GB2080101A - Improvements in or relating to herbicide applicators - Google Patents

Abstract

An applicator for systemic or translocating herbicides, the applicator comprising a housing (7), Fig. 6 forming a reservoir for a herbicide, the housing (7) having in association therewith at least one absorbent pad or rope (22), the herbicide within the reservoir is displaced into the absorbent pads (22). The applicator can include flow control means adapted to control the flow of the herbicide from the reservoir to or through the absorbent pad, the flow control means including an apparatus (32), Fig. 7, with a tubular bore (33) therethrough, the apparatus (32) has engaged thereon a cap (38) which has a hole (39) therethrough, the tubular bore (33) is shaped to have fitted therein a flexible gromet (35'), Fig. 9, which has extending therethrough the absorbent pad one end of which is within the reservoir on one side of the apparatus (32) and the other end of which is outside the cap (38), the absorbent pad, in section, is of similar shape and size as an aperture (37') in the gromet (35), the apparatus (32) and the cap (38) are engaged together in a bayonet type manner, the cap (38) when engaged with the apparatus (32) forces the gromet (35) against the periphery of the absorbent pad to control and restrict the flow of liquid therethrough. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in or relating to herbicide applicators This invention relates to herbicide applicators and more particularly relates to the application of systemic or translocating herbicides to weeds.

A recognised disadvantage of translocating or systemic herbicides is that in situations where they are sprayed in known manner over a large area of weeds, crops or in homegarden situations there is inevitably a degree of overspray and spray drift which can result in a loss to the gardener, farmer or horticulturalist. In some situations overspray is not a particular problem however, when killing weeds within a crop using or pasture using a selective systemic translocating herbicide a considerable loss can be incurred if spraying is effected in adverse weather conditions.

In addition to the above conventional methods of applying herbicides which result in the herbicide being applied to all or nearly all the vegetation in an area result in an unacceptable wastage of herbicide with consequential financial loss to the user.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an applicator for systemic or translocating herbicides which enables a user thereof to apply in a selective manner the herbicide to particular plants without risk of overspray and unacceptable wastage.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an applicator for systemic or translocating herbicides which utilises a minimum amount of herbicide and reduces wastage to a minimum.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a herbicide applicator which offers to the public a useful alternative choice.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following descriptions which are given by way of example only.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided an applicator for systemic or translocating herbicides, the applicator comprising a housing with a reservoir therein for a volume of herbicide, the housing having in association therewith at least one absorbent pad or rope, the arrangement being such that a herbicide within the reservoir is displaced into the absorbent pad, wick or rope, the absorbent pad being moved manually or automatically to contact a weed or plant or weeds or plants to be killed by the systemic or translocating herbicide.

The housing can have the absorbent pad or rope extending between holes in the surface thereof, there being similar lengths or portions of the absorbent pad or rope within the reservoir as are on the outside thereof.

The absorbent pad in association with the housing can be a woven cover placed around the periphery of a pipe shaped housing, the pipe having holes through which the herbicide solution moves into the woven cover.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a flow control means adapted for controlling the flow of a liquid from a reservoir into an absorbent pad, wick or rope, the flow control means including an apparatus with a tubular bore therethrough, the apparatus is adapted to have engaged thereon a cap which has a hole therethrough, the tubular bore is shaped to have fitted therein a flexible gromet, the flexible gromet has extending therethrough an absorbent pad, wick or rope one end of which is within a reservoir on one side of the apparatus the other end of which is outside the cap, the absorbent pad, wick or rope is of substantially the same shape and size as the aperture in the gromet, the arrangement being such that the cap and the apparatus are engaged together in a bayonet type manner, the cap when engaged with the apparatus being tightenable to force the gromet against the periphery of the absorbent pad, wick or rope to control and restrict the flow of a liquid therethrough.

The housing can be formed as a shaped handle member within which is formed a reservoir dimensioned to have a small volume of herbicide placed therein. The handle shaped member having at one end thereof the absorbent pad, wick or rope which is associated with the reservoir in the housing so that the herbicide is displaced into the pad, wick or rope. The handle shaped member can be moved to rub the herbicide onto a plant or weed.

