Patent Abstract:
A device for producing a root rope includes a transport path for suspending a carrier line thereabove, root material being deposited on the carrier line. A winding apparatus receives the carrier line and also receives at least one wrapping material. The winding apparatus uses a winding motion to wrap the wrapping material around the root material and carrier line, securing the root material to the carrier line and creating the “root rope.” A reel receives the root rope from the winding apparatus, the reel using a rotating motion to wrap the root rope around the reel.

Full Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This Application claims priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/472,590, filed on Apr. 6, 2011, and entitled “Method and Apparatus for Planting Raspberries, Blackberries, and other plants in the  Rubus  Genus,” which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates generally to a method of planting, and more specifically to a method of planting root material from suckering or runner-producing plants, for example, plants of the genus  Rubus.    
         [0003]    The disclosed method and apparatus relates generally to the planting of raspberry, blackberry and other species and hybrids in the  Rubus  genus, as well as asparagus, strawberries, or other suitable plants, and more specifically to methods of planting suckering plants, or plants producing runners, where the plant develops from planting of root material, as opposed to seeds, whole plants, or other planting methods. While the present invention has application to other species and hybrids, particularly in the  Rubus  genus, but among other suckering plants, as well as those producing runners, because of the broad application of the present application to raspberries in particular, the term “raspberries” will be used in this disclosure with the understanding that the claimed method and apparatus are applicable to those other plants, species and hybrids, notwithstanding the specific reference to raspberries. 
         [0004]    Raspberries are a small-fruit crop produced by large and small scale farming operations. Initial investment for raspberry farming is high, primarily a result of the costs associated with land preparation, planting, and installation of trellis and irrigation systems. Raspberry cultivars readily produce new shoots from the roots, in a planting process called “suckering.” New plantings are established by taking advantage of the plants&#39; ability to produce these suckers. As the plants go dormant in the fall they are harvested and the harvested roots are used to produce subsequent plantings. Future planting can be established using the roots only or by using a complete plant consisting of the roots, the crown and a portion of a stem. In either style of planting, (root only or root, crown &amp; stem), large amounts of hand labor are expended to sort, clean, package, warehouse and replant the root material. Of these, the planting process consumes the largest amount of labor. 
         [0005]    The current state of the art for replanting raspberry roots consists of the following operations: (1) preparing the harvested crop for cold storage; (2) cleaning, sorting and packaging; and (3) prior to planting, preparing the fields to receive the roots. This last step involves multiple operations using specialized ground-working equipment to create a defined bed top with longitudinal grooves in the surface of the bed-top. These grooves are designed to receive the root plantings. 
         [0006]    Once the bed has been prepared, the plants are removed from cold storage and transported to the field immediately prior to planting. The roots are unpacked and weighed into totes that are then placed along the bed top at spacings which will yield the desired plant density. Laborers then separate the bunches of roots and lay them by hand into the grooves atop the bed. Finally, specialized ground-working equipment is used to cover the roots with an even layer of soil. It should be mentioned that the previously described process is more art than science. Many variables can affect the quality and success of the finished plantings, such as soil and weather conditions, and the availability of skilled laborers to perform the planting and tractor work. A few acres planted in this fashion create a stressful fast paced operation that must be overseen by a skilled supervisor to insure that the work is done correctly. Large plantings of 100 acres or greater are even more problematic and are labor intensive undertakings. Management, logistical and labor costs are extremely high, cumulatively requiring 100+ man-hours per acre planted. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    One aspect of the present invention provides a device for producing a root rope. The device includes a carrier line suspended above a transport path for suspending a carrier line thereabove, and on which root material is deposited. A winding apparatus receives the carrier line and also receives at least one wrapping material. The winding apparatus uses a winding motion to wrap the wrapping material around the root material and carrier line, securing the root material to the carrier line and creating the “root rope.” A reel receives the root rope from the winding apparatus, the reel using a rotating motion to wrap the root rope around the reel. 
