WO2004107841A1

WO2004107841A1 - Improved planting tube

Info

Publication number: WO2004107841A1
Application number: PCT/AU2004/000774
Authority: WO
Inventors: Alan Rogers
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-06-10
Filing date: 2004-06-10
Publication date: 2004-12-16
Anticipated expiration: 2005-12-10
Also published as: AU2003902878A0

Abstract

A seedling planting tube having an elongate body (12) with an open upper end for receiving a deedling and an operable closure (22) at the lower end. The planting tube includes actuator (40) for opening closure (22), said actuator (40) being operationally associated with dispenser (74) for dispensing beneficial chemical in a tablet (4) or solid unit dose form to a locus. Actuation of the actuator (40) opens closure (22) and forms a planting hole in the ground as well as operating dispenser (74).

Description

IMPROVED PLANTING TUBE

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to an improvement to a planting tube and method for use in transplanting containerised or plug seedlings.

Background of the invention

Modern reforestation and afforestation practices often require planting or transplanting of large numbers of plants over large areas. Improvements in controlled containerised propagation have made it possible to rapidly produce large numbers of containerised seedlings having desired breeding traits. Radiata pine, Redwoods Eucalyptus and Jarrah are examples of commercially valuable plant species used in containerised propagation techniques. Containerised propagation provides advantages over direct seeding, as the development of the seedlings can be closely controlled and a higher quality planting stock can be produced.

Containerised plants have at least a stem and a rootball, which may require manual pruning before planting in order to provide a satisfactory root structure for long term growth. A number of containers include structure for providing a satisfactory root structure without manual pruning.

The containerised seedlings can be planted by using various field deployment options. A commonly used method is to simply plant the seedlings by hand. During the planting period a large number of workers go out into the area to be planted and dig holes and plant the seedlings. The workers have to stoop or bend at each planting site, dig a hole, plant the seedling, stand and move onto the next planting site. The workers do this for long days, and typically in inclement weather conditions. In addition to being labour intensive, it can be difficult to put together the requisite work force as large numbers of sessional workers are required to plant out large areas, during a common planting period. Manual planting rates and worker comfort can be significantly improved by using a planting tool such as the POTTIPUTKI® planting tube and plant box. The tube allows all of the work to be done while standing up. There is no need to bend or kneel at each planting site. The tool and system has been credited with doubling the output of transplanting efforts, making it possible for a user to transplant 1500-2000 plants over eight hours, with less operator fatigue than conventional methods of transplanting.

The planting tool is an elongate tube having a handle at the upper end and jaws at the lower end. The jaws can be opened by depressing a foot pedal located near the lower end. Attached to the tube near the jaws is a depth limiter. Attached near the handle is a spring loaded release lever for closing the jaws and resetting the foot pedal.

In use, the operator pushes the jaws into the prepared ground and then presses (by stepping upon) the depth limiter until it reaches the ground to place the lower end of the planter at a desired depth.

The operator then steps on the pedal to open the jaws and then fits and releases a container raised seedling (rootball downward) into the upper end of the planter, the seedling falling to the lower end of the planter and into a hole formed by opening the jaws.

The planter is then pulled out of the ground via the handle with the jaws open and tapped to loosen any soil stuck to the jaws. The seedling and the soil moved by the operation of the jaws is then tapped into the ground with the foot of the operator, and the jaws are closed and the foot pedal reset by operating the release lever.

The POTTIPUTKI® planter is adaptable for use in different conditions. The aperture of the jaws is adjustable for use in different soil conditions, wider being favoured for sanding sites, and a narrow aperture for stony ones. The planting depth can also be adjusted by repositioning a depth limiter with respect to the end of the jaws. The planters or operators also carry a box or tray holding up to 200 seedlings. This box or tray is refiled by runners as the operators plant out the region. The POTTIPUTKI® planter provides an easy, fast and efficient means for planting any type of containerised or plug seedling. It is well accepted by operators because of its ease of use, low weight and fatigue reducing effects.

A planting tube similar in operation to the POTTIPUTKI® planting tube is described in US Patent No. 3,749,034 (Bergius et al). The planting tool includes a hollow pipe shaft with a handle at one end and a pair of blades at the other forming jaws, with one fixed jaw and the other pivotally mounted. A flange extends from the tube from the side of the fixed jaw and acts like the earlier mentioned depth limiter.

The planting tube includes a foot pedal which when depressed by foot when the jaw is in the ground, pivots open the jaw and widens the hole in the ground. The planting tube also includes a jaw locking and release system of a different arrangement to that used in the POTTIPUTKI® planter. The system of this patent used trigger pole operated near the upper handle to move a cam fastened near the jaws and release the jaws from the open configuration. A biasing means in the form of a spring is used to effect the closure of the jaws. One end of a spring is connected to the foot pedal and the other end is connected to the planting tube near the j aws .

US Patent No. 4,444,131 (Marttinen) describes a planting tube which purports to be an improvement over an earlier Finnish triggerable latch tube. It includes a tube body, depth limiter, fixed jaw and matched pivoting jaw and a foot pedal fixed to the moving jaw. The pivoting jaw is flattened on the lateral margins to facilitate the penetration of the closed jaws into the ground. The plaster also omits a hand operated trigger mechanism for closing the jaws and instead the pivoting jaw includes a lug which engages a wire fastened to the body. The wire includes two bends which act as restraint points for holding the jaw in an open or closed configuration. The planter omits a biasing means for closing the jaw, instead relying on the operator to close the open jaw by tapping the side of the jaw against the ground to move and close the jaws. It can be advantageous for the growth and development of the seedling to apply various beneficial chemicals to the seedling. Typically such chemicals can be applied at the nursery before the seedling is transplanted or after planting by application of the chemicals to the surface soil around the plant. The application of chemicals to the seedlings after planting can significantly increase the overall plantation costs.

A number of planting devices incorporate a liquid delivery system for the co-delivery of water and solutions of water and useful chemicals when planting. Such systems are described in US Patent No.'s 5,040,471 (Lamont); 2,775,948 (Wilson); 2,216,720 (Cousins) and 2,103,710 (Carner). A liquid delivery system can significantly increase the overall carry weight for the operator as a carrier solution is often required limiting the use of such combination planting and delivery systems to household gardeners. Such systems are not known to be used by field planters and are not suitable for use with non-fluid (solid) presentations .

Object of the invention

It is the object of the present invention to provide a device for use in planting or transplanting large numbers of plants whilst applying beneficial chemical in tablet dose to the plants. The device should be acceptable for use by field planters. The device should permit the delivery of long term or slow release chemicals to the plants.

Summary of the invention

In an embodiment of the invention there is provided a planting tube for planting seedlings having an elongate hollow body with an open upper end and an operable closure at the lower end, the planting tube including an actuator for opening the closure, said actuator being operationally associated with a dispenser capable of dispensing beneficial chemical in a solid unit dose form to a locus, wherein actuation of the actuator opens the closure and operates the dispenser. In use the end of the planting tube is inserted into the ground, and the operable closure opened by the actuator and thereby forming a cavity (the planting hole) in the ground and allowing an operator to plant a seedling into the planting hole by placing the seedling into the open end of the planting tube whilst also delivering a solid unit dose of beneficial chemical into the planting hole.

In another embodiment of the invention there is provided a planting tube having an elongate hollow body with an open upper end and an operable closure at the lower end of the planting tube, the planting tube including an actuator for opening the closure and forming a planting hole in the ground, a dispenser which when operated is capable of dispensing a solid unit dose of beneficial chemical for delivery into a planting hole, the dispenser being coupled to the planting tube and operationally associated with the actuator and / or closure.

In another embodiment of the invention, there is provided an improvement for a planting tube for use in planting seedlings, wherein the planting tube includes an actuator for opening a closure at the lower end of the tube and forming a planting hole in the ground, the improvement comprising coupling a dispenser to the planting tube which when operated is capable of dispensing a solid unit dose of beneficial chemical for delivery into a planting hole, the dispenser being operationally associated with the actuator and / or closure.

When the dispenser is loaded with at least one unit dose of beneficial chemical, the operation of the dispenser should result in the delivery of a solid unit dose of beneficial chemical into a planting hole, being a cavity formed in the ground by inserting the lower end of the planting tube into the ground and opening of the closure. This can be combined with an operator planting a seedling into the planting hole by placing the seedling into the open upper end of the planting tube and allowing the seedling to pass through the tube to the open lower end of the planting tube and into the planting hole. It has been found that the use of solid unit doses provides a number of benefits. As mentioned earlier, although liquid/solution based systems permit the use of a simple plug operated delivery mechanism it can significantly increase the operator carry weight because of the need to dilute or solvate the beneficial chemical. Furthermore, not all beneficial chemicals can be delivered on a liquid/solution form. The delivery of granules or prills can be difficult to do as the granules tend to jam within the delivery system.

The use of a solid unit dose form has been found to provide a useful means for delivering a dose of beneficial chemical to the planted seedling with the benefits of reducing the carry weight whilst avoiding some of the jamming difficulties caused by granules and prills. Linking the traditional operation of a planting tube with the operation of the delivery system to provide the dose of beneficial chemical should enhance commercial acceptance of the overall system as the operators should only need to refill the dispenser.

In another embodiment of the invention there is provided a method of delivering a solid unit dose of beneficial chemical when planting seedlings by:-

(a) providing planting tube having an elongate hollow body with an open upper end and an operable closure at the lower end, the planting tube including an actuator for opening the closure and forming a planting hole in the ground, a dispenser which when operated is capable of dispensing a solid unit dose of beneficial chemical for delivery into a planting hole, the dispenser being coupled to the planting tube and operationally associated with the actuator and / or closure;

(b) loading the dispenser of the provided planting tube with a solid unit dose of beneficial chemical; (c) inserting the lower end of the planting tube into the ground at a location where it is desired to plant a seedling;

(d) after inserting the lower end of the planting tube into the ground, operating the actuator of the planting tube to open the closure and provide a planting hole and deliver a dispensed solid unit dose of beneficial chemical to the formed planting hole; (e) fitting a seedling into the open end of the planting tube and releasing the seedling so it passes through the tube to the lower end of planting tube and into the planting hole; and

(f) after the seedling has been put into the planting hole, lifting and removing the planting tube whilst the closure remains open.

The operator can then close the operable closure and then repeat the planting procedure at another location.

Step (b) may be conducted out of sequence. The dispenser may be loaded with a solid unit dose up until immediately before the dispenser is operated.

