AU2007100012B4 - Chemical Applicator - Google Patents

Description

2007-01-08 14:27 +61 2 8002 1954 +61 2 8002194 Patent P 6 O 0CHEMICAL APPLICATOR ct 00 Field of the Invention The present invention relates to the field of chemical applicators and, specifically to the subfield of chemical applicators which incorporate chemical application o devices and methods for applying chemicals to targets such as the internal tissue 0 Sof living organisms, including the internal tissue of plants and animals which may reside in media including air, land and/or water. The chemical applicator device Sand method is designed to increase the effectiveness of chemicals applied to the target organisms, by improving the effectiveness of the chemicals at lower doses than achieved with conventional devices and methods of application, whilst minimising exposure of non-target animals or plants to the chemical; however, the invention is not restricted to this particular field of use.

Background of the Invention Methods and devices for applying chemicals, such as herbicides and fertilisers, to plants are known. Such methods and devices include spraying and direct application methods and devices.

It is known that spraying-based methods may be suitable when large areas of target plants are involved. However, spraying methods may be unsuitable where target plants are interspersed with non-target plants. In this case, spraying-based methods of herbicide application may not be sufficiently accurate to apply a herbicide only to the target plants. This may result in damage of nearby nontarget plants and contamination of the target plant environs.

Furthermore, spraying methods may also not be suitable under particular environmental conditions such as high wind or rain. Under these conditions, the herbicide may be either dispersed or diluted such that the concentration is not Page 1 of COMS ID No: SBMI-05840879 Received by IP Australia: Time 15:24 Date 2007-01-08 2007-01-08 14:27 +61 2 8002 1954 +61 2 8002194 Patent P 7 sufficient to be effective on the target plants and/or the herbicide may wash off or drift onto non-target plants and cause damage.

00 In light of the problems associated with spraying-based methods, a number of direct-application or contact type chemical applicator technologies have been developed in various attempts to address these problems.

SFor example, US Patent 4,357,779, to M.E. Maddock, describes a chemical o applicator comprising a sponge applicator connected to a chemical reservoir wherein flow of chemical from the reservoir to the sponge applicator is controlled o ci by a flow control valve.

US Patent 4,403,881, to J-H. Keeton, describes a hollow handled chemical applicator which comprises a chemical reservoir within the upper part of the handle. Chemical from the reservoir is supplied in discrete doses to a sponge applicator at the lower end of the device through a slit valve, which is openable in response to the operation of a button by a user of the device.

US Patent 4,716,677, to J.E. Moore, describes a hand-held chemical applicator comprising a chemical applicator pad mounted between pincers or tweezers. The pincers or tweezers may then be used to grip a plant and thereby apply the herbicide to the surface of the plant gripped by the pincers.

Each of the herbicide applicators described above uses a sponge or absorbent pad to apply chemical to the surface of a plant. As such, the chemical is subject to wash-off during rainfall. This wash-off potentially leads to exposure of nontarget plants or animals to the chemical and/or unnecessary contamination of the environment with the chemical.

Furthermore, wash-off potentially: 1. exposes non-target plants and animals to the chemical; and 2. reduces the concentration of the chemical on the target plant surface.

Page 2 of COMS ID No: SBMI-05840879 Received by IP Australia: Time 15:24 Date 2007-01-08 2007-01-08 14:27 +61 2 8002 1954 +61 2 8002194 Patent P 8 o This potentially reduces the effective dose of the chemical delivered to the target ci plant. The reduced effective dose of the chemical on the target plant surface may then necessitate repeat applications of the chemical and/or application of 00 the chemical at a higher concentration. As would be appreciated, this potentially o! compounds the problems associated with chemical wash-off and increases the potential for non-target plant and animal exposure to the chemical.

0E US Patent 5,724,765, to W.A. Wegner, describes a herbicide applicator comprising a pair of opposable jaws, each comprising an absorbent pad and a 0 10 plurality of needles extending from each jaw into the pad. This device also 0 ci comprises a herbicide reservoir which is connected by conduit to the absorbent pad on each jaw. When a plant is grasped by the jaws, the needles penetrate the surface of a plant. In this way, the herbicide, which is applied to the absorbent pads, coats the surface of the plant and then flows into holes produced in the plant tissue by the needles.

The device described in the Wegner patent does potentially lead to more effective utilization of herbicide, as wounding of the plant allows herbicide, from herbicide absorbent pads, to infiltrate the internal tissues of the plant. However, with the Wegner device, a significant amount of herbicide is still applied to the surface of the plant, via the absorbent pads. This surface-applied chemical is still prone to wash-off and thus can lead to exposure of non-target plants and animals to the chemical.

Methods for applying chemicals, such as pharmaceuticals, to animals are known.

Such methods include injecting methods where a syringe is used to allow a pharmaceutical to directly flow from the syringe's reservoir down the barrel of a needle into the target tissue. It is also well known that injectable darts are used, which are based on the syringe technology.

