Title of Invention

A FERTILIZER APPLICATOR FOR TEA PLANTATIONS

Abstract This invention relates to a fertilizer applicator comprising of a main assembly made of ERW pipe with a sleeve at its top end, a bush lock welded internally to this sleeve and a washer at the top end of the sleeve, an angled pipe integrated to the main assembly at its lower end, a pipe (fertilizer) with a funnel at its top end fit into this angled pipe and clamped to the main assembly with bolts and nuts; a shaft assembly having pointed edge in the end and flutes above the pointed edge, a rubber handle on the top end, a compression spring just below the rubber handle, a lock pin below the compression spring and sliding into the main assembly. When the applicator is plunged into the soil and the shaft assembly is withdrawn, the hole thereby formed is filled with fertilizer in measured quantity.
Full Text A FERTILIZER APPLICATOR FOR TEA PLANTATIONS
This invention relates to a mechanical fertilizer applicator which is more efficient and cost affective. Normally fertilizer applicator is done by placement method which mvolves digging a hole with a crowbar and then applying the fertilizer. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Tea is grown for the tender growing shoots. The main objective therefore is to suppress the reproductive phase, exploiting the vegetative growth during growing seasons and balancing the harvest of growing points without detriment to the general health of the bushes. Tea flush normally contains 5% Nitrogen (N), 1% Phosphorous (P) and 2% Potassium (K). When this level of nutrient is exhausted these three major nutrients may affect the entire dynamics of crop productivity. It is important that all the nutrients are replaced periodically to get further crop. Manuring in a broader sense is aimed at making available all the essential nutrients deficient in the soil at optimum quantities as demanded by the bushes for a set productivity level. Harvesting and manuring are two most expensive operations in tea cultivation. Manuring in tea constitutes around 17% of the total expenditure. THE CONVENTIONAL FERTILIZER APPLICATOR
Granular inorganic fertilizer used to be applied by making holes of about 25mm diameter on either side of the tea plant to a depth of 150-200mnm with a crowbar. The fertilizer will then be placed inside the hole. This method of application of fertilizer proved to be laborious and time consuming and hence not applied effectively by the workers. This reduced the yield of the plant by 4-8%.

THE PRESENT FERTILIZER APPLICATOR ensures that the full quantity of fertilizer is dispensed with lesser fatigue in a shorter time and greater efficiency thereby improving the efficacy of the fertilizer. This in turn increases the yield of the crop.
The present invention is a fertilizer applicator for tea plantations comprising of a main assembly made of ERW pipe with a sleeve at its top end, a bush lock welded internally to this sleeve and a washer provided on the top end of the sleeve; an angled pipe integrated to the main assembly at its lower end, a pipe (fertilizer) with a funnel at its top end fit into this angled pipe and clamped to the main assembly by means of two clamps with three hexagonal bolts and nuts; a shaft assembly sliding into the main assembly having a rubber handle on the top end, a compression spring just below the rubber handle, a lock pin fixed below the compression spring, the said shaft assembly having a pointed edge in the end and flutes above the pointed edge.
ASSEMBLY OF PARTS OF THE INVENTED FERTILIZER APPLICATOR:
There is a main assembly (MA) which is made of ERW pipe. At its top end, there is a sleeve (SL); to this (SL), a bush lock (BL) is welded internally. A washer (W) is provided on the top end of the sleeves (SL). There is an angled pipe (AP) which is integrated to the main assembly (MA) at its lower end. Another pipe (fertilizer) (PF) with a funnel at its top end is fit into this angled pipe (AP). The pipe (fertilizer) (PF) is clamped to the main assembly (MA) by means of two clamps (CLl, CL2) with three hexagonal bolts and nuts (BN).
A shaft assembly (SA) slides into the main assembly (MA). The shaft assembly (SA) has a handle (H) made of rubber on the top end. Just below the

handle (H) there is a compression spring (CS). Lock pin (LP) is fixed below the compression spring (CS). The end of the shaft assembly (SA) has a pointed edge. Above the pointed edge, the lower end of the shaft assembly (SA) has flutes (FLS) which can be increased or decreased.
THIS INVENTION CAN BE UNDERSTOOD BETTER WITH THE HELP OF A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS:
Figure 1 illustrates the elevation of the fertilizer applicator: In figure 1:
(H) illustrates the handle of the shaft assembly (SA) which is made of
rubber and can also be made of PVC
(CS) illustrates the compression spring just below the handle (H) of the
shaft assembly (SA), which is made of steel
(W) illustrates the washer provided at the top end of the sleeve (SL) which
can be made of stainless steel or galvanized iron,
(SL) illustrates the sleeve at the top end of the main assembly (MA) which
can be made of ERW or stainless steel or galvanized iron.
(MA) illustrates the main assembly which can be made of ERW or stainless
steel or galvanized iron.
(CLl), (CL2) illustrate the clamps holding the main assembly (MA) to the
pipe (fertilizer) (PF) and can be made of plastic or mild steel.
(ST) illustrates the support welded to the lower end of the main assembly
(MA) and the angled pipe (AP) and can be made of ERW pipe or galvanized
iron pipe;
(FLS) illustrates the flutes at the lower end of the shaft assembly (SA).
(AP) illustrates the angled pipe integrated to the rear end of the main

