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 the priority of French Patent Application No. FR2114202 filed on December 22, 2022, the content of which is incorporated into this specification by reference in its entirety.

[0002] The present invention relates to the field of injection, and more specifically, to a device for injecting a substance into a plant under the bark.

Background Art

[0003] Administering substances such as insecticides, antibiotics, fungicides, nutrient solutions or growth regulators to plants is well known in the field of plant treatment, and is particularly used to address insect, bacterial, fungal infections, nutrient deficiencies or growth problems.

[0004] Such administration can be carried out by directly injecting the substance into the plant, that is, under the bark (i.e., subcutaneously in the plant), as close as possible to the internal tissues of the plant, at a site including the vascular system, also called xylem, which transports fibers and sap. In this way, this vascular system ensures that the substance is transported from the trunk to the target organs such as leaves and fruits.

[0005] Such an injection application is known in particular from International Application WO / 2020 / 208189, which discloses a device for injecting a substance under the bark of a plant. The device comprises a main body, a needle, a tank, an actuator that enables insertion of the needle and / or injection of the substance, a force sensor that measures the applied force from the device to 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 that operates and modulates the actuator according to the force measured by the sensor.

[0006] Currently, it has become clear that the apparatus described in international application WO / 2020 / 208189A1 is difficult to use to inject material into trees, especially trees with hard wood. Furthermore, the operation of the apparatus has sometimes proven difficult for the user due to the weight of the apparatus and the force required to enable insertion. [Overview of the project]

[0007] The inventors have demonstrated that by using a striker (provided it provides at least slightly more than 1.0 joule of energy), it is possible to easily insert needles into any type of tree, eliminating the need to apply large forces when the device uses an actuator to insert the needle, and preventing damage to the tree's bark or cambium. Such energy requirements are relatively low and unexpected, considering that commercial strikers provide approximately 10 joules of energy for electromechanical strikers and up to 30 joules for electropneumatic strikers.

[0008] Furthermore, the inventors have developed a novel device in which the injector head is integrated with the main body of the device, and there is a gap of about 1 cm between the injector head and the main body of the device along the longitudinal axis (longitudinal axis) corresponding to the shaft of the needle that is inserted into the bark. Therefore, the device is particularly compact, easy for the user to operate, and is proven to be very effective and reliable.

[0009] Therefore, the present invention relates to a more compact, more robust, and easier-to-use injection device that can inject substances into the hardest bark of plants.

[0010] For this purpose, the present invention relates to an injection device, more preferably to an device for injecting a substance into a plant under the bark, the device is The main unit and An injector head comprising: a needle holder holding a substantially straight needle that defines the longitudinal axis of the device, the central part of the needle having a channel that opens through at least one hole in the side wall (i.e., the rear) of the needle instead of the tip that penetrates the plant; and a guide having a cavity in which the needle holder and the needle can move along the longitudinal axis of the device, the cavity having an opening that allows the needle to pass and the needle to be inserted into the bark of the plant; A tank containing the substance to be injected and connected to the needle channel via a needle holder, A first actuator that can act on the tank to pressurize the substance stored in the tank and allow the substance to be injected into the plant through the channel by the needle (5), A tool for supporting the device on a plant, which can be positioned along the vertical axis of the device, is located close to the needle, and preferably has an orifice that allows the needle to pass through, The present invention relates to an injection device including a second actuator that can act on a support tool to allow the needle to be withdrawn after insertion into a plant.

[0011] The injection device according to the present invention is 1) The support also functions 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) also further includes a striking mechanism capable of striking the needle holder with a force of less than 10 joules to allow the needle to be inserted into the plant.

[0012] Such minute impact forces are sufficient to insert the needle by striking the hardest woody parts of the plant, while simultaneously preserving the plant's integrity.

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

[0014] The inventors have established that, in practice, reciprocating the needle holder and needle along the longitudinal axis by a few millimeters in relation to a low impact force is sufficient to ensure that the needle is properly inserted into the plant bark by impact, and that the device is very compact and lightweight, making it user-friendly.