Injecting methods may be suitable when a small number of specific target animals require an injectable pharmaceutical and when the target animal is accessible or lives in accessible media such as on land. However, injecting Page 3 of COMS ID No: SBMI-05840879 Received by IP Australia: Time 15:24 Date 2007-01-08 2007-01-08 14:28 +61 2 8002 1954 +61 2 8002194 Patent P 9 o methods may be unsuitable where target animals are numerous, fast moving, ci interspersed with non-target plants and animals, remotely located, live in a Ctmedium such as below water or are out of reach and fast 'moving. In this case, 00 injecting-based methods of pharmaceuticals may not be suitable for delivering the pharmaceutical to the target animals in an efficient and timely manner.

Likewise, in situations where a large number of animals require specific doses of a pharmaceutical to be administered in a sterile manner, the syringe-style o application devices have considerable limitations.

0 In light of the problems associated with injecting-based methods and devices, a ci number of direct-application or contact type chemical applicators have been developed in various attempts to address these problems.

For example, Patent Publication No. CN1415385, describes a miniature needle array sheet which supplies the pharmaceutical via said minipore array into the skin. Such devices can take the form of a transdermal patch to apply the pharmaceutical; however, such method and devices have limitations of applying pharmaceuticals to birds or water based animals, each patch has only a single use and used patches contribute to potentially toxic waste material within the environs when the patch is no longer attached to the target animal.

To overcome the deficiencies of, or to provide an alternative to, existing chemical methods and devices, the present invention provides a chemical applicator which iA substantially specifically delivers a chemical to target and in particular, the internal tissues of the living organism. In this way, chemical coating of the surface of organisms would be minimized and thereby the potential for wash-off of the chemical, and subsequent exposure of non-target plants or animals would also *be reduced. Substantially specific application of a chemical to the internal tissues of an organism would also potentially increase the effective utilization of a chemical, as the chemical could be delivered to the internal tissues of the organism where it is most effective, thus potentially decreasing the amount and/or concentration of a given chemical needed to achieve a desired outcome, Further, the application method can be rapidly reused to deliver the desired Page 4 of COMS ID No: SBMI-05840879 Received by IP Australia: Time 15:24 Date 2007-01-08 2007-01-08 14:28 +61 2 8002 1954 +61 2 8002194 Patent P 10/35 o chemical to numerous organisms without the necessity to re-prime or re-sterilise the piercing elements.

00 Before turning to a summary of the invention, it must be appreciated that the above description of the prior art has been provided merely as background to explain the context of the invention. Accordingly, reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgment or any form of suggestion that this prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in any country.

Summary of the Invention One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a chemical applicator which uses a chemical application device and method for applying chemicals to the targets such as the internal tissues living organisms, including the internal tissue of plants and animals which may reside in media such as air, or on or under water, without contaminating the surrounding environment or non-target organisms.

The present invention provides a device for applying a chemical, said device including: A. one or more piercing elements for piercing one or more targets and introducing said chemical into said target; and B. a chemical reservoir for containing said chemical, which comprises a body which is: i. normally sealed to encapsulate said chemical contained within i-i said chemical reservoir; and ii. substantially impermeable to the chemical contained; 30 wherein the one or more of said piercing elements are: a) engageable within one or more said chemical reservoir body(s) such that said chemical is substantially specifically applied onto Page 5 of COMS ID No: SBMI-05840879 Received by IP Australia: Time 15:24 Date 2007-01-08 2007-01-08 14:28 +61 2 8002 1954 +61 2 8002194 Patent P 11/35 0 O one or more of said piercing elements on exit of said chemical reservoir; and b) substantially cleansed on entering and re-entering said chemical 00 reservoir and emerge from said chemical reservoir with a 0 chemical coating.

The present invention may be used to deliver any chemical to one or more targets such as one or more plants, animals or other living organisms. Exemplary chemicals include, for example, herbicides, fungicides, growth regulators, o 10 fertilizers, genetic material, drugs, hormones, pheromones and other materials 0 N and the like which have an effect with inter- and intracellular administration to a living organism.

It would be appreciated that the target such as a living organism's surface to be pierced is dependent on factors including: 1. chemical type, 2. application surface, and 3. access to the living organism's tissue to which the chemical is applied.

Chemical can be applied to target animals, plants or other living organisms including lichen mosses or other animal species.

The device of* the present invention is predicated, in part, on the piercing elements being engageable with the chemical reservoir in order to effect the coating of the piercing elements with the chemical. Once coated, these piercing elements may then be used to pierce the target living organism such as plant tissue and deliver the chemical to the internal tissues of the plant.

