DESC:TITLE OF THE INVENTION : POTATO PLANTER

FILED OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to potato planters.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Conventionally, potatoes are planted in single row bed formation, basically adapted for flood irrigation farming practice. However, the conventional practice suffers from several drawbacks, including less moisture retention, water lodging in beds and high potato damage which leads to minimal yield. Due to increasing water scarcity, flood irrigation may be replaced by drip irrigation in the future.

Thus, there is a need in the art for a potato planter that is adapted to drip irrigation.

OBJECTIVES OF THE INVENTION

An objective of the present invention is to provide a potato planter that is adapted to drip irrigation.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide a potato planter that results in improved moisture retention and thus helps save water.

Still another objective of the present invention is to provide a potato planter that helps reduce damage to the potatoes and thus increases yield.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In order to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art and achieve the above mentioned objective, a potato planter is disclosed. The potato planter comprises a belt and cup mechanism which picks the potato seeds and drops them at target locations in a field; a spacing mechanism for facilitating spacing between two seeds in a row; and a plurality of furrow openers for forming furrows with a predetermined row spacing between potatoes and planting potatoes in a predetermined depth. The belt and cup mechanism comprises a first pulley at a first end and a second pulley at a second end. A cup belt runs between the first pulley and the second pulley and a plurality of cups are disposed on the cup belt in a zigzag manner. The cup belt picks up potato seeds and conveys them to their target locations. A clamping device ensures easy slackening and/or tensioning of the cup belt. The spacing mechanism comprises a plurality of drive sprockets that get drive from a ground wheel, a plurality of driven sprockets and a chain. The chain runs between any one of the plurality of drive sprocket and any one of the plurality of driven sprockets. The furrow opener comprises a mould board, a plurality of bars, an angle plate and a divider. Once the furrow opener enters the soil, it breaks and inverts the soil and forms furrows. This helps to obtain precise falling of potatoes into target locations.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 depicts an internal view of an embodiment of the belt and cup mechanism

Figure 2 depicts an external view of the belt and cup mechanism illustrated in Figure 1, further comprising an inspection cover

Figure 3 depicts an embodiment of a furrow opener

Figure 4 illustrates an example of a zigzag planting pattern

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Throughout this specification, the use of the word "comprise" and variations such as "comprises" and "comprising" may imply the inclusion of an element or elements not specifically recited.

A potato planter comprising a plurality of furrow openers is disclosed. As illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, an embodiment of a potato planter comprises a belt and cup mechanism which picks the potato seeds and drops them at target locations in a field. The belt and cup mechanism comprises a first pulley (1) at a first end and a second pulley (2) at a second end. Preferably, the first pulley (1) is made of cast iron, while the second pulley (2) is made of rubber. A cup belt (3) runs between the first pulley (1) and the second pulley (2) and a plurality of cups (4) are disposed on the cup belt (3). The cup belt (3) picks up potato seeds and conveys them to their target locations. A clamping device (5) ensures easy slackening and/or tensioning of the cup belt (3). Preferably, the plurality of cups (4) are disposed in a zigzag fashion so as to achieve the planting pattern illustrated in Figure 4. A mechanical agitator (6) behind the cup belt (3) ensures only one potato seed goes into each cup.

The cup belt (3) moves up through a chute tray (9) and bumps against the mechanical agitator (6). A chain and agitator behind the cup belt (3) facilitates a reliable deflection at the first pulley (1). This helps to reduce the amount of extra potato seeds that may be in each cup. During downward movement of the cup belt (3), the seed present in one cup falls onto the next cup and rests against a front chute (12). With the aid of a simple adjustment bolt (10), the mechanical agitator (6) can be set to the potato characteristics. This ensures a reliable filling of the potato planter.

A spacing mechanism (11) for facilitating proper spacing between two consecutive potato seeds comprises a plurality of drive sprockets (preferably six sprockets) that get drive from a ground wheel (not shown), a plurality of driven sprockets (preferably two sprockets) and a chain. The chain runs between any one of the plurality of drive sprocket and any one of the plurality of driven sprockets. Spacing between the potatoes in a row can be changed by aligning the plurality of drive sprockets with the plurality of driven sprockets. The preferred spacing range for maximum productivity is between 140 mm and 420 mm.

An inspection window (7) facilitates easy viewing of the entire process by an operator. The belt and cup mechanism is enclosed by a cover (8) that prevents dirt from accumulating inside the plurality of cups (4).

An embodiment of a furrow opener (20) is illustrated in Figure 3. For the purpose of explanation, a quad row furrow opener (20) is described. However, the disclosure may be adapted for any number of rows (from two onwards). The furrow opener (20) is mounted below a chute assembly (not shown) of the potato planter. The furrow opener digs two furrows in one line and separates the potatoes coming from the cup belt (3) at a variable depth. The depth is adjustable based on a user's requirement. Preferably, the furrow is "V" shaped so as to enable potatoes dropping on an outer edge of a furrow to fall into the centre of the furrow.

The furrow opener (20) comprises a mould board (21), a plurality of bars (22), an angle plate (23) and a divider (24). The mould board (21) is preferably made of mild steel flat or stainless steel flat and is bent at an angle (preferably 80°) to break and invert soil sideways. The mould board (21) is configured so as to make the potatoes fall in between the mould board (21).

The plurality of bars (22) are made of a suitable rigid material, preferably steel flat. Preferably, there are two bars (22), one attached to each side of the mould board (21) using a first plurality of bolts.