         [0008]    In another aspect of the invention, the winding apparatus is a rotating drum that includes a funnel adapted to receive the carrier line and wrapping material, the rotation of the rotating drum causing the wrapping material in the funnel to wrap around the root material and carrier line to create the root rope. 
         [0009]    In another aspect of the invention, the funnel includes two openings, one having a larger diameter than the other. The carrier line and root material is received into the larger opening of the funnel, while the root rope is dispensed from the smaller opening of the funnel. 
         [0010]    In another aspect of the invention, the device also includes a drive wheel assembly that engages the winding apparatus, a rotating motion of the drive wheel assembly translating to rotation of the winding apparatus. 
         [0011]    In still another aspect of the invention, the device includes a drive wheel assembly engaging a rotating drum, a rotating motion of the drive wheel assembly translating to rotation of rotating drum. 
         [0012]    In another aspect of the invention, the device further includes a conveyor that defines a transport path for transporting root material along a transport path. The carrier line is suspended above the conveyor. 
         [0013]    In another aspect of the invention, the device further includes at least one pulley in communication with the exit of the funnel. The pulley is adapted to receive the completed root rope from the funnel. 
         [0014]    In another aspect of the invention, the pulley is in electronic communication with a controller, the controller adapted to regulate the speed of the reel. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of one embodiment of a conveyor and winding apparatus of the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  shows a side view of the conveyor and winding apparatus shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  shows a top view of the conveyor and winding apparatus shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  shows a top view of the conveyor shown in  FIG. 4 . 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  shows a side view of the conveyor shown in  FIG. 4 . 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  shows a perspective view of one embodiment of a winding apparatus of the present invention, viewed from the side into which the carrier line and attached root material are fed into the apparatus (henceforth, the “front”). 
           [0021]      FIG. 7  shows a perspective view of one embodiment of a winding apparatus, viewed from the side from which completed root rope is dispensed (henceforth, the “rear”). 
           [0022]      FIG. 8  shows a front view of one embodiment of a winding apparatus of the present invention. 
           [0023]      FIG. 9  shows a side view of one embodiment of a winding apparatus of the present invention. 
           [0024]      FIG. 10  shows a sectional view of one embodiment of a winding apparatus of the present invention. 
           [0025]      FIG. 11  shows a front perspective view of one embodiment of a funnel that is utilized in one embodiment of the winding apparatus of the present invention. 
           [0026]      FIG. 12  shows a rear perspective view of an embodiment of a funnel that is utilized in an embodiment of the winding apparatus. 
           [0027]      FIG. 13  is a front view of the funnel depicted in  FIG. 11 . 
           [0028]      FIG. 14  is a side view of the funnel depicted in  FIG. 11 . 
           [0029]      FIG. 15  is a sectional view of the funnel shown in  FIG. 11 . 
           [0030]      FIG. 16  shows one embodiment of a reeling apparatus of the present invention which may be utilized with the present invention, the reeling apparatus including a guide assembly. 
           [0031]      FIG. 17  shows an alternative embodiment of a reeling apparatus of the present invention. 
           [0032]      FIG. 18  shows the relative disposition of a conveyor, winding apparatus, and reeling apparatus in one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0033]      FIG. 19  shows one embodiment of a root rope constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0034]    Embodiments of the presently disclosed method and apparatus reduce costs and time associated with the preparation of plant beds and planting raspberry plants or other plants producing suckers, runners, and the like. The planting methodologies developed through use of this invention have application across the full spectrum of plant and fruit production, including commercial growers, nursery operations, and retail or wholesale outlets which sell plants to the hobby farm and the gardening/home improvement market. While the discussion below refers specifically to raspberries, it is contemplated that the principles of the present invention are applicable to any suitable plant. 
