FR3115434A1 - Arch adapted to be implanted in the ground, for the formation of a culture tunnel - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a hoop (1) adapted to be implanted in the ground for the formation of a cultivation tunnel, The arch (1) consists of a rod (1) made of a flexible material which has a rectilinear state at rest. This rod (1) is capable of being elastically bent from said rectilinear state to a bent state to form an arch (1). Rod (1) includes: - a longitudinal body (2) made of a flexible material, capable of being elastically bent, and - a protective coating (3), tubular, enveloping said longitudinal body (2). Figure for abstract: 2

Description

Arch adapted to be implanted in the ground, for the formation of a culture tunnel

Technical field of the invention

The present invention relates to the technical field of equipment for agriculture, in particular for the manufacture of cultivation tunnels.

It relates in particular to hoops adapted to be implanted in the ground, for the formation of such cultivation tunnels.

State of the art

A growing tunnel comprises a plurality of arches implanted / planted in the ground, which serve as a framework / framework for a protective strip (for example a protective film or a protective net).

For this, it is conventional to use hoops which are made of metallic material.

These metal hoops can be preformed for installation. They can also be bent automatically, just before implantation, from straight rods.

In the case of such rectilinear metal rods, the implantation device advantageously comprises:

- a store, delivering straight metal rods,

- bending means, designed to bend the rectilinear metal rods in the shape of an arch, and

- planting means, for planting the arch-shaped metal rods in the ground, as the planting device progresses.

For their storage and for a new use, these metal hoops are advantageously torn off and then straightened by means of a dedicated straightening device.

However, in practice, the various operations of deformation of metal rods, whether in bending or straightening, are relatively complex to implement and can pose operating/adjustment problems respectively on the implantation devices and on the devices. aforementioned straightening.

In addition, once implanted, the metal hoops are sensitive to plastic bending phenomena.

For example, during strong winds, the metal hoops are likely to bend with, as a corollary, a risk of degradation of the associated protective strip and the underlying plants.

Presentation of the invention

In order to remedy the aforementioned drawback of the state of the art, the present invention proposes a hoop adapted to be implanted in the ground for the formation of a growing tunnel.

According to the invention, this arch consists of a rod made of a flexible material which has a rectilinear state at rest.

This rod is capable of being elastically bent from said rectilinear state to a bent state to form a hoop.

The rod includes:

- a longitudinal body (or longitudinal core or bead), advantageously solid, made of a flexible material, capable of being elastically bent, and

- A protective coating, tubular, enveloping said longitudinal body.

In practice, such a hoop has the advantage of significantly simplifying the conditions of implementation for farmers.

The stem indeed automatically resumes its rectilinear state, after uprooting. This rod can then be used directly for a new implantation.

In addition, the protective coating here has the advantage of protecting the longitudinal body, in particular in the event of breakage or degradation of the latter.

In fact, it avoids a release of material from the longitudinal body or a separation of the upper into several sections.

In addition, once implanted, the hoops according to the invention retain play under elastic deformation.

For example, during strong winds, the hoops according to the invention can bend elastically, which allows protection of the associated protective band.

Furthermore, the hoop according to the invention has the advantage of being able to be used possibly with an implantation device (with folder/planter) and/or a lifting device which are conventionally implemented with metal rods.

Other non-limiting and advantageous characteristics of the product in accordance with the invention, taken individually or in all technically possible combinations, are the following:

- the longitudinal body is made of glass fibers, for example E-glass fibers, advantageously with a thermosetting resin;

- the protective coating is chosen from thermoplastic materials, preferably from thermoplastic polymers, for example polypropylene;

- the rod has a diameter ranging from 5 to 10 mm, with a protective coating whose thickness is 1 to 3 mm;

- the rod has a length ranging from 2000 to 3000 mm.

The present invention also relates to a method for installing arches in the ground, for the formation of a cultivation tunnel.

The implantation process comprises the following successive steps, for the successive implantation of each of said arches:

- a step of taking a stem, in a straight state,

- a step of bending said rod, to form a hoop,

- a step of planting said stem in a bent state.

The present invention also relates to an installation device, for the installation of hoops in the ground, which installation device comprises:

- storage means, for storing the rods in a rectilinear state,

- distribution means, for the individual removal of said rods in a rectilinear state from said storage means,

- bending means, for bending said rod taken from the straight state to the bent state,

- planting means, for planting said stem in the bent state.

At least one of said means comprises at least one gripping member provided with a protective surface, advantageously made of rubber, adapted to hook said rod and to protect the protective coating of said rod.

The present invention also relates to the culture tunnel, comprising:

- arches according to the invention, and

- a protective strip.

The present invention also relates to the use of a hoop according to the invention, for the manufacture of a culture tunnel.

Of course, the different characteristics, variants and embodiments of the invention can be associated with each other in various combinations insofar as they are not incompatible or exclusive of each other.

