Seedling handling device

Abstract

Provided is a seedling handling device capable of handling mat seedlings.　A seedling handling device (1) comprises pairs of sandwiching members (4) that sandwich and clamp a prescribed amount of seedlings (2b) of a mat seedling (2) by being moved in a closing direction from a state in which a gap (W1) is open. A plurality of the pairs of sandwiching members (4) are arranged side by side in a first direction (D1) that is the direction in which the gaps (W1) of the pairs of sandwiching members (4) open and close. The seedling handling device (1) also comprises a first assembly (9) and a second assembly (10) which is freely moveable in the first direction (D1) with respect to the first assembly (9), wherein the first assembly (9) includes one of a pair of sandwiching members (4), and the second assembly (10) includes the other of said pair of sandwiching members (4).

Description

Seedling handling device

[0001] The present invention relates to a seedling handling device.

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Patent Document 1, which discloses a mat seedling, is known in the prior art.

[0003] Japanese Patent Publication No. JP-A-10-113008

[0004] Conventionally, mat seedlings have been handled directly by hand, and there has been no suitable device for handling mat seedlings.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a seedling handling device capable of handling mat seedlings.

[0006] A seedling handling device according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a pair of clamping members that clamp a predetermined amount of seedlings in a mat by moving the clamping members from an open position to a closed position, and the pair of clamping members are arranged in multiple sets in a first direction, which is the direction in which the gap between the pair of clamping members is opened and closed.

[0007] The seedling handling device may comprise a first component and a second component movable in the first direction relative to the first component, wherein the first component includes one of the pair of clamping members and the second component includes the other of the pair of clamping members.

[0008] The first component may have a guide portion that guides the second component in the first direction relative to the first component.

[0009] The plant may also be provided with a grass dividing member that separates a predetermined amount of seedlings clamped by one of the multiple sets of pairs of clamping members from a predetermined amount of seedlings clamped by another set of pairs of clamping members adjacent to the one set of pairs of clamping members in the first direction.

[0010] The grass dividing member may be provided in the guide portion.

[0011] The pair of clamping members may be provided with an anti-slip material on the clamping surfaces that clamp the seedlings.

[0012] The pair of clamping members may be formed of flexible plates.

[0013] The device may further include an actuator that moves the pair of clamping members toward and away from each other in the first direction.

[0014] The device may further include a biasing member that biases the pair of clamping members in a direction in which they approach each other in the first direction.

[0015] The device may further include a biasing member that biases the pair of clamping members in directions that move them away from each other in the first direction.

[0016] According to the above configuration, a seedling handling device capable of handling mat seedlings can be provided.

[0017] 12. A perspective view of a seedling handling device. A cross-sectional view taken along the Z1-Z1 arrow in FIG. 1, with some parts omitted. A schematic view of a seedling handling device showing a pair of clamping members in an open state. A partially sectional front view showing mat seedlings raised in a seedling raising box. A front view showing seedlings clamped with clamping members. A plan view showing the clamping members being inserted into mat seedlings. A front view showing the clamping members being inserted into mat seedlings. A front view showing another removal of mat seedlings. A plan view showing the arrangement of clamping members relative to mat seedlings. A plan view showing another arrangement of clamping members relative to mat seedlings. A perspective view showing a first structure. A perspective view showing the main body of the first structure. A plan view showing the mounting frame, bracket members, etc. of the first structure. An end view taken along the Z2-Z2 arrow in FIG. 12. An exploded perspective view of the mounting member, long board material, and horizontal section. A perspective view of the guide section and grass dividing member. A cross-sectional view of the guide section, etc. A perspective view of the second structure. A perspective view of the mounting frame, bracket members, etc. of the second structure. 17. An end view taken along the arrow Z3-Z3 in FIG. 17. An exploded perspective view of the mounting member and horizontal part. An exploded perspective view of the mounting frame and sliding member. A view showing the state in which a non-slip surface is provided on the clamping member. A front view showing an example of a seedling handling device in which the opening and closing drive of the clamping member is performed by an actuator. A front view showing another example of a seedling handling device in which the opening and closing drive of the clamping member is performed by an actuator. A schematic view of a seedling handling device in which the closing operation of the clamping member is performed by a biasing member. A schematic view of a seedling handling device in which the opening operation of the clamping member is performed by a biasing member.

[0018] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings as appropriate.