assembly (MA) and can be made of ERW of stainless steel or galvanized
iron.
(PF) illustrates the pipe (fertilizer) fit into the angled pipe (AP) which can
be made of ERW or stainless steel or galvanized iron or PVC.
(BN) illustrates the bolts and nuts bolted onto the clamps (CLl, CL2) and
can be made of MS.
(F) illustrates the funnel fit into the pipe (fertilizer) (PF) and can be made
of plastic/aluminium.
(BL) illustrates the bush lock welded internally at the top end of the sleeve.
It can be made of ERW or stainless steel or galvanized iron. Figure 2 forming part of Figure 1 shows a sectional view of the main assembly (MA) comprising of the sleeve (SL), bush lock (BL), support (ST) and angled pipe (AP).
Figure 3 forming part of Figure I shows a sectional view of the shaft comprising of the lock pin (LP) and the fluted edge.
Figure 4(a) forming part of Figures 1 and 2 shows a sectional view of the sleeve (SL)
Figure 4(b) forming part of Figures 1 and 2 shows the plan of the bush lock (BL). Figure 4(c) shows a sectional view of the bush lock (BL) welded to the sleeve (SL). Figure 5(a) forming part of figure I shows the side view of the clamp (CLl) Figure 5(b) forming part of figure 1 shows the plan of the clamp (CLl). Figure 5(c) forming part of figure 1 shows the side view of the clamp (CL2) Figure 5(d) forming part of figure 1 shows the plan of the clamp (CL2) Figure 6(a) forming part of Figure 1 shows a sectional view of the pipe (fertilizer) (PF).

Figure 6(b) forming part of Figure 1 shows a sectional view of the funnel (F)
Figures 7(a) and 7(b) forming part of Figures 1 and 2 show sectional views of the
support (ST).
Figure 8(a) forming part of Figure 1 shows the plan of the handle (H)
Figure 8(b) forming part of Figure 1 shows a sectional view of the handle (H)
Figure 9 forming part of Figure 1 shows a sectional view of the compression spring
(CS).
PERFORMANCE OF THE FARTS OF THE INVENTION
In the accompanying drawings:
(H) - Handle made of rubber /PVC provides a hold for the operator to insert
and withdraw the shaft assembly (SA) within the main assembly
(MA).
(CS) - Compression spring aids easy withdrawal of the shaft from the main
assembly (MA).
(W) - Washer acts as a stopper for the shaft assembly (SA).
(SL) - Sleeve has the bush lock (BL) which prevents further downward
movement of the shaft assembly (SA).
(MA) - Main assembly is the casing which accommodates the shaft assembly
(SA) and to which the sleeve, support and angled pipe (AP) are
integrated.
(CLl, - Clamps hold the pipe (fertilizer) (PF) to the main assembly (MA)
CL2) where the funnel (F) is inserted.
(ST) - Support holds the main assembly (MA) at its lower end to the angled
pipe (AP) and provides a foot rest for the operator to use pressure
while plunging the fertilizer applicator into the soil.

(FLS) - Flutes m the shaft facilitate easy penetration into the soil and
prevent clogging of the soil on the shaft assembly (SA) while
withdrawal.
(AP) - Angled pipe acts as a connecting pipe between the pipe (fertilizer)
(PF) and the main assembly (MA) and helps the fertilizer to reach
the hole made by the shaft assembly (SA) directly.
(PF) - Pipe (fertilizer) transfers the fertilizer from the funnel (F) to the
angled pipe (AP).
(BN) - Bolts and nuts, three in number, aid in tightening the clamps holding
the main assembly (MA) and the pipe (fertilizer) (PF).
(F) - Funnel ensures that the fertilizer is put in without wastage.
(BL) - Bush lock holds the lock pin (LP) in place thereby ensuring that the
shaft assembly (SA) seats well inside the main assembly (MA).
WORKING OF THE INVENTION:
The shaft assembly (SA) is inserted into the main assembly (MA) by using downward force on the handle (H) thereby compressing the spring (CS) until it rests on the washer (W) of the sleeve (SL). The handle (H) is then turned in a clock wise movement such that the lock pin (LP) in the shaft assembly (SA) gets locked in the bush lock (BL) welded inside the sleeve (SL) of the main assembly (MA). The pipe (fertilizer) (PF) fitted with the funnel (F) is attached to the angled pipe (AP). The fertilizer applicator now assembled as shown in figure 1 is plunged into the soil 150 to 200mm away from the plant to a depth of 150 to 200 mm. The

