weeding device

Abstract

To provide a weed control device that can effectively kill weeds in a mobile and wide-ranging manner. [Solution] One aspect of the present invention is a weeding device comprising: a gas cylinder mounted on a trolley; a water heater mounted on the trolley that heats water using the gas from the gas cylinder as fuel; a flexible heat-resistant hose connected to the water heater that supplies the hot water generated by the water heater; and a weeding head that receives the hot water via the heat-resistant hose. The weeding head comprises: a support column to which one end of the heat-resistant hose is connected and which has a hollow portion through which the hot water supplied via the heat-resistant hose passes; a base portion having a flat plate portion, with one end of the support column suspended from approximately the center of one side of the flat plate portion, which sends the hot water that has passed through the hollow portion of the support column to the other side of the flat plate portion through a hole provided in the flat plate portion; and an enclosure portion provided on the other side of the base portion so as to surround the edge portion of the base portion, with a sharp portion at its tip.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a weeding device that weeds with hot water.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a technique for weeding using hot water has been known. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a hot water weeding device provided with a lotus mouth at the tip of a kettle spout so that weeding can be easily performed using hot water, and Patent Document 2 discloses a jo-ro that can pour hot water (not steam) onto weeds growing vegetation safely, quickly, and accurately to kill them.

[0003] Further, Patent Document 3 discloses a hot water weeding device mounted with a water supply section on a platform of a cart with a hand push handle, a fuel tank for supplying fuel to a burner of the water supply section, and a water tank for supplying water to the water supply section, and connecting a spray nozzle to the water supply section via a heat-resistant hose. Also, Patent Document 4 discloses a weeding machine mounted on a hand-pushed cart with a burner with a fuel tank, an injection liquid tank facing a heating section of the burner, and injection means or an injection pipe associated with an outlet of the injection liquid tank.

[0004] Patent Document 5 discloses a work vehicle capable of performing weeding work around a railway line without adversely affecting the natural environment. Also, Patent Document 6 discloses a hot water ejection device for plant withering, in which a hot water pipe connects between a boiler and a hot water ejection section with a gripping portion, the boiler is provided with a pump and a burner, and a hot water supply pipe opening / closing valve is disposed in the hot water ejection section with a gripping portion. Patent Document 7 discloses a weeding tool for weeding weeds with high-temperature hot water. And Patent Document 8 discloses a germination suppression method suitable for use in a home garden or the like, which enables suppression of seed germination and removal of weeds by heating with Joule heat.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

[0006] As mentioned above, while devices and concepts for weed control using hot water have been known for some time, simply pouring hot water on weeds is not sufficient to achieve adequate weed control. Furthermore, kettles and watering cans are insufficient for removing weeds that grow over a wide area. On the other hand, large-scale devices such as vehicles are ineffective for removing weeds that grow in confined spaces.

[0007] The present invention aims to provide a weed control device that can effectively kill weeds in a mobile and wide-ranging manner. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] One aspect of the present invention is a weeding device comprising: a gas cylinder mounted on a trolley; a water heater mounted on the trolley that heats water using the gas from the gas cylinder as fuel; a flexible heat-resistant hose connected to the water heater that supplies the hot water generated by the water heater; and a weeding head that receives the hot water via the heat-resistant hose. The weeding head comprises: a support column to which one end of the heat-resistant hose is connected and which has a hollow portion through which the hot water supplied via the heat-resistant hose passes; a base portion having a flat plate portion, with one end of the support column suspended from approximately the center of one side of the flat plate portion, which sends the hot water that has passed through the hollow portion of the support column to the other side of the flat plate portion through a hole provided in the flat plate portion; and an enclosure portion provided on the other side of the base portion so as to surround the edge portion of the base portion, with a sharp portion at its tip.

