NZ249438A - Spraying apparatus; frame supports a tank containing liquid to be sprayed, a tower assembly having a number of spray outlet nozzles therealong - Google Patents

Description

New Zealand No. 249438 International No. PCT/AU93/00084 Priority Dato<s): Comptete Sf>*oificaliofi Filed: ..&.Qs&3jLok Pubftcftton Dflt«:..2..&..MARj§$Z I?/). Journal Ho: NEW ZEALAND PATENTS ACT 1953 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION Title of Invention: Spraying apparatus Name, address and nationality of applicant(s) as in international application form: DONALD CHARLES BARLOW, an Australian citizen of Coonoowrin Road, Glasshouse Mountains, Queensland 4518, Australia; TREVOR EDWARD BICKLE, an Australian citizen of 7 Bruce Parade, Glasshouse Mountains, Queensland 4518, Australia # h- 249 4 3 8 SPRAYING APPARATUS Technical Field THIS INVENTION relates to spraying apparatus particularly suited for the application of pesticides, 5 fungicides or other chemicals to growing crops, such as trees or plants.

Background Art A number of different forms of spraying equipment are presently available for applying pesticide or fungicide to 10 growing plants. In orchard situations where plants such as fruit or nut trees are arranged in rows, the spraying equipment which is employed generally comprises air blast sprayers which are in the form of a mobile chassis which supports a liquid tank for carrying a pesticide and/or fungicide, a driven air 15 fan, and a series of radially located nozzles connected to the tank through which pesticide or fungicide is directed, the air blast generated by the fan causing the sprayed liquid to be directed radially outwardly towards the trees as the sprayer is moved along the rows. Such air blast sprayers may be single 20 sided to spray a row on one side only or double sided to spray a pair of adjacent rows, however, in either configuration, such sprayers have not proved to be particularly efficient. Tests have shown that the coverage achieved is not particularly effective so that regular and repeated applications of 25 pesticide or fungicide are required resulting in excessive chemical usage. Additionally the configuration of such air blast sprayers is such that a large amount of spray drift. occurs thereby creating an environmental hazard. Spray penetration into the plants is also limited, particularly in 30 trees such as macadamia nut trees where the foliage tends to block air entry and thus the fungicide or pesticide, from reaching the fruit or nuts.

Summary of the Invention The present invention aims to provide spraying 35 apparatus which will operate efficiently and ensure reliable application of pesticide, fungicides or other chemicals to trees or other plants. The present invention also aims to SENT BY:AIPO P.C.T. 'AUl :31- 1-95 : 15:43 : P.C.T. AIPO- Geneva CH;* 2/10 pct/au yj/uuua4* RECEIVEO 2 9 SEP 1994 provide apparatus which more effectively applies the sprayed chemical to trees or other plants, thereby permitting an increase ground speed of operation to reduce the time involved in chemical application. The present 5 invention further alms to provide spraying apparatus which substantially reduces chemical drift to thereby reduce the environmental impact of spraying, and chemical usage.

The present invention thus provides in a first aspect spraying apparatus including a mobile frame, air 10 blast generating means supported on said frame, said air blast generating means creating an air flow in a generally radial outward direction, liquid storage meane on said frame for aarrying a liquid to be sprayed, hollow housing means supported on said frame adjacent said air blast 15 generating means, eaid hollow housing means defining a' plurality of passages therein opening at one end to one side of said mobile frame to define a plurality of outlets and communicating at their other end with aaid air blast generating means whereby air flowing radially outwardly 20 from said air blast generating means nay pass thers&long, and nozele means located at or adjacent said outlets of eaid passages and communicating with said liquid storage means suoh that liquid sprayed from aaid nozzle means is forced outwardly by air passing along said passages and 25 through aaid outlets.