         [0035]    Due to the fibrous nature of raspberry roots it is possible to weave the roots into a “rope” configuration, where the roots are preferably disposed onto a carrier line. The carrier line and attached roots are fed through a winding apparatus which wraps one or more wrapping members around the roots/carrier line, to form the rope configuration. The carrier line and wrapping member(s) are preferably fabricated from organic materials, (e.g., sisal, jute and bamboo) which will breakdown quickly once placed in the microbial soil environment so as not to impede the harvest process later in the season. 
         [0036]    The roping machine apparatus utilized in the present invention includes a feed conveyor, a winding apparatus for winding wrapping material around the roots, and a reeling apparatus for winding the root rope onto a reel. The feed conveyor and winding apparatus may be synchronized together such that the conveyor and winding apparatus are in operation at the same time. The reeling apparatus takes up root rope as it is dispensed from the winding apparatus, with slight tension maintained on the root rope. Root rope is guided onto the reel for uniform distribution on the reel. Once wound on a reel, the root rope is placed into cold storage until ready to be planted. 
         [0037]    The feed conveyor will typically be placed alongside a work surface containing root material, either fresh from the field, or taken from cold storage. The carrier line is preferably axially disposed above the feed conveyor, such that workers may manually place root material on the carrier line as it passes along above the conveyor. An acceptable size for the feed conveyor is six inches wide and twelve feet long, which allows provides sufficient space for workers to attach root material to the carrier line. Although in the embodiments of the invention described herein the root material is preferably hand-disposed onto a carrier line, it is contemplated that automated methods of disposing the root material onto the carrier line may be utilized. Further, in some embodiments of the invention, the carrier line may be omitted, with the root material being contained within the wrapping material without first being disposed onto a carrier. 
         [0038]    The carrier line and attached root material are fed into the winding apparatus. As the carrier line and the root material attached to the carrier line are fed through the winding apparatus, wrapping material (the “wrapping twine”) is wrapped around the carrier line and root material to secure the root material, forming the root rope. One embodiment of the winding apparatus includes a winding drum having a center axial opening, a support frame, rotation means, a wrapping material source for providing the wrapping material, and rotation means for rotating the winding drum. The root rope is axially dispensed from the winding apparatus and spooled onto a reel attached to the reeling apparatus, with the root rope guided onto the reel. Full reels are transported to cold storage, where the root rope is stored until required for planting. 
         [0039]    When required for planting, the rope storage reels are attached to bedshaping equipment modified to accept the rope storage reels. The rope is fed into the bed by being spooled off of the storage reel, and guided into the proper bed location by an adjustable injection tool. Correct density and correct plant location are controlled respectively by using the proper root mass density during the roping process, and proper placement of the rope during the bedshaping process. At harvest, the root from the plants are reclaimed and the process repeated. 
         [0040]    In utilizing the method disclosed herein, substantial savings will be realized from the reduction in the size of the planting crew. The utilization of the root rope eliminates the manual labor steps of sorting, separating, and planting the root material. 
         [0041]      FIGS. 1 through 19  depict exemplary embodiments of the present invention, or of various components thereof.  FIGS. 1 through 5  depict an embodiment of a feed conveyor  10  which feeds into winding apparatus  12  in some embodiments of the present invention.  FIG. 1 , for example, shows a perspective view of one embodiment of a conveyor and winding apparatus of the present invention. A carrier line supply, such as spool  14  may provide carrier line  16  (not shown), which is preferably suspended above a transport path defined by continuous belt  18 . Root material is preferably hand placed on carrier line  16 , and the combination of root material and carrier line  16  is fed into the winding apparatus  12 .  FIG. 2  illustrates a side view of the conveyor  10  and winding apparatus  12  of  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 3  provides a top view of the same, while  FIG. 4  provides a bottom view of conveyor  10 , alone.  FIG. 5  is a side view of conveyor  10 . 
         [0042]    As best shown in  FIGS. 2 and 5 , feed conveyor  10  comprises a continuous belt  18  which extends between idler roller  19  and is powered by a drive roller  21 , which is driven by a motor  23 . A work surface, such as a table, counter, or the like (not shown), is preferably disposed adjacent to feed conveyor  10 , where root material is placed on the work surface for easy access by workers, who deposit the root material onto the carrier line  16 . 