Step (e) may also be conducted out of sequence. An operator can pre-load the planting tube by placing a seedling therein whilst the operable closure is closed. The seedling will then be planted into the planting hole when the closure is opened.

Although the operation of the dispenser is operationally associated with the operation of the actuator and / or the closure, it is not required for the dispenser to dispense the unit dose when the actuator is operated or the closure opened. The dispenser can be operationally associated with the closing of the closure and dispense the dose as the closure closes or after it has closed. In this arrangement, the dispenser would deliver the solid dose of beneficial chemical into the planting tube and the dose would be retained at the lower end of the tube by the closed operable closure, ready for delivery into a planting hole when the closure is next opened.

However, for simplicity of manufacture and design, it is preferable if the operation of the dispenser is operationally associated with the operation of the actuator and / or the opening of the closure, and is capable of effecting the delivery of a solid dose of beneficial chemical into the planting hole formed during the opening of the closure, preferably via the planting tube. It is preferred if the solid dose dispensed by the dispenser is delivered into a planting hole via the planting tube. Although the dispenser could deliver the dose directly into the planting hole by a separate delivery tube, it is preferred to simply use the planting tube as part of the delivery system for the dose. This is achieved by delivering the dose through an aperture in a sidewall of the planting tube for subsequent delivery into a planting hole via the planting tube.

There are a number of benefits in delivering the dose through an aperture in the sidewall of the planting tube. At least a lower part of the planting tube will function as a common positioning guide for the delivery of both the unit dose and the seedling. This is advantageous, as it will generally result in the dose being delivered into the planting hole in a position close to the planted seedling. It is preferred to position the unit dose beneath, alongside or on top of the rootball of a planted seedling.

This arrangement also provides a simple design and minimises operator carry weight by omitting the need for a separate delivery passage. It also allows for relatively easy modification of existing planting tubes as the sidewall of a planting tube is typically relatively thin (2-3 mm) plastic, steel or aluminium which can be machined to provide the aperture.

The use of the planting tube as a delivery passage for the unit dose also has the benefit of allowing the use of the operable closure as a means to control the final delivery of the unit dose. Depending on the type of dispenser fitted to the planting tube and the extent to which the planting tube is shaken and moved about as the operator walks from one planting location to another, a unit dose may be unintentionally dispensed from dispenser and fall from the end of the planting tube. The closed operable closure can be used to hold any unintentionally dispensed unit doses within the planting tube until the operable closure is next opened.

Narious different types of dispensers could be used to dispense the solid dose for delivery onto the planting hole. It is preferred to use a dispenser which, together with the means by which it is operationally associated to the actuator and / or operable closure, is simple in design, durable and relatively low weight. Ideally, the dispenser should be capable of being retrofitted onto existing tubes and also onto new tubes without substantial rework of existing dies.

Mechanically or electronically operated dispensers could be used. It is preferred to use a simple mechanical arrangement.

A preferred simple mechanically operated dispenser comprises a sleeve and a piston within the sleeve capable of reciprocating between at least a first position and a second position.

When the piston is in the first position a unit dose of beneficial chemical is loaded into the sleeve in front of the piston. The dose is pushed by the piston as the piston moves from the first position to the second position. When the sleeve is directly connected to an aperture in the planting tube, the dose may be pushed by the piston into the planting tube. Alternatively, the sleeve may be connected to an intermediate passage connected to the aperture. The sleeve may be set at an incline with the piston moving the dose against gravity until the dose reaches the intermediate passage, with the dose then falling through the intermediate passage and then into the planting tube. Setting the sleeve at an incline may prevent the accidental delivery of a unit dose due to movement of the plant tube. Another option is to include at least one gate or restraint to prevent the inadvertent discharge of a dose.

The sleeve is preferably gravity fed with unit doses of the beneficial chemical. This can be achieved by attaching a container or feed tube to a container mounting in or on the top surface of the sleeve and using gravity to feed the unit doses from the container into the channel. The container may be connected to a hopper or it may hold a sufficient amount of unit doses. The container mounting can comprise a hole in a top surface of the sleeve, the hole including a lower inner lip. The feed tube may friction fit within the upper part of the hole but is prevented from passing into the passage in the sleeve by the upper surface of the inner lip and is thereby prevented from interfering with the movement of the piston. The size of the hole defined by the edge of the inner lip should be the same or larger than the inner bore of the feed tube to avoid having the inner lip interfere with the passage of unit doses into the sleeve.

The dimensions of the solid doses and the sleeve should be arranged to avoid jams or other difficulties. The solid dose should fit within the sleeve with the top surface of the dose being just under the upper surface within the sleeve. Otherwise, if the dose is too big then it will not be moved through the sleeve by the piston or will fragment under the pressure applied by the piston. Alternatively, if the dose is too small, then part of an adjacent unit dose will also enter the sleeve and likewise will interfere with the movement of the piston. The height of the unit dose should thus closely correspond to the distance between the lower internal surface within the sleeve and the upper internal surface. It follows the unit doses should all have effectively the same height.

When it is desired to deliver solid doses of a different size, the sleeve can be removed from the tube when it is held in place by a mounting bracket. A sleeve providing a different internal height matching the height of the alternative unit doses, together with an appropriately sized piston assembly could then be fitted to the tube for use with the alternative unit doses. Alternatively, an internal liner could be used to change the size of internal passage in the sleeve. This may be used with detachable sleeves or those welded onto the planting tube.

