GB2152344A - Method of and apparatus for spreading particulate material - Google Patents

Abstract

A method of spreading particulate material, such as free-flowing fertiliser, includes the steps of supplying the particulate material in a container or cartridge (1), providing an outlet opening (2) in the container or cartridge through which the material can stream out of the container or cartridge, supplying a stream of fluid under pressure through a duct (3) and entraining the material stream in the stream of fluid so that the particulate material is conveyed and spread over the surface by the fluid. Apparatus for use in the method includes an elongated duct (3) connectible to a source (4) of fluid under pressure so that a stream of fluid under pressure can be passed through the duct (3) and means for connecting to or in the duct, or putting in communication therewith, a container or cartridge (1) containing particulate material to be spread, so that in the operation the particulate material in the container or cartridge (1) is in flow communication, through an outlet opening (2) in the cartridge, with the fluid stream passed through the duct (3) and is entrained, conveyed and spread by the fluid stream over the surface. The fluid stream may be air from a blower or water from a hose coupled to a mains supply. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Method of and apparatus for spreading particulate material This invention relates to a method of and apparatus for spreading particulate material, such as freeflowing fertiliser, on a surface such as the ground.

Conventional methods of spreading particulate material such as fertiliser on the ground usually employ a wheeled hopper. Loose fertiliser is put in the hopper and the device pushed or towed over the ground so that particulate material falls from an outlet end of the hopper onto the ground during passage thereover. This method of spreading particulate material is relatively cumbersome and inefficient with little control over the quantity and degree of spread being possible. Additionally such a conventional method is very difficult to utilise on areas of disturbed ground or between plants in a flower bed. Moreover to use the device of the conventional method it is necessary to empty loose fertiliser from a bag into the hopper which is a messy and wasteful procedure.

There is thus a need for a generally improved method of an apparatus for spreading particulate material such as fertiliser on a surface such as the ground.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of spreading particulate material such as free-flowing fertiliser on a surface such as the ground, including the steps of supplying the particulate material to be spread in a cartridge, providing an outlet opening in the cartridge through which the particulate material to be spread can stream out of the cartridge, supplying a stream of fluid under pressure through a duct and entraining the particulate material stream in the stream of fluid so that the particlate material is conveyed and spread over the surface by the fluid.

Advantageously the fluid is air in gaseous form supplied from a source of air under pressure, preferably compressed air, or from an air blower, preferably a motor driven fan or impeller.

Alternatively the fluid is liquid, preferably water, supplied under pressure from the public water supply or from a pump.

Conveniently the cartridge is located in, on or in flow communication with, the duct and the stream of gaseous air is utilised at least partially to suck the particulate material in stream form from the cartridge through the outlet opening therein.

Alternatively the cartridge is located on or in flow communication with the duct and the particulate material allowed to fall under gravity in stream form from the cartridge through the outlet opening therein, into the liquid stream in or issuing from the duct.

Preferably the rate of flow of the particulate material in stream form from the cartridge outlet opening is varible by obturating the outlet opening to a greater or lesser extent to vary the amount of particulate material spread. Additionally or alternatively the rate of flow of the fluid stream is variable to vary the degree of spread of particulate material.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided apparatus for spreading particulate material such as free-flowing fertiliser, on a surface such as the ground, including an elongated ductconnectible to a source of fluid under pressure so that a stream of fluid under pressure can be passed through the duct, and means for connecting to or in the duct a cartridge containing particulate material to be spread, so that in operation the particulate material in the cartridge is in flow communication, through an outlet opening in the cartridge, with the fluid stream passed through the duct and is entrained, conveyed and spread by the fluid stream over the surface.

Advantageously the fluid under pressure utilised is gaseous air and the apparatus includes a source of gaseous air under pressure. Conveniently the source of gaseous air under pressure is an air blower, preferably a motor driven fan or impeller housed in a casing between an air inlet to the casing and an air outlet from the casing. Preferably the air outlet from the casing is connected to the duct adjacent an outlet end thereof by a plurality of air bores extending through a side wall of the duct into the duct, with the longitudinal axes of the air bores extending at an acute angle to the longitudinal axis of the duct. Preferably the duct is cylindrical in form and the air bores extend in spaced array around the periphery in a plane transverse to the longitudinal axis of the duct.

Conveniently the longitudinal axes of the air bores extend at an acute angle to the longitudinal axis of the duct in a direction towards the outlet end of the duct.

Advantageously the duct contains a transverse stop plate located on the side of the air bores remote from the duct outlet end and adjacent to the air bores, which stop plate has an aperture therein, conveniently sector-shaped, the duct having an open inlet end through which the cartridge can be inserted into the duct until a leading end of the cartridge, having the outlet opening therein, abuts the stop plate the arrangement being such that the cartridge may be twisted about its longitudinal axis relative to the duct and stop plate aperture to permit more or less communication of the cartridge outlet opening with the duct through the stop plate aperture and thereby vary the amount of particulate material sucked out of the cartridge through the outlet opening by the air stream passing through the duct from the air bores to the outlet opening of the duct.