[0015] The connection between the needle / needle holder assembly and the device body is ensured by a guide. In this case, the guide also constitutes a stopper that restricts the movement of the injection head relative to the body according to a predetermined clearance.

[0016] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method for treating plants by injecting a substance under the bark, and the method is The above device is applied to the bark of a plant, The steps include: allowing the insertion of the needle into the xylem of the plant, and then activating the latter to allow the injection of the needle substance under the bark; The procedure includes the step of activating a second actuator of the device to pull the needle out of the xylem of the plant.

[0017] Finally, the present invention relates to the use of the above-mentioned apparatus, which is intended to allow the injection of a substance under the bark of a plant. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0018] [Figure 1] This is a side cross-sectional view of the injection device according to the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a magnified view of the injector head in Figure 1. [Figure 3] This is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of a needle holder. [Figure 4] This is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of the needle holder. [Figure 5] This is a side view cross-sectional view of the injector head before the device is started. [Figure 6] This is a side view cross-sectional view of the injector head at the start of the insertion step. [Figure 7] It is a side sectional view of the injector head during the insertion step. [Figure 8] It is a side sectional view of the injector head at the end of the insertion step. Detailed Description of the Embodiments

[0019] There are several types of substances to be injected, which belong to the family of biocides (e.g., insecticides, antibiotics, antifungal agents and / or antiparasitic agents), nutrients or growth regulators or plant defense stimulants. Here, for the purpose of the device according to the present invention, the substance to be injected is a plant phytosanitary substance.

[0020] The striking mechanism preferably has an energy greater than 1.0 Joule, preferably an energy of 1.2 to 8 Joules, particularly preferably an energy of 1.2 to 4 Joules.

[0021] Such a striking mechanism may be an electromechanical system or an electropneumatic system.

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

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

[0024] In general, this striking mechanism depends on an activation means such as a user-operable trigger. This activation means allows the start of insertion and can also provide deadman-type safety. In this case, the device is stopped unless it is permanently activated.

[0025] Regarding the support, it is advantageous for it to be related to a guide means in the longitudinal axis direction of the device. This guide means ensures maintenance and centering of the support along the longitudinal axis of the device.

[0026] Preferably, the support includes a support tip that can contact the bark of the plant. This support tip is flat when the bark is smooth (e.g., plane tree) and three-dimensional, particularly conical, when the bark is cracked (e.g., pine). Such a support tip may be made of any suitable material, in particular plastic, especially polyamide such as nylon. In practice, nylon is a resistant material that does not abrade or abrades only slightly due to friction with the plant bark when in contact with it.

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

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

[0029] 2) When the bearing force falls below a threshold called the strike value, the strike mechanism is activated. This reduction in bearing force is due to the activation of a second actuator, which is not related to the insertion of the needle into the tree. In practice, this displacement creates a distance between the support and the surface of the bark, and this distance increases the risk of the needle bending (twisting). Advantageously, this impact value is less than 250 N, preferably 150 N. Advantageously, the microcontroller reduces the retraction speed of the support by reducing the speed of the second actuator. Generally, the retraction speed of the support is reduced by at least 2, preferably 4 times.

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

[0031] Advantageous to microcontrollers, 3) When the bearing force falls below a limit value, the second actuator is made to stop. Such stopping helps limit the risk of needle damage. Preferably, this limit value is less than 50N. Advantageously, the microcontroller increases the force of the striking mechanism. Generally, the force of the striking mechanism is increased by 50% or more, preferably 100% or more.

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

[0033] Another advantage is that microcontrollers, 4) When the pressing force exceeds 5 seconds, preferably 2 seconds, and falls below the limit value, the striking mechanism is made available to stop.

