Weeding head

Abstract

To provide a weeding head capable of killing weeds flexibly and effectively over a wide range. [Solution] One aspect of the present invention is a weeding head equipped with a support, which has a flat plate portion with one end of the support suspended approximately in the center of one side of the flat plate portion, a base portion which delivers hot water to the other side of the flat plate portion through a hole provided in the flat plate portion, and a surrounding portion which is arranged on the other side of the base portion to surround the edge portion of the base and has a sharp tip.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a weeding head that uses hot water to remove weeds. [Background technology]

[0002] Techniques for weeding using hot water have been known for some time. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a hot water weeder with a lotus spout at the tip of the kettle spout so that weeds can be easily removed using hot water, and Patent Document 2 discloses a watering can that can safely, quickly, and accurately pour hot water (not steam) onto growing weeds to kill them.

[0003] Patent Document 3 discloses a hot water weeder that has a hot water supply unit, a fuel tank that supplies fuel to the burner of the hot water supply unit, and a water tank that supplies water to the hot water supply unit mounted on a platform of a hand-operated cart with a handle, and that has a spray nozzle connected to the hot water supply unit via a heat-resistant hose. Patent Document 4 discloses a weeder that has a burner with a fuel tank, a spray liquid tank facing the heating unit of the burner, and a spray means or spray pipe associated with the outlet of the spray liquid tank mounted on a hand-operated cart.

[0004] Patent Document 5 discloses a work vehicle that can perform weeding work around railroad tracks without adversely affecting the natural environment. Patent Document 6 discloses a hot water jetting device for killing plants, in which a boiler and a hot water jetting part with a gripper are connected by a hot water supply pipe, the boiler is provided with a pump and a burner, and the hot water jetting part with a gripper is provided with a hot water supply pipe opening and closing valve. Patent Document 7 discloses a weeding tool that removes weeds with high-temperature hot water. Patent Document 8 discloses a germination inhibition method that makes it possible to inhibit seed germination and remove weeds by heating with Joule heat, and is suitable for use in home gardens, etc. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2013-111075 A [Patent Document 2] Utility Model Registration No. 3041267 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 09-117247 [Patent Document 4] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 07-163285 [Patent Document 5] Utility Model Registration No. 3147516 [Patent Document 6] Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 05-085281 [Patent Document 7] JP 2008-263936 A [Patent Document 8] JP 2019-080522 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] As mentioned above, although the device and concept of weeding using hot water have been known for some time, simply pouring hot water on the weeds does not provide sufficient weed-killing effect. Also, kettles and watering cans are insufficient to remove weeds that grow over a wide area. On the other hand, it is difficult to remove weeds that grow in a small space with large-scale devices such as vehicles.

[0007] An object of the present invention is to provide a weeding device that can kill weeds agilely and effectively over a wide area. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] One aspect of the present invention is a weeding device comprising: a gas cylinder mounted on a cart; a water heater mounted on the cart and heating water using gas from the gas cylinder as fuel; a flexible heat-resistant hose connected to the water heater and delivering hot water produced by the water heater; and a weeding head receiving the hot water via the heat-resistant hose, wherein the weeding head has a support post to which one end of the heat-resistant hose is connected and having a hollow portion through which the hot water supplied via the heat-resistant hose passes; a base portion having a flat plate portion and one end of the support post hanging down from approximately the center of one side of the flat plate portion and delivering the hot water that has passed through the hollow portion of the support post 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 and having a sharp portion at its tip.

[0009] According to this configuration, since the gas cylinder and the water heater are mounted on a portable cart, the source of hot water is compact and can be carried anywhere. In addition, since the hot water is generated by the water heater, a sufficient amount of hot water can be generated and supplied continuously. When weeding, the support pole of the weeding head is held and the base part is pressed against the weeds, and the hot water generated by the water heater is sent to the other side of the base part. Since an enclosure part is provided on the other side of the base part, the hot water is filled between the soil against which the weeding head is pressed and the base part, that is, within the enclosure of the enclosure part, and the weeds are soaked in the hot water. In addition, since a sharp part is provided at the tip of the enclosure part, by pressing the weeding head against the weeds, the roots of the weeds in the soil are cut by the sharp part, and the growing point is separated from the root, and the growing point can be surely poured with hot water.

