Modular system for agriculture field operations
AssigneeKubota Corporation
InventorsScott Shearer, Andrew Klopfenstein, Christopher Tkach, Chris Dean, Todd H. Stucke, Joshua M. Gattis
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Some embodiments may include a multi-product management system including a modular container for re-supplying partially or fully automated agricultural operations. The modular container may include a liquid-holding portion, a granular solid-holding portion, and, optionally, an add-on portion. In some embodiments, the liquid-holding portion may be formed of a plurality of liquid-holding portions. Other embodiments may be disclosed and/or claimed.
Claims20
A modular container for use by a small equipment platform (SEP) in a partially or fully automated agricultural application, the modular container comprising:
- a liquid-holding portion configured to store a first liquid related to an agricultural application;
- an add-on portion that is coupled with the liquid-holding portion, the add-on portion configured to store a second liquid related to the agricultural application;
- a solid-holding portion configured to store a granular solid related to the agricultural application, the granular solid is prevented from intermixing with the first liquid while stored in the modular container;
- a first port coupled with the liquid-holding portion, wherein the first port is selectively operable to allow the first liquid to flow from the liquid-holding portion during execution of the agricultural application;
- and
- a second port coupled with the solid-holding portion, wherein the second port is selectively operable to allow the granular solid to flow from the solid-holding portion during execution of the agricultural application.
A multi-product management system for performing or re-supplying a partially or fully automated agricultural operation, the system comprising:
- a small equipment platform (SEP) to perform an agricultural operation in a partially or fully automated manner based at least in part on a modular container that includes a solid-holding portion to hold a granular solid related to the agricultural operation and a liquid-holding portion to hold a liquid related to the agricultural operation;
- and
- a satellite transfer vehicle (STV) to convey, from a tender truck (TT), a modular container to the SEP for usage in the agricultural operation in the partially or fully automated manner;
- wherein the STV or the SEP includes an auto-connect boom to transfer the modular container between the SEP and the STV.
A multi-product management system for use in an agricultural application that is partially or fully automated, the multi-product management system comprising:
- a modular container including:
- a first liquid-holding portion configured to store a first liquid related to the agricultural application;
- and
- a solid-holding portion configured to store a granular solid related to the agricultural application, wherein the granular solid is prevented from intermixing with the first liquid while stored in the modular container;
- and
- an attachment structure configured to removably receive the modular container, the attachment structure including:
- a first port coupled with the liquid-holding portion when the modular container is seated within the attachment structure, wherein the first port is selectively operable to allow the first liquid to flow from the first liquid-holding portion during execution of the agricultural application;
- and
- a second port coupled with the solid-holding portion when the modular container is seated within the attachment structure, wherein the second port is selectively operable to allow the granular solid to flow from the solid-holding portion during execution of the agricultural application.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.