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

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

[0036] Advantageously, the microcontroller, with respect to the information transmitted by this first position sensor, 1) When the needle reaches the target depth in the plant to be inserted, the second actuator and the striking mechanism are allowed to stop. Advantageously, the microcontroller then allows the first actuator to act on the tank to pressurize the material stored in the tank, and the injection of the material into the plant by the needle.

[0037] For example, such target depths are 45 mm for large trees like chestnut trees or pine trees, 38 mm for fruit trees like apple trees, or 25 mm for slender, hard trees like cherry trees.

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

[0039] 2) When the needle reaches the limit depth of the plant to be inserted, a first actuator capable of acting on the tank to pressurize the substance stored in the tank is activated, and the injection of the substance into the plant by the needle begins.

[0040] 3) If the needle does not reach the limit depth of the plant to be inserted, the user will be notified that the insertion procedure has failed. Such information can be provided by a light indicator and / or an audible indicator.

[0041] In practice, below the limiting depth, the bark will peel off due to the pressure of the injected material, so there is a risk of damaging the base of the cambium by injecting the material. For example, such depth limits are 33 mm for large trees such as chestnut trees or pine trees, 29 mm for fruit trees such as apple trees, or 18 mm for slender, hard trees such as cherry trees.

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

[0043] The needle itself has a diameter of 1-3 mm, preferably 1.5-2 mm. In practice, a smaller diameter promotes healing of plant damage as the needle penetrates the plant's 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] As the at least one pore present in the side wall of the needle instead of the tip that penetrates the plant, it may be located less than 1 cm, less than 5 mm, and especially less than 4 mm, or less than 3 mm away from the tip.

[0046] Here, the needle may include several apical pores that form multiple exits from the channel, allowing for the dispersion of the substance within the plant.

[0047] The needle is ideally held in the correct position, particularly by the support described later, and offers good resistance when it impacts and is inserted into the plant bark.

[0048] To facilitate the placement and replacement of needles in the needle holder, the needle holder includes a frame. Indistinctly, this frame may be an integral part of the needle holder (i.e., formed as a part together 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 additional seals as necessary) and reversibly fixed (e.g., by screws, bearings, or any form of easy attachment and detachment).

[0049] If the frame forms a portion that is integrated with the needle holder, the needle is reversibly associated with the needle holder (e.g., by a set screw, circlip, screw fastening, etc.). If the frame is separable from the needle holder, the needle may be reversibly or irreversibly associated with the frame (e.g., by joining, welding, soldering, etc.).

[0050] The needles and frames are combined in lengths ranging from 5mm to 35mm, especially 15mm to 25mm, and more specifically 20mm.

[0051] Regarding the guide that functions as a stopper, it generally relates to a return mechanism that takes the form of a spring. This return mechanism 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 show that such a return mechanism is not necessary and that the force acting on the plant during needle insertion is sufficient to quickly return the needle holder relative to the striking mechanism.

[0052] To your advantage, this guide, which acts as a stopper, can be removed.

[0053] Preferably, the guide is pivotally mounted to the main body so as to be rotatable around a transverse axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the device. In this way, the user can change the needle and / or needle holder more easily and quickly.

[0054] Preferably, the rotation of the guide also allows access to the tank of the substance to be injected, which can then be refilled or replaced if the tank is advantageously mounted to be movable.

[0055] As for the tank, it is connected to the needle and its channel via a conduit that advantageously takes the form of a hose, as it is connected to the needle holder.

[0056] The tank preferably takes the form of a movable container, particularly a syringe.

[0057] A first actuator capable of acting on a tank to pressurize a substance stored in the tank and enable the substance to be injected into a plant via a channel using a needle, 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 pressurized force of a substance stored in a tank, and at least one microcontroller enabling the following 1) to 2).

[0059] 1) The compression of the amount of substance in the tank by the first actuator, and consequently the injection of this substance into the plant, is adjusted according to the force measured by the second force sensor.