[0010] In the above weeding device, it is more preferable that a blade having a sharp tip is provided inside the enclosure of the enclosure, so that weeds and roots can be cut and destroyed not only by the enclosure but also by the sharp tip of the blade provided inside the enclosure of the enclosure.

[0011] In the above weeding device, it is preferable that the support is provided with a thermometer for measuring the temperature of the hot water passing through the hollow part of the support, so that the temperature of the discharged hot water can be known at hand by the operator.

[0012] In the above weeding device, the cart may be equipped with a storage battery that supplies power to the water heater. This makes it possible to supply power to the water heater to generate hot water even in places where an external power source cannot be obtained.

[0013] In the above 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. This makes it possible to grasp the amount of water supplied from the outside by the water meter. Effect of the Invention

[0014] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a weeding device that can kill weeds agilely and effectively over a wide area. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] 1 is an overall view illustrating a weeding device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a base part of the weeding device according to the present embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a weeding head of the weeding device according to the present embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of an experiment using the weeding device according to the present embodiment. [Diagram 5] 5(a) and (b) are diagrams illustrating the weeding effect of the weeding device according to the present embodiment. [Figure 6] 3(a) and 3(b) are diagrams illustrating the weeding effect of the weeding device according to the present embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0016] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same members are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description of members that have already been described will be omitted as appropriate.

[0017] (Weeding device configuration) FIG. 1 is an overall view illustrating a weeding device according to this embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a base portion of the weeding device according to this embodiment. FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a weeding head of the weeding device according to the present embodiment. The weeding device 1 according to this embodiment is a device that kills weeds W by using hot water H. The weeding device 1 includes a gas cylinder 10 and a water heater 20 mounted on a cart C, a heat-resistant hose 30 that delivers the hot water H generated by the water heater 20, and a weeding head 40. Because the water heater 20 and the gas cylinder 10 for generating the hot water H are mounted on the cart C, they can be easily carried by a single worker.

[0018] As the water heater 20, for example, a commercially available commercial gas water heater (such as No. 32) is used. A controller 21 for the water heater 20 is attached to the cart C. The water heater 20 heats water using gas from the gas cylinder 10 as fuel. As a result, a commercial gas water heater of about No. 32 can continuously supply hot water H of 60°C or higher (for example, 84°C or higher) at 32 L per minute. The higher the temperature of the hot water H used for weeding, the better, but 60°C or higher will suffice. In addition, it is preferable for the supply amount of hot water H to be 20 L or more per minute.

[0019] Water is supplied to the water heater 20 by tap water sent from the outside (for example, a faucet) through a hose (not shown). Water from a river or a pool may also be pumped up and supplied to the water heater 20. In this case, it is preferable to remove impurities and the like contained in the water using a filter before supplying it. A water tank may also be mounted on a cart C to supply water to the water heater 20, but considering portability and long-term continuous use, it is preferable to receive a water supply from the outside.

[0020] The cart C is preferably provided with a water meter 60 that measures the amount of water supplied to the water heater 20. This allows the amount of water supplied from outside to be grasped by the water meter 60. For example, when tap water is borrowed from a work site, the amount of water borrowed can be measured by the water meter 60 and used for settlement.

[0021] The power source for the water heater 20 may be obtained from an external source (for example, a single-phase 100V outlet) or from a storage battery 50 mounted on the cart C. If the storage battery 50 is mounted on the cart C, power can be supplied to the water heater 20 to generate hot water even in places where an external power source cannot be obtained.

[0022] The heat-resistant hose 30 that delivers the hot water generated by the water heater 20 to the weeding head 40 is flexible and is 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 weeding head 40.

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

[0024] The support 41 is preferably provided with a valve 411. The operator can start and stop the discharge of hot water and adjust the amount of discharge using the valve 411 at hand. In addition, the support 41 is preferably provided with a thermometer 70 that measures the temperature of the hot water passing through the hollow portion 410 of the support 41. This allows the operator to know the temperature of the hot water H being discharged at hand.