         [0043]    Exemplary embodiments of winding apparatus  12  are shown in greater detail in  FIGS. 6 through 10 . As shown in  FIG. 6 , winding apparatus  12  preferably includes a drive motor  20  which is mechanically linked to a drive wheel assembly  22 . Drive wheel assembly  22  rotates drum  24 , which is cradled within frame  26 . As seen in  FIG. 7 , frame  26  comprises lower idler wheel assembly  28  and upper idler wheel assembly  30 , both which retain and guide drive wheel assembly  22  within frame  26 . Lower idler wheel assembly  28  may be located on the opposite side of frame  26  from drive wheel assembly  22 . Upper idler wheel assembly  30  may be disposed on a pivoting arm assembly  32  which is biased downwardly by tension member  34 . Winding apparatus  12  further preferably includes wrapping material spools  36  which provide wrapping material to the root rope as the drum  24  is rotated. 
         [0044]      FIG. 8  shows a side view of winding apparatus  12 , and the relative positions of upper idler wheel assembly  30 , lower idler wheel assembly  28 , and drive wheel assembly  22  in this embodiment of the invention are clearly shown. It should be noted, however, that any suitable means of rotating drum  24  may be employed.  FIG. 9  provides a side view of the same embodiment of winding apparatus  12  shown in  FIG. 8 . 
         [0045]    As shown in  FIG. 10 , drum  24  preferably comprises a funnel member  38 , into which the combination of root material and carrier line  16  are drawn, entering the larger diameter opening. As root material  82  and carrier line  16  are drawn into funnel member  38 , wrapping material  40  (not shown) is applied by rotation of drum  24 . Wrapping material  40  is preferably in the form of two strands of material wound onto or around the root material  82  and carrier line  16  from opposing directions. The wrapping material  40  preferably passes through tension eyelets  45 , which guide the wrapping material  40  and maintain the required tension in the wrapping material. Finished root rope  44  is dispensed from the smaller diameter opening of funnel member  38  as shown in  FIG. 14 . Wrapping material  40  is preferably spooled off of wrapping spine spools  36  as the drum  24  rotates. Tension of the completed root rope  44  is preferably regulated as the rope emerges from funnel  38 . Root rope  44  preferably passes through a series of pulleys  84 ,  86 , and  88 , that serve to regulate the tension of root rope  40  and to provide feedback to reel  52  if the tension is too great or not great enough. Pulley  86  is preferably the load cell that measures the tension on root rope  44 . Feedback is provided to a motor controller that adjusts the rotational speed of reel  52  based on the measured tension of root rope  44 . If the tension of root rope  44  is too low, the rate of rotation of reel  52  is increased. Conversely, if the measured tension of root rope  44  is too high, the rate of rotation of reel  52  decreases. 
         [0046]    While it is preferred that pulleys  84 ,  86 , and  88  are used to measure, regulate, and adjust the tension of root rope  44 , it is contemplated that the present device may be utilized without these pulleys. A user of the present device may seek to maintain a more or less constant tension of root rope  44  solely through a set rotational speed of reel  52 , and when tension has to be adjusted the user may, for example, adjust the rotational speed of reel  52  based on manual observation of root rope  44  as it leaves funnel  38 . 
         [0047]      FIGS. 11 through 15  show an exemplary embodiment of a funnel member. 
       Example 
     Funnel Member 
       [0048]    An exemplary embodiment of funnel member  38  of the present invention is now described. It is to be understood that the dimensions of exemplary funnel member  38  provided here are exemplary and provided for purposes of illustration, and should not be considered limiting. Any suitable size of shape of funnel member  38  may be used. 