[0060] 2) If the pressurizing force is too high, the injection is interrupted by stopping the first actuator. Such excessive pressurizing force corresponds to a force of 100 daN or more, preferably 200 daN or more. Such excessive pressurizing force may result, for example, from areas of the plant that are too hard or from blockage of the needle holes. There is a risk of damaging the tree trunk, and possibly the tank or equipment, by separation of the cambium base, which causes large areas of irreparable damage, particularly damage unacceptable for treatment.

[0061] 3) The injection is interrupted by stopping the first actuator due to insufficient pressure. This insufficient pressure corresponds to a force of 5 daN or less. Such insufficient pressure can, for example, cause internal damage to the plant. This also carries the risk of ineffective injection, particularly the unnecessary dispersion of hygienic plant products into the external environment.

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

[0063] The apparatus according to the present invention may also include a second position sensor, which is associated with the first actuator and enables notification of the amount of substance introduced into the plant to the user, and potentially the apparatus. Based on the information provided by the 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 reasons mentioned above.

[0064] This allows, for example, the amount of substance injected to be adjusted according to the target plant specified by the user.

[0065] The device is powered by a power source that is either connected to a sector or a battery.

[0066] The device may optionally include a memory for storing the device's operating parameters and parameters used depending on the plant being injected.

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

[0068] Advantageously, the device according to the present invention includes gripping means such as a handle to make it easier for the user to hold the device.

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

[0070] The device should ideally include a control screen, preferably a touchscreen or other visual interface, through which the user can select control parameters (such as impact force, rotational speed, force measurement, and actuator motor strength). The visual interface should also inform the user of battery level, the amount of material in the tank, etc. Furthermore, the visual interface should warn the user of any malfunction of the device (e.g., excessive force detected, hose leak, etc.).

[0071] The device also includes means of protecting the exterior, such as protective pads that protect the device in the event of a fall.

[0072] The device includes a standard USB type connector for data transfer. The above transfer may be performed via a wireless connection such as Wi-Fi® or Bluetooth®.

[0073] Regarding the method of treating plants by injection using the device described above, the insertion step is preferably performed with a force of the impact mechanism greater than 1.0 joule, generally 1.2 to 8 joules, and more preferably 1.2 to 4 joules.

[0074] Finally, regarding the use of the above-described apparatus to allow subbark injection of the substance, the force of the striking mechanism is preferably greater than 1.0 joule, generally 1.2 to 8 joules, and more preferably 1.2 to 4 joules.

[0075] The present invention will be better understood by reading the following description, which is provided for non-limiting illustrative purposes only, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0076] In Figure 1, the injection device 1 is held horizontally and pointed towards the target object. The front of the injection device 1 corresponds to the injector head, and the rear of the device allows the user to hold the device and apply support to the plant bark, especially before injection.

[0077] Referring to Figure 1, the injection device 1 includes a main body 2, which is also called a chassis or frame, and corresponds to a machined part that functions as a support for the various components of the device. The main body may be perforated in various places to make it as light as possible.

[0078] To lock or fasten the needle holder 4 / needle 5 assembly, the front end of the injector 1 is fitted with a lock / unlock system 13, such as a latch with a hook, on the container corresponding to the stopper 3 of the injector head.

[0079] This stopper 3 is in the form of a protruding cylinder, and a cavity in the opposite form to the needle holder 4 is machined into it. Furthermore, a hole is machined into the center of the cylinder, which communicates with the cavity and forms an opening through which the needle 5 can pass.

[0080] Needle 5 defines the vertical 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 structure 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, having a length of 20 mm and a diameter of 5 mm, with a hole that forms the housing of the needle 5 machined into it. When the needle 5 is placed in the frame, the channel of the needle 5 is machined into the needle holder 4 and opens to another channel connected to the tank 8 of the device 1 via a hose 12. This other channel further includes means for securing the needle 5, which takes the form of a screw that abuts the needle 5 and is perforated in its center to allow material in the hose 12 to pass toward the channel of the needle 5.