[0025] The base portion 42 has a flat plate portion 421. A hole 420 is provided at approximately the center of one surface of the flat plate portion 421. One end of the support 41 is vertically attached to this hole 420, so that the hollow portion 410 of the support 41 and the hole 420 communicate with each other.

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

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

[0028] The enclosure 43 is configured, for example, by arranging four straight enclosure edges 430 to form a rectangular enclosure, and attaching them to the other side of the flat plate portion 421 by means of bolts and nuts, welding, or the like. The enclosure edges 430 may be L-shaped angles made of aluminum or the like for ease of attachment and availability. A certain amount of hot water H is stored inside the enclosure 43 (within the enclosure). For this reason, it is preferable that the enclosure edges 430 are free of holes or gaps. It is also possible to provide small holes or gaps in the enclosure edges 430 so that the hot water H is intentionally dispersed outside the enclosure 43 while storing it inside the enclosure.

[0029] The sharp portion 431 provided at the tip side of the enclosing part 43 (the tip side of the enclosing side 430) is formed, for example, by sharpening the tip of an L-shaped angle with a grinder or the like to the blade of a cutter. This sharp portion 431 can divide (cut) the weeds W. In addition, the enclosing part 43 easily penetrates into the soil S from the surface, and the roots R of the weeds W in the soil S can be divided (cut).

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

[0031] (How to use the weeding device) Next, a method of using the weeding device 1 according to this embodiment will be described. To perform weeding work, as shown in Fig. 3, the worker holds the support 41 of the weeding head 40, places the base part 42 on the soil S in which the weeds W are growing, and presses it down from above. At this time, the worker may hold the support 41 and apply force to the base part 42, or may hold the support 41 and place his / her foot on the flat plate part 421 of the base part 42 and step on it to apply his / her weight.

[0032] By pressing the weeding head 40 against the weeds W, the enclosing portion 43 and the blade portion 44 dig into the soil S, and the sharpened portions 431, 441 cut (divide) the weeds W and the roots R of the weeds W in the soil S, and damage the weeds W and the roots R. As a result, the growth point of the roots R of the weeds W is separated from the roots R. Then, in this state, hot water H is pumped from the water heater 20.

[0033] Hot water H generated by water heater 20 passes through heat-resistant hose 30, hollow portion 410 of support 41, and is sent into enclosure 43 through hole 420 in flat plate portion 421. Hot water H permeates into soil S while filling enclosure 43 between soil S and base 42.

[0034] The weeds W are soaked in hot water (as if they were being steamed or boiled) in the hot water H filled inside the enclosure 43. The weeds W and roots R are cut (divided) and damaged by the sharp points 431, 441 as the weeding head 40 is pressed against them, so the hot water H efficiently penetrates the weeds W and roots R through these areas. As the hot water H is continuously supplied from the water heater 20, a sufficient amount of hot water H is sent to concentrate on the weeds W and roots R below the enclosure 43. This causes the weeds W to wither.

[0035] Here, simply pouring boiling water H on the weeds W is not enough to effectively damage the roots R. With the weeding device 1 according to this embodiment, the weeds W and roots R are simultaneously cut and destroyed, soaked in boiling water, and the boiling water H seeps in through the cut parts, so that devastating damage can be inflicted on the weeds W and roots R in a short period of time.

[0036] When work on one spot is finished, the weeding head 40 is moved to the next spot and the same work is repeated. The weeding head 40 can be easily lifted by holding the support pole 41, and the compact base part 42 makes it possible to weed in narrow places.

[0037] (Weeding experiment) FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of an experiment using the weeding device according to this embodiment. In the experiment, weeding work was carried out on weeds W outdoors using the weeding device 1 according to this embodiment. On the day of the experiment, the weather was fine, the temperature was 35° C., and the hot water supply conditions of the water heater 20 were a set temperature of 84° C. and a supply of about 21 L of hot water per minute.