[0019] Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the overall configuration of a seedling handling device 1 according to this embodiment. The seedling handling device 1 is a device capable of handling mat seedlings 2 (see Fig. 4). The mat seedlings 2 are, for example, mat seedlings 2 for paddy rice. As shown in Fig. 4, the mat seedlings 2 are mat-shaped seedlings grown by sowing rice seeds in a seedbed 2a (culture soil, seedling mat, etc.) laid at the bottom of a seedling raising box 3, covering the seedlings with soil, and irrigating the seedlings to grow seedlings 2b.

[0020] 1, the direction indicated by the arrow D1 will be referred to as the first direction, the direction indicated by the arrow D1a as the first direction, and the direction indicated by the arrow D1b as the other first direction. The first direction D1 is one of the horizontal directions. The horizontal direction perpendicular to the first direction D1 will be referred to as the second direction D2, the direction indicated by the arrow D2a as the first second direction, and the direction indicated by the arrow D2b as the other second direction.

[0021] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view (with some parts omitted) taken along the Z1-Z1 arrow in Figure 1. As shown in Figure 2, the seedling handling device 1 is equipped with a pair of clamping members 4 that clamp a predetermined amount of seedlings 2b of the mat seedlings 2 (see Figure 5). The pairs of clamping members 4 are arranged in multiple sets in the first direction D1. In other words, the clamping members 4 form a pair, and multiple sets of these pairs of clamping members 4 (sets of a pair of clamping members 4) are arranged in the first direction D1. In this embodiment, the seedling handling device 1 is equipped with six pairs of clamping members 4. The pairs of clamping members 4 are freely movable relative to each other in the first direction D1.

[0022] 2 shows a closed state 5 in which the distance W1 (see FIG. 3) between the pair of clamping members 4 is closed, and FIG. 3 shows an open state 6 in which the distance W1 between the pair of clamping members 4 is wide. That is, by moving the pair of clamping members 4 toward and away from each other in the first direction D1, the pair of clamping members 4 can be displaced between the closed state 5 in which the distance W1 is narrow and the open state 6 in which the distance W1 is wide. In other words, the pair of clamping members 4 can be opened and closed. Therefore, the first direction D1 is a direction in which the distance W1 between the pair of clamping members 4 is widened and opened.

[0023] In the seedling handling device 1 of this embodiment, when the pair of clamping members 4 is in an open state 6 with the spacing W1 between them widened, the clamping members 4 are inserted around the seedlings 2b of the mat seedlings 2, and the seedlings 2b of the mat seedlings 2 are interposed between the pair of clamping members 4. By moving the pair of clamping members 4 in the direction in which they close in this open state 6, a predetermined amount of the seedlings 2b of the mat seedlings 2 can be clamped (held) by the pair of clamping members 4, as shown in Figure 5.

[0024] When clamping the seedlings 2b with a pair of clamping members 4, it is preferable to clamp the top of the seedlings 2b, as clamping from the base of the seedlings 2b will cause the seedlings 2b to become more skewed (deformed). Furthermore, by forming the pair of clamping members 4 from a flexible plate material, it is possible to prevent the base of the seedlings 2b from being pulled together too strongly. The flexible plate material that constitutes the clamping members 4 can be an elastic plate material made of spring steel, or an elastic plate material made of stainless steel and coated with vinyl. Furthermore, the plate material that constitutes the clamping members 4 is not limited, but a plate material with a thickness of 0.5 mm can be used.

[0025] Although it is possible to clamp the seedlings 2b with any width of the opening and closing stroke of the pair of clamping members 4 (the distance W1 between the pair of clamping members 4 when they are open), a small distance W1 is desirable in order to reduce damage to the seedlings 2b by weakening the force of one pair of clamping members 4, to prevent the seedlings 2b from being bent (deformed) by being gathered together during clamping, and to enable the mat seedlings 2 to be lifted even if the seedlings 2b are weak. For example, the distance W1 between the pair of clamping members 4 when they are open is desirably about 10 mm to 50 mm. Preferably, it is about 30 mm.

[0026] In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 9, the pair of clamping members 4 are configured to be arranged in parallel in a direction along the short side 2c of the mat seedlings 2. However, this is not limited thereto, and as shown in Fig. 10, the pair of clamping members 4 may be configured to be arranged in parallel in a direction along the long side 2d of the mat seedlings 2. Note that Figs. 9 and 10 are plan views showing an outline of the seedling handling device 1 with the pair of clamping members 4 open.

[0027] For the above reasons, the number of pairs of clamping members 4 is not limited to six as in this embodiment, but may be seven or more. In other words, the number of pairs of clamping members 4 provided in the seedling handling device 1 is determined appropriately according to the set interval W1 and the width of the short side 2c or long side 2d of the mat seedlings 2.