*The engagement of the one or more piercing elements with the chemical reservoir effects substantially specific application of the chemical onto the one or more piercing elements. Because only the piercing elements are coated with the chemical, very little or substantially no chemical is applied to the surface of the target living organism's tissue during delivery. In this way, the potential for washoff of the chemical is reduced and substantially all of the chemical applied to the Page 6 of COMS ID No: SBMI-05840879 Received by IP Australia: Time 15:24 Date 2007-01-08 2007-01-08 14:29 O target is deliver be of the great 1- preloaded witlh 0o preloaded cartr herbicide conta +61 2 8002 1954 +61 2 8002194 Patent P 12/35 ed to the internal tissues of the living organism, where it is likely to est effectiveness. Further, the body includes a cartridge which is the chemical, The preloaded cartridge is disposable. This ridge overcomes problem relating to the filling and the re-filling of iners with poisonous herbicides by unaware consumers.

0 0 0

F--

0 ci In a preferred embodiment, the device contains: A. said chemical reservoir includes one or more valves which are openable in response to the engagement of one or more said piercing 10 elements such that said piercing elements: a) sealingly engage with said valve(s) on entry through said valve(s) into said reservoir; b) are chemically coated on entry into and exit from said reservoir; c) retraction from said chemical reservoir and said valve's surface effects re-sealing of said chemical reservoir; and B. said piercing elements are raised from a first member which is pivotally attached to a second member which comprises said chemical reservoir such that said first and said second members includes handles, wherein said handles are actuated to bring one or more said piercing elements and said chemical reservoir into cyclical engagement.

The chemical contained within the chemical reservoir may be any suitable type of formulation. For example, solid, liquid, suspension, paste or gel formulations are contemplated as being suitable for use in accordance with the present invention.

Preferably still, the body is substantially impermeable to the chemical contained within the chemical reservoir.

The piercing elements are raised from a first member which is pivotally attached to a second member which comprises said chemical reservoir such that said first and said second members includes handles, wherein said handles are actuated Page 7 of COMS ID No: SBMI-05840879 Received by IP Australia: Time 15:24 Date 2007-01-08 2007-01-08 14:29 +61 2 8002 1954 +61 2 8002194 Patent P 13/35 O to bring one or more said. piercing elements and said chemical reservoir into N cyclical engagement.

00 This facilitates, among other things, ready handling and use of the device. The 0 first and second members may be attached through one or more pivot points, and these pivot points may be arranged such that the device adopts, for example, a 'scissor' type configuration wherein one or more of the pivot points Sare placed intermediate the ends of the first and second members, or a 'tong' type configuration wherein a pivot point is placed proximal to one end of the first and second members.

0 In use, the handle(s) may be manipulated by a user to bring the piercing elements and chemical reservoir into, andlor out of, engagement. The handle(s) may be placed anywhere along the first and second members that is compatible with the placement of the pivot points. For example, when the placement of the pivot point is such that the device adopts a 'tong' type configuration, the handle(s) are preferably located on the first and/or second members intermediate the pivot point and the piercing elements or chemical reservoir. Alternatively, when a pivot point Is placed such that the device adopts a 'scissor' configuration, the handle(s) may be located proximal to an end of each member such that the pivot point is intermediate to the handle and the piercing elements or chemical reservoir.

The engagement of the chemical reservoir against the target such as a living organism is further facilitated by engagement with the piercing elements, which can initiate a secondary sealing function, reducing potential loss of chemical to the environment. While the invention will function advantageously against the prior art without such a seal under certain environmental conditions the seal will provide an even greater advantage over the prior art.

2. In a second form of the invention, the device contains: A. said chemical reservoir includes one or more gaskets which: Page 8 of COMS ID No: SBMI-05840879 Received by IP Australia: Time 15:24 Date 2007-01-08 2007-01-08 14:29 +61 2 8002 1954 +61 2 8002194 Patent P 14/35 0 oa) are openable in response to the engagement of one or more said piercing elements; and b) sealingly engage around one or more said piercing elements when OO said piercing elements penetrates said gaskets; and B. one or more said piercing elements are: a) disposed within said chemical reservoir, such that one or more said bpiercing elements are normally coated with said chemical; and b) withdrawn from said chemical reservoir via an actuator, wherein actuation of said actuator effects extension of said piercing elements and withdrawal from said chemical reservoir; 0such that said actuator comprises an upright handle and actuation of said actuator comprises the application of force along the longitudinal axis of said handle.

The present invention also provides a method of applying a chemical to a target, using a device with one or more piercing elements and one or more chemical reservoirs, including the steps of: a) containing said chemical in said chemical reservoirs; b) disposing said piercing elements within said chemical reservoirs; c) applying said chemical to said piercing elements within said reservoirs such that said piercing elements are chemically coated; d) emerge said chemically coated piercing elements from said reservoir: e) drawing said piercing elements through said target; and f) releasing said chemical from said chemically coated piercing elements into said target; such that the delivery of said chemical is undertaken from said piercing elements are forced upon said target's surface to pierce said target when: i. said target is interspersed between said reservoir and said piercing elements; or 30 ii. said piercing elements. are forcibly extended outwards from said reservoir into said target.

Page 9 of COMS ID No: SBMI-05840879 Received by IP Australia: Time 15:24 Date 2007-01-08 S 200

N-

0., 00 0 0 17-01-08 14:30 +61 2 8002 1954 +61 2 8002194 Patent P 15/35 Throughout this specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "include", or variations such as "includes" or "including", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element or integer or group of elements or integers but not the exclusion of any other element or integer or group of elements or 5 integers.

I:

5.

P

I

I

I

I;-

I

1 1 i:~ i.

i: jl i

I

I r I Page 10 of i COMS ID No: SBMI-05840879 Received by IP Australia: Time 15:24 Date 2007-01-08 2007-01-08 14:30 +61 2 8002 1954 +61 2 8002194 Patent P 16/35 o Brief Description of the Figures i ci i_^Having briefly described the general concepts involved with the present 00 invention, exemplary preferred embodiments of the chemical applicator of the present invention will now be described with reference to the following figures: I Figure 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a chemical applicator according to one preferred embodiment of the invention.

o 10 Figure 2 shows a close-up cross-sectional view of a valve in the chemical Creservoir of the chemical applicator shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view of a chemical applicator according to another preferred embodiment of the invention. Panel shows the chemical applicator in an expanded configuration, while panel shows the chemical applicator in a compressed configuration.

Figure 4 shows by way of example the flowchart of the first embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 1.

Figure 5 shows by way of example the flowchart of another embodiment of the invention as shown in Figure 3.

,.l Description of the Preferred Embodiments It is to be understood that the following description is for the purpose of I describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to be limiting with .respect to the above description.

The term target applies to "organism" and "living organism" which is to include "any living structure, such as a plant, animal, fungus or bacterium, capable of Sgrowth and reproduction" as defined by Chambers Online Reference.

Page 11 of COMS ID No: SBMI-05840879 Received by IP Australia: Time 15:24 Date 2007-01-08 2007

I'

ci 00

I

i ci i i 2f. '-01-08 14:30 +61 2 8002 1954 +61 2 8002194 Patent P 17/ It would be appreciated that the target's surface to be pierced is dependent on factors including: 1. chemical type, and 2. the internal tissue type to which it is applied- Applied surfaces such as plant surfaces include any other surface contemplated including applications to lichen, mosses, and animal species.

The device of the present invention is predicated, in part, on the piercing elements being engageable with the chemical reservoir in order to effect the coating of the piercing elements with the chemical. Once coated, these piercing elements may then be used to pierce the target living organism's tissue such as plant tissue to deliver the chemical.

The term chemical is used to include herbicides, fungicides, growth regulators, fertilizers, genetic material, drugs/pharmaceuticals, small amino acid chains such as DNA and RNA, hormones, pheromones, viruses and any other substance contemplated which would have a beneficial effect with the inter- and intracellular administration to a living organism.

The preferred embodiments described are for use in delivering herbicides to target noxious target weeds strewn among desired plants. Therefore, the embodiments described show a plurality of chemical reservoirs and piercing elements. However, other arrangements can be envisaged by the person skilled in the art. For example, reducing the piecing elements and chemical reservoirs down to only one chemical reservoir and one accompanying piercing element would enable the preferred embodiment to be used for delivering specific chemical doses to target sea or animal life such as fish, mammals or poultry.

A device for applying a chemical, said device including: A. one or more piercing elements for piercing one or more targets and 30 introducing said chemical into said target; and B. a chemical reservoir for containing said chemical, which comprises a body which is: I'r

A.

i i: i Page 12 of COMS ID No: SBMI-05840879 Received by IP Australia: Time 15:24 Date 2007-01-08 2007-01-08 0 0 .0 14:31 wherein the +61 2 8002 1954 +61 2 8002194 Patent P 18 i. normally sealed to encapsulate said chemical contained within said chemical reservoir; and ii. substantially impermeable to the chemical contained; one or more of said piercing elements are: a) engageable within one or more said chemical reservoir body(s) such that said chemical is substantially specifically applied onto one or more of said piercing elements on exit of said chemical reservoir; and b) substantially cleansed on entering and re-entering said chemical reservoir and emerge from said chemical reservoir with a chemical coating.

As set out above, in one preferred form of the invention, engagement of the one or more piercing elements with the chemical reservoir effects release of the chemical from the chemical reservoir substantially only onto the one or more piercing elements, and disengagement of the one or more piercing elements from the chemical reservoir effects re-sealing of the chemical reservoir. A particularly preferred embodiment of this form of the invention is shown in Figure 1.

In this embodiment, the chemical applicator 100 comprises a first member 110 carrying a plurality of piercing elements 120 extending outwardly therefrom.

These piercing elements 120 are for piercing the surface of a target living organism and introducing a chemical to the internal tissues of the living organism.

