FR3081283A1 - CONVEYOR OF VEGETABLE PLANTS OF PERFUME, AROMATIC AND MEDICINAL TYPE AND CORRESPONDING HARVESTER - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a conveyor intended to be arranged between a cutting tool and a grab of a harvester. According to the invention, the conveyor comprises means for mixing plants and a box (11) at least part of the walls of which have grooves, said mixing means comprising at least one comb (24a, 24b, 24c) pivotally mounted in the box to bring the plants into service from the cutting tool into the bucket, fingers of the comb extending over at least part of the rotation of the comb through the grooves of the walls to ensure this mixing. The invention also includes a harvester comprising such a conveyor.

Description

The invention relates to a conveyor of plants in particular, although not exclusively, Perfume, Aromatic: and Medicinal Plants (better known by the acronym PPAM) such as lavender, lavandin, sage, thyme 5 ...

The invention also relates to a plant fertilization comprising such a conveyor.

BACKGROUND TEGHNOLOGICAL BASIS OF THE INVENTION

A lavender harvester will allow both to cut the lavender and to convey it from a cutting tool to a rear bucket in order to ensure its storage.

Usually, the lavender is conveyed by a vertical belt extending between the cutting tool and the rear bucket, the carpet generally being provided with spikes allowing the lavender to be mounted up to the top of the carpet where it is dumped into the bucket.

In reality, such a system tends to damage lavender 'by crumbling it either at the level of the carpet: or when tilting lavender from the top of the carpet to the bucket, which is particularly harmful. at the start of the harvest when the skip is empty.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

An object of the invention is to provide a plant conveyor which allows smoother conveying for said plants.

An object of the invention is also to propose a harvester comprising such a conveyor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With a view to achieving this goal, a conveyor is proposed which is intended to be arranged between a plant cutting tool and a grab of a harvester.

According to the invention, the conveyor comprises means for stirring the plants and a box, at least part of the walls of which have grooves, said stirring means comprising at least one comb mounted to pivot in the box to bring the plants into service. from the cutting tool to the bucket, fingers of the comb 5 extending over at least part of the rotation of the comb through the grooves of the walls to ensure this mixing.

Thus, the comb is responsible for raising the plants from the lower part of the conveyor to its upper part · in order to bring the plants into the bucket.

Surprisingly, the inventors were able to observe that · the use of a rotary comb made it possible to bring the plants more gently into the bucket. In particular, the inventors were able to note a significant reduction in deterioration and in particular of the crumbling of plants.

It is also noted that the invention allows filling of the bucket · by the bottom of the bucket · which also limits the risk of damage to plants.

In addition, the presence of grooves allows passage; 20 plants inside the box which limits a risk; unstuck plants in the conveyor.

Furthermore ··, the conveyor is thus also less sensitive to external elements of the type; pebbles and others; dirt that- the conveyors of the prior art.

In addition, the conveyor is simpler to build and less expensive to produce.

Optionally, a bottom of the box is rounded.

Optionally, the box is surrounded at least partially by a cover of the conveyor, a bottom of the cover; being rounded.

Optionally, the stirring means comprise at least two plates driven in rotation synchronously; by a drive shaft, the comb; being itself carried by the two plates.

3:

Optionally, the ends of the comb are guided by slide / slide assemblies,

Optionally, the ends of the comb · are articulated to rollers cooperating with slides of the 5 'conveyor by means of connecting rods.

Optionally, each finger narrows in the opposite direction to the carrier.

Optionally, one end of each finger is bevelled.

Optionally, the conveyor 'has · at each comb between 6 and 16 fingers,

The invention also relates to a harvester comprising a conveyor as previously described.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge on reading the following description of a particular non-limiting embodiment of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be better understood in the light of the description which follows with reference to the attached appended figures, among which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conveyor according to a particular embodiment of the invention, FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the conveyor illustrated in FIG. 1 at one of the slides of the conveyor, Figure 3 is a sectional view of the conveyor illustrated in Figure 1 at 'level; of one of the trays · of the conveyor, FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of a harvester · comprising the conveyor illustrated in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference to the various figures, the conveyor according to a particular embodiment of the invention is associated with a lavender harvester. This application 35 is of course not limiting and we can associate the conveyor with other types of plant harvesters such as PPAM and for example lavandin, sage, thyme ...

The harvester, generally designated in 1, comprises a chassis 2 which extends longitudinally along an axis X, the chassis 2 being connected here to a tractor (not illustrated here ·).