Alternatively the longitudinal axes of the air bores extend at an acute angle to the longitudinal axis of the duct in a direction away from the outlet end of the duct, which air bores form a primary array of air bores. Preferably one or more secondary arrays of air bores is/are provided through the duct wall between the primary array and an end of the duct remote from the outlet end, and the air outlet of the air blower casing is in fluid communication with the primary and secondary arrays of air bores, with the air bores of the secondary array(s) being smaller in diameter than those of the primary array and extending with their longitudinal axes at an acute angle to the longitudinal axis of the duct in a direction away from the outlet end of the duct.

The cartridge is smaller in cross-section than the duct and locatable in the duct by insertion through the outlet end of the duct to leave an annular flow path between the cartridge and duct, there being a seal ring around the cartridge or inside the duct for making an airtight seal between the cartridge and duct adjacent the duct and remote from the outlet end so that the primary and secondary arrays of air bores ;;ie between the seal ring and the duct outlet end and the cartridge outlet opening lies adjacent the primary array of air bores and preferably between the primary array and the duct outlet end to ensure that in operation air blown through the air bores into the annular airflow passage in the direction of the seal ring is reversed in direction by the seal ring and caused to flow back past the cartridge outlet opening towards the duct outlet end sucking particulate material from the cartridge through the outlet opening, conveying it in the air stream out of the duct outlet and, spreading it beyond the duct outlet end.

Preferably the cartridge is located in the correct position in the duct by a hooked member attached at one end to the cartridge adjacent the outlet opening end thereof at the other end a lip of the duct outlet end.

Conveniently the seal ring isa resilient ring attached to the inner surface of the duct or to the outer surface of the cartridge.

Alternatively the seal ring is a flexible frustoconical skirt attached at its smallest diameter end to and surrounding a tubular part slidably fittable over the cartridge outer surface, the seal ring being such that when fitted onto the cartridge and in the duct with the largest diameter end of the skirt directed towards the duct outlet end, the seal ring is located in the airflow passage and air flowing towards the seal ring will expand the largest diameter end of the skirt into air tight contact with the inner surface of the duct and cause the tubular part sealingly to grip the cartridge outer surface.

Alternatively the fluid under pressure utilised is gaseous air and an inlet end of the duct is connectibleto a source of gaseous air under pressure. The outlet end of the duct coaxially projects partway into an open ended larger crosssection tubular mouthpiece through one open end thereof which is sealingly connected to the duct to leave an annular feed passage between an outer surface of the duct and an inner surface of the mouthpiece, and means are provided for connecting the outlet opening end of a cartridge containing particulate material to be spread so that the particulate material con flow in stream form into the annular feed passage from which it is sucked by air flowing through the outlet end of the duct into the mouthpiece, entrained therein in the-air flow, conveyed thereby out of an open outlet end of the mouthpiece and spread beyond the mouthpiece.

Preferably the cartridge connecting means includes a socket for rotatably receiving the outlet opening end of the cartridge and a feed aperture opening through the mouthpiece wall into the annular feed passage, the arrangement being such that the cartridge may be rotated about its longitudinal axis relative to the feed aperture to obturate the cartridge outlet opening more or less to control the feed of particulate material into the annular feed passage.

Alternatively the fluid under pressure utilised is liquid water and an inlet end of the duct is connectible to a source of water under pressure.

Means are provided for connecting the outlet opening end of a cartridge containing particulate material to the duct so that the cartridge extends substantially at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the duct and particulate material operatively compressed from the cartridge through the outlet opening thereof into the stream of water issuing from the outlet end of the duct for entrainment thereby and thus spread beyond the duct outlet end.

Conveniently the connecting means includes a socket for rotatably receiving the outlet opening end of the cartridge and a feed aperture opening through an end wall of the socket transversely to the longitudinal axis of the duct, the arrangement being such that the cartridge may be rotated about its longitudinal axis relative to the feed aperture to obturate the cartridge outlet opening more or less to control the feed of particulate material into the water stream issuing from the outlet end of the duct.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a cartridge for use in the foregoing method or apparatus of the invention, including a hollow container for containing flowable particulate material to be spread, and an outlet opening in one end wall of the container through which particulate material can be fed, which outlet opening is offset from the longitudinal axis of the container. Conveniently the container is elongated and cylindrical in shape with the outlet opening being provided in one end wall thereof. Preferably an openable inlet opening provided in the other end wall of the container, openable operatively to permit a flow of air through the cartridge between the inlet opening and outlet opening to enable particulate material to be fed out of the cartridge through the outlet opening.Conveniently the cartridge includes a hooked member pivotally mounted at one end adjacent the outlet opening end of the cartridge and having a hooked other end for engaging a lip of the duct outlet end to aid correct rotation of the cartridge in the duct. Advantageously the cartridge is provided with a seal ring therearound, adjacent the inlet opening end of the cartridge, for ensuring airtight sealing betwaen the outside of the cartridge and inside of the duct.

The present invention also contemplates the provision of an apparatus for spreading particulate material as hereinbefore described in combination with a cartridge containing particulate material to be spread, as hereinbefore described.