[0009] With this configuration, the gas cylinder and water heater are mounted on a portable cart, making the hot water supply source compact and transportable anywhere. Furthermore, since the hot water is generated by the water heater, a sufficient amount of hot water can be continuously generated and supplied. When performing weeding work, the support pole of the weeding head is held and the base is pressed down on the weeds, sending the hot water generated by the water heater to the other side of the base. Since an enclosure is provided on the other side of the base, the hot water fills the space between the soil to which the weeding head is pressed and the base, i.e., the enclosure, soaking the weeds in hot water. In addition, a sharp part is provided at the tip of the enclosure, so when the weeding head is pressed down on the weeds, the sharp part cuts the roots of the weeds in the soil, separating the growth point from the roots and ensuring that the growth point is reliably doused with hot water.

[0010] In the above-described weed control device, it is more preferable that a blade with a sharp tip is provided inside the enclosure. This allows weeds and roots to be cut and destroyed not only by the enclosure itself, but also by the sharp tip of the blade provided inside the enclosure.

[0011] In the above-described weed control device, it is preferable that the support post is equipped with a thermometer to measure the temperature of the hot water passing through the hollow part of the support post. This allows the operator to monitor the temperature of the discharged hot water at their fingertips.

[0012] In the above-described weeding device, the carriage may be equipped with a storage battery that supplies power to the water heater. Thereby, even in a place where a power source cannot be obtained from the outside, power can be supplied to the water heater to generate hot water.

[0013] In the above-described weeding device, it is preferable that the carriage is provided with a water meter that measures the amount of water supplied to the water heater. Thereby, when receiving water supply from the outside, the supply amount can be grasped by the water meter.

Effects of the Invention

[0014] According to the present invention, it becomes possible to provide a weeding device that can effectively wither weeds in a flexible and wide range.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0015] [Figure 1] It is an overall view illustrating the weeding device according to the present embodiment. [Figure 2] It is a schematic perspective view illustrating the base portion of the weeding device according to the present embodiment. [Figure 3] It is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating the weeding head of the weeding device according to the present embodiment. [Figure 4] It is a view illustrating the state of an experiment using the weeding device according to the present embodiment. [Figure 5] (a) and (b) are views illustrating the weeding effect of the weeding device according to the present embodiment. [Figure 6] (a) and (b) are views illustrating the weeding effect of the weeding device according to the present embodiment.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0016] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described based on the drawings. In the following description, the same members are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description of the members once described will be omitted as appropriate.

[0017] (Configuration of the weed control device) Figure 1 is an overall view illustrating a weed control device according to this embodiment. Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view illustrating the base portion of the weed control device according to this embodiment. Figure 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating the weeding head of the weeding device according to this embodiment. The weed control device 1 according to this embodiment is a device that kills weeds W using hot water H. The weed control device 1 comprises a gas cylinder 10 and a water heater 20 mounted on a trolley C, a heat-resistant hose 30 for supplying the hot water H generated by the water heater 20, and a weed control head 40. Since the water heater 20 and gas cylinder 10 for generating the hot water H are mounted on the trolley C, one worker can easily carry them by hand.

[0018] For the water heater 20, for example, a commercially available commercial gas water heater (such as a No. 32) is used. The controller 21 of the water heater 20 is attached to the trolley C. The water heater 20 heats water using gas from the gas cylinder 10 as fuel. With a commercial gas water heater of about No. 32, it is possible to continuously supply hot water H at 60°C or higher (for example, 84°C or higher) at a rate of 32 L per minute. The higher the temperature of the hot water H used for weeding, the better, but 60°C or higher is sufficient. Also, the supply rate of hot water H should be 20 L per minute or more.

[0019] The water supplied to the water heater 20 is tap water supplied from an external source (e.g., a faucet) via a hose (not shown). Alternatively, water from a river or swimming pool may be pumped up and supplied to the water heater 20. In this case, it is preferable to remove any debris from the water using a filter before supplying it. Alternatively, a water tank may be mounted on a trolley C and used to supply water to the water heater 20, but considering portability and the need for continuous use over long periods, it is preferable to receive the water from an external source.

[0020] Preferably, the trolley C is equipped with a water meter 60 for measuring the amount of water supplied to the water heater 20. This allows the amount of water supplied from an external source to be determined by the water meter 60. For example, when borrowing tap water from a faucet at a work site, the amount of water borrowed can be measured using the water meter 60 and used for settlement.