Thereafter the terms of- "higher", "lower", "before", "backward". . . must be understood according to the operating position of the harvester 1, that is to say, the position in which the frame 2 rests on the ground on which the harvester 1 is intended to roll. The terms - "front", "rear" must therefore be understood according to the operating position of the harvester 1 and the direction of advance of the harvester 1 - on said soil when · the harvester 1 advances.

At the front of the chassis 2 are thus mounted · one or more lavender cutting tools (not visible here '), for example in the form of sharp rotating plates. Preferably, at least one, and typically two, circular instruments forming the sun (not visible here) are carried by the frame on either side of the cutting tools in order to straighten the strands of lavender to facilitate their cutting.

Such cutting and straightening means are well known in the prior art and will not be detailed here.

Furthermore, the rear of the chassis carries a bucket '3 for lavender storage which extends longitudinally along the axis X.

The skip 3 has a horizontal bottom extended laterally by two vertical lateral flanks, ie a left lateral flank 4 and a right lateral flank 5 (when the tractor is being driven) as well as a pivoting door 6 forming the rear of the skip 3 .

Preferably, the front of the bucket 3 is partially closed by a front face 7 extended by a flap 8 inclined in the direction of the interior of the skip 3. The front face 7 here extends substantially vertically and the flap 8 obliquely to said front face 7. Preferably: the front face · 7 like the flap 8 are provided with through grooves extending · in the width direction of the front face 7 and of the flap 8 respectively. The grooves of the front: front 7 are thus vertical s ·.

Between the cutting tools and the bucket 3, the chassis 2 carries the 'conveyor 10 which · we will · now · attach ourselves · to describe ·.

The conveyor 10 comprises · a box 11 extending longitudinally along a second axis Y (perpendicular to the axis X). According to a particular embodiment, the box 11 has a front face 12 and a rear face 15, both planar and parallel to each other, connected by a bottom 13 of the box 11. Preferably said bottom 13 is rounded. The bottom 13 here forms a half-cylinder. The box. It is thus arranged so that its front 12 and rear 14 faces are vertical. Note that 20 Caisson 11 has no ceiling and lateral sides.

Preferably, all the walls of the box 11 are split.

The grooves 15 (only one of which is referenced: here) are through and arranged so as to extend 25 continuously from the front face 12 to the rear face 14 of the box 11. The grooves 15 are, moreover, formed at intervals · Regular (along the Y axis). In this way, the grooves · 15 do not extend parallel to the axis Y. The grooves 15 are here vertical at the front face 12 and the rear face 13 of the box 11 and circumferential on the bottom 13 of the box 11.

The conveyor 10 also includes a cover 16 of the box 11 surrounding · said box 11. Said cover: 16 includes · thus two left lateral flanks 17g and -right 17d 35 as well as a rear wall 18 extending from a bottom of the cowling 16. The cowling 16 is also devoid of a front wall and of a top wall, thus leaving a part of the casing 11 uncovered.

The cutting tools and the suns are therefore mounted at the front of the bottom 19 of the cowling 16 and the cowling 16 is mounted on the chassis 2 _: so that its rear part opens into the bucket 3 at the bottom of the bucket 3 .

We thus fill the bucket by its lower part which is softer for lavender.

Preferably, the cowling 16 comprises a barrier 20 completing the closing of the front of the bucket 3, said barrier 20 extending substantially in the extension of the front face 7 of the bucket 3 so as to define together ·· a flat surface·.

According to a particular embodiment, the bottom 19 of the cowling 16 is curved.

This promotes a smoother movement of the lavender in the conveyor 10 limiting its deterioration.

Preferably, the bottom 19 of the casing · 16 and the bottom 13 20 of the box 11 have at least one portion of the same radius of curvature.

Preferably the barrier 20 is also split. The grooves are through and arranged so as to extend appreciably in the extension of those of the front face 7 of the bucket 3 and more preferably those of the flap 8. The grooves are also provided; regular intervals · (along the · Y axis). In this way, the grooves do not extend parallel to the axis Y but substantially parallel to the axis X. The grooves of the barrier 20 are here vertical.

The conveyor 10 also comprises means for mixing lavender in the conveyor 10.

To this end, the stirring means · comprise two plates 21g, 21d driven in rotation around the axis Y 35 synchronously by a shaft 22- connected to a member η

motor 23. For example, the motor member comprises a motor driving the shaft 22 in rotation by means of a pulley - belt assembly, the motor and the belt pulley assembly being mounted on one of the two lateral flanks. 17 g 5 of the cover 16.

