GB2098580A

GB2098580A - Bag for the distribution of fertilizer and the like

Info

Publication number: GB2098580A
Application number: GB8213266A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1981-05-18
Filing date: 1982-05-07
Publication date: 1982-11-24

Abstract

Fertilizer is distributed from the bag 1 in which it is supplied by forming a hole or holes in the bag and carrying the bag across the ground to be fertilized. The hole(s) may be provided by cutting at preformed marks, by tear strips, perforations, or removing covers over preformed openings. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in the distribution of fertilizer and the like The spreading of solid, flowable materials, for example powderous, granular, or particulate fertilizer on domestic lawns and gardens, presents difficulties to the amateur gardener. The fertilizer may be scooped from a container and spread by hand but this process results in a very uneven distribution which can burn the grass. Simple hand-held devices have also been proposed, for example that disclosed in the specification of my Patent No. 1 341 957.

In order to avoid the cost of a hand-held device, while nevertheless achieving a reasonably even spread of fertilizer, it is proposed herein that the fertilizer should be spread from a container in which it is supplied by way of one or more openings in the container as hereinafter described

and claimed.

Although in the following description, reference is made exclusively to the distribution of fertilizer, it will be understood that other solid substances, for example grass seed, may be distributed in the same manner.

The drawing shows fertilizer being distributed from a container in accordance with the present proposal.

Referring to the drawing, fertilizer of powderous, particulate or granular form is supplied to the amateur gardener in a sealed container in the form of a generally rectangular bag or package 1 made from polyethylene film, coated paper or the like. The container may contain any convenient quantity of fertilizer, for example 3 kg. To distribute the fertilizer in accordance with the present proposal, openings 2 are formed in that part of the container which forms its bottom in use. The openings may be formed by a craft knife or scissors in accordance with markings and/or instructions marked on the container, or given in accompanying literature, so that the number and size of the openings are precisely predetermined.Conveniently, the outline shapes of the openings are printed on the container during the printing operation normally performed in order to provide the container with textual matter. Alternatively, the container may be provided with tear strip portions or perforations or with a removable cover for preformed openings.

Alternatively, a polyethylene film container may be formed with protuberances which can be cut off to form openings of suitable dimensions. The dimensions of the openings chosen in practice, as well as their locations and spacings, must be predetermined such as to ensure satisfactory distribution of the fertilizer in use. These dimensions must be carefully determined by the manufacturer, either by calculation or experiment, taking into account the nature of the fertilizer, including grain or particle size and flowability, the desired quantity to be spread per unit area of ground, the speed at which the gardener will walk when spreading, and the minimum area of opening through which the fertilizer will pass.

The openings are preferably symmetrically spaced from one another and arranged around the mid-point of the bottom of the container, although in some circumstances it may be possible for there to be a single opening at or near the mid-point.

Conveniently, the openings are formed in that part of the container which is uppermost during transportation, storage and sale of the container, so that the container is inverted for spreading. In this way, pressure on the portion to be removed may be avoided in the event that the container is formed with tear strips, perforations or a cover for preformed openings.

Alternatively, as shown at 2' openings may be formed in the vertical side of an elongated container, and the side is held parallel to the ground during spreading.

Preferably, the openings are in an edge of the container, but, in the case of a container which has no clearly defined edge, the openings may be formed at suitable locations in a sidewall of the container near the bottom of the container or that part which forms or is near the bottom in use.

The openings may take the form of horizontal or vertical slots, or holes which are of square, circular, lozenge or other shape, provided that an accurately predetermined flow of fertlizer can be achieved, the dimensions of the openings being adapted to the desired rate of flow.

It may also be practicable to use openings which are at a level above the bottom of the container when in use, or in its upper end; the container being tilted to promote flow through these openings as the level of fertilizer falls within the container.

Once the openings have been formed or uncovered, the container is grasped in the hands and may be swung from side to side, back and forth, or shaken as the gardener walks across the ground to be spread.

With certain materials and a suitable number of openings, agitation of the container is unnecessary. The granular lawn fertilizer sold by I.C.I. under the Trade Mark "Lawnplus" may, for example, be distributed from the bag in which it is sold by cutting five evenly distributed slots in a side of the bag and supporting the bag so that the slotted part of the bag is parallel with the ground and then walking across the ground to be fertilized without agitating or swinging the bag. Each slot has a length of 1 5 mm (measured at right angles to the direction of travel) and a width of 4 mm (measured parallel to the direction of travel), the endmost slots being spaced from the bag corners to prevent clogging.