The dispenser can be operated by simply moving the piston. This could be done electronically or mechanically such as by a cam system connected to the actuator for opening or closing the operable closure.

In a preferred form of the invention the actuator is a pedal pivotally affixed to the body and forms a simple lever capable of moving about a pivot axis. As the pedal is depressed the operable closure is opened and dispenser is operated to deliver a unit dose into the planting hole. A cam system can be used to translate the rotational movement into reciprocating movement and may be used to operate the dispenser. The downward rotational motion of the actuator or the upward rotational motion on the other side of the pivot axis, as the closure is opened could be converted by a suitable cam arrangement into the sliding of a piston. The piston would move back and forth with each depression of the pedal to open the closure and subsequent closing of the closure. An example of a suitable cam system is a crank-and-slot connection.

Preferably, the lower end of the tube including the operable closure provides a beak, when the operable closure is closed for inserting into the ground. Preferably, the operable closure is formed by two jaws, more preferably one jaw is integral with the elongate body and the other movable jaw is pivotally affixed to the body. The jaws are preferably formed from steel with the immobile jaw welded or otherwise fastened to the tube body, which may be formed from light steel, aluminium or plastic. Preferably one or both jaws are shaped to facilitate jaw penetration into the ground and to move the earth when the beak is opened. The jaws may be in part flattened around the lateral margins.

More preferably, the pedal and the movable jaw are integrated and form part of the simple lever with the pedal located one side of the pivot axis and the moveable jaw on the other. In use the jaws will both be pushed into the ground and act as blades. When the pedal is depressed, the closure will open by rotating open the moveable jaw, the outer surface of the moveable jaw will move the soil aside and provide a planting hole in the space between the two jaws.

Preferably, the upward rotation of moveable jaw is used to effect movement of a piston in the dispenser, towards the planting tube. This can be done by locating the unit dose dispenser having a piston within a sleeve on the same side of the planting tube as the moveable jaw and on the opposite side to the pedal actuator. One end of a crank shaft would be fastened to the moveable jaw or a support member from which the jaw is attached, and is fitted within a slot in sliding member within the sleeve. Alternatively, the crank may include a slot and is connected to a pin extending from a side of the sliding member.

Preferably, the elongate body is a tube, more preferably a substantially cylindrical tube.

For ease of handing by the planters, the chemical should be provided in a solid unit dose form, such as a tablet. Other acceptable solid dose forms may include capsules or other casings containing a unit dose of the beneficial chemical, which may itself be in a granule, gel or liquid form within a solid outer shell. Accordingly, a solid unit dose is not limited to forms which are entirely solid or formed from compressed substrates.

A range of possible shapes of the solid unit dose forms could be used, the shape of which may be determined by the capabilities of the dispensing device. The unit dose forms may for example be spherical, ovoid, ellipsoidal, cylindrical or cylindrical like, cubic or other shape. Preferably, the chemical is in a wholly solid form, such as a tablet.

When the unit dose is spherical, the unit doses can be simply poured into a hopper or feed tube coupled to the dispenser. When the unit dose has a different shape, it may be beneficial to pre-load the unit doses in cartridges or other containers for rapid loading in the field and to ensure individual unit doses will correctly feed into the dispenser. The cartridge may be in the form of an attachable feed tube for connection to a dispenser mounting. Empty feed tubes could be detached and discarded or retained or recovered for reuse. Re-useable feed tubes could be formed from plastic or metal. Disposable feed tubes should be formed from a biodegradable material such as paper or biodegradable plastics in order that they may be safely discarded in the field.

Alternatively, disposable cartridges of unit doses may be fitted within the feed tube. In this arrangement the solid unit doses can be arranged in sticks, with single unit doses stacked on top of each other. The stick of unit doses may be held together by a film wrap of a suitable material, such as paper or plastic film to provide the cartridge. The wrap may be removed after the stick has been placed into the feed tube before use. Alternatively, the wrap, or portions of it, may be delivered into the planting hole together with the unit dose. Where a sliding piston is used to deliver each dose, the piston may also be fitted with a blade to cut through the wrap and deliver the dose and cut wrap. Where the wrap is formed from a plastic material which shatters, the action of a piston forcefully sliding into the wrapped dose may be sufficient to shatter the wrap and deliver the solid dose (together with fragments of the wrap). Sticks could also be provided without a wrapping, by adhering solid doses together or by providing the solid doses in cast form with frangible sections therebetween. As above, a blade extending from the piston could be used to cut through the adhesive or frangible sections, before the piston pushes and delivers the severed unit dose.

In use an operator could carry a quiver containing a number of sticks, containers or cartridges of the beneficial chemical in unit doses. Empty container or feed tubes could be placed in the quivers for subsequent collection by runners.

Preferably the unit doses have bevelled upper and lower edges which should assist in guiding of the blade between two adjacent doses. Adjacent curved surfaces from two stacked spheres will also provide useful guidance for any blade. The inclusion of a thin flexible blade may assist in preventing jams when used with unwrapped unit doses. The blade would again be guided by the bevelled surface between stacked doses and could push upward and move back into the container a stacked unit dose which would have otherwise interfered with the motion of the piston.