The prmsent invention in a second aspect provides apray distribution apparatus adapted to be mounted to apparatus of the type including air blast generating means and liquid storage means for carrying a liquid to be 30 sprayed, aaid spray distribution apparatus including hollow housing means, eaid hollow houeing means having therein a plurality of paseagea, said housing means being adapted to be mounted to or adjacent said air blast generating means whereby air flowing radially outwardly from aaid air blast 35 generating means may pass into one end of aaid passages and flow therealong, aaid paeBages being open at their other end to define a plurality of outlets arranged one above the other, and nozzle means located at or adjacent eaid outlete AMENDED SHEET 1PEA/AU SENT BY: A IPO p.C.T. (ALi : CI - 1-95 : 13:43 ; P.C.T. A IPO-* Geneva CH;s 3/10 tvi/AU a Q / UUUQ1 RECEIVED 2 9 SEP W 3 of aaid passages and adaptad to communiaate with said liquid storage mean* auch that liquid sprayed from aaid nozzle meana ia forced outwardly by air paaaing along eaid passages and through said paaaaga outlets. spray distribution apparatus adaptad to be aaaoaiatad with an air blower and liquid storage means, said apray diatribution apparatue including hollow housing means, a plurality of paaaagea defined within said housing means, 10 said housing means being adapted to be mounted adjacent said air blower auoh that air flowing in a radially outward direotion from said air blower may paae into one end of said paaaagea and flow therealong, aaid passages opening at their other end to one aide of said apparatus to define a e plurality of outlets, and noxsle means located adjacent at' least some of said outlets of said passages and adapted to communicate with aaid liquid atoraga neans whereby liquid may be sprayed therefron, and such that liquid sprayed in use from said nozzle neans is forced outwardly by air 20 passing along aaid passages and through said passage outlets• side-by-side passageways and the passage outlets are arranged one above the other. Most preferably the passages 25 are defined by fins or vanes within the housing neans and preferably the £intj or vanes are disposed between opposite planar members or faces of the housing means to form an integral assembly• The bousing means suitably comprises a normally upright tower assembly.

For the purposes of storage the tower assembly may be formed in two hingedly interconnected parts, one part being mounted or mountable to, or adjacent the air blast generating means or blower, and the other part being hingedly mounted to the one part and being movable between 35 an upright operative position in alignment with the first part and a folded inoperative position. Suitably, in its inoperative position, the other part of the tower is disposed in a generally horizontal attitude. Preferably Tha present invention in a third aspect provides Preferably the passages comprise a plurality of AMENDED SHEET 1PRA/AU SENT BY:AIPO P.C.T.iAU) '31- I-95 : 15 43 : P.C.T. AIPC- Geneva CH:* 4,'10 ixi/AU y 3 / u (J 0 8 4 RECEIVED I 9 SEP 894 3/1 the other part of the tower is adapted to be moved between its positions by an actuator suitably an hydraulic ran.

The passages may incorporate means to vary air flow tbarealong so that varying air flow through the 5 outlets can be achieved. Such means may comprise pivotal vane members. Pivotal vane member** may also be employed to vary the direction of air flow and thus spray from the outlets.

Brief Description of the Drawlnoa 10 In order that the invention may be more readily understood and put into practical effaat, reference will now be mads to the accompanying drawings which illustrate a preferred sxobodiment of the invention and whereini- Fig. 1 is a perspective view from the front of 15 spraying apparatus according to the present invention* in AMENDED SHEET 1 PR A/All WO 93/17551 PCT/AU93/00084 an operative attitude; Fig. 2 is a rear view of the apparatus of Fig. 1 in use; Fig. 3 illustrates the spraying apparatus in a 5 folded attitude; Fig. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the configuration of the air ducts; Figs. 5, 6 and 7 are enlarged views of the regions A, B and C of Fig. 4; and 10 Fig. 8 is an enlarged side view showing details of the liquid nozzles and air ducts.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment Referring to the drawings and initially to Fig. 1, there is illustrated spraying apparatus 10 according to the 15 present invention including a mobile frame 11 supported on wheels 12 and adapted to be coupled at 13 to a prime mover, such as a towing tractor. Supported on the frame 11 is a tank 14 for carrying liquid to be sprayed, such as a pesticide, fungicide or other chemical. Arranged at the rear of the tank 20 14 is a blower 15 (see Figs. 2,3 and 8 ) which includes a fan blade assembly 16 located within an annular shroud 17 and adapted to be driven in this embodiment via a shaft 18 coupled to the power take-off of the prime mover. For safety purposes, a grill or mesh 19 is located over the suction inlet of the 25 blower 15. The blower 15 additionally includes an annular outlet 20 through which air is directed radially outwardly as indicated by the arrows in Figs. 4 and 8 except at the lower side where the outlet is blocked so that air is not directed downwardly. The arrangement of tank 14, blower 15 and frame 30 11 as described above comprises a conventional air blast sprayer wherein a plurality of nozzles are normally arranged in a circular array about the blower outlet 20. In this instance, however, the nozzles in the blower outlet 20 are eliminated.