[0028] When inserting the clamping member 4 into the seedling 2b of the mat seedling 2, the clamping member 4 may be approached from above the mat seedling 2, but in this embodiment, as shown in Figures 6 and 7, the clamping member 4 is inserted into the seedling 2b of the mat seedling 2 from the side (lateral direction) 7 of the mat seedling 2 (inserted horizontally).

[0029] When the clamping member 4 is inserted into the seedling 2b of the mat seedling 2 from the horizontal direction 7, in the example shown in Figure 7, the clamping member 4 is inserted into the seedling 2b of the mat seedling 2 above the side wall (vertical wall) of the seedling raising box 3, but this is not limited to this.

[0030] For example, a slit may be formed in the side wall of the seedling raising box 3 through which the clamping member 4 can pass, and the clamping member 4 may be inserted into the seedlings 2b of the mat seedlings 2 by passing the clamping member 4 through the slit.

[0031] This allows the seedlings 2b to be clamped from their roots. The slits are formed in a number corresponding to the number of clamping members 4 so that a pair of clamping members 4 can pass through in an open state. In addition, the seedling handling device 1 in the embodiment in which the clamping members 4 are passed through slits formed in the side wall of the seedling raising box 3 does not have a grass dividing member 8, which will be described later.

[0032] One side wall of the seedling raising box 3 may be lowered by an amount that allows the seedling handling device 1 to pass through. This also makes it possible to clamp the seedlings 2b from their base. In this case, the seedling handling device 1 is formed to have a length shorter than the length of one side of the mat seedlings 2 in the direction along the lowered side wall. The height of the two opposing side walls of the seedling raising box 3 may also be lowered.

[0033] 2, 6, and 7, in this embodiment, a grass dividing member 8 is provided to insert the clamping members 4 from the side 7 into the seedlings 2b of the mat seedlings 2. The grass dividing member 8 is a member that separates a predetermined amount of seedlings 2b clamped by one pair of clamping members 4 out of multiple pairs of clamping members 4 from a predetermined amount of seedlings 2b clamped by another pair of clamping members 4 adjacent to the first pair of clamping members 4 in the first direction D1.

[0034] As shown in Figure 6, the grass dividing member 8 has a pair of walls 8a formed so that the distance between them gradually decreases as they move outward in the second direction (from the center of the second direction D2 of the seedling handling device 1 in the direction away from the second direction D2) in a plan view. This prevents the seedlings 2b from becoming entangled in the clamping member 4 when the clamping member 4 is inserted into the seedlings 2b of the mat seedlings 2. For this reason, the grass dividing member 8 is preferably made of a slippery material.

[0035] In this embodiment, the grass dividing member 8 is formed with a pointed shape at the tip, but this is not limited to this, and the grass dividing member 8 may be formed with a curved shape at the tip that is convex outward in the second direction when viewed in a plane.

[0036] As shown in Figure 6, multiple grass dividing members 8 are provided at intervals in the first direction D1. More specifically, seven grass dividing members 8 are provided on each side of the clamping member 4 in the second direction D2. Therefore, the clamping member 4 can be inserted into the seedlings 2b from either one side or the other side of the seedling handling device 1 in the second direction D2.

[0037] The seedling handling device 1 of this embodiment can be used, for example, when removing mat seedlings 2 from a seedling raising box 3. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7 , the clamping members 4 are inserted above the seedlings 2b of the mat seedlings 2 to clamp the seedlings 2b with the pair of clamping members 4, and then the seedling handling device 1 is lifted while the seedlings 2b are still clamped by the clamping members 4, thereby removing the mat seedlings 2 from the seedling raising box 3. At this time, another worker holds down the seedling raising box 3 to prevent it from being lifted together with the mat seedlings 2, or the seedling raising box 3 is fixed with a fixing device. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 8 , when removing the mat seedlings 2 from the seedling raising box 3, the seedling handling device 1 may be lifted from the end of the seedling handling device 1 in the second direction D2.

[0038] In the above-mentioned example of use of the seedling handling device 1, the case where the seedling handling device 1 is used to remove the mat seedlings 2 from the seedling raising boxes 3 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the seedling handling device 1 may be used to transport the mat seedlings 2 removed from the seedling raising boxes 3, or the seedling handling device 1 may be used to transport the mat seedlings 2 removed from the seedling raising boxes 3 as they are.