When the sticks are wrapped with a film layer, it is preferred to remove any film overlapping over the ends of the solid doses. This is to avoid the additional height added by the end layers of the film which may interfere with the motion of the piston or blade thereon, by positioning the top of the dose within the feed hole. Bare ending the two outermost unit doses should ensure the unit doses within a stick and between two sticks are offset by the same distance. When the unit doses are bevelled heat shrunk film will follow the bevelled edges of the end doses and restrain the end doses within the sticks. It is preferred to use pre-loaded detachable feed tubes or sticks of the solid dose wrapped with a biodegradable film such as Aquafilm, a water soluble film, now made by Monosol LLC.

Any number of different beneficial chemicals could be applied, depending on the local environment and the type of seedling being planted. For example slow release fertilisers, fungicides, trace elements, growth promoters and/or pesticides could be applied. The chemicals need not be "active", in the sense that they do not have to directly act upon the plant. The chemicals may instead treat the soil and improve the soil quality, by for example retaining water by the use of delivery of xeolites and polymer water retention crystals.

Particularly suitable chemicals are slow release insecticidal and / or fungicidal tablets. This can be placed near the roots and release a fungicide which is taken up by the plant during its early growth which can thereby provide long term (1 year or more) protection. A suitable product is Merit FXT, an insecticidal tablet formulation provided by Bayer, for use with plantation Eucalypts. The tablets are cylindrical with chamfered or bevelled edges and are particularly suitable for use with the preferred disperser apparatus.

Brief description of the drawings

In the drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention: -

Figure 1 is a side elevation view of the planting tube of the present invention, with the closure in the open position;

Figure 2 is a side elevation view of the planting tube of the present invention, with the closure in the closed position.

Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of a dispenser and nearby section of the planting tube of the present invention.

Figure 4 is a section view through the dispenser of the present invention. The dispenser is shown loaded with a stick of unit doses. Figure 5 is a perspective view of a refill container filled with unit doses for use with the dispenser of the present invention. Figure 6 is a perspective view of a film wrapped stick of unit doses for use with the dispenser of the present invention.

Figure 7 is a side elevation view of an alternative planting tube of the present invention. Figure 8 is a side elevation view of another alternative planting tube of the present invention.

Figure 9 is a perspective view showing a jaw assembly used with the planting tubes of the present invention.

Referring more specifically to the drawings, a planting tube embodying the features of the invention is shown at 10. The planter tube apparatus includes an elongate hollow cylindrical tube 12.

In this regard the tubes may have various shapes, with circular, square, hexagonal or other cross-sections, with cylindrical tubes being preferred. The diameter of the tube is typically between 35 and 80 mm, and more preferably approximately 40, 50, 60 or 70 mm, and most preferably 38, 50, 63 or 70 mm in diameter. The diameter should be selected to be approximately 10 mm larger than the size of the container or plug being planted.

The overall length of the apparatus can vary, and is usually in the order of 800 mm to 1000 mm, and more preferably around 930 mm.

The apparatus has an upper end 14 which includes a lip 16 at the top of the tube 12. This lip 16 acts as a guide or funnel to assist the placement of seedlings into the mouth 18 of the tube.

The apparatus has a lower end 20. The end includes a closure formed from jaws 22 and 24 capable of relative movement. Both jaws may be capable of movement, or as depicted in the figures only jaw 22 is capable of movement. The other jaw is integral with the elongate body 12. It is preferred to only have one of the jaws capable of movement as it reduces the number of moving parts, complexity and overall cost of the apparatus. The jaws 22 and 24 are preferably formed from hardened steel with the tube body 12 formed from aluminium or light grade steel. This is preferred as it can reduce the overall weight of the apparatus. The immobile jaw 24 may be welded, bolted on or otherwise fastened to the body. In the depicted apparatus it is welded to the tube body 12.

As shown in figure 9, the sides 23, 25 of the jaw 22 are flattened to provide more effective blade surfaces for contact with end moving soil. It also may make it easier to insert the beak 26 into the ground.

When the closure is in the closed arrangement as shown in figure 2, jaw 22 and jaw 24 close together and provide a beak 26 capable of penetrating the ground. The beak can be initially pushed into the ground by jabbing or spearing the lower end of the apparatus into the ground, and / or by pushing the lower end of the apparatus via the handle 30.

The beak at the lower end of the apparatus is then pressed into the ground to the desired depth, typically by standing on upper surface 34 of the depth limiter 32. Force applied on the upper surface 34 presses the lower end of the planting tube into the ground until the lower surface 36 of the depth limiter comes into contact with the underlying ground. The depth can be changed by releasing a securing bolt 37 which affixes the depth limiter to the elongate body 12 and adjusting the distance between the end of the jaw 24 and lower surface 36 of the depth limiter.