For a better understanding of the present invention, and to show how the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure lisa plan view in partial section of an apparatus for spreading particulate material according to a first embodiment of the invention, Figure 2 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line A-A of Figure 1, Figure 3 is a diagrammatic sketch of a stop plate of Figures 1 and 2 showing an outlet opening in a cartridge in an open spreading position, Figure 4 is a diagrammatic sketch similar to that of Figure 3 but showing the outlet opening of the cartridge in a closed non-spreading position, Figure 5 is a partial sectional view through apparatus for spreading particulate material according to a second embodiment of the invention, Figure 6 is a partially sectioned view of a cartridge for use in the embodiment of Figure 5, Figure 7 is a vertical sectional view on the line B-B through apparatus of Figure 8 for spreading particulate material according to a third embodiment of the invention, Figure 8 is a plan view from above of the apparatus of Figure 7, Figure 9 is a diagrammatic sketch of the relationship of an outlet opening in the cartridge to feed aperture in a mouthpiece of the apparatuses of Figures 7 and 8 showing the outlet opening in a closed knob spreading position, Figure 10 is a part sectional view th rough apparatus for spreading particulate material according to a fourth embodiment of the invention, and Figure 11 is a horizontal sectional view from above taken on the line C-C in Figure 10.

The method of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, of spreading particulate material such as free-flowing fertiliser on a surface such as the ground, includes the steps of supplying the particulate material to be spread in a cartridge 1, providing an outlet opening 2 in the cartridge 1 through which the particulate material to be spread can stream out of the cartridge, supplying a stream of fluid under pressure through a duct 3 and entraining the particulate material stream in the stream of fluid so that the particulate material is conveyed and spread over the surface by the fluid.

The fluid supplied may be air in gaseous form as in the first, second and third embodiments of the invention illustrated in Figures 1-9, supplied from a source of air under pressure preferably compressed air, or from an air blower 4, preferably a motor driven fan or impeller as shown in Figures 1 and 5.

Alternatively the fluid utilised is liquid, preferably water, as in the fourth embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figures 10 and 11,supplied under pressure from the public water supply or from a pump.

The cartridge 1 is located in the duct 3 in the embodiments of Figures 1-6 or on the duct as shown in the embodiments of Figures 7-9. The stream of gaseous air is utilised at least partially to suck the particulate material in stream form from the cartridge 1 through the outlet 2 therein.

Alternatively as in the embodiment as illustrated in Figures 10 and 11, the cartridge 1 is located on or in flow communication with the duct 3 and the particulate material allowed to fall under gravity in stream form from the cartridge 1 through the outlet opening 2 therein, into the liquid stream in or issuing from the duct 3.

Each of the embodiments illustrated utilises a cartridge 1 for containing the particulate material such as free-flowing fertiliserto be spread. The cartridge 1 is in the form of a hollow container, preferably an elongated cylindrical tubular casing 5 as shown in Figure 6. This casing 5 is closed at opposite ends by end caps 6 and the outlet opening 2 is provided through one end cap 6 and closable, for example for storage purposes, by a removable plug 7. The outlet opening 2 is located offset from the longitudinal axis of the casing 5 in the end cap 6 for purposes which will be hereinafter described in more detail.Optionally an openable inlet opening 8 is provided in the other end cap 6 of the casing 5 with a closure plug 9 removable to open the inlet opening 8 to permit a flow of air through the cartridge between the inlet opening 8 and outlet opening 2, when the latter is opened, to enable the fertiliserto be fed in stream form out of the cartridge 1 through the outlet opening 2.

The cartridge 1 for use in the embodiment of Figure 5, as illustrated in Figure 6, includes also a hooked member 10 pivotally mounted at one end 10a adjacent the outlet opening end of the cartridge and having a hooked other end 10b for engaging a lip of the outlet end of the duct 3 to aid correct location of the cartridge 1 in the duct 3. Additionally a cartridge 1 for use in this embodiment of the invention is provided with a seal ring 11 therearound, adjacent the inlet opening end of the cartridge 1, ensuring airtight sealing between the outside of the cartridge 1 and inside of the duct 3.

The seal ring 11 can be in the form of a resilient collar around the cartridge as shown in Figure 5 or a flexiblefrusto-conical skirt 12, as shown in Figure 6, attached at its smallest diameter end to and surrounding tubular part slidably fitted on or fittable over the cartridge outer surface. In operation the skirt 12 made of flexible plastics material, is located on the cartridge with the largest diameter end of the skirt 12 directed towards the outlet end of the duct 3 so that airflowing towards the seal ring 11 will expand the largest diameter end of the skirt into airtight contact with the inner surface of the duct 3 and cause the tubular part to sealingly grip the cartridge outer surface.

Although in the present application, the cartridge is described as containing particulate material such as free-flowing fertiliser, preferably in granule or pellet form, it is to be understood that the cartridge may contain additionally or alternatively other particulate materials such as seeds or weed killer, to be spread. Whatever the form of particulate material to be spread the rate of flow of the particulate material from the cartridge outlet opening 2 is variable by obturating the outlet opening 2 to a greater or lesser extent, which has the effect of varying the amount of particulate material spread.

In the first embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figures 1--4 the source of gaseous air under pressure is the air blower 4 having an electric motor driven fan or impeller (not shown) housed in a casing 13 between an air inlet 14 to the casing and an air outlet 15 from the casing. The casing 13 is secured to the elongated duct 3 in any convenient manner such as being clamped thereto by a screw adjustable clamp 16 as shown in Figures 1 and 2.