[0039] When transporting (conveying) the mat seedlings 2 while holding them with the seedling handling device 1, an aircraft such as a drone may be used as the transport means. In this case, the seedling handling device 1 is attached to the aircraft while holding the mat seedlings 2, and the mat seedlings 2 are transported to a desired location by the aircraft.

[0040] Next, the structure of the seedling handling device 1 will be described in detail.

[0041] As shown in Figure 1, the seedling handling device 1 has a first structure 9 and a second structure 10. The first structure 9 and the second structure 10 are each movable in a first direction D1. That is, the first structure 9 and the second structure 10 are movable toward and away from each other in the first direction D1. Specifically, the first structure 9 is movable relative to the second structure 10 in the first direction D1, and the second structure 10 is movable relative to the first structure 9 in the first direction D1.

[0042] The seedling handling device 1 including the first component 9 and the second component 10 may be configured as follows:

[0043] For example, the seedling handling device 1 may be configured to include a locking member that restricts (locks) the movement of one of the first and second components 9 and 10 in the first direction D1, and to clamp the seedlings 2b of the mat seedlings 2 between the pair of clamping members 4 by moving the unlocked component in the first direction D1 relative to the locked component. However, the present invention is not limited to this.

[0044] For example, the seedling handling device 1 may be configured to include a locking member that restricts movement in the first direction D1 of one of the first and second structures 9 and 10, and a locking member that restricts movement in the first direction D1 of the other of the first and second structures 9 and 10, and to be able to release the locking provided by these locking members. In this seedling handling device 1, when the pair of clamping members 4 clamp the seedlings 2b of the mat seedlings 2, the locking provided by the locking member that locks either one of the structures is released in advance.

[0045] As described above, the seedling handling device 1 of the above-mentioned modified example only needs to be provided with a locking member that restricts the movement of at least one of the first component 9 and the second component 10 in the first direction D1.

[0046] First, we will explain the first component 9. As shown in Figure 11, the first component 9 has a main body 11, a guide part 12, and the grass dividing member 8 described above.

[0047] As shown in Fig. 12, the main body 11 has a mounting frame 13. As shown in Fig. 13, the mounting frame 13 is formed in a rectangular shape in a plan view. The mounting frame 13 also has a pair of vertical portions 14 spaced apart in the second direction D2. Specifically, the pair of vertical portions 14 are formed long in the first direction D1 (formed like strips long in the first direction D1) and are composed of a first vertical portion 14A on one side D2a in the second direction and a second vertical portion 14B on the other side D2b in the second direction.

[0048] The mounting frame 13 also has multiple horizontal portions 15 disposed between the first vertical portion 14A and the second vertical portion 14B. Specifically, the multiple horizontal portions 15 are elongated in the second direction D2 (i.e., formed like strips elongated in the second direction D2) and connected to the first vertical portion 14A and the second vertical portion 14B. Seven horizontal portions 15 are disposed on the vertical portion 14, extending from one longitudinal end (the end on the first direction D1a side) to the other longitudinal end. The seven horizontal portions 15 are spaced apart in the first direction D1. The seven horizontal portions 15 are referred to in order from one longitudinal end to the other longitudinal end of the vertical portion 14 as the first horizontal portion 15A, the second horizontal portion 15B, the third horizontal portion 15C, the fourth horizontal portion 15D, the fifth horizontal portion 15E, the sixth horizontal portion 15F, and the seventh horizontal portion 15G.

[0049] As shown in Fig. 12, the main body 11 has bracket members 16. As shown in Fig. 13, the bracket members 16 are provided on one side of the first direction D1a and one side of the first direction D1b of the mounting frame 13. The bracket member 16 on the one side of the first direction D1a of the mounting frame 13 is referred to as the first bracket member 16A, and the bracket member 16 on the other side of the first direction D1b of the mounting frame 13 is referred to as the second bracket member 16B. Each bracket member 16 has a first member 17, a second member 18, a third member 19, and a handle member 20.

[0050] Regarding the first bracket member 16A, the first member 17A is fixed to the underside of a portion of the first horizontal portion 15A on the one side in the second direction D2a and protrudes in the one side in the first direction D1a from the first horizontal portion 15A. The second member 18A is fixed to the underside of a portion of the first horizontal portion 15A on the other side in the second direction D2b and protrudes in the one side in the first direction D1a from the first horizontal portion 15A. The third member 19A is formed by a member that is elongated in the second direction D2, is provided from the upper surface of the first member 17A to the upper surface of the second member 18A, and is fixed to the first member 17A and the second member 18A.