[0082] Other possible structures for the needle holder 4 are shown in Figure 4. In this other needle holder 4, the needle 5 is always mounted in a hollow cylinder with a machined hole in which the needle 5 is fixed (e.g., by adhesive). Here, this frame is housed in the body of the needle holder 4 in a complementary shape with a watertight O-ring joint to allow assembly of the needle holder 4. The frame is locked in the needle holder 5 by a grub screw. Once the needle 5 / needle holder mounting assembly is in place, the channel for the needle 5 opens into another channel machined within the needle holder 4 and connected to the tank 8 of the device 1 via a hose 12.

[0083] Furthermore, the guide 3 of the injector head is mounted to the body 2 of the injector device 1 so as to be rotatable around a horizontal axis B that is perpendicular to the vertical axis A. Therefore, when the user unlocks the locking system 13 of the guide 3, the guide 3 tilts around the horizontal axis B due to gravity. Contact between the guide 3 and the body 2 is no longer detected, and the injector device 1 is fixed in place.

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

[0085] Once the guide 3 is locked again in place on the device 1 and the fixing system is locked, the hose 12 and the tank 8 are connected via a machined connector located inside the guide 3, through the top of the guide 3, which allows for 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 places the support 6, more specifically the support jack 15 positioned on the vertical axis A, against the bark of the plant. The support jack 15 has a shape suited to the type of bark, and in particular, a flat shape when the bark is smooth. The support jack 15 may also have holes machined into it for the passage of the needle 5. The support 6 is associated with a force sensor 16 that measures the support force of the support 6 against the bark of the plant.

[0087] When the first force sensor 16 detects the minimum force corresponding to the activation value, the microcontroller activates the second actuator 7 to retract the support 6 (at a speed of 20 mm / s), allowing the needle 5 to be inserted into the bark of the plant.

[0088] Then, the needle 5 gradually penetrates the bark of the plant. If the penetration of the needle 5 into the plant is slower than the retraction of the support 6 by the second actuator 7, the force detected by the first force sensor 16 will be smaller.

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

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

[0091] Therefore, in this striking mechanism 10, the striker strikes a chisel that moves freely within the housing, and this chisel strikes the needle holder 4 in the direction of the vertical axis A. This mechanism is an indirect impact system.

[0092] Furthermore, the chisel contacts the needle holder 4 without moving freely within the housing. The striking energy generated by the striker contacting the chisel is then optimally transmitted to the needle holder 4. This is a more efficient indirect impact system.

[0093] If the striking mechanism 10 is a direct impact system, the striker directly impacts the needle holder 4 in the direction of the vertical axis A. The impact energy generated by the striker in contact with the needle holder 4 is more powerful.

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

[0095] In these impact systems, the striking energy generated by the striker in contact with the chisel or needle holder 4 is transmitted to the plant bark upon impact of the needle 5, at the time of needle insertion.

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

[0097] If the applied force again exceeds the impact value, the microcontroller stops the striking mechanism 10 and returns the retraction speed of the support 6 to its initial speed via the second actuator 7. In certain situations, even after falling below the impact value, the applied force continues to decrease despite the activation of the striking mechanism 10. Thereafter, a limit value (usually 50N) is defined, and if it falls below this limit value, the microcontroller stops the second actuator 7 and increases the force of the striking mechanism 10 (usually 2-4 joules).

[0098] This procedure improves the insertion of the needle 5, and if the applied force exceeds this limit, the procedure is stopped.

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

[0100] Therefore, the actuator 9 acts on the tank 8 under the control of a force sensor 17 that measures the pressure applied to the substance injected into the plant's xylem. The substance then enters the hose 12 from the tank 8 and is sent to the needle 5 via the needle holder 4 before being injected into the plant.

[0101] Once the required amount of substance has been injected, the actuator 7 acts on the support 6, as determined by the second position sensor associated with the first actuator 9, to advance the support 6 in the longitudinal axis A direction relative to the plant's bark until the needle 5 is completely out of the plant's bark.