The air outlet 15 from the casing is in flow communication with an annular mannifold 17 through which the duct 3 projects in airtight manner. A ring of equispaced air bores 18 is provided through the wall of the duct 3 through which bores 18 air under pressure may pass from the air blower 4 via the air outlet 15 and manifold 17 into the interior of the duct 3. The air bores 18 extend in a plane transverse to the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical duct 3 Although shown as cylindrical in the illustrated embodiments the duct 3 could have any other cross-sectional shape desired.

In the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2 the air bores 18 extend through the sidewall of the duct3 with the longitudinal axes of the air bores extending at an acute angle to the longitudinal axis of the duct in a direction towards an outlet end 19 of the duct 3.

The duct 3 contains a transverse stop plate 20 located on the side of the air bores 18 remote from the duct outlet end 19. This stop plate is adjacent to the air bores 18, approximately 30 mm from them, and has an aperture 21 therein conveniently sector shaped. The stop plate 21 serves as an abutment for the end of the cartridge 1 provided with the outlet opening 2. To this end the cartridge is loaded into the duct 3 from an open inlet end 22 thereof. A seal ring 11 optionally can be provided between the inner wall of the duct 3 and the outer surface of the cartridge 1 but this is not essential.

W th the cartridge 1 loaded in the duct 3 with its outlet opening 2 abutting the stop plate 20 the cartridge 1 may be twisted, for example, manually from the end thereof projecting out of the duct 1 through the end 22, anout its longitudinal axis relative to the duct and stop plate aperture 21 to permit more or less communication of the cartridge outlet opening 2 with the duct 3 through the stop plate aperture 21.Thus as shown in Figure 3 the offset positioning of the outlet opening 2 in the cartridge 1 ensures that when the cartridge is located about its longitudinal axis relative to the stop plate aperture 21, which conveniently is a sector of 60 , the outlet opening 2 can be moved from the in register communicating position shown in Figure 3 into a covered or closed position preventing flow of particulate material from the cartridge into the duct 3, as shown in Figure 4.

Preferably in operation the stop plate aperture 21 is located uppermost and the cartridge 1 is inserted in the duct 1 from the end 22 thereof after the closure plug 9 has been removed from the outlet opening 2.

To start spreading fertiliserfrom the cartridge 1 it is merely necessary to rotate the cartridge into the position shown in Figure 3 in which the outlet opening 2 communicates directly through the stop plate aperture 21 with the duct 3 in the vicinity of the air bores 18 and to switch on the air blower 4 to cause air under pressure to enter the duct 3 through the air bores 18 and flow in a stream out of the duct 3 through the outlet end 19. In so doing the air stream leaving the air bores 18 creates a partial suction effect between the air bores 18 and the stop plate 2 which results in fertiliser being sucked out of the cartridge through the outlet opening 2 in a stream, entrained in the stream of air in the duct 3 and blown thereby out of the duct outlet end 19 onto the ground. The air stream spreads the fertiliser over the ground.

To ensure easy handling of the apparatus a handle such as 23 may be provided on the top of the air blower casing, conveniently with an on/off switch for control of the blower 4. Alternatively if desired the air blower 4 instead of being driven by an electric motor can be powered by a petrol engine.

Of course to improve the suction effect, and entrainment of the fertiliser from the cartridge 1 through the outlet opening 2 it is advisable to open the inlet opening 8 in the opposite end of the cartridge 1. The degree of spread and the amount of fertiliser entering the air stream can be varied by twisting the cartridge relative to the stop plate aperture 21 to vary the degree of communication of the outlet opening 2 of the cartridge 1 with the stop plate aperture 21.

The second embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figure 5 together with the cartridge 1 illustrated in Figure 6, is similar in construction and operation to that of the first embodiment illustrated in Figures 1-4. Thus parts already described have been given the same reference numerais in Figures 5 and 6 and will not be described again in detail. As shown in Figure 5 the apparatus of the second embodiment of the invention has the air blower 4 mounted such that the air outlet 15 is in the form of a plenum chamber which surrounds the duct 3 and extends thereover towards the outlet end 19 in the form of a jacket 24.The air flowing from the blower 4 in the jacket 24 passes into the air bores 18 via an annular manifold block 25 located between the jacket 24 and duct 3 as shown in FigureS. In this embodiment the air bores 18 are located such that their longitudinal axes extend at an acute angle, preferably 30 , to the longitudinal axis of the duct 3 in a direction away from the outlet end 19 of the duct 3. To this end the block 25 is provided with apertures therethrough to permit the air flow in the jacket 24 to pass through the block and into the air bores 18.

These air bores 18 in this embodiment form a primary array of air bores.

The apparatus of Figure 5 basically is as disclosed and illustrated in the present applicant's copending British Patent Application No. , in which the apparatus is intended to form a suction device for sucking garden debris such as leaves through the end 19 of the duct 3 along the duct 3 and out of the duct through the end 22 into a bag or container 26 having an air porous portion and an openable and closable outlet end 27. In this embodiment one or more secondary arrays of air bores 28 is/are provided through the wall of the duct 3 in spaced relationship between the primary array of air bores 18 and the inlet end 22 of the duct 3. Conveniently the secondary arrays of air bores 28 do not extend outside the region of the duct enclosed by the jacket 24. The secondary arrays of air bores are also arranged in ring formation around the wall of the duct3 and are smaller in diameter than those of the primary array with their longitudinal axis at an acute angle to the longitudinal axis at the duct in a direction away from the outlet end 19 of the duct.

