the force of the striking mechanism is preferably greater than 1.0 Joule, typically between 1.2 and 8 Joule, more preferably between 1.2 and 4 Joule.

[0075] The invention will be better understood on reading the following description, given by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0076] In Fig. 1, the injection device 1 is held horizontally and aimed at the target. The front part of the injection device 1 corresponds to the injector head, and the rear part of the device allows the user to hold the device and in particular to apply support to the bark of the plant before injection.

[0077] 1, the injection device 1 comprises a body 2, also called chassis or frame, corresponding to machined parts that act as a support for the various components of said device, said body may be perforated in various places so as to be as light as possible.

[0078] To lock or fasten the needle holder 4 / needle 5 assembly, the front end of the injection device 1 is fitted with a locking / unlocking system 13, such as a hooked latch, in a receptacle which corresponds to the stopper 3 of the injector head.

[0079] The stopper 3 is in the form of a protruding cylinder in which a cavity in the form of the opposite of the needle holder 4 is machined and in the centre of said cylinder a hole is machined which communicates with said cavity and constitutes an opening through which the needle 5 can pass.

[0080] The needle 5 defines a longitudinal axis A of the injection device 1 .

[0081] In the opposite configuration, when the stopper 3 is fixed or fastened to the body 2 of the injection device 1, a possible construction of the needle holder 4 is shown in figure 3. In this needle holder, the needle frame is an integral part of the needle holder and is in the form of a hollow cylinder, for example 20 mm long and 5 mm in diameter, in which a hole constituting the housing of the needle 5 is machined. When the needle 5 is placed in the frame, the channel of the needle 5 opens into another channel machined in the needle holder 4 and connected to the tank 8 of the device 1 via a hose 12. This other channel further comprises means of fixing the needle 5, which take the form of a screw abutting the needle 5 and which is drilled in its central part so as to allow the substance in the hose 12 to pass towards the channel of the needle 5.

[0082] Another possible construction of the needle holder 4 is shown in Fig. 4. In this other needle holder 4, the needle 5 is always mounted in a correspondingly hollow cylinder machined with a hole in which the needle 5 is fixed (for example by gluing). Here, this frame is received in the body of the needle holder 4 in a complementary shape with a watertight O-ring joint to allow the assembly of the needle holder 4. The locking of the frame on the needle holder 5 is secured by a grub screw. Once the needle 5 / needle holder mounting assembly is in place, the channel of the needle 5 opens into another channel machined in the needle holder 4 and connected to the tank 8 of the device 1 via a hose 12.

[0083] Also, the guide 3 of the injector head is rotatably mounted to the body 2 of the injector device 1 about a horizontal axis B perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A. Thus, when the user unlocks the locking system 13 of the guide 3, the guide 3 tilts about the horizontal axis B due to gravity. It no longer detects contact between the guide 3 and the body 2, and fixes the injection device 1.

[0084] The user can then fill the substance into a tank 8 along the longitudinal axis (A) located at the top of the device 1, or convert it more easily if this tank 8 is removable.

[0085] Once the guide 3 is again locked in place in the device 1 and the fastening system is locked, the hose 12 and the tank 8 are connected through the top of the guide 3 by a connection machined in the guide 3, which allows a watertight connection between the outlet of the tank 8 and the inlet of the hose 12.

[0086] As shown in Figures 5 to 8, the user first applies the support 6, more specifically the support jack 15 arranged on the longitudinal axis A, to the bark of the plant. This support jack 15 has a shape adapted to the type of bark, in particular a flat shape when the bark is smooth. This support jack 15 may also be machined with holes for the passage of the needle 5. The support 6 is associated with a force sensor 16 that measures the bearing force of the support 6 against the bark of the plant.

[0087] When a minimum force corresponding to the activation value is detected by the first force sensor 16, the microcontroller activates the second actuator 7 to retract the support 6 (at a speed of 20 mm / s) and allow insertion of the needle 5 into the bark of the plant.