[0102] For this purpose, the support member 6 includes a housing at its lower part that accommodates the rod of the actuator 7 along the longitudinal axis A. Preferably, the housing at the lower part of the support member 6 is magnetized so that the rod of the actuator 7 is non-permanently magnetically connected to the support member 6. With this configuration, the engagement between the rod of the actuator 7 and the support member 6 can be easily released without the use of tools.

[0103] During this extraction step, the guide means 14, for example, slides along the longitudinal axis A of the device 1 and accompanies the support 6. Thus, two slides, each positioned parallel to the longitudinal axis A on both sides of the lower part of the injection head, slide along rails fixed within the body 2 of the injection device 1 by pebbles or balls.

[0104] During this same withdrawal step, protective measures such as protective bellows can be considered to protect the rod of actuator 7.

[0105] Once the withdrawal is complete, the support jack 15 can be removed from the support 6 so that the user can replace the support jack 15 without removing the support 6 on the slide.

Claims

1. Preferably, an injection device (1) is a device for injecting a substance into a plant under the bark, Main unit (2), An injector head comprising: a needle holder (4) which holds a substantially straight needle (5) defining the vertical axis (A) of the device, and having a channel drilled in the central part of the needle (5) that 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) which has a cavity in which the needle holder (4) and the needle (5) can move along the vertical axis (A) of the device (1), and the cavity has an opening that allows the needle (5) to pass through and the needle (5) to be inserted into the bark of a plant; A first actuator (9) is capable of acting on the tank (8) to pressurize the substance stored in the tank (8) and allow the substance to be injected into the plant through the channel by the needle (5), A support (6) for supporting the device (1) on a plant, which can be positioned along the vertical axis of the device, is located close to the needle (5), and preferably has an orifice that allows the needle (5) to pass through, An injection device (1) includes a second actuator (7) that can act on the support (6) to allow the needle (5) to be withdrawn after insertion into the plant, The support (6) also functions 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 includes a striking mechanism (10) capable of striking the needle holder (4) with a force of less than 10 joules, preferably greater than 1.0 joule, to allow the needle (5) to be inserted into a plant.

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

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

4. The injection device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the support (6) includes a support jack (15) that can come into contact with the bark of a plant.

5. A first force sensor (16) capable of measuring the force applied from the support (6) to the bark of a plant, i) When the minimum force corresponding to the activation value is detected, the support (6) is retracted, and the second actuator (7) is activated to allow the needle (5) to be inserted into the bark of the plant. ii) When the applied force falls below a threshold called the impact value, the impact mechanism (10) is activated. iii) The injection device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising at least one microcontroller that enables stopping the second actuator (7) when the applied force falls below a limit value.

6. The injection device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: a first position sensor associated with the second actuator (7) that can measure the insertion depth of the needle (5) into the bark of a plant; and at least one microcontroller that, when the needle (5) reaches a target depth in the plant into which it is inserted, stops the second actuator (7) and the striking mechanism (10), preferably activates the first actuator (9) which can act on the tank (8) to pressurize the substance stored in the tank (8), and allows the injection of the substance into the plant by the needle (5).

7. The 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. The injection device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the guide (3) is mounted to the main body (2) so as to be rotatable around a horizontal axis (B) which is perpendicular to the vertical axis (A) of the device.

9. The injection device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the needle holder includes a frame, and the frame is either a part that is integrated with the needle holder (4) or a separate part that is fixed to the needle holder (4).

10. The steps of applying the apparatus (1) described in claim 1 or 2 to the bark of a plant, The steps include activating the apparatus (1) to allow the insertion of the needle (5) under the bark of a plant and subsequent injection of a substance under the bark, A method for treating a plant by subbark injection of a substance, comprising the step of withdrawing the needle (5) from the plant by activating the second actuator (7) of the apparatus (1).

11. Use of the apparatus (1) according to claim 1 or 2, which allows for the injection of a substance under the bark of a plant.

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