[0051] Regarding the second bracket member 16B, the first member 17B is fixed to the underside of the seventh horizontal portion 15G at a portion on the one side in the second direction D2a and protrudes from the seventh horizontal portion 15G in the other side in the first direction D1b. The second member 18B is fixed to the underside of the seventh horizontal portion 15G at a portion on the other side in the second direction D2b and protrudes from the seventh horizontal portion 15G in the other side in the first direction D1b. The third member 19B is formed by a member that is elongated in the second direction D2, extends from the upper surface of the first member 17B to the upper surface of the second member 18B, and is fixed to the first member 17B and the second member 18B.

[0052] The handle members 20 are members that are gripped by an operator, and two are provided on each of the third member 19A of the first bracket member 16A and the third member 19B of the second bracket member 16B.

[0053] As shown in FIG. 12 , the main body 11 includes one of the pair of clamping members 4 (referred to as the first clamping member 4A). That is, the first structure 9 includes one of the pair of clamping members 4. The first clamping member 4A is attached to each of the second horizontal portion 15B, the third horizontal portion 15C, the fourth horizontal portion 15D, the fifth horizontal portion 15E, the sixth horizontal portion 15F, and the seventh horizontal portion 15G. As shown in FIGS. 14A and 14B , the first clamping member 4A is attached to the horizontal portion 15 via an attachment member 21. The attachment member 21 has an upper wall 21a that is superimposed on the upper surface of the horizontal portion 15 and a vertical wall 21b that extends downward from the end of the upper wall 21a on one side of the first direction D1a. The upper portion of the first clamping member 4A is attached to the vertical wall 21b of the attachment member 21 with screws. A long plate 22 that is long in the second direction D2 is superimposed on the upper surface of the upper wall 21a of the mounting member 21, and the upper wall 21a and the long plate 22 are attached to the horizontal portion 15 with screws. The mounting member 21, the first clamping member 4A, and the long plate 22 are formed to a length corresponding to the length of the horizontal portion 15.

[0054] The guide portion 12 guides the second component 10 in the first direction D1 relative to the first component 9. As shown in Fig. 11 , the guide portion 12 is provided on one side of the second direction D2a and on the other side of the second direction D2b of the main body 11. The guide portion 12 on the one side of the second direction D2a of the main body 11 is referred to as the first guide portion 12A, and the guide portion 12 on the other side of the second direction D2b of the main body 11 is referred to as the second guide portion 12B.

[0055] As shown in Figures 15 and 16, the first guide portion 12A has an upper wall 12Aa, a side wall 12Ab, a lower wall 12Ac, and an extension wall 12Ad. The side wall 12Ab extends downward from the end of the upper wall 12Aa on the one side of the second direction D2a. The lower wall 12Ac extends from the lower end of the side wall 12Ab in the other side of the second direction D2b. The lower wall 12Ac is located below the upper wall 12Aa and extends further in the other side of the second direction D2b than the upper wall 12Aa. The extension wall 12Ad extends downward from the end of the lower wall 12Ac on the other side of the second direction D2b. The first guide portion 12A is removably attached to the first vertical portion 14A (mounting frame 13) by overlapping the lower wall 12Ac with the lower surface of the first vertical portion 14A and attaching it to the first vertical portion 14A with screws.

[0056] The second guide portion 12B has an upper wall 12Ba, a side wall 12Bb, a lower wall 12Bc, and an extension wall 12Bd. The side wall 12Bb extends downward from the end of the upper wall 12Ba on the other side of the second direction D2b. The lower wall 12Bc extends in the one side of the second direction D2a from the lower end of the side wall 12Bb. The lower wall 12Bc is located below the upper wall 12Ba and extends further in the one side of the second direction D2a than the upper wall 12Ba. The extension wall 12Bd extends downward from the end of the lower wall 12Bc on the one side of the second direction D2a. The second guide portion 12B is removably attached to the second vertical portion 14B (mounting frame 13) by overlapping the lower surface of the second vertical portion 14B with the lower wall 12Bc and attaching it to the second vertical portion 14B with screws.

[0057] As shown in Figure 15, the grass dividing members 8 are provided on the guide section 12. More specifically, seven guide sections 12 are provided on each of the surfaces of the extension wall 12Ad of the first guide section 12A on one side of the second direction D2a and the surface of the extension wall 12Bd of the second guide section 12B on the other side of the second direction D2b. The grass dividing members 8 are provided at equal intervals in the first direction D1. As shown in Figure 2, the lower ends of the grass dividing members 8 are located at positions that approximately correspond to the lower ends of the clamping members 4.