         [0049]    An exemplary funnel member  38 , as shown in  FIGS. 11 through 15 , includes a generally cylindrical body  68  that is about eight inches in length. Flanges  64  and  66  of about one inch in width each are provided at either end of funnel member  38 . Thus, the overall length of exemplary funnel member  38  is about ten inches. Openings are defined at either end of the funnel member  38 . At one end, a smaller opening is defined, preferably being about one inch in diameter. At the other end of funnel member  38 , a larger opening is defined, the larger opening preferably being about six inches in diameter. Interior walls  60  and  62 , shown in  FIG. 15 , extend between the smaller opening and the larger opening, the interior walls preferably slanting at about an 11.3° angle  70  from an imaginary longitudinal axis  72  drawn through the center of funnel member  38  and extending across the length thereof. Flange  64  at the end of funnel member  38  having the larger opening preferably extends slightly beyond body  68 , giving that end of funnel member  38  an overall diameter of about seven and a half inches. Flange  66  at the end of funnel member  38  having the smaller opening is preferably set in from the edges of body  68 , giving that end of funnel member  38  a diameter of about four and a half inches. It is contemplated that the dimensions provided herein apply to one exemplary embodiment of funnel member  38 , and that any suitable size or shape of funnel member  38  may be used without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. 
         [0050]    Once the finished root rope  44  is dispensed from the winding apparatus  12 , it is preferably pulled by a reeling apparatus  50 . Exemplary embodiments of a reeling apparatus are depicted in  FIGS. 16 and 17 . Reeling apparatus  50  preferably includes a reel  52  which is suspended between a locking arm  54  and a support column  60 . The reeling apparatus  50  comprises a motor  58  (either electric or hydraulic) which rotates reel  52  to take up finished root rope  44  (not shown) dispensed from the winding apparatus  12 . A slight tension is maintained on the finished root rope. Some embodiments of reeling apparatus  50  comprise a guide assembly  56  which guides finished root rope  44  onto the reel  52  by laterally traversing back and forth along the axial length of the reel such that the rope is evenly wound across the width of the reel. An exemplary embodiment of a reeling apparatus  50  having a guide assembly  56  is shown in  FIG. 16 . 
         [0051]      FIG. 18  depicts the relative disposition of components of an exemplary root rope assembly and reeling system of the present invention. As shown in the figure, conveyor  10  is preferably located in proximity to winding apparatus  12 , which winds the wrapping material around the root material and carrier line to form a completed root rope. Reeling apparatus  50  is preferably further removed from conveyor  10  and winding apparatus  12  and maintains a constant tension on the finished root rope as it is being reeled. It is contemplated, however, that any suitable disposition of the various components of the present invention may be employed.  FIG. 18  also shows an exemplary shield  90  that may be associated with some embodiments of the present invention. Shield  90  encloses a space around winding apparatus  12 , ensuring that the space is kept free of debris and also preventing harm to workers and others in the vicinity of winding apparatus  12  who may be harmed by the rotational movement thereof. 
         [0052]      FIG. 19  shows an exemplary embodiment of a root rope  44  constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. The root rope includes a carrier line  16  and root material  82  disposed along carrier line  16 . At least one wrapping line or length of wrapping material  40  is also included. A second wrapping material  41  is also preferably provided, though it is contemplated that a single wrapping material, or more than two wrapping materials, may be used so long as root material  82  is secured to carrier line  16 . 
         [0053]    Carrier line  16  and wrapping materials  40  and  41  are preferably produced from organic materials such as jute, sisal, bamboo, or combinations of these. It should be noted that the first wrapping material  40  and the second wrapping material  41  may be composed of the same material. The use of two element numbers herein to refer to two separate lengths of wrapping material does not necessarily indicate different composition, though wrapping materials of differing composition may be used if desired. 
         [0054]    While the above is a description of various embodiments of the present invention, further modifications may be employed without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. It is contemplated that such modifications will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading this disclosure. Thus the scope of the invention should not be limited according to these factors, but according to the claims to be filed in the forthcoming utility application. 
         [0055]    Having thus described the preferred embodiment of the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent includes the following:

Technology Classification (CPC): 3