CLAIMS 1. A method of distributing throughout an area of ground a solid flowable material, for example fertilizer or other powderous, particulate or granular material, comprising forming or uncovering a plurality of apertures with predetermined dimensions and locations in the container in which the material is supplied to the

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Improvements in the distribution of fertilizer and the like The spreading of solid, flowable materials, for example powderous, granular, or particulate fertilizer on domestic lawns and gardens, presents difficulties to the amateur gardener. The fertilizer may be scooped from a container and spread by hand but this process results in a very uneven distribution which can burn the grass. Simple hand-held devices have also been proposed, for example that disclosed in the specification of my Patent No. 1 341 957. In order to avoid the cost of a hand-held device, while nevertheless achieving a reasonably even spread of fertilizer, it is proposed herein that the fertilizer should be spread from a container in which it is supplied by way of one or more openings in the container as hereinafter described and claimed. Although in the following description, reference is made exclusively to the distribution of fertilizer, it will be understood that other solid substances, for example grass seed, may be distributed in the same manner. The drawing shows fertilizer being distributed from a container in accordance with the present proposal. Referring to the drawing, fertilizer of powderous, particulate or granular form is supplied to the amateur gardener in a sealed container in the form of a generally rectangular bag or package 1 made from polyethylene film, coated paper or the like. The container may contain any convenient quantity of fertilizer, for example 3 kg. To distribute the fertilizer in accordance with the present proposal, openings 2 are formed in that part of the container which forms its bottom in use. The openings may be formed by a craft knife or scissors in accordance with markings and/or instructions marked on the container, or given in accompanying literature, so that the number and size of the openings are precisely predetermined.Conveniently, the outline shapes of the openings are printed on the container during the printing operation normally performed in order to provide the container with textual matter. Alternatively, the container may be provided with tear strip portions or perforations or with a removable cover for preformed openings. Alternatively, a polyethylene film container may be formed with protuberances which can be cut off to form openings of suitable dimensions. The dimensions of the openings chosen in practice, as well as their locations and spacings, must be predetermined such as to ensure satisfactory distribution of the fertilizer in use. These dimensions must be carefully determined by the manufacturer, either by calculation or experiment, taking into account the nature of the fertilizer, including grain or particle size and flowability, the desired quantity to be spread per unit area of ground, the speed at which the gardener will walk when spreading, and the minimum area of opening through which the fertilizer will pass. The openings are preferably symmetrically spaced from one another and arranged around the mid-point of the bottom of the container, although in some circumstances it may be possible for there to be a single opening at or near the mid-point. Conveniently, the openings are formed in that part of the container which is uppermost during transportation, storage and sale of the container, so that the container is inverted for spreading. In this way, pressure on the portion to be removed may be avoided in the event that the container is formed with tear strips, perforations or a cover for preformed openings. Alternatively, as shown at 2' openings may be formed in the vertical side of an elongated container, and the side is held parallel to the ground during spreading. Preferably, the openings are in an edge of the container, but, in the case of a container which has no clearly defined edge, the openings may be formed at suitable locations in a sidewall of the container near the bottom of the container or that part which forms or is near the bottom in use. The openings may take the form of horizontal or vertical slots, or holes which are of square, circular, lozenge or other shape, provided that an accurately predetermined flow of fertlizer can be achieved, the dimensions of the openings being adapted to the desired rate of flow. It may also be practicable to use openings which are at a level above the bottom of the container when in use, or in its upper end; the container being tilted to promote flow through these openings as the level of fertilizer falls within the container. Once the openings have been formed or uncovered, the container is grasped in the hands and may be swung from side to side, back and forth, or shaken as the gardener walks across the ground to be spread. With certain materials and a suitable number of openings, agitation of the container is unnecessary. The granular lawn fertilizer sold by I.C.I. under the Trade Mark "Lawnplus" may, for example, be distributed from the bag in which it is sold by cutting five evenly distributed slots in a side of the bag and supporting the bag so that the slotted part of the bag is parallel with the ground and then walking across the ground to be fertilized without agitating or swinging the bag. Each slot has a length of 1 5 mm (measured at right angles to the direction of travel) and a width of 4 mm (measured parallel to the direction of travel), the endmost slots being spaced from the bag corners to prevent clogging. CLAIMS

1. A method of distributing throughout an area of ground a solid flowable material, for example fertilizer or other powderous, particulate or granular material, comprising forming or uncovering a plurality of apertures with predetermined dimensions and locations in the container in which the material is supplied to the user, supporting the container with the slotted part of the container parallel to the ground and moving the container across the said area, to cause the material to issue from the apertures, the dimensions and locations of the openings being such as to lead to even distribution of the material having regard to its characteristics.

2. A modification of the method claimed in claim 1, wherein a single aperture is located at or near the mid-point of the lower edge or bottom part of the container.

3. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bag has two, or more than two, symmetrically arranged apertures in the lower edge or bottom part of the container.

4. A method as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the or each aperture is formed in a part of the container which becomes the bottom part of the container by turning the container through one or two right angles.

5. A method as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the container is swung from side to side or otherwise agitated as it is moved across the ground.

6. A container of fertilizer having thereon markings at which the container may be cut to form openings to enable the method claimed in claim 1 to be performed.

7. A container of fertilizer substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the drawings.