IES81052B2 - Liquid dispensing system - Google Patents

Description

This invention relates to a liquid dispensing system.

In particular, it relates to a system that is suitable for watering agricultural crops, especially mushrooms.

In the commercial growing of mushrooms, the temperature and moisture of the soil are critical to obtain optimum growth. The temperature of the soil should be maintained at about 25°C and the moisture content should be about 68%. It is difficult to regulate the temperature and moisture content of the soil with the manual watering systems currently in use. Furthermore, the current systems are labour-intensive and therefore expensive .

It is an object of the invention to avoid or minimise the disadvantages of the prior art.

According to the present invention there is provided a liquid dispensing system comprising a discharge conduit including a plurality of discharge orifices; means for pumping the liquid to the discharge conduit such that the rate of discharge of the liquid from the discharge conduit is from 8 to 18 gallons per minute, -preferably.,; . - , y about 12 gallons per minute; and means for preventing leakage of the liquid from the discharge conduit when the pumping means is switched off.

The conduit preferably has a diameter of from 1.25 to 1.27 inches, more preferably 1.26 inches, and the discharge orifices are in the form of rotating jets and are spaced apart from one another at a distance of at least 5.5 feet, preferably about 7.5 feet.

The means for preventing leakage of liquid from the discharge conduit when the system is switched off is preferably an anti-drip valve disposed on the discharge conduit. When the system is switched off, the valve can be opened so as to drain the discharge conduit until no water remains therein.

The liquid is preferably supplied to the discharge conduit via a supply means which is preferably in the form of a flexible conduit having a diameter of from 1.4 to 1.6 inches, preferably 1.5 inches.

The pumping means, which is suitably a motorised pump, preferably has a horsepower of at least 1.5. The pressure of water in the liquid supply conduit is from 90 to 110 psi, preferably 100 psi, and the pressure in the discharge conduit is from 60 to 80 psi, preferably 70 psi. The suction of liquid into the pumping means is preferably at least 2 inches. ........

Examples of liquid which can be used in the system of the invention include water and detergent.

The invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawing, which is a perspective view of a housing comprising a system according to the invention for watering mushrooms.

The watering system 10 comprises a substantially llshaped conduit 11 (shown in phantom) having discharge orifices 12 in the form of rotating jets. The discharge conduit is mounted in a housing 20 approximately 7 feet above bags 30 containing compost and growing mushrooms. The discharge conduit 11 has a diameter of about 1.26 inches and the rotating jets 12 are spaced apart from one another at a distance of 7.5 feet along the legs of the U-shaped discharge conduit 11. An anti-drip valve 40 is disposed on the base of the U-shaped discharge conduit. A lever valve 50 is provided at the upper end of one of the legs of the discharge conduit. The purpose of the lever valve 50 is to flush the system clean when necessary, prior to use .

When the pumping means (not shown) is actuated, the liquid is discharged from the rotating jets preferably at a rate of 12 gallons per minute. The liquid is pumped into a liquid supply means (not shown), preferably in the form of a flexible hose attached to the discharge conduit by any suitable means, such as a snap-on connection. The liquid supply means can be connected to the liquid discharge conduit 11 as required.

When the pumping means is actuated and the lever valve 50 is in the closed position, the anti-drip valve 40 is closed and the liquid is discharged from the rotating jets 12. When the pumping means is switched off, the anti-drip valve 40 is actuated and the discharge conduit 11 is drained so that no leakage of liquid from the discharge conduit can occur.

The invention is not limited to the embodiment described herein which may be modified or varied without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims (5)

1. A liquid dispensing system comprising a discharge conduit including a plurality of discharge 5 orifices; means for pumping the liquid to the discharge conduit such that the rate of discharge of the liquid from the discharge conduit is from 8 to 18 gallons per minute, preferably about 12 gallons per minute; and means for preventing leakage of the liquid from the 10 discharge conduit when the pumping means is switched off .

2. A liquid dispensing system according to claim 1, wherein the means for preventing leakage of liquid 15 from the discharge conduit is an anti-drip valve disposed on the discharge conduit.

3. A liquid dispensing system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the discharge orifices are in the form of 20 rotating jets which are spaced apart from orie another' at a distance of at least 5.5 feet, preferably about 7.5 feet; and the discharge conduit has a diameter of from 1.25 to 1.27 inches, preferably 1.26 inches.

4. Use of a liquid dispensing system according to any of claims 1 to 3 for watering mushrooms.

5. A liquid dispensing system substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawing .