Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
  • A01G—HORTICULTURE; CULTIVATION OF VEGETABLES, FLOWERS, RICE, FRUIT, VINES, HOPS OR SEAWEED; FORESTRY; WATERING
  • A01G7/00—Botany in general
  • A01G7/06—Treatment of growing trees or plants, e.g. for preventing decay of wood, for tingeing flowers or wood, for prolonging the life of plants

Definitions

• U.S. Patent application Serial No. 07/555,734 is a Continuation-in-Part of U.S. Patent application Serial No. 07/410,884, filed September 22, 1989, now U.S. Patent 5,010,684, which is a Continuation-in-Part of U.S. Patent application Serial No. 07/393,841, filed August 7, 1989, now U.S. Patent 4,905,410, which in turn is a Continuation of U.S. Patent application Serial No. 07/184,072, filed April 20, 1988, now abandoned. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• the present invention relates to a tree treatment capsule for feeding a chemical agent into plants and, more particularly, to a capsule for delivering a chemical agent to the phloem layer of a tree.
• the chemical agent may be either a herbicide or any other tree destroying agent if the treatment is designed to kill the tree, or a fertilizer, fungicide or other medicant or nutrient if the treatment is designed to cure the tree from a disease or a nutrient deficiency.
• tree treatment capsules consisting of a generally cylindrical hollow container and a plug for insertion into a predrilled hole in a tree to be treated have been known.
• Such tree treatment capsules have typically been made of a frangible material, or of a hard, brittle, breakable and non-elastic material, such as fiberglass, wood or wood fiber.
• a frangible material or of a hard, brittle, breakable and non-elastic material, such as fiberglass, wood or wood fiber.
• the hollow containers of these known capsules tend to be breakable before they are assembled or even after assembly upon inadvertent application of an external impact.
• Tree treatment capsules made of a brittle, breakable plastic material are also known.
• it is difficult to break such capsules before usage it is also difficult to break them when they are in use. Consequently, a great deal of force must be applied to provide a large enough impact to cause the capsule to break.
• an object of the present invention to provide a tree treatment capsule which is di ficult to accidentally break before usage, and yet which is easily breakable when an axial impact force is applied.
• a tree treatment capsule is adapted for insertion into a bore of a tree to be treated and includes a plastic container and a plastic plug to sealingly close the container.
• the plastic container has a cylindrical shank having an internal cavity formed with an end opening for containing therein a chemical agent, and a head integrally formed with the shank remote from the end opening.
• a plastic plug is tapered from an outer diameter larger than the diameter of the end opening to a diameter just slightly smaller than the diameter of the end opening such that the plug is only partially insertable into the end opening in order to obtain a tight fit between the plug and the end opening of the cavity.
• the shank has a plurality of recessed scorings which are formed in the exterior surface thereof at circumferentially equal spacings.
• the scorings extend from the end opening to the head.
• the recessed scorings allow the shank to be broken so that as an impact force applied to the head moves the shank towards the plastic plug, the plastic plug expands the end opening and breaks the shank along the recessed scorings into a plurality of tongues, thereby providing slits between the separated tongues through which the chemical agent is allowed to pass from the internal cavity of the capsule.
• the chemical agent passed from the capsule through the slits then mixes with sap of the tree.
• a plastic plug is partially insertable into the end opening and includes a circumferential ridge thereon receivable in a corresponding recess formed in the shank in order to obtain a tight fit between the plug and the end opening of the cavity.
• the shank has a plurality of recessed slots which are formed in the exterior surface thereof at circumferentially equal spacings.
• the scorings extend longitudinally along a central portion of the shank. The recessed scorings allow the shank to be broken so that as an impact force applied to the head moves the head towards the plastic plug, the plastic plug expands the central portion of the shank and breaks the shank along the recessed slots into a plurality of strips, thereby providing passages between the separated strips through which the chemical agent is allowed to pass from the internal cavity of the capsule.
• the chemical agent passed from the capsule through the passages then mixes with sap of the tree.
• FIG. 1 is an exploded plan view, partly in cross-section, of a tree treatment capsule in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention
• Figure 2 is an end view of a container of the tree treatment capsule of Figure 1;
• Figure 3 is a top view of a plug of the tree treatment capsule of Figure 1;
• Figure 4 is a longitudinal plan view of an assembled tree treatment capsule of Figure 1 shown in a first stage of insertion in a bore in a tree
• Figure 5 is a longitudinal plan view of an assembled tree treatment capsule of Figure 1 shown in a second stage of insertion in a bore in a tree;
• Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI of Figure 5;
• Figure 7 is an exploded view of a tree treatment capsule in accordance with a second preferred embodiment of the present invention.