The housing can be an elongate handle up to 1.5 metres in length, one end of the elongate handle having attached thereto a roller, the roller being formed as the absorbent pad or having placed thereon the absorbent pad.

The handle can be an elongate handle about 1.5 metres in length, one end of which has a cross bar attached thereto or has part of the one end formed at an obtuse angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the handle, the one end of the handle having one or more lengths of rope or wicks extending through a hole or adjacent holes therein to form the absorbent pads.

The housing can alternatively consist of a tubular member which has an inlet in the upper edge thereof, the bottom edge of the tubular member having one or more absorbent pads, each absorbent pad can be formed from a length of rope or wick part of which extends along the bottom edge of the tubular member between a pair of adjacent holes, each length of rope or wick constituting the absorbent pad into which the herbicide is displaced from the ends of the rope which are within the reservoir of herbicide.

The tubular member can include at least two rows of absorbent pads, the absorbent pads of each row being staggered relative to each other so that a substantially continuous region of absorbent pads extends along the full length of the lower edge of the tubular member.

The tubular member together with further lengths of similar tubular material with configurations of absorbent pads along the bottom edge thereof can form a boom which can be moved at a level immediately above a crop so that weeds which extend above the crop contact the absorbent pads so as to come into contact with the systemic or translocating herbicide therein.

Further aspects of the present invention which should be considered in-all its novel aspects will become apparent from the following descriptions which are given by way of example only.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1: shows a cross-section through a hand held applicator for herbicides according to the first aspect of the present invention; Figure 2: is a cross-section through an alternative construction of hand held applicator according to the present invention; Figure 3: shows a cross-section through an alternative construction of applicator according to the first aspect of the present invention; Figure 4: shows a view from beneath of the applicator shown in Fig. 3; Figure 5: is a perspective view from above of a construction of boom type applicator according to the present invention; Figure 6: is a side view of an alternative construction of head for the hand held applicator shown in Fig. 2; Figure 7: is a cross section through a flow control means according to the second aspect of the present invention; Figure 8: is a plan view of the flow control means shown in Fig. 7; and Figure 9: is a plan view of an example of gromet for use in the flow control means shown in Figs. 7 and 8.

The example of hand held applicator shown in Fig. 1 is designed to be hand held and is used for applying a non-selective systemic translocating herbicide in a home garden or restricted horticultural situation.

The applicator which is generally indicated by arrow 1 has a housing in the form of a handle shaped member 2. The handle shaped member 2 can be a moulded plastic unit which is hollow so that the member 2 itself constitutes a reservoir within which a small quantity of herbicide can be placed. The member 2 having at one end thereof a removable cap 3 which allows the reservoir to be filled with herbicide.

The other end 4 of the member 2 having a substantially flat portion 5 the plane of which is at an angle of about 30 to a longitudinal axis through the member 2. The flat portion 5 has formed therein one or more holes (not shown) and has fixed thereto an absorbent pad 6. The absorbent pad 6 can, for example, be a pad constructed from a block of fabric, a foamed plastics or rubber material or a wicking material like rope or lamp wick into which the herbicide is displaced by way of the holes in the flat portion 5.

As an alternative to the applicator 1 having a housing in the form of a handle shaped member as shown in Fig. 1 the housing can be formed with a cap having a threaded bore (not shown) which is engageable with a screw threaded neck of a bottle within which the herbicide is placed or is purchased.

In use the hand held applicator 1 is filled by removing the end cap 3 and filling the reservoir in the handle shaped member 2 with a volume of herbicide.

The filled applicator 1 with the cap 3 sealed in place can be used when the absorbent pad 6 is dampened with herbicide to wipe the leaves of a weed to be killed. As the absorbent pad 6 is only damp there is no spillage therefrom and a user of the applicator 1 can selectively use same to kill weeds or undesired plants.

The alternative construction of hand held applicator shown in Fig. 2 has an elongate handle 7 about 0.2 to 1.5 metres in length.

The elongate handle 7 being formed hollow to form therein a reservoir 8. The reservoir 8 can be filled by removing an end cap 9 to allow a volume of herbicide to be added.