The angle plate (23), having a top end with a plurality of holes and a bottom end, forms two furrows in one pass of operation. The bottom end of the angle plate (23) is attached to the mould board (21) as shown in Figure 3 and the top end is mounted on a furrow mounting frame (not shown) using a U stopper and second plurality of bolts by engaging one or more of the plurality of holes in the top end. The angle plate (23) is easily replaceable for facilitating handling and transportation. It can also be easily converted to double row operation if required. The distribution of potatoes into quad rows as well as double rows is achievable by interchanging the angle plate (23). The depth at which the potatoes are placed into the soil is adjusted by lifting and mounting the furrow opener manually in U stopper followed by adjustment of the first plurality of bolts and by engaging any of the plurality of holes in the top end of the angle plate (23) as required.

The divider (24) having a first and second end. The first end is mounted on the mould board (21) through the angle plate (23) by a third plurality of bolts and a invented V shaped plate is fixed on the second end of the divider (24) as shown in Figure 3. The height of the divider (24) can be raised or lowered (preferably up to 50mm) to adjust fall of the potatoes. The invented V shaped plate is bent, preferably at an angle of 80° so that, potatoes falls within the mould board (21) edges.

Once the furrow opener enters the soil, it breaks and inverts the soil and forms furrows, preferably at a distance of 12” row spacing between potatoes. The furrow opener can form furrows, at a distance range from 12" to 18" row spacing between potatoes. This helps to obtain precise falling of potatoes into target locations. The furrow opener can achieve a depth of 10’’ (250mm) by lowering the angle plate (23). Pattern of planting potatoes with 18" row spacing between potatoes is illustrated in Figure 4.

It will be apparent to a person skilled in the art that the above description is for illustrative purposes only and should not be considered as limiting. Various modifications, additions, alterations, and improvements without deviating from the spirit and the scope of the invention may be made by a person skilled in the art.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
1- First pulley
2- Second pulley
3- Cup belt
4- Plurality of cups
5- Clamping device
6- Mechanical agitator
7- Inspection window
8- Cover
9- Chute tray
10- Adjustment bolt
11- Spacing mechanism
12- Front chute
20- Furrow Opener
21- Mould board
22- Plurality of bars
23- Angle plate
24- Divider
,CLAIMS:We claim
1. A potato planter comprising:
(a) A belt and cup mechanism, said belt and cup mechanism comprises:
(i) a first pulley (1) at a first end, a second pulley (2) at a second end;
(ii) a cup belt (3), said cup belt (3) runs between the first pulley (1) and the second pulley (2), wherein the cup belt (3) moves up through a chute tray (9);
(iii) a plurality of cups (4), said plurality of cups (4) are disposed on the cup belt (3), wherein the seed present in one cup falls onto next cup and rests against a front chute (12);
(iv) a clamping device (5), said clamping device (5) being associated with the cup belt (3) that slacken and tension the cup belt (3);
(v) a mechanical agitator (6), said mechanical agitator (6) being disposed behind the cup belt (3) that facilitates a deflection at the first pulley (1) and ensures only one potato seed goes in to each cup in the plurality of cups (4), wherein the mechanical agitator (6) being set to the potato characteristics with the aid of a adjustable bolt (10);
(vi) a cover (8) and a inspection window (7) for inspection of the process, wherein the belt and cup mechanism being enclosed by the cover (8);
(b) a spacing mechanism (11) for facilitating spacing between two seeds in a row, said spacing mechanism (11) comprises:
(i) a plurality of drive sprockets, wherein the plurality of drive sprockets receives drive from a ground wheel;
(ii) a plurality of driven sprockets;
(iii) a chain, wherein the chain runs between any one of the plurality of drive sprockets and any one of the plurality driven sprockets; and
(c) a plurality of furrow openers for forming furrows with a predetermined row spacing between potatoes and planting potatoes in a predetermined depth.

2. The potato planter as claimed in claim 1, wherein a furrow opener (20) in the plurality of furrow openers comprises:
(a) a mould board (21), said mould board (21) being configured to make the seeds fall in between the mould board (21), wherein the mould board (21) being bent at an appropriate angel for breaking and inventing soil sideways;
(b) a plurality of bars (22), said plurality of bars (22) being attached to either side of the mould board (21) using a first plurality of bolts;
(c) an angle plate (23) having a top end with a plurality of holes and a bottom end, wherein the bottom end being attached to the mould board (21) and the top end being mounted on a furrow mounting frame using a U stopper and second plurality of bolts by engaging one or more of the plurality of holes in the top end; and
(d) a divider (24) having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end being mounted on the mould board (21) through the angle plate (23) and a inverted V shaped plate with an appropriate angle being fixed on the second end of the divider (24).

3. The potato planter as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of cups (4) are disposed in a zigzag manner.

4. The potato planter as claimed in claim 1, wherein the spacing between two seeds in a row is in the range of 140mm to 420mm.

5. The potato planter as claimed in claim 1, wherein the number of sprockets in the plurality of drive sprockets are six.

6. The potato planter as claimed in claim 1, wherein the number of sprockets in the plurality of driven sprockets are two.

7. The potato planter as claimed in claim 1, wherein the predetermined row spacing is in the range of 12" to 18".

8. The potato planter as claimed in claim 1, wherein the predetermined depth is upto 50mm.

9. The potato planter as claimed in claim 1, wherein the appropriate angle to which mould board (21) being bent is 80 degree.

10. The potato planter as claimed in claim 1, wherein the appropriate angle to which inverted V shaped plate being bent is 80 degree.