Mounted on the frame 11 adjacent to the outlet 20 of the blower 15 is a hollow tower assembly 21 which in the embodiment illustrated is in the form of spaced apart planar SENT BY:AIPO P.C.T.' At! I ;31- 1-35 : 15:44: P.C.T. AlPO- Gar.»V3 CH:* 3-'10 faces 22 and 23 separated and joined by vanee shown generally at 24. In this embodiment the tower 21 is formed in upper and lower parts 25 and 26 respectively, the tower part 26 being fixedly mounted to the frame 11 with the 5 faces or members 22 and 23 being disposed on opposite sides of the blower outlet 20 ao that air is directed from the blower outlet 20. therebetween. The upper part 25 is hingedly connected through a transverse hinge at 27 to the lower part 26 for movement between the upright position 10 shown in Figs. 1 and z and the folded position shown in Fig. 3. The upper tower part 25 is moved between ite respective positions by means of a hydraulic ran 28 connected between supporting frames 29 and 30 for the upper and lower tower parts 25 and 26. In its lowered position 13 the tower part 25 is supported on a saddle 31 mounted to** the frame 11. The supporting frame 30 for the tower part 26 also incorporates bracing members 32 to braes the tower part 26 in its upright attitude.

As shown more clearly in Fig. 3 the vanes 24 20 extend from one side 33 of tha tower assembly 21 to positions adjacent the outlet 20 of the blower 15 so as to define therebetween and with the faaee 22 and 23 a plurality of passages 34 whioh open at their upper ends to define outlets 35 arranged one above the other. As shown/ 25 the vanes 24 comprise a first set of vanes which extend along the upper part 26 of the tower assembly and into the lower part 26 adjacent the outlet 20 of the blower 15, the first set of vanes being defined by upper vane members 36 in the upper tower part 25 and aligned vanes members 37 in 30 the lower part 26.

A second set of vanes are disposed between the first set of vanee defined by vane members 36 and 37 and comprise first vane membera 36 extending fron the outlets 35 to the pivot connections 27 whereat they are aligned 35 with adjustable vane members 39 pivotally mounted at 40 between the faces 22 and 23. The pivotal mounting for the vans members 39 may simply comprise a bolt 41 extending between the facea 22 and adjustment of the vans members 39 AMENDED SHEET ZP£A/ao SENT BY:AIPO P.C.T. : AIJI :31- 1-95 ; 15:44 : P. C T. AIPO-. ^ j""/V yCy y 6 y ° q RECEIVED 2 9 SEP 1994 /1 is aahievad by looeening the bolt 41 and pivoting the member 39 by hand between the poaitiona ohovn in dotted outline in Fig. 5 to a desired AMENDED SHEET IPEA/AU 6 position whereafter the bolt 41 is tightened to maintain the vane member 39 in its adjusted position. This arrangement enables the air to be directed along the passages 34 as desired and adjustment to enable even air flow in adjacent passages 34 5 if required.

At the lower end of the tower assembly 21 in the tower part 26 and on the outlet side 33 thereof, further vanes 42 are provided. These vanes 42 are pivotally mounted by means of a through bolt 43 at their inner ends and have a number of 10 set positions determined by opposed sets of apertures 44 in the faces 22 and 23 which may receive securing bolts 45 which pass through flanges 46 formed on opposite sides of the vanes 42 (see also Fig. 8). For adjustment, the bolts 45 are removed, the vanes 42 repositioned by pivoting and the bolts 45 rein-15 serted through the flanges 46 and a new set of apertures 44.

Disposed in the outlets 35 are respective adjustable jets or nozzles 47 which communicate with respective manifolds 48 in the upper tower part 26 and manifolds 49 in the lower tower part 25 arranged on the outside of the tower assembly 21 20 and adjacent the face 23. The manifolds 48 and 49 are connected by respective supply pipes 50 to a pump 51 mounted on the frame 11 and connected to the tank 14. The pump 51 is also arranged to be driven through the power take off unit of the prime mover. The pipes 50 may incorporate valves 52 to 25 control flow of liquid therealong from the tank 14.

The jets or nozzles 47 are of a known type and may be pivotally adjusted to vary the output angle of spray. Additionally, the jets or nozzles 47 may be pivoted to a position to fully close off communication with their associated 30 manifolds. Thus selected patterns of spray direction can be achieved.

In use, the nozzles 47 and vane members 46 are adjusted to suit the trees to be sprayed so as to ensure the spray from the nozzles 47 is directed as desired. The tower 35 assembly 21 is moved to a raised position and the apparatus 10 conveyed along a row of trees 53. Upon operation of the blower 15 and pump 40, the chemical will be sprayed from the nozzles 4 O 93/17551 PCT/AU93/00084 4 7 and directed outwardly at angles previously set. The air blast induced by the blower 15 flows along respective passages 34 to exit through the outlets 35 causing the mist or spray generated in the nozzles 47 to be forced into the trees 53.

The apparatus 10 will be driven along one row to spray the trees in that row and on its return can spray the trees in the adjacent row. At any time, the vanes 46 may be adjusted to vary air outlet direction at the lower portion of the tower assembly 21 so that say spray can be directed to the underside 10 of the trees whilst the nozzles 47 may also be adjusted to vary spray outlet direction.

It has been found that the spraying apparatus of the invention is particularly effective in ensuring effective penetration of trees and treatment of nuts or fruit. Increased 15 penetration also is accompanied by increased speed of operation so that less time is spent on spraying and additionally, reduced chemical usage results.

The tower assembly 21 is preferably constructed of a non corrosive material such as aluminium or galvanized sheet 20 material and the faces 22 and 23 formed of interconnected sheets. Alternatively the tower assembly 21 may be constructed of plastics. The various vane members preferably are of a form having right angled flanges on opposite sides which permits them to be connected to the faces 22 and 23 by rivets. The 25 spraying apparatus 10 described above includes components of a standard air blast sprayer. The tower assembly 21 however, may be mounted to air blast sprayers of other forms or alternatively the apparatus may include purpose constructed components for use in association with the tower assembly 21. 30 Thus the blower may be a separate driven device as may be the pump supply of chemicals to the nozzles 47.

Whilst the above has been given by way of illustrative embodiment of the invention, all such modifications and variations thereto as would be apparent to 35 persons skilled in the art are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of the invention as herein defined in the appended claims.

Claims (24)