The moveable jaw 22 is opened to form a cavity (the planting hole) in the ground by the operation of an actuator pedal 40. The pedal 40 is part of a lever pivotally attached to the elongate body 12 by two rotatable fasteners, one of which is located at 47. The other fastener is located on the non visible face of the figure and aligned to provide an axis of rotation 46. The lever includes the pedal located on one side of the axis of rotation 46 and jaw 22 located on the other side of the axis of rotation. The jaw 22 extends downwardly from a portion of the lever 45 that extends around the side of the body opposite to the pedal and located between the two fasteners providing the axis of rotation 46. Together the pedal and jaw form a pivotally mounted pedal-jaw assembly and act as a simple lever. Although the depicted planting tube includes two rotatable fasteners 47, the device could still be operated with a single fastener, located at 47 or on the corresponding location on the non- visible face. However, for improved stability and durability it is preferred to attach the lever comprising actuator pedal 40 and jaw 22 to the tube body 12 at opposite sides of the tube body and with two rotatable fasteners set in a common axis of rotation 46.

When the jaws 22 and 24 are together, the pedal 40 is in a raised operable position 42. An operator desiring to open the closure presses down on the upper surface 44 of the pedal 40 with their foot. The action rotates and lowers pedal 40 about the axis 46 to its lowered position 48. The action causes the jaw 22 to rotate open and raises 45, being the portion of the lever of the other side of the pivot axis 46 to the pedal 40 and opens the closure. The movement of jaw 22 in the ground pushes and moves the soil and thereby forms a cavity into which a seedling can be planted. The upward movement of the lever 45 and the opening of jaw 22 are limited by contact with stop 49. The downward closing of the jaws is limited by the contact of jaws 22 and 24.

Attached to the elongate body 12 is a container 50 containing the beneficial chemical for delivery into the cavity formed by the movement of jaw 22. The container 50 holds a plurality of unit doses 4 of a desired chemical in a solid form. The container 50 is affixed to the body by attachment 52 and the container mounting 54 on the dispenser 56. The container 54 is prevented from passing into the sleeve 70 by an inner flange or rim within the mounting 54.

The container can be removably affixed to the elongate body 12 by using a spring clip 52. Other releasable fasteners could be used in place of the spring clip at 52. The lower end 58 of the container is fitted into mounting 54 within sleeve 70. This arrangement may be preferred as it allows for rapid reloading of the dispenser by unclipping an empty container and placement of a full container onto the apparatus. The lower end of the container 58 is open so that the chemical can pass from the container into the dispenser 56. The upper end 60 of the container may be open or openable to allow for refilling of the container once empty.

Figure 5 shows a container 50 for fitting to the container mounting on the sleeve. The container contains a plurality of stack unit doses 4. The top and bottom surfaces of each unit dose have a bevelled, chamfered edge 6. The container 50 is shown with top and bottom tear away closures 51. Alternative closures may be used such as caps or screw lids. Tear away closures are preferred as they can be formed from biodegradable paper which can be discarded in the field.

In use an operator would declip and remove the empty container before fitting a full container. The operator would, invert the replacement container, tear away the closure 51 at the bottom 58, cover the hole with his finger, re-invert the container, and place the bottom 58 of container within the mounting 54 on the sleeve 70.

The operator would keep the unit doses within the container with his finger. The operator may fit the bottom 58 of the container on the top of sleeve 70, using the surface of the sleeve to prevent the doses from falling out of the container 50. The container could be slid across the sleeve until it is positioned in the mounting 54 before being fitted into the fastener clip 52. The remaining closure 51 at the top opening 60 could be removed shortly before use.

The unit doses can also be provided in sticks 62 as shown in Figure 6 for use within the container 50, as shown in Figure 4. Each stick 62 comprises a plurality of unit doses 4 stacked one on top of the other and wrapped with a suitable webbing or film 64. The outer webbing or film 64 should be shrunk onto the stack of doses in order that the film closely follows the underlying shape of the doses including their bevelled surfaces. The film is absent from the end faces (8, 9) of the stick.

Another alternative is to replace the container 50 with a hopper or attach a small hopper, to the top opening of the container. The hopper may itself be coupled to a supply source. For example a flexible pipe could link a hopper to a larger container separately carried by the operator. Alternatively, the hopper could be omitted with the dispenser being linked by a flexible pipe container to a supply source separately carried by the operator. Such arrangements could be used with spherical unit doses of the chemicals, as doses of this shape do not need to be orientated for dispensing and thus should not jam the dispensing apparatus. Gravity should be sufficient to load the hopper although it may be helpful to pressurise the supply source or include a powered pump so to assist in dispensing a unit dose.

The depicted dispenser 56 is directly coupled to the body of planting tube 12. In Figure 3 it is shown attached by a mounting bracket 57 positioned about the aperture 72. The sleeve can also be welded to the planting tube. The dispenser includes a sleeve 70 having the container mounting 54 located in an upper surface. Within the mounting there is an aperture 71 which permits passage of the dose from the container 50 to within the sleeve 70. The aperture 72 links the hollow interior of the sleeve 70 with the hollow interior of the tube 12.

A sliding member 74 is located within the sleeve 70 and acts like a piston. It plugs one end of the sleeve. The sliding member may be formed from plastic or metal or any other suitable material for use with the chemical doses. The sliding member 74 is fitted with a blade 82 having a cutting edge 83 and fastened to the member 74 by screws 84. When the sliding member is moved towards the unit dose 7, the cutting edge 83 is guided by the bevelled edges 6 of adjacent unit doses and cuts through any wrap 64 coating the two unit doses. The front surface 85 of the sliding member 74 corresponds and receives the shape of the dose so the cutting edge 83 can cut through the wrap 64 before the dose 7 is pushed by the front surface 85.

The sliding member 74 is operationally associated with pin 76 extending from the arm 78 connected through extension 80 of the pedal-jaw assembly. The sliding member 74 has a hole or slot therein 77 through which pin 76 passes and connects the member 74. The hole

74 must permit the pin to move therein as the pin is rotated. This arrangement can convert the rotational motion of the pedal and jaw assembly into the transitional motion of the sliding member. The sleeve 70 includes a slot 79 in the upper and lower surfaces through which the pin 76 can pass unimpeded and thereby effect the reciprocating movement of member 74.

When jaw 22 is in the closed position, pin 76 and sliding member 74 are located away from the body 12 and allow a unit dose 7 to fall into the sleeve 70 through aperture 71 in the sleeve from container 50. The dose in the sleeve should prevent another tablet from entering the sleeve. This is shown in the section view of Figure 4.

When the pedal actuator is operated to open the jaws the pin 76 will move about the axis of rotation 46 towards the body. This pushes the sliding member further into the sleeve and towards the tube body, thereby pushing the dose 7 in the sleeve into the body 12. The tablet will then fall past the open closure and into the cavity formed by the motion of jaw 22. The size of the sliding member is sufficient to push the dose 7 into the body. The sliding member also prevents another tablet from entering the sleeve 70 through the aperture 71. A seedling would be inserted into the mouth 18 and thereby fall into the cavity on top of chemical dose.

As the blade 82 may need replacement the sliding member 74 is removable from the sleeve 70. This is done by unscrewing the pin 76 which is attached to arm 78 by a threaded shaft 86. Once the pin 76 has been removed from the arm 78, the member 74 can be removed from the sleeve 76. The blade 82 can then be serviced or replaced by removing the fastening screws 84.

To remove the planter, the operator pulls the lower end out of the ground by the handle 30. Any dirt or soil in the jaws can be tapped out by gently striking the side of the planter.

The actuator pedal 40 is reset into the raised position 44 and the jaws are closed by operating the release actuator 90 with the thumb. The release actuator is rotatable attached at 92 to the body. It provides a cam whereby downward rotational motion on the release actuator 90 will raise the release rod 94 to which it is pivotally connected at 96 and thereby lifts the pedal actuator 40 by rotating the pedal-jaw assembly to which it is pivotally connected at 98. A spring 100 acts to assist in raising the pedal 40 and closing jaw 22.

This apparatus has the advantage of being capable of locating the chemical at the roots of the seedling planted which can reduce the amount of chemicals required for treating the plant. It also has the advantage of removing the need to separately chemically treat the seedling by automatically incorporating a treatment step into the planting process. It should minimise inconvenience to the operators, which is a major consideration as they frequently operate in poor weather conditions. An operator is unlikely to manually drop a tablet or pellet down the planting tube before placing a seedling. A gloved operator could find it difficult to accurately dispense tablets in that manner. Moreover, operators are generally paid by the number of plants planted and as such are unlikely to accept a system which significantly slows down their planting rate.

It will be apparent that the apparatus can also be used with other types of plants or planters.

Figures 7 and 8 show two alternative planting tubes incorporating a solid dose dispenser operationally associated with the actuator pedal 40. The planting tube shown in Figure 7 operates in a manner similar to that described in US Patent No. 3,749,034 combined with the earlier described dispenser 56. Depressing the pedal 40 rotates the pedal about axis 46 opening the jaw 22 and moving the pin 76 and sliding member 74 in towards the tube body 12 and dispensing a unit dose into the body and through it into the planting hole. The rotation about axis 46 moves and rotates the upright member 102 against the bearing surface 104 of the cam 106 which in turn rotates and pulls downward the release rod 94.

The jaw 22 is closed by lifting the release rod 106 via the lever arm 108 which via the cam 106 repositions member 102 back to the depicted upright position. Spring 109 provides a biasing force assisting in the return of the jaw 22 to the depicted closed position.

Figure 8 shows another alternative, which again uses the earlier described dispenser 56. It omits a release rod and instead operates in a manner similar to that described in US Patent No. 4,444,131. The pedal 40 moves the movable jaw 22 to the open position which locates a pin 110 extending from a flange 112 within a groove 114 within a guide member 116 fixed to the tube body. The groove 114 and guide member 116 act to resist movement of the pin and restrain the jaw 22 in the open position. The jaw 22 is closed by knocking the jaw against the ground, forcing the movement of the jaw 22, flange 112 and pin 110. Once the pin 110 is located within the groove 118, the pin will again resist further motion of the jaw 22 until overpowered by the application of force to the pedal 40. A spring 120 may assist but can be omitted.

Plugs, paper pot or other plant friendly enclosures can also be used in addition to containerised seedlings. It can be applied to a wide range of plants, including seedlings for use in growing trees for timber harvesting, land reclamation or for crop production for use in fruit, vegetable or flower farming.

Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" and "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.

The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgment or any form or suggestion that that prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in Australia.

It would be appreciated by a person skilled in the art numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the invention as shown the specific embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as broadly described. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A planting tube for planting seedlings having an elongate hollow body with an open upper end and an operable closure at the lower end, the planting tube including an actuator for opening the closure, said actuator being operationally associated with a dispenser capable of dispensing beneficial chemical in a solid unit dose form to a locus, wherein actuation of the actuator opens the closure and operates the dispenser.