[0021] The water heater 20 can be powered from an external source (for example, a single-phase 100V outlet) or from a battery 50 mounted on the trolley C. By mounting the battery 50 on the trolley C, power can be supplied to the water heater 20 to generate hot water even in locations where external power cannot be obtained.

[0022] The heat-resistant hose 30, which delivers the hot water generated by the water heater 20 to the weed-killing head 40, is flexible and can be provided at an appropriate length. One end of the heat-resistant hose 30 is connected to the hot water outlet of the water heater 20, and the other end (the opposite end) is connected to the weed-killing head 40.

[0023] The weeding head 40 has a support post 41, a base portion 42, and an enclosure portion 43. The support post 41 is suspended approximately in the center of the flat plate portion 421 of the base portion 42. One end of a heat-resistant hose 30 is connected to the support post 41. Hot water supplied via the heat-resistant hose 30 is sent to the base portion 42 through the hollow portion 410 of the support post 41. An example of a support post 41 is a heat-resistant polyvinyl chloride pipe.

[0024] It is preferable that a valve 411 be provided on the support column 41. The operator can use the valve 411 at their fingertips to dispense, stop, and adjust the amount of hot water. It is also preferable that a thermometer 70 be provided on the support column 41 to measure the temperature of the hot water H passing through the hollow section 410 of the support column 41. This allows the operator to monitor the temperature of the dispensed hot water H at their fingertips.

[0025] The base portion 42 has a flat plate portion 421. A hole 420 is provided approximately in the center of one side of the flat plate portion 421. One end of the support column 41 is suspended through this hole 420, and the hollow portion 410 of the support column 41 and the hole 420 are in communication.

[0026] The size of the flat plate section 421 is, for example, about 300mm x 300mm in length x width, which is large enough for one worker to step on with one or both feet. For example, checkered steel plate is used for the flat plate section 421.

[0027] An enclosure portion 43 is provided on the other side of the flat plate portion 421 of the base portion 42 (the side opposite to the side to which the support column 41 is vertically installed). The enclosure portion 43 is provided on the other side of the flat plate portion 421 of the base portion 42 so as to surround the edge portion of the base portion 42 (flat plate portion 421). Furthermore, a pointed portion 431 is provided at the tip of the enclosure portion 43.

[0028] The enclosure 43 is constructed by arranging, for example, four straight enclosure edges 430 to form a rectangular enclosure, and attaching it to the other side of the flat plate portion 421 by bolts and nuts or welding. The enclosure edges 430 may be made of L-shaped angles made of aluminum or the like, due to their ease of installation and availability. A certain amount of hot water H can be stored inside the enclosure 43. For this reason, it is preferable that there are no holes or gaps in the enclosure edges 430. However, small holes or gaps may be provided in the enclosure edges 430 to allow the hot water H to be stored inside the enclosure while intentionally diffusing it to the outside of the enclosure 43.

[0029] The pointed portion 431 provided at the tip of the enclosure portion 43 (the tip of the enclosure edge 430) is constructed, for example, by sharpening the tip of an L-shaped angle with a grinder or the like to create a cutter blade. This pointed portion 431 can cut (divide) the weeds W. In addition, the enclosure portion 43 can easily penetrate into the soil S from the surface, allowing it to cut (divide) the roots R of the weeds W within the soil S.

[0030] It is more preferable that a blade portion 44 with a sharp tip 441 is provided inside the enclosure 43. The blade portion 44 is arranged in a straight line. For example, multiple blade portions 44 are arranged side by side at predetermined intervals inside the enclosure 43. It is preferable that a gap is provided between the other surface of the flat plate portion 421 and the blade portion 44. This ensures sufficient flow path for the hot water H discharged from the hole 420. With the blade portion 44 provided, weeds W and the roots R of weeds W can be cut and destroyed not only by the enclosure 43 but also by the sharp tip 441 of the blade portion 44 provided inside the enclosure 43.