[0088] Then, the needle 5 gradually penetrates into the bark of the plant. If the needle 5 penetrates into the plant more slowly than the second actuator 7 retracts the support tool 6, the acting force detected by the first force sensor 16 becomes smaller.

[0089] When the detected force falls below a threshold value, commonly referred to as the impact value of 150 N, the microcontroller activates a striking mechanism 10 (details of said mechanism are not shown in FIG. 1 ) which impacts the needle holder 4 along the longitudinal axis A of the device 1, causing it to reciprocate in the guide 3, which allows the needle 5 to be inserted into the bark of the plant.

[0090] During this reciprocating motion, a force drives the needle holder 4 back towards the striking mechanism 10. The striking of the striking mechanism 10 is achieved by mechanical or pneumatic transmission. The striker is propelled by a piston whose reciprocating motion is kinematically controlled or by compressed air.

[0091] Thus, in this striking mechanism 10, the striker strikes a chisel which moves freely within a housing, which in turn strikes the needle holder 4 along the longitudinal axis A. This mechanism is an indirect impact system.

[0092] Also, the chisel contacts the needle holder 4 without being free to move within the housing, and the impact energy generated by the striker contacting the chisel is optimally transferred to the needle holder 4. It is a more efficient indirect impingement system.

[0093] When the striking mechanism 10 is a direct impact system, the striker strikes the needle holder 4 directly in the direction of the longitudinal axis A. The striking energy generated by the striker contacting the needle holder 4 is more powerful.

[0094] Therefore, direct impact systems are more efficient than indirect impact systems.

[0095] In these impact systems, the impact energy generated by the chisel or striker contacting the needle holder 4 is transferred by the impact of the needle 5 into the bark of the plant upon insertion of the needle 5 .

[0096] When performing various tests, a force of the striking mechanism 10 of 1.2 to 2 Joules is typically used. At the same time, the microcontroller reduces the speed of the second actuator 7 (typically 5 mm / s), thereby reducing the retraction speed of the support 6 and limiting the risk of bending the needle 5.

[0097] If the applied force again becomes greater than the impact value, the microcontroller stops the striking mechanism 10 and restores the retraction speed of the support 6 to the initial speed via the second actuator 7. In certain circumstances, even after falling below the impact value, the applied force continues to decrease despite the activation of the striking mechanism 10. From then on, a limit value (usually 50 N) is defined, below which the microcontroller stops the second actuator 7 and increases the force of the striking mechanism 10 (usually 2-4 Joules).

[0098] This procedure allows for improved needle 5 insertion and stops the procedure when the effort exceeds this limit.

[0099] The microcontroller can begin injecting the substance once the needle 5 has been inserted to a target depth into the xylem of the plant, the target depth being identified by the first position sensor.

[0100] For this, the actuator 9 acts on the tank 8 under the control of a force sensor 17 which measures the pressure of the substance to be injected into the xylem of the plant. From the tank 8, the substance is then conveyed in a hose 12 via the needle holder 4 to the needle 5 before being injected into the plant.

[0101] Once the required amount of substance has been injected, as determined by a second position sensor associated with the first actuator 9, the actuator 7 acts on the support 6 to advance it in the direction of the longitudinal axis A against the bark of the plant until the needle 5 fully exits the bark of the plant.

[0102] For this purpose, the support 6 comprises at its lower part a housing which accommodates the rod of the actuator 7 along the longitudinal axis A. Preferably, the housing at the lower part of the support 6 is magnetized such that the rod of the actuator 7 is non-permanently magnetically connected to the support 6. Such an arrangement allows the engagement between the rod of the actuator 7 and the support 6 to be easily released without the use of tools.

[0103] During this extraction step, the guide means 14 accompany the support 6 along the longitudinal axis A of the device 1, for example by sliding. Thus, two slides, each arranged parallel to the longitudinal axis A on either side of the lower part of the injection head, slide on rails fixed in the body 2 of the injection device 1 by means of pebbles or balls.