operator while using the fertilizer applicator, applies pressure to the applicator by resting his foot on the support (ST). The shaft assembly (SA) resting inside the assembly (MA), is then withdrawn by turning the handle (H) in an anti-clockwise movement. The lock pin (LP) which is hooked in the bush lock (BL) is then released. The compression spring (CS) aids in withdrawing the shaft assembly (SA). While withdrawing the shaft assembly (SA), the flutes (FLS) at the pointed end of the shaft assembly (SA) helps in releasing any soil particles stuck to the shaft assembly (SA). The hole then formed by the withdrawal of the shaft assembly is filled by the inorganic fertilizer, which is poured in measured quantity into the funnel (F) attached to the pipe (fertilizer) (PF), which in turn is connected to the angled pipe (AP). After dispensing the inorganic fertilizer into the hole made by the applicator, the shaft assembly (SA) is then pushed back into the main assembly (MA) and the handle (H) turned in the clock-wise direction enabling the lock pin (LP) to seat itself in the bush lock (BL). The applicator is now ready for the next operation.
THE ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTED FERTILIZER APPLICATOR OVER THE EXISTING TYPE
1. Manuring with the conventional type is laborious and time consuming, as the operator has to manually make the hole first in repeated strokes to the required depth and then apply the fertilizer into the hole. The present invention makes it less strenuous for the operator to make the hole in one stroke with the support and the fluted edges, and fill the hole with the fertilizer by withdrawing the shaft assembly.

2. Conventionally, the operator uses a crowbar and makes a hole. The fertilizer is put into that hole with hand or some measuring apparatus. This does not ensure the full quantity being dispensed into the hole. The present invention dispenses the measured quantity through the pipe fertilizer and the angled pipe into the hole created by the fertilizer applicator.
3. The present invention increases the crop yield by 5 to 8% than the conventional one as the required quantity of fertilizer is applied to the plant efficiently.
4. The present invention is cost effective in comparison to the conventional one as coverage of more area can be achieved with less number of operators.
EMBODIMENTS
This invention can be used for other plantations like coffee, sugarcane, cardamom, forestry projects, which required fertilizer to be placed at the root zone.
The terms and expression in this specification are of description and not of limitation, there being no intention in use of such terms and expressions of excluding any equivalents of the features illustrated and described, but it is understood that various other embodiments of the invention proposed herein are possible without depending on the scope and ambit of this invention.



We Claim:
1. A fertilizer applicator for tea plantations comprising of a main assembly
made of ERW pipe with a sleeve at its top end, a bush lock welded internally
to this sleeve and a washer provided on the top end of the sleeve; an
angled pipe integrated to the main assembly at its lower end, a pipe
(fertilizer) with a funnel at its top end fit into this angled pipe and clamped to
the main assembly by means of two clamps with three hexagonal bolts and
nuts; a shaft assembly sliding into the main assembly having a rubber handle
on the top end, a compression spring just below the rubber handle, a lock pin
fixed below the compression spring, the said shaft assembly having a pointed
edge in the end and flutes above the pointed edge.
2. A fertilizer applicator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the main assembly,
bush lock, angled pipe, pipe (fertilizer) can be made of GI pipe, stainless
steel pipe, ERW.
3. A fertilizer applicator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the number of flutes
in the shaft assembly can be increased or decreased.
4. A fertilizer applicator for tea plantations substantially as herein described
with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.


Documents:

851-mas-2000-abstract.pdf

851-mas-2000-claims filed.pdf

851-mas-2000-claims grand.pdf

851-mas-2000-correspondnece-others.pdf

851-mas-2000-correspondnece-po.pdf

851-mas-2000-description(complete) filed.pdf

851-mas-2000-description(complete) grand.pdf

851-mas-2000-drawings.pdf

851-mas-2000-form 1.pdf

851-mas-2000-form 19.pdf

851-mas-2000-form 26.pdf


Patent Number 199077
Indian Patent Application Number 851/MAS/2000
PG Journal Number 23/2006
Publication Date 09-Jun-2006
Grant Date 14-Mar-2006
Date of Filing 09-Oct-2000
Name of Patentee PARRY AGRO INDUSTRIES LTD
Applicant Address TIAM HOUSE ANNEXE NO.2 JEHANGIR STREET CHENNAI 600 001
Inventors:
# Inventor's Name Inventor's Address
1 MR.UDAYAKUMAR SAMUEL PARRY AGRO INDUSTRIES LTD ESTATE, VALPARAI, IYERPADI P.O 642 108, COIMBATORE
PCT International Classification Number A01C15/02
PCT International Application Number N/A
PCT International Filing date
PCT Conventions:
# PCT Application Number Date of Convention Priority Country
1 NA