[0058] Next, the second structure 10 will be described. As shown in Fig. 17 , the second structure 10 has a mounting frame 23. As shown in Fig. 18 , the mounting frame 23 is formed in a rectangular shape in a plan view. The mounting frame 23 has a pair of vertical portions 24 spaced apart in the second direction D2. Specifically, the pair of vertical portions 24 are formed long in the first direction D1 (formed like strips long in the first direction D1) and are composed of a first vertical portion 24A on one side D2a in the second direction and a second vertical portion 24B on the other side D2b in the second direction.

[0059] The mounting frame 23 also has multiple horizontal portions 25 disposed between the first vertical portion 24A and the second vertical portion 24B. Specifically, the multiple horizontal portions 25 are elongated in the second direction D2 (i.e., formed like strips elongated in the second direction D2) and connected to the first vertical portion 24A and the second vertical portion 24B. Seven horizontal portions 25 are disposed on the vertical portion 24, extending from one longitudinal end (the end on the first direction D1a side) to the other longitudinal end. The seven horizontal portions 25 are spaced apart in the first direction D1. The seven horizontal portions 25 are referred to in order from one longitudinal end to the other longitudinal end of the vertical portion 24 as a first horizontal portion 25A, a second horizontal portion 25B, a third horizontal portion 25C, a fourth horizontal portion 25D, a fifth horizontal portion 25E, a sixth horizontal portion 25F, and a seventh horizontal portion 25G.

[0060] As shown in FIG. 17 , the second structure 10 includes the other of the pair of clamping members 4 (referred to as the second clamping member 4B). The second clamping member 4B is attached to each of the first horizontal portion 25A, the second horizontal portion 25B, the third horizontal portion 25C, the fourth horizontal portion 25D, the fifth horizontal portion 25E, and the sixth horizontal portion 25F. As shown in FIGS. 19A and 19B , the second clamping member 4B is attached to the horizontal portion 25 via an attachment member 26. The attachment member 26 has an upper wall 26a superimposed on the upper surface of the horizontal portion 25 and a vertical wall 26b extending downward from the end of the upper wall 26a on the other side of the first direction D1b. The upper wall 26a is attached to the horizontal portion 25 with a screw. The upper portion of the second clamping member 4B is attached to the vertical wall 26b of the attachment member 26 with a screw. The attachment member 26 and the second clamping member 4B are formed to have a length corresponding to the length of the horizontal portion 25.

[0061] As shown in FIGS. 17 and 18 , the second structure 10 includes a bracket member 27. The bracket member 27 is provided on the first direction side D1a of the mounting frame 23. The bracket member 27 includes a first member 28, a second member 29, and a third member 30. The first member 28 is fixed to the upper surface of a portion of the first horizontal portion 25A on the second direction side D2a and protrudes from the first horizontal portion 25A in the first direction D1a. The second member 29 is fixed to the upper surface of a portion of the first horizontal portion 25A on the second direction side D2b and protrudes from the first horizontal portion 25A in the first direction D1a. The third member 30 is formed by a member that is elongated in the second direction D2, is provided from the lower surface of the first member 28 to the lower surface of the second member 29, and is fixed to the first member 28 and the second member 29.

[0062] The second structure 10 has handle members 31. The handle members 31 are members that an operator grips, and two handle members 31 are provided on each of the third member 30 of the bracket member 27 and the seventh horizontal portion 25G of the mounting frame 23.

[0063] As shown in Fig. 17, the second component 10 has a sliding plate 32. As shown in Fig. 18, the sliding plate 32 is provided on the underside of the first vertical portion 24A and the underside of the second vertical portion 24B, and is attached to the first vertical portion 24A and the second vertical portion 24B. As shown in Fig. 20, the sliding plate 32 is formed to a length corresponding to the length of the vertical portion 24 in the first direction D1, and one side in the first direction protrudes slightly forward from the first horizontal portion 25A (see Fig. 18).

[0064] As shown in Figure 21, in order to improve the reliability of clamping the seedlings 2b with a pair of clamping members 4, an anti-slip material 34 is provided on the clamping surface 33, which is the surface that clamps the seedlings 2b on the pair of clamping members 4 (first clamping member 4A, second clamping member 4B).