Typically the shaft 22 extends longitudinally in the conveyor 10, parallel to the axis Y, between the two lateral flanks 17 g, 17d of the cover 16 and the plates 21g, 21d are carried by said shaft 22 so as to in 10 be · integral in rotation. Preferably, the two plates 21g, 21d are arranged inside the box 11. Here the two plates 21g, 21d are arranged in the vicinity of the side ends of the box 11. The two plates 21g, 21d are typically identical.

The two plates 21g, 21d in turn drive in rotation at least one comb allowing the mixing of lavender in the conveyor 10. According to a preferred embodiment, the mixing means comprise three combs 24 a, 24 b, 24 c driven in rotation by the two plates 20 21g, 21d. The different combs 24 a, 24b, 24 c are here identical to each other. The different combs 24 a, 24b, 24 c are therefore mounted inside the box 11.

In particular, each comb is carried by the two plates 21g, 21d. To this end, each comb comprises a support bar 25 extending parallel to the axis Y and the ends of which are mounted on one of the two plates 21g, 21d respectively. The rotation of the various combs 24 a, 24 b, 24 c is thus synchronized thanks to their common connection to the two plates 21g, 21d.

Optionally, each tray 21g, 21d is not shaped as a disc. Each plate 21g, 21d thus has a central portion from which a branch extends, the combs 24a, 24b, 24c being linked to the plates 21g, 21d at the free end of these branches.

The trays 21g, 2 Id thus have a star shape with as many branches as there are combs.

Each comb has fingers 26 (only part of which is referenced here) extending from the support bar 25. The fingers 26 extend at regular intervals on each associated support bar 25 in the longitudinal direction of said bar . Typically, the fingers 26 are attached to the associated support bar 25 or in one piece with it so as to be stationary Visio vis-à-vis said support bar 25. The different fingers 26 are identical to each other. In addition, the fingers 26 of the same comb are all parallel to each other. In addition, the fingers 26 of the same comb are all oriented identically relative to the associated support bar 25.

Each finger 26 narrows in the opposite direction to the support bar 25. Furthermore, the free end · of each finger 26 is bevelled. Said end is not, however, sharp.

In this way, the fingers 26 fulfill a stirring function of the lavender but are not intended to prick or to. cut the lavender.

• Each finger 26 has a length between 150 and 300 millimeters, and preferably between 200 and 250 millimeters, and more preferably between 200 and 220 millimeters.

Each support bar 25 has between 6 and 16 fingers, and preferably between 8 and 14 fingers, and more preferably between 10 and 12 fingers.

In use, the rotation of the shaft 22 causes the rotation of the) plates 21g, 21d and therefore of the combs 24a, 24b, 24c which are arranged so that the fingers 26 extend through the grooves 15 of the box II during the rotation of the combs · 24 a, 24 b, 24 c thus ensuring mixing of the lavender and its ascent from the bottom of the cowling 16 to the bucket 3. Typically, each groove 15 is associated only one of the fingers 2 6 of the comb in question.

To guide the movement of the combs 24 a, 24b, 24 c relative to the casing 10, the stirring means comprise · slide / slider assemblies mounted between the: lateral flanks 17d, 17g of the cover 16 and the ends of the support bars 25 of the combs 24a, 24b, 24c opposite.

Typically a first slide 27d: forming a closed loop is arranged on the right lateral flank 17d of the cover 16 and a second slide 27g forming a closed loop identical to that of the first slide 27d is arranged: on the left lateral flank 17 g of the rollover

16.

The ends · of the support bars 25 are correspondingly associated with rollers cooperating with the slides to guide the movement of the combs 24a, 24b, 24c. More precisely here., For each comb, a first end of the bar: support 25 is articulated at a first end of a first connecting rod 28d whose second end is articulated on a first roller 29d cooperating: with the first slide 27d and a second end of the bar: support 25 is articulated at a first end of a second connecting rod 28g, the second end of which is articulated on a second roller 2: 9g cooperating with the second slide 27 g.

According to a particular embodiment: the slides 27d, 27g do not form circular loops. The loops thus each comprise a substantially circular section 30, extended by a substantially elliptical section 31, a substantially straight section 3: 2 connecting the elliptical section: 31 to the circular section: 30 in order to close the loop.

Typically the: straight section 32 extends from the center of the top of the box 11 to substantially the middle of the rear face 18 of the cowling 16, the elliptical section 31 extends itself from substantially the middle of the rear face 18 of the cowling 16 to the center of the bottom 19 of the cowling 16. The substantially circular section · 30 extends here substantially between the center of the top of the casing 11 and the center of the bottom 19 of the cowling 16 at the front of the conveyor 10. Typically the circular section 30 extends over substantially 180 degrees.