The chemical applicator 100 further comprises a second member 130 which comprises a chemical reservoir 140 containing a chemical, such as a herbicide.

The chemical reservoir 140 is modular and can be detached from the second member 130 to facilitate replacement of the chemical reservoir once the chemical therein has been exhausted. In this way, it is unnecessary to decant chemical into the chemical reservoir 130 from another vessel in order to use the chemical applicator 100. Thus, the chance of exposure of the user or other non-target living organisms or animals to the chemical is further reduced.

Page 13 of COMS ID No: SBMI-05840879 Received by IP Australia: Time 15:24 Date 2007-01-08 2007-01-08 14:31 +61 2 8002 1954 +61 2 8002194 Patent P 19/35 O "Preferably, the first member 110 is pivotally attached to the second member 130 such that the piercing elements 120 and chemical reservoir 140 may be brought into, andlor out of, engagement.

00 In a particularly preferred embodiment, as shown in Figure 1, the first member 110 and second member 130 are coupled to each other about a pivot 150. The pivot 150 allows the first member 110 and second member 130 to move with respect to each other and bring the piercing elements 120 and chemical reservoir N 140 into, and/or out of, engagement. In this embodiment, the pivot is placed o 10 intermediate the ends of the first and second members 110 and 130, such that Sthe device adopts a 'scissor' configuration.

As set out above, the first and/or second members (110, 130) preferably further comprise a handle, wherein the handle(s) may be manipulated by a user to bring the piercing elements 120 and chemical reservoir 140 into, and/or out of, engagement.

For example, with reference to the particularly preferred embodiment in Figure 1, each of the first member 110 and second member 120 further comprise handles 160. These handles are positioned such that movement of the handles together causes the piercing elements 120 and chemical reservoir 140 to move toward each other and ultimately move into engagement with each other, and separation of the handles 160 causes the piercing elements 120 and chemical reservoir 140 to disengage and separate.

In order to apply a chemical to a target living organism, the handles 160 are initially moved apart, thus separating the piercing elements 120 from the chemical reservoir 140. A target living organism is then placed between the separated piercing elements 120 and chemical reservoir 140. Once a target living organism is in position, the handles 160 are moved together, thus causing the piercing elements 120 to penetrate through the living organism and ultimately engage with the chemical reservoir 140. The engagement process may also Page 14 of I7 COMS ID No: SBMI-05840879 Received by IP Australia: Time 15:24 Date 2007-01-08 2007-01-08 14:31 +61 2 8002 1954 +61 2 8002194 Patent P 20/35 o serve a secondary sealing function of reducing the exposure of the piercing elements to the environment 00 As set out above, the piercing elements 120 on the first member 110 are 0 engageable with the chemical reservoir 140 on the second member 130 to release chemical from the reservoir 140 onto the piercing elements 120.

0 o More preferably, the chemical reservoir 140 comprises one or more valves which 0 are openable in response to the engagement of the one or more piercing o 10 elements 120 with the chemical reservoir 140. In a particularly preferred N embodiment, as shown in Figure 2, the chemical reservoir comprises a number of valves 210 which are seated against the internal surface of the chemical reservoir 140 and which are biased to the seated position. When the piercing elements 120 engage with the valves 210, the valves 210 are unseated and pushed back into the interior of the chemical reservoir 140. Once the valve 210 becomes unseated, chemical can emerge from the chemical reservoir 140 and coat the piercing element 120. Therefore the piercing elements 120 emerge from said chemical reservoir 140 via said valves with a chemical coating.

Once the piercing elements 120 are coated, the handles 160 may be separated, thus causing disengagement of the piercing elements 120 from the valves 210 of the chemical reservoir. Once the piercing elements 120 are disengaged, the valves 210 re-seat and thus prevent any further escape of chemical from the chemical reservoir 140. As the handles 160 are further separated, the piercing I 25 elements 120 are drawn back through the tissue of the living organism and, accordingly, deliver the chemical carried on the coated piercing elements 120 to the internal tissues of the living organism.

Any chemical remaining on the piercing elements 120 after being drawn through the target living organism tissue may be re-applied to the same target or a different target by placing further living organism tissue in the space between the separated first and second members 110 and 120 and bringing the handles 160 together again. This action would also eventually cause further application of Page 15 of COMS ID No: SBMI-05840879 Received by IP Australia: Time 15:24 Date 2007-01-08 2007-01-08 14:32 +61 2 8002 1954 +61 2 8002194 Patent P 21/35 o chemical to the piercing elements 120 when they engage with the valves 210 in the chemical reservoir 140, as described above, i.

c11 00 The piercing elements 120 are cleansed on re-entering said valves into said chemical reservoir 140. Such cleansing is achieved by the wiping of the piecing elements 120 along the valves and/or through wiping a sterilizing substance over Ii said piecing elements 120 on entering said valves into said chemical reservoir O 140. Such cleansing and re-cleansing is achieved by the wiping of the piecing elements as the handle(s) are manipulated by a user to bring the piercing elements 120 and chemical reservoir 140 into, and/or out of, engagement.

Preferably still, the chemical "reservoir" 140 may consist of a "cartridge" which is preloaded with the chemical to release into the target living organism. The distinction between a "reservoir" and a "cartridge" is that a reservoir can be "fed" with the target chemical as well as "drained". The "cartridge" in this arrangement can only be "drained".

In a second form of the invention, the one or more piercing elements are disposed within a chemical reservoir, such that the one or more piercing elements are normally coated with the chemical; and wherein the one or more piercing elements may be extended outwardly from the chemical reservoir to apply the chemical to a target living organism and withdrawn back into the chemical reservoir to effect sealing of the chemical reservoir. A particularly preferred embodiment of this second form of the invention is described with reference to Figure 3.

In this embodiment, the chemical applicator 300 comprises a chemical reservoir 310 formed from interlocking first 320 and second 330 members. The first 320 and second members 330 are moveable relative to each other to place the chemical reservoir 310 in either an expanded configuration (as shown in panel A) 30 or compressed configuration (as shown in panel The first and second members are biased to place the chemical reservoir 310 in an expanded configuration by springs 340.

Page 16 of if.:.

COMS ID No: SBMI-05840879 Received by IP Australia: Time 15:24 Date 2007-01-08 2007-01-08 14:32 +61 2 8002 1954 +61 2 8002194 Patent P 22/35 O The chemical reservoir 320 may be compressed into a compressed configuration by applying a force along the longitudinal axis of handle 342. This force causes the first member 320 and second member 330 to move toward each other and 00 causes the springs 340 to compress. The handle 342 is coupled to the second member 330 by a ball joint 344 which enables the handle to be placed at a range Nof angles relative to the chemical reservoir 310.

The first member 310 comprises a plurality of piercing elements 350 that extend into the interior of the chemical reservoir 310 when the chemical reservoir is in an expanded configuration. In this configuration, the chemical reservoir 310 remains N sealed and the piercing elements 350 become coated with chemical held in the chemical reservoir 310. The second member comprises a plurality of apertures 360 placed opposite each of the piercing elements. Each of the apertures 360 comprises a concave rubber gasket 370 to prevent leakage of chemical out of the chemical reservoir 310 through the apertures 360.

When the chemical reservoir 310 is placed into a compressed configuration, the piercing elements 350 penetrate through the concave rubber gaskets 370, which normally seal the chemical reservoir 310. As the piercing elements pass through the rubber gaskets 370, the gaskets wipe the majority of the chemical off the surface of the piercing elements 350. However, the piercing elements 350 comprise a plurality of longitudinal grooves 352. These grooves 352 enable the retention of some chemical on the piercing elements 350 as the piercing 2 elements 350 pass through the gaskets 370. In this configuration, the piercing elements 350 emerge from the chemical reservoir 310 carrying chemical in the grooves 352 thereof, and thus are configured to deliver the chemical to a target living organism. Therefore the piercing elements 350 emerge from said chemical reservoir 310 via said gaskets 370 with a chemical coating.

The chemical reservoir 310 may also be disposed within a housing 380. The housing 380 comprises a series of apertures which correspond to the apertures in the chemical reservoir 310, thus enabling the piercing elements 350 to emerge from the chemical reservoir 310 when the chemical reservoir is in the housing L Page 17 of

L

COMS ID No: SBMI-05840879 Received by IP Australia: Time 15:24 Date 2007-01-08 200; 00 0 .1 ci 0 0 0* 0

I:

0

C-(

1' kV 7-01-08 14:32 +61 2 8002 1954 +61 2 8002194 Patent

F

P 2, 380. In this embodiment, the housing 380 comprises a dorsal aperture 382 which enables connection of the handle 342 to the second member 330. In this way, the chemical reservoir 310 may be compressed into the compressed configuration while the chemical reservoir 310 is retained within the housing 380. In this 5 embodiment, the housing 380 comprises a further aperture which enables the chemical reservoir 310 to be slid into the housing 380. The chemical reservoir 350 is then retained within the housing by one or more ball bearing detents 386.