Thus the secondary arrays of air bores 28 which communicate with the air passing between the jacket 24 and outer wall of the duct 3 from the air blower 4 provide a weaker stream air through into the duct 3 than through the air bores 18.

The cartridge 1 used in this embodiment of the invention, has, as previously described, the hooked member 10 which is pivotable between the retracted stowed position illustrated in Figure 6 in which it lies against the casing 5 and an extending engagement position in which the hooked other end 10b engages the end lip of the duct 3 at the outlet end 19 thereof, as illustrated in Figure 5.In operation the cartridge 1 is inserted completely into the duct 3 either through the outlet end 19 thereof or through the inlet end 22, with the outlet opening 2 and inlet opening 8 open and with the inlet opening 8 directed towards the duct inlet end 22 until the hooked end 1 Ob of the extended hooked member 10 engages against the lip of the duct outlet end 19 and thus locates the outlet opening 2 of the cartridge 1 in the vicinity of the primary array of air bores 18 and between the latter and the outlet end 19 of the duct 3.

Also in this embodiment the seal ring 11 is necessary either in the form of a resilient ring shown in Figure 5 or the flexible skirt 12 shown in Figure 6, to seal between the inlet opening end of the cartridge 1 and the inner surface of the duct 3 as shown in Figure 5.

Thus with the cartridge 1 operatively in position in the duct 3 as shown in Figure 5 air under pressure delivered by the air blower 4, which conveniently has an electric motor driven fan 4a, through the air outlet 15, jacket 24 and air bores 18 and 28 into the duct 3 forms a stream flowing in the duct 3 in the direction of the inlet end 22 thereof. This stream of air impinges on the seal ring 11 or 12 and is turned thereby so as to flow back along the duct 3 over the outlet opening 2 of the cartridge 1, thereby entraining fertiliser in a stream through the outlet opening 2 out of the cartridge 1 and out of the outlet end 19 of the duct 3 to spread the entrained fertiliser beyond the outlet end 19 of the ground.

The outlet opening 2 in the cartridge 1 is also offset in this embodiment and the arrangement of the hooked member 10 is such that the outlet opening 2 operatively is located above the longitudinal axis of the cartridge 1 in the duct 3 so that control of the amount of fertiliser being spread can be achieved by tilting the front end of the apparatus up or down and thus assisting or impeding the flow of fertiliser out of the cartridge through the outlet opening 2, by gravity. The inlet end 22 of the duct 3 can be provided with a lever operated flap 29 which can be moved from the open position shown in solid lines in Figure 3 to the closed position shown in chain dotted lines to open or close the inlet 22 of the duct 3.The offset location of the outlet opening 2 of the cartridge 1 in this embodiment also helps to avoid blockage of fertiliser in the outlet opening 2 and reduces loss of material through the opening 2 by gravity alone when the air stream is turned off. The cartridge 1 may be disposable or rechargeable and hooked member 10 may also be used to hang the cartridge up in store. The seal ring 11 may be attached to the inner surface of the duct 3 or to the outer surface of the cartridge 1 as desired.

In the third embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figures 7-9 the fluid under pressure utilised is gaseous air and the inlet end 22 of the duct 3 is connected to a source of gaseous air under pressure such as a compressed air source, a pump or a motor fan driven fan (not shown). The outlet end 19 of the duct 3 coaxially projects part way into an open ended larger cross-section tubular mouthpiece 30 through one open end 31 thereof which is sealingly connected to the duct 3 by an end seal ring 32 to leave an annular feed passage 33 between an outer surface of the duct 3, an inner surface of the mouthpiece 30 and the end seal ring 32, as illustrated in Figure 7.Means are provided for connecting the outlet opening end of the cartridge 1 so that fertiliser can flow in stream form into the feed passage 33 from which it is sucked by air flowing through the outlet end 19 of the duct into the mouthpiece 30, entrained therein in the airflow, conveyed thereby out of an open outlet end 34 of the mouthpiece 30 and spread beyond the mouthpiece 30 on the ground. This cartridge connecting means includes a socket 35 for rotatably receiving the outlet opening end of the cartridge 1 and a feed aperture 36 opening through the mouthpiece wall to the annular feed passage 33.

The socket 35 is located such that in use of the apparatus with the mouthpiece 30 held manually the socket 35 is located uppermost so that the cartridge 1 when in the socket 35 extends substantially vertically upwardly from the mouthpiece 30. In this position the cartridge, with the outlet opening 2 lowermost in the socket 35 and open can be rotated about its longitudinal axis relative to the feed aperture 36, which conveniently is a slot extending in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the duct 3, to obturate the outlet opening 2 more or less to control the feed offertiliserfrom the cartridge into the feed passage 33.Figure 8 shows the feed aperture 36 and offset cartridge outlet opening 2 in the aligned communicating spreading position and Figure 9 shows the feed aperture 36 and cartridge outlet opening 2 in the non-aligned closed position in which fertiliser cannot enter the feed passage 33 from the cartridge and thus cannot be spread. Alternatively the feed aperture 36 may be provided in a rotatably mounted disk in the socket 35, which disc itself may be rotatable relative to the end of the cartridge 1 carrying the outlet opening 2 to control obturation of the outlet opening 2.