[0031] (How to use the weed control device) Next, the method of using the weed control device 1 according to this embodiment will be described. To perform weeding, as shown in Figure 3, the worker holds the support pole 41 of the weeding head 40, places the base 42 on the soil S where the weeds W are growing, and presses down from above. At this time, the worker may apply force to the base 42 by holding the support pole 41, or they may place their foot on the flat plate portion 421 of the base 42 while holding the support pole 41 and step on it to apply their body weight.

[0032] By pressing the weeding head 40 onto the weed W, the enclosure 43 and blade 44 penetrate into the soil S, and the sharp parts 431 and 441 cut (divide) the weed W and the roots R of the weed W in the soil S, causing damage to the weed W and the roots R. As a result, the growth point of the roots R of the weed W is separated from the roots R. Then, hot water H is sent from the water heater 20 in this state.

[0033] The hot water H generated by the water heater 20 is sent from the heat-resistant hose 30 through the hollow section 410 of the support column 41 and into the enclosure of the enclosure section 43 through the hole 420 of the flat plate section 421. The hot water H fills the enclosure section 43 between the soil S and the base section 42 and permeates into the soil S.

[0034] The weeds W are immersed in hot water H filled inside the enclosure 43 (similar to steaming or boiling). The sharp parts 431 and 441 of the weeding head 40 cut (divide) and damage the weeds W and roots R, allowing the hot water H to efficiently penetrate the weeds W and roots R from these points. Since hot water H is continuously supplied from the water heater 20, a sufficient amount of hot water H is concentrated and delivered to the weeds W and roots R below the enclosure 43. As a result, the weeds W wither and die.

[0035] In this case, simply pouring boiling water H on the weeds W is not sufficient to effectively damage the roots R. In the weed control device 1 according to this embodiment, the weeds W and roots R are simultaneously divided and destroyed, immersed in boiling water, and the boiling water H seeps in from the divided parts, allowing for catastrophic damage to the weeds W and roots R in a short time.

[0036] Once work is completed in one area, the weeding head 40 is moved to the next work area and the same process is repeated. The weeding head 40 can be easily lifted by holding the support pole 41, and its compact base 42 allows it to be used for weeding in narrow spaces.

[0037] (Weed control experiment) Figure 4 illustrates an experiment using the weed control device according to this embodiment. The experiment involved using the weeding device 1 according to this embodiment to remove weeds W outdoors. On the day of the experiment, the weather was sunny, the temperature was 35°C, and the hot water supply conditions for water heater 20 were a set temperature of 84°C and a supply of approximately 21 liters of hot water per minute.

[0038] The temperature setting of the controller 21 of the water heater 20 is set to 84℃, and the gas cylinder 10 and the water hose are connected to the water heater 20 to send hot water H to the weeding head 40. The hot water H is then permeated into the soil S by stepping on the base part 42 of the weeding head. This hot water H destroys the growth points of R underground. By stepping on the weeding head at the same time as supplying the hot water H, the sharp parts 431 and 441 of the enclosure part 43 and blade part 44 of the weeding head knock down or cut the stems and leaves above ground, damaging the weeds W and roots R. In addition, the enclosure edge 430 and blade part 44 dig into the soil S, accumulating hot water H inside the enclosure, which boils the weeds W and roots R and destroys their cells.

[0039] In the experiment, the size of the flat plate portion 421 of the base portion 42 was 300mm x 300mm. This size was used as one weeding area, and the weeding work was carried out by stepping on it for about 15 seconds and supplying hot water H to each area, and then moving on to the adjacent weeding area.

[0040] Figures 5(a) and (b), and Figures 6(a) and (b) illustrate the weed control effect of the weed control device according to this embodiment. Figures 5(a) and 6(a) show the original state of the weeds, while Figures 5(b) and 6(b) show the state three days after weeding work has been carried out using the weeding device 1 according to this embodiment. As a result of the weed removal experiment described above, the withering of weed W was confirmed after 3 days.