In use, the device of the second form of the invention is held in an upright position, with the chemical reservoir 310 being proximal to the ground and the handle 342 extending upwardly therefrom. A user may then grip the handle 342 and carry the device to a target such as a broadleaf weed or carpetweed. The device may then be positioned over the target. Once the device has been positioned over a target, the user exerts a force along the length of the handle 342, which, as described above, effects compression of the chemical reservoir 310 and extension of the piercing elements 350, as described above. The extended piercing elements 350 penetrate the tissue of the organism and deliver the chemical thereto. When the force on the handle 342 is released, the springs 340 bias the chemical reservoir 310 into the expanded configuration, which, in turn, causes the piercing elements 350 to retract back into the chemical reservoir 310, The piercing elements 350 are cleansed on entering said gaskets 370 into said chemical reservoir 310. Further, the piercing elements 350 are re-cleansed on re-entering the chemical reservoir 310. Such cleansing and re-cleansing is achieved by the wiping of the piecing elements along the gaskets 370 and/or through wiping a sterilizing substance over said piecing elements 350 on entering said gaskets into said chemical reservoir 310. The cycle of cleansing and recleansing follows the cycle of the user exerting a force along the length of the handle 342, followed by the release of the force causing the piercing elements 350 to retract back into the chemical reservoir 310.

Page 18 of 3/35

I

1~ ij COMS ID No: SBMI-05840879 Received by IP Australia: Time 15:24 Date 2007-01-08 2007-01 O0 c 00: 01 1-08 14:33 +61 2 8002 1954 +61 2 8002194 Patent F With herbicide use, a preferred embodiment the chemical clasping face can I as small as 4-5 square centimeters incorporating between 9-16 pierci elements. The upper and lower limitsl are not however so limited and could vastly different, with the optimum size being determined by factors including b not limited to, the chemical type and form and plant type.

'2 be ng be ut 0 Figure 4 shows by way of example the method of applying a chemical to a target living organism, including a plant or an animal, with one or more piercing elements and one or more chemical reservoirs, including thle steps of: a) containing the chemical in the chemical reservoirs; b) disposing the piercing elements within the chemical reservoirs; c) applying the chemical to the piercing elements within the reservoirs such that the piercing elements are chemically coated; d) emerge the chemically coated piercing elements from the reservoir; e) drawing the piercing elements through the animal; and f) releasing the chemical from the chemically coated piercing elements into the animal.

4/35 o r t,

F

:B

'I

i

C;

1. rr. ;I i:; I I';i i: P" The method of delivery, according to the first embodiment of the invention, of the chemical from the piercing elements to a target such as a plant, animal or living organism occurs when the organism is interspersed between the members housing the piercing elements and reservoirs. The piercing element which pierces's the animal's surface the members are forced together. Here the faces of the members seal against the organism, whereby the piercing element(s), in 25 the case of a thin plant, extend through the plant into the chemical reservoir, where piercing element(s) are coated with the chemical contained in the reservoir. The members are subsequently separated and the piercing element(s) pass back through organism and the chemical is released from the piercing elements into the organism's body tissue. The cycle can then repeat to re-apply 30 the chemical onto the piercing elements.

A similar cycle can also be repeated when the organism's tissue is too thick to allow the piercing element(s) to pass completely through the tissue. In with the Page 19 of COMS ID No: SBMI-05840879 Received by IP Australia: Time 15:24 Date 2007-01-08 2007-( 0 0..

O

00 0 ci 0 0 0 1-08 14:33 +61 2 8002 1954 +61 2 8002194 Patent P 25/35 absence of the organism interspersed between the members, when the members are closed the piercing element(s) are coated with the chemical contained in the chemical reservoir. Once the piercing elements are coated and the members are opened and reclosed with an organism, such as an animal or a plant, interspersed between the members, the chemical can be applied via the recoated piercing element(s) insertion into the organism's tissue when the members are forced closed.

The cycle of re-coating the piercing elements can take place once again when 10 the body tissue is too thick to allow the piercing elements and chemical reservoirs to engaged, then the members can be released, allowing the organism to vacate the space between the members. Hence, the piercing elements and reservoir can now engage to allow re-coating of the piercing elements with the chemical.

Figure 5 shows by way of example the method of applying a chemical, according to the embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 3, enables the delivery of the chemical to take place when the piercing element, normally biased within the reservoir, being forcibly extended outwards from the reservoir into the animal's contacting surface's underlying tissue.

As would be appreciated, the present invention encompasses manually-operated embodiments which may be used, for example, in small scale domestic, farming or nursery settings. However, it should also be understood that the present invention also encompasses larger scale, and optionally automated, embodiments which may be used, for example, in market garden, broadacre agriculture farming and aquaculture applications. Furthermore, the invention may also be used in conjunction with automated weed sensing systems (for examples, see the publication of Steward and Tian, Transactions of the ASAE 42(6): 1897-1910, 1999).

While plant applications have been exemplified in this description, those skilled in the art will recognise that the invention could also administer chemicals not only to plant tissue but also to animal tissue or any living tissue. Those skilled in the

I,

Page 20 of COMS ID No: SBMI-05840879 Received by IP Australia: Time 15:24 Date 2007-01-08 i 2007-0 0 ci t-s 00 0 c-i 0 0 0 0 0 ci 11-08 14:34 +61 2 8002 1954 +61 2 8002194 Patent P 26 art will further appreciate that the invention described herein is susceptible other variations and modifications other than those specifically described. It is to be understood that the invention includes all such variations and modifications. The invention also includes all of the steps or features referred to, or indicated in this specification, individually or collectively, and any and all combinations of any two or more of the steps or features.