The elongate handle 7 has at one end thereof a portion 10 angled at an obtuse angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the elongate handle 7. The portion 10 having a connection (not shown) to which a roller 1.1 similar to a paint roller is fixed. Alternatively the roller 11 can be a tubular sleeve placed over the portion 10 of the elongate handle 7.

The roller or tubular sleeve 11 being formed as an absorbent pad or having an absorbent pad thereon, for example, a wool, synthetic or fabric pad which can rotate relative to the portion 10. The portion 10 having a number of holes (not shown) therein which allows the herbicide from the reservoir 8 to be displaced into the absorbent pad on the roller 11.

As an alternative the one end of the elongate handle 7 can include a cylindrical housing or head (shown in Fig. 6) from which extends part of one or more lengths of wicking or rope 22. The free ends 23 of the ropes 22 extend to within the portion 10 to contact the herbicide. The lengths of wick or rope are placed with gromets 24 thereon so that the full length of the portion 10 that is the periphery thereof formed by the lengths of rope 22 form a region dampened by herbicide displaced from within the housing. If a single length of wicking or rope 22 is used it can extend from a hole in the end of the portion 10 parallel to the bottom edge thereof with the end of the rope supported relative to the portion 10 by a bracket (not shown).

The elongate handle 7 is filled and the cap 9 sealed. The herbicide is, in use, displaced to dampen the roller 11 or ropes 22 so that it can be used in the same manner as the hand held applicator shown in Fig. 1. The elongate handle 7 enables a user thereof to use same without having to bend down. This construction can be used, for example by a horticulturalist to kill weeds between rows of plants.

As an alternative to the roller 11 (shown in Fig. 3) and the wicking or rope 22 (shown in Fig. 6) the portion 10 can be covered by a sleeve woven from wicking or rope. The sleeve or woven cover has the herbicide solution therein by placing one or more holes in the portion 10 through which the solution flows direct to the woven cover.

The construction of applicator shown in Figs. 3 and 4 has a tubular housing 1 2 which has an inlet 1 3 through which a herbicide is poured to fill the housing 1 2 to form a reservoir of herbicide therein. A cap 14 seals the inlet 1 3 after the herbicide has been placed within the reservoir.

The ends 1 5 of the tubular housing 1 2 are closed by removable or fixed caps and the housing 1 2 can include a drain hole 1 6 for emptying excess herbicide or for washing the tubular housing 1 2.

The construction of applicator shown in Fig.

5 utilises two tubes both similar in shape to the tubular housing 1 2 shown in Figs. 3 and 4. The two tubes 1 2 are joined by a Tjunction 25 to form a boom construction at the centre of which is an inlet 26 closable by the cap 27. The lower edge 28 of the tubes have therealong the absorbent pads or ropes as hereinafter described.

The tubes and tubular housing 1 2 can be constructed from a plastics material, light metal or metal alloy material which is resistant to the corrosive effects of the herbicides carried therein.

The tubular housing 1 2 has along the bottom thereof one or more absorbent pads or ropes which are positioned so that the full length of the bottom edge 1 7 of the tubes or tubular housing 1 2 is formed as an absorbent pad. In the example shown in Figs. 3 and 4 a plurality of absorbent pads 1 8 are formed along the bottom 1 7 in two rows of staggered absorbent pads.Each row of absorbent pads 1 9 and 20 respectively are parallel to each other and are positioned so that the pads 1 8 overlap to form a region of absorbent pads which extends the full length of the tubular housing 1 2. In the example shown in Fig. 5 a single row of absorbent pads 1 8 extends along a leading bottom edge of the tubes 1 2.

The plurality of absorbent pads can be in rows parallel to the longitudinal axis of the housing 1 2 or each pad can be angled relative to the longitudinal axis of the housing.

Each absorbent pad 1 8 is formed by forming a pair of holes 21 in the bottom 17 of the tubular housing and placing a gromet in each hole 21. The gromets 29 have extending therethrough a length of absorbent fabric of rope 30. For example, a length of rope can be a length of natural or synthetic fibre rope, for example a polyester or polypropylene or acrylic fibre rope covered by a woven outer sleeve. The length of the ends of each rope within the tubular housing 1 2 is similar to the overall length of rope on the outside. This allows the herbicide to be displaced into the outer length of absorbent material.