2. A planting tube having an elongate hollow body with an open upper end and an operable closure at the lower end of the planting tube, the planting tube including an actuator for opening the closure and forming a planting hole in the ground, a dispenser which when operated is capable of dispensing a solid unit dose of beneficial chemical for delivery into a planting hole, the dispenser being coupled to the planting tube and operationally associated with the actuator and / or closure.

3. An improvement for a planting tube for use in planting seedlings, wherein the planting tube includes an actuator for opening a closure at the lower end of the tube and forming a planting hole in the ground, the improvement comprising coupling a dispenser to the planting tube which when operated is capable of dispensing a solid unit dose of beneficial chemical for delivery into a planting hole, the dispenser being operationally associated with the actuator and / or closure.

4. The planting tube or improvement as defined any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the dispenser can be operationally associated with the closing of the closure and is capable of dispensing a dose as the closure closes or after the closure has closed.

5. The planting tube or improvement as defined any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the operation of the dispenser is operationally associated with the operation of the actuator and / or the opening of the closure and is capable of dispensing a dose into a planting hole formed during the opening of the closure.

6. The planting tube or improvement as defined in any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein the solid dose dispensed by the dispenser is delivered into a planting hole via the planting tube.

7. The planting tube or improvement as defined in claim 6 wherein a sidewall of the planting tube includes an aperture through which a unit dose dispensed by the dispenser may pass into the planting tube for delivery into a planting hole.

8. The planting tube or improvement as defined in claim 6 wherein the aperture is located above the operable closure.

9. The planting tube or improvement as defined in any one of claims 1 to 8 wherein the dispenser comprises a sleeve into which a unit dose may be loaded and a piston capable of reciprocating within the sleeve and thereby dispensing from the dispenser a unit dose loaded within the sleeve.

10. The planting tube or improvement as defined in claim 9 wherein the planting tube includes an aperture located in a side wall above the operable closure, and the sleeve is coupled to the planting tube over the aperture, and arranged so that a solid unit dose loaded in the sleeve may be moved into the planting tube through the aperture by a piston located in the sleeve.

11. The planting tube or improvement as defined claim 9 or 10 wherein the sleeve includes an aperture in a upper surface through which a solid unit dose may be loaded into the sleeve.

12. The planting tube or improvement as defined in claim 12 wherein the dispenser is coupled to a container for containing solid unit doses of beneficial chemical from which the solid unit doses may be loaded by gravity into the dispenser through the aperture in an upper surface of the sleeve.

13. The planting tube or improvement as defined in any one of claims 9 to 12 wherein the piston includes a blade.

14. The planting tube or improvement as defined in claim 13 wherein in use the blade will pass above a unit dose loaded in the dispenser.

15. The planting tube or improvement as defined in any one of claims 1 to 14 wherein the dispenser is operationally associated with the operation of the actuator and / or the closure by a crank-and-slot cam system.

16. The planting tube or improvement as defined in claim 15 comprising a lever pivotally attached to the elongate body, the lever capable of pivoting about an axis, lever including an arm located on one side of the axis, the arm including a pedal, the lever including a jaw on the opposite side of the axis, the jaw together with another jaw providing the operable closure, wherein operation of the lever by depressing the pedal opens the operable closure by separating the jaws.

17. The planting tube or improvement as defined in claim 16, wherein a crank shaft extends from the lever and is coupled to a piston within a sleeve in the dispenser, wherein the depression of the pedal separates the jaws and moves the crank shaft so as move the piston within sleeve, and thereby dispense a unit dose from the dispenser into a planting hole.

18. The planting tube or improvement as defined in claim 17 wherein the crank shaft fits within a slot located within the piston or the crank shaft includes a slot and is connected to the piston by a shaft extending from the piston.

19. The planting tube or improvement as defined in claim 2 or 3 substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the figures.

20. A method of delivering a solid unit dose of beneficial chemical when planting seedlings by:-

(b) loading the dispenser of the provided planting tube with a solid unit dose of beneficial chemical;

(c) inserting the lower end of the planting tube into the ground at a location where it is desired to plant a seedling;

(d) after inserting the lower end of the planting tube into the ground, operating the actuator of the planting tube to open the closure and provide a planting hole and deliver a dispensed solid unit dose of beneficial chemical to the formed planting hole;

(e) fitting a seedling into the open end of the planting tube and releasing the seedling so it passes through the tube to the lower end of planting tube and into the planting hole; and (f) after the seedling has been put into the planting hole, lifting and removing the planting tube whilst the closure remains open.

21. The method according to claim 20 wherein the steps are carried out in the presented order.

22. A container of solid unit doses of beneficial chemical for use in the dispenser coupled to the planting tube of any one of claims 1 to 19, the container comprising the unit doses arranged in a single column.

23. The container of claim 22 wherein the unit doses are located within a container of webbing or film.

24. The container of claim 23 wherein the unit doses are cylindrical tablets with bevelled top and bottom edges and the webbing or film is heat shrunk around the tablets and follows the contours of the tablets.

25. The planting tube, improvement, method and container of any one of claims 1 to 24 wherein the beneficial chemical is a tablet presentation of Merit, a product of the Bayer company, for use with plantation Eucalypts.