Conveniently as illustrated the socket 35 is tubular with a transverse opening therethrough into which the mouthpiece 30 is fitted. The outlet end 19 of the duct 3 projects a sufficient distance into the mouthpiece 30 to prevent blow back into the cartridge 1. In this embodiment the feed offertiliser into the feed passage 33 is assisted by the action of gravity as well as by the suction effect of the air stream passing through the mouthpiece 30. This effect is enhanced by providing the inlet opening 8 in the end of the cartridge 1 remote from the outlet opening 2 and opening this inlet opening 8 also when the cartridge is in the socket 35 for spreading purposes.

Alternatively the source of fluid under pressure in the embodiment of Figures 7-9 can be provided by liquid under pressure such as water from a pump connected to the inlet end 22 of the duct 3. In this modification (not illustrated) the water stream flowing through the duct 3 and mouthpiece 30 provides a suction effect drawing the fertiliser from the cartridge through the opening 2 and aperture 36 into the passage 33 and into the stream of water in the mouthpiece 30 so that it is both spread by the water and watered in thereby. If desired further shaped mouthpiece portions such as a nozzle or fan shaped portion may be fitted over the outlet end 34 to assist the spreading pattern.

In the fourth embodiment of the apparatus of the invention as illustrated in Figures 10 and 11 the fluid under pressure utilised is liquid water and the inlet end 22 of the duct 3 is connectible to a source of water under pressure via a hose 37 such as to an outlet from the domestic public water supply or to a water pump. The hose 37 may be connected to the duct 3 in any convenient manner such as by a conventional connector 38. In this embodiment the socket 35 is connected to the duct 3 to extend substantially at right angles to the longitudinal axis to the duct 3 as in the embodiment of Figures 7-9.

As shown in Figures 10 and 11 the feed aperture 36 in the socket 35 is sector-shaped, preferably a 60" sector, located with its apex on the longitudinal axis through the socket 35 and cartridge 1 and with the sector extending in a plane parallel to the longitudinal axis of the duct 3. Thus as the outlet end 19 of the duct 3 terminates short of the longitudinal axis through the socket 35 and cartridge 1 the feed aperture 36 is located beyond and above the duct end 19 with the widest portion of the sector-shaped aperture 36 being located furthest away from the duct outlet 19 in the direction of the longitudinal axis thereof. In use the apparatus of this embodiment is held manually with the socket 35 and cartridge 1 extending substantially upwardly above the duct 3.As in previous embodiments the amount of fertiliser flowing in stream form from the cartridge outlet opening 2 through the aperture 36 is controlled by rotating the cartridge so that the outlet opening 2 is obturated more or less by the aperture 36. The stream of fertiliser passing through the aperture 36 falls under gravity in front of the outlet end 19 of the duct into the stream of water issuing therefrom and is entrained by the water stream and spread thereby over the ground and also watered in thereby.

In this embodiment the socket 35 is connected in any convenient manner to the duct 3 such as by means of a hood portion 39 forming an extension of the socket 35. Additionally, although not illustrated, fan or nozzle shaped mouthpieces can be put on the duct 3 to control the shape of the stream of water issuing from the duct 3, in which stream of water the fertiliser stream is entrained. Thus in this embodiment the fertiliser stream enters the water stream substantially at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the duct 3.

The method, apparatus and cartridge of the invention thus enable particulate material such as fertiliser to be spread in a relatively simple and easily controllable manner on the ground and around plants if necessary, closely planted in a flower bed.

As a modification, not illustrated, the stop plate 20 in the embodiment of Figures 1 to 4 or the socket end provided with the feed aperture 36 in the embodiments of Figures 7 to 11 may be provided with a finger post projecting substantially at right angles thereto away from the duct 3. The cartridge 1 is provided at its end carrying the outlet opening 2 with a complementary recess to receive the finger post and permit the cartridge end with the outlet opening 2 to approach and contact the stop plate 20 or socket end carrying the feed aperture. Thus the upstanding finger post forms a barrier to the use of a cartridge without the complementary recess as it will hold such a cartridge away from the stop plate or socket end and prevent its effective use in the apparatus of the invention.

As a further modification, also not illustrated, the cartridge 1 may provide, at its end carrying the outlet opening 2, with a projection, preferably in the centre of the cartridge end, for releasably lockable engagement in a correspondingly shaped slot or recess provided in the stop plate 20 in the embodiment of Figures 1 to 4 or in the socket end provided with the feed aperture 36 in the embodiments of Figures 7 to 11. Conveniently the projection has a cylindrical shank with a preferably rectangular end plate thereon and the recess is shaped such that the end plate and shank may be engaged therein and locked thereto by relative rotational movement between the cartridge and stop plate 20 or socket such as to cause the end plate to engage behind corresponding shoulders or lips on the slot or recess.This relative rotational movement also brings the cartridge outlet opening 2 into alignment with the stop plate aperture 21 or feed aperture 36. Additionally this modification by providing a firm connection between the cartridge and stop plate or socket enables the axial length of the duct 3 or socket 35 to be reduced. If desired the projection may be provided on the stop plate or socket and the recess in the cartridge.