As an alternative to the absorbent pads 1 8 extending substantially parallel to the tubular housing, the lengths of rope forming the absorbent pads can droop down (not shown) about 5-1 5 cm from the bottom edge 1 7 of the housing.

The absorbent pad can be a single sleeve or cover (not shown) woven around the periphery of a pipe which has formed at intervals along the length thereof a plurality of holes so that, in use after manufacture the covered pipe is cut into manageable lengths and the ends sealed by removable caps. An inlet for herbicide being added and the pipe mounted on brackets as a boom in front of a farm vehicle.

Each gromet through which the wicking or rope passes can be a synthetic or natural rubber or plastics gromet fitted in the hole of the housing. Alternatively if an effective control of the flow rate into the absorbent wick is required the gromet can be replaced in any of the exampleshereinbefore described by a flow control means according to the second aspect of the present invention an example of which is shown in Figs. 7 and 8.

The flow control means is generally indicated by arrow 31 and includes a mounting apparatus or plate 32 which is fixed to an aperture in the wall of the tubular member or housing to which the flow control means is to be fixed. the apparatus 32 can be constructed from a plastics material in an injection moulding machine or from a metal alloy material.

The apparatus 32 has a tubular bore 33 therethrough, the tubular bore 33 is shaped to form a seat 34 in or on which a flexible gromet 35 is seated. The gromet 35 has extending therethrough an absorbent pad 36.

The shape and size of the absorbent paid is the same size as or slightly larger than the aperture 37 in the gromet 35. Alternatively the gromet can be a moulded plastics annular fitting 35' (shown in Fig. 9) which is the shape of a truncated cone in section with the aperture 37' therein.

The mounting apparatus 32 is adapted to have engaged thereon a cap 38 which has a hole 39 therein. The hole 39 in the cap 38 is aligned with the aperture 37 in the gromet 35 so that the absorbent pad 36 extends from a reservoir on one side of the apparatus 32 to the other or outside of the gromet 35.

The mounting apparatus 32 has on the outer periphery of the housing 46 in which the bore 33 is formed opposed outwardly extending flanges 40 beneath which lugs 41 on the inner surface 42 of the skirt 47 region of the cap 38 can engage. This enables a bayonet type engagement between the cap 39 and the apparatus 32. The surfaces of the lugs 41 and flanges 40 being angled relative to a plane through the cap 38 and apparatus 32. This ensures that rotation of the cap 38 in its bayonet engagement adjusts and tightens the cap 38 against the gromet 35 which in turn constricts around the periphery of the absorbent pad 36. The apparatus 32 can include on the surface thereof a measuring guide 43 to enable preselected flow rates to be chosen.For example this may be effected by incorporating three grooves 44 on the inner surface of the lugs 41 and providing a series of detents 45 on the flanges 40. The bayonet engagement being such that the adjustment of the cap 38 relative to the apparatus 32 moves successive detents 45 between the grooves 44 to locate them together at desired flow rates. The flow rates being indicated on the measuring guide. The pressure of the gromet 35 restricting on the periphery of the absorbent pad as the cap 38 is moved relative to the apparatus adjusts the flow rate. Each flanges 40 can have at one end of the angled surface thereof a stop 48 which acts as a stop against accidental disengagement of the cap 38. When the flow rate is turned toward the flow rate 1. This necessitates when initially engaging the cap 38 to the apparatus 32 an extra downward locking movement.

In use the tubular member 1 2 when filled with herbicide can be mounted in the form of a boom which extends transversely in front of or behind a tractor or other agricultural farm vehicle. The boom being substantially parallel to the ground at a desired height above ground so that when weeding crops or pastures the tubular housing 1 2 is at a height immediately above the level of the crop or pasture so that as the boom is moved over the crop or pasture only the weeds which generally extend to a higher level than the crop or pasture contact the dampened absorbent pads 1 8 on the bottom 1 7 of the tubular housing 1 2. The additional tubes if used to extend the length of the boom have thereon a similar staggered layout of absorbent pads so that the longer boom can be used to cover in one sweep a larger area of crop or pasture.

The rate of flow of herbicide to the pads 1 8 being preselected to suit the herbicide or the weed density being treated by adjusting the flow control means when and if they are used to support the absorbent pads on the boom.

As alternatives to the embodiment described with references to Figs. 3 and 4 the boom can include along the bottom of the tubular housing a series of arms which hold the loops of rope extending down from the boom in a V configuration so that is operates like a sickle with the weeds wiping the ropes in the inverted V formed between adjacent loops of rope.

According to yet a further alternative construction not shown in the drawings the loops of rope forming the absorbent pads extend between a pair of parallel pipes, the lengths of rope being angled relative to an axis perpendi- cular to the longitudinal axes of the pipes.

The large scale commercial agricultural apparatuses according to the present invention can include a reservoir connected to the tubular housing and if necessary the housing can be pressurised to improve the displacement flow of herbicide into the absorbent pads.

Selective use is possible by differential height adjustment of the boom between the desirable vegetation and the undesirable vegetation (weeds).

Advantages of the present invention are that they are environmentally more acceptable as they reduce herbicide wastage and eliminate spray drift.

Only the undesirable vegetation need have herbicide treatment, there being no wastage into the ground (soil) thus a substantial reduction in the volume of herbicide used is gained.

The apparatuses can be used to apply herbicide in wind as spray drift is eliminated.

Thus by this invention there is provided an applicator for systemic or translocating herbicides which enables the user thereof to apply in a selective manner the herbicide to particular plants without risk of overspray killing plants nearby, and wasteful use of that herbicide.

Particular examples of the present invention have been described herein by way of exarn- ple and it is envisaged that improvements and.

modifications to the present invention can take place without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

Claims (26)

1. An applicator for a systemic or translocating herbicide, the applicator comprising a housing with a reservoir therein for a volume of herbicide, the housing having in association therewith at least one adsorbent pad, wick or rope, the arrangement being such that a herbicide solution within the reservoir is displaced into the absorbent pad, wick or rope, the absorbent pad being moved manually or automatically to contact a weed or plant or weeds or plants to be killed by the systemic or translocating herbicide.

2. An applicator as claimed in claim 1 wherein the housing has a plurality of absorbent pads or ropes, each length of pad or rope extending between adjacent holes in the surface of the housing with a similar length of absorbent pad or rope within the reservoir as is on the outside thereof.

3. An applicator as claimed in claim 1 wherein the housing or part of the housing is surrounded by a woven cover or sleeve which acts as an absorbent pad, the housing having a plurality of apertures therein which enable the herbicide solution to flow into the woven cover or sleeve.

4. An applicator as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the housing is formed as a shaped handle within which is formed the reservoir, the shaped handle having at one end thereof the absorbent pad, wick or rope which is associated with the reservoir so that the herbicide solution is displaced into the absorbent pad, wick or rope.

5. An applicator as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the housing is an elongage handle one end of which has attached thereto a roller, the roller being formed as the absorbent pad into which the herbicide solution is displaced.

6. An applicator as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the housing is an elongate pipe about 1.5 metres in length, one end of the pipe is formed at an obtuse angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the handle or other portion thereof, the one end of the pipe having one or more lengths of rope or wicks extending through a hole or adjacent holes therein to form the absorbent pad or pads.

7. An applicator as claimed in claim 3 wherein the housing is a plastics or metal alloy pipe about 1.5 metres in length, one end of the pipe being formed at an obtuse angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the other or handle end of the pipe, the one end of the handle having positioned or formed thereon the woven cover or sleeve formed from a woven rope or wicking material.

8. An applicator as claimed in claim 1, claim 2 or claim 3 wherein the housing includes a tubular member with an inlet in an upper edge thereof, a bottom edge of the tubular member has one or more absorbent pads formed from a length or lengths of rope or wick along the length thereof, part of each length of rope or wick extends along the bottom edge of the tubular member between a pair of adjacent holes, each length of wick or rope constituting an absorbent pad into which the herbicide solution is displaced from the ends of the rope which are within the housing which is the reservoir for the herbicide solution.