Detailed description of the invention

In addition, various other characteristics of the invention emerge from the appended description made with reference to the drawings which illustrate non-limiting forms of embodiment of the invention and where:

illustrates, generally and very schematically, an installation of arches according to the invention to form a culture tunnel;

is a schematic partial side view of a hoop according to the invention in its rectilinear state;

is a schematic cross-sectional view of a hoop according to the invention;

is a schematic view of the main steps implemented in a method for automatic implantation of arches according to the invention.

It should be noted that, in these figures, the structural and/or functional elements common to the different variants may have the same references.

As shown on the , the hoop 1 according to the invention is adapted to be implanted in the ground S for the formation of a cultivation tunnel T.

Such a culture tunnel T, classic in itself, is useful for the protection of plants which are placed on a strip of land B.

This culture tunnel T can extend over several hundred meters.

For this and according to the invention, the culture tunnel T (partially represented on the ) understand :

- several hoops 1 according to the invention, and

- A protective strip, conventional in itself and not shown, for example a protective film or a protective net, which covers the arches 1 aligned.

The hoops 1 serve as a framework / framework for the protective strip.

These hoops 1 are planted vertically in the ground, parallel and spaced from each other (each hoops 1 advantageously extends in a vertical plane).

The arches 1 are still oriented transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis of the cultivation tunnel T and the strip of land B.

According to the invention, at least one of the hoops 1 (preferably all the hoops 1) consists of a rod (designated by the same reference 1) made of a flexible material which has a rectilinear state at rest (see in particular the figures 1, 2 and 4A).

Such a rod 1 according to the invention is able to be bent from the straight state, at rest (FIG. 4A), to a bent state (also called "bending state"), elastically deformed, to form a hoop 1 (Figure 4B).

By “bent” is meant in particular a bending deformation with a radius of bending advantageously in a semicircle (advantageously on a central section of this hoop 1).

In this bent state, the two ends 11 of the rod 1 then advantageously extend along two parallel axes (parallel to one another), advantageously at least over the length of the section intended to be planted in the ground. (see Figure 4C).

This rod 1 according to the invention is also capable of returning to its rectilinear state, from the bent state, when the constraint is released (in particular when the rod 1 is torn from the ground S).

Still according to the invention, as illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, the rod 1 comprises:

- a longitudinal body 2 (or longitudinal core or bead), made of a flexible material, capable of being elastically bent in a bent state from a rectilinear state, and

- a protective coating 3 (also called "sheath"), tubular, enveloping said longitudinal body 2.

Such a rod 1 thus forms a sheathed fiber arch.

The rod 1, the longitudinal body 2 and the protective coating 3 advantageously have circular sections (see the ).

Generally, the longitudinal body 2 is preferably solid. This longitudinal body 2 advantageously has a circular cross section.

The longitudinal body 2 advantageously extends coaxially relative to the neutral fiber of the rod 1.

The longitudinal body 2 is preferably made of glass fibers, for example E-glass fibers, advantageously with a thermosetting resin intended to secure together said glass fibers.

The longitudinal body 2 advantageously has a shape memory property in a rectilinear state, corresponding to the rectilinear state of the rod 1.

The protective covering 3 is advantageously flexible and preferably able to deform elastically.

This protective coating 3 is advantageously adapted to follow the deformation of the longitudinal body 2.

The protective coating 3 is advantageously chosen from thermoplastic materials, preferably from thermoplastic polymers, for example polypropylene.

This protective coating 3 is advantageously extruded, preferably post-extruded, around the longitudinal body 2.

The protective coating 3 advantageously has a constant thickness over the circumference of the longitudinal body 2 and over the length of the latter.

For example, in connection with the , rod 1 has the following dimensions:

- The rod 1 has a diameter E1 ranging from 5 to 10 mm;

- The longitudinal body 2 advantageously has a diameter E2 ranging from 3 to 8 mm;

- the protective coating 3 has a thickness E3 ranging from 1 to 3 mm.

Still generally, the rod 1 has two free ends 11. And the rod 1 has for example a length ranging from 2000 to 3000 mm (distance between the two free ends 11).

Rod 1 is advantageously able to be deformed in bending, advantageously with a minimum bending diameter of 200 mm, preferably 250 mm.

This hoop 1 can advantageously be used in a temperature range of -25°C to 90°C.

The present invention also relates to the method of implantation, advantageously automatic, of the hoops 1 according to the invention in the ground for the formation of a culture tunnel T.

As illustrated very schematically on the , the implantation method according to the invention comprises successive steps for the successive implantation of each of the arches 1 in the ground S.

In general, this implantation process includes the following steps:

- a step of removing a rod 1 according to the invention, in a rectilinear state (FIG. 4A),

- a step of bending this rod 1, to form a hoop 1 (FIG. 4B),

- A step of planting this stem 1 in a bent state (FIG. 4C).