[0041] As demonstrated in the experiment, it was found that using the weeding device 1 according to this embodiment, weeds W can be killed very easily and quickly by stepping on them for about ten seconds at a time while supplying boiling water H. This is because, in addition to simply pouring boiling water H, the sharp parts 431 and 441 of the enclosure 43 and blade 44 cut (divide) and damage the weeds W and roots R, and furthermore, by accumulating boiling water inside the enclosure 43, the weeds W and roots R are immersed in boiling water (similar to steaming or boiling), and it is thought that effective weeding can be achieved through the synergistic effect of these factors. In other words, by reliably destroying the cells at the growth point of the roots R of the weeds W, the roots R themselves become necrotic, and eventually the entire weed W can be killed.

[0042] On the other hand, conventional mowing has the problem that the roots R remain alive, causing the weeds to grow back quickly. By using the weeding device 1 according to this embodiment, the roots R of the weeds W are killed, so it takes time for them to grow back, which has the advantage of saving time and labor costs compared to conventional methods.

[0043] Furthermore, since the weed control device 1 according to this embodiment does not require the use of herbicides or other chemicals, it can be used without problems even near rice paddies and fields. It can also be used safely in schools, childcare facilities, and homes with pets, contributing to environmental conservation. In addition, since there is no need to use expensive herbicides, it also saves costs. Moreover, unlike brush cutters (grass trimmers) with rotating blades, it does not cause weeds W to scatter or flying stones, making it ideal for weeding in parking lots and other areas.

[0044] Thus, in this embodiment, since the gas cylinder 10 and water heater 20 are mounted on a portable trolley C, the hot water source is compact and can be easily transported to the work area or its vicinity, regardless of location. Furthermore, by pressing the weeding head 40 onto the weed W, the sharp parts 431 and 441 cut the weed W and roots R in the soil S, separating the growth point from the roots R, and hot water can be reliably poured onto the growth point from the cut point to kill it.

[0045] Although the embodiments and their application examples (modified versions, specific examples) have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these examples. For example, any additions, deletions, or design changes to the above-described embodiments or their application examples (modified versions, specific examples) made by a person skilled in the art, or any combination of the features of each embodiment, are also included within the scope of the present invention, as long as they retain the gist of the present invention. [Industrial applicability]

[0046] This invention can be suitably used as an emergency shower system during disasters by removing the weed-killing head 40 from the heat-resistant hose 30 and replacing it with a shower head. In this case, it can be easily implemented by preparing a water source such as a water tank at a municipal facility (such as a school), a commercially available water pump, an engine generator, or a tent. [Explanation of symbols]

[0047] 1...Weeding device 10... Gas cylinder 20... Water heater 21… Controller 30…Heat-resistant hose 40... Weeding head 41...post 42...Base section 43... Enclosure 44...Blade part 50…Battery storage 60…water meter 70...Thermometer 410...Hollow part 411... Valve 420…hole 421...Flat plate part 430... Enclosure 431...Sharp part 441...Sharp part C... Dolly H…Hot water R…root S...soil W...weeds

Claims

1. The gas cylinder mounted on the trolley, A water heater mounted on the trolley, which heats water using the gas from the gas cylinder as fuel, A flexible, heat-resistant hose connected to the water heater and used to transport the hot water produced by the water heater, A weeding head that receives the hot water supply via the heat-resistant hose, Equipped with, The aforementioned weeding head is A support column to which one end of the heat-resistant hose is connected and which has a hollow section through which the hot water supplied via the heat-resistant hose passes, A base portion having a flat plate portion, with one end of the support column suspended from approximately the center of one side of the flat plate portion, and the hot water passing through the hollow portion of the support column being sent to the other side of the flat plate portion through a hole provided in the flat plate portion, On the other side of the base portion, an enclosure portion is provided so as to surround the edge portion of the base, and a pointed portion is provided at the tip, A weed control device having a weed control device.

2. The weeding device according to claim 1, further comprising a blade portion disposed within the enclosure of the aforementioned enclosure portion and having a sharpened tip.

3. The weed control device according to claim 1, further comprising a thermometer provided on the support column for measuring the temperature of the hot water passing through the hollow portion of the support column.

4. The weed control device according to claim 1, further comprising a storage battery mounted on the trolley for supplying power to the water heater.

5. The weed control device according to claim 1, further comprising a water meter provided on the trolley for measuring the amount of water supplied to the water heater.

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