[0065] With the first guide portion 12A and the second guide portion 12B removed from the main body portion 11 of the first component 9, the second component 10 is superimposed on the first component 9 from above by inserting the second clamping member 4B between the horizontal portions 15 of the first component 9. 16 , the first vertical portion 14A of the first constituent 9, the first vertical portion 24A of the second constituent 10, and the sliding plate 32 are interposed between the upper wall 12Aa and the lower wall 12Ac of the first guide portion 12A, and the second vertical portion 14B of the first constituent 9, the second vertical portion 24B of the second constituent 10, and the sliding plate 32 are interposed between the upper wall 12Ba and the lower wall 12Bc of the second guide portion 12B, and the guide portion 12 (first guide portion 12A, second guide portion 12B) is attached to the vertical portion 14 (first vertical portion 14A, second vertical portion 14B) of the first constituent 9. This allows the first constituent 9 and the second constituent 10 to be assembled so as to be movable toward and away from each other in the first direction D1.

[0066] The above-described embodiment illustrates a manual seedling handling device 1 in which an operator manually opens and closes the pair of clamping members 4, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the seedling handling device 1 may be provided with an actuator that drives the pair of clamping members 4 to open and close. Figures 22 and 23 show an example of a seedling handling device 1 equipped with an actuator that moves the pair of clamping members 4 toward and away from each other in the first direction D1.

[0067] The seedling handling device 1 shown in Figure 22 employs a reversible motor 35 as an actuator for driving the pair of clamping members 4 to open and close. In the example shown in Figure 22, the motor 35 is mounted on the bracket member 16 of the first component 9. A screw shaft 36 (a rod with a male screw helically cut on its outer periphery) extending in the first direction D1 is attached to the motor 35 for free rotation about its axis. A nut 37 onto which the screw shaft 36 is threaded is mounted on the second component 10. In the seedling handling device 1 driven by this motor 35, rotating the motor 35 forward and backward rotates the screw shaft 36 forward and backward about its axis, moving the nut 37 in the first direction D1. This causes the second component 10 to move in the first direction D1 relative to the first component 9, opening and closing the pair of clamping members 4.

[0068] The seedling handling device 1 shown in Figure 23 uses a drive cylinder 38, such as an electric cylinder or air cylinder, as an actuator for opening and closing the pair of clamping members 4. In this seedling handling device 1 shown in Figure 23, the cylinder tube 38a of the drive cylinder 38 is attached to the bracket member 16 of the first component 9, and the piston rod 38b of the drive cylinder 38 is connected to a fixed member 39 attached to the second component 10. In the seedling handling device 1 driven by this drive cylinder 38, the second component 10 moves in the first direction D1 together with the fixed member 39 by extending and retracting the piston rod 38b of the drive cylinder 38 relative to the cylinder tube 38a (by extending and retracting the drive cylinder 38). This causes the second component 10 to move in the first direction D1 relative to the first component 9, opening and closing the pair of clamping members 4.

[0069] In addition, in order to reduce weight, as shown in Figure 24, the seedling handling device 1 may be provided with a biasing member (tension spring) 40 that biases the pair of clamping members 4 toward each other in the first direction D1, and an external actuator (an actuator provided in a device other than the seedling handling device 1) may be used to open the pair of clamping members 4 against the biasing force of the biasing member 40.

[0070] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 25, the seedling handling device 1 may be provided with a biasing member (compression spring) that biases the pair of clamping members 4 in a direction away from each other in the first direction D1, and an external actuator may be used to close the pair of clamping members 4 against the biasing force of the biasing member 40.

[0071] A preferred embodiment of the present invention provides a seedling handling device 1 described in the following items: (Item 1) The seedling handling device 1 includes a pair of clamping members 4 that clamp a predetermined amount of seedlings 2b of a mat seedling 2 by moving a distance W1 from an open state to a closed state, and the pair of clamping members 4 are arranged in multiple sets in a first direction D1, which is the direction in which the distance W1 between the pair of clamping members 4 is opened and closed.

[0072] According to the seedling handling device 1 relating to this item 1, a seedling handling device 1 capable of handling mat seedlings 2 can be provided.

[0073] (Item 2) A seedling handling device 1 described in Item 1, comprising a first component 9 and a second component 10 that is movable in the first direction D1 relative to the first component 9, wherein the first component 9 includes one of the pair of clamping members 4, and the second component 10 includes the other of the pair of clamping members 4.

[0074] The seedling handling device 1 according to this item 2 can also provide a seedling handling device 1 capable of handling mat seedlings 2.

[0075] (Item 3) The seedling handling device 1 according to Item 2, wherein the first structure 9 has a guide portion 12 that guides the second structure 10 relative to the first structure 9 in the first direction D1.

[0076] According to the seedling handling device 1 relating to this item 3, the second structure 10 can be smoothly guided in the first direction D1 relative to the first structure 9.