Also, it must be noted that, as used herein, the singular forms "an" and "the" include plural aspects unless the context already dictates otherwise. For example 10 "a piercing element' may be a single element or may include a plurality of elements.

Future patent applications may be filed in Australia or overseas on the basis of the present application, for example by claiming priority from the present application, by claiming a divisional status and/or by claiming a continuation status. It is to be understood that the following claims are provided by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of what may be claimed in any such future application. Nor should the claims be considered to limit the understanding of (or exclude other understandings of) the invention or inventions inherent in the present disclosure.

>/35

I:

r i

L.

t e 'i'

I

f

I

ix i:

I'"

I ~I

.L

t-: i,

I::

i' i i: 1:::I 1.

,:I

I:

.r:a: Page 21 of COMS ID No: SBMI-05840879 Received by IP Australia: Time 15:24 Date 2007-01-08

Claims (4)

1-2007-01-08 14:34 +61 2 8002 1954 +61 2 8002194 Patent P 27/35 o The claims defining the invention are as follows: cI 1. A device for applying a chemical, said device including: 00 A. one or more piercing elements for piercing one or more targets and introducing said chemical into said target; and 1 B. a chemical reservoir for containing said chemical, which comprises a body which is: o normally sealed to encapsulate said chemical contained within said chemical reservoir; and o 10 ii. substantially impermeable to the chemical contained; Cwherein the one or more of said piercing elements are: a) engageable within one or more said chemical reservoir body(s) such that said chemical is substantially specifically applied onto one or more of said piercing elements on exit of said chemical reservoir; and b) substantially cleansed on entering and re-entering said chemical reservoir and emerge from said chemical reservoir with a chemical coating.

2. The device according to claim 1 wherein: A. said chemical reservoir includes one or more valves which are openable in response to the engagement of one or more said piercing elements such that said piercing elements: a) sealingly engage with said valve(s) on entry through said valve(s) into said reservoir; b) are chemically coated on entry into and exit from said reservoir; c) retraction from said chemical reservoir and said valve's surface effects re-sealing of said chemical reservoir; and t B. said piercing elements are raised from a first member which is 30 pivotally attached to a second member which comprises said chemical reservoir such that said first and said second members includes handles, wherein said handles are actuated to bring one or more said Page 22 of 29 b COMS ID No: SBMI-05840879 Received by IP Australia: Time 15:24 Date 2007-01-08

2007-01-08 0 co 00 o 14:34 +61 2 8002 1954 +61 2 8002194 Patent P 28/35 i i c-i 0 0 0 0 0 c-v piercing elements and said chemical reservoir into cyclical engagement.

3. The device according to claim 1 wherein: A. said chemical reservoir includes one or more gaskets which: a) are openable in response to the engagement of one or more said piercing elements; and b) sealingly engage around one or more said piercing elements when said piercing elements penetrates said gaskets; and B. one or more said piercing elements are: a) disposed within said chemical reservoir, such that one or more said piercing elements are normally coated with said chemical; and b) withdrawn from said chemical reservoir via an actuator, wherein actuation of said actuator effects extension of said piercing elements and withdrawal from said chemical reservoir; such that said actuator comprises an upright handle and actuation of said actuator comprises the application of force along the longitudinal axis of said handle. i S:r 1' 5 G .i :i. 1:: i i;. E i i

4. A method of applying a chemical to a target, using a device with one or more piercing elements and one or more chemical reservoirs, including the steps of: a) containing said chemical in said chemical reservoirs; b) disposing said piercing elements within said chemical reservoirs; c) applying said chemical to said piercing elements within said reservoirs such that said piercing elements are chemically coated; d) emerge said chemically coated piercing elements from said reservoir; e) drawing said piercing elements through said target; and f) releasing said chemical from said chemically coated piercing elements into 30 said target; such that the delivery of said chemical is undertaken from said piercing elements are forced upon said target's surface to pierce said target when: Page 23 of 29 COMS ID No: SBMI-05840879 Received by IP Australia: Time 15:24 Date 2007-01-08 2007-01-08 0 00 0 14:35 +61 2 8002 1954 +61 2 8002194 Patent P 2 Oi 0 0 0 0 0 0 i. said target is interspersed between said reservoir and said piercing elements; or ii. said piercing elements are forcibly extended outwards from said reservoir into said target. A device and a method for applying a chemical substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings. Dated this Eighth Day of January 2007 ABOUT COMPUTERS PTY LTD Patent Attorney for the Applicant 1 Place Patent Attorneys Solicitors t' 1; I r- i I 'c~ II~ I 1: I: i i i. i' j: Page 24 of 29 COMS ID No: SBMI-05840879 Received by IP Australia: Time 15:24 Date 2007-01-08