• Figure 8 is a side sectional view of a container of the tree treatment capsule of Figure 7;
• Figure 9 is an end of the container of Figure 8 as it appears when viewed in the direction of arrow IX;
• Figure 10 is an end view, partly in section, of the container of Figure 8 as seen along section line X-X;
• Figure 11 is a side sectional view of a plug of the tree treatment capsule of Figure 7;
• Figure 12 is an end view of the plug of Figure 11 as it appears when viewed in the direction of arrow XII;
• Figures 13 and 14 are views illustrating how the capsule of the second preferred embodiment of the present invention is used.
• the present invention is embodied in a tree treatment capsule 1 adapted for insertion into a pre-drilled bore in the trunk of a tree to be treated.
• the capsule 1 comprises a generally cylindrical plastic container 10 and a generally cylindrical, hollow plastic plug 30.
• the container 10 and plug 30 are separate from each other.
• the cylindrical container 10 includes a cylindrical, hollow shank portion 11 having a cylindrical, hollow head element 12 rigidly joined thereto by a tapered, solid transition portion 13.
• the head element 12 has an outer diameter larger than an outer diameter of the shank portion 11.
• the shank portion 11 is formed as a wall enclosing an internal cavity 14 with one open end 15 of the cavity defined by an opening 16 for containing a tree treating chemical agent 2 therein.
• the head element 12 also forms an open ended internal cavity 17, in which ribs 18 are integrally formed with the head element 12 and extend crosswise in order to provide a strong, reinforced structure of the hollow head element 12, as is shown in Figure 2.
• Internal cavities 14 and 17 are separated by a partition 19.
• the shank portion 11 has a series of, for example six, equally circumferentially spaced slots or recessed scorings 20 formed in the exterior surface thereof. These recessed scorings 20, longitudinally extending substantially completely from the one end 15 of cavity 14 to the bottom of the shank portion 11, are sufficiently deep so as to make the shank portion easily breakable when the open end 15 of the shank portion 11 is expanded.
• the plug 30 is formed with an internal cavity 34 with one end 35 defined by an opening 36.
• the plug includes two cylindrical portions, 31 and 32.
• the cylindrical portion 31 has substantially the same outer diameter as the outer diameter of the shank portion 11, whereas the cylindrical portion 32 has an outer diameter just smaller than the diameter of the opening 16 of the end 15.
• portion 32 has an outer diameter just smaller than the internal diameter of opening 16, portion 32 will be tightly engaged in opening 32 when the capsule is assembled.
• the cylindrical portions 31 and 32 are joined with each other by a tapered transitional portion 33.
• the plug 30 also has a series of, for example four, ribs 37 integrally formed with and on the circumferentially internal surface of the cavity 34. Ribs 37 are preferably arranged at equal circumferential spacings, as is shown in Figure 3.
• Ribs 37 extend longitudinally from the open end 35 of the plug 30 along the radially inner surfaces of cylindrical portion 31 and tapered transitional portion 33. Ribs 37 terminate at the junction between transitional portion 33 and cylindrical portion 32.
• the taper of the transitional portion 13 and 33 of the container 10 and plug 30, respectively, may be either straight or curved.
• All portions of the capsule 1 are made of brittle plastic materials by, for example, injection molding or extrusion molding. It is specifically preferred to make the container 10 of polystyrene or polycarbonate and the plug 30 of polyethylene. Making the container 10 and plug 30 of these different plastic materials enables the container 10 to be broken more easily than plug 30. Alternatively, the container 10 and/or plug 30 may be produced from a water soluble polymer such as polyvinylalcohol.
• the chemical agent 2 is introduced into the cavity 14 of the container 10 and the plug 30 is inserted into opening 16 of the container 10.
• the cylindrical portion 32 tightly fits in the opening 16 and the tapered transitional portion 33 tightly engages against the circumferential edge of the open end 15 to completely seal off the open end 15.
• a tight fit is obtained between the tapered transitional portion 33 of the plug 30 and the top end 15 of the shank portion 11, it is preferred to adhesively secure the cylindrical portion 32 in the opening 16 in order to provide a superior seal.
• the chemical agent 2 may be of any kind of, for example, a herbicide or a fungicide, and in any form of, for example, a tablet, a powder, a jelly-like material, a pasty material, or a liquid.
• the chemical agent containing capsule 1 is inserted into a pre-drilled bore 4 in the trunk of a tree 3 to be treated.
• the bore 4 is dimensioned to extend through the bark 7 and into the phloem layer 8 of the tree 3.
• the bore 4 is further dimensioned to have an internal diameter between the external diameters of the shank portion 11 and head element 12, respectively, and a depth slightly greater than the length of the shank portion 11, including the plug 30.
• the capsule 1 is inserted into the bore 4 of the tree 3 until the plug 30 abuts against a wall, for instance the bottom wall 4A of the bore 4, as is shown in Figure 4. This brings the tapered transitional portion 13 of the container 10 into contact with the circumferential edge 6 of the bore 4.