The planting step consists of introducing the free ends 11 of the stem 1, in a bent state, into the soil S.

For this, this rod 1 is advantageously arranged in a plane oriented vertically and perpendicular to the strip of earth B.

Then the rod 1 is advantageously maneuvered according to a translational movement oriented vertically, from a high position in which the free ends 11 of the rod 1 extend above the ground S and are oriented towards the ground S, towards a low position in which the free ends 11 of the rod 1 (still in a bent state) are driven into the ground S.

The free ends 11 of the rod 1 are advantageously introduced at a depth ranging from 5 to 30 cm.

The free ends 11 of the rod 1, driven into the ground, maintain a stress on the rod 1 which remains in its bent state.

The successive steps are thus repeated for the installation of each of the arches 1, advantageously regularly spaced from each other, over the length of the strip of land B.

The hoops 1 thus allow the laying of a protective strip (not shown), either simultaneously with the laying of these hoops 1 or after this laying of the hoops 1.

When the culture tunnel is dismantled, the operator tears off each hoop 1 relative to the ground S.

During this tearing, the arch 1 (in a bent and elastically constrained state) automatically returns to its rectilinear state, at rest, in particular thanks to the elastic properties of its longitudinal body 2 (in particular its shape memory).

During handling, in particular during implantation or removal, the arch 1 is liable to undergo rupture/degradation of its longitudinal body 2. The protective coating 3 then ensures confinement of this longitudinal body 2.

For the implementation of this implantation method, it is possible to use an implantation device for the implantation of the arches 1 in the ground S.

Such an implantation device is for example similar to that described in document EP-0 465 327, usually used for metal hoops.

In general, as shown in the , the implantation device 5 comprises:

- storage means 51, also called "store", for storing the rods 1 in a rectilinear state,

- distribution means 52, for the individual removal of the rods 1 in a rectilinear state from said storage means 51,

- bending means 53, also called "bending machine", for bending a rod 1 from the straight state to the bent state,

- Planting means 54, for planting said stem 1 constrained in its bent state.

The planting means 54 are designed to constrain the rod 1 in its bent state and to maneuver the rod 1 according to the vertically oriented translational movement from the high position to the low position in which the free ends 11 of the rod 1 (still in curved state) are sunk into the ground S.

In this case, at least one of the aforementioned means (in particular among the distribution means 52, the bending means 53 and the planting means 54) comprises at least one gripper member 55 (represented very schematically on the ) which is provided with a protective surface (not shown), preferably made of rubber.

This protective surface is adapted to hook said rod 1 and to protect the protective coating 3 of this rod 1.

The gripper member 55 consists for example of a jaw, a clamp or a hook; the protective surface is advantageously provided at the level of at least one of the jaws of the jaw.

The implantation device 5 is advantageously hitched to / carried by a traction device 6.

Of course, various other modifications may be made to the invention within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims (9)

Arch adapted to be implanted in the ground for the formation of a culture tunnel,
characterized in that said arch (1) consists of a rod (1) made of a flexible material which has a rectilinear state at rest,
which rod (1) is capable of being elastically bent from said rectilinear state to a bent state to form an arch (1),
which rod (1) comprises:
- a longitudinal body (2) made of a flexible material, capable of being elastically bent, and
- a protective coating (3), tubular, enveloping said longitudinal body (2). Arch according to Claim 1, characterized in that the longitudinal body (2) is made of fibreglass. Arch according to any one of Claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the protective coating (3) is chosen from thermoplastic materials. Arch according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the rod (1) has a diameter ranging from 5 to 10 mm, with a protective coating (3) the thickness of which is 1 to 3 mm. Arch according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the rod (1) has a length ranging from 2000 to 3000 mm. Method of implantation in the ground of arches (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, for the formation of a culture tunnel,
which implantation method comprises the following successive steps for the successive implantation of each of said arches (1):
- a step for removing a rod (1), in a rectilinear state,
- a step of bending said rod (1), to form a hoop (1),
- a planting step of said rod (1) in a bent state. Planting device, for planting hoops (1) according to any one of Claims 1 to 5 in the ground, which planting device (5) comprises:
- storage means (51), for storing the rods (1) in a rectilinear state,
- distribution means (52), for the individual removal of said rods (1) in a rectilinear state from said storage means (51),
- bending means (53), for bending said rod (1) from the straight state to the bent state,
- planting means (54), for planting said stem (1) in the bent state,
characterized in that at least one of said means (51, 52, 53, 54) comprises at least one gripper member (55) provided with a protective surface suitable for hooking said rod (1) and protecting the coating of protection (3) of said rod (1). Culture tunnel including:
- arches (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, and
- a protective strip. Use of a hoop according to any one of Claims 1 to 5, for the manufacture of a culture tunnel.