1. CLAIMS 1.
2. Spraying apparatus including a mobile frame, air blast generating means supported on said frame, said air blast generating means creating an air flow in a generally 5 radial outward direction, liquid storage means on said frame for carrying a liquid to be sprayed, hollow housing means supported on said frame adjacent said air blast generating means, said hollow housing means defining a plurality of passages therein opening at one end to one 10 side of said mobile frame to define a plurality of outlets and communicating at their other end with said air blast generating means whereby in use air flowing radially outwardly from said air blast generating means passes therealong, and nozzle means located at or adjacent said outlets of 15 said passages and communicating with said liquid storage means such that liquid sprayed from said nozzle means is forced outwardly by air passing along said passages and through said outlets. 20 2. Apparatus according to Claim 1 wherein said passages comprise a plurality of side-by-vjide passageways and wherein said outlets are arranged one above the other.
3. 3. Apparatus according to Claim 2 wherein said 25 passages are defined between a plurality of fins or vanes within said housing means.
4. 4. Apparatus according to Claim 3 wherein some of said fins or vanes are adjustable adjacent said passage 30 outlets to vary the direction of air flow therefrom.
5. 5. Apparatus according to Claim 4 wherein said housing means includes opposite planar faces and wherein said fins or vanes extend between said faces. 35
6. 6. Apparatus according to Claim 1 wherein said housing means comprises a normally uprigh' 249438
7. 7. Apparatus according to Claim 6 wherein said tower assembly is formed by two hingedly interconnected housing parts, one said part being mounted to or adjacent said air blast generating means, and the other said part being 5 hingedly mounted to said one part.
8. 8. Apparatus according to Claim 7 wherein said other part of said tower assembly is movable between an upright operative position in alignment with said one part and a 10 folded inoperative position.
9. 9. Apparatus according to Claim 8 wherein said other part is adapted to be moved between its positions by an actuator. 15
10. 10. Apparatus according to Claim 8 or Claim 9 wherein said other part of said tower assembly in said inoperative position is arranged substantially horizontally. 20
11. 11. Apparatus according to Claim 1 wherein said passages incorporate means to vary air flow therealong so that air flow through respective said passage outlets can be adjusted. 25
12. 12. Apparatus according to Claim 11 wherein said varying means comprise pivotal vane members.
13. 13. Apparatus according to Claim 1 wherein said nozzle means are adjustable to vary the direction of spray 30 therefrom. 35
14. 14. Apparatus according to Claim 1 wherein said passage outlets are arranged substantially one above the other.
15. 15. Spray distribution apparatus adapted to be mounted to apparatus of the type includisiSP^&Sa-. blast generating means and liquid storage meanw^vfor caiftying a V 1 249438 >*■/*> liquid to be sprayed, said spray distribution apparatus including hollow housing means, said hollow housing means having therein a plurality o£ passages, said housing means being adapted to be mounted to or adjacent said air blast generating means whereby in use air flowing radially outwardly from said air blast generating means passes into one end of said passages and flow therealong, said passages being open at their other end to define a plurality of outlets arranged one above the other, and nozzle means located at 10 or adjacent said outlets of said passages and adapted to communicate with said liquid storage means such that liquid sprayed from said nozzle means is forced outwardly by air passing along said passages and through said passage outlets. 15
16. 16. Spray distribution apparatus according to Claim 15 wherein said passages are defined between a plurality of fins or vanes within said housing means. 20
17. 17. Spray distribution apparatus according to Claim 16 wherein said housing means includes first and second spaced apart planar faces between which said fins or vanes are located. 25
18. 18. Spray distribution apparatus according to Claim 17 wherein said housing means comprises a normally upright tower assembly.
19. 19. Spray distribution apparatus according to any one 30 of Claims 15 to 18 wherein said nozzle means comprises a plurality of nozzles, each being located adjacent a respective passage outlet.
20. 20. Spray distribution apparatus adapted to be 35 associated with an air blower and liquid storage means, said spray distribution apparatus including hollow housing means, a plurality of passages de^tffiBj^&thin said housing means, said housing means bei$g7 adapted to be mounted ' % T3 1997 | W/ 249438 adjacent said air blower such that in use air flowing in a radially outward direction from said air blower passes into one end of said passages and flow therealong, said passages opening at their other end to one side of said 5 apparatus to define a plurality of outlets, and nozzle means located adjacent at least some of said outlets of said passages and adapted to communicate with said liquid storage means whereby liquid may be sprayed therefrom, and such that liquid sprayed in use from said nozzle means is 10 forced outwardly by air passing along said passages and through said -passage outlets.
21. 21. Spray distribution apparatus according to Claim 20 wherein said ducts are defined between a plurality of 15 fins or vanes within said housing means.
22. 22. Spray distribution apparatus according to Claim 21 wherein said housing means includes first and second spaced apart planar members between which said fins or 20 vanes extend.
23. 23. Spray distribution apparatus according to Claim 21 wherein at least some of said fins or vanes terminate adjacent said one end of said passages in pivotally 25 adjustable portions whereby to vary the flow of air from said blower along at least some of said passages.
24. 24. Spray distribution apparatus according to Claim 21 wherein at least some of said fins or vanes terminate 30 adjacent said outlets in pivotally adjustable portions whereby to adjust the direction of air flowing through said outlets.