Patent classifications
A01G13/0287
Method and apparatus for providing openings in plastic cover over planting beds
An apparatus for making holes in plastic along a ridge row has a frame with wheels spanning a ridge row, a furrow reference wheel centered in the frame adapted to roll on soil surface between two raised ridge rows, a first vertically translatable mechanism positioned at a distance to a first side of the furrow reference wheel to be directly over the ridge row adjacent the furrow reference wheel, the vertically translatable mechanism having a first electrically-heated hole punch element at a lower extremity, and a control system having a power supply, sensors and actuators for managing operation of the apparatus. As the apparatus is towed, the furrow reference wheel triggers signals to the control system to activate the vertically translatable mechanism at repeated intervals to descend and make holes in the plastic covering on the raised ridge row.
Machine for laying and anchoring a sheet of material on a ground surface
A tracked, self-propelled machine for laying a film and depositing ballast on it to cover a landfill or other ground area. The machine (20) has a ballast box (28) with a reciprocating slat floor (38) and an end gate (34) for holding the ballast (50). A ballast distribution module (58) at the back of the ballast box has a pair of conveyors (68, 70) separated by a gap (72). A roll of film (96) is held by a film roll support mechanism (94) at the back of the machine for unwinding onto the ground surface as the machine moves forward. Ballast is moved to the back of the box by the reciprocating slat floor and is released from an opening (52) under the end gate onto the conveyors and into the gap for deposition onto the laid film.
Methods and apparatus for recycling deployed sheet material
Coreless sheet material rolling apparatuses for rolling up sheet material deployed on a deployed surface into a coreless roll for recycling, and methods of rolling up sheet material deployed on a deployed surface into a coreless roll for recycling. The coreless sheet material rolling apparatuses having a main frame portion, a slide frame portion, and a winder assembly.