[0038] The temperature of the controller 21 of the water heater 20 is set to 84°C, and the gas cylinder 10 and a tap water hose are connected to the water heater 20 to supply hot water H to the weeding head 40, and the hot water H is allowed to penetrate 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 with a foot while supplying the hot water H, the sharp parts 431, 441 of the enclosure part 43 and the blade part 44 of the weeding head knock down or cut the stems and leaves above ground, damaging the weeds W and roots R. Also, the enclosure side 430 and the blade part 44 dig into the soil S, and the hot water H is stored inside the enclosure, boiling the weeds W and roots R, destroying the cells.

[0039] In the experiment, the size of the flat plate portion 421 of the base portion 42 was 300 mm x 300 mm in length x width. This size was used as one weeding area, and weeding work was carried out by trampling on each area for about 15 seconds and supplying hot water H thereto, and then proceeding to the next weeding area in sequence.

[0040] 5(a) and (b) and 6(a) and (b) are diagrams illustrating the weeding effect of the weeding device according to this embodiment. Figures 5(a) and 6(a) show the original state of the weeds, and Figures 5(b) and 6(b) show the state of the weeds three days after weeding work was performed using the weeding device 1 of this embodiment. As a result of the weeding carried out in the above experiment, it was confirmed that the weed W had withered after 3 days had passed.

[0041] As in the experiment, it was found that by using the weeding device 1 according to this embodiment, weeds W can be killed very easily and in a short time by stepping on them for about 10 seconds per location while supplying hot water H. This is not just a matter of pouring hot water H, but rather cutting (dividing) and damaging the weeds W and roots R with the sharpened parts 431 and 441 of the enclosing part 43 and the blade part 44, and further storing hot water within the enclosure of the enclosing part 43 to soak the weeds W and roots R in hot water (as if they were steamed or boiled), and it is believed that the synergistic effect of these processes can effectively kill weeds. In other words, by reliably destroying the cells at the growth point of the roots R of the weeds W, the roots R themselves are necrotized, and eventually the entire weeds W can be killed.

[0042] On the other hand, in conventional weeding, the roots R are alive, so there is a problem that they quickly grow back. By using the weeding device 1 according to the present embodiment, the roots R of the weeds W are dead, so it takes time for them to grow back, and there is an advantage that the effort and labor costs required for weeding can be reduced compared to conventional methods.

[0043] Furthermore, since the weeding device 1 according to this embodiment does not require the use of any herbicides or other chemicals, it can be used without problems near rice fields or farms. 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. Furthermore, unlike brush cutters (grass cutters) with rotating blades, it does not scatter weeds W or generate flying stones, making it ideal for weeding parking lots and the like.

[0044] In this embodiment, the gas cylinder 10 and the water heater 20 are mounted on the portable cart C, so the source of hot water is compact and can be easily transported to the work site or its vicinity regardless of location. Also, by pressing the weeding head 40 against the weeds W, the sharp points 431, 441 cut the weeds W and roots R in the soil S to separate the growth points from the roots R, and the growth points can be reliably sprayed with hot water from the cut points to kill them.

[0045] Although the present embodiment and its application examples (modifications, specific examples) have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these examples. For example, those in which a person skilled in the art appropriately adds, deletes, or modifies the design of the above-mentioned embodiments or their application examples (modifications, specific examples), or those in which the features of each embodiment are appropriately combined, are also included in the scope of the present invention as long as they include the gist of the present invention. [Industrial Applicability]

[0046] The present invention can be suitably used as an emergency shower facility in the event of a disaster by removing the weeding head 40 from the heat-resistant hose 30 and replacing it with a shower head. In this case, it can be easily used by preparing a water tank at a municipal facility (such as a school), a commercially available water pump, an engine generator, a tent, etc. as a water source. [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 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…Trolley H…Hot water R…root S: soil W…weed

Claims

1. A weeding head having a support, A base portion having a flat plate portion, one end of the support pillar being suspended from approximately the center of one side of the flat plate portion, and sending hot water to the other side of the flat plate portion through a hole provided in the flat plate portion; a surrounding portion provided on the other surface side of the base portion so as to surround an edge portion of the base and having a sharp tip; Weeding head equipped with

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

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