[0104] During this same withdrawal step, protective means such as protective bellows aimed at protecting the rod of the actuator 7 can be envisaged.

[0105] Once extraction is complete, the support jack 15 can be removed from the support 6 to allow the user to replace the support jack 15 without removing the support 6 on the slide.

Claims

1. An injection device (1), preferably a device for subbark injection of substances into plants, comprising: A main body (2), an injector head including a needle holder (4) in which a substantially straight needle (5) is held, defining a longitudinal axis (A) of the device, the needle (5) having a channel drilled in its central portion, which opens through at least one hole in the side wall of the needle (5) instead of a tip that penetrates the plant; and a guide (3) having a cavity in which the needle holder (4) and the needle (5) can move along the longitudinal axis (A) of the device (1), the cavity having an opening that allows the needle (5) to pass through and be inserted into the bark of the plant; a first actuator (9) operable to act on the reservoir (8) to pressurize the substance stored in said reservoir (8) and allow said substance to be injected by said needle (5) through the channel into the plant; a support (6) for supporting the device (1) on a plant, the support (6) being positionable on the longitudinal axis of the device and located adjacent to the needles (5), preferably having an orifice allowing the needles (5) to pass through; a second actuator (7) operable to act on the support (6) to allow withdrawal of the needle (5) after insertion into the plant, The support (6) also serves as a protective sleeve for the tip of the needle (5); The second actuator (7) is also capable of retracting the support (6) when the needle (5) is inserted into the plant; The injection device (1) further comprises a striking mechanism (10) capable of striking the needle holder (4) with a force of less than 10 joules, preferably greater than 1.0 joules, to allow insertion of the needle (5) into a plant.

2. 2. The injection device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the striking mechanism (10) is an electromechanical or electropneumatic system.

3. 3. An injection device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the needle holder (4) and the needle (5) are integral with the body (2) of the device and have a gap between them of 2 to 15 mm along the longitudinal axis (A) of the device (1).

4. 3. An injection device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the support (6) comprises a support jack (15) capable of contacting the bark of the plant.

5. a first force sensor (16) capable of measuring an acting force applied to the bark of the plant from the support (6); i) when a minimum force corresponding to an activation value is detected, the second actuator (7) is activated to retract the support (6) and allow the needle (5) to be inserted into the bark of the plant; ii) allowing activation of the striking mechanism (10) when the applied force falls below a threshold value called the striking value; 3. An injection device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: iii) at least one microcontroller enabling the stopping of the second actuator (7) when the exertion force falls below a limit value.

6. 3. The injection device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a first position sensor (12) capable of measuring the insertion depth of the needle (5) into the bark of the plant and associated with the second actuator (7), and at least one microcontroller (13) configured to deactivate the second actuator (7) and the striking mechanism (10) when the needle (5) reaches a target depth in the plant to be inserted, and to activate the first actuator (9) preferably capable of acting on the tank (8) to pressurize the substance stored in the tank (8), and to allow the needle (5) to inject the substance into the plant.

7. Injection device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the striking mechanism (10) has a force of 1.2 to 8 Joules, preferably 1.2 to 4 Joules.

8. 3. An injection device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the guide (3) is mounted to the body (2) so as to be rotatable about a transverse axis (B) perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (A) of the device.

9. 3. An injection device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the needle holder comprises a frame, which is an integral part of the needle holder (4) or a separate part fixed to the needle holder (4).

10. applying a device (1) according to claim 1 or 2 to the bark of a plant; activating the device (1) to allow insertion of the needle (5) under the bark of the plant and subsequent subbark injection of the substance; and withdrawing the needle (5) from the plant by activating the second actuator (7) of the device (1).

11. Use of the device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, which allows the injection of substances under the bark of plants.

Images