To facilitate opening of the outlet opening 2 in the cartridge 1 the latter may be provided with a rotatable end closure plate rotatable to open or close the opening 2. Conveniently this end closure plate is dimensioned to clip into a groove provided in the duct 3 or socket 35 and carries a projecting lug engageable in a corresponding notch in the stop plate 20 or socket 35. Thus with the cartridge end closure plate ciipped in the groove and with the lug and notch in engagement, relative rotation between the cartridge and stop plate 20 or socket 35 which rotate the end closure plate relative to the cartridge to open or close the outlet opening 2. This modification prevents loss of particulate material from the cartridge when the latter is attached to or removed from the apparatus.

Claims (37)

1. A method of spreading particulate material such as free-flowing fertiliser on a surface such as the ground, including the steps of supplying the particulate material to be spread in a cartridge or container, providing an outlet opening in the cartridge or container through which the particulate material to be spread can stream out of the cartridge or container, supplying a stream of fluid under pressure through a duct and entraining the particulate material stream in the stream of fluid so that the particulate material is conveyed and spread over the surface by the fluid.

2. A method according to claim 1, in which the fluid utilised is air in gaseous form supplied from a source of air under pressure, such as compressed air, or from an air blower, such as a motor driven fan or impeller.

3. A method according to claim 1, in which the fluid utilised is liquid, such as water supplied under pressure from the public water supply orfrom a pump.

4. A method according to claim 2, in which the cartridge or container is located in, on or in flow communication with, the duct and the stream of gaseous air is utilised at least partially to suck the particulate material in stream form from the cartridge or container through the outlet opening therein.

5. A method according to claim 3, in which the cartridge or container is located on or in flow communication with the duct and the particulate material allowed to fall under gravity in stream form from the cartridge orcontainerthrough the outlet opening therein, into the liquid stream in or issuing from the duct.

6. A method according to claim 5, in which the rate of flow of the particulate material in stream form from the cartridge or container outlet opening is variable by obturating the outlet opening to a greater or lesser extent to vary the amount of particulate material spread.

7. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, in which the rate of flow of the fluid stream is variable to vary the degree of spread of particulate material.

8. Apparatus for spreading particulate material such as free-flowing fertiliser, on a surface such as the ground, including an elongated duct connectible to a source of fluid under pressure so that a stream of fluid under pressure can be passed through the duct, and means for connecting to or in the duct, or putting in communication therewith, a cartridge or container containing particulate material to be spread so that in operation the particulate material in the cartridge or container is in flow communication, through an outlet opening in the cartridge or container, with the fluid stream passed through the duct and is entrained, conveyed and spread by the fluid stream overthe surface.

9. Apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the fluid under pressure utilised is gaseous air and the apparatus includes a source of gaseous air under pressure.

10. Apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the source of gaseous air under pressure is an air blower.

11. Apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the air blower is a motor driven fan or impeller housed in a casing between an air inlet to the casing and an air outlet from the casing.

12. Apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the air outlet from the casing is connected to the duct adjacent an outlet end thereof by a plurality of air bores extending through a side wall of the duct into the duct, with the longitudinal axes of the air bores extending at an acute angle to the longitudinal axis of the duct.

13. Apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the duct is cylindrical in form and the air bores extend in spaced array around the periphery in a plane transverse to the longitudinal axis of the duct.

14. Apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the longitudinal axes of the air bores extend at an acute angle to the longitudinal axis of the duct in a direction towards the outlet end of the duct.

15. Apparatus according to any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein the duct contains a transverse stop plate located on the side of the air bores remote from the duct outlet end and adjacent to the air bores which stop plate has an aperture therein, conveniently sector-shaped, the duct having an open inlet end through which the cartridge can be removably inserted into the duct until a leading end of the cartridge, having the outlet opening therein, abuts the stop plate, and the arrangement being such that the cartridge may be twisted about its longitudinal axis relative to the duct and stop plate aperture to permit more or less communication of the cartridge outlet opening with the duct through the stop plate aperture and thereby vary the amount of particulate material sucked out of the cartridge through the outlet opening by the air stream passing through the duct from the air bores to the outlet opening of the duct.

16. Apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the longitudinal axes of the air bores extend at an acute angle to the longitudinal axis of the duct in a direction away from the outlet end of the duct, which air bores form a primary array of air bores.

17. Apparatus according to claim 16, wherein one or more secondary arrays of air bores is/are provided through the duct wall between the primary array and an end of the duct remote from the outlet end, and the air outlet of the air blower casing is in fluid communication with the primary and secondary arrays of air bores, with the air bores of the secondary array(s) being smaller in diameter than those of the primary array and extending with their longitudinal axes at an acute angle to the longitudinal axis of the duct in a direction away from the outlet end of the duct.

18. Apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the cartridge is smaller in cross-section than the duct and locatable in the duct by insertion through the outlet end of the duct to leave an annular flow path between the cartridge and duct, there being a seal ring around the cartridge or inside the duct for making an airtight seal between the cartridge and duct adjacent the duct and remote from the outlet end so that the primary and secondary arrays of air bores lie between the seal ring and the duct outlet end and the cartridge outlet opening lies adjacent the primary array of air bores to ensure that in operation air blown through the air bores into the annular airflow passage in the direction of the seal ring is reversed in direction by the seal ring and caused to flow back past the cartridge outlet opening towards the duct outlet end sucking particulate material from the cartridge through the outlet opening, conveying it in the air stream out of the duct outlet and, spreading it beyond the duct outlet end.

19. Apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the cartridge outlet opening lies between the primary array of air bores and the duct outlet end.

20. Apparatus according to claim 18 or claim 19, wherein the cartridge is located in the correct position in the duct by a hooked member attached at one end to the cartridge adjacent the outlet opening end thereof and engaging at the other end a lip of the duct outlet end.

21. Apparatus according to any one of claims 18 to 28, wherein the seal ring is a resilient ring attached to the inner surface of the duct onto the outer surface of the cartridge.

22. Apparatus according to any one of claims 18 to 20, wherein the seal ring is a flexible frusto-conical skirt attached at its smallest diameter end to and surrounding a tubular part slidably fittable over the cartridge outer surface, the seal ring being such that when fitted onto the cartridge and in the duct with the largest diameter end of the skirt directed towards the duct outlet end, the seal ring is located in the air flow passage and air flowing towards the seal ring will expand the largest diameter end of the skirt into airtight contact with the inner surface of the duct and cause the tubular part sealingly to grip the cartridge outer surface.

23. Apparatus according claim 8, wherein the fluid under pressure utilised is gaseous air and an inlet end of the duct is connectible to a source of gaseous air under pressure.

24. Apparatus according to claim 23, wherein the outlet end of the duct coaxially projects part way into an open ended larger cross-section tubular mouthpiece through one open end thereof which is sealingly connected to the duct to leave an annular feed passage between an outer surface of the duct and an inner surface of the mouthpiece, and wherein means are provided for connecting the outlet opening end of a removable cartridge containing particulate material to be spread, to the duct or for putting a fixed container, for containing particulate material to be spread, in communication with the duct, so that the particulate material can flow in stream form into the annular feed passage from which it is sucked by air flowing through the outlet end of the duct into the mouthpiece, entrained therein in the air flow, conveyed thereby out of an open outlet end of the mouthpiece, entrained therein in the airflow, conveyed thereby out of an open outlet of the mouthpiece and spread beyond the mouthpiece.

25. Apparatus according to claim 24, wherein the cartridge connecting means includes a socket for rotatably receiving the outlet opening end of the cartridge and a feed aperture opening through the mouthpiece wall into the annular feed passage, the arrangement being such that the cartridge may be rotated about its longitudinal axis relative to the feed aperture to obturate the cartridge outlet opening more or less to control the feed of particulate material into the annular feed passage.

26. Apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the fluid under pressure utilised is liquid water and an inlet end of the duct is connectible to a source of water under pressure.

27. Apparatus according to claim 26, wherein means are provided for putting the outlet end of a container for particulate material in communication with the duct or for connecting the outlet opening of the cartridge containing particulate material to the duct so that the container or cartridge extends substantially at right angies to the longitudinal axis of the duct and particulate material operatively can pass from the container or cartridge through the outlet opening thereof into the stream of water issuing from the outlet end of the duct for entrainment thereby and thus spread beyond the duct outlet end.

28. Apparatus according to claim 27, wherein the connecting means includes a socket for rotatably receiving the outlet opening end of the cartridge and a feed aperture opening through an end wall of the socket transversely to the longitudinal axis of the duct, the arrangement being such that the cartridge may be rotated about its longitudinal axis relative to the feed aperture to obturate the cartridge outlet opening more or less to control the feed of particulate material into the water stream issuing from the outlet end of the duct.

29. A cartridge for use in the method according to claim 1, or apparatus according to claim 8, including a hollow container part for containing flowable particulate material to be spread, and an outlet opening in one end wall of the container part through which particulate material can be fed, which outlet opening is offset from the longitudinal axis of the container part.

30. A cartridge according to claim 29, wherein the container part is elongated and cylindrical in shape with the outlet opening being provided in one end wall thereof.

31. A cartridge according to claim 30, including an openable inlet opening provided in the other end wall of the container part, openable operatively to permit a flow of air through the cartridge between the inlet opening and outlet opening to enable particulate material to be fed out of the cartridge through the outlet opening.

32. A cartridge according to any one of claims 29 to 31, including a hooked member pivotally mounted at one end adjacent the outlet opening end of the cartridge and having a hooked other end for engaging a lip of the duct outlet end to aid correct rotation of the cartridge in the duct.

33. A cartridge according to any one of claims 29 to 32, including a seal ring therearound, adjacent the inlet opening end of the cartridge, for ensuring airtight sealing between the outside of the cartridge and inside of the duct.

34. Apparatus for spreading particulate material according to any one of claims 8 to 28 in combination with a cartridge containing particulate material to be spread, according to any one of claims 29 to 33.

35. A method of spreading particulate material, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

36. Apparatus for spreading particulate material, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 4, Figures 5 to 6, Figures 7 to 9 or Figures 10 and 11 of the accompanying drawings.

37. A cartridge for containing particulate material to be spread, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.