• Impact force is applied to the head element 12 by, for example, hammering, in the direction shown by arrow 9, causing the head element 12 and the shank portion 11 of the container 10 to move toward the plug 30 such that the shank portion 11 climbs up along the tapered portion 33 of the plug 30.
• the tongues 11A form therebetween passages 11B to permit the chemical agent 2, if it is in a jelly-like or liquid form, to be released and mix with the sap of the tree 3, or to permit the sap of the tree 3, if the chemical agent is in the form of a tablet or a powder, to permeate and mix with the chemical agent 2.
• the outer diameter of the head element 12 of the capsule 1 is larger than the inner diameter 6 of the originally pre-drilled bore 4, a very tight fit will be obtained between the head element 12 of the capsule 1 and the opening of the bore of the tree 3 after the impact force has been applied. This causes the capsule 1 to be held very firmly in the tree 3.
• the tongues 11A formed in the shank portion 11 will also be pressed against the internal surface of the bore 4 and be frictionally engaged with the internal surface, so as to contribute to retention of the capsule 1 firmly in bore 4 of tree 3.
• the capsule 1 comprises a generally cylindrical plastic container 10 and a generally cylindrical, hollow plastic plug 30.
• Container 10 and plug 30 are initially formed separate from each other, but when capsule 1 is assembled, container 10 and plug 30 are secured together and share a common longitudinal axis A.
• the cylindrical container 10 includes a cylindrical, hollow shank portion 11 having a cylindrical, hollow head element 12 rigidly joined thereto by a conically tapered, solid transition portion 13.
• the head element 12 has an outer diameter larger than an outer diameter of the shank portion 11.
• the shank portion 11 is formed as a circumferential wall having radially inner and outer surfaces.
• Shank portion 11 encircles an internal cavity 14 and has a first, open end 15 defining an end opening to the cavity, into which a tree treating chemical agent (not shown) is placed.
• the head element 12 also forms an open ended internal cavity 17, in which ribs 18 are integrally formed with the head element 12. Ribs 18 extend crosswise in cavity 17 in order to provide a lightweight and yet strongly reinforced structure to the hollow head element 12. As is apparent from Figure 8, the axially outer surface 18s of each rib 18 is angled at about 45° relative to longitudinal axis A. Internal cavities 14 and 17 are separated by a partition 19. Partition 19 thus closes a second end of the shank portion opposite the first, open end 15.
• the shank portion 11 has a series of, for example six, equally circumferentially spaced, recessed slots 20 formed in the exterior, radially outer surface thereof. These recessed slots 20 longitudinally extend along the shank portion 11 from the junction between transition portion 13 and head element 12 towards open end 15 of the shank portion. As illustrated, recessed slots 20 extend longitudinally along the exterior of shank portion 11 over approximately 80% of the length of the shank portion. As is apparent from Figure 10, each of the recessed slots is formed by a pair of side walls 21 which diverge from each other at an angle of approximately 90". Additionally, longitudinally opposite ends 20A and 20B of each slot 20 are each angled at approximately 45° relative to the longitudinal axis A. Recessed slots 20 are sufficiently deep so as to make the shank portion easily breakable along the slots, as will be described.
• Shank portion 11 is additionally provided with a plurality of ribs 22. As is apparent from Figures 8 and
• ribs 22 are integrally formed with the rest of the shank portion 11 and extend radially inwardly into cavity 14 from the inner surface of the shank portion. Each rib extends longitudinally along the radially inner surface of shank portion 11 so as to be substantially coextensive with, or equal in length to, recessed slots 20. Referring to Figure 10, it can be seen that each rib 22 is provided at a circumferential location which is midway between adjacent recessed slots 20. It should be noted, however, that it is not necessary to provide a rib 22 midway between every pair of adjacent recessed slots 20. As illustrated, three ribs 22 are provided on the radially inner surface of the shank portion at 120° intervals, and at locations between every other pair of adjacent slots 20.
• Each rib 22 is also provided with an inclined end surface 24 which is oriented at approximately 30° relative to the longitudinal central axis A of the capsule 1.
• the shank portion 11 additionally includes a circumferential recess 25 provided in the radially inner surface of shank portion 11 at a location which, in the direction of longitudinal axis A of capsule 1, is intermediate the ends of slots 20 and ribs 22 and the first, open end 15 of shank portion 11. This location, which is generally designated by reference number 26 in Figure 8, is substantially more rigid than the remainder of the portion 11, due to the absence in the location of slots 20.
• the plug 30 is formed with an internal cavity 34 having a first, open end, generally designated 35 and a second, closed end, generally designated 36.
• the plug 30 includes a cylindrical portion 31 and a tapered or inclined portion 32.
• portion 32 is substantially conical.