9. An applicator as claimed in claim 8 wherein the tubular member includes at least two rows of absorbent pads, the absorbent pads of each row being staggered relative to each other so that a substantially continuous region of absorbent pad extends along the full length of the lower edge of the tubular member.

10. An applicator as claimed in claim 8 wherein the tubular member together with further lengths of a similar tubular material with configurations of absorbent pads along the bottom edge thereof are formed as a boom which is moved at a level immediately above a crop or pasture so that weeds which extend above the crop contact the absorbent pads to come into contact with the solution of the systemic or translocating herbicide.

11. An applicator as claimed in claim 1, claim 2 or claim 3 wherein the housing is a handle shaped member which constitutes the reservoir within which the herbicide solution is placed, the handle shaped member has at one end thereof filling means and at the other end thereof a substantially flat wiping portion the plane of which is at an angle of about 30 to a longitudinal axis through the handle shaped member, the flat wiping porton has one or more holes therein and has fixed thereto the absorbent pad into which the herbicide solution is displaced.

1 2. An applicator as claimed in claim 11 wherein the absorbent pad is constructed from a block of fabric, a foamed plastics material, a synthetic or natural rubber material or a wicking material.

1 3. An applicator as claimed in any one of claims 8 to 1 2 wherein the housing is constructed from a plastics material, light metal or metal alloy material which is resistant to the corrosive effects of the herbicide solutions to be carried therein.

14. An applicator as claimed in claim 1 3 wherein the housing is tubular and has along the bottom edge thereof two rows of continuous absorbent pads or ropes positioned so that the full length of the housing has two rows of absorbent pads or ropes therealong.

1 5. An applicator as claimed in any one of claims 8 to 14 wherein the wicking material or rope is a length of natural or synthetic rope or a length of a polyester of polypropylene or acrylic fibre rope.

16. An applicator for a systemic or translocating herbicide substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to either Fig. 1, Fig. 2 of Figs. 3 and 4 of the drawings accompanying the provisional specification.

1 7. An applicator for a systemic or translocating herbicide substantially as herein be fore described with reference to Fig. 5 of the accompanying drawings.

1 8. An applicator for a systemic or translocating herbicide substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Fig. 6 of the accompanying drawings.

1 9. A flow control means adapted for con trolling the flow of a liquid from a reservoir into an absorbent pad, wick or rope, the flow control means including an apparatus with a tubular bore therethrough, the apparatus is adapted to have engaged thereon a cap which has a hole therethrough, the tubular bore is shaped to have fitted therein a flexible gromet, the flexible gromet has extending therethrough an absorbent pad, wick or rope one end of which is within a reservoir on one side of the apparatus the other end of which is outside the cap, the absorbent pad, wick or rope is of substantially the same shape and size as the aperture in the gromet, the arrangement being such that the cap and the apparatus are engaged together in a bayonet type manner, the cap when engaged with the apparatus being tightenable to force the gromet against the periphery of the absorbent pad, wick or rope to control and restrict the flow of a liquid therethrough.

20. An applicator for a systemic or translocating herbicide as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 18 which includes to hold each absorbent pad or wick to the housing a flow control means as claimed in claim 1 9.

21. An applicator as claimed in claim 20 including a mounting apparatus formed from a plastics material in an injection moulding machine.

22. An applicator as claimed in claim 21 wherein the mounting apparatus has on the outer periphery of the housing in which the bore is formed opposed outwardly extending flanges beneath which lugs on the inner surface of a skirt region of the cap can engage in a bayonet type engagement.

23. An applicator as claimed in claim 22 wherein each flange has at one end of an angled surface thereof a stop beneath which the lug on the cap is engaged to hold the cap in engagement with the apparatus.

24. An applicator as claimed in claim 22 or claim 23 wherein the surface of the mounting apparatus includes a measuring guide to enable pre-selected flow rates to be chosen.

25. An applicator as claimed in claim 24 wherein the pre-selected flow rates are obtained by providing three grooves on the inner surface of the lugs and providing a series of detents beneath the flanges on the outer surface of the housing, the adjustment of the cap relative to the mounting apparatus moves successive detents in the grooves to adjust the pressure on the gromet to allow a desired flow rates.

26. A flow control means substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs.

7 and 8 of the accompanying drawings.