[0077] (Item 4) A seedling handling device 1 described in any one of items 1 to 3, which is equipped with a grass dividing member 8 that separates a predetermined amount of seedlings 2b clamped by one pair of clamping members 4 out of the multiple pairs of clamping members 4 from a predetermined amount of seedlings 2b clamped by another pair of clamping members 4 adjacent to the one pair of clamping members 4 in the first direction D1.

[0078] According to the seedling handling device 1 relating to this item 4, the seedlings 2b clamped by the clamping members 4 can be separated, and the seedlings 2b can be prevented from becoming entangled in the clamping members 4.

[0079] (Item 5) The seedling handling device 1 described in Item 4 citing Item 3, in which the grass dividing member 8 is provided on the guide portion 12.

[0080] According to the seedling handling device 1 relating to item 5, the configuration can be simplified.

[0081] (Item 6) The seedling handling device 1 described in any one of items 1 to 5 is provided with an anti-slip material 34 provided on the clamping surface 33, which is the surface that clamps the seedling 2b in the pair of clamping members 4.

[0082] According to the seedling handling device 1 relating to this item 6, the reliability of clamping the seedling 2b with the pair of clamping members 4 can be improved.

[0083] (Item 7) The seedling handling device 1 according to any one of items 1 to 6, wherein the pair of clamping members 4 are formed of flexible plate material.

[0084] According to the seedling handling device 1 relating to this item 7, deformation of the seedling 2b when the seedling 2b is clamped by the clamping member 4 can be suppressed.

[0085] (Item 8) The seedling handling device 1 described in any one of items 1 to 7, further comprising an actuator (motor 35, drive cylinder 38) that moves the pair of clamping members 4 toward and away from each other in the first direction D1.

[0086] According to the seedling handling device 1 relating to item 8, the pair of clamping members 4 can be opened and closed by the actuators 35, 38, thereby reducing the labor required.

[0087] (Item 9) The seedling handling device 1 according to any one of Items 1 to 8, further comprising a biasing member 40 that biases the pair of clamping members 4 in a direction in which they approach each other in the first direction D1.

[0088] According to the seedling handling device 1 relating to item 9, the seedlings 2b can be clamped by the biasing force of the biasing member 40, thereby reducing the labor required.

[0089] (Item 10) The seedling handling device 1 according to any one of items 1 to 9, further comprising a biasing member 41 that biases the pair of clamping members 4 in directions that move them away from each other in the first direction D1.

[0090] According to the seedling handling device 1 relating to this item 10, the pair of clamping members 4 can be opened by the biasing force of the biasing member 41, thereby reducing the labor required.

[0091] Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the embodiment disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims, not by the above description, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims.

[0092] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 seedling handling device 2 mat seedling 2b seedling 4 clamping member 9 first structure 8 grass dividing member 10 second structure 12 guide part 33 clamping surface 34 anti-slip material 35 actuator (motor) 38 actuator (drive cylinder) 40 urging member 41 urging member D1 first direction W1 spacing

Claims

1. A seedling handling device comprising a pair of clamping members which clamp a predetermined amount of mat seedlings by moving from an open position to a closed position, the pair of clamping members being arranged in multiple sets in a first direction which is the direction in which the gap between the pair of clamping members is opened and closed.

2. A seedling handling device as described in claim 1, comprising: a first component; and a second component movable in the first direction relative to the first component, wherein the first component includes one of the pair of clamping members, and the second component includes the other of the pair of clamping members.

3. A seedling handling device as claimed in claim 2, wherein said first component has a guide portion for guiding said second component in said first direction relative to said first component.

4. A seedling handling device as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a grass dividing member which separates a predetermined amount of seedlings clamped by one of the multiple sets of a pair of clamping members from a predetermined amount of seedlings clamped by another set of a pair of clamping members adjacent to the one set of a pair of clamping members in the first direction.

5. A seedling handling device as described in claim 4, which cites claim 3, in which the grass dividing member is provided in the guide section.

6. A seedling handling device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising an anti-slip material provided on the clamping surfaces of said pair of clamping members which clamp the seedlings.

7. A seedling handling device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said pair of clamping members are formed from a flexible plate material.

8. The seedling handling device according to claim 1, further comprising an actuator for moving said pair of clamping members toward and away from each other in said first direction.

9. A seedling handling device according to claim 1, further comprising a biasing member for biasing said pair of clamping members in a direction in which they approach each other in said first direction.

10. A seedling handling device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a biasing member for biasing said pair of clamping members in directions away from each other in said first direction.

Images