• the cylindrical portion 31 has nearly the same outer diameter as the inner diameter of the shank portion 11 so that end part 31A of the cylindrical portion 31 is snugly received within cavity 14 when the capsule 1 is fully assembled.
• the cylindrical portion is integrally connected to the conical portion 32.
• cylindrical portion 31 is provided with an annular flange 38 projecting radially outwardly from the cylindrical portion.
• Conical portion 32 of plug 30 has an outer surface which is angled, relative to central axis A, at approximately 30°. As will become clear, because the outer surface of conical portion 32 has the same angle relative to longitudinal axis A as end surfaces 24 of ribs 22, conical portion 32 tightly engages inclined end surfaces 24 of ribs 22 when the capsule 1 is fully assembled.
• a circumferentially protruding ridge 33 is provided on the outer surface of cylindrical portion 31 at a location adjacent the first longitudinal end of the plug. As will become clear, when capsule 1 is assembled, ridge 33 of plug 30 interlocks with recess 25 in the radially inner surface of shank portion 11 to secure plug 30 in open end 15 of the shank portion.
• the plug 30 also has a series of, for example four, reinforcing ribs 37 integrally formed with and on the circumferentially internal surface of the cylindrical portion 31 to provide a strong plug structure.
• Ribs 37 are preferably arranged at equal circumferential spacings, as is shown in Figure 9. These ribs 37 extend longitudinally from the open end 35 of the plug 30 along the radially inner surfaces of cylindrical portion 31 and conical portion 32. Ribs 37 terminate at the junction between conical portion 32 and a front end wall 33 of the plug.
• the cooperating inclined surfaces 24 of the ribs 22 and of the conical portion 32 of plug 30 are shown as being straight; however, surface 24 and portion 32 could be curved if desired.
• All portions of the capsule 1 are made of brittle plastic materials by, for example, injection molding or extrusion molding. It is specifically preferred to make the container 10 of polystyrene or polycarbonate and the plug 30 of polyethylene. Making the container 10 and plug 30 of these different plastic materials enables the container 10 to be broken more easily than plug 30.
• the chemical agent is introduced into the cavity 14 of the container 10 and the plug 30 is inserted into open end 15 of the container 10.
• Plug 30 is forced into the open end until ridge 33 snaps into engagement and is completely received in recess 25.
• the end part 31A of cylindrical portion 31 tightly fits in the open end 15 and the inclined, conical portion 33 tightly engages the inclined end surfaces 24 of ribs 22. Ridge 33 is completely received in and tightly engaged with recess 25 to completely seal off the open end 15 of container 10.
• the chemical agent 2 may be of any kind of, for example, a herbicide or a fungicide, and in any form of, for example, a tablet, a powder, a jelly-like material, a pasty material, or a liquid.
• the assembled chemical agent containing capsule 1 is inserted into a pre-drilled bore 4 in the trunk of a tree 3 to be treated.
• the bore 4 is dimensioned to extend through the bark 7 and into the phloem layer 8 of the tree 3.
• the bore 4 is further dimensioned to have an internal diameter between the external diameters of the shank portion 11 and head element 12, respectively, and a depth slightly greater than the length of the shank portion 11, including the plug 30.
• the capsule 1 is inserted into the bore 4 of the tree 3 until the flange 38 of the plug 30 abuts against a wall, for instance the bottom wall of the bore 4, as is shown in Figure 13. This brings the tapered transitional portion 13 of the container 10 into contact with the circumferential edge 6 of the bore 4.
• Impact force is applied to the head element 12 by, for example, hammering, in the direction shown by arrow 9, causing the head element 12 and the shank portion 11 of the container 10 to move toward the plug 30 such that the conical or otherwise inclined portion 32 slides along inclined end surfaces 24 of ribs 22.
• the inclined portion 32 of plug 30 acts as a cam and forces the ribs 22 to expand the central part of shank portion 11 radially outward and break the shank portion 11 along the slots 20 into strips 20A, as is shown in Figure 14.
• passages 20B form therebetween passages 20B to permit the chemical agent 2, if it is in a jelly-like or liquid form, to be released and mix with the sap of the tree 3, or to permit the sap of the tree 3, if the chemical agent is in the form of a tablet or a powder, to permeate and mix with the chemical agent 2. Because passages 20B are located in the central part of shank portion 11, they are more precisely aligned with the phloem layer of tree 3. The chemical contained in the capsule 1 is, therefore, more precisely released into this phloem layer.

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• 1992
  • 1992-01-29 CA CA002129005A patent/CA2129005C/fr not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 1992-01-29 WO PCT/US1992/000387 patent/WO1993014623A1/fr not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 1992-01-29 EP EP92907127A patent/EP0625004A4/fr not_active Withdrawn
  • 1992-01-29 AU AU14208/92A patent/AU679426B2/en not_active Ceased

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