The combs · 24a, 24b, 24c are therefore pivotally mounted in the box 11 on the one hand according to a general movement of rotation around the Y axis and on the other hand according to a rotation movement specific to each comb by their articulation to the rollers by the connecting rods.

Thus, thanks to the cooperation of the slides / rollers and the articulation of the combs to the rollers by the connecting rods, the fingers of the combs 24a, 24b, 24c are allowed to protrude from the grooves in order to accompany the lavender well. Lavender passes · in particular between the rounded bottom 13 of the box 11 and that corresponding 19 of the cover · 16 which facilitates its movement · and makes it softer.

Preferably, the combs 24a, 24b, 24c are connected to the rollers so that, for each comb, an angle d formed by a first axis A along which extends the connecting rod associated with said comb and a second axis B along which extends 25 · a finger 26 of said comb is between 35 · and degrees, and preferably between 40 and 50 degrees ·, and is preferably still substantially equal to 45 degrees, regardless of the relative position of the comb opposite the box.

This allows a particularly suitable brewing of lavender.

It is noted that the connecting rods are here arranged outside of the plates 21g, 21d between the plates 21g, 21d and the lateral flanks 17g, 17d of the cover 16. Preferably, a finger 33d, 33g is arranged between each plate 21g , 2Id and the rod considered, outside the plate, the finger 33d, 33g thus being integral in rotation with the other fingers of the comb associated with the rod considered so as to have the same movement as them. The finger is identical to those of the comb and oriented in the same manner.

This also ensures stirring even on the lateral ends of the box 11 while preventing lavender from being blocked between the plates 21g, 21d and the lateral flanks 17g, 17d of the cover 16.

By including these external fingers, the conveyor 10 has · entered 6 and 18 fingers and preferably between 0 and 16 fingers and preferably · still between 10 and 14 fingers at each support bar ·.

In service, the lavender is straightened, by the two suns · then cut by 'the cutting tools. The> conveyor 10 then makes it possible to bring the lavender from the bottom of the harvester 1 to the bucket · 3 by means of its rotary combs, raising the lavender in this way. Lavender can just as easily pass through the box 11 as under the box 11 between the bottom 19 of the cowling 16 and the bottom 13 of the conveyor 10.

Of course 1 ¹ me invention is not limited to the embodiment described and may be, make variations within the scope of one invention as defined by the claims.

In particular, although here the harvester is associated with a motorized vehicle, the harvester may itself be motorized.

The conveyor may have one. other number of combs than indicated. Preferably the conveyor will include between 2 and 5 combs.

A different number of trays' can rotate the combs.

Although here the fingers are fixed relative to the support bar, the fingers may be movable with respect to said bar; support'.

The fingers may not all be identical. Qn may for example include different types of fingers and / or different orientations of fingers on the same comb.

Claims (10)

1. Conveyor intended to be arranged between a plant cutting tool and a grab of a harvester, the 5 conveyor being characterized in that it comprises means for stirring plants and tin 'Caisson (11) at least part of the walls of which have grooves, said stirring means comprising at least one comb (24 a, 24 b , 24 c) swivel mounts in; the box for bringing the plants into service from the cutting tool to the bucket ·, fingers of the comb extending over at least one; part of the rotation of the comb through; the grooves · of the 'walls to ensure this mixing ;. 2. Conveyor; according to claim 1, wherein a bottom (13) of the box is rounded. 3. Conveyor 'according to one of the preceding claims ·, in; which the box is surrounded at least partially by a cover (16) of the conveyor ·, a; bottom (19) of the cover · being rounded. 20 4. Conveyor according to one of; previous claims ·, wherein the stirring means comprise at least two plates (21g, 21d) rotatably driven; synchronous by a tree; training, the comb itself being carried by the two plates. 25 5. Conveyor according to one of the preceding claims, in which; ends of the comb; are guided by; sets of slides / slides. 6. Conveyor according to claim 5, wherein the ends of the comb are articulated · to; · pebbles 30 cooperating with dice slides (27d, 27g) of the conveyor by means of connecting rods. 7. Conveyor according to one of; claims; previous, wherein each finger (26, 33d, 33g) narrows; in direction; opposite the support bar. 8. Conveyor according to one of the preceding claims, in which one end of each · finger (26, 33 d, 33 g) is bevelled. 9. Conveyor according to one of the preceding claims 5, wherein the conveyor comprises at 'level of each: comb between 6 and 16 fingers: (26, 33d, 33g). 10. Harvester comprising